School, food, Life

A week and half of school is done!  PHEW how many more do we have to go?  Dont get me wrong my kids love school.  I feel like i have been behind the eight ball lately…trying to play catch up from the summer, then feeling unmotivated to get anything done, like upload pictures from my camera and such!  OMG  since the middle of July there were well over 300 pictures that needed attention!!  It looks like through the pictures it was a great summer! Oh my!

Well it was back to school night, and we all know how much i like those things….okay I really do not like them.  I know i know it is all in my head.  I know i am insecure about the fact i am flying solo on this parenting thing, but i feel like there is a huge spot light on my back as i sit in the front of the gym.  SHE’S THE SINGLE PARENT OF THE CRAZY EXHUSBAND.

Well i do not know any of these parents other to say hello.  Not like any are my friends.  Close to the end of the talk from teh principal i started counting my fingers as i got nervous sitting there.  I looked around and even the gay guys sitting in front of me had each other.  AGGHHHH!!  Deep breath it is over…and really it is about Jordan and no one else.  He is a smart kid he just needs to apply himself!

On to other things, today while eating lunch with a great friend, I reconized someone from my married days.  She was the mother of my exhusbands best man.  She was an amazing woman.  She was always so kind to me.  Even after the divorce she called.  She asked what happened, and i must have felt comfortable enough to tell her.  She even lives in the same town i do.  but as time has gone on, and chester made me feel crazy and isolated, i lost touch.  Well today, I saw her, and all i could think of was my dad, my dad telling me that if you see someone you know, you must go up and say hello.  UGH, i struggled with it, but i did, i went up and said hello.  She did not recognize me at first, but i had my name tag on from work.  and once she realized who i was, (with great fear i was going to be rejected) she hugged me!  It was awesome, but i was still oh so nervous.  I did the right thing.  We chatted for a bit, I was so happy to see her.  She was very warm and welcoming.  Verying good to see her, and i hope to be in touch with her again.  I am so glad i said hello.  I worried so much in those few minutes.  I mean it has been over 1 1/5 years since i have seen chester, what if he had been filling her with lies.  But he had not, she asked about him and if we saw him.  She was sad to hear he was no longer allowed to talk with us or see us, but she also understood it was for the best for the boys.  I have to always remind myself that i did nothing wrong and the divorce was not my fault.  Thank heavens for my dad, his voice reminded me to do the right thing.

So i have been making green smoothies for breakfast.  Well Carrie wanted to try the blueberry bliss one, so i made her the blueberry bliss, i made a peach and basil for myself and a sampler for Amanda!!  YUMMY!! I like this eating more fresh fruits and veggies!! Still only have lost 24 lbs!  UGHHHH

Lastly, we had a sushi night at my house with the STS gang.  It was great fun. It is nice to make and eat food together! Even the kids got into it a little.  Jordan eating salmon!! YUMMY!!

A week goes by so fast!

Phew this week passed so quickly!  Gym, sailing through a squall, camp inspector coming to camp.  Then getting sick.  YUCK!!

Gym was good.  I am starting to notice clothes fit different, my dad noticed, he said why do you keep pulling up your pants? ’cause they are to big!!  how cool is that?  I have lost 16 lbs and inches of my body!  it is cool!  It is hard work as well!  I like the way it makes me feel. and i am feeling better.

Sailing through the squall, holy shit! tallen and i were getting ready for the start, i said to him, i am having a hard time seeing the start.  We were getting heavier wind and then as the starting gun goes off, the wind changes directions 180 degrees and picks up to 20 plus knots!  YIKES, four boats drop out and tallen and i pull ourselves together cross the start line a little late but finish the race.  It was heavy wind, we got banged around a little, but all in all we had a great time.

Friday i could tell i was getting sick but went to the gym anyway to see if i could sweat it out.  THat is after the camp inspector came.  We passed.  I came home and went straight to bed. Wayne called on his way home from practice, to see what was going on.  He offered help, it was so nice!  thanks!

They boys were tired they watch tv,i picked up some chinese food for them and i crawled back into bed until noon the next day.  phew!

Went shopping for Jordan’s big camp he is off to in a couple of weeks.  Picked up granny at the airport, hung with mom and dad then made my way home.

To put a damper on the weekend, the “outlaws” emailed me asking me to send pictures “of their grandsons”  I am torn. I do not know what to do about this….what the right thing to do…they were so mean to me.  I can count the times they have seen my boys on one hand.  but as a proud mother i want to share my boys and show the world what great kids they are! UGH i just do not know what to do…..I wish there was a rule book or guidelines to follow in this case… share your thoughts.

Happy 4th of July

Wow! Party, party, Race comittee and another party tomorrow!  OMG  Stop me now!

