Jennah Turned 14!

She's a beauty and a delight!

Jennah donated 12" of her hair this summer (right in the middle of the painting efforts).

Caleigh loves to be mushy, but its more of a tease than anything.

She's wondering "where the party's at, yo."

Jennah HATES having all the attention. And NO, the bottle of beer and glass of wine were not what the kids were drinking! They just happened to plop down where the adults were congregating.

A Day Full of "Situations"

We were excited about our Saturday NYC trip. It was a walking tour of lower Manhattan and over the Brooklyn Bridge to the other side... and possibly on to Coney Island. We drove the Suburban in because there were 7 of us going--6 girls and BJ. It was the cheapest way... or so we thought.

Sometimes the condition of the roads are quite poor. Maybe not "3rd world country" poor, but a close 2nd. BJ hit some major hidden, car-clunking, holes on the interstate as we were nearing the midtown tunnel. Once we came to the end of the tunnel where there tends to be a lot of traffic and braking often, there was this awful sound of grinding and scraping underneath the car. Something was very wrong!!

We continued on for another few miles with our fingers crossed, as the sound got worse and worse. BJ found a parking spot very near where we were meeting the group and told us to go ahead. He was going to call the insurance company for roadside assistance.

So we found the AFS group, who we were meeting at the Staten Island Ferry, and took the free ride over to Staten Island and back so we could have a view of the NY Harbor, Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty.
Caleigh begged to take pictures all along the way.
We walked along some of the streets to some of the historical sights and battery park and down Wall Street.

Trinity Church is so beautiful.

I tried to get the girls to run through the fountain, but they wouldn't do it.


Caleigh was amazed with everything, never having visited the city at any age she would remember. (I think Jolene liked it too, but she never says one way or the other).

Caleigh kept asking when daddy was coming. He was at the car, waiting for the tow truck to come. He waited...

And waited...

And waited... For FOUR HOURS for the tow truck to arrive. They promised him they'd be there in 30 minutes every single time he called. They were flat out lying. Eventually his phone battery died. That just made everything increasingly difficult, seeing as how we would have no way of knowing where he would be or when or how we'd meet back. Ayi yi yi.

So we continued on our tour. What else could we do? Terry waited.


The girls wanted a photo with George.

We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was beautiful... a little hot and crowded, but I love this amazing bridge.

Once we got to the Brooklyn side the group was going to eat at a famous pizza place, and we were going to hightail it back to Manhattan to see an off broadway show at 3. Terry (BJ) was planning to get tickets, but that plan was no longer going to happen. We had 45 minutes to find our own way over to the box office. Luckily I had Mitch on speed dial to walk me through it.

We hit many-a subway lines to get where we needed to go. Thank God people in NY are helpful and friendly. Yes THEY ARE, TOO!!! haha

We got our tickets to STOMP right at 3 pm. Phew. It was amazing and fun.

Once the show was over we had to find out what was happening with the car. It was finally towed to Brooklyn at 3 pm and the garage replaced the 2 rear brake calipers for a mere $900 (AGH) by 6 pm. Terry had the guy at the garage guide me back to Brooklyn on the subway. We couldn't get off on the stop that we were told, so getting off at the next available stop meant we had to walk 7 blocks back to the garage. It was torturous after all the walking we already had done. Poor Caleigh. Poor Jolene. The rest of us will survive right?

I was the only one who had to get up this morning. I had a miserable morning at church. I've felt miserable all day. I even had a meltdown when I got home. Jolene slept until 2 pm. I could have used a sleep-in day myself.

Hopefully, tonight will be fun. We're having friends over for Jennah's birthday (which is tomorrow). I can't say that I feel like entertaining. I think I will allow myself to be entertained. I haven't had a very good week. [understatement]

If anyone wants to make donations to the car repair fund... :-/

Did I mention that the vacuum broke this past week as well? >:-O

Also, my camera got a red0 on the sensor cleaning because it still wasn't fixed, and after round two it still has spots... =-(

Someone mentioned karma on FB, which of course I don't believe in... but I'm starting to feel like I have an enemy who has purchased a voodoo doll that looks like me. I'd except prayer... and any encouragement, because as blessed as I truly am, there is a big sense of discouragement looming over my head right now. I hope this week I will rediscover a sense of peace and joy.

