This life with its brokenness and joy, beauty and pain, struggle and strife...
This life with all of the vehicles breaking down around our ears. The lawn mowers and weed-eaters, washing machine, vacuum, dishwasher, computers and refrigerators all waiting for the repair man.
This house with its peeling paint (inside and out) and the huge brick chimney that barley hangs on. Some days I can almost hear the groaning as it slowly tips back away from the house, pulling up the floor boards as it goes. This house literally bursting at the seams.
These four children of mine; one man-child preparing to fly, one young lady training for womanhood, one girl blossoming to adolescence, one boy, the baby, finding his own voice.
These kitchen floor tiles eating away at my supply of dishes; oh the heaps of broken dishes. This weeks tally: 1 coffee mug, 6 plastic cups, 7 drinking glasses, 1 cereal bowl, 1 saucer.
These silly children that grow too fast to suit me and ask too many questions (in their best British/Australian/Scottish/French accents, of course) that I cannot answer.
These silly, crazy days so full of fret and worry; days filled to overflowing. Days wherein, I forget to love, be patient, hold my tongue, have mercy or be graceful; awful days where I don't lean on my Father who loves me.
This one room school house with its toppling towers of books and strong willed children. This mama worn and weary trying hard to do the right thing, anxious and excited over all the possibilities.
This faith full family doing Kingdom work.
These chickens that don't lay eggs and two silly pigs with a food budget bigger than our family of six. A farm dog with a thyroid problem and far too many fluffy kittens to suit the Mister. One lonely rabbit whose sole purpose is to produce fertilizer for the garden.
This husband and wife struggling with the daily grind and frustration.
This little hill of clay that I coax to grow more than just blackberry and poison oak. This sad little oasis, where once I dreamed of glorious gardens I would grow and tend. I see those wild blackberry vines creeping and those shiny leaflets of three and wonder if that dream will ever come to fruition.
This house turned upside down in effort to purge and make space. Space for the school books and space for kids who just need their own corner of this house. A bit of space for the Mr. and space for this girl to make beautiful things again. Such a deep need to be creative again.
.....
These are the things of life right here and now.
Showing posts with label mommy diaries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mommy diaries. Show all posts
Beginning and Ending
The year twenty-eleven was fraught with death, dismemberment, chaos, and overeating. The year was chock-a-block with comings and goings, which brought heartaches and joy and more overeating. The price of gas rose as did my grocery bill. Our farm lost some trees and more animals. I found a few gray hairs.We waved goodbye as dear friends left us behind. We cried selfish tears for loved ones who went Home to Jesus ahead of us. Life was one hard (and expensive) day after the next.
Happily, we said good-bye to 2011.
Thoughts of years gone by flooded my brain...times when all were happy to see the end of the year and times when it felt as if things were just beginning. There are markers in time, snippets posted firmly in my memory bank, of simpler times. Times when life seemed to trip lightly along. Time where we saw no death of loved ones; animal or human. Time when fueling the Suburban did not induce cardiac arrhythmia. Time before Wii. Time before Teens and Terrible Two's . There was a time when I sat with my wee-bitty babies and thought life was most glorious and all in the world was good. Time before so many worries occupied my brain night and day. Time when I couldn't wait for the New Year to open the next chapter in my life. Time when I could not wait to add another year to my belt as it stood for wisdom gained: Another year wiser.
The start of twenty-twelve finds me hopeful. And weary. Also, ready for an exercise regime. I am happy to have a full year of resolution (woke-4:30 in summer 5:30 in winter-with my husband every work day, save for a few sick days) under my belt. I am contemplating this next year of resolution and thinking it will involve my blog....my poor, sad, neglected blog. I am still pondering my one little word for 2012. There is much to mull over. There are pictures to be taken. Memories to be stored. There is life to be lived, pounds to be shed and tears to be swept away. There are doors ready to be closed and new beginnings waiting to be discovered.
Good-bye crappy year. Hello bright shiny New Year.
Happily, we said good-bye to 2011.
Thoughts of years gone by flooded my brain...times when all were happy to see the end of the year and times when it felt as if things were just beginning. There are markers in time, snippets posted firmly in my memory bank, of simpler times. Times when life seemed to trip lightly along. Time where we saw no death of loved ones; animal or human. Time when fueling the Suburban did not induce cardiac arrhythmia. Time before Wii. Time before Teens and Terrible Two's . There was a time when I sat with my wee-bitty babies and thought life was most glorious and all in the world was good. Time before so many worries occupied my brain night and day. Time when I couldn't wait for the New Year to open the next chapter in my life. Time when I could not wait to add another year to my belt as it stood for wisdom gained: Another year wiser.
