No Good Excuse

I received a phone call this morning from my neurologist's office to reschedule an appointment. Here's how it went

Caller: This is <I don't remember her name> from Dr. N's office. He is going to be out of town on 5/4 and needs to reschedule your appointment. 

Me (thinking to myself): Dr. Who? Which Doctor is this? I'm confused. Oh yes, Pearl has an appointment in early May in College Station at A & M. This his her specialty vet calling. 

Me: OK, when?

Caller: He had an opening 5/12. Can you come then?

Me: I guess so, Pearl is currently on antibiotics and not showing improvement. In fact, I have a call in to her regular vet about what we can do to get her to her original appointment. Moving her appointment back isn't ideal. Is there anyway we can get in earlier? 

Caller: He has an opening 4/27 at 2:00 will that work?

Me: we will be coming from Austin (the nuerologist's office is in Austin) coming that late in the day will be difficult not knowing how long it will take to treat her (I'm anticipating they will do surgery when she goes to A & M). But if that's the earliest you can get us in we will take it. Can you put us in a wait list for an earlier appointment? She really needs to be seen sooner if possible. She's not showing improvement on antibiotics and I'm concerned that it will get worse before she's seen. 

Caller: Yes, I can put you on the wait list. We will see you on 4/27 at 2:00. Thank you. 

I get off the phone and open my calendar app only to realize that Pearl's appointment is on 5/5 and that the appointment on 5/4 says it is in Steiner Ranch, an area of Austin. Only then does it hit me that Dr. N is the neurologist!

I can only imagine how crazy I sounded on the phone! Oh my goodness! I'm so embarrassed. I'm sure the caller and her coworkers had a good laugh after she got off the phone with me. 

Just to explain for those concerned about Pearl, she has an oronasal fistula (hole in the roof of her mouth connecting to her nasal cavity) that needs a second repair.  We originally repaired it a year ago. It has opened back up but is smaller this time. Currently she is really snotty and sneezy. Usually a round of antibiotics will clear these symptoms but has not this time. I have a call in to her regular vet to discuss options while we wait for her appointment. 

Jenn aka Clueless 

New School Year

Wow! A high schooler, a middle schooler and two fourth graders. How is it possible? 

It was strange to have the littles at the elementary school without the bigs. And, it was strange to have the bigs in the van together to drop off and pick up. In some ways it felt like going back in time, to when the littles weren't in "real" school, and in other ways was completely new and foreign. 

Ruby and Eliza Claire had a much calmer first day than the older two. Yes, it's a new year and new teachers, but it's the same school and mostly the same classmates. I think they like the idea of being on their own without their older siblings. 

Rehm was not a happy camper this morning. He put off his summer reading project to the very last minute and underestimated the time it would require. He went into panic mode last night around 10:00. He finished reading the book around 11:30 but did not start the writing part of the assignment until this morning. At one point, he looked at me and asked, "why didn't you make me do this earlier?" I laughed and explained that he was in high school and I had given him several reminders throughout the summer but that ultimately it was his responsibility to get his stuff done not mine. 

He left for school with the assignment at best half done. He was sure he would fail the assignment and/or class and the teacher would hate him.  Otherwise, he was not nervous about his first day of high school at all. 

Charlotte was nervous but determined not to show it. She did a great job. She was stressed about not getting to school on time to meet her friend Ellie but otherwise seemed cool and confident. 

It was fun to hear how everyone's day actually went. 

Eliza Claire had a great day except for the ten minutes her class was evacuated so that a very large spider could be removed. I would have thought she was exaggerating the size until she told us they had to leave until it was dealt with.

Rub had a rather uneventful first day. But she is missing her friend Jolie who is going to a different school this year. 

Rehm came home with homework. He did not have to turn in the Summer reading assignment today.  He has until Wednesday to get it finished. He liked two of his classes and did not like the other two. One he already sees as a complete waste of his time. It will be interesting to see how it goes. He's hoping to like more of his classes tomorrow. 

Charlotte had a good day. Her only complaints were that she got lost a couple of times and ended up in a "forbidden" hallway and was told she couldn't be there; and, she fell and messed up her glasses (they are fixed now). 