My List of Questions and Complaints

Who's stupid idea was it to put the office in the bedroom??? Oh yea... never mind.

What makes people think that they should call the office line at 6:30 in the morning, or even 8 for that matter? It's not like they are going to get a hold of someone at that time.

Grrrr! One guy had the gall to call early and he even left 4 messages all in the matter of 24 hours time. And then, when I returned the call to him after the weekend, being that my job is a part-time position, he actually mentioned that he had called several times and I hadn't called him back (with an attitude like I should be catering to his calls immediately). He had to be straighten! out! I was nice, but "suzie stewardess" was on the very edge of taking over. Oh how she wanted to take over.

Whatever made me believe that I could get my kids to perform their chores with excellence and outstanding effort--ever??

What is the deal with all these health issues lately??

Why can't the weeds and grass grow in their proper places--weeds in the woods and grass in the lawn--rather than weeds in the garden and grass between the bricks in the patio and walkways??

Am I ever going to get on the ball with an exercise program and better diet plan?

When will the money stop flying out of the bank account like confetti at the finale of presidential election?

Will I ever get beyond feeling frazzled with all the juggling I do ever day but like I'm not really accomplishing anything??

Can someone else pretend to be me and take Anika for her belly button piercing and shopping extravaganza? I don't have the energy to do either.

Will red bull or jolt give me energy I need and help me lose weight and bring me motivation? or do I have to get disciplined and work at it without any of those outside props? Dear God I need help!!

The Blue Soap Treatment

Noah remembers the blue soap treatment from those early daze when my mom was giving him his baths. My mom is HAPPY but wook at wittle Noah's sad face.
Now he thinks... Run away! Run away fast!!!

The Hochstedler's "inherited" the dog and he's been part of our household for several years (since my parents moved to Florida 6 years ago). He's one of those amazing dogs that everyone wishes they owned, but we got him somehow. He's very well behaved, not counting the fact that he digs in the front area next to the door and lays in the dirt all day. He then tracks the dirt right into the house, but I can deal with that [except for the fact that my Kirby vacuum hose broke]. He gets quite dirty on a daily basis, but only receives a bath when absolutely necessary--meaning, only when he has rolled in something foul and cannot abide with us inside the house or anywhere near any of us. He hasn't done that in a very long time. The dirt brushes off easily, but not the HORSE MANURE!!!! Yea, that's a different story. [Why don't people pick up their horse's doody when they're on the trail??]

I knew his time was coming to receive a bath... but I'm not sure why I am the only one in my household who ever thinks of that. Of course, when he MISTAKENLY "falls down" on the trails out back where the horse manure is [OOPSY] and desperately needs to be bathed, everyone thinks about the fact that "Mom needs to do something!" I'm not so sure anyone has ever assigned themselves to taking that job. NO!!! That's definitely Mom's job.

Today, I was busy most of the day. He "fell" in the poo while I was in the middle of things, so he had to remain severely scolded all day, outside in the dirt--ALONE!!! with his water and food. He didn't touch his water or food all day. He was repentant. He was sad. He wanted to come inside. It wasn't until about 7 pm that I was able to tackle the horrible, dirty, stinky job... and IT IS A JOB FOR SURE!!! I HATE THE JOB!!!

But now he's clean. The bathtub is clean. The towels are clean. He even got the blue soap treatment, which is supposed to give him a whiter looking coat... at least until he lays in the dirt tomorrow. (You see why I wait until it's a forced issue).

Anyway--having to bath the dog does not put me in the best of moods. Just letting you know.

Almost Laughable...

Yesterday was like Grand Central Station at my house.

