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I have some things that I'm very excited about! One of them is a band I just discovered. Note the terminology there..."I" just discovered. I say this because they've apparently been around since at least the early '90s....I'm just now discovering them. They are called the NEWSBOYS. Their newest album is GO. I just downloaded it yesterday and haven't stopped listening to it. It's basically Christian rock with a dance beat. Funny thing is, it's REALLY GOOD. What I mean by that is I can be very snobbish when it comes to music classified as Christian rock because it's either mediocre in quality, OR, the message is the same in every song...not that I'm saying the message is boring, but the same message in every song just isn't fresh. Well, NEWSBOYS is fresh! And the lyrics are really good. It's a Euro beat and well, as geekish as it sounds, I'm all about the Euro. Maybe it's my skin tone and hair color, who knows.
Okay, the second thing I'm excited about is a book I'm reading. Lots of you will again scream "geek" because IRONICALLY, just as I got interested in this book, Oprah put it on her list and is discussing it on her Friday show with the author. Trust me, PURE coincidence. I'm not one to follow Oprah's book list. I can pick out books on my own thank you. But I have to agree with her on this one. It's called Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It's her memoir of self discovery and it really is fun to read. It's not holier than thou by any stretch of the imagination. It's very real, very true, and very good reading.
There are lots of other things I'm excited about like starting yoga again, eating lunch with friends, the beautiful weather lately, but in particular MY MOONROOF! I have a long laundry list of dreams for my life. And oddly enough, one of them was to have a moonroof. It's the little things I guess. But it brings me lots of joy, especially lately. I don't go a minute in my car (unless it's raining) when it isn't open. And when it's raining, I still leave the cover off just so I can see the rain hit the window. It's one of the funnest things ever. I'm thankful for it every day. I know, I'm a nerd.
Speaking of dreams....here are a few that I have had since I was old enough to start writing them down:
Visiting Hawaii
Visiting Germany
Writing a book
Learning guitar
Owning a studio
Having a moonroof (check)
Living in a different culture (preferably a more simple one)
Fly in a hot air balloon
Adopt a foreign child
Dye my hair like red.
Get a tattoo
Do something worthwhile (legacy thing)
Be a lifelong student
Meet as many different people as humanly possible before I die
And the list goes on, and on, and on.....
I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and even more wonderful weekend!
Question today: Will I learn something new today? 8-ball says: MOST DEFINITELY!
10. She never complains about what I feed her (even though she eats the same thing every single day)!
9. She never talks back or sasses me. Better yet, she can't talk!
8. She doesn't whine about what kind of socks she has to wear. She likes chewing on all socks equally.
7. She doesn't gripe at me when I'm brushing her hair and tell me I'm doing it wrong.
6. She runs to me whenever I call her name, instead of screaming "WHAT?!!!"
5. If I don't give her water in her favorite dish, she'll drink it anyway.
4. Picking things up off the floor is a game, not a chore.
3. Even when she's having a bad day she loves me and kisses me.
2. If I give her a treat, she doesn't beg for something more, or something bigger.
1. She makes me feel missed when I get home from work.
Here's to all of you with loyal dogs and grouchy kids/spouses/mailmen...give your dog a hug today! (I guarantee they won't complain that you're messing up their hair!)
I promised pics from the fair, and by golly, I will deliver! This string of photos doesn't come close to giving justice to the week we endured in 100-plus degree weather. We spent most days at the fairgrounds from about 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., going home just long enough to crash in the AC and take a short snooze. We had to keep the cattle watered, the rabbit cooled off and the pigs from croaking. Ironic, considering we sold the pigs at auction. But we all know they went to the big pig farm in the sky! The entire family took part in the week's events. Jim stopped farming for 5 days (a feat that deserves a medal in itself!), I took the week off of work, and the kids scooped poo and judged livestock. All in all it was a very tiring, but rewarding time. Brett isn't quite old enough to join 4H yet, but he raised a calf all the same, and entered acrylic painting in open class and ended up getting a red ribbon! Not bad for a five year old going up against adults in the same category! I've given birth to the next Michelangelo!!!!!!!!
