PTA Convention

Hello all - it's me! Your super woman neighbor, friend, family member, volunteer, payroll inputer, garter making, company running blogger.

I have taken on too much - but I love it (mostly). 

Last weekend, I attended (kid free for 3 days, 2 nights) the Washington State PTA Convention. Yes, I am that nerdy volunteer. Why do I do it? For my kids. Not for the hours cutting out shapes or asking people to join PTA, but because I believe in our kids and our education system is broken. Without parents acting as a child's advocate, the legislature will continue to cut from education and put ridiculous measures in place to test a child and teacher.

I think I'll soapbox another time. I wanted to express my unbiased, unpaid opinion of the PTA Convention.

WONDERFUL! I can't wait for the survey's to come out. The 100th anniversary of Convention was held at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, WA. Beautiful hotel, amazing service, perfect location. Koral (the attached bar) has a great happy hour starting at 9 and wonderful staff. I was able to mingle with volunteers from every corner of the state, sit in on some great (and some boring) classes. I was in attendance when Gov Jay Inslee gave his speech about education funding.

Overall, a wonderful weekend.

So over the politics

You may be aware that the US had a recent election. Crazy if you live here and didn't know that. The billions of dollars spent in ads to sway you with half-truths to vote. Sadly, many people voted based on these ads and not their own research about each politician or referendum. 

My daughter, Miss M, is taking Honors History this year. Her teacher is super excited that it is an election year. He had each student read about both main Presidential candidates and their stand on various topics. I told her she would be more educated going into this election than over half of the people voting.

I have been frustrated reading facebook posts from various people about their complaints over the elections. How stupid is our nation for choosing another 4 years. How it's the President's fault that our gas prices have gone up (by the way - they are incredibly low compared to the rest of the world), how it's his fault that their house is upside down (paid more than it's worth), and how it's his fault that the tax cuts extended to us over the past many years will now expire and we are all going to lose our jobs.

Get real. We are incredibly lucky. I can say this because I have a roof over my head, food on the table at any time, 2 cars to drive, my kids play sports, they attend a local school, I have shoes and a warm jacket. I know we are better off than many people. It may not be the fanciest house or biggest car, but I have the ability to stay warm, fed and get out to exotic locales (besides the local mall).

What's my point - just that I'm irritated by the complaining (though it is their right) and I would rather vent a little here then to start WWIII with my friends and family on facebook.

1. You owe $70k more than your house is worth because the housing market went insane and people fell into buying houses that cost more than you could afford? Boo Hoo. You should have thought about that one. Our Realtors constantly tried to up sell me into a more expensive home. Tried luring me with ARM's that would keep my payments super low for the first 5 years then I could refinance. No thank you. I will take a traditional 30 year loan within a budget I can afford with worrying that we need to have 2 jobs to make the payment.

2. My car is 7 years old and stinky. I have 4 kids ages 7-12. Of course it's going to be gross and stinky. What's the point of buying a new car that will get trashed again. My Honda is doing a wonderful job getting us from here to there and the maintenance has been super easy. Except needing another new set of tires, she has been a beast driving up and down the West Coast. I do have the benefit of a new 3rd car though. I work for my brother and asked him to buy me a new car instead of paying me for the work I do. I know, I'm a little shallow sometimes too.

3. The Presidents doesn't have any influence on the stock market or gas prices. That is at the whim of the oil companies and the investors. Do some research. (Please feel free to comment and correct me here if needed.)

4. Here's the big one - the one we will all worry about and that will affect millions of lives. The FISCAL CLIFF. Trillions of dollars worth of tax cuts are due to expire. The government is considering letting them. So do it. I understand my tax return will be much smaller this next year. I understand that more taxes will be taken out my paychecks. But we voted for those taxes years ago. We've been living large on borrowed money. If you are going to complain about the huge deficit in our country, here is a way to correct it. I'm not saying it's going to be easy. It's going to suck like hell for many people. You might have to have another family of 4 move into your home to help pay for the heat, the food, the mortgage. But you will be saving money and saving another family from having no home, no heat, no food. The affects of the tax hikes are yet to be seen or felt, but I'm glad that we are righting this course. We need to get back to the biggest surplus in history, not the largest deficit in history. It will not only help us, it will help the world. 

