Life's Little Adventures

New Digs

2007-08-20T18:28:00.000-05:00

Well, I really did intend to post both places for awhile. At least a week or two. But overwhelming response has led me to go ahead and move myself to the other site. I guess more folks were having issues than I thought!

This blog isn't going anywhere. It will be here as long as Blogger will keep it around. But all content, minus a post or comment here and there, has been moved on over.

So please, change your bookmarks or feed reader subscription to Life's Little Adventures, the Wordpress edition!

Who Do You Blog For?

2007-08-20T08:11:00.000-05:00

Perhaps the question shouldn't be "who do you blog for?". Perhaps it should be "why do you blog?", or "who knows about your blog?", or "what do you get out of blogging?".

For some reason I've been thinking about this a fair bit lately. I read several blogs regularly and even more of them sporadically, and it seems everyone is in this for different reasons. What are yours?

Me, well, I started the blog primarily to keep my family and Andy's up to date on the boys. My family is a few hours away--just far enough to make it inconvenient to visit very often. And Andy's parents moved away to Phoenix, which is about 25 hours from here by car. Since they've moved we've seen them once. Also, I have good friends that live far away. So, one day during a slow time at work, and after seeing a magazine article about blogging, I sat down and wrote a quick introductory post. Then I called my mom and told her about it, and e-mailed everyone that I thought might be interested.

For awhile I wrote a post every few days. All the posts were about the boys because, after all, that's what this was about. Right? While I was beginning my blog, I also browsed around and began reading a few other blogs regularly. I didn't comment or anything, just lurked around. But one day, a post that Ann Adams wrote just cried out for me to say something. I left a comment, and the neatest thing happened. She visited my blog and left me a comment! Until then, I'd had no comments from anyone but my mom and my aunt, who have since started blogs of their own. It was such a nice feeling!

I began cruising around the blogosphere, leaving little comments everywhere I went. Some folks visited me and left comments, others didn't. No biggie--I was having a blast! And somewhere in there, I began posting more often. Pretty soon it was nearly every day. The other big change was that I quit talking about the boys every post, and began to share some of my thoughts and feelings. It was so nice to just get those thoughts out of my head and into reality, and it was even nicer when even just one person commented with a virtual hug or an "I understand, I've been there."

I love my blog. Sometimes I struggle with what I want it to be. There are times when I'm angry or upset and I debate whether I want to post about that or not, because just as there are nice people hanging out on the internets, there are mean people who derive great satisfaction in posting the perfect nasty anonymous comment. Sometimes I'll notice I've posted 8 straight posts about the boys and figure I'd better make a change before ya'll get bored. Sometimes I'll ramble about myself for several posts before remembering that perhaps the grandparents would like to hear about the kids. It's a balance, I guess.

I notice that many people with blogs don't tell their families about them. Then they come online and rant and rave about their mom or their mother-in-law or their sister or whoever else is driving them crazy. Now, I'm not complaining--sometimes those posts are hilarious, sometimes they're very sad and I want to offer support, and sometimes (but not so often, OK, guys? remember, everyone, my family rocks!) I can totally relate. I always wonder, though, don't you worry that one day they'll find your blog? Wouldn't that be awful?

Something else I wonder about is how much to write about the boys. They're not babies any longer, and while I still think they're adorable and wonderful and small, one of these days they may not appreciate me posting all kinds of things about them on the internet. Not that I'll stop writing about them, necessarily, but perhaps I'll have to change the tone. Wouldn't it be awful if, when they are 12 or so, a classmate ran across the blog and read about potty training and pacifiers in the archives, and the temper tantrum they threw in Wal-Mart just the other day?

Well, that certainly was a disjointed jumble of thoughts. Hopefully you made some sense out of what I'm saying, at least. So, tell me about your blogging philosophy. I'd like to know how you do things at your place!

Photo Sunday #46: An Important Announcement

2007-08-18T15:19:00.000-05:00

Starting today I am going to double-post for awhile both here and at the Wordpress blog, because many people are complaining that they're not able to load this site. I am reluctant to give up my cute customized template, but if people can't read what I'm writing or see the photos I'm posting, I guess there's not much point in doing it. After a bit of double-posting, during which time I hope to completely figure out the Wordpress site, I'll probably stop posting here and just post there.

So, if you're unable to see photos here, or you cannot load the site but can read through an rss reader, try the Wordpress site. And let me know what you think of it, OK?

Life's Little Adventures on Wordpress

The boys riding their bikes at the farm

My tree in the evening light

Hot Summer Sunset (104 on this day)

You Win Some, You Lose Some

2007-08-17T10:40:00.000-05:00

Yesterday when I pulled in at the sitter's house to pick up the boys, my truck had smoke rolling out from under the hood. Lots of smoke. Lots of white, smelly smoke. That's never good, is it?

I'll omit all the details of the 2 hours that followed, but I will tell you that it was enough to give me a major headache. I did end up driving it to my friends house to have him look at it, and then home with the A/C turned off (104 here yesterday, people!) because it was blowing hot air, and because it smoked less with it turned off. There were rumors that it was the compressor, the radiator, or possibly the alternator after 2 different people looked at it.

Fortunately for me, my next door neighbor is a mechanic. And he's a nice guy. He came over and looked at the truck and within a minute told me I had a hole in the condenser and all my freon had leaked out. The freon was burning off on the hot engine parts, and that was causing the smelly smoke. How did I get a hole in the condenser? I have not a clue. But there it is, about as big around as an inkpen and clear as day. He says I could have run over a stick or a rock or hit a bird...any of those things could do it. I don't remember hitting anything, but obviously I did.

My neighbor (whose shop is behind his house) took the truck. He went to town and got the part and had it fixed for me by 10:00 last night. He replaced the condenser, refilled the freon and charged the system, and, since he already was in there, changed the oil and filter and rotated the tires. Isn't that great?

So, even though I'm out a few hundred dollars that I didn't really have just laying around waiting to be spent, I didn't have to deal with the hassle of taking the car to an unknown mechanic. Not to mention finding a ride to and from the mechanic to drop off and pick up the truck. And I wasn't charged for the oil change and tire rotation except for the oil and filter, so I won't be spending that money here in a few weeks when it was due.

I guess that's not a bad deal, all things considered.

It's a Mystery

2007-08-16T11:51:00.000-05:00

What's a mystery, you ask? It's a mystery when I will have reliable internet service at home. Ever since New Wave took over from Charter, I can never be sure there will be a connection. I understand that there are issues associated with the changeover, and they've been very nice and eager to help, and they've credited me for every day that I haven't had continuous service, but still... I want my internet back!

So anyway, I can't do the post by the boys until I can post from home, and until I can be assured of a connection I'm posting from work. So, keep holding for that. It's coming, I promise, because I love the idea.

My birthday yesterday was nice. I spent a good portion of the day on the phone, which made me feel very loved. My parents called, twice. Both of my brothers called. My far-away best friends Mike and Jeff called, and Annie even remembered to call. My local buddies Mark and Mandy called, too. Well, actually, Mark called but Mandy stopped by the house with new scrapbooking supplies and a birthday card. Wasn't that nice? I got several e-cards and a few happy birthday e-mails. And today they had break goodies at work for all the August birthdays, and the boss man made no-bake cookies special for me because I love them.

Andy and the boys got me a tiny little cake from the Kroger bakery. It was yummy. They got me a CD and a video game (Yes, a video game. Spyro the Dragon. I guess moms need to have fun, too... I believe the boys chose that gift themselves.) and a little camouflage stool to take with me when I go out into the woods with my camera. Oh, and flowers. They got me flowers. Mums and a little ivy-looking plant. And, Nicky agreed to pose for pictures for me. He never, ever agrees, but he said he would because it was my birthday. That one above is my favorite--he was trying to make his "mean face" but was laughing too much to be able to accomplish the frown.

It's nice to know that I have people that love me. People I'm related to and friends I've known for years and some blogging buddies that I've never actually met. Thank you, everyone. You made it a great day.

Someone's Having a Birthday!

2007-08-15T08:52:00.000-05:00

It's me! I'm having the birthday! Yippee!

Do I sound like a little kid? I do? Probably because I feel like one on my birthday. I know that as you grow up and get older birthdays aren't supposed to be exciting anymore, and I guess it's not as exciting as it was when I was, say, 8. But it's still fun.

Debra had the idea that I should get the boys to write my birthday post. I love the idea! However, they were already in bed by the time I got her comment, and I won't see them until this evening, so perhaps I'll get them to write a post another day. Soon. Look for that, OK? In the meantime...

I am 33 years old. I was born August 15, 1974, to a mother who was in a (medically) drug-induced sleep after many hours of labor and a father who was in the parking lot moving the car. I believe the only people that actually witnessed my birth were the hospital personnel! But that's alright--I don't remember it, anyway. I was Mom and Dad's first child. Boy, were they in for a treat!

My mom really wanted a little girl. You know, for pink dresses and dolls and girly kind of stuff. That lasted, ummmm, until I could make my own decisions. I'm not a pink dress and doll kind of girl, really. I'd be better described as a tomboy. It served me well for life in the country--I was happiest with the animals or roaming the fields and woods. I was never afraid to get dirty, and did farm chores from an early age. When I was a teenager, my dad was interviewed for the employee spotlight section of his company newsletter. In it, he referred to me as his first born son. Yes, he did. I still have the newsletter somewhere.

I did well in school without much effort. If I had really tried I probably could have done even better. I didn't do as well in college without much effort--it took my first semester and a GPA I'd never, ever seen before to teach me that I wasn't as brilliant as I figured I was. After that I applied myself and did well. I graduated from college in 1996 with a degree in agriculture, and after a few months at home I landed the job I have now and moved 2 hours from my parents and into an apartment that I shared with no one but a cat named Sally. I married Andy 3 years later, I was nearly finished with a masters degree 2 years after that when I found out I was pregnant with Drew. No more school for me! 2 more years and Nicholas came along, and now, well, here I am.

I have a good life. I have a good husband and 2 wonderful little boys. I have a job that pays the bills and a nice home and a nice vehicle and food in my pantry. I have a great, supportive family, and a handful of really good friends.

And I'm only 33.

Just think of how wonderful my life will be in 33 more years if I keep on going like this!

Just For Fun

2007-08-14T05:45:00.000-05:00

Just a fun little video of the boys playing. They have a little bit of energy, don't you think? It's not uncommon for my house to sound like that for HOURS when they're getting along. Paper airplanes are all the latest rage with them--I can't make enough of them. Too bad I'm not very good at it, huh?

I really don't have much to say today. Tomorrow, though, is a very special day in our household...it's my birthday! I'll be 33. I keep telling the boys I'm turning 25, but they correct me every time. Unfortunately, they think I'm turning 43, and they tell that to everyone we see. *sigh* I wonder if I should write a special birthday post for myself? Or perhaps I should get someone to guest post for me? Any ideas? What do you guys think I should do?

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Things I Learned This Weekend

2007-08-13T05:23:00.000-05:00

From Drew, I learned that people don't come in the standard black/white colors that we hear so commonly. He informed me on Saturday that is friend Carl is brown, not black. I asked him what color he was, then, and he said he's peach. Further discussion revealed that there are light brown people, dark brown people, light peach people, and dark peach people. Interesting.

From Nick, I learned that our kitchen chairs are 90 feet tall. Yes, 90 feet tall. I asked him how he came up with that number, and he sat down and began pointing to random points on the legs of one of the chairs. He moved upward while counting (and he can only count to 25 reliably, the rest is hit or miss) and when he reached 90 he said "See?! 90 feet!".

From Jordan (neighbor boy), I learned that we have rattlesnakes in the vicinity. He showed up on the doorstep on Saturday with a baby snake (dead) and asked for help in identifying it. He thought it may be a baby copperhead. A 10 minute internet and textbook search revealed that no, it wasn't a baby copperhead, it was a baby rattlesnake. Nice.

From both boys, I learned that I shouldn't always trust them alone. I needed to take a shower yesterday afternoon after mowing the lawn, and Andy was at work. They are 4 and 6--certainly they can be trusted alone for 10 minutes while I clean up, right? As I was showering, I could hear them laughing, and I was happy that they were getting along and playing nicely. When I came out of the bathroom I discovered what was making them laugh so hard--they were taking turns spitting mouthfuls of Pepsi at one another. Yeah. I guess I should be glad they were in the kitchen and not in a carpeted area, but still... What a sticky mess!

Did you learn anything new this weekend?

Photo Sunday #45: The "I Can't Think of An Edition" Edition

2007-08-11T16:03:00.000-05:00

Note that he is actually ENJOYING himself, though his body language might state otherwise...

He was enjoying himself, too...

Andy teaching the boys gun safety, using plastic AirSoft pistols. They shoot plastic pellets instead of metal bb's. As interested in hunting and shooting as these boys are, not to mention the fact that we have guns in the house, we figured they'd best get the safety and basics down as soon as possible. Don't worry, you could shoot someone point blank with those guns and it wouldn't hurt as much a bee sting. They're safe. And when they're not in use, they're locked in the gun cabinet with the real ones.

A baby wren I found in the front yard. I was talking to my mom on the phone when I saw it and actually cut our conversation short to get the camera and take it's picture. Sorry, Mom!

A cow, obviously. I like it's markings.

Johnson Grass silhouetted by the sunset. I liked this photo alright even though I wouldn't consider it one of my best, so I added it to my Flickr page. It's gotten rave reviews. I'm surprised--some that I thought were much nicer were practically ignored. Goes to show you that photography is totally subjective!

New Toy

2007-08-10T08:16:00.000-05:00

First off, let me say that I am not bragging. Not at all. Ever since that one anonymous comment I'm always a little hesitant to share anything with you guys that involves self-indulgent spending. I know I shouldn't be, I know I shouldn't allow a cowardly stranger to affect me like that, but that's just the way it is. However, I've solved the self-indulgent spending issue, so now I'm going to share.

I got a new camera! Yay! Actually, I got it almost 2 weeks ago. If you've seen the quality of my photos go down some, that's why. I've been trying to figure out how to use it. It's a bit more complicated than the Rebel.

The story goes like this:

My buddy Jason (who took our family photos and who is a professional wedding photographer) purchased a new camera a few months ago. He bought a Canon EOS 1D. It's quite the camera. He loves it. But he found he wasn't using his other camera much at all, so he offered to sell it to me. For cheap. Really cheap. Including a nice lens (one that was on my wish list, even!), and a battery grip. I talked it over with Andy, and for the price we decided we couldn't pass it up. We pulled the $$ out of the equity account and I had a new camera--a Canon EOS 20D. It's only slightly used, and I know Jason took excellent care of it. I LOVE it.

Now, my youngest brother has been drooling over DSLR cameras for awhile now. I thought he might like to take the Rebel off my hands. So I offered it to him (kit lens, camera bag, and after-market how-to book included) for the exact price that I paid for the 20D. And if it tells you what kind of deal I got on that fancy new camera, he's paying less for the Rebel than what a used one goes for in the store or on e-bay, and that's what I paid for the 20D that normally costs twice what the Rebel does! If he didn't want it I was just going to sell it on e-bay, but this way he gets a deal and we're all happy. As soon as Doug forks over the cash (and I told him to take his time) I'll put it straight back in the equity account and all is well.

So, I basically upgraded to a professional-level camera for nothing. Well, for a month or two of interest, I guess. Still, a steal if you ask me, especially since I got the battery grip and lens (the lens is worth what I paid for the entire package) included.

Now all that's left is to learn how to use it!

The Grand Tour

2007-08-09T16:58:00.001-05:00

I've mentioned a time or two that we live in a fairly small house. To be exact, it's 996 square feet. I've had one or two inquiries about the house since I've been blogging, so I thought I'd give ya'll a tour. Probably not the most exciting thing to blog about, but hey--the pickins are slim today!

Now, please keep in mind that I did not clean the house before taking these photos. I came home, put our stuff down, and snapped them in about 5 minutes. So, excuse the mess.

Ok. This is our house:

It's cute, isn't it? I fell in love with it after looking at about 40 homes. Andy liked it, but not like I did. It felt like home before I even walked through the front door. Speaking of the front door, this is the view looking in the open door:

That's the living room. Directly to the right of the shot there's an arched doorway leading to the "hallway", which is really a square. This is the view of the hall from the kitchen:

The living room is to the immediate right, that doorway you can see is our bedroom, that's the bathroom straight ahead, and the boys' room is on the left. My mom painted that sunset picture, and there is also a painting that my grandma did hanging in there. To the immediate left is a narrow linen closet.

This is our room:

I took that from the doorway. There are nightstands on either side of the bed, and to the left is a chest of drawers and a small closet.

Here is the bathroom:

Yes, that's it. The only bathroom. No, there's not a linen closet in there. Hey, at least it's easy to keep clean!

Here's the boys' room:

Sorry it's a little blurry. I was standing on a stool in an attempt to get the whole room. On the other side of the aquarium there is the big closet--Drew and Nick share it and their toys live in there, too. On the left, next to where you see the hamster cage there is the small closet--that's where my clothes live. Excuse the mess--their beds never stay neat.

OK, the kitchen:

This is looking in from the back room. To the left of that china cabinet is an arched doorway leading to the hallway. On the immediate left is a shallow pantry and the fridge, which is recessed. On the right is the stove, counter, and sink area.

If you were to enter the house through the back door (the way we ALWAYS come in--the front door is company-only) this is what you would see:

Oh, my. I told you I didn't clean. If you look closely, you'll see most of the mess is shoes. Not dirty, just messy. The boys and I are particularly bad about putting them in their assigned racks, which you can see along the wall there. But Andy does it every other night or so, because it bugs him. You can see the washer and dryer there, and the cabinet holds photography and scrapbooking supplies. Behind the curtain is the only part of the house I'm not showcasing here...it's just a storage area. The cat litter box and water heater are back there, too.

Turn around from where I took the photo of the back room, and this is the view out the back door:

Yes, that's Drew's school.

And this is our deck and backyard:

The carport is behind me.

And, just for kicks, check out the weather posted on my computer screen:

Yep, that says it's 102. My thermometer on the deck reads 105. It also says possible thunderstorms, but there's not a cloud in the sky so we'll see.

So, that's our home. It's small but we like it. We will outgrow it as the boys grow, I'm sure, but for now it's just fine. I hope you enjoyed your tour!

The First Day of 1st Grade

2007-08-07T16:36:00.000-05:00

I realize that this makes 2 posts in one day. I'm going to make up for it by not posting tomorrow. I just figured some people out there (mainly the grandparents!) might like to learn about Drew's big day. So...

I'm going to tell you all about Drew's first day just like he told me all about his first day. Are you ready?

Me, getting in the truck on the way home: "Drew, how was your first day of school?"

