Well, the first week of school has come and gone. My oldest has gone from the "I absolutely LOVE IT" to "I HATE school!!!!" My little perfectionist had a run in with a teacher.... oh... Now, this is the girl who has always got on the honor roll (except that one quarter) and tries her best to get assignments in on time and tries to be helpful and what not. All her teachers past have told us anyway that they have enjoyed their time with her and we hadn't had a problem.... until now.... Pumpkin claims she turned in her homework; the teacher says she has no record of it. Therefore, she had to do it over. She was NOT impressed because she SWEARS that the teacher has it. So the teacher said what a serious matter this was and how on open house she was sure to talk to us about it. Sigh..... of course, tonight I don't even think she would have brought it up if we hadn't said anything. Scare tactics don't affect Pumpkin like they may others. Unfortunately she internalizes them. As she's in Jr. high, she's gonna have this teacher for the next three years. I sure hope things will turn around for her and this woman. Time will tell (and maybe a lot of visits to the school)....
And.... "The keys to success in the third grade are organization and independence..." Oh hell. The twins are doomed... they can't keep ANYTHING organized... no matter what I put into place for them. And independence? They can't even get dressed with out 3-5 reminders of what they are supposed to be doing. Have I babied them too much? I didn't think so. Plus my MiL has worked with them with keeping things neat, my husband gives them reminders (although he's really one to talk; you couldn't even walk through his room without stepping on all sorts of stuff even in high school!)... Nothing seems to work!
I wonder if it's partly do to age. Many others of their class are a solid 8 going on 9. Monkey and Parrot only just turned 8 this past weekend. I think that even a few months can make a difference. I wish so much now that I had kept them back from school all together. September is a hard birthday month to try and figure out if kids are ready for school or not. Can't turn back time now though with would haves, should haves. I'm going to make note cards or something to try and help them remember stuff and start giving them different tasks that can somehow build their attention span/independence skill.
For the most part though, the youngest have felt that they've had a great first week. My elder daughter... well... it's up and down. I'm wondering if hormones are wrecking havoc on her system.... Poor sweetie if it is... I understand that completely!!!!! I'm cautious, Chris is optimistic. I'm a worry wart of what may happen; he throws caution to the wind and says we'll deal with what comes up when it comes up. I'm so jealous of that point of view because believe me; I've tried to adopt it, too but I just can't give myself over to it.
Okay then... enough ranting.
Today I rearranged the living room. We are getting a pellet stove by the end of the month and we have to do some work to the living room before we get it. We know where we want it and we are going to put a small tiled platform down and carry the tiles up the wall part way before having some decorative tile border the whole thing topping it off with a shelf on top. In stead of a few spots of tile in the design, we are considering using our collected seaglass and pottery to fill the space and really make the look our own. I'm not sure yet. In some ways I want to go artsy with it, but then again.... there's something to be said for the traditional look as well. Finding just the right tile for the job and at just the right price may be a challenge. The tile job is mine and Chris's birthday present to each other. I sure hope that it will look as good when it is finished as it does in my head. I may go online and try to find a photo or drawing or something of ideas similar to what I want just to have that visual.
Life is busy and hectic and just plain crazy. I've been having a hard time catching my breath. Even now trying to type this I feel like I'm going at top speed. Thoughts are zinging here and there. The to do list is on overload. Well??? so what else is new, right??? :) I know when winter rears it's ugly head things will begin to slow down. I just hope at this point that I have enough energy to get there!!!!!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
End of Summer Vacation
I know that probably most schools have opened their doors and classes are back in session. After getting out so late this past year, one would think that maybe our school district would start a little earlier-- like all the other districts around us have. But, of course not. Well, hopefully there is that unforeseen reason for everything. The girls start their first day of school tomorrow.
As a parent, of course I hope that they have had a good vacation. I admit that we probably didn't to half of what we had planned in the beginning of the summer, but well.... go with the flow I guess. A few weeks ago we spend a week in Rhode Island with extended family. Day excursions included seeing some of the Newport mansions as well as visiting Sturbridge village. Talk about both ends of the spectrum! :)
I've been trying to make the girls last week a fun one. From horse back riding to beach time to just simple crafts and whatnot around the house I know that I at least have really enjoyed the past week. I admit- I am looking forward to upcoming alone time. Of course, during the fall season I plan to spend a great deal of time at the barns. Yes, barn with a plural s. This past summer has been a bit of an eye opener for me. I'd discovered that my MiL and I really do seem to have some different views on what I feel are basic fundamental principles. I don't feel completely comfortable anymore in the barn, yet I've made such a connection with Sassy and Cinnamon that I can't break the tie completely. I'm not sure quite what the future hold for me there.
However, I have been able to reconnect with the wonderful woman who first opened her barn doors to me and as a complete "newbie" let me learn and interact with her horses. I love working with her. She allows me to do my own thing in my own time frame. If she wants to try something with a horse and I'm just not feeling comfortable with it, I can tell her and it's no problem whatsoever. I feel extremely comfortable around her and it's been so wonderful going over there and actually riding! She has been working with her Friesian for 12 years now and this past year her horse has grown in leaps and bounds. I've been able to ride him which is helping me get my confidence and balance in the saddle. She also has a little spitfire yearling and together we have started doing some work with her, too. I have to be careful. I think I could fall in love with this little filly. I don't want to because I could find myself in the same situation as I am in now with Sassy, but still.... I could.
