Bad Cantaloupes? Sheesh!

I love cantaloupes! Now, I may not eat one for a long, long time!

If money weren't an issue (and we all need $$ - mortgage, loans, bills, etc) I'd grow corn, fruit, etc. We already have chickens (eggs only) - and I could totally be a vegitarian (well, let's say - minus one day per month {LOL}).

Just another desire of mine that prooves I was born in the wrong time & wrong place!

FaMilY TimE

Tonight Sky begins another outage at the nuclear plant. The easiest explanation of the term 'outage' is they stop the unit from producing electricity, discard the spent fuel, make any reapairs/upgrades, and refuel, and bring the unit back online and begin producing electricity again. It's a very long process that requires 'all hands on deck' working non-stop. Well, a nuclear plant requires non-stop work regardless. But, the hours do change and can be hard on families. Sky will be working 4 on, 1 off - which means he'll work 4 days in a row and off one. However, days is misleading - my husband will be working nights. These are 12 hour shifts, of which everyone, in many jobs across the world know that you always arrive early for work - in some jobs, earlier than others. Add that to the fact we chose to live nearly an hour away from his job - and you've got some pretty long days(nights). The routine will be such that he sleeps until anywhere between 2 and 4pm. He will cut out some of his sleep to go work out on this shift because it keeps him energized during long nights. I can understand that. Then, he leaves for work. Know that the big boys (middle school), if they don't have a game or practice, arrive home at 3:30pm and the little guy doesn't get home until 4:20pm. So, they will not see him in the afternoons - the little guy, not at all. The big boys - a few minutes. Then, he'll arrive home in the am around 7:30, maybe a little later and go, almost directly, to bed. The big boys leave at 6:30am and the little guy leaves for the bus at 8am. So, whereas the big boys can see their dad a few minutes in the after noon, the little one gets a few minutes in the am. 4 days? That's not bad. No. except on night shift fo so long you can't come off nights just for one day - it's impossible. So, Sky will remain on this work at night/sleep during the dya schedule until the outage is over - sometime around Christmas but if history repeats itself - well into the new year. During this time the kids get real ansy and frustrated. Soooo - last night we spent a little quality family time with dad. I went and got wings from The Bar, we all ate at the table and had conversations. Then, we cleaned up and all played Yahtzee together - and you know what? It was a whole lot of fun. After that we hooked up SingStar and sang until bed. We didn't go anywhere and managed to have more fun at home. So, I think we'll implement this on the nights that he doesn't have to leave so early for work because he's off. My point of this whole blog post is: If I can manage one out of every two off nights for family time - hopefully that will be enough that all of our minds, attitudes, and frustrations are kept in check. I know though, that occasionally Sky might need to go hang out by himself or have some fun at a bar with 'friends.' It's a tough time of the year we're embarking on. So, wish us luck that we get through it without any major debacles and tears (though the tears would most likely be my own). Sigh. Ready, set, GO!

Small World

Well, I was cooking a frozen entre in the oven the other night - it was on my rectangle Pampered Chef bar stone. About 35 minutes into cooking I heard a shot-gun sound come from my oven. . . Well - it broke.

So, I went to the PC website and submitted my info to have a rep call me. Turns out the rep who called - was my rep from Green Bay back in 2006! It was interesting how we figured that out - by location, description of my home and neighborhood. It was just a lot of fun.

Call me sick. . .

. . .but I kind of enjoy it all. What, you ask? Well, today I had to leave home at 3:30 to go to Tyler's cross-country meet. I love his meets! There is so much excitement and the crowds of moms & dads cheeing their kids on moves me to tears. I wanted to yell, "You're doing great, Tyler" but I was too choked up. I'm really a super-sensitve person. But, after the meet I had to book it to Justin's 1st soccer game of the year. Well, I can't say I enjoy soccer as much. Parents sit in bleachers or on chairs and yell at their kids to do this and do that - it's not like the shouts of encouragement at a cross-country meet. Then, Justin - bless his heart - he just has no interest in soccer - but plays, I think, because he knows how important it is to me - that he be a part of a team or participate in a sport, period. He runs like his legs are made of lead and he's too timid with the ball and contact with other people. Poor guy. If he wanted to pursue the debate team, the yearbook committee, or be on student council - I cheer him on. But, he seems to lack a general excitment for anything. Ever since he discovered Mine Craft on the computer - I think I've lost my real kid! (We do only allow him to play on weekends, tho.) Anyway, after soccer he had to get his instrument for a late band practice with the high school band. Well, the middle school band doors were locked. So, over to the high school we go, got keys from Mr. K, went back to the middle school. Well, the band room is next to entrance #2 but the only open doors are through the pool entrance. So, I had Justin run through the pool entrance to the #2 doors to open them for me. 'Bout that time the other band teacher showed up and I had no use for Mr. K's keys! So, just as we exit door #2 - I asked Justin if he had his lyre. The kid thought we were going home for it! Seriously!???? So, there he goes again through the pool entrance around to the band room to catch the teacher still inside in hopes of finding a lyre he could use. Well, fortunately, she helped him piece one together. Now, instead of having time to eat, I had to drop him off for practice. Me and Tyler got food and sat in the parking lot for over an hour because it just didn't make sense to go home and come back 30 minutes later - when it's 15 minutes to get home and 15 minutes to get back to the school. I'm so dizzy right now my words are blurring together and I really don't know what I'm typing! But, truth be told, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it just a wee bit. :) This is kind of what I pictured when I thought about having kids. Now, just as things settle down and the boys sports are all finished up - Joshua will start basketball. :)

My boys!

 

Something Unexpected. . .

 
We went to lunch at Regatta 220 to celebrate Robbie's 19th birthday. NO. LOL! We did not plan to dress alike!

1st Meet!

 
I got there a little late. I did get to see Tyler cross the finish line. He told me he fell in the woods. :( Oh well. Here are pic's of him and Mitchell stretching after the run.

Playground Time!

 
Joshua & Devon at the playground.

My mom

 
This is my mom. She had an interview today at Pioneer Credit Union. I hope she gets it! She looked great!

My Packer Backers!

 
Robbie and Joshua

Crafty Me. . .

 
This is the raffle bucket I made for the teachers raffle.

1st day of school, 2011

 
Okay, I know I have more pic's of Joshua - but let's face it: It's so much more exciting when they're young. :) I got Justin drinking his coffee (LOL!), and Tyler's back as he and Mitchell are headed to cross-country practice (I had asked them to pose for me ?) Anyway, the school year is off to a great start - for EVERY one! :)

It's ALL mine!! :)

I am typing this post from MY new computer! :) But, unfortunately, there isn't much else to say right now.

UGH! Computers!