T G I F

I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel...

It's Friday. I'm in a better mood. The word 'mom' when screeched at the top of the little boys lungs has turned into a bad word. That when used just to get my attention or ask for juue (juice) gets him put in time-out.

This does not make me mean.

It is teaching him respect...

Daniel goes home on Sunday. Is it Sunday yet?

We have a busy afternoon planned. We are going to the post office and then to the park. When we get home I am making hamburgers for supper which I know will be protested by the guys in the house. I figure if they want something different then they can cook it!!

Tomorrow the guys are going to a birthday party and I am going to a baby shower. I will meet them at the birthday party when the shower is over. I am not going to hurry though. I am not stupid!!

I was hoping my husband would get off of work early today but I realized that wasn't going to happen when he didn't even leave the house until around 7:30. He was oh so thoughtful and woke up both little boys before he left though. Tomorrow though we are all sleeping in. Well the boys will be sleeping while I have fun with the husband. I'll gladly give up a little sleep for some morning delight. I just really wish Daniel wasn't such a night owl so I could sleep in too. We however don't need him going home with those kind of stories. My siblings would eat that up.

And on to the sibling front...

Both of my brothers have broken bones... Darin broke his collarbone in a dirt bike accident 2 weeks ago. Donnie Guy got his cast off of his left wrist the week before Darin broke his collar bone. Just this last Tuesday he broke his right wrist when he fell down the stairs at work. Those two are making this a long summer! I'm just thankful that neither was hurt any worse than they were. Darin somehow slammed himself up against a wall to set his collar bone. I grimace in pain every time I think about it. Donnie Guy broke his first wrist doing a trick on a horse that went wrong. From what I gather he was standing on Whiskey's back and something spooked him and when Donnie went to slide back down on his back his spur got him in the left rear flank and from there Whiskey started jumping. I've tried telling Donnie Guy that he is 41 not 21 or even 31... Deaf ears I tell ya. Which ironically just another sign of getting older... At least he hurt himself at work this time so he can get paid during his unemployment or get put on light duty...

I'm almost done with my shower gift for tomorrow. Little girl stuff is so much fun!! I have photos but they will have to wait until Sunday or Monday as the mother reads this little blog... But trust me they are cute!

And now to feed the little boys and get to my errands...

Perspective

I LOVE this site.

I don't think "love" is even strong enough of a word!!

MondayTuesday

Today might be Tuesday but it sure has felt like a Monday....

Mason and Daniel slept until past 10. I know!! How Awesome!! Right?

I was able to sleep and finish my bedside book and shower all before those two bright eyed, naughty boys decided to roll out of bed.

Then instead of breakfast we decided to have an early lunch. Then they decided they both needed to spend some time in time-out. I'm totally okay with time-outs. Three to eight minutes of silence... you betcha I can handle time-outs.

The unfortunate part is that what I was working on couldn't handle the time-outs.

I am making some cute, cute, CUTE baby bibs for a baby shower I am going to on Saturday. A girl baby shower!! You can tell on my top stitch exactly where the time outs were. O'well after a couple of washings no one will be able to tell. At least that is what I am telling myself.

And now I have to figure out something for supper... Isn't that always the question when the day winds down. I don't feel like cooking... So I am going to try to talk Austin into going into town for supper... Otherwise we are having hamburgers again...

Note to Self

# 306

Memory cards don't like to be dropped... even from my short height... it is still too far...

#307

Tweezers work good for emergency memory card surgery... Well that and a lot of wiggling and giggling... and a little bit of cussing helps too...

#308

Make sure kids are out of earshot before performing emergency surgery on memory cards...

Not Quite Fireworks...

The weather put a damper on the possibility of seeing any fireworks but we did catch this rainbow...

Austin went to let the dogs outside and looked up and saw this little rainbow. We could actually see the beginning and the end. If the clouds hadn't cleared off so fast we would have been able to see the whole thing.

You'll have to forgive me because this is a photo my husband actually took. I thought I was uploading one that I took but when it showed up I realized it was his. I could change it but am too lazy. All I have to say for this laziness is that spontaneous menstruation sucks. I am finding it hard to stay awake today and the cramps and crabbiness are totally off the bitchy scale. I feel bad that my boys have to be in the same house as me today. That is why I am taking the rest of the day to do nothing until we head out for fireworks this evening. They will thank me later even if it means they have to make their own lunch...

I'm H O M E...

It's been a week... I'm home... I'm tired... I brought a nephew home with me for 9 days... the house is a wreck... the laundry is backed up and I don't think I'll get caught up by the time I have to start in on the bedding... two trips into the grocery store... one very crabby 3 year old... BBQ and fireworks with friends tonight... Husband is off on Monday... *great*... One website that needs caught up... But really is 60some days really that behind???... I mean really? It's only 60some pictures that need edited and uploaded and dated and organized.... okay... so maybe 60some is alot... hmmm.... anyways.... maybe next week I'll see daylight... For now I'm busy doing laundry, washing dishes, making a baby blanket for a shower next weekend, and getting ready to go out tonight for a little adult interaction...
More on my week "vacation" later...

'A Decade'

Happy Anniversary to me. Happy anniversary to me...

This year we are celebrating the same way we have for 6 out of the last 10 years. I will be spending the evening in the car... I know we should probably spend the night together but after 10 years it really is just another day. I'm so thankful that we don't 'do' birthdays or anniversaries!

I did see on facebook that my loving husband referred to this anniversary as the decade anniversary. That makes it sound like it has been long. I will be sure to rib him about it later and for many years to come...

I will see my love tomorrow when he gets to grandpa's. We didn't end up getting each other anything... yet. I have told him he can get the windshield for his motorcycle. I am getting a new sewing machine so we will come out even. I know we are real adventurous people.

That is okay because he knows I love him more today than I did yesterday and tomorrow I will love him more than I did today...

Yep that is all I have today...
I've been busy... Doing what I don't know.
This weekend is Farmer's Merchants Picnic and next week I will be at mom and dad's most likely. When I get home I am grounded until I get caught up!! I am planning on doing some catching up while down home. Amazingly I don't too much to do while everyone is at work. I know, go figure!

10 years

What in the world am I going to get my husband for our 10 year anniversary?

I can't believe it has been 10 years!!

Some of those years are just a blur... We have both changed so much and grown closer together that I don't even recognize those two teenagers that we were when we got married.

10 years from now will I recognize us as we are about to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Sometimes I would just like to know what the 10 years hold for us.

I'm thinking a good arguement is in store for us soon. We have been riding the calm wave for too long. Maybe I could give the fight of ice cubes for our anniversary. That one is always fun. Mainly because I am right and he is w r o n g. I think he needs reminded of that fact.

I'm thinking he may just deserve that windshield for his motorcycle for putting up with me. I will admit that I have not been the easiest person to live with the last couple of years. We are finally seeing the light on the horizon though and hopefully my hormonal problem is ebbing to a close. Wouldn't that just be wonderful!!

And so now I'm gonna go continue editing photos to update my picturemyeveryday and contemplate gift choices for him. I need to figure out way to maximize the return of said gift into what I want with little complaint from him. That is the tricky part!! Therefore I'm not going to remind him of our anniversary until the day before. Leave him little time to get me something so the guilt can be added to my equation.

Happy Wednesday!!

Front Porch Beauty

My friend Jess has joined the world of blogging!! She is one creative lady with a great sense of humor. She wouldn't be my friend if she didn't. I know hard to believe that I wouldn't be able to get along with women that have no sense of humor...
Anyways you should check her out!! She'll be posting crafty stuff, gardening stuff, photography stuff and my favorite is her cooking stuff.
Front Porch Beauty

...

I'm still here, just busy...

Maybe Monday I'll get some time to myself without having other things on my to-do list... I have no goals for next week. Well other than to just get out of bed.

