Balance-month two

Well in January I posted about Balance. Scroll down to see that post. Anyways. We've made a few changes to help with balance. And I think it will help once it all gets moving. We took Greg out of his sitter of 3 years. This however was a very hard thing to do as this sitter had also watched Julia. It was a very hard decision for me to move him from his familiar. My familar of the last 6 1/2 years. His sitter was the best ever but by moving him to Project Excel he is in a classroom atmosphere where the teachers can help with his speech. And now instead of the PT and speech therapists coming here, they can go to the school. This is where the balance comes in. I went into work one day a week about 1 1/2 hrs late for his PT. This required me to make up that time the rest of the week. Also his speech therapist was coming at 6pm 5 nights a week. That was also hard as it pushed back our dinner time so sometimes we were rushed. As Kevin works in the garage at night. So far so good. Greg did really well adapting. Even though he can't tell me I know he likes it there. He didn't even cry the first day I left him there all day. How much easier that made it for me. Also my BP class is going well. I'm really enjoying it. Even scrapping a page tonight!! :oO Stacy's ideas are so dead on. Brillant she is. I'd love to meet her in person one day. Unfotunately I'm still working on the house thing, also I need more balance healthwise as well. Need to fit in exercise somewhere. Might actually have to break down and work out during my lunch time.

It's how freaking cold????

I love NY, I love the different seasons, but it doesn't have to be this @#^*#@ cold!!! It's like 10 with a windchill of - something. Negatives are never good! That picture is actually from last weeks snow. It all melted and then we had more on Friday about 3 inches, sad to say the most we've had so far in 2007.

GREAT NEWS!!!

for those of you that have paid any attention to my crazy ramblings on here, may they be far and few. I just found out my mom doesn't have cancer. Last May one week after finding out my dad had bladder cancer the doctors told my mom she had lung cancer. Which wasn't a shock she smoked for 50 years. They gave her about a year. She didn't want treatment she's 71. She has emphemsyma and is like on major oxygen. Fast fwd to about 2 weeks ago. The dr who told her she had cancer was not her regular doctor, but the dr on call at the hospital that weekend. So because of issues to long to go into. She made an appt w/ this dr for last week. She walks into his office and he is shocked to see her. He decided they should do a new scan. That was last week. They called her this week and said. It's not a tumor. Holy Cow!!!!! Now while I would like to know what they did see. I'm just glad that we don't have that hanging over us anymore. She still can't do much w/out having trouble breathing but now she's not waiting to die.

and the word of the year: BALANCE

So there's this Life Artist named Ali Edwards http://aliedwards.typepad.com/ she pretty cool. Got a cool scrapping style. Well she's got this word of the year thing going on. A word to focus on for the year. So I thought at first, I don't have time for this. Then I was reading other people's blogs and one of my favorites Cathy Zielske http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/ chose the word BALANCE. Hmmm I thought. Maybe I should try this. I could really use some balance in my life as Cathy stated on her blog. I work full time outside of the home leave at about 8am and returning at 5:30 each day. I have two kids 6 and 3. Greg gets speech therapy and PT during the week. Julia has school all week and keeps my weekends busy with dance and sunday school. My house has been suffering. I have been suffering. I need a way to balance work, family, our home and myself (including my creativity). I need to go back to Flylady http://www.flylady.net/ I know her system works if I would just do it. I've already got a lot on my plate I took Stacy Library of Memories class. I have a Circle Journal to do. I need to figure out a way to BALANCE it all so that I stay happy. Cause everybody knows if mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy.

I love it when a bad day gets better

When I got up this morning, I was pretty grumpy and tired. Not enough sleep in the last 48 hrs, no one to blame but myself. Anyways I was running a tad behind, got to the main road to have a work van in the front of the traffic line of 7 doing 45 in a 55. Gas pedal is on the right! Helloo!!!!!!!!!
Dropped Greg off at Karen's and then went on to work. Go to shut my door on the car and the seatbelt doesn't retract all the way and bam, the door pops back open. (It's only a 2003). Just felt grumpy for the first part of the morning. Called various dr's office to make appts for Greg to have them say...I need this, this and this before I can make the appt. So then I had to call his regular dr's office back to get said items.
But by lunch time I remembered, Library of Memories class starts tomorrow. The yahoo BP board said some people got their packages so I was excited to get home and get the mail. Then I figured out what my CJ topic is. Now to create it. And finally my favorite blogger is back. Cathy Z. Missed ya Cathy!
Now off to bed!

Happy New Year!!

Well it's that time again, another year over a new one beginning. The anticipation of a "fresh" start. One thing I'm very excited about is starting a class from Stacy Julian's website Big Picture Scrapbooking. It starts on Thursday. I can't wait.

