Ikes!

Well, the rain has passed in Chicago. I have to say, it is astounding to see all the water on the sides of the roads, filling yards, creating lakes and streams..........I hope everyone has a safe and quick recovery. Especially those suffering from Hurricane Ike in TX and LA.

Caty is doing significantly better. She is like a new kid. No more tantrums, meltdowns, phone stalking.........it is amazing. She still misses her Mom, but it doesn't come up nearly as much.

As part of the new agreement, we were to give Lucinda information regarding any school pictures. Now, she doesn't pay child support or half of the required expenses (because she chooses to be a deadbeat parent and we were happy to see her go to Texas to get rid of her and the damage she does to the kids); but she doesn't even want to buy the kids school pictures! She had the audacity to ask for one of ours?! Tell me, what kind of POS doesn't want to pay for school pictures. She has a job, no child expenses and is living w/ a guy who pays all the house bills. PLEASE! If these kids even knew what a loser she is, they would be astounded. She isn't on drugs, she isn't a drunk (at least not yet). She is just the most selfish human being on the planet. It is astounding.

OK, I feel better now. Well, Wednesday the girls go to therapy. Hopefully we don't have to do this forever.

Weekend Commitments

Wow, I never thought I'd be a "Soccer Mom," but it was a weekend of commitments. Sabrina had soccer practice Friday night followed by a soccer game on Saturday. Caty had one on Saturday as well. Adam was completely off of his of nap schedule; is teething; and his nose is running like a faucet. I can't tell if it is his teeth, allergies, or a cold.

Sabrina has turned into our "problem child". Trent has turned into our "good" child. What a difference a summer makes! Sabrina isn't turning in homework and is talking in classes. She was "grounded" Sunday once we read her weekly progress report.

Caty had nightmares Saturday night. Everyone but Trent was up for 2-3 hours. It was awful. I have been exhausted ever since. She thought Sabrina was cut up, even after we showed her with the lights on that she fine. Then she thought her bruises from soccer were from her bed. It was a bad night. I was relieved for the kids to go back to school this morning.

It is getting cold here. Last fall it was in the 80's and 90's until the 2nd week of October (granted, that was very unusual weather for Chicago.) It seems this year God is balancing it out and fall has dropped in a little early. The low tonight is in the upper 40's!!!! Yuck. I need weather that I can bake myself in the sun! (My skin does not appreciate it, but I always wear SPF.) I've had Basal cell skin cancer at least once (if not twice but unconfirmed the second time).

Well, the rain is supposed to stop some time tonight. Bring on warmer weather please!!!

Mini Harvest

Late last winter, we moved to a smaller home. Numerous reasons, legal bills from the useless custody battle, bills, and most importantly, to allow me to stay home with Adam. With the move, I lost my spacious backyard with a killer garden. So this year, I have potted plants all over the back porch and front balcony. I shouldn't complain, compared to many gardens, I still have a lot. I have given the neighbors my herbs (basil, thyme, dill, and rosemary). I actually have cucumbers and jalapeno peppers. I tried tomato plants, only one is still making it, but no tomatoes have popped out yet. So, today was the first day of making pesto. I know it is green, but for those of you that like natural food and herbs........mmmmmmmmm. Thyme pesto was so good that I am going to have to make more (Thyme pesto is a first for me). I made my staples cilantro pesto and homemade salsa. Soon I have to make basil pesto. Basil is my favorite plant, so I have plenty of it growing.

I have started an exercise regimen since I haven't kicked the last 20 lbs and Adam is a year old. I walked for 45 minutes with Adam, 10 minutes on the bike, and started on the Boflex again. I have to work out (not that I ever sit) to burn off what I love to eat. It's sad, I don't eat junk food, I just overeat.

Well, off to finish the last bit of homework with the 12 year old.

You know he loves you when...

Yesterday my husband decided to help me be frugal. I had a hair appointment scheduled for this coming weekend but with the added expenses of 4 kids full time, we may have to forgo it. (Yes, he doesn't pay child support, but Lucinda doesn't pay for the kids because she has decided to be a deadbeat Mom). I don't work because there are 4 kids to watch, it just doesn't make sense.

Anyway, he patiently pulled my hair through a highlighting kit. I think it took an hour and a half to pull my hair through.........He helped me put the color in and made sure I didn't miss anything. I washed my hair and tada......it looked frighteningly awful! Straight up, trailer park, blond awful.

So at 11 pm last night, we finished dying my hair back to it's original dark brown. It still looks bad, but good in comparison to the freakish blond look. With that, my lesson learned is go to the hair salon or don't touch your hair!