Why we moved here

I don't want to fail to mention that from an academic standpoint, we have been absolutely thrilled with moving to this school district, and that was one of the biggest reasons we chose to move here.  At our old school district, there was a computer lab...one lab for each building.  And as a sub, I can assure you that you were lucky if all 25 computers happened to work that day...it was unlikely to be the case.  I can remember hoping for absent students on computer lab days in hopes that we could piece together enough working computers for everyone to use one.  Here, at Thomas's school, everyone in his class, and all fourth grade classes (not sure about other grades) are assigned their own school iPad.  There are also two chromebook mobile labs that his class has used for many things.  Catherine has raved about the technology as well.  They are just amazed after what they came from.

It isn't just the technology though.  Catherine has been able to join Yearbook and Robert is participating in a service club and jazz band...opportunities that would not have existed for them this year had we not moved.  Catherine is also able to attend weekly after school math tutoring...a direct result of living in a college town (college volunteers!).  We did not sign Thomas up for the art lessons he had hoped to take where they would bus him from his school to the lesson (we are waiting until spring) but he is signed up to take a foreign language after school starting in January.  He was able to choose from Spanish, German, Latin, Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese, and American Sign Language.  The class is an hour for nine weeks for only $25...and it's at his school (again, gotta love college volunteers)!  These are the opportunities we are so grateful that our children are receiving.

This move also gave Catherine the opportunity for a fresh start.  This girl prided herself last year on never saying anything in her classroom.  I thought she was just shy and quiet in a classroom setting, but apparently that is not the case.  Her teachers have told us how personable and involved she is in her classes...this is not the girl we knew!  Obviously there was something about the former school's environment (most likely some very poorly behaved girls) that intimidated her.  But here, Catherine is blossoming.

This is why we moved here!

Potato Soup

Saturday morning Andrew took Robert and Thomas back to our old town for some scout activities.  It was a chilly, dreary morning, and I had just purchased a 5 lb bag of potatoes at the grocery earlier in the week.  I decided I was going to make potato soup.  I began scouring the internet and found that while I had would generally have many of the ingredients, I often was missing one or two (cream of cheddar soup, or evaporated milk, something like that).  I finally found a recipe that required only ingredients I actually had here at the house and got to work.

You may be astounded by this, but I had never peeled five pounds of potatoes before, and had I not desperately wanted potato soup that would still be a true statement.  The kitchen is just not where my calling is!  And then I had to chop all those peeled potatoes...ugh!  I know, I'm pathetic.  Anyway, after that was done it was just a matter of chopping a little bit of onion, adding cream of chicken soup and chicken broth, and cooking on high for 4-5 hours.

Andrew fried bacon to crispy perfection so that we could top the soup with bacon crumbles, and we also grated cheese.  Overall, it was a really easy recipe (in spite of my complaining) and there are so many easy variations that could be made depending on taste.  Thomas was less than thrilled although he did eat some, and everyone else was very pleased with a warm, cozy dinner on Saturday evening while we watched Notre Dame beat Air Force. :)

The recipe indicated that this soup was even better reheated.  I so agree!  We had leftover last evening, along with leftovers of a project Robert had made for French class (I have no idea what it's called, but Thomas LOVED it).  It was a great dinner, again!

Monday morning thought

Have you noticed, especially on a Monday morning, how it feels as though the week is going to take forever, and Friday afternoon may never arrive...yet the years fly by in the blink of an eye?

My husband and I were talking yesterday about how we are looking forward to being here during the summer.  We avoid town right now because of the college students, and there are shops in town that I don't even know exist.  I haven't even really spent any time in my own back yard (granted, I'm not exactly an "outdoorsy" person).  In the summer when the weather is warmer and the college students are gone, we feel like we'll really be able to explore.

And yet, the years fly by so fast.  We have an entire school year (3/4 left!) and so many special holidays to celebrate.  There is a pretty good chance my dad won't be here next summer, and I need to make sure I remember that.  Every day is a blessing, regardless of the season.

Happy Monday everyone!

It's been a good day

It's been a very nice 40th birthday.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous...could not have hand picked a better day!  Robert was invited to participate in an Eagle Scout ceremony for one of the boys in his troop, so Andrew took him over to that and then brought in Taco Bell for dinner.  It was my request but Andrew insists it is not my "official" birthday dinner!  Catherine and Thomas have occupied themselves on the computer and with Lego sets, and we've all spent some time this afternoon getting things picked up and organized around the house.  I feel immeasurably blessed, and hope the next 40 years (God willing) are as wonderful as the first 40!

