Cowboy T's Random Question of the Day . . .

Quiet moment during the day.  Everyone quietly doing their own things.

Then - the silence is broken by the following conversation:

T:  Hey Mom?
Me: Yeah T?
T: Do they make acid proof buckets?
Me: . . . . . ?????? . . . . . ?????????????????? . . . . . .  ummmmmmm . . .

(should I be concerned . . . ?)  ;o)  But seriously - I mean he has a good point!  What DO they keep acid in???? Hmmm.  But where in the world did that random thought come from?!?!?!  Ahhhhh . . . we've moved WAY past 'why is the sky blue'!

For all Moms and anyone who influences the lives of our children!

MoMatron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So . . . a little background.  Because we both work - our children have cell phones.  They are mainly to contact us before and after school as needed.  Of course - the oldest two LOVE this concept!!  Cowboy T isn't really phased by it either way.  He rarely uses it or cares where it is for that matter!

Yesterday I noticed his phone was dead so I plugged it in to charge it.  Imagine my surprise when I see a large amount of texts rolling in.  Even more odd was that they were all under the name of MoMatron.  My brain began rapidly flipping through the rolodex storage files of all knowledge I have - and after a few seconds (hahaha!) I realized I was unable to associate the name with anything.

So I somewhat irritatedly questioned out loud to my sweet children . . . "Who is this Mo  Matron person on Travis' phone!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!"  It  wasn't even a half a second when they all burst out into laughter.  I didn't get it.  So I threw in my best "I-don't-know-what-you're-laughing-at-but-I-see-no-reason-for-any-laughter-until-my-question-is-answered" look.  It did nothing to quell the laughter but it did speed up a response.  Hrmph.

Did I feel silly or what when they lovingly told me that this strange person sending my sweet son a plethora of texts was . . . . . . ME!!!!!  I. AM. MOM-A-TRON!!!!!!!!!!

I am beyond honored and flattered!  A super hero of sorts!  Perhaps a Transformer!  I am Momatron!  (I guess it was the other capital M that threw me off!  :o)

I wasn't irritated any more - just to clear up that little silly tiny matter I mentioned!

Wow!  I had no idea my children felt so Super-ish about me!  Life is good!

My Silly Silly Boys

An Open Letter to the CEO of ECMC

After receiving a letter from ECMC (student loan company) regarding the theft of my personal info I wrote this in a much needed attempt to vent . . . not so much on the actual topic below . . . but it sure provided a great avenue to release a whole lot of pent up emotion!  ;o)

April 13, 2010

Dear Janice,

Thanks for your letter dated 3/31/2010.  It’s good to hear from you.  I received your letter on 04/12/2010.  This letter notified me that my personal information has been stolen – including my social security number, birthday, loan information, address, etc “resulting in the potential loss of your personal information.” (my own emphasis included)  I appreciate your assurance that no savings, checking or credit card account numbers were included in the theft.  Phewph!  That’s a relief!

In the nearly two weeks time it has taken for me to receive this information it is possible that my credit has already been completely destroyed and while no credit card or other account information was included – it’s ok.  I’m sure that didn’t stop anyone from opening up new accounts, running up all kinds of charges that I will be held responsible for in the years to come.  It’s fine really.  I’ll find out about them as I try and purchase a car (trust me – my crappy Daewoo (they don’t even make those anymore) that’s pushing 120,000 miles won’t last through the end of the year), a home (not in today’s market!), run a credit check for my children’s braces (can you believe all three of them need braces?!?! Just our luck!) – oh – and of course, as I try to secure student loans for my own children’s college education which is now only a few years away.

I am impressed that you have now chosen to enhance your electronic and physical security protocol.  What a relief that my information won’t be stolen yet again.  But wait . . . there’s more!  I’m the lucky winner of 12 months free triple alert coverage monitoring membership!  Woohoo!  You know now I’m really comforted.  Because now instead of being at the counter of the orthodontist when I’m declined – or on the verge of signing house papers when I’m denied financing – I’ll know ahead of time which will spare me the horrific embarrassment of other people witnessing my disbelief.  (That usually involves my mouth hanging open, stammering, wide-etc. Not very pretty to be witnessed.  So I’m relieved about that.)  What’s that you say?  We can always rely on my husband’s credit?  Funny thing you should mention that . . . he got a letter from you today too!  Since your name is signed to each one I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what his said too!

