Scrappin' Jackie

BUSY Saturday

2011-10-25T08:42:00.002-04:00

Saturday morning I had to set my alarm......ugh. NOT fun waking up on a Saturday at the same time that I get up on weekdays. We were at the soccer fields behind Gaither HS by 7.30 am for pictures. The photographer was on the ball this time-I guess that it pays to be the FIRST team because previously during tee-ball and soccer, it did not go quite so smoothly.

We were down three lil ones, but RED THUNDER played HARD with only 6 kiddos on the field and managed to pull out their third win of the season. The other team had like 14 kids and they were subbing like mad. Lemme tell you we had 6 seriously exhausted kids when we were done. Lil J came soooo close to making a goal. If he had been wearing his glasses(which he refuses to do during soccer) he would have gotten it right in. I think that he might reconsider this weekend and wear them. Frankly, he is afraid of getting hit in the face with them on and I "get that".

We dashed off the field to get home and ready for a trek over to UCF and the MS Annual Meeting where I was receiving an award for Volunteer of the Year. The keynote speaker was a research doctor at UCF doing some incredible research on stem cells that will someday......cure NUMEROUS diseases specifically diabetes. He was brilliant, which in my mind equaled all kinds of BORING. His speech was soooo far above my head it was frightening, but the rest of the day was awesome. I luv being able to see "friends" from my MS family.

Did you know that University of Central Florida is the 2nd largest university in the USA?? The MS chapter president said that in her intro and of course, I didn't believe her, so I googled it. Low and behold, I am guessing she had googled it too. Who knew?!! The medical school is magnificent and I will gladly send my son there so that he can find a cure for MS. LOL.

Just after the shindig ended, I received a text message that sent me into a FUNK. Many many years ago and truthfully, a WHOLE other lifetime ago, I was with another person and married for a total of ten years. While I would not change things if given the chance, this text message TRULY made me stop to realize that everything in life DOES happen for a reason.....not that I ever doubted that, but this confirmed what I have known for a VERY long time.

My heart breaks for a woman and her little boy that I have never met and another woman that I used to call my mother-in-law.
May the end be painless and yet another life lesson that my daddy taught me, Life is definitely, NOT FAIR!!

We were supposed to head back on Sunday to go to LegoLand, but neither dh nor I had the stamina to drive to Winter Haven so we will go this weekend. I hear it is great for kids that are lil J's age. I can't wait.

Off to go get ready for school. We will find out today which one of us who submitted a $500 mini grant back in August will be awarded the $$. Apparently, a school board member will be there to present the grant to one of us. I think that there are 10 of us in the running. Who knows, maybe this will be my week for winning awards?! I shall keep you posted. I do, however, HATE surprises, so............we shall see.

There is NO doubt

2011-10-15T14:10:00.003-04:00

that life just seriously gets in the way of soooo many things that I used to have time for.....blogging, is def. one of them.

Last time I sat down to blog, I couldn't for the life of me even remember my password to log in to post......I have tooo damn many passwords and at work having to change it every 90 days to one that I have never used before just boggles my mind. Just about the time that I can remember it, I need to change it.

I used to love to go blog hopping and read, but NO time and with facebook on my thunderbolt and my tablet, it is just easier sometimes to keep up via FB. I know that sounds pathetic, and I am sorry for that.

We are in full swing now with school. It blows my mind that my "baby" is five weeks away from being 7 years old. How is that even possible? He is thriving in first grade and has yet to miss one question on math, spelling or reading tests. One year ago, he could barely read(and didn't even want to) while he is now going through MY classroom library to pick out books. Unreal.
He hasn't gotten ONE single behavior check this year either........and only one day on yellow!! His meds are working and HE totally knows it.

We are in our second season of YMCA soccer with Coach Chris. Lemme tell you........that man is a SAINT!! He has taught the kids sooooo much and seriously with only one hour per week, I don't know how he does it. Especially since practice is at 6.30 pm and their attention span at that time of night is GONE. We won our first two games and tied today agains the best team. Way to go RED THUNDER!!

This week I survived my pre-observation conference, my EET observation, post observation conference, ELP, SES AND our PTA Fall Festival Carnival. So, lemme tell you what tired means. LOL. Thankfully, a lazy day is in my future tomorrow cause I am gonna take full advantage of it. This afternoon we will head over to St. Pete to hit the pumpkin patch that we have gone to every single year since Johnnie and I met.......then dinner and then all of us will more than likely collapse. Dad's Club President outdid himself last night and then again this morning on the soccer field, so I know he is as tired as I am.

I hope to scrap something one of these days........lord knows I might finish up kindergarten school year one day soon.....a page here and a page there. Some might say, that isn't too bad, he is only in first grade, but PLEASE keep in mind, I have yet to scrap my wedding(8th anniversary was two weeks ago) or Joshua's birth, so yes, I am just a little behind.

We are looking forward to celebrating Joshy's 7th birthday in New York, so I def. see some winter clothing shopping in my future as well. I have NO complaints. My life is nearly.......perfect. A few xtra hours of me time wouldn't hurt. Then I might post more than once a year. LOL.

First Field Trip

2011-02-28T08:16:00.002-05:00

On Friday, Joshy went on his first field trip as an elementary school child......his first ride on a school bus and my first time on a field trip as a chaperone/Mommy.

We had a fabulous time at Lowry Park Zoo, but oh was it crowded. There were 17 elementary schools there. I think that I saw more friends/former co-workers and former students than animals actually. The kids were very well behaved and truly enjoyed the experience. My only complaint is that we were literally RUNNING thru the zoo to get to see as much as we could before having to race back to the front of the zoo in time to get back on the bus. When we got back to school, we had lunch in the kindergarten classroom and then they rested....truthfully, the majority of them CRASHED and had to be woken up to get ready for dismissal. They were wiped out!!
I got some gr-8 photos that I can NOT wait to order prints of and scrap. Soooo cute.

I had hoped to get some scrapping done yesterday,, but instead, I spent about 2+ hours in my scraproom cleaning up the MESS of albums that had crashed onto the floor last weekend. I organized them all and put completed pages into their appropriate album. It felt good to get that all accomplished.

Monday morning and back to it this week. Hoping NOT to have quite so much going on this week. No car rider duty(hoooray), no conference night and all I have on my agenda today is getting lil J signed up for soccer at the YMCA.

Life is Good

2011-02-16T07:49:00.002-05:00

Busy as usual, but good. NO complaints at all.

We had a fabulous visit with half of our Colorado family a few weeks ago. We spent a nice weekend with my sister, niece and oldest nephew. Dh and Ds had tons of fun with Brian and Lil J was quite the baseball star at his game that weekend.
We even did some exploring and despite the chilly rain, we spent a great afternoon at Rainbow River State Park. I can't wait to go back when the weather is a bit more cooperative. I am not sure that I have ever seen water that crystal clear.

The crop at O'leno was one of the BEST that I have ever attended. Super great group of women and so much FUN. I re-connected with some long-time scrappers from the original Florida Scrapper days and did NOT freeze my tush off!! Lemme tell you, down comforter, heating pad and leader cabin=perfection. Helen and I did lots of chatting and if you can believe this-I stayed up later than she did TWO out of THREE nights!! Helen has always been our night owl, but I was in the crop room until 2 am all three nights.
What fun we had and a very special shout out to Lydia who went out on Thursday evening and bought cigars to smoke in Daddy's honor. I was soooo touched. I miss that man and his stinky cigars. I also got 26 pages completed!! Now if I would just get unpacked and put things away where they belong.

Valentine's day was pretty laid back here. We don't do a whole lot of celebrating, but I did get luv from my special lil man(and he is turning into just that-a man, not my baby anymore). I cooked heart shaped everything for dinner(burgers, cookies, salad and red soda).

I can't believe that Feb. is nearly half over already. Walk MS is right around the corner. Hope to grow my team even more and get some volunteers recruited SOON.

Have a fantastic day. Wish there was something more exciting to share, but life is just that....life, not exciting.

Sad day yesterday

2011-01-22T14:06:00.002-05:00

Lorry had to put Lil Baylee down yesterday!! What a terribly sad day. That pup~a~kid was so much more than just a doggie from day ONE. She was born on CG's tummy, June 15th when I lived on Orange Grove(several lifetime's ago). She was the biggest of the pups, most playful and of course, she became the pick of the litter.

My heart broke in August that year when she left Tpa to begin her reign as the Island Princess on Williams Island. My daddy would call daily(and sometimes more than once) to say, "I luv my puppy" and promptly hang up. He lived an xtra two years because of that "magnificent beast". She was spoiled rotten, luved to bits for those two years and hung her head in sadness for nearly six weeks after he left us all........

Now, moving on to Lorry.......she is NOT what anyone would call an animal lover. She conceeded to getting the puppy by repeating LOUDLY that she "wasn't walking her, feeding her, bathing her.............." none of it. HE would do it all.

Well, nine and a half years later, our Island Princess has left us to be with her/our Daddy. While our hearts are heavy and empty, I KNOW for a fact that there is one VERY happy Tinsky up in heaven.
I can hear him oh so clearly, "She is MY puppy and you have had her LONG enough".

Baylee, hope that you are enjoying lobster up there and don't forget, give him LOTS of kisses all over his FACE!!

You are truly the BEST pup and we miss you already here in Tampa!!

the REASON for the season

2010-12-20T16:05:00.003-05:00

Despite the fact that admittedly I have spoiled(luved) my child a whole lot-yes, there is very little that my boy wants for, he has learned the REASON for the holiday season this year.

After trying hard to put away the TON of awesome gifts that he got for his birthday party and that he purchased with birthday $$ while at the Lego Store in Downtown Disney, I realized that he had received a couple of items that he already had or had already outgrown.......

We have talked about the fact that there are children who don't have much, etc etc, but it is inconceivable for my six year old. He lives in a loving home with both parents, yada yada yada.
Well, by golly, he GOT it.
We re-gifted and wrapped up a set of Hot Wheels cars to give to someone that we know who has a little guy who will adore them. Joshua RANNNNN to Aunt Sue's car a couple of weeks ago and the first thing out of his mouth was about how warm his heart felt because he had done this!!

Last night we took two shopping bags of items to the Toys For Tots box at Publix and he proceeded to place each one of the things from the bags into the box and told me again that his heart felt "100% good".

Yes, I admit, he is well luved/spoiled, and I don't deny-indulged, but he is one of the kindest little guys that I know and it makes MY heart feel incredible to know that he now understands the REASON for the season.

Happy Holidays!!

What a difference a couple of months can make!!

2010-11-09T08:33:00.002-05:00

Things have really settled into a new routine and "things" are soooo much better, which in turn means, life is a much happier place.

My lil guy has gone from having his fingers having to be pried off the doorframe to go to school to being the October Star Student in his classroom for showing initiative!! I am not certain who is prouder-this Mommy of him, or my lil guy of himself. I KNOW that I could NOT be any prouder.
He is reading now, writing like mad and doing math that makes me know he ain't MY kid. LOL.

Tonite is report card p/u which means a VERY long day for me......I am still recuperating from the Fall Festival at school Friday night. We had perfect weather and an absolutely incredible turn out. The raffle baskets were awesome!! Waiting on the final tally of $$ raised, but I luv being the fundrasing VP for our PTA. It is really "neat" to be involved again with PTA, but as a parent. DH even grilled and sold a gazillion hot dogs with the Dad's Club. This may seem trivial, but 9 years ago, neither one of us would have ever suspected that we would have our own child.

Preparing now for said child's 6th birthday party-how is that possible? YIKES. I swear he grew a FOOT overnight Sunday.
I am going to actually get to scrap this weekend and I can NOT wait.

Off to report card check.

Have a fabulous Tuesday and enjoy this incredible weather.

CRAZY but it's all GOOD

2010-10-25T08:54:00.002-04:00

So, thanks to the class size ammendment, I was able to move to a new grade level.

Although, it was a whirlwind, found out for sure on a Weds, packed and moved classrooms(AGAIN!!), unpacked, set up room, got a new partner on Thursday and yet another new partner on Friday and Monday I started teaching reading and writing again.

Hooray to it all. NOT easy to start over on day 25+ of the school year, but I am beyond delighted to have Tammy back and as my partner and to be back in a classroom that I spent many years in.

Everything does truly work out the way it is supposed to!! Sometimes it just requires a "test" or two of our patience. But, it does all work out.

TOday begins the first day of the 2nd nine weeks and although I still feel like I am learning about my new babes, I have 15 third graders, a new/old classroom, a new/old partner and I am one happy camper.
We also got a classroom pet-guinea pig named Field Goal thanks to a grant for pets in the classroom AND my lil guy is on some great meds for his ADHD.

It has been a trial and error getting dosage correct, but so far sooooooooooo much better.

Bring on some Fall weather as our Fall Festival is next Friday and I am ready for it.

Happy Monday!!

Holding Pattern

2010-09-25T13:06:00.002-04:00

Life is still in a holding pattern for me. There are some xcting changes in the forefront that I can't share just yet, but it promises to be good.

J started on ADHD meds this week-BOO HISS on them. Did NOT work at all. Changing to med #2 tomorrow and hoping for some ability for him to focus on them with far fewer side effects.

Relaxing weekend with nothing xciting on the agenda. That is a good thing.

Have a great one and storms, please stay away.

Over the MOON

2010-09-17T16:15:00.003-04:00

I am so over the moon happy, I can't NOT begin to describe it.........

I can't go into too many details, but things are seriously looking up and I could NOT be happier right now.

I am def. going to have an awesome weekend. HOOOOORAY.

Run Away

2010-09-13T08:10:00.001-04:00

SOmetimes, you just gotta get away and I did just that this weekend.
I packed my CLOTHING, scrappy stuff and drove up to the riverhouse in Homasassa and spent the weekend scrapping away with Jan.

We got bunches accomplished and caught up on everything, with the exception of sleep. It was a great get away, but it was also VERY nice to come home. I got the biggest hug from lil Blue Eyes and my batteries are recharged this morning.

I scrapped 12 pages and got a mini album nearly done. Hooray for fantastic weekends.
Jax

Mixed Emotions

2010-09-06T10:09:00.002-04:00

I got a phonecall this morning that upset me-NOT because it was before 8am on a holiday, but because it made me very sad.

Apparently, Lil Bay(also known as the Island Princess)-Daddy's puppy(whom he luved dearly and called me 3x's per day for two years to tell me) and now Lorry's dog, has a mass in her abdomen larger than the average person's fist.

