a snapshot day in the life of Chris

Well I thought I would do a snapshot of my day I have my blogs printed off every year and have had a good time going back and reading some of them so I am in hopes that I will be able to have my grandkids and such see them one day and see how I really was. So a pretty typical day here it goes
Up a little before 7 got Meg up and started Algebra 2 finished about 45 minutes later, worked on dishes, made bed, checked over Meg's other work, had to reteach direct object as it had been a while.  Went over a few mistakes in civics and then checked off the rest of the work as she got it done.  Got one load lf laundry out on the line, picked tomatoes, cucumbers and zuchini.  Packed up two bags of different produce for friends, jumped in the shower, got dressed went to interpreting job, got off of that, ran through McDonalds for a large drink of Orange soda and fought with the truck driving it all the way over to MERIL, only peeled out once by accident.  Then I worked with another interpreter Deb, for a one hour session prepping for my Kansas interpreting test I will be taking in October.  Got home, brought in two loads off the line, did my invoices, updated my work calender, sent off emails for work related stuff, checked email and facebook, put out new load of laundry, then mailed bills, walked to garage to see if Daves car was done, walked home without car (ordering a part), made two phone calls to finish paying off more bills.  I then called Dave and then Missy (she really enjoyed all her classes and seem to be doing well). Cleaned on the house some more folded all the laundry, put the laundry away, straightened the kitchen table it was become a collector of stuff.  Then I ate supper, watched some Star Trek while finishing off Star trek and then started sewing on my denim quilt, and now I am blogging going to do a little more on my quilt and then turn in. 

back in the swing of things

Yesterday was my first day of a steady job in a long time and it was the first Tuesday of enrichment classes.  It was nice to have that rhythm back.  MDK and I got up at 7 today and she has gotten through alot of her stuff already, she has really gotten down to business.  We are doing grammer again this year, so this morning I found out that she has forgetten direct object and indirect object so we are backing up a tad to nail that one down.  She is studying Early American History, Grammer, Writing, American Lit, Civics, Consumer Math, Algebra,Bible, and Marine Biology.  Her extras this year are Chess and Bible quizzing.  She is also doing really well with her work, they seem to really like her and told her she was catching on quickly.  MLK has her first day in a few or her classes due to the fact that she had orientation on Monday.  So she will get to see how she likes her classes, she only had the Drawing 1 on Monday so it will be interesting to hear from her. 

I have a job today and a mentoring session, and then I will be testing Oct 21.  So here to working towards my four.  Well better go for now.

my new stage of life

It is always interesting when you begin a new stage of life and I am starting on the journey will this stage be short lived or will it be off and on again.  The stage of life of your children becoming adults.  I called my Mom yesterday and was so glad to talk to her.  I said when your kids are out on their own and they have a hard time or screw up or whatever do you feel like it is your fault and you did something wrong, she answered with a resounding yes!!!!  That was good to hear. 

MLK called last night and sounded really good, she enjoyed her drawing class and was working on her online computer essientials class.  She didnt have her Lit or Biology because they had orientation, which she said Mom I have already done three college classes so that was a little boring!!!  MDK worked a full day (seven hours) and came home and got her school work (all but one History written assignment) so that was really good.  If she can keep that momentum she will do well.  She is enjoying her manager and job so that is a big plus.  She said I pretty much did it all by myself, so she is picking it up quick.

I finally slept well so I cleaned the house throughly got four loads of laundry done, and made some good progress on my denim quilt.  Dave and I went and got odds and ends at town and then came home ate supper, and Dave got out the fall decorations.  I am looking around for some more outdoor decor for the rock part in front so we stopped by Kmart, they still had everything on full price so that was a no go. This time of year is when I try to get good deals on end of summer and garden stuff most of it will go on clearance because they will need room for Christmas stuff soon. 

