summer time

sometimes i really hate living in the Midwest. just an observation.

Last year we went to Pere Marquette for a weekend and it was such a great weekend.

We went again this year, only it was COLD and the pool was crowded and the food was expensive and it just wasn't. the. same.

but Rug got her first horse ride, and she had some issues with her horse really liking to stop to eat and our guide, Enos, yes, his name was Enos, just had little patience with her and her inability to stop a horse from eating. I mean, really.

I did the Tour de Cure, not a lot of miles but 15 anyway. I could have done 30 but the girls wanted to go to the water park.

I have pictures but i need to get them developed first, as i forgot my camera and had to buy a disposable!! :)

this is a lame post and i should probably delete it. but i wanted to post some pics so endure please.




Rug singing take me out to the ballgame in the dugout at Busch Stadium. How cool is that? We had a great day, touring the stadium and hanging out.





Al has a boyfriend. There, I said it. He has been instant messaging her for months, and finally admitted it last week. I would freak out, but, my first boyfriend was in 5th grade so whatever. I asked her why she likes him, and she said, 'he is funny, smart, and the most honest boy i know.'

what more could I ask? :) Thank God it wasn't, "he is always in the hallway and I love how he talks back to teachers."

Then again, let's wait and see what happens with Rug. I don't even want to think about Mo dating. Yikes.

Daily Assignment

I started blogging in February of 2005. I started mostly so I could be a part of the comments section on Dooce, and that is where I found a gaggle of ferocious personalities, many of whom I still consider internet friends.

Somehow, through that venture, I met Deb.

Not sure how or when, but I know that when I found her blog, it instantly went into my bookmarks under 'Favorites'.

Deb was soon thereafter diagnosed with leukemia, and I saw her through her first round, kicking its ass along the way, up until last week, May 18th, when Deb succumbed to the disease she fought so valiantly against.

I was always amazed at how upbeat and positive Deb was, regardless of her circumstances. She was frank, and honest, and held nothing back. I always left reading her blog feeling empowered to take on anything that stood in my way.

Many days, Deb would give her readers an 'assignment'. This assignment could be simple, like saying hi to a stranger, or more in depth, like taking your mom/dad out to dinner, or forgiving that one person you've been denying forgiveness. Deb set out to let us see the power we possess, and the choices we had daily to do good in the world.

When she passed away, many of her blog friends, including myself and Circus Kelli, wanted to do something to pay tribute to such a 'fabu' lady.

Since many of us have Twitter pages, we came up with the idea for a Twitter page for Deb's Daily Assignments. That way, Deb's idea of helping others find the good in themselves would continue, in her honor. CK designed the page, and I will be posting the daily assignments, with anyone who wants to suggest and post assignments to happily do so as well.

I decided to start with the very first Daily Assignments that Deb herself suggested, taking them from her blog and follow them as closely as possible. Once they are done, I'm sure we will be inspired to come up with many of our own!

We hope that this Twitter page will be a great place to discuss how we each interpret and 'complete' the assignments, as well as a lot of Chuck Norris jokes, because as you may know, Deb really enjoyed those.

Finally, as Deb asked us to do, we will have a link to the fund set up for Zoe, Deb's daughter, because Deb's last assignment was for all of us to take care of her. She is a special girl and deserves nothing but the best. Plus, she's awful cute.

I hope you will find the time to follow this Twitter page and help us honor Deb with her daily assignments, and we can continue the Queen of the Universe's reign.

Debutant's blog:

http://www.debutaunt.com/archives/000847.php

Twitter Daily Assignments:

http://twitter.com/dailyassignment

Regret

book club

i put this pic up, becuz this is the one i like better, Mo did something that made Al and I laugh, and Rug was, well being Rug, so this fits us nicer than the 'posed' pic from before. Love it.

I went to Borders with the girls the other day as we had some time to spare, and I was looking for a book someone had suggested, "I am the Messenger". I looked everywhere, but could not find it, and had a 2-year-old tearing through there knocking books down and causing havoc, so I just gave up. I grabbed a quick Greece travel guide for LP and of course the other 2 had already picked out about 15 books between the two of them, of which I told them to narrow down to one each.

At the counter, the woman at the register said, "Did you find everything?" a question I know they are required to say to me, to get that one last sale, and I said, "NO DAMMIT! i NEED A book to read! and I can't find one!"

(you who have read my blog for years know, of course i didn't say this but it sounds so much better than the 'not realllly' that was uttered). She pointed to a stack of books next to the register and said, "this will make you laugh". I grabbed one off the top, gave it to her to scan and said, 'Done.'

