have me met?

I'm new to NaBlogPoMo and I'm really enjoying discovering new blogs and welcoming new blog friends here. Thanks for visiting. In the absence of my antacid pills and Greek yogurt (until my medical test this Friday - 4 more days), I'm functioning on very little sleep, which is helping me carve out time to blog and read blogs and comment. Hooray. 

How's that for turning my acid filled stomach lining into a silver lining? 

*Saturday night Coach and I met another couple for drinks. I slept like a baby that night. Is alcohol the answer to sleeping sans antacid pills? Thank goodness I only have a few days left, because that could be a slippery slope. 

I feel like I should introduce myself to the new 'faces'. Better late than never, right? My name is NOT Ernie in real life. (explanation tomorrow)

Me:  I have a business degree I barely used. Wish I'd been a teacher, but after juggling six kids' activities and meals, etc. while Coach worked long hours - I probably should pursue a career in logistics. This is my 9th years running my in-home daycare catering to teachers. Summers off! 

Our six kids, June 2013. Grand Canyon. 

I always thought I'd go back to school, but I put Coach through physical therapy school when we were first married and then I had the six kids (ages 15-25). He kept adding more letters after his name and I kept chasing the kids around while he studied for his fellowship, doctorate, etc. I worked outside the home for a few years doing marketing type stuff at a Catholic grade school while also substitute teaching, but my measly income pushed us into a higher tax bracket. Working just to pay more taxes made no sense, so babysitting and getting paid cash-money it is.

My little charges love playing
 parachute in the yard.

I like to write and I'm working on a memoir. I've had three essays/stories published, including a chapter of what I hope will one day be my memoir. You can read that chapter here. It's short and fairly entertaining, unless you are Ann or Marie, my two sisters who gave me the silent treatment after I shared the link with my fam-damily. It wasn't like I spoke to my sisters much anyway. They are BFFs with similar mindsets. 

See that, now you almost have to read my published piece, because you're dying to know if it was THAT offensive. Not offensive, promise. Also, I apologize for giving you reading homework. No pressure. 

Oh, I'm the middle child of 5. Afore-mentioned older sisters and two slightly younger brothers who are practically Siamese. 

I blame birth order, and my upbringing in a home where favorites were played almost as much as my dad's traditional Irish music records, for my refusal to keep my mouth shut when I've been wronged. I'm a fighter with an Irish temper who refuses to be pushed around and who can write an effective email or sit across from a principal and not back down. 

Tank, my 3rd son, once pointed out a t-shirt he thought I should own:  UNDERESTEIMATE ME, THAT'LL BE FUN. One of my favorite offspring compliments. 

I like to bake, but I eat almost none of it. Thanks, celiac. I'm a fan of my kids' sports teams. Don't sit near me in the stands, I'm loud. I have a strong faith, a messy house, a love of working out, a wish to carve out more social time (Coach prefers to lay low after talking to patients all week, while I've been dealing with a roomful of toddlers/babies), a relief that all of my kids have FINALLY retired from Irish dancing, an occasional wish that I'd worked outside the home/discovered a career that would work for me (*see:  memoir. I need this), a tight-budget, a love of tailgating and/or visiting my kids at college (*see above:  need for social time), a good sense of humor, a love of reading - but usually too sleepy to read much, a  desire to lay in the sun poolside while reading, and a talent for shopping for things on sale. 

Coming in the next week or so, once I have time to draft it, I have some Shenanigan news to share. It's a long time coming and while it's a long story, it'll be shared in short increments. 

Long time, or familiar readers, did I forget something you think new folks should know? New folks, did I miss anything you'd like me to explain?  If you could switch careers, or launch a new one - what would you choose?