Report for the week.

To contiue Saturdays report. The greenhouse foundation went really well. We actually worked well together with no fights. Staked and ran strings, then started digging. It turns out we dont need to dig very much, we do how ever need to get some dirt to raise part of the yard. So thats the plan for next weekend. The MIL came over for dinner, we had a nice time then she stayed with Logan while we went to see the new Pirets movie. It was pretty good they tied up the open stories, but left it open for a 4th.


The rest of the weekend and week are a bit of a blur. I spent some more time in the yard doing this and that, planted some more veggies, put up a rabbit fence to keep them out. Planted some flower and herb seeds. Cleaned the house and did some other chores. The work week went fast. 2 of my co-workers and I have placed a bet. We all need a kick in the butt to lose some weight, so we are betting to see who can lose the most weight by Aug 1. We are all competive so hopefully that will keep us modivated long enough to get started.

Tommorow, my sil and neice are coming over for lunch were going to try out a new indian restruant just around the corner. I love indian food but Mitch wont try it. He seems to think that everything thats indian has curry in it which he dislikes. Whatever his loss. After lunch Sage is coming back to my place to hang out till Mom comes over. Then we're taking Logan to Build-A-Bear. This is at Sage's request. It's going to be interesting to see what animal he picks out. I want him to get the turtle, Mom wants the monkey, Sage a penguin. He'll probobley end up picking something else.

Friday Logan and I are taking our friends Patrick and Brooke to the zoo.

Productive weekend.

I had requested that we make a run to the dump this weekend. Low and behold Mitch listened, after little man went to be friday we cut down several small trash trees I've been wanting to remove. Loaded the trailer with all the tree trimings and stuff. Sat morning we headed to the dump dropped of the stuff and loaded the trailer with mulch I busted ass and spread the entire load while Mitch ran to the home depot. He came home was all "wow your almost done" haha i responded with "I busted ass casue I want you to go get another load" LMAO. So he did!! While he was out Imoved the sand box across the yard to under the trees, planted some flowers, planted some sunflower seeds, dug up some weeds and an old yucca generally just lots of yard work. And filled Logans little pool to warm up. We spread the 2nd load as soon as mitch got home. Of course 2 huge loads was not quite enough, I think next weekend well get one more load. I mean really it's free you just have to pick it up and over all its really good mulch there were a few peices of plastic bags in the mix easy enough to pick out. They also some fantastic looking black dirt which I think I'll get a load of.

Once Logan goes down for his nap were going out to start work on the greenhouse!! I'm so excited, we have to dig a 10x12 by 5 inch deep foundation. Something I am not looking forward to doing, were going to use the tiller to lossen up the dirt hopefully it won't be to bad. The foundation needs to be level which I think going to be a pain, the spot where its going has a mild slope.

Time to make lunch, I'll report in later on the progress.

Internet police.

Looks like my freedom on the internet at work might be coming to a stop. Here's the email they sent out yesterday.

Dave’s team is currently testing new tools to monitor and block access to certain websites, just within the IT Department.

Please let him or I know if you are getting blocked for a site which is needed for business purposes.

We will be evaluating the tools for a rollout company wide at a later date.

I'm trying to keep my activity to a min for the next few weeks maybe they wont catch our sites. So if Im mia you'll all know why. I'm still logged on to MSN messager so ping my there and feel free to sent me emails.

A positive side of dementia

My mind today keeps taking me to memories of my Grand Father Truman. This man never stopped amazing me from my earliest memory to my last. For the last 10 years or so of his life his memory was under constant attack from dementia. Having known him before he started losing memories was wondrous, he had a memory that was so detailed. I guess that’s what made it all the worse to watch him lose it. Once he came to grips with the fact that his memory was being striped from him in true Truman fashion he looked for ways to over come it. For many years he always had a small note book in his breast pocket, he would take notes on important things. After explaining to him something about 3 times we would prompt him to “Check your notebook” . Now anyone who has spent time with someone suffering from dementia knows it can be very tiring to re-explain or re-tell something over and over. There is an exception to that.

The first time I took Logan up to visit my Grandparents we arrived showed off the baby, and I told my Grand father that I had named Logan Truman after him. The grin from ear to ear, he was so honored so proud. A little while later after things calmed down, Granddad looked down at Logan and asks “Who’s the baby” I explain to him that he’s my son, only 3 weeks old and that I named him after you. Again the genuine wonderful expression of joy and honor. We went threw this a good 6 or so times. There aren’t many wondrous moments like that you get to experience in life, and to get to do it over so many times in a single day was a wonderful. Not once that day did I say “Check your notebook”

Weekend report.