I NEVER do this. I have to know about a book before I buy it, and really want it. It takes at least one good review or recommendation for me to even get a book at the LIBRARY.

When I got home, I started to read it, and could barely get through the first chapter. This was with LP watching baseball, and Rug and Mo wrestling on the bed I was trying to read it in.

The next night I gave it another try, and could not put it down. Then of course, I made the biggest reading mistake and read the rest of it in one night. Now I'm sad it's over.

In the first few pages, we learn about the main character, who used to work in bookstores, and who talks about how her and her co-worker would NEVER suggest the books near the cash register, as they were usually the ones the publishers are trying to push, but instead take the reader to Jane Eyre way in the back.

At that point, I realized I had just been duped by a publisher...but happily so. Because although I read (and loved) the publisher's pushed book...it also convinced me to go read Pride and Prejudice, a book the character would have recommended instead anyway!

Now I'm off to start another book, one I've already decided I probably won't love, since it's about CANCER and really, not too excited to read but it was a gift, so I feel compelled. After that I'm re-reading "On a Pale Horse" a Piers Anthony book I read in junior high, about the Immortal Death, that I want Al to read but want to be sure it's not too racy for her...and then Pride and Prejudice is next on the list.

So I'm not the lady at the cash register, and I would wholeheartedly recommend "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" to anyone who wants a good, funny read. You'll love it. Just get past the first chapter. :) In a sense, it reminds me of my internet friends, people whom I have never met, and probably never will, but we can band together and feel as close as anyone can in 'real' life. My own society, as it were.

No potato peels though. That's just gross.

oops

i meant to add a pic onto that previous post. So here's one.

yes! It's me! I'm blogging!

can I organize my thoughts into one coherent post or not is the question though. Probably not. I feel like I am putting together a Power Point presentation sometimes when I think about blogging. Put in my most important points with asteriks, timeline them, and put a small paragraph or two on the main ideas. My English teacher would have been so proud of my outlining abilities.

But I chuck it all and throw caution to the wind, instead just typing as I go and not knowing what might come out.

I've lost my voice the last few days, so that is probably the catalyst for my writing. I can't speak, but I can type, by golly. LP is enjoying it thoroughly, because when I try to speak I sound like a forlorn bullfrog, and even I can't stand the sound of that.

It's the last week of school for Al, and on Friday she will be a....SEVENTH GRADER. Dear Lord in Heaven pray for me. Also, I've become the mom from "Because I said so" in that there is this boy who just LURVS him some Al and she is so nonchalant about him...and I am all, "AL! He is SOOOO cute!! Are you kidding me!!" and she is, of course, all, "WhatEVER mom (tween eye roll)". Ah, do you realize when I started this blog she was in 2nd grade? Holy cripes.

Both of my kids are going back to the private school next year. Both of them were SUPPOSED to go to the public school, but somehow they coerced us into staying. Not sure how I feel about that yet, but I know they will both be happy there at any rate. Just hope it doesn't make them too sheltered is all....

RUG still has a few weeks of school left, she is at the public school right now...they leave in June for Greece, and I am still torn about whether to go or not. I have a small window of opportunity if I do go. Anyway, her grades have improved significantly at the public school, esp. in READING (she likes to read! And gets books without me begging!) so I was disappointed when she said she wanted to go back to the other school. I know it's because it's been hard making friends for her, but I do wish she would have given it more of a chance. Funniest thing she did lately: For Mother's Day, she wrapped up an old bracelet of mine, with a card attached that said: "Please check here if I'm the best kid ever: Yes: No: "

She is awesome.

Mo is crazier every day. We have yet to set sail for the Potty Training Island but that will be here soon enough. Sneezing in front of Mo is the best, the way she says, Bless you! and then you say thank you, her 'You are WELCOME' is the sweetest thing since the invention of Laffy Taffy. Also, she really, really loves rocks.

My goose family has grown, because apparently they told their goose cousins about our place and so we now have 3 families of geese on our pond. Makes for a lot of cute gosling sightings.

On an unfortunate note, a bird has tried multiple times to create a nest in our BBQ grill. And she is PISSED about us taking it out every day. I feel bad, cuz, really, flying from here and there with all those twigs and such? TONS of work I'm sure. Only for her to find it gone again the next morning? Yeah, I'd be chirping my head off too. LP finally duct taped the holes on the side so she wouldn't start again. I love me some birds, but I really love LP's BBQ more, sorry.

