About Me
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Where I've been, what I've done, and why I haven't...
There are many reasons why I haven't updated.....none of them real valid, I know--but October--November is THE busiest time for me as a teacher/mom/wife/human. I will try to do much better. Another reason I have not updated is I have lost my camera. It has been missing since Halloween--hence, no Halloween pics of my cute Mr. Potato Head, Blue dinosaur, or asthmatic bungee boy (he was sick that day). I have cleaned out my van, checked in my mother-in-laws couch (last place I remember having it), and have totally cleaned and rearranged my main level. Still no camera. I was going to purchase one yesterday at the black Friday sales, but couldn't quite give up on the search for the other. Once I really clean and organize my bedroom (and line up all my dust bunnies in a row), I will give up and buy a new one. Until then, I'm letting the German in me speak and it reeks of stubbornness.
So, in order to catch you up without writing a dissertation on my life over the past few weeks, I will just post a list of what has been going on. Sorry...no pics. Sad, sad.
-Noah has been sick 3X since October 31st. Rough Fall for him.
-I had P/T conferences and report cards and survived (thanks to the yummy meals provided by the PTO moms!).
-I've been coaching Kyla's YMCA team. Boy, have they come a long way! Still haven't won, but we just might pull out a "W" for the last game!
-I've sewn a Mr. Potato Head costume...it turned out pretty well--wish I had pics to show!
-We've been taking both boys to swim lessons 2X/week. They have improved immensely!
-Kyla has grown one inch.
-Noah is almost as tall as Kyla (which means he's grown at least 2 inches.
-Kyla and Noah don't have many clothes that fit them due to the above.
-Brody has become a dancing machine. Stay tuned for a video.
-Jamie turned the big "40".
-Due to Jamie's milestone, I had a "not-so-surprise" birthday party for him (I accidentally left the invite that I had made next to the computer--DUH! He confessed the day after the party that he saw it.
-On the week of Jamie's 40th, he actually won a trip to West Palm Beach Florida by pushing a penny across a stage for a radio station. He won all three rounds, making him the champion. He has the scar on his nose to prove it!.
-Kyla and Noah had Halloween party sleepovers--before and after report cards and P/T conferences. A scheduling failure on my part.
-Brody turned four years old. We celebrated with a Nemo cake on my side of the family. We have yet to celebrate November birthdays on Jamie's side. Maybe soon???.
-I have (if you Facebook friends haven't noticed) really enjoyed integrating the Smartboard and Mimio interactive lessons into my curriculum at school. The outcome in the lessons has been very successful due to this new technology we have been afforded through our school foundation. I'm still searching for tech grants so I can have a Mimio or smartboard in my classroom permanently (ours floats between three classrooms). Yes, I'm a smartboard addict, but I don't need an intervention.......yet.
-Barack Obama was elected our next president. Pray for our nation's security and pray for our president-elect.
-Jamie and I actually went out to eat by ourselves one night.
-I have more Christmas shopping accomplished than ever before at this point.
-Kyla and Noah earned wonderful report cards.
-Jamie got Direct TV for his birthday so he can watch ESPN everything (while he folds clothes, of course)--I enjoy giving gifts that keep on giving to others...like me:).
-I've enjoyed watching HGTV as much as possible due to my thoughtfulness in giving Jamie Direct TV *wink, wink*.
-We have (probably) been awarded bad parent of the year after Noah went to school without a coat and just a hoodie on a 20 degree morning....oops. Yes, I know how teachers talk in the lounge....and no, we parents are NOT perfect and never will be. Give us a little slack as we juggle the 283.75 things that we do each day.
-I bought a new carbon monoxide detector.
-We've had approximately 30 sightings of deer in our yard thus far.
-My brother sighted a six point buck across the street from his house today.
-Jamie and I have decided to send our two older children to our daycare provider on the weekends so they can learn to put their things away like Brody does. We certainly didn't teach Brody that.
-My bathroom is still not done.
-My kitchen faucet still leaks.
-My refrigerator is an energy sucker.
-My repair and to-do lists overwhelm me.
-My repair and to-do lists overwhelm Jamie...I often find him in the fetal position in corners of the house after I have had "talks" with him about the repairs and remodels this house desparately needs.
-Kyla and Noah got braces.
-If we had a family pic with Rob's family, there would be a lot of tinsel in the pic.....five out of the ten subjects would be flashing a metal grin.
-I've visited the dentist way too much (3X in one month) and am now in more pain and have less teeth. I didn't think it was going to be a good thing when after viewing my x-rays at the initial exam, he said, "Good news, we're going to become friends over the next few months, Tricia. Bad news, you have a lot of work to be done". Yikes! Pregnancy killed my teeth.