Travis's results:
Reserve Champion-
Swine showmanship
Purple Ribbon-
Swine showmanship
Blue Ribbons-
*Bucket Calf
*Market hog/crossbred
*arts/crafts
Acrylic painting of a bull
Mexican metal art hanging piece
Arrowhead necklace
*Woodworking/footstool
*Rocketry
*Crops/soybeans
Red Ribbon-
*Crops/corn
Plus special awards in Round Robin Showmanship, where he had to show a pig, steer, dairy cow, sheep. And a 3rd place award in swine carcass. Plus participation awards in livestock judging.
Tracy's Results:
Champion-
Rabbit/Californian breed class
Reserve Champion-
Cooking for fun/tea party basket
Purple Ribbons-
*Cooking for fun
* Cooking/Chocolate White Chocolate cookies
Blue Ribbons-
*Rabbit/white fur class
*Bucket Calf
*Cooking/fudge button candy
*Arts/crafts
Magnets
Handpainted letters to hang on the wall
*Sewing
Pillowcase
Nightgown
Red Ribbons-
*Arts/crafts
Decorated flip flops
*Cooking
Snickerdoodles
Strawberry Jam
Blueberry jam
*Sewing/skirt
*Crops
corn
soybeans
*Swine showmanship
*Swine hampshire class
Plus special memorial award for encouragement in sewing, participation in livestock and consumer judging.
Million dollar question:
Will I start projects with the kids for next year's fair BEFORE July?
8 ball says:
ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!
Okay, I'm back! I have so much to catch you up on. I have to tell you that my summer has been beyond hectic and pretty maniacal. I literally felt like one of the crash test dummies by mid-August. And I pretty much looked like one too. I finally feel like the pressure has deflated and I have time to commit to the blog. Whew.
So, let's start with the beginning of school. Ahhh, new school supplies, groomed hair, shiny sneakers, and happy children. Well, NOT SO MUCH! Two of my 3 kids were happy to start school this year. But STITCH...aka BRETT decided that school was not in the stars for him. He started kindergarten under the sign of Hades. The first few days were pure evil. I've attached pics to prove it. Day one. There were tears, there was screaming, there was kicking....and that was just me! No, seriously, it's no fun for a mom to try prying her child off the floorboard of the car in front of other happy, smiling, stupid parents walking by while your kid is screaming "I don't CARE if it's against the law, I'm NOT going to school!!!!!!" I'll admit to you now that I am no longer opposed to expensive bribes to save face in front of those parents. Especially in the form of Excellion, a red transformer. Good guy, fights Megatron. Day 2. Rides the bus to school under the oath that I will pick him up myself after school lets out, but declares school is "worser than ever" when I pick him up and that he has no intention of going back. Day 3. Hides behind a tree in the yard and does not get on the bus. I have to drag him to school where he says there is "nothing on earth that will make him want to go to school", "school is evil", "the big kid that sits at my table picks his nose and eats it and it makes me sick to my stomach". Though I can't argue with that last one, I'm running out of ideas to make him go to school. Day 4. By some act of God that can only be declared as a miracle (or the fact that the babysitter promised a trip to McDonalds) Brett boards the bus, holding his sister's hand and waves at me from the window. Do I cry? Do I run to the neighbor's and shout for joy? Do I collapse and praise all that is holy? Or do I just call my husband and say, "Great Success, Shake and Bake baby, Shake and Bake!!!!!!" Little does he realize that on Thursday he starts ALL DAY kindergarten. I think I'll just let that one be a surprise!
Question for the day:
Will I have to resort to yet another bribe before the end of the week?
8-Ball says:
MOST DEFINITELY!
Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. It's been like a month since I've blogged. Doesn't mean I don't love you all...just means that scooping up cow crap and feeding pigs and rabbits has kept me a little busy lately. Don't believe me? You should smell my shoes.
Okay, so where does one start to catch up after so long away.....how about MY NEW RIDE! Yeah baby. Mama's got wheels. And nice ones at that. By some wicked twist of fate, I took a "personal" day off for mental regrouping, drove to Lawrence to shop for groceries, owned a new vehicle 24 hours later. Hey, when I shop....I REALLY shop! Sure helped my mental attitude! And to think I've been taking pills for that.
