Friday, March 6, 2015

I Wrote This in 20 Minutes. TToT #90

It is astounding what one change in the routine can do!

And I'm not even talking about Nephew being here. That was nothing.

The car in which the teen who takes our teens to high school broke down.

And it took three days for it to get fixed.

What happens when the high school kids don't have a ride?

I have to get myself and Cuckoo out the door to take them at 6:30 am.

You know what I normally do from 6:30-8:30, when I normally leave to take Cuckoo to preschool?

Feed and water chickens, shower and get ready, read blogs and FB while eating breakfast, get a load or two of laundry done, make my bed and tidy my room, write my to-do list and gather the things I need to do those to-do items, clean up the kitchen from breakfast, cuddle with Cuckoo when he naturally gets up.

All of those things had to either get done before 6:30 or not get done at all.

For three days.

And to top it off, there were odd practice times and a preschool open house and a birthday dinner and a night when Bryan wasn't going to get home until 10:30, so I was running around even more than usual in the afternoons and evenings.

But really, who isn't busy and who wants to read a blog full of complaints about how busy the blogger is?

NO ONE!

So, I'll just get right into the point of this whole post.

The Thankfuls:


1. I am SOOOOOOO ridiculously, gloriously thankful that the teen's car didn't break down last week when I was taking care of the almost two-year old nephew. That would have broken me into teeny tiny microscopic pieces.

2. I didn't have to take the kids to school on Friday, and Cuckoo doesn't have school either. We got to stay home all morning to play some games and get some cleaning done.

3. On Saturday last week, the kids and I spent a lot of time getting their rooms clean. And I mean behind the bed, under the bed, pull out the dressers to clean behind them, get that crap out of it's hiding place in the closet kind of clean. I now go stand in the big boys' room and just smile. It's been my happy place this week.

4. I failed to add this into last week's list, seeing as how the cats and Nephew had my brain all befuddled. We had white chili for dinner, which always makes me think of my best friend ever. As I put the ingredients in the crock pot, I gave her a call. She happened to be home, and we had a lovely, long chat.

5. With the driving of the kids to school this week, Cuckoo and I had an hour and a half between their school start and his. We went out to breakfast each day, and one of them was with a good friend of mine.

6. Bryan received the best news possible at work. It means we won't have to make a horribly difficult decision about his job, and for that we are both relieved.

7. Both of the cats have been spotted! Once (if) the weather warms up and we can be outside more, we're hoping to see them more. Eventually, we hope they will learn to trust us and let us hold them/give them flea meds/take them to the vet.

8. I have gotten some very helpful ideas for my A-Z Challenge idea, but I could always use more! Give me some problems you are having with your kids/teens and I'll see if I can come up with ideas to help you with them. Or, some of my readers who have been there/done that will be able to help. I'm looking for ideas to ease parenting troubles just as much as I want to help other parents.

9. Birds have been chirping. I've seen rabbits and squirrels in my yard. Snow has been melting, causing our usual spring mud and flood. It is March and Spring is Coming!

10. Buttercup had her 15th birthday on Wednesday. I just love that girl to pieces.

So, how has your week gone? What big or little things do you want to say thank you for?

Link 'em up!

Don't forget to change your clocks!

And have a lovely day!


Ten Things of Thankful


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49 comments:

  1. Happy birthday buttercup!!!! Whew... having kids is like doing a whole days work before7am! I love your a to z theme!

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    1. Thank you. I'll give her your birthday message.

      I'm glad you like it. The closer it gets to April, the more worried I am about it. :)

      Delete
    2. HEY JUSt realized I didnt say FRIST! I am gonna do the a to z also but I still have to choose a theme... I may do the same thing as last year.who knows?

      Delete
  2. Ahhhhh SO MANY HAPPY THINGS HERE.

    Happy Birthday Buttercup.

    YAY to your breakfasts and phonecalls with your best friend, and not having to make a tough decision.

    Still think you should write a 'How to Life' manual. You'd be a best-seller, I'm convinced :)

    (also, THIS in 20 minutes, and all that stuff before 8.30? You are AMAZING)

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    1. I will pass along the birthday message!

      There were a lot of happy things. That's why I could write it in 20 minutes!

      Maybe I'll write it and give the only copy to you. ;P

      Nope. Not atall. Just doing what needs to be done.

      Delete
  3. I'm with you on how busy you've been recently - I've been the same with work, one cleaner less at one place so rushed off my feet every day and hardly a minute to myself.

    Glad you've seen the cats, I hope they eventually get used to you and learn to trust you.

    And a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Buttercup :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Ooh, I bet you're busy with one person down. Hope he/she gets back to work soon.

      I am not going to count on the cats getting used to us, but it will be nice if they do.

