My Job Interview!

I was browsing Craigslist yesterday and came across a job announcement for an Administrative Assistant with the American Red Cross here in Watertown. Everything about it seemed to be just what I'm looking for now that both kids will be in school all day, every day. I applied online, then sat by the phone all day waiting for a phone call. The name of the person that the email went to was "B. Otis". That name drove me crazy all day. It sounded so familiar. Then it clicked. I called my BFF, Beth, and asked her where here father-in-law worked. She told me "the American Red Cross"!! Excellent!! I thought so!! So, she called her father-in-law, Bill, and put a bug in his ear for me. Not long after that, I received a call from him asking me to come in today for an interview. My interview was at 1. I tried not to get too nervous so that I wouldn't get all sweaty and go in there looking like a sweaty pig....lol.....so I took my time getting ready today, and looked pretty professional, I must say. My hair even looked great! The interview went great, I thought, but I was the first of 10 interviews :( He won't have a decision until Tuesday when he's interviewed everyone. On a promising note, everything that they're looking for, I've done. The hours are PERFECT for me! M-F, 9:30 to 2, and $10.50 an hour!! Woo Hoo!! I really, really, really, REALLY hope I get this! I need a job of some sort so that I can have some MONEY!! I'm sick of being broke (as is Mike!). This job would allow me to be home when the kids get on and off the bus. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Kindergarten Orientation

We had to be at the school at 3:30 for Kindergarten Registration. Like I said in my earlier post, I almost forgot about it (Thanks Jess!). Lukas was excited that he would be seeing his friends from Pre-K. I was excited to be seeing some of their moms! We met in the music room and the 2 Kindgergarten teachers, Mrs. Scholler and Mrs. Graves, both spoke first. Then they took the children to their classrooms while the rest of the administration spoke to us. With the exception of about 4 of us, most of the parents are "newbies"....this is their first time going through this. Most of them were emotional....lol. Me....not so much. I can not wait 'til he goes! Yes, it makes me sad to some extent that he's growing so quickly, but he needs and wants this, so there'll be no tears from me! I remember when Jake started Kindergarten. He was so THRILLED to be getting away from me, lol! That first morning I dropped him off at school, I started getting teary eyed as he walked away from me. He turned around and said "MOM!! JUST GO!! GOD!!" Anyway. Kind of got off track there for a minute. So, Lukas went with his teacher, Mrs. Graves, to what will be his new classroom. When I went to pick him up about a half an hour later, he was fully involved with some way cool tractors! His best buddy, Ethen, is in his class again this year, as are his friends Garrett Tufo & Cody Powis. Unfortunately, so is the spawn of Satan....Aaron Eves. This kid is without a doubt the BIGGEST asshole kid you will ever want to meet (then wish you never had!). Honest. It's an awful thing to say about a kid, but it's the truth. He's the WORST kid I've ever seen in my life. I'm sure this will be an interesting year, as was Pre-K, with Aaron in the classroom. He's a total distraction and the kids can not stand him. Mrs. Graves is an excellent teacher, and had his sister in her class last year, so hopefully she has an idea of how to handle this kid. She's an excellent teacher, and I requested in writing that she be Lukas' teacher this year. Well, here are some pictures of Lukas at orientation. Again, these were taken with my cell and are a little fuzzy. That's Lukas in the orange (in case you didn't know!).

Running My Ass Off

Our weekend at Westcott's was wonderful. Mike and I had yet another great weekend together. The weather was great, with the exception of Sunday night when it downpoured most of the evening. Jake didn't end up joining us. My parents picked him up at the Nadelen's and took him to the cottage with them (My Dad has it for 2 weeks). We had a really good time camping with Beth and her sister, Terrilynn, and their families.....we always do! Terrilynn had a little accident on Saturday. While turning her camper table back into a table from a bed, she dropped the table on her finger and broke it. Beth took her to short wait where they took an X-ray and concluded that yes, indeed, it was broken. They then gave her 3 shots of novacaine and proceeded to manipulate it back into place. She has a splint and has to wear it for 8 weeks. They doped her up with Vicodin (Lucky Girl!!), and the weekend continued! Here's a picture of her finger (before and after!).

