It has been a busy end of the summer...

The title says it all... and in most aspects I could probably leave it at that, but eh... you all know that isn't me... if it isn't worth rambling about then well... why would I post right? :) Of course right. Anyways, yes it has been a busy end of the summer, and the kids and I start back to school on Tuesday Sept 7th. Granted I've already started school, reading my text (well hopefully today after I post this I will be reading that text book LOL), I posted my introduction for class and responded to several people to meet that requirement and I am getting the boys ready for the start of school. Roman will be a senior this year at Eastview and Demitri will be a second grader at Oakridge. Man the boys are growing up FAST!!!

Just a few weeks ago we went on our annual family vacation, and this time we went to Niagara Falls as our destination, but along the way we stopped in Chicago, IL, Cleveland, OH, Niagara Falls, NY, Niagara Falls, ON, back home through Canada, come through Detroit, MI, back to Chicago, IL and then to Wisconsin Dells, WI and finally back home. It was a long 12 days, but I think the whole family had a great time. Niagara Falls was beautiful like a state park should be on the NY side and on the ON side it was like a cross between Orlando/Las Vegas! I say that because it had lots of touristy goodness like Ripley's Believe It or Not, museums, rides, arcades, miniature golf, lights, and lots of action and then casinos!!! We stayed in ON at a lovely location only about a mile from the falls (within walking distance, and we did... oh my feet... oh my ears... listening to Demitri whine he was tired) at the Diplomat Inn. It was a great deal being only 69.99 a night, were every one else was asking in the hundreds and two hundred dollar range. And it wasn't as if this place was a whole in the wall either. It had nice beds, and an okay TV, and it had an outdoor pool (which we didn't use because well we were to tired or to busy to think about it). We did the Cave of the Winds, where we were able to walk down by the waterfalls, and feel the force of the water one our toes and blasting our face. Thankfully they gave us poncho's even though I now know how leftovers feel be wrapped in saran wrap. LOL.

After Niagara Falls (spending roughly 2.5 days there) we drove through Canada and stopped at the great lakes to dip our toes in. The boys wanted to swim but I didn't want to, so they are still upset with me about that, but there were no bathrooms near and I wasn't going to change on a busy beach. Granted I have changed in the parking lot of a Renaissance Festival, BUT I didn't get naked to do it. LOL. :) I always had myself covered with clothes as I changed. Anyways so we drove through MI and we stayed in a hotel on our way to Chicago to spend some more time there, to use our Chicago City Pass. It was a pass where we could go to 5 different Chicago locations, that included: The Aquarium, the Planetarium, the Field Museum (which we didn't get too), the Industrial and Science Museum, and then the Sears Tower (which we also didn't make it too :( which was a bummer). Each of the locations we visited had it's high points and not so high points but overall was a good time. We also went to the Navy Pier and basically paid $24.00 to park in the parking ramp to eat at a restaurant. Granted it was a good seafood one but still parking was CRAZY! Before we went home we stopped at Wisconsin Dells, WI at the Great Wolf Resort, and did the waterslide and MagicQuest. Which were both fun and the bed was nice and soft and it was so relaxing. It would've been nice to stay a few extra nights but alas it was time to go home...

So, Demitri came home to go straight to Grammie's house the next day, not only did he miss her but he saved up enough to buy his Nintendo DSi XL and he was excited for her to help him buy it. Which she did and he has played it a few times here and there. It has been very cute that he saved so much and was so proud that he did so. Children can certainly surprise you at times with the things they do and the things they say.

Next week we find out if we are having a baby boy or girl. I am still hoping for a girl, but if it is a boy I will still love him just the same. I just figure if it is a boy we will have to try right away after this one is born for a new one... might as well keep them close together with all the diapers and feedings, etc. We shall see though. :)

Thanks for reading and as always take care, hugs, and blessed be!

Cleo

"Is there a monster in there?"

So, it is a new day... a new dollar and lots of stuff happening today... or did since it is now night time that I am writing this. :)~ First off Steve had court this morning and closed a chapter of his life that has been hanging over him like a dark cloud, and I am sure now that it is done a lot of stress has been lifted off his shoulders. Granted everything isn't said and done yet, but at least this huge hurdle has been conquered. So, all is good in the hood with that aspect.

