Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Overview
I decided I should have at least one post this month. You know just because.
So lets see... what we've been up to...
Um... As you can tell it has been really memorable.
We went camping for Labor Day. The overnight temps were in the low 40's the first night. The next two nights Mason spent the night in my sister's camper. We had tons of fun! Mason got to play with his cousins and I got to 'play' with my sisters. Over all it was a great weekend.
The next weekend was a family reunion on my Dad's side. You know just a little gathering that my husbad refers to as the freak show and we refer to as the dating game to my brothers. It was a gorgeous day. Mason played and played and went to bed early. YAY!
Then I spent the week at my mom's house. I helped Cammie and Ricky get their new house ready for carpet and counter tops Monday night. I got back to mom's around 4 am. Got to bed around 5:30. Mason got up at 7. I know AWESOME... Tuesday evening we went to my nieces volleyball game where I got to meet my brother, Donnie Guy's, new girl friend. After Mason went to bed I went back up to Cammie's and helped some more... Wednesday my mom was off from work so we spent the day with her. Well Mason did at least. I left them at home playing and went to help Cammie and Ricky with their deck. Thursday Mason and I stayed around long enough to have lunch with Cam and Ricky and then we headed home. I had told Austin that I would be home by the time he got home. I made it by 10 minutes.
I wouldn't have helped Cammie and Ricky nearly so much as I am more of a supervisor than helper but Cammie was sick. Like sick sick. Snotty nose, cough, fever, the whole bit. I stressed to her that it would not become habit to 'help'.
Friday Austin took a half day at work. We did some work outside and then went to a friends house for supper.
Saturday Mason spent with Austin's parents. You know the people that live 10 minutes away and yet hadn't seen their grandson for 6 weeks. Those grandparents... It was suppose to be a weekend but ended up being just Saturday from about 10 to 7 or so when they dropped him off. I was personally surprised it happened at all. I know such faith. Ha! I just know them. Sad.
Sunday was spent outside. We finished taking the coopla off the corn crib and burning it. I am still sore from the demolition. Austin was clear up on the platform that used to be under the coopla, you know before it started to fall over... I was for sure he was going to come down with the stupid thing. About a year ago one side and half the roof came tumbling down so only half of it was still up there. It looks so much better now. Our fire was a little hot. We had it set up on a cement slab next to the barn and the barn was HOT to the touch. I know probably not the safest but we didn't really care if the barn burned down or not.
The fire was still going, although a lot smaller, at 3 in the morning when I let the dogs out. I can't wait until we get to burn our huge (HUGE) brush pile. We just need to find a weekend where all of our friends are in town. It is big enough though that we might end up finding a babysitter so we don't have to worry about all the little ones around the fire though. Bonus: Austin is getting ready to add to the pile.
Last night was another night spent outside. We have hopefully mowed the yard for the last time!! We typically keep our grass about 3.5 inches but we cut it down to 2 inches for fall. Nothing is worse than tall dead grass when you are trying to walk in the snow or play with a 3 year old before it snows...
So that is what we have been up to.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Yippee
Onto other
Ahhh... Monday
Saturday morning Mason and I loaded up and headed south. My little sister, Cameron, is turning 28 today. I had not planned on going down this weekend. I also remember the last time I skipped one of Cammie's birthdays. She didn't talk to me for like 6 weeks. I think I learned my lesson. So we stopped halfway and rode the rest of the way with my older sister, Marianne.
I don't generally "ride" with anyone preferring to control every situation in which I'm in a moving car. This weekend though I just didn't 'feel' like driving and Marianne is generally a good driver. You will notice I said generally.
So Mason and I get to her house and we get the carseat switched over which was an adventure all in itself. We get headed to the interstate and I always look to see how much gas people have that I am riding with because one of my biggest pet peeves is running out of gas or having to search last minute for a gas station. And that really fairly well sums up my family. They will put in just enough to make it to their destination and it just makes me nervous. So here we are almost to the interstate and I notice that she is already on E. I hint at it and she said 'Alright but just to shut you up but we do have enough to make it all the way to Tabor.' There is not rejoiner for that. None. So she humored me and pulled into the gas station and put in 4 gallons. Yep. I mean really there was no need to fill the tank was there. Then I notice that her front tire was almost flat.
After finally getting the gas in the tank and the tire aired up she decided to wash her car. She put in her $2 worth of quarters and starts washing the car. We were both listening for the beeps of the machine telling us she needed to add more quarters to keep it running and it never beeped it just shut off and there was still soap all over the car. In order to start the machine again she needed to put in another $2 in. Well she only had 7 quarters. Seven as in S-E-V-E-N. You know $1.75. So she searched her car for more quarters and found none. Neither of us had any dollar bills. No that would have been to easy. The only cash either of had on us was a 20 dollar bill. The change machine only gives quarters. So there went my 20 dollar bill for 80 quarters. She only used one.
