HI everyone.

Well I have a pretty big dilemna brought on by one of Rachel's friends. It appeared as if she was having a "cast party" after the last day of their play.... ONLY to find out that the party was not at "m"'s house like it was SUPPOSSED to be but at another girls house, who Rachel does not even know. Now "m: KNEW there was going to be drugs and alcohol at this party and had her own mother drive 3other friends over to the party with her. So now the girls are dropped off for the night.... being picked up in the morning?????  AT 11:15PM we get a call from Rachel that their one friend "A" who arrived late to the party will be driving them back to "m"'s house because the alcohol and drugs have made their presence known.  So 4 girls decide they are going to leave the party and "M" wanted to stay.  (now mind you, technically, "m"'s mom should have been called for a ride home)But I guess the girls figured everyone would get home and nothing more would come of it..... BIG PROBLEM.....the girls get lost trying to get back to "M"'s house!!!!! so there are about 4 rounds of phone calls asking for help in getting them back to "M"s house... only we don't know where they are ( so of course, DH and I are fighting)  Finally, I suggest if "A" can get to her house from where they are, just go there and I will come and get Rachel in the morning. BY 8 am Rachel is calling me to come and pick her up.  So we finally make it back to "m"s house to get Rachel;s car...and "M" comes out of her house...."OHHH I am sooooo sorry Mrs. D," uhhuh. SHe tells Rachel, that Rachel and her friends did the right thing because it only got worse as the night went on. "M" could not even call her own mother for a ride home in the weee hours of the morning--she had to get a ride home from a boy that was at the party all night.  OHH and i forgot to mention that one of the fellow cast members was intent on getting Rachel drunk.

When I asked Rachel why "M" didn't call her own mother for a ride home from a situation likethat ... she said "M" wouldn't call her mother if she was on a desserted island....Sad but true.

BUT NOW we are faced with no one knowing what or how "M" is doing.. no one had heard from her.  Rachel is very upset and worried. I am sure "M" and her parents are having 'conversations' about now, I know I would love to talk to "M"'s mother but I am holding back. I think if no one hears from "M" shortly...she has not been in class YET... I might call just to touch base,not to interfere, just to see if she is ok.

I am sure I am going to get my head bit off but the other kids are concerned since they have not seen/heard from "m" in any form.

Rachel should have known better than to go to a party where there was a STRONG possibility this was going to be the case, and the fact that we had no idea she had left "M"'s house is not excusable either.  The only redeeming fact was that those 4 girls knew when to get the heck out of there.

Now she has spent the last 2 days beating herself up.

Why do kids feel the need to pressure each other so?????????

Not a happy camper right about now.

Brenda

HI

Well it seems the level of stress must be decreasing for Rachel.... she was more than civil to me tonight after her performance,,, not so before. 

Tomorrow we head out to University of the Arts for her to watch and/or participate in some classes. SHe also will get a chance to talk with the director of that dept during our time there. Should be a fun day for her... I will let her see the classes herself and then meet up with them for the meeting.

Saturday, my parents will be joining us for the performance, and heading home on Sunday morning.

fingers crossed THIS college measures up to what she wants it to be... and she can see herself there.

Brenda

When I got home last night, Rachel and I were talking about the play she will be performing this weekend and such. THen I brought up the Christmas production that she was offered a part in... it seems as if the director assumed that when Rachel did a joint audition for ODD COUPLE and CHristmas Jukebox, that her schedule would not change. THat was almost 2 months ago!  In that time, we have planned a trip to Disney AROUND her school performances and others.  Since there is no way for her to be part of the Christmas productions, I am the Evil witch!   I tried to explain to Rachel that the directors were not being realistic. If she assumed she was in every play she auditoned for, she wouldn't have time to breathe.  Now of course she feels as if she will be mis-cast for all their other productions. Well if that is how they handle this situation, then THEY are the ones that are not professional.  Rachel has had crappy roles and not complained, like others.

I have to go out before work and TRY to find her a proper fitting shirt for this play. THey are MAKING her wear a mans xlarge dress shirt!  She says it looks awful----this is just plain ridiculous. I know what happened... they forgot that they told the kids they were providing the costumes so they hand rachel that! AND I need to find her black sneakers!  As usual 2 days before the show and I am working.

I do have tomorrow to do a complete sweep of the consigment shops if I do not find it in my quick search today.

So between this play and SAT's ---I have been awarded the "bad mom of the week" trophy.

Jack still got to pursue his career as his brother's babysitter... but that should end soon since the campers are now closed for the season.. As the weekend came to a close, he got a few phone calls to go into the camper and "get this, make sure that is not in the back" and on top of being bossed around by his brother, DH had to play host for his Dad.

