Christmas, the new do, cats, etc

What can you expect of me? Not much....so here's pics of the last week or so at the Casey house!



Christmas morning--before the chaos began!


Lillie (before the haircut!)

Lillie after the haircut! And before you ask, yes it's even....it's laying funny right now!

Max and Milo....the gay boys! They got a BIG present for Christmas.....NEUTERED! Merry Christmas, boys!

Zac, getting into the stocking!
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The true spirit

Last night, on Christmas, a young girl passed away. I never got to meet her, but through her short life of 5 years, I saw the spirit many times. I worked at the bank with her Daddy up until last year. He is a kind hearted person and I couldn't imagine what he and his family had been going through in the last 2.5 years. I was so saddened this morning when I woke up to find out his little girl had passed last night, on Christmas of all days. It was a blessing I know, but a hard one to swallow I'm sure. The family, while relieved that their daughter is not in pain any longer, is grieving and will spend the rest of this season doing so. I just can't imagine....and my heart breaks for them. I am grateful for the opportunity to know them and to have followed their story the last few years. Grateful that I learned something that no one else could teach me. Grateful that Regan is in heaven now, pain free and with God. Grateful that her family can now be at peace, even while missing her with every breath. God bless you, Harper family.

How much more?

How many more things can I possibly need to buy this season? It seems everytime I turn around, I have either forgotten someone or something and I wind up shopping again. And when I end up shopping, it's never cheap! LOL! I think I have blown my original modest budget by 200% now....and I'm not joking. Between having Christmas brunch at our home (taking Terry to Jungle Jims is quite the experience at this time every year!) and taking something to Christmas Eve, and then getting into gift exchanges and so forth, it just gets out of hand! I am going to have to rethink all this next year. I love to give give give, but at what cost? And our kids today have so much already...how much more do they really need? They start out so young having everything and more, and then each year becomes more difficult to buy for and more expensive in order to out-do yourself from the year before. This year neither child asked for anything super big (although Zac did mention a Wii early on, but that was shot down from the get go and we have since forgotten about it) and I still wound up spending more than I had hoped. They will be excited come Christmas morn, but really, that's not what I want them to get out of it at all. Yes, it's fun to get new stuff, but it's even more fun to be together and be with our family and friends on that day. They saw the "show" at church today, called Awaited. It was an original show and it was the Christmas story played out through music and dancing and snow falling from the ceiling via snow machines. Lillie sat with me and I leaned over to tell her what was going on throughout, so she really got it. She then thought that the REAL baby Jesus was on the stage and started to get all excited. I burst that bubble, but she is still talking about the story. That's progress!

Back to the spending....we have even decided to stay home this New Years' and not host anything, like we have in the past. We are going to stay home and watch the ball drop in our jammies, curled up with hot cocoa (and maybe something a little stronger?) and I plan on reading my way right into 2008. I borrowed about 6 books for my almost 2 week break and I plan on getting through most of them. Borrowed, as in FREE, as long as I return them on time. FINALLY, something besides christmas cheer that's free this season!

Not snow, not sleet, not even rain.....

could keep my from my long awaited hair appointment. I'm giving my hair a rest now, so there's no frilly highlights for me this season, but it had to be trimmed and thinned again before I shaved it all off. I had made this appointment not thinking it would actually snow today. I mean, let's count the amount of time the forecasters are truly correct in their predictions, shall we? So when I woke up and sat down with my coffee this morning, it didn't dawn on me to look outside. I left with ample time however, as I had to go to the post office with all the other late shoppers to get my gifts out to the west coast before next weekend. Nothing like waiting until the only way to mail packages is priority! I love it when the cost goes up because I'm too busy (or as I say, working!) to get there for parcel post time.

So while driving through downtown Loveland and seeing multiple cars on the side of the road, I was determined I would not be one of them...it would have been too far of a walk to make it to the salon from there! I made it, found a new stylist that I love, bought some Aveda goodies for my hair and then continued onto my morning o' shopping. Like I said....not snow, not sleet, not even rain can keep me from some things!

As if!

I'm making cookies today and I hear a ruckus behind me. I turn to see Max on top of Gracie (Max is 9 mos maybe and Gracie is about 3.5 mos) biting her neck. At first it didn't register with me what was happening. You'd think with the pet population outweighing the human one in our home that I would have realized what I was witnessing. And then it hit me. NOOOOOOOOO! Max hasn't been fixed yet, and Gracie is the only "whole" female in the house, even though she isn't old enough to do anything yet. She's also the smallest female and the only one that Max can overpower. Before I could shake the cookie batter off my hands, Lillie decided to take matters into her own hands and pry him off of her. I then picked up the phone as quick as I could and made an appointment for my beloved Max (and Milo, maybe I can get two for one!?) to get snipped the day after Christmas. And then I explained to Lillie that under no circumstances is Max allowed on top of Gracie, until the day after Christmas. When she asked why, I told her that the vet was going to make it so he can't make babies with another cat, ever. Her eyes got really big, so I had to take a different approach. I said he won't do that again because the vet is going to fix him so he's nice to her. Lightbulb on! Got it. And then I had to explain alllll over again when Zac got home from school. It's really the talk of the Casey household right now.....big news.

Another day, another sick child....

This was soooo two weeks ago. Now, no one looks this healthy at our house. My holiday time has become me playing nurse to everyone in the house. If it's not a child, it's Terry, and if it's not his hurt back, it's a hacking cat. I tell ya, I'm about ready to go on strike. This job stinks! The one good thing about it is that I get to sit at home with good books and cats sleeping on my lap. I think they think I quit work to be home with them. Last week I was home 2.5 days (that's half a week in the land of work!) and this week I'm on day 2, and it's only Wendesday. Zac had the fever that wouldn't quit, the sore throat that wouldn't budge, and now has the cough that makes me want to puke. Now Lillie has everything but the cough. She's replaced that with our first round of pink eye for the school year. My house is ONE BIG GERM! Wanna come over?

All I can HOPE is that we are getting all this shit out of the way before Christmas actually gets here. I will not spend my time off being sick or playing nurse. I wanna play and have fun and sleep in late and stay up watching my shows at night with cats crawling all over my lap fighting for one on one time with the brush. Speaking of cats, here's a pic of our newest, Gracie. She's about 3.5 months old and was found outside under a bush, abandoned in September. She's still not so sure of us, but LOVES mealtime....she wants to eat about every hour, or everytime I walk in the direction of the food bowls! LOL! BTW, that's Lillie holding Gracie and Lillie's friend, Trinity, is trying to get in on the action. Bossy Lillie says NO!

The tomboy is slowly being edged out

It seems that the tomboy in Lillie is slowing being pushed out by the girlie girl side of her. She is into purses, makeup, hair accessories and for the first time yesterday, we discussed clothing. I was going to drop her at my parents' for the afternoon and do some shopping so we were talking in the car on the way over. That is the BEST time to talk to Lillie...she is non stop chatter about anything and everything in the car. Makes me wonder what she tells my parents when she rides with them! So we were talking about Christmas and wish lists when she tells me that the new girl in her class, Briella, "dresses cute everyday!" Without hesitation she goes on to tell me that she has the cutest shirts, and is just so cute. She then tells me that she would rather have cute clothes for Christmas now, instead of toys, because, "well, you can wear clothes and toys, just sit there!"

As a Mom who LOVES shopping more than anything, can I tell you how happy I was? I went straight to Gymboree (which I never would have done before...pricey pricey pricey!) and found an entire outfit, right down to the hair bows and cute-sy boots all on clearance. And it's CATS, no less. Lillie will pee her pants when she sees this ensemble. Cats, cute shirt, matching hair barrettes and new black boots (which are also her newest favorite things....SHOES!) I almost want to give it to her early so she can wear it Christmas Eve, but I will try to refrain.

Christmas with kids is the best, isn't it?

Roller Skating, as an adult

Let me just preface this by saying we have the freakiest den leader EVER in cub scouts. She flirts and flirts and flirts with my husband (aka the asst. den leader) and does so in front of me and her own husband. She thinks all 225+ lbs of her is God's gift to EVERYONE around and that she is stunningly beautiful, funny, the whole picture. Got that image in your mind? Good....let me tell you her name, and then you will never ever forget her, ever. MARSHA! As in, "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!" It gets me everytime (insert knee slapper!)

