Merry Christmas Eve

Liz is here, Jim is here, the rest will be here tomorrow...all is right this Christmas Eve...

God's blessings to you all!

Bandit and the Bone

My husband wanted to get my big old dog a bone so this is what he picked out...

Christmas Break

It's the first official first day of Christmas break. It's also Cody's 5Th birthday!

I attended his Preschool program last week. He was very proud of his shirt and tie...this kid loves his fashion. His little class had a great performance. Fun stuff for a grandma like me...the joy of being a grandma is being able to enjoy the stuff I was too young and frazzled to appreciate at a mom! I just sit back and watch!


I have a trip tomorrow for the day care group in our district. I am going to a museum about an hour away. Then I am off for the rest of the week. We have snow here, but not nearly as much as the east coast.

The past couple of weeks have been crazy at work, especially for a sub like me. I had to do a country route in a blowing and drifting snow storm. I made it back in one piece, but I passed plenty of cars in the ditch, tow trucks trying to pull cars out of the ditch, even a contract bus off the road. That route made a man outta me!

Now is the time to kick back and enjoy the Holiday!

tree decorating

My life has become a chaotic whirlwind of driving the bus in very bad weather, managing grand kids, letting my own grown children solve their own issues and finding a private moment to just be...

Besides trying to pay attention to the Joy of the season...I have not done any Christmas shopping other then a list I have on Amazon just waiting for my husband pay check to pay for this cart of items...


The other day I asked Dakota why he was such a good boy when his brothers seemed to not be able to do this he said, "my brain tells me to"...

Advice we could all learn from ...

Breakfast with Santa

Took the boys to see Santa. After some careful observation and high fives they warmed up to Santa for a picture...seem Santa knows grandma AND grandpa... *wink ---> he is an old trucker buddy of my husband!




did some crafts with some nice grandma's from the senior center, ran around the obstacle course at the YMCA and finished the day with some chocolate milk and pancakes...YUM!

December

December is here already!! Things are still going nice and smooth, with only a few minor bumps int he road. I'll be very busy driving for the next couple of weeks, but that's ok.

Lots of sports this time of year...

I am honored to once again take the guys to see Santa. We went last year and the event had games with prizes, pancakes and sausage, this year has crafts too...

Having little ones around makes me appreciate the excitement of the season all the more.

Now we need some snow!

happy birthday Jim

Today is the last day of the month and every day except one I did an entry! I am now in the habit so count on me to be around more...I'll still aim for everyday...yeah right the holidays are upon us.

Today my stepson is 30. My husband so far loves his job. I still love mine. As far as Christmas is concerned I am pouting because it's cold already and I am not somewhere warm. I'll probably work. I have no shopping done, but I do have some ideas, good ones even for the little kids, that's a start. I now have a bigger family to buy for, hence the working more part...

That's ok I don't mind...

last day of thanksgiving

Today is the unofficial last day of Thanksgiving food frenzy. Tim and Kristen came over and we cooked a turkey breast, actually my husband cooked I ate and visited.

My step son (who I raised since he was 13 and is now 28) & his wife, who never ever have had a holiday meal here, did their duty and stopped by for about an hour...I try and to not be bitter, because life has a way of balancing out.

After all some day they may have kids and you all know how that goes...

Otherwise, I had very nice Thanksgiving...now on to Christmas...:::sigh::

spent the day with my guys

I spent the day with my guys. A gorgeous 55 degrees and clear skies called for a walk to the park. We had the whole place to ourselves. On the way home Dayton picked a flower and offered it to me, a lady passing by said, "oh mom isn't that sweet?" I said, "oh yeah, but I am grandma"...

Then a movie before bed...

Grandma Heaven...

working on black friday...

I worked today... for four hours and it was a only a freshman basketball team to a nearby school.

On the way home the boys were talking about how an older boy they knew who was mouthing off to a coach and wouldn't shut up. He ended up getting in a bunch of trouble and suspended from some games...problem is he was being scouted by the colleges that was most likely to scholarship him for basketball. A shame probably hundreds of thousands of dollars of school down the drain because of his BIG mouth.

