Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

July Progress Report

July 28, 2011

So, I’ve actually started to lose weight this month! I have been much more active, been drinking more water, and added more fruits and vegetables to my diet. Not only am I losing weight, but I think I feel a little better it is keeping my skin clearer too. That in itself is motiviation, although as I’ve said before, I don’t think I’ll ever have pretty skin – I just didn’t get those genes. However, I can probably lessen my rosacea triggers and stress triggers (both of which do a number on my skin) by eating better and exercising more.

That said, at the beginning of the month I had a few emotional days that I needed to think about for a week or so. That’s how I deal with overwhelming situations – I sit back and think a little and sometimes it looks and feels like a mini depression. I just go with it, and give myself the down time to get through it. To me that is progress because I know what these situations are now, and I have found a way that works for me to deal with the stress/sadness/whatever.

We are winding up another three months of school and will be taking a break in August. What will I do with that time? Well, I’m not going to be washing walls and deep cleaning like I did two years ago, no, this year is going to be time for myself. I’ve worked really hard the last three years on many things and I need some time to do something that *I* like to do. and a project or two besides. I’m also considering a weekend yoga class – might as well try something new right? I’ll be writing more on my August To Do List next Monday :-).

At any rate, the last month has been good. We’ve had more money to buy some things that we needed, we wanted, a few extra things like the pizza party, and a reward for myself for a job well done on getting us out of debt. I’ve been able to put that mental energy I used to put into worrying about the finances to other uses, like my marriage and also myself. It’s good to have that back again! So, onward and upward as they say – here’s to August!

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Dr. Mom the “Vet”

July 26, 2011

I’m usually doctoring kids scrapes, but today I had to fix up a couple of Zhu Zhu Pets. Maggie’s just needed a little energy so I changed Sweetie’s batteries and she was just like new. Katie’s pet however wouldn’t even move, so I had to perform “surgery” to see what the problem was. There was hair caught up on one of the wheels. So, I got the tweezers and removed the hair. I was able to pop out the wheel base so I could get to it better and almost didn’t get poor Zhu put back together correctly. But, once I figured out how to put her innards back in place, I “sewed” her up. We tested her, but she still wouldn’t run, so I popped new batteries into her too and off she went. Katie’s frownie face was all smiles when she saw Zhu was zipping around like she should. Ah, all in the days work of this mom :-).

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Pizza Party!

July 25, 2011

As most of you know, a month ago this week we were officially out of debt – whooo hooo!! What you don’t know is that about a year ago, when all hell was breaking loose with some of the creditors, I decided that when we had made our last payment we would celebrate by having a big restaurant meal that we hadn’t been able to afford. Not to mention the 10 of us do not ever all go out to eat for the very simple reason – too expensive. Well, that and wrangling all those little kids – that’s a challenge. That said, we all decided on pizza and we chose Mazzio’s Pizza – a local establishment – for our place of celebration.

I made sure to arrive after the Sunday lunch rush for our sakes and the employees :-). The kids staked out a table while Mike and I ordered the food – 6 pizzas and drinks. What kind of pizzas you ask? Three sausuage, two Canadian bacon, and one cheese. Oh, and the drinks were free ’cause it was Sunday – bonus! Happily, I whipped out my debit card and paid. It was nice to just pay and not worry about whether or not we could afford it, or we would have to scrimp on something else to be able to do this. We paid with no worries whatsoever :-). Well, we made quick work of those 6 pizzas let me tell you and we were all stuffed to the gills when we left. Later on at home, we enjoyed homemade peach pie courtesy of Chris. After THAT we were in a food coma. It was a meal to remember!

So, I know the question on everyone’s minds is, will we do that again? Yes! I am already planning to save a little bit of money each month and go to Golden Coral over Christmas :-). Now, for your viewing pleasure, our pizza party!

The boys took a corner seat - all in all we sucked up 4 tables!

Here's the girls

Matt says, "R U Jelly?"

Mike - he's not always that serious. I just caught him unawares :-)

And here I am - yes, I took this one of myself.

Now you see 'em...

....now you don't.

"Mmmm, mmmm, that was gooood pizza!"

A toast to our family - cheers!

And peach pie for dessert.

My wonderful 8 kids.

Thanks to God for seeing our family through such a difficult time and to St. Martha for all her extra prayers on our behalf. Couldn’t have done it without you!!

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Happiness Is…

Playing hooky from church – I do have a good reason though – and sending your older boys out to McDonalds for breakfast/lunch because there aren’t any bowls to have cereal :-). ETA: they were all out of breakfast food and we had to settle for fries and burgers :-/.

Spending the morning emailing your brothers videos of British commercials from the 1970’s from You Tube.

Being alone in the house for 30 minutes while people are either at church or getting your breakfast!! ALL BY MYSELF!!! WHOO! I played Animal Crossing on Gamecube.

A big pizza party to celebrate being out of debt. Did I mention it was all 10 of us going. All of us to a restaurant… yeah, that hasn’t happened in awhile. Pictures and story tommorrow – it was a lot of fun!

Happiness is also making a list of what you want to do in August when you have a school break – it’s going to be fun! Well, except for cleaning the oven.

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This and That Thursday

July 21, 2011

It’s time for the return of….This and That Thursday! Here’s a few of the highlights:

1. Becky lost her first tooth on Monday.

2. Becky also got her own library card today.

3. I found a different way to scrapbook here. Even though they are out of the kits, I was able to get a binder, photo sleeves, and journaling cards to start and they’ll be here tomorrow!! Will talk more about it later – stay tuned!