So there I am stuck with all these quarters. I know how awesome!!
So she finally finishes and pulls out of the car wash and pulls up to a spot in the middle of nowhere in the middle of this parking lot and gets out and gets a bottle of oil out of her trunk. Yep. Not only did we have to get gas and air up a tire and wash the car but we also had to put oil in.
She just totally verified why I always drive.
To top off the rest of the drive she texted and drove with her knee. And somehow I forgot that she hugs that middle line something fierce.
By the time we got to my mom's I'd almost decided that I'd had enough excitement for the weekend but I knew that if I didn't 'go out' that Cammie wouldn't talk to me until Halloween. So I sucked it up knowing it would be me driving home.
We had an awesome time going out in Tabor. We visited both bars and they drank and drank and drank. Oh, and who could forget the smoking and smoking and smoking. I know sounds awesome. We laughed and made fun of each other all night. We even got to see some people we hadn't seen in a long time. Nothing like catching up with old friends.
We got back to mom's around 3 and we couldn't believe she had waited up for us. She didn't even wait up for us in high school. She never knew what time we got home now though she has to know what time we get home and she has us call her when we leave town. Even though it is only 4.5 miles.
Sunday morning came way too early. At 8 am my son and nephew were outside punting a football at the front of the house. Unfortunately for Mare and me we were sleeping in the bedroom at the front of the house. Hard to sleep when you hear the football hitting the front of the house and them yelling at each other through the open windows.
Our wonderful mother made us some oh so yummy pancakes and eggs. No worry of salmonella from these eggs though. They are fresh from the hen house behind the house. We enjoyed a lazy morning with family. My mom's mom and sister came down and we ate water melon for lunch. Really a almost perfect Sunday morning.
We left mom's at one and headed home. You know after the stop at hy-vee for food stuff for camping next weekend. I usually just give my sister money for my part of the groceries because it easier than me finding another cooler to bring meat in. This year though I just paid for my meat at the store and she'll bring it out with the camper. I also picked up all the stuff for my punch. I'm taking 6 bags of it this year. I know we'll go through at least that much.
We got to Mare's about 3 and I finally got home about 7:30. You know after my own stop at the grocery store. I knew Austin hadn't been home all weekend because he was helping a friend with some hay. Yes, he is crazy!! He volunteers to help with hay for free. FREE!! Crazy.
And that brings us to today. So far today I've actually unloaded our bag (and my suitcase from the weekend before) and washed clothes, cleaned the bathroom (including Cometing the tub), washed dishes, vacuumed, swept and mopped, and now blogged. I'd say that makes today a fairly productive day. I think it is now time for a nap. It's going to be a busy week.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Good Day
I wasn't able to wait until Wednesday to buy some fabric... I just couldn't!! I saw this awesome sale on some pre-order fabric... I love this fabric!! Like in LOVE LOVE LOVE this fabric so I had to. I just couldn't just not get it. Could I? I have grand plans for this stuff... Fandango by Moda Isn't it GORGEOUS!!
I think that is enough !! in one paragraph...
My newborn shoot ended up being yesterday... It went good. New, nervous, mother... When I finally get done editing I will post them.
I also got a chest of drawers from a gal in Boone. I found a tutorial for an ironing board that I can put on the top of it. My current ironing board is looking a little worse for wear... In the drawers I'll be able to 'hide' some of my fabric stash. I know that I would be able to find some thing new for this purpose but why when something used will work just as well. I am nothing if not cheap! I have plans to paint it and make it cute. Okay so maybe not cute as I would like it to be in my dining room but you know, at least, better looking than it does right now. My husband was shocked when I came home with it in the back of the truck. All I have to say is that he should have gone with me to town when I asked him to. One of these days he will learn!
The tutorial I found for the ironing board is not available yet because she is having problems with spam comments on her blog, Pleasant Home. Specifically spam comments on that post. I'm hoping that she will have it up again soon. I think I would be able to 'wing' it but would rather not. I'm just crazy that way.
This week has flown by! Here it is already Thursday and I've got nothing done. I have photos to edit and a baby blanket ensemble to get done and mailed. Two actually if you really want to get technical. I know I'll get the photos done by tomorrow afternoon. The baby things will just have to wait until Monday because I'm going to my little sister's bday party this weekend. I'll be driving down to Mare's on Saturday and then riding with her the rest of the way. We'll be leaving Mom's around noon on Sunday. I should be home by 5 or so hopefully on Sunday. You'll notice I mentioned nothing about having to take Mason with me because he is staying with Dad. Hehe. I will enjoy my 24 hours alone. It isn't often that I get to spend any quality time with my mom and sisters. There are 5 boys between us and we are constantly having to set one of them to rights. Whether that be clothing or actually reading them their rights, which are few by the way...