OK - I think I have it out of my system. My only political comments from the entire year besides what I have discussed with Marc. Back to the regular scheduled program of thinking of fantastic blog stories to share with you and then storing them away in my head. Sorry about that.

May 14 - Grass

Grass? Why grass? And no, I didn't photograph "that" kind of grass for my daily challenge. I did go off the normal path though.

 This is the only kind of grass I want in my yard. Decorative and colorful. My Dad and I just re-landscaped my front yard. We tore out what little grass was left and planted ground covers and decorative plants (grass). I love the way it blows in the wind and that I don't have to mow it. Ever.. Or worry about all the water it takes to keep it green. Or that I can die from my allergies to it. OK, maybe not "die", but I am very miserable. I don't sit in the grass or roll around it (which does not make my husband happy). Even the smell of cut grass makes my lungs shudder.

I will take my easy to maintain landscape over a field of grass any day.

May 13 - mum

a letter for my Mom

My Mom has been gone 8 years

How is that possible?

It feels like a lifetime ago

and like it was yesterday

Talking about her still brings tears to my eyes

And a smile to my heart

My kids will know her love

as they know mine

 

 

 

 

A wonderful Mother's Day

My kids served my breakfast in bed

Took me for a long walk to go for lunch

Then agreed to eat Indian for dinner

It was a lovely day (thanks for letting me nap)

Being a Mom

means your heart

walks around

outside your body

I LOVE my family!!

May 12 - something that makes you happy

Watching my children play sports makes me happy. They are all enthusiastic players and try their hardest. We have become a soccer family (for 8 years now), but they are trying to branch out to new sports.

Miss M has tried outdoor soccer, indoor soccer, basketball and swimming. She loves outdoor soccer the most. Next fall she will be adding Cross Country to her resume of sports.

Mr C has tried outdoor soccer, basketball, swimming and baseball. He's my all around sports guy. He leans towards basketball and now baseball. We will try outdoor soccer again in the fall with his favorite coach and make a final decision on whether or not to continue pursuing a soccer path.

Miss R is my finicky sports player. She is all about trying different things. Where Miss M is happy to play soccer year round, Miss R says "I already played soccer, what's next". So, we have done a few seasons of spring soccer and then she's ready to go back to swimming.

Mr N is getting his feet wet and learning to focus. He's played spring soccer several times and this year we have another natural goalie. I'm bragging here - but all my kids have been fantastic defenders and goalies. It surprises me on how different and how the same they each are.

As long as sports are making them happy, I'm happy (and will continue to coach them as it's needed).

May 11 - kitchen

 

I took several photos around my kitchen. 

1. The whole kitchen (in it's glorious messy daily splendor) and then I was going to post a second photo of the clean kitchen that I prefer. 

2. I took a photo of my coffee maker. It's my second lover. I'm not sure I'm saving money by making my own coffee. I use 2 pods to make my espresso and drink 3 cups a day. Plus I find myself stopping at Starbucks for my daily mocha still.

3. I took a photo of my microwave. It's been broken for 3 years. And I don't miss it at all. Strange, right? We rarely eat leftovers and what I have can easily be heated on the stove.

4. Finally, I decided on a photo I took of dinner. With our hectic schedule sometimes I have to lay dinner out for my husband to make for 3 kids while I take the 4th kid to baseball. This particular night, the kids get off the bus at 3:30 and Mister C needed to be at baseball at 4pm followed by Miss M being at soccer at 7pm. I was able to have Marc make dinner for the 3 and then take Miss M to soccer and then Mister C and I ate when we got home at 7:30pm.