We are definitely seeing signs of the autumn season upon us. Some of the swamp maples all ready have a few red branches mingling with the green. We are in the process now of winterizing the house. Nights drop down into the 50's and the day time hours, if sunny can still reach 70's maybe low 80's. Not QUITE sweater season, but I've noticed over the past two weeks that the tank tops I usually wear during the summer are being pushed aside for t-shirts, even long sleeved ones on some days.
I do hope with less active seasons nearing that I am going to have more time to do some blogging. True, this place doesn't still feel like home, but I hope over time it will feel less like a hotel and more comfortable. Maybe I just haven't given it much of a chance. I will admit I've been journaling a lot more than blogging. Swearing and throwing a temper tantrum in a journal is a little less daunting that throwing it out for the whole wide world to ponder. tee hee.... I also want to figure out how to get my own photos on here. I admit, I really haven't taken much time to learn the ins and outs of this site. Maybe I'll make it a goal or project over the winter time to do so... we'll see...
Anywhoo... it did feel good to come back and check in with Wandering Through the Fire. I should not put it off for so long!!!
Cheers!! :)
As a parent, of course I hope that they have had a good vacation. I admit that we probably didn't to half of what we had planned in the beginning of the summer, but well.... go with the flow I guess. A few weeks ago we spend a week in Rhode Island with extended family. Day excursions included seeing some of the Newport mansions as well as visiting Sturbridge village. Talk about both ends of the spectrum! :)
I've been trying to make the girls last week a fun one. From horse back riding to beach time to just simple crafts and whatnot around the house I know that I at least have really enjoyed the past week. I admit- I am looking forward to upcoming alone time. Of course, during the fall season I plan to spend a great deal of time at the barns. Yes, barn with a plural s. This past summer has been a bit of an eye opener for me. I'd discovered that my MiL and I really do seem to have some different views on what I feel are basic fundamental principles. I don't feel completely comfortable anymore in the barn, yet I've made such a connection with Sassy and Cinnamon that I can't break the tie completely. I'm not sure quite what the future hold for me there.
However, I have been able to reconnect with the wonderful woman who first opened her barn doors to me and as a complete "newbie" let me learn and interact with her horses. I love working with her. She allows me to do my own thing in my own time frame. If she wants to try something with a horse and I'm just not feeling comfortable with it, I can tell her and it's no problem whatsoever. I feel extremely comfortable around her and it's been so wonderful going over there and actually riding! She has been working with her Friesian for 12 years now and this past year her horse has grown in leaps and bounds. I've been able to ride him which is helping me get my confidence and balance in the saddle. She also has a little spitfire yearling and together we have started doing some work with her, too. I have to be careful. I think I could fall in love with this little filly. I don't want to because I could find myself in the same situation as I am in now with Sassy, but still.... I could.
We are definitely seeing signs of the autumn season upon us. Some of the swamp maples all ready have a few red branches mingling with the green. We are in the process now of winterizing the house. Nights drop down into the 50's and the day time hours, if sunny can still reach 70's maybe low 80's. Not QUITE sweater season, but I've noticed over the past two weeks that the tank tops I usually wear during the summer are being pushed aside for t-shirts, even long sleeved ones on some days.
I do hope with less active seasons nearing that I am going to have more time to do some blogging. True, this place doesn't still feel like home, but I hope over time it will feel less like a hotel and more comfortable. Maybe I just haven't given it much of a chance. I will admit I've been journaling a lot more than blogging. Swearing and throwing a temper tantrum in a journal is a little less daunting that throwing it out for the whole wide world to ponder. tee hee.... I also want to figure out how to get my own photos on here. I admit, I really haven't taken much time to learn the ins and outs of this site. Maybe I'll make it a goal or project over the winter time to do so... we'll see...
Anywhoo... it did feel good to come back and check in with Wandering Through the Fire. I should not put it off for so long!!!
Cheers!! :)
Friday, July 8, 2011
Just plain craziness
So the other morning I woke my daughters up as we had an appointment and Monkey grumbled a bit and she sat up and looked at me with the most mournful expression and said, "This is just horrible. My summer isn't going AT ALL like I had planned...." :) And I understand. I wanted to say "Mine either, sweetie!"
It's really been one thing after another. Our summer feels nearly gone even though it's not quite half over. Chris and I did take the last weekend in June and dropped the girls off for an over night with their grandparents. We had big plans, but ended up just doing a little window shopping before being so tired and wanting to come home.
The girls were very excited for the 4th of July this year. Their enthusiasm caught on and we bought a few decorations for the outside of the house. Chris spent the Saturday before working really hard in the yard and it still looks great.
Because last week was filled with all sorts of things going on, I got my work hours in by going from 6-10 at night. Really messed up my "internal clock" but hopefully by next week a schedule will begin to smooth. I have my mom coming one day a week, my mother in law is watching the girls another day and the 3rd day I either have to get my hours in here at home or I'll be doing another evening at work.
It's interesting. When we first moved out of the house last April we were told not to worry about cleaning and that we could even take our time getting the rest of our things out because nothing was going to happen to the house until late autumn. And then, the plans were only to gut it out as my in-laws have ideas for what they want to do with the space. Then a few weeks ago, they decided they really wanted the space in the basement so could we just start moving things from the basement up at least to the living room. Okay.
