The day after Thanksgiving and I'm sitting here with the fireplace on, pooped from shopping from 7:50am on!
We had a very nice Thanksgiving yesterday, thankfully, Katja got better just in time to gorge herself on the meal :). She has been having her so manyest cold this season, very unlike her, who is normally rarely sick. But we think it may be the chance in schedule at school and the new school.
Rick cooked a great turkey meal. The turkey was so tender, it fell apart. He made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing and rolls with it and I got some side dishes at Fresh Fields, wild rice with cranberries, glazed carrots and another stuffing. It was delicious! And for dessert of course pumpkin pie. I've had to acquire a taste for sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie and I don't think Thanksgiving will ever be my favorite meal, but I did like it better this time.
My dad came over as well and he's driving north to visit my brother's family in Canada for the weekend. Hopefully, he won't encounter too much snow, as a storm is supposed to hit.
I took some really funny pictures of Brynna and Katinka, the dogs, while Rick was cleaning the turkey. You can just see the desire in their faces for a delicious piece of scrap meat ;).
Today Christine and I shopped till we dropped. We both needed outfits for the company Christmas parties and were successful. I also got my nieces and nephews Christmas outfits. Since my mother doesn't do those things I figure the aunt can.
Saskia also got a cute Christmas outfit and Katja Christmas pins. We had a great time, Christine and I and I was grateful for her opinion on what I tried on.
Kai and Saskia are going for a sleepover to friends tonight. It will be Saskia's first sleepover that's not at her grandparents house, so we'll see if she manages. The friend she's staying with tried last week here, but we had to call her parents to pick her up at 11pm. So, we're bracing ourselves, but then again, she may do fine.
Rick is taking Katja to the Eminem movie, 8 Mile. She is quite excited. It's rated R, but I figure they can talk about it. I'm too tired to join them, so I'll just be here and play games and watch tv.
Friday, November 29, 2002
The day after Thanksgiving and I'm sitting here with the fireplace on, pooped from shopping from 7:50am on!
We had a very nice Thanksgiving yesterday, thankfully, Katja got better just in time to gorge herself on the meal :). She has been having her so manyest cold this season, very unlike her, who is normally rarely sick. But we think it may be the chance in schedule at school and the new school.
Rick cooked a great turkey meal. The turkey was so tender, it fell apart. He made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing and rolls with it and I got some side dishes at Fresh Fields, wild rice with cranberries, glazed carrots and another stuffing. It was delicious! And for dessert of course pumpkin pie. I've had to acquire a taste for sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie and I don't think Thanksgiving will ever be my favorite meal, but I did like it better this time.
My dad came over as well and he's driving north to visit my brother's family in Canada for the weekend. Hopefully, he won't encounter too much snow, as a storm is supposed to hit.
I took some really funny pictures of Brynna and Katinka, the dogs, while Rick was cleaning the turkey. You can just see the desire in their faces for a delicious piece of scrap meat ;).
Today Christine and I shopped till we dropped. We both needed outfits for the company Christmas parties and were successful. I also got my nieces and nephews Christmas outfits. Since my mother doesn't do those things I figure the aunt can.
Saskia also got a cute Christmas outfit and Katja Christmas pins. We had a great time, Christine and I and I was grateful for her opinion on what I tried on.
Kai and Saskia are going for a sleepover to friends tonight. It will be Saskia's first sleepover that's not at her grandparents house, so we'll see if she manages. The friend she's staying with tried last week here, but we had to call her parents to pick her up at 11pm. So, we're bracing ourselves, but then again, she may do fine.
Rick is taking Katja to the Eminem movie, 8 Mile. She is quite excited. It's rated R, but I figure they can talk about it. I'm too tired to join them, so I'll just be here and play games and watch tv.
We had a very nice Thanksgiving yesterday, thankfully, Katja got better just in time to gorge herself on the meal :). She has been having her so manyest cold this season, very unlike her, who is normally rarely sick. But we think it may be the chance in schedule at school and the new school.
Rick cooked a great turkey meal. The turkey was so tender, it fell apart. He made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing and rolls with it and I got some side dishes at Fresh Fields, wild rice with cranberries, glazed carrots and another stuffing. It was delicious! And for dessert of course pumpkin pie. I've had to acquire a taste for sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie and I don't think Thanksgiving will ever be my favorite meal, but I did like it better this time.
My dad came over as well and he's driving north to visit my brother's family in Canada for the weekend. Hopefully, he won't encounter too much snow, as a storm is supposed to hit.
I took some really funny pictures of Brynna and Katinka, the dogs, while Rick was cleaning the turkey. You can just see the desire in their faces for a delicious piece of scrap meat ;).
Today Christine and I shopped till we dropped. We both needed outfits for the company Christmas parties and were successful. I also got my nieces and nephews Christmas outfits. Since my mother doesn't do those things I figure the aunt can.
Saskia also got a cute Christmas outfit and Katja Christmas pins. We had a great time, Christine and I and I was grateful for her opinion on what I tried on.
Kai and Saskia are going for a sleepover to friends tonight. It will be Saskia's first sleepover that's not at her grandparents house, so we'll see if she manages. The friend she's staying with tried last week here, but we had to call her parents to pick her up at 11pm. So, we're bracing ourselves, but then again, she may do fine.
Rick is taking Katja to the Eminem movie, 8 Mile. She is quite excited. It's rated R, but I figure they can talk about it. I'm too tired to join them, so I'll just be here and play games and watch tv.
The day after Thanksgiving and I'm sitting here with the fireplace on, pooped from shopping from 7:50am on!
We had a very nice Thanksgiving yesterday, thankfully, Katja got better just in time to gorge herself on the meal :). She has been having her so manyest cold this season, very unlike her, who is normally rarely sick. But we think it may be the chance in schedule at school and the new school.
Rick cooked a great turkey meal. The turkey was so tender, it fell apart. He made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing and rolls with it and I got some side dishes at Fresh Fields, wild rice with cranberries, glazed carrots and another stuffing. It was delicious! And for dessert of course pumpkin pie. I've had to acquire a taste for sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie and I don't think Thanksgiving will ever be my favorite meal, but I did like it better this time.
My dad came over as well and he's driving north to visit my brother's family in Canada for the weekend. Hopefully, he won't encounter too much snow, as a storm is supposed to hit.
I took some really funny pictures of Brynna and Katinka, the dogs, while Rick was cleaning the turkey. You can just see the desire in their faces for a delicious piece of scrap meat ;).
Today Christine and I shopped till we dropped. We both needed outfits for the company Christmas parties and were successful. I also got my nieces and nephews Christmas outfits. Since my mother doesn't do those things I figure the aunt can.
Saskia also got a cute Christmas outfit and Katja Christmas pins. We had a great time, Christine and I and I was grateful for her opinion on what I tried on.
Kai and Saskia are going for a sleepover to friends tonight. It will be Saskia's first sleepover that's not at her grandparents house, so we'll see if she manages. The friend she's staying with tried last week here, but we had to call her parents to pick her up at 11pm. So, we're bracing ourselves, but then again, she may do fine.
Rick is taking Katja to the Eminem movie, 8 Mile. She is quite excited. It's rated R, but I figure they can talk about it. I'm too tired to join them, so I'll just be here and play games and watch tv.
We had a very nice Thanksgiving yesterday, thankfully, Katja got better just in time to gorge herself on the meal :). She has been having her so manyest cold this season, very unlike her, who is normally rarely sick. But we think it may be the chance in schedule at school and the new school.
Rick cooked a great turkey meal. The turkey was so tender, it fell apart. He made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing and rolls with it and I got some side dishes at Fresh Fields, wild rice with cranberries, glazed carrots and another stuffing. It was delicious! And for dessert of course pumpkin pie. I've had to acquire a taste for sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie and I don't think Thanksgiving will ever be my favorite meal, but I did like it better this time.
My dad came over as well and he's driving north to visit my brother's family in Canada for the weekend. Hopefully, he won't encounter too much snow, as a storm is supposed to hit.
