Diary of a Wimpy mom

As you know my computer has been down and I have not "blogged". This summer has been a roller coaster of emotions. My plan was to try and get help for Michael so that when school starts in 17 days the teacher can do her job and Michael can be a calmer student. I preface all of this by saying unless you have a child who has ADHD and ODD think twice before you give advice. The baby books don't prepare you for a "High maintenance" child. It is exhausting. We were blessed to be able to send Michael to 3 different nature camps. If it wasn't for those camps that helped break up the boredom of everyday I doubt we would all 3 still be alive.
I have found trying to be a pro active parent to be a huge discouragement. I tried to get the school to help me before school was out but was told we would have to wait until September 10Th which when I asked for help was 4 months away. I made appointments to see a psychiatrist and a therapist to try and get help with Michael's diagnosis. We had to wait until July 2ND to see the shrink and that whole meeting was a disaster. Made a follow up appointment to tell the shrink that the medicine for ADHD was making things more intense and could we try something else. That was this past Friday 8/21. I left that meeting with a different medicine but also left her office feeling hopeless, discouraged, and angry.The medicine we got made things even worse. We turn to the so called "EXPERTS" to help us where we lack knowledge. But sometimes they don't know what to do either.
SIGH!!!
So school starts in 17 days and you would think that I would be happy. Instead I have started bracing myself for the negative responses from the teacher and administrators. It's sad. I tried so hard to give my son a leg up for his 3rd grade year and I feel I have failed. I am so grateful for my friend Ellen, she knows what it's like and it is such a blessing to be able to call and say " I hate my job" and know that I won't be judged about saying that.

A toubled soul

The world was shocked this week with the news of Michael Jackson's death.
I felt sorry for that "boy". I don't think mentally he was an adult.
His life was filled with such pain and heartache. Success does not give you a "free" pass out of the troubles of our world.
I had watched the interviews of him talking about his childhood and the stress that he experienced as a boy to be successful and please his dad. It's sad that we as parents sometimes want so much for our children but at a high cost to them. Michael Jackson didn't get the experience of a "normal" growing up and consequentially it scarred his adult life too.
One of the saddest things to me about this boy was that he was uncomfortable in his own skin. He couldn't look in the mirror without seeing so called flaws in himself. Many surgeries later I wonder if he ever felt "good enough". All of that cosmetic change only catapulted him into deeper agony I believe. His pictures show the complete physical transformation that he went through. I doubt he ever gained the happiness he so wanted. Of course the rumors of his behavior were awful but clear warning signs of a person in need of serious help.
I do hope that he has finally entered into peace and the acceptance of who he was born as was a beautiful person with so much love and talent to bring happiness to millions.

Diary of a Wimpy Mom

Well gosh, only 10 more weeks of summer vacation. Or 73 days. Which ever way you put it, it sounds long.
So 2 weeks down. My sister in law was a buffer for the whole family. We tried to be on our best behavior. Sad that people act better when others are watching but can't keep it up to better the rest of their days.
Michael went to "Camp Tilikum" this past week. It is a Christian camp owned by George Fox University. He went for the first time last summer and was hooked. It's a day camp. I drove him daily to the church where he attended pre-school for 2 years. Dropped him off at 7:30 and he would be back at the church around 5:00 pm. He enjoyed every moment. They have cows, llamas, newts, snakes, canoeing, big tire swing, hiking, and no parents nagging him. He has decided he wants to go there yearly and eventually become a counselor there when he's old enough. It was as much of a break for him as it was for me. The saying absence makes the heart grow fonder is a true statement. When he was gone I thought of him very, very often. It was a week filled with prayers for him. I actually had the peace and quiet to remember different stages he has gone through and how much he has matured. It is hard to see those times when your battling daily. I realized some of the things that I get irritated with are really no big deal and I just need to relax and not get so upset. Easier said sometimes but I am gonna work on it.
I enjoyed having the week "off". I got some chores done around the house which makes me feel better. I spent a couple of hours with an old school mate talking and catching up. It is so nice to be reassured that I am not alone in this struggle of trying to parent a "high maintenance child". We both have children that are struggling with ADHD and it is mentally exhausting. I got to FINALLY see Lisa's new house (probably 2 years new now). We worked on a project together at her house and had fun being goofy. You know it's a true friend when you can share time together doing something as exciting and mundane as cleaning and organizing and still have a lot of fun together. Angela and I had a fun afternoon with brunch and a movie. We went to see the Sandra Bullock movie "The Proposal". It was funny and I laughed LOUD and often during it. It was a clean movie without bad language or sex. It was great and laughter is such a great way to unwind. AHHHH, we all need more times like that.

