Pain

Well, although I said I would not make any "New Year's Resolutions"... I have started a exercise class. I did it because I am very disappointed in myself. Several months ago I was very committed and lost a good "chunk" of weight... well, the holidays came and so did the holiday foods. On top of that football season ended, and that meant I was no longer walking 5 miles every other night while Emily was at Cheerleading practice.... and the pounds are creeping back on...

It is sad and hard when you work so hard, and then you stop...and well...that is where I am now.

But that is changing. I am taking exercise classes...called Zumba. I don't know what Zumba translates to...but I know what it means....... PAIN. It is a very fast paced...non stop dance type aerobics class. It is based on Latin dance....and has lots of fast footwork and hip twisting wiggling.

I am in the clas with abou 25 other women.... that I believe are in the same place I am. They are all employees of the school district.
My guess is that most or all of them are mothers who have let themselves get out of shape....never doing anything for themselves.... too busy working, packing lunches, baking for the bake sale, taxi-ing children to this practice and that game.... and now they are finally going to TRY to do something to better themselves.

Nobody in the class feels confident while doing the class. We all look very clumsy and outright silly. We all know it too...because we just look at one another, giggle a little and shrug our shoulders.... realizing we are all looking foolish ....together..... (it is kind of bonding)
I KNOW that I look foolish. I believe I look as though I a suffering from some sort of fit or seizure...as I flop around the gym...trying to catch up with the instructor...and catch my breath!

It is a 55 minute class with NO rests and no breaks. It is so fast paced....and yet the hour seems to drag...because I am in pain.

But I am so proud of myself....2 classes under my belt (large belt)...and I have completed both classes...I didn't quit.... I hung in there and finished the class.... and boy am I proud...and tired.

I know that I will hurt more tomorrow...but as they say "no pain, no gain". And although it would be nice to waltz into some doctor's office and have him prescribe a magic pill, or do some "procedure " on me to make me thin.....

I am earning this.... It will be hard, and I will succeed.... (even if sometimes it feel like I can't"

Now I am going to go put icy hot on my knees and a heating pad on my (fl) abs.

Happy Birthday to a Special Friend

Today is the birthday of a very special friend of mine. I will tell you that her name is Sara, and today is her birthday- but I won't tell the birthday #.... ( I should tell you because she is younger than me....)

I will tell you that Sara and I met at work...but became friends after Jake had her for a third grade teacher. (She is a great teacher...by the way).
That was just the beginning.
Since that time Sara and I have become quite good friends. There are 4 of us at work that pal around...and try to stay out of trouble.

Today is Sara's birthday- and I want to share with you why WE love Sara.

First and foremost- Sara is a sweet, warm, kind loving mother, teacher and FRIEND.
*** ok- enough of the mushy stuff--- I'm going to be perfectly honest....

Why we love Sara-
1. Sara is a conservative. conservative values, non rule breaker...conservative (we are alike)
2. Sara makes us laugh. Not the polite giggle kind of laugh- the snort out loud kind of laugh.
The -makes you cross your legs- kind of laugh..... Nothing is better than that.
3. Sara is a worrier- that is usually not endearing---except that Sara likes to worry about the
most improbable things.... like the world coming to a screeching halt...and she in not caught
up on laundry. (the world ending is not the worry---- it is the laundry)
4. Sara bounds into the room with such conviction...and then will look at you and say...
"I got nothin' ". (she has been likened to Kramer)
5. Sara will always make you laugh when you need it the most....and will cry along with you when that is the "appropriate" response as well- She is empathetic..... GENUINE.
and finally=
Sara is the kind of friend that you know you will have for life. The kind of friend that you will Always be able to turn to.... that will stay in your life for the long haul...
you know the kind....
the friend who will take you out to lunch at The Bread Company....
and will be the friend who will fish your false teeth out of your soup for you after they fall in with a loud splash!!~!!
That is my friend SARA.

I hope your birthday is WONDERFUL. You are very special friend.

1st Basketball game of the season - a WIN!

Click any photo to enlarge and view. The first game of the season. The boys were pumped and ready. The teams were matched up..and the excitement was in the air.
The grade level is a little spread out this year. Grades 5-8 play together. I wondered how that would play out. Jake is only in 5th grade, and hasn't hit a growth spurt yet...some of the boys are a head and shoulders taller than Jake..... but he held his own.

Jake and his cousin Dalen are on the same team....they are a force to be reckoned with. I think they enjoy the fact that the "Schmoll boys" are on the court TOGETHER.

The passes, the blocks...and ultimately the "Swoosh of the ball".

The final score: Home 25 Away 18 We won! V*I*C*T*O*R*Y.

Emily turns 13.

What girl doesn't LOVE flowers ?

The living room was expertly decorated by Jake!

Emily gets an exciting gift.

Emily turns 13. I cant hardly believe it, and I don't really want to accept it. I just can't accept the fact that I have a TEENAGE daughter. A TEENAGER!

Emily's birthday began with a song - a birthday song- our family's own silly little birthday song. Emily had a good day at school. She was a little concerned that her math teacher would embarrass her by singing to her for her birthday(he has been known to sing to the birthday kid)

He did in fact embarrass her- he sang to her...3 times during math class.

