This is our life and just how we like it

Road Trip...Yee haw!!!

2009-12-01T04:40:00.000-08:00

Just a quick glimpse of what Tiah (my daughter), Emily and I did for the month of November. We had a blast...up at the crack of dawn, on the road for almost 3 hours, waited in line for almost 5 hours, 2 minues with Ree....PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll update more later on today, hopefully if I have time when I get home!!!!

Thanks to all for staying with me during my hiatus!!!!

I'M BACK!!!!!!!

2009-10-14T04:18:00.000-07:00

The lost has been found :)
I'll be back shortly!!!!
Damn, I've missed you guys!!!

Back in the days....

2009-06-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

Back in the days when we had SUN in our land of gloom, I was able to start on my yard work/decorations. This is about all the further I have gotten. We have had rain, clouds, cold weather for way too long.

I have not gotten any flowers planted, no weeding done(as you can tell by the long grass sticking up in the above picture) and now have way too much to do that if the SUN ever does come back out, I'm going to need a weekend of booze to get it all done!!! Oh, Darn!!!

The only thing this stupid rain is good for, is trying to get my vintage old chair rusty instead of that bright blue.

Enjoy your weekend, I hope your someplace where the sun actually does shine all day and not come out a few minutes before it's time to head in for the night!!

Net Flix

2009-06-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

I have two Free One Month trials from Netflix that need to be used before June 15, 2009. Anyone out there interested. Let me know and I will send you the code via email.
Also, I have a coupon for $2.00 off any can of Similac, anyone out there interested in that? I will send it to you in the mail, expires August sometime. No, I don't need it...I done and got myself all fixed of that problem :)

Rock On

2009-06-03T09:53:00.001-07:00

When I was younger we never had a lot of things that were "in" at that time. Leather Nike shoes with the red swoosh, styling jeans, new bikes, etc. We weren't poor, just lived paycheck to paycheck (oh wait I think I still do that now). Anyway, last night Hubby and I went to an auction and bought...wait for it.....an A.T.A.R.I!!! Yep, the one thing we always had to go over to the neighbors house to play is now sitting in our living room just waiting for me to get home from work. I must say, I think I totally rock at Pac Man. The kids were a little disappointed as they have heard of Atari but never really seen one in action. Boy, have they missed out. Who needs Wii, Playstation, X-box when you can kick some Pac Man butt!!!

Also, got some bad news this a.m. from Hubby. His place of business is shutting down Mondays and Fridays and the first week of July. I know, I know it could be worse as it is for others, but this was a shock to us and he is definitely the bread winner in the family. Guess we should of refinanced the house last month.

Kitties

2009-05-19T12:56:00.000-07:00

So....a month ago I entered a contest with Sandi. She needed some help naming her two kitties that were going to join her crazy (in a very good way) household. I WON!!! Maybe the MIL's luck is rubbing off. I better go and get a Powerball ticket for tomorrow night!!

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!

2009-05-12T07:21:00.000-07:00

My Mother In Law who has worked so hard all her life, struggled every day financially, did her very best to help her children be better, stood by her Husbands side as he has been too sick the last 15 years to work...WON A SHITPOT OF MONEY ON A SCRATCH OFF TICKET OVER THE WEEKEND!!!!!

Sometimes good things do happen to people who deserve it!!!!

Mothers Day Fun

2009-05-11T10:32:00.001-07:00

It was a day of fun, sun, friends, go-karts, 4 wheelers, and minibikes.....

Finally it's here.......

2009-05-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

I think Spring has finally arrived and is here to stay. Been a long cold hard winter this past season. We love us some sun.......

When I got home last night I had two of my bulbs that had come into bloom. The last two years they have froze off due to late season frost. Things are looking up this year.

Fricking Frack

2009-05-05T14:23:00.001-07:00

Just what we needed right now...
$534 to fix my car that decided to take a shit today at lunch time.
Thank God I wasn't on my way home from work, which is 40 miles away from home, broke down on the interstate!!!

Sister N Law

2009-04-29T07:12:00.001-07:00

My sister N law was served with divorce papers on Monday. They have been together since they were freshmen (??) in highschool. They are now 29/30. They have a daughter who is in first grade and a son who hasn't started school yet. She's shocked!
We knew there was something going on in January with one of his co-workers but couldn't really believe that he would be the type of guy to do that. A month ago yesterday I was on my way home from work and "spotted" his car and this skanks car sitting on top of the Interstate exit. I called my sister n law and told her. He came home that night, grabbed some of his stuff, left her and has NOT looked back.
Oh yes, by the way, the skank is 20 years old!!!

I asked for it...

2009-04-24T06:49:00.000-07:00

Seven 12 year old girls.....
Four pizzas......
One Friday night.....
Storms are rolling in....

Time to bring out the Malibu Cokes, Vanilla McGuilcuttys w/Cherry Coke and Busch Light for the Hubby!!!!!

Watch out tomorrow...We're gonna have a Hungover Mom, who has gotten very little sleep, who is on her week of death thanks to mother nature!!!!!

Nothing

2009-04-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

I have nothing new to blog about, nothing exicting, no gossip, no kid/hubby troubles. Is that normal? What's to come I wonder?

We must have sexy kitties!!!

2009-04-20T08:42:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I was on my way home from seeing my Grandpa. Hubby calls me, I can hear the chicken squaking in the background. Hubby is laughing so hard he can barely talk. Apparently he was standing on a small cement pad with one cat laying sprawled out in front of him and one entertwining between his legs. He said the chicken was slowly coming towards them, rubbing his beak in the ground and such. All of a sudden the chicken flew up, landed on the sprawled out cat, held him down with his beak and claws and started to do the "chicken dance" on him!! Hubby kicked the chicken off the cat, cat took off a dead sprint and chicken squaked around like he was dying....

Needless to say when Tanner came home he took the chicken to a neighbor who had other chickens that our chicken could practice the "chicken dance" on. And we were wondering why one of the cats had some bald/bloddy spots behind it's ear....Guessing the chicken was trying it out on her also....

What is wrong with these people??

2009-04-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

I just found the below story on the internet this a.m. What drives a MOTHER to this point in her life??? We are supposed to be protectors.

MA woman accused of killing unborn child, daughter
40 mins ago
QUINCY, Mass. – Authorities in a city just south of Boston say a pregnant woman killed her 9-year-old daughter and stabbed herself in the stomach to kill her unborn child.
Norfolk District Attorney William Keating says 38-year-old Fang Chi Xue (SHWAY) was treated for self-inflicted stab wounds to the arms and abdomen at Boston Medical Center and is expected to be arraigned Friday on two counts of murder. She was 7 1/2 months pregnant.
Police were called to the family home Thursday night by a 14-year-old girl who survived the attack with minor injuries.
Keating says the 9-year-old girl suffered stab wounds to her wrists, but authorities are also investigating whether she was poisoned.
Keating says the incident was sparked by an argument.

Got to have a J.O.B.

2009-04-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

After bitching and screaming and fighting and grounding, Tanner has found a job. He'll be mowing lawns, painting, weed eating, slinging tar and whatever else the City tells him to do.