The start of twenty-twelve finds me hopeful. And weary. Also, ready for an exercise regime. I am happy to have a full year of resolution (woke-4:30 in summer 5:30 in winter-with my husband every work day, save for a few sick days) under my belt. I am contemplating this next year of resolution and thinking it will involve my blog....my poor, sad, neglected blog. I am still pondering my one little word for 2012. There is much to mull over. There are pictures to be taken. Memories to be stored. There is life to be lived, pounds to be shed and tears to be swept away. There are doors ready to be closed and new beginnings waiting to be discovered.
Good-bye crappy year. Hello bright shiny New Year.
Week in the Life: Playing catch up
So. I had this goal. I have been planning it all out in my head, for months now. I told all my friends, for accountability purposes. I recently made some notes, printed worksheets. I gathered a few supplies. I charged my camera battery and wiped all the pictures off my SD cards.
The project; Week in the Life 2011. The goal; make it to the finish line.
On Sunday (official start day was Monday but I like to draw things out as much as possible) I started (along with scads of other dedicated folks and the projects creator, Ali Edwards) a photo journaling/scrapbooking project called 'Week in the Life'. I have done the WITL project in years past but have never seen it to completion. For one reason or another, I take off running then fall flat on my face. This year, I decided, would be different. This year, I decided to finish. I made it a goal. I am determined. Part of my determination was to post everyday during said project and thus far I have failed miserably. I am late (I was born late, seriously.) to the party. Again. Still, I shall not be dissuaded.
I am DETERMINED.
Being that this is the week of my second 'Wedding Photo' gig, I am slightly stressed out. I am shooting and researching. And researching and shooting. And stressing. (Also, having night mares about being late to the wedding. Not good.)
Again, I remain determined.
Notes-to-self for this week:
Sunday: Camp day. Oldest kids at camp all week.
Number of photos for Sunday| 64 digi + 48 shots on film
Monday: Fidget turns 9. Boater experience.
Number of photos for Monday| 145
Tuesday: Garden girl. Girl fun. Working man.
Number of photos for Tuesday| 502
The project; Week in the Life 2011. The goal; make it to the finish line.
On Sunday (official start day was Monday but I like to draw things out as much as possible) I started (along with scads of other dedicated folks and the projects creator, Ali Edwards) a photo journaling/scrapbooking project called 'Week in the Life'. I have done the WITL project in years past but have never seen it to completion. For one reason or another, I take off running then fall flat on my face. This year, I decided, would be different. This year, I decided to finish. I made it a goal. I am determined. Part of my determination was to post everyday during said project and thus far I have failed miserably. I am late (I was born late, seriously.) to the party. Again. Still, I shall not be dissuaded.
I am DETERMINED.
Being that this is the week of my second 'Wedding Photo' gig, I am slightly stressed out. I am shooting and researching. And researching and shooting. And stressing. (Also, having night mares about being late to the wedding. Not good.)
Again, I remain determined.
Notes-to-self for this week:
*Relieve stress by digging hands in the warm dirt of my garden, breathing in the wonders of this life I have been given-taking pictures all along the way.
*I will not beat my self up over being late.... again.
*I will take amazing wedding shots tomorrow! I can do eeeet! (Thanks so much to Joy for volunteering to be my assistant. Joy, you rock!)
*Determination Station, here I come!
Today I am posting a few shots from the last few days of WITL+ Words.
Sunday: Camp day. Oldest kids at camp all week.
Number of photos for Sunday| 64 digi + 48 shots on film
{My youngest boy and Lexie's youngest girl}
Monday: Fidget turns 9. Boater experience.
Number of photos for Monday| 145
{Baby girl partied on the Bay. First time on a boat. Said over and over again that she " didn't feel like 9 yet".}
Tuesday: Garden girl. Girl fun. Working man.
Number of photos for Tuesday| 502
{Finally, the garden provideth.}
{That is notJoy behind the funny mag ad.}
{He brings home the bacon and I fry it up.}
Wednesday: Town day. Park fun. Flower bokeh.
Number of photos for Wednesday| 285
{To make up for a whole day in the car we let the kids run in the park. The rock wall was a favourite.}
{The long ride home. Sun in the eyes. Flowers on the dashboard. A little bit of bokeh.}
Learning and Growing
Found this quote from Emerson and it really struck a cord with me.
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
Here's to serenity and not being encumbered with old nonsense.
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
Here's to serenity and not being encumbered with old nonsense.
Just because
Because... there is sun in the sky today.
Because... my kids are growing.
Because...I am incredibly skatter-brained and can't seem to form two coherent thoughts.
Because...I miss the trampoline.
Because...this picture was taken on April 11 2008 and it was 85 degrees that day.
Just, because...
