Christmas pictures

Renee and my dad

Joe, Renee, JJ, Braden and Brighton

Braden and Brighton

We wish you a merry christmas

Well, I'm nearly done with everything.
A little wrapping to do yet, and that's it.

Tomorrow we go to Afro's for Christmas dinner. I'm making sausage soup, a bread pudding and I don't know what else.

I hope everyone has a great holiday and enjoys a little time off work.

Merry Christmas!

Left hand, give it up

The kids at my school have started playing this new game. They can walk to you, or anyone, at anytime, and say, "left hand give it up" and whatever is in your left hand becomes theirs. If you're quick enough, you can say, "half and half" and then you only have to split it with them. I think it's hysterical that it works. You should see them at lunch time. The other day one kid wound up with five milks! Somene lost a watch. One kid taped the fingers of his left hand together, so he would remember not to use it. I'm addicted to it. I love to catch them...and make them give me their stuff. I give it right back, of course.
Could you imagine innocently eating your school lunch and because someone says, "left hand give it up" and you lose your hoagie??

updates

We're off today....the first snow day of the year. I think I'll get a jump on my baking. Maybe I'll do cutouts today.

My dad is getting out of the rehab center on Saturday. He has agreed to stay at my sister's for a week or two, just so we can make sure he can get around okay. My mother is in such poor health, that she's useless when it comes to taking care of him....so this way there will be other adults around in case he falls or needs something. He still has to go for dialysis three times a week, and he'll probably have to continue with some sort of physical therapy. Pooh, if you're reading this....good luck with the tea lady. I hope you bought a case of lipton!

Renee, goofball and the baby moved out a little while ago. It's been nice to have my household back to normal. Well, as normal as my household can be. Right now, she and the baby are staying with her grandfather, and goofball is in Allentown and he's still working. She got herself into more trouble on Thanksgiving, and even though my ex-father-in-law swears that he's done helping her out....he bailed her out and is now letting her and the baby live with him. She is involved with Children and Youth so there will be random checks on her and the baby. Presently she seems to be doing well....but she always does for about a month. She needs serious help and sadly, I'm the only one in her immediate family that seems to realize this. I just hope she gets it before it's too late. She's coming here on Christmas Eve, and she might leave the baby with me for a visit for a few days. I sure miss him! When we talk on the phone, she puts him on and he coos and aaahhhs. It makes me want to squeeze him.

I still have a bit of Christmas shopping to do. Just a few items. Nothing that I have to search for. And I have a lot of wrapping to do. And baking.

"There's a tree in the grand hotel...."

I am so far behind....I might be a little in front.

I haven't even started Christmas shopping yet. Not one thing. No gift wrap, no cards, no presents.

I have a dentist appointment this morning, then I'm taking the rest of the day off, and I'm going to try to get a start on it all. We'll see how it goes. I usually do well under pressure, so I'm hoping I can get most of it done today...all except the kids. I save them for last. Especially Braden. He changes his mind a kazillion times. And even more than hate Christmas shopping, I hate returning Christmas gifts.

I'll let you know how I make out.

Misc....

My father is improving. He's starting to eat a little, now that my mom has talked them into removing all the restrictions they had on his diet. He's 80 years old for crying out loud....if he wants to have pudding instead of diet jello, let him have it! Much to his chagrin, they moved him to a rehab center yesterday so they can concentrate on his hip. He's being very stubborn about walking on it. He has to go for dialysis three times a week. So, on that front things are looking up.

My Thanksgiving dinner went well. Everyone enjoyed the food, and I didn't have too many leftovers...just enough. Here's a picture of Braden and JJ taken on Sunday. Doesn't Braden look cute in that hat?

I'm going to start decorating for Christmas today. JJ has a basketball game this morning and when he and Keith get back, they're going to bring all the decorations down and then I'm going to "cheer this place up." I love decorating for Christmas, but then I can't wait to take it down. I have to force myself to leave it up until New Year's.

Brighton is starting to walk by holding on to furniture, or people, or toys...or anything he sees that he thinks will work. This plan works more often than not...but when it doesn't...let's just say

he takes quite a few nosedives. He's a good sport about it all though. Since I haven't blessed you in a while, here's a picture of him.

My Thanksgiving menu for today:

Roasted red pepper/gorgonzola dip
shrimp
buffalo chicken dip
candied nuts

Turkey
ham (my sister is bringing this)
sweet potato casserole
mashed red skin potatoes
stuffing
bacon topped sauteed brussel sprouts
cranberry salad

Banana cream fruit tart
pumpkin spice bundt cake
pie (my brother is bringing this)

egg nog
soda
beer (afro is bringing this)

The good, the bad and the....well, more bad.

The good: As you all know by now, we do our Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. But recently we've found ourselves with nothing to do on actual Thanksgiving....and I'm not cooking twice. Friends of ours have a daughter that dances. She's very good. She is part of the featured dance group that is dancing in the Philadelphia Boscov's Thanksgiving Day parade this year. So we decided to go. We went down to Philly on Wednesday afternoon, spent the day hanging out, went out to a nice dinner with the parents and another family that were there for the same reasons as us. We got up bright and early Thanksgiving morning, walked the mile and a half to the steps of the art museum and watched the parade. It was a very nice time.

The bad: My father, who will be 80 in May and isn't in the greatest health anymore, fell and broke his hip. He needed surgery but they weren't sure if they were going to be able to do it because his kidneys aren't in the best of shape. The doctor said it would be okay and they did the surgery on Sunday. The day after the surgery his kidneys started shutting down and they had to start dialysis (?) treatments. He's been confused as anything. Talking about the savior came for him but the ladies wouldn't let him in. He thought the walls of the hospital were caving in and told my mom to leave because it wasn't safe. He kept insisting that the nurses leave so they could escape with their lives. We went back down to see him yesterday and he didn't seem quite so confused. He didn't talk any nonsense, but sometimes you can see in his eyes that he's not sure what's going on. And, he hates people making a fuss over him. Hates that nurses are checking him all the time, hates that we're all taking time out of our day to go and visit him. Hates it, hates it, hates it. After years of putting up with the tea lady, I hope the rest of his life isn't spent like this.

You guys are probably beginning to think I'm making all this crap up.

