Post Holiday

I have to say that my 30 days to a relaxing holiday turned out pretty well. Sure, part of it was letting go of things that just weren’t going to be done (bathroom painting), but taking it all in stride and planning ahead did work! I even handled the previous weekend of barf like water off a ducks back.

We ended up with 17 people for dinner! I’m still a little shocked that I managed to get everyone in the house. True, there was no thematic center piece and the plates were paper, but do you really need all that fancy stuff for a family dinner? Not for my family! Besides, we had actual molded jello thingys. And since no one in my family can actually make these (we were all pretty impressed with bro.’s new gf), they were indeed fancy. I did go a tiny-tiny bit Mar+ha S+ewar+ on the turkey, making a honey-mustard-butter rub/greaser/flavor whatchmacallit for it. It was also in the gravy and got really good reviews for everyone. The beans were roasted and the potatoes were instant (hey! they are really good!) and we had a variety of sides from other family members. (Broccoli salad!)

Friday was not spent at the shops fighting the crowd (although I really tried to get someone to go with me… apparently the same crowd who doesn’t care about fancy table settings, also does not care about shopping bargains). Instead, I trimmed my willow tree and put up the holiday lights. For once, I had the time and it wasn’t raining (rarely do these things coincide)… plus I bought this little beauty. Hanging the lights went from a multi-hour exercise in fear, to 10 minutes with kids running around.

It’s not the greatest photo, but the kids were very excited to see everything come on. I think they enjoy the lights more than anything else… although Santa is making a pretty good showing in the Christmas chatter around the breakfast table.

Bring on Christmas!

Unprepared

This weekend, I had big plans...

 

Instead I got two sick kids, A LOT of Clorox wipes and work anxiety.

 

Sick kids I can handle for the most part. It was gross and prevented us from leaving our home for two days... but mostly it was OK.

 

The anxiety, however, was another story. I thought I forgot to do something at work. Something that was really important and I was sure it was the end of the world. When I go there, I really go there. I can go from paper cut to death in less that 30 seconds. My anxiety is something that I wish I could say that I don't talk about, but talking about it is really the only I can cope. So, not only was I stressed out, but I also kept posting stressed out messages on my facebook page... because I was stuck in my house with two sick kids and no adults to talk to.

 

Then I got to work and found out it was all for nothing. I could, literally (and I mean that word in it's true meaning, not just an intensifier) and physically feel the relief flowing threw me. I was giddy for about five minutes.

 

Now I'm just annoyed at myself for this lost weekend! I could have been doing so many other things instead of desperately attempting to rid myself of anxiety! Like buying a turkey! Which I haven't bought yet and have had research on how to thaw in the sink.

 

For a 16 to 20 pound turkey, I will need about 10 to 12 hours of bathing the frozen turkey in cold water. I'm not sure how I'm going to changing the water every 30 minutes over night, but then again, what will I complain about when I'm 80?

7 Days Left

I haven't bought a turkey yet?! I haven't purchased anything! Ack!

 

And I have like 10 people coming! I know! I'm shocked too! Not sure where everyone is going to eat, but they're family, so I'm guessing they can sit on the floor if they need to.

 

Methinks I have been doing a little too much relaxing into the holidays... I've got nothing prepared and my house is verging on disaster-ish. Haven't written a paper I need for tomorrow and I still have a huge pile of papers to grade.

 

Stressed out? Yah, me too. So I spent the afternoon relearning the Santa Lucia song so I can teach it to Lala in time for Santa Lucia day and learning how to create a Santa Lucia crown and stjärngossar hats for the kids. Might as well as enjoy myself in the craziness.

 

It's supposed to snow in the next few days, but it cold today! Must purchase new mittens for kids and myself... and maybe some furry boots? Brrr!

Procrastination

This year, I’m attempting to obtain a national board certification in teaching. It’s a lot of writing, planning and thinking. I have a meeting to go over my progress this Thursday… and I’m currently procrastinating by watching the rain and thinking about all the things I “need” to do to the bathroom before Thanksgiving. And to add a little more pressure to myself, I won’t be able to attend the meeting for December as it coincides with Lala’s holiday school concert. (At a real theater!!! Not a school gym, like the old days… oh no.)  Did I mention that I’m performing tonight? Part of the foodball action – I’m singing the Elmo song. It’s becoming my tradition to sing some off the wall Adam Sandler song. I just wish he had a bigger repertoire of school appropriate ones.

