January 10, 2010

I feel very accomplished today. But, I also feel very tired.

We went to church this morning. After church we went to Pasta House. Michael's parents took us there for my birthday dinner. I got linguine with white clam sauce. It was YUMMY!!! Michael's parents gave me the coolest pair of gloves. They are really, really soft and warm. They also have nice grips on the palms so my hands won't be slipping on the steering wheel anymore. They also gave me a pretty good sized gift certificate to my favorite nail place. Michaela was excited about that because it is enough for the both of us to get pedicures.

The rest of the day I worked. When we got home I folded a couple loads of laundry and took care of the dishes in the sink in the kitchen. Then, I got to work on lesson plans. I worked on those all day long. I managed to get all my lesson plans except language done up until Spring Break. I did not do language because I brought home the wrong teacher's guide for that.

I also managed to finish laundry. There is one load in the dryer, but it's the stuff the kids wore to go sledding today, so it's mainly their coats and snow pants. They will get them out tomorrow.

Michael took the kids sledding today. It looks like they had a lot of fun by the pictures he took. I'm so glad he took pictures since I could not be there. It meant a lot to me to see the kids having fun through the pictures.

The kids also helped Michael wrap my birthday present tonight. They love doing that with him. I love it when they get to spend time with just him. It means so much to them to get that time with their daddy.

January 9, 2010

I got a lot of laundry done today. I still have a few loads left to do, but it should be easy to finish tomorrow. I really like it when I can get most of it done on Saturday and do not have to rush on Sunday to finish it.

We took my van in to get new tires for it today. We managed to get some pretty good ones for a decent price. They have an 80,000 mile warranty on them. The van needed new tires desperately so it feels good to have that done.

The rest of the day was spent on errands and just hanging around the house. Caleb fell asleep before bedtime tonight. I guess staying up at Nana's with Mr. Bill last night wore him out. At least I hope that is what it is and he's not getting sick. He was complaining of being really cold when we were eating supper tonight. I hope it is not a sign of him not feeling well. Hopefully, he'll sleep in a little in the morning and just get some rest.

We went to Red Robin tonight for supper. I wanted some onion soup. It was good. It helped me warm up a little. I've been cold a lot today. But, that is not unusual for me, especially with the weather we've been having. Hopefully, it will be a little warmer tomorrow.

January 8, 2010

We had another day off school today. The temps are so low that the chemicals put on the roads are freezing. The wind chills were below zero today. There were flurries part of the day, especially this evening, but no real snow. And, we did have sun some today, too.

The kids and I did a little around the house today. They cleaned their rooms and vacuumed. We all changed bed linens. I started laundry and straightened up the kitchen. I also dusted the entertainment center... well the television part of it anyway. And, I vacuumed my bedroom.

I've been re-watching LOST. Michael's parents gave me the 5th season on DVD for Christmas. I started with that one this time. I wasn't sure I was going to watch everything else. But, of course once I got through that season I wanted more, so I got out season 1 and started it. I don't know if I'll get all the way through all 5 seasons or not before the final season starts in February, but it's not important. I've watched all of the seasons more than once so I'm sure I can remember where we are when the new season begins.

Caleb went to spend the night at my mom's tonight. He looked like he was moving in. He had his sleeping bag, his little overnight suitcase, his DS case and his Sponge Bob Operation game with him. He also took Shrek 3 with him because my mom has never seen it.

Michaela, Michael and I went to Cracker Barrel for supper. We got there after 6:00 and did not have to wait. The tables were not filled the whole time we were there. But, they had A LOT of big groups there.

My BIL had surgery today. I guess he went to the hospital at around 3:00 a.m. in a lot of pain. They had to take out his gallbladder. They also fixed his hernia while they were in there. I'm glad it was something that is easily fixed. I'm sure my niece and nephew were really scared. I've gone through having a parent in the hospital for surgery so many times and it's still scary every time.

January 7, 2010

The kids and I all were home today. I snowed like crazy over night... well, compared to recent history anyway. We got close to 5 inches of dry, powdery snow. After the snow came the wind. At 7:00 a.m. this morning the wind chill was already below zero.

Caleb could not get it through his head that he was not going to go outside today. It's too damn cold. He asked about four times to go outside. No, no, no, no! I'll say one thing, that boy really goes for what he wants, though.

I pretty much did nothing today. I had brought home work to work on, but just never got to it. I enjoyed the day very much. The kids and I just hung out all day. Abby kept wanting to go outside, but it's too cold for her to stay outside so she whined and whimpered around the house a lot today.

