Our Halloween fun 2012

Whew- It's been a busy few weeks around here! - (such as the Mom Mayhem life ;) some things have not been so fun like Dr's visits and calling the plumber out -but, there's also been fun times too- Like during fall break a couple of weeks ago we had some out of town guests to entertain and pretty good weather so, it was a perfect time to go out and about -We went to Oktoberfest, The zoo, and of course the pumpkin patch:

 

Then this past weekend it was time to carve/decorate the pumpkins -we were so busy we did a simple carving and the kids painted their little pumpkins:

 

 

And then of course last night it was Halloween! My son has been going through the Avenger costumes the past few years -he's been Iron Man, Thor, and this year he was the Hulk. My daughter went as a witch:

 

We had a fun time going out around the neighborhood trick or treating:

 

 

Oh and I should also mention that my son was in the assembly at school yesterday for being 1 of the students of the month!

 

(They had their costume day last friday at school)  So, we had a fun and busy Halloween - Hope you had a good one too!

A new Friday Five

It's been quite awhile since I've done a Friday Five and I got some inspiration from my son's Thursday folder to do one. At my son's school they send a folder home on Thursday's to give us any papers to bring home and also if there's anything we need to sign and return the next day-etc. Anyways yesterday's folder had a writing portfolio: 

I think it's so cute to see his drawings and his writing of course he can't quite spell everything correctly yet -some things we have to ask- what does that say? I guess they mostly write about things they have done/ places they've been. And - here's 5 things from the writing portfolio:

 

1.

 

 

I went to the zoo

 

 

2.

 I got ice cream

 

 

 



 

 

3.

I went to go shopping

 

 



 

4.

 

 I play Skylanders

 

5.



 

 I went to play soccer

 

 

Sorry if the pics and descriptions are not in a uniformed place it was giving me problems -But, there you have the Friday Five - Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Reviewing The Time Keeper

Finishing up the Time Keeper with the RHOK 

From Chapter 21 'til the end of the book... As I mentioned before I somewhat could relate to Sarah being not the most popular teen aged girl and being so excited that a boy was interested in her -only to have a broken heart in the end. I remember a piece of advice that we'll probably all experience a broken heart- probably more than once and will probably cause a few broken hearts along the way as well -just how it works out sometimes- and it takes time to recover. Unfortunately Sarah did not give time to heal as she felt ready to give up on time itself. It's true sometimes we feel to the world we are nothing but one person but, to one person we may be the world. I enjoyed how towards the end of the book the characters -Dor, Sarah,& Victor, got all mingled together. And luckily the book did end in a happily ever after kind of way - maybe somewhat of a stretch -But, we all like happy endings don't we ;)
Overall I enjoyed the book- an interesting take on time and father time-makes you reflect on such things. And it does remind me of that saying- yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, and today is a gift -that's why it's called the present.
See ya next time around!

The Time Keeper -Part 2

Continuing with the RHOK in reading The Time Keeper:

Now we've read to Chapter 21 - We see the characters Dor, Nim, and Alli grow up - I know they are not gods but, I can't help to imagine the brothers Dor and Nim as Thor and Loki like (in the Avengers) -just how I picture them.  Anyway Dor continues to be a measurer of things and eventually measures time -something that struck me -he was the originator of time -he was "Ahead of his time - Consider the many phrases with that word time we use today -Pass time, Waste time, Kill time"  -etc. As I mentioned in my prev. post on this I couldn't imagine not having a schedule of the months, days, hours, and minutes. And it is strange being a stay at home mom because the days can vary from a busy trying to make it on time to this appt. or that event kind of day to a somewhat wasting time kind of day. At this point I don't necessarily identify with any specific character but, yet do also maybe see a glimpse of myself in some of them. As Sarah's story continues I can somewhat relate to that  -But, will talk about it more when we finish out the book -  Until next Time...

Time to join the RHOK for an online book club

I know I haven't been too active in the bloggy world with all things going on in ya know- life. But, with everyone getting caught up in my real life book club and us getting all settled into the back to school schedule around here -It seems like a great time to join the RHOK in reading The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom:

 

 

A description from the back cover: Banished to this cave he listens to the world's plea for more time. He has been here for an eternity: He has given up hope. But a clock ticks for all of us, silently, somewhere. Soon Father Time will be free -To return to earth -And finish what he started...

