On our own

Win left today heading to Panama City Beach, FL. He is going to be working at Tyndale AFB from now on with the Reserves. The unit he was with at Maxwell, AFB here in Montgomery was a unit that required that he work one weekend a month. He has been with that unit for 10 years. He said he is tired of doing the "weekend thing" and needed a change. He can telecommute with this new job and will need to go down there each September for the last 2 week of the month to finish out the physical year. He will come home this weekend and then head back on Monday morning.

So, while he is away I have to deal with all three children, all the time. The boys are at an age that I can't physically punish them so I have to do it other ways. And they can sometimes take advantage of that fact. Like tonight when they would not stop bickering. I had to raise my voice just to be heard.

Life with three children, on my own. I don't like it one bit.

Saturdays

What do you do an Saturdays?

At the Johnson house we do chores mainly. Win always works now that he is in private practice. This weekend he is doing his weekend Reserve duty. This is his last weekend at this assignment. He is moving to another job and will no longer be doing the weekend thing.

I have given each child chores to do. Some are to be done each day and some each week. This month is William's month to do the trash. He handles that each day. This is his month to clean the bathrooms. He is also in charge of the yard and he gives Davis and Anna jobs to do in the yard. We have given him full charge of the yard and the other children have to follow his orders when it comes to the yard.

This is Davis' month to clean out the litter boxes. He has to do them daily. This is his month to vacuum the entire house. This is done weekly.

Both he and William share a room and they both clean it up each week. They share the kitchen duties as well and alternate each night of the week. On Sundays I or Win do the dishes.

Anna has her room to keep clean, she dust and cleans the glass doors and she picks up around the house.

William also has Youth Smpthony on Saturday mornings. It is his job to get his chores done and be at this practice. This year Anna is swimming with a year round swim team and she can swim on Saturday mornings. So that has to be factored into our day. Last week I took her and I worked out at the YMCA while she swam.

I have explained to my boys that doing these jobs is not "woman's work" but it is teaching them to do a job well and be proud of their work.

We also pay our children an allowance and if any of their jobs are neglected then we will deduct from their allowance. This way we are teaching them the value of a dollar, how to save, spend and give. Plus they see that with work comes reward.

You might ask - what do you do Beth? Well, I cook, shop, mop and I do all the laudry. And I have to admit, I am additicted to working out and I do that 6 days a week.

I don't ask Win to do much around the house. He works so much. He is in charge of the pool and keeping our money straight.

So, what do you do on Saturday's?

Easter

All three of our children, putting on their best face, for the camera. They are all growing so much and I am truly amazed at how time is flying by.

It is hard to tell in this picture, but Anna is holding a rabbit she has had since she was born. She doesn't play with it but on that day found an attachment to it. She does that sort of thing a lot.

Here is Win and I. We are getting ready to "mark" our 21st year of marriage. We have both changed so much in the last 21 years.

Life in my PJ's

That is what my life is like right now. In my PJ's all day, all night and since Monday. The reason you ask? Well, after putting it off and putting other things in front of my body talking to me I decided last week (actually at the urging of my friend Deana, I think requiring would be a better term, and I am so thankful for her) I went to the doctor and told him I needed a hysterectomy as soon as possible. And low and behold they could get me in the following Monday, March 31st. I had some serve prolapse, my bladder was being pressed on and causing me a bladder infection and I was miserable. My cough from my cold didn't help matters either.

So, now after a night at the hospital, I am home. All this was done while Win was out of town. That was OK. I had my mother, my sister and Deana. I couldn't have done it without them. They have taken me to the hospital, taken care of my children, house and animals and gotten me home from the hospital, gotten my children home from school, answered my phone, cleaned my kitchen, the list goes on and on. I am so thankful for each one of them.

Now, I am recovering. A lady at church told me to not take off my PJ's because then my family would think I am OK and can start doing for them again. So, I am in them until at least next week.

I have many post swarming around in my head and will get with it next week and let you know all that is on my mind. Until then I will be in my bed....

Spring Break and a slight gain

It is Spring Break for my children in my menagerie. We have no plans except to get some things done around the house. William was sick this weekend and now I am feeling the effects of it as well - like a truck hit me a few times! It has been raining for 3 days and so we are all home today, except for Win. He is our benefactor so he must go to work.

I didn't reach the 60 pound mark today. I actually gained a pound but I know why - I started my cycle and that always brings a slight weight gain. Actually when I was not watching what I ate, I would gain up to 6 pounds, so a gain of only 1 is good. My friend and partner on this journey, Deana, hit the 50 pound mark today. I am so happy for her. She looks wonderful. She has about 15 pounds to go before she reaches what she thinks might be a goal. If she gets to her ultimate goal before me, she will continue on the journey - for her friend's sake. We are in this together.

She sent me a picture of myself from when we were in Community Bible Study together. I will post it with a current picture soon.

So, I am going to crawl back into the bed and pray I don't get any sicker.