The best part of waking up.....

29 days ago...I started on adventure. One that would bring me to my knees in pain and prayer. The first 3 days were the absolute worse...so much in fact, I chose to lock myself in my room and not speak to anyone. Unless of course, I was working or yelling at my family.

Needless to say we all survived. Tomorrow is the end of my fast and I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't looking forward to my first Cup O' Joe. I've made some changes though. With the exception of drinking tea when we went out to eat, I've been caffeine free. So, I've decided to go back to coffee but decaf. (It doesn't help that when I told the Dr. how much coffee I drink daily, she almost fell out of her chair)

Decaf doesn't make The House of Rho any less chaotic though... which is another lesson I learned on this fast. Life does go on without coffee (GASP!) In fact, it goes a little slower. Not too much..so don't think I've found a pause button. But, life was at a slower pace which gave so much time for extra chaos!! Or time for me notice........

Any who.... Have a great Monday!!

OH...It's 2010!

I'm reading New Years goals and resolutions and figured out I hadn't committed to anything for 2010. Seriously though, me making goals and sticking to them let alone remember them is a comic event in itself. Which is why I resolve not to resolve. It's so much easier for me to do that then remember what the resolution is, figure out how to add it in, and make sure that I've some how completed it.

I'm anticipating a lot happening this year.

I was talking to a friend of mine regarding Blogging. I told her I just didn't have it in me lately. Her response had me thinking.... She said something like this...

"There are times when God works on us internally and we can't verbalize what's going on until we are ready to share."

That, my friends, is exactly where I am. I'm being worked on internally. We're talking overhaul. I'm being prepared for a lot of changes. Ones that are going to ROCK the World of Rho. I can't list them, share them, or even put them into words.....yet. But, when I am--hold on to your coffee cups 'cause chaos will ensue.

Just thought I'd update.

Missing U.

P.S.. A special thanks to the photographer!! Love, Aunt Rho!

And... this is where I'm at...

Lots of stuff has been happening around me over the last couple of weeks. So much in fact, that this old girl only has the picture above in her head.

I'm still processing a good bit of it because I'm not sure which way to go. You know when you're at the crossroads and you see the mountains on the right or the valley on the left but, not sure what's right after that?

So you wait for directions....

As could see from my last post, I was cruising this past week. It was a cruise that I did absolutely nothing on. I never visited the pool deck... Not ONCE!

I did go on to both of the islands... #1 for a 50 minute solo jet ski ride in a group... Me in the water on a Jet Ski following a leader for 50 minutes.... it was nice but, like any following there were some sharp curves that I was scared of so, I had tense muscles..... Which led me to island #2 of some retail therapy...free stuff...and a massage/facial back on the Big Boat....which was extravagant and I recommend to anyone!! The rest of my time was spent reading, looking at the water, and sleeping.

Seriously.

I needed that much rest.

I hear you asking... What on Earth is happening in Rho's life that is making her so stressed. tired, overworked, and plain absent in the World of Blogging?

I wish I could tell you. I'm not sure.

There are some things.... like having a close friend relocate, work/training, and some more traveling....but, I'm not quick to place the reason there.

I'll be unloading/processing here for a while so, it may not be all full coffee mugs and flavored creamer... If you can't handle that... take a break for a bit..

That's what I did.

The end is near......

...don't freak out.. It's just the end of the year.  Can I tell you how exciting that is?!?!!?!

I'm enjoying my Memorial Day by catching up on some chores and relaxing.  I've managed to finish two books and most of the laundry. 

This week is final's week.  Monster has 5th grade graduation, Mimi is retiring,  and I'm moving classrooms.  That's it.  That's the last of the "Have to" things we have left.  

And then Summer....

The relaxing days of renewing friendships, hanging out, and getting organized for a new school year.  

We (Hubby & I) have a much needed Grown -Up Only cruise planned in three weeks.  The Kiddos have 2 camps each... One being church camp (while we are on the cruise) and then Monster has baseball (with nephew Flash) and Buggy has American Girl Camp.  I'm throwing a week of Livie Lou in here too.  Then it's pretty much unorganized, do what I want to bliss.  AAAAhhh.. the life of summer.  