Playing Catch Up

I've got a whole stack of baby blankets ready to go for the silent auction. I'll be posting pictures later this week. I've also got to update my picturemyeveryday 365 project. I've been so busy sewing trying to get everything done that I just haven't had time. I haven't had time to do much else lately and today I'm babysitting all afternoon and Thursday afternoon. Between sewing, babysitting and sitting on the edge of the tub I am feeling kinda frazzled.

We have decided to forego 3 year old preschool this fall. It is based off of income and the cheapest teir is 70 a month. I just couldn't justify 70 a month for two day a week for 2.5 hours. I did look into the program and it is just a bunch of playing with some numbers and ABCs thrown in. We already do a whole bunch of that. Mason can already say his ABCs, count to ten and knows his colors and shapes. When those are the goals for the year it wasn't a real hard decision. Next year the 4 year preschool is free and 4 hours 3 days a week. I can handle that.
I was glad to see that I wasn't the only in town to decide not to send my child this year. Evidently I am not the only parent not willing to pay that kind of money for a 2.5 hour social play group. Last year the lowest fee was 50. The only way to get out of paying the 70 is if you are on any sort of state program. Thank you share the wealth... I'm not bitter about it though...

All next week I will have my 13 year old niece, Morgan, staying with me. I am excited!! She is just a younger version of me. We look alike, talk alike, and even give the same facial expression which drives my brother nuts. Once in a while when she is being a real pill to him he will text me his frustrations... I love those text messages!! After all those years he tortured me it is nice to see him getting a little payback!

Last Wednesday my husband had a little kickball game for work and Mason and I went. It was fun to see my husband interact with his coworkers. After everything was cleaned up from the after-game victory great losers dinner I got to see my husband get real embarrassed. He had gotten out his phone to show someone something and while he was putting it away it pocket dialed me. All of a sudden 'White and Nerdy' by weird Al started coming from my phone. His bosses (there were 3 of them sitting right there at the time) got such a kick out of it. In all of the years I've been with Austin, I had never seen his face get that red. It was great!!

So that fairly well catches us up to current. Hopefully I'll get back to this computer before the end of next week but if not just know that I am probably nursing a sunburn and sitting on the edge of the tub. Summer should be a blast since Mason has decided that he is ready to potty train... Awesome!!

My Exciting Life

My to-do list is getting shorter. MY list is, Austin's list just keeps getting longer. Just so you're not confused.

My shower curtain is almost finished. YAY!!

My memo boards are ready to be hung in the office. So Pretty...

I have 4 baby blankets ready for the silent auction and another 4 ready to be sewn... I also have some burp rags washed and ready for some fabric but am undecided on weather or not to actually bag them as sets or forget about the burp rags...

My tomatoes are planted... Love me some fresh garden tomatoes!!

I have kept up with my 365 project. I have taken a photo everyday. I just haven't had time to get the last 2 weeks posted. I love to look and see where all my visitors are coming from that visit that site. All kinds of different countries... The USA only makes up about half of the visitors. I was really amazed. I think some of the search words are hilarious and wonder how they even ended up on my site because I am honestly like 4 pages back on google/yahoo/bing. Maybe tonight after the house settles down I will have time to update it... Maybe. As soon as I have time to breath I am going to order the photos from May 1st and 2nd on canvas. I just have to decide what size. I already know where they are going to go!

And now I'm off to sew up those 4 blankets hopefully before my babysitting kids get here and the chaos ensues. Can I just say I am so tired of the tattling!! They are learning quickly that tattling just gets you in time out. I can see with my own eyes what is instigated and what is lied about. Just a little forewarning... My afternoon is going to suck.

So that is what I've been up to and will be up to... I know exciting.

Oh and the cherry on top... Mason decided last night that he was no longer going to wear a diaper. SWEET!! I might have to move the sewing machine into the bathroom...

Sunday And My Best Friend Noxzema

Let me set the scene...

It is 60 outside and there is a breeze... it is cloudy... no hint of blue peeking out of the clouds at all...

I am mowing the yard at what could be considered slower than a snail...

I am wearing my normal yard mowing outfit... running shorts and a gray tank top...

I have goosebumps...

After the first acre I was finally able to mow at full speed... Finally!

3 hours later I am bright red and think I might even have a wind burn...

On a cloudy and cold day...

And that was my Sunday. The only redeeming point was that I got to kill a huge snake... I had to mess up the yard to do it because the direction I was going would have blown snake guts all over me but I got it...

I got the snake about 45 minutes into the mowing and the rest of the time I tried to get 'the song that never ends' out of my head and playing on facebook and the internet via my blackberry...

I know totally safe!!

After a pre-shower rubdown of Noxzema I am back to normal. Well, mostly anyways. I am a slight pink color but it doesn't hurt and I'm hoping it doesn't peel.

Mason

Sometimes it is hard to tell where Mason gets his sense of humor from.

He has the obvious two-year old sense of humor and then sometimes he will come up to you and just jabber. He will then look away for just a second and then laugh inappropriatly. You know the big booming fake laugh.

I love it!!

I don't know if he is telling a naughty joke or just making fun of whoever he does it to but it is great fun.

Then there are the times when you're getting ready to tell him not to do something and he will run up to you and do the muscle pose and start that grunting growl and strain the muscle pose. After the subsequent laughing it is hard to get after him for whatever he was doing.

Every night he has to introduce me to his dad when Austin gets home from work. Austin will walk in the house and he will go and welcome him home and then drag him to where ever I am and point to me in the tada way and say 'mom' like we have never met before. Then he has to drag Austin around and introduce him to the dogs and the rest of the house which he signifys by taking his arms in an arch over his head and saying 'howwwws'.

Mason has so many cute things he is doing eventually I will get it all wrote down on his calendar. My favorite right now is he will tell me that he luvs me and then go jump on the couch and he has this pirate patch we got at a b-day party, he puts it on and comes up to me and does the pirate growl...

I don't know where he learned the pirate growl. Maybe it is like the car noises and little boys are born knowing how to do it.

There are some things that he does that drive me nuts but they are the same things that drive me nuts about his father too so I know he comes by these things honestly. It doesn't mean I'm not trying to change his behavior though. Some day some lucky lady will owe me a lot. I mean A WHOLE BUNCH!!

No Argument

It was rather disappointing. Austin put up no fight whatsoever about the towels.
I ended up getting the Pink, Blue, Orange, and Green. That gives us 8 of each size. Next week I might stop in and pick up some more in different colors, I haven't decided, yet.

Busy Weekend

This weekend is going to be busy!

Starting today.

Tonight, my husband and I, are dropping Mason at his grandparents house for a little sleepover. We are headed into town for a little date night of sorts.

To start off we are stopping at Walmart for my towels. Austin has promised not to rush me or get too annoyed. It is my mother's day present after all. Well that and he knows if he rushes me and I feel as though I've made a bad decision that he will never hear the end of it...

Then we are going to dinner. We haven't decided where yet. My guess is that we will end up at The Mandarin. Just The BEST Chinese place ever...

After dinner I will try to talk him into going to a movie... or maybe just grabbing a bottle of wine and going home (wink wink). It's amazing, when you stop trying for that elusive child how much more fun 'wink, wink' can be... I know TMI!!

Saturday morning we are sleeping in. Actually sleeping in!! We don't have to be over to get Mason until early afternoon. We will be picking him up on our way to a friends house for our monthly get together. I am taking cinnamon rolls and punch. I made peach and raspberry punch. Maybe someday I'll post the recipe but don't hold your breath. It is that good.

Sunday, Mother's Day, I am sleeping in and then we are going to Austin's parent's house for a cookout. Should be fun... Seriously, I'm not joking this time, I have a whole list of new one liners to use on his sister when she starts complaining!! I can't wait.

I know I will be exhausted on Monday. Just how a great weekend should end up.

Now I better go check on those yummy cinnamon rolls and make a little lunch.

Hope everyone has a good weekend Mother's Day weekend!!

I Have A New LOVE!!

It's true I have a new love.

This Alexander Henry print is no longer my favorite...

