October 1, 2011

FLU

How is it possible that I just got over a cold that lasted 3 weeks, only to get the latest virus my kids brought home from school?

Dawson went home sick on Wednesday afternoon because he threw up.  Owen had terrible diarrhea for three days.  I sprayed Lysol everywhere and used Clorox wipes on every surface.  (Sounds like promotion, but I guarantee it is not.  Just trying to kill germs here.)

And still, I got sick.  I had to leave work three hours early because I had the chills and my entire body felt bruised.  The aches and pains were so bad I whimpered while I crashed on the couch.

Dear God, please make it go away.  I can’t stand this illness anymore.

September 7, 2011

A Rant and a Recap

This morning I woke up with a scratchy throat that has gradually gotten worse and I’ve been sneezing all day. Add to that a case of itchy watery eyes and neck pain. It’s miserable. I went to the weather website that tells you what the pollen/ragweed count is in your region. Apparently, we’re in the high (red) zone here in Sconnie.

I assumed I was just having an allergy attack and dragged myself to the grocery store on my lunch hour. I picked up some Allegra (using a $2 off coupon – YAY!) and thought this would at least make me feel better. It’s 10:30 and I feel like death.

Now I’m wondering if it’s a cold. But here’s the thing, everyone in this house suffers allergies and we’re all “sick” so maybe it’s just a bad attack.

End Whine.

I’ve been so busy since the first days of school. My semester began August 22nd, and Dawson’s first day was September 1st. He was so excited to go back and see his friends. He even has a real smile on his face:

His first grade teacher just so happens to be Mrs. S and all of my siblings as well as myself had her as a teacher. Mrs. S is retiring after this year so I feel super lucky we get to work with her. She is so kind and caring and loves her job so much. She’s been teaching almost 40 years. Isn’t that amazing? So many teachers are leaving the profession for various reasons so I feel it’s wonderful that she has been teaching and loving it for so long.

Owen truly misses Dawson during the day. When I dropped him off at daycare yesterday morning he looked around the room wondering where his big brother was. I reminded him that Dawson was at school but Owen still stuck his bottom lip out and that pout was adorable and sad all at once. I love that my boys love each other so much:

I can’t believe how much they’ve grown. Just yesterday they were my babies and I rocked them in my arms. I still try to hold them on my lap when we read each night but they’re limbs are stretched out over half my body. They are not babies anymore. They are big boys. Time sure goes by quickly.

August 8, 2011

Just Call Me Oscar

I am super annoyed today.  Every little thing is bugging me and I’m pretty sure it’s because I’m waiting for my period to just start already.  It’s just a couple days late (and no I’m not pregnant) and my hormones are through the roof.  I’ve been yelling at everyone for no apparent reason — well, actually, I’ve been yelling because there are 60,000 toys on the living room floor and neither of my children have any intention to pick them up.  And my husband just sprawls out on the couch flipping channels while I’m going insane.  Good times.

I had a pretty great day at work.  I was very productive and completed every task on my to-do list.  At the end of the day I’m just tired.  I ran down to the County Treasurer’s office to pay our property tax and that was a $1500 check I couldn’t stand writing.  July was a tight month and thank God the county gives a grace period of one week.  We officially have $94 in our checking account now.  Thankfully, the Huz gets paid again Friday.  Ugh.  I don’t know how we make it sometimes.

I look at our paychecks and realize we make an average (combined) salary. Not rich nor poor by any means.  We are truly a middle class family with they typical mortgage, car payment, etc.  We don’t have fancy cars or buy extravagant things. We manage to save a small chunk of money each month.  I just can’t wait to pay off this house – only seven more years…

Maybe money issues make me cranky, too. Seeing the Dow plummet is upsetting, too.

I just wish this Economy of ours was on the up swing.

Ugh.  I’m so grouchy today.

August 7, 2011

Ahh, Summer. Or What’s Left of It.

My summer semester officially ended Friday, but I managed to turn in all my work and complete the final exams on Thursday, and I couldn’t be happier to be finished.  However, fall semester begins August 22nd and that gives me only two weeks to enjoy without worrying about reading chapters and completing assignments.

We’re cramming a lot of stuff into those fourteen days; like finally cleaning the house I’ve neglected since who knows how long, getting Dawson’s school shopping done, preparing for the boys’ birthdays (in September and October) and we’re going to sneak in a 4-day vacation at the end of August.  I’m looking forward to that!

This weekend was pretty laid back.  My parents came over yesterday to put together a slide for the boys.  My dad is so clever he found a way to attach it to our swing set.  Dad found the slide – in perfect condition – by the side of the road.  When he brought it over, Dawson asked where it came from.

“Someone threw it out and I rescued it,” Grandpa said.

Dawson replied, “Just like American Pickers!”

I blame my husband for this.  Those two watch Frank & Mike ritually.  They find junk hunting fascinating and while I think it would be great to find a gem in all the crap, I don’t have the patience to watch them dig through it all.  It’s like a glorified version of Hoarders.

Overall the summer wasn’t half-bad.  We did a lot of swimming, picnicking with family and friends, playing outside and going on mini trips to Bay Beach (an amusement park in Green Bay) and Pulaski Polka Days.  Yes, we love polkas.  Don’t judge!

Dawson and Owen have been outside so much their skin is a sun-kissed, golden peach color.  Thank goodness I slathered them up with sunscreen every day or they might be as red as lobsters.  Owen’s naturally brown hair is almost bleached blond from the sun.

This beautiful Sunday morning is beginning well.  Dawson is outside riding his bike with the neighbor boys and Owen is getting into mischief.  He loves digging in the silverware drawer and I’m constantly chasing after him and redirecting him to his toys.

We’re heading to church in an hour and so I’ll probably have to drag a very cranky Dawson back inside.  Good times.

Summer is ending quickly.  Time to go enjoy it.