Random Ramblings

Just pondering.... Some things I really can't say in my homework

2011-04-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

As I was reading my homework today (for the Historical and Social Foundations of Education), Ecclesiastes 1:9, “There is nothing new under the sun,” kept coming to my mind. Even back in the 1800’s when this whole educational journey was just getting started there were individuals who felt parents were not willing or qualified to guide their children properly; concerns about lower income neighborhoods getting an inferior education to those of the more affluent neighborhoods; debates over private verses public schools; concerns about the delinquency of youth and attraction of the criminal element; frustration over how to address race and cultural differences; those who believed the government should have complete control and those who felt it should back off; and disagreements over how immigrants should be incorporated into the educational system. So, I guess my main question is this; have we changed at all over the last 200 years? I am pretty sure we are still dealing with these exact same issues today.

The author of my text states that “an individual…became a potential criminal when the family failed to provide adequate moral training and was eventually led astray through contact with a criminal community” (Spring,p 62, 2011). Therefore one of the primary functions of the school system was to stop children from getting into trouble and to help combat the ineffectiveness or unwillingness of parents to get involved. They talked about how over 1/3 of all children at that time lived in single parent households, the high crime rate of the urban streets, and the belief that the so called charity schools would be a way to keep children off the street and keep them from heading to a life of crime. Then there were the juvenile reformatories which went one step further than the charity schools and proposed to remove children from their homes in order to give them structure. This was done so that the state could “create good moral character by replacing a weak family structure and destroying criminal associations” (Spring, p 62, 2011).

So, this is back in the 1800’s. Youth was bad, parents were failures at doing their jobs, lots of single parent households and working families, and no one but the government cared about building up our children. Does that sound familiar to anyone else? This is still one of the biggest complaints you hear about the challenges facing the educational system; parents are not doing their job, they are not concerned about their children’s success, the youth is out of control, and all the responsibility for moral guidance is laid at the door of the school system.

My point is that every generation has believed their youth was out of control and drastic measures needed to be taken in order to provide moral guidance and save them from their own destruction. But in the end, regardless of the school system involvement, the majority of those children grow up to be fully functional adults; responsible, contributing members of society; who end up having the same fears about their own children. Each generation brings with it new challenges and someone inevitibly cries out to the educational system looking for guidance. Is that really the best plan? Is that even appropriate? Parents and children today aren’t any more negligent or delinquent than any previous generation. The challenges being faced today are the same challenges faced in the beginning. The immediate issues may be different, but the overall problem is the same.

So why do we keep trying the same things over and over? As they say (whoever they is) the definition of insanity is repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different outcome. That would be our current educational system. Give it up, the system can’t be the moral guide for everyone, nor should it be. Focus on educating people, making sure they can read, write, think, add, subtract, understand the world around them, and then let them make their own conclusions about the moral factors. You know the saying, a few bad apples spoils the whole bushel? We need to change that mindset. Pluck out the apples that are bad and just enjoy the rest of the bushel.

Make school a privilege not a right. And I mean for EVERYONE: students, faculty, administration, support staff, coaches, security guards, receptionist...EVERYONE! You have to EARN the privilege to be there. Students who don't apply themselves, threaten staff or classmates, skip class, fail to turn in their work...you don't GET to come. You go get a job (obviously I am talking a little older here). You get out there and learn a little bit about what it takes to make it in the world. And then when you are ready, when you are BEGGING to come back, maybe we will let you. And faculty who don't care, sleep in class, don't put in the effort, who think they are going to slide by because of their tenure or the fact that they are "connected," no way Jose! Hit the road! You don't just get to work with our students. You have to earn the right! You have to be committed to your calling (cuz it is a calling) and you have to be willing to put the needs of the students ahead of your own!

Cuz really all the talk about bad students vs bad faculty is ridiculous. Are students out of control because faculty doesn't care? Does faculty lose interest and motivation because students are out of control? (Obviously thinking about some of the documentaries highlighting some troubled schools - Did anyone see Waiting for Superman?) Anyways, WHO CARES! It's like the chicken and the egg dilemma. We will probably never know which one came first, but here is what we do know....the ADULTS have the responsibility to set the example for the students. Regardless of the behavior they are dealing with, they need to be the example! We all know that children learn what they see...that actions are way more powerful than words, and that if your body language is in conflict with your words....we listen to the body language! So MAN UP and set the example! No offensive to any teachers intended here, I'm just saying put away the victim mentality and try to remember what it was that brought all of us educators into this field to start with!

So, easier said the done? How do we make this happen? Easy MAKE SCHOOL THE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE! Stop wasting money and resources on moral education, security guards, alternative high schools for behavioral problems, and salaries for teachers who are tenured but not doing their job. (Seriously on this one, in Waiting for Superman there was a school district that had like 40 or more FULL TIME teachers pending investigation for abuse, neglect, or failure to fulfill the duties of the job, sitting in a room playing cards ALL DAY and getting PAID!) Now take all that money, and put it back into programs for the STUDENTS~ you know the reason schools exist! Let's have music programs, theatre programs, clubs, sports, math games, language clubs, support groups, work study programs, morning and after school enrichment activities, WHATEVER it takes to motivate students. We make schools a place were everyone wants to be, and then we make people EARN THE PRIVILEGE of being there. Radical, but simple.

Think back to the joy almost ALL children have during kindergarten, first grade, etc. They LOVE going to school. They can't wait until school day, they count down to that first day, and are ready to go back after holidays. Let's make that the norm!

Just saying....sometimes you got break the mold!

References (haha- since part of my hw was on here and I referenced the text, guess I will go ahead and include the information here- wouldn't want to be accused of plagarism!)

Spring, J. (2011). The American school: a global context from the Puritans to the Obama era. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

Another thought....

2011-04-17T17:19:00.000-07:00

I saw some RV's today and it got me thinking...wouldn't that be kind of fun? Teaching onlilne and traveling around the Americas? Spend a little time here, a little time there~ visiting family, friends, and tourist site. Breaking away from the norm and having some fun.

Ahhh to dream.......

peace corp

2011-04-14T20:50:00.000-07:00

Yeah, that previous message about getting healthy this year....not so much! I'm still thinking about it, does that count? I have good intentions. Actually, I have started taking a MWF Yoga class and a MW Zumba class, so apparently I have started making some efforts to get healthy. So there, I am not a big loser!

I am SERIOUSLY considering applying for the Peace Corp soon. Corde will graduate from high school in June 2012 and head off to college. Shayne will be doing whatever it is she is doing. So, why not? It seems like the perfect time for me to get out there and do something fun! I don't care where they send me, although to be honest Bulgaria is not at top of my list (yes, I realize I just jinxed myself). But I can still be happy doing whatever. I have watched a lot of podcasts about it and am planning to go to an in person recruiting event in Eugene soon.

At first, I thought I was too old, but then I did some research and found that although the percentages are smaller, it is not uncommon for 40+ to volunteer. It's a 27 month committment. That is the only part that scares me. I can't imagine not being availalbe to my kids for that long. Of course, I would get vacation, so I wouldn't have to actually go the whole time without seeing them. I wonder if I can get them to pinky swear that they won't make any life changing decisions (such as marriage, babies, and relocating) until I get back? That seems fair to me. I don't want to miss out on anything crtical, you know.

Of course, this could just be a pipe dream that doesn't go anywhere. It is an intersting thought, and one I will continue to explore~ I'll keep you posted!

Party for the tastebuds....

2010-07-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

Okay peops... just tried this recipe from Top Secret Restaurant Recipes #2....OMG!!! Applebee's Bourbon Street Steak.

Alright here we go~

Marinade:
2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 tablespoon soy sauce
4 teaspoons chili powder
4 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick meat tenderizer (recipes stresses to use McCormic)
2 teaspoons paprika
2 tesaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
2 cups water

Take 2 10z top sirloin steaks and pound until 3/4 in thick. place in marinade, cover, and store overnight in fridge (I ended up marinading for 48 hours due to a last minute family get together- and it was perfect)

Grill

While grilling- melt 3 tablespoons butter and mix in 1/8 teaspoono garlic power and a pinch of salt ( I didn't have garlic powder, so I just used garlic salt...still good)

Also, combine 1 tbl butter with 1 tbl olive oil in skillet, add thinly sliced white onions and saute until soft; then add sliced mushrooms, 1/8 tsp salt and tsp black pepper, saute for 2-3 minutes

I made long grain rice with it then served the steak on a shallow bed of rice, topped with grilled mushrooms/onions and drizzled with garlic butter.

All I can same is yum, yum, yum!!!! We also served it with fresh pineapple slices....great combination!

So there you have it--- the perfect dinner!!

Tomorrow night...Islands Yaki Soft Tacos- description says teriyaki marinated chicken with pineapple tidbits....must be a pineapple week!!!

Random Thoughts and Whining

2010-07-25T17:46:00.001-07:00

Random thoughts- may include whining...so be prepared or stop reading

1) Have you ever felt totally alone? That is how I feel right now. There are so many things I like to do, would LOVE to do....spend an afternoon at the park, spend the day at the river, hike to waterfalls, go to concerts, music on the halfshell,take day trips to the beach, mountains, city, wherever, go bowling, something, anything. So how did I end up in this life where I don't have anyone to do any of that with? It sucks! I need someone who wants to do stuff with me. I'm realitvely young...certainly not ready for the old folks home yet!

2) This job things is stressing me out. Add on the school thing and I am a basket case. There are no jobs here..none..nada...nothing..So why am I still going to school? So I can be further in debt and still have no job? This does not make any sense...should I go, should I stop, what is the right thing to do?? I truly believe there is nothing here for me in Roseburg, but where should I be?? I am getting the point where I don't even want to look anymore..it's too depressing!

3) Along with all the other crap going on in my life, job wise, family wise, health wise....now my Dr lady things maybe I have some kind of gluten issue. What the hell? How much more is there?? So I have been experimenting with a gluten restricted diet. I wont' say gluten free, because I haven't gone cold turkey. But I have done pretty good. It is actually easier than I expected, maybe because I have already been through so many issues. I did find some cereal and snack bars that are gluten free...along with an approved margarita mix...but alas, no more beer. Bummer

4) On a positive note, I am back to cooking this week. Just got back from the grocery store. I am making bourbon street steak, island chicken, tilipia tacos, chili, chili con queso, and apple springs chicken. Pretty excited about the week!