This Michael Miller print has taken it's spot.

It is so gorgeous!! That little picture does not do it justice!!

The green in it matches my bathroom to perfection...

The turquoise in it matches my office to a T...

I have no clue what I am going to end up using it on... I already have my fabric for the bathroom and I already have some fabric for the office curtains. I'll think of something though...



I had seriously considered using it for all the curtains in my bathroom but then I found the towels I want at Walmart.

Huge, bright, pretty towels...

Orange, Turquoise, Hot Pink, Bright Green, Light Blue, Bright Turquoise, Grass Green...

Now to decide on what colors I want... Or I could get a set of each... Really how many towels are too many? Right now we have six bath towels, six hand towels (which I use for my hair), six wash cloths. It feels like I am always washing towels!! BUT if we had more would they sit in the hamper longer before I washed them? See that is the question.

My husband says if I ask him anymore questions about towels and showers curtains he is going to stop talking to me. I may have a quiet weekend ahead of me... You'll notice I'm not complaining about that prospect...

He knows I love him!!

I Wish

I wish I had the energy of my two-year old...

This Week

This week has been a good week.

We'll start this little post at last Saturday.

I woke up early because the 2-year old decided it was time to get up. Mason watched cartoons while I got caught up on the news. Then I followed my ritual of actually being home on a Saturday morning, I checked the JoAnn Fabric and Crafts sale flyer online. Good news 40% off the Calico Keepsakes fabric I like. I go upstairs and inform my husband I am headed to town ALONE. Gotta say I found some awesome deals!!
The ladies at my local store know me and were surprised to see me put some plain white fabric on the table. I was too!! However, I really don't want to pick new fabric for my shower curtain so I had to buy some white so that I can piece work my shower curtain in the fabric I want. And Austin thought he was being so clever...

When I got home from town it was time to head north to a 3-year old birthday party. Only problem was my husband and child were not home. They had gone over to my husband's parents house and had gotten roped into a project.

Good new... They both had to have clean clothes and bath/showers before we could leave. I know how AWESOME!!

So we were late in arriving to the party but we weren't the only ones so it was okay. We enjoyed the evening with friends and played cards way way waaaay too late. I think it was around 1 by the time we got home.

Sunday morning came way too early. Mason having had a whole nights sleep got up early again around 7. I opened my sandpaper coated eyes and headed downstairs. I decided that breakfast in the highchair was in order so that I could shower. Alone.

After getting ready Mason and I headed to another birthday party in Elk Horn. A torturous one hundred and twenty-one miles from home. A drive in the morning that Mason was awake for and grumpy. I gave in a put on a childrens CD. He lasted over an hour whereas I promptly turned off his CD and put on some more likable music in the form of a country station that went to static between hills. Anything is better than his CD!!

We spent the day with my family and had a good time. Mason loves playing with his cousins. They are all boys and love to rough house. This poses a couple problems though because he just doesn't understand why our friends' kids don't like to rough house. Mason and I left Elk Horn a little later than I had planned but that happens alot so it was nothing new. We got home around 9:30 and after saying good night Mason headed upstairs to bed. I followed shortly thereafter and we both slept until 8:30 the next morning.

Monday was spent doing a little laundry and editing photos from the previous weekend. I took photos of my best-friend Dawn and her family at Big Lake park in Council Bluffs. Good thing she loves me because I have been so busy I haven't been able to give them my full attention for more than 15 minutes at a time since that weekend. Even now I've got her photos pulled up on the screen next to me. Which is why I absolutely love dual screens!!

Tuesday (yesterday) I babysat in the afternoon and let me tell you everyone of the kids was crabby and telling on each other over petty stuff so they all sat in time out. Even the one year-old. She told on her older sister for touching her doll. Yes just for touching. I think they understand now that that behavior isn't tolerated in this house because the rest of the afternoon was blissfully quiet. I know, I'm a hardass but tattling is something I can't stand I don't care how old or young or what your brother did to you or someone else... I was in the same room with all of them so it wasn't like I wasn't actually watching them. I know what happened.

After watching 3 extra little kids for a couple days it is cemented that I am having no more kids. One is more than enough.

And that brings us to today.

I am working on Dawn's photos, when my eyes get square I work on my shower curtain. Next up is lunch and nap time. I'm really hoping to be able to finish the photos during nap time... That is my main goal for the week!! To have those in the mail to her by Friday...

This next weekend I am home the entire weekend and it will take a lot to get me out of the house. A LOT!!

What A Week

I am back to normal!!

All it took was a little time a loving husband and box of tampons.

Can't say as that I'm a huge fan of that crazy lady... Thankfully she won't be making an appearance for another couple of months!

I'm Late, I'm Late, I'm Very Very Late

No not pregnant...

I guess I'm just feeling impatient.

About what I don't know.

I have a couple of things I'm waiting on. Well, more like waiting on to fall into place, I knew it would take awhile to fall into place. It is nothing that I would be impatient to get started on anyways so I don't think that is it.

I just have this feeling that I'm late. Late for what I don't know but it is kinda that feeling. Almost like an anxiety attack all the time. I wake up in a cold sweat, with leg cramps, and I've almost totally undressed myself in my sleep already. The dogs don't even want to be near me. My son comes up to me and says 'ok mommy?'.

I've just been irritated on top of all of that. Everything is making me irrational.

Okay maybe not irrational but it is making me feel as though I'm being irrational.

Does that make sense?

O'well I'm sure it will pass.

Watching Other Peoples Kids

I have been and will be babysitting my friend Jess's 3 little kids twice a week for 4-5 hours. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

So an overview of how today went...

One word... HORRIBLE...

I was threw up on and had to clean up smeared poo off my bathroom wall. One child, E, wouldn't stop crying. The oldest, R, wouldn't stop tattling. The middle, a boy around Mason's age, V, was sick.

I'll let you guys guess who threw up on me and who smeared the poo. I will tell you it was the same little person both times. I know he didn't feel good though.

The poo was total accident. You know the sick poo, didn't quite make it to the potty and then tried to clean himself up. Got it on his hand and then my wall trying to brace himself...

A quick bath and fresh clothes and I thought we were good to go...

We were all standing in the kitchen getting ready to play a game. When all of a sudden V just erupts. All over my legs, chunks of banana and milk. You read that right. Chunks of milk. AWESOME.

I can handle throw up. It doesn't affect it.

I look over and see that R is dry heaving, Mason is a faint green color, and E is reaching down to play in it.

Sweet

Just frickin SWEET...

So I say all kids to the living room. Play hide and seek...

I sit on the edge of the tub just wash my legs off... Oh so totally gross!!

Then I had to find V some more clothes because he had already had the poo accident and gone through his clean undies and jeans and socks and shirt.

Thankfully it didn't take long.

After that things calmed down considerably. V laid around on the couch and watch cars. Mason played quietly with his cars on the table and R and E played with some blocks in the kitchen on the freshly mopped floor.

It was then that I looked at the clock and realized it was only 3:15 and their mom wouldn't be here to pick them up until around 5:30.

I'm really hoping Thursday goes better.

I've Been Thinking

So, I have this camera and I use it everyday. I read the photography blogs. Some inspire me, some that annoy me but have some good educational material (most fall into this category), some that I've just watched blossom, and then several 365 blogs.

I notice on their 'about me' or 'what's in the bag' section they show a photo of their camera and they always seem to have their lens hood on.

I don't use my lens hood.

I don't even know what the lens hood is used for.

Should I be using my lens hood?

I have no clue.

I can't see as how it would effect my photos. My style of photography.

Just 'thinking out loud' per say.

Nap Time

I enjoyed my weekend away. I slept like crap and was constantly busy. I missed my little boy. I might have even missed my husband a little. You know in the middle of the night, when it got chilly in the room, and I couldn't sleep because of cramps...
Yep... I Am A MOMMY! I am not meant to be away from my child for that long...
You know come to think of it I just need a little a practice...
I am sure that is it.