Now I'm off to do a 4 hour 30 minute tidy. I've got laundry to switch over, some dishes to do, a little light mopping, and some vacuuming that needs done. It might take a little over 30 minutes but no more than an hour I've decided.
Have a great day!!
Monday, August 23, 2010
I ♥ Bullet Points
- Austin got back from Indiana a whole day early... Totally messed up my semi-alone time...
- I absolutely love my new sewing machine!!! Here is the link... Brother sq9000
- I've made 6 baby blankets, 6 bibs, and 12 burp cloths over the last 2 weeks. 80 percent of those were done in John Deere prints.
- Mason has only had one accident in his pants.
- Playing in the hose has become an everyday occurrence. A necessary occurrence.
- I have gotten 6 tomatoes off my tomato plant.
- Hyde and Tootsie are driving me nuts...
- We spent a lovely week at my parents house last week.
- We made it to the Iowa State Fair on Saturday. I got sunburnt. Only me... We had no food on a stick... A record to be sure....
- Mason won't let me out of his sight... I'm sneaking out of the house this evening!!
- My laundry is almost caught up...
- I have no idea where my husband got all his socks from.
- Little boy undies are so... little boyish... they really should come pre-streaked... so gross!
- I'm out of bleach and my garbage can needs a good scrubbing
- I have a newborn shoot tomorrow
- I still need to post my last newborn shoot... whoops...
- My yard needs mowed...
- My floors need vacuumed but the vacuum is no longer working... um... neither is the smoke alarm anymore...
- The dishes are done... but not put away...
- The lift my husband brought back from Indiana was very heavy but is put away nice and pretty in the garage...
- I have an urge to buy fabric... I think I will on Wednesday... pending toddler behavior...
- Tootsie destroyed my favorite bathroom rug... I'm still not on talking terms with her about it!
- I made a really cute hanging beside organizer... Mason uses it like a rope ladder to get on my bed... a habit that needs broken.
And that fairly well sums up my last two weeks in no certain order. Sorry to have wasted your time... I have my pictures from everyday but no energy or motivation to get them posted. I figure some time before the end of the year I'll get it up to date.
I promise I'll be in a better mood tomorrow!!
Friday, August 6, 2010
My Day
Anyways...
So my husband is in Indiana at the house we still own... You read that right. The. House. We. Still. Own.
Four years is how long it has been sitting empty... Four years!
He went out this weekend with his dad to get the lift and air compressor out of the garage. We originally left them as a selling point of the house but now we want to be able to use them. And they obviously aren't helping to sell the house.
Onto other more pleasant stuff...
I bought a new sewing machine today... I haven't got to take it out of the box yet. Mason was such a handful today that I just didn't have the time. In other words I wouldn't have been able to give my full attention to getting it set up. Even after he went to bed I was cleaning and getting stuff ready for tomorrow so it is still sitting in the box. I'll break it out here in a little bit.
Potty training is going great. I don't dare go to town yet without him having a diaper on but we'll get there. He is getting better about the poop issue. He is a little boy and it is just soooo much fun to pee standing up that he doesn't want to sit down so it... um... falls out while he is peeing. Let me tell you how totally awesome that is on my white bathroom mats. Yep, pretty AWESOME. Oh, and his aim!! Yep. Nuf said there. I have no expectation of my bathroom smelling un-urinal like in the near future... I know that sounds like it should be an easy fix but... it isn't. I clean the bathroom before I go to bed every night because really who wants their bathroom to smell like piss? Not me!! It never fails though that after the first time he goes pee it smells. I know I could clean it up after every time he goes but he goes like every 20 minutes. I would never leave the bathroom!! I have taken to just spraying it down with some vinegar and bleach every couple of hours. Not ideal but better than the old urinal smell.
Overall we have had a pretty good day. Mason went down for bed surprisingly easy. I couldn't believe it. I figured he would cry and cry but he didn't. He did ask for tons of kisses. Melt my heart!! Nothing is better than little boy bedtime kisses. It makes up for him being so naughty. Most days anyways.
The dogs also had an active day. They found a dead toad in the yard and had to roll around on it for awhile so after Mason's last poop and his bath they also got baths. Nothing is worse than trying to give two minpins baths... I was drenched afterwards! I literally wrung out my shirt. I don't know if I'll ever get the wet dog smell out of my bra either... My favorite bra!! I don't know what I was thinking. Well I do... I was thinking they smelled. They smelled bad. There was no way they were getting on my bed smelling like that! Especially Hyde since he seems to think he needs to sleep on my spare pillow above my head. Yes above my head. I am short and like my toes hanging off the end of the bed when I sleep on my stomach so there is room for another pillow above my head. I put a crappy pillow in an old pillowcase and he sleeps there. It was either that or fight him over my pillow. Call me lazy! I tried to train him to sleep on Austin's pillow but he just won't.
