2006-03-04 - 1:31 p.m.

Year In Review

So I did decided to go ahead with the year in review because there is just too much and too much time to share it. Yeah. OK, when we last laughed Mr. Wonderful was working electrical...we had taken a pay cut to do so...I whined a lot, the kids were homeschooling, tri-athlon training...yes, that is where we left off. We have no choice, this will just have to be one big a** blog entry. Dates are not necessarily accurate...but close enough counts in a blog...oh yeah and creative liberty blah, blah, blah...

MAY: Internet was the first to go. Money was tighter than my dog stuck under the bed. We ate, we had electricity, talked on a phone and had a house....richer than about %80 percent of the people in this world. At this point keeping a positive attitude. May was also the month I completed (drum roll please) that little sprint tri-athlon. I am proud to say I met both my goals. I finished...and not last. My run time was painfully slow, but not the slowest. Some pictures:

My little Tri Family

Swim

Bike (take note the red hat with pink shirt....fashion icon am I)

Slow...very slow run....almost walk, but NOT last

JUNE: Was spent recovering from the tri-athlon, picking up extra hours at the Family Life Center, and Mr. Wonderful put in his official application for Dell, Inc. Kids enjoyed attending summer camp (just plain ol'my parents have to work so I am stuck here camp, nothing fabulous like design, scout, or baking camp) for free, while I worked it. (It's because of this summer just flew.)

JULY: Gas prices rising were really starting to hurt. I mean really. Most people just blew this off...but this was causing us to eat pasta every night...and there is only so many things to do with pasta. (unless your Martha Stewart, but even then no budget for shrimp) Then the unthinkable happened. God had put it on my heart to sell the Jeep. Surely he was wrong, I mean this was my third baby. I had decided that God did not know best....I had a say and one morning I sat in the Jeep before work and told the Big Cheese so. That afternoon I totaled the Jeep. Not my fault, I got a nice settlement check that helped us get caught up on some bills we had let go. It was painful. I never realized what a car snob I had become. It was sad that a grown woman had been reduced to crying over metal. In yet another ironic moment of life, I now drive an Escort....again. This one is pink. Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Wonderful.....light metallic red. On a highlight of the month I went to this big workout conference that was awesome!! Going back this year as well. Mr. Wonderful, had an interview with Dell (actually three in a row), and an accessment. The kids are still enjoying camp.

AUGUST: Great News! We think...Mr. Wonderful gets hired on with Dell...for even less then what he is making doing electrical. But the pros with Dell far out weigh the cons. At this point we are used to pasta..we'll deal and Dell offers Mr. Wonderful the opportunity to advance AND they will pay for school. Oh and medical insurance!! This is something Mr. Wonderful and I have been going without for quite some time. So we decided that he needs to find a second job after getting established with Dell so we can afford his truck payment and that funny thing we call food. This is the month we lose the phone. This was probably the hardest knock. We had never felt so isolated as we did during this time. We had lost a lot. We had cut back because we didn't want to go on welfare. Every extra cent we had went to paying off debt we could afford when he had "the job". BUt losing the phone had us just depending on each other. Pro: We had to rely on just each other. We grew closer, we grew more intimate, it had some nice moments. Con: We had to rely on just each other. Like attracks like. One crazy person attracks another crazy person. We drove each other insane. I believe this is also the month we decided if we ever got the chance to name a road after us we would call it Mahoney Sausage Road. I don't know why.

SEPTEMBER: Mr. Wonderful starts with Dell, with no second job because we have no idea what shift he will end up on. I take on monster hours at the Family Life, while committing to homeschool another year. Someone should have committed me at this time in my life.......live and learn. We are down to paying mortgage and food. Electricity and truck payment will have to be caught up late. This is definitly the lowest point. I start whining at anyone who will listen, hence alienating myself from most I know. Shoot, I don't blame them, who wants to listen to that?? Instead of being grateful, I start turning bitter. Every moment of my day is planned to the minute. (I have the charts and tables to prove....I did NOT put together a power point presentaion, but thought of it) I felt like I worked five different jobs and only made close to minimum wage on one. Wife, Mom, fitness instructor, maid, and Teacher....and teacher was coming last. Everything became just a check in the box...and this was not how I wanted school to be. Didn't know what to do except soldier on and eat more pasta.