While we were packing up to go home on Monday, my Grandmother called my cell. She wanted to know what time we were going to be leaving Westcott's. I told her that we had to be out of there by 11. She wanted to know if I could pick her up from work in Watertown and take her to the cottage. Irritated, I said yes....but explained that I would have to a.) get the camper home, b.) unload it, c.) do a load of laundry, and d.) take a bath. This didn't seem to bother her at all. So, I did just what I said.....rushing my ass off the entire time. I figured as long as I had to take her to the cottage, that I would go spend a couple of days with my parents at THEIR cottage like they wanted me to. I couldn't see the sense in driving all the way down there, then home, just to go back down in a couple of days. So, I spent 2 nights with my parents. The kids had a good time, and so did I, actually. My mom and I took the canoe out for a ride yesterday.....it's been about 10 years since I have been canoeing! Then, my ever graceful mom took a major digger on the flat rocks out front. I think she may have broke her foot, but of course she wouldn't go get it checked out. Nurses are the worst! She says that she's going to have it looked at at work tonight. We'll see. I had planned on staying another night, but received a text message from a friend of mine who's little boy and Lukas are friends. She reminded me that there was a Kindergarten Orientation today at 3:30. Ugggggh. So....I had to pack up and head home. And here I am....home at last!! And I can not wait to sleep in my own bed tonight!

Finally..........

My baby brother, Richie, finally graduated from High School tonight. He was supposed to graduate in May with the rest of his class, but failed a couple of classes and had to retake them in summer school. Mike and I went to my Dad and Judy's for dinner (pizza from Fairgrounds....oh so good!) and then went to the ceremony. 29 kids in all. It went pretty fast....about 25 minutes. It really is amazing how time flies. I was sitting at my Dad's tonight looking at a picture of Rich taken just minutes after he was born.....and it really doesn't seem like that long ago. In just 5 short years we'll be seeing jake graduate from high school (hopefully....lol!). Richie won't be going on to college. If you couldn't tell from him graduating in AUGUST....he's not much of a student. He did get hired with Purcell Construction here in Watertown. He had done an internship through BOCES with them. They liked him so well that they promised him a job after graduation. He started just a couple of weeks ago. Seems like he's making pretty good money too.

My damn camera died just as Richie was walking into the auditorium in his cap and gown! It never, EVER fails. I swear that these damn cameras have a mind of their own, and are capable of telling when it is truly a "Kodak Moment"....and they shut right down for you! Like the time that I took Jake to Shea Stadium to see a Mets game for his 12th b-day, and my f'ing camera died as soon as we walked through the gate! Same deal tonight. I did get 1 picture but it was so fuzzy that you can't tell that it's him....so no need to post it.

Tomorrow we leave for another camping trip to Westcott's Beach with my BFF, Beth, Beth's kids, Beth's sister Terrilynn, and Terrilynn's hubby. Terrilynn has a brand new camper, so all of them will be staying in that. Should be a good time.....it usually is.

Jake won't be going with us this weekend. He's with his Grandma and Grandpa Nadelen through Sunday, then he'll be joining us for one night. The Nadelen's are having their family reunion at their house, and of course Jake wanted to be there. I kind of wish I could go....lol. Tom may have been a MAJOR asshole, but I loved his family (still do!). I would never dream of telling Jake he couldn't go. I think that it's important that he know and see that side of his family, especially the family that comes from far away. But what pisses me off, and I KNOW this is going to happen, is this.......Tom's family will rave about what a good kid Jake is (I hear it all of the time....he's a pisser at home, but is a great kid around others....whatever!).....and Tom will take credit for it. Asshole. The moron hasn't called that kid in YEARS....no lie. The only time that he sees him anymore is on Christmas, and that is because his parents make arrangements to take Jake. The last 2 times Jake spent the weekend with the Nadelen's, the idiot never even bothered to go up and see him. He comes to no games. Gives nothing more than his court ordered child support. Does NOTHING for that child.....and yet he'll take credit for raising a good kid. Bitter?? Yeah....I still am....after 10 years.