I got home Sunday night about 9:30 or so. When I was coming up on Boone I called home to see if I needed to stop at the store. My husband sounded a little groggy.

I was not concerned at this point...

He said he didn't know if I needed to stop or not. I ask him if Mason is in bed yet, mind you the time is 8:30. My husband says, "Shhhuurrre... He's been there for awhile..."

At this point I get a little suspicious.

I ask, "How long is awhile?"

He says, with no inflection whatsoever, "I put him down for nap at around 3:30 and he hasn't gotten up yet."

I took a couple of deep breaths and said, "Whenever he gets up you are getting up with him then with no complaint."

Without skipping a beat he asks, "So do you want me to wake him up now?"

I yell, "No you crazy bastard, I wanted you to take care of our child and not let him sleep all afternoon and evening. Maybe feed him a little supper and make sure his butt stayed clean."

No wait that is just what I was thinking...

What I actually said was, "No just let him sleep and don't complain when he gets up really early."

He got lucky though and Mason slept until 6:30.

I rolled my butt out of bed when he yelled up the stairs that he was leaving for work. I believe it was around 7:15. Mason has been crabby though. I would think after getting around 15 hours of sleep that he would be well rested... I was wrong.

Conceited

Let me set the scene...

Last night Austin and I are laying in bed...

I am checking Facebook on my laptop...

Austin is surfing the web on his phone...

I know you totally thought this was going to be dirty but I'll over look that and go on...

All of a sudden I hear, "What no comments? Do they think I'm that ugly?"

It takes me a second to come out of my own thoughts to realize he is talking... Well not just talking but actually talking to me.

He looks at me like I've grown another head and a couple of ears or something and shows me his phone.

I bust up laughing because he is showing me this.

It took me awhile to explain to him that I just don't get that many comments. I get request for EXIF data via email every once in a while but that is about it.

I think he was hurt so I told him that I would post him a comment myself just so he could feel better.

He told me not to bother because I would be lying...

I am still chuckling about it because he really is the least vain person I know. Seriously he has very high self esteem and yet was acting this way about this photo is just funny to me.

And he wonders why I call him cute all the time.

I cloned out his beard for a photo and showed it to him and he was rather upset... The beard has been with us for 2 years, 3 months, and 28 days... not that I'm keeping track or anything... I am used to it and rather like it when WHEN he keeps it trimmed. He doesn't believe me though and thinks he is keeping it just to annoy me.

I really wonder how we could be married for 66 days shy of 10 years and he truly knows me so little. I guess that is why we get along so well. He is always learning something new about me!!

Felt Good

I went to Walmart last night and walked out having spent only 6.92.

I think this is a record...

Then again, it is the first time in 3 years that I walked into a Walmart and didn't buy diapers...

WooHoo

I have updated my Picture My Everyday site again... I know so updating so close together can really set up a bad precedence...

But I am trying to do better!!

Oh, and I'm all caught up on sewing projects for other people so now I can work on my own stuff... First on the list is two camera strap covers... I found some fabric I just couldn't resist.

Even though it will be awhile before I get to use them I will feel better just knowing I have them.

Then I might even make the curtains for my office... I just have to decide if I am really that in-love with the fabric I have for them. When I picked out the fabric there weren't too many choices in the brown and turquoise section. Now there are tons...

And now I'm off for a weekend alone. You read that correctly. Alone in the car by myself for over 7 hours total. Totally SWEET!! I cannot wait...

Benefit

We are planning a benefit for my sister's husband Jesse.

Last week he underwent stem cell transplant and insurance isn't covering everything. Then on top of that he won't be able to work the whole summer...

I don't know all the details yet but be sure they will be posted here when I find them out...

Please keep them in your prayers.

Finally

I was finally able to get my PictureMyEveryday site updated...

I didn't realize that today is day 100... I know, how exciting...

Happy? Unhappy?

So, I have this friend that if I say anything negative about my life will ask me if I'm happy...

How in the world am I to respond to that?

Would anyone really ever say "No. No I'm not."

I'm not extremely happy at the moment but that is because my washer is giving me fits again. Am I overall unhappy? Hell no. I have a good life. A husband who loves me and would do anything for me. A son who might aggravate me but makes up for it when at bedtime he wants me to kiss his cheek like a million times. A family who is there and loving (well most of the time). I'm healthy. Sure I'd like to be thinner but I'm happy with what I am.

So how am I to respond when asked this question? Especially when I know he is thinking "why couldn't she be happy with me?"

So far I've just decided to ignore the question. I think this might be the best route... but how do I change how I feel about the question? Every time he asks it my first thought is "Why was I such a chicken?" and then "What was I really scared of anyways..."

I can answer that.

I was scared of me.

I'm still scared of me...

Life

Life in general has just gotten the better of me this week...

Everyday we have had something going on... I'm ready for a day that I don't have to do anything.

Easter was good. We drove down to Grandpa's on Friday after Austin got home from work. I was not awake very long. The night before I had stayed up all night. Totally unintentionally! I started working on a baby blanket after Mason went to bed and got in a good grove around 1. I looked at the clock at around 2 and thought to myself that I only had about 30 minutes of stuff left and that I would go to bed after that... That was the kiss of death!! The next time I looked at the clock it was 5:27.

At that point I knew better than to go to bed so I made some coffee instead.

I did awesome on not be grouchy or overly tired all day. Once we got in the truck and the heater was just barely blowing with the road noise and repetitive movements I was out like a light.

Saturday morning I got up early and went to Omaha with my mom and dad to go see my brother in law, Jesse, at hospital. Jesse was in the middle of his 6 days of double chemo. He had his stem cell transplant on Tuesday and is doing good. After that we went to Walmart... That was fun... We got home around 7 and I went over to rescue get Mason from his dad. We visited with my family for a while and then headed back over to grandpa's for bed.

Sunday we got up early and got our stuff around to leave. We were actually the first to arrive at my grandma's for Easter dinner. I was shocked because we are usually the last to arrive. We had a nice day with my family and after we had had all we could handle we headed home. I was excited we got home around 7:30. Well, we got to Boone around 7:30 anyways. As always a stop at the grocery store was in order before we could actually head home.

Monday was spent finishing up some shower gifts. Now I am just waiting on my washer to get here so that I can wash them before wrapping or bagging the gifts.

Tuesday was spent on the phone... I hate talking on the phone!! I have better things to do but when I call and cancel something aka the garbage service and they mess it up and I still get billed, it requires a call or two to a couple of supervisors... Good news though is that I got my bill expunged and they are sending me a check for my troubles!!

Wednesday I got my washer back and so that involved some cleaning. Some major cleaning where the washer/dryer stack... It is amazing how dirty that little area gets with just the washer/dryer scum. Compare able to where the fridge or stove sit in the kitchen. Although I am able to move the fridge and stove on a regular basis and clean underneath them. I think my OCD rears its head more in the kitchen though than the bathroom. Well except for the toilet... tub... shower... sink... floor... Okay so I might have OCD in both the bathroom and the kitchen... Anyways...

Today was spent catching up on laundry and this afternoon will be spent in Webster City watching three of the cutest little kids I know. I'm really hoping Mason doesn't come with any new bad habits...

Tomorrow is Friday and I'm not near ready for the weekend. I don't know where my week has gone. I didn't even stay up all night any night this week... Well so far anyways. I guess that is always an option for tonight.

I have gotten an order for another baby blanket/bib/burp clothe baby gift. My neighbors sewing machine is on the fritz and while I offered her the use of mine she says she likes how I do it better. The only bad thing is the shower she is going to is on Sunday. Today is Thursday. I should be able to get it done though if I can get 45 minutes to an hour of quite time. I already have the fabric cut and pinned together. My husband has asked if I want to start a little side business of sewing but I don't think so... That would make it a job and I am just a little job phobic... I like being able to do things at my own speed and not having to worry about pleasing anyone else...

So that is life.

