Monday was my "ladies night" and Tony sweetly volunteered to take the kids for me. He knows the routine. Bath about 8:00 (they take "bath/showers"...long with water running on them.) and then bed about 8:30. He is determined to make me live by that!
He got to the house and quickly noticed the new perfume and accused me of actually NOT going to Po-ke-no (never spelled the same). When I arrived at the location, he had already called to be sure that I was actually playing games there. (He was trying to make me think he was a jealous man. ha ha and the ladies loved it). Three hours later when I got home, he "sweetly" reminded me that 3 hours is a long time to be with children who are not yours especially at bed time. BUT he assured me that he loved me and the children and would I please go rub my son's feet so he would go to sleep.
Tuesday is my night at McMurry and as the routine goes, my mom and dad have the kids for supper, then Tony meets them at the house for baths and bed time. When I pulled into the garage, he was coming out of the house into the garage. He placed a kiss on my window and then ran to his car. Screaming! At least he wasn't pulling his hair out (he is bald!). The first words out of his mouth were not the ones you love to hear, but "Why are you not an alcoholic?" Hmmmm was he bothered by the tons of homework that still had to be done? The long showers with each sibling going in and dumping cold water on the other? Tangles that had to be combed out? The tears because the light in the closet was not on? The tears because homework was still not finished after working 3 hours? The "I need a drink" or "I need to potty again" Or was it the fact that he was behind on the 8:30 bedtime? After he left, I realized that I don't drink because after homework, dinner, baths and bed, I am too tired to even think about a drink much less have the energy to pick up a bottle of anything. Even sometimes after dealing with him...........I would like a drink! BUT NO...I am WOMAN!! Strong, tough, worn out, but non-the-less a survivor! AND It's my life and I am stickin' with it! (and my hot tea!)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Makaley humor
We ate Chinese food from our favorite Chinese restaurant on Monday night after the
2 hour parent conference. They know to always give us 3 fortune cookies with our single meal (we can split it 3 ways). As soon as we got home and to the table, Makaley cracked open that cookie and begin reading her fortune. It said something pretty much to the words.."You will soon gain something you have been wishing for." Makaley started laughing. I mean REALLY laughing!!! When I asked her why she thought that was so funny her response was, "I already gained something but I didn't want it."........................."Weight". That is the end of this story and I am sticking with it! (and Makaley)
2 hour parent conference. They know to always give us 3 fortune cookies with our single meal (we can split it 3 ways). As soon as we got home and to the table, Makaley cracked open that cookie and begin reading her fortune. It said something pretty much to the words.."You will soon gain something you have been wishing for." Makaley started laughing. I mean REALLY laughing!!! When I asked her why she thought that was so funny her response was, "I already gained something but I didn't want it."........................."Weight". That is the end of this story and I am sticking with it! (and Makaley)
Kauy said it best!
We have been struggling at my house lately. My daughter has always been the "A" student. She recently found the letter "B" on her report card. Only one! not a low one either. My son on the other hand is (as everyone tells me) a boy. Yep, I know that! How? Well I am certain that it is not Makaley leaving droplets on the toilet seat AND WHEN he does remember to lift the lid, I get so excited that I forget to put it down. His room stinks. Some dead critter or science experiment is growing in there and I am not sure what or where. I did find the egg propping up a tiny box that was under his bed. He said he thought there might be a mouse in the house and wanted to catch it for me. (We have read "Give a Mouse a Cookie several times...guess there were no cookies in the house.)
Kauy has had a rough beginning this year. Bless his teacher's heart, she had emergency surgery, and had at least 4 subs. Then she returns and he decides to see if she had her "toughness" taken out. He has had his sheet marked more times than I have had cups of coffee this year. His grades this last 6 weeks dropped (but I didn't yell or scold!) He goes in with good intentions daily. He is precious, he is just lively. I have taken away his new nientendo, busted his rear, given time out,made him redo papers where he didn't listen, and of course...tried reverse psychology. After a visit with the teacher, I was still frustrated. As a reading teacher, I worry about his reading skills. I visited with another teacher who recommended that I go to the health food store and talk to them. Yeah, right. He is picky enough on what he eats. I can't help it that he likes everything that has red dye 40, yellow dye 5 AND is loaded with preservatives. However, I was shown some vitamins for kids who don't focus well. (not visually..had that checked and he is fine, but Makaley got glasses) He is on day 5 of these vitamins.
Yesterday he did not come home with one mark! Not one, two or three!! Zero!!! AND he got a sticker for staying focused (something his teacher decided to do for him).Plus, she wrote a note, AND wrote on his paper (with very nice writing) about his work! He was SOOOOO proud. I was SOOOO proud. His "sissy" was soooo proud.
