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I just love days off from school, especially when they happen in the middle of the week! Mondays and Fridays off extend the weekend, and are great fun as well, but usually I use the day off to make up for goofing up during the weekend when hubbie was home so the kids don't get to really enjoy the day. A day off in the middle of the week kind of feels like a "skip" day and we thoroughly enjoyed it with no work and just hanging out together along with a special lunch with Daddy!
The other great part about yesterday ... it was our first visit to the beach this season, and it was BEAUTIFUL! Although it was down right foggy, the sun was still out and felt so good on all of us! The kids built sand-castles, played "flops" and lots of lacrosse. We were on the beach for almost 2 hours and now I can't wait for summer!!!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HOME
FINALLY, the third marking period of the 2007-2008 school year has come to an end. I am not sorry to see the last term end as it brought with it much drama, tears, arguments & life lessons that are always hard to learn. I am not certain I truly thought we would see a happy ending to the term, BUT WE DID!!!
Both kids made the "A" honor roll, which is certainly terrific, but more importantly Beachboy learned just how important organization is when it comes to his life at school and his life at home. I think even he was shocked that he managed to pull up two fairly miserable grades by working hard and being "present" in his life at school. He really pulled it off, and I am just so proud of him! Beachgirl didn't have quite so far to go this marking period, but she has grown from a solid B student early in the school year to a solid A student by the third marking period. She has taken a little longer to "get" how important it is to do your best, but the amazing thing about her is that she felt such a sense of internal pride - what her dad and I thought were secondary to how proud she was of herself for improving just so much. She definitely has a genuine love for learning and what an amazing opportunity it has been to watch her grow.
Beachdad surprised everyone by coming home with a double chocolate cake that said "super job kids!!" That was a great treat for everyone, and how cool that daddy thought of it all on his own!
Today was a GREAT DAY!
Both kids made the "A" honor roll, which is certainly terrific, but more importantly Beachboy learned just how important organization is when it comes to his life at school and his life at home. I think even he was shocked that he managed to pull up two fairly miserable grades by working hard and being "present" in his life at school. He really pulled it off, and I am just so proud of him! Beachgirl didn't have quite so far to go this marking period, but she has grown from a solid B student early in the school year to a solid A student by the third marking period. She has taken a little longer to "get" how important it is to do your best, but the amazing thing about her is that she felt such a sense of internal pride - what her dad and I thought were secondary to how proud she was of herself for improving just so much. She definitely has a genuine love for learning and what an amazing opportunity it has been to watch her grow.
Beachdad surprised everyone by coming home with a double chocolate cake that said "super job kids!!" That was a great treat for everyone, and how cool that daddy thought of it all on his own!
Today was a GREAT DAY!
Friday, April 18, 2008
it is BEAUTIFUL outside...
and I am only allowing myself a half hour on the 'puter! Of course, I have a zillion blogs to read (hello-mark all as read), 20 ad packets to email out and of course, I am spending the first ten minutes of my 30 posting!
Last night was an interesting one in the "little house at the beach". Beachboy had lax practice and when he got in the car was in a FOUL mood! I asked him what was wrong - I got the completely disrespectful "hands up, head bob" combined with the glassy eyes. Could I leave it alone - NO, so I kept asking various probing questions to find out what had happened and he kept answering the same way "nothing is wrong, MOM" but he was still being nasty in the car.
We got home, everyone took their showers, Beachdad came home after a fairly crappy day at work, and when Beachboy came down I again asked him if everything was ok ... and (unfortunately in front of his dad he FLIPPED OUT!!!) "STOP ASKING ME, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, THIS IS STUPID, I'M NOT EATING," and on and on. Now then, respect is a big deal in our household so Beachdad was taking none of his outburst - all dissolved into an allout argument.
Beachdad was mad (really mad) at both Beachboy and me - Beachboy for being disrespectful and me for not letting the fact that he was in a bad mood go. But as his mother, I couldn't let it go because I had no idea what had happened! I didn't know if he had gotten hit by the ball, a stick or another player and was just being a "tough guy" and playing with the pain ... and he could be seriously hurt (yes, that has happened before), I didn't know if there was a problem with the coach or another player or what it could be. And the more he didn't tell me, the more I was getting upset that I have a 10 year old son who has decided that he can't tell me all that stuff going on in his life that is bothering him.
Turns out ... after 3 hours of a fairly intense practice, he was exhausted and didn't understand something one of the coaches was telling him and continued to do it wrong. But mainly, he was exhausted and didn't have the patience or energy to keep re-living it! PLUS, he knew it was silly to be so frustrated and angry about that, so he just wanted to forget about it.
Poor guy - I know being my son is not a walk in the park, and I kept him awake long enough to know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I love him more than the air I breathe, but when I ask what is wrong, JUST TELL ME ... and I promise to do my very very best to not suggest potential solutions (what have I gotten myself into????)
