Productivity!!!

I'm a procrastinator & kind of disorganized (there I said it!) in my personal life. Professionally speaking I'm very organized & get things done quickly when I'm at work. So today I am going to try something again. . . I'm going to STAY FOCUSED on my tasks. So, I will only check my email 3 times today. One is now. . . . so I will check again around noon & again before the kids get off of the bus around 4 ish. . . this will be interesting. . . wish me luck!
So I'm off to make my TO DO list for the day. I need to stick to it. This will be great practice for me when I do some home schooling of the kids this summer (just the summer folks. . .I'm not THAT good that I could do the home schooling thing for the year). We're going to do Spanish (hablo Espanol un pocito) & possibly sign language as well as crafty stuff & we'll squeeze in science & math in a creative way as well. I know, it's ambitious. But I believe I'm up for the challenge. It's going to be fun!

See you later!

It IS FINISHED!!!

Here is the finished bag. I feel pretty good about it. It's super cute. I brought it to work yesterday to get people's reactions & it was a hit. I have several people wanting one. It's funny because one of my coworkers was saying, "Oh, we need to market these. You could make them for craft fairs & I would work your booth for you. . . " Totally hilarious! And do I think I could? Sure. . . now that I've got this one under my belt the difficult part is done. . .the designing that is. Of course, my prototype is being gifted today so I won't have it on hand. . .but I have many pics.

I might get to the tutorial on this within the week so please be patient with me. I have never done a tut so I am not sure how to go about it. Suggestions to where to create it online???
I think if it were for an adult I would make the straps a bit thinner & longer to fit shoulder length. And I may even make the dimensions of the bag part deeper. These will surely be one of a kind bags as there is no way to keep them consistent.

This design needs a name. . . I could call it The Maddie - it's for my niece, Madelyn. Feedback please:)

What kind of Handle??

Here is the exterior body of the bag all put together. This wasn't as difficult as one might think. Then again, I kind of made a boo boo with the flower (note to self, don't apply any embellishments until AFTER sewing parts together). Now I need to figure out what kind of handle/strap to make. Any suggestions? I need to have this finished by Saturday. . .so I'm on time constraints here. I was originally planning to do 2 longer shoulder straps. Now I'm considering 1 longer strap & attaching it across from narrow side to narrow side (do you smell what I'm steppin' in?) Then again, should I do 2 shorter tote type straps?

Putting on the Cape

This summer I will be Super Mom! We're not sending the 6 & 7 year old boys to daycare or summer school this summer. So I decided that we'd do some summer schooling of our own instead. I want them to continue to learn new things & be exposed to new adventures. So I'm planning on making it fun. Ideas??? Well, thanks to my neighbor, I have the idea to teach them (Oh, & learn myself) Sign Language. I think they'll like this (as they already learned a not so nice sign!) & this is something the 2 year old can learn as well. In fact, I think "Silent Moments" could be part of a daily ritual around here & much appreciated for our sanity.

Other ideas include: basic Spanish, gardening, natural resources, underwater basketweaving. . .OK, maybe not that. We will of course continue reading everyday. I think this is fundamental no matter what. But I think I shall put on the cape &, follow me here, schedule our time! Oh NO! What did I just type?? ME, structured with my "FREE TIME?" Never! I'm going to try it. It just might lead to less stress & more stuff getting done. Maybe. . . I'm willing to try.

The little guy is sleeping. . .so I'm going to work on my bag. Hopefully I'll have an update & pics later today:)

Should I departmentalize???

The blog, that is. . . I've been surfing blog wonderland tonight & have seen many different formats. . . I don't really want to have a bunch of separate blogs to address my eclectic life. but I also realize that certain people don't give a hoot about my new obsession with designing bags & God only knows what & on the same note. . .many people don't care to read about the latest issues I'm having trying to balance my boys, career, health, hobbies & the list goes on. .

So I'm sure I'll ponder this in my sleep (if I get to sleep tonight). The boys have been making nightly rendezvous to our bed. . .they don't usually arrive all at once. And they don't usually get escorted back to their own rooms all at once either. We would never be THAT fortunate. It's one at 1:30 AM cuz he's scared. Then it's another one at 3 AM because he needs his "pup" (a.k.a. cup) & then yet the other one because one of the others woke him up in the process of coming or going or he has to pee & feels the need to inform us of the much needed event before, during or after said event. Gotta love boys! I thought this kind of waking every 2 hours bull$#!t was over after infancy! What to Expect When You're Expecting doesn't share with you all of these joys. . .I skipped the sequel. I truly love being a Mom. . really, I do. I am getting OLDER people! I NEED MY SLEEP!!! And yet, given the opportunity to crash early tonight I sit here typing like a mad woman. What? Am I on a mission to take over the Super Woman throne? Yeah, not gonna happen. I am in no way, shape or form Super Mom, Housewife, fill in any domesticated thing a ma jig here that you want. My house is a catastrophe at present time (which, for those who really do know me, will be of no surprise). I have MT. Laundry errupting from just about every laundry basket known to man(if only clean laundry would fold & put itself away). . .plus a laundry room reaching critical mass. My dishes are not done. Dishwasher. . you guessed it. . . clean & not emptied. Bed, - HA! I'm getting back into it anyway. (YUP, Mom & Dad, you wrecked that one for me. I'm rebelling by NOT making it. The only way dust mites die is by exposure to sunlight. . .so that's my story.) I think we have an island in the kitchen as well as a table. . .but I might have to hire someone to find them. I don't know how SAHM's do it! And Single SAHMs. . .They wear the real capes!

Done whining. . .well, I was just stating facts. I know I have to get my crap in order & do it. So, instead of tackling any of these things tonight, I've worn myself out making the list so now I'll go to bed hoping to awaken when the sun rises (NOT BEFORE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE LET ME SLEEP! Well, as long as everyone is OK that is.) Maybe I'm bipolar. . . nah, just PMS.

Progress on Patchwork Raggy Bag

I might have to try my hand on a tutorial after this adventure. I'm taking pics regularly & I'll see. . . but here is some of the progress I made today on my new bag. The first pic is the front side with the bottom/sides just laying together. . .

The other is the front, back & bottom/side attached at just the bottom. Now for the fiddling to get the sides sewn up. . .and then to the lining. I'm impressed thus far. I designed this bag from the workings of my brain. . . so I'm very excited to see it come to life. I need to remember to make the handles yet too! And to sew the pink button onto the flower before putting the lining in.

Stay tuned. . .this has got to be done before Saturday. I'm planning to give it to my 7 year old niece for her birthday.

DAVID COOK!!!! wow

Ok, so I don't normally blog about American Idol. ..but I just watched this on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVAs2zmb0ig&feature=related & if you go watch/listen to it you will most likely agree that this guy is going to do very well in the industry!!!

I'm just in awe. . . go check it out, you know you want to:)

Coming Along

I stayed up LATE last night & went to town on this bag. Wow, Can you say "LINT?" I was covered in white fuzz from the quilting stuff in the middle. I'm recycling for this bag & using a coverlet type quilty thing for the inner fluffy stuff. Did that make ANY sense?
(removed image. . .go so the finished bag:)
I'm excited about this as it takes shape. I still have to figure out how to put it all together & how to do the lining & the zipper. . . maybe I will just do a snap??? We'll see. As it comes together I'm considering this for part of my 7 year old niece's birthday present. I think she'd like it. It's a bit small for an adult sized bag. It will surely be a one of a kind as I'm not following a pattern.
Now to clean up my mess & hopefully get to work on the bag a little more later today.

Buttons, Buttons Everywhere!

Thanks to an idea from Bridget http://bridgetbaxter.blogspot.com/, we now have our own Button System complete with jars & lots of BUTTONS! I still have to make my lists & get them looking cute. I had a blast buying buttons. I got these beauties from Hobby Lobby. While I was there I also found some really cool fabric in the bargain bin & some awesome ribbon (30 yards!) - 16 different pieces (I actually got a bonus yard so it was 31 yards - yay!).

It's AMAZING how motivating this technique has been with my boys. . .especially Spencer who just could not wait to get the jars made. (And I need to add their letters to the jars yet too.) I couldn't get the holes in the lids so I improvised with cut plastic bags & rubberbands for now.

Spencer & Parker are constantly asking, "If I do this. . . does that mean I get more buttons?" For the LOVE, they think they get extra buttons for everything. . .but when they go above & beyond they get more - so that excites the living daylights out of them. Carter, well, he couldn't care less for the most part. . .but he join in anyway.

While I haven't gotten any scrapbooking done, I have done some sewing. Here is my latest endeavor. When finished, it should be a patchwork, raggy edged purse. I do hope it turns out. I plan to try a zipper for the first time too. I know, ambitious. It is once again Winter here in Wisconsin. After one week of Spring, we skipped summer & fall completely & just dove right back into Winter.

So wish me luck with this adventure. I'm not using a pattern so I hope it turns out. I have ideas in this crazy head of mine:) don't you just love the flower & the button? I've been wanting to use that big old flower on something for a long time.

Inspired to Scrap!

