The Finale

BufBloPoFo Topic for DAY FOURTEEN:

So are you sad it’s almost done? Are you going to miss all of your fellow participants? Well, your assignment is to give us a farewell speech. I’m continually amazed that anyone decided to play along with the BufBloPoFo. I say you take it easy tomorrow for your last day and just post a quick “so long” to your fellow participants.

Mr. Michael Garvey esquire and creator of BufBloPoFo gave a grand farewell on his blog, one I will not be doing. I have truly enjoyed blogging everyday and will continue to blog as often as I can. I will continue reading my fellow participants blogs when I am bored and need something to do. I enjoy learning about my friends and their families members via Blogger, Typepad and Facebook. It's my reality TV fix.

I use my blog to communicate with my family on the east coast. I am not sure how many of them actually read it but I also use my blog as a diary. It is so much fun to go back and read about my kids and the things they have accomplished in their life so far. Thanks for reading about me and my chaos over the past 14 days and if you have a chance say a prayer for The Hauguel Family in Las Vegas, NV, we need as many as we can get.

Catching up

"J" as in "John Kreuzer" said this about parenting and I LOVE IT!!

Be understanding. Whatever age the child is now, you were that age too, and probably just as annoying (if not more so).

Be patient. When they're driving you up a wall, cut 'em some slack.

Be loving. Look, these young persons are, quite literally, a part of you. How can you not love that? Embrace them for all of the similarities and differences. Show them that you appreciate them for who they are.

Be the parent you would want (and maybe had). Make time for them. Play, talk, share. It's all good.

Be supportive. Even if you don't understand.

I still have to complete the picture of yourself post. So here I am:

Home from my hair appointment, enjoying Private Practice while icing my knees. I am exhausted from a long day and an even longer week. Today was very productive though and one more day until a relaxing weekend and fun date night with my hubby!

Year Ago...

HMM, I will have to look into this one. Well it took me 15 minutes of searching for my post. I am exhausted so I didn't do it the easy way. As for a year ago, I was talking about Spring Break, heading to Utah by myself with the kiddos since Mo was in Mexico. I did that and it was a blast! We had a ball and the kids did awesome on the drive. Our plan was to go somewhere fun this spring break, but we are not. :( We had the option of heading to Reno or camping in Zion, but we are going to stay home and spring clean our home. Mo isn't going to Mexico this year because he wants to clean out his garage and tie up loose ends. I am so ready for Spring Break, even if it means cleaning my house and purging way too much clutter! My parents will be here so that will be fun! Last year I talked about getting out of debt, that didn't happen but it is this year. I should have added that to my bragging list. We did our taxes tonight and we will put that money to our credit card debt. I am very excited about our quest to live debt free even if it stresses me out to no end. In a couple years it will be worth it and just think next year when I look back at this post I will be able to brag about how much more out of debt we are!!

Advice now, photo Thursday

I'm getting a haircut Thursday so I will post a picture then. I know it's supposed to be right now, but too bad.

For now though I will give my parenting advice. Read the book Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. I really enjoyed it and it gave some really practical ways to raise your children. I will reread it this summer, when I can really apply it. My children will be so thankful!

Embarrassing Moments

HHhhhmmmm, not so sure how to answer this. I can't pick just one moment, there have been way too many.

1. Weekly, I am embarrassed by the things my children say, what does that say about me as a mom?
2. I have called people the wrong name, a couple of times until they tell me differently.
3. We are in debt and moving back into our first home so we can eventually get back to the east coast or at least out of Vegas!
4. I was supposed to observe a student at another school in the morning and almost showed up in the afternoon. Luckily, it worked out.
5. I got all mixed up in my posting, I think I was supposed to post this one yesterday and the my inspirational list today.
6. I got two traffic tickets in one day, the day before I married my love.
7. I take on too many things and then don't do them well enough.
8. The state of clutter and unnecessary stuff in my home and classroom embarrasses me.
9. My son's horrible haircut. Yes I gave it to him and luckily it will grow back!
10. This list!