Listing
Speaking of the listing, I made a random list of funny stuff that has popped out at me over the last several days. It might not be that funny in reality. I am sure its just the cold/sinus meds talking, but you can judge for yourself. I have been sick for so long I have to take the joy where I can find it.
:: Silkie chickens' fuzzy little bottoms are the funniest thing to watch. If you don't have Silkie's, get thee some. 'Nuff said.
:: Strange things you don't want to hear out of your 8yr old girl-child "Hey Mom! LOOK! I built a b*mb."
:: The Pioneer Woman's Sour Cream Noodle Bake is fabulous, amazingly simple, infinitely adaptable and a sure crowd pleaser.
:: One of my Best Girlfriends told me that I reminded her of the Pioneer Woman. (P-dub, call me. I think we were separated at birth.)
:: Chickens are like crack to me. SERIOUSLY, people! I need a 12 Step Program for Chicken Lovers. I luff, love, lurve my multi colored flock of chicks and chickens. The puffy cheeks...The fluffy bottoms...All the different color/pattern combinations send me right into a tail spin. I can't resist. I must buy more chickies. The soft fluffy cuteness of chicks is too much for my farm-girl self to bear. Don't even get me started on the eggs. The multi-colored eggs make me so happy I could sing. Everyday is like Easter around here. Easter everyday, how great is that?!
:: Chicken Crack. Buwhahaha! Seriously I need help.
:: Wondering what to make of my soon to be 7yr old son sliding across the kitchen floor ala Tom Cruise in Risky Business (underwear, and air guitar included) singing "I'm on'a hiiiiiiwaaaaay ta helllllll!" followed with a fairy dance and the vocals "La-la-la-la-laaaah". Boggles the mind doesn't it?
:: When you have guests over the last thing you want to find in the Loo is poo in the pot with no paper. Sorry about that one. Blame the cold meds. But wasn't that some great alliteration?
:: Have you ever been "schooled" in what is "lame vs.cool" from your 15 yr old man-child? If not you are missing out! I learned things I never wanted to know about Mario Bros., Star Wars, and about being a Dweeb/Geek/Nerd in general. It made my brain hurt.
::We are studying Countries of the child's choosing for a Co-op project due this week. When I told the kids to get on it one morning, my youngest child informed me that he "doesn't wanna be a Japanese boy" any more, he wants to be a farmer boy. I told him that Japan was a country and farmers were people and that we are studying Countries. He replied with his hands on his hips, " Farmers are from the country". Alrighty then.
::I was singing in church this last Sunday and everyone around me kept turning to look. I didn't comprehend at the time why they might be looking at me. This perplexed me most of the afternoon. I checked my crazy hair when I got home. Checked my teeth. Did the sniff.... but couldn't sniff. Then I remembered that my ears are plugged. Yep, I was singing my heart out and couldn't hear a thing. I can only imagine the joyful noises I was making. I think though, I experienced true worship for the first time in my life. Thanks be to my mucus filled head.
Note to Self
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
– Mark Twain
I found this quote today and I'm inspired. It's a fresh new week. For my kids and I, its Spring Break and I plan to soak it up like a piece of bread in a bowl of soup. I am going to explore with my kids this week. I am challenged to sail from my safe harbor of guilt and disappointments. I am going to discover new and exciting things. I am going to throw off the bowlines and have some fun! I am going to make a mess and try not stress out about it. I am also going to listen to this song. Every day. I am going to dream big. And not fear failure.
Share your inspiration.
(Image courtesy tumblr)
My Nemesis
The Evil Mr. No is a pudgy little man. A small yet powerful midget of a thing.
I have been fighting for all of my adult life to get my hands on this little man. I have devoted more hours than I can count, to the perilous hunt for the Evil Mr. No.
He is sneaky. He is slippery.
I am Wimp Girl. I wear my smart, super hero-esque garb with style. I always put on a good face. I smile meekly and keep all my thoughts to myself.
I have issues with saying no. No. Of all the tiny, simple little words in the English language, no is my nemesis.
What say you? Yes man or No siree?
Where have all the green backs gone.....
Economy.
Such a small, simple little word. A word that used to have little effect on myself. A word uttered about those other folk, the ones in trouble or those relishing in the excess of their economies.
As of late, I seem to have an issue with economy. Every where I turn this word threatens to drop its heavy burden upon me.
What does economy mean to me? What thoughts pop into my head at the mention of "our economy"? Mainly simple ones.
Cars. Groceries. Gas. Coffee. Wages.
Then....I am swept into a dream of a simpler time. A time baked in the ovens of our fore mothers, and slathered in home churned butter and topped with a dollop of fresh strawberry jam.
Simple. Idyllic. Sweet.
