Absenteeism

OK, so it's been three months since my last blog entry and I have a confession, I haven't had much to say.

You would think that in three months, there would be things to discuss, and there may have been, but now it would seem pointless to dig that deep to remember. I have been on Facebook, which is probably why I'm not in here anymore. However, I thought it was time to get in and write.

August - in a nutshell

We went on vacation to the Wisconsin Dells and had a fabulous time until the last day, on the way home. Traffic in the Windy City was not pretty and I lost my temper, Mom was crying, Mallory was having nightmares and I was insulting R. Other than that, the trip was great. I would highly recommend it if you really like water parks.

School started.

September -

Work, work, work, Mallory's dance class, Mallory's soccer practice, economy goes in the crapper, politics, 4th birthday party preparations, 4 year pictures, work, work, and more work.

October -

4th birthday party with family and friends was a big hit. Rained out field trip to pumpkin patch was a bummer. Mallory is going to be Minnie Mouse for Halloween. We are going back home to make Applebutter this weekend. Oh, yeah, more working.

I'm certain there are tales to tell and funny anecdotes to share, but it's all a blur now.

Socializing

Well, I took the plunge and finally joined Facebook. I haven't done it before because I figured that if someone wanted to find me, they would eventually either call or email. The problem is that so many people from my past, don't have my number or my email. Many in fact have probably forgotten me until they were like "hey, I know that person" and asked me to be their friend. Here is another concept that I find funny. I have to ask people to be my friends and people have to either accept or decline and vise versa. I know this is the safest way for us all to socialize, but it's so elementary and amusing to me. Another dilemma was that students could be on there and I don't really want them to find me.

Another funny tid bit is that I can't get husband to sign up on his own. (Plus, I can't have two accounts going to the same email.) He is so scared that someone weird might find him and this could be true. Especially since I was doing a search for graduates from his year of college and did find some people who we have not spoken to since our wedding, 13 years ago. I think some of you may know who I mean. I'll just say, there was a bit of a ruckus after our reception in the hotel. Fortunately, husband and I were NOT involved at all and were clueless in the morning about the whole thing. I thought about asking them to be my "friends" but husband wouldn't let me.

We went to husband's 20th high school class reunion (yes, he is that old, not me) this past Saturday and everyone there kept asking if we were in Facebook. I told his friends that I would sign him up, but he wouldn't let me. However, I made sure to mention him a lot so people would be able to find him through me. Some of his classmates have already friended me so I guess it will work.

Look me up if you get the chance.

LOL,
CDR

Randomness

Whew, what a month. School got out, we went right into a summer project, then VBS, then a trip to see the folks, then it's already the 4th of July. Summer is going by way too fast and I don't have time to do my home projects.

I thought that with my degree done, I would be able to read more, scrapbook more, spend more time with family and traveling. I find that I'm super busy and tired AND I don't want to do a thing. I just want to sit. I don't even want to read. I think I'm burned out because of all the reading I did last summer and over the last three years. I know it sounds funny for a Media Specialist to not want to read, but I just can't do the in-depth reading that I had hoped to do. I have been scrapbooking a bit, but I want to do more. The problem is that I really don't have a great space to do it. I plan on going out to do more and I've asked for a table for my birthday so I can leave out my stuff and scrapbook when I want to.

In family news, M and I went to see my family, a four hour trip. R stayed home because he had to work and he is able to get home projects done when we are gone. He did accomplish stuff, but not nearly what he could have. I think he relished in the fact that he was alone. (Don't blame him there.) We had a great time with my family. M was able to see the cows and LOVED it. She was also able to go to another zoo and ride a camel. I will have to post a picture later. She had a blast with her cousins and then we were able to visit with our friends who moved too far away. That's OK though, because we are vacationing with them later.

I also have to mention that the new owner of my Grandpa and Grandma's house moved in this past Monday. I'm OK with this, but I don't plan on driving by or visiting. My family knows him, he's a bit younger than I am and I know he will take good care of the house. I was told that he is planning on having a tree removed from right behind the house and this bothers me more than anything. This is the three with a cement break wall around it that, as kids, we all sat on and husked corn, ate watermelon, and played. It's a huge shade tree and it's sad to see it go. I decided some time ago that I don't mind getting older, but I don't like to see change back home. My dad is now the elder and that freaks me out.

Anyway, enough randomness for today.

LOL,
CDR

The List

Reasons that I haven't blogged in, well, forever:

1. I have been rearranging two libraries at work and would have had to do three, but my elementary aid is super. I am exhausted from this and dirty. You might be amazed at how much dust collects on those book shelves, yuck. Plus, I have been weeding the collection of all the 1930s materials, yes 1930s. What a crazy mess?!?

