Signatures and Money

Well, it's official: we have an address.

We will move our luggage into a fully furnished two bedroom/two bathroom condo on Saturday. It's expensive, but just coming from Maryland, it's not shocking us like it would others (say, those military folks coming from perhaps GA). Still, I have had moments of "oh, Lordy! I must trust in You!!" At the same time, I knew we would be doing this today (signing) so this is the first morning since we left our place in MD that I woke without jaw pain.

The stress is starting to melt away.

Next week we can focus on getting the kids ready for school . . . doctor appointments for physicals and things like getting a list of what they'll need for supplies.

I met another military member today who said his wife is now homeschooling. Not her choice. He said he's heard more negative about the older schools than positive, but that there are a few who have told him they haven't had any problems of ostracising from the locals. Locals are only those who are born here of Hawaiian descent. Everyone else is a visitor. I don't mind. And, like we have told our kids, even if folks aren't nice, we do not have to respond in kind - but in kindness. Also, not to go into the situation over analysing it. Will they make friends? Most likely. Will they get teased? Most likely - just like everyone else, probably. I haven't heard about student violence, just that the locals will ignore us and that sort of thing. Whatever. I almost can't believe that kind of thing exists . . . especially in kids.

I have kept my Seton stuff, which will arrive in late July. IF we have to, we'll home school again. No big deal. I'll still certify to be an in-home daycare provider to bring in the income we'll need to pay down debt and/or even send them to the Catholic schools. At this point, I'll sacrifice much to make sure they get a good education in an safe environment.

I don't think it's unsafe . . . I just don't know. I do know that most schools (public anyway) have issues with cussing, sexual things, drugs, etc., but not every student is caught up in that. We'll enroll them in the schools and see what happens. I have told them that if they feel unsafe, we'll bring them home immediately. No big deal.

Hang loose, right? But, Hang tight.

I'm Doing More Than Just Thinking About It

I ordered this DVD upon recommendation of a friend who loves it. I have a yoga mat. I even got a different DVD, but after watching it the first time I was grossed out by some gal who was one of the background participants whose sweat was profuse in some unmentionable areas . . . and sorry, had she worn a white or black 'tard' no one would ever have noticed. I couldn't give it another go. So, my friend said there's none of that in this one and for about $11 on Amazon, I said, "heck yeah!" and bought it.

Let's just say I like the idea of being limber again. I used to be able to put my ankles around my neck. If I were limber, I could do it now (I ain't got a belly keeping me from reaching). After having three kids, I just never got back into sitting on the floor and stretching like I did. My heartburn/acid reflux and being tired nearly most of every day has me decided to kick a health kick into gear. I bet there are many who could outpace me in a mall walk. It's sad!

I hesitate to use Eastern methods, because I want to stay firmly rooted in my Catholic Faith. However, I can ignore any of that - unless it's blatant. I think it's safe to say that it isn't something being pushed in this program. I want to be limber in body, not mind. Right now, as limber as I get is my elbow bending into the cookie jar and snapping back into my gob. Yeah?

Teenie is writing her week 35 paragraph that she will upload to Seton soon. Then, all that she has left today is to upload her reading comprehension test for quarter four. Tomorrow she will take her English quarter four exam. Friday, her book report is due to be uploaded to Seton. Then, guess what? She's officially done with 7th grade! This is a really big deal here. Crickles is finishing up his book report today and tomorrow he will take his English quarter four exam, and, he'll be done with 5th grade!

Folks, ugh. Can we all say, Praise God, here? Yes! Victory is soooooooo bloody close I can taste it!

The Ups & Downs of This Life

Holly is a pain in the rump. Literally. Yesterday I caught her consuming her chew rope. I discarded it once I distracted her long enough to get it free from her. I had no idea how much of it I'd see in the yard later . . . This morning I got a good idea. She struggled something fierce to crap out an immense amount of rope. Let's just say I had to lend a hand . . . and try not to puke. Fun! All BEFORE my morning coffee. Well, that was probably a good thing.

I have to figure out my MIL's email address - search our email archives for it - so I can email her this picture of the kids. The primary purpose of the kids getting such a beautiful camera for Christmas from (husband's side) uncles and aunts was to snap up pictures to email Grandma - the machine prints out pictures for her. Well, 97.5% of the camera is clogged with pictures of the cat and the dog! It's the girl's fault.

Anyway, the eldest two fight.constantly. I should amend that to "bicker endlessly". I know it's a phase, but it's just really super annoying, especially when I'm recovering and can't hear properly. All I hear is noise, you know? I want to help, but then I can't. It's teen stuff. It's sibling obnoxiousness. No amount of my Mother Goosing them is going to help (you know: if you can't say something nice . . . . or was that Jimminy Cricket???). Anyhoo -

The oldest boy called from school after his first class yesterday: I'm sick, he says. Lovely. With him home nothing gets done school-wise with the other two. He was miserable until the OTC meds kicked in. Then he was just "bored" (I limited his PC gaming to two hours, you see, because if you're sick, you aren't going to get away with gaming all bloody day; tho' he handled the limit very well). Boredom means: complaining, not being happy with mum's suggestions, and being a general nuisance to his siblings whilst they try to focus on school because with him home and him not doing anything remotely close to school work begs their point of "why should we?" I really really really hate that!

