Hellooooo!! (said in my best Elaine from Seinfield voice)
I hope you are all doing well and that the start of the new school year is going well. We are experiencing some homework meltdowns with Middle child, but in his defense, he hasn't had homework since 1st grade, so any amount in 5th grade seems totally overwhelming to him (and me!!). This issue leads me to my first topic: New Math.
I have VIVID (read: horrible) memories of being in Elementary school and bringing home math homework only to have my mom tell me she didn't know what I was doing because it was "New Math". Thus she could not help and I was on my own. On the flip side of this, my dad was so good with math he would make me do math problems on paper napkins while we were eating dinner. This memory is just as VIVID as the first.
Middle child has brought home math homework and though I am familiar with most of the terms (array's, math triangles, etc) sometimes I am not quite sure what the directions are. And since Middle child listens more to his friends (No, you don't need to bring home the reference book) than to his teachers, sometimes I am winging helping him. Back in the day, we memorized all our multiplication facts, we didn't know how we got to the answer, we just knew our facts.
He had math homework again today (OMG mom, I have tons of math homework. 6.34 minutes later, he was done) and I was trying to help him but all of my ways were "wrong" so Husband tried to help. Husband is not familiar with how they teach math now, and in a moment of horror, told Middle child that he didn't know what he was trying to do since it was the "New Math".
I think I gasped and may have punched Husband in the arm. Over the years, I have learned that there is no "new math", only new ways to teach it. 1 + 1 = 2 no matter HOW you teach it. I was quick to dismiss Husband's comment and looked thru Middle child's math book to find out what we were supposed to do. I have no doubt that Google will be a good friend to me in the future as Geometry is NOT my gig. I can do Algebra, to some extent, and should be able to help. I will have to help him how I remember doing it but it is better than not being able to help at all.
Second topic: Things/People I would like to sat Thanks to.
My good friend Laura did this on her blog and I thought it was really nice. I don't think we thank people enough for what they do, and saying thanks can be the highlight of someone's day. I am big on the "I appreciate what you do for me" but sometimes don't get to the basic thank you. I will try to keep this list short and light and thank only those who come quickly to mind (keep in mind, I did New Math today, so my brain is a little fried).
1. I thank him a lot but I don't think he really realizes how thankful I am to be married to him: my Husband. He does a ridiculous amount for me, the kids, other people's kids, while never complaining. He willingly drives Daughter all over the place so she can be with her friends, plays with the kids outside, puts gas in my van, and is still has time to chase me around the house.
2. My girl friends. This encompasses quite a few gals. I am referring to my Junior High bestie (Hi Zip), my High School girl friends (most are Kim's), my college roomies (you know who you are!!), and the group of wonderful ladies I hang out with now. Our lives are busy and different but we can get together, talk, laugh, call each other out, and still remain friends at the end of an evening.
3. My griddle. Only my griddle can make quick work of 2 or 3 dozen pancakes on a busy morning.
4. My boss and co-workers. Though I work in 92 degrees (this is NO joke), am on my feet for 6 hours, get a steam bath every time I open the dishwasher, and usually come home with food in my hair, I cannot imagine being in any other place. The kids seems to be over Lunch Lady Steve being gone and are embracing my mom-ness and willingness to help them with whatever they need.
That's my top 4. Want to know the math facts that are related to 4.....???
My workouts are non-existent since I am on my feet all day. Still doing weights and have started back to the eating clean movement. Was feeling really sluggish but I am back to protein, vegs, fruit, and trying to stay away from stuff that is processed. Certain things I will give up but not bread and cheese. Not extreme amounts of either but I have to have something to dip into my egg and I like light cheese sticks for work. Will let you know how it goes. I am still within my normal weight range and at work average about 7 miles of walking in 6 hours. Lots of lifting, too. Right now with my schedule, focusing on food is easier than fitting in extra exercise.