With the area that we live in, jobs are very hard to find for 16 year old boys unless they grow up with a Dad/family member who farms.

Now that boy of ours can buy his own gas!!!!!!!!!!!! Bout time.....

Do these make my butt look big?

2009-04-10T06:21:00.000-07:00

Is it in the Water??

2009-04-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

What's going on?
I have numerous couples, friends, family who are splitting up, divorcing, having affairs and so on and so forth.
Hubby and I have been married for 15 years, together for almost 20 years. Long time for people are age. Yes, we have our battles and come out of them unscathed. We can fight right along with the best of them, but then he realizes that I'm right and all is good again. :)

What's happening to these people? Is it the money situations, is it other family members, do they think the grass really will be greener on the other side?

Cancer Sucks

2009-04-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

We have a family friend.
He is one of my Dads closest friends.
He has worked with my hubby for many years.
He is the Godfather to one of my brothers.
He is 52ish years old.
He is a genuinely nice guy.
He is married and they have no children.
He loves to fish.
HE HAS CANCER.
It is spreading....Liver, lungs, spine, shoulder and brain.
He needs help.
If everyone out there can spread the word, send a card, a prayer, thoughts.
It would help.

The bloggy world is huge, pass it on, give Barry and his wife some cheer.
He hasn't worked for at least 4 months now. His wife works part time, but is spending most of her time taking care of him, doctor appts, etc.

Barry Tesch
302 South C Street
PO Box 124
Elmore, MN 56027

Feelings

2009-04-07T08:34:00.001-07:00

I'm very good at hiding my feelings.

I don't share a lot.

I keep a lot inside and only share when I have to.

That is not to say that I'm not a bitch who can rant/rave/bitch when the time is needed.

Talent

2009-04-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

The boy has talent. Gotta give him that!
My son drew this picture in school. I'm impressed. For a 16 year old that hates English, Math, History, etc...the boy can draw what his interests are!!!

Ding Dong..

2009-04-02T10:24:00.001-07:00

Knock, Knock
This thing on?
Hellooooooo, Helloooooooo

For some reason I'm not getting updates...hhmmm....

Venting Post

2009-03-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

Because this is a common happening in my home, I'm going to vent about it and hopefully someone in the household will read my blog and take a hint....

Hubby and I get up at the same time, 5:45 a.m. I hit the shower and he heads to the kitchen to make his lunch for the day. Hubby leaves the house at 6:20ish. During that time I'm getting ready for the day, letting the hounds outside, and getting Tiah up for school, shower, etc. I leave the house at 7:10 for they day. Not a big deal. (Tanner is old enough to get himself up and ready for the day, well most of the time anyway :) )

Now here's the part that burns my ass on a regular basis. Hubby gets home from work at 4:00, Tiah gets home at 4:30. Tanner shows up whenever we make him. I get home at 6:00. That puts Hubby and kids home approx 2 hours/1-1/2 hours before me on a daily basis.

What do you think is one of the first things I hear when I walk in the door? What is for supper????? GGGRRRRR!!! You have been home how long before me? Sitting your ass on the couch watching stupid Judge Judy for an hour??? Then moseying around????

I have to wash clothes, do the dishes, help with homework (if it's something that I might be capable of figuring out), help Hubby on ebay and START AND MAKE SUPPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can count on FINGER how many times I have came home and had dishes done and supper at least started.

Come on guys, figure this out. You all are very capable of getting your hands wet, dumping the laundry soap in the washer, pushing the button on the dryer, picking up the overlfowing garbage and taking it out, opening the fridge and figuring out what to make for supper.

I do have to give credit to Tiah for folding about 9,000,000 loads of laundry yesterday on her day off from school. That was so nice not to have to come home and fold it!!!

Monday

2009-03-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

It's Monday.
I want CHOCOLATE!!!!!
Need I say more?

She's a star!

2009-03-26T10:12:00.000-07:00

She loves to play basketball. We don't have much for cement so we play a lot of horse and practice the dribbling on the small space of sidewalk that we do have. Our last tournament for Tiah is this Saturday. And yes, she loves to chase the ball in the mud so that it looks like she's really getting into it.

Weekend

2009-03-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

We ate.

We drank.

We shot clay pigeons.

We played basketball.

We enjoyed every minute of the beautiful weather that had finally showed up.

We were merry!!!

My Dad

2009-03-20T04:43:00.000-07:00

My Dad flew into the airport last night at midnight from North Carolina. My youngest brother picked him up as he is not able to drive right now due to some medical problems (should be back to almost normal in no time at all). They should be at my house in 4 hours and counting. I'm excited. I'll be off for a few days. Enjoy your weekend wherever you call home!!

Why did the Chicken cross the Road?

2009-03-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

To get away from the bad ass daschund that wants to eat it for lunch!!!

Awwww Come on....

2009-03-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

Do I really have to go in my kennel for the day? Look...I'll let you rub my tmmy!!

I think I feel HER pain.....

2009-03-12T10:42:00.001-07:00

Do all Men not listen?

When are you too old?

2009-03-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

When are you too old that you don't get zits anymore?
I'm 35 and still get them on my face. Not nearly as bad as I did 15 years ago, but enough that they still piss me off. My daughter will be 12 next month. She found her first zit over the weekend. I think her world came to an end. I've been trying to warn her that this will happen as I had them when I was a teenager. Hubby didn't have them very bad. Tanner has them but not too bad.

Why do we get them? What good can a zit possibly do for this world?
Is there anyone out there who can answer this question?

Note: above picture was taken from the good ol' worldwide web.

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!

2009-03-06T08:12:00.000-08:00

Today is my Hubbies 37th Birthday.
I would of never guessed that we would ever be this age. WOW!! Here is a picture that was taken at my Mom's wedding in June 2007. We don't have very many pictures of the 4 of us together, barely any pics that have me in them. I wish I had photshop so that I could doctor this picture up and make it good enough to hang on the wall.
Happy Birthday, Dan! I hope you enjoy your Johnny Cash CD set.....

She's all me!!!

2009-03-04T10:13:00.001-08:00

This is our daughter, Tiah. She will be 12 next month. She is all ATTITUDE. I have ~~no idea where she got this from~~ to say she is exactly like her Mother! They are getting out of school early today for some God unknown reason. She informs us last night that because it is a short day today, that she sees no reason that she needs to go to school. She stomped off to bed, probably with her middle fingers flying, when we told her I don't think so. This a.m. she gets up and informs us again that she doesn't need to take a shower because we obvioulsy forgot that she is staying home today with Tanner. WTF??? Since when did she get to be the parent in the family?

When this little Chicky is 16 we are soooooo in for it!!!!
And yes, we did make her go to school today.
(she took the pic of herself, that's why it's blurry)

The Bachelor

2009-03-03T07:23:00.001-08:00

Damn!!
Never watched the show.
Never had any inkling to watch it.
We watched last night for the first time.
What an ass is all I have to say!