I am sharply brought back to reality by the tantrums of a four year old who does not understand "our economy" and its current lack of Cheese Nips and Froot Loops. Saltines just aren't cuttin' it here mom!
My Granny always said economy is: Getting the most bang for your buck.
Well folks the only 'bang' you'll find around here is, my head against the wall.
Any one else wondering where all the green backs have gone?
Such a small, simple little word. A word that used to have little effect on myself. A word uttered about those other folk, the ones in trouble or those relishing in the excess of their economies.
As of late, I seem to have an issue with economy. Every where I turn this word threatens to drop its heavy burden upon me.
What does economy mean to me? What thoughts pop into my head at the mention of "our economy"? Mainly simple ones.
Cars. Groceries. Gas. Coffee. Wages.
Then....I am swept into a dream of a simpler time. A time baked in the ovens of our fore mothers, and slathered in home churned butter and topped with a dollop of fresh strawberry jam.
Simple. Idyllic. Sweet.
I am sharply brought back to reality by the tantrums of a four year old who does not understand "our economy" and its current lack of Cheese Nips and Froot Loops. Saltines just aren't cuttin' it here mom!
My Granny always said economy is: Getting the most bang for your buck.
Well folks the only 'bang' you'll find around here is, my head against the wall.
Any one else wondering where all the green backs have gone?
O' Look.....
...more crap! Yes folks, that would be another broken item. And yes, this one was also broken by the boy who shall remain nameless.
This one just happens to be an antique Watkins spice bottle. The large kind. No scratch that, the extra large kind. And it just happened to be full to the brim with organic garlic powder.
*sniff-sniff*
MMMM, can't you just smell that?? O' I can. I am sure I will be smelling itforever for awhile.
Let us all just bow our heads so that I can regain my composure and not scream like a banshee for a moment of silence.
A-hem.
This one just happens to be an antique Watkins spice bottle. The large kind. No scratch that, the extra large kind. And it just happened to be full to the brim with organic garlic powder.
*sniff-sniff*
MMMM, can't you just smell that?? O' I can. I am sure I will be smelling it
Let us all just bow our heads
A-hem.
Fun in the sun
Yesterday we decided to take a break and hit the park. I was however, a little apprehensive to venture anywhere near a set of monkey bars after our last park adventure.
(read: Headlong boy has had a complete recovery from his "Oh, it's broken. Maybe. Lets immobilize his arm till we know for sure." to the immediate discovery by our Family doc that his arm was dislocated at the elbow so he popped it right back into place, ordeal.)
Regardless of past woe's we made the best of a bright and sunny, albeit chilly, fall day.
It's snot what you think....
I heartily laughed at the funny posts Barb wrote here and here, when she was sick. Well, thanks Barb, I think I caught what you had.
Is it possible to catch a virus via blog reading?? I think Barb sneezed on her blog. She told me to go wash~with soap. I must'a forgot. I'm a hypochondriac but I also procrastinate.
So, I am snotting and aching and just plain SICK! My hair is greasy. My eyes and nose are red and swollen. I am still in my bathrobe and jammies AND I am sure that I smell bad. To top it all off I am a mouth breathin' fool. Yup! It is that bad.
Isn't that just what you came over to my blog for? Snot and stench? Yeah, I thought so.
In my gorgeous state, I have been working hard at A) staying sane B) finding books for the kids "river" studies C) swilling lots ofWhiskey cough medicine D) trying to remember where I put the hand sanitizer.
Yes, this is the life. A sick mommy in a non-sick household. My life sucks! And I homeschool too! Woot-woot!
Well, go read the eloquent way in which Barb describes her illness. I guarantee that she doesn't talk about her body odor.
I am off to take some morewhiskey cough medicine.
Is it possible to catch a virus via blog reading?? I think Barb sneezed on her blog. She told me to go wash~with soap. I must'a forgot. I'm a hypochondriac but I also procrastinate.
So, I am snotting and aching and just plain SICK! My hair is greasy. My eyes and nose are red and swollen. I am still in my bathrobe and jammies AND I am sure that I smell bad. To top it all off I am a mouth breathin' fool. Yup! It is that bad.
Isn't that just what you came over to my blog for? Snot and stench? Yeah, I thought so.
In my gorgeous state, I have been working hard at A) staying sane B) finding books for the kids "river" studies C) swilling lots of
Yes, this is the life. A sick mommy in a non-sick household. My life sucks! And I homeschool too! Woot-woot!
Well, go read the eloquent way in which Barb describes her illness. I guarantee that she doesn't talk about her body odor.
I am off to take some more
Too pooped.
Sorry for the lack of a post, I am just too exhausted from my day of cooking and stirring I can hardly type. My arms feel like they weight about a thousand pounds apiece. I am plain, too pooped to do much of anything. I didn't get as far as I had hoped, due to crap (story for another day) that happened during the day, but I did get some meals frozen.
