Spring Break for Mommies

This has been a great week. I'm almost sad that it's Friday already. I was sick last Saturday, and I think I'm still recovering a little. I'm still so tired. But other than that, this has been a great week.

I took a long break from studying (I didn't crack a book until yesterday). That has been wonderful. I do need to really hit the books this weekend though.

One of the best parts of the week has been going to the park and playing outside with Madeline. It's so much more fun when there's no pile of homework at home calling to you. I'm so glad the weather has been so great this week! We had so much fun at the park swinging, sliding, and spinning on the merry-go-round.

One of the other highlights of my week was getting to have a "slumber party" with my cousin Keri. We haven't gotten to really talk since before her wedding. We started talking at 10 pm on Tuesday; we hung up at 3:45 am Wednesday morning. It was great. That may be what I'm recovering from rather than illness! We talked about our family, our families, our friends and our schools. We talked about what you learn in college and what you should learn in college and what you could have learned just as easily in pre-college years. I was telling her about my dreaded history prof and his dreaded class when I told her that I really learn more history from literature classes than I do from history classes. My example was some Missouri history that I learned last semester.

Did you know that one of the stars on the rebel flag is for Missouri? That the MO legislator voted to be a "southern state"? that the governor and the legislator was run out of MO for this vote because it would be an upset to the Union? I had no idea. I thought we were just a border state. I learned this in American Literature last semester.

My cousin didn't know either. So I didn't feel so stupid! Apparently, I am not the only one who lives under a rock and falls asleep in history class. Keri said that I'm really just a history freak in disguise. I think she may be right.

Hey, It's me, The Complainer

I'm trying to not complain. I don't have much to complain about, really. I'm complaing about getting B's or how 1/2 point took me from a B to a C. How does that happen? It's a freakin' half of a point!!!!

I worked and worked on that stuff this week. However, I worked too hard on the new stuff and not enough on the review stuff. I will not get an A on the test that I have studied for all week. Maybe I'm just mad at myself for not realizing all that I needed to do...

Life is good despite my current mood...

...it's warm outside...
...I don't have to do homework tonight if I don't want to...
...I have the change at 30 points of extra credit between two classes...
...I got a nap yesterday...
...my daughter is beautiful and smart....
...and entertaining...

Back When...

Today, I feel like blogging something with real meaning, but I'm only getting mush from my brain. At one time, I had great things to say. But, today... not so much. I think writing so much for school drains the rest of my creativity to write.

Madeline is so much fun at this age. This morning she climbed up to me, put her face right in my face and said, "Ah, there's a smile, Mommy." Then she told me, "Mommy, my tummy hurts. I need a 'tummy egg.'" I have no idea what that is, but I think she thinks that it will make her feel all better. She got a kiss instead. (BTW, I think she was hungry... she fell asleep before dinner last night, and I couldn't wake her up for anything. She got breakfast this morning a little earlier than usual!)

I've Been Distant... I know

I've been just keeping up in my 18 hour course load. However, I just got an "A+" on a paper that mattered from one of the most difficult teachers I have ever had (I mean that in a good way).

I wish I could get a good picture of all of her comments, but I can't. I really enjoyed writing this paper. I got to write about single mother-hood. It was very therapeutic.

Sesame Street:Live!

There's nothing like a kids' show to make a woman feel young again! I had so much fun on Saturday! Oh, Maddie did too, no worries. We both danced, bopped and sang to the music the whole time. My camera phone wasn't working with the lighting or I would have taken pictures for 'ya. I was afraid she might get bored part way through the show or something, but no, she was tuned in the whole time. I did feel pretty young though. Most of the moms around me were "older" (by that I don't mean "old," just 10+ years older than I am). I was the only one I could see boppin' around as much as I was. But I wanted to make sure Maddie stayed interested in the music. That's my excuse, and I'm stickin' to it.

Guess What?

Having a child means that I get to be a child every now and then... We're going to Sesame Street Live tomorrow! I'm excited. I think Madeline will really enjoy it. Of course, I don't get to be a kid the whole time--I had to buy the tickets, I have to drive there and be "the mom (read, really overprotective)," etc.). I think it will be lots of fun! I'll let you know how it goes!

Copying off of Jessica....

This was too fun!

Me + Madeline... I hope you can tell the difference!

Redneck Time-Out

I got this in an email from my cousin the other day. It made me laugh out loud (which was quite a feat considering my bitter mood at the time). Enjoy. Note that it is NOT a picture of my daughter. I would not consider doing this to her, unless... No, really, I wouldn't.

