I've been tagged again... :)

The meme: What 5 Things do you miss about your childhood?

The rules to this meme game: Remove the blog at #1 from the following list and bump every one up one place; add your blog's name in the #5 spot; link to each of the other blogs for the desired cross pollination effect. Don't forget to leave a comment for them! Hi, nice to meet you, great blog, etc..... Cathy sent me, say hello!

1. Ivy Tied Up http://www.ivytiedup.com
2. Redhead Mommy http://redheadmommy.blogspot.com
3. better safe than sorry
4. Indigo
5. cathy http://cathy-with-a-c.blogspot.com/

Next: Select new friends to add to the pollen count. (No one is obligated to participate).
**For this, since I'm still a bit new to blogging, I'm just going to choose people who have signed my comment page...hopefully they'll check back and find their name! :) **

1. Alison http://wallowinghousewife.blogspot.com/
2. Melissa http://tiredlittlemp.blogspot.com/
3. Carmi http://writteninc.blogspot.com/
4. e http://www.mylifeinretrospect.blog.com/
5. tammy http://www.anamericanhousewife.com/


Ok... my five things that I miss from my childhood are...
1. spending an entire day playing Barbies
2. camping with my family in our travel trailer that had the coolest bunk beds in the back
3. my cats, Jack and Ethel. Jack was run over... Ethel just disappeared one day. :(
4. Marathon candy bars... caramel covered with chocolate... YUM! I don't know why in the heck they don't make them anymore. :(
5. my great grandma. She died when I was 10 and she was 93. I remember she made the best molasses cookies.

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YAY! My class is over... but now the hard part begins. Writing the 10 day themed lesson plan. But at least I don't have to get up early for a couple weeks! My next class starts on the 18th. :( But it's only a week long.

Just a few blog questions....

That are bogging me down!

1. How in the world do you get clickable links to show up as a shorter different name?! Like when someone talks about another blog and uses the person's first name instead of the url and it is clickable. I tried a few things but I'm very inexperienced when it comes to html. Just sorta fuddle my way through. So if anyone can tell me/show me what the html is, I'd be forever grateful! :)

2. What is the blog etiquette for adding someone to your blogroll? Do you let them know or just do it?! My blogroll is a bit short right now!

3. Is it more common to write every day or just a couple times a week?! I've been trying to write as much as I can and don't want to keep an entry up too long and bore people! But then I don't want to change it too often and lose out on feedback! Or drive myself crazy trying to come up with what to write about.

4. Do you generally just visit the same blogs over and over? I find I've already found a few faves that I frequent often.

5. Do you ever go back and see if the blogger has responded to one of your comments?! Or is commenting back a waste of time!?

So far, in my two weeks of being a blogger, I've really enjoyed it... it's been fun writing and seeing what others think of what I write! Although, I find that I probably check too often seeing if I have feedback! LOL I'm assuming that is not uncommon!

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Anyways, I've been a busy camper the past couple weeks taking the grad class I posted about a week or so ago. Tomorrow is the last day. So if you happen to hear someone hooting and woo'ing around 4:00 tomorrow, that'll be me! :)

The class has been ok... a bit on the boring side and a lot of the information I already know but I have walked away with a few new tidbits. I've got till the end of the month to turn in the huge project... a ten day thematic themed lesson plan that has specific adaptations for a non-English speaker. UGH! Not looking forward to it at all! I am trying to hunt down the theme unit I did way back when I student taught eons ago. I figure if I find it, I can use that as a framework for this class project. Wish me luck... my teaching things are stuffed in the attic space next to our bonus room! It's hot and muggy in there and the light is pretty dim. So finding it is going to be a project in itself!

Barbie Buddy

This weekend, I went garage saling again. It's sorta become my Thursday/Friday thing to do. I actually found one yesterday that had some Gymboree in my daughter's size, and it was marked cheap! Score! :) Then I drove by another sale that had a sign that said "50% off everything!" So of course I stopped. Another score! They had a whole gaggle of Barbie things with accessories !! And since I have a four year old, well, I wasn't about to pass that up... especially at half price! I picked up a bunch of sets with accessories to match... all for $13.00.