Anywho....the pack of scouts went skating last night and I just couldn't wait to get there to compete for my husband over roller skates with the den leader. We get there, get skated up, she's sitting there talking to us, blah blah, blah, when I notice she is not skating up herself? Hmmmmm. She tells me she can't WAIT to see Terry skate...really, I wouldn't kid. She's gonna make fun of him and watch his every move to see if he messes up. I tell her that unless she has skates on herself, she cannot give commentary. She laughs me off, but I think she sensed that I wasn't joking. So I guess I found her one flaw....she can't skate. No balance! Who would've guessed?

Halfway thru the event, I roll up to her (my kiddos were sitting near her sipping on slushies) and she tells me that Terry isn't bad at all on skates....she's been watching (she's telling me this, I'm not making it up!!) OH REALLY? So I get Terry's attention on the rink and tell him Marsha is checking him out, watching his every move. We part ways, my watching out for the kids, Terry giving Marsha something to watch herself and then he surprises me. Of all things, a song from High School Musical comes on and he comes up behind me, grabs my hand and we skate hand in hand just like we were in Jr High or a Lifetime movie! AWWWWW! Did you catch that, Marsha???? Huh, huh, did ya? Yeah, I still got it.

Awww Thanksgiving.....

and BLACK FRIDAY! LOL! We had the most wonderful time this weekend. Any Thanksgiving which includes lots of laughter, good food and company, and lots of FUNNY stories is fine with me. I even learned that my 80 year old Grandma went to Spencer's gifts in the mall recently! What a sight that must have been. She didn't know what half of the stuff was, but it was the place that sold her new favorite game of the year....left, right or center. We played and played it until we all decided we too were going to go to Spencer's and get ourselves the game. The kids LOVE playing it too...easy for anyone to play.

Then there were the sales. This year was no different, even though I did a majority of my shopping alone. In years past I went with a friend, but we have grown apart and I don't think seeing each other only on Black Friday is enough to forge the friendship. Even so, I had a BALL! I was out of the house for almost a full 12 hours and got lots of stuff done. What's really funny...all the things the kids had on their lists before I went shopping has now all changed! Of course! I bought lots of things on the lists, and now they are saying completely different items are the "must haves" of this season. As much as I like shopping and all, there's no way in hell I'm taking these things back for the newer items on the list. I don't have the "return" gene in me...just the shopping one.

Hope everyone else had a great holiday!!! I almost wish it wasn't over....or that Christmas was more like it.

Why can't I play "dumb"?

Why is it that I know how to work the dryer with the broken knob but my DH can't figure it out? Is it that what he doesn't know he doesn't have to worry about? How hard is it to fit the broken knob on to see where it's at on the dial, and then use the wrench to turn the broken knob so that the clothes actually DRY and don't just spin around on fluff all day? I think he will be getting a new knob for Christmas this year! Think I'm joking?

All kidding aside, Terry does a wonderful job working to bring home the money. And it stops there. Oh wait, he's also wonderful at fishing....which he does almost every weekend. And then it really stops. He doesn't see "clutter" around the house, dirty dishes, dirty kids, unbrushed teeth or mismatched clothing. He has seen a lot of angry wife, but even that doesn't faze him most days.

That said, I am truly being a brat by wanting my husband to be "manly" and fix things around here that need it (like my dryer knob, change the furnace filter and thermostat battery) while I also want him to be "girly" and see all the things that I see around here that drive me bonkers....and fix those too! I guess I want it all....but I'd just settle for some help.

Yummmmm-eeeeee!

We just got our boyscout popcorn in today and opened it up as soon as we got home. Can you say DELICIOUS!!!! We got the carmel corn with almonds and pecans (even Zac liked that, and he's the pickiest kid around) and the chocolatey carmel crunch. I think I could eat the whole tin of that! I had no idea it would be this good. Word to the wise, when I hit you up next year, BUY some....buy a lot!

Kiddo update!

Well, the kids fared better at the Dr then their Mommy did. I am going in for a colposcopy next week as I have abnormal cells from my pap, along with some other "poor" results from a test they took. I have NEVER had that....so I'm kinda concerned, but it will NOT ruin my Black Friday shopping, or my favoritest holiday, Thanksgiving!

Zac is 49 lbs (I knew we wouldn't break that 50 lb. barrier this year!) and Lillie is 40 lbs. Zac has huge tonsils that might need to come out in the next few years, and he also has 20/40 vision in ONE eye, so he is going to make a trip to the optometrist in the near future. Glasses would be so cute on him! LOL! Lillie was fine in every aspect, except that she had to get shots to get ready for Kindergarten next year. That was a downer for our yearly visit, but hey, it was nothing that a visit to Coldstone Creamery didn't fix.

And tonite Zac earned his "Bobcat" badge in cobscouts. It was a darling ceremony (can you say that about scouts?) and he was pretty hyped up about it. He sold his tush off in popcorn ($695 to be exact!) and is enjoying the time with his Daddy!

Lillie fared REAL well at her parent/teacher conference the other night. Her speech is moving right along and they are really pleased at how well she writes and all the words she writes. She doesn't know all of her ABCs yet (by sight or to write) but she's writing lots of names and words like "love" and "zoo" and "boo" everyday. And her handwriting is far neater than her brothers! Girls, gotta love them!

Zac is doing well in school too! He's reading at an almost 3rd grade level and is finally getting the hang of spelling tests. He literally spells everything like it sounds, and as you know, that's not always the way....which is SO confusing, because that's all they learned last year. Sound it out, spell it like it sounds. Move onto first grade and BAM, words are spelled totally different! Oh well, we're getting it...slowly but surely.

The other kids, the furry ones, are doing ok. Max is STILL sick...on steroids and some other meds....fun evenings for me, the pill popper....I just have to remember that it hopefully will not be forever. Right? Anyone????

My van is sick, again.

I think my van gets separation anxiety when it's mechanic (my Dad) goes out of town. I had a hunch last night, knowing that my parents were flying to Florida today for a week, that something, anything, would go wrong with my car this week. And guess what? Today, before they even boarded the plane, the van started having it's "coughing fits" on the way to the aquarium. We promptly turned it around and took Terry's car instead. The last two times it has done this, an easy fix of a $65 part (there are 3 of these parts in my engine, and it seems the last one has finally died) did the trick, but only the mechanic has the tools and knowledge to replace the part. So, with him in Florida, I'm taking it to the bus garage with me on Tuesday and hoping that our mechanic there will take 5 minutes out of his day to "fix" my van. I really hope that's it.....I do NOT want car repairs this close to Christmas. Or do I just want a new car for Christmas?! LOL!

The fits that the van has given me recently has made me start "looking" at new cars. This doesn't mean I'm buying anytime soon. I promised myself and my husband that I would drive this van "into the ground" and I meant it. It's just that the newer cars look so cool driving down the road. They aren't near as messy inside (I just KNOW they can't be as bad as mine, no matter how many kids live inside it), their exhaust doesn't make a louder than normal noise, parts aren't breaking on them every few months, and they have less than 135k miles on them. And they haven't been dinged on BOTH sides now....by red and blue cars (it's a sage van people!) New cars have that smell...albeit, that smell that gives me nothing but a headache, but it's NEW CAR smell...for a new car, I'll take the headache!

I reminded Terry today that it was 7 years ago this Christmas that I bought the van for myself as a "to me, from me" gift, without even asking him. I just went to the dealership while he was at work, picked out the van I wanted to lease (which, BTW, never lease a car you plan to buy...it takes YEARS to pay off.....I know) and went the next day to pick it up....and didn't tell him until we were practically on our way to pick it up! Yeah, I couldn't get away with that now....he makes the money and has the credit. Drat! I asked for a new car under the tree...or at least in the driveway with a big red bow wrapped around it (like the Infiniti commercials, only now an Infiniti!), but I think the eye roll said it all. I'm stuck driving my almost 8 year old van....for now. Bad coil and all.

Moms can't be sick....

doesn't everyone know that? I missed that memo. Ear infection, sinus infection and no one to do the housework. I love my life......