**********************

In other news, Madeline is taking to potty training like a pro. I'm extremely proud of her. She's really trying. She wants to wear "big girl panties" all the time. She's had a couple of "minor" accidents, but for the most part, she's done wonderfully.

School, Snow & Ice, Oh My!

1. If you're going to make us come to school, at least finish clearing the sidewalks and parking lots. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

2. Don't tell me that you aren't "making" me come to school. If I skip, I receive what's called an "unexcused absence." I only have three per class. I have already used one, as the university does not require profs to excuse me from class due to my child's illness.

3. See number 1.

4. It's cold. Did you read your thermometer this morning? Did you watch the news and see what the wind chill is? My hair is frozen. Really. It's frozen.

5. See number 1, again.

6. I know it's not the usual practice to call off school for a little ice storm, but you have blocked two of my main and easy-to-remember parking lots. You're short on parking anyway. Where are you going to have everyone park? And how are you going to find me when I get lost trying to find my car?

7. See numbers 1-6.

Money, Money, Mon-EY, MON-AY

What good is free money if I can't use until March or April? I need books now. I will have failed my courses without books by then.

I should not complain too much. It is free money, but the school modified my loan amount without my permission to get me another grant. I love grants, but like I said, what good is free money later, if I need real money now, (even if it comes with a horrible interest rate)?

Me? Bitter? Nah....

Dear Mr. Advisor Guy:

I just did a degree audit. I found the following note regarding the Hated-Political-Science class that I just completed:

>X = CREDIT REDUCTION FOR NON-DUPLICATABLE COURSE. GRADES AVG.

I only took this class because you advised me to. I informed you that I had taken two other hated-political-science classes at other schools that should have covered this credit. I waisted time and money on this class when I really needed to be in other classes for my major. Now, instead of having all fifteen credits of Fall '06 count toward graduation, only 12 do. I want to graduate by May '08, and I don't have time for anymore useless credits or credit reductions. What are you going to do to help me rectify this situation? I want my waisted time back. I'll settle for a financial credit for a class for this Spring '07 semester. Please advise.

Sincerely,

Me
A/K/A The Disgruntled Student

Even More Pictures...

Here are a few of my latest from my camera. You have no idea how happy it makes me to be able to take these picutes and email and text them to every one! I love it!

My Lil' Star

Thanks, Danielle S.!

Samantha (my niece) and Maddie at play

Daniel (my nephew) being himself

Happy New Year!

I trust that you all had a great New Year's celebration, or at least a safe one. Me? I stayed up too late and am still sleep deprived.

How's the font color now? Better or Worse? Sounding like an eye doc yet?

It's almost 2007, but here's to Christmas

After a long day's work of opening the presents that Santa brought, my cutie is zonked out in her new Disney Princess chair.

PS-- Like the new Layout? Better or worse?

What I've Learned So Far on Christmas Vacation...

1. No matter how many times my daughter hasn't been sick during the school year, she will run a fever, get an earache, and tonsillitis when I need to go to work.

2. I can be happy with less than straight A's.

3. Harry Potter books are much, much better than I thought. I read book four yesterday while tending my sick child. Yes, the whole thing. All 700+ pages.

4. Shopping around for my textbooks online will save me at LEAST $50. At least. Probably more. Even with shipping on each book separately.

5. All that I am thinking about is going back to school in a few weeks. I can't wait. It was a tough semester, but I'm really excited about my classes this coming semester.

6. I am not at all prepared for Christmas. Well, Santa is ready at my house, but other than that, nada.

7. I'm broke so I'm working; I'm working so I'm broke. Do you have any idea how far it is from The Burg to RMore? Over an hour. I'm crazy. But it's only for three weeks. I only had to work one whole day to pay for my gas for the whole three weeks.

Almost There

I have two finals and that reflection paper. That's all then I'm done with my first semester back to school as a full-time student.

I made up my "plan" for the classes that I need for the rest of my school carreer. Sadly, I will be here until December '08, but my last semester before student teaching will be all the Upper-Level English electives that I need and want to take. Yea!

Monday

Yesterday, I took a nap. Which, to you may not be a big deal, but it was a very long nap. During naps, I don't get anything done. No papers. No typing. No cleaning. Nothing. But you know what? It doesn't matter. I have one more reflection paper to write. That's all. I just have to study for my finals and write one stinking reflection paper. Then the semester will be over.