Yes his Dad made it to the shore, only because DH took him down. Had his dad waited for his own dtr to take him down, he would probably STILL be waiting.  I am sure my dsil thought it was a great gameplan to throw those 2 together for a day, but that really wasn't necessary. Later on Sat, their Aunt and Uncle had a little gathering for all of them and they had a good time... out until 1 am LOL   DH said his dad faired pretty well in the health part of it but did have to take a nap here and there.  DH drove his Dad around the 'ol stomping grounds since it had probably been 8 years since his Dad had set foot in that area.

the youngest family that moved to TX is not going to make it.  They need to sell a boat, house and camper in order to survive and NOTHING is selling.... no nibbles to speak of either. I think my sil told me,they had enough $$$ for one more mortgage payment and then they are done....... I kept saying they should not have just picked up and left ... not organized and promises from companies not kept. Actually, they were in deep financial problems BEFORE they moved  and they have not learned from them yet.  THis coming weekend, they are going to take their whole family (5 of them) to a NASCAR race.  $$$$$$$  We used to do it when our kids were little, and I amsure they remember that, but we were/ are financially sound.  Big difference.  ANd they WILL HAVE to buy many things/trinkets to keep those kids happy.  Very needy that way. $$$$$$$$$$$$ 

I think they were VERY rude to my fil...suggesting that he pay $10,000.00 for their camper. NOw this man has not had 2 pennies to rub together for about 16 years.... now that is nerve. PLUS if he stops talking to the kids again--which may happen since he brought up the issue that angered him many times over the weekend... then he will be stuck with it.

Rachel's tour of DeSales University was a bust.!!! and sadly so.  SHe was soooo looking forward to it and it started out pretty nice and then it was time to take off on the tour. Which is usually the better part. well we had a tour guide who did not give any information about the campus, its buildings or activities that go on. The dorm room that we were to look in at , was just that, peak in as you go by..plus the girls forgot that their room was being shown.  So we left there with a very disappointed feeling.

THe worst part is, Rachel passed up a night working in order to go to this... she was REALLY mad.  But she did get to go to the required play she needs for CASA.---I paid for the tickets since they were quite expensive and Anthony decided to go with her.  Got me off the hook LOL

Some exciting news--- at the new stable where Allie has started to take lessons... the owner/trainer had her jumping yesterday. Only her 3rd lesson there! and Allie said it was the highest she had ever jumped...also it was a series of 2 jumps.  I asked her if it was scary and she  said "no because Billy is sooo smooth, you don't even feel like you left the ground"  It was a very hard lesson, much critiquing done but I bet she was sooo glad when they let her jump!!!

Ok  done figuring out how to download and transfer things to Rachel's newZUNE.. attacking the pile of clothes from her room. I am attempting to understand one aspect of the Zune per day,so she can get full benefit from it. So far we have mastered music, pictures, audiobooks and home videos. Not doing too badly.  LOL

Work this afternoon and tomorrow.

Brenda

Off to check out DeSales tomorrow... VERY last minute.but it is one that Rachel just found an interest in and the date was open,the event free. WHY not   After this, there should only be one more and she will visit that one with Jack.

Work wasn't too bad tonight, which is good because it was pretty crazy on Wed. Toooo much running around for a small community hospital.

Jack is going to take his dad down to our camper tomorrow for the weekend... shoudl be interesting. It seems as if is sis was more than a pain in the rump, asking him 20 questions about the things jack had figured out for the drive and such.  This girl really needs to get over her guilt. it is a bit much any more.

It seems as if the only 2 children who didn't hover over the dad while he was in the hospital, got sincere apologies for his past behavior. The 2 children who can't leave him alone, got nothing.

kind of funny in hindsight.

I hope they have a good time and mend the fence, I have always liked his dad....as did the girls.

ok time to hit the hay for our adventure tomorrow.

Brenda

Let me tell you... it is yet another day where allies friends get together and no one seems to be able to give her a ride either way... home after their lunch out or to youth group. The girls who could, have to "do something later" which I guess Allie would just be tooo inconvenient. SOOO, DH has to make sure he is home from work around 2:30pm so he can pick her up from where ever they decide to go for lunch out and then around to take her to/from youth group... and now Rachel is in the mix for this as well.  We might need her to pick Allie up.

These are also the SAME group that invited her to Hershey park late one night,,,,, because another girl backed out!

I know this sounds childish but see how quickly I offer to take these girls to/from an activity anymore.  I just can't figure out how they see Alllie... she really isn't THAT mild anymore but she does have a tendancy to please and happy to be included... or she would be bored.   Think I would rather drive her to the stable a million times than be walked over by these girls constantly.

While I was doing some major weeding yesterday, I got a splinter (from the rake) stuck right in the fold between my thumb and index finger ---OUCH.. now it is red and puffy. Hopefully by worktime it can get it out...will make for an interesting day.

IT seems that I will be able to get the time off I need for the open houses and looking good for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Still working on it.

Well need to get myself together, Allie forgot money for her lunch out today and asked me to bring it in ---going to bring her shorts as well. she was wearing pants when she left and it is going to be close to 90 degrees here this afternoon.  She wore a sweatshirt all day through school, came home all flushed in the face....swearing she was "cold" all day....... I don't think so....