Last night was an interesting one in the "little house at the beach". Beachboy had lax practice and when he got in the car was in a FOUL mood! I asked him what was wrong - I got the completely disrespectful "hands up, head bob" combined with the glassy eyes. Could I leave it alone - NO, so I kept asking various probing questions to find out what had happened and he kept answering the same way "nothing is wrong, MOM" but he was still being nasty in the car.
We got home, everyone took their showers, Beachdad came home after a fairly crappy day at work, and when Beachboy came down I again asked him if everything was ok ... and (unfortunately in front of his dad he FLIPPED OUT!!!) "STOP ASKING ME, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, THIS IS STUPID, I'M NOT EATING," and on and on. Now then, respect is a big deal in our household so Beachdad was taking none of his outburst - all dissolved into an allout argument.
Beachdad was mad (really mad) at both Beachboy and me - Beachboy for being disrespectful and me for not letting the fact that he was in a bad mood go. But as his mother, I couldn't let it go because I had no idea what had happened! I didn't know if he had gotten hit by the ball, a stick or another player and was just being a "tough guy" and playing with the pain ... and he could be seriously hurt (yes, that has happened before), I didn't know if there was a problem with the coach or another player or what it could be. And the more he didn't tell me, the more I was getting upset that I have a 10 year old son who has decided that he can't tell me all that stuff going on in his life that is bothering him.
Turns out ... after 3 hours of a fairly intense practice, he was exhausted and didn't understand something one of the coaches was telling him and continued to do it wrong. But mainly, he was exhausted and didn't have the patience or energy to keep re-living it! PLUS, he knew it was silly to be so frustrated and angry about that, so he just wanted to forget about it.
Poor guy - I know being my son is not a walk in the park, and I kept him awake long enough to know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I love him more than the air I breathe, but when I ask what is wrong, JUST TELL ME ... and I promise to do my very very best to not suggest potential solutions (what have I gotten myself into????)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
the lacrosse crowd
this pic came from beachgirl's game this past Saturday ... and is such a commentary on the "crowd" that hangs out on the girl's lax field every weekend! I kept seeing Lilly, Vera, Pappagallo (I thought that brand didn't exist anymore), colored duckboots, Polo & kate spade on the field in spite of the spitting rain and eventual downpours.
Such a trip down memory lane - the names are just updated today, but when I was in high school, the preppy look was "in" and our school fell for it hook, line, and sinker! I had so many covers for my wooden pocketbook it took an extra 10 minutes each morning to coordinate which corduroy cover best accentuated my outfit!
And the headbands ... bad, bad memories ... won't even go there!!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Are you a child of the 80's?
I am planning a 40th birthday party for my best friend and in putting together her pre-party website, I came across this list and I LOVE IT...embarassing how true it is! Are you a child of the 80's?
