just Kicked my DS2 off of gaming today, so tonight might be brutal...I have to admit I don't have the nerve to go game-free or screen-free. but that's just becuase I'm not up for the attitude.

Gabby, we have different situations--mine haven't had TV ever (we turned off cable before DD-12 was born), and we don't have any game system stuff, either, so they're just used to being electronically deprived. He does have to earn screen time to play little games at places like the lego website, and yep, I get *attitude* when he's feeling deprived there. Isn't it FUN? (grimace, grimace.) At least the kids know the reason we *don't* have such things is that Momma is a little bit obsessive compulsive, and would never, ever get anything done, ever. I know my limits.

FIXY:

Despite feeling wimpish, I headed over to the church for a program thing with the youth group just after supper. I'm glad I went--the congregations on this side of the city (it would be like a small diocese) are doing a youth conference this summer that involves my specialty. I'm friends with one of the leaders, and she asked if I would come speak at the organizing meeting, and share some resources. I did this about three years ago, had a blast--DH even built me a website to house the information articles and patterns, so most everything is already done and waiting. That'll boost my balance in service, for sure. And, going over boosted a bit of Family, as DD-12 was tickled to see me there--I had backed out feeling a bit ill, and realized that wasn't terribly fair to her. I don't quite know what to say when her youth leaders compliment *me* for her being a cool kid... it really isn't MY doing. She's very much her own person, and that's a pretty nifty person to be. I know she's happy this evening--all of her girlfriends have moved up to join her in the youth group, now that they're all 12 or turning 12.

Goodness, nearly 1am. DD-1 is snoring, so it's time to take a decongestant and head for bed myself.

On the horizon tomorrow: math and history, plus some news releases, and drafting a letter to some colleagues to invite them to send promo materials to put into my teaching "plunder bags" through the year; also, menu planning for the rest of the week, paying one small, small bill, and making sure the kitchen gets tidy. And a trip to the library--found a book I want to read.

Elizabeth,
with this particular child, if it wasn't gaming it would be something else. he's quite obsessive.

what I know is a direct link to his inattentiveness in brain. and I think we're all simply insecure to cut him off. maybe I'll let the rabbit loose to chew all the cords!

it isnt' as bad as ages 13-14 but this last two weeks its been remniscent. maybe because it's a transition into a new quarter who knows.

I was spending WAY too much time on teh web, including GON, and although I miss relationships, I do NOT miss that habit one iota.

There must be something going around, because my DS is going to bed very early tonight. After he studies his spelling words, he will be in bed. (Very mouthy and extremely disrespectful to his Mother.) So the morning was not a particularly peaceful or happy time. Hopefully this evening will be a little different.

DH works at night, in addition to his full time work. DS is almost as tall as I am, I need to have him being respectful before he gets too much bigger and decides to push how far he can go.

He does this sporadically, pushes buttons to test how far he can go. Then he's his regular self, again.

ENVIRONMENT: This will get a lot of attention tonight. It's just the weekly cleaning and laundry.

COMMUNITY/EDUCATION: DH and I took a class that will be used for accreditation of our fostering. It was a great class and we met a lot of nice people.

TIME MANAGEMENT: I need to work on meal planning, we're still eating from the freezer and pantry. Meals are getting very interesting.

FINANCES: We've been making mindful decisions of how and where we want to spend our money. I've been very faithful about balancing the accounts and knowing where we're at.

Striving, are you finding that being constantly on top of the accounts is relaxing, or stressful? I go between the two; if I've budgeted well and stuck with the plan, I find it satisfying to inspect the account balances, and know I'm making it work. If I've not been as frugal as I ought, and am going to skirt some edges, then I find it a bit stressful. The weeks I like best are those when I don't have expenditures, and can just watch the balance sit there, untouched.

Gabby, I know what you mean. I put myself on on-line "diets" on a regular basis.

We have "reset" days at our house, too--where someone is just too crabby to live, and needs some personal space/time. It may be the ages of our household, but early bedtime isn't necessarily a punishment. For me, it means I have quiet reading time in bed (for DD-12, too). For DS-nearly10, he'll lay there in the dark and listen to a book on CD. DD-nearly4 definitely considers is the cruelest form of punishment, though. Separate her from society? OH MY GOODNESS! How could be be So Cruel?? (I don't even have to put her in a corner to correct poor behavior. I just sit her on the couch and tell her no one is allowed to talk to her until she's decided to make different choices. You'd think I was beating her with sticks. )

FIXY:

So, I'm up at a decent hour, got some good sleep last night (DH did, too--he was in bed at 8, and got up at nearly 7, poor man needed the rest!)