I do have one week of training sometime in June...but nothing to worry about.

I'm off to tackle the kid's closets.... Say a prayer for me!!!

Slowly but surely...

I'm getting there. The coffee is definitely helping and the fact that I'm a walking Zombie keeps others from interfering.

We have 3 weeks of baseball, 4 weeks of school, 2 weekend trips, --throw in a week where Hubby will be riding in the Policy Unity Tour (I'm single parenting) and then I will be in the month of June!!!  Which means summer, and friends, and camps, and sun, and beach, and cleaning, and avoiding laundry at it's finest!!! 

Oh..and then I think I'll take a day or two to listen to silence.  This will include locking myself in a closet of shoes because there are no more clothes due to the fact that I've got them all piled in front of the washing machine.

I've just returned from taking 200+ 8th graders to New York and Washington, D.C. for one week on a bus...and I found out that I'm employed next year!!  Which is a SUPER Bonus considering I'm still annual contract and 12 teachers at my school were let go...I don't know the final number for our county.

That's about all the time I have this AM... I really am trying to keep up...promise!

Miss y'all!!

Oh! My Goodness!!

They fit!!!

I can fit into the Phase 1 "skinny" jeans!  

I'm not by any means close to my goal weight...I've lost 5 pounds in the last month... However, I've been busting my tail in contortions that Bob from the Biggest Loser weight loss videos have put me through and I'm starting to have all of the fat cells move around to create the illusion that I've lost like 8.5 pounds.  (On a 5'3" body.. that's almost a full size of clothing!)  

So the "skinny" jeans are relaxed fit... and are actually relaxed!  Not wanna-be's.  WHOO HOO!!  They're also a coveted size single digit but, I'm not going all that crazy 'cause I'm TOTALLY not there yet.  It just so happens that the tag and the actual size of the jeans don't match up but, who am I to tell people that?? 

(Shh.. my secret is save right?)

Off to celebrate with a Full Strength coffee!!  

Don't worry.. I gots lots of "cheat points" even after my freak out Wednesday over a piece of chocolate cake and brownie.  

I'm not speaking to my DVD player.

Just so you know....My long term friendship that played Disney movies and the occasional ooey-gooey movie night is being tried.  

Apparently upon my decision to get fit and pick work-out videos the DVD player decided it was in my best interest to play the stupid things and thus, I'm stuck with sore muscles and the inability to move.  

But, Rho - you say- don't you have to press play?!?!  Aren't you somewhat responsible for the picking the torture device of the day?  

I stand here not so kicking (because it hurts too much) but definitely screaming saying --

NO! -  I only place the DVD in the player.  It's the player's fault that it starts automatically and therefore I proceed to stay trance-like in different contortions and aerobic moves until the credits are off and I'm collapsed on the floor red faced and sweaty. (Can you say Eww?!?!)  

Hubby says... it'll get better and I do this every year.  My Small Group says it'll get better when I make the decision to keep it up or quit.  I must say the quit option is sounding REALLY good right now!

 *sigh*  

But, I'm not a  quitter.... at least not today.  I have dreams of size single digit this year and so I press through - albeit much slower than I normally do.   Please pray for my DVD player.  It needs all the help it can get.  Oh - and pray that I can find forgiveness so that the long-term friendship will be renewed.

Smile!!  It's almost Friday!

I've been run over...

... at least that's what I feel like.

Go, Figure!

It's my LAST real day of "vacay" where I can  do things I enjoy doing (like tackle the ever growing invisible list) and I'm forced to lay down and rest.  

I have NO fever, just sniffles and ACHES!  I'm praying it's just the weather and I'm going to medicate with caffeine (aka coffee).

As for everything else.. the laundry is going to have to wait  -There went that resolution....(Pshaw!- as if I'd resolve to do anything with laundry!) and getting the kids back on schedule will be an alarm clock shock on Monday when I get it as well.

We've actually had a calm couple of days here but, I'm having visions of craziness starting up soon.  Baseball season is just around the corner. *sigh* 

I'm off to crawl on the couch.

TTFN!