I need to get back to my scrapping! My supplies & pictures are just sitting there (many in digital limbo) awaiting my clever hands & mind. Of course, I have a curious & ambitious 2 year old who would love to "help" me create. And I have my lack of motivation lately. . .I think I need to knock that lazy self right off her butt!

I'm reading Body by God right now. . .well, not right this second as I'm typing. But you get the point. . . I will let you know what I think. So far, I've read that there is a difference between inspiration & motivation. I need inspiration first & then will come the motivation. So my inspiration is my kids & wanting to tell our story. Gotta work on the motivation & light that proverbial fire under my butt.

I believe that I need to clear the clutter first! I'm always inspired/motivated when I see those fancy, awesome, cool scrappy spaces like: http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1321279&f=n# & http://www.scrapjazz.com/guides/organization/ so maybe if I can just get organized. . . . HA! How many times have I mentioned THAT??? It is true, clutter in the environment indicates clutter in the mind. . . and less productivity. Of course, I cannot life heavy objects today (excuses, excuses) as I wrenched my back (seriously, I have already gone to the chiropractor today & have another visit Wednesday morning). So, I will do what I can to get the other things done so I can get my crap together this week!

OK, enough whining. . .I must to check on the 2 year old. He is eating his "wunch" right now. I should eat too. . .but my appetite is not so good. (perk to the injury? doubt it! The cookie I ate not too long ago was NOT a good choice!) I will Clear My Clutter!!!! And I'll take before & after pics to prove my journey!

Plastic Packaging!!!!

Plastic packaging. . .you know the type. . . with the heat sealed edges??? Not the SOFT packaging, the hard, cannot rip open type. . . it's royally pissing me off lately. I've incurred multiple cuts to my hands & fingers as a result of trying to open these crazies. I can't take it anymore. I might start a petition. . HA! Or maybe I should sue for physical harm & emotional distress. I mean, really. . . how much protection do these things need? Why not just put a lock & key on them or inbed an ink torpedo in them for anti shoplifting protection?

I digress. . . anyway. I opened the Tag-a-long that I thought was such a screamin' deal from Shopko the other day. I really don't see myself using this much - probably as much as the Quickutz that I have. . . which is just about never. It's all good in theory. . but when you have to cut your paper to that small of a width & mess around with all of the parts. . plus you have to purchase different dies to put through it. I just don't see myself using it. I might have to sell it. I should sell my Quickutz too.

Happy Easter. I need to get to bed. I work Monday & Tuesday. . .so I'll get back here soon.

Today

I'm regretting the GS incident last night. Getting out of bed this morning was NOT an easy task. Now whether that is from the aches in my body from the great Wii workout on Monday or the cookies taking their toll. . .I'm not sure. But either way, it's workout day again! I'm being sidelined slightly by my almost 6 year old, Parker, who is home today not feeling so great. I think he may need a little Mom time more than he's ill. . .but that's OK. Right now he & Carter (2) are watching a Pokemon movie in the living room. That's where the Wii is. . .so I need to occupy myself with other "important" duties like blogging.

I also have to fill out my NWTC application online today. I've kind of been hired already to sub for clinicals in OB - just need to officially apply now. Tee hee. Love the backwardness of it all. I'm excited to do this. Scott is excited because he really wants me to get out of the 12 hour shift work & into teaching somewhere with State benefits. What a dreamer! I'd need to get working on my Master's degree. . . not sure I'm ready for that yet. I love being a labor & delivery nurse. And as long as I get my body back in shape I should be able to perform my duties for quite a while yet. Wouldn't want to get too soft!

Maybe I'll get to work on some of my creations today! I have so many pieces of fabric either in jeans/corduroy form or pieces I've collected. . . they need some sewing action! I also need to alter a couple of tops so that I don't need to keep yanking on them to keep my bra from showing! Oh the joys! Maybe I just need bigger boobs! Ha!

STEP AWAY FROM THE GIRLSCOUT COOKIES!!!

I was doing so well!!!! And then I had to open the freezer. . . . Girlscout Cookies!!!! And not just ANY Girlscout Cookies. . . . Thin Mints!! And they're frozen!!!! Isn't that the only way these should ever be consumed? Holy Hell, there goes my "good eating." I've already devoured half a row & I see no end in sight. I'm trying to fend them off. . .but my defenses are low & my hand just keeps reaching over for another & another & another. OMG! I am going to die!
And so I start my little techniques to try to consume less. I take a small bite off the edge of one & set it down. . .take another small bite & put it down. . . WHO AM I TRYING TO KID, PEOPLE???? This is a full blown, highly vicious, cunningly calculated conspiracy. How can I compete with such dastardly design??? (By the way, I have no idea if dastardly actually fits there. . .just sounded good with the "d" sounds.) Oh crap, another thin mint is in my mouth! I'm so WEAK!!!! Somebody save me!!! All of the Wii boxing in the world isn't going to counteract this tomorrow.

And I happened to see a box of those coconut & chocolate cookies. . .I always forget the name now that they've changed it. I think they were Samoas at one time or another. Why did they change it? I don't get it. Again, it's another conspiracy I'm sure of it. But whatever the heck they're called, I'm thinking I might have to try one. . .or two. . Hell, I may as well just eat them all in one sitting. It would be saving the kids from eating them & me from the aftermath of them eating them. . .which is pure agony in & of itself. They go nuts. So if I eat them all right now I might be able to fall asleep fast from the sugar low that follows the probable sugar high (thus leading to a catastrophic collection of fat on my lower regions.. . wish it would collect in the breast tissue only. . .but that isn't my situation!)

It's 10 PM. . .WHAT THE HECK!? Of course the coffee I drank at 4 PM is still working. How is it that at 7 AM I can drink all the coffee in the world & still feel tired? (Nevermind the incessant shaking & heart palpitations & oh, the nonstop urination that occurs secondary to such actions.) But at 4 PM I can drink one blasted cup of diluted coffee & at 10 PM (when the 6 hour half life is OVER!) I still feel wide awake & perky? Of course, DH is able to fall asleep 5 minutes after drinking full strength, thick as molassas, Starbucks. Then again, don't most husbands fall asleep within 5 minutes of most things?? Tee hee, just kidding:) But then again, NOT!
Now to find those other cookies. . . there is still half a row left of the Thin Mints. . .I mean 1 and a half rows!

Yeah, still Samoas. But unless I want to work on breaking another tooth I should use caution with eating these babies frozen. (broken tooth? Yeah, broke a tooth on a frozen cookie at work when I was first working there. Duh, thaw it out first!)

Good! Only ate one of those. Now I had better get my butt ready for bed so I can take advantage of my insulin dump. I need to STEP AWAY FROM THE GIRLSCOUT COOKIES!!!!

Blue Corduroy

Here is my Blue Corduroy Creation. I didn't follow a pattern for this. I just winged it. The lining & belt are made from leftovers that I had from a skirt from last summer. The handles are made from a pant leg. I had some issues with the lining being too big so I had to adjust it. All of the pockets are usable & this comes in handy for keys & my cell phone. Where do you usually put your keys? The front right pocket! I have mine on a carabeener (sp?) so I hook them on the belt loop & put the keys in the pocket. Cell phone goes in the left front pocket & the back pockets I use if I have a coupon or what not that I don't want to go digging for later. Back pockets are also great places for business cards!

I would have liked to bling this up a bit. . .but didn't have anything on hand at the time. It's simple but sometimes that is a good thing. I think my next creation will be a more contrasting for the liner & belt. Let me know what you think:)

Been Busy but I Got Big Plans

I've been surfing through other blogs & see so many amazing artists in the sewing world out there. I still didn't take a pic of my newest bag. . .which isn't very new anymore. . .but I do get some compliments on it. I used light blue corduroys to make a bootie bag. . . and it is cute. I think I need to get adventurous though. I need to get flashy with the colors & the design. I have so much stuff & just need to USE IT! What am I waiting for?

I am going to use my stuff. . . and not wait for a "better project." I need to get my butt in gear & get doing what I have been putting off. I know, it's kind of late for New Year's Resolutions. . .but I don't really do those anyway. It's more like time to kick myself in the @$$ with just about everything. You can read about my weight loss efforts in my other blog: http://jenswellness.blogspot.com/

I will do my best to keep this updated. I will actually post my blog link so others can read it if they want to!!!!

Wish me luck!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Another year, another birthday. . .what to do today? I am kid free & work free today. . . What should I do? I could sew, scrapbook, shop. . . shop for sewing stuff. . . Hmmm, I think I shall ponder this while I shower to loud music & flat iron my hair. I should get a pic of my new hairdo on here. It's WAY different than my old do.

I was scoping other blogs last night. WOW, can I just say how impressed I am with the talent that is out there? The blogs alone are amazing let alone the work that is showcased on them. My goal is to get my blog to be as cool and worthy as those. I have a lot of learning to do. My journey begins. . .hmm, perhaps something for me to start today??? We'll see. Shopping sounds somewhat nice. Maybe I will ask my dear Mother to join me. We do want to get some purses made for craft fairs. . .

OK, wish me luck with my newly 33 year old self today! (Who am I kidding? Nobody reads this yet!)