4. Bought the real Bambi book by Felix Salten and I’ve read the first three chapters already – very good!

5. Bought a book on nature study so that we can do more outside stuff this school year – should be fun.

6. The car will go in tommorrow (Friday) – hopefully it’s an easy fix and we get it back same day. If not, our big pizza feast on Sunday will be postponed another week.

Well, that’s my week in a nutshell – hope yours is going well!

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The Honeymoon is Over…sigh

July 18, 2011

Yep, that lovely high we were riding over being out of debt is over. How come? The car needs to go into the shop….again. I think it’s the 10th time in two years. No kidding. This year I think it’s only the second time, better than last year. It is overheating so it needs to go in. Maybe it’s just getting hot baking out there in the 102 degree temps we’ve been having daily lately. Anyway, it is our only vehicle so it needs to go in. Next year we can actually start looking at getting another car and I kind of know what I want already. Well, not a car, but a mini suv type thing – we still have kids at home you know. In between that time, we have some more pressing issues to take care of for our family so this van has to see us through until then. If you pray – pray for us. I did – already given it to Jesus. And I’ll ask St. Martha too – she knows all about those worries and that’s why I love her and ask for her help. Intercessory prayer – it’s a good thing.

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Bonjour!

July 14, 2011

Many moons ago I lived in London, England, and while in school there I learned some of the French language. I have to say I was excited to learn! While the other kids seemed bored I loved it! I was even able to use it a time or two when visiting France. I will admit, one of my classes was really difficult and I had a hard time keeping up and got a bad grade because of it. However, hen I returned to the states, I resumed my studies in high school.

Fast forward 30 years later and I have always had a desire to go back and re-learn French. I’ve always loved the beauty of the language and it really isn’t very difficult to learn. So, when I was at the library earlier this week I pulled an old Usborne French for Beginner’s book out. Sure, it’s more geared to kids, but an adult can use it to learn the very basics they need to know. Well, I got home with the book and Joe and Maggie were totally enchanted with it! So, each day we have been going through a “chapter” and learning the words and phrases. Each morning I am greeted with, “Bojour Madame” and I return with the same and add a phrase to help them learn. It is fun!

I am going to either take a higher level out of the library or buy a book from Amazon, but one that has pronunciation cd’s so we know for sure how to pronounce. I am a little rusty, but this book is bringing much of my earlier learning back. So, don’t ever think you are too old to learn, or re-learn, a foreign language. Just pick up a small book and give it a whirl!

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Friendship Has It’s Rewards

July 13, 2011

I finally got to me a friend of mine today who I’ve only talked to through email or phone conversations!! We only got to have a few hours together, but to me they were precious.

Some background first. I met Yvonne through a homeschool forum about 3 years ago and in 2009 I decided to email her about some things that she had said on one of my posts. That started a friendship that was as real as if she lived across the street from me. My first call to her was frantic and yet she listened with sympathy. A few months later I had another crisis and I emailed her for her honest-to-God opinion and guess what? She gave it to me and it was a life changing moment for me and led me to continue pushing on in my journey of healing. We continued to write and call each other over the last two years and our friendship grew. There was a time I thought our friendship was gone, but one call to her let me know that all was well and it was just circumstances getting in the way. I kept finding courage to put myself out there with her and I’m so glad I did!

I have wanted to meet her since that time and she has passed this way on a few occasions, but she never was in town long enough to get together. So today (Tuesday) was THE day! I parked the car at her friend’s house and started up the walk to the door, but before I got there Yvonne had opened the door and run out and we just hugged. I cried too because we have shared so much over the last couple of years and it was just so good to see her in person. I also got to meet her youngest daughter and her grandson as well. We then went out to get a bite to eat and just sit and talk. It was wonderful!! We didn’t get to visit long because she needed to get back to her kids and I needed to do the same. But I did bring her over to my place to meet most of the family. The weird thing is I didn’t even feel self conscious about how my house looked! Then again, I feel like I’ve known her all my life so I didn’t feel the need to apologize for anything – she accepts me as I am. I just invited her in to meet everyone and took a couple of pictures of us as well. After I drove her back home we hugged again and said our goodbyes for now. I so hope to get together with her again although it may be awhile. For now I am just happy that I finally got to meet Yvonne in real life and she is a real friend in every sense of the word.

Yvonne and me at my place.

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Restoration

July 10, 2011

I would say rebuilding, but the word “restoration” came to me yesterday so I’m going to go with that :-). Here’s what it means (I looked it up on dictionary.com):

1. The act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment

2. a return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition

Yep, I think those sum it up. We will be restoring our finances and our lives over the next little while. It will take time, but we’ll get there. I’m going to be patient and have a plan. I’m writing a list of things we need and things we want and go from there. St. Martha’s feast day is coming up, I think I’ll start praying for some help. She understands and she knows the Master well. :-)

Sorry to be absent this week from writing, but it was one of THOSE weeks. And when I have one of them, I usually have to sit back and think through some things in order to move forward. It used to take months and now it doesn’t anymore so that is another restoration in my life. Maybe I should do what Matt did and try to write a post every day – next month would be good as it is the one year anniversary of this blog! Anyway – restoration has begun.

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Weekend Gallery

July 3, 2011

Today it’s all about the garden and we are starting to really see it flourishing. Of course it has been so dry lately we have had to water every day, but it is thriving just the same. Except for the tomatoes – we just aren’t having any luck this year. However, we are getting loads of cucumbers – I think we’ve picked almost 10 just in the last 4 days! So, come walk with me in our little garden and see what we have growing!

Bell Peppers

Banana Peppers

Jalapeno Peppers

Maggie, Sunflower, Joe, and Katie

Cucumbers

Cantaloupe

Strawberries

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