Welcome To My World {it's crazy in here!}

Columbus..my kind of town

I am getting to know this town on a personal basis, having been there the past two weeks in a row.  We will be heading down next week again for a much more serious reason, Matt's surgery.  The past two days, I was down there hanging with my students.  We went to a conference and then decided to hang out longer and check out the town.  It was so good for two of my students, who rarely get to just "be".  We went to several places, on of which I was able to catch up with a former student of mine, Ashley.  She was in my class of three, two years ago.  Love her, just love her!
As we rolled up to one club, we noticed that the girls gone wild bus was outside.
Really now.
I have never seen such wild madness.
When my girls are 21, I will be scouting the clubs, watching from the wings.
It takes a lot to shock me, and let me tell you...
I was shocked.
And just in case you are wondering...
because I was not making out with girls or showing any body parts, they were not interested in me.
However, they were rolling around with cameras everywhere..so maybe.
Guess you will have to rent it and see....
Anyway.
Off today, looking forward to a weekend with my girlies...
Happy Friday all!
Cheers!

Good Stuff

So much good stuff right now...
so thankful for good friends, you know the kind..the ones you can tell anything too and they don't run away screaming.  The ones that accept you for who you are and not what you do.
Broke the news to my boss this week, although it did not go as planned, it was ok.  It is ok.
Heading down with my students today to Columbus for a conference at the State House, should be good.  I am excited to see them again and show them the town of Columbus.
Tomorrow I am headed to OSU to discuss the Dr. Program there.
Making plans.
This weekend, more fun and good times, heading up North for some relaxation.
I am happy with my new hair cut.  It's still long, but very layered.
I may be addicted to getting my nails done.
Life is good right now...
Happy Wednesday All!
Cheers!

My girls...

Sugar and spice..they couldn't be more different!  We were out this weekend, me with camera in hand.  It's been awhile since I took pictures of them.  Here are some from this weekend!  Cheers!

Ahhhh!hh

Did you hear my sigh of relief?  Last Thursday and Friday I went to Columbus with my girlie and we lived it up!  We shopped, ate, and spent some time shooting pool.  Then Friday, spent the day at Charles Penzone Spa..going from one service to another.  My nails, toenails, hair..it was totally wonderful.  It was great hanging out with Robin all day as well.  We were like queens walking around in our robes. 
I was quickly slapped back into reality when I picked up my twin four year old nieces and brought them home with me for the weekend.  They are super cute and very sweet and I know why God did not give me four children.  There was talking and crying happening non-stop, all weekend long.
I saw the looks of people as we entered restaurants and public areas.
Looks of "poor you" and "wow, do you know what causes that?"
I believe we would have to add another parent if we had one more child.
I believe my house would qualify as a national emergency area and FEMA may be back to assist with the clean up.  There are toys out that I have not seen in many years.  Wow.
As I met my brother last night at McDonalds in Marion, I realize that I do miss them already and of course, they can come back anytime.
This week is a busy one.  I will be at school today, registering some new students.  I get to actually say I am the true director today.  And that is just kinda neat! :)
Then, off to dialysis for the afternoon, where I will announce that my life is going to be changing.  I am nervous about that, so be thinking of me!
Later this week, back to Columbus for a conference with my students and another overnight.
Meeting with the OSU people on Thursday to discuss my next big adventure. 
Well, happy Monday all!
Cheers!

