November

34 days till Christmas. I've been busy trying get get myself prepared for the holidays. The kids are always stressed out this time of year. They've been fighting amongst themselves more than usual. Everybody is tense and on edge.

Pickles has been grounded for all his bad grades + getting suspended...TWICE !
But he seems to be heading around a corner. We just had parent-teacher conferences this week and he's doing better. He actually has a B in geometry. Yes, folks you heard me correctly a "B". I'm proud of him, but I know he struggles with keeping up with his grades. He's getting a lot of help at school and that is working wonders for him.

The twins are doing pretty good in their first year of middle school. They love to talk and that is creating some issues for them. Overall they are doing well.

'Cole is also doing pretty good. She loses her focus every so often, but she knows what she has to do to pull her grades up.

As for me...
I'm just plowing along. lol Holidays are stressful for me because there always seems like there's too much to do and no time to do it. I'm a planner so it helps me to plan out everything. I've been spending so time rediscovering myself. I've been Mommy for so long, I've almost forgotten who Kathy is. I'm enjoying getting to know myself again.

That's all for now. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving !

When I Grow Up

It seems kinda funny for a 37 year old to wonder what she wants to do when she grows up, but I am wondering...

I always pictured myself travelling the world, kids in tow or sitting in a park, my entire family sketching in our sketch books. Pondering how the light reflects off the trees.

Instead I have a job I tolerate, a co-worker who makes me consider murder....daily. A life that is not as fulfilling as I'd like it to be. We've done so much this year and I feel pretty good about our adventures, but they've only left me wanting more. It's like a hunger I can't satisfy.... a thirst that can't be quenched.

If I could, I'd sell the house and spend a year travelling the world.

Maybe I'm feeling my mortality. Maybe it's because the kids are growing up. Whatever it is...I just don't feel settled anymore. My mind constantly says "let's go, let's go".

Maybe I just need a change of scenery. A new venue.
I have no idea what it is, but it feels almost primal. I feel like I should be anywhere, but where I am now.

Holiday Prep

I have considered running around in circles and screaming....but then no work would get done.

Wasn't it JUST August ?? How did we get to Thanksgiving so fast ?

Right now, the house is pretty quiet. The twins are at a sleepover. The teens are still in bed.

I've got carpet cleaners coming today, I've got some touch-up painting to do around the house somebody needs to give the dog a bath (he smells like bacon),
And of course my least favorite thing to do.....laundry.

But surprisingly enough I feel very relaxed. I'm only one person and I can only do so much.

I love love love the holidays, but this year I refuse to allow myself to be owned by them.

My Last Day of Vacation

I wish I could say I'm well-rested. But I'm not. lol
Friday night the twins had a sleepover party for their tenth birthday. Five girls ages 11 to 7. They polished their nails and played Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore and High School Musical Sing It! For the Wii.

I have to say if you don't have these games (and you own a Wii) you are missing out on HOURS of fun. Even the grown-ups who came to get their kids couldn't resist picking up the microphone. Best money I've spent on Wii games so far.

Anyway, I'm still trying to recover from staying up with the girls. Today I visited one of my favorite places (The Home Depot) to look at some flooring for our main bathroom. I went to lunch with my sister and her boyfriend. It was a lovely last day of vacation for me. I'm ready to go back to work.

Mommy-Alone Time

I'm off work this week for some Mommy-Alone Time. So far it's been a beautiful thing. (except for the laundry that I needed to catch up on) I spent yesterday reading a book outside on the patio. I watched Rowdy chase butterflies around the yard. It was divine. No one looking for me, or asking me anything for SIX whole hours.
Today is Granny's 70th birthday, so I do have to run to the store this morning. For her birthday dinner we're having lasagna, salad, garlic bread and she wanted Paula Deen's Is It Really Better Than Sex Cake.

I do have to go to Open House over at the middle school tonight.

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the children are on their merry way to school.

Yay !