Friday Night Leftovers (The I Don't Feel Good Edition)

I don't feel good.  My throat hurts and I'm congested.  Unfortunately for me, the May issue goes to print on Sunday so I will be working through the weekend.  Enjoy tonight's leftovers!

• I emailed Hannah's principal today.  I am 100% convinced that Hannah's teacher doesn't like her and grades her unfairly.  Too much to go into details (definitely a blog by itself), but I'll update when I hear back.
• We now have Hannah on an allowance program.  Mostly, this is our way of teaching her the value of a dollar.  We felt like after she spent $800 online buying coins and upgrades for her online games that she needed a lesson in saving and seeing how much a buck will actually get you.  So far, o good - she is doing her chores each week and saving her money!
• Abigale took two STARR tests this week (math & language arts), which are basically state-wide tests given to 3rd graders all the way through your Senior year, that determine if you have learned the material covered during that year.  If you don't pass the STARR test, you don't promote to the next grade. Talk about pressure!
• We got AT&T Uverse!  It is sooooo much better than Comcast.  My laptop no longer randomly drops its Internet connection and our HD Channels work!  Hannah got cable in her room for the first time and she is thrilled to say the least.  Up until now all she could watch in her room was videos.  It was time for her to get real TV and most importantly, it didn't cost us any extra on our bill.
• I think my perception of relationships has been warped after 25 years of watching Soap Operas.  Do people ever really love each other like that?

Friday Night Leftovers (The Week After Edition)

• Not too bad for our first week back to school after Spring Break.  I would say by Wednesday, we had Hannah back on track with bedtime and her sleep schedule, and by today Abby was back on track.  10 more weeks until SUMMER VACATION! (Not that we're counting or anything.)
• Interim reports came home today.  I am soooo proud of both of them.  Especially, Abigale.  She is working so hard in math and she is likely going to get the grade she needs this 6 weeks to not have summer school 2 semesters.  She is proud of herself too and was so excited when she got her test back this week and had earned a B! 
• I have decided that Hannah's teacher just doesn't like her.  I think he expects bad things from her and treats her unfairly because of it.  I'm not sure how to handle it.  I fear that if I complain about him to the administration it will only make things worse on her, but I also want to defend her and tell him that I see what he is doing.  I think I will wait until the school year is up and then report my feelings to admin.  I'll post more about this later.
• Abigale and I have a new agreement regarding facebook.  She HATES it when I comment on her status or if I 'Like' something, so now I tell her in person what I think.  I know it is ridiculous, but she has to have some breathing room and if I push too hard I know she will push back, harder.  This parenting a teenager business is complex, rewarding, scary, frustrating, and weird. 
• Jay went to the eye doctor a couple of weeks ago after saying he needed to have his eyes checked for 7 years. After having the check-up and then selecting, ordering, and picking up his new glasses, he wore them for maybe 2 1/2 days.  Now they are put up in a case and he is back to not being able to see and wearing his $10 reading glasses from Wal-Mart.  I'm mad because 1) he was told by the doctor that it would take several days to get used to them, 2) he was told by the doctor that his eyes are pretty bad and he needs the glasses all the time, and 3) he paid $300 for glasses that are sitting in a case collecting dust.  Take them back and get the prescription right!...
• Abigale is getting excited about playing soccer in High School.  She has been taking Hannah outside every afternoon and punting the soccer ball around.  She told me she can't wait to get back on the field and she is also wondering what position she will play and what her number will be (you know, the important stuff). 
• Hannah is in a major back-talking phase.  All three of us are way over it.  She argues or defends every time we interact with her and she always has to have the last word.  We now have a no tolerance approach and will break this nasty habit of hers if it kills all of us.

Friday Night Leftovers

• This week was Spring Break.  Only 10 more weeks until school is out and summer vacation is here!  Still can't believe I will have a high schooler...
• Speaking of  Abigale, she turned 14 on Monday.  Don't even ask me how that happened or where the time went.  I can say that so far 14 is much better than 13!
• We went to Kemah boardwalk today.  We didn't really know what to expect since it was our first time, but I guess in my head I was hoping it would be like Ocean City.  It wasn't.  It was MUCH smaller and there is no beach.  The boardwalk is right over the water.  No beach.  It was also HOT and so crowded.  And, everytime you wanted to ride a ride, you have to wait at least an hour.  The kids had fun and now we can say we have been to Kemah.  But, we won't be going back...
• I did horrible on my diet this week.  I am not going to dwell, just going to refocus and get back on track.  Dreading my weigh-in on Sunday...
• I miss my Atkins diet.  I wish I could go back to it, but it is just too hard on my family.  They got soooooo sick of it and since I'm not the cook I can't control a lot of the food that is served.  Weight Watchers is definitely more family friendly.
• Hannah is just so cute right now.  2nd and 3rd grade are my favorite ages.  She says the cutest things and she still has that little girl innocence.  I need to figure out a way to keep this girl this age forever!
• We are now in the 80's on a regular basis.  I guess spring is over and summer is here.  My allergies are horrible and I am just dreading the summer heat that is right around the corner.  We are going to the beach as soon as school gets out to avoid the oppressive heat that August and September bring.  But, trust me, early June will still be hot by all standards.
• I have had headaches all week.  I have one right now, but it could be attributed to spending the day out in the sun.  Anyways, I dislike these frequent headaches and wish they would leave me.