Here’s the funny thing . . . when I activate or enroll in the triple protection I’ve won since my info was stolen - I’m sure I get to give them all my information (ha! Ironic don’t you think?!?!?) – which will no doubt be protected (hopefully) by the same methods of your new security protocol.  I’m a tad confused at the wording at the end of page one.  “When you call, blah blah blah place a fraud alert at no charge.”  Wait!  What?  At no charge?  See to me that kind of wording indicates that at some point there will be a charge.  So now I’m suspicious.  Not that I was before or anything – but is this a commercial to get me to sign up for something?  You know – like those diet pills on tv where they say 90 day free trial – and in fine print it says if you don’t cancel on the 3^rd Thursday that has a barometric pressure of .257 when allergies are high you will be charged $500 every month automatically for the rest of your life.  Thankfully, I’ve never needed to buy any of those – but I do often wonder about the ethical marketing practices of those companies.  However, I digress.  Surely in the midst of this theft which has affected 3.3 million people (did I mention how much better that makes me feel.  Oh!  Well 3.2999999999999 other people had their info stolen too.   No big deal.  I’m part of the masses – don’t complain – trudge on like the rest!) no one would be trying to make gain further down the line from this - making a profit off of me from this crime which has been committed.

See I guess part of my thinking is that my husband and I are raising three children.  Since my personal information isn’t personal any more – I’ll go ahead and tell you they are 13, 11, and 9.  These three children are what we feel will be our greatest contribution to society.  Why you may ask?  Well I will tell you.  Thanks for asking.  See our kids are being raised to be honest, have a moral compass and understand that actions have consequences.  Not just “I’m sorry” and it’s all ok – but seriously – actions have consequences.  So for instance hmmmm. . . let’s say that my son’s teacher has entrusted him with the trophies for field day for the entire class.  They are in his backpack and his teacher says, “Tyler, keep these safe.  I’m depending on you.”  “You bet I will!” he replies and they head off to the playground.  Well, after a while he is tired maybe a bit complacent and thirsty too.  So he takes that backpack off and sets it down right beside him at the water fountain to take a drink.  In that split second that he takes that drink and stands back up – it’s gone.  Rather than drawing this out – you can fill in what happens between him and the teacher and the note that comes home.  The teary face that gets in the car after school . . .  Here’s where the story picks back up.  When he gets home there are a lot of ways this could go.  We could say:  A.  That teacher never should have given him that responsibility  B.  Oh well.  C.  It’s not your fault baby.  D.  Here’s a letter to your teacher saying sorry and good luck with that or E.  You were given a responsibility.  Sometimes these things happen and people might be dishonest and do wrong things that affect you.  But when we have been entrusted it is our responsibility to make sure things are cared for.  Let’s make a plan on how you can earn the money back to make sure your class has new trophies in time.  –Now clearly that might require us to help him in order to reach that goal – but that would be the right thing to do.  Not say – “Sorry Teach – too bad about those trophies!  Guess what – I’ll take a picture of some trophies and maybe you can pass those out and that’ll make everyone happy for a while.  It’s no big deal.

I feel comforted by your statement on page two Janice - that you “regret any difficulties this incident may have caused you.”  Regret for 3.3 million must weigh heavy late at night.  Just think of all those individual headaches that must cause – not just once – but all the headaches over the YEARS it takes to clean up identity theft. 

My favorite part of your whole letter was this:

No police report available at the time – but if you want it – you’re on your own.  It’s your problem.  Don’t contact us about it – call the police department (are they prepared for 3.3 million calls? – oh wait – most of us are masses that just keep trudging on – opening the mail – reading this same form letter shaking our head – and then dealing with the realities of our days without time to meticulously plan and follow up on our impending identity theft) – and by the way – here’s the police department number which is long distance on your own dime.  I guess mailing the report out to us when it becomes available isn’t a responsible option?  It’s only OUR information that was stolen.  It just seems a little odd that wouldn’t be a natural response or expectation for something that we had entrusted and yet has been stolen.