OCTOBER: My Nana had sent a check and we had a Birthday party! My baby was 6! (pictures below) Proving how much I love my child, the event was held at our local Chuck E Cheese. I don't care how much joy that mouse brings to children everywhere, I could swear I saw him selling crack out back. That mouse makes me paranoid. Of course this could have just been a symptom the pychosis I was suffering during this time. We ate pizza, we played games, we "rode that party train" behind the Chuck all over the joint. This is the month we learned that Mr. Wonderful would work the weekend shift. Fri./Sat./Sun. 12 hour days get paid for 40. As with everything else in our life right now...pros and cons. Once the shift started it would leave plenty time for a second job. It wouldn't start for another month and Mr. Wonderful would no longer be able to attend church with us on Sunday (big thing for us...big big thing). I started a Kids Fitness program with our homeschool group in my "extra" time. This brought in some extra money and I found another life calling. Now I primarily work with Seniors and Kids.....same group.

Blowing out candles, hopefully no spit

Chuck E that crack-ho

Oh my goodness...are you still reading....don't you have anything better to do!!?!?!

NOVEMBER: Mr. Wonderful starts weekend shift and his new career as a pizza delivery guy. The kids really, really...I do mean really dug this. He had the light for the car and everything. We would find the kids just begging us to put it on the car ALL THE TIME. Our son wanted to grow up to be a Pizza Delivery Man. I was kind of relieved because then this last "lost" year of homeschooling won't hurt him too bad. Oh and did I mention that he went back to electrical 2-3 days a week. So now we have Mr. Wonderful working three jobs. Me working my "five". Barely getting by because we had gotten so behind. Thanksgiving was lovely, we spent it with friends vs. family. We watched football on their TV. (something we had craved since losing cable, especially since da Bears and da Broncos were doing SO WELL!)And at the end of the month as an early Christmas present...Nana sent money to get the phone turned back on. Can you hear the Hallelujah Chorus??? I don't think anyone shrieked as loud as I shrieked that day! On a sad note...my Grandfathers brain cancer was diagnosed as being back.

DECEMBER: Christmas was coming and thanks to an anonymous donor it was going to happen for us! Working the four jobs was helping get us caught up....and then another God intervention. Mr. Wonderful had a car accident. He was fine. It totaled his truck. Insurance paid off his truck with no money left over. It left us with one car...but no truck payment WE'LL TAKE IT! I was blessed with a trip to FL the week before Christmas the see Nana (thank you Dad!) He also treated the kids and I to a trip to Kennedy Space Center!!! Awesome..pics below. Mr. Wonderful had to work :( Christmas Eve Mr. Wonderful got his traditional boxer shorts. This year's theme......Star Wars. I told him to just use his force **wink wink We spent Christmas day with my Grandfather who was having surgery in two weeks.

Astro Kids

Yes the spread eagle kid would be my son, the eagle HAS landed

JANUARY: In an after Christmas miracle, Grandpa's surgery could not have gone better. They got most of the cancer and it was so slow growing they said by the time it grew back he would be in his 100's, so they called off schedule radiation. Which goes to proove my theory that Jesus is coming back soon.....or Grandpa would have died a long time ago. It's OK to laugh...he found that one funny. I decided that I want to do another Tri this summer...but this time I want to focus on a faster run. I might even do a little run before hand to make sure I am on track. (If you know of any in the Winston-Salem area?) I also get contact lenses for just about nothing, thank you Dell, Inc. My daughter had her 9th birthday party!! I am the mom of a nine year **THUD (me falling on the floor after passing out) This time Nana did not have the money to send a check I AM NOT COMPLAINING. So we went with the flow. With a few Martha Stewart books and a ton of cardstock and craft paper, we had a princess party that would please the pickiest of princess'. Which I don't have pictures of because I am a horrible mom. Yes, just another issue to take to therapy. Mr. Wonderful decided his illustrious carreer as a pizza man had come to end. I miss the free pizza (which was also packing on some poundage) but love having Mr. Wonderful at home at night. I also cut back as much of my hours as I can.

FEBRUARY: Mr. Wonderful has decided to apply to UNC-Greensboro, fingers crossed. Thanks to a magnificant and wonderful homeschool group, I feel uplifted and encouraged about a school year I would rather forget. We did get some things accomplished and it is not a total loss. Trying to become a better wife and mother again. I had lost myself in checklists and to dos and forgot that you can't smell the roses if your too busy pruning and tilling. Mr. Wonderful and I also learning some beautiful spiritual lessons. He also has put in for a team leader promotion. Hopefully we hear by this weekend or next. The kidlets continue on in martial arts, bible bowl, and school. I have a birthday. On a sad note. The cat that God sent me two years ago for my birthday has disappeared. I miss Thomas..how many cats do you know pee on the toilet! I am not kidding, I have witnesses. We are now down to one old fat cat and one hound dog that loves to bark at the one old fat cat. Anyone want the dog?? Oh and in February....we get our tax check back! The cool thing about being poor.....the tax man likes you. We were already caught up on bills so we went a little practical a little not. Our house now holds a new dishwasher and microwave. These bring our kitchen closer to the new millennium. We paid of some things so all we have left is this silly computer payment that will haunt us to our grave. And if you haven't guessed...internet. Oh yeah.....we paid for a cruise! YEAH BABY!!! We figure this will be our 9th, 10th anniversary gift and a couple birthdays as well.