2. I don't have classes any more, so actually getting online isn't as frequent while I'm home. I mean why bother? I don't have to check Blackboard or chat or type a paper. Ahhhh, freedom!

3. It's nice outside and that's where the little one likes to be. (For those of you who know me well, I mean really well, you know that it kills me to be outside. I would so much rather be watching a movie or reading.)

4. It's retro night on WGN and they are showing great shows from our childhood. WKRP in Cincinnati is on tonight.

5. Did I mention exhaustion?

That pretty much sums things up for me. The family is doing well and only three more days of school, officially.

LOL,
CDR

Sorry for the delay

I hadn't realized it had been a month since my last post, whoops.

Things are busy and there have been no more serious pony tail incidents to speak of. We are having a garage sale this weekend and that has been taking over our lives this week. I asked Mallory if she wanted to sell anything in the sale and she started to tell me what things she would sell. When I told her that to sell it meant that it would be gone forever, she started crying. Therefore, there won't be loads of her things in the sale, only things I can sneak past her.

Work is good, but busy. Last fall, after working for about a day, I was asked to hire an aid. We did and she is really great at the job. In fact, she does too much, things she isn't supposed to do because she is not a certified teacher. Any way, she has loads of ideas which leads to more hassles for me. Every time I turn around, she wants me to purchase something for the library. It's not that I don't want to buy things, I spent all of my budget this year for all three buildings and will do so again next year and every year that follows. However, I don't have a huge budget to work with and I have to be somewhat creative. I could have it way worse, but I want to make sure that I buy what we need and not just what we want. She is driving me a bit crazy, but she means well.

Only a few more weeks and summer vacation starts. :-) :-) I can't wait to not have to work or study or do anything that I don't want to do. My plan is to catch up on my scrapbooking and small things around the house, while spending quality time with Mallory. Oh, and I plan on sitting on my large booty as much as possible, drinking my coffee and reading, reading, and reading. Girlfriends who live in this same town need to be seen as much as possible. You know who you are. Let's make sure to set things up. Those girlfriends who aren't as close, let me know when we can come visit.

LOL,
CDR

The Pony Tail Incident

Mallory is a big fan of pony tails in her hair. Most mornings I ask her if she would like one or two, big or little. Most mornings I have two pony tail holders with me so that which ever choice she makes, I am covered. This was not the case this morning.

R was on drop off today because I had a staff meeting and then a middle school book fair. Therefore, I was trying to hurry a bit/cut corners to get out the door. I only grabbed one pony holder from upstairs. We were doing fine getting dressed as we watched Jo Jo. We went into the bathroom to comb hair and brush teeth and here is the story.

Mallory: I want two ponies.

Me: I only brought down one holder and one is good for today.

Mallory (in crocodile tears): But I want two ponies.

Me: It will be fine, we need to get moving.

Mallory (larger than life tears and sobbing and getting louder): I want two ponies.

Me (losing it): Mallory, one pony is fine! There is no reason for you to be crying and getting so upset.

As you can see, it just goes back and forth for quite some time. I eventually leave the bathroom after putting in one pony, yelling and swearing under my breath because little ears are big pitchers, etc. R takes over with the teeth brushing.

Mallory: I don't want to brush my teeth.

R: If you don't brush, you will get cavities and those hurt.

Mallory: I DON'T WANT TO BRUSH MY TEETH. (more sobbing)

R: YOU NEED TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH. DO WHAT YOU ARE TOLD!

Now, for those of you who know R well, yelling is not something he does often. In fact, it's pretty rare. I then go back in and remove Mallory from the bathroom and sit her on the couch for her timeout. However, we have to go. Why is it that these meltdowns always happen when we have to get out the door?

I then rant and scream for about 30 seconds to get it out. I check on her. She says she's sorry, but just can't let it go. "I wanted two ponies." I give up and send them on their way.

By the time he got her to daycare, she was smiley and happy. She's Sybil. What happened to the happy little girl that we had? She insists on fighting and on having the last word. I really hate when I tell her to do something or not to do something and she says, but Mom. It makes my toes curl and the hair on my neck stand straight up. I am convinced the the terrible twos are a myth and the threes are the worst ever. My mom says that paybacks are hell, but she's THREE! I didn't start this crap until I was at least 10. At least that's how I remember it.

