34 Before 35 - Final Update
Current mood: chill
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

Before I post my last update, here's the latest picture of my gorgeous, albeit newly pimpled, granddaughter.

Of course she was cooing, smiling and drooling before she saw the camera.

And the marked 10 projects I randomly chose to complete.  I'll add more details about this later.

Here goes:

27. Implement family night – While I do spend tons of time with my kids in the evening, watching movies, eating, and whatnot, I have not decided on a specific night and time for this very important activity.

28. Learn to let it go – I have been practicing the biting of the tongue bit, but there's still work to be done.

29. Work on giving Ta some space – Let's face it – teenagers do not know what's best for them.  My dear Ta-Ta is no different.  Now she is a great mother just as I predicted, but she's got some growing up to do still.  And so do I.  I know she has to be able to make mistakes in order to learn from them, and this is where I need some help.  Example – the chick has had her learner's permit for a few weeks now, but I really do not want her driving my car.  There's this little ball of fiery fear that churns every time I think about her doing something dangerous.  Like driving my car.  Or walking down the street to the mall alone.  I know, I still have work to do on this one, too.

30. Purge foul words from my vocabulary (shouldn't be too hard as there aren't many) – I can't bring myself to replace foul words with fudge or fiddlestick, but I have found myself groaning instead of yelling s*t when I stub my toe.  I'm working on it.

31. Create a scrapbook album just for me (not as selfish as it sounds) – I have a couple of projects in the works.  I even have one album that I just need to add photos and text to.  I have a feeling this one will be completed long before my deadline.

32. Find an organizational system for Adrian's room – Adrian decided on baskets instead of plastic containers for his shelves, and he picked them out himself at Hobby Lobby.  Now I just need to figure out a way to get him to use them consistently for their intended purpose instead of setting up war zones around his room.  Literally!  Little men, guns, forts…war.

33. Get passports for kids – I probably won't do this until the spring.

34. Practice better driving behavior (eyes on road, not checking for (fill in blank) in the mirror) – Doing better but need more time to get it right

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34 Before 35 - Update Part 3
Current mood: energetic
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

Happy Saturday!  My own started a lot earlier than most Saturdays because Adrian and I joined about 150 other Cub Scouts at the Cuboree.  There was education, crafts, a nature trail and weaponry.  When Adrian found out there was going to be BB guns and archery, he was super excited to go.  Now my son isn't violent by anyone's definition, but he's been trying to get me to sign him up for an archery class forever.  We had loads of fun, but it was hot for an October fall day.  Or maybe it was just hot because we spent most of the day outside right underneath the sun.

On to the update:

19.  Learn how to make a minimum of 10 all veggie meals - I haven't made any all veggie meals yet because my kids aren't totally sold on the no-meat diet, and one's very picky.  Juanita's been on a raw food diet for a while now, so she can help me here.

20.  Raise funds for Adrian's "National Young Scholar's Program" summer '09 trip - Since this is for next summer, all fundraising and soliciting of sponsors will take place in the spring.

21.  Complete a minimum of 10 projects in my 52 projects book - I have randomly chosen 10 projects, but, since the book and the photo I took of the marked pages are at work, I have no proof that I even own the book.

22.  Practice Spanish daily so I don't forget what I know and continued to increase vocabulary - Finally some progress...I do use Spanish daily, but it's still not as much as I'd like.

23.  Make peace with an old friend - I have spoken with the friend after a very long no-speak, no-see hiatus.  I'm working up to it.

24.  Work on sleeping at least 7 hours a night - I can honestly say I have had some 7 hour nights but not as many as I'd like.

25.  Take measures to get on the road to being debt free - Now I don't have a lot of debt - 80% of it is school and medical debt.  Getting rid of it would be a lot easier if the gas prices would go down (and stay down) and food prices would stop going up.  When OKC was at $3.29 the day Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast, we were at $3.99 and are now at $3.89.