I took some really funny pictures of Brynna and Katinka, the dogs, while Rick was cleaning the turkey. You can just see the desire in their faces for a delicious piece of scrap meat ;).
Today Christine and I shopped till we dropped. We both needed outfits for the company Christmas parties and were successful. I also got my nieces and nephews Christmas outfits. Since my mother doesn't do those things I figure the aunt can.
Saskia also got a cute Christmas outfit and Katja Christmas pins. We had a great time, Christine and I and I was grateful for her opinion on what I tried on.
Kai and Saskia are going for a sleepover to friends tonight. It will be Saskia's first sleepover that's not at her grandparents house, so we'll see if she manages. The friend she's staying with tried last week here, but we had to call her parents to pick her up at 11pm. So, we're bracing ourselves, but then again, she may do fine.
Rick is taking Katja to the Eminem movie, 8 Mile. She is quite excited. It's rated R, but I figure they can talk about it. I'm too tired to join them, so I'll just be here and play games and watch tv.
The day after Thanksgiving and I'm sitting here with the fireplace on, pooped from shopping from 7:50am on!
We had a very nice Thanksgiving yesterday, thankfully, Katja got better just in time to gorge herself on the meal :). She has been having her so manyest cold this season, very unlike her, who is normally rarely sick. But we think it may be the chance in schedule at school and the new school.
Rick cooked a great turkey meal. The turkey was so tender, it fell apart. He made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing and rolls with it and I got some side dishes at Fresh Fields, wild rice with cranberries, glazed carrots and another stuffing. It was delicious! And for dessert of course pumpkin pie. I've had to acquire a taste for sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie and I don't think Thanksgiving will ever be my favorite meal, but I did like it better this time.
My dad came over as well and he's driving north to visit my brother's family in Canada for the weekend. Hopefully, he won't encounter too much snow, as a storm is supposed to hit.
I took some really funny pictures of Brynna and Katinka, the dogs, while Rick was cleaning the turkey. You can just see the desire in their faces for a delicious piece of scrap meat ;).
Today Christine and I shopped till we dropped. We both needed outfits for the company Christmas parties and were successful. I also got my nieces and nephews Christmas outfits. Since my mother doesn't do those things I figure the aunt can.
Saskia also got a cute Christmas outfit and Katja Christmas pins. We had a great time, Christine and I and I was grateful for her opinion on what I tried on.
Kai and Saskia are going for a sleepover to friends tonight. It will be Saskia's first sleepover that's not at her grandparents house, so we'll see if she manages. The friend she's staying with tried last week here, but we had to call her parents to pick her up at 11pm. So, we're bracing ourselves, but then again, she may do fine.
Rick is taking Katja to the Eminem movie, 8 Mile. She is quite excited. It's rated R, but I figure they can talk about it. I'm too tired to join them, so I'll just be here and play games and watch tv.
We had a very nice Thanksgiving yesterday, thankfully, Katja got better just in time to gorge herself on the meal :). She has been having her so manyest cold this season, very unlike her, who is normally rarely sick. But we think it may be the chance in schedule at school and the new school.
Rick cooked a great turkey meal. The turkey was so tender, it fell apart. He made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing and rolls with it and I got some side dishes at Fresh Fields, wild rice with cranberries, glazed carrots and another stuffing. It was delicious! And for dessert of course pumpkin pie. I've had to acquire a taste for sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie and I don't think Thanksgiving will ever be my favorite meal, but I did like it better this time.
My dad came over as well and he's driving north to visit my brother's family in Canada for the weekend. Hopefully, he won't encounter too much snow, as a storm is supposed to hit.
I took some really funny pictures of Brynna and Katinka, the dogs, while Rick was cleaning the turkey. You can just see the desire in their faces for a delicious piece of scrap meat ;).
Today Christine and I shopped till we dropped. We both needed outfits for the company Christmas parties and were successful. I also got my nieces and nephews Christmas outfits. Since my mother doesn't do those things I figure the aunt can.
Saskia also got a cute Christmas outfit and Katja Christmas pins. We had a great time, Christine and I and I was grateful for her opinion on what I tried on.
Kai and Saskia are going for a sleepover to friends tonight. It will be Saskia's first sleepover that's not at her grandparents house, so we'll see if she manages. The friend she's staying with tried last week here, but we had to call her parents to pick her up at 11pm. So, we're bracing ourselves, but then again, she may do fine.
Rick is taking Katja to the Eminem movie, 8 Mile. She is quite excited. It's rated R, but I figure they can talk about it. I'm too tired to join them, so I'll just be here and play games and watch tv.
Monday, November 25, 2002
I'm baaaaack :)! We got back from the Bahamas on Wednesday the 20th (blog: http://atlantis2002.blogspot.com) and Thursday and Friday I felt so tired and rundown, all I could think about was sleep.
It got a little better on Saturday and we went to see the Harry Potter movie, which the kids had been dying to see. It was a lot of fun and not as scary as I had thought, after reading all the warnings about that. That evening, Kai and Saskia had a sleepover here with their friends Michael and Laura. They were all allowed to put their shoes in front of the fireplace, so Sinterklaas could come and put something in it. My kids sang their traditional Sinterklaas song and taught Michael and Laura some of it.
Unfortunately for Saskia, who cried and cried afterwards, Laura didn't manage to pull her first sleepover off. Around 11pm she started crying for her mommy and daddy and after some tries to get her to calm down and go to sleep, we called her parents, who thankfully live close by, to pick her up. She came back the next morning for her shoe gift.
On Sunday, Rick and I took care of all the leaves in the yard. I raked the front yard, while he started on the back. We filled 9 large plastic bags and there is a heap on the curb! Incredible how many leaves come off those trees!
Wednesday the 20th was Rick's birthday and since that was our travel day back from the Bahamas, we hadn't really celebrated yet. His request was to see the James Bond movie, Die Another Day and then go to a steakhouse. Poor Saskia was not too fond of the movie, but the rest of us loved it! It's action packed and has many typical Bond ingredients, but is different enough to enjoy.
Then we dropped Katja at home, who had several homework projects due and went to eat a nice steak dinner (we brought Katja one home, in case anyone thought us ogres).
Today I went in for my workout and this afternoon again felt so fatigued, plus Saskia had a headache and Katja complained of a very sore throat, so I hope we're not all coming down with something!
It got a little better on Saturday and we went to see the Harry Potter movie, which the kids had been dying to see. It was a lot of fun and not as scary as I had thought, after reading all the warnings about that. That evening, Kai and Saskia had a sleepover here with their friends Michael and Laura. They were all allowed to put their shoes in front of the fireplace, so Sinterklaas could come and put something in it. My kids sang their traditional Sinterklaas song and taught Michael and Laura some of it.
Unfortunately for Saskia, who cried and cried afterwards, Laura didn't manage to pull her first sleepover off. Around 11pm she started crying for her mommy and daddy and after some tries to get her to calm down and go to sleep, we called her parents, who thankfully live close by, to pick her up. She came back the next morning for her shoe gift.
On Sunday, Rick and I took care of all the leaves in the yard. I raked the front yard, while he started on the back. We filled 9 large plastic bags and there is a heap on the curb! Incredible how many leaves come off those trees!
Wednesday the 20th was Rick's birthday and since that was our travel day back from the Bahamas, we hadn't really celebrated yet. His request was to see the James Bond movie, Die Another Day and then go to a steakhouse. Poor Saskia was not too fond of the movie, but the rest of us loved it! It's action packed and has many typical Bond ingredients, but is different enough to enjoy.
Then we dropped Katja at home, who had several homework projects due and went to eat a nice steak dinner (we brought Katja one home, in case anyone thought us ogres).
Today I went in for my workout and this afternoon again felt so fatigued, plus Saskia had a headache and Katja complained of a very sore throat, so I hope we're not all coming down with something!
I'm baaaaack :)! We got back from the Bahamas on Wednesday the 20th (blog: http://atlantis2002.blogspot.com) and Thursday and Friday I felt so tired and rundown, all I could think about was sleep.