Well better go for now.  Oh and for the next two weeks I have a job everday, yeah!!!!!

feeling sorry for my girl

Yesterday Missy called crying, she is so frustrated and upset and lonely right now.  She wasnt able to test on Thursday, cause the lady didnt like the windshield crack even though our car is legal, dont know what was up with that.  She doesnt have any friends her age up there and she is just super lonely.  Her cousin Kelly and her had a good talk and she is now mad at her.  Kelly just doesnt have the same belief system Missy has and Missy doesnt care for her friends or morals.  I am glad Missy is sticking with what she knows is the right way to behave but it make for a lonely girl.  She starts class on Monday so I hope that will help her and she is still in the catch 22 without a liscence it is hard for her to get a job.  So it is a frustrating time of life.  I am up in the middle of the night worried and praying for her.

Yesterday we built the flower bed next to the garage, hope to finish it up today.  Dave usually has big plans each weekend, and I am usually the regulator of those plans.  He only has so much energy and stamina.  He starts to get really gimpy and some other signs tell me enough is enough.  He is better about pacing himself then he use to be but not always.  He hates the limitation but has found out listening to his wife keeps him from getting way down on feeling bad later in the week. 

MDK starts a big week of work this coming week along with school so hopefully she will learn how to do both or work will be short lived. 

potatoes such a dissapointment

My potatoes were a dissapointment I think I might have gotten enough for myself and one other to have mashed potatoes once, the plants were awesome but for some reason produced very little potatoes.  Really kinda clueless and why this was.  Will do research and find out what to do for next year.  My strawberries are doing well sending out lots of runners, plan to put the other two raised beds into strawberries also.  Tomatoes are still going like crazy, very good crop and more to come, it has been my salvation for not feeling like a flunkie gardener. 

Today and this weekend we are doing alot of clean up around the house mostly outside getting stuff done.  There is just alot of this and that around here that needs to get done.  However Dave plans to get some extra sleep as he was on predizone this last week for his allergic reaction to whatever and that keeps him wired he got done with it mid week and it is finally washing out of his system.  MDK hasnt slept well either and was a real grouch yesterday going to bed early last night.  She works today and then done for the week.  I had to order an Algebra 2 Dive CD the old one wasnt working so will wait till that comes in, hopefully midweek next week to continue that. She is doing well so far but next week will be the challenge.  Well better go for now.

trying to be honest with yourself

Well once in awhile I get really down and dirty honest about stuff on here and it alway theraputetic when I do.  Dave and I had a great conversation this last Friday going into Saturday and then I was by myself part of Saturday and Sunday.  That always gives you time to think.  I had gone through one of the more serious bouts of depression I had in a long time, the last time it got that overwhelming was in Hopkins, so we are talking it has been a while and I would say it started in about March and really didnt start letting up till about beggining of August.  Alot of it according to the doctor has been strongly influenced by the menopausual junk that comes with age.  Nevertheless you must deal with it or it deals with you.  It was hard having a summer where you dont work and finances get tight, but I think the biggest thing has been watching MLK get out on her own and her own struggles.

Ever since her sucide attempt I have felt (unrealisticly so) that it is my responsiblity and need to carry her so that she never ends up there again.  Now that is not to take away from all the hard work she has done and how far she has come on her own.  However I felt like a lifequard always on duty 24/7, I had to be there to just make sure that it never ever got there again.  It was my fault (in my head) that I didnt catch it the first time and get her the help she needed and I wasnt going to let that happen again.  I had failed once and wasnt going to do it again.  I say I trust God and I do but He needed my help in this area (who am I kidding). Well she graduated and she moved and needless to say I was a tad scared, I wanted her to do these things, in fact their was relief when she was gone and then fear deep and scary fear, and what if's?  I get moody around her, I hold tight, then I push her away.  I cant seem to hit that balance.  So Dave and I talked about it, and it was so good to have that person who has walked that same path and has your perspective.  I was able to express that fear and Dave who always gets point blank honest with me when I need said, Chris if she ever ends up at that choice again, it is ultimately God who decides when you get to come home to Him, not even you get to make the choice.  I have said these words to others when counseling but never really got it through my thick head.  I remember one man that tried and took enough medicines to kill himself and two other people but God wasnt ready for him yet, that was fifteen years ago.  Ultimately MLK doesnt get to make that decision only God does.  It was a lightbulb moment for me that I am still pondering it now. Well all for now.