I'm waisting time a little right now. I do have a funny Maddie story though. Well, it was really, really, really funny at the time. Erin came over on Saturday to just hang out. We were teasing Maddie instead of me getting her to bed. It was Saturday, after all. I blew a raspberry on her belly. She giggled and giggled. Then, she did returned the favor on the side of my face. Then Erin got her face and so on, and so on. Maddie started just holding up her shirt so we could see her belly and show that she was ready for me to get her. Erin said to me, "Your turn!" I tickled Maddie's belly; Erin got her face. Before I could "get" Maddie again, she turns to me and says, "Your turn!"

Okay, it was really, super funny at the time. I can't even type this with out laughing. I don't think reading it will do it justice though. Anyway, I think I'm going to go to the Union to study. I have almost two hours until my American Lit Final.

Autumn, Snow, and Ice? Oh My!

"-8c." That's what the bank sign blared as I got Madeline to daycare this morning. We stayed in until I was sure that the roadways were absolutely clear enough for the Princess (that's Madeline, BTW, I know that I am well past the stage where calling myself a "princess" in unacceptable. I'm now the Queen). I do not mind driving in and on ice and snow. My car handles well, and I've had some practice. However, I do not like driving on it with Madeline in the car. She is an added distraction, that angel. Anyway, we stayed home until after lunch, just in enough time for me to make it to my 12:30 class.

After parking in a great spot, I had just enough time to check my hotmail account for news about working over Christmas break, then rush to class across campus. Class was cancelled. Really. I rushed all the way over there in this freaking cold weather, which I dislike to a major degree, and class was cancelled. Growl. I want bonus points!

To top it off, I'm near the "bull's eye," as Brian Busby put it during the weather report last night. The 'Burg, which I now call my home, is set up to receive up to 16 inches of snow. Who need that much? I'll take 3, please. That's plenty. Especially considering that I don't have a shovel to clear my porch and steps! Though, I do look forward to seeing my daughter all bundled up in her pink coveralls with her purple coat, bright pink mittens, striped tassel fleece hat, and Princess boots. We will play in the snow... We might build a snow friend or make snow angels or have a snow ball fight or just run around in circles like crazy people. That is what I am looking forward to. The only thing that I can handle looking forward to on this freezing cold day.

It's a Boy!

I haven't officially shared this news until now, because I did not feel that it was my news to share. But now, I'm just too dang excited not to share... Are you ready?

Really?

Matthew (everyone's favorite little brother) and his girlfriend Andrea (who is wonderful) are having a baby. Not only that, but they had a sonogram today and found out that they were having a healthy baby BOY!

I am very excited for them. I know that they will make great parents. Congratulations, Kids! (well, maybe I shouldn't call them kids any more...) I'm very happy for you!

And the Mother-of-the-Year Award Goes To...

Yesterday, I decided to try out the local public library with Miss Maddie in tow. We had not been there yet, and I thought I'd had enough of Cat in the Hat for at least a day. We parked in the smallest parking lot ever, only because someone else was leaving. Then entered the new looking library. When we got to the children's section, Madeline spotted a puzzle table and a play house and big bean bag chair; she spotted them rather loudly. After I got her shushed, I went on a search for "rhymie" books. This is not easy. I have not been in the children's section of the library since I didn't have to lean down to pick the books. I found five that seemed like they'd work well for her. I let her test them at the cutest little person table I think I've ever seen, then we were headed to the check out counter.

Madeline did not want to leave the children's section of the library. She let me know by "going limp," you know, the start of a fit when a child refuses to listen to her momma by simply sitting down on the floor while her momma tries to pull her along, that kind of "going limp."

Finally, I coaxed her to the checkout counter, and I started filling out the paperwork for a library card and getting the books ready to go.

"Mommy! Down!" which translates into, "Mommy, put me down right now, or I'll scream!" So, I put her down with a threatening warning (the kind you talk through your teeth to sound "meaner"), "Stay RIGHT HERE!"

"Okay, Momma, stay right here!" She was playing along the counter, then started heading toward the front, the glassed in entry-way to be exact. The kind of glass that you can see all the way outside to, yeah, that kind.

Yes.

She ran, head on into the wall of glass thinking that she was about to escape into the great outdoors.

"TWAPP!" then all the AARP-lovin' ladies behind the counter went, "AHHH!" (in a loud whisper, of course). She didn't cry until they did that.

I scooped her up, filled out an accident form for the librarian, took the books, and ran.

...A mother who keeps better track of her two-year-old at the library.