And I spent a random afternoon with an old classmate who was in town. Again nothing exciting but had lots of laughs.
And to finish off this great week I get to go scrap booking/book club/laughing/being goofy today with Janet. I always have a great time when we spend our monthly time together.
So this "Wimpy mom" has had a very nice two weeks, let's hope for more of the same over the next 10 weeks.

"Diary of a Wimpy Mom"

Well today is the first day of summer vacation. Sigh... Yesterday was spent trying to clean house for the arrival of my sister in law. I felt depressed and it was so hard to get things done. This past week I spent so many hours arguing with Michael. First thing in the morning, right after school, all the way to bedtime. I am mentally exhausted. SIGH...
How will this summer be a vacation? How will this family make it through these trying times. I don't know.
On the brighter side my sister in law from Iran is here. She is a lovely woman and it is nice to see her. It will help that she is here for this next week with Michael. As is the custom in many countries she came bearing gifts. My Persian family spoils us.

So as countdown of "Diary of a Wimpy Mom" begins it is day 87. The husband and kid are already getting on my nerves. They are squabbling at each other. God help me. DRINKS ANYONE???? BARTENDER MAKE MINE A DOUBLE!!!!

The bad, the hideous, and the great!!!

I think about blogging all the time but rarely can find the time too. I wish there was a keyboard in my head that transferred my thoughts to this site. Of course there would be some not so good things to transfer but I could delete those.
So much has happened in the last 2 months that it feels like years have passed. I am astounded at how fast time goes by. Sigh....

This past year with Michael has been so trying to me as a mom, and as a human being. I love my son dearly but there are so many times that I don't "like" him. GASP!!! I know what a horrible thing to say, but that's the truth. Even harder to say is that I look at him and I see myself. SIGH... I look back at my childhood and see the way he needs attention is exactly what I did (probably worse). The school year has been a struggle for sure. He is so smart but it is not coming through in his work at all.
He has been diagnosed with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder ( he argues about everything!!! In my day we would have been described as "a pain in the ass"!!!)
Again, it is like looking at a mirror and discovering yourself . My heart aches as I try and tolerate the boy. The constant talking, the non stop interruptions while I am doing something that needs my concentration. The list goes on. We have tried a couple of medications but there is no miracle drug out there. One medicine helped him get work done at school but his impulsiveness is intense. The other medicine really helped the impulsiveness but he can't focus on getting any work done because he became hyper-sensitive to everything around him. SIGH...It is so easy to look at a child with behavior problems and judge them and their parents by what a person sees. People love to give advice on "what you should do". Unless you have a child that is like that just keep your mouth shut. It is so frustrating as a parent to have people say "he will grow out of it" UUHHH, no he won't. I am 41 and can see that I have not grown out of stuff. I am more aware of it and try my best to control my impulses, but it's a struggle. Praise God he is so smart but what that means is he is able to out argue me. He has valid points and wants them known. And when your 8 years old there are very few adults that can deal with adult reasoning from a child. It is a threat to them. Again your seen as a pain in the ass, or being smarty. I am slowly learning that he cannot control himself and I have to learn how to deal and mold him. Seriously, I am exhausted from daily tantrums. And I am angry. That's the worst part, I have to change myself to help my son. I have to learn new behaviors, new tools, be able to not get so angry with "the little things". I thought having a child was going to be easy, but what I have discovered is it's God's way of changing me. SIGH...
My husband was diagnosed with Celiac which means he is allergic to wheat's and other stuff (still learning what it is). He has to buy gluten free food and look at every label. What a pain. He is hungry and can't satisfy that yet. So I need to make an effort to help with this change. To be honest with you, it is really hard to help someone you don't like. I know, I know "pray for your enemies". Jesus gave some hard things to do if you are a stubborn mule like myself. SIGH...

OK enough of me being hideous!!! Now for the great stuff.

