modified football 08
homecoming dance 09
damn yankees 07Saturday, April 03, 2010
Spring has sprung big time. The past few days have been beyond beautiful. We slept with the windows open last night. I know its just a taste and we aren't through with the chilly weather but I have accomplished a lot these past few days.
Easter Break has started for 3 of the kids. Ian still has class this week and I get to work 3 days this week but the others get the whole week off. I have to sit and make a list of things for them to do so they can keep busy and not kill each other like most vacations. With the weather being as nice as it is, hopefully, they can help me out and get a lot of the outside stuff done for me. I am finding it gets harder and harder each year to get much of anything done. Its soooo frustrating when I try to rake of do other yard work and I am ready to quit after to short of time and not accomplishing much. I guess its time to finally call the kids out and make them help their dear old mother. This place is just too big for little ole me to take care of now.
I wish the energy I have had yesterday and today would stick around for a while.
We had our Easter dinner tonight because Dave has to work tomorrow night. I am waiting for the eggs to cool so Meg and I can dye Easter eggs for the basket. It was nice not to have to stress about that this year. the tax check was timed well this year. So right now I am enjoying the lull in the what seemed like never ending valleys and ignoring the stress in my life. I have to for a while I need the break.
Speaking of stress I was approached by a few people and asked if I would consider running for school board. There is so much going on with budget cuts and the like and our school seems to be making one dumb ass decision after the other. While other schools are dipping into there reserve funds ours is talking about making all these cuts and not doing that. Music, Art, and extra curricular activities are going to suffer greatly. I am tempted to allow Sean to go live with my sister like he wants too so he can at least have the opportunities he needs to compete because it seems Dansville is taking everything away. One of the things on the chopping block is modified sports for the 7th and 8th graders. Dansville has one of the highest pregnancy rates in Livingston county plus a big problem with obesity. Really smart to take one of the things that gives the kids a taste of up to as many as 5 sports in one school year so they can find one they like and that gives them something to do after school that is for the most part fun and self esteem building, (depends on the the sport I found). I know for a fact that if it wasn't for modified sports 3 of my children would not have succeeded as well in school. Sean is a perfect example of the child that turned his weight problem around because of it. And Sara if it wasn't for modified swimming she wouldn't have gone to school or worked hard on her grades it gave her a reason and then high school the art programs and swimming. There have got to be other cuts that don't effect the quality of the kids school experience. Like not giving the administrators a 10 percent pay raise and renewing their contract 6 months early just so its set and cant be touch. Okay done ranting for now I think. So I haven't decided what to do. I am not sure if I feel grown up enough to take on the school board. There are 2 seats up for reelection.
Well I am off to dye eggs with my baby girl and enjoy the rest of this wonderful weekend.
Stay safe, Stay warm, Feel Loved.
ttfn
Easter Break has started for 3 of the kids. Ian still has class this week and I get to work 3 days this week but the others get the whole week off. I have to sit and make a list of things for them to do so they can keep busy and not kill each other like most vacations. With the weather being as nice as it is, hopefully, they can help me out and get a lot of the outside stuff done for me. I am finding it gets harder and harder each year to get much of anything done. Its soooo frustrating when I try to rake of do other yard work and I am ready to quit after to short of time and not accomplishing much. I guess its time to finally call the kids out and make them help their dear old mother. This place is just too big for little ole me to take care of now.
I wish the energy I have had yesterday and today would stick around for a while.
We had our Easter dinner tonight because Dave has to work tomorrow night. I am waiting for the eggs to cool so Meg and I can dye Easter eggs for the basket. It was nice not to have to stress about that this year. the tax check was timed well this year. So right now I am enjoying the lull in the what seemed like never ending valleys and ignoring the stress in my life. I have to for a while I need the break.
Speaking of stress I was approached by a few people and asked if I would consider running for school board. There is so much going on with budget cuts and the like and our school seems to be making one dumb ass decision after the other. While other schools are dipping into there reserve funds ours is talking about making all these cuts and not doing that. Music, Art, and extra curricular activities are going to suffer greatly. I am tempted to allow Sean to go live with my sister like he wants too so he can at least have the opportunities he needs to compete because it seems Dansville is taking everything away. One of the things on the chopping block is modified sports for the 7th and 8th graders. Dansville has one of the highest pregnancy rates in Livingston county plus a big problem with obesity. Really smart to take one of the things that gives the kids a taste of up to as many as 5 sports in one school year so they can find one they like and that gives them something to do after school that is for the most part fun and self esteem building, (depends on the the sport I found). I know for a fact that if it wasn't for modified sports 3 of my children would not have succeeded as well in school. Sean is a perfect example of the child that turned his weight problem around because of it. And Sara if it wasn't for modified swimming she wouldn't have gone to school or worked hard on her grades it gave her a reason and then high school the art programs and swimming. There have got to be other cuts that don't effect the quality of the kids school experience. Like not giving the administrators a 10 percent pay raise and renewing their contract 6 months early just so its set and cant be touch. Okay done ranting for now I think. So I haven't decided what to do. I am not sure if I feel grown up enough to take on the school board. There are 2 seats up for reelection.