Drew: "I love first grade it's great I have Mrs. Shemwell and she's nice and I sit by Elisha and behind Taylor and Payton is in my class too! And Joe is in there and Ray Ray, and a new boy named Daniel is in there too and we did Math! We did a new math book and it's big and I like math and we had lunch and played on the playground at recess and it was hot! I'm going to learn to write really good and maybe write like grown-ups and today I wrote B's and Mrs. Shemwell said they are very nice and I have a red folder that I bring home and take back and bring home and take back and it will always have my homework in it and my B's paper is in there now and some math papers too."

Me: "Wow! That sounds like a great day!"

Drew, taking another breath: "But I wasn't finished! We're going to do english and reading and science and math lots of math and we will have music and art and computers I LOVE computers. And Monday is gym and I HAVE to wear tennis shoes on gym day but that's ok because my new shoes for school from Grandma are tennis shoes and they will be fine Mrs. Shemwell said so. Are we almost home? I want to look in my backpack and show you my papers I got a smiley face! Is Daddy home I want to tell him all about first grade and I didn't have to take a rest time like the little kids in Kindergarten and OH! I saw Mrs. Joiner and she remembered me! And Kayla is not in my class and neither is Miranda or Gracie but that's ok because I can eat with them at lunch but Kayla can't be my girlfriend if she's not in my class so maybe Payton will have to be my girlfriend or maybe Taylor but she's taller than me.

And then, there was silence. I guess he ran out of breath!

So, I think he's going to like 1st grade. Nicky enjoyed his day at the sitter's, too. He took new school supplies and workbooks and they have an hour of school each day. What big boys I have. Here are some photos to commemorate the day:

R.I.P. Midnight

2007-08-07T07:17:00.000-05:00

Remember our poor, pitiful cat? The one Nicky fell in love with and "adopted" and named Midnight? Well, he is no more.

Yesterday I backed over him with the truck.

Yep, me. I am the bad guy. The killer, as Nicky referred to me. He didn't run out in the road and get hit by a speeding car, he wasn't attacked by a rabid dog or raccoon, and he wasn't sick. As a matter of fact, he was looking pretty good. His hair was growing back in and his sores were all healed up and he'd put on a ton of weight. He was friendly in an annoying kind of way. And the friendliness is what got him killed.

We were leaving yesterday, the boys in the backseat of the truck and me driving. Andy was at work, scheduled to get off in an hour. When we went out the back door, both cats were sitting on the deck. And both cats, as usual, followed us to the truck. Midnight tried to get in. I put him out, and closed the doors. I started the truck, and then talked to the boys for a few minutes going over the rules of behavior for our intended trip.

When I started backing up, I ran up on something. I never dreamed it was an animal, because really--they're supposed to be smarter than that. And I was going very slow. I stopped, because if it was one of the boys toys I didn't want to damage it and I planned on driving back forward off of it. But then I realized what I had done (don't ask why--just believe that I was certain it was a cat. which one I wasn't sure.) and backed on off in a hurry. I backed far enough up to be able to see that it was Midnight, and he wasn't dead yet. Not far from it, though.

I got out of the truck and went to see if I could help him. It was obvious that he was beyond help (again, don't ask what makes me say this. just assume it was bad), so I turned my thoughts to putting him out of his misery. Fortunately for me he died before I had to do anything, but I feel so guilty for his minutes of suffering.

The boys were still in the truck, and while they had a distant view of what was going on they couldn't see too clearly. I am so glad for that. But, because they already knew what I had done there was no getting around the fact that Midnight was dead and it was my fault. Nicky was very upset for about 5 minutes. Drew didn't seem upset at all, and for that I don't know if I should be glad or concerned. But they got over it rather quickly and turned their thoughts to the adventure at hand.

I called Andy and asked him to please clean up the mess in the carport before we got back home. I didn't feel like the boys needed a close-up view, and honestly it made my stomach uneasy to see what I had done. Totally not like me at all, but a fact.

So today Nick has been asking when Midnight is coming back. If we can make him better. If he went to heaven. What I did with the body. Hard questions. *sigh*

Also, today is the first day of school. I know tonight will be busy, so I'm posting this now and I'll do an official "first day of first grade" post tomorrow, complete with pictures.

Four Minutes

2007-08-06T09:50:00.000-05:00

Friday night around 11 PM, Nicky woke up. I assume he woke up because he was thirsty, because I heard him go to the kitchen and get a drink out of the fridge. Then, instead of going straight back to bed, he came and found me in bed.

I could tell he wasn't really awake. Not quite sleepwalking, but definitely not fully conscious and alert. Of course it was dark, but we leave the light over the stove on in the kitchen all night, so I could see him some. His eyes were half closed, and his walk was really more of a stumble. Because he's addicted to his footie pajamas he was wearing red ones, even though it's the middle of summer. His hair, which was damp when he went to bed, was sticking up in all directions. It was really very cute, and even in my I'm-not-really-awake-I-don't-want-to-be-awake-it's-late-and-I'm-tired-please-go-away-and-leave-me-alone state I recall thinking how adorable he is.

He didn't even speak, he just climbed up on the bed and curled into me like a kitten.

"Nicky, honey, you need to go back to your bed."

"Four minutes, Mom."

"What?"

"I'm just gonna sleep here for four minutes. I love you best friend goodnight."

Well, OK. Four minutes it is.

As much as I love my kids, I don't like sleeping with them. Both of them, but Nick especially, flop around like a fish out of water all night long. Sometimes he ends up on the floor he wiggles so much. And, he's hot. When he's sleeping he just radiates heat, and he sweats. That makes him a very uncomfortable bed partner. Add that to the fact that I almost always sleep alone and am very much used to that, and I knew it would be a long night if he didn't go back to his bed.

So, after four minutes I kind of wiggled him.

"It's been four minutes, buddy. Time to go back to your bed."

No answer.

"Nicky? Four minutes. Back to bed please."

No answer.

So, I waited. And he was still and silent, and I actually fell asleep.

And then, at 3:47, he kicked me in the side of the head. Hard. I had managed to sleep through his nighttime acrobatics, and although I don't know how much he actually had moved altogether, he was now facing the foot of the bed, spread out like a starfish, 2 of the pillows were on the floor, and my blankets were all bunched up around him. And he kicked me. I went from asleep to awake instantly. It hurt.

So, after feeling all around and straining my eyes to see exactly where he was, I got up and carried him back to his bed. He never even moved. And I went back to my bed, blissfully alone.

The boys got up around 6:15 on Saturday morning. I woke up, but didn't get up. I stayed there in bed, all comfy under the covers, listening to them talk while they picked out clothes and got dressed.

"Hey Drew? Guess what? I slept in Mama's bed for four minutes last night! I did!"

I couldn't make out what Drew said in response, but I heard him stomping across to where I was pretending to still be asleep. That didn't matter. He started talking anyway.

"Mom? Mom! Nicky said he slept with you for four minutes last night. Did he? Did he? Really?"

"Yes, Drew. Please let Mama be quiet a little longer."

"But I wanted to sleep with you! Can I sleep in your bed for four minutes tonight?"

I told him he could, if he'd just go watch cartoons for awhile.

Thankfully he forgot all about it by bedtime.

Photo Sunday #44: Now With Captions!

2007-08-04T17:37:00.000-05:00

At the open house on Thursday night, I purchased Drew a school t-shirt. He is so amazingly proud of this $7 shirt. Can't you tell? I promised to get him a long sleeved one once the weather turned colder, and you'd have thought I promised him the moon!

I stopped again on Friday morning to photograph these horses. They looked so peaceful, and the light was soft and diffused and perfect. This is the same field as in the photo I posted last week of the horse in the mist.

Nick fell asleep this afternoon while he was perusing the Cabela's Archery catalog. He was working diligently on his Christmas wish list, folding down page corners and circling things he might like to have. He's got big dreams, that's for sure!

This photo was taken at the same time as the one of the horses. In fact, I simply turned around and snapped this image of the fog sitting just above the soybean field. When I turned back around, the horses had run away, leaving me with no option other than to go on to work.

This Zinnia in my new planter box is such a delicate shade of pink. And it just keeps getting taller and taller--it stands over all the other flowers by a good six inches!

Tagged

2007-08-03T18:23:00.000-05:00

WesleyJeanne over at Mountain Mama tagged me for this Fours Meme. I vaguely recall possibly doing it once before, but if I can't really remember, surely you can't. So, I've done it again. Enjoy!

Four jobs I've held:

1. Behind the counter at Burger King

2. Worker in a steel fabricating plant, making parts for the Ford plant

3. Intern for a veterinarian

4. Veterinary Histologist (past 11 years, likely for the rest of my working life)

Four movies I can (and do) watch over and over again:

1. Top Gun

2. Overboard

3. Pretty in Pink/Sixteen Candles/The Breakfast Club

4. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Four places I have lived:

1. Louisville, Ky

2. Lebanon Junction, Ky

3. Murray, Ky

4. Hopkinsville, Ky

Four TV shows I watch:

1. Gray's Anatomy

2. Big Love

3. Men in Trees

4. Dirty Jobs

Four place I've been on vacation:

1. Panama City Beach, FL

2. Niagra Falls, NY

3. Mammoth Cave, KY

4. Smoky Mtns., TN

Four favorite foods:

1. Cheeseburgers

2. Bacon

3. Pizza

4. Steak and Potatoes

(Gee, I'm a healthy thing, aren't I?)

Four websites I visit:

(I'm changing this to 4 TYPES of websites I visit)

1. Blogs. I visit all those on my Blogroll whenever they update.

2. Flickr and other photo sharing sites

3. Message boards, mostly parenting and photography and some local politics.

4. News sites. CNN, FoxNews, and my local newspaper.

Four people I'm tagging:

I'm not tagging anyone. I'm a rebel like that.

First Grade is Cool

2007-08-02T17:25:00.000-05:00

We just returned from open house at Drew's school. We found out that his teacher will be Mrs. Shemwell, which is an excellent thing. I know her and like her, and she knows Drew and likes him. And, to make things interesting, she used to own our house! Yep, she used to live exactly where we live. It's a small world, huh?

Anyway, with the exception of his buddy Miranda not being in his class again this year, Drew seems pleased. He likes Mrs. Shemwell, and was hoping she'd be his teacher. His friend Elisha from the babysitter is not only in his class, his assigned seat is right next to Drew. His buddy Joe is in his class, too, as well as a few other kids from last year. Unfortunately, Kayla is not in his class. Fortunately, Nathan and Lucas are not in his class--they're the ones that he got up to so much mischief with last year.

What made me very happy is that they sent home all the first day of school paperwork with us tonight. So, instead of having to do it all on the first evening after the first day, I have until Tuesday to get it done. That's nice.

What also made me happy was that Mrs. Shemwell said "I am so glad Drew is in my class. He's a great kid. And his mom is the 'photographer mom', we all wanted him for that reason." That's kind of flattering, isn't it?

Stumped

2007-08-01T10:57:00.000-05:00

I can't really think of anything I particularly want to talk about today. Not anything that would make up an entire blog post, anyway. I guess a bulleted list is in order.

Nick has not been sleeping well. He's been up several times a night for water, or because he had a bad dream, and sometimes he doesn't even know why he's up. But at least 2 or three times each night either I'll have to go in to calm him down or he'll appear by the side of the bed to wake me up and tell me he got a drink of water, or just to wake me up so he won't be alone. He's wearing me out. Thankfully, once Drew goes to sleep he's dead to the world for 8 or 9 hours, so at least I'm not dealing with both of them.
I found a real deal, so we're getting 2 portable dvd players for the boys to use in the truck. Not for use around town, of course, but for when we travel to visit my parents, or go on other long trips. We're going to Gatlinburg in September for my brother's wedding, and that's about a 6 hour drive, so I know they'll be used then.
Monday evening I had the worst headache I've ever had in my life. It came on suddenly and was totally on the right side of my head, in a straight line between my eye and right behind my ear. It was horrible. It still ached when I woke up yesterday morning, and was still an annoying dull ache last night. I had already made up my mind that if it hurt at all today I was taking myself directly to the dr., but when I woke up this morning it was finally gone. Now I'm back to my normal headache level (because I'm hungry, and it's a little grumpy here at work today) but nothing to concerning. If that happens again, though, I'm at the doctor. It was bad.
Drew is so ready for school to begin. We've purchased all his supplies, including a camo backpack and a metal Spiderman lunchbox. He's got brand-new clothes and shoes for his first day, and the backpack is filled with notebooks, pencils, crayons, and other miscellaneous 1st grade paraphernalia. Tomorrow night is the open house, where we get to meet his teacher and see if any of his friends are in his class. We'll see his room and his desk. And then school starts next Tuesday. 1st grade. Where has the time gone?
Andy's schedule switches back to days this weekend--8AM to 6PM. Sounds nice, except his days are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So really, it's less family time than we have now, because 8-6 really means 8-whenever, sometimes 7 or 8 or 10. And then he'll still have Wal-Mart Sunday night, Monday night, and Tuesday night. He just can't win. It sure would be nice if they'd work 8 hour shifts, or 12 hour shifts, instead of this dumb 10 hour stuff.

Ok, was that random enough for you?

The Audiologist

2007-07-31T15:58:00.000-05:00

Nicky visited the Audiologist today for his hearing exam. He was a little nervous given his last experience at a doctor's office, but he did very well. Especially after I assured him that he wouldn't be getting any shots, and I promised him candy after the visit if he behaved. Hey, bribery works!

So, she was a very nice lady, very personable and extremely thorough. She showed us Nicky's eardrums on a video monitor, and did a tympanogram to measure the amount of fluid built up behind his eardrums, and tested his hearing in each ear.

The results? He has fluid in both ears, and a pretty good amount of it, too. Not an infection, necessarily, but fluid. He has 20-30% hearing loss in his right ear, mostly related to the fluid (although I don't understand how, with lots of fluid in both ears, the hearing loss in only in one. But hey, she's the professional!).

Anyway, given the results of his hearing screening back in May, plus the fluid now, she suspects it's an ongoing problem. She wants to see him back in 6 weeks to check the fluid levels, and we'll go from there. The next step, if they're still clogged, is to try antihistamines to clear them up. If that doesn't work, they'd put tubes in his ears. That one surprised me--I thought they only did that for babies. But no, she says they do them regularly on children and fairly often in adults.

So, that's where we are. Waiting for 6 more weeks.

We also addressed the speech issue, and she and our Dr. had discussed this already. They would want to get the fluid cleared up before any therapy, but probably would want to give him about 6 months regardless before beginning anything. That would give him a chance to be able to hear correctly plus to grow out of the bad speech habit. Apparently the r's are a common stumbling block in kids and alot of them can fix it on their own, with the other stuff following behind. So, we'll see.

__________________________________

Total change in topic.

This morning as I was getting dressed Drew came in and said "Hey, Mom? Those pants make your butt look really big."

Oh, my. I was floored!

I said "Drew! You know that's not nice! We don't say things like that!", to which he responded "Oh, sorry. Bottom. Those pants make your bottom look big. OK?"

Sometimes you've just gotta laugh, right?

Accomplishment

2007-07-30T08:45:00.000-05:00

Look at Drew riding his new bike. Now, look again. What do you see missing? That's right, the training wheels!

Drew has had this bike for just over a week. Before this the boys had a 12 inch bike with training wheels that they shared, but neither of them ever rode it much. Drew didn't ride it because it was WAY to small for him, and Nick didn't ride it mostly because it was "Drew's" and he wanted his own. I can't blame him, really, because nearly everything he has he either shares with his brother or used to belong to his brother. That's why we got Nick a new bike, too, and gave the old one (a hand-me down anyway) to one of Andy's co-workers for his little boy.

Anyway, one day last week we took his training wheels off, and it was a disaster. Probably because I was the one helping him, and got really frustrated with him when he fell off and refused to get back on. Of course I wasn't angry with him for falling, but it annoyed me that he was so easily intimidated and wouldn't try again, because he was really doing well and had it down. End result? We put the training wheels back on (referring to them now as "baby wheels") and went on with our lives.

So, Saturday evening Andy and the boys went over to the school to ride bikes and play while I stayed on the deck with my book. Andy convinced Drew try again without the baby wheels. Now remember, Andy has so much more patience than I do. So much more. And Drew did well, just like I knew he could.

Yesterday evening I went along to document the occasion, and he was really flying around that parking lot. It's quite impressive. Impressive enough that Nicky wants to take his training wheels off, too, and I'm certain that wouldn't be a good idea!

The only thing that's not impressive is the way he stops. He just can't seem to remember that he has brakes. And this bike has a hand brake and a pedal brake, so it's not like he doesn't have options. But when he's ready to stop he does one of two things--he leaves a mile of space in front of him and quits pedaling until he slows down enough to fall over, or he simply runs into the curb. Spectacular, but not really safe.

As soon as he's really confident we're going to start taking the bikes to the farm so they can ride in the mudholes and down the long hills. Won't that be fun?

Photo Sunday #43: Summertime

2007-07-28T19:44:00.000-05:00

Awareness

2007-07-27T20:48:00.000-05:00

I saw this post over at Reflecting. I copied Debra's intro (I hope you don't mind, Debra!) and WhyMommy's exact post--they said it as well as I ever could. Please read, and share.

The incredible WhyMommy of Toddler Planet has a simple request for her readers: Please copy this post and share it on your own blogs. Hopefully together we can save a life.

WhyMommy was recently diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, the most aggressive form of breast cancer out there. She is using her blog to document her fight, rally support, and spread the word about this deadly disease. Please take a moment to read this post and go visit WhyMommy and give her a virtual hug. It’ll do you both good.

Here is WhyMommy:

We hear a lot about breast cancer these days. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, and there are millions living with it in the U.S. today alone. But did you know that there is more than one type of breast cancer?

I didn’t. I thought that breast cancer was all the same. I figured that if I did my monthly breast self-exams, and found no lump, I’d be fine.

Oops. It turns out that you don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Six weeks ago, I went to my OB/GYN because my breast felt funny. It was red, hot, inflamed, and the skin looked…funny. But there was no lump, so I wasn’t worried. I should have been. After a round of antibiotics didn’t clear up the inflammation, my doctor sent me to a breast specialist and did a skin punch biopsy. That test showed that I have inflammatory breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer that can be deadly.

Inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed as mastitis because many doctors have never seen it before and consider it rare. “Rare” or not, there are over 100,000 women in the U.S. with this cancer right now; only half will survive five years. Please call your OB/GYN if you experience several of the following symptoms in your breast, or any unusual changes: redness, rapid increase in size of one breast, persistent itching of breast or nipple, thickening of breast tissue, stabbing pain, soreness, swelling under the arm, dimpling or ridging (for example, when you take your bra off, the bra marks stay – for a while), flattening or retracting of the nipple, or a texture that looks or feels like an orange (called peau d’orange). Ask if your GYN is familiar with inflammatory breast cancer, and tell her that you’re concerned and want to come in to rule it out.

