I've been busy over the weekend, and not so much this week, but I haven't had much to write about. I got a letter from the college on Saturday that I had to send my high school and GED transcripts to them. I called on Monday, because they should still have that stuff, but found out that they purge all those records after 5 years. So I called the high school on Tuesday and had them send that transcript, and had to go to the Technology Center today in person to have my GED transcript sent. There's also a form about Hepatitis B that I have to mail back. I need to do that tomorrow so they'll have it by Friday.

I've been getting the kids some school stuff together, a bit at a time. We bought Shelby a backpack with detachable lunchbox on eBay the other night. It should get here by the weekend, I'd think. She wanted the type where the lunchbox attaches to the backpack for this year. It'll be easier to carry, too, and one less thing to hang on her hook at school. They had a general supply list in the newspaper, so I went ahead and got her a folder, crayons, glue, school box, scissors, and markers. I think the only thing I'm lacking for her is a nap mat, and then the requisite hand sanitizer, Kleenex, etc. I went through clothes today, and she has enough clothes to last her the whole school year. I got her some stuff on clearance a few weeks ago, and I had a whole tote full of size 6 clothes in the shed, complete with three jackets and a coat. Score!

I won't know what Mackenzie will need until we get the list from her teacher. She wants to start buying stuff so bad, but I'm not going to buy stuff we "might" need, and then not need it. The Intermediate and Middle schools have an open house on August 2nd, so hopefully we'll find out her teacher and maybe even get her supply list that night. We should have the tax free weekend that weekend, as well, so that'll be nice. We're going this weekend to finish getting clothes for Hunter and Mackenzie, and shoes for all of them. Hunter and Kenzie are using their backpacks from last year since they're still in good shape. I do have to get Hunter another lunchbox, though. I didn't really like the one he used last year. Mackenzie eats her lunch at school.

They also had a general supply list for the middle school at Wal-Mart. It wasn't very big, really. It was stuff like a 3" binder, enough dividers for 6 classes, loose leaf paper, and a calculator. I think there might have been another thing or two, but I can't remember. I think I'll just wait until the open house for that, too. Hopefully we'll get Hunter's supply list at that time, as well.

Well, my house is destroyed once again. Okay, not destroyed, but definitely not as clean as it was last week. My niece was here yesterday, I watched her for my sister while she worked. She's spending the night tonight so I can watch her again tomorrow. I am really not fond of babysitting, but I know she doesn't have a whole lot of options for childcare, and I want to help her out where I can. She has been applying for nursing school, and today she got the letter that she got in! I am so excited for her. She's been a CNA at the local nursing home for the past two years. She'll go to the local Technology Center for her classes, starting September 4. She'll be done next August and she'll be an LPN. And, she'll be making almost double what she makes now. The nursing home she works for is paying for her school, minus a few things that hopefully she can cover with scholarships and grants. She'll have to stay there for 1 year after she finishes school, and then she's free to look elsewhere if she wants to. I am just so happy for her, she deserves this.

I made a decision Monday to get back in shape (again). I went grocery shopping and got whole wheat bread, low fat yogurt, and healthier snack type stuff. Snacking is my downfall, so I got several 100 calorie pack type snacks. 100 calorie cookies and popcorn, Weight Watchers muffins and carrot cake snacks, and Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches. I had one of those tonight and man, are they good! I hid them in the bottom of the freezer under the broccoli, so no one should find them there. Ha! I have yet to get back into the exercise groove, but I will. I want to take this slow and one step at a time this time, and make it stick. I will probably work more on getting my food under control, and then start incorporating exercise. I'm setting small goals to start with, my first being ten pounds. I even made a little ticker, that I'll probably keep up with here.

Well, I think I've talked enough for one night! This will teach me to wait nearly a week between posts! Goodnight!