On a very positive note, my husband has done a couple acts of random kindness that have blown me away. In a week and a half time period I had run out of creamer for my coffee twice. I only like the coffee for the caffeine and the creamer. Any who, I realised this one Sunday night and said out loud "oh no, I am out of cream". It was to late for me to go to the store and I did not have the energy. The next morning when I was awakened by my son (there is no volume control on that boy) he was carrying me coffee. I said no, I didn't have any creamer. "But mom, dad went this morning already to the store and bought you some!!!" I sat straight up and was instantly awake. I was so shocked. I thanked my husband profusely and even called him at work to let him know that I was so thankful and appreciated it so much. Then later that week he took Friday off and we walked Michael to school. After dropping the boy off we took a walk and argued the whole way. Long story shortened, I hate the rhododendrons that are in front of our porch and told him I was taking them out. NO YOUR NOT, YES I AM. You get the point. The next day was my once a month scrapbook day with my friend Janet. I came home after midnight and when I drove up the rhoddie's were GONE!!!! YAY YAY YAY!!!!! Again another round of profuse thank yous. The very next day was Sunday and guess who discovered late again that she was out of cream??? That's right me!!! I went up stairs after my shocking discovery to shower and when I came down Michael said dad was outside working on his car. That should have been my first clue, he is not a mechanic. So the next day out of habit I opened the fridge and at the same moment remembered I was out of creamer but what is that in my fridge looking back at me and batting it's eyelashes at me. "Oh no he didn't, Oh yes he did, Oh my goodness yes he did"!!!! ELATION!!! My precious cream that apparently is life changing was there for me. The husband had sneaked up to the store and bought me my"heroin".

And men say women are so hard to please...............

The hand of God

Oh how I love this time of year!!!! This is when we should celebrate "The New Year" not in January when everything is frozen, gloomy, and sleeping. Excuse the Julie Andrews in me but "The hills are alive with singing!!!" (better the hills than me, I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket). These are a few of my favorite things that have taken place recently.
1). My purple crocus bloomed (my favorite color) and the other colors too
2). My winter daphne has bloomed and I can smell it's beauty in my backyard. It is such a sweet smell. I can always find that scent when I walk the neighborhoods
3). My hyacinths have bloomed with their lovely fragrance
4). My hydrangea is showing signs of life
5). My hostas are waking up
6). My grape hyacinths have multiplied and are standing tall
7). Daffodils everywhere make up for the lack of sunshine here in Oregon
8). My vinca are bright and purple and look so lovely in my cottage stone bed
9). My lilac that my father in law and I planted together (he has passed away and I miss him, so that lilac is extra special to me) is green with leaves
10). My weeds runneth over but I am excited to get out there and be with them too
11). Everywhere I look I see the artistic hand of God Almighty. There never has been a more creative artist than Him. His colors are beyond description. He has made it all for us to enjoy and that I do!!! Thank you Father for the beauty of nature, it is awesome!!!

Addictions

Well I have finally made it back!!! It took me quite awhile to even get back to my site and even longer to remember how to post again. I've missed this a lot!!!!
I have found other addictions to fill my time with lately. I confess I have an addictive personality. Not good!!! I am aware of it and have learned ways to help curb some things. So what have I been doing??? These are some addictions that I've had recently.

1). I have read all 4 books of the "Twilight" series. My dealer JenE got me hooked on them. Because I skip ahead in the books and read the ending first my dealer would only give me one book at a time. She was sure I would read the last book first. I have not read a series of books ever and I must say I was hooked. JenE and I saw the movie together and thought it was very "Teenie Bopperish". On the other hand my other addict friend in this series, Angela LOVED the movie and already has it. She was always one to two books ahead of me and so I would ask her questions and like JenE she wasn't very willing to answer me.

2). "Facebook"!!! I am not addicted to the postings as I am to the "Super Pets". OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I love my cyber kitty "Twix" (named after the candy bar of course)!!!! She is so cute. I love dressing her up, feeding her, and having her battle other pets. I do have a couple of friends that I am spending a lot of coins on to keep their animals clean, and fed (Gracie, Bo, and Diana). So if those dear friends would like to send me gifts as payback for keeping their animals alive I would like the bookcase which is 500 coins, the bird house which is 1500 coins, 3 candle set which is 500 coins, the bird with musical notes which is 1000 coins, or the basketball (for Michael) which is 300 coins. Pushy I know but those steaks are 40 coins and cheeseburgers 25 coins. I am in the poor house with these critters!!!
On a "healthy" note I have reconnected with two "long lost" friends and I am so happy about that!!!

