Relaxed??? Why yes!

I can not even begin to really explain the stress from the last 6 years. Papa Bears job had him stressed all the time. And ya know when men are stressed, they are GRUMPY! And we have dealt with this for so long, it had become the norm. Short on patience. Not mean or anything, just grumpy. The last post was about the fact he finally walked away from the chosen career and entered a completely new field...(No need to repeat that now) It was really hard for him to do this. Hes never walked away like this before. But he did it. I have waited 6 years for this(the first 4 years there were actually pretty good, its the last 6 that weren't) Thursday night, he was very quiet. Lots of things to process in his brain. We were super busy over the weekend, putting in a drip system for my garden, putting wood floor in neighbors house, other lawn work, grocery shopping, cleaning of house and garage....Ok you get the point. Monday started with normal nervousness. Being the new guy is hard. But Tuesday he was much better and ok with the choice. But the major thing I have noticed since Thursday... Was how relaxed he is. I mean, its a HUGE difference. Hes very pleasant to be around LOL. Not so wound up. Its been great! And hes starting to like the place he is now. Of course you know being new, The first day is always the roughest. Meeting people and proving you are capable. Once thats done, its good to go. And yesterday was much better for him there. They are hoping to train him well and move him into a different position that does mean more pay(unlike where he came from where they make you do a ton more and refuse to pay you more..The difference between utilize and use...) Its already been a shock to us in just a few days at how well this place treats their people. Im really looking forward to the days to come. Its been great so far. And theres also the good thing that I may be able to be home full time in the next 6 months. :D I was thinking I had to do this another year. And MAYBE I have 6 months or less!!! ANd that will free up our nights. Because it kinda does suck to run right after he gets home for kids activities and THEN go to my job. Get that done and get home... theres not much time left to just sit.

Add onto all of this, Im trying to also start working out more often. I have a exercise bike of sorts as well as a treadmill. Plus a tower that you can do many different exercises on. I need to get in shape(at the same time still in my makeover business lol...Ok Im not doing so well in that spot, I guess I will feel more up to doing that part if I was happier with my body shape. Im trying to get the kids doing this as well. (this has been a work in progress for the past year.)  I go to the ankle foot doc today and we will see what he says about my ankle. The darn thing still hurts. Im not sure what this says(Probably brace for longer..) Sucky part is this is the last time I can go to the doc for the next few months. And with that, I also will have to start on the deductible again.. So I think Im gonna have to wait on that till January and hope this doc can just give me a rough estimate on how long I am expected to hurt, wear the brace and when I can take it off... Until I can go back to him in 6 months lol. We will see. Most the time they dont want you to get that info. Ok off to put the brace back on, and get some cleaning done!!

Sit still?? never

Just when I think I will sit still. I get busier. I managed over this weekend to get a menu made out, which took days to make, Nothing sounded good. I am so worn out on certain meals that I just could not get that menu made. But finally, managed. And got the grocery shopping done. Of course going OVER budget. sigh. After that got the garage sorta cleaned up. Clovis the attack cat has been acting sick and it was freaking me out. Shes 15 years old. I dont expect her to live forever, but sheesh.. She was vomiting. A lot. (ok so clovis is a vomiter anyways but this was excessive) And shes was acting very very odd. Shes feral(Ok the older she gets the more we can call her somewhat domesticated.....Somewhat....) and she wanted attention constantly. Which is def not normal. Plus shedding like no tomorrow(way more than she ever has in previous years) So while at the store we realized.... We need to buy old cat food. Not just the regular outdoor stuff. She needs old lady stuff lol. Got her more hair ball treatment stuff. (which may be why she felt like crap) After giving her the hairball stuff for 4 days, and the senior food. Shes acting a lot better.  We can hope it stays that way.
My ankle is still in the brace(ok so it isnt at this exact moment...Im just sitting geez!!)I wont say its getting better. Or worse. Still got 2 weeks and a few days left in this thing. And not time to just sit and rest it.
The boys are doing ok. Driving me nuts. Mr B is in that preteen crap that is really starting to get on my nerves. Attitude... uggg..And of course the bear doesnt like it so... he gets a attitude lol. Im gonna work their tails off!!
Im trying to clean the fire out of this house. Did really good. But now its about time to declutter and maybe do a garage sale again. Need to come up with a LOT more to do that though(And its freaking 100 plus degrees out here right now UG!!)
Busy week ahead. Gymnastics CAP and work. Among other stuff.Got my fingers crossed once again for papa bear. Soon I hope to scream out the news (and no I am not prego.. wash your mouth out!!) If that happened it would be a damn miracle. Or I gots me a boyfriend lolol. (and on that note......)lolololl

My Cadet is home!!