There is no telling at this point if it is operable and it is more than likely cancerous :(
Tomorrow morning she will return to the vet in Hollywood for an ultra sound and we will know more then.
Thing is, she is acting perfectly normally, with the exception of becoming a seriously picky eater. She doesn't appear to be in distress or pain(thankfully).

At 9 years old, this puppy has been MORE than luved..........like you would NOT believe, and I am crying for us............but if it is determined that there is NOT anything to be done, as long as she continues to be Baylee, I am okay. Because ultimately, when the time comes, she gets to go to Heaven to be with my Daddy............

How bad can that be????

Because everyone knows, "he luvs HIS puppy"

It is one day closer

2010-08-29T09:43:00.001-04:00

Today is Sunday and that is one day closer to Tuesday and the BIG day.

C'mon Sunday, be good to me and let me get thru til Tuesday, pretty please.

LIMBO

2010-08-28T10:47:00.002-04:00

Does anyone remember that "game" of sorts? When you shimmy your way under the pole til it gets too low? Isn't LIMBO what that is called?

Well, my entire life seems to be in limbo right now and truthfully, regardless of the outcome, Tuesday can NOT get here soon enough.
It is stressing me out to remain in limbo and the pole is getting lower and lower. YIKES, c'mon Tuesday, get here already.

where has this month gone??

2010-08-26T06:02:00.002-04:00

I just realized that I haven't blogged since the very beginning of the month. Oh my. I wonder if anyone else has noticed? Ha.

Back to school time is always a busy time of year for this teacher, but this year has been MUCH more overwhelming than usual. Not only did I move classrooms-heck, I do that EVERY single year, but I changed grade levels AND subjects. So, I am feeling a bit(okay A LOT) more overwhelmed than usual.

Added to all this stress was the fact that it wasn't only back to school for me, but my lil man began Kindergarten on Tuesday!! I managed to stay dry-eyed, although I am not 100% certain how that happened. He was so darn thrilled to be going to MY school and reminds me daily that Bay Crest is now OUR school. He is loving it, but I will say that I was not at all surprised when on the second day of school, he came home with a check mark in his behavior folder. Oy, gonna be a LONG year.

My kiddos this year seem sweet. I have many of the same ones that I had last year and that is a good thing. Surprising to take note that a bunch of them really seem to have "grown" up over the summer!! Unfortunately, I am still not feeling completely comfy with the math/science curriculum, but that will come with time and me doing MY homework and preparation.

Next Tuesday the 31st may actually bring NUMEROUS changes to my assignment so I am not(well trying not to) stress too too much. As we keep saying, "with the class sign ammendment in full enforcement this year, everything is subject to change."
If a certain someone gets a phonecall on Monday or Tuesday, then my assignment may just change significantly as will my group of students, teaching partner and way more than I am willing to mentally deal with at this point. So, for the time being, I am going thru the motions, doing what I need to do and awaiting Monday/Tuesday before I settle in completely.

I am a true believer that everything happens the way that it is supposed to when it supposed to, so I KNOW that worrying/stressing over any of this is not in my best interest, and Tuesday WILL be here soon enough.

For the time being, I will hang in there and wish only good things for this certain someone, despite the upheaval it may create.

I am MORE than ready for this rainy/crummy weather to be DONE with. We have NOT seen the FLorida sunshine in over a week and although many luv living in Seattle, I NEED me some vitamin D. So, rain rain go away please and while you are at it, Tuesday, would u just hurry up and arrive?

Happy Thursday. Hoping for a sunshine-filled weekend!!

that mini vacation

2010-08-02T22:30:00.001-04:00

ya know the one that i said that i needed from the real vacation? well, aunt sue and i were talking bout it and things seems to fall into place, like we were meant to be going to clearwater beach for an overnight.
so, i booked it. nice suite very c heap price........

then comes the clincher. i said I needed a vacation. I needed a break. I needed to get away. and what happens, the boyz decide to join me. AGGGGGGGG.
the lil one has been whiny and I hate whiny. the big one doesn't like the beach unless he can fish, which you can not do on clearwater beach. so he sat looking like he was in pain. yeah, that made me feel good and relaxed. ughhh.

sometimes it is just better to let US go and u stay home. kwim? well apparently you didnt', but I did tell u such when we got home. I am all for family vacations, but c'mon, don't act so flippin miserable. I put on a good front for ELEVEN days with YOUR parents. Suck it up at the beach or stay home next time, k?

Thanks.

Have you ever?????

2010-07-29T14:48:00.002-04:00

Seen someone that looked remarkably "different" and automatically passed judgement on what kind of person they are or you assumed they are?

I am quite embarrassed to say, I did just that the other day :(

I was at a training full of other elementary school teachers and about twenty minutes into the training a girl walked into the class. I am usually on-time(or within a few minutes and strive to be and it has always upset me when someone shows up to class late since they get the same number of hours as someone who is on time), but in walks this "teacher".

She is dressed in all black-grunge.....VERY VERY pale and thin with her hair dyed JET black. Automatically, I passed judgement on what kind of person she "must" be. When she turned around after signing in, I noticed the black gothic make-up, jewelry and the front of her hair dyed bright BLUE!!

I continued my "assessment" of her and was not at all disappointed when she choose to sit in the empty seat NOT next to me.

After awhile in our original groups, we were "mixed" up a bit and I ended up sitting at a table with said educator. I couldn't imagine what kind of person would be dressed that way and the bright purple eyeshadow did nothing to help.

However, after the nearly four hours of training that we were seated at the same grouping, I realized how shallow it was of me (and many others, I am sure) to have assumed that this girl was freaky just because she didn't fit the "normal stereotype teacher model" that most of the other participants did.

I hang my head in shame and vow to myself to be less quick to pass judgements on others. PROMISE.

Vacation

2010-07-29T14:45:00.002-04:00

Sometimes one needs a vacation from their vacation. I am one of those people and now is one of those times.

We spent an incredible 11 days flying to Denver, staying in Ft. Collins, riding Colorado's Georgetown Loop RR, driving to Wyoming, South Dakota and back to Denver once again. However, after flying cross country(and two time zones), driving over 2,200 miles on our rental car, staying in four different hotels and eating wayyyy more than I ever do, I was sure ready to come home and sleep in my OWN bed.

Vacations with family are wonderful and the memories we created will always be treasured, but I am truly very glad to be back in Tpa.

One More Morning

2010-07-13T08:51:00.002-04:00

As my lil man says, one more morning and then we are officially on vacation. True, I have been "on vacation" for nearly a month now, but tomorrow, it REALLY begins.
We fly out to Colorado tomorrow, then drive to Wyoming on Friday, followed by South Dakota on Saturday. I have a packed schedule for us all to follow and we are nearly packed. It should be a nice change of pace if weather.com would just cooperate. I keep checking it and hoping that it will change for the better. Right now it appears that it will be a wet week in Hill City. Fingers crossed that it changes some.

Speaking of changes and I don't like change, so I am both THRILLED and delighted with the fact that there are NO changes on my current MRI. I knew that I was still feeling the same and I am so happy to receive the report from Dr. L. HOORAY. Guessing that the MonSter can read and as I have tatooed on my tush-MS can kiss it!!

Off to run some errands(after some more coffee) and pay some bills. Must stop at the bank as well.

Jax

My Birthday WEEK

2010-06-27T15:00:00.002-04:00

In our family, we have a history of celebrating birthday MONTHS. It started with my step-mom whose birthday is the 31st of December. She didn't do dishes in Dec, cause it was her birthday month. LOL.

So, we have a great time celebrating. For me this year, it was for more than a week and I am petrified to get on the scale cause I am telling you I ate my way to and thru 43. It was awesome.

My sister and my niece flew in from Colorado and there was no shortage of opening presents, eating lobster and just having a great time.

Joshy and his cuzin Amanda thoroughly enjoyed each other and I had the BEST birthday in a LONG time.

Now to put all of my goodies away and hope to lose a few lbs.

Enjoying a peacefully quiet moment while my boyz are at Home Depot so trying to catch up on some "stuff'.
Enjoy your SUnday all.

Father's Day

2010-06-20T12:34:00.002-04:00

A Happy Father's Day to my hubby....he is a fantastic father and deserves to have a gr-8 day.

Father's Day is typically not the easiest day of the year for me.....but for some reason this year, I am feeling a bit more upbeat. Today I will do my best to stay that way and remember an amazing man who taught me so very much.

Happy Father's Day to my daddy-o, Dennis Stephen Tinsky: Feb 19, 1940-January 27, 2004
I am quite certain that he is smokin' a stogie up there, raising HELL in heaven and eating well thanks to Uncle Bill.

You taught me so many lessons in my 37 years and I hope that although you are not here to see it all, that you realize I learned it all from ya(both the good and the bad) and that I continue to make you proud.

Happy Father's Day to all the daddy's out there. You deserve to be celebrated this fine sunny Sunday afternoon.

wrappin it up

2010-06-16T22:00:00.001-04:00

With the walks all complete and the deadline for turning in funds raised for the walks......the complete wrap up has begun.I am thrilled and delighted to share with you some very impt information:My personal goal this year was to raise $5000 and with the help of numerous people, I exceeded that goal.
Goal:$5,000.00Achieved:$5,867.80I
NCREDIBLE.
Not only that, but I am number 3 fundraiser in the Mid-Florida Chapter(23 counties). Hooooray.I could never have achieved and surpassed this goal without you all so a HUGE thanx to each and every one who contributed anything to the cause.

Over 4,600 walkers and more than 400 volunteers registered for the 2010 Walk MS events and raised over $490,000. Funds raised through Walk MS are used to support research helping to find a cure for multiple sclerosis as well as support programs and services that enhance the lives of over 70,000 people affected by multiple sclerosis in Central Florida. It is because of caring, dedicated members of our community, like you, that we are able to continue to fight for a world free of MS. I am so very proud to be a part of all of this.

Being diagnosed over 5 years ago and going for my yearly MRI tomorrow-I have NO symptoms and I feel very enthusiastic that the meds I take are during their job to slow the progression of my form of the disease. However, it is for the thousands of others not so fortunate that I find the energy and passion to continue to do what I do.I am still deciding on the ms crop 4 hope this year. After some of the fall out of last year's event, i am not certain that I have the energy necessary to do it myself, but my tush and then be stabbed in the gut with some of the backlash.When I look at these kinds of totals though and realize how very impt my fundraising efforts are to the Mid-Florida Chapter, how can I really stop doing it? I can't . But, I do need to re-evaluate the process and where and what Iam going to do, cause if you know me. #3 is NOT good enough. Team Durning/Captain Jax will be number one someday soon so that others can benefit.

Scrappy Hugs,
Captain Jax

mean people SUCK

2010-06-11T16:11:00.002-04:00

that is pretty much all I have to say today......

I do NOT understand how people can be so darn rude, insensitive and hateful...........

Bottom line: MEAN People SUCK!!

summer colds

2010-06-07T14:41:00.002-04:00

well it isn't quite summer just yet, although the thermometer could def. prove otherwise.....it is HOT, humid and the air is damp and oh so heavy. the temps are like those that remind you to be VERY thankful for working air conditioning and thankfully, that is now what we have.

of course, being me, i can NOT just get a cold...oh no. I have been down and out for nearly a week now with two ear infections, sore throat, and a stuffed nose like I am glad to only have a couple of times per year. I took my last antibiotic today so hoping that my ears will start to pop SOON. I can finally swallow and breath although I do resemble a reindeer whose name begins with the letter "R".

This morning was my baby's VPK graduation. The Music Room at Panda Hugs was PACKED. I am pretty darn certain that there was not a seat to be had in there. We were front and center, video cameras, dslr's in hand and tissues in the other. I have NOT cried like that well, since Daddy died and let me tell you, I CRIED.

They say when you have those lil babes to enjoy them while they are young cause it goes by so quickly. Well, it does!!
He will begin summer camp on Monday and Kindergarten in August........my baby will ALWAYS be MY baby, but he never fails to remind me that HIS spray(to make him grow) definitely outworked my spray(to help him to remain little).

I am so very proud of his accomplishments and how much he learned in pre-k this year. Thank you to Ms. Vicky, Ms. Ericka and Ms. Maria for embracing my baby and making him into a little man.

I could have done without all the tears, but I think that I will miss hearing those sweet little voices calling, "Ms. Jackie, Ms. Jackie" as much as he will miss his lil buddies at Panda Hugs!!

re-FOCUS

2010-05-31T10:55:00.002-04:00

I chose the word FOCUS as my word of the year and nearly 6 months into the year, I seem to have lost some of my FOCUS.....so this weekend, before we head into the month of June, I have been making great strides to Re-F~O~C~U~S!! and I am proud to say that it feels very good to have accomplished some of it.

I picked up the "One Minute Organizer" book at the Scholastic Book warehouse sale last week and I have been faithfully reading it this weekend. It is a very easy read and it has inspired me to work on getting my sh*t together and pitching/purging the rest of it.

Baby steps-I know. Thus far my make-up has been purged and so has the drawer that contained FAAAAAR too many hair curling/straightening goops, gels and lotions. Ha. I also attempted to organize one of the several junk drawers in the kitchen. It is still FULL of junk, but admittedly, far less junk than yesterday :)

It is nice to have a 3 day weekend to accomplish some of these things. But, it is also very important to FOCUS on the reason that we have this holiday today. So, to all the men and women who have served........a huge THANK you for making this the BEST place in the world to live.

putting it all into perspective

2010-05-25T20:38:00.002-04:00

I just posted this on my school email internal account and it felt like it would be a good evening post here on my blog as well...........

I was sitting here this evening feeling very full from a delish meal and started feeling a bit emotional.
Okay, perhaps it is the fact that it is a SAUNA in my house........but as I am feeling overheated as well and somewhat frustrated by the fact that the a/c guy isn't going to be able to install our new unit until tomorrow(maybe) it made me strongly reflect on several things as our year wraps up.
This year we have experienced many things. Several of them come to mind:
*a 28 year old law school graduate who was a parent to one of our third graders have a MAJOR life altering stroke........
*one of our Kindergartner's family's lose absolutely EVERYTHING that they own in a fire in their apartment...
* a first grade student going thru cancer treatments..........first grader!!....
* for me personally, dealing with and learning first hand what it is like to attempt to educate and acclimate an Asberger's child in my classroom
I could go on and on........but I digress for I MUST take a moment to reflect on all that is GOOD.
I work at the BEST school in Hillsborough County........truly. After 17 years here, I would go nowhere else.
We are so very fortunate to have had the School Board make a fantastic decision with our newly appointed principal.
And although it may be hot in my home at the moment, it is a blip compared to some of the MAJOR things that others have had to deal with and continue to deal with personally and professionally.
Sometimes it is truly necessary to just step back and put "things" into perspective.
Thank you ALL for being such an integral part of my "family" and for reading this far!!

oops

2010-05-24T17:09:00.002-04:00

This time of year, LIFE really just seems to get in the way.....