3). Abeer and I recently discovered we both enjoy the card game "SPEED". It's a fast moving game and it gets my adrenaline pumping. Plus my very competitive side rears it's ugly head when I win (sad but true). Abeer and I had a chance to play last week for the first time together while the kids were playing. I am looking forward to the kids back in school this week so we don't have all the interruptions. Abeer looks so calm and sweet but put a deck of cards in front of her and watch out!!!! She is great at this game and beat me badly. It was a lot of fun. So Abeer my house or yours????

4) Spending time with my friends. I've had a lot of play dates recently and just love being with the people that make me laugh and enjoy things. Janet and I actually saw each other outside of our once a month scrap booking date. Her, Lisa and JenE were VERY GENEROUS and came to help me try and get a handle on my "scrap" room. I'd be surprised if Janet steps back into my house anytime soon. We got a lot done, I gave a lot away, and am working on getting rid of more and making a real work space for myself. Janet, Lisa and I all went to the Scrapbook convention together this year. We had fun. Lisa and I have had more time together and we are such goof balls when we are around each other. We even change back to the way we talked 23 years ago. Immature but fun!!!! She's addicted to the Super Pets too.
JenE and I have spent more and more time together. I am addicted to her little boys hugs and kisses. She's a tempting influence on me. She is responsible for several of these addictions. I am fighting real hard not to start buying fabric. There's a group of us that get together at "Ava's" coffee shop when we can. Echo, Abeer, JenE, Kari and I like hanging out there. Much nicer than Starbucks.
I've worked with Angela several times recently and we laugh and enjoy our time. She is a very busy woman and I don't get to see her except when I go to work.
LN and I got together for the first time in a long time and had "Happy Hour at Gustov's". It was her birthday last week and so we celebrated. She is such a sweet person and I enjoy our "therapy" time. Tammy and I finally got together for my birthday (October) and Christmas. We are old friends too and act like we did when we were six. Again immature but fun!!!
So my friends I love all of you and enjoy my time with each and every one of you. Of course there are others that I enjoy too but these are the people I have filled my time with the last couple of weeks. Thanks friends!!!

Now there are some addictions I am really trying to tame.

I am getting better about my scrap booking addiction. Seeing all that I have has put me to shame. I need to use what I have instead of being impulsive. I need to actually put albums together so I can even call myself a scrapbook er, otherwise I am just a paper addict.

Spring is my favorite time of year and I am starting to clean up the weeds and wanting to get my yard looking good. The problem is I want to go and buy flowers, fresh mulch, and bark dust. All of that costs money and I have expensive taste and a husband who doesn't appreciate the beauty of what I do. And since he's the provider I have to be content with what I have.

I enjoy taking pictures. I have really pulled way back on taking and developing photos. But after seeing some absolutely gorgeous photos JenE took I am just itching for a new camera and to click away at all the flowers that are blooming now. Again I have to live within my means. Very hard!!!

Ribbons!!!! Lisa and I share this addiction. I don't need it but show me a cute piece of ribbon and it's hard to resist. I haven't bought any to recently so I feel pretty good about that.

I could use a twelve step program but I would be at meetings everyday, and I am not sure they have programs for ribbon addicts!!!

Happy Birthday JenE JenE JenE

Happy Birthday to you!!! Happy Birthday to you!!! Happy Birthday dear JenE, Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!
And just think if you are bitten by a vampire you will have birthdays FOREVER!!!!
Well today, 17 years ago (I know it's a stretch, but it is your birthday!!) little JenE was born. I can see the love in her parents eyes as they looked at their bundle of joy!!! Fast forward 17 years and today she will spend it "ROCKIN' OUT" with a band!!! That's right she will be a rock star today!!! Hopefully I will have pictures later. They should be interesting.
Stay tuned!!!!
Happy Birthday JenE!!! Love ya!!! I thankfully don't want your blood, but maybe a certain Edward will drop by tonight for a quick bite!!!

U R Getting older when.....

Well I have insomnia.
Now that JenE, JenE, JenE lent me a book to read which I devoured in 24 hours I have a possible theory on why I may have insomnia!!!! Anywho who. So a couple of nights ago I was laying awake, already blogged, checked others blogs and could not turn off my mind. I started thinking about how I was feeling old at that moment and came up with some signs that "U R getting Older". This is how I know I am aging.


