Thursday, August 30, 2007

Just a bit of an update

Well, so much has happened since my last post. Things have been crazy busy around here. We got the kids back from Texas, moved houses (2 blocks away), kids started school, I'm the PTA auditor for Vincent's school, a co-leader in a Junior Girl Scout troop, plus I work the closing shift part - time.

So far, the kids are adjusting to school life well. Vincent is doing much better this year than he was last year. He is in a K-1 multi-age class with the same teacher he had last year, and he comes home talking about "the little kindergarteners" ... it's so cute! Karah is at a new school yet again, but seems to be enjoying it so far. The kids ride the same bus but walk to their respective schools (they're right next to each other). The reason for the schools is because Johnson Primary (Vincent's) has around 700 students and that is just K - 2. Karah goes to Bitz Intermediate which is for 3rd - 5th grades. At least they have some former classmates there and it's not totally new.

I don't know if we're going to do sports this year as things already seem so busy. Karah starts going to her Girl Scout meetings in a couple of weeks, and Vincent will be starting Boy Scouts soon. I think that will be enough to keep them busy for the time being, plus it lasts longer than the sports.

Brian just found out today that he'll be going back to his old unit in a week or two to start doing training before going to Iraq. Right now, we think he's leaving towards Spring-time 2008. He's not looking forward to going back to the unit, but he doesn't have much of a choice. Hopefully it will be better than before, but he's not holding his breath about it.

Me, well, let's just say I have a busy schedule. Not that I'm complaining ... I'm glad to have something (useful) to do. I'm really excited about the school year, actually, as there will be so much I'll be able to help do. There's lots of things we have planned for the girls in Girl Scouts, plus there will also be much to do with the PTA. It's so nice to be able to do the things I was unable to do when I was in. Much as I may miss the Marines, I wouldn't change my decision about getting out. It's been good for me and the kids being able to spend more time together.

Well, I guess I've ranted on enough for now. Off to bed (soon) and up early to get the kids to school and run errands...then take a nap before work!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Almost ...

Well, the time is currently 12:52am EST on Tuesday, August 14, 2007, and 24 hours from now I will be on my way to the airport in Raleigh so I can go get Karah & Vincent. It's been rather lonely here without them around. I've missed them a lot. I'll be flying out at 8:40 am EST, have a layover in Houston, then land in Midland at 12:47 pm CST. Larry should be meeting me there with the kids, and then we'll transfer some things to the suitcases I bring with. After being in the airport for a couple hours, we will then hop on a plane to Houston at 4:25pm CST, then land in Raleigh at 10:56 pm EST. We plan on staying in a hotel that has a shuttle, so Brian won't have to worry about coming to get us ... I think the kids would like to ride on the shuttle, too. On Thursday, we plan on stopping in Goldsboro so that Karah can spend her cookie bucks at the Girl Scout store before they expire. We were thinking about seeing a movie at Seymour Johnson AFB, but I just checked the schedule, and they don't have anything playing at all until the weekend. Oh well, we need to make it home sometime before dark anyhow. On the way home we'll be picking up Brian Lee, and then once we get here figure out sleeping arrangements.

The movers will be here on Monday to start packing, so we are thinking of letting Karah sleep on one of the pull out beds until her bedroom is set back up at the new house. Brian and I have peeked in the windows over there and it is teh exact same layout as here, just has a garage, an extra room, better screened porch, and patio. It also has a service road (alley) that the kids will be able to ride their bikes and scooters on without being in the road. I can't wait!

Well, I think I have been up long enough for now. Time to get some sleep, as I have a long couple days ahead of me.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Random musings

Well, it is Friday and I have another day off of work. It is rather nice, actually. Tonight we plan on going to see Transformers again and taking Brian Lee with us as he is the only one not to see it yet in our family. However, in order for him to see it, he has to really behave himself today as he got himself grounded last night. He's trying hard to be good because he really wants to see it.

The car wouldn't start today so Brian took the truck to work. It kinda sucks, actually, since I was planning on going places today. I probably still could, but I want to know I'll be able to make it home. We think that it's the starter going out on the car, as the battery is holding a charge just fine. Much as the car has been a help, it is time to "retire" it and get a new(er) vehicle. I want to get a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT fully loaded with a black exterior and preferrably dark/black interior as well. Brian wants a number of vehicles, among his favorties are Pontiac Trans Am, Dodge Charger, Chevorlet Camero (2009), and Pontiac Trans Am Firehawk.

It's hard to believe summer is almost over and school will be starting in two weeks. It seems like school just let out, and here I am buying school supplies all over again. I think I need to get a plastic tub, and just keep school stuff in it. Stock up when the prices are cheap, so then I won't have to go and buy stuff every time they need it. So far I've gotten most everything for them, with the exception of folders, as I'm going to wait and let them pick them out for themselves. We bought the kids' backpacks last weekend: Vincent the Bumblebee Transformers, Brian Lee the Optimus Prime Transformers, and Karah a pretty beige one w/an embroidered butterfly on it. When she comes back, I'm going to take her to get some paints and accessories so she can decorate it, as that's what she wanted to do this year.

I have found myself with plenty of things to do this year, as I'm an executive board member of the PTA, a co-leader for Junior Girl Scouts, working, and I'm putting in for an instructor position here on base. I think I would really like to get a blackberry, if for no other reason for the fact that it would have Microsoft Office on it, and I use the calendar in Outlook on my computer all the time, and this way it would be much easier for me to keep track of things, especially since it looks like I'll have a full calendar this year.

I started on a family newsletter for me and my cousins, but I wonder how far it will go? I did complete it, but haven't had a chance to get it printed out and mailed. I'd love to keep it going although it would require the input of the other family members as well in order to keep everyone updated. Maybe I'll just stick with a personal family newsletter and then I can send it to all the family ... hmmm. Although I must say, that I think my articel for the Cousin Connection was a pretty good one, especially for someone who doesn't like to write. :-) I think I'll start on that personal family one now.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

The Beginning

Well, this starts my first blog. Where it goes from here ... who knows? I look at this right now as a type of online diary, so I'll try it for a bit and see how I feel about it later. I'm not going to write too much right now as I need to get to bed, but I couldn't go before putting in at least one entry.