It got a little better on Saturday and we went to see the Harry Potter movie, which the kids had been dying to see. It was a lot of fun and not as scary as I had thought, after reading all the warnings about that. That evening, Kai and Saskia had a sleepover here with their friends Michael and Laura. They were all allowed to put their shoes in front of the fireplace, so Sinterklaas could come and put something in it. My kids sang their traditional Sinterklaas song and taught Michael and Laura some of it.
Unfortunately for Saskia, who cried and cried afterwards, Laura didn't manage to pull her first sleepover off. Around 11pm she started crying for her mommy and daddy and after some tries to get her to calm down and go to sleep, we called her parents, who thankfully live close by, to pick her up. She came back the next morning for her shoe gift.
On Sunday, Rick and I took care of all the leaves in the yard. I raked the front yard, while he started on the back. We filled 9 large plastic bags and there is a heap on the curb! Incredible how many leaves come off those trees!
Wednesday the 20th was Rick's birthday and since that was our travel day back from the Bahamas, we hadn't really celebrated yet. His request was to see the James Bond movie, Die Another Day and then go to a steakhouse. Poor Saskia was not too fond of the movie, but the rest of us loved it! It's action packed and has many typical Bond ingredients, but is different enough to enjoy.
Then we dropped Katja at home, who had several homework projects due and went to eat a nice steak dinner (we brought Katja one home, in case anyone thought us ogres).
Today I went in for my workout and this afternoon again felt so fatigued, plus Saskia had a headache and Katja complained of a very sore throat, so I hope we're not all coming down with something!
It got a little better on Saturday and we went to see the Harry Potter movie, which the kids had been dying to see. It was a lot of fun and not as scary as I had thought, after reading all the warnings about that. That evening, Kai and Saskia had a sleepover here with their friends Michael and Laura. They were all allowed to put their shoes in front of the fireplace, so Sinterklaas could come and put something in it. My kids sang their traditional Sinterklaas song and taught Michael and Laura some of it.
Unfortunately for Saskia, who cried and cried afterwards, Laura didn't manage to pull her first sleepover off. Around 11pm she started crying for her mommy and daddy and after some tries to get her to calm down and go to sleep, we called her parents, who thankfully live close by, to pick her up. She came back the next morning for her shoe gift.
On Sunday, Rick and I took care of all the leaves in the yard. I raked the front yard, while he started on the back. We filled 9 large plastic bags and there is a heap on the curb! Incredible how many leaves come off those trees!
Wednesday the 20th was Rick's birthday and since that was our travel day back from the Bahamas, we hadn't really celebrated yet. His request was to see the James Bond movie, Die Another Day and then go to a steakhouse. Poor Saskia was not too fond of the movie, but the rest of us loved it! It's action packed and has many typical Bond ingredients, but is different enough to enjoy.
Then we dropped Katja at home, who had several homework projects due and went to eat a nice steak dinner (we brought Katja one home, in case anyone thought us ogres).
Today I went in for my workout and this afternoon again felt so fatigued, plus Saskia had a headache and Katja complained of a very sore throat, so I hope we're not all coming down with something!
I'm baaaaack :)! We got back from the Bahamas on Wednesday the 20th (blog: http://atlantis2002.blogspot.com) and Thursday and Friday I felt so tired and rundown, all I could think about was sleep.
It got a little better on Saturday and we went to see the Harry Potter movie, which the kids had been dying to see. It was a lot of fun and not as scary as I had thought, after reading all the warnings about that. That evening, Kai and Saskia had a sleepover here with their friends Michael and Laura. They were all allowed to put their shoes in front of the fireplace, so Sinterklaas could come and put something in it. My kids sang their traditional Sinterklaas song and taught Michael and Laura some of it.
Unfortunately for Saskia, who cried and cried afterwards, Laura didn't manage to pull her first sleepover off. Around 11pm she started crying for her mommy and daddy and after some tries to get her to calm down and go to sleep, we called her parents, who thankfully live close by, to pick her up. She came back the next morning for her shoe gift.
On Sunday, Rick and I took care of all the leaves in the yard. I raked the front yard, while he started on the back. We filled 9 large plastic bags and there is a heap on the curb! Incredible how many leaves come off those trees!
Wednesday the 20th was Rick's birthday and since that was our travel day back from the Bahamas, we hadn't really celebrated yet. His request was to see the James Bond movie, Die Another Day and then go to a steakhouse. Poor Saskia was not too fond of the movie, but the rest of us loved it! It's action packed and has many typical Bond ingredients, but is different enough to enjoy.
Then we dropped Katja at home, who had several homework projects due and went to eat a nice steak dinner (we brought Katja one home, in case anyone thought us ogres).
Today I went in for my workout and this afternoon again felt so fatigued, plus Saskia had a headache and Katja complained of a very sore throat, so I hope we're not all coming down with something!
It got a little better on Saturday and we went to see the Harry Potter movie, which the kids had been dying to see. It was a lot of fun and not as scary as I had thought, after reading all the warnings about that. That evening, Kai and Saskia had a sleepover here with their friends Michael and Laura. They were all allowed to put their shoes in front of the fireplace, so Sinterklaas could come and put something in it. My kids sang their traditional Sinterklaas song and taught Michael and Laura some of it.
Unfortunately for Saskia, who cried and cried afterwards, Laura didn't manage to pull her first sleepover off. Around 11pm she started crying for her mommy and daddy and after some tries to get her to calm down and go to sleep, we called her parents, who thankfully live close by, to pick her up. She came back the next morning for her shoe gift.
On Sunday, Rick and I took care of all the leaves in the yard. I raked the front yard, while he started on the back. We filled 9 large plastic bags and there is a heap on the curb! Incredible how many leaves come off those trees!
Wednesday the 20th was Rick's birthday and since that was our travel day back from the Bahamas, we hadn't really celebrated yet. His request was to see the James Bond movie, Die Another Day and then go to a steakhouse. Poor Saskia was not too fond of the movie, but the rest of us loved it! It's action packed and has many typical Bond ingredients, but is different enough to enjoy.
Then we dropped Katja at home, who had several homework projects due and went to eat a nice steak dinner (we brought Katja one home, in case anyone thought us ogres).
Today I went in for my workout and this afternoon again felt so fatigued, plus Saskia had a headache and Katja complained of a very sore throat, so I hope we're not all coming down with something!
I'm baaaaack :)! We got back from the Bahamas on Wednesday the 20th (blog: http://atlantis2002.blogspot.com) and Thursday and Friday I felt so tired and rundown, all I could think about was sleep.
It got a little better on Saturday and we went to see the Harry Potter movie, which the kids had been dying to see. It was a lot of fun and not as scary as I had thought, after reading all the warnings about that. That evening, Kai and Saskia had a sleepover here with their friends Michael and Laura. They were all allowed to put their shoes in front of the fireplace, so Sinterklaas could come and put something in it. My kids sang their traditional Sinterklaas song and taught Michael and Laura some of it.
Unfortunately for Saskia, who cried and cried afterwards, Laura didn't manage to pull her first sleepover off. Around 11pm she started crying for her mommy and daddy and after some tries to get her to calm down and go to sleep, we called her parents, who thankfully live close by, to pick her up. She came back the next morning for her shoe gift.
On Sunday, Rick and I took care of all the leaves in the yard. I raked the front yard, while he started on the back. We filled 9 large plastic bags and there is a heap on the curb! Incredible how many leaves come off those trees!
Wednesday the 20th was Rick's birthday and since that was our travel day back from the Bahamas, we hadn't really celebrated yet. His request was to see the James Bond movie, Die Another Day and then go to a steakhouse. Poor Saskia was not too fond of the movie, but the rest of us loved it! It's action packed and has many typical Bond ingredients, but is different enough to enjoy.
Then we dropped Katja at home, who had several homework projects due and went to eat a nice steak dinner (we brought Katja one home, in case anyone thought us ogres).
Today I went in for my workout and this afternoon again felt so fatigued, plus Saskia had a headache and Katja complained of a very sore throat, so I hope we're not all coming down with something!
