Time has not helped...

I am unsure what is sufficient to post today.

I tried to find a video of what I watched that day...

I spent last night scouring youtube. Which is full of ridiculous conspiracy theorists.

I was at work that morning. I was 5 months pregnant with SR at the time.

I was at work, and passing medications that morning in the long term care facility I was working at...

As I entered the dining room to finish up my med pass I looked at the television, and this is what I saw...



One of the nursing assistants Leonard was standing in front of the television staring, and I asked what happened. He said to the best of my recollection...

"they say a plane just flew into the WTC in New York..."

I stood there for one moment and thought to myself, that is either a really bad pilot, or this is intentional....

I hurried and tried to finish my medication pass, the breakfast trays came up, I helped pass them and I positioned myself as close to the television as I could....

And then I watched this...



The dining room was white noise, no one watching the television but Leonard and I...

And when the second plane hit, I said "this is terrorism, we are under attack"...

I had tears in my eyes, and held on to my pregnant belly...

I called my Husband right away, we had a friend flying to Washington DC that day, for a meeting at the Pentagon. I wanted to know my DH was safe, and I wanted to know where our friend was.

I called my Mother who was in the hospital recovering after yet another surgery to rid her of her cancer. She was sobbing and fearful.

DH called back to let me know our friends plane was grounded in Boston.

As I watched these videos last night...I was left feeling more sick than I did on that day.

7 years...

SR school has Patriot Day today, along with the rest of America's public school children. He asked me what it was for.

I tried to explain 9-11 to them in the car on the way home from school yesterday.

It felt so strange to explain to a child who was born into chaos, why he was born into it....

I wanted to tell him, 9-11 is huge, this is why your Father has been gone for half of your life, that day has had a direct affect on everything our family has gone through in the last 7 years...

I had a hard time breaking the horrific events into a snippet of conversation. And as with all unpleasant conversations, my son tuned me out. My daughter who is 4, listened and she looked like she just heard the most heartbreaking news ever....she looked at me as if to say..."are you telling me evil people can come get me?"

And I wanted to say...

"As long as there are true patriots that understand the danger....no."

"But the moment we forget?"

None of us are safe....


And Islamic fundamentalism is alive and well, you do not have to look very far....

Watching the coverage of that day 7 years later, I watched with a heavy, heavy heart. And that same sinking sick feeling I had at that moment I watched the second plane fly into the WTC.

There is no healing after that.

thanks for the links...I think

It seems as though everyone is more excited about this eye patch thing than I am.....

I feel better, and do not think I need one. I will call the Dr. and ask the reasoning behind it.

First off, if I run around with an eye patch, injury is sure to befall me. I am a klutz with 2 eyes, and my depth perception is crap. In fact, prior to having children (and probably in the NEAR future) I required eyeglasses for driving. The bad thing about needing glasses ONLY for driving, you NEVER have them with you. So I had gotten into the habit of just wearing the darn things.

My depth perception was soooo horrid for the first 3 days, I fell, tripped, poured things wrong. It was a disaster. I had to be very mindful when wearing the darn glasses.

I got pregnant, estrogen changes your vision, whammo eyeglasses not needed. (Who knew?)

So frankly I am a bit concerned about walking about with my depth perception altered, I might end up with an injury, much worse than the initial one.

And yes I realize David Lynch made the eye patch alluring during the whole twin peaks thing, oh and Kill bill made the eye patch alluring once again...but I digress.

Anywho, I received links for eye patches today....from a couple of folks....

Thank You for thinking of me. I particularly liked the fancier eye patch, in which the seamstress also specialized in pasties....(I have a great story about a 64 year old woman that made boxes of pasties and brought them into the lingerie store I worked in at Fort Bragg) .......but this appears to be a bit burlesque...

And the other link was sent by someone who thinks I am CRAFTY, which I am not...

Biden needs more rope...

oh really?



no crying in baseball...



did he just say that?



It is like parading a drunk Uncle around...

My eye is awesome today...

