P365 - 2014 - Day 90 - Finally.

P365 - 2014 - Day 90 - Finally.

Finally.  We finally have railings.  It has been 7 months since the deck on the existing front of our house was torn down to begin construction.  We were originally told this whole project would take 6-8 weeks.  No sweat.  No worries.  The contractor had been "doing this for 30 years" so we trusted his estimate of time to complete the project without nailing down an actual date.  It quickly became apparent that we should not have trusted his ability to correctly estimate the amount of time to complete this project.  Six weeks came and went and we still had some faith in the process as we were reminded time and again that he "had been doing this for 30 years" and we "are not contractors".  Eight weeks came and went and we were blamed for "changing" things - we didn't change things...as it turned out, there were many things not factored into the plans - such as new drywall in an entire room that was gutted.  You know, small stuff like that.  We did end up with a new floor on the first floor - that is true.  But that was because we were originally told by the contractor that we could piece in and add to the existing floor even though we were removing walls, taking out a bathroom, and adding an addition. Again, we had trusted that 30 years of experience to know that it would, in fact, be near impossible to add to the existing laminate wood floor that we had in our existing home.  So, at the last minute the 5 year old floor had to be removed and we had no choice but to pick an entirely new floor.  I was told I was being "difficult" when I asked for a time estimate as we slid past the original estimate.  I was told to "find something to do with my time" when I questioned the delays in the process.  When we questioned if we would be in our home for Christmas (which we were originally told "I don't see why not") we were told to "get that sh** out of our heads".  Wow - we were floored.  What professional speaks to customers that way?   To say that this process was not what we had bargained for, is a vast understatement.  After sixteen weeks (double that first estimate and still not complete), multiple "extra" invoices for things that should have originally been factored in (drywall and paint to name the most obvious) we had had enough.  We asked that the contractor finish what he had already begun and was responsible for - the electric, the plumbing, and a major leak in roof that caused interior damage after not being addressed properly when it was first reported to him - and we decided to handle the rest of the work ourselves by either doing the work or contracting it out elsewhere.  So, here we are 7 months from the beginning of the project - that's 20 weeks past the original estimate - can that be right??  We are still working on finishing some interior work and the front door still needs to be painted - but we finally have railings!  Finally.

P365 - 2014 - Day 89 - Spring inside

P365 - 2014 - Day 89 - Spring inside

It was still raining, The Boy and The Princess ended up at the doctor with strep, and My Wonderful Husband is only home for a day before heading back to work (and he isn't feeling so great either).  This day called for some flowers.  If Spring insists on stalling and not showing its face outside, then we will just have to have some Spring inside.  Thankfully My Wonderful Husband was on my train of thought when he came home with these pretty flowers.

P365 - 2014 - Day 88 - My pancakes

P365 - 2014 - Day 88 -  My pancakes

It was a rainy Saturday morning, The Bear was getting over being sick, The Boy and The Princess were not feeling great, and soccer was cancelled.  What better way to deal with all of that (and perhaps celebrate the day off...) than with a pancake breakfast.  My Wonderful Husband is usually the pancake man around here but he was still at a conference and I'm not too shabby in the kitchen...;-)  My pancakes earned some rav reviews from the critics so I was pretty happy...(darn competitive streak... ;-))

P365 - 2014 - Day 87 - two silly brothers

P365 - 2014 - Day 87 - two silly brothers

The Boy came home from school feeling under the weather, so he got in his jammies and hung out in bed with the TV.  That was until his big brother went upstairs....I heard the bass of some music pumping through the floors along with some serious laughing.  When I went upstairs to check on my "sick" kid, this was the scene I found...two silly brothers laughing, dancing, and singing.  Since The Bear seemed to have shared his germs with his little brother he also shared his philosophy with him - being sick doesn't mean you can't have fun.

