wow

lotsa stuff has happened....not gonna go into it now, but all i'm gonna say is...wow!

halloween aftermath

it's been a few days since i posted...been uber busy. had a neurologist appt on thursday, 70 miles away from home. got halfway there, and the van broke down on the side of the interstate. hubby was no help when i called him; go figure. so mom came and picked me up, and we called a tow truck to tow the car to their shop to fix it. ended up costing over $400. then our car ended up costing $175 to fix.
our friend candice had a pre-halloween party at her house saturday. we grilled, had a bonfire, dressed up in costumes, scared the kids, gave out treats, and had a good time. we stayed overnight cuz we didn't go to bed until about 3 or 4am. but it was fun. and the heifer (candice) snuck around behind my back with my mom, and had my mom, sister, brother, and my 2 daughters help make a cake for hubby and me. it said "happy anniversary   sow and cindy!" (i call her heifer, and she calls me sow. rye couldn't say stephen when she was little, and it came out as cindy. lol)
and then we took the kids trick or treating monday after school. rye was astrid from "how to train your dragon", mare was a pirate queen, and logan was a dragon (he said dinosaur, but it had wings. he was an astronaut at candice's party, the girls wore the same costumes both nights.). stephen was a clown (as usual0, and i was a vampire. and granny was santa claus!
hubby and i have been married for 4 years on halloween. it seems much longer than that....lol. since halloween is all about the kids, we're planning a post-anniversary celebration date. thinking about going out to eat and then watching a movie, at an actual theater! can you tell we don't get out much?! lol
so then today, mare's teacher calls me to tell me that amara was pulling down kids' pants at recess yesterday. she said she got too busy with their halloween party, so she forgot to call yesterday. mare has never pulled kids' pants down before. and then i get another call today that her teacher put her in the car-rider line, when i specifically wrote in her folder that she was a bus-rider. so i had to go pick her up because all the buses had already left. so rye rode the bus alone today (mom pulled out my brother to take him to the dr, so he wasn't on the bus), and mare was left at school. i talked to her principal today when i picked her up. i told her about those boys in mare's class that have been picking on her, and that i've talked to the teacher about it multiple times, and nothing is getting resolved. and i keep getting phone calls about amara's actions, but those bullies are obviously not getting disciplined. the principal said she would talk to the boys as soon as they get to school in the morning, and she would also talk to mare's teacher to see what's been going on. amara had to come home early friday because those boys shoved her into a doorframe so hard she has a huge knot on her forehead and a huge bruise (which is still there, and it's been 4 days. i know the bruise will hang around for awhile, but the knot should be diminishing, but it's not.). it's just getting ridiculous that my kid is scared to go to school because some little boys are being horrible to her.
okay, done with my rant. time to make tea, then try and get logan to bed...hahaha, like that will happen!
hope everyone's weekend was awesome!

honey-do(n't)

this weekend has been a mess...remember back to one of my previous posts, when i talked about the hubby starting a drywall project in the girls' room, and then not finishing it? well, he finally did, after many temper tantrums on my part. and it's horrible. it looks like crap. really, really bad. but it's finished, and the wall is sealed up now. so no more spiders (fingers crossed), and no exposed insulation. my sweet grandmother gave me some leftover paint she isn't ever going to use, so we can paint at least that wall, if not the whole room. it will make it look 10x better.
so hubby has not even thought about finishing the drywall in my (our) bathroom. i'll probably do it myself. all it needs is some stinking nails. it'll literally take 2 minutes. and he still hasn't done anything about the nasty carpet in there. i'm thinking about ripping it all out and just putting plastic down on top of the plywood floor (isn't it called a subfloor? not sure about technical names...) and maybe that will get hubby rolling on getting the flooring materials.
and of course, we can't forget about the cars...hubby still thinks i'm wrong about what needs to be done to them. the codes tell us what's wrong! they're there for a reason! car-MAF sensor, van-EGR valve. changing the fuel filter will not fix what's wrong. same as an oil change. yes, they're both good for maintenance, but it doesn't fix the problem! Freaking listen to me!

so, moral to the story....
     1) Don't EVER expect a man to listen; they think they know EVERYTHING! and
     2) If you want something done, done right, and done well, just do it yourself! if you don't, it'll NEVER get finshed! 

oh, boy(s)....and girls!

wow...it's been a wild (in other words boring) few days.

