13 years and just 7 more to go

I can’t believe that I spaced Rodi’s anniversary date.  He enlisted in the Navy Jan. 4th 1996.  On Jan. 4th 2009 I was too busy watching Molly give birth to Faith that I completely forgot we were one year closer to Rodi’s RETIREMENT!!!!  Okay I know it is still seven years away but it’s ONLY SEVEN more years.

I long for that day.  I am proud of Rodi and the great job he does.  I am thankful for his service and the service of all our military members.  But I also can’t wait for this ride to be OVER.

I am looking forward to celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays with him in the same country as us.  This week he will be gone for JJ’s very first sectional gymnastics meet.  That was the two biggest events on the January calendar.  He will also miss Moe’s b-day, Nina’s b-day, My b-day, JJ’s b-day, His b-day (can you really miss your own b-day?), Bubba’s birthday next January, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years 2010, and possibly our anniversary this year and next.  I am sure there will be many other events he will miss along the way. 

Again I know this comes with the job, I am just ready for that part of our life to be done. 

I don’t mean to sound selfish, I guess I am just in a mood today.  I love him and the FANTASTIC job he does.  I even encouraged him to put in his paperwork to become a Supply Officer 9 years ago.  I think I knew then in the back of my head that we were in this for the long haul.  I know if he had stayed in the Nuclear field that he was in when he was enlisted  we would not still be doing this Navy thing. 

I am thankful for the opportunities we have had to travel across Europe and live in Germany those three wonderful years.  I have made long lasting, wonderful friendships along the way that I TREASURE.

I am thankful some of the things my children have been able to see and do because of our lifestyle.  I am also sad about some of the things they have had to endure.  I think I struggle with that part the most. 

Ahhh, okay, enough venting for the day.  Just came on to post about the fact that seven years from now Rodi will be able to retire….. now we just have to wait and see if he will actually do it.  That is an entirely different story!

I feel an explosion of hormones approaching….

Have I told you how glad I am NOT to be on the board of the parents association for JJ’s gymnastics team?  I AM THRILLED!  There are so many issues going on right now and you can be on this side or that side or just sit idly by and wait for the explosion of  hormones to happen.  Oh yeah it’s going to happen, and soon.

Do you love being part of a group where you are asked to do something but then not given the information or tools to actually accomplish the goal?  Well there is a lot of that going on.  Some of the ladies (that is probably the key word “ladies”) feel as if the board members don’t really want the help, they just want to do it all by themselves, so they aren’t going to give out the information needed such as the budget.  Ugghhh we are hosting a meet in 2 weeks and I think these women may end up hurting each other.

There are without a doubt issues that need to be addressed, such as, the fact that minutes aren’t being read and then motioned for approval.  OH and a big thing…. there is NO knowledge of a treasure’s report.  It is in the bylaws that we are given a report at each monthly meeting, but that might be sharing a tad too much information I guess. 

It really stinks to have a daughter in one of the lower levels on the team.  The upper level moms sometimes treat you as if you have no opinon, or just that yours doesn’t count.  It is sort of like being a freshman in high school all over again.  I am so over it!

The past month in review….

I am still here really, I am.

JJ and Nina began gymnastics last month.  They are doing great and JJ has already moved from level 1 to level 3.  Level 4 is when she can start competitions….. I am hoping she is in level 3 for a while.

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JJ got her braces this past week.  What an experience this is going to be.  Poor thing has been eating scrambled eggs, soup, and mashed potatoes for the past 3 days as her teeth are SO sore.

Funny thing happened while JJ was getting her braces put on.  I was sitting in the room with her trying to hold her hand or foot (whatever I could hold and not be in the way) when I looked up and saw a familiar face.  I could not believe what I was seeing.  There she was kids in tow (much bigger than the last time I had seen them) and she had a new baby in her arms…. it was S. Tackett!!!!  I hadn’t seen her in 5 years.  We lived near them in Germany when our babies (Nina used to be one back then) were not even 18 months old yet.  Here we are in Virginia in an Orthodontist office of all places having a reunion!  Poor JJ had been left to deal with the pain as hugs and introductions to the newest addition of her family were made.  We exchanged information and then I headed back to my seat where I could keep a watchful eye on JJ.  She never really knew I was gone…at least I hope that is the story we are sticking to. *grin*

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Bubs finished off his wrestling season last Saturday.  He had 8 boys in his bracket and he finished 4th.  It wasn’t what he had hoped for since he had placed 1st in last years final matches.  It took some time to explain to him the differences this year, 1) he was a year older and in a new bracket where he is one of the younger kids not one of the older ones 2) he lost out on a lot of practice and match time this year due to his ankle injuries 3) THIS IS NOT THE OLYMPICS…. you did great, you had fun, and BONUS you placed 4th.

