Well, it is a mom declared SICK day. All the little monkees are staying home. Everyone deserves a day off now and again (mom included... I'll get mine later  ) and maybe this will give 'em all a chance to recharge and feel better sooner rather than later.

 

Looks like it will be later-

Looks like tonight will be another long one. Grandma was sick yesterday, so was Tommy. Dad just callled and Mom is sick now too. 5 minutes later Kayler "christened" the bath room. Looks like another ( in a long long line) of near sleepless nights~

Hello again- just another Monday here.

Get up, try and wake up. Toss some snacks in a bag for Steven (healthy lunches... HA!!! give 'em what they'll eat~) send him out to the world, wait for the Bobs... B2 screeches in, "running late..." and out the door he goes. B3 is all talk talk talk about everything, and HAS to tell me before I can get him and the twinners moving in the general direction of the bus stop. Finally I shove the twinners out the door, throw some clothes on the shorties and make a mad dash to the store because we are out of something.... (usually something really REALLY important like milk or toilet paper ) so I  load the shorties into the van and off we go. Holding my breath and crossing my fingers hoping it is still going to be nice (the van), taking my fully charged cell phone and the diaper bag "just in case!"

 

Meet 1/2 the known universe (looking smashing in my wrinkled PJ top, (yes, I had a coat thrown over the top!) jeans, sneakers (no socks... who has time to search for a pair? The drier ate them anyway!) and a fuzzy, not so finished looking ponytail) Who would have thought that you would run into everyone you knew in HS early on a frigid Monday morning at the GROCERY STORE!? Don't these people have LIVES???  hahaha!

 

Mom was even there- a quick hug for the kids before off to check on my grandma- Sprite and gingersnaps. No better perscription without 12 years of tuition.

 

Anyway, we made it back-nothing to worry about- ahhh- home again. The big battle to start the fire... heat is good. I just wish it would warm up, just a little. I hate the cold. I'm sure I'll be whining about the heat later- right now I am focused on the cold. BRRRRRRRR!!

 

So the milk is bought, the fire is started, start the rounds of diaper changes and wiping noses. Kenny starts making oatmeal, Josh squalls (he IS the loudest child on the planet) about SUGAR!! No sugar go bye bye...              Joshy translation..." I want sugar on my cereal please, and I will do it myself. And since You won't allow me to put the milk on myself- which I would really prefer... don't put in so much that it disolves the sugar I just put on it. If I can't see it, I don't believe that it is really there and I will squall wanting to put more on. At the top of my lungs. Thank you very much. Have a nice day!!! "

 

So the cereal wars continue. I swear that boy would go through a box a day if I let him. At least he is eatting something that hasn't been on the floor first. Small favors- I'll take 'em.

 

The reall fight is still ahead of me. It's only 9am.

 

The kids have their weekly print outs of their homework. It seems to work much better if they can see what they have to do- then they can pick where to start, or if they want to spread out a less than favorite assignment. It's nice to see them have a plan- and go for their goal. With only a few threats of death to "DO SOMETHING!" every once in a while, they get through it ll pretty well. Tommy has taken to watching a few semi-educational shows while I get the bigg'uns situated. He and Josh seem particularly fond of Blues Clues, and the Backyardigans. They tollerate Sesame Street (me too for that matter!!)

 

The tough part is trying to keep Tommys attention when it's time for his lessons- and to keep Joshy pre-occupied at the same time. The steps we take! Today, for example, we implimented the "hide out" method of teaching math. Billy was in charge of the sleeping Clara Bella... Kenny was on her own with her math. Turned Diego on the boob tube trying to capture JJ's attention- Tommy and I made a mad dash to the lavatory. Math in the Crapper. Who would have thunk it?? It has light, no electronic distraction, A lock on the door- all the needed requirements. 20 minutes, 2 pencils- and the facilities if TBob HAD to go... and Math for the morning was done. JJ discovered where we were, and tried to play "JJ hand, bye bye!!" by poking his meaty mit under the door.... but he got bored really quickly. But so did Tommy. At least math was done- one on one attention by any means is a challange- but we over came!! 

 

Creative parenting? I should write a book! oh- no one would believe me!

 

The rest of the afternoon was a blur (averaging 2 hours of sleep a night- I can only run on "totally aware" for a few hours at a time!!) Auto pilot ain't so bad!

 

3 o'clock and homework is put up, chores begin (mad dash to straighten the house up before Pa comes home  ) the Bigg'uns head down to the bus stop to walk the twinners home. Start making something for dinner- and don't ask me what. I hate that question! I have a list (made 2 weeks in advance) and it is posted in the fridge. I have no idea what it says- I look at 3, and do what it says. Works WONDERS!!! When the kids ask, I can honestly tell them that I haven't got a clue!