Then they told stories of kids that they knew who were 16 years old and still in 6th grade...of course I couldn't shut up and told them that I hope they had good grades they all piped up and said "oh yeah our parents make us get good grades."

Guess there hope yet for all of futures...after all this is the generation that will be supplying me with a good nursing home...:)

happy thanksgiving!

May you be blessed with a full tummy, a full house and a full heart!

God's blessing to you all!

thoughts and thank you!

Sorry, my thoughts are random today...

Did anybody here save their old AOL journals? I saved both of mine, the old bus journal and my original. Yesterday I was talking to a lady that I've known since I started driving a school bus, actually she tested me to get my CDL and gave me the ability to drive a big bus. She is one of the many who like to talk to me...I know plenty of people who when alone in a school bus treat me like a priest in a confessional...one such girl told me on Tuesday all about her abusive ex boyfriend & how she got away from him...but shhhhhhh Rose don't tell anyone, ok?, oh and ignore the camera on the bus. :)

Any who, this lady is nearing retirement age and she has some issues that never seem to go away or get better, she talks about the same stuff she talked about 7 years ago...in other words nothing changes, same day same progress and she's literally killing herself from this...this is when I like to look at my own life...pull out the old journals and look or go to my closet and gather the really old hand written notebooks filled with words of the me spinning my wheels in my life ... but was I?

Here I am looking back at my life realizing that my circumstances are basically the same...kids, ex's, grand kids, little parental support, job loss, job gain, bill juggling, crazy life...all the same, but ME, Rose is not,

Rose is basically staying calm, loving life, picking up the pieces, moving forward, taking care of business, looking at the bright side, listening, aiding and touching every person I come in contact each and everyday...

and at the end of the day realizing that I am the one who will change ... even if this crazy world does not!

AND I am the one who is blessed beyond words as I am the one who is touched, aided, loved, listened to and the Luckiest GIRL on this EARTH!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT

the witch is back

I got to drive the route today that the little darlings insisted that I was a witch. Today they loved me, I hear that they finally met their match in the form of a little (older lady) fireball who doesn't get intimated when they threaten to have their mom beat her up.

Kids are funny...

I drove by my son's future home and the sign outside said SOLD...I know they still have to close but whoooo hoooo, Dakota & I have a dog to walk...mine is too old and only makes it down the street and back. Their closing date is December 29.

I have a sports trip tomorrow night and one Friday, but for all practically purposes I am OFF for 5 whole days.

Time to watch Hercules with CODY!

HAPPY COOKING!!!

tator and the mint m&m's

This picture is Tator, she is my son and new wife's dog. She is a rescue dog, they live in a very small apartment...they both work, Tator usually is in her crate during the day as she is still a little naughty if allowed freedom ... Tator escaped Sunday and ate a whole bag of m & m's.

Thankfully the doggy doctor made Tator feel all better as the throwing up she did all over the apartment didn't do the trick...

Hence the need for my son and wife to move into their house ASAP!!!!

end of the day

I did enjoy my weekend and the lovely weather. I should of took the kids to the park, but as they say in therapy groups don't should on yourself, so I won't. Mark and I did all the shoppng for Thanksgiving today, so that's done.

I did spend some time with the boys alone last night as they talked their mom into coming over for the night and their dad was at some pay per view fight with my husband at some private bar.

I also trained another girl to take care of Mrs H. She's still alive and kicking, but my weekends have been tied up working for her for 2 years...it's time to let a younger girl have the opportunity. She's a single mom and well aquainted with Mrs H as her mom works for her also. I had to do some smooth talking to make it happen as Mrs H hates change...next year Mrs H will be 97! Guess she's earned that right.

Only a 2 day week for school. Monday and Tuesday are 5 hour days, but as a stand by driver I work more doing shuttles and route coverage. That's ok I love the adventure.

I can't believe it's nearly Thanksgiving already!!!

gorgeous day

A GORGEOUS DAY!!