A cousin I hadn't seen since I was 10 years old was coming with her husband for a visit. They weren't sure when they'd arrive after the 6-hour drive. You never know what the traffic will offer. I figured it would be closer to dinnertime.

A friend of Caleigh's had slept over. They used the pullout couch because it seemed fun. That needed to get picked up.

It was Anika's birthday. She had slept over her friend's house and was being treated to the "birthday princess" breakfast over there. I needed to make a cake. Meanwhile, we were trying to clean up the house.

Jennah was vacuuming the downstairs when the vacuum hose completely broke. We may try to repair it with super glue and duct tape... at least until we figure something out... (something like a CENTRAL VACUUM).

Early in the day, I had gotten a jump on things by peeling way too many potatoes, marinating way too much chicken for the grill, and shucking an awful lot of corn. I wasn't sure how many people would actually be eating with us for Anika's birthday dinner. (She's 16!!!)

Anika finally came home around 2:00 with 3 friends in tow. The grabbed Jolene and headed off to the store for a few things I needed, yet, for dinner. Nate had run off with my car, taking care of some errands i.e. a money-making job. He came home and decided to try straightening his hair just for fun. My cousins Ann and Jay arrived before Anika returned, but they came in shortly after--the whole gang. I introduced five of them. Then Nate was heading off to work, so I introduced him. Elizabeth, Caleigh, the neighbor Michael and the friend Rebecca all came up from the basement in costumes. I introduced them. After about 10 minutes, my friends, Mitch along with Kim and her two boys stopped over to say hello. I introduced all of them and we adults chatted for a bit. About 15 minutes later, Elizabeth's friend was being dropped off and I needed to introduce myself to the mom because we hadn't met yet. Immediately behind my new acquaintance, standing outside the door was a woman waiting to return keys to me (a work related thing). Then, of course, the phone was ringing... It was a circus, a little embarrassing even.

Things quieted down a little and it was time to start cooking. Ann and Jay helped me out in the kitchen. We would be setting the table for 9... no 13... wait, Nate's at work, but Rebecca and Michael are staying... umm... "Hey Anika, are your friends going to eat with us?" I had to call up the stairs. She didn't know for sure, because they went to the store. That's probably 3 more. Terry called to announce that had an emergency situation with one of his jobs. He'd be late for dinner. AYI!

Anyway, the food was good. We ate in two shifts because of how the people kept filing in, but there was plenty of food--thankfully. There were A LOT of dishes. In the end we fed 15. It was almost 17 because Rebecca's mom and sister came to pick her up in the middle of the meal and I invited them sit grab a plate.

I'm sure Ann and Jay were amused. I'm glad my "moody hormones" didn't kick in until today (wishing they didn't kick in at all).

Oh, and I found out that I am a DAR from two of my family lines. Don't ask me to recount all the names--my brain is full.

Caleigh's Pet Frog... or is it toad?

His name is Gespacho.

He lives in our pool and garden, and he's always around... every single day. Caleigh plays with him every day. She puts him in buckets. She takes him out and makes him hop into the pool. She pets him. She swims with him. He hasn't run away yet.

There is much food available for him at the pool. I was hoping he would snatch that fly while I was watching. I guess he wasn't hungry.

Maybe You've Already Seen This...

Watch this news clip from the midwest!


Now watch this brilliance! Baaahahahahaha

Stop Striving

STOP STRIVING!

I'm finding it hard. I strive a lot. I have to battle my own tendencies just to keep myself from constantly trying to better everything. It's difficult to strike a balance. Some things definitely need to be made better. But other things are perfectly fine just how they are. Or maybe some things aren't perfectly fine but they aren't supposed to be my problem. Some things should be left for someone else to work on.

I'm running headlong into my striving issues because of having an exchange student. It's just the adjustments and the "not knowing what she's thinking" and feeling like I'm not taking enough initiative to create fun for her. Of course, the onus isn't all on me... it shouldn't be, anyway! But I worry. I get anxious. I have to constantly tell myself that everything will work its way out in due time. After all, it's not even been one week, yet. I'm so impatient. SO AMERICAN!