Needlesstosay: the eldest is in class today. He's been OTC medicined up this AM and should be good at least through lunch. I don't want him to be sick. I want him to be well for his sake - his wellbeing. However, I also very selfishly want him to stay in school so that the other two can get their schooling done. Also, the county sent me a letter threatening legal action should we not provide excuse notes for absences - he was getting a letter for missing more than three days in a marking period . . . I sent notes - even a doctor's note . . . no legal action is being taken, the letter was simply a "notice" or "warning", but I found it intrusive and bullying!!

On the Mend (I Think)

Just about when I begin to say I am feeling much better I go into spasms of coughs or my stomach says "to capacity on snot swallowing - time to empty". I know, what is with the graphics? Anyway, my mind is back on par - so that's something! I'm not coughing constantly - that's something! I'm not using as many Kleenex, and, and! I have to say that whereas I felt my ears going all stuffy yesterday, they are not so much today. Believe me, I'm grateful for that last bit. When my ears go "south", I pack it in completely.

The mystery to why I've asked about your favourite scents is going to be revealed end of this month or roughly the first week of March. Hope you can all wait patiently. Thank you all for "playing along". In the mean time, if you haven't already answered in my comment boxes what your fav scent is, go ahead - I'll be asking this question for a while. There's time.

My youngest is just down to his third quarter book report. My girl has about two tests and her book report left to do. I reckon she'll get her tests done by today's end. Until then I will renamed her "Little Miss Moody Butt".

Our parish is doing a lovely Marriage Day event tomorrow evening. Mass followed by dinner and reception. I am hoping I'll be in a position to attend, but my hubs warned the event coordinator last night that we many not come due to our colds. Whatever this virus is, I wouldn't wish it on a dead thing let alone a living thing. Even though I am feeling much better, I know I have probably another week to go in order to feel completely myself again. I'm basing this on my husband's recovery. I am also basing my being no longer infectious on when I cough I no longer splatter lung debris all over whatever is in front of me.

Anyway, last year's Marriage Day event was absolutely wonderful. We had guest speakers who speak and work with Marriage Encounter. We had an ice-breaker , lovely food, and we played a version of Newlywed Game.

What are your plans for World Marriage Day?

AhhhhShhhiiiiiitttttt!

Can I have another tissue, please?

I've had an obnoxious headache the past two days and my nostrils are burning (no wonder I dreamt I was a fire breathing dragonnette last night)! I was exposed to some pretty snotty kids earlier this week (and last, actually, but same daycare home) and then (and I'm not blaming, just saying) the daycare provider has bronchitis (the poor dear - she got really ill, too). So, my husband has been hacking as if he has given up a seven pack a day habit for the past few days, culminating in his coming home early from work today. He offered to sleep on the sofa last night, but I declined saying all sorts of sweet shit, but actually running this through my mind: I'm going to get this anyway seeing as how you just sneezed all your shit all over me just now.

I've been exposed. I'm dealing with beginning symptoms. I hate it. Dern it! I thought I was getting off so light this winter, too, what with one earache already. Well, it ain't the end of the road yet - and I'm not about to drown myself in orange juice now. Thankfully, I don't crave it. When I crave it, I know I'm done for. Isn't that weird?

I scraped the driveway off today. My shoulders are done for. A few minutes ago I spray-painted my youngest boys car (another pinewood derby, this time with the Boy Scouts) so I smell the paint - it followed me in the house. I actually like it. Is that so wrong?

I drove to the Px to get some books. I got my girl a book and got myself the new one in the 44 Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall Smith (the World According to Bertie) and the follow up book to The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet called World Without End. Of course, because I already have a stack of books to read, it will be a long while before I get to them unless I put off that stack. I got some exercise, too. Rather than drive over to the commissary, I walked over, shopped and walked back to my van. It was a walk very few would have chosen to take, actually, being as we live in lazy times and it's bitterly cold out. I felt invigorated! And, justified ('cos I bought a big tub of ice cream for the sick-o in the house, of course! shhhhh! I may take a few scoops).

The oldest goes back to school tomorrow and things in the home school will return to normal. No more kid sitting interruptions and hopefully we'll get the third quarter tests all done tomorrow. I'm all for PUSHING this agenda. Reality is: we'll finish the testing Monday with most of it done. I'm okay with that, too, because after all, progress is progress where progress is concerned.

Now, That Wasn't So Bad

I had a post I just deleted, because well, I figured the math problem out really quick once I stopped worrying that I might be too dumb to figure it out. Any time I see a parallelogram or trapezoid with numbers up the sides and dotted lines with numbers, well, frankly: my tummy ties in knots and my head explodes. It's not pretty. So, before I left the bathroom looking like a crime scene, I calmed myself by chatting with Dawn on the phone and then tackled the book whilst glimpsing Jon & Kate Plus 8 . . . Base times the Height equals the Area. Okay. I can do this. And, I did. My girl has not a worry to worry over. I will be able to teach her this concept quite easily - and get a good night's rest.

No more tears.