When I sat down to blog tonight, my mind was blank. I couldn't figure out what the heck to write about. And then it came to me...

Barbies! There's probably not a female on the planet who hasn't spent some time playing with those little plastic dolls. When I was younger, I'll bet I played Barbies more hours than I slept! My best friend and I would sit down in my basement all day creating exciting lives for Barbie, Skipper, and Ken. We'd build houses out of anything we could find... shoe boxes, suitcases, cereal boxes... you name it, we probably used it! We'd make tiny sandwiches for them to eat and miniature folders and notebooks so they could go to school. I'm pretty sure we even made clothes for them out of toilet paper and paper towels! One funny little tidbit was that between my Barbie Buddy and myself, we only had one male doll and one baby doll. So we took turns. Either you had the baby or the Dad... never both. You'd think we would have just begged our moms for another Ken doll but we never did. Or at least if we did, they never caved in and bought one for us.

Sometimes we'd move our Barbie playing outside and pretend they were having a campout. We'd use things in the backyard for them to climb on... lawn chairs, the clothes line, etc. Back in my day, Barbie had lots of cool accessories but we didn't have many of them. I longed for that wonderful pink Barbie townhouse and the swimming pool and Corvette... but had to make due without them. We did have the cool camper/van though.

As I grew older, it wasn't long before the Barbies were packed away and other interests took up my free time. My Barbie Buddy and I stayed friends all through high school (and we still see each other occasionally today!). We STILL talk about the days of sitting in my basement for hours on end. Such wonderful memories...

My four year old already has a few Barbies.... a couple of the Disney princesses and two or three that my mom has bought her for Christmas. She plays with them some now but I can only imagine the hours she'll spend playing with them over the next several years. Secretly, I am actually looking forward to the chance to play Barbies again with her! My garage sale purchases from this weekend should definitely come in handy. And maybe I'll even splurge and get her the townhouse AND the Corvette. A girl's gotta have the latest doll accessories, right?!?!

**Note to self... Buy more than one Ken doll... she'll need one to share with *her* Barbie Buddy!**

Contacs Schmontacs...

I've worn contacs for the past ten years. The disposable kind. I always wear them a lot longer than I'm supposed to and usually wait till I'm down to my last pair before I make an appointment to get new ones. Last night, my last pair got a tear in the right contac. They were still wearable since the tear was on the edge but they were a bit on the uncomfortable annoying side. So this morning, I made an appointment at Eye Mart. They were able to get me in quickly, thank goodness. I ended up buying four boxes which should last me about a year.

Before the year is over, I am hoping to have laser surgery! I long for the day when I can wake up in the morning and not have to worry about putting in my contacs or glasses. My husband had the surgery done about five years ago. So far, he has been very happy with the results. At the time he had it done, we were both working and did not have children, so money wasn't really an issue. I did not have the surgery done then because at the time, I really wasn't sick and tired of wearing contacs. Not to mention, I was a little on the fearful side.

Now that I'm staying at home with the girls and money IS an issue, NOW I am ready to have the surgery. It figures. We've actually tossed around the idea several times of me getting the surgery but some other expense always comes up and laser surgery takes a backseat. Hopefully soon though we can work it out in the budget and we will be able to afford it. I have to admit, I'm still a little on the fearful/anxious side but I figure if I can make it through childbirth... twice!... lasix should be a piece of cake! Well, maybe not quite that easy but definitely something I can get through.

Any comments on laser surgery?! Pros? Cons? Any tips?!!?

School's not so bad.... :)

So, I've been missing in action for a few days! Anyone notice?! :) That's what happens when you go back to school! In a previous post, I mentioned that I was going to be taking a couple of graduate classes so that I can get my teaching credentials updated. And that's where I've been this week (and will be next week too!). Sitting in a college classroom, learning how to work with students with limited English proficiency.

