8 Days until Christmas, and I think we are ready! All the gifts are bought, wrapped, and stored somewhere safe. The tree has been decorated for some time, the Nativity set is creatively rearranged about 5 times a day (thanks to the kids), and tomorrow is the last day of school before the kids are OFF for Christmas break (!!!). I finally got around to Christmas baking today. So far I made Honeyed Pecans, Chocolate Almond Brickle Bars and Rocky Road Clusters. I am hoping to make Russian Tea Cakes, Peanut Butter Cup Cookies and Chewy Coconut Cookies before I go to bed. We'll see how that goes. I don't want to get stuck in a rut where everything is the same every year, so these are all new recipes. Randall said of my Brickle Bars, "These are surprisingly good!" I'm not sure what to think about that one, so I'll take it as a compliment!
John finished his final and did well. He only has one semester until he is a registered nurse! I can't wait- this will open the door to so many opportunities for us. John is going to immediately start on his Bachelor's degree program, and in January I will begin again with my nursing prereqs. I took a year off from school while I worked. I love being a stay at home mom, but my youngest is in second grade. I am not needed at home while the kids are in school. I am looking forward to being on campus again and stretching my mind. I never thought I'd say this in my younger years, but I like school! I love working towards a goal and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with a job well done. I feel this way about being a mother too, but I need something to do that's just for *me*. I have dreams of doing travel nursing with John when we are both older, or of going on some sort of humanitarian mission where we can put our skills to use. Not having any more babies isn't the end of the world- it's the beginning of a new world that is coming more into focus and is beginning to sound more exciting.
Guess that's it for now. I'm not sure what I am doing with this blog or who my intended readers are, or why I am even writing things down, but it is what it is- and right now it's a tool to procrastinate baking cookies and cleaning the kitchen. So goodbye, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Cookies- I am coming!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
My New Project
I have decided that, as much as I adore a great waste of time, I need to slow down on the facebook games. Instead of (admittedly, 'instead of' probably means in addition to) online games, I have decided to put together a family cookbook. Family is a broad term in this case, as I am opening it up to all my friends on facebook and to both sides of the family.
Please send recipes to my email account at rebecca.wolfenbarger@gmail.com. I will be accepting recipes through Thanksgiving. Anyone who submits even one recipe (but PLEASE feel free to send in multiple recipes) will receive a copy of the cookbook, however large or small the book turns out to be.
I would love for each individual family unit to be represented in my cookbook, so please pass this message on to any family members I may have missed. And you single dudes out there still have to eat, so clue us in on your one-pot wonders!
I also thought it would be fun to intersperse funny, favorite dinnertime quotes from our wonderful children throughout the cookbook. (My favorite is from Ryan, when we had guests over for dinner. He was 2 or 3, and he proclaimed loudly, "I have to pee REEAAAL bad, Cowboy!" If your children have come up with any quotable dinnertime quotes, send them my way.
Thanks!
Please send recipes to my email account at rebecca.wolfenbarger@gmail.com. I will be accepting recipes through Thanksgiving. Anyone who submits even one recipe (but PLEASE feel free to send in multiple recipes) will receive a copy of the cookbook, however large or small the book turns out to be.
I would love for each individual family unit to be represented in my cookbook, so please pass this message on to any family members I may have missed. And you single dudes out there still have to eat, so clue us in on your one-pot wonders!
I also thought it would be fun to intersperse funny, favorite dinnertime quotes from our wonderful children throughout the cookbook. (My favorite is from Ryan, when we had guests over for dinner. He was 2 or 3, and he proclaimed loudly, "I have to pee REEAAAL bad, Cowboy!" If your children have come up with any quotable dinnertime quotes, send them my way.
Thanks!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
All Blessings Come With Time...
I haven't blogged in a while, because I really haven't had much to say. I know it is cliche, but we are truly so busy trying to stay alive that there isn't much room for anything else! I think I will just give a brief summary of what is going on, and call it good for another few months.
We moved about two months ago. We could deal with vandalism to our car. We could deal with gang fights and our car being stolen. But when someone was shot and killed across the street from our house, we knew we had to move. We had to downsize and it was difficult. We found a cute, three-bedroom apartment that we call home, and probably will for at least a few years.
John didn't pass one of his classes last semester by 3/4 of a percentage point. The course is not offered during the summer (figures), and he can't continue on with nursing classes until that one class is completed. Right now he is attacking some prerequisite courses for his Bachelor's degree. We are mostly disappointed because this means he will not graduate until next May. Another whole year! Ugh. But John is not giving up. He didn't get depressed, and he didn't feel sorry for himself. Instead of allowing self pity, he took me out to dinner and we decided together what to do next. Even the tortoise finished the race, and so will John. I am proud of him.