What else....hmmm....where in the Bible does it say that women must plant green beans, pick green beans, snap green beans, can green beans, cook green beans, serve green beans to the family and STILL do all the laundry? I must have missed a chapter. Oh yeah JOB:3 (get it? job #3....bear with me. being funny after two or three cups of coffee is a stretch).
The kids and I had a wonderful road trip to Pratt, KS over the weekend. We left Friday morning to visit my Dad and came home Saturday pm. Anyone driving from the Lawrence area to Pratt needs to know one little secret. The last hour of the drive time literally stands still. No matter when you look at your clock, it will move only one minute at a time and the scenery will not change....it will be flat, boring and mind-numbing. If you make it past that level, you get to move on to level 2...Pratt! The Pratt trip was great. For once I could sit and do nothing. No cleaning, cooking, running errands, chores, waking up early, nothing. And Dad cooked for us the whole time. My kids even asked him if he was a chef. We drove to Greensburg to see the tornado damage. That was very enlightening. Seeing pics is one thing...being there in person is a whole other ballgame. Reminded me of scenes from New Orleans after the flood!
Okay, I've given in to the electronic gods. I have swallowed my pride and decided that digital scrapbooking is more fitting for me than the tactile/old-fashion cut and paste job. It's a lot less messy, I can do it virtually anywhere with my laptop, and it's a heck of a lot cheaper in the long run. Maybe it's just a phase, but right now I'm really liking it. Plus, I can go back anytime and change it if I don't like it. How cool is that? Plus, you'll get to see the layouts on my blog....aren't you special!
I've talked your ear off....I'll spare you for the day.
Will it take me another month before posting?
Eight ball says, "ask again later"... (you mean, like say a month from now?!)
My girl Shelly gave me a great tip! I wanted to get my hair done...on a BUDGET. She referred me to Z's Cosmetology School. What a cool place. The atmosphere was awesome and Tracy and I both enjoyed our time. Tracy got Jaryl...a guy who TRULY fits the stereotype for a hairstylist. Complete with accent! I got Carly, a Britney
Spears lookalike, only with a really good personality and more hair. And it was cheap! For the price of a normal haircut for me, I got highlights, a cut, and a cut for Tracy, and was able to throw in a tip. Can't beat that! They do manicures too. So, next free weekend, Tracy and I will be enjoying the pampering again.
So, we're off to a wet weekend. Jim is stuck in his office and I'm in a clean house. Hard to believe but for ONCE my house is clean and I have nothing to do. So, I'm trying to remember what it's like to do the fun stuff. Like playing with Molly, who's playing Pirate no. 3. Travis is 1, Brett is 2 and they tried to put an eye patch on Molly. Molly doesn't like the eye patch. Tomorrow we eat with the fam. Then tomorrow night it's off to a friend's for BBQ and gaming. Monday we'll see Dad and hopefully do some creative grilling.
Excuse me a moment, Molly is stealing the playdough....
Okay, all is well, now she's watching Brett play video games.
Hope you all have a safe and fun weekend.
Will I throw another shrimp on the Barbee?
8-ball says: YES!! (Shiskabob me baby!)
Can you feel it? The waves lapping at the shore, the birds singing, the cabana boy bringing the pina colada...well, maybe not so much. BUT, I did finish the cashier booth mural last night. I've posted the progression. I must say, mural painting is one of the funnest things I've done. So if you know anyone out there looking for some wall action, give me a call! It was interesting how many people stood behind me and watched while I painted. Pretty cool. You know how you see someone doing something fun and you always think "I wish that was MY job!"...well, that's sorta how it felt. And that in itself is way cool.
I got a new bike. And I have bruises on my fanny to prove it. Someone explain to me why the seats have to be so narrow and hard. Is it a "no pain, no gain" challenge? I find myself standing on the pedals to ride because I just can't bear to inflict any more pain to my nether region. In purchasing the bike, I discovered that Jim can actually ride one! Not that I had doubts, but let's face it...how many farm boys do you see on bikes after the age of 10? Exactly. I've never seen him on a bike. And I've known him since he was 15. So it was quite the exciting night for all of us when he hopped on my bike and took it for a spin.