P365 - 2014 - Day 86 - Oh Canada! (Guest Blogger - my Wonderful Husband)

P365 - 2014 -  Day 86 - Oh Canada! (Guest Blogger - My Wonderful Husband)

I always joke with my kids and my wife that I am from Canada.  I don't know why--ever since I was a little kid I have had a weird affinity for Canadians.  I cheer for their hockey teams, I like the sight of the Maple Leaf, and I like the accent.  I suppose some of it was my love for winter.  I skied, played hockey and just generally enjoyed the cold.  That has certainly changed, but I still do like Canada--despite the cold.  Last night I arrived in Toronto for the International Studies Association conference--first time here, so I was excited to see the city.  Unfortunately, I was also sick and getting sicker so my time spent out and about in Toronto was limited.  But in my walk back to the hotel today I passed the old City Hall building.  I thought it was a classic building and the perfect pic of the day.  So wave the Maple Leaf, drink a Keith's beer and sing Oh Canada in tribute to our northern neighbors.

P365 - 2014 - Day 85 - she loves to write

P365 - 2014 - Day 85 - she loves to write

The Princess was sitting at the counter working on her homework.  After verifying a few definitions of words with me, she had peeked my curiosity...In the end, this was the story that she wrote with her weekly spelling words.  I love her creativity.  I love that she loves to write.  I love that she used highlighters for her words... haha  and I think this is a pretty good story!!!
Just in case you can't read it....

Hi, I'm Lucy.  Things about me, I'm courteous with a great sense of humor. I'm very humorous.  I have the most ridicolous family ever.  That's the thing I'll be telling you about.  They're so weird they seem fictitious characters in a book.  Are they?

/I've been searching for an answer to this question.  I'm anxious to find an answer. /you're lucky I'm ambitious or I wouldn't have found out that my parents are fake!  What makes them unimaginable is their montrous appetite!  6 meals a day and they're still as thin as a pencil.  They eat no nutritious meals either,  They're not very gracious. What makes me curious is if my parents don't exist does that mean that I don't either?!

P365 - 2014 - Day 84 - training jackets

P365 - 2014 - Day 84 - training jackets

Their training jackets finally arrived!  These three soccer players were so excited!!!

P365 - 2014 - Day 83 - painting project

P365 - 2014 - Day 83- painting project

After painting the railing, I decided that all of the frames in the stairwell needed to be painted as well. Of course.  When is the best time to start a project like that?  A Sunday night at 8pm with one kid sick and a husband not feeling great and has to leave at 5am the next day. Sounds like as good a time as any.... The Bear stayed home sick from school today so after taking him to the doctor and making him comfy, I got back to my painting project....10 frames later, the stairwell is looking good!

P365 - 2014 - Day 82- "Being sick doesn't mean you can't have fun!"

P365 - 2014 - Day 82 - "Being sick doesn't mean you can't have fun!"

It turned out that The Bear was running a fever.  He spent the day resting...but by dinner he either had cabin fever or the actual fever was making him punchy.  He was certainly making himself laugh quite a bit.  That's one of his best qualities... not much gets him down.  He spent the day battling a fever and sore throat while his brother and sister went over to friends' houses and he was still his same silly self by dinner. When his sister said - "I thought you were sick." his response was "Being sick doesn't mean you can't have fun." - then he went and wrote his quote on the chalkboard in the kitchen.

P365 - 2014 - Day 81 - came to play

P365 - 2014 - Day 81 - came to play (photo credit - The Princess - my papparazzi in training)

The Bear has been pretty lucky in the cold/flu department lately.  He has had a good run of staying pretty healthy.  So last night when he said his head was hurting a little, I was worried.  He and The Boy both had a soccer tournament today and I knew that come hell or high water The Bear would want to play.  So this morning when he told me he was feeling fine, I was skeptical, but I know my kid and I knew that there was no point in arguing with him.  He was not going to let his team down and he was not going to let a little cold stop him from playing.  He seemed ok and he definitely came to play - he and his team along with his new coach (who goes by Dad in this house ;-)) won both of their games. (The Boy's team played two hard fought games as well, losing both by 1 point each)  But by the time we got home, The Bear went to lie down for awhile, hardly ate dinner, and as I type this now, he is already asleep in bed.  Hopefully he wakes up feeling better tomorrow.