26.  Start making time for God every morning before I start my day - While I'm not a Sunday only Christian, I'm still ashamed that I haven't been better with this one.

That's it for now.

Currently reading : Thin Is the New Happy By Valerie Frankel Release date: 2008-09-02

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34 Before 35 - Update Part 2
Current mood: sleepy
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

As you go through my updates, I'm sure you'll see a pattern beginning to form.  The pattern being that I haven't been doing much of anything.  Working, taking care of kids, transporting kids to and fro, the usual.

Adrian has survived his first week in the new classroom.  He told me Monday morning that he wasn't at all nervous.  The new teacher is in the same area as his former classroom, and he's with most of the kids there either in orchestra or other after-school activities.

On with the list:

11.  Complete wall art projects for Adrian's room and living room - First of all, I've decided to do something different in the living room, so the project I was going to do will be in my bedroom.  I've purchased canvases and paint.  I just need to get started.  Hey, I'm getting there however slow it may be.  I haven't purchased canvas for Adrian's room because I keep going back and forth between two projects I want to do.

12.  Repair bicycle and use it - Nope, and I'm taking it to a bike shop instead of doing it myself like I planned.

13.  Start an art journal - I have plenty of ideas, but nothing's been done.

14.  Take a mini vacation alone (it's been too long) - Since Phil and I probably won't make it to Cove Haven, I may do this one in the spring.

15.  Learn automatic features on my Rebel XT (Yeah Baby!) - I've played with them, but shooting in automatic is so darned easy.

16.  Take Argentine Tango class (it's only two minutes away for Pete's sake) - I've checked the schedule but haven't enrolled.

17.  Read three new authors in a genre I've never read - This one is a little hard because one book can be placed in more than one genre.  I read a variety of books already.  Basically if there's a good review anywhere I'll read it.  I'm currently reading Booker T. Washington's Up from Slavery, Thin is the New Happy, and Beginner's Greek (a novel).  I own Homer's Iliad and The Odyssey, but I've never read them.  Shame I know.  I think instead of reading three new authors, I'll read two - Homer and J.K. Rowling.  I've read bits and pieces of the Harry Potter series while reading to Adrian (who started reading them in 2nd grade), but I've never read a whole book.  When I finish the three books I'm on, I'm borrowing Adrian's copy of The Sorcerer's Stone.

18.  Develop tentative itinerary and budget for trip to Japan with Adrian - This has been fun.  I love planning trips, and I love writing an itinerary for a trip.  Since I still have well over a year to plan, I've written and rewritten an itinerary.  The budget was done first (as always), and it's going to cost a pretty penny.  We're going to have so much fun, and Adrian has agreed to be our translator.  Hopefully he doesn't get us beat up.

Currently reading : Up from Slavery (Oxford World's Classics) By Booker T. Washington

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34 Before 35 - Update Part 1
Current mood: tired
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

It's been 2 months since I posted my list, so I thought I'd give a little update.  To keep from having a long drawn out post, I'm breaking it down into 4 parts.

1.  Go to Cove Haven Resort - Phil isn't sure he's going to be able to get the time off for us to go before May, so this one is still up in the air. This is what sucks about him being a civilian.

2.  Lose and keep off 40 pounds - Okay so I've figured out that the weight isn't going to come off while I sit around and watch reruns of CSI. I'm starting to get more active and trying to make better meal choices. The problem isn't that I eat too much junk food but that I don't eat enough. Period! I'm trying to find different ways to get more protein without eating more meat. I'm not a vegetarian, but I don't really care for meat. Weird?  Yeah, I know.

3.  Learn entire Cyrillic alphabet - Not spending nearly as much time as I'd like, but I'm getting there.

4.  Learn basic Russian - See 3

5.  Learn how to use my Photoshop program - I bought it in April, and used it once.  I'll figure it out.

6.  Complete entire pole dancing series (novice, intermediate and advanced) - My dear friend Jazz is going through the series, but I haven't been back yet.  I would still like to complete the series before next May.  Jazz's bridal shower was this past Saturday at Poleooza, and they had a great time. (It was a bad hair day for me, so I passed.)

