Brandon's Puppy

Sad News

Remember the post I wrote about my friend's parents and their Valentine's Day gift? I'm sorry to report that indeed it was their last Valentine's Day together. Sadly, Paul passed away yesterday morning at 6:10am. Angie called me at 8am, as I was setting up the space at the clean out sale, and I didn't fully have a chance to process the loss till last night.
Paul, you were a wonderful man, and it was an honor to have known you. Rest in Peace.

One person's trash is another person's treasure

I participated in my community's seasonal Clean-Out Sale yesterday morning. My neighbor and I split the cost of a space, and we sold almost everything in our inventory.
It's amazing how much stuff people have. One guy had a small collection of Nascar jackets, and there was actually a bidding war going on for them! I never realized there were so many Nascar fans in my community. Another two guys bought a boat motor. It was funny to see them lug it across the parking lot to their car. One lady bought a futon set from the people right across from us. I still don't know how she got both the frame and the mattress to fit into her compact car.

I made $47, which is not bad for my first time. It was also all profit, since I stopped myself every time I got the urge to browse around, which could have led to me spending money, defeating the purpose of the whole thing. It was lots of fun, and I already started a "Clean-Out Sale" pile for the next one in June.

Homework Time

Last night's homework:

My pupy Music fell down on a box, ran away and hit his leg hard. My Dad took him to the Vet. they waited their turn. the vet looked at him and found no problem.

Tonight's:

1. My favorite place is Disney World.
2. I like to drink chocolate milk.
3. I stand beside my mom when we go shoping.
4. I am looking at my fish.
5. I like shareing my toys with my friends.
6. I never get problems.
7. I like turning around so fast.
8. Me and my brother both like eating fish stiks.
9. Choosing a fish is so hard.
10. My brother is eating fish stiks again.
11. I can jump and down.
12. Get away from me.
13. Gravity* pulls us down.

I've got the plan, now I just need to put it into action

My boss asked me if I was planning on taking vacation soon, since my one-year-anniversary is coming up in a few weeks. I told her that I am not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. We can't afford even the cheapest of Outer Banks vacations (or any other kind of vacation) at this time, but I'm hoping that changes within a couple of months. Once some legal stuff we're going through clears up, I'm implementing a new payday rule: Pay ourselves first. I figure putting aside even just $10 a paycheck will build a nice little nest-egg in a relatively short time. At minimum, we can have $520 in a year, and that's not a bad start to a vacation account.

A couple of highlights

We went to the pet store on Saturday and purchased a new fish. We went with a blue Betta again. Brandon very creatively named him Mr. Blue Fish. No pictures yet as we've not transferred him to the fish tank.

Today hubby and I met with Brandon's teacher, counselor and school psychologist. He has been recommended for gifted testing, and we had to sign the consent forms. They should have him evaluated before the end of the school year, and dependent on the results, he'll potentially be in the gifted program next school year. So proud of my smart boy!!

Breakfast for Dinner

Did you know today was free pancake stack day? I went to IHOP for breakfast for dinner with my mom and her friend. Not even the best weight loss products can keep me away from free pancakes (and that's assuming I'm on a diet, which I am not). I also purchased a hash browns, and did my good deed for the day by donating $5 to the Children's Miracle Network.
I'm very proud of myself for remembering both free breakfast days this year.

Nemo's Demise

Nemo was swimming kind of funny last night, and hubby said he wouldn't make it through the night. When we woke up this morning he was belly-up on the surface of the water. We just told Brandon, who had been forewarned last night, but that didn't make it any easier. We had a burial at sea, with one boy in tears and the other thinking it was a game and eager to flush again when the fish didn't go down the pipes.
Hubby is making breakfast, then we're off to the pet store for another fish.
RIP Nemo, you were a good fish for the week we had you.

Sugar and Spice

One of the two owners at work was in town this week, and she brought her daughter with her. She’s the cutest, sweetest seven-year-old…wasn’t shy at all, gave hugs to everyone every day, chatted with everyone who paid her even the slightest bit of attention. She even told me a knock-knock joke today. “Knock knock. Who’s there? You. You who? What are you calling me for?”)

I asked my boss if she wanted to temporarily trade two boys for one girl. She just laughed at me. I told her I love my two boys, but I long for a girl, and I’d start taking natural prenatal vitamins this instant if there was a guarantee that my next baby would be a girl.

New Fishy, part tres

My friend Claudia called me on Saturday and said, "Do you want a new fish?". I said, "Sure...we still have the fishtank, why not?!" She was at a church carnival and witnessed someone throw the fish, plastic bag and all, in a garbage can after winning it in a game. Really, who does that?? About an hour later she came by to drop off our new pet. After much deliberation (about ten minutes), the boys decided on a name. Meet Nemo:

Odd

My former district supervisor from my first job ever, as a salesperson and cashier over 17 years ago, is possibly interviewing at my current employer early next week. While my position is not necessarily above the one she would be interviewing for (that department is structured differently), my position is slightly above hers in our organizational chart. Is it just me, or is that kind of weird?

