Vacation Pictures

Over Spring Break I took the boys to Chicago. On the way there we missed our exit due to road construction. It took me about 45 mins. out of the way. We have an hours difference with Indiana so we started our an hour ahead anyhow. So we could afford to lose those 45 mins. Once in Chicago we settled in the hotel. They just had to go swimming the moment we arrived. I figured out how to get to the theater while they played in the pool. They want a hot-tub now...(ME TOO).

Before the show we ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Friday's...luckily it was on the hotel property...can you say "EASY". I am so glad because driving in Chicago could drive a person to drink!!! I took a picture of the boys at the restaurant. Why do they always have to give me the "prison pose"? Especially Tiernon...they really nerves me.

We had to wait in the lobby for about 45 minutes. They had PVC pipes and laundry vent tube with other tubing all around the lobby. They used it as megaphones. You could talk to someone clear on the other side of the lobby. It was cool. The boys had lots of fun. Once in the theater you couldn't take pictures, but I got a quick one of them coming out. Tiernon looks so tired...lol. The white stuff around their heads was a time waster...they passed it out so the Blue Men could change sets...and people could stand...there was no intermission. The plastic ponchos were to protect our clothing. We were in the fourth row.


These two pictures were taken after the show. The one with the blue man was cute, McKayle ~ the clown he is ~ tried to get him to talk...but he didn't break character. The lady in the other picture was an audience member who did a skit with the Blue Men...she was so good everyone thought she was an actress. Her facial expressions were priceless. The Blue Men were worth the money...(still keeping that price a secret from Reggie...SHHHH!)

That was the end of our first day. We got back to the hotel around 11:30pm. We got up the next day and went downtown. I will write about that tomorrow. It is getting late. Good Night!!

Rylee's Trip to the ER

Well, I was fixin to watch HGTV's Kitchens and Baths 2008...then a shriek comes in the door accompanied with tears and dirt. I got it out of McKayle that Rylee fell off the slide down at the park. He busted his lip open and blood was spewing out. I didn't think it was that bad until about 45 minutes later when he could stick his tongue in it. I figured I had better been a good mommy and take him to get a stitch or two. I have pictures for you. He was calm...we watched a little tv and went for a slushy at Frozen Custard afterwards.

Later I found out that he was indeed using the slide WRONG!! He tried to fib, but I called him a liar (in fun) and he started to laugh. I asked if he learned his lesson and it was a hesitated yes. So, I am sure we will see the ER again this summer...UGGGHHH.

Obama & Me

Obama was here in Kokomo on Friday. We had a game, so I couldn't go see him. BOY, did I want to....he is soooo fine!! Anyhow I am wondering if I can get a blank ballot after our primary. I want to frame it since it will have his name and mine on the same "official" paper...heheheeh!!!

I have such mixed emotions about this election. Locally, not Nationally. I really want to be elected...I know I have what it takes to do the job. But, yeah there is a But. I know this is lame...but I worry about my opponent. His health isn't very good and I am afraid of taking maybe the one thing that keeps him going. That would crush me. People tell me I shouldn't think of it that way...but I do.


I haven't done much campaigning. I am letting God take control. If it was meant to be, it will happen. If not, I can try later in life. I am not going to be devastated if I don't get elected. I guess I figure when the time is right I will know what I need to know (people & platforms)and get the job done.

I think now I am content in finding who the new me is. I am loving my life, my weight, my children, and Reggie and I are happy. I also think (knock on wood) my mom is going to need my soon. Her health is not good and normally I would say she was just being a hypo....but I'm not so sure now. Some of the things I see are really worrying me. Please pray for her.

New Happenings

I am glad to hear people think we are interesting. I hadn't posted for a week or two and people are e-mailing me asking when I will post again. About the same time I posted here I joined Cafemom. Much like MySpace, but just for moms. I have been spending so much time there I sorta let this one go. Then I wanted to put pictures on here from our vacation but haven't found the time.

Lots of things have happened. The lady I started to take care of for the 18 hrs a week pasted away while I was on vacation. But the day after I got home Sherry (the owner of the careteam) called and asked if I would take care of a 98 year old lady. I said I would meet the family and if we gelled then I would. Well, I ended up knowing one of the daughters...in fact I worked with her at Elwood Haynes. Needless to say, I said yes. The family was just wonderful. And that has really been where I have been for the past two weeks. I worked from 7am to 4pm. Then I would come home and rush the boys off to practices or games.

