Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Ongeltveitsjøen, Fjell, Hordaland, Norway

The cultural landscape and society through the ages The trail goes from hamlet to hamlet through an impressive cultural landscape.
The scenery alternates between infelds with farm buildings and small fshing communities, and outlying heathlands.
At Vindenesstraumen, settlements have been found that may be more than 9,000 years old. Finds from the Neolithic Age have been made at both Ågotnes and Vindenes. The remains of house foundations in outlying
land at Angeltveit and the cairn on the summit of Spjeldsfjellet probably date from the Viking Era.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Things to do In Klein

LOWES KIDS CRAFT
Christmas Ornaments Saturday December 12, 2009 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Pet Treat Keeper Saturday December 19, 2009 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

HOME DEPOT KIDS CRAFT
Wooden Perennial Box Calendar Saturday January 2, 2010 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

PEARL MUSEUME OF FINE ARTS
Saturday, December 12th
10am-5pm Winter Fun Scene Art Project in the Northgate Conference Room
11:30am Holiday Performance with the Texas Medical Center Orchestra Chamber Players in the Main Gallery. The Chamber Players will play a variety of string and wind ensembles that will perform festive music for the season, both classical pieces and arrangements of popular Christmas carols.
12:30pm Look and Listen Tour with a museum docent in the Main Gallery
1:30pm Winter Scene Art Project
Holiday Performance with the Texas Medical Center Orchestra Chamber Players in the Main Gallery. The Chamber Players will play a variety of string and wind ensembles that will perform festive music for the season, both classical pieces and arrangements of popular Christmas carols.
Immediately Following the Performance: Hot Chocolate and Holiday Goodies in the Museum Lobby

NEXT MUSEUM FAMILY DAYS
Saturday, January 9
Saturday, February 13
Saturday, March 13

BARBARA BUSH LIBRARY
https://host4.evanced.info/harris/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?libnum=3
3rd Mondays: Elementary Book Club
Tuesdays: 4:30 - 5:30 Elementary Science & Games
Wednesdays: 5:30-6:30 Chess Club

JESSE JONES PARK
Saturday, December 12, 10 a.m.-noon. NATURE RANGERS. Kids ages 5-8
Saturday, December 12, 1-3 p.m SECOND SATURDAY SETTLERS: CHRISTMAS CHEER.

Saturday, January 9, 5:30 p.m. PIONEER CAMPFIRE: PEEL AND SQUEAL. campfire-baked potatoes, fixings, & bagpipe
Reservations required beginning Wed., Dec. 30.
Sunday, January 10, 2-4 p.m. SECOND SUNDAY PICKERS. Free folk concert
January 16 and 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION. Saturday and Sunday,
Saturday, January 16, 10 a.m PULP TO PAPER. Learn how to make your own paper creation. Reservations required beginning Wed., Jan. 6.
Saturday, January 23, 10 a.m. WOODPECKERS. Learn about the various species of woodpeckers 6+

Saturday, February 6, 7 p.m. STARGAZING. Learn about the planets, stars, and other celestial bodies with the help of the North Houston Astronomy Club. All ages. Reservations required beginning Wed., Jan. 27.
Saturday, February 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Homestead Heritage Day (PDF)

F.A.C.E.
A.D. Players presents The Secret Garden
10 a.m., Saturday, January 30, 2010 - Free Children's Concert
ArtsPower presents Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Class Clown
10 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2010 - Free Children's Series

MERCER ARBORETUM & BOTANICA GARDENS
Beginner Gardening - Taxonomy, Jan. 13 from noon a.m. to 2 p.m
Gardening CEU: Wildflowers for the Garden. Tue., Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon
Gardening 101. Wed., Feb. 10 from noon to 2 p.m.
Japanese Maples. Sat., Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Continuing Education: Vegetable Gardening. Tue., Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Happy Birthday G'ma

Monday, November 23, 2009

Movie night

EUReKA...

The 'kids' are in the first season of eureka with collin ferguson./oh joy.

Good morning from Klein Texas

Today is going to be a good day... too bad that there is only sunshine in the forecast and a 98% chance of housework, but that is life.

(Picture from Motorola Droid)

Sunday, November 22, 2009

love is always patient

Love is patient and kind.

Young men, and aaronic priesthood have a duty to God.

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is an adult he will not depart from that path.

Magnify your calling

Thursday, November 19, 2009

first post from the droid

This could prove to be complicated. Edit html works but compose in wyswyg, not so much.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

crappy economy

btw.. anyone noticed that there is a recession? a depression? two more of our acquaintances have lost their jobs yesterday. That is just freaking horrible. Makes me nauseated to think about what would happen.

I talked to the CFO of the house, we have 6 months in reserve and we have 6 months severance package if something were to go wrong. still freaks me out.

I just worry about what we as commoners are going to do to survive it. The one family has enough money to stay in their house until the end of December 2009. I do not think that we are anywhere near out of the woods yet by a long shot. I look at where my kids are and it is definitely affecting them negatively.

The one in college is getting a school backpack for Christmas. the one with a baby is getting work shoes for Christmas. we are practical as always.

Case in point dd#1 called asking for a loan to buy deer tags, dd#2 called asking for loan for Rx copay for bronchitis. I do not think that this will get better soon. DH at HP has lost many of his group in last 12 months. something like one in November, two in December, one in May, one in June and now two in November.

We have always been miserly, since I opted to stay home with the kids since 1999, be even more so, we are buckling down, pairing down our services, cutting back on power consumption, food consumption, clothing allowance, no extras.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

That is It!

I am exhausted and I am gonna go to bed. cold Lunches, Homeschool, Math, Spelling, Social Studies, Science, Language, Vocabulary, attendance, Chess Club, Scouts, Geology, Rank & Achievements, Grocery Shopping, Proofing, Missing the DAMN FEDEX man, Ordering, Credit Card Processing, Custom Collages, Operating Systems that refuse to POP UP, websites that refuse to let me edit them, Custom Cropping, Digital Keychains, Kids and Finances, Kids and Sniffles, Freezing my ever loving tush off, cleaning the house, dishes, beds, locating missing DS's, solving European Voltage issues, NO MORE. I can not take one more thing today. I give up.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Smart Car

WARNING:
this is very addictive

Thursday, November 05, 2009

weight.. weight. weight.

Happy Thursday? One off to school, four still not out of bed. I woke up at the butt-crack of dawn, decided to get to 'work' before teaching today. fun. homeschooling is very difficult, time consuming, morale busting work.

