Heading out for a few days

I will be going to Texas after all. We were able to figure out a way to make it all work. I'm leaving today, and I will be back this weekend.

My husband will have all 5 kids. I know he's perfectly capable. I have no doubt in his abilities. His mother, however, isn't so sure. So she intends to come help him out. He was a bit miffed, but I told him not to worry about it. If she REALLY wants to help, let her do dishes, vacuum, help with baths, cook dinner, keep the house straightened up and all of that stuff. This way he can focus on the kids, and I can come home to an orderly house.

I'm not a big fan of my mother in law, but the way I see it, I'll be gone, so I won't be dealing with her. If she wants to stay from dawn until dusk, it's no skin off of my nose, because I won't have to deal with her.

My kids are having a tough time, though. Bubba cried all morning. His chin quivered and he told me how much he's going to miss me. I told him I will only be gone a few days and he'll be okay. He told me I won't be there to give him a hug, squeeze, and kiss goodnight. I told him he can call me on Daddy's phone any time he wants. I tried not to cry in front of him so he'd be okay, but my voice was shaking.

I'm a little concerned about baby. She is a mama's girl. I have given her baths and put her to bed almost every single night since the day she was born. I know she'll be fine for Daddy, but I've never been away from her for this long, so there could be some issues. (for both of us!)

The older ones are all sad I'm leaving, but they have better comprehension of time, and can handle it better. Mouse was kind of clingy this morning before I left for work. I got lots of "I love you's today. I'll see them again before I go. I'm not leaving until they get out of school. But it still made me feel so loved to see just how much I'm going to be missed.

It's going to be a tough goodbye today. I've never been away from all of them. EVER. Hubby and I went away for a weekend once together. I went to Texas once without hubby, but had 3 of the kids with me. This will be my first time on my own in quite a few years.

I'll have no Internet access until I return, so this is going to be rough for me. I'm used to instant access all of the time. I'm going to a tiny farming community. There is no wifi at the hotel. And I'm leaving my laptop at home. I'll have to actually interact with people face to face.

It's going to be a culture shock, for sure.

Sad Day

My grandfather had a heart attack and passed away last night. I'm having a hard time with it. I knew it was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier. My dad is not doing well with it so far. I will probably have to take a few days off of work because my mom watches my kids, and she will obviously be heading to Texas with my dad. I can't afford to travel right now, so I think we'll be staying here. That itself breaks my heart.

I was last there in December 2006. So he did get to meet baby. I am very thankful for that. I loved him dearly. He was a wonderful man. He worked hard all of his life. I have pictures of he and Baby together. I'll post one from home after I search my archives for it. I'll add it to this post. I'm at my desk right now and don't have access.

My heart is broken right now. I kind of went over the edge this morning when I found out. I was having a hard time keeping my head up even before I got the news. It was therapeutic just to let it all out though. I think I've needed to let it all out for awhile.

Somehow I have to get through the workday. I'm in a meeting all day long with management. I'm supposed to be brainstorming with them. I'm not quite sure my brain is working right now, so hopefully they aren't expecting too much from me.

I love you, Papa.

I'm still around

I haven't been much in the mood for human interaction lately. I think about getting on to do a blog entry, but then I just sit here and stare at the blank module and have no idea what to say.

Hubby still isn't employed. He did have an interview Friday, and is supposed to hear something back today. It's starting to really get scary for us. We are only staying afloat because we know the stimulus check is coming. It's like our golden life raft. We can pay the mortgage for another month. I don't think we've ever been in this bad of a financial position before. Even with his surgeries, and other lay offs, we had some bumpy roads, but made it through relatively unscathed. Right now I feel like we're not only on rocky terrain, but we are headed for a cliff. It's a gut wrenching feeling of terror. We get unemployment, which helps a little bit, but 240.00 a week barely pays for the gas and a few groceries. (I am really wishing I did NOT have an Expedition right about now....75.00 to fill up is really tough to swallow!)

It's affecting Hubby's moods. It's affecting my moods. He feels responsible. I told him it's not his fault that he got laid off, and he can't help that nobody is hiring plumbers around here right now. He started branching out and applying for anything he thinks he can do, but they either pay nothing, or just don't answer him. When the housing market slows down, it does affect plumbers.