It got a little better on Saturday and we went to see the Harry Potter movie, which the kids had been dying to see. It was a lot of fun and not as scary as I had thought, after reading all the warnings about that. That evening, Kai and Saskia had a sleepover here with their friends Michael and Laura. They were all allowed to put their shoes in front of the fireplace, so Sinterklaas could come and put something in it. My kids sang their traditional Sinterklaas song and taught Michael and Laura some of it.
Unfortunately for Saskia, who cried and cried afterwards, Laura didn't manage to pull her first sleepover off. Around 11pm she started crying for her mommy and daddy and after some tries to get her to calm down and go to sleep, we called her parents, who thankfully live close by, to pick her up. She came back the next morning for her shoe gift.
On Sunday, Rick and I took care of all the leaves in the yard. I raked the front yard, while he started on the back. We filled 9 large plastic bags and there is a heap on the curb! Incredible how many leaves come off those trees!
Wednesday the 20th was Rick's birthday and since that was our travel day back from the Bahamas, we hadn't really celebrated yet. His request was to see the James Bond movie, Die Another Day and then go to a steakhouse. Poor Saskia was not too fond of the movie, but the rest of us loved it! It's action packed and has many typical Bond ingredients, but is different enough to enjoy.
Then we dropped Katja at home, who had several homework projects due and went to eat a nice steak dinner (we brought Katja one home, in case anyone thought us ogres).
Today I went in for my workout and this afternoon again felt so fatigued, plus Saskia had a headache and Katja complained of a very sore throat, so I hope we're not all coming down with something!
Saturday, November 09, 2002
For those that have not received the link yet, I posted the Las Vegas trip journal in a separate blog: http://lasvegas2002.blogspot.com.
This has been a crazy week (I wonder if I'll ever write "this has been a boring week" ;). The kids and I arrived back from Vegas on Monday evening. All went quite well, I quickly unpacked and did a mammoth laundry!
On Tuesday, the kids were still off from school because of election day. We slept in till 9am, I loved it, as I was exhausted for some reason. Then I called the plumber, as we had 2 running toilets and I really didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on the water bill, not to mention waste water like that. I was in luck as they just happened to be in the area and came back almost immediately, The bad news was though, that the toilets were so cheap, he couldn't fix them. That's when I made the executive decision to replace all 4 toilets in the house, as we've already spent way over $1000 in plumber bills from running and overflowing toilets. The new toilets were installed Thursday morning. The plumber was quite enthousiastic about them, I had to come look at each new toilet installed. I faked some kind of enthusiasm, but have to admit, that toilets don't exactly excite me ;).
After the plumber, I went to vote. I have never hesitated as much in the voting booth as this time. I just couldn't decide whether or not to vote for the tax increase. I ended up voting for it, because I knew that's what Rick would have done (it was for railroad and road improvements). But it got voted down anyway. Besides that the election was kind of boring here in Virginia.
On Thursday, when the plumbers were here, I painted the wall in our bedroom, that has the windows, olive green to match our bedspread. It really looks pretty.
Yesterday I did Artsmart in Kai's class with my friend Denise and we had a great time. We taught about Egyptian Art and the kids engraved hieroglyphics in drywall squares and then colored them.
Then the weather was so beautiful, I took my camera and the dog for a one and a half hour run and got some quite colorful leaf pictures.
Last night, we had a great happy hour party at Christine and Chuck's. We were supposed to bring Greek food and since I had been so busy, I asked Rick to stop by the Greek take out nearby and get some stuff. Well, he got enough to feed 3 parties! But it somehow easily disappeared. It was a wonderful party!
This morning I first went to work out, then came back to fetch Katja and she and I had a pedicure and a manicure done. It's so much fun to do mother and daughter! And she enjoys it tremendously!
Tonight we went to the herring and eel night at the Dutch embassy. Wow, wonderful stuff (I know, most people shiver at the thought). We met some great people and I'm determined to arrange a get together of different "mixed" couples in December.
This has been a crazy week (I wonder if I'll ever write "this has been a boring week" ;). The kids and I arrived back from Vegas on Monday evening. All went quite well, I quickly unpacked and did a mammoth laundry!
On Tuesday, the kids were still off from school because of election day. We slept in till 9am, I loved it, as I was exhausted for some reason. Then I called the plumber, as we had 2 running toilets and I really didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on the water bill, not to mention waste water like that. I was in luck as they just happened to be in the area and came back almost immediately, The bad news was though, that the toilets were so cheap, he couldn't fix them. That's when I made the executive decision to replace all 4 toilets in the house, as we've already spent way over $1000 in plumber bills from running and overflowing toilets. The new toilets were installed Thursday morning. The plumber was quite enthousiastic about them, I had to come look at each new toilet installed. I faked some kind of enthusiasm, but have to admit, that toilets don't exactly excite me ;).
After the plumber, I went to vote. I have never hesitated as much in the voting booth as this time. I just couldn't decide whether or not to vote for the tax increase. I ended up voting for it, because I knew that's what Rick would have done (it was for railroad and road improvements). But it got voted down anyway. Besides that the election was kind of boring here in Virginia.
On Thursday, when the plumbers were here, I painted the wall in our bedroom, that has the windows, olive green to match our bedspread. It really looks pretty.
Yesterday I did Artsmart in Kai's class with my friend Denise and we had a great time. We taught about Egyptian Art and the kids engraved hieroglyphics in drywall squares and then colored them.
Then the weather was so beautiful, I took my camera and the dog for a one and a half hour run and got some quite colorful leaf pictures.
Last night, we had a great happy hour party at Christine and Chuck's. We were supposed to bring Greek food and since I had been so busy, I asked Rick to stop by the Greek take out nearby and get some stuff. Well, he got enough to feed 3 parties! But it somehow easily disappeared. It was a wonderful party!
This morning I first went to work out, then came back to fetch Katja and she and I had a pedicure and a manicure done. It's so much fun to do mother and daughter! And she enjoys it tremendously!
Tonight we went to the herring and eel night at the Dutch embassy. Wow, wonderful stuff (I know, most people shiver at the thought). We met some great people and I'm determined to arrange a get together of different "mixed" couples in December.
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
Yesterday I had an awful day, painwise, the weather was awful. I went to the gym, came home to have a massage and then Rick set up the hot tub for me. Yes, I realize this all sounds very decadent and I do really appreciate the fact that I can do it. But on the other hand, I need it too to simply function. I am often reminded of the times when I first knew Rick and a flare up of fibromyalgia like this week would have me in bed for weeks.
Then again, I feel guilty for taking all that time for myself and to work on my body to feel better. We had teacher conferences yesterday afternoon and I felt well enough after all that tweaking to go. The teachers were enthralled with our kids and I have to say, that's a wonderful feeling. Of course, we feel we have gorgeous, lovable kids, but to hear how well they're doing in school and how much their teachers like them really is fun. I love how different their characters are and how it comes out in the teachers' evaluations. I am very impressed with the teachers at their school (and Katja's too), it certainly doesn't take long for them to get to know their students! What I love is that each student is allowed to be their own persona. They touch on strengths and weaknesses, but not in a way that would alter the child's basic being.
For example, Saskia is very spontaneous, reacts quickly, is very talkative. The teacher has to make sure she doesn't disrupt the lessons (she doesn't), but she's not discouraging her flamboyant personality. And I like that a lot.
Meanwhile, Saskia had her skating lesson and was devastated to miss it, because of the conferences. So I called my dad and he came and took her and enjoyed it tremendously. He even gave her a snack "because she gets a little cranky when she's hungry" :). This has been such a blessing, to see my dad enjoying his role as a grandparent.
He stayed for dinner and Katja had her last field hockey practice of the year. It was a disappointment, because, thanks to the Sniper, they never got to play any tournaments or real games.
Today I woke up in knots again, so I called Christine to say I wouldn't make it to church for our bible study. Sitting in a straight chair for 2 hours just seemed like total torture to me!