This satchel was my 2nd bag ever. . . and it was challenging. I made it from Vogue pattern V8439. It's red quilted material with black faux suede lining. The handles & the snap were a challenge for me as well as the thickness of the material. I am learning so much!

Blue corduroy

Here is the bag I made using this pattern: http://www.tinyhappy.typepad.com/tiny_happy/2006/06/shoulder_bag_tu.html

I modified the way I did the handles because I needed to cut them out seperately anyway. I also added my creation - the cuff pocket - to the inside. I didn't use a closure - and I'm not sure if I should or not. . . let me know what you think!

New Hobby for me!

Like I need a new hobby, right? But this one ties into my scrappy hobby & is a very creative outlet. I've started to SEW! AND I'm ADDICTED!!! I think I have an addictive personality. I find myself daydreaming about ways to design purses, clothing, just about anything. . . I think I get my creativity from my Mother. . . she always has had a knack for the creative.



Here is the 3rd bag I've ever sewn. I really like this design but need to learn how to add zippers. . .

Other things I'm working on: scrub tops - I've actually designed my own pattern for this with inspiration from a top I currently own. I couldn't find a pattern for it so I just guessed & tweaked. I'm very pleased with my creations & will try to get some pics up in the future. I have a ton of corduroy pants from someone on freecycle & plan to use them for sewing. . . patchwork bags, regular bags, maybe a vest. . .we'll see!

Happy Sewing to you!

On a mission

I hesitate to put this in writing. . .but I've worked out 5 out of the last 6 days. I only did the 8 minute Tae Bo workout the first 4 times & today I did the 20 minute one. I am going to be sore later. . . but that is OK. I need to get back in the habit. Scott already said he can see more definition in my arms.

I am also working on not eating late at night. It's common for me to sit down & have a snack before bed. I am curbing this habit. It's not easy though.

We're off to a surprise 40th birthday party for a friend's husband this afternoon & we'll also watch the Packers' Playoff game there. I'm hoping it's not smokey as we will have the boys with us. If it is, we will probably leave right before half time. That way we can get back home without missing much of the 3rd quarter & well before the traffic jams up Hwy 41 South.

Go Pack GO!!!

Jen

Welcome Back to ME!

My last post was about a year ago. Wow! So much has happened. I won't begin to try to list everything that has changed for me & my family.
The highlights:

• settled into new home
• Scott is now the Director of a local college
• I cut down to 2 twelve hour shifts at the hospital
• picked up an educator position there part time
• Spencer started 1st grade
• Parker started kindergarten
• got a cleaning lady!
• started to sew after purchasing my own sewing machine
• Carter had surgery last January on his eye lump - no problems
• I had surgery end of August - no problems

I think that covers the big stuff. I will most likely change the focus of my blog to sewing type materials. I'm getting quite crafty here. Looking forward to sharing lots of ideas!

Jen

2007

Holy cats! It's already January 14th!!! Where have I been? Mostly busy with work & getting this house turned into a home. We still have new house smell going on. This is probably a good thing as the alternatives could be less than desirable.

Speaking of less than desirable. . . .we had to retrain our 8 year old dog. . .as in potty train. Somehow, she got the notion to use our unfinished basement as her personal potty place. Good grief! NOT fun. But she retrained quickly. It was really our fault for assuming she would know which door to go to. She has a few more to choose from than at the old house.

The old house. . . it's not ours anymore. . . that is SO STRANGE! I drive past on purpose from time to time & it just feel so weird. I'm not sad about it. . .maybe I will be in the summer when we still have no stinking grass here. . . but for now I'm not sad about that. Then again, I'm still kind of numb from all of the events around Christmas. I think I'm still in auto pilot.

I didn't get holiday cards out this year. But I just got my order in for our winter greetings. And I did one of those letters to go along with it this year. I know, WAY too much! Now I need to get copies made so I can mail them out. Oh, and we're finally getting snow. . . however, for the dumping that they have predicted for tonight. . . it's not looking very blustery out there right now. Oops, wrong. . .just wasn't looking in the right direction. It's coming down sideways. So we may finally have snow. For the love of Pete. . .it's Wisconsin & it's January! Last week we were wearing spring jackets. IT'S WISCONSIN & IT'S JANUARY!!! All of that dreaming of a white Christmas BS. . . AHHH! I do really like the snow. I like it to freeze. How else are we going to get rid of all of the bugs & the mold? We have to have a good freeze!!! Ok, done with the rant.

So tomorrow is the start of my vacation. Can you say, "VACATION?" Yeah right! Carter has pink eye & unless a little eye fairy comes & sprinkles magical pixie dust over his crusty, swollen little eyes during the night, I'm not going to be able to bring him to daycare as planned. I know, he is worth it. . . I just should have known. . ..and Spencer will most likely have a snow day tomorrow or at least a delay or let out early. And if that's the case, Parker may as well not go to daycare either. I had it all planned out. I have gift certificates. . . Monday was highlight & cut for my hair & Tuesday was a pedicure & manicure (I've never had either). Wednesday is Carter's surgery so I figured the rest of the week would be taken up with me cuddling him. Oh, and I scheduled a Lia Sophia open house for tomorrow night. So of course it would SNOW! Oh well. Such is life.

So now that I've let off some tension. . .I'm going to bed. Let's see, what pic can I post here???
Here's Carter sitting on the steps. . . he's such a stinker!

Updates

Much has occurred over the past few weeks. On a happy note - we moved into our new home. How wonderful to have more space! On a sad note, my Grandmother suffered multiple strokes starting the weekend we moved. She passed away last Thursday evening. She was 91 years old. We miss her dearly but know that she is with Grandpa, in Heaven. Her funeral & burial were yesterday. Oh, so many memories!

I'm exhausted! Christmas was bittersweet this year. The passing of Grandma was sad - but I don't think it will put sadness into every Christmas. 91 years is a long, full life span. While we grieve for our loss right now, we all know that it was her time to go.

I had better get to bed now. I work again tomorrow. Here is a pic of the boys that I must share:

This is the WEEK!

We're moving on Friday! I can't believe it! Yesterday we went furniture shopping. . .our furniture is pretty much shot. We decided to get a new dining room table & chairs as well. . . Our current table is antique & not very stable. We have free financing for a year so that is what we did. So we got a new couch, loveseat & recliner/rocker. . .brown leather & very comfy stuff! Our table is two tone & has 2 leaves that make it huge when we need it for birthday parties & what not. The stools for the island match as well. . . .I'm SO EXCITED!!!

Inspection on the house is Wed or Thursday & then there is probably just clean up/touch up stuff for the contractor to take care of.

I have a ton to pack yet here. . . I can't believe we have this much stuff!!! What I wouldn't give for a magic wand right now!

I may be off line a few days at the end of the week. I'll try to get back ASAP. . . we might just leave the computer hooked up here until all is set up at the new house. We don't have to be out of here until the 14th. . .so that's that!

Still workin' it

I DID work out again last week. . ..on Thursday I did the 8 minute workout. Friday I worked all day & then the weekend had it's own sort of work outs with the cleaning & packing. Scott removed our current home's shingles Saturday along with some help from several other men. He's very sore from all of the work as I'm sure the other guys are.

We went to our new home to see the progress today. Spencer & Parker were at a birthday party so we had Carter along (he slept in the van). I'll get some photos posted soon. It's coming along with tile already installed on the floors & fireplace. It's getting so exciting! Can't wait for it to be finished!

Talk later!

Procrastination Eat my shorts!

So I'm sticking to my plan so far this morning. . . .I did the Basic Tae Bo workout. Parker started to do it along with me but got too tired. . . It was so cute. Let's face it, anything with punching & kicking for a 4 year old is cool.

I feel good right now - all bets are off for later tonight or tomorrow morning though. I forget about some of those muscle groups!

I work tomorrow - so maybe when I get home I'll do the 8 minute workout. . .maybe.

Adios!

Me & My Big (NEW) Ideas

Had to share my cute pic of the boys. We were delinquent on the pumpkin carving until last week. . . and I think I forgot to get a shot of the finished work. . . DUH!

A cyber friend of mine had a topic in her blog that inspired me to write this. . .Thanks Jen!

Life Goals - or otherwise titled "Bullshit & Other things I might want to achieve in my life"

(I add "might" because I don't want to commit myself too much. I change my mind frequently.)