Okay, guess that is enough for now. Still pretty down, so there may be more whining or self reflection later, but right now I am just going to drink my margarita and eat my gluten free envirokidz bar

Wild River Ride

2010-07-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

Wow- what an adventure this weekend. The first part of the Pepsi Float was pretty uneventful, except for the fact that we all got pretty spread out right at the beginning. Personally if there was any area to get sucked off to and stuck, I found them!!!! All of them! Didn't miss a one. You know, I didn't want any part of the river to feel left out! I'm just nice like that!

Finally we all met up at about the midway point, and that is where the real excitement began...for me anway. First up- the seat of my recliner style float ripped out! Yep~ ripped out!! Yes, I know it wasn't a river appproved float, and was actually intended for use in a pool, not barreling down rapids...but I'd used it before and it worked just fine- and it is so comfy!!!! WAS- was so comfy! Once the seat ripped out - not so much. I, of course, was not wearing my life vest- dumb I know. So it was hooked onto my float, and as I was trying to swim to the side the straps from the vest kept wrapping around my leg and making it impossible to swim. I was stuck in the current and moving towards the rapids- which I did NOT want to go down while hanging onto half a float. Finally, I was able to get to the riverbank, put on my life vest and examine my float....no way to repair it. No phone (cuz I was on the river,duh!), and my group is all way ahead by this point! So, I decided to just stay along the edge and avoid the rapids/rocks until I got to sunburn alley where I should be able to meet up with the rest of my group.

But.....ahhhhhh......just as I was staring to feel alone and rejected.....my friend Mandy was waiting for me! Notice I said my friend....not my children....nope they were long gone! But Mandy waited for me~thanks Mandy~ and let me hold on to her float for a little bit, until we tried to go over some rapids and we both ended up getting beat up. So I asked her to go ahead and see if she could catch up with my sister-in-law and daughter who had the raft and get them to wait for me.

So she takes off, and I head back over to the side to work my way up the river...then.....aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.....a few more feet up the river and her boyfriend is waiting!!!! What a sweetie! He let me use his innertube, and he and Mandy shared hers (luckily they are both young and fit and could fit...me and my husband....not so much-he would have been swimming-lol). So they saved my life- I love them!!! I was so happy to be on a whole float again. The simple pleasures in life!!!

So we move along, and then a few more feet up the river, my daugher and sister-in-law were waiting. What???? They really do love me after all- and maybe they care a little about whether or not I am living or dead! I asked Kory if he wanted his float back, he said it was up to me, so I said I want to keep it! Was that selfish?? I didn't want to cram in the raft with Shayne and Renee, but I didn't might making him share a float with Mandy?? Yeah, that was selfish~ bad Debi!!! He didn't seem to mind though. They looked happy enough, and a few minutes later they took off ahead of us and we didn't see them again until the end.....so maybe they did mind? Or maybe they enjoyed being all cozy? Or maybe they just got caught up in the current and it really wasn't a conscious decision?? Let's go with that one.

At this point life is good. I have a float, I am holding on for dear life to the raft (so I don't get left behind again) and I'm happy. Along the way, we met up with a group of Shayne's friends, so our little group expanded to about 7 people. Now Remember Mandy and Kory are gone. And Corde and his friend Matt had dumped us long before to go float with some "hot girls"....you know the life blood of teenage boys! So now it is just Shayne, Renee, me, and Shayne's friends. Chillin'. More people to row, or attempt to row, the only one who was actually any good at it was Renee. It was nice though. Her friends has some interesting conversations and kept us entertained. Swam a little during sunburn alley and just enjoyed relaxing.

Now comes scary part number 2- We are hading into the last two groups of rapids. I have long since calmed down from my first experience, and TOOK OFF MY LIFE JACKET while we were floating through sunburn alley so I could swim. Yes- let me just say I am an idiot, I admit, I own it! So anyway, we reach the rapids, and they were pretty short, so I wasn't worried at all. Until, the raft went on one side of a rock, and I went on the other.....remember when I said I was now hooked to the raft???? yeah, that didn't work out so well. So the tub tips, I go under, the strap (dang straps!!) of the life vest wraps around my neck, and my foot is stuck on the raft. Not pretty. So I am basically slammed repeatedly into the rocks- ah good times- finally got the tube free from the raft, or maybe it was my foot, I don't know, anyway, I manage to come up for air, but the strap pulls me back under and I slam my chin onto the rock....saw stars for a second, but fortunately didn't get knocked out. Finally get upright again, and just cling to the tube until we get through the rapids. My sister-in-law is holding onto the tube so I don't pull away from them, and I am trying frantically to get the strap off my neck! The people behind us are freaking out, I'm gasping for air, Renee was in a panic....it was a mess. So we get out of the rapids...which all of this probably took a matter of seconds to happen, but it felt like YEARS had passed!

Crisis #2 averted. I got back in my tube, put the freakin life vest on...where it should have been all along....yes again I know I am an idiot....had a minor breakdown while I caught my breath, let my heartrate calm down, and Renee clung to my hand as if she was afraid I was going to fall apart...and I might have if she hadn't been there. Deep breaths- all is good.

Just in time to reach the final set of rapids....needless to say I am TERRIFIED!!!! I push waaaayyyyyy away from the raft- have my life vest on, clinging to my tube with all my strength, teeth gritted, body tense, headed in....almost cried cuz I was so nervous....then about halfway through, I realized what I was doing, made myself stop freaking out and enjoy the experience. Accidents happen, can't let them run your life. Enjoy the moment! More deep breaths, relax a little bit by bit and thoroughly enjoyed the last few seconds of the rapids!!

Moral of the story? I have always loved floating the river and I am not going to allow one less than stellar trip to ruin that for me. Next time though, RAFT- no tube; life vest- all the way! Along with a hat and long sleeve t-shirt, cuz let's not even get started on the massive sunburn!!!!!!!! My forehead looks like rudolph's nose...or maybe a beacon for aiplanes!! Owie!!!!!

So, the real question now is...when are we going again??? I'm ready!!!

Cool Blogs...

2010-06-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

I was just looking at Sheri's blog...she has all these cools buttons, quotes, slideshows, pics....how does she do that? Obviously I need to spend more time playing around with this thing- but for now...the daisy's and ramblings will have to do. No inspiration for anyone, just me blabbing my thought!! Now that is a nice title, "Blabbing my Thoughts" LOL

So...for my adoring fans who are beside themselves waiting to see what I will cook this week... Fettucini Alfredo, with salad (found a recipe for Olive Garden dressing-yummy) and breadsticks. Breakfast skillet. Shrimp Newberg. Appley Pork Chops. Country Fried Steak. and Southwestern Burrito Pizza. Sounds good, huh? Want to come over for dinner????

Last night I finally made the fajitas. Oh my goodness! Who knew the right seasonings (and recipe) could make such a huge difference??? Not I, that is for sure! But WOW! It was a party for my mouth. Chicken, and shrimp (for those pesky chicken haters), fajitas with red and greeen bell peppers, guacomole, sour cream, pico de gallo....ummm ummmm ummmm....Tasty Goodness!

Tonight hibachi steak with mushrooms, zuchinni and onions! One of my favorite meals ever (even though this was the first time I ever had it)! Lets see ~ saute the onions and zuchinni with 1 tbl butter and 2 tbl soy sauce- plus a dash of salt and pepper. In separate pan saute the steak with 1 tbl butter & 1 tbl soy sauce. Once meat done, push to side and add mushrooms (with you guessed it, more butter and soy sauce). Remove meat/mushrooms from pan. Remove vegies from pan. Add beansprouts to vegie pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft (add more soy sauce if you like). Enjoy! We served it with cheese bread. Took thick cut french bread, mixed butter and parmessean cheese together, spread thick layer on toast, grill butter/cheese side down until cheese is brown. So freakin good. Based on the Sizzler Cheese Toast, if you have ever had that- you know what I am talking about!!!!

For dessert, Shayne and I had vanilla pudding (sugar free) and fresh raspberries! Aferwards, nice long walk with Patz! But not too long, didn't want him hobbling around all evening again!

On a non-food issue...yes, I know it is my obsession lately....I am going to be involved with a project with community ed to try and start a re-careering program. Had the first meeting today and am pretty excited about it~ I have a month with no homework,so I am going to use it to research the topic a little and put together a presentation. Never really taken anything like this on before, wish me luck!!!

And the cookfest continues....

2010-06-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight Quesadilla Burgers. Got to say, I was not looking forward to this one, which is why I put it off until the end, but C wanted it- so I agreed to give it a try. Well...you know what they say about saving the best for last??? Definitely true in this case. These are wonderful. If you have ever had one at Applebee's (or wherever) before, you already know that...but I have not had one before so I was very pleased.

Ground been with cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder, pepper, salt, and oregano seasonings. Grill the burgers. Butter one side of a small (fajita size) tortilla and place on griddle, top with grated Monterrey jack and cheddar cheese, then diced tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos. Add the patty, a little more cheese (to help it stick), and another tortilla (butter side up). Grill for as long as needed...flattening out with back of spatula to help it stick together. Serve with shredded lettuce and whatever you want. We had guacamole and salsa.

And for the adults...Margarita, if you please!

So that was the last of my recipes. Now I have to figure out more stuff. Tomorrow we will probably have breakfast for dinner and then this weekend I will work out new menus and go shopping. I am still committed to continuing with the cooking. Although we are starting summer and I am not sure if I will even see my kids over the next few months, much less have dinner with them! Only time will tell.

Pollo a la crema......mmmmmmmm mmmmmm

2010-06-06T19:11:00.000-07:00

So last Thursday I made the club house grills using the fake Applebee's recipe! Yummy. Thick sliced sour dough bread, turkey, ham, grated cheese, and tomato. Yummy. We cheated a little bit, and Bob brought home curly fries from Arby's to go with it. They were good....but not the second day. Definitely not something you can use for left overs the next day. I tried...not a good idea. Also, they don't look very big, so you think, oh I can eat a whole sandwich....no you can't. Trust me! They are thick and filling and if you are having a side dish with them, you only need a half. Or if you feel you must eat a whole on principle, then get small bread!

Didn't cook Friday or Saturday. Friday Bob, Shayne, and I went to Sandy's Place for dinner. It was very good! Especially the non-insulin resistant friendly chocolate cream pie! Saturday, I went to the movie with Tim and Gilaine, so by the time I got home I didn't feel like cooking, and no one was home but Bob and I anyway. He wasn't hungry, so I had...... are you ready for this......I'm ashamed to admit it.......cinnamon toast crunch cereal and a margarita!!! It didn't taste near as gross as it sounds!!! That is horrible!

