Tales of Motherhood

This post may strike a nerve with some, so I offend, please ignore. 

I ask myself often why women, mothers attack are so very opinionated towards the two sects.  The working, and the non working.  I have done both,  I have stayed home, I have worked, and I have just worked part time.  Right now I have a full time schedule.  

The question I am pondering today is why they attack each other.  I will prelude this by stating the fact that since I chose to go back to school, that when and if we have any more children I will be a working mom.  I made the choice to take out loans, it is not my husband's responsibility to pay them back.  

Instead of the focus being on who works and who does not should it not be about the real time you spend with your children.  I have a friend who stays home.  This person really does not spend much time with their child.  Their day is spent running from activity to store.  I have a friend who works, a lot.  When she gets home she wants time to herself.  I do not see how one is better than the other, yet inevitably they will make comment about each other.  

I guess my point is one day when my daughter is grown, she will not remember when I worked and when I did not, but the time that I invested in her.  The hours we have played dolls,  read stories under the covers, shared memories and hopes, and just enjoyed the company of each other.  

Whether you work or not enjoy your children....

You know that you are too old..

for college when you start thinking things like this. 

1. You want to scold the person in class behind you for talking while the professor is.  Not because it is bothering you, but because it is rude. 

2. That girl, with the lace finger tip gloves does not know that Madonna made them popular in the 1980's because she was not born yet. 

3. You feel the urge to yank the pants of the boy walking down the sidewalk in front of you because they rest around the bottom of his butt. 

4. You then wonder if he has to do anything when he uses the restroom because his pants are so low. 

5.  When you have to cover up the gray hair to camouflage how old you actually are. 

6. You don't care that you are not in style.  (Back in the day it was black "sorority girl pants" now it is Uggs. 

7. When your professor asks you for the third time when you are moving to Athens.

8. When you park in a parking garage and use escalators to avoid walking outside uphill both ways in the snow.

Okay, that is all I can think of for now.  

In other news the flu arrived this week like a brick wall.  Libby was sick, now Mike is.  I am hoping that I have been exposed to it so much that my tiredness and mild aches are going to be the worst of it for me.  

In the mean time I am going to enjoy the rest of the snow day, and suck up to my hubby, because I am a bad wife. 

Weight Watchers Update!

After nearly three weeks on WW I have lost seven pounds. Oddly, I feel heavier right now...

I am still struggling with getting any workout other than walking to classes into my life. I had one person say you just have to make the commitment to be away from your kids one more hour of the day. You know what, I am not willing. I am barely home as it is!

My goal within the next week is to cut out the junk food cravings, and to start getting up just a little bit earlier to work out.

Wish me luck :0)

Daily life...

Well, did I not tell you I was going to be busy?  

School is going.  Not good or bad, just a lot of work.  I enjoy the drive to Athens as it equates some alone time that I desperately need after being at work and Mike being at home for an unmentionable amount of months now.  I know he is thankful when we leave each morning too!

The thing is, in Athens, I am very old.   I have never been made to feel unworthy of my college education or less of a student because of my age until going down there.  I have one professor who makes it a practice of saying things like "when you grow up", "when you have a real job", "none of you have kids, do you...".  Although I know he does not know any better, it just rubs me the wrong way.  I will be thirty years old when I graduate.  So what, who cares, at least I went back.   To many people say they want to, but then never do.  I am proud that I have stuck with it.  

In other news I am pretty sure that I am going to run for city council for our ward.  If I decide to, this blog will become by invite only.  I consider this my journal, and I am flattered that many of you take the time to read.  You can email at g a r b r a n d t  at columbus. rr. com (without those spaces) I will send you an invite when and if the time comes.  

I want to run because A. I am tired of our current ward leadership.  He has been in for a while and you never hear much from him.  When Mike and I contacted him last spring it was his wife who called us back, and another councilman, a friend, who ending up helping us out.  And B. because to quote our almost president, it is time for change.  Lanc. is very old boys club,  I think a little youth may help!

We have been home for five days now.  Thursday, I had class, Friday I was sick, Saturday Mike's parents came down and we went to a birthday party, yesterday we went sledding, and today we went to see Hotel for Dogs, but it was sold out so we saw Bedtime Stories.  It has been fun, but I am ready to get back to the grind.  Only eight more weeks left of winter quarter!

