I'm Alive!

We just experienced "Blizzard 2005".

Sunday it rained and rained. By nightfall it became freezing rain. By midnight it was snow. Oh and don't forget the 50-60 mile an hour sustained winds! No school on Monday, or work either.

We lost power Monday in the early a.m. around 3. By 11:30 a.m. our house was freezing and I couldn't cook anything. We called the power company and were informed they had NO IDEA how long the power would be out. We opted for a motel. After Billy scraped and chipped away th ice coating my van just so we could open the doors, we piled in. We made the 30 minute-teeth-grinding-nerve-wracking drive to the nearest town with power and camped out for the night. We made sure to pack our swimsuits and spent a good portion of the day in the motel pool and hot-tub. Our neighbor called at 4:30 and said the power was back on. We decided to stay the night anyway.

By bedtime they had closed both interstates in SD. No travel was allowed anywhere. We got up Tuesday morning ( no school again) and the interstates were still closed. By 10 a.m. they were reopened and we ventured home. The interstates had been sufficiently cleared of ice but the highways were slick as snot! We arrived home to an ice covered house and tree branches down everywhere in our yard. Many of our neighbors lost whole trees. The farmer's fences had ice coating them. They actually looked pretty in the sun if you ignored all the damage that ice had done.

We got inside and discovered our house was a mild 57F! Apparently, after another call to our neighbor, we discovered the power had gone out again (due to all the ice on the power lines and the hundreds of them that were knocked down altogether) and had just turned back on about an hour prior to our arrival. We have continued to have power since then but most of our county is not so lucky. 90% of our county is still without power. Many people have had to move into emergency shelters nearby. They still don't know how long it will take to restore power as so many power lines and poles are down. We saw miles of lines down on our drive home. The kids haven't had school at all this week since the school is out of power as well. Hopefully tomorrow things will return somewhat to normal but then it is still snowing.

Pics of Blizzard 2005:
Ice covered tree.

This evergreen is supposed to be upright, too much ice weighing it down.

Poor little bush! We have 6-8 foot drifts in our yard too! Oy!


The windows next to our front door (the north side of the house). That is ice coating them.

Plucked, cooked, and stuffed

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family. May you be thankful for what you already have!

Handwriting 101

My oldest two girls are in third and fourth grade. At these young ages they have already been taught the proper handwriting format: start at the bottom, make loops where necessary, each letter must have the correct slant, and never form a letter in any other way then what the teacher taught you.

Megan has beautiful handwriting, absolutely beautiful, and perfect according to her teacher.

The other day I noticed she wrote her p's the wrong way. She made almost a full circle after making the line and then finished the circle. This was NOT the way she was taught to make them and I knew it because Becca has already completed this part of life. I opted not to say anything to Megan as she obviously was still impressing her teacher with her handwriting despite her error. A few days later Megan came home from school and as we were doing homework she says, "My teacher says I make my p's wrong." I mentioned to her how I had noticed that as well. So Becca shows Megan how to do it "correctly" and then Megan adjusts her technique appropriately, never to p incorrectly again.

But you know what really irks me? By the time these kids are in sixth grade NO ONE is going to care how they form their letters or which direction they make them in so long as they can read what has been written. So why does it become a life and death situation for these little 7 and 8 year olds?

I remember as a kid I wrote big, as in really really big! My teachers always gave me crap about it and told my mom at parent teacher conferences that I need to practice writing smaller. And you know what? I didn't. I still write big but I have nice handwriting and it is legible and I like it! And no one ever tells me anymore that I don't do it right!

All I want for Christmas...

is printer paper! LOTS AND LOTS OF PRINTER PAPER!

Why? you may be asking yourself would Jodi want printer paper for Christmas. Well let me tell you...

Because my kids use it for every drawing, art, craft, or project they feel like doing and then when I go to print something, I have NO PAPER! Stuff just doesn't look right printed on lined notebook paper, ya know?