"When you're hot you're hot, you really shoot your shot"

The other morning I get to work around 7:00 and as I'm climbing the stairs to my classroom, my cell phone starts ringing. Who in the world is calling me at 7:am? One of the kids must have forgotten something. I answer the phone and it's my neighbor. "Black smoke is coming out of your basement. I just called the fire department. You'd better come home." So, I put my stuff in the classroom and hightail it out of there. As I'm driving home, luckily only a five minute ride, I remember that Braden didn't go to school and was sleeping up in his bed. I frantically try to call his cell phone, no answer. I call the house phone, no answer. I call my neighbor back, no answer.
I'm driving like a mad woman. Crazy thoughts racing through my head. If the fire is in the basement, Braden will wake up before the upstairs is engulfed in flames, wouldnt he? What about the dog and cat? Thank God Renee and the baby aren't still in the basement. If my house really is on fire, and everyone gets out safely, it better burn all the way to the ground. I don't want to have to deal with smoke and water damage for months only to have to turn around and sell it. God, Braden wake up. I try to make all the calls again. No answer.
I finally, after what felt like an hour, make it to my driveway in under five minutes. I can't get in. There's three fire trucks, two police cars and an ambulance. A ton of people in my driveway. Including my neighbor, still in her robe. I see a familiar cop standing there. "Officer Dempsey, Braden's asleep up in bed!" "Not any more he's not. It's all clear in there, but he's awake in the living room."
Apparently something backfired in my furnace/water heater, causing black smoke to billow out the vent. In the half-light, it looked to my neighbor that it was coming out the window. It was all cleared up already and they recommended that we get our furnace checked. My neighbor apologized a thousand times, but I told her it was the right thing to do. If it had been a real fire, she could have been responsible for Braden being alive.
Good news: No one was hurt and my house is still in one piece. No smoke/water damage.
Bad news: My water heater is shot and two months past it's warranty protection. Over a thousand dollars to replace it.
Braden said, "mom, it's scary being woken up by a policeman and a fireman."
I am probably SO the talk of the street. In the past month I've had at my house an ambulance, the police twice and now every community vehicle the township owns. If we move, I'd be willing to bet no one can offer them the kind of excitement we have!

"then peace will guide the planets..." Or proposition for Tree

I am reading "Eat, Pray, Love" right now. It was a book group pick. I probably wouldn't have chosen it myself, but I'm enjoying it. I would love to take a year off and travel. I don't know if I'd pick the three places the author chose...although Italy would be one.
Right now she's in India and talks about meditating and her guru. It got me to thinking. I want a guru. And, I've chosen Tree.
Doesn't she seem like the guru type? She's so calm and rational. When she's angry...does she really get angry or just annoyed? Anyway, when she's peeved, she can get her point across without sounding argumentative or self-righteous. When she's happy, she sounds wonderfully happy. She's so eloquent. And, to me at least, she seems at peace with herself and those around her. I would like to be more like her. Maybe then I'd be handling all this stress better than I am now.
How 'bout it Tree? Would you be my guru?

"listen to the jail house rock"

Our justice system is incredible!
Renee spent two days in jail, and after talking with the arresting officer, he decided that she's just a "good kid" who has a problem and made some bad decisions. He's arranged it so she doesn't have to do anymore jail time until her hearing, and then he'll recommend the same thing. He told her to, and I quote, "get a job" and do well. Don't get me wrong, she is/was a good kid, but she has a serious problem that needs to be addressed and a job won't cut it. She's tried that route before.
Now her and knucklehead have rented an apartment and are going to be moving in next week. In the meantime, they are going to be staying with a friend of his, as soon as Children and Youth check it out and give the okay.
You know, as mean as it may make me sound, I wanted her to sit in jail a while. Get good and clean. Maybe get some court ordered rehab. I don't know. This way I just get to worry constantly, get my hopes up when she does well for a month and then wait for the other shoe to fall. Again.

"I shot the sheriff...."

The police came and picked up Renee yesterday. They were very cooperative. I know this has to be done, but there's no way I could be present when they came. The detective said she admitted to everything, and was scared, but very cooperative. Right now she's at the county prison. I thought maybe she'd call last night, but I would imagine she's very angry with me. Hopefully down the road she'll realize why we had to do what we did.
As long as we're pressing charges, the bank isn't going to hold us responsible for all that money. It will take a long time to get it back, but eventually we'll be able to recoup.
I'm taking a sick day today. I have to call Children and Youth, try to convince dipshit to let me have temporary custody, help said dipshit find a place to live, etc.
If we end up keeping the baby, I'm going to have to find out what kind of subsidies (?) there are are for childcare expenses, because there's no way I can afford it right now.
It's sad to say, but I slept better last night than I have in a while. I know that, at least for right now, everyone is safe. And that I won't wake up to find anything missing. That's awful, isn't it?

"Blown round by the wind, thrown down in a spin..."

Just checking in, really.
I've got nothing new to report.
At the risk of sounding melodramatic, my life continues on its downward spiral.
We're going to two open houses today.
Next week is the last week of football.
Oh, and my daughter stole my MAC card and sucked our checking and savings account dry. We filed a report with the police and are waiting for them to conclude their "investigation".

"Our house is a very, very, very fine house"

Well, it's come to that point. The company Keith works for is laying off 150 people this week. Thankfully Keith isn't one of them, but it does mean that all his overtime is being cut out. Which, in turn, means that he'll be bringing in a couple hundred dollars less each week....which in turn means that we can't afford this mortgage payment. I took a part-time job that I go to Monday-Friday after work, and we still can't swing it without the overtime. We had a real estate agent come out and do an appraisal on Monday. We're waiting to see what he comes up with. He suggested that we don't list our house until after the first of the year, since the holidays are the slowest time in the real estate market. It kind of makes me sad, but I can deal with it. The kids, I'm not so sure about.

On a different note, Braden got a part-time job at the new Sonic that opened. He loves it. And has so many plans for his money, you'd think he' was bringing in $50k a year! Everyday there's something different he plans to buy.

And, on yet another note, I saw a sign for gas yesterday for $2.99 a gallon. Hard to believe that $2.99 for gas can get me excited, but it does.

And, to go with this dreary post, I'll leave you with a picture of the most beautiful baby in the world. Even if I do say so myself.

"It's the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

I saw something like this in a magazine, and I thought I'd give it a try. I'm happy with how it came out.

"..all the news that is news across the nation...."

You're never going to believe these....

The rehab that Renee was going to go to is in Houston. Where did Hurricane Ike go? That's right. We haven't been able to get a hold of anyone and are in limbo. Their phone lines are down, I guess. I have no way of knowing if the place was destroyed or if they're just waiting for power to be restored.