I am probably severely dehydrated but for some reason just can not get the fluids down that I need to, so the weight has crept up to +20 of my goal which is irritating me.
I did get new vits, I am forcing myself to eat breakfast, last night I had a HORRIBLE glucose reaction, had to have three gulps of OJ and then two cheese sticks to stabilize (blood sugar was 52). I had been grazing during the evening, so had no idea why it plummeted. didn't feel a spike from the dry cereal that I had after dinner (dinner was asparagus and mac-n-cheese and a tossed green salad.

so I jumped jump rope yesterday, that was hysterical, nearly peed my pants it was so hard, PITIFUL, I better stick to bike riding. ;-) we are going camping in two weeks, cub scouts rule.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

H1N1

Erik - All done
Magnus - 1st dose, 2nd in a month

Finally a Smart Phone for Momma

Motorola Droid gets official on Verizon; arrives Nov. 6 for $199

http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=8979&tag=col1;post-26694

Verizon has officially announced the Motorola Droid smartphone, which will arrive on the carrier on Nov. 6 for $199.99 after $100 mail-in rebate.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Picture Day

Magnus & Erik

Erik

Magnus
Handsome Young Men, Growing up so Well.

Monday, October 05, 2009

grrrrr......

me, me, me all about me. heehee (monical laugh)
I drink my coffee each day, I eat my cheese sticks for breakfast, sometimes an egg / canadian bacon. I stress out a lot. I drink my propel most days, I eat a steak & my vegetables occasionally, and I stress out ... a LOT. I exercise, I take my vitamins, I homeschool, I worry about my kids. A LOT. and I rarely get a good nights sleep and I wish that I didnt have this pounding headache today and that I could get just an extra 8 hours in each day, not too much to ask right? no I don't think so. now back downstairs for coffee and tylenol. ;) think happy happy thoughts. forced giggle
daily exercise:
I walked all the way downstairs, made coffee, walked all the way upstairs logged onto my computer, walked all the way down stairs to get my coffee, walked all the way upstairs, checked my email. walked all the way down stairs, refilled my coffee cup, grabbed two cheese sticks for breakfast, walked all the way back upstairs. I am exhausted. LOL

Monday, September 28, 2009

Okay, why do I have

Okay, why do I have to be the tough biach to get my child to do his school work? How about him doing it without all the drama?

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Self Expression

yes the school was able to tolerate this sweet boy's long hair as freedom of expression...

but they drew the line and sent him home in disgrace today when he went off the deep end with this appalling display.

Official Handbook

We are definitely FRINGE when it comes to self expression and finding your individually. So we are opting to support his decision and not force him to change his hair back to the natural color for now. Perusing the "RULE BOOK" doesn't say no dies or colors, just no disruption to class.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

I promise

I don't feel good, I feel pretty yucky,

it has been so long since I have had a bounce in my step,

if I died tonight, I would be just lucky.

Most of the time, it is the sugar, corn, cauliflower, and the cucumbers too,

I miss the milk, I miss the sweets, and the really quick eats,

sometimes it is the coffee or the cream of wheat that make me blue.

I was so fat, I was quite round, then I was so skinny, able to leap and bound,

I shopped til I dropped, I bought out Kohl's,

now I am in the middle, and cautious when I eat out in town.

I sigh. I moan. I made a really confounded face.

So much has changed, and yet I am still missing that bouncy attitude,

each day I am not sure if I am gonna be high or low, but I really am not in a happy place.

I have not got much more to say, I am so exhausted you see

with work, and school, and a family that is in constant duress,

I can not get out of bed to come and play, so ya'll just have to leave me be.

I promise today that I will do better,

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

diet, exercise and word of wisdom

be believe these truths to be self evident, thay a vegetarian leaning if not vegan or strict vegetarian diet is healthier. We do partake of meat proteins on a weekly basis, but not on a daily basis. Tuesday is Taco Tuesday, so that is 1/2 a package of beef and two chicken tenderloins divided between four people. Fish Friday is the other day of the week that we consume meat. Fillets from the local fish monger or fish sticks for the kids keep things fun and interesting.

Ezra Taft Benson-Seeking a "Daniel" Generation

Ezra Taft Benson, who became not only president of the Church but had also served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in the Eisenhower administration, has been described similarly during his later years by his private nurse, a personal friend of mine. President Benson had said, "In general, the more food we eat in its natural state and the less it is refined without additives, the healthier it will be for us." (Ensign 4:66, 1974)

Elder Benson obviously felt some frustration about how well Americans do in their eating habits because he once observed, "To a significant degree, we are an overfed and undernourished nation digging an early grave with our teeth, and lacking the energy that could be ours.... We need a generation of young people who, as Daniel, eat in a more healthy manner than to fare on the 'kings meat' ---and whose countenances show it." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson pp. 476-7) His reference, of course, is to the biblical Daniel who, as a student in the Babylonian royal court, opted for simple vegetarian food and whose superior health quickly became visible to others. See Daniel, Chapter 1 in the Old Testament or the wonderful account in Antiquities of the Jews by Josephus, Book 10, Chapter 10, verses 1-2 for details.

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Boudin Bakery's Brownies

Though famous for its sourdough, the bakery also makes great, fudge-like brownies.

(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Total time: About 1 hour

Servings: 24

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, plus extra for greasing the dish.
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
5 eggs
3 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (6.38 ounces) flour
2 1/2 cups toasted, chopped pecans or walnuts

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish.

2. In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. In a stand mixer using a paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat together the eggs, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the melted chocolate, then the salt and flour just until combined. Gently fold in the nuts.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the center of the oven until puffed and almost set, about 45 minutes. A toothpick inserted will be slightly moist. Remove and cool slightly before serving.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

3 years in Progress

updating my personal thread. ;) the harder I try to eat less, the more my blood sugar is fighting me on it. but I am determined to win.

Last night the family teased me about that 1/4 cup of ice cream (homemade) before bed. I told them that I was tired during dinner, they kept at me until I got to bed at 10 pm. I woke up on my own before the sun came up.

Today I had a juicy steak for breakfast. about 2 ounces and a huge mug of coffee. I am serious about going back to the basics. I am serious about telling my family that they are being PITA's and that it is not all about them. ;)

Today is a New day. Instead of beating my self up about what I didnt accomplish yesterday, I want to congratulate my self on what I have accomplished in my lifetime.

Health
I am 100 times better today than I was 36 months ago, I am completely off of all RA medication and have recieved more respect now that I am healthier.
Education
I am a college graduate with a Bachelor degree and two minor degrees. and I am sharing that love of knowledge with my own homeschooled child.
I am a Cub Scout leader, instilling values and morals that contribute to our society in not just my own children, but 8 other boys.
Career
I am a pretty good photographer that helps people preserve their family history. I do not make a lot of money, but I help people.
Family
I am a fantastic mother of 5 really kind and caring kids. People that contribute to society rather than leach off of it. I am a proud mother in law of two Marines serving in Iraq. (I keep the wives safe and supported while the boys serve our country). I am a firm but kind grandma of a terrific toddler.
I am a really really good family historian for my own clan. My genealogy and photo files are Library of Congress in porportions. I will never be rich, but I am blessed.