Apple bottom jeans and fresh clams

I realize that I am not the best mother at times.  My children are a daily confirmation of this.  When Carly breaks out an attitude, I get so mad and then realize she is imitating me.  When she asks me if I am angry on a daily basis, I have to stop and think..geez Robin, get ahold of yourself.  Your kids realize you are angry and irritated.  I fully admit I am not the most patient person on earth.
My finest example of bad motherhood is as follows:
the music in my car, well, I'm kind of selfish about this and always have been.  I have friends that are great mothers, they are very unselfish.  You get in their car and it's "wheels on the bus" all the way.  But me, well, I am all about top 40, particularly 92.5 kind of music.  My kids make requests like "mom, can you please play don't stop the music?  how about too late to apologize?"
Abby is the best (worst).
She knows the entire apple bottom jeans song.
And of course  Flo rida= James.
So the song is even more memorable to her. 
I just begged them not to sing this in front of their grandparents, or at church.
For mother's day, we got the American Idol Karoake for the Wii.
Abby wanted to sing so bad.  She kept requesting "fresh clams".
Impatient me.."Abby!  What are you talking about?  There is no song called fresh clams!"
"yes mommy, please, fresh clams".
Me getting madder..
then I realized.
She means "First Class".  Fergie.  Sure.
Doesn't every 4 year old know that song?
Better yet, shouldn't a 36 year old understand that fresh clams = first class?
Duh!
Today I am taking off for Columbus..can't wait.  But first, I have to go and give a dialysis presentation to Carly's second grade class.  My overachiever made a great poster about my job and wants me to come in and help her present it.  Not sure how I am going to dumb down the process for second graders.  Fortunately I have a needle, mask, and puke bag.  So that should get their attention.
Cheers all!

Day of reckoning (for my roots that is!)

On Friday I am going here:
                                                                           

I can't wait!  I am headed down early for some scrapbook/shopping/good time eating..then I get to wake up and hang at the spa for a day of beauty.  I am so needing a day of beauty.  My roots have screamed to the point of being hoarse..I am the girl people are talking about behind my back.."umm, yeah..do you think she knows her hair looks so bad?"  YES I KNOW!  I KNOW!  I even wore my hair curly this week so it would not be so obvious.  ha ha.
Tonight  I have to finish up my crap ton of grading (that is, of course, putting it nicely).  Once that is done, I can truly write this school year off.  But grades are due in the am and I need to finish up.  Whose brilliant idea is it to assign a ton of papers at the end of the year in lieu of a final?  Must have been my roots talking..convincing me to do that. 
Friday I will be floating on a cloud..massage, manicure, pedicure, facial, haircut and color...
ahhh.....
Autumn, yes..I will load up those pics tonight and send them to walgreens.

Cheers!

Tiredness, graduation, and the case of the missing panties

Tiredness..extreme.  Non-eventful weekend, minus the two UGLY soccer games that I attended on Sat and Sun.  Our first losses of the season.  Saturday was so rough..we were missing three players and therefore only had one sub.  Not to mention we were playing the team where the mother screams (way MORE than me, mind you) NADIA! NADIA! NI-NI!..over and over until you want to rip her vocal cords out. (she also holds a rat like dog that she strokes as she is screaming.  Oh yes. Straight out of hell I think) Oh and not to mention the torrential downpour that we stood in the middle of.  Yesterday they were all present, but man, we were tired out there.   I HATE games like that.  I am so competitive it is so hard for me to watch them lose like that.
Then last night up all night, no sleep..headache.
So today..exhausted.
Graduation..also on Saturday.  Also in a downpour.  Walking from the ceremony to the traditional "arch march"..it was a nightmare.  My tights were about down to my knees.  Why is it that you forget until you have worn your tights/hose somewhere in public that the elastic is gone..you are reminded as you continuously are yanking them up, hoping nobody is noticing and you vow..I WILL throw these *&(*^(^ tights away when I get home.  And you don't.  You put them back in your drawer, reaching for them the next time with amnesia.  But alas, I saw my seniors walk the stage, all minus Darren, who is off playing football for the semi-pros.  So proud of them..and two of them bought special stolls which they gave to me as a token of gratitude for mentoring them.  Here we are after the ceremony..Sarah, me, Megan, and Rochelle.  We are missing three, who did not hang around for the group picture.

They are an amazing group, feeling very sentimental about them.  They were the first group that I followed all the way through.  I started teaching intro four years ago and had them all in class.  So, I have known them since they were fresh in college.  They have been my big supporters this year and I love them to pieces!

