It's that time again...

Yup, it is that time again, the beginning of a new school year. Now if I were a normal parent, or at least one with half a brain, I would be rejoicing about the fact that my kids are about to go off to school which would leave me with a lot of free time and peace and quiet. But nope, I chose to drop out of college and get a job and ultimately married. Shortly after marrying, I started breeding and well, that leads to now. Now I am the mother to three kids and a college student. This leads to some issues that complicate my life. For one thing, unless you are on welfare, college is damn expensive. So not only are we forking out thousands a year for kids activities, clothes and well, food, we are also paying for my education. If I had half a brain, I would have "let" my parents pay for it. Another complication is time. I just do not have any real free time anymore. School takes way too much effort and energy. Oh I know, it will be worth it in the end *sure, then I get to go to WORK!* Yea, totally worth it. But the pay check will be good especially since it will come just when my oldest are ready to start college. So yea, I need to do this but man, it is really a bitch. Especially the math. I am just math retarded. I don't know why, mental block? But I just can not seem to get algebra. I thought last year I had taken my last algebra class but no, I am now required to take Algebra 103 which totally sucks. My prof told us yesterday that if you received a c in the previous algebra class, only 8% of those people taking this class will pass. SO, since I was GRATEFUL for the C I got in the last class I guess I will be rejoicing to even pass this one. Grrr!!!! If anyone has any helpful suggestions for doing better or even just understanding algebra, I would love to hear from you. I have a feeling I may be taking this class again in the Spring. Which will NOT make me very happy.

Oh! And I almost forgot, I am also on a diet! I mean, I am freaking starving myself (not really but since I am not eating any junk food AT ALL, I feel like I am starving). Now don't you feel sorry for me? I know I do.

Getting with it

People, I am so out of shape! I mean, seriously. I really need to get my act together. Mike finally bought that treadmill that he wanted. It was $1999.00 reduced to $949.00. So he got it and I plan to walk on it as well but when we were looking at treadmills, I kind of fell in like (not love because hello, it is still exercise) with a recumbent bike. So after debating it, researching them, etc. I decided to bite the bullet and buy one(it was only $179.00 and I had a $20.00 off coupon so really $159.00). I got it last night and after almost 2 hours spent putting the damn thing together, I went to bed. Ha! You thought I was going to say I took it for a spin right? Really, you don't know me at all. Anyway, I did take it for a stationary spin today and my lord! It is not so easy. After the first mile I thought I was going to die so I decided to stop there lol. I am letting my muscles recover and then I will try again. Maybe not going uphill this time. I am thinking I should start out a little slower. But it felt good and my butt did not hurt at all. So my goal is to either walk or ride at least 30 minutes 5 days a week and hopefully work up to an hour 3-5 days a week. I read that if you ride for 1 hour you can burn 1000 calories. That is pretty darn good. Plus it said that the recumbent bike works the same muscles as if you were doing squats so heck, that is a very good thing without the knee stress. So what do you do for exercise?

Superstar!~

So I know I told you I was busy watching the Olympics this week, and I am. But I did take a little break today to go see John McCain in York, Pa. Now I have to admit he was not my first choice to represent the party, but my opinions about him have changed. He really is someone to be proud of. The sacrifice he made for our country is well, amazing. I also realized today that he is damned funny. I mean, really funny. It was a pleasure to be there and be able to listen to him speak and listen as he answered audience questions in a thoughtful and engaging manner. I would encourage everyone to give him a chance and really listen to what he has to say. He seems to be very sincere and really, his experience speaks volumes to me. So I am quite glad I chose to leave my Olympics for a few hours and got to meet, in person, and shake his hand, the future President of the United States. That is why I am.....A....Superstar!(at least in my own mind) Amen.

Forgive me?

Forgive me for not being around much. I am very busy. Very busy indeed with......The Olympics! I totally love the summer games so I will be busy with gymnastics, and swimming, and soccer, and well, just about everything. So catch you later alligator.

Monday Monday........