Baby girl starts her job

Well MDK started her job officially yesteday, and we hauled out some money to help start the adventure.  She had to have new skid restistant black shoes so we had to get some work shoes for her. Dave needed new shoes to work in also, so they bought at Shoe Carnival and got buy one get second half off.  Then we find out she needs black pants to go with.  So we went and found about 5 pair at Goodwill and DAV.  We bring them home and she is like this dont work and these are ugly and I said good you get your first paycheck and you can buy your own, works for me!!!!!!  I really think once she fiqures out how much abuse they will get she will be willing to wear the ones she got.  Well at DAV, Dave found a really nice green dress shirt, and a work jacket, we also got MLK some winter clothes, mostly tops.  We have been trying to help her out with clothes, and the everyday toothpaste, deodrant, etc stuff.  However she needs to get a job desperately but needs the liscense more desperately.  She is home for a last fling with friends before everyone starts college stuff. Her and five friends are all going to Jamesport today and then I take her home tonight or in the morning. 

Next week I start back having some interpreting jobs so that will be good.  I will be glad for that!  Well better go for now.

freezing corn

Well today we went to Lowes and got some much needed supplies as Dave got his bonus, we got an anchor for the bridge so it wont float away this time, and he placed it on more easy to access ground making it alot easier to get to for me.  Denise and Kevin had some extra corn so I picked some to freeze and such so I am doing that this evening.  I also got a sprayer so I can spry and kill weeds around the place.  Dave also got a new suit as he is now preaching five or six Sundays in a row.  We are looking to put in a flower bed by the garage before winter.  We also might look into gravel (depending on the cost) for the driveway.  I have been enjoying using my line, but havent the past few days since the storms keep rolling in.  Only three tomatoes today, but once it is sunny again I will proably have 20 as they are all orangey green colored right now.  Plan to work on my quilt tonight.  I keep plugging away at it, sooner or later it will be finished.

Missy seems to be in a better place, she seems to maybe just maybe adjusted to her new life.  It is good to see her taking more positive steps and feeling a bit more empowered with her life. 

Well better go and get the corn done it is almost done.

another day

Well tonight i have a voulnteer job, but not much else on the agenda for today.  I am trying to decide mow or not mow it is in the intbetween stage.  Not quite long enough but will it look horrible tommorow.  So I will proably go ahead since the sun is shining right now. 

Canned tomatoes yesterday and worked on my quilt. MDK starts her training on Monday.  She is exicitied we will see how long that lasts.  Well better go get to mowing.

the help

MDK treated me out to a movie, which was really sweet of her, it was really good, we listened (the girls) to the help on audiobook and throughly enjoyed it, the movie was very close to the book and I would highly recommend it.  It was a really nice time.

We are sliding into our new school year slowly, it was a habit we started a few years ago, start a few subjects everyday till we get them all done.  So we started with science yesterday, Marine Biology, adding writing and Civics to the group today.  I got all the tomatoes blanched and cut, going to can them up today.  Possibly going to work on my quilt today, if my machine behaves.  Well better get MDK up and around.

my house is a mess

Well I havent let my house get this messy all summer, it just kinda snuck up on me this weekend.  So cleaning the house today.  MDK and I are going to start on a few subjects, she has the last half of her interview tommorow and scheduled for orientation on Monday, so we think she has the job.  MLK was in a horribly bad mood yesterday, and wouldnt admit it was cause sister had a job and she didnt.  However I did point out to her that she has avoided applying to fast food.  We will see what she does with that.  She is babysitting Brendas boys today.  She is completly ready for college to start, we did all the rest of the junk this weekend, she turned it Monday when we took her back and she got her photo id and her books, she will start on the 29th.  She has a floating head id picture as the lady didnt readjust the camera for her height.  MLK starting sing I ain't got no body... from Young Frankstein, it was funny.  I hope that whatever is going on her head with driving test she will get over it and pass the test and then she will have a much easier time with things.