Tuesday we found out that a member of the family is needing a place to stay so my in-laws offered him use of the house. He is arriving..... this weekend. It was agreed upon that we can still use the girls room for storage, but he'll have the rest of the place.
I understand that things come up. Truly I do. However, wow... what an inconvenience for us. I was supposed to work yesterday but instead I found myself at the other house for over 6 hours. The bedroom is all cleaned and ready. The bathroom is as sparkly as it can be (cleaning without hot water as it was turned off froze my hand a bit, but the weather has been hot and humid lately so it wasn't as bad as it could have been), the kitchen cupboards and appliances (we WERE supposed to get the stove but I don't know now...) have all been cleaned. Most of the living room was done yesterday, too. AND.... because I wasn't sure how it was going to work to bring things up from the basement and store in the back bedroom, over half the stored items in the basement have either come here or are up in the "storage" bedroom.
My thoughts about this are really jumbled. I'm truly happy that our cousin is going to be in the area, at least for the summer if not longer. He's going through some rough times and a change of scenery for him hopefully will do the trick. He's such a great person. I'm glad that there is a place for him to go where he can be with family as he wants but will also be able to have his own space, too. It's just hard for me to be told and to expect one thing and then to have to completely change gears suddenly. If I wasn't told so abruptly and matter of fact by my MiL, would this have felt differently? Am I only being selfish and thinking of my own agenda? Maybe I'm just way too ultra-sensitive for my own good. Time to chalk this up to an "It's just life" situation and move on.
Well, I certainly hadn't thought to let that all out when I sat down to the computer. I was just going to run through an outline of life's happenings and be off once again. I have to get down to tend the horses and then it's back to finishing up the house. And do laundry, and make sure the girls get done what they need to... and go to the store and... Okay.. let's just leave it at that....
Until next time... Cheers!
It's really been one thing after another. Our summer feels nearly gone even though it's not quite half over. Chris and I did take the last weekend in June and dropped the girls off for an over night with their grandparents. We had big plans, but ended up just doing a little window shopping before being so tired and wanting to come home.
The girls were very excited for the 4th of July this year. Their enthusiasm caught on and we bought a few decorations for the outside of the house. Chris spent the Saturday before working really hard in the yard and it still looks great.
Because last week was filled with all sorts of things going on, I got my work hours in by going from 6-10 at night. Really messed up my "internal clock" but hopefully by next week a schedule will begin to smooth. I have my mom coming one day a week, my mother in law is watching the girls another day and the 3rd day I either have to get my hours in here at home or I'll be doing another evening at work.
It's interesting. When we first moved out of the house last April we were told not to worry about cleaning and that we could even take our time getting the rest of our things out because nothing was going to happen to the house until late autumn. And then, the plans were only to gut it out as my in-laws have ideas for what they want to do with the space. Then a few weeks ago, they decided they really wanted the space in the basement so could we just start moving things from the basement up at least to the living room. Okay.
Tuesday we found out that a member of the family is needing a place to stay so my in-laws offered him use of the house. He is arriving..... this weekend. It was agreed upon that we can still use the girls room for storage, but he'll have the rest of the place.
I understand that things come up. Truly I do. However, wow... what an inconvenience for us. I was supposed to work yesterday but instead I found myself at the other house for over 6 hours. The bedroom is all cleaned and ready. The bathroom is as sparkly as it can be (cleaning without hot water as it was turned off froze my hand a bit, but the weather has been hot and humid lately so it wasn't as bad as it could have been), the kitchen cupboards and appliances (we WERE supposed to get the stove but I don't know now...) have all been cleaned. Most of the living room was done yesterday, too. AND.... because I wasn't sure how it was going to work to bring things up from the basement and store in the back bedroom, over half the stored items in the basement have either come here or are up in the "storage" bedroom.
My thoughts about this are really jumbled. I'm truly happy that our cousin is going to be in the area, at least for the summer if not longer. He's going through some rough times and a change of scenery for him hopefully will do the trick. He's such a great person. I'm glad that there is a place for him to go where he can be with family as he wants but will also be able to have his own space, too. It's just hard for me to be told and to expect one thing and then to have to completely change gears suddenly. If I wasn't told so abruptly and matter of fact by my MiL, would this have felt differently? Am I only being selfish and thinking of my own agenda? Maybe I'm just way too ultra-sensitive for my own good. Time to chalk this up to an "It's just life" situation and move on.
Well, I certainly hadn't thought to let that all out when I sat down to the computer. I was just going to run through an outline of life's happenings and be off once again. I have to get down to tend the horses and then it's back to finishing up the house. And do laundry, and make sure the girls get done what they need to... and go to the store and... Okay.. let's just leave it at that....
Until next time... Cheers!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Now where was I?
Where to begin???
Well... for starters, we had a super long week last week. Chris's grandmother, whom I have referred to in previous blog posts as Mema, became seriously ill and after 3 days of fighting, she finally decided it was her time to end her journey here and pass on to some other new adventure. Mema had been dealing with Alzheimer's for at least 12 to 15 years. Chris and I both agree that when Mepa passed on in 2007, the anchor's rope that kept Mema somewhat grounded with us quickly unraveled. Even in a week, we could see differences. Once she moved into an Alzheimer's Care Unit, the Mema in our memories didn't match this look like in front of our eyes. And .... that's the nature of the disease, I guess....