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Moe is doing good.  He accidentally did a front hand spring in the front room the other day.  He really didn’t mean to.  He was trying to do a very fast forward roll, threw his arms down and before he could ever get his head to the floor his legs went up and over and ta-da he was standing again.  It surprised even him.

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Rodi is on leave this week so we are taking our spring break from school.  We have something to do each and every day this week, something fun that is.  No school just time as a family to goof off, relax and enjoy being a family.

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I read something on another blog and it has really been stuck in my mind all day…… I just wish I could remember where I read it!!!!  If it seems to be something you have read as well please let me know so I can give them proper credit. I am probably not even quoting it exactly *sigh*

“Say yes more often so that when you say no they know you mean it”

This was referring to the raising of children, and I found it to be quite a powerful statement.  One to ponder anyway.

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Last but not least…. you MUST check out this blog! I was rolling in laughter as I read it today.

Just because

Just because I should be sleeping and am instead sitting here at the computer I thought I would share what I never thought I would be doing when I grew up…..

Never in a million years did I think I would live where I live and have COWS.

Never did I think one of the things on my to do list would be “call Mr. E about getting a round bale of hay”

Never did I think I would be on the board of a youth wrestling league

Never did I think I would be homeschooling my children

Never did I think I would be married with FOUR children

Never did I think I would be e-mailing and talking long (very long) distance to my husband rather than eating dinner with him and discussing the daily events.

Never did I think my Faith would play such a HUGE  role in my DAILY  life.

Never did I think I would be  interested in politics

Never did I think I would clapping and cheering for events such as going “poo in the potty”

Never did I think I would dread doing laundry quite as much as I do.

Never did I think that all these things would make my life feel so full and wonderful.  Some may seem to be a great challenge at times, but still, they make me who I am and for that I am thankful. Very thankful.

Insert Title Here

So tonight I tried really hard to come up with some  great post for all of you….sorry just not that creative today and the kids well they were actually pretty calm.  Drats the rotten luck…HA-HA!

As I write this my blog stats are at 999.  This amazes me that my site has been viewed that many times.  I was only at 498 on Thursday of this past week.  I think some of the new traffic has come from the fact that Mrs. Ghost mentioned me in her blog.  You should go and check hers out too.  That way I feel like I am returning the favor.  She says I am amuzing *giggle* She needs to be around me when I get really tired, she would either be amused or be calling the professionals for the striaght jacket. *grin*

Do you think it is proper etiquette to thow a blog party when you reach 1000 views???  How would one do that?  Crud maybe it should be happening right now.  Maybe as I sit here and type someone is looking at my blog. 

Well come on y’all (I can say that now that I am a southern gal *grin*) put on your party hats.  I think since this is a blog for Rodi  we will have to insist that the music be Jimmy Buffet. It must be a Navy thing?  So what should we play first? Maybe since Rodi is out to sea we should start with a bit of Son of a Son of a Sailor?   I can’t handle Buffet for too long so if you are with me on that just hang in there and I’ll get Mr. DJ to change his tunes shortly. *grin*

Now back to the party…

Who invited the guy with the mullet????  I think he thinks it was a costume party.  I hope he didn’t pay too much for that cut. 

Door prizes…oh shoot I knew I forgot something.  Bummer about that.  But hey I have tons of reading reward coupons for my kids.  Want to stay up an extra 15 minutes past bedtime, or how about spending $1 at the candy store downtown???  You could be the lucky winner.  Did you not get a ticket as you entered the blog door?  No?  Well someone is  going to hear about that, don’t worry. Good help is hard to find these days.

Okay the Buffet music has to go.  Let’s go for some 80’s tunes to see what the guy in the Mullet can do on the dance floor.  Should be interesting.  Let’s see maybe Walk Like an Egyptian  by the Bangles.  Is that mean?  To make you listen to the Bangles, I mean.

Hey who’s burning the popcorn over there?  Nothing worse than burnt popcorn.

Game time….  No one likes party games so why do we play them???  It’s my blog so I say NO GAMES!

Okay I have to go and mingle with some of my other VIP’s.  I hope you have fun at my 1000 views party.  Feel free to make your music requests to the D.J.  I’ll order some pizza and wings in a bit.  We are a dry blog, but the Soda is on me tonight so enjoy!