There is more than one kind of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer out there, and early detection is critical. It’s not usually detected by mammogram. It does not usually present with a lump. It may be overlooked with all of the changes that our breasts undergo during the years when we’re pregnant and/or nursing our little ones. It’s important not to miss this one.

Inflammatory breast cancer is detected by women and their doctors who notice a change in one of their breasts. If you notice a change, call your doctor today. Tell her about it. Tell her that you have a friend with this disease, and it’s trying to kill her. Now you know what I wish I had known before six weeks ago.

You don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer.

P.S. Feel free to steal this post too. I’d be happy for anyone in the blogosphere to take it and put it on their site, no questions asked. Dress it up, dress it down, let it run around the place barefoot. I don’t care. But I want the word to get out. I don’t want another young mom — or old man — or anyone in between — to have to stare at this thing on their chest and wonder, is it mastitis? Is it a rash? Am I overreacting? This cancer moves FAST, and early detection and treatment is critical for survival.

Thank you.

Kids are Funny

2007-07-27T09:56:00.000-05:00

Both of my boys are pretty smart. I'm not saying this in a bragging parent way, I'm just stating a fact. They're not geniuses or anything, but they're no dummies. They know lots of random facts about things that interest them, and both of them have a pretty good grasp on vocabulary. Both boys, but Drew especially, have been known to correct me (and other adults) when they think we've made a grammatical error or an error in pronunciation. Quite holier than thou, my kids.

Which is why it's so funny that both of them insist on referring to the air conditioner in the truck as the "air confreshener". They have the belief that the units in homes are "air conditioners" and the units in vehicles are "air confresheners", and no one can tell them differently--especially not their Mom who, according to what Nicky told me this morning, "doesn't know everything".

My kids are funny.

Things That Are New

2007-07-26T17:52:00.000-05:00

A random list of things that are new in my life:

I got new curtains for the bedroom. Actually, although they are new, it's not like I just switched out the old ones. No. We've lived in this house for 7 1/2 years and I've just now gotten around to putting curtains in our bedroom. I am so pleased. It makes such a huge difference! And, they were on clearance from JC Penney, so I only paid $40 total. Nice.
I also got a new pair of shoes. They're Sketchers. Tennis shoes, but cuter. Black with sparkly areas, and the elastic fake laces instead of real laces I have to tie. I love them. Added bonus--they have a thick sole and make me a full inch taller!
For the past 3 nights, the boys have attended Vacation Bible School at the babysitters church. She picked them up and dropped them off on her way, so from a little after 5 until a little after 8 I've been alone (Andy is at work). That is definitely new! I'm not used to them doing things without me, but I think it's something I could get used to really easily!
Oh, and this is perhaps the best new thing of all. Meet Jackson Blake:

Our friends had a baby yesterday! Andy has been best friends with this little guy's dad since they were 3 years old. Andy visited them today in the hospital and took this photo--the boys and I will make a trip their way in a few weeks when they're all settled back in at home and visit some more. Nick is already excited about getting to hold the baby. Jackson has a big sister named Lexie who's 4 like Nicky, so it'll be a fun visit for all. We can't wait!

Annual Checkups for the Boys

2007-07-24T17:40:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the boys visited the Dr. for their yearly physicals. I love our Dr., and so do the boys. They were actually looking forward to the visit.

First everyone was weighed and measured. They have both been growing like weeds apparently, with Drew now being 45 inches tall and Nicky at 41 inches. And Drew has packed on 5 pounds just since February! Everything checked out fine and the boys thought we were finished, but no. This visit ended up not being as fun as most.

Drew has a wart on his finger that the Dr. froze off for him/me. He actually handled the procedure pretty well, and though he did complain that it hurt a little he did not cry or try to get away.

Not so for Nicky. He is 4, which means it was time for his next round of immunizations. He needed 2 shots. I had prepped him for this, and he said "I am nervous, but I promise I will be brave."

When Drew turned 4 he got shots (3, I think) and he did wonderfully. He never cried, or even flinched. And he is typically much more dramatic than his brother, so I figured it wouldn't be too awful.

Boy, was I wrong. He sat on my lap, and the nurse prepped his arm. She stuck him, and he jerked away and screamed, making it necessary for her to stick him again. Of course, I wasn't holding him tightly enough and he jerked away again. By this time he was in a panic, screaming and crying and kicking. So we decided to use his leg, and I wrapped his leg in mine and held him tight. She did both shots pretty quickly, with him screaming and crying and struggling the entire time. It was awful. I felt so bad, but there really was nothing I could do. After, he just clung to me like he was a tiny baby again, and sobbed. Poor Nicky.

As we were leaving, one of the kids in the waiting room saw him still crying and asked his mom "Is that the little boy that was screaming? What did they DO to him?" He looked terrified. Poor kid. I hope he didn't need shots, too...

Anyway, the Dr. also listened to Nicky talk and agreed that he could use some assistance with his speech. He recommends the first step to be checking his hearing, to rule that out as the cause. So, he referred us to an Audiologist and next Tuesday we'll visit her and have his hearing officially checked. If that turns out alright, the next step is a Dr. referral to a speech pathologist, which should be covered by insurance as long as we have that referral. So, it looks like we're moving in the right direction there.

At any rate, that's done for the next year. Next big thing? First day of 1st grade for Drew, on August 8.

Photos by Doug

2007-07-24T09:24:00.000-05:00

Because I wanted to be able to enjoy the party on Saturday without having to worry about my camera all evening, I gave Doug the Rebel and asked him to document the festivities for me. I did keep the baby camera in my pocket and took a few photos, but Doug took over 200! He took the usual party snapshots, but he also roamed around and took several shots that never would have occurred to me. I love them. What do you think?

I will admit to some minor Photoshop editing--cropping and minor levels adjustments. But nothing major, and nothing that changed the photos he took. And on the one of Drew's belt? I didn't touch it at all. That is straight out of the camera, and it's my favorite. Which is your favorite?

I'm off today--I need to get my driver's license renewed, pay the taxes on the Pontiac, and take the boys to the Dr. for their annual checkups. Oh, and I'm going to finish the last 3 chapters of the new Harry Potter.

See you tomorrow!

So You Want To Hear About The Party, Huh?

2007-07-23T19:33:00.001-05:00

I will tell you all about the party. But first, what do you think of this photo? I edited it in Photoshop using a technique that Chris over at Rude Cactus so kindly shared with me. I've admired his photographs for a long time, they're all so soft and glowy and I just love them. Finally today I asked him how he did it, and he shared with me. It's so simple, and yet so effective. I love it.

Anyway, the party, right? You're all just dying to know every minute detail?

Nah, that would be boring.

I'll just say the party was great. There were lots of people here, and lots of kids. Everyone seemed to have a great time. The cake was awesome, the food was good, and all the kids wore themselves out playing in the pool (where I floated duck decoys) and shooting water guns (at the targets I hung on the fence and at the ducks and at everyone nearby) and jumping on the trampoline. The boys got nice gifts--lots of Transformers, some books and some jammies. New shoes. Radio controlled trucks. Movies, and new bikes from us. Hot Wheels and gift cards to Wal-Mart. Little camo folding chairs in just their size. Everyone was so nice, and picked out gifts perfect for each of the kids.

I do want to take a moment right here to let you all know what a HUGE help my family was. My sister-in-law, Kellie, helped me all day. She helped me with the shopping and decorating and served most of the food herself. She entertained little kids and was just wonderful. Doug took photos for me all day long. Chip and Shira brought Aiva down early in the day and the boys loved playing with all of them. Mom and Kellie made pasta salad and dip and sliced cucumbers. Mom and Dad brought a cooler and chairs. I have a great family--thanks, guys!

Also, my buddy Jason (the photographer) was in attendance with his daughter, Sara. He brought along his camera and took over 600 photographs! I haven't had a chance to do much more than just glance at them, but some of them are super nice. Thanks, Jason!

OK, either tomorrow or Wed. be on the lookout for the post of Doug's photos. I just need to get them all together and online and I'll be sharing with you :-)

Photo Sunday #42: Big Birthday Bash

2007-07-22T11:16:00.000-05:00

Between both of my cameras and my friend Jason (the pro photographer, the one who did our family photos) there were nearly 1,000 photos taken at the party! I think that's more than some weddings! And, believe it or not, I only took about 30 of them. I was busy!

Anyway, here's a select few. And be prepared for another photo post sometime this week, consisting only of photos that my brother Doug took using my camera. He's got quite an eye, and a totally different photography style than I do.

Birthday Blogging Break

2007-07-19T08:56:00.000-05:00

OK, so, tomorrow this kid turns 6:

And on Sunday this kid turns 4:

And on the Saturday in between we're hosting the Big Birthday Bash. I am off work tomorrow to prepare for the party. The yard must be mowed and the house cleaned from top to bottom. I've got to do the grocery shopping for the party. I have to go out to the farm where the gifts are stashed (bikes for both boys!) and pick those up, as well as some borrowed tables and chairs. My folks are coming into town tomorrow (first visit since Dad's hip surgery in November!), and so are my brother and sister-in-law. The rest of our family and friends will trickle in throughout the day on Saturday, and at 5ish the party will begin.

So, certainly you can understand if I take a few days off, right? I'll try to pop in Sunday evening with some party photos, and on Monday I'll give you all the exciting details, and then it will be back to our regularly scheduled blogging.

Progress!

2007-07-18T18:03:00.000-05:00

I've been working hard at getting the boys to do more to help out around here. I admit that I'm often guilty of doing things for them simply because it's easier, and it's sure to be done better and more quickly if I do it, so having them do more around the house is as much of a habit change for me as it is for them.

Currently they have several minor responsibilities. They get their own drinks at meal times (or at least the cups, even if I pour the milk) and they clear their places after each meal. They take turns wiping down the table and putting the tablecloth back. They are responsible for putting any dirty clothes into the hamper--if it gets left on the floor or beds I take it away. I only had to take away a favorite shirt one time for them to learn that lesson! They feed the outside cats, and make sure the indoor cats have water. They each vacuum one room a week. Recently, Drew has taken over reading a bedtime story to his brother--a habit that I think is sweet but that also annoys me because that's my job. And, of course, they must pick up their toys (inside and outside) every evening before bed. I expect their room to be mostly straight with toys and books in the appropriate places, and I check it every night. Nick feeds the fish.

What I'm really waiting for, though, is for them to start showing some initiative and doing things without being told, or at least without being told a hundred times. I do realize that this may be an unrealistic goal at their age, especially considering that their dad is 33 and still rarely does household chores without being asked or reminded. However, I do hope.

So, you can understand why I was excited to find that Drew had replaced the toilet paper roll in the bathroom this afternoon, completely on his own. He used the last of the toilet paper, removed the empty roll and put it in the trash, got a fresh roll out of the closet, and put it on the holder.

Of course, he put it on backwards, with the paper coming off from the back instead of over the top and on the front. Drives me insane for it to be backwards, and of course I have to change it.

How picky do you think I can be?

Random Thoughts Call For a Bulleted List

2007-07-17T16:54:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who offered suggestions concerning the results of Nicky's preschool screening yesterday. I now have some ideas of other places to look, places that never really occurred to me, and hopefully even if I can't get him into school someone somewhere can give me some ideas of how to improve his speech by working with him at home. Because I just wouldn't know where to begin. Obviously correcting him isn't enough, or he'd be speaking correctly by now!
My friend finally called me. Finally. He was apologetic and remorseful and seemed to get why I was upset, so we are OK now. Of course, he is the youngest of 9 children and much practiced in wheedling his way out of trouble, so it was likely mostly an act. But that's alright. All I really wanted was acknowledgment of my feelings and a simple apology. And I got it, and now things can go back to normal. And, it seems he feels so guilty about what he did (and it wasn't just me--there was another friend involved that he stood up, too) that he's making a real effort to visit in the next few weeks. And he promises to call if he can't make it!
When do kids outgrow having reverse reactions to medications? My boys have always been those kids that get all hyper with antihistamines or codeine instead of going to sleep. Drew grew out of it around the age of 3, and boy was I glad! Nicky still can't take anything of the sort without all sorts of trouble sleeping. The Dr. gave him Tylenol 3 for his swimmers ear, and he can't take it because it keeps him up most of the night. I sure wish he'd grow out of it, too. It's hard when he's got a cold or allergies and can't take effective medicines because he won't be able to sleep...
I ordered the camo napkins for the party nearly two weeks ago, and they're still not here. I am getting nervous. I'll really be disappointed if they don't arrive on time. Everything else is here and ready to go.
It's been 3 years and I still haven't put switchplate covers on my kitchen outlets and switches. The reason is because once I saw ceramic ones with strawberries that totally match my kitchen perfectly, and now I can't remember where I found them and I can't find them again. And I have my heart set on those. Anyone have any ideas? I'd sure love to get that task accomplished someday...
Remember, you are all invited to the party on Saturday. 5:00. Just e-mail me for directions to the house, OK? We look forward to seeing you here!

Guess Who's NOT Going to Preschool

2007-07-16T16:24:00.000-05:00

Nicky was so excited for today. Today was the day for his preschool screening. The re-screening, because the ladies that spoke with us back in the spring thought that his speech was delayed enough that he could use some help. They were pretty confident that the screening today would gain Nick admission to preschool for this fall.

They were wrong.

The lady that we spoke with spent exactly seven minutes evaluating his speech. She had him identify 30 flash cards and asked him his brother's name. She didn't even really ask him anything that I thought showcased his issues, but hey, I'm not the expert, right? Then she added up some numbers and proceeded to explain to me that while his speech was indeed delayed and he does definitely have some issues (he tested in the 35th percentile for 4 year olds, meaning that 65% of 4 year olds speak better than he does), he still doesn't qualify for preschool. Why? He doesn't speak badly enough--he needs to be in the 20th percentile or lower to qualify.

After 7 minutes of minimal conversation with a child she'd never met, this lady was ready to shuffle us out the door. She wasn't at all concerned with the fact that my little boy was in tears because he so desperately wants to go to school, or that I nearly was because of the way my boy felt and was treated. She wasn't helpful in the least when I asked her for alternatives because we still have concerns about his speech. And she was downright rude when I suggested she ask him some other words--the ones that I think define his issues. She is the expert, after all.

I do understand that there are rules to be followed, and if he doesn't meet the guidelines he doesn't. OK. I may have felt better about the whole situation had they spent an hour with him truly evaluating him and then pronouncing him alright and not in need of any help. If they had made some attempt to reassure me that his speech patterns were indeed normal and that I was worried for nothing. But instead, they told me that he does have a problem, but they're not going to help him, because, well, they're just not. Other kids need the help more--you know, the ones that don't speak any English at all.

I am angry. And upset. But there's nothing that I can do about it. We cannot afford a private preschool and the government says I'm too well-off to qualify to public preschool. Speech therapists aren't covered by insurance, so we can't afford that, either.

So, Nicky will stay with the babysitter another year. And I'm sure that in the great, grand scheme of things all will be fine.

But it's not fair. I work hard and I pay my taxes to support our schools and aid programs. Since it's my money funding them, shouldn't we be allowed to use them if we have a legitimate need?

Not fair.

Photo Sunday #41: Just Stuff

2007-07-14T21:20:00.000-05:00

This is one I'd refer to as a "snapshot" rather than a "photograph". Still, isn't it wonderful?

A Honeysuckle vine with only the sky as a backdrop. More difficult than you might think to get the exposure correct, but effective in it's simplicity if done right.

Not my usual style, but while the boys were playing I noticed the contrast between the rusty roof of the barn and the blue of the sky. I think the photo was better in theory than it actually turned out, but there's something about it that I still like. What do you think?

Madison. She's two. We attended her birthday party today. While I much prefer boys in nearly every aspect, I do love to photograph a little girl. That pretty hair, the bright colors...

Heading home. It's pretty here, isn't it?

Scary

2007-07-13T18:31:00.000-05:00

I don't frighten easily. I really don't. But today, well, today I was scared. Not really as scared as I could have been, I guess, but definitely a bit unnerved.

The boys and I had some errands to run today, so we didn't get home until after Andy had already left for work. Being here alone (with or without the kids) doesn't bother me in the slightest. As a matter of fact, I'm here without him more often than I am here with him (even overnight), and have been for the past 3 years. That's just how it is.

I sent the boys on into the house and was unloading some things from the passenger side of the truck when a large (tall and stocky, not fat) young man walked into the carport. Now, we don't live in an area with sidewalks. We live on a rural stretch of highway, speed limit 55 mph, where people aren't typically walking down the road. He seemed to appear out of nowhere, as I had pulled into the driveway not 5 minutes earlier and didn't notice him anywhere. He was perhaps 20-25 years old. He was carrying a laptop computer, wearing two large fancy watches, and was quite obviously drunk or high on something. He said, quite politely, "Excuse me, ma'am, I was just robbed down the road there, and I need a ride home."

Well, no matter how polite he was, there was absolutely no way I was driving him anywhere. In an attempt to get him out of my carport, I suggested that he walk back and ask my neighbors for a ride. As I was going into the house, he followed me to the door, and I had to close it in his face. I called Andy at work, who called Dispatch. Then I called my neighbor and as I was locking the back door I heard Nicky yell from the living room. I hollered for him, but by the time I made it to the front of the house (not far) he was opening the front door and letting this young man into the house.

I closed that door in his face, too, and I think I actually hit him with it. He just sat down on my front porch with his laptop.

My neighbors arrived (father and son) and talked to him. Now his story was that he was walking to the next town (30 miles) and he said nothing about being robbed, but he offered his laptop in exchange for the ride. We offered to call someone for him, he said there was no one he could call. Jordan (the son) said he'd gotten out of a car next door at the school and was screaming at the person who drove off and left him there.

So the fellow finally staggered off down the road. We saw him heading up the next driveway. This was the time that the Sheriff's Department arrived. They asked us what happened, and then rounded the guy up. He was arrested, but I'm not sure on what charges.

I have a feeling that he truly meant no harm. I think he was just trying to get home. I really do. But he tried 2 separate times to come into my home--my home where I was alone with my kids. And people under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be scary and unpredictable. And he was big--way bigger than me. And Nick, well, Nick just let him in the door!

Several years ago our house was robbed. Someone broke in while we were at work and stole our things. I felt violated and icky and I was jumpy every time I came home for months afterward. But I was never really scared. I mean, they were here while we weren't. What are they going to hurt, besides possessions that ultimately can be replaced? But this guy, he was here while I was here, while my kids were here. He could have hurt us, if he'd have felt like it.

He was almost in my home.

It was scary.

Oh, and also today we found a stray puppy, and we almost had to keep it, except I found it a home. Whew! No one wants a dog more than I do, but we are so not in a place for one right now. And also tonight I had to take Nicky to the Convenient Care physician, because any tiny touch on his left ear sent him into hysterics from pain. No fever. Diagnosis: Swimmers Ear. So, one trip to the Dr. and one to the pharmacy, 2.5 hours and $60 later, we have some ear drops and some Tylenol 3 and instructions for NO SWIMMING for 3 days.