When my mom asked him what got him through the day with no marks his response was "God did it!" That's the end of this story and I am sticking with it! (and Kauy!)
Kauy has had a rough beginning this year. Bless his teacher's heart, she had emergency surgery, and had at least 4 subs. Then she returns and he decides to see if she had her "toughness" taken out. He has had his sheet marked more times than I have had cups of coffee this year. His grades this last 6 weeks dropped (but I didn't yell or scold!) He goes in with good intentions daily. He is precious, he is just lively. I have taken away his new nientendo, busted his rear, given time out,made him redo papers where he didn't listen, and of course...tried reverse psychology. After a visit with the teacher, I was still frustrated. As a reading teacher, I worry about his reading skills. I visited with another teacher who recommended that I go to the health food store and talk to them. Yeah, right. He is picky enough on what he eats. I can't help it that he likes everything that has red dye 40, yellow dye 5 AND is loaded with preservatives. However, I was shown some vitamins for kids who don't focus well. (not visually..had that checked and he is fine, but Makaley got glasses) He is on day 5 of these vitamins.
Yesterday he did not come home with one mark! Not one, two or three!! Zero!!! AND he got a sticker for staying focused (something his teacher decided to do for him).Plus, she wrote a note, AND wrote on his paper (with very nice writing) about his work! He was SOOOOO proud. I was SOOOO proud. His "sissy" was soooo proud.
When my mom asked him what got him through the day with no marks his response was "God did it!" That's the end of this story and I am sticking with it! (and Kauy!)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
A First for Me!
I have moved up in my education. I skipped a step though....High School. I taught a 4th grade class for 10 years. I have taught the 6th grade(middle school) for 17 years and as of Tuesday night.........I have now taught a college class. Yep, that is me, Ms. Ostlien, adjunct professor at McMurry University.
So the questions have rolled in. How did it go? What was it like? How were the students? How many do you have enrolled? No one asked....Were you nervous? Did you have lesson plans? Do you have books?
Now, to answer those questions. What is the difference in a Kindergartner, a 6th grader, a 9th grader and a college student? Answer: The number of candles on their birthday cake. That is it. Now, that is not a slam to anyone, but that is just the truth. They are all beginning a new section of life. Each at their own level. And although this class is for sophomores and up, they are just now figuring some things out. College students have more hormones, testosterone, more facial hair and less makeup, but..........
How did it go? It went for about 2 1/2 hours. I was surprised that I had to take one of my "little blue pills" because I was nervous. Hello.......this is what I do for a living. These students put their underwear(well if they don't go commando) on just like I do. One leg at a time. I don't think any of them take a running start and leap both legs into the "undies" scoring a 10 on any day of the week. But..I was nervous. It was when I found them standing outside the door looking at the room number and remembering that "staff" probably meant someone new, that I realized they were nervous also.
There were about 14 students present but about 7 more enrolled. They cover many ages. My surprise was the substitute who had been in the class next door to me all day walked in. We laughed even more when he said he passed the big 46 and has 5 children ages 23 to 4 years. Wow, I felt some better. I have some from every walk of life. Single, newly married, married with small children; mostly women, but 5 guys. Some smile, some don't...thank goodness no one slept.
And what did we do? Well, I changed my lessons plans as I was teaching...just like I do daily. (Told you they were like my 6th graders) I was going to teach a book that I was not certain about, and after walking into the building I felt called to do an activity with a short story that my students read. The students did a great job. They even grumbled like my 6th graders do when I give this "creative" assignment. They cheered when I said we are going to use crayons.
As for me, the new teacher, well,....I probably talked too much, gave a few pages of notes, talked too quickly, hurried through the lesson, and who knows what else. For the most part, no one talked much and a few times they were just sitting there staring at me (like my 6th graders). Maybe brownies or popcorn will warm them up.
The reason they WILL come back....Was I a great teacher? Was I well prepared? Was I entertaining? Nope...I let them out before 9PM. I was tired!
So the questions have rolled in. How did it go? What was it like? How were the students? How many do you have enrolled? No one asked....Were you nervous? Did you have lesson plans? Do you have books?
Now, to answer those questions. What is the difference in a Kindergartner, a 6th grader, a 9th grader and a college student? Answer: The number of candles on their birthday cake. That is it. Now, that is not a slam to anyone, but that is just the truth. They are all beginning a new section of life. Each at their own level. And although this class is for sophomores and up, they are just now figuring some things out. College students have more hormones, testosterone, more facial hair and less makeup, but..........