Have a great Labor Day weekend. I will be sleeping and spending time with my Brother (LOOOONNNG over due) and his family, and then sleeping some more. I am sure there will be laundry involved, but that's easy, there is no math involved.
Rock on peeps!!
Cat
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
The start of something good
Hello friends!
I hope you are all doing well. Summer is coming to a close and as most of you know, I am back to work at the HS and am working 30 hours a week as opposed to the 10 I worked the last two years. It has been a great undertaking securing sitters for the boys (they go back to school Tues) and making sure things run smoothly when I am gone. Husband has been a huge help and there is no way I could have taken on this new job assignment without his support. My neighbors have been unbelievably willing to help me out as well. It takes a village, right??
I have been very pleasantly surprised at how well the boys are doing with me gone. They have been great with the sitters and have been helping me without grumbling when I ask. It is a little bitter sweet to know they aren't counting the seconds until I get home, but I am happy and sooo relieved to know they can be fine in trusted care.
Went to Freshman orientation last night. Nothing too eye opening there, with the exception that it seems the drug of choice in Daughter's school district is heroin. WHOA!!! This information was not provided to us by the student council or school counselors but some of the nice parents of kids that have been thru the HS. Do I worry about my Daughter and her goofy friends doing heroin? No. But it is good (yet scary) info to have.
The boys are ready for school, which is also a relief. In the past, Youngest would be obsessing about how many days until he goes back but I told him how many and now he is more focused on what kind of Cheerios I can pack him for lunch. Is it possible that too many Cheerios can be bad for you? Can it lower your cholesterol to a non existent level? Because I have to tell you, these boys can put away the Cheerios like they are candy (and really, aren't they?? Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Caramel and Fruit?? It may as well be life savors they are eating). I am ready for all of us to get back into the swing of getting up before 10am and getting home at the same time every day.
I was apprehensive about taking this new position for a couple reasons: Everyone LOVED Lunch lady Steve and I literally had size 15 shoes to fill. I knew the kids would be disappointed he's not there and hearing how much they miss him makes me feel somewhat insignificant. But I have received a lot of positive response from the kids and staff about me filling the position, so my ego is feeling a little better. It is also a very physical and hot (not like sexy hot, but like I am sweating like I ran a marathon hot) but I find, so far, that I enjoy the physicality of it. I like lifting the boxes and doing that kind of stuff. I love the people I work with and I love seeing the kids every day and helping the Freshman when they need it.
I read a quote or part of a quote the other day that kind of put things in perspective for me:
You have to trust that where you are is where you are meant to be.
It is difficult for me to trust a lot of things, but in this case, I will give it a try. I believe this is where I am meant to be right now.
I hope the start of school goes smoothly for everyone. Make sure you stay in your kid's business, know their friends and their parents, keep in touch with their school. I know it's hard and I know it is tiring to keep up with all they do but that's our job. Like it or not, we wanted these kids, let's act like it.
Have a great weekend everyone and stay safe. I am hoping to have some good work stories now that I am there a lot more!!
Cat
I hope you are all doing well. Summer is coming to a close and as most of you know, I am back to work at the HS and am working 30 hours a week as opposed to the 10 I worked the last two years. It has been a great undertaking securing sitters for the boys (they go back to school Tues) and making sure things run smoothly when I am gone. Husband has been a huge help and there is no way I could have taken on this new job assignment without his support. My neighbors have been unbelievably willing to help me out as well. It takes a village, right??
I have been very pleasantly surprised at how well the boys are doing with me gone. They have been great with the sitters and have been helping me without grumbling when I ask. It is a little bitter sweet to know they aren't counting the seconds until I get home, but I am happy and sooo relieved to know they can be fine in trusted care.
Went to Freshman orientation last night. Nothing too eye opening there, with the exception that it seems the drug of choice in Daughter's school district is heroin. WHOA!!! This information was not provided to us by the student council or school counselors but some of the nice parents of kids that have been thru the HS. Do I worry about my Daughter and her goofy friends doing heroin? No. But it is good (yet scary) info to have.