Back to the grind...

Tomorrow life starts again.  I am going to miss break! 

My new schedule:

Monday: Teach 8:45-11:45

Drive to Athens 11:45-12:45

Sit in Comparative Politics 1:10-3:00

Sit in American Domestic Policy 3:10-5:00

Drive home 5:00-6:00

Collapse on couch....

Tuesday: Teach 8:45-11:45

Force myself to go to the gym 12ish

Pick Libby up from school 2:30

Sit in Geography of Ohio 3:10-5:00

I think Libby will have gymnastics at 7:00 on Tuesdays

Wednesday: Same as Monday

Thursday: Same as Tuesday, except I tutor from 5-6 after I am done with class. 

Friday: Enjoy sleeping in until Mike finds a job....

I am also taking one online class, so I will need to find time to do that too. 

I am thankful that the geography class was being offered here and I will have all of my Social Studies requirements less one elusive Latin America history class complete after this quarter.  Have I mentioned I only have five classes and student teaching left after winter quarter? Well I do! Can you here the elation in my typing?

My one complaint is that the Comparative politics class has a group project.  I realize I am not the norm attending an Athens class, but seriously, when I am going to find time to work with these kids who live down there.  Jeez....

I am also starting Weight Watchers, again, tomorrow.  I am sticking with it.  My workout on M/W will be walking my chunky rear end from whatever remote parking spot I find to the classroom on College Green.  T/TH I am going to make myself use the free gym at OUL, and and F/S/S I am going to try the couch to 5k program.  I need to loose this weight.  It is not about skinny, it's about healthy.  I may even post some pictures tomorrow and disclose my real weight to force myself to stick with it. 

I am going to enjoy my last full calorie sodas today.  Wish me luck!

The Holidays

Our official holiday celebrations began the Sunday before Christmas with Libby's baptism. Most parents do this when their children are babies, but it took us a while longer to find our home with our father. She looked like an angel, and understood that she was becoming marked as Christ's own child. My one hope is that she always keeps these beliefs in here life. Growing up I did, but when my mom became sick, and then died, I really struggled with my faith, to my very core. Not every one who reads my prose is religious, or cares to be, so I am not going to preach about how everyone should go to church. I will say that growing closer to God is helping us grow as a family and as a couple.

A rare family picture.... I am looking a little, okay, a lot chunky these days. Time to make time for fitness!
Libby and Father Bill

We had a few people over after church for a light lunch, and then we relaxed!

Monday and Tuesday we finished our shopping, baked many cookies, and watched movies. On Wednesday we made cookie deliveries to neighbors, went to early church service, and then to my dads for dinner. The holidays are the most difficult for him, but we had a nice evening. I had to chuckle when looking back through pictures. My dad has worn the same worn out Ohio State sweat pants for at least 20 Christmas. These pants are so worn. I guess they can be added to our list of Christmas traditions!

"American Girl Boxes! You knew just what I wanted Papaw!"

"My own pink I pod, it says Libby!"

We then came home to see if the elves had came. Each year if Libby has been a good girl the elves leave a surprise showing that Santa really is going to come. They leave pj's so we can look nice in our Christmas morning pictures. Those elves really thing ahead.

Libby made and left the sweetest note for Santa to thank him. I must brag... check out that stellar handwriting. This is the same kid who got a S- the first nine weeks in this very subject, she has made a huge turn a round.

The elves hit a mid summer AG clearance sale and were able to pick up jammies for Libby and her doll.

Christmas was beautiful. What a nice quiet and peaceful day to celebrate the birth of Christ and to share gifts with each other. I mentioned before Santa brings three gifts. Santa did bring one extra this year, I think it was more for Mike....

This sums the joy of my Christmas in one moment.

On Friday we played some more and on Saturday we headed over to the greater Z ville area for the Garbrandt Christmas. Check out our cutie pie nieces and nephews.

Those darn teeth just did not make it in time for Christmas!

Libby-5, Maia-6, Kelsey-7

Christopher-2

I think that is enough Christmas overload for tonight! Happy New to All..... may 2009 be filled richly for each and everyone of you.