Blog Roll

2009-02-27T06:48:00.000-08:00

O.K. Ladies, I will admit it, I'm blog stupid...

What is a Blog Roll?
I see a lot of blogs asking to follow with the blog roll.

Impressive

2009-02-26T08:57:00.000-08:00

We have Thunder Snow today!!
Kids don't have school!!
Impressive!!
NOT!!!!

I'm so ready for spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poop and the 6th grade

2009-02-25T12:42:00.001-08:00

My daughter, Tiah, called me yesterday afternoon from her cell phone. The converstaion went something like this: "Mom, I'm in the school bathroom and I just puked". Because I work approx 1-1/4 hours away from where she attends school I instantly panicked. It's not easy for me to just "be there" when she needs me. "Mom, this kid in my class POOPED his pants." "What I asked, you're telling me that a kid just shit his pants, in the 6th grade?"
"Yes, he had poop all over and I puked, not because I'm sick but because of the SMELL".

I asked her when I got home what was going on with the kid. Apparently he had asked earlier to go to the bathroom. After he left the bathroom another kid went in there and it was a complete and total mess. It was all over the floors, walls. When the pooper got back to class he had it on his shoes, pants and up the back of his shirt. The teacher noticed the smell and told everyone to check their shoes and backpacks because someone had something stinky. Low and behold it was a kid.

Now, I would HATE to be the teacher who noticed this, much less hate to be the kid. Things like this will not be forgotten for the rest of his school years. I don't know if he was sick or if he was just plain ol' messed up in the head. I do know that he's got a rough road ahead of him and I feel sorry for the poor thing. Kids are very cruel these days.

Sun is shining and tax time

2009-02-24T10:25:00.000-08:00

The sun is shining, the snow is melting, COME ON SPRING!!!!
Actually it sounds like we are supposed to get another 3-6" of snow on Thursday, uugghhhhhh

Not much new to report on our homefront. We sent in our taxes last week, hopefully we can get some moolah back before too long. We are not one of the "lucky" ones that get back 6,7,8THOUSAND dollars. Never have gotten that kind of money back. Hubby and I are in the middle class and I think we are getting the short end of the deal.

We pay our bills on time, are not on unemployment (as of yet), and support our two kids. Including our 16 year old who can NOT find a job in our area. Then the government still wants more of our money at the end of the year. I don't get it, I just don't get it. If we were unemployed, behind on our bills, had a few more kids then we would qualify for more help. Make sense, I DON'T THINK SO!!!

Sorry for the rant, but this just pisses me off!!! I'm sure I've offended people who are unemployed and not by their own choice, but this rant was not meant towards you. It's meant towards the ones who don't WANT to find a job, the ones who don't get married to their babies fathers because they get back $10,000 each year (yes, I know someone who is in that exact position and their oldest kid is 12 years old), the ones who keep having babies because they get more help from the State!!!!

Saturday afternoon naps!!

2009-02-23T11:57:00.000-08:00

I don't know who is more tired, Hubby or the hounds?

Here ya go

2009-02-23T08:23:00.000-08:00

Here are the directions I got from Hallie over at Wonderful World Of Weiners on how to do the "line thingy"!!!

Go to the HTML tab when posting and put ~~before the word or phrase you want to line out and~~ after it.

And it works!!! She Rocks!!

Well, that didn't work quite right did it, lets try again....

Go to the HTML tab when posting and put
"<" then type del, then use the ">" (DO NOT USE THE PARENTHISIES) before the word/phrase you want to line out. Next put "<", then a /, then the word del, then put the ">" right after the word/phrase.

TWILIGHT

2009-02-20T07:10:00.000-08:00

Need I say more....
I'm hooked!!!
I can't believe I'm just getting around to reading this book.
Do ya think the boss will notice if ~~I'm reading my book~~ working so very hard on this Friday?

Help me

2009-02-19T11:58:00.000-08:00

Can someone please tell me how you type something and then put a line thru it?

~~Testing~~.....Yeah, I did it. Thanks to Hallie for bringing me up to par!!!

Yeah, not for me....

2009-02-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

Now, I might be some what a rebel, but I don't think I can ever and I mean EVER do this.....
Go and check out The Hillbilly Housewife for more ideas

To make your own sanitary napkins you need the following supplies:
A sewing machine with a zigzag stitch.
Flannel: Old flannel shirts & baby blankets work beautifully but new flannel works fine too. Be sure to wash it in hot water before using to prevent shrinkage.
Thread
Snaps or Safety Pins
Scissors
The Outer PadBegin by printing both of the patterns and cutting them out. The Inner Pad is a large oval. The Outer Pad is actually 2 patterns in 1. With the long straight side extended, it is the topside. You will need to cut 2 of these. With the long straight side folded in, it is the bottom side. Place the straight edge on a fold of fabric and cut 1 of these. Look at the pictures for examples.
Make 1/2-inch hem down the long straight side of each of the 2 top pieces. Straight stitch or zigzag stitch this hem, as you prefer. Now arrange the 2 upper layers of the outer pad over the lower layer. The front hems should overlap slightly, or by about 1/2-inch.
Zigzag stitch around the outside twice. If desired you may straight stitch down the dotted lines shown on the picture to the right. This allows the inner pad to fit more securely inside the outer pad and also makes folding the wings a bit handier.
Some women apply a snap or button to the wings at this time. Place them at points "A" in the illustration. Velcro is not advisable because it has a tendency to chafe. Personally, I don't like to go through all the work of applying snaps or buttons so I use a safety pin instead. Large diaper safety pins work beautifully for pinning the wings together. To the right you will see a picture of the pad pinned closed. The wings fit around your underwear just like disposable pads with wings. Some women wear the pad with the pocket seam facing down, next to their underwear. Other women prefer the pad placed with the seam-side next to their skin. Try it both ways to see which you prefer.

And so on and so forth.....

You've got to read this...

2009-02-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

PLEASE stop over and visit Marilyn today.

Be prepared and don't have anything in your mouth that could possibly come shooting out and make a mess on your computer screen. This is just way too good not to pass on and on!!!!

My New Best Friend....

2009-02-17T06:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new best friend....WALGREENS!!
With money getting tight all over the place, and wages not quite covering everything anymore I've been shopping around for the best prices on things. Up popped WALGREENS.
We've been cutting coupons, comparing prices, using rebates and it seems to be paying off. We went to Walgreens this past weekend and I ended up saving over $30.00 on stuff that I normally would be buying at Walmart and never 2nd guessing it. Big pat on the back for me!!!

Hmmmmm

2009-02-13T10:05:00.000-08:00

Damn, I bet that Flower truck that just drove by here with their head down, straight ahead was actually supposed to be stopping here for me!!!

A girl can dream can't she???

Welcome Home!!

2009-02-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

Please give a big welcome home to our newest addition....ROMEO!!! Our new weiner dog. Romeo is 7 years old. He left his former home due to his typical weiner dog attitude. With regret and tears, they decided that Romeo would be better off in a home with no small children. They have a toddler, one on the way, and plan on maybe having another one, plus a 8 year old (Romeo had no problem with the 8 year old). He did excellent last night, no accidents and fit right in with the chaos we have. He warmed right up to Dan and Tiah, Tanner wasn't home until late so they didn't get to really meet.

