Sights Family Weblog

Debt Free--well, kind of

Kevin is not nearly as excited about this as I am, however...we are officially credit card debt free.  We just paid the last credit card off tonight!!!  YEAH US!  I know that may not sound like a big deal, but we should be able to put more away into savings now without having to make those payments. I am so happy!!!  I say debt free...he however says we still have the house payment and car payments...but those are something we have to have right now (if we want to keep anything at all in savings).  Anyhow, I am feeling so relieved!  Tough economic times and no credit card debt!  Now I can sleep easier. Not that I was having any difficulty before, but you get the idea. 

On that note. It's Friday night and 9:00. I'm going to take my cold medicine and go to bed. My nose is cold and running and I'm tired. I'm sure I'll be back on here tomorrow!

Snoring = Sore Tongue

I was at a Sales Meeting for work and realized something.  Thank goodness I didn't have a roommate.  I couldn't sleep because the curtains in my room wouldn't come all the way together and because of that I could see two bright signs.  The signs made me feel like it was daytime in my room.  Well anyway, at 2:45 am I finally managed to get the curtains to stay together.  By then, I was exhausted. I fell asleep and woke up at 4:15--with my mouth open. 

I must have been snoring with my mouth open because my mouth was completely dry--any my tongue was stuck to my teeth--the molars.  I had to practically rip the flesh off to get my tongue to move.  I think I found random tastebuds loose in my mouth later (just kidding...I know, totally gross, but pretty funny!).  Anyway, now my tongue is sore on the sides.  So weird.  This kind of crap only happens to me. Or maybe I'm the only one who shares it!

Blue and Gold Banquet

Trevor had his Blue and Gold Banquet on Sunday.  It was a really long day!  We got there around 10:30 and didn't get home until 5:00.  I was beat by the end of the day.  It went pretty well. I was surprised at how rude some of the parents were--not all of the 225 that attended had eaten and some of the parents were sending their kids through for seconds.  (Can you tell I was one of those that hadn't eaten???)  Here are a few of the pictures. I liked the skit the kids did.  It was "American Stew" and they put in red white and blue (for courage...etc) and some stars,

and then they pulled out an American Flag.  Pretty cool.

   

Trevor also completed his Bear requirements (by doing his best)--they are still officially working on them.

Leeandra Cheering

Leeandra had another "Storm Sweeties" cheering event a couple of Friday nights ago. Here are the pictures.  In the video (which I'm not sure if I'm going to post), she had a very itchy nose.  She kept scratching it during the whole thing. Gotta love that kid!

 

 

I think Trevor went through the same stage...the "I'm going to fake smile in every picture and maybe eventually they'll quit taking my picture".

Mister Rogers

Have you ever had one of those days (weeks) where you are really grouchy?  And it is over something really small, something that if you told anyone else why you were grouchy they would think that you were being petty or were jealous of someone else?  So, you put on your "Everything is fine, I'm so happy" face. And you know what happens? People believe it. And then you have those moments in your head (while you are smiling) that you think like JD in Scrubs. You know...a whole scene plays out in your head but the person in front of you has no idea what you are thinking so they think everything is fine. Well, that's me. I'm grouchy over something that happened at work, that really isn't a big deal, but it really ticks me off. But I can't say that because it really isn't a big deal. So, I decided that since I don't normally feel this way, I needed to do something about it. Improve my mood. Make me nice...for real...not fake nice because when I get over this I really am a nice person nice.  I wasn't being a very nice Neighbor.

A couple of years ago, someone suggested I get, "The World According to Mister Rogers".  Now, when I was a kid, I totally remember watching that show. The only part I didn't like was the King puppet (even then, I didn't like puppets--more on that some other time). Mister Rogers has that, "Nothing is ever wrong in the Neighborhood.  And if it is, it will get better."  I needed that from someone (okay he's no longer living, so that makes it a little weird) that wouldn't judge me for feeling the way I am right now--or judge me in their head like I'm doing. So, I read his book again.  And it helped.  A little.  His entire philosophy is be good to yourself and to others and all will be good. Okay...that's Sarah version, but you get it. 

Today, I was a little better. Not quite as bitter...at least when I was nice it was mostly real.  And I felt a little more like myself.