Today I finally attempted the pollo a la crema. Was not anything like my local restaurant speciality....I love you Los Dos Amigos...but it was still good. In case I want to try it again...it was chicken (&/or shrimp) cooked in canola oil and minced garlic. Set that aside after it cooks, and add butter to the pan, and cut up onion, cook until the onion is softened, then add flour and brown. Once that is done, add enough milk to make a paste, then add enough milk to make a gravy. Once the gravy mixture is thick enough add chili powder, tomato paste, feta cheese (although next time I am using Parmesan), and sour cream. Once thickened enough add the chicken or shrimp back to the mixture and cook for 5-10 minutes. Serve with warm tortillas and whatever side you like.

I was impressed. Will definitely do it again. As I was cooking it, I really thought this was going to be the one that didn't work out....but it did! yeah me!!!

So there you go....still going strong with my cooking mission. Tomorrow night, Quesadilla Burgers!

Commitment to cooking week continued....

2010-06-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

Still going strong. Last nights eggs in a basket turned out pretty good. Didn't get the whole sit down to dinner experience, as everyone was coming and going. But we did all eat the same thing and everyone seemed pretty happy with it. Really simple. Butter a slice of bread, cut a hole out of the middle and put it butter down on the griddle. After it browns slightly, crack an egg in the center and let cook, flipping gently so you don't break the yolk. Serve with bacon or sausage (or like us...both to please everyone) and enjoy! Yummy. The yolk runs over the butter toast and all mixes together...very nice.

Tonight's Nachos Grande......Breaking out the De-Lish and the Tasty Goodness!!! Homemade, or more appropriately Home-fried tortilla chips (corn tortillas cut in fourths and fried), ground beef, refried beans, green onions, cheddar cheese, Monterrey jack cheese, and jalapenos. No dumping all the ingredients on top of a pile of chips either....no way Jose! Each individual chip was topped with all the ingredients: beans, meat, cheese, onions, and one jalapeno (on a stick...ha ha - any Jeff Dunham fans out there?) Served with guacamole and sour cream! They were nice....very nice! I am enjoying this. I was feeling so domestic, I even cleaned up the kitchen! What is up with that????

Tomorrow night's menu will feature Club House Grills....french bread, turkey, ham, grated cheese....and I don't know what else- have to read the menu first! And finally on Friday....Pollo a la Crema- my favorite! or Abby's pizza...only time will tell!

Got part of my homework done, and now I am going to relax and finish reading Dead in the Family! 2 more days til the weekend!! Yaaa Hooo!!!!

I'm not too bad after all....

2010-06-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

Who knew?? I am always surprised when I cook something that actually turns out good. I have convinced myself I am not a good cook, but maybe I just don't do it enough. So this week I have committed to cooking every night- at least until Friday, then we will reevaluate the situation.

So Sunday night I made a wonderful Fiery Fish Taco. It was De-Lish!!! It was talipia fish seasoned with cayenne pepper, ground pepper, and salt and grilled. Served with corn tortillas and topped with a pico de gallo of corn, jicama, red onion, red bell pepper, lime juice and zest, and cilantro. WOW...tasty goodness for sure! Had it for dinner on Sunday and lunch on Modnay....good job me!

Then Monday night we made Applebee's oriental chicken saldad (shrimp for the husband as he doesn't eat chicken). Again....yeah me!!! It was wonderful. Cabbage and romaine lettuce, green onions, sliced almonds, chow mein noodles mixed with a yummy dressing of honey, mayo, vinegar, sesamee oil, and other stuff. Then fried the chicken and shrimp with a cornflake coating......nice job! Definitely a do-over. Maybe grilled shrimp and chicken next time to make it a little healthier...maybe not.

Tonight on the menu we have Eggs in a basket....later this week Quesadilla burgers, pollo a la crema, Club House Grill, Shrimp fajitas, and nachos grande..... Definitely expecting good things.

So why am I posting this here????? So I don't forget!!!! I want to remember these recipes so I can do them again! And ofcourse, so I can share them with any one who happens to stumble on this blog and want to try them.....when something goes good, you gotta share it!!!

one of my finer moments....

2010-05-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

so last night I went out to eat at McMinnemans (I don't really know how to spell that). I ordered a 1/2 turkey sandwich with tater tots, but all I REALLY wanted was the tots! When my order finally came they only gave me 10 tots....10 TOTS!!!! I waited almost an hour for my meal and all I got was 10 tots! I was REALLY annoyed. That was unacceptable and how in the world was that going to fill me up???

My husband jokingly said, "just cut them in half if you are that upset"....so I did...and you know what???? I was totally fine after that cuz then I had 20 tots, and 20 tots is more than enough for anyone!!!!

Yep, I am that ridiculous!!!! :P

Just for the record....

2010-05-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

I think I am okay now. The hurt is past, the pity party is over, and I believe I am whole again. I even feel up to taking on these three new interviews. No expectations though. In fact my expectation is to not get any of them...is that bad? Does that send some bad juju on to my interviews or something?? So positive thoughts- I would love to have either of the HR jobs- come on HR!!!

Probably helps that I had a wonderful day today with my Baby G. We went to the Oakland City Wide Garage (which is where I ran into a customer from my office, who told Shayne I was the nicest and most helpful person in the office! I really needed to hear that! It made me smile!) Visited with grandparents for awhile and then spent a couple of hours at Saving Grace. Then on to dinner and a movie. Now I am chilling with a glass of wine and getting read to read. Good day.

While we weere at Saving Grace we looked at a dog. 5 years old. Terrier/something mix. Spent about 2 hours with him. He bonded with Shayne instantly. They have his name listed as Chewbacca. Shayne referred to him as Patsy- and he seemed to respond. Not sure what it was about her, but it was like they had an instant connection...and a past. I didn't get him today, because I didn't want to make a rush decision (I do have 2 cats I need to consider) But neither Shayne or I have been able to get him out of our head...we will back tomorrow at noon when it opens and hope he still is available!

Oh...one more thing (guess I wasn't really done)

2010-04-21T22:32:00.000-07:00

Yeah- I forgot- I had to go today to have a mammogram! Always makes me laugh when I say that, because I saw a comedian years ago who talked about "smooshing the booby flat" and that is exactly what they do!! I was cracking up- the tech lady probably thought I was crazy! of course that was before I found out about the thyroid thing...back when I knew how to be happy... : )

Anyway- I fully expect to get a call telling me there is something wrong with my boobs too....I'm sure they don't want to be left out of the total body failure body! So stay tuned for more exciting stories from.....As My Body Betrays Me!!!

Warning- Full Blown Whine Fest headed your way!

2010-04-21T21:53:00.001-07:00

Okay- so enough is enough already. Really? I don't need anymore crap in my life. As some of you may know, I already have insulin resistance issues (still prefer the syndrome X label). It has been a year since I was diagnosed with this and I have been taking my daily doses of Metformin, fighting a constantly loosing battle with trying to lose weight, and trying to exercise on a semi-regular basis in order to help improve the production of my insulin.

I say constantly loosing battle, because that is what it feels like. I have tried EVERYTHING I can think of to loose enough weight to be considered "healthy"...to no avail. My Dr lady put me on weight loss pills....NADA. Exercise 6 days a week...NADA. Weight Watchers....faithfully tracked for 3 weeks, gained a pound. Not cool. Now...I don't stay perfect. I get discouraged and just give up after a while....but you know what??? That doesn't matter either. I still stay the same.

So I went in for my yearly check up last week. Kind of broke down in the office and cried because I was so freakin frustrated with the whole process. Told her I felt like crap, trouble concentrating, tired, distracted, and just generally blah. Some days I would/will just come home from work and veg out like a zombie for the whole evening because I am so totally drained.

She decided some more blood work was in order! Oh joy! I went in Monday morning and I swear they drew about 7-8 vials of blood! I was beginning to think they were collecting for vampires or something! A+ must be a preferred flavor! So I get a call today telling me I now have hypothyroidism. Which means my thyroid gland does not produce the thyroid hormone...which regulates your metabolism! What the heck? My pancreas doesn't want to produce or regulate its insulin correctly and now my thyroid gland just stops producing its hormone! Are my organs on strike?? I don't get it. As many of you probably know, one of the MANY MANY side effects of hypothyroidism is......WEIGHT GAIN!!!!

Great, peachy keen, swell, super...this is nice! So, I can't lose weight because of the stupid insulin issue and now I am going to gain because of the stupid thyroid issue. Lovely...I'll be 300 pounds by the time I am 50. Can't wait for that day!!! If I am even alive by then. Apparently all my organs have decided they are through! And I don't even do anything "bad"......there is no reason for this to be happening...none at all.

But it is, so I must deal. I will have to start taking some new meds for the thyroid thing...FOR THE REST OF MY FREAKIN LIFE....however short that may be. These pills are apparently "picky" and don't like to be combined with anything else. They have to be taken first thing in the morning, one hour before I eat or drink anything but water or take any other medication. So...how does that work??? I have to take my Metformin in the morning...but not with the thyroid stuff apparently. The only thing I can figure out is I am going to have to wake up at 5, take the stupid pill and drink 16oz of water, go back to sleep...wake up at 6, snooze button until 6:20 and then get up and start my real day. Yeah- how exciting!

Okay so I shouldn't be a Negative Nelly (I refuse to use the term "DebbieDowner")- I should be grateful for all the organs that are working, right? And my appendages that still work, and all that good stuff. And I am, I truly am, but right now- I am bummed!!!

AND... no I am not done yet....my always supportive husband was a total jerk...surprise. Didn't want to talk about it, didn't care, made some snooty comment like "what can't you do now?" I was/am scared and upset and actually wanted to have a conversation with someone about it, but no- not to be- Oh yeah I think he was upset because I asked him to cook dinner so I could research the whole hypothyroidism thing...Sorry my health interferes with your game time!!! (If any of the husband's family is reading this- please DO NOT CALL HIM and say anything or call me and say anything- this is my place to vent so just let me vent and let it go!! Serious)

But wait...there's more!!!! I also found out I am likely lactose intolerant. So, let's recap....I have IBS (or at least I was told I did when I was younger, and I have tried to be aware of it over the years and avoid trigger foods), I have insulin resistance, I have hypothyroidism, AND lactose intolerant!!! Funnnnnnn. And you know what??? None of the "diet plans" for these conditions work together. Lactose Intolerant? Drink soy milk. hypothyroidism- avoid soy products! Lovely.

Add in my weak butt muscle and sore left hip, my piniculla(.....whatever something like..basically the wind damage in my eyes which will eventually lead to eye surgery) and I ammmm....oh wait wait wait, can't forget my missing tooth!!!! Now there....aren't I just a peach! Boy if I was single, I would have to fight the men off...probably with my cane!!!!!