I've gone to the dark side

In hair color, of course. I love having my hair highlighted and such, but it's so much maintenance that I just don't have time for....or the money! So last night, my girl, Bobbie, came over with little Jaxon and off we went to the beauty supply store. We bought color that matches my natural hair color, and then after she colored me, she cut all my hair off! I actually like it a lot, but don't have a picture yet to post. In the next few weeks (before Thanksgiving, huh Bobbie, can I can I can I?) I'm hoping to get a FEW highlights up front, but nothing more. And then maybe I won't do a doubletake everytime I walk by a mirror!

Turning 5!

My baby will be 5, yes 5, in two days. I can't really believe it. We had a combined girls vs. boys bowling party today (Zac didn't get to have a friend party in August, so we invited the boys today too!) and it was so cute! The family showed up, our good friends and neighbors were there, and the kids had lots of fun! Lillie got more Littlest Petshop things than I knew existed. Even her "boy" friends, Nicholas and Alex got her petshop stuff! She is in heaven though!

Her birthday is actually on Tuesday, so I'm is taking the day off work, letting her sleep in and taking her to school, taking mini cupcakes to her classroom and then spending the day just being with her and letting her dazzle me with her humorous personality. Five years has flown by........

Amazement

I am in utter amazement of the lack of education and lack of consideration of kids today. I see all ages throughout my day and it makes me wonder where have we gone wrong? Each day on the bus and in school a new problem arises and each day it makes me wish we were back in the 80's and early 90's....when I was their age. Things were so different back then. Kids actually had to behave. Kids didn't speak out of turn in class, didn't curse on the school bus, didn't just sit and let everyone else give them all the answers in class. I actually asked one of my classes today what they planned on doing when they grew up. They sat there and wouldn't even try to learn what I was teaching them. They just wanted the answers so they could move onto the next problem. Since when did everything get handed to kids on a platter? And how do they expect to live in the real world without the answers, when they are expected to come up with them on their own? These are 7th graders I'm talking about. One kid told everyone else that if you are on an IEP (Individual Education Plan--Lillie is on one for speech therapy) you will graduate no matter how bad you do in school. You need not even pass the Ohio Graduation Tests in High School...you'll just graduate like everyone else because you've been given a free pass. If this is true (I haven't researched it yet) this really really pisses me off. I know for a fact that kids on an IEP are treated differently, I have been told to do so. Kids on an IEP can only fail a grade one time. Once that happens, they are pushed through the system no matter what they do, when they show up, or how they act. Some of the kids actually NEED the IEP, others are just floating along, putting on a show so they don't have to participate or behave, because after all they have a label that seperates them from everyone else, making them untouchable. It makes me wonder what the world will be like in 30 years when these kids are running it.

What really gets me is "back in my day," which again, wasn't that long ago, my parents had control over what I did. My teachers had control over what I did. And by goodness, I did what I was asked to do, whether I liked it or not. Today, kids walk into class late, no excuse, and are allowed to do so. WHY? Why aren't we serving more discipline to these kids? And why aren't they getting it at home? I'll tell you why. We live in a society where everything is to be made easy for us, or just plain be done for us. That includes raising our children. We don't want to do it, so we are just going to leave it up to TV, video games, and the neighborhood rascals to do so for us. There is no reason that a parent shouldn't have control over their child, especially one in elementary school or middle school. For crying out loud, YOU ARE THE PARENT! You don't need to be their friend right now! I find it completely unacceptable that a child in elementary school has been KICKED OUT of public school and is bussed a few towns over to an "alternative" school. These kids curse, fight, have most likely seen the inside of juvie and we are giving them chance after chance after chance. What they need is a good ass-whooping and to be told who's boss. They certainly aren'tthe boss....until they are old enough to make it on their own, parents are the bosses, and that means work. I'm sorry, you had them, you raise them.

We are going to live in a world of liars, cheaters, and fighters if we don't turn this country around. And it's going to be sad that I will be expecting these kids to change my bedpan when I'm in the nursing home...most of them won't even be intelligent enough to do that! Instead of automating everything from your household to your parenting, you need to step in, think about the world without cell phones, computers, handheld video games, and start running your family and their lives again. Take interest in your kids, help them with their homework (it's so much nicer than letting Google do it), know where they are and how they are acting, and by goodness, discipline them and teach them to be good citizens both in school and out of school. PLEASE!

Zac

Let me just say that my Zac is getting quite like his Mommy. He loves math, loves reading, and loves music. We listen to music (my music, not kiddy music) in the car all the time. He and Lillie have both gotten into some songs. So today, Zac tells me, and I quote, "I'm going to a bowling party, yo!"---coming from Timbaland, I would expect a little yo at the end of the sentence, but coming from Zac, it almost made me spit through my nose. I'm still chuckling, and since it's so funny, everyone around me that's under the age of 10 is saying "yo" to end every sentence. I'm gonna need Depends by the end of the evening if this continues.

When you call home sick from school.....

When you call home sick from school, demanding to be picked up, please know that you will NOT be playing outside later that day. That's a rule. Really, I'm not joking. When you call home sick from school and I pick you up, feel that you have no fever, see you aren't vomiting, and you can walk, talk and chew gum, then you will be going to work with me. No rest for the "half sick". When you call home sick from school, go on my route with me in the afternoon, find a few friends on the route and horse around the whole ride long, know that you will be coming home, going to your room and cleaning it, and then getting started on your homework, because, as stated in the rule above, you will not be outside playing, ever, until today is over. And once we get home and you figure out that calling home sick from school isn't so fun, you can't change your mind and say you magically feel better....this Mommy doesn't care. And alas, when you have tried everything in your repertoire, and you still haven't gone outside, your room looks as is did this morning, and dinner is over, you can't pull out the "I don't feel good" card so that you don't have to finish your homework. Wow, life as a first grader is a bitch, isn't it?

Is it Monday yet????

After the weekend we've had, we need Monday, BADLY! We woke up on Terry's 33rd birthday to a neighborhood of slashed tires. Guess what Terry got for his birthday? TWO slashed tires on his truck! YAY! And those tires, which are full of luxurious goodness, loads of rubber, and sporty to boot cost $225 each to replace. And you just can't get them anywhere, because no one but Goodyear makes that size. Oh, joy! And they can't get them from the warehouse until Monday, so we are out of a car again, for the weekend. As luck would have it (since Terry got slashed tires AND a favorite pilsner glass of his broken, by yours truly) State Farm came through for us and is reimbursing us for the tires soon, we hope, under our comprehensive policy...which has a zero deductible. Thank goodness for insurance!!!!!

Then today was the day. Bullseye, the black cutie that we've housed and loved on since he was born on July 4th, went to his new home. Talk about a hard day! That kitten was so flippin' cute and I had just assumed we would overlook the fact that we weren't keeping any of the kittens and just keep the last two that we had....unspoken words, ya know? Well, my friend Bobbie found him a home, knowing that too many cats is just too many cats, and well, thank you for that Bobbie. But now I expect a full report daily on how Bullseye is doing what he's doing, where he's sleeping, how he likes the long haired guinea pig he's living with, etc, since he lives across the street from you, so far away from his "Goshen family!" I will admit, I was the only one of the Casey household to cry over this event, and it just made the weekend that much more, well, crappy!

We are looking forward to the alarm blaring in our ears at 4:30am, dragging ourselves out of a bed for another workday before the sun comes up. Can't wait....seriously!

Sunday was NOT my day!

Aside from a good hair day, that's about all that went right with my day yesterday. On the highway to West Hell (White Oak---I am NOT a west sider, sorry!) my van starts misfiring while acclerating, doing 70mph. That's never good. Terry blames me the driver, but no, it did it for him as well (tongue sticking out). His answer? Fuel cleaner. My answer, go get the check engine light tested, which I did this morning. Another coil pack bites the dust, causing two of my six cylinders to fire at random. At least it's an easy fix....thanks to my Dad. Car problems were just the start. We fought and fought with the kids all afternoon to clean up their playroom, until I could finally take it no more and just did it my darn self. I do not like cleaning up their playroom, I do not like picking up all those toys, I do not like it, Sam I Am, I do not like green eggs and ham! Spoken like a true 5 year old! Then I'm a teary mess for the rest of the day about my missing cat, which Lillie just now informs me she saw last night a street over while playing with her friend. UH, are you serious? Why didn't you grab her furry ass and bring her home? So now I will be on the hunt for Lucy (which I hope she saw her YESTERDAY for real, and not sometime last week...you know kids and their "timeline" of events). And then to end my day, my LONG AWAITED summer for Desperate Housewives, was just a "catch you up" from last season.....I NEED MY DH people! NOW! Is Edie alive or what????????

