2006-05-11 - 9:59 a.m.

Bad Bonnie...Bad

Well, I like forgot I had this thing going. There has actually been a lot on my plate.

For starters, we will get the depressing out of the way. My grandfather is in his final days. Actually that is not the depressing part. He is 86 and has lived a long and fruitful life. The hard part is how he is going. Back in the 1980's he was diagnosed with brain cancer. It was operated on and he has been in remission for a long time. Long enough to see me get married, have children (not necessarily in that order LOL) and grow up a little. I do mean just a little. Before Christmas we learned his cancer was back. In January he had an operation that was supposedly a success. They had said that by the time the cancer grew back he would be 100. They were wrong. It not only grew back, but grew at an alarming rate. He has been given less than 6 months (I personally think we are down to weeks) and hospice has been called in. My mother has been going back and forth to Raleigh to help. I am racking up the cell phone minutes to support my mother. Whatever it takes. In all the drama of the intense pain mom has been able to keep her sense of humor through it all. He is already talking to people that aren't there. One of them is Jesus...I feel good about that. You know I would hate to think he is having a conversation with Lucifer. Mom said the other day he was holding trial. He had put mom and grandma on trial and he himself was judge and jury. I would have loved to sit in on that one. He had said a really beautiful prayer and then followed it up with, "and God shut my wife up". My how the pain killers hold nothing back. He is also starting to flash back. I figure it won't be long before he is urinating in my grandmothers houseplants. Shes had cats before, it'll be alright. We are praying for God to come quickly.

Well gosh, everything else seems just a tad trivial. But, in the spirit of life does go on.... I have been very busy with my children as well. Answering questions like, "Do ducks pee?, Do Pigs fly? How could we engineer a pig to fly?". I like questions like that last one. Those are smart kid questions. I am raising smart kids. And when you see that flying pig you remember who brought it to you. We did get their tests scores back. CAT tests score between a 1-9. 1-3 below average 4-6 Average 7-9 Above average. I hate standardized tests.....I don't think they can ever really tell you about a child, because I don't think we can measure every child in terms of English and Math. That being said I have really smart kids (did I say that already tee-hee) So there is a part of me that loves these tests. Both my kids are in the 8's and 9's with Math this year. I was worried how they would do in English because that has typically been where we are weakest. Well appartently this school year hasn't been a total loss.....John scored average and Casey in the 8's and 9's this year. Yeah my supersmart, going to be president children!! Actually Casey has decided to be a storm chaser....and John wants to be a janitor now. But he'll be a smart janitor :)

Low Point: Mr. Wonderful has been working a lot...a lot. It hasn't left a lot of time for family. We miss you daddy, come home tonight safely. And it has been raining, raining, cloudy, and raining. This has almost halted all effort on digging our hole to China. But when it dries up a little, the ground will be nice and soft. (Pictures forthcoming)

High Point: We finished school this week! Three more weeks of swim lessons and counting down to summer!! Having fun planning what little field trips the kids and I are going to take. We are going to hit Raleigh one day, Charlotte another. We want to fit in a Wet N' Wild water park day. AND if possible with some coupons a Carowinds day. Hey any ideas for a field trip please email.

2006-04-26 - 2:17 p.m.

A Bunch of Nothing

I figured I better check in before someone put me on suicide watch. I have actually been more perky. Whatever Pigpen cloud that had been followig me around seems to have passed for a little while anyway.

Been getting involved with work again. Here's the catch 22 to what I do. Endorphins make you feel good. So the more classes I teach, the more I feel good. I have a feel good job. It's easy to want to overdo work. But if you overdo anything too much, one comes out exhausted. So here I am learning this lesson......again. The lesson of balance. Having the feeling this will be a lifelong deal.

It's raining and cold. I can't wait for the warm rains of summer to start. You know the ones you can go out and run in. But today it's cold. So that just leaves me nostalgic and lethargic and any other "ic" word you want to use.