We have just a few short weeks left of school and that is truly the BUSIEST time of year with so much to wrap up and complete. Plus(for a change-NOT), I am moving classrooms. That comes as a huge surprise I am sure to anyone who doesn't already know that I have moved more than 20 times in the 17 years that I have been at my school. So, why should this year be any different? It is not.

I have done NOTHING crafty or creative in weeks. Jan did "snatch" me and we went up to her River House several weeks ago. I did accomplish some projects and scrapped some pages, but that didn't put a dent in what I hope to accomplish this summer.

I signed my lil guy up for daycamp today so i will have some ME time.

Nothing else new or really xciting going on. I am trying to pack up my classroom and still trying to embrace my assignment for next year, all the while desperately HOPING that it will change.....

We did get our new principal assigned last week-our AP is now our Big P effective May 31st but she is already parking in the Big P parking spot-lol. Now we just have to wait and see who will apply for and get the Asst. Principal position.......guessing that will be mid-summer before we know.

I got a new vehicle this weekend :) 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe........it is sweet and my lil guy "luvs me 100% cause he gets a/c vents in the back now :) " Sweet.

Hope that everyone will wear ORANGE on Weds. to honor MS Awareness Day.

Jax

the weekend is here

2010-04-24T09:03:00.002-04:00

and I could not be more happy. It was a LONG and draining week with dh at a training in Altamonte Springs. The little things that he does around here sure do make me appreciate him being here and are very noticed when he is not(but shhh, don't tell HIM that).

Joshy and I are both glad to have him home. Now, if I could get them BOTH to go somewhere without me today, I would be even happier. I have not had 5 minutes to myself since before Spring Break and I could use a few.

So, yesterday morning I decide to go and buy myself a new DROID cell phone......I found it at Best Buy when I was there the day before having them try to fix my camera. Stacey, if you are reading, it took 45 minutes and a phonecall to Nikon but FINALLY got all that jibberish off the screen. Yeah.
I ran into another store to pick something up and long story short, walk out to the parking lot to put my purchase in the car. My car is parked on the left and I see a Jeep Wrangler backing outta a space on the right. SO what is the issue you ask yourself with your inner voice? Nothing really, cept it keeps backing up and is about to hit another Jeep parked in a space........backing, backing, backing, rolls forward and stops.

I stand on my tip-toes in complete and total disbelief with a newsreel now running inside my head, cause get this-"THERE IS NO ONE DRIVING SAID WRANGLER-NO ONE IN THE CAR AT ALL." I am thinking there is a kid in there somewhere-nope.

Truthfully, one of the strangest things I have witnessed with my own eyes. I went into Michaels, they made an announcement. Not one of their customers but the car that was almost hit was the manager's vehicle.

I walk over to Best Buy and they send me back out with their mobile salesguy. He gets the tag number off the Wrangler that is sitting in the middle of the parking row and calls it into the store and they make an announcement. Out walks a guy with his wall mount for his big screen tv, plops it into the back of the Wrangler and drives away.......

I seriously stood there with my mouth hanging open, so thankful that the Wrangler didn't hit another car and that there were no people in the path of the run-a-way.

Dude, put your parking break on!!

So, out of time to get my new cell.....fiddlesticks. But, i did go back after school and came home with my new DROID. It is so funny cause when I get a text message, it says DROID. I got a great deal and now just need to learn how to use it by playing with it(and perhaps some tutoring sessions from Valley and Theo).

Have a fantastic weekend. I have some crafty projects rolling around in my brain, so just might attempt them.

that ONE person

2010-04-20T07:50:00.002-04:00

Most of us have them-that ONE person in their lives that you identify with, look to for guidance and can lean on when you must.

Some of us are fortunate to have more than ONE of those special people.

For me, it was ALWAYS my daddy and even though he is no longer "here" I still lean on him and rely on his guidance. Aunt Sue is my second "ONE". She is my mom and always will be. I am so grateful that although she is still in discomfort, she is most def. on the road to recovery-thankfully.

My second principal is also a "ONE" for me. Mary Lasris is ONE very special person. As a very young educator(22 at the time) she was NOT just my principal or my boss-she was a mentor and I am very proud to say that 20 years later, she still is.

She never micro-managed her staff, yet she was always there(in the SMALLER of the two offices) with the door wide open. If you had a problem, question, whatever, that door remained open and when you sat down to "talk", discuss, or question, she sat NEXT to you, not across the big desk.

I was so fortunate to have worked with her/for her for so many years and yesterday at Chili's I felt it all renewed.
Thank you Mary Lasris for being my professional "ONE"!

oh what fun we had

2010-04-19T22:42:00.002-04:00

we packed up friday morning after dh's conference call and didn't tell our lil guy where we were headed. that lasted til all of umm I-4....ha.

off to O-town to see Mickey and Friends. It was such a nice get-a-way and we had great weather and a perfect long weekend. Did Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, pool, spa, relaxing, too much eating, some s hopping and just plain ole FUN.

Dh is now back in Alt. Springs for a meeting this whole week. Poor guy spends half his life traveling on I-4 and rarely complains. We will miss him this week, but he is so good at his job and training can only make him better right.

Back to school today for me. Thank goodness we had a/c......hooray. Retirement announcement from the Big P and hoping that we find out who we will get BEFORE the transfer period in a few weeks. The "word" is that Little "P" will get the job and she will do great at it, but the school board does NOT always do what may be expected.

So, fingers crossed for a s mooth ending. I will post some photos from our Disney weekend. heck, I even got to scrap at the pool at the hotel while my boys took a nap on Saturday. Could anything be more perfect? I think not.

DONE

2010-04-15T09:35:00.002-04:00

our taxes are done and mailed. hooray.

i just finished booking our flights for summer vacation. we are going back to denver/south dakota via wyoming for ten days with dh's parents this summer.
it isn't even 9:40am and already I feel like I have accomplished a bunch. Guess that means that I can go back to bed and relax right? Ha. I wish.

not sure what we are going to do today, but I am happy with what I have gotten done thus far.

Spring Break is going by way too fast, but it has been very nice. The weather couldn't be more perfect. We had a very nice visit with Aunt Sue yesterday and last night walk ms wrap up dinner was awesome. The unofficial totals are phenominal. Wooo Hoooo.

Happy Thursday.

it was a ROUGH week

2010-04-14T13:27:00.002-04:00

last week. I went to my neuro on M onday and for the first time in five years reported some tingly feeling.......as she said " I have been solid as a rock" so tingling is normal. That wasn't easy for me to accept, but I did. Truthfully, if that is it, I am NOT complaining.

I will complain about the fact that there was NO a/c in our building the entire week prior to Spring Break and there won't be any when we return cause they are all on Spring Break too. UGH.
Being next to the computer lab puts off about another 100 degrees literally. It was HOT, I was an overcooked piece of spaghetti and I felt iiiickkkyyyy all week.

So bring on Friday. Aunt Sue had her surgery and I went and saw her on my way home. So glad that it went well and she will FINALLY be on the road to recovery. It has been tooooo long with her feeling poorly.

Well, Saturday morning I woke up and my right hand was HUGELY swollen. I mean HUGE. Went back to bed. In fact, I was in bed for days. By Monday morning still had NO energy, my hand was still huge and I admittedly, was a bit frightened. Dh tends to blow it off but when I said I was scared, he promptly took care of me. He called PCP and came home. Also called his parents to come stay with lil guy and called neuro.

PCP felt like it was a flare-not sure I care if it is or isn't just glad it wasn't what I was afraid of. Got an rx for steroids and after taking the first 6 on Monday night, felt 100% better on Tuesday morning-hooray.

Also got a B-12 shot and had some more energy yesterday. Got peer pressured into going to Adventure Island with my gal pals and the kiddos and had a ball. It was a perfect day which ended with dinner at Beef's and I truly enjoyed a marvelous day.

This morning was productive as I got our taxes done-small refund. Just need to sign and mail them off. I never wait til the last minute, but really haven't been myself for over a week.

Day 3 or roids and hope to feel well enough to go see Mickey this weekend with the boys.

KC is doing great, weather is grand and life is GOOD.

Enjoying Spring Break and all it has to offer.

HBD Johnnie Boy

2010-04-04T09:11:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was my Froggie's 46th birthday and it was a day full of many of his favorites.

We spent a glorious, perfection FL weather day at the beach in Pass-a-Grille. OMG it was awesome. The sun was shining without a cloud in the sky and it wasn't even remotely hot. He and his father did some fishing, but didn't catch anything. I still haven't figured out how that is FUN, but I guess they wouldn't truthfully find cutting paper any fun either. Ha.

Dinner at the CHinese "Cafe" aka Chinese buffet where we all ate wayyyyyyy tooooo much.

Pictures to follow, but a wonderful celebration of a day.

awesome event

2010-03-28T11:13:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was an incredible day!!

They say that there were nearly 1500 people at the zoo for the walk ms event(ran out of parking at one point I heard).
I know from my end, I had over 150 volunteers show up to lend a hand or two or more-lol. Seriously, some of them worked from 2pm until 9pm.

Unoffcial count was over $130,000 raised and counting!!

Of course, my camera battery was dead upon arrival, so I am going to have to rely on photos of others to scrap.

THANKS to all who made it such a HUGE success.

Glorious Day

2010-03-27T10:57:00.002-04:00

the sun is shining and in less than one week's time, the temps have gone from 50's to true FL spring weather. Today is supposed to be 80!! I love this time of year.

This afternoon/evening is the Tampa MS Walk at Lowry Park Zoo and although I am usually stressing a bit about now, I am calm and very xcited.

I think I have all the volunteer stuff done and as organized as it is going to be at this point. I KNOW that it will be just fine. I did NOT color code the sign in, which will make some very happy. LOL.

Looking forward to a fantastic and successful event. If you have nothin to do, come on out .......

Happy walk ms Saturday everyone!!

FOCUS

2010-03-24T19:21:00.002-04:00

is my word for the year and I am seriously trying to stay that way.

Right now I am going to share what it is that I am trying to stay FOCUSED on:
I am trying desperately to stay focused and EMBRACE the changes that are going on........

Trying.........

It's Weds....

2010-03-24T09:55:00.003-04:00

and that means that dh flies home very very late tonite.

I give my friends who are single parents a HATS OFF. It is a TOUGH TOUGH job. I know that I do not always appreciate everything that my hubby does, so I am saying it here. I APPRECIATE the things that you do, Johnnie Boy.

I have to say that I can not ever remember 4 days that my lil man has been SOOOOO incredibly well behaved. I mean that in every sense of the word. We have NOT battled once....he has been helpful and it has def. made life easier this week.

Last night he sat in our Homeowner's Annual Board of Director's meeting for nearly 3 hours and truthfully, you wouldn't have known he was there if you didn't hear his Leapster a couple of times. We didn't get home until almost 10 pm and even I didn't want to be there that long....
I guess he is growing up or typically misbehaving to get me going while Daddy is here. I honestly dunno.

It has been a busy week(maybe that helps too) and is going to be busier as each day passes and gets closer to the MS Walk this Saturday.
I have well over 100 volunteers thanks to the Give a Day/Get a Day promo from Disney World.

I know that I have missed some of the people that signed up but I am doing my best. I am certain that there will be people that are NO shows, so I am NOT at all stressing over it, but my EXCEL spreadsheet is looking like a HUGE cross off-insert kinda mess. I will know what it says but not sure that anyone else will. LOL.

Okay, going to add/delete some volunteers and head out to school.

Happy HUMP day to all.

great visit

2010-03-22T08:16:00.003-04:00

with our family from Colorado. It doesn't seem like it had been all that long since we spent time together but my sister's kids seem to have grown up overnight!! Joshy really enjoyed the time we spent with them and he seems to have gotten very close to the boys this time vs Little Amanda(who didn't at all appreciate being called Little Amanda). LOL.

We drove down to Venice Beach and everyone had a blast searching for shark's teeth. It was very windy and almost cold, but that didn't stop the kiddos from getting in the water. Fran was covered in towels and a sweatshirt......yeah, she is from Colorado. LOL.

We stayed in Sarasota and thoroughly e njoyed the heated pool and jacuzzi. We met some very nice people staying at the hightower and I couldn't have liked my sangria from Mi Pueblo anymore if I had tried.

One highlight was walking around the shops in Venice. I always luv doing that. We went upstairs to an art gallery and were delighted to have them accept Brian's blown glass necklace and earrings. That boy is going to be famous some day for his artwork. Perhaps though, not nearly as famous as his younger brother who plays the guitar like no other 15 year old that I have ever heard.
Little Amanda does a mean round-off back handspring too :)

All in all a really nice mini vacation for us all. Going back to school today while dh is off in VA for the week doing some kind of training.

Saturday is walk ms at Lowry Park Zoo. Can't wait.

Have a fantastic Monday!!

Spring Forward

2010-03-15T09:28:00.003-04:00

really messes with my internal clock.
I absolutely ADORE this time of year, when the weather isn't truly HOT, the humidity is lower and it stays light later, but I am not a fan of how long it takes this body to adjust to it. LEAVE it alone please.

I got tons accomplished this weekend if getting dressed yesterday doesn't count. I did take a long hot candle lit bubble bath at about 8pm and got into a new pair of pj's, but that is the most that I did to "get ready" other than brush my teeth a couple of times.

However, I was still WIDE awake at nearly 3am, which explains why I completely slept thru my alarm this morning. I heard it but promptly shut it off and contemplated throwing the darn cell phone across the room. Perhaps I should have done that-blamed the time change and then I could have gotten me a new phone. LOL.

We are running about an hour late for VPK, but the sun is shining and I am only working a few days this week, so no biggie right?