They have already called off school for all of us tomorrow. The temperatures are dropping very low. Tomorrow is supposed to be super cold and windy again. It's so cold the chemicals they put down on the roads are freezing. Right now the wind chill is -12. So, I guess we get a 4 day weekend.

January 6, 2010

It wasn't quite as cold today as it has been most of the week. But, tonight the snow has started. We are supposed to get the biggest bulk of the snow over night. It's very dry dusty snow. We are supposed to get winds tomorrow which will make the snow blow everywhere.

Schools have already called off school for tomorrow. We got a phone call from the district we live in around 9:00 p.m. It took until almost 11:00 p.m. for my district to call off. Of course we were close to the last district to call off. So, the kids and I stay home tomorrow.

In other news, I got an email today with tour dates for Nickelback. They are coming back to St. Louis in April. They will be at the Scottrade Center this time. Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown and Sick Puppies are coming with them this time. I'm so excited!

January 5, 2010

Today my students came back to school. It was good to see them. It was a pretty good day in class for us. I had a couple who were still "on break." But, for the most part we got a lot accomplished. I was pretty proud of them. I also only had one absent which surprised me because it was the first day back and because it is so cold right now.

The weather is on everyone's minds right now. It's super cold. The windchill this morning got as low as -13. From news reports this is supposed to be the coldest winter since 1985 for us. We may break a record that was set in 1999 this week. It has just been bitterly cold and it is supposed to stay that way for at least another week.

January 4, 2010

It was my first day back to work after Winter Break. We had a PD day today, so there were no students. It was also held at our building, so we did not have to go fight parking at another building. I like PD days better when they are in our own buildings. I hate being made to go to other buildings for that stuff.

It was not a bad day. I would rather have my students, but it was pretty painless as far as PD days go. It also did not go by too slowly which was nice.

January 3, 2010

Ok, so it is my last day of my Winter Break. It always goes by so fast. I'm not DREADING going back to work, but I wouldn't be upset with another day or two off either. I would prefer to not have to go back, but then again, it's not something I'm dreading.

Last night we watched "Night at the Museum II" as a family. We watched in on our new Blue-Ray player. Michael got it and Michaela's DVD player hooked up yesterday. It's nice to have something to watch movies on again.

This morning we went to church. After church we went to Bob Evans. I don't think we've been there since Michaela was in a high chair. I know Caleb has never been there. It was good. The kids enjoyed it, too.

I did laundry most of the day. Michael cleaned out his closet and dresser and got rid of some clothes that do not fit anymore. Of course he did this not long after I finally got rid of the last bag of clothes he sacked up. Oh well.

January 2, 2010

It is Saturday. I have to go back to work in two days. Really not feeling it. I wish I could be excited about it. It's not been a bad year so far and I really like my class. But, I just wish I didn't have to work. Then again, I'm not sure I'd survive as a stay at home mom, either.

I pretty much did nothing today. I sat on the couch all day. The only time I got up was to make a simple lunch, a simple supper which Michaela helped with, and to go to the restroom. Oh, I also got up a few times to let the dog out because she's just been very antsy today. But, I watched "World's Strictest Parents" most of the day. It's interesting to watch.

One boy on one episode is from around here. He's from O'Fallon. They showed part of his report card and it looks like he goes to the alternative school in Fort Zumwalt. I just have a hard time believing these kids are really turned around after just a week with "strict" parents. Especially if they go home and everything is just the same at home.

January 1, 2010

Wow, looking at 2010 seems really strange. It just is weird to think that we are 10 years into the "new" century already. In just 7 short years, my daughter will be starting her last semester of high school and Caleb will be a freshman. How is that possible?

It was a pretty laid back day. We did go to Wal-mart. We had to return the DVD player that I bought a few weeks ago that ended up not working out for us. I also took back the tri-pod that my MIL and FIL bought me. The kids brought along their money, but neither of them spent any. Caleb tried but we made him wait until there was something he really wanted on the shelves. He just wanted to spend it to spend it. He was not happy with us.

We got some necessities, but we also got a new Blue Ray player. I'm excited. I've been wanting one. Michael was going to hook it up tonight, but he's not feeling well.

We also went out to lunch with Michael's parents. We went to O'Charley's. It was a nice lunch. I had the potato soup, but it wasn't as good as the last time I got it. They put us in a booth and I don't think we'll do that again. It was a big booth, but seriously not big enough for four adults and two growing children. However, the conversation was good.

This evening we've just hung out around home. Michael's been resting because he's not feeling well. I hope he feels better tomorrow.