What I Learned This Week - Julie's First Week!

First, lets all give a warm "Hello!" to Julie of From Inmates to Playmates. She is taking over What I Learned This Week, and it's her first week in charge! You rock Julie!!!

So many things are learned each week, so many things that may or may not make an impact in each of our lives. There are things that we wish we could forget, and things that we want to imprint in our minds forever.

Realizing that someone you love is in pain, not something fun to learn. But also learning that your daughter is so excited to try something new is a huge thing too.

This week saw us marveling at the joy that Koda has brought to our lives, but also realizing that so many things have to change in order for our family to work. We have started retraining him, and that is an everyday battle. He has gotten better, and so have we. Our evening are not so tense anymore.

We also spent a great deal of time figuring our our families NEEDS over WANTS. I WANT a new stove, but it isn't something that we NEED (right now at least). As long as mine is still kicking we are good to go. We NEED to finish the basement bathroom before our roomie moves in in 4 weeks but WANT to redo the entire basement walls and ceiling (it is bad...you have no idea).

That last one was the hardest lesson of all. Knowing that our WANTS are many, but our NEEDS are few it not something that anyone wants to admit. While we NEED to paint the kitchen, we don't NEED to paint the living room (even thought now I WANT too). We are trying to teach the kids the difference between the two, and by showing them that we know the difference makes a big step in that direction.

Head on over to From Inmates to Playdates for more What I Learned This Week posts!

What I Learned This Week

Today is a good day, I woke up and have gotten a ton done. All that is left is taking out the trash and going to work. Today is also Koda's birthday! He is 1!!

Did you know there are websites just for Dog Birthday Cakes? Who knew! We are not doing that, but I am going to get him a special treat at some point today.

Making a shelf out of a skateboard is SO MUCH easier than I thought it would be, and I did it myself! That is a HUGE accomplishment if I do say so. Plus, it looks REALLY cool.

When a certain 13 year old forgets to bring his glasses he will show me that he can bowl just fine, even though he will complain when he misses a shot. Drives me nuts.

Spending an afternoon going from one thrift store to another is my idea of heaven, the kids...not so much. But we found what we needed, including 6 9x9 cake pans! Woohoo!!!

Spring has sprung, and one of my Lilies is already starting to come in. No tulips yet though...

I have two weeks until I fly out to Philly/New Jersey, and my nerves are in over drive. I must find my Dramamine... The nerves probably have NOTHING to do with the fact that I will be meeting three bloggers in Philly...nope nothing at all.

For more What I Learned This Week posts head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned This Week

Oh man...the weekend FLEW by. We had so much going on, so many exciting things, that I didn't hardly sit in front of my computer all weekend.

It was heavenly.

I learned simple things this weekend. The joy's that we experienced are so special, so monumental. We had the weekend of family, friends and the BEST weather since last fall.

My nephew spent the night on Saturday for the first time since he was about 4 months old. We had a blast. EC and "Bobby" (his "bear") were the hit of my niece's birthday party. He snuggled up with Boo after to watch Monster's Inc, and I realized how much I have missed the belly laugh of a little one.

So much.

I also realized how much I loved watching said little ones fall asleep. The almost asleep look and then the eyes popping back open - FABULOUS. I could have snuggled him all night long. He was such a good boy, as always...right SIL??? lol

Friday night was spent putting together the invites for Lia's wedding. I can't wait for her to be married, and having any sort of part of it makes me giddy each day. Her bridal shower is creeping up, I really need to get on that...really.

I apartment hunted with one of my best friends this weekend. After 8 years of living south of us, she is moving back to "the cities". I am so excited for this, and can't wait. She found the apartment that she wanted, but has to wait a bit longer to move in...so she is moving in here. Before I met hubby we had talked about moving in together, and now it is happening in a sort of way...I can't wait.

I did realize that while looking at apartments with her that I love my house, love having space and love having somewhere that I can call my own. I wouldn't want to go back...at all.

Oh, and letting the dog run through the mud and gunk yesterday was fabulous...until we realized that we had to give him a bath because the groomers was closed. Not fun, but a little funny. We were all in shorts or swim suits and the bathroom was FLOODED by the time we were done. Koda...not so much a fan.

See, some simple yet big lessons. At least to me.

