Is your Sun shining?

You know how sometimes you can go a long time without talking to a friend. Then one day either you or that friend decides to pick up that phone and give you a call. Maybe it's been a few months, maybe even a few years, but you just start talking like it was yesterday.

My Movin' Mom life has left me with friends from here to timbuktu. Yet we can usually just pick up right where we left off. I am hoping the same will apply with all of you. I am very much a creature of habit, so once you get out of the morning ritual it's hard to get back up on the bike again.

SO HERE I AM...training wheels free, hoping I can create the "habit" once again.

I recently (4 days ago) turned 41 years old. My grandmother (3 weeks ago) turned 85 years old. I realize it isn't an exact half but it amazes me still that I am half her age. Kind of how my 3 year old niece will feel about me when she turns 41.

WOW~ I need a moment to let that set in.

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UPDATES on my recent posts.


My eldest is still searching for the right fit but I believe he is finally trying to focus on that.
His struggle right now is that his GPA could be better but his ACT was amazing.
He broke up with his long distance relationship, but has had a "new friend" here almost daily since.
I try to explain that there should be at least one full deep cleansing breath before someone else swoops in.
Awww to be a kid again!

Next in line, my 15 year old. We have been driving around town letting him get his practice in. (learners permit)
He is an excellent driver but doesn't handle criticism well. He is also benefiting from his brother's college research.
He went to see his counselor and had an AP class added to his schedule for the fall. He has sworn off relationships
for now.....which at least allows me one deep cleansing breath.

Following with my daughter, who is about to become 13! She handed me her grades this morning and is doing amazing. She is for the first time in her life a part of a team. Tennis is not her first choice and she is having to work really hard because the other girls on the team seemed to have had more experience. But with each tennis match she improves. The boy that her brothers despised broke up with her, which as a mom I have to admit....I was a little bummed that he beat her to the punch.
I know thats horrible for me to say but I would have rather it had been her breaking up with him. Even though I Have sons and know how they would feel, I saw my daughter and how it made her feel. All part of life I guess. Movin' Dad's response (he didn't like him either) was the end result is the same and that is all that matters.

And then there was one, my youngest who is about to become a double digit. He is living extreme joy because his oldest brother finally put our trampoline together. We're thinking of starting him in lacrosse because he too has never been on a team sport. Then there's Tai Kwon Do, skateboarding, gymnastics, wrestling.....he has a different idea every single day. I think each time we get to the point of signing him up he changes his mind to another sport.
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Coming up with my posts had been such a struggle because of the personal information that my kids would not want out there. On top of the move which really kept me busy here in Michigan. Wisconsin was a time in my life where I had a ton of time on my hands. A lack of girlfriends and not a lot of places to go shopping or out to eat. Michigan is exactly the opposite.
My friends here are quite social, It is rare that I sit at home with nothing to do. But I am trying to find my creative side again.
The Sun is shining and that makes me feel HAPPY!

I have yet to catch up on anyone but I will. But right now I am heading to the mall...hee hee hee!!!

Putting things in God's Hands

Last night, my boys had a group of friends over.

There is always a tremendous amount of teasing that goes on between my kids but even more so, the two oldest.
They are only 14 months apart and are finally at a point where they do quite a bit together including having the same friends.

I can count on one hand the amount of fights, they have had.I don't mean racing to see who makes it to the front seat of my car first, or even walking by and getting a punch in every so often. I mean a really anger filled rage like fight. So mad at each other they couldn't see straight. The answer is twice. Obviously the first time broke my heart. It was even within this year. My boys had lead approx 15 years of their life without having that happen. Needless to say, I probably overreacted to it.

So last night, the teasing started as always. But like two brothers who are together 24/7, same school, share a room, wrestle together, same friends, they know everything there is to know about each other. Especially what to say to get the other one going. It unraveled without anyone even knowing.

At some point my 15 year old made a comment that didn't sit well but he didn't react. Until they went down to the basement.
Then in front of all the other kids, my oldest decides to tackle my 15 year old and start beatin' on him.
Well normally I hear about it immediately. But it wasn't until later that my eldest decided to say something.

If you can visualize this, I was silently screaming at him. It's exhausting! WHY, WHY, WHY? I know that a lot of reactions will be that their brothers, and that's what brothers do. BUT NOT IN MY HOUSE. Our rules and what we have taught them are that you don't EVER hit the people that you love. EVER!!!! NO EXCEPTIONS! Then I threw in there, that I would tell their dad about it the next day. Just so they know....this discussion isn't over!