Goofy got a job!

Braden came to me yesterday and said he apologized for all the lip he give us and for all the hard times he's caused. He promised to try to think of other people and stop being such a pain in the ass. He actually hugged me good night last night and said he loved me...IN FRONT OF A FRIEND!!

JJ actually came to me for advice with a girl problem.

That's one big minus, yet three pluses!

"someone left the cake out in the rain...."

Last night I got to spend 2 1/2 hours sitting in the rain at JJ's football game. We won at least...but two out of the last three games have been in the pouring rain. And, ironically enough, last weekend Keith and I were out shopping for a baby shower gift when I saw these really cute flowered rain boots on sale for $10. They were so cute, I saw they had my size, I picked them up then thought....how often would you wear rain boots? Is it worth $10.00? Well, last night at around 7:30 I would have sold my wedding ring for them!

Renee is going to a 90 day rehab in Texas. She just had to get a physical and some tests done. That's done and faxed to the place...so they'll be calling any day with her start date. I think Ray found a job!!! Through an employment agency. Not that I want to give him an excuse to stay here longer...but I don't want him taking the baby. It's second shift, so I'd hardly ever see him! He's a goof ball with no job, no career, no license, no place to live and not a cent to his name. He thinks he's taking the baby to Camden NJ. Where, by the way, his cousin was just stabbed at a convenience store. Over my dead body! I told him he was welcome to leave and that I would care for Brighton until Renee got home. Not that Keith and I really feel like having a baby in our lives at this point, but, how would I ever sleep again knowing he might be hungry or wearing a dirty diaper?

On a comletely, less dramatic, note, today and tomorrow my whole household is being relegated to yard work. I might as well use the free labor while I have it. I want to move all my periennials (I'm sure that's spelled wrong, but I'm too lazy to look it up) and I have to dig up all my day lillies and divide them, plus I have a large bush that needs to be moved.

"I'm a joker, I'm a smoker....."

On a completely different note....

I am not an overly political person. I have my views and my favorites, but I don't feel the need to put my opinions out there. I'd be happy to have a political discussion, if one came up, but I wouldn't be the one to do so. Also, I don't really care what your views are. If you like this guy better than that guy...good for you. I might think it's a bad choice, but it's your decision. If you want a McCain sign in your yard, feel free. If you want an Obama t-shirt, fine and dandy.

BUT...there are these two guys at work that have bumper stickers that say NOBAMA. For some reason, they really piss me off. Every time I walk past the one car, I want to smash the back windshield where he has the sticker. I don't know why this particular sticker brings out this feeling of rage in me, but it does.

The other day I cut out little red G's to match the sticker and placed them over the red N's. Leaving their stickers to say GOBAMA. I did it as a joke. They noticed and found out it was me, now they're swearing revenge. In a funny, "we'll see who laughs last" kind of way. But, I'm a nervous wreck as to what they might do. It's driving me insane...which is probably part of their plan. I've never been one for practical jokes because I'm always afraid of the retaliation. Something just got the better of me in this case and now I'll probably pay the price. Everytime I see the one guy in the hall he says, "Game on!" and I nearly pee my pants.

I'm afraid I spoke too soon, in regard to Renee. So, she's gotta get outta here...I won't/can't allow that kind of behavior around Braden and JJ.

Now comes my true dilemma...what about Goofy and the baby???? Just look at him!

It's a miracle...a true blue spectacle

Well, it's close enough to a miracle that I'm counting it. I have the house nearly to myself. JJ is at football practice, Renee and Ray are out running errands and Keith is at work. Braden's in bed, so I find myself with 20 minutes or so before I have to go grocery shopping.

Renee has had a couple of pretty good weeks. Apparently it's harder after the first 30 days....then they say at day 60 it becomes a little easier. We're at about day 40. Knucklehead has practically found a job. The only thing is he needs his driver's license. That's right, he doesn't even have a license. They're going later today for him to take his permit test.

JJ got a concussion last week at football practice, but got "released" on Wednesday, so he was able to play in the scrimmage Thursday night. He did a really good job and was so pleased with himself. His attitude has done about a 160 degree turn so things are pretty good on that front.

Braden had his birthday party last night and he had a blast. They swam and hung out and played manhunt. What else could you ask for at 15? He's getting really excited to start school on Monday. It's hard to believe he's starting his first year of high school. I remember all the battles we had in elementary school like it was just yesterday.

I'm on the SAP team at work, and it's really a time consuming thing. Meetings after meetings after meetings. I'm trying to weed things out of my life that bog me down (ala Tree) and I prepared this whole speech that I was going to give the principal of all the reasons I have to resign from the team. All the other things I do at work, above and beyond my job description, that take all my free time...blah blah blah. While I know they can't force me to be on it, they did spend several hundred dollars to send me to the training and I wasn't sure how he'd take it. I walked in and said, "Can I talk to you about the SAP team?" He said, "You don't want to be on it anymore?" I replied meekly, "no." He said, "then quit." I asked if he wanted an explanation and he said, "You do so much around here, I'm sure whatever reason you have is a good one. I trust you." That made me feel good. One down, a thousand to go.

THE SUMMER IN REVIEW

THE SUMMER IN REVIEW:
(Take heed...it ain't pretty)

JJ has been a shit lately. Sneaking out after we go to bed to meet with the girl that lives across the street. Lying about it. Being completely, postively miserable when faced with consequences for said behaviors. Sneaking around with other things too...more lying. Not the behavior we've seen in him in the two years since he's been here.

Braden is just being Braden. Enough said.

Renee, her idiot boyfriend and their baby have moved in with us. They think they'll have a better chance of finding gainful employment here as opposed to where they were living. Since they've been here, she slipped back into an old, terrible habit. So, now she's doing intense outpatient rehab. She's just begun a job waitressing. I have to practically be a prison guard. The boyfriend has done virtually nothing but sit in the living room and apply for jobs he's totally unqualified for. And, he talks as if he's the perfect guy. He can run a 2 minute mile, he is thinking about becoming a doctor (he only has one semester of post-high-school-education), he's the best father in the world (hardly), he makes up words, and he preaches about everything.

We're still in mortgage limbo. We can't get the home equity loan we wanted until Chase sends a letter saying we're current with our mortgage payments, which we are, but I can't get anyone to send the letter. We're supposed to be working something out with them by September, but so far I have about 20 un-returned voicemails in to them.

The only good thing is I get to see my adorable grandson every day.