We cancelled out plans to go on the SnT hand gliding trip. The weather was calling for rain, that never came. I was happy we didn't go, there is just to much for ME to do to prep for these trips. And I didn't want to leave little man for the entire weekend. We had already made plans for my parents to keep Logan all weekend so I took him over to spend Friday night. Now did we take advantage of this nope, we did nothing I didn't even get to sleep in on Sat since Mom and I decided we should go visit Grand mom. Visiting her is getting harder every time, shes going downhill fast she was moved into full time nursing care about 2 months ago. She just seems to be losing more of her body and mind everyday. Ever since She and Granddad Moved out of their home 2 years ago at the age of 92 and 94, shes started slipping downward. Then after Granddad died it was like some one flipped a switch on her mind. I think their being in their own home kept them going. Mind you there was a full time care worker and my Aunt there everyday. Anyway sad stuff its depressing to see someone just being alive with no quality of life. Grand Mom has even confided in her Minster that "I'm ready to go home" as in heaven. I'll be very sad when I finally do lose her especially since shes the last of my grandparents but I know she'll finally be a peace. Oh get this she and Granddad made it to a few months past their 76th wedding anniversary!! How's that for a Strong marriage! I took this photo of them a a few years ago, and just love it.



Now on to less somber topics.
Sat night I headed over to my SIL's for a scrapbook session. I was so On that night, I got 5 pages done! A double page from Logan's birthday, a playground page and a double set from Port Discovery. There were a bunch of people there friends of my brothers, they were passing around photos of the Thomas cake, some one compared it to an Ace of Cakes cake. That was a huge compliment I just beamed.

Sunday we had a 4 pm joint Birthday party for Hailey and Logan. Mostly it was the usual playgroup people. About half the people that RSVP'ed cancelled at the last minute. This seems to be the annoying norm. Really don't RSVP if your going to cancel. Anyway before we left I had a talk with Logan about not hitting Hailey or being mean. If you hit Hailey even once we are going to leave. We had to leave the last play date for the same reason. Well something must have clicked because he was an angel all day. They played so well together there were NO tears at all. I only had to put him in time out once because he ran from me toward the street. I don't know if it was the talk or that we were outside or if the planets just aligned right not that it matters I'll take it. So nice to have a good play date.

There is a park play date scheduled for Friday, I suggested that we go to Park A, which is shaded, NEVER crowded, and generally just nice. But NO they decide to go to Park B, which has no shade there are always like 50 kids there, lots of big kids too. And generally just not as nice a park A. It was all we'll we know where park B is, and we always go there. Uggh, I guess I'll just have to schedule playgroups at other places. I like to check out different places there are a ton of parks in the area lets check some different ones out. OK vent over and back to work, boo hiss 3 days this week.

First Movie theater trip.

I decided this morning to bail on the play date we were going to. It was at the home of the little girl Logan seems to have all the aggression toward. I was just not in the mood to deal with that. Instead we went to see Shrek the third. The movie itself was OK not as good as the others. Over all little man was good, there must have been 20 mins or commercials (BS if you ask me, I didn’t pay to see this crap) and previews. Then part way threw the previews something happen to the film, it took 10 mins to fix it. Not a good plan when you have a theater full of young childern. Finally once the movie started I let Logan open his candy which kept him very happy till it was gone. Then he got fidgety, wanted to try out some other seats and see how far away I'd let him get from me. He sat for a while then quite loudly announced "I have to go pee pee" This is good and bad, obvious reasons for good, bad because for some reason he loves to check out bathrooms. Once he's gone once he wants to go back again and again. We headed to the potty he did actually pee, but just as I suspected as soon as we were back at our seats, "I need to go pee pee" after the first trip he really wasn’t all that into the movie, I fed him some goldfish and gummy snacks. Overall I'd say it went well. As we were leaving or rather as I was chasing him as he ran from the theater he did a 180 ran back in "I want to watch Shrek again" To darn cute.

Blood taken.

Little man got orders from the Dr to have some blood work done, a lead test and a cbc. It was heartbreaking, I had to hold in my lap and then hold his arms. That was bad enough, but then the freaking tech couldn't find the vein so she started digging. He was doing OK up till then, OMG the scream he let out. He was trying to turn around to hide in my arms, crying and screaming "It hurts, stop!" He cried/whimpered all the way to the car, then all the way home. He keeps saying that lady hurt me, its really hurts mommy. I know we needed the test done but I feel so bad for him.