P365 - 2014 - Day 80 - Fun in the Sun Day

P365 - 2014 - Day 80 - Fun in the Sun Day

I am so glad that the kids'school still finds time for fun and games.  In honor of the reopening of the LBI grade school this week, the teachers planned a "Fun in the Sun" day of team building games and activities.  They asked the kids to dress "for the beach" for their fun day.  The Bear, The Princess, and The Boy were very excited this morning as they left in their board shorts, East Coast shirt, rash guards, and shades.  They were even more excited when they came home telling us all about their day.  Once again, I am so glad that we made this move and my children can have the school experience that I always wanted for them.

P365 - 2014 - Day 79 - I was on Pinterest...

P365 - 2014 - Day 79 - I was on Pinterest...

I was on Pinterest last night... you know what that means... by the time the kids were off to school, I had the drop cloth and paint out.  I lived with the banister all white for a while but I really wanted to add the black.  I am super happy with the way it came out.  Now, we just need to finish painting the walls, take down that old hand rail, and add board and batten to that side.  Stay tuned for the finished product. :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 78 - put this winter behind us

P365 - 2014 - Day 78 - put this winter behind us

In honor of the last day of winter, regardless of the still somewhat chilly temps and left over snow on the ground, I put on my shorts, put some Jimmy Buffett on Pandora, and went for a run.  As I ran I used positive visualization and as Jimmy sang about being on some island somewhere I imagined that this island that I am on was actually warm.....  I almost had myself convinced that spring is coming. Almost.  I am ready to put this winter behind us... I am ready for that warm island that Jimmy was singing about.... :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 77 - That gate better watch its back

P365 - 2014 - Day 77 - That gate better watch its back

So, as I said yesterday, I had a run in with a gate.  I mean that quite literally...I was taking the dog out through the back gate, when the wind, the leash, or some other force of nature caused the gate to slam into the side of my face.  I blame the snow of course.  Because it was there.  Do I need any other reason to blame the snow?  It hurt like heck all day yesterday, I had a cut, and the entire side of my face felt swollen. When I woke up this morning my eye was already turning a  lovely shade of blue.  Within a few hours, it matched my purple top.  My first black eye - awesome.  That gate better watch its back.

P365 - 2014 - Day 76 - Lucky Enough

P365 - 2014 - Day 76 - Lucky Enough

The day did not start off too lucky... it snowed. Again.  School was closed. Again.  It was supposed to be the first day back at the LBI School - the governor was coming and there was going to be a ceremony.  All cancelled due to the snow.  Our kids were sad - but for the kids that have been here waiting since the hurricane to be back in that building - disappointed doesn't say enough.
After finding out school was closed, I went outside, in the never ending winter wonderland, to take the dog for a walk and the latch on the gate blew in a gust of wind and slammed into the side of my face.  It was shaping up to be a craptastic day.
I had no intentions of taking the kids sledding - my head hurt and I reeeeealllly didn't want to embrace this latest snow storm.  But with the possibility of a mutiny on my hands, I agreed and met our neighbors for some beach sledding.  It was cold and windy - we almost lost a sled when it blew down the beach - but the luck of the Irish was with us and The Bear was able to run five blocks down and catch it.  It wasn't the best day for beach sledding and while I would much rather be at the beach for an actual beach day instead of the sledding we have been doing up there, I looked at this picture that I got and was reminded that, either way, I am just glad that we are here.  As the saying goes, If you are lucky enough to be at the beach then you are lucky enough.  So, while I am unwilling to embrace this snowy weather - I can embrace the fact that we are pretty lucky!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

P365 - 2014 - Day 75 - March Madness

P365 - 2014 - Day 75 - March Madness

Appropriately named.. March Madness is upon us.  The boys' brackets were printed, filled out, and hung on the fridge within minutes of the selections... (My Wonderful Husband will have to fill his out when he gets back home)  The television will soon be showing nothing but basketball and much of the conversation in the house will revolve around teams.  There is no money on this mind you ... but it's serious nonetheless.

P365 - 2014 - Day 74 - time management

P365 - 2014 - Day 74 - time management

It was a beautiful day outside - I got to run and the kids played outside.  After lots of time in the sunshine and fresh air, these two came inside and finished their book reports that are due next Friday.  As I said in an earlier post, spring soccer is here ....you saw the calendars. There are just not enough hours in the day or the week to not plan ahead.  So these two got a lesson today in time management and I am very proud of them for getting this done while still enjoying the beautiful day!

