STOP!
DON'T TOUCH THAT!
LEAVE ME ALONE!
Yes, we have reached that fun point of Christmas break when you realize, it's time for the kids to go back to school. They have done their best in sharing and getting along for two whole weeks (that's a difficult thing for siblings to do)(well, at least for my children) They have played games together, watched movies together and even driven their parents crazy together (easy to do since they have the same parents).
Since they (well, a couple of them) are older, I have to say that this break wasn't that bad. They had a lot of time where they got along nicely when together. Today they had the big box from the water heater to play inside. (Alex and Bella made 2 houses) They were neighbors and I even heard Bella say that she was bringing a casserole over to Alex's house. (very thoughtful of her) Nice, tender moments like that make me wish that they could be home longer. But, I know all too well that after a few of those tender moments there will be plenty of fighting.
"GIVE ME THAT!"
"DON'T TOUCH THAT!
"STOP!"
and the most used line in our house, the one that was used after the house playing today, by Alex,
"GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"
Yea, it's time. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saying Goodbye
Saying good bye is a hard thing to do. Unless, of course it is saying goodbye to the 2 minute shower. That is about how long our hot water lasted when taking a shower. Believe me, if you were put to the test, you would be able to get your entire shower routine done in two minutes. It may not be your best attempt, but it would get done. Of course, there would have to be compromises. Wash my hair or shave? Wash my hair and shave (that one takes special skills, one must be quite flexible or you will throw your back out) or wash my body? Tough decisions.
These have been the types of decisions we have had to make in our house for, well, quite a long time. All of that extra stress in our lives over these life changning decisions.
See, our hot water heater, may it rest in peace, was getting a little old. It was here in the house before we moved in 15 years ago. He did the best he could over the years. Worked long, hard hours. Sometimes putting in some overtime when needed. He had a couple of medical procedures done over the years, nothing major, just a new heating element here and there. He gave his all for us and we really appreciated it. In the end, though, things weren't as good. Very short bursts of hot water, followed by icy cold. We said our goodbyes. It was his time to go.
In walks our new water heater. An energy saving kind of guy. He's a little shorter than the last one, but, that's ok. He can do the job. He is being put to the test tonight (he has a load of dishes to do and some rags to wash that his predecessor soiled) He's a little nervous, but, I'm sure he will do just fine.
Here is a little glimpse at the guy, kinda cute, isn't he?
Here is the handsome man that installed him.
and here is the little problem that the handsome man solved (a broken washer that took the handsome man 4 hours to figure out and cost us $1.81) that saved us a huge plumber's fee
The handsome man is quite grateful and has decided to Tebow it
He then ran off to take a hot tub and has not been seen since.
As for me, I am looking forward to extending my shower tomorrow to, say, 3 1/2 minutes. Cut me some slack here, I'm just trying to live a little, you know, enjoy life to the fullest! Don't be so hard on me! It is a new water heater that will actually produce hot water. Let me enjoy that awhile. I deserve it! Who knows, I might not know what to do with all of that extra time and get out early!
These have been the types of decisions we have had to make in our house for, well, quite a long time. All of that extra stress in our lives over these life changning decisions.
See, our hot water heater, may it rest in peace, was getting a little old. It was here in the house before we moved in 15 years ago. He did the best he could over the years. Worked long, hard hours. Sometimes putting in some overtime when needed. He had a couple of medical procedures done over the years, nothing major, just a new heating element here and there. He gave his all for us and we really appreciated it. In the end, though, things weren't as good. Very short bursts of hot water, followed by icy cold. We said our goodbyes. It was his time to go.
In walks our new water heater. An energy saving kind of guy. He's a little shorter than the last one, but, that's ok. He can do the job. He is being put to the test tonight (he has a load of dishes to do and some rags to wash that his predecessor soiled) He's a little nervous, but, I'm sure he will do just fine.
Here is a little glimpse at the guy, kinda cute, isn't he?
