Coffee Talk

Come on in and sit down! Despite going to two different grocery stores on two different days this week, I am afraid we are out of milk...and juice. How about a nice glass of Diet Coke or perhaps Ice water? Hey, we're in the south, I can even offer you a nice tall glass of Sweet Tea! As for a snack...well, I have the ingredients for some delicious, healthy chocolate chunk muffins or some lemon bars...but I haven't quite gotten around to actually making them. I guess I'll have to offer you a granola bar. We have TONS of those! You see, they were on a GREAT sale AND I had coupons...so I stocked up. Perhaps too much, my kids now run and hide every time I offer them one--but you're not sick of them yet...right?

Anyway, on to my week. I think you can tell from above that it has maybe not been as productive as one might have hoped. Baseball games, dance, two trips to the grocery store, projects at tutorial...I am having trouble getting it all together right now!

I started out with high hopes this week! Get the shopping done with coupons for a bargain price...all in one night, do school and tutorial, get my garden in since the weather has finally gotten pretty and make a few healthy "treats" because I was totally getting back on my diet/exercise plan.

It went more like this:
Monday-Day one of school, no house blessing because I forgot to buy new bags for the vacuum and if you can't vacuum...what is the point. Home school while trying to do laundry, clean house and make grocery list that incorporates menu planning and what is on sale at every beloved store in this city. The boys went to a minor league game because it was Dixie Youth night so I took Dancer and Tigercub and headed off to grocery #1. Coupon binder in hand and list ready, except for the OTHER list and recipes I had printed off at the last minute and laid on the counter. Half way through the store, I knew it was doomed. Half a list, crying baby, fussy 6 year old. I finally finished up, wheeled my buggy to the checkout counter to find that all my pre-planning had saved me a whopping $24.00 (I spent $120) and I still had another store to go. Gave up--went home. Put children in bed, ironed until midnight!

Tuesday-got up with a bang. Exercised!!! Somehow, still managed to run late for tutorial even though I was supposed to be early--teacher appreciation banquet...I missed the picture and had to rush through breakfast to get to class! Got home, finished home school in time to get Football boy, who is now playing baseball, ready for practice. Tigerfan took him and then offered to take us to eat supper in town! Yeah...no cooking!

Wed- overslept, no exercise. Optimistic. Bribed kids to eat/do morning musts quickly so I could get them started on assignments and go to grocery #2. Instead, they yelled, fought and called each other names. Bribery turned to punishment and a rather out of control mother. Had to take three kids to the grocery store, leaving only oldest home (protection of the younger). Baseball boy (who is no longer playing baseball) and Dancer fought the WHOLE time! After about 10 minutes I gave up on couponing and just started flinging! Laid down another$100, not exactly the money savings I had hoped for. However, I then went to Walgreens and did save a bundle AND got a free reuseable grocery bag to boot! Despite all efforts to bribe good behavior, all children went home empty handed and I went home MAD! However, I totally rewarded myself with a Diet coke and a candy bar (free with the purchase of the drink) which is wrong on so many levels, but made me happy for the moment. Finished school, went to church and did not hurt any children!!!

Thurs.-Tutorial (I was on time!!!!), hair cuts for boys, home for lunch at 2:00, baby had not had nap. Literally sat down and held him down until he went to sleep--he had sort of passed the ability to settle himself down! Got boys ready for baseball game on the other side of the country (or at least a really long way from our house) and Dancer ready for dance. Picked up friend to take to dance, dropped off Tigercub with friend to avoid taking him to dance. Went to dance, picked up Tigercub, took friend home, fixed supper, put little ones to bed. Boys got home, Baseball boy threw up in the yard. Got them in bed (hallelujah!) and had popcorn and M&M night with Tigerfan.