GOING OUTSIDE TO ENJOY IT!!

A no driving weekend!

I know I messed up and missed yesterday but I'll do a post everyday for the rest of the month. I am getting used to blogging again anyway.

This is a NO driving weekend as my trip for tomorrow got canceled. Ya!

Went to one of those jewelry parties tonight and now it's time to chill out!

oh nuts!

I forgot to post last night...had a trip and lots of stuff going on when I got home!

But I did have cheesecake!

humble pie

humble hubby hurriedly hooted ... his honey has heard his history...

not bad for a quick rhyme

Seriously though hubby got his new job today...had yet another pre-employment physical (3rd this year) and was actually humbled my the doctor that told him to lay off the salt and get some exercise...he's in good shape but needs to take better care of himself. He's over his issue with me, at least for now...whatever...I am what I am...and he loves me just the same.

Tim is one step closer to getting his house, building inspection went fine...

I don't listen...

I just got told I never listen...guess you should thought of that 15 years ago when you married me!

monday

It was a Monday in all it's glory...seriously borrrrrrrrrr---ing. As a stand by driver with no routes to cover or trips I had to ride with 2 different drivers and just do that, ride...BORING!

Oh well got to see the little red head baby before she left for Michigan with my sister in law and had some great homemade corn beef with all the fixings dinner made by my husband who at this moment is unemployed again...he does have a prospect and will find out Wednesday...fortunately truck driving jobs with experience are easier to find than most....we are blessed.


In the meantime enjoy the boys shooting guns...not real of course!

more babies!

My husband's sister came into town from Michigan for the weekend. She brought her daughter and her two children. My niece's little girl is so cute! Her personality matches this chubby little face!

I loved playing with this little cutie pie!

And so did Dakota...



But only for a little while...

Tim & Kristen's new house

Hopefully this cute home will be Tim and Kristen's before the end of the year...only have to pass the home inspection...best part it's only 6 blocks from my own house!!!

Now my son is freaking out because they have to sublet their apartment...it'll all work out!

camera's everywhere...

whoooo hooo Grandma Roses is rockin' out!!!

stuff

The guys got my new stove in, my old when was a monster-size tappen that was an old relic.

I am a saver of stuff, papers, old stuff, hand-me-down stuff, stuff from my mom, stuff from my 1st house, stuff from kids, pictures...the drawers and closets usually got emptied out and tossed at least once a year during my spring cleaning. With 2 more people moving in plus 3 little boys my semi-hoarding mentality had to end. The guys even helped me with that too. My stepson tends to be a doer, my husband a doer if somebody pushes him...they cleaned out a closet and all the cabinets in the kitchen.

My husband discovered an old mix master that my mother had given me...things get away from a person when they are in charge of a family of 8 kids...it's nice to have some help...finally...

....I'll have my old house fixed up in no time.

watching kids movies

Every single day my grand kids try to talk their way into sleeping with me. My husband used to work overnights so when they were here it was fine, he got a new job& he took is spot back.

Now they settle for movies in grandma's bed. Tonight we watched UP...very cute.

A while ago we watched the old Disney classic Robin Hood that Liz had and they loved that movie. I need to search for some of the old Disney ..just as good as the new computer aided ones.

Ruff

Most kids have their lovelies or blankets, stuffed animals and the like. My grandkids are no different. Dayton his blankie that I made when he was a baby, full of holes but must be there at bed time.

Dakota has his doggy & cheetah bear. Doggy used to be called Ruff, but now he is doggy. Imagine my horror on Friday after coming home from getting my nails done to see doggy laying on my couch. Dakota long since left to go back to his mom's house.

Soon, my son told me that he left doggy here so I could "down load" him. Smiling I realized the kid pays attention, he knows that the computer is place for me as his grandma who LOVES to post important pictures...of well loved items...so here is Doggy Ruff...Dakota's bestest friend...

here I go again...