Here is the handsome man that installed him.
and here is the little problem that the handsome man solved (a broken washer that took the handsome man 4 hours to figure out and cost us $1.81) that saved us a huge plumber's fee
The handsome man is quite grateful and has decided to Tebow it
He then ran off to take a hot tub and has not been seen since.
As for me, I am looking forward to extending my shower tomorrow to, say, 3 1/2 minutes. Cut me some slack here, I'm just trying to live a little, you know, enjoy life to the fullest! Don't be so hard on me! It is a new water heater that will actually produce hot water. Let me enjoy that awhile. I deserve it! Who knows, I might not know what to do with all of that extra time and get out early!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Hike
Finally got out of the room and went for a hike at Peninsula State Park. It's a balmy 30 degrees (feels a little colder with the wind off the lake). We have been up here many times over the years (watched the boys grow over our many visits up here) so it was fun to reminisce during our short drive to the park. Lots of memories and stories.
Thought I would share some of the pictures from our hike. I don't have the group of wild turkeys picture. I'll have to get that one from RT or Alex. RT made some type of bird call out the window and all of the turkeys put their heads straight up. It was pretty neat to see.
It felt good to get out take a hike and get some fresh air.
Here's to a good night sleep!
Thought I would share some of the pictures from our hike. I don't have the group of wild turkeys picture. I'll have to get that one from RT or Alex. RT made some type of bird call out the window and all of the turkeys put their heads straight up. It was pretty neat to see.
That's Bella and Alex climbing the side of a huge rock (not my idea)
Bella was behind me taking pictures. I took a picture of her taking a picture of me
RT, Nick and Alex walking down the road
There were trails, this trail let us to a road and then to the old ski hill
which we decided to walk down
One year, we slid down on our bottoms down this hill. It was fun!
This is looking down
Looking up the hill from where I was standing
(I did eventually make it down the hill)
one of the many beautiful Door County Sunsets
That's Alex at the top of Eagle Tower
It felt good to get out take a hike and get some fresh air.
Here's to a good night sleep!
My Time
Apparently, 4am is my time. It's the time I wake up. I try to go back to sleep, but, I'm wide awake. I lie awake for hours until I decide to finally get out of bed.(thats usually around 6am) Today I had to wait until 8am. (we're up in Door County for a couple of days, so, most of my family sleeps in and there really isn't anywhere I could go) I try to fall asleep but, you know your body is awake. Then it moves into trying to sleep and thinking about things. What am I going to do today? Why did I do that? What was I thinking on that one (or was I thinking)? How am I going to handle that? What is the meaning of life?
I think last night I pretty much wrote this blog entry in my head. I should have turned the computer on and started typing. I think it was a lot better at 4, than it is now.
4am hasn't always been my time. There are times when it is 2am (thats a killer). 3am is pretty popular, too. I would like it to move to 6am. That would be a little more convenient for me. It would also be nice to actually get sleep at night.
My usual is to get up and get some exercise and jump into my day. Today, I had a little delay, so I could write this up for you. I didn't want you to miss out on my time, since you were a big part of it this morning. I'm off to get some exercise. I'm hoping to move my time a little later tomorrow.
I think last night I pretty much wrote this blog entry in my head. I should have turned the computer on and started typing. I think it was a lot better at 4, than it is now.
4am hasn't always been my time. There are times when it is 2am (thats a killer). 3am is pretty popular, too. I would like it to move to 6am. That would be a little more convenient for me. It would also be nice to actually get sleep at night.
My usual is to get up and get some exercise and jump into my day. Today, I had a little delay, so I could write this up for you. I didn't want you to miss out on my time, since you were a big part of it this morning. I'm off to get some exercise. I'm hoping to move my time a little later tomorrow.