Am I the Only Parent......

2009-02-10T06:34:00.001-08:00

Do you see that up there? Do you see that stretch of green above the waist line on his pants? Am I the only parent that has to deal with seeing their sons boxers every day?????

Why can't he just wear his pants where they look decent? Saggy butts must be back in style.

(I had to bribe him to get his picture taken) Maybe I should let his friends in on the blog!!!! :)

And please don't look at my clothes baskets in the background, I really hate folding and putting away laundry!!!

The Barn

2009-02-06T06:49:00.000-08:00

See that barn up there? That is our barn. It's one of the things that made us buy our acreage. We had rented for a VERY long time. This was the first place we looked at it and we both knew it was what we wanted. The barn is in EXCELLENT shape. It's over 100 years old. Right now we 1 chicken in it and our barn cats. The barn cats haven't been out lately. It's just too darn cold. This weekend we'll have to get the doors open and pry have to do some clean up. The cats can get outside in the back, there is a door open.

We've (and when I say we've I actually mean the bank) owned this acreage for two years now.

Wednesday laugh!!

2009-02-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

(Here’s the reply the teacher received the following day)

Dear Mrs. Jones,
I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn’t show me dancing around a pole. It’s supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in. Sincerely,Mrs. Smith

I copied this from carrielt. What a riot!!! Stop on over and give her a shout!!

So....

2009-02-03T07:50:00.000-08:00

So...What do ya think of my new look????

Thanks to Marilyn for doing it up for me!!! She obviously has more computer know how then I do :)

As the parents of a 16 year old....

2009-02-02T09:16:00.000-08:00

Hubby and I have come to expect things out of our 16 year old son.
He met one of those expectations over the weekend.

Friday night, Snoopers decided to let me know that our cell phones were beeping/buzzing. I got up to see what was going on. Grabbed my cell phone and saw that I had 7 missed calls. In my sleep induced brain it did not register that I should pry listen to my voice mails first and that some of the calls were from other people besides TTW. It was after 11:00 and I had been sleeping for well over an hour. I called TTW back and asked him What's up?
Apparently a lot had been happening while we were snuggled in bed for the night. TTW and his buddies were in a neighboring town and had gotten pulled over for the the buddies tail gate being down on his truck and stuff flying out of it.
TTW and one buddy got Minor Consumptions and the other two got Minor possession. THANK GOD the driver was not drinking and was allowed to bring everyone home to face their parents. TTW blew a .023 for his breath alayzer. According to him he had only taken one swig of Black Velvet.
Between the phone calls from TTW, Mother-in-law, sister-n-law, brother-n-law and the Sheriffs office we were well awake for a while. :)

Hubby and I both got tickets at his age for the same thing (Hubby got way more then just one), we didn't get on him too much about it. He is grounded and I'm glad to know that at least they were smart enough to have someone sober driving them.

Done for another year!!

2009-01-30T08:56:00.001-08:00

Weight...check (everything possible was taken off )

Height...check

Ears...check

Eyes...check

Lungs...check

Lady Parts...check and Double check.

You see, I was lucky enough to have an intern gal along with my Dr. My Dr. asked me if I would be willing to let the intern do ANOTHER exam because I'm an "easy" one. Now, was I supposed to take the term "easy" as a compliment or not???

Was not happy with the weight, I think there scale is WAAAAAYYYYYY off!! Yep, that must be the case....

You can see by the pics that I was in a very cute room, my new lady Dr was excellent and spent time with me going over things.

Believe it or Not!!!

2009-01-29T06:56:00.001-08:00

Guess who?? Yep, you guessed it. Kevin Costner!!!
He was in a very small town, population of 250, yesterday afternoon. This town is called Leland, IA. It's about 25 minutes away from where I live. My girlfriend knew he was going to be there and went and saw him play. They couldn't get into the barn where he was playing at, but went into the only bar in town and he showed up there, played 3 songs for them and got back on his bus. Never do you think in small town IOWA that you will see celebrities, but it does happen, yes indeed!!!!

Winter Blues....

2009-01-27T07:55:00.000-08:00

It's been so long since we have woken up to a day when it's actually above ZERO!!!
Today, finally, is a day that the sun is out and looks like it may stay out for a while.
We are living in a frozen tundra, looks like we are not the only ones who are freezing our ass's off.

I've been super busy at work trying to get my year end payroll stuff completed before the 31st. The company I work for has slowed way down and I don't think we are the only ones in this position. I've been lucky that I'm in the office and have not been laid off lately.

Going to see the Dr today to see if my lady parts are all in order. I had to switch to a new dr this time as my old Dr left the area. What a hard decision a gal has to make when that time comes. My last Dr was a man and he delivered both of my kids. This time I'm going to a lady Dr who is the Dr of many of my friends. At least I have to open wide for someone who knows how it feels!!!!

Oh yeah, always a treat to see how much weight I've gained in the last year :( and Yes, I shaved my legs for her!!!

Am I the only one out there who takes off her socks also, while in this position???

Vintage Kitchen

2009-01-22T08:36:00.001-08:00

Slowly, very slowly, we're taking down our old kitchen decorations and re-doing the kitchen vintage style. Mabe not even vintage, maybe it's antiquey?? Anyway, we're shopping in antique stores, etc to find things to put into the kitchen.
This is a shelf that I have above my stove. The Cracker tin was bought last weekend, it's one that is tin. I can remember my Grandma having them when I was a wee little girl. Next to that I have some of her old cookie cutters. On the very end I have a brown bowl that is from the 70's, I really like it. I have one that almost matches it on the stove, as you can see. Soon I will be replacing the other items with new/old stuff that I find.
Hanging on the pegs of the shelf I have old kitchen utensils. I need to find one more to fill up the middle peg. You'd think it would be easy to find just one more, but I all I can find so far is what I all ready have. Sometime when I feel ambitious I'm going to paint the words Mamas kitchen to actually match the wall color.
Up above our kitchen cupboards I have about an 10" space between the cupboards and the ceiling. I have old velvetta boxes up there, old spice tins, another cracker tin, many glasses that have animated cartoon characters on them. I remember getting them from Hardees, McD's, etc. I also have some old cheese wood crates (they are about the size of Velveeta boxes).
I've started collecting Fiestaware on ebay. WOW!!! Does some of that stuff get spendy. It's going to take me a while to get enough dishes to actually have enough for family suppers.

Supper

2009-01-20T08:56:00.000-08:00

Ever have one of those nights when you don't know what to make for supper? Don't really want to cook, don't really want to do the dishes and live in the country so going out for supper is not something that is feasible on a work night? Well, I had one of those nights last night. I decided on tacos, quick and easy and plenty of leftovers!!! See my green bowl. I LOVE IT!!! I have two green and one pink. We picked them up at the Salvation Army, wish I had the whole set. They are so me!!!

I better not forget PW's chocolate cake for dessert!!! It's too die for. I try and make it a couple of times a month and boy oh boy does my hind end know it!!!