Oh and to the person searching for “zebu bird” and came across my blog…. I hope you were not disappointed to find that Zebu are cows ya silly goose! 

For the blogger searching about “stinky grass under pool” are you trying to tell me something????

Maybe they are here tonight.  If someone sees them could you point them out to me I want to make sure I introduce myself. 

Okay everyone mingle and most of all have fun!
 

Seriously????

For those of you who are wordpress bloggers and know how the whole dashboard thing works.  You know that there is that  section that says what words peopled searched for to find your blog.   How on earth do they come up with some of these terms????

 Yesterday I had one that said “took down pool stinky grass”

What is that all about.  I guess I mean what on earth does that have to do with my blog?

Tonight was the best though….

“lost remote can’t turn off ceiling fan”

Oh I rolled in laughter when I saw this.  I don’t think I blogged about it but maybe I did.  Our little Moe lost our remote a while back and I couldn’t turn my lights above the dinning room table on. I couldn’t even adjust the speed of the fan.  It was just stuck where it was when the remote had last been used.  I even went so far as to turn off the main breaker and then turn everything back on to see if it would reset…. nope.  It really was going to be a long dark winter but a few people came to help me out along the way and now we can see again!  I actually think Moe threw the darn thing away as he is VERY helpful that way.  He likes to say “garbage” and then promptly throws away what is in his hand.  Unlike the other children he actually uses the trash can.

What terms out there will find me next?

It Figures….

Yesterday  with all the chaos and spilt milk I found myself rubbing my chin quite a few times trying to figure out just how to solve the latest problem.  As evening grew closer I noticed a tender spot on my chin. ”Huh”

This morning I woke up to see the newest wonder of the world looking back at me in the mirror….. I have a zit!  Yep one of those volcano types.  It only figures that I am actually leaving the house today and will be meeting people for the first time. 

“Pardon me for looking sideways as we talk. I just don’t want this to explode all over you”

Oh yeah, no make up in the world is going to cover this baby.

I made it through my teens pretty much acne free.  Now that I hit my 30’s I can count on having at least one monster every  month.

After lunch I took JJ to her Jr. Lego League Day Camp.  I know as we were sitting there in the van she was looking at me it thinking to herself….

“that looks painful, will I have to get those when I am as old as mom?” 

Oh I could see the look of fear in her eyes trust me.  She was just being polite and not saying anything.

We pulled up to the building and I thought that maybe she would be okay to walk in on her own.  Okay she is 8, I know that and therefore did get my teenage acting self out of the van and escorted her inside.  I was quick though, in and out!

She was probably thankful that she didn’t have to introduce me and my growth to everyone. 

“Hi this is my mom and her pet Helga”

Yes, Helga, that is what we should call it.  Well maybe not, I don’t want to offend any beautiful Helga’s out there in blog world.  Crud I don’t want it to be around long enough to have a name.

Okay I will pretend to be in my 30’s now and act less like I am 15.  I tell you though I hope someday soon I can say

“I don’t really remember the last time I had a zit”

Please tell me it will be someday soon. 

Today I…

• Learned that green dry-erase marker will come off the wall with the help of Mr. Clean and his handy dandy Magic Erase sponge.
• Learned that red dry-erase marker will not come off no matter what you try.
• realized we own WAY too many VHS movies
• heard Sunny say “Pretty Bird”
• was comforted by the loving voice of Rodi.  No matter the distance his voice always make me feel better.
• Went into complete panic mode when the fire alarm went off while I was on the treadmill at the YMCA.
• Prayed that all the kids were safe and being led out of the building by responsible adults.
• wanted to give the child who pulled the fire alarm “just because” a real long lecture.
• signed the kids up for a homeschool PE class at the YMCA
• Reflected on my “I Love You” moment from yesterday as Bubba reverted to that my way or the highway 10 year old once again.
• Realized a locked door doesn’t always mean it’s locked.
• had to just let some things go
• Talked to my mom
• took a moment to look out the window and smile at the green grass and the Zebu happily grazing
• didn’t scoop anything in the barn
• got joy out of watching Bubba do curls with 5lb weights
• Mopped my kitchen floor TWICE
• realized with enough loose change (that hadn’t yet found it’s way to the vacation fund jar) you can scrape up just enough for a lemon-berry slush from Sonic.
• looked at the house and just knew it was going to be a long day and an even longer night.

House or a 3 Ring Circus you Decide

4 kids, dance classes, scouts, homeschool, 4 zebu (cows), a deployed dad, and one very tired mamma.

