2006 May Archive at Jenny On the Spot

Monthly Archive for May, 2006Page 2 of 3

Backdraft #12: Strawberries Instead of Flowers

Drafted on February 14, 2006

I bought strawberries as a special treat for the kids on Valentines Day - a “treat” because strawberries are not particularly inexpensive this time of year.

I took out the strawberries to rinse, and I heard such a squeal of delight come from the below the counter. It was Olivia - “OOOH, yummy strawberries! I looooooooooove strawberries.” When did she stop calling the “strawbabies”?

In a nurturing maternal voice reminiscent of June Clever I warmly noted, “I got these for you for Valentines Day instead of flowers - because I know you love them so much.”

With a tone of pure joy she gasped, “Yeah, and you can't EAT flowers!

Published

jennyonthespot

on May 12, 2006

in General, Mutha' Hood and Olivia

. 1 Comment

Backdraft #11: Decisions, Decisions…

Drafted on February 13, 2006

It was the night before Valentine's Day and it dawned on me I hadn't gotten any special little “somethings” for my kiddos. I had intended to run to the store on my own, but in a last-minute change of plans, Olivia decided to come along.

We browsed the picked through leftovers for a special cuddly creature for her sister and brother. She directed me in what she would prefer. Shortly before we headed to the checkout she ~~saw~~ heard a strange and wonderful noise.

You know those cheesy dolls/animals that shimmy and sing silly songs? That was what caught her attention. She decided we also needed to get the Cowboy Horse that sang Achy Breaky Heart for her brother, in addition to the stuffed monkey. I told her everyone could get one thing, and the singing horse was too expensive.

Her reasoning was sound, even persuasive. She said that Joel AND Lucy would love the music and would like to dance AND she reminded me I had the song on my computer (my dirty little secret is out). As she pondered it more, the horse would really be great because Lucy loves to dance now and it would make her dance.

I gave Olivia a choice - one small stuffed animal for each or everyone shares the singing cowboy horse. She decided she wanted her own animal. We headed toward the checkout.

“Acktcheee [actually] I fink we'll share.”

On Valentines morning we had giggling, hip swingin' kids - even tiny Lucy broke a huge grin and swayed to and fro. As irritating as that dancing horse is - it is perfect for this silly family.

Published

jennyonthespot

on May 12, 2006

in General, Joel, Lucy, Olivia and Spawn

. 2 Comments

I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against National City Mortgage

Thank you for using the Better Business Bureau’s Online Complaint System.
Your complaint has been assigned case # xxxxxxxx.
Correspondance regarding this complaint will be emailed to : xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Please print a copy of this for your records.

Filed on : May 11 2006

Filed by :
xxxx & xxxxxxxx xxxxxx
xxxx xxxxxx Ln.
xxxxxxx, Wa. xxxxx

Filed against :
National City Mortgage Co.
3232 Newmark Dr.
Miamisburg OH 45342

I used xxx’s to protect my privacy, but am using the name of the thief who is stealing our money - National City Mortgage. They don’t need my protection.

Why? Because this corporate beast that is bigger than my family will not listen to reason. If anyone has advice on what sort of attorney would handle disputes regarding a disbursement claimed (by National City Mortgage) to have been made… but never was… and now interest payments are being made… on amount never paid… and if payments are disconitued the loan will go into default…

If National City Mortgage is able to reconcile this dispute, I will happily report on it here. If they do not, how does a family protect itself? National City Mortgage has power because they could take our home, all we want is credit for the money not paid and have the interest we have paid on the amount refunded…

In summary - do not do business with National City Mortgage. Seriously, it will save you days worth of aggravation, frustration, tears and precious time…

How wrong would it be to include the email addresses of the people who won’t listen at National City Mortgage in Miamisburg, Ohio??? Oh, I’m not THAT angry - yet… OK, I am THAT angry, but I won’t, just yet…

Published

jennyonthespot

on May 11, 2006

in General and House

. 0 Comments

Backdraft #10: Learning to Read

Drafted on February 13, 2006

With the passing of each month, I have realized that my son will not learn how to read in kindergarten (half-day) unless I teach him. As sweet as the teacher is, and great as the school is, with only 2 teaching hours a day (figure in snack and recess and transition times, and not even disruptions) and 17 students, Joel's teacher cannot provide what he needs - focused one on one time.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by the greatest home schooling mothers in the world. My friend, Katie, gave me a book called Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons a little over a year ago. I misplaced it. It took me too long to give up on my search and buy a new one. However, I did it and Joel has worked his way through to Lesson 17.

This book is FABULOUS! I had a handed-down phonics program. We tried it, and it was great. However, it was overwhelming to me to break out the video and the game pieces and the posters and, I never became consistent with it. I have found success in this book because it is just that - one book! I needed few mountains to overcome in order to help Joel. Each lesson takes only 15 to 20 minutes. We have even done a couple of lessons in one day because he is so jazzed about learning new things and the success he has had.