Okay, I think I am done. On the upside, I had a good homework night tonight. I think I got everything done, so I won't have to worry about it when I am at Six Flags this weekend! So there you go, always good to end on a positive! Good night Moon!

20th Anniversary....

2010-04-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

so for our 20th wedding anniversary my husband signs my card "you are a great mom, a caring person, and a great friend. I am so thankful to have you in my life." Hmmmmmmm...... that just about says it all.

Six Flags Here We Come!

2010-04-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

So I booked the hotel room and bought the tickets...I guess it's official- We are going to Six Flags in 2 weeks. I'm really excited. April 23-25 we will go to Vallejo, California to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom with my BFF Gilaine and her family. So far it is just my kids and I going. The husband figure says he needs to check and see if he is on call that weekend. If he is not, he says he will go...but we will see. I'm thinking it is highly unlikely! Not too much of a family joiner kind of guy. Couldn't even make it through dinner and a movie last night. Said he got a tummy ache at dinner. I hate to sound sceptical, but I really think he just wanted to go home.

But anyway- the kids and I are going and I am quite excited. When we were there in March 09, I discovered I really don't like roller coasters too much anymore. The first one gave me a headache, the 2nd one hurt my ears (from my head banging on the sides) and broke my phone, the 3rd one made me sick to my stomach, and there wasn't a 4th! After that I just watched the animal shows and did the old people stuff! : )

I'm going to try it again though. I hate to give them up, because I used to love them so much! Do I have to stop just because I am so old now??? That doesn't seem fair. If I can't handle them, my friend G has a 5 year old, so maybe I can ride some kiddy rides with her!! Maybe they will have a roller coaster perfect for little kids and old foagies!! Right up my alley!

Yay- bring on the vacation...mini vacay! I love vacations. Anywhere, anytime, any length- just want to go, go, go! That is the main thing I miss about working for Head Start- Summers, Spring Break, and Christmas Break!!! I want school holidays!

Speaking of Head Start, I saw 4 of my former Head Start coworkers on Saturday...well 5 if you count G, but I see her all the time. That was WEIRD. First I saw my old boss, Pam, at the Goodwill store. Then Gayle at the library. The other Gail at the thrift store (I was looking for a chair for my room), and Alicia at the movies...which I was at with G. I will go years without seeing anyone, then I see 4 in one day! Definitely odd...but nice- good to see everyone and catch up on how things are in there life!

Easter....

2010-04-06T21:20:00.001-07:00

So, I get up early on Sunday morning and start putting together the kids' baskets, only to find out that I don't have all the stuff. Check my phone to find a text from G (Thank you!) letting me know I had left one of my bags in her car. So, I rush over there - still in my jammies-get the stuff, come home, to find no one in my house has even stirred. Good, that gives me time to finish up. I get the baskets all put together and set out for S & c to find, then sit down to wait for some sign of life from my family members. Takes a while.

I decided to make some cinnamon rolls for breakfast to see if I could entice them to wake up. This turned out to be my first inkling that there was going to be problems. The package said to cook for 13-17 minutes. Our oven has already cooked faster, so I set the time for 11 and thought we should be good. About 6 minutes into the baking, I smelled trouble. Sure enough, when I checked on them, they were BURNED to a crisp. Nothing like crunchy cinnamon rolls. I didn't let that slow me down though,just slathered them with the icing and served them anyway!

Again, not to be out done by the oven, I decided to continue on with my plans. Pumpkin pie was first up on the agenda. The recipe said to cook 15 for minutes at something or other, then turn down oven and cook for another 45. About 7 minutes into this round, I checked on the pies and found the crust totally burned and the inside completely raw....interesting. Still not willing to admit defeat, I turned the temp down and let them continue cooking. I mean what's a little burned crust anyway (only the best part of the pie!) Next up Apple Crisp...that one actually turned out pretty good. While that was going on, I got the potatoes and broccoli and cheese started. Starting to feel pretty good about the dinner and thinking things are going to turn out okay. Kids on the other hand (I found out later) were taking bets as to whether or not we would end up going out! Gotta love the support.

Next up, pork tenderloin. Like I said, I am feeling good about the dinner now and expecting the best. Really believing the oven will hold out for me...but NOPE not gonna happen. As the time goes along, I check on it frequently and can tell it is just not progressing smoothly, but I refuse to admit defeat! Unfortunately, when the time went off, one side of the pork is burned to a crisp, other side completely raw! How does this happen? I understand a burner could burn out have way...but the oven???? It's like some kind of cruel joke! April fools a few days late, perhaps?

At this point I am done with this whole adventure. Pile the husband and kids (S&C plus Abby) in the car and away we go searching for somewhere to have Easter dinner (this is when I find out they had a pool going as to whether or not we were going to go out!!)I am thinking we will go to the Rodeo steakhouse or somewhere we can get a traditional dinner....but do we???? NOOOOOOOOO- S&C pop up with "let's have Chinese!" Next thing I know we are at Kowloon's! I could not believe how crowded it was. I figured we would be the only loser's there...not so my friend! The place was actually pretty packed. Guess we were in good company.

Back home for dessert....pretty tasty if I may say so myself.

In between all of this stuff, we played Wii Just Dance and the kids played DJ Hero. Everyone hung out in the living room together and had some nice family (+1) bonding. All in all a very non-traditional but excellent day!

Boys to Men

2010-04-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Busy day!!! It is 7:30 pm and I am just now sitting down to relax for the first time. Of course I have to get up again before too long and head back out to pick up the female child, but for now I can relax and enjoy a glass of wine. I read somewhere that a glass a day was actually good for keeping insulin under control. Of course I later found out it was referring to a 4oz glass of red wine....and I prefer my jumbo glass of Riesling (white)....but I'm just gonna claim it anyway!

I spent the morning with my C and 5 of his friends. We were up on the mountain, in the snow, paint balling. Well, let me rephrase that... they were in the snow, paint balling, I was sitting in the truck, with the heater on, reading a book! They made it about an hour and half before they realized they were CRAZY! It was so cold, their guns wouldn't even work properly and the paint balls wouldn't break..Frozen paint balls, Nice! The drive back home was quite interesting. Front row seat into the minds of six teenage boys (15 and 16 year olds). One minute they are goofing off and acting more like 5 and 6 year olds, pranking each other and being....well, you know...stupid! The next they are talking about one of their female friends who is pregnant and wondering what her life is going to be like, while admiring the fact that the baby daddy stuck around and is trying to do the right thing. Then quick as that, they are back to South Park and other mindless drivel. Defintely an interesting age, firmly entrenched in the "between" stage..not yet men, and not quite boys.... the male version of Brittany Spear's Not Yet A Woman song. I love my boy/man!!! I am so thankful to have him in my life.

Oh my aching butt.....

2010-04-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

Yep, I admit I am a total pain in the butt today. Literally. I have such good intentions, with the Zumba, the aquakick, and the walking....but Dude, I so can't handle this! When did I actually become old?? I can remember back 4-5 years ago when I could and sometimes did workout 2-3 hours a day and I was fine....Now I work out for an hour 3 days in a row and I am dying!!!! Literally had to come home early tonight instead of shopping more so I can lay on a freakin' heating pad!!

It's official I am pathetic!!!

Message to Co-Workers....

2010-03-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

Please stop talking about your kids ALL the time!!! I don't care! I don't love your kids....or even know them- nor do I want to. I am happy to hear that your kid did good, but that's all. I don't need OR want to know every single detail of every single event of their little lives. I have kids of my own...as well as friends, other interests, and a life! I don't need or want to live vicariously through your kids, anymore than I want to do so through my kids.

When my eyes glaze over and I give you the little fake smile....it means I'm THROUGH. When I try to continue working and stare at the computer while you are regaling me with your stories....it means I DON'T CARE anymore! I got the info I needed...your kid did great at singing, playing, proposing, breathing, walking, soccer, living, driving, whatever...they rock. That is enough for me. I am happy for you, and them- now move on!

You are my coworker, I know you. If you want to tell me something about you, something you have done, or think, or feel, or know, or want, or succeed at, or whatever...... I'd love to hear it- let's relate person to person, adult to adult, coworker to coworker- cool??? Could we try that??

If you are uncomfortable, don't know what to say, have trouble with small talk...guess what??? I can relate to that AND I have a book you can read that might help you with the small talk part!

ZUUUMMMBBBBAAAAA

2010-03-29T20:34:00.001-07:00

I had so much fun at Zumba today. Thank you Thank you Thank you to my neighbor for asking me to start going again. I had a blast. I literally laugh out loud while I am doing it because I am so uncoordinated now days, and it is so hard...but so fun!! I love it!!

But- I am so sore! It totally kicks my weak little butt!! I did about 20 minutes weight lifting before I started, then the hour long Zumba workout, I am so gonna be dying tomorrow. People at work will be wondering what is wrong with me. Should I tell them the truth or make up some kind of story??

Tomorrow I am planning to go back to the Y and take the Aqua Kick class.....that is provided I can walk ..... I can already feel my legs screaming when I try to go up the stairs at work...ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch....but it's fun, right? Good times!!!

My cats are crazy....

2010-03-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

So I get up this morning, come in the living room, and open the curtains....both my cats are literally sitting right outside the window, one of them on the hood of C's car and the other on the ground next to it. They are both starting straight at the window, as if they compelled me to open the curtain with the power of their thoughts. So I stared at them, they stared at me, this went on for about 30 seconds....I move away from the window at head over to the front door, and I kid you not, the second my hand touched the doorknob, they came running. They were just staring at me the whole time....CREEPY.

Then I go in the kitchen with them, one bowl already has food in it, Riley goes straight to that bowl and starts devouring the food. Lucy tries to push him out of the way, but he won't be budged. I get out a second bowl, fill it up and try to get Lucy to eat from it. She will not have anything to do with it. She wants the food Riley is eating and that is that. But thankfully, Riley is just as weird, because he it to worried about what Lucy is getting to focus on his own bowl. So they switch. This lasts for about 2 minutes, then they switch again.....this happened about 4 times....yes I stood there at watched (while eating my own nutritious breakfast of strawberry pop tarts!)

Finally, Lucy got enough and left the kitchen, and so did I because I thought the fun was over. So I am sitting out here on the couch, and I keep hearing Riley eat for a few seconds, then nothing, then a few more, then nothing....so I have to wonder what is he doing? I sneak back in the kitchen and he is STILL going back and forth between the two bowls....a few seconds here, a few seconds there....he just can't decide which one to eat.....IT'S THE SAME FOOD BRAINIAC!!!!

Ahhh, kitty kitty, you make me smile!!! : )

Beautiful Day...