Low Point: In one giant Jerry Lewis moment I locked my boss out of her office. It would only be funny if I had the MPeg.

High Point: Almost over with homeschool for the year. We have like 4 weeks by the calander, but only about 2 weeks of material. Can we say field trip?

2006-04-15 - 5:27 p.m.

More Type A Crap

You Have A Type A Personality

A You are hyper, energetic, and always on the mood You tend to succeed at everything you attempt And if you don't succeed at first, you quickly climb your way to the top! You could be called a workaholic, but you also make time for fun As long as it's high energy and competitive, you're interested You have the perfect personality for business and atheltic success

Just keeping with the theme of late.

I have had a hard day. Normally, I love holidays. Prepping for them, taking care of all the details and such....ummm, yeah type A. But this one has just been a bummer lately. Since my bro has gotten married, he does her family. And since my Step-mom's daughter had a baby, my dad does her house. Well, that's leaves me somewhat feeling I am left out in the cold. I grew up where we had big family get togethers every holiday. It's something I wanted for my own children. Bummer. Trying to focus on the positives. Yeah.

Low Points: Still passing crud around the family. This part of my life can definitely move on. Also, really really really really (like someone told me this had to be 400 words or more) ready for this mini-depression to move on. Tired of working through stuff, would like a break.

High Points: Growth. Growth is good. One more week closer to summer!

2006-04-06 - 9:21 a.m.

Us Type A's Have to Stick Together

So I am reading an article in Reader's Digest and lo and behold, I'm nuts. In fact it said, I need to see a therapist. UMMMM, that's not new to me, but it was nice to have it confirmed in some Cosmo article like way. As mentioned earlier I am mostly a type A personality, with some slight OCD issues....and all the self help books to go with them. You know, this is the reason I would never do Wife Swap. I KNOW what kind of house this Dorothy would land in. I needed to get back into those books anyway. When I spent 3 hours at the computer making folders for my folders for my folders (one more) for my folders, just to organize my music...yeah.

I have actually had some extra time on my hands. This has been nice, but I am having to learn how to relax. I have been going, going, going, I think I forgot how to. So that leads to boredom. Boredom leads to stupid. Stupid leads to jail or a really fun time with the kids. Fortunately it's the later.

Low Point: So I have been trying to lose a few pounds. I have been such a good girl and the first week lost 4, next 1, this week none. There are no words for the frustration. I wonder what Reader's Digest would think?

High Point: The kids have been digging their hole to China again. Although we got out the globe and realized they will probably end up in Austraila....or ocean. We're still having fun.

2006-03-25 - 1:00 p.m.

Undeveloped Pictures of Redemption

So I have been kicking myself over not having pictures of my dear daughter's 9th birthday. Story of my life....they were just sitting undeveloped. So in an effort to keep her self esteem up there, some pictures to pass your time.

It's amazing what a little paint can do...(the pic's crooked, not the room...or is it)

Yes I did this freehand...but never again!

(sung to the tune of 12 days of Christmas) 5 Big Balloons...4 sets of markers...3 glue sticks...2 craft tables...and a Martha Stewart book behind it all!

Pinata...Pinata...Pinata

Birthday girl, birthday cupcakes....and my left tit if you look carefully enough at the picture (just thought you'd want to know)

I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do with myself lately. I am most definitely what you would refer to as a type A personality. But I often show hints of complete and total laziness. For instance, when it comes to my house, everything has it's place and it better be in it. OR, I'm not sleeping. I will kill myself tackling everything on my list of to do. When it comes to exercise. I have no idea where it came from (I really don't think it's genetic), but I will push and push to reach that goal. As a mom, I have big dreams for my kids and want them to dream big for themselves. But as in what to do next in my life..lazy. I have become content. And with that I am not content. I know a lot of me is just spiritually restless right now. I need to be getting into the word...some days I do, some days I don't. I also know what a difference in my life when I do. (missing my Beth Moore studys) But, I guess, there were certain things I set out to do with my life, and I have done them. Now what? I am trying to just let God lead...ummm...going back to that type A thing. There is this feeling that I am supposed to be doing something more. Something spiritually based and I feel I am missing it. **deep sigh All someone did is ask if I was doing a Tri this year or not ....geesh, time for medication.