Of course I have the normal things listed this year for resolutions: weight loss, better organized, yada yada!

In other news, my mother went to the ER yesterday, she's home. The good news is the tumor in her lung, has not grown. And the daily treatments she takes must be helping because something looked better yesterday than 7 mos ago. So that's all good. Because the dr at the time told her possibly a year. Keep your fingers crossed for me will ya. I'd like to keep her around a bit longer.

Holiday Tag

Holiday Tag..
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa only brings three gifts which he leaves under the tree, but he fills the stockings too and wraps those gifts.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White on both
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope
5. When do you put your decorations up? Whenever I have time.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
7. Favorite Holiday Memory as a child? the family being together at my parents house.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What truth about Santa?
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? At our house no, but we celebrate on Christmas Eve at my inlaws so yes.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? with ornaments that both dh and I have had since we were at home w/our parents and ornaments bought since we've been together
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE SNOW BABY!!!!
12. Can you ice skate? nope
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I remember a lot of gifts but right now can't think of any that were my fav.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? being with my family
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? all of it! :o)
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, watching the Christmas movies, baking cookies with the kids
17. What tops your tree? A angel who's wings "fly"
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving!!!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Silent Night(this year Julia is trying to learn the words, it's so cute listening to her sing it)
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Love them!
Tag you're it! (Copy, paste and share on your blog) Leave me a comment with a link to your blog so I can check out your answers too!

Had to share these pics

These are my kids in Greg's new race car bed. Can you stand it?

Thanksgiving and other ramblings

So I suck at blogging. I just am not the organized type to do this I guess. I've been in a funk too recently. I'd rather read than surf. But I'm here now so that is what counts right? So this year I am thankful for so many things. My dad has a clean bill of health. No cancer. My mom is still as healthy as she can be.
My kids and dh are great, even when they drive me crazy. lol
I'm doing pretty good on Christmas shopping although I can't believe how much I already spent. I actually sat down today and added it up. Yikes. For the rest that I need to get I need to be selective.
Saw this on 2peas thought I'd answer it:
Thanksgiving Twenty
Do you cook all or part of the meal? part of the meal
How much do you spend buying groceries for the meal? Not sure?
Do you eat at home or go to someone else’s? both
Describe your perfect bite? mashed potatoes, dipped in corn casserole
White meat or dark? white
Stuffing with giblets or without? without
Anything you won’t eat at the Thanksgiving meal? oyster dressing and cranberry sauce
Carve Mr. Gobble at the table or serve on a platter? serve on a platter
Favorite pie? apple
Formal table or Chinet? chinet
Your menu?
Favorite leftover? pie
Extended family, friends, both or just the immediate family for dinner? both
After dinner, do you go to the latest movie or football on TV? I don't the guys tend to gravitate towards the tv.
Do you watch the Macy’s Parade? I like to, don't always get too. (kids ya know)
Christmas decorations up before or after? after
Black Friday shopping or sleep in? sleep in
Any special Thanksgiving tradition? none
Favorite thing about Thanksgiving? Just being with family
Favorite Thanksgiving memory?I don't know if it's a fav, but my family from Long Island visited(it's about 150 miles away), everyone, we had two tables set up. And when they went to leave it had already snowed like 4 inches. We were nervous until we got the call they made it home okay.

Challenge by Sophia

I saw Sophia post this this challenge on the pub board over at Two Peas so I thought I'd try it.

1) When was the last time you truly watched at a sunset? I couldn't even tell you. I don't know that I ever have. Isn't that kind of sad.
2) What are you most obsessive about? I'm not anymore, I used to be about my music and videos being alphabetical but with the kids, that's impossible.
3) Last thing you ate? Lean Cuisine Chicken Fettucini-it's my lunch time.
4) Any plans for Halloween? Taking the kids out
5) What kind of shampoo do you like? Pantene for color treated hair
6) What do you do with your change? I have one of those things that helps you roll your change. I put my change in there until each roll is full then I cash it in.
7) What do you usually do/eat at lunchtime? A lean cuisine. It's just easier
8) When was the last time you called someone for help? What was it for? I don't know, I guess Saturday, looking for a sitter for the kids.
9) If you could have one TOY for Christmas, what would it be? A laptop
10) How many people have you currently not forgiven for something/do you hold a grudge against? I don't have any grudges.

Random Thoughts

Well since I seem to be the worst blogger ever.

Let's see what has been going on. Fall is upon us. We will be going upstate on Saturday for the holiday weekend to Lowville. Little town, my inlaws own a place up there. It'll be great to get away. And it'll be the most beautiful drive with the leaves changing.

Julia started dance again, this year it's ballet/jazz and hip hop. She's loving hip hop big time. And she's got the groove baby.

