Busted!

It took my darling 12 years but he's finally on to me.

When home improvement projects come up, we have a system. Glenn does the hard work like painting and I dream of how I want it organized and then....when it's time to do the hard work like cleaning and painting, I disappear to the Mall or my new faviii IKEA to buy totes, etc. to organize.

In the past, this has never been a problem. I get Glenn deep in the cleaning and then I nonchalantly mention that I need to head to the store for something we really have to have for the current project. When I get back, the cleaning is done, the painting is well on it's way and I'm home free.

About midnight last night, Glenn mentioned that he's curious. "Why is it when we have a project, you go shopping?"All I could do was smile and think in my head of how I can accomplish it next time when I know he's on to me.

Da da da daaaaa

Yes, we finally finished Cameron's room. Of course, he could not keep it clean long enough to get great pictures, but, I thought I'd share.

Cameron's new curtains and tan wall We took down the door and put up curtains



Paula sent me this material for a fabric wall. We could not do a solid panel so Glenn made two.

Glenn spent the weekend painting Cameron's room and it looks much brighter. Previously, the walls were dark blue and dreary. I made the tiebacks using orange ribbon and camo ribbon. I found some great organizational tools at Ikea. Here's hoping Cam likes it for years to come.

Better the second time around? How about a free lunch?

I had such high hopes that things would go better this time with Kelly. I mean, I agreed not to nag, extend her curfew and pretty much not expect much from her.

However, there are a few things I do expect of her:

1. Be in by curfew
2. No drugs or smoking
3. Be respectful
4. Do dishes twice a week
5. Hang a little with the "fam"
6. 4 hours of school a day (when school starts)
6. Get a job

She already missed out on one and two. She was 15 minutes late her very first night. Not only was she late, she came in with red eyes, giggling and hungry. Glenn said "oh yeah, she's stoned." She did not deny and has even openly discussed pot smoking and laughs me off when I express my disappointment. I grounded her until Monday. I so did not want to start off this time with a grounding but I don't want her to think she can take advantage of me again.

She has been sort of respectful with the occasional snappy comment. But, that's to be expected of a teen. Cameron is developing his own brand of sass and I'm trying to squash that little independent streak quickly. I refuse to allow him to yell at me or disrespect me. I was not so "on top of it" with Kelly and see where it got me? She helped with dinner today. She handled the grilling and started the potatoes. I tried to convince her and Cameron to do the dishes but they balked. I reminded them that they had 2 nights this week. I think it'll be tomorrow as I'll be exhausted from shopping all afternoon. She did help cook so I gave her a pass.

I told her to hold up on going back to Cici's about a job until Friday. She has a doctor's appt. on Thursday and a family shopping trip. I did not want to risk the chance of them hiring her back and having her start right away.

On a purely happy note. I need a pair of Spanx to go under my dress for the wedding next month. Knowing that I needed an extremely large size, I figured I'd have to go to the website (4-6 weeks shipping) or find a local retailer. Nordstrom's had one on sale Sunday $72 for $47.90 so I schlepped down there only to discover that the one that fit was not on sale, but....they could order me one on sale and have it shipped to my house. Today, I took the kids to TJ Maxx in Cranberry and found the Spanx I wanted for $7.00. Okay, it wasn't spanx brand but they did have spanx brand for $20. I wanted the body suit and managed to get it for the above mentioned $7. I brought it home hoping I could wear just it under the dress. I can, but, I think it will be more comfortable for me to also wear the Spanx capris which originally cost $68 but can be purchased for the low, low price of $20. Tomorrow, I have to go to Cranberry for the above mentioned family shopping trip so TJ Maxx HERE I COME! Nordstrom's shipped my other pair today and I'll return them to the store when I get them and pocket my lovely $21 savings. Sounds like a free lunch to me!

Grandma!!!!!!

Tonight, we gave Cameron the choice of where we would have our weekly dinner out. He chose Cheddars in West Virginia. However, Cheddars is such a wonderful place that, as usual, the line was out the door with a long wait. So, we opted to go to Cracker Barrel.

Yummy dinner despite the fact that Cameron wanted a grilled cheese sans cheese. Yes, they had to grill two pieces of bread for him to eat.

The real drama occurred on the front porch. We decided to stop for a few minutes and rock in the lovely chairs provided. After about 10 minutes a family with an older woman started walking by. Out of the blue the old lady decided to throw a punch at Glenn's face. She did not connect but everyone was stunned by her actions. In a full circle moment, her granddaughter, who was aiding Grandma on her trek from the car to the restaurant, responded "Grandma, keep your hands to yourself." In the back of my mind I could envision 20 years ago Grandma saying the same thing to the young lady.

Glenn and I laughed so hard at the unexpected event that our faces turned beet red. I'm glad she did not connect with his face. Could you imagine the looks he would receive when he told people he got a black eye from a 90 year old woman?! Never a dull moment in our little corner of the world.

Teenagers Round 2

Last week I blogged that Kelly would be returning to school. Major coup on the part of the parents. Friday, I returned from an evening out to have several voicemails from her father.

Great news...he got a job! Woohoooooooo!!!!! Bad news....his wife lost hers. The company she works for is being hit hard by the economy. The loss of her income represents a major blow to their household income. So, Kelly was given the choice of moving to Alabama with her dad (her stepmom's parents own a huge (160 acre) piece of property with an empty house way, way, way out in the country) or moving back to Mom's. Option a or b. No c and definitely not a d. She tried to wheedle a c as in live with her 18 year old friend who is solely supported by her parents. Let me think about this...ummmm heck no. Her other idea was to move in with my cousin. Again, hell freakin' no. She has two completely capable parents who love her and will provide her with a safe, loving home. So back to a or b. Option a let's her avoid the dreaded demon woman we call Mom, but gives her nary a social life. Remember the dad who would not drive 2 miles? Imagine having to drive 20 or even 5 miles. Nope not gonna happen. Option b sends her back to the house of horrors where at least she has friends. After consideration, she's coming back. Yes, Kelly, who vowed to never live under my roof again, has agreed to return to the house of horrors! Better known as Mom's.

She's seemingly unhappy about leaving her friends again. I told her she just needs to get through school and she can return to Fla. to join the Navy. She'll be 18 in 7 months. I recommend working her butt off and completing school by then.

Glenn, on the other hand, is not so happy about the upcoming events. He recalls with way too vivid clarity the uproar our house experience just 4 1/2 months ago. Our house is quite calm now. Even with Cameron thinking he runs the house. Rest assured Kelly will set him straight about that little thought right quick upon her return. You know she who is the center of the universe!

I am looking forward to a chance to spend a few more months with her before she enters her adulthood. I've made some concessions about the rules and if I can remember to follow them we might be okay. I'm excited that she can go to New York with us in August. NYC has been her dream vacation for the past few years and she and I have discussed visiting there numerous times.

Let's all pray that this time turns out to be better than the past few years.