Well I am off to dye eggs with my baby girl and enjoy the rest of this wonderful weekend.
Stay safe, Stay warm, Feel Loved.
ttfn
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Good News For Sara
We received Sara's financial aid package in the mail Thursday and it is amazing. We still need to crunch numbers and decide how much debt she wants to be in before accepting the loans but with her grants and scholarships she was awarded it covers her tuition cost. Its kind of pathetic that the room board and books cost more than the tuition. But its a college she really wants to go to and we will figure it out some how. So Congrats Sara.
:)
:)
And its the song that never ends, it goes on and on my friend
Music is an amazing thing. It has helped me through a lot of major downs in my life and is apart of some of my major highs also. I have had a song from Wicked keeping me going these past few weeks but even that is beginning to lose its lifting power.
Shit after more shit keeps hitting the fan. The latest is my computer being attacked by a virus so now we have 2 computers out of commission due to some one elses malice and no money to get them fixed. Mine is not as vital as my hubby's because I have a lot of other things in my life to keep me occupied namely 4 children, 4 horses, a dumb ass cat and dog. But it was just another wave of what next.
It is really pathetic when you can't even afford to pay for the overdue fines on a book at the library to take another one out. After the bank mistake, which don't get me wrong could have been much worse and I am thankful for that, its been really a lesson in frugality around here for the past week and a half. The stress is overwhelming at times.
I tried last night to make a gratitude list but breathing was about all I could come up with and even that I am at times not sure I am even grateful for. It hurts to much. I am grateful but at the same time tired so tired.
So here is my attempt at the list of 10 again.
1. That all my children are safe and healthy for the most part.
2. That I have a wonderful partner in my life that even when we are yelling at each other I know that this too will pass and at the base we love each other deeply and always will.
3. That I have a job that I like.
4. That I have a roof over my head for now.
5. That I have wonderful people in my life that love me and are there for me if I only ask
6.
oh well 5 is better than one.
Off to the barn to appreciate my horses for a while.
Stay safe, Stay warm, Feel loved.
TTFN
Shit after more shit keeps hitting the fan. The latest is my computer being attacked by a virus so now we have 2 computers out of commission due to some one elses malice and no money to get them fixed. Mine is not as vital as my hubby's because I have a lot of other things in my life to keep me occupied namely 4 children, 4 horses, a dumb ass cat and dog. But it was just another wave of what next.
It is really pathetic when you can't even afford to pay for the overdue fines on a book at the library to take another one out. After the bank mistake, which don't get me wrong could have been much worse and I am thankful for that, its been really a lesson in frugality around here for the past week and a half. The stress is overwhelming at times.
I tried last night to make a gratitude list but breathing was about all I could come up with and even that I am at times not sure I am even grateful for. It hurts to much. I am grateful but at the same time tired so tired.
So here is my attempt at the list of 10 again.
1. That all my children are safe and healthy for the most part.
2. That I have a wonderful partner in my life that even when we are yelling at each other I know that this too will pass and at the base we love each other deeply and always will.
3. That I have a job that I like.
4. That I have a roof over my head for now.
5. That I have wonderful people in my life that love me and are there for me if I only ask
6.
oh well 5 is better than one.
Off to the barn to appreciate my horses for a while.
Stay safe, Stay warm, Feel loved.
TTFN
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Another Senior moment soon to be in the Past!
Tonight is going to be one of those lasts again, the senior thing.
I have been doing really well this year better than last time I went through this but its only 10am and I’m already starting with the tears.
Senior Ball is this evening. She has a beautiful dress and the shoes were purchased yesterday and in a few hours she will be dressed to the nines and ready to dance the night away.
I am hoping the rush to get 2 places to take pictures and get kids to there assigned pick up points will quell some of the emotions I am feeling today but only time will tell if this will work.
Sean is going also with a good friend. He has his grandfathers tux coat and a pink shirt and will look smashing even without he 120 dollar tux.
It’s been a long tough week with little to no sleep. These events bring out the pain of not being able to provide for my family the way I would like too. Not being able to even put food on the table lately has increased the stress level to a point of explosion. Fighting is a main stay between several parties in the house.
I have been thinking in my mind of selling the farm getting rid of the animals and moving into a small house in the village it would be painful but would it be anymore so than what I am feeling now?