It took a few months from Mepa's passing to Mema moving into her new placement. Until then, she stayed with MomC and Papa. I remember shortly before she left, she was sitting on her living room couch and I went in to sit with her. I told her how much she meant to me and said what I really needed to say. She sort of looked at me, then began laughing as if I had told her a great joke and changed the subject. And that was okay. I hadn't realized it until now, but Chris had also done the same thing at one point. In some ways we've all ready mourned our loss of her in our lives and the memorial service which is scheduled for Thursday (to give out of state family an opportunity to come) will just sort of tie the ends together for us.
Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to attend!!! My mother has some medical testing that she can't reschedule and early on I agreed to take her. Perhaps she could have found someone else, but I really feel I need to be with her. Well.... at this point physically I will be with her but emotionally I will be with Chris and the girls. Since it's just a memorial service, we thought it would be okay for the twinadoes at age 7 to attend as well. That's the age Pumpkin was when she attended Mepa's.
As with every life changing moment, there's a jumble of emotions but eventually it will get all worked out.
Tomorrow (finally!) is the last day of school. What a long year the girls have had. We had such crazy snow storms this past year that the school year had to go extra days in the end. Of course, now my work schedule is going to become VERY crazy. I've asked my mom and she's agreed to be here one day a week. I've asked MomC, but she never EXACTLY gave me a definite answer just a "I'll see what I can do..." So, who exactly knows about my second day of work, and my third day, I can save my paperwork to either work here at home or I'll go into the office after hours. I see myself getting more done that way. Depending on what happens, I'll spend 2 days at the office after hours and then when my Mom is here on Monday, I'll get as many hours in then as I can. It'll all work, it's just that right now without concrete plans, I'm... er... okay fine... perhaps I am sort of dwelling on it.
I don't know.... I woke up this morning feeling ill at ease. As the day has gone on, I feel as if I am about ready to jump out of my skin. It's as if the slightest thing might set me off and there's a lot of deep breathing and trying to hold onto myself going on. It's only slightly after 4 and I'm hoping that perhaps a glass of wine will help. Hey... it's always 5pm somewhere.... (family joke from way back... :) ) I was hoping that by blogging the light bulb would go on in my brain and I'd figure out. ..... ..... Well... nothing yet.. :)
It could be a very long summer this year. The girls fight so DAMN much!!!! Now, I know I fought with my sister, but it wasn't constant. We did have moments where we either just left each other alone or... low and behold actually spoke kindly to each other. There's a theory that kids 3 years apart just can't seem to get along. Chris and his younger brother ~three years apart~ often fought like mad to the point of fists flying and all. Of course, Pumpkin and the twinadoes have the three year span and this is ABSOLUTELY nuts. Plus... I've tried to get Pumpkin involved with summer camps and activities this year.... she has NO interest. WTHeck??? Yet, I don't want to force her. I'd love to find something around here for the younger two as well but, wellll... this is one of those instances where rural living isn't much of a benefit.
hmmmm.... I know one thing that may be of help to me. I have been trying to exercise regularly. With the arrival of the treadmill, I have been using it most days. I really want to get into better shape. Not for any particular reason... just it's something I want to do. Later this summer we will be going on vacation with the family and I want to be in good shape to be able to do all the activities and not feel tired and winded. Not that I would even now, but again... it's something that has gotten stuck in my head. Plus, if we have the treadmill here to begin with, why not use it??? This morning I didn't use it because I went down to the horses early. MomC and Papa have been sending the horses out into the field late in the morning through the afternoon and there's been little contact with them lately. I got there really early and had a fun time grooming Sassy and Cinnamon and just being amongst the herd itself. Dutch had this thing about sniffing my hair today. I mean... constant hair sniffing.... I kept trying to "explain" a little went a long way... but he can be a pretty focused horse sometimes. I was glad when he stayed in the barn with Sassy so I could groom Cinnamon in the turn out without the two boys "fighting" and just being goofy in general.
So... I guess that's it for now. My mind is beginning to draw a blank. Plus, Monkey keeps coming over to read over my shoulder... :/.... Takes way from the flow of words from brain to keyboard to keep having to ask her to go find something else to do for now.
Okay... long summer perhaps in so many ways..... But... at least it's finally SUMMER and although people are saying it won't be that great of one, today it's sunny, breezy and high 70's... AWESOME!!!!
Well... for starters, we had a super long week last week. Chris's grandmother, whom I have referred to in previous blog posts as Mema, became seriously ill and after 3 days of fighting, she finally decided it was her time to end her journey here and pass on to some other new adventure. Mema had been dealing with Alzheimer's for at least 12 to 15 years. Chris and I both agree that when Mepa passed on in 2007, the anchor's rope that kept Mema somewhat grounded with us quickly unraveled. Even in a week, we could see differences. Once she moved into an Alzheimer's Care Unit, the Mema in our memories didn't match this look like in front of our eyes. And .... that's the nature of the disease, I guess....
It took a few months from Mepa's passing to Mema moving into her new placement. Until then, she stayed with MomC and Papa. I remember shortly before she left, she was sitting on her living room couch and I went in to sit with her. I told her how much she meant to me and said what I really needed to say. She sort of looked at me, then began laughing as if I had told her a great joke and changed the subject. And that was okay. I hadn't realized it until now, but Chris had also done the same thing at one point. In some ways we've all ready mourned our loss of her in our lives and the memorial service which is scheduled for Thursday (to give out of state family an opportunity to come) will just sort of tie the ends together for us.
Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to attend!!! My mother has some medical testing that she can't reschedule and early on I agreed to take her. Perhaps she could have found someone else, but I really feel I need to be with her. Well.... at this point physically I will be with her but emotionally I will be with Chris and the girls. Since it's just a memorial service, we thought it would be okay for the twinadoes at age 7 to attend as well. That's the age Pumpkin was when she attended Mepa's.
As with every life changing moment, there's a jumble of emotions but eventually it will get all worked out.
Tomorrow (finally!) is the last day of school. What a long year the girls have had. We had such crazy snow storms this past year that the school year had to go extra days in the end. Of course, now my work schedule is going to become VERY crazy. I've asked my mom and she's agreed to be here one day a week. I've asked MomC, but she never EXACTLY gave me a definite answer just a "I'll see what I can do..." So, who exactly knows about my second day of work, and my third day, I can save my paperwork to either work here at home or I'll go into the office after hours. I see myself getting more done that way. Depending on what happens, I'll spend 2 days at the office after hours and then when my Mom is here on Monday, I'll get as many hours in then as I can. It'll all work, it's just that right now without concrete plans, I'm... er... okay fine... perhaps I am sort of dwelling on it.
I don't know.... I woke up this morning feeling ill at ease. As the day has gone on, I feel as if I am about ready to jump out of my skin. It's as if the slightest thing might set me off and there's a lot of deep breathing and trying to hold onto myself going on. It's only slightly after 4 and I'm hoping that perhaps a glass of wine will help. Hey... it's always 5pm somewhere.... (family joke from way back... :) ) I was hoping that by blogging the light bulb would go on in my brain and I'd figure out. ..... ..... Well... nothing yet.. :)
It could be a very long summer this year. The girls fight so DAMN much!!!! Now, I know I fought with my sister, but it wasn't constant. We did have moments where we either just left each other alone or... low and behold actually spoke kindly to each other. There's a theory that kids 3 years apart just can't seem to get along. Chris and his younger brother ~three years apart~ often fought like mad to the point of fists flying and all. Of course, Pumpkin and the twinadoes have the three year span and this is ABSOLUTELY nuts. Plus... I've tried to get Pumpkin involved with summer camps and activities this year.... she has NO interest. WTHeck??? Yet, I don't want to force her. I'd love to find something around here for the younger two as well but, wellll... this is one of those instances where rural living isn't much of a benefit.
hmmmm.... I know one thing that may be of help to me. I have been trying to exercise regularly. With the arrival of the treadmill, I have been using it most days. I really want to get into better shape. Not for any particular reason... just it's something I want to do. Later this summer we will be going on vacation with the family and I want to be in good shape to be able to do all the activities and not feel tired and winded. Not that I would even now, but again... it's something that has gotten stuck in my head. Plus, if we have the treadmill here to begin with, why not use it??? This morning I didn't use it because I went down to the horses early. MomC and Papa have been sending the horses out into the field late in the morning through the afternoon and there's been little contact with them lately. I got there really early and had a fun time grooming Sassy and Cinnamon and just being amongst the herd itself. Dutch had this thing about sniffing my hair today. I mean... constant hair sniffing.... I kept trying to "explain" a little went a long way... but he can be a pretty focused horse sometimes. I was glad when he stayed in the barn with Sassy so I could groom Cinnamon in the turn out without the two boys "fighting" and just being goofy in general.
So... I guess that's it for now. My mind is beginning to draw a blank. Plus, Monkey keeps coming over to read over my shoulder... :/.... Takes way from the flow of words from brain to keyboard to keep having to ask her to go find something else to do for now.
Okay... long summer perhaps in so many ways..... But... at least it's finally SUMMER and although people are saying it won't be that great of one, today it's sunny, breezy and high 70's... AWESOME!!!!
*graphic courtesy of Photobucket
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
No time to Play...
I don't know WHAT'S going on, but things have been so busy and hectic around here.... Work has been absolutely insane getting therapy plans out and into the State for funding purposes. It's a little frustrating because when my new co-worker came on board, I mentioned, even gave a list of when the plans were due. Suddenly, plans were on the verge of running out. Once the date is past, work with the client has to stop which means upset parents as well as upset workers.
In the past week and a half I've scrambled to put together 7 pre-meeting packets. Then my co-worker takes them, does the actual team meeting, finalizes the packet and gives it back to me for distribution. It's a lot of paperwork to shuffle around and signature page 1 may have to go to everyone, but only section 3 goes to the case manager, the guardians only receive sections 1 through 3, and a copy of release forms. State funding needs sections 1-4 and also a copy of the psychological to prove that the client needs such services to begin with. And... I need a full copy of everything to put in each client's case management books.
When the cycle is spread out throughout the year it's not so bad. This though... ridiculous! And the thing is... the chaos of the past week could have been prevented. I never know quite what to do in those situations. I verbally reminded both my MiL (who runs the entire program) and my new co-worker well over a month ago that things were coming due. The co-worker (who is new within the past 2 months) whose actual job it is to make sure these are done also received the written list I gave her. When a week went by and nothing happened. Finally I did start making a little more noise about it and suddenly things started kicking into place. She did say she DOESN'T want to be doing that again so hopefully it will all even out. Only.... now that these past 7 meetings were held in May, there will be 7 quarterly reports due the same time, 7 six month reports due at the same time and so on. Bleck.... Well, at least now I know that it is coming.
