Heads up….

Just giving everyone heads up…..Logan is signed up for drivers ed!  Classes start July 7 !

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As most of you know, Tyler plays on a semi-pro football team.  The team he plays on is called the Kimberly Storm.  For those interested their schedule for the rest of this season is as follows:

Saturday  June 19 4:00

Kimberly Storm  vs  Eau Claire Crush at the Papermaker Stadium

Saturday  June  26 Away

Saturday  July 10 4:00

Kimberly Storm  vs  Fox Valley Force played at the Banta Bowl

Saturday  July 17 4:00

Kimberly Storm  vs  UP Artic Blast at the Papermaker Stadium

Their team website can be found at…..

http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?cmenuid=1&url=newstorm&sid=138930476

Things Learned

Things I have learned over the last week:

Never under estimate the power of parenting.  You don’t realize the effect of your parenting on your children until they get much older.  On the way to the store the other night with Brooke we saw a car stranded just under the viadock on College. Now this was later in the night like midnight.  Not many other cars on the road…Brooke wanted and begged me to stop to help the person.  She pleaded her case with reasons why we should have stopped to help and then she did the….”what if it would have been one of us?” ……and “remember when you and the 4 of us kids were on 41 and the van broke down and we had Taz with us and you used your work belt for a walking leash for him and a guy helped us and brought us home?  He didn’t know us mom and he still helped and there we a bunch of us with a dog!”  “Brooke, please tell me you wouldn’t stop if you were by yourself to help that person”.  Needless to say she couldn’t answer that question totally truthfully so she didn’t answer it.  I think she trusts a little more than her mom who has issues with trust to begin with.  Even though she has a good head on her shoulders,  I just pray that with her good heart God keeps her safe.

Logan is a very resourceful person when he wants/needs to be.  When he has something in his head he is determined.  This week he decided that he wants to get a parachute to use for running to help get in shape for football.  He had Tyler take him out and price them.  he found one and is determined that he is going to get one.  So he came home and thought of ways to come up with the money.  He cut the yard of a neighbor, decided that he had video games downstairs that he didn’t play and could sell.  He sold 4 0f then right away. So this week he will be going out to buy the parachute.  Logan can also be known as a “dumpster diver”, a junk picker, a rummager, a frugal person and any other word you can think of that has anything to do with those terms.  Dan made the comment in a conversation that the next lawn mower we get (in the many years to some) he wants to get one with a bag on it.  Well, with that said Logan makes a call to home with this conversation…”Mom, you know Joe?” “Joe who?” ” You know the one next to Tim and val, the old man” “Yah” “well you will never guess what he is selling”, “What”,”A lawn mower with a bag on it and he is only selling it for $50!” “Logan, we don’t need one now”, “well dad said he wanted one” “Not right now Logan.” “OK”.   Logan is always looking for a bargain or a deal.  The scary part is that it doesn’t matter whether or not we need it, it was a great deal (he would say)!

I also learned to make sure all food is majorly put away when you go outside for a walk.   Last night I made chicken and had it in a container (without the cover) on the cupboard.  After Tyler and I ate, I went to get Logan around the corner.  Visited with them a little and when we got back home Molly was acting a little weird.  AH HAH!  The green container was on the floor….the container the chicken was in!  MOLLY!!!!!!  Molly ate a package of lemon peppered chicken!   Today we believe she is suffering from a chicken hang over.  Guess I will be more aware of how far I put food back on the counter.  UGH!

School for the two older kids and myself start this week and Brooke starts next week.  I learned that I once again made the dean’s list with a 3.70something gpa.  Who would have thought I would be able to have a “A” gpa in college when I was lucky to have a “C” gpa in high school!?!  One year down one and a half to go.  I am also thinking about continuing after that year and half for a year for my LPN.  That way I will have 3 associate degrees and I should have no problem finding a job no matter what I decide I want to do and if I get bored in one job I have something else to choose from.  After all I have a million more years to work.   Besides I think that with the company that I work for if I have experience in both areas I will have more choices in that company.  I will also be able to work out of the home on my own besides.  Who said education wasn’t valuable.  Yah I know I am a late learner.