They havea half day today....Rachel should be home soon, then I will run Allie's money over and maybe Rachel and I will check out the ZUNE mp3/video player on sale at Kmart..... mostly want to check it out. She actually has the money to buy it $$$$$ WHOOOHOOO>

Brenda

HI

Remember the weekend that was supposed to be for 'me"? well that whole idea was a bust.  Why do I think that sooner or later, that will actually happen?  We went to the shore for Irish weekend and I was supposed to be the one to determine where/when we went out. Not that I was intending to burn the midnight oil but I was put on the back burner....... to my youngest bil.---                          again               

It seems that since I was tired, and I was, DH decided that he was going to go out to the festival(barhopping) with my bil until Allie and her friend went to the boardwalk. You probably know what is coming. DH did start their dinner before they left and he actually thought I could take a nap  Yeah I nap all the time. SO off they went. The gameplan was that when I dropped the girls off at the boardwalk, we were going to sit around with my sis in law and her hubby for some visiting--since we don't get to do since we live "SOOOO far away" 

As I am taking the girls to the boardwalk, DH text messages me, he wants me to come to the bar.... AHHH, I haven't showered or napped. And I tell him this... "that is ok, everyone here is sweaty"--- ohh doesn't that paint a pretty picture.? The biggest issue was finding a parking spot. here is the best part... now mind you no shower or sleep and I find out later that his cousins, aunts and uncles were there too! that would have been pretty.

But honestly, he just didn't want to leave the party.Which I KNEW was going to happen.

besides that incident, we spent the whole weekend, on the phone with the  youngest BIL after he left to return home to TX about all the things he left outside of the camper. He considered it all trash while he was 'cleaning'... then thought about it and reconsidered most of the stuff. So now, the Sprinter truck,which was empty, DH brought back full of their crap. We are supposed to take it to his other brother and he is supposed to take it up to the Poconos  to have it there when we all gather for Thanksgiving.!!!!!!!!                             

What makes me sooo angry is everyone jumps to his request when he just wastes sooooo much time and gets nothing done. And his siblings go running so they can "help him"? It is just ridiculous.

At one point when I was "omg'ing"(in exapsperation) while DH was talking to him, my bil told DH that he can hear me. I said good.

They called back to make sure we got the plastic sippy cups!!!???? their kids are old enough not to need sippy cups...none of them used them while they were here. ohh that's right, they sat at the table and ate their meals.. silly me.

So it was the typical Irish Weekend for me... work until 11pm the night before, get up at 5:30am so we can beat the traffic down there..... take care of the girls while he goes out.

YUP  great fun for me.  I dont' think I will worry about going next time.

I think.  LOL

The person Rachel hit the other day, not only harrassed us, but has been harrassing the reporting officer and the insurance company ----where's my money???????   I spoke to the officer yesterday and I mentioned the guy called here early the VERY next morning--and he said "OHHH really?"  and I told him how he started flipping out at us and how we politely ended the phone calls.

I just realized that the officer cannot determine anything since the cars were moved off the side of the road by the time he got there.... for safety reasons.

SO that  aside now and actually in the past.. since our insurance com. is only going to pay for the tires and the bumper, we are getting ready for this weekend.

I thought we were in major trouble with transportation to get Allie to the football game tonight... I am working and DH is out of town, Rachel is working.  THe girl who normally can take her, had to carpool with someone herself. Anyone else does not have the same reporting time   So I called my supervisor when we got home after practice and asked him if I could possibly come in AFTER I drop Allie off---->  "I dont' see any problems with that"  OHHHH thank God and him of course  LOL

Tomorrow, we are headed out bright and early--7 am at the latest--- and Rachel works. SHe will spend Sat night with my neighbor and then go to  an audtion and rehearsal on Sunday night.  Then we will be home much later on Sunday night.

Still trying to get coverage for me on the one weekend... not doing tooo welll with that

I am a little nervous about all the extra driving Rachel has to do today in order to get all these things done. She is going to use the public parking lot, that she got lost trying to use last time... then she has to go from there to a mall to meet the crew to travel to do the murder mystery dinner.  I do not even know where they are going!!!!!!!!!!! and find the time to eat!then drive home much later tonight AFTER the dinner is over and they get back to her car.

Have to get things lined up to leave in the morning during the day today, since I won't really have much time later tonight when I get home.

OHHH here's a good one... Jacks sis wanted to have the long lost dad come to the shore for the weekend. Only problem... she cannot house him since her camper is in constant shambles... which means, she wanted him to stay with us! Mentioned that Allie is bringing a friend.... and when Jack talked about it, he claimed he doesn't know if he is quite ready to have his dad thrown on us 24/7 at this point. 

Mentioned that her kids could stay with us or the other brother and the dad stay with his sis.... guess that didn't seem feasible, so as far as I know he is not coming. The other thing is,,,, I know the dad has been visiting everyone else... but still, no phone calls or acknowledgement from him even after Jack went to see him in the hospital!  Should be interesting to hear her non-stop version while we are down there.