We saw Viv and she is healing up nicely, took MJ her presents which she liked and then headed home got home and watched a little TV and went to bed.  Yesterday I injured myself in bed, I pulled a muscle while sleeping, I really feel stupid having done that, but it hurts when I turn and lift up.  I dont know too many people this talented. 

This year will be strange with just teaching one kid and I will have two years left and then nothing, that will be odd.  However I wouldnt give it up for anything, the memories, books, and so much other things we have shared are awesome.  Well better get around.

wow i think i was on fire

Woke up feeling like my whole body was on fire, drenched in sweat, got to love those energy surges.  So I am up in the middle of the night again, gotta to love this.  So I could clean, but if I do I wake up everyone else so I piddle on computer or I read, till I get tired again.

Last night we played a logic type game that MLK picked up at a garage sale, it was fun.  Dave sorted out some of his movies and rearranged his car and of course we went to church.  MLK didnt go with as she was running a slight fever Sat. night and into Sunday, she went to bed at 10 and slept till 1230 on Sunday, and felt a whole lot better.  MDK went to bday party and then drove herself to church(actually all the girls went to Fredrick the next morning).  We watched some TV and took it easy I finished up a few simple crochet patterns while watching TV and took a 3-4 hour nap, it was bizzare that I slept that long but quess i must have needed it.

I picked a big bunch of tomatoes yesterday so will proably can sometime this week.  We did alot of chores on Saturday so the plantion is looking better however there is always more to do.  Well better think about getting some more sleep

got some of the projects at least started

Well MLK came home and had this dreamy notion of what home was like, instead we ended up at the irs building get copies of stuff for her forms for college, what fun!  However we did have some fun just hanging out on Friday.  Yesterday, we went and got a copy of her registeriation for her car, it got lost some how, so now she has it when she test again.  MDK filled out an application for Mc Donalds has an interview on Monday at 9 then we will take MLK back to Iowa after that.  MDK had a bday party (overnighter) last night and will have one again next weekend if she is not working at a new job.

So I ended up running a whole bunch of errands (registration up to Denise for roundup spray and alot of the projects for yesterday were mostly done when i got back.  Burning out an old dead stump, Dave dumps the old oil out of the vehicles on it and it is finally getting small enough to break up and few more rounds and we should have it out of there.  He got the bridge back in place, and weed eated alot.  I tried to spray roundup but my sprayer is toast so need to get a new one.  Dave got alot of weedeating done and the girls finished up most of the mowing, he also pulled out a few of the fence posts.  Today he wants to finish projects but we will see how his body is doing as he has had a rather rough week with nerve pain.

I have been picking an average of eight tomatoes a day, so prob. will can again this week.  Well better get around for church.

paperwork and projects

Well this morning was finishing some college paperwork for MLK, she had to do some last minute stuff and I helped her go through all of it, I think she is finally done we had to go to the irs office in saint joe to finish off getting tax junk for the forms.  I told her they will want her firstborn if she doesnt pay off any and all bills.  We had a good laugh after some grumping through the piles.  We had lunch out and about and got a whole lot of odds and ends that were needed.  We went to Cracker Barrel for lunch since we were starving, as a family we hadnt been out to eat together in a long time.  MDK found some cute purses for her two friends b-day party they were on sale half price she got them for eight dollars a piece and they gift wrapped them, they did such a pretty job so she got both of her friends gifts for under 20 dollars and then she bought her a purse like that in a different color.  So now the three friends have purses that are alike how cool is that (said with teen accent).