Hes back!! And I assume had a great time. He did spend some time sick and injured but overall did great. He was worn out when we picked him up after graduation. Took all of 10 minutes to pass out in the car on the way home. In this picture Mr B is wearing one of the ANG guys bullet proof vest and helmet. Of course they came off a adult so it it pretty big :D Some of those guys are BUILT! I am looking for a pictured of him when he was around 5 years old wearing one of these helmets. When he goes away to boot camp(at age 18) Im gonna put together the pictures from the time he was 2 on wearing military stuff. As soon as I get some scanned in I will have to share! So proud of my cadet :D

Upside down, and back around....

Up Up And Away

Just landed and parking Mr B waving from Window

 Parking

 Getting plane tied and wheels locked in

 Already wanting to go back up again

 Push it back to the line

 Yes he IS Flying the plane.

 Don't look down!!!!!

Nasa Orion Exhibit!!!

Last night we spent some time at the Science Museum with the CAP Cadets. We went for the special Orion Exhibit and had a AWESOME time(there is no other way to say it.) We met astronaut John Herrington and Larry Price, Lockheed Martin Orion Deputy Program Manager. He is a super smart guy. I will never be able to figure out numbers as quickly as he does. Add on meeting Joshua Byerly who is one of 3 voices in the countdown we all know so well. The cadets had a great time learning more about Orion and the space shuttle(yes we are all sad there will be no more) John Herrington and Larry Price even met with us after closing time for more picture taking and more Q&A. We listened to a presentation by Larry Price explaining what the hopes for the future of NASA and what Orion will be doing. John Herrington also answered a TON of questions about what he did as a astronaut does wears eats and how it feels to blast off. Here are a few pictures...And the cadets even had their picture put on Nasa Orions facebook page!!( famous cadets now!!) 

John Herrington front and center

ORION

Q&A during presentation

A great group of Cadets

Bear signing a plate to be put back on Orion and flown into space

Taking extra time for Q&A

Joshua Byerly (1 of 3 voices for the countdown. REALLY funny guy)

Larry Price!! Amazed by his brain!

Menu for 1/21-2/3 (and then some updates on life)

The next 2 weeks will show some repeats listed from the last one(these are the extras that didnt get made during that time) Crossed out means of course already made and devoured lol and like always its just a list. Not a day by day because there may be lots of days I want easy to cook. I will also be working overnight a lot during the next 2 weeks (found out after menu made and shopped for sigh..) so its going to be fun making some of these lol.
1.Pulled Pork Sandwiches pasta salad
2. Loaded potatoes with leftover pork on top
3. Smothered steak rice brown gravy
4. Chicken and Dumplings
5. Turkey Casserole 
6. Chicken strips and Fries
7 Chicken Alfredo
8. Corndog muffins
9.Hamburger helper
10. Nachos
11. Taco Salad
12. Hot dogs, mac and cheese(these are tonight)
13.Frito Chili Pie
14. Brekkie (probably homemade waffles and sausage)
15.Hamburgers


Now most of the beginning is the extras that was written on the last menu. I actually made it right under budget this time. Would have been a lil more under but had to get some non food items as well, which I do count in my budget because well..its at the store. I did not put all the sides down next to each main meal. Its a variety of corn, green beans, peas,pastas, potatoes.. Whatever I feel like adding that day. I really dont like hamburger helper but its cheap so gonna go with it. Hot dogs tonight because of gymnastics and having limited time. Today I am also baking brown sugar cinnamon muffins for easy grab snacks or brekkies. If I have time I might bake some other stuff but we will see.

Since I hate doing multiple posts in a day...Heres the updates of our crazy life as well...
Mr B finally dug his head out and decided to tell us whats going on with him. And now realizes all hes pulled lately just hurt him more than anything. Hes dealing with bullies and well its affecting him in many different ways. Instead of standing up for himself or even finding a adult to help he started acting out and failing school. Since my kids were homeschooled for a while they know how to deal with people who are accepting. And well most the kids in this public school are just assholes. After a very long discussion and realizing almost EVERYONE hated or hates 7th grade he feels a lil better. But hes being called names on a daily basis and its worn on him. Sad thing is...this is soooo common the teachers etc dont even see or hear the crap anymore. Obviously numerous young kids committing suicide hasnt made people think different. And so now Im watching my kids even closer. My oldest expressed the fact he hates life right now because hes tired of being called names and tripped walking to his desk etc. Its pathetic and Im pissed. And right now trying to figure out how to fix this. I want to go smack the bully kids parents. For the fact they are raising kids who live to make others miserable.
I do hope sharing some of our experiences with Mr B helped. Let him understand everyone goes through this and to realize he is a good kid who has a future outside of jail unlike some of his peers. Sigh...

