Back to School

I never really understood the "blues" that my children went through as they ventured back to school the first day after a break. I mean, for crying out loud, they had a whole week off! What's the big stinkin' deal? Now, I find that I must repent for my not very sympathetic attitude. I really, really, I mean really, didn't want to come back to school yesterday. And, today, I find that my attitude is not any better. I found myself doing something else that my children do....for anyone who cares to know, I have 6 weeks of school left this semester. Not that I'm really counting, mind you....
Yesterday was the first St.Patrick's day in my memory that I haven't had corned beef and cabbage. I feel like I'm mourning a lost friend. But, I did make sure that my family had green jello, green applesauce (not such a great idea afterall), and green kool-aid to go with their hamburger patties (the hamburger patties that they actually didn't eat, because Kerry decided to buy burgers on his way home....seems he didn't want to deal with the cooking...hmmmm. Is he coming over to the dark side with me? I don't like to deal with the mess either! haha But, I digress....) We then went to my mom-in-law's for my sis-in-law's birthday party. She loves red velvet cake, and I was very happy that this year Mom didn't put in green food coloring instead of red....do the words "bread mold" mean anything to you?
It was her 40th birthday. On girls' night out, my wonderful daughter's wonderful mother-in-law helped us to buy items that had 40 on the label. It was great fun! (a word seek book....volume 40; 40 pencils; 40 sheets of tissue paper; 40 neon colored bandaids.....many more items, but my personal favorite was the candy bar with 40% less fat!) We also bought her a $40 gift certificate to her favorite bookstore. She got the message....I would say that the message was that she's old....but since I'm much older, I'll refrain! ;)
Now, I look forward to my children coming home from college this weekend! Easter eggs await!!!

"Spring" Break

This week I find myself on spring break. Usually a great thing.....However, (life is always full of howevers....) this week hasn't been as much fun as I anticipated! First, I came down with a brief, but not very fun fever. Fortunately it only lasted for a couple of days, and I wasn't miserable. Just felt a little "blah". Now, I look outside on this wonderful spring day, and see nothing but white fluffy snow. This does nothing for my happiness quotient. I had wonderful plans to write two research papers and two articles for school. That way, I'm ahead of the game. It looks now like I will only do the one research paper that is actually due on Monday. The really big bummer is that I am the only one on break. All of my kids are out in two weeks for one week. When I say all....I do mean ALL. My teacher daughter, my soon to graduate from college daughter, my missing her family but loving college life daughter, and all three of my boys! It will be so hard to go to school when I know that they are all home having a wonderful time without me.
On a good note, my soon to graduate from college daughter came home last night for a quick visit. We didn't do anything, really, but it was fun to have her home (if only for a short time). I do look forward to having my babies all home for Easter. Life is just more complete when they are all right here with me! And, on Saturday, I get to go down to Pocatello for "mom's week" at ISU. That will be fun! And then, on Saturday evening, it's a long awaited girls' night out with Heather and Big J's mom, Mala! (Makes up for the fact that I have to go to the adult ward party by myself on Friday night, due to a husband who thinks keeping his job is more important than attending a party with his wife.....blah, blah, blah...)
Life really is good! In spite of the snow, and being solo for spring break! :D

Let's hear it for Lazy Days!!!

Yesterday, my Heather and I both found ourselves not having to go to school. It's my usual day off, and she had the day off because the high school boys basketball team went to state (when you teach in a small town, weird things become important?). We were quite cheap. We started by going to McDonald's where we got free McSkillet breakfast burritos for buying a drink (I spent the whopping $1.74 for a large drink). We ate it while sitting in McDonald's (something that I never take the time for, because, frankly, the drive-thru and home seems so much faster when you have boys in the backseat). Then, we talked about going to a matinee, but going to Hollywood for free rentals sounded so much more appealing. I will be honest here. I didn't want to put on "real" clothes, and she didn't want to change out of her pj's. This option also didn't require any make-up or hair curling! So, we rented a couple of chick flicks, which we watched while eating popcorn (lunch?). After the first movie was over (why not have a double feature? They used to do them in the movie theaters....), we headed out to the mall. There, we found Payless Shoes (it was buy one get one half off...), but didn't find any shoes that we couldn't live without. Either Payless is doing a poor job of enticing women to part with their money, or we have become so cheap that shoes are not looking as great to us. But, not to go home empty handed, we went to Barnes and Noble, where we both had gift cards. I bought a chick flick book (is there such an adjective?), and a slice of Godiva chocolate Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake (yes, I gained weight just asking for it!). Heahter bought a slice of Godiva chocolate cake. MMMMMMMM! Then, as it was my day for carpool, we picked up kids at school (injesting each bite of our cakes on the way, so as to not have to share so much as a morsel with children who just wouldn't appreciate the lovliness of rich chocolate!)and then headed home to watch yet another chick flick. When Kerry got home, we went out for another movie (hey, a girl has to take the fun where she can!) and dinner. We watched "I am Legend" with Will Smith. Can't say that I'm wanting to just rush out and buy that one.... I could have had a little more fun, if only the hubby would've agreed to move seats. My son-in-law was on a boys night out with his friend. They were in the same theater, but too far away for safe popcorn launching.... It was a great day, all in all! Everyone needs a lazy day now and then! It would solve so much of the world's problems! :D