The Ending of a bitter semester

Well I have reached the end of yet one more semester as a Student! Boy was I happy to see it end. I am a bit irritated now because I carried a 3.0 in my Federal income tax up until Sunday when it dropped to a beautiful 2.5 - oh how this is going to kill my GPA. The kicker of it is... I have to take the second part next semester. AHHH- I know how do I plan on being a CPA, if I don't like taxes? I have no intention of being a tax accountant!!! One thing I know is unavoidable are taxes and death -- and trust me one could cause the other. The way thinks are figures seem to be ass backwards. The other bonus to my week was I received a Letter from Paige's school it seems she has missed 7 days - so unless she is already skipping in Kindergarten, I am left to wonder if the school is counting some of the times they have called me to come get her because she doesn't "feel Good" which seems to be a big waste of my time because she has yet to be actually sick just a little warm.. but perfectly energetic all the same. I don't under stand this - We also have a friend who's child is in Paige's class that is a recipient of the same STUPID letter, which she also is having a difficult time accounting for the days her child was missing ?? Which is not to difficult being she has more than one child and no other kid is in receipt of the letter. Not really sure what is up with that.... I have been a busy little bee these past few weeks trying to get school work done and also get things bought for the Christmas holiday!!! For those of you who did not hear Damon got some good news -he passed his water license this time around with flying colors!! I knew he would do good, he worked is Butt off :)

Home "PROJECTS"

(I apologize for the clutter-it hopefully is only temporary)

So, any of my fellow homeowners know that when you own your own house the up keep never stops! Few years ago we added a "mudroom" and garage to our house. We added the garage for the race car and well the mudroom was meant to be my own space away! Well the mudroom has(for all of those who know us) been a sore subject! That is till lately, My husband has but some major Getty up and go in his step he has completed the mudroom. This weekend my girlfriend helped put all my sewing junk in it and make it as organized as possible(we still have a cabinet to build, and some selves to purchase, but this will be done when funds permit- with x-mas right around the corner in all). So I write to you from the comfort and solitude of my Sewing room!!! Boy does it rock!


(So start to Finish: -old floor -tile being put down

-being grouted - cleaned and awaiting sealer)

Damon has also decided to get a few more projects around the house done he has tore out the cabinets in the kitchen and ripped out the old floor. He as laid the Tile that I purchased a while ago for the mudroom and kitchen (so they would match). He has been one busy little bee! We have some pictures. I also asked Damon if we could move one of the smaller cabinets and put a butchers block on top of it and place it next to the stove so that I could use the other space for a shelf. Damon agreed and said he would build me a shelf next to the dishwasher for miscellaneous groceries. Well while out shopping for wood on Sunday he came across a cabinet (just like one you put in the bathroom or what not) on sale because of some slight damage on the side he mesured it and it was perfect for the space that he was going to build a shelf he bought it for 1/3 of the original price and some black spray paint, so it would match my dishwasher and bingo I have a newly designed space!! Just LOOK!

A Mom's Dilemma

So this week my five year old has decided to "CUT" her own hair! What is the real dilemma with this is that this is the THIRD time she has done it. So this time I sat down with her explaining that I was seriously disappointed that she cut her own hair, especially because her aunt is a cosmetologist! I asked what the fascination is with cutting her hair the first time I believe was more of a time and place thing, but the last two have been very secretive and caught much later after the fact because she did not get all the evidence disposed of. (I guess this is the bonus of having curly hair) After our discussion she told me that she simply does not like long hair (Damon and I were bummed- we had waited so long for her hair to actually grow) So I told her that was fine if it fixes the cutting issue she can have her aunt cut her hair (and she will get to choose the length) It seems that with this decision she has grown up so much, she is deciding on how to where her hair with cut and style. What is next!

update

It has been awhile, things are crazy lately it seems that every time I turn around there is more homework do! Damon is studying for his water tests which is tomorrow. I think he is going to do well he took it last year this time and just missed his licenses by a tiny percentage. Updates to come when they available. Paige had a ball on Halloween, she was mostly interested in the haunted house that a local homeowner does in his backyard, She went though twice! She got a fair amount of candy(non-of which I have gone though yet so it is still put up) We bought "Tinkerbell" the movie tonight so I did not see much of her after her reading was done! Ok well that is for all tonight.