In the meantime, I noticed that a few people were showing up via a comment on another website. In honor of that, I direct to some of the books I read before becoming a foster parent…

Really, this became a go to book for information, when things seemed confusing. And believe me, there is a lot of confuse you. It's not insurmountable, but you will have some days that just cause you scratch your head in wonder.

This is more of an inspiring story type book. Really, you need to have those inspiring stories to refresh your soul.

Not going to lie, some of things in this book scared the crap out of me. Personally, I think that's a good thing. Parenting is not for the faint of heart and adoption even less so... forewarned is forearmed. Seriously, if only buy one, this is it.

Veteran’s Day

Despite my long to-do list, I couldn’t let today go by without saying “Thank You!” to all those who have served and are currently serving our country. It’s not an easy path to trod, and I’m sure at times it doesn’t seem worth it, but I appreciate it more than I can express.

Another Drop in the Bucket

 

Despite having fewer donations to auction off than in past years and everyone tightening their belts, our Dessert Auction manage to make over $1600.00! That translates into 1600 pounds of food donated to our local food banks!

As with any event, things went wrong, but for the most part it was fun, organized and no one’s item got lost or “won” something they hadn’t bid on (it happens… never scratch your forehead during a charity auction!).

Adoption Day

Today is our Adoption Anniversary Day! Okay… I completely forgot about it because the dessert auction was scheduled this evening and there are so many things to remember to do, that I literally cannot find the words I need to speak and be understood. I said to someone at the auction, “you know that thing…. where people throw balls… in the big area with the wood floor”? After about 15 seconds, the person replied… “you mean the dodge ball game?” Yah.. can’t talk.

Needless to say, when the florist delivered flowers with a big smile and “Congratulations!”, it took a few minutes for me to remember what they would be for!

 

Look at that smile! Despite the rain, mud and rotting pumpkins (it’s really, really wet!), we had an awesome afternoon finding pumpkins! And without adoption, it wouldn’t have been possible.

In honor of our anniversary, I’d like to put a plug in for foster care/adoption. I know we all look at the numbers flashed on news programs about the number of children available for adoption and think “how sad”, but the reality behind the 30 second news story is that those are real children. And another 250,000 will enter foster care in the coming year. There are many reasons why people won’t adopt from foster care, I’ve said them all too! It’s not an easy path to walk… then again, neither is parenthood. Whether you adopt or have biological children, those durned kids don’t always do what you want them to, they don’t always follow the path you hoped and the perfect family photo is a one second snap in the years of time. Ask anyone with adult children for the real story.

In my experience, there is much more support and help for foster parents and foster care adoption, than with private or international adoption. Yes, there are caseworkers who are slow de or dishonest, etc. but that hasn’t been my, albeit limited, total experience. If you’ve ever even had an inkling of an idea to become a foster parent or to adopt from foster care, please go out and attend one informational meeting. I swear they won’t act like used car salesmen and try to talk you into something you aren’t prepared for. Just one step.

Christmas Giveaway

You may have noticed the new banner – or if you’re reading via a reader, you may want to click over… because 5 Minutes for Mom is hosting their annual Christmas Giveaways! 30 days of gifts to try for!

Last year, I won a spanking new dumptruck for the Cuddler and one of those Razor scooter things, which was passed on to another family. Two less gifts to buy, one less trip to the toy store, more time to make cookies! How can you beat that?

The rules have slightly changed this year, giving everyone only one entry for each prize – rather than multiple entries for things like following them on Twitter. Will that improve your chances? Well, you definitely won’t win if you don’t enter, so head over now!

What I’m Thankful For

If there is one thing that teaching has taught me, it’s that there is a lot more to people that we never ever see. In today’s world, I am thankful that despite any annoyances (orange juice on the mattress) caused by my children, I have them in life. I’m thankful that I have a job that keeps us fed, warm and allows us to see the doctor whenever we want. I can buy the things we need and many of the things we want. I didn’t feel panic when the Cuddler grew three sizes over night, I just went out and bought new clothes. For many people, it’s not that easy.