#1). You are awake before the birds (They are awfully noisy lately too!!!)
#2). Bladder control is no longer controlled ( I have had some coughing spells and decided I better start wearing my "winged" friends. Or if I laugh to hard!!!)
#3). You have started paying attention to Metamucil commercials.
#4). You start caring now when your dentist says your gums are still receding (I hear dentures are not that great)
#5). You finally give your real weight when you go to the DMV. As if the guy behind the counter really thought I could even possibly only weigh 120 pounds!!!! Yeah right lady, a little water retention????
#6) You say "huh???" twenty times in a short conversation with someone under 30 years old.
#7) It's been 20 years since you knew the words to the "hit songs" on the radio. "It's fun to stay at the YMCA, it's fun to stay at the YMCAAA"
#8) Your heating pad is what keeps you warm at night. Forget snuggling, my back hurts!!!
#9). Don't even get me started on my memory. My phone has more memory than I do and if I loose that thing I will not know how to call ANYONE!!!!
#10). You used to stop and look at the cute little babies in the strollers and shopping carts. Now when you see one your so thankful that yours is in school. Yep those babies are loosing their curb appeal.
#11). Those motorized scooters are looking more and more sporty!!! I would love to have a golf cart to drive around in, and often think of stealing one.
#12). Your bras and underwear no longer look like something out of "Victoria's Secret", they look like something "Home Depot" would sell in their industrial strength section. "We need customer service on aisle #9 for a fitting please!!!" Hey thanks Bob Villa, make sure the foundation is good, oh and do you carry these in any other colors besides camo or black????"
#13). You used to care if a gray hair was showing and would get your hair colored, cut and tuned up every month. Now I am thinking of using my gray wire as tinsel for next years Christmas tree. I hate coloring my hair and I am always WAY overdue for a haircut.
#14). The people in the obituary column are closer and closer to your age
#15). Patience is no longer patience. It's a time waster.
#16). Those hot flashes are coming faster, staying longer, and forget about calling it Pre menstrual irritation, it's now 24/7/365!!!! And so help the person that cuts me off in traffic now. I have a horn and I am not afraid to lay on it for a few miles!!!
#17). Demi Moore is having the last laugh right now!!! Look at that boy she got!!! That Ashton Kutcher is MIGHTY FINE!!! And he hasn't even reached his 30's has he??? She is smart. She will have him well trained!!!
#18). When someone drives by your neighborhood with a car that has no muffler at 2:00 in the morning you are ready to find your baseball bat, go out in the cold in your John Deere flannel pajamas and let them know "I WAS SLEEPING!!!!!!!!"
The night I was writing this there was a car doing that and he drove by at least 5 times. I was irritated, but not as much as if I were actually sleeping.
#19). You get mad at the "Perky" weight loss video girl who is so cute and slim and obnoxiously cheerful that you start talking back to her and in not a nice way. Lay off the "Prozac" girlfriend, you are WAY to happy!!!

And my final sign that I am getting old is that.......
#20). I love that grumpy old man "Andy Rooney" on 60 minutes!!! He is so funny!!! I get his humor. I think he's in his late 80's too.

THERE'S YOUR SIGNS!!!!

ZZZZZZZ!!!!!!

I want my sleep!!!! Who keeps taking my sleep??? No wonder I am such a crabby pants!!! Need more "Bloggers". You know who you are. Blog or I might call you next time I am awake!!!

The Art Society

Tomorrow the ladies from the very important "Art" society are coming to my house. My house is a disaster!!!! I have not been very good at being "Cinderella" and so now it's the frantic scramble to clean clean clean!!! These are very important people, what will they think of my home??? What if the meal I serve is a flop??? GASP, what if they look in the closets. The pressure is awful.
Thankfully my life does not consist of such people that judge me by the way I don't keep my house. The "Art Society" is 4 other moms that have second graders at our school. Our art fair is this Friday and we will be getting craft projects ready. There still is that self imposed pressure of cleaning (just the downstairs).

I have made some good progress and can actually see a corner of my kitchen floor I haven't seen in months. I must invite people over more often so maybe I will keep up on my chores!!! I desperately need help with my "craft room". That room is beyond words, right Lisa and JenE?????
Plus my Aunt Peggy is coming in a month and that's where she hopefully can sleep!!!
OK back to work, the floors need mopping!!!

Funky Town

I love reading my friends blogs. It gives something to do at 4:00 am. I get ideas, laughs, see beautiful pictures etc.
I like blogging but haven't really been "feelin' it" lately. I am in Funky Town. This town (my home) is far from those my friends have. Not in a bad way but I am envious. Just reading other blogs you know that these people are in their marriage for life and are in love. For a long time I have been so unhappy being married. I struggle daily being here. I have hoped for different things in our marriage but the hope seems unreachable. The bible says "a house divided will not stand" and believe me this house is divided. I am so tired of doing patch work on a structure that is falling apart. It's exhausting, and painful.


