Snow is coming!

I was just informed that there may be snow tomorrow so I had Kayla go to Weatherbug.com and check and man on man, the snow is coming. Click here and here check out the link to Weatherbug and there is also a web cam that you can see the snow on the lake.. The kids are excited, they are ready for the first snow so they can snow board and take the tube down the hill. Jenna calls the snow "snowman" so she should be able to play in the snow for the first time this year. I post snow pictures tomorrow if we get as much snow as they say we are.

Black Friday

The kids and I were brave this year and went out shopping today, well only after changing a flat tire on the car. David had to be at work to open the store at 5 am so we just agreed that I would worry about the tire and he could take the truck. Poor David got up at 3 am and left I think it was 3:45 or so and yes I was even awake when he left. I felt so bad that he had to leave so early.

Kayla has grown so much that none of her pants fit her in the length so we thought what better day to get her some new pants. She tells me that she is 5" 1 1/2 inches tall, the kid has passed me up at 5". We found bargains at Wal-Mart and Menards and I am happy to say that both stores were empty, very little shoppers. I was in line and checked out I would say in less then 5 minutes. Wow if it's like that every year I would go out more often, yah right. I guess we got lucky because we didn't get out until 10 so we missed the rush of people and that was just fine with us.

David survived his day, he even said it wasn't to bad but the store opens at 7 am tomorrow, at least he won't have to get up at 3 again.

Nothing New

Not much new around here. I enjoyed last week having David home, he took the week off before the holiday rush begins. I am still in the job search with not much luck, so of course as always if anybody hears of anything please let me know.

David attended Kayla and Becca's parent teacher conference last night and we are happy to say that both of them went very well. Both girls are doing great in school and their teachers had nothing but good things to say.

Kayla and Becca are with us this week for the Thanksgiving break. We don't have anything to exciting planned. We have a play date with Olivia and Kelly today and possible a run to David's work. Tomorrow David is off for the day and I think we might make a visit to the library. We are having Thanksgiving Dinner with David's mom Jan. I can't wait, I love Thanksgiving food and we will have the girls with us the entire day this year, usually we only have half day with them.

We have purchased a training potty for Jenna and it's pretty cute, looks just like a mini toilet it plays music and has a flush handle. We will be introducing her to it tonight for her to check out. It's a little early for potty training but she tells us when she needs to be changed so hopefully it will be an easy transition for her. It's been one month with no bottle so I think the potty training shouldn't be to bad. Keep checking back for updates.

That Kayla is one smart cookie

We recently received Kayla's progress report and ISATS (Illinois Standards Achievement Test). We have always known this young lady was smart but each year she continues to amaze even us.

To begin with, her progress report is excellent. With 9 classes (YEP.....NINE classes in 7th grade) she has 7 A's and 2 B's. Amazing. I tried to include the actual progress report here too for those of you who cannot believe this brilliant child came from me, but cannot seem to get it to post!

Science - A

Tech Ed - A

Pre Algebra/Geometry - B

Social Studies - A

Language Arts I - A

PE - A

Language Arts II - A

Band - B

Choir - A

Now on top of this, Kayla Renee is now a full fledged Cheer leader and percussionist. Yep, she plays the drums, bells, timpani, and Cymbal. Wow...that's my girl, just like her pops.

Now the ISATS:

Reading score of 273 EXCEEDS standard with a possible 360

Mathematics score of 299 of 379 EXCEEDS standard

Vocabulary development scored above her school, District and STATE average

Reading Strategies scored above her school, District and STATE average

Reading comprehension scored above her school, District and STATE average

Literature scored above her school, District and STATE average

Mathematics:

Number sense scored above her school, District and STATE average

Measurement scored above her school, District and STATE average

Algebra scored above her school, District and STATE average

Geometry scored above her school, District and STATE average

Data analysis, statistics, and probability scored above her school, District and STATE average

Mathematical knowledge, strategic knowledge, and explanation scored above her school, District and STATE average

In reading Kayla scored in the top 85 % of students nationally

In Mathematics Kayla scored....wait for it...wait for it.....

99% of students nationally. WOW WOW and WOW once more.

We are very proud of the biggest sister. Amazing results.

Times are tough...Sorry I'm ranting!

Well I've been doing the job search thing for a little over a month now and what a joke. Most of the job postings are through an agency, they lure you in saying they have jobs and you think you posted for a good one but you get there and "there are not any jobs that match your skill set" BS is what I say. They never had any to begin with!

Anyway, I've had a few actual interviews but nothing has come of them. I actually have another with a well know credit union (I won't say the name until after) so please light a candle, say a prayer, through a lucky coin in a fountain or what ever you do for luck sure can't hurt!

I really enjoy my time at home with Jenna and she likes having me home too but what little I get from unemployment doesn't pay the bills.

Oh yah, people always talk about Karma, well that "lovely" company I used to work for who's biggest client is Circuit City. I'm sure will have what's coming to them shortly with most if not all of Circuit City stores closing their doors. What goes around comes around, that's for sure!

Sorry for my rantings but please if you hear of any job openings for customer service, admin assistant or general office please let me know.