Friday, July 17, 2009

update on the family:

Jasmine is having a rough time of it finding herself. she is in California but out of her element. she wants to go to Montana but when she is there, she is unhappy and self medicates with way too much alcohol, so we are working with her for a good old fashion intervention. we acquired her a good little truck that needed some repairs, we made those repairs, but now she is overwhelmed with the idea of a car note for 3 years and 13% interest. she needs to get a better job and she is reluctant to change. ;-) she has to go down to marine corps legal tomorrow and file for divorce, Christopher comes back to the states the end of this month. she has custody of her pit bull dog and so that makes finding roommates and a house in southern California difficult. She is making $8.50 / hour and 40 hours a week as a cashier at the USMC Pendleton PX. (shaking my head)

Krystal is completely bugging about Jason coming home next month. she has plane tickets to fly to Seattle to help another wife in Jason's unit get the new born baby home to san clemente on the 3rd of august. she will be leaving minime with the grandma's in taxes for 2 weeks while she runs down the west coast visiting her 'other' sister in portland, and getting home to deal with her primary sister in California. she wants a week honeymoon with Jason before I drive the grandbaby out to see everyone. she has really been good about mother henning the wives in Jason's platoon... Sienna and Julie and Naomi and Desiree as well as Sammy from a different unit. so add in jasmine and she has her tribe established. :-) she is making $11.50 / hr as a security guard at the local college.

Naomi is wanting me to come up, we had planned for her to come down in our household, but that didnt materialize so I am following through with natural consequences and Naomi doesnt get a visit. it is not naomi's fault and naomi is the one that will suffer, but they said in march that they wanted her to come down and then they didnt bring her down so that is the deal. I can not drop everything for everyone else all the time. sometimes I have to put others first. this summer it is krys and jordan, erik and magnus. she will be back in high school for year 12 this fall, she goes until she is 21.

Erik is busting out all the stops on his scouting requirements. we are in a 4 day outdoor program with the nature center this week learning about trees and forest plants, wildlife and birds, water ecology & recycling. last month we had an intensive 4 days at scout camp and covered engineering, readyman (first aid), scientist, naturalist, and sportsman (football) as well as BB's and Archery. this was in addition to his completing swim team (in the pool 6 days a week) and running a triathlon (swim:100M, Bike:5K, Run:1K), he completed another one this month which makes his 5th Triathlon in 13 months. He went with me to Kansas along with Jordan, Magnus and Jasmine on a 7 day camping trip in May, that rocked the house. He went with me, Jordan, Magnus, and Krys to the Children's Museum and learned about science, banking and civics, math, motion, water, and energy last Sunday. Currently he is working on figuring out SimCity with a lot more challenges of industry, retail, budgets, and residential. I dread sending him back to school, they do not reason well with him, whereas I can give him a consequence and redirect him before he has a thermal nuclear meltdown, they do not seem either aware of the situation until it is too late or do not know what to do once it has escalated. he will be in the 4th grade this fall.

Magnus is such a complicated child. he is very gloomy but affectionate. It takes him 45 minutes to transition from my lap to a group setting of strangers. he is getting better at church, but overall he is just so socially phobic, I wonder what in the world happened that I would have this particular child. His dad is anti-social and his aunt on his dad's side is clinically socially phobic, but this just blows me away and is a challenge to even identify with. It will be a huge challenge tomorrow since I have to work in the morning and can not sit and nurture him while he get's comfortable. I really do not want to send either boy to school this fall, it is SUCH A Drain dealing with Magnus's social phobias. He gets physically ill by 10:30 am and had a migraine every day at school. he has quit cub scouts, has taken 4 sets of swimming lessons and can at least get around safely. Still gets nervous in the pool and nearly throws up in anything over 6 feet of water. He will be 3rd grade and will be in Chess club in the fall. oh. so the truck, we take it in for a brake job and a transmission rebuilt. the bill is $3200.00 and I take the boys to the grocery store after wards. they head down the toy isle, hoping to score a $5 bokagon. I said we came for milk and only milk. that I just paid this and showed them the receipt for the truck. and Magnus immediately says "toys are a want, milk is a need" and immediately headed for the dairy case, Erik came along, but not nearly as industriously. granted, Magnus LIVES off of diary. he is a little baby cow when it comes to milk 3 times a day, yogurt once or twice a day, and cheese once or twice a day. his priorities are: Dairy, cold pizza, bananas, Ninetendo DS, Razor scooter, and sleep.

Jordan is growing into an AMAZING little boy. his language skills are very much improved. I am trying to get his mom to do better on the baby talk, it is not that she uses baby talk, it is that she insists on using nicknames that are so stupid. jaja for jasmine, mimi for grandma, ama for grandma, it is like, enough already. ;) he has a blast hanging out with his uncles and thinks that the world rises and sets on them. Erik tends to be too rough and Magnus jealous and so is antisocial with him. he is very rough with Magnus, constantly making Magnus cry when he body slams him. it is a mess. I am nudging his mom to take him to home depot and Lowe's for the craft stuff on Saturdays, we had fun at Micheal's last weekend doing that as well. he needs lots of activities to keep him busy and engaged. he did a really really nice painting on Saturday. black and blue and white fishes.