Have a great Monday.......still have the sinus headache I have been battling since Friday. I hope it decides to leave SOON-allergy season for sure is here.

nearly done

2010-03-13T15:06:00.004-05:00

with reorganizing of the playroom. my lil guy even made his own pile of "things" that can be gotten rid of. i am delighted by that fact because he was turning into his own little version of a hoarder-unable to part with anything.
however, he DID make sure to mention that he was making room for NEW things. Hey, it is a step in the right direction.

Speaking of NEW things. I am so thrilled that we as a family went out last night, just the 3 of us and picked out a new kitchen table. It has a marble top and therefore, I am at least somewhat hopeful that it may not get completely destroyed by art projects, model plane and train building and the like that goes on in this house. The BEST part is that it is rectangular in shape as we have decided that we are NOT fans of the oval table we currently have-for 4 more days anyway. When we originally purchased it, we only planned on using the leaf that made it oval shaped for company. Well, all good intentions, but the round one was just tooooo small. So, come Weds. we get our new kitchen set AND a side bar/wine rack(dust and junk collector) to replace the bakers rack that has also seen MUCH better days.

It will be a great addition to one former student's new apt. when she gets it and then SHE can worry about the oval shape(or take the leaf out and make it a nice sized round).

The weather is spectacular today and although the afternoon is running away from me, I hope to get outside in a bit and enjoy some sunshine and even the wind. GORGEOUS day.

Hope that everyone else is enjoying their Saturday and making it productive.

I also hope to get creative tomorrow and maybe, just maybe, even scrap something. OH MY.

may be down

2010-03-11T20:57:00.002-05:00

but def. not out!
I have gotten quite used to my teaching partner calling me Hem and responding to her as Haw(both from the book Who Moved My Cheese), might just bring her a hunk of swiss tomorrow to make her smile. We have all been pretty stressed with FCAT testing this week, so a good laugh won't hurt for sure.

I have basically accepted that my new assignment may or may not change but simply my cheese will. It won't be perfect, for sure not ideal, but I will do what I do for the right reasons.

You see, in the middle of a staffing for my Aspbergers child, the office called to tell me that I had a young man waiting on me. I knew that I would be awhile, so he had left and come back. To my delight, one of my most memorable boys was sitting there waiting for me. Gorby is now 20, all grown up and even way back when, brought a smile to my face with the light in his eyes. What an amazing kid he was back then and I could not be more proud of him today almost grown.
He attends college, plays football and maintains a g.p.a. that anyone would be proud to claim. I have never lost touch with him, yet I hadn't seen him in person in many years. He is home on Spring break and made a plan to wake up in time to get up to school to see me in person and thank me. Thank me........
You see, when I got Gorby in my drop-out prevention class at Bay Crest, he was in 4th grade and had been told by several other teachers that he would never make it to college. Not me. I told Gorby that he could be whatever he wanted to be and most of all, he was a kind and genuine sole......hard to find in a boy his age.
That smile brought tears to my eyes as he just LIT me up today and oh did I need that. I told him in person, with a hug just how proud I am of him and he told me that it was because of ME that he is who is today.

You see, no matter what xactly I will teach-math/science, reading/writing, I hope to do it with the passion and ability to do just what I did for his group of kiddos back in 4th and 5th grade....inspire them to be the BEST that they can be. Those PEP kiddos of mine sure where a special bunch and i still talk to at least five of them on a regular basis. Many of them still speak to each other as well and as Larissa told me today,
We NEED to have a reunion pool party. Let's do it. I am hosting in once again.......heck, make it around my birthday once again.

June 2010-I will pick a date and you all had BETTER be there. Thanks for making my day, Gorby. You will continue to make me proud.

As for my very special neurologist.......she underwent some serious surgery today and I can only hope that the strength that she gives to all of us continues to fuel the fire necessary to beat the heck out of the cancer she has. We all luv YOU Dr. Karla and we are praying for your complete recovery and the strength and attitude to kick it to the curb.

Special people special lives..........we are all truly blessed in so many ways we just sometimes need to stop and remember what they are and embrace them.

baaaaad blogger, so what

2010-03-05T16:23:00.002-05:00

Yes, I have been a naughty blogger lately, sorry, but not certain too many actually read it, so what?

Jan./Feb. not great for me personally. LOTS going on and sick, sick sick is all i can say.
My lil guy has been to the pediatrician more times than i care to count. I have been to the clinic at CVS where for the first time in my life, I have felt completely and totally DISCRIMINATED against-walked out in tears.

Sinus infections, ear infections, wet lungs, breathing treatments.....NONE of them fun.

It is now March 5th and the heat is still on in the house. This winter has surely been crazy weather wise in the entire world. It is supposed to be a warmer weekend and I say BRING IT ON.

We registered the lil one for kindergarten yesterday and did the whole Kindergarten Round-Up and tour. I can't believe he is going to be in K. Oh my how quickly it flies.

Walk MS event is right around the corner too. BUSY with scheduling the SLEW of volunteers we have this year, thanks in part to Disney and the day of giving.

I have not even begun my Project Life nor have I finished Project 365. In fact, I haven't scrapped a thing :(

Assignment for next year did not make me happy and I have read and re-read, "Who Moved My Cheese" three times in the last three weeks. I am tryin so desperately to find my new cheese.

We lost a dear scrapper to a battle with bc a few weeks ago. Jean Short, you are already missed.
Found out someone very special to me was just dx with the same evil disease.....sometimes, despite best efforts,, LIFE IS JUST NOT FAIR!!

I am ready for a relaxing weekend........bring it on.

things that I luv day 12

2010-02-13T20:32:00.002-05:00

I luv the fact that I can meet new people and gather them together all for a good cause. I can open my home to a sweet young business woman who is kind and generous and numerous friends will flock here as well.

It warms my heart to wear nice things and even toastier when i am helping a friend share her business with others, make lots of sales, get me items for free and half cost and all the while spreading the word about ms and increasing donations to team durning.

thank you laurel and premier jewelry for the opporunity. thanx to all my gal pals and my father in law for doing some shopping for BLING and especially for my lil guy who stayed upstairs for hours til he just couldn't take it anymore and HAD to come down to model the samples and find something sparkly for his valentine Alexa. It was absolutely precious and I luved every minute of it.

things that i luv day #11

2010-02-13T20:30:00.002-05:00

I know that this sounds quirky, but I luv the fact that I am able to give myself an injection three times per week that although the cost of said medicine has skyrocketed to $2858 per month, I am so in luv with the fact that it works.
My MRI in five years has been unchanged and that is something to do the happy dance about. I also love the fact that I can still do the happy dance if I so choose to do it, however, being that dancing has never been my "thing" I will more than likely continue to do so in private, but hell, I can do it.

I luv having a medicine available to me that is apparently working. Hooray for Rebif!

things that i luv day #10

2010-02-10T18:12:00.002-05:00

One thing that I have discovered that I luv is teaching!!

After 19 years, I still luv going into school each day. Now don't get me wrong, there are vacation days that I luv as well, but I am not sure that I have ever uttered the words, " I have to go to work.". To me, teaching is going to school. It isn't "work". -most days anyway...

I have been at the same school for 17 years and I can proudly say that i still talk to MANY of my former students and parents.

One thing that I luv for sure is teaching. I made a great choice when I picked this career and I am truthfully certain that there isn't anything else I would want to do!!

things i luv day #9

2010-02-10T18:10:00.003-05:00

I luv knowing that the FCAT writing test for my fourth graders is OVER.......the last few weeks have been so stressful for them and that makes me so sad. I want them to LUV writing as much as I do and therefore, i do NOT teach the test. I LUV watching their vocabularies grow and seeing the light in their eyes when they get to write whatever it is they want to write........not just sticking, staying and stretching.

So, I LUV that all of my 23 lil buggers have completed their writing tests. Hope that I luv their scores, but I am personally, very proud of their progress, regardless of what the person in T scores them.

things that I luv #8

2010-02-09T09:04:00.004-05:00

Well one thing that I do NOT luv is having a sick child........so one thing that I discovered that I do luv is having a fantastic pediatric office........in 5 years, not a single complaint that I can think of.

We have seen nearly every doctor in the practice and they are all phenominal. I am thrilled that this particular practice, with after hours right up the street was rec. to us when I was pregnant. I never got to go and do the pediatrician interviews that I had scheduled because I was put on strict bedrest, so it was truly a "crapshoot" and I am delighted with the outcome.

So after nearly a two hour appt. at said doctor's office, leaving with a nebeulizer that will quickly become a good friend of said 5 year old, prescriptions emailed directly to the pharmacy AND a star wars sticker, I truly love our pediatrician's office!!

things i luv day #7

2010-02-09T08:57:00.003-05:00

I discovered that I truly love a relaxing kinda stay in your pj's day every now and then.......I actually never left the house other than to bring in my scrap bags from the car and put everything away where it belonged.

I did eventually take a shower and get dressed although I didn't really "need" to.

I really do luv a relaxing kinda stay in your pj's day every now and then!

Cupid Crop

2010-02-07T11:44:00.002-05:00

I arrived early on Friday afternoon for the Cupid Crop at WSD in the pouring rain. OMG it was like a monsoon on the Howard Frankland Bridge and of course, there was no way into the store without getting drenched. A BIG thank u to the lady from REgions Bank. VERY glad she wasn't an axe murderer.

My dear friend, Jan was there waiting for me-and despite the numerous scary phonecalls that morning I was beyond THRILLED and delighted to see her sitting there scrapping away at our table and NOT what the alternative could have been.

My boys came over around dinner time and picked me up to have dinner, which was a nice stretching break and good to get to see them. I stayed til closing of the crop at midnight and although I didn't get too too much scrapped, I did get to play with the ENTIRE line of SMOOCH inks, including the new colors, that Jan had surprised me with!! THey were great for embellishing the farm animals that I needed to finish my layout.

Helen did a bunch of photo sorting and we spent about 5 hours chatting and catching up. It is still weird NOT to see each other every day after teaching 2 gether for 15 years. But by midnight, her pics were sorted and we were officially caught up :)

Saturday I was back at the store at 10-ish thanx to sleeping on mil's couch a few blocks away. That was perfect. I did scrap a bunch, played some fun fun games, didn't win a door prize, but I DID win an entire set of Simple Scrapbook(luved that publication) idea magazines!! I can NOT wait to delve into them and the Cupid Cash was so much fun.

I realized that although I am NOT a movie go-er, I can play a pretty mean game of Pyramid and give decent clues even if I have NO idea who starred in the movies and I never saw them. I also did pretty well on the couples matching game. Jen outdid herself -as usual- with the cute games and great food...........I hope a certain someone enjoyed my dinner last night.

It was a fun, relaxing, fantastic weekend crop and today I feel like staying in my pj's all day, but I think my boys probably have other ideas.

I am thrilled and delighted NOT to live anywhere but FL right now as it is tooooo darn cold and snowy in toooo many other places.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday and I hope that everyone enjoys and stays safe 2 night.

things i LUV day #6

2010-02-07T11:42:00.003-05:00

I luv spending time scrapping with the best of friends!! You know the kind that will be there in the DROP of a hat. ....those kinda friends.

I have had many people come and go in my lifetime that I thought were my friends-we all have I think and although I have felt the confusion and loss of those said "friends" there is nothing like the ones that are tried and true.

I luv that I do have some very dear ones of them and I KNOW that they know who they are.

things i luv day #5

2010-02-05T09:27:00.003-05:00

I luv having good friends who care........and worry about me and our other friends.

Thanks for the phonecall this morning friend and an even BIGGER thanx for Jan really being named Janice and NOT Janet.

My sympathy goes out to the other family who eerily lives in the same town and and lost someone they luv in a motorcycle accident. I also luv the fact that my dear friends Bill and Jan do NOT luv motorcycles at this moment.

I am now able to breath!!
and I am off to get my haircut and spend the weekend scrapping which are two things that I also luv!!

things that I LUV Day #4

2010-02-04T21:54:00.002-05:00

I luv spending a girls night out at a quarter auction knowing that the money that was raised went to a good cause-cystic fybrosis.

I also luv knowing that someone that I know who lost his 30 year old wife to this disease last week will know that Deanna meant a whole lot to others and that i could do something, no matter how little to honor her and help others who have this.

I tell my students OFTEN, how it makes my heart feel good to give to others and they seem to "get it" cause they have purchased a goat for two families this year, raised $25 for the Red Cross and are learning a valuable lesson about others who may be less fortunate than they are.

So, I luv being able to do something good......and I especially LUV winning FOUR of the quarter auctions in a row. Nice.

Dh esp. luvs that I won a table runner for our kitchen table that he discovered was probably NOT the very best place to attempt to put together a model airplane the other night when there was a very tired although anxious 5 year old wanting to "help". You see airplane model glue and said wooden kitchen table do NOT go well together and I had just gotten used to the varnish being ON that table.

So, luckily for him, the LOVE table runner that I won from At Home America is the perfect color combination for my kitchen and will save him from buying me a new table at least thru Valentine's Day!!

So, basically, on day #4, I luv doing things for others that include winning nice prizes and spending valuable time with a great group of girlfriends!!

Things that I luv day #3

2010-02-03T13:47:00.001-05:00

I luv good quotes and this one especially made me smile because it makes me think of someone very special and I couldn't agree with it more.

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” ― Anonymous

toss ten Tuesday

2010-02-02T10:01:00.002-05:00

Good-bye huge bag of way more than 10 pairs of unmentionables that fit me when I wore a MUCH bigger size!!

I am tired of pulling you outta the drawer only to throw u back in. You were dear friends for a LONG time(way too long) and although I fluctuate, there ain't NO WAY you will ever fit me again, so off to the trash pile in the sky you shall go.

Hmm, guessing that I will be purchasing some new ones soon-or maybe Cupid will bring me some in the appropriate size!!

Things that I LUV day #2

2010-02-02T09:09:00.002-05:00

I moved to Tampa in June of 1985 and ever since I got here, I have been a WFLA kinda gal. I can NOT go to sleep without channel 8 on tv. I can NOT wake up without channel 8 on tv......

I luv channel 8 WFLA. Now over the years, I have seen sportscasters become anchor persons and anchor persons come and go, but the worst of it was when my "boyfriend" took his own life in April almost two years ago. OMG my heart still breaks.

I got "used" to the new line up and truly came to enjoy watching Bill and the girls. Then Bill retired and it was just the "girls". Come the end of Feb. there will be big changes once again. After 16 years, Gayle is leaving and I woke up this morning to find out that Jen is leaving too.