I've babbled enough. I will continue to look for my camera so I can post some pics. I hope everyone has had a blessed Thanksgiving and takes time to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas (no--not stampedes at Walmart), the birth of baby Jesus.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Us at the moment and a home run Taffy Apple Recipe!
Here's yours truly.....Makeup worn off, eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep......oh, and look who hasn't taken their lanyard off from work yet. My apologies to Margie for the hair and makeup. I really did put an effort in earlier this a.m., but just didn't maintain it for the posting. I'll try harder.
To the left and right is Brody-man......yep--at 10:10 p.m. Me thinks that he does not need a nap anymore at the sitters. He makes it through the weekends just fine without a nap these days. I just can't convince her yet that he doesn't need them. Two hours of peace for her =Late nights for moi. Oh well......that's how we Bledsoes roll. Brody was really in a dancing mood tonight. I think the dusty rose carpet makes such a dramatic (gag) backdrop for the photo. Oh, Oprah..Ty...anybody---please have your people call my people so we can arrange a extreme makeover, design on a dime, whatever..........just help this decorating challenged female!
So--back to our "at the moment" blog....Below is my dear Kyla.....relaxing and reading--what she loves best. She has been tired and sore lately. I think some change is going on in...and I'm not talking Obama change. I'm talking pre-adolescent-hormonally-driven-hurry up and get here so the roller coaster ride of hormones can stop-type change. Yes--I just earned Mother of the Year for sharing with the blog-world about my preteen princess........
Oh.....and here's my middle guy doing what he does so well....going to sleep on cue. He is my first to sleep and first to rise. Isn't he so sweet? The more photos I see of his Uncle Goob, I see so many similarities!
Noah and Kyla both brought home great report cards today. They are great kids, and we need to tell them that more often!
Finally, there is Annie. She has become our resident deer chaser. This past week, we have averaged between 3-4 deer in our yard, with a record breaker on Saturday (seven deer!). Annie runs out there each morning and lets them know who's boss. We love watching the white tails bounce to the "forest" in our backyard. So cool! BTW, Happy First Birthday, Annie! It was sometime this month--we're such good dog parents....
Okay, that's all I have for my "at the moment" blog. Pretty boring.......except for that 80's retro dusty rose carpet that I know you all are just wanting to snatch up and take home. ARGHHH! Someday when I have paid all my pipers, I too, will have cool carpet. Yeah.....uh huh. Read on if you want a good taffy apple recipe...or not.So, I have been searching for the perfect taffy apple recipe.......and I think I found it! You can find it here. These really turned out and it didn't take long. Do I really need to tell you that they are 765 calories and 27.7 grams of fat???? YIKES! I think the 3.3 grams of fiber cancels all that out! The kids had fun dipping.....and yes, the kitchen started out clean and sanitized, but you know what happens.......
...The marshmallow thingy is something that an old schoolmate's grandma did and still does. I always liked the marshmallow embellishment (so add another 30.6 calories to the above total), so I thought I'd do the same. I ran out of apples before I ran out of taffy, so my dear sweet hubby ran outside in the dark and picked apples. A risky thing, if you ask me--those apples fall easily at this time of year when the limb is shaken. Add apples falling in the dark...fortunately, no head wounds:).
Noah wants to take the apples to school tomorrow. I'm sure his teacher will really appreciate the sticky mess.
I don't have much more exciting to report.........I spent the weekend (Sat. and Sun) in my classroom rearranging, reorganizing, pitching things, etc. I love doing that.....er...in my classroom. I'm not so good at that at home. My poor students and custodian never know how they will find their classroom. I'm known for rearranging it more times than, say, I wax my eyebrows in one year. I rearranged my classroom this time to make my room more "Mimio friendly". Through the generosity of our community, our school was able to purchase several Smartboards for the Jr. High and High School, and Mimios (portable interactive devices similar to Smartboards) for the elementary. I have had the Mimio in my room to try out. Oh my word, it is so cool! I used it this morning with my students and they were so engaged and loving it! I'm going to try to do a math lesson or two on it and then need to pass it on to my colleagues so they can give it a whirl.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Happy Fall!
A hysterical part of the craft show is a booth which is full of faux elderly hotties. They truly look real...The faces are made out of wood, they all have moles with hair sprouting out of them, and some have cigs hanging out of their mouths. So funny! We only saw one sucker carrying away a new friend at the tune of about $370! Yikes! Here is a pic of some real hotties checking out the faux hotties. Don't they just sparkle?
