Since moving my scrapbook stuff upstairs I have been so productive! I’ve completed about 12 pages and have about 4 that are partially completed — just need some embellishments. (waiting on a Creative Memories stuff to come in to complete them). It feels so good to finally put my stuff to use. And to get something done in a creative manner. And too not spend so much time on the computer or watching TV.

In addition, Squirt has started scrapbooking with me. She is really enjoying it as well!

It’s a real bummer having limited supplies though. Especially since there are only 3 places that have scrappin’ stuff — and they are not well stocked and they do not have a large selection. But, in 9 months I will have access to Craft stores. Woot!

There was 4 girls and 6 boys — they are all great. These are the “trolls”. I started calling them that because at school they hang out in an area they call “under the bridge”.  Since they hang out under the bridge (which is under a overhead out door walkway) I said they must be trolls…. since trolls live under bridges. This name stuck and they are officially the “trolls” now. These are the emo/punk/goth kids — mostly emo I guess. Although I’m not entirely sure. What is the difference between emo and punk?? and Punk and Goth?? — it’s  a fine distinction that I’m not really comfortable making it.

Squirt loves gymnastics. She’s always been athletic. She has good flexibility, balance and strength.  ~ I’m glad she’s found another activity she enjoys. Jeesh — thats: Golf, Horseback riding, Gymnastics and SCUBA.

I think she has enough activities!

Looking forward to tomorrow — Coffee with Carie, and to this holiday weekend. We have a picnic at the church to go to monday, and I think Sunday we might go snorkeling. I think we are going to try to include Silver_Fangz new boyfriend. He’s a little (read — ALOT) intimidated by us. We want him to feel more comfortable around us. (Not too comfortable….!!)

OK: Question of the day:

What are your plans for Labor Day? And what are you favorite ways to spend 3 day weekends? 

Whew .. I got my classes!!! HOORAY! I think.

Anyways. More fun with the charter school. The registrar calls me yesterday and tells me,

“I’m sorry Mrs. Hubby, but I realized yesterday that I didn’t put Squirt into her math class”.

Me — “Excuse me? I spoke to so-so in the beginning of this escapade and he assured me it was normal to have math and english only for half the year because of the accelerated pace — I specifically asked about this!”

Her — “NO it’s not normal and her math teacher brought it to my attention — so I put her  in, you’ll have to work out the rest with her teacher”

Me — Oh goodie. (actually I was quite verbal and expressed my frustration and disappointment with this school in detail. You would be proud, I didn’t even swear — much.)

So – now she is 4 weeks behind in MATH! Can we make this year anymore difficult for the poor kid? <Sigh> Luckily, she’s good at math and the first 2-3 weeks was all review. She’ll catch up in no time.

This weekend Hubby and Squirt went golfing and I decided to tag along — drive the uber cool, top of the line, Bond -like golf cart. 

Seriously, this thing even had GPS with hole information and digital score card

 – only the best ! And of course, take 500 bajillion pictures. (This week I took film in to get developed — 13 rolls, the sad part, I don’t even use my SLR anymore — almost all strictly digital).

We had a great time. I also went to the driving range last week. I think I will go ahead and start learning to golf. Might be fun.. who knows? Chasing a little white ball around miles of grass — the good part is you get drive the golf cart — on the grass!! Very cool.

Ok: so of course, I have pics… here ya go!

Have some balls….

And then these two are just to make you drool. NIce huh?? Look at that view! No THAT is the way to play golf.

Question of the day:

Digital or print?

So, I’ve been trying to register for my classes all morning. To say I’m frustrated would be an understatement. The college has spent the last month moving all their data to a new server and using new programs for their online registration etc. Today is the first day of Fall/Masters registration. I got on early in the hopes of getting the classes I want — One I’m really interested in — Children’s Literature (sounds fun and I’ve heard it’s an awesome class). It usually fills up very quickly.

To my dismay I first wasn’t able to register for any graduate level courses — only undergraduate, not helpful.

I called my Graduate Services Rep who is a great guy, very helpful. To say that his day has been way to eventful and highly frustrating would also be an understatement. However he was very friendly and very helpful, put me in as graduate student and told me try in about 5 minutes, if I had more problems to call back.

20 minutes later I called back (you see how this is going?).

He was unable to register me from that end and was intending to report the problem. He told me to call him back this afternoon and see what was up.

Man I hope I get those classes. — <sigh>.

Education is a funny thing. Especially at the higher levels. There is always something going wrong that you have to fix. You really have to stay on top of everything. I guess that one of the things that make you appreciate your education — the fact that you have to work so hard to get it! (and I’m not talking about studying).

Well off to try one more time…..

and again….

and again….

What is it that you have worked very hard for and appreciate in your life?