      I'll tell her!

      Delete
  4. Happy birthday to Buttercup.
    Thanks for the reminder about the clock. I dreamed last night that I had forgotten to set the clocks ahead, and woke up only 20 minutes before church started.
    I hope you wore your Wonder Woman cape this week. If you don't have one, you should!

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    1. I'll let her know you said so!
      We have actually done that. Don't put it past us doing it again someday. :)
      I do not have one! I'll put it one my Christmas list.

      Delete
  5. Happy Belated Birthday Buttercup!
    It sounds as if things worked out in the end so-o- I'm taking this as an endorsement of shaking up routine! But maybe next time you choose how to mix it up. lol
    #6 sounds like a big one. Glad circumstances worked in your favor:)
    TURN THE CLOCKS BACK. My favorite 4 words!

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    1. I'll tell her you said so!

      I don't mind routine getting shaken up, but I'd prefer it doesn't shake until after 8:00. :)

      It was a big one, and we couldn't be happier with the way it worked out.

      Hate to burst your bubble, but we're turning the clocks forward. Spring forward. We're losing an hour. :(

      Delete
  6. I think I gave you all my ideas. How about stubborn kids who are also picky eaters? You read my description, I believe? Sometimes I say, "Guess what? Your mama's even more stubborn than you, and you will not win." But I have to admit that sometimes he does.
    Spring is coming! This snowstorm might be our last! Highs in the 50s this week! Time to look at our seed stores! Happy Birthday, Buttercup!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I'm pretty sure most people on the planet are stubborn, just to different degrees and different situations. And really, in the stubborn game, no one wins, regardless of who gets what he wants.

      It is gorgeous outside today! As soon as everyone is finished with lunch, we're heading outside. Spring is here for today at least!

      I will give Buttercup the message. :)

      Delete
  7. Happy birthday to the beautiful Buttercup! She's a peach!
    You get a lot done from 6:30 to 8:30. I really am a sloth.
    I spent one of our snow days cleaning the downstairs. I got 80% of it done and have threatened bodily injury to anyone who messes it up.
    Glad your kitties are still there!

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    1. I will tell her. :)

      I don't have much choice. Some things just have to happen.

      No kidding. It's so frustrating to see all the hard work of cleaning go down the filthy drain bit by messy child bit.

      Me, too. :)

      Delete
  8. Christine, so glad to hear that you and Bryan didn't have to make a tough decision about his job. That's really a relief. And it always warms me to see you connecting with the kids so well! A wonder mum you are!

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    1. It was a huge relief for both of us about the job.

      Aw, thanks Michelle. :)

      Delete
  9. Adding on, here's a wonderful b'day to Buttercup!!

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  10. HB to Buttercup (aiyee! to be celebrating a birthday that is less than one of my shorter term forms of employment!)

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    1. I'll let her know!

      Wow. I've never had a job (besides mom) longer than a couple of years.

      Delete
  11. Happy Birthday to Buttercup! It sounds like a hectic but good week. I bet whatever news your hubby got at work was a huge relief to both of you. And for that matter, deep cleaning is also a relief when it's done. I can't wait to do some myself when I am completely recovered. Our snow is also melting here at the Jersey Shore and we have robins hopping around on the snow-less patches of grass. Yay Spring!

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    1. Thank you! I'll pass along the message.

      When I had my surgery, it actually felt good to get some cleaning done on my own. (We did get a cleaning person to come in during my recovery from both the injury and the surgery. They kids were doing enough around here with the babysitting and cooking and all, so we hired someone and gave them a break.) I'm over it now, though. I'd be happy to have a cleaning person again. :)

      Yay Spring!

      Delete
  12. ♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
    ♪♪Happy Birthday to you,♪♪
    ♪♪Happy Birthday Dear Buttercup,♪♪
    ♪♪Happy Birthday to you.♪♪

    Sounds like shuttling the kids around put a huge dent in your usual schedule. I'm glad the vehicle is back on the road.

    We are currently on our boat and having a very relaxing weekend. That's what I'm thankful for.

    Have a fabulous day. :)

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    1. I shall sing your message for her. :)

      It was a huge dent, but thankfully it was only temporary.

      That sounds lovely. Enjoy!

      Delete
  13. Signs of spring are happening all of a sudden here too. It was like overnight we had butterflies.
    AH the clock...I don't really notice because all of our clocks automatically switch...except the car clock and that normally takes me a few days to get around to.

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    1. Ah, lucky you. We have the kitchen and bedroom clocks. I'm guessing the kids' clocks won't ever get changed, but will remain an hour off until we change again in the fall. :)

      Delete
  14. happy birthday to your little girl - hope she has a wonderful day ! it actually took me 2 days to read this yesterday at my lunch break - last night in bed; must have fell asleep and now (determined) - hooray - Woohoo to clean rooms doing the same over here today!!!! Great 10's and although busy we can do this- get things done and see the thankfuls! :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you! She has had some nice celebrating.