What a day, huh?

Question

2007-07-12T18:04:00.000-05:00

How much self-pity is one allowed to wallow in before it's just stupid and wrong?

More drama with my friend.

Not the girlfriend. She's really just that way and I've learned to expect that sort of thing from her. I'm mostly over it.

But my other friend. The guy.

Andy says for that very reason I should cut him some slack. Guys just don't get it.

So, a poll. A survey, if you will.

Do apologies over e-mail count? For major, major screwups? If your best friend essentially blew you off and stood you up and ignored repeated attempts to contact them and then sent a generic e-mail saying "I'm sorry I was busy I forgot" would you consider it all said and done and everything hunky-dory? I say, at minimum, a phone call is in order. A phone call with a real, heartfelt apology and an explanation for his actions. And perhaps a tiny bit of groveling. Just a tiny bit.

Am I asking too much?

Dirty

2007-07-11T13:33:00.000-05:00

Anyone want to place any bets on just how many pounds of dirt I removed from my kids last night? We spent 3 hours here:

The boys got to ride in the dump truck, and operate the dumper part. They may have even gotten to help shift/steer, but I'm not sure, as I wasn't in the truck with them. I took them for a super-fast ride in the Ranger. They played with the dog. They dangled their toes in the pond, and worked intently for a long time coiling the chains on the trailers.

They were happy.

We got home late, an hour after they'd normally be in bed. They got directly into their pool while I fixed a quick supper--the water immediately turned brownish. They ate, and I put them into a quick bath. That water turned brown, too. It took 3 rinses to get them clean, and into jammies they went.

Nicky, "The Great Delayer" as my mom refers to him, fell asleep while I was reading the bedtime story (The Monster at the End of This Book). Amazing. He's rarely asleep without 178 different attempts to put off bedtime. Drew was asleep very soon after. Wonderful. I didn't stay up much longer myself, opting for some time with the newspaper and a book rather than cleaning the kitchen like I should have.

This morning, before I got the boys out of bed, I went into the kitchen to get a drink of water. I noticed something on the floor, and when I looked closer I saw it was tiny little footprints.

I guess when they came in from the pool last night they tracked in some dirt, and I didn't really notice it because I was as tired as they were.

I left them there--they're not hurting anything. We're not even home. I'll mop them up tonight. One day I won't have little boys to make tiny little footprints, so I may as well enjoy them while I can, right?

Party Countdown

2007-07-09T19:34:00.000-05:00

Well, we're down to less than 2 weeks until the Big Birthday Bash. The boys are beside themselves with excitement. I am beside myself with something. It's not excitement. It's not really dread. Nervousness, maybe? Apprehension?

OK, so, I have the cake ordered. It has ducks on it. Ducks and cattails. Normally I do the cake myself, but I'm just not feeling up to it this year. So, Kroger is doing it for me. Blue cake, like water. 3 ducks. Cattails and rushes. "Happy Birthday Drew and Nick". And 2 duck calls. The boys will love it.

Camo fabric for table covers? Check.
Tables? Not yet, but planned for.
Blaze orange plates and forks? Check.
Camo napkins? Ordered. (Hmmm. Will those be hard to see on the camo tables?)
Duck decoys to float in the wading pools? Check.
Deer antlers for decoration? Check.
Water guns for the kids to play with after the cake? Check. (10 of them!)
Goodie bags, filled and ready to go? Check.
Paper targets to hang on the fence, for the water guns? Check.
Balloons? Will pick up day of party, same time as cake.
Party shirts? Check. (Nick's has a deer on it, Drew's says "When I grow up I'm going to be a hunter", and mine says "Shoots like a girl". Andy didn't want a special party shirt.)

OK, so I think that just leaves me with the food and drinks, right? Right. We'll grill hot dogs, and have chips and dip. Mom will make dip, won't you, Mom? I'll make BBQ baked beans, and deviled eggs. I think we need some potato salad or pasta salad or something also--could you do that, too, Mom? Or maybe Kellie? Ya'll are better at it than me. I'll get some ice cream to go with the cake. And I'll have drinks in the coolers--cokes and bottles of water and juice pouches for the kids, and beer for whoever would like it.

Oh, and the chairs all still need to be washed, and the yard will need to be mowed and trimmed, and the house cleaned, and of course all the actual decorating.

And between now and then I'm attending a birthday party, 2 housewarming parties, and Nick's pre-school evaluation.

Do you think I'll survive?

Oh, and...

Thank you everyone for your advice about my shoulder. It's feeling alot better now, so I'll probably wait and mention it to the dr. when I have the boys in for their checkups in a few weeks (the 24th, however far away that is). It still hurts, but not nearly as badly as it did. And yes, I realize that this means I'm totally not doing what every single one of you said I should do. Could not one have you taken my side here? I mean, really. Andy will be gloating over this for a while to come. But you should realize by now, I'm stubborn. And it's just going to have to wait until the 24th. The boys and I see the same dr., so unless it falls of before then or something I can promise you I will get a medical opinion that day.

OK, one last thing. Check out this contest my buddy Tanyetta is having. You could win a prize!

Injured

2007-07-08T20:54:00.000-05:00

Ok, first a little backstory...

Two summers ago, I was riding as a passenger in a utility vehicle like this one through a wooded area and took a pretty hard blow to my right shoulder from a large branch. Hard enough to nearly knock me out of my seat and to leave my shoulder black and blue and very sore for over a week. It didn't dislocate it or anything, though, so I figured it was no big deal.

Well, the following winter, I noticed I was a little stiff in that shoulder. At my regular checkup that following spring I mentioned it to my Dr., who examined me and said that I had some "injury-related arthritis" in the joint. Basically, it might hurt when it was cold or rainy or when I strained it, and it may never be as strong as it was, because when I got smacked by that branch I probably tore the joint capsule. Nice. But really, there's nothing to be done for it, except perhaps preventative measures like take Glucosamine Chondroitin or Gelatin capsules to help all of my joints (I have a bum knee, too).

So, from time to time I notice a little stiffness in my right shoulder, and occasionally it pops or crackles. Fun. But generally it doesn't give me much trouble at all--it doesn't hurt nearly as bad as my knee.

Did you guys enjoy my little video tour of the yard from Saturday? I did alot of work Saturday--25 bags of mulch, all those rocks, pulled weeds, watered, etc... And what did you think of my pretty new planter box? Well, that planter box had to be filled with something. I drove myself out to the farm while all 3 of my boys were napping and attacked the compost pile, and loaded a nice large pile of compost into the back of the truck, enough to fill the planter box and a little extra for other projects. This was after I did everything else. I drove home and was about 6 shovels into emptying the compost into a wheelbarrow when something in my shoulder made this nifty little popping sound, and out of somewhere a knife stuck right into the front of my shoulder joint.

Oh. My. Goodness.

So now, now my arm doesn't want to lift up. Well, it'll swing forward, and backwards. It just doesn't like to lift out. And really, it's only for a little bit, and if I force it through the pain (Oh! The Pain!) for the tiny little way that it doesn't want to go, it's fine. Once it's up in the air I can wave it around as much as I like. It's just getting it there that's the problem.

So, what's wrong with my shoulder? I'm thinking pinched nerve? Or am I totally off base? Andy says I should go to the Dr., but I say why? What's he gonna do? He's going to wiggle it around and hurt me, possibly x-ray it, and then what? Put it in a sling? I can stick my thumb in my waistband and get the same effect. Give me pain meds? I won't take them, so no use wasting his time and mine. Most likely he's going to say, BE MORE CAREFUL! And it's going to cost me at least the co-pay and maybe more. I say no Dr.

What do you say? Any experts out there?

Photo (Video!) Sunday # 40: My Yard

2007-07-07T18:56:00.000-05:00

This video was actually 2 minutes and 17 seconds long. Dropshots cuts me off at exactly 2 minutes because I have a free account. So, you missed the front yard and the "goodbye, ya'll, see you Monday!" It wasn't real exciting, trust me.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Gearing up for the weekend

2007-07-06T09:41:00.000-05:00

Well, looking back over my posts, I guess it's easy to see I've had kind of a rough week. Between my friends (or lack thereof) and my kids, it seems no one has been too nice to me.

Of course, much of that is my own doing. I realize that I tend to let things build up, that I don't always communicate as well as I should, and that I often misunderstand situations simply because I jump to conclusions. And in the end, all may be well. We shall see. As of this posting, however, I still have not heard from either of my friends, one of which I was supposed to have had lunch with today.

At any rate, I am making it a point to have a nice weekend with the boys. Andy will be working/sleeping all day Saturday and Sunday like usual, but I have what I think will be some pretty fun activities lined up for the kids and I to do. All open-ended kind of stuff, so no pressure for any of us.

The fair is in town, so that's an option. It's pretty hot outside, and we're low on cash these days (vacation plus unpaid vacation days and no overtime=little income!), so we'll see. But it's always there as a to-do. It would include tractor pulls, midway rides, and cotton candy. They would love it, and I think I could have fun.

Our friends with the farm are gearing up for some improvement projects, and they've got some heavy equipment present on the property. Dump trucks, skid loaders, and possibly a bulldozer in addition to the regular contingent of tractors, trailers, 4-wheelers, and utility vehicles. And they'll be working on Sunday and promised the boys rides in/on the equipment if we came out. Definitely something they'd love, and of course they'd get to play with the dog while they were there, too.

We have our regular shopping and errand running to do, but also some party planning. There's a new party store in town, and I thought the boys might enjoy picking out some of the decor and goody bag stuffers that still need to be obtained. That project might prove to be a bit of a headache for me, but total fun for them.

Also this weekend I need to get to working on making the yard look a little better if I'm going to be hosting a party for 30 or more people in just a few weeks. I'm buying mulch, and probably more flowers, and it's going to take more than a few hours to get all that in and looking good. That won't all be accomplished in this one weekend, but it will be started. Working in the yard always makes me feel good, and the boys proved to me last year that they can be quite good helpers when they put their minds to it--especially when I let them use their dump trucks to move the mulch!

And, I hear a rumor that there will be yet another fireworks show on Saturday night. Hmmm. Might be an option, if we're not to tired from everything else...

So, this weekend will be good. I am planning for it. I'm counting on it.

What are you doing this weekend?

A Confession

2007-07-05T10:07:00.000-05:00

I'm going to make a confession today. And it may make me some enemies or lose me some loyal readers...or it may make some people feel better because they feel the same way. Who knows? But I'm going to say it, because it's true and I feel it and it needs to go somewhere.

I don't always like my kids.

There. I said it.

I love them. I love them with all of my heart, with every fiber of my being. I would do anything for them at any moment. There isn't anything in this world that I wouldn't do to make them happy, to keep them safe, to let them know that they are loved, to ensure that they grow up happy and healthy.

But I don't always like the little people that they are.

When they were babies, I couldn't conceive of not liking them. Because they really didn't have personalities. I mean, yeah, they had tempers, and happy times, and likes and dislikes. But they were babies. They pretty much ate and slept and cried and didn't realize that actions had consequences. They didn't do things on purpose. They weren't deliberately manipulative, or intentionally cruel. And even if the things that my children do now are perfectly normal things that all children do, I don't like it. It bothers me.

When I hear Drew tell Nick that he's stupid because he can't get the straw into the Capri Sun pouch by himself, I don't like the mean little child that Drew is. I know it's normal, but I don't like it. I want him to be nice, and helpful. When I see Nicky push the cat off the arm of the sofa, just because he feels like it, a little curl of distaste rolls through my stomach. I don't like when he does things like that--my kids should be more compassionate. Last night, when Drew shot his brother with a popper firework on purpose just to see what would happen, and in retaliation Nick touched Drew with a sparkler? I wondered just what kind of children I was raising. Because certainly I haven't done such a horrible job in just a few short years. When they don't listen, when they talk back, when they announce with increasing regularity that they won't be my friend anymore, that they'd like another mom--one who is nice and will let them have all the Pepsi they want, when they do all these things and more, these are the times that I feel myself not liking the little personalities that they are.

And I am worried. I mean, they are little. They are 6, and 4. People keep telling me, just wait. Just wait, they say. Little kids are easy, they say. Just wait. When they are teenagers is when it is hard. That is when they give you trouble.

Oh, my. How will I feel about them then?

Of course, there are plenty of times that I do like them. Lots of moments when they prove themselves kind and compassionate and loyal and loving and fun. Probably more times when I like them then when the opposite is true.

But no one ever told me that there would be times when I didn't like my kids. Obviously if they grew up to be serial killers or something, yeah. Ok. I wouldn't need to like them then. But I never really thought about having to work around personality differences between my children and myself.

Have a Happy 4th!

2007-07-04T08:09:00.001-05:00

Last year on the 4th of July:

Friends? Or Not?

2007-07-03T13:15:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, someone that I consider to be one of my very best friends let me down in a big, big way. My friend Annie, who I haven't seen in person for over 4 years even though we speak regularly on the phone, and who I miss very much, was in Evansville, Indiana. She was there for 3 days. Evansville is only a little more than an hour from here, but she didn't call me. Why? I don't know. I only found out that she was there by accident--I called to speak to her and got her husband, who was sorry that I spoiled the surprise. He was expecting her to call me. He told me to wait, and to act surprised when she called. I would have been more than willing to drive to see her, even if it would have only been for a few hours. I still haven't heard from her, and she was supposed to be back home in Northern Illinois on Sunday. I am disappointed, and sad.

One of my other very best friends, (who, coincidentally, also lives in Illinois) is planning on being in the area this weekend--within an hour or two of here. We see each other maybe once a year, and I miss him terribly. We exchanged e-mails late last week making tentative plans to get together either Thursday or Friday. I told him that I needed to know something by today (Tuesday) in order to make arrangements with work and with the babysitter. Have I heard from him? Of course not. He's not returned my e-mails or my phone calls. He's avoiding me, the same way he always does when he's needing to tell me something that I don't want to hear. I guess I won't be seeing him this weekend, either.

I don't have many good friends. I'm a firm believer in the fact that friendships need to grow, and it takes time to grow good ones. Time and effort. I do have many casual acquaintances, but not alot of good friends.

I am a great friend to have. I will help you study for a test, or write a paper. I will help you paint your house, or help you move. I will crochet you a baby blanket when you have a baby, and I'll throw you a baby shower, too. I'll frame one of my photographs as a housewarming gift for you, no matter how many times you move into a new home. I'll watch your kids, for free, any time. I'll keep your dog while you're on vacation. I'll drive hours, just to say hello. I'll drive hours, just to attend your kid's birthday party. I'll come pick you up when your car won't start, even if I'll be late for work (and I hate to be late). I always answer the phone, or return calls or e-mails. I will loan you my truck, or my car, or my clothes, or my tools. I'll dig you flowers out of my yard. I will do all that for you and more, and all you have to do is ask (and sometimes you don't even have to ask--I'll offer!) if you are my friend.

I have discovered, though, that friendship to me does not have the same meaning that it has to many people. So many people will take and take and take from you but when the time comes that you need something back they disappear. Friendship to many people seems to mean the occasional phone call, a lunch here and there, get together when you can and hey, if you need help I'll help you out--if it's convenient for me. Some people are friends, real true friends for the moment, but they just don't want to put any effort into keeping it that way. It's easier to just let it go then to argue with the traffic or the miles or the wife or whatever it is that's keeping you apart.

I think I'm going to stop making the effort. Because I'm pretty sure my effort is what's keeping these friendships alive in the first place. And if I put all that effort into making and keeping my family and friends that are here happy and healthy we might all be alot better off.

Of course, if they call I'm here. I'm not giving up. I'm not just going to try so hard anymore. I need to see that I mean as much to them as they mean to me.

Dreams

2007-07-01T11:38:00.000-05:00

the date on this photo is sept. 18, 2006. i didn't have a photo today so i dug back in the archives for a fun one i hadn't shared...

On Saturday night, Drew fell asleep right away, just like usual. Nick resisted going to bed, just like usual, only he did a better job than normal and it was nearly 11:30 PM before he went to sleep. I went to bed immediately after, fully expecting him to sleep all night and fairly late Sunday morning after his late night.

Imagine my surprise to be awakened by yelling at 2:30 AM. I was even more surprised when I woke enough to comprehend what I was hearing/seeing when I went into the boys' room.

Now remember, they sleep in bunk beds, Drew on top and Nick below.

Drew was sleeping peacefully on the top bed, one arm dangling through the railing. The room was lit only by the aquarium. Nicholas was standing in the middle of the room, facing his brother sleeping in the top bunk and screaming at the top of his lungs:

"GIVE ME BACK MY POP TART! YOU TOOK IT! GIVE IT BACK! GIVE ME BACK MY POP TART! GIVE IT BACK NOW!"

Now, that may be mildly amusing, especially since Drew was sleeping still. What makes it even funnier was that the entire time he was screaming, he was throwing things at him. He'd pitched both of his beloved lions, Cinderella, a teddy bear, and a giraffe at him already by the time I got in there, and was winding up with a Care Bear before I stopped him.

I stopped him in mid throw, and told him to calm down. He was crying, telling me that Drew took his Pop Tart and he needed it back. I tried to explain that it was just a dream. I showed him that Drew was asleep. Nothing worked. He was very, very upset. I asked him what would make him feel better, and he said if I'd get him a Pop Tart he'd be OK.

Normally I wouldn't feed him in the middle of the night, but I really didn't see any other way out of this other than to let him sob himself to sleep. I was pretty sure this wasn't just an elaborate ploy for a midnight snack, especially since he really could just sneak out and get one himself while I was sleeping if he really wanted one.

So, I left him all cozy in his bed, all his friends returned to their proper places and his blankie covering him and his lions. Drew was still sleeping, one arm dangling over the side that I hit every time I crawled in and out of Nick's spot. I promised to return in one minute with a Pop Tart.

I got to the kitchen, only to discover that we didn't have any Pop Tarts. Oh, no. This was going to be bad.

Good thing he had already fallen back asleep when I got back in there, huh?

Photo Sunday #39: Uninspired

2007-06-30T20:44:00.001-05:00

Just not feeling it lately...

Product Review: Febreze Candles

2007-06-30T08:46:00.000-05:00

I do like to light candles around the house to make the place smell nice and pretty, so when I was asked if I would like a free sample of the new Febreze Candles to try in exchange for writing about them on my blog I jumped at the chance.

They contacted me ages ago, and I had all but forgotten about them by the time they arrived on my doorstep on Tuesday, just as we were preparing to leave for our trip. And I had been under the impression that I was going to receive one of each scent, so I was a little disappointed to receive only one--Apple and Spice Delight. My disappointment was not so much that I only got once scent, but that this was more of a fall scent and not so much something I would typically burn in the summer. The Linen and Sky or Meadows and Rain would have been much nicer for me to product test in June.