In all life was tough, but we all have our cross to bear. This was nothing compared to some. We are most definitely on the upswing both financially and spiritually. I look forward to being here more and getting to chat with all again.

Low Point: Going through my photo album to pick out which pics to share....not having any of my daughters party...I can't believe it!!!

High Point: Discovering Taco Bell's Empanada. MMMMMM. I am easy to please. Just don't tell me that is spanish for dog poop. I don't care, I'd eat them anyway. Oh yeah, my son expressing to me how he has experienced the "fury of justice". Ummm, yeah.

2006-03-02 - 3:45 p.m.

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS

I am so back BABY! Internet was just hooked up this morning and 15 hours later I am still here. ::::Wiping mind numbing drool exiting my mouth.

Oh I could update everyone on how everything is with us and where everyone is at, but the time for mundane I am better than you Christmas letters has past now hasn't it. (and run on sentences geesh...must get into the groove again)Let us just say that if I am affording internet and groceries at the same time....life is getting good once again. Oh I am sure over the next few weeks I will barrage you with recent pics of the kids and news of life that no one really cares about, but yet feel compelled to read. (note: not much has changed in the I can't spell department. I just looked up how to spell compel and I still don't think it's right)

For now, we will just leave it at.....I will be back later.

Low Point of the YEAR: Life sucks when you are trying to stay off food stamps, so your spouse works three jobs and you work one.

High Point of the YEAR: Life is full of lessons and adventures otherwise overlooked unless you are working four jobs between the two of you.

2005-04-17 - 5:17 p.m.

Things I Have Seen

Man drinking and driving....his riding lawn mower. I only noticed because he took a turn kind of sharp and almost lost his beer. He saved it though. I guess we all have our priorities.

Man riding a motercycle.....in no helmet, wearing loafers. I assumed he came from the house with the man mowing his lawn.

Duncan Doughnuts selling "DD Green Tea". What the??? I thought you drink green tea to quell the urge for the doughnut? But then that brings us to the question of how I saw this this week.

Is commercialism getting out of hand? The Darth Vader Mr. Potato....ummmmm yeah.

A true Irish man, about 160 years old, with kilt knee high socks and a lot of wind. My eyes are still burning from this one. Somebody buy this man some tights.

And the grand finally, one hasn't lived until the have seen larger than life foam biscuit. Complete with cheese, bacon, and egg. Provided courtesy of Biscuitville for that latest installment of another Warthog classic. The only thing missing was a Chick-fi-la cow trotting around the bases. Good family fun, I guess I can't complain.

Low Point of the Now: Last night in a low of low's....my cat sprayed me. Yes, you read right. Whether this is his way of saying I'm yours, your mine, or just total dominance I don't care for it. No, I flat out hate it. Don't tell PETA but if it happens again.....expect to only hear about my two cats, not my three cats.

High Point of the Now: Still have internet, when I probably shouldn't. God provides daily so much. We are so rich, yet how often do we see this. A heart of gratitude.

2005-04-12 - 2:56 p.m.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Lawnmowers

So we have had the most beautiful weather here and of course, the grass needs mowing. I was scared to death as Mr. Wonderful walked down to the shed to try and start the mower. After going through three in last summer alone, who knew what this year would cost. But proving once again that miracles do exist and that God takes care of His own....it started.

Forgot to include in last weeks tidbits that picture of the trip-tyk that the kids and I made for the final homeschool group meeting:

We did a whole thing on our Ancestry and made a family tree. It was fun, you could dance to it, I would give it a six.

I finally decided to hang up a picture that I wanted to hang up....like...4 ever. Well, my hallway is chock full of pictures. And everyone I want to give me pictures, never send any. And the people that I don't necessarily need their pictures, send them at least twice a year. So that got me to thinking about creating the roving picture. This would be an empty frame at the end of the hallway that I could rotate a picture through depending on who I expected to visit. Yes, genius. So when the pastor calls and is coming by, throw his family in the frame. When that third cousin twice removed rings the doorbell. I can make them feel like I actually remember their family members' name. And before I get fan mail, noone who reads this blog is a part of the roving picture family.....FYI.