 

5 o'clock- dinners fixed, Dads home and the online poker is a playing. Baths, dishes, laundry, play station, disney movie, diapers, homework.... more diapers and bed time. Usually I am more tuckered than they are- but when momma goes to bed, EVERYONE goes to bed. It's the law!

 

Then sometime... about the same time that I am good and nearly comfortable, warm and unconcious- SOMEONE wakes up. Fussy Clara, JJ fell out of bed, Someone had to pee... "I forgot I need cupcakes for tomorrow!!" something like that. Before I know it- or have much more than a cat nap or two (usually sitting up, standing in front of an open fridge, or sitting on the pot  ) Did I just say that out loud???  The alarm clock is blaring and the process starts all over again.

 

Throw in Shopping grand adventures, speech therapy, library runs, and take dad a lunch trips, that about covers my week. Weekends- those are another story completely. Next time I am awake (or on a caffine high) I might detail that experience too.

 

So next time anyone asks, or thinks,  or wonders "7 kids... how in the world do you do it??" you will know. Barely. How ever I can. Very uniquely. Creativity has it's advantages!! And sleep deprivation helps the creative juices flow~

 

Until next time America- I need a nap.   Or a brownie to tide me over!!

 

 

This has been a relatively relaxing Sunday. People are still fighting off what ever bug it was that has been reaking havoc on us all for the better part of the past 2 weeks, but it is getting much better around here.

 

Tommy still coughs... and is working on remembering "if you have to cough or sneeze... use your elbow or a tissue...PLEASE... for the love of GOD use a freakin' TISSUE would ya?!"  Well, the kids learned it a little differently...but this way gets the point across!!

Steven, cracks me up. Most "kids" even 31 year old ones...act like big babies when they don't feel well. He is so far past wanting to be cared for... he has turned into a groucho- grunts, mumbles... pleasant!! Anywho, stubborn as he is, he didn't want to wait 2 weeks to see the doc, and balked at going to the ER to be seen (his other insurance covered option.) So I got the opportunity to research the local pharmacy to hopefully find SOMETHING, anything to help him feel better... as soon as possible- for all our sanity.

 

I talked to the pharmasist lady, who recommended this Tylenol cold stuff- and he actually took it. He had to have been feeling pretty miserable, this guy won't even take asprin. Well, he took a shot of it... but he drank it slow. BAD idea... especially for someone not used to taking medicine. Oh the faces he made! And I couldn't say anything when he made them either... heaven forbid he NOT take something to feel better! So I tried (really REALLY tried) not to crack up while he finished it.

 

Poor fella, Im sorry he feels bad, but he won't let me do anything to try and help. And I know he has to be miserable to keep taking it like he does... and I really should not laugh at his troubles.

 

But I can't help it! And he IS starting to fell better 

Another day on Doggy Do Duty :)

 

Mom and Pop took off for a Weekend in Spokane- to watch the Ice Skating National Championships (Dads Christmas goft to Mom)... and I got to baby sit. Really, I let Billy have the Do-ty part ... that's why you have kids right? So THEY can scoop the poo, find the phone, and bring you another soda!!

 

Well, since I am typically on Do- duty anyway ( I have been changing diapers for at least one kid for the past 12 3/4 years) this really wasn't any big deal.

 

Glad mom and pop got a chance to get away though- good for them. Hope you had fun!!

How come all the "good stuff" isn't here? The jobs, the schools, the opportunities... always seem to be "not in Yakima!"

 

I find it very exhausting to continue to be frustrated ALL the time... about EVERYTHING!!  Yakima burn out? Probably. Small towns have their good points, but most of the time they just feel too small.

 

I called about medical insurance stuff yesterday... lots of red tape. Anyway, Yakima is considered rural- they didn't have any options... "because there is nothing there..."

 

I look into College stuff (heaven forbid I have the chance to go back sometime) and all I hear is " oh you can't do that here..." and then I get the big push for other schools... Heritage, Central, Eastern- every where but here. If you look in the papers, all the jobs are for somewhere else too! Listings in the Yakima paper... for Spokane, Ellensburg, the Tri Cities, even Idaho! The local TV stations are even heading out of town.

 

Wow... I am amazed by the apparent future of my hometown. There doesn't look like there IS a future. How depressing.

Another snot filled day- here amongst the sickies... myself included. Booooooger!!! (as Joshy calls them) were flying...Aren't sneezes amazing?