So goes our lives here.
Carma

Updates (sorry, I'm just not that creative)

I have decided to participate in the graduation ceremony. My friend Charlie was right. If I don't participate, I might regret it. Plus, it will be good for Mallory to see what it's like. I went last week to pick up my cap and gown and tickets. I have never had to park very far away from things on campus until then. I could not believe how many cars were on campus. The line for stuff was not long, really, just a parking nightmare. Of course, while I was there, Mallory was having some fit with Rodd and it got ugly. Here's the thing, she had pink eye and we were the meanies who had to put in the drops. I am surprised how strong she is. One of us had to hold her down while the other did the drops. She was convinced that we hated her and gave Rodd the run around in the driveway at daycare. (Don't worry, she was no longer contagious.) He called me while I was driving to Detroit to have me tell her that I loved her and all I could hear were sobs. She did get over it, but drops are EVIL! I had hoped to do some shopping on my way home, but had to come straight home due to the drama.

Then this week we have all had a sickness. I had a sinus infection while the others had the beginning of bronchitis, yeah us. It has been quite the week, but we are all better for our last work day before Spring Break. Not that we are going anywhere, but it will be nice to rest more and read good books and watch The Love Boat that came today on DVD. I just love that show:-)

Things at work are going well and I'm happy to say that my first year in my new school district has gone very well and they are keeping me. I know that may sound funny to some, but teaching jobs, especially in the library/media center, are some of the first to be cut. I'm glad my hard work has paid off. I went to a conference today and now I have some great new ideas for the rest of the year. This means that next year will be even better, yeah:-)

We went to my parents for Easter and it was a pretty good trip. Mallory is not used to sharing with her cousins, so we had to have some lessons in sharing. Her younger cousin is bigger than she is and he is all BOY!!! He cracks us up, but Mallory doesn't understand how he can be doing what he does because they are roughly close in size. Below are some pics from our weekend, enjoy.

Dilemma/Random thoughts

Here's the thing, I finished grad. school in December, but there wasn't a graduation ceremony. They only have one in the Spring. Should I participate? Will it be worth it? I think Rodd and my mom want me to do it, which is fine, but I feel stupid. By the time the actual ceremony comes around, I will have been finished for five months. Any thoughts?

It's been one year since my grandpa passed away and the time is nearing for the estate auction. I know this is a good thing, but it's so hard. Over Christmas, we as grandkids had to go pick what we wanted. I felt like I was robbing a grave. My grandparents lived long, happy lives, but to go through their things, just seems wrong. My dad is having the hardest time still and it just breaks my heart to see him so sad. My cousin and her husband seem to think that they should just loot the place and that just puts me over the edge. Grandpa would want me or my brothers to have some of the things they took because we were closer to him, but they just see it as merchandise to sell. Anyway, the auction is in April and it's going to be tough. It will, however, be good to have some closure.

Enough sad stuff because work is good, life is good, Mallory is moody. She can change hot to cold in about 2 seconds. What is that all about? I came home from work today drained from being with K-5th grade today. They just wear me out. Mallory takes my hand and says, "Mommy, you lay down on the sofa and get a nap." I sit down, yada, yada, then it's time to eat supper. I go to sit down and she freaks out that we are not sitting where she wants us to sit and her plate is in the wrong place and oh, my goodness, that absolute, wrenching, whining pursued. It is just ridiculous and amazing all at the same time. This went on all evening, which led to the counting and spanking. Two was a great age, three is trying! I told Rodd the other day that when she hits 11 or 12 it will just be awful. He said he was going to lock himself in his room. I asked from me or her? He said both. Oh, the things to look forward to.

LOL,
CDR

Love the Family

It's been quite some time since I've posted and it's not because I haven't thought about it. In fact, I was logged in the other day, all set to write, when Mallory was ready for bed. I totally forgot to get back on the computer and finish what I was doing. Also, since I don't have homework to do, I don't always get online at night. It's so nice to just come home and spend time with my family.

Anywho, last weekend, Mallory and I make the trek to Western Michigan to visit the folks. They have mounds of snow and Mallory was very excited to go sledding again. Problem: the hills my dad made were too big to climb so we had to settle on the little front yard hill. She was OK with that. She also wanted to see the cows which was also complicated since my dad had plowed the huge hills of snow into the view of the barnyard. We had to walk all the way around, which would not have been so bad had it not been -5 outside. My brothers are up to the same tricks and we always laugh very hard when we are together. Most of the time, the Big D sister-in-law is the butt of some jokes. She just has that kind of quality. I normally would not share a family story online, but this one deserves some sharing. Oldest brother and the Big D needed a new septic system for various reasons and the new one had to be above ground. No, I don't really understand that. However, on the day of fixing, Brother #2 is there to help with the electrical work, etc. when they both decide that since they are going to put in all new pipes out back, they should do them all. This requires that they break up the cement patio next to the house to do the work. They get this done, when they hear this whooooooosh and plop. Big D has used the potty and flushed in the middle of the septic project and to my brothers' surprise (large surprise) there is now an obstacle that must be taken care of. Oldest brother, husband to Big D, goes in and explains that she may not flush during the work. Now what person doesn't know this? Brother #2 is the one who shared this story with me and he could hardly speak due to the laughter. Only back home on the farm do things like this happen.