Then, just to start my day off right today, I forced Lillie and Zac to the bus garage and once we got there, realized that Lillie has a fever. Mother of the Year, here I come! So, I have the day off now from my other job and I am sitting here typing, while she's catching up on Noggin (again, Mother of the Year, here I am!)

Monday WILL get better...........

Missing

If you've seen her, bring her home! Lucy hasn't been seen since Thursday, and while she likes her life out in the wilderness, she usually comes home a few times a day to eat and hasn't done that. Pray for our fur baby's safety....you never know in this neighborhood.

In other news, Zac and Terry completed their first overnight camp with the scouts this weekend. It was with all ages in the Pack, so there were many different things going on, but they had a blast! Zac was content to sit in our brand new tent...he even wanted to go to bed early, you know, the newness of a tent and all! Lillie and I hit Family Christian Store for some "baptismal" shopping and then went to Grandma's for awhile before we came home for a quiet sleepover in Mom and Dad's room. That's much more our style!

New adventure!

We are now into scouting! Forget the days of baseball....and karate. We are an official Tiger Cub of Pack 285 in Goshen, Ohio! And Terry is the assistant den leader...so we buy TWO of everything....shirts, patches, etc. Although Terry refuses to wear the neckerchief (I would have paid money, people!) he is in uniform and I think he looks damn hot! This weekend is our first campout....and I will go to see them, but will not be staying in the wilderness....Lillie and I have grand plans of air conditioning and mattresses and pillows! Oh, and cats! See below for some updated pics of our furballs (well, a few, not all of them!)

Milo! One of the babies.....he's gotten so BIG!

Milo watching Max (our BIGGEST baby play with the Momma cat!)

Max the monkey upside-down in Lillie's doll stroller! He's a hoot to have around!!!!

What is the next generation going to be?

DUMB! Well, not all of them at least, but I'm shocked to know that 6th graders don't know their multiplication tables! We learned those in the 3rd grade when I was younger, and now they are learning them even earlier, but to not "get it" after 3 or 4 years of experience just blows my mind. I had my first set of students yesterday and 1 of the 4 honestly KNEW multplication in his head. Two others had to think about it, which is fine, but one was either very shy or didn't know them at all. It's gonna be a long year! They are great kids though, so I think if I can find a way to make learning math FUN (which I think math is a blast!) then it will go smoother. Any ideas????

This is SOOOO bedtime here.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uISuvTiTYJA

It's Grandparents' Day today!

And yes, we celebrate it. I know, I know...another Hallmark holiday, but call me crazy, I love excuses to get together for a family meal/party and see my parents and grandparents. We got cards for them and are sticking in a cute pic of each kid that was taken recently. They love pics more than anything else anyway! And I made a cake to celebrate the day...a gluten free, chocolate cake with powder sugar drizzle icing---my Grandma has celiac disease, so most cakes are off limits! Hope it's good....it has chocolate chunks and for my Grandpa, I added black walnuts! YUM!

Here's Zac cheese-in it--he's got his Bengals jersey on and is ready for a WIN tomorrow!

And here's Lillie during the WEBN fireworks for Labor Day! Gotta have sparklers!

And today we got rid of a kitten! She went to her home next door (no, not the hilljacks, the other neighbors!), so we can visit her anytime we want! Next one should be out the door next week or the week after!

Rain, Jaxon and miscellaneous things.

Rain! We finally have rain! I thought Cincinnati would become a desert soon, and the casinos would start rolling in and then we'd become a mini Vegas. Dreams....

Today I got to go to the mall with Bobbie and hold Jaxon for awhile too! It was so fun, even when I got pooped on! I think it terrified Bobbie, but hey, what's a little baby poop...that's nothing compared to cats!

While at the mall we went into the Disney store, which had all their lunch boxes on sale for $4.99! Zac has lost 2 lunch boxes since August 21st! Not a good record. I bought him one of these new lunch boxes, with his very own money! When he returns one of the lost ones to me (which I know are in that school building somewhere!), I will release his $5. Until then, I think this might help him remember to bring home everything that he walks out the door with in the morning. Don't you?

Lillie is done with preschool. She's ready to be a full fledged Kindergartner after the first 3 days of preschool. It's gonna be a looooong year!

Long overdue date night!

FINALLY, Terry and I got to go out someplace that we didn't have to order two kids' meals! Last night we celebrated our 9th anniversary by going to dinner, a movie, and a bar for drinks. It was so nice! Terry being a Chef and all cannot take these corporate places for dining (pretty much any restaurant in Cincinnati has some kind of corporate backing), but we managed to find one that he liked more than he disliked! We went to Mitchells' Fish Market in West Chester were we dined on oysters from the raw bar, swordfish (me) and rare yellowfin tuna (Terry) and for dessert their banana rum bread pudding with cappucinos. It was the perfect meal! So perfect that we couldn't finish all our dessert (which we split) and we didn't even want to hear the word "popcorn" when we got to the theater. We saw Superbad by the way, which was HYSTERICAL! We laughed so hard, and kept laughing about certain lines from the movie all night long. We ended our evening at Shooters, a new bar and grill in Loveland, where I had my first ever whisky sour, which wasn't bad.

Back to the movie....I've always considered myself more conservative or even mature at times, and when I saw American Pie all those years ago, it wasn't one of my faves. However, this movie was truly funny, and you couldn't help but laugh even at the "so stupid it's funny" parts. Add that to sitting next to your husband of nine years and realize that you are both still silly and child-like sometimes, and you have the perfect evening.

We slept in today until 9:30 and got up and went to an old standby from our dating years, Perkins. We even remembered we went there the day after we got married, when we met up with all the out of town family and friends that had attended our wedding, before we headed out to our honeymoon. How cool!

And now, I teach!

Today was the first day of my new job and while as of now, I like it, it seems to be a glorified teaching job for the less gifted. Funny, I went to college for 5 years (why only take 4 when you have time on your side) to become an accountant, I can't truly teach a classroom full of kids with that degree, but I sure can pull them out of their rooms, put them in my tiny classroom and teach the hell out of Math and Reading Comp to get them to pass their Ohio Achievement Tests in the Spring. And who would have thought that my idiot hilljack neighbors ( http://justjulie75.blogspot.com/2007/07/ok-i-do-have-lifeand-it-belongs-in.html ) would have two children who BOTH require my services? Justice is sweet.......

Why? Why? Why?

Read this and come back to me.....
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=b4faeae0-195b-475f-b7f7-9b39c4e909e4

"A local school administrator spent the day at work while her two-year-old daughter was locked inside her SUV, with temperatures at or near 100-degrees outside.
Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby is an assistant principal at Glen Este Middle School.
Her daughter was found dead inside the vehicle shortly after 3:00 p.m.
"Upon arrival the fire department began life saving measures, however, the child was pronounced dead at the scene," said Union Township's Lieutenant Scott Gaviglia.
Superintendent Dr. Gary Brooks confirmed that Nesselroad-Slaby was hospitalized after her questioning.
"The parents in this matter have been very cooperative with the police department and they're dealing with their own issues as one might imagine," said Lt. Gaviglia.
A member of the parent-teachers' organization described Nesselroad-Slaby as a working mother and a good person.
Police tell 9News the case is still under investigation and that they will work with the Clermont County Prosecutor's office to determine what, if any, charges are appropriate.
In the meantime, Superintendent Brooks says the district's crisis intervention team will be at the school to work with staff members before school starts."

Back to me now....Why? How many times is this gonna happen? And who in the hell buckles their child into the car in the morning and then forgets about him/her? We don't know the excuse yet for this recent tragedy, but we've heard from cases in the past, "I forgot to drop them at their daycare" and "I didn't have anyone to watch them so I left them." What good excuse is there for a SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR to leave her child in the car, when it hasn't been under 100 degrees outside this entire week? Tell me. As much as I pray that child didn't suffer, I'm just astounded at the parents. And even more shocked that this woman was second in line in charge of a middle school. It's unbelievable! I realize that being a parent can be trying, and that the first week of school, especially when you work there (as I do) can be very hectic. However, I would never forget where my children were, or put them in harms way, no matter what the circumstance. There are some things out of my control, and I realize that, but leaving any living thing in a car with the windows up and the heat index over 105 is KAH-RAY-ZEE and totally in my control. While I'm super pissed at the parents for this tragedy, I do pray that the family of that child, parents included, can know she's with God and is being cared for.