What I love the most (I guess I keep saying that – your letter just really tickled me) is that this is not the first letter I’ve received like this.  Actually, this is probably my sixth letter from a company I was supposed to trust warning me that my identity has been thefted by someone.  (And yes – I know that’s not a word.  It just seemed to fit.)  Don’t worry – not all six were from your company of course.  Banks, student loans, car loans, etc. - they all send a very similar letter – opps lost your stuff – sorry about that – try your free trial for this tracking company – have a great day!  But at this point I’m guessing my identity is non-existent.  In fact, I’m looking into renting a billboard and putting all my info – you know – social, bday, name, age, favorite color, checking account balance (oh wait – that might deter someone), hobbies, etc and then have at it.  Go for it world!!!!  Here’s my info!  Keep it safe!!!!!!  And so – now that you know the multitude of letters I’ve received regarding the same topic – and that your company is not the first – I just want to thank you for your time.  Hopefully you have a sense of humor and understand it’s been a long day.  Your letter allowed me the opportunity to vent a million other things that just culminated into your letter – because you know what?  I admit.  I am one of the masses.  How do we even begin to fight back against this?  I’m mad but I will trudge along as usual.  I’m too tired.  I work hard all day.  I teach special needs kids – 3 and 4 years old (some with significant behaviors that cause me to come home black and blue).  With that in mind - I LOVE my job because I love my students and I love teaching them.  The rewards are immeasurable - but it makes me tired.  But I don’t stop then.  I come home and try to raise our kids to be the best citizens they can possibly be.  But when the day is over – I’m done.  Tracking down my credit doesn’t cross my mind.  My husband works extremely hard too.  We are exhausted at the end of each day.  Between the two of us we make enough to break even.  We’re not big spenders.  You know our type . . .  we shop at Walmart (even the thrift store here and there – but shhh – don’t tell).  Sometimes we don’t go to birthday parties because the cost of a gift just isn’t in our budget that month.  Shopping at Target is upscale to us – at least until we get through this whole braces and college thing.  So this finally brings me to a close.

I appreciate your time.  Perhaps this letter put a smile on someone’s face as they do their job of reading mail all day long.  Perhaps it will even reach your desk.  You have to admit it’s better than Dear blah blah blah.  Your account is yadda yadda yadda.  Besides your name – Janice - sounded like a nice person’s name with a hint of a sense of humor, understanding and optimism.  I know your letter to us had to pass all kinds of lawyer tests and stuff – but just between you and me Janice – it came off a little form letterish.  I’m sure that wasn’t your intent.  Sometimes all those stuffy CEO, President, CFO, COO, C3P0, titles get in the way of just a real person – who may actually - quite possibly be understanding and maybe a little tired at the end of a long day too.

Sincerely and with respect,

Mary E.

(whose favorite color happens to be yellow)

Update

We LOVE our new home. It is beautiful and so quiet! The neighborhood is normal and small and gated. The town house is beautiful and easy to keep clean. It's big enough for all of us and it just feels so nice.

Yesterday the kids did their chores - the laundry was clean - and the house was all tidy. Bob and I looked at each other in amazement. There was nothing to fix - no house projects to work on - no never-ending list of broken things. LOVE IT!!!! We actually have time to do other things. We will save money too by not having to fix so much!

Anyway - we're happy! Everything just fell into place for us. It's nice to be free of the old house and all the heavy weight that came with it.

Yea! What an amazing answer to prayer! So many times we'd try to move and it just never ever fell into place. Finally we stopped trying to force it to happen. We knew when the Lord was ready and everything was right it would just happen and there would be no doubt it was time. And it did. It was one of those things that was so complicated and every single piece of the puzzle lined up all by itself that there was no way to deny that the Lord's hand was in every step. Sometimes our plan and our timing - for whatever reason - is not what is supposed to happen. Down the road maybe we'll be able to look back and see all the reasons why - but for now we are just so incredibly grateful to be where we are. It is such a comfort to Bob when he travels to know we are here and happy. It's truly one of those massive blessings we couldn't have even imagined 6 months ago.