It was delicious. Beef stir fly with Black Bean Paste, baby corn, water chestnuts all over rice. The corn was put away for another night. I'm so happy that we have worked out a system to keep everyone eating at home despite the crazy sports and homework nights.

May 10 - a favourite word

 

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,
Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,
Mister Golden Sun,
Hiding behind a tree...

These little children
Are asking you
To please come out
So we can play with you

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,
Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on...
Please shine down on...
Please shine down on me!

This is a popular song in my house. I have never been so obsessed with weather and the sun. I think it's because it's become a rarity since moving to Washington. I didn't realize how much I love it until we came here. Don't get me wrong, I love getting a little snow every winter. I love that it's rarely "Hot", but I can do without the constant overcast. It's not the rain, we don't get as much as people think we do. It's just a constant cloud cover. Gray. Yuck.

May 9 - something you do everyday

 

This photo a day challenge is very inspirational. I think about something besides my daily "to do" list of getting from here to there to there to there. Thank You fat mum slim.

Something you do everyday - there are so many choices. My morning coffee. My run at the gym. My Starbucks coffee (I'm an addict). Facebook. Working on my computer. Cleaning house.

My favorite thing to do everyday though - is helping my kids. I'm growing humans here. They need to grow up well rounded, thoughtful and respectful. They need to learn about teamwork, sacrifice and doing nice things just because. We are a big "karma" family. If you do something bad, something bad will happen. And it happens quick in this family. Every time I'm naughty I turn around and stub my toe or walk into a wall. It's a running joke around here.

My "Something you do everyday" photo is my car. I am in this Honda Minivan so often that it's home. I was dragged - kicking and screaming while pregnant with kid #4 to buy a minivan. I didn't want to be a minivan mom, now I can't imagine life in a car or SUV. We have too much stuff and the van has so much room. I am currently coaching girls soccer and I was sitting in my car, making up my practice list of exercises and drills when I was inspired to take this photo. We are in the van 6 days a week going from one sport or another. 

It's crazy and hectic. But I'm loving it

May 8 - a smell you adore

 

It's a rare rose on a rare day that I adore the smell. These ones smelled fabulous and like how I think they should smell.

There are so many smells and memories tied to smells.

1.  A baby After a bath.
2.  When it first starts to rain.
3.  A slight ocean breeze.
4.  Coming home after a long day and dinner is cooking.
5.  Sourdough bread.
6.  Fresh laundry.
7.  The first hint of a cigar, but not a full smell.
8.  Lavender.
9.  Soap.
10. Vanilla candles.

May 7 - someone that inspires you

 

Day 7 - My Dad

He is adventurous. 

He is spontaneous. 

He is willing to try something new. 

He is willing to take me along too.

I took some time to reflect on someone that inspires me. There are so many.. I spent the entire day with my Dad today. Just him and me. I can't remember the last time that happened. There is always a kid, family member or friend around.

My wonderful husband said he would pick up Mr N from Kindergarten and take him to work with him so that my Dad and I could go into Seattle and explore.

The weather could NOT have been any better. The sun arrived. We got the 70 degrees!! Blue skies and a little haze. Perfect!

We arrived in downtown talking about things we have always wanted to do in Seattle and "Ride the Ducks" came up. We both said, "Let's Go!". We pulled into the parking lot and one duck was ready to go. We bought our tickets and off we went. This tour is a kick in the pants. Our comedic tour guide, Squidd Roe, had the best laugh, the corniest jokes and great stories about buildings and history of Seattle. He has a soundtrack to play and silly hats depending on where we were on the tour. I learned some new facts about my new city.

We followed up our tour with a walk through Seattle Center. Seattle Center is undergoing a major renovation for the 50th year since the World's Fair. The newest addition "Chihuly's Garden and Glass" looks like it will be amazing. It opens May 21st and we were able to see a little of the glass work through the fence. 