Over the next ten days, I will be immersed in a school-wide effort to fill the shelves of the local food pantries. When I say school-wide, I really mean community-wide. This annual event is HUGE! Last year’s total was over 500,000 lbs of food donated to the regional food pantry distributor. And that was just our half… this is a competition between two neighboring towns to see who can raise the most – the other town also raised over 500,000lbs! Why Oprah never covered this, I cannot imagine.

For me, this means endless fundraisers to supervisor, bags of food to donate and trying to figure out how much I can really spend and how much wiggle room I have (because I always over spend the budget!). It also means a lot fun! Every night, we’ll head out to a local restaurant for dinner served by our students as they “take over” for the night (all profits are donated), so no cooking! Woot! Next Tuesday, I’ll be immersed in desserts as the the club I advise hosts it’s annual Dessert Auction. Fudge has been promised! And I’ve already received some great things to auction off, plus I know I’ll be heading out tomorrow afternoon to gather more supplies to be able to have more… because I’m OCD like that. When you depend on teenagers, God love ‘em, not everything goes according to plan.

Next Saturday I’ll also be on stage. Singing. Not that I have a great singing voice, but I do pretty good with Adam Sandler songs… I’m debating a re-rendition of “Red-Hooded Sweatshirt” or the Elmo song. Or the Turkey song with adjusted lyrics… depends on what I find on my shopping spree. Ooooo! I just had a inspiration. I may have to get someone to video this one.

In end, all the stress, disruption and activity is a food a good cause. Because there is always more to people than what you see… and I know that many who are out gathering donations today will be getting them back in their weekly food bank trip.

19 days left

If you are a blog follower or any kind, you know I am not the only person counting down 'til the holidays. In my reader, the posts regarding planning and the holidays are coming up faster than I can read! I really recommend heading over to The Lettered Cottage for some inspiration. Decoration ideas are already bouncing around in my skull as I write.

 

So far, I've mostly been inspired to create new lists! Lists of things I need to do, things I want to do and, of course, the big list of gifts. When I started typing the list out (because I'm all about spreadsheets these days), I found myself in the age old quandary… how much to buy? And what to buy? Educational toys? Clothing? A big family gift?  Budgetary issues aside, the how much is too little? or too much? has always been a question for me. The media would have you believing that a tree buried under presents is the norm, but it doesn't seem like that much fun for my kids. They get tired of unwrapping after about three presents and really just want to play with the new toys or try on the new clothes. (ok, that would be Lala who wants to try on new clothes… the cuddler could care less.)

 

One of my co-workers had an idea that I thought was pretty good. Her brother-in-law does this every Christmas and everyone is happy. Each kid gets five presents along the following lines:

    something to wear

    something to create with

    something to watch

    something to play with

    something to read

 

Good idea, no? Not too many presents, but with the addition of all the usual holiday events, foods and family members to play with, there will still be tons to do! I started purchasing stuff for the kids back in August when school supplies were on sale, so now my list of shopping is pretty small. My budget loves that!

 

20 Days til Thanksgiving

This is the time of year that things start to go a little haywire. There is so much to do and so much organization that must go in to keeping all the balls in the air.

 

I've invited family over for Thanksgiving dinner and so it's time to start planning out the menu. Last year, I went pretty tradition with the meal. To be honest, it was a bit too heavy.  This year I'm thinking of going a little lighter - perhaps more vegetable dishes without a sauce. I bought the latest issue of the Food Channel magazine, so maybe I'll find some more ideas there.

 

What are you planning on making for Thanksgiving dinner?

Family Day

November is National Adoption Month! Find daily activities to help celebrate!

 

 

 

A week from today we will be celebrating the anniversary of our family - or rather, the legalization of our family. I like to think of it as "haircut day", because I could finally get my children's hair cut without having to call a social worker to get permission. I'm not sure what Lala and the Cuddler think of it... right now, they're still a bit young to fully understand.

 

As we go into the holiday season (fresh off of our holiday family photo shoot), it is definitely one of the things I'm thankful for. Perhaps we should make some Thanksgiving decorations and talk about our family day? Turkey day is only 23 more days away!