Dear Family, I'm NOT Your Maid, The Meltdown

     Yesterday started like any other day with people needing to be different places close to the same time.  There was running around, road construction, and detours which caused me to be late for my massage.  Well, not late exactly, I was on time by most people's standards, but to me if I am not 15 minutes early for an appointment I am late.  I must have been visibly frustrated because I have never had anyone focus on massaging my jaw and cheekbones before.  But I managed to relax and loosen up, ready for the rest of my day.  I got home and started getting a few things ready for our cookout today and to go to my friend Lisa's for the afternoon.  Lisa lives on the lake and invited my family to come over for lunch and swim in the afternoon.  I was so looking forward to going.  We were supposed to be there at 1:00.  At 12:20 I get a text from Pete saying that Cam's game is still going on.  "What happened to the 2 hour time limit?" I'm thinking...Well, I can't change it so I text Lisa and all is well.  We finally get over there at 1:45 and by 2:00 Mitch tells me that yes, he and Evan can play golf and their tee time is 3:30.  Sigh...the poor kid has been trying to hook up with his friends to play golf since the course opened this spring and he REALLY wants to make the golf team next year so I tell him it's ok, run him home to change, then to the golf course, and now back to Lisa's.  We had a great time over there, spent a lot of time in the water and I only thought a little bit about all the crap I had to get done at home for today.

This kid looks like she belongs on the lake.

Pete and I in the boat.  I so wish we lived on a lake.

   After a great afternoon of boating, watching the kids make videos of jumping off the pier (dock if you are from Minnesota), and swimming I know it is time to face reality and head home.

    So we get home, without stopping at the grocery store to get what I need for the cookout today, and all I am thinking about is that laundry has to get folded, the kitchen is a mess, the floors need to be done, and there are fireworks tonight (I must say it drives me crazy that we don't have fireworks on the 4th of July, unless of course that falls on a Saturday.  My rant about that will come at a later date). We get home, everyone scatters leaving 6 wet towels and some swimsuits in my car.  Having PMS and a lot to get done I completely loose it.  I went off about why was it that nobody bothered to carry in the wet towels, etc.  Pete said he understood that I was frustrated with the kids, but please don't take it out on him.  Well....I went off.  I yelled at him about being everyone's maid, how the kids can't even put their plates in the dishwasher and basically about everyone assuming I was their maid just because I am home for the summer.  I had someone go get Mitch so he could come up and help, to which he says, "But Mom, I am going to get banned from my game!" My response as you can imagine was not pretty.  Something about not giving 2 craps (well...) about his video games and that I just gave him money to go play golf with his friend which prompted him to run downstairs and get my change before pitching in.  I am not proud of my little meltdown...but it worked!!!  Everyone pitched in, I even got a few, "Mom, what else can I do to help?" questions, everyone folded and put away their own laundry, my house is cleaned up and we got to the fireworks on time!!!!!  I really don't like having the mom meltdown, but as my first principal told me, "Sometimes you need to walk into your room slam the door and show them you mean business." Well, I guess this was my at home version of that.

The fireworks were a blast!

     The fireworks were a blast.   The city had sprayed for mosquitoes so we didn't even need bug spray.  We managed to find a great spot and didn't have to park too far away, which considering we got there about 10 minutes before we stared that's pretty amazing.  The fireworks were much better this year than last year, and we had a little side entertainment.  Not only did the cops show up at the bar that was close to the green space beside us, but there was a family sitting near us who had the funniest 4 year old boy ever.  As we were watching the fireworks this kid was cracking us up.  His dad said something to this young man about taking his first steps on the 4th of July to which this little boy responded, "Today?" which made us laugh.  He made a comment about how this wasn't even the 4th of July.  He said something about not being a sucker, which I thought he said wasn't being something else ;), and he said, "I haven't even seen a fire yet.  Where is the fire?" Now...being huge fans of the movie Christmas Vacation we quote that movie all the time.  After the kid mentions something about not seeing a fire yet, my husband, without missing a beat says,"Is Rusty still in the Navy?" I laughed so hard I cried.  I so needed that.  After getting so worked up today I got to end my day with laughter...which is how everyone should end their day.

    Well, I am off to the grocery store.  Thankfully I only need a few things.  My goal for today is not to get too worked up before everyone gets here.  A big part of me can't help myself...it's the way I am wired.  I always get crabby and worked up before people get here because I worry about things not getting done.  They always do, things always go well, I need to get over myself.  :)

Happy Sunday everyone!!!

Dear Family, I am NOT Your Maid

Notice the empty juice container on the counter,
just one small example of why I am writing this post today.

Ah, summer vacation.  That time of year when the sun is shining, the grass is growing, the air is scented with the heavenly aroma of flowers and barbecue grills, and the time when everyone in your house forgets how to clean up after themselves.  It's not only the kids, but my dear husband too.  I fight the same battle at the beginning of every summer.  "Oh, mom's home...we don't have to do anything.  We only have to help during the school year when she's working." Fellow teachers...I am SURE you know what I am talking about. Now, I am not talking about cleaning toilets, or doing laundry, I am talking about the general picking up after yourself business.  It's the, "Kids...when has it ever been ok to throw your dirty socks on the living room floor?" or the, "Seriously Honey, if you go through the trouble of straightening your pillows why couldn't you just make the bed?" that I am talking about.  They actually need less reminders to do the once and awhile chores like pulling weeds than things like putting dirty clothes in the hamper and not on the floor next to it. Well guess what?  Dear Family, I am not your maid.