2010-03-27T16:19:00.000-07:00

Ahh... finally I feel human, sort of. Very beautiful spring day! Started out with a text from Baby G asking if I would make breakfast for her and her friends... cinnamon rolls, hashbrowns, and eggs (interesting combo)- but sure why not. I can peel potatoes for hashbrowns and cook up a couple of eggs....but the cinnamon rolls are out of my league. Instead, I sent the girls to the store to buy those while I cooked up the rest. Then I got to sit and have breakfast with them- for the second day in a roll....quite a treat! (I am so easily entertained)

Later I spent a wonderful hour at the library checking out a whole bag of mindless drivel reading.....love it! By the time I got home it was still a beautiful day, so I washed my bug and C's Camry. Fun bonding time with the son.....

Now I am relaxing and getting ready to read one of my mindless books....although I would much rather go see the bounty hunter if I could just find someone to go with.....anyone????

Days like to day, help me forget how miserable I have been lately and remind me of the good things I do have in my life. Just can't be blue when you have beautiful, sunny skies and entertaining teenagers!! So thankful for all the blessings I have in my life!!!!

My Baby G....AGAIN

2010-03-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

I finished my first graduate class yesterday. Pretty exciting...only a million more to go. No seriously, I will finish in September of 2011. The same month Shayne will start college, that is if she ends up going to college. Right now she is firmly in the hoodlum lifestyle and may or may not make it there. At this point, I just want to see her graduate high school! How/when did she turn into a thug? I'd like to blame it no her current friends, but the truth is she has always had a stubborn streak and teetered on the edge of the wild side, and now she is full in it! I know it is not possible, as there is no blood linkage, but she is sooooooooooooo much like my sister it is scary. The things that come out of her mouth, her circular logic, all of it, CRAZY!!! I want to just beat her some days....other days, she just makes me laugh and feels me with so much joy. Her grades are still good, and she is honest with me about what she is doing, so for that I am am thankful. As she likes to remind me, she could be so much worse than what she is! "At least I am not.....(feel in the blank)" is her favorite argument!

Although to be honest, I know I was the same way too. I had my "fun" as a teenager and couldn't see past the moment. I know I took risks, did things I should regret...not saying I do. But that was different, right? Cuz I wasn't the momma! Now I am and it sucks. I look at my soon to be 17 year old and wonder where my Baby Girl went? How did we go from dance events to this? I want her to go directly from the sweet, cute little girl to the full fledged adult, confident in her own decisions. Is that too much? Only one problem...when I am honest about it....she was never sweet!! : ) She has always been head strong, independent, opinionated, and very vocal!!! And I love those traits in her, and really believe they will be wonderful assets to her as an adult, and I tell her that all the time.....but could we put them on hold for the next year and a half? Really that is what I want. Until she graduates from high school, I want her to put away her natural tendencies and just be a sweet, obedient, non questioning drone. Okay? I admit it- that would make MY life sooooooooooooo much easier........hmmmm, and so BORING!

She is perfect just the way she is. I know she will emerge from her latest phase a stronger, even more confident person, and whatever mistakes she makes right now- she will learn from and handle. It's called life. It's how we grow, right? Give them wings and all that crap- of course I'd prefer to lock her in her room until she is an adult! Is that wrong??? :)

2010-03-01T07:51:00.001-08:00

No time to blog... Too much homework and stuff. Did go c cop out this weekend. Too funny! And ordered new phones....getting a Droid....psyched! Happy bday me!

Picked up C's car....

2010-02-02T20:12:00.000-08:00

Well, it's official~ we now have 4 cars! Our house looks so funny! If you ever need to find my house just look for the one with all the cars. Got a silver Sunfire and a white Camry in front of the house, a big blue Dodge in the driveway, and a little bug in the garage! Makes me think back to the day we moved in. Shayne was in first grade and Corde was in kindergarten. Cars were the last thing on our minds....now here we are, same house, same kids, just new toys!

So after we picked up the car, C decided we needed to go out to eat....TO CELEBRATE (we do a lot of celebrating here, grades came out let's celebrate, S turned in her homework, let's celebrate...it's wednesday, let's celbrate, mom doesn't like to cook, let's celebrate!) So we called Shayne to meet us in Sutherlin for dinner. We were the only family in the restaraunt and we had 3 CARS in the parking lot!! Sign of things to come. Wherever we go, we will be rolling up in four separate cars!!! The kids were joking about texting the name of the restaraunt for dinner and then all just showing up on our own....sad part is it's probably not too far off base! Then they took a poll who had the best cars in the family. Bob's truck won hands down, followed by C's Camry, S's Sunfire, and my bug was dead last. WHATEV! My car is so much better than everyone else's!!! These people just don't what they are talking about.

After dinner we headed home, and of course Corde's gas light dinged, so we pull in to feel up and $39 we are on our way!!1 $39??? One thing is for sure, it may not be the 2nd best car in the family, but it is certainly the 2nd most expensive to fill up...second only to the truck!

Well, that's my story for today. Now NCIS is calling my name....oh and a little thing called homework!

It's Crazy Day!!!

2010-02-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

Today is crazy day at work! Kicking off our food drive campaign by dressing crazy. So fun! We have a full on rocker chick, a silver haired jester, a tie died hippy wtih crazy pony tails, and I am in a crazy shirt/jacket combo with a mad hatter hat. I am going to take some group pics later!

Insulin wise, how am I doing??? Not so hot, but I am not dying sick like yesterday. I had eggs this morning (I miss cereal!), then I had a coffee and a granola bar on break, and I just had a packet of oatmeal for lunch with water. I know that sounds like a lot of carbs, but they are actually on my semi approved list.I didn't bring a "hard crunch snack" like I was supposed to....but at least I don't feel like I am going to die!

Lunch...

2010-01-31T15:59:00.000-08:00

Well maybe there is something to the diet after all. I went to Chinese food for lunch. Now I don't pig out or go overboard ... but there is not a lot that you can do healthy at that place, especially when you go with the whole family and you always order the same thing. So I had a little mar far chicken, some fried shrimp, and pork. I had one spoonful of the rice....and of course the pink sauce. Don't know what it is but it is soooooo good. I think I had 3 cups of tea with sweet and low and a glass of water. I actually thought I did reasonably well. NOT!!

I have been SICK SICK SICK since I left. Now that I have this handy dandy book, I looked up my symptoms and of course it is because I threw off my insulin balance! I feel HORRIBLE. I went for a walk when we first got home, and thank goodness I did, because I am out for the count now. Keep running to the bathroom, feel all tingly, and TIRED!! So Tired. It's like my brain has been drugged.....I know that doesn't make sense, but remember the drugged brain?? I can't focus!

All I have the energy to do is lay on the couch and watch Steven Segal movies on Spike! You know I gotta be sick if I am watching Steven Segal. The man can not act....all he can do is talk real slow and fight....give me strength!!!

Chines food is the ENEMY!!!!!!! No more! No mas! Next time I promise to stick with my hard crunch!!!!!

Insulin Resistance Diet....blech!

2010-01-31T10:26:00.001-08:00

So I have this insulin resitance/metabolic syndrome/syndrome X thing going on. Not fun! Impossible too lose weight, even though the Dr. keeps telling me I need to. Blah feeling, constant issues with blood sugar too high or too low depending on how the insulin thingies are working...something about opening doors to let the stuff through...I don't know all weird stuff.

I am reading this book The Midlife Miracle Diet, Tame Your Insulin Resistance. Basically the plan is eat nothing good EVER. This morning I tried to follow the plan. Had one scrambled egg with 2 extra egg whites, plus brocolli and red/yellow bell peppers. How unsatisfying is that??? VERY. I would much rather have a nice bowl of Kashi, shredded wheat, or Special K..... all no-no's for me! Now I am supposed to eat a "hard chew snack." The problem is I don't have any of the acceptable hard chew snacks at my house. Now I have to decide do I want to go to the store and get one or skip it? But the book says not to skip anything!!! So much preasure!

It's not even like I can just say....well I don't care if I lose weight, I'll just eat what I want....cuz apparently its like a life thing!!! What the heck??? I refuse to become one of the crazy obsessed people who all they ever think or talk about is what they are eating, what they can/can not eat, and all that crap....at least not in public. But I will probably do it here....cuz it is definitely a lot of work!

We just got a call from Bob's parents asking us out to lunch. So we are going to go to Kowloon's- how am I going to eat off the plan there??? Let's be honest I probably won't. But I will think about it, at least!

Hanging with the Family

2010-01-23T21:32:00.000-08:00

Bob and I went to see Avatar last night, sans kids. When we got home S was here with 4 of her friends. They were hanging out in the living room, playing DJ Hero, and my spacing other friends who weren't with them. On the way home Bob had stopped off to get milk and brownie bites, not realizing our house had been invaded by the teenage units....needless to say we didn't get many of the brownies and we had to buy more milk this morning! It was kind of fun though, serving up milk and brownies...flashback to the days when they were little...if only for a second!

We were allowed into their group for a little while, talked about jobs, college, and moving on...... very nice glimpse into their minds, goals, dreams....but way to surreal for me! It was one of the girls' 17th bday- WEIRD! I still see them as little kids starting their first day at Jr. High and thinking they were so old - now...they really are!!! All the talk about colleges and growing up made me realize my own Baby G will be 17 in 5 short months! WHAT?? NO!! I SAY NO!!! We are not going there!

Then of course Mr. C will be driving on his own in 8 months.....already have the car! Not liking this! This seems to be a recurring theme in my life right now. They are growing up and I am digging my heels in and trying to hold on for dear life! Don't go...Don't grow up....Don't change! I just want to turn back time and have a few more years....is that okay???

Tonight S and her group are off hanging in someone else's living room. But I have C home. He is stretched out across the couch watching the Whitest Kids You Know on his computer. Bob is over at his computer playing some weird balloon game. And I am sitting here playing with my mini and whining about them growing up. Ahhhh family bonding! At least we are all in the same room!

Actually it is quite nice and I appreciate it while it lasts...cuz I know it won't be long. C's phone is buzzing up a storm with him and his friends trying to come up with plans. I know any minute I will be called on to give him a ride somewhere, to meet someone, to do something..... the active life of teenagers!

Ooopss....here it comes....."Ma.....give me a ride to the fairgrounds....PLEASE!" and just like that..... I welcome the day he can drive his self!! Yeah Yeah I'm coming...chill....gotta run!

2010-01-16T14:05:00.001-08:00

Random things i heard in my house this morning......

Husband to son-Just go ahead and kill this guy first then we will talk.

