Craziness

Today I got a text from my daughter. It said that there was a rumor of a shooting at the school, and that there were cops and metal detectors... I virtually FLEW to the school. It was frightening.

Arriving at the school I was one of about a hundred parents there in a line to request dismissal. During my wait, there was a steady stream of parents coming in and students leaving. It was surreal.

It turns out that a graduated student of the high school was shot and killed the other evening at an apartment complex and there was a threat of retaliation for that death. (I presume that means that the shooter was a student at our school??) Why else would that affect our school??

I can't believe this world. I can't believe that there were 20+ uniformed officers and many undercover officers at the school.

I am kind of in shock.

Just Don't Tell Me

Christmas Tree up, check.

Visit to Santa, check.

Christmas cards sent, check.

If you have done more than this.  

Please.  

Just Don't Tell Me.  

In Answer...

Thank you for all of your inquiries. My Hubby is back from China safe and sound. Unfortunately, he has to return on Monday.

We had a fun couple of days together, including the Pumpkin Patch, lunch at Babe's, pumpkin carving, Hallowe'en, yard work and church.

Once back at work, it was apparent that he was needed back in China as soon as possible.

The Sunny Side:
He will be back for Thanksgiving, my (ahem) 40th birthday, and the Duran Duran concert!

Meltdown Monitoring

Yes, my hubby's business trip was extended.
No, I haven't had another major meltdown.

Yes, Maddy's first date went well.
No, I haven't had another major meltdown.

Yes, I now have a sixteen year-old daughter.
No, I haven't had another major meltdown.

It's My Blog and I Can Whine if I Want To-

So I have been without my sweet hubby for 11 days now. So far, here is what I have been up to:

• Had a solo anniversary;
• Been driving kids left, right and center all on my own;
• Have been preparing for Maddy's 'first date' to the Homecoming Game. (more on the crazy Texas tradition of mums and stuff when I am feeling a bit more cheerful)
• Had our new freezer do a mini-meltdown; mopped it up; tossed some stuff; consulted manuals and messed around in the garage for more time than I have EVER spent there... (unless I was looking for Christmas decorations.)
  
• Been hobbling around with an ingrown toenail while awaiting a little 'procedure' to get it fixed. Can I just tell you that I got nauseous and burst into tears booking the appointment. Oh, yes, it was pretty. If you feel like punishing yourself- come visit me!
• Definitely NOT been sleeping. (could be the cause of the hysteria today...)
  
• Dropped many-a-ball in my YW prez calling.

The list could go on, but I am sure that you get the idea. My head is going to explode.

So, the nature of my first sobbing meltdown this morning was a call from my sweet hubby confirming my dreaded feeling. He will probably have an extension to his trip. Ugh! Seriously, my head aches and my face is purple from crying. I truly had my sights set on Saturday night-- 'I only have to make it so Saturday' I would tell myself. Finding out that Saturday is turning into possible Wednesday, I just lost it.

So, not only will John miss Maddy's first date (already a known fact, but still sad) he will also miss her birthday.

How much Coke or Dr. Pepper do you think that it will take to make my head stop throbbing and to help me get through a Scavenger Hunt with about 40 kids?

I'll let you know.

Dear Journal,

So we have a new computer that I love, but I can't seem to post my pictures from my library...
You wouldn't think that it would be so hard to post about life without pictures, but to me, it is.

I have been without my sweetie for 3 days now, and it really seems like 3 weeks! I think that it certainly didn't help that he left on a long weekend, and time just seemed to lumber along. Now that school is back in, the day went quicker, but still a little bit sad.

It is weird to me that it can feel so different when someone is 'out of town' vs. 'at work.' How is that? I have always noted it and can't quite decide why that would be.

I had some pleasant surprises from friends and family on my 'alone anniversary.' I had cookies dropped of from my dear friend, Kristy; a cake and roses from my sweet neighbor; and my kids and nephews tricked me into letting them go to the park, at which point a few of them went to the store and bought roses and chocolates! Ferrero Rocher, even. ;)

I had great dreams of taking on many projects and other things to keep me busy, but so far I have just been a tad bit overwhelmed. The little kids are a bit out-of-sorts, and even the doggie is acting out! (yes, I know that I haven't posted her picture yet... I just can't seem to figure it out!!)

I have taken up my crochet hook again lately, and I can't wait to post some pictures of some of my little creations! It has been a lot of fun. I forgot how much I enjoy it. It is somewhat a lost art, and I am even contemplating setting up and Etsy shop if I can perfect some of the patterns.

So, I am off to an evening of crocheting, reading and watching the news. Actually, it sounds quite lovely to me.

Enough of That!

Okay, Pity Party is over! Shake it off; shake it off. ;)

What a difference a day makes. I was feeling so yucky, it really felt better to get it out. Thanks for all of the super-sweet comments and words of encouragement. I wasn't fishing for compliments, but it sure was nice to hear your uplifting words.

Hey, I guess I should have taken a picture of my hair on Sunday, eh?

Sniff, sniff

Do you ever get the feeling that everything you ever do is wrong?

Do you ever feel like your life is a series of choosing? Do this; do that. Go here; go there. These people are counting on you; those people need that. Decide; decide; choose, choose choose!

And then when you make the decisions that you think are best for your family, or are the "right" choice, you feel it is at the expense of yourself? (this sounds awful- but this is one of those moments where my blog is my journal)

Not to mention feeling that nothing that you do is good enough. No matter how hard you try- and even when you think that you have done an okay or I daresay 'good' job, there is a standard out there, and you are just NEVER going to measure up. That really stinks.

I have had a horrible week. I feel as though I am drowning. I feel sad and frustrated and very blue.

Word of the Year

As Seen On TipJunkie--

Thanks to the Inspiring Blogs of Great Women, I have thought a lot about what I would like 2008 to be for me.

I am a busy mother of 4 great kids; they range from a Freshman in High School to a busy, meddlesome Toddler. With a lot of irons in the fire, I often feel like I am just skirting the edges of what 'needs' to be done.

I am trying to make healthier choices; I am trying to organize my house (thank you Executive Homemaker for all of your great charts etc.); and I am really trying to love and blossom at all of the things that I am involved in.

I have decided that my Word of the Year will be:



The Sunny Side:
Choosing a word to help me focus my energy on has been a really neat experience. I don't really write down my goals, and for me this has been just that!