love

Today is the funeral for my Great Aunt Christine Sheetz. She was 97 years old. The women in my family tend to live a long time, so it is not surprising. What may be, to some, is that her husband Bill is still going strong at 103! Last year, the couple celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary, and her death came just one week before they would have celebrated 81 years of wedded bliss. They still lived in their own home and were amazingly still very independent. If I remember correctly, Uncle Bill may have still been driving.

Last year they profiled in Pennsylvania Families magazine last year and there was even talk of a visit to the Tonight Show, but Uncle Bill declined.

Their story is one that makes you truly honor the institution of marriage. I know that it is physically impossible for me to be married 80 years (I would be 107 years old), but I hope that my marriage can at least be as happy and fulfilling as theirs was.

As touching as their story is, my lovely husband remarks, "Man you're never going to die are you."

Spongeworthy

I swear Megan is a sponge, soaking up everything she sees and hears.

The big girls and I were driving in the car the other day when Megan chimes up from the back seat with this little gem:

Megan: Mom, did you know that sometimes goodbye is a second chance?
Me: What?
Megan: Sometimes goodbye is a second chance.
Me. A second chance? Oh, well yeah I guess so. Where did you get that from?
Sarah: No Mom, she means from the song?
Me: The song?...Oh, right. Yes, the song. Yes, sometimes goodbye can be a second chance.

I then went on about what that really meant. I don't think either of them cared though. Megan kinda got it, which made me proud.

We don't listed to a ton of radio, so I am not sure when she heard the song and I now have to start paying attention to lyrics so she doesn't pick up something completely inappropriate. Who knew she actually listened!?

I hope that this means school will be easy for her, academically at least.

finally

Thanks to the Sisterhood and my new prize, this lovely notebook. I actually started useing it right away to keep notes on my food intake.

Clearly it is working because I am down 3.6 lbs!! Didn't get a chance to work out as much this past week due to end of year activities, but still managed to keep active enough. What is even better is that for the first time in our relationhsip, I was able to actually lose weight on a visit to my in-laws this past weekend. There is always tons of good food and snacks to munch on, but I managed to stick to my diet. We also attended a really fun graduation party for Pat's cousin's oldest. It was a blast, but I avoided the adult beverages (just one glass of wine) and limited my food to just a taste of things!

I am so happy that I finally saw the scale move in the right direction. Just hoping I can keep this up!

I wish I had one of those

For the last two weeks, Pat was taking a class that required him to leave much earlier than normal. Thus, creating a dilemma in getting the kids to school. I have little leave as it is, and I would need to take 2 hours every morning in order to get all of them to school/daycare. Thankfully, my in-laws offered to help for a week. They came down and took the big girls to school and daycare in the morning and even watched the baby during the day.

I know a lot of people who would be inconvenienced by having their in-laws with them for that long. And I am fully aware of all the in-law jokes out there. Now my mother-in-law is certainly not perfect, but it is so nice having her there. She is a woman who likes to keep busy and found all sorts of things to do while she was here. I can't tell you how nice it is to come home to clean laundry and vacuumed carpets. My kitchen island never accumulated crap while she was there either. I would never have asked her to run a load of laundry or clean, lord no! But she did it anyways, and I am so grateful.

One afternoon while she was here I was picking up the girls from aftercare and we were talking about how great it was that Grandma was there to help with all these things. As we were talking, another mother walked past us and commented, "I wish I had one of those." We both chuckled and smiled.

I never thought I'd ever say it, but my mother-in-law can come and visit any time she wants to!!

Tears

School has been over for almost a week now and I am just getting to post about it. I really wish I could find more time in the day (without kids).

After a horrible year in first grade last year, Sarah couldn't run out of the building fast enough. She had absolutely no desire to say goodbye to her teacher, let alone give her a hug. I'll have to admit, I agreed with her. Mrs. F turned her love of school into pure torture after just two week. We spent the year in a constant state of frustration and tears. She hated going to school, she didn't understand homework, and there was little communication from the teacher. There was a bully in her class that gave Sarah such grief and Mrs. F had extremely poor classroom management skills.

However, being a counselor within the same school district, I didn't want to become that parent; the one who was always complaining and trying to blame their child's issues on others. So I worked with Sarah at home on how to deal with the teacher and the bully. She also worked with her counselor at school to develop some coping strategies as well. She managed to survive the year, and even had perfect attendance. But I knew something needed to change.

I wrote to the principal of the school at the end of last year detailing my concerns and hopes that Sarah would have a better year in 3rd grade. Thankfully, Sarah was placed with the only teacher she wanted.