The List

Things that have gone all wrong since May 16, 2008...

1. Mike lost his job.
2. The air conditioner broke. We had to buy a new one
3. Our older car broke down. The engine blew. We only have one car.
4. A kitchen window spontaneously broke. They only sent us the glass, not a sash. Who knows how to take a window apart to install glass in a sealed sash.
5. The smoker caught on fire. We had to throw it away.
6. The car one good car we have needed repaired. It cost a lot!
7. We argue weekly about what has gone wrong and who is at fault.
8. The hard drive of the computer with everything all important to life in general took a dive. It is still at the shop.
9. Today when we went to Mike's parents house... the driveway was icy.... we had to slam on the breaks.... a LOUD pop.... the transmission went out on our car... we think.
10.????? What could possibly be next??? Check back for updates. Never mind, we came up with 10. b The furnace broke, but Mike was able to fix it for $25. Could that be a positive too?
11. Also, Mike discovered a hole in the roof, but he and his dad were able to fix it for free.
12. There was also a two month period were Mike's dad called us everyday about things he found on Craig's list. We have be the go between for several of the questionably needed items. After some comments were made about a "problem" at a family get together this has slowed down!

Our car is sitting in their driveway. The only thing stopping it from crashing into their garage is the parking break and one of those cement geese.

Trying to give life a positive spin... good things that have happened...

1. We have spent a lot of quality time together as a family.
2. Mike put the swing set together.
3. We became members of a church, Mike was baptised, I was confirmed, and we attend regularly. A long time goal of ours.
4. I made dean's list for fall quarter.
5. Lib is doing very well in school.
6. We have not killed each other, yet.
7. We made it home safe in Mike's dad's truck in all of this horrible snow. I prayed a lot on the ride home.

For tonight I am going to pray that our car is still under warranty like we think it is. There must be a silver lining somewhere.

I am also go to pray for help in being a better wife. I really stink in this department these days. I know it and I do not like it. I am trying. A few bad months out of seven years of bad wifing (is that a word) is not that bad.

Tomorrow is a new day!

Halloween Pictures!

Mike's parents and the anniversary cake I made for them. We could not find a 40th anniversary topper so we improvised. The before are the parents from the Loving family dollhouse, and the now is Mr. and Mrs. Noah Little People. The cake is right on from their wedding pictures. Probably the best cake I have ever done for a decorating dabbler.


We are borrowing my dad's computer for a few days... our hard drive crashed. I will blame it on Mike, I blame everything on him these days, including the downturn of American economics. I digress, that is a post for another day.
Our SD drive was not working and I have been unable to post pictures. Maybe I will get caught up this weekend.

My pretty girl missing her two front teeth. This is at the Fairfield County fair. We look so forward to this each year. I am proud too, she does not eat "fair food" She will only eat chicken and noodles!

If you look in the archives you will find pictures that look just like this from 2006. She is almost 4 feet tall! I will miss these kinds of things if we move away....

My little Alice! She was so polite correcting those who called her a princess, or Cinderella.

Are we really these people?

Last night I was in bed reading. My bible. I was given a new one when I was confirmed two weeks ago. It is the nicest Bible I have ever owned. Not in looks, but in content. It is not the sayeth, thereth, youeth, type, but one that is full of side notes and more importantly real world context that can help you relate the ideas to your life. I am to the end of the story about Noah in Genesis, if you really wanted to know.

So Mike ventures upstairs, and I pause in my reading to tell him I am concerned about the amount of rampant crime going on in our town. "I think maybe we should load the gun." Yes, yes, we have a gun or home. Not a popular decision for most. After a home a block away was robbed a knife point I gave the okay. The sad thing is, that for the most part we live in a VERY safe community. I have no problem going for a walk at night. I think I just more aware of the crime that does occur. And before you get concerned, yes Libby does know about the gun. I strongly feel that if you are going to have firearms in your home that your children must know that people kill, not guns. She knows that it is not a toy, and should never be touched.

Needless to say I continued reading while Mike fiddled around with it for a while. Then the humor of the scenario took over. Wife in bed reading Bible, husband sitting on the end of the bed in his jammies loading gun. It was like a twisted Lifetime movie...