Finally, last note, Debutant passed away yesterday, which just SUCKS for anyone who was ever touched by her, including ME. She was a beautiful soul, and will be missed terribly. I am in conjunction with Circus Kelli, trying to start up a Twitter page so her 'daily assignments' can continue as a tribute to her and her universal awesomeness.

sunburn

I've spent my only two paid days off that I've accrued to going to camp again with Alex deep in the woods of Southern Illinois this week. I truly enjoyed it last year. This year....um, not so much. This was due to sleeping in a cabin with 3 walls in 40 degree weather, and parents who were more concerned with drinking than spending time with their children. The kids were really well behaved.

But it was nice spending time with one of my favorite daughters. I was complimented by one of the other moms as having a daughter with 'one of the brightest personalities she'd ever come across', and I guess when her child had been picked on earlier in the year, Al was the only one who'd come to her defense. Makes my heart sing!!

Today I am nursing sunburnt arms, which is odd for me, as it is usually my face that is beet red, but somehow I put enough sunscreen there but my arms are definitely half cooked on the one side, raw on the other. These are the sacrifices one makes when one has a 5 hour track meet, 2 soccer games and a birthday party in one day. We were out in the sun for a total of 11.5 hours yesterday. Mo was the only one who did not get a lick of sunburn. We like her best, I suppose.

Rug is preparing for her trip, and, after taking in all the advice, I have decided to stay back. It is KILLING me for sure, I mean...it is GREECE for pete's sake. But, I just have to suck it up and perhaps take my other daughter(s) on a trip while they are gone. I am still thinking about having Al go too, but I don't know that I could bear to have all of them in a different country without me. They went to Kentucky last weekend without me, and that was hard enough.

May is going to be a quick one, we have a lot going on. I am still riding the Tour de Cure June 6th, and I have yet to set my booty on my bike since I've registered! What! I know, I am a loser, but the weather has been awful. Today, of course, is gorgeous, since I will be inside in front of a computer all day! Naturally.

I have little to say, just a little check in if you will. Also, in my sunburnt stupor, in bed last night LP and I watched "What happens in Vegas", and, as valiant as he is with his malaria nets, Ashton Kutcher could not make this movie funny. I suggest you not make the same mistake I did and waste your time on it. Can you say, 'studio obligation'???

here is a pic of Al and I at the Grotto at the Camp, where they have mass in a cave!

My conundrum

Do you all remember a few months ago when I said Rug was nominated to win a trip to Greece to play soccer?

Yeah, well, she won.

I know, I am SOOOO thrilled and excited. But of course, with everything, this comes with a big decision.

See, she gets her trip as well as ONE adult, paid for. That leaves us with me, Al and Mo to pay for ourselves.

Now on first look, this was a no brainer, right? I mean, a chance of a lifetime.

Here come the contigencies:

1. I have only had my job since August, so the likelihood of me getting the specified days off is iffy to probably non existent.

2. On average, this trip will cost about $2000 per person. We are getting $$$ for 2 of us, but that leaves us with 3 left. That's $6000, not including food. I think we may have to eat, going on past experiences. I haven't tried to not eat for a week, but maybe it is doable. Then again, all my past experiences have not included being surrounded by sumptious Greek food 24/7.

3. Then there is the whole kid under 3 issue in a foreign country. i mean, i have a hard enough time controlling her at Target. Can you imagine me containing her on a 9 hour flight? i can't foresee me getting off that flight having made lifelong friends. Furthermore, I have heard the streets of Greece aren't exactly stroller-friendly, and toting a 2-year-old around who has no interest in the Parthenon seems to completely have the opposite effect on my excitement. That is what it boils down to...do I want to spend $$$$$ on a 'trip of a lifetime' that I probably won't enjoy as much having to deal with meltdowns, and trying to appease a child while I am looking at ancient ruins? It's not like I can afford a nanny here, people. Although...Sue? Charlotte? Want to go to Greece? Would you be willing to swim over?

4. On the other hand...the other option would be to leave little Mo behind with grandparents. Seems easy enough right? Hmm. First off, you haven't met the grandparents, so there's that to consider. Secondly, could I really leave her behind? What if something, God forbid, happened to us, I would leave her here to grow up alone without us? I couldn't stand the thought.

5. So here is the other thing, which, only a psychotic Disney person like myself would suggest. Actually, LP was the one who suggested it. If Al, Mo and I stayed back, that would save us about $7000 which we could use towards one KICK ASS of a trip to Disney world later in the year. I'd accrue more time off from work, plus it would be a trip we know we would ALL enjoy, hands down. And we could even stay at the Polynesian if we wanted to!!! And have like every dinner be a character meal! What say you!?!?!! (dang it when are they going to have a character meal with Jack Sparrow? That would be way cool).

Okay, so there it is. Regardless of what happens, I am so proud of my daughter, and what an opportunity, right? I mean, wow! She is a stud, for sure. If anything, she can bring me back some souvlaka.