I am still working, but now I am on "the floor" at work (good). The one disadvantage to working solely as a phlebotomist: my feet hurt! I work long hours, but currently only 3 days a week. My schedule changes as John's school schedule changes. Our goal is to never leave the children at home alone. My boss is fantastic about working with my schedule- but still, I'd rather be home!
The kids are doing well- they just got out of school yesterday for the summer . I am the meanest mom in the world because I won't let my children swim during thunder and lightning storms. All blessings- even good weather and yes, even college graduation- will come with time.
We moved about two months ago. We could deal with vandalism to our car. We could deal with gang fights and our car being stolen. But when someone was shot and killed across the street from our house, we knew we had to move. We had to downsize and it was difficult. We found a cute, three-bedroom apartment that we call home, and probably will for at least a few years.
John didn't pass one of his classes last semester by 3/4 of a percentage point. The course is not offered during the summer (figures), and he can't continue on with nursing classes until that one class is completed. Right now he is attacking some prerequisite courses for his Bachelor's degree. We are mostly disappointed because this means he will not graduate until next May. Another whole year! Ugh. But John is not giving up. He didn't get depressed, and he didn't feel sorry for himself. Instead of allowing self pity, he took me out to dinner and we decided together what to do next. Even the tortoise finished the race, and so will John. I am proud of him.
I am still working, but now I am on "the floor" at work (good). The one disadvantage to working solely as a phlebotomist: my feet hurt! I work long hours, but currently only 3 days a week. My schedule changes as John's school schedule changes. Our goal is to never leave the children at home alone. My boss is fantastic about working with my schedule- but still, I'd rather be home!
The kids are doing well- they just got out of school yesterday for the summer . I am the meanest mom in the world because I won't let my children swim during thunder and lightning storms. All blessings- even good weather and yes, even college graduation- will come with time.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Whiskers and Secrets
I am "certified" at work, meaning I am no longer in training. The work has become routine, and I have memorized the long list of medical questions I am required to ask each donor. I have found my mind wondering (bored) as I run through questions I ask 50 times a day. Twice now, this has gotten me into trouble. Let me explain.
Last week, I was interviewing a rather masculine woman. As I was going through the routine, the thought occurred to me that maybe "she" wasn't really a woman. She had broad shoulders, a wide nose, and hairy arms. Her hair was a fake yellow-ey blond, styled in a 70's fashion that reminded me of that old TV show, Bosom Buddies. I was looking intently at her chin, trying to find whiskers that might give away her *true* identity. I was telling her to grab an AIDS bulletin in the wire basket to the right of the sign in sheet. What came out of my mouth? "Make sure you grab an AIDS bulletin out of the WHISKER basket." She looked at me funny, but didn't say anything. I was talking fast, so I just "got past the moment." Ugh!
Just today, I experienced another horrifying throw-up of words. I was going through a list of medications to make sure the donor hasn't taken anything that might defer him from donating. As I was going through the list, my mind was wondering. I was thinking about my cousin in California. She is trying to get into Nursing School. In CA, they follow a lottery system. She said it can take up to three years for a name to be picked. I was thinking I should tell her to read the book "The Secret," a book about positive thinking and how we attract what we believe. So there I was, listing the medications. "At any time, have you taken blah, blah,... Tegison... Soriatane... SECRETS?" The donor looked at me funny. "Secrets?" Oh, boy. Here we go again!
Last week, I was interviewing a rather masculine woman. As I was going through the routine, the thought occurred to me that maybe "she" wasn't really a woman. She had broad shoulders, a wide nose, and hairy arms. Her hair was a fake yellow-ey blond, styled in a 70's fashion that reminded me of that old TV show, Bosom Buddies. I was looking intently at her chin, trying to find whiskers that might give away her *true* identity. I was telling her to grab an AIDS bulletin in the wire basket to the right of the sign in sheet. What came out of my mouth? "Make sure you grab an AIDS bulletin out of the WHISKER basket." She looked at me funny, but didn't say anything. I was talking fast, so I just "got past the moment." Ugh!
Just today, I experienced another horrifying throw-up of words. I was going through a list of medications to make sure the donor hasn't taken anything that might defer him from donating. As I was going through the list, my mind was wondering. I was thinking about my cousin in California. She is trying to get into Nursing School. In CA, they follow a lottery system. She said it can take up to three years for a name to be picked. I was thinking I should tell her to read the book "The Secret," a book about positive thinking and how we attract what we believe. So there I was, listing the medications. "At any time, have you taken blah, blah,... Tegison... Soriatane... SECRETS?" The donor looked at me funny. "Secrets?" Oh, boy. Here we go again!