On a more positive note we got his 3 year photos done, there were so many good shots. Once I get them scanned and get the on line code I'll post them.

Bla...

I feel bla today well actually for the past 2 days. I know a major part of it is the down after a big event, as in Logan's birthday and party. It happens after every big thing in my life, the long build up to the event then wham it's all over and theres a void. So much of my time the past few weeks went to getting things ready I don't know what to do with myself. Yes it's silly or stupid but that's just how it is. I'm typing this as I sit at my desk at work. Doing a job I don't really like, beating myself up over that too. I worked so hard, and spent a lot of money on college to get this job. I've come to the realization that programming is just not my thing, I struggle with it consentally. The little programs I did at the last job were fun but not huge and complicated that's what made me think I would like it. What do I want to do? That's the million dollar question. I really don't know. I could teach, I'm a good teacher BUT it's been so long since I did any science the kids would know more than me, and the idea of me going back to school for education classes does not appeal to me. I envy people that know what they want to be when they grow up, are they pushed by parents? Or do they just know? I've toiled over these questions for what feels like forever. I have periods of peace when I'm content or complacent, followed by periods of questioning and doubt. I guess at the end of the day what I want is just to be happy there always seems to be some obstacle in my path toward happiness some created by me some not. Maybe I should become a bulldozer driver so I can just mow them down.

3rd Birthday party.

I didnt take many photos, Mom took over the camera duties and didnt get the shots I would have picked but oh well. Hopefully some other cameras will yeild some more good shots, Terri did you get some good ones?

We'll start with the box train, it was a huge hit. Logan even asked me today to pull it out for play time.



The favor hats and whistels








And finally the cake. I'm so proud :)

Azalea Gardens

My parents and I have a long tradition of visiting the Azalea Gardens each spring. Some week night before mothers day when they are peaking. Pack a picnic dinner and off we go. This place is amazing, its huge there must be thousands of plants. A picture is worth 1000 words..

There is a nice playground there by the picinc tables. Look at the differece in Logan from last year! My has he grown.




On to the garden

Last of the party prep.

Even with taking yesterday off I still have a million things to do. My plan was to bake the cake yesterday and then decorate it today. I followed the recipe in the decoration book. OMG its terrible, awful, the worst cake I've ever tasted. I'm so glad I left some wiggle room time, and that I tasted it. Of course I used the last of the eggs so I need to run to the store.

I got the Big box train constructed yesterday, I was going to paint it till I realized the can of spray paint I have was white, so add spray paint to the list of things to get.

I did get the show box serving train done with some "help" from Logan.The party platters are ordered Mom's going to pick them up tomorrow morning. All the salads are made, goodie bags are assembled.

So the ever famous list...
Hit the store, eggs, milk, soda, spray paint.
Burn Stef's b-day photos and port discovery to CD for Terri.
Paint big box train.
Bake cake, then decorate.
Clean the house.
Wrap gifts.
Mow the grass.
Then just set up in the morning.

Let's dish again

The cost is $205 for 12 dinners they say each dinner serves 6 (I split all mine into 3 portion serving). Most of the places have coupons out there you just need to look for them.

Other places of the same nature

http://www.deeelish.com/
http://www.dinnerzen.com/
https://mygirlfriendskitchen.com/

theres a ton of places out there just google Meal assembly.

Let's Dish

I finally went to Let's dish. In just about 3 hours, including travel time, I made 26 dinners. The person who invented this place is brilliant. Basically it's an food assembly place. Step up to a station everything you need for the recipes is there, pre cut veggies and meat, you just put it together customizing to your tastes. They deal with all the clean up, you don't have to go searching for that missing spice or ingredient. Everything I made just needs to be heated, most of the things I choose take about 30 mins to cook.
Here's what I made. I spilt each meal since it serves 6, I figure we can have dinner and then some left over for my lunch the next day.

2 dinners - Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas
2 dinners - Chicken Marinara
2 dinners - Chile-Lime Grilled Chicken with Black Bean Salsa
4 dinners - Lemon Chicken with Asparagus and Rice
2 dinners - Tandoori-Style Grilled Chicken with Spiced Cous Cous
2 dinners - Smoky-Sweet Flank Steak
4 dinners - Seasoned Pork Chops with Sweet Cooked Corn
2 dinners - Fresh Tomato, Herb and Cheese Tart
12 individual - Design-Your-Own Calzones

I took a large rolling cooler with me, filled it and had another bag, its a ton of food! As longs as I'm happy with the tastes I think I'll be doing this again.