Education of a kindergartner

So yesterday my five year old came home with homework, she had a book to read. Not having any other children I didn't know what really to expect. She said she needed to read me the book and I had to sign a paper showing she had. OK no problem I figured it would be the way her and I usually read a book, I read one line she reads it over to me. NOPE! I was wrong, she read the entire book with no help! Yes, I know at this age it is mostly memorization, but still my heart about jumped out of my chest. I had the worlds biggest grin and I felt like she was the smartest child in the world at that single moment. It was a awesome accomplishment. I even made her read it a second time for DAD.

We also went to the book fair yesterday, Paige got 3 new books. A Tinkerbell fairy book, a scooby-doo book, and a collection of short Disney princess stories 5 in 1 book. The scooby-doo and Tinkerbell books mom will have to read at 1st but the princess book she picked up like a charm, it will not be long before she will have that memorized so she can read it to mom, and dad.

10 Years! WoW how time flys.

I went to my 10yr class reunion this last weekend. Wow time does fly, it seems that just yesterday we were heading into the world to start figuring out who we were as adults and what we might become. Somethings have changed, otheres have remained the same in the last 10yrs.

Lifeis crazy

Well this week has been one of crazy. I dropped my first class ever, and I feel relieved and devastated all at the same time. I have never quit any thing and my life and this feels like a just gave up. I know that I have not I made a decision that best fit where my career and education goals were going. I did not want to barely skate by when this is what I want to do with the rest of my life. I have freed up a lot of my schedule to concentrate on my other studies. I even have a little bit of time to goof off on the computer.

A week in the day of Jackie

Well this week has been full of up's and DOWN's wow. So this week I have bombed a few test, but I do believe that I am on the upward spiral of this trend. I was "promoted"at work from a commission to a hourly position. But, after a much needed melt down and and a good 6-7 hrs of crying, lots of family support and I made it though. Today is the first day in months where I have had a non-stressed day at work. Where I was not worried about what I would be making and if I would be there the next month. I came to work did my job and enjoyed being there for the first time in a very long time. There were the few annoyingly nosey individuals, that tried digging for details, but I think that they have realized that DETAILS are not to be found. My less stressed day seemed to just follow in step with this trend, I went to class and I was right on with the chapter, I knew what I was doing and I was just rocking it out! What I thought was going to be the worst week ever seems to be folding into a distant memory!

The Wedding

Weddings they make you think about the blessed day that maybe you were married or the day that some wish they could forget ever happened. Whichever, Paige had the blessing of being in a friends wedding this last weekend, she was a flower girl and what a princess she was! You know what they say about the angels (they all have little horns underneath)

The wedding was wonderful, Summer Looked absolutely radiant and she could not have been more of a blushing bride, everything was right on schedule.

Paige and I even had some GOOD old fashion goofy fun at the Reception

World Wind Week

What a world wind week I have had!
It started out last Friday- I left early from work @ noon for a much needed Adult weekend! Paige was staying with her Aunt Lizzy for the entire weekend(It has been a long time since she has spend the night with Aunt Lizzy) When I got home I quickly packed Damon and My stuff, so we could meet up with our friend Becky and Tim, Damon and I left instructions and keys with our house/dog sitter and off we were to pick up our friends.
Our first destination was Frankenmuth, Tim and Becky have never been there! At this point I feel that I know the town inside and out, my parents took me and my sisters all the time when we were growing up and as an adult I have been numerous times! (For someone who is not a holiday fan I have been to Bronners more than my fair share!) I love going to Frankenmuth though the food is good the atmosphere is cheery and we timed it perfectly this year for Octoberfest! There was not only the regular shopping to do but a huge craft show too. (which anyone that knows me knows I like craft shows) I was actually a reasonable shopper this year I bought a few things for family and friends as a gift for watching Paige and helping out, and I only bought one thing for myself (and yes it was Betty Boop) We spent Friday goofing around in down town Frankenmuth and ate at the Bavarian Inn( I like the food but everyone else was less than impressed)
Saturday, the group of us got up early and headed to Bronners, we spend a few hours there, wondering around looking at all the Christmas stuff. It was a harsh reminder that Christmas is only a few months from now! OMG!!!
Then it was back on the road to Houghton Lake. This is our annual trip to the Fireman's show that they have in Rosscommon every year, usually it falls right on Paige's Birthday but we dodged it this year. Our plan was to check into the hotel and then to the fireman's thing. It is a big swap meet of sort for Fireman! After we checked in there Damon noticed a car shows just on the other side of some gas stations (he wanted to check that out). We spend some time wondering around the fireman's show (mostly looking for Tim) and then headed out. We made a slight detour to the highway in hopes that it would get us back to the hotel sooner so that we could check out the car show before our next scheduled outing. Boy where we way off base we ended up back tracking way out of the way(OOPS) . We ended up making it just in enough time to get changed and head to Merritt Race Way.
Merritt is a dirt race track just about 10 miles from our hotel, Damon's brother was going to run in the "Woodtick". It worked out perfectly we we're finally going to be able to watch Chris run his modified on dirt. Well that was the PLAN anyway. We got to the track with time to spare, we went to Chris's pit, we talked and caught up a bit then we headed to the stands to watch some dirt racing, it was way different then even the dirt tracks that Damon and I went to in Arizona, but it was fun. I think a even got a complementary exfoliation with my pit pass(AHH)
The rest of the weekend went without any hitches and it was relatively relaxing