Pic of the past

2009-01-16T08:35:00.000-08:00

Oh, my, my, my...This is Hubbies graduation picture. What a HOTTIE!!!!!

We were going thru pics over the weekend. I found this adorable one of my Grandpa and me. My Grandpa is in a nursing home now and not doing the best. It will be for the best when he leaves us. He's waited for almost 15 years to be with my Grandma, who if I may say so myself, was one HELL OF A WOMAN!!!!! Miss her with all my being.

School Days

2009-01-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

Today is the 4th day this week that my kids have not been in school. Monday they were in school for two hours and have had no school since then either because of the snow or the very frigid temperatures.

Do you think either one of them could manage to do the dishes, laundry, ANYTHING??? Nope!

TTW has frostbite on his cheeks from snowmobiling. He has one spot on each cheekbone that is purple and scabbed over now. Lets hope it doesn't scar.

That's about it in our frozen tundra. Later gators!!!!

Snow Day..

2009-01-12T06:50:00.000-08:00

Home on a snow day today.
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the whatever, whatever is delightful!!!

I'm home today from work, the weather is starting to get nasty and I don't want to get stuck at work. Kids are in school (this is the first time that our school is on and everyone else is off for the day, Normally our school is the first one to call late or off). Hubby is leaving work soon to head on home also.

We'll all be settled in for the day....Good day to curl up with a blanket, a good book and Snoopers!!!!

Oh yeah, before I forget...We are trying to become foster parents for dachshunds, wish us luck!!!!

Friday Ramblings...

2009-01-09T07:19:00.000-08:00

These are my boots that I wore when I was little. Too cute, huh? My Grandma kept them for me al l these years. What a woman she was!!! I have them on a shelf in our bedroom. (Note, I need to find a cutesy, western shelf for them).I think we bought these picture framses at an auction one year. They had some really ugly sailboat pics in them. We tore out the sailboats then Hubby took some ol' barb-wire out of the grove and made these for me. I think they look totally awesome!! The frames are old barn wood, hard to tell in the pics (I really have to learn how to use this new camera right). Oh yeah, I have two walls painted in the bedroom, as you can see above, have to find the right color to finish painting the other two walls. I'm thinking some kind of cream/oatmeal color.....
We don't have a closet in our master bedroom. When the old owners added on they never put in a closet. That is the goal for this coming summer. We have some friends who are tearing down their barn. We're hoping to use that wood to build the closet, so the whole bedroom will have an old/western/vintage theme going.

Here is my "little bad ass" doing what he does best. Babysitting his baby. He loves his baby and doesn't go very far without it.

I took this picture yesterday morning on the way down our driveway to the bus with TDW. This pic proves that I really have to learn how to use the different settings on the camera. Maybe that will be a project for the weekend.

Nothing about nothing

2009-01-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

Snoopers getting ready to go in his kennel for the day. Look at him, does he not look like he's saying...Do I have to go in there all ready, I'll be a good boy!!!"

Here's what we had for Breakfast this a.m. They were orange rolls by Pillsbury. If you have not tried them, I wouldn't. Much too sweet and just not very good. The plain ol' cinnamon ones are so much better.

TDW after confirmation last night. Notice how well she matches. We have an orange hunting cap, yellow and green striped tights, pink sweatshirt with a green shirt underneath. That's my girl!!!!

Breakfast of Champions II

2009-01-07T08:03:00.001-08:00

I had planned on trying to eat healthier for the new Year. I've gained a few pounds this last year and I'm not happy with that. So, what did I end up having for breakfast today...Yep you guessed it...It's PW's homemade chocolate cake. And may I tell everyone that this cake is too die for. If you have not made it, go ahead try it. I promise you will have to restrain yourself not to eat it all in one sitting by yourself. Try to share it with the family, they will be in your debt forever...

Breakfast of Champions...

2009-01-06T06:41:00.001-08:00

Up at 3:00 A.M. mixing dough and letting it rise!!!

Popping them in the oven for my children to eat a nice, homemade, healthy, made with love breakfast....

Whipping up some homemade icing to frost those made with love cinnamon rolls.....Awwww Shucks who am I kidding, these are Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, pop them in the oven and let them do the rest!!!! But they sure look good and tasted even better.

Redneck Deep Freeze

2008-12-31T05:45:00.000-08:00

Here is what our freezer looks like after we picked up our two deer from the locker. Pretty full huh?

Now, see that green corner sticking out of the snow? That is our "Redneck Deep Freezer". We do not have an extra freezer to use. So...this year we took rest of the deer meat and put it into a cooler and stuck it in the snow. Lets hope we empty out the freezer in the house before spring decides to show up!!!

Not much new

2008-12-29T10:13:00.000-08:00

Great Grandma getting "jiggy with it". Thank God it's a blurry picture, she pry wouldn't be happy if she saw this on here!!!

I think she digs the new camera~~

TDW doing who knows what with the camera!!!

Not much to report in this part of the world.

Christmas has been here and gone for another year.

My Grandma did give me her Cannon Powershot S50 because she had gotten a new one, so now I should be able to take some cool pics. Well, as soon as I learn how to use it that is!!!

Snow is melting making everything look drab and dirty.

How nice it would be to have the grass turn green and be 80 degrees outside!!

Happy Anniversary

2008-12-23T04:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary Hubby!!
Today is our 14 year celebration!!
We've been together almost 20 years now, hard to believe I've been with him for over 1/2 my life!!
We've had our ups and downs, but as you always tell me "We're stuck with eachother!!"
I love you.....

Monday Ramblings....

2008-12-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

Might be just a tad chilly outside!!! This was taken this a.m on my way too work after my son shoveled out enough to get my car out of the driveway on my way to work. Bless his heart!!!

OMG...These smell delicious!!

So far so good...NUMMY!! Bread is my FAV!!!

Finished product....Kinda hard and burnt!!!

Lets see how the first batch turns out....

Here are the cookies that we tried to make over the weekend. Notice I said TRIED, they aren't very good. I got these two recipes from the Pioneer Woman. Hers looked much better and I bet tasted better.

Here is Snoop in his new sweater! He's not very fond of it, but it keeps his belly dry when he goes outside.

Meredith made this tote for me. I LOVE IT!!! We have another one on the way for TTW. It's brown with pink ties on it. It's one of her presents for Christmas!

Monday Snowed In

2008-12-22T06:21:00.000-08:00

Ahhh...the joys of living in the snow.
Waiting for the plow to come down our gravel road so that I can make it to work. It snowed and snowed, then blowed and blowed. Plus we can't forget the temps. My car is at -17 degrees right now.

What else can possibly happen!!

2008-12-18T08:44:00.000-08:00

My hubby and I asked ourselves this question the other day. As many of you know (or may not know) these past few months have been a drain on the ol' checkbook. We had our well go out, our furance go out, my car needs work, house insurance is coming due, the LP tank was filled again, I'm sure there is more that I'm forgetting, plus the cost of Christmas!!