Back to the grind.

The fun is over, well at least my long weekend. I'm tired today I didn't sleep well. I was hot then cold, had crazy dreams all night long and was up with Logan at least once maybe twice its a blur. His allergies are just terrible I know hes not feeling well last night he was very temperamental melted down at bed time hard core. "I don't like (fill in the blank)" and "It's to late for (fill in the blank)" back and forth. When I took him in to the bathroom to pee before bed the scream that emanated from him, you would have thought I'd just ripped his arm off. Poor little guy I hate not being able to make him feel better. Hopefully soon all the oaks in the area will be done their thing so the pollen count will drop. Then maybe he'll feel better, I know oaks are the worse for Mitch especially since there are so many in our neighborhood.

I have such a busy week.
Tuesday - work, at lunch go to costco order party platters, then at 7:45 I'm going to Let's dish. I figure in 2 hours I can make up enough meals for a month. Even though it seems kind of pricey we eat out way to much by doing this theres no excuse to eat out so in the end we'll save money.

Wed - Work, go birthday shopping with Mitch, work on Box train. We started on the engine last night, it's going to be soooo cool. I'm really excited about it.

Thursday - Work, meet Mom and Dad to go to the Azalea gardens. Work on Box train.

Friday - Finish Box train, make and decorate cake, quick clean of the house. Go to the spring fling/fair at the school I'm thinking of sending Logan to.

Sun - Mothers day which most likely means a trip to see grand mom with my mom.

Monday - Nothing Nothing and then Nothing!
Sat - Logan's Birthday

Now that I look at this I'm starting to freak, how am I going to get everything done for the party? I have little free time to do stuff, maybe I'll skip work on Thursday send Logan to the sitter anyway. That's a plan, cause I also forgot to add mow the grass since its growing so fast. If I send him off to Kandra I could mow the grass, finish the train since I want to paint it that will take some time. and finish up all the other little things that crop up. Yeah I think that's the plan. Sorry about the disjoined flow of thoughts today.

Woo Hoo modivation rocks!

It’s Done!! Well I still need the moulding for the window but I need Dad to make that for me, and I need to pick up a new threshold strip the old one is to tall with the new flooring. I can hardly move today my back is hurting me bad, way to much bending over while laying the floor. I managed to get everything on my list done last week. Even with taking a day off for the zoo. My list for this week is a bit shorter and lots more fun 

Make train boxes
Make train signs
Make salads for party
Make Birthday Party
Shop for Birthday gifts and wrap

All work and no play makes Angela a ....

After busting my butt all week I decided Logan and I needed a day off. Logan was asking earlier this week for the zoo, so off we went. It was crazy busy seems friday is the big feild trip day. Being a member has its advantages, I know all the back routes to things. We were able to miss most of the croud, we ate lunch in the shade under a big tree and rode the tram (or train as Logan calls it) back to the car. I let him walk again so he took a good long nap this afternoon. I managed to get almost everything on my list done while he slept. I made the pattern for the new vinyl floor, laying the floor and baseboard is all I have left. I've got a party tommorow, the floor will have to wait till Sunday. I'm determined to have it done this weekend.

My windshield got broken yesterday thankfully there are a ton of Mobile replacement services in the area. The replacement people will be here today after 1. I was going to run some err ans this morning but I'm not comfortable driving around lots with a damaged windshield. So I think I'll focus on the house after I finish goofing off on here. I Did get the window sill home, cut, painted and installed on the porch. I also washed the screens put them back up and cleaned almost everything off the porch. I thought I have a huge roll of craft paper to use to make the floor template by alas its only 15 feet long.

So here are today's goals.
DONE - Take out the trash, get the junk from the basement.
Clean the bathroom
DONE - Vac the house, and then dust
Change my sheets and do laundry
DONE - Clean the kitchen
DONE - Mop the kitchen and dinning room floors
Put together box's for the big train.
Skimcoat the porch floor.
If I can get more craft paper make the floor template

Ok I think that enough.