For more What I Learned This Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned This Week

I am fighting a cold, and I think I just might be losing this battle. Ugh! This week was jam packed to the hilt! We had so much going on, and it will now only get worse.

- Sleeping in the hospital is not fun, it is even worse sleeping right next to the PICU. Whoever planned that made a HUGE mistake. Not good sleep for me!

- Hubby's hours are changing at work, sleeping in the same bed 7 days a week after almost 4 years of not is going to be interesting.

- Finding out that your "home away from home" of your youth is closing is heartbreaking. Finding out that a HUGE PARTY is in the works helps a bit...just a little.

- I signed my LIFE away to our Fastpitch association on Thursday…let it begin.

- Ball players have to wear masks on the front of their helmets now…that's dumb. I get the safety of it but duck faster! I only broke my nose once…

- Catchers need to learn to catch the correct way, not with what I like to call "wussy pads" on the back of their knees.

- I am not a fan of all the changes in softbal, but one thing hasn't changed. I saw a shirt that I had as a kid on a teen "Friends don't let friends play slowpitch". Made my day.

- Yes, if Boo likes to play ball I will be one of THOSE moms. Just like MY mom. I can't wait.

- On Friday I met with two different principals from two different schools. I am now more confused about what to do with Boo. It will work out, but man it stinks.

For more What I Learned This Week posts head on over to Musings of a Housewife!

*I will write about Boo's sleep study this week, after we have our next appointment. Thanks for all your fabulous support!*

What I Learned This Week

We spent the weekend at the cabin snowmobiling, well my kids and Hubby did. I sat and read and worked on my knitting project most of the time. That is FINE with me.

- An 8 year old will surprise everyone by being able to hold onto the back of the sled even when the trails are very bumpy. This.is.huge!

- A 13 year old will abandon ship when he is done driving and forgets there is a brake. Talk about the best story ever.

- A LCD book light does not cause a glare on the windshield of a car. Thank goodness for that!

- Booking a flight to the east coast for a baby shower will be fun, flying alone without hubby...a bit freaky. I apologize to whomever I sit by up front. So sorry.

- Dramamine will become my best friend again, for sure.

- I have heard it said over the blogosphere a lot the past few weeks, but I must add my two cents. Pink Eye Sucks.

- Koda had a great time at the kennel while we were gone, so much so that he still is exhausted and not back to normal yet. Must get him around more dogs, he sleeps better!

- Being in charge is not fun, and I have had enough. Seriously, someone else want to take over now? We have some hard choices to make in the coming weeks and my brain is fried already.

For more What I Learned This Week posts head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned This Week - Clothes DO Fit My Kids...Who Knew!

This week was...different. We were computer-less for almost the entire week, and that was a learning experience in itself. E-mails piled up, posts didn't get written or read. It was interesting. Hubby asked me what I ever did before we had a computer...read. But I still do that, so that's not new at all.

But, that is not the big lesson.

Clothes DO fit my kids, who knew!

For Christmas Big Sis found the wonderful store, PS Aeropostale. It was new at the Mall, and I hadn't been there (I hide from the mall really), hadn't even heard of it before then. But she loved the store and they had some freaking good prices, even without the Pre-Christmas sales.

I was not convinced yet. With my skinny-rail-thin children it is not easy to find clothes that actually fit. There are really only two stores that fit Boo, and one that fits Hunter.

Christmas came, they got their clothes and Boo fell in LOVE with her thermal t-shirt.

Hunter finally tried on his clothes last weekend and his jeans...oh my lanta they are FABULOUS! He needed the adjustable waist, but he didn't disappear inside his jeans, like he normally does.

I did a happy dance, he walked away.

So, fast forward to last week when we are getting ready for Boo's slumber party. A friend called asking what size Boo was in, as she is LOVING clothes right now. She told me "I found this great store!". Guess what it was...

PS Aeropostale!

She got Boo this hoody, with the matching pants and fuzzy socks! Boo LOVES fuzzy socks.

Boo was in hog heaven.

And the pants...don't hardly need to be tightened with the draw string!

They do make clothes that fit my kids! I will be a huge shopper there now, for both of them!

And, here is another big thing...their prices (even after Christmas) are wonderful! They don't wait until the end of the season to put things on sale. New arrivals, on sale already. And by sale I mean SALE!