So that is how my day has gone. I am ready for some cooler temps and my boy to learn to poop on the potty. After all these hot temps and crazy humidity though it is a toss up as to what one I would choose if presented with the choice of just one.
I'm sure tomorrow will be just as... wonderful so I'm gonna go play with my new machine and then go to bed. My goal is midnight to be in bed... Quit laughing...
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
um...
So on to the new week...
This summer has gone way too fast. We have been enjoying our days at home. Mason has been driving me crazy. As in he won't leave me alone crazy. He is constantly under my feet, pulling on my leg, torturing the dogs, getting in the freezer, playing in the sink and destroying my house everyday...
On a good note: Mason is potty trained!!! His aim leaves something to be desired and my bathroom smells like a urinal by the end of the day but at least he is hitting the toilet most of the time anyways. It is so cute walking by the bathroom and seeing his cute little but as he is peeing. It is not so cute when you hear giggling come from the bathroom and when I go to check it out and he is peeing over his shoulder.
I told you his aim left something to be desired!!
Hopefully we are over those kinds of aiming problems... After a couple of times in time out and some well needed baths which he hates in the middle of the day he is at least aiming for the potty.
Mason has also learned how to share.
I realize that most kids at the age of 3 already know how to share. All I have to say is that most of those are in daycare or have siblings. An only child at home with just his mother for most of the time never has to share. It isn't as though I want to play with his toys. He forces me to. Which I don't count as sharing. I count that as torture. It never fails that he will get upset with me because I can't make the car noise just right or I turn the car left when I should have turned it right. I know being an only child is hard work I'm sure.
Well being the mother of an only child is hard work too.
Especially one that so intense... Yes intense is the right word I'm looking for. He is just like his father. You know cute as all get out and spoiled. Which leaves me so outnumbered it isn't even funny.
And now I have to go clean the house that was clean this morning but wasn't to the 3 year-olds liking... I guess it could be worse though... he could have been twins...
Saturday, July 24, 2010
I'm A Blonde
So instead of going through and fixing it there will be new post next week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday...
If I can manage it there might be one on Monday and Tuesday too... Depends on how much help I get this weekend... Austin took my hammer away and has yet to give it back... Something about hanging ugly things and there not being enough room in the kitchen for another welcome sign... I beg to differ but whatever. Maybe when he runs to town for 'parts' I can find my hammer and get my stuff hung. I know he will have to run to town for 'parts' sometime today just because that is the way it works!
So now I am off to enjoy my weekend... starting by going to the store and hitting a few garage sales and goodwill and maybe even an antique store by myself... I'll be talking to myself by the end of the day don't worry...
10 Years Ago Today
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
And This Makes Three
Austin was going to just pick up the snake and take it out, but I could see that going to wrong on so many different levels so I brought him this pitcher. Thankfully it is just a pitcher I use to water my tomato plant. Otherwise you know it would have to be burned.
We had to put another pitcher on top of it to keep the stupid thing trapped. The cream pitcher is just another plant pitcher.
I love when Mason dresses himself. I don't so much love when my husband picks out his own clothes... I've tried to throw these yellow things away but they end up back in his dresser...
The dogs were running around the snake in circles deciding who would get to bite it first. We haven't heard buddy bark too many times and he is generally mild mannered but he was barking and growling and having a great time. He sounds HUGE when he barks and growls. No wonder the mailman won't get out of his truck.Monday, July 19, 2010
Just Another Baby Shower
This one was for a little girl. I love little girls stuff!! So pink and purply and fun!!
I even made some bibs.
Bibs are so very easy to make. I cheat a little even.
First I cut out my template. I then pin it to my backing and insert material. I don't cut out my insert material that way it doesn't all shift around on me and I have something to grip while sewing.
Here it is ready to be sewn.
And now it is ready to be trimmed.
I know. It is just amazing.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Ha!
We are going to enjoy a relaxing weekend at home. We might go to the Boone County fair but I doubt it. I'm going to hoist Mason off on his dad for most of the weekend because that little 3 year old is kicking my butt and I need some room to breathe.
I have some plans to do some things around the house and just generally be lazy. Hope everyone enjoys their weekends!! I'll be back Monday with some pretty pictures of some recent projects. I know what you're thinking but really there will post up Monday thru Friday and I can guarantee it because they are scheduled already. I know I could have posted them all today but then why would you come back. I know but it is called anticipation. I have been one busy lady!! I have the sunburn to prove it!!
You'll also want to check in on my PictureMyEveryday on Monday because there will be some new photos up there as well. I told you I had been busy!!
Friday, July 9, 2010
T G I F
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...
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
MondayTuesday
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...
Monday, July 5, 2010
Note to Self
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...
Saturday, July 3, 2010
I'm H O M E...
More on my week "vacation" later...
Thursday, June 24, 2010
'A Decade'
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!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
10 years
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!!