So before I go to bed I said my prayers. As always, I add a prayer in that if my children are doing something wrong, that they be caught. That if they are veering off of a path that they be held accountable.

Well one day later (today), I sent my two boys (who of course are good with each other now) ...(but still no apology) to the gas station to get some pop for their sister and her friends. They both walk in and there are two men behind the counter, ironically enough two brothers.

They ask my guys if they are also brothers.

They say "YES!"

One man says to my eldest, "let me guess, are you the oldest?"

My son smiles and says, "YES!"

The he asked my son, "Let me ask you, do you ever hit on him?"

My other son says, " uh yeah....last night he did!"

The guy looks at my son and says, "DID YOU REALLY?"
he handed him back the change and said, "Have a nice day!"
and they left.

The most remarkable part of this story is that my oldest son
came home and told me this whole story. It really affected him.
I looked right into his eyes and said, "That was God!" That's how he works.

I pray that my children be held accountable. Do I want them to feel bad.....NO!
I want them to know that God is always watching.
I want them to be good and when they screw up...as we all do...I want them to feel remorse.
Especially if they have hurt someone.

This story has a happy ending.
Which is why I put things in God's hands.

I think I write a lot about my eldest because through him I am presented with the path I have yet to travel.
For instance college. I didn't go that route after high school because I graduated with a cosmetology license.
In all honesty, it took every fiber in my being to get out of high school.

My oldest son is trying to choose colleges where he can apply. Yesterday, he took his Act test. I find myself learning this entire system and the steps needed to take to get into the right college for him. I have 3 more following him soon after so I ought to be a pro by the time my youngest reaches his senior year.

I know everything should be golden right now. I want him to enjoy this process and all that comes along with it. I want him to make memories and get involved in the "fun" that comes with high school. I'm just not sure if that is happening. He is very social,
and has more friends than I did. But when we moved from Wisconsin, he left a girlfriend waiting.

I struggle with this because he is only 16, and she is 15. I really don't understand how a long distance relationship can work when it's out of state. We have absolutely no intention of ever going back to Wisconsin. He knows this. He also knows that we have laid out our moral values his entire life and there is NO WAY we are sending him back to visit a girlfriend at his age.
I know this is something he needs to figure out on his own, but I cannot stand the fact that there's a dance this weekend and all their friends are out buying corsages and making their plans. My son has chosen to not attend.

His girlfriend came to visit with her mom a few weeks ago. But I even struggled with that. Their so young and yet I know that the feelings are real. I am not just concerned for my son, I am concerned for his girlfriend as well. I don't think it is fair to her either to be missing out on memories because she is trying to be true to my son.

It's a crazy situation. At times I wish I could just get it over with and dictate my demands. Reveal to him my experiences. But I have too much respect for him. I want him to learn and make his own mistakes. I want him to come to his own conclusion,
I just hope he can do that without any regrets.

I just read about this... WOW!

Could this even be real.....it almost sounds like someone describing a dream to you....or should I say nightmare.
I don't mean to become the Blogger with the latest news story but........this one is completely SHOCKING!

Indian Newborn Survives Fall From Train
By R.K. MISRA, AP
3 hours ago

AHMADABAD, India — A newborn baby girl fell through the toilet in a moving train and onto the tracks moments after her mother prematurely gave birth, surviving nearly two hours before being found, relatives said Thursday.

The child's mother, who uses the single name Bhuri, was traveling with relatives on an overnight train when she went to the bathroom shortly before midnight Tuesday and unexpectedly gave birth to a baby girl, said Arjun Kumar, her brother-in-law.

"Later, she fell unconscious and the baby fell through the toilet," he continued. "Two stations later, we knocked at the door."

Bhuri opened the door, soaked in blood.

"When we asked her about what happened, she said the baby had fallen through onto the tracks," Kumar said.

Toilets on Indian trains usually have holes that open directly onto the tracks, and there were no indications Thursday that authorities doubted Bhuri's story or planned to investigate the incident.

Kumar said that after finding Bhuri, relatives pulled the train's emergency brake and told railway officials what had happened. A search was quickly organized, and guards at one of the stations the train had passed soon found the baby.

"She was on the rail track for almost 1 1/2 to two hours," said Dr. Gautam Jain, a pediatrician at Rajasthan Hospital in Ahmadabad, in the western state of Gujarat, where the baby and mother were taken.

The child, who has not yet been named, was eight to 10 weeks premature and weighed only 3.22 pounds, Jain said. She had a low heart rate and body temperature.

"We do not expect such children to survive," Jain said.

Two cents for today

This is a quote I read on Oprah's website in her interview with Valerie Bertinelli.
I totally missed the actual interview which I meant to DVR.
She is referring to her divorce and her hopes for her son.