So that was our weekend back home. I'm so sad that I missed fondue and hope that another fondue party is coming up soon.

LOL,
CDR

Random update

My official diploma arrived today and whew does that feel good.

Mallory had her first official hair cut today. Yes, she is three and a half, but it took her almost two and a half to get enough hair to actually pull it back. She is such a doll with curls.

After my freshman year of high school, we had an exchange student from Japan stay with us for five weeks. The following summer, 1990, I went to Japan to stay with her family for five weeks. In 1995, my "sister" and her mother came to our wedding. Now it's time, possibly, to travel there for her wedding. She sent a note that arrived today with the June 22nd wedding date. I want very badly to go, but we'll have to see how much it is and who can go with me. This situation caused me to remember how long ago I was in Japan. Holy crap, it was 18 years ago!!! I'm old. I remember it like it was yesterday and I also kept a journal while I was there. Can I find said journal, nope, but now I'm on a mission. Does anyone out there, the three people who read this, have frequent flier miles they would be willing to give to me?

Work is very good except for a spilled coffee on new books incident that occurred yesterday. It was an accident and the person who did it really felt bad, I think. However, 12 books are ruined and that amounts to about $200 dollars at least. Very frustrated with that, but it will all work out.

LOL,
CDR

Ahh, those were the days

Yesterday, I didn't have school and I decided to take a road trip to my old school. They had an inservice and I thought I would surprise them. Mallory went with me and they were very happy to see us. I thought that I would be more upset at having left there, but it turns out I wasn't upset at all. The teachers were working on various projects and discussing things, many were upset about some things that are going on. (The same things they have always been upset about, but refuse to offer up any sollutions and continue to blame everyone else.)

Anywho, I thought to myself, I sure don't miss that. I'm super busy at my new job, just in a different way. I was also suprised to see what a mess the library was. My mentor and friend would NEVER have let things look like this and it's so sad to know that the students have to put up with this. It's also sad to know how little the teachers, not all of them, respect the library. It's awful how bad it is and how disrespectful certain people can be there. I had to leave the room.

It clicked with me that, although I miss my friends there greatly, I made the right decision. I am very happy doing what I'm doing and the staff where I am now, respect me AND the position. They know that I am very passionate about what I do and they seek me and my advice on things. I was a part of wonderful staff, but that is the past and now I really think that I am officially ready to move on. The future can only tell what might happen at my old school and I hope the administration decides to bring back in a certified media specialist, but I'm not sure I would want that position. I guess my epiphany finally happened.

LOL,
CDR

Where in the heck have I been?

Whew, it's been a long time. I hope all is well with everyone and that you had a stupendous Christmas and New Year.

We made a Gingerbread train and house this year. Check out the digs.


We had two Christmas celebrations with Rodd's family, parts I and II. Pretty much, we did Christmas Eve here with them with this huge meal that Rodd and I made. We opened most of the presents that day with them as well. We packed up the left overs for R's parents to take home. We were able to celebrate Christmas here Christmas morning and it was so much fun. Mallory received many new books, clothes, and Play Doh.

Christmas morning was a hoot. Mallory didn't even notice the presents for almost an hour after she was up. We had to point them out.

We were having so much fun, but we had to pack up and go over to Rodd's parent's house for Christmas Lunch, hence the part II. We ate the food that Rodd and I cooked the day before. Why you ask, did we have Christmas part II? We don't know either, but we do know that we won't have this happen next year.

Anywho, we were also able to spend a few days with my parents which was so much fun. Mallory had some firsts, first snowmobile ride and first sledding on the big hill. Check out that smile, she didn't like it at all.

My three brothers, my sister-in-law, and myself took over the hill. The kids were sitting on top waiting for sleds. It was like the bullies had one the hill. I haven't had that much fun since I was their age. Mallory lucked out because she could go alone or with me. This was our first trip to my parents since Labor Day due to Mallory's fall illnesses. I hadn't seen my dad or brothers in almost four months. It was so great to be with them for several days.

For the new year, we spent time with our bestest friends who moved to Allendale not too long ago. We were able to experience the Wii for the first time. We couldn't figure out why Rodd's shoulders hurt afterwards. We decided that the Wii was just too much exercise. (hee, hee)

Keep in touch this year and when are we getting together? Send out some dates randcroesch@comcast.net

LOL,

CDR