Oh and go check out the Sanity Saver's site for a trailer backing how-to. Farm girls rule!
******
So here's a photo for today. I hope that you have a wonderful Tuesday.
((OK I had to throw in two pic's, I couldn't help myself))
Oh and go check out the Sanity Saver's site for a trailer backing how-to. Farm girls rule!
Distractination: this is the real me, post
Herein you will find a totally random ramble, that has no inter-related ties whatsoever.... alright maybe just a teeny bit. *grin*
My new friend Jolene, made up a new word and it fits me to a T. I am the distractinator. I suffer from being easily distracted and ...oh look the sun is out....umm, oh yeah procrastination...I am sure there is something else I should be doing but blogging is so much more fun.
This has been on my mind a lot lately:
I would have titled this book "How to tell your kids about the birds and bee's without making yourself sound retarded" or making a complete ASS out of yourself. I gave my nine year old 'the talk' about periods and she just stared at me. I was trying so hard not to sound like a dork but that must not have worked to my favor. It was awful. I never want to do that again.....oh wait....crap! I HAVE to do it again, I have another daughter. SHOOT! Well at least I don't have to talk to the boys about all of their junk. Hubby has that one for me.
Ahhh! Saints preserve me! This teen/pre-teen stuff has me going completely nuts. Give me tea parties and dress-up any day.
My friend Misty talked about an American Girl book on "the changes" girls go through. I just got a glimpse of said book the other day and HOLY CRAP! I about died right there in Miriam's Sub. Truly, there might have been fainting IF the AC weren't on. I. Am. So. Not. READY!
In other news:
Saturday, I went shopping and got all of the goodies I need to do a 30 day cook. For anyone who doesn't know what this is, I will enlighten. Sheer HELL, for one day; pure BLISS for a month or more. OK so, really a 30 day cook is just making and putting up, 30+ meals all at once. It seems to cost a fortune in groceries because you are buying everything you need to make at least 30 dinners ( I do 90, plus lunches ) so I wait till we have a 3 paycheck month and then go for it. Go for it, I did.
My new friend Jolene, made up a new word and it fits me to a T. I am the distractinator. I suffer from being easily distracted and ...oh look the sun is out....umm, oh yeah procrastination...I am sure there is something else I should be doing but blogging is so much more fun.
This has been on my mind a lot lately:
I would have titled this book "How to tell your kids about the birds and bee's without making yourself sound retarded" or making a complete ASS out of yourself. I gave my nine year old 'the talk' about periods and she just stared at me. I was trying so hard not to sound like a dork but that must not have worked to my favor. It was awful. I never want to do that again.....oh wait....crap! I HAVE to do it again, I have another daughter. SHOOT! Well at least I don't have to talk to the boys about all of their junk. Hubby has that one for me.
Ahhh! Saints preserve me! This teen/pre-teen stuff has me going completely nuts. Give me tea parties and dress-up any day.
My friend Misty talked about an American Girl book on "the changes" girls go through. I just got a glimpse of said book the other day and HOLY CRAP! I about died right there in Miriam's Sub. Truly, there might have been fainting IF the AC weren't on. I. Am. So. Not. READY!
In other news:
Saturday, I went shopping and got all of the goodies I need to do a 30 day cook. For anyone who doesn't know what this is, I will enlighten. Sheer HELL, for one day; pure BLISS for a month or more. OK so, really a 30 day cook is just making and putting up, 30+ meals all at once. It seems to cost a fortune in groceries because you are buying everything you need to make at least 30 dinners ( I do 90, plus lunches ) so I wait till we have a 3 paycheck month and then go for it. Go for it, I did.
Just a glimpse of the floor in the kitchen. I have 2 fridges full to the brim and the counters and pantry are spilling over with food.
I made my menu, inventory of all the meals that will eventually reside in the freezer (so I don't loose track) and I also made a master grocery list. Whew! I had an organization moment. They are fleeting, don't laugh.
So on my plate for today:
Cooking like a crazy person, in 100 degree weather, with no AC. (Wanna come help?)
Trying not to have mental breakdown over the 'birds and bee's' thing or the fact that my oldest child is now taller than I. (read: HOLY CRAP!!!!)
Rejoicing my semi-small organizational moment!
OH and I almost forgot. I am participating in this. I am still in denial. Stay tuned for more.
Happy Monday!!
Expose me?
This should be the big finish post! The post in which I rave about how fabulous it feels to be fully Exposed. The ever illustrious post wherein, I post glamorous photo's of my house, sans crap. Well...
I suck!
