Catfish

I few weeks ago one of my friends, Cathy Birch moved away.  They gave us their fish, which they called "Chicken Fish".  We call it "Son of a Birch" (Not really... just thought it was funny!) Anyway, our cat, Tipsy has discovered the fish and she tries REALLY hard to reach it.  She can get her head in the jar, but then her paw won't fit. Or, she gets her paw in as far as she can, then she can't see what she is doing.  The fish doesn't seem to be disturbed at all, but it is sure entertaining to watch!

Snowy Day

We woke up to about a foot of new snow this morning.  I don't know the official amount, but it looks like at least a foot to me!  I shoveled off half of the cement pad in front of our garage, so Tony could get out to work.  He got stuck further out in the driveway and had to be pushed out.  Then, one of the school busses got stuck down at the far end of our road, so the other busses wouldn't go down there.  My kids had to get on out at the corner.  The kids further down the street just didn't get picked up. However, our school district did not cancel school. I think we were the only ones within 50 miles that had school today.  As I continued to shovel snow, with aching back and frozen toes, my kind neighbor came over with his snow blower and cleared out our whole driveway, clear to the road.   I was so grateful!  Then I went to help out a few neighbors who had gotten stuck in their driveways. Jacob and I left a half hour earlier than usual to get to school, and it's a good thing we did.  Cars were stuck all over the place!  The roads in town had not been plowed at all and people were sliding and couldn't get up the hill.  We made it safely, but it took a long time!  After getting home this afternoon, I baked an apple pie to take to my helpful neighbor!  It was kind of a fun day, but boy are my back and arm muscles aching.  I hope I can move tomorrow!  This picture is pretty fuzzy, but it is the path we shoveled out to the chicken coop in the back yard. 

Maple Bacon Hot Dog

Tonight for our dinner, Tony and I went to a little shack called the "Dog House".  We got a maple bacon dog.  It consisted of a hot dog, wrapped in bacon and deep fried.  Then it is put in a "bun" that is actually a maple bar.  Add a little barbecue sauce and dinner is complete!  It was surprisingly good, but my stomach sure feels heavy hours later.  We are going to make a home-made version for the super bowl, so come on over if you want to try it! 

Last IEP :/

Today I had an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) with Erik at the high school.  I have been going to these meetings for my boys for the past 15 years!  This was the last one!  Erik will graduate in the spring, and hopefully Em will not ever need these meetings.  Basically, this is where the parents, child, school staff, therapists, etc., meet together and make a "plan of action" for the child, outlining goals, accommodations, and evaluating progress.  I have an odd mix of feelings about this last meeting...... joy, relief, fear, hope, uncertainty.....  I am really proud of the progress my kids have made, but it is also scary to have them become adults, without the support of the schools and others to depend on.  What a crazy journey!

Super Tracker

This semester I am taking a nutrition class.  I took one a long time ago and really enjoyed it.  I remember having to keep track of everything I ate, measuring the amounts, and doing long, complicated math equations to figure out the nutritional value of my diet.  Now, my class is having me use a site, www.supertracker.usda.gov, to keep track of my diet.  I just started this morning but it has been really fun and easy to use and has motivated me to eat better.  I tried really hard to get in all my food groups, and found that the vegetables are the hardest to consume enough of.  It keeps track of servings, calories, and even individual nutrients.  I am excited to use this tool to help me become more aware of my food choices. 

Dance party

It is really cold outside...my car said -22 degrees when I went to church this morning.  Yesterday for some exercise we had a family Wii dance party.  It was really fun, so I took a short video to show all of my family how we exercise when it is too cold to go out.  Enjoy!  

Daddy's Girl

Happy Birthday today to the best dad in the world.... mine!  I am so grateful that you taught me to wish upon stars, to work hard, to enjoy the peaceful moments, and to believe that I am a princess.  I love you dad!!!!

Feeling better

Sorry about the pity party blog last night..... things are looking much brighter today.  Jacob and I both enjoyed our classes, at work I had $28,884 worth of merchandise go through my register and I still balanced at the end of the day, I am mostly prepared for the autism support group tomorrow, and Tony got a plumber from the college to come look at our water problem and found that the washing machine hook-up was leaking.  So, we don't have to tear into the walls to find the problem, and it only cost us a plate of cookies!  There will have to be some scraping, patching, and painting, but I think we can handle that.  I am feeling less out of control and able to think more clearly... it is amazing what a new day and a plate of cookies can do for a person! 

A little Stressed

I am almost overwhelmed tonight.  I knew that I had a full week ahead with Jacob and I starting college classes again, working all week, helping my best friend move away, an autism support group meeting to run, and lots of Relief Society stuff to do this week.  Then, tonight Em spotted a blister on the living room ceiling, about the size of a cereal bowl.  It is directly under the kids bathroom.  We popped it to let the water drain, called several local plumbers and left messages on their machines, and shut off the water supply to the toilet and sinks in the kids bathroom.  I think that the wall/ceiling is going to have to be torn into to find the leak and get it fixed, because there is no visible source of the water.  I am worried about the mess, the cost, etc.....  I know that it is really quite a small issue in the grand scheme of things, but it seems to be the straw that tipped my stress level.  Makes me question the wisdom of working this job, taking so many credits, and assuming so many responsibilities. 

Back to Real Life

I have to say that I have really enjoyed the sleeping in, eating junk, no appointments or classes, etc... of the past few weeks.  Today the kids went back to school, Tony went back to work, we got up at 6-30, I went to work at the university store, and the vacation is over.  School starts again for me and Jacob next Monday.  It was really nice while it lasted, but it was also getting kind of boring and I was getting antsy to work and accomplish something.  It is good to have changes in our lives to keep us happy and appreciative of all the good things we enjoy in our lives. 

On another note... it is really cold!  Right now it is below zero.  The chickens have had their eggs freeze inside the hen house, and I hate to think what my heating bill will be!  Makes me glad to have a warm home!