Well, Lukas is FREAKING out about going to bed so I better go help Mike wrangle him. Slate...out.

Ok......So We're WHACKED!!

Yesterday was our beloved Terra's 2nd Birthday!! Mike had to stop and get cat litter and cat food for the Skank (Maggie), and without me telling him to.....he picked Terra up some treats and a toy for her special day. I tore the treats open just enough so she could smell them, put them in a gift bag and gave them to her as we sang "Happy Birthday to My Pooch" (a more upbeat version of the original....lol). I had to go to Walmart after that, and while I was there I picked her up MORE treats and 2 more toys as well as a little "doggie cake" (a can of Caesar dog food). After dinner last night, I took the "cake", put it on a pretty paper plate with 2 candles in it. I also put the stuff that I got her in a gift bag. We sang "Happy Birthday", took pictures, and gave her the gift bag. All in all, I think she had a pretty good birthday! I sent the pictures to a bunch of people with my cell phone, all who wrote back and told me how WHACKED I am....lol. But, ya know, I just can't explain the love that we all feel for this dog. As corny as it sounds, I really believe that she was put on this earth for us to love. 5 1/2 years ago, our wonderful dog Molly was killed by the school bus. I felt like my heart had been torn out and stomped on. It was awful. Then we got Macy....and you all know how that worked out....Uggggggh. Molly was a part of our family and I really didn't think that we'd ever have another dog that could ever compare to her. Then we got Terra. She is in every way wonderful. And I am not the only one this crazy over her....Mike and the kids are equally smitten with her (Mike especially....lol). Ok. Enough sentimental crap....I'm starting to tear up here....lol. JOKING.....JOKING!!

Here are some pics from her party! They were taken with my cell, so they're a tad fuzzy.

MY HEART BELONGS TO A JACK RUSSELL TERRIER

A little Jack Russell Terrier

Fills my life

With laughter, love and play.

When we first met

I knew at once

My heart was won away.

Fiesty and intelligent

Delightful to behold

A sweet and loving spirit

With a heart of purest gold.

Our Wonderful Weekend

Our weekend at Happy Hollow was by far the best weekend that we've had camping this year. The weather was perfect too, so that helps alot. We thought a couple of times that we were going to get rained on, but it passed us by every time. When we left here Friday around noon it was a TORRENTIAL downpour! I honestly haven't seen it rain that hard here in a LONG time (the news that night said that we got 3 inches of rain in an hour!). We were a few campsites away from my friends, but that proved to be ok.....they're early risers and have a tendency to have wild food fights at breakfast :) The kids seemed to have a good time too....especially Jake. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Jake has himself a new girlfriend as a result of our camping weekend ;) I just wish that the people that own the campground weren't so damn bitchy....the old lady in particular. It just makes you so uneasy whwen you've got to go into the store for something. Ugggggh. What makes the weekend even better was that there was no arguing between Michael and I. We had a great time together. Things have been alot better between he and I since he got that f'ing truck of his fixed. Now we're on to bigger and better things to argue about.......

Which leads me to my next story. Mike has his mind set on buying an outdoor woodstove. His theory is a good one: it's going to save us a ton in heating bills. This is true. But not 'till the damn thing is paid off!! I figure that after about 4-5 years it will have paid for itself in what we'll save on our heating bills......but until then....we'll still be in debt from the damn thing! But....there's no changing his mind once he has it set on something. So that's going to be our next big project here, and the next big strain in our relationship. My yard is going to be dug up.....again. Mike has to dig a trench for the piping for the stove, and he also has to dig under the back porch. Now, for those of you who don't TRULY know Mike, you must know that he can not do ANYTHING without bitching......NOTHING. I love him to death, and he's a good provider and husband......but his is a HUGE BITCH.....lol. More stories will follow, trust me.

Tomorrow is Terra's 2nd birthday. My beautfiul baby girl. I have to run to town tomorrow to pick her up a little something....lol. I'll be sure to post some pics tomorrow.