ETA--in talking with some other Moms, we agreed that there ought to be a sensor or something...some way to let you know that you've forgotten something....something other than a string around your finger. It could be a car sensor, or even better would be a carseat sensor (since kids that aren't in car seats for the main part could get out of their buckle and the car all alone) that would somehow alert you to what's in the back seat. It's all so very tragic.

Freaking Clepto!

Remember those neighbors that went all "hilljack" on us last month? Well their son has been itching to play with Zac, so we gave in, a few times (IDIOTS are we). Tonite though, he came over and STOLE from us! Would I lie? He took the memory card out of our Playstation and keeps telling us he doesn't have it. I have no idea what the card is, even though me, playing Santa, bought the damn thing, but Terry had been playing the PS and was using the card, (which stays in the system) before the clepto came over, so I know it exists. He allowed said clepto to play and came downstairs with me. Thirty minutes later the kid went home and our card has vanished. It's not under the TV armoire, not in the game drawer, not on top of the TV or PS, nowhere to be found. Now, tell me, where could it have gone? This kid has taken it before, "accidentally," as he and his toothless Mother refer to it as, but we usually get it back when we ask for it. I asked twice tonite and both times I was shot down. So, I did what any other respectable parent (with all her original teeth) would do....I told the kid he couldn't come over and play anymore, since our belongings went missing. And you know what he said? "Sorry Julie." Whatevs, you little clepto---you got what you came for. You with your mullet hairstyle. Guess your family can order that pizza you've been eyeing with all the money you'll get off the sale of our gamecard, eh?

A day in the life of a sub driver and bad Mom!

So, it's the FIRST day of school here. The bad Mom part comes in when this Mom forgets to bring her camera to work and doesn't get a picture of Zac on his FIRST day of FIRST grade! And it's raining (no, I didn't do that!) Poor Zac....he didn't care...he just wanted to get to school!

Being a sub sucks. Being a sub means you aren't on the same route 2 days in a row, you don't know the kids' quirks (this one doesn't ever stand AT the busstop, but inside the house to wait for you) etc etc. Today was no different. We have a driver out and I know his route better than anyone but him, so I got it! GOOD, I think....I KNOW this one and it's a no brainer. Things are going great...all the kids are standing outside, within view, and I am on time. WHEW, for my first day of school ever as a driver, I'm patting myself on the back (figuratively...I know I'm to have two hands on the wheel--DUH!) So I get to the stops on a busy road and get everyone at the first 5 stops and then the next two stops were empty, or so I thought. Sara, Miss Sara....never rides the bus in the morning. Today though, she was going to, until I passed her up! And then, my day really started. The kids told me I passed her, and there is NO turning around anywhere on this road....and the block is probably a 3+ mile radius to get back to her. And that puts me way late....so, I have to have other drivers finish my route so I can go back and get Sara. OOOOOKKKKKKK! Loop back about 8 minutes later and she's not there. The kids tell me she had been standing in her doorway, which, btw, is a trailer and sits about 100 feet off the road. Now, I'm sorry, but is that the busstop? Is there anyway I can POSSIBLY see you when you are in your house? There's a reason that the school sends everyone a postcard that tells you where your stop is and what bus you ride. The handy little card also tells you to be outside at the stop 50 minutes before school starts at least for the first few days. And as a high school kid, I'd think you could handle that, even though it isn't cool to stand out and wait for the big yellow beast.

I'm sure there will be many more mishaps along the way....so stay tuned! LOL!

Kittens! Kittens! Everywhere!

We are WILD and all over the Casey house....what are we?







Kittens, of course! The calico one has a home, but the carmel/white one (who I am calling Milo) and black one (who Zac wants to name Mason?) do not, as of yet. They are too precious and LOVE playing with our baby, Max, who is almost 5 months old now! He even plays pretty gentle with them, when we are watching! All in all, it was a very rewarding experience, and something I would never want to volunteer for again. If we only had one or two cats, maybe! Who am I kidding...I'd jump on it in a heartbeat! Playing with and watching the babies grow as quickly as they did was super fun! But with four of our own and two more without homes, we, along with our bank account, are drained! And beside that, Terry said no! Momma cat, shown here,

is going to be spayed tomorrow morning! YAY! She doesn't know it yet, but Terry and I are at our wits end....she's in heat and cries all day long (and sometimes even in the night!) Our oldest cat, who will be 9 soon, came to us from a shelter and went into heat not long after we got her. OMG, we would have paid $1000 to shut her up. Luckily, they will spay a cat in heat...it just costs more, but it's so worth the extra money, it's not even funny! They will also spay a pregnant cat, according so the website. Hmmmmm, I guess it's that big of a problem. Of course, they don't call it an abortion, but wouldn't it be considered that? It's mind-boggling to think of the pet population problem.... but here's a link anyway, just to show you. http://www.spayusa.org/media/pdfs/Cats_Multiply_Pyramid.pdf

Between our neighbor and ourselves, we are getting at least 2 stray cats fixed in the next month or so. Then we have to get our own kitten fixed (Max is just now of age, I guess) and then I think, we will be officially DONE! Well, we will still live in a "catery" and have to feed, shelter and clean up after them, but the extra work will be done. WHEW! Donations are accepted! LOL! I'm staying on my soapbox awhile longer....

Lillie

Little Miss Lillie LOVES babies. Real, pretend, play, even furry! Any baby will do. My best friend and her husband, aka Terry's best friend, had a baby last week! And now Jaxon is officially a week old! Lillie just HAD to see Jaxon, so we went to the hospital before he was even a full day old and here's what I got to see. Lillie wanted nothing more than to hold him, and when I was holding him, if she couldn't SEE his face, I wasn't holding him right! Lillie visited her new favorite baby this weekend and got to hold him some more. I hope she never grows out of this and that I get lots of cute grandbabies (in about 20-25 years or so!) just like Jaxon! Isn't he freakin' precious?

Next years' vacation!

My MIL is fabulous in ways of gifts! I got an email this morning that asked if we would be interested in a trip to LA that includes a trip to DISNEY http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage next summer! We could stay 5, 7, or 10 days, our choice!! Terry's grandma lives close to Disney, along with other extended family, so it will be a mini reunion and a FUN trip too! And of course, Grandma will be there to witness her daughter in law, er, her grandkids go berzerk in Disney! I have been 4 times to DisneyWorld, but NEVER to DisneyLand! So I'm stoked (is that still a word?) And, while looking up attractions around the big D, I found I can go to HOLLYWOOD (hello, sign!), Laguna Beach, Beverly Hills....ugh, I will be one happy girl just to get to WALK on those streets and sightsee and take a bazillion pics. Not that I could even afford a soda in that part of swankyville, but just to be there will be enough! This is gonna be sooooo supercool! We are also tentatively going to NYC next summer, although from the sounds of it, the trips might be overlapping, so NYC will have to wait, but oh my GAWD am I ever excited! I want Mouse Ears with my name on them, and I would love to have breakfast with the characters or dinner in the character kitchen (which I think Terry would enjoy even more!) and I want to walk down that street that has all the stars' stars on them, and I want my kids to be as excited as I am! Oh, and if Santa is listening, I want a new, much nicer digital camera for my upcoming trip! Oh, and I size 8 ass....and that's all. Really, I swear. I'm done.

Gripe Central

Today is all about my gripes, listed in order of how they happened today!
1) Taking kids grocery shopping....it should be outlawed, don't ya think?
2) Paying yet ANOTHER fine at the library. They should personally call me when I'm about to be overdue, as for some reason my mind can't wrap itself around due dates.
3) The dude at Blockbuster LYING to me about them having a restroom. Lillie, all of 4 years old, is holding herself and he blatently tells me they don't have a restroom. REALLY? THEN HOW COME I'VE USED IT BEFORE? I KNOW YOUR SECRET AND IT REQUIRES A KEY! LIAR!
4) Even after telling BB dude I know about their secret potty, he just gives me a blank stare and so I stomp off, grab Zac and his game and go up to pay for the rental and the BB dude is RUDE! REALLY?
5) Traffic on Rt 28. I got on the highway, went up an exit and took back roads home just to get around it. UGH!
6) Kids, whom I didn't create, walking in my house uninvited and taking popsicles.
7) Kids stated above walking in my house without knocking to tattle on my kids.
8) This heatwave (this has been an all day occurence!)
9) Bug bites...just found one on my arm while typing and now I'm in a scratch frenzy, and must quit typing to continue on.