In Circus terms I guess you would say that Moe is the ringmaster.  Today we had to chase Moe through the house in fear that he would sit his then exposed stinky bum down on something (can we say eeeewwww).   Then while I was giving the other kids their Friday Spelling test Moe was off being artsy.  I found out as I walked down the hall and saw one doodle after another beautifully scribbled across the wall, correction walls (5 to be exact)  I thought he had gone to get his sippy cup.  Maybe that is what he started to do when he became distracted by the stray marker.  Did I mention that it won’t wash off.

Laundry is done….well sort of it still needs to be folded and put away.  The dishes were loaded and the magic wash button pushed, but the cycle stopped half way through and now I still have dirty dishes.  Only now I have more of them.

Bubba and JJ started painting Bubba’s room earlier this week and I have not had time to finish it yet.  I promised it would get done this weekend.  Looks like I will be rolling some paint tonight.

 Bubba and JJ have started their research projects and I think it may involve a guinea pig at some point in time.

I have started to clean out the storage closet upstairs….WHY do we have all this junk?!

Still fitting in my time at the YMCA so that I can keep moving towards my goal for the year as well.

Putting together another package to mail out to Rodi.  I am thinking that finding room to send the originals of Moe’s art masterpiece might be hard so maybe just some photo prints instead. *sigh*

We had some rain last night and that has made the Zebu quite happy in the pasture.  Today they are quite easy to care for.  Just a little barn scooping in the morning and they are pretty much good to go.  As long as they don’t escape the fencing that is.

 I feel as if it is just go, go, go all the time.

Must find time to take a class on meditation *grin*

Countdown observations…

There I was sweating more than I care to sweat, even my forearms were glistening. Looking at the timer as it counted down….4min 53 sec…..4min 34sec…..

I can do this, I know I can.  60 min of cardio on a machine that showed no forgiveness for an aging, overweight body.  I think this machine actually harbored ill feelings for having to hold so much excess bagage so early in the day.  I was almost there, I could see the finish-line right in front of me.  The more I looked at those blinking lights the longer the countdown seemed to take.

I decided to divert my eyes and take a quick glance around the room and see what else I could focus on.

 I was on the machine next to the elipticals and studiously perched on the machine to the left of me was Pastor Perry (not sure what Church he is a pastor at).  He was moving up and down at a very quick pace and had been doing such since before I arrived.  He was diligently reading and marking his scriptures all while holding a separate paperback book in his other hand.  He was going back and forth between the two all while moving at a pace that I couldn’t even pretend to keep up with.

3min 46sec…… 

Over in the free weight section were the highschool boys getting ready for the upcoming football season. They were spotting eachother and chatting with the young girl who was working this morning. 

3min 02sec…..

On the floor mats, a mom and her 2 kids.  They are there almost every day.  They start on the floor doing stretches that make my legs ache.  Then they move to the hand weights.  They do curls and various lunges before heading out of the fitness room and off to the pool.

2min 16sec…..

I could not see the weight machines behind me but I could give you a pretty good guess of who was over there.  I am sure it consisted of 2 gentlemen in their late 60’s lifting amazing amounts of weight.  I know this because I often get a machine after they have finished and well… I have to change the weight setting to a much lower weight after they are done.  Sad I know.  I would also guess that there were 3 ladies, 2 in their late thirties to early fourties, and 1 in her sixties.  I usually get to the machines when they are just finishing up.  None of us are in stellar shape but we are doing our best to get healthier and tone up.

1min 26sec……

Then there are the treadmills….. what is it about the treadmills and their attration to the Barbie and Ken genre.  Oh you know the ones who come in a perfectly matched workout outfit.  Those who show the rest of us what a tone body is supposed to look like.  Those who get the machine going so fast you have to turn up whatever you are listening to, just to block out the rattle and hum of the treadmill.  Then there is the sound of their shoes hitting the mat at such a pace your toes go numb in hopes that you will not try to compete with such insanity.  Do you know that group I am talking about? They drive me crazy….. so why do I wish I could wake up my feet and be part of that group?  Getting married to Rodi so young I can’t really say, but I would imagine it is a lot like being a bridesmaid and never the bride.

10…6..3,2,1 FINISHED! 

I did it.  I have done an hour of cardio before but not on this machine.  It really worked my lower half hard!

Off to see who is left on the weight machines.  9 machines 3 sets of 12 here I come ready or not.  That ready or not was meant for me not the machines. *grin*