TTFN!!

My Chaperone Gig

Yesterday was the kid's trip to Enchanted Forest/Water Safari with the Rec program, and I went along as a chaperone. I thought that it would be a nice little day trip with the kids.....and better yet....it was free for me to go! Well, I had 4 little boys in my group....no big deal, I thought. Better than 4 little girls, for sure! 3 of the 4 were pretty good. The one....Gunner...yes....Gunner....was a little pain in the fucking ass!! I get the impression that he's been there before, and that his parents just let him do whatever the hell he wants, and let him go wherever the hell he wants. That wasn't flying with me. I must have told the kid a hundred times or more that he could NOT go on the "big" rides without an adult, and that I couldn't go with him because there were 3 other kids with us! Uggggh. Plus, it rained like a bastard for about 2 hours....45 minutes before we ate lunch....and 45 minutes after we ate lunch. All in all, it was a pretty fun day (for the kids!). Me....I was friggin EXHAUSTED when we got home! WHOOPED!! Ugggggggh. Here is a picture take yesterday. Dakota is the first one on the left, then the pain in the ass, Gunner, then Lukas, and then my friend, Hope's little boy, Drew.

On our way to Old Forge, I got a phone call from my cousin, Heidi. Her and her family were supposed to meet us up there (her oldest child, Dakota, was one of the kids in my group). They stopped at Walmart in Lowville to pick up some lunch stuff to bring up. While they were in there, her husband had their 3 1/2 year old, Dylan, on his shoulders. He somehow fell off Matt's shoulders and smashed his head on the concrete floor. They took him to the ER in Lowville where they did an immediate catscan. They found a brain bleed and arranged for an ambulance transport to Upstate Hospital in Syracuse. Tonight will be his second night there. He's doing much better, though he does have a concussion. The brain bleed has stopped, thank God. I kept Dakota overnight and Heidi's mom picked him up today. I got to talk to Dilly yesterday and today, so that has set me at ease some. I was so worried yesterday that I think that attributed to my exhaustion last night. Here's a picture of Dilly playing in the playroom at the hospital today. Poor little man! Look at his cute little mohawk!!

Update on Lukas' fish: Another one bites the dust. Jerry Michael has joined Nemo in that big septic abyss in our front yard. Oddly enough....his death was nowhere near as tragic as Nemo's. I'm chalking that episode up to Lukas being overtired that night. When Lukas saw the empty bowl last night (Mike disposed of the corpse while we were in Old Forge), he simply asked "Did Jerry Michael die too?". I said yes. He walked away and said nothing. Went right about his business like nothing happened. Whatever.

We're getting ready for another camping excursion this weekend. We're heading to Happy Hollow for 3 nights. It's "Happy Hollow Weekend".....whatever the hell that means....lol. Should be a good time, and I'm wicked excited!! A bunch of my friends and their families are going too. One of them is my friend, Carol, who was actually Mike's best friend through high school. She is a RIOT!! We've gotten to be really close, and I have gotten to be really close to her sister's, Dora and Char, and their families too. They'll all be there as well. Like I said, I'm wicked excited about going!

Well, it's been a long day of making salads, stew and cookies and doing laundry for the weekend, so I'm heading to bed! Slate, out!