We decided not load the gun, not a good idea for right now. But if you had plans of breaking into my home I can have it load and ready to shoot through the floor in seconds! Beware...

Pictures from our trip...

Libby and I on Antelope Island

Baby Preston on his glow worm lights

Libby at the Golden Spike.

We have spent the last five days in Utah helping friends with their new baby boy Preston and doing a little sight seeing.

Utah is beautiful country. Mountains and crazy drivers! It is good to be with good friends.

On my knees.

Dear God,

Please be with our family. Please help Mike find suitable employment before December 9th. Be with him as he continues this transition. Help me to be a supportive and understanding wife. Be with Libby and help this huge change not affect her.

Amen

A sad day in education.

While observing for one of my classes I overheard to junior girls discussing how they were going to make their children part of their video project for government.

I am sad that these babies have babies. I know how I struggle as an adult with parenthood and school. I can not imagine their lives. I have been praying for them and their children each day.

I think I have been living in a bubble.

Christmas Preview

True Confessions of a Christmas Shop a holic....

I absolutely love the idea of Christmas shopping, but when it comes down to it I hate the malls during the season. People are rude and pushy. It takes the real spirit of the holiday for me. Last year Mike and I went to Polaris during the bad ice storm and spent several hours looking for Hungry, Hungry, Hippos to finally find it at the last place we went.

The tradition. Libby gets three gifts from Santa because that is what baby Jesus got. I would love to take credit for this idea, but it is from a bulletin board I frequent. We started this on her second Christmas.

This year we are thinking (per her numbered list already on the fridge.)

The pink ipod shuffle. She really wants one of her own!

Legos: Some sort of larger set. She is really into legos right now.

Her last present from Santa will be something from American Girl. We are not sure yet. Grandpa and Grandma Garbrandt got her Samantha

She also would like to have Ivy (who is her Julie doll's best friend,) Nellie who is Samantha's best friend, and Julie's bed.

From Mommy and Daddy she is getting a new ornament, some clothes for her AG dolls, and an EYECLOPS.

I am trying to keep it small.

Happy Shopping!

Somewhere in between.

As I near the end of school, did I mention I have just ten classes left, I find myself stuck in the land near the middle.

I have spent the better portion of my working years with the preschool crowd. I have the patience and understanding to teach them. I have gained the knack to plan entire units that cover all areas of their education that meet several different learning styles. I am in the denim jumper female dominated world.

The transition to secondary education is not going to be an easy one for me. I love history and government. I have the passion to teach them. But, the world I am going to is testosterone dominated, crotch scratching, and every one's name is preceded by coach. In all seriousness I worry I will not get a job because I am not a man, and I am not the kind of girl who thinks that.

I wonder how it will all turn out?

The truth about being parents

Most people that I know are in the throws of raising small children. We hug and kiss, nurture and foster, all the things that good parents do. While in the midst of this it is easy to loose sight of the future. The truth. Our children are going to grow up and leave us someday.

We made it to church on time, for once, today. We sat in our usual pew towards the back, you know the one were we can make quick break for cover if our child is the one disrupting the service. In front of us sat a boy and his mother. Not just any boy and mother though. This was the grown son of mother, dressed in his Marine best, and his father is our pastor.

This boy, once their small child is now a man leaving for a war this week. He was blessed at the end of the service as was his armor. His father took off his robes at the end of the service to prepare to take his son to war. A powerful picture for a quaint Sunday morning in small town America.

I do not know Tristan Pursley, or his mother. We are acquainted with his father as our minister for nearly sixth months. What I do know is that these parents raised their son to be a good Christian, a kind person, and a brave man. All things as parents we can hope to do.

I cried silently through church this morning for the loss of these parents. All parents who raise good and just sons and daughters to serve our republic for what strong men see as the means to solve the worlds crisis. We do not question, but have faith. We believe and have faith. As parents this is all we can do.

Hold your children close. Raise them to see all the good things God has provided for us.

Pray for our minister, his wife, and their son as he leaves for Afghanistan.

Our babies will grow up. They do a little each day.

So you had a bad day

It started off okay. While I was ironing the pants I set out for work I noticed there was a hole by the pocket. Oh well. My shirt was long enough to cover it.