One moment that stood out today. When I picked Rehm up, he asked if we were picking up Charlotte. I told him we were. He got in the back seat instead of the front. When I commented on it, he said, "it's her first day at big school, she deserves it."

Odyssey for a new Odyessey

Our faithful steed, Homer, was nearing his last legs after 10 years of carting us all over Texas, to North Carolina, to Chicago and countless trips around Cedar Park.  After a cursory look at Toyota's mini-van, we had decided that we would be getting another Honda Odyssey.

Jennifer checked them out locally and I went one Saturday afternoon to literally just sit in one and make sure they hadn't changed something that made it too torturous to fold myself into it.  Then the hunt for our Odyssey began.

I'd been reading some posts on Clark Howard's website about buying new cars from both Clark and James Bragg.  A note here- Clark and other smart people like Dave Ramsay recommend buying a used car so you're not paying as much depreciation.  Smart advice, but when you look at the resale market for Odyssey's, the ones with low mileage are priced pretty near the cost of a new one.  This is because Odysseys last so long they depreciate pretty slowly.  Plus, with a minivan, I like to know the mess is from my kids!  James Bragg's articles, like this one, were interesting enough that I was willing to spend $40 on his pricing information and advice on how to purchase a new car from his website.

The approach is pretty simple- do your homework, line up your own financing, then call the dealerships you're willing to drive to and get quotes from their internet sales manager.  I started with 14 dealerships- the 3 in Austin, Cleo Bay in Killeen and Gillman in San Antonio (because they both had good reputations on price), and 9 more from Dallas, Houston and San Antonio that looked to have quite a few Odyssey's in stock in the version we were looking for.  The internet is very handy in seeing what they have in stock, plus, the Honda corporate site lists contact phone numbers for the internet sales manager in each dealership.

Bragg's process has you make calls twice- once to get an initial price, then a second call to give dealers one chance to counter the best price from round one.  The difference between the highest quote and the lowest in round 1 was $4,600!  Certainly, worth the couple hours of time to make some calls!  The second round saw about half the dealerships decline to counter.  The winning bid came in about $450 less than the round 1 best offer, plus it was in a color we preferred (though we would have taken other colors) and had some dealer add-ons (none of which were on our must-have list, but the 2nd best deal was pretty much as-is off the truck from Honda).

We drove to Spring Branch, had lunch with my brother and sister-in-law and picked up the new van.  Overall, worth the time and drive to Houston.  So far, we're very happy with the new addition which has been named Reveille.

Some summary tips:

• You get better prices from dealerships that don't advertise "no haggle" pricing
• You get better prices calling than from just getting a quote over the web
• Just calling and asking for a quote is nowhere near the hassle that being on the premises and playing all the dealer games is
• James Bragg's service at Fighting Chance was well worth the $40.  Maps out the whole process, why it works, when in the month is the best time to call and more.

Country Music and Family Time

On the way home from celebrating Rehm's birthday at Chuy's (how is it possible that he is 14 today?), the song You Never Even Called Me by My Name by David Allen Coe came on the radio. Of course, Michael and I proceeded to sing along quite loudly.

When we got about one line into the last verse, you know, "I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison," Eliza Claire exclaimed, "Oh, dear!" which had us all laughing and Michael and I singing even louder.

After the song was over I told the kids they better come get me from prison before "I got ran over by the danged ole train." Rehm quips, "Mom, I believe the lyrics are, and I quote 'Damned ole train.'" I took this opportunity to let him know I was quite aware of what the lyrics were and he needed to get over himself, etc, etc, etc, and that he wasn't being cute or funny by cussing by quoting song lyrics. At this point, Eliza Claire pipes up with, "cuss, cuss, cuss, cuss, cuss, cuss, cuss!" Her timing and delivery could not have been more perfect and once again we all dissolved into laughter. It appears that the new "four letter word" at our house is literally "cuss!"

Jenn
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Where do Christmas Trees Come From?

We bought a new Christmas tree last night. After 15 years our old one retired, and by retired, I mean none of the lights worked anymore. 

This morning,

Rehm: Are fake Christmas trees made in a fake Christmas tree factory?

Michael: No son, they are grown at fake Christmas tree farms!

Maybe it was the time of day, or the lack of sleep, but this totally cracked me up. 