These candles are supposed to work like actual Febreze, in that they remove odor from the air. So I burned it for awhile, figuring our being gone from the house for a few days would be a good test. It's a good, strong smelling candle, but not too overpowering. Our house isn't huge, and I could smell it throughout. I could still smell it when we returned home 2 days later. I could vaguely smell the catbox, too, though, so I don't know. Of course, it's not SuperCandle. It can't do everything!

I burned it some more yesterday, and it seems to last awhile. The scent doesn't fade as with other candles I've had, and it burns evenly and cleanly. I gave up after a bit, though, and snuffed it out. The Apple and Spice Delight is just going to have to wait until fall. I may, however, check out the other scents when they hit the store shelves next month. According to my little flyer, the suggested price is $6.99 to $7.99, which might be worth it if the other scents are yummy.

The Trip

2007-06-29T14:21:00.000-05:00

We left bright and early on Wed. morning. The boys were up, dressed, and ready to go at about 5 AM, but we didn't actually leave the house until about 8. I was impressed with their patience as Andy and I got a little extra sleep, showered, ate, and packed up the truck.

From here to Kentucky Down Under takes about an hour and 40 minutes. The majority of the trip is a 4 lane divided highway, with the last 30 miles or so on Interstate 65. The boys actually enjoyed the drive, pointing out the sights along the way and asking questions about various landmarks. I think they only asked "are we there yet?" a hundred or so times.

Kentucky Down Under was our first stop. We spent about 4 hours there. We petted kangaroos, fed lorakeets and other birds, saw various wildlife exhibits and plant exhibits, walked a million miles, and went in Kentucky Caverns. The cave was a big hit with the boys. I wondered a bit about that, but my fears were for nothing--they did wonderfully in the cave, even when another little boy of about 5 freaked out and started hollering that he wanted to leave. Drew even asked several very intelligent questions.

After Kentucky Down Under, we headed a few miles back down the interstate to Cave City and got a hotel room, and then decided to visit Guntown Mountain. To get to Guntown Mountain you have to ride a ski lift up the mountain. Again I was a little apprehensive about the boys riding the ski lift, and once again I underestimated my kids. They loved it. At the top we watched a magic show, a wild west shoot-out, and visited a small petting zoo. To Andy's dismay, we did not stay for the Can-Can show.

Then there was a small nap, some shopping in the kitschy little souvenir shops that are plentiful in Cave City, and supper at the A&W. Swimming in the hotel pool and some time in the hotel game room rounded out the evening.

Thursday morning we got up and, after breakfast at the hotel where the boys got to make their own waffles (they were thrilled, let me tell you) we meandered towards home. We stopped and visited a rest area (another big hit with the boys--I think we need to get out more) where I let them get brochures and a drink from the vending machine. We stopped and visited the Shaker settlement at South Union (Shakertown, you may have heard it called). We stopped at the Jefferson Davis Monument. We had McDonald's for lunch. And then we came home.

All in all it was a nice trip. The boys had an excellent time, and Andy did, too. I did have a good time while we were actually at the attractions, and I really enjoyed Shakertown. I don't really travel well, and much prefer to be in my own environment, so coming back to my own house was a relief for me, but I am glad that we went. And I am glad to be home.

We are home...

2007-06-28T14:16:00.000-05:00

...go here for some of the photos (89 of the 200 that I took). I will talk about the trip tomorrow. Right now we are tired. I will tell one funny story to tide you over until then, though.

On the way home we stopped at the Jefferson Davis Monument in Fairview. It's only 20 minutes from here but we never actually visit, and since we were on vacation and playing tourist we decided to stop. If you're not familiar with the Jefferson Davis Monument, it looks just like the Washington Monument in D.C., only smaller.

Anyway, you can see it from a fair distance away, and as we were driving towards it Andy says, in all seriousness, "Who is Jefferson Davis, anyway?"

OK, well, I guess not everyone knows who he is. I do, and most people around here do, especially since we have that big monument and everything. But I thought he was joking, and after I realized he wasn't I said "He was the president of the Confederacy, Andy."

Andy just looked at me for a minute. The boys were suddenly asking all sorts of questions from the back. "What's the Confederacy, Mom?" "Is he dead?" "Is he still the president of the Confederacy?" and on and on and on. And then the light bulb came on over Andy's head, and he said...

...and this is a direct quote...

...."Oh! You mean like J.D. Hogg! Jefferson Davis Hogg! The mayor of Hazzard County!"

Was he joking?

You be the judge!

Vacation!

2007-06-26T06:30:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow we leave on our "vacation"! In case you just happen to know where we live, don't be getting any big ideas--we've got plenty of people watching the place. No robbing us blind, OK? Anyway, so I won't be around for a few days. I hope you won't miss me too terribly much.

The boys are beside themselves with excitement. I'm not quite sure what they've used to formulate their ideas for what a vacation is, probably various sources including television, movies, and friends. Apparently I am not one of their sources. According to my children, on vacation we are going to do whatever they want. No matter what it is, no matter what it costs, no matter how far away or how dangerous or scary or expensive or outrageous, if they want it we will do it because it's vacation and family vacation is for the kids. And so, even though we are visiting locations no more than 70 miles from our home, and we're only going to be away for 2 days, Disneyland and Sea World and the beach and the jungle and an ocean cruise and petting a tiger are all on our list of things to do on our vacation.

I sure hope they're not too disappointed.

On another note, last night after Andy left for work the boys turned the television in the kitchen on to find that Andy had left it on BET. Never mind what Andy was doing watching Black Entertainment Television (I was kind of wondering that myself), there was a music video on, and the dancers were dancing all around. It was a very elaborate choreographed dance, and Drew immediately began dancing along, spinning around and jiggling and being all fancy. It was, quite possibly, the funniest thing I had ever seen. And the entire time he was singing under his breath "yeah, I'm breaking it down, I'm breaking it down..."

I had no access to the video camera or you'd be watching it right now.

See you guys when we get back!

Irrational, I know

2007-06-25T16:51:00.000-05:00

I am crabby. I am so, so crabby.

I am incredibly unpleasant to be around, and no matter how much I hear myself and tell myself to shut up, I can't seem to stop.

I don't know why.

I don't know how to fix it.

My poor, poor children.

I know I wouldn't want to be left in my care.

Photo Sunday #38: Just One

2007-06-23T12:28:00.000-05:00

Family Photos, and My Five Hundredth Post

2007-06-21T19:22:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know this is the second post today. I'll probably let it sit here through tomorrow, and possibly until Photo Sunday. I was waiting for permission to share these photos on the blog, and I just got it today, and I can't wait! See below for a photography tips post.

My buddy Jason, of Whitman Photography, took these photos for us on Sunday. This is just a tiny sampling. Guys, he rocks!

Oh, and like the title says, this is my 500th blog post. Five hundred. Five Zero Zero. I can hardly believe it. That's alot of words!

Photography Tips

2007-06-21T17:31:00.000-05:00

It's not often that I include a photo of myself, is it? I took it on a whim today with the baby camera (that's what it's been christened), and as it's actually not a bad photo I thought I'd share. I may take it down later, but for now there it is.

Over the past few weeks I've gotten several e-mails from readers (I still can't believe that I have readers. I mean, wow! Readers!) asking for me to share some photography tips on the blog. I'm slightly reluctant to do so, because hey, I'm no expert. But I'm going to do it anyway, based on the theory that I can just tell you what works for me and if it doesn't work for you the most you're out is a few minutes of your time. But first, you should go and check out some of the blogs of some of the people on my sidebar. There are some really talented photographers over there, and some of them post photography tips now and then. For starters, look at Picture This, The Land of K.A., The Farmer's Wife, Behind the Lens, and I Wish....

Ok, now, for my basic tips on how to take better photographs, no matter what type of camera you have:

Get close to your subject. Are you close? Alright...get closer. Fill the frame with whatever it is that you're photographing. Get as close as your camera will focus. Obviously there are times when this is not the best move, but more often than not the less amount of negative space in the photo the more interesting it will be to look at. What would you rather see--a photo of a cute baby in a swing, or a photo of a cluttered room containing, somewhere, a swing and a baby?
Turn off the flash. In my humble opinion, if it's to dark to take a photograph and the only option is the on-camera flash, the photo isn't worth taking. Flash just adds such a harsh, unnatural light and color to photographs. Probably not the best option for most people, right? OK, then, if at all possible don't use the flash. Find a bright window or an overhead light, or if your camera has the capability, up the iso so you can shoot in dimmer light. Which brings me to my next tip...
Read your camera manual. Really. You'd be surprised at what even your $100 point and shoot digital camera can do if you just fool with a few settings. Don't believe me? Go to Flickr Camera Finder and look up your camera. Scroll down and view some of the photos taken with your camera. I guarantee you will be surprised.
Take LOTS of photos. They're digital--it's not costing you a dime! Take the shot, and then take 5 more just to make sure you've got it. See something that might be interesting in a photo? Take it. What could it hurt?
Learn to look at the light. See the shadows. Realize that if the sun is directly behind your child, when you take a photo their face will likely be mostly in shadow. Know that the light is most flattering before 10 AM and after 6 PM, that it is crisp in the morning and warm and flattering in the evenings.
Don't pay attention to the photographs you see in magazines, or on the internet, or in studios, unless you love them. And even then, unless it's your "style", you don't have to photograph like that. Take images your way. Do you like them off center? Do it. Overexposed? Alright. Way bright, or always black and white? Go for it.

Photography is art, and art is an extremely personal thing. What one person loves another might dislike intensely. All you can do is your best, and if your best makes you happy then your world is a better place.

It's Not Always Art

2007-06-20T16:38:00.000-05:00

I think I may have blogged about this before, but I'm too lazy to go back and look so if I have, I apologize.

I got a new camera today. See? Isn't it cute? I spent my Ebay money on it. I've actually been thinking about doing this for awhile. I realize that most people upgrade from the point and shoot to the DSLR, but I went the other way. Well, really it wasn't an upgrade, it was an addition to my arsenal.

I love my camera. But it's big and bulky and heavy and expensive. And while I'd like to have one that's even bigger and bulkier and more expensive, sometimes it's just not convenient. It takes lovely photographs, and when my mission is to take photographs, that's great. However, sometimes the mission is not just to take photographs.

Sometimes the mission is to have fun. To spend time with family and friends. And while having photographic memories of the event is nice, it's not always worth the trouble of the big, bad DSLR. That was brought home to me while visiting the zoo a few weeks ago with my mom. Toting the Rebel around is like caring for an additional child. You have to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get hurt or too hot or wander off. It's heavy, and breakable. It can be temperamental.

So, I researched and researched. I settled on this Canon Powershot SD800 Digital Elph for a number of reasons. It's a Canon, so I know it'll take great photos AND I will be familiar with the menus. I had an Elph in the past and loved loved loved it (until Andy dipped it in the ocean and ruined it. Remind me to tell you that story sometime--it's a doozy!). It's 7.1 MP, so the resolution is good. It's small, so it will fit nicely in my pocket or purse (where I plan for it to live), but not so tiny that it's unmanageable. It has a rechargeable battery (I SO do not like AA's!). It's got some manual capabilities so I can tweak the settings to my liking, but not so many bells and whistles to make it difficult to use on the fly. I want Andy and the boys to be able to use it easily, too, so that it appears that I'm part of the family. Right now I'm never in photos because they can't use my camera.

Next week is our little family trip out of town. A 2 day mini vacation. We are all very excited, as we've never been on a family trip before (unless you count going to my brother's wedding in Louisville when Nick was 6 weeks old). I'm not planning on taking the big camera, just the new one. Fun Family Photos only--no Photographic Images for mom. It will be hard for me to leave it behind, but I think we will all enjoy ourselves more without the care and feeding of the additional child.

Don't you think?

A New Addiction

2007-06-19T16:57:00.000-05:00

Hey, any of you guys ever sell anything on Ebay? I've bought plenty of stuff on Ebay--my first purchase was in August of 1999 and I've had 78 transactions since then. Until last week all of those transactions had been purchases, mainly clothing for the boys or myself.

On the last few days of my vacation one of my projects was to clean out my closet and get rid of some stuff once and for all. Hanging in the back of my closet were 2 cocktail-type dresses purchased back before I had children, short and velvet and sparkly. It's not like I ever had any occasion to wear them before I had the boys--as a matter of fact, one of them still had the tags on it. The other I think I wore once to a Christmas party. I knew I'd never wear them again--heck, I'd probably never fit into them again. They were a size medium, and if there's one thing I'm not, it's a size medium. If I want to be really honest, I probably wasn't a size medium when I purchased them in the first place, but when I was 22 I had a better figure and could pull off that skin-tight look a bit easier.

But anyway, I digress...

My first instinct was to toss them in a sack for the Salvation Army. I'm not so sure why I've been hanging on to them all this time, anyway. But then I looked at them again, the one with the $79.99 price tag dangling from the sleeve (don't worry, it had a $19.99 clearance sticker on it, too) and thought "hmmmmm, I wonder if I could sell those on Ebay"...

See, I've always balked at selling stuff on Ebay because I didn't feel like dealing with all the shipping hassle. But these dresses are thin and small and slide right into a padded envelope, and with Andy at the post office or the police station (where they have a postal machine) every day, he can mail stuff off for me. So I took some photos of the dresses on the hangars, took about 5 minutes to make listings, and I was selling on Ebay.

I was a little nervous, because I had them up on 7 day auctions and for the first 6 days there was nothing! And as it cost me $.95 apiece to list them, I really wanted them to sell so I wasn't wasting my money. But sure enough, on the final day, I got a few bids and they sold! The winners paid up right away into my Paypal account and I was $40 richer just like that. I even required that they pay their own shipping. I put the dresses in the envelopes and mailed them out and went in search of more stuff to sell.

I'm limiting myself to things that I can fit into large padded envelopes. Clothing, purses, books, and cd's are all fair game. I listed 4 of my previously used (but in excellent condition--I get tired of them quickly) name brand purses and instantly got bids. Now I'm just watching to see how much I'm actually going to get--it's already more than I was expecting! There is a small bidding war going on over one of them, which is just too funny for a used purse. And I made it clear it was used!

Of course, I'm not actually making money, because I'm selling items that I paid for in the first place, and I bought them new. But I'm getting cash for things that would otherwise just be sitting around taking up space, or that I would just give away or throw away. Nice, huh?

Happy Father's Day!

2007-06-18T13:35:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know Father's Day was yesterday. You didn't actually expect me to be normal, did you?

Happy Father's Day to two of the greatest fathers ever!

Father number one, my Daddy:

My Daddy is, without a doubt, the greatest daddy on earth. There's not much more to say than that. We butt heads often, but that's only because he raised me to be strong and independent and to know my own mind, just like him. I couldn't have asked for a better role model.

Father Number Two, the boys' Daddy:

The boys love me, but they adore their daddy. Andy is perfect for all the things a daddy is supposed to be perfect for. He wrestles with them, plays video games, feeds them pb&j for supper, and lets them get filthy as often as they like. He's a cop, which is a super-cool profession if you're a little boy. He's got a great imagination, and he can lift them up and fly them around and throw them in the air. For some reason they think he's big (he's not, but we'll let them keep on thinking that) and that's cool. He reads stories and plays games and takes them to the playground. He takes them to he fire station and the dollar store. Andy is a great dad. The boys (and I) are lucky to have him.

Happy Father's Day!

Photo Sunday #37: The "Oops, Two Photo Posts in a Row" Edition

2007-06-16T19:19:00.000-05:00

*i am going to write my official Father's Day post tomorrow. how's that for being a rebel? i just didn't want you to think that i forgot or anything...

Brothers and Friends

2007-06-15T13:40:00.000-05:00

In the comments section of the Photo Sunday post last week, Nadine asked me if the boys were good friends. She said "it looks like they adore each other".

My first instinct was to say "NO! They fight all the time!" But really, that would be wrong. They actually get along very well. Of course, they squabble over toys and such, but all in all they're great friends. Drew pushed a boy once for not letting Nick play with them and calling Nick a baby. Nicky pinched a little girl at the babysitter because she said Drew was mean. But really, the proof is in the pictures. And a I had a hard time selecting just a few:

See? They love each other!

And, on a totally unrelated note, this morning on the way to work I saw a dead fish in the road. Yep, a fish. A good sized bass, right on the yellow line. That's a first! I'm used to opossums, and raccoons, and deer, and the occasional dog or cat. But a fish?

Wii

2007-06-14T17:34:00.000-05:00

*something i read on the blogger help site makes me think that the problems may be related to your particular server. that would be why some of you are having issues and some of you are not. if that is the problem hopefully it will be resolved shortly. i apologize, and hope you'll bear with me :-)

I can't remember right off-hand if I ever told you guys about the Nintendo Wii that we got Andy for his birthday. His parents and the boys and I got him a Nintendo Wii, because really Andy is 12 years old at heart. And he does love his video games. The PS2 we own was woefully outdated and he didn't have many games to go with it, and only one of those games was appropriate for the boys to play.

I am not completely anti-video game. Drew has a Gameboy, and Nicky has a Leapfrog brand learning video game. Both of them play them on car trips, but not much otherwise. They would much rather be playing outside, or making elaborate plans with their Hot Wheels or Power Rangers or Transformers.

But the Wii. Oh, my. Not only is Andy in love, the boys are in love. We got some kid friendly games (Wii Sports, and 4x4 Monster Truck Rally) and I am quite sure they'd play all day if I let them. In case you're not familiar with this particular game system, it's controlled by your hand motions by a wireless remote. So, when you play golf, you actually swing the controller like a club. Tennis? Swing the racket. Trucks? Hold it like a steering wheel and drive.

So, once again I totally underestimated my children and assumed that they'd need an adult to turn it on and boot it up for them each time. This is not the case. One time watching and they can turn it on and navigate the system like pros. They are better at the games than I am (of course, I'm terrible at video games. But still...), and they actually share and mostly get along when they're playing.

Because they're so enamored of the new games, I've attached a 30 minute time limit per day to the Wii. And that's both of them combined (since they do everything together anyway) so it's only on for half an hour total. Andy only plays when they're asleep or not home. I really don't want them to turn into big couch potatoes--I much prefer the active, healthy little boys I have now.

Except.

Except on Sunday mornings. I've learned that if I'll let them play Wii they will leave me alone and I can actually sleep in all the way until 7:00 or 7:30. So on Sunday mornings, as a treat to myself, they can play for an hour or two. Or maybe three, if it means I can get a few extra minutes (ok, hours) of sleep.