We walked down Broad Street to the Seattle Art Museum's FREE Olympic Sculpture Park. This is a great place to stroll and eat a picnic lunch. The views are amazing! We followed the path through the Sculpture Park to the Waterfront. A long walk south led us to our lunch destination "The Crab Pot". We shared a Seafeast for 2 with mussels, clams, shrimp, potatoes and corn with a crabbed stuffed mushroom appetizer. Most delicious!!

After lunch we strolled over to the Antique Market and then up the stairs to Pikes Place Market. We've done this place a few times and walked up Pike Street to turn down to Westlake Center. Outside Westlake Center is a public square. All the trees were painted blue! We went into Westlake and up to the third floor to take the Monorail back to Seattle Center. It was time to head home, pick up my kids and off to coach my U8 soccer team.

What a day with my inspiration. I'm glad you inspire me to a better relationship, a better life and a better parent.

Ride the Ducks

out on the water in the duck

Chihuly Garden of Glass

My Dad

Olympic Sculpture Park (facing east)

"The Cove" at the Crab Pot

Blue Trees in Westlake Park

May 6 - you

 

This is me. I used Photo Booth on my computer and took the picture of the image with my phone so that I could play with the composition in Instagram. 

Pictures of yourself must be difficult for everyone. I am so critical of my hair, my nose, my complexion. Do I have a double chin, do my breasts look enormous (they are, but I don't want everyone to notice that first). To top if off, I wasn't thinking about this shot this morning and I pulled my hair back and went about my day without any makeup on. I decided this shot would be the best (and it's not bad) to represent me. Happy and sharing my life with the world.

May 5 - bird

 

"Bird" was another challenge. I'm trying not to go into my archives of photos to find a great photo to post. I'm out and I'm exploring.

Today was a busy day with 3 sports to get the kids to. Mr C had baseball from 2pm-4pm (they have to be there at 1pm), Mr N had his first soccer game at 1pm and Miss M had her last indoor soccer game at 2pm. I take Mr C because I am the scorekeeper and we realized we had a BIG conflict with getting Miss M to soccer. So, Aunt Jamie to the rescue. She picked up Miss M and took her to her sport and then Marc drove up after Mr N's game was finished. In the middle of all this run around, Miss M scored her first soccer goal. EVER! And we both missed it. I'm so proud of her for finally scoring. You know that has to feel great after playing for the past 8 seasons.

Back to my "bird" shot. I asked my 4 kids to all give me the "bird" (middle finger) with their hands close together and I will crop out their faces. Mr C refused. He says he will NEVER give me the middle finger (we'll see as he gets to be a teenager). So, I was looking around as we went about our day and Mr C pointed out this huge bird sculpture. We pulled over and took several shots (including some with him in them for my own photo library). 

I not only got my bird shot, but I had fun searching with my kid.

May 4 - fun!

 

Day 4 - and I'm still photographing.

When I started my day I couldn't picture anything fun on the agenda. I needed to work online for my brother, go to my friends and return messages to brides needing alterations, then head to the school to collect the Pennies for Patients boxes for the charity we are supporting this school year. So, I decided it was the kind of day to "make" fun happen. I got my Mr N off of the bus and bribed him with lunch if he would hang out while I returned phone calls. 

I let him pick lunch and he decided Subway. We split a foot long pizza sub. While sitting and eating our sandwich, we spent some time chatting and I realized that this moment was my FUN moment. He makes me laugh and smile. We had a great time and that made my whole day.

May 3 - something you wore today

 

This photo challenge is getting me to stretch my wings and explore my world while sticking to the task at hand. I'm loving it.

Something you wore today could go any way. I took pictures of my braids I wore, but my running shoes and track pants perfectly explain what I wear at this point in my life. I've made the gym the first priority of each day that is all about me. I get dressed for the gym, make lunches, fuel up on toast and peanut butter and leave as soon as the school bus leaves.