Stressed

So, Stressed a little tonight, I got all my homework done last night and it seemed like a breeze! Well that was until I got to class this evening and realized that oh yeah I was way off. Damn it. Somedays it just seems like nothing can go my way. When I struggle through it seems like I have got it (but don't get it completed) and the days when I think I am just on top of it are the days when I have fallen under the tires and have been ran over a few times. Ahhh, I am gonna loose it! My 1st test is next week and I am feeling the pressure, I am sure most is self induced and that I will manage like usual. My tax class was that way this week too. I am seriously hoping that it was just an off week. Well tomorrow will be printing and printing of all my assignments so that I can study study on my weekend away.(what a bummer, studying when it is a get a way weekend with friends and the hubby no kids just quiet, and fun)

OOPs its been a week

Well, It has been a roller coaster of a week. My angle turned five on Sunday. WoW how they grow up so fast. Somedays it just breaks my heart. I remember when I brought her home and it does not seem like it was five years ago. She had a good time, We (ok dad, promised her) took her to Chucky Cheese, you know now I understand why they serve beer, I just wish my body liked it. She and her friends, had a ball. I guess all the noise and craziness was worth her having a good time. She got lots of cool things: A digital camera(from her aunt Bec and family) which has not left the child's side since she opened it, some Polly pockets, which she has broke in already the went straight to the tub and she spent about 2hrs in there just playing and getting all prune-E. She got make up from her grandma donna and papa corkey, then tonight dad and I took her shopping to spend her gift card from her uncle chris and family, she bought another dress up outfit, then mom and dad got her, a princess kitchen set... she picked all this out by herself and we only made 1 1/2 trips around Toys r Us.
The second part of the weekend seemed to be clean up... I dear friend Yavonne came over to help with cleaning the house for Damon and I helping her with odds and ends. She is a life saver which you will discover why in a bit... She and Paige cleaned Paiges room, all the while I tried desperately to rush to finish my homework that was due to get out and make sure I could curb Yavonne cleaning frensy, she is one of the most neat and organized people I know. I appreciate it more that I can explain. After finishing my homework I set out to dust, pickup or do what ever I could to apeas' the cleaning party I have bustling around my house, Damon was dusting and vacuuming, I think I need her to pop in more often I may get up the ambition to clean more frequently instead of just when it needs it. It is much easier to maintain than start fresh every time. She helped fold and wash some laundry, all the while just hanging out and talking. I don't know what was the best part just getting to b.s or getting my chores don't while b.s'ing. I promised her before she left I would finally take all the blankets that had mouned up in the basement to the laundry mat in the morning so that I no longer could put it off till the next weekend. And I did I got up on Saturday and Took ALL THE BLANKETS and there were a ton to the laundry mat just me the rain my homework and the blankets for a good few hours nothing but silence and reading of Federal Income Tax. Sunday all hell decided to break loose. The basement had about 1 inch at least of standing water, that was just streaming in from under the porch -- and the back yard well that was just something else (I will post pictures later) it was lake Place around here! The creek was flowing into the yard and the yard was really close to just poring into the basement windows. I love Michigan- so unpredictable- Stupid hurricane. There is also a box elder tree in my side yard.. we discussed cutting it down but did not know if it would hit our garage,well mother nature decided that she would just uproot the thing(it missed the garage by about 5 feet).
This was the weekend that I will not soon forget, what was suppose to be just a good time turned into a world wind of events. some good some not so good and others that were just perfect. So now my baby really is not a baby anymore she is now in school and is at a mild marker in her young life.

