Squeak squeaker squeak squeaken

This last week I've had Tater's tots and two days I had my Cousin Courtney's new! precious! baby (whom we lovingly call "Nonner"), so do I really need to say what kind of condition my house was in by week's end? Nah. Didn't think so.

Today we cleaned house. My family hates me. The kids have threatened to run away and Paul hadn't been home 20 minutes before he said he wished he'd stayed at work. Oh well. I am going to be working for the next 2 1/2 weeks, working an exhausting job and frankly, I'm out of practice with the whole working thing. I knew I had to get it in order before Thursday when I start working because I go right from subbing Kindergarten straight into babysitting Nonner for the rest of forever. Or at least until he goes to Kindergarten himself.

Yes, that's right. I've given up the glamorous life of gonna-be-a-substitute teacher to the heavenly life of staying home and babysitting. Be it known, I have no intentions of starting up Diva Daycare like I did before because frankly, that was insane, for one thing, my husband threatened me within an inch of my life, and for another, I don't want to. Babysitting one child still leaves me open to go to my kids' school when I need to, leaves me open to going to Walmart or wherever else I need to go during the day and also leaves me here. Where I want to be. Here. As in, IN MY HOME.

I am happy.

-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Yesterday morning we went down to the school to get Ab's schedule and let her run through it.

Glory be, she has a top locker. She had already planned on pouting long and hard if she, one of the tallest in her class, had a bottom locker. She has one class in the Sr. High and it's first hour so she gets it out of the way right off the bat. The rest of the day she's in the very small, very tiny, very compact Middle School. Yay.

We bought her a shelf and mirror for her locker and we're still on the lookout for some skulls to decorate it. When she opened it and saw that last year's occupant had a rather rabid affection for pastel flowers, she turned to me and said, "Oh yeah. Those are SO going. Every one of those nasty girly things are going bye-bye."

I love that kid.

=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Yesterday I dropped KD and Sam off with their daddy at the casino when he got off work and Abby and I headed to Joplin to do her school clothes shopping.

We had a great time and twice - TWICE! - she slipped her hand in mine as we were walking down the mall. I will totally cherish those two moments forever because she's growing up. Fast. Next year I may be lucky to get to walk within 50 feet of her down the mall.

She is a crazy bargain shopper. I feel like The Force is strong with that one for sure. That kid knows how to spot a clearance rack from 500yds out. I swear she can smell a sale. She had her heart set on some "boots with the fur" (and yes, she actually calls them that, which is hilarious) and found a pair, but they were about a half-size too small. Bless her heart, I thought she was gonna cry. I keep telling her that it's not like it's going to snow any time soon, but she's talked about those boots all day long with a wistful look in her eyes.

We ate at Garfield's and my formerly picky daughter ordered a steak. After about the second bite she sighed contentedly and said, "Mom, no offense, but this is better than even your steak. I think I have found a new favorite place to eat."

So long, Olive Garden!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phone interviewed with production company this past week.

Asked to make an audition tape.

Making audition tape tomorrow.

Priority overnighting said tape first of the week.

Fingers already crossed.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

My family just put in The Princess Bride and I hope they forgive me enough to let me sit in the same room with them while we watch it.