I'm up to 10 minutes on the stairs, followed by 10 minutes on the rower. Once I'm all warmed up, I hit the weight floor to use various arm, back and chest machines. This takes about 30-45 minutes and my workout buddy finally shows up. We head up to the treadmills where I am working on learning to run again. I jog either 1 minute followed by walk 2 minutes which I alternate for 30-45 minutes or I just started jogging an 1/8 mile then walk an 1/8 mile back and forth until the time is up.

I feel like I've got myself at a great work out pace, but I can not get my scale to move! My hips are smaller (always a blessing), but I really want the weight to come off. I think it's time to log the food I do it. It doesn't feel like much, but obviously something is keeping this weight on. I'm not asking for a bikini body, but pre-kids would be the biggest blessing.

May 2 - Skyline

Skyline

Day 2 - May Photo a Day Challenge: Skyline

My family took an overnight drive to Yakima, WA for part of our Spring Break. While there we decided to drive down to Maryhill to see a World War II memorial that is a replica of Stonehenge in England. While driving down Hwy 97 we stopped at this scenic outlook. Mr C had just learned about Washington landmarks in class (they had to make a cookie map replica of the state and use candy for landmarks) and we were happy to see Mt. Adams for the first time. I was even more happy that this shot of Mt Adams had an old house and trees in the foreground. I love taking photos of old homes and trees. I can sit back and let my imagination run wild about who lived there, how did they live and why is it abandoned now. My second favorite types of Skylines is anything with the sun!

 Bonus photo: sunset in Oregon

May 1 - Peace

PEACE

My oldest daughter, Miss M, is a very peaceful person. She loves anything tie-dyed or with peace signs. We have a peace sign bean bag, peace sign rug and peace sign t-shirts. She's my little hippie.

We recently took an overnight trip to Yakima, WA for a quick get away. We found this wonderful park with a wall full of inspiration and art. This peace sign instantly reminded me of my daughter.

Now I'll need to blog about our Yakima trip!

May Photo Challenge

It's time to get moving again. Spring is here (or so I'm told) and it's time for a new beginning. I'll start with this photo challenge hosted by Fat Mum Slim. Everyday is a different type of photo and maybe a little story behind it. Now if I can figure out how to have Instagram post to my blog as well as my Facebook, I would be ecstatic.

Here is her "Photo A Day for May" list. Feel free to join in too!

Hell Week

Do you ever have one of those weeks where the thought of it will send you crawling under the covers, shaking and crying? That's my next week.

We find out Saturday night (at midnight) if Marc will be flying to Los Angeles to cover a company strike for anywhere from 1 day to 2 months. It might not happen. They might work without a contract and wait until August. It's a complete unknown and I can't think about that until it happens.

Meanwhile, I've decided I want to host Easter because they are my kids and I want to stay home. And now, the grandparents might not come and the husbands might not be here. Is this a "What if..." worry?

Now for my week. Luckily I work from home on Friday and Saturdays and I work for my friend just up the hill an hour or two a day so I can get the laundry, groceries and time at the gym done. Including any school PTA events that I need to get completed this week.

I'll need to make copies of a flier for our school gear sale and then get the school dance fliers ready, copies and sent out. I need to finish up our school's reading plan and start the planning for the canned food drive that starts in 2 weeks as well as the (I just remembered) Pennies for Patients drive that we will do at school. I'm overwhelmed just thinking about this part.

Now to throw in the clincher. I've scheduled all 4 of my kids to play Spring Sports (I didn't know the husband might be done). 

So this week we have:
Monday - soccer game at 4:45 for Miss R that I'm coaching (no one else would step up)
Tuesday - soccer game at 6:45 for Miss M, baseball game for Mr C at 7:30. Now they both have to be to their games early and I'm scorekeeper for Mr C's team. His game will go until 10pm. What the hell am I to do with a 6 and 7 year old until 10pm while keeping them quiet so I can pay attention to the game.
Wednesday - soccer practice at 6pm for Miss R.
Thursday - soccer game at 4:45 for Miss M, PTSA meeting (My last year as President) at 7pm and a baseball game for Mr C at 6:45. So, I'm skipping PTSA (that's why I have a vice president) and I'll get a sitter for the other 3 so that they are not out until 10pm again.
Friday - work most of the day from home and then batting practice at 6.
IT'S NOT OVER YET!!
Saturday - baseball game at 11:30 for Mr C, soccer practice at 1 for Mr N and indoor soccer game at 3:40 for Miss M.

