Standiford Family

I was going to post about me starting work on Kade’s curtains but that will have to be another day when I hang them or something.  This post was taken over by cravings.  Do you get cravings?  Sometimes something sounds so good you just can’t be happy until you have some.

I ran out to grab a curtain rod for Kade’s window so I could start the curtains.  While I was out Mickey asked me to grab some Red Vines.  I stopped at Sam’s first because I knew he “needed” more fruit mentos.  I looked for Red Vines there.  Nothing.  I go next door to Walmart.  They only have black.  Yuck.  I called Mickey and he said he would be fine without them.  Well, he might be fine but now he had me craving the darn things.  I decide to stop at Target since it’s on the way home.  I hit pay dirt.

They had 26 oz. bags on sale 2 for $4.  I grabbed two but the way they are disappearing maybe I should have bought more.  I may have to make another run tomorrow and hide them for a while.

What do you crave?

Since it’s September and it’s time for reading, writing, and arithmetic I thought I’d share one of my favorite reads.

I stumbled on “Hunger Games” some time early last year.  Loved it!  It does have violence but my mind can’t really visualize it so it works for me.  When I finished it I was ready to read “Catching Fire”.  I had to wait a w-h-i-l-e for that.  It was good too.  I read somewhere, probably on Amazon.com, that the third installment, “Mockingjay”, was coming out right before my birthday.  My plan was to get it first at the library and then order the set for myself if I liked it.  Well, it didn’t quiet work out that way.  I remembered too late to place a hold and when I looked there were about 56 holds already.  I looked up the books on Amazon.com and decided to just order them.  I’m skimming through the second although I just reread it a few months ago and then I’m sure I’ll devour “Mockingjay”.  I hope Suzanne Collins doesn’t let me down.  I’ll update the post after I read it and let you know if I liked it.

Added on September 2nd: I finished “Mockingjay” this afternoon.  (I was up until 3 am with heartburn.  So fun.)  Suzanne Collins came through.  The third installment was as good as the first two.  It was a bit more gory though, but that’s just how it had to finish.

The soccer season has officially started with a practice tonight and one tomorrow.  The third (really middle) child opted not to play this year.   Maybe we’ll get her cheering on the side lines.  The next two months are going to fly by with all the practices and games.  Before you know it it will be Halloween.  Whoa.

Can you believe it’s the end of August?  I can’t.  Happy birthday, Dad.  (I know he reads the blog everyday.)  After the 90 degree days we’ve had I’m ready for some cooler ones like we had last week.  I’m also ready to smell autumn in the air and walk through crunchy leaves.  I wonder how many leaves I’ll have to rake this fall….I’m sure I’ll post about it.

…has begun, again.  Mickey had to work late today so I was helping two children do homework.  Let’s just say I don’t think I’m cut out to help two kids at the same time.  (Especially when one takes 3 hours! to do one worksheet.)  Somehow the oldest ended up not having anything to do.  I made sure she picked up the violin to get the rust off the strings and bow.

I think it’s going to be a long year.  I’ll have to find ways to relax and prepare for the onslaught of homework.  I guess that’s the downside of having all the kids in school.  Ugh.

Today is my birthday.  It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.  (I got my grouchiness out yesterday.)  The burritos were yummy.  My mom made me a blueberry pie.  (Thanks Mom.)  I made a Hawaiian Pineapple Cake.  I think I over did the eating.  Good thing I’ll be working out tomorrow.

I got these from Mickey and the kids yesterday.

There are two more just like.  I think I’ll put them in the front flower bed.  It’s looking rather dead now.

I also got something new to treat this.

I found out today that I’ve been re-exposing myself to poison ivy.  Duh.  That would explain all the new little itchy spots I keep getting.  Now that I’ve washed my painting clothes maybe the pills will work and I won’t be itchy any more.  I guess that’s my birthday wish.

Sorry about the food two days in a row but I had to share my favorite burrito filling.  I know it doesn’t look that great but it tastes better than it looks.

I slaved away (I did have some help) making this for tomorrow’s dinner.  It’s so yummy I could eat the filling with a spoon or on a chip.  I like it wrapped up in a shell with melted cheese too.

I usually make a double batch because it can be a lot of work.  I leave out enough for one meal and end up freezing enough for at least another two.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Our dinner tonight was provided by Pizza Hut.

We watched “Furry Vengeance” for family movie night.  We don’t recommend it.

I was supposed to do a do-over of Meg’s first day of school.  I took the picture this afternoon but the subject of the photo was not the most cooperative.  I’ll have to do another one tomorrow.  Maybe we’ll get it right.  Who knows.

So today’s picture is the before of our bedroom.  Imagine walking through a pretty bland (color wise) house and walking into this.  (You’ll have to imagine this times four to get the true experience.)

It was rather shocking the first couple of times we walked into our room.  Today I painted this wall.  I’d already painted another one.  It’s taking a while since I’ve had other things to do.  I would like to finish the other two walls by Saturday.  I might get it done.  I will post an After picture after I make another trip to IKEA for accessories.   I LOVE the new color.  A few comments about it (by other people) are:  calming and it’s like a spa.  Totally what I was going for.  Stay tuned.  I bet you can’t wait.  Neither can I.

I didn’t get a single picture of Meg today.  She left a little early for me and when she came home, well, I’ll get to that soon.  When Meg left for the bus stop it was still dark out.  Her bus comes 40 minutes before school starts.  She may start getting a ride with a friend the lives nearby.

Here are the reds waiting for the bus.  When the bus pulled up the kids took off to climb into the bus.  They didn’t even care that it was the wrong number.  They were just excited to get on and get to school.  It was the right bus driver driving a substitute bus because the regular bus broke down.  Something related to a full moon last night.  Mickey and I introduced ourselves to the bus driver and he to us.  Then they were gone.  I couldn’t believe they left without saying good bye.  I felt a tear coming but then realized I had Mickey all to myself all day.  That cheered me right up.

The reds came home happy.  Kade has the teacher Mat had for Kindergarten.  Mat has the teacher Meg had for 4th grade.  Familiar is good.

Later we walked down to Meg’s bus stop and waited and waited and waited.  The bus finally came but no child got off the bus.  What the heck?  I walked back to the house while Mickey waited to see if she just missed the stop and the driver would drop her off.  Nope.  I get home and see that someone has tried to call the house and my cell.  I call the number back (something I never do).  It’s Meg’s school.  She missed the bus.  The office lady hands Meg the phone.  She told me what happened and that since she couldn’t get me (or her dad at work, or either of her grandmothers) she called her friend’s mom who lives down the street.  At least she had someone else to call.  The friend’s mom showed up and took her home with her.  I went to pick her up and told Meg she needs to learn her dad’s cell number since he always has it on him.  Afterward I was a little concerned with the school allowing Meg to go home with someone not on her emergency card.  Huh?  Thanks again, Amy.  Meg did enjoy her day at the new school.  We met her teachers last night.  One is the athletic director.  One is the softball coach.  And the orchestra teacher seemed glad to have her.  She knew four students in her home room from her elementary school.  Like I said, familiar is good.

Mickey thought I should include this picture.  Mat clicking her heels three times and saying “There’s no place like school”.

The supplies have been purchased and packed.

The clothes have been chosen and laid out.

Children are clean and nestled in bed.  Well, almost.

Buses will be arriving early in the morning.

The mother can’t be more pleased….

For the children will learn so much in school.