Ok Im off to start baking!! Then starting tomorrow sleeping during daylight hours and working in the middle of the night...Hate it but money is money right??

Finally some pictures......

Mr B Playing in his First Band Concert

Lil Bear at his meet

Mr B went to the gun range and got his marksmanship badge!!

Mr B with his cousin the Prince

Bear with cousin the princess

Yep the babies are twins :D Those were taken when we went to the in law house for Thanksgiving. The boys LOOOOOOVE the babies and I swear carried or played with them constantly for over 8 hours. They kept switching which baby they held. It was really sweet. I think one day they are gonna make good daddies.

Mr B is getting ready for boot camp. In a week he will be on a van heading out. Im the nervous mom even though Im sure he will do great. He has a pot luck dinner with his CAP squad Tuesday and I have lots of baking to do before then. He is excited for all of it. Its gonna be a super quiet week without him around.

He had his first band concert. Did great. Hes the blond in the 2nd row at the end LOL. Hes also joining the reading club at his school, and we just changed his schedule for the next semester. He will now be in AP science. Hes also working on all other subjects so he will be comfortable moving to AP classes in other subjects next year. We looked at OU school of meteorology the other day and he saw what he needs to get done to prepare. Im pretty proud that hes paying this close attention to the things he needs to do to get ready for college.  

Bear had his meet and did great. Hes still needing to work on his nervousness when people are watching. Its better each time but its still there. He is also turning 9 this week. Where has the time gone? I cant believe he is already turning 9!!!! My baby really isnt a baby anymore. Hes doing great in school. Has moments where he cant shut up (which is total opposite of a couple years ago where teachers were complaining about him NOT being social) He had a sleep study done and we have to go to the docs this week to discuss the results. 

Alot of stuff going on. Papa bear is on vacation again(ya know the use it or lose it) Hes gonna get some items on the to do list done.  Now Im off to get lil bear moving to eat before school...hes boycotting everything I have. LOL

Attitude...Attitude..Attitude

Ahhhh.. so it is, yet another one of THOSE days. We have had a semi busy week(which is surprising since I am such a hermit) From Lego Club, then HOM Picnic, To my friends to mow and weedeat, to visiting the OKC bombing memorial, then going to see the Disney A Christmas Carol Train Tour(yep CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST!)
Lego club was fun. I enjoy sitting with other mothers, and discussing what life has brought with the past month. And actually having people to share the daily struggles and triumphs with.
Then onto the picnic the next night, where in all honesty I acted just like the kids, shaving cream fights and all. But it was fun. The boys had a blast and it wore them out.
The next day we thought ohhh sit at home relax...nope. Friend said she was going to try to mow(hmm bad lungs and lawn mowing DO NOT go hand in hand) So off we go to do it for here before she had the chance to THINK about it any further. We spent a good few hours over there. Its always nice to visit with her.
Today we decided to go to the Train tour. And we all know hoe most DOWNTOWN areas are. You pay anywhere from 3-7 bucks JUST TO PARK! So we drove a ways away looking for a place to park NOT costing money. Gave up for a little bit and went over to the Memorial. That place is a very humbling experience. You look at all of the chairs and remember where you were the day it happened. The kids were reading all of the little plaques. And then Papa Bear noted to them about how part of that wall, it the original wall that was there. The survivor tree is huge and beautiful. After spending a little while looking at things left behind. We decided to go ahead and TRY again to go to the train. Finally we parked about 3 blocks away. And walked all the way over there. lol. After getting there we waited for quite a while. Finally got to the train. It was very interesting. I highly recommend if it comes nearby, go look at it. And it was FREE! When we were leaving the line was VERY long to get into the train. I'm talking AT LEAST a 3 hour wait. If it comes by. GO EARLY! Sorry no pictures were taken on the train(I for got my camera) More pics to come of the picnic. And when we go back to the Bombing Memorial, there will be pictures. We are going to study about it. Then make something special to bring and leave on the fence.