You can get their store e-mails, they are on facebook AND Twitter. They know how to reach their customers.

Hey, FCC man...I was not compensated in any way for this, I just LOVE the store! Kthxby

For more What I Learned This Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife!

What I Learned This Week

Go here for last weeks post, as I didn't READ what Jo-Lynne had written and went ahead anyway!

Like I said yesterday, the week was MADNESS! It was wonderful, happy and pretty close to perfect, but MADNESS!

- If you go to the zoo for a event, make sure you are prepared with snacks. Man alive I forget how expensive zoo-food can be!

- When eating said zoo-food make sure your nephew remembers where his mouth is. In the event he does not he will end up with chocolate by his EYE and cheese all down the front of himself. It did make for some hysterical laughter and wonderful retelling.

A few times.

- Never tell your daughter that you are downloading a soundtrack for her. She will HOUND you until it is done then get mad when you don't burn it onto a disk THAT INSTANT. Patience child.

- Renewing my library card is wonderful. I have 13 books set up for holds and I keep adding more. I should slow down since I don't read quite as much lately. Eh...

- The day the Glee comes out on DVD, it will take 4 different trips to Target to find a store that has it in stock. Not pleased about that. It was Thursday before I finally got my copy.

- We are NOT shopping this week...at all. While we aren't eating out of our pantry like I would LOVE to do, we are trying to cut the food costs a bit. We have a bunch of meat in our freezer that we are working through, and when I say a ton I mean a whole bunch. We are having something different each night...seriously. No repeats of meat.

- Going an entire week without doing a single load of laundry is NOT a good idea. Just saying.

- Same with cleaning. Nastiness

- Knowing it is a new year, a new decade and time for new changes makes me excited and nervous at the same time.

For more What I Learned This Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned This Week

Christmas is over, it is almost New Years. I can hardly believe that 2009 is almost over, and that 2010 is right around the corner! Boo and I will have a quiet New Years at home this year, and that is perfect for us!

There has been so much going on, that I didn't keep a list this time around...so let's wing it! There have been a lot of lessons, some not that great.

- Three Christmas's Three days in a row is a lot...almost to much. By Sunday we were wiped and ready to do almost nothing. We really need to spread things out here!

- Some children are not gracious...and that drives me crazy.

- Saving a gift card for a special purchase it killer! Target is calling my name and I must resist until tomorrow. I can't wait!

- Watching someone open a gift that you picked out with love, that you know they will "squeeeeee" about it fabulous. I smiled for hours.

- My children are so loved. It blows me away every time.

- My favorite line from Glee is still "Are you singing to a Sonogram?". Cracks me up.

- Kohl's has the best sales. I got 7 sweaters and a long sleeve shirt for $59. I saved $164!!! I LOVE IT!

- Our first Christmas with Koda was success! We made sure we weren't gone over 6 hours at a time, he only ate a small amount of wrapping paper and was pretty well behaved overall! I was worried for a while.

- I got this book for Christmas, and I can't wait to have a cooking day. I have been envious of the bloggers that have been able to do it, it's my turn!

- Renewing my library card today was the best part of my day. It was fabulous, and now I have books!

- Boo is in bed wearing her Vikings jersey...she is die hard.

For more What I Learned This Week head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned This Week

The past two weeks have been filled to the brim, with a quieter weekend this past one. Between Boo having the stomach bug, Hubby and I passing a nasty cold bug back and forth and Hunter ROCKING his bowling tournament there has been little time. BUT, lots to learn!

- When your son is bowling in a tournament, you will need to hide behind your husband when said son gets 4 strikes in a row. Holding your breathe is not enough.

- Having a cold that will knock you over is not fun, but having it at the same time as your husband makes for some hilarious conversations!

Me: honey...honey..HONEY
H: What?
Me: Can you get this for me?
H : What?
Me: CAN YOU GET THIS FOR ME?
H: mumble mumble mumble
Me: WHAT?
H: mumble mumble mumble
Me: WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU
H: Here you go shorty

Hilarious I tell you! Hearing is so overrated!

- It is possible for a child that weighs a total of 58 pounds to throw up 22 time in 8 hours...important information...or just plain nasty which ever way you want to look at it.

- When said child does this, a trip to the local Children's Hospital will be in order and they will take ONE look at your child and bring you back right away.