The economy right now just plain sucks. Gas, groceries, utilities....it's unreal what it costs just to LIVE. I am not even talking about fun and extras. The basic cost of living is insane.

The kids are oblivious. (and for that I am happy). They know money is tight, but they have no comprehension of just how bad things are. I'm patting myself on the back for not indulging their every whim in the past. They don't expect new toys or new things all the time, so when it's not happening, they don't feel slighted or neglected. Of course they pout when we tell them they can't have something, but that happens even when money is not tight, so it's nothing new to them.

We did buy Bubba a preschool graduation present. We're lucky that at 4 years old, you can give him something that costs a quarter and he's thrilled as long as it's a present for him. We did spend more than a quarter, but it wasn't an extravagant gift. Graduation was super cute. I'll blog about it and post some pics later. It deserves it's own "happy" post.

The kids are out of school for the summer after this week. This brings a new issue. Child care for the older ones. I always have to pay more in the summer. Logic says I should leave them with hubby, but if he does happen to get an interview, he needs to be able to go, and I can't leave work. My mother is the one who watches them, but I pay her for it. As it is, I've had to ask her to take 50.00 less a week until we are back on our feet.

One positive thing about this is that I've been absorbing myself in my crochet. I've been working on my friend's baby blanket diligently. (It's 1/3 done, and hopefully will be complete by the end of this week!) I've been working on the pattern for the slipper I designed. (first draft was a bust, it was too long). I've been researching toddler clothing patterns because I want to design a cute halter for baby. I am so happy when I'm doing that. I'm only thinking of what I'm creating, and I don't worry about anything else. I have a huge stash of yarn, so I don't have to buy anything to do it. (By huge, I mean hundreds of skeins stashed in my "craft closet")

I guess that's enough about my stressful life. I have a bunch of emails to answer. I just don't like to play the "poor me, life sucks" role. It's basically going to consist of answering "no he hasn't found a job yet" over and over. I'd rather wait until I have something positive to report. However, I shouldn't ignore them. I'm thinking I might need some friendly shoulders at this point.

The burden is getting to be pretty damn heavy.

Bzz Bzz Logitech Harmony One Remote (review)

Not too long ago I signed up to be a BZZ Agent. I love to try new stuff, so I figured I'd give them a shot and see if it was worth doing.

Well, I got chosen for my first campaign, and it is definitely a good one! I was asked to try out the Logitech Harmony One all in one remote control.

At first I thought, mmmm, okay. Another remote. Then I saw this thing!



I was pretty impressed! I received the remote last week. I took it out of the box and oohed and aahed. It's very pretty with a color touch screen and sleek black design. It is also surprisingly light! It comes with a charger and software. THAT made me a little nervous. A remote that needs software? I am pretty tech saavy, but my experience with remotes is point and click. I was afraid this would be a little difficult if it needed software to set up.

I was wrong! It was SO easy! I loaded the CD, Connected the remote via USB cable, I picked my devices from an online database, it asked me a few questions and it was FULLY PROGRAMMED. No finding codes and repeatedly pushing buttons to try to get it to work. It was THAT easy! I'm pretty sure anyone could do it, even with limited computer experience.

Then it was time to use it.



It has simple commands set up on the touch screen, such as Watch DVD, or Watch PVR. I pushed Watch DVD. My TV came on, My DVD player came on, and it started playing. With the touch of one button. Impressive. Usually I need the DVD remote to turn the DVD player on, the TV remote to change the input to watch the TV, and my sound system remote to adjust the volume. I didn't have to touch any of them. The Harmony did ALL of it automatically!

The next day, baby wanted to watch Elmo. I touched "Watch PVR". The TV came on, the cable box came on, and I was able to list and select my stored shows on my DVR. Again, super easy. Just one button turns everything on and sets everything up. I ususally use 2 remotes to do this.

I can't tell you where my remote to my CD player is since the move, but with one touch, I can listen to a CD, or play the radio, or whatever I want to do. I'm loving this thing.

My favorite features?