After the mistake with the bank last week I am so tired of living below the line. Not being able to breath for a second, worrying how and where the money is going to come from to pay the mortgage or buy groceries. I don’t want to be in charge of the money anymore but after thinking that through I have to be, even Dave admits it would be worse if he took over. So I’m stuck and obviously incapable of getting it done. Talk about between a rock and a hard place.
I checked into going back to school again and took another step farther and actually filled out the FASA to see how or if I could afford to go. That just depressed me more because it isn’t possible right now.
So for now I am putting one foot in front of the other and trying to enjoy the pleasures in my life and trying to make it work for the kids as best as I can. Tired so tired.
Stay safe, Stay warm, feel loved.
ttfn
I have been doing really well this year better than last time I went through this but its only 10am and I’m already starting with the tears.
Senior Ball is this evening. She has a beautiful dress and the shoes were purchased yesterday and in a few hours she will be dressed to the nines and ready to dance the night away.
I am hoping the rush to get 2 places to take pictures and get kids to there assigned pick up points will quell some of the emotions I am feeling today but only time will tell if this will work.
Sean is going also with a good friend. He has his grandfathers tux coat and a pink shirt and will look smashing even without he 120 dollar tux.
It’s been a long tough week with little to no sleep. These events bring out the pain of not being able to provide for my family the way I would like too. Not being able to even put food on the table lately has increased the stress level to a point of explosion. Fighting is a main stay between several parties in the house.
I have been thinking in my mind of selling the farm getting rid of the animals and moving into a small house in the village it would be painful but would it be anymore so than what I am feeling now?
After the mistake with the bank last week I am so tired of living below the line. Not being able to breath for a second, worrying how and where the money is going to come from to pay the mortgage or buy groceries. I don’t want to be in charge of the money anymore but after thinking that through I have to be, even Dave admits it would be worse if he took over. So I’m stuck and obviously incapable of getting it done. Talk about between a rock and a hard place.
I checked into going back to school again and took another step farther and actually filled out the FASA to see how or if I could afford to go. That just depressed me more because it isn’t possible right now.
So for now I am putting one foot in front of the other and trying to enjoy the pleasures in my life and trying to make it work for the kids as best as I can. Tired so tired.
Stay safe, Stay warm, feel loved.
ttfn
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Your Friendly Neighborhood Bank My Ass
This is a rant about Banks so if you have no problems with being raped by your financial institution you might not want to tarnish you fantasy world by read this!
The day was as any other day with its ups and downs. More downs then ups but that’s nothing new. Went to my computer to do my weekly check of my bank account and see where I stand and bammmmm a negative number beyond belief. First the panic ensues then the rush to get the checkbook and double check everything only to find due to a slight subtraction error in my register I was overdrawing my account every time I used it with a whopping $32 service charge each transaction.
Now this isn’t a case of letting a month go by and not keeping track of my balance. This is in a span of 1 week. See I have been raped before by the bank in the past which at that time was there fault not mine but the answer was nope can’t help you not our fault. So since then I have kept a close eye on the account via the internet, balancing and checking activity every Friday or Saturday. So this mistake took place between the 19th of Feb and yesterday to the tune of 244 dollars in overdraft fees.
So we decided instead of rolling over and taking it this time we would go down to the bank and plead our case. Of course you get the pat answer “well I will have to talk to “HER” who ever her maybe on Monday to see if we can rebate your account but she will want to see it up to date to be able to do that. Little ole naïve me is thinking oh the whole 46.14 that I’m overdrawn no problem. NOPE the whole 244 dollars. Well gee if I had that I wouldn’t be here right now. So to make a long story short she will check with HER on Monday and see what they can do because there will be no money in there till Thursday when Dave gets paid.
Gee lets see we have been customers for over 12 years, we have 3 direct deposits into the accounts we hold at the bank, pretty good about paying our bills on time. Let’s punish them good for being such good customers. At least in school when you made a subtraction error you just got a few points taken off your grade oh to be back in elementary school again.
And the other thing that I just don’t get either is with the internet banking you can set up to receive emails when you account hits a certain balance why hell can’t they set it up so that when you pull the first overdraw they shoot you an email saying oops your going over your balance. I am signed up for the email notifications it just seems like the right thing to do but then I am not a FUCKING bank.
So the panic attacks have lessen a bit since going down and at least trying to clear this mess up but I have to wait till Friday to no for sure if I have grocery money for the next 2 weeks or if I am paying for some bankers bar tab for the weekend.
Stay safe, Stay warm, feel loved.
The day was as any other day with its ups and downs. More downs then ups but that’s nothing new. Went to my computer to do my weekly check of my bank account and see where I stand and bammmmm a negative number beyond belief. First the panic ensues then the rush to get the checkbook and double check everything only to find due to a slight subtraction error in my register I was overdrawing my account every time I used it with a whopping $32 service charge each transaction.
