cause I don’t have enough to do

So I have announcement, one that I fear may confirm everyone’s suspicions that I am, indeed, crazy. We’ve decided, or rather I’ve decided and used my magical powers of persuasion to show Neil that he should decide too (which he did, I make a convincing case when I believe in something) to home school. Why? Well because I get bored easily and I need a challenge, ha ha ha. No really, I’m beginning to wonder if that isn’t the real reason, though I have an entire page of other more legitimate reasons (part of that convincing case). It really boils down to family lifestyle. Right now we have the availability to not have our family life consist primarily of running from one place to the next and not having our kids see each other near as much as they want to (yes they actually WANT to play together, most of the time). So seize the day! right? Right?

Anyway. For those that are already homeschooling I would REALLY appreciate some pointers.

I know I need to send off a letter of intent, but after that…well there seem to be a lot of options after that. What did you chose and why? What are the differences?

And curriculum pointers please, specifically reading. I am a bit nervous about that one. I learned young enough that I don’t remember a thing about the process, so I’m starting from scratch! But some sort of Bible that would cover all their ages somewhat would be fantastic as well. Anything else you’ve absolutely loved or feel has helped you out in your process, I’m all ears! Advise away, I’m asking for it! Now how often does someone actually ask for advice, seize the day people!

random

UPDATE: We have found 3 of the 4 listed below. The arm band and Neosporin (which ended up being the off brand, technically) were each in their very own suitcase and the nut straining bag was in our inbox. All of which make so so much sense. I guess I will just have content myself with the kiddie bulb syringe. I mean it is miraculously working on my giant Reinig nose, perhaps I should take it as a sign and just stop looking. You can all stop holding your breath now. Thanks.

So we are mostly settled, a few pictures left to hang and some curtains and I’d like to paint, but everything is unpacked and put away. However we are missing the most random assortment of things. To date the list consists of:

running arm band
adult bulb syringe
nut straining bag
Neosporin

I know It was just kinda take and go at the end, but that seems like a very odd assortment to be possibly stuck together someplace. It’s like where’s Waldo, but not.

long enough now

So we’ve been here long enough that I’m noticing things like this again.

Almost kids, you were so close! I swear there is a force field preventing things from actually being placed INSIDE.

walking down the street with a basket of dirty dishes

Somehow my husband thought bringing dirty dishes to the new place was a joke. Umm…no honey, that was for realz.

key

Today I begin to walk dirty dishes down the street to load in my new working dishwasher, in my new house.

You think I’m kidding, I am so not.

I have a key.

moving on up…the street

We’re moving! The end of a stressful crazy housing saga will be coming to a close in just a few short weeks. But I have not been blogging in oh forever so let me back up.

Before the holidays (read MONTHS ago) we were having dinner with my parents. My dad was talking about how he wants to diversify his retirement, stocks suck, property good, something official, like that. One thing leads to another and they are asking, since we currently rent, would we rent from them?

At this point alarms are going off for the wiser, more experience lot of which I will now count myself. But past tense us gave it little thought before saying sure, why not? Oh I don’t know, because looking for housing is a nightmare, looking in the foreclosure/short-sale market is a special breed of insane, pleasing 7 different people with one home is virtually impossible, the area we live in is blowing up right now, and I really didn’t want to move AGAIN. Yeah those might possibly work for a few why nots. Those did not become apparent however, until months into this process when I am beyond stressed out dragging umtine kids to look at places left and right that were nice, but I felt guilty I could not make “it.” But it doesn’t matter now, because this morning an offer was finally accepted! And it’s NOT a foreclosure or short-sale so an acceptance actually means something!

We are moving about 5 units up the street from our current place. I am losing a bit in the kitchen, I like our current floor plan better, and it has oak cabinets everywhere (that will be changing eventually!), but I am gaining a balcony and a garden tub and extra space in the kids’ bedroom and even a bit of a lake view, which will trump the upcoming construction this place is slated to get across the street. Neil has always liked that floor plan better, and happy wife happy life! But, you know, the man version…I couldn’t think of anything catchy. Nothing rhymes with husband…busband, rusband, loveland! Wow that was special. Moving on.