How many years do you think I can survive a tree with multicolored lights? My goal is at least 3 years.

It's beginning to look like Christmas.

Jenn 

Happy Eleventh Birthday Charlotte

What a special girl I have! Miss Charlotte is eleven. She is such a sweet, funny and sassy girl.

For her birthday this year we decided to redo her room. The last time it was decorated was when she was 2.5 years old. Her only condition on redoing the room was that I would keep both the quilts Cici made so she could use them for her own daughter one day! That was a very easy request to honor.

Charlotte approved the bedding and picked out the paint colors. Once it was time to get to work, I locked her out of her room until it was done. I wanted her to have something to anticipate for her birthday.

Things took a bit longer than planned. The big reveal happened tonight instead of this morning. She agrees it was worth the wait. And, she had forgiven me for forgetting to bring donuts to her class today.







































I love the finished product and so does she!

Charlotte requested a baked potato bar and hot fudge brownie sundaes for dinner. My sweet girl did most of the preparation for her dinner while took her sister to Volleyball practice and finished up her room.

I think she had a great birthday. I sure hope so because I had a lot of fun putting it all together.

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

A very different birthday this year

Today, my eldest child celebrated his 15th heavenly birthday. We had plans to mark the occasion with a small celebration at the cemetery like we often do. That was not meant to be this year.

Instead we spent the day in Illinois. My brother-in-law Dallas, Michael's eldest brother died suddenly, and unexpectedly on Tuesday. We are here to say goodbye and to try to offer some comfort to our dear sister-in-law Cathi and nephew Griffin.

Like Sam, Dallas has left us much too soon. This is not the natural order of things. We aren't supposed to be saying goodbye to him, yet. It's just not right.

Spending Sam's birthday honoring Dallas and loving our family through this unimaginable time does on some level feel appropriate. Sam taught me how to love fully and unconditionally. He taught me that grief is not a bad emotion. He taught me that the pain comes because of how deeply we love and that love is always worth the potential pain. He taught me that those we love may cease to walk this earth with us but they are never gone from us. We continue to carry them in our heart. He taught me that my God is bigger than death and my God never stops holding and comforting me, especially in my deepest sorrows.






My son has taught me that we are not saying "goodbye" to Dallas. We are saying "until we meet again."

So on this day, I thank Sam for teaching me so many lessons about love, faith, and grief. Because of my love for Sam, I am equipped for loving my family at this difficult, sorrowful time.

Sam had a wonderful day with his Uncle Dallas, I'm sure. And I know I spent Sam's birthday exactly how and where I was supposed to.

I ask you all to continue to pray for our family. Grief is a long and difficult road. Dallas loved well and has left a large hole in many people's lives.

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Late Night Drama

Charlotte just came in my room to tell me that Sandy the hermit crab looked "really, really creepy" and Charlotte was "pretty sure she was dead!"

I went to look. Without disturbing Sandy or using a flashlight, it appears to me that Sandy is molting. If so, it's a good thing as it means she is growing. We've had her over a year, so I wouldn't be surprised.

Charlotte is so freaked out by something that lives in a glass box with no means of escape, that she has refused to sleep in her room. She is now asleep on her sister's floor.

More details and pictures to follow tomorrow.

Now back to my late night reading,
Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

One Good Summer Hour

This hour was awesome.









Tomorrow we will be working on them more.

The aftermath of enforcing chore time is another story. I'm done being awesome Pinterest mom now. I've checked it of my summer bucket list.


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

On returning home from camp

My camper just asked me if I got her anything while she was at camp. When I asked what she meant, she explained that several of her fellow campers usually got a charm or bracelet or something when they got home.

Really??? Honey child you got to go to camp and we remembered to pick you up. Count your blessing, we could have left you there.

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Therapist List

Charlotte was complaining about having to let the dogs out. Ruby tells her, "Don't worry, I'll put it on your therapist list!"

I asked, "What do you mean?"

Ruby: I'm sort of her therapist. Every day we go in my room and make clay projects and work through stuff. Like, not yelling so much and stuff.

Where does she get this stuff?


Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Doing My Nails: My Experience with Nail Polish, Shellac and Jamberry

I love to have my nails polished. I always have. For many years I gave up on polishing or having a manicure because I would have chips in a matter of hours. It drove me crazy.