I'm so glad it's the weekend! I got an extra day added to mine since I stayed home with Travis yesterday. He's really sick. So it's not like it was for fun. But I'm so glad I did. He needed his momma! Our weekend was packed with various activities but we've cancelled everything. It's turned into a nice slow day for our family and I'm actually really grateful for that and for our time at home together instead of all the scheduled activities. I'm sure at this point I am covered in his germs after sitting with him and holding him all day and night - and I totally don't want to get anyone else sick so it's ok that we just stay in.

The whole week I had a mighty fierce cold of my own. I felt so incredibly lousy I ended up going to the dr. mid-week. He declared it one of my usual colds and gave me some yummy happy cough syrup w codeine for bedtime. Luckily the worst part was over when Travis got sick.

At school one of my classes was down to one student (because one kept coming w the flu and got all the others sick).

Speaking of school, my student teacher starts Monday! I'm excited about that. I also have a conference in San Marcos coming up. I hate to have to leave home for it - but the topic will be really helpful and it's just a short trip.

Rain Rain Go Away!

Actually, I like the rain a lot! The part I don't like is this:

heh heh heh! Funny picture huh! Apparently our roof has a couple of leaks. The one in our family room completely filled the bucket last night. Ahhhh! Life is just full of unexpected surprises.

Hey! In a shout out to the B-52's . . .

"Shingled Roof! . . . Leaky!" ;o)

Cowboy T!

My little man isn't so little anymore!

Vultures

So I'm driving home and as we near our house I see a big black animal in our trash that was out for pick up. Too big for a cat but not shaped like a dog. As we get closer I realize there are 3 vultures in our trash! WHAT?!?!?!?!? They were HUGE. You totally can't tell from the picture. I don't know how to zoom on my phone - plus I was trying not to crash because the truck currently has no power steering. Anyway - it's not like we had an animal carcass in our trash. Probably nothing more than paper cups and oreo wrappers! hahahaha But apparently maybe they like oreos! I pulled up really close to them and they kind of just looked at me and then sauntered down to the next house's trash. What a cocky attitude! They looked at me like "Yeah - all three of us could take you!" So we got out of the truck and as we're going in I realize there's a fourth one on the peak of the house across the street - just watching from above. That was creepy! Kind of Darth Vader-ish!

I mean seriously! Vultures? In this town? In the dead center of a busy metroplex? It's actually the second time I've seen them around. So if you're nearby . . . keep an eye out . . . and watch your small children and dogs! hahaha

Question of the Night (by Travis)

"Hey Mom! What's the most pointless thing in the whole world?"

I'm in trouble! (an update to prove I'm still here!)

My daughter has been harping on me to post for a while now. Or 'lovingly reminding me'! ;o) But I best comply or she may hijack my blog! hahaha

So here I am! We took a wonderful trip to Chattanooga, TN / Ringgold, GA which I'll definitely blog about later. It was a much needed get away and long overdue trip to visit my Dad.

When we returned I attended a two day conference for PreK teachers. It was wonderful and very recharging with lots of great fine tuned ideas. I've been slowly working all summer on building up activities and resources so it won't take as much effort during the year. I'm crossing my fingers and toes it will relieve a lot of stress during the school year and pay off.

This week I truly have off. I did three weeks of summer testing to see if children in the district who are turning 3 would qualify for speech or special education services. I love doing testing. It's fun to work one on one with the children, talk with their parents and also get a sneak peek at students who might possible end up at my school. There is one student that will be coming to my school who has captured my heart and I'm hoping I will get to have. She is the daughter of an old friend. So we'll see. I would be so thrilled!

Anyway - today I finally went to the doctor for an old injury from a year and a half ago. I was pretty certain it was muscle related - near my sternum. After that long of off and on pain I figured it was time to get it checked. There was a bit of a knot in the muscle - and long story short - it WAS muscle related - and get this! My 'prescription'???? Lifting weights! heh heh heh! OK!!!! He might as well have said 'eat chocolate'! :o) I really enjoy weights - but hadn't done them in quite a while because of the pain. He said I really need to stretch those muscles and loosen them up so they won't be so tense. So I'm good with that . . . and the chocolate idea too! (Even though that was my own idea!) hahaha!