Once I arrived home, we headed out for her "birthday dinner". Family tradition is ... "you choose dinner on your birthday".

Emily's choice - she wanted CRAB LEGS. So we headed to Red Lobster for dinner.

Dinner was good- but - Emily soon discovered that crab legs are - lots of work.

So when I finally finished cracking into all her crab legs...

she ate and we headed home for ice cream cake, and presents.

Jake surprised Emily with some new CDs she has been wanting. We also surprised Emily with a very special pendant. A snowflake pendant. A snowflake to represent her beauty and uniqueness.

Emily was also excited to learn that she will be taking a trip with her Granny . This summer she will get to go to a "working Dude Ranch" to "live like a Cowgirl". She will get to ride horses every day, round up cattle and eat around the campfire- for a chuckwagon supper.

I think she had a wonderful birthday. I hope her birthday was a special as she is to us.

THIRTEEN. I can't hardly believe it. My sweet little baby- THIRTEEN.

Happy Birthday Emily.

We LOVE our little SNOWFLAKE!

Emily's Birthday outing- Ice Skating

Just skating with my dad.

Speed Demon- Jake

Jake had a HARD fall.

THESE are JAKE"S KNEES!!! (someone thought the photo was of his behind...I promise- it's his KNEES.

We did not have school today- in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day- although Emily thinks we had the day off in honor of her birthday- which is only 2 days away. We took advantage of the extra day off of school/work. Emily decided she would like to spend her day ice skating. We have been ice skating 2 other times in the past 10 years. Not very often... wasn't sure how it would go.
It was GREAT. We had a great time !

We rented skates, (we being Rowdy, Emily and Jake). I used the out that I couldn't skate if I was going to take photos..I got this GREAT new lens for my birthday- and I haven't had an opportunity to try it out!!! ...the truth is that I used to like to ice skate- I was never very good...but I could do it.

But now that I have reached the ripe old age of 40- I think more about things like-

"what if I fall and break a hip.... then how will the laundry get done?"

So I was the photographer for the day.

We got everyone laced up and out to the rink...I snapped off the first photo- only for my camera to display in BIG red letters... NO CARD.

I forgot the memory card in the computer at home.

Now what. I encouraged the family to get out on that ice and I would be back in 15 minutes.

After a quick drive to Walgreen's... with a new memory card in hand. Now we were in business.

The kids did great! I had prefaced this whole outing with a lecture about "not expecting to be great at this the first time out" and how "getting frustrated will never get you anywhere".

All that was for nothing. They skated like we are regulars at the rink. I knew that Rowdy was a good skater- (he played hockey years ago and was quite good)....

but I expected the kids to be on their bottoms more often than on their skates.

I was wrong.

Rowdy and Emily glided across the ice like they were out for an afternoon stroll. Jake was a rocket. He hit the ice - full speed ahead... and never slowed down.

Emily fell once- and it was when she was holding on to the rail.... but only once.

Jake took a couple of spills- usually to his knees....but that mostly happened because he is a speed demon...and when someone slower was in front of him...he had a hard time stopping.

All in all it was a great afternoon. When the 2 hour session was over.... everyone was exhausted and ready for lunch. No major injuries (Jake may need to ice the bruised knees), and the smiles and laughs we wonderful.

Good idea Emily. Glad you wanted to ice skate for your birthday...

looking forward to more birthday fun in 2 days.... (can't believe you will be a teenager!!!!!!)

Pictures that make me smile!

I took these photos for our yearbook. For any of you that don't know, I work in an elementary school. My primary job is TLC. I work in the "health room" aka nurse's office.

Since it is a K thru 4th grade building, the majority of my job is band-aids, wet pants and lots of TLC.

I complain when I get thrown up on, when a teacher sends students to me who have tied their shoes together (for the 4th time in one day), or when I have a sweet little one on my cot who is burning up with a fever,and their parents have no working number at which to be reached....

at those times...I complain.

BUT...

truth be known, I do love my job. I love that the kids wave to me in the hallway...like they haven't seen me in years. I love that when they feel bad or just need a little care... they feel like I am there...just for them. I love that when they scrape a knee or elbow..they believe that I can make it all better!!!

in short...I love my kids. All 400 of them. (Ok there are 3 I don't much care for....kidding...joke).

Among my other jobs at my school- Yearbook photographer and editor . I sometimes complain about having the responsibility of creating an entire yearbook ...single-handed...but secretly,

sometimes I love it!(not often- but occasionally...like today)

My mission today was to take photos for the cover of the yearbook. I needed photos that screamed.....ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I love the photos. I think they make me smile because they say... my kids....at my school....

I know they probably won't impress anyone else....but they make me smile!

( I know there are two photos of the glue shelf...I accidentally uploaded the photo twice...and I don't know how to fix it.... ha)

Perfect Night

This is my beautiful daughter, Emily.

This is Emily's idea of a PERFECT night.

Rowdy and Jake had basketball practice tonight (Jake had practice-Rowdy was the taxi).

