i >hate< computers

I know they run lives and such. But they tick me off. This morning I downloaded a couple of supposedly reliable programs for school - one was Java, one was RealPlayer. Without them, I was not able to access my class notes. So now, when sending emails, Explorer crashes. Thanks Mr. Laptop. It was nice having you for a year before I killed you.

First day of school

For me, that is. Kids are with Steve's parents for this week, because they don't start their school for two more weeks. I started my last pre-req class today - Life span. It's a psychology class. Seems good. I get to raise a virtual child. I find this funny. Will let you know if I ruin it or not. What if it's twins????

A thursday

Matthew is having a friend sleepover tonight. I fear I wont sleep much, but that is for a totally different reason than the previous sleep over.
Took Matthew to his first official ortho appt today. Full, panoramic x-rays, and then those gag-worthy molds. If you've suffered thru braces, you know what I mean when I say gag-worthy. It didn't really seem like that part had changed much in the 25 years since i had mine done. It's weird really, how somethings change over time by leaps and bounds, and some hardly at all. Anyhow, I realized today that the initial car payment we are paying is really only a DOWN payment. It only covers Phase I. Braces are included in Phase II. This is the new ortho lingo. Both ortho's we consulted used the Phase terminology. Oh and did I mention that our ortho coverage is $1500, lifetime. So phase II will be all us. Maybe I should reconsider the trip to Vegas - momma needs a new pair of shoes AND a full set of braces for the boy.

Saturday morning blues

Blues because I'm tired. Brandon had a friend sleepover last night. It was the friend's first sleepover anywhere. I over estimated that it would be fine because they went to preschool together, and the friend has been over many times. About 10:30 he started slowly, quietly crying. I went in and talked him through it, over about 20 minutes. Then he slept thru til 430am, when he started again. Told him a long story and that seemed to work. For him. I didn't get back to sleep until 6a. Pancakes and sausages by 830a. Yum! So it will be a slow moving day for me today. Fortunately, we have nothing major on the schedule today - just odds and ends. But if the sun comes out, I might let the boys have a lemonade stand.

crazy day

today is a fine example of what summer should NOT be - back to back scheduled events.
Matthew starts the day with a dental appt at 845a, then he has swim practice at 10a, then off to a birthday party at a water park, 45 mins away. Don't really know what is for dinner tonight, maybe playing all day at a water park will make the kids tired and NOT hungry. That could happen, right?

summertime realization

I have been fortunate this summer to spend some time with relatives from other states. One of them even told me he had read the blog. Honestly, that was probably one of the biggest shocks this summer. Anyhow, as I reflect on my extended family and how great they are, I realize they are really great! (I know, I just said that). But I was thinking about them, different cousins, aunts, uncles, and I woke up to the fact that even if they weren't my family, I'd still want to hang out with them. Play games with them. Watch tv late into the night with them. It's awesome that I can randomly text my cousin in Tennessee about something. And then again, it's awesome that I can watch tv at midnight with my Ohio cousin while waiting for the benadryl to kick in for Matthew. I really am fortunate. I never really grew up seeing my cousins often. yes, my cousin in Tennessee used to live nearby, but she was a whole lifetime ahead of me. Ok, not really, but when she got married, I was 10'ish. My other cousins lived in Ohio and we didn't see them that often, and they were older as well. Now that I am old like the rest of my family (ha ha, right??), I can appreciate hanging out, touring around, Facebooking with them all. Steve's cousins are in Germany. He doesn't email them. I don't even know if they facebook. Is there a german facebook version? I really want our boys to be aware of family ties and how important family is to us. Even close friends can be family. It's what you make important that becomes important.

tuesday nite

I am still awake. It's almost 11pm. This is like the time vampires wander aimlessly in the world. Or the gangsta's come out in the 'hood. It was national night out tonight, and Oakland is probably the only city who participates. I'd be interested in hearing if you have heard of it. It's supposed to be a 'safe" time to go out at night, meet with the neighbors, and enjoy your 'hood. Again, it's probably just a local thing but they call it 'national night out' to make us feel like it's not just us who lives in the ghetto.
I should really post some summertime photos. Maybe tomorrow, maybe never. We went mini golfing on Sunday - not that far from home. Was fun! Monday was a regular day. Yesterday took the kids to a water park. Fun too. Without having Selene here and the need for going to swim everyday, it has almost been relaxing. Almost. Matthew started swim today at 10am, and then we went to Concord to visit with some great friends who we never see anymore. Tomorrow is free day at a kid museum 45 mins from here. Not totally excited about doing it - only because I was dumb enough to schedule things before and after the outing. This means I need to carry some caffeine with me. But I really like the place AND I really like the people we are meeting up with there. If they weren't going, I would have blown it off long ago.
By the way, well, I'm not going to get into it now. it's too far down in the paragraph. I doubt my cousin Mike reads the whole post and the new post was going to be about him. So I will try to remember to do it tomorrow night. Or maybe not.

new home page

I have decided to make the blog my home page. This way, when I starts the ole internets, the computer will remind me to write here. I know my fans have been bored without me.
We have made lemonade this weekend. Not real lemonade, mind you. But when life gives you lemons sort of lemonade. I was supposed to be at a mom's retreat in Vegas this weekend. Things got to crazy and reservations were postponed until September. We had originally picked this weekend for Vegas because there was nothing shcheduled for it. Then when Vegas moved, I kept the weekend open. It's a little strange, I must say. We did Selene's swim meet yesterday, home by 1pm, then a bunch of nothing. I took a nap, kids watched too much tv, went for a walk, washed the car, mowed the lawn, that type of stuff. Today we might go mini-golfing then have a relaxing afternoon. I might apply for a part-time job at the Y. Oops, breakfast is ready, gotta go.