The boys are ready for school, which is also a relief. In the past, Youngest would be obsessing about how many days until he goes back but I told him how many and now he is more focused on what kind of Cheerios I can pack him for lunch. Is it possible that too many Cheerios can be bad for you? Can it lower your cholesterol to a non existent level? Because I have to tell you, these boys can put away the Cheerios like they are candy (and really, aren't they?? Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Caramel and Fruit?? It may as well be life savors they are eating). I am ready for all of us to get back into the swing of getting up before 10am and getting home at the same time every day.
I was apprehensive about taking this new position for a couple reasons: Everyone LOVED Lunch lady Steve and I literally had size 15 shoes to fill. I knew the kids would be disappointed he's not there and hearing how much they miss him makes me feel somewhat insignificant. But I have received a lot of positive response from the kids and staff about me filling the position, so my ego is feeling a little better. It is also a very physical and hot (not like sexy hot, but like I am sweating like I ran a marathon hot) but I find, so far, that I enjoy the physicality of it. I like lifting the boxes and doing that kind of stuff. I love the people I work with and I love seeing the kids every day and helping the Freshman when they need it.
I read a quote or part of a quote the other day that kind of put things in perspective for me:
You have to trust that where you are is where you are meant to be.
It is difficult for me to trust a lot of things, but in this case, I will give it a try. I believe this is where I am meant to be right now.
I hope the start of school goes smoothly for everyone. Make sure you stay in your kid's business, know their friends and their parents, keep in touch with their school. I know it's hard and I know it is tiring to keep up with all they do but that's our job. Like it or not, we wanted these kids, let's act like it.
Have a great weekend everyone and stay safe. I am hoping to have some good work stories now that I am there a lot more!!
Cat
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Summer update
Hi,
I hope everyone is doing well!! I have just a couple things to share, nothing earth shattering, but just fun (?) to catch you up on.
1) Our weather. Ok, I am a geek and I love the weather. I loved studying clouds in school and atmosphere stuff. Our weather here in Central OH has been really wacky. I think we started mowing in April because it was hot and it rained enough to make our grass grow at unreasonable rates. Now, our grass is dead. We have had terrible storms, another one just rolled thru and there are more on the way. I am thankful for the rain but am over the lightening. And thunder. And the big, hot dog that is terrified all the time.
2) Bike wrecks. In the last two weeks, Middle child has had more bike wrecks than he has had in the 6 years he has been riding his bike. I literally went today and bought FIVE boxes of band-aids hoping it will last the rest of the summer. I do believe some of it is the cute Alaskan gals we have visiting in our neighborhood this summer. I do believe he has been "distracted" while biking.
This leads me to number 3..
3) Teenagers. I have been very fortunate to spend a lot of time with teenagers this summer. This is heaven to me because I work with teens and then I get to spend the summer with mine and their friends. They are the funniest people I know and I love how they are all so confident and kind. I like to think when we are all in the pool together people mistake me for one of their teen friends....ok, just let me live that dream, ok?? I enjoy how Middle child tries to be a teenager and how Youngest isn't sure if the teens are cool or just plain weird. But he plays along with them, but I am sure he thinks he is way cooler than they are. He may be right.
4) My workout routine. What? No, there hasn't been one all summer. I have put on 3 lbs which I can live with and am still doing weights and less cardio. I proclaimed to too many to take it back, that next year is the year of the BIKINI for me. Here's why:
We were at the pool the other day and Daughter had her new bikini on with her aviator glasses. She was with her friend and when those two walked by, it was like some weird slo-mo moment. They both were stunning and even the guy friends of theirs we were with, took a breath. A big, heavy breath. The girls were just stunning. So I decided right then and there that I will get in shape so I can look like the mom of the girl in the bikini.
AND the best part was: when I told Daughter I was wearing a bikini next year she said "If you do, I will wear a ONE PIECE all summer next year". OH MY, SCORE!! So I can get her out of her outfit, me into something totally inappropriate for my age?? This is the best deal ever.