saturday: went to my neighbor's ya-ya party...it was so much fun!
sunday: hubby was off work, so we (as a family) cleaned the yard. it looks so good!!!
today: took amara to lowell for her neurologist appt. dr gave her an A+! no more meds (from that dr, anyway). yay!

so a fun and wild week, wouldn't you say?! lol  

until next time.....

it's bedtime

it is so bedtime for this little boy...if he would just stay there! even tolod him he could lay down in my  bed, and he won't....arrrggghhhh!

really looking forward to a scalding hot shower tonight. if the boy actually goes to sleep!

ok, enough is enough....more later....

life

so i am crampy, irritable, and tired. af just started, i think. it's only 3 days late. anyway, we had a great day saturday. we took the kids to old timer's day, then out to eat at la heurtas. it was so good! the kids had a blast. then we took them to a field by our house (because our yard is so small), and played softball, frisbee, and playground balls. it was so much fun! we should do stuff like this every weekend! anyway, i'm gonna see where hubby went. he disappeared.

p.s. hubby and i are better now. no more fighting (yet), and way more communication! makes me happy!

the day after my birthday!

Ok, my birthday wasn't as exciting as i thought it would be. I've put on a brave face, but I'm just going to say it here. I was disappointed. Hubby kept letting me think he had something big planned. He didn't. So I had kinda gotten my hopes up, and then nothing happened. And this is the first year my mom hasn't made me a cake...in my whole life. She told me about a month ago she would make me a dinosaur cake, but it didn't happen this year. Which is ok. But hubby should have never led me on. Now I feel guilty for being let-down. This sucks. You know what we did for my birthday?! We cleaned the living room. (Btw, I was really proud of my girls for helping so much!) Hubby did take me out to eat, and so we went to a local place that was really good. Then we all came home to find his parents waiting for us. They gave me a really pretty bouquet of wildflowers. Then we went to the bar to shoot pool (and got our asses stomped). That's it. The whole night. What fun. Then today, my mom came over and gave me a book for my present (which I'm going to start reading in a few), which was cool. But hubby had promised me birthday sex and brownies. Did I get either? NO! Maybe I shouldn't bitch. But it hurts my feelings. I know we are on a tight budget. But things don't have to be expensive to be special. I had no money for hubby's birthday back in April (which is the same day as Ariah's). But I decorated the living room. Mom made him (them) his (their) cake(s). I couldn't buy much, but I got stuff for him I thought he'd enjoy. Guess what I got. A pedometer (because I started walking. But that tells me he thinks I need to walk.). And headphones for the ipod, because that's what I listen to when I walk. And a shaper for my pool cue. And a sweater/light jacket, which I really do like. And a sweet card. It's not the stuff I got that upsets me. It's just that he led me to believe he was going all out, and he didn't even make an effort to make it special in any way. It was literally just another day. So I'm a little bit disappointed. Should I be? Or am I asking for too much, and being spoiled? I don't want to be ungrateful. But it just made me sad.

Anyway, hubby is taking tomorrow off as a vacation day. So I guess we'll spend the whole day together. Hopefully it will be a good day. Now, on to read my new book.

yay!

So today was pretty awesome! My mom took me (and the boy, the girls were in school) to La Heurta Mexican restaurant. It was really good! And I still think hubby has something up his sleeve for tomorrow and Saturday. And my friend Candice is supposed to come by in the morning to pick up the boy and me to go to the mall for a couple hours. I am NOT a fan of the mall. But hubby said to go and have fun. But he swears that he didn't ask Candice to get me out of the house. So I guess that I'll find out tomorrow some of what he's got planned. Then my birthday is Saturday! I'm going to be 27...God, I feel old!!!!  

cleaning

So I started out cleaning today, and got sidetracked, as usual. Not much else going on today, except for Mare kissing everybody at school today and getting in trouble for it. So I guess I should get busy again....

quickly...

Well, just a quick note. Here's my checklist from my earlier post (well, some of it...):
     Cars fixed- not done yet.
     Drywall finished- hasn't been touched
     House cleaned- slow going process...don't think i'll ever catch up!

Hubby's being sneaky about my birthday. He's got something planned, something up his sleeve. But he's not talking at all. Go figure. Anyway, my birthday is next Saturday; I'll be 27. I feel so much older than that, though!

Had a good time with hubbs this weekend. And we played with the kids all day today and had a great time! Wish every day was as good!