Greg's therapy is coming along. Tomorrow is one year since he had his intial evaluation. He's doing better with the speech, coming along, any day now it will click and he will be spouting out sentances.

Dad's doing better. It's been about 8 weeks since he had his bladder removed. Things in the beginning were tough for him, but it's gotten alot better.

Mom is doing good too. You'd never know they told us she had about a year. Maybe she'll prove them wrong and live longer, show that ol Irish spirit!

Anniversary of 9/11

I was at work, the NY State Liquidation Bureau had taken over our company about 2 weeks prior to the date. Work was under a lot of diress from that but I remember very clearly what happened that morning. I was walking past a coworker's desk when she said Oh My God a plane hit the trade center. What do you mean hit the trade center. I was thinking a little 2 seater plane maybe thought wow how do you hit a building? Then someone else turned the radio on and for the next 3 1/2 hours we sat and listened to the radio. I remember at lunch I couldn't eat we went into the gym we had at work and watched the news. The people from the bureau were trying to get a hold of fellow co workers still in NYC, their office was not too far from the Trade Center. They let us go home that day. I remember picking up Julia from the sitter. Her daughters lived down there, but had not made the trek into the city yet for school so they were home safe. Fortunately I did not know anyone who did not make it. Although I still cry everytime something comes on about that day. My birthday is September 13th, that was the worst birthday ever. There was no way I could celebrate that day. Not when people were still wondering if there loved ones were alive.

My brother in law is in the National Guard. His job was to check out every vehicle going over the George Washington Bridge. He was able to come home 2 weeks later.

I never hugged my family so hard as I did that tday.

Going to see Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Going to Bethel Woods again on Sunday. Going to see CSN&Y. How cool is that. It's like they are coming home, cause they played at the original Woodstock, I think they've been back for the 20th concert that happened.

I saw this on a pea's blog thought I'd play along:

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
I actually like the area I'm in,Liberty, NY just maybe more property!
2. What's your favorite article of clothing?
I have an old navy shirt I love.
3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex?
eyes and arms.
4.What's the last CD that you bought?
Toby Keith -White Trash with Money
5.Where's your favorite place to be?
Home.
6. Where's your least favorite place to be?
The dentist's chair.
7.What's your favorite place to be massaged?
My shoulders and along my spine. And it usually needs it.
8.Strong in mind or strong in body?
mind
9.What time do you wake in the morning?
6:30
10. What's your favorite kitchen appliance?
the phone for take out? Microwave I guess
11. What makes you really angry?
Child abuse.
12.If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
Guitar.
13.Favorite color?
purple
14.Which do you prefer, sports car or SUV?
Sports car.
15.Do you believe in afterlife?
99% sure.
16.Favorite children's book?
when I was a kid there was a series the Happy Holisters. I wish I still had them.
17.What is your favorite season?
Fall, and it's fast approaching!
18.What's your least favorite household chore?
Cleaning the bathrooms.
19.If you could have one super power, what would it be?
I want to be like Samantha of Bewitched wiggle my nose and things get done. Like cleaning the house.
20.If you have a tattoo, what is it?
No tattoos.but I want one.
21.Can you juggle?
nope
22.The one person from your past you wish you could go back and talk to?
My grandmother
23.What's your favorite day?
Saturdays
24.What's in the trunk of your car?
folding chairs, ice scrapper & snow broom, sweatshirt
25.Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?
Hamburger - I WILL NOT eat sushi, YUCK

If you read this, consider yourself tagged!

Brad, Eric and Restless Heart

Friday I am going to to see the above. I'm pretty excited and just found out tonight that Restless Heart will also be there. So that's cool. Thought I was seeing 2 acts and we get to see 3. How cool.

James Albert Ward

That's my dad. I think back in the 60's. He really hasn't changed all that much. Little heavier, well worn lines in his face. Alot older. But the same. He always made sure we had what we needed. And as I got older even allowed me alot of what I wanted. But I'm the youngest and by the time I hit high school he had a better paying job then when my brothers lived home. Growing up as a kid things I remember most. On summer sundays mom would maybe sleep in, Dad and I would go to town to get the sunday paper, go to the local Bakery Katz's for some hard rolls, jelly donuts and maybe some eclairs. Sometimes we'd stop by to see his friends Ralph and Grace Knack. She always tried to feed me breakfast. She was the sweetest lady I ever met. Then we'd go home. Mom would make brunch, usually fried egg on a roll. Yum!