Sunday I have plans to do nothing but update my various photography business endeavours

What I Did Last Night...

Last night after Survivor, The Mentalist, and CSI... after everyone else in the house was in bed and down for the night... I decided it was the perfect time to get a little sewing done...



Well after I figured out what the heck was up with my tension... A project won't stay together without the tension... Turned out to be an easy fix. It was just my bobbin doing a little too much bobbing and coming unthreaded.



After that easy little fix of switching out bobbins I was ready to get down to some serious business.



I have several baby showers coming up and the blankets weren't going to make themselves!!



These photos are for baby shower number 1 which is next Saturday...



I know I can hardly believe that I am ahead of schedule!! I won't have to stay up all night the night before to get these done!! It feels so good.



I had not planned on staying up all night last night. It just sort of happened. I looked at the clock at about 2 and thought to myself that I had a little bit more time, I figured 30 minutes or so. You know, no big deal. The next time I looked at the clock it was because Austin's alarm clock was going off and it was close to 6...



Instead of going to bed and getting a nap I elected to just stay up. I know I will be able to sleep most of this evening and all night. I'm afraid that any weight I lost this week is now quickly back and hugging thy ass because the only thing I've eaten today is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and coffee.



I know totally healthy!! After this I'll go make Mason and I some tomato soup... I am starving...



Now back to the photos.



This is a blanket/coverup with a soft little nap than minky or cuddle fabric but just as soft for the back.

Sorry...

I didn't get my picturemyeveryday site updated. Life got in the way. Life as in we have been having some beautiful weather lately and we have been finding it hard to stay inside when we have 3 acres to run and play on...

I won't be able to do it today either but I'm really hoping tomorrow morning or even late late late tonight to get it done...

I mean after all I am riding to Easter with Austin so I don't really need the sleep tonight... ya... sure... not me...

And Now A Rare Appearance By...

my husband...

He actually let me take photos of him...

without making dirty faces...

or flipping me the finger...

and I didn't even have to bribe him...

I know he is pretty studly and he is all mine!! Like I could find anyone to take him anyways...

and he wonders why his ringer on my phone is 'white and nerdy' by Weird Al

What A Beautiful Day

I scored at the toy fabric store!!

I can't wait to get started. I would love to show off my finds but most have to remain a surprise until May!! I'll be sure to show off the ones I can when I have my projects complete...

I am a little bummed though because they were out of my favorite... I guess I'll have to go online and see if I can get some for cheaper... It won't be this month though because I have more than enough to keep me busy for awhile!

Sometime Today

I'll be updating my 365 blog this afternoon... I've been so busy I haven't gotten a chance to sit down and actually work on it... Well at least work on it without a two year old kneeing me in the back because he insist on 'helping'. Well I tell you I can do without that kind of help!! Nap time will be spent in the car today so I will get to work on it after the hubby gets home and takes my little helper out to play.

We are having A.W.E.S.O.M.E. temps this week!! High today is 75!! In March... in IOWA... 75!!

My Toy Store

April must be the month of baby showers...

I have been invited to 6 but can only make it to 3. Everyone is getting the same thing... just different. I know most everyone registered at Target or somewhere but I don't feel like buying a $50 gift. I just can't justify spending that kind of cash on something they will decide they didn't need in the first place... Five are first time mothers... so as you can imagine they registered for e~v~e~r~y~t~h~i~n~g! Including the wipes warmer and stuff they won't use for many many months and by the time baby is old enough they will have forgotten they had it in the first place. But I'm not upset by their rashness... Although I looked at one of the register list and noticed that nothing on it was under $40. They didn't even have onsies or wet wipes or blankets...

I am going to the fabric store and I'm hoping to get lucky again and get some Alexander Henry in the remnant bin again... maybe this, this, this or my all time favorite here... even some Michael Miller would do... Especially in this, this, this, this, this, or this... Too bad 4 of the showers are for boys... They just seem to be so much harder... Lucky for me all 4 boys have blue, brown, orange, green or monkeys in common.

I wish my local fabric store sold different minkys like this, this, or this... I know I could order them over the internet but I'm one of those strange people that likes to be able to touch and feel the fabric before I buy it...

I haven't decided if I am making blankets or bibs or burp clothes yet... I guess I will decide after I see what fabric is available.

I am also hoping to find something similar to this for my next camera strap... Mine suffered a horrible accident with some spaghetti sauce while I was making lasagna and I had the perfect one ready to put on whenever I got over feeling lazy but now I'm suffering givers remorse... and with my washer on the fritz I don't know if I will be able to salvage it or not...

Am I the only person that suffers givers remorse??? You gave something away on a whim because it just really didn't matter anyways and then when you would have used that object it is no longer in your possession because you gave it away. Even though it went to someone you love and know it will be enjoyed...

I realize I could make another one but it just wouldn't be the same...

I wonder if this is how mothers feel about their sons?

So anyways that is what I have planned for today and really the rest of the week... This weekend we are going to my grandma's for Easter with my family. We are riding down together... Please pray for me. 7 hours in a moving vehicle with my husband, son and two little dogs... I will need patience and a whole lot of understanding!

Really Mason, Really

So, today has been a rough day. I don't even have any pictures to prove how bad of a day it has been...

Mason took a pink permanent marker to my laptop while I was outside with the dogs. I hurriedly got out my wash clothe and got it cleaned up thankfully. I'm just so happy it was still wet when I caught it.

1. where the hell did he get the marker from...

2. why would he choose my laptop...

3. Just imagine my panic...

4. I'm lucky it just took a damp wash clothe to get it off the screen and touchpad and everything else...

The only evidence left is the pink around the little stickers on the face of the keyboard... you know the intel Pentium and Windows 7 stickers... Phew...

I think I had a little heart attack when he showed me his artwork with his signature 'tada'.

I need a nap but I have way too much cleaning left to do before this weekend.

OH! OH!! OH!!! Did I mention that the washer isn't working as of yesterday...
I didn't think so. So now I have to go over to the in-laws and use their washer.

AWESOME!! Lets all say it together now... FRICKIN AWESOME!! And it is only Tuesday... What else does the rest of the week hold in store for me...

So Bright and Cheerful

I went through my fabric stash today and have decided to use this fabric for the shower curtain and window curtain in the bathroom.

I don't believe I have made my husband aware of this fact yet...

I don't think I'm going to either...

He will just come home from work one day and they will already be up and then he can't veto them.

Yes, I like this plan... Yes, I do...

I've also been working on a couple of different projects for the office so be watching for pictures later this week.

Oh No

I hit the 7 day mark... A week...

When I go to mom and dad's Austin always teases and says see you next week. As in 7, 8, 9 days later. So, I try really hard not to hit the 7 day mark.

I had plans to go down home and go out with some great friends and be stupid. I had plans to go down on Friday and come home on Tuesday.

I think it is safe to say that that didn't happen.

Bonus though, I came home to a clean house.

All For Nothing

I must be good luck for my cousin because she is not here.

I cleaned for nothing!!

How horrible. To know that I could have been lazy and done nothing is disturbing...

I digress, my cousin is not here because she has a job interview this morning. She is just going to come up next week with me when I come home from my vacation long weekend. YAY!!

90 Days

90 days until Mason turns 3...

When did that happen? I want that time back!! My little boy is getting too old!!

I ♥ A Clean House

I love a clean house!! Really LOVE it!

Unfortunately with a little boy running around that isn't how my house always appears. Yesterday and this morning I had to put Mason in his highchair with some cars so that I could clean.

Normally I wouldn't put him in the highchair because I don't care if there are toys everywhere or if there are dog food crumbles around the dog food bowl but... There is always a but... But with my cousin coming up today i had to actually put all the toys away and actually vacuum everything.

I even cleaned my office....

My office is the catch all for all the stuff we don't want Mason to get into. I hauled most everything upstairs and put it into storage.

My husband will think there was an alternate motive and he would be right.

