Seriously???

I have 2 little girls, as most of you already know.

These 2 little "princesses" are very different. Phoebe is the Drama Queen. She will NEVER be happy.

EVER! Seriously!!

I know. I'm tough on her. I need to start "supporting" her more. Chef Hubby keeps telling me that maybe the reason she doesn't listen is because I'm always nagging. Well, maybe I wouldn't be nagging so freaking much if she started acting like a nice human being... ugh!!

Yes, I am frustrated today.

Yesterday, we had to divide and conquer. We had purchased tickets to the Princesses on Ice: Dare to Dream show a while ago. Well, we had purchased them through a friend and I completely forgot about them. Then another friend was planning a birthday and I assured her that we would be there. Of course!

Well, Wednesday Chef Hubby and I were watching tv and I saw a commercial for the show and freaked out! I totally messed up and needed to fix it. Fortunately, we have other friends :) Phew! So I asked if one of Payton's friends and her Dad wanted to go with Chef Hubby and Payton while Phoebe and I went to a "Tea Party".

While at the party, I got a text from Chef Hubby telling me that Payton said "Daddy, I really wish Phoebe was here. She'd like it".

Phoebe was having a blast with her friends and to be honest, even though she was having fun, was still REALLY upset that she didn't get to go to the Princess Show AND the Tea Party! Yeah...

OK - fast forward to when we got home...

Phoebe walks in the door and Payton runs over: "Phoebe, here this is for you!". Handing her a princess crown.

Phoebe turns around and gives her a pile of "stuff" from the Tea Party that was sent home for her, while saying "Oh, and you didn't get a fan because yours' was broken".

I watched a little disappointed and then a little sad when I asked Payton "Where is your crown?" and she replied "I gave it to Phoebe because she didn't get to go".

Please tell me that this is going to get better!! Please tell me that Payton will always be this way and that someday, Phoebe will realize there is more to life that "stuff". I don't know... I guess I'm just bummed. Did I drop the ball somewhere?? Did I get them too much stuff growing up? How do I fix this??

Decoding!

I know, I've been cryptic for a while, but I couldn't jinx it.

OK - to be honest, I couldn't tell everyone about it and then not get it.

I'm kind of pathetic like that.

Anyway, last year (March to be exact) I submitted an application at Greater New Bedford Voc Tech for a Physical Education Teacher and then never heard anything, at all about it. Well, until the 3rd week of August. I finally "Got a call" and was asked to come in for an interview.

Of course, nothing can be easy because the interview had to be set up for the very first day of Pre-Season! ugh.

Well, I still hadn't heard anything after the 1st day of school started so I figured I should start checking the mail. So, like any other day, on Tuesday, August 30th, I headed out for a run without my phone. Who the heck's gonna call, right??

I came back to 11 missed calls! Wow - all within an hour! I was offered the job BUT because hubby works for the school already and they have a nepotism rule, I needed approval from the school committee. After subbing for myself for a week, I was APPROVED! Then, I handed in my resignation at FHS.

Now, I am still subbing for myself because I have to leave as soon as the last class lets our to run over to Fairhaven and take care of my kids. Man, I am seriously going to miss them :( It's a little over 2wks left for me to juggle to 2 jobs, 2 kids, the hubby, the kids, the dog, 3 hamsters, the house... oh, and the little thing known as the City Coucilor Campaign! I can't wait!!

Then and only then I will be celebrating my new position!!!! woohoo!!!

Wish me luck :)

Fill the Pantry Challenge... Again!

Today is a very special day for America. It represents a time that we came together as a country and shouted to the world that we are united and we get stronger when confronted. We fight to protect each other. United we stand, right?!

Well, I've always believed that you need to care for your family, your neighbor, your community before you try to help the more global charities. You need to keep your base strong, healthy, happy, and united. So I am reissuing the Fill the Pantry Challenge.

It costs only as much as you are willing/able to spend. Very basically, you can keep a box in your pantry, kitchen, hallway, whatever. Each time you go to the grocery store pick up one or two items to put in it. Or you can start a Fill the Pantry fund and put a dollar or two in it each week. Then pick a local charity, food bank, shelter to donate the goods or money.

The most important part is that you are making a commitment to help... and if you have children, you make them take an active role. I used to have my kiddos pick the items. I have to admit, even we got out of the habit of doing this for a while. BUT - we are breaking out the box again!

So help us unite again to make our community stronger! When people work together, talk together, get along it creates a safer, healthier, stronger environment... that YOU helped build :)

My prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims and heros of 9/11. I will ALWAYS remember!!

The Final Run!!

Tomorrow is Labor Day... marking the 99th day of the Summer 2011 Run Challenge! We only have 3.8 miles to go.

We WORKED hard for this!!

We overcame sooo much.

We survived 2 surgeries, multiple injuries, sick kids, WAY too hot days, vacations, and well, just a couple days of just pure laziness.

Our mileage per run ranged from 1.6miles - just a little over 7!

We honestly didn't know we were as strong as we actually are. We amazed ourselves more than once. We finished strong on days that we didn't think we could move.

