Monday, July 31, 2006

No Time To Stop

Wow... it's been a busy weekend, and it's only just begun.

Chris and I realized yesterday how busy it's going to be with two in Middle school and two in High school. CRAZY busy. However - in a weird way - it'll be nice to get back into routines. It's just going to take a little bit of time to find a routine that works. :o)

The "Wow Wall" is up and ready for good grades. The school supplies are purchased. The lunch paperwork is completed. Still haven't received all of their paperwork for school telling them what classes they have, but hopefully that will come in today or tomorrow. I called Gaither today to ask about their football program because Justin really wants to be in JV football, but was told that practices start TODAY at 3pm. He'd need a physical and paperwork completed before he can try out. She said we could come in to the office and pick up the paperwork today, but I have to work all day today (boss just returned from a vacation and we are VERY busy here today). The whole week looks awful as a matter of fact. I know he'd be really happy if he were involved in sports... he hasn't been involved in any sports since his Dad died. Maybe I can get him to ride a bike up there, pick up the paperwork, and just show up at practice to show them that he's interested (although he can't actually practice until the physical is done). I just checked a map and it's roughly 3-1/2 miles to the school. I'll talk to him about it at lunch and see what he wants to do.

We got the SHARES food on Saturday morning. It was good, they made a mistake with my order, but still a good deal. Instead of ordering "Double Meat" for us, they ordered double Veggies. Now, those of you who know me know - veggies and me don't know each other very well! But I've been doing my best to try to use them. Saturday night I made a meal using stuff I got from SHARES, baked some chicken breasts, made a sauce of diced onions, red peppers, scallions, and fresh tomatoes, had steamed broccoli & cauliflower, and baked sweet potatoes. Yummy! Dessert consisted of fresh kiwi and cantaloupe. It was a really GOOD meal! The food wasn't 'leftover' food or anything like that. The meat wasn't from a company I recognized, but it was still good fresh food. And the veggies and fruits were wonderful. I would definitely recommend anyone get involved with this SHARES program.

So... Julie called my house last night at 12:30 am. Why on earth she called so LATE I have no idea. Chris said she had called at 11 and I wasn't yet home with the kids (they were at a church function till late) so she just called at 12:30 to talk to them. First of all, she had already called earlier in the day (right after church)... but second of all, that's too late for anyone's home phone to be ringing without really bad news on the other end! I'm going to talk to her about it today. (Mind you, she's only allowed to call once a day - they had to set a restriction because she used to call 7+ times day when she was allowed to call whenever she wanted.) As the kids get settled into routines around school, she's going to have to do the same. It might be hard for her with her work schedule, but she needs to respect our rules and call at decent times.

Oh... about Kayla. She's been VERY distant the past week or so. Ever since she got in trouble for all of her internet stuff. At first I assumed it was because she had a friend over. (She always acts different with a friend over - her entire world revolves around the friend and it's as if she has no sister, brother or family - not just with this friend, but rather with ANYONE who comes over). She was still distant after the friend left however, so I assume it's because she's totally cut off from the computer. Kayte even asked her about it the other day, saying "Kayla, why are you acting like this? The other day you were nice to me and now you're acting all mad". Kayla responded telling her that she's "never been nice to her". Kayte says that Kayla did this with her mom all the time and that Julie, not wanting Kayla mad at her all the time, would give in to her. Mind you, Kayla is not saying or doing anything wrong. She's just giving everyone the 'cold shoulder'. Oh well, she'll have to get over it because I'm NOT giving in!

I want to share with you a special night that Chris and Kayte had. You see, Kayte is the quiet and often ignored child. If she's talking people tend to just interrupt and talk over her. I don't know why... but I've witnessed things like this time and time again with her. Kayla is the boisterous outgoing one, Justin is the outgoing macho-guy, and Kayte is just sweet quiet Kayte. Not to say she never does anything wrong (because Lord knows she does!) but, it's just her mannerism. Anyways... Justin and Kayla were at a Church outing last night. Amanda was at work. Jonathan and I were home but were not very hungry. Our neighbor had given Chris 4 stuffed flounders to make for dinner one night, so he decided to make it for just he and Kayte. I saw them eating at the smaller kitchen table and it was so cute! They had stuffed flounder, shrimp & artichokes, white rice and to drink, Kook-aid in a wine glass. She mentioned that she and her dad used to have "date night" every so often, and this reminded her a lot of that. It was very cool.

I also took Kayla and Justin clothes shopping this weekend. It's funny how much more expensive boy's clothes are... it's just not right! I then took Justin for a haircut. This time I took him where he wanted to go... a place called "Fademasters". Let me just tell you right now, I have never - EVER - felt as totally white as I did on Saturday at Fademasters. It was like.... a different world! I don't mean that as in better OR worse... it was just..... different. They gave him a great haircut though. We'll have to go back there. Oh, and the funny story about that is that... Justin wants me to take him back on Wednesday. Yes.... 4 days after his haircut... for a trim. Now, I must look to these kids as if I was born yesterday! But ya'll know I wasn't! I told Justin that, even IF money and time were of no problem, there is no way I'd take him for a trim on a cut he got 4 days prior. Too funny!

I never give you updates on my good sister, Katie. I'm really proud of her so I wanted to tell you all what is going on with her and ask that you say some special prayers for her. She is a manager at the Stadium Bennigan's in Tampa. She works INCREDIBLY long hours. Sometimes she gets home at 3am, and then has to go in a few hours later to work a mid. She has a two year-old daughter who is being raised (for the most part) by her grandma because Katie works so much. The restaurant business is all Katie has ever known, and she's dang good at it. Well... she took a risk, took an enormous pay cut, and in a couple of weeks will no longer be a restaurant manager! She's be the Assistant Manager of a SunTrust Bank. Prayers were answered because SunTrust hired her with NO experience... so no doubt God's hand was involved in her getting that job. I'm just so very proud of her for making this change for the good of her family (as well as her own quality of life). Please say some prayers for her -- that things will all go well for her.

I have another headache already this afternoon. It's going to be a long day... I should get going. I'll leave you with these words:

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored."
Earl Nightingale

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