So, the Big City Wide Yard Sale just happened to interfere with a previously (like say, 8 months ago) scheduled dentist appointment. Not only am I a clutter bug, I am unorganized. If I was organized I would have had the forethought to reschedule said dentist appointment. But since I am not organized or famous for well, forethought, the Yard Sale O' Ramma was laid by the wayside (my Farm Suite friend still got ride of her junk, what apunk lucky girl) in order to achieve better oral health. Alas, my inability to sell my crap this last weekend has not daunted me greatly...there will be another Big City Wide Yard Sale on Aug. 9. This just means that all of the piles will remain stacked around my abode for THREE more weeks. *sigh*
OK back to the dentist...
Fern, (You might remember this incident, from a few months back.) was the lucky recipient of a checkup at the unholy hour of 7am, some 70 miles away in town. This meant rising from my un-sleep at oh say... the butt-crack-of-dawn. (Read: If you have not experienced rising at the butt-crack-of-dawn, I suggest you give it a try at least once. It is quite liberating. And dark.)
'Who has a dentist appointment at 7am on a Saturday?' you ask. Umm, I do OK! It's the only way to get an appointment that I don't have to cart all twelve kids to the dang dentist office.
So...
Fern and I went off to town. Fern was a little nervous, but the hygienist was quite sweet. All is well with the child's mouth EXCEPT that she is going to have to have some of her baby teeth pulled. Talk about awful. My poor daughter has been through the ringer with her teeth. But that is a much longer story than I can share right now. Just know that Fern has had a zillion dentist appointments already and she is only 9.
I think I was posting about yard sales...what happened?? What day is it?? Have I had coffee??
Umm, so.
No yard sale for a few more weeks. Tooth drama. No coffee. Happy Monday!
I suck!
So, the Big City Wide Yard Sale just happened to interfere with a previously (like say, 8 months ago) scheduled dentist appointment. Not only am I a clutter bug, I am unorganized. If I was organized I would have had the forethought to reschedule said dentist appointment. But since I am not organized or famous for well, forethought, the Yard Sale O' Ramma was laid by the wayside (my Farm Suite friend still got ride of her junk, what a
OK back to the dentist...
Fern, (You might remember this incident, from a few months back.) was the lucky recipient of a checkup at the unholy hour of 7am, some 70 miles away in town. This meant rising from my un-sleep at oh say... the butt-crack-of-dawn. (Read: If you have not experienced rising at the butt-crack-of-dawn, I suggest you give it a try at least once. It is quite liberating. And dark.)
'Who has a dentist appointment at 7am on a Saturday?' you ask. Umm, I do OK! It's the only way to get an appointment that I don't have to cart all twelve kids to the dang dentist office.
So...
Fern and I went off to town. Fern was a little nervous, but the hygienist was quite sweet. All is well with the child's mouth EXCEPT that she is going to have to have some of her baby teeth pulled. Talk about awful. My poor daughter has been through the ringer with her teeth. But that is a much longer story than I can share right now. Just know that Fern has had a zillion dentist appointments already and she is only 9.
I think I was posting about yard sales...what happened?? What day is it?? Have I had coffee??
Umm, so.
No yard sale for a few more weeks. Tooth drama. No coffee. Happy Monday!
Golden Tresses
Several weeks ago, I learned that my oldest niece had donated her hair to Locks for Love. After seeing the mini photo shoot of the big hair chop and learning the reason behind it, Fern decided that she too, would donate her hair.
It has been several weeks now since she first made mention of it. In the interim, we shared the news with our goodhearted farm-girlfriends, who also decided that they had plenty hair to share. The gaggle of girls (along with their mothers) have been making plans for the big event: how would they look, where would they get it cut, would the newspaper come (would they let us write the article and include shameless plugs for our blogs)??
It just so happened that the best laid plans of farmgirls and their mothers are thrown by the wayside when The Mother-in-Law gets involved. The Farm Suite girls all got their hairs cut last weekend whilst their Abuela was here for a visit. Now us grown girls know, that you can't buck The Mother-in-Law but my poor Fern had a time of it for a few days. She moped around, wondering if she would still donate her hair. Whimpering that it wouldn't be the same with out her best girlfriends....Then all of a sudden, she snapped out of it! She wanted me to cut it right away!
So with a little help from the Boone's Family, I got right on that.
Courage in a bottle was the only thing that kept me from displaying the mayhem I was feeling. I was a little boat full of hair fixing memories, on the verge of crashing into the cliffs. I had to fight back the tears at the thought of no more Laura Ingalls braids. I was scared that my sweet little girl would suddenly look all growed up.
Here is Fern, pre-hair cut. Her hair was down past her waist.
