settle down

that's what i feel like i am doing these past few days .... just trying to get the dust to adjust, you know?

i don't mean to be disappearing (as if anyone noticed! :-) but i am seriously just coordinating life as we know it right now.

so bullet points it is as i don't know where to connect all these dang dots!

* sean & cam were sick with the ick last week while i was away (no guilt there, nah ... none... nope) they are feeling better, sean seems to be lingering on with the "snoggy nose" as we call it here
* kendall started the illness this past saturday and had her first EVER day out of school monday. came home early today still "snoggy" and headache-y. hoping for better tomorrow
* the hockey thing (have i even mentioned that here?!) is all consuming. in a nutshell? we are shifting leagues to give cam a more competitive arena to play in, and better players, and the backlash from his current coach has been painfully and shockingly awful. ab.so.lute.ly.awful.
* sean is awaiting word on this amazing opportunity he is pretty sure will shake out his way with this foundation and fundraising gig that should be just a perfect fit. keep your fingers crossed for him, yes?
* cameron found a new obsession Diary of A Wimpy Kid series. devoured the first book in two days. i just ordered the second one for Easter for him. comical reading, and perfect for the jokester.
* kendall has a "book in a can" project that she's doing ... it's a TRUE 2nd grade project. i bet i won't even need to be a part of it! woooohooooo!!! (you can assume here that previous projects have honestly been ones that NEEDED and required parental involvement because of the complexity. really, is it MY project or the kids????? i always make THEM do it though!) i'll take photos of this one!!
* school for cam has been much, much better. me thinks we needed a little vacation from school!
* i celebrated last week the events of 2007 with my company. i finished 2nd in the country for the 2nd year in a row. i was thrilled, and pissed all at the same time. aiming for #1 this year, NO DOUBT. i also received some honors: President's Club, 100% Club, and first in one of the sales categories. I placed in all 7 categories available, as well. kind of a cool way to finish the year, for sure.
* higgins will be a show dog! it's a very relaxed and NO pressure puppy showing with the breeder. we won't be doing the showing, she will, but it's at the National's here locally in May. he's very excited ( he told us, hehe). but i am pretty sure it'll be the first and last, as he isn't training for that, nor does she anticipate he'll be doing it past puppy stage (15-18 months) the kids are beyond thrilled! by the way, he turns ONE March 12th.
* i am officially entering the last MONTH of my thirties after tomorrow. oh sh*t. march marks a very pivotal birthday for me. wonder how i'll feel. hmmmmm

okay, that's the jumbled and messy thought pattern all bullet pointed for your reading pleasure.

i feel better. i may even have something smart to say tomorrow. doubt it, but i can dream.

in

made it home. happy to be here. had a blast, and enjoyed the time with colleagues.

planning to have a good weekend with some hockey and some rest with the family.

will be back in the swing soon, just needing to regroup.

chillin' in cali

literally .. it's fah-reezing here. i'm in socal, santa ana / huntington beach area and it's apparently relatively unseasonably chilly right now. however, it's warmer than home. by about 20 degrees. so, while not complaining, just wishing that the socal reputation was holding strong for us here ...

anywho - it's been good so far. i've been able to get to the gym twice already, and slept for 9 hours last night. not exactly a typical business trip, right?

heading to the steam room right now, and then we have dinner as a group with some "bonding" time afterwards - good stuff.

'til tomorrow!

swimming upstream

so i mentioned that i am still struggling with some things. i am. we are. sometimes it really does just feel like i am swimming upstream.

i know that life sometimes drops you off dowstream, and says 'yeah, here you are, you can do it, but i'm kinda betting against you. let's see whatcha got, k?' so, with that, there is an opportunity essentially to fight or to fly.

typically, i've been known to fight. i have a mission, afterall, a determination unlike most others. i have drive, and stubborness with a healthy dose of persistence, and i generally find a way to use it. my age, and maturity have guided me to use it wisely, however, i do use it.

lately, the stream is a very strong one. it's also striking when i am tired.

what's the struggle, truly? parenting questions, a 3rd grader that is sad, unsure, and having trouble with processing some things. a hockey player that is feeling controlled, and belittled, and a little man who is working hard to maintain a wonderful, yet fragile, self esteem. a little sister that is asking for time, and understanding from him, and sometimes, in his eyes, demanding things he can't deliver right now.