Anyway, as we are at home "civilaly arguing" about my car and what it needs work on my cell phone rings and it's coming from a restricted number. HHHMMMM!!! Not many people have my cell phone number as we just got new ones about a month ago.

"Mrs. W, this is the Police Chief from the B.C. Police Department. Were you aware that your son was involved in a hit and run accident after school today?" My blood pressure skyrocketed, my head started to pound, my eyes started to shake along with the rest of my body. As the Police Chief is talking to me I'm SCREAMING at the top of my lungs for TTW to get his ASS down here and tell me what the "F" is going on. Meanwhile my hubby is looking on really not for sure what is being said to me. TTW is telling us that he didn't hit and car, blah, blah, blah, and that if he would of hit a car he would of stopped. Mr. Police Chief is asking us whether or not we would like to come to town now and take care of this or wait until the morning!! WE ARE ON OUR WAY NOW!!!!

Apparently TTW stopped to put air in his tire. School had gotten out early, he was with a buddy (they were all hyped up cuz no school and the snow) TTW backed into a vehicle and cracked their bumper. So he says he still doesn't realize he did it. The gas station had a guy who saw him do it and we measured the marks on their bumper and they do match up with TTW's bumper. He does not have any paint on his bumper but he drives a 1979 Blazer and the bumper matches up with the marks on their car.

We went down to the local fuzz, got the peoples name and address. TTW did NOT get any sort of ticket out of the deal. Mr. Police Chief could of gotten him for Hit and Run, leaving the scene of an accident, etc. Plus TTW is only 16 and is driving on a restricted license. We owe that man!! The couple whose car he hit was very understading and don't even want to report it to insurance if at all possible. We talked to them for 45 minutes. SO, we're waiting for the estimate to come back. WE will be paying for it out of pocket if the estimate is low enough. Notice I said WE, TTW does NOT have a job. He has agreed to sell his compound bow on ebay, so we listed it for him.

On top of that we've had school issues going on this week with him and have FINALLY had it. TTW has gotten every privelage taken away and will have to earn them back.

Oh yeah, I guess that morning another girl at school, slid into TTW's blazer and damaged the rear tail light.....WHAT ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snoopers can't wait for Christmas!!

2008-12-18T08:01:00.000-08:00

Check out this video. I can't wait to see Snoopers at Christmas time. I never even thought about him until I saw this video!!!

Winner

2008-12-17T07:17:00.000-08:00

I'm a WINNER!!!!
Check out the blog of The Cotton Wife for some good entertainment!!!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

2008-12-15T07:58:00.000-08:00

This is what my car showed when I left home this a.m.

This is what it showed when I got to work approx 45 minutes later!!!

AND THIS IS WITHOUT THE WINDCHILL!!!!!!!!!!

Time for bed...

2008-12-14T10:21:00.001-08:00

Step 1: Grab your baby (this is a pig beanie baby that he carries with him everywhere. He licks it, takes it outside)

Step 2: Start to paw your way into the blankie that has been so graciously offered for you to lay in. Note, if you can't get it just right someone will left it up for you to crawl into.

Step 3: Time to get buried.

Step 4: Make sure they are still out there waiting for me to settle in

All settled in for a long winter night!!!

A Giveaway.....

2008-12-12T04:19:00.000-08:00

Check out Meredith for a giveaway. Pretty cool for those of you who have a young daughter in the house or know someone who does....

Wed Ramblings

2008-12-10T10:12:00.000-08:00

Here is Snoopers getting ready to run from me this a.m. because he knew it was time to head for the kennel for the day while we're gone.

Here is Snoopers in his new sweater.

Meet Jack. He's our inside cat. He's 4 years old. Notice the "Hitler" mustache that he has. I think he's a little overweight. He doesnt' do much.

So, you want to know my talents, what I'm good at....hhhmmmm...I'm not big into bragging up myself. I'm just me!! I'm a good Mom (though they don't always think that). I might have to say I'm good at decorating our house (though some may say that it's just not true). Oh wait...I know one thing I'm good at... BARGAIN SHOPPING!!! I love to shop at second hand stores, I LOVE the Salvation Army store, I LOVE garage sales and auctions. I don't have any so-called talent. I can't sing, can't draw, can't sew, crochet, or knit (but I really would love to learn to knit and crochet). Oh yeah, I'm a good cook and getting to be a good baker (Thanks to the Pioneer Woman)

My Christmas Present to Me

2008-12-10T07:23:00.000-08:00

Go and check out Meredith on how to get one of these bags for your own. I LOVE IT!!! I'm going to get a brown one with "Oatmeal" colored strings!!! How cool is this? I wish I had talent to be able to do someting like this.

Look what we woke up to....

2008-12-09T07:43:00.000-08:00

These are the only outside decorations that we have up. I think they look nice though. I bought the lights at the Salvation Army for $1.00 (I LOVE THAT PLACE) I think they are not supposed to be used the way that I did, but they look pretty cool drapped over the railing. The wreath in the middle was picked up at an auction for $2.00. I'm all for being thrifty!!!!

Hubby's tracks after leaving this a.m for work.

This was taken this a.m. when I went out to start TTW's blazer so I could take it to work. No way was my Grand Prix going to make it out of the garage. Notice my decorations on the garage wall, my hubby thinks they look tacky, but I love it.

This was the scene outside our door after my hubby shoveled so that "My little Bad Ass" could go out and use the bathroom. Needless to say, Snoopers was not impressed with the situation at all. Anyone who has a weiner dog knows the "look" that I received as he had to squat in the snow.

My Little Bad Ass

2008-12-08T12:18:00.001-08:00

Here he is!!!

Em....this one is for you...Frozen dog in WI

Sunday

2008-12-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

Well...The weekend is almost over and it's cold and snowing in our part of the woods. Actually I think cold would be putting it midly. The windchill today is supposed to be 5 to 10 below zero. It was opening slug (deer) season in Iowa this weekend, way to cold to be out and about. Pa was out for a little bit yesterday morning (what's with these guys when they want to leave the house way before dark, sit in the cold and wait, and wait, and wait for a deer to come by) when TTW called and said they had a doe and Pa could tag it so the boys could hunt more over the weekend. We now have a deer hanging in the shed. That will help the ol' freezer out for the winter months.

Friday night we had TDW Christmas concert. When we got home from that we realized that our furnance had decided that it had enough of the cold weather and was going on vacation. Needless to say we had to call the fix it heater man and have him come out. We need a new blower motor, he's gonna order it. He rigged it to blow constantly for now. So...this past month we've had to fix the well, fix the furnance, I've been laid off (more weeks to follow as I was told last week) Christmas is right around the corner. I guess the only good thing to say is that at least gas prices have fallen dramatically and we can once again afford to drive back and forth to work. It's $1.69 here in our part of the world.

Myself and TDW got haircuts yesterday. I cut 7" off of my hair. I haven't had it this short in 10 years. I FINALLY found a card reader that will read our digital camera cards. Now our CD drive has broke, so I will have to take the pics/software/card reader to work and download from there. Soon enough you'll have up to date pics of our life.....