And so the story begins: We hear some of these pleas for time - a teen aged girl getting ready for a date needs more time, a dying man who wonders how much time he has left. We also go back to when father time was a child -Dor- playing with other kids -Alli and Nim. I was also struck by Dor's counting -the first person to attempt this -counting and making numbers -Which is why God is watching him... 

Can I imagine a day without keeping time? -Honestly no I can't.  It is true we have are schedules -and to best keep up with them we have an alarm clock to wake us up on time, try our best to make it to school and such on time, and what time is school/ work is over? What time should we eat dinner to make it on time to such and such event that is marked on the calendar?   I was also stuck by this as humans we worry about time - "Birds are not late;a dog does not check it's watch" -etc.  -Hmmm...

I am not sure what I hope to gain from reading this book -I'm sure we could all use an appreciation of time - But, yes I am intrigued and enticed to read more. It was very hard to not to read more -I've read ahead some but next we'll read to Chapter 20  -Until next time...

Back to School and More

The kids have been back to school for a couple of weeks now -trying to get back into the routine of things. It's been kinda of tough the waking up earlier and everything. Also the week before school started my son had a really bad ear infection and when I say bad I mean like nothing I've seen before bad ... blood and other drainage came from his ear on a Sunday so took him to the minor care. Even though I was kinda freaking out they seemed somewhat nonchalant about it saying that it happens sometimes. They prescribed him ear drops and an antibiotic. He was pretty out of it most of that week -at times he did say some pretty funny things in his delirium though - he rested most of the time-it was really hard when he would wake up crying in pain at night we did give him med. for the pain and even took turns sleeping on an air mattress in his room -we gave him medicine, tried to get him to eat a little and pushed fluids since he didn't eat much. To our relief he finally started to get around more and get better by Thurs. But, then I kept noticing something didn't seem quite right -it wasn't all the time but sometimes when he'd talk he'd kind of talk out of the corner of his mouth I had looked up complications of ear infections which kind of helped but, of course can have you thinking the worst also - there was mention of the infection spreading like to the brain and stuff -I had also came across how when one side of the face doesn't move it could be Bell's Palsy we had him close his eyes and sure enough the left eye would squeeze shut all the way but, the right eye could only close to a little slit. I was sure we would definitely need to get it checked out by his Dr. -of course that Friday in preparation for school starting Monday I was to help get all the PTA stuff situated -my husband already had taken the day off to help -he took my son to the Dr. then I helped out at the school but, I was a bit of an emotional wreck. I found out the news by phone call- my family came up to the school later to meet my son's teacher and we explained the situation to her. By then I was ready to go home with my family -so I did- luckily there were a few other people handling the PTA stuff as I hoped they'd understand why I left early. I wanted to know more detail about what the Dr. had said -basically inside my son's ear was so swollen that it was affecting the nerves on that side of his face -we also setup an appt. with his E.N.T. -he currently already has tubes in as well. So my son missed some of the 1st day of school for that appt. we have seen the E.N.T. 3 times over the last couple of weeks and we have another appt. in a couple more weeks -hopefully by then everything will be back to normal *crossing fingers*.  So there's all that and of course getting all my daughter's school supplies and everything (Ugh -Teenagers a whole other issue). Anyways it seems we are finally starting to get into the swing of everything -my son is improving and now we're looking forward to a leisurely Labor Day weekend. Here's hoping to a good weekend -Happy Labor Day to you too!

Summertime and Reminiscing

Hello all -it has been awhile-Huh?! Hope it's been going good for all of you -it's been going ok here. We survived and enjoyed the "wedding season"- Congrats to all the newlyweds! And of course now it's been summertime- We had my daughter's bday party at Cherry Berry early in the summer, we've seen some movies -(Love Brave!),we've been swimming, and gone on a few trips -but you know me nothing too fancy just visiting family around the state. For the 4th of July we went to see the in-laws across the state and then this past weekend visited my dad and floated down the river. Along the way we've made a few stops to reminisce like where my husband and I got married (13 years ago now):