1. You consider Ocean Pacific a designer label.
2. You thought the Stray Cats were bringing guitars back to rock 'n' roll.
3. You thought the lead singer of Poison was hot ... until you realized she was a he.
4. You still get the shakes when you remember Apple Macintosh's 1984 advertisement.
5. You preferred Van Hagar to Van Halen.
6. You thought George Michael was straight.
7. You had just discovered this great new singer called Tina Turner.
8. You owned a home Beta video recorder.
9. The Day After gave you nightmares.
10. Your favorite G.I. Joe figure was Snake Eyes.
11. You wondered what Lisa Bonet was doing married to that loser Lenny Kravitz.
12. You never figured out who the crooks were on Murder She Wrote.
13. You believed The Last Temptation of Christ was going to send Martin Scorsese to hell.
14. You regard Look Who's Talking as a turning point in John Travolta's career.
15. You admired Bill Cosby's taste in sweaters in The Cosby Show.
16. You didn't realize The Official Preppy Handbook was a gag.
17. You rolled up the sleeves on your sports jacket for the Sonny Crockett look.
18. You had no problems thinking members of the Miami police department drove Lamborghinis.
19. You thought Burt and Loni were a fairytale romance.
20. You thought Clint Eastwood would one day be president.
THANKS VH-1
1. You consider Ocean Pacific a designer label.
2. You thought the Stray Cats were bringing guitars back to rock 'n' roll.
3. You thought the lead singer of Poison was hot ... until you realized she was a he.
4. You still get the shakes when you remember Apple Macintosh's 1984 advertisement.
5. You preferred Van Hagar to Van Halen.
6. You thought George Michael was straight.
7. You had just discovered this great new singer called Tina Turner.
8. You owned a home Beta video recorder.
9. The Day After gave you nightmares.
10. Your favorite G.I. Joe figure was Snake Eyes.
11. You wondered what Lisa Bonet was doing married to that loser Lenny Kravitz.
12. You never figured out who the crooks were on Murder She Wrote.
13. You believed The Last Temptation of Christ was going to send Martin Scorsese to hell.
14. You regard Look Who's Talking as a turning point in John Travolta's career.
15. You admired Bill Cosby's taste in sweaters in The Cosby Show.
16. You didn't realize The Official Preppy Handbook was a gag.
17. You rolled up the sleeves on your sports jacket for the Sonny Crockett look.
18. You had no problems thinking members of the Miami police department drove Lamborghinis.
19. You thought Burt and Loni were a fairytale romance.
20. You thought Clint Eastwood would one day be president.
THANKS VH-1
sleep glorious sleep
FINALLY!! After one year plus of major sleep issues, I have slept through the night in my own bed without the tv on for three nights in a row!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it might have something to do with the tax refund coming my way (so I am not going to celebrate celebrate until this has happened for a solid month), but regardless, the spring in my step and the smile on my face is due to the fact that I once again woke up IN MY BED this morning!!!!!!!!!
Friday, April 11, 2008
goodnight
things are quite peaceful around here tonight and I am feeling quiet and serene ... two feelings I don't often think of in myself. I want to be peaceful and serene, but unfortunately I think it takes too much work for me to ever really get there: there is always something else that needs doing, or some additional work that needs finishing, or more likely, some task that desperately needs ignoring. So peaceful and serene are usually right around the corner, but I don't get there often.
However, here I am tonight, and I just want to write and write and write. If I had something really exciting to write about, or a solution to all the big problems in life tonight would be the night that I would write my personal manifesto ... but I am not quite that serene - a few more bottles of wine might get me there. If you were to ask me the one thing that I want to be at all times it would be: with class. No matter which persona, or which mood I am in, I just want to show class at all times - with my family, with my good friends and acquaintances, as the president of the PTO and as a mom. Sometimes I feel like I can pull it off, and at others I feel like I am just a faker with my diamond earrings (first mother's day gift) and pearls (wedding gift).
OK, I am going to bed now, goodnite!
However, here I am tonight, and I just want to write and write and write. If I had something really exciting to write about, or a solution to all the big problems in life tonight would be the night that I would write my personal manifesto ... but I am not quite that serene - a few more bottles of wine might get me there. If you were to ask me the one thing that I want to be at all times it would be: with class. No matter which persona, or which mood I am in, I just want to show class at all times - with my family, with my good friends and acquaintances, as the president of the PTO and as a mom. Sometimes I feel like I can pull it off, and at others I feel like I am just a faker with my diamond earrings (first mother's day gift) and pearls (wedding gift).
OK, I am going to bed now, goodnite!
technology addict
Hi I'm beachmom and I'm a ... is there such a thing as being addicted to technology, hardware, software, plug-ins, free-ware, open source, and on and on and on? If there is, I am pretty sure I qualify and I think I need some help.
For example, after having trouble communicating with a printer yesterday regarding a relatively simple spot-color publication, I spent the rest of the afternoon trying out various programs, trials and mournfully looking at my checkbook to realize that only by the gog I don't have enough cashola right now to break down and buy the creative design suite - and then spend the next 3 months finally figuring out illustrator & oh, crap, now I can't remember what the page layout component is. I used to use pagemaker eons ago, but when I started getting back into design, I couldn't afford the high-end program and I was simply doing work for myself and local friends with businesses, so the dreaded "Publisher" was adequate for putting together marketing pieces. COMMERCIAL PRINTERS HATE HATE HATE HATE PUBLISHER!!! I never ever send publisher pieces to printers - I always package them and convert to PDF, but the second they realize I used publisher they attack! I don't know enough about the business to be upset with the printer, but it does make my life difficult ... this is my side-job!
SO yesterday, I downloaded Scribus to see if that would be any help to me in talking to the commercial folks ... I am sure it won't be, but oh, well it is a fun way to spend the day!
For example, after having trouble communicating with a printer yesterday regarding a relatively simple spot-color publication, I spent the rest of the afternoon trying out various programs, trials and mournfully looking at my checkbook to realize that only by the gog I don't have enough cashola right now to break down and buy the creative design suite - and then spend the next 3 months finally figuring out illustrator & oh, crap, now I can't remember what the page layout component is. I used to use pagemaker eons ago, but when I started getting back into design, I couldn't afford the high-end program and I was simply doing work for myself and local friends with businesses, so the dreaded "Publisher" was adequate for putting together marketing pieces. COMMERCIAL PRINTERS HATE HATE HATE HATE PUBLISHER!!! I never ever send publisher pieces to printers - I always package them and convert to PDF, but the second they realize I used publisher they attack! I don't know enough about the business to be upset with the printer, but it does make my life difficult ... this is my side-job!
