Santa has Cancer

I have always known that my youngest child is a bit on the strange side.  She has always left us guessing and I have had more than one teacher say to me that "she is a tough nut to crack".  Well, today she did not disappoint.  Picture it.  I'm in the kitchen getting our lunch ready and as she often does, Hannah hopped up on the counter to keep me company.  She was sitting near the sink and inside the sink was last nights' pot we cooked the corn beef in and it was soaking and was full of soap suds.  Hannah dipped her finger in the soap suds giving the appearance of white hair on her finger (if you really used your imagination) and said, "Hi, I'm Mrs. Santa.  How are you today?"  I played along and said that I was good.  After me and "Mrs. Santa" chatted for a while, I asked how Santa was doing.  Mrs. Santa answered in a low, sad voice, "Santa is sick.  He has cancer."  Then Hannah dipped her other finger in the suds and made is so the suds ran down her finger and said, "See this is Santa.  He has cancer so he is melting away."  I said in a horrified voice, "So you mean Santa is dying and won't ever deliver any more Christmas presents?"  And Hannah, very matter-of-factly said, "That's right!" I just shook my head and told her to smile for a picture.  Gotta love this kid and her twisted imagination.  Stay tuned!

Hannah and Mrs. Santa

Happy birthday, Abigale

Today, my girl turned 14.  On so many levels, this is hard for me to comprehend.  I still remember being 14 like it wasn't so long ago (obviously I am a bit delusional). And I can certainly remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.  The overwhelming fear that I had about being 21 years old and now being completely responsible for this precious child, the love that I felt that I had never know I could feel was so powerful and again, overwhelming.  In a matter of moments everything I had known or cared about no longer mattered, all of my hopes and fears now rested on this tiny little baby that had lived inside me for 10ish months.

Today, as a 14 year old, Abigale is still my pride and joy.  I would like to think that my parenting has something to do with who she is, but it doesn't.  She was born an old soul, always wise beyond her years and she, simply put, has a good, kind heart.  She has always cared less about doing what was cool and instead cared more about how people felt.  Even with her 14 year old mood swings she is still fun to be around, for the most part, and is a great big sister to Hannah.  Hannah knows she can count  on her big sister and that confiding in her Abby is safe. 

As Abigale embarks on another new year and all the things that being a teenager will bring, I will love watching her blossom into a young woman as she sets out to make her mark on the world.  I know we will weather many storms and that there will be fear and anger along the way, but our love and friendship will always prevail.  Happy birthday, Abigale.

Love,
Mom

Abigale 4 months old

Caught red handed!

Halloween 1999

First day of Preschool!

First day of Kindergarten!

Birthday girl 3-12-12

Showing off her money!

Happy Lazy Saturday

Abby - notice the socks



Abby with a sleepy Sammy



Abby hugging Cody



Abby smiling



Enough pictures, mom.

Hannah close-up



Hannah playing dress-up

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!

Wordless Wednesday

Hannah showing off her new feather earrings

Posing with Quackers

Weird, random, open door

I had some appointments this morning. When I got home I was greeted in the garage by my next door neighbor's dog, Friday. She was excited and kept running to see me and then running back to her front door. I walked over to her front door and it was open. Curios because my neighbor is a teacher and is generally not home during the day. So, Jay called inside the house and we rang the doorbell and nothing. Friday continued to run in and out of the house. At this point I became concerned because obviously no one was home (or able to come to the door) but I still wasn't comfortable walking in and checking things out for myself. So, we called the police. They came and went inside. They checked things out and didn't find anything unusual. It is still a mystery how her front door got open leaving Friday to come and go as she pleased, but I was just relieved they hadn't been robbed or that something hadn't happened to my neighbor. She was grateful when the police contacted her and told her what had happened. I was relieved because you never know how someone is going to react, I mean I was all up in her business... But, everything ended well and that is really all that matters.

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.

Are We Every Truly Safe

I think the honest answer to that question is no. But, I really don't need reminders of it, life is scary enough as it is. This week, Abigale's former Middle School in VA has a student that has threatened to do a school shooting today. News traveled fast around the school and by Wednesday it was all over the local news and the students and parents were swirling in information, some true and some not. Apparently, an 8th grader left several death threats in student's lockers and made it well know that he intended to do a school shooting on Friday (today). The police were called and the county and school officials immediately lept into action. The kid's residence was searched and he was interviewed by the police. No weapons were found and we are unclear on what his punishment will be, but I can tell you that this situation has left an entire community rocked with fear. Many of Abigale's friends are at home today because they and their parents are too frightened to send their kids to school. This world of ours has gotten too crazy and I do fear what type of world my children and grandchildren will live in. Stay tuned!

Wordless Wednesday

Hannah said, "Now I'm triple safe!"

Tutti, Dyson, Twilight

We went to Tutti Frutti today (which is becoming a regular occurence) for a delicious frozen yogurt treat.  The cherries are massive and my favorite part!  I love that you can see the ingredients of each type of yogurt and pick the one that fits best with your diet.  After yogurt we went and bought my Dyson!  So far it is AMAZING.  The amount of dirt and dog hair it picked up was gross.  I can't remember when my area rug has looked so clean!  Next, we headed over to Bath & Body Works and loaded up on nice smelling lotions & potions.  Abby and I both got body spray that has glitter in it.  My absolute favorite scent is Twilight Woods and after I took my shower I used the glittery body spray, so I am loving the way my shimmering body smells right now.

Hannah enjoying her Tutti Frutti

My yummy yogurt with HUGE cherries!