Now this isn’t a case of letting a month go by and not keeping track of my balance. This is in a span of 1 week. See I have been raped before by the bank in the past which at that time was there fault not mine but the answer was nope can’t help you not our fault. So since then I have kept a close eye on the account via the internet, balancing and checking activity every Friday or Saturday. So this mistake took place between the 19th of Feb and yesterday to the tune of 244 dollars in overdraft fees.
So we decided instead of rolling over and taking it this time we would go down to the bank and plead our case. Of course you get the pat answer “well I will have to talk to “HER” who ever her maybe on Monday to see if we can rebate your account but she will want to see it up to date to be able to do that. Little ole naïve me is thinking oh the whole 46.14 that I’m overdrawn no problem. NOPE the whole 244 dollars. Well gee if I had that I wouldn’t be here right now. So to make a long story short she will check with HER on Monday and see what they can do because there will be no money in there till Thursday when Dave gets paid.
Gee lets see we have been customers for over 12 years, we have 3 direct deposits into the accounts we hold at the bank, pretty good about paying our bills on time. Let’s punish them good for being such good customers. At least in school when you made a subtraction error you just got a few points taken off your grade oh to be back in elementary school again.
And the other thing that I just don’t get either is with the internet banking you can set up to receive emails when you account hits a certain balance why hell can’t they set it up so that when you pull the first overdraw they shoot you an email saying oops your going over your balance. I am signed up for the email notifications it just seems like the right thing to do but then I am not a FUCKING bank.
So the panic attacks have lessen a bit since going down and at least trying to clear this mess up but I have to wait till Friday to no for sure if I have grocery money for the next 2 weeks or if I am paying for some bankers bar tab for the weekend.
Stay safe, Stay warm, feel loved.
Friday, January 01, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR
As Ian aptly put on his status on facebook here's to 2010 it doesn't have to work to hard to be better than last year!!
We had a nice quiet night at home with 3 out of the 5 kids. Of course our social butterflies Sean and Sara had plans with their friends last night but Meg, Ian and Joe were here. The boys, Dave included had a marathon D and D game online while Megan and I wiled away the evening making great food and watching movies. Of course we watched the traditional ball drop in time square and stayed up way to late but it was nice.
Last year was really rough for all of us here on the farm. Way too many disasters to count and up to the eye balls in worry and stress. As I get older it gets harder and harder to push through all of the obstacles that are thrown into the path. But I do and only because of the wonderful people in my life that make it bearable enough not to give up just yet. My children are also very blest by these people in my life. They essential help me raise them and give them things I can't give them myself, opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have. I fight the feeling that I am a major failure as a parent but knowing how much everybody also loves my kids helps to ease that feeling.
I need to slow down as a friend put it or I will hit the brick wall and we all know it hurts when you hit a brick wall. So true Annette so true. Maybe this year will be one that I can finally do that and avert tragedy before it strikes. I know some major decisions are going to have to be made soon about living conditions and animals that I don't want to have to make but will be unavoidable much longer.
So I am going to savor the night with my family and the day spent watching movies and football and soaking up the love of my wonderful family and try to drag that feeling into the new year.
Here is hoping that everybody has a safe and snappy new year.
Stay safe, stay warm, feel loved
ttfn
We had a nice quiet night at home with 3 out of the 5 kids. Of course our social butterflies Sean and Sara had plans with their friends last night but Meg, Ian and Joe were here. The boys, Dave included had a marathon D and D game online while Megan and I wiled away the evening making great food and watching movies. Of course we watched the traditional ball drop in time square and stayed up way to late but it was nice.
Last year was really rough for all of us here on the farm. Way too many disasters to count and up to the eye balls in worry and stress. As I get older it gets harder and harder to push through all of the obstacles that are thrown into the path. But I do and only because of the wonderful people in my life that make it bearable enough not to give up just yet. My children are also very blest by these people in my life. They essential help me raise them and give them things I can't give them myself, opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have. I fight the feeling that I am a major failure as a parent but knowing how much everybody also loves my kids helps to ease that feeling.
I need to slow down as a friend put it or I will hit the brick wall and we all know it hurts when you hit a brick wall. So true Annette so true. Maybe this year will be one that I can finally do that and avert tragedy before it strikes. I know some major decisions are going to have to be made soon about living conditions and animals that I don't want to have to make but will be unavoidable much longer.
So I am going to savor the night with my family and the day spent watching movies and football and soaking up the love of my wonderful family and try to drag that feeling into the new year.
Here is hoping that everybody has a safe and snappy new year.
Stay safe, stay warm, feel loved
ttfn
I miss you Henry Happy Birthday!
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