- An IV is NOT a needle once it is in your hand, but a straw that your "veins drink from"

- Child Life Specialist are FABULOUS!

- Pandora is the best thing ever...EVER

- The chance of major snow is fun, but could cause some MAJOR problems over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...planning for the possibilities makes my head hurt.

- Even though I said I would wrap presents last night, it didn't happen. And I am not surprised.

- When your dog eats half a tray of hand-made truffles your head might explode because you have to remake them for co-workers who will LOVE them!

- Trying to figure out why my blog layout is all jacked up is driving me nuts.

For more What I Learned This Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife!

What I Learned This Week

This was a quiet week on the learning front, at least at home. With Open Enrollment in full swing, by the time I get home I am exhausted and just wanting to crawl into bed. I haven't been keeping track like I normally do, so wing it I shall!

- When dealing with a dog product company on the east coast, it is best to call them as soon as they open. Otherwise you might end up sitting on hold for 20 minutes. Not the best way to spend my day.

- When traveling with three small children, bring more than the movies for in the car than you think you will need, we needed at least 3 more. Selection is key!

- When traveling with a sleep walking child, don't laugh when they can't get out of the bedroom you have trapped them in. It's funny, but mean.

- Lemon juice is a great deterrent for a dog whose training collar stopped working AGAIN.

- Sleeping only 5 hours than driving home 7 hours is not a good idea...just saying.

- Wisconsin is in fact the drive-through state. We played the licence plate game and say 27 states and 3 Providences. It was great. And by "we" I mean me and M...not the kids.

- When getting excited about a blogger event in MN, don't do a happy dance that causes you to almost fall over. You pain-riddled knee will thank you.

- Finding jeans that actually fit your skinny waisted 7 year old is not easy, but when you pool your resources and compare stores with a friend you find new tricks! I heart Justice Jeans! They don't have an adjustable waist-band, but Boo doesn't need a belt either! Woohoo Victory!

For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned this Week

This week has been crazy busy, and I didn't post last week so there is some catching up to do.

- On Black Friday, go into it being patient and with low expectations. It helps.

- Know that Boo's foot will not be broken, that the Urgent Care doctor TOTALLY freaked you out for no reason. It will however have two inflamed ligaments and one strained tendon. This can hurt worse than a broken bone.

- Hearing out of the left ear if over-rated.

- Men are worse than children when they are sick. Just saying...

- A puppy can in fact hit 72.5 pounds by 8 months. Who knew!

- The same puppy can weight 72.5 pounds and have the least amount of fat on him that the vet has ever seen. He is just a BIG BOY, and super cute.

- When someone tells me "You made me feel so much better" after they read this post, it makes me day. No week.

- Someone played NeedtoBreathe for me, and now I can't stop listening. It is fabulous.

- Waiting two weeks for Boo's sleep consult has been torture! Now it is just two days!!

- You can, in fact hear a child rolling their eyes from across the room, it is such a strange wonderful gift.

- I said this on Facebook tonight, but it is worth repeating...I have a love hate relationship with Open Enrollment. Today it is hate. Go here to see what it is all about.

- We are three months into the school year, and I still don't think I like Boo's teacher. She just isn't very personable.

For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned this Week

I am a day behind on this, but still wanted to link up with Musings of a Housewife's What I Learned This Week party. So, let's begin shall we!

- Know what's worse than a sleep walking Boo...a SASSY ATTITUDE filled sleep walking Boo. I laughed, because it is sort of funny.

- Trying to clean your house, while you husband is framing in your bathroom, the kids are "helping" and the dog is running around like a crazy person doesn't really work.

- The grocery store is REALLY quiet at 1 am on a Saturday.

- If you beg enough, you just might get your name "drawn" for your child's field trip. Just maybe.

- Having the chance to see the play you were in as a child WITH your child, will make you bed, plead and borrow. Just saying...

- A total of 40+ leaf bags is what it took to clean our yard.

- It is not fun having to explain your self over and over and over again.

That's it, it wasn't that big of a week.

Head on over to Musings of a Housewife for more What I Learned This Week posts.

What I Learned this Week

Here we are once again, time for another week of What I Learned this Week. I love doing this, it makes me think about what actually goes on in my life, what I know and what I am seeing along the way.