As for me, myself and I, well my tummy and my body are going completely insane. last night i tried a new vegetable as part of the nutritional study that Erik is enrolled in at Baylor University. we had baby cucumbers with yogurt. BAD CHOICE. I nearly had my whole hand down the back of my throat trying to get all the foamies out of my tummy before I lost my mind. It took almost 2 hours of vomiting to clean out my pouch. but that is not the worst of it. I have gained 20 lbs in less than a year, part of it is from stress eating, part of it is from carb eating and part of it is from dehydration. Some of the choices that were not abundantly obvious was getting a slushy from sonic, who would have thought something that is primarily based on ICE WATER would have 650 calories. CRAP. so I am back to Coffee and protein in the mornings (today it was cheese sticks) and occasionally lunch, but not as often and healthy, and then for dinner, whatever is put on the table, but generally that is carb-based. last night was rice and Sunday was pizza, Thursday will be spaghetti. I am too lazy to fix something else. although the last two days I have been nibbling on a t-bone steak, so it is getting better. I am eating my weight in mints to keep my stomach calm and it is working. Erik has been experimenting with frozen fruit smoothies and yesterday he added some sugar to one and sent my blood sugar through the roof, that was not pleasant. the hypoglycemia is much worse and I am sure that it is all the carb's fault. I am not a hungry all day and then I am STARVING at night, it is as if the last 3 years never occurred. I have learned but I have retained very letting common sense. notice even in this list, I am dead last. a priority scheme that is no healthy but predominate in being a SUPER MOM.
I have secured Jasmine a truck, I plan to drive it out to California next month, taking one grand baby and one son, should be interesting. the other grandmother is not comfortable with me traveling alone that far, but my daughter who knows me laughed because traveling with kids is like breathing for me and she knows it. I feel guilty that I am not taking Erik, but he 'said' he didn't want to go, and I know that he will change his mind when I am in the driveway. such a mess. I am on facebook a lot now, not as interested in my photography as I should be to make any money. I did spend a week de-cluttering my storage in my office. I have yet to tackle the garage that is a SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD, but it is all the recycling fault. heehee. sounds convincing but i am lying. giggle. I do have boxes of clear glass and boxes of #3-7 plastics, but the bulk of it is props for my business. I can't have a garage sale, I need the stuff too much. ;-)

Sverre.. sverre is complicated. he at HP in the cubicals, but at least he has a job with money coming in. I really need krys at work with me since it is a complicated (male nude) session tomorrow. she has to take the boys to the park, and sverre sit at home with me. augh.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

blood sucking mosquitoes

Children's Museum
learned about water power, banking, voting, city management, puzzles,
air rockets, physical exercise

Day camp at Jesse Jones Nature Park
ate alive by mosquitoes the size of humming birds
leaf rubbings and walk through the woods. picnic lunch outside.

lots of crafts

got a tv and can now watch pbs kids

Erik ran a triathlon, swam 100 meters, pedal'd 5 K, ran 1 K, finished in 21.5 minutes in Cypress Texas

tic tac toe wooden project at Lowes, another wooden project at Lowes (golf toy)

fabric and paint tote bag art activity at Michaels Craft Store

At beach

We wish u were here - Jazz & Atlas

Saturday, July 04, 2009

more crazy schedule

Home Depot Wooden tool box project

Magnus Birthday party with cake and ice cream, he is now 8 years old and loves Bokegon

Erik attends swimming team awards ceremony. He wins a trophy for doing his best.

Mormon Pancake feed for the Fourth of July breakfast

fourth of july at Faithbridge Methodist church in the evening

concert, food, drinks & Fireworks

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Cub Scout Camp

cub scout camp, 5 classes a day, 4 days and learned:
science experiments
snakes and plants and seeds
amphibians and reptiles
leather billfold craft, leather wrapped handle walking stick
wooden catapult and bridge construction
first aid triage
flag football & home made ice cream making
geology & owl vomit
leave no trace
bb guns & archery
police and finger printing

Erik ran a triathlon, swam 100 meters, pedal'd 5 K, ran 1 K, finished in 23 minutes in Pearland Texas

we went to Splashtown USA and played in the water

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Pearland Triathlon

Erik started exhausted but finished without throwing up, more than can be said for some other participants.

He swam a 100 M 8:34 - 8:37 = 3 minutes
He Pedaled a 2.5 Mile 8:38 - 8:52 = 14 minutes
He ran a 1/2 Mile 8:53 - 9:03 = 10 minutes

He finished in 29:18:00
placing 14 out of 17 in his division

the run is what did him in, he was just EXHAUSTED at that point.

We finished up with 6 hours at Splashtown USA

Monday, June 22, 2009

Camp Wannahawkaloogie

Sat Jun 6 7am – 12pm #5 Swim Meet @ SCF
4:30pm – 6:30pm Triathlon Bike for Erik
Sun Jun 7 2pm – 4pm Birthday party at Jenna's and Pool Party - Jenna's and Pool Party
4:30pm – 9:30pm Chris Lada Graduation & Pool Party
Mon Jun 8 9am – 9:45am Swim Practice
10am – 1:45pm Scouts - Erik & Magnus go to Jesse Jones
Tue Jun 9 9am – 9:45am SCF Swim Practice
Wed Jun 10 9am – 9:45am SCF Swim Practice
Thu Jun 11 9am – 9:45am SCF Swim Practice
3pm – 4pm Mad Scientist Bush Library
9pm – 10:30pm Night swim
Fri Jun 12 9am – 9:45am SCF Swim Practice
Sat Jun 13 7am – 1pm #6 Swim Meet @ Raveneaux - at pool at 7 am!
Sun Jun 14 9 - 11 am church

Mon Jun 15 9am – 9:45am SCF Swim Practice
12:30pm – 1:30pm Swim - Magnus - Philip
Tue Jun 16 9am – 9:45am SCF Swim Practice
12:30pm – 1pm Swim - Magnus - Philip
1pm – 1:30pm Swim - Erik
5pm – 9pm moorhead blueberries

Wed Jun 17 9am – 9:45am SCF Swim Practice
12:30pm – 1pm Swim - Magnus - Philip
1pm – 1:30pm Swim - Erik
Thu Jun 18 9am – 9:45am SCF Swim Practice
12:30pm – 1pm Swim - Magnus - Philip
1pm – 1:30pm Swim - Erik
3pm – 4pm Fathers Day Gift Bush Library
Fri Jun 19 9am – 9:45am SCF Swim Practice
9am – 10:30am Staff meeting
12:30pm – 1pm Swim - Magnus - Philip
Sat Jun 20 7am – 3pm Divisional Swim Tournament @ Tomball

Sun Jun 21 7:30am – 2:30pm Cub World

Mon Jun 22 10am – 1:45pm Scouts - Erik and Magnus go to Jesse Jones
2pm – 4pm Movie Monday - Bush Library
4pm – 7:30pm Moorehead blueberry Picking

Saturday, June 20, 2009

fathers day project

Swimming lessons, Magnus can swim face down in the pool

Divisional Swim meet in Tomball, Texas

Fathers Day craft project at Library

(NWAL) Divisionals Swim Meet Tomball Texas

Event 21 Boys 9-10 25 Meter Freestyle
56/56 Amundsen, Erik
............previous best time: 00:27:12
.............Current time: 00:32:47 Wardrobe Malfunction

Event 51 Boys 9-10 25 Meter Backstroke
41/43 Amundsen, Erik
............previous best time: 00:33:91
.............Current time: 00:30:84

Event 61 Boys 9-10 25 Meter Butterfly
30/35 Amundsen, Erik
............previous best time: 00:37:25
.............Current time: 00:36:21 (DQ)

Monday, June 15, 2009

Spring Creek Forest Sharks vs Raveneaux Racers Swimmeet

Spring Creek Forest Sharks vs Raveneaux Racers Swimmeet
13 June 2009

Event 21 Boys 9-10 25 Meter Freestyle
23/26 Amundsen, Erik
............previous best time: 00:29:94
.............Current best time: 00:27:12

Event 51 Boys 9-10 25 Meter Backstroke
17/21 Amundsen, Erik
............previous best time: 00:34:07
.............Current best time: 00:33:91

Event 61 Boys 9-10 25 Meter Butterfly
15/16 Amundsen, Erik
............previous best time: 00:46:48
.............Current best time: 00:37:25

Saturday, June 13, 2009

mad scientist

Birthday Pool party in Klein, Texas

and then Graduation Pool Party in Cypress Texas

swim practice every single morning

Mad Scientist at Library, dry ice experiments

Swim Meet at Raveneaux Country Club

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Development

It is so easy to post when things are getting us down, so little to post when things are smooth sailing.