Last but not least . . . I read a book! :o) It wasn't school related or anything! I can't remember the last time I made time to read a book for fun! It was just a silly short mystery - but it was just so fun!

I'm still here . . .

My laptop crashed. Serious hardware issue. Like seriously dead. Oh well. It was good and faithful. I shall return soon. I promise. :o) Have a happy Friday!

Can't. Stop. Napping.

School's out!  I had teacher workday Friday and Saturday.  It was a paperwork frenzy until the end.  Teary goodbyes.  And then a clearing of all types of cobwebs.  I got so much done yesterday and actually feel pretty good about walking away.  There are always things to do - but fun things that can be done at a relaxing pace now.  

I don't know if it's a school year's worth of late nights, emotional exhaustion, failing to juggle all the things I try to, or what - but I can't stop sleeping now.  I'm able to get up and make it to the few places I need to go - but the second I'm home I'm asleep.  I'm not talking a quick power nap - yesterday I got home around 3:30 and promptly fell asleep until 8pm.  How do you wake up from a nap at 8pm?  The really sad thing? - I went to bed right after that for the night at 10pm - no problem.  This has been going on for several days - so I figure I must need it.  Bob and the kids have been so good about letting me rest.  Hopefully I'll get it out of my system and return to the world of the awake.

We did just play a rousing game of Apples to Apples.  Love that game!  So at least I got a little fun in between waking up from my nap and bedtime which is coming quick!

HOORAY FOR SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :o)

All in a day's work!

After I told my Mom this story and she managed to compose her uncontrollable laughter - she made me promise to blog this story.  While many may find this story horrendous - it is a pretty tame one for our little world.  My conscience keeps me from telling the other ones.  I just couldn't tell some out of sheer human decency.  

But through it all we manage to find the humor in it and get over whatever happens pretty quickly.  In fact - I have wonderful TA's with a great sense of humor and we pretty much laughed our heads off on this story in disbelief and 'of-course-this-would-happen-to-us-ishness'.  I am so incredibly grateful to work with such amazing women who make every day seem like a pretty good day - no matter what happens!

Ok - so on with the story.  Names will not be used to protect the innocent.  heh heh heh.

We had a new little guy start recently and on his very first day we went out to the playground.  He was right at home and was having fun with the rest of the class going down the slide.  Perplexingly enough - as he was going down the slide he managed to pee all the way down it.  (perplexing - because he was wearing a diaper - but I do believe we figured that one out.)  So anyway - it took a moment to realize what had happened and why he was wet.  We were exclaiming as we realized what had happened - only to turn in slow motion (I swear!) and see the rest of our class lined up and rapidly sliding down the wet slide.  Get the picture?  Uh-huh!  They all slid right down through it.  Of course we were screaming, yelling, waving our arms - and they all just smiled and looked at us like the lunatics we appeared to be - as they slid down the slide and reached the bottom instantly growing a perplexed look on their face - like - wait a sec - whaaa????????  

Um yeah!  So the very last one reached the bottom - and quickly splashed his hands in the remaining 'puddle' as we were trying to keep all of them from touching anything.  Too late!  His hands went straight in his mouth.  You can imagine . . . we were dying.  It was unbelievable.  Luckily they all always have a change of clothes in their backpack - and needless to say - they all went home in different clothes that day.  It was a day that will not soon be forgotten.  We now laugh ourselves silly about it.  And we kind of half-laughed half-died that day too.  

So hopefully you're laughing now - but if you're thoroughly grossed out . . . thank my Mom!  ;o)

Cowboy T AND Kbugs!!!

Strep Throat!  My Buddy - the King of Strep doesn't have it!!!!  How does that work?!?!?!  I'm glad he doesn't though.  Anyway.  Kbugs is disappointed.  She'll be missing Cici's pizza day tomorrow for being on the honor roll - her orchestra banquet - and a Young Women's activity.  She's quite upset.  T is so easy going - he's like - ok whatever!  Funny kid!  B is mad that they 'get' to stay home tomorrow and he doesn't.  