Around the house, we are trying to make a plan of attack for the winter. May sound a little weird, but we all ready know some of the projects we have to tackle. This house is COLD! (I'm sure I've mentioned that before....) Slowly we are going to start getting replacement windows in here. The materials the former owners used to back around the cellar is all falling apart, plaster in the ell is coming down so we can insulate in there. Chris really doesn't want to spend the time on a garden, but I'm being a little persistent about it. It doesn't have to be anything big... yet he can't seem to get the tiller going and he really doesn't want to take the time to do it in the first place. But he will... I'm determined even though I'm walking the balance between nagging and er... not nagging. :) There's other outside work to be done as well. There's a tree that rests on the power lines. It's not really very pretty either so it will eventually come down over the summer. One of our flowering bushes isn't doing so well so we are going to SERIOUSLY cut it back nearly to the ground. It's one that quickly grows back and although it might not flower next year, it barely did this year so I think whatever we do to it in the end won't hurt. Unfortunately, the birds love to sit in that bush. Perhaps if we move the feeders closer to the lilac bushes they will continue to come over the winter... We'll just see...
Look at the time. I was supposed to be down taking care of the horses half an hour ago! Life could slow down a little.... I certainly wouldn't mind!!!!
Hope you all are staying cool. While watching the weather report it was mentioned that some parts of the US were having such massive heat waves. The heat isn't really reaching this part of Maine, sorry to say. Okay... I'd hate to have it too hot, but the house temp is still only reading 63. Sigh..... oh 70-low 80's weather... you could stay for a nice visit.... I certainly won't mind!!! We are getting more sun these days, but at night the furnace still kicks on!!! It's crazy!
And with that.... Cheers!
In the past week and a half I've scrambled to put together 7 pre-meeting packets. Then my co-worker takes them, does the actual team meeting, finalizes the packet and gives it back to me for distribution. It's a lot of paperwork to shuffle around and signature page 1 may have to go to everyone, but only section 3 goes to the case manager, the guardians only receive sections 1 through 3, and a copy of release forms. State funding needs sections 1-4 and also a copy of the psychological to prove that the client needs such services to begin with. And... I need a full copy of everything to put in each client's case management books.
When the cycle is spread out throughout the year it's not so bad. This though... ridiculous! And the thing is... the chaos of the past week could have been prevented. I never know quite what to do in those situations. I verbally reminded both my MiL (who runs the entire program) and my new co-worker well over a month ago that things were coming due. The co-worker (who is new within the past 2 months) whose actual job it is to make sure these are done also received the written list I gave her. When a week went by and nothing happened. Finally I did start making a little more noise about it and suddenly things started kicking into place. She did say she DOESN'T want to be doing that again so hopefully it will all even out. Only.... now that these past 7 meetings were held in May, there will be 7 quarterly reports due the same time, 7 six month reports due at the same time and so on. Bleck.... Well, at least now I know that it is coming.
Around the house, we are trying to make a plan of attack for the winter. May sound a little weird, but we all ready know some of the projects we have to tackle. This house is COLD! (I'm sure I've mentioned that before....) Slowly we are going to start getting replacement windows in here. The materials the former owners used to back around the cellar is all falling apart, plaster in the ell is coming down so we can insulate in there. Chris really doesn't want to spend the time on a garden, but I'm being a little persistent about it. It doesn't have to be anything big... yet he can't seem to get the tiller going and he really doesn't want to take the time to do it in the first place. But he will... I'm determined even though I'm walking the balance between nagging and er... not nagging. :) There's other outside work to be done as well. There's a tree that rests on the power lines. It's not really very pretty either so it will eventually come down over the summer. One of our flowering bushes isn't doing so well so we are going to SERIOUSLY cut it back nearly to the ground. It's one that quickly grows back and although it might not flower next year, it barely did this year so I think whatever we do to it in the end won't hurt. Unfortunately, the birds love to sit in that bush. Perhaps if we move the feeders closer to the lilac bushes they will continue to come over the winter... We'll just see...
Look at the time. I was supposed to be down taking care of the horses half an hour ago! Life could slow down a little.... I certainly wouldn't mind!!!!
Hope you all are staying cool. While watching the weather report it was mentioned that some parts of the US were having such massive heat waves. The heat isn't really reaching this part of Maine, sorry to say. Okay... I'd hate to have it too hot, but the house temp is still only reading 63. Sigh..... oh 70-low 80's weather... you could stay for a nice visit.... I certainly won't mind!!! We are getting more sun these days, but at night the furnace still kicks on!!! It's crazy!
And with that.... Cheers!
*image courtesy of Photobucket
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Its Good? It's Bad? Its???
Well, looks like I'm home... again... sigh. I don't know what's going on but last night Monkey came down with a fever. It seems to be gone today, but now we are dealing with diarrhea. Well, hopefully not anymore. I hate to give my kids anything I consider "harsh" in terms of medicine, but at this point, I REALLY NEED this kid to start getting better. If she had continued with the fever or had started vomiting we would have been off to the dr's. And, I'm supposed to go to work today. I'll have to in after hours now. Not that I really mind, I suppose.
This morning as I was doing things around the house, the oddest thought came to mind. "I wish I could just be a stay at home mom once again." Huh? What? But I really like my job. We NEED my income. Hey... I like what I do.