Inspirations

I wish I could make a yummy soup, really I just need to try and do it. I am no good in the kitchen, I do try (sometimes) but most of my meals come out of boxes and are easy peasy. If I could take time to do something well, it would be to learn how to cook. Since I have a 2 and 4 yr old and work full time, I will practice cooking this summer when school is out. I will also try to perfect my mediocre baking skills with this recipe! I stole it off my friends blog and can't wait to make it.

Delicious! Chocolate Pie

2 sticks regular butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
1 baked pie shell

Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then mix in cooled melted chocolate. Add vanilla and mix. Turn the mixer to medium speed, then add in the four eggs, one at a time, mixing for 4 to 6 minutes after the addition of each egg. Scrape sides of bowl once during mixing. Pour into the cooled pie shell and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. Plop whipped cream on top and serve. Garnish with chocolate curls if you’re feeling sassy.

As for who inspires me, hummmmm my friend Melissa because she is a mean a^& baker.
My friend Shontell because she can stretch a dollar further than anyone I know and pray like no other.
My friend Jessica because she is an artist in all forms and finds time to pursue her dream.
My friend Erin because she is always so giving.
My sister Jaime because she can make any situation into something positive or at least get through it without tears.
My brother Brian because he is amazing at everything he does.
My brother Matthew because he is a survivor.
My mom because she is, well my mom...
My dad because he is such a hard working man.
My children because they are the cutest & sweetest lil blessings.
My best friend and lover Mo because he puts up with me and still loves me!

My list of inspiring people could go on and on so if I left you out I mean no disrespect. I love you all and will continue my list at another time. Good Night and God Bless ;)

New Friend

I have three minutes to write about Lisa, of it's a marshmallow world. I chose Lisa to get an A in Bufblopofo 09, she is married to Mike the creator of this buffalo blogging thing. ;) I would like to meet Lisa because she sounds as busy as me. Two little ones at home, a career and hubby to take care of! Plus she loves peeps, and so do I, but only the yellow ones. I just bought some today!

My question for you Lisa is, what is the first thing you are going to change about your new home and how are you going to do it? Hire people or do it yourself.

Weekend Mayhem

A free post day, we are half way through with our 14 days of posting. Wow, I have been a bit of a slacker not posting very insightful information. I would leave my posting for the last thing to do before bed and then be too tired to think or write. SORRY =(

Weekend Mayhem, is what I want to share.
After work, I had to assist with a wedding rehearsal. Home to eat with the family and play with kids. Bedtime routine. Blogg. Sleep. Tomorrow, I will wake at 5:45, on a Saturday, to run 7 miles; just so my hubby can get an early start on his day of landscaping. After a cup of joe and a nice hot shower I will begin my nonstop running from place to place. Target to purchase 2 birthday presents for 2 parties we will be attending Sat & Sun. Lil Pastry Chef for one of the birthday parties. Home to clean kids and put them down for naps. Church to assist with a wedding. Meet Mo and kids at a friends house where they will hang out while Mo and I go to dinner and the Philharmonic Pops concert. AHHH, I will be exhausted and probably falling asleep during my date night. I remember when date nights were easy. We would plan it all out and go. Now it involves so much work, sometimes I wonder if it is even worth it. What do you all do to make it easier? Not pack so much in your day, so you can actually stay awake and enjoy it?

Sunday is just as busy. Church. Mini Grand Prix birthday party with Reece. Raine and daddy will go home to nap and work in the garage. Back to church for FPU. Dinner. Bedtime routine. Prepare for the week! Spring break can't come soon enough. Pray for me during this oh so hectic weekend. Pray I see the joy in everyone's face around me and that I can actually feel some JOY as well! Then go and enjoy yourself! ;)

Nightmare on Elm St.

My first dorm room/apartment/house is the topic of discussion today.

So my first home away from home was Dodds Hall at Slippery Rock University. The 7th floor in a coed dorm. I shared my room with a junior named Colleen who was never around unless to go to sleep. Our room was right next to the stairwell and since she went to bed at a regular hour and I was a night owl, I would hang out in the stairwell and talk to the other freshman who had no idea your were supposed to go to bed and actually do your work. My friend Holly from the field hockey team moved into the room across the hall and also had an upperclassman as a roommate. We convinced both our roommates to switch rooms. I moved into Holly's room and we had so much fun!

