I've been tagged!

Ok. Here is my version of the rules.

You have to write 6 random things about you.

Then you have to say you are done.

Next, you have to tag 6-ish people. (here is the problem)

and then you are done. I don't have "blog friends" to tag!

So, here goes with part one. I will work on part two..which is the actual tagging.

Random Things:

1. When I have the chance to sit back and relax, I always seems to find something to do. I could be just chilling out, but no that is not for me. I do it every time and then I get upset because I should take the time and DO NOTHING.

2. I love to be organized and things need to be neat. I am always working on this. I realize it is never done, but it is always in the "work in progress" stage which again is nutty. I think it is the four other people, three of which are kids, who throw me off my game. I am a clutter organized-be aware of that.

3. On that note, I keep things. Not the average things, but I have this thing about maybe needing it for later. I am finding this to be a family trait. Don't worry, I am not one of those people who hoard scraps of paper, but I think I am conserving for later.  I know this is a family thing because I have seen my Dad's area in the basement and my Papa's house. It is when I saw how he saved shopping bags that this revelation came to me. That is something I have a hard time parting with!

4. I am horrible with computers, but like to use them. I am known for clicking too much and freezing up technology. I get it, but have no patience for all the ins and outs of it sometimes. I cannot imagine working with technology. 

5. I think about weird topics like why kids today act the way they do  and educational philosophy etc. I have these theory thoughts. Maybe I should have been a psychologist?

6. I love driving to work in the morning. Nothing better than radio, quiet and a cup of joe. I hate waking, dressing and preparing in the AM. The drive in makes it worth it. I like working-not the stress! Some moms are just workin' mom. 

Done!

Post-Halloween fallout

We had a really great Halloween. Well, most of it. There was some girl drama from the busy newly Kindergarten-ized five year old. She did not make it more than an hour. It was a long Friday and parties at school to boot. We went into the village to have some real trick or treat fun. Everything was in full swing on this mild autumn night. The one house that is decorated to the nines is a bit scary because you could lose one of your kids there for sure. They really deck it out with I would guess about 20 "blow-ups" ...my kids call them. Those inflatable lawn things people love at about a hundred a pop. We made our way around and then back to a quieter, but heavily decorated section. By this time, L. was in the van with my parents waiting to be done. We ventured down the way and came to a house with persons dressed and lunging out  at you. We had some fun there and then made our way down the street back to our van. All of a sudden we heard this blood curling screaming and a loud motor. Everyone in our group, adults included, turned and I even screamed. A large man was chasing a young girl with a huge chainsaw down the middle of the street. It was right out of a movie. A Halloween two eight year olds will not forget for some time.

Fly-by-tober

Yikes. This month has flown. I have been mostly and completely in charge of two extra events at work and that has made things especially crazy. As I write, the dog is joining in on the craziness at our house. We have adjusted to our new schedules and such, but we are always on the run. The kids are limited in activities now so that is even scarier. I decided that I need an "activity" so I am working on actually joining the local YMCA. Have I done that yet? Hence the complacent.

What just happened explains my life. The dog was tearing something up. Woke up my daughter as two boys screamed for different things at once. Things are really not that drastically different than a few years ago. Just different requests that are better spoken or yelled at me sometimes.

I decided to join the gym for ME. Yes, no more bragging about what my kids do. I can butt in and say, "Guess what new activity we started?" The gym. They can oodle that my kids work out, but then a hush will fall over the schoolyard as I dare, incredulously to do something for myself. I owe me. Life is too, too short.

I will get through these days. They are blur, but we all have them. Can't wait to relax a little and sit back more than I do. November will bring that. Maybe?...yes, I will make it happen.

Running On Empty...Already!

It is the third week of school. Usually the year builds up and things start to generate into a nice roll. Not this year. We began with unusual circumstances and I was behind at work before things really began. So many things to begin and all at once. It always gets done, but it is the urgency of the work and deadlines. The kids are feeling the same with instant demands. Thankfully, all three children go to a school with mandatory recess. Don't we all need that sometimes???
I need some recess to blog, chill out and enjoy my daughter learning to tie her shoes. Sorry for the minute of relaxation...the demands of my kids return. Playdates...watch me...screaming over homework.....Is it Friday yet?

First Days of School

There has been so much going on....L. is off to Kindergarten. She did great the first morning. She did not look back and was beaming. I was OK. I was weepy, but I did not do the "ugly cry." That was good. I think I was cried out. Anyhow, she is having more trouble on subsequent mornings, I think, from exhaustion. She is not a morning gal. A bit crabby...like her mom. The boys seem to like their new teachers and kids with them. We are off to a busy start!

Great-Grandpa

While we were gone, Great Grandpa passed away. He was only sick for about two weeks. I thought we really had more time. I think that in a way it was what he would have wanted. He did not want to be in pain or in a nursing home after he saw what Grandma went through. We will miss him and he had a bond with the kids. It is hard to believe he is gone. He was always there- a constant. Even though you know something like this might happen, it is still hard. He had a great life. I hope that I was able to honor him in a eulogy I read at his funeral. He was so proud to be a Purple Heart Marine-he just attended a reunion August 14th. He taught us the Marine principles of courage, honor and hard work. One day recently, I was thinking that if he had not survived both Malaria and being wounded in action, that our family would not be here. Grandpa was the definition of tough. He never all his life felt pain. Perhaps that was a blessing. You are a huge part of who we are, Grandpa, and I hope we can honor you in our lives.

Cape Cod Adventure

Last week we embarked on a new adventure: the family vacation. We went with friends of ours to a house in Hyannis...on the Cape. It was a beautiful place with so much to see. It looks like a small litte loop, but it is so much bigger. The beaches were beautiful and calm. The views were spectacular. It was a fun 11 hour trip down as we picked up Catie and Abbie, our friends' teenage daughters, from a running camp in PA. The looks you get when you have five kids. That is what we got when we went to McD's and forked over about 40 bucks. People stopped and stared at our psuedo-large family. I cannot imagine it. We staying in a gorgeous "cape" style house right down the street from the Kennedy Compound and not far from Squaw Island where Maria and Gov. Arnold were staying for the holiday weekend. We did some Kennedy "stalking" and walks to the post office. We did see Teddy and his son on the boat dock. The kids saw the paparazzi stalking for real-lawn chairs and big lenses. We had a monster lobster bake at the house, a "tour" of Cape Cod potato chips, lots of shopping, a trip to Martha's Vineyard on the ferry, eating lots of "lobsta," and lots of family time, laughs and fun. There was even an appearance by the now infamous "Cape Cod Man." He serves a mean stinger.