Mostly, we proved to ourselves that we could do it :)

AND... we raised money for the Shepherd's Pantry while doing it!! woohoo!!

It's not too late to help though. Feel free to sponsor us by clicking the "Donate" button on the side bar. Every little bit helps!

Next summer we will be doing this again and we're hoping that more people will join us :)

Reading...

A lot of people talk about reading.

I was in a bookclub - that I actually started! But it was soooo tough for me to sit down and read.

I didn't even finish the book I chose!!

So yeah, thankfully, my kiddos love reading :)

Anyway, we've been going to church and praying and talking a lot more about religion, the church, where we fit it... all that stuff. I'm still debating the whole conversion to "Catholic" from the Episcopal Church. It's actually a silly debate I have in my head.

To be honest, I think that most of my beliefs are Catholic, but I remember the comfort of the smaller Episcopal Church. As I had stated previously, my grandmother taught us catechism at home for many, many years between making first communion and joining St. Peter's. I remember reading her book of "moral" stories, directed towards kids that always ended with a bible verse encompassing the meaning of the lesson,etc.

I also remember that every time she came, she brought Ring Dings!! wooo hooo!!

Anyway, I've drifted WAY off track... I remember having confirmation classes at St. Peter's and constantly being corrected on my beliefs. Apparently, even when I didn't think I was paying attention, it was sinking in. So, since these beliefs are ingrained in me, the answer should be easy, right???

NO!!

I started reading Catholic Answers and Catholics Come Home based on a friends advice and well, I freaked out!

I am the perfect little parishioner in the Episcopal Church, but if I convert to Holy Name, I'm doomed to hell by a mortal sin. How is that far??

So, I stopped reading those sites and decided to open the Bible.

OH my GOODNESS!!! How the heck does anyone get through that?!?!

I'm sorry, I tried to pick it up and read it... I tried. And to be honest, I even cheated a little. My grandmother actually gave me a copy of the Good News Bible. It's written in "today's language" so it's supposed to be easier to comprehend.

ummm.... yeah.

I understand the words, but the stories are pretty overwhelming. So I talked to Henry and asked him what he thought. He showed me that many people pick up the bible and turn to page each day and read from there. Wow, that's cool!

So I started doing that. I started reading random passages each day and it seems better. I feel like I'm getting something out of it. I have a question though... Is this cheating?? Am I playing the "magic 8 ball" with the bible?

Does anyone have any other tips? And, are mortal sins forgiven if you really are sorry, while at the same time, standing behind your decision??

This is definitely one time that ignorance is bliss!!!

Cryptic, I know...

Oh my goodness... I can't get my brain to stop!! 

I grew up with Calvin and Hobbes and

I keep trying to tell myself...

 

I hate transitions.

Every year I have a few sleepless nights about this time... Football starts tomorrow.

This year, there are a few more hurdles than I am used to and I am hoping to conquer them as easily as my brother used to in his hurdling days. 

I am telling myself that I rock. 

I have worked for everything that I have ever gotten.

Nothing worth it, ever comes easy.

And then I found this one...

I love this one!!

It drives me...

Don't take anything for granted and remember to spring through the finish line.

Our Summer...

I have to apologize for being so absent from the blog this summer. I really meant to stop in more to post about our adventures and stuff, but it's been going by so quickly that I was kind of lost in the whirlwind of events.

I will try to give you a small glimpse of what we've been up to :)

We went camping for an entire WEEK! Loved it!! Of course, we did have pretty much a full kitchen setup and a tent with it's own sun porch, oh and a basket ball hoop... lmao!!!

Ooohh yeah, and a portable DVD player for when they all just about had it...

And amazing friends to spend some time with... Thanks guys it was awesome (and Laurie, Dave and Audrey too!!)

 Rebel LOVES camping too... especially, because he usually helps clean up after dinner...

Then there were the playdates... this is right after Henry PAID them to clean the playroom. I do NOT do that... EVER!!!! So they were extremely excited. Can you tell??

 Then my big brother and niece visited... SOOO exciting... don't know why I can't fix the pics though... sorry

Most recently, we made our way up to Vermont to the MOST amazing place ever!! The Inn at Essex... It's a Culinary Resort and Spa and everything about it rocks! 

Check out the cake they made custom for Phoebe's birthday...

 Immediately following dinner, I got to enjoy a massage that Chef Hubby had booked for me :)  Then I tried out the eucalyptus steam shower AND the sauna, before heading to the indoor pool and hot tub with the family. Seriously, the best time EVER! Next time we definitely need to go with friends though... and spend more than 24hrs there.

  On the way back, we stopped at the Ben and Jerry's Scoop Shop for a tour and of course some samples!

 So now we are back home and Monday starts Phoebe's Suessical camp at the school in preparation for the drama club performance she will be in this year. As well as, the first day of Pre-season at school for me. Man oh man, I hate transitions and this year is turning out to be a little more dramatic than usual... more on that later ;)

 Will be trying to stay more on top of this - AGAIN! It seems I've been saying that a lot lately, huh??? lol