First prizes of the day! -Kemah Boardwalk

Friday Night Leftovers (The Lamest Week Ever Edition)

• Lamest week in history. 
• I only sold one new ad and had one renewal.
• Hannah wracked up $758 in coins for her apps on the iPad.  She did it in 5 days, which is how long it took me to open up the iTune notifications that piled up in my inbox.  I assumed they were notifications that Abigale bought songs for her iPod with the iTunes gift card she got for her birthday.  Nope, instead my precious 8 year old went buck wild on an iTunes spending spree.  No more iPad or computer for her for 60 days.  She owes me $758 and the only way to pay it back is through not using the iPad/computer. Each day is worth $12.63 and it will take her 60 days to repay the full amount.
• Abigale wasn't able to participate in her Choir competition due to her F in math.  They got a 1 in the competition, which is the highest score, and brought home a trophy.  I feel bad for her that she wasn't a part of their success.  She hated being left behind and having a substitute with 5 other kids that also got left behind.  She is doing much better and may actually get away with just 1 semester of summer school. I hope she is able to go on the SplashTown field trip at the end of the year.
• I attended a funeral this week.  Technically, he was my 2nd cousin (if you look at the relation between he and my mother). But he is also my step-uncle, since he was married to my stepmom's sister. Anyways, it was a beautiful service, but very sad. He was so loved by his family and I know the torment they are going through. RIP Uncle Fred.
• I was going to purchase our hotel for our beach week next week.  Now that Hannah has spent the money on coins for her games on the iPad, beach week is looking like a dream instead of a reality.
• I started Weight Watchers on Sunday. After losing 60 pounds with Atkins I needed a switch. I was really getting tired of the limited menu on the Atkins plan. Weight Watchers is going good so far. I'll blog about it after I have been using it for a while.
• It is raining...again.  I am so sick of the mud from the dogs.  I know they can't help it, but I am just sick of it.  After last year's severe drought I never thought I would get sick of the rain, but I am done.  Bring on the sunshine!
• Still loving my new Dyson.  It picks up sooooo much dirt and dog hair.  I also have noticed that is stays cleaner longer (because it is actually cleaning everything) and the air is fresher (which I attribute to the HEPA filter). The kids like it too which is awesome.  Abigale actually volunteers to vacuum!
• I downloaded a program as an upgrade instead of the full version. So, now I can't use it and it is $200 down the drain.  I have been holding for their tech support for about an hour now. Hope they can refund me the money because I can't afford the whole version.  Hannah spent all my reserves!
• Hannah is coughing.  She also has a fever.  Great!

Friday Night Leftovers

• This has been one of the longest weeks on record. Ever. I am so tired and can't believe I just sent my April magazine to print and am now working on the May issue. Where is the time going???
• I took the girls for frozen yogurt at Tutti Frutti today.  We ate outside because it was gorgeous outside and Hannah noticed a nail salon right next door and suggested a man-pedi.  Gotta say, I love my french manicure and hot pink toes!
• We are celebrating Abby's 14th birthday tomorrow.  One of her good friends from school is joining us for some jump time as SkyHigh trampoline park.  We are also serving up Abby's favorite, cherry cheesecake! I can't believe my baby is almost 14.  Again, where is the time going???
• Hannah had "field day" today.  I use that term loosely because only two of the games were outside.  But perhaps the lamest part of field day in Texas is that it doesn't start until 2:10 in the afternoon! In VA it was an all-day affair and the entire thing was outside.  Hannah said she was ripped off!
• I LOVE my new Dyson.  I have already vacuumed 3 times this week!
• I joined Weight Watchers Online today.  So far, it rocks! 
• Abby doesn't want to attend her end of the year, Eighth grade party.  I really want her too, but if I push she will say no just to spite me.  Gotta play this one very carefully...
• It is spring here in Texas.  The grass needs to be mowed on a regular basis, everything is blooming, and we are consistently in the 70's and 80's.
• I am now planning our summer beach trip to Corpus Christi.  We are going to have such a great time. So far on the agenda, the USS Lexington, Texas State Aquarium, and, FunZone!
• I started a Facebook page for my magazine, Sweetwater Style, this week.  I am excited about how this is already positively impacting my business.

Friday Night Leftovers

• Abigale has lost 20 pounds. We had to go buy her some new clothes today because her shorts were literally falling off of her. I just can't believe the clothing selections she made. She has always been a tomboy and until today her wardrobe consisted of gray, brown and black t-shirts. Today, she got a bright orange shirt, a really cute, form-fitting white t-shirt, a black pair of jeans, and several tank tops to layer under stuff. My girl is really growing up. Sniff, sniff.  
• Report cards came home this week.  Overall, they both did good.  Abby is still struggling in math, but she is trying much harder and doing better. :)
• I am sick of the rain. Our backyard stays a gigantic mud pit and the three dogs bring in the dirt everytime they go outside. We literally scrape dirt off the floors. Thank goodness we mainly have non-carpeted floors.
• The rain has saturated the ground so much that the little wind gusts we had this morning blew a pine tree over onto my parent's house. It completely destroyed my dad's workshop and damaged their roof and gutters. Thank God, no one was hurt.
• I had my second biggest sale this week. A full page ad for 12 months at my new, increased rate!
• I am ready to launch my second magazine. Since Abby has to go to summer school I may as well work those weeks and vacation around her schedule. I can't decide if I want to launch close to my current publication or do one in Katy where I live. I am leaning towards Katy, I just need to get approval. Wish me luck.
• We still haven't lived in Texas a full year so we are still experiencing the "seasons" as we go along. Who knew spring would be in February?
• We have discovered that we have an orange tree in our backyard. It already has 3 oranges.
• I yelled at Jay today because I am tired of him smoking in my car.
• I used the word literally twice in this posting, now three times.