My sophomore year we moved into a house, 417 Elm St with two other field hockey players. The house was a nightmare, so old and in the middle of a half a*& addition/bathroom remodel. Our landlord was horrible and never finished the remodel until a year and a half later. The house and roommate situation must have worked though cuz it was my home during my sophomore and junior year. My mom was a bit worried, but I was fine. I was living off campus with upperclassman and having a blast. I never had to leave my home to go to a party! We'd have field hockey parties and invite other teams to mix with us; baseball and soccer were our favorites at the time. Oh to go back to those carefree days.

Bufbppofo 09 Day 5

Who would play you in a movie? Who would play Mike?

I have no idea about this question. I don't think I had and answer last year either. What do you all think? Mike would definitely be played by Kevin James, ya know King of Queens guy.

Side Note:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!

She is only 39 today and certainly acts 29, but good for her! I hope your day was blessed while visiting with Jaime. We love you!

Bragging

WOW, I'm a bit humble so I don't like the idea of this post. Just last Friday before heading to work, I broke down and cried because I was feeling so stressed and worthless. Today while at work I was praised and praised and praised some more. I met with my principal for my yearly evaluation and boy does she make me sound good on paper. I spoke with a few parents who were very grateful to me for my no nonsense style of teaching and asked me to continue especially as the weather warms up. My friend reminded me that I am a good friend. And even though I am not supposed to talk about my children or spouse, well my kiddos appreciated me tonight too. We enjoyed a fun game of "Simon Says" at dinner. I can make eating green beans fun. I am a free spirit with an anal side when needed. I choose the outdoors over TV and can climb rocks in the most uncomfortable shoes. I have developed an obsession with running and have increased my speed and distance quite a bit during this past month. I, I, I. I think that is enough bragging for one night!!

Teach Me

BufBloPoFo Topic for Day 3: If nothing else, BufBloPoFo is a learning tool. Last year, we learned how to load a dishwasher, how to take a leak, etc. Let’s keep that going this year, but instead of focusing on what people are doing wrong, tell me what you think you do right. Walk me through a process. Give me the step-by-steps. Can you make damn good baba ganoush? Can you tie a bow tie? Can you pour the perfect Guinness??? Teach me how, perfesser.

I can teach you how to read and write! I am a teacher by trade and love all grades. Hee hee, but the people who are learning the most from me are my children. They are learning manners, responsibility and kindness. They learn by watching and once they go to school it will all be part of who they are. If I can not teach my own kiddos now, what kind of teacher am I?

Perfect Meal

If you had the power to put together the most perfect, end-of-the-universe, nothing-better-was-ever-made repast, using whatever ingredients you want, and with whomever you’d like as your co-diners, what would you want? Tell me about one little bit, or all fourteen courses. Tell me about venue, about background music, about which box of wine goes best with which flavor of ramen noodles.

Not sure about this one because as I was getting ready to type this my son came down and said his belly hurt. I sent him back to bed saying he'll be ok, it hurt because he was full from the cereal he ate a few hours ago. He said ok and as he started walking into his room, I heard that dreaded sound, yep, puking. I ran up to help him and he said, "I told you I was sick!" I guess I should have really believed him or got my arse off the computer to at least tuck him back into bed. So, I can't really think about food after cleaning up that mess, oh the smell. You all know it, so I'm sure you understand.

BUFBLOPOFO ‘09

It is on! 14 straight days of blogging! Wow, not sure I need to be adding this to my to do list right now, but I am a team player. I loved this challenge last year and couldn't wait to do it again. So here I am, Joelle Hauguel born and raised in Marilla, NY and now residing in Las Vegas, NV with my hottie hubby Mo and two adorable kiddos, Reece and Raine. Three things happening in my life right now are chaos, chaos and more chaos.