Update: Yah I got the standard thanks but no thanks on the interview, by email even. LIFE SUCKS! blah blah blah........
By competitively reviewing the qualifications and experience of each person who was considered for the position, we have narrowed the field of candidates. I regret to advise you that based on this review, we are not able to offer further encouragement at this time. Your resume, however, will be retained in our files for future consideration.

Trick or Treat

We were so excited that Halloween fell on a Friday this year and it was our Friday to have the girls even. We were able to take all the girls Trick or Treating together for the first time. Kayla and Becca haven't been with us for Halloween since 2003 I believe and since it was the first time Jenna got to go out made that even better.

I sent time Thursday night and Friday day getting the pumpkins carved, I had a couple of regular faces and one Whinnie the Pooh and one as Mickey Mouse. Jenna enjoyed helping me get them ready, she didn't even get grossed out by the pumpkin guts, she loves to help me.

David picked up the girls and got to our house so they could all go trick or treating. I was really surprised that Jenna made it to 3 streets before she was ready to take a ride in the stroller. I am a little sad though as I didn't get very good pictures of all 3 girls together. They all had a good time and got lots of candy. I guess it paid to be out late, as we were walking back home from the very back of our subdivision and we passed by our neighbors house who told Becca they still had candy left if she wanted more, well what kid wouldn't want more candy, so she scored, her bucket was overflowing with candy and that made her night.

After we were done we enjoyed some yummy homemade chili at our neighbors house and the kids couldn't wait to get home and go through their candy. I am very glad that all the girls got to spend the holiday together.

Denied my Constitutional right to Vote!

Just thought I would share that I was denied my right to vote today. I can't believe I was denied my constitutional right to Vote!!!!!!! Can you believe it! Me of all people!

I have written to Lake County board member Wilard Helander and below is the letter I have sent and I thought I would let all news media know, so I sent a letter to the Harald, Tribune, ABC, CBS and NBC news channels oh and Oprah also.

I know this is happening all over and it isn’t fair!

To Whom It May Concern:

I am sitting her right now so upset, I am in tears that I am unable to vote for what could be a historical event. I am so sad to think that I can’t make a difference. You see, we went online to verify our polling place and found that I was not listed as a registered voter. I called the next day (day before elections) to inquire as to why I was not listed as a registered voter when I knew I voted in 2004 elections, a year after I had moved by the way.

I was told by the person on the phone that I was shown as “inactive”. What then meant is when an audit was done it was found that I had moved. I verified with the person on the phone and even told them when I moved. They told me “No problem, bring in two forms of ID and you will need to fill out an address change form”. I said "good" and asked not ONCE but TWICE if that meant that I would be able to still vote and I was told YES both times.

I get to the polls today at my local church in Fox Lake and go over to the “Laptop Judge” who by the way was my neighbor, to get the correct forms to fill out so I can vote. She was not exactly sure which form I was to fill out, so she called someone I guess at your office only to find out that I moved more then 4 years ago that I was “NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE”. She handed me the phone so I could talk whomever she was speaking with and I was told that because I moved more then 4 years ago that there was NOTHING I COULD DO! I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE!!!!!

I informed the person on the phone that I did the proactive thing and called ahead of time and was told “no problem”, that I could vote. I was so embarrassed in front of my neighbor! I thought I was doing the right thing by calling ahead of time and look where that got me. NOWHERE!!!!!

I am so disappointed because I wanted to make a difference, not that one vote would but you never know what if I was the ONE VOTE that put OBAMA in the White House! You see I am currently unemployed and unable to find work so that makes me feel bad enough then only to find out that I can’t even VOTE!!! I hope that you can only imagine how that makes me feel right now.

I want this to be considered a formal complaint on how this voter registration was mishandled. Someone in that office should have said “If you moved more then 4 years ago that would not make you eligible to vote” but NO, nobody said that! YOUR office needs to be better informed and they need to make sure that everybody is on the same page as each other.

So now instead of having that good feeling of accomplishment I have the feeling of disappointment, that I let me country down!

Saddened Lake County Voter,


One response so far from ABC 7-
I am sorry for the blank reply sent previously. We appreciate you taking the time to write and share your story with us. Your email will be forwarded to our producers for consideration. We appreciate your choice of ABC7 news.

Baby Chase

I am so excited to share that two of my friends just shared in the joys of parenthood. TJ and Shelley just had their first baby together on October 29th, 2008, Chase was born at 1:35 pm in Stillwater Minnesota. He was 8 pounds 5 ounces and 22.5 inches long. To see more of little Chase and Family click here. I am so happy for the two, Shelley has wanted to be a mommy for a long time and finally got her wish.

Day 3 and counting.....

I decided it was time to get rid of Jenna's bottle. I wasn't sure how to do it but I knew it was time since she is almost 2. I went to the Parenting magazine website to look for help on their message boards. I also posted my own message for advise. Many of the moms said to try the Nuby cup since it had a soft top similar to a bottle nipple. So off to Wal-Mart we went to get a "Milk Cup"and I let Jenna pick the one she wanted. She chose a green one and as soon as we got home I asked if she wanted some milk in her new cup and she said Yes. We washed it and filled it up and she has been drinking milk from her "cup of Juice" as she calls it.

So far no bottle for 3 days now. I have to go and get a couple more Nuby cups now so I don't have to keep washing the same one. Next is work on the pacifier to try to get her to only use it for naptime and bedtime. Yah that should be fun!