The Invisible List

I hate it!!  It'll be the death of me, I'm sure!!

I should probably explain it a little before you think I've gone of the deep end yet another time.

When I look around my house and my life, I have this invisible list that is calling out of things to do.  The things that I need to do, want to do, and simply HAVE to do.  It's constantly growing and it seems that every time I cross one of the things off... I add four - five more things.  

The list is invisible because I'm afraid to write the things down.  That and by the time I reach number 3, I've overwhelmed myself so much, I've forgotten what I was writing next and why I was writing them.  The problem is... I have a very good ability of not letting the list get to me... UNLESS, I'm at  home staring the stupid thing in the face.  So, if I'm out and about and causing chaos in other's worlds... then my invisible list is put off another day and I don't have to worry about it.  

Now... the invisible list is only important to moi.  Hubby thinks I've gone off the deep end because I keep referring to "the List" and he can't find it.  Friends are saying "RELAX" (A common comment for Rho's truly)and while they understand and help with the prioritizing, I'm adding another thing on my list as a creative way to thank them for putting up with another crazy moment - not because I have to but because of the way of Rho.

I just CAN'T be in my house without thinking of the closets to be organized, the garage to be de-cluttered, and the random arts/crafts projects that I have started or want to start.  Combine that with the every growing laundry, the domestic every day duties, and making sure my kiddos don't force cruel and unusual punishment on each other - Then the wish list of starting a new book and spending all day catching up on the blog titles that I've got floating in my brain. You can see the list growing.....and I haven't even started the self-help section. 

Part of me wants to look at the Proverbs 31 woman , shake my finger at her and shout "YOU!!!!!"  But, then my brain takes over and realizes she wasn't real to begin with so why am I trying so hard?  I need the qualities... not the quantities.  Ya know?!?!  

Life is back to normal...

I hope that everyone had a beautiful and wonderful Christmas.
We have spent the last two nights at my in-law's house. I have enjoyed hanging out here but, will LOVE sleeping in my own bed tonight.

We had a wonderful moment before the kids went to bed on Christmas Eve as hubby read the REAL Christmas Story to all of us while piled on Mimi's king sized bed. There as a family we talked about Christmas's meaning and why in the next morning, it doesn't matter what kind of presents are underneath the tree. The kiddo had the hearts in the right place and Buggy was reciting the musical again. Such a sweet moment.
As we tucked everyone in Bumpa (Father-in-Law) was with the kiddos as they were discussing how early was early. Bumpa said around 7:30 is good. I silently snickered as that was hysterical and an outrageous request!! Pshaw... asking kiddos to wait until "morning" over the crack of dawn. Could you imagine?!!?
...enter Christmas morning...
Silence was all around as I walked out at 6:45 to feed the dog and start coffee. Interesting I thought... as I opened the kiddos door only to find them still sleeping.
I had to grind the coffee beans.. Figuring that would definately start something.... and I hear nothing! Finally after the 2nd round with the grinder... I hear a stressed whisper....

Monster "Buggy!!! Get up it's TIME!!!! C'mon!!!"
This coming from the boy that's stuck between believing and not believing in the man in the red suit.
As two very sleepy children come out and look under the tree...Buggy turns to me and says....."I'm still tired. I'm going back to bed"
Me "But, your presents?!"
Buggy "Just a little bit longer..."
..and she proceeds to tuck herself back into bed and drifts into sugar plums, again.
Monster looks at me with amazement.
Me "Go wake up Daddy and everyone else"
...and I go back to making sure that the coffee is finished and working on getting the breakfast "snack" ready.
Hubby walks in and asks... "Where's Buggy?"
Me "She went back to sleep... she's still tired"
Hubby (smiling) "I'll get her."

Once everyone was up we proceeded to have the mass chaos of presents and paper.
I hope you all enjoyed your day yesterday.

I had hoped to get up and cover the after Christmas sales today... *sigh* No one jumped at the opportunity to accompany me. So, I'm here.. waiting patiently for my crew to wake up. We'll load up the cars and return home today. Thankfully... it's only a 15 minute drive...

Enjoy your weekend!!

Just wanted to let you know...