Today-Got up REALLY late. Didn't exercise, haven't had quiet time, ate a not so healthy breakfast and am ignoring the fact that Tigercub is throwing an onion across the kitchen saying, "BALL!" We have guitar lessons today and I have to go get vacuum bags, a birthday present and glue for an unfinished project...one of five that are due next week at tutorial...not that I am bitter but ENOUGH WIITH THE PROJECTS, ALREADY!!! IT IS BALL SEASON, DANCE RECITAL SEASON AND THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR! I also need to make an appointment to have my little angels' pictures made (Tigercub is almost 16 months old and has never had a professional picture taken of him), call my grandmother who was in a wreck Monday and had a pacemaker installed Wed. and yet...I haven't called, make a dessert for tomorrow night, perhaps use some of the groceries that have caused me such distress this week and actually cook a meal that include vegetables....and on and on.

As you can see, while nothing major has happened, I am having a little trouble keeping my head above water. The garden still isn't planted, the boys room needs to be painted and redecorated ( a Christmas gift), the living room needs repainted so I can hang the wall words Tigerfan gave me for Christmas, the extra bedroom is bursting at the seems with unfinished projects and we have guests coming in a month and a half...so they need a place to sleep. I keep waiting for the home organization fairy to come or for the Home Made Simple mavens to knock on my door, but so far...that hasn't happened. I am not complaining, in a very weak economy, my dear husband has a secure job, the children are fed (sometimes) and educated (no comments), and no matter what, we are loved and cared for by the Creator of the World. But feel free to shower me with blessings, good will, advice, and perhaps point the fairy my way if you happen to see her!

Have a great weekend...and feel free to take a granola bar for the road!

Reasons I haven't been blogging

For the precious two of you who asked:

Why haven't I posted in a week? Well, remember the old saying, if you can't say something nice...That is where I am this week.

It isn't any one thing. It is a hundred little small things that on their own are no big deal, but all bottled up in one moment in time...they are kickin' my tail.

Here is a little sampling:

1. Science Fair week. Not only am I teaching 15 5th graders how to do a project for the very first time, I have a child who has to do one as well. I have not been as organized as I should and have not been as "hands on" as I should have been with Football Boy, thus making the past week a little crazy. I take full blame, it is my own fault.

2. My home organization dreams in theory are going well. I am planning, doing my house blessing, doing a "small thing" each day...and still, my house is in total chaos. I am not sure why, but I am pretty sure it is my fault.

3. Son #2 is screaming for attention as is evidenced by his almost non stop recitation of every show and commercial he has seen on T.V. ever! I should take time for him, I should listen and laugh at his stories, I should enjoy his humor...instead, I brush him off or pretend I am listening by inserting the occasional "Oh!" or "Uh huh..." and walking away without a clue about what he just said. He is showing signs of middle child syndrome. It must be my fault.

4. Dancer is struggling with reading. She just isn't "getting" it. I have had nine hundred thousand conferences with her tutorial teacher. I am her home school teacher. I cannot seem to help. She is losing confidence, I am losing confidence (this is a post in itself!). Instead of spending extra time helping her, she keeps getting pushed aside because of Science Fair, big kid tests...I am failing her...and when she can't read, of course it is my fault.

5. I hurt my ankle a few weeks ago and took an exercise break while it healed. I used that opportunity to eat anything that couldn't get up and walk away. I have now stopped drinking my water, messed up my diet, and can't seem to drag my hiney out of bed to get up and get back into my routine. I have no motivation...my fault.

6. I am doing an incredible Bible Study with a group of incredible ladies and yet I feel like I am just going through the motions. Merely studying so I can check it off my to-do list and pat myself on the back, but I have no passion, I cannot seem to have a complete conversation with My Heavenly Father without my mind wandering off to who knows where. I am in a slump, and I KNOW it is my fault.

7. I have a head full of questions and conflicts about sermons, Bible Studies I have been a part of...things that seem to contradict one another, and I can't seem to figure out what I really believe and where I stand. I am right in the middle of one of those "I need to find myself" moments, but seem to be frozen in the "Maybe someone else will find me and tell me where I am" stage. I feel sure that all this confusion is all my fault and would be all cleared up if I would pray more, study more, read more, talk more...