in a word or two. 3rd grade and turning 9 is a transition. 7 is a struggle. couple all of that with some stress, and unsuredy with a career move with daddy, and you have a high level of angst within the house.

we'll get through it. we will. talking, and discussing, and finding some peace to handle all of it will happen. we are a strong, and very well balanced family of 4 that will find the way to swim up that stream with ease.

we always do.

outa here!

off to the National Sales Meeting with my company in the OC. Looking somewhat forward to the get-away, but not necessarily to the get-away, you know?

anyway, i am packed, and almost ready to be gone.

stressful goodbye to the kids. still struggling with a few things. {sigh}

anyway.

i am off. i will try and post while i am away.

seeya!

my love

the love of my life ....

he makes me want to be a better woman, a better mom, and a better wife. while marriage is sometimes hard work, he gives me all the reason in the world to have fun with it, and enjoy the process. i love that we have a friendship first, and wholeheartedly commit to it. he makes me smile, he makes me laugh, and he makes me swoon.

i love you more today than i did yesterday, babe.

xo

p&p

push

pull

that's what we do ... daily.

all of us.

especially here in this house.

some days the pushing is hard. never physically of course, just "pushing" - buttons, and tempers, patience, and nerve endings.

some days the pulling is heavier - at heart strings, at souls.

lately i, well, WE, feel the pushing is ... outweighing the pulling.

it.is.exhausting.

{sigh}

this parenting thing is hard sometimes, you know?

smiles and laughter are cherished, and often, snapped up - like here:

and here:

juuuuust to remind me i did this whole thing for the joy of family.

needed this

go here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjXi6X-moxE

it's been around the block before, but it is so worth the look, and giggle, again.

trust me on this.

more pride

looks like i am shamelessly braggin' again .......

but i just cannot help myself. :o)

cam was invited to practice with an elite hockey team this evening. a team that has been seeking him out for three years. we on the other hand, were quite resistant for ... a variety of reasons. but this year, we caved.... for a variety of reasons. but one reason we caved was because we were told by this elite team coach that he didn't look as good as he had two years ago to him - that he hadn't progressed the way they thought he should have from two years ago. we were shocked, and saddened. so we gave him a shot, and wanted the coaches to have a look.

he rocked tonight. he was on fire. he had a mission, and there was no stopping him. i jokingly said in the stands watching the practice, 'gee, i wish that coach comes to us afterwards and says i was wrong, he looks super!'

and you know what - HE DID.

the coach approached us after and said that he was really pleasantly surprised, and clearly what he had seen this year at the games he watched cam was a kid that was 'flat' on the ice because of who he was playing WITH. the two games were with one of the teams that cam plays with, and the team itself isn't all that good. he was really impressed with him tonight, though, and made it a point to let us know how impressed he was. he was really excited to have him there.

we were so relieved, and thrilled, and excited for this kid. he was beaming, and absolutely loved the practice! he just comes alive on skates!

so, we're pretty sure he'll try out for the team, and likely be wearing some new colors next year.

so proud. and yet, all that trepidation is gone. it's the right thing for him. it's in his best interest.

so proud!

she rocked yesterday!! she was solid on all four pieces of equipment, and smiled the whole way through ... SUCH an improvement, and no doubt her hard work has paid off!

the flowers were from 'daddy and cameron - aren't they gorgeous, mommy!?' so we posed with them at the end of the meet ... and she has them in a special vase on the table for all to see ....

im telling you - amateur athletics at the youngest levels are the absolute BEST! my heart sings when they are so happy. and they are when they are doing things they love. this little gal isn't competitive though, no, she's not very much like her brother .... she likes to move, and have fun, and hang with her friends, but she doesn't care "who wins". she does it for the love o the movement ... and that is absolutely okay with me.

of we get these smiles, and this warm feeling from it - shoot, i'll do this all day! :o)

fun weekend so far ...

and we're only 1/3 through it! yahoo!!!

i had to work today in beantown (that's boston for those not familiar) at a big hospital of mine for a difficult airway education show, and it went beautifully. there is SUCH excitement about our McGrath videolaryngoscope, and it's really awesome to watch docs and nurse anesthetists become so impressed with the amazing little device that it is. especially when they SAY it in front of a competitive vendor who is there and very smug.

ha!

now, we're heading to the bruins' game with cam's team ... and gearing up for a really fun night!

tomorrow the little gal has a gymnastics meet, so photos are sure to be here! and then a hockey game of the big guy's later in the afternoon.

so, in all, just a family fun filled, little bit 'o work weekend!

happy saturday, and stay warm .... snow showers here .... brrrrrrr

a good dittraction from MY thoughts ....