Can you feel my excitement??!! My header pic is me and my brothers Ken and Chris. My other brother was not invited to the wedding as he has some issues that I did NOT want to deal with on my son's day. I was not going to babysit my own brother on my son's day...no way. His children both attended and agreed with me. I love the header pic too, taken by my dear husband who with old man glasses perched on his nose took pictures for me. I danced, pranced and had a blast!

The above picture is of the group including parents, step-parents and parents of the children in bridal party. The little girl sang the new Taylor Swift son at the reception and made my stepson Jim cry.

Funny how gatherings such as these bring out the LOVE! My son is a lucky guy...he did not have as many family members attend as his bride, she had cousins o' plenty, he had many high school friends as well as frat guys from Purdue all with spouses...and he had us, the ones that love them best! <3

more wedding stuff

I love this medium of the facebook and the internet! Already pictures of the wedding are being posted! The photographer is a friend of my new daughter in law (I love that!) and she has already posted a sample of the wedding album...

Here's a peek!



The church is located at a muesum...so lovely...and breathtaking...

Wedding weekend was AWESOME!

A wonderful wedding weekend...plenty of family, friends, food and fun! Thank you for all the kind words!

today's the day!

WEDDING DAY!! SUNNY 70's, tropical breezes from the south (very un-November weather for Northern Illinois, a happy couple .... and God's blessing... Here we go....

girl day...

Liz & I spent the day at the nail salon. A pedicure and nails (fake ones), and lots of girl talk, next came dress rehearsal and a feast to top off the evening. Now I am off to bed.

Wedding bells tomorrow!

Tim

My son Tim and I February of 1982...seems so long ago, and another lifetime. Do I still know this girl? She was so young and had so many ideas! I think I am basically the same just older, wiser and take less crap than I used to!

This kid is the same...wonderful!

t minus 3 days

Three days until Tim and Kristen's wedding...

kids say the darnest things...

I forget just how literal kids can be...for instance...this evening Jacob and Dakota (who now occupy Liz's old room) wanted me to watch a movie with them before they fell asleep. I told them that when they got settled we could do just that. Soon I hear Jacob say to Jeremy, "dad what do I have to do to get settled?". funny...

Today I did my last school of evacuation drills. I did nearly every one of the 19 schools over the course of a month. I saw many of my old faces...one today made me very happy. This boy is now in kindergartner, but when I drove him he was a preschool foster child who was very very hard to deal with. He used to spit at me, curse my out, throw his shoes at me...name it he did it. Now he is a sweet faced smiling pretty darn close to being appropriately behaved kid. Miracles happen and this kid is one...

flowers and working boys...

My life is moving onward...this flower for instance is a mum which I bought 6...lovingly planted them or put them in pots...when the concrete was poured for my sidewalk my mums were covered in flakes of concrete...I noticed, the men did not...when I noticed I told my husband proudly..."you are sooooooo lucky that I am not a girly girl... "?"...on my husband's face...I am not a girly girl but I do love my girl things...but am not afraid to get dirty. My mums are fine, and I have a new sidewalk. Behind the plant is the new paint on my house. The 19 days of rain this month have slowed the paint job. It'll it get done in time, the men do these things in their own good time...




My garage is now home to a "hot rod in the process", this keeps the oldest son busy, along with little Jake...he is Jeremy's little clone, always loving to help.



We have all fallen into a nice route, my family is becoming one big happy family once again. The boys spending the majority of their time here.

The other day while holding Dayton who was very tired from trick or treating he asked me if I could just tell Mrs H to wait a couple of hours for me to come over to work. He needed his grandma time. Precious moments that I gladly give this child.

This chapter of my life I am thoroughly enjoying...next up the wedding...

a post a day for a month

I am participating in a post for a day in November through NaBloPoMo...I did this last year and I figure it will jump start my lazy hiney into posting regularly. I have let life rush by me again ... I have allowed my circumstance to dictate my life. My circumstances have mostly been very good, but they are coming quickly...my youngest moving out, my son's upcoming marriage, being the grandma to my three grandsons (nearly every day), my stepsons moving in and cramming 5 peoples worth of stuff into my home, challenges that while are wonderful they are change. Change is change and it's always with some stress. The men folk do not understand why I cling to my things or why I get upset at their messes or my husband ignoring me for his sons. All these are feels of mine that do not necessarily require any sort of action on any one's parts, just understanding is all I crave. Besides all this I work 2 jobs plus...