"So I'm hoping that when he does get married and start a life for himself, that he takes his time and marries a friend and not just someone that he can't keep his hands off."

Truer words could not be spoken. What fabulous advice to give my sons. Obviously you want them to have a healthy relationship
in every area, but if friendship isn't there...you cannot possibly have a successful marriage.

???

I missed posting for so long and so much has happened since that I am literally dumbfounded as to what I should share first.

If only I had a voice.....I'd put it to song.
I know I cannot possibly remember the wonderfulness and the not so wonderful in it's proper timeline......
I believe that was one of the plus' of posting my life.......documenting the life of a Mom, the good the bad and the ugly.
As it happened day by day.

Although when it got a little ugly, I couldn't post. I found that there are some things that I have to keep private.
I guess that is what makes me an amateur, huh?

I mean a real writer would just put it out there....right?

All I can really say in a nutshell is TEENAGERS.

I'm not ready to post about it. But I often say.....it would be a great book.

I think I am going to name it

"The many shades of gray"

After all, raising Teens isn't so black and white.

I feel the need to add.....I've got GREAT kids
So why am I posting about something that I am not even ready to post about?
Let's just change the subject.

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We got a Trader Joes here and LIFE IS GOOD!

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When we moved in we got new counters, everyone was shocked that we weren't replacing the stove.
Our theory was if it ain't broken....well....you now the saying.

So the granite was cut and when they went to hook up the gas, something went very wrong.
We called the warranty company they mailed us another stove. NO CHOICE! we just got what they sent.
It didn't fit. We were going to have to get the NEW granite cut again.
This has been a royal pain. So we shopped for the last 2 days and found one I LOVE. we are trying to stick with
oil rubbed bronze for the faucet and the cabinet handles and GUESS WHAT WE FOUND?
An oil rubbed bronze gas cooktop! NO LIE!
I cannot wait. I am really hooked on the whole copper accent look.

When it arrives there will be some kodak moments to share with you. Right now, it's a hole in the counter.
We are going on a month with no stove. Which is where the Trader Joes LOVE comes in.
I told my kids, there are cook books on how to boil water.....but is there one on how to cook WITHOUT boiling water?

I think not!
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HAWAII BOUND.

What is the reaction one has to boarding an airplane and realizing that there is a child sitting nearby.

Movin Dad and I were fortunate enough to recently visit Hawaii. It was work for him but but all about fun and sun for me.

Technically it was a 10 hour flight, however it was broke in half with a layover in San Fran. Now neither he nor I had ever been to Hawaii, and this would be the longest I had ever sat on a plane. I brought my laptop and a ton of movies. I brought magazines, books, snacks, gum, and my ipod. I pretty much exhausted all carryon ingredients in the first hour. I didn't know what to do with myself. The challenge was much more mental. The mere idea that I would be sitting on the plane for 5 and 1/2 hours possessed my mind and I couldn't concentrate on one single task. I asked my husband every half hour, what time it was. Then it happened...

I spotted the child in front of us. Now remember I do have 4 children, so I am not one of those people who make faces and get irritated by young toddlers constant repeats of the question "WHY?" In fact, this boy was quite cute. He did talk through the entire flight and made his mommy read him books the entire way. This is all normal, right? I mean HEY, if I could have had someone read to me the whole way, time would have flown by. The issue I had was the MOMMY! This woman was like watching PBS on volume 52 the entire 5 1/2 hours.

I kid you not, she spoke to her son in such a loud voice, it was all I could think about the whole way. My mind was overcome with polite ways to ask her to BE QUIET, or to lower her voice, I wanted to kick her chair...but I didn't.

There was a moment that this young boy who's name we all learned very quickly because she repeated each and every single time she addressed him. STEVEN!

Yes, Steven, No Steven, Steven where's the giraffe, Steven, do you want a snack, Steven do you need to go to the bathroom, I don't know why STEVEN!!!!

Then Steven decides to share his knowledge of the planets, It was very cute......until Mommy got involved.

Mommy, Did you know that Mars is the largest planet?

STEVEN, HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT MARS IS NOT THE LARGEST PLANET?

yes it is!

NO IT IS NOT

yes it is

NO IT IS NOT

yes it is

NO STEVEN IT IS NOT

yes it is

NO STEVEN MARS IS NOT THE LARGEST PLANET GEEZ!

yes it is

NO IT"S NOT


OMG I thought I was going to jump off the plane. Seriously...volume 52 the entire way.
Then she decides to use Stevens etch a sketch to send notes to her husband who was sitting on the row in front of them.
She had definitely mastered the skill of perfect etch a sketch handwriting. But her poor husband had not. This frustrated poor "Stevens mommy" and she decides to try and teach him from her back row (volume 52)
Look Honey you just turn this and then turn this...........