So yesterday after work i went to the gym, it felt good! then home for a quick shower and change to go to an annual beach party with reggae band, good food and great rum punch!  Then up early for the Breakfast on the beach! We always start off the summers with breakfast on the beach party.  WAHOO! that is early!  I cooked 9 dozen eggs to order and had a great time cooking next to my brother.  We had four grills on the beach going, bacon, eggs, sausage, pancakes, fruit and baked goodies.  Honestly i never saw the baked goodies i was to busy cooking eggs!

While at the party i hear they are taking APHRODITE out for Race Committee.  What you do not know this boat? OMG she is beautiful!Oh you want to get closer to the boat??

Oh my goodness! I have dreamed of getting on this boat!  Well today was the day! Today Out i went, happy as a calm and boy can she move!  She is beautiful in and out! and to learn of her and her who’s who guest list! Shirley Temple had a birthday party on her! OMG how cool!

Well it was a fun day watching the races, and I took lots of pictures!

Tomorrow ANOTHER party! Who knew such a party girl!?!

Happy 4th!  here are a few photos of the races!

Food Friday: Apple avocado Salad with Tangerine dressing

So I have to tell you I have been concentrating on eating better and exercising.  I see a wonderful health counselor.  I feel as though she understands me and is helping me to make life changes.  Not necessarily a “diet” but a healthier lifestyle.  She is awesome!

As i said i see a personal trainer! I LOVE him.  I think I would have given up going to the gym with out him.  Funny story, when i first went, i said to him, “Look, I know I am a princess, I tell people what to do, I am the boss at work and as much as I do not like to admit it, I like it. So I am not sure how this is ever going to work”  Well the first couple of sessions, I was very unsure of what we were doing.  And he finally said to me, ” I do not take no for an answer” UGH.  But you know what?  He is awesome!  He keeps me in line, encourages me to continue, shows me that I am stronger than i think, he believes in me as well.  When we first met, he told me he thinks i should be working out “cardio” 6 days a week! Holy shit, i believed he was on crack.  I was going from NO EXERCISE to 6 days a week? Are you kidding me?  Well I am up to four days a week minimum now.  I hate to admit it, but I kinda like going.  It is time for me, and only me.  I feel as though i have more energy! I love that!  Plus I have lost 15lbs! PHEW! who knew!??

Well I figured I would share an awesome recipe that i found and changed to be more what i like! Try it and let me know what you think! This is awesome!!

Apple Avocado Salad with Tangerine Dressing

• 1 (10 ounce) package baby greens
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 apple – peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 avocado – peeled, pitted and diced
• 4 mandarin oranges, juiced
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, toss together the baby greens, red onion, walnuts, blue cheese, and lemon zest. Mix in the apple and avocado just before serving.
2. In a container with a lid, mix the mandarin orange juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, and salt. Drizzle over the salad as desired.

Well enjoy the 4th!  Big plans! Parties to go to!  Good times!  I promise to post pictures of my brother on the billboard!

“Do you have a squeegee to help push the water out?”

Yesterday was like no other day i have had.  what happened? the day starts with the alarm going off at 6am….ugh drag my butt out of bed.  check weather report, it says rain rain rain, thunderstorms, and more rain.  But really? no rain, nothing on radar…hummm, okay well kids up, off to orthodontist, OMG twins are going to need to have impressions and xrays, to the tune of $250 each. ouch! this is not going to be fun! I hate the dentist…..anyway off to camp.  It is like prying barnacles off the bottom of a boat to get them out of the van.

Kids reluctantly go off to camp and that mother’s guilt kicks in. OMG what a horrible parent i am for forcing my kids to go to camp. I question why i had not found a way to find something they would have liked to do….like sailing. the heart strings were pulled, still a little tired, a little overwhelmed by the fact i am going to have to pay $500 for the dentist to tell me the twins will need braces! but  I trudge off to camp. A bit frustrated and in need of a friendly face! Thank god for Amanda, that is all i have to say….

They have a plan, sailing! OMG have they seen the weather report? Did they read what NOAA had to say? SEVERE WEATHER.  Okay, well go for it, not sure they would have listened to me even if i said no.

I left for the gym, and let me tell you I really like going to see a personal trainer! He is awesome, he does not take my crap.  It is good.  I will have to write more about that later…anyway, leave gym and buckets of rain are coming down. HOLY SHIT.  Get to seaport, the water level is so high, not a dry bone in the place.  Lunch goes on, and i explain they need a rainy day plan for all the kids.  Lunch was so loud. I was still grumpy. I get a voice mail from someone on the seaport grounds explaining, no one is answering her calls.  Did I have anyone that could help or did i have a squeegee to help push the water out of her room.