So this is why I have always come here to my journal to have my own thoughts, thoughts that no one in this family will ever read...they are mine and that's that!

Curving fun...

Here ya go Paula...here's some grand kid fun...





I am so lucky and blessed to have these three around nearly every day of the week....these three were really wound up tonight...maybe the 30 days of nearly every single day of rain has finally did them in!




Nah they're just boys!

a lull in my month

been a busy girl this school year, been averaging 60 hour weeks, 6 days a week. doesn't feel like work though...mostly driving to a destination ... sitting, or taking a walk, always a nap, or reading...then load some kids and go home. sometimes they are stinky wet football players, sometimes screaming singing high school girls, or silent forced to think about their loss sophomores. i am lucky I enjoy my job. many of the children I knew long ago when I worked for the special ed co-op are now nearly grown, once innocent sweet 4 year olds they are now men or women going to high school ... struggling like any teen to fit in. they are still sweet though, most remember me.

i still see many kids I've driven in the past...they all still say, "Rose why aren't you are driver?". i always say, "maybe next year, kid, maybe next year..."

It's good to be appreciated....

making the effort

I have decided to make the effort to blog more often. I miss you all and I miss my expressing my thoughts...


Things are well here, 12 days until my son gets married.




My daughter plans on being moved out by Friday. Here house is adorable. It's small, but they put a lot of work into to make it there own. Liz and her boyfriend will both work and plan on attending the Northern Illinois University,soon. She turned 21 on the 20th and it's time for her to fly.


The little kids spend most of their weeks here. I am gone a lot on sports trips or work, but there is a lull between sports seasons so I was around most of Saturday and Sunday. The four of us watched a movie in Grandma's bed and had plenty of cuddle time. I am happy to be available for them. Plus I have my job, which I enjoy...I have cut my hours with Mrs H. Another girl needs the money so she took some of my days. I was getting very burned out there, so it was time for that too. It's all about the balance...

and family....

scary stuff...

The joy of boys...no pink princesses, no wanna be Brittney's not even a Hannah Montana...I have boys so with boys comes this...




and him....


oh and this little skeleton...



Thankfully, at the end of the day they all three want to cuddle with grandma...

a break...

I have been very busy...working mostly...I've done evacuation drills nearly everyday and sports every night...loads of hours. Sports are winding down for the fall season at the schools...except Football and that goes for a few more weeks. Next week I only have 3 trips instead of my normal 5. Evacuations are going on again and I am doing them every day. I have given up two of my four work sessions with Mrs. H, she is back to her "normal" difficult self and with my own life and my job I am too tired to deal with her and her demanding ways. Besides one of her old "girls" needs the money and she's filling in for my hours.

Actually, my life is pretty a-okay, it's in major change right now, but it's good. Liz will be moving about 45 minutes away in a couple of weeks, Jim and Jeremy are here, while they motivate my husband they tend to either kiss my butt or take over...either way my time with the grandsons is a gift to me and I can ignore there manpower moves. It's just male posturing anyway, I am used to it.

The weather her is so cold that it feels like late November. The time doesn't change until the first of November so I doubly feel confused especially with the hours I work.

Mark is working weird hours too. But the main thing is we are working and enjoying our jobs.

Tim and Kristen get married on the 7th of November, hopefully it won't snow on their Fall themed wedding!

I have yet to find a dress, either the stores offer short homecoming dresses or old lady styles. I'll keep looking. Can't wait to show off the finished product as I am having my nails done and letting the salon do my up do hair and makeup.

Other wise I had most of Saturday off and today was an easy day too. Tomorrow is a school holiday and I did not pick up any trips. The plan is for a much needed day off and a lunch date with the girls.

busy busy...