Clear back in June Austin made me a desk for the office. To refresh your memory go here. I love this desk. I should have taken a new picture of it but was too lazy. I have added some personal touches that just really make the space me. Maybe next week.

Anyways, I have been asking him to make me a desk to put in the corner at the other end of the room. I know your wondering why I would want two desk in one room. Well because it never fails we both need in the office at the same time. I want a desk that he won't care what I put on it. I want it the same dimensions as the first one. I want it white though. I have never been a fan of the red stain he used. I have plans to paint little bright colored flowers on the top and then cover it with a piece of glass. I also have plans to be able to use my sewing machine at this desk.

I have already bought all the wood and other materials needed I just need him to agree to do it. Otherwise I'm afraid I'm going to have to do it myself.

And now I have to go mop my kitchen... On the up side though, the snow is melting!! I'll gladly mop my kitchen all day if it means the snow is disappearing.

WOW that really wondered all over the place...

Hello March

Is it just me or were February's 28 days the longest ever? Frigid temps and more snow than I care to think about...

I am more than ready for some mild temps so we can get this snow melted and get to the park to play. Last time I drove through by to to Stratford the park was buried. Literally. The play ground and swings were encased in snowbank.

For those of you who don't know Stratford is small. Like a little bigger than Thurman but not as big as Tabor...

Now I've got to go do some serious cleaning. As in SERIOUS cleaning. My cousin, my favorite cousin, Jessica, is on her way to spend the week.

This makes me very VERY happy.

But I've got laundry waiting to be done in the bathroom and dirty dishes waiting for me in the sink and on the coffee table oh and the dining room table... Anyways it is like my kitchen exploded and I know most of them are Mason's little paper snack plates and such but still someone has to pick them up. So without further ado March is here and I couldn't be happier.

Now to go track down my phone that the two year old ran off with. Awesome...

I wonder if I remember to pick toilet bowl cleaner last time I went to Walmart...

Four Days...

I have left the house 4 days this week. I think that is a record since I stopped working. This weekend has been a busy one so far and I'm just hoping for a lazy Sunday. I am so ready for a day that I don't have to change out of my pjs.

Friday, Austin got a text message from Verizon telling him he was eligible for a phone upgrade. Naturally he called me and told me to call the number to get the details. I just love when he does that...

So anyways I call and find out that because he is the primary phone on the account he is eligible for his annual phone upgrade. Immediately after hearing that he jumps on the internet at work and starts looking at phone.

By the time he pulled in the driveway here at home he had decided on his next phone.

Now I don't know about all of you but for some reason when my husband wants something it is just automatically in the budget.

Twenty minutes after he got home I found myself in the truck on the way to town with my boys. You know just how I wanted to spend my Friday evening.

My husband decided on the Droid.

He LOVES this phone!! Personally I think it was way too much for me to handle. I think I'll just stick with my BlackBerry when I am eligible for upgrade in October.

Saturday we headed back into town to get me a laptop. It is a very plain jane HP laptop. Not a whole lot more to say about it. It is functional. Big enough to run my photoshop was my only requirement. I have an external hard drive, I don't listen to music, or watch movies on the computer so I wasn't real concerned about the other features.

I know everyone touts about the Windows 7 but I have yet to notice a huge difference from Vista.

I know I sound real excited about it. I do have to say though that it will be awesome to be able to take my work with me outside this summer. I am sure most of my days will be spent outside sitting under the shade tree yelling at Mason to leave the dogs alone and to stop throwing stuff in the goldfish pond.

I CANNOT WAIT!! Warm temperatures, humidity, sunshine, green grass, dandelions, sunflowers, wildflowers, sunburns, bug bites, and my favorite fireflies.

Oh sorry I got distracted...

After our trip to town the mother-in-law called to tell us that Grandma and Uncle Justin were over.

I know sounds innocent enough right. WRONG!! So very wrong!!

She called at 2. Justin had to leave by 3. They had a 4 hour car ride.

It wasn't like they showed up unannounced. That's the last you'll read of that.

So we get around and go over there. We get half way down their long driveway and Austin notices his sister's truck and says, "Why is she here?"

I was actually stunned speechless for a second. Then I looked at my husband and said, "Um... Because she is your sister..." I said it all calm like and slow so he could understand when I really wanted to scream at him.

We then endured a couple hours of uncomfortable silences and stifled conversation.

It was fun...

Then we come to today. Today I am not doing anything. Well nothing but playing with son and surfing the internet. I might even update my Picture My Every Day site if I can find the memory card with the photos from the 16th on it. So if you happen to see my site without the 16th on it you will know why.

As of now I am successfully avoiding doing dishes and laundry. I figure I have all week to clean and play the good wife before I leave on Friday to go down home. My dad's birthday is the 9th so we will have to see if I can stretch out my visit that long. I'm sure I can accomplish it. I have faith in my abilities.... LOL...

#26

Just a continuation from this....

26. When someone tells me no for no other reason than to tell me no.

Whoa

So this is what it feels like to wake up and feel normal.

It is so nice to be over that crude that kept me down most of the week. Especially considering I didn't sleep well last night. For some reason both dogs were being especially lovey and my husband decided I was a pillow. At 2:30 I woke up, like wide awake. After laying there with my eyes closed for awhile hoping that the next time I had to open them it would be around 7, I got out my phone and played some games. When that got boring I got up and went downstairs.

I get to the kitchen to realize it is only 3. T H R E E. As in middle of the night 3 AM.

I got something to drink, went to the bathroom, cleaned out the fridge, checked the news, played on facebook and about 5 decided to go back to bed.

Then just because I was feeling spritey...

I got all adjusted in bed, woke up the dogs, and then put on my best sleepy voice, rolled over and told my husband the dogs had to go outside.

I crack me up. Most fun I've had all week.

I ♥ Thursdays

Yesterday I had to go into town to review my insurance policies with my insurance guy. I know most people probably don't look forward to such visits but I like them. He always ends up saving me money.

Example: for $10 a month we got an umbrella policy. By adding that policy we save on our car insurance and homeowners insurance. So not only do we now have an umbrella policy but we save a total of $20 a year. So basically we have more coverage for less money.

How could I not love a visit like that?

Today I had to go to the courthouse and pay all of our car registrations.

Why do I always feel as though I've been robbed when I leave that place. Honestly ROBBED. I'm all for the 'the more you drive the more you pay' policy. Wait!! No I'm not Austin drives 60+ miles a day. Sometimes I forget that little tidbit. The real reason I feel robbed is because my road is so poorly maintained and yet we pay what everyone else pays. It would be awesome if they would just black top all the roads. Then I wouldn't have to worry about it. But I would because then not only would the normal people fly by here but a lot of other people too because it would then be considered a short cut.

It really is a lose lose situation so for now I will just pay through the nose to drive the vehicles we have and hope I don't get stuck in the mud when all this snow starts to melt.

The only highlight of my day today was after the courthouse I got to go pickup my girl scout cookies.

I plan to spend the afternoon paying even more bills so I left the cookies in the car just so I wouldn't be tempted to eat them. I know such will power I have...

My major bonus of the day is that today is Thursday. Not only do I have one more day before my husband is home for the weekend but I don't have to cook supper either. Thursdays we my husband watches survivor and we get Jimmy's BBQ for supper. YUMMY!!

Happy

I am finally getting over this illness. FINALLY!!

Yesterday I was feeling a little better but my ear just wouldn't pop. It felt like... well... you know when you fly and you come in for the landing and your ears pop. Imagine for a minute that your ears didn't pop. That is what it felt like.

I figured out that I am worse than child when it comes to my ears. It didn't matter how much I played with it it didn't change anything.

I was so glad when I woke up this morning and the feeling was gone. My temp is now back to normal also. The only lingering effect is this cough and stuffy nose.

I can live with that though.

My Lucky Day

Today is Tuesday...

Tuesday is tomato soup day for lunch.

I am sick.

What was I thinking?

Tomato soup is easy to make. Obviously pour contents of can into pan add one can of milk and heat.