I am currently get anywhere from 6-15 tomatoes everyday out of my garden, gave some to neighbors and Denise and we have been eating alot to.  Dave is making me tomato soup tonight,  I am so hyped.  I got about two thirds of my quilt done and got some more squares cut out have to do the basting squares and then start sewing.  I also got some fall towels i am doing for some people (crocheting that is).  No jobs except i flipped flopped weeks for my vouleenter job. 

MDK has a job interview at McDonalds on Monday, she is exicitied, then we start school before too much longer will start in the swing of things here.  MLK has decided to maybe move ahead and do KFC and Hardees. 

Well better get off here, relaxing this evening with the family.

sewing on my quilt

Well I finished cleaning the house yesterday, after a long day of canning the day before.  I got nine quart, one of which didnt seal so it will be tomato soup this week.  Cleaned out shelves in the girls bathroom (they have storage space in the end of the bathroom) and put them up in there.  Today I hope to clean out my pantry.  I might also bake today, but I am def. working on my quilt, it it coming together,  i got almost four strips put together before my needle broke, so this morning I have to go into town to buy a new needle for my machine, hope I can find one easily.

Had an interesting dream about Gma Hancox, and that got me to thinking about some of my memories about her.  I remember one morning it was a muddy mess and I wanted to play outside so she put bread sacks around my shoes tied them onto my legs and away I went.  I also remember the wringer downstairs in the basement, I thought it was so cool.  Remember the glads she planted every year and how pretty they were.  I remember using the blue glass rolling pin when I was little enough to sit on the counter.  I remember putting stickers on Gma kitchen window that you could see through, remember I got in trouble at home for that, but Gma left them on her window till I graduated from high school.  I remembered getting snowed in, what a joy no school and gma house to boot.  I remember the John Deere on the Christmas tree.  Gma buying me a Mickey Mouse purse (that I didnt ask for, I just stared at for a long time, you see Mom had forbidden me to ask for anything).  I remember playing on the hay hauler rack thing, like a see saw, run up to on side and down it would go, up the other side and down it would go.  Playing in the willow tree, thinking it was my own little fairy world.  Thinking the aspargus was cool coming out of the ground, but man did it taste nasty.  Playing with Dorothy's kitty.  The smell of Gma's cleaning closet, sliding around on Gmas wooden floors.  A million more memories come to mind.

Well better be getting around.

another week without work

Ugh, no work except for one voulenteer job, still following up a job lead for VRS in north Kansas City.  Yesterday I did nine quarts of diced tomatoes that was alot of work.  I also cleaned out a closet that was in desperate need of getting taken care of.  I am hoping to finish cleaning the house and then I plan to work on my denim quilt some more. 

MDK has one week left and MLK plans to come home and visit this week, so it will be nice to have both girls home over the weekend.  Well better go and let Dave do his Redbox email.

a nice date with the hubby

Yesterday we had a nice time together celebrating our 21st anniversary, we went garage saling in Agency, a small town outside of st. joe.  Our buys were a beautiful set of dishes for MDK, and some dress pants (old navy) for both girls, a old navy sweatshirt, more dress pants, a cute set of coasters, a fertilizer,ice melt distriubter for the back of our lawnmower.  We then went to town and enjoyed a nice dinner at Applebees it cost us around 15 dollars.  We have found even a cheap way to go to a nice resturant.  So how do you save at a cheap resturant.  Easy, drink water, share a meal, eat at lunch time instead of dinner, and buy a side entree to make the meal go a little farther.  So for example we got a lunch special yesterday added a house salad and we even splurged and got drinks our total 16 dollars.  If we hadnt ordered drinks we would have spent 12 or 13.  It was a good time to talk and catch up.  We then went to Lowes, I have been wanted to replant green beans for the fall, but they didnt have any, however they had all sorts of sales on their remaining plants.  So all told with the orginial prices on these plants we would have payed around 175 dollars and what did we pay-$35.  Did I say I love to bargin shop????  Then we went to Walmart and got a few neccessities and came home.  We had such a nice time together.

