Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Car Update

I had the rental all week last week. I turned it in Saturday and picked up my car, which is still not fixed. So after two new parts, they have decided it is a fluid that goes in the transfer case. Don't ask me what that is; I have no idea. I am back there on Friday for two hours to have the fluid from the transfer case replaced. The only bad thing is that the girls are out of school. Luckily there is a mall and K-Mart within walking distance. I will have to put the "No" Mommy on duty that day.

I tell you... I get so tired of saying "no" all the time and watching their faces fall. I tell them they wouldn't have to deal with disappointment if they didn't ask for everything when we went to a store to "LOOK". They still don't get the meaning of just "looking".

Home Sick

Bethany came home from school yesterday with diarrhea ... Lovely. She had it at school but didn't tell anyone. She said she got tired of having to go to the bathroom every few minutes. Other than that, she is fine. She has been eating and playing like normal. This morning she got up and went to the bathroom three times before we left for school. So I decided to keep her home. Only, now she hasn't gone to the bathroom once since we dropped Sarah off at school at 7:50 and it is now 9:30. Better to be safe than sorry. Then I find out that there are others (students and staff) out with the stomach flu or similar symptoms.

I have plenty of stuff to keep me busy while she sits at home. There is laundry to be washed, folded, ironed and put away. There are bathrooms to be cleaned. There is a guest room to be re-organized. I'm not sure how that got out of hand but it looks like a bomb went off in that room. Oh, and the never-ending hot spot... the girls' room. I just want to take a very lard trash bag in there and throw everything away. It is so disgusting.

I am off to iron. That has got to be done today. Otherwise, Myron will have to wear the same pants every day and possibly the same shirt.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!!




That's right. It snowed for the first time this season. It is October 28th ... just crazy. But very beautiful.

Bethany's Face


I know it is not a good picture. I messed up. I didn't pay attention to the light coming in the window. Hopefully, you can make out the paint job. Can you guess what she is?

Saturday, October 25, 2008

I Voted

Yep, I did. We got up this morning and went to vote. It was very nice to go ahead and get it over with. Plus, there were no lines ... YIPPEE!! We were so unsure how Myron was going to get his vote counted with him working two counties away and not getting home until after the polls closed. We got a card in the mail showing early voting hours from 9 until 1 on Saturday. Well, that worked for us. We loaded up the girls and drove on over.

This afternoon Bethany had a birthday party to attend. They had a clown there that was doing face painting and balloon characters. Bethany's face was so well done but you will never guess what it is. I will try to post a picture tomorrow.

I am supposed to be downstairs helping Myron paint but he gave me a glass of wine that is hitting me pretty hard tonight. And I haven't even finished the whole glass yet. It must be pretty strong. The sad thing is... I don't really like it but am trying to finish it. I don't like being wasteful.

Okay, I have got to get off here. I am watching a Christmas item on Ebay and have to be checking on that in a few hours.

Have a good night!!

Friday, October 24, 2008

High School Musical 3

That is right. We went to the opening day of HSM 3 at the movies today. This was my first time ever seeing a movie on opening day. Our school and Asheville City Schools were out today. I ordered our tickets a few weeks ago on-line. I went last night to pick them up so we wouldn't have to wait in line today. I found out that the theater had already sold over 100 tickets for Friday and were sold out on Saturday. The theater was crowded but not packed. There were still a few seats available.

I found out that the theater opened at 12:30. We got there around that time. We were the first ones there. We joked that we were surprised that there weren't campers out in the parking lot. But it wasn't bad at all.

A couple of us Moms were tearing up at the end. I mean, they are graduating. There can't possibly be another sequel. Zac and Vanessa make love look so easy. I am definitely living through my girls right now. I really enjoy watching those movies.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

A Whirlwind of Happenings

I know, it has been a while since my last post. I just haven't had the time to sit and type out everything. Here is a recap of the last week and more.

Last Wednesday, Bethany started her First Reconciliation classes. So we have very late nights on Wednesday for six weeks. The girls get out of school at 3 p.m., Bethany has choir at 5 p.m., and her class starts at 6:30. So while Bethany is in choir, I get dinner from somewhere. When Bethany gets out of choir, we eat dinner before her class. Tonight, Sarah and I started a puzzle. I bought one of those Stow-n-Go puzzle mats. As far as I can tell right now, the pieces are still rolled up.

