MOVING

So, mostly due to me forgetting how to sign into this blog and in an effort to streamline my life a little, I've decided to end this blog and start a new one. I was going to wait a while, at least until I was officially divorced, but I think this is something I need to let go of. I will leave it here as a history.

At the moment, you can find me here:  My Upstream Life.  This blog will function like my Debbie's World Blog, all about ME ME ME. Because you're all here for ME! Right?  Ha. So, anyways. I will also be adding a blog for my family life here: Further Considerations. I've not got them going completely yet, but I hope to add some things soon.

Thank you to everyone who is still following me after all these years. I appreciate you all so very much.

Here's to the new adventures awaiting!

A night at the fair

I took the girl and the twins to the fair last night. Despite living in the same town where it's held for 18 years, it was my first time. I have very fond memories of my parents taking me to the fair, so it was nice to pass that on to my own children. They had a nice time and the twins had a blast riding the kids ride. The girl unfortunately was too big for the kiddie rides and too scared of the big rides, so only got to go on the carousel. But i let her get a henna tattoo,  and that made her happy. So good times all around. It's rare I feel successful in pleasing my children, so this is going down on the victory list.

Promotions

I have been promoted!  I am now an asst manager (part time. But will hopefully become full time in the next 6 mths or so) at the dress store. It came with a raise, so that's awesome. Even though retail is not really my dream job, it's a great opportunity and has done wonders for my confidence.  And my wardrobe, Ha. It's a shame I am required to dress fashionably for my job. ;)  although for those of you who know me irl, you know I tend to be a rather eclectic dresser. So having to dress with intention has been an interesting journey for me. It's fun though. It's like I've been given permission to play dress up as an adult.

So all is as well as it can be for the moment. The kids just got progress reports and they are all doing pretty well. And now suddenly I am wondering what's going to go wrong. Usually about the time life is going smoothly something comes along to throw a wrench in the works. But. For now I will embrace the good and believe in its continuation. 

Happy Birthday Boys!

So, the twins turn 8 today. Can you believe it? I can't.
Here is a quick retrospective

can you believe I went 5 weeks past this?

and today on the way to school

Air conditioning

Air conditioning is awesome. And so is my brother in law for fixing it.

Working two jobs is currently kicking my behind. I haven't been this kind of tired in a long time. It's been one of those weeks where everything is just slightly out of whack. Nothing horrible has happened, more like a series of small events that are frustrating. My parents have been out of town so I have been relying on splitcat and my sister to help me out with the kids while I work. I've felt like a terrible mother since I had to hand the girl over sick to her grandmother on Saturday. She had strep, but I couldn;t call out and actually ended up working a 9 hr day instead of an 8 hr one because my manager mis-scheduled someone. I got out to my car after work to check my messages and found out she was refusing to take her medicine. My poor mother in law felt really bad. Splitcat had to take her to the dr's office monday for an antibiotic shot because she refused to take her medicine. She's all good now.

Also, the airconditioning in my car isn't working. I tried to get it recharged today but the places I went were too busy or their machinery wasn;t working because they had overused it. I think getting so hot when I drive is not helping my tired. Oh, I also can;t roll the windows down. Thankfully the air blows somewhat, its just not even remotely cold.

I am hoping that my parents return and getting my air fixed will restore my sanity a little.

Happy Birthday!

so, it was my birthday yesterday. my mother posted this picture on her Facebook, so I stole it. I think I was about 4 in the picture with a baby, because that was one of our foster babies, maybe 6 or 7 in the brownie uniform, and 19 in the last one.

I can't say this past year has been a good one. so I won't. It has had a few highlights. I have met some amazing people online and irl who have made a huge impact on my life. I got to see my favorite bands in concert finally.

I have no idea what this next year will bring. I have mostly given up on making any sort of plans because I am tired of watching my dreams fall apart. For now, I am just living day to day because that is about all I can handle.

Today I went to renew my driver's license and took the 8 yr renewal option, and I had to stop and wonder what I will be doing in 8 years? The twins will be 16, the girl will be 19 and the boy will be 21. That's a scary thought.

I did have a decent sort of day for my actual birthday. I called out of my morning job since I knew I wasn't really needed. My dad took me to lunch at a thai/vietnamese place. Then I worked. It was a really slow night, but it was still a nice evening. Then I stopped by Waffle House for some hashbrowns and bacon. The kids were with their dad, but the girl left me a cute voicemail while I was at work and so i called them as soon as I could. I picked them up on my way home from work today so we are going to have cake tonight.

I know in the past I talked about making a sort of bucket list, but I never did. I think I need to make a 40 before 40 for this year, any ideas anyone?

New Album

Dry the River has a new album out on August 25th. I am excited.

I just realized I haven't updated the situation with splitcat's mom. She was able to go home last Sunday and as far as I know is doing okay.

It's been a a busy week here as I started my new job and have to take the kids with me to the preschool in the mornings, so everyone has been a bit out of sorts. The girl had a wonderful time on her vacation and I think it took her a few days to get used to not having ice cream every night and eating out all the time.