I don't know what's going on, but you might want to keep your distance.
Everyone around me is falling apart, and I'm not really sure I can handle one more thing.

What a week I've had.
Renee came down with the baby on Sunday and when she was leaving on Wednesday, I convinced her to leave him with me for a few days to give herself a break. What a sweet thing he is. So pleasant! But, I forgot how hard it is with an infant. Having to time everything between naps. I can honestly say that when they came back to get him, in spite of how much I knew I was going to miss him, when they pulled out of the driveway I sighed a sigh of relief. I didn't have time to do anything while he was here. It was worth it, but I was exhausted.

Wesley Snyder, the man behind our mortgage debacle, had his sentencing trial last week. The national guidelines call for between 10 and 12 years in prison. The judge gave him 12 years and 2 months. Plus ordered him to pay restitution to all the victims. Not that that is going to happen. The money is gone. Either ill-spent or hidden in the Grand Caymans. I think, though, that this adds fuel to our case with the banks and the management company that was supposed to be monitoring him.

I've got a ton to do today before going back to work tomorrow. And, really, I feel like doing nothing. But, I wanted to post a quick update. But, my time's up so I'm outta here.

--Oh, and if you can believe it, I now have even more Japanese beetles than I had last week. I'm blessed.

"I think I'm turning Japanese..."

These little f-ers are back!

"This little light of mine..."

Well, I can see a little light at the end of the tunnel. It might just be the flicker of a match, but it's still some light.

For the past two weeks I've been calling banks, mortgage brokers and checking online for refinance options. Some way to get our payment lower so we can ride this thing out without losing the house. We could make the higher payment, but we would have absolutely no money to spend. And, with two teenage boys, you always need money to spend. The problem is, our rate with Chase is very competitive and we wouldn't be saving any money by refinancing...only if we went interest only....and we really didn't want to do that with our mortgage.

I talked to the nicest mortgage broker yesterday. He is a little familiar with this case, as it's been in the papers and on the news since September. He said he feels very strongly that Chase, our mortgage company, will wind up offering some type of settlement. They've done it in the past for cases that while not like ours, the end results were the same. He said that it would be much easier for Chase to forgive part of a loan they already have, than to get them to cut a check for us to pay off a loan that's with another lender. I told him that I agreed, however, it won't do me any good if my house is in foreclosure, or I can't afford to heat it.

He suggested a low interest home equity loan to consolidate our other debts. We have enough equity to get one to pay off my Pacifica (even though it's a lease) and our two small credit card balances and the four wheeler we bought. He recommended that I call a banker he works with. I called her and she had an amazing offer. An interest only home equity line of credit. With what we need, the payment on the interest only loan would be a little over a$100 a month. Well that's a saving of about $500 a month. We only have to make up around $300, so we can apply $200 to the principal each month and our payment will go down down down. Then, if something comes up and we have a tough month financially, we can just pay the interest and it won't reflect poorly on our credit.

I got a good night's sleep last night for the first time in a long time. I love that man, and I've never even met him. Oh, the lady at the bank was very nice too.

Wish me luck!

I'm bragging just a bit

Okay, I'm not the least bit impartial here....but, isn't this the most adorable baby ever????

"Heard it from a friend who, heard it from a friend who..."

The pool party went off without a hitch. The friend's mom rearranged her schedule and got there about 2:30. The height of the action. No one tried to sneak into the woods. No one except Braden and his girlfriend. Twice I had to put the kabosh on a little "sneak away". I can't believe Braden is going to be in high school next year. Where does the time go?

Tonight's my book group meeting. I decided on my appetizers....roasted red pepper bruchetta, sweet and sour chicken and mini rosemary potato pancakes. Plus assorted crackers and dips.

I started the summer program this week. What an interesting bunch of kids we have. They're all high school kids in the partial hospitalization program. Serious mental disorders. And, get this....now try to keep up it gets a little confusing: There's one girl in my class who has dated three other female students in my class and one male student in my class. The male student has also dated one of the female students (who happens to be one of the three females that dated the first female). This female has never gotten over the serious relationship she had with the male and stares longingly at him all day long and cries when his bus gets called. Oh, and their relationship lasted a total of 4 days. And the first female is currently dating yet another female student in my class and all day we're either telling them to keep their hands off each other or counseling one of them after they get into an arguement. My days are just filled with FUN FUN FUN!

"I'm takin what they're givin cuz I'm working for a livin..."

Yesterday was JJ's last day of school. Today is Braden's. Some of you may know what that means....it's the famous last day of school swim party. This year, since it's his last year in the middle school, he wanted to have a huge party...over 50 kids. I told him that was too many hormone driven teens for me to watch at one time (let's face it....it was easier when he was 8 and I only had to worry about skinned knees and the boys dunking the girls. Now I have to worry about trysts in the woods, alcohol and lord knows what else). So, we decided that he'd go in with one of his friends. We'd split the food costs and his mom would come and help chaperone. Yesterday the boy and his dad dropped off their share of the food and told me the mom was out of town on business so she wouldn't be available today. So, that means it's going to be me and all those kids. I'll probably have a nervous breakdown trying to make sure no one gets pregnant or wasted.

Friday night I'm hosting book group. We read "Lamb, the Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal". I loved the book. I need some appetizer ideas. I'm tired of all mine. So far I plan on making roasted red pepper and gorgonzola bruchetta and for desserts I'm making custard bread pudding with brown sugar sauce, a lemon cake and coconut blueberry cheesecake bars. Any good appetizer suggestions?

Tomorrow I start working the summer program. I'm kind of looking forward to it...except for the getting up in the morning part. We'll see if I feel the same way in a couple of weeks.

"thank you for being a friend..."

I called Chrysler Financial today. We are leasing our Pacifica through them. You know how whenever somone is on a talk show talking about credit counseling, they say "call the people you owe money to and explain the situation. They're often able to work with you." Well, I explained our situation and how in the very near future I might not be able to afford the payments on the van, not to mentin the $70 a week in gas. The very nice woman I spoke with told me, optimistically, that they had two options for me.
She went on to explain that I could find someone to make the payments for me, or sell it.
Thanks. Thanks a lot.

"More than meets the eye..."

Today's my last day of work. Yesterday was our last day with kids. We can go in a half an hour later today (which is why I have time to blog) and wear shorts. I'll take advantage of the half an hour, but I wouldn't wear shorts to work if my life depended on it. I was invited to a little get-together after work today, so that should be a fun way to unwind.