Update on the critters:

From the top:
Jasmine. wow. this sweet girl has been through the ringer, hubby insisted that she blow off her job in Montana and 'be with him' until his deployment. Then refused to help her pay those bills that rack up when she is not working. Insisted that she be at his beck and call while on deployment, but come to find out he has another 'honey' in Iowa, I swear, him and that other one deserve each other. Jasmine is just too sweet and special for all that drama. His family were beyond spiteful during Christmas because they really didn't approve of him marrying outside of the Jasper county gene pool. OMG. that is worse than some of those from the Ozarks. now to extract my girl as quickly and painlessly as possible. Currently she is living in California with Atlas and working at the PX on base. She accompanied our family to the Graduations in Kansas and was a real trooper in our primitive camping for 7 days including a tornado / flash flood situation one night. She is stronger than she realizes.

Krystal. awe. this strong girl has gone through some growth and development during this deployment. Jason calls infrequently, and that just destroys her peace of mind. she worries and is so disparately attached to him that I feel her agonizing over this separation. We flew her and mini-me home in May and the grandma's have been smothering them both with love, chores, work, and life to keep her mind healthy and his body active. So far it has all been a win/win situation and Krys is doing well. She is growing into a really sweet lady.

Naomi, *sigh* we thought she would be joining us this summer, but that was not the case after all. but we do the best we can with what we have. I am sure that she is doing well. I miss her terribly.

Erik! augh. Scouts are a transition. He is leaving Pack 1550 and Joining Pack 334
He is finishing up Swim Team and progressing in Triathlon season. We just completed 7 day primitive camping trip. 6 months before I will be ready to do that again. ;-) we are working seriously on behavior management. Today was Mad Scientist at the Forum. Tonight is his third swim work out today. Hopefully, dad will pedal with him over and back, he needs more saddle time.

Magnus, Painfully shy as always, will start swimming lessons on Monday, again. I swear, this kid needs to learn. other than that, he has mastered the Nintendo DS and is totally engrossed.

Good Morning

Saturday, June 06, 2009

new bike

Last Week of School, cup cakes

swim practice every after noon

Swim Meet at Spring Creek Forest Club

Erik gets a new bike, he is now too big for 20” and gets a 24” bike. It is Blue.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Quoteable Quotes this Morning

some trash talk on facebook got me to thinking. do not trash someone's momma. even if she is wrong and setting someone up to fail, she is doing it out of love for that person.

"For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death"

I think that goes for talking smack about other people's parent's too. So I will counsel my daughter to maintain a sweet spirit about her Mother in Law, even as I would hope that She would not talk smack about my sweet daughter. A Daughter whom I love above all reason, just as she would love her son above all rational thought. I pray that God would speak the whole family's heart and that they would have a better Christian testimony.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

why don't you control your kid?

In Response to Behaviour issues:
[QUOTE] say something about it to him-maybe he would get the picture and act sooner instead of letting Tweedle Dee run rampant.[/QUOTE]

here is the comment from the parent that child is a little terror:

A) If I were to 'mess them up' for being a snot, CPS would be on my case faster than you can say child abuse, we live in a society that has gone completely off the deep end. while currently spanking is legal in all 50 states, it is severely frowned on by most liberals, even in Texas.

B) Hitting does tend to beget hitting, so starting it, does suggest that we go down a path that may or may not be healthy.

C) If a child is craving attention, even negative attention, they will act up in public to get that attention, some child psychologist would suggest that if you give in to a child demanding negative attention, you will be guaranteeing that they will be doomed to repeat the offense. so while it appears that the parent is not 'paying attention' and that the child is 'getting away' you may not realize that the parent has just texted the other parent and now someone is grounded for the next week and they are choosing not to include every other person in the 50 yard vicinity in a public scene of chastisement and thus public humiliation. A humiliation that some (mostly those that also enjoy a good public hanging and think that the public stocks should be brought back) would feel better if they saw the punishment fit the crime (in their opinion) and totally miss the point of discretion being the better part of valor and that public humiliation is detrimental to a child's self esteem.

I have often felt that each parent has the right and privilege to screw up their child as they see fit and they do not need any help from a 20 second child psychologist bystander who thinks that they know all and can solve this problem in 10 seconds or less. How about applauding the parent that child is running rampant in Kinkos instead of being left in the car to die of heat exhaustion or worse at home at risk of dying of a house fire because there were just not enough support to help. How about just a tad bit more tolerance that not everyone has all the answers and they do the very best they can with what they have and some days it is not all about the rest of the people that think that they are entitled to a perfect world with robo-tron children that are controlled with large doses of corporal punishment or medicated beyond sensible levels. What is so terribly wrong with everyone being uniquely different and possibly a bit irreverent?

Monday, June 01, 2009

Possibilities

Sam Houston Council - Phoenix district

Pack

332

LDS - Klinewood Ward - Klein Stake

Friday, May 22, 2009

Houston to Wichita to Ashland

Houston to Wichita to Ashland in 12 hours is the goal today. 4 Kids in the honda civic hybrid is the c

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Swim Meet II - Canyon Gate

Erik is loving swimming... he keeps improving on his best time.

IMPROVEMENT
21 - 25 Yard Freestyle - 29.69

IMPROVEMENT
51 - 25 Yard Backstroke - 30.69

DQ
61 - 25 Yard Butterfly - 40.63

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Spring Creek Forest Sharks

Meet 1
Event 21 Boys 9/10 25 Yard Freestyle
17/21 Amundsen, Erik :00.32.61

Event 31 Boys 9/10 25 Yard Breaststroke
18/21 Amundsen, Erik :00.56.64

Event 51 Boys 9/10 25 Yard Backstroke
11/19 Amundsen, Erik :00.36.48

Event 61 Boys 9/10 25 Yard Butterfly
15/19 Amundsen, Erik :00.41.87

Monday, May 04, 2009

Honda Hybrid

Honda Insight - Let It Shine from Honda on Vimeo.

