goin to see the MOUSE

One week from tonight, I will be packing to go to DISNEY WORLD!!!
After back and forthing about whether we could justify taking a vacation while Steven was unemployed, and if it was smart to go or not, we decided. If we could get a really good hotel rate and if we were careful with spending we could afford it. I am soooo exited.

A lot of people dont understand my affection (affliction?) with WDW. I really cant explain it. Only to say that it is our "Happy Place". No worries, no problems, just us. I really think that its where we first became a "family" three years ago. Everything there is good. People try to be better people when they are there. It really is magical.

Yes it is "magically expensive" and yes they really have a racket with all the gift shops and commercialism. But you just cant put a price on the sound Caitie makes when she is on an adrenaline rush. Or the look on Jasmin's face when she conquers a fear. The way that Steven feels when he opens that first turkey leg :) lol If I am ever having a bad day, I just get out our photo albumns from our trips and remember. Its worth it then

Soooo.. I am super exited, and you ll have to deal with me ranting about packing, and then the trip reports when we get back... deal with it :)

spinning gears

This has been a pretty darn good weekend. I keep humming and smiling to myself. I am finding it difficult to contain my happiness... Here's why

Friday morning I awoke and as normal checked the bank account to balance our checkbook. my account balance read about 5 bazillion dollars more than I anticipated. YUP. The IRS had mercy and sent our tax refund. All of it. In a panic I called the IRS and asked about the "mistake" Thier response was... "Mrs Lane. You are in what you call a paperwork loop. Your income was low enough to not require you to set up a payment plan, and the amount of the bill has not been assesed to your account yet. You still owe the money, but youll just have to refile your income with us when you get another bill." I asked.. "umm so in enlglish? This money is mine?"
She responded "Have a nice day Mrs Lane"

wait... it gets better.


About 10 am Steven called our weekly call to check with Child Support enforcement to encourage the collection of what his ex owes us (Sometimes, when you want something you have to stand on thier feet until they pay you to go away IE If we bug them enough, they will do something) And they responded "Mr Lane, there was a payment made on Thursday. We'll be sending you a check out later today.. the amount? 3 bazillion dollars."

The check came saturday, along with the 401K payout check from Steven's last job, and a paycheck for me from the State for keeping the little man.

I could die. I can buy socks, and namebrand toilet paper.

YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY

God is so good.

Really a very good day

It is so pretty out today.. feels almost like spring. It smells fresh and clean out and there is a pleasant breeze blowing.Its in the low 70's and just feels soo good out. Its days like today that make living in this wretched place bearable. Knowing that it is not above 20 degrees in Alaska and that I may have been able to send my kids out bundled like little eskimos for mayyybe 20 minutes, and here I have all the doors and windows open and will easily send the kids out to play until supertime with out jackets at all makes it livable.

It looks as if I may be made a liar of. Steven's ex may actually be coming through and paying her childsupport like she has been saying. reportedly she was on her way to town to pay the bill in order to see Jasmin this weekend. I am skeptical of course. But fact is? It looks good. Thank the Lord! There are so many "extras" that I love to get the girls but havent been able to justify them with Steven being unemployed. YAY for shopping. YAY for a short vacation. YAY for childsupport enforcement. (You realize that all of these "YAY's" are still contingent on her doing what she said.

I have been reading a lot of blogs lately. Mostly this odd addiction I have. I love to read the blogs of families adopting from China. I love how exited they are to get thier daughters and how nervous and how wonderful they all are. There are TONS of them. They have a whole language (the adopters.. since obviously the Chinese do) of thier own and a network and a mascot! They put ladybugs on everything.. its soo cute. I think, that if Steven and I had ohhh like an extra $35 thou hanging around we'd totally adopt from there.

Thngs that make you go... " do what?"

1. Ever wonder about those people who spend $2.00 apiece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backwards: NAIVE
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
2. Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing section in a swimming pool? (My sentiments exactly)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
3 OK.... so if the Jacksonville Jaguars are known as the "Jags" and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are known as the "Bucs," what does that make the Tennessee Titans?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
4. If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea...does that mean that one enjoys it?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
5. There are three religious truths:a. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.b. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian faith.c. Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store or at Hooters.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
6. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
7. If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
8. Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren't they just stale bread to begin with?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
9. Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist but a person who drives a racecar is not called a racist?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
10. Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety one?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
11 If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
12. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
13. Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
14. What hair color do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
15. I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me .....they're cramming for their final exam.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
16. Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
17 If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
18. You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
19 Ever wonder what the speed of lightning would be if it didn't zigzag?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
20. If a cow laughed, would milk come out of her nose?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
21. Whatever happened to Preparations A through G?

As income tax time approaches, did you ever notice: When you put the two words "The" and "IRS" together it spells
"THEIRS"?

**warning** mooshy super sappy post

Last night's Grey's Anatomy was sooo good (of course it always is) I wont go into the story or anything because I know you all watched it :)

The part that has me thinking is where Meridith tells McDreamy that she cant remember their last kiss... the last moments they were together as a happy couple. She makes the point that you never know that a certain kiss will be the last one.(of course He CAN remember, in great detail, and recounts it so sweetly that she falls for him all over again)

And she's right, you dont. My husband just walked out the door a few minutes ago, and I blew him a kiss and didnt bother to get up and go downstairs to kiss him properly. Will I live to regret that? The fact is, its a possibility. Not a HUGE possibility since he just went accross the street to watch the WWF show that my cousin Tivo'd for him. But still.