7.  Finish NYIP photography classes - Been too busy

8.  Bake a totally homemade pie - When Phil read my list, he pointed out the fact that I've baked homemade pies before. That's true, but I haven't made my own crust since I was in high school. I don't know what kind I'm going to bake, but it's going to be good.

9.  Send a friend an unexpected gift - I haven't done this yet, but I'm gonna.

10.  Go to drive-in again - When I go to a drive-in I like to watch both movies. I kinda don't want to watch "Wall-E", and what's "Burn After Reading"? I'll keep checking until they close for the winter; if I miss this season, I'll go in April.

That's it for now.

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In Semi-Panic Mode
Current mood: anxious
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

Did anyone look at the calendar this morning and realize Christmas is 90 days from today?  Yes, I counted.  OMG!!!  I know I've asked this question several times this year, but where has the time gone?  It seems like it was just yesterday I was wishing everyone a Happy New Year…yeah I know it was already February, but I did it.  To say I'm not ready for 2009 is an understatement.  I'm not sure I've accomplished everything I'm supposed to this year.  I know I have 3 months left, but (in through the nose, hold 5 seconds, out through the mouth)…I need to get a move on.  I don't even have any definite plans for Christmas yet.  That is so unlike me.  I usually plan everything months to a year (or more) in advance.  I guess this year has brought so many changes that I've been a little out of it.  I do know that we won't be in OKC for Christmas since we plan to be there for Thanksgiving.  I also know that I don't want to stay in Columbia, so what does that leave me?  You'll have to wait and see.

Have a GREAT weekend!

**Why does myspace have a category for friends but not family?  So annoying.**

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Starting Over
Current mood: happy
Category: Blogging

We found out yesterday that Adrian will be switching to an Academically Gifted classroom on Monday.  Usually when a child is new to the district they have to wait a whole year to enter the program because placement is usually based on test results from the previous year.  Adrian was in the program last year at another school, and we both loved it.  It allowed him to be in an environment with kids who were, honestly, just as smart as he is.  Now I'm not one to call another child dumb (out loud), but all kids learn at a different pace.  And before someone bites my head off, learning starts at home.  If a child is having problems in school, they probably don't have parents who are that much into school.  My biggest problem with public schools is they're designed to teach so that the child who knows the least will learn.  Which is why Adrian is being moved.  He has a GREAT teacher now, but she knew from the beginning that Adrian wouldn't be challenged enough in her class.  During the recent open house at his school, his teacher and I were talking about how he is sometimes bored during class and will often read while she is teaching because he'll finish his work early (she is cool with that, I'm not).  She asked the principal to inquire about his MAP test scores (taken a couple weeks ago) and got the ball rolling.  His math and reading scores were excellent, so this coming Monday Adrian will be starting school again.  New classroom, new teacher, new friends and lots of opportunities to grow.  Can't help but be proud of that kid.

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3 Months Old
Current mood: hungry
Category: Blogging

Heaven is no longer a newborn but is now an infant.  At 3 months she:

- Weighs about 14 pounds

- Is almost too long for her bassinet (we broke it down last week)

- Coos and squeals (loudly)

- Loves to watch the mobile over her crib (even when it's not on)

- Sleeps through the night (has since about 6 weeks)

- Puts anything that falls into her palm in her mouth; often grabs bib, burp cloth and clothing to gum on

- Keeps us cracking up with her humming; she coos a lot but goes into hum mode at least once a day

- Does not like to lie down in your arms; prefers sitting; babies like to see the action too I guess

- Stops cooing when I get ready to take a picture or record video; totally loves to just watch the camera

- Loves being read to (says her Nana)

- Went to her first movie last night – Hancock (It must've gotten boring after about 10 minutes because she fell asleep)

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Fall is Indeed Here
Current mood: happy
Category: Blogging

And I'm loving it.  I just wanted to hop on here to share some photos.