 

On a much more pleasant note... Clara has joined the ranks of the rolling. She has the rocking figured out- so the rollin' was bound to happen sometime!! Ah, my baby is growing up... still no hair, but we are still crossing our fingers on that one!

 

 

I spent most of the afternoon mending Billy's pants. I swear that kid can tear up a pair of jeans faster than most people can change the channel on the TV with a remote. "I didn't know it was there!!" is a favorite phrase when I ask him what happened. SURE~ a 4 inch gash across the knee of your pants- no clue how that happened!!  or the quarter sized hole out your back pocket.... or the strips torn off the bottom of the legs... but only on the back half. I am SO believing THAT!!

 

Anyway- who the heck mends anything anymore? I felt like a little old cat lady sitting there with needle in hand. (Too lazy to pull out the sewing machine!!) Yeah, sure- kids have holey jeans- and have had them for years... but GEEZE I just bought them for him for Christmas!! 

 

So I sat, and grumped, and fumed... threatened to by neon pink hearts and smoochie lips to cover the next of his... unexplainable snags. That ought to fix 'em...

 

It was kind of relaxing, in a not have to think sort of way. I sent the boys outside, Clara was sleeping and Kenny was painting- so it was nice and mellow. I could veg out- and pretend I was actually doing something almost productive... I really do need to start more me projects. Even if they are just simple little start and stop ones that I can drop and pick up as the monkees/ time/ situations allow.

 

Yup... there should still be a "me" in here somewhere. Just need to work on finding her- maybe just a stitch or two at a time.

 

We'll see-

Who said it was in summer?

 

We, I mean I-   have been up (for the most part) since about 3 am. Clara has a cold, and wakes up needing to have her nose cleaned so she can breathe for a few minutes. Then she falls asleep- and it starts all over again. So not much rest- to say the least.

 

Tommy had speech classes start again this morning, so the rest of us home bodies, headed to the library. I think JJ is a little scared of the resident lizard, but in a curious- I wanna touch it... almost- kinda way. That was nice, hanging out at the library- I haven't done that in a while. I even checked out 3 books- the big question now is if i will have the opportunity and/or the motivation to start reading them... let alone finish one! Hah!! but then the world just might end...

 

After the class, and the library.... off to the Doctors we went. More fun and excitement!! 90 minutes and 6 shots later we were out of there like a flash- Got lots of compliments on them though- so that was a plus. Clara has beautiful eyes, Joshy didn't cry AT ALL when he got poked.... he did say he got "hurted" but it was OK- the DR and nurse were both ladies. Billy, Ken and Tommy waited in the waiting room- and I got compliments on them too. Much nicer than hearing they were terrors!! I am not sure what people expect though- Of course they are great kids- well mannered in public. Do they really think I would take them out if they weren't??? 

 

Grabbed a (not so) fast food lunch at "grandma's favorite" resturant... Artic Circle, they must cringe when they see my beast of a van pull into the drive through- our orders seem to take forever!!

 

Harassed Steven at lunch, stopped by the bank, and went to do our weekly Walmart (grrrrrr) run. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate being there any time after 10am? Ever? Shopping (30 minutes) bathroom breaks (30 minutes) and waiting in line... FOREVER. At least there were some like minded people in the same situation. Bitching.... ahhh, how it make the time fly!

 

So, finally we made it back- at 3pm!! 

 

All day in town- wow. All day in town with a van full of monkees- WOW.

 

Thank goodness it is (once again) Taco Tuesday... no thought involved. yipee!!!

 

I always thought that Mondays got a bad wrap. I mean really, how much crappier of a day are they compared to the rest of the week?

 

Well, this was just a regular Monday Monday. Nothing exciting, just the right amount of "crud" to ward off any major catastophe, and not so much as to make it memorable. BLAHHHHHHHH~

 

Remember, back in the day (what ever THAT day was... and why didn't anyone tell me when it happened??) when you couldn't wait to grow up... what the heck did we expect? Some kind of alternate Wonderland? Perpetual vacation? Round the clock fun and excitement? What a rip off!

 

Why weren't we told about the true (lack of) excitement the everyday holds? How high school was all a huge production- where "real life" played no role? None of that stuff is important- or even very memorable. Maybe thats why we all looked so forward to "the good life" of being adults.

 

Diapers, bills, car repairs, leaky faucets, runny noses- the hidden "prizes" of life!

 

Life is what you make it- well, with what you are given you do the best that you can. It would just be nice to know that you didn't ALWAYS have to be working on getting where you want to be ... someday.  Or even just knowing how long you have to work to get there... that would be nice too.