The truth is, we are still in our summer for two more weeks (YAY). These present days are unscheduled and somewhat spontaneous. I can't exactly plan out each day, because some kids are working (who knows what the work schedule is from week to week), some have sports, some make plans with friends, some go to camp, there are sleepovers, beach daze, rainy daze, and I have work to do as well. OH! And we had need for a plumber today of all things. Major blockage between the washing machine and the kitchen sink. It happens annually.

A mush as I LOVE the summer, I'm looking forward to school starting, because then I won't feel so much pressure to come up with entertaining things to do--something in which I totally suck! But she doesn't talk much either!! At least not yet. But this makes it very difficult for me, as well as the other family members and any friends she is introduced, too. We Americans like small talk. We like to fill the silence. We tend to think something is wrong when there is silence or a lack of words. I keep wanting to fix this, but its tiring. And it's probably not something I should be trying to fix.

Anyway, I haven't had the best two daze for reasons completely other than adjusting to a new family member.

I like change, but hate the transition period.

I like to raise the standard to a higher level regarding my own profession i.e. music, my job, parenting, PTO, etc., but I don't like the backlash I get from those who don't want to be made uncomfortable in their mediocrity.

I like going to the beach, but I don't like being on everyone else's time schedule.

I think I need some recharging! I want to be alone just for a little bit.

Another Day at the Beach

This was Luke's last day at the beach for a while. He headed off to college this morning.

Don't tease the crabs!

Crabs in captivity!

These boyz were goofin' on somebody.

Anika wanted to give her intensely serious look, just for the record.

Jennah's hair cut is cute, right?

Nate was trying to surf on some trash. You can let a boy dream...

But the surf should be up today after Mr. Tractor opened up the cut.

"The Cut" is what we affectionately call a man-made waterway which opens up Mecox Bay to the ocean. The town opens it up about 4 times a year. The water rushes out during low tide and in during high tide. It's dangerous for swimmers in the beginning but then settles down for all to enjoy the mildly rushing currents. It also creates an awesome sandbar out in the ocean for the surfers.

After a few days, more or less, the cut naturally and sadly closes up and becomes a regular beach once again. I hope we get back to Scott Cameron in the next two daze to enjoy the fun.

I find that my life has those times where a waterway is opened up to let water from the "bay" find it's way to the ocean, and the ocean to the bay. It's dangerous for people to jump into the rush at first when the initial opening happens, because the current is very strong (meaning my enthusiasm and excitement and anxiety) But these times are necessary in order to promote health and a better environment for growth in so many ways in my own life. Certainly these outlets I've had in my life have been for me this rush and connection with the ocean...with its ebb and flow of the tide. But then the waterway closes back up for a while. Every time its opened up, it's completely different than the former time.

I wonder what's next in my life... and when it will happen. Anyone want to suggest something? Or place bets on what the next adventure will be?

Day One... so far so good.

We went to the beach last night. Noah needed to run and I wanted to show Jolene our beautiful beaches.

It was a bit windy, but the water was warm.

Lizzy and Abi just had to make their way into the water... with their clothes on.


Here is Jennah, Jolene and Anika. They look like sisters almost.

Anika, the beauty.

Noah left Caleigh a present!

I collected it but made her take it to the garbage bin. heh heh

Enjoying God's creation!

Gotta love it when the water is warm.

What was your weekend like?

P.S. We bought a salvage car for Luke take to school and repair. It's a Mitzubishi Lancer 2009 with only 10,000 miles on it. It has front end damage so it's perfect for him to use at school and then resell--because it's gonna make a pretty penny! YESSS!

Bits of My Monday

Mr. Seagull dreaming of a better life...

The lonely boogie board hoping to be swept away by the rising tide.

Twirly Girly

The knee drop

Pure joy

One must always look cutsie

The Three Amigos looking for trouble

The boy who lost his razor

More twirls and spins
Three bumps on a log (not really)