What my husband does for fun . . .

He is such a man!  Hubba hubba!

Single handedly loading that huge stump.  Utterly amazing!

Guess what my guys did yesterday?

It started out as a great day to do yard work.  As pretty as the tree in our front yard was - it was beginning to rot from the inside and was slowly dying.  Because it hung over the cars and house we needed to take it down before it came down by itself.  Don't worry - we'll plant another one.
This is us after church - looking over the aftermath.  You may ask - why didn't we finish the job?  Well - let me tell you - the silly little matter of a severe thunderstorm, threat of golf ball size hail and tornado watch.  Being in a tree at that point is not a good idea.  It was kind of funny.  Bob had cut the trunk quite a bit and then had the chain wrapped around the tree.  He hitched it to the truck and I drove it.  Right as we started that the storm hit and it started pouring buckets.  It was actually kind of fun.  We couldn't just leave that last part like that - unfinished.  After a bit of back and forth - and some sliding around in the truck - Bob hopped in and took it a different angle - and bam! - it came crashing down! (Along with the thunder and lightning!)  Then he unhitched it and drove me all the way up to the garage so I wouldn't get wet!  Such a gentleman!  :o)  We had fun!
This is just a fraction of the mess.  I couldn't even capture it.  People driving past were slowing down gawking.  They thought the storm had torn our tree apart.  Our neighbor came home and was really worried about us.  I don't know - maybe it was the branch that hit the roof - or maybe the twisted ladder below.  Thank goodness no one was on it when this happened:
Here you can see the trunk where it was starting to rot in the middle.  It was a great tree.  The kids had a great tire swing on it that we'll have to relocate.  All in all it was a fun day - and I can't wait for clean up day!  :o)

Here comes the storm!

In the past 8 minutes we've had over 1000 lightning strikes just here in our area.  It's a doozy of a storm.  Looks like the tornado warnings are next.  Maggie is scared out of her mind.  We're trying to pretend that we don't see her hiding in the corner of our room - because she's not allowed in here but we all feel bad for her.  :o)  Looks like the tornado warnings are headed our way next.  

I sure hope my little special needs students get to stay home today.  They're sure to be scared - and the responsibility of keeping them all safe on a day like this weighs heavy.

Can't remember the last time I've heard this much non-stop thunder.  Pretty cool.

I'm walking now!!!!!

Well I'm a-walkin now!  Back in Dec I had bronchitis - I recovered slowly - but never fully.  Always a little symptom here and there - funky cough, stuffy nose,lingering stuff blah blah blah.

So last week - weird sore throat.  Last night out of no where a deep hurting cough.  

Woke up today and felt awful.  Enough is enough.  

Called the doc.  No appointments - but they said the nurse would call back.  She did - told her all.  She said come right now!  We'll  2:30 isn't a good time to say that.  Middle of class - too late in the day to get rides to pick up kids.  She told me just to make it there before 4.  Figured I could get the boys - go to doc - and figure something else out for Kbugs.  Couldn't reach Bob - he was teaching a training.  

Bell rang - ran to the car.  It. was. dead.  I'd left my lights on.  (Mary Moment!!!)  3:30pm - not good.  As I stood in the parking lot - all my co-workers (aka: friends!!!!) knew I didn't feel good and ran to my rescue.  One brought cables - another teacher's car was right next to mine so she came out to start her car - another friend's boyfriend put the cables on - since we all figured we'd do it wrong and blow ourselves up.  I was so grateful and thankful for such a wonderful group of friends who had me out of that parking lot in under ten minutes!  Love them!

Got the boys - swung around towards doctor.  Got stuck behind a funeral procession.  At first I was frustrated - then I realized it was getting me through all the red lights because they were headed the same direction - and right past my doctors office.  Made it with two minutes to spare and said a little prayer for the mourners.

So I waited and felt lousy like my head was going to explode.  But our wonderful family doctor who knows us well gave me some heavy duty whacked out antibiotics and strict directions to follow for my very own personal walking pneumonia.  

I'm just gonna walk on by . . . . . . .