School...

...it is just around the corner. I mean, really, just around the corner. As in Monday. This week I have prepared as much as possible by watching movies almost non-stop and reading book after book. We won't have all day movie marathons anymore after Monday. Bummer. Our schedule looks good and we already have a homeschool field trip on the third day of school, which just so happens to be Erika's birthday. That is totally awesome!!

This weekend is my family reunion. I will get up Saturday and do some cooking and then head to my Dad's house to catch up with some family I hardly ever get to see. The best part is that we never know who will be coming in. It is always a mystery and a fun surprise to see who makes the trip to KY. The girls really love it since my dad has a swing on every tree and there are all those cousins to pester/play with.

Well, I am off to put another movie in...our time is very limited you know.

Saying Goodbye.

My friend Terri is moving to Chicago today. She and her family spent supper and the evening with us last night. It was wonderful. And bittersweet. Our paths hardly ever crossed during the school year but summers were always counted on to catch up...and a few marathon phone conversations. We have so much in common but mostly we are soul friends-the kind that can take a move and still be friends. That doesn't make it easier. I hate it when friends move away. Alot.

DEEP THOUGHTS

by Janjanmom

Do you ever notice how delightful your children are when they are surrounded by their friends not their siblings? Perhaps this needs to happen more often.

Doggone tired, doggone it!

I am tired. Bone weary. The pool party today put me right over the edge. Tonight I vow to go to bed early if my laundry situation cooperates. I have thoroughly enjoyed our jam-packed weekend but now it is time to rest up for our jam-packed last week before school starts!!

Goodnight Seattle!!(Frazier fans of the world-UNITE!)

Stream of Consciousness

The wedding is over. Their car was heavily decorated with shaving cream and they left a trail of it out of the church. Too funny. I started this tradition when my sister Linda and Frank got married. I got them goood!! They totally paid me back! My grocery shopping is done thanks to a late night visit to Kroger and a stop by Sam's club by hubby on his way home. My children are nestled all snug in their beds. (Hubby too.) My feet hurt and they never do. The laundry basket is completely overflowing. I hope my nephew and his bride are happy forever-they are so good together. I hope the videotaping I did of the wedding comes out somewhat decent. I really must take my contacts out soon. I need to make an appointment to get my eye exam as this is my LAST pair of disposables. Our kittens are adorable and I love them even though I did not want to keep any of the kittens. Graygray is probably going to go live at my moms since the kittens are still nursing her even after surgery and two weeks of separation prior to that. Shameful. The kitten I gave my mom disappeared. Sad. He was my favorite one. July has flown by. Kayla has a slumber party coming up and that scares me to death. I hate slumber parties but a promise is a promise. Kayla looks at least 15 in the dress she wore to the wedding today. I'm investing in a quick loading shotgun ASAP. It's in the best interest of all my girls really. Boys are evil. I'm not kidding. (YES I AM!) Perhaps we need a pit bull as well-although Daisy and Toby have their vicious moments. I am definitely finishing my book tonight if it kills me. Wedding food is delicious. Wedding clean-up is not at all!! I am going to start saving for caterers just in case a boy makes it past the shotguns and pit bulls and asks for one of my girls hands in marriage. Caterers rock! Wedding clean-up does not. Did I mention that already?

Wedding Bells!

Graygray is back home now and looking very thin!! She has been pregnant or nursing so long, it distresses us a bit to see her so tiny! One down, three to go. Daisy the stray is next and then I suppose it will be time for the kittens. Oh well, it's only money, right? Ha!

Tonight is the rehearsal for my nephew's wedding!! I can hardly believe how fast the date has arrived. I am so proud of David. And Halah. They waited to marry until they had both finished college and now they both have jobs. Very smart planning. As one who did not finish college, I truly admire their stick-to-it-iveness. He is an accountant and she will be a teacher. They will live happily ever after with their 17 dogs. I'm not really sure how many dogs they have really but I know it is at least 3. Tomorrow is the big day and we are very excited. We have not had a wedding in my local family since hmmm, maybe mine. That is a LONG time!

We are chillin' in our crib for the day and I am gonna clean a bit. I got alot accomplished last night and it has inspired me to do more. I am always needing more cleaning inspiration!!

Things done today:

• 10cent posterboard bought at Walgreens. I had to settle for colors as the white is never going to be restocked.
• Graygray to the vet to finally get her kitten factory shut down.
• My hair trimmed-I'm only 3 weeks overdue!
• Kayla to Old Navy to spend her gift card -she made some cute choices!! (1 day later-the things we don't procrastinate!!)
• Grill cover put on.
• Signed paper for my Dad's pre-arranged funeral service. (this was oh so many days ago I was supposed to do that!)
• Math temporary curriculum purchased. (Finances require waiting on the big gun!)(Math teacher best friend said temporary curriculum was awesome!!)
• Free desk moved out of garage into bedroom-old broken table carried by hubby to the garbage.
• Made a dinner of fried chicken for people who can have carbs. (I had leftover grilled chicken.)
• Entertained a good friend and her children this afternoon.
• Allowed neighbor kid to come over and swim.
• Did 1 and a half loads of laundry. Maybe more later.
• Washed dishes twice.
• Wiped down table twice.
• Almost swept a room, sorta.
• Convinced myself I was a good mom and a domestic goddess many times.
• Did not go back to bed when I should not have-got up and made appointments on time.
• Told myself I was good enough, smart enough and doggone it, people like me at least a hundred times.
• Got Lilly to piano class almost on time.
• Picked Lilly up from piano almost on time.
• Blogged.

I should go to bed-it has been a full day. Is it really only 8 o'clock? Geez. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

Happy Birthday Kayla!

Today is Kayla's 11th birthday. She could very easily pass for a few years older. A fact that bothers me. We have had a wonderfully busy day as birthdays always are around here. It all started with a church pool party which had nothing to do with Kayla, except that it was on her birthday!!! We took cupcakes and the group sang Happy Birthday to her! Then we went to my mom's house where I colored my Mom's hair and shaved my stepdad. When I get my beautician's license they won't be able to afford me...bruhahaha. Then we headed home where there was a card waiting in our door for the birthday girl. She was very excited and thrilled with the contents. After Dad got home we headed down to the annual sidewalk chalk contest where everyone but the birthday girl got a 1st place trophy-that kinda stinks. She laughs it off though. Red Lobster was our next stop and much seafood was devoured by all-crab legs for b-day girl. (Important note-I did not break my diet but biscuits and a baked potato came home with me for my hour tomorrow!! I had already used up my hour on dove brownies at the pool party).

We made a quick stop at Goody's and picked up the two remaining bargains in the store. Hee hee. Shoes for Kayla-always more shoes for Kayla. She had better enjoy it. Size 7 at age 11 is nice but I wonder what size she will stop at?? 10? 11?? The shoe selections at those sizes is not so good.

So now I am totally exhausted and I am off to bed. Tomorrow Gray Gray is going to the vet and I am getting a hair cut (all of them really-heehee).

Happy Wednesday!!