Other than getting up at the crack of dawn, it hasn't been too gosh awful bad. I enjoy the professor (for the most part!) and it's been nice interacting with grownups all day. The class only has fourteen students so it's been easy to get to know one another. And after talking about teaching kiddos all day, I even almost slightly miss teaching (I'm certainly not ready to go back to work yet though!) For the second half of the day, we've been at the computer lab so I've even managed to get a little bit of internet surfing in! SO all in all, I can't complain too much.

But boy, do I miss my girls. I'm used to being with them all day long, every day so it's been a bit of an adjustment dropping them off in the morning and not picking them up till almost dinnertime! Before I know it, dinner's over and it's time to put them to bed for the night. Ahhh... I guess I'm getting a tiny glimpse of the life of a working mom.

And let me just say to all working moms, KUDOS! :) I don't how you do it day in and day out! I'm exhausted and I've only been at it for three days! LOL You rock!

Ok, it's getting late and this "workin/schoolin" mom needs to get some shuteye. That morning alarm clock buzz comes way too quickly!

Before I go, my good friend Indigo (http://outsidemyhead.blogspot.com/) tagged me on her site. So I've got a few questions to answer....

Total volume of music files on my computer: I have no idea! Not even sure how to figure it out. BUT, we do have LOTS and LOTS of music on here. I make slideshows so I've got a ton of stuff downloaded for that and hubby likes listening to music while he surfs so he's got a boatload too.

The last CD I bought was:I can't even remember! It's been a long time since I've bought anything! I can tell you the last video I got though! LOL Disney's Dumbo at a garage sale for $1!

Last acquired: Ummm... I'm not doing so well with these questions. Again, no clue! I can't remember!

Song playing right now: Nothing actually. I don't like to listen to music when I surf. Guess I'm easily distracted.

Five songs I listen to a lot, or that mean a lot to me:
Paradise by the Dashboard Light (college memories!) Meatloaf
It's Your Love Tim McGraw, Faith Hill (played at our wedding)
Super Duper Wonderful (my 4 year old's tap dance song from this year's recital)
Goodbye Earl Dixie Chicks
You've Got a Friend in Me from Toy Story (one of my kiddo's faves!)

Five people to whom I'm passing the baton: Hmmm... this is a hard one. Being new to blogging, I have no clue who is actually checking here! How about the first five people to visit who have not yet been tagged?!!? :)

Back from "roughing it!"

My last post was about my fears/nervousness/anxiety over taking an 18 month old camping....

Well, we just got back an hour or so ago. And I survived, with even a little bit of my sanity left. My little busy body fell asleep on the way home and hubby transferred her to her bed. And she's still sleeping... so I have a bit of me time! My four year old is in her room watching a movie (hopefully she's crashed too).

The weekend was fun.... busy, tiring, a little, no a lot, on the crazy side... but all in all, not too bad. We were with tons of people so my little roly poly kid did a pretty good job finding things to keep herself entertained so I didn't have to follow her constantly. There were plenty of times though when she pushed her boundaries and had to be chased down. One of those times was almost enough to give Momma a heart attack!!!!!!!

We were packing up and getting the car loaded and I was helping more than I should have and not keeping a close eye on her. But remember, we were with six other families so plenty of adults. SO try not to judge me too hard....

All of a sudden, someone says "Where is Cass?!?!" PANIC! I look over and she's in the middle of the street walking away (in the campground so not a lot of cars driving around) about 25-50 yards away from our campsite!!!!!!!! I took off running after her and she started tap dancing her little feet getting ready to head off in another direction. I got to her, picked her up, and she started throwing a fit. I whacked her diaper area and she continued squirming trying to get away! Little fart!!! Once I carried her back, I quit helping load stuff and just followed her around until we strapped her in her stroller for a bit. There was no way she was escaping again!

I shudder when I think what could have happened.... but thank God that nothing did. When I got to her, she had a very stinky diaper so anyone who found her would probably have sent her packing!