Low Point: We have been passing around crud for awhile. Tired of snot, vomit, and anything otherwise associated with the flu.

High Point: Spring is almost here, along with a lighter work load!!! WOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!

2006-03-17 - 5:40 p.m.

Another Silly Test...But Still A Lot Of Fun

the Helper Test finished!

you chose CX - your Enneagram type is TWO. "I must help others" Helpers are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs. How to Get Along with Me Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific. Share fun times with me. Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours. Let me know that I am important and special to you. Be gentle if you decide to criticize me. In Intimate Relationships Reassure me that I am intersting to you. Reassure me often that you love me. Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me. What I Like About Being a Two being able to relate easily to people and to make friends knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better being generous, caring, and warm being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor What's Hard About Being a Two not being able to say no having low self-esteem feeling drained from overdoing for others not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings Twos as Children Often are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding are outwardly compliant are popular or try to be popular with other children act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Twos), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Twos) Twos as Parents are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't) are often playful with their children wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?" can become fiercely protective Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele The Enneagram Made Easy Discover the 9 Types of People HarperSanFrancisco, 1994, 161 pages You liked the test? so please RATE it... but remember! it had only two questions!!! ;-) You are not completely happy with the result?! You chose CX Would you rather have chosen: AX (SEVEN) BX (NINE) CY (SIX) CZ (ONE)

My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 0% on ABC You scored higher than 28% on XYZ

Link: The Quick and Painless ENNEAGRAM Test written by felk on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

2006-03-16 - 11:09 a.m.

That Them There Birds

OK, I know that science has come a long way. Some good, some not so good. Take food for instance. It's great that you can get me milk without it going sour. [that endorsement brought to you by the Dairy Farmers of America] I am glad that you can test my meat for Mad Cow. But I think some of the processing has got to go. When you start using so many hormones in order to grow a bigger, better bird. We might have gone just a little too far. Case in point....my bigger, better, hairy bird. Apparently, my chicken was jacked up on so many hormones....it decided to grow a beard. When your chicken needs a shave, it's time to say when.

Our family has grown! No, I am not pregnant (although everyone around me is, I truly think it IS in the water {{time to come for a visit Nic **wink wink}}) Meet Mordecai! I have wanted a bird for some time. I grew up with birds. The only problem.....I owned a bunch of cats. Well having lost two cats in the last year, left me with one cat. One very old, could care less about anything but himself, cat. I have been stalking Pets Mart for awhile now. Checking out all the birdies. My heart has always belonged to cockatiels though. I kind of felt like a ho even looking at other birds. Which brings us to the other day. Once again, finding myself in PetsMart.....ogling. That's when Mr. Wondeful says, "Why don't you get your bird?". He doesn't know this, but I could have cried. I have wanted this for so long and never really shared. So, here I am, building on our ark again. Current count: One dog, one cat, one bird.

Low Points of the Week: We have had too many issues with vomit this week. All from my son. The first one I take responsibility for. I spun him relentlessly on that merry-go-round. When he said he felt "nauchus" I didn't believe him. When he puked all over his sister in the b ack of the car, I felt guilty. Not that he felt sick, but that my poor daughter was drenched. Then last night at church, it happened again. This time all over himself. Three times. I think I will start to carry a bucket.....with a lid. These episodes have prompted the newest sibling threat in our house. "Leave me alone or I'll puke on you" Another family treasure.

High Points of the Week: My brother turned 40! Girl Scout Cookie Sale is over (Praise God my hips couldn't take anymore cookie eating). Definitely Mordy!

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