IT is supposed to be hot on Sat... of course, we will be out milling about......supposedly, this is my year to go crazy at Irish weekend...LOL, right, will see. I honestly don't usually get too crazy since I hate feeling like crap the next morning.  NOT worth it.  Looking forward to the yummy food and vendors though and sharing it with Allie and her friend Rachel is VERY bummed she cannot go but she should have been more forceful when her boss called.  (that is a whole other story) 

Brenda

This morning I got the call every parent does not want to hear...... "Mom, I was in an accident"

While asking her where she was and telling her to calm down--she wasnt' really hysterical or anything,,, just getting upset because she WAS in an accident. SHe told me briefly what happened and where she was. So I jump into my car and drive like a bat out of hell to 'save her'

It turns out, that the car in front of Rachel hit these boulders that are on the side of the road.... he flattened his tire and stopped and Rachel saw this happening and tried to stop but her car kept going forward (sliding) and hit him. She did swerve to the left to avoid hitting him square. The car in back of her, lightly bumped her. SO no airbags deployed and everyone is OK.   Rachel's front bumper has some pretty extentensive damage... right front bumper and some of the fender---as I was told it was called. (I called it a quarterpanel)    EVERYONE was wearing seatbelts.

IT seems as if there is a little white lie told on the part of the driver of the car in front of Rachel.... which we only found out when Jack was trying to pin down more information from the police officer after everyone else left.  WE found impact marks on the boulder and then pieces of Rachel's car much farther up the road than the first driver said he hit her.  SOOOOO... of course Rachel's account was correct, even in that flash of a second when it happened.!!!!!    The driver of the other car said Rachel hit him and sent him into the boulder... not by the evidence left  behind.   OHHH how cops shows help out...like CSI  LOL

Here the funniest part of the situation was the new police officer the school has employed was first on the scene on HIS way to the school.

SO Rachel was very unnerved, as we all are, but she did handle herself very well and did do some good quick thinking.  AND she KNOWS we are here for her and don't judge her for being in an accident.

GOTTA love the safety factors in cars now and luckily no one was going very fast due to the blinding sun.

Brenda

It seems as if Rachel's boyfriend truly knows her.    They must have been talking about the stuff they have to do or plan to do this school year. I guess she mentioned going to see SPAM-A-LOT in Feb and finally asked him if he would be interested in going... he said yes. Then he mentioned that he wants to get Rachel tickets to a Broadway show for Christmas. She told them they are WAY too expensive.HIs response was "it would only be one paycheck"  Rachel reminded him now that school has started, he won't be working as many hours as during the summer.   AHHH he knows the way to Rachel's heart.  There are many  great Broadway shows coming to the theatres around here..... and half the price at least.  He can accompany her those to her.  One good thing.. at least he realizes she is serious about her intended major.  what a sweetie!

I am going to have a talk with Allie about this year... in the hubbub of getting everything ready for Rachel for college applications and tours and such, I  am going to try my hardest to make sure she does not get lost in the shuffle. I mean that would be awful.  Not only will her sister be going away but being ignored the year before she goes would only make it worse. So I am going to tell her if she feels lost, to make some noise.   She is one that will normally just sit back and let things go as they are.... and I don't thnk this is the time for her to do that.

Open house at the school tonight. Since everyone will be gone... I think I am going to go and hear what the girls teachers have to say about this school year.  And I can put a face to their names as well as try to read their vibes for teaching this year.

Allie will be up at colorguard during that time, so it works out well.

Rachel is going to be tutored in math again... the guidance counselor and math lab aide have set up a schedule and Rachel is willing to try it again. Geeze where would she be without them. I know I have my gripes about how some things are handled but honestly, these teachers/guidance counselors have only been a blessing for her.  I am thinking of something special to send to them when she graduates(besides a letter to the superintendant)..... they are truly going above and beyond. I know I thank them but still something to SHOW the gratitude would be more appropriate I think.

Have a meeting at work today..which is good since I need to spell out the time needed for Thanksgiving to my supervisor. It is a bit confusing. and I have to put my on call time for the weekend on the sheet as well.

fall weather is here

Brenda

Why is it that family members do not feel the need to show common courtesy when a family member does something for them?  Most of the time, it is not as aggravating as this last event.

Our youngest family moved to TX in a flurry... leaving many things behind due to lack of organization and time to think.. This flurry was brought on by my SIL who misread the school calendar for the beginning of school. School actually started 2 weeks later than she thought.. nevermind about that.

So in order for them to get to TX in the timeframe they wanted, they literally were either throwing things in boxes to take or throwing things out from their camper at the shore.  Now mind you, they are in TX, when are they going to use the camper???? They decided to lend it to her cousin.. who probably would use it.

When they got to TX it seems their financial problems were more highlighted than they thought so now they decided they NEED to sell the camper!!!!!!  Sooooooo my dh takes this as his own project---WHY I ASK HIM????  So he got a sign and put it in the window and we mention it to people we know.