Boys

It is funny how different the girls and Mr. Bill are. Most of the time he is fairly mellow and life is good.

Lately however, when he is tired or hungry or just feeling a burst of energy, he attacks Marea. I mean, attacks!, as in kicking, punching, tackling, etc. I am not sure why she is his target. Maybe because she lays there like a wounded dear squeaking, "Mr. Bill stooooooppp it."

Yesterday I found him hanging from my new curtain tiebacks. OY!

Today I was sitting on the couch and he ran over and headbutted me as if to say, "Hey MOM come play with me!"

When his Dad gets home from work he tackles him at the first possible moment and they wrestle.

Me? I prefer to go shopping or color...
I really need to learn how to be more boyish.

3-0

He finally did it, he turns 30 today!

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!

Change is good.

Being a stay-at-home mom should add to your identity and not take it over." Mary Goulet, Heather Reider

I love this line! (See Tee's review to understand what I am talking about.)

You know I came here today to rant about my husband and what a low-life, scum-sucking.... okay, well you get the picture. While I was busy throwing up and wishing to die, he was doing nothing. The house got trashed and no one cleaned it. Last night after he spent an hour or so getting the laundry started and the dishes done he sat down next to me and said, "There, I got it started for you." I immediately am thinking, "AS IF I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL THAT YOU CLEANED UP YOUR OWN MESSES! AND WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY YOU STARTED IT FOR ME?! LIKE YOU ASSUME I AM GOING TO FINISH IT?!"


But you know what.....? He is right. I will and he does know it because I have let being a SAHM become my life. He knows I will be here everyday at 4:30 when he gets home, he knows that the dishes will get done by me, he knows I will do the laundry, he knows I will clean the toilets, and everything else in the house. Why, because for the past 10 or so years it has been this way. Somewhere along the line, we became a casualty of routine. He expects it, I do it. Just as I expect him to go to work everyday he expects me to run the house. A fair trade, perhaps, if we didn't have five kids who also contribute to the house.

Sometimes it gets to me. A lot of times I feel unappreciated. I try to keep it all in perspective. I think it is time for a shake-up. Now if I just knew how to get it started.

Dying....

Someone breathed on me....

I spent all day yesterday with my head in the toilet and today is not promising to be any better. Becca is right next to me puking too.

I need a decontamination chamber inside my door for when the kids get home from school.

Blah!

Updates

Winter has arrived in South Dakota, with a BANG! Today we woke up to a light dusting of snow and then the wind arrived. All day is snowed and the wind pushed it around. I had to take another sick kid to the doctor and had the misfortune of driving in it. We are supposed to get 50-60 mph gusts tonight with 4-6 inches of snow coming down with it.

NaNoWriMo is not going to happen this year. I have lost interest and have not been able to challenge myself enough to write on my story. I am disappointed but have learned something too. Next year I will do a book more my style. I tried to stretch this year and do something new. What I discovered is, this is not my kind of book. Oh well.

I am half way done with my Christmas shopping. I have two of the five kids completed (and Becca's birthday presents are done for the 26th of December) and much of the S-a-n-t-a stuff done too. I like it when I can shop earlier and not on Christmas Eve. It makes it so much more fun! :)

Mommy Brain strikes again!

Do you know why people with more than two kids seem to go on and have 10 more? Do you?

I do.

It is because each kid has used up so many brain cells that we FORGET TO TAKING OUR FREAKING PILLS FOR THREE DAYS IN A ROW AND DON'T EVEN NOTICE!!!!

If I am puking instead of posting in about 4 weeks, you'll know why!

Free Kittens?

Any takers? ;)

Ta-da!

Well you can see what I have been up to today...