Speaking of games. Brevin hit his first home run the other night. He also pitched a 3 inning no-hitter. You ought to have seen him when all the team meet him at the home plate. They tried to pick him up, but he wasn't having that. He was uneasy about them touching him. Then he said later, after nearly the whole park said "Congratulations", that was awkward...We just laughed. Reggie was pretty upset that he wasn't there to see it. He was working. Tomorrow he is going to pitch again, at least that is the plan. But I heard the weather was going to be in the 40 with a high chance of rain...so we'll see!!

Tomorrow will be my first day at home alone!!! NO BOYS, NO REGGIE...just me and Deano!!! I am going to go to the YMCA and clean the house. I want to organize Reggie's closet and get rid of some of his nasty t-shirts and hole-y socks. I swear if I didn't check, he would wear something until it was hung together by one string.

I guess I didn't mention why I get the day to myself. My lady passed away on Friday night. But I guess another family wants me starting on May 4th. But it is here in Kokomo (the other was in Peru). She has blood clots but is coherent and I hear funny. So, I am sorta looking forward to it.

I hope to get our vacation pictures on here real soon.

Someone Won the Pool

Well, the ladies at school started a pool to see how long I would go without working. I lasted less than 24 hours. Hospice called and asked if I would take a client. It is just three days a week for 6 hours. Of course I said yes. I started today. Nice lady, can't tell you about her (confidentiality). I had some feelings I wasn't quite ready for. I thought about Imogene all day. I really missed her today. I kinda feel guilty. I know it sounds silly. I know she would not want me to feel this way. I think about her every day. Having Deano makes the hurt less...but it doesn't take it away. I don't want to get close to a client again...I know the reality of why I am there...they are dying. But I was just blind-sided when Imogene passed. We had so many plans, ball-games to go to, tv shows to watch. I guess I was the only one who refused to see her health deteriorating. (side thought~what I am writing has nothing to do with the title I gave this post...oh well.)

The boys had practice today. Tiernon is wearing that thumb guard again...his thumb is swollen from jamming it in the practice game last night. I am going to see if the swelling goes down on it's own. Really, there is nothing the Dr. can do about a broken thumb...except put it in the guard again.

Chicago is only a few days away. I am getting kinda nervous about the drive. We all know I hate to drive. I hope the hotel is nice. I know the boys will use the pool.

Oh, a young girl was shot and killed last night here in town. She was only 18. It happened around 3-something am. I know the family, but I didn't know the girl. I remember Reggie's grandma saying the only things that are open at 3am are legs and hospitals...I get it now...she was saying that nothing good can come from being out at that time of night. It is sad that she lost her life...but it makes me think about "choice". We all make the choice to be where we are. I know everything happens for a reason, I just hope someone learned something from this experience.

Talking way to much tonight. Going to bed. Goodnight

My Last Day of Work

Well, the day has finally come. My desk looks funny empty. Reggie has taken my last few boxes. I still have a lamp and my chair. My dad will be picking that up. I have e-mailed a few co-workers and choked up a little. The bell just rang and the kids are in the halls. I am sorta afraid to go out into the hall. I don't want to start crying so early. I'll wait until they come to me.

In the large scheme of things I don't see why I am getting emotional. It isn't like I am going far...and my children will still go to this school. I just won't be here everyday. I guess most of all I am going to miss how important they make me feel. They all treat me with just respect. They know I am cool, but strict. My own kids know all my faults and aren't afraid to tell me about them. The kids at school put me on a pedestal and it is kinda nice to be looked up too like that. I think back to how long I have known some of these kids and in some cases it is pre-k.

Last night I said we were going to the Circus. Ever heard the saying,"Wanna make God laugh, make a plan" That was my night. Donny called mandatory batting practice at 5pm. The boys didn't come strolling in until 8:00pm. I had made Taco Salad because Rylee and Reggie were hungry. By 8:20pm the boys had devoured the rest of the Taco Salad. Mind you, the Circus started at 7:30 so we had missed it by a long shot. Rylee asked if we could go swimming. That was an option, but the pool closed at 8:30pm. By the time we got to the Y it would have been closing. So Rylee cried and said,"I never get to do anything." Poor Rylee....he is leaving tomorrow for Florida with Brian...but he never gets to do anything.