Reality check

Hubby ended up having to work yesterday, so after a bit of coaxing from my big sister, the boys and I joined her and my nephews at the zoo. The day was perfect for a visit to the zoo: it was in the high 60’s/very low 70’s, with the sky slightly cloudy and a very light breeze. Just about all the animals were in plain sight, most of them taking a leisurely nap in the shaded areas within their habitats. (I'll post pictures tomorrow, just too lazy right now to download from the camera).

As much fun as I had with my sister, her friend, and six boys between us, I really would have preferred to take advantage of a long weekend and head to Central Florida. I was very tempted Friday evening to search online for Orlando vacation rentals, and my longing did not subside when my sister mentioned she and my brother-in-law are considering visiting The Mouse during Spring Break.

I'm worst than a child when it comes to Disney: I think I love it more than the boys do! I keep reminding myself that for the amount of money we'd spend going to Orlando for three days, we could go on a cruise, or even go to Vegas for a weekend.

The True Meaning of Love

My best friend Angie's dad has been very ill for quite some time. He got worse late last year, and in late September he started living in a hospice. He hasn't gone home, except for Christmas Day, since then. He is deteriorating rapidly, and this past Valentine's Day was more than likely his last.
So what do you get your parents, one of which is dying, for Valentine's Day? Well, you recreate one of their happiest memories, their first date.

In Angie's own words:

My mom and dad, Irene and Paul Boisvert, had their first date at Tony and Ann's Pizza in Massachusetts in 1970. My dad forgot his wallet and Tony let him slide. ...And when times were tough and my dad broke his back, Tony and Ann's would send food over for us, without question. My brother and sister and I have heard these stories over and over again, and heard my parents always say there is nothng like Tony and Ann's pizza. 'You just can't find anything like it around here.' Well, Tony and Ann's reopened recently, same family recipe and same incredible family. I heard about Tony and Ann's reopening and we thought about sending mom and dad back from Miami to Massachusetts for a date night but never got the chance. My father is dying. He's in hospice and things are getting tough. What do you get someone who can't leave the hospital, can't leave his room, can't get out of bed??? How do you make your last Valentine's Day together special? We could only think of one thing to do... we got in touch with Tony and Ann's and asked them if they would do something for us. Even though they were not prepped for frozen deliveries, we ordered and they shipped 6 frozen pizzas from Massachusetts to Miami, 2 day UPS with dry ice and the works. Everyone in Miami was excited and anxious and when the UPS guy got to my office with the pizzas, he must have thought he was famous. The office was running around saying, "the pizzas are here, the pizzas are here". LOL. I ran home to put them in the freezer. I called my mom and told her, "you're never gonna guess what I have in the backseat of my car... Tony and Ann's pizza!"

To mom and dad, I hope Desiree, Ronald and I were able to give you one last amazing Valentine's Day. We love you both so much. ♥ ♥ ♥

To Paul and Irene: Your children's actions two days ago are a true testament of the example you have set, and your love for them and each other. I love you both and am so happy you got to spend Valentine's Day reliving those beautiful memories.

Valentine's Day

Hubby made us pancakes for breakfast, which I decorated for the boys. Shortly thereafter my in-laws arrived as FIL came to replace the siding on the back of the house (what a relief, that's finally done!). Hubby stayed at home with his parents while the boys and I went to my grandfather's to celebrate his 79th birthday (actually bday: tomorrow). I didn't spent the day with my honey, but I did spend it with loved ones: my sister was there, spending most of her time wrapped in an electric blanket, and so were my mom, Godmother and uncle. Oh, and we took three of the four puppies so that they could spend some time with their soon-to-be new families. Plenty of love to go around with those attendees.

Hubby only works for a couple of hours tomorrow, so we'll have all day to spend together. If the weather is a bit warmer (it was in the high 50's all day long), we'll take the boys to the park and just enjoy each other's company.
What did you do with your special someone(s) today?

Movie Review

Did you see the movie Duplicity? We saw it last weekend, and I was disappointed. After al ot of confusion and flashbacks, the plot basically revolves around (WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!) the formula to cure baldness. I understand that finding out how to prevent hair loss is a big thing for most men and some women, but really, that's what all that fuss was about? I don't get it. But I'll watch pretty much anything with Julia Roberts, so I liked it in that sense.
It reminded me of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but at least the Smiths got a happy ending.