Slacker

Time and motivation were stolen from me yesterday. I had all these great intentions, seems everyone else had other ideas. First I get home and Mitch is there great I think he can take Logan. Foolish me, he announced that he was going to wash he car. Fine I said take Logan with you, I mean wash it out front not at the car wash. Again I said fine take Logan with you. Off they went, I headed out to the porch I wanted to get it cleaned off so I can get to work on the floor. Well, about 30 mins later Logan is in the back yard not being watched at all by Mitch. I figure Logan told Daddy that I was on the porch and Mitch passed the buck to me. Now in that 30 mins Logan managed to coat himself with dirt, literally head to toe. After about an hour total in the yard he announced "I'm Hungary". So I had to stop what I was doing to bathe him then make dinner. All the while Mitch is still washing his car. After he went down for the night I wasted some time going threw coupons then headed to Home depot to get the floor crack filler. Enter round 2 of stolen time. I wanted to pick up a window scrapper, little tool that holds a razor blade. Well I wanted a nice one with a retractable blade, they are very use full tools so I thought I'd invest in a decent one. What a mistake I couldn't find it, then asked for help them man told me where they were I said No there are none there. He said Ok we must need to restock the shelf just ask one of the paint guys to get one down for you. I waited 5 mins to get some help, then they couldn't find the darn things. So I left, just in time to see the next store I needed to stop at close. Uggh So with all that being said heres the plan for tonight.

After I pick up Logan, stop at Joanne's to get the table cloth material (thanks Terri I forgot they have it) Stop at harbor freight to get the window scrapper, wish me luck. If Mitch isn't home when I get there feed Logan real quick, be a bad Mommy and plop him in front of a movie till Mitch gets home. Inform Mitch that he has Logan duty tonight! Then head out to the porch, I'll have the last of the moulding tonight so finish cutting that, put the saw away, move the table, and skimcoat the floor. Then paint the last of the moulding first and 2nd coat. If I can get enough craft paper I'll make the template for the floor. If the paint is dry soon enough I'll attach the window sill moulding. If I can actually get all this done I'll be golden. All that will leave is actually cutting the vinyl and laying it. Then attacting the baseboard moulding and a few pieces of trim all of which are already cut and painted. Rinsing off the screens and replacing them. I could actually have the porch minus the shelving unit done tomorrow. I guess I should add stop and pick up some high caffeine drinks on the way home too. :)

Super Productive

Yesterday was such a good day I got so much done.
We headed out early yesterday to run some errands.
Stopped by CVS to pick up a bunch of things, every item I wanted they were sold out of. This is like the 3rd time its happened I'm not bothering to go back to that store.
Went to target, got some plant labels, and a few other things I can't remember. Picked out a table and chairs for the backyard. I like them with the exception on the color of the cushions, they are a rusty orange. But in the broader scope of things I can deal with the color if I really want the set.
Bed Bath and beyond, to look for vinyl tablecloths I would rather invest in a few that I can reuse instead of the disposable ones. But I'm having a hard time finding any.
Party city, picked up some Thomas napkins, and picked out the balloons for Logan’s party.
BJ's To price party platters, picked up dog food and paper towels and got some stickers for the goodie bags, they have cheap stickers.
Costco To price party platters, and plants. Picked up a rolling box thing to put all my scrap booking stuff in. If I can keep it all accessible I'm more likely to work on it. Got another 3 pack of fire detectors. There have been to many fires in homes lately my paranoia has gone up. Logan and I had lunch at Costco. They have this cheap deal a hotdog and fountain soda for $1.50. They are really big dogs too I couldn’t finish mine, but Logan ate all his!! Then spilled his soda, thankfully I only filled the cup about 1/2. Funny thing is he knocked it over it rolled off the table, hit the seat hit the floor and then popped open. Oh well. He was telling everyone "I spilled my drink" So cute. I was a mad woman while he napped. Here’s the goals updated.


Finish the porch.
o Get, install, and paint the window sill. Taking home today
o Put a 2nd coat of blue up. Done
o Install the floor. Prep the sub-floor lay and the vinyl
o Paint and install the baseboard moulding Painted
o Paint and install the ¼ round Painted
o Paint and install the wainscot cap Painted
o Paint and install the shoe Moulding Painted
o Put the new window cranks on Done
o Put the new screen door hardware on I have an odd size cant find a replacement.



Once he got up from his nap we headed outside. I planted the window boxes, weeded all the flower beds (there are lots, freaking maple tree babies) and started hoeing the veggie garden when my wonderful neighbor come over to offer his rototiller!! I'll get that from him sometime this week. So if I keep up at this pace I'll have it all done. I might be face down in the grass from exhaustion but hey my stuff will be done.