So, I have two jobs now. still working at the preschool and working nights and weekends at a women's dress shop. I've just worked two days, but I think I will like it as much as it is possible to enjoy working in retail. The people are nice and its a nice shop. It's strange to be working somewhere without children everywhere.

Home early

I had to cut my vacation short. Splitcat's mom, who was vacationing with the girl and others in south florida became ill and is currently in the hospital. Splitcat and his sister are driving down today to see their mom and pick up the girl. I drove home yesterday afternoon and am about to go get the boys. Please pray for her and them.

Vacation

I am on vacation! The boys are with their dad and the girl is with her grandmother in another part of Florida. I am with my mom visiting my grandmother and uncle in florida. It's hot.

Catching Up

It seems I have failed to blog about two of the most fun things I have done this year. I suppose its partly because I don;t have any pictures to go along with the events, at least not decent ones.

But, I feel I should properly mark the occasions.

Firstly, Mumford and Sons.  This was so long ago T.T  But it was amazing and fun and I am glad they decided to take a break after this tour because they looked tired. My nephew and I got to centennial park before the concert even began. We managed to get down in front and slightly to the side. We stood in front of the keyboard player but had a nice view of the entire stage. It was hot and we had to stand there forever. There were two opening acts. Bear's Den, which I did actually blog about, and the vaccines, which was really loud and kinda punk.

This fancam is just in front of where were were standing.

    

I am really happy I was finally able to see them in person.

Second, I actually got to see We Were Promised Jetpacks!!!  they came to chattanooga, tn, which is about a 2 hr drive. I took my nephew with me again, and one of his friends who is also a fan tagged along as well. we had a great time. We were the first in line at the venue. It was in a bar venue, so it was small. There were maybe 1-200 people there. It was amazing. Much like muse, they sounded better live than they do recorded. I stood in front, between the bassist and the lead singer. It felt awkward, but I knew I may never have another opportunity, and honestly, people are distracting, so I prefer to be in front. After the concert my nephews friend went and talked to everyone from both bands. He forced me to shake the lead singer's hand and speak with him. So, that was kinda cool. It wasn't something I would do on my own. Also, the opening act was a girl duo called Honeyblood. They were ridiculously cute and I really enjoyed their music.





Here's fancam of Jetpacks in Chattanooga. I'm down in front somewhere.



So those have been my musical adventures.

Where does the time go?

Well, then. It's been awhile hasn't it. Things continue on here much the same.

The girl recently celebrated her 11th birthday. I let them outside with some cameras the other day and of course the first thing she did was take a selfie. She's also been busy writing newsletters and making up stories and reading. Her creativity is really starting to shine. Now, if I can just get her to do her homework....

The boy

W1, originally uploaded by Fiorinda.

I didn't do my usual birthday post this year for P's birthday, so here is a picture I took today. We have been snowed in for 3 days! It's melting fast right now so I think they will all make it to school tomorrow.

P had a great time sledding. He seemed to let go of his fears and inhibitions and just had fun. He has grown a lot both physically and mentally the last few months. I am very proud of him.

Snow Days

I am sure by now, if you don't live in Atlanta, you have heard about the fiasco of snow this week. Thankfully my family is all safe and sound. On Tuesday, it took us 5 hours to get home, a trip that normally lasts 30 minutes. We were some of the lucky ones. Thankfully my nephew made it home just before the snow started sticking and was there to get my 3 elementary kids as well as his younger sister. My dad made it home in time to collect P, but P never showed up. So while we were stuck in the car he called up to the school and found out that his bus was unable to get there to pick them up. My dad and brother-in-law both tried to go get him, but they couldn't get out of the driveway, so he got to spend the night at school.

If you don't know anything about P, you should know that he is highly anxious, about everything. Although he has been so much better this year, this sort of situation has the possibility of becoming a bad one for him. I was able to talk to him briefly, and he was doing well, so I was able to relieve my own motherly fears.

The next day my dad had volunteered to walk to the school to get him (it's about 4 miles away) and had just left the house when the school called to tell us that county emergency workers were coming to pick up the children who were stranded (about 20) and bringing them home.

He was glad to get home, but wasn't too much worse for the wear. They watched movies and ate snack food and didn't get much sleep. I think he might have even had some fun. It was the first time he has ever spent a night away from home other than with relatives. I am really proud of him. He turned 13 this month. I have a teenaged child. How did this happen?


so anyway, here are some pictures of the snow.

Monday Meanderings

Oops. I forgot to post yesterday, so i suppose I should make up for it by posting today. It's been an extremely busy week. I spent the last two days recuperating from moving. I got back to work today unpacking some more. I have too much stuff. But I have been weeding things out, throwing things away and setting some things aside to possibly sell on etsy.

The kids got lucky and are out of school tomorrow because of the cold. I think they might be ready to go back. But it has been good for them to have the time to adjust to living in their new place.

The transition has been smooth thus far, we all have our down moments, but that is to be expected.

I suppose that is all for now. Hope everyone is staying warm.