I'm up for the "Being Domestic too Early in the Morning" Award.

It's complete with a new alarm clock, sponge, bottle of 409, and various other cleaning supplies.

I woke up this morning without an alarm.  Yesterday... my alarm beeped at me because I forgot to return my iPod to the contraption after listening to it for encouragement on Tuesday.  Last night I was certain not to repeat that so, I came in from church and placed my iPod promptly on the alarm clock.  At the point is was tuck in time... I went to sleep.... unknowingly NOT setting the alarm clock.

SOOO... this morning I woke up in a panic over not hearing my Wake up list, which set my heart-a-racing, which put me in hyperspeed.  

Rho on hyperspeed is like the Alvin, Simon, and Theodore on Starbucks combined.  

(marinate on that picture for a while..I'll wait.)

pause..

pause..

pause..

Okay... so all of this to say.....

I've loaded, unloaded, and washed dishes.  I've prepared dinner in the crockpot and am waiting for the perfect time to turn it on.  I've straightened my stuff for the day as well as ironed my outfit, made myself beautiful, AND checked all e-mails and postings.

Yeah.  All that before 6:25.  

....and that is why I'm nominated... 

Think I'll win?!

Woo Hoo!!

I'm celebrating!!!

We're talking clapping and dancing and singing!!!  (When reality hits, probably not so much but for now... just let me have my moment, m'kay?)

Are you ready to know why there is so much celebrating?!?!?!

You're probably going to think I've lost another crayon.  No Worries!  Like I said once reality hits.... I'll certainly feel somewhat remorseful and panicked.  Maybe not remorseful but, certainly panicked..

Have I stalled long enough yet?

Okay....

My washing machine is not working properly! Apparently the spin cycle is not spinning.  Except for the fact I'll spend two days drying my favorite pair of jeans....I'm eggs-static!  

No more laundry!  YAY! YAY! YAY!!!

What are the kids going to wear?!?  I haven't gotten that far.  They weren't real happy the last time I decided not to do laundry and I had asked them to turn their underclothes inside out (KIDDING!).  

I DID finish this weeks laundry and there isn't beside my jeans any "dirty clothes" yet.  So I've got some time.

My hope is that it'll take longer to get a repair man out then to actually fix it and I'll have 3-4 days of laundry-free bliss.  Seriously... it's not in the stars or checkbook for the new machines yet. 

*******

I've been taking little vacays from the computer lately.  I needed some time to get my head in the game... Which I'm still working on.  I spent last week working on finding my kitchen table and reuniting with my children since the only conversations I  feel lately have been through sports type cheering or grade questioning yelling.  

This weekend...... I finished the laundry, figured out there are 51  shopping days left until Christmas, and began to make a list.  

I'm not stressing. 

My goal this year - Finish the shopping before the last day of November and enjoy the month of December at my leisure.  Monster is bought for (pretty much).  Buggy made her list from the Toys R Us big book and Hubby... well, he normally picks it out, hands me the debit card, and I finish the transaction and wrap the present.  Other than that... family members are planned for and just waiting for the right things to go on sale. :0)

Question...... I have a small circle of friends that I'm thinking of a cookie swap with.  Is it wrong to pick a night out to do that in the middle of the busy season?  I don't want to add stress to them but, I miss me some friend time.

Off to cater to the kiddos.

Queen Rho...

Is making a guest appearance at school today!!!

The Chapter we are currently on is discussing the colonists and their charters.  So the end of the Chapter (and nine weeks) assessment is presenting their colony ideas to Queen Rho!  

YAY!  I'm going in full character.  It helps that today is Wacky Tacky day.  If I can get the overall outfit I will.. Until then...  

The kingdom will have great parties and celebrations as the new colonies are accepted.

I'm gett'n nuffin...

You know that song we sing at Christmas as a spoof?  

Iiiii'm gett'n nuffiiiin for Chriiiistmaaaas.... Mooooommy & Daaaaaddy are maaaad...?!?!?!

I'm waiting for the tune to get stuck in your brain.

....

....

there yet??!? Oh. A couple more seconds then..

...

....