"But..." the voice continues on, "If you didn't work you could focus on home things again. Find and get back to what you really want to be doing. Work doesn't fulfill your soul, only your wallet."
Ouch. I have NO idea where this voice came from. I was a stay at home mom for awhile. I don't think I took real advantage of it, though. At the same time, maybe I had to work through "things" and I did what I needed to do to get me where I am today. Which is travel back in time to 3 years ago minus the depression??? ...... :) Sarcasm. Such a wonderful thing at times.
So, I don't know. The conversation with myself is sort of bugging me today. It popped out of no where but really stuck. It's probably because I don't really know what I'm supposed to DO with it. I'm sure a lot of people would like to stay at home, but that doesn't mean that they can. Just like I can't. My paycheck pays the mortgage. Chris's check pays the rest. We can't do with just one. I guess I don't know how to accomplish what my soul desires and still work, be a mom, and all the other roles I'm supposed to fill.
I'm confused. I'm perplexed.... I'm in a pondering mood....
This morning as I was doing things around the house, the oddest thought came to mind. "I wish I could just be a stay at home mom once again." Huh? What? But I really like my job. We NEED my income. Hey... I like what I do.
"But..." the voice continues on, "If you didn't work you could focus on home things again. Find and get back to what you really want to be doing. Work doesn't fulfill your soul, only your wallet."
Ouch. I have NO idea where this voice came from. I was a stay at home mom for awhile. I don't think I took real advantage of it, though. At the same time, maybe I had to work through "things" and I did what I needed to do to get me where I am today. Which is travel back in time to 3 years ago minus the depression??? ...... :) Sarcasm. Such a wonderful thing at times.
So, I don't know. The conversation with myself is sort of bugging me today. It popped out of no where but really stuck. It's probably because I don't really know what I'm supposed to DO with it. I'm sure a lot of people would like to stay at home, but that doesn't mean that they can. Just like I can't. My paycheck pays the mortgage. Chris's check pays the rest. We can't do with just one. I guess I don't know how to accomplish what my soul desires and still work, be a mom, and all the other roles I'm supposed to fill.
I'm confused. I'm perplexed.... I'm in a pondering mood....
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A Million Bucks
I'm home today with my silly Monkey who thought it was a good idea to get the flu.... :( Actually, yesterday was her worst day. She couldn't keep a thing in her stomach all day long. Fortunately, her stomach settled last night and today we're just trying to get her back on track.
I can deal with Chris getting sick and of course other adults in my life being ill. I can tolerate Pumpkin getting sick. I mean, it's certainly not pleasant and I worry about her, however I deal okay with it. If either of the twinadoes get sick... I have the hardest time dealing with it. I get very worried and have a hard time calming my feelings so I can do what I have to in a way that won't make them see I'm worried. I was trying to figure it out yesterday as I kept myself busy with silly little things. (My sock drawer is now color coordinated!!!) I wonder if it's because even though they are 7, they are still my youngest, my "babies"....
This weather... this weather is driving me crazy. Lets see.... Sunday afternoon we had partial to mostly sun. It was the first sun we'd seen in over 10 days. An afternoon of sun and then it's back to cold and raw and dampness. This house is SO cold... In the evening after the girls go to bed, Chris and I wrap blankets around us if we are going to relax and watch TV or read a book or whatnot. I'm still wearing long sleeve shirts and winter sweaters. I haven't a clue as to what I'm going to do when winter actually gets here.... We've all ready agreed that we have to put plastic over the windows. Since the ell isn't insulated at all, the wall that attaches it to the house ... we'll be taking the plaster down out there, fixing the wiring, putting in heavy duty insulation there and then redoing the wall. We have to do the same with the ceiling because part of Pumpkin's room is above the ell.
The furnace really isn't that old... Replaced in 2003 I think??? Although the listing for this place said the house was insulated, I wonder how old the insulation is.... as in.. perhaps the mice have all carried it all off and have nice warm homes of their own??? :) Either that or the furnace is REALLY inefficient... It stinks that our home owners insurance won't provide said insurance if we put in a wood stove. Too much of a fire hazard, they say. :| boo hoo!!! As far as we can tell, a pellet stove is our next best option. That's all some people use around here to heat their entire house. We are doing our best to save for one, however.... vehicle registration, new brakes for the car, tires for the van, something as simple as a lawn mower, unexpected surprises during renovation, and the fact that oil IS so very expensive and we are having such cold weather keeps the "pellet stove fund" small.
I suppose I could look at the weather this way: Although the roof was redone in 2006, they must have used super cheap shingles. This rainy weather has given us the opportunity to know exactly where the leaks are in the house. ... grumble, grumble....
Okay... I know, I know. I really do understand that when you buy an old house, things like this happen. I've never heard of anyone buying an older fixer upper house and having it be perfect within 4 months.... :) We went from a 10 year old house to a 100+ one. I think the other house spoiled us horribly. Warmth ACTUALLY STAYED IN that house!!! We really are trying to focus first on what needs to be done for comfort, etc. rather than decor and whatnot... It's so hard for me though! I want curtains and flower gardens and braided rugs and a small wooden bench to put the phone on instead of a plastic tote, new bedding, and 2 working light fixtures one in the front hallway and the other in the back side of the living room and... hmmm... you get the idea.