Paige's Big Day

This is Paige and her new teacher Mrs. Arnold
This is Paige getting ready for her 1st day of school (see it is all about the TV these days)

Paige began school for the 1st time this week. Mom and Dad were very excited and nervous(mom probably more so than dad). We took her to her 1st day it was only a few hours to kind of introduce her to the setting and what was going to be happening along with getting to know her new teacher Mrs. Arnold. Paige to our outstanding surprise was not her usual outgoing forward self she instead was reserved and stood off to the side as if she were scared of the entire situation. Damon and I were confused to say the least and worried that this was going to be a problem. When we got home we discussed it and she seemed fine, so the next day off to school again for her with reassurance from mom and dad that she would meet lots of new friends and have a fun day at school. I had class and work on her 1st whole day of school so I was very anxious to here what she had done, learned, and just how everything went(being we got off to a rather bad start in the morning. We missed the school bus, it had changed it's pick up time, and then we just could not seem to get around) I called the babysitter at least 3 times(sorry jean) just antsy to talk to Paige. When I finally did get to talk to her she reassuered me she got on the bus just fine after school, even though one of the other kids did not. She said that she did some "stuff" and that it was a good day. I was rather disappointed I was expecting a complete run down of the day and this was it. I was going to have to wait till I got home late in the evening after class to really get a good run down of the day's events.
The day seemed to take as long as it possible could, I thought that it would never end. Work was typical nothing really eventful there to keep my mind off how my Paige's day really went. I left work to head to class and of course got stuck in traffic up to my eyeballs - in down town and then in the parking ramp. Someone really needs to think of some better alternatives to shutting down 1/2 of the routes in and out of LCC. After fighting with traffic I bee-lined straight to class, that seemed to go fairly fast until we got in groups for our class problem( I think I got the "special" group this round if you know what I mean). So I ended up getting out of class about 5-10 minutes later than I have been, which in turn I again got stuck in "parking ramp HELL" I sat in line in the parking structure for 30 minutes. I thought I was going to loose my mind. When I finally made it out of there it was smooth sailing all the way home, I did not even put my stuff down when I walked in I shot straight to Paige's bedroom and drilled her on her afternoon's details. She told me what she did in Gym class, she got to run and skip(gallop), She sang with the class the song about stealing cookies from the cookie jar(She said Mrs. Arnold stold the cookies but it was OK because she is going to have a baby and the baby wanted them) I thought that was really cute. She said she ate a good lunch and that she got to play on the playground with a few other friends from daycare. So the day went without any big trauma. I felt really relieved and finally was satisfied with that. So her 1st full day went much better that her introduction and my hope is that each day will be as fun and exciting as it possibly can be

The PIECE is gone!

OK so those of you that know us know that my Durango has been nothing but a pain since about day 1. As of lately with the gas prices it has been even more of a headache and is killing us to put gas in it to even get me back and forth to work! Damon has been trying for months now to figure a way to get me a CAR, and today we accomplished our goal. My husband has spoiled me rotten by buying me a 2008 Chevrolet Impala, imperial blue with only 50 miles on it and we were the ones to put the miles on it to begin with! Rock ON. In the 10yrs that we have been married we have only ever owned used cars previously owned never one right off the lot just for us! We are ecstatic!

Congratulations!