Let me just say that it took my sweet little Fern six, yes 6 years to grow out her hair. Six years of only the teensiest little trims. Six long years of piggy and pony tails, french braids and messy buns, ballerina buns, Saddle Club hair do's and Heidi hair.
Her hair is so fine that I thought sheshould send more than the required 10 inches (what was I thinking??) so, she and I agreed on 15 inches. (Holy cow, honey bring me another drink)
As I was struggling (all of my hair cutting scissors were dull as a butter knife) through the actual cutting of her hair, I tried to think of the beautiful gift my child was willing to give. My little girl was giving a beautiful gift to someone. she didn't even know. My baby girl gave of herself in ways that made my head spin. ( OK so, maybe that was the alcohol, but hey I am on a roll here)
My little girl, made a very big girl decision and I love her so much for that.
Saint's preserve me, I feel light headed....
Before I was a Mom
Before I was a mommy……
I was 18 years young, in love and MARRIED. So, before I was a mommy I was just a kid myself.
I was really interested in being a singer/actor but never let it drive me to say, CA or NY to start a career. I was unofficially trained as an opera singer by my H.S. Choir teacher but, now am afraid to sing in public. Friends tell me all the time what a lovely voice I have. I think, the better to scream harmoniously at my children: "LEAVE YOUR SISTER. AlooooooooonE!" You know I hit the high notes with that one.
I was: a waitress, funny, skinny, a florist, a vagabond, artsy/crafty, unafraid of life. I was a free spirit. I was weird and geeky, SKINNY, loved to laugh and I liked everyone and everyone liked me, at least I thought they did, ( I guess that means that I was sorta arrogant, eh?)
I did not know how to drive. I didn't know how to manage a checkbook (Note to self: get a homeschool version of Personal Finance... And teach the kids how to drive). Worked too many jobs; jobs which I had to beg other kids to take me to because I couldn't drive. Oh, yeah I was THAT girl!
I watched Day of our Lives, religiously.
Did you catch that I was skinny?
I wore the most hideous purple Mickey Mouse T-Shirt. ALL. THE. TIME. Which I probably still have in a box of crap somewhere.
I painted and drew beautiful art work.
Before I was a mommy I was sure that being one was, NO. BIG. DEAL. Women had been rearing children for centuries. NO BIG DEAL. Wehehehehellllll! Boy was I wrong. Being a mommy has been the Biggest Deal of my Life.
I was 18 years young, in love and MARRIED. So, before I was a mommy I was just a kid myself.
I was really interested in being a singer/actor but never let it drive me to say, CA or NY to start a career. I was unofficially trained as an opera singer by my H.S. Choir teacher but, now am afraid to sing in public. Friends tell me all the time what a lovely voice I have. I think, the better to scream harmoniously at my children: "LEAVE YOUR SISTER. AlooooooooonE!" You know I hit the high notes with that one.
I was: a waitress, funny, skinny, a florist, a vagabond, artsy/crafty, unafraid of life. I was a free spirit. I was weird and geeky, SKINNY, loved to laugh and I liked everyone and everyone liked me, at least I thought they did, ( I guess that means that I was sorta arrogant, eh?)
I did not know how to drive. I didn't know how to manage a checkbook (Note to self: get a homeschool version of Personal Finance... And teach the kids how to drive). Worked too many jobs; jobs which I had to beg other kids to take me to because I couldn't drive. Oh, yeah I was THAT girl!
I watched Day of our Lives, religiously.
Did you catch that I was skinny?
I wore the most hideous purple Mickey Mouse T-Shirt. ALL. THE. TIME. Which I probably still have in a box of crap somewhere.
I painted and drew beautiful art work.
Before I was a mommy I was sure that being one was, NO. BIG. DEAL. Women had been rearing children for centuries. NO BIG DEAL. Wehehehehellllll! Boy was I wrong. Being a mommy has been the Biggest Deal of my Life.
Enough already!
There you have it folks. This is my "vase". Have a great Mother's Day. Mine is sure to be less than exciting since I already emptied my "vase". O' but wait, some one I know has a FULL "vase". I will be going to her house for Mother's Day ;o)P.S. It just occurred to me that I have been busting my butt to clean my kitchen and here it is Mother's Day weekend. Does anyone else think that is bunk?!
I. Quit. (Ha, yeah right!)
Just for fun......
Here are some funny saying from my four year old baby genius :
Head-Long to Head-Strong, while changing the chick water.
"Brother, what are they (the chicks) doing that for?" to which Head-Strong replies "Oh, it's fine. That is just instincts". Head-Long: "Their ends stink?" sniffing. :)
To mom one lazy Sunday morning:
Pulling the blankets off mom's head, "Are you not well?" This is a classical homeschooler's dream.