I start work in two week and I cannot wait. I miss my co-workers and the kids I work with. I miss working. There have been some rough patches this summer but so far, this summer will just go down as the summer that was hotter than hell.
But I am in my own heaven. Hope you are all well.
Cat
I hope everyone is doing well!! I have just a couple things to share, nothing earth shattering, but just fun (?) to catch you up on.
1) Our weather. Ok, I am a geek and I love the weather. I loved studying clouds in school and atmosphere stuff. Our weather here in Central OH has been really wacky. I think we started mowing in April because it was hot and it rained enough to make our grass grow at unreasonable rates. Now, our grass is dead. We have had terrible storms, another one just rolled thru and there are more on the way. I am thankful for the rain but am over the lightening. And thunder. And the big, hot dog that is terrified all the time.
2) Bike wrecks. In the last two weeks, Middle child has had more bike wrecks than he has had in the 6 years he has been riding his bike. I literally went today and bought FIVE boxes of band-aids hoping it will last the rest of the summer. I do believe some of it is the cute Alaskan gals we have visiting in our neighborhood this summer. I do believe he has been "distracted" while biking.
This leads me to number 3..
3) Teenagers. I have been very fortunate to spend a lot of time with teenagers this summer. This is heaven to me because I work with teens and then I get to spend the summer with mine and their friends. They are the funniest people I know and I love how they are all so confident and kind. I like to think when we are all in the pool together people mistake me for one of their teen friends....ok, just let me live that dream, ok?? I enjoy how Middle child tries to be a teenager and how Youngest isn't sure if the teens are cool or just plain weird. But he plays along with them, but I am sure he thinks he is way cooler than they are. He may be right.
4) My workout routine. What? No, there hasn't been one all summer. I have put on 3 lbs which I can live with and am still doing weights and less cardio. I proclaimed to too many to take it back, that next year is the year of the BIKINI for me. Here's why:
We were at the pool the other day and Daughter had her new bikini on with her aviator glasses. She was with her friend and when those two walked by, it was like some weird slo-mo moment. They both were stunning and even the guy friends of theirs we were with, took a breath. A big, heavy breath. The girls were just stunning. So I decided right then and there that I will get in shape so I can look like the mom of the girl in the bikini.
AND the best part was: when I told Daughter I was wearing a bikini next year she said "If you do, I will wear a ONE PIECE all summer next year". OH MY, SCORE!! So I can get her out of her outfit, me into something totally inappropriate for my age?? This is the best deal ever.
I start work in two week and I cannot wait. I miss my co-workers and the kids I work with. I miss working. There have been some rough patches this summer but so far, this summer will just go down as the summer that was hotter than hell.
But I am in my own heaven. Hope you are all well.
Cat
Friday, July 20, 2012
911 What's your emergency?
This is a fictitious call that went on in my head earlier this evening.
Me: It's my daughter!
Dispatcher: What's wrong with your daughter ma'm?
Me: It's...It's...
Dispatcher: Calm down and tell me what happened.
deep breath
Me: She wants to take down all the little kid stuff in her room and paint all of her furniture to make it more "modern"!!!
Dispatcher: Ma'm, how long has she had all this "little kid stuff"?
Me: Since she was born!!
Dispatcher: Ma'm, how is your daughter now?
Me: Almost 15.
Silence
Dispatcher: Ma'm, I think it is long over due for her to get rid of her kid stuff. What color does she want to paint her furniture?
Me: White.
Dispatcher: Not black, or gothic, or anything with chains?
Me: No...
Dispatcher: Go get a can of white paint and get to it.
And once I got over the shock of her wanting to update her room, we got to painting her furniture. Husband took her to Lowe's to pick out new handles for her drawers. At 8pm on a Friday night. Love that man.
But not before he let her DRIVE the Accord out of the drive way and into the middle of the court..