They're filming part of the next Transformers movie near here. There's an old steel foundry in Bethlehem, and they've transformed (haha..pun intended) it into a Chinese city. I took the kids over the other night to see some action. Even Joe wanted to get in on this little trip. We got to see the set...the fake Chinese signs, helicopters....but no action. They don't start filming until the middle of the night....and we had to leave around 9:00. But, at least we got to see enough that when the movie comes out we can say, "I was there."

"School's out for summer"

It's hard to believe but this school year is practically over. My students are done on Wednesday and I'm done on Thursday. Well, I would be done except that I'm working the summer program this year to earn some extra green.
JJ's football team is having a clothing drive today and Braden's scout troop is doing a carnival grounds clean up....so I have to get them up and about shortly. Then, I have to go for groceries, do laundry, all my usual stuff..
I'm looking out my kitchen door right now and people are riding horses about 30 yards from me. They're cutting through the yards to get to the state park behind our house that has riding trails. It's kinda neat to look out your window and see horses. The other day there was a turkey in our yard.
I might take a ride to Renee's tomorrow. I have some big pieces and I have to go in the truck. I hate driving the truck. I keep putting it off because of that damn truck. But, they won't fit in my Pacifica. That trip will be about $60 in gas and a sore back. But, I'll get to see Brighton (and Renee). He's gotten so cute. We took him for pictures two weeks ago and I could just squeeze him and squeeze him. I'm trying to convince her that it would be good for her and Ray to let the baby come and stay with me for a few days before I start the summer program. But, you know first time moms!

Take that!

Press: The Attorney General's Press Office - Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General

"O-da-dee, o-da-da-Ah, la la la la life goes on"

Believe it or not, I have a busy weekend that I can blog about.
Last night I had book group. We read "Son of a Witch" the sequel to "Wicked". The book wasn't that great, but I always enjoy myself and eat too much at book group...so it was fun. Next month it's at my house and we're reading "Lamb, the Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal".
Today, I have my usual "chores" to do, then Renee is coming with the baby and we're taking him to get his pictures taken. Tonight we have a Comedy Night to go to for the football boosters and Braden has Lacrosse Fun day today too.
Tomorrow Joe is coming down and if all goes according to plan, I'm going to power wash the front porch and get the rest of my chairs/tables out of the shed.
You know I started taking Chantix. Well, for the first six weeks I was smoking a cigarette or two a day. Last Saturday I decided enough is enough and I haven't had one since. It only bothers me 18 or 19 hours of the day. Not too bad!
Oh, and as of June 1, our mortgage stipulation is over and we're probably going to go right to the poor house.

I started a new post, but I've really got nothing to say.

Got milk?

There's a book I came across while searching something else that sounds entertaining. I'm going to see if my library has it.

I especially thought of Tracee when I saw this...I remember her saying she likes to look at the receipts left in her library books.

http://www.amazon.com/Milk-Eggs-Vodka-Grocery-Lists/dp/1581809417/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209682825&sr=8-1

Sorry I've been so remiss in updating...I just feel so blah. I'm sick of everything and am anxiously awaiting consistantly warm weather and a change of pace.
I'm having a baby shower for Renee on Sunday. I still haven't planned the exact menu...all appetizers and desserts. Of course, I have the desserts picked out...they're always easy (A chocolate lava cake, honey cheesecake and sticky buns) but I dont' know what to do for the "food food". I found some cute shower games on line to play...I'm looking forward to that.
Keith is still healing...the doctor said it could be three months until he goes back to work. Three months!! Holy shit.
Braden and JJ are doing well...waiting for school to get out.
The judge in our mortgage debacle has thrown out the case, as it stood. I don't know where this leaves us...and the 810 other mortgage holders. There's a meeting scheduled for May 8th, but the 75% stipulation ends on May 31. I really and truly don't know what we're going to do. I took a summer position at my school for the extra money, but it's not enough to make the extra payment. And, when summer ends, we're liable to be looking for a new house.

"Ha Ha woman it's a crying shame,But you ain't got no one else to blame..."

You all know I'm not one to complain, but, I'm going to break from the norm. ~~0~~0~~

Keith is recuperating from his surgery. He can't drive, so he can't go anywhere, and it's driving him nuts. He sits around all day, waiting for me to get home from work so he can run errands with me. AArrgghh! (notice I didn't say he spends the day emptying the dishwasher, or doing laundry, or vacuuming) Errand running is my only time alone. I like to listen to a book in the car, or have the music turned up loudly. I like to not have to talk to anyone. Throw that out the window.
It's not helping that this medicine I'm taking to quit smoking has made me miserable. I just want everyone to leave me alone.
At 10:00, when I say I'm going to bed, Keith says, "Me too." And follows me to bed. Why does he have to go to bed at 10:00? He can sleep all day. I get ready for work in the morning making as little noise as possible, and as little light as possible, so he doesn't have to get up at 5:00. I resent it all.
It's so bad, that the other night I was watching a commercial for some sort of medicine to lower your cholesterol, and it showed how your arteries get blocked, one little speck at a time. I laid there, imagining all the little specks building up in his arteries, thinking "how long can this possible take?"
I'm awful. I know it. You don't have to tell me. I feel guilty enough. Not guilty enough to stop thinking about the specks, but guilty enough to feel badly about thinking of them.

"I picked a bad time to quit smoking"

What a week!
After spending last weekend mostly awake and at the hospital with Renee, I went back to work on Monday. I took personal days on Tuesday and Wednesday to be there when she came home from the hospital. That was nice.
I came home Wednesday night. Thursday night, Keith drove back up to bring her, BD, and Brighton down for Easter weekend.
Friday morning Keith went to have another cortisone shot in his back (he injured it at work about a month ago, he had 1 other shot a couple of weeks ago and it got better and better after that. The doctor wanted him to go for one more, then start physical therapy). He came home and was in terrible pain. He took a pain pill and a muscle relaxer and got no relief. We called his doctor, who was on a plane on his way to some exotic resort for Easter. He called back and said that sometimes these shots can lead to a flare up. Well, when Keith went to go upstairs to bed, his legs gave out and he wound up on the floor and couldn't get up. I resisted the strong urge I had to say, "quit being such a baby...get the hell up and get in bed." It was hard, but I resisted. After about an hour of him lying on the floor writhing in pain, I called an ambulance. They admitted him to the hospital and he had emergency back surgery yesterday morning. He had a huge herniation between L4 and L5. As long as he can get up and shower this morning, they'll be sending him home.
So, I had 15 coming for Easter dinner, I had to drive 2 hours each way to take Renee home last night and I had a husband in the hospital. What an Easter!
And to top it off, I started taking Chantix two weeks ago, and quit smoking. I could have strangled someone, anyone, all weekend. I felt like Lloyd Bridges in Airplane. Hence, the quote.