She asked me if I couldn't at least come for the last hour and then witness her will for her. So I ended up going to the gym, working out for about 30 minutes, then 5 minutes in the hot tub, which really helped a lot. Then quickly dry my hair and go to church. Back to the gym, then to Trader Joe's for some groceries, off to the dealership to pick up the car, race home to get lunch and the kids, fly off to the orthodontist for Katja, run to music store for Kai's trumpet, then to Katja's school, as she had forgotten to bring a major part of her homework and then finally to McDonald's as this was a tough afternoon with nasty rain.
After we got home, the kids were fed and I started on the pumpkins, 3 huge ones, which I gutted and got ready for Rick to carve. Rick and I had a crockpot meal and now I'm exhausted. Let no one ever say a stay at home mom just sits and eats bonbons, I long for a day like that!!
Then again, I feel guilty for taking all that time for myself and to work on my body to feel better. We had teacher conferences yesterday afternoon and I felt well enough after all that tweaking to go. The teachers were enthralled with our kids and I have to say, that's a wonderful feeling. Of course, we feel we have gorgeous, lovable kids, but to hear how well they're doing in school and how much their teachers like them really is fun. I love how different their characters are and how it comes out in the teachers' evaluations. I am very impressed with the teachers at their school (and Katja's too), it certainly doesn't take long for them to get to know their students! What I love is that each student is allowed to be their own persona. They touch on strengths and weaknesses, but not in a way that would alter the child's basic being.
For example, Saskia is very spontaneous, reacts quickly, is very talkative. The teacher has to make sure she doesn't disrupt the lessons (she doesn't), but she's not discouraging her flamboyant personality. And I like that a lot.
Meanwhile, Saskia had her skating lesson and was devastated to miss it, because of the conferences. So I called my dad and he came and took her and enjoyed it tremendously. He even gave her a snack "because she gets a little cranky when she's hungry" :). This has been such a blessing, to see my dad enjoying his role as a grandparent.
He stayed for dinner and Katja had her last field hockey practice of the year. It was a disappointment, because, thanks to the Sniper, they never got to play any tournaments or real games.
Today I woke up in knots again, so I called Christine to say I wouldn't make it to church for our bible study. Sitting in a straight chair for 2 hours just seemed like total torture to me!
She asked me if I couldn't at least come for the last hour and then witness her will for her. So I ended up going to the gym, working out for about 30 minutes, then 5 minutes in the hot tub, which really helped a lot. Then quickly dry my hair and go to church. Back to the gym, then to Trader Joe's for some groceries, off to the dealership to pick up the car, race home to get lunch and the kids, fly off to the orthodontist for Katja, run to music store for Kai's trumpet, then to Katja's school, as she had forgotten to bring a major part of her homework and then finally to McDonald's as this was a tough afternoon with nasty rain.
After we got home, the kids were fed and I started on the pumpkins, 3 huge ones, which I gutted and got ready for Rick to carve. Rick and I had a crockpot meal and now I'm exhausted. Let no one ever say a stay at home mom just sits and eats bonbons, I long for a day like that!!
Sunday, October 27, 2002
Rather than trying to tell what we did over the past week, I think I'll just start from scratch.
Parker, Saskia's little friend, had his first real sleepover here last night, it went great! They all slept (including Kai) in no time. I guess the Halloween party wore them out.
As I'm sitting here typing, I'm looking out into the beautiful day we're having and our neighbor's gorgeous bright red tree. I'm going to have to take some pictures!
I've become a member of some of the photo critique websites: Usefilm, Digital Photo Contest and photo net. It's fun to get ideas of what other people do with their photography. And good to get some insight from others on how I can improve.
Kai and I went on an hour plus walk to the park and stopped regularly to take pictures. The fall colors are amazing!
Things that make me happy:
1. Having my little (getting big though!) boy happily scootering alongside me
2. Nature, it's gorgeous!
3. My knee hurts a bit less today, yay, meaning it's just related to fibromyalgia and not some weird other thing
4. Halloween is just a few days away and it's one of my favorite holidays, did I mention I'm going as a space vampiress?
5. My dad comes over often and it's so great to see him cuddle with the kids and them loving it when Opa comes!
Parker, Saskia's little friend, had his first real sleepover here last night, it went great! They all slept (including Kai) in no time. I guess the Halloween party wore them out.
As I'm sitting here typing, I'm looking out into the beautiful day we're having and our neighbor's gorgeous bright red tree. I'm going to have to take some pictures!
I've become a member of some of the photo critique websites: Usefilm, Digital Photo Contest and photo net. It's fun to get ideas of what other people do with their photography. And good to get some insight from others on how I can improve.
Kai and I went on an hour plus walk to the park and stopped regularly to take pictures. The fall colors are amazing!
Things that make me happy:
1. Having my little (getting big though!) boy happily scootering alongside me
2. Nature, it's gorgeous!
3. My knee hurts a bit less today, yay, meaning it's just related to fibromyalgia and not some weird other thing
4. Halloween is just a few days away and it's one of my favorite holidays, did I mention I'm going as a space vampiress?
5. My dad comes over often and it's so great to see him cuddle with the kids and them loving it when Opa comes!
Rather than trying to tell what we did over the past week, I think I'll just start from scratch.
Parker, Saskia's little friend, had his first real sleepover here last night, it went great! They all slept (including Kai) in no time. I guess the Halloween party wore them out.
As I'm sitting here typing, I'm looking out into the beautiful day we're having and our neighbor's gorgeous bright red tree. I'm going to have to take some pictures!
I've become a member of some of the photo critique websites: Usefilm, Digital Photo Contest and photo net. It's fun to get ideas of what other people do with their photography. And good to get some insight from others on how I can improve.
Kai and I went on an hour plus walk to the park and stopped regularly to take pictures. The fall colors are amazing!
Things that make me happy:
1. Having my little (getting big though!) boy happily scootering alongside me
2. Nature, it's gorgeous!
3. My knee hurts a bit less today, yay, meaning it's just related to fibromyalgia and not some weird other thing
4. Halloween is just a few days away and it's one of my favorite holidays, did I mention I'm going as a space vampiress?
5. My dad comes over often and it's so great to see him cuddle with the kids and them loving it when Opa comes!
Parker, Saskia's little friend, had his first real sleepover here last night, it went great! They all slept (including Kai) in no time. I guess the Halloween party wore them out.
As I'm sitting here typing, I'm looking out into the beautiful day we're having and our neighbor's gorgeous bright red tree. I'm going to have to take some pictures!
I've become a member of some of the photo critique websites: Usefilm, Digital Photo Contest and photo net. It's fun to get ideas of what other people do with their photography. And good to get some insight from others on how I can improve.
Kai and I went on an hour plus walk to the park and stopped regularly to take pictures. The fall colors are amazing!
Things that make me happy:
1. Having my little (getting big though!) boy happily scootering alongside me
2. Nature, it's gorgeous!
3. My knee hurts a bit less today, yay, meaning it's just related to fibromyalgia and not some weird other thing
4. Halloween is just a few days away and it's one of my favorite holidays, did I mention I'm going as a space vampiress?
5. My dad comes over often and it's so great to see him cuddle with the kids and them loving it when Opa comes!
Saturday, October 26, 2002
Taking a small break from the Halloween party my neighbor is having. It's finally sunny again and beautiful with the fall colors getting deeper. Now that the snipers have been caught, the relief is palpable all around. And we can go trick or treating, at least!
But we're behind, because we have no pumpkins yet, we'll get those tomorrow.
I'm really hoping to start blogging more diligently again. I tried to yesterday, but the Blogger site was down. More later, hopefully tonight.
But we're behind, because we have no pumpkins yet, we'll get those tomorrow.
I'm really hoping to start blogging more diligently again. I tried to yesterday, but the Blogger site was down. More later, hopefully tonight.
Friday, October 18, 2002
Well, my loyalty to my blog is waning! I can't believe I haven't written a whole week! I think it's because my brain is so full of stuff, snipers, mothers, sick children and what have you, that I don't even know where to start. And I don't want my blog to become a weekly whining session either, as, all things considered, I have a wonderful life and to be grumpy on here just wouldn't be right.