Anyway, after they are getting used to their surroundings, and seem to be doing well, they decide they left a few things in the camper that they "really want", so DH goes into their camper and searches through all the stuff left behind to find it.. sends them pics to make sure it is the right thing before he sends the item out.  THEN the best part,,,,, they ask when he is going to send it...hello--we are not even home at that point.

SO we put a BIG box together with the electric charger they "needed" and throw in some toys and trinkets for the kids............ no word that they got it..................mind you they "needed it"

DH had to call them last night to see if they even got the box!!!!!!!  Answer: ohh yeah the kids are playing with the one toy now.

OHH and I sent the kids happy first day of school cards.. no word as to whether they got them or liked them.

And now we are their realtor for the shore... last weekend we all stayed here,they called DH to see how many people had checked out their camper.... and they wanted us to go and put a lower price on the sign. HELLO call the campground office.!!!!!!!  Told DH to let them handle this one on their own... the constant, immediate help they have gotten over the years is why they don't know how to make decisions.

I keep saying that this move to TX can only make them stronger.... I am still waiting.

Brenda

IT seems as if I have been running a marathon and I can honestly say "I don't know why I feel that way"  I have not had too many deadlines and the start to the school year has been a smooth one.

My fil is home now and my mom's health seems to be on the better side every day... so why did I feel in a whirlwind??? who knows.  LOL  Maybe in the back of my mind, I am thinking of all the things that have to be done by the end of this school year.

We have decided to take the girls back to Disney this December.. while we can get Rachel in as a child. Funny, they both really wanted to go back to Disney, so this is great timing. We took them when they were in elementary school and Rachel went with a music trip but that is the only time we have been there. I am sure the places we HAVE to go will be different and as jack said, we can do it at a leisurely pace this time.. not like last time.. Up early--- out late in order to get everything in. Another thing HE is looking forward to, is letting the girls explore for some time by themselves.  Funny, but the girls don't see this as a necessity.  We are lucky, they still like hanging around with us.

 I did arrange a day for Rachel to stay at the Univ. of the Arts in Philly. This should show her what a true day at that school will be like.. or pretty close to it.  I think she is leaning toward really wanting to go there,,,, and this should help her.

Going to drive by a new equestrian center that I just learned about over the weekend... going to drive by today. Allie REALLY cannot start riding there probably until after colorguard is over since these riding centers want you there possibly 2 days a week. Colorguard takes up 3 and she does not want to give up where she rides now. SO that gives us little or no time to squeeze in a new riding lesson.

The girl scout leaders called/ emailed. Rachel really doesn't have time and I am not sure Allie wants to go with the same troop. She felt sooo misplaced since she was hardly there last year. And if she does the riding, I am not sure she would be there any more than last year... and of course there is the Sunday meeting thing.  If I work, she does not have transportation if Rachel is tied up.

Rachel has a role in the Female "ODD COUPLE" and her friend got a part as well. SHe is very happy... a REAL, recognized play and a speaking part. LOL  SHe has auditions today for the school play and auditions for the musical theatre group at the dance center here in town.   BUSY DAY.

Another thing to add to our excitement here, Rachel has a boyfriend... I know before she was concerned she didn't "have one" but I stressed to her that you don't just "get one".  Of course she thought there was something 'wrong with her' and actually, she is too busy to commit a ton of time and luckily, her boyfriend is busy himself, realizes she is serious about her direction and has a serious side to as well. They are both in AP engish and he takes courses at the college already! It is nice that she doesn't have to be afraid to show her smarts.  Dumbing down for a boy is not worth it.  They have known each other for many years and so that helps a bit I am sure.  Between their schedules, they try to find a day here and there to get together.  We are trying to be cool about this,,, trying not to pry... being too nosey only leads to tight lips. I have met him and he seems quite the gentleman.

Sooo now that my breather is over... time to get moving  LOL

Have a good day---we are looking forward to some cooler temps for the rest of this week.

Brenda

Rachel received some very exciting news when she got home from school yesterday---the Capital Performing arts center asked her to be the student ambassador for the Etown highschool. She is one of a few that actually have found that theatre to participate in.. so she is very excited to be asked to do this role. (It will look good on her college applications as well.)  I honestly think they were afraid she was not coming back after the melay of the last production she was in with them.   Her friend from the performing arts vo-tech was also asked. 

Have to run out to Staples in a few minutes to purchase a $100.00 calculator on sale for $84.00!!! this is just ludicris that we have to spend that much money. I guess it is partly my fault since i thought we would be lucky and the girls would have math during different semesters.... nope.  Figured Allie will need this for the rest of her high school years and college so trying to look at it as  a good investment. 

I think my mom is already trying to find a new home for her dog  We are sad about that but we cannot take the dog while we still have Missy(they don't get along) and DH does NOT want another dog. I think my parents REALLY need to check if they can take her to the retirementcommunity before getting rid of her.... they are dumping things left and right on us preparing for the next phone call.

guess I need to go and walk my mutt.

Brenda

Got to hear the scoop.... it turns out that the first day of school went pretty well.  I am sure I will get more detailed scoop this afternoon, only had sooo much time to chit-chat about yesterday this morning while the girls were having breakfast.