*The touch screen. I love it! The buttons are easy to find and use. I just tell it what to do and it does it!
*Not having to use multiple remotes, worth it's weight in gold!!! This thing honestly takes the place of all of my other remotes. I haven't even used them since setting up the Harmony!
*I actually like that it has to be recharged. If I put it in it's cradle at the end of the night, I KNOW where it is the next day! (I couldn't tell you how many remotes have been lost in my lifetime) (((side note, it says it can go a week without being recharged, but I personally like knowing where it is by putting it in its dock!)))
*It has favorites for multiple users, so Hubby and I can set it up to our own preferences.
*I've had many universal remotes in the past, but NONE of them worked for everything. THIS remote does!
*It has a motion sensor, so it turns on as soon as you pick it up, and after it's not used, it will turn itself off, which saves battery life!


Things I dislike:

*It has taken some getting used to. I have had to ask for help a couple of times (it has a help feature built in, bonus!) But this will probably go away with more experience. I've had an issue with it turning the TV off and the Cable box on, if one was off and one was on. That might be my fault though, and not the fault of the remote.
*Sometimes I hit the wrong thing on the touch screen. It is pretty big, but if you are right on the line, you can hit the wrong thing. I was told you can fix this by spreading the icons out, but I haven't figured out how to do it.
* The price. I didn't have to pay for mine, but it carries about a 250.00 price tag on it.

When I first tried it out, I was looking for what I didn't like about it. I wasn't looking for the good features. But it was honestly hard to come up with stuff I didn't like!

Hubby loves it! But most men do love new electronic things.

I still have to play with it. I know it has a lot of customizable features I haven't set up yet. I know I can set it to turn to specific channels, just by setting up a "watch news" or "watch PBS" button.

If you need a father's day gift and your man loves gadgets, I would take a look at the Harmony one. (I also have some coupons if anyone is interested, as a way to spread bzzz...just send me an email!)

Even if you hate remotes, you will love this thing. I promise! I showed my 4 year old how to use it, and he caught right on. So it's easy for kids, too! You can set up their favorite channel and all they have to do is push one button to watch it.

Logitech has one satisfied customer! Great product!

Another project completed

I finally finished the scrap afghan I started awhile back. It came out so nice! I snapped a few pictures before it went to it's recipient.

The pattern is called "I love Scraps". I love how it came out looking little hearts. I'll definitely be doing this one again. It uses up a lot of leftover yarn.

I am also starting my first ever Graph Afghan. I got an 18 inch wooden MOEZ hook, It took some getting used to holding such a large hook, but it's SO smooth and easy to work with. I can't wait to finish it and show it off. I might post with updates as long as it doesn't take a horrible turn for the worse. It's going to be a Tony Stewart afghan with my husband's name on it. I just got my hook in the mail yesterday, so I just HAD to try it out!

I am also working on a baby blanket for a friend. I need it finished ASAP. I guess I should put the graph afghan down and get busy with it! I love the pattern. It's an easy shell pattern with no big gaping holes in it. I don't like baby afghans with holes for fingers and toes to go through.

I guess that's enough crafty talk.

Happy Mother's Day!!

I hope all of the mothers out there get to feel appreciated and loved today!!!

Here is my gift from my husband

His name is Jake and he is a 20 month old Jack Russell Terrier. I've been wanting a small dog for awhile. But he knew I didn't want to deal with puppy training with my hours lately. Jake's owner is moving and couldn't take him with her. So now he's my new buddy. :) He's super sweet, and fully trained. He knows quite a few commands. He's fully housebroken and wonderful with the kids.

The other dogs are getting used to him. The kids' dog wants to play with him, but Jake isn't quite sure yet. I think they'll be buds in no time. He hangs out with me in my chair and follows me around. It's like he knows he was coming here for me. I love his personality!

Hubby's mom came over last night for dinner. We are going to my mom's house this afternoon for dinner. All in all it has turned out to be a nice weekend.

I feel very loved. :)

Feeling crafty

I wasn't satisfied with the toddler slipper patterns I've seen online, so I made my own. :) I whipped these up in about an hour. I need to write it out before I forget it, but it was super easy! Baby was perfectly willing to model her new shoes, too. :)

I used just a small amount of Red Heart Worsted Weight 4 ply yarn in Light Raspberry. I plan to figure out how to make a bigger set for her sister.