You see, it is nothing, really, and yet it seems to be everything and while someday soon I am sure I will see funny moments in all this, right now, I just can't. Right now, I am tired, I am sad, I am frustrated, and all I can do is whine. I have done enough online whining in the past year and I really do not want that to be what this blog is. So, I have been quiet. Truly, I have been so busy that I haven't had time to even sit and think about what to post if I did...but I know this, too, shall pass and thank heavens that "joy comes in the morning."

Thanks for letting me vent...I promise, no more whining. I'm still trying to visit your blogs and I'll be back when I can play nice!

Runaway Train

Ever feel like you were on one? Speeding by everything and unable to stop! That is life right now. I know, it is the same for everyone else out there, they just handle it better than me, but at this moment...I JUST WANT OFF!

I will do my darnedest to keep up with everyone this week, but things are CRAZY! We leave Friday to head to sunny (or not so sunny) Orlando, FL to spend Thanksgiving week with Mickey and Friends! Us, and about 3/4 of the rest of the country as far as I can tell!

Now, to all you laid back, easy going folks that sounds like loads of fun. But to an uptight, early Christmas shopper, it means.....AAAAAAAGH! I only have 3 days left to finish Christmas shopping so that I do not have to step foot in a retail establishment after Thanksgiving. And people, it just AIN'T gonna happen!

We are almost done with the kids and most of hubby's family. I have NOTHING for my family. Or for teachers. Or for the people who work for my husband. Or for my husband!

This week, we need to make a hygrometer, a barometer, and a weather vane for F.B.'s science fair project so we can begin as soon as we get home. One of my good friends is beginning to sell Premiere Jewelry and her first party is tonight. I have homeschool and tutorial (which I am behind on my grading by about 2 weeks). We have Angel practice on Tuesday and Thursday night, church on Wednesday, a birthday party and dance on Thursday. On Thursday B.B. also has his county fair day to end his Charlotte's Web unit. He must dress up, enter at least two contests, one of which must be the baking contest and we are signed up to bring...something, I can't remember what. The same day, Dancer has her Thanksgiving Feast. She must dress up as an Indian and bring napkins and rolls. Tigercub is supposed to bring toys and money to make a Christmas shoebox and F.B. has a Spanish presentation in which he must bring props and dress up like a pilgrim.

We leave Friday morning to begin the trek to the land of the mouse, so on top of all of that, I must pack, do laundry and try to find my house. Tigerfan wanted to get the Christmas tree set up as well. So it was done when we returned. Not going to happen! He also had a MARVELOUS idea last night that sometime in Dec. we should host a holiday Open house for our friends. I LOVE the idea, but all I can think of is How? When?

So, is anyone else already frazzled this early in the season? Any words of hope or advice? Or perhaps the number to a nice peaceful place with padded rooms and happy little pills? Either will do nicely.

I will try to be back this week with something profound or at least less whiny, hope everyone has a great week!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Purple Diva. Your gift is supposed to be in the mail! I forgot it when I went into town, just to add to the wonderful day/weekend you already had!

The Decline Continues

I may have stated once or twice that I have been having a bit of trouble pulling myself together recently. What I once thought I had a grasp on, I now realize was always just a step from slipping out of my hand.

Friday I had a little bloggy rant and I had one person comment that indeed, I needed to be more organized. And while I TOTALLY appreciate the spirit in which that comment was offered, the comment is a little like telling someone who just had a limb removed that they need to get help or they will bleed to death. Or telling a drowning person that they should really swim to shore. Or commenting to a flunking student that they should really get their grades up. I KNOW I need to be more organized. I get that! I just don't know how.


Now, if you can help me out with that, feel free to just comment away. Or call. Or visit. Or send a little team of organizing fairies!


Anyway, My point is that I realize life has gotten a little out of control. BUT, just in case you do not believe me and in the interest of full disclosure an utter Internet honesty, I would like to present you with some after pictures. I didn't take before shots. These lovely little pictures are from Thursday. After I spent 2 1/2 hours cleaning. Remember...these are the AFTER pictures:

I would like you to notice the very clean table in the background! Martha Stewart should be calling any day now!

I cleaned again today! The whole floor has been vacuumed, the table is clear again, and the rest of the house? Well, it looks just about the same!