Finally, I had to throw in some pics of the boys at swim lessons. They are doing incredibly well! Noah was a full bred doggie paddler when he began, and now he is swimming full strokes the entire length of the pool! He has really come along! Brody has gone from class clown to swimming like Nemo! He started out in a class, but we soon realized that Brody needed, say, more one-on-one . He was not ready for a class format. Brody is now going underwater, reaching for dive sticks, swimming underwater, etc. He has no fear--a good thing and not so good thing!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Signs of Fall...and a failing van (sniff, sniff)
This week is Homecoming week at school and each day is a predetermined theme to dress up. Monday was THE BEST! Jamie called me at 5:30 a.m. to tell me to unplug the computer due to an impending storm. I woke up to RAIN, THUNDER, and LIGHTNING! Why was I so excited, you ask? Because Monday was PAJAMA DAY! What better day to be able to wear pajamas to work! I LOVE MY JOB! There is usually a pajama day each year at school during homecoming week. Even before I was working fulltime, it seemed like I was doing medical leaves or subbing on pajama day. For the past four or more years, I have utilized Pajama Day as a reason to buy one set of new jammies each year. Ambitious, aren't I? This year, I found a gown that had toad/frog funnies all over. Then I purchased scrub pants to wear underneath. Was that not the most comfortable outfit ever? The secretary commented I looked like I was a patient from a mental ward......no comments, please........
Tuesday was Hat Day. I paid homage to my hubby's job and wore a conductor hat. Today was sport day.......ahhhh, a great excuse to wear jeans and a baggy Pujols jersey. Tomorrow will be the day of all dreads......CRAZY DAY! Yeah, as a student--this one is fun. As a teacher who is trying to put a little bubble of academic proportions in their brain for the day----not good. There are many days of craziness in class---now some has made a proclamation for Thursday to be an official CRAZY DAY.....condoning fauxhawks, mismatched patterns (a nightmare for overstimulated ADHD'ers), crazy socks, weird glasses, hats, and...I know my little "trinket girl" (she brings something everyother day that is small enough to sneak in class, but big enough to distract her......I have quite a collection in my drawer of her items. Maybe I'll e-bay those along with my recess duties) will come with 101 rubber bracelets on her arm......
Enough of life on the school front........let's now turn our attention to our blessed van....oh how she is failing in her old age. She has already lost her memory. We noticed that when her gas gauge quit working about four years ago. She just couldn't keep track of how much was in her tank anymore. Now we have to "remember" for her by keeping track of her "levels" (miles) before she fails on the side of a road with no warning. Oh.....and her driver's side window. It plumb froze up and quit rolling down on us. She's just burned out on the side. We have made accomodations for her by opening the entire door when driving through our beloved Wendy's or Mickey D's to retrieve our food. They all know the red van has to go a bit farther past the window to open the door and stretch an arm around to grab the food. Oh, and my ever so strong hubby turned the fan from defrost to dashboard, and the knob broke right off. Now red princess needs the aid of the mighty Craftsmen bran RoboGrips to get her to switch between defrost and vent. My friends laugh at her because of her quirks (actually, they laugh at me--but she can handle it better). Her pwer door has been so good to us, but has now become quite arthritic. It needs support and a gentle hand to help it close. Yes, my princess is getting old. Did I mention she was born in 1999? Did I mention we have lived in more homes in the six years we have actually had her? Yes, sad. Good 'ole red (van) has seen Pine Street house, Brick house, and our latest (and last) house. We are trying to be gentle with her to get a few more years out of her--one year and seven months, to be exact. I asked the doc (mechanic for all of you struggling through my parallel) to give her more time. I need her around a little longer. He had the audacity to laugh and walk away. We are now on a mission to prove him wrong. I will drive her till her last breath........
Okay--put the kleenexes away---it's only a van:).
I am loving this time of year! Lots of Fall festivals.......and with those festivals come....mouse droppings! Yes, there......I said it. I'm not saying festivals have mouse droppings. Just this time of year....we face more signs of extra life in our house. The critters are seeking shelter from the big machines..seeking warmth.....seeking food......and I have no mercy on them! If they were smart, they wouldn't leave their evidence anywhere in my home. We have arsenals of rigged traps (doritoes glued to the bait holder) through our home. Okay--only in one place--for now. Jamie will be put on stronger mouse detail this weekend. He just doesn't know it yet. I could tell a hilarious mouse story with Jamie and Noah as the main characters........but--I want my friends to still come to my house......so I will save it..........