** what's a "dittraction?" as i typed in my title ... ack. guess i am DIStracted, huh???

:o)

a "TWO FER" answering game .... from Nichole

Two names you go by mommy, karin

Two things you are wearing right sweatpants and longsleeve t-shirt (post gym workout!)

Two things you would want (or have) in a relationship honesty, and respect

Two of your favorite things to do laugh, and eat

Two things you want very badly at the moment wisdom and grace to make a decision about something

Two pets you have or have had Shatzie, my beloved first dog; Sasha, the family fabulous dog growing up

Two things you did last night emailed, and blogged

Two people you think will fill this out ? and ?

Two things you ate today activa yogurt, and thai noodles

Two people you last talked to one of cam's hockey coaches and sean

Two things you're doing tomorrow airway show in Boston, and going to the Bruins game!

Two longest car rides New England to Marathon Key, and Marathon Key back to New England

Two favorite holidays Thanksgiving and my birthday. What? It is a Holiday somewhere. :o)

Two favorite beverages water, and beer

Two people no longer alive who you'd like to talk to my grandparents (together in a conversation) and John F Kennedy

fun fun ... play along if you like~!

caliente chili chicas

yep, that's right.


the hot chili chicks!


how cool is that name? it's for next week's National Sales Meeting, and we have a chili cookoff and the team that I was placed on is all women. so, we are *working* the mexican vibe and getting the groove on. the plan is this: black mini, white tee, cowboy boots, sombrero, red apron, and chili pepper (tacky) jewelry.


oh, yeah, at that point, who cares what the chili tastes like, right!?


so, although she doesn't have all the trimmings - check it here:

i thought, personally, she was a terrific model for the aprons, and the pot was all her idea! :O) she loves cooking ... so, i am certain she'll snag this apron from me when i return. i won't tell her about my cowboy boots though ....

life here otherwise, as i mentioned in yesterday's brief (read:lame) post has been very thought provoking.

the little man is having some struggles again with school - nothing major, nothing awful, but he is still struggling with controlling himself, and buckling down with work. he is getting reminded often, and had a mediocre report come home. so ... we've been dealing with that ... mess. it's a hard thing for me. i know she isn't terribly fond of personality in her classroom. cam has a BIG one of those. she isn't all that excited about the activity level of the boys. cam is a leader of the group when it comes to activity. i also know that she thinks he's reallllly gifted. cam was told this last night - i think i struck a nerve. we'll see.

additionally, we are at a crossroads with his hockey. it's time to make a decision to allow him the tools and resources he deserves to have with the skill he possesses on the ice. we've been apporached by a better team and organization over the last few years - each time, we are grateful, but politely refuse because we feel obligated, and overwhelmingly loyal to the organization he's been with for years. we received a call from them again yesterday, but this time it was of concern. they've seen him recently, and he hasn't progressed the way they thought he should have and it's likely the level of play he's been exposed to - it's sub-cam-level. if we are ever to think that he can play in this "elite"- ish league, waiting will do no good at this point. it will be detrimental and possibly damaging. so, now, we have some decisions. we discussed, and he is interested in exploring the options. he is mulling it over, and likely doesn't fully comprehend the consequences (which are limited truly to his changing the circle of friends he has currently on his team to that of the kids that are on the other team - not all that horrible when you're 9, right?) but even without fully digesting what it all means - he is interested in going to that arena. so, we'll see.....

on another note, i had a great day in the field today! my first real field ride with a potential candidate for the Albany NY position that i will be the trainer for. he was lovely. young, aggressive, and hungry. smart, and articulate, and clearly a quick study. i liked him, and i liked the opportunity to be with him in the field. we're both looking forward to the next step.

off to read and relax (gettin' ready for the cross country flight next week!) ... :o)

long day

spent talking and processing some info for the big guy and hockey for next year. it's a process for sure ...

but i have a busy day tomorrow with work, so i'll be back tomorrow evening.

g'night

easy peasy chicken pot pie

seriously - this might be the easiest recipe i have ever tried for this dish. we are big fans, and i mean BIG fans of this yummy goodness, so i try it often. with the limited choices my kids and hubby have for vegetables, i have to find recipes that allow me to pick the veggie inserts.

so here it is: (and these two photos were prior to baking ... sorry i never even though to snap a few shots while preparing ... amateur, huh?)