Then I heard the pilot, "Excuse me ladies and gentleman, we are arriving in San Francisco in approx 20 minutes.

WOW...that 5 1/2 hours flew by watching pre-school hour with "STEVENS MOMMY"

We stepped off the plane over to the next gate to get right back on the other plane heading for Hawaii.
AND YES....There is a GOD!
STEVEN and his mommy stayed in San Francisco.

Here we are as we descended into Hawaii, it was heaven.

The Don'ts are hysterical

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ADJECTIVE & A VERB

There are those people who can walk and chew gum at the same time. Pretty sure I can do that but obviously moving and blogging are quite the challenge. 

This is probably the most prepared we have ever been. 

The windows were cleaned.

The carpets were cleaned.

The housekeeper has cleaned. 

The flower beds were cleaned up and had some mulch thrown on for a cleaner look. 

We have purged as much furniture and storage then ever before. 

Our realtor came by to take some photos so we could list. I must have heard her say a thousand times how organized I was. Everything in your home has a place. You are so ORGANIZED!!!

I chuckled out loud because two words I've never heard spoken together would have to be my name and organized. Those of you who know me personally would agree. 

When my 16 year old arrived home from school, I shared this little story with him. Knowing full well he would have a field day with it. But to my surprise his response was, "Mommy, your not an adjective, your a verb.

Okay...that was just a bit too much for me to process.

 "Come again, what does that even mean?"

He said, "Your not an organized person, but your really good at organizing things."

Well, I must say...I CAN pack a car. 

How insightful of my 16 year old to "know" that about me. I just love him.

Speaking of packing a car....has anyone seen that new game for kids by Cranium?

The whole idea is to set the timer and then pack the back of the car before everything comes flying out! This I would have dominated. Instead I had Monopoly with two brothers who broke my bank every single time. Obviously if "Cranium" created this game....it must take some "brain power" to win.....right?

What's in a name?

Recently, I was asked how I came up with the name Movin' Mom.
If you read my Bio, you would understand. We move a lot.

I have tried numerous times to come up with something creative as a replacement. But to no avail, I remain Movin' Mom.
Then I realized, if I am going to continue to move every two to four years I am may as well keep it.

Then the unexpected occured. Something that noone could have imagined.




The phone rang... It was time! Time to make another move. Although this has to be a record. We have only been living here 15 months. The average moves are normally 2-4 years but 4 is our normal. We have only had one stay in Illinois that lasted 2 years.

SO AS THE STORY CONTINUES, MOVIN' MOM IS MOVING TO MICHIGAN!



Here's the plus, Movin' Dad and I have both decided that we are done!

NO MORE MOVES! THIS IS IT!

Over the Thanksgiving holidays, we will be traveling to our 'ol stompin grounds in search of the perfect home.

Not just any 'ol perfect home, "OUR PERFECT HOME."

We have never purchased a home with the thought that we would grow old in this home. We have always had to prioritize our needs based on resale of that home.

This time will be different.

This could very well be the home that I become a mother of not only a graduate but 4 graduates.
A home where I may become a mother in law, a grandmother, and so much more.

A home where if I want to paint the walls black....I can.
A home where we can actually bury a time capsule in the back yard and know that one day in the future we will dig it back up.
A home where I can have mailing labels and stationary pre printed in bulk if I want.
It will also be the last time that our close friends and families will have to scratch out our address in their address book.

A home where we can say....WE'RE HERE TO STAY!



MY HOME!!! MY HOME!!! MY HOME!!!

I mean.....OUR HOME!

*sidenote~ I wouldn't really paint the walls black....but I could if I wanted to.

Vino or Cerveza?

One might think that alcohol content is commen sense.
In fact, my guess is wine would seem to have a higher content.
But according to my son, in high school health class they are taught that it is the same.
One glass of wine = One bottle of beer
In the continuation of my alcohol detection home testing project! (it all sounds so official)
And to bring those of you who do not want to have to back track up to date on my last post.
I registered a .03 after drinking two beers. Last night I had 2 glasses of wine, 30 minutes later
I blew into the "ALCOHAWK" and it registered .08 I was legally drunk.



I informed Movin' Dad that this was such an awareness project for me. I can see now how when I meet my girlfriends
out for a drink I am going to have to stick with a brew as opposed to the vino. Well at least if I'm driving.