I arrive to work. The power is off. Dark, very dark. We navigate the hallway and Libby is safely delivered to kindergarten.

I find my lantern. I spend another five minutes looking for batteries. I find them. 4 D batteries produce a small led light. I notice a note on my desk. I need to see my boss.

I try to get the room ready. I am told I need to see my boss again. I go down. I am then reprimanded for not shutting one of my windows the day before. Several times, several ways.

I go back to my room. I can not find the letter B papers that we are to do for the day.

Kids come in. I notice one of shoes smell like cat pee. Nice, I have a hole in my pants and I smell like cat pee.

The kids are playing, no power still. We have a fire drill. We go to recess, they are hitting each other. I am the bad guy.

I turn in my sub folder. It is returned to me, bleeding with red ink. Mostly silly spelling corrections. I do not think the sub would mind, but now I have to do it again. Where/were.... jeez.

I get talked to about the window, again.

Today was just not my day. But, my window is shut!

Politics

My poor child has been indoctrinated....

One moment she is in her rhyming phase going through the house chanting "Obama is yo Momma" and the next moment she stating "we are republicans, and John McCain is a republican, so that is who we will vote for!"

Just to be clear none of this information was fed to her other than we are republicans, the rest she has came up with on her own.

And if anyone is worried, I do not know who I will vote for yet.

Mike, by the way... Happy Anniversary. We survived, 7 years and we are both still living! I love you.

She's only been is school for a month now...

Here are the pictures from Libby's first day of school. We have been having so much trouble with our computer I am about to throw it. The darn thing is only a year old and it gives us nothing but trouble.

On the porch before school

Showing off her Camp Rock lunch box.

In front of her school.

With her teacher Mrs. Raddatz.

At her desk.

We miss Mrs. Raddatz dearly. She was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before the school year started. She had a mastectomy three weeks ago and is doing well healing at home. We have a nice sub, but you know it is just not the same :)

I will try to get some more up this week.

Inspired

I thought I would share a couple of my favorite recipies since everyone has been talking cooking lately.

This is a Paula Deen recipie that I have amended.

Pot Roast (and I am not a pot roast type of girl)

3 lb chuck roast

salt, pepper, and garlic powder

1/4 cup of veggie oil

3 bay leaves

1 onion sliced thinly

3-5 pressed or crushed cloves of garlic

1 or 2 beef boulin cubes (hers calls for more, it is way to salty)

I can cream of mushroom soup (I use the low fat cause we are a little chunky to begin with!)

1/2 cup chardonnay (I have used whatever white wine I have around)

Season roast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and brown in the oil. Place in slow cooker. Put everything else on top. Cover with just enough water to cover all of it. Cook on low for 8 hours.

This makes a kick butt gravy to, and I am not big gravy fan either. I serve with roasted potatoes.

These are Mary E. and I's all time favorite cookie to make!

Jello cookies!

3 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. butter USE REAL BUTTER
1 c. sugar
1 (3 oz.) pkg. Jello, any flavor THE SUGAR FREE JELLO RESULTS IN A MORE INTENSE FLAVOR
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla AGAIN, TRY THE REAL, it makes a difference.

Mix flour with baking powder. Cream butter, gradually add sugar and gelatin, beating well. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well. Force dough through cookie press onto ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with additional gelatin (same flavor). Decorate, if desired. Bake at 400 degrees about 8 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
If you do not have a cookie press roll into balls and flatten slightly with a fork. Green jellos brown more quickly than other colors.


Happy cooking!

Economics

Several words...

Adam Smith

An Inquiry Into The Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.

Invisible hand, etc.. etc...

I could go on and on, but I will save my fingers the pain.

Mike and I may be the smartest people we know! We have no retirement to lose. Just the jar over our sink! To quote London Tipton "Yea Me" (assuming you watch The Suite Life)

What a great time to be unemployed and in college.

By the way to celebrate the despair and downfall of American economics we are having a cookout October 11. Mike will be smoking meat, I will make butt burners, and cheap beer will be available. If things are really bad by then be prepaired to discuss the hippy comune idea, and be burning all mortgage notes, car and student loans, et al.