Randomness

2007-06-13T16:32:00.000-05:00

Remember when I had the free box of Fruity Cheerios? I loved them! And I have bought them since. Well, Modern Mom had a Fruity Cheerio photo contest that I, of course, entered. I did not win, unfortunately. I would have gotten a case of Fruity Cheerios! However, they have 10 finalists here, and the one that gets the most votes wins $500 in addition to their case of cereal. I voted for my favorite, even though I think mine should have been up there. They're cute, though, if you want to check them out!
The issues I've been having with the blog have been totally random. Some folks can't see anything but the template. Some can see everything but the photos. The vast majority of you aren't having any problems at all. And to be perfectly honest, I have NO IDEA how to fix it. I sent an e-mail to Blogger to complain, but I haven't heard back and don't really expect to. However, there is hope. A gentleman by the name of Mikeal Culala who blogs at My Golf Blog reports that for several weeks he could not see the photos, but now they're back.
And on that note, wow! I'm so excited to hear from someone who apparently reads my blog at least semi-regularly! Someone else unfamiliar left a comment, too, but I couldn't access their blog/profile. Thanks guys! And, if there are any more of you lurkers out there, just know that a "hello" every now and then totally makes my day!
Anyway, I've transferred copies of all my photos, posts, and comments to a WordPress blog appropriately titled Life's Little Adventures, and you can access it by clicking on the link. I don't know that I'll continue to update it daily, but everything up until yesterday is there. If Blogger continues to give me trouble I may switch permanently, at which time I will most definitely advise you. Or, if you can't see the photos and just really want to, I always transfer them directly from my Flickr site, so you can always see them there, plus plenty more.
I need stickers or temporary tattoos for the birthday party goodie bags. The boys want either a deer design or a duck design. Any ideas? Scrapbook stickers are to expensive for this project, and I've not found deer or duck stickers anywhere else. All leads are appreciated!
I am making pigs in a blanket for supper. This is something I love, but that I never think to make. It's probably been 2 years since I've prepared this for a meal. Nicholas is very upset and is refusing to eat it. When he asked what I was making I told him "pigs in a blanket" and his eyes got very big. I tried to explain it was just hot dogs in crescent rolls, but he's having none of it. He refuses to tell me his exact objection, but says "no way" is he eating a blanket. Oops. I guess I'll make him a grilled cheese sandwich. More pigs for me!
Nick is not the Boss of Cheetos any longer. Nope, now he's the king of chips and dip. So go, now, and purchase stock in Ruffles potato chips and any manufacturer of ranch chip dip.
The entire time I've been typing this Drew has been reading "The Cat in the Hat" aloud to me from the kitchen table. How cool, yet how very distracting. He just finished, thank goodness.
This makes the second day in a row we haven't seen Andy. How many days do you think it will be?

Anniversary Number Eight

2007-06-12T13:57:00.000-05:00

Eight years ago today Andy and I were married. 11AM, outside, in 85 degree heat plus humidity. Really, we didn't think it would be that hot that early. We didn't think about the fresh flowers in the bouquets/boutonnieres attracting bees, either, but they did.

But all in all, it was a nice ceremony. No one passed out, although one of the groomsmen had me concerned for a moment. No one was stung by a bee. Everyone had a nice time at the informal reception, and by 3 PM we were officially married and on our honeymoon. A family of 2.

Two years later, and we became a family of 3:

And then, 2 years after that, we became a family of 4:

And here is where my post gets messed up. I was going to shoot a family photo today, 8 years from the day we got married, to show our family now. But, Andy must leave for work before we get home this afternoon, and the boys and I will not see him until tomorrow.

So, happy anniversary to us, anyway, and one of these days I'll get to that family photo for you!

Testing...Question

2007-06-12T08:05:00.000-05:00

So you guys can see the posts but not the photos? Just the recent photos, or all of them? I've had some e-mails that some of you can't see anything at all...

If you can see this, please leave a comment and tell me if you're having issues, and if you are exactly what they are. I've been through my entire site and can't find a problem. There is no photo attached with this post.

I use Firefox, although I always have, so unless you've switched I don't imagine that's the issue. If this keeps up I'm switching to Wordpress, where I've already archived my old posts complete with comments and photos...

Regular daily post this afternoon, complete with photo.

Phenomenon

2007-06-11T17:42:00.000-05:00

Last week, when the boys and I were visiting my parents, there were several occasions when my dad gave the boys some $1 bills to put in their pockets. Each time we went somewhere, he gave them a few dollars to spend as they pleased.

Tues. night, before we came home, I did a load of laundry so that I wouldn't have to fool with so much when I returned home. When I opened Mom's dryer, several $1 bills fell out. I told them I thought it was great that their dryer gave out money!

Well, we've been home since Wednesday. I've done at least 3 loads of laundry since then, and possibly 4. Each and every time I've found dollars in the dryer. It's amazing!

And before you ask, no, I don't check pockets routinely before doing wash. None of us routinely sticks things in our pockets, so there's typically nothing to find.

I'm reasonably sure Daddy didn't give the boys THAT many dollars. Or perhaps he did, because I wasn't always there at the distribution of the cash. At any rate, there's nothing nicer than opening your dryer and having dollar bills fall out. It's like getting paid for doing housework!

Photo Sunday #36: Another Year Almost Gone

2007-06-09T21:44:00.000-05:00

It's that time again...the boys will be having a birthday in a month. I typically hand out the yearly portraits at the party, so I needed to get them done and printed. This is what I managed a few evenings ago, and these are probably what I'll go with. What do you guys think?

Drew will be 6 in July, and Nick will be 4. Amazing.

One Word Meme

2007-06-08T19:43:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged by WesleyJeanne over at Mountain Mama for a new meme. I am supposed to list a one word answer for each question. Easy enough, right? So, here goes...

1. Where is your cell phone? Counter

2. Relationship? Married

3. Your hair? Natural

4. Work? Unfortunately

5. Your sister? Nonexistent

6. Your favorite thing? Quiet

7. Your dream last night? Unremarkable

8. Your favorite drink? Big Red

9. Your dream car? Truck

10. The room you're in? Kitchen

11. Your shoes? Off

12. Your fears? Many

13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Happy

14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? Family

15. What are you not good at? Compassion

16. Muffin? Blueberry

17. One of your wish list items? Farm

18. Where you grew up? Lebanon Junction

19. Last thing you did? Read

20. What are you wearing? Clothes

21. What aren't you wearing? Shoes

22. Your pet? Fat

23. Your computer? Slow

24. Your life? Alright

25. Your mood? Alright

26. Missing? Friends

27. What are you thinking about right now? O'Charley's

28. Your car? Dirty

29. Your kitchen? Clean

30. Your summer? Dry

31. Your favorite color? Green

32. Last time you laughed? Today

33. Last time you cried? Thursday

34. School? Fun

35. Love? Exists

OK, well, that was harder than I thought! I counted the names Big Red and Lebanon Junction as one word, and still had a difficult time with some of them.

So, it didn't say I had to tag someone. However, I'd like my mom to answer the questions. Anyone else, let me know if you play so that I can check it out!

Wal-Mart

2007-06-08T18:47:00.000-05:00

Let me begin this post by saying that I am aware that not everyone is a fan of Wal-Mart. Some of you may even refuse to shop there. Of course, some of you have that option...

In our town, unless you feel like driving 40 minutes north or 40 minutes south, sometimes you have to shop at the Wal-Mart. We do have a K-mart, but it's small. And we have a small mall, with a JC Penney and a Peebles. There is a Lowes, as of 2 years ago. But there is no Target, no Kohls, no Costco or Best Buy or H.H. Gregg or Circuit City. No Barnes and Noble, no Borders, not a single Bed Bath and Beyond or Ikea or Petsmart. And so, everyone ends up at Wal-Mart.

And, if you live in a small town, you may be aware of the social aspect. Because the shopping opportunities are limited, and because the population is not huge, it's nearly impossible to go to the Wal-Mart without running into someone you know. Or several someones that you know. Often, those who live far, far out will all come into town as a family, and it's not unusual to see entire families walking together through the aisles. Or clumps of people, where one family has run into another family that they know and they stand and chat for a few minutes.

The boys and I go to Wal-Mart on Saturday morning. It's a bit less crowded than on Friday night, and it gets us out of the house while Andy is sleeping. We go nearly every Saturday morning, and have for almost 3 years. And every week, we see several of the same people. One gentleman we know only because we see him there, but each Saturday he and the boys have a nice conversation--usually in the vicinity of the sporting goods department.

I've been thinking about this because when my brother and sis-in-law were here last week they went to Wal-Mart, and Kellie commented on some of the "characters" she saw there. Of course, Kellie is from the city, and this past week when I was in the city I saw several "characters" myself. It's all in what you're used to, I imagine.

I know that there are many negative aspects to Wal-Mart shopping. It's crowded, and often the products aren't high quality (depending on what you purchase, of course...). Some of the associates are rude (but many are not). It can be difficult to find what you're looking for in the bigger stores, and they're not all arranged in the same way to facilitate shopping in a Wal-Mart that's not "yours". I know people (hi, Mom!) who will do everything in their power to avoid shopping there.

But we do. We shop there every week, and purchase the majority of our household goods and a good portion of our groceries there. It's convenient, and fun, and we always see someone that we know. That makes me feel like I belong here, like I'm part of the community.

Who cares if it takes an extra 30 minutes to shop?

edited to add: our wal-mart is a 24 hour supercenter. however, we do not shop there at night, unless it's an emergency. you also should be aware that wal-mart provides a nice additional income for andy at his second job, and because he's an employee we get a discount when we shop there, and it was the bonus from them that enabled me to purchase that new camera equipment and that is paying for our little vacation in 2 weeks. so i may be a little biased.

I got free paper towels for telling ya'll about this!

2007-06-08T11:21:00.000-05:00

Bounty is holding a contest where the grand prize is a $30,000 kitchen makeover. Wow. The other prizes include an $8,000 appliance makeover, free paper towels for a year, and $1 off coupons for Bounty paper towels.

All you have to do is tell them your Bounty story--how one sheet of Bounty cleaned up your messiest mess. And the first 50,000 people to submit a story get a coupon. That doesn't sound too bad, does it?

I'm going to enter. What could it hurt? If I don't win I don't, but if I do I'll have tons and tons of blog fodder relating to how I never win anything, and kitchen renovations, and the decisions I have to make concerning high-end appliances.

I know you can't wait.

Technically, I'm still on vacation...

2007-06-07T18:24:00.000-05:00

We are back from visiting family, but I am still on vacation. I don't have to return to work until Monday. Isn't that nice? Actually, the reason we came back yesterday was that I did have to go to work last night for a few hours. I had to be there for an open house, to show the community what we do. It was all for this.

So, anyway, we're back. We had a very nice time. We went to the Louisville Zoo, the Bass Pro Shop, the Patton Museum, a birthday party for my mom, and Freeman Lake for a picnic. There was also some shopping, and plenty of playing. The boys spent the night with Doug and Kellie one night, and I got to sleep all night long with no interruptions. We had plenty of time to visit with family, and plenty of time to relax.

But, I am glad to be home. I am always glad to be home. Home is my comfort zone. I think the boys were glad to be home, too. As much as they love to visit their grandparents, they are creatures of habit and it's stressful for them to be so much out of their routines. Especially since we kept them going the entire time we were there, I think they enjoyed being able to just do nothing last night. They've requested to visit again next week, though...

Today I took them on to the babysitter, for more reason than one. Yes, I wanted them to get back into their routine. I wanted them to see their friends. But mostly, I wanted the day to myself. I lazed around for awhile, and then I did some yardwork--cleaning out plants with spent blooms, weeding the minuscule garden, watering plants. I paid bills and balanced the checkbook (THAT was depressing) and worked on plans for the upcoming birthday bash. I edited some vacation photos. I watched daytime television and sat in the sun for a bit. It was so nice.

And tomorrow? Tomorrow they're going to the sitter, too. And I only have one thing planned--a haircut at 9 AM. I imagine I'll wander through the mall after my appointment, and perhaps treat myself to a Blizzard from the new DQ. But other than that, I am free. Free to just relax, which is exactly what I plan on doing.

That's what a vacation is for, right?

A Vacation in Pictures

2007-06-06T19:37:00.000-05:00

I'll chat tomorrow. For now, enjoy...

Doug and Kellie

The boys with my mom and Doug at the zoo

Baby Elephant and Mama Elephant

Drew

Doug, Nick, and Drew on the blow-up slide

Daddy

Chip and the boys on the golf cart

Aiva, refusing to smile

Beautiful day

At the Patton Museum

A piece of the Berlin Wall. The Patton Museum also had the head from the statue of Saddam Hussein that they took down from the square.

Will You Miss Me?

2007-06-01T20:33:00.000-05:00

Ya'll, I am on vacation! As of 3:30 this afternoon, I do not have to go to work. Not until Monday, June 11. Well, except for one pesky little required function on Wednesday evening. But other than that, I am free! Free as a bird!

Tomorrow the boys and I are attending a birthday party for a friend of Drew's. She's turning 5, and is having a princess party. THAT should be fun for two little boys, huh? It's at the skating rink, however, so it'll be entertaining. Then I believe we're having some company in the form of my photographer friend Jason and his daughter, Sara. The kids will swim in the pool and play on the trampoline and it will be fun.

And then, THEN, the fun begins. Either tomorrow evening or early Sunday morning the boys and I are heading up to visit my parents for a few days. Andy is working, as usual, and can't come with us, but it'll be a vacation of sorts for him, too, because he'll be able to sleep uninterrupted for as long as he likes.

I'm not exactly sure of the plans, but I do know that somewhere in those days there's a trip to the zoo, a ride on the Belle of Louisville, at least one birthday party (my mom) and possibly two (my brother), and a visit to the Bass Pro Shop where the boys can look for stuff for their hunting-themed birthday party.

Of course, I have yet to finish the laundry, or clean the house, or pack a single item of clothing. The birthday presents aren't wrapped. There's no gas in the truck. It's insane. But it's alright--everything is alright--because I am on vacation.

And so, because I'm on vacation, and because I'm going to be out of town for several days, and because I just flat out need a break, this will be my last blog post until at least Wednesday. More likely Thursday or Friday.

Of course, I hope you will miss me. But I promise that I will more than make up for my absence with an abundance of fun stories, witty observations, and lovely photographs of our time away.

Everyone, enjoy your week! I'll see you later...

Guest Blogger

2007-05-31T15:18:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling rather uninspired today. Fortunately for me, I have company. Company I'm perfectly comfortable forcing to write my post for today. And so, without further ado, I present to you my baby brother, Doug:

Hello everyone Doug here just had a fun filled day at the new water park here in Hopkinsville Tie Breaker Family Aquatic center. Myself, my wife Kellie, Alissa and Drew and Nick all got in on the action doing the slides and splash zone, we could shoot at each other with water guns and turn on water valves and get just about everyone in a 5 mile radius wet, it really was a blast and confirms that I really do want children so I can still act like one without people looking at me funny and to carry on the human race and all that good stuff but mostly so I can still have fun, and watch your own children have fun at the same time doing things that you like to do aswell.

I was told I needed to have at least 3 paragraphs so here is # 2 telling you that my loving sister is being mean to me and making me do something that I am no good at. But this is good practice for when I am in Fire Fighter school typing and using my brain again. By the way Andy says Hi.

Well paragraph # 3 is here, this one will be about this past week that myself and Kellie have been on vacation. We left around 8 am on Sunday for Sandusky, OH. to go to Cedar Point amusement park (if you like roller coasters at a good price check this place out) it has 17 roller coasters 15 for grown ups and 2 for children and all for $41.50 but they always have the $8 off with a coupon or a Pepsi can, we came home from there on Monday night/Tuesday morning we drove threw the night and got home around 4:30 am, we got up around Noon Tuesday and relaxed to catch up from the 2 fun filled days we just had and around 4ish we headed to my in laws to visit and winded up going the Famous Mike Linnings for dinner (it is a really good fish place in Louisville). Wednesday we put up our Shed up that we have had in our garage for going on 2 years know but it is done yay! Today Thursday refer to the first of MY paragraphs is this fun filled day.

OK i sort of did it 3ish paragraphs and alot of run run on sentences and probably alot of other mistakes but hey not to bad for some who has done nothing like this in 10 years. Good bye for know

The baby brother Doug Rausch

Favorite Mom

2007-05-30T10:23:00.000-05:00

When Drew was a tiny little baby I would tell him that he was my favorite baby. As a matter of fact, I told him that all the way up until Nicky was born. I'd be holding him, or playing with him, and say "You know what? You are the best baby. You are my favorite baby in the whole wide world!"

Well, when Nicky was born that didn't work any more. Nicky became my favorite baby, and Drew turned into my favorite kid, or my favorite big boy.

It's something I told them so often that sometimes Drew would even ask "Who am I?" and the correct answer was not "Drew", it was "My Favorite Kid". Then he'd ask "Who is Nicky?" so I'd say "My Favorite Baby".

One day, when Nicky was about 2 1/2, I said to him "You know what? You're my favorite baby." And he said "I am not a baby!"

This was true. But what was I supposed to do? They were both kids now, and they couldn't both be my favorite kid. Even though they are both my favorite kids, they'd never go for sharing the title.

So, Drew became My Favorite Drew, and Nick is My Favorite Nick. This is something I say to them every day, often more than once.

A few weeks ago, I said "Hey Nicky? Know what? You're My Favorite Nicky." and he responded with "Hey Mom? Know what? You're My Favorite Mom." And Drew, not to be outdone by his little brother, said "You're My Favorite Mom, too!".

And so it is. At bedtime I'll say "Favorite Boys" and they'll say "Favorite Mom."

I love it.

Sometimes I tell them "You're My Favorite..." just to hear the reply.

First Fish

2007-05-29T16:20:00.000-05:00

The cookout yesterday evening was alot of fun. I am so glad we went! Besides the eating and the actual grown-up conversation, Drew caught his first fish, all on his own.

We arrived around 4, and were the first ones there. No surprise--I am nearly always the first one to arrive somewhere. And our friends know that and were ready for us. Dinner preparations were already underway, and the boys are nearly at home there as they are here so we could just let them play without constant supervision.

After about half an hour, another couple arrived with their 2 year old little boy, and Drew and Nick were excited to show him around. The kids (and the dog) amused themselves quite nicely in the backyard while we sat on the deck and chatted. After the arrival of a few more guests, we all sat down to eat.

The food was excellent--hamburgers and hot dogs and bratwurst, hash brown casserole, chips, deviled eggs (my contribution), and brownies (also me) and homemade ice cream for dessert. Yum! We all ate until we were stuffed--Nicky ate a burger AND a hot dog!

Then the boys remembered their fishing poles, and everyone decided it was time to fish. There was some initial hesitation when it came time to bait the hooks, but both boys got over that rather quickly. The next obstacle to overcome was casting. I had spent some time with them yesterday afternoon teaching them how to cast, but they didn't seem to get the importance of that very sharp hook on the end of the line. We all spent several nervous casts dodging the hooks, and hoping they didn't manage to hook themselves or each other! Eventually, though, they really got the hang of it, and it wasn't 10 minutes before Drew caught his first fish. He reeled in a nice-sized blue gill all by himself, and he was so very excited. It took some convincing, but eventually he took it off the hook on his own and released it back into the pond. He was too worked up after that to concentrate any longer on fishing, though, so there were no more fish caught by the kids. Andy caught a small bass, however, using Nicky's Spiderman pole.

