It's Wednesday Already?!?!

Today I've been reminded of the second reason I love a long weekend...the following week goes by that much more quickly. Shawn took off Friday as well so we had a really long weekend. We barbequed with our soon-to-be ex neighbors (blast those darned Tobeys...leaving us for Concord!!) on Sunday and went to the Hodge's for Memorial Day. The pool water was COLD, but it didn't seem to stop the kids. Conner spent most of the day either in or by the pool with the other kids. We played a rousing game of croquet and Grady and Shawn - yes, Shawn - took a tractor ride.

We spent the majority of the day today at the gym. Now that school is out we don't have to rush around to drop off and pick up Conner while cramming lunch down everyone's throats before I start work at 12:30. I was able to get my swim in, shower, and have lunch with the boys in peace today. It was very nice.

A few of you have asked about the interview and I didn't end up getting the position. However, it's definitely a blessing because it wasn't the right job. It was part-time, but part-time 5 days a week. I'd love to get back into the classroom - at the high school level - but only 2 or 3 days a week. Who knows, it might not be in the cards for me to go back at all but only time will tell. I kind of had a feeling that I wasn't going to get it as the first question they asked was what pay step I would be on. As a 7th year part-time teacher I'd probably make what a first year full-time teacher might make. Such is life.

Shawn is in Connecticut this week but will hopefully return Friday in time for Conner's soccer class. This is definitely a very busy time for Shawn and a very draining time on me.

For those of you who dabble in MySpace, I've finally ventured into that world as well. Mostly to catch up with some old classmates. However, I've come across some others along the way and am slowly building my network. Feel free to browse through to some familiar and not-so-familiar faces.

Take care and enjoy the remainder of your short week. This weekend brings our first (and hopefully ONLY) open house so keep us in your thoughts as well as anyone who may come through our home. We'd kind of like to know where we are going to be come fall.

Graduation Day

Conner "graduated" from preschool this past Wednesday. Thanks to our wonderful neighbors, the Tobeys, we have a few snapshots. The two classes sang a few songs then had a nice reception where the kids could have their pictures taken with the teachers. It was very sweet. I cannot believe Conner is going to be in Kindergarten next year!! He's growing up way too quick.

Today we went up north to the Flume Gorge and also rode the Cannon Tramway. It was a beautiful day and the boys really enjoyed the hikes. Grady hung out in the backpack and Conner and I ran the hills while Shawn timed us. We definitely beat the crowds as there was quite a bit of traffic heading north this evening.

Have a great Memorial Day!

When It Rains It Pours

So, it's raining in New Hampshire yet again. However, we are dry so that is positive. This week was very stressful to say the least. Thursday night I just about lost it over the wet basement. The pumps I was using weren't pulling the water anymore...I don't know if the water was just too low or if they were malfunctioning but I gave up and called a plumber. They said they'd put in a sump pump Friday morning ,which they did, but I had an interview at 11:45 with an area high school so my good friend came over to pick up Grady and stay until the job was done. Run, run, run - that was my week - trying to locate pumps, fighting the water, preparing for an interview, and all the while take care of the boys. It is times like these that I really feel the sting of not having family that can help. I felt as though I was at the mercy of the water all week and my frustration got the better of me once or twice...or twenty but who's counting. Then, to top it all off, Conner asked to take some pictures yesterday afternoon and he accidentally dropped the camera - it no longer works - so we are now without a digital camera. Such is my life these last 7 days. Sorry but there won't be any pictures for a while!! Ugh.

On a much better note, our house had its first showing today. We got the call at 8:30 this morning so for the next 3 hours Shawn and I worked non-stop on the yard, getting everything back into the basement, and doing some last minute cleaning. Conner and Grady were such good sports, staying upstairs and playing while we worked. I think we finished and were out of the door by 12:55 - 5 minutes before the showing was supposed to take place. Shawn and I are extremely tired but that is par for the course this week.

Conner has his preschool picnic on Monday and his graduation program on Wednesday evening. Of course there is T-ball, soccer, and swimming mixed in as well. I'm getting a little more tired just thinking about this week. Grady was a little under the weather these last couple of days. Soccer was a challenge for him as he seemed to want to do whatever the other kids weren't. Those two little boys are such sweethearts.

Take care and have a good week!!!

Yummy

If you like Indian food then you'll love this really simple dish I made tonight.

Preheat oven to 350

Combine 1 C Mayo
1 C Milk
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
2T Curry Powder
1T Garlic Salt

Cut into chunks 6 boneless chicken breasts and toss with 16oz frozen broccoli in 9x13 baking pan

Stir in above mixture and bake for 1 hour 10 minutes

Serve with rice

Too bad I was the only one to enjoy dinner this evening. Conner and Grady were hungry much earlier and Shawn is out of town. Oh well, I promise you'll love it.