That’s what I ask myself periodically.  Why did I ever sign up for this? Did I really WANT to do this? And if so…why????? WHAT on earth were we thinkin?!? If you don’t have to wonder what I’m talking about, then you too are probably a parent.

I keep thinking that the next stage will be better. And it is. It’s also worse.

We have Silver_Fangz with a disastrous first date, and a rocky start to a new relationship. In addition we have to pry her off the computer and phone in order to have her do chores (like hang up her soggy towels) and do her homework. That’s if she’s even home. In addition she has become a vegetarian, who doesn’t like vegetables…..????????

Then we have Squirt, who refuses to make any efforts to increase her friends and then complains that she doesn’t have anyone to play with. In addition she complains about EVERYTHING!! And everyone is out to get her. No one likes her and her new horse trainer is doesn’t like her –etc., etc, etc. And boy can she argue!! Yikes.

Tip of the day: Don’t teach your children Logic — They WILL use it against you!

Excuse me when I go and pull my eyebrows out.

You know I asked my mom one time why she didn’t stop me when she saw where I was headed. She knew what it was like and it was her job as my mother to protect me from myself. She should have stopped me. Why didn’t she?????

You know… she just laughed evilly….

**Edit **

Featured_Grownups post can be found here — Bring Me to Life

Writing challenge from the Kween_of_the_Queens:

Writing a letter to your younger self.

What would you say to your younger self? What advice would you give? Would you offer tips for changing a certain situation?

Dear 15 year old me,

I want to tell you so much. I want to tell you that even though the pain you feel at the circumstances you can’t control is bad, the pain you will end up with from trying to hide from it will grow to overwhelming proportions. You can not hide from life, you must learn to deal with it. Unfortunately, you are ill prepared for this. You have been taught to pretend, to deny and lie about your feelings. The steps you have been thinking about are the right ones. However, mom and dad aren’t as aware as you would like, so come right out and tell them – hinting at it just won’t work. You need help, ask for it.

Begin now putting the family boundaries up. Otherwise it will take years before you can begin to develop a good relationship, especially with mom.

Stay in college – whatever else you do. It is way too hard to do it after you are married with kids so when you get married, make college happen.

Speaking of marriage – open your mind a little. Such narrow ideas of the ideal person make it harder for you to accept the “one” when he comes along.

In addition – think about investing. Apple is going to BIG (apple as in Macintosh) This will make it easier for you to make your dreams come true (and your future daughters as well)

PS – when considering doing cartwheels down the hall – don’t – it’s very painful.

PPS – start a daily exercise regime now, so you don’t have to later.

PPPS – when computers get big – get in on the ground floor and learn some html dangit!

PPPPS – all those Star Wars cards and collectibles you have? They are going to be HUGE – don’t let mom throw them out. They could feasibly pay for your college. (Have her keep all the stacks of comic books too).

Question of the day:
What one piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Featured_Grownups post below, please comment.

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Not much going on here. I’ve been busy trying to get registered for college, going through the financial aid rigamarole, etc. Squirt has been busy with her activities and thanks to friends and boyfriend we’ve only seen Silver_Fangz in the evenings ~ <Sigh>

Since rearranging Squirts schooling area and turning it into my scrapbook space I really hadn’t done much up there. Then this weekend I got bored and headed upstairs to get some organizing done. Since then I have done 6 pages. 2 a day. If I can maintain that rate I could actually get some books done! It’s been so nice having everything handy and ready. I have a wide table to spread out on and the best part is I can leave it out if I need to quit, and just come right back to it! I have a great place for my Sizzlit Sidekick and to use my eyelet setter. It just rocks. I’ve been having so much fun!

With me up in the loft scrapbooking, Silver_Fangz in the loft on the computer and hubby working on  his RC BMW — we didn’t even turn on the TV at all last night. It was so great. Why are we so addicted to that thing? Squirt traveled back and forth, worked on her mosaic coasters, dressed up as Cleopatra, and generally just interacted with us. It was really cool. Unfortunately I realized I need a few more things to complete my pages. I working on our Disneyland trip (from 2001 — what can I say, I’m just getting started with scrapbooking) and I need some more Disney themed embellishments. So today I get to go Scrapbook shopping. The unfortunate part is that there is very limited scrapbook supplies here and I’m just hoping I can find something to use!

Question for the day:

Are you addicted to any type of electronic entertainment???

**Edit**

Oldest daughter (who BTW was so proud of me for choosing such an emo song) put the music on my site for me. Unfortunately I don’t have one of those little player thingys, so if you don’t want to hear this, just turn down you speakers. I look into getting a player this week.