I am very rough on my nails. I'm bad to use them to scratch up stuff or not wear gloves when gardening or washing dishes. My nails are prone to pealing and I have a couple that are bad to split horizontally about a quarter of an inch down the side of the nail. None of these things make having pretty polished nails easy.

About four years ago a friend introduced me to shellac, also known as gel polish. It was advertised to last two weeks or more, for most people. For me it lasts 7-10 days at most. But that is so much better than the mere hours regular polish lasts. After a few months of going to have my nails done I decided to invest in the uv light and polish to be able to do my own shellac manicures. It was totally worth the money for me.

Recently a friend started selling Jamberry nail wraps. I was intrigued. There were so many styles to choose from and they were supposed to last as long as shellac polish. I decided to ask for a sample. I applied the sample to my index nails and did the rest of my in shellac polish.



At the end of 11 days, I had a bit of wear on the tips of the jamberries, seven of the shellac nails still looked great, but my thumb nail had chipped so badly I had completely removed the polish from that nail. Overall, they preformed similarly.




Here are the main differences I noticed in the original sample trial:

Jamberries do not require uv lights for application, all you need is a heat source.

When one of the jamberries started lifting at the tip of my nail, I applied a bit of heat and it was as good as new. When the same thing happened with my shellac, there was no way to fix it. I've tried to glue the shellac back down with nail or super glue. That typically only gains me a few hours to at most an extra day of wear.

Removing jamberries is much easier than removing shellac polish. Jamberries took seconds compared to ten minutes of foil wrapped nails plus a significant amount of gentle scraping for the shellac.

I ordered jamberries for myself and all three girls. When they arrived, I gave everyone a manicure.

Ruby




Charlotte




Eliza Claire




Jennifer



Here is what I learned from our manicures:

Preparation is key. On the girls I used vinegar to clean the nails before applying. I had varying degrees of success. I was supposed to use rubbing alcohol but I was too lazy to go find it. I have since started using 100% acetone with great results. I had to reapply six of Ruby's. Once I did they lasted well over a week. I had to reapply a couple of Charlotte's. About a week later she started loosing hers in the bath each night. Eliza Claire's did the best. The all lasted at least 10 days. She has now lost 3. They other seven are still firmly attached. I wholeheartedly believe that if I had used acetone to prep their nails and the heat application method (heating the wrap a bit before applying) they would all still be on.

If a single nail messes up it is easy and quick to apply a new one. In less than three minutes it is applied and ready to go. Shellac is not a quick fix it would require at least 15 minutes.

I could stop at any time during applying my jamberries to deal with anything that comes up with out worrying about messing up a partially completed manicure. This is huge as it never fails that someone needs something as soon as I start doing my nails.

My nails that split aren't a problem with jamberries. I have an index finger that is split under the Jamberry, it was like that when I applied them. The Jamberry has protected it and has stayed on beautifully. With shellac, when this happens the nail breaks and usually ends up with an ugly chip.

Start up costs are cheaper with Jamberry. My initial investment in the shellac system was roughly $100. With Jamberry, I could get started for $15.

Jamberry has many fun designs that I can't achieve with regular polish.

I won't do shellac on the girls due to the need of the uv light. Jamberries held up well for them and they are even harder on their nails than I am on mine.







Here are my nails today, eleven days later. A little wear but still in good enough shape I can't talk myself into redoing them yet.

Jenn

Stealing Her Joy

Last week Charlotte and Ruby decided they were going to build hammocks in the back yard with some old sheets. I was completely fine with this idea. I thought it was fun, creative and going to allow them to use their problem solving skills. I know, it is shocking that my first answer wasn't "No!" I was completely on board, even if I did not think they would be successful.

Ruby came in to get duct tape. Their plan was to tape the sheets up. I told her they could t use the duct tape on the sheets. A few minutes later they were braiding duct tape to make a rope. At this point, I very clearly told them, "no duct tape, at all." It was my only rule of this project. I went back to making dinner.

About 30 minutes later they came in very excited. They had made a hammock! They were very proud of themselves and I was very proud of me for sticking with the project and making it work. Until, I walked outside and saw...