To dad in the middle of the night:
"Ummm, dad.....I have, *pause to think* HAD a nightmare." Inspector and I peer at each other in the dark~What? "I am scared and don't want to go back to my room, dad. I want to sleep with you!" My heart was breaking. Inspector told him to go back to bed~arr. I returned him to his bed with lots of kisses, to which he replied. "Oh, mom you are so great! I love you so much. Kiss me!" *melt*
To Miri, in her Suburban:
Miri rolling up backseat window is pelted with screams. "NO! You can't roll up my window! I have to get my powers up!" he loudly protested. LOL!
Fighting with Miss G:
"I am THE RED Ranger! You can NOT be the red ranger!" Miss G, dripping sweet, almost singsong, "I....am......the red.....ranger...." *batting eyes* (she has no idea what a red ranger is, neither does Head-Long for that matter) Head-Long screams back "You can NEVER be the RED RANGER, he has POWERS!!!! *striking super hero pose* They went back and forth for a long time, till one of the older kids says "hey, you can both be the RED RANGER" *duh* This was a small miracle, to the mothers who tried to quite these two.
To mom first thing after waking up:
"Hey! Get me a pop-stickle!" *what-eveh*
Pat answer to everything:
"IT was Fidget!"
To mom when getting hair brushed:
"Don't touch my curl'os. They are mine!":)
Fabulous Friday
Fern stayed over (Thursday) with Maddy and Sarah. At some point in the evening as Fern was trotting around the girls room, she got tangled in a blanket, fell forward onto the bed, hit her mouth on the lamp and broke half of her front tooth off. YIKES!! When I heard the story I was slightly freaked out. She wasn't in pain and didn't seem to be bothered by this mishap one bit. Miriam was freaked out and had thought that she should have looked for the shard of tooth.
Miriam and I had planned a movie day for Spring Break. We had snacks galore, which we shoved into the most inconspicuous (HUGE) purses. We set out a little later than planned but alas all was not lost. The movie had changed to a later time. We shuffled ourselves into the theatre to see the much anticipated " Enchanted". It was all we hoped it would be.
After the movie let out we rushed Fern over to see Dr. Rita, our dentist. Maddy and Sarah stayed with me and Fern. Miriam took Fidget and Grace with her to the baby's checkup. Dr. Rita fixed Fern right up and you wouldn't even know she had a chunk of tooth missing.
Fidget and Grace had a hay day tearing up all the magazines in the doctors office, much to the embarrassment of my dear friend. At this point we are both a bit frazzled!! We decide that we need a mommy time out!!
Somehow we manage to offload 6 little girls on the EGE (thank you so much EGE!!) so that we can go see "27 Dresses", a movie which we have been waiting months to see. We dawdle too long talking to out friend Kerri and are late to the early showing, which is already sold out. This is just not our day! We commit to the 10:25 showing and buy the tickets on the spot. With a couple of hours to kill we decide to scout out the Goodwill and get some food.
Miriam and I had planned a movie day for Spring Break. We had snacks galore, which we shoved into the most inconspicuous (HUGE) purses. We set out a little later than planned but alas all was not lost. The movie had changed to a later time. We shuffled ourselves into the theatre to see the much anticipated " Enchanted". It was all we hoped it would be.
After the movie let out we rushed Fern over to see Dr. Rita, our dentist. Maddy and Sarah stayed with me and Fern. Miriam took Fidget and Grace with her to the baby's checkup. Dr. Rita fixed Fern right up and you wouldn't even know she had a chunk of tooth missing.
Fidget and Grace had a hay day tearing up all the magazines in the doctors office, much to the embarrassment of my dear friend. At this point we are both a bit frazzled!! We decide that we need a mommy time out!!
Somehow we manage to offload 6 little girls on the EGE (thank you so much EGE!!) so that we can go see "27 Dresses", a movie which we have been waiting months to see. We dawdle too long talking to out friend Kerri and are late to the early showing, which is already sold out. This is just not our day! We commit to the 10:25 showing and buy the tickets on the spot. With a couple of hours to kill we decide to scout out the Goodwill and get some food.
I found this amazing fabric, a killer pair of shoes that I him'd and haw'd about, and some shoes for the boys.
Fainting from low blood sugar, we make our way across the street for Wendy's, only to be lied to by the employees. Wendy's does not have Ketchup, never has evidently. Umm, WHATEVER! Fast food workers!! Finally with some food in hand we start off for the theatre, wildly munching hot fries.
The movie was well worth the 5 month wait, and so was the super long day and even longer night. It was icy and cold when the movie let out. We got Dutch Bro's from Dracula boy, man the night shift is weird! Note to self: don't buy coffee at 2am.
Whew, what a great finish for a Fabulous Friday!
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