- Marry for money - crap! didn't do that & probably never will. Although, I married smart & for love so I guess I'm further ahead that way, right?
- Live in a big house. That's all relative. I could mark this one off already because I lived in a house for the past 8 years & it is bigger than the apartment that used to live in. We're moving into our newly built house in about 5 weeks. . . so count that as achieved:)
- Seriously now - be published other than this blog which probably nobody reads. I have ideas for what I'd write. I'm not sharing it here just yet. Just in case someone is reading this I don't want my ideas pirated. (Ok, so if you are reading this - you're not a nobody - I'm just being insecure when I say nobody reads this. What do I care? This is my outlet, right?
- Get my teeth whitened & straightened. No kidding. My dentist probably gags when he checks out these babies. They're yellowed from years of drinking highly fluouridated water & I'm sure the years of soda & now coffee don't help either. And they're crowded as well. Oh the joys!
- Not have to live paycheck to paycheck. OK, so if Scott gets offered & accepts the Indiana position this could happen sooner than later. . . .so we'll see what happens.
- Travel out of this state & out of this country. So far I've been to, in order, Michigan (only just across the border so big whoop!), Illinois (again, venturing out big time here), Indiana (passed thru on the way to the next destination & stayed a night), Ohio (yep, big honeymoon destination that was. I know, what the everyloving heck?), Orlando (now we're getting real), Chicago, Illinois, Hawaii (THAT'S more like it baby!) & Orlando again. Have not been out of the country yet. I'm a little freaked about that idea right now with the world in the chaos that it is. I'll get over that sooner or later.
- Get physically fit again. I've let my fitness slip BIG TIME since having children. Yeah, sure, I'm down to my prepregnant weight. . . but that's not exactly fit when I get winded going up a flight or two of steps. Time to stop being lazy & stop procrastinating. I'll get on that tomorrow. . . .

I make a lot of lists. . .so I'm sure I'll revise this frequently. If only I could find all of my lists. . .

Adios!

Halloween

Here are my little Trick or Treaters on Halloween night. Spencer & Parker went out but Carter didn't as it was too cold. Later on, Carter decided to try on Spencer's costume. . .. so cute! Too bad I didn't get Scott on camera. He was Superman this year.

Curve Ball!

Just when you think you have life figured out. . .

Scott got a call from corporate the other day asking him to consider a position there. . .in Indiana. Approximately 6.5 hours away in Carmel, Indiana to be exact. . . . which would be quite a move. We'll find out more info & I really want to see an offer in writing before we get into heavy discussion about this one. Let's not kid anyone, we've already discussed the possibility quite a bit. On one hand I'm bummed because I was so excited about our new house that we are just about done building. . . On the other hand, who am I to be so selfish? This is one heck of an exciting opportunity for Scott & for our family. Salary would increase & possibly quite significantly. That would change our situation. Not that we're hard off right now or anything, but let's face it, a bit more is always a bit nicer. We would not have to worry about meeting our monthly bills & could probably afford to have a few nicer things. Again, money is not the only thing to take into consideration.

I've already decided that IF he does get this job that the boys & I would not relocate until after the school year. I can't see ripping Spencer out of kindergarten half way through the year. I also can't see trying to find somewhere to live there during the winter. And, more importantly, I want to make sure this position is something Scott really wants to keep. It will be a HUGE change for all of us.

This whole thing makes it a bit difficult to be fully excited about the new house now. It's not like we'd settle in the new house & unpack everything if we just have to pack it all up right away in 5-6 short months. My head is spinning just thinking about it. I want to have all of the info NOW instead of waiting. I guess I want too much right now. . . so I'll just have to wait. Maybe we'll hear more tomorrow.

Calgon, take me away!

The update

Here is the house today, November 4, 2006. The garage doors are not quite the right color. . .but we'll get that fixed. We have a driveway & front walk & a patio too already. I couldn't get inside the house but I think the plaster is now done. It's getting pretty exciting! We're planning to move in around December 10th. Better get packing!

Challenging week

I've had a challenging week at work. . .actually, 2 weeks. 2 weeks ago I was the nurse taking care of someone 23 1/2 weeks pregnant with twins for her delivery. It was not the best case scenario. They made it through delivery. . . . update on that later. . .

Later that same week I was the nurse in a delivery that went a bit south. . . poor heart tones with a vacuum delivery (2 vacs to be precise). Baby was perfect at delivery. . . but it was stressful all the same.

The very next day I took care of 3 sets of Moms & their babies - and all was well with that. When I came out of one of their rooms the father from the twins the Monday before asked if I could talk for a minute. His eyes welled up with tears & he told me one of their babies just died. I sat with him for a little bit & then walked down to the NICU with him to pay my respects to the little guy & the mom.. How heartbreaking.

Earlier this week I had a delivery that went well but then the cord broke off & we had to go to the OR to get her placenta out under conscious sedation. That wasn't pleasant. Then she needed a little more help afterwards with bleeding. . . All is well now.

Then on Friday I had a laboring Mother who the doctor wasn't quite sure would be able to delivery this baby vaginally. . . . but they gave it a try. She received an epidural but then when she was 8cm dilated. . .the epidural came out leaving her in excruciating pain that she wasn't prepared to tolerate. The baby wasn't descending so we had to go back for a c-section. THAT was not fun as it took at least 5 tries for them to get her spinal in. That poor mother. It was a big baby too. . . . 9 lb 4 oz. All is well now. But what a week!

I'm just overwhelmed that so much happened in such a short time frame. It makes me feel so insignificant in the world. . . .yet significant because I helped these people through these troubling times. I just always feel like I could do more. When it comes down to it. . . we can only do so much. The rest is up to God.

I pray for the life of the other twin. . . hopefully it will be a healthy life. I pray for his parents. They have been through so much in such a little span of time.

The Brick!

It's been a few days since I've been to the house & today, this is what I saw. I'm just so excited! The inside has insulation now too so no more seeing straight through the walls.

We accepted an offer on our house. The inspection is tomorrow so let's pray all stays well. Closing is for Dec 15th - so we need to be out by midnight on the 14th.

Let the busy season begin!

Doors & Windows Oh My!

Wow! We have doors & windows. . . and a basement floor! We continue to be amazed at the transformation before our eyes. We picked out lighting today. Just flooring & paint to choose & then it's all picked out. . .I think. I'm sure we will have more decisions to make. We still have to decide for sure on reverse osmosis & sound system. I better start working more hours.

OUR HOUSE!

We started building on Sept 5th!!!! The process has been utterly amazing. We started with just the lot & now there is a house sitting there. . .

Expected move in date December 15th, 2006!!! We are so excited!

Starting something new

I'm going to sign up as a Lia Sophia advisor. I've never been really big into jewelry. . . & I wasn't thinking I'd ever have such a desire. . . but I've fallen in love with the beautiful pieces & just need to explore this avenue for a bit.

We meet with our builder tomorrow. Cross your fingers! I'm hoping that Scott agrees that we should break ground soon. I would like to be moving in in December. . .I know, crazy - but December is better than March in my opinion.

Gotta run! I was low censused this morning so the kids are at daycare & I have a day to work on the garage sale! Or maybe I'll get some paint & start that!

8 YEARS

Scott & I have been married 8 years today. Wow! A LOT has happened in 8 years. I am so grateful for having Scott in my life.

We're going to farm the boys out to our parents next Saturday for all day & overnight. We don't have set plans yet. We were going to go to Curly's Pub at Lambeau Field. . .but there is a home Packer game that night. . .so that probably isn't the best plan. I'm thinking of maybe doing the Fox Valley Parade of Homes to get decor ideas for our new home & then maybe doing a wine tasting thing (Scott loves wine) and then maybe take out Pasquales. . . the kids are gone for the evening. . . we may as well stay home!

Pizza is done. Time to feed the boys lunch:)

Jen

Mad dash to the gas!

OMG! Did you hear about the price increase again???? Mom told me it's going up a quarter this week. Is this necessary? I don't think so. But what are we doing to reduce the cost? Are we conserving fuel? Are we walking, carpooling, staying home??? For most it's a big fat NO. But we really need to try to do these things or we'll dig ourselves in deeper.

I did an eensy weentsy bit today by setting the thermostat a bit higher (which I know Scott will decrease when he gets home) and I took my bike to the post office instead of jumping in the van to go. This accomplished 2 things. . . ok, 3 things - saved on gas, got me exercising & got my package mailed. Yeah!

Mini blinds. . . Who the hell invented these things without an easy clean method? UGH! What a P.I.T.A.!!!!! We have many of them, as you might already suspect. They have been cleaned probably just once in the past 8 years that we've lived in this house. I'm totally considering just tearing them all out & replacing them with something else. Or heck, replace them with cheap blinds. It would be worth the money to save the time & hassle. I know, we'll go vertical instead. Those are not nearly as hard to clean. Now I know why people use pull shades yet. I'm probably going to have to look into something new. We're definately not putting mini blinds into our new house.

I need some motivation. Or maybe it's just coffee because I should be motivated as all get out to get this place cleaned up. Seems like I get more motivation when I can't possibly get things done - a.k.a. - when I have small children who need my attention. I love my kids. I just wish they could function independently alongside me. It's great to be needed but I have my breaking point.

I'm on call right now. . . so the kids are at daycare. I will pick them up once I know Scott is on his way home. My luck would be that I'd go to pick them up & immediately upon getting in the door the phone would ring & I'd have to bring them back to daycare because I got called into work. Then Scott would have to waste more gas coming to my work to exchange vehicles before picking them up. Oh the joys! Of course, he could walk to pick them up. Hmm. . . I'll have to suggest this if I do get called in prior to him coming home. We'll see how that flies. I could end up working until 11 PM or so depending - I'm on call until then.

I need to go whip up a brew to pipe some caffeine in. No more procrastination!