Husband: what are u doing? Son: checking out guys?

Movie night...

2010-01-11T10:30:00.001-08:00

Follow up....

The kids eventually came out of their rooms! We had dinner together and hung out in the living room watching The Hangover! Even got some smiles and a little bit info from S on her life. Of course, both kids had their texting going on the whole time, but at least they were there! I'm a happy Momma!!

I miss my kids

2010-01-10T16:44:00.001-08:00

I know we all live in the same house, and I see them everyday....but I really miss them. They do their own thing now. I have to force them to come home sometimes (especially the daughter) and when I do get them to come home, they stay in their rooms....on the phone and the computer with their friends. It's all about their friends. When I have the audacity to force them home, I am the mean mom. In fact apparently I am the strictest mom of any of S's friends....I find that so hard to believe- but whatev! Everybody tells me this is normal...but I don't buy it.
I wasn't this way. I liked hanging out with my family. I didn't feel compelled to sit in my room all the time, of course I didn't have all the electronic gadgets they have..but still, you get the point.

I just want to hang out with them again. I want to talk to them about school, see them smile, hear about their day...not constantly feel like I am having to pull information out of them and beg for their attention.

Why does it have to be this way? And can I change it? do I have to just accept it and wait for them to decide they like me again???

Whoooo Hooooo

2010-01-06T21:41:00.000-08:00

I got my diploman in the mail today....there it is plain as day, Deborah J. Boyles has a Bachelor's of Arts in Management, Magna Cum Laude, from NCU!!! I am so freakin stoked! I need one of those big awesome frames so I can hang it up and put a spotlight on it, and paint the wall around it a bright color so it stands out, and maybe even put a blinking arrow pointing at it.... Too Much? Would that be going overboard??? Maybe no blinking arrow!!

Clarification

2010-01-05T19:01:00.001-08:00

excuse me for a moment while I complain......

Just for the record, this blog is my space to talk about my life...it is kind of my escape from reality. The things I ramble about here, are just things that are on my mind. I don't want to have to try to censure everything I say based on my audience. I just want to be able to let lose once in a while and share what is on my mind with the cosmos....truly I don't even care if anyone reads it~ it's just a chance to get stuff out of my brain and into some kind of words....a release for me.

I'm frustrated that I now feel like I have to watch everything I say and try to determine whether or not such and such statement will offend someone or warrant a phone call to my spouse....

Maybe I should just be done with this, and go create a completely private blog which I don't share with anyone. That would be more in line with my real life, where I keep all my thoughts, dreams, hopes, feelings, etc to myself and don't share them with anyone.

I took away all the email notifications, so if you find your way here now- it is because you chose to come ~ so please just accept my ramblings for what they are....complete and total ramblings. They are just me, letting go.

This Sucks.....

2010-01-01T20:20:00.001-08:00

Well, the teenager driver in our household got her 2nd driving ticket tonight. A mere $472 fine. I just want to rant, rave, and scream~ but I know that won't do any good. We just paid off the husband's ticket for his wreck last week...and now this! It is so frustrating!! The surprises just keep on coming! Not only do I have to worry about fitting this in to my newly revamped budget, but I have to worry about the impact on our insurance!!!

I must say I am VERY proud of the father.... he didn't yell, threaten, pick a fight or anything at all expected. He just wrapped her in his arms and gave her a great big hug! Very touching moment.

I feel fer her, I really do. She had plans to go to Eugene with her friends church group for an all night lock in at the YMCA. She had been looking forward to the night for quite some time. She had been over at her boyfriend's house (all though we are not allowed to call him that...) hanging out and was late leaving. She didn't want to make the van have to wait for her, so she was trying to hurry...and here's the result! I was actually at the church waiting on her so I could sign the release form when she called. I waited for her to get there, heard the story, then told the church van to go on without her. Just couldn't let her take off for the night after that. Somehow she has to learn there are consequences for her actions. It hurts though. I hated to see her so disappointed.

It seems like every time she has some big event that she is excited about she loses her mind. She missed going to the warp tour earlier this year because she got a curfew violation ticket. Then there was another concert before that which she had to miss because she made some bad decisions.... and now tonight she has to miss the lock in because of speeding.

Up until that phone call, I had been having a truly wonderful day! Shopping, hanging out with my friends, and just relaxing.....and now ~ I'm bummed for her, bummed about the $472 her misadventure is going to cost me, and completely stressed about the effect on my insurance!!!

being a parent really sucks sometimes!!!

Our Christmas (this is for you Mandy.)

2009-12-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

My Christmas was a nightmare!!!! You wouldn't believe the stuff we went through! It all started on Christmas Eve. By the time I got off work that day the traffic in town was insane! I had to go to the dreaded Wal-Mart to pick up my prescription and it took me 3 hours to get there! As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, my poor little baby bug was bumped into by a weird looking deer with antlers and a red nose!! What was that all about? I was devastated, my poor car had a strange glow to it! Bob had to come and pick me up and my heart broke as my car was hauled away by eight tiny reindeer and some weird guy in a red suit!

But it was Christmas Eve and we knew we needed to find someway to salvage it for the kids. I wiped away the tears and climbed into the truck knowing in my heart I would never see my bug again. We went to the grocery store to pick up some snacks and finger foods for the evening...while we were there, Bob got bumped into by an overzealous shopper and hurt his forearm. We rushed right over to Urgent Care to get him checked out (leaving behind all the groceries). It was a good thing too because it turned out he had a horrible bruise and had to be put in a cast!! Thank goodness those doctors were working Christmas Eve, otherwise I am not sure he would have made it through!!

By the time we finally made it home it was almost midnight. We had no food, I had never had a chance to get my medicine, Bob was in a cast, and my bug was gone~surely nothing else could go wrong! All we wanted was to get home, order a pizza, and go to sleep. As we turned in to our neighborhood, we saw a ton of sirens flashing and people running up and down the street. This was not looking good.

Sure enough when we reached our street we saw that our yard was full of firetrucks! S & C were sitting in S's car and firemen were tramping in and out of our house! Turns out the lights on our Christmas tree had caught my poinsettia on fire!! Apparently the kids couldn't get the pin out of the fire extinguisher so they called in the fire dept to handle it! It was a close call, but we think the poinsettia might actually make it!!!

Finally by about 2 am we were able to actually get into our house, have some dry cereal for dinner, and open one present...which the kids absolutely hated!!! They both broke into tears and stormed to their rooms for the rest of the morning.

Christmas morning we got up around 9:00. C and I tried to go out and get coffee and donuts for everyone, but bizarrely our house was completely iced in! We couldn't get the truck out of the driveway- it was way too slick....and none of us could make it across the icy landscape of our front yard to reach S's car. The really weird part was that no one else on our street seemed to affected, it was as if this massive ice storm had moved in and only hit our house. What are the odds?

Dejected, we trudged back into the house and tried to light a fire, only to discover that the fireman had broken our pellet stove in their attempts to put out the poinsettia! We spent the rest of the day, freezing, starving, and trapped in the house!!!! The kids hated all their presents, Bob's didn't work, and mine were all smashed by the Christmas Tree when it fell over on the poinsettia!!! Worst Christmas Ever!!!!

(Did I win, Mandy???)

No, seriously though, our Christmas was actually pretty darn good. Bob was covering an on-call shift at work so we stayed home for Christmas Eve. I picked up LOTS of "mini" foods on the way home and we set up a buffet of sorts. We had a blast playing Bop It and Uno. We went to the Festival of Lights, and drove through it a couple of times. I took a ton of pics and put them on facebook. When we got home, we let the kids open one of their joint gifts...DJ Hero for the Wii. We (or they) had a blast playing the game for the rest of the night...Bob and I watched. It was quite comical! They went to their rooms around midnight so Bob and I could set up for Christmas morning.

I was not at all tired, so I ended up talking to my friend from high school from about midnight until 1:00. I haven't talked to her since March, so it was really great to visit with her.

Christmas morning, Corde and I really did get up and go get donuts for everyone (and coffee for me). We opened up our presents, and everyone was happy. It was a smaller than usual Christmas for us, but I did make sure everyone got the main gifts they wanted and they seemed pretty happy. After a few more rounds of DJ Hero, Bop It, and Mario Cart we headed over to Bob's parents house for dinner.

We had a good time visiting with them, and ate lots of yummy food!! Later that evening Corde, Bob, and I went to the movies to see Sherlock Holmes. All in all a very relaxing, low key, and wonderful holiday!!! I think it was definitely my favorite Christmas in several years!!!!

No coffee...

2009-12-30T09:34:00.000-08:00

If anyone remembers reading my self reflection blog the other day, you may recall I am on a mission to reign in my families (and my own) spending habits and addiction to modern conveniences!

I am please to say that I am halfway through the week and I have not bought even ONE single coffee!!! No $4 dollar drinks for me this week! Normally, I would have already had 3 by now - that's $12!!!! So this week I have been making my own very yummy peppermint mocha by mixing sugar free hot chocolate mix, peppermint creamer, and coffee!! It is DELISH!!!! Even got Shayne loving it (minus the coffee). Yay Me!!!!

AND...... last night I got a text from the daughter and husband saying they were running to Lowe's to get some Drano and while they were out they would just pick up dinner. I quickly texted back and let them know I already had dinner planned and ready to go, no need to pick up garbage! Needless to say they were not too happy with me. By the time they got home, they had picked up the son (because he thought he was going to get to eat out) and all three of them kind of "huffed" into the house. However, by the time I had dinner finished- biscuits with sausage gravy- they were quite satisfied with the meal and a minimum of $30 saved!!!

Bob and I did eat out on Monday night, but we used our Applebee's gifts cards (thank you very much Aunt Cathy) - so total cost to us $0!!

I know these are all small things, and I really need to tackle some of our bigger expenses, like the 20,000,000 satellite channels we have but never watch, the 8,000,000 cell phone minutes we never use because all anyone ever does is text, and of course the mortgage, car loan, credit cards, etc..... but~ baby steps!!!!

2010

2009-12-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can not believe it is almost 2010. This year holds many, many things for my family. I start graduate school in January~ quite exciting. Gotta say, I am kind of lost without all my homework, so I am actually looking forward to it. Shayne turns 17, and will start her Senior year of high school!!!! Can you believe it? I am so not ready for that! Corde turns 16 and will get his drivers license- holy moly!