Around 8:30 Nick began to wear down, and Andy had to leave for work at 9:00 anyway, so we had to leave. I was a little disappointed, because I was enjoying myself quite a bit. But there really wasn't any other choice, so home we came.

And that was when round two began.

Nick could not relax. He was up and down, thirsty and hungry and having to use the bathroom. He forgot to tell me goodnight. He forgot to tell me he loved me. He forgot to hug his daddy before he left, and when he realized he had missed his chance there was a major meltdown. He forgot to pet the kitty one last time. He forgot to cover up right.

You get the idea.

At midnight, when Drew had been sleeping peacefully for nearly 3 hours and I was so tired I could barely hold my head up, Nicky finally gave in and fell asleep.

In my bed.

But, oh well, at that point sleep was sleep.

I am very tired today.

Not Losers

2007-05-27T20:34:00.000-05:00

We have a fairly small circle of local friends. All of my friends from college live far away, and Andy's childhood and college friends aren't conveniently close, either. Both Andy and I have acquaintances at work, people I'd refer to as friends in a workplace capacity but not really folks that we socialize with much outside of work hours. Neither of us grew up here, so any friends we have we've had to acquire in the past 11 years (that's how long I've live here--Andy's only lived here for 7 years).

However, we do have some friends. Slowly but surely we're finding our place in the community. And I'm so glad, because I do want to do some social things. Christmas gatherings, holiday cookouts, birthday parties, etc...

That's why I was so disappointed that we weren't invited anywhere for Memorial Day. I've been asking everyone for a week or more "So, what are your plans for the weekend?" just seeing what everyone is up to. The answer was the same from nearly everyone. "Nothing much," they'd say. Occasionally it would be "swimming" or "remodeling" or something not exciting, but I heard no plans being made for gatherings.

I was really hoping to go somewhere. I'd have a party myself, except we're having the birthday bash in a month and a half, and I can't afford to do that twice in such a short period of time. So I figured Andy and the boys and I would grill our own burgers and hang out here.

Then, at 8:30 on the Sunday night before Memorial Day, my phone rings. It's Mark. "What are ya'll doing tomorrow afternoon?" he asks. "We're planning a little cookout--wanna come?"

Now, I asked him on Friday what they were doing, and the answer was "Nothing much. Maybe some fencing." I said definitely we wanted to come, and asked him what happened to the plans for farmwork. He said that he and Mandy felt a little loser-like for having no plans on Memorial Day, and since no one invited them anywhere they decided to have their own party.

What's really funny is that every single person he's called to invite, late on Sunday before Memorial Day, has accepted without hesitation. No one is having a party. We're all losers.

Or, we were. Now we're all included. Yay!

I am acquainted with some of the people attending, others I've never met. Perhaps we'll make some new friends.

I hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day. A big Thank You to all those who serve to keep this country free.

Photo Sunday #35: The No Particular Theme Edition

2007-05-26T16:34:00.001-05:00

Cattail.

I was supposed to be working, too. The scenery was too tempting, though.

Rat Snake.

Daylily.

My Babysitter's Kids. Cameron, Bradley Dayna, and Amber.

Nicky and Claire.

The Mama Song

2007-05-25T18:44:00.000-05:00

There was a commercial on television where a little boy was singing a song that he made up about his mom. The boys were inspired:

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Know Your Weaknesses

2007-05-24T11:00:00.000-05:00

When it comes to photography, I have a long way to go. I am aware that some of my photos are very nice, some may even be nearing professional quality. But many, many more of my images are no better than snapshots, even when I make an effort to make them something more.

Not that there is anything wrong with snapshots. No. As a matter of fact, that's one of the biggest problems I have. I get so caught up in trying to have the "perfect" shot that I'll overlook that fact that the picture is cute. It may not be a professional quality photograph, but if my kids are happy and smiling then it's alright. And I've thrown away pictures that were fine but not technically perfect.

Have I ever mentioned I'm a bit of a perfectionist? Yes? Well, I'll say it again. I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

The other thing that often stands in my way of great photos is the camera itself. Don't get me wrong--I have a very nice camera. A very nice camera with lots of settings. Lots of settings that I can never remember to change.

I know what the settings do. Thanks to many, many books and advice from my pro photographer friend and tons of experimentation I know what they do. I am totally familiar with aperture and shutter speed and iso and white balance. I know how they work together and individually. I can change the focus points, and use the camera to meter and then manually enter all of the settings. I can't always do it on the fly--the workings of the camera are not yet instinctual to me. But I'm getting there.

The problem is, I can never remember to do it. That is my biggest weakness as a photographer. I'll get the camera out and set it specifically with a higher iso and lower aperture and custom white balance to take photos of the boys indoor in lower light, maybe with the flash. Then I'll download the photos to the computer and put the camera away--without changing the settings. The next day I'll grab my camera bag for an hour or two of photography at the farm, and only after I get home will I realize that the camera was still set for indoor, low light shots even though I was shooting in bright sunlight. Many of those just aren't salvageable.

I try to make an effort to return the camera to more general settings at the end of every day so that if I want to take a snapshot quickly I'll be able to, but I only actually do it about 50% of the time. I'm seriously considering investing in a small, compact (but higher megapixels and still nice) point-and-shoot pocket camera to use for my everyday snapshotty stuff and keeping the big boy for my planned photography. At least that way I won't ruin my everyday shots by taking them with screwy settings.

What do you think? Any of you with wonderful ideas for making me remember to put my camera back on basic at the end of the day? And before you suggest writing myself a note, I've tried it. It keeps getting buried under stuff on the counter or lost in space.

Protect

2007-05-23T17:04:00.000-05:00

Photo of the day: Nicky protecting his daddy from Drew and the water cannon.

The List Maker

2007-05-22T13:52:00.000-05:00

He didn't mean to, but Chris over at Rude Cactus ended my blogging block, at least for one post. After reading his post this morning about Post-it notes, it occurred to me that I do much the same thing. Only I make more than notes, I also do lists. Sometimes notes to remind me of lists.

When I was a little girl, I was always amazed by the way my dad could remember stuff. I'd ask him the night before to copy something for me at work, or to bring me something home, and he'd remember. Now, I don't know for sure that he didn't have list upon list in his truck or at work, but I don't think so. I think he could just remember stuff.

I can't. Or, at least, I don't think I can. Because sometimes I write myself a note and then lose it but remember anyway what I was supposed to do.

Anyway, I make lists. Grocery lists, to-do lists for short-term and to-do lists for long-term. I write things on calendars. Multiple calendars. I have a notepad by the computer at home and at work, and both always have notations on them about something or other. I'll write myself notes in the evening and put them on my purse or in the fold of my phone to remember my lunch or to ask the sitter a question. Every Friday I write a weekend to-do list on the dry erase board on the fridge, and wipe stuff off as I accomplish it.

I am a list maker.

I am also a little, um, obsessive about some things. Or maybe perfectionist would be a better word. At any rate, I like to be prepared, and I like things to go as planned.

So, the boys' birthdays are coming up. July 20 and July 22, to be exact. It works out well that the 21st on on a Saturday, so the party can be the day between. I am pleased. I've been on the boys for a month or so to choose a theme, and this past week they finally decided. They want to have a hunting/wildlife/camo party. They are in agreement.

Let me tell you, while I am so pleased that my kids are individuals and don't follow every trend, it would be so, so much easier to have a Superman party. Or even John Deere, like the past 2 years. But no, they want hunting, so hunting it will be.

So, my list for the party (what? of course I've already started planning) looks something like this:

Find camouflage party decor (NOT army camo, hunting camo).
Find hunting-themed cake ideas
Make and order invitations, mail first week of July
Goody bags? What in a hunting goody bag for little kids? Assemble.
Food? Drinks? Make list and shop Friday before party.
Gas for the grill one week before party
Borrow card table & chairs from Mark
Borrow tables from Mom and Dad. Chairs, too?
Gifts for boys? Scooters or bikes, maybe?
Mow grass Friday before party, freshen any flowers that don't look good.
Ask neighbors for permission to park in their yard

Not a bad list, right? I've located some camo plates and napkins, but they're pricey so they'll just be for cake, I think. Otherwise I'll just get brown and green and call it good. I just won an auction on e-bay for some large pieces of camouflage fabric that I'll use as table covers. My boss says he's got an entire box of deer antlers that I can use, and I have friends with duck decoys that I may borrow to float in the little wading pool. I think for the cake I'll just make flat cakes or buy sheet cakes undecorated and put deer and turkey figurines on the top--I can get those at Tractor Supply. See the photo at the top? That's for the invites, which I've already ordered and received.

So, I'll need your help with goody bags. What can I put in a "hunting" goody bag that will be appropriate for children ages 1-10 and won't cost me an arm and a leg?

See? I like to be prepared. It's only 2 months away...

Edited to add: Of course, you are all invited to the party! Our house, 5 PM on Saturday, July 21, 2007. Somehow I think all of you are too far away to attend, but if for some reason you'll be in the area call me and I'll hook you up with some directions!

Blogging Block

2007-05-21T19:11:00.000-05:00

Well, I seem to have come up against a blogging wall. I simply cannot think of anything I want to write about. I even skipped Saturday in hopes that I'd have something thought up by today, but I don't. I'm not officially asking for ideas, but if you have anything you'd like to hear about please let me know in the comments section, or e-mail me.

So, since I've nothing to say, I'm going to post a quick weekend recap. This weekend was a little unusual for us, because Andy was in the middle of a schedule change and was actually home. The entire weekend. It was weird. After so very long of not spending much time together, it's difficult to remember how to be together. There were periods of tension resulting from the fact that he doesn't know our routines and continually tried to impose his own.

At any rate, on Saturday I got to run my errands with only one child. That was a treat! Nicky came with me, and Drew stayed behind to help Andy with the yard. It had to be done that morning because I had to return a borrowed weed-eater by noon. So, while Nick and I were out on the town, the yard was mowed and trimmed and the carport and driveway blown off. Nice.

Then I returned the weed-eater, and spent a few hours alone (while the boys, all 3, had naps) with my camera at the farm.

Saturday evening was our local festival, Little River Days. We took the boys and they had a blast. We ate festival food for supper, took the horse and carriage ride, and each kid got a balloon and a soft frozen lemonade. It was nice.

Sunday Andy took the boys to church, and I bailed. I just didn't feel well most of yesterday, headachy and crabby and stiff and tired. They got home around 1:30, and again all 3 of them took naps. Then there was some playing in the yard, on the trampoline, and in the pool. And then, because I just couldn't face the thought of fixing dinner, we went out again. You'd think we were rolling in money or something, the way we spent it this weekend. We not only went to O'Charley's, we hit the new DQ for dessert!

Today it was back to life as we know it, except Drew is at the sitter instead of school.

And so it goes.

Photo Sunday #34: Summertime

2007-05-19T19:40:00.000-05:00

Companion to a photo I took back in the fall...click on it to go the Flickr site and see the other photo in the comments section...

There are hundreds of these...in my backyard

Nicky insisted he could pour his own cereal...

He's A First Grader Now

2007-05-18T12:30:00.000-05:00

I just came from the Kindergarten Awards at the school. I watched Drew get presented with an attendance award--best attendance for all of Kindergarten (all 3 classes, not just his). He also received a poster made by his teachers with photos from throughout the school year, some taken by me and others I've never seen. There are side-by-side photos from the first day of school and from last week. I can't believe how much more grown-up he looks in just one school year! We had cookies and juice and took photos of him with all of his friends.

And we got his report card, where it not only shows marked improvement from the first grading period, it says "assigned to first grade".

So that's it. He's a first grader.

Oh my.

An Up and Down Kind of Day

2007-05-17T18:11:00.000-05:00

The up:

Drew got an award at school today. He received a medallion for reading 167 points worth of Accelerated Reader books. 140 got you a medallion. There were only 34 kids in the whole school (K-5th grade) that achieved that goal. Only about half of them read more than Drew. The kid that got the trophy, though, read over 350 points worth of books. He's a second grader. Drew says he's winning the trophy next year, although he's very happy with his medallion. It's engraved with his name and the school year and how many points he had. Very cool. I am so, so proud. And tomorrow I'm attending a Kindergarten Awards Ceremony in Drew's classroom. All the kids will get something, so he'll get another award tomorrow. And then school is out for the summer, and Drew is officially a first-grader.

So, after the awards, I switched kids. I dropped Drew at the sitter and picked up Nick to take him to the screening for pre-school.

Drew didn't get to go to pre-school, because we don't meet the income requirements (for a family of 4 you must make less than $27,000 annually, before taxes) and he didn't have any speech or hearing disabilities. And we can't afford a private pre-school. He was disappointed, and I was disappointed, but we got over it and missing pre-school doesn't seem to have affected him academically or socially.

Nick, on the other hand, has that speech thing. I've mentioned it before--his r's sound funny, and his s's, and he replaces some sounds with alternate sounds that he seems to choose on a whim. Since we still don't meet the income requirements, this is his shot to get into school next year.

We arrived at our appointment, and even though I told them we didn't meet the income requirements we had to fill out the paperwork for it. Then we went through the entire evaluation process--nearly 2 hours. Nicholas tested very high in almost everything--motor skills, comprehension, language development, and vision. But, he's got a slight hearing deficit in his right ear, and the speech pathologist ranked him at a 2-3 year old level in articulation and understandability (he'll be 4 in a month and a half).

So, I figured we were in. We went to the final station to hear the results, only to be told that the only way anyone was accepted into the program today was to meet the financial requirements. I had to schedule another appointment in mid-July for a "re-screening" where another speech pathologist will test his articulation and language abilities again. Then, if he passes (fails?) he'll be accepted into pre-school for the fall. If not, we're out of luck, even though we've already been told he's got a problem.

And you know, I'd be OK with all of this if it just seemed fair. But it doesn't. Because there was a family behind me who didn't speak English. They had to have a translator just to answer the questions. And the translator spoke in a very loud voice, which is how I know he's a farm worker (around here they make $7 an hour) and his wife is a stay-at-home mom. I guarantee you they live in housing provided by their employer, because I'm familiar with their employer. And they arrived at their appointment in a truck marked with the farm name. They have 6 children. He's in the United States on a work visa, and his children were born here. So, my tax dollars are paying for public pre-schools that I may not be allowed to use, but the family who came to this country and couldn't even be bothered to learn English or become a citizen for the past 6 or more years get to send their children sailing through the system with all the perks I've worked so hard to provide. And I could go on and on and on, but you get the idea.

So, recap of my day: Went to work, went to Drew's school to proudly watch Drew accept his award, went to Nick's pre-school screening to find out I have to have him re-screened, came back home and now it's time for dinner.

Have a good evening, ya'll.

Oo-ooh, That Smell

2007-05-16T11:29:00.000-05:00

Did I tell ya'll that we have a new cat? No? Well, we have a new cat.

We still have Fern and Daisy inside, and we still have Spot-the-best-cat-ever outside. This past weekend, a new stray found our home, and Nicky immediately claimed him as his kitty and named him Midnight.

Midnight is the sorriest excuse for a tomcat that I've ever seen. He's long haired, and had more mats than actual fluffy hair. He's skinny, and beat up, and covered in fleas and ticks. He's very friendly, and very loud with a distinctive yowl. And did I mention he's a tom? A stinky, territorial, spraying tomcat.

Well, he hung around for a few days, and as Nicky was already in love we figured we'd better clean him up and make sure he's healthy if he's going to stay. So, on Monday, Andy and Nick took him to the clinic. They knocked him out and then went to work. He got a flea and tick bath, and shaved down to remove all of the matted hair. All the ticks were removed from his skin, and all of his wounds treated. He got a shot of antibiotics and was dewormed and vaccinated. Andy neutered him, because that's the responsible thing to do. And the neutering takes care of all that nasty tomcat behavior. We figured if he still wanted to stay at our house after we did all of that to him then he must be a pretty decent animal.

And he's still at the house. Of course, it takes a little bit after the neutering for all the hormones to make their way out of his body, so he's still acting like a tom. And apparently he blames me for the mistreatment that he endured, because he spent the night last night in my truck. And he, um, marked his territory.

Yeah.

I got in the truck this morning and was nearly overpowered by the stench of tomcat urine. If you've ever smelled it you know what I'm talking about.

Oh. My. Goodness.

So Andy spent 2 hours and $70 of our hard-earned dollars this morning having the truck professionally cleaned. The seats were shampooed and the hard surfaces cleaned and it was even washed and waxed. It looks really nice.

And it no longer smells like tomcat urine. No, now it smells like strawberries. Alot like strawberries. It's quite overpowering--with the windows rolled down you can smell the strawberry scent a good 15 feet away.

I'm not sure which is worse--the cat pee or the strawberries.

Just Like I Promised

2007-05-15T13:31:00.000-05:00

I told you yesterday that I gave Andie D. permission to ask me 5 questions--any 5 questions--and I'd answer them honestly. Today is the day, so here we go:

How many brothers and sisters do you have, and what is your position in the birth order of your family? Do you believe that birth order affects personality? I am the oldest of three children and the only girl. My brothers and I are spaced 3 years apart, almost exactly. I've never really given alot of thought to the birth order/personality thing, although I know my mom is a big believer in it. I'm not even really sure what traits first- middle- and last-born children are supposed to have. I can tell you that I am opinionated and strong-willed and bossy. Does that sound right for a first-born? Possibly that's a birth order trait, or perhaps I just inherited it from my dad...

What would others say is your most annoying habit? Honestly, I don't know. And I'm sure not asking anyone what about me annoys them, because then I'd be all self-conscious and stuff. I can tell you that I bite my fingernails and that it drives my children to distraction when I do. I know that it annoys my co-workers sometimes when I do ALL the work (not because I'm trying to be a show-off, but because I'm bored. unfortunately, that leaves them bored, too...). It annoys my husband when I leave him lists of things to do on his days off. You guys can tell me what annoys you about my blog, if you like. Then I could do some housekeeping...

What's the big story you haven't written yet but will someday? Um, well, I don't know the answer to that, either. Gee, I'm not much fun, am I? I'm not really a story-teller on my blog, I think I tend to write more about what's on my mind in the moment. But I can tell stories, if you like. What stories would you like to hear? I did tell you how I met Andy, and about that car accident, but beyond that I don't think I've shared much history.