Yep, that's a whole lot of duct tape holding up that hammock. I sent my daughter to her room for willfully disobeying. She was furious. When she tried to yell at me I told her she could write her feelings down and share them with me but she was not going to yell at me.

She returned a bit later with this:



After we calmly discussed how creative and determined she was, we addressed the willfully breaking the rules. She conceded that I did have a point. Then she and Ruby skipped back out and made two more hammocks with no duct tape! Ironic isn't it?



My guess is that duct tape will never come off of the swing set

Jenn

One of the Best Parts of my Week

Wednesday night means activities at church for our family. I love children's choir, dinner and bible study, but none of these are my favorite part of the evening. My favorite part is taking home three middle schoolers after youth group.

Of course, one of them is mine. The other two live on my way home so it is not problem to drop them off. I love how excited they are from their youth group experience. I love listening to them giggle, suggest games to download on their phones, and converse. It is loud, silly, fun and just downright awesome.

Tonight's new game to be talked about and tried was Duck or Llama. It had them howling. Check it out. It sounds completely stupid but they were having a blast playing it.

It is also fun to get to be part of conversations with these kids. They are great kids who know how to politely have a conversation with an adult. I love getting to know them a bit better every week. It's impossible not to be in a good mood with these three in the car.

Meredith and Kathryn, thank you for the privilege of spending time with your kids. Please know it truly is one of my favorite parts of my week.

Jenn

Aquaponics

Rehm came home last week giddy with excitement. He had an idea for a science project he wanted to do.

Rehm: Mom I've got this great idea I want to try!

Me: What's that?

Rehm: Auqaphonics!

Me: you mean aquaponics?

Rehm: Um, maybe. Yeah, that's what I mean.

Me: Ok, why aquaponics?

Rehm: It sounds really fun!

Me: Research it and write me a proposal and we'll see what we can do. It sounds like a great summer project for you.

Rehm: Really, you're not just going to tell me "no?"

Me: Why would I do that?

Later, I posted something about Rehm's desire to try aquaponics on Facebook. One of my friends made a joke about pot. Then the whole situation made a lot more sense.

Rehm's social studies class had recently done projects on the largest cash crops in Texas. Rehm had been assigned marijuana. Did you know it's the number six cash crop? I'm still surprised it was assigned as a research topic.

I asked him if his idea for aquaponics came from his social studies research. He confirmed that it did. Suddenly his summer project didn't seem quite so awesome.

He had said all along he was going to grow herbs...

Jenn

Disclaimer (so none of the grandparents need to call): Just to be clear, no one will be growing any illegal substances at our house and Rehm never had any intentions to do so. He truly found the concept of the symbiotic system of growing fish and plants together to be intriguing. In fact, we will probably give aquaponics a try with some goldfish and Italian herbs. Rehm is already planning in his head the delicious pasta sauces he will make with them (the herbs not the goldfish).

Eliza Claire's Dream

A school project from Martin Luther King, Jr. Day came home today.



It says: I have a dream that everyone will have comfortable shoes, which are the right sizes. I want people to have shoes because people are getting cut. I can help by giving people shoes



In the picture a road. The person on the left has shoes on his/her feet and is giving a box of shoes to the barefoot person. They are by the road because the barefoot person is homeless.

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

My Husband is a Beer Snob

He hasn't always been a beer snob. Over the last few years he has become the can't buy beer at the grocery store, can't just order a shiner beer snob.

Most of the time his beer snobbery does not bother me as it does not effect me. Tonight we are at Bangers, One hundred and one beers on tap and sausage made in house.

He asks what I want. I say a beer. He wants me to taste one before he orders. It's ok, not amazing. He asks what I want, I say a beer.

Finally I tell him, "I liked it when I could just say I wanted a beer and you brought me a shiner and there was no big discussion to be had.

He asked what I wanted, again. I said, "just get me a damn beer!" Sorry mom, for the language and the beverage.

He brought me a hefeweizen that has a bacon after taste. I have no clue which local, artsy fartsy brewery it's from. But at least I now have a beer.

Now, I'm going to have to pick a sausage. Oh, joy!


Happy Birthday Honey,
Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

I am on a Roll!

Yesterday Ruby wanted a new mommy.  Today Rehm told me he hated me.  I must be doing something extremely right...or extremely wrong.