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Could Brody be the next Jamie?
ep, Jamie's parents were out of town....so Jamie decide to take this sweet looking car (okay--not the exact one......but it is a Ranchero) on a joy ride. Jamie got as far as, well, his street, when he spun out, fishtailed, and ran into the neighbor's tree. Oops. He hurried the car back home and then heard the cops out looking for these "hoodlums".....When the cops stopped by Jamie's house to ask none other than Jamie himself about the incident....Jamie, sweet little Christian kid....pointed the cops down another street and replied, "they went that way". Yep. Jamie is telling them this all while he is standing in front of the part of the car THAT HIT THE THREE.....while TALKING-no, LYING TO THE COPS! Eventually, Jamie was found out and taken down to the Public Safety Building and booked. He had to call his grandparents to come get him because his parents were gone to a PRAISE GATHERING. So where am I headed with this story? Nowhere. Just wanted to make a connection between Jamie's collision with trees.........and Brody's. Oh boy......I have a long way to go as a mother of Brody if his childhood is going to parallel his father's. Monday, September 22, 2008
ER squared.....plus pineapple tidbits of my life
My boys have been busy....in the ER. Yep. I remember when I was younger, my dad always commented on how his steering wheel had a certain "pull" to it whenever he drove by a Dairy Queen. Well, our steering wheel has a certain "pull" to it whenever we drive by a doctor's office or hospital. Let me explain for a quick moment....
The night before my brother's wedding two weeks ago, Noah started coughing so I gave him atreatment @ 9p.m. By 11 p.m., the boy was retracting, wheezing, whistling, and whatever else he could do to create his own cacaphony of sounds that send his mother into adrenaline overdrive.....with a sprinkling of spastic colon.
By midnight, Jamie and I decided Noah needed more than the treatments. We took him to a local ER. To make a long, boring, predictable story short....Noah spent four and a half hours in the ER receiving breathing treatments, X-rays, and a scrip for steroids. We got back to the hotel at 4:30 a.m. Noah continued to struggle to breathe. My tummy was in knots ...which led to me to life in the bathroom with my own issues......that's how I respond to stress--yippy for a clean colon!
By noon (we were to be at wedding for pics at 2), Noah said, "Mom, I don't think I can make it to the wedding". My heart sank. I pleaded with him to go at least for the ten minute ceremony and pictures. He told me he just didn't think he could breathe and walk at the same time. My heart sank and my stomach cramped. I gave him his next dose of steroids. By 1:45, he had perked up enough to go to the wedding.
We made it to the wedding, but boy, did we look rough! Noah fell asleep on the ride there...hence the bedhead look in the photos. After doing Kyla's hair and messing with everything, my hair needed attention---but just didn't get it..very evident in the pics.
Noah made it through the ceremony and said he wanted to stay for reception. He did really well at the reception. We got back to hotel, and he started wheezing again. To make another long story short...he developed bronchitis and had to stay home two extra days after the wedding.
In a quiet moment while giving Noah a treatment in the middle of the night...it hit me. I don't think he will be fortunate enough to outgrow the asthma as Kyla did. I know things could be much worse, and we're okay with a life that includes asthma.
I received the ER bill this week--yowza! I think we will forever be indebted to the medical facilities. We just like to sprinkle our love all over those places....
Okay......Bledsoe boy #2 and his ER visit. I asked Jamie to pick Brody up from the sitter this p.m. so I could stay a bit longer at work. Jamie called me back a little bit later and asked if the sitter had called me. I told him she hadn't. Long pause....He then explained to me that Brody had a very large "goose egg" (the size of a baseball) on his head with a big scrape. The story is a great lesson (for all you teacher readers out there) in force, incline, momentum, and Newton's First Law of Motion: Brody on trike with his buddy Rylie standing on the back. They go down a hill......and sideswipe none other than a TREE at the bottom! The sitter said he cried a little and that was all, that is why she did
Monday, September 8, 2008
Wedding Pics!
All of us midwestern Illinois folk did agree that we could never live in the city. Traffic was never fun, and none of us had much patience to deal with it. Brody actually sat still for 90 minutes without complaint when Jamie was trying to get into the city Thursday evening for rehearsal. Amazing!
I don't have time to blog too much as I need to get ready for school, so I will post the photos and then blog later.
Yes, there are a lot of pics of Chloe and Brody--they were too cute. Also, the middle cousins (Noah and Madi) had some time with the camera taking photos too. Very funny! Finally, we really need a new camera! Jamie seems to disagree with me (maybe he needs a new contact prescription). The photos are grainy and out of focus. Our point and shoot camera is nearing its final days. God rest its merry soul..........
There is music that goes with the picture video, so you may need to turn my playlist off (scroll to bottom of page). I didn't download any music....just used what came with the computer....I will have to work on downloading more music if I'm going to make these videos more often...... Click on the arrow to start the picture show.