Addicted

I'm so addicted to the song on Jen Beal's blog that I can't stop listening to it!!! It's Far Away by Nichelback. I'm trying to figure out what all makes me want to listen to it. . . the song is awesome for one. The lead singer is pretty fine looking. . . . but maybe it's the firemen in the video. . . Scott isn't a fireman. He's pretty fine too. . .
I dated a fireman in the past. I guess you could say it was my only other quite serious relationship. So I can relate to the worry when he would go to a fire call. We didn't live together. . .but I was with him a few times when he would get paged out. Am I still thinking of him??? I guess I can't say I don't think about him. He was a special person in my life & until I met Scott I considered him my biggest love. Things happened out of our control that caused our relationship to be impossible even though we still loved each other. I dated other people after him before Scott. I'm VERY happy that I met Scott & that my life turned out the way it did. I think everyone ponders the what ifs in life. I wouldn't trade my life with Scott & the boys for anything at all. Last I heard my former love has a life that is somewhat parallel to mine. He's now a police officer, married & has at least 2 boys of his own.

Anyway, this song captivates me. It's well written & well sung. Thanks Jen Beals for sharing it!

Time for bed.

Spencer's First KISS!

This picture is from the Porkie & Pancake thing with Scott's family - my 3 boys are the ones on the right: Spencer, Parker & Carter - how cute are they???

It happened today - let it be recorded that on August 4th, 2006, Spencer Borley - being of the ripe age of 5 1/2, was kissed by a 7 year old girl on the nose & the cheek. Parker says, "They're girlfriend & boyfriend because she likes to get along with him." Spencer says, "well, I'm not going to marry her, but I might. I just don't know yet." How cute is that?

My little boy is growing up. But not too quickly. I love it when he says, "Mom, I'm only little for a little while." Of course, he gets this from me. Or at least he did. . . and now he states this so matter of factly when I say no to him. Or he'll say, "But you're the best Mom & I love you." Actually, what he'll do is this: he'll say, "You're the sweetest, best Mom. Can I give you a hug & a kiss? Now, can I play on the computer? Cuz you're the sweetest, best Mom & I'm only little for a little while. . . " OK, so he's learned manipulation at such an early age. How can I say no to that?

Parker, being the younger brother, is a little less tactful. He whines, "Mommy, can I have a snack?" And of course he asks this right before supper. . . and when I say, "we're going to eat supper in 10 minutes so you can wait," he proceeds to whale this ear shattering, high pitched whine/cry that could wake the dead. He needs reminding that this is not the way to go about making me change my mind. . . .of course, I don't change my mind about this anyway. . .but that is just downright obnoxious. He usually ends up in his bedroom until I allow him to come out for supper. Oh the joys of parenting!

Carter - my little tooth cutting, walking sassy pants. He is so into getting into everything! And everything goes in the mouth. He seems especially interested in anything paper. . . he must be craving extra fiber in his diet. The boy can find any piece of paper no matter how discreetly hidden & shove it in his mouth faster than a speeding bullet. It's so fun fishing slimy paper shreds out of his mouth. And he's not afraid to bite either!

OK, so it's clearly way past my bedtime. I'm on call at 7AM & it's already quarter to 1 in the AM. I'd better get motivating to bed now. Scott already so nicely told me that I am getting up with the kids should they cry out tonight. How is that fair? No idea. Oh well. Tomorrow night is mine!

More Adventures

Today I worked on more garage sale labeling. How do we accumulate so much stuff in just 8 years. . . 8 years!!! Wow! I cannot believe that it will be 8 years this October that we've lived in this house. 8 years this August that we've been married!!! So much has taken place:

I graduated from Bellin College & passed my boards
I got a full time nursing job at Manor Care Nursing Home
Scott graduated with a Masters Degree & got a full time job at Howard Suamico Schools
Got Married
Became Home owners
I changed jobs to Interim Healthcare as a Supervisor/Case Manager
Became Dog owners
We had 3 miscarriages:(
I was a Home Interiors demonstrator
I changed jobs again to Prevea Clinic as a phone triage RN
Became proud parents of Spencer
OK, time to abbreviate:
The Pampered Chef, Parker, me at St vincent Hospital, rental unit owners, Scott 2nd Masters degree, Scott ITT Tech associate dean then Dean, Hawaii, bought 1.5 acres of land, me DePere Health Dept, me Medical Staffing Network, Disney World, Carter, me at Aurora Baycare Labor & Delivery, Sold Rental, Building plans (Wow, I've changed jobs quite a bit! Good thing I'm a nurse. I've never been fired or let go. . . I just needed to find my niche.)

HOLY Cow! And that's not even counting all of the events that have taken place in history: 9-11-01 was HUGE. . . still is. The war in Iraq. Tsunami, Katrina. . . . . it's so much in so little time.

I'm pretty proud of what we've accomplished in the past 8 years. A lot of it has been difficult. We really work on our big accomplishments. I think that makes us appreciate them so much more than if they were just handed to us. Isn't that the case with most things? I hope to instill those values into my children. I don't want them to struggle with things. . .but I want them to know that sometimes you just have to knuckle down & work to get the things you want in life.

Time to get the little one to bed.. . yet another thing that is not easy. . .but oh so rewarding:)

He's WALKING!

OK, so I haven't quite captured it in this photo. . .but he IS walking. Today he took 5 steps on his own. It's the cutest thing ever. Look at how cute he is! Today I heard, "Look! He's standing!" from Parker (the toothless, scarred eyelid & now scratched up nose boy). Then Carter proceded to take a few more steps on his own before plopping down in a fit of giggles & drool.

Did I mention he has 4 teeth already? And another on the way? Oh the joys of teething & biting.

Spencer & Parker are now into daredevil tricks on their two wheeled bikes. . .can't wait for that ER visit. Surprisingly, Parker managed to do a "face plant" while riding his scooter yesterday. He had a bloody nose & scrapes across it. Lovely. Here is Spencer demonstrating a trick.

Gotta run. . . .

Funny how the weekend goes

You'd think that I'd get MORE done on the weekend. . .NOT! We met with another builder yesterday AM. Glad we did. We're tweeking our house plans a bit. We're thinking no bonus room. Instead, we'll finish a room in the basement right away. I'm excited for this. It will be the biggest investment of our lives. LOTS of decisions. Good thing we're pretty simple people. I need to control my husband's desire for extravagant/fancy things once in a while. I don't like frilly dilly. I like classic/stand the test of time things that are good quality.

Anyway, when we got back from that, Spencer needed to go get a birthday gift for the party he was going to. He & I did that. Then Scott walked him to it while I fed the other 2 lunch. . . It was 100 degrees! Inside time for us! We got some much needed Parker time as Carter took a nap.

Then Scott was off to golf with my brothers & BIL. So we went to pick up Spence. . . holy hot out! We walked - mind you, it's only 2 blocks away (short blocks!). I was sweating before we reached the first corner.

We made it back home & hung out briefly outside. . . then indoors to the air conditioning. We did go back out later & played with some neighbors in our yard. Who am I kidding? I sat & watched as the kids played:) Too hot for physical acitivity:)

Then back in for baths - which was a fight with my 4 year old. Why is it so difficult to get through one hour without him trying to pick fights with his older brother? Oh the joys! We survived bath time. . .I got all 3 boys clean & in jammies without blood being drawn. Then we had a snack - ice cream - rather befitting given the weather. Then they actually settled down quite well for night night. Of course, by this time, I'm exhausted. I showered, snacked again & sat on the couch watching whatever was on until Scott arrived home around 10:15. He was not really in the talkative mood due to being exhausted himself. . .and a bit over extended on the alcohol consumption. So we went to sleep.

I always make a short story long. . . so, in summary, I didn't get to scrap!!! And my house is still trashed!

So this morning we attempted to clean up the kitchen. . .this is a sore spot with me. Scott's idea of cleaning up after breakfast is throwing the dishes in the sink & pushing the chairs in. I put a kabosh to that & insisted that before we run outside to entertain our children the kitchen actually gets cleaned! UGH! This is just not going to be easy.

I'll snap a shot of our house plans soon & post them. I need to go make sure Carter is being supervised properly as I think I just heard Scott go outside. He thinks our 4 year old can watch our 10 month old. . . Scott has 2 Masters Degrees. . ..but he is just not the brightest when it comes to common sense.

2 down - many to go!

I've decluttered the Living Room & Boys' Bedroom so far. Holy Cow! My boys have WAY too many toys. I've relocated many toys from those locations to the basement. . .which needs its own decluttering done. . .another day for that one. I've also removed things that will be sold or donated. I need to find a spot to hide this box or my work will be for naught. Toys that are removed from the others have this interesting trait of being much more interesting than anything else - thus being thrust back into the general collection.

As parents we should really take advantage of this during the holidays & birthdays. Do you think it would work to just repackage what we already have? I'm so glad we decided to do the 3 gift rule for Christmas. Each child gets 3 gifts from Santa/us for Christmas. That way they still have things to open Christmas morning & we're not overwhelmed with WAY too much stuff. OK, maybe we still are because nobody else follows these rules. In fact, they get WAY more from Scott's parents than they do here. We need to implement rules for them this year. I'm sure they'll love that! They're not all to fond of us setting limits for them when it comes to grandparenting. But I guess I understand that. . .we just need to train them on quality vs quantity. . . enough said there.