Last day of 30's

Today is the last day I'll ever be able to tell someone that I am "30-something".  I just simply can not believe that I am turning 40 tomorrow.  Where has the time gone?  I know that 40 is nothing to complain about and it's really not a big deal, but I've decided I'm going to blame this on the medical profession.  Up to 40, you are probably good-to-go.  Once you reach 40 though, better start having those tests run.  It just makes it sound as though you've reached "that age" and it's no longer safe.  We aren't really doing anything to celebrate this weekend and I'm okay with that.  We've invited friends for a gathering in a few weeks and I'm really looking forward to that...it also gives me three additional weeks to make this house presentable!

Speaking of, the strike ended Wednesday evening.  We reached decent terms for a settlement, and I can see that the kids are making a little more of an effort.  I can also see that my husband is hounding them a little more, and that is okay too.  I also see that the fact that he has to hound them is driving him crazy, which is also one of my points I was trying to make.  There are certain things about which we should not have to hound them, and yet we do.  As I've explained to them, my job is to make them functioning, responsible members of society, and that does not include Mom always being there to prod them into completing something.  Overall though, I'm pleased with their increased effort!

Strike day 2

I am still on strike today.  I am mom only when it is a matter of safety.  No, Robert you can not skip cough medicine tonight...you have a bad cough and can not keep the entire house awake.  I think the kids thought it was really fun last evening to make their own dinners.  However, the house is ridiculous at this point, and Andrew is frustrated.  He understands, but is frustrated.  I, on the other, am thoroughly enjoying myself.  It is amazing how much stress one can shed when one simply refuses to get wrapped up in it.  Andrew was so frustrated last night that he started following them around reminding them to do things.  I chatted with him later that in the long run, he isn't helping things.  Until they start doing their basic chores themselves (making beds, dirty clothes to the laundry, dishes in dishwasher) I am on strike.  And since they aren't doing their basic chores, I am not doing mine either.  Catherine is beginning to make more of an effort, Thomas is slightly better than normal, but Robert is a true teen and is pretty sure he can call my bluff.  Bad news kiddo...not bluffing.  As the oldest, he is the one I am bluffing with the least.  He is MORE than capable of putting his shoes away, getting dirty clothes to the laundry, making his bed, and performing simple daily tasks like throwing his trash away.  And yet, there on the floor of his bedroom this morning was yet another food wrapper.  He isn't even allowed to have food in his bedroom, and I'm finding the wrappers almost daily.  And that folks, is why I'm just done.

On strike

Please know that I am writing this post without irritation or anger.  It simply is what it is.

As of today, I am officially on strike.  I have spent the last nine weeks working my rear off in order to get our old house ready for sale, and I did 90% of the work by myself.  I am not complaining about this.  I did not have another job...except of course for being "mom" at home.  And of course for the several weeks prior to the move, I focused on packing and getting things ready...mostly by myself.  Again, I am not complaining.  That was a result of being a total control freak.  However, the children do not seem to be able to pick up after themselves...make their beds or take dirty clothes to the laundry room.  They can't even put their shoes in their room...they simply leave things where they are.  I had to ask three times last night for the children to put their plates in the dishwasher.  THREE TIMES!  So today I am going to sit and relax and enjoy life.  I refuse to do laundry or to clean or to pick up.  I simply refuse.  And I shall refuse until they can make their beds, etc.  This shall be interesting to see how long it takes them to get on board.

A little too close to home

There was another school shooting yesterday.  There are not words to describe how sick this makes me feel.  The four most important people in the world to me spend their days in a school, and two of them are at a middle school...just like the school with the fatal shooting yesterday.  And while geographically this school is no where near us, this one hits way, way too close to home.  Andrew has a college room mate who works at this school.  Fortunately, I learned about the shooting from him and not from a news source.  He was not at the school yesterday when the shootings occurred.  So terrifying.