P365 - 2014 - Day 73 - This basket

P365 - 2014 - Day 73 - This basket

This basket and I have a showdown going on.  I don't mind washing and folding clothes and putting them away... I even actually like to do laundry...mostly.  But the socks and underwear and I have a long standing issue.  I hate folding them.  I hate matching socks.  I hate that no matter how many times I ask my children to not throw balled up socks into the hamper, they continue to do so.  After washing those balled up socks, they are either a) still balled up or b) inside out.  Even more than matching and folding socks, I hate turning socks right side out.  I have no rational reason for the amount of irritation that this task gives me.  It just does.  So, the basket tends to sit. And stare at me.  It's time to tell the kids that this is strictly their job.

P365 - 2014 - Day 72 - spring soccer is upon us

P365 - 2014 - Day 72 - spring soccer is upon us

This spring all three kids are playing in Sunday travel leagues.  My Wonderful Husband is coaching The Bear's team and he is still coaching The Princess' old team that plays on Saturdays.  When I finally had all three of the kids' game schedules and the practice schedules, I started the arduous task of writing out the calendars from now until June.  I still need My Wonderful Husband's schedule for the other girls team, but I started by color coding what I had.  This is what our calendars look like for March, April, May, and June... and that is just soccer.  Now don't get me wrong... I love that the kids love this.  I love it too - My Wonderful Husband is thrilled to be coaching and he certainly loves it.  I am just staring at these calendars trying to figure out when homework gets done, when I feed my family, and when I actually leave the soccer fields....Sundays will be spent juggling three games sometimes in three locations... some Saturdays will spent at tournaments.. with the hope that at least some weeks we will have a day of rest. So while the Spring season seems to be making a very slow appearance, spring soccer is now upon us.  If you need me from now until the end of June, I will be on a soccer field...somewhere in NJ.  But after that.... you will find me on the beach. ;-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 71 - book box

P365 - 2014 - Day 71 - book box

While The Bear was at basketball practice and The Princess was at soccer practice, The Boy worked on his book report for The Chocolate Touch.  He needed to do a "book box" filled with different items that represented parts of the story.  It was very cool to sit back and watch him go....he found things around the house and wrote all of the note cards.  He was very proud of his work and I was very proud of the job he did!

P365 - 2014 - Day 70 - she notices the beauty in a sunset

P365 - 2014 - Day 70 - she notices the beauty in a sunset

The Boy had soccer practice so My Wonderful Husband took everyone down to the field while I stayed behind to have dinner ready when they got home.  When they all got back, The Princess ran inside, grabbed her iPod, and said "I have to get a picture of that sunset - it is so beautiful!"  She got the photo and sent it to me.....  I am so glad that she notices the beauty in a sunset.  The world can be a beautiful place if you keep your eyes open and look for it.  I hope she keeps seeing the sunsets and keeps her eyes open for all of the beauty in the world. xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 69 - let me just finish juggling

P365 - 2014 - Day 69 - let me just finish juggling

With the kids' busy schedules, sometimes bedtime rolls around faster than you would think.  You blink and it's already getting late...but there was homework and practice, dinner and showers and not quite enough hours after school to fit it all in.  So, many nights I hear a laundry list of reasons why the kids are not ready for bed.  "Just one more minute..."  "Can I just watch the end of this show/game/whatever?"  "I didn't have hardly any time" "I need a drink"..... But when I walked into the boys' room it was the first time that I heard "Hold on, let me just finish juggling.  I am getting good."  Ok - you can have five minutes to perfect that - then off to bed.