Today we are going to church in Fairport as Dr. Griffin is preaching and we would like to see him.  Then plan to get some stuff done around the homefront.  MDK woke up with a stomach ache so she is staying home, hope she feels better soon as she has one week left of babysitting.  Well better get off here and get around.

hope it rains

It looks like a good storm is a brewing, i hope we get a nice rain as the gardens sure could use it. However it might cut into my plans of getting my clothesline up this weekend and tilling a spot in the garden, so maybe if it rains this morning and then clears off, wish you could order rain off a menu when you wanted it. 

I have picked tomatoes everyday and I have a ton in my mud room ripening, proably will can here in the next few days.  Will be my first experience canning, the cucumbers are coming back with a vengence but proably not enough to can, between a bug that eat through two plants and the flood not the best year for them. 

Well better get off here, must run errands before the campers get home.

a quiet day at home by myself

Well today has been the second day of baching it while I have been pretty much by myself, yesterday was busy getting chores done mowing lawn and such, but today has been much quieter.  I have actually kinda enjoyed today, I thought I might dread this time alone since I have had wayyyyy toooo much downtime of late, but it has been good today.  I woke up around 8ish this morning having not slept a whole lot due to the extreme nap I took yesterday and not going to bed till way late due to that fact.  I went straight outside and water stuff and then I picked some tomatoes, I then commenced getting showered and ran to Maysville for milk and vaccum bags so I could finish cleaning.  I came home ate a lunch of a tomato with ranch dressing and chocolate ice cream and then I sat down and watched a show.  I then got my sewing stuff out, and have worked off and on all afternoon on my denim quilt, it is somewhat tedious as my sewing machine was giving me fits but it is doing much better.  I think the tension was off and I am not sure how I fixed it but it seems to be working right now. 

God has been working on my heart alot lately, peeling the onion that is me, taking away the layers of how I identify myself, as a mom, a wife, an interpreter and such and really giving me moments to reflect on who I am without all those connections,  not been a greatly fun procedure but I think I am getting to the core of what He wants me to learn.  I seem much more at peace with all of it, and trying to be thankful for what I do have and such. 

So tonight I plan to watch tv and sew some more, busy day tommorow, have a job and a vounteer job so will be up and at them early tommorow and then the crew comes home on Friday. 

wow what a nap

Well I am back from the Iowa trip to see Viv her surgery went well and then i went to Mom and Dad dropped off some stuff I had for them and got the canner.  I took 136 home and I think I started the drive home that never would end, there was alot of construction on the road, I missed a detour and had this crazy back road detour I had, finally got to Bethany and then got home about an hour later than I should have.  I was very glad to see my bed! 

I got up around 8 this morning and got the lawn mowed, it was quite a sight as I have one tire with a huge leak in it so it was mow, stop, air tire, mow stop air tire but a little less than 3 hours later it was done and it was a good thing cause it was really starting to heat up.  I picked about seven tomatoes, they are in the window finishing riping.  For lunch I had a cucumber and a tomato with ranch dressing, very good!!!  The tomatoes need water and I will water them tommorow but there is a chance of storms tonight so I am hoping that happens instead.  Plan to get up early tommorow and finish off the rest of the outside stuff.  I need to work in my gardens but the heat is too much, and I get sick quick.

Cleaned most of the house and got tired so I laid down and thought I would take a short nap maybe a hour, woke up three hours later, it was good as my nighttime sleep has been patethic in quality. 

MDK got stung by a bee so I may need to get her to the doctor tommorow, long haul over to camp, but she will take bendryl again and see how it goes.  Well may try to sew a little bit this evening and finish the little bit of housework I have left.