Mom and John are taking McKayle to see Aunt Toni in Tennessee. I guess they are leaving tonight and will be home on Tuesday. I was tripping when I first heard they were going because I thought they were staying longer. I had plans to leave for Chicago on Wednesday. Come to find out they are coming home on Tuesday. So all is well.

I ended the night watching The Mist can I just say, "WHAT A WASTE OF TIME!!!" That was a horrible movie with a more horrible ending. I was so mad that I sat and watched that movie.

That's all for now.

Still Thursday

Posting again today. I canceled practice for tonight, it is just too cold for 4,5,and 6 year olds to be outdoors. The older boys have a mandatory batting practice. Which, after last night's game I can see why. Still planning on taking the boys to the Circus tonight.

Not getting much accomplished at school. I share a room with the PTO and they are getting ready for Carnival. For some strange reason the smell of cotton candy and popcorn takes kids attention away from writing 5 paragraph essays. Imagine that???

I am letting the school use my camera tonight, so I won't be taking any pictures of the Circus. Only one more hour left of school and then I have seven hours tomorrow and then I am DONE!!!

One More Day Closer!!!

Today is Thursday. Tomorrow is my last day of work. I am taking the boys to the Circus tonight if their practice game finishes in time. Last night the game took FOREVER!!! It was pretty boring, no one was hitting and the fielding was so/so. Reggie didn't have to work so he, Deano and I watched from the car. I tried to take his picture but he got perturbed with me, so I took pictures of me and Deano on my cell phone. That's the way I entertained myself. I hopped in the car with my mom for awhile but that was boring too. I went up to talk with my brother's friend Day (Mike Day) everyone calls him Day. Anyhow, it was a nice chat. He was telling me he talked to my brother a few weeks ago. That reminds me, I need to call him. I am not very good at staying in contact with my family. Note to self~ when I am not working (YEAHHH) I need to spend more time talking with my extended family.

I was thinking last night I should learn how to use YouTube. That would be fun. I could talk about much of nothing. That could become quite intersting.

Anyhow, I am at school now. The bell is going to ring soon and the kidos will be coming down to see me. So Ta~Ta for now!!!

Hump Day

It's Wednesday. We are having Elwood Haynes Idol this morning. I haven't had a hand in it this year, but I hear the talent is excellent. I have spent the morning packing up my desk and talking with the younger boys about how school will be without me here. They seems to be taking it pretty well. They aren't stoked about riding the bus everyday but it is something they will get use to.

Tomorrow is the school Carnival, but we have made plans to go to the Circus. That is if practice games are over. It seems weird not planning the Carnival. The ladies who have taken over the PTO are doing a great job of getting everything in place for Carnival.

Two more days!!! (with a big smile) I heard yesterday that the YMCA woman's center will be closed over Spring Break to fix the whirlpool. I'm thinking that is a good thing since I plan on spending a good portion of my day relaxing at the Y when school is back in session.

Rylee will be going to Florida with Brian over Spring Break. He is always a hoot to see after he goes to a sunny location. He tans beautifully, like the Coppertone baby. I hope we have good Chicago weather. I would like to take the boys on a walk through the city. We have to go to Nike Town.

Well, the bell is about to ring. We have a practice game tonight for the Hammers. I'll let you all know how the boys did.

Cristi

Three More Days, Counting Down

Today was a hard day. My co-workers threw me a goodbye breakfast. It was hard to hold back the tears especially when they started reading off all of the accomplishment I have attained over the years. A few people asked if I was ready to change my mind and stay. Being April 1st, I started to give them all an April-fools joke and say "I've changed my mind, I'm staying." But I knew they would take me seriously and not let me leave.

Having kids in class has been hard because they are all asking me why am I leaving them. I reassure them they will see me often, I just have to figure some things out. I boast about how I am going to love having the day time to myself. In reality, I am kinda scared. What will I do with all of that time, I can only organize so much, and I can only exercise for so long. I don't want to get into the habit of shopping for much of nothing. Wow, now I have anxiety...lol. I could take a class or two. That might be fun, or I could take a dance class...I could learn to belly dance, or tango. Now that would be fun. I could take up pottery, or stain-glass making, or learn to garden. Ok, the anxiety is subsiding.

Honestly, summer is right around the corner and the boys will be home to occupy my time. I am sure we will be getting season passes to the pool. That will be fun.

Still, three more days until I am a Stay at Home Mom.