Dialing 911 again...
Cat
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Love and Loss: a story of technology
I love my
I debated about getting it a couple months ago and with a few tweaks with AT&T, I have my bill where I want it and I can say I love my Iphone. It was invaluable on vacation, I do my grocery list on it, and every night, Husband and I play hours of Words with Friends with each other.
I love this phone.
And then Daughter had an Ortho appt I had to take Youngest to.
I bribed him with Angry Birds Space thinking I can load it on my Itouch.
Nope. Iphone only.
It has been two days since I have spent time with my Iphone before 9pm.
I miss you and I love you and I am sorry Youngest's sticky fingers are touching you all over. I know how that is and it is weird and gross.
Maybe we can "accidentally" delete the app?? But sadly, I have too many things coming up that Youngest will have to attend with me, so I need it.
Friends, if you need me, call the land line.
Sigh.
Cat
Monday, July 16, 2012
7 Things I love about Summer
I have four weeks left of summer and I took some time today to reflect upon some of my favorite things about Summer. Thought I would share them with you. How lucky for you.
In no particular order:
* Fresh watermelon and corn on the cob
* Not worrying about coloring the grey's out of my hair for a couple months because the pool water makes it a pretty shade of orange
* Bare feet
* Sleeping on top of the sheets
* How tan my kids get
* The endless amounts of books I can read
* Popsicles
As usual, time is flying and I will be back at work and in the school car pool lane before I know it. I am grateful every day that I have a job that allows me to be home in the summer. And yes, the kids get on my nerves but mostly when they are getting on each other's nerves.
I hope this blog finds you all doing well and enjoying summer as much as you can. Take your shoes off, grab a popsicle, and get a tan!
Cat
In no particular order:
* Fresh watermelon and corn on the cob
* Not worrying about coloring the grey's out of my hair for a couple months because the pool water makes it a pretty shade of orange
* Bare feet
* Sleeping on top of the sheets
* How tan my kids get
* The endless amounts of books I can read
* Popsicles
As usual, time is flying and I will be back at work and in the school car pool lane before I know it. I am grateful every day that I have a job that allows me to be home in the summer. And yes, the kids get on my nerves but mostly when they are getting on each other's nerves.
I hope this blog finds you all doing well and enjoying summer as much as you can. Take your shoes off, grab a popsicle, and get a tan!
Cat
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Nothing profound to say
Ever have one of those days when you have so much to say to everyone around you and you cannot manage to eek one sentence out? I have been having a lot of those days lately. I have been doing a lot of sitting back and observing and I am bursting at the seams to yell at people but I am trying to keep my attitude and opinions in check. Why? Not sure. Maybe I get tired of spouting my wisdom on people who don't give a crap. Maybe I am out of texting minutes.
We had on heck of a vacation, which I will not relive since I posted quite a bit in FB. But I did want to add in some highlights to our trip:
# Middle child won the swim noodle race at my parents community pool. He was behind but powered on to win when the other kids were getting tired.
# Daughter and I managed to get some good runs in before it got hell hot there. She continues to work on her cross country conditioning and I am proud of her for sticking to it when it is so stinking hot out.
# Seeing an alligator a couple feet away from where you have been fishing is both scary and really exciting at the same time. It was a little one but that only meant the parents weren't too far away.
# Seeing the dolphins in my parents creek and at the beach was the highlight of my trip. It has been a life long dream, no joke, since I was little, to be able to swim with or even just pet a dolphin. Neat to be so close to them. I think it is because they travel in a school but are so peaceful together. Maybe someday my "school" will travel that peacefully together.
(ohhh...so you noticed there were no highlights with Youngest...there weren't many, however the funniest thing he said to my dad was "Is your wife coming to the beach with us??" We all laughed out loud, err yes, Grammy is coming. I think he was just trying to show us he got the relationship but the timing was hilarious. Thank goodness for that or he would be at a rest stop somewhere in WV)
It is nice to be home and the summer is ripping by as usual. I need to get my butt in gear and find some sitters to watch the boys mid-August. I start back to work almost a full week before they do and I don't want to ask Husband to take anymore time off to be home with them. If you have any teens to offer up to watch them for a day or two, let me know. It is less than three hours and I will pay them.