I have made the executive decision to start doing my grocery shopping at 6am. I did this last week after bicycling and it was wonderful. I normally hate Wally World. But at 6am people are actually friendly because they haven't been pissed off yet. Things actually smell better...don't want to know. And there are no people, hence no line of people...including my kids. Yes, this will do pig, this will do (Pardon the Babe reference).

Low Point of the Now: It's official, I AM insane. I was walking through Pet's Mart getting some cat food, and was checking out their birds. I grew up with birds. I love cockatiels. Now, along with 1 dog and 3 cats...I want a bird. Someone shoot me quick.

High Point of the Now: Triathlon training going well. I am slow, but lack the mental capacity to care. (Not just saying that either, my mile is like 15 minutes because of my asthma) But everything in the universe has been kind lately, and am enjoying.

2005-04-04 - 1:20 p.m.

Stop the Press!

Stop the Press, hold on one minute! I saw a different preview of Sky Captain the other night. No one told me Yoda was in it?? I might have gone to see it, if I had known that!

That was not me that said I would not complain about the new workouts. Nope, no sir. I have truly proven myself insane with this one. I paid for this. What's wrong with me. I haven't felt my legs for two days. I know they are still there because I get up and walk. But I promise you it's all on the brain at this point. My muscles packed up and went to Florida last Wednesday.

A few tidbits from this passing week:
-If Mr. Wonderful and I opened out own micro-brewery it would be named "Cold Butt Beer". Gives new meaning to pass me a cold one.
-Fouls (in a college basketball game) shot from the free-throw line somehow bring out the Arab in people
-If my friend Nic and I ever worked together in a Waffle House, we would have a lot of fun. We would find names for hashbrowns people never knew existed. In fact, I think I am making this part of my retirement dream.

Low Point of the Moment: Mucas.....and that is not the name of my cat. Sick to death of Mucas. Although the Zyrtec is starting to help.

High Point of the Moment: Our homeschool group ended for the summer. We love it so, but it comsumes a lot of time. Feeling relieved the break is here. **Sigh

2005-03-29 - 3:38 p.m.

Alrighty then.........

Starting from the end-o-February. Forgot to post my Hello Kitty Birthday gear. No party is complete without it.....yes, this was Nic inspired:)

Also, Mr. Wonderful is still on the job hunt. In the mean time he has picked up some sidework, as well as working on our house. Let's see, the bathroom is finished:

And wonder of wonder, miracles of miracles....my son's room is painted! Those who have met my tiny Van Gough know what we had to do to prime these walls. No small task, but here it is, the Spidey room (was there any question it would be a Spidey theme?):

Let's see, the newest phrase would be country aardvark. Stemming from whatever the heck that was dead on the road last week. We really couldn't figure out what it was. More we knew what it wasn't. It wasn't domesticated. It wasn't raccoon. It wasn't possum. Therefore the country aardvark was born, er rather died.

OK to recap March....(my word a whole month!! I must get back on the ball with this) Well, in one word...sick! Oh my word I don't think this family as a whole had ever been so sick. That includes the time we passed around the flu. What we are now lovingly calling the "creeping crud" just refuses to leave as well. I a)never knew the brain could manufacture so much snot and b)never knew snot could just hang in there like it has. My poor son has had it the worse. He had a scab under his nose for a week from all the tissues (that is the tissue with lotion too!).

All this sickness has interrupted my training schedule as well. Training for what you may ask....drum roll please....I officially registered for a mini-triathlon! I have talked about doing one for about a year now...time to "just do it". So I have paid my money, borrowed a bike and I am on my way. What's funny, out of all the things to complain about....the actual workouts aren't it. I really hate my bike helmet. Looks like I am training for the human cannonball. **sigh But then, that's me now, isn't it. Details of the Tri can be checked out here Might I encourage all the consider going for the gold??

Alright, I have prattled on enough for now....I promise to check back in more than once a month. If I don't, you have my permission to spam the crap out of me .

Low Point of the Now: The Gov of NC is considering a proposal that I don't care for too much. He wants to combine the Department of Non-public Education (DNPE) with the Department of Public Education in the name of $$. After researching why they originally created the DNPE in 1979, it seems that it has achieved it's purpose and goal....and combining the two now would be a step backwards and actually cost more money in the end. There's my two cents.

High Point of the Now: Discovering my daughter's gift for writing poetry..... I am impressed. Brainstorming ideas on how to encourage this gift.

previous - next