It's a bright and sunny day, so I'm planning to make things productive.

Called and spoke to my neighbor yesterday - her husband had brought in my trash cans for me, again. Have I mentioned I have some lovely neighbors? The NEIGHBORS/COMMUNITY spoke is plumped.

Called and spoke to my cousin (who is also a neighbor, since she lives across the street from me). So, FAMILY spoke is plumped.

Inventoried my freezer, tossed some fossilized frozen remains of food - stuff that had been in the freezer, unused, for over a year (3 sandwich baggies of broccoli, 2 baggies of cooked greens, 2 baggies of cocktail sausages). Much as I hate to toss food, I figured, if I haven't eaten it in 1 year, I probably won't eat it now. I guess that would fall under ENVIRONMENT.

Put gas to the car in the morning - gas prices are slowly creeping up again - back above $2.00 per gallon, now. FINANCES

DD is having finals, this week. Her first exam is this morning - AP U.S. History. History being her weakest subject. She has a low B in the class right now, but, if she does poorly in the test, her grade might go down to a C. So, she was nervous about it. Especially since it will be a multiple choice test and she does not do well with multiple choice. She's consistently better with short answers, fill in the blanks, and essays. Questions based on nuances, such as "which of the following is least correct?" or "which statement describes it better?" leave her feeling confused. She's not as worried about her other test she'll be taking today (AP Chemistry) though, as she has a high A in the class. I just told her to do her best, that's all I ask of her. But, before we left the house this morning, I said a special blessing over her and wished her well. She gets off from school early today, so I will leave work early to pick her up and take her home. No doubt I'll hear all about it this afternoon! CHILD.

I spent a good portion of yesterday evening, knitting! I am making a pair of socks for myself, using leftover yarn. So, HOBBIES/LEISURE/ME-TIME, plus frugal use of resources.

Elizabeth,
my very extroverted/social DD is like that, it's her currency...

two evenings ago, she was to finish her homework, which was in word, and no cpu until then, but then I 'caught' her togling back and forth between iming friends, several conversations going, and she'd quickly flip back to word.

well, I simply stood there over her until she ended them all, and then non until the weekend.

cruel cruella devile right?

Elizabeth: At first I found it very stressful and would avoid it like the plague. Then a very wise person, (Do you know who that might be?), once stated that she would rather deal with reality then a perception based around her fears. I've now given into that mindset and now find peace with it. It's amazing because I do errands once a week, and that's when all of the expenses come out of the account. However, they are taken out at all different times of the week. It's now so peaceful that I do it first thing in the morning.

Bless I wish DD well too. To an extent, for me, the grade doesn't matter. The classes that I learned the most in are the ones that I didn't necessarily receive the highest grades. So I hope she is happy with herself and the knowledge that she retained.

Snort! I have NO idea who said that. LOL Glad it's been helpful. It was a big turning point for me about five years ago, personally.

Gabby, ooooh, you're sooooo mean. Go, Mom! DD-12 doesn't IM, though she and some friends do email stories back and forth. I do anticipate increased challenges in the electronic arena, though, with adding another computer soon.

Bless, best of wishes to DD. I hope she'll be kind to herself, and recognize if she's working to the best of her ability.

FIXY:
Kitchen got tidy; kids enjoyed math and history games today; I got some good work on the writing project, didn't take a nap but did give myself a facial massage that helped the sinus a bit. I'm about ready to zone for a bit and crawl into bed. DH is much better today, and is taking another early night (he's been in bed since 8:30, kids since 9, baby for about 30 minutes.)

Thanks for the well wishes on DD's behalf. She said the history test wasn't as bad as she feared, but the chemistry test was harder than she expected. No matter, she believes she has a high enough grade point in her chemistry class to pull off an A in the class even if she fails the final!

Today, she has English and Spanish and she's not worried about either. The English final was going to be analytical writing and that's one of her strong points (she received 100% on the practice test last week) and she has the highest grade in the class in Spanish (another "I'll get an A even if I fail the test".) She was relaxed enough yesterday evening to take a nap, watch TV, play the piano, and re-read a book from the Twilight series (for the 7th or 8th time!) Tomorrow she has calculus and computer science and she's OK with both of those, too. It's just history that gets her tied up in knots.

She informed me yesterday that she met with the academic counselor and chose her subjects for next year: AP English Literature, AP Biology, AP Calculus B & C, AP Government and Economics (counts as 2 APs) and for her electives: AP Spanish and AP Psychology. If they offer Play Production again as a 7th period (after school) class, she'll take that, too. What can I say?