So much going on...mostly working...I did not take a route package. I am what is called a standby and a sub for mid days. Translated in normal people terms...I basically sub set hours and get called in for mid days. I get a lot of athletic trips and so far I am working more hours than I used to. This includes Saturdays. It's fun and I enjoy the change.

Liz is moving out next month and the two older stepson's are moving in. I will see the grand sons much more as they will living here also, part time...this should be interesting.

My oldest stepson does motivate my husband and so far the list of home repairs is shrinking, including having my house painted.

Mrs. H is become more confused but is still too healthy physically to pass away...I still work for her.

I will try harder to post...I miss my journal!!!

Back to school!

Hubby got a job, truck driving for Target stores, and home every night. He asked me if he could go racing with his nephew and I said, "get a job first". so he did...wish everything else in life was this easy!

My stepson is laid off so he has been helping Mark with the many repairs around my home. Liz is moving in a month, so I will have an empty house at least for now.

I am working stand by driver and driving nearly every evening for sports trips. I did this by choice, variety and more money.

With the grand kids nearby and a wedding in November I am feeling HAPPY and Blessed!

Change

Lots of changes are going on here, again...mostly my husband's job, again. But as always we will survive, we always do. It's just aggravating how it came about...truck drivers are supposed to be recession proof right? His layoff is for the best...first the construction job then the mail job. The route at night in the winter is dangerous and I was getting weary of going to events with out him.

He will get another job, we have a cushion money wise and we have survived worse. My job is secure for 3 years, we got a good contract, I am fortunate. My seniority will afford me the pick of lots of extra work. I still have my job with Mrs. H.

We are both looking at the little things once again, each other...the kids, we spent the evening with the grandsons at the fireworks...I am blessed.
One door closes...another opens. Husband already has two leads on two jobs...once again Everything will be all right!

With a little help from my sweetheart of husband, some humor, a few tears and hugs we got through the weekend. Meanwhile at the shower, the mom to be has grown up, she is less rough around the edges, more, you know mom-like. I guess baby hormones will do that! My bus driver friend is a wreck, but she too will survive. Her son is a rock and a new graduate from high school he is old enough to be of help to her and her younger daughter.

Mrs H is fading quickly and as others have said, I too will live my little old lady days as I live my life now full of life and spunk! But I will be as supportive as ever to this lady. She deserves all the dignity that can be offered.

Thank you so much for all the kind words. I can always count on my blogger buds to be loving and supportive!

you just never know....

Life is hard to figure out...Mrs H the 95 year old lady I work for on the weekends is tired of life and wants to die. Her family does not want to put her in a Nursing home, because she'd really be unhappy and end up calling them at all hours to get her "out of HERE!". I've explained things to her, how much better it is to be at home where she still has some sort of control, but she's tired of living. But still she's here...

Yesterday I went to work and found out a favorite driver of mine husband had had a heart attack and died straight away at their home. He was also an owner operator of a dump truck as was my husband. A hard life an owner operator always busting butt to make the money to support a truck and a family. He was only 46.

My friend J's daughter is having a baby girl, her shower is Sunday. Imagine my fun buying for a girl, crotchet a pink blanket after so many boys. Before the shower I will attending the wake for my friend's husband.

So many emotions...life is such a paradox.

Dayton's 3 on Tuesday!

Tuesday Dayton will be 3. His daddy got him this cool "dirt bike" I asked him what he wanted and he said " a shotgun"...NOT!

Boys will be boys...but Grandma knows what toys hold up and will be continued to be played with. Mark and I will be looking for some other sort of toy. He really likes the army figures or motorcycles. This kid is his own best friend and left alone he will play by himself until one of his older brothers butts in.

Dayton went through the I HATE YOU stage. I used to just say to him, "ok"...then he'd say "me not hate you, I love you" so I'd say "Dayton I just love you" and he's say, "ok..." gotta love the grand kids! They only stay little for so long. 4 1/2 year old Dakota is way to grown up for baby phrases, even if I ask him to be little. :::sigh::: they grow up too fast!