1 - 2 16oz cans of buttermilk biscuits

2-4 cups boneless cooked chicken

16 - 32 oz of prepared white chicken gravy (prepare according to package with milk)

semi-thawed veggies of your choice, or freshly cooked veggies

cheaddar cheese, grated

crispy onion decoration (optional)

preheat oven to 400 degrees

take the buttermilk biscuits and press into baking dish, or separate individual dishes. be sure to have some come up along the sides as this will be the crust (i used 2 larger packs of biscuits, and had some leftover for a second dish)

cut and cube chicken, cook thoroughly in pan on stove

prepare the chicken gravy in separate pan

warm frozen veggies / cook fresh veggies

once the gravy is ready, add the chicken and veggies to the gravy on the stove

take mixture and poor into baking dishes

bake for 15-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown

remove and add shredded chees, and onion topping, bake for 3-5 minutes until melted.

serve. enjoy!

my three picky eaters sure did! and even asked for more last night, and then some for lunch today! ;o)

gamer

so, the little man (or big fella depending on the day, here) is feeling better, and seemingly recovered from the GIANT disappointment from yesterday's Super Bowl. He had a great day at school he said, mingled with friends, laughed, went to art class, and had a substitute teacher ...... and found a way to get through the heartbreak.

and ... he made this during "free create":

that right there is a hockey rink, complete with players, coaches, and goaltenders.

it isn't regulation size, of course, but what it is is a creative mind with juices flowing - and a wee bit of an obsession right now .... we're entering hockey playoff season now for him, and his two teams are in the playoffs. one is seated well in one division, and should be a contenda' and the other is.... not so much (a bit more challenging of a division, and the team he has there isn't exactly made up of studs, so to speak, so it's more fun than anything ... and he is enjoying the different coaching thing)

he is actually busy right now, as i type, in the dining room madly creating a larger version of the same thing.

i wonder if he'll need larger .. eraserplayers for that one? :O)

i love creative minds .... and sporting minds just make me smile ... especially of the amateur level - for the love of the sport.

hope your monday was a fun one!

bummer

in a big fat way.

there are some long faces here at this house. my hubby isn't really all that surprised, because he said the Pats played terribly. the Giants wanted it more tonight.

cam however, is a completely different story. i have no doubt he will remember this loss for the rest of his life. he went to bed very sad.
:O(

poor fella.

this and that

so ... hi!
i find myself feeling compelled to write here. it's weird. i blogged every day in january, and now i'd like to try and stick with it this month. i won't go as far as saying that i'll do it for 365 or anything, but i will take it a month at a time ( a wee bit better goal setting for me - 30 days at a time versus 365 days, yes?). what i want to avoid is mundane, boring but write-to-have-a-blog-post kind of things. oh, yes, it'll happen i know. and truthfully all (three!) readers of this blog will just be waiting on the edge of their seats for the daily installment ... i know, i know. i promise to be cognizant of that and get here for the comitment i am making. heh. ;-p

seeing that you haven't had a higgins picture in a little bit here - i think since the paw measurement photo yes? well, this one here, this'll do, i think - yes? let me tell you about this one.

this fella is a love bug - he spends lots of time with us. right next to us. in the room, underfoot, and nearby enough to keep us in contact with him. i was meandering about the house on this particular day, cleaning up dustbunnies, and kids items, getting things "in their place" - you know, just orgnizing. normally, i am watched - verrrrry closely - with big brown eyes. if i go from one spot to another, he follows me everywhere i go, from room to room, lumbering in, and then collapsing with a loud thud. his eyes always on me.
then, as i finished in the 5th or 6th room i was in, i noticed he didn't follow me in that one. i was surprised, but thought, he must be sick of following me, wondering why i wasn't stopping to snuggle or rub his belly. so i walked back to the kitchen area, and noticed he was stretched out across the floor covering a fair amount of space, almost saying "come on by, i'll notice, and follow you again, but i just needed to rest for a second." but his attempt at just 'resting' turned into a little catnap. he was snoozing - snoring and all. i grabbed my camera and snuck up on him. snapped it and the dang flash woke him - or at least startled him. one eye opened all the way, the other just a tad. after the shot, he slowly closed his eyes and went back to sleep - immediately snoring again. i couldn't help but lay down, and snuggle. he just makes me happy.