Meerkats. I LOVE them. They crack me up! So I saw a perfect photo op at the KC Zoo with Travis. What a hoot!
Don't forget to go to the movies!!!!! Playing now are two winners: Shrek the Third, and Pirates III....I loooooove Cap'n Jack!
Well happy Thursday and I'll leave you with 8-ball wisdom:
Will Captain Jack Sparrow marry Elizabeth in Pirates III? 8 ball says: Outlook unclear...(oooooo, I so have to see this movie!!! Argh, matey!!)
Okay, so, how many of you moms out there are totally freakin glad that school is almost (or already) out? Can I have an AMEN?! Let me preface this entire blog by saying there is a slight possibility that my PMS may influence any and all statements I make today.
So, today is the kids' last day of school. Does anyone realize how much stress it brings to the mom the day before the last day of school? Like coming up with a last minute gift for the teachers and bus drivers. Or driving to the store at 9pm for 24 popsicles for the 2nd grade LUAU party....the fifth party in a row that they've had the last couple weeks of school. Do the schools like totally shut down and turn into party central the month of May? Oh no, wait a minute, it's not all party...they throw in two field trips PER CLASS in the month of May as well. I can't keep up with the notes, the requests, the last minute homework. Oh, now THAT brings up a good topic....homework. Travis had 3 pages of homework to do last night. HOW MANY TEACHERS SEND HOME THREE %&*$#($#)Q(*^ PAGES OF HOMEWORK THE NIGHT BEFORE SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER???? And did I mention the comprehensive reading homework he turned in? Earlier this week he had a worksheet with a pie chart describing fuel/energy in the U.S. He didn't finish the last two questions so had to fill them out on the bus on the way to school. Well, he got the paper back yesterday. I was looking through the backpack and found it and noticed the last two questions were marked wrong. They were answered, but wrong. So I read them. The question was "What does the information in the above pie graph describe, and explain why". My son's answer?: "I don't know, but every time someone says pie I get really hungry." Someone help me.
And I'm not particularly fond of the lunch lady. Two days ago Travis brought home a note from the lunch lady that says, "you will need .55 cents to finish out the next two days for Travis's lunches....". FINE. So, even though I didn't like her tone. (She wrote the note in red.) I scrounged up .55 cents, dropped it in an envelope and sent it with him to school. LAST NIGHT I get a followup note from the wicked lunch lady. THis time I REALLY didn't like her tone. (Written in red, with much larger letters.) "Your son ordered extra milk today...please send an additional .35 cents". What the? So I asked Travis if the lunch lady was mean....he said no. I said, well, does she look really scary. Again, he looks at me like I smoke crack and says that she's only asking for .35 cents. WRONG buddy, this lady has it out for me!!!!! I can tell!!!! Then it dawns on me...won't you be ordering extra milk tomorrow too? So I tape .70 cents to the snotty note and send it to school with him. I bet she has a mole on her nose. With hair in it.
Since I don't have photos of the lunch lady, I'm posting what I THINK she looks like.
Will the lunch lady hunt me down and beat me up for another quarter? 8 ball says: YES!!!!!!
Well, after a really busy long weekend off, I'm back at the factory all dressed up and watching the rain. I came in grumpy. I mean, it's Monday, I have to dress professional, it's been raining since yesterday, blah, blah, blah. But then, after all my whining, my Dad calls and I'm reminded of how fortunate I really am. He's in Greensburg today helping some members of his church clean up their home....what remains of their home. He says trees look like toothpicks, and you can see from one end of the town to the other because there's nothing standing. Al Roker was reporting from there this morning. They have to monitor who is coming into the town to prevent looting. He's taking pictures but says seeing the pictures and actually being there are two completely different experiences.
So, now I don't feel so bad about dressing up....at least I still have some clothes! A little off the subject but along the same lesson lines, I watched "The Pursuit of Happyness" this weekend. Whew. THAT was a tough one. A little difficult for me to watch. It's based on a true story and Will Smith and his actual son do a wonderful job. But the reality of what they went through is troubling to say the least. Again, makes you stop and count your blessings.