I do not want to talk about it anymore

I had a terrible day, I felt very stressed, I ate some pizza.
I had a no good day, I felt very stressed, I ate some pasta.
I had a very bad day, I felt very stressed, I ate some chips.
my husband noticed, pointed out my self destructive behavior.
I had a rotten day, I felt very stressed, I ate some cookies.
I had a horrible day, I felt very stressed, I ate some cake.
I got on the scales, and I really had a

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

and I cried.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

So the sound byte from

So the sound byte from the backseat: so & so is going to breakup with so & so because so & so is cheating with what'his face. OMG

Exhausted

I just am so T*I*R*E*D... makes no sense, I get enough sleep, I am taking my vits, I am eating okay. Protein for breakfast and lunch and sometimes dinner. yesterday I devoured a bunch of leafy green vegetables. maybe the shock to my system is what is getting to me. but Seriously. I am so needing a long nap.

I seriously do not know how I am going to meet all the commitments that I made a year ago when I am having trouble getting the dishwasher loaded and the laundry put away. Usually I am a human dynamo, so this makes no sense. Primary objective. Work, I am completing those assignments, but not putting forth any effort to get new work. The boys: Erik has completed his TAKS Math exams, so we are done with all the tutoring there. I have to get Erik to swim practice daily, I am doing that, but resting on the sidelines while he is working his heart out. Magnus, well, his scout group is puttering along and I understand each parent wanting to finish up, I am just going to have to enlist some help before I collapse.

As for the girls, well, they are migrating in the right direction, just a little while longer to get them situated, I hope and on auto pilot, althought I have lived on that fantasty for some time now.

maybe some CHOCOLATE would help. heehee, probably not.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Growing so big so Fast!

My boys are getting so big and handsome.

Hard to believe hat Magnus will be 8 years old next month

and Erik 10 at the end of the summer. 10 years old!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Splashing

Weekly bath? Discovery Green in Downtown Houston

Picnic at Discovery Green

Nothing beats a Peanut Butter Sandwich outside on a Sunny Day at the Park.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Friday Night Live - Erik

Erik school conduct:

Stamps through out each day when he is caught being good. A modified chart / token strategy, we use a 3x5 blank index card at the top of the desk and a simple inexpensive ink stamp.

At the end of the week if he is on task all week, a trip to Friday Night Live

this has worked phenomenally well. This week we had a crisis and he was able to work through it and solve the problem without it escalating to a thermal nuclear meltdown. yeah!

today he is on his way to a church activity and then when he gets home, dinner, and then Friday Night live. Friday night live is targeted for Tweens (3rd - 8th grade).

*sigh* now to find something for momma to do... ;)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Art class

Jordan enjoys art class and got to talk to daddy today wahoo!!
Next week, Jordan and momma fly to Houston to see Ama and MiMi!!!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Growling Lawnmowers

Naomi's Story:
There is a garden in the back yard, and I have to keep an eye on the pumpkins in the back yard. and I approve of this message. and the answering machine picked up a number, and I said mom there is a problem with our answering machine because it won't cooperate.

There snow in the orchards, or the field, and there is sunflowers and pumpkins in the garden. and by the way I found some Easter eggs for the others and I found some eggs and I put some food away and I founds some corn on the cob and butter and salt and pepper and keep it fresh.

Like I had orange and I cried, and physical therapy. get Magnus over here so that Donnie can talk. there are goats on the property. and they eat hay and hay is on our property in the field.

I brought some human shells in our family. they are from the dollar tree. Easter eggs that you fill, they are white and yellow, they have some dye, make them real, dad said with very good place, and only one bag of treats left, and there were all of three, and there were apples in there.

I found some treats in the white house, it had a Christmas tree. And by the way, we found some white wall paper. that is because I found some kittens that were hurting them and I found the vacuum cleaner again and I am going to put the lawn mower in the yard and it is going to stay in the yard and I brought vacuum cleaner inside so it wouldn't cry.

I left lawn mower outside, I had to put another bag on it. I put the plastic thingy on it and I had to pull the thingy hard, and on my finger, and I had to pull harder on it. and I thought I was going to have to have the lawn mower feeling better. I filled the lawn mower all the way up to the top.

My dad said I had it easier. my mom said “do you want to pull the string hard”, and the lawn mower started working because it was going to start growing. By the way the lawn mower got real temperamental. and I had to fix the lawn mower again, and it started growling, and I had to start pulling the darn thing on it, and I pulled darn rope out of the way so that it wouldn't start hurting.

By the way I had six growls, the lawn mower started growling at me. while I was trying to fix the lawn mower again, it was out of gas. when I pulled the thingy, it hurt a little. and it started working a little. and it was hurting a little. If I wanted to pull on the string, I had to pull it all the way out.

I have to keep my eye on it, and it growled, and I pulled and I said thanks and mom said that it was going. I am going to check on doing things for the lawn mower, and I am going to get the weed wacker. So it will stay healthy. you want to weed wacker to stay healthy, you have to hold the weed wacker up. the weed wacker goes fast. They have a little string on top. it is downright embarrassing that I found a fly on our property.

Sunday with SUN

Happy Sunday Afternoon. I have a batch of Oatmeal Raisin cookies chilling, the laundry is blowing in the wind, the sun is soaking into my skin, the lawn may be dry enough to mow in a few days, but right now it is green as shit. Erik is signed up for Swim Team and Triathalon and the next 10 weeks will be OMG busy with Magnus scouts overlapping Erik's Swimming. I have some popcorn to nibble on.

starting from the top down instead of the bottom up in this weekend's update:

Jasmine... Jasmine... Jasmine...
you know. letting go is never easy. as a matter of fact, it is down right impossible. so the long and short of it is that my girl has issues. my darling daughter just has no idea which end is up, that can be the only logical explanation.

the update is that Jasmine eloped in October and married a marine. she didn't tell me until March when I was filing her taxes.

Jasmine... Jasmine... Jasmine...
(very very very long thoughtful pause)
(heavy sigh)
Jasmine... Jasmine... Jasmine...
(really very very very long thoughtful shake of head and pause)

on Saturday she was ready to drop everything and move to California to stop the insanity with Christopher. Sunday she checked her mail, and had her acceptance letter from the University of Montana. she was staying, registering for class on Monday. Her sister Krys and I convinced her to PLAN first, give notice, get a paycheck, pack, think things through and have a plan.

Monday, she was back to heading south after talking to Chris again. Krys made arrangements for a sitter for Jordan, bought a bus ticket to go up and help Jazz move.