Tomato soup is not as easy to clean up when you are already sick.

Trust me.

Nor is it easy to watch a 2 year old eat it while you are sick.

I am proud of myself though that I only threw up once.

Yes you read that right.

That slurping noise got to me.

He would put the whole cracker in it and let it soak up the soup and get mushy and then he would shove it all in his mouth and like his had and make that slurping noise.

I couldn't take it...

Afterwards he has it all over his tray, his pjs, his hair and it is up his nose for some reason.

To the bath we go...

I ran out of breath giving him a bath which leads me to believe that my head has moved to my chest. It wasn't like I was running a marathon or something. I was sitting at the edge of tub washing his hair.

I am now off to put him to bed and to take a little nap myself. I'm sure my husband will wake me when he gets home... Maybe, maybe not if I'm lucky.

Now for the question of the day: Why don't moms get sick days......

My Weekend

It was a good weekend.

I know not something that can be heard from too much...

It was... a weekend...

Friday we stayed home and watched the Olympics until late. Mason even got to stay up late. Not on purpose though. Before we knew it it was 10 and Mason was still up playing. O'well

Saturday I had planned on going to the store by myself but Austin and Mason decided to join me. Okay not a huge deal. I had very specific things to get accomplished while in town. Usually one or both of them get tired after 1 stop and that is never good.

We got out of the house around 11:30 and drove around the neighborhood (5 mile radius of the house) for a bit looking at the snow drifts and locating a property someone told us could be bought cheap with 30 acres of land. We found out why it could be bought cheap. Nice land, dilapidated house and the drifts on the way to this place that is 3 miles of gravel off the main road were not little.

Next we made our way into town and our first stop was my favorite restaurant, LaCarretas. So very yummy!!

Next we stopped at WalMart. We needed to get food for the fish. Then somehow we ended up getting curtains for our bedroom, a couple totes, a rug and a couple of other things. My mind is drawing a blank on what those other things were so they must have been Austin's.

Next we stopped at the store. No trip to town is complete without the stop at the store. I have a system at the store. I go down every aisle and when I get to the last aisle I am done. We'll just say that didn't happen. It took forever and by the end of it I wanted to throw a tantrum. Fun times I tell you. Fun times!!

We finally get back home and get Mason put down for nap. A nap he really didn't want to take by the way. We hung my curtains which look great. I would put a picture up but they are just a khaki color and fairly plain. I just wanted something to cover the windows and khaki is the only color that is in all my bedspreads. We also put Austin's rug down on his side of the bed. It all looks great. Except that now there is no rug on my side so back to WalMart I go.

I had picked up two packages of curtains because it is a double window set up and we decided that we just needed the one so I exchanged them for the second rug. I came out 1.04 ahead so that was good. Then I ran by the music and picked up a Nickleback and turned it full blast for the drive home.

Yes that is how I pick out all my music... What ever looks good when I get over there. Needless to say I have a very eclectic selection. I decided I wanted to drown out my thoughts on the way home. How better to do that than by a little Nickleback. I put it in slot number 3 so now it is surrounded by Pink, Larry the Cable Guy, Sugarland, Ron White, and Nick Lachey. I have no clue where the Nick Lachey came from. To the best of my recollection I have never bought any Nick Lachey. I know after that ensemble your wondering what I took out. Well, it was Areosmith.

I enjoyed a wonderful 20 minute drive home that I stretched to over 30. Wonderful.

Sunday was a great lazy day...

We deep cleaned the kitchen cabinets and sorted through Mason's clothes.

Mason has more clothes than one little should be allowed. After hand-me-downs of 4 nephews he can wear a different outfit for 60 days and not repeat. We are out of room so we sorted through what we want to keep here for him to use and what we are sending to friends.

About 7 I suddenly felt like a truck had hit me. Literally! One minute I felt fine and then I sneezed and by the time I stood up straight again my throat was sore and my head was congested. AWESOME!

I tossed and turned all night. I can't breathe and my voice is gone.

What a way to start off my favorite day of the week...

Success

Monkey
Buffalo
Lion
Truck
Little man out of one of his toys
Blow (new years eve party favor, has the foil that curls up and it extends and makes noise when blown into)
3 ball pit balls (one red, one yellow, one orange)
Sheet
Fuzzy CARS blanket
Fuzzy brown blanket of mine
Black and white lion blanket that is usually in the living room
CARS comforter
Brown fuzzy blanket that came out of the office
John Deere tie blanket

I know it sounds like quite the list but this is actually everything that is needed for a successful nap/bed time. Once in a while he will even sneak a book upstairs.

Pet Peeve

My New Years Resolution this year is to be more truthful... Whether to myself or to other people remains to be seen.

So to that point here is my list of pet peeves... Hold on it is long...

1. People that just have to pull out in front of me and then drive 5 below the speed limit.

2. People changing the radio in my car. HELLO... My car, my radio.

3. When someone tells me they will do something and yet it still doesn't get done by them.

4. Dirty socks on the bathroom floor... bedroom floor... living room floor... Honestly why do you have to run around barefoot in the middle of winter...

5. Anyone touching the thermostat.

6. The dogs not eating their food over their dish. Instead they have to take it to the dining room and it leaves crumbs...

7. Having to remind people to do things... I know if I could get this stopped there would be no reason to have my to-do list...

8. Austin moving my tools. They are called MY tools for a reason. Use your own damn hammer.

9. Austin's driving.

10. Riding in the same car as Austin... Never fails as soon as I put my head down to read my book he starts talking.

11. Not having my questions answered.

12. People who don't answer email. I realize that everyone gets junk mail but honestly how long does it take to jet off a response to my most urgent questions? Is it too much to ask?

13. When my husband doesn't respond back to me on BlackBerry messenger. Hello I know it was delivered and you received it therefore read it...

14. How the dog likes to sit behind me while I am sitting at the computer... like he is right now...

15. When my husband and I are out and we see people he knows he doesn't introduce me and I have to do it myself.

16. When my husband and I are out and we see people I know he will introduce himself and then walk away. HELLO jackbutt!! If I can talk to your nerds you talk to my people...

17. That my mother/sister-in-law bug me into doing things and then act like we are best friends.

18. When they (refer to previous) comment on my facebook or photoblog and make it a underhanded insult or as in my photoblog saying stuff about Mason and not seeing him too much. HELLO!! You live 10 minutes away!! Enough said.

19. That my husband has 4 alarms... FOUR!! All set to go off within minutes of each other and then all snooze again to be within minutes of each other... at 5 in the morning.

20. Cashiers who don't know how to count back change.

21. Salespeople who attack you as soon as you walk in the door or their department but then as soon as you need assistance you can't find one of the little bastards anywhere.

22. Weekends where my husband thinks he shouldn't have to do anything because he worked all week. Just what the hell does he think I did all week...

23. On my days to sleep in yelling and screaming can be heard coming from the living room thereby keeping me from falling back to sleep.

24. The fact that I no longer get to go to the bathroom by myself...

25. People who evade my questions or think theirs are more important...




I'll add more as I think of them...

Monkey's Photo Shoot

As you can see Monkey's photo shoot didn't go as planned.

I had even set Mason up playing in the water in the kitchen sink. You know a project that I usually have to tear him away from kicking and screaming. I had no more than got Monkey up in the fan pull that Mason comes and erupts in some blood curdling screams.

I turn around to grab the camera and Mason was on the table. I just couldn't resist snapping a few. He was really distraught. Now he is so distrustful of my reasons for needing Monkey that I never get to touch him.

Thankfully when Mason had the flu he was so out of it that he didn't notice when Monkey had to be washed. He noticed that Monkey was cleaner and smelled different though. He came up to me several times and had me smell him then he would say "bad" as in smelled bad. I can attest that Monkey smelled like laundry detergent and nothing else so I don't know what he meant.