32 going on 12!

Somewhere between having kids and now, I have regressed into a teeny-bopper. Is that still a word? I have fallen IN LOVE with Justin Timberlake's newest album....and I mean LOVE. I turn it up so loud that the mirrors of the minivan shake (when the kids aren't with me, of course) and I'm sure that's a sight to see. I even daydream about getting some booming speakers just for a few of his songs...not that I ever would, but daydreams are just that.....dreams! The kids sing "Summer Love" almost all the way through, even Lillie sings along. My faves off the album are "Chop me Up" which is like rap, which I usually can't stand, but it's just cool I tell ya! And I love "Until the End of Time" as well. You must go purchase this album---and let your husband make fun of you day and night...it's so worth it!

Vacation is a wonderful thing....

until you have no choice other than to come home! All the laundry, the things you didn't do to your house before you left, the spending spree that you still want to go on, even though you blew a ton while you were away. And of course, eating out for every meal. You just can't do that when vacation ends! Vacation means no bills, no soliciation calls, no sick cats, just pool side lounging, eating what you want, sleeping in without the sun waking you up (gota love those room darkening drapes!) and buying stupid crap that you really don't need. In our case, our big purchase was a day out on a pontoon boat on Monroe Reservoir. It was the best money we spent by far. The kids got to drive the boat for a few minutes, we stopped and fished a little, the kids jumped in and swam, and it was overall a gorgeous day on the water.

Back to reality....chores, getting school clothes ready, getting stuff ready to sell on EBay (not that we have much as our kids are super hard on clothes), cooking our meals and alas, paying bills. It was nice while it lasted!

I'm officially 32!

And I have a hurt behind to prove it! I got a bike for my birthday and while I LOVE riding it, my butt hates the little seat! I even went out this morning to get a gel seat cover, and while that does help, it doesn't make my ass any smaller! LOL! The kids think it's very cool to ride the streets with Mom, and this afternoon I picked up 3 additional kids that weren't even mine! My Mom called me the Pied Piper (didn't he have a following of some kind?)

I had a great interview on Friday and am expecting a follow up call with a second interview not this week but the following. The woman who interviewed me was all excited to meet me because I am the new coordinator of the PTO this year, so she and I will be working closely on things. She was even more excited when I expressed interest in becoming a sub teacher, next year, once Lillie is in all day school. I think it will be a good thing to be so involved with the kids' school district.... little suck up that I am! Go ahead, say it, I know! HAHA!

My parents threw me a small party last night and my sister brought her boyfriend, Mark, aka my ex from 11 years ago, and Terry was actually nice to him. Who'da thunk it? I think he realizes that they might be heading into "serious" land and if so, he will become family, and while Terry is a favorite of theirs, he would have to share the spotlight, because Mark is a pretty nice guy too...and treats my sister very well.

We are going on a small vacation this week with the kids to little Nashville...and Terry is off the whole week so I plan on eating very well...in fact, he made an awesome chicken salad for lunch and then he's roasting a whole chicken for dinner.....and tomorrow night, I think we're having a fish fry! And again, my ass won't be getting any smaller. Then it's off to vacation...the land of play and not having to cook or clean. Hell, I might even leave my towels on the bathroom floor this time for the cleaning crew at the hotel! LOL!

Insomnia?

Sleep is so overrated. I find myself going to bed later and later each night as the summer wears on. I don't know if it's the heartburn I've been getting lately, the snoring I've been doing recently, or the fact that I wake up at odd hours worried about the kittens, or now our very own Max. Sleep just doesn't seem worth it when life is waiting to be lived and worrying needs to be done. KWIM?

Does that sound like insomnia? Hmmmmmmmm........

And on a completely different note, keep your fingers crossed for my Friday! Not only do I turn 32 that day (I LOVE my birthday!!!) but I have an interview with the school district that day for a part time, non-certified aide position. Hopefully it's what I think it is and if I were to get it, it would fit around my bus driving schedule....I surely don't want to give up that fun-ness!

Blowing bubbles, old milk, autographs, etc!

Lately the kids have been doing and learning so much, and at the same time they do something that totally irks me, so this is an all inclusive post, much like those fancy resorts down south....you get the good and the bad!

Today in the car, Zac decided he needed very detailed instructions on how to blow a bubble with your gum. We tried that for about 10 LOOOONG minutes and when frustration set in on both sides, I told him this one time only he could stretch the gum with his hands and then try it, and what do you know, it worked! I'll be finding gum in and on everything until the kid can do it without the use of his hands for sure!

Also, while in the car today, it totally smelled as if something had literally DIED. In the car. Not from the air vents. I stopped on the way home for a new car freshner and then even that didn't completely do it, so I pulled into the garage and started ripping the van apart from top to bottom. What do you think I found? In the armrest of the 3rd row Lillie had stashed her happy meal chocolate milk...and I can't remember the last happy meal she had with milk, so that ought to give you some idea of what I was working with. It took me back to the days when the kids toddled off with their sippy cups of milk only to be found under a bed or couch days later, when the milk, was, well, no longer liquid. I can't wait to go out tomorrow and see if all the Febreeze and the new freshner is doing the trick!

And then while talking to my Mom tonite I was rolling the kids' basketball under my feet when I started reading it. Yes, reading it! The kids have "autographed" the ball and put a sentence on it as well. Lillie's says, "I Love Mom" while Zac wrote, "I Wun A Trofee"---which he did, for fishing. I had to laugh, but applaud him at the same time for sounding out the word trophy.

And while all of this may seem like "nothing" to you....it was my day! Oh, that and I got a "Victoria Beckham" haircut today....now I just need her body and wardrobe! LOL!

Oh.My.God

I.Am.So.Sick.Of.Cat.Crap!

Last week our stray Momma cat brought us coccidia. This week, our very own Max (who's strictly indoor) brought us hookworm! Now everyone that has fur, is on meds....and our bank account is being drained by these cute creatures. One of these days our cats will take care of themselves, the way we were led to believe they would! This is too much work! Everyone will be better by next week because the humans are leaving for vacation...and no one with fur is invited. Got it? Good!

HA! I play fairly, but I play to WIN!

This is an update on the neighbor situation that we've been having...you know, the one with the fence that got in Terry's face the other night? Anyway, I placed a call to the HOA today and asked if we could build our own fence, and explained that it would leave a gap on one side of our fence since our neighbors didn't build theirs on the property line. I was told that the neighbors didn't get permission to do that (build a fence two feet in on their own property) and that it's not even allowed in our neighborhood to do it that way! They will either have to take their fence down or move it. Do you know how much this tickles me? Am I wrong to think like that? Oh heck, I don't even care! I'm THRILLED! They should get a letter next week from the HOA stating that they need to ask permission for the fence they already built and once they show the drawing of it, it will be denied and they will have to do something about it! Terry was laughing when I called him to tell him. There's no way they will KNOW it was me that called, but even if they suspect, I'll tell them that I submitted a request and had to let them know that I was not joining up with the fence on one side of me because of how far in it was built and then the red flag was raised....sorry! NOT! What goes around, comes around, even if you have to give it a little push in that direction, right!?!

Ok, I do have a life...and it belongs in a trailer park!

Tonite something happened to Terry and I that we never ever thought would happen in a million years. And then we remembered we moved to Goshen, in a subdivision where they will finance anyone with a heartbeat and a piece of paper that resembles a paystub. We are longing for the days when we can buy land, or a house on some land, and get out of this trash hole neighborhood we so lovingly call home. The story starts at the end of dinner tonite....and here it is.