This week was an emotional one, and it was OH SO filled with life lessons and realizations.

- Sitting down to write out all of Hunter's needs is hard, but thankfully I had two WONDERFUL Twitter friends giving me the best advise (Kim and Erin).

We had the first of three meetings regard Hunter's possible qualification for an IEP, and I was overwhelmed with the need to be very prepared for this one. We would talk about what his problem areas are, and what we wanted them to especially take notice of. It was a hard meeting to sit through, but I had great help preparing. Plus, I only cried once! Score!!

- Spending 2.5 hours in the car with Lia is wonderful every time. Especially when I burn a cd of 90's songs and we bust a move. It was great, my sides hurt from laughing so much. And it carries on, since we keep having a conversation on Twitter in just lyrics...yes we are 12 at times.

- Finding out that Freebies 4 Mom has a freebie for 50 free photo cards was the find of the YEAR! Head over here, I am not even kidding. GO! Christmas cards people! Christmas cards!! I just ordered mine, again with the help of Twitter. They are fabulous!

- I learned this week about "freezer cooking" and am digging to learn more. Cook a ton one day and have food ready to go...I am all for it!

- There is nothing wrong with using layaway when money is tight. I am not ashamed to admit it.

- Shopping for a new baby in the family is the BEST THING EVER. So much fun.

- Doing something good for someone, even if they don't know it at the time is wonderful. Thanks Lia for coming with!

- I saved $50.78 on a $82.60 bill at the grocery store this past week. I did a little dance, I am not ashamed of it.

- I say "Stalking is a crime" to much...Boo is now repeating it. I asked her if she knew what stalking was...she said "A crime mom...like wearing white shoes after Labor Day.". So...no more Legally Blonde the musical is seems...

- On a bye-week the Vikings can gain ground when the Bears AND the Packers loose. It is wonderful. Hopefully they won't break my heart again...

- You can teach a 2 year old to say almost anything, and it will bring tears of laughter to yours eyes. Gotta love an Aunts role!

I am laughing so hard now, thinking about my nephew saying stuff I can't even write anymore.

Head on over to Musings of a Housewife for more What I Learned this Week posts.

What I Learned this Week

We had a strange weekend, but a good one. Lots to get done and no where near enough time. Let's just dive on in, shall we?

- Boo has inherited Ma's shoe obsession. She got these on Saturday and walks around singing "It's Fergalicious", so cute and slightly annoying. Oh, and why don't they come in my size..Fergie has some super cute kid shoes!

- Raking leafs is awful, it sucks, hate it. We bagged 22 bags of leafs this weekend, and that was just in the back. Darn mature trees...

- My new sneakers are NO WHERE near as cute as Boo's, but the are so functional so that works for me. Hello Arch Supports!

- 2 year olds crack me up, they have the best one liners ever! "I'm not crazy...you crazy!". So true...

- Certain people (who shall remain nameless) are VERY excited about the new Disney movie, and can't wait to get all the merchandise...even though they have all boys. (Had to put that link up, she is going to FREAK)

- I am working really hard to use more coupons, to save us more money. It is like a drug, finding the best deal. I spent 45 minutes tonight cutting out coupons, and I'm not even done yet. I can't wait to study the ads, the get the best deals.

- I don't like math homework, and it is very hard to NOT just give her the answer. Took me 20 minutes to figure out how to work through the problem with her, not just tell her. I hate math.

- Trick or Treating is fun with Ma. She doesn't mind when Boo wants to keep going, even though her feet hurt.

For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife!

What I learned this Week

I am waiting to make sure Boo stays alseep tonight, she has done pretty well since last Wednesday. So, since I am up that means I have more time to write, fabulous!

This week was jam packed, and exhausting at the same time. We have had so much going on that I feel like I am constantly moving, not much down time. It gets old, but still very good to have the energy going through the house. So, without further ado...

- Boo's doctor was very concerned about her sleeping, but also very concerned about me. Another reminder why we stay with her, even though another dr is closer.

- Boo's is sleeping, and going to sleep closer to on-time. It is amazing the change in her over this past week. My little girl is back!

- Having an undefeated team lose, when we could have won that game is hard. But knowing that this Sunday's game is going to be tough is even worse. GO VIKES!! Man...I love football.