Tuesday, Jazz changed her mind. Krys got the bus non-refundable bus ticket refunded.

Thursday, Chris called again, this time at 3 O'freaking'clock in the freaking morning and got Jazz wound up tighter than a $2 watch. She was packing and going again.

Friday she agrees to stay on at work until they can find a replacement. she has been at this job that she actually loves 6 freaking weeks. He is in IRAQ, so it is not like she is going to BE with him in California. he just wants her there WAITING for him when/if he comes home in August. like a well trained, I do not know what. If I had the means I would HAPPILY rip someone's head off and dump down their throat. She is now moving without furniture and will survive in Cali until for a year, giving up her instate residency, and walk away from an education at UofM for 'ONLINE CLASSES' to passify Mr. Manipulate and Dominate. HE seriously thinks that an online bunch of classes is the same as a 4 year college degree at a liberal arts college for an elementary education teacher.

Lord have mercy. The sad thing is that she has 1/2 a brain and if he UNDERSTOOD that, then he would appreciate that while she may feel prompted to be sweet to him now, when he comes home and she has had ENOUGH, and she will get to that point, I know, I know HER. she will dump him and he will be burnt with some serious scars, that PPD would be a scratch compared to how hard he is going to fall when she is done dealing with him. I sit back, and watch like a spectator, it should be quite the blood bath.

fortunately, for me, I am not the one that is flying off to rescue her, I even stopped answering my phone because it was just too much drama for even me to handle. I had my own taxes on Wednesday, my own daycare delivery on thursday, and my own cub scout 8 hour event on Saturday and the storm of the century to contend with here in the flood zone.

Scooting down the totem pole, Krys/Jordan and Jason. Well there is a trio. She is going nuts without him, she is trying so hard to find a direction in her life, and god love her, she is doing very well. Taking Jordan to art classes and MOPS, and church and keeping a routine for the boy. but she languishes waiting for the elusive phone call and non existant mail, electronic or snail. I suggested she would have more support in Texas, but she was adamant to be in California for the few months he had there. She is growing up the hard way, and no amount of helicopter parenting can fix it. It is a healthy growth and development though, so she will survive and be stronger in the long run. Which makes me smile. Jordan is definately missing his "Amma" and "MiMi".

Naomi. well I have not heard much from Naomi. She has been a very quiet little girl this week. I expect that she is okay, and just cruizing along, with few and minimal issues. She should be checking in tonight with her own update.

Erik .. what a schedule... Bike Practice 4:30 - 5 pm and Swim practice 5:00-5:45 and bike practice 6:00-6:30 pm EVERY day, swim meets every weekend at 7 am, and then triatholons every other weekend. lost of carbing up and ripping out. Scout Camping is June 23 - 26.

Magnus.. well Magnus is just a low key boy, he will be hanging with the Dad a lot.

and NO ONE wants to get out of school for a week and go with me to Kansas, afeared of TORNADO ALLEY.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

oh my .........

Water.. the boy had some choice words to say when we went though the flood waters.

Just a wee bit of flooding on way home from scout fair we have been at a stand still for 1/2 hour now

Friday, April 17, 2009

Very noisy

Lunch at 2nd grade table

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Texas update

Well the Chatty Version: My car has been in the shop for 23 days. I got a loaner car from the Dealership, and the tags ran out on it on Friday, so I have been driving around on expired tags on a 2009 Honda Accord. The Transmission went out and they are replacing it. The problem started in January 2008, and by February 2009 I was pretty upset. In January 2009 I put $1400 into a catalytic converter, that I DIDNT need since it didn't fix the problem. I took it back for a jutter in the starter clutch (inside the Transmission) in November, December, January, and finally in February I grabbed the flipping mechanic and took him on a ride so that I could replicate the flipping problem. sweet mother of god. it was not that difficult. you can Google the symptoms and get 1000 hits of what the problem is and that it is covered under warranty. but they THOUGHT they could jerk me around on that. The Civic is only 6 years old. they have since been educated that I am not in the mood. I pitched a fit to customer service and planned to report everything to Honda Corporate. I figured I would hear from the General Manager in 12 hours and I did, almost to the minute. He called the next morning and BEGGED me to let him fix the car before sending my response to Honda Corporate. supposedly my review would decimate their averages, well DUH! so they are supposedly going to reimburse me for the catalytic converter ($1400.00)and they have ordered and installed a brand new transmission($3600.00)and I am waiting to hear back on the hybrid battery pack that they tried to sell me ($3200.00). I think that it is finally paying off to be an elderly woman. ;) district managers do not give you nearly as much shit and take you much more seriously as a consumer. ;) (rolling eyes - bloody morons)

As for the rest of the clan. well let me start with the typical stuff: I got about 5 calls on Monday because Erik is having issues. By Tuesday, I got 3 calls, he was in In School Suspension. By Wednesday, he was out, but by Friday, back in. supposedly he is too smart to study, too cute to care. he did get almost a perfect score in the Read Texas State Exams. But he annoyed another kid at school and said 'boys are weird' which the kid retaliated by saying that he would kill Erik out in the playground with a knife. Naturally his butt was sent home, but for the life of me I have no idea why they would put Erik in ISS for saying 'BOYS are WEIRD" They ARE weird. he got the standard issue 1.5 hour butt chewing. I was seriously ticked off, more calls from the school in the last 21 days than in the previous 36 months. I think that the school principal has my cell phone on the top 5 speed dial numbers. Last weekend he did better and qualified for his BB Gun Certification and Archery Certification for Boy Scouts.

One more chess match next week and we are done with the tournament for the year. Both boys had a draw today.

Magnus wants to quit Boy Scouts, and then changes his mind again. I think it is because he HATES crowds of people in general and doesn't like the chaos, I am not sure. Getting him to an activity is like pulling out his toe nails, but once he is there, takes a crow bar to pry him away. What is the shock of the day is that with enough skittles, I can bribe him to actually read on level for me. he has been reading significantly below level and it has been causing some serious worry. but I think that he has been playing me.

Krystal took her ACT exams a couple of weeks ago and she was extremely stressed out. she is a little old to start college and she has forgotten most of the stuff, but I think that if she retakes the next one, she will be more comfortable. She does need to find something to do with her days while she is waiting for Jason to do whatever he is supposed to be doing. I would say playing in the sand box, but I might get something thrown at me. heehee.