Then it's time for some heavy drinking. I know I did this to myself and I am very careful to not let my kids see my stress over getting everywhere and doing everything for the week. I can only hope that Marc doesn't have to leave on strike and count on the kindness of my kids teammates parents to help. I'll have to be leaning on the baseball coaches wife to help with score keeping because I can not split myself in two and be everywhere.

My stomach hurts thinking about this schedule and getting through this week. If Marc is gone, everything repeats with some variations for the next 8 weeks. I have plenty of down time to recover during the day, but I can't drink then to forget the hell of a position I've volunteered myself into.

Does anyone else volunteer too much? I know I should say no, but I couldn't have my daughter not have a soccer coach. And I didn't realize baseball was so insane. I will survive.

Nothing Nice To Say

Ugh!! If you have nothing nice to say, don't say it. I've been holding my tongue for so long that I'm at a bursting point. I don't want to cause conflict and I've bent over for so many years that change seems impossible. I've finally made a small change and of course it's pouting time. Why? Why don't you plan ahead. Because I have 4 kids, 2 jobs and a life. I don't plan ahead for anything. Only what is directly in front of me. It may seem chaotic to others, but it works for me.

I've had 2 huge PTA projects at school come together beautifully this year by my way of last minute work. I have had parents come up to me and say they thought it wouldn't get done (and it drove them a little nuts), but in the end it was accomplished and the event was successful. That's because I ROCK!!

Now I'm dealing with holidays. I am understanding why my parents moved 4 hours away from their parents. I love grandparents. I love that they want to be part of my kids lives. But it's my turn. Why do I have to give up every holiday to do what they want? Why do we have to always go to their house? Does my house and manners suck that bad? I like to think of ways to make the holidays fun, but I'm always watching the clock because we have to be somewhere by a certain time so that they can celebrate and make memories somewhere else. My kids will have had a wonderful childhood because so many people love them, but I will have tainted memories of always having to go somewhere and holding my tongue. 

I would love to spend a holiday with all of my family. My family and my husbands family at my house. We make a last minute decision (because that's how I roll) to host Easter at our house so that I can see my brother and his 3 boys and I'm told that grandma "might" make it over. What the hell. Suck it up and enjoy your grandchildren in any capacity. My week next week is absolute hell and I don't want to be gone all day Sunday. 

My happy pills aren't working this week. Tears are near and I'm afraid I'll probably say something that will never be forgiven. Because that's how they roll.

Hmm. Now I have the stress that this will be read, taken out of context and blow up in my face. But I DON'T CARE. I need to be with my kids in the way I want to be with them. My oldest is turning 12 and will be out of the house (fingers crossed) in 6 more years. Then she will go on to make a family and memories with her kids and I will be going to her house and visiting with those beautiful angels. With 4 kids, this will be interesting for me to get to everyone.

OK. I'm better. Thanks for reading (listening). That's what all you wonderful and unknown friends are for.

Couch to 5K

Hello my peeps. It's been awhile and I have been doing lots. Too much really.

I've been working through the 9 week couch to 5K app. I'm running on the elliptical to strengthen my legs and lungs first. And hopefully lose some weight!!

So far, I'm at week 7 - day 2 and I am kicking butt. I thought I was going to die the first few times, but now I'm pushing to finish the whole 5K. I'm still at a walking pace (overall), but in the last week I shaved about 2 minutes off my overall time.

No weight loss - yet. AND I'm loving the gym. Yea me!!