Homework Time, Part 2

Tonight's assignment, sentences using this week's vocabulary words:

1. What do you see?
2. Is green your favorite color?
3. Do you like to read?
4. Do you like green beans?
5. What is a wheat?
6. Trees give us oxengen.
7. I am walking on a steep hill.
8. Fish live in the sea.
9. Me and you are frineds.
10. I have 2 feet.
11. Theres a mean girl in our class.
12. Boxrs beat up other boxrs.
13. Monday is Presidents' Day.*
13.

Busy Bee

Lots of stuff going on at work….our center is expanding, which means renovations. Much talk about everything from furniture to paint colors, to ovens and dishwashers, to Kohler faucets and sinks, to modified work hours and new hires. It’s all very exciting. This expansion means more patients, which means my workload will be increasing significantly in the next couple of months, but that’s a good thing. I’d rather have more to do than less.
And in related/unrelated news, guess who’s just 2 and a half months away from her one-year anniversary at her fabulous new job?

Homework Time

I think we need to practice not using run-on sentences....

"One day I saw Hero of the Rails and in the movie Percy the little green engen put his mail cars in a siding. Then Thomas and Percy went to look for them but they couldn't see them. When Thomas cam to a hill it was very steep. The men fixst him next to a tree. But when they were done Thomas saw Spensir going fast down the trak and bump off the trak into the sea. George the mean steamroller blocked Thoma's way."

XLIV

I'l admit it, the only reason I watch the Super Bowl every year is for the commercials (unless the Dolphins are playing, but that hasn't happened since before I was born). I liked the Doritos commercial with the little kid warning his mom's date. The one from Anheiser-Busch with the horse and bull BFF's was sweet. And the HomeAway commercial featuring Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo as the Griswalds was cute. Nothing completely wowed me though.
What did you think? Which were your favorites?

Oh, and for the record, I wasn't cheering for either team, but in the end I'm glad New Orleans won. I always like when an underdog ends up coming out on top.

Comparison shopping

We received a 1-Day Guest Pass for BJ's wholesale club in the mail a few weeks ago, so we went today and did some comparison shopping. Our Costco membership expired a few months ago, and as much as it hurts us to part with the renewal fee these days, it hurts me even more to spend more on certain items at the grocery store. We definitely notice a difference in our budget, even with the added expense of a membership fee, so we have decided to bite the bullet this week and rejoin a wholesale club.

We spent about an hour at BJ's, checking out the merchandise and comparing prices on some of our staples from Costco. We did put some things in the cart, and I was trying to keep a running tab in my head, but I lost track after a few items. It would have been great if they had barcode scanners throughout the store, but I don't think any wholesale club does.

Anyway, as we're approaching the registers hubby says, "I like Costco more", and that was it. We took everything out of the cart, walked back to our car, and left. I didn't really feel like fighting him on it. Even though we're more likely to go more frequently (and thus spend more money), we're all for staying within a three-mile radius from home for our household errands, so Costco wins this one.

He's a big kid now! (Warning: Toddler Potty Post)

I woke up this morning to find that Matty had taken off his pull-up, thrown it in the garbage, and put on a pair of underwear. He put them on backwards, but we were so proud of his effort! He also just went to the potty by himself. He said, "I did lots of pee pee, and I did poopy fife times!" We're going to the store later and buying him more underwear, and a few little things to use as rewards. He's really excited!

I'm very proud of him, but this means my baby is not a baby anymore.

If only it were that simple....

B thinks I need a career change. This evening, in the car, he shared his theory with me. He says that if I worked at McDonald's I'd make more money. "A lot of people like McDonald's, so they would all give you money to buy food there. That way, we will have more money to buy toys, shop at Macy's (we happened to be passing by the mall during this conversation), shop at Target, and go see Thomas."

I tried to explain to him that jobs in healthcare pay significantly more than being a cashier at McDonald's, but he just didn't get it.

Terrific Tuesday

-Taxes have been filed, and we will have our return within a few days.

-Did I mention I got a new camera over the weekend? My friend Lilli let me buy it off of her in a reverse layaway: get the merchandise first, pay for it later. (Thanks mom, for lending me your Samsung camera for the last six weeks!)

-I remembered to call my car insurance agent, and ended up making changes that save me $57 a month.

-After many months, I also remembered to call B's school so that they could reset my password to the online gradebook. Turns out my boy improved his grades in Reading, Science and Social Studies since the previous report card.

-Speaking of which, got a meeting request from B's teacher yesterday regarding gifted testing!

Scatterbrain

I can't seem to remember things without writing them down. It's a shame really, I used to pride myself on my memory. I was a human phone book, had addresses and phone numbers memorized for dozens of people. But lately?....not so much. Case in point: I've been meaning to call my car insurance agent for over three weeks to see if I can change some things on my policy and decrease my premium. Know when I remembered? Just now, at 9:30pm, when I can do nothing but try and remember to do it tomorrow.
I've written it down in the little notebook I have in my purse half a dozen times, and that hasn't worked. Where do I write down a note to myself to remember to look at the little notebook?