      As I was trying to get all 4 kids out the door this morning because of course they all had something at 9:00 I must admit I was a little crabby about reminding kids to basically get their crap...not the word I was thinking...together because really how hard is it?  When I finally get everyone out the door, Emma and I are backing out of the driveway and she looks at me with concern on her face and says,"Mom, when you get home you should really watch Bob Ross because you're a little wound up and need to calm down."  At which point I decided to put my "Mom of the Year" hat on and tell her that if she hadn't have been so anxious about stupid things this morning and if everyone could just get their sh*t together I wouldn't have been wound up.  Yes, I know, probably not a great parenting move, but it worked...at least she wasn't tell me to watch the "Happy Little Painter" again.  Instead of running home to clean up after everyone I went to the green house and bought a couple of plants instead.  I know that didn't help get things cleaned up, but it made me feel better and I did get a little help when everyone got home.  

     My plans for the rest of the day...clean up a little around here, make the kids clean their rooms, and do a little yard work.  I am not a huge fan of yard work, but I feel like being outside today so that is what I plan to do.  Not to mention that I want to try out the yard mosquito repellant recipe I found on Pinterest this morning...damn mosquitoes...I'll save that rant until tomorrow.  Here I go...I'll let you know if my yard spray works tomorrow.

Running in my New Shoes

My new running shoes....I feel like Pete the Cat.
If you haven't read a Pete the Cat book you should.  

     I am running in my new shoes today!!!  Every year for our insurance we need to complete two wellness activities.  Every summer they do a fitbit challenge.  If you get a certain number of steps a week your name goes into a drawing for a gift certificate to a local running store and I was the winner of week number 1!!!  The day I found out I won I had been thinking about how I really needed new running shoes, but didn't really want to fork over the money for it.  Although it didn't pay for the entire cost of the shoes it did cover the majority of it.  When I was getting ready to go for my run this morning I was convinced they were going to make me run faster just like Benny in "The Sandlot" does when he puts on his new PF Flyers to try and get the ball back from the beast!!!  By the way...if you haven't seen the Sandlot you really should.  While I didn't set any records today...I did improve from 1.99 miles on Monday to 2.42 miles today...not sure if the new shoes had anything to do with that or not...but I'll go with it.
     My running journey started about 4 years ago.  It has been inconsistent at best.  I had foot surgery the summer I turned 39 and didn't do much exercise of any sort.  The summer after I turned 40 I decided that running was something I really had to try.  I was great that summer, but once school started I had a really hard time sticking with it.  The last two summers running has been almost nonexistent for me, but this summer I have done a pretty good job of sticking with it...now if I could only stick to Weight Watchers as closely I'd have it made.
      Every time I start getting ready to run I have a little shadow and his name is Baxter.  Baxter absolutely loves to go for a run with me.  As soon as he sees me put on my running clothes he starts whining at my feet.  When I stretch he starts stretching too and licks my face like this time he might just convince me to let him come with.  I used to let him come with me when I started off the Couch to 5K program because I did more walking than running.  One thing I discovered however is that every stinking time he'd come with me we'd get half way down the block and he'd have to poop.  Now, being a responsible dog owner I only let him poop in the common area of our subdivision and I bag it.  Let me tell you that running in the summer with a bag of dog poop for almost 2 miles is not fun.  That of course is not the only reason that he doesn't go with anymore...the dog is very distractible.  He sniffs at everything, has to greet every passerby, and it all in all makes running a bit difficult.  So needless to say his running days are very limited these days.
    And speaking of running...I have to go...time to run and get Mitch from golf lessons...who by the way just broke another club.  ARG!!!!!!!  Anyone have golf clubs for sale?


   

Summer Vacation Rocks!!!

     Ah...a teacher on summer vacation!  What to do now with all this time on my hands...ha ha ha ha.  Ok, as some of you may know teachers are almost as busy during their summer vacation as they are during the school year.  I know that may seem hard to believe...but it is true.  So far I have spent my vacation going to meetings, professional development, visiting my family in Minnesota, spending way too much time at the orthodontist with my son (long story), and trying to catch up on the things that I find a hard time doing during the school year such as reading a whole book in less than 6 months.  :)  My goal this summer is to get healthy, find time for my hobbies, spend more time enjoying my kids, spend as much time outside as possible, and plan for my next school year.  Yes, teachers' brains never really turn off and we can't help but think of the upcoming school year even though the last one is barely over.  One way you can tell that the school year is over is to go on Pinterest and see all of the school ideas that are suggested or that your fellow teachers are pinning.  I love this part of the "school year" because I have more time to allow my creative juices to flow.  I spent the morning with my team planning how we want to structure team teaching next year and it made me so excited for next year.  I am lucky to be a part of such an outstanding team.
   

My family in front of the famous wood chipper from the movie "Fargo"
from our trip to see my family.  Next Christmas Card picture perhaps?

    Up and coming for my summer vacation...a cookout with friends on July 4th, a trip with my husband to San Antonio with my husband for our anniversary, and a family trip to Mishicot, Wisconsin with my husband's family.  Traveling with kids and a dog is always an adventure.  Luckily our kids have learned how to travel well...although I am not sure how it is so easy for boys to "forget" to pack their toothbrush, and the dog loves being in the car and travels very well.  If anyone out there has some great 4th of July recipes or a great packing checklist for kids I would greatly appreciate it.