Take yesterday, the first message I read online was from an email friend in Denmark, very, very sad: their 6 1/2 months old infant had died in her sleep. She had Down's Syndrome, but was doing quite well. So this was completely unexpected (not that expected makes it any easier!). So I was very sad for her, but I also realized, how precious life is and cuddled my kids all the more.
Today, my email friend Colleen is in labor having her third child. This has been a very nervous pregnancy for her and we've all lived through it with her. Her daughter Heather died in utero a year or so ago. I can't wait for the good news about the birth of her little one!
The internet is such a special place, support is very real, even if not in the flesh and I think it has widened many people's social circle.
On the personal front, Katja was sick until Tuesday and Kai and Saskia had a major case of cabin fever. So I could just about kiss my friend Denise, when she called on Tuesday afternoon to ask my two to play at her house. Two hours of quiet!
Rick traveled, left Monday night, came back Tuesday, left Wednesday night, came back last night. This always makes it hard for me to get in a rhythm. As a matter of fact, I think the lack of it caused Saskia to feel nauseous today from tiredness. I got a call from the clinic while I was at the gym, and when I called back, she had had a nap and was feeling much better and so far she's still at school.
I had a hair appointment yesterday and my hairdresser decided to let my hair return to its natural color. So I went from quite a blonde (which had started to look brassy and I was increasingly unhappy with) to a brunette in the span of one hour. I love it myself and so does just about everyone else, especially Rick. But Saskia had a fit when she saw me (I do look completely different, it's amazing what hair color will do!) and didn't want to come home with me. I had to carry her home. I told her that changing my hair color didn't make me a different person and that I loved her as much as always (she was yelling she hated me). When she said "I wish you were dead", though, I carried her up to her room and asked her to think of how that was not a nice thing to say.
Katja talked to her too and as suddenly as the fit started, it ended and I had a cuddly little six year old in my lap, who told me she loved me "even" with brown hair :).
Now I have about 15 minutes before I have to get Katja from the bus stop and then I'm going to hand out wrapping paper orders at the school, oh joy!
Take yesterday, the first message I read online was from an email friend in Denmark, very, very sad: their 6 1/2 months old infant had died in her sleep. She had Down's Syndrome, but was doing quite well. So this was completely unexpected (not that expected makes it any easier!). So I was very sad for her, but I also realized, how precious life is and cuddled my kids all the more.
Today, my email friend Colleen is in labor having her third child. This has been a very nervous pregnancy for her and we've all lived through it with her. Her daughter Heather died in utero a year or so ago. I can't wait for the good news about the birth of her little one!
The internet is such a special place, support is very real, even if not in the flesh and I think it has widened many people's social circle.
On the personal front, Katja was sick until Tuesday and Kai and Saskia had a major case of cabin fever. So I could just about kiss my friend Denise, when she called on Tuesday afternoon to ask my two to play at her house. Two hours of quiet!
Rick traveled, left Monday night, came back Tuesday, left Wednesday night, came back last night. This always makes it hard for me to get in a rhythm. As a matter of fact, I think the lack of it caused Saskia to feel nauseous today from tiredness. I got a call from the clinic while I was at the gym, and when I called back, she had had a nap and was feeling much better and so far she's still at school.
I had a hair appointment yesterday and my hairdresser decided to let my hair return to its natural color. So I went from quite a blonde (which had started to look brassy and I was increasingly unhappy with) to a brunette in the span of one hour. I love it myself and so does just about everyone else, especially Rick. But Saskia had a fit when she saw me (I do look completely different, it's amazing what hair color will do!) and didn't want to come home with me. I had to carry her home. I told her that changing my hair color didn't make me a different person and that I loved her as much as always (she was yelling she hated me). When she said "I wish you were dead", though, I carried her up to her room and asked her to think of how that was not a nice thing to say.
Katja talked to her too and as suddenly as the fit started, it ended and I had a cuddly little six year old in my lap, who told me she loved me "even" with brown hair :).
Now I have about 15 minutes before I have to get Katja from the bus stop and then I'm going to hand out wrapping paper orders at the school, oh joy!
Friday, October 11, 2002
My what an emotional week! Every day another murder, every day driving Katja to school and picking her up from the bus stop, because we just don't feel comfortable for her to be out in the open. Every day driving the other kids the less than half a mile to school, their school being so close to the Interstate, police requested kids don't walk.
And the last 2 murders way too close for comfort, especially the one on Wednesday night, just a few exits away on the interstate :(. All sports and outside events to do with the children have been canceled, including Kai's boy scout camp out tomorrow night. And lots of homecoming games.
Last night, a white van was parked in our street, around 10pm. It didn't belong there and we were scared. Our neighbor tried to call the police, but before he could get through the van suddenly left. Spooky!
I just hope there were enough witnesses today, that police can get good clues and get these guys. This is no way to live! We're all running to stores and back to the car, pumping gas has become a scary event.
I did manage to paint Kai's wall in a really nice red and today I got new bedding and window treatments for our room and cloud curtains for Katja's room. I'm now thinking of painting one wall in our room a sage green (the window treatments are white with little green leaves and the bedding green with off-white leaves). And I want to paint Katja's ceiling like a sky with clouds. Still plenty to do in other words, but it's definitely gratifying to see what character a color paint gives to a room.
Yesterday Christine and I had a pamper day, we worked out, then swam in the pool at the gym, then sat in the hot tub there and the sauna. After our shower we went to the mall (parking in a covered area) and ate lunch and got a manicure. In the evening we had a girls night out with 6 of us at Macaroni Grill. I really needed that, as the kids were fighting the entire time they were home yesterday! It must have been the lack of exercise, as they haven't had recess in over a week.
This afternoon, like almost every Friday lately, we've had a house full of kids. Michael and Laura, Kai and Saskia's friends, are staying for dinner and Michael is sleeping over. Time to order pizza for the kids!
Things that make me happy:
1. The abundant rain (highly necessary!) and now the breaks in the clouds, so grateful gloomy, rainy days never last long here.
2. The community feeling, how everyone pulls together again in times of anxiety, like after September 11th.
3. My three adorable and especially healthy kids, my neighbor's nephew is in intensive care and that brings home again how precious and delicate the little lives we brought into this world are.
4. It's Friday!!! No getting up at 6am, no homework for 3 days (Monday is a holiday)
5. The ticking of the clock, a sleeping cat, nicely playing boys and girls = home!
And the last 2 murders way too close for comfort, especially the one on Wednesday night, just a few exits away on the interstate :(. All sports and outside events to do with the children have been canceled, including Kai's boy scout camp out tomorrow night. And lots of homecoming games.
Last night, a white van was parked in our street, around 10pm. It didn't belong there and we were scared. Our neighbor tried to call the police, but before he could get through the van suddenly left. Spooky!
I just hope there were enough witnesses today, that police can get good clues and get these guys. This is no way to live! We're all running to stores and back to the car, pumping gas has become a scary event.
I did manage to paint Kai's wall in a really nice red and today I got new bedding and window treatments for our room and cloud curtains for Katja's room. I'm now thinking of painting one wall in our room a sage green (the window treatments are white with little green leaves and the bedding green with off-white leaves). And I want to paint Katja's ceiling like a sky with clouds. Still plenty to do in other words, but it's definitely gratifying to see what character a color paint gives to a room.
Yesterday Christine and I had a pamper day, we worked out, then swam in the pool at the gym, then sat in the hot tub there and the sauna. After our shower we went to the mall (parking in a covered area) and ate lunch and got a manicure. In the evening we had a girls night out with 6 of us at Macaroni Grill. I really needed that, as the kids were fighting the entire time they were home yesterday! It must have been the lack of exercise, as they haven't had recess in over a week.
This afternoon, like almost every Friday lately, we've had a house full of kids. Michael and Laura, Kai and Saskia's friends, are staying for dinner and Michael is sleeping over. Time to order pizza for the kids!