Anyways, I took a ton of pictures (almost filled the card on my digital) so if I ever get around to loading them, I'll share a couple in a future post... or maybe just add a few to this post.

What am I thinking?!

This weekend, my family and I are going camping... with six other families! Sounds like a ton of fun, right?!?!

Then why am I slightly dreading it?!?! LOL

The weather is supposed to be gorgeous (in the 70's during the day and 50's at night), the friends we are going with are a lot of fun, there are no bratty children (for the most part! LOL), I don't have to cook all weekend (well, maybe a marshmallow or hotdog), and my four year old is beyond excited.

Me... I've got a nervous/anxious/almost dreading it feeling. The main reason?? My overactive, very busy, very much a handful, roly poly, adorable curly haired 18 month old! My vision of the weekend goes like this...

"You come back here!"

"Get out of that dirt!"

"What is that in your mouth?!"

"Don't make me come get you."

"NO! You can not go swing AGAIN!"

"I SAID come back here NOW!"

"Stop ignoring me!"

"Can someone PLEASE just go get her for me?!?!"

"Ummmmm... Has anyone seen the baby?!"

"Sweetie, would you please just GO TO SLEEP!!!"

LOL... I'm sure it's not going to be QUITE that bad but I am not anticipating a very restful weekend. Coupled with the fact that I start my college class bright and early Monday morning, I'm just hoping to survive the weekend and manage to get a bit of sleep!

So, you might ask, why are we even going?!?! Good question. And I *think* I've got a good answer... Camping for me as a child brings back so many wonderful memories. In fact, when I think back on my childhood, the thing that sticks out most for me are the times that my family and I spent wholed up in our 27 foot trailer. My parents had five kids and I sware we went camping just about every weekend. I've been told I took my first steps in our little pop-up! As I grew older, my steps expanded to beyond our little campsite. My siblings and I would get up in the morning, pack some snacks, and head off for the trails. We'd spend the day hiking, climbing the cliff, running across the swinging bridge, or sitting in the middle of the pine forest. There wasn't a trail we didn't know. Then we'd head back late afternoon and spend the rest of the day and evening roasting marshmallows, hotdogs, pies in the pie iron, etc.

Since I've had children of my own, I have made it a point to take them camping at least once a summer. As they get older, we'll go more I hope. But so far, I've taken my four year old every year and last year, we took an on-the-verge-of-walking 9 month old. Was it exhausting? Yeah. Was it a lot of work? Yeah. Was I more tired when we got home then I was before I left? Uh huh. But was it a memory I cherish? Even with a cruising 9 month old in tow, I'd have to say YES!

I know this year is going to be even a bit busier since I'll be keeping up with Miss Busybody. But after writing this blog out, I have to say, I'm starting to look more and more forward to it.

Wish me luck! I'm sure I'll need it! Maybe I'll share some pictures next week!

Cool Rider~

Over the weekend, I went garage saling. Picked up a few odds and ends but nothing too fancy. At one of the last garage sales I went to, I bought a little girl's bike for $4. It did not come with training wheels... but today, my hubby went out and bought some, along with a cute little pink basket for the front. Awwwww.... :)

Tonight, we taught my four year old to ride it!!! She was so excited while Daddy was putting on the training wheels, she could barely contain herself. Finally the time came to try it out! She climbed on with no problem, put her feet on the pedals, and sat there. With a little encouragement, she attempted to pedal the bike. And she went... no where. :(

"I want off. I'm ready to go swing now," she said.

So much for perserverance, huh? So we let her get off and she went back and swung on the backyard swing for a few minutes then decided to give the bike another whirl. For the next half hour, I followed along beside her, pushing her from behind. As soon as I stopped pushing, the pedals would go around once or twice more and then she'd come to a standstill.

"Push me again, Mommy!"

And so I did. Up and down the sidewalk we went... me pushing her every couple yards. And her attempting to get that pedal to go around by herself. And lo and behold, the more I pushed her, the more she started pedaling on her own. Before I knew it, she was pedaling 25 yards or so without my help! And then farther and farther until she could go half a block by herself!!! I'm sure you can imagine how proud she was of herself... and how misty eyed Momma got watching it happen right before my eyes. I can't believe how fast my sweet little cool rider is growing up...