SO yesterday, I downloaded Scribus to see if that would be any help to me in talking to the commercial folks ... I am sure it won't be, but oh, well it is a fun way to spend the day!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
taxes
finally got around to doing our taxes today ... good news, refund coming-bad news, refund coming! Basically that means I am seeing (instead of just feeling) the downfall of hubbie working FOR an architectural firm and not able to do any design work on the side. In the past, we kept our number of exemptions relatively small because the extra taken out of salary made tax time bearable with the added income where we were not taking out tons of taxes. "Moonlighting" in architecture is completely not allowed, so we obviously need to work on another way of working on that extra income!!
But for right now, I will just be grateful that we don't owe any taxes this year which is a major bonus!!!
But for right now, I will just be grateful that we don't owe any taxes this year which is a major bonus!!!
Friday, April 4, 2008
a quickie
busy busy week in these parts especially with one day of beautiful weather thrown in! The grass was tended for the first time this season and man o man do I need to get out and deal with those weeds in the flower beds! I love the surprises of spring. Like when the house is freezing cold, I bundle up for the day, go outside and it is warm warm warm!
OK, so I don't like going back upstairs and changing ... but I love the warm warm warm!
OK, so I don't like going back upstairs and changing ... but I love the warm warm warm!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
5,8 & 10 year old Christians
I am certain one of the "laws" of socially acceptable blogging is to avoid certain topics for posts ... and probably religion is right up there near the top of the list - BUT, what the heck ... I will share my little story anyway!
Last week I lost my grandfather after a month-long, fairly intense illness, surgery, recuperation and subsequent illness. We buried his body on Saturday with the help of the State Police (impressive ceremony especially when you realize he had been retired since 1965). It stinks, I miss him, my extended family is hurting ... loss of any type is just a major bummer. However, my family (immediate and extended) are Christians and most of us are Methodist, with a few Catholics thrown in.
Yesterday, on the way to lacrosse practice our eldest asked: "Mom, if Pop-pop-pop didn't believe in God, would he still go to heaven because of all of the great things that he did during his life?"
Me: "Well, first of all, Pop-pop-pop DID believe in God, so he is in heaven ... but no, our beliefs say that only by believing in God do we go to heaven regardless of our acts of goodness and kindness here on earth. The people in the Old Testament of the Bible tried to earn their way into heaven and we have talked about how difficult it would be to "earn" your way into heaven by your good deeds alone. We are fortunate that God allows us into heaven simply by believing in him."
AND FROM THE BACK SEAT, THE NEWLY TURNED 5 YEAR OLD SAYS: "No, Mom, you don't have to believe in God to get into Heaven, God says we have to believe in Jesus to get into heaven and I do so I will see Pop-pop-pop, and Mom-mom, and Mom-mom-mom and God and Jesus someday."
Someone has been listening in Sunday School ... and mommy needs to get her facts straight!!
Another anecdote from the last few weeks, the evening my grandfather died, our daughter asked if she could say blessing over dinner because "I have a really good one": Dear God, thank you for this food. Please take really good care of Pop-pop-pop because he is in heaven with you now. I hope I see him again someday ... just not too soon. Amen
and again I say, Amen!
Last week I lost my grandfather after a month-long, fairly intense illness, surgery, recuperation and subsequent illness. We buried his body on Saturday with the help of the State Police (impressive ceremony especially when you realize he had been retired since 1965). It stinks, I miss him, my extended family is hurting ... loss of any type is just a major bummer. However, my family (immediate and extended) are Christians and most of us are Methodist, with a few Catholics thrown in.
Yesterday, on the way to lacrosse practice our eldest asked: "Mom, if Pop-pop-pop didn't believe in God, would he still go to heaven because of all of the great things that he did during his life?"
Me: "Well, first of all, Pop-pop-pop DID believe in God, so he is in heaven ... but no, our beliefs say that only by believing in God do we go to heaven regardless of our acts of goodness and kindness here on earth. The people in the Old Testament of the Bible tried to earn their way into heaven and we have talked about how difficult it would be to "earn" your way into heaven by your good deeds alone. We are fortunate that God allows us into heaven simply by believing in him."
AND FROM THE BACK SEAT, THE NEWLY TURNED 5 YEAR OLD SAYS: "No, Mom, you don't have to believe in God to get into Heaven, God says we have to believe in Jesus to get into heaven and I do so I will see Pop-pop-pop, and Mom-mom, and Mom-mom-mom and God and Jesus someday."
Someone has been listening in Sunday School ... and mommy needs to get her facts straight!!
Another anecdote from the last few weeks, the evening my grandfather died, our daughter asked if she could say blessing over dinner because "I have a really good one": Dear God, thank you for this food. Please take really good care of Pop-pop-pop because he is in heaven with you now. I hope I see him again someday ... just not too soon. Amen
and again I say, Amen!
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