On top of that, my car is in the shop. A little over a month ago, the car had some electrical problems where a brake light went out, the cruise control quit working and an ESC OFF light came on. It was kind of freaky. At the same time, it started vibrating as I accelerated up hill. I went in the first week to have the car evaluated. And of course, they had to order the part. I think that was on a Tuesday. I was told that if the part was ordered by lunch time on Tuesday, it would be delivered on a truck that same week. On Friday, I finally called and found out the part was in so I scheduled an appointment for the following week. When I get in to KIA, I find out that there were TWO parts that needed to be replaced not just one. I didn't know this before. So one part was there but the other was not. This means I have to go back the next week. At this point, I am working on week number "3" and during a gas shortage. It is not like KIA is in my backyard. It is not in my general driving direction. I have to make a special trip out. Oh, and I have to wait for the car each time also. When I go in for the 3rd visit, I remind the guy of the vibration in the car (which I had mentioned the first time I was there). They take it out for a test drive and do feel the vibration (duh?... like I was kidding). But guess what? They have to order the part. So, I head back out there for week number 4 to get the CV joint or something like that replaced. Only it doesn't cure the vibration. So they have to order another part ... a transfer case. I am now on week number 5. The part this time is going to take all day to replace. Well, I don't know about you, but I can't be without a vehicle for more than 6 hours. I have kids to pick up from school at 3 p.m. and don't just live around the corner from the school. It is not like I can walk home. Oh, and they don't loan cars out. They just expect you to figure it out on your own. Now let's take a look at my situation: both our families live in AL and can't help us. Myron works in Flat Rock (south of Asheville); we live in Mars Hill (north of Asheville) and the girls go to school in Asheville. So it is not like their little courier service can drive me all over the place. Myron can't drive me back and forth ... that is just ludicrous. So I tell them, I can't be without a vehicle all day especially not knowing exactly how long it is going to take. Well, they hear and understand and give me a rental for the day. On Monday, I dropped the car off and picked up the rental. Tuesday at 2:30, I call to find out the status of the car. The transfer case was replaced but again it didn't fix the problem. They had to call some kind of KIA expert in to take a look. I was informed to keep the rental for another night. Now, just imagine what my life would be like right now if I hadn't gotten the rental ... complete chaos, I tell you. Well, this morning I wake up stressing over my day. I am thinking about my evening especially. Once the girls are out of school, I have to get their homework done before choir and First Reconciliation. There would be no time to return the rental after 3 p.m. I give them a little call this morning just to let them know that if I was not able to pick up my car before 2:30 that it just wouldn't happen today. I have too many after-school activities to add that to the mix. At 2:30, I get a phone call from KIA saying that the "expert" is in Raleigh and would be there all week. There was no way he could get to Asheville. He has given them some things to try.

One more night, I am in the rental. Which I have to tell you is not so bad except it is a gas guzzler. It is a Chevy Malibu. Myron came home the first night asking when he could take it for a test drive. Then Tuesday morning, he got up saying he was going to take the Malibu to work and I could have the truck. Which, as it turned out we could have done but I thought I was returning it that day so I didn't let him. The girls like the white car better because it is shiny ... like my KIA isn't.

The girls are out of school on Friday along with a few other schools. We are off to see the opening of High School Musical 3. I am very excited about it. I think I am more excited than the girls although they do like 1 and 2. We are going to meet friends at the mall to eat lunch then head over to the movies. I have a feeling it might be a little crowded. We were hoping we were the only ones going to be out but no such luck.

The girls have been going back and forth about what they want to be for Halloween. They have finally nailed it down. Bethany wanted to be a vampire princess but I don't think I bought her the right costume ... it will just have to do. Sarah wants to be a ghost. So I am going to turn an angel costume into a ghost costume somehow. I haven't quite figured it out but I hope to this week.

I think this has gone on long enough. I will try to be better.
Good Night!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Morning Moon

I wish I could show you what the girls and I saw this morning. It was the most beautiful sight. As we pulled out of the driveway, I looked up and saw the moon. It was so full and bright at 7:30 a.m. We were running a little late so I didn't have time to stop and take a picture of it. I thought, too late, to give Bethany the camera so she could get a shot of the moon. But all she got were trees. I guess she snapped a few seconds late.

I have to say it was like God was shining a light behind the moon. It just glowed in the early morning light.

Spectacular!!!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Bethany's Habitat


Bethany had to turn her habitat in on Friday the 10th. Fortunately it was finished late Thursday evening. It was turned in Friday with the glue still wet. The white globs on top of the trees is wet glue.

On Monday, I went into the class to help form animals out of model magic. Then the kids painted them. I will try to post a picture with the animals inside their habitat when I can get a picture of it.

Another Quick Update

I know it has been a week since I last posted. I just really haven't had time to sit here and type out everything that is going on.