Monday, January 2, 2012
That's Mr. Hefner, to you
On Monday's and Thursdays the kids are to bring down their dirty clothes to the laundry room. (Nick knows how to do laundry, but, sometimes I will wash his clothes) I wash, dry and fold, and they have to put their clean clothes away. Not a bad deal, if you ask me. This plan usually works well if all rules are followed. Something usually breaks down in the process. For example, we are set to go somewhere and you hear, "I don't have any clothes to wear!" They would tell this to RT (who, at first, did not know about the whole process). RT would wonder why they don't have any clothes? Don't I buy them clothes to wear? Once RT was filled in on the process, he understood and started telling them to find something to wear. (this would tie into the putting your clothes away in the correct drawer so that you can find them)
For the last week, I have been doing laundry and have noticed that none of Alex's clothes have been in any of the loads. So, today being Monday, I said, once again, loud and clear for eveyone that they should bring their dirty clothes down to the laundry room. I turned to Alex and said, you might want to bring down some clothes, because I haven't washed any of yours in the past week.
The answer I received? "I've been wearing my pajamas for the last week!" which is true. He lives in his pajamas. Any moment that he can, he is wearing his pajamas. He comes home from school, runs upstairs and puts them on before I even see him. (makes we wonder if he wore them to school?) And, since they have been on break for the last week, he has been wearing pajamas the whole time. Maybe there have been a few times where he had to put on civilian clothes (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Eve).
I should probably mention that several years ago, I bought the boys robes. Alex LOVED his robe and wore it all of the time. So, I gave him the nickname, Hugh Hefner, or just Hef.
So, as I was saying, Hef, please bring down your pajamas so I can wash them. You still have another week of Christmas break. Thank you.
For the last week, I have been doing laundry and have noticed that none of Alex's clothes have been in any of the loads. So, today being Monday, I said, once again, loud and clear for eveyone that they should bring their dirty clothes down to the laundry room. I turned to Alex and said, you might want to bring down some clothes, because I haven't washed any of yours in the past week.
The answer I received? "I've been wearing my pajamas for the last week!" which is true. He lives in his pajamas. Any moment that he can, he is wearing his pajamas. He comes home from school, runs upstairs and puts them on before I even see him. (makes we wonder if he wore them to school?) And, since they have been on break for the last week, he has been wearing pajamas the whole time. Maybe there have been a few times where he had to put on civilian clothes (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Eve).
I should probably mention that several years ago, I bought the boys robes. Alex LOVED his robe and wore it all of the time. So, I gave him the nickname, Hugh Hefner, or just Hef.
So, as I was saying, Hef, please bring down your pajamas so I can wash them. You still have another week of Christmas break. Thank you.
What happened?
Nothing like finding out on New Years day that someone has hijacked your ITunes account, changed the password, personal questions and email and has access to your credit card.
Ok, a whopping $.40 was charged to the card. Not exactly a lot of money, but, how did they get my account information? And, what else are they going to buy with my credit card?
RT and I both have Itunes accounts and were trying to figure out who got a hold of the information (and how). I could not access my account at all. They changed the password, email and personal questions. RT's account was fine (I didn't even know he had an account). RT ended up calling the credit card company and cancelling our credit card (so we are without a credit card for the moment, until they send us a new one).
We went through all of the scenarios. Did the kids give our our account information to someone? Who would they have given the information to? On and on. Then, we realize that Nick just sold his Itouch to GameStop. Maybe the account info was on his Itouch and now the person who purchased it is able to access my account and change all of the information and start buying stuff. You think they would check the stuff out first?
We told Nick what happened (we don't blame him). We just said we learned a valuble lesson. We should check out our electronics before recycling/selling/trading them. He said that he ran a program that reset his Ipod.
Alex came home from a friends house and we relayed the story. RT asked him if he had bought anything on Itunes. He said he did, but, he had a credit. We showed him the purchase that was made on New Years Eve and he said that was him.
So, to make a long story short, we cancelled out credit card thinking that someone else had access to it and it was our own child.
My Itunes account is still messed up and Itunes has been very helpful in cancelling the credit card for the account and restoring it back for my personal use.
I guess it's just another crazy day in my life.
Ok, a whopping $.40 was charged to the card. Not exactly a lot of money, but, how did they get my account information? And, what else are they going to buy with my credit card?
RT and I both have Itunes accounts and were trying to figure out who got a hold of the information (and how). I could not access my account at all. They changed the password, email and personal questions. RT's account was fine (I didn't even know he had an account). RT ended up calling the credit card company and cancelling our credit card (so we are without a credit card for the moment, until they send us a new one).