I guess not knowing in the past is a bit of a denial. Kind of like not looking in my checkbook and just assuming there is still money in there ;)

Now I know and now I must be an adult!

"Could I get a couple of Coronas with a lime over here ma'am?" said the girl who was driving.

ALCOHOL DETECTION

Let me preface this by saying that I know this happens everywhere, and I know that no matter where we live teenagers are going to experiment. But that being said I also want to make my case in numbers.

I think that bored teenagers tend to experiment more than busy ones.
Living in a small town has it's ups and downs. There is not as much to do here as there is in....let's just say the Chicago area. I also believe that every school, big town or small has it's different groups of kids. You will always have your jocks, preps, partiers etc. But chances are when you are in a big town, the numbers help you tremendously. You have many more choices in who you can hang out with. Many more choices in where you are going to go.

I have found that here in a small town, all the kids tend to end up at the same parties, at the same houses & in the same cars.

Not too long ago, a few kids were caught here drinking & driving. These were friends of my 9th grader. No, my son was not with them, in fact he did all I would hope and pray for, he called me and I picked him up. He was at a party with all of these kids and the actual drinking occured at an after party. But these were his close friends. Their not bad kids, give or take a kid or two, just good kids who made a really bad decision.

As proud as we were of our son, we knew we needed to take some protective measures. We knew that like a cold virus, once someone sneezes it spreads like a wildfire amongst pre-schoolers. The same happens in teens whose friends start to try things out. It is rare that you will find a teenager who will drink alone. They will pressure someone into doing it with them. I am not THAT mother who would tell my kids they have to drop THAT friend. In fact, Movin Dad and I both know that just because these kids got "caught" doesn't mean they aren't going to go for it again.

We still remember what it was like to be a teenager. I know that the pressure will remain to drink. We can only offer hope, guidance, & prayer that he will continue to get out of the situation. Along with my other 3 kids. After all my eldest is a driver now and my freshman starts drivers ed this year. Their athletics are very important to them which I know was a part of his reasoning.

However a little mental insurance was needed on our part to plant a seed in the back of their head. We went out and purchased an electronic breathalizer test to have on hand. We also are getting a few drug tests from the police station to keep in the medicine cabinet.

We're not suspicious right now,however we both feel like it is definetly an "out" for them with their friends. In fact, I was fully anticipating an argument from both teen boys. I thought we would hear, "Don't you trust us?" But instead they both said, "Now when someone asks us, we can just say ~NO WAY our mom tests us on a regular basis!"

I am not here to hinder their "COOL FACTOR" I am here to help guide them to make the right decisions. My freshman and his best friend have a code. If they arrive at a party where there is alcohol their going to call me and say, "Duuuuuude, there is ONE CRAZY UGLY CHICK here!"
That's my cue to get there quick! They also have picked intersections for
me to pick them up at, because again...I am not here to hinder their coolness. If this is what they need to do for high school survival then I support them whole heartedly.

So the whole point of this post was to share with you my breathalizer experience. Movin Dad and I were just waiting to have a drink so we could test it out. How many drinks does it take to get to the center of a lollipop? I mean ...how many drinks can we have before we are heading to jail for drinking and driving?

So I went first. One beer each. As soon as I finished it, I blew into the detector and it said .09! WTF~ I can only drink one beer? Wait I cannot even drink one beer because
.08 is the legal drunk level. So I read the booklet and it says you have to wait 20 minutes after you drink. So 20 minutes later........ .02~ Much better!!! Then Movin Dad steps up to the plate......I am not kidding you after one beer and a 20 minute wait it registers at .00! WTF? SO we drink another one. I wait 20 minutes. It gives me a .03. Then I run upstairs to check Movin' Dad and he had fallen asleep. So obviously the guy cannot handle his beer! :) Well it was 11 pm to be fair.

Anyway, I hope I never have to use it on our kids, or anyone elses for that matter. But we're not taking any chances! It was a great investment.

* Note to self~ (future post) Why is it that a man and a woman can both go on the same diet and the man loses weight quicker and loses more weight than the woman.
Why is it that the man can drink a beer and the test shows NOTHING and the woman
drinks and registers every drop?

The results are in....Right this way....into room B

My results finally arrived and the the letter said I was Breast Cancer Free.

Let me just give you a glance at a moment in my morning.
Typically I wake up just in time to drive children to school. I roll out of bed, blindly head to the coffee maker and pour myself a cup. I search for the keys and my purse. I have every intention (in my mind) if heading back to bed when I return. But 9 times out of 10 I am wide awake upon return.