OK, back to work. I've got my groove going & I don't want to lose it!

CAPTURING MY CLUTTER

And so it begins. I have started to attack the clutter that encases my house. OK, it more like encases, entraps, devours, etc. . .my house. You get the point. I have clutter! So far this morning I have gone through the living room. I'm just now working on putting the "put away" box stuff away. The only problem I run into (OK, not the only problem. Who am I kidding?) is that the places I need to put this stuff away are cluttered as well. THAT is a big problem.

So, anyway, I've conquered the living room. Well, almost. I have a box of give away/sell items. I have a laundry basket of put away items that is half put away already - yay! I have a throw away bag & a recycle bag. I also decided that the give away stuff had to be divided a little so I have a Pampered Chef to give away bag as well. . .you know, all of the paperwork stuff that you think you will use someday. I also subdivided the put away stuff into a general basket & then the Leggos & the Bionicles got their own receptacles to ease the later task of going through that!

See, this gets complicated even at this early stage!

OK, I've got to quit procrastinating now. . . maybe I'll get the chance to take a shot of my clutter progress. . .nah, that would be even more reason to procrastinate!

I'll update later!

My Fleet Farm Finds

I found all of these scrappy items at Fleet Farm of all places! Can you believe that???
And it was all clearanced out. . .the most expensive
item was $1.50. . .and I think that was something
metal. . .I forget. Anyway, most of these items
were 70 & 90 cents! I love bargain shopping!

I have to get scrapping!

We're going to build!!! We plan to break ground in November of this year! I have to get my house in order for selling. That means I have to really get going on my 12 step program for being a packrat! Garage sale here I come!

9-11 pics

I just watched pics from 9-11-01 set to Enya's Only Time. Amazing! I am still so full of emotion about that day. As most everyone who has memory from that day - I know exactly where I was standing as the 2nd plane hit the World Trade Center. I watched in shock & horror as I realized that the first impact was not an accident after all. I shook with fear as I thought of how fragile our lives are & how vulnerable we are to acts of terror. My heart sank as I realized the lives that were lost & the children who would never again see the face of a parent. . .and I shivered with anxiety because my own young son was sleeping soundly in the next room. What kind of future would lay ahead? And I didn't know it at the time, but a 2nd son would be coming within just one year of that day.
Here is the link to what I viewed:
http://www.olivetreeviews.org/topics/movies/attack.html
I encourage you to check it out. Be ready. You will feel many emotions.

Peace!

Hi there

Wow, me again! Back so soon! Let's see, . . . . I went to Fleet Farm yesterday to pick up dog food. . .and I ventured down the scrappy aisle. . . whoa! Clearance!!!!!!!! I made a haul at great prices. . . now I need to decide whether to keep it for me - ruining my string of no personal buying - or to give it away. Hmmm. . . I'll have to ponder on that one:)

Anyway - worked today. Got done early. We have an adult Easter Egg hunt tonight at our friends' house. It's always fun & quite interesting.

I need to go shower now. Carter is sleeping in my arms - very fun to type one handed! Here's a pic of Parker on the evening of his 4th birthday party. What a sweetie!

Back in the GAME

Holy Moses! It's been WAY too long. I will try to keep updating. . .try:)

New things:
I'm doing well with my full time job as a labor & delivery nurse. LOVE IT!
Spencer is in soccer & he is really good at it. Scores goals every game. 5 year olds are so cute.
Parker, the one with his 2 front teeth missing, now has a little scar on his right eye lid from a burn. . . campfire, stick, 4 year old, ambulance. . . need I say more? He's OK.
Carter has 4 teeth! He's still happy as ever, wants to walk. . .is so silly as he giggles at everything.
We meet with a builder tomorrow to see the sketches he came up with for our new home! I'm super duper excited!!! We plan to build starting next spring. Lots to do to get this house ready to sell.
I'm going to let my Pampered Chef business go completely as soon as 2 months pass that I have no orders. I just want my chance to get the newest products at 50% off & then I'm going to let it go. Tough decision. . .but necessary.
We sold our rental property finally! This is such a good thing let me tell you.
WE bought bicycles for Scott & I. Now I have no excuse not to get back into shape. I'm still breastfeeding. . .so I have about 10 pounds still on compared to my prepregnancy weight. I'm so OK with that. I just need to get back into shape exercise wise. And I might be able to get my wellness blog going again. . .but let's not push it too much:)

I'm starting myself on a 12 step program. . . I'm admitting I have a problem with being a pack rat. That's the first step. . . I'm on my way.

I'm off to scrapbook. The two older boys & Scott are gone to the fireworks & Carter is sleeping. Time for me to put in some tunes & scrap. I'm almost done with our wedding candids. . .hey, it's only been 8 years!

Missed February

Completely! Didn't get in here to update the entire month of Feb! You'd think I lead a much more interesting life. New job is going well . . . still in orientation - which is a good thing. There is lots to learn for labor & delivery. It's exciting & scary all at the same time.

I'm still the food source for Carter. In the last few days I've been his only food source. He was running a fever & not feeling well - so he refused his solid food. I have worked so he was eating sparingly during the day from a bottle & then uses the night to catch up! Even right now he's dozing & munching. I'm not getting much else done - but that's OK. I can type with one hand fairly well.

I have more updates - but Spencer is requesting my assistance. I'll attempt this again later:)

Tomorrow I begin my new job

I'm excited & nervous. Actually, the brain doesn't know the difference between nervousness & excitement - so just tell yourself you're excited & you'll be just fine. I know, little tidbits of knowledge:)

I did do some scrapping this weekend. Not nearly enough in my opinion - but I scrapped! I have to post my page counts yet to my groups. I'm still not purchasing anything scrappy.

Well, it's already 10:30 PM & 5:30 AM is going to creep up fast. I hope Carter decides to sleep a bit longer tonight. He's been wanting the "boo boo" quite a bit lately. That's what we call him wanting to eat from me lately. I know, it's kind of silly. I still can't get him to take a NUK. Oh how I wish he would. I don't mind him nibbling - but he's starting to get a bit curious as to what is going on around him while he's munching. This can make for some very uncomfortable situations for me as he twists me every which way. Sorry, I know. Too much information!

To bed I will go. Hope to be keeping up with this blogging thing a bit better from now on.

Is there black on this page?

Just testing. . .I'm having technical difficulties since I loaded a couple of pics:(

Hey, I figured this picture thing out! Yay for me! This is a shot of us on Christmas Eve I think. . . I'm not looking all that snazzy but at least the boys are cute! My hair is all up & I look like I have a weird haircut. Trust me, it's very long & kind of out of control right now.
Merry Christmas

My Boys

Is this just the cutest little scene? I think so! These poor little snowmen didn't last long in the heat wave we got the next days. I'm sure we'll have more snow. . .it's WI!

The battle of the bugs!

Our house was not spared from the dastardly (is that a word?) stomach bug that is "going around." By the way, every virus goes around. . .that's what viruses do. It's their job. If they stood in one spot they wouldn't even be known about. Now that we have that out of the way. .

I AM NOT GOING TO GET IT! Either is Carter. We've decided that we're not going to submit to it. Not gonna do it! Parker had it one night. Spencer had it a couple nights later. Scott got it the night after that. Guess who was going to die when he had it??? You guessed it, the oldest child, my 31 (almost 32) year old! I clearly recall him saying to me while he dry heaved into the porcelain god, "I think I need a doctor." HA! What is a doctor going to do for you? Not a whole heck of a lot they can do for you when you have that crud. I told him that all they'd do is stick an IV in him (which he hates) and hydrate him. Possibly, they would even wait to do that & instead try compazine rectally. THAT changed his mind pretty quickly! Tee hee, I'm so mean.

Anyway, I can assure you that he survived & will continue to survive. I can also assure you that if the tables were turned & it were me that was ill - HE would not stay home from work to take care of me. NOPE! He'd go to work, send the kids to daycare & probably call his mother over to take care of me. Which, by the way, would really tick me off. Don't get me wrong, my mother in law is great! But the last person you really want taking care of you when you feel miserable is your MIL! (OK, maybe you wouldn't want that really hot - oh forget it.)

Anyway, he's at work today & barely hanging on.

I'M NOT GOING TO GET IT!

The job thing isn't confirmed yet. This bothers me as they know the buy out is a must & they need to fill the spot. Am I confusing you yet? I forget what I blogged about this issue. I work for a staffing agency. I work through said agency at Aurora Baycare (ABMC). Labor & Delivery has a .9 day 12 hour shift available to which I applied. ABMC has to buy out my contract with the agency before I can be hired. I hate waiting.