They did a pretty good job filling out the forms.. Kuddos to the school district... they made new forms, everything they need to know in ONE packet!!!!! YAY!!!!  someone got to show some commonsense. YES!

IT seems Allie is pleased with her teachers. ALthough the one she was truly looking forward to talking with again, has been changed to other classes  It will take them a while to get used to this new teacher... hope he knows his stuff. (the class is equine science)

Rachel seemed to have a good day at both high school and the performing Arts vo-tech. Many friends found at both. Driving to both schools did not seem to be a problem.

NOW we just have to find their calculators LOL  Allie already had homework for Honors Geometry. Told her I wasn't surprised.

I was glad to hear that the school has changed their dress code... they are stressing the skirts have to be long enough and no part of your torso is to be showing... the one teacher spelled out just what a torso is...LOL  truly sad that it had to be spelled out but the kids in our school can not be the brightest sometimes.

Jack went to see his dad yesterday at the rehab hospital.( think his aunt's scolding over the weekend made him think he should at least check in with his dad) He said his dad acted as if no time had passed, he did ask about the girls and myself. Kind of impressed about that, and told Jack so. I do believe you can just start from the present, without stewing about the past.  So this can be a good start. We might be lucky enough to have him at Rachel's graduation.  That would be nice. Jack still seems not to want to talk about his dad or how he is doing. 

Was very tired by the end of my shift last night, and getting up this morning was tough. Guess I am out of practice LOL  At least I won't have problems getting to sleep now after work

IT is beautiful out here today..... have to check out the new grocery store later.

Have a good one.
Brenda

Another school year has started.. and bright and early this morning.

I think in their own way,the girls were a little nervous about what they would find when they got to school. They are always glad to go back to be with their friends.. and this year, Rachel will get to catch up with her friends in the morning. I know how much out of the loop she felt last year since she wasn't there in the morning and didn't have any classes with her friends. Allie still rode the bus in to school this morning, she sees the bus ride as a social hour...Jack was surprised she did not ride in with Rachel. Told him she probably would only ride in if she had a big project to hand in, or just finds the bus riders toooo annoying.  ( we do have some winners on the bus.)

Rachel also will be leaving the regular high school and attending the performing arts vo-tech in the afternoon this year.

Last Friday, we had to get up early, for summer, and be at the high school to get her parking permit. She is in spot #94.

Unfortunately, I will not be home tonight to hear all the stories since I have to work, but I am sure they will share some of them with me in the morning tomorrow. Plus,I can get a revised version on Tuesday afternoon. Since I only work today, I will be able to run to the stores with them, if they should need any special supplies.  I don't know what they could POSSIBLY need since we bought a pretty big selection of items at Office Max.

This will be interesting, to see how all the massive piles of paperwork gets filled out. Most teachers stress that they have to be returned tomorrow morning.... well this will be the first year that I will not be home to start it when they get off the bus.

I do have to laugh, on the form, there is a part that asks for emergency contact numbers.... it also states that the person  you list has to be home during the day... good luck with that. How many people do they think are home ALL day, every day???? most adults are either working at some point or attending classes themselves.   I should leave it blank and see what they say.......

I think I will bring that up to the district... lets be realistic about some of the information they ask for.

We got a letter in the mail that the CASA students will be getting a discount on their daily parking!!!!  I wonder if that is because I asked for that at the beginning of last  year and mentioned how much parking cost Rachel last year???? ( I do think it had something to do with it---patting self on back) LOL

SO now it is back to just me and the dog home during the day....until I go to work or the kids come home... not sure whether to call it peace and quiet......

                              Yet.           LOL

have a good Monday.

Brenda

The next few days will test the family ties I feel.

 My fil, who had disowned us about 10 years ago, has fallen off a ladder onto a cement driveway--right onto his back. He had to call the ambulance the next morning, since he could not move. When he got to the hospital, he did not have them call any of his children--he has 4... instead we found out about this incident from family friends    He was taken into surgery around noon and still is not out as of now (5:20pm EST)  He will have pins and plates to secure the spine until it begins to heal.   Jacks brother, who is my age, has always tried to stay in touch by shoving his children through the door first  and getting their dad to let them in. Jacks sister has rushed to the hospital to wait unti he is out----Jack doesn't really do hospitals but he is still angry at his dad I think. This event will show the true colors. Of course the dad was glad to see the one son last night, not sure if that is due to fear or what.  Still no one had gotten a call from the hospital.... that bothers me.  It will be interesting to see who takes care of him when he tries to return home.   I told my sil, if things change to let me know, and I will see if I can scoot down to the hospital--_I will have to call off which is soooooo taboo in the health care world (you do not call off on your weekend to work)

It turns out that the surprise visit my sil paid to the family that moved to TX did not go well and the stories are quite interesting. Of course,there are 2 sides to every story and we have only gotten 1 at this point.

First of all.... I would never expect someone to host 6 people for over 3 days--unless well planned.  tempers were short and flying.