 

Maybe I should just lower my "someday" goals... who needs clean laundry anyway??

Well, at least the Bears won... it's not looking so hot for Peyton. Both are good teams, but it would be nice for Manning to win one. Ahhh... at least the season is almost over- then the cycle continues :)

 

Went to Pa's for breakfast- well done once again!! came home and vegged out. I don't know what this Crud is that is going around, but I'm not liking it much. Just another reason for headaches- ICK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That is what we all need, right? A day off- a break, a little vacation from reality?? I know I could use one. Nobody ever said sitting at home was supposed to be relaxing though- too much to do. And if you are at home all day, I know I can't just sit on my arse and let the dishes pile up, and the laundry over flow... I do admit I let some of it all slide sometimes, but I have my limits on the amount of guilt I can pile on myself.

 

Have you ever noticed that even on "slacker days" or "days off" or "takin' it easy days"... SOMEONE still has to change the diapers, and make the bottles, and break up the fights, and make the dinner.

 

I always did want to grow up to be someone... not exactly what I had in mind.

 

  Well, MacKenzie seems to have taken over my moms house... she is working on her 3rd night. I'll go retrieve the blondie tomorrow- it's Pa's birthday. Happy Birthday Daddy- Enjoy your day. Hey, but what time is breakfast???

Here in the Month of Bobs... Bobby is 28. Man, he's OLD. Very glad I am his "little" sister!!!

 

Totally didn't feel like a Friday, Steven stayed home feeling crappy, so it felt a lot like Saturday having him here all day.

 

Meesh called too- She up and went to Vegas (and didn't take me!!!) And like most of the trips my friends make to Vegas (again, with out taking poor old house frau that I am) she came back hitched. Not by Elvis (THANK GOD!!!)- we all know how Elvis weddings turn out!

 

So Congrats Meesh- he seems like a very nice guy. As long as you are happy- I am happy for you~ Always!!

 

Well, other than Stevens cough drops, Clara's diaper changes, Tommys newly scheduled speech thearapy, and late breaking news about Nevada... it's been a pretty mellow day

And mellow is good!!

I swear the kids had me up every 20 minutes last night. Clara work up at 11, and thought it was morning. We were up until 1am. Then she was restless, sore toothers I assume. What ever it was, still not much fun for me! So, teething tablets, tylenol, cold bottles... and she finally started to sleep better, but by then it was almost 3. Joshy woke up, looking for Billy. Tommy fell out of bed. Kayler needed a drink she wasn't feeling good. Clara heard the noise and woke up again. Joshy wanted to sleep on Billy's bed. Kayler couldn't get back into bed because the sisters "spread out" when she got up. 4:30am... into bed I go. Poor hubby tried to cuddle, "I wouldn't... I'll be up again in 15 minutes" I grouched. 5am the alarm goes off- Clara wakes up, gotta get the girls ready... arrrrghhhhh!!

 

A nice warm bed is all that I wanted!!! maybe tonight-  Maybe!!

Miss MacKenzie made breakfast this morning. Eggs Benedict. My 10 year old- SHE ROCKS! I think she ate 4 times as much as me, but she did a fantastic job!! Very nice to have the extra hands to help... and spoiling the mom is a good thing!!!

 

Billy, smarty pants... I think he has it figured out. He finished this weeks homework by Tuesday at lunch time. Since he was all finished, he got to go hang out at Grandmas... Ice cream- whenever, Bed time- whenever. Good deal! I wanna go spend a few nights there!!

 

Tommy is still wrestling with his sounds- but has started playing with sign language... Thanks Blues Clues. Nothing fancy, but Thank you, smart, together... its a start! Any form of communication is a plus!  Between Blues, and Rachael... we make it through the homework struggles!

 

What ever works

 

Little Miss Clara even got into the "ahhhh" act... she is now officially a Jumper. Watch out Grandpa- that rope in your living room is gonna get a work out!

 

Caden and Kayler are busy reading... Kayler is working on Tuck Everlasting. (smarty pants!!) They have to read for 10 minutes a day to earn a pizza certificate from Pizza Hut... they both have read over half an hour each. Each day- awesome job for 1st graders!!

 

Joshy, is just a little stinker... but has discovered that diapers are "ooky" when soiled... its a step in the right direction... but it does mean like 10 changes a day... EXTRA~

 

But all things considered, it's been a pretty good day all around- not much to complain about. Thats a nice change!!!

 

It's coming... do you feel it? Caden came home from school feeling wore out, a little warm, and really quiet. Steven came home about the same. Is it Crud season already? Man, these make for really long nights- for me. I can't get sick... I don't have time too!