I have gotten back into running, though not as much as before. Have also been doing High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and I really have seen my body change. I still have those 5 non-budging pounds to go, but at my doc appt this morning, I was only .5 away from a healthy BMI. She told me I am so close to my ideal weight, which is my goal of 145. I want to get there before all the schools start. I have been walking/running in the evenings when Husband gets home as a way for me to take a time out from the kids. Seems to be working well so I think we will stick with it.
I hope everyone is doing well and is recovering from the crazy ass storms we had over a week ago. There is no way to describe what we saw heading to my parents, other than it looked like something out of the zombie/apocalypse movies Husband has been watching. I think at one point, I made sure all the doors were locked, it was surreal. There are still those without power and I honestly don't know what you do. No showers, no clothes, no washing clothes, no food, no air. Say a prayer for those still in need and let's hope that is the end of the nutty weather.
Have a great rest of your week. I am going to try to write more as I know it helps my psyche, even if you delete me from your inbox. I noticed I picked up another follower and I need to see who it is. But thank you! to whoever it is.
You pal,
Cat
We had on heck of a vacation, which I will not relive since I posted quite a bit in FB. But I did want to add in some highlights to our trip:
# Middle child won the swim noodle race at my parents community pool. He was behind but powered on to win when the other kids were getting tired.
# Daughter and I managed to get some good runs in before it got hell hot there. She continues to work on her cross country conditioning and I am proud of her for sticking to it when it is so stinking hot out.
# Seeing an alligator a couple feet away from where you have been fishing is both scary and really exciting at the same time. It was a little one but that only meant the parents weren't too far away.
# Seeing the dolphins in my parents creek and at the beach was the highlight of my trip. It has been a life long dream, no joke, since I was little, to be able to swim with or even just pet a dolphin. Neat to be so close to them. I think it is because they travel in a school but are so peaceful together. Maybe someday my "school" will travel that peacefully together.
(ohhh...so you noticed there were no highlights with Youngest...there weren't many, however the funniest thing he said to my dad was "Is your wife coming to the beach with us??" We all laughed out loud, err yes, Grammy is coming. I think he was just trying to show us he got the relationship but the timing was hilarious. Thank goodness for that or he would be at a rest stop somewhere in WV)
It is nice to be home and the summer is ripping by as usual. I need to get my butt in gear and find some sitters to watch the boys mid-August. I start back to work almost a full week before they do and I don't want to ask Husband to take anymore time off to be home with them. If you have any teens to offer up to watch them for a day or two, let me know. It is less than three hours and I will pay them.
I have gotten back into running, though not as much as before. Have also been doing High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and I really have seen my body change. I still have those 5 non-budging pounds to go, but at my doc appt this morning, I was only .5 away from a healthy BMI. She told me I am so close to my ideal weight, which is my goal of 145. I want to get there before all the schools start. I have been walking/running in the evenings when Husband gets home as a way for me to take a time out from the kids. Seems to be working well so I think we will stick with it.
I hope everyone is doing well and is recovering from the crazy ass storms we had over a week ago. There is no way to describe what we saw heading to my parents, other than it looked like something out of the zombie/apocalypse movies Husband has been watching. I think at one point, I made sure all the doors were locked, it was surreal. There are still those without power and I honestly don't know what you do. No showers, no clothes, no washing clothes, no food, no air. Say a prayer for those still in need and let's hope that is the end of the nutty weather.
Have a great rest of your week. I am going to try to write more as I know it helps my psyche, even if you delete me from your inbox. I noticed I picked up another follower and I need to see who it is. But thank you! to whoever it is.
You pal,
Cat
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