Demitri had his last therapy session today. Well technically next week was supposed to be his last, but we are planning on being in Niagara Falls and Canada next week so um ya... we would be missing the appointment so, ya I just canceled it and let her know early. He did really well with Kari and it is kind of sad to see him not going anymore. I am not sure what the county will think of that, but Demitri is making great progress in his OT and his Speech, so only time will tell. He worked really hard today with Kari, and she said he skipped 3-4 times before he messed up and he rode his bike around the building. YAY, GO DEMITRI GO!! We are trying to work on him to get to ride his bike. We might have to get a bigger one, already because he grows like a weed, but the training wheels we have on it would not fit unless we got bigger ones, or a small bike. It is like a catch 22. *sighs* Hopefully though we will find a happy medium for the little (big) guy and all is well. :)~

We also had our 16 week doc appointment today with Dr. Curran, and I must say I think I like this doctor. He was really up beat, and nice and he was attentive to me and to my family. Demitri got to go a long and hear the heart beat too, and when Dr. Curran was moving the dopler around Demitri was like, "what's that? is there a monster in there?" it was cute. We got to hear the heart beat and it was at 146-148 per minute, and the doctor said that was good. So, YAY for hearing the baby. It was cute because one of the noises we heard was the baby kicking/moving and it made a large noise on the speaker. It is always interesting to hear what is going on inside. :)

Tomorrow I have to take the van in to get the AC checked. It seems to have quit on us this weekend, and before we go on our long road trip it is best if we had the sucker working. Man, has it been hot and we will be going East, following this nasty muggy swampy weather... ewww... but hopefully regardless it will be nice weather and not stormy or bad.

Alright well this is a short post for now, cause well I think I am going to go play BeJewelled or something. LOL... I am not sure why I am addicted to that game but I am. :P

Hugs to all and BLESSED BE!

Cleo

Have you ever had one of those days....

Have you ever had one of those days where you just think... do I really want to crawl out of bed this morning? Or can I just throw the blanket over my head and we can FF (fast forward) through the day and it will be tomorrow? Well guess what ladies and gentlemen and any others that are reading this... today... was one of those days. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster, even with the nausea and bumpy rides... It started out like any other day, where you get up see the sun shinning, and think alright world here I come ready or not... and well I guess it was not, or I was not. LOL... anywho... I was supposed to go to lunch with some friends which is a good thing and get out in the world, and we went to Cracker Barrel which isn't a horrible restaurant but it isn't my first choice on the food chain of life... well I ordered a breakfast meal because there isn't much that I can eat any more since my pregnancy, but I have been craving biscuits and gravy. Well lets say their biscuit were good... the gravy... not so much. Anyways I went with my aunt, her dad, and we met two of our Renaissance friends there. Good company and overall I would say I had a good time... I bet you are wondering where one of those days kicks in, huh? Well... it was during the beginning of our meal/conversation where our friends paid my aunt for something that my aunt purchased as a group. When I asked about what was purchased I was informed that they were going to a dinner where I wasn't invited too. Now normally I should not be upset by this (I get why you are thinking that) but I have always been invited in the past, and if it coincides with my availability or money flow at the time I go. If not I thankfully decline. Well this time I wasn't even considered to go, and it hurt. Granted I wasn't upset at our two friends because they didn't set it up, but by my aunt who did. The reason why, later I find out, was because she didn't want my mom to go to the dinner, and thinking I would tell her about it and then they would be forced to allow her to go too. Well, little did they know I am getting a little tired with mom at this point (long story and maybe a future rant) and I would tell her that I was going but I would not invite her. Again, long story. I love my mom but she can be a little much once in a while. So, I was a little miffed about the whole dinner thing and I think the table knew it so they didn't bring it up again, until towards the end of the lunch date but by then I got over myself and was excited for them to go. Overall the lunch meeting was a good one.

Before that my aunt and her dad went to a farmers market which is always nice. To buy fresh produce, and to get it first hand instead of from the store. I ended up getting some kettle corn for Steve and his dad (2 large bags), carrots, cilantro, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, Thai eggplant, radishes, yellow golden Yukon baby potatoes, sweet corn, shitake mushrooms and maybe a few other goodies too. All good stuff and well for 31 dollars it isn't a horrible haul, as long as I use it. :)~ So, that was another good thing... it was a beautiful day and it wasn't to hot out or humid so a good trip.