Until next time,

Enjoy the nice cool weather! I sure am!

~T

Dan update

Forgot to mention in the post prior…..

Dan got a phone call last week from the doctors office that he has been dealing with as of lately.  The gal called to tell us that Dan was not a candidate for the rysotimy procedure.  So we had to wait til the following day for them to call back to let us know what the next step was.  They called and the next step was yet another injection.  This time they were going to inject a steroid in that area where they did the block with hopes that it would last longer then it has in the past.  Dan went in on Friday.  As Dan went through the procedure he and the doctor talked and Dan told him that this would be the last injection.  He can’t handle anymore injections in the back.  Enough was enough.  The doctor didn’t blame him.  After all with one going through 7 injections within a weeks time, it gets old having to deal with all that pain.  I am not sure what the “what ifs” would be if it doesn’t take since I wasn’t in the room when they talked about this but I believe it is learning to deal with it and trying a different pain medication.  if it doesn’t work we are going to try Grandpa/mom’s technique with vicks.  And if that doesn’t work I am thinking about looking into acupuncturists.  I have heard from a few old classmates that they have had a ton of luck with them.  So we will see what the new week brings.  Will keep you posted.

Trisha

Life lessons

I sit here tonight feeling helpless. I am a fix it, make it all better, do it person.  One of the kids is learning a life lesson which I can do nothing about to help or fix it.  I can’t just do it for him/her, I can’t just make it go away.  I can’t go to bed to sleep knowing that they are not in bed sleeping and dealing with this challenge.  With my attempts to help I know I am just being irritating.  Sometimes it is just hard being a parent and sitting back letting them learn the hard life lessons by themselves.  :::sigh::::

All in all besides what is going on above as I mentioned vaguely, this weekend was a good one even if it was warm.   Dan and the boys helped Randy move in the morning, Tyler helped Dad with getting the air conditioners in and then it was FOOTBALL time!!!!  We headed to Green Bay for the game between the Kimberly Storm and the Green Bay Gladiators.  The storm lost.  😦

Got home and rested and to bed.  Today was a stay at home day no matter what.  Well besides heading over to visit with Grandma and Grandpa for a few minutes while picking up the lawnmower.  Sold our old entertainment center and helped that couple take it apart somewhat so they could transport it home and then started a puzzle.  Now that is what I call a relaxing weekend.  

I think it may be time to attempt to sleep for a bit,

Til next time…

Hugs,

~T

One of those days…

Isn’t this weather wonderful!!!!????!!!I actually had one of those days!  Wondering what kind of day that would be aren’t you?  I finally had one of those days that I muttle through the day pretty much floating from here and there with nothing on the agenda.  It consisted of: Getting ready for the day, spraying weeds on the patio area, which didn’t help so later Cayla and I pulled the weeds from it.  Man that looks nice now!  We both cut the lawn, I got the water fountain going, swept the garage, some of the driveway, picked up Bugs moped, visited with a friend, worked a tiny bit on a puzzle, went to the museum downtown (today was free day), watched a movie or two while dozing here and there, and even went with Cayla and Brooke to Shopko and Kohls.  One needed a notebook and one looked for a shirt.  Ate a little supper and did a load of laundry.  All in all it was a good day!  Thinking tomorrow might be the same way!  Well not doing the same things but muttling through the day before my work night begins.  Off to lay the head on the pillow.  Til next time………
~T

Smells

Have you ever noticed that in the world smells different in the early morning and at night than it does the rest of the time when everyone is actually awake?  I have noticed this more so in the last couple days.  I get home from work, let the dogs out and spend a little time enjoying God’s gifts.  The birds singing their beautiful music, the smell of the flowers growing in the neighborhood and just the sun starting its day out or the moon gently shining above us.  The aroma I smell at these times of the day is intoxicating.  It is a peaceful smell. Wonder how many people actually notice the crisp, fresh scent of these times of the days?  Do you take time to just enjoy God’s gifts?  If not, you should, life is to short.