How did it go? It went for about 2 1/2 hours. I was surprised that I had to take one of my "little blue pills" because I was nervous. Hello.......this is what I do for a living. These students put their underwear(well if they don't go commando) on just like I do. One leg at a time. I don't think any of them take a running start and leap both legs into the "undies" scoring a 10 on any day of the week. But..I was nervous. It was when I found them standing outside the door looking at the room number and remembering that "staff" probably meant someone new, that I realized they were nervous also.
There were about 14 students present but about 7 more enrolled. They cover many ages. My surprise was the substitute who had been in the class next door to me all day walked in. We laughed even more when he said he passed the big 46 and has 5 children ages 23 to 4 years. Wow, I felt some better. I have some from every walk of life. Single, newly married, married with small children; mostly women, but 5 guys. Some smile, some don't...thank goodness no one slept.
And what did we do? Well, I changed my lessons plans as I was teaching...just like I do daily. (Told you they were like my 6th graders) I was going to teach a book that I was not certain about, and after walking into the building I felt called to do an activity with a short story that my students read. The students did a great job. They even grumbled like my 6th graders do when I give this "creative" assignment. They cheered when I said we are going to use crayons.
As for me, the new teacher, well,....I probably talked too much, gave a few pages of notes, talked too quickly, hurried through the lesson, and who knows what else. For the most part, no one talked much and a few times they were just sitting there staring at me (like my 6th graders). Maybe brownies or popcorn will warm them up.
The reason they WILL come back....Was I a great teacher? Was I well prepared? Was I entertaining? Nope...I let them out before 9PM. I was tired!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Happy birthday to THE MAN
Well, I love it when you have a birthday and the person you are helping celebrate won't tell you anything they might be needing or wanting. Around my house there are plenty of hints dropped and there are some of us who just tell you what to get, where to get it, which discount to use, and how much it is with tax title and license.
Kauy told me over and over everything he wanted. So...he got the RC helicopter (which is already grounded due to a wreck with the table) and the golf clubs (good for digging out the weeds), money and the very noisy Lionel Train Bank with the sound and flashing lights.
Today is The Man's birthday. He is 49. When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he was nothing like Kauy. He said, "I already have what I need." I told him the leather living room suite in his house was nice, but he bought it. He laughed and sweetly said something about me being a gift. I told him that the I was not a gift (He did say that I was a gift from God); I am the one who is here just to make the rest of his hair fall out. I have thought and thought what to get him. Something that he could use. Something that he would see and think of me. Something that would make him smile.
So...without further adieu I will reveal to you my birthday gift for him. I bought him a new pair of brown suede loafers with little white hearts on them. They look great on my feet and feel wonderful. He can use them to kill a bug. He will see them on my feet, think of me, remember this gift, and he WILL smile.
Happy Birthday Tony............Love ya, (and your gift!)
Kauy told me over and over everything he wanted. So...he got the RC helicopter (which is already grounded due to a wreck with the table) and the golf clubs (good for digging out the weeds), money and the very noisy Lionel Train Bank with the sound and flashing lights.
Today is The Man's birthday. He is 49. When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he was nothing like Kauy. He said, "I already have what I need." I told him the leather living room suite in his house was nice, but he bought it. He laughed and sweetly said something about me being a gift. I told him that the I was not a gift (He did say that I was a gift from God); I am the one who is here just to make the rest of his hair fall out. I have thought and thought what to get him. Something that he could use. Something that he would see and think of me. Something that would make him smile.
So...without further adieu I will reveal to you my birthday gift for him. I bought him a new pair of brown suede loafers with little white hearts on them. They look great on my feet and feel wonderful. He can use them to kill a bug. He will see them on my feet, think of me, remember this gift, and he WILL smile.
Happy Birthday Tony............Love ya, (and your gift!)
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Quote for the day from my 7year old
I am sitting here reading the obits from the paper. Kauy came in to remind me that it was his birthday today...ha ha..and asked me who all of the people were. I told him they were people who had "passed on". He said "Oh, like when you are born again!" hmmmmmmmm had to share!
I AM SEVEN!!!
Skip New Year's Day (although my mom's meatballs, black eyed peas and cabbage are nothing to skip!) After Christmas it is straight to January 3rd and a thousand questions of "What did you get me for my birthday present?" "You know, I am seven!"
Today is Kauy's birthday. He announced it to me this morning when he got up (out of MY bed). He was a lot more eager to arrive into this world than he was to get out of bed this morning!!! He is sooooooooo male. One minute I could pinch his head off and the next minute we are rolling on the floor laughing. He loves to sit in my lap, loves biscuits, loves pizza and loves family and friends. He (like Makaley) was my bright spot during the time of loosing Kelly.