I luv WFLA channel 8, but will I luv the new morning line up? We can only hope........

Things that I LUV day #1

2010-02-01T08:51:00.002-05:00

I luv that at 8:51am on a dreary, rainy, Monday morning, I can sit at the computer still in my pj's and drink my second cup of coffee.

I am very fortunate to have a cooperative and helpful(most of the time) hubby who recongizes that I took my shot too late last night and had a very bad night of sleep. So, he was more than willing to take the lil guy to VPK as I am not moving too quickly today.

So, off I go to get ready for school.

I do so LUV that I have a great dh!!- and that I don't have to be at work til 11 am.

Hellloooo February

2010-02-01T08:40:00.003-05:00

Bring it on. Already into the second month of the new decade and I couldn't be happier about it.

January was a BUSY month for us and I am not sorry to see it go. I have already begun making some simple cards for Valentine's Day and thinking of a birthday gift for sister in law. I have several events scheduled this month and we are in FULL planning and preparing mode for both FCAT at school and walk ms at the end of March.

I am even attending a weekend long crop this week at WSD. I can NOT wait to actually accomplish something creative. It has been wayyyy toooooo long and I miss that feeling.

Next week we will all go out to celebrate what would have been Daddy's 70th birthday.

It is going to be a FANTASTIC month FOCUSING on things that I LUV..........

Dear Daddy,

2010-01-27T17:20:00.002-05:00

Six years ago today, my world as I knew it ENDED for good. When Johnnie and his mother showed up at Bay Crest to tell me that you "were gone", I just knew that they were lying. In fact, that is exactly what I said to him that morning. There was NO way that YOU of all people could be gone.

The minutes, hours, days and weeks that immediately followed are a hazy blurr at this point and no clearer than they were six years ago.
I miss you every day and although i do find comfort in knowing that you look down upon us and although i can still hear you on a daily basis, I MISS YOU.

It has been six years........lots of things I want to get your advice about. One absolutely precious little boy that lives with a special part of you inside him. Your name STILL in my cell phone cause I just can NOT bring myself to change it. And the longing to be able to hear you say, "I luv my puppy" just one more time.

I KNOW that you would be proud of me. I make good choices(most of the time), my cholesterol is still too high, I have lost a TON of weight and I WILL eat chocolate in your honor tonite :)

You were right about LOTS of things(as I continue to be) and although a Durning, "I will ALWAYS be a TINSKY-proudly, I might add".

And she IS truly a "magnificent beast~!"

Dear Daddy,
I MISS YOU........
Luv,
JT

sometimes it is just plain irony....

2010-01-26T21:00:00.002-05:00

I got a FB message today from someone that I went to sleep-away camp with some 30 years ago. Crazy how FB allows us to reconnect with so many and share some hideous photos all at the same time............

Well this message was to tell me of one of our fellow campers father's passing away. In the same message about the death of the father, it reads about the untimely death of our fellow camper two years ago at the age of 39. Are you freaking kidding me? I had NO idea that he had died. Jon and I had reconnected on FB just a few months before .........he had told me about his wife and his kids, including a newborn little boy. He even shared photos with me.

Life gets busy and u check FB messages and wonder why you never see people online? Sometimes it is because you have been unfriended, sometimes because there is a glitch and although u weren't unfriended, u must refriend and sometimes you find out that an amazing kid you grew up with in Ft. Lee, NJ and went to summer camp with in Honesdale, PA has left this planet wayyy tooooo young. And you feel like it must have happened just yesterday because you just never knew.

It brings a smile to your face with the tears streaming to remember the gawky kid in the Astro's shirt........making you laugh and always sharing a hug. Then you google his name and find that some nearly 30 years later he wasn't quite so gawky but certainly touched many a life.

I am sorry for his mother, who has now lost both of her boys, but heaven sure does have some great angels up there.

And the true irony in it all is that I find this out on the eve of the sixth anniversary of losing my own Daddy. Sometimes it is ironic and ya know what, sometimes it is just plain sad. Right now, I am just feeling the sadness part.

word of the year

2010-01-25T17:12:00.002-05:00

I chose the word F~O~C~U~S for the year 2010 and although we are only 25 days into this new decade, I am really trying to stick to my word.

This weekend we were able to have some grown up time-and most of you know that does NOT happen very often. John and I were able to have an entire conversation without hearing "Mommy, Daddy, Daddy, Mommy" and as much as I missed those two words, it was very nice to FOCUS on being grown ups!!

Also spent time this weekend focusing on some tasks in the house that have been screaming to be attended to but often get pushed aside when there are two little hands wanting to "help".

Due to my focus on decluttering, we were able to hoist all of the Christmas/Hanukkah totes up into the attic and some still had room in them because we threw so many decorations away that we just don't use or put out.

Toss Ten Tuesday has been working miracles(thanks Jen). I have another pile to take to the Goodwill this week. I swear that guy is going to know me by name. Ha.

I realized when I wrote the date on a check this morning that I am missing my daddy a whole BUNCH and now I know why. I miss him alllllll the time but I took a moment to focus on the fact that Weds. will be SIX years since he left me. Gosh, that just does not seem possible.

So, for now I am going to focus on preparing a nice, healthy meal for my boys and give KC his medicine and special dinner too. He is 7 months and 8 days into his six month to one year prognosis and although he is getting a bit porky from a combo of prednisone and good food, he is doing GR-8.

So, what is your focus this week??? Take time to think about it and for g*d sake, would someone PLEASE comment?????????? PLEASE.

Holy WOW

2010-01-25T07:31:00.002-05:00

That was some rain that blew thru here early this morning. I was WIDE awake just after 3am and despite my best efforts, could not fall back to sleep. So, I was flipping channels when one heck of a storm blew thru here.

I haven't heard the wind howl like that in some time. There was even a tornado warning for just northeast of here(exactly where many scrappers were over the weekend).

Hope that everyone is safe, no one incurred any severe damage during the storm and now we can look forward to it cooling off a bit today.

We enjoyed a very quiet and relaxing weekend while our lil guy spent some much needed time with AS. Of course, he came home with his arms loaded down with new Star Wars Lego sets of various sizes and all of the money I had sent him with. NO AS NO. that word can come outta your mouth..........lol.
She was pleased that he apparently did inherrit the Tinsky gene and was comparing prices at all the stores on said Lego sets. For the record, Wal Mart is the cheapest but their shelves the emptiest.

Hoping for a great Monday for everyone........

Why does it seem

2010-01-21T20:48:00.002-05:00

that short weeks are longer than regular ones?

I am beat. We had off on Monday for MLK day and then off on Tuesday as well. So that means cramming 5 days of work into just three days. If you add in the xtra curricular stuff, that equals one tired tadpole.

Tuesday I spend the better part of the day with one of my favorite people-my sil and magician of a beautician getting my hair straightened. Under penalty of death from Mitch, it was NOT cut-not one strand......lol. I also got to spend a nice part of the afternoon catching up with him and Aunt Sue. We don't get to do that enough anymore.
I also filled out the school CHOICE forms and mailed them in for my lil guy to attend school with me next year. Now, if I could just figure out how I am going to get him there?? Well, we DO have time for that.

Last night we went to dinner at Sonny's for Bay Crest night-good turn out. Today was ELP and running back and forth from Carrollwood to TNC, to Odessa, to Carrollwood, back to TNC and finally home again.

NICE NICE surprise was coming home to Lil Man's bedroom and his new loft bed completely put together-go dh. I now just have to tweak where everything will go and turn his choo choo room into his Star Wars room by accessorizing. He wants his Thomas clock made into a SW one etc. By the end of the weekend it will be close to done. How quickly they grow up.

I am enjoying the Project Life album or at least taking the pics thus far. I have yet to take it out of the box but plan to do that this weekend too.

Hey, if anyone has any pull around here, can we have a week or so of just weekends to catch up and then go back to the regularly scheduled work week/weekend thing? Thanks. I am certain that there are numerous people who would be equally appreciative.

There is nothing so sad

2010-01-18T11:56:00.002-05:00

As your BABY screaming in the horrible anticipation of getting two shots and three people having to hold him down :(
When it was all said and done, I am not sure who was crying more-me or him. If you are not a parent, you will not understand this pain...........

Thank goodness that is over for another year.
On a good note, he is healthy as a horse and built like "Mike Alstott" according to Dr. G. He is in the 60% for height and 97% for weight. He def. does need speech therapy and his blue and gold forms are all filled out for Kindergarten registration when that comes around.

From 6lbs 3 ounces and 19.5 inches to 43.75 inches and 55 lbs. in what feels like 5 seconds flat!! Make that FIVE years.

Off to enjoy the rest of our day off together.
Happy MLK day!

LONG LONG weekend

2010-01-17T20:36:00.002-05:00

As I sit here on Sunday night, it feels great NOT to think about going back to school tomorrow. Now, do not get me wrong, I LUV what I do but I am really looking forward to a couple of xtra days off this week.

Saturday we had yet another Chuck E. Cheese birthday party. This time for Alex in St. Pete. Joshy and Alex have known each other since before they were born when Laura and I met on theknot.com and then thenest.com on Baby Talk Bio. Wow, that was ions ago.
Last night it was relaxing at home kinda night as we listened to the thunder and rain come pouring down. it was actually a very welcomed sound around here. Between the COLD snap and the lack of rain, everything around here is hay-like and brown, so hoping that some of the wet stuff last night and the sunshine today will green things up a bit.

Boy oh boy was today a busy one. It was non-stop really. Jan and Bill called this morning on their way down from their riverhouse. She needed to drop in and pick up her new Project Life kit that I had ordered for her as her holiday gift. We figured it would be a pit stop and go but thankfully, they stayed for a couple of hours and we sat around the kitchen table drinking coffee, chatting and laughing. It was such a nice, impromptu visit.
On their way out, Laurel, my Premier Jewelry rep. came by to drop off my hostess packet as I am hosting a show for her on Feb. 11th. I am very xcited as I luv their stuff, she is adorable and is generously donating 25% of her sales that evening to the NMSS via TEAM DURNING.

After Laurel left, we hopped into the car and headed over to St. Pete(for the third day in a row) to check out a loft bed that I found on Craigslist. We called Nanny and solicited her truck to help us get the loft to it's new home. It is currently sitting at the bottom of our steps in Tpa and as soon as the "boys" stop playing video games, Johnnie can dismantle Joshy's current bed and bedframe and we can attempt to put the new one together.

We got a GR-8 deal on it and I have already gotten everything out of his room(cept the bed) and cleaned his floors and am very excited to put it all together in his new room.

We have 5 yr. check up tomorrow morning. I can't wait to hear his height and weight, but could do without the shots as I am sure he can too. It breaks my heart to hear him cry and despite my telling him the shots will keep him healthy, who truly likes needles? Not me and I just gave myself my usual Sunday night injection.

It also saddens me to know that at his appt. tomorrow, I will get his blue and gold papers signed so that he can officially be signed up for KINDERGARTEN come August. I know that it is early to even be thinking that, but hoping that we won't have to return to the pediatrician between now and then so best to get it all taken care of. He will attend school with me next year so I also have to begin his Special Assignment paperwork and teacher requests........

How did time fly so darn quickly that my lil munchkin....okay, don't get me started.

Tuesday he has VPK so that means a day off entirely to myself. I can not wait as I have an appt to get my hair done and I will so enjoy being slightly pampered and spending several hours with one of my most favorite people.

In the meantime, I am off to do some work on the volunteer assignments for walk ms in Tpa as that will be here in a matter of just two months. YIKES.

Happy Sunday evening to all and I hope that your team wins.

birthday party, birthday party and BRRRR

2010-01-10T18:30:00.003-05:00

BUSY BUSY weekend. Why don't the work weeks seem to pass as quickly?
Saturday we had a birthday party at Gator Freds. I had never been there before and it was nice, not to mention a stone's throw from where we live. Joshy had fun with his school friends playing NON stop. Then the Theo's came over for matzo ball soup(cause I was tired of hearing Stacy whine about not getting any last week. I also made two pots of pasta fagiol(sp) and that was yummy. We enjoyed their company and were so happy to see the JETS win so we didn't have to deal with a disappointed Theo.

This morning we were off to birthday party number two for the weekend. Jan. sure is a busy month.......Chuck E. Cheeses on a Sunday at 10am. I am NOT a fan of being anywhere on a Sunday at 10am, (can u tell that church and I would never get along if I weren't a Jew?) It was brisk out when we arrived and would you believe they had the AIR CONDITIONING on inside?? CRAZY cold. Many thanks to Anna's sister for the cup of coffee.

Johnnie spent the better part of the weekend putting both Christmas and Hanukkah away inside and out. Now to get the tubs back up into the attic. What a chore, but he does it all w/o complaining. I like looking at the pretty lites, but boy oh boy. Well, put away til next year when we long to see it all again.

Okay, so there are MANY reasons why I moved from NJ to FL not only to attend college, but cause I am not a fan of frigid weather.
I am also not the only FL resident who complains when the humidity is 100% and it is nearly 100 degrees for MONTHS on end.

BUT(and u knew that there would be a BUT), this record cold is getting a bit ridiculous. OMG, 28 degrees when we wake up tomorrow? YIKES.
I am def. going to search for the gloves that are somewhere in this house from our last NJ trip during winter.

I can't seem to warm up and for the first time since we bought this house 6 years ago, I am wishing for my old house with the fireplace.(That sentiment will pass quickly or as soon as the thermometer reads over 50 degrees again for any length of time.)

At this moment, I have my thermostat way higher than it should be(rec. 68 are they kidding?), i am wearing cuddle duds, a sweater, jeans, TWO pairs of socks, boots and I am still freeeeeeezing.

I think the only thing that I can do at this point, is get in my flannel jammies and underneath the down comforter and hope that my gloves turn up cause the steering wheel is gonna be chilly.

Stay warm and hope everyone has a wonderful week. I KNOW I will -wink wink

project life is in the house

2010-01-06T19:47:00.002-05:00

to my surprise and delight, my project life kits arrived today......how very xciting. i can't wait to have five minutes of peace to open it up and check it all out.

not tonite though as i am just plain exhausted. i actually caught myself falling asleep in the chair while getting my nails done this afternoon. pretty much the only thing that kept me awake was the fact that i was FREEZING......it warmed up pretty much this afternoon if you were in the sun, but with a high of less than 50(yes that IS cold for those of us who have lived in FL for going on 30 years) the fans that they had blowing on my hands kept me awake.