"Here comes Peter Cottontail...."

Reneee came home from the hospital Tuesday. I went up and spent the night with her. Brighton is a little doll. A little doll who absolutely hates to have his diaper or clothes changed. He screams and screams. I helped her get her house a little organized....she just moved in a week ago. Her, BD and Brighton are coming down for Easter.
Braden and JJ have the whole week off school....combine that with the fact that I've been away and this house is a mess! That's my mission today. I'm washing curtains, dusting, vacuuming, mopping. Sounds thrilling, huh?
I'm hosting Easter dinner on Sunday. I'm going to make a honey/orange glazed ham, scalloped potatoes and leeks, some sort of side vegetable and a lemon cake I just got the recipe for. That's it. I'm not going crazy this year.
I still haven't bought anything for Easter. No candy or grass. Nothing. I better put it in high gear!

Ladies and Gentlemen....

I proudly introduce you to..Brighton.

5 lbs 12 ozs 19" long Born 12:59 am 3/16/08.

I guess he didn't want to be born on the Ides of March.

"Don't know much about science books, don't know much about the french I took..."

I was supposed to go with Braden today on a scout hike through the "concrete canyon"...NYC. It was going to be a 10 mile hike, but it got postponed because of rain. Lots and lots of rain. To tell you the truth, I can't say that I'm too upset. I would prefer to do this sort of thing in April or May when it's a little warmer.

Braden brought home is high school recommendations this week. He's been saying for a month or so now that he wants to take honors biology. I kept telling him that you can't just "pick" an honors class, that you have to be chosen for it. But, his recommendations came home and lo and behold....Honors Biology. College Prep Social Studies, on level Algebra I and on level English. He chose Intro to Tech and Family and Consumer Sciences as his electives. We were very proud of him, as he seemed to be in himself. Imagine a kid who just got pulled out of his last learning support class, taking honors bio. Well, I got a call from his teacher yesterday....it seems that Braden took it upon himself to change her college prep science recommendation to honors. And, while she admires his determination, she doesn't feel that he has the strong math background needed for the course. She did say that in the past when kids have changed a recommendation, it's usually to take something easier....not something harder. He's broken hearted that his plan has come to light and he can't take the honors class. I told him that it was a big move that he was recommended for the college prep classes, considering how much of a struggle academics was for him in the past. I didn't punish him for changing the teacher's input, maybe I should have.

It could very well be that in one week I'll be a grandmother. At her first appointment this week, they told her she'd lost a pound, but at her second, she'd gained it back. Her and BD (baby daddy) aren't getting along so great....it seems he has an aversion to working, but not an aversion to spending money. Who would have ever thought that my daughter would be the responsible one in a relationship? I'm very proud of her.

JJ's on a visit to his aunt's in Philadelphia this weekend...that means one less person to feed (actually more like two the way he eats!) and no fighting over the xbox. He got punished this week for failing a test. I just can't seem to get it through his head that grades count, and that education is important. I don't know if it's his age, or his background, but he's content with whatever grade he gets. I have to admit though, he takes being punished way better than Braden does. It almost makes me feel badly for punishing him.

"Ii like mine with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes..."

Renee called me yesterday in tears. She had a doctor's appointment and it didn't go very well.

The baby has hardly gained any weight in the last month. She's due in four weeks. His heartbeat was healthy and he showed no signs of distress, but she has to stop working and while her doctor didn't order bedrest, he did tell her that she should spend as much time as possible relaxing. And eating. She has to make herself half & half milkshakes, and eat as many high caloric foods as possible. He wants her to gain as much weight as she can. She has to go back for check-ups every three days, and if the baby isn't gaining much weight by March 14th, they're going to induce her. The doctor told her not to worry, there's nothing wrong with the baby, he just might be able to gain more weight outside of the womb.

Of course, she failed to hear the "don't worry there's nothing wrong with the baby" part and is a nervous wreck. We talked on the phone for hours last night and in the end she was fairly calm. I did tell her that most women in America would love to hear a doctor tell them to relax, lay around and eat eat eat!

Braden and I are driving up there today and staying until tomorrow.
She's moving out of her apartment into a larger twin house she's going to be renting. It won't be ready until the middle of the week, but it was supposed to be ready today. Another thing she's stressing over.

Between friends and relatives, she has all the big baby things she needs (crib, changing table, swing, etc), it's the small things she doesn't have. Blankets, clothes, etc. I keep telling her not to worry, she'll get it. I'm planning a baby shower for her, but I'm having it shortly after she has the baby...and now it seems that that's a good thing, timing wise.

She asked Braden to be the baby'g godfather, and he's so excited. He also came up with a name that both her and babydaddy like, Carnell. I'm not too thrilled with it, but it's not my baby to name. I was kind of partial to schell37, but she didn't want to hear anything of it.

"Tell me somethin good"

I was supposed to have the weekend to myself...but, mother nature had different plans. JJ was supposed to go to his aunt's in Philadelphia....but, due to a snowstorm, greyhound canceled it's runs. Braden was supposed to leave Friday night for a scout camping trip, but that got postponed. So much for R & R.
It seems that the Gods of Misfortune are determined to wreak havoc with our lives. Keith has to have back surgery. He'll be out of work for at least a month. Just what we need with these higher mortgage payments we've been having to make. Not to mention that back surgery has certain risks involved.
On the same "oh woe is me" note, my computer is acting totally screwy. It's about four years old, and I think it's on it's last leg. It keeps freezing up...for a long time. When it goes to screensaver mode, it takes about ten minutes to get it to "wake up" again. I've deleted as many files as possible and moved all my pictures to an external hard-drive, trying to free up space, but it takes forever to do anything.
There was a bomb scare at Braden's school on Thursday. He found "bomb in school" written on the bathroom door in the morning. So, he did what he thought was the responsible thing and went right back to class and told his teacher. After the students were allowed back in the building, he was called to the office and grilled about it. They practically accused him of writing it himself. "How did you notice it?" "You know we can dust for fingerprints" "You know a bomb threat is a federal offense". They thought it was odd because it was early in the morning when he found it. He told them it could have been in there since the day before and no one noticed it then. He also said, "If I did it, do you think I'd run right in to the teacher and tell her about it? That would be suicide." He also told them that he likes that school and if he really wanted to stay home, his mom would just let him stay home. He was pretty worked up when he got home. I never even got a phone call about it.
So, that's what's down with me. What about you? Tell me something good.