Rehm has gotten in a habit of being really slow in the morning. He procrastinates and barely gets done what he is supposed to before time to leave for school.  I don't know what he is doing but he is so slow!  It is driving me crazy.

This morning was no exception.  He went to print a practice log for band and took 15 minutes to get it printed and filled out.  I kept calling up asking why it was taking so long.  I'm sure he was surfing the web or on his phone.  Finally, I told him to quit "fiddle-farting" around and get moving.

He decided to be a snot.  He was complaining that fiddle-fart didn't make any sense and wasn't even a real word.  I countered that it was two very real words.  He kept on and finally stated, "I prefer procrastinate to fiddle-fart.  It is more proper."  I about hit him.  Not really, but the snark, attitude and fiddle-farting continued.

He needed to take out the trash.  I had asked him to do it last night.  Of course, he procrastinated and did not do it last night.  He had every intention of not doing it this morning.  He went so far as to tell me if it was such problem that I should take it out.  Yeah, that went over really well.  He took the trash out.

Finally, he was ready to go to school.  He likes to get there about an hour before school starts.  This morning we did not have to take anyone else to school.  He got his stuff together and told me he would wait in the car.  I took my sweet time getting out of the house.  I was not very happy with him and decided to give him a taste of his own medicine.

We get to the end of our street and I turn the opposite direction of school.

Rehm:  Where are we going.

Me:  To school.

Rehm:  But this is the wrong way.

Me: No its not.

We get to another intersection and again I turn further away from the direction of school.

Rehm: Umm, school is not this way.

Me:  Sure it is.

Rehm:  I get what you're doing.  You're trying to prove a point aren't you?

Me: Nope, I just wanted to go this way to school this morning.

Rehm:  But this is not the way to school.

Me:  We can get there from here.

Rehm:  I need to be at school by now!  I'm running late.

Me:  No, you're not.  School doesn't start for another 45 minutes.

Rehm:  But I have something I need to get done!

Me:  What is it?

Rehm:  I need to finish my science homework.  I'm supposed to be at school already.  Now, I'm late! We are nowhere near school! I get it you are trying to prove a point!  Will you take me to school now?

Me:  I am taking you to school.  (Again I turn the wrong way)

Rehm is pretty angry with me by this point.

Rehm:  I hate you.  You are being a hippocrit! You always tell us to be loving and kind and you are not being either of those things!  I need to go to school!

Me:  We are going to school.  So why have you started fiddle-farting around and not getting stuff done?

Rehm:   You never focus on me!  You only spend time with the girls!

Me:  I'm spending time with you now!  Just think of all the extra time we are getting with each other this morning. 

Rehm:  MOM! I need to go to school.

We are now within sight of the school, but I still don't feel that I have adequately made my point, so I turn away from the school again.

Rehm:  Mom, the school is right there!  I can see it!  Are we going in another circle?

Me:  Um, no, I would call it more of a square.

A few blocks later he realizes we are finally on our usual route to school.  He apparently feels safe at this point and makes some absolutely ridiculous statement about how none of his procrastinating is his fault.  Needless to say, I altered our path again. 

Rehm: You are so mean!  Why can't you just take me to school.

Me:  I am taking you to school.  If I were mean, I would have made you walk.  I'm just spending quality time focusing on you, you mentioned I was too focused on your sisters.  This is me, focusing on you.

We finally get to school a good 20 minutes later than I typically drop him off.  He is not happy with me.  He makes that very clear. He gets his stuff and goes in the building.  I look down and notice his band practice sheets laying on the floorboard.  Yep, the practice sheets that took him forever to complete because he was procrastinating, those.  Oh, the irony.

Ah, parenting.
Jenn

Ruby wants a new mom

Ruby is mad that I won't let her go back outside to play with the little girls down the street. She told me, "You are the worst Mommy, ever! All the other mommies in the entire world are better mommies than you!"

I asked if she wanted me to call her a new mommy and she said, "Yes!" Then she proceeded to pick up the phone and call herself a new mommy.

She's still here. Hopefully she changes her mind soon.

Jenn- Posted from my iPhone

Easter

What a wonderful day of church, naps, family and good food.  I am blessed beyond measure.