So, it will be an early night for us as we hunker down under the down comforters as the low in the am will be in the 20's. I have my 3 month follow up appt. tomorrow EARLY with my neuro, so think good thoughts for me please.

Thankfully, I am feeling good so other than some RX refills to start the new year, it should be pretty quick and relatively painless. Good friend of mine and I were talking last week about how much we don't mind going to see Dr. Karla cause she is the only doctor that we get to go to that doesn't weigh us. LOL. Of course, being a prof. ballerina in addition to being a fabulous neurologist, anyone would feel "fat" standing next to her :)

KC got a good report from the holistic vet last night. He tolerated the accupunture like a champ...he is such a great pup.

Okay, some things to do before hitting the sack-laundry calling my name.

Stay warm everyone.

Toss Ten Tuesday

2010-01-05T20:12:00.002-05:00

So my friend, Jen has taken on a new challenge for this year and she has gotten many others on her bandwagon. In the spirit of the show Hoarders, she is challenging herself to Toss Ten items on the first Tuesday of each month.

Well, I have never considered myself to be a Hoarder, but I am the first one to admit that I get attached to STUFF. It actually stems back to first grade I discovered. When I lived on Dorchester Drive in River Vale, New Jersey, my house burned down. It didnt' burn down to the ground, but whatever survived the fire(which wasn't a whole lot) was destroyed by the smoke and the water. My persian kitty perished and pretty much every single thing that I owned back then. It took about 30 years and lots of therapy for me to come to this realization.......after losing every toy, book and piece of clothing that I owned at age 6, STUFF became a BIG deal to me.

So, it is with much pride that I join Miss Jen's challenge of Toss Ten Tuesday. I spent MUCH of my two week winter break TOSSING much more than TEN and oh did it ever feel good. Our garbage has had garbage for the last two trash days. I brought numerous bags to Goodwill over the last 10 days and I did bring a large back to school today for a teacher friend with a younger son than mine.

It feels VERY good and I plan to def. keep this up.
Ta Ta to my trash. May you someday be someone else's treasure.

So, who else tossed what today?????? Do share.

Happy 2010

2010-01-02T17:38:00.002-05:00

I can not believe that the new year is here. 2009 was a tough year for many folks and I am certain there are numerous people who were not sad to see it go.

I am thankful that I am able to say that it was a good year for us!! I am hopeful that this new year and new decade will be even better, if that is possible.

I look forward to all that it has to offer. Many blessings for all is my hope.

Bring it on!!

F~O~C~U~S

2009-12-29T11:51:00.001-05:00

so I do believe I have accepted the word FOCUS for my word of the year. I am going to try this out vs useless resolutions that I will not attempt to keep a week into the new year.

so, I am going to FOCUS on many things this year:
I hope to FOCUS on de-cluttering my life and my space and living with less "stuff"
I hope to FOCUS on the positive things that I can do on a daily basis
I also hope to FOCUS on my family thru-out the year

What is your word going to be???

what is your word?

2009-12-28T13:08:00.003-05:00

It is that time of year. Christmas and Hanukkah are both over (and still need to be put away around here) but Ali has reminded me that it is that time of year to pick ONE word that will influence you for the entire year of 2010!!

She has chosen the word STORY and I have been thinking hard about the word that I will pick for this year.......There is one that keeps popping into my head and I keep saying to mysef-"that isn't it" but it just might be.

I will keep you posted as I ponder it for a bit. For the time being-FOCUS.

What is your word?

Holy Stuff BATMAN

2009-12-26T11:21:00.002-05:00

All that I can say, is OMG was Santa ever good to this family.
Christmas Eve was spent in St. Pete at Johnnie's mom's house. We had a very nice evening full of wayyyyy too much food and lil man opened up his gifts from Uncle Dave. Everyone had fun putting racetracks together and launching cars and airplanes thru the house.

We got home just in time to feed the reindeer their special reindeer food before one very tired lil guy passed out. He was so excited for Santa. I couldn't imagine what time he might pry my eyes open in the morning but he was very patient and waited. I heard him up before 7am but he waited until I opened my eyes before rushing to wake Daddy up.

The next few hours were a complete and total blurr of excitement as SP family came over and joined us in opening the tremendous number of gifts we received. DH made a fabulous breakfast pizza and we ate that with danish, donuts, fruit and drank lots of coffee from my new Keurig.

Then had to prepare to go over to Aunt Sue's. Made my spinach dip as requested by Mitch and off we went to have lunch with the fam and open gifts..........from there we went to SP to Aunt Pat's to do what? Eat and open gifts.
By 8pm we headed back to Aunt Sue's.........no more gift opening, but oh did I mention that we had dessert and coffee???

I ate more yesterday that I usually do in 3 days combined, but it was all delish. The choc. cake last night was to DIE for-diabetic overdose I swear but as my dad would say, so worth it. HA.
We didn't get home until nearly 11pm and at that point neither Johnnie or I could sleep.

What an incredible day we had. For several years all of our "running" on Christmas used to literally wipe me out and it was just TOOOOO much. It was usually very overwhelming. Yesterday didn't seem that way. We reflected on that and how nice it was at each stop.

Joshua made out like NO ONE ever should but truthfully, we ALL did. I said outloud that I hoped that all my 'kids' at school had a nice holiday and how truly fortunate that I feel to have received so much luv and kindness in the last week.

Life is good. However, Santa DID forget to bring me a place to put all this stuff. OY. Where shall I begin???
Thankfully I have a week or so to figure that out.

I hope that Santa was equally as kind and generous to you and yours.

another proud moment

2009-12-26T11:18:00.002-05:00

So Weds. was the last day of karate camp. Dh woke up with a sick sinus headache and by the time it was nearly noon and off to p/u our lil camper, he felt well enough to join me. We get there and peak thru the window as they wrap up. Go inside after we were spotted and he gets called up to the front of the gym.

One big, "HaYA" and board strike with his knee .......broken in half, clean thru on his first try. WOW.
He was so proud of himself and let me tell you, one of the MUCH bigger boys walks up to him after class and says, "Josh, you are truly a WINNER". That boy's Mama needs to be very proud as well.

So much to do in the next couple of days, including sewing his silver star onto his uniform before karate camp next week.

One proud Mama moment

2009-12-22T19:53:00.003-05:00

So my lil guy started karate camp yesterday.....he has been taking "classes" at his daycare/preschool since transferring there last January. It is about a 30 minute class once a week and despite my numerous efforts to get there in time, it took me almost 10 months to actually meet his instructor.(Aunt Sue and Grandma met him LONG before I was able to).

About three weeks ago I got an email from the karate school talking about karate camps this week and next while the kiddos are out of school and since there is no VPK, we decided what the heck.
OMG, he has absolutely LUVED it.

Yesterday there were only about 8 or so kids there, but today, OMG the gym was packed. They worked out for THREE straight hours. My child is the youngest one in the gym and the tiniest but among the loudest I can tell you that.

At the conclusion of class today, he got called to the front of the gym and was given a medal for being the most improved, for listening and for being focused for the entire time. Let me tell you, this Mommy was C~R~Y~I~N~G as my lil guy said, "thank you SIR!!" and bowed to Mr. Duane.

He also received his NEW Black Belt Club uniform AND his yellow belt.

ONE very proud Mama moment today and ya know what? Daddy was there for every second of it.

Henry oh Henry

2009-12-20T12:36:00.002-05:00

Last night we went over to St. Pete. I should begin with first, the boys all went to the train show at the fairgrounds. They had a blast and I had about 4 hours to myself to work on some crafty "things"-although I didn't get to finish em up.

Then we all went to St. Pete. We had dinner. I was so in the mood for a good turkey club so I surprised everyone when I ordered one. FIL ordered lasagna and when they brought it over, you should have seen his face.
Needless to say, it just wasn't worth listening to him all night, so I had lasagna and he devoured my turkey club(w/o saying thank u I might add).

After dinner, the inlaws both bailed on us and sil, and the three of us drove down to Straub Park. The line to see Santa was HIDEOUSLY long, but our good luck got us a carriage ride in a big beautiful carriage this year, pulled by none other than Henry the horse who took us out for a ride two years ago this time.
It is a shame that MIL and FIL didn't join us cause they would have really enjoyed it. The weather was perfectly brisk and the lights on the water and in the park were very festive.

This morning we were all up early baking home-made cookies for a cookie xchange that Joshy and I are going to later. Pretty much everyone knows, I am a great cook, but "I do not bake". I think after 42 years I figured out why today.

When I cook, I am just like Daddy.......a little of this and a dash of that. KWIM? It never tastes xactly the same twice, but usually(not always ) good.
This cookie thing, it requires following a recipe which is just another way of saying "following written directions."
I can NOT do that well, okay not at all. So whether it is cookies, or putting together a bookshelf, there is a reason that Johnnie does that kinda stuff around here cause,
I am Jackie Durning and I can't follow written direction....

I will confess though that I made from scratch two different kinds of cookies today and although they do not look nearly as pretty as the photos in the Santa Cookie Book (and I could hear Uncle Bill, our family baker, telling me I was doing it wrong) they all taste good. However, Johnnie's LOOK 100% better :)

Let's hope that we have a successful xchange. I have never been to one of these before. Perhaps I will host it in the future. LOL.

A good luck wish to SIL, Patty as she begins a new job tomorrow. She has been out of work for over a year, so this is a VERY good thing.

Joshy goes to karate camp this week and is so xcited that he earned his yellow belt on Friday and I am thrilled to have 3 hours per day to myself.

Happy Sunday to all,
Scrappin' Jax

BC Pills

2009-12-16T21:03:00.002-05:00

not a topic that I am usually one to discuss as I have not been on these for YEARS, but we were talking about it at a faculty meeting yesterday and it MUST be discussed.

Just in case anyone still reads this thing, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure that anyone that you know that does take BC pills is NOT , I repeat NOT TAKING Yaz.

We had a perfectly healthy parent at our school.....28 years old, had just passed the FL Bar Exam and was to begin her new job at the State Attorney's office on Monday. Friday, she suffered a SEVERE stroke and was not found for 4 hours, which is LONG passed the time that the meds can be administered to counteract the stroke. The prognosis was grim. She would survive but would more than likely NOT function the way that she should ever again.

I am happy to report, that although at this time, her skull has still be removed until the swelling is reduced, she has gone home and is back with her family. She has a LONG road ahead, but her job is being held for her :)
Of course, she was w/o health insurance as she was due to begin her job days afterward. Due to the no insurance, her doctor gave her ONE , just ONE month supply of the Yaz birth control pill to hold her over.

The hospital ran a specific test the confirms that there was a protein present that is ONLY present with this form of pill, so it is definitively this pill that caused an otherwise healthy 28 year old mother to have a life altering stroke.

YAZ is often prescribed for teenagers with acne as well as for the usual use. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, tell everyone you know to get off this medicine. It is DEADLY. The company that manufactures it has had to recently change their advertising and is being sued left and right, but you do NOT want your daughter, wife, sister, aunt, cousin or best friend to be the next woman that is hurt by this medicine.

I KNOW this little girl personally as she attends my school. Please say a prayer for her entire family and pass this on to whomever you know that may know someone who takes oral contraceptives.

you know

2009-12-12T22:32:00.002-05:00

it is pretty bad when u get "removed" from the sidebar.

guessing that I really shouldn't care but truth be told, I do. I wish that I didn't and I am quite certain that I will survive. I was never involved in being in the IN clique......

at this point I am in NO clique and thinkin bout startin my own. HA.

Happy Hannukkah to all who celebrate. We had a great first night last night at Aunt Sue's. Joshy and I got super spoiled. Not sure if my new Keurig coffee maker or my 1000 tc sheets are my favorite but I will let ya know when I get up tomorrow.

Joshy had a non-stop birthday celebration turning five on Nov. 22nd and spending a fabulous weekend at Disney for the first time. He lost his second tooth at Magic Kingdom and the tooth fairy leaves Disney dollars when that happens.
His firefighter birthday party last weekend was outstanding and thanks to our "angels" who took care of the weather for us.

This weekend has been wonderful thus far. We all had an awesome time at the boat parade tonite. Thanks Stacy and all the Bay Crest gang for making it a lovely evening.

My knee hurts so I am off to bed. Good thoughts and prayers for Stacy's mom and Linda M.'s hubby that are both in the hospital this weekend. Thinking good thoughts and lower blood sugar for both of them as they are both diabetic and suffering from complications.

I go back to the othro on Friday to hear the results of my MRI. wish me luck.

shame shame

2009-11-04T21:08:00.002-05:00

on me as i have been a bad bad blogger. however, i am not quite certain that anyone really cares these days.

have had some very busy weeks and weekends are worse. not complaining, it is just life.

joshy has TWO loose teeth which makes me incredibly sad. he is my one and only baby and he will be losing his baby teeth any minute and that means that although he will always be my baby, he isn't my baby anymore.
it is hard to remember the days when he weighed less than 6 lbs, esp. on nights like tonite when I had to attempt to carry him inside asleep.
that lil bugger weighs in at over 53 pounds and is nearly as tall as me, which i KNOW isn't saying much but there wasn't a chance in hell that I was gonna get him upstairs.

He was plopped onto the couch til daddy came home to help.

He still isn't sleeping well or feeling 100 percent and I hate that i can't make him feel better. He is also incredibly sad cause his favorite teacher, Ms. Vicky is leaving on Friday. "She is leaving us AGAIN Mommy," he whined in the car this afternoon. I can't believe we are going to lose her AGAIN.
We had Ms. Vicky at Pozee last year and she followed us to Panda Hugs. She leaves to embarque on a new adventure and I wish her well, but oh boy are we going to miss you Vicky.
On a happy note, we are getting Ms. Ericka back and we luv Ms. Ericka......
So many changes.

Our papa pup-a-kid, KC is not doing well at all. Joshy has such empathy.......ensuring that we are treating him right and reminding us both that KC is sick so you have to be more gentle with him.