Take a minute and look for that cardinal that is singing you that song, or smell that fragrance that is coming from those flowers outside.  Trust me, your day will become delightful.

~T

Another try at it

Well today is another day for Dan and needles.  This afternoon the doctor is going to try a nerve block to see it will eliminate the pain that he has been having.  Dan is to call in Monday to let them know if it worked or not. If it does (which we pray) then another doctor will go in a cauterize the three or four nerves that are giving him so much pain.  If it doesn’t help then I am not sure what our next route is.  Say a pray that this works 🙂  All are appreciated.  Will keep you posted.

~T

Survival mode

I feel as if I am currently in survival mode.  Trying to swim and not sink.  I can feel myself grasping for air periodically.  I heard something on the radio tonight on my way to work.  I forgot what the gentleman’s name was but he does little talks and this one was about taking time to yourself to just listen.  Listen to your thoughts, dreams, wishes and also ask yourself what is important in your life, What about who you are and why you are who you are, what about your material things, your belief and faith  in God, your  purpose in life.  The thought of all that tonight hurts my head.  I am usually able to let my mind drift, (and I just might some back to this another day) but with the intense pounding that is going on in my head and only one subject that it keeps going to the past week and mainly today just overtakes everything.  It makes me feel like I just want to crawl under my warm cozy quilts and stay there until my next shift at work is to begin.  Realistically I know that can’t and won’t happen.  But it sure sounds good.  Specially with the cold dreary weather we have been having.  As I enter reality and different things come up that I don’t have answers to or can’t do anything about them, I feel my heart slowly starting to race and the air that I breath feeling tighter.  I am a fix it person!  I can get through anything!  I tell myself “relax, deep breath in……deep breath out……it is only an anxiety attack.”  Okay so after having a day like I did, I think there was something a little stronger I needed then the relaxing technique.  Little better.  

The saying “Let go and let God” has came to my mind alot lately.  I say to myself, Trisha, I thought you were doing that, and darn good if I do say so myself, but you have slacked lately and need to learn to do it once again.  I find myself wondering…..HOW!  I can I trust that everything will work out? How can I feel confidant that things will be back to what they somewhat were?  I miss being able to have the freedom of doing so much that I used to do before Dan lost his job.  I feel like I am living in a survival mode and I fear that I will not survive.  (yes, I talk to myself often, ask myself questions often and it was a very bad day today) 

Survival?  Even when I don’t feel like I will, I know I will somehow, someway.  God will help me through what I am feeling, thinking and all that.  God will provide.  I will continue to tell myself, God is just tweaking my character and making it stronger.  🙂 

Life is not all that good in the Rawlings home. Mainly cuz mama isn’t herself.  But with faith and family she will be back to her happy self and once she is done working her long 5 night stretch. 

Until that character is stronger…….. (or til next time)

~T

The weather sure doesn’t feel like spring.  It is a little more like fall.   I even broke down and turned on the heat.  My poor flowers.  I hope they don’t get confused and decide that it is going to be winter instead of spring.

The past week/weeks have flown by.  Logan completed his confirmation.  We (Logan and I) had a meeting with his case manager at school to see how he is doing in school and how things look for his classes for next.  I did bring up the whole thing about Logan wanting to go to North so badly.  After Mr B chatted with Logan about it and all and once Logan found out that Mr M (one of my second cousins) is going to be at West next year he seemed to feel a little better.  So far so good.