At least in between holding Cassie's hair as she hurls into the toilet. Gotta love winter time and kids! :)

Self-preservation

I am afraid of heights. Seriously, I get too high on a ladder, bridge, building, etc. and my legs get weak, my heart starts racing, I feel a lump start to grow in my throat and I cannot make myself take another step. I didn't have this problem as a kid. My brother and I climbed trees, swung from ropes that threw us across rivers, and rode all the carnival rides that took us upside down and round and round. But as I got older (and supposedly wiser) this fear erupted.

Now my kids are starting to mimic me and a few other adults and are pretending to be afraid of heights. I started thinking about the other day and realized for me it is not a FEAR so much as a physical reaction. As in, my body suddenly realizes it is up way to high for my own good and thus responds to force me to get down. This is not a phobia, but rather a form of self-preservation.

So you see, I am not a chicken, I am smart!

Kids Appreciation Day

We have a tradition here in the Sides' household that involves kids. Amazing isn't it? I know you are just astounded but wait it gets better.

It is a tradition that involves celebrating the fact that we are happy, yes H-A-P-P-Y that we had kids...
that I labored for 26 hours with each of them...
that we sat up at night staring at each other wondering why on God's earth they wouldn't stop screaming...
that we get the privilege of cleaning up kid puke at 3 a.m. and again 10 minutes later...
that we spend hours driving kids here and there...
that we get to be told, "I hate you!" on a regular basis...
that we get to do homework for three hours a night...
that we can stare at their sleeping faces and sigh...
that we remember the big picture does still exist amongst the trivial crap...
that they sneak up and say they love us...

We had another Kid's Appreciation Day on Sunday. We dropped the surprise on the kids while we were in the car. I give the kids a card, each with a reason why we love and APPRECIATE them. The kids eat this stuff up and honestly it is nice to be able to sit down and let them know we didn't have kids to get maids. Here is my tribute to my kids, who mean the world to me.

Becca~ At the ripe old age of 9, you have the amazing ability to suck it all up and pull through even in the toughest of circumstances. You are an awesome helper, and without you many situations we have encountered would have been worse. You are the most kind-hearted and loving child who always steers towards the correct path, even when it is not with the crowd. Your dedication and commitment amaze me. I am so proud of you.

Megan~ Whoa girl! I never thought I would meet anyone even close to as stubborn as me, but I have met my match. You have your teacher floundering at your unwillingness to change your mind. What can I say? You are incredibly funny and fun to be around. You see the humor in all situations and never hesitate to laugh out loud. You are a beautiful girl with enough determination for all of us. Thank you for keeping me smiling.

Marea~You are the smallest challenge ever to come into my life. Day-by-day we kick, fight, argue, and scream to keep you and me together. You have been by far my longest and toughest labor, but you are soooo worth it. I cannot imagine a day without you here in our home anymore. We may butt heads on a regular basis but our hearts are melted into one. You can fight with me all you want but you cannot make me run away. You have the potential to be an awesome woman, don't let yourself fall short my girl. I know I won't.

Cassie~ You are my little lover. You are so quick to make everything right for everyone in the world. I can see the potential in your little heart. You spend most of your time making others happy, and finding satisfaction in that. I love you for being such a sweetheart. You are blossoming into quite the social butterfly. I cannot even keep track of the list of friends you are constantly talking about. Quite a leap from the shy little preschooler who wouldn't even talk the entire first year. I am so proud of you.

Mr. Bill~ You are my heart Mr. Bill. I never imagined having a boy would be so different, yet so much fun. I love the way you hug me in the mornings and after your nap, the way you smile at me when you are walking down the stairs, and the way you climb in my lap and snuggle. As quick as you are to cuddle though, you can also be distant. You embarass so easily at the ripe old age of 3. You are smart beyond your years. I love the way you replay a movie over and over in story-form for us complete with all the details. If only you could stay small.