It is Monday and we are home. All of our travelling is for the most part, over for this summer. And while I had a great time on vacation, there is always some sort of relief to be had to have it over with. Anyone else feel that way? I mean, all of the saving and planning and packing and driving and stressing about everything sort of puts a slight damper on your vacation. And we were lucky. We didn't forget anything important, we had enough money, everyone stayed safe and no one was sick and the weather was great; so really we were very lucky. But there is still something to be said with being home. So home is where we are. I plan to spend the next few weeks alternating between relaxing by the pool, preparing for my classes to start, reading trashy novels, organizing stuff around the house, sleeping a little later, maybe painting mine and Brooks bedroom, staying up a little later, canning some fresh peaches, etc.... The list could go on and on but you get the picture. I don't want to be a complete sloth so I am going to try to mix some productive stuff in with my relaxing. Oh, and I almost forgot, I also want to start working out again. So there ya have it!

On to Menu Plan Monday....

Guess it is time to get back to a schedule of some sort for meals.

Monday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, zucchini or salad
Tuesday: Pork chops, scalloped potatoes, apple sauce, spinach
Wed: Roast beef, slaw, mashed potatoes
Thursday: manwhich, oven fries
Friday: homemade pizza
Saturday: BBQ chicken, corn on cob, spinach salad
Sunday: leftovers

Alive!

Yea, I am still alive and kicking. We just got back from a 2 week trip to Chincoteague Va which is absolutely one of the most glorious places on earth. Or at least on the East coast. We spend just about every single day at the beach. The waves were huge and actually, a little scary at times, but the weather couldn't be any better. Sunny and warm every day. When we weren't on the beach, we were on the boat or exploring Assateague Island clamming, fishing and crabbing. Lets just say we had our fill of seafood and well, the sea. No, that isn't actually true, I could have stayed there another few weeks, or days at least.

Got home on Monday and spend the day doing laundry. Camping with 6 people for 2 weeks generates a boat load of dirty clothes. Brooks and Caitey went to North Carolina to visit their cousins for the week so I just have Mikey here. He is a huge help and managed to get the Denali cleaned out(a boat load of sand) and cut the grass. So I rewarded him with a movie. We saw the Happening which was OK.

Today we went to a local farm market Roots, where I bought some fresh produce including some delicious blueberries which I used to make jam. I never made blueberry jam before and it turned out really well. I was a little worried because I cut the sugar in half but it all set up well and is definitely sweet enough.

Tomorrow I am getting a hair cut and packing for a weekend trip to North Carolina to pick up the kids.

Here are some pics of our vacation. Enjoy!

Brooks looking like Mr. Sunshine...

Not the best picture of Mikey but at least he is looking at the camera. It's the little things that excite me....Mr. Sunshine and his cousin. He was not happy about stopping to get a picture taken. Brat!


Can you believe we let all of the kids get on this? It went upside down and was one of those rides where when it was over, I was actually relived that they made it through alive. Wouldn't you know that as soon as it was over the little buggers ran right back on? Brats! After about 3 or 4 consecutive rides, they were all feeling a little sick so we called it a day.

Caitey looking all beachy and pretty with her tan.

Menu Plan Monday

Ok, I realize it has been awhile since I last posted. I was just really busy with Caitey going to Creation, planning a dinner party with friends, going to a crazy hill billy 4th of July party, then going to a somewhat more normal 4th of July party, going boating, swimming, eating and drinking way too much food/alcohol and working. Oh and we are getting ready to go away for a couple of weeks so I am planning, packing, shopping, etc. for all of that. So yea, crazy stuff going on around here but it is all par for the course. Summertime.

This week I am going to try to keep things simple since I am packing for our trip. We leave on Thursday and I am actually planning meals for this week but aso the following 10 days while we are away camping. Anyway, here it is, our menu for the next few days. I doubt I will be updating much before we leave but there are some fun pics I need to share. Just need to get around to it. which could be a problem. So maybe I will update and maybe you will just have to wait. All three of you. lol

Monday: spaghetti with meat sauce and fried zuccini
Tuesday: Whole roasted beer up the butt chicken, salad, corn
Wed: BBQ sausage and potatoes
Thursday: steak, potatoes, corn
Friday: BBQ chicken, salad
Saturday: manwich sandwiches, potato chips
Sunday: sausage and peppers
Monday: Pizza
Tuesday: pork tenderloin, potatoes, mixed grilled veggies
Wed: chicken and pasta salad
Thursday: eat out at boarwalk in OC
Friday: seafood
Saturday: leftovers, soft crab sandwiches, oysters etc.(at carnival)
Sunday: on way home probably mcdonalds