Okay, I'm done ranting now. Until we meet again.....

last night, today, and tonight

Last Night:

      was really nice. Hubby made some Amish Friendship Bread. It was really good! And the best part is that when you get it, and follow the directions, you end up with 5 batches. You keep one, give 3 away (with a copy of the instructions), and bake what's left over. And this happens every 10 days. It never ends. 

     So anyway, while hubbs was baking and playing the PS2, I was playing on the computer and listening to the ipod. I decided that I would go for a walk...and I made 2 laps around where we live. I normally only make it 1 before I'm exhausted. I really think listening to music helps tremendously. 

Today:

    was weird. I actually had energy today! I really think it was because of my walk last night. I'm thinking about walking again tonight as soon as i get done posting this....maybe. Having a little bit of a motivation problem right now...I should put my headphones on and turn the music up super loud and just get to it. lol. Anyway, so today I actually cleaned the house a bit. I got 4 loads of laundry done, supper made, tea fixed, a bed remade (sheets and all), and showered the kids and fixed their hair, and then sent them to bed. Oh, but not before my 3 year old boy had a massive nose bleed. Again. I wish the Dr. would act a little more concerned about it. This is happening quite often. But I digress...I got the kids to bed and my 7 year old daughter decides she's going to cry all night because there's a wrinkle in her blanket on her bed, and daddy's still at work (because he works second shift). So hubbs gets home, and she still won't stop crying. I think she finally cried herself to sleep. And for all you judgemental people, I kept going back there and asking her what was wrong. She refused to talk to me. She just wanted daddy tonight. Which is kinda unusual for her...she is typically a mommy's girl. Oh, well....

Tonight:

     So hubbs is home, and I've been telling him about my day, and he told me about his. Now it's getting really close to bedtime. I guess I should probably go on that walk now....

Until we meet again, my friends.....

More car problems...again...

So, car problems again/still. When will this ever end?! Here's my list...yes, I'm making lists now.

1) Buick- It needs a MAF (mass air flow) sensor. Really easy to get to, and super easy to install. It's literally 3 phillips head screws, and a plug. That's it. Will take possibly 1 minute. So why haven't we fixed it yet you ask? Well, because the part is $160 plus tax. Yeah. That's why.

2) Ford- This one is still hesitating and sputtering. Checked the codes on that check engine light, and it threw up an EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve and also an ABS (antilock brake system) relay. The EGR valve is $50 plus tax, and we have absolutely NO idea where it's even located, much less what tools we'll need for it. And the same goes for the ABS relay. Except it's only $12.49 plus tax, which includes a lifetime limited warranty. So, yeah.

3) I know this is off the car subject, but I'm really aggravated at hubby. He started this drywall project in the girls' room, and it's still not finished. Here's the kicker...he started it 2 weeks ago!!!! Seriously?! Come on! I want their room finished! Less bugs, less insulation worries, and it will be safer! And by the way, (even though hubby is not reading this and has no clue i even started blogging), it would really be awesome if he finished our bathroom's drywall, also!!!! All it needs is to be nailed in (I think). I don't have any clue about drywall. Never dealt with it before.

4) It would be really nice to devote 1 day to cleaning (and actually get it done). I'm starting to get horrified at my house. And believe me, I'm VERY lax about stuff.

The girls are doing great in school! Ariah is catching up very nicely, and Amara is now able to count to ten by herself! WOW!!!! Logan has been a little butt lately. He will listen and mind Daddy, but all Mommy hears is, "No"! Aggravates me to no end. But what can I do....he's 3. But on a bright note, he has been #1&2ing in the potty, all by himself! And very few accidents. No #2 accidents at all.

Well, hubbs just got in from work with a big stack of mail (bills). Gonna visit with him before bed. Until next time...

cars, cars, cars

Today my issue is with cars. My Buick's service engine soon light has been on for 3 months, so it's been sitting in the driveway. I went yesterday and renewed my tags, so this morning I drove it around the circle where we live. It was completely fine. Gave me no problems. So then my mom and sister come over because hubby's friend/co-worker is selling his 2nd car to my 17yo sister. So he takes our Buick, mom follows him, and I follow her. The Buick dies 3 times on the way there. So that's not gonna work. We're gonna have to get it fixed. Then hubby's friend/co-worker sells my sis the car, and that left me with my van. Which is not a problem. But it's started acting up, too. Sputtering and hesitating. So after I picked my girls up from school, I took it and got the oil changed. It really needed it! So that's my car-filled day. I could go without a car breaking down for the rest of my life and not complain...I promise!!!