Shayne and I will start visiting colleges in March and trying to get her paperwork all taken care of. Apparently we need to apply for schools by September/October of her Senior year. Now if I could just get her at home long enough to figure out what she wants to do this might actually work. Corde will start driver's ed in the spring and we will start looking for a 4th car somewhere around June. I am planning to go to San Francisco in March to visit with my friend Leigh, no kids this time. I want to go see the St. Paddy's Day parade, drive on Lombardy street, visit the Golden Gate bridge and all the other stuff I wanted to do last time, but didn't get the chance. In July, the kids and I will travel to Texas for my Papa's birthday ~ and hopefully spend some time visiting with both sides of the family. Really looking forward to that! My friend G and her family want to go on another cruise in November, and would like us to join them...and we would like to join them. My sister-in-law and I would like to visit the Redwood Forest, and take a few more day trips to the coast. We are still both determined to find one of those glass floats in Lincoln City!!! And finally one of the absolute no doubt about it must do events this year is to see both sets of my parents!! It would be great if both sets could make it to Texas while we were there. Then we could just make one long trip and see everyone at once! But then again, I would still like to get over to Vermont, it would be nice to spend some time there without snow! AND.....after talking to my little brother on Christmas Day, I realized I may need to plan a trip to Florida too. So many things, so little time!

Wow- this is going to be a full year if we manage to accomplish all of these things! In order to do it, I am still committed to getting our finances better controlled. I am sure I could do all these things (and more) with the money we blow on eating out and random crap throughout the year! Or maybe I just need to get a second or third job!!!!

So- bring on 2010, I am ready for some fun!!!!!

Danger ~ Self Reflection in Progress.....

2009-12-23T18:14:00.000-08:00

In light of my epiphany the other day, I have decided to try to get a handle on my "enoughosaurus" (term from a book I am reading) and try to gain some perspective. I work everyday with people who have lost their homes, their cars, are relying on food boxes, and are praying for their unemployment -however small it may be to- to continue. As is happening all over the US, these are people who had good paying, decent jobs and have suddenly found themselves destitute.

I look at these peoples, listen to their stories, and am just completely amazed by their strength. Then I come back to my own reality (which I shared the other day) where I am feeling guilty about not buying my kids more...and more...always more. Talk about putting things in perspective!!! I haven't been able to shake that feeling, nor do I want to.

I think about what would happen to my family if I lost my job suddenly. Or even worse, if Bob lost his job. We both have degrees (now) and strong work histories, but even that doesn't seem to be helping people find jobs. When there are no jobs...there are no jobs, it doesn't matter what your education or experience is. So how long would we be able to live comfortably. Would we lose our house? Would I lose my bug? How long until our life started to change...it's scary.

So in light of all this stuff swilling around my head lately, I have decided to get my life in perspective. Step one is to get a grip on our spending. I got this book from the library (step one in controlling the spending...good, huh?)about ultimate cheapskates. One of the very first sections is about learning what is enough for you and then sticking to it. He talks about how he, as a young guy, set a limit for what he believed would be a comfortable annual income for him. When he got to that amount, he stopped spending. Regardless of how much money he made, he lived on that set amount. Okay- that sounds cool, but it's not so easy. Probably easier BEFORE you already have everything, like a mortgage (or two), car payments, insurance, satellite, and a family that is used to a certain lifestyle. But it's still doable right? Just take some serious will power and commitment to change.

Second part of his plan was to take a spending fast....that means you go a day, a week, whatever without spending ANY money (aside from any commuting costs you might have). Well, that sounded pretty cool, and easy. Surely I could go a couple of days without spending money. I have gas in my car, food in my house, and everything I need to survive....but you know what, I didn't even make it a day. First I succumbed to the coffee beast...but I used a gift card, so would that count?? Even if it didn't, I then realized I had to pick up gifts for my co-workers because most of them won't be there tomorrow. So a quick trip at Big Lots and my spending fast is over. But I had to do it, right? Or rather, I really wanted to do it, and I knew I could.

I know, I know, I have a long way to go!! I won't make it through tomorrow because I have to go buy one more Christmas present...for Bob's grandma...can't skip that! Maybe next week- but then that is New Years... see what I mean, this is HARD! Maybe the first week of January!

I'm not giving up though, I can do this! Just have to figure out our priorities and start small. Nothing says I have to do it all at once. I have managed to keep my family from eating out at all this week. That is a pretty impressive task for us. We typically eat out AT LEAST twice a week. Even tonight when it was just Bob and I, we ate at home...which is a rare thing indeed. It was chili dogs, so nothing spectacular, but we did it1

So this is my mission (I won't call it a resolution-cuz those don't normally work out too well) for next year- get a grip on my families spending habits! Wish me luck!!!

I'M DOOMED

2009-12-22T09:51:00.000-08:00

I read this article this morning about the top 10 weirdest health signs...I have 6 of them!

1) My index finger is shorter than my ring finger- in a woman that means I am more likely to get osteoarthritis

2) I have short, stocky legs- that means I am more likely to get liver disease

3) I have a short arm span - therefore I am more likely to get Alzheimers

4) I have a belly - which obviously corrolates to an increased liklihood for dementia (what???)

5) My boobs are bigger than a "B" - therefore I will likely have issues with Diabetes

and

6) My blood types is A+, which means I have a graeter risk of developing Pacreatic cancer! (so do B and AB's- only O's are safe on this one!)

But on the plus side

I am short - so I am more likely to live to 100 (all my other problems aside)
I can smell lemons, bananas, and cinnamon - so not as likely to get Parkinsons
I don't think I have creases in my ear lobes - so I am not at increased risk for heart stuff
I do NOT have small calves - therefore I do not have any added risks for stroke

Aren't I lucky!!!

Christmas.....

2009-12-21T22:15:00.000-08:00

I had a moment today when I realized that once again, even though I really tried not too, I actually got sucked into the Christmas materialism hype once again. I thought I was being so good. I set a very tight budget for each kids gifts...and I really tried to stay on budget. But of course as things go....I went over slightly for one, then I had to make it up for the other, and back and forth it goes.

So flash forward to this morning~ I am sitting at work this morning mentally reviewing what I had got them and trying to figure out if I could or should get them a few more gifts each because I don't want them to be disappointed Christmas morning. Right about then my co-worker comes over and shares with me that one of our customers was on the phone trying to straighten out his check because he needed that one check to be able to buy gifts for his whole family. When she shared the amount of the check, I realized it was less than the budget I had set for one of my kids.

So here is this gentleman trying desperately to get his check straightened out so he can get gifts for his whole family...and there I sit trying to figure out whether or not I should buy MORE for mine. That is when it hit me, I had gotten caught up in the commercialism of the holiday....AGAIN!

At this poing, I am not even sure my kids would remember the real meaning of Christmas. They used to. When they were little they could tell you all about it. We had a special story book we read about Jesus' birth, we talked about it, it was a part of our holiday. It had meaning. But somewhere along the way all of us got caught up in the hype...and we lost the joy. It's all about the gifts. I start stressing about mid November thinking about all the money I am going to have to spend, and how I am going to pull it off. So maybe it is just me. Maybe I just want to give them more and more...and of course now they expect more and more, so the whole meaning of the holiday has changed....why did I do this to them, to us??

CRAP!!!

So- no more gifts. I am sticking to my original budget (plus the little bit I already went over) and IF by some chance my children are disappointed, I will share this story with them, and hopefully they will appreciate what they have.

Merry Christmas.....and next year I WILL NOT fall prey to the hype!! In fact next year...No presents for anyone. (yeah right...I know that is a lie- but hopefully I will do better)

Pros and Cons of My Job

2009-12-18T07:24:00.000-08:00

Pros and Cons of My Job
Pros: I have a job
Cons: Many of my co-workers have jobs they don't deserve

My coworker shared this quote with me (she saw it on someones facebook status). Have to wonder does everyone feel this way?? Cuz I know I sure do!! In every job I have ever had, I look around at some of the people I work with and think "why are these people allowed to come here every day? If I was in charge, I would....."

The list goes on and on of the things I would do if I was the boss lady. Such as - no avoiding your work. If you are assigned a station, BE THERE!!! People should not have to go hunting you down in order to do the job you are assigned. Each shift is 2 hours...really you should be able to stay in your area for two freakin hours!!

And.... if you work in a CUSTOMER SERVICE POSITION try providing a little CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! I know it is a foreign concept, but seriously give it a try! When people call....HELP THEM.... stop making excuses, acting like they are interrupting your "important" work, or focusing on all the things you CAN'T do rather than the things you can do to help them. Not a difficult concept to wrap your mind around!

AND along the same line, try focusing on the CUSTOMERS not the COMPUTER!!!!! It's the customers who keep us working, not our special projects, or kids school websites, or any of the other crap we think we need to focus on!

AND.... why are people so resistant to change? Just because something has always been done a certain way, doesn't mean there is no other way!!!! Wake up, welcome to the world and embrace change!!! People please!

And finally, one last thought before I head off to my job, which I am so thankful to have...... we all like to hear our own voices and think our ideas are important (as evidenced by my desire to blog) but during staff meetings and trainings.....SHUT UP AND LET THE PERSON WHO IS LEADING THE MEETING TALK!! THE REST OF US DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT YOUR OPINION OR INTERPRETATION OF WHAT THEY ARE SAYING!!!

Okay, I feel better! Now I am off to avoid my customers, spend all day doing time wasting tasks, making sure people who contact me for help know they are interrupting me, and ignoring everything anyone else says because I know that I am the only one who is right!!!

Have a great day everyone!

My Baby Girl Rocks~

2009-12-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

So, I am not really one of those parents who goes on and on about their kids....I am proud of them, and I love them whether they are good, bad, or average~ but I tend to keep that between myself and them. Today, however...let me just say again...My baby girl ROCKS!! Just got the results back from her PSAT tests. She scored 68 on her critical reading, which is higher than 95% of all High School Juniors, 57 in mathematics, and which is higher than 75% of Juniors nationwide, and 57 on writing skills which puts her higher than 83% of her peers!!! She is a brainiac!!! Go Shayneeeeeee!!!

Now she just needs to sign up for the regular SATs, pick a few schools, go do some visits, apply for scholarships and financial aid.....ahhhhh stop growing up!!!!

She has listed on the form that she wants to pursue Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement in college. This from the girl who told me she "really didn't care about the laws" when she got her ticket for being out after the city curfew. She has always had the Johnny Depp aka Jack Sparrow attitude regarding rules..." they are really just guidellines."

2009-12-13T14:41:00.000-08:00

Pics of my family at the park in the FREEZING COLD!!! What were we thinking? There are actually studios available, but NO I wanted the park setting!!! CRAZY!

The pics are pretty cute. A couple of family poses with all four of us. Several of Corde hamming it up. Kid does not know how to take a serious pose! Sometimes I get annoyed and would really like a nice pose of him, but then who would that be?? Certainly not C. What you see is what you get!