Time-out

On the way to the mechanic this morning Mr. Bill and I have this conversation:

MB: After we are done at the car fixing place can we go to the park?
Me: It might be too cold to go this early in the morning.
MB: No it is warm.
Me: You think so? We could go to the park when we go to town to have lunch with daddy.
MB: Or we could go to Ton o'Fun (think Chuck E Cheese) again. I liked it there.
Me: It was fun.
MB: Was I naughty there? You put me in time out. Why was I naughty?
Me: I don't remember.
MB: We could go back there now and find out what I did.

Sly one isn't he?

Ouch!

Got the official rundown on the van this morning.

In addition to the parts I had listed the computer scan pulled up the thermostat, gas cap, and solenoid. The airbag and rear windshield washer squirter were easy fixes however, and he fixed them right up for me. He also reset the airbag light and the service engine light so at least I have two less lights flashing at me. Hopefully the parts will all be in on Friday and I can take the van in to be fixed on Monday.

1 broken van= $978.62
1 empty wallet= $0.00

Getting the van fixed=Priceless?
Nah, but the look on my husband's face will be when I hand him the estimate. Ouch!

Broke(n)

Why must cars break? Why?

My van has been having issues for a couple of months now. I knew it needed to be taken in to be fixed but they are not life-threatening (or van threatening) problems so I have procrastinated. Well, that and my money tree has stopped producing.
So today I sucked it up (see #6) and called the Chevy Dealer to take the van in and get it fixed. Here is the laundry list:
1. Hood Latch not functioning properly~needs new cable!
(You should see the guys fidgeting with this when I take the oil in to get it changed. The last time they didn't even latch my hood OR tell me they didn't. I noticed as I walked to the van that it didn't look latched completely!)
2. Middle Row lap belt doesn't retract all the way~ must buy new one, they aren't allowed to repair them.
3. Rear Windshield Washer Fluid doesn't squirt~forgot to mention this one to him, must tell him tomorrow.
4. Gas Gauge is haywire~ 'Sending unit' broken and it is IN the gas tank. Those my friends are four very bad words in the car industry. The gas tank must be taken off to replace this one part.
5. Airbag light keeps going off and on~ possibly a small wire to the airbag in the drivers/passenger seat
6. Power Sliding door went defunct yesterday and squeals upon opening and refuses to close properly thus alerting us with a bright orange light "Door is Ajar!" and an incessant and annoying dinging noise. Possibly a broken roller.

Total price tag? Somewhere between 500-1000.00! Oy!

Success!

We had parent/teacher conferences last night for all our children.

I am happy to report Megan and Becca came out with all A's and B's and Marea and Cassie came out with all S's and S+'s! That is right, I said MAREA got S's! Last year she couldn't name a single letter or the sound they make, name any of the numbers, or color words. This year by the end of the FIRST quarter, she knows most all of it.

We did make the right decision by keeping her in Kindergarten again.

Big thanks to Andrea, who was a huge support through making that decision, even if she didn't know she was! I hope Mr. B is doing as well!

Our House is a very very fine house

I have recently discovered a few new blogs. The people behind these blogs have a serious disorder much like myself.

It has to do with old houses, stain, tools, and demolition. They are blogs about people who are renovating their old house. They blog about which sink to buy, how they found old beadboard under the sheetrock, what colors of paint the kitchen cupboards were originally. I am addicted. I looooove seeing other people's houses. Especially older houses getting a new life.

Here are just a few of the things we have done to our house since we bought it in 2002.

1. Siding

*Before* 2. Ripped out a pantry to make it a bathroom

*Before*

3. Rip out a bathroom someone put in the entryway(still in progress on this one, the walls need mudded and painted)
*Before*
4. Moved the washer and dryer out of the creepy gross basement and into the upstairs bathroom (which required removing a window).
5. Replumbed the entire house with new pipes and sewage lines.
6. Upped our house's electrical service to 200 amps and consolidated the 5 fuse boxes into one regular circuit breaker box (charge for electrician? 600.00)
7. Installed a new furnace and duct work to the upstairs
8. Replaced the main sewer line that exits our house.
9. Install a shower in the upstairs bathroom
10. Put in a kitchen (with donated cupboards for now, later we will renovate the whole room). As there was merely a metal sink in the kitchen when we moved in.