It started when more kids were traipsing through our backyard and Terry went out and asked them if HE walks in their yard. Sarcastic, but an honest question. Then he asked again, in a more stern tone when he got no response and when they answered he came back inside. Within 5 minutes it sounded like the cops were here breaking down our BACK door, which is glass. It's the neighbors, knocking to get Terry outside. They start pointing out that they have 2 feet of property on our side of the fence they just built a few weeks ago---they didn't build it on the property line...so now all these kids are using that 2 ft area as a walk through. Really? Was that your intent? Because they wind up in our yard anyway, everyday, just FYI! Anyway, Terry goes out to talk, as an adult would, and this guy starts dropping the F bomb like crazy...and then he got RIGHT in Terry's face and started pointing at him and screaming....it got so ugly so fast, I didn't know what to do. We had been eating dinner and Terry had had a beer with dinner, so the guy smells that (since he was almost IN Terry's mouth and all while yelling at him) and starts calling Terry an f'ing drunk and an f'ing dick and so on and so forth. While I'm standing there trying to get Terry to back down and go back inside, his wife is telling us how HE doesn't drink, he NEVER drinks. Um, that's not the issue...but maybe we should talk about the drugs he's doing? Would that be better? Anyway, I thought the men would back down, but then the guy's wife starts in on our KIDS...and compared to the children in this 'hood, our kids are PERFECT, and I mean that. They started bringing up stuff our kids and CATS supposedly do(yes, even they were brought into it....ones we don't even own at that!) I finally got in the middle of the men for like the 4th time and the guy was just about to throw a punch as I did, so Terry shoved me out of the way. After more male taunting and name calling, I got Terry back inside. Two hours later he was still hyped up! I have never seen my man like that before...not that I want to again, but at least I know he's got my back...and could actually handle it!

Ok, well, back to boring....we can't deal with that much excitement you know!

Since I have no life....

I'll just make this week about all the cute things my kids say! Today, while shopping at Sams for paper products for home, Zac tells Lillie, "Keep a sharp eye out for samples"---word for word. Where he heard that, I don't know, but it was funny nonetheless! And samples they found....every stinking last one of them!

Heard at the Casey house and in the car!

Tonite, while I'm looking at blogs and wasting precious time on the computer, I hear our 4 year old scream to the 6 year old, "Zac, the cat is about to get your latte, hurry up....the cat is getting into your latte!" What? Daddy made them hot chocolate, on a 90* day, and put them in our Starbucks mugs, which in turn makes them lattes, according to Lillie. I apparently have a coffee addiction that I've passed onto my preschooler and first grader. Super!

And in the Casey car....Zac can be heard singing along to Justin Timberlake's song, "Summer Love"--no lie, him and Lillie LOVE Justin. They ask for me to rewind it...too bad it's the radio, not cable tv DVR. I think I might be getting that CD from the kids for my birthday next week though...so I can just push "repeat" and my job is done! Zac also informed me today that he likes the "Delila" song...by the Plain White T's. It is too funny to hear a 6 year old sing in the car with pop songs. I need a tape recorder...fast!

50%, not a good ratio so far....

We are down to 3, yes 3, baby kittens. We had one pass on Wednesday last week, then one on Friday and one last night. In reading up on their behavior and such, it appears that we have a litter with a small survival chance due to FKS, aka Fading Kitten Syndrome, which is similar to SIDS. There's no one reason for it, but it happens. Try telling that to a 6 and 4 year old. Although we had a very busy, fabulously (yes, it's a word!) fun weekend with a family reunion (a bunch of Jersey people and some New Yauwkers) and a baby shower after that, the kids were still very much intune to what was happening at home. Zac and Lillie found dead kitty #2 Friday night and thought they had killed her. Terry was the one home at the time and vowed NEVER to go through that again with the kids. Life is life, even when it sucks.

Up top are a few, albeit, dark photos of the ones we have left. One is all black, one is calico of white, orange and black and the other is carmel and white. Keep your fingers crossed for these 3!

AHHHH! Bobbie, DON'T read this!

I need some Calgon or something...I'm getting little sleep, this weekend is going to kick my ass but be sooooo fun, and on top of that, I had to explain kitten death to the kids today. We lost one of our 1 week old kittens last night...so sad. I think I cried more than the kids, and then I realized, I haven't cried in so long, so I guess it was time to open the floodgates! On top of that, I'm throwing a baby shower this weekend and I love the Mom-to-be dearly...but I'm about to kick the ass of anyone else that calls to RSVP for it, since I asked for them to call me no later than the 6th, which according to the Casey calendar, WAS LAST FRIDAY!!! I didn't put this tidbit on the invite because I like to see my own writing. I put it on there so that I could buy the ingredients to make the favors, which are done (and now I'm short on!) and get enough food, drinks, things for games, you know, everything these people will be expecting when they show up! I actually told one woman WHY I needed to know last week...I think these people just think I have all the time in the world and will just go out and buy more stuff, but you know, I'm outta time here...I have a life outside of this baby shower even though I know my sappy self will be sad once it's over. Sidenote--if the Mom-to-be is reading this, then she didn't follow my orders in the title of the blog! So in that case, NO, I'm totally thrilled to be doing this for you, and you are NOT to stress out over your rude co-workers, family members, or friends. You RSVP'd on time, so you are in the clear! And I won't embarass you by throwing a holy tantrum once these last RSVPers show their faces at the party...really, I'll be good! I love doing these kinds of things...when I'm workin with people with manners!

You are ROCK!

You Are Rock

Powerful and overbearing, you intimidate people with your presence. People know they can't push you around, and they respect that. Deep down, you are calm, confident, and unmovable. You take everything pretty seriously, and you think deeply about all aspects of your life. You tend to feel smothered by paper people. You don't mind crushing the spirit of a scissors person. When you fight, you: Use all of your strength If someone makes you mad: You're likely to throw something at them

Are You Rock, Paper, or Scissors?

7.7.07

We attended a wedding last night and found a long lost friend along the way! The wedding was at 5pm and we left the church around 545pm, but had time to kill until the cocktail reception started across town. Terry and I decided to find the nearest Starbucks in West Chester, but instead found a small, privately owned coffee shop first. To our complete surprise, when we walked in, we saw a man from our own wedding party (from 1995!) standing there waiting to serve us. We haven't seen this man in years and last we heard, he was living in KY with his wife. He looks the same, just opened up Coffee Beans and Brew on Yankee Rd in October of last year and has a 16 mo. old son! And, he lives about 10 mins from us, and across the street from some people that Terry went to school with, that attended our wedding. What a small world!!!!

We have 4th of July babies!!!

Last night, while all were sleeping in the house, our stray pregnant cat went into our closet, sat upon Terry's fishing coveralls and had her babies....all without a peep! I count at least four, although they are practically laying under her, and it's in the corner of the closet so it's pretty dark, so I will know more later, but for now, my Momma cat is happily purring away, cleaning all her babies and having the time of her life. And even better, so far there's VERY little mess....no lie! So, to recap, no noise, no help, no mess, and wonderful babies! YAY Cinnamon! UPDATE------BTW, I got to hold a few last night and there are 6 beautiful babies--one black/white, two tiger striped (black with grey), one carmel /white, one orange/black/white and one all black!!!! Now, who wants a kitten?

Wednesday!

Yesterday while cleaning up around the house, I came upon the garbarge can lid that had brown stuff spewed all over it. After further investigation, I found that Zac had made the mess....and guess what it was? Bakers' chocolate! EWWWWW! He was looking deep in the pantry to find some sweets and saw that box and thought he'd hit pay dirt....but he found out quick;y he hadn't---hahahahahaha!

Last night we went to the new Regal Cinemas in Mason to check out a $1 movie, $1 popcorn and $1 drink...no, it wasn't a hoax. The movies were ones that were almost out on video or already out on video, but the proceeds went to charity, and heck, a night out with the whole family, popcorn and drinks included, was only $10 (I made the kids share!)....that's a STEAL! So after sitting through an XMen movie, which was so loud that Terry went to complain in the first 10 minutes, we came out to a totally crowded entrance and a great big thunderstorm! This place was packed....the parking lots were totally full. We did something everyone should do with their kids a few times....we ran like nuts through the rain and got soaked...and laughed to whole way to the car. Terry and I were laughing so hard I thought one of us would wet ourselves, and of course the kids thought it was soooo fun being so silly with your Mom and Dad. It's something I think all of us will remember next time it rains too....umbrellas are sooo not hip!

Sledding in Summer?