1. Home life is very hectic as the warm weather brings lots of landscaping jobs into our already busy schedule. My husband becomes this stranger of a man who walks in the door, showers and heads to bed. I am unofficially a single mom/teacher. It is a very busy season, but this too will pass and we will have a relaxing summer in just three short months.

2. School is also very hectic as the year comes to a close. 5th graders are getting ready for some seriously fun times with a few field trips, planning for middle school and an out of state three day trip to San Diego, California. I have to put the finishing touches on that as I will be the head chaperon during that excursion. AHHH, June 5th will not come soon enough I tell ya.

3. FPU and Parent's visiting are also on my plate. FPU is Financial Peace University, Mo and I are trying our damnedest to get out of debt and live like no other, so we can truly live like no other. It is going pretty well. We have completed step 1 and are working on paying off a snowball list of debt. We have made huge changes in our budgeting and cut several luxuries that are not really needed. Both sets of parents are coming to visit us during the month of April. My parents will be here for 2 weeks and then within a one day turn around Mo's parents are coming. May will be busy as well, because as soon as we say goodbye to the Hauguel rents, I fly home to Bflo to visit some girlfriends.

LIFE~ I always wanted to grow up so fast and thought it was going to be so great. Now I just want to go back to hanging out by my pool and playing outside like I used to when I was a kid....

March Madness

It's not just a basketball tournament to me, it's one of the most hectic times at our house right now. I am trying to finish grading and complete report cards for 60 students. Laundry is falling out of the dryer and laundry basket. Dishes seem to be growing in my sink and toys are exploding everywhere. Mo keeps asking me to start reading one of Dave Ramsey's books so I can learn all about Financial Peace. I also need to make the final arrangements for a San Diego trip to Sea Camp with 38 5th graders and 14 women! AHHHHH, my only relief is when I hit the pavement to go jogging. So that is just one more thing to do. I look so forward to the weekend and then they go by too fast. Plus, I don't want to do all of that stuff I want to play with my kiddos or nap. In light of all that needs to be accomplished, I know it will all get done. I am just tired of losing sleep about it. I keep trying to give all of my stressers to God, but he doesn't seem to want them cuz they keep lurking in my brain. How am I supposed to find Financial Peace when I can't find emotional peace? I figured out that I need to relax and take time for me. So I did! I ignored the to do list above and played on the computer. I read all about what my friends are up on Facebook and thier blogs. It's a techie type of soap opera for me. How about you? What do you do to get away from it all? Baths don't work for me. I get too cold and am not a big fan of laying in dirty water...

Wordless Wednesday

Free Coffee

Mo and I are on a mission to get out of debt and live debt free. We are looking at every way possible to cut costs. While on the phone with my brother, he gave me a website that encourages frugal lifestyles. It has some interesting ideas, a lot of common sense too. It is becoming a sort of game, how can I cut costs and still live with my simple pleasures. Yesterday, I went to Einstein Bagel and got a free coffee. We are out of creamer at home, so I desperately needed a cup but was not about to pay $4.65 at Starbucks; then I remembered this free coffee coupon that came in the mail. YAY, don’t ya just love getting things for free! My brother also informed me about Redbox promo codes. You can go to their website and sign up for the promo codes to be sent to your email or your cell phone. Yay, free movies!!

Saw this post on the website wisebread today and had to share:

Beware of Pretty Things: 4 Reasons I’m Keeping My Ugly, Old Stuff

So what are your thoughts on old, ugly furniture? Do you love it? Hate it? Live with it because you have to?

The next time you start to get a little impatient with your current décor, remember that function trumps fashion. Some furniture can bring an aesthetic beauty to your home that may well be worth the investment. If it doesn’t meet your needs, however, it was worthless from the moment you bought it and did you really need that nice new piece anyway?

http://www.wisebread.com/beware-of-pretty-things-4-reasons-i’m-keeping-my-ugly-old-stuff

Square Root Day 3.3.09

Mo emailed me today at work to remind it was square root day 3.3.09. He is such a math nerd. I told my students and they too were very excited.