- The Marketing Mama was on the news again today, she did outstanding (didn't really learn that, but go sign up for her contest anyway! lol).

- It was blogger day on tv today, we were everywhere! It was great to watch (even if on my computer.).

- I downloaded FireFox on my home computer, so Jo-Lynne and Andrea will be proud of me. Haven't had time to mess with it but like it so far (you can say "Told you so" Jo-Lynne and Andrea).

- Chopping off almost 6 inches of hair will throw people for a loop. It's fun to mess with them "Did you get a hair cut...?" "Nope". Makes me laugh everytime.

That's about it, things are moving right along towards Halloween. Do you buy Allergy Safe treats? You should! Here are some of the many reason's why (article also by The Marketing Mama, she was all over the place today!)

For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned this Week

It is time for another week of What I Learned This Week hosted by Musings of a Housewife.

Having been sick, and crabby about being sick, I didn't post last week. So, we will play catch up this time around.

- Koda will take a bite out of the wall, and made a little indent. He is so special.

- Wallpaper put directly onto drywall is not fun to take off. If it wasn't only half the wall that was wallpapered (and the built-ins) I would so rip down the drywall and start over.

- Glee is highly addicting, and not just the show but the music too. I am loving finding the songs each week. Especially the Mash-Ups from last week, fabulous!!

- The New Moon soundtrack listing was released, and I can't stinking wait for it to be released. I am pre-ordering it next week. Just over a month until the movie comes out, so excited! But, when Twilight came out you could download the trailer on itunes, not this time around and that bums me out.

- Koda's behavior collar is acting up, to the point that even the company doesn't know why it is doing what it is. We are just that special I guess.

- Having a short week is wonderful. But when you oversleep on the first day of your two day week it feels like you can't get ahead.

- Watching football with my Hubby, Sister and Brother in Law is really the best way. We always have such a great time, and yelling is (sometimes) kept to a minimum. It is perfect.

- Striving to teach a child a lesson can be somewhat stressful, but more importantly embarrass the heck out of them.

And that's really all I got...

For more What I Learned This Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned this Week - Turning 30 Edition

So...on Sunday I will turn 30.

My friends and family are having a field day with it. But to me it isn't a big deal. It's another birthday, and just in a different set of tens.

But, I thought I would do something fun, something that has been rolling around in my head for a while.

The 30 Things I Learned this Year!

1- House buying is stressful.
2- My daughter is such a good reader that they don't know what to give her for reading groups.
3- Hunter looks really good in a Mohawk!
4- Having a pre-teen is not all it's cracked up to be. Moody, Ornery and just plain difficult come to mind.
5- Finding friends on facebook is a good thing...and a bad.
6- Flowers in the Attic is a cheesy, creepy movie. But I can't turn it off.
7- I love love LOVE my DVR. I don't watch much in real time anymore. LOVE IT!
8- The hard work of going without, cutting corners and living way UNDER our means paid off.
9- Friends can't replace family, no matter what you think.
10- I will have back issue for many years, but it will be okay as long as I do what I am supposed to do.
11- An almost 2 year old's "pouty face" will crack me up every time.
12- That same face on a 7 year old...not so much
13- Having Hunter at our house for 2 months straight was wonderful and hard at the same time.
14- You will NEVER get as much help as you think you want, but getting things done on your own is wonderful too.
15- Nettles are a mean NASTY plant. Just saying.
16- Seeing New Kids on the Block TWICE this year was fabulous, but spending time with Lia was even better.
17- Twitter is addicting. VERY addicting.
18- Blogging can be a wonderful and awful thing at the same time. The no-blogging guilt is torture!
19- I have made so many new bloggy friends this year, it is fun to see how we all evolve.
20- NEVER talk Politics at work, ever. Especially when the company you work for will be affected by any form of health care reform. Just don't.
21- I don't talk Politics on the blog either, because I like my friends. And while some of us are mature enough, there are always people that aren't.
22- Letting go of things/people is hard, but the weight that is lifted is astronomical.
23- Knowing that no matter what, my family is there for me is something I struggled with. Now, I know it for sure.
24- I don't have to give in to please people, I can just be who I need to be.
25- I can't wait to plant Tulips. I LOVE tulips, and want them everywhere!!
26- Hubby and I can grown and can tomatoes, by ourselves. It is so gratifying!
27- They make waterproof casts, and I am VERY jealous that Boo got to have one. I never did...
28 - On a trip to the ER, I found that Boo is calm and rational patient. Her mom sits and reads her book, not worrying. I think that's from to much practice when I was growing up.
29- Having a puppy is one of the best things we have ever done. Koda is such a wonderful part of the family, even when he drives us nuts.
30- I still smile when I say MY HOUSE!! I have a hard time believing it even now. MY House!