Gosh I luv that lil guy and the lil man he is turning into. Even if he isn't a baby anymore, he is MY baby and I will luv him forever, Like him for always...........

it must be LUV

2009-10-09T21:16:00.002-04:00

so tonite we met my teaching partner and family at cici's for a kid friendly kinda dinner and what else should ya have on friday night? pizza. surely not the best in town or close to it, but.....

we sit down and one cutie patootie lil 3 yr. old girl says, "HI Joshy and Joshy's Mommy."
we say hi back to her and the rest of the family.

we all begin eating dinner(since one lil 4 yr. old boy is told on the drive there that he isn't going to get to play games TIL he eats)-at which point he tells me that he ate a very big lunch and doesn't think he will be hungry to eat too much.......

so we are eating, talking etc when all of a sudden, 3yr old girls says, "Joshy, I LUV LUV LUV you!@
adorable.

dinner continues, adult conversation takes place and 3 and 4 year old are off playing games(within safe vision range). back and fourth, checking in, filling my purse with the usual loot that one wins in the stupid machines all the while emptying my purse of yet another dollar.

down to one dollar and awaiting to go pizza for daddy to be ready(yes, he got caught in U2 traffic that took him 3 hours to get home from work in Lakeland today-told him he should have gone to NPR, but who listens to me.)
anyone, blonde 4 yr. old boy asks for dollar again. I reply with NO.
and as I sit there telling friends that he always asks and wouldn't take w/o permission etc, what does the little you know what do???????

grabs the dollar and BOLTS to the back where the machines are-3yr old cutie chasing right behind and JUST as he is slipping that crumpled dollar into the change machine-BUSTED.

my blood is boiling, my heart is racing...........that little.............................

i don't yell.
i don't scream.
i don't speak.
i point. to the chair. he complies.
still no voice from me.
point to the carseat and in he goes.

i am calming down. i ask 4yr. old boy if he knows why i am so upset?
4 yr old boy: yes, because i took the dollar after u said no.
mommy: feeling better now, i ask him if he knows that what he did is wrong?
4 yr old boy: yes mommy, i do know i shouldn't have taken it, but 3 year old girl is upset cause she wants more toys and mommy, i just wanted to make _____________insert 3year old girl's name here- happy."

OMG,,,,,,is he serious?
why yes he is. HEARTBREAKER< CHARMER<

TINSKY!!!!

Law School savings account being opened soon and btw, teaching partner, you had better start the wedding fund!!!!!!
either way you look at it, we are in TROUBLE.

what a busy........coupla days

2009-10-07T21:29:00.002-04:00

yesterday started at the neuro by 8:15am. the traffic at that time of day is insane. why would anyone do that each day, i can not figure out. oy. good appt and got another rx for yet another med to try to keep me from feeling like i got run over by a truck. she also gave me two weeks worth of samples for the medication that wonderful pharmacy couldn't figure out how to refill so, just in case, there will be no more seratonin withdrawals. hooray.

got to school early, after buying 21 more bottles of soda at publix. u gotta luv a bargain, or at least i do. nothing like buying 3 two liter bottles for $3. then taking $2 off with the flyer coupon AND getting yet another 55 cents off each one from the coupon stuck to the bottle. my dad was smiling at that one.
ended up in a 45 minute conference with a parent in the office, oops, sorry Anna, I DID plan to be in the room early.......so much for re-arranging the furniture.
LONG plc meeting,(please do NOT get me started on all of the new testing and accomodation stuff that we discussed cause I do not want my heart racing that fast again), p/u Joshy(who would NOT leave pre-k classroom)., dropping him off at home, picking up KC and heading off to a new holistic vet for a 6pm appt.

KC luved them. First of all, he played tug-o-war with me in the waiting room for about 10 min. Someone forgot to tell this dog that he sick and I am luvin that. He is acting like he always has and he is SUCH a good baby.......THREE hours later, the vet tech dragged the doc outta the room and I didn't get home to have dinner til 9:15. What a day.
KC got a thorough work-up, accupuncture and a new slew of herbal remedies to keep him feeling good.
Ya know, I am not into "hokey" stuff, but at this point, the fact is, he has a mast cell tumor in his mouth. It is malignant, it is going to kill him :( but if we can do "things" to continue to allow us to luv him, why the hell not????????

And for those of you (like my husband) who are wondering just how much three prescriptions, accupunture and three hour appt with this said vet costs??? Lemme tell you, I can spend way more than that in about 30 minutes at Target. Literally.
It cost me $120. How can i not do that for my papa pup-a-kid??

I will keep ya posted.
LONG short(early release day ) for me today too.
I also had to "trick" Joshy into getting a flu shot at Drs. Walk In Clinic, but he forgave me......and couldn't believe how brave he was.

We finished up the day by picking out some new fish for our fishtank and he was tickled to float them until Daddy came home.

Working on crop stuff, have BOD meeting tomorrow and a WHOLE lotta nothin over the weekend. okay, gotta score some writing tests but that is relaxing.

Anna and I DID manage to re-arrange the entire classroom today and wanna hear this..........21 out of 22 did their homework and one did XTRA. first time for this group and i am feeling xhausted and elated.

Sweet dreams,
Tad

Happy Anniversary

2009-10-04T13:48:00.001-04:00

to me and dh .......six years ago 2night we were married on N. Redington Beach at sunset.
our six years of marriage has truly been a roller coaster ride, and admittedly, as much as i HATE roller coasters, I wouldn't wanna be riding this one with anyone else.

Happy Anniversary Johnnie Boy.

oh what a mood

2009-10-03T11:20:00.002-04:00

i was in yesterday. watch out.
now i have pms, so that is xpected but the rest of it was NOT my fault.
having seratonin withdrawls is NOT fun........you turn your head and although it is now facing all the way to the right, it still feels like it is on the left. ugh. add dizzy, nauseus and crabby to the mix and lemme tell ya, you did NOT want to be the IDIOT on the other end of the phone at the pharmacy yesterday.

I guess that my being somewhat evil worked or scared the guy badly enough that he overnighted my medication and get this.........it was the RIGHT one this time. hmm, only took 10 days, three phonecalls, them blaming four other people for the mistake and charging my cc for meds i didnt' order and i am NO longer on.

well u get the hint. if ya dont' hear from me for a couple days it is simply cause i am overdosing on pexeva to get it back into my system. ahhhhhhhhhhh good drugs-all legal of course.

by the way, tomorrow johnnie boy and i will celebrate 6 six of being married :)
makes me happy and sad, makes me realize i have never been married this long but oh how i miss my daddy. maybe i will be able to watch my wedding video?????? i have yet to do that. I bet i could handle it now and Joshy has been asking to see the pics etc. I think that is the plan.

Have a great weekend.
Jax

oh so sleepy

2009-09-20T08:49:00.002-04:00

I feel like I spend at least one day each weekend lately trying to catch up and just being plain ole lazy. NOT a good feeling and I can't keep doing it. I think that a call to my neuro is in order tomorrow.

Last weekend we had such an incredible time at MaSquerade. Deb, Chris, Johnnie, Aunt Sue and I really enjoyed getting all dolled up and going to support the cause. The Felder family certainly worked their tails off obtaining donations and more. Do you know that they had a signed helmet of every single SuperBowl MVP player ever!!?? With a starting bid of $6000 lets just say that sucker did not come home with anyone that I know. LOL. I did win a couple of raffles and one auction and all the while supporting the NMSS. I even danced if you can believe that.

Had a good week at school as my new group and I try to get into the groove and routine. We are getting there and they are a "good" group of sweeties. My Spanish is getting better and better as Karla's English continues to improve as well.

Josh is Josh........John works too long and KC is doing great. Can NOT ask for anymore than that and I will not.

Off to finish up the laundry.
Jax

a family asking for help

2009-09-07T21:19:00.002-04:00

I read a post on our school internal this weekend. Several years ago, I had the joy of teaching an incredible boy named Efrain. He made SUCH progress in the year that I had him and I am always thrilled when he comes back to visit.

This is a kid who does the 5th grade dvd of memories for our entire elementary school each year, even now as nearly a high school student. he has never forgotten his elementary roots. So, it was with great sadness when i read that he reached out to our speech therapist this week with a phonecall telling her that they house had internally had a fire in it over the summer.

they lost about everything and mom also lost her job. they have nothing but the shell of the house and are still living in it.

it made me sad. it made me want to do SOMETHIGN anything for these people. It made me realize just HOW much we have in our lives that we take for granted each day............

I am going thru my closets, drawers, linen closets, toiletries and gift cards that I stash away for whenever.............
I am challenging each employee at my school to pitch in one dollar.....one dollar is nothing, yet if we all do it, we can help to feed this family for a week or more.

I challenge you all as well. Do something, anything, please to help someone that might be less fortunate than u r..........email me if you would like more info or simply put one dollar(or more) in an evelope and mail it to:

Efrain Rivera, 10117 Timber Oaks, Ct. Tampa, 33615

Thanks to all of the bloggers out there. Help with anything ..........
Scrappin Jax

customer service

2009-08-31T17:42:00.002-04:00

So, I never did get out of my jammies yesterday and it felt GOOD. I needed a day of a whole lotta nothing. My throat isn't sore anymore so maybe I knocked it outtta my s ystem.

Monday mornings are NOT my favorite, esp. now that I have to have JD at VPK at 9am. UGH. I had the best intentions and let me add that we have NOT battled once yet. He jumps in the shower with his dad and then gets dressed w/o me even assisting... it is great.

So, we head out to the car to get to school on time.......and my car battery had other ideas. The one that appeared most pressing on its mind was NOT to work today. Now Jen, Stacey and some others would say, just change it cause we did it with Jen's car not too long ago, but I didn't have Jen to take me to Wal Mart to buy a new battery. LOL.

After a quick call to Hyundai Roadside assistance, a nasty to call to dh about leaving the overhead light on in my car, and not even 10 minutes later the PopALock guy pulls into my driveway.
WOW.
I was less than thirty minutes late in getting JD to school and that included calling to tell them we would be late. WOW. I DID call the local Tpa POPALOCK guy to say a BIG thank you. Great customer service. I had originally been quoted 60 minutes, but the guy stopped on his way to another call since he was passing my house. How do u like that??? GR-8 customer service......he even made me laugh and it wasn't a laughing kinda mornin . KWIM?

Totally off topic here, but my step sister told me something when my dad died. She said, Jackie, let him come to you and ironically that is the ONLY thing I remember from that horrible week.
Well, Saturday while Aunt Sue was here typing up info about Uncle Bill for the lawyer, Johnnie went to p/u Chinese food for dinner. The number on our bag was 522. (May 22 was Uncle Bill's birthday).
Today when I called to rave about the POPALOCK dude, they asked for the number on my ticket.......wouldn't ya know, it was 219?? (Dad's birthday was Feb. 19th)

So, let them come to you!! any way that they can.

Glad that this Monday is over.

sunday

2009-08-30T16:20:00.001-04:00

As much as I hate to admit it, my throat feels a bit sore. UGH. I do NOT wanna get sick. So, as I sit here at nearly 4:30 pm, I am still in my pj's trying to take it easy today. I sure hope it helps.

I have done plenty for the ms crop this weekend. yeah. I feel a bit overwhelmed by it all and school, so it is good to have a down day I am guessing.

Hoping that everyone had a productive weekend as well. I am going back to bed, I think.

slack blogger

2009-08-27T09:51:00.002-04:00

but does anyone even read this thing and care??? not sure. leave me some luv.

back to school now for nearly two weeks. the first six days were FULL days and i now know why my neuro will not let me work full time anymore. i am still trying to catch up on stuff and feel like i have been run over by a mack truck. wowzers.

i have 21 new kiddos and they all seem very sweet ..........my new partner and i have gotten it together and the room looks good and we were ready. MANY USA and Olympic ideas swimming in my head for our theme this year. FUN FUN FUN.

sadly, our school(and many others in the area) are very low in numbers. that may mean some MAJOR unit losses for us and LOTS of shifting of units and people. everything is crossed that this will NOT happen.

KC is doing well. I got a call from the second vet yesterday just to see how he is tolerating his meds. i thanked them for doing that and found it very sweet of them. he is running round, happily eating his special food and taking his meds like a champ. he does NOT like pumpkin, inhales salmon and cottage cheese as well. the other pups are a bit jealous of his new feeding routine, but he is prancing all over the place and truth be told, if i didn't know he was sick, i would never know. he looks great, acting normal and isn't even swollen anymore. benadryl and prednisone are doing the trick.............

Joshua went back to pre-school this week and was soooo xcited. yesterday he started vpk and luved it. today he didn't want me to leave so quickly but i exited with a big hug and kiss. now i have two hours in between taking him to school and me reporting to school. what to do with all my new found free time??? hmm, not sure. i am really going to have to get used to this new schedule.

i did pay some major bills, have a load of laundry going and caught up on some other 'stuff'. my house is soooooooooo quiet it is scary.

have a great day.......thursday but feels like weds. why oh why does our county start school for kids on tues.? and then vpk started on weds......heck, tomorrow is Fri. yeah.

It is almost over

2009-08-16T09:35:00.002-04:00

My summer vacation that is. Now dh would tell you that my whole life is vacation, but I beg to differ. It is back to school tomorrow morning. I am not a huge fan of change, so the new school year always brings with it some anxiety for me. Some years it is worse. This is one of them. Although for the first time in 19 years of teaching, I am going to be in the same classroom........yeah, I do have a new job share partner. I am very xcited to be working with Anna. I think we are going to be a good team. My 4th grade team is going to be fantastic as well. However, it is an entirely new group of kiddos. I do not recognize a single name on my roster. Kinda scary. I remember dh 7 years ago not believing that the teachers get butterflies as well. I am here to tell ya, this teacher does.
I look forward to going back, but could def. use another week or so and could someone put in a good word that it isn't really necessary to report back at 7:30 AM? I would appreciate that.

We are nearly unpacked and done with the laundry from our week down in the Keys. Had a fantastic time filled with LOTS of laughing and hysterics but that is another post in and of itself.

The inlaws arrived home from two weeks in Alaska late last night so not sure what time zone they will be on when they do check in today.

KC did NOT get a good report from the pathologist on the mass in his mouth :( It is a stage two mast cell tumor-this is NOT good because of the location, it really can't be removed with 2cm perimeters. Awaiting a call back from the vet this week to discuss options for him. Dr. Hamilton was going to consult w/oncologists at FVS. I decided not to go the FGT and scrap. As much as I wanted to , I REALLY wanted to come home and see my KC bear........and I KNOW that those of you who are animal peeps would understand that decision.