h.a.p.p.y.

he has been such an addition to this family. he brings so many things, one of which, is serentity. he is so calming, and gentle, and sweet. and, he needs a bath right now so badly. :o) me thinks that he'll be visitin' a professional location for that activity. gone are the bathtub days for us, here!

and then there's this shot. i love this shot. totally surprised at the way this turned out. what i love so much about it is this: it sits on one of my many shelves that i have decorations on. this shelf has pictures, i have lots of photos around the house. this particular shelf has a photo of the 7 grandchildren. in front of that is the word Dream, on a little statue. i think it's the fact that the picture of the kids is out of focus, but you know what it is (well, i do, and now you do since i told you) and then the inspiration is right in front.

with all the things that have been swirling in my head about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness - i find it so poignant that those 7 faces are so close to that wonderful word - that thing that i hope for each and every one. they are all told consistently that anything you want, anything you desire is within reach, but it's up to you to go for it, and to work hard for it, and just dream about getting it in your hands.

don't ever, ever stop dreaming .....

answers

these little games are fun sometimes, and i like what they can reveal (mostly because i get to control the answer lol!) but my friend Nichole did this, and i laughed out loud at some of her answers ....

silly. time suck. entertaining. and fun. :o) that combination makes for an enjoyable time answering these questions ....

play along, it'll be fun!

1. If your doctor told you today that you were pregnant, what would you say? *gulp* uhm ... really?! that's a ... surprise!

2. When was the last time you flew in a plane? November 2007 to a meeting.

3. What did the last txt message you sent say? "yup, me too. meet u there." it was to my friend as we were meeting up at the gym today, usual time.

4. What features do you find most attractive in the preferred sex? tush. hands down. but eyes, and back, and arms/shoulders are right up there fighting for #1.

5. What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future? to send my manager three emails with my "plan of attack" for three different topics.

6. Shoe size?9 and a half

7. Been to Mexico?Yep- several times actually. most recently last January.

8. When is the last time you had a massage? probably 8/10 months ago???

9. What was the last TV show you watched? the show that Wayne Brady hosts - there was an 11 year old adorable boy on last night that was rockin' it, and y hubby told me to come and watch him. dunno the name of the show though.

10. What are your plans for the weekend? gym, take the little one to gymnastics, 2 hockey games, and SUPER BOWL watching, baby!

11. If your significant other asked you to marry them today, what would you say? I'd say - "absolutely! I'd do it all over again with you! So - where's the trip after I say I do again?!" ;-P

12. What is in the back seat of your car right now? the back seat? two sets of headphones for the DVD player. and two bottles of water. The way back - work stuff.

13. What were you doing at 8am this morning? chatting with some asnesthesiologists about the videolaryngoscope we have.

14. If you could marry any celebrity today, who would it be? marry? i don't have an answer for that .... meet and get to know? that's a different story! but I am married, and very happily so I don't think I could ever answer that.

15. Have you ever been to a strip club? yes, and had a BLAST!

16. What is the best ice cream flavor? anything OTHER than chocolate. really, anything!

17. What is the last sporting event you watched? a hockey game of my son's.

18. Ever go camping? oh, yes, several times. I visited 26 states by car and camper before I was 16 years old. I'm a pro. :O)

19. Last phone call? to an account to discuss a purchase.

20. Are you allergic to anything? allergic, no, but I am lactose intolerant.

21. What is one thing you learned about life recently? that I need to drink in every moment as if it were the most important moment - and live life FULLY - everyday. (see post below)

22. What do you do at work? make friends, communicate, laugh, sell, instruct, teach, ask, learn, answer.

23. What is your mom's name? Denise

24. Ever cried for no reason? absolutely.

25. Can you do the Crank Dat dance? perhaps ... never tried, but it doesn't look all that challenging. :O)

26. What is your favorite color to wear? orange

27. What is the longest plane ride you have ever been on? 10.5 hours - Hawai'i from the East Coast.

28. What is the longest road trip you've ever taken? New England to Florida - several times. Good laughs!

29. What are your turn-offs? selfishness, arrogance, in-your faceness.

30. What was your last alcoholic beverage? a yummy beer.

31. What are you craving right now? a meal that someone else will make and serve.

silly, right? happy Friday night!