I guess what I am getting at is, you really should get the book. It helps.  And he really truly was a good person. Trevor asked what I was reading last night and I showed him. He didn't know who Mister Rogers is. He has really missed out. I need to get him some DVD's of it.  What a great man. 

Here's a quote from his book.  Thought you might like it.  He just makes you feel good about the way you are feeling and that it is okay.

"I hope you are proud of yourself for the times you said "yes", when all it meant was extra work for you and was seemingly helpful only to someone else." --That quote makes me think of my Mom...do you know how much she did for the foster brothers and sisters we had?  She was President of the Foster Parent Association. I remember her organizing tons of stuff and never complaining.  Stuff that never benefited us...or her.  She just did it to help.  I hope I've learned that from her.  Thanks Mom.

So, I think about the one thing I'm irritated about and think, I said "yes".  It wasn't great.  It wasn't fun.  It was only helpful to someone else.  So, I guess I should be proud of what I did.  Maybe that's why my attitude changed a bit.  It's getting better every day.

Second String

Last night, we were in bed talking. I was really proud of myself that ALL of the laundry was done! Usually that last load never gets done over the weekend. Then Kevin ruined it. He said, "Yeah. You're like the second string team they put in for the last twenty seconds when they're already winning." I'm of course immediately offended. So, I asked what he was talking about. He said that while I was napping (did I mention that I took an hour nap?) he was working on laundry and there was no way it would have been done otherwise. Ugh. Total accomplishment mode killer.

Can't Sleep & Funky Feet

I was really tired, so I went to bed at 9:00 tonight. Yes, I know...it's Valentine's Day and I was out like a light by 10:00 p.m.  I'm not sure I didn't fall asleep before the kids. Anyway, it is now 2:00 in the morning and I can't sleep. I've been up since midnight. It's like my body thinks I just took a nap. But I still feel tired. You know the feeling...you wake up and your eyes feel gritty? I always feel like my face feels warm...kind of like a fever?  And I'm thirsty. So I drank a bunch of water. Um hello. Dumb. Now I keep getting up to go to the bathroom. Maybe that is the real reason I can't sleep. And Kevin is snoring. Not that I don't usually snore, but tonight, it is really annoying. Maybe because I'm jealous that he's asleep and I'm not. Ugh. Now I have to go brush my teeth again. When I can't sleep, I have to go through the whole routine of going to bed again. I, for some reason, can NOT sleep unless I have minty fresh breath. Weird I know, but it's true. There are nights that I will brush my teeth three or four times...it makes me feel better. I don't know if I think that I am warding off really bad morning breath (it doesn't work by the way). Maybe it is too warm in here. I don't know. I'm rambling. I actually came downstairs because I had some ideas for a project my Dad is working on. Not that they are any good, but I am going to keep a notepad by my bed so in the future I don't have to come downstairs to write down my ideas. Maybe that is what made me fully wake up. Or maybe it is my throbbing toe. Did I mention that my toe is hopefully getting fixed?

I have a toe problem. Okay...three toes have problems. They nails were a different color. I noticed it after I was getting pedicures regularly. Well, the podiatrist said that may be the cause of my toe problem. It is a fungus. I know, disgusting, but I must share. So, my darling husband (obviously not in the Valentine's Day spirit) has been giving me crap about these toes. Every night (I think he ponders this all day and saves them), he has been calling me all kinds of names.  Here are a few:

Tainted Toe

Funky Philange

Nasty Nail

Fungus Foot

He thinks he is so funny. I think I married a more sarcastic version of my Dad!!! They both think they are sooooo funny. Okay. So they are. And sadly, I have my Dad's sense of humor. Good thing we think we're funny. Because I'm not sure anyone else would!

So, they removed my toe nail (insert pause for gagging break) to get rid of the fungus. It was so cool. It hurts a bit, but I am hoping that this will fix the problem! No more pedicures for me!  All about the Ped Egg at home! We'll see if it truly works. It would be much cheaper if it did!!!

Now that I have overshared, I am going to try to go to bed. Again. And see what happens. Mahybe Kevin will quit snoring. I have to get up to be at Church by 7am tomorrow. I forgot that I was playing the keyboard this weekend and totally sucked it up tonight. I think I'm the real reason they have to be at practice so early tomorrow. I had to work today and missed the practice. I suck. At least nobody said anything! I'm sure it will be better tomorrow.