Now on the day of my mammogram, I seemed to have rocked everyones morning. I woke up, stumbled down the stairs to get a cup of coffee, all the while wondering, "Can I drink coffee?" Of course I can, but I was half asleep, and hospital/tests made me think twice.

The minute I walked into the kitchen the looks could have stopped traffic.

My eldest was making eggs, my daughter was making a PB&J, my youngest was in the living room reading.
It was almost in unison...."Where are you going?" "Why are you so dressed up?"

(jogging suit & combed hair)

"I am going to get a mammogram!" I said.

They asked, "What's a mammogram?"

I answer with, " It's when I have to stick my boobies between these two plastic plates and then the nurse squishes them down and takes a picture!"

You could have heard a pin drop!

Then my eldest said in his ever so monotone voice, "Thanks...I really needed to hear that this morning!"

REMINDER! My youngest has been in the living room reading this entire time!!

So the day goes on.....I have my test....and then I go home....& take a nap!!!

When I pick up my youngest after school, it goes a little bit like this........

Hi Mommy, I threw a touchdown pass today on the playground oh and you know what tristan said today he said that maybe we could hangout on thursday oh my gosh mommy lunch was soo good today I only have reading and math facts to do for homework OH....So....Do you have breast cancer?

You could have heard a pin drop!

Who even knew he was listening.

...and if I may add....the only one of the 4 kids who even asked. I, of course told him that I did not know yet but that I hoped I did not and he replied with, "Me either mommy"

The day I found out I was breast cancer free, I let him read the letter and he said, " Good to know"

(He seemed so relieved)

What's in a name?

I'M A NOUN?

Sonia --

[noun]: An immortal

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

A little humor while we wait in the waiting room

Still no results but my 15 year old showed this to me today and said it reminded him of me.

I tend to move furniture around about twice a week.

It's a sickness I know......but even this made me laugh.

Being 40

About the age of 35, I tried to have a mammogram scheduled for myself. Each and everytime I was told that my insurance would not pay for it. I wasn't old enough. I did not have family history. I was not high risk.
And yet....each year, I would attempt to get it handled.


Now I'm 40, and the doctors, the friends, the commecials, the junk mail are all trying to get me to schedule a mammogram.
After all this is October, which means much more than fall or Halloween. It means it is Breast Cancer Awareness month.



I turned 40 in April and for someone who was so eager to get it accomplished for the last 5 years, I somehow figured out a way to put this off for 6 months.



I called a couple of days ago and she offered up an appointment for today at 6:30 AM. I am not really sure what I was thinking saying okay. I didn't even ask if there was a different or better time. I just took it. I had major regret at about 5:30 AM when the alarm went off.



The experience as a whole was not much different than getting a pap. It's very quick, there's that slight moment of body exposure to a total stranger, and then that quick moment of discomfort that lasts about as long as a blink of an eye.

The most painful part is waiting for a clean bill of health...

I decided I would make you all wait with me. Won't you have a seat in my waiting room? I'll let you know when the results are ready.

EVACUATE THE BUILDING

A few weeks ago, Movin Dad and I went to the Packers football game. We were fortunate enough to sit in a suite. As soon as we arrived I bee-lined it to the food. I was starving and there were so many options. The minute we were done eating, a couple walked in that Movin Dad walked over to greet. Above their head was a blinking white light. I could also hear a subtle siren in the background. As I looked around the stadium, one of the men pointed out that all of the lights in every single suite were blinking. I remember him saying, "Oh, this is not good, something is happening."

Movin' Dad and I looked at each other and both had the exact same thought. "We gotta get out of here!"

Then I realized that it was September 9th and just days away from 9/11. I kept that thought in my own head but it was enough to get me the heck out of there.

Call us paranoid, but we had 4 children at home, none of which were watching the game. All I could think about was, "How will they know if something happened?"

I grabbed his hand and we headed out of the suite and into the lobby. A few of the employees were walking around trying to get us an answer. Our eyes met again and we realized...we don't need an answer.

As we headed to the door, a voice came over the PA system. "AN EMERGENCY HAS BEEN REPORTED, PLEASE EVACUATE THE BUILDING....PLEASE EXIT THROUGH THE STAIRS AND DO NOT ENTER THE ELEVATORS"

I REPEAT:

"AN EMERGENCY HAS BEEN REPORTED....PLEASE EVACUATE THE BUILDING.....

Over and over again, his voice, the blinking lights....it was as if time stood still.
The thing is as long as it is taking me to type this, it all happened in seconds....well maybe minutes.

Movin Dad reached into his pocket and realized we had left our tickets in the suite. he headed back and told me to go on.
"Seriously......I am not going anywhere without you!"