Joel loves this book. He can hardly wait until the next lesson. He can't wait to learn a new sound or see how many new words he'll get to work through. He is giddy with excitement. I let him dig through it recently and it was almost like Christmas morning - “Oooh, I get this letter and then that one and then that ONE!!!”

Yep, this is definitely a book I give very high marks.

Published

jennyonthespot

on May 6, 2006

in General and Spawn

. 0 Comments

Backdraft #9: Olivia on Physiology

Drafted on February 12, 2006

Livi had fallen asleep on her hands. When she woke up her hands were asleep, She told her Daddy, “My hands are dizzy!”

Published

jennyonthespot

on May 6, 2006

in General and Olivia

. 0 Comments

Backdraft #8: Everything's coming up,

Drafted on February 7, 2006

Roses (strike-thru) Tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinth and other miscellaneous spring bulbs!

Published

jennyonthespot

on May 6, 2006

in General and Weeds-n-Blooms

. 0 Comments

Come on in!

Our front door is in - and I love her!

Published

jennyonthespot

on May 6, 2006

in General and House

. 0 Comments

Backdraft #7: Building Update

Drafted on February 7, 2006

The roof trusses for the house were delivered on the day of the big windstorm a few days ago. We were surprised they made it! The trusses are not up (at least they weren't yesterday afternoon), but all our windows came yesterday.

Postscript: It’s fun to look back and read about the progress of the house. Fast forward only 3 months ahead- today, and we are hopeful that drywall will start to go up on Monday!

Published

jennyonthespot

on May 6, 2006

in General and House

. 0 Comments

Backdraft #6: Windstorm 2006

Drafted on February 7, 2006

On the 4th we had the worst windstorm in 7 years. We lost power for nearly 48 hours, while others were out almost 4 days! Our home is surrounded by very tall evergreens. Fortunately, no trees fell on our home or car, but the front yard is a mess. At least one tree's worth of limbs littler our front yard, and one limb bent part of a roof gutter. We'll be burning that mess soon.

It is a pain to lose power and have the mess. I complain about it, but I love where I live. I love the fact my yard is full of natural green - with all the “fresh-cut” limbs it smells like Christmas when I walk outside. Some folks think we live “way out” here on the Kitsap Peninsula. Extreme Home Makeover built a home nearby and the show made it seem like we live in the middle of nowhere - needing quads to maneuver through the desolate terrain…

Losing power for such a length of time seems odd in this age of technology and fast-paced living. Every year we lose power - anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Where we live this happens at least a couple of times a year. But it's a trade I'll take. I can get a generator.

I can visit the “big and fancy stores” it just takes a bit longer with the ferry. We recently acquired an Old Navy and a Taco Del Mar, and simply due the fact we live in the Pacific Northwest we have 2 Starbucks in a town with a population of less than 8,000! So, with the exception of window shopping at places like Pottery Barn and Nordstrom, I don’t really feel like I have to “rough it”. I love the way of life here. My soul prefers to nestle in my small-town home, go to my favorite market and know I'll almost always bump into a friend,

Postscript: Since the writing of this post, we lost power another 2 times. One of which happened the afternoon before we were leaving for a trip to my parents. I had to pack dirty clothes, dirty bottles and it was the first time I packed in candlelight… Yeah, not so romantic…

Published

jennyonthespot

on May 6, 2006

in Family and General

. 0 Comments

Being 4 feels like jumping real high…

For my dear - it is all about the pink… or purple… or glitter… or sequins… or accessories… It’s about drawing, jumping, twirling, tumbling and tossing your hair… My darling princess, you find the beauty in everything…

I do mean everything.

Today, I walked in the room and heard you say to your brother, “Do I look bigger today?” I walked in the room and you turned to me and said, “Mom, look how high I can jump!” And you jumped - maybe not as high as it was hard, but it was a good one! I asked, “Wow! Why do you think you jumped so high?” I knew the answer, but I had to hear you say it, “Because I am 4 today!”

Joel took as much joy in your birthday as you. Everywhere we went, he told nearly everyone it was your birthday. He said to many, “Last night my sister was 3, then this morning she was… FOUR!”

Not only did you turn 4 today, but you accomplished a big thing too - you buckled your own seatbelt! You have struggled and struggled and have said, “I will be able to do it when I am 4 because I will be big…” You were right. When you got in the car today, I asked, “So, now that you’re 4, can you buckle your belt.” And just as if you had been doing it for months, you grabbed that belt and engaged that lock. You didn’t act surprised one bit. I exclaimed excitedly, “Good job Livi!!!” You simply said, “I did it ’cause I’m 4 now.”

The rest of the day you spent jumping - high, like a 4-year-old. We stopped to have “coffee” and I asked, “So, how does 4 feel?” Yous sipped some raspberry milk and said, “I feel like I can jump real high.”

Darlin’, we are so blessed that you are our daughter. You have given us far greater joy than we ever dreamed. You are imaginative, artistic, expressive, dynamic, passionate, snuggly (love those back scratches), tumbly, unhindered by dirt or goo, inspired by cups of water, danger is not an issue, and falling down is merely an opportunity to smell the grass… A dynamo - in pink :)

Happy 4th Birthday Olivia :)