Dan rescheduled his appointment for this Wednesday.  I had my mole on my cheek removed two weeks ago.  It didn’t look all that big from the outside but I guess it was larger on the inside.  Three stitches under the main area and eight on top.  Last Tuesday I got the stitched out and it is healing well.  Faster then I even thought.  The biopsy came back negative for cancer.  YAH! Not that I was even worried cuz I really wasn’t.  I guess I felt comfortable enough that it was nothing.  Just getting a little larger and didn’t want to take the chance of having another one on the other side and then really look like a clown.

Tyler has had two football games so far and his team has won both.  GO STORM!  YAH!  His next one is this Saturday and I believe it is in Kimberly which is also family night.

That is it for now.  Cutting out early.  The mind is trying to snooze.  Work at 10 tonight.  Til next time……..  ~T

Current Happenings in the Rawlings’ home

This past weekend seemed like a blur it went so fast.

Friday Logan came home from school explaining to me that he knows a kid that volunteers at St Vinnys and the kid thinks that the box of weights that Logan was wanting so badly might only be something like $5.  So he was going to ride over there to see if that was the case.  Logan ended up calling me letting me know what the price was and then the second call was asking if he could volunteer there.  So to St Vinnys I went to get him signed up as a volunteer.  Logan asked if he could start right away and the gal mentioned that he needed to do an orientation and after the kid that Logan knew informed her that Logan was there for the church youth group volunteering and they did a orientation of sorts that gal informed him that he could start right away.  He was there until they closed.  He went back Saturday at 10 and stayed until they closed at 4.  Needless to say he was one tired kid.  He loves volunteering there and I have gotten a lot of comments from people there that he is a good worker.  Makes me proud 🙂  It is one thing I hope that I have taught my children is to enjoy volunteering and loving it for the way it makes you feel.

The kids helped me get things done on Friday and Saturday to get ready for Logan’s confirmation on Sunday.  It was amazing how everything worked out and how the kids helped so willingly.

On another note, an update on Dan:

Dan goes to the doctor for a follow up on his last injection appointment.  This last one didn’t take as well as the one he got in the groin.  It will be interesting to see what the doctor will recommend next.  As for the job, as most of you know he was a fill in driver for the company he works for currently and he got the call this afternoon that they would like him to be the regular driver for the run that he was to fill in last night and tonight.  Apparently the guy that was doing it didn’t chalk his tires which resulted in him running the tow motor off the back of the trailer.  Dumbass! LOL  Dan was filling in due to the guy not being able to work until the safety committee investigated the accident.  Needless to say he is no longer with the company.  It is far from decent pay and it isn’t 40 hours but it is something that is steady for now.  He will still continue to look and will patiently wait for the posting at the school to post.  But I think even if it is what it is Dan will not feel inadequate as a man since he will be contributing somewhat.

Since Cayla and Brooke both bought vehicles within the past couple months that leaves the jeep sitting until we can find out what is wrong with it and how much it will cost.  I do believe it is something electrical.  Dan’s thought was that we would see how much it costs and then sell it so we can get it off Ty’s Truck loan.  They were talking about selling it to a friend of Brooke’s.  Then one of the kids pointed out that Logan will be driving in November.  So Dan mentioned that if it was cheap enough that Logan would get it.  Logan the kid he is 🙂  has been obsessed with the jeep and he thinks that he has it all figured out what is wrong with the jeep.  Now he thinks that he might want to be a mechanic.  Yadda!  What goes through that kids mind is more dangerous than mine. Gotta love him!

Today Dan and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary.  It is something when you look back that many years and think of everything that you have encountered and experienced.  We have been so very blessed in our lives and continue to on a daily basis.

As of now this week will be a busy one. Today I went to school to finish up on a final project  for one of my classes, Tue I have an appointment with Logan’s case manager to discuss his classes for next school year and then classes, Wednesday I get the mole off my face, Thursday, Dan has a Dr appointment, Friday, I have a final in one of my classes and Wednesday starts my 5 day stretch.  Whew!  Maybe being so busy this week it will make it go fast.  Monday morning can’t come fast enough 🙂

Have a good week 🙂

Hugs to you all

~T