If you could be a superhero, what would your name be and what superpowers would you have? Well, that's an easy one, because we're all about superheroes in our house these days. According to the boys, I'm FlashGirl. She is not, as you might be thinking, someone who goes around opening a trenchcoat and showing her stuff to strangers. No, FlashGirl can run super-fast, like Flash on the Incredibles. So fast you can't even see her feet and legs, because they're just a blur. And, FlashGirl is very, very pretty. Sometimes I'm Wonder Woman, too, or SuperGirl. But mostly FlashGirl. Now, if I got to choose, I don't know what I would be called, but my superpower would be to have super amounts of patience. Perhaps I could be ToleranceGirl? NiceWoman?

What gives you the most satisfaction in your life? Now, this question seems simple on the surface. I'm supposed to say my kids, right? Or my family? And while they give me tremendous amounts of love and happiness and craziness and frustration and sadness and fun and joy and debt and heartache, I'm not sure family or kids gives me the most satisfaction. I think that's something that has to come from inside, from me and only me. And over the years that's been many different things. Graduation from high school, and from college. Making an A on a difficult final exam. Buying my first vehicle. Landing my first real job. Buying a home. Giving birth, twice (except that was more of a feeling of relief!). Watching my oldest go off independently on his first day of school. Watching my youngest conquer his fears and put his face under the water in the pool. Knowing that I'm (well, we're) raising 2 little boys in mostly the right way. I think currently I'm most satisfied with my progression as a photographer. I love making an effort and creating something beautiful that people actually appreciate, something that makes other folks smile. Enabling someone to look at something in a different way than they might have.

OK, well, there you go. I answered the 5 questions, and I hope I got them "right". I think I'm supposed to open the floor for any of you to sign up, and then I get to ask you 5 questions which you will then be obligated to answer on your own blog. But I'm changing the rules, mostly because I'm a little lazy but also because I think that these were really good, insightful questions and I'd like to know the answers to them about you, too. So, if you want to play, answer these 5 questions on your own blog. Make sure you leave me a comment that you're doing so, and I'll check out your answers.

5 Questions Postponed for Birthday Festivities

2007-05-14T12:13:00.000-05:00

The other day, Andie D. over at Grumppopotamus did a meme where a blogger got to interview her by asking 5 questions. Any 5 questions. The participation in the meme is totally voluntary, but once you sign up you have to answer whatever they ask. Well, my blogging has been rather bland lately, so I thought this might be fun and signed up. She sent me my questions this past Saturday, but I had already written my Mother's Day post and told her that I'd do it Monday. I totally spaced when I said that, because Monday (today) is Andy's birthday, and I guess I should do a birthday post for him. So, tomorrow I will answer my 5 questions. I promise!

So, that's Andy. You guys have seen him before. Today is his birthday. He's 33. For a few months he'll be older than me, and then I'll catch back up.

OK, so I said he's 33. He was born in 1974, so I guess that's right. But really he's just a big 10 year old. It's that quality that makes him a fun dad, and that makes everyone just think he's so great. "He must be so fun to live with" they say. "He's so funny/cute/easytogetalongwith" they say. "You're so lucky" they say.

I do not think he's so easy to get along with. Funny wears thin after a few years of the same tired jokes and dirty one-liners. He is cute, I'll give you that.

But I am lucky. They are right. Because I'm married to a guy that puts up with me and all of my unpleasantness. A guy who loves his family and works so, so hard for them. Let me tell you, a lesser man might have left us years ago. But he's still hanging in there. No matter what, I know Andy will be there.

He's a wonderful dad and a better husband than I deserve.

And to help celebrate, Drew was kind enough to throw up today at school, requiring that I pick him up and bring him home. So the rest of Andy's birthday will be spend with all of us in opposite corners, avoiding the stomach flu like the plague.

Happy Birthday, Andy!

Happy Mother's Day

2007-05-12T20:42:00.000-05:00

This is my mom (and one of my brothers):

It's Mother's Day. I told you guys this last year, and I'm going to say it again. I just don't write long, emotional tributes. I don't have it in me. So you're not going to get 3-5 sappy paragraphs about my mom.

I will tell you that my mom rocks. She's awesome. She's super nice, and super smart, and alot more patient and kind than I'll ever be. I can only hope to be half the mother that she is and always has been.

My brothers and I were raised in a great family. A mom and a dad that loved us and provided for us unconditionally. We lived in the country with room to roam around. I had a horse. We had a swimming pool. We had nice clothes and toys and shoes and didn't ever go hungry. Our grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins were a part of our lives from the start, sharing birthdays and holidays regularly. I just assumed that everyone lived a life like ours.

Even though I had friends (my best friend, actually) whose parents were divorced, even though I was aware that there were kids in my class who were "poor" (and in some cases poor is probably an understatement) it just never occurred to me that their lives might be less than perfect. I just never considered it, even though I should have. I should state for the record, however, that I didn't (and don't) discriminate. I was friends with everyone, especially the underdog, and I put myself out there on a limb more than once sticking up for kids that were being picked on.

Now that I'm an adult, with a family of my own and more real awareness of the world around me, I realize that I should not have taken my life for granted. I know that there are children who don't have loving parents. There are families that are hungry, and that don't have a home. There are people in such despair that they no longer want to be alive. There is abuse, and neglect.

Sometimes I actually feel guilty. Guilty that I've had it so good. Guilty that sometimes I feel sorry for myself because I'm having a hard time making ends meet--but I have a home and food and a job and am so much luckier than some people. Guilty when I buy my kids yet another Power Ranger when there are children with no toys at all.

It was my parents who made me the person that I am today. There doesn't need to be a Mother's Day or a Father's Day for me to think of my parents, because I think of them every day. I talk to them several times a week. I love them and they love me and we all know it. But I guess, since it's Mother's Day and all, I'll take this opportunity to publicly thank my mom for giving me a life that alot of kids only dream of.

Thanks, Mom (and Dad).

And, since it is Mother's Day, I took the opportunity to get you a really cool gift. Because I do love to give presents, especially those that are just perfect for the recipient. I can't wait to give it to you!

Photo Sunday #33: The On Saturday Because Tomorrow Is Mother's Day Edition

2007-05-12T07:43:00.000-05:00

From Nicky

2007-05-11T17:44:00.000-05:00

Nicky made me this for Mother's Day:

I also got a handwritten card from Drew that says 'I love you Mom' and he drew a picture of me with long green hair because he thinks 'it would look nice that way'.

I have good kids.

Oh, No

2007-05-10T17:33:00.000-05:00

Well, a bad thing happened yesterday. It was all my own fault, no one to blame but myself.

I dropped my camera.

Actually, I dropped everything. The backpack opened up (my fault--I didn't zip it completely), and the camera with the new lens attached, the 3 other lenses in the bag, and the flash all fell about 4 feet onto the hard ground.

2 of the 4 filters I had attached to the lenses broke. Which is alright, I guess--better the $10 filter than the lens. One of the lens caps is broken. The camera is scratched.

The camera itself seems to function OK, at least for now. I took a few test shots, and while they didn't come out as clear as I would like, it's quite possible that that's my fault. The lighting was dim, and my hands were still a bit shaky. What I need to do is look inside of it, and check it with each of the lenses attached to see what happens.

But I'm not. I haven't touched it today. I'm afraid of what I'll find, so I'm avoiding it.

There is one good thing. I'm very glad that I dropped it. Because I'm so, so angry at myself for being so careless. And if Andy or one of the boys had done it, I'd be that angry at them. And that would be bad.

So, I'm off now to avoid checking out my camera. And to call my mom, because Daddy should be home by now. (edited to add: Go here to read my mom's account of the hospital stay)

Everyone, have a great day. And be super careful with any delicate, expensive equipment you might own...

Happy, Happy Day!

2007-05-09T18:14:00.000-05:00

I visited Drew's class today for photos. I took nearly 150 over the course of 2 hours. I took many, many shots of the students individually and several group shots. This one is, by far, my favorite. Click on it and choose to view it "large" on Flickr to really see how much fun the kids are having. Drew is smack in the middle, in case you're hunting for him--blue shorts and shirt.

And, the best news: It looks like my dad will be home from the hospital tomorrow. Yay! He spent just over 3 weeks there with various issues, but he's on the road to recovery and should be heading to the house in less than 24 hours.

Busy Busy Busy

2007-05-08T16:22:00.000-05:00

It seems as if the end of the school year is bringing busy times for us. I sort of thought things would slow down a bit, but we're pretty much booked solid for the next two weeks. Here's a peek at our upcoming schedule:

Tomorrow 9th: 1:00 I am to be at Drew's classroom to take photos. Photos inside of the kids and the teachers in the classroom, and then outside on the nature trail.
Thursday 10th: Drew has a field trip to Christian Way Farms and to the Fire Station.
Friday 11th: Drew has a rewards trip to the skating rink because he earned the required number of Accelerated Reader points (actually, he earned twice the required number!)
Sunday 13th: Mother's Day
Monday 14th: Field Day at Drew's school
Monday 14th: Andy's birthday. He's turning 33.
Thursday 17th: Tentative Awards Day at Drew's school
Thursday 17th: Nick's Preschool screening appointment
Friday 18th: Last day of school
Monday 21st: I have no babysitter this day. Anyone want to come stay with the boys for me?

And sometime in all that stuff I'm scheduling a photo shoot with the teenagers that I took shots of this past fall, Amber and Dustin. And a shoot with my sitter to take her kids' soccer pics and her daughter's 16 year birthday photos. And I need to get the flowerbeds mulched. And the yard is needing mowed twice a week these days. Plus, you know, laundry and cooking and dishes and cleaning and grocery shopping.

Whew. I'm a little tired just thinking about it!

No Title Today

2007-05-07T17:13:00.000-05:00

If you didn't catch the photo of Drew in the tractor tire down there in my Photo Sunday post, check it out. I took this one today as a companion photo. I thought they might be neat framed and hanging next to each other (or maybe matted in the same frame). The lighting is all different in this shot because the sun was shining brightly (it wasn't the other day) and because the tractor is sitting in a different spot. Still, I think it's cute.

And check out his shoes. Aren't they great? I have 2 pair of Crocs, and each of the boys have a pair, too. They love them.

I helped to work cows yesterday. I didn't think I did all that much strenuous stuff, but I woke up this morning sore through my shoulders and back. I must have worked harder than I thought! I also managed a decent sunburn on my neck and nose. I keep getting sun while I'm wearing t-shirts of varying styles. By the time I actually put on a swimsuit I'm going to look so funny--tanned arms and neck and face with pale shoulders and back and legs.

OK, that's all for today. Boring, I know. I'll try to think of something more interesting for tomorrow.

Photo Sunday #32: The "I had a good photography week" Edition

2007-05-05T18:52:00.000-05:00

Drumroll, please!

2007-05-05T08:25:00.000-05:00

It's time to announce the winner of the Guess How Many Hot Wheels contest! I had fun--wasn't this fun? Thank you all for playing. Now I wish you were all the winners, but the rules in place state there will only be one. Perhaps next time I'll set up something for runners-up, whaddya say?

First let me remind you of the rule that it's the person who guesses the closest number without going over that wins. Because I had 2 people guess who were very close, but guessed a number that's higher than the actual number. Those 2 people were SusanP and Susie.

So, the actual number of Hot Wheels in that pile (and there are more outside and in the truck and I'm sure there are some lost somewhere, but I'm only counting the ones I showed you in the photo) is 346. That makes Stacy the winner with her guess of 250! And I'm guessing she could use a little something extra right about now, because she's a mom of 3 and is due with baby #4 in just a few short weeks. So Stacy, head on over to my Flickr gallery and browse around. Leave me a comment on the photo that you want to be yours, and I'll have it printed up for you. Also, please e-mail me with your mailing address. Congratulations to Stacy!

And now, I've just gotta say, 346?! Oh my goodness. That's alot of cars. Did you know that Matchbox cars cost about $1 apiece? Not alot when you want to purchase a small treat for your kids. But wow! Take into account all the cars in other places in our home and vehicles plus the ones that have been lost, and we have $400 or more worth of Hot Wheels! That blows me away. It also makes me not want to count any more toys, because I know how much that stuff costs individually and I don't want to think about how much money my kids have sitting in their toybox!

OK, then, that wraps up the first ever contest at Life's Little Adventures. I hope you guys had fun, and if you did perhaps we'll do it again in the future. In the meantime, have a great Saturday and tune in tomorrow for Photo Sunday. I have some pretty ones this week.

Finally Friday

2007-05-04T18:53:00.001-05:00

Wowee, it was a long day. It's nearly 7:00, and we just got home. Not a bad day at all--there was work, and the grocery store, and a nice long play session with Callie at the farm that included a dip in the pond for dog and Drew and lots of time exploring. And now it's time to eat and relax. So, I'm going to give you a cute photo of Drew to look at, and tomorrow we'll announce the winner of the "Guess How Many Hot Wheels" contest. If you haven't made your guess, do it now!

He's reading the warning labels on the bushog. "Duh-ain-gerrr. It says Danger!"

I laughed right out loud

2007-05-03T17:14:00.000-05:00

Briana got tagged today by a meme that's been going around. She was requested to "show us her bag". And so she did, and a cute bag it is. She also lamented that it's not a very springlike bag and that she needed a new one. In the comments section I mentioned that I had recently gotten a new, springlike purse and that I normally get one in the spring and one in the fall.

She responded to my comment with this short little e-mail:

Well, let's see it then! I didn't tag anyone because I didn't think you even carried one.

I was at work when I opened that e-mail, and I laughed loud enough that Rachel looked up from what she was doing. Had I been using the Yahoo! Messenger I would have typed "lol" and then picked that little smiley face that rolls around on the floor and laughs.

You see, I resisted carrying a purse for the longest time. All the way through college and then some I got away with my pockets or my backpack. But one day the wallet and checkbook and chapstick and inkpens and comb and all the trappings of adulthood forced me into purchasing a handbag. And, as long as it's a small one, I like it. As a matter of fact, I like to have a new purse nearly as much as I like to have new shoes. Here is my latest purse:

It's cute, isn't it? It's even a little girly. You weren't expecting that, were you? See, I am a study in contradictions.

I don't like being bothered with a purse, but if I'm gonna carry one it's going to be a nice one, and usually a little girly.

I don't like to wear shoes, but if I'm gonna have them I'm gonna have nice ones, and lots of them.

I'm totally a jeans and t-shirt kinda girl, khaki pants constitute dressed up and a dress or a skirt must be a real occasion. But I like to have the laciest, girliest underwear and bras that I can afford. And I have an entire collection of skirts that I have purchased and never worn.

I don't really like to have people around, but after a few hours by myself I get lonely.

So, anyway, thanks Briana for the laugh, even though it was unintentional on your part. I enjoyed it, and it gave me a post for today!

Let's Play a Game

2007-05-02T16:27:00.000-05:00

Today, WesleyJeanne over at Mountain Mama wrote a post about the Dora the Explorer collection that her daughter, Owen, has. Owen has Dora, Dora, and more Dora. And I said to her in the comments section, you should see how many Power Rangers we have. Or how many Hot Wheels cars.

And so, look here. Look at all the Power Rangers:

That is just the action figures themselves. That photo does not include the Power Rangers motorcycles, 4-wheelers, cell phones, magic communicators, t-shirts, comic books, or jeep.

Yeah, they have alot of Power Rangers.

But what they really have alot of is Matchbox cars. Look here:

I just counted them, and I was amazed at the sheer number of cars. Not to mention the big 18-wheeler that hauls them, or the various pieces and parts of track for them to race on. I bet you can't guess how many cars there are. I bet no one can.

So, let's have a contest. Everyone who wants to play just go ahead and take a guess at the number of cars. Post your answer in the comments section of this post. I'll give it until the weekend, and then post the correct answer. The person with the closest guess gets an 8x10 print of their choice from my Flickr gallery, delivered to your door. If anyone gets the exact number, I'll make it a matted and framed 8x1o print, delivered to your door.

Of course, you must be willing to give me your full name and mailing address if you win, so that I can ship your prize.

So, hop to it!

edited to add: the person with the closest guess without going over will be the winner. And the pile is about 3-4 vehicles deep in the center and thins as it moves towards the edges. If that information makes any of you want to change your guess, I'll accept amendments from the 5 people who have answered so far... I'll announce the winner on Saturday.

Seven Random Facts

2007-05-01T06:55:00.000-05:00

Briana over at Life With Boys (check out her new layout. it's awesome!) tagged me for the Seven Random Facts meme. I'm supposed to list seven random things about myself that ya'll don't already know, and then I'm supposed to tag seven people to do the same.

Well, after blogging for a year and a half, I'm not sure I can think of seven things about me that you don't know. Not anything I feel like sharing in a public forum, anyway. But I'll try. And that tagging seven people rule? I'm skipping it this time. If you'd like to do this, great! Leave me a comment saying you're in and I'll be sure to check out your answers. But I'm not requiring it of anyone, OK?

Alright, then...

I love inkpens. I have favorite pens, work pens, letter-writing pens, scrapbook pens, and more. And I am very possessive of my pens. At work I keep a variety in my lab coat pocket at all times--a red one, a black one, a blue one, a fat sharpie, and a thin sharpie. Andi if I let you use one, I will stay right there until I get it back. At home I have nice pens, and even the boys know better to use them without asking.
I don't like to wear shoes. I like to buy shoes, and to have shoes, but when it comes right down to it I'd rather be barefoot. And it annoys me when Andy and the boys insist on putting on shoes just to walk out on the deck, or in the yard. I mean, yeah, you should wear shoes if you're leaving the property. Or riding a bike. Or mowing the grass. But really, what's the point in taking the time to put on shoes just to walk 30 feet to the trampoline and take them off again? Or taking more time putting on and taking off your shoes than it takes to walk to the truck and back? Evey time I see Andy putting on shoes when I don't think he needs them I call him a city boy.
I don't like my hair. I'm pleased with the color (yes, it's natural), but it never, ever behaves like I want it to. It's very fine and has mind of its own, and it doesn't matter how I cut it, how I style it, how long I mess with it, or how many products I use in it, it looks the same. 15 minutes after I leave the house with my perfect hairdo, it looks exactly like it did the day before and like it will the next day.
I cut coupons out of the paper every week, and save them in a coupon file. I have them organized by product and by date. But I rarely remember to take them to the store, and end up discarding more than I use.
I can't sleep at night if I'm aware of an open closet door or drawer anywhere in the house. I will lay there and obsess about it until I finally get up and close it. The blinds in the bedroom have to be pulled down, too--unless the window is open. If the window is open the shades get pulled the the height of the sash.
I'm pretty sure that my kids are more intelligent than I am. And I'm scared of what will happen when they realize it.
I had a wonderful childhood. I have terrific parents and brothers and a very close, wonderful extended family. And I finally realize how unusual that is any more, and I totally know how lucky I am. I hope my kids feel the same when they're grown.

So, there. Seven totally random things about me.

Silence

2007-04-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

...and victims of violence all over the world.

For more information, go here: One Day Blog Silence