New topic from Featured_Grownups:

The topic is: Take the lyrics to your favorite song, and analyze them. Take whichever perspective you would like – the band’s, the songwriter’s, or your own. How/Why does this song speak to you? Or, you can be literal – what does it actually mean(If you’ve heard explanations by the singer/songwriter in an interview or otherwise – or if you wrote it or know who did)?

This topic was difficult for me to get started with. Music is an integral part of my life. It has defined each phase and new feeling that I experience. I can remember at 6 years old performing to songs like “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” and “She’s Having My Baby” in the backyard with our neighborhood kids. I spent hours on the back step with my sister listening to the radio in the evenings. By 12 I was attending concerts and music spoke for me, when I was unable to speak for myself. As a grown up music continues to be my escape, my release, my pick me up and my words, when I can’t express my thoughts and feelings.

You are the Wind Beneath my Wings describes exactly how I feel about my husband. He has liberated me from my own fears and self doubts and gave me the courage and strength to be all the things I am.

The hymn On Eagles Wings makes me cry every time, it is the hymn played at my FIL funeral. He was a fantastic man. I loved him almost like my own father. The comforting message of that hymn, that god will “Bear us on the break dawn, make you to shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of his hand”. Stirs me every time.

American Solider also moves me to tears, because it illustrates all the difficulties it is to be a solider and a soldiers family and the one reason that they choose to do it.

Freewill by Rush spoke to me as a teen and young adult about making choices or even not making a choice, but that may sometimes BE my choice. I have freewill… it’s my choice.

So when it came down to the topic I was at a loss – the songs tumbled through my head. I decided to go with a more current song, one that pumps up my blood each and every time. I chose a song that makes consider my life and how it going.

I chose: “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence

how can you see into my eyes like open doors
leading you down into my core
where I’ve become so numb without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
until you find it there and lead it back home

To me this speaks of my boredom with life, when I’m am just going along with the daily work. When I am not thinking about the spirit and the soul, but just going through the motions. There are those that would see through that – my husband, my friends, and most importantly, God.

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can’t wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can’t wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I’ve become

This wake up call comes most often for me at church. Through the readings of the bible, and words of our priest and lyrics of the hymns I’m awoken. Sometimes though these “wake up” calls come from innocuous sources. Through blogs I read, programs I watch or something my husband or children say.

The song continues to speak of the slumber of the spirit. How it often happens without our awareness. Once we realize it we desire to continually be awake, alive, enflamed. The sleeping of the spirit is a death of “true” life.

I want to be awake – for every breath of my life. So please…. “Bring Me to Life”.

Please stop by Featured_Grownups and read the other great entries. Out goal is to make featured content — quality stuff… so please visit and comment on the participants.

So, Question for the day:

What song speaks to you?

Whew.

Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday! Today was gymnastics, and horseback riding. In between we worked on Science (she had a long quiz) history, and reviewed Spanish for her quiz in that. Then I changed the sheets, gathered all the towels from all the bathrooms and the girls bedrooms and began the laundry.

My girls refuse to use a towel more than once. Not because it’s dirty, but because they throw it on the floor in their rooms instead of hanging up to dry. Last time I got towels out of oldest dd bedroom — I picked up 11 towels!!! That’s crazy! We’ve made her do the laundry, supervised her hanging her towel up every day, not let her leave the bathroom with a towel — regardless…. still she throws them on the floor in her room.

Today I took all the towels and put them in my bedroom with the exception of two apiece for the girls. Now if they don’t hang up one of their towels and take it with them, they’ll have to drip dry.

Now we have all the doors and windows open and it’s so nice out after a hot day. It’s cool, breezy and rainy. Perfect. To top it off we are listening to Alice Cooper nights and he’s playing some of our favorites from the good ole’ rock-n-roll days. It’s very relaxing.

Silver_Fangz is cleaning her room so she can do things tomorrow (new rule — if your room is not clean, don’t even ask). Squirt is playing hide-n-seek with the dog. It’s cute. She throws the ball up the stairs. The dog runs and gets it, while she’s gone squirt hides. Rasha comes racing down the stairs and starts checking all the hiding places till she finds her. She hides in closets, behind furniture and behind the drapes. It’s really cute. And good exercise for both of them! Course, Squirt is already pretty whooped, what with gymnastics (where they worked on abs) and horseback riding where she was in 2 point or half seat most of the time. Good stuff!

Tomorrow is science class and I have a coffee date with a friend…. yay for me! Course the public kids are out school as it’s Admissions Day… so she’ll have all 3 of her kids, but still — a real live grown up to talk to! Hooray!

Question of the day:

How do you get the other people in your house to help clean up? (Especially teenagers….)

BTW: One of my favorite bloggers is back. Stop by twokinds for some fun and interesting questions.