Did I tell you my cold is gone?  It makes me appreciate just how good it feels to not have a cold!  And Kevin's cold that has lasted forever?  It was allergies!!! I gave him Benadryl and he was instantly better...I mean same night better. And the poor guy had suffered for over two weeks. It was like a miracle cure. I rock. So should have followed through and been a doctor. Can you imagine people coming to me? I would never make any money!  Always giving free advice.

Speaking of free advice...I was able to tell one of the girls I work with how to fix her sink (not that I've done it myself, but I knew what to do--learned it at Plumbing School Mom). AND, I fixed her dog.  Told her to give him Benadryl.  She ended up taking him to the vet and they told her the same thing. I am like a wealth of knowledge. People could learn so much just by hanging out with me. Just kidding. Most things I have learned because I've made some sort of mistake.

I remember once I had "top secret" papers from work that needed to be shredded (this was like 9 years ago). So, I put them in the kitchen sink and set them on fire. Here's the problem...they went up in flames...but I couldn't reach over the flames to turn on the water. So I grabbed flour to put them out. I know it should have been baking soda/powder (don't remember) for grease fires. Anyway, I ended up with a big globby  mess in my sink.

Speaking of fires, I was babysitting once and they had just moved into a house that the windows were accidentally painted shut. So, the kids wanted fried peanut butter and jelly. Somehow, we ended up with smoke and the oldest son ran out of the house with the other two yelling Fire. I look out through the smoke filled window and see them "Stop, Dropping and Rolling" in the yard. It was soooo not funny. The neighbors came over to see if everyone was okay because they thought the kids had a REAL fire.

I also was babysitting once and let the little girl hold the keys while she was in the stroller. I had to lock the door from the inside and shut it. As I was shutting it, the little girl threw the keys into the house. We were locked out. I had to walk to a my sister's friend's Mom's house to call my parents to come and get us and I had to leave a note about where we were. That was horrible. How responsible, right?  And now I have kids. And they seem to be turning out okay. So far. I guess you learn from your mistakes, right?

Well, going to bed now....rambled enough. It was more like talking to myself since everyone else is asleep.

Oh...Leeandra lost a tooth today at her Nana's. She was playing and it fell out. I am the most awesome tooth fairy in the world....never get caught. I put the gold dollar coin under her pillow and she never even moved. Rock on.

Goodnight all!

Girlfriend already?

Apparently Trevor has a girlfriend. Hannah is her name. They hold hands. And play blocks. Third grade. What are we in for?

Sad.

A sixth grader in Princeton committed suicide last Friday night. Sixth grade. He was just a kid. I don't know why he felt there was no way out. It has been bothering me for the last week. He was three years older than Trevor.  Three years!  I guess I thought sixth graders didn't even know what suicide is--much less follow through with it. I can't help but think of the family and what they must be going through. So, hug your kids tonight!  Tell them you love them!

Then today, I saw that Continental Flight 3407 crashed last night. Apparently there were 74 people on it and 4 crew members. I don't know why this is bothering me so much. A widow, whose husband died September 11, was on the flight on her way to go celebrate what would have been her husband's birthday with a scholarship at a high school. I just feel so bad for the families. Maybe it was because there weren't any problems with the flight and then it was down. I don't know. Say a prayer for the families.

25 Random Things...

These were from Facebook, but I thought you might like to know 25 things about me...and then 25 about Kevin.

ME

1. I'm a bit "Monk"-ish. Can't eat any meat that hangs over the bun. Weird.

2. I write the way I talk. I would suck as an author. I think it's ADD. I also say exactly what I'm thinking...sooooo not good.

3. I have a blog. It's www.sightsfamily.typepad.com.

4. I fall a lot. For no apparent reason. Leaving Karate class in college I got both feet caught in the opposite pants legs (remember when Pajama pants were cool?) Ended getting drunk with Tony Murphy. Had to call my parents when the buzz wore off to be taken to the Emergency Room.