Okay, let's talk about something cheerful. We pick up Tippy tonight! That's right! The cute little princess you saw in my last post is coming home with us. Brett asked me if her last name would now be Neis....of course it will! We got her a hot pink collar and a new doggy bed. But while I'm on the subject, I'd like to get on my soapbox for a minute. What is with pet adoptions these days? First of all, when you go to adopt a pet from a shelter, aren't you doing it because you want to save an animal from being euthenized? Not to mention it costs an average of $100-125 to adopt a dog because it comes already altered (spayed, neutered) and with all it's shots, etc. SO, going into the adoption, most people are taking it pretty seriously. Well, after my experience with adopting Tippy, I would think twice about adopting a second time. Why? Because I had to give my entire life history on a 3 page adoption application that asked some pretty pointed questions including whether or not I would agree to a home visit prior to the adoption. IN addition, I had to wait a minimum of 2 days for my references to be checked and for them to "decide" if I would be a fit parent for my new pup. WOW! I mean, I had even gone so far prior to even visiting the shelter, to research pups online through Petfinder.com. THis site is a database of National shelters that have pets for adoption so that you can locate the pet you are looking for. I spent days....literally, poring over these pages to find a pet the me and my family felt was a good match. Then I emailed the shelters that had pets we were interested in to find out more about each individual dog. Then I inquired about the adoption process, asked if I could come visit the pets, and scheduled time to take my kids to see the pup(s). How much more dedication do you need? Apparently the application process is not uncommon to shelters and they are VERY particular about the information you include. I couldn't leave the application until I had put my vet's contact name and info on it so they could call them and get references as to how we've treated prior/current pets. I think it would have been easier to adopt a child in Haiti. Either way, we get Tippy tonight. But we've jumped through hoops to get her. It makes you feel a little criminal in a way, like I've been invaded. I think policies are going to have to change if shelters want to adopt rather than euthenize their animals.
Okay, I'm done griping. Just had to get that off my chest. I'll post pics tomorrow of Tippy. She's going to be one spoiled little doggy!!!
Will Tippy end up sleeping in my room:
8 ball says....ask again later!
My baby is 9 years old today! Can you believe it? Next year will be the big double-digit birthday...am I ready for all this? I totally remember my 10th birthday. I remember exactly what i got and how exciting it was to be double-digitized. I made cupcakes and delivered them to Travis's school this morning before work. Then we celebrate with family tonight by eating Kentucky Fried Buzzard and DQ ice cream. Then Saturday is an official birthday party with friends....I'm taking 8 kids bowling. And I wonder why I get stressed.
I have the next two days off and I'm ecstatic! Well, partially. Tomorrow I'm going to clean house, get a mammogram and then go look at a puppy we're thinking of adopting. So, 1 out of 3 ain't bad. This is my first mammogram and well, not thrilled. I just hope my breasticles don't stay flat like pancakes. I don't want to have to tuck them into my belt.
Friday I get to go to the zoo with Tracy's class. Considering I live in a zoo with 4 other people, it should be another regular day. And equally as entertaining. Only my bathrooms are cleaner....marginally.
I've lost enough weight on my WW diet to fit into a "new" blouse I bought ages ago and never could wear. I don't dare bend over or make any sudden movements or I may take someone's eye out when the fabric gives....but it's on! I have to pin the cleavage (of the shirt, not mine) because it's a little too low cut for my figger (figure). As Travis would say, you could see my "girl crack" if I didn't.
Well, I don't have a whole lot to say. It's raining, I have my chai, I'm going to a pointless meeting, all is well!
Will I enjoy my mammogram? Eight ball says....NOT LIKELY!
Ha! Isn't it fun to look at old photos?! I spent a lot of time last night sorting through family photos and conveniently stumbled across this photo of me, my dad and my brother. Do you see a close resemblance to Cousin Eddy from the Vacation movies? I thought so. Those are GREEN striped shorts and shirt with a pair of tube socks....not green. I love it! I'm sure I'll be getting an email from dad soon.....you're welcome dad!!!!!