Having my life back

This might sound overly dramatic, but I feel like I have my life back.  For the last nine weeks, I've been living in our new house but working in our old house.  The only days when I didn't go to the old house were days that I had scheduled with some other necessary activity...and working and organizing our new house was not considered a necessary activity.  Most days for the last nine weeks I've put my "new life" on hold and gone back to our "old life."  And in the meantime, some of our necessary activities have consisted of hospital/sickness of our youngest and my father as well as funerals.  I didn't realize how much stress I had been feeling until this weekend, when I didn't feel as though I had to be running back to the old house.  I felt such a tremendous weight lifted all weekend.  My husband even commented on how much happier and relaxed I seemed.

In addition to the stress, there was also an emotional toll of going back almost every day.  My life is here now, in our new home and our new town.  But almost every day, I was going back to our old house in our old town.  As the day would progress I would inevitably compare it to last year and what I would normally have been doing at that time...it's just the way I am.  But now I truly feel as though I can focus on life here...and let me assure that our house desperately needs that focus!  I am looking forward to feeling as though I am finally moving forward!

A rainy Saturday

I am grateful for the rainy Saturday today.  Andrew will be bringing Robert home from scouts in about an hour and we have nowhere to be the rest of the day.  None of us are feeling great, although none of us feel lousy, and I'm hoping we can really make some progress on getting this house put together.  It has been eleven weeks since I had no where to be on a Saturday, and I'm treasuring it.

Our old house is ready for sale!  We worked our rears off this week and it's ready to be listed.  I'm a little annoyed in that it was supposed to be listed Thursday and nothing has appeared yet.  I'm not going to be pleased if Monday comes and goes and there is nothing.  It is such a super huge relief to have that all done.

Happy Saturday!

I get it from my mother

One of the reasons it has taken us so long to get our house up for sale is that I am a perfectionist in certain things.  I believe if I am going to do it, I should do it 100% correctly or not do it at all.  This, strangely enough is why my house is often such a mess.  If I don't have time to scrub a room top to bottom, why should I do it at all?  Oh, I totally "get" that it needs to be cleaned, but that's my thought process.  And I've also realized that if I want a job done my way, I am the one who should complete that job.  With the exception of a few car loads that were taken by friends right before we moved, and of course the movers the day of the actual move, we have done absolutely everything ourselves.  Just us.  I am NOT complaining.  We had many, many offers of help.  However, we took virtually no one up on it.  Because not only do I prefer to do it myself, I HATE to burden others.  I do not like to ask for help.  I never have.

And after a conversation yesterday I definitely figured out where this trait comes from.  When my mother called to tell me about my father, she was also explaining how physically exhausted she is.  Not only is she caring for my father, but because my father is becoming more confined to only a few rooms of the house my mother felt those rooms needed some "sprucing up".  They have been repainted and new carpet was put on on Monday.  She mentioned that she is the one moving all of the furniture...and trust me when I tell you my parents do not own cheap furniture.  They buy the good stuff made of solid wood that is HEAVY.  As she was telling me this I thought to myself, "Why are you doing this?  Why on earth don't you ask us for help?"  Hello Pot, meet black Kettle!

Feeling at "home"

Why did I put quotations around "home"?  Because I'm not sure where that is these days.  Don't get me wrong, I know where I live, it just isn't "feeling" like home yet.  It did for a few days in September when life was not total chaos.  But, I've been spending at every day (except one, maybe two) at our old house trying to get it ready to list.  My friends would tell you there was nothing that really needed to be done and we should've just listed it, but my perfectionist tendencies were not going to let that happen!  As we've been emptying the attic, basement, and garage of the old house it has been dumped again into our living room, and I do not enjoy that...not one bit.  I feel as though we are, yet again, living in total clutter and I don't like it one bit.

The fact that I am spending so much time at our old house isn't helping the new house (or town) feel like home either.  I want to be comfortable (and comforted) by being here in our new house, but it just isn't there yet.  I know that we are going to get there, but I while I was dead on on how hard some things emotionally would be, I completely underestimated other things.

The good news is that we are signing the paperwork this evening to list our house.  By Friday morning, the realtor should be able to show it and I'll be able to stop running back and forth.  In fact, I get to spend the day here in the new place, although we'll be back this evening, and probably two trips tomorrow.  At the same time, cross country has also ended so our weekends are much less scheduled, and hopefully I'll be able to focus on making this house our "home"!