Okay.  That should be good enough.  The song starts off with a list of "wrongs" that the child has committed.

That was my day.  Except.  I was wronged.

**Sigh**  Just a tough day.

My alarm didn't go off.

My daughter didn't wake up.

I had a parent/teacher conference after being in training for a day and needing to make copies.

I had a staffing and someone covered my room only to come back to two tests that were taken away due to cheating.

An impromptu meeting with a parent due to the cheating and a phone call with the other parent.

.....and FINALLY!!!

An allergic reaction to the new eye make-up which makes the lids of my eyes feel like they're on fire and they are red and swollen..

...and what on earth does the song have to do with my day? 

Not. a. clue.  

It's just stuck in my brain and Your's too!!! 

The week...

I don't know why I feel it necessary to post my week every Monday...

I guess it's my way of "ordering my week" and asking others to support me in prayer as I make it through.  This week though busy will come to a nice abrupt halt by Thursday evening.... Well... Sort of.   Read below.

Monday....... Workshop, Baseball @ 5:00 - Fuschia... as far as we know business is normal so pray for me!

Tuesday....... Work, Buggy has Soccer practice @ 5:30

Wednesday...Work, Choir Practice (kiddos), church

Thursday......Work, then off to WOMEN'S RETREAT!!!!

Friday and Saturday.... Retreating.

I've been looking forward to the retreat since the last one.  It's a wonderful time for me to reflect and look forward to the great things God has planned for me and my family.  Not to mention... it's a girl's weekend!!!!  

Wanna Giggle?!?!

Yesterday, Hubby and I had to do meet and greet.  I'm pretty good at making a fool out myself in front of people until you place a microphone in my hand.  That's when all goofy-ness flies out the window and I realize that people are paying attention to me.  Hubby.... Well, he's an awesome speaker... He just doesn't like to get up in front of people.  So here we both are...in front of the church with A microphone.  (feeling my stress?)  The microphone wigs out.  You know the squeaky squealing thing it does??!?!  So after Hubby and I move all over the stage trying to find the perfect position so it would stop..... We give our welcome spiel and a plug for our small group.   Get this.  We're on our way off the stage and say Hi to #1 and he says..... 

"Ya'll  that was great!!  Next time though, let people know who you are. :)"

Ooops!! 

I have so much to type!

BUT - not enough time to type it.

We are back from the kingdom.  I've been busy whipping the kiddos back into shape.  Buggy has been the hardest.  Apparently, if you are called Princess for 3 days straight by parents and strangers you think you ARE a princess and therefore after you leave the Happiest Place on Earth, you are still commanding the family.  So, the Queen had to "reorganize" her thought process.  We are definitely NOT in the Kingdom anymore, Tink.  If I have time and energy, I'll type a play by play.  It's a big IF for right now.

Birthday Presents....

1.  My classroom looks like a flower shop!  I got roses from a co-worker (3 pink) and Hubby (6 red) and I got an orchid plant from my team.  Does anyone know how to take care of an orchid?  

2.  My kiddos got me this Super Cool Tool Box!  Notice it's Pink.  Here's the thing - Yes, I do have a tool box.  I had one before with Craftsman tools from Nana and Papa.  However, Hubby successfully "misplaced" my tools from MY toolbox into his giant one.  (What's your's is mine...blah, blah, blah)  So, in order to avoid this again.  Mine are pink and easily spotted to avoid confusion of placement when used.  Get it?

3.  Notice the phone.  It's a Handy Dandy "smart phone" with a touch screen.  It's step 82 of many attempts to keep me organized and with a calendar... Amazingly it's working.  Well the calendar part is at least.  The phone and I have creative differences.  Something about operational errors and all that jazz.  Whatever.  Now, look closely at the picture.  See anything wrong with it?  Like the right side or top 1/2 is completely jimbled and jambled?  While getting back to one of the coolest places I've ever stayed (reference to Disney vacay summary at a later date) Hubby dropped (gasp!) the camera bag.  It's contents at the time were:  My favorite digital super-fast-super-cool-super-shot camera,  My second in command hand sized much smaller digital camera, Hubby's video camera and my Handy Dandy-trying-to-get-me-organized smart phone.  All in all... the fatality was minor EXCEPT now I'm in the market for a new phone.  Or WAS.  Upon entering the town we call "HOME"  the family drove quickly to our nearest cell phone provider.  I can not be unreachable.  Something about Super Mom, Capes, and Emergencies.