HGTV Junkie

On the weekends I watch a lot of HGTV. I have it on while I'm cleaning, or cooking. I love Candice Olson. And David Bromstad. I used to love Kenneth Brown, too, but he doesn't seem to be on anymore. That Chayse Dacoda girl from "Get It Together" is pretty good too. I like "Find Your Style", but something about Karen Macaloon's mouth bothers me. And as far as Carter Can....he can!
I can't stand Constance Ramos. I don't know why, but I find her extremely irritating. I also don't like Lee Snyder from Design on a Dime...he seems way too full of himself for me. I'm not sure about Vern Yip...he's too nice, I think.

"Ice ice baby...."

We got out of school early on Tuesday, because of snow. [Sidenote: One of my students was doubting that we'd have an early dismissal, and wanted to bet me on it. After I told him that we couldn't bet money, we agreed on this - if we didn't get out early, I'd have to come to school on the next school day wearing clothes that didn't match. If we did get out early, he'd have to come in with his shirt tucked in and his pants pulled up to his waist. Trust me, his pants haven't seen anything above his behind in years. I WON!!! I can't wait to see if he follows through.] We had Wednesday off, because of ice and a two hour delay today because of ice. I'm starting to feel like Spidey, but it's due to ice, not snow. The kids are dying for a good snow storm. We've only had about three inches at a time here, and it's always followed by ice. It's hard to play in ice-covered snow.

I have book group tomorrow night, which I'm looking forward to. I may have mentioned this before, but we read "Ella Minnow Pea" and the author is phoning in. I'm looking forward to it, as I really enjoyed the book.

Nothing new on the mortgage front...it's still "be patient". Not exactly my strongest suit.

Braden had a girl from his German class over yesterday to bake something for their German Party. Why they were coming here, I don't know. She was supposed to bring the ingredients, and I was to provide the "hard goods" - oven, cookie sheets, mixer, etc. Then the day before, she asked Braden if she had to bring everything. I told him to tell her that I had all the baking basics...flour, sugar, eggs, etc. She showed up with this recipe for a German Black Forest cake. And that's it. The recipe called for a ton of ingredients that I didnt' have. So I scoured the internet and found a recipe for Berliner Pretzels. They are a shortbread cookie that you shape into a pretzel. You should see how some of the pretzels look...more like globs. The girl was very nice, and I could tell that Braden had a crush on her.

"Jesus love me, this I know..."

One of my favorite students, B, is applying to a college in Florida. (She's the one who will be the first person in her family to graduate high school) Because she's registered, she has an email account through her college. She figured out what our emails are at school...it's not too hard...first initial, last name, and has started sending me emails. But, the emails aren't really from her, they're from God. She knows I know they're from her, but she keeps sending them. I think they're hysterical, which is why I think she keeps sending them. (Sidenote: the kids start with 4 tokens a day, and if they keep a certain percentage, they earn rewards)

Here, in order, is what they've said:

"What's up...B is the best student in the world...she is the only kid in your school who don't do drugs...please this is from God...yes the one God. Never take another token from her again."

"This is God I am very angry with the way u have been acting lately. I want to inform u that on Feb 1, Friday, tomorrow u must buy R and B some candy because I am God and let them do everthing they want or u shall feel my wrath!!!!!!!!!! P.S. Please do not take any token from JD he is a Giants fan."

"Hello. This is God once again. I see that B was a very good student today. I think that she should not stay for detention tomorrow. Me and her have many things to do. Like go to the library. Also, baby jesus said hi."

Shining, gleaming,streaming, flaxen, waxen

Well, I bit the bullet and got my hair cut short. I chose what I thought was a really nice cut. See the picture on the bottom.

What I got is something totally different. The back and sides are very much shorter, and the top is only about 2" long, where in the picture it's probably about 4" long. What I got looks like the picture on the top. Not that it's a horrible look, it's just nothing like what I wanted.

I spent last night crying and fuming. The worst part is it can't be fixed because she made it too short. It will take months before it's long enough to look even close to the picture.

Why do I have bad luck with hairdressers? This woman has been coloring my hair, and trimming it for about a year and always did a good job in the past.

At school today, one of the boys said, "Miss, you look like Halle Berre..." and while I was saying thank you, he added, " 's mom!" Nice

Green Eggs and Ham

Read Across America is coming up the beginning of March, and once again, I'm trying to come up with ideas to get our kids interested in participating. Last year, the class that read the most books got to throw pies at the principal, which they loved!
This year, we have a new, younger principal who is a little more open to challenges. We discussed a couple of things, then I sent him the following email, to try to narrow down what he'd be open to.

(note....Halamar is an employee there, who they call MiniMe, because he follows the principal around, and fancies himself an administrator; Mrs. Steele is a pregnant teacher who isn't especially cared for by administration because, while she's a great teacher, her paperwork leaves a lot to be desired; Mr. Breidenthal is an ex-military Treatment Specialist who no one would want to spend the day working next to; Mr. Stambaugh is our gym teacher, who has to weigh 400 lbs.)

In honor of Dr. Seuss:

Would you consider eating a bug?
Or would you drink them from a coffee mug?
How would you feel 'bout kissing a frog?
If not a frog, how 'bout a hog?

You could don a tiara and pink tutu
Wear it while playing the kazoo
You could wear it in your auto-moblie
Or while you dance with Mrs. Steele.

As a highlight to your great career
Would you hand out lunch in scuba gear?
Would you like to do it dressed that way?
You wouldn't have to do it everyday.

Maybe you 'd rather milk a cow
I'm sure Halamar could show you how
Sitting on a little stool
Just don't get milk all over the school

You could wear one of those sumo suits
And wrestle with some possible recruits
Maybe we could enlist Mr. Stambaugh
I wonder which one of you would fall.

Or just sit you on top of that great dunk tank
We'll stay on hold with the local blood bank
We'd do it early so it's nice and cold
But before you think we're completely sold

Would you like a room with a fantastic view?
Get further away from this whole crew.
Move your stuff - your desk, your chair
To the parking lot, "Ahhh, fresh air!"