After lunch I was dropped off at home, and put away my farmer's market goodies to reflect on what has gone so far. I was over the dinner invitation (or so I thought) and I was preparing to have a good night and just read my book have dinner and well play on face book. We were invited (like ever Tuesday and Thursday night) to have dinner with Steve's parents. In good offering, I brought the salad and some cherry tomatoes, broccoli coleslaw and a bag of kettle corn. The kettle corn is for Lynn (Steve's dad for all the nice things he does... the other bag was Steve's), and Lynn already had salad prepared but I still put the one I brought on the table. He made a vegetarian meal which was very sweet of him (since again I am having a meat eating issue atm). We had salad which had cucumbers, green pepper slices, tomato, and dressing available, and then there were cooked beets (NUMMY) and beans with rice mixture. Well, needless to say I had some salad and beets and I was stuffed... man the beets were so good! I think I could eat a bowl of beets and be a happy camper. :) Anyways, after the meal I mentioned to Steve we should go swimming or play cards first, and then go swimming. Well we played some cards, Yuuker or some darn thing, and they tried to teach me this game. Which, well it is a game that takes practice I am sure, but during the explanation of the game to get yelled at by Steve's dad, turned the game sour. Not to mention, you have to have partners, and your other partner is learning the game, while the two veterans are teamed up together. Does that make sense to anyone but me? I would think a rookie player and a vet would be a team so their is an equal shot at it. Well, after a few hands I was done. I was fighting back tears, I was frustrated and I just didn't want to be there any more. I was tired of trying to have a good time when obviously I was not. So, I said I wasn't going to play anymore and they were saying that I should stick it out and continue to play. Well I knew my attitude was just heading further south and that I should run while I still could. So, I left hearing a few comments of Tami, come on and stay and play, and other (not horrible comments) but I still left. Oh, and on Tuesday we played Texas Hold Em, that I didn't want to do but I did because I was doing something that they wanted... so this time I suggested a game and no one really wanted to play... so I think that was another thing that rode my nerves. So, I went back down stairs to my house and went to the bathroom for the millionth time today, and tried not to cry. I was upset, and just wanting to wallow in my grumpy mood when Steve came and got me and poked me until I smiled. He dragged me in to the bedroom and made me talk about my day... of course... I wanted to write on my blog about "one of those days..." but he got me to smile and stop crying. I blame my emotions, and the hormones and he just wiped away my tears and kissed me and held me and told me he loved me, and told me that I was beautiful and of course when I started saying I hated things and finally said, I hate hating he did his best Smurf impression of "I hate hating!"

I really do love Steve and I am thankful to have him in my life. He is a wonderful man even though he drives me crazy at times, but then again don't all men in our lives? Heck even our parents get that way too, and our friends, but in the big grand scheme of things I am thankful to have them in my life, because hell if I didn't it would be one lonely existence. Cha' know what I mean jelly bean?

So, now that I write this all down... I look back at my day and realize... you know what... it wasn't to horrible after all... and even though we all have those days once in a while... I am still thankful for it, because that means... I was still around to experience it.

Hugs to all and blessed be,

Cleo

So it has been a while...

Well like I said in my first post (or at least I think I said it, and if I didn't I sure should have... lol), I am a slacker for writing and these posts may be hit and misses, but then again the ramblings of my mind sometimes are very hard to capture and put pen to paper so to speak. ;)~

Anywho... here I am... taking a break from school! YAY... I am very excited and happy that I am taking a break. It is a nice refresher... and a moment to reflect in what I want to do with my life and to make sure where I am going in life is the right direction for me and my family. I still think I am on the right track, so that is a good thing, because gods know that I love to teach and to help others learn to the best of their potential. Anyways this break is a nice one, because I am going to be going on a family vacation with well the family... to Niagara Falls and then to Toronto Canada for about a week to 10 days. It should be fun, and the best part is if I don't want to log into the computer I do not have too... I do not have to do it if I want to stay away from technology (well besides my cell phone) I can. It is nice to not have to worry about my next post for class or the 100 pages to read in a text book to maintain my GPA. Which btw is sitting at a 3.94... and I think that is why I wanted a break too... because well I was getting to the point that I did not care if I got a B in class, and well if you know me... you know that is soooo not me! I hated not caring and I hated not wanting to do my best... and well as Steve says, "I hated hating..." So, I took the plunge and took a break. I officially go back when the boys do. Right after Labor Day weekend, which should be a good thing. Just about 6 weeks off of school. Of course this pushes back my graduation date, but eh... in the big grand scheme of things... really does 6 weeks matter? And who knows maybe I might double up a class here or there? Who knows, we shall see. :)

Anywho I guess I have rambled enough, maybe I will be more consistent with writing a blog, but um... don't hold your breath. I am so not promising anything. :D

Hugs to all and may you stay towards the light and have the warmth of love surround you every day,

Cleo

Testing... one two three... testing

Okay so I just complained to my sister about writing, but look! here I am writing? I know most of you are like, really, wtf you just told me you are getting burnt out. But then again I thought what the heck, I mean here I can rant, talk silly, post ideas, and the world can catch a glimpse or just plain ignore my rants/raves/ideas/thoughts and what ever else I spew from my fingers, or is that mouth? Regardless ya, there will be a lot of grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and run-on sentences, so um if that is an issue for you I AM SORRY IN ADVANCE!! And yes I meant capital letters so you understood... ;)~ Heheh... So anyways this is just a test and I will write more once I figure this who-da-whats-it out and well then be afraid... be very very afraid... because these are the shadows of my mind... :D