Immediately following graduation on Saturday, I rushed home to pick up my girls to attend the mother daughter banquet at church.  Their dad was quite stressed after having to get them ready and I picked them up in the nick of time and arrived at church just as it was starting.  It was packed due to the fact that the guest speaker was Brenda Rothlesberger.  Abby was so cute, sporting her number 7 jersey and a black and white polka dot skirt.  She had asked me the last four days "is this the night we are eating with Big Ben's Mom"?"  She laid out her clothes in advance, which cracks me up totally because she is so totally princess and there she was, wearing a football jersey, with a skirt of course.
So, in my church fashion, we had to have the extended banquet.  One where you wonder why in the heck did they have to add all the extra crap in?  Why can't we eat, sing a few and then hear the speaker?
No, we have to have the kids go up on stage not once, but twice for different, strange events.
So, Abby, looking all cute and sweet is ready to jump up on stage and plop herself down in her cute little skirt.  Imagine to my shock and horror she whispers in my ear as she is trouncing up front..
"I forgot to wear any panties.."
By the time this registered in my brain, it was too late.  She was already up in front of God and everybody.  Fortunately, she sat like a lady.
Thank you God for small favors.
Happy Monday All-
Cheers!

It's a James World

So it's May 2cd..what?  May 2cd?  How can it be?  Where did April go? 
Hmm...let's do a quick catch up.
The official announcement was made to faculty and students yesterday.
In a few weeks I will be meeting with the faculty at OSU to discuss the PhD program.
Yikes.
I have to make the announcement at work, not sure how that will go.
Wednesday night Abby told us what "theme" her birthday party will be this year.
Disney Princess?
Nope
Hello Kitty?
huh uh.
Survivor China?
Yep.
She is hoping for a cake that will look like James.  Just his face.
Not sure how I would order that at a bakery.
Without being called a racist, or being arrested.
The other night I made those smiley face potato things..
I burnt a few.
Yep. 
You guessed it.
They became James' faces.
There isn't a day that goes by that James is not part of our conversation.
She's got it for him.  Bad.
Anyway.  Tomorrow is graduation.  I am going to be so sad.  So proud of my seniors, they have done such a nice job.  We also have a soccer game and a mother daughter banquet.
Should be a busy day.
Wonder how we will James into our conversation?
Cheers!

Frosty morning

Never fails, the moment I put away all the winter clothes, it gets cold again.  Even though it is only a balmy 33 degrees today, I know tomorrow it should be 70 again!  Oh so confusing! Monday night, I bid a due to  my Owens students, so proud of them.  I believe they are all coming to join me in the Fall at  the U of F.  Yesterday was my last time with my juniors..they are such a great group of kids.  I think all is out of the closet now on the job, although there will still not be an official announcement of any sort until next week sometime.  Have you ever heard of such a slow process?  Good thing I have some inside information, otherwise I would need a visit to Orchard Hall by now. 
Two months from today I will be on a plane, headed for Hawaii.  Can't wait!
I need to get back up into my scrapbook room this weekend.  Although Saturday will be busy with soccer, graduation, and a mother daughter banquet.  My house is clean, so I think I can reserve Sunday for play.  I need to get my pictures organized, it has been soooo long, I forget even what I have developed. 
Next week, it is my day of beauty, and heavens knows, I need it.  My roots are almost offensive at this point.  I just want to scream out..hey people, please don't think I am ignoring this about myself, I've just been really busy and I promise I have an appointment next week.
Maybe I could wear a sign.
Or a hat.
That may be the answer.
Ok, for now, I better go wear a shower or people won't be concerned with my hair...
Cheers!

And a super good morning to you!

Good morning blog world..thanks for checking in today!
Here are some pictures from this past weekend of my darling children..
My little "love bug" singing her little heart out at church.  She was totally adorable, along with her other fellow bugs.
Then there was Carly, who did a fabulous job, singing a solo for her church program.  Looking so old up there it almost took my breath away...

But seriously..have you ever seen cuter bugs than these?

A great weekend over all...very relaxing.............I even shared my own talents on Friday evening doing

a little debut at the village inn in cygnet..singing with my long lost partner..umm, what was his name?  Not sure..but he addressed Matt as "husband" all night..which was quite amusing to all. As always, a wonderful night out with friends Christie and Scott..good times with good friends.  Love you guys!
Oh..and one last picture for good measure...

See Mer?  He does think once in awhile!  ha ha..love that boy wonder..
here is one for Kendra as well..  Bryson singing his little heart out!

My last final day today..then I am free from class for several months.  Although I realize..the work has only begun.  My colleague should know by today, so things should be pretty interesting around the house.
Have a great day! 
Cheers!