The thing is as we finally entered the stairwell, there was only one other couple with us. Sirens and voice still going. I thought to myself...."Are these people crazy?" "Is their laid back lifestyle in a small town feel really just denial?"

I was wearing heels, about 4 inches high, yet I was able to fly down the stairs like a ballerina. My heart was pounding for my children. After all, we really haven't made any friends that we have become close to. Who would they call? Everyone we trained them to call, lives out of state. We have only lived here a year. My oldest is 16 years old, very responsible yet at that moment, all I could see was a little boy who would suddenly have bricks piled upon his shoulders.

We finally made it to the lower level and walked out the door to see an elderly woman in a yellow staff jacket who seemed to be panicing. She lead us through to the herd of people who all just seemed to be following each other. As I looked ahead, this herd was heading upward, there were hundreds of people.

Movin Dad turned around and headed in the opposite direction. I followed.

He walked up to a man in a yellow staff jacket and asked "Where is the exit door?"
The man looked right into his eyes and said, "WHY do you want to leave?"
We responded with, "Their asking everyone to evacuate the building!"
His reponse," Well, once you leave, you CANNOT get back in!"

Are you freaking kidding me?

So he pointed to the door in the stairwell and out we went.

Into the crowd of people who were just arriving and entering the gate.

Movin Dad realized that the tickets he had put into our programs were not there.
We weren't getting back in. But I didn't care. At that point, we crossed the parking lot as
5 very loud jet planes were flying over the stadium.

It was all so surreal.

My belief in everything happens for a reason is what made it all real.

As we drove home, we spoke to each other about what would have happened with the kids.

Now don't get me wrong, we have THAT plan in order. You know, like who will raise them and take care of them if something were to happen to us. But what we realized is that we need a plan for our children in order to expedite THAT PLAN.
Who would have told them? Who do they call?

So when we got home we decided to take them individually and ask them the big "what if" questions that were haunting us.

My 16 yr old's immediate response was, "I HAVE NO IDEA!" Then he followed with "Call our friends in Chicago"
My 15 year old's immediate response, I honestly have no idea!"
My 12 year old daughter said without a pause, "I would make us all get into Nico's car and drive to Chicago!"
We decided not to ask our youngest.

First and foremost, "YOU DO NOT LEAVE THE HOUSE!!"

Bittersweet, It was a little sad to me that they closest emergency people in their mind, are our friends in Chicago.
Yet it also makes my heart warm that they feel that way about people who started out as friends and have now become family.

When we were done chatting with the kids, Movin Dad and I still all dressed up laid down on the sofa and were out like a light. It completely drained us both. Our adrenaline had hit it's peak for the year

Here's the clincher, it wasn't until the next day that we found out what the emergency was all about. Someone in one of the kitchens forgot to turn on the fan or open the flume or something like that so the emergency sirens, voice and lights went off.
Yes, it was a false alarm.

Now Sunday, I will be attending once again. I am pretty sure I would still leave if I had to do it all over again. The only thing I think I will do differently is maybe skip the 4 inch high heel shoes.

I didn't have time to ask permission about posting this picture....sooooo.... I protected the innocent from being exposed publicly
in order to achieve my selfish Wild Card Wednesday homework.

Here I am at the ripe old age of 28 Country "W"estern line dancing with 3 fabulous "W"omen. My sister-in-law informed me that my dress is "W"ay too short and my other sister-in-law is shocked that they ever made jeans with such a high "W'aist.
This photo is rare because I am not a C&W girl at all. The fact that one of the few times that I actually got out onto the floor to line dance while also having our photo taken is priceless. * added note I am also about 4 months pregnant here!!!

"Wake me up when September ends............"

One down, two to go!

We celebrated my babies 9th birthday last night. A ton of cake is left over and I have already had some today. (help me)
He was so grateful for everything and is so excited to celebrate his last single digit year. My heart is completely full that he is so happy.

This weekend we will celebrate my daughters 12th birthday. What does that mean to me? It means she will finally get to sit in the front seat, which is really all she wants. It means she will be having a party on Friday with all of her friends (boys & girls) Fortunatly for us, Mayberry Mom has hired our eldest to babysit. He is having a really hard time with his sister having boys here.
I caught him the other day trying to swipe her cell phone, so he could delete all of the boys names from it.
She is almost a teenager. One year away. BUt for now, she is 12 and we are going to enjoy that as much as we can.