Allie did not make the volleyball team  but she seems to be taking it in stride. She realized that if she made the team and had colorguard, she may have had to give up horse riding until the seasons were over. And she has honors geometry and science, so her making the team may have been too much. (she said that). Some of her friends made it and she is happy for them.

Rachel has one more full week at her job and then she only has to work weekends if she is available.  She has enjoyed it and I think I am going to try and buy a dvd that shows her performing to add to her portfolio.

there is only one more weekend that is available for us to hit the shore before school starts... after that it is even harder than it has been this summer.

These past few days have been lost since I twisted my back/neck badly--could not even breathe and saw stars. Then I had the bright idea to still follow the gameplan and go school shopping for Rachel's clothes. I was doing really well and then I think I twisted toooo much when sititng for lunch and it started FULL BLAST again. It was sooo bad, I had to give in and let Rachel drive home. Thank God she has her license.  She has not driven the Trailblazer since the very beginning of her permit days... she was amazed at how BIG the car was but she did well and seemed to adjust to the size quickly.    I have been taking Advil, Aleve and motrin regularly in order to subside a wave of pain... today is still better than yesterday, so hopefully by work tomorrow, it will be tolerable. I will still have to be careful, I am sure.  Hope we don't have to do any heroics or I am gonna be in trouble.

Might go to Office Max to see if they have any cool supplies there on Sunday before I head to work again .  The girls usually find some good stuff there and I am hoping there will be an ad in Sunday's paper for some good buys.  Then they will truly be ready to go back... and I actually think they are ready. Hey Allie won't be bored.LOL

We had an unbelievable thunderstorm here earlier today---knocked the power out and had hail!!!!

So that is about all for us lately.

Brenda

It appears as if all the kids have made it through bandcamp, in this scorching weather. I made sure Allie had many bottles of water packed and light food as well as a salty snack. There was also bottled water and freeze pops on hand from the parents.

Today is the end of camp picnic... I supplied two bowels of cut up oranges. They get subs, chips, soda and water.  and the day ends 2 hours earlier.

Tonight there is a party.. which Allie wants to go to and Rachel will have to take her since I am working this evening.

Yesterday at work, Rachel said it was sooo boring since the rain prevented them for having any more shows after the first one. She left a bit earlier but due to the horrendous rain and flooding, she got home at the same time.

Tomorrow, it is off to Muhlenberg college to check it out.

Next week is volleyball tryouts for Allie--she has to be at each one---4 days worth--to find out where she winds up on the last day.

Hopefully there will be some time when we can sneak in another quick trip to the shore..but at this rate, I dont' think it is looking too good.

Good morning All.... boy oh boy is it gonna be a scorcher today!!! and of course, Allie has bandcamp. Eight hours of standing out in the sun, on a parkinglot, marching around.  YIKES>  I sent a neck coolie thing... washcloths and water, water,water, and a salty snack.

They do have it pretty well organized for water breaks.. which they have an ample supply of cold water bottles and I am sure they find some shade somewhere, even if they have to  go inside for a bit.

Today, when I was taking the girls in, Allie mentioned that the newest member of the colorguard was talking back at the instructor and refused to do the warm up exercises!! HELLOOO can you say code of conduct???? THere is no way that should be allowed and if she talks like that to the marching band director??? she will be g-o-n-e!   I am sorry there is just no excuse for that. The other thing is, she is wearing jeans!!!!!!  Here I am stressing to make sure Allie is wearing light colored clothes and not her heaviest t-shirts and this girl shows up in jeans????  GEEZE

Work over the weekend was horrible... besides being crazy, it was hot and I was super hot. I never sweat and believe me I was.

Rachel's job is going MUCH better now that she feels included by everyone.  She has off today and one girl needed some hours so she asked Rachel for Friday. Which was OK with Rachel but not the boss. It seems that the girl she switched with, is a problem and that is why Rachel was getting these hours... not the other girl Well all Rachel knew about switching was that the person had to be the same level, which this girl is. When Rachel offered to work the day anyway, they told her no.  Rachel feels she doesn't NEED all these hours and some people do, so why not. They do schedule her 4 days in a row, one off... kind of much but that seems to be the norm there. 

I am furious with Jack's sister, she decided she was going to SURPRISE the family that just moved to TX...she weaseled her, and her children, on a ride from someone who was on their way down there. NOW on the LONG ride down, they never called to tell them that 3 more bodies were coming to stay a week. My youngest bil was more than ticked.... of course his wife thought it was great----someone to take over watching the kids and her 'playmate' was there.  That is one of the main reasons Jack's sister went for sure, her source of entertainment and companionship just moved to TX.

Glad we only live 2 hours away... no reason to drive this way. I can count on one hand how many times his WHOLE family has been at our house in 13 years.. ready............5 !!! yup that is it! and that includes holidays.  they just don't seem to be able to get on the turnpike north to visit us.