5. Bizarre (funny) things happen to me. I had a Illinois Dept of Public Health state surveyor show me her nipples (long story)

6. I don't really like birds, but they seem drawn to my car. I hit them all the time. Record was 5 at once. They were hitting everywhere! Roof, antennae, grille, windshield...All I could see were feathers behind me. I did hit an owl once...shhhh...I think that's a felony or something. I almost hit a bald eagle. Can you imagine explaining pulling that one out of your grille?

7. As much as I don't like birds, after I hit it I wonder if their other "bird friends" are sad. Do birds have feelings???

8. My husband actually understands my random blatherings. He can figure out how a conversation that started with, "So I was driving today" makes me ask, "Do birds have feelings?" Love that man.

9. My kids look like my husband. That rocks. Everyone assumes they are related biologically.

10. I can be a bad Mom. I made my children put their Christmas ornaments from school on the back of the tree. I told them it was so everyone that walks by our house can see them, but I really wanted my tree to be perfect. I suck.

11. I got the only all speaking part in a musical in High School. I sang Happy Birthday when I tried out and was asked to stop singing. Sadly, I love to sing. I can hit the note but actually putting it to music doesn't work.

12. In 7th Grade, Mrs. Kinney told me not to bother trying out for basketball...she said I sucked. Maybe I could have been awesome. Or not.

13. I collect the letter "S". I say it is for Sights...but we all know it is really for Sarah.

14. I doodle all the time. Mostly flowers.

15. I can't just sit and watch TV...I have to do something while I'm watching it. Drives Kevin nuts...especially when we're watching a movie.

16. I'm addicted to my DVR.

17. I wish my sister lived closer.

18. I LOVE MOVING!!! It's so fun. Most people hate it, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

19. We aren't having any more babies, but sometimes I want to adopt.

20. One of my favorite hobbies is Napping.

21. I love to clean other peoples' houses, but not my own.

22. I like to be at home instead of going out. I used to be the exact opposite. I think that's because I'm getting old.

23. I've always wanted to move around to other states. Deep down I haven't because I don't really like change.

24. I can blow money like there's no tomorrow. I don't know where it goes, but it's gone.

25. I have curly hair now...I got a perm 7 years ago and it never went away. What the hell.

KEVIN's

1. I am bald, luckily my wife thinks bald is sexy.
2. I am relearning how to play guitar. Took lessons when I was a kid, pretty much forgot everything. My goal is to learn to play cliffs of dover so that I can play along with my wife when she plays it on Guitar Hero.
3. I am a huge gear head. If it has an engine, I am interested in it, usually trying to figure out how to make it go faster.
4. I am cheap.
5. I love nascar, I know it is a redneck sport.
6. I worked third shift for 12 years, went to day shift this past June. My wife says that now that I get sleep I'm not as much of an asshole
7. Wasn't aware that I was an asshole.
8. I'm very sarcastic, usually my mouth is what gets me in trouble, usually with my mother-in-law.
9. I have a very weird sence of humor.
10. Think that this list is too much like home work
11. I hate clutter, my wife does not. Usually the sourse of most of our arguments.
12. Without contacts or glasses I am almost legally blind.
13. live by the moto "go big or go home".
14. I have a good voice, not many people know that. I don't like to sing in front of people.
15. I hate it when fathers say that they have to babysit their own kids. Its not babysitting, its called being a parent.
16. In reference to 15, I don't get to see my daughter nearly enough. Every other weekend and every wednesday is not enough. I miss her all the time.
17. Dead beat dads piss me off. (James)
18. I once had to get 4 stitches in my nose.
19. I almost missed my own wedding because I listened to my mother-in-law and showed up at the wrong time. Maybe she was trying to tell me something.
20. Once a woman asked me to borrow my cell phone because she locked her keys in her jeep and needed to call her husband to come unlock it. The top was off of the jeep. I was in Arkansas if that tells you anything.
21. I like road trips
22. My best friend is my ex-wifes cousin. That pisses her off.
23. I know more random useless information than anyone I know but I am having a hell of a time coming up with 25 random facts about myself.
24. I am a good cook. In fact I love to cook, hate to clean up.
25. I once stared down 5 buffalo that were loose and running around henry, and I didn't crap my pants. Long story I will tell it in its entirety some day.