This year was such a better year for her. We still have some of her own behaviors to deal with, but all in all, she had a very successful year. We had very little frustration and tears, in sharp contrast to last year. Once, again, I wrote a letter to the principal. However, this year, the letter was in praise of Mr. L and his way of bringing Sarah back to loving school. In fact, she didn't want the year to end. She was in tears over the whole thing for hours. Even at bedtime, she got weepy just thinking about the fact that she wouldn't be able to see Mr. L until school returned in the fall.



I couldn't be happier!

The Zero Game

I love the book The Zero Game by Brad Meltzer (a thriller involving a game played by Capitol Hill staffers that leads to murder and intrigue), however that is not what this post is about.

After weeks of working out regularly and watching my diet, the scale has moved no where. My husband and co-workers are stunned, and I am frustrated beyond belief. Clearly, something is not working right. I must now spend the time (of which I have little) writing down everything I eat, because I must be eating more than I think I am. eEther that, or I am destined to be fluffy!

My Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans Team Pink will probably revolt and kick me off the team after yet another week of contributing nothing to our percentage of weight lost.

I just don't get it

Yesterday afternoon I was checking my twitter account and saw the breaking news that there had been a shooting at the Holocaust Museum. Naturally, I was shocked and saddened by the report. At the time, I was too busy to go and check the news sites to read more about it.

Later, while at the gym, I was watching the monitor above my elliptical machine and was captivated by the reports.


I just don't get it.

I don't understand how people can feel so much hatred for a group of people solely based on their religious, ethnic, or racial background. So much hatred, that they feel the need to take radial action against that group.


I can understand situations where you would feel hatred toward an individual that has grievously harmed you personally, but the whole I hate you because you are [fill in the blank ethnic group] makes absolutely no sense to me.

I just don't get it.

I was crushed when the reports came out that the security guard died of his wounds. I'm sure the woman on the elliptical next to me was a bit perplexed when I let out an audible groan. Stephen T. Jones did what he could to protect the staff and visitors to the museum and died heroically trying to prevent further destruction. I am sure that James Wennecker von Brunn will be pleased to learn that he has killed an African American as well as impacted an amazing and moving museum dedicated to honoring the victims of the holocaust. What is more disgusting to me is that there are throngs of individuals who will now laud this man and his ideology; he will no doubt be placed on a pedestal by other hate groups.

I just don't get it.

After Dr. Tiller's death earlier this month, and now this, I am more and more confused by those out there that feel the need to push their beliefs onto others. I just had a conversation with my oldest the other day about this (the concept, not the specifics). We talked about how this country was founded by people who wanted the freedom to believe in their own ideas and religions. This is what makes this country great. I am so glad I live in a country where I can vote for who I want, believe in what I want and live free, yet RESPECT others for having their own, and even different beliefs. I don't understand intolerance and hatred. Most importantly, I hope that I have instilled this in my own children.

I just don't get it.

Why is this so hard?

I absolutely hate my husband.

Well, not really.

Last week I decided that I had to do something and I joined the gym near our house. I have gone to the gym almost every day since. I have been watching what I eat and doing pretty good, so I thought. I have lost a total of NOTHING!

My husband, who I love dearly, has decided to start exercising as well. In a week he has lost like 7 lbs.

WTF!!

Seriously, there is something wrong with this picture. I lose ounces and he loses serious weight.

It is a good thing that he loves me unconditionally, because at the rate I'm going, I'll never be his trophy wife!

Reruns

Ok, I feel like I've been losing that same damn 2-3 lbs over the past few months. I've absolutely had it. I decided that trying to exercise and do this myself is not going to work. I CANNOT workout while my kids are home. Little Emma does not allow me the luxury of a few minutes of peace, let alone a few miles on the treadmill.

I broke down and joined the gym up the street. Thankfully, I get a discount for being a teacher. My plan is that I actually leave work on time (a novel thought, I know) and spend at least 45 minutes at the gym before I pick up the girls.

So far, so good. I've been able to go to the gym for the past 4 days in a row. I think one of those days I was only able to do 30 minutes, but I went!

I am hoping that I won't jinx myself by posting about this here, but I'll do it anyways. Now that school is ending for the year, I will hopefully have more time to dedicate to my commitment to myself. Thankfully, Pat is on this journey with me!

Where does she get this stuff

Overheard on the playground....

Little boy: I love Indiana Jones

Megan: Whatever (in the snottiest tone you can imagine)

Pat: Megan, you shouldn't talk to people that way.

Megan: What? I wasn't talking about him [the little boy]. I'm just not that big a fan of Indiana Jones