I also thought about past relationships and other people in my life who are gone now. The last moments I talked with my grandparents, or a kid in our youth group that commited suicide. The last time I remember being happy with an old boyfriend before things went South. Its funny to think, in that moment, it was just like any other day. Nothing special.

I guess what I am saying is we need to be more careful with our loved ones. Live each moment like it was the last.

I'm Bananas

Tonight Steven and I went to the grocery store to pick up something for Thing 2 to donate to her class's "not really a Valentine's Day Party" since you cant send home baked goods anymore (! How odd!) We were just shopping around, not really needing anything and just enjoying being out of the house and away from the kiddos. And I found something that made me so happy it was rediculus. I mean really.

These teeny tiny little bananas. They are soooo cute. And perfect since the Little Man only eats a few bites at a time. I was giddy with glee at these little baby bananas. Then I tasted one (I had to eat one right?) They are sweet and the texture is smoother than bigger bananas. They have a kind of apple-ish flavor and they leave a spicy aftertaste. I realize that I am discussing bananas not unlike you would a fine wine.. but seriously they are soo yummy.

So anyway, I got home and started thinking about bananas and looked them up. There is yards and yards of information on them... here is some of what I found.

Among the banana plant’s most remarkable features is that, despite its average height of 30 feet (about 9 meters), it is actually a perennial herb related to the orchid and lily. It bears huge, podlike purple flowers, and its individual long, slender fruits, or fingers, are technically berries. The banana is believed to have originated in Malaysia. India’s Islamic culture names it as the famed fruit of knowledge and in that version of the story it is said Adam and Eve covered themselves with banana, not fig, leaves. Today, the world’s greatest producers of bananas include Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, India, Brazil, Ecuador, the Philippines, and Indonesia.In many Latin American and Asian countries, banana leaves are used in place of plates. The leaves work well as wrappers in place of aluminum foil for holding and steaming foods. In Malaysia, the banana flower is cooked and eaten; in Africa, a beer is brewed from bananas.Because bananas emit a gas that promotes ripening, placing an unripe banana in a paper bag or breathable container with other produce will encourage the produce to ripen more quickly.



Banana, 1 medium
Calories: 108
Protein: 1.2g
Carbohydrate: 27.6g
Total Fat: 0.56g
Fiber: 2.83g
*Good source of: Potassium (467mg)

blogging away

This has been a pretty hectic week. Crazy in fact.Mostly because Steven and I have been opperating on very little sleep since Saturday night.

Tanus. (TAY-NUS) is a yellow livered sheepish German Sheppherd puppy who until this week lived in our back yard. He was brought in oringinally as a guard dog But we quickly found out he was a wienee.Tanus is a baby, who barks all night long... and did so ALL night saturday night. I slept mayyybe 1 complete hour. Sunday night, the same thing, monday night, again with the barking, whining and howling. Thankfully last night was the begining of the reign of peace. Tanus has gone to be a "stud dog" with a family member FOREVER. Dont get me wrong. I love our pets, and I was sypathetic to Steven who got a little tearey eyed to watch his companion be driven away (to a FARM with room to run and play, wild animals to chase, and FEMALES who actually want his attentions.. I mean cmon its like big masculine doggie heaven) BUT THANK YOU GOD TANUS IS GONE. I slept sooo well last night in beautiful peaceful silence.

Today our lack of finance caught up with us. I am begining to get that "ohhh Lord pease tell me where the money for these bills is coming from" feeling again. Our insurances are due in 2 weeks. And then Thing 2 called from the elementary school. Her SHOES were pinching her feet and she was hobbling around (according to a slightly amused teacher.. I didnt think it was very funny at all)I am aware that it is time to buy both Things One and Two spring/summer clothes and shoes. Thing two especially is starting to look "raggedy". She has grown a LOT this school year and has gone up TWO shoe sizes since I last bought shoes for her.Daddy went to Wallyworld and bought her some tennis shoes and took them to her. (everyone say AWWW)I was so embarassed. Its the first time that my child has needed something and I truely could not provide it for her. I was hoping that she could hold out for just a couple more weeks until what little tax refund we are getting this year gets here. I know that it rested pretty heavy on Steven since he refused to discuss it. It'll work out. God knows the need as well or better than I do.My pride is being spanked pretty soundly though

Spanglish

I just watched the first movie I have seen in a REALLY long time that I felt was worth anything.And shock of all shocks ADAM SANDLER was a headliner in it!

Spanglish is the story of a mexican immigrant who comes to work with an upperclass LA family as told by her daughter in her Princeton application essay. Adam Sandler,Tae Leoni, and Cloris Leachman are incredible. Even Penelope Cruise is really really good.

Its this mexican mama's battle to keep her daughter grounded, and normal, and the way a spoiled self involved white woman realizes that she loves her husband.