Another hospital visit

My dad is back in the hospital, and while not dire, it's not great news either.  It almost certainly seems to be the heart.  Congestive heart failure can be a condition with which a person can live, but in Dad's case, it's just not good.  On the upside, he currently seems to feel better than just this morning, and hopefully it will be a short visit and he can be home resting before too long.

I meant to write...

...but there just were not enough hours in the day.  Or, I guess I should say days at this point.

Last week was spent in a continuous effort to get our old house emptied so a final clean can be done.  Our realtor doesn't want to list it until it is completely empty.  I made a trip over on Tuesday, two trips on Wednesday, and another on Thursday.  After work on Thursday, my husband and I made another trip over because I had reached the point where not only could I not carry everything, I needed him to make some decisions on things.  Besides, loading and unloading four van loads of things had taken a toll and I was physically hurting.  While we were there and the kids were here, we decided to partake of our favorite Mexican restaurant.  It has a steak meal that I love and can't find replicated here.  It was as close to a date night as we are going to get anytime soon.

Friday we planned to hit the road early for Columbus, but we awoke to no hot water, a cabinet broke, and we learned our credit card (primary card we use) had been canceled.  GRRRR.  We finally deal with what we can deal with and hit the road...so that our GPS could stop working.  We laughed a little at all of it, and even my laid-back husband pointed out that all of these little things were starting to add up to one big irritation!  We really had a good time though.  The trip was our gift to Catherine so that she could visit the American Girl doll store.  I was so proud of her.  She knew exactly how much money she had to spend, and before she even came to close to it she announce, "That's plenty.  I'm done."  She had researched from catalogs before we went and we were in and out in 20 minutes.  That is my kind of shopping!  Our evening was spent at the 40th birthday party of a good friend.  It was near our old home, so we stopped on the way for another load, and everyone tumbled into bed later than I would've liked.

Saturday Robert had his final cross country race of the season.  It was a gorgeous day, although somewhat warmer than I had expected.  Robert started our very strong, and we could see about 1/3 into the race that he was one of the top six.  The race then goes out of sight, and I positioned myself at the finish line.  Runner after runner after runner finished, and there was no sign of Robert.  He was one of the very last ones to finish, and then he collapsed at the finish in a pile.  Apparently he was dizzy and having trouble breathing.  His coach said the dizziness was probably from not drinking enough.  We keep telling him to hydrate, but he's a teenager and thinks he knows everything!  The coach said the breathing could be from a "bug" or allergies that Robert didn't even know he had, but as a competitive runner it makes itself known.  That does appear to be the case, as by last evening he wasn't feeling so swell.  We spent Saturday evening at the birthday party of a four-year-old (we mentioned that ironically, he had as many candles as the forty-year-old the night before) and since that party was also near our old home, we again stopped for another load before coming home.

Yesterday Andrew and I spent the entire day at our old home.  I washed the woodwork and mopped the floors of the entire second level and the stairs.  We are hoping that by tomorrow at the latest, everything will be out of there and I won't have to keep making trips over.  Andrew wiped down the entire kitchen, and the attic and basement are empty.  We just have a few more things to get out of the laundry room and garage, and I'll need to sweep those as well as clean the living room.  We are almost there!  I will feel such a tremendous relief when that house is ready to sell!

A beautiful day

Today was about the most gorgeous day you could ever ask for.  There was literally nothing but blue skies, and with the leaves changing it was so bright and vibrant out.  I had to drive to the other house and work, and I'm grateful that I did.  I even took the back roads on the drive back (thanks to paving...ugh!) and while it takes longer, it was even more colorful.  The temps are also perfect...it was exactly the day that I needed to refresh the soul!