Monday, January 12, 2009
It Doesn't Hurt to Ask
I have been frustrated with the state of my home since I have been working full time. At first, John really pitched in. For a week, the house was spotless. But slowly, slowly the novelty of being Mr. Mom wore off. Our house has collapsed from the inside out. We are officially living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). See www.flylady.net for more info on that! Anyway- I haven't been cooking dinner, haven't had time for laundry, and I've been too tired to come home and clean after I've worked a 10-hour shift.
I came up with the perfect "ideal" full-time schedule for me. I would love to work from 9-3, six days a week. That way I can be home in the morning to take the kids to school, work while they are in school, and be home in the afternoon to pick them up from school. I would be GONE during lazy Saturday mornings when obnoxious cartoons are blasting from the television. It would be ideal because I would be home to cook dinner at night, and with the same schedule every day, routines for cleaning, etc. would be possible. I told John my "daydream," and he said I should talk to my boss about it; that it wouldn't hurt to ask. I thought to myself, "John just doesn't get it- we have to work 10 hour shifts; that is the way it is set up."
Well, when I was at work today I visited the manager over scheduling and asked him how open he was to a somewhat unconventional schedule. He said, "That depends on what it is." I told him my idea. His response? "Sounds good. We'll start you on that schedule next Monday." John was right. It doesn't hurt to ask!
I came up with the perfect "ideal" full-time schedule for me. I would love to work from 9-3, six days a week. That way I can be home in the morning to take the kids to school, work while they are in school, and be home in the afternoon to pick them up from school. I would be GONE during lazy Saturday mornings when obnoxious cartoons are blasting from the television. It would be ideal because I would be home to cook dinner at night, and with the same schedule every day, routines for cleaning, etc. would be possible. I told John my "daydream," and he said I should talk to my boss about it; that it wouldn't hurt to ask. I thought to myself, "John just doesn't get it- we have to work 10 hour shifts; that is the way it is set up."
Well, when I was at work today I visited the manager over scheduling and asked him how open he was to a somewhat unconventional schedule. He said, "That depends on what it is." I told him my idea. His response? "Sounds good. We'll start you on that schedule next Monday." John was right. It doesn't hurt to ask!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Lazy Sunday
I was cold, cold, cold today. I complained to John and the kids that I was miserable, and they took care of me. Believe it or not, I actually fell asleep like this!
Friday, January 2, 2009
We had a great Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve with John's parents and Christmas Day home alone as a family. John and I both had the day after Christmas off work, and we lazed about in our pajamas all day. I never once looked in a mirror or at the clock. It was wonderful!
It snowed all day both on Christmas and the day after. It was magic to be warm and toasty inside and to watch snow accumulate, knowing that for this one storm we didn't have to even think about shoveling.
I have been vacillating back and forth for a while now: To create a blog, or not to create. I have been content to lurk silently (and often) in the blogs of others, and I'm not entirely sure I want to publish my own comings and goings to the world.
The kicker? John informed me he doesn't want to move out of state after he graduates. I had dreams of adventures in Colorado, or of moving back to Seattle...I am still coming to grips with the fact that I will be a "U-tard" all my life. John's reasoning is sound, though, for wanting to stay. He wants to remain close to extended family. He wants our children to see that family is the most important thing in the world. He misses dinners with the cousins and enjoys Sunday dinners with my side of the family. He loves playing pool with his dad, and doesn't want to give that up. So, because I love John-- and because, believe it or not, he can be more stubborn than me--we are in Utah to stay.
That brings me back to the creation of a blog. We are SO busy right now, it is nearly impossible to stay connected to those we love. I feel like I still "know" a few cousins because of their blogs. Maybe it is time for you to become reacquainted with me!
The kicker? John informed me he doesn't want to move out of state after he graduates. I had dreams of adventures in Colorado, or of moving back to Seattle...I am still coming to grips with the fact that I will be a "U-tard" all my life. John's reasoning is sound, though, for wanting to stay. He wants to remain close to extended family. He wants our children to see that family is the most important thing in the world. He misses dinners with the cousins and enjoys Sunday dinners with my side of the family. He loves playing pool with his dad, and doesn't want to give that up. So, because I love John-- and because, believe it or not, he can be more stubborn than me--we are in Utah to stay.
That brings me back to the creation of a blog. We are SO busy right now, it is nearly impossible to stay connected to those we love. I feel like I still "know" a few cousins because of their blogs. Maybe it is time for you to become reacquainted with me!
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