For More What I Learned this Week post, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned this Week - The Boo and Me edition

This weekend was a blur, but so fun. Boo and I learned a lot, about each other and life in general.

Did you know that dogs like tomatoes? Well, Koda likes anything, but this weekend he ate an onion, tomato and tried to eat a Habanero pepper ( I got it out of his mouth before he bit down on it)...it was interesting. There were tomato seeds everywhere, I guess he hasn't learned the proper way to eat a tomato yet.

We also figured out that bowling is a dying sport. League started this past Saturday, and there are only 7 lanes of kids, not the normal 12. It is such a great sport, as my old dance teacher called it "very Zen". It takes skill, balance, concentration and athleticism. It is something I hope my kids do for a long time.

Oh, and I CAN make my own tomato sauce. It was great. Well, not great but decent. It needed more spices ( I worried about over seasoning it) and more onion and garlic. But, it did get the nod of approval from Hubby last night.

Having a sore throat and ONLY a sore throat is strange. I have no headache, cough, fever, ear pain, cold symptoms or sinus pressure. Only a sore throat. But is bad enough that today is the first day I have been able to really eat since Sunday. I lost 6 pounds.

Having two days off when you have nothing to do is not really a good thing. I am bored...and my DVR is my best friend. Just saying.

For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I learned this week

This Labor Day was just that, labor. I spent 80% of my day butting heads with Koda (worse than the 12 year old sometimes) or working on Boo's room...which still isn't done.

I learned a lot this weekend, most of which have to do WITH the weekend and a little beyond.

- Painting is hard, but doing what your daughter wants can make it even harder if she wants something completely out of her norm ( I swear I will post pictures when I am done!!).

- Watching your daughter smile everytime she walks into her room to see the progress makes it worth the sore arms, hands and shoulders. Very worth it.

- In order to do what Boo wants, I have gone through 3, count them, 3 rolls of painters tape, and I'M NOT DONE YET. At least one more roll will be used this week. I am seeing Blue Tape in my sleep!

- A 7 year old that is UBER excited to start 2nd grade tomorrow will have a hard time falling asleep. Still. After two hours...and counting.

- Hardwood floors are not the best thing for a dog. Koda body slammed himself into the wall AGAIN, and dog-SCREAMED so loud I thought he had broken something. He was good, and back to his normal puppy-crazy self within a few minutes, but my heart took some time.

- Canning tomatoes is great, but time consuming and messy. I have had to mop three times this weekend. But we are pretty much set for chili season.

- We need a fence. NEED A FENCE. 11 more days, that is what I keep telling myself.

- Preparing for said fence will cause Hubby to work outside a TON digging holes and measuring where the posts will go. This is forcing me away from Boo's room. Not a good combo.

- I still miss Hunter. I talked to him tonight to wish him a good first day at school and it was hard. Better, but hard.

For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I Learned This Week - Drastic Action

Did you know that if you are having problems with a rude, sarcastic, "I know everything you know nothing", attitude driven pre-teen there is something that might work for you...

I reached a breaking point last week, as many of you know. I just couldn't take it anymore, so drastic actions HAD to be taken.

So I did it.

I started acting like the 12 year old.

I was rude.

I was sarcastic.

I didn't listen.

I ignored.

I had the "I know everything" attitude.

I was 12.

IT WORKED...for the most part.

I didn't tell him I was doing this, he never gives us warning when his attitude flares it ugly head.

But we did talk about it after, and he was upset at how I was acting. He didn't like being ignored, me rolling my eyes and mumbling under my breathe (and as Ma would tell you I had this down to an ART FORM people. It is a gift really)

Not only is Hunter treating us better, he is treating himself better.

I hate puberty.

Just saying.

For more What I Learned this Week posts head on over to Musings of a Housewife.