I played around on yearbookyourself.com and came up with this.  So not cute, but I about died laughing looking at some of my creations.

I love the look on Heaven's face.  I'm sure she's wondering why I keep putting that black thing in her face.

This was taken at Barnes & Noble (duh!).  Heaven was all cooed out.

My new doo.  I love waves without chemicals.

My cute niece Rah'Yan was Juanita's secretary for a day.

That's all I have until next time...

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An Optimistic Skeptic
Current mood: bouncy
Category: Blogging

I know that's a contradictory, but that's me today.  I walked out of my door this morning and smiled.  Fall is one of my two favorite seasons – spring is the other.  I love the mild temperatures.  I love the beautiful colors of the changing leaves.  I love being able to wear a light sweater if I choose but not having to wear a coat over it.  I think I saw the beginnings of that this morning.  I know the first day of fall is the 22^nd, but I'm not going to get my hopes up just yet.  The weather is always crazy here.  Similar to Oklahoma, it can be a nice 75 today and a blazing and humid 94 tomorrow.  I'll enjoy today, but I think I'll wait until next month to pack away my flip flops.

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The Value of a Day Off
Current mood: happy
Category: Blogging

I took off yesterday just for the heck of it, and I am so glad I did.  I rolled out of bed (literally) at 7:00am to get Adrian up and out.  After I had a quick breakfast, I bathed Heaven who, for the first time, didn't scream her head off when I put her in the tub.  I had never before seen a baby who screamed while getting bathed until Heaven came along.  The only thing I did different yesterday was sit her up in her tub instead of using the sling attachment to lay her down.  We may be onto something.

The three of us left around 9:45 to search for running shoes for yours truly.  Since I do not like (and that's putting it mildly) shopping, I grabbed the first pair of Nike running shoes I saw with no regards whatsoever to color or style.  They're running shoes for pete's sake.  Needless to say, I need to exchange them for a bigger size.  Since we were in the vicinity :-), I stopped at Michael's to pick up some acrylic paints.  I somehow managed to spend more time choosing paint than I did choosing my shoes.  Oh well!

From there we stopped by the school Ta attended last year to show off the babe.  I received several emails from Ta-Ta's former teachers and administrators dating from the beginning of July to the first week of school.  Everyone wanted to know how she and Heaven were doing.  Of course I had plenty of cute pictures to share, but they were all so happy to see her in person.

We had lunch at IHOP, went to the library and visited my aunt and uncle and were finished in time to make it back home before Adrian got out of school.  We then headed to the DMV.  Why you ask?  Because Adrian needed an official ID, and Ta has been studying to get her learner's permit.  And SHE PASSED!  Even though I think the legal driving age should be raised to 18, I'm very proud of her.  I can't say I'm too excited about her driving my car, but that's the mother in me ( I can't get rid of her).  As much as she yells at me for not having both hands on the steering wheel or driving with no hands (10 and 2 Mommy) while looking in the mirror AND talking on the phone, I'm sure she'll be a GREAT driver.

We ended our day with a family trip to Barnes and Noble.  Adrian has always enjoyed hanging out with me in my favorite bookstore, and Ta is slowly coming around.  She can now stand to be in there for more than an hour without throwing a fit.  It helps that they have chocolate and flavorful drinks in the café.

There's so much I could've done yesterday at home.  So much I needed to do at home.  I wouldn't trade one single minute of a day with Ta and Heaven for anything.  The spontaneity of just going and ending up wherever felt pretty good.  Ta knows that I function better with a schedule/plan and even mentioned during a rare frazzled moment yesterday (me not her) that I probably shouldn't take off work anymore.

I know I've moved on to babbling, but I can't say enough how much I love my kids and thoroughly enjoy spending time with them.

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