The human body is a wonderful thing...

It really is.

My right eye, feels awesome this morning, like nothing happenned.

Who knew that the pain that makes one curl up in a fetal position and act like a complete pussy, could be GONE within 24 hours.

The human body amazes me.

The eye Dr. was about the calmest, most gentle human on the planet. I told him, his job would make me just puke all day.

I do not "do eye stuff"...I mean I have seen my share of eye stuff. I can clean a prosthetic eye, and all of the things that accompany that...

But watching someone get an eyelid get flipped inside out...if I had to watch I would feel as though my mind flew into a million pieces. A little eye phobic, like Bou.

So guess who gets to show up in Vegas at the mil-blog conference wearing an eye patch on speak like a pirate day?

I had metal shards removed from my right eye today!

Great, can you say the day sucked balls...cuz it did...

I went to the GP, because tri-care says I need a referral.

I went to the GP who took a small piece of metal out, put in anesthetic drops and sent me on my way to get eye drops. I also had blood taken, because indeed I had a small anaphylactic response to scallops, and may never be able to consume shellfish again...so long lobster bisque.

I drove to the bank, and then Walmart, because I had groceries to get...and hurt soooo bad I just wanted to be done.

Walmart did not have the aforementioned drops.

By the time I got into the parking lot, I was in so much pain (worse than child birth pain), that I was disoriented, couldn't see because of all of the tearing.

I actually had to ask for help finding my car, because I could barely function...seriously how absolutely humiliating is that.

So then I drove to Walgreens. Who mentioned they did not have the eye drops, after I waited for 15 minutes.

I then drove to Hy-Vee to the pharmacy.

They informed me, the drops are not even made any longer.

Let me remind you here I labored with PN at home, and drove to the hospital at 9 1/2 centimeters, with no tears.

I was in such pain, I was in tears. I was crying in my car....I was in a heap of tears, like a big baby. How ridiculous.

I called my Dr. back and read the entire office the riot act and demanded I go to an eye Dr.

I have to call SR school, and tell them I have to pick him up early. Go to the school pick home up drive to the eye Dr. with naughty children in tow.

Get my eyes dilated, gtts put in, lights shining in them..(I actually could see my own capillaries), and got yet another piece of metal removed.

Anyway....I spent from 10:45-4:00pm in the car, driving, looking for non existent eye drops, had an allergy test done, and had 2 pieces of metal removed from my eye...

In good news, how cool will I look like in Vegas with a freaking eye patch, and on speak like a pirate day to boot. I mean you cannot make shit like this up...

*I am soooo not wearing the eye patch....

Anyone know a pirate with a shellfish allergy? I mean really....

WTF?

Ok about 2 weeks ago, I was haivng dreadful eye pain...like something was in it...

It was watering almost 24-7, felt like something was in it...

I was a good nurse and irrigated it out with saline, warm moist packed it, I even plucked out eyelashes I thought may be the culprit. (try plucking out your eyelashes, it hurt way wore than getting a tattoo, but not as bad as haivng a child come out of your most blessed of spaces) No signs or symptoms of it being a stye. I was in a car accident in high school, where the damn windshield shattered and I had glass in my corneas, and it did not hurt this bad.

This morning I woke in dreadful pain...same damn thing.

Driving SR back from school into the sun was a battle. I mean tears everywhere, couldn't see a thing. So I came home and did the same damn thing. Irrigated it out, looked for eyelashes, warm moist packed it.

For shits sake.

I just had to call the Dr. like a 12 year old, and say..."het my eye is bothering me, there is something in it, I need to get in, because I cannot function"...

Seriously, how idiotic is that?

I go in at 11:30, and I promise you, it had better be something that can be fixed NOW. I do not want a damn referral to a damn eye Dr in a week....

I want this fixed.

ick....

Believe it or not

I woke this morning, not feeling too bad about not getting the job yesterday...

I felt bad yesterday...

Mostly because I had a Sally Field moment...