I haven’t got to the best part, it’s move in ready. I mean it’s painted and upgraded and significantly cleaner than this place! It looks like no one ever even used those bathrooms, and there’s no fingerprints or scuffs on the lower portions of every wall…is that what houses with adults only look like?

I am so relieved it’s all over, the move seems like nothing compared to the search. Now that it’s over we are very grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to the move. There really was a win-win out there.

I am a bit puzzled as to how you do this type of move though. I’m not exactly experienced with in neighborhood moves. Do you rent a truck for a move up the street? Borrow some pick ups? Create an assembly line? Walk it down? I suppose we’ll find out! Anybody have a longtime dream of becoming a mover? I have an opportunity for you, and I’ll even feed you..something. It will hopefully be the last time for a very long time.

and the beat goes on…

So I was driving to school to pick up Jena and hit something (deductive reasoning tells me it was a trash can. I don’t really know, as I obviously didn’t SEE it). No big deal, right? Another scratch or dent, whatever. Nope.

It took my mirror off. Right next to the window we just got replaced last Tuesday. My poor car is feeling the love. It’s like she knows she’s slated for replacement next year and is attracting incidents out of spite. Ironically, it is not making me want to keep her!

Icing on the pity party cake, as I was walking out of school, a few paces behind the big kids, as usual, I ran into an entire herd of mom’s sternly trying to coral my children. Other than saying  ‘stay there young man!’ and ‘where do you think you are going?’ I’m not entirely sure what they were doing, but I did not stick around and find out. There is no judgment like another mother’s judgement. On any other day I’d like to think it would not have bothered me (which may or may not be true). However, having just in the last 15 mins damaged my car for the second time in less than 2 weeks, knowing I now have more headache and money being spent ahead of me, I was in no mood. With a sorry and a question not really meant to be answered (after some other child outed me as their mother I might add) I followed the children who immediately bolted for the car as soon as they saw me again. In my defense, I intentionally park on the side of the parking lot that requires no crossing of moving cars, control the things you can, judge me if you will.

In other news, we are still plugging away on recovering from the robbery. I do appreciate all those that have asked how we are doing. Here’s the update.

I was making what was supposed to be my last call on Tuesday and discovered we had another fraudulent charge to our account. Looks like they grew a brain and went online and paid someone’s phone bill. And just to make my life a little more difficult, they used Neil’s name (yep it was in the check book too!) so I had to jump through more hoops to get it cleared. So after an entire day on the phone (yippie!) we ended in a better place and a few of the more important customer service reps I talked to were actually helpful. Now I just have to do now is switch the 20 (not an exaggeration) autodrafts and direct deposits to our new account numbers before our grace period runs up. Which will actually consist of 20 recover password and/or username processes on 20 different websites where I may or may not already have an existing account, but where I am certain to not remember either way!

I don’t wan to do it, I don’t want to change all our bills. I don’t want to drop off the car to get fixed. I don’t want to drive with a broken window. I don’t want to spend more money or more time on the phone with insurance companies. I want to put my head on the table and cry myself into the nap I’m not getting today. But since that isn’t an option, I’m going to attempt some perspective.

I am grateful I didn’t hit a person or animal with my car (at least I don’t think I did, as stated, didn’t see what it was). I am grateful Caroline likes most everything I cook even when my kids will not touch it, and she’s currently cleaning up a number of leftovers in the fridge. I am grateful it is a beautiful day and my windows are open and the breeze is blowing around the curtains. I am grateful I got some fun time with my little man while Caroline took an unexpectedly early nap this morning (why I’m not getting a nap, waaahhh, ok I’m done). I am grateful I actually did clean the kitchen this morning, one less thing to stress me out. I am grateful completing this blog will make my list for the day half done, even if watching dr. who was on it. I am grateful sriracha sauce makes everything taste better, even botched up new recipes. I am grateful well fed and rested children sing happily instead of whine and cry. I am grateful my husband loves me even when I do stupid things like knock the mirror off our car. I am grateful it’s only money, we could have real problems.

Thanks for listening, I feel better now.