Destruction is GOOD...

 

I finally FINALLY tore down the hideous, ripped up bathroom wall  paper! And boy did it feel good! Yea!! I did something, outside of the realm of the everyday Mom Duties... something that you could actually SEE. Tearing something up never felt SO great!!

 

Now I have to paint or something... all those white walls are creepy!

 

Maybe a mini bath room redo- humm wonder if I can find someone to build me a new counter top for in there?! HINT HINT HINT....

 

Anyway, I didn't come close to finishing up the paltry plans I had for today, but am awful proud of myself for tearing that paper out. Yeah for me. Small battles, but I'll take what victories I can get!

 

As for the creation issues, I finally took some pictures of the latest creations by Steve. The pictures don't do them justice, but at least it is an idea of what he has been up too~

No Stacy- you are not alone!!  I was really glad to find out that I am not the only kook magnet too- Maybe its the Damm genes we have? ha ha!! There are so many "unique individuals" out there... as long as they stay "there" we are ok.. right??

 

Well, we wemt and did the Sunday breakfast again- WOW Dad is getting SO good at the cooking, and organizing of it all! He DID have Cooker Tommy assisting... great waffles guys!

 

Came home and the house was fuming... Steven stayed home to laquer (sp) the coffee table... he had to do it inside (it was too cold in the shop... the stuff was to thick to apply) and since the monkees are monkees, he also needed a kid free enviornment. Very good work Honey, now we just need nice furniture to go with it!

 

We left the teeny weenies here with Dad... and headed to B3's Birthday Party, shorties and bigguns in tow. Never knew Meadowbrook had inside stuff to do.. thought it was all mini putt putt, bumper boats and a batting cage. It was pretty cool- the kids had fun, we'll have to go back. Bobby seemed to make out pretty well... game boy, clothes, CD and head phones... not to mention super hero underwear. What else could a newly 5 year old want??

 

Next in line is B2 , 28??? How old ARE you Bob? Dads right after him... we won't even talk about what year he is celebrating :)

 

That is about it on my excitement. I hope you all had more or a relaxing, exciting, productive, or interesting weekend than we did. But I guess no news is good news...at least it isn't BAD... right?

 

 

I live such an exciting life... Saturday night, still in my PJ's, munching all day on junk, the house is a mess... did I brush my hair? Oh well, it doesn't really matter

 

Nothing much has kept my interest today. I guess if I don't have a housefull of screaming kids, I just don't know what to do with myself. Everyone (but T-Bob) is home... just ultra mellow or something. I SHOULD have cleaned house, or watched a good movie, or hold me back... READ something (needing a new book too- any suggestions??) but I just failed to find anything good. So I was stuck listening to Sports all morning.... EEhhh... at least the Colts won! Even my half a**ed attempt at a bubble bath and sudoku bombed. Tried for a nap... was to restless to rest. Mom even called looking to kidnap me to go torture shopping (anyone who says they like shopping for bras- LIES!!) SO not in the mood.

 

Stuck in a rut.... Stuck in a rut....Stuck in a rut....nice little ditty playing over and over in my head.

 

I even tried looking up school stuff... Not so much luck there either. Yakima sucks- school wise, job wise, boring wise.

 

I guess we fit.

For all of those who deal with male pattern PMS... my heart goes out to you. Maybe they make a pill??

 

Anyway, I am very glad it is Friday... this week seems to have gone on and on and on. Nothing big, or exciting happened... nothing disasterous either! So another week where things balance out. Not bad... just unremarkable. Tired of unremarkable- just a little special now and again would be nice!!

 

SO I am angling for a date night, (no kids, OR major car repair work) that would be very nice. Feeling like a grown up, for a while anyway, not just being mom- is always a nice "break from the reality." Nothing fancy, I don't do fancy well, just nice. Nice is plenty.

 

Still stuck in the "me" rut. My Psyco Lady came by today...(neither one of us is psycho... she just comes by every month or so to make sure the baby blues haven't developed into something creepy) anyway, we started talking about what I want to do- education wise. She was/ is still trying to recruit me into her line of work... sort of anyway. I have my AA... and need something to do with it. Nursing was where I was headed... and still might be. But she brought up social work as another option. With all my (many many) years of diaper changing etc, and my past history- I might actually be of help to other people. Wow- who would a thunk it? I am already running a mini hotline of sorts... seems that people with newbies call me thinking I might have some insight! LOL - well, If I am already handing out the advice... being paid for it would be spiffy right?!

 

So at least I have something to research now... and it is the right time to file for financial aid!