Ok, off to relax and watch :

So yesterday Squirt started her gymnastics classes. I love gymnastics. I participated through my sophomore year in high school and have been a fairly avid fan since then. Although I must admit I don’t follow it very closely anymore…too much to keep up with in my own life! Anyways, back to squirt; so now she has gymnastics class 2x a week in town (about 20 minutes away), horseback riding (upcountry about 20 minutes) and science class in Kihei on Fridays (about 30-40 minutes depending on traffic). On top of that she’s still going to need additional PE activities as she needs 60 hours for 1/2 a credit and 120 hours for 1credit. Jeesh. So we are looking into golf lessons — 1-2x week.

And they talk about homeschool kids needing socialization……?? Give me a break!

Never the less… It’s good for her and gives me a few quiet moments to myself, to run errands, have coffee with friends or just read uninterrupted for more than 15 minutes.

I’m thinking of joining the YMCA in town so I can work out while she is in gymnastics. I can then also attend the water aerobics classes they hold at the local pool just 10 minutes away. I decided yesterday that working out at home just isn’t cutting it. It never fails, I start to work out and just when I’m really starting to work up a good sweat the phone rings. I ignore it, because 1) I’m in the middle of something… hello! and 2) who wants to talk on the phone when they are panting and sweating all over the receiver…yuck.  Besides, I can always imagine what the person on the other end is thinking… “why is she panting? What has she been doing all morning”….so the phone is ringing and squirt being the dutiful daughter rushes to answer it (on the 6th ring or something like that). She speaks briefly to the person on the other end and then I hear “oh yeah, she’s right here, hold on” and the phone is stuck in my face. AAARRRGGGHH.

After that brief interruption I try to get started again… just a few minutes into my new start, Squirt comes back in. She’s decided to do a load of towels. Why? I have no idea, she’s usually not that motivated. I yell “Wash dad’s white shirt with that stuff”. She comes back  and states (hands on hips), “well I’d love to do that, but I can’t find it so I guess I can’t” (Where on earth does this child get her attitude — I, personally, am at a total loss). I tell her it’s already in the washer. Then the questions start. What size should I select, what water temperature, what wash setting — the questions come at me in a barrage. Now… this is the girl who knows how to do EVERYTHING. (she’s 12 and really good at it — being 12 I mean). And let’s face it, she has changed the oil and brakes on my car, helped her dad build an engine, built a model engine on her own and taught herself how to cook, the girl has skills.

Finally in frustration I go and do it myself. After the 3rd interruption, I have no desire to work out. I’m done for the day. I’m pissed because all I wanted was 40 minutes to work out. I even got up early so I could work out before she was up and around and after everyone else had left. But that is ruined for the day. I come to the conclusion that working out at home has never worked for me. It’s always something:

the dog,

the phone,

the kids,

the husband,

the door,

yadda yadda yadda….

So, from now on it’s an outside the house work out. I’d go for a walk, but I’d rather drill a hole in my head — I hate walking. It’s SO BOOORRRINNNNGGG. I’d love to be able to go for a run, but I’m not in good enough shape for that. So… options are

The Y, and water aerobics, or…

drill a hole in my head and walk it off.

So… Question for the Day:

Do you work out? And if so… where?

 Alright…. I see how you are! Not interested in reading or responding to miles long surveys huh??? I guess I’m the only one with time on my hands (that will change when my classes start!).

Not much going on around here. Hubby has been swamped getting ready for a big conference they hold every year. Squirt has been keeping up with her school work and spending time with her friends and Silver_Fangz has been on the computer with friends, over at friends’ houses, meeting friends at the library, beach and movies. You know the same. We had some drama around here of the teen angst boy/girl kind but it’s getting better.

I of course, being the excellent mother I am (*ahem*), felt it my duty to rip this boys eyes out. Just on principal you understand. However, I’ve tried to keep my opinions and involvement to a minimum. My hubby, being the voice of reason that he is, has tried to offer possibilities and insight into a 15 yo boy’s mind.  Like he would know… honestly! Oh………………………. wait, I guess he might at that.

*sigh*

I often ask myself why on earth I became a parent! Then I look at my two beautiful daughters and I know. My world would be empty with them in it. So… here I am, dealing with the kinds of things no person in there right mind would be willing to sign up for.

Squirt also started her science magnet classes — they may be pretty cool, and she begins gymnastics later on today. Last week in her regular science class she had to make an edible plant cell model. She did really well. See for yourself:

Pretty cool huh?  It was fun to do too. She loves stuff like that. The cell wall was sugar cookie, the membrane was fruit roll ups, the nucleus was a cookie wrapped in a fruit roll up. The other parts and pieces were various types of candies.

Alright — I’m off to get ready for my day. Have to take Squirt to gymnastics, clean house, do laundry and go grocery shopping. Fun huh?

Have a fun filled day!

Question for the day:

What’s the latest project you worked on?