Jasmine has been accepted at University of Montana and I may have to personally maim anyone trying to distract her. The number one reason for sending her there her senior year was so that A)I didn't kill her and B) so that she would graduate from a Montana High school and have a guaranteed admission to the same college that Her Grandma and I graduated from. Moving on base instead of completing the plan that we set in place in 2003 would really screw that up. (just ask the Honda District Manager how well that goes over) She would have to wait yet another year to get in-state tuition. As If! she has moved to house that is 5 minutes from her work and will not be having a room mate. She was fine without one for many months out in Montana while my parents were out of state for MONTHS. so she should start to settle down and de-stress some. She has Pyper and Dakota with her and naturally she is happiest with lots of dog hair in her life. GIGGLE.

now for the DRAMA!!!! Not sure what is going on this Summer with Naomi in Washington. She is getting much bigger and more emotional. Erik and Magnus will have Swim Team, and Triathlons, and Scout day camp.

I sent a couple more boxes to the troops. I heard that there was a request for Chocolate Chip and Sugar Cookies. Things have quieted down here work-wise, so I should have time to make them on Thursday. Sverre says that I am getting fat (gained 13 lbs) but I hope to have it back off before long.

Well hell it is 1:44 am and I would have to say that I have burned through yet another day. I am taking both boys to the scout fair this weekend. Maybe Sunday to the Park, they paved a path from Collins Park (behind the Cypresswood Cop Shop all the way under Steubner to Meyer Park along the bayou. It is pretty kewl.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Just one more Check Engine Light

Ima - battery.. This is very taxing.. each month it is $1.2K - 3.6K+ to keep it on the road and it is STILL not legal.

Goodson Honda

25 days..... 1 new transmission... 1 new motor mount... one happy happy civic...

awe, this little baby is purring like a kitten with a velvet tail. you never really know just how bad something is when you drive it every day and then suddenly it is fixed. what sounded like spinning out on gravel over pavement is no longer an issue. what sounded like jutter and chattering is silent as the dead. I am dancing the watusi.... just thrilled and probably more loyal to Honda than before.

that makes two really good outcomes of potentially nasty situations.

Nikon D70..... and Honda Hybrid... going to take the baby to the park now...

Friday, April 03, 2009

sin-session

I am taking the left over rice (cooked in milk instead of water) from last night, added in 1 envelop of jello (orange) to one cup boiling water, and then stirred it in and am gelling it up, gonna add the rest of the whipped cream and some fruit (bananas, blue berries, peaches) and eat it for late night sin-session. yes I will burn in hell, but I do not care. I spent HOURS in the principal's office today.

I got so fat that I rode my bike to the school today and back (4 miles total). Breakfast was a protein bar and Dinner was just shrimp scampi.. nothing else.

Computer class

Magnus in working quietly in computer class on Friday afternoon. He is really a smart boy!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

SPOILED

Jordan needs butt kicked.
Desi Stroad got this demon caught on tape.
Check out the silent exaggerated laugh. This is his new talent.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Comfortable Camping

There is roughing it, an then there is ROUGHING it.. we do not go without our creature comforts
After many trips to REI, we have air cushions, sleeping bags, tent with rainfly and various essentials.

My bag is a Nebo Black Bear extra wide, lined with flannel and good to 0°F (-18°C), the boys are REI Zephyr nylon and good to 10°F (-12°C).

all of our pads are thermarest and they are wonderful, mine is an XL and the boys are just Large. The only problem that we have is one or both of the boys rolling down between the pads and sleeping directly on the floor of the tent. Short of sewing a couple of sheets together and putting the pads in there, we do not have a solution. We have been slipping a thermarest down in each of the OLD cheap sleeping bags to make them more fluffy and to further protect them from punctures, but we still get a lot of sliding around by morning with all the snuggling and burrowing that the boys do at night.

We are currently in an Ozark Trail tent, and while roomy as hell, it is also COLD at hell. That is next on my list to alleviate. not sure what the solution is, but there has got to be something big but warm out there. It sleeps 6, so maybe one small hiking tents INSIDE would solve the problem. what I do know is just about every other ozark trail tent that we have had, and this is our 6th, the poles bust faster than you can say bacon and eggs, the first two, the poles survived, but not the fasteners that anchored them to the tent. the next two tents, the poles busted when the kids were manhandling it. the 5th one busted the second setup, which replacement were more expensive than just buying a new tent. I was not at all amused.

As for accessories: when it comes to cooking, I went through three Coleman stoves until I found one that didn't fall apart. I resorted to Ozark Trail from Wal-mart, who would have thunk. The Portable Kitchen broke the first weekend, but has continued to work despite that, being a Coleman, I am not not surprised.

other than that, we have made a lot of use of the Battery Operated Lanterns, and car auxiliary air pumps for the pads. Now the only thing left is the Laptop Movie base, we do watching a movie at night before turning in and it tends to get buried in all the bedding, so that needs to be elevated the camp stool super handy.

Raven Lake @ huntsville state park

View from the tent looking at raven lake @ Huntsville state park. Gonna be an outstanding weekend!

It was definitely a great weekend. smores. alligators. horseback riding. Jalapeno stuffed with back strap steak and wrapped in bacon.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Jazz? Krys?

Krys of course. Going to Butte for St Patty's day drinking party wahoo

Jazz

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Stress Stress stress

seems like my life is back to normal, running on 100 Octane and not enough hours in the day, ESPECIALLY today with daylight savings time. GRACIOUS! Just what I do not need.

so work is really going full tilt, that is a good thing. the kids are out of school and will get underfoot the first two days that I am working, that will quickly resolve itself since then we can go play the rest of the spring break.

I totally need some help with rebuilding the lawn mower.. it is a mess and has been for months. someone needs to go to the grocery store and get supplies, I do not have time, but I can not leave the car for Sverre so I may have to make a list and send him on his bike with Magnus on the Picalo.

as for the Girls in my family. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH, so many good things and bad things and stressful things.

did I mention that the scales went to 163? CRAP!

Thursday, March 05, 2009

In SLC and looking at

In SLC and looking at a tiny tiny 35 passenger plane-let! My least favorite size - 10 rows only. Like flying in the honda civic.

On the plane - headed

On the plane - headed south to SLC: Delta Airlines - arrive IAH 2:08 pm

Monday, March 02, 2009

Owe owe owe

Magnus bit in three places by aggressive dog. It was a Boxer.

It Charged out of the door when a little girl answered Magnus's knock when he was looking for Erik.

The dog jumped on him, biting his arm at the armpit, tripped him, biting his side, and then while he was down, biting his leg, drawing blood in all three places. Magnus was very sad, scared and sad that he was just looking for Erik and didn't do anything to make the Boxer mad.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Teacher Hearing things....

Magnus reported that he had to move his clip for no reason.

I said, well, what would your teacher say is the reason you had to move your clip.

he said "the teacher would day that he was talking, he says "but she was hearing things".