Ta, ta for now ladies.....

Awwww...Shucky Darn.....

2008-12-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

Look...I'm cool for the very first time in my life!!! YEAH!!!
Thanks to Kel for the nomination.

So...Anyway, here's what Ya gotta do next....

The rules for this award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you

3. Nominate 10 other blogs (or however many you can do while you're sitting at your desk trying to look busy so the boss man doesn't see ya)

4. Add links to those blogs on yours

5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

And the Nominees are......(Here is where you imagine me on stage, high heels, skinny little black dress, blonde hair not a hair out of place, yeah that's me all right)

1. Em (One of my bestest buddies)
2. Tiffany (One awesome chicky, even though I still don't know who Edward is)
3. Hallie (She loves weiner dogs also)
4. Mama of Romance (She rocks)
5. ManicMariah (She Rocks too)
6. Tanya (sis n law)

Have at it chicky poohs!!!

Tag, you're it!!!

2008-12-02T04:15:00.000-08:00

I'd never heard of it until it happened to me! Ahhhh!!

I've been tagged. So here are the rules.

1) Grab the nearest book.
2) Open the book to page 56.
3) Find the fifth sentence.
4) Post the text of the next two to five sentences.
5) Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one.Pick the Closest.
6) Tag five people to do the same.

It had to begun to snow outside. It was the first snow since my death, and this was not lost on my father.

"I can hear you, honey," he said to me, even though I wasn't talking. "What is it?"

I focused very hard on the dead geranium in his line of vision. I thought if I could make it bloom he would have his answer.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.
Wonderful, tear jerker book....

I tag....
1. Kel
2. Em (she brought me into this)
3. Tiffany (a fellow weiner lover)
4. Allie
5. I don't think I know five people!!! LOL!!!

It's over....

2008-11-29T07:15:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is over...
Vacation/Laid off time is over...
My Mom coming to visit is over...
My clean house is over....

Anyway, we're on the last leg of having our time off from work. During the last week, we cleaned carpets, windows, floors, bedrooms, bathrooms, showers, etc...We celebrated Thanksgiving with my side of the family. My Mom, her hubby and my little sis came from Chicago land to visit. They are heading back that way early this afternoon. It's been almost a year since I've seen my Mom so it was sad to see her go.

My Mom brought me one of her old digital cameras so now (as soon as the new card readers gets here from Overstock.com) I will be able to post more up to date pictures. YEAH!!!

I should be doing some Christmas shopping online, but I think I'll just go and watch some TV. It was the Mork and Mindy Marathon yesterday...ahhhhh the good ol' days of TV land.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Aloha Friday

2008-11-21T04:20:00.000-08:00

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. Kalani @ An Island Life is hosting Aloha Friday. What's that you ask? I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

Question for they day:

Who is cooking Thanksgiving Dinner and for how many?

Giveaways

2008-11-18T03:49:00.000-08:00

I found an awesome website with lots of giveaways. It's awesome..Go and check it out for yourself. Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls !!

Oh Yeah Baby!!!1

2008-11-14T10:14:00.001-08:00

We all love giveaways and even better are giveaways that are "green."

Check it out.....How cool is this... Sage and Savy

and 90210 Organics

Aloha Friday...

2008-11-14T07:27:00.000-08:00

Today is Aloha Friday...Stop over at Aloha Friday to see what it's all about

Todays question: Do you work full time?

(Not very creative I know, but I'm trying to get my month end stuff done!!!)

Only in MN!!!

2008-11-12T08:36:00.001-08:00

Only in this godforsaken land that we call Minnesota can you have rain, sleet, freezing rain, snow on and off thru the day. Have to dive 30 mph on the Interstate to get home because the plows are not out and look over to the side of the road and see a tractor doing groundwork!!!!! Unreal!!! The farmers here are die hard!!!

Lovely Tuesday

2008-11-11T06:50:00.001-08:00

Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain...Yep, we got it all today!!! Ahhh, the lovely life in Minnesota/Iowa. Always makes for an interesting drive to and from work.

Quiet weekend in our home. TTW shot a doe with his bow. Some MN hunters had wounded it, called TTW and told him that he should go and find it. You see, we have land that we can hunt on the Iowa side of the border. The doe had ran into that land and the MN hunters couldn't cross. Come to find out the doe had been hit with a car and most of the meat was ruined. Wasted a deer tag on a badly wounded deer. Hopefully they get a couple of more this year so we can fill the freezer.

Anyone out there in blogger land have a good bar recipe? We have a family friend/co-worker who has been diagnosed with liver AND lung cancer. They are having a benefit for him this Friday night. I signed up to bring a pan of bars.

I will be laid off the week of Thanksgiving. Not good. Lets hope that it doesn't continue after that. With Christmas and heating bills coming up, that is the last thing that we need. I know we are not the only ones that are or will be in this position. What do ya do..."try to keep our heads above water" is all we can try to do. :)

Giveaway...

2008-11-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

No, not me....Check out the following....

http://www.the-giveaway.com/2008/11/searcey-designs-giveaway.html

Questins for the day....

2008-11-07T03:50:00.001-08:00

Is there anything better then a payday and it's Friday???
Anyone else out there get snow last night?
Who's started their Christmas Shopping?

"Room of Death"

2008-11-06T04:02:00.000-08:00

This is one of the many mounts we have in our house. According to Pa and TTW, this room will be the "Room of Death". Again, I tell you, TTW LOVES to hunt!!!!

Snoopers!!!

2008-11-06T03:42:00.000-08:00

+Here is a picture of my "Little Bad Ass". This was taken last Februaryish when we first got him from the rescue shelter. Thanks to Em for bringing him into my life. Hopefully ones of these days we can get some new pictures posted of our lives!!!

Hump Day!!!

2008-11-05T07:42:00.000-08:00

Middle of the week at last. Why does it seem that Monday and Tuesday drag by, but Saturday and Sunday fly by? I know I'm not the only one out there that feels exactly the same way I do.

We've had some beautiful weather here in MN/IA. Who would expect 70 degrees the first week of November? Lets hope this doesn't mean we're going to get a long cold winter.

Nice to finally have the election over. I've had enough commercials for a LONG while. The election didn't go as I voted, but what is a person supposed to do? Roll with it, I guess. Lets hope someone can get this mess straightned out. Keep gas prices down, bring the troops home, help the middle class rather then always worrying about the poverty class.

Ya know what irks me the most? Trying to keep our heads above water and then watching someone else benefit from my taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pa and I both work full time jobs. We have a nice house (well actually we don't have it, the bank will have it for another 28 years) we both drive decent cars (one is actually ours, the other one still has payments on it), we have a Harley that we are making payments on (Not a new one by far, it's a 1995/1998 something like that). We make too much moolah to get any kind of help, Pa is too proud to accept help anyway. We both work hard and pay for what we have. Do we live outside our means, maybe we do somewhat, but we don't do anything extravagent. We don't go on vacations, we don't go on shopping sprees. I've started clipping coupons (WOW, I should been doing this all along). We have nice things, not expensive things, but it'll do. Our kids have their needs met (If you ask them though I'm sure they NEED a lot more).