Next weekend, we will celebrate my son's 15th birthday. He is one year away from driving. Also a boy- girl party. His list is quite long. I'm still working on wittling it down. However he is a middle child, and he doesn't want to hurt anyones feelings. He is trying to avoid any after shocks. He is saying that I cannot take pictures because then his friends will post them on myspace and then others "WILL KNOW" he had a party and that they DID NOT get invited. Whoa is me, the troubles of a teenager.

All I can think about is monitoring 25 some odd teenagers from making out, sneaking off, spilling gatorade on the carpet.

Whoa is me the troubles of a teen parent. And Whoa is me 3 birthday cakes.

So as the brilliant Green Day lyrics go~

"WAKE ME UP, WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS....."

Today is a rainy, clammy kinda day.

I am having a garage sale.

It was Movin Dad's idea....and yet , here I sit (by myself)

Movin' Dad claimed he would take the day off to assist. Then his boss suddenly called and decided he was coming in for a meeting and a game of golf. Which in my mind is the reason for the blissful rain. Although he is still at the meeting, I thought to myself......"What's the big deal?"
If I can raise 4 children....while he works......then I can handle a garage sale while he work."

That was until the cup of coffee, bottled water & Dr. pepper kicked in. I realized I was alone. Do I close the garage sale....do I take the money in with me.......Do I just run in super quick and hope that noone runs off with all of the items that we actually consider a nuasance yet are trying to make the all mighty dollar from them? (SRY 4 THE RUN-ON)

So I decide to risk it......I carry in the money box......and grab my computer on the way out.

"What can I do?"

"Noone's online!"

"OH YEAH!"

"I think I used to be a blogger......let me think.....what was my password......maybe I could do that..... while I am sitting here doing NOTHING....~ (excuse me I have a customer)

customer: "Ma'am how much for the VCR tapes?"

me: "50 cents"

(she put them back)

Okay, so I pretty much have a garage full of furniture, a loft bed, an antique maple kitchen table and chairs, entertainment center, computer desk, china cabinet.......and all I keep selling are VCR tapes and books.
I have been up since 5:30 am open since 7:30 am and now
It's 11:35 am and I am here until 3 pm.

Many people have come in regardless of the rain. I sit here slapping mosquitos, spraying OFF bug spray every 3 minutes, my flat ironed hair is starting to poof, and all I can think about is whether or not the humid air is going to harm my apple computer in some way.

I ask you, "WHY?"
"Why, do I continue to subject myself to garage sales.....or should I say rummage sales." Apparantly, depending where you live, determines the title of the ridding of ones junk.

I am slightly concerned with the squirrel who keeps passing just in front of the garage doorway. Back and forth he carries his nuts. But every so often he pauses in the middle, just long enough to make my heart skip a beat. He looks at me as if to say, "I could come in if I wanted to!" It's a bit unnerving.

Hey, it's 11:43 now! WOW, how time does pass while blogging and awaiting customers.

The noises in the garage are also starting to creep me out just a bit. I am normally only in the garage for about 30 seconds each time. I get in my car .....I get out of my car. I have no idea where the noises are coming from. It's probably that stinkin' squirrel trying to mess with me.


How many of you have gargage, yard, or rummage, sales?
I'm curious to know if anyone has ever been robbed during a garage sale?
Biggest and or least profit froma garage sale?
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CUTE STORY TO ADD IN~

Our youngest Luke happens to be thecomedian of the family. Yet a lot of that comes from having older siblings who are constantly joksters.

As you all know my oldest is driving now and we were in the process of finding him a vehicle. He was using mine for weeks when he was able to. First day of school he met friends for breakfast took my car. Well in Wisconsin you have a 9month probation before you can have more than one person in the car with you. My car is a 2007 with XM radio, navagation system , but even better it had gasoline in it. SO he and 5 other kids decide to all pile into my car and then he let his friend who is past the 9th month probation DRIVE MY CAR!!!!!!! AND when I got in my car the radio was full blast with the bass at full throttle.
I lost it. I was angry that he had loaned my car to another kid. I took his drivers liscence away and told him that his car would be here the next day and he could not drive it until I saw that he had respect for other peoples property. He would have to earn the trust back.

SO the next day I picked him up at school in his car, he looked right at me and said, "What...are you trying to rub it in!"
Okay I guess that snide comment means you havn't learned your lesson yet.
I asked him. "Did you tell your friends what I took away from you?"

He said, "YES, I told ALL of my friends!"

I said, "Did you all enjoy calling me the "B" word?

He said "NO!"

Luke says from the back seat, "SOO You didn't enjoy it?"
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My oldest son asked my youngest Luke,

"Luke, why do you stink so much?"

Luke responds with, "I dunno, maybe because I'm related to you!"