We went through all of the scenarios. Did the kids give our our account information to someone? Who would they have given the information to? On and on. Then, we realize that Nick just sold his Itouch to GameStop. Maybe the account info was on his Itouch and now the person who purchased it is able to access my account and change all of the information and start buying stuff. You think they would check the stuff out first?
We told Nick what happened (we don't blame him). We just said we learned a valuble lesson. We should check out our electronics before recycling/selling/trading them. He said that he ran a program that reset his Ipod.
Alex came home from a friends house and we relayed the story. RT asked him if he had bought anything on Itunes. He said he did, but, he had a credit. We showed him the purchase that was made on New Years Eve and he said that was him.
So, to make a long story short, we cancelled out credit card thinking that someone else had access to it and it was our own child.
My Itunes account is still messed up and Itunes has been very helpful in cancelling the credit card for the account and restoring it back for my personal use.
I guess it's just another crazy day in my life.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Thankful
Last year I set out to write 5 things that I am thankful for everyday. I heard that this will change your attitude about things. I didn't have a bad attitude, but, wanted to put this challenge to the test. Who doesn't want to have a better attitude?
I learned a lot in the last year. There are days that are going your way and everything looks great. Writing down your five things is no problem on these days. Somedays, nothing happens. Maybe you are sick or you didn't do anything. That makes it a little difficult to come up with five things.
It didn't help that the first half of the year was a little challenging with my dad being sick. It did make me take a good look around me and see what I am blessed with and to be grateful. Memories, family, our health, having a home and food to eat were all things to be thankful for. Nick finishing 8th grade. Bella's dance recital, Alex playing basketball, first days of school, vacations and my dog.
It's something that I think I will continue. It makes me look for and notice the good that is there. It helps me appreciate what I have especially when I think I don't have much.
I just read about another challenge. (oh, no, here we go again) This ties into a post I made a few days ago. A book by John Kralik, "A Simple Act of Gratitude" tells how the author wrote a thank you note a day (to different people, I assume) to acknowledge the gift or blessing that he received. (all that torture with thank you note writing is coming back to haunt us) Seriously, what a great way to see the good in every day things and to share with others your joy and thankfulness? Writing all my joys in my journal are nice, but, why not spread the love a little?
So, I believe this is my New Year's challenge this year. To express my thankfulness to one and all and spread the love of peace and happiness. I'm not sure if I can write a note a day. I will continue to be thankful in my journal, but, I plan on letting others know how grateful I am (for what they have done, their thoughts, kind words, etc). This is going to be a challenge. Wish me luck.
I learned a lot in the last year. There are days that are going your way and everything looks great. Writing down your five things is no problem on these days. Somedays, nothing happens. Maybe you are sick or you didn't do anything. That makes it a little difficult to come up with five things.
It didn't help that the first half of the year was a little challenging with my dad being sick. It did make me take a good look around me and see what I am blessed with and to be grateful. Memories, family, our health, having a home and food to eat were all things to be thankful for. Nick finishing 8th grade. Bella's dance recital, Alex playing basketball, first days of school, vacations and my dog.
It's something that I think I will continue. It makes me look for and notice the good that is there. It helps me appreciate what I have especially when I think I don't have much.
I just read about another challenge. (oh, no, here we go again) This ties into a post I made a few days ago. A book by John Kralik, "A Simple Act of Gratitude" tells how the author wrote a thank you note a day (to different people, I assume) to acknowledge the gift or blessing that he received. (all that torture with thank you note writing is coming back to haunt us) Seriously, what a great way to see the good in every day things and to share with others your joy and thankfulness? Writing all my joys in my journal are nice, but, why not spread the love a little?
So, I believe this is my New Year's challenge this year. To express my thankfulness to one and all and spread the love of peace and happiness. I'm not sure if I can write a note a day. I will continue to be thankful in my journal, but, I plan on letting others know how grateful I am (for what they have done, their thoughts, kind words, etc). This is going to be a challenge. Wish me luck.
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