Things that make me happy:
1. The abundant rain (highly necessary!) and now the breaks in the clouds, so grateful gloomy, rainy days never last long here.
2. The community feeling, how everyone pulls together again in times of anxiety, like after September 11th.
3. My three adorable and especially healthy kids, my neighbor's nephew is in intensive care and that brings home again how precious and delicate the little lives we brought into this world are.
4. It's Friday!!! No getting up at 6am, no homework for 3 days (Monday is a holiday)
5. The ticking of the clock, a sleeping cat, nicely playing boys and girls = home!
Tuesday, October 08, 2002
We're all in the clutches of the sniper here. After a 13 year old boy was shot in front of his school yesterday, the schools in this area went into high alert. The kids haven't had recess since Wednesday, we have to pick them up in person at the front door, or drop them off by car at the front door. Everybody is jittery being in parking lots and other areas where someone could shoot from a distance. How scary this all is! I'm having Rick drive Katja to school every day, I can't allow her to stand and wait for the bus. Maybe too worried, but better safe than sorry.
To add to it all, a woman rear ended me with her truck yesterday afternoon, while I was waiting for a stoplight. It wasn't a hard hit, no damage to the cars, but I have had a serious neck- and backache since and am sitting here with a heat wrap around my neck hoping it will help.
I'm hoping to paint Kai's wall tomorrow, but at this point I have too much pain to do anything but just half lie here. Yuck!!!
Since things are not going too well, I've decided I need to concentrate on the things that are creating happiness in my life again. So I'm starting the "5 things that made me happy" again:
1. Seeing Saskia run up to me at the school, all excited with her "what we did today" stories, I love hearing all about her school day!
2. Looking at Saskia's little mouth, she has 4 teeth missing right now: her 2 front teeth and 2 side teeth on the bottom. She's so cute!
3. Having Katja come in my room in the mornings and lie next to me to spend some quality time together, even if we're both sleepy, it's very precious.
4. Seeing Kai's mischievous grin after he told me he didn't hand in an assignment on time (ok, I shouldn't be happy about that, but he's so cute too!)
5. Having Rick hand me my heat wrap and at the same time tell me how much he loves me.
I could go on, so there must be many more things to life that make me happy than not. Why is it then, that it's so easy for us to concentrate on the negatives? Hug your children and loved ones for me, life is too precious to ignore!
To add to it all, a woman rear ended me with her truck yesterday afternoon, while I was waiting for a stoplight. It wasn't a hard hit, no damage to the cars, but I have had a serious neck- and backache since and am sitting here with a heat wrap around my neck hoping it will help.
I'm hoping to paint Kai's wall tomorrow, but at this point I have too much pain to do anything but just half lie here. Yuck!!!
Since things are not going too well, I've decided I need to concentrate on the things that are creating happiness in my life again. So I'm starting the "5 things that made me happy" again:
1. Seeing Saskia run up to me at the school, all excited with her "what we did today" stories, I love hearing all about her school day!
2. Looking at Saskia's little mouth, she has 4 teeth missing right now: her 2 front teeth and 2 side teeth on the bottom. She's so cute!
3. Having Katja come in my room in the mornings and lie next to me to spend some quality time together, even if we're both sleepy, it's very precious.
4. Seeing Kai's mischievous grin after he told me he didn't hand in an assignment on time (ok, I shouldn't be happy about that, but he's so cute too!)
5. Having Rick hand me my heat wrap and at the same time tell me how much he loves me.
I could go on, so there must be many more things to life that make me happy than not. Why is it then, that it's so easy for us to concentrate on the negatives? Hug your children and loved ones for me, life is too precious to ignore!
Sunday, October 06, 2002
Ah, another gorgeous, blue sky, sunny day! I know I should be hoping for rain, because the drought is getting severe, but there is just something to waking up to these crisp, clear autumn days.
So, time to update the blog. Of course, as usual, the days are full and never boring here. I last wrote on Wednesday morning. After a long walk with Christine, I picked Saskia up from school and went to the dentist with her. She had to take Demerol to calm her down and after half an hour, we went back and she got nitrous oxide, bubblegum smell. Then, when she was sufficiently calm the novocaine. She was a real trooper, even smiling at the dentist's jokes. She now has a beautiful white crown where her severely decayed tooth was and he fixed another cavity as well. She also got her healthy teeth sealed. Now we have to return in December for the rest of the cavities.
After the dentist visit, we got Wendy's Frosties, as we were both starving (Saskia didn't have breakfast because of the medication). And then of course a visit to Toys R Us, where Saskia selected the Bedtime Carebear.
On Wednesday night, the school's ice cream social was on. Rick took the kids, as all the emotions of the day had left me exhausted.
On Thursday we went to Katja's back to school night. My dad babysat and it's heartwarming to see how he is building up loving relationships with the kids! He cuddled with Saskia and put her in bed, reading her a special Dutch fairy tale. The back to school night was crazy! Listening to Katja's 7 teachers talk for 10 mins each and running upstairs and downstairs in 5 minutes between "classes". Katja certainly gets her exercise just going from class to class!
On Friday afternoon I painted an accent wall in Saskia's room aqua. Very pretty! It really changes the room completely and now I'm eager to paint more, but it's not as easy in the other rooms, as there are heavy bookcases to move and all. So maybe I'll just do a bathroom next. It is gratifying to see the result!
Yesterday we had a wonderful day! We went to an event by the Dutch Society at the house of some members. Their house is located on the Potomac river. Gorgeous! There was so much to do: swimming, kayaking, surfing, old fashioned Dutch games, food and drinks. The kids didn't want to go at all and then didn't want to leave as they were having such a good time!
At night, Rick and I used up a gift certificate at Morton's of Chicago. Yum!
So, time to update the blog. Of course, as usual, the days are full and never boring here. I last wrote on Wednesday morning. After a long walk with Christine, I picked Saskia up from school and went to the dentist with her. She had to take Demerol to calm her down and after half an hour, we went back and she got nitrous oxide, bubblegum smell. Then, when she was sufficiently calm the novocaine. She was a real trooper, even smiling at the dentist's jokes. She now has a beautiful white crown where her severely decayed tooth was and he fixed another cavity as well. She also got her healthy teeth sealed. Now we have to return in December for the rest of the cavities.
After the dentist visit, we got Wendy's Frosties, as we were both starving (Saskia didn't have breakfast because of the medication). And then of course a visit to Toys R Us, where Saskia selected the Bedtime Carebear.
On Wednesday night, the school's ice cream social was on. Rick took the kids, as all the emotions of the day had left me exhausted.
On Thursday we went to Katja's back to school night. My dad babysat and it's heartwarming to see how he is building up loving relationships with the kids! He cuddled with Saskia and put her in bed, reading her a special Dutch fairy tale. The back to school night was crazy! Listening to Katja's 7 teachers talk for 10 mins each and running upstairs and downstairs in 5 minutes between "classes". Katja certainly gets her exercise just going from class to class!
On Friday afternoon I painted an accent wall in Saskia's room aqua. Very pretty! It really changes the room completely and now I'm eager to paint more, but it's not as easy in the other rooms, as there are heavy bookcases to move and all. So maybe I'll just do a bathroom next. It is gratifying to see the result!
Yesterday we had a wonderful day! We went to an event by the Dutch Society at the house of some members. Their house is located on the Potomac river. Gorgeous! There was so much to do: swimming, kayaking, surfing, old fashioned Dutch games, food and drinks. The kids didn't want to go at all and then didn't want to leave as they were having such a good time!
At night, Rick and I used up a gift certificate at Morton's of Chicago. Yum!
Wednesday, October 02, 2002
This morning at 7:10am, I received a phone call from the police officer at Katja's middle school. I had left a message for her yesterday afternoon, after Katja came home with a strange story about a schoolbus desecration.