And I heard through the Facebook grapevine that the place where I and a few of my highschool buddies 1st worked was closing so made a stop there too -glad to make it on their last day after being open for 47 years! :

Overall been pretty good -but, that's not to say there hasn't been some Mom Mayhem along the way ;) - it's kinda tough with an energetic little boy and teenaged daughter-seems we're hardly on the same page as far as it being a lazy day or getting out of the house and soaking up the summer -but, we're trying. And luckily I still get to have a night out when I go to book club about once a week-seems during the summer I especially need those- hope it lasts but, with 2 of our members expecting a baby we shall see what's to come... Anyways got awhile longer for summer but, soon it will be time for back to school -Eeek!  Well, until next time -Ta Ta For Now!

An ode to Bethenny Frankel

So, as usual I watched the latest Bethenny ever after -I watched it last night but, missed the beginning so, just watched that part from the recording. I have to say I really like Bethenny and since I love reality tv -I even vaguely remember her from the Martha Stewart apprentice show (trying to remember was that only 1 season?) Anyway - There's some things I can relate to -family issues -I'm not estranged from my mom -but, it's a little complicated since my dad had custody of us growing up. And of course now Bethenny is trying to handle it all -career, marriage, & motherhood - Which by the way- sounds a little familiar -Handling the mayhem of marriage and motherhood *ahem* ;) Of course for Bethenny she had the career down and then the husband and kid -For me I have the kids and husband -still trying to figure out the career part... Anyways- I love how Bethenny is outgoing and will say anything -she cracks me up -1 of those things that I wish I could be more like-I am kinda shy myself. I am really glad that things in her life are going pretty well overall - of course there are going to be ups and downs- and it breaks my heart that bloggers and other media is giving out misinformation and maybe "attacking" her. Not that she'll ever read this but, if Bethenny perhaps does -just know there are bloggers that aren't like that -like this "mommy blog" and I'm a fan -and Good Luck on future endeavors!
So, anyone else been watching this show/ or a fan of Bethenny?

Birthdays, Weddings, and more!

Sorry it's been awhile again -Not that there's a lot of people reading this or anything -But, here's an update anyways... So, my new kitty did get better and I took him in to get neutered-shots and everything last week -He's doing fine -currently on my lap right now ;)

Made it through the company at our house and celebrating my son's birthday last month. We had his birthday party at an indoor soccer place. Never know how the weather will be in Feb. in Oklahoma so it worked out well. I learned last yr. a boy in my son's class that's in his class this year too also has a bday around that time -it's nice to get the "reciprocals"-(you come to our party and we'll go to yours ;) So, the next weekend we went to their birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese that was a Sat. and then that Sun. we went out to eat with family to celebrate my mom's birthday. So, yeah a few birthday celebrations around that time. Next up- is weddings! If everything goes as planned we'll attend a wedding in March,April, and May! Starting this weekend -We've gone shopping for "fancy wedding clothes" and such and hoping everything goes well. Other than that... everything is a bit up in the air -ever get that feeling like things are gonna change but, just not sure how - Been feeling like that lately. Things that used to be are not anyymore -not anything big or necessarily in a bad way-but, different nonetheless. For instance some things that usually keep me busy -PTA;Book Club -Seem a little different -On PTA our "core" group is not as tight as it once was -there have been statements even by the principal that "they want to move in another direction" maybe do a booster club or something but, no other information that I know as of yet. And on book club hopefully will get more info. soon but, did get a formal message that the host is thinking about cutting down on hosting-So? Just seems things are in a bit of state of flux -Not quite sure what to make of it all yet... Until next time -hope everyone has a good week/ St. Patrick's day weekend!