P365 - 2014 - Day 68 - ironic

P365 - 2014 - Day 68 - ironic

Sometimes I find it strangely ironic that a self professed non-sports fan seems to attend as many sporting events as I do.  My weekends are spent at soccer or basketball, depending on the season (or this weekend - depending on the day).  The background music to my life these days is a constantly running parade of televised sporting events.  I know names of teams.  I even know who is playing at times.  If pressed, I could somewhat comment on players or positions or sports. I watched the Olympics for Heaven's sake.  My summers are filled with surfing and skimming and the occasional contest.  Now, by no means am I an expert.  What I am, is a Mom.  I am the lucky mom of three athletic children who fill their weekends with soccer or basketball, their summers with surfing and skimming, and their free time watching sports and playing outside.  Not only do I now fill my time watching these sports, I enjoy it.
Today was game two of The Shamrock Tournament for The Bear and his LBI team.  They suffered a loss, but played a great game.  One more game for this tournament before we are completely entrenched in soccer for the next few months.  This Mom had a great time cheering on all of the kids' basketball games this winter but  I sure am ready for the warmer temperatures and the change of scenery this spring...  and really looking forward to those summer sports that I get to watch from my beach chair. ;-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 67 - Never Enough

P365 - 2014 - Day 67 - Never Enough

It was a beautiful day...I realized near the end of it.  The Bear and The Boy both had an indoor soccer tournament all day.  The Bear and his team had a great first win, but unfortunately lost the last two games by 1 goal each.  The Boy's team made it to the championship game, but unfortunately didn't bring home the win.  It was a lot of fun for both teams and I was happy to be feeling well enough to make it to their games.  But I was pretty bummed to get home and realize we had missed some sunshine and warm temperatures on the island.  My Wonderful Husband and The Boy had the right idea when we got home - they headed right outside to soak in the last of the setting sun and of course play a little more soccer.  You can never have enough of either of those.

P365 - 2014 - Day 66 - All Star team

P365 - 2014 - Day 66 - All Star team

By Friday, I had a raging sinus infection and pretty much didn't get out of bed all day... but Friday was also the start to a weekend of tournaments - both basketball and soccer.  I missed the first of these.  The Bear was asked to be on an All Star team from LBI to play in the Shamrock basketball tournament.  The boys had a rough first game, but had fun and played their hearts out.  I'm sad I had to miss it (and all photo ops) - but I managed to get a shot of the jersey after the game.

P365 - 2014 - Day 65 - Happy Birthday!!

P365 - 2014 - Day 65 - Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to My Wonderful Husband!  We ALL love you very much!!

P365 - 2014 - Day 64 - The Matador Surf Kings

P365 - 2014 - Day 64 - The Matador Surf Kings

My Wonderful Husband participated in a fundraising dodgeball competition with his surf buddies.  The Matador Surf Kings did a great job and had a lot of fun.

P365 - 2014 - Day 63 - "new" show

P365 - 2014 - Day 63 - "new" show

The Boy discovered a "new" show...Gilligan's Island.  I loved this show when I was a kid and it does my heart good to hear him singing the theme song and laughing at the silliness.  I think we could all use a healthy does of silliness....

P365 - 2014 - Day 62 - this was a good one

P365 - 2014 - Day 62 - this was a good one

It snowed, school was closed, and My Wonderful Husband couldn't make it to work (and the campus was closed too), so we spent some time sledding at the beach and then came home to make My Wonderful Husband's homemade pizza.  The kids got in on the action - they rolled and tossed the dough and spread the cheese and toppings.  I do hate snow and I am over snow days... but overall, this was a good one.

P365 - 2014 - Day 61 - make my feet happy again

P365 - 2014 - Day 61 - make my feet happy again

With the weather report calling for more snow and cold temperatures, I was determined to find a new pair of slippers.  Thankfully, among all of the flip flops, bathing suits, and shorts (that I feel like we will never need) there were a few pairs of slippers... I snatched them up and brought them home to make my feet happy again.

P365 - 2014 - Day 60 - Love those imaginations

P365 - 2014 - Day 60 - Love those imaginations

It was a rare Saturday morning with no plans.  No soccer, no basketball.  Nothing to do.  The perfect time to use your imagination.  I am so glad that our children still take some time to use their imagination.  The Boy came downstairs dressed like this - with a backpack on that was filled with all sorts of things, gloves, a hat, shades, and a flashlight.  The kids were playing "The Nico Games", planned by The Bear.  It kept them busy for some time before they headed outside to play.  Love those imaginations.