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...