Busy Weekend

This weekend was crazy busy, we had baby shower invites, reception and wedding invites, bonfires, racing, and school clothes shopping dates. Wow how we managed to stay afloat is beyond me. Damon, raced on Friday for the final points battle, he finished 3rd in the point standing this year, Our friend Jack won(congratulations) we have had an on going joke about this chair he broke and one of these days we are going to send it home with him. Damon jokingly told Paige to let Jack's air out of his tires Friday, Jack found out that Paige actually does know how to do that, when he heard the hissing come from his race car tires(Go Paige) she is smart as a whip. Speaking of how smart she is she learned to tie her tennis shoes today in about 5 mins. Rock on Girl. Saturday Paige and I went to a baby shower for some family, There is going to be another little girl added to the family. Then she got to go to Grandma's for the night (she had a ton of fun) I will have to get some pictures from Mom to post. Then a few other stops Saturday Damon and I finally made it home about 1-2am. Today we went school clothes shopping with our Aunt Beck and Em, and Kate. Wow how they grow. She is wearing a 5T. and size 10 1/2 shoes crazy how the time fly's. Just yesterday it seems was still in diapers. Now it is time to settle down have some dinner and go to bed for little miss, Mom on the other hand is going to start some homework and see what else can get done.

And so it begins

So the next chapter or phase in my life has started: Fall Semester 2008. I looked over my classes this semester(Federal income Tax 1, Business Law 2, and Intermediate Accounting) Wow, what was I thinking, Oh well to late now, I will manage. I have a few assignments due tomorrow already, I think I am getting a little overwhelmed so I am sure I will manage. I really need to buckle down this weekend and figure out a routine and schedule that suits us all!

Zucchini anyone

OK so I asked Damon to see if his co-worker would give me any zucchini, so that I could make bread. WOW, was I asking for it, his co-worker gave me some zucchini on steroids I think. I have cut up one Zucchini and I have 12cups, I need 2 cups for 2 loafs of bread. I don't even think Damon and Paige like Zucchini bread. (OK well more for me). Today has been a busy day I have only gotten to sit down @ work it seems. Damon and I went to Menard's to pick up some last pieces of wood for the Desk he is building, some stain, and trim for the doors! My mudroom/sewing room is getting close to being done. Damon has worked his A*& off this week just to make me happy(or not hear me Bit**) Whichever, I am a happy camper(that is till I have to paint again.) Where is it stated that the wife does all the painting, I missed that bi-line in my marriage certificate, anyone else? Did I mention that I have blown in glitter in the mudroom isn't it pretty? My desk is looking awesome, Damon has done a great job, I hope to be able to post pictures of the finished product soon, His part will be done he says by Thursday so hopefully I can get the painting and staining done by the end of the weekend.

A week of accomplishment

I can say that this week has brought some astounding accomplishments to my house hold. I have pictures to prove it too! My husband has been working on putting a desk in my mudroom/sewing room. IT is turning out wonderful, I have to find stain I am going to try to match it up with my sewing table color.(which I finally put together this weekend, I had gotten it almost 3 Christmas's ago from my mom. (I told her I had intentions to use it, now I can) For whatever reason I am not able to post pic's at this time.:( So I will try again later. I would also like to add a note that to please keep some prayers in mind for a family friend who has lost his mother today. She will be missed by many.

Thanking God for good friends

Today has been a ruff bout.. My projects I mentioned B4 still have gotten no were really fast. So I set my mind on getting some done this weekend a little painting some laundry and whatever my speedy little self could get accomplished. That was till my husband send me into a tissy yesterday, he has put off helping me for close to 2yrs now with any of the interior projects that he told the contractor we would do. I have worked on them bit by bit and accomplished to recruit some helpers along the way to finish drywall hanging, and muding.. but alas the painting has eluded me. Till tonight when our closest friends decided to come to my rescue as my husband set off to play with the boy's at the race track.(That is an entirely more frustrating story, and best left under the rug for now) I have now at this point gotten the 2nd coat of paint in the mudroom around the edges(and would have it finished if Menard's had not mixed the 2nd can of paint wrong) I hope to have my husband put up trim soon I have painted to other walls that needed painted(all with the aide and support of 2 great friend) while my child was entertained by theirs in the back yard. I have rearranged my daughters bedroom so that she is more comfortable(not on a bunk bed no more- all of a sudden there has been issues with being in a bunk bed for her) and the room is great.. I have put away all the laundry that has been stacked around the house waiting for a dresser (being we now have our bed in that also has all the dressers) Live is finally starting to seem like it is not all piled against me! Our friend Tim and Becky are saviors.. Tim helped burn off all the branches in the burn pit, the torn off trim, the left over wood from here and there and all the boxes from our bed when that was shipped. My yard will someday look as I impicture it to, but for now I will most definitely settle for not having a ton of junk everywhere! Again all I can say is THANK GOD FOR GOOD FRIENDS! with out them to day I would have been lost and broken for certain.

