Wow, okay. I either a) don't really like to blog anymore or b) I just suck at blogging...let's hope it's not either and it's just because that at the end of the day after watching the kids, I'm just so unmotivated that I don't want to do anything. However, that doesn't explain the fact that I waste away the night usually playing games and surfing on the computer. To my defense, being on the computer is a very non-physical, non-tiring activity. Perhaps that's why I end up doing that.
Anyway, let's recap up to July...I didn't even talk about the Galveston trip.
Well, overall, I think it went pretty well. We rented an AirBNB type house right near the beach and there were plenty of rooms for everyone and then some. Jordan ended up sleeping with Chris and Alicia even though there were two extra rooms. Connor and Emmeline slept in the two rooms in the "attic" area that was finished. All in all, everything worked out. It was hot, but we went to the beach a couple of times. One was the closer one where you just drove up. The other was a state park, so there were less people there. That one was better. I mostly watched Emmeline while Laura and Connor would go a little ways into the breaking waves. The kids had fun. Chris mostly walked up and down the shore while Alicia watched. We ate at a few cool places including the Rainforest Cafe that that kids loved. I can't remember if I've ever been there before. I must have, because it felt familiar. Anyway, we didn't do the ride that was there, but walked around the gift shop and then got Connor a frog cup during dinner. We also went to the old downtown, where we ate at an ice cream shop. That was fun. We then picked up dinner to eat at home. That, however, was the worst idea because Chris wanted to walk instead of move our cars again and it was fricken hot. We sweat so much walking there and carrying our food back. Afterwards, Chris and I got ice cream, though that might have been a different night. The drive back was the most hilarious time we've had in a while. He was holding all the ice cream and cups while I drove and it was just dripping everywhere. Not sure what was funny, but we were just laughing at the ridiculous situation. The drive there and back were good, but tiring for the kids. It was only like 4.5 hours or something, but it was tough for them as they ran out of things to do like an hour in and they would not sleep in the car. It was fun, though, and hopefully we can make a yearly tradition out of it.
What next. Then it was Connor's preschool starting, I guess. He was getting a new teacher, new class, new classmates, everything. He was very nervous, but he eased into it pretty easily. He loves his teacher now. The only problem, however, has been getting him to go potty at school. Finally, he managed to do it with Laura's help at first, but then a few more times by himself. Rewards helped a lot. Anywho, starting next week, he's transitioning to full days two days a week, so that's why we were in a rush to get this issue resolved.
Then things finally settled down a bit, but we were heading into the busy holiday season, which I love, but I get super tired and Halloween makes me nervous, as does other social events that come with it. Luckily, my Mom was out visiting during Halloween so I didn't have to answer the door for that. We went to some neighborhood event or picnic, actually, I can't remember if I went or what it was, but I was just uncomfortable. We went walking with the kids for Halloween and they got treats, though Emmeline just stayed in the stroller most of the time. Even that got me nervous to just stand out on the sidewalk. Dunno what it is.
Then we had our huge Thanksgiving gathering that included Laura's family, Kelly's family, Ellen, Matt, AND my sister's family, so we had like 20+ people and a couple of people that we've never really met. However, Laura pulled it off, though. The big decision was to move all the tables that we need for dinner out into the back yard for more room. I'm not sure that we'll do that again, but it was a success. I didn't do much for it, either. I feel bad.
Then right after that we went over to Tulsa or something to put up the Christmas tree plus Ellen and Matt were staying there. It just gets me so tired when we go there because we usually have to sleep with Emmeline in the room and the kids just don't sleep or nap at all. Anyway, I don't really remember what else we did. Stockings or presents maybe?
Oh...and it's 2017 now...sheesh. I should get to sleep.
Then, the last thing that happened was Christmas just now. This year has been weird, though, because Laura's grandparents have been ill, so they didn't come out for Thanksgiving or Christmas or anything. Laura's other grandpa didn't show himself much either because he's having some problems. To top it off, EVERY ONE of the kids and respective parents caught some kind of cold or something and we've been sick since a couple of weeks before actual Christmas. We STILL have it. We seem to be on the tail end of it all, but I'm still coughing a lot.
My Mom came out a couple of days ago to celebrate the New Year feast that Laura likes to put together. I really am proud of her for doing all these things while sick AND watching the kids. I've sort of been in the background doing nothing. I really feel bad, but it just that when she's home, the kids want to be with her, so I just seem to always end up yelling at them because they're not listening. I don't know. that is one of the things that I need to work on more this year. Patience, and staying off my computer more.
There are a few things that I want to set as goals for this year and I'm already behind on them. I want to possibly look into expanding my cranes on Amazon. Oh, that's one thing that I should mention. They've been selling GREAT over the last few months leading up to the holidays. Enough that I've broke even AND turned a profit of probably a hundred or two dollars now. That's why I sort of want to get into it more. The issue is my motivation and time, really. The other thing was to get this book fricken done because I've decided that I want to publish it on Amazon myself and see what kind of sales I can get. I really think that I have a good story, but, of course, that's just me talking. I need to get the first book done and have Laura read it. I've decided to make it episodic and not a huge novel, selling each book/episode on Amazon for .99 cents or even free to see what the audience, if any, thinks. I read that publishing on Amazon is mostly marketing and luck, and I don't doubt that, but hopefully, I'll get 1 sale...The last thing that I want to do is to work on our family's relationships. I need to stop fighting with Connor more, less yelling and getting frustrated so quickly, and spend more time with Laura. The good news is that because of an awesome find that I purchased at Goodwill for 2.99 and subsequently sold on eBay that night for $129, with a profit of $100, I was able to get us a good condition Xbox 360 to play a Tales game that's been hailed as one of the best in the series. Then, I happened to find a King's Quest re-telling for Laura that I gave for Christmas that hopefully she enjoys. Oh, and I want to get into more woodworking as well. Working on house projects is also on the list. Perhaps get a van...who knows, man.
Well, I should really get going. I also need to decide in a couple of weeks if I should go to Colorado or not. I'm planning on it if it doesn't snow a lot because I don't want to get snowed in on that side of the country, but we'll see. I'm really just going to take a break and picking up a computer or two from Chris.
Okay, I'm really done now...I will PROMISE to be more timely with my blogs. A handful a year like last year is just unacceptable. I'll also have titles, too!