Emily took her shower, got into her comfy pajamas,

and curled up in MY bed with her favorite blanket and her e-book.

Most girls Emily's age have a phone or cell phone glued to their ear...or attached to their hand(for texting)...

for my Emily... it is her e-book.

It's not a bad thing. It is a great thing!!!

She makes me smile!

(Eddie and Simon agreed with Emily's theory- curling up (on the couch) makes for a perfect evening.

She really makes me smile!!!

It's your Birthday, It's your Birthday, Happy Birthday...Birthday, Birthday!

It's your birthday... Happy Birthday to Rowdy.

We surprised Rowdy this morning with the GIANT birthday sign.

We took him to his FAVORITE pizza parlor.

(does anyone still call it that or am I showing my age?)

We brought Granny along to celebrate....

We ordered sooooooooooo much pizza. (That just means left overs )

After pizza we went home to open gifts . Eddie (the dog)is such a big kid...he likes to help open gifts.

We all gathered in the living room for a movie. When the movie ended we enjoyed home made cherry cobbler. (Emily and Jake made it). The candles took so long to light... some melted into the cobbler, but it was still so good!

Hopefully daddy's birthday was a happy one!

Snow Day = Productivity

*****Snow Day********

The phone rang, the caller ID confirmed that it was our school district's automated phone message system.... "School will be cancelled tomorrow due to inclement weather".....

The joy, the excitement... we are gonna have a snow day. Then the flip side of those emotions...
I don't like making these days up in May...and heaven forbid we have to make up more...and there we are in school in June!!!

Well, the happy side usually wins out. I was excited to hear...snow day! And what would I do?
My first thought was...well...if we get snow, I will have to take the kids sledding.... great opportunity for pictures!... but then I watched the weather report...
wind chill advisory.... SUB-ZERO temps....
\maybe sledding is not such a great idea.
they would probably just assume stay in and play with some of their new Christmas toys...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I slept in until 6:30. I caught up on ALL the laundry in the house....even on sheets.
Then I attacked the job that can only be done when you are "stuck " inside, with no escape!
I cleaned out cupboards, cabinets and closets, and silverware and junk drawers. After the holiday season, I always feel like my cupboards and such are a mess... my cupboard is often an "avalanche" hazard.
It took most of the day... well...until about 2:00. Then I did something that I seldom do...
I sat down , by myself in my clean, freshly dusted and vacuumed living room....and
read a book until Rowdy got home from work.

How wonderful. I love when I feel like I have been productive. I guess because it doesn't happen nearly often enough.

It was a good day- the kids were great. they entertained themselves and each other while I did chores. (I think they were trying to be unnoticed- hoping I wouldn't give them a list of things to do..)

Snow days. gotta love 'em

Flashback : Christmas with the Schmoll Grandparents

(click on photo to enlarge)

Finally got the chance to upload photos from the "Schmoll Grandparents Christmas".

We met at Aunt Tammy's house and enjoyed a GREAT meal and yummy sweets for dessert.

We caught up on all the happenings, and enjoyed each other's company!

The kids ALWAYS have a fun time when together.... lots of laughs!

We all need to make the effort to get together more often... we always enjoy ourselves when we get together! the children are all growing up so fast.... it is amazing to see them together!

New Year

Happy Happy New Year!!!

Well, it is that time again. Time of renewal. Time to start over, fresh and new...
time to start over on Day 1.
Every year we all decide that we are going to make HUGE changes in our lives. We are going to be New and Improved! We are going to transform ourselves into exactly what we visualize as perfect!
HA.
Does anyones else HATE the idea of "New Year's Resolutions".... I hate them ...because they NEVER come to fruition. How many people actually made a "New Year Resolution" last year to...
LOSE Weight,
Excercise regularly,
keep a cleaner house
keep up with laundry,
spend more time with family,
spend less money
save more money,
volunteer more,
pray more,
curse less,
work more,
work less....ETC>>>>>>
Now how many people successfully obtained ANY of their resolutions...
My guess...NONE

I RESOLVE...
to make no resolutions,
to make no false promises to myself,
to make myself HAPPY... by not making RESOLUTIONS!

NO RESOLUTIONS means

I will be Happy because I have a WONDERFUL family whom I love and who loves me...
in spite of the fact that I need to lose weight, clean my house, keep up with laundry,volunteer more/less, save more money, pray more, curse less, .......

RESOLVE... Be HAPPY !!!!

Christmas in Memphis

(Click on arrow to watch slideshow...)

We gathered in Memphis again this year. Once again Mark and Anne opened their home to our large unruly family. Mark put up this amazing tent, complete with heaters, lighting and even red carpet. The weather, although cold, cooperated with us. We had a nice fire and the kids were able to play football and horseshoes. We all had such a wonderful time. We all ate and drank and caught up on stories and on each other's lives.

I wish we all lived just miles from one another. I wish I could spend time with my brothers and sisters-in-law. I wish these gatherings could happen more than just once a year...

I hope my brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, parents, grandparents, and lifelong family friends know that I love them all and miss them when we are apart.

Until next time...

Thank you for being my family.