ON a bright note, my mom seems to be doing much better, still quirky but under my dad's evil medicine surveying eye, I will take it. Offered for them to go to the shore,but I am sure they thought I was kidding.

Since my sis mixed up her days off for me to visit, I informed my boss I dont' need that time off anymore so he gladly put me back on the schedule  LOL I guess that is nice that he didn't have me waste my vacation time...I can save it for when she REALLY asks off and gets the time.\

Next week, Allie has volleyball tryouts. Then if she makes it, she has some type of volleyball 2x a day!!!

Saturday, Rachel and our friends are going to check out Muhlenberg College. It is always more fun to go with a friend.

Brenda

Tomorrow, Allie is invited to a birthday party.... as I predicted, her friend, who just went to the shore, called to see if we can give her a ride to the party. now it is a sleepover, so I do not know who is going to bring this girl home the next morning.

The real kicker to this is, that the friend's sister is home, doing nothing....  a high school graduate without a job and NOT looking for a job. Is there a reason why I should be the one driving these girls back and forth??? If I drive up to Allie's friends house and all the cars are in the driveway, like has happened before, I am not going to be VERY happy!!!!  I have made this statement to Allie--wonder if she will make this to her friend.

Rachel's senior portraits are here and they are B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!!! I just want to keep them all!!!! LOL

now the hard part is to pick the ones we want.... in 1week.

No, not in the way one would think. The girls went to see the movie HAIRSPRAY on the beach LATE last night. Kind of re-invented the old idea of the drive-in but just on the beach. Why not, no one is allowed on the beach at night and would they ever really be a limit to how many people you could let in?????

They all liked it but weren't talking too much on the way home.  Actually, this has been one of the quietest trips with Allie's friends.... little  talking. Went to the beach--no talking. Hanging out here---no talking. THey do play the boardgames and such but not a whole  ton of clowning around.  Seems odd . Allie's friend is NOT allowed to go on the amusement rides here--her parents do not feel they are safe...kind of put them on the level  of a travelling carnival ride I guess. SO that has put a damper on one aspect of it. Both Rachel and Allie were looking forward to hitting the rides. IT is kind of odd since Allie's friend goes to Hersheypark frequently and spends the day there on the rides??????? but we kind of have to honor the parents  limits or she will  never be allowed  to come again. They did get to do the waterpark, at least.

Today they have miniature golf planned.  They really don't plan to do much and have not even gone up to the boardwalk to wander around. I think this is  kind of odd.... Allie asked me if I would  come with them and I  said "gee I thought you would have more fun without me following you"?   after mini golf today, I  am going to see if they want to wander up to the boardwalk.  When they saw it all lit up last night, Allie mentioned about how pretty it is at night, and I mentioned that last night was the last.....Allie said"no?'  ahhh yeah, since they can't do rides, I am not going to try and get them moving early tomorrow morning to make it back in time for Rachel to get home and get her work gear. THis friend DOES NOT get up early or move quickly when she does get up early.  Figured we can leave around 8pm tonight and get home around 11pm, Allie's' friend can stay over at our house and then we will take her home when I take Allie to volleyball practice.

Even with how little they have done in one day, Allie says this is the best time she has had down here with a friend.  We even made s'mores the other night---not sure if the friend had done that before but we had a good time. I am not sure how much the mom interacts with her kids since I think the friend was surprised when we went to the beach I went "wave jumping" with them. They told me I didn't have to come to the movies with them but will probably play mini golf today.

Rachel did get more hours at work... for a bit there it seemed as if the orientation was for nothing. SHe got a phone call right before we left for her to fill vacancies on the schedule since 2 cast members up and left (their car had been broken into and their apt robbed). and management is upset they left ! ? figure that one out,.  Of course they were not living in the BEST section of Lancaster, I am sure.  so Rachel is working the rest of this week and told the scheduler that she wants no more than 4 days/week.  I think that is fair.

Found another college to check into and then we start with re-visits and audition/interviews. YIKES!

Her senior portraits are done, will get them tomorrow or more probably Thursday.

Next week, Allie has bandcamp all day---yeah,something for her to do. It is hard for her to plan anything since no one TRIES to do anything during the day--parents work--- so everyone sits home.===Allie bored. But I  cannot see sending Allie away the WHOLE  summer to be entertained.  Next summer might be able to line up working at a day camp or something.

Seems my mom is doing better once my dad sat her down and told her he can no longer do the er visits monthly. She needs to follow the regimen to the letter and no med skipping. Good for him. After all, my sis andI get aggravated, but he is right there watching and dealing with her when she winds up in immense pain. ANd he just can't do it anymore..

Have offered for  them to come here to the shore the 3rd week in August since once again, my sis did not put her request in soon enough and does not have off that week... or she put in for the wrong week. I have decided, I  am not putting in a vacation request for travelling to her until after hers is approved. It is easier for me to get one extra day  off than frequently asking time off that I wind up not needing. It is eating away my vacation time accrual.

ok  I am going to jump in the shower and then get sleepyhead 1 and 2 moving.  rachel is up at the park swinging LOL

BRenda