Baby is awake! Time to cater to his wishes:)

I'm getting a full time job

I've applied for a full time nursing job in Labor & Delivery at a local hospital. The complication is that I currently work for an agency & the hospital has to negotiate a buy out. Sounds so funny, doesn't it? I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It's time for me to get in the groove of working so that we can plan to build a home on the land we have. We're aiming for Spring of 2007. It's much easier to take going back to working full time when there is a goal in mind.

Carter is changing so much everyday. That makes me happy & sad. Happy because he is becoming more interactive & sad because he is growing so quickly. He's my last baby. Maybe that's why I'm hoping for a position in Labor & Delivery. . .then I can get my baby fix at work.

Gotta go, the feeding frenzy begins!

The Post Christmas update

OK, it looks like Santa puked all over my living room. I have GOT to get these gifts put away! I feel the need to get my house cleaned up. Scott is "on vacation" this week - you'd think we'd have more time to get things organized. Yeah, right! When is MY vacation? I think that is what just about every woman wants to know. . .especially mothers.

So, I will try to get my act together.

I'm working tomorrow from 3 PM to 7 PM & then a 12 hour day shift on Friday. We need me to work more shifts. I have the opportunity to apply for a rotating day/night 12 hour shift at the hospital - however, right now I have the luxury of refusing shifts. If I take that I would not be able to refuse. PLUS, I'd have to work holidays. With the boys at their ages it would be too tough right now.

So I will keep up the numerous things I currently do. Hopefully I will survive!

Don't Ask "What Next?"

Just when you think there couldn't possibly be something else that happens . . . it does!

Let me take you back over the past several months:
Spencer (5yo) got a bad cut above his knee at daycare - they didn't call me about it. That day my neighbor picked up the boys as I went into the doctor with false labor. I took the bandage off later that night to see a big wound that should've had stitches. I cleaned it & steri stripped it & it seemed to do well - then reopened the next week while in the sandbox & I needed to bring him into the ER/Urgent Care to get it cleaned out. Nice scar - no real big deal. Mind you, I was pretty pregnant at the time.

Carter was born in September - beautiful little man:)

Several weeks ago Spencer felt the need to spray bug repellent into his 3 yo brother's eyes. While Parker survived without much incident, it was quite traumatic with me having to hold Parker down to irrigate his eyes. But we did survive & there were no long term effects.

The night before Thanksgiving Spencer climbed up onto the kitchen counter to get a drink stick out of the cupboard (you know, the kind that you get in a mixed drink & it usually will hold any kind of olive or whatever you have with your drink?). Well, he slipped on the way down & ended up getting the drink stick stuck in the back of his mouth. Yes, it was impaled past the little barbed part into the back of the inside of his mouth - right in front of his right tonsil. Kind of freaky - we brought him to the ER as there was no way I was pulling that baby out not knowing how far in it actually was. It was pretty harmless really - as it was pretty superficial - but we had no way of knowing that here. No long lasting effects there either.

Yesterday - I was scheduled to work a day shift at the hospital. I work for a staffing agency so I'm not directly employed by the hospital. At 4:30 AM Carter woke up for the first time! Holy Cow! Nice sleeping for the little man. Of course, I get up at 5:30 AM for work - so I didn't get back to sleep after 4:30 AM. I get to work & the supervisor tells me that I had actually been cancelled but my agency's phones were down. My agency would pay me for 4 hours as it was their fault. Yay! Pay for 4 hours for just showing up! I can handle that:)
I get home & Scott was still home as he was to bring the boys to school later so I could pick them up at about 4PM. (They go for 5 hours so we don't have to pay for the entire day.) My Agency calls me & asks if I'll work a PM shift at the hospital - they asked for me specifically. OK, I'll do it. We need the money. So I plan to bring the boys & Scott gets to work sooner so he can pick them up by 4 PM. It was Carter's first day at daycare:(

Dropping the boys off went not so great. My 2 older ones have a rough go of it - which is strange. Carter does just fine.

I work until 11:45 PM & am dead on my feet as I didn't get a break:( Of course, I get home & can't fall asleep right away - so I am up until 1 AM. So that is almost 21 hours AWAKE yesterday for me.

Carter sleeps all night again! Yay!

Then there's TODAY! We get dumped on with SNOW! Lots of it.
Then, while just walking in the basement, Parker trips & falls face first into the train table & fractures his top 2 front teeth right above the gum line. NOT PRETTY. I've already made a somewhat short story long - so I'll get to the point. He had to have both teeth extracted & he won't have his permanent teeth until he's about 7 years old! I cried. Scott cried. Parker was fine until they put the numbing gel on his upper gum. That burned a bit & he started fighting it. I had to hold him down. Scott can't handle that kind of thing so he was out of the room. It just killed me to watch him go through this. The teeth came out easy enough. He is such a trooper.

He is already eating just fine. He's excited as the tooth fairy will be paying him a visit tonight.

I won't even say those words I Titled this one as!!!

12 Pounds!

Carter is 12 pounds already! Big boy! He'll be 10 weeks old tomorrow. Time flies! He is actually starting to sleep for longer periods of time now - yay for MOM! And his smiles & coos are really adorable. I still haven't figured out how to get a pic on this blog thing so I'll have to share his photos in the yahoo groups I'm in.

Holidays are approaching quicker than I am ready for. Simplifying this year. I wrote more about that in my other blog http://jenswellness.blogspot.com/ so if you want to read about that you can. The big one is that we're only doing cake & ice cream for Spencer's 5 year Birthday party next Sunday. I can't believe he's going to be 5 already. Such a big boy. He's no longer anywhere near a baby. Next fall he'll be in kindergarten.

My middle child, Parker - I worry he'll feel left out sometimes. I hear about the middle child all of the time. Heck, I was one of several middle children. I dealt with it. I was the youngest of the older & the oldest of the younger. Being the 4th child of 6 & the youngest girl was not easy. I kind of felt like a slave most of the time. I'm past that now. I make sure to spend one on one time with Parker whenever I can. He is so special to me, as all 3 of my boys are!

I'm starting Christmas shopping tonight! There is a special fundraising event at the local Mall & I purchased a ticket. There are specials, giveaways, free samples, yadda yadda. . . It will be nice to get out - but you know, still have to finance it. We've acquired quite a few medical bills from the delivery of Carter. It's amazing the difference since the first 2 boys were born while Scott still had the school district insurance. Now he is employed by a private college & whoa! The coverage isn't anywhere near as good. I think we all tend to over indulge during the holidays anyway. The kids get so much stuff from everyone else - why do we feel the need to compete with that? This year we won't. They usually end up sticking to playing with one thing at a time anyway - heck, Carter won't care at all - what do you get for a baby again anyway? He has plenty of clothing. He doesn't need more baby toys. He will most likely sleep through a lot of the commotion anyway - such decisions!

Well, gotta run - I think I hear the little man.

I'm Scrapping Again!

I completed 2 pages so far with 2 more very close to completion! Yay for me!!! Still haven't had tons of time to scrap, but I'm using the good stuff as a personal challenge.

Still working on the organization thing. I'm also working on my clutter problem. I will keep improving.

Carter is 8 weeks old today. Wow, time flies! Yet it seems like he's been here forever. He's very adorable of course.

Our rental unit is for sale & we received an offer for the full amount today. Of course we're jumping on that. I hope all goes well & we unload it ASAP. It's just too much to deal with as Scott's job consumes so much of his time & I won't even go down the list of everything consuming my time right now.

I have been back to work for the past 3 weeks already. That is going OK. We debated on whether I should take a more for sure position (right now I work for a nurse staffing agency & can be cancelled if not needed). When we looked at the inconvenience of me being scheduled to work the one available position which is 4 PM to 8 PM for 2 to 3 evenings a week or taking a part time position at a hospital which would require every other weekend & holidays of some sort - versus working for the agency when I want to & where I want to (unless I get cancelled) - we decided it would be better for me to stay doing what I'm doing. Another HUGE factor is the pay. If I'd take a position, it would mean about a $10 an hour pay cut. Easy decision when you look at that, right?

I am also faced with the decision about my Pampered Chef business. What do I want to do with it? I really slowed down several months ago because I chose to. I know that I could pick it back up again & get more shows booked. I have my first post baby show tomorrow night & so far there are 13 guests expected! That's pretty incredible & I will work it. I'm looking for some "sign" of what I'm supposed to do. I know, sounds silly. I just can't decide yet. And I really don't have to decide anything right now. I know that I can keep active with the things I have going.

I am getting wordy - go figure! I am going to leave it at that for now.

Jen B

Getting it together

I'm not keeping this up very well - sorry!
I have worked a couple of shifts. It's going fine. Work is actually satisfying. While I do miss my boys when I go to work, I need the time away. I also have the need to contribute to our family income. We need more income! It's kind of scary in a way. While I know we won't go bancrupt, we are living on a tight budget right now.

Do you ever feel like you're waiting for life to begin? Do you wait for such & such a thing to happen so that you can do something else? I hate feeling like this. I've pondered what to do with my life on & off. But you know what? My life is happening already. If we don't experience life to the fullest, before we know it, it has passed us by. Time is a non renewable resource. We do wake up with the same amount every day - but once it's gone, it's gone. I need to pull my head out of my hind end & get on with it.