Shayne is gorgeous, as usual. So photogenic, beautiful, perfect...and the list goes on! You may think I am a little biased~ but I'm just calling it like I see ! One of these days she will finally get those crazy braces off and we may actually get some teeth in her pics!! Wouldn't that be wild!

Lots of pictures of me ~ but what can I say? It's the year (or two) of me! In fact I probably should have named this blog, I WANNA TALK ABOUT ME, cuz that seems to be all I do! : ) On that note, you may notice (but hopefully not tell me- lol) that I have gained some weight. I am a stress eater, and believe me with graduation and Christmas- I am STRESSED!! But seriously, why does it have to go straight to my face and boobs?? Really...couldn't it practice a little even distribution? Cuz 3 pounds may not be a lot, but when it is all in your face...it looks like a lot! So not fair!!!!

It's all over...but the homework!

2009-12-12T08:54:00.000-08:00

Well...it's official, I am a graduate of Northwest Christian University and a member of Sigma Beta Delta. It wasn't all easy...it didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped- of course I wouldn't ever expect anything to be easy.

Day started with a winter storm advisory. Freezing rain and snow scheduled to start at 4:00 pm (the time of graduation). Bob's dad decided they couldn't travel to Eugene because it would be too dangerous to drive back. Bummer! I was okay though. At least I would have Bob, the kids, and my bff there. And really it didn't matter who saw it, I did it for me, not them. Right?

I head off to Eugene with my classmate Crystal. We went up early so we can get checked in by the time my induction ceremony for the Sigma Beta Delta started. I went up to the counter, checked in and got my name card. I noticed the honors cords lying there, but I didn't get one. No biggie, I thought, maybe they are doing that later. So Crystal checks in and is given a name card with "cum laude" written under her name and a gold honors cord. I asked the check in lady, where my cord was and she said...I didn't qualify for honors. I explained to her, relatively calmly at this point, that I had a higher GPA than my classmate, and I was being inducted into the Sigma Beta Delta chapter which meant I was in the top 20% of my class and had to atleast have a 3.5, therefore I would qualify for a greek honors cord. She told me I was mistaken and just didn't understand how the system worked. Starting to not be calm.

I asked her where the Sigma Beta Delta ceremony was and if there was anyone else I could talk to. She sent me to the right building for the ceremony, but told me there wasn't anyone that I could talk to about the honors cord. So I head over to the building and check in with the receptionist. I explained I thought there was a mistake regarding my status and needed to speak to someone...the receptionist looked at me with a blank stare and told me no one was availalbe. I told her to find someone.

So, some lady came up and proceeded to placate me and explain to me that I just didn't understand how the system worked and I was just confused. She reminded me again that the Sigma Beta Delta chapter was separate from the greek honors so just because I got one didn't mean I got the other, so why didn't I just go on to my ceremony and be thankful for what I got. At which point, apparently, I must have turned purple and grown horns because the friend I was with, patted me on the arm, told me she needed to get back to the main building, everything would be fine, and call her when it was over....I didn't realize I was scary, but according to Shayne and Gilaine, I can definitely get scary..especially when I break out the "voice".

I then calmly, in what my daughter refers to as my "preschool teacher voice", explained to Ms. Snotty (which is how I addressed her) that I was familiar with the program and the requirements- explained that the Sigma Beta Delta required a 3.5 to qualify - this would also qualify me for the greek honors- but actually I had a 3.89 and I had confirmed that figure on the NCU website. (Bear in mind this is the 3rd person I have talked to and none of them have even bothered to check their own website). Ms Snotty stammered around and finally excused herself from the building.

At this point...I did what any pissed off, stressed person would do when a day that was supposed to be one of their happiest started going to hell in a hand basket....I cried!!!! Now I realize that honor status is not that big of a deal, and had the first or even second person I spoke to said "OMG we must have messed up, I am so sorry about that- is there anything we can do?" I would have replied, "it's okay, I understand mistakes happen...there is a lot of graduates, No big... thanks anyway." But when they just kept telling me I didn't know what I was talking about it, it suddenly mattered... A LOT!!!!

So back to the crying thing, this really freaked out the recpetionist who amazingly found someone .... in the next office, who could help me. She actually interupted another meeting and asked the lady (don't remember her name) to see me immediately! After about 10 minutes of sitting with her, and her flipping through random screens just trying to "placate the crazy lady" she still didn't have an answer. At one point she even tried to convince me that the reason I didn't have honor status was because I was missing the grade from my final class...duh....lady, I'm not done, I have class next week!!!

So this is how the conversation progressed from there... Oh- then why are you graduating??... Cuz you guys scheduled the ceremony before we were finished...Oh, well then that is the problem... Really? Then how do three of my classmates have the cords and are listed in the program???... Hmm, well, why do you think you should have it?... Cuz I have 3.89 and that qualifies me for magna cum laude... How do you know you have that? ... Cuz I have worked really hard to have it, AND I cheched your website which shows that I do... Oh, it says the on the website??... Yes~why don't you check it...Oh look at that, you are supposed to have that- we must have messed up. Here let me write on your card (with a black sharpie) and give you a cord..now everything is okay(40 minutes after my original check in)?... No everything is not okay. I have worked my butt off for my grades, I have been called a liar, treated like an idiot, and put through all this stress. I am angry. And furthermore, all of these programs are printed, and I am not listed as honors. That may be petty, but I have my family here, and..... I don't what else I said, but apparently something about the marker and scrapbooking...I don't scrapbook, but I was border line hsyterical!!!

So- finally I have my cord, and my handwritten card, and I go to the Sigma Beta Delta ceremony where I meet up with my family and friends(and yeah pleasant surprise, my mom in law, Sandy, and sis in law, Renee, are there after all- yeah). They are all confused and a little concerned, since I had left them voice mails telling them I wasn't staying for the ceremony, and that as soon as they got there we were just going home! I was still crying and rambling about cords and cards and brochures and who knows what else!!! But I finally calmed down and made it through the first ceremony.

It was good! I got a special green and gold cord to wear with my hard earned gold cord, a certificate, a pin, and I even had to take an oath...to uphold the integrity of my university...what integrity???? I was not feeling the love for ole' NCU!!! I think I even said something to the last lady about trying to buy a NCU sweatshirt, and there not being one I liked and now I was glad cuz I didn't want one of their sweatshirts anway!!! Hystrical...like I said.

After this ceremony, I went to get ready for the actual ceremony, but my husband and mother in law went back to the lady I had talked to last, and kind of read her the riot act - not that it was her fault, but about the way I had been treated and all that stuff. So by the time they were done, the office was specially printing seven new programs which listed "magna cum laude" under my name which they guaranteed would be ready by the time the ceremony started so my group would have it!!! And they were making a new name card which had "magna cum laude" actually printed under my name rather than the sharpie, in case I wanted to scrapbook...what???? I guess I better learn!

OMG~ by now I'm stressed, exhausted and ready to go home and we haven't even had the main ceremon yet! So, I go back to the event center and meet up with my classmates, who by now know the whole story thanks to Crystal and Bruce...and it was funny. I know it was funny, I was hysterical, and crazy and apparently scary! But whatever! It kind of became a joke throughout the day...don't make me cry! I know how to get my way!

Oh yeah... the vice president came down the line, asking anyone if they had any unusual names or special situations they wanted to go over with him before he announced us, so Crystal showed him my card and said "she didn't write that on there-she really does have those honors," to which he replied, "I know Mrs. Boyles, I have heard all about it. We have it all taken care of now...." OOOPS!!

The one lady, Ms Snotty- came back to me about 4 more times throughout the day/evening to check on me, hug me, bring me the new brochures, and just patted my arm a few times...believe me there was no trace of snottiness left!

But at 4:00 when the actual ceremony started and I walked across the stage, got my diploma folder (empty of course),had my picture taken, heard my family (even Bob's Aunt and Cousin showed up) yelling and cheering me on.....none of that other stuff mattered! I was so happy...and guess what, I cried again!

Kind of like having a baby, I guess, once they get here all the hard work, pain, sacrifice, and obstacles along the way are forgotten...or become funny stories!

Today, I am a graduate! I feel satisfied, complete, and happy.

Tomorrow is the Day....

2009-12-10T20:46:00.000-08:00

Wow, I am totally excited, nervous, and a little freaked out. Tomorrow is the big day...After years and years (and years and years) of talking about it, I will finally graduate from college. It doesn't seem real yet. How can it be over?? I am almost a degree holding indivdiual!!! According to my coworker only 16% of the world's population hold a Bachelor's degree...apparently I am in a very select group of people!

I actually get to attend 2 ceremonies tomorrow - At 2:30 I have a ceremony to recognize those people who attained honor status, and then the official ceremony starts at 4:00. I was pretty excited about it tonight at school, and happened to mention it to a couple of my classmates to see if anyone else was going to be at the honors ceremony. They acted like it would be a burden...who would want to go two ceremonies....ME that's who! I worked my booty off for the last two years...spending every weekend locked in my room doing homework, homework, and more homework....Heck yeah I am going to go to whatever ceremony they want me too!!!! Recognize me, baby!!!!

My class is pretty small. Only 10 of us made it through the program. We have shared quite an experience together. Because of the cohort style of our program, we have had class together every Thursday and a couple of Saturdays since March of 2009. That is a lot of time together! It will be so cool sharing the day with them! Unfortunately, for one reason or another, two of them have decided to pass on the ceremony. I can't imagine not taking part in something I have worked so hard for....and that has taken up so much of my life. But at least the other 8 of us will be together.

I'm very grateful to have people who care about me and are willing to sit through the ceremony for me.... cuz we all know how exciting they can be! Of course, Bob and the kids will be there, along with my best friend, Gilaine, my mother in law, and sister in law. I can only imagine how much noise Bob and Renee are gonna make. Will have to remind them it is a Christian college and beg them to try to show a little restraint! I remember Shayne's elementary school gradaution, Bob had her and her friends blushing and ducking! I will miss my own famiily, but will imagine they are there with me in my heart.

I just can't help thinking that this is some kind of trick and I when I show up tomorrow I will find out I missed something, or don't have enough credits, or they forgot to add me to the list...or who knows what else. It just can't be this easy- you know what I mean??

I mean really, what will I do with all my free time??? How will I spend my weekends? It will be so weird to have time off...ohhh I may have to clean the house, do laundry, paint...heaven forbid....COOK!!!! yuck!!! Of course I don't have to worry about that too much~ I start back to school on January 11th for a graduate program. No rest for the weary.... or insane!