Because I can't do as I want in the house, I was hoping to put some of my energy into starting a garden. Even people from the area have mentioned that the previous owners had good success with one. I admit, when Chris first told me where the garden was, I said, "THAT'S the garden??? I thought they were slowly building a rocky road towards the back of the property..." :) ummm... yeah. Okay, well... I was hoping that I wouldn't have to do too much money wise to start the garden. (eventually I would love all raised beds...) Because of the weather, we have standing puddles still in the garden. It's a mucky mess, rocks and all. From what other gardeners in the area says, the season can still be saved, but we really need some sun to dry things out so seeds and plants won't rot in the ground. Many people around here have green houses and start seeds in there and once the June full moon has passed (a near sign that there won't be any more frosts for a few months) put the seedlings in the ground.
Papa told us that we could have his greenhouse kit!!! The plastic blew off during a winter storm this past year, but if we still wanted it, he'd give it to us. He doesn't have any time this year or even the next to devote to gardening. We don't have the greenhouse yet this year. Probably won't be starting seeds in there... but I wonder if we got some late producing veggies if the greenhouse would work for that.... doesn't hurt to dream.
anyway... will all that has to happen, that I wish COULD happen, we'd need a million bucks. Again... sigh... it doesn't hurt to dream.... :)
I can deal with Chris getting sick and of course other adults in my life being ill. I can tolerate Pumpkin getting sick. I mean, it's certainly not pleasant and I worry about her, however I deal okay with it. If either of the twinadoes get sick... I have the hardest time dealing with it. I get very worried and have a hard time calming my feelings so I can do what I have to in a way that won't make them see I'm worried. I was trying to figure it out yesterday as I kept myself busy with silly little things. (My sock drawer is now color coordinated!!!) I wonder if it's because even though they are 7, they are still my youngest, my "babies"....
This weather... this weather is driving me crazy. Lets see.... Sunday afternoon we had partial to mostly sun. It was the first sun we'd seen in over 10 days. An afternoon of sun and then it's back to cold and raw and dampness. This house is SO cold... In the evening after the girls go to bed, Chris and I wrap blankets around us if we are going to relax and watch TV or read a book or whatnot. I'm still wearing long sleeve shirts and winter sweaters. I haven't a clue as to what I'm going to do when winter actually gets here.... We've all ready agreed that we have to put plastic over the windows. Since the ell isn't insulated at all, the wall that attaches it to the house ... we'll be taking the plaster down out there, fixing the wiring, putting in heavy duty insulation there and then redoing the wall. We have to do the same with the ceiling because part of Pumpkin's room is above the ell.
The furnace really isn't that old... Replaced in 2003 I think??? Although the listing for this place said the house was insulated, I wonder how old the insulation is.... as in.. perhaps the mice have all carried it all off and have nice warm homes of their own??? :) Either that or the furnace is REALLY inefficient... It stinks that our home owners insurance won't provide said insurance if we put in a wood stove. Too much of a fire hazard, they say. :| boo hoo!!! As far as we can tell, a pellet stove is our next best option. That's all some people use around here to heat their entire house. We are doing our best to save for one, however.... vehicle registration, new brakes for the car, tires for the van, something as simple as a lawn mower, unexpected surprises during renovation, and the fact that oil IS so very expensive and we are having such cold weather keeps the "pellet stove fund" small.
I suppose I could look at the weather this way: Although the roof was redone in 2006, they must have used super cheap shingles. This rainy weather has given us the opportunity to know exactly where the leaks are in the house. ... grumble, grumble....
Okay... I know, I know. I really do understand that when you buy an old house, things like this happen. I've never heard of anyone buying an older fixer upper house and having it be perfect within 4 months.... :) We went from a 10 year old house to a 100+ one. I think the other house spoiled us horribly. Warmth ACTUALLY STAYED IN that house!!! We really are trying to focus first on what needs to be done for comfort, etc. rather than decor and whatnot... It's so hard for me though! I want curtains and flower gardens and braided rugs and a small wooden bench to put the phone on instead of a plastic tote, new bedding, and 2 working light fixtures one in the front hallway and the other in the back side of the living room and... hmmm... you get the idea.
Because I can't do as I want in the house, I was hoping to put some of my energy into starting a garden. Even people from the area have mentioned that the previous owners had good success with one. I admit, when Chris first told me where the garden was, I said, "THAT'S the garden??? I thought they were slowly building a rocky road towards the back of the property..." :) ummm... yeah. Okay, well... I was hoping that I wouldn't have to do too much money wise to start the garden. (eventually I would love all raised beds...) Because of the weather, we have standing puddles still in the garden. It's a mucky mess, rocks and all. From what other gardeners in the area says, the season can still be saved, but we really need some sun to dry things out so seeds and plants won't rot in the ground. Many people around here have green houses and start seeds in there and once the June full moon has passed (a near sign that there won't be any more frosts for a few months) put the seedlings in the ground.
Papa told us that we could have his greenhouse kit!!! The plastic blew off during a winter storm this past year, but if we still wanted it, he'd give it to us. He doesn't have any time this year or even the next to devote to gardening. We don't have the greenhouse yet this year. Probably won't be starting seeds in there... but I wonder if we got some late producing veggies if the greenhouse would work for that.... doesn't hurt to dream.
anyway... will all that has to happen, that I wish COULD happen, we'd need a million bucks. Again... sigh... it doesn't hurt to dream.... :)
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