Monkey is no longer allowed in the room alone with me. Mason will hide him when he doesn't want to play with him. Fine with me!! Last time we went to mom and dad's Monkey couldn't even ride in the front seat with me. I know! What was I going to do with him hang him from the rear view mirror.

Oh, that is just sad, now I'm giving myself ideas... Maybe someday I can sneak Monkey away during nap or something...

You never know where you are going to find Monkey...

Busy...

So today is actually Friday. We have a busy weekend planned. I have cabin fever. I have it really bad.

Do you know how long it has been since I have the grass and been able to get outside and play. I am more than ready for this snow to be gone. I am also ready for a vacation. I have been cooped up in this house too long. Staring at the same old walls, cleaning the same old rooms, washing the same old dishes for too long.

And this is going to sound really bad but I am ready for my child to start school so that I can have a little more freedom.

Freedom...

I almost forget what that is like...

To be able to decide to go to town and not have to worry about getting a little person dressed, or remember to grab the diaper bag, to be able to do my own hair and makeup and wear the shoes I want instead of the sensible ones because I never know when I'll have to carry around an extra 40 pounds.

I hope I'm not the only woman/wife/mother to have these thoughts. It is just that it has been so cold and snowy since before Christmas that I haven't been able to get out during the day and I crave/need the adult interaction.

My husband has been very understanding and has been okay with me just taking the truck when he gets home and driving around with my camera. He knows I need that time. He has been very hard to get along with lately because he too is suffering from CABIN FEVER. He is able to take of his though by getting in his overalls and grabbing the chainsaw and cutting wood.

I do not have that advantage. It used to be that when we would get Cabin fever we would go buy a movie and curl up on the couch. I don't know what happened to that couple. They just disappeared into thin air one winter I guess. Looking back I would guess it was probably the winter I was working 2 jobs and only home long enough to sleep and shower...

LOL...

Just an update post...

Remember this post where I said we were going to paint stripes in the dining room. Well we didn't. My other half decided that he liked it the solid color. That it was a color he could 'live' with. Ha! Like he had a choice or something...

Oh 29 has not been a good year so far... if you remember this post... Then you know I asked for Aleve for Christmas. I got 4 bottles... Yes, I'm actually using it and they thought they were being so funny...

And then there was Monkey's photo shoot... Monkey did get his photo shoot... okay sorta...

My other half is a stick in the mud... I wrote this a long time ago and since then I have been asking if we can do it... I have finally told him that I am getting a steering wheel and then we can go have some fun...
He informed me I was never riding with him again...
Okay, that works too... I don't know if he thought that would be punishment or what...

All day today I have thought it was Friday... No clue why...

My son is running around in a Halloween costume... with the hood of it up that no matter what I did on Halloween he would keep up.

he just hurt his foot and came up asking me to kiss it better. I was typing so I ignored him for a couple of seconds and he started jumping on his other foot and then had me kiss the wrong one. I have a feeling he was lying...

I am not cooking tonight. He hasn't appreciated it any other night this week so tonight he can just suck it.

I think that fairly well sums it up. I am putting Mason down for a nap and then running. What fun... Is it spring yet?? More snow expected this weekend... This week has really sucked... Bonus I'm down 3 lbs and tomorrow is payday... No I don't work but his payday is my payday!!

Claire Denamur

Everything sounds better in French... Translation at bottom...


Claire Denamur "le prince charmant" 1er album le 23/02
Uploaded by clairedenamur1984. - Watch more music videos, in HD!


J’ai épousé un prince charmant, mais avoué que c’est pas de pot. Passé l’amour, des premiers temps il s’est transformé en crapaud.

Refrain : On nous parle, dans les contes de fées, de baisers aux pouvoirs divins. Mais les miens doivent être mal réglés, j’en ai pour preuve un batracien...

Lui qui était si prévenant, qui devinait tous mes désirs, me devance maintenant en passant les portes sans les retenir.

Les diners où, de ma serviette, s’échappait une perle, un diamant, sont relégués aux oubliettes on ne mange plus au restaurant.

J’ai épousé un prince charmant mais avoué que c’est pas de bol. Passé l’amour des premier temps, me reste plus qu’une sale bestiole.

Refrain :(x2) On nous parle dans les contes de fées, de baisers aux pouvoirs divins. Mais les miens doivent être mal réglés, j’en ai pour preuve un batracien… Batracien

Lui qui glissait sous l’oreiller des petits sachets de lavande, me dit maintenant à peine couché " passe moi la télécommande".

Ses yeux qui me déshabillaient déshabille toujours j’imagine mais si quelqu’un doit s’enrhumer ce sera la petite voisine.

J’ai épousé un prince charmant mais avoué que c’est la poisse. Passé l’amour des premiers temps me reste plus qu’un truc qui coasse.

Refrain : On nous parle dans les contes de fées de baisers aux pouvoirs divins mais les miens doivent être mal réglés j’en ai pour preuve un batracien… Batracien…

Translation...

I married a prince charming, but admitted that it is not pot. After love, the first time he has transformed in a toad.

Chorus: We are told in fairy tales, kisses to the divine powers. But mine must be set incorrectly, I have to show a frog…

He was so considerate, who guessed all my desires ahead of me now from the doors without hold.

The dinners where my towel, came a gem, a diamond, are neglected to the dustbin we can not eat at the restaurant.

I married a prince charming but admitted that it is not bowl. Past love the first time I left a dirty little beast.

Chorus: (x2) We are told in fairy tales, kisses to the divine powers. But mine must be set incorrectly, I have to show a frog… Batrachian

He who slipped under the pillow of small sachets of lavender, told me just now lying “pass me the remote.

His eyes undressed undresses me but still I imagine if someone should catch a cold
it will be the little neighbor.

I married a prince charming but admitted that it was bad luck. Past love the first time I have left more than something that croaks.

Chorus: We are told in fairy tale kisses with divine powers but mine should be set incorrectly I have to show a frog… … Batrachian



Do you see what I mean? Almost everything sounds better in French...

The Flu

Watery eyes, stuffy nose, body aches, fever, headache, chills. I think it is safe to say that I have the flu...

Lucky for me Mason is back in top form and able to dump pepper in the fish tank and empty the door of the fridge... Awesome... I need to find a babysitter for these types of emergency situations... I would have my husband work from home when I don't feel good but then I end up taking care of both of them and am even more miserable at the end of the day...

I couldn't even talk my child into taking a nap with me today... I had to sleep in my own bed... Which reminds me that I need to change detergent for my bed sheets. I just don't care for the smell of what we are using now on my pillow... Not that I could smell it today but I know it is there.

I have gotten some chuckles this week though... At night, Hyde, my 7 year old minpin, likes to sleep on my extra pillow that I don't use and that lays above my head because like all short people I like to have my feet hang off the end of the bed... This has always drove me absolutely bonkers. I thought it was just because it was my pillow. Well come to find out he has developed a certain fondness for one specific pillow. Me being the quick thinker that I am decided to put one of my husbands pillow cases on that pillow and put it on my husbands side of the bed... Low and behold Hyde no longer sleeps on my side of bed but on Austin's side. I know it shouldn't have bothered me because there is literally 3 plenty of room above my head on the bed but Hyde's hair is like little eyelashes. Little eyelashes that get in my eyes and in my hair and he smells like popcorn when he sleeps. Fresh buttery popcorn... Strange I know but my husband smells it too...

Hyde sleeping on Austin's spare pillow is driving him nuts because he uses all the bed on his half because he is after all 6'5". His feet hang off the end and his head touches the headboard. When he brings it up I just act all innocent and pretend I don't know what he is talking about. I woke up in the middle of the night last night and laughed about it because I could put my arm up above my head and not worry about hitting a dog...

I think I'll head to bed now. Hopefully I don't lay there awake too long...

Oh and before I forget... I am getting a new camera... The goal is for the camera to have paid for itself by the end of May... I just need to schedule one or two more sessions. It all just depends on well they go... Like always...

And now I'm going to bed so that I have the energy to work out tomorrow.