Parent-Teacher conferences

OK. so chris and I just experienced our very first parent/teacher conference on Monday afternoon. I'm happy to report that all was well in the reporting of Miss Ivy's progress in Kindergarten so far. The most uncomfortable part was sitting in discount classroom furniture with our knees up to our ears. Thank goodness we are short to begin with! Anyway, although I'm reassured that Ivy is right on track with her school involvement, I'm even more convinced that to be a kindergarten teacher, you have to be a little bit off. I'm glad that part of parenting is over until spring.

Life as a single mom

Life as a single mom is busy, busy, busy! At times, I feel proud of myself for handling it all, my job, the kids, our home. Since my kids dad lives in California (and only visits them two or three times a year), I am truly doing this solo. Fortunately, I have my sister and her family living nearby, as well as a few reliable babysitters to help me through. I also belong to a group of single moms with children from China. Finding them has been one of the best gifts ever! We try to get together once a month or so which allows our daughters to socialize with other kids that have families similar to theirs, and lets the mom lend each other ideas and support. Last weekend, we attended a Halloween party. Here are some photos.

10 on Tuesday

10 things you want right now but can't afford

1. another son from Ethiopia
2. for myself and my extended family to be debt free
3. a breast reduction and lift
4. tummy tuck
5. live in nanny
6. netbook
7. to get my hair done at the salon
8. pedicure at a salon, not one of those nail places
9. bigger house without a mortgage
10. go back to school to finish up my Bachelor's, but instead of needing LSAT prep, I'd finish with an art degree.

How lucky I am

Tonight DH got home from work after 8. I had cooked a whole turkey dinner, because I needed to cook stuff that I took out of the freezer. When it began to look like it was going to be a late night, I told my sister that I was bringing dinner to her house. I owe her so many meals for all of the times she has fed us!

So anyway, me and the kids head over there and stay for a couple of hours. When we get home, DH had just gotten home and started to clean up from his work day. I had flashes of times when I had been home, cooped up with the kids, wishing for a live chatwith another adult and although it totally isn't his fault, I would be so angry that I would take my frustrations out on him and we would all end up miserable.

But tonight was different. Instead of full rage, I only felt a twinge of irritation. And then I was able to bring it around and realize how cruddy he had it today instead of it all being about me. At my sister's house there are at least 4 adults to help me with the kids. It makes such a difference and I'm so lucky to have such support. Actually, we all are so lucky to have each other.

finding what you had lost

I could be a test case for Suze Orman! You know how she says that you have a certain amount of $ around that you don't even realize if you aren't taking care of your finances or home. Well, not some much in actual cash, but yesterday while organizing the shelves over the washing machine, I found:

A portable dvd player that works!

Bec's Thomas DVD that has been lost for over a year!

A brand new set of rechargable batteries for my camera, that I was just about to order online! But then I got sidetracked looking at netbooks, so that was a good thing!


That's over $100 of stuff that I thought I had to replace! VERY HAPPY!

sugar cereal

I love junk food. Insanely love junk food. It's just so good. there are many a monday that rolls around where my body is screaming for nutritious foods because over the weekend, I've indulged way too much. In sugar and in fat. (so much for reading the free directories
on the back of the boxes!

So, tonight it's Saturday night. It's time for a bowl of Frosted Flakes. I really think that I'm 4 years old. Or at least my tastebuds are!

A Happy Friday Fill In

1. I have a history of really loving fall weather.

2. Continuing to be in a good mood when others aren't is something I wish I knew.

3. I'm eating (or recently ate) whole wheat bagel with cream cheese and raspberry jam

4.My husband is making his living on the road.

5. So that's it, that's the happy truth.

6.Anything is better than nothing!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having the kids home, tomorrow my plans include getting the laundry under control and Sunday, I want to see what happens, hopefully kind of adventurous, but not enough to need Bronx medical malpractice lawyer
!