One blog that I read is the NieNie Dialogues (I think that's right). I do not know this family but stumbled across it on another friends blog. This woman and her husband were in a horrific plane crash. They have been through hell physically, mentally and been separated from their precious children. They have a long road ahead of them but by God's grace they will make it. Their story has made national news and people have poured their love from afar into them. It truly is beautiful. You feel the love that Stephanie has for her Mr. Nielson
She talks about him in the sweetest of ways. It makes me want to cry (and I do) when I hear the love that is more than skin deep. I want that kind of love. That's the love that moves mountains. It's true and it's pure.

I am rambling right now, I feel sad and it's hard to keep a cheerful face on when you hurt so much inside.
I am so grateful for all of my friends. Each and everyone of you bring something to me that I don't get from anyone else. The love that I get from all of you is so helpful and supportive that I would be lost without it. Thank you!!!


I will end this post with a reminder.

If your loved one leaves clothes on the floor but whispers in your ear how much they love you when you least expect it be glad. If your loved one forgets an anniversary or a birthday but shows you in many other ways that they think of you the other 363 days of the year just let it go. It's only a day or two in a year. If your loved one supports you and your passions then count yourself blessed. Love isn't flowers, jewelry, trips or anything material. It is respect, it is loving the person as they are, the way that they were created and crafted and not trying to change them into what YOU want. Love should not manipulate another. Love is something that can be fragile yet so powerful that it can move the mountains of adversity. Let your loved one know how much you care and appreciate them for who they are.

Is there a Dr in the house???

Well it's been awhile since I blogged. Haven't had much positive to say so I have kept my big mouth shut.
Michael has been sick forever and that little guy is such a trooper. He hates missing school and made me take him there after a morning nap. He keeps going and doesn't really complain and is so calm (is it a bad thing to say he's easier to manage then!!!).
His dad on the other hand is the COMPLETE OPPOSITE!!!!
My husband and I went to a movie last night and Michael went to my mom's house. Michael was so droopy but didn't complain and even said "Have a good time" AWWW, thanks honey. Hubby on the other hand was coughing all over everyone in the theater.

Michael woke up this morning with a sinus headache that was hurting and so I got him some "Sudafed".
Then his dad wakes up with us and the "ruckus" begins. He starts coughing VERY loud, sneezing over everything, and whining. He is such a baby when he is sick. He doesn't cover his mouth while coughing, or sneezing. It grosses me out!!! I have to get some Lysol spray today to start the sterilization process.
I offer him medicine to help his symptoms and he just whines and whines. He takes the tablets and makes this face like he just drank cod liver oil. The tablets really have no taste but according to his face they are HORRIBLE!!!! Meanwhile his son is lying quietly on the couch with a fever, congestion, and an asthma flare up and says nothing. So I do my best not to yell at the husband "COVER YOUR MOUTH YOU SICKO!!!".
Instead I get the hubby medicated, make him breakfast and get him tissue and comfys so he feels better. Amazing how much quieter he has become since he's been babied!!!!

I know why God didn't give the gift of pregnancy to men, they couldn't handle it!!!

Living with Sybil

I do not like this phase that my "angel/demon" child is going through. Up and down, happy/mad, nice/screaming etc...
Every little thing I do now calls for huge drama from him. I really don't know how any of us survive childhood!!! What about these families that have 19 kids??? INSANITY!!!!! I was not a good kid and I am wondering how my mom kept her cool. Several times a day I feel my blood pressure rise to the boiling point and then slowly come back down.
Our school district is thinking about cutting out one day of school so it would be 4 day school weeks. That might just be what puts me over the edge.
And to think that I actually signed up for this fun!!!
A padded room with food, crafts, and medication sounds good right now. I do hope all of you will come by for visits.

Simple Pleasures!!!

KT, KT,KT put on her blog some favorites of her week a few days ago. I am a copycat.

So here are some of Smartie Pants very simple pleasures of this week.

#1). I had coffee with a dear friend Alicia this week. She is a peaceful blanket. Her presence wraps around you and you feel calmed, relaxed and comfortable. We haven't spent time together in probably a year. It is always so nice to reconnect with a friend.

#2). I went to "Rose City Ceramics" and spent time with my friend Angela. We laughed and got to spend some quality time together. We have plans later this week to head to the beach for a few days. YAY!!!