HMMMMM, feeling like i needed to go investigate as she was not answering her phone.  I took a couple of sailing assistants, walked through water that was up my thighs to cross the “road”.  I was so wet already it really did not matter.  Found out there was a leak in the classroom.  So we walked over with a driveway broom and a mop. How bad could it be?

IT WAS BAD!! Water was hemraging out of this building.  It was pouring out and there was SO MUCH WATER!  I have never ever seen so much water. The facilities people were so unorganized. They had no direction, and i do not do well with that. I felt the need to do SOMETHING and a squeegee was NOT GOING TO DO A THING!! The water was not only coming through the wall but it was coming in through the door!  I had Sailing Assistants that wanted to help and did! They did what ever i said and we rocked!  After the water slowed down and sandbags were put down. We picked up everything that was on the floor.  and felt the clean up was now their problem I knew i had boats sinking.

Walk back after feeling as though the a dam was broken into one of our buildings to find my awesome staff hauling all 42 dyers out of the water, first capsizing it as it had so much water in it no one would have been able to lift them.  We helped with the last few. Bailed out the launches that were sinking.

I then noticed there were marks left out on the water….i figured lets go get them. Yup, hopped into the bailed out launch, pull out and get across the channel to find the gas tanks were taken out because they were weighing down the boats during the storm. OMG, Evan came out to us with a tank and hose. But it was the WRONG HOSE.  Got a tow in.  Started to take all the sails off the dyers.

Washed 42 Dyer sails. Completely whipped just like everyone else!  I was proud of the staff.  They all did a wonderful job but next time when NOAA says SEVERE WEATHER, no sailing please.

Yup just another day on the job!

First day of camp

Man it is never boring at work, I must say!!  I have a “green” staff which is great!  I am learning how many times i rolled my eyes at my boss when he said the things he said. I hope i have learned from him and hope they will learn from me as well.  It is so tough!  Anyway…went to work around 1230ish, all seemed well, everyone was excited and you could feel the nervous energy, it was kinda cool. check in went well, for only 11 kids…we had the opening ceremony, which was fine, until JY15s on the back dock started to capsize at the dock!! HOLY SHIT…instructors went running!! I went out to help out as well!  I could  not believe i walked out of the opening ceremony…

Mental note, make sure ALL F’ing boats are tied down at all times, you never know when the wind will take them away!!  So the ceremony went on, we talked with the parents reassured them everything would be great even though the weater forcast was not very promising.  We did have 17 acres of historical museum to entertain the kids and really 11?peParents were off, amy houli and I went to tie down the Jy15s to make sure that did not happen again….I notice their is a beautiful wooden fishing boat that was in the middle of the basin.  I made a mental note, i should watch that…

Boats are done, the three of us go inside to watch the new instructors give the “rig up” lecture.  We were enjoying ourselves on the back windowsill.  then an instructor pointed to the boat, not in the middle of the basin, but over the shoal!  OMG, we need to call someone!!

• Dock office, no answer, hang up.  Security, answered…went something like this…
• me: dock office people still here?
• security: ahhh no, want me to get up and see….pause
• Me: NOT really, there is a boat about to crash into the other side of the river….
• security: ahh, well i do…..
• Me: cutting him off, forget it, you are not helping I am calling the VP of watercraft. kinda hang up on him…i think he is a bit slow and probably did nto realize i did…

I then called the VP of watercraft, he is on speed dail on my phone, I know that all my programs were taken out of his department, but hell this is an emergency….

Dial phone:

• Me: Hello D..
• D: oh hello hallie….
• Me:  sorry to bother you but, there is a situation and I need some advice…..
• D: go ahead
• Me:  sorry to bother you, but there is this beautiful wooden boat dragging its mooring across the basin, it is now over the shoal and in about 5 to 10 minutes it will be across on the rocks, what should I do??
• D: that wooden fishing boat that was down in the anchorage, it is here for wooden boat….GO GET IT
• ME: you sure….okay….I will call you when i do…

I hung up the phone, signaled to Amy and Houli, grab your PFD i need your help….

out like a flash, I took the biggest engine and boat i had, over we went…it never really crossed my mind how big that boat really was.  We got to the boat, I thought in a logical pattern, bow, stern and two spring lines….BUMPERS!!

The three of us pulled it off, not really how, but I love those guys, a bit nervous not really my boat and well, here we were getting ready to tow it back to safety.  Lines tied up, boat secure, off we go, my boat full throttle, a bit nervous we were not going anywhere, but alas, we were, the wind was killing us.  Slowly we got ourselves away from the shore and bock to the docks we were going.  I could see a woman on land watching us and all i could wonder, was what did she think was going on??

