hanging out

This is a picture of me hanging out with some of my boys. Life is funny. I never wanted boys and now I have a house full of them, well for a while anyway.

I am done with all of the boys quilts, so that must mean one thing, they are all getting ready to leave. We have no set dates yet, but soon. It still sucks no matter how many times I do this.

I talked to Nikki on Monday. She is really struggling with this trip, so I called her other parents and talked to them for a bit. They said that they also talked to Nikki and got the impression that she was struggling. This trip is very different for Nikki. Yes it is here in the states, but there something like 500 people on this trip! Nikki does not have the security of her friends this year. I know that Nikki will be fine. This trip is really pushing her to get out of her box, and that is scary for all of us. One thing I do know for sure is that this trip will change her, as all of her trips do. I can't wait to hear all about this trip.

I also found out that Nikki had called Chris. I asked Chris to not take any of her calls, and I asked Nikkis other parents to please get in touch with someone out there and make sure that the cell phones are off. I don't mind Nikki calling Chris, but I feel he is the wrong person to call when you need support. Chris was never allowed to do anything without his parents watching him. So he has no idea what it is like to be in strange city and to be on a missions trip. This is nothing against Chris, it is what it is.

Speaking of Chris, he is doing great and he thrilled to have a job! That's right Rusty got him a job working with him. It is only part time, but hey it is a job and it pays $10 an hour, and he will be able to ride with Rusty to and from work. Chris said "the first thing I am going to save for is a camera. I want one like yours." For the record, I have a canon rebel. Expensive, yes, but it was given to us. Then he said "After boot camp I am going to go set up a phone and buy a lap top." I reminded him to make sure that he puts money aside so he can come home for the holidays. Right now life is good for Chris, and I can't wait for him to get a little taste of success.

Amber is still looking for a job. Rusty has talked to a few different people just trying to get her on someplace, and she is applying for jobs down on the base. Amber was a little bit angry that Rusty did not give her the job, but I explained to Amber that she really does not want to work there. It is hot back breaking work. I keep saying it and I will say it again, something will turn up. Right now Amber just wants a job and a few benefits.

I have been keeping my eyes and ears open for a job for myself as well. I am not looking for anything great. I would like to make $100 a week. Just something to give me some spending and saving money. More saving, since the coast of college keeps going up. We will see. I hope Amber gets a job before I do.

Next weekend there is this motor cross thing going on down at base, and Chris and Amber want to go. So I called my girlfriend, and she is going to bring the triplets up. I have a feeling we are going to be having a lot of people going, so one of the kids said well we can go to the beach after we are done there. True, we could, so I talked to my girlfriend and we are thinking pizza on the beach. That would be a cool dinner. It should be a good time.

I have been trying to drop a few pounds. I would love to drop 20 pounds by November, so that I can put on a little something to wear to the ball. I have either been walking every night or swimming. Either way I have increase my exercise level, and I have cut my calories, so we will see. If I don't drop the weight, that is fine as long as I look more toned. Note to self: start looking for the dress now. we all know what a cheap ass you are and we all know you won't buy anything new.

Since I am trying to drop a few pounds I decided that Rusty should too. Rusty really does not need to. He 6'2" and is 190 pounds. Not bad, but I have been adding more fruit and vegi's to his lunch. I have to find someway to stretch the left overs.

I would like to know how some people do it. I have four teens in the house and next to our house food is our biggest bill. Amber said "well look on the bright side you wont have to feed Chris, Nikki and Ryan lunch anymore." I had to correct her. Yes I will be feeding Chris lunch because even when he works, he still has to eat. So I will have to make more dinner and hope I can stretch it into two lunch's. Nikki and Ryan can eat at school, but if NIkki goes back to playing sports they food bill will take another hit. I just thank God for good deals on food.

My babies don't think they are babies anymore. They can now eat big kitty food as long as it is wetted down. they use the big kitty box, and they have learned to scale our bed so they can sleep in it. The little one with the eye problems is doing very well, and I just know she will be fine when she goes to her new home. So now they are just hanging out and growing.

Today I am going to try to get up to Nikki's room which is totally trashed and go through her stuff. I am such a bad mom. If I am forced to clean a room I will clean it with trash bags. So I am going to do some of that today. I know that she has stuff she does not wear, and stuff she has not seen in a very long time, so it is time for all of that stuff to find a new home, and will be every so happy to help it along.

I think I am going to go do some sewing. Everyone is still sleeping. I think I am the only person that is up at this horrible time of the morning. But on the bright side I can at least get some sewing done and not have to listen to everyone bitch about everything.

Life is good