#3). I got to go to a scrapbook store and get new paper, and accessories for free. I have a store credit there and still have more money left. That is super duper!!!!

#4). I am actually making progress on some cards that I have been trying to make for 4 weeks. I am still doing a lot of shuffling but I did put 16 cards together in 2 days. YAY for me (it's the little things in life)

#5). The bag of ALL GREEN M&M's are out for a short time. Must be Valentine day soon.

#6). I actually TALKED ON THE PHONE to Oogah Boogah!!!! The crazy senorita with a drinking problem and glass eye. Doesn't that sound like it would be a good reality show???!!! I hope to actually see her soon, even though she can only see half of me. Hey that's one way to look thinner!!!

#7). I actually am reading a book for pleasure instead of a parenting book. Mama Llama lent me an awesome book called "The Shack". It is a book that is hard for me to put down. I recommend it very highly. It is a book that will make you think about why we are here.

#8). The sunshine has been a huge mood booster!!! Love it!!!

#9). My family actually worked together as "a family" to clean up all the downed branches and spiffy up the backyard. That right there is AMAZING!!!!!

#10). Watching my son play basketball on a team with classmates. He had fun and loves basketball. He is such a goofball like his mom.

So friends, how was your week??? Need more bloggers!!!!!!!!

No more "Happy Cream"

Well I know the holidays are over. I have not been able to find my "Peppermint Mocha" creamer in weeks. I am on my last bottle. I am very sad. I will have to resort to the French again. I never had any desire to go to France by the way. I here they are very snobby people. SIGH!!!!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!!!

This beautiful poinsettia was given to us along with a beautiful fir wreath to hang on our door by our friend LN and her family. This poinsettia was HUGE!!! And I still have the wreath hanging up on our front door. I am hoping it lasts all year!!!! We don't buy these things because we are so "practical" (I'm not) and so these gifts were such a treat!!!! Thank you LN!!!!

I am thankful I missed a big part of the snow that occured. We all wish for a white Christmas until we are snowed in for a couple of weeks. Well you can blame that snow problem on my friend Oogah Boogah's (the one with the glass eye) husband. He has a snow machine and I think he accidently left it on to long!!!!

Christmas was different this year. Being gone for 6 days ahead of the holiday made me cut out a lot of unnecessary shopping and fretting over things I think "have" to be done or Christmas won't be perfect (as if it ever has been). Then returning to a snowed in city meant I still couldn't do the stuff I planned. I actually think it was better. There is so much emphasis on the material stuff and not being able to get out was good, at least for me. So my new holiday tradition is to be on vacation somewhere tropical so I am less stressed!!!! Works for me!!!

Michael is the official Christmas tree decorator in the house. He does a great job.

Every year he gets a new ornament as part of our family tradition. These are just a few of his ornaments. This year he of course got an ornament from Hawaii. A car with a surfboard on it. When he leaves the nest to get married he will have his own Christmas tree decorations to take with him. Hopefully they bring back happy memories. As my dear friend Abeer pointed out and which is probably very true his future wife will not have the same sentiment for them as I do and they will somehow "disappear"!!!! That will be one of my questions for the potential daughter-in-law, "So how do you feel about 25 year old family traditions that should be put out every Christmas??" If she doesn't just love these ornaments she's probably no good!!!

Here's that face I love!!!!

I love the penguins!!!! OK I guess the whole ornament tradition is really for "ME"!!! See how theraputic blogging is??? I just saved myself some big money on future therapy on why my daughter-in-law and I don't agree on the ornaments. Oh well, I will continue on with the tradion and enjoy it while he's still my guy!!

The End of Hawaii

Here I am at the top of "Diamond Head"

crater. That my friends was a good hike for this fat old lady!!! The shaved ice we bought when we got back down was so refreshing!!

These are part of the 270 steps up to the top

These were some unusual flowers along the path.

Here is my favorite flower in Hawaii.

The plumeria. I only saw a couple on Oahu.

Maui had a lot when

I was on that island years ago. They smell so good and are such a simple flower.

We did a lot, saw a lot, and had fun!!!!!

I miss the islands already.