The Waters Are Rising

I'm sure you've been seeing all of the news about the flooding in New England. I haven't seen the worst of it but there were some homes on my travels yesterday that had water creeping toward the first floor. People are out everywhere taking pictures of the raging water. I'll have to tote my camera along today and snap some photos if I think of it.

We've been pretty fortunate. The highest the water got in our basement was maybe two inches, but through our work all day yesterday and thanks to some very good friends who supplied us with some pumps, a dehumidifier, and a shop vac (every store from here to Rhode Island is out of pumps, shop vacs - anything flood recovery related), the water is pooled but no deeper than maybe half an inch in a few spots. Two edges of the basement are actually beginning to dry. As far as damage goes, we lost all of the carpet (not wall to wall, just remninents), some power strips, and worst of all my college portfolio was sitting on the floor. I quickly opened it up to see just how far the water seeped in and got so frustrated that I just left it for later...I suppose this afternoon is later so we'll see how bad it is.

Our basement issue is the water table so we just need to wait it out. There is no origination point as it just seeps out wherever it finds a spot. Our neighbors across the street had two feet of water that needed to be pumped out by a septic company and they lost a lot. They had just moved into the home in October and hadn't gotten to unpack many of their boxes...these ended up in the basement along with furniture and a small fortune in rugs and electronics. Of course insurance covers nothing in the basement but he's already been on the phone with his lawyer so hopefully they can recover at least something.

So that's been my last 24 hours! Thank the Lord that our power flickered yesterday morning. Sometimes, when this happens, the wireless internet needs to be reset - it's located in the basement. Shawn was preparing to get on the road when he needed to do some things on the computer before he left. The boys were just finishing breakfast when I heard Shawn call up from the basement, "You'd better get down here." And so it began. The boys spent the day with some very good friends...VERY good friends! Apparently Grady has decided that the toilet is a new fun toy and they spent a good deal of time chasing him out of the bathrooms!! All is well now. Wet but well.

Take care and pray for sun!!!

Another gorgeous Mother's Day in New England!

So, it has not stopped raining since Friday and it's supposed to rain for, I'm told, the next 7 days. Lovely. However, despite the weather I had a wonderful Mother's Day. I got to sleep in, we went to church, went out to a fantastic brunch at the Bedford Villiage Inn (it is once a year but is even better than the Grand Concourse for brunch - if anyone thought that was possible), and relaxed for the entire afternoon. And to top it all off, my guys picked out a very pretty Vera Bradley bag for me - they are so good to me!
Shawn will be in Long Island this week so I'm flying solo. I have a feeling that we'll be going to the gym in the evenings quite a bit - that's my stay sane tactic when Shawn is gone. Luckily Conner and Grady love their time there so the two hours fly by!

No foot traffic this weekend in the house. I'm sure Mother's Day coupled with this amazingly horrible weather didn't help matters. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this means the home we want didn't have any action either.

As you can see, Grady had a very healthy lunch consisting of a sampling of the dessert table. I don't know what is up with his eating as of late...he's been very picky and not too interested in food in general. I suppose it is just a stage.

Have a great week!

Quickly...

Our home is now on the MLS. Hopefully we get some action this weekend. We're still hopeful on the other home and are considering some alternatives to secure it. Our agent is awesome and he's been very helpful through the process.

Make sure you check out the video I posted entitled, "Conner's First T-Ball Hit." Unfortunately, you don't get to use your zoom when you use the video option on our camera so it's rather small. Oh, and last night he had a blast at his game. He was the only player to skip into first base. Gotta love that little kid!!

Later.

Happy May!

Wow...this month has already been packed with action. T-ball is in full swing and Conner is having fun. Grady and Conner are also both in soccer this session - it is more a skills and drills type program since area soccer doesn't start until August. Conner is starting to swim much better on his own and should only be in his current class one more session - this session - before he moves up! (It's an in-between level...2/3...he calls it the "slash 3" class.) He is very proud of himself. Grady has been talking much better and is a mister kissey face lately. Every time I change his diaper, he grabs my arm and pulls me down for a hug and a kiss. It is too sweet.

So this week has been full of excitement. Well, kind of. We made an offer on a house in the next town over. They came back with a good price but needed us to remove our home sale contingency and that is just not an option. So...we had to say no. Big time bummer. However, they don't have any other offers on the table so we are going to list our house anyway and see if we can beat the clock. If not, we'll just keep our eyes out. I'm hopeful that the right house is out there for us if it isn't this one - but I really love this one!!! Tomorrow our agent is going to bring over the paperwork to get our home on the market so I'll be sure to update if anything comes up.

Aunt Sayward and Spencer are coming out June 8th so we are very excited about that. I can't wait to see them both! Conner is already asking how many sleeps it is until they get here - that is how he measures time. Hope this finds everyone well and sorry it took so long for me to get a new post up!