Apparently, some eighth graders had written an inflammatory word or sentence on one of the schoolbus benches. The officer had come on the bus to find out who the perpetrator(s) were. Ok, so far so good, sounds like a good thing to me, as the schoolbus gets used not only by the older kids, but by little ones as well. But then Katja proceeded to tell me, that they had to write on a piece of paper what they knew and when no one wrote anything the officer could use, she proceeded to yell at the kids using words like "hell" and "damn".
Now, Katja is definitely used to her share of yelling from previous teachers and the likes and is not a sensitive child in that area. So for her to tell me this so specifically meant, that it must have been pretty scary for her.
I told the officer what Katja had told me and she claimed she couldn't remember using those words and that she had to yell in order to be heard by the whole bus, as according to her the bus is so huge (later on she told me she was standing in the middle of the bus and to my knowledge yelling is not necessary in a bus, if you're standing in the middle, but ok, she may have felt she needed to to exert her dominance). I told her that obviously, this would be Katja's word against hers and that I wasn't trying to tell her how to do her job, just to make her aware, that her behavior wasn't exactly exemplary to the kids.
She was quite defensive, saying the eighth graders that did it needed a good scolding, because the words they wrote were much worse than whatever words she may have used to the kids. I told her that may very well be the case, but the point is, that there were just a couple of kids involved and there was no need to yell at the entire bus like that (she admitted she'd known who did it before she even entered the bus). She prided herself on not telling the kids what was actually written as "it was quite bad". Ok, that's great. Still no excuse in my mind.
Anyway, she ended the conversation by asking me if there was anything else. Obviously not. And now I'm of course second guessing myself. Did I do right by calling the school? Will Katja forever have a "name" with this officer now? Am I too protective of a parent and should I just accept that police officers have to be rough to the kids? (I really don't think they have to be, honestly). And I didn't like her defensive stance, I would have much preferred if she had said "Yes, I realize I didn't use the right language, but I was frustrated as it had taken me all day to figure out who these kids were and now they were not owning up" or some such.
Ok, off to go for a long walk and then Saskia's dental work!
Apparently, some eighth graders had written an inflammatory word or sentence on one of the schoolbus benches. The officer had come on the bus to find out who the perpetrator(s) were. Ok, so far so good, sounds like a good thing to me, as the schoolbus gets used not only by the older kids, but by little ones as well. But then Katja proceeded to tell me, that they had to write on a piece of paper what they knew and when no one wrote anything the officer could use, she proceeded to yell at the kids using words like "hell" and "damn".
Now, Katja is definitely used to her share of yelling from previous teachers and the likes and is not a sensitive child in that area. So for her to tell me this so specifically meant, that it must have been pretty scary for her.
I told the officer what Katja had told me and she claimed she couldn't remember using those words and that she had to yell in order to be heard by the whole bus, as according to her the bus is so huge (later on she told me she was standing in the middle of the bus and to my knowledge yelling is not necessary in a bus, if you're standing in the middle, but ok, she may have felt she needed to to exert her dominance). I told her that obviously, this would be Katja's word against hers and that I wasn't trying to tell her how to do her job, just to make her aware, that her behavior wasn't exactly exemplary to the kids.
She was quite defensive, saying the eighth graders that did it needed a good scolding, because the words they wrote were much worse than whatever words she may have used to the kids. I told her that may very well be the case, but the point is, that there were just a couple of kids involved and there was no need to yell at the entire bus like that (she admitted she'd known who did it before she even entered the bus). She prided herself on not telling the kids what was actually written as "it was quite bad". Ok, that's great. Still no excuse in my mind.
Anyway, she ended the conversation by asking me if there was anything else. Obviously not. And now I'm of course second guessing myself. Did I do right by calling the school? Will Katja forever have a "name" with this officer now? Am I too protective of a parent and should I just accept that police officers have to be rough to the kids? (I really don't think they have to be, honestly). And I didn't like her defensive stance, I would have much preferred if she had said "Yes, I realize I didn't use the right language, but I was frustrated as it had taken me all day to figure out who these kids were and now they were not owning up" or some such.
Ok, off to go for a long walk and then Saskia's dental work!
Tuesday, October 01, 2002
Mondays are always strange days, yesterday was no exception. It's because the kids' school day is short (only till 12:45) and so we have the whole afternoon "off", which usually means there are thousands of chores to push into those few hours.
After a great workout, a step class, which I love, as it teaches you a dance and it feels great to be in sync with everyone, I ran off to the Container Store. Rick is in the process of emptying out the garage, so he can fit his car and he needed some containers. Then off to Whole Foods for stuff.
Quickly home, took a shower and got the little ones (though Kai would balk at this description of him ;)). We did homework and when Katja came home, I rushed off to the dentist with her for her cleaning. The assistant asked me if I had a running appointment there ;), every week. Thankfully, this was it and only Rick, who takes care of his own appointments, still needs to be seen. Katja's teeth, as well as Kai's, are still perfect. Poor little Saskia is not so lucky and I'm nervous about tomorrow, when she's having a root canal (something I've never even experienced myself :() and a crown put on. I'm more nervous, than she is , I think, as she's singing happily.
After the dentist I barely had time to pick up Saskia to go to her first skating lesson. I took some pictures of her skating, very cute! And between the "scenes", I took some wonderful Monarch butterfly pictures too.
Today, I first went to my biblestudy, very interesting, on how to be an excellent wife. I'll be one from now on ;). Then to the doctor for a checkup and a flu shot, yuck! But I do really like my doctor. She asked about my mom and took down the books that I read about Borderline Personality Disorder.
Then off to the gym (way late, around 12noon!) for a workout and Christine and I had a nice salad for lunch. At 4, the kids and I pushed 4 cats into their pet carriers, leashed Brynna up and went to the vet. My, oh my, what an undertaking! I don't think the vet was used to a family of 5 pets showing up :-O!
Brynna and Miep (15 yo cat, for those not in the now) are having tests done. Brynna on a bump on her side and Miep to see if she has diabetes, hyperthyroidism or renal failure (hopefully the middle one, as that's treatable with tablets). The other three, Sushi (2), Snickers and Meike (siblings, 1) were all healthy and just got shots.
And now it's Tuesday night and Rick is helping Katja with her homework and the others are drawing. No tv! Great!!!
After a great workout, a step class, which I love, as it teaches you a dance and it feels great to be in sync with everyone, I ran off to the Container Store. Rick is in the process of emptying out the garage, so he can fit his car and he needed some containers. Then off to Whole Foods for stuff.
Quickly home, took a shower and got the little ones (though Kai would balk at this description of him ;)). We did homework and when Katja came home, I rushed off to the dentist with her for her cleaning. The assistant asked me if I had a running appointment there ;), every week. Thankfully, this was it and only Rick, who takes care of his own appointments, still needs to be seen. Katja's teeth, as well as Kai's, are still perfect. Poor little Saskia is not so lucky and I'm nervous about tomorrow, when she's having a root canal (something I've never even experienced myself :() and a crown put on. I'm more nervous, than she is , I think, as she's singing happily.
After the dentist I barely had time to pick up Saskia to go to her first skating lesson. I took some pictures of her skating, very cute! And between the "scenes", I took some wonderful Monarch butterfly pictures too.
Today, I first went to my biblestudy, very interesting, on how to be an excellent wife. I'll be one from now on ;). Then to the doctor for a checkup and a flu shot, yuck! But I do really like my doctor. She asked about my mom and took down the books that I read about Borderline Personality Disorder.
Then off to the gym (way late, around 12noon!) for a workout and Christine and I had a nice salad for lunch. At 4, the kids and I pushed 4 cats into their pet carriers, leashed Brynna up and went to the vet. My, oh my, what an undertaking! I don't think the vet was used to a family of 5 pets showing up :-O!
Brynna and Miep (15 yo cat, for those not in the now) are having tests done. Brynna on a bump on her side and Miep to see if she has diabetes, hyperthyroidism or renal failure (hopefully the middle one, as that's treatable with tablets). The other three, Sushi (2), Snickers and Meike (siblings, 1) were all healthy and just got shots.
And now it's Tuesday night and Rick is helping Katja with her homework and the others are drawing. No tv! Great!!!