Christmas Hawaiian Style

Christmas is different in Hawaii. Santa wears

his "Speedo" and wanders the beach with his surf board. We saw a Christmas parade while we were there. They decked golf carts out like reindeer which I loved!! I really want a golf cart and have thought about stealing one!!!! Fire trucks were all lighted up as Christmas trees, cheerleaders in mini skirts, everyone wearing shorts. It went down the main street of the city we were in and only being a couple of lanes for cars traffic was backed way up. The bad thing about using the main drag is that a real emergency did happen and the fire trucks that were not decked out in holiday regal had to try and get through the parade and bumper to bumper traffic. Bummer for you if your strokin' out during a parade!!!

Look at Santa's
coloring next to mine!!!
GROSS ME!!!!

Dole Plantation

This is a snail

hidden in the plant. Good

camouflage!!!

We spent a couple of hours at the "Dole" plantation. It has great pineapple whips, food, hand crafted gifts, a train that shows you the pineapple fields and other agriculture that they grow on the farm, a HUGE maze, and a beautiful garden.

I've been here before but this time I really got to explore and enjoy it. It is one of my favorite tourist spots. The air is clean, the store smells like pineapple, and the garden is so beautiful. I obviously love photography and there was ample opportunity for me to snap away.

The hibiscus area was so colorful. The ginger was gorgeous, and they even had a pond that had beautiful lotus plants.

One of my favorite parts of the garden is these signs. They tell where and how far places are in the world. Your all lucky I am not posting every picture I took. I am just like my Grandma G. (stop laughing Lisa!!!!). We all were driven crazy by the amount of pictures she took when we were kids and now I understand the love that she had for the camera.

There were so many lizards and snails there, I took those pictures for my little reptilian son. I tried so hard to catch one so I could get a great shot but those buggers are FAST!!!!

They have a pond where you can feed the "Koi" fish food. That is so fun. The fish practically jump up to your face to get a fish pellet. They crawl all over each other to get the food. It is quite the sight.

Where ya headed?? Mexico? New Zealand? Paris?

Love the signs!!!!

Byodo-In Temple

We went to "The Valley of the Temples" which is a big cemetery. There were lots of people there weed whacking their loved ones graves. Lots of the plots were decorated with Christmas stuff. It was a very nice setting between the Ko' Olau Mountains and the Pacific ocean (east side of the island). The funny thing to me as we drove around were all the signs advertising "Available".

At the back of the cemetery is this "Byodo-In Temple".

It is a very pretty building and the grounds have lots of flowers, a pond with black swans, wild peacocks, chickens, doves and pigeons. You of course have to pay to get on the grounds. So I walked up to the man in the booth and told him which cemetery plot I wanted. We both laughed. I actually wouldn't mind being buried there. Nice views!!!! That is my friend Lynda ringing the temple bell. She is so tiny that if she swung the wood hard enough it would probably lift her right off the ground!!!

Of course they have a souvenir shop there with every kind of "Buddha" statue you can imagine.

There was huge bamboo plants there and the wild ginger.

Everywhere in Hawaii has beauty to it.

The beach at the resort

This was a semi private beach at the resort. They shaped it like a sea shell. There were net barriers to keep the sharks, and bigger fish out.

I have never been to a man made beach and I liked it. The sand was beautiful. There was not trash all over it. That right there is a pet peeve for me, we have such a gift in this earth and we choose to trash it. Anyhoo!!! One of the things I noticed was there were only little itty bitty shells on the beach. The size of dimes maybe. There were pieces of coral also. There were little school of fish that moved in with the waves and right back out. It was truly a nice experience. They had lounge chairs and cabanas to rent and also small canoes. It felt safe for kids. You didn't have to worry about the currents carrying them away.

Jimmy Buffet is famous for his ocean songs and his song "Changes in Latitude" reminds me of this vacation.

"It's those changes in latitude, changes in attitude nothing remains quiet the same."

The change in my latitude helped my attitude (until I got home).

The Sea~

As I dig my toes in the sand I listen to your water, it sounds so grand. Whether calm or stormy it relaxes me.

The sound of the birds, depending on where in the world you are all have a goal. They sing the praises of the creator who holds the sea in His hands.

The water plays chase with me, of course the water always wins. It sneaks up fast and splashes me and then quickly darts away.

Big shells, little shells, wash ashore. They whisper "pick me, admire me I am special can't you see??" Each one crafted individually.

Of course my favorite would be the warm ocean breeze compared to the breeze that makes me freeze.

For me, there's no other place I would like to be than the islands of Hawaii. The smell of plumeria, and gardenia. The water warm and clear.

The sounds of palm trees swaying, make it clear, this is where my soul longs to be.

If I could I would live by the sea and enjoy each and every memory.