We inched our way back only to get stuck!  SHIT not my boat!  with a little backing and turning i finally got it off, i will admit i got a little nervous…..this boat was big!  instructors were on the docks ready to catch the boat.  We safely land this boat on the docks.  PHEW!!  NOW WHAT?? We tie it off, actually we tie it to one of our ships to support its weight.  My little docks would never have held them without support.  This boat would have ripped it off.

With the boat secure, I was ready to call the VP to tell him what happened and what we did.  We then see the owner!  You knew it was the owner as he was running towards us.  We all were so excited, he actually said to us to slow down!

We told him what happened.  He actually hugged me! I think i needed the hug as well and i am not a hugging type of girl!!  He was so grateful!  It was such a great feeling!!  He offered us money, work policy is not to take money and even if i were not at work i would not have taken it.  there was not enough money in the world that would compare to the feeling i had.  I was so proud!  i was proud of amy and houli.  I was so proud we saved this boat from ALOT of damage!  I cannot tell you how much i appreciate these guys, and the amount of faith they had in getting it done.  I am proud to have them by my side at work!

So that was the first day of camp…good god, i hope this is not an indication of how the summer is going to go!!

PS…my little boat should never have moved that boat!!  I went to say hello to the owner today while walking around the seaport.  When i approached his boat…I could not believe my powerboat moved his boat.  It did not seem possible.  and if you asked me i would never have believed it if i was not there!!  AMAZING!!  I will try and take pictures of it tomorrow!!

Feeling a little tense!

Kinda how i feel right now…I am trying to work on more positive ways of dealing with these internal and external stress.  I think my expectations of myself and my world are to high sometimes? I do not know.  I really think i need to refocus and start from within.  I am working on it!

So this is not the job it was last year…

Yup, not the same job i had last year or the year before… hum is anyones job really the same it was last year?  Not only work wise, but life wise.

Last year my job at work was not the same, do i dare say it was easier? Last year my job as a mom was different, easier? nah…

I know things change, life happens, but i swear sometimes i have these moments of “holy shit how did i get here?” sorta like a quantum leap back into my life, while someone else was playing.  Like looking through the fridge and thinking who bought this?

I know putting things into perspective is key.  I know that i was not living the high life with maids, house cleaner ever day, fly off to my yacht, and so on, to find myself filing for banrupcy.  Everyday money is a struggle but i am not losing my house.  things could be worse.

Ok how about Jon and Kate, from TLC. I knwo that has been the talk on TV the past weeks or so.  Yup i watched last night season premier…..BUT, omg the pain Kate is in, how jon is feeling. you can feel it. and if you have ever been in their shoes you will know that is the worst place to be in.  Then to be in the public eye for it all. I do hope they reach out for some help.  If not for them but for their kids.

okay so this year is not like last year.  the grass is always greener on the other side. sure i sometimes feel this year SUCKS, but really I have been through worse.  But holy shit!here is a quote i found….

“As we sail through life, dont avoid rough water, sail on because calm waters wont make a skillfull sailor”

Do you still remember me? it has been a while….

Oh my goodness, it has been almost a month since i last posted.  Boy it has been one hell of a month.  Mom always said, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. I have had NOTHING nice to say.  But today i am dipping me toes back into the water.  It was a bumpy start to the weekend, more like it has been one hell of a ride hang on tight, then i let go. phew, it hurt when i hit the wall.

Today was a wonderful warm summer like day! Hard to believe summer is upon us!  I helped my brother get the boat ready for the water.  Then i got distracted by all the wonderful flowers at my moms.  We had dinner together and now home….here are a few of the pictures!

Happy Birthday JORDAN!!

What, a blog, did someone say i had one? I do! OMG!  Thank god the password is saved i am not sure i would have remembered it!  Hehehe…life has been crazy, i could tell you about work, life, stress, death, friends, sailing team but NO its about JORDAN!!I have a meme to do as well. I promise i will try to do better! Life seems to swirl sometimes!! as many of you know!

Jordan turned 11 yesterday!! YUP!! I am old enough to have an 11 year old! Shocking I know!!! I remember the first day he came to me, he was 13 months old…he had a ruptured ear drum, he could not walk, crawl, or talk. Hell he could nto hear anything, his doctor explained it as if he lived underwater all the time.  That is how he heard.  He was a lost soul…being one of 10 children (at the time he is 1 of 16) he was lost.  He found me.   Here is a picture of the first few hours with us….

Who knew?  Yesterday we celbrated his 11th birthday.  It is had to think where he might have been or what might have happened to him. Now look at my birthday boy!  As my dad said, he fills many roles so well, he is a great grandson, a grandson,a nephew,  a son,  a brother and a friend.  He is my peace maker and he is stubborn.  I think he acts more and more like me every day!  Here are the pictures from our celebration last night…