I'm a Pampered Chef consultant. I've been one since 2001 & I've enjoyed it. I still do enjoy it to a certain extent. But there are also things about being my own boss that are not enjoyable. I don't like the part about having to get on the phone in the evening when I could be spending time with my family. I don't like having to deal with "issues" that come up with customer service. I don't like it when hosts don't invite many people & then end up having 2 people show up at their show that I've driven 45 minutes to get to all the while my family is at home - and maybe even with a sitter. However, I do enjoy putting on a good show. I do enjoy the income when my hosts follow through with my host coaching & people attend the show. I do enjoy teaching people how to cook with the tools & to make healthy choices. I do enjoy recognition when I have high sales on the team.

What it comes down to right now is money. I get paid well when I work a shift at the hospital or urgent care. I can be guaranteed to make over $120 when I work a shift as a nurse for 4 hours. Not the guarantee with doing a Pampered Chef show that in its entirety with host phone calls, driving, show time & closing comes to 4 hours. Sales jobs don't have guaranteed income when you're paid on commission only. And once I leave work as a nurse - I'm done. I don't have to follow up with phone calls or be accountable for anything. I punch out & I'm done.

PLUS, I'd rather be scrapping! Now there's another dilemma. I could pursue a scrapping business on my own. But again, don't want to pursue bookings in the evenings when I am not guaranteed wages.

I know, looks like I've kind of made up my mind. I just can't give this up. I need to make up my mind one way or the other. I can't linger or I'll stress myself out more. Yet, I can stay active with PC without pursuing a lot. I have a web site that I can get orders from. I have repeat hosts & customers who hold shows regularly. All I need is $200 in retail sales every 2 months to stay active. It's not at all difficult for me to do this.

OK, so now I've rambled on & on. Feel free to tell me what you think.

Days NOT to get out of bed - or wake up at all!

Yesterday -
Wee hours of the morning - I hear Parker (the 3 yo) crying. He has a leg cramp. Dad (dh) gets up to comfort him. Shortly, I hear, "Oh crap." from dh right beside my bed. He says, as he holds our sobbing 3 yo, "I think your glasses are underneath my foot." Nothing like that to wake me up! Sure enough, my frames were broken - beyond repair. (They must have gotten knocked off the bedside table.)

Now to some this might not be a huge deal. However, I hadn't worn my contacts in months & I had a day of shopping planned so I actually have something to wear for Carter's baptism on Sunday. I need my glasses to drive. This was not a good thing. So I got very little sleep the rest of the night.

Wake up - around 6 AM & Carter (the baby) had wet through his diaper & sleeper onto my bed. Thank God he's little & that he was wearing a Pampers vs the cheaper diapers. Oh well, I am not changing the sheets at 6AM for a spot of pee - it's a king sized bed & I should be able to catch a little more sleep after changing the boy. The other 2 boys wake up so it's not exactly dreamy time for Mom anymore - but I can try!

That didn't last long. DH left for work & the boys are LOUD & want me UP! I give in - I need to shower & have them to daycare, aka school, by 9 AM anyway.

I make them English muffins with PB&J on them & prepare for my shower. Nothing to wear that looks good - so I figure something out - still maternity jeans:( A tank top & button down shirt for easy access for the little man. That should be good.

The boys go downstairs to play & I take my shower. Once out - Spencer (almost 5) comes to me & says, while dressed in just his underwear, "Parker peed down the steps." WHAT???!! Sure enough, Parker let it go from the top of the basement stairs all the way down - including the wall. NOT something I wanted to deal with. He was standing there with nothing on! What is up with that? I didn't sign up for this one! He gets a little putch on the hind end & sent to his room to get dressed & think about what he did. I asked him, once he was in there, why he did it. He said, "Cuz you weren't wiff me." Not seeing the logic in that. But he's 3 - there probably is some code of 3 year olds that states, "If Mom is not wif me, I can pee down the steps." I must capture this manual & destroy it!

So I clean up the mess. Again, NOT what was on the agenda for this morning. I get myself & the kids ready & bring them to school. This is where we discover a cute little white dog standing outside the center's door. Now I know this kind of dog. It's the kind that looks like it would want to be cuddled & pet & loved & then when you go to pet it it turns psycho & rips a whole in your arm the size of Texas. So I don't let the kids get out of the van. I, with my calm demeanor & experience dealing with wild animals (aka, my kids), get out & approach the beast. He seems nice enough. I let him sniff my hand & then take a look at his tags. He's up to date at the vet - but no name or number or address. I decide it's safe enough to allow my children to come out to get into school. The dog wants to follow us in - but we don't let him. Once inside I tell the assistant director & she says, "Oh, don't go near that dog. We have brought him back to his home before & he just about tore our arms off." I must have the touch - or maybe it's the motherly hormones flowing because the dog really seemed to like me! I offer to lead it back home since it likes to follow me anyway. I get the 2 boys in their appropriate rooms & leave my baby in the Assistant director's care while I go out. The dog is gone. No job for me to do! So I go get the baby & procede out to my van. Then the dog is back! Go figure! So I lead it back to it's home next door. The owner didn't seem all too grateful. Funny how I saw her outside earlier & she didn't seem to be looking for her dog. Some people! Anyway - I get in my van & we head to my chiropractor's.

While driving on the highway I got in the left lane as there were some slower moving vehicles in the right lane going just under 65. This is a classic situation that I'm sure many have been in. I am leading a couple of cars & there is pretty steady traffic in the right lane. Then there is a little clearing in the right lane but the next vehicle in the right lane is obviously going slower than I am in the left. Even though someone is nearing my tail end, I am not about to get over in the right lane just to have to put on my brakes & slow way down. I'm going over the speed limit already & figure I'll get over once I pass the next vehicle. The car 2 behind me whips out of his lane (isn't it always a man?), attempts to catch up to me & just before he does, starts to take the exit & flips me off! I just laughed - & I know he saw me laughing so I'm sure that inflicted far more of a blow to his ego & road rage than if I had reciprocated. Just then - "It's a Great Day to Be Alive" comes on the radio. That just about says it!

I figure the day had to improve after that! Good thing I have a positive attitude.

Oh, by the way, I had a new pair of contacts to put in - & they worked quite well for the day. However, my glasses are not able to be fixed with Crazy glue like I was hoping. I do need to get my eyes checked, however, I was hoping to be able to put that off for a bit as my eyes tend to change after having a baby. We're also broke right now - so paying for my new glasses is not exactly in the budget. Oh well, more reason for me to get working!

Gotta go - the boys are loose again!

Jen

A LOT has happened

Wow! This could be a long one. MUCH has happened.

Carter is already 4 weeks old! Wow! He is growing quickly. I need to weigh him tomorrow to see just how much! I take so many pics of him it's almost pathetic - but hey, that's what digital cameras were made for, right? It takes many pics to get that perfect one you know?

I'm starting to get more sleep. That's a good thing. Carter kind of had his days & nights mixed up for a bit. I have been trying to remember to invert him daily to try to keep this straightened out. I might explain this more in my other blog as it's health related.

Not this past weekend, but the Sunday before, my 14 year old niece finally came forward about an awful tragedy that has been going on since January. A 6th grade teacher whom she had been counseled by has been having sex with her. She thought she was in love with him. He took advantage of her in the worst way imaginable. I won't go into too much detail. They have him though. He was arrested early last Monday morning. He had tried to dump evidence in his apartment dumpster but the police seized the dumpster in time to confiscate it. He had videos & pictures. What a sicko!

Since then, another young lady has come forward. He will go away for a long time. I know they have a certain heirarchy in prison - he'll get his one way or another. I am just sick about this. That poor girl's childhood has been torn from her. She'll never be the same again.

Have you been watching Oprah lately? She is doing some amazing things to bring child molesters to justice. She is awesome! She said something today that hits home. She said that we should never ignore those little feelings we get about people. There are times when we push our little fears aside as we don't want to offend someone. When someone makes us feel weird or uncomfortable by a way they touch us, touch our kids, look at us, look at our kids - we need to pay attention to this!

I just pray that God gives my niece the strength to make it through this & make something positive out of this awful life event.

Almost Three Weeks!

Carter will be 3 weeks old tomorrow. Wow! Time flies! He's so adorable. I just want to smooch him all of the time. OK, I know, this is gushy. I'm his MOM!

It's hard to believe that just 3 weeks ago I was still pregnant!!!! And I was so ready to have this little man! You know what's funny? I ran into someone who is 1 week overdue tonight when I went to Walmart. I would be 2 weeks overdue right now if I would still be pregnant. Wow! No way would I be able to handle that. I can only imagine how big he'd have been.

This week will be when Carter gets his first bottle of breastmilk from Dad. That will be awesome for me as that means that sometime soon I can sleep through the first feeding of the night. Don't know how well I'll handle that, however, as he doesn't seem to eat much during the night the way it is. I end up so full in the morning that he gets squirted quite a bit for the AM feedings. I have been trying not to pump so I don't stay engorged. Yup, I know. Too much information.

Time for me to get to bed. I need to try to get to bed earlier for Heaven's sake!