So. I never called the dr. about my HBP. I'll talk to him about it the next time I see him. Just not going to worry about it. My hubbs lost $250 that I asked him to put back so we could re-do our bathroom floor. We were supposed to rip out the carpet and put down some vinyl that looks like hardwood. Carpet in a bathroom is horrible!!!! So I'm a little (or a LOT) upset that that is now on hold. 

this evening was a mess. Just going to outline what went on today/tonight.

ME: 1) cleaned the grill, set it up, cooked dinner (bbq pork chops and jumbo hot dogs)

        2) fixed kids' plates

        3) put kids (all 3) in the shower (one at a time), got them dressed, hair all fixed up, clothes set out for school tomorrow

        4) helped girls with their homework, then sent them to bed.

HUBBY: 1) went to Lowe's and bought drywall

               2) cut out the bottom half of the girls' bedroom wall

               3) cut drywall to fit

               4) ate dinner (which i still have not)

I am just tired, crampy (af soon to come), and have to get up at 6 in the morning. So I'll be back soon.

going nuts....?!

Okay, today has been a nightmare. When will all the bad stuff stop?! Apparently, i now have high blood pressure (according to my neurologist). I think I'm going insane. When will this end?! I can't take any more! Going to call my dr tomorrow and see what he says. More on this another time. I just can't think about anything else or I'm going to go off the deep end. This is to try to allay my spiral to, and demise of, my sanity. Hopefully I'll get some better info tomorrow. Hope everyone has a more peaceful night than I'm having.

uneventful...

Today has been relatively uneventful. My 6yo had a speaking part in her Rise & Shine program at school, so I (and daddy and brother) stayed at the school to watch. She did really well; we're so proud!!!!

So this afternoon, hubby's shoulder was really hurting him, so he talked to his boss(es) at work, and they allowed him to go see the dr. So he was off today, and is also off tomorrow and the next day. And he has an appt with his surgeon on Wed. So hopefully that will work out and his shoulder will stop hurting him so badly.

Anyway, I haven't been sleeping well, what with all the stress going on around here. So since hubbs was home, he let me take a long nap. So now I can't sleep. And tomorrow morning I have a neurologist appt about an hour away from my house. So hubby and son are going with me so we can go to some stores that we don't have where we live. Make a day trip out of it, anyway.

So not much has happened. Until next time....

today has been alright...

Today has been alright....we got up and our roof guy came over so we could settle up. He let us keep over $500! What a blessing! So after that, my husband got around and played with Logan (our 3 year old). He got ready for work and left. So Logan and I have been hanging out all day. I think he's starting to get sick. I guess Amara (our 7 year old) gave him her germs. We have another daughter, Ariah (6 years old), who thinks she's 50. lol...

Ok, y'all are going to have to bear with me on this... I haven't blogged before, so it's going to be a shaky start. I guess I should start at the beginning. 

I am LaRissa. I am married to Stephen. I have 3 kids; Amara, Ariah, and Logan. We are currently buying our house. Actually, it's a trailer. We had to start somewhere. Stephen and I like to shoot pool, and I like to sing. My kids are crazy! Amara likes to dance, and she's starting to sing a little bit. She is also very imaginative and creative. Ariah is a know-it-all, lol. She loves playing outside and riding her bike. Logan likes trucks and dinosaurs and clowns. He got that from his daddy! Stephen is a sweet guy who works too hard and tries to be the best at everything. He loves to tinker with stuff, use his tools, and fix things. 

Enough about us.....here's my crazy thing that happened today....

So on the first day of school for the girls, I sent their teachers their packets I had to fill out, and in it I sent the form for free and reduced lunch. You only have to fill out one per family. So I sent it in my oldest's packet. Her teacher never turned it in!!!! Are you freaking kidding me?! It's a bright purple paper; how in the world can you miss it?!?!?! *pulling my hair out*   I cannot afford to spend a ton of money for their breakfasts and lunches. We qualify for free and/or reduced lunch, we should get it. The school actually encourages parents to fill it out because it gives the school more funding. So I did my part, and the teacher didn't turn it in!!! *still pulling out my hair*   So that was my crazy thing today. 

I think I am going to go fix something to eat for my turtle baby (Logan) and get him settled down some. I'm sure something crazy will happen tomorrow, so I'm sure I will have something to write about....til next time!!!