Why can someone else cheat the system and get away with it for years? What about those families that DON'T get married so they can get back that $8000.00 tax refund. And they BRAG about the refund to those of us who are trying to get back something rather then paying in. That's MY money they are blowing. How or why do you get back more then what you pay in? Because you choose not to get married? Because you and your significant other have different mailing address but live together? Why can they make close to what we do a year and reap in the benefits? Why can they have their kids on state medical, but my kids don't have insurance because our plans are too high at work. They get heat assistance, keep their house warm enough for shorts and we have keep the heat at 68ish and sit with blankets. That really irks me!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday oh Monday!!

2008-11-03T08:13:00.000-08:00

3:30 a.m Pa and myself are wide awake. I hate the morning after time change. It really messes with the sleep pattern. Pa has to get up at 5:00 a.m. to head to work, so we're up early enough as it is. Luckily I did get to dose on and off until I had to get up and get ready. I pry could of dozed much better if Myjah was back in her kennel. She must of been having a wild dream about running and chasing some pheasants. She kept kicking me. We did take her out in the ditch grass yesterday. Trying to get her used to being in it. She did pretty good. Was very tired after that though and ready for a nap.

TTW and I worked outside some yesterday. Took down a gate that the cows had, found the water warmer for the cats, stuff like that. We're having some beautiful weather in these parts, have to take advantage of it while it lasts.

Yesterday afternoon while watching the Vikings (kick butt they did) Snoopers and Myjah were both laying on the couch with me. I laid Snoop behind Myjah so that his legs were laying on her (they were spooning). Snoop gave me that look again, like WTF are you doing woman!!! They are getting better with each other, but we still have a long way to go. No accidents for Myjah. She really is doing wonderful. Especially considering we don't know much of her background before she came to the shelter.

Pa and TTW went goose hunting early Saturday morning. They came home with one duck. Went out bow hunting and didn't see anything worth shooting. I think it's too warm, the deer are laying low until night time. Hopefully they each get one with their bows. Our freezer is looking pretty bare.

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-31T07:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween to All!!
I was thinking this morning, the last time I dressed up for Halloween I was a trash bag. Must of been all I could find at that time. We live in the country and never have to worry about trick-or-treaters. Our kids are out of that stage also. I think TTW will be out and about tonight though, pry doing things he shouldn't be doing, but I know what I was doing at that age so I guess all we can tell him is to be careful and not do anything that will cause too much harm to anyone or anything. TDW is going out with a friend of hers, but I think they are taking the little brothers and sisters out and then will pry go thru their bags and get some candy.

We had TTW's school conferences last night, didn't learn anything that we didn't all ready know. Yes, we know he talks to much, yes we know he likes to distract others, we know, we know, we know....He's a very social kid and can talk to anyone about anything. His passion is hunting. Give that boy a chance to hunt, that's all he wants to do in life. He wants to be a taxidermist when he gets older or a guide for hunting. It's what he's good at. He has many different calls that he has in his mouth ALL the time. He's good at it and can outcall many of the guys he goes hunting with.

Myjah is doing good at housetraining. She has had a few accidents, but for the most part she's got the hang of it. When that girl has to go, she has to go. No time to stop and wait for the leash to come on, no time to get your shoes on. If you hesitate for one split second you better be grabbing the paper towels. She's come a long way in a short time. She does excellent with me when we work on the sit/stay command. She loves to jump (which is something that we all HATE) but hopefully will learn that is not acceptable. She thinks the countertops are a place where she can grab a snack. NOT!!!

I wish......

2008-10-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

That the winter months were a long way off....
That gas prices will drop under $2.00 and stay there for a long time to come....
The sun would shine everday....
That I could lose 10 pounds.....
That my job would pick up so there would be no chance of a layoff...
That I would of started my Christmas shopping last winter.....
That my Mom didn't live in the Chicago Burbs....
That my Dad didn't live in North Carolina...
That my brothers lived closer and we could get together....
That my Grandma Dee was still alive (is it possible to still have that much hurt inside of you)....
That my friends live long, happy and healthy lives....
That my kids are happy in what we have given them in their short lives.....
That puppyhood is almost over :)
I had a horse....

Hmmmm.....any chance of any of this happening???

Huntin

2008-10-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the opener of pheasant season in Iowa. Pa and TTW went out Saturday morning duck hunting. They were successful in the hunt. Saturday afternoon TTW was out pheasant hunting, no such luck for him. I think he said they saw just a few. There is a LOT of corn left in the fields yet. Saturday evening Pa went bow hunting. He saw two doe right under his tree stand. Sunday was not a good day to be out and about hunting anything. TTW went out with some buddies but the weather was not co-operative for pheasant hunting. Pa went out bow hunting last night again, just in our woods by the house. TDW was scared to stay home alone and I was just leaving work. Nothing happening last night either.

We currently have 4 pheasant mounts in our house (one is a friends who went off to college), one mallard duck, one mount of 3 blue gills and a goose sitting in a buddies freezer waiting for his time to sit on our wall. We're going to need to expand the "room of death" soon if they keep this up. Ooohh, I forgot we also have a fish on the wall, maybe a walleye (correction it's a BASS..ooopppsss), I can't remember what it is. As soon as I get a digital camera I'll post pictures.

The Weekend

2008-10-27T04:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went to Austin and picked up our new housemate. She's beautiful. We decided to name her Myjah! She's approx 6 months old and full of puppy spirit. The humane society we got her from said she was shy, etc. Well, not anymore. She has come out of her shell and is a full blown puppy. She only had one accident in the house yesterday. TDW has done a very good job of taking her outside. She sleeps well in her kennel, but doesn't like it when she's in there and we're all trying to go back to sleep. Myjah lets us know that she's not very happy about the situation. Snoopers (our dog) and Jack (our cat) have some adjusting to do. They aren't too fond of Myjah right now. We have some baby kitties outside in the barn, she thinks they are her play toys. They are just a tad too little to be played with by her yet.

Friday when Dan got home from work he found one of the outside cats in the driveway. Someone had run it over. Saturday we had a black and white cat show up. They must be hearing that we have the best cat chow around. :)

Anyway, better get the tribe up and let the dogs outside!! More later.

At Last

2008-10-24T08:01:00.001-07:00

Friday at last. And even better it's a payday Friday. I think we need more of those. Tomorrow is the day we go to get our new bird dog. We hope she is everything that we think she is. I'm sure she'll adjust fine with our family, dog and cat. She'll love it on the farm, rather then cooped up in the kennel that she's in at her shelter. I can't imagine running a shelter, I would want to take them all home and love them. Kudos to those who have the heart to do what they do for the stray animals.

Tomorrow Pa and TTW are going goose hunting and then Pheasant hunting. It's Pheasant opener in Iowa tomorrow. Maybe they'll bring home supper (not for me though). I'm not big into eating wild game. I'm getting better with deer meat but only as long as it's burger, nothing else for me.

Thanks to Em for updating my site, she's the woman!!!