      Thanks for sticking with the post. :)

      I saw that you and the kids were getting a ton of cleaning done. It feels great to have it clean, doesn't it?

      Exactly!

      Delete
  15. Yeah- I totally get the complaining of life's UNENDING 'stuff' that puts us in a whirlwind... I'm THERE!!! But I love your thankfuls- looks like many of them are HUGE!!!! Cleaning rooms? The biggest, along with Buttercup's birthday and the job news!!

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    1. Nothing relaxes me more than a clean room.

      There were some big thankfuls this week!

      Delete
  16. A great week. Looks like you made lemonade out of that awful 6:30 up and out time. Happy Birthday to your lovely daughter. I personally hate cleaning, except for that moment when it is all finished and you can step back and feel satisfaction.

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    1. I do hate to have to take the kids to school, but the pain of it is eased by breakfast with my friend. for sure.

      I will pass the birthday message along!

      I actually like cleaning things that are really dirty. The more disorganized and filthy, the more I like it. Such a feeling of accomplishment!

      Delete
  17. Happy Birthday to your wonderful daughter!!! Phone calls with good friends we don't see or talk to often is always wonderful, I'm glad you got the chance this week!! I can't even imagine getting 6!!! kids ready and in the car before 6:30. I'm happy that Violet has a drop-off period that spans 30 minutes, so it doesn't matter if we get out the door a few minutes later in the morning some days, and I'm glad that Lily walks to school by herself, so I just need to make sure she's getting out the door on time, and not actually be ready to leave the house myself! You are my hero!! Good news from work is always wonderful, congrats, whatever it may be!! Enjoy this coming week, Christine & Family!!

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    1. Thanks! I'll let her know!

      It was wonderful to talk with Amy. It doesn't happen enough.

      Fortunately, the four oldest kids can get themselves ready. And Cuckoo wants to prove that he is ready for kindergarten, so he got ready without any fuss at all those three days. They made my life a bit easier.

      Oh, to live close enough to have kids walk. Or a bus. Catholic schools don't have bus service, so...6:30 it is!

      Thank you!

      Delete
  18. Spring mud flood - bring it bitches.
    Happy birthday buttercup. 15 - wow. My niece turned 17 and I remember when she was just itty bitty walking down the aisle as my flower girl...sniff...
    I like #6 - work stuff makes me horribly anxious. I'm thankful that you don't have to make any crazy decisions either. I bet that's a load off of your chest.
    I hope that you can slow down a bit this week ... hahaha your a mom.... hahha...that never happens.

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    1. No joke. I welcome the mud pit our front yard and driveway have become!

      It is astounding that she is that old.

      The job situation couldn't have turned out better. We were quite anxious about what we were going to have to do. a HUGE relief.

      It won't be a slow week, but hopefully it will be able to have a more relaxed start. :)

      Delete
  19. Happy belated 15th to Buttercup!!! Wow...you're old! ;)

    You are obviously a morning person. I...am not. Your list made me tired. I think I'll go have a nap before I have to make R's lunch.

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    1. Thanks! (Well aware. Thanks. ;) )

      I wouldn't say I'm a morning person. Well, maybe. I've never in my life been able to sleep in. I WANT to, but my eyes just won't stay closed!

      Delete
  20. I had to laugh at the clean rooms being your happy place. The hubs cleaned the garage yesterday....it was BAD...you couldn't even walk through there. But he worked for hours on it and the result is so glorious I keep going in there. hahaha

    Happy birthday to your sweet girl! Wow. 15.
    and supah dupah yay to good news!

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    1. It's true! Nothing calms me like a clean, organized room.

      Thank you!

      A gigantic YAY!

      Delete
  21. I have 3 kids ages 11-15. All three of them struggle with social anxiety. They take after Dad. Any advice is appreciated.

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    1. I will put that down for S. I have two boys who have struggled with it, too. I hate to see them miss out on things because of it. I've really had to figure it out, since I am the complete opposite. There's not a fiber of social anxiety in my body.

      Delete
  22. Happy birthday to Buttercup and to you, Mom of Buttercup!
    There is nothing quite like a good solid cleaning of the things that hide everywhere. I'm gearing up for one of those about now.
    I am always amazed at how you manage to hang in there and handle life so calmly in the face of craziness. I so admire your calm.
    I am also impressed by your A to Z thing - and anybody else who does it. I do not think I could hang every day for an entire month.

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  23. I always enjoy reading the adventures of your family! You're in the BEST years! (really, you are.) :-)

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