Stress the Stalker

I've been having one of those times when it seems stress is picking on me. It stalks me until I have a weak moment and then pounces, beating me down. This entire month it seems I've been stalked and smacked upside the head every time I turn around. I thought once Shona's birthday was over, things would calm down. Hahaha. I'm so naive. My classes are winding down, which of course means we are heading into finals. That's stress enough.
Then John's back when out last week and I had to take him to the ER. He was supposed to be home for a few days on bed rest, but his Master's Degree program started that night (naturally) and he decided he couldn't miss that. Two days later, Katy came down with a mysterious illness and I had to rush to school to pick her up. She was fine, but it was pretty scary.
Cue this week...time to enroll in summer and fall classes. My summer enrollment went fine, then this morning I tried to enroll in fall only to be told I couldn't sign up for the last two classes I need to finish my Associate's. When I did some digging, it told me I was lacking math classes. Huh? Is Calculus not enough math for these people? I had to dig out my transcripts from way back when, go wait in line at the office, and explain to them that my Calculus and the Math Functions class I took way back when should count for more than the pre-Algebra and Algebra they were expecting me to take (and this is the FIRST time this has popped up, by the way!). I took Algebra 1 and 2 back in Jr. High, for Pete's sake! They finally agreed with me and enrolled me in the two classes I was lacking. It pains me that when I get my Associate's this fall, I will do so with over 90 college credit hours, but that's just the way the ball bounces, I suppose. So many things don't transfer.

Oh, and I had a bad mommy moment. I told Shona all week to be prepared for her dental visit today. She's having some teeth drilled and filled. I reminded her this morning that I'd be picking her up to take her this afternoon. Then it occurred to me that the office hadn't called to confirm, so just before leaving I dialed them up to see why. I was looking at the calendar, listening to the phone ring, when I realized her appointment isn't until next week. Argh! At least that afforded me the time to get my school situation cleared up, but geez. I think I need a vacation. Somewhere warm and tropical with no cares in the world.

Anyway, that's my update. I'm not feeling down, just stressed. I know things will get better once this semester is over. Now...I'd go rest, but I have to write an 8 page term paper on how to fix the Economy. No pressure there....

Pictures Galore!

OK, time for a picture fest and lots of catching up. First, Easter was fun, but I didn't get a lot of great photos. This was the cutest and it didn't even have the kids in the picture. Sometimes I get frustrated with the lack of light in my house. Love my house, but it needs light!

Katy went to prom with her boyfriend. He lives about 90 minutes south of us, so it was quite a day to drive her there, hang out with the parents passing time and get home on the winding backroads late at night. John admitted he was lost at one point, something I've never heard come out of his mouth in the 18 years we have been together, but now that it's over, he denies it. That's OK, the important part is we got home safe and sound and I got pictures! I do think they make a nice couple, and since the boy's older sister loaned the dress for the night, it only cost us gas money.

This week has been insane. I went back to school after spring break only to be hit with tests all week. Not just tests, but major tests. The kind that take at least an hour, usually two. Why do they torture us this way? I'm happy to report I'm still carrying all A's, but I have a feeling that is subject to change down the road! Only four more weeks of classes and no stress on my Microeconomics term paper...I just have to write 6 to 8 pages detailing how to fix the economy. No big deal, eh? *big, fat sigh*
My baby hit 8 years old this weekend. Man, that was a fast eight years. Faster than Katy's went, but I have a theory that time moves faster the older you get until the hands on the clock are spinning like a top. Shona wanted to dazzle on her birthday, so she got decked out in a beautiful new dress and new shoes (she actually bought with her own money!)...big sister did her hair that morning. It was a glorious day for her, but nothing as exciting as the next day when she got to bring four friends home on the bus for her birthday bash and first sleepover of her life. We took them to the local pottery store (which also doubles as a scrap store, so I was entertained looking around!) so they could each paint a piece of pottery. They loved that. Then back home for dinner and gift opening. That was a screaming success, and I do mean screaming. After each and every gift was revealed, the girls screamed at the top of their lungs in unison, proclaiming each to be the best gift EVER! Ah, the enthusiasm of a room full of 8-year-olds. I'm amazed the police force wasn't summoned by our neighbors, fearing a chainsaw massacre in progress.

Next up, two cakes. Shona wanted an ice cream cake, so I bought one of those. I was very disappointed in the decorations. I could have done a better job, and for $25, I expect a little more effort. Since the cake wasn't even ready when we picked it up, I know they just slapped it together in the back while I waited. Then we cut into it and it was the WRONG flavor! That was the last straw and John called them up to complain. They refunded half the price the next day. I won't be buying another cake from them. I had originally bought a second small regular cake to be cut when my dad came down the following day, but we had to go to emergency plan B when the girls didn't like the ice cream cake flavor, and Shona got to use that cake as well. All's well that ends well, anyway.

The drama had only begun, though. Shona was very bossy and two girls asked to go home, crying. We talked them into sticking it out and had to pull Shona aside several times to remind her that she was not being a good hostess, and in the end they all had a good time. John went to bed by 9:00 with a headache (go figure!) and I stood guard until the last one conked out at midnight. Know what I discovered is the best part of the sleepovers? When they all go home! Katy's parties were never this taxing and sometimes she had 10 girls overnight. I guess they just got along better. The good news is I don't have to do this again for another year!

No rest for me, though, because just before the last child went home, my dad and stepmom showed up. We took them out to the state park to check out the fly fishing and the fish hatchery. They really liked it out there. It is such a beautiful park. I think my dad is still a handsome guy, even at 64. Shona was her typical dramatic self at the park, though, no doubt moping that her party was over, and I was ready to go pretty quickly. All in all, it was a successful birthday, but I'm not in any hurry to do it again anytime soon. Now on to finish this semester and work on summer school. I need a vacation!