One scene I absolutely loved was when the white wife, who has been having an affair is talking with her mother and her mother says to her.. "This is when I say to you, your low self esteem is just pure common sense" OMG! How great is that?

I think the thing that I loved most about this movie was that the characters didnt disapoint me and give into what most people would. The father (Adam Sandler) and Flor (Penelope Cruise) are confronted with the opportunity and even the permission to commit adultery. And yet they dont. Flor says to the man who is holding her in his arms. "There are some risks you just dont take when you have children" And she was so right. When you have kids you cant always do just what is easy. You have to make the hard decisions and do what may be harder, but will bring the safer outcome.

LOVED LOVED LOVED this movie. I am still in shock that Adam Sandler can actually be a serious actor. He was amazing. Yay for him

Overtime

Last night was our first "overtime" with the new rules in place. It was smoooooth. We were able to shut down the street between the family life center and the church and "bull pen" the kids into a specific area. They werent allowed to hang out at thier cars and they didnt run in and out. Everyone that was there had a pretty good time and we had no problems. It was so nice. Parents seemed to appreciate it too. It was nice to leave without worrying about what might happen.

When we were leaving I picked up some of the yellow "police line do not cross" tape and Steven and I wrapped it around My Dad's truck before going to bed last night. HAHA HA HAHA. I havent laughed more in recent days. My cousin woke up at 430 and began to panic and waited till 7 and came over to ask what had happened in Daddy's truck Daddy assumed it was another cousin being silly and he ranted and raved all morning about that stupid kid and how he was gonna light him up with the beebee gun when he came again.. Steven and I laughed the whole morning about it.. Finally we gave in and tol that it had been us.. only now I am afraid we have begun a war.. I'll be watching my back for the next few weeks for sure :)

Thing One and Thing Two

It has come to my attention that maybe having my kids names listed on the internet is a little risky.. what with all the other information I have in my blog, and the fact that I suddenly had a HUGE spike in my blog readership (why? why? why?) some creepster might try to obscond with them.. so I have gone back through and edited it. I have a blogfriend that calls her kids "thing one" (the elder)and "thing two" (the younger) and I love that since it is a Dr. Suess reference, and it protects the "innocent" The other one will be dubbed "the boy". Call it plagerism call it cheating.. but I'm calling it mine. If you know me at all, you'll know wich child Im speaking of, and if you dont you can email me if you got a question.. and if I trust you not to be a creepster.. youll get my answer.

A new season

We had our first week with the youth after Rodney departed (moved not died). Things went really really well. I was really happy. It amazed me how the kids repsponded to the changes. The structure is going to be awesome. The new security measures worked tonight. Let's hope that it continues to go so smoothly. I think a lot of the kids were here tonight to check things out.. see how it was going to be with the new people.. next week will tell the tale.. how many kids we'll retain, and who will leave. But I think we may keep more than I orginally thought. yay us.

Brian preached about sowing seeds and asked "What's growing in your garden" For some reason the subject seemed vaugly familiar.. like I'd heard a sermon not unlike it from someplace else.. maybe I have. Its a good analagy. In the very end, he bagan to touch on "a new season" and it struck chords in me.

I have been praying for direction for after Dalton goes to preschool. All this past year I have felt like he needed me. That there was a reason for my being home to care for him.. but I really feel like my time with him is over. I am ready to move on. Not to say that I wont miss him like crazy, and that it wont be traumatic for me to let him go... but I know that it's time.

I think that God may be birthing my career.. finally. I think I know what I want to be when I grow up. Ive been researching and looking into attending Massage therapy shcool. For years I've wanted to complete my nursing degree. I am nearly to my LPN only missing I think one or two classes. But something keeps getting in the way.. mostly the math classes. Something just didnt gel with me.

Now I know why. I have this philosophy. Americans dont touch each other enough. All things and notions sexual aside. Basic touch is lacking. As humans we need it. We need human contact. Ever accidentally "touch" someone? I bet you apologized. I know that massage has actual physical benefits.. muscle relaxation, toxin release. But I think it also has major emotional benefits. Its proven that it releases endorphins, seratonin and all the yummy feel good chemicals. It makes you emtionally feel better. So this is my vision.

I want to create a "feel better" place.Like a day spa only better. A quiet relaxing space where you could make an appointment for a massage, take an uninterupted bubbble bath in an awesome clawfoot tub or take a Vischy Shower. (a shower that has strategically placed shower heads) Have a seaweed scrub, a foot massage maybe drink a cup of tea or a smoothie. I know it seems like a lot. But I know that I'd pay good money to have a space like that... to have a place where I could actually schedule "me" time. "yes I have a 4pm appointment for a bubble bath and a massage" The exectution of the idea is still marinating in my mind. It'd have to be an imaculatly clean, and super super classy place, in order to escape the old west bath house feel. Id have to be choosy about my clients.. maybe limiting it only to women.. and then have something separate for male massage clients.

Im praying about it. In the mean time I am looking into massage therapy schools in the area and how I can pay for it. Id have to work in local hair salons to work up a clientle. But I want to make my own place an eventual goal. YAY me. It feels good to have a direction to be thinking of.