Only to find out that I had 3 choices. 

1.  Insurance claim - $95
2. Buy new phone - $140 - $600 (not-so-smart phone to smart phone)
   
3. Go to Ebay - $200-$300

Seeing as I hate the current touch screen and only use the calendar function, Option 1 though cheapest was out.  I can't feasibly spent close to $100 on something I completely hate and have to have for the remainder of my 2 year contract.

Seeing as I like the calendar function on the smart phones, Option 2 is out.  I can't pay over $300 for a phone.  I don't have $600 to spend (what can I say... I like expensive!)  Even with the Birthday money my parents sent.

So that leaves option 3.  **sigh**  

Thankfully... God, is on my side!  I found a phone.  It's beautimus!  I'm waiting patiently for it to get here.  AND... we were blessed financially through some unexpected $$$ in paychecks!  

Can I get Hip? Hip?  I need to wake up the kiddos.  Hopefully, it'll be in soon so I can take a picture for ya!

On my way!

I won't have time to post when I get in this afternoon.  

(Cue Over dramatic Announcer Voice)

Rho Delta....  

Now that you've won two days off AND a mini van full of fuel and family.. 

What are you going to do?!?!!?

(dramatic pause)

(dramatic pause)

(dramatic pause)

Well, Mr. Announcer Man....

 I'm Going To DISNEY WORLD!!!!!

I'll miss y'all!  Do you need me to carry any wishes down there for you?

I'm going to see THE mouse!!!

On Thursday evening, I will be braving a 4.5 hour car ride with two children, two in-laws, and hubby.  In order to keep my sanity, I have 2 books, 1 magazine, and a super charged iPod with inspirational music that can drown out the "Are we there yet?!" questions that will last 3 minutes into our car ride.

Don't get me wrong... I'm TOTALLY looking forward to visiting the magic and being whisked away to a fantasy land of make believe even if it does cost  me a million dollars.  At this point, I need the fairy tale. 

I want to be the Princess roaming The Kingdom with her Prince Charming.

  

I want to see the wonder in my children's eyes as characters that they watch come up to visit them.  

I want to be away from the chaos that is self driven here to have a relaxing moment of family chaos of the good 'ole vacation style.  

You know the stuff that draws a family closer and keeps them from taking another vacation for 2.65 years!

I plan on returning with royalty at my fingertips because every wish was granted and all of my worries are frozen in place and never to look back on them.  

Anything can happen.  It's THE mouse.  Right!?!?  

If not - Don't take away my fairy dust.

Brown Socks, Black Shoes

...this should've been my first clue about today.

Apparently getting dressed in a dimly lit room isn't all it's cracked up to be.  Especially when you need to be fashionable at all times in front of the Middle Schoolers.  It's not cool if you don't match and or look too old - trust me - the coolness factor is important for making them learn.  Sadly, I didn't notice the mistake until AFTER I had been at school for about an hour.

I have no voice.  Do you know how hard it is to teach/talk without a voice?

I ran to and from the computer lab that's 1/2  way across the school for all 6 classes today due to a survey that I HAD to give my students.

I was chewed out on the phone while I was teaching by a fellow teacher/department head.  The short version being we weren't doing things the way she wanted them done.

My NEW black shoes hurt my feet.  Thankfully, there was light in that one because for whatever reason,  I had my ballet flats in my bag.  (that's a God thing... I'm sure of it!)  'Course you could see my brown socks even more but, comfort was over fashion by that time of the day.

The HIGHLIGHT of my day!?!?!? 

 A parent called me organized!  Yes.... ME - Organized!!!  Yet another God thing I'm sure!!!  

I'm avoiding the emotional and physical turmoil I'm still in over busy-ness.  God and I are having hourly conference calls and we're working on it.  

Off to JOY Fellowship.  At least an hour of "girl" time.