Cats part 2 and other craziness

In my last post I talked about how we had a stray cat that had kittens -that we were trying find homes for - you might recall how I took the mama cat to get spayed so, there wouldn't be more kitties. And then the next day a lady came and took the kitties we had left and the mama kitty -only to return the mama kitty later saying she had to go out of town because her mom was sick and she thought it best for us to watch the mama while she was still recovering from getting spayed.
We had decided to keep 1 kitty and so we let him and his mom keep each other company outside until the lady was supposed to come back and get the mama kitty -about a week later she didn't call. Her number was off my caller id -I did write her # down although messily I tried to call what looked like the # -But, it wasn't going through. I thought I might try again in a couple of days however a couple of days later the mama kitty disappeared- after not seeing her all that day I got worried -I thought maybe she was hit by a car or someone took her in -or ?? -I looked around the yard -didn't see or hear her meowing -even drove around the block -didn't see her dead on the road or anything -So? I brought the other kitty in -so, he could get used to the cat and dog we already have and get used to being inside -at night he'd climb onto our bed and being the kitten he is attack our feet -etc. A few days went by still no sign of the mama kitty and I also called to make an appointment for our new kitty to get shots/neutered-etc. The day before time to take the kitty to the vet -he threw up but, it didn't seem like normal hairball stuff -he continued to throw up on/off that night and the next morning -I took him into the vet -They looked at him and said he did have a fever and was dehydrated -they decided no surgery for him -they instead did a blood test-etc. and found he had parvo -Which is bad -they kept him overnight -the next day we brought him home force feeding him wet food and medicine. It has been a few days now- he is finally back to himself and has an appetite back-etc. I think he'll be fine but, it seems he probably got it from his mom and she probably didn't survive -now considering she was here for at least 6mos. -not sure where she got it-she was exposed to some other places -vet,lady that took her for a little while, -other stray cats -So ? Kinda sad of course.
But, we have a new addition to our home and he's adjusting. It will be a couple of weeks before we can schedule another appt. to get him neutered-etc. And it will be interesting to see how it all goes -Since my son's birthday is coming up and my sis in law and her boyfriend our coming to town and staying here. The in-laws -it seems most people who go across the state might stay for the weekend but, his family for some reason seems to think it's fine to stay for about a week -They will get here sometime tomorrow(Thurs.) and they might leave Mon. or Tues, -whatever they decide at the time -Ugh! I just can never get used to their timeline idea -also when we go to visit them -it's like their offended if we only stay a day or 2 -again -Ugh! I mean maybe if it was across the country or something I could see staying about a week- but it's about a 4 hr. drive at the most. So, yeah in the next few days we'll have company and celebrate my son's bday - We'll see how it all goes - To be continued...

Cats! And I'm not talking the musical...

Although I did see that musical when I was younger and liked it and of course I like cats in general - But, as you may recall over the summer I had a stray cat hang around and then she had kittens!
I've been trying to get rid of them ever since -and let me tell you it's been a journey! I avoided the craigslist option because I really hate giving random people my info. -it's hard enough to share my info. with people from facebook and via posters placed in a few places especially when say I'd give someone my address and then they don't come to see the kitties - so many calls/interest but, so little people actually taking the kitties! Last Thursday I even spent some $ to get the mom cat spayed so, we didn't have more kitties running around and then I got a call 1st from a lady who said she'd give my info. to her friend that could probably help- her friend called later... she basically runs a cat rescue -I told her the mama cat was currently at the vet -she wanted to look at the kittens though -since they were out in the backyard I rounded them up and brought them in- trying to keep them in 1 area-which wasn't that easy. And finally the lady called back saying she couldn't make it afterall - She did agree to bring a big cage the next day- Friday and take the mom and 3 kittens (We kept 1). She did in fact come and take them -until... later that day she called saying she already found a home for 2 of them and her friend is watching the other kitten but, she got a call to go out of town because of her sick mom and asked if I could watch the mama cat for awhile longer since she's still healing and everything -I agreed -so, right now still have the mama cat and the kitty we're keeping and of course the cat and dog we've had for about 8 yrs. But, wait that's not all! Also Friday about 9 at night I got a call from my sister who's out of town for training with her job she's had a friend check on her cats -3 of them (she took 1 of the kittens I had), Another 1 of her cats she's had awhile, and then a really old 1 that was inherited from our grandma - The really old cat -died! And she wanted us to go get the dead cat and bury it our yard -she was a little upset and everything -so, finally agreed to get the cat -we opted to not try to bury it at 10 at night and kept it in a tote until burying it Sat. -So, yeah pretty crazy - Ever feel like your on some crazy sitcom?! So, that's how it's been going around here. It hasn't all been a crazy year -some good things, some not so good things -Surviving -How's it going with you?