For the day you'd do your job outside
With maybe Mr. Breidenthall by your side
Your whole office set out in the grass
Being ogled and leered at by every class!

"a b c ... it's easy as 1 2 3"

Let's see. My Lyme test came back negative...as did the other five thing they tested for. So, my doctor sent me for two additional blood tests...both of which came back negative. I have another appointment tomorrow night, and I dont' know what he'll recommend next. But, I still feel like crap. Today it's in my hip and feet mostly.

I just finished reading a book which I really enjoyed...Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn. We're reading it for book group this month. I liked it so much that I'm reading another book by him called Ibid. They're quirky and I loved the play on words in Ella Minnow Pea. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/103-1247336-9745448?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mark+dunn The author is calling in for our book discussion on the 15th, and I'm looking forward to hearing from him.

Our new mortgage company has extended the 75% payment stipulation until the end of March, but other than that, there's nothing new on that front either. It's a game of wait and see.

I don't really have much else to report. I'm anxious for winter to be over and to feel better.

"It's a boy"

And, he's just like his mom....stubborn. It took them over a half an hour to get him to move his hands away from his face for this shot.

According to the doctor, everything is moving along on schedule, and the baby is healthy and perfect.

This has been a good weekend. First of all, it's a long one. Second of all, I didn't have to get up for anything...so for three days in a row, I got to sleep until I woke up. It's amazing how different I feel when I don't have to get up at 5:15. We didn't have anything going on all weekend, so I wasn't on any kind of schedule.

Today I have to take Braden to an orthodontist appointment, stop at Walmart for wrapping paper, and one of those thingies that you use to make a plate stand up. Then I have to dust and vacuum the living room. Oh, and make the boys do their laundry.

Tonight we have to go to Afro's for his and Shay's birthday. Shay just had her bedroom redone. It's all peptobismal pink and green. So, I painted her some pictures to hang on her wall. What do you think? The colors are a little bright for my taste, but I think she'll love them.

"Yeah, that's the ticket..."

I went to the doctor's on Thursday. He's pretty sure it's Lyme's disease. I had to go for blood work yesterday morning. And, while he was at it, he had them check my sugar levels, my thyroid, a test for rheumatoid arthritis, and a couple of other things I can't even remember. He said the Lyme test can take about a week to come back. He also said there was nothing I can do in the mean time, except continue to pop extra strength tylenol like m & m 's.

We got a new kid in our class last week. What a duzy. He tells these unbelievable stories, and of course, the angels in the class egg him on so the stories just keep getting more and more grandiose. So far we've learned that he has three hired bodyguards (because in his line of work, that's what you need to do); he bought his girlfriend an 8 carat diamond ring at Kay Jewelers for $500, but then she cheated on him with his best friend; he's been accepted at Florida State University (he's only a junior who reads at a first grade level); he works from 4:00 till 10:00 everyday cutting down trees and makes $32./hour; he has his own house where he lives by himself. After one of his lengthy boasting sessions yesterday, my sweetie B yelled out, "Dude, you're a pathological liar. You know that's a disease, right?" His reply? "Yeah, my sister has it."

I'd love to think of a title, but I have African Sleeping Sickness

I still feel the same. Tired, tired, tired, my elbows, hips, ankles, fingers and feet hurt and I keep getting these awful headaches in the back of my head, right above my neck. I decided I'd call the doctor on Monday. I wanted to give it at least a week to see if it would go away, or at least get better, but it hasn't.

At the risk of sounding like my mother...I checked my symptoms online and found exactly what I must have. I'm only missing one symptom, but I don't think it's a major one. Are you ready? I think I have African Sleeping Sickness. I have everything listed, except, I haven't been to Africa and been bitten by an insect. I keep telling everyone, "I'd be happy to make dinner, except I have African sleeping sickness. I'd run you up to Blockbuster, but I have African sleeping sickness." They're not finding it as amusing as I do.

Seriously, though, I think I might have Lyme's disease. I don't know that I've ever been bitten by a tick, but it's quite possible as in the summer and fall, we're always pulling them off of the boys. Being surrounded by woods and fields here, it could be possible.

Of course, it could all be from stress, I suppose. We still don't know anything final about our mortgage, which is very stressful. And then there's the fact that I'm Braden's mom....more stress. And, two months away from being a grandmother. I worry about Renee and the choices she's made and part of me fears I'm going to wind up raising a grandchild, which I don't know if I'm emotionally, physically or financially able to do.

"When I get older....."

I don't know what's wrong with me.
On Saturday, I woke up and my feet, ankles and hands were swollen. And, it hurt my feet to walk...but I chalked it up to the swelling.
Sunday, they had gone down a bit, but my wrists and ankles really hurt. Sunday night, my neck started hurting too.
Monday, it was still the same, slight swelling but pain in my joints.
Yesterday, my fingers joined in the fun. but I could finally get my ring off.
Now, today, I have a stiff neck, sore ankles, painful wrists and my fingers hurt when I move them certain ways. The swelling is back too, and I have a headache.
I suppose it could all be related to my being sick over the holidays. Or else I'm just old.
If it doesn't soon go away, I'll go to the doctor.

Happy New Year...when will God's Kingdon come?

As I mentioned before, Christmas was nice here. JJ started with a head cold that ended the day after Christmas, just in time for Keith and I to get it. Braden never did get it, and as I told Bert, perhaps his staying up late, eating junk food and playing video games strengthened his immunity system. I never actually got the cold part, just the achey body, sweats and chills and absolutely no energy. I barely moved from the bed to the couch. I did get some reading done. I read "Pillars of the Earth". I enjoyed it, but it was way too heavy. Nearly 1000 pages. It took all my strength just to hold it upright while I read. I almost didn't make it to work today, but I was a trooper and went in.

A couple of weeks ago, we promised Braden and JJ they could each have four friends sleep over on New Year's Eve. And, they held us to it. I felt bad canceling just because I didn't feel well. They were all very good. Loud. But very good. They were up until 5:00 in the morning, watching movies. I got up on Tuesday to 8 bodies sleeping on my living room floor (two of the kids weren't able to stay over). At about 11:00 there was a knock on the door. Jehovah's Witnesses. ON NEW YEARS MORNING????? I told them I had a houseful of kids and that it wasn't a good time. They were kind enough to leave me with a copy of the Watchtower. I told the kids, when they woke up, that I should have thrown them under the bus and told the JW's that there were 8 souls in there just waiting to be saved. But, once again, I listened to the angel on my shoulder instead of the other guy.