People ask me if he is like his daddy whom he never saw. Yep. A lot like him. Kauy will do math all day long. He is ALWAYS right! (that is just a male thing, but more so if you are an Ostlien/Merkel) You should see him sit in a saddle!! He has the same long toes and long skinny legs. He has NO rear end! He loves animals, trains, tractors, and trucks. He is certain he is a MALE, but doesn't panic if sister puts a bow in his hair, or makeup on his face. That stuff washes or comes off. He changes his mind on a vocation about every 2 or 3 months. (Today he announced he wanted to raise penguins on the family ranch. Hmmmmmmm that would be great IF penguins laid eggs that could be fried or scrambled.) And many people didn't know that Kelly would talk through a movie or TV show if it was funny or not his favorite. HMMMMM ask me if Kauy is like him? Does duct tape sound good? And finally he loves ME!!!! He loves me... "bat wings" and all. Let me explain. Kauy coined the expression "bat wings" to explain the hangy down skin and fat under my arms. You know...the part that wiggles. He loves to rub and play with that. It is almost his "blankie"(not because it is that big!! it is soothing). When trying to go to sleep, he will put his hand under my arm and just rub until his eyelids droop.
Kauy is just as special as his sister. Not because he is the only male born to my grandmother's side of the family (so far), or because he is the only other male Ostlien living in the the US (Pawpaw is the other), or because he was born into a household that was in an uproar. He is special because he is a gift from God. I am the receiver of this blessing from God. You know, I wonder if I cause God as much frustration as Kauy sometimes causes me? And you know what...God continues to love me! I Love you KAUY BOY!
I read to him the spot about him on my cousin Brandi's blog (see my links). It is Mattie May's birthday (his favorite birthday present he says)and Brandi has a picture of them in his gator. He was just pretty proud of himself and that picture. He loves Mattie like he loves Makaley. Hey, he let her play with his barns, 18-wheeler and fire trucks. Now that is love! We love you Mattie May, and thanks for waiting until the end of the UT game to arrive!
I did ask him if he felt seven today. His response, "yep, I have a few more scratchy places on my back for you to rub now." ha ha ha...that is my son. Glad you are seven!
Today is Kauy's birthday. He announced it to me this morning when he got up (out of MY bed). He was a lot more eager to arrive into this world than he was to get out of bed this morning!!! He is sooooooooo male. One minute I could pinch his head off and the next minute we are rolling on the floor laughing. He loves to sit in my lap, loves biscuits, loves pizza and loves family and friends. He (like Makaley) was my bright spot during the time of loosing Kelly.
People ask me if he is like his daddy whom he never saw. Yep. A lot like him. Kauy will do math all day long. He is ALWAYS right! (that is just a male thing, but more so if you are an Ostlien/Merkel) You should see him sit in a saddle!! He has the same long toes and long skinny legs. He has NO rear end! He loves animals, trains, tractors, and trucks. He is certain he is a MALE, but doesn't panic if sister puts a bow in his hair, or makeup on his face. That stuff washes or comes off. He changes his mind on a vocation about every 2 or 3 months. (Today he announced he wanted to raise penguins on the family ranch. Hmmmmmmm that would be great IF penguins laid eggs that could be fried or scrambled.) And many people didn't know that Kelly would talk through a movie or TV show if it was funny or not his favorite. HMMMMM ask me if Kauy is like him? Does duct tape sound good? And finally he loves ME!!!! He loves me... "bat wings" and all. Let me explain. Kauy coined the expression "bat wings" to explain the hangy down skin and fat under my arms. You know...the part that wiggles. He loves to rub and play with that. It is almost his "blankie"(not because it is that big!! it is soothing). When trying to go to sleep, he will put his hand under my arm and just rub until his eyelids droop.
Kauy is just as special as his sister. Not because he is the only male born to my grandmother's side of the family (so far), or because he is the only other male Ostlien living in the the US (Pawpaw is the other), or because he was born into a household that was in an uproar. He is special because he is a gift from God. I am the receiver of this blessing from God. You know, I wonder if I cause God as much frustration as Kauy sometimes causes me? And you know what...God continues to love me! I Love you KAUY BOY!
I read to him the spot about him on my cousin Brandi's blog (see my links). It is Mattie May's birthday (his favorite birthday present he says)and Brandi has a picture of them in his gator. He was just pretty proud of himself and that picture. He loves Mattie like he loves Makaley. Hey, he let her play with his barns, 18-wheeler and fire trucks. Now that is love! We love you Mattie May, and thanks for waiting until the end of the UT game to arrive!
I did ask him if he felt seven today. His response, "yep, I have a few more scratchy places on my back for you to rub now." ha ha ha...that is my son. Glad you are seven!
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