The end is near

Yesterday we ran one of the last few races left to run. We have points night next Friday and then the annual Harvest on Sunday next week. After that we have one week off and then get to have"fun night" where Damon plans on "souping" up his car and making it super fast. This brings a sense of relaxation for me, the end of the season a time when I can start to not run around so much. Hopefully this year falls into that classification. I have no idea what to expect, with Paige starting school and me going back again for fall semester. I guess we will have to wait and see. I am hopeful all will fall into place.

Pose princess

Steam show weekend mom and Paige goofing with the camera.
Look's like someone else was trying to get into this one!








Smile. We're having some fun now. What a wonderful smile, it makes her mamma's day when she smiles.










Look at these muscles. Wow @ 4yrs old she is one tough cookie.

and the fun never stops

Ok well another eventful night at the Place house. Our friend called needing assistance with moving some stuff so my husband lept to the rescue(go big D). When he got home he had to have our neighbor and friend help load a side by side refrigerator to take out to another person's house that we know who bought it for the bargain price of $100. Now that was funny to watch them load the fat boy up (it weighs a ton)! then we sat and b.s. with our neighbor(chad) Damon, beck, and I while the kids frolic in the back. Damon left to deliver the refrigerator(probable about 1hr ago) and is not back yet hope all is well. When Beck went to leave her oldest had run the battery out jamin' to the radio. (( OOPS )) good thing we have a charger, to bad my dumb butt forgot to ground the wire:o) After I grounded the wire it started right on up! (go me) Now I am trying to patiently get rug-rat ready for bed! And like the last week it seems to be a battle! Just another fun night around my house!

just one of those days

OK so I have found myself to be a foul crabby *&%$# these days with little explanation. At the littlest of hints for something to go wrong I have a melt down and fly off the handle of my not so sturdy broom! Today I seriously though about getting up from my desk and choking a co-worker until she figured out how to keep her GUM in her MOUTH. Someday's I believe this is a task she may never master. I did get to do some fun stuff my kind of stuff on lunch. I went with a friend to get her wedding dress fitted again. My little angel is going to be in her wedding in September.*(she can hardly wait) It seems like the more I try to do the stuff I enjoy or want the more it seems to be lost to me. I took the summer off of school so that I could get some projects done- today none have been finished to completion. Now that my summer has almost come to a screeching halt I find myself with nothing to show for it. The only thing that got accomplished thus far is that I bought a new bed and Damon and I have put it together ( this only took us 10hrs). My bedroom is only partially painted, my sewing room is still unfinished 3yrs later, I sold my desk in a yard sale this summer and now have no where to sit to do my homework when fall semester starts on the 21st(what a dumb butt). I love to sew and crafty but I did not do that this summer either, I partially planted a flower garden and landscaped but that has not been weeded in about 1 1/2 months either. WOW, am I lazy or just scatted. Please don't answer that (those of you that know me the best). OK, well enough for my rant I will see you all soon.

new BLOGGER

Ok so "bear" with me I am a new Blogger and I will need lots of help! Life is slow right now the rugrat is in bed sleeping peacefully, and Damon is stranded in Mason with Bob. So I have a few minutes to myself. I am getting all worked up these days wondering how I am to manage work, school and life. This semester a few things are changing, Paige is in school and I have to accomidate my schedule to make sure she is in bed sooner*(and I do mean a lot sooner)* and gets up way earlier(ug that sucks for me too) it will be like being a new mom all over again. I am trying to figure out when I need to get up how I am going to get Paige around in time to get to the bus(being it picks up 20-25 minutes before I usually drop her off to daycare). This is going to be fun! Then what to do with all the time left over it is not enought to go back home and to bed till it is time for me to leave for work. I will be gone 3 nights till past 8p.m. so Damon will have the added joy of cooking, cleaning, and Paige school work to play with, I'm sure he is excited! Good thing he handles it well, What would I do with out that man! Ok, I'm out of here for now!

A Work in Progress

Be patient with me as I try to Perfectly Place all of the Misplaced things I have before me.

Hopefully soon I will be up and posting regularly.

Until then, enjoy these misplaced items that created quite a beauty of a lawn ornament.