He came to every meet, game whatever I had when he could. Even if it was only for the last 10 minutes. He helped me and my brothers with homework. Tried to teach me how to drive a stick. I couldn't do it then and I still can't. LOL As kids we all had nicknames. My oldest brother Jim was Bones, I can't remember what Scott was and as a kid I was Huggy Buggy and when I was older I was Marg and Fatso(now he wasn't being mean I was 5'11" and weigh 125) He loves his kids, and he loves his grandchildren.

He grew up not that far from where he settled down with his family. He was raised on a farm with cows, goats, horses, chickens, rabbits, you name it. At one point his dad left his mom. He got together with another woman. He doesn't really talk all that much about his dad. More his mom and his aunts and uncles who were also a big part of his and siblings lives. At one point in his life they had to sell the farm because his mom couldn't afford to live there anymore. They moved to town. At 16 he quit school and went into the army. He used to have a Hudson Hornet. He met my mom in a bar called the Light House when she was up here in the Catskills staying with friends. She was from Queens, NY. They married in 1963. Had Jim in 1964 and Scott in 1966. I came along in 1973 (my going joke is they were too scared to have another any sooner. My brothers were handfuls)

He's respected by many. Always willing to help you out. But doesn't always ask for help himself.

My dad was diagnosed in May with bladder cancer. While a surgery date has not been set, they will be removing his bladder. This whole thing has been very hard on me. As he's my daddy. And while I don't always agree with his opinions and what not I love him very much. I hope and pray all will go well. Other than the cancer he is in pretty good health. The surgery time concerns the doctors because his heart is not the strongest (he had a quadruple bypass in 2000) so that needs to be factured in to the whole equation.

The other hardest part about this whole things is my mom has lung cancer and was given a year. I'll save her entry for another day.

The drowning of Olympus (my camera)

Well it's offical my little Olympus is dead. I'm not sure what happened, but my poor mil did it. And my camera landed in my son's baby pool. I am saddened. While I know it's not the best for certain shots, I've grown to love it. {Sigh} The good thing is my mil offered to get me a new camera. Ugh the decisions of what to buy!!! More on this later.

Stampin Up's New Catalog

OOOOOO AHAAAAAAAAA! Living in the sticks as I do this is about the only place I get see great stamps and stuff. Other than online of course. My good friend is a SU demo and she got me the latest catalog and can I say drool! Get me a cup. I keep adding to my wish list. Boy I'd better hit the lotto. If you haven't seen it yet check it out. I'm off to go work on my list. Again!

10 Things I did today

1. laundry
2. bought cat and rabbit food at the pet store
3. bought some flowers
4. planted flowers
5. weeded the garden
6. made venison parmesan and spaghetti (YUM)
7. played Guess Who
8. marked dd's stuff for summer day camp
9. watched NASCAR
10. cleaned the hallway walls with the magic eraser

Ten things I should of done
1. paid the bills
2. dusted
3. vacuumed
4. meal planned
5. taken a nap
6. bought more flowers
7. cleaned off the kitchen island
8. straightened the pantry closet
9. called my mom
10.walked on the treadmill

1. FIRST NAME? Peggy/Margaret
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? my mom's favorite aunt
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? last week
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? most of the time
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? honey ham
6. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, 2
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course!
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? sort of
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? all the time
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? nope
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically no and emotionally-most of the time
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? chocolate chip cookie dough
16. SHOE SIZE? 9 1/2
17. RED OR PINK? red
18. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My bad habit of procrastination
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my grandma ward
20. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Sept 13th, Middletown, NY
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? blue jean capris and beige slippers
22. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? pringle
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? So you think you can dance
24 IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? purple with sparkles
25. FAVORITE SMELL? a fresh cut lawn
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED WITH ON THE PHONE? a customer of my dh's
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU MEET? Eyes
28. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?. ?
29. FAVORITE DRINK? non alcoholic Mountain Dew alcoholic: Parrot's Bay w/ pineapple
30. FAVORITE SPORT? Nascar
31. HAIR COLOR? brown w/ red highlights
32. EYE COLOR? brown
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
34. FAVORITE FOOD? Italian
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy Ending always!
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? CARS
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? white
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
39. HUGS OR KISSES? both
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? brownies
41. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? When Good things happen to bad boys
42. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? road runner
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? My kiddos giggling
44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? stones
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Florida
46. IF YOU COULD PICK ANY TWO PEOPLE TO HAVE DINNER WITH, WHO WOULD THEY BE? Lori Foster and Janet Evanovich
47. IF YOU COULD MARRY A CELEBRITY WHO WOULD IT BE? Chris Cagle (country singer)

My view

Mojito had posted her fav place, I was home today so I decided to do the same. We've neglected our porches so far. But I do want to do something with them.
In order: #1 is my upstairs porch (taken from below)#2 and #3 are the views from that porch. #4 is the downstairs porch and #5 is the view from that porch.