But Sunday, we went shopping for the girls new comforters. The ones we had were dry clean only. So everytime they got sick, I had to wash them in the washer which made the batting inside clump up more. Luckily they agreed on the same one and wanted the canopy too. We came home and rearranged their room and put on their new bedding.


They already had butterflies hanging on their walls. These comforters work very well with those.

Bethany enjoys her new sheets and comforter

Sarah is stuck in the corner but seems to like it just fine.


Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

That's right... Today, I turn "36". I have had a very good day. Myron and the girls gave me cards and the printshop software this morning. I did a little shopping by myself after drop-off. Of course, only Target is open that early in the morning. After I knew other stores were open, I ventured to Michaels, TJMaxx, Ross, Halloween Superstore, and Shoe Carnival. I just walked around, tried on a few things and enjoyed the alone time. I then met five friends for lunch. We went to Rezaz (?). I have never been there but it was very good. It is a Mediterranean restaurant. They bought my lunch and shared a piece of very delicious chocolate cake with me. I got a card, flowers and a shirt. I feel very blessed to have such thoughtful friends.

I am usually a little depressed on my birthday each year. I guess I let things get to me that shouldn't. I wasn't at all excited about this day yesterday. But I have to say that it has definitely turned out to be a good day. The topping on the cake will be if Myron comes home at a decent hour tonight. That will be a very nice surprise.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Too Much for a Title

Things have been so crazy around our house lately. Just today, I finally felt like I could take a breath; although, I still have a pile of things to get done.


But I do have to report that my baby girl turned "6" on Saturday. That is "6" going on "16". She thinks she is so grown up. And because she turned "6", she thinks her teeth are going to just start falling out. I can't seem to make her understand that it will take awhile for that to happen. Bethany was almost "7" before she lost her first. There is no telling when she will even get a loose tooth. She was 13 months old before she got her first tooth.

We traveled to Opelika, AL to Pop & Nana's for Sarah's birthday celebration. Myron's family drove up from South Alabama to be there. Of course, my brother and his family still live in Opelika so they just drove over. Everyone was there except Kathy, Myron's sister. She was laying on a beach somewhere relaxing, I hope. Also, my very dear friend, Renee, and her two kids drove up from Montgomery to be there. It was a very nice birthday. Sarah was showered with lots of gifts. She got the Our Generation doll, horse and scooter ... which were the only three things she asked for.


And as always, Uncle Mark created another masterpiece.


While we were there, I tried to get a good shot of both the girls. Bethany was not being very cooperative. But Sarah gave me lots of smiles and was very willing to pose for a picture.


Now that the party is over, we are in project mode. Bethany is doing a tropical rainforest habitat. It is due Friday. Fortunately we got home yesterday and was able to start working on it. That is so Myron's thing. I knew Sunday would be the only day he could really devote any time to it so we tried to get home in time to get some of it done. At least he does have an image in mind and an idea of how to make that image come to life. Now we will be working on it a little each night. He will have to give me directions on what we can work on each day. I will be working on the report with her this weekend. It is due next week. Oh joy!!! I will try to remember to take pictures to share with everyone.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Just a Quickie

I don't have a lot of time to go into many details. This is just a highlight of all the stresses in my life right now. My kitchen is in total chaos along with the rest of the house. Sarah's birthday is on Saturday. My baby girl is turning the Big "6". I can't believe it. I am not sure when I am going to get my house somewhat clean so I am not coming home to all the dirt and clutter. Bethany has a project due next Friday, which means we will have to get our tails back home Sunday to get to work on that. She has to make a Tropical Rainforest habitat in a shoebox. You know, that is just more Myron's kind of thing ... not mine. So, if I want him to help her with it, we have to get back home Sunday. I will have to help her write the report that is due the following week.

Then there is work .... I can't seem to find enough hours to go in to even do just a little. And when I do go in, I feel rushed because I have to leave to go up to the school for something then go back to work. It is just very disruptive.

On a good note, I have walked every day this week, so far. I do have plans to walk in the morning also. That is if my knees are not hurting too bad. I have planned to go to church with the girls at 10 and I have to cover lunch from 12:15 to 12:45 in the 1st grade class ... which means I won't get to work until around 1 and will only have 2 hours to get anything done. UGH!!! Oh and at some point tomorrow I have to pack because we are going to my parents' house to have the big Family celebration for Sarah on Saturday. Hence the statement earlier that we had to get back home on Sunday.

Okay, I will just have to write more later. I have got way too much to do and I am already ready for bed.

Good Night!!!