Now without further adieu, here she is, in all her glory... (and of course, her bike helmet!)



Way to go Sweetie... Mommy is so proud of you!!

Back to School... UGH!

Since I've been staying home with my girls and not teaching for the past four years, I let my teaching certificate expire. The plan though is to go back to teaching in a year or two when my youngest hits preschool age. Which means I need to get the darn certificate renewed. To get it renewed, I have to take a few graduate classes. And hubby's insisting I get it done soon so we don't have it hanging over our heads.

So, next week, I'm going back to school. UGH. Double UGH. I'm taking a two week class on... hold your hats, this is an exciting topic... "teaching English to non English speaking students in the mainstream classroom." Can you say fun?!?! And then at the end of July, I'm taking a week long class on "the experience of writing." To say that I'm not looking forward to either class is an understatement! But like I tell my four year old, sometimes you gotta do what you don't want to do. :( Sure is fun having that come back to bite me!

I've spent the last couple days figuring out childcare plans and trying to psych myself that it won't be so bad having to get up at the crack of dawn. (I've been blessed with late sleepers) Since my first class is only a two week class- and is worth 4 graduate hours- I will be going from 9-4:30 every day. Which means I've gotta get the girls dropped off at the sitter's by 8-8:15 and then drive the 30 minute commute, find a parking place (not fun!), and hike my arse across campus to get to my class on time. Not to mention, I'll have to crank out more money (on top of the tuition!) for books and supplies!

But I guess in the grand scheme of things, I really don't have a lot to complain about. Staying home with my girls has been such a blessing and well worth letting my teaching certificate expire. And two weeks of getting up early isn't going to break me. Hopefully I'll even learn a thing or two!

Although I do have to admit, not getting my midday internet time... you might just be seeing a cranky blog starting next week... if I can even get around to writing in it between all of my homework assignments!

So... here I am!

Well, I think I'm going to give this blog thing a try. What harm can it do, right?!?! It's not like I'll be hunted down if I don't write in it very much.... or will I?! Hmmm... I sure hope not! That thought scares me a tiny bit! :) But nevertheless, I'm going to attempt it anyways! This blog thing is a bit new to me... so hopefully I won't stink at it! LOL

I actually consider myself a pretty good writer. It's something I enjoy doing although I don't find the time to do it near as much as I did before I had kids. That could be because now I spend my days with a four year old and an eighteen month old and the most interesting (?) thing I write is the alphabet, with the occasional c-a-t or J-e-n-n-a thrown in. Before I had kids, I kept a journal on my computer at work. I wrote in it at least 3-4 times a week. My husband and I struggled with getting pregnant because of fertility problems so writing was my way to vent out all of my frustrations. And did I ever vent! Finally, after three years of trying, by some miracle of fate, we achieved that goal we'd been striving for.... I was knocked up!!! I continued journaling throughout the pregnancy which was a lot more fun than journaling before I got pregnant. Two weeks before Jenna was born, I went on maternity leave and from there eventually resigned my teaching position to be a stay at home mom.

Guess what I never printed out before I left my job?!?!?!?! Over forty typed pages worth of journaling!! You might be thinking, "well geez Einstein, print it out now!" Well, there's a slight problem. The program I used to keep my journal was OLDER than dirt (LOL) AND on a Mac computer. Not to mention for the life of me, I can't remember where the disc I saved it on is! I could kick myself now... but at the time, it wasn't even on my mind. I was too busy finally getting my chance to be a Mommy.

Now, here I am four years later. I've added another kiddo to my family. And my journal from years ago is somewhere in my head, stuffed in a little corner waiting to be remembered. I think maybe this blog is my attempt to recapture some of it.

I have no clue what the next entry will be but I guess it'll come to me soon. Least I hope so or this will be one short blog! :) Thanks for reading! See you again soon!