Just a funny thing that happened last week....imagine my kids, bored, as I didn't plan anything for them that day (gasp!) After playing upstairs, eating snacks, playing outside, eating snacks again, playing inside, etc etc, they went into the garage and found their sleds from last year. They bring them in and tell me they are building a fort, and so I sit and continue to sip iced tea and eat bon bons on the couch (ok, there were no bon bons, but a girl can dream, right?) while watching tv. Next thing I know, Lillie comes FULL speed down the stairs, on her sled! It was like a blue flash with blond hair blowing behind it. She came so incredibly fast that had Zac not been at the bottom of the stairs to stop her, I think she would have sledded right out of the glass in the back door! She knocked Zac over, got up and saw that Zac was laughing, so she started laughing hysterically too! Once my heart started beating at a normal rate again and I got my breath back, I told them (in between chuckles) that was really not funny, and then proceeded to laugh out loud until I had tears in my eyes! She eventually busted out crying....the "scared" caught up with her and well, the sleds were promptly put back in the garage where they will stay until the next snow storm!

VBS!

YAY! Our kiddos started Vacation Bible School today and LOVED it! Our church (we are back at Crossroads and that's a whole other post in itself) doesn't offer VBS since every weekend is like VBS there....so we are at the Loveland United Methodist church this week every morning. It's called Game Day Central, so everything is sports related. Lillie was not thrilled when she discovered that she was in a different group than her brother, but after a little coaxing, and once I left the buidling, she was fine. Zac, who didn't really want to go because it would interfere with the new computer game he's playing, ended up having a ball! They gave each family a music CD of the songs they sing everyday and the kids must have listened to it 4 times already, showing me the hand motions and everything. Thursday night is Family Night, so I'm anxious to see what that's about.

So, as far as the kids are concerned, VBS is FUN, and for me, well, it gives me 2.5 hours with nothing to do...really! I hit the local Starbucks today, and then Target....tomorrow, well, maybe I'll come home and clean, who knows. All I know is, every Mom should sign her kids up for VBS at least once! Churches are so awesome!

So are all 11 year old PITAS?

You do know what a PITA is, don't you? Pain In The Ass. I know that Zac is almost 7 and a far cry from 11, but if he acts like our 11 year old neighbor in 4 years, he might be shipped off to military school! This kid doesn't give up! He is the sneakiest little slime ball I've ever met, and his Mom thinks he's the best little guy in the world! He might be more street smart than Zac, but Terry and I are seeing right through him. Here's what we have so far this summer: He constantly gets Zac to ask if he can eat dinner with us---NO! He took my last summer mix Pepsi earlier this week and then blamed it on Zac. I later found out that he asked Zac to get it for him and when Zac couldn't reach it, this kid got it for himself. Ummm, just because it's in a fridge in the garage (is that public property?) doesn't mean it's YOURS! I mean, what if you couldn't read and accidentally took one of my beers? Oh, it would be ON--you think I get hot over summer mix Pepsi...you haven't seen me fight over a beer! My favorite was last night, after playing video games at his house. Zac comes home with the game they had been playing (ours) and a BROKEN memory card. Funny, because he went over with a totally good memory card earlier that day. So Terry sent Zac back over to get ALL the memory cards in their house so we could decipher which one was ours....or at least find a better one than we already had! LOL! We got our own back and then made a new rule...memory cards and games don't leave our house. The Mom next door might not pay attention to what her hellion is doing, but I do...and I'm not going to be bulldozed by some ADHD ridden, cheeto-eating, pepsi-stealing 11 year old. Got it? Good!

Summer Reading

OK, here's a plug for the local library summer reading programs...if you aren't in one, get into one! They are fabulous and keep the kids wanting to read everyday! If only they had one for parents...I'm reading like I've just learned to read...I can't get enough. Some recent must reads include:
If I am Missing or Dead http://www.amazon.com/If-Am-Missing-Dead-Liberation/dp/0743296532/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7295360-8732007?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181596439&sr=1-1 I literally couldn't put this book down....

And for the non-fiction reader in you... Love and Respect http://www.amazon.com/Love-Respect-Desires-Desperately-Needs/dp/1591451876/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7295360-8732007?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181596643&sr=8-1 Terry and I are having our rough spell again...I guess the heat just does us in...but this summer I'm being proactive and trying to find a way to get what I want...and this book just might teach me how.

Also, Wicked! http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Life-Times-Witch-West/dp/0060987103/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-7295360-8732007?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181596716&sr=1-2 I mean, who hasn't seen the Wizard of Oz and wondered about the wicked witch? Really?!

And for the kids.... Airmail to the Moon http://www.amazon.com/Airmail-Moon-Tom-Birdseye/dp/0823407543/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7295360-8732007?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181596782&sr=1-1 My school teacher neighbor suggested it and it's funny to hear the voices she put with it...but it's a cute book!

OK, I'm off to read...or cook.....whatever I can get away with! LOL!

Kids for Sale!

Who am I kidding--they're free--no one would pay for what I'm offering! I would actually put them on a curb with a sign that said "free to a good home" if I thought I could get away with it. God knows I love them with all my heart, but the bickering has actually set me on my way to the wine rack well before lunchtime, several times this week! Thank goodness I need coffee more than wine...otherwise I'd be drunk by lunch! And this cold I have makes it impossible to taste the wine and I refuse to waste it on dead tastebuds...so the wine is safe, for now.

Story of my life...we're at the library and I am signing the kids up for the summer book club when Zac refuses to let Lillie carry some books....que the screaming and bickering...all while I'm trying to look NICE while gritting my teeth and telling them to HUSH IT! Then Zac drops a book on Lillie's foot and you'd think it cut her foot clean off her body with the way she was carrying on. Talk about embarrassment!

We get in the car where they start reading to get ahead on the summer book club and I'm all set to have a few moments of peace when Lillie starts "reading" and Zac tells her she's not really reading what's on the page....que more bickering! I just want to fast forward them 20 years and turn them around to look at themselves on this day to see how absolutely SILLY it is to be fighting over something so dumb! So being the mean Mom I am, I tell Zac that he wasn't reading when he was 4 and that it's prefectly normal blah blah blah. That doesn't do the trick, so being dumb myself, I pull into Burger King and get them kids meals---to quiet them for 5 minutes---I'm willing to pay $7 for 5 minutes of quiet and stupid toys that will most likely be thrown out next time Rumpke comes around.

On a good note...the library still allows me to check out videos....I pay a late fee 90% of the time...I thought I was more organized than I am. Anyway, the kids got videos and are currently watching them on seperate TVs on seperate floors of the house and life is soooo nice right now! Must go back to library to get MORE videos! BYE!

We're free!!!!!!

School is officially OUT! And as the busses were pulling away today from the schools with all those little hooligans, every driver honked continually to all the teachers who were out waving, smiling and thanking GOD that this year is finally over! LOL! It was loud, but so fun to end the year with a bunch of nonsense!

That being said, we started having fun last weekend...we went to the Beach waterpark on Saturday, went to a friend's (Pete) cabin in Adams County on Sunday where the kids went four wheeling for the first time and then Monday we were at a kids fishing tourney at Lake Isabella! Both kids won a trophy for catching a fish and had a great time roasting marshmellows and making smores over the campfire at 1pm in the afternoon on an 85 degree day. Seriously though, it was fun! Here's Lillie with Pete and Zac with Terry. We went hiking, grilled out and enjoyed the beautiful view that he has from his 45 acres on the top of a HUGE hill! Can't wait to go back!

And now that we're home, the kids are already fighting like cats and dogs. It's gonna take a lot of beer, wine and chocolate to get me through the summer....I can sense it.

A little humor....

Mothers' Day weekend was fun! We went to my parents' house of a bbq on Sunday afternoon and here's a few highlights:

--- I'm picking which meat I want off the plate and after accidentally taking a hotdog I put it back, then touched a really burnt brat and decided against it and ultimately found what I was looking for when Terry comes up behind me and says (with my Grandma, Mom, sister and EVERYONE standing there) "This is like a marriage, Julie. You gotta pick one weiner and stick with it!" I thought my grandma would need oxygen she was laughing so hard....an almost 80 year old woman mind you!

---In talking about an upcoming wedding our family has been invited to we got to talking about directions to get there. Seriously, I thought the Michael A Fox highway going to Hamilton was called the "Michael J Fox" highway, after the actor, ya know? I thought everyone was pulling my chain about the A, and then I realized they were right. All this time...that highway is NOT named after the cute Family Ties actor of long ago....which brings me to this...who the hell is Michael A Fox?

---Terry did yard work! Now that's funny!