The Legend Of Nemo

On Saturday, Tylerville had it's annual "Old Homes Day"....which basically is a long-standing joke of a tradition. They have a "parade" which consists of the Tylerville Fire Departments 2 trucks, the Town of Rutland fire trucks, a couple of horses, 1 float and a couple of little kids with their decorated bicycles. They also have the "Rollo" game (which the kids and I love!), a couple of games, a cake walk (which I would NEVER in a million years try to win anything from....gag!), and a concession stand that is run by the Tylerville Grange. Jake wasn't home to go with us this year, and Mike was sleeping, so Lukas and I went with all of Mike's family. Lukas had a great time....it doesn't take much to amuse him (like his dad!). He won 2 goldfish in a round-about-sort of way.....actually....he cheated his ass off.....but got to take 2 fish home nonetheless. He named them Nemo and Jerry Michael....lol. I had a goldfish bowl and some rocks and have just been feeding them some little pieces of bread. Well, about a half an hour ago, I found Nemo belly up on the bottom of the bowl. Lukas took the news pretty hard. Poor kid. I know it's only a fish...but it's so hard trying to explain "The Circle of Life" to a 5 year old. Lukas only knew Nemo 2 days......but he informed me that Nemo was his best friend :( He asked me if we had to flush him, and of course I had to say yes. He took the Dixie cup with Nemo in it, poured the little guy into the porcelain throne, and flushed him down into "Fishie Heaven". He's just so upset....but yet wants me to go get him another fish tomorrow. He's so pitiful that I am almost tempted, but know without a doubt that if I do....we'll be going through this again in another 2 days!! He asked me if I killed him by feeding him too much (apparently he killed my cousin's fish by feeding it too much, and never told me 'till the other day....lol). In my head I thought "No....not by feeding it TOO much....perhaps by not feeding it ENOUGH"....lol. Was the bread enough? Probably not. But c'mon....let's face it....would it really have mattered if I'd have bought a $3 jar of food just to take 2 pinches out of it and THEN have them die?? Ugggggggh. And the BEST part of the story.....Michael missed the whole thing....AGAIN. This is at least the 3rd or 4th fish that we've had that has bit the big one while Mike was working. Why is that, do you suppose?? I made sure that Lukas gave Daddy a call while he was full-flegged flipping out :)

The last couple of days have been nice! Perhaps not for you....but as you know....I love the cool weather! It's been getting me all excited for Fall!! All I could think about yesterday was going to the cider mill to get some pumpkins, some Mums, some cider and some nice, hot cider donuts!! Mmmmmmm!! I do hope that it warms up a little bit in the next day or two, and that Mother Nature gets the rain out of her system. The kids and I are going to Water Safari with the Summer Rec program on Wednesday, and this weekend we're camping up to Happy Hollow with a bunch of my friends from Copenhagen.

Jake and I went out on the porch a little while ago to see if we could see the big Meteor Shower tonight....but saw nothing. They said that you should be able to see 1 to 2 meteors per minute. We sat out there for at least 5 minutes and saw nothing.

Guess I had better go check on Jerry Michael and make sure that he's not belly up now. I don't think I could go through another tragedy again tonight! Rest in peace, beloved Nemo.

Smith Family Camping

We left for the cottage on Wednesday and just got home today. It was another nice little "vacation" for us. The kids just love being down there, and as I may have said before, I love watching them enjoy it there. In 3 years, my grandmother will have owned the cottage 50 years! Mike's sister and her family brought their camper down on Friday night, and my Uncle Shawn and his family, and my Uncle Scott and his family had their campers down there too....so we had our own little campground.

We did alot of swimming. Lukas is becoming such an awesome little swimmer! He jumps right off the dock with no help what so ever. Last night, he and I went TUBING!! Yup! TUBING!! I friggin' went TUBING!! What a sight.....lol. But hey....I give myself a TON of credit! Lukas LOVED it. He was hooting and hollaring and laughing....lol. When we were out there, he said "I've been waiting 20 years for this!" LOL. After he and I went, I went out with my neice. She liked it too, but she was too cold to really say much. I haven't been tubing in at least 20 years, and actually, it wasn't really a tube then....it was some kind of pull behind the boat contraption that my friends had. I was a tad bit sore last night, but it was nothing that a few whiskey sours and a Captain and Coke couldn't cure!

So, Lukas' hair cut is growing on me. It actually looks really cute now that I am used to it. I think that I may keep it this way and save myself some money. His hair grows SOOO fast that I really need to take him about once a month to get it cut. Jake is in desperate need of a cut too. I may actually buzz his off tonight.

Mike's out mowing right now. Ugggggh. Our "Yard Rangler"....lol. He is O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D with the yard. When he finally comes in tonight, we're going to watch a movie. Right now, I think I'm going to go buzz Jake's hair. Slate.....out!