I am attempting to give KC a high protein, no carb diet as apparently cancer luvs carbs. So, he ate some salmon, chicken and cottage cheese since we got home. He is still running round, kissing and acting just like himself........however, his face does appear to be puffier since we got home.
Say an xtra prayer for my Papa Bear poochini. He is such a luv.

Happy Sunday,
Jax who hasn't scrapped at all this summer

08-06-02

2009-08-06T18:18:00.002-04:00

Seven years ago tonite at 7pm I walked into Outback Steakhouse on N. Dale Mabry to meet my blind date.

I won't go into specific details, but let's just say...........it has been a roller coaster ride and one that I wouldn't get off of for anything.

Happy Anniversary Froggie. I luv you...........the good, the bad, the bumps, the whirls and the twirls. You are an incredible man and I am so very glad that I didn't run outta Outback when the hostess said, "Ohhhhhh, you are Jackie. OMG OMG OMG".

Table 64...........7 years later, I am still and always will be- Baby Tad!!

always playing catch up

2009-08-06T18:12:00.002-04:00

Considering that I really have done a whole lotta NOTHING this summer, I feel like I can not catch up.

KC update: blood work came back fine, so we scheduled a biopsy to take place this week on Tuesday. He did great and the poor lil guy still looks like he has a gumball in his mouth, but that is better than the golf ball from a couple of weeks ago. The vet feels like it is a 50/50 shot as to what the outcome could be......50% nothing(benign) and 50% melanoma.........those are NOT such great odds.
Thankfully, he is acting completely normally and doesn't appear to be in any discomfort or distress. I can NOT even imagine being told that it isn't good. They say that it typically is NOT good in the mouth..........whatever that means. I did some reading online yesterday and that didn't help me feel upbeat and positive.
I am positive that this lil guy is such a luv bug who does nothing but protect his/our family and luv us to death. So.........with that said, PLEASE say an xtra prayer as I am not prepared to lose this special Papa Pup-a-Kid and he is only 9.

Dropped off some stuff at school today. Can't believe I am going back in just over a week. OMG, so not ready for that. I am not a fan of change and this year will be lots of changes for me.
New partner, new group of kiddos and just different. I am so happy to be in the same classroom and only having to set up and not unpack. WOO HOO. However, I did nothing other than drop bags off on a table. It will all still be there on the 17th and Anna and I will both be there then.

We are going to the Keys this next week and I am ready to RELAX.

Happy Thursday,
Jax

the weeks are flying by

2009-07-24T08:21:00.003-04:00

before I know it, it will be back to school again.
it has been a very strange summer to say the least.

my neuro appt went well last week and happily, there are NO changes on my MRI. yeah.

KC ended up at the ER vet ..........not a tumor, not a cyst, don't know what it is, but the poor lil guy looks like he has a golf ball under his gums. oh, and not, it isn't an absess having anything to do with his teeth. follow up next week, but swelling has def. gone down. yeah.

our house is all done, back to the usual disaster area that it always is. i know, we have a 4.5 year old and 5 dogs, but it DID look good for about a week. then, i got over the ocd of trying to keep it all perfect and well, if you have been here, then u KNOW.

we did finally get time off approved for dh and it will be back to the FL keys we go for almost a week. i will go to a scrappy weekend straight from there and straight back to school upon return.

aunt sue had outpatient surgery, did great. had her birthday and not a whole lot else going on truthfully.

we checked out IKEA yesterday. OMG. I had never been to one before and if I only needed to re-do my entire house they would have a bunch of my money. very cool place with lots of great ideas. luved it, but not the traffic attempting to get home from there. let me tell you, if I had to drive in traffic like that every single day, I would be suicidal. UGH.

low key weekend planned. dh, fil and ds will go fishing in the am, and then to the train show in clearwater. i am going to wsd to crop and attempt to get a couple of projects completed. heck, don't really care if i complete anything, but sure looking forward to hanging out with some of the girls.

enjoy your Friday.

Almost done

2009-07-11T15:41:00.002-04:00

We spent a good part of today putting the kitchen BACK together. As I said before, a two person job. ALMOST done.

I threw a TON of stuff away when we took it all down and I don't mind saying that it looks a bit empty on top of one whole side of the kitchen. Hmm, I hear Val's calling my name-well just as soon as i have a paycheck again.

We are having a "battle" over the fridge.......silly I know. Mr Wonderful "kinda likes it with nothing on it". I happen to think that it looks empty and barren. Who do u think might win this battle?
We have collected magnets from nearly every place we have visited over the last seven years and they are sitting in a Tupperware bowl. I WILL win.
The photos on the fridge, I can do without although i miss them too.

Of course it is raining again, but we are progressing even though I missed the sunshine to do laundry and clean UGH.

HBD America

2009-07-04T22:39:00.002-04:00

What a lovely weekend we have had so far. We did a BUNCH of work around the house after the owner of the painting company came to "fix" up the paint job that I was less than happy with.
It is now acceptable and I will spend the next week dusting the tops of my cabinets and returning all of the art and collectibles from our world travels to their appropriate places.

We headed over to St Pete last night so that mil could get her new cell phone. Best Buy was on my lift of things that I wanted to do this week and they happen to have Verizon in there. So, while Nanny got her new phone programmed and running, i ran over to the tv section. We walked out of their wth a 42 inch LCD tv for my master bedroom and oh my gosh, it is amazing.
Three years interst free payments on their cc and off we go.............yeah, i sat in the way bakc of the SUV curled in a ball, but heck, there are not all that many times when being my size(short and little) pays off. Last night happened to have been one of them. Small suv, 4 adults and child in booster sear all in same small SUV with HUGEEEE tv.

It is installed in my bedroom and I am luvin it. WOO HOO.

Today was so unusual for me. I am often, okay nearly every single day, awaked by my favorite lil man at no later than 7am. TOday was no different except that I told him I was not ready to get out of bed. And, I didn't. I rolled over again at 9:37 which is something that never happens and I must admit, I quite enjoyed it.

We worked together with Johnnie outside and me in the kitchen preparing burgers, salads, veggie dips, corn on the cob, and other assorted condiments ........then it was time for our own little parade. We decoted joshy's bike that I had never seen him ride and we all walked around the block with him honking his horn and it was a hoot. Note to self, if I am on the BOD we have a community bike/scooter/wagon parade for the lil ones. It was so much fun.
After that we jumped into the pool which was hugely refreshing and then we had some school friends join us.

Lovely lunch, great swimming, 3 lil boys, 5 pups, one parrot, and many proud mommies and daddies enjoying the holiday.

We are so thankful to have so many brave men and women serving to allow us to celebrate a day such as today. THANK YOU-ALL OF YOU.

Our day ended with a phenominal display of fireworks best displayed from our upstairs master bedroom windows and then a tired lil man passing out downstairs on the couch with his daddy.

I am off to watch something wonderful on my new tv. Just think although it sure feels like it, TOMORROW is Sunday and we get another day torecuperate. Nanny did all the dishes, I finished the laundry, no grocery shopping to do and AUNT SUE called and is back in the USA having had a fabulous time in Aruba. Can't wait to see her on Weds..

Hope everyone enjoyed.

Have u ever wondered?

2009-07-01T17:45:00.002-04:00

I was reading another blog recently and sadly, this person lost a friend. She died relatively young and it made me think of many things.

Death always makes me think first of my Dad and then of course, Uncle Bill.

On said blog, the person who recently passed away was being "remembered." That is what got me seriously thinking. Getting diagnosed with MS in 2005 has made me try to live each day to the fullest and not worry bout the things that I can not change. It kinda puts things into some sort of perspective.

Then, with the deaths of so many famous people in the last week, two of whom were only 8 years older than I am...........I wonder, How will I be remembered??????

I realize that after teaching for 18 years, there are many a student who will say, I had Miss Tinsky/Mrs. Durning in elementary school and I hope that they will smile and remember the family atmosphere that I tried to create and the passion for both reading and writing that I hopefully shared.
I know after being married happily to John that I would like to believe that I will be remembered as a good wife. Although I never proclaimed to be, I KNOW that I will not be remembered as being housekeeper of the year, but I do make a mean chicken parmigiana.

I have made and lost many friends over the years but there truly is NOTHING that I wouldn't do for those that I luv and I hope that being a person of good virtue is something that I will be remembered for.

I didn't mean for this to become a downer or at all depressing, but think about it............what GOOD have u done while you are here? What can someone say they have benefitted from having known you?

Let's all try to be that person that will be remembered in a very positive light.

Where oh where

2009-07-01T09:35:00.001-04:00

did the entire month of June go????????? Oh yeah, I spent it living at Aunt Sue's. LOL.

I just realized that it is JULY and I feel like June just totally blew right past me.

Happy Canada Day and Happy July 1st.

A little bit of this

2009-06-30T22:20:00.002-04:00

and a whole lotta that. so far, that is what my week has consisted of.
yesterday we did some running round to pick up some much needed storage items at wally world. then i got home and attempted(very unsuccessfully I might add) to put together the bookshelf that I had purchased for the playroom. After two hours, I realized that it was MUCH too much like a puzzle and gave up before tossing it into the swimming pool.

I did however happily return home from my Board meeting to find it completely assembled in the playroom. I didn't dare ask how long it took him to accomplish this task, but it was done. Why do men come with he "put it together" gene and women don't? I try much harder and am surprised at how much I really can accomplish but when it comes to certain tasks(the ones that specifically are puzzle like) it is just really easier to ask for help or in reference to cube issue during pre-planning last year, BEG for the defenseless music teacher to assist and then have to promise to keep the music groups corraled at every choral and instrumental performance for the rest of the year(which I did in appreciation for one Mr. Andrew Smith :)

So the playroom is done. ...kitchen nearly done, family room almost done. The owner of the painting company will arrive on Friday morning to finish/correct the crappy paint job. I will post before/after photos once it is taken care of to my liking.

So, I am hopeful that by the end of celebrating our fine country's birthday weekend, I will have my HOME back in shape. However, too many more days of weather like today and it may just be flooded again and totally trashed cause Joshy and I are stuck inside.

We WILL leave the house tomorrow for fear of going totally stir crazy.
Good thoughts from Carol's hubby as he recuperates from surgery.
Good thoughts as the Peck family heads to their new home state of PA........FL is never going to be the same w/o them.

I am off to enjoy some quiet moments. I didn't get too many of them today at all and I am longing for a few.
TTFN,
Jax

VERY productive

2009-06-28T14:09:00.002-04:00

That describes our weekend thus far. I have dusted, scrubbed, de-dog-haired this ENTIRE house and pitched more stuff that one should ever own. One lil blondie is going to flip out if he opens the garbage can in the garage, but it is all good. I have several bags of toys/books/clothes that will be donated this week as well.
He is such a little pack rat that he can NOT stand to part with anything. Hmmm, wonder who he takes after. LOL.
He can look at a pair of socks that fit him two years ago and not let me throw them away.

It is def. starting to feel like home again. Mil and Fil were here yesterday to help keep the kiddo occupied so dh and I could organize. Well, didn't xactly turn out that way as dh and ds and fil kept each other occupied in the yard and the pool while Mil and I busted our REAR ends. My picture of the day for yesterday is me laying on the familyroom floor SCRUBBING the leather couches. I am certain that was NOT a pretty sight but must admit that it looks a zillion times better downstairs.

I have LOTS to do with regards to paperwork and catching up, but I have nothing on the agenda this week, and hope to get to it all.
We have had lots of rain this weekend as well which we really do still need.

So little by little it is all coming together. I am hopeful to have some time to get back into the scraproom and try to put all that stuff away this week too so that I might get to begin to be crafty again. I miss it when I am not.........

Happy Birthday to Hilltop this weekend. Hope that everyone had fun fun fun in Valrico at the crop. Wished that I could have swung it, but my time was better served getting our house back together again and FGT is just around the corner.

Happy Sunday,
Jax

Yucky Blah kind of Day

2009-06-26T16:54:00.002-04:00

But overcast and rainy is good, esp. when we need the rain so badly. I was, however, ready to head to the beach this morning. Oh well. Another day.

We had a nice visit with Elissa and the kids. Joshy and Cameron were instant playdate buddies. I didn't see him most of the day. Now he is awfully quiet, so I am thinking he is napping-another good thing.

The house is slowly getting back together and I am hopeful that by the end of the weekend, with TWO of us working on it, we can be successful. I am still awaiting a call back from the contractor cause I am NOT at all happy with one of the painting areas and it DOES need to be re-done. Heck, he left the blue painters tape up on one of the walls.

I have no specific plans at all for the weekend and only wish that there was a FREE crop somewhere that I could justify attending as I haven't scrapped in FOREVER, but perhaps I can work on organizing this room some. I have scrap crap EVERYWHERE and I mean EVERYWHERE.

Have a great weekend and hope to get lots accomplished :)

Oh So HAPPY

2009-06-25T09:14:00.003-04:00

Well, it took MUCH longer than I would have xpected, but we are now back in our house. It felt soooooooo good sleeping in MY own bed last night esp. with my OWN pillow.

It is going to take us probably as long to get everything put back together, moved in, settled and unpacked, but we will deal with it.

Off to work on my closet some and then we MUST hit the grocery store. There is little to eat in this house besides condiments and worse than that, nothing much to drink either.

Happy Thursday, the Durning's are home.

I just LUV Progress

2009-06-17T18:18:00.002-04:00

OMG I walked into my house today and it almost felt like my home, albeit the entire family room and kitchen is currently in the dining room, but who cares???????????????

There are NOOOOOO holes in the ceiling, they are all patched up and today even texturized. WOO HOO. Get this, the texture matches. Double woo hoo.
I know that almost sounds silly to me, but after more than THREE weeks, it is sooooo nice to get to see progress.
Yesterday the entire kitchen was wrapped in saran wrap. It was comical actually, but tomorrow we should have painted ceilings.
LIFE IS GOOD.

If all goes according to schedule, I will spend my birthday on Monday sleeping in my OWN room

Once again, staying with Aunt Sue has been awesome, but my bed is feeling a bit lonely as are my poor puppers. Plus, I miss them like CRAZY.

Okay, gotta head back outta here, but thanks to all who have followed my saga. :)

it has arrived

2009-06-10T11:42:00.001-04:00

so the estimate has arrived from the insurance company and I just printed it out. I am frightened to look at it but did see on the front page something about nearly $15k. Guessing having h.o. insurance is a VERY good thing :)

happy hump day.