An unexpected tribute

Today I was sitting with my mother and sister waiting for the funeral to begin.  Several co-workers were seated around me, and on the other side of my mother sat some of her friends.  It was a Catholic funeral (although not full mass), and it was lovely.  After the formal religious ceremony, the eulogies were to begin.  My sister had mentioned to me that Mark, the youngest son, had mentioned that his eulogy was going to include a shout out to my dad.  I responded by saying I better get the tissues ready...and thank goodness I did!  Mark's eulogy was very nice and did include a brief shout out...certainly more than I expected to hear during another man's funeral.  Rebecca, the daughter, then spoke.  She echoed Mark's "shout out" to my dad, then mentioned him in a couple of other stories she told about her dad.  Rebecca's husband (Pete) then got up to give the "official" lengthy eulogy, which included an all-out tribute to my dad.  It mentioned how much Dad and Chuck had been through and how loyal Dad had been for the 32 years he has worked there.  He went on about how many of the things Chuck was able to do for others was due to the fact that my dad had done things that allowed Chuck to do them, and Pete then explained to the crowd how ill my father is and that the family's thoughts and prayers are with us at this time as well.  It was completely unexpected that my father be included in such an overt manner, and to be honest, my mother, sister, and I sat and wept.  We love this family dearly, and it was truly shocking to us that in their time of sorrow they made such an attempt to comfort and include us.  I don't even know how to explain it really, but I am so grateful that even though my dad couldn't be at the funeral this morning, he got to be a part of it.  Dad and Chuck were so completely intertwined in their lives, and I know that is a huge part in what is making me so emotional about this...their deaths aren't going to be that far apart either.  It just wasn't supposed to happen this way.

Everyone is still asleep

It is silent in this house, and I'm grateful for that.  Life has been anything but silent lately.  Yesterday morning, Thomas managed to lock us out of the house.  It was an accident and I wasn't angry, but I quickly realized my well-planned day was not off to the best start.  A kind neighbor took me to the high school and I was able to take Andrew's keys and drive myself home.  This meant I had to pick him up at the end of the day, which wouldn't have been a problem except that we were on a tight schedule to leave for the funeral visitation last night.  We left much later than I had wanted, but still were there to pay our respects.

In fact, we waited two hours in line to do so.  That is how well respected and loved this man and his family are.  The entire thing made me so very emotional because it is so closely tied to my dad.  When it was finally our turn, my tears couldn't hold back any longer...seeing the family was just too much.  They all mentioned how they were glad Dad had been there earlier, and that he seemed to be having a good day (and Grandma echoed those thoughts).  Many others that I encountered throughout the visitation asked about Dad, and one of them even mentioned he was glad to hear Dad wasn't in there, because he didn't think he could handle seeing Dad grieve.

I'm on my way back to my hometown shortly.  The funeral is this morning.  Dad isn't strong enough, and I know that the family understands.  I also know that they would understand if I didn't make the trek back up again today, but I feel it's important that I do so.  This man gave me the opportunity to work with my dad for over six years, and I'm always going to be grateful...not to mention all the other things he's done.

It's been emotional, and I'm grateful for some quiet time right now.  And trust me when I tell you everyone could stand to catch up on some sleep!

I ache everywhere, but it is worth it

One of the things I've been doing in trying to get the house ready to sell is painting.  I'm not changing any colors, just freshening things up a bit.  So far, I had painted the ceiling, walls, and trim (primed and final coat) in the boys' room, I had painted the ceiling, walls, and trim in our upstairs hallway, and I had painted the walls and trim in our dining room.  Yesterday I was ready to paint the floor in there.  To be honest, I was really looking forward to it.  No hands over head, no up and down a ladder...sounded awesome.  IT WAS NOT!  It couldn't be rolled because there is too much uneveness on the floor.  Four hours of crawling on my hands and knees took one heck of a toll.  I've lost most of the feeling in my left hand because of the leaning on my wrist through it all.  I have pressure bruises not only on my knees, but on the tops of my feet...and that doesn't even include the muscular pains!  It is so worth it though.  That should be the last painting, although I'm pretty sure I'm going to want to repaint the step faces...that can be after the "for sale" sign appears though.  Andrew and I will be spending Sunday working hours on end at the house clearing it out and cleaning it up.  Let's hope it sells quickly!

C'mon October!

I'll be honest (and this isn't going to shock anyone), upon deciding to move and dealing with my father's deterioration, July & August were pretty high on the stress-o-meter.  And being further honest, the months prior to that had their own share of stresses...it's not been the most fun and carefree year I've ever experienced.

So when September came, I had HIGH HOPES!  Each month is a new opportunity for fond memories and good times...except that September is the month where Thomas passed out at school and was squadded to the e/r, and it finished with our family losing a very, very dear friend.

But here we are, at another new month...and October is usually one of my favorites!  I love the weather, the sights, sounds, tastes, and this year we even get a day off school next week!  I am completely certain that this is going to be a fabulous month!