We still have sooo much more to do. Things like the roof (1 layer of cedar wood shingles on the bottom and six layers of asphalt on top of that), carpet the entire upstairs, gut the largest bedroom and move the attic stairs to prepare for finishing off the attic, redo the kitchen, refinish the stairs, and do soemthing with the foundation outside. It is looking pretty shabby.

But it is so much fun to see the changes and progress we are making. In just a few short years the house will be "done" and we will be able to sit back and enjoy it.

Here are just two of the blogs I have been reading: This Old Crack House, 1902 Victorian. Check out the links on the 1902 Victorian and you will find many more house blogs. Fun!

Running away!

I am struggling soooo bad with this years NANOWRIMO novel! It is making me run away from my computer at every possible chance so I apologize for my lack of entries lately.

This struggle is nothing new for me. I have such great book ideas and then once I get some of it spilled out on paper, there is nothing. I got my first entry done with such flurry and gusto and now trying to write more is like trying to comb a dog's hair with a staple. I am getting no where in a big hurry. I had this same problem last year so hopefully I will get back in the groove soon. If not I may bore you and me to death but I will write 50,000 words! LOL

This type of novel is a challenge for me and is forcing me to think outside of my box, comfort zone, etc. I hope in the end, it ends up being worth reading.

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Tomorrow is friday and I can't wait. Well that was until I found out my sister-in-law with the four hellion kids may have to come stay with us for the weekend. She was booted out by her boyfriend about 2 months ago and has been living in a shelter/home thingy since then. She HAS to be out tomorrow by two and hasn't heard on her apartment just yet. If ya'll are into prayers would you please say one that she hears something by 2 tomorrow so she doesn't have to come stay here. I may have to check myself in somewhere if she does!

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On the run again,
Jodi

Oops!

When asking your three year old what he wants to eat for lunch, be specific.

Today I asked Mr. Bill what he wanted for lunch.

His response? BOOBS AND TOES MOM!

He is definitely his dad's son! Oy!

Day One

I have successfully started off my first day of NaNoWriMo, 1808 words down!
I must admit it is taking some creative thinking to get me back into the novel writing mode. I don't usually write on the books I have everyday so this is a challenge, albeit a fun one!

We succesfully made it through halloween, all five kids in tow. The kids had so much fun walking 15+ blocks and knocking on doors to get candy. By the time we got home the buckets were overflowing and the kids were melting. Becca was by far the freakiest of them all. She had so much fun getting scary. Mr. Bill got into it about half way through and didn't want to stop even though he couldn't carry his own bucket because it was so heavy.

Is it just me or is blogger being a pain in the arse today? I have made several attempts at posting and each time blogger crashes as I publish it. Watch, they will all show up later after all this effort. Blah!

Found out my mom has indeed moved into her own apartment. I don't know much else, except that she is extremely angry with me (sort of expected that though). I hope things are going well for her.

Tomorrow is picture day for my kids. Naturally one of them had to go and fall off the jungle gym at school and leave a nice bruise and two huge abrasions on her cheek and chin, yes? These will be good pictures! LOL

Christmas is coming and I can't wait. I love the feeling in the air as Christmas comes and winter joins in. This year for some reason I have a longing to go to New York and see what it is like there. I have never been to New York and never really had any desire to go until now.

I need to start a new sitcom called "Life Without Hubby". Not that I want him to leave but I sure feel like we aren't connecting lately. It is hard to explain but things sure are changing here and not for the better I am afraid. I got the best advice from one of my parenting magazines several years ago. It had an article about people who were unhappy in their marriage. They did a study and found that those people who were unhappy in their marriage were not unhappy anymore when they checked in on them 5 years later. So while it may take awhile, I know that this too shall pass.