No, not the boniva kind. (although it is coming)

"They did not like me"...

That was the big issue.

What did I do wrong during the interview?

I thought I nailed it. I did.

I even wore hose and a skirt.

Unsure where the problem was...

So now I have to figure that out.

I think I would have been a good fit. It was not ideal, but the most ideal thing I have run across, especially with DH's hours etc.

Back to the drawing bord.

I am going to take this time and work on my resume, and finish painting...

I did not get the job....

I was antsy, and called The human Resource Office today...

yeah...they offerred the position to another party.

Back to looking...

I can no longer consume scallops...

SpouseBuzz LIVE went fantastically. The logistics were so hard this trip, as DH had to work all weekend, my Father and his Girlfriend took on the Collective with little in the way of problems. The hurricane/tropical storm Hanah, just made me nervous. I have been in some doozy of storms in my day. (Blizzards, microbursts, tornadoes, even a 100 year flood one time in Vegas) So I kept thinking, a glass hotel, and hurricane make a bad mix, especially with me in the building. Particularly when a tree flew by the window at the registration desk. So I actually spent a large part of the day secretly hoping we would be safe. However, Hanah was a lady and just kicked up a little wind and rain....

I will blog most of the conference information over at SpouseBuzz, although I will say it was so nice as usual to have fellowship with EVERYONE.

I arrived in Norfolk at 11:30pm Friday night, and made it in to my humble abode at about 11:30pm last night. I should have made it sooner, but have terrible night blindness, which makes it tricky for me to drive in the wee hours.

Tonight I thought I would make a lovely dinner for The Collective, DH and My Father and his Girlfriend, so I made sauteed scallops with garlic and onion, made a green salad.

I had a small, but allergic reaction. And of course this would happen on the way to the store to get allergy medication for The Collective (ragweed season), and garbage bags.

I was in the car, and had uterine, and abdominal cramping, became diaphertic, and flushed, all while nauseated. I had no respiratory symptoms, but it scared the bejesus out of me. ( I keep benedryl in the car, for this reason...one never knows.) It was a lousy feeling. The only thing I can think of, was it had to be the scallops....the symptoms also only lasted about 30 minutes....but ick. It was one of those things, where you think..."if I could just puke I might feel better"...

No more scallops for me. And I liked the darn things...

Last female WW I Veteran dies at age 109

Source AAP.

A 109-year-old believed to be the last surviving female veteran of World War I has died, Britain's Ministry of Defence reports.

Gladys Powers, who lied about her age to join the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps when she was 15, died in British Columbia, Canada, on August 14, although the ministry only announced her death on Friday.

Born in Lewisham in London, she emigrated to Canada at the end of the war after marrying a Canadian soldier.

Most of the service records of the women who served in World War I were destroyed during the Blitz in 1940, making it impossible to formally confirm her time in the military.

Paying tribute to Powers, Britain's Veterans Minister Derek Twigg said: "I am saddened to learn of the death of Gladys Powers who may have been the world's last surviving female service veteran from the First World War.

"Over 80,000 women served in our armed forces during that war.

"Although they may not have realised it at the time, these early women volunteers did much to break down the barriers for all those servicewomen who have come after them and who continue to serve their country today so proficiently and professionally."

Powers' death brings the total number of British remaining World War I veterans to three.

They are Henry Allingham, believed to be Britain's oldest man at 110, Harry Patch, also aged 110, and former Naval Seaman William Stone, who is 107.

off to Norfolk today...

SpouseBuzz Live is a go!

So if you are in the Norfolk, Va area we would love to see you.

Here is the schedule of the days events.

0845-0915 Registration

0915-0930 Opening Remarks

0930-0945 Virtual Tour of SpouseBUZZ and Military Spouse Network (MSN)

0945-1100 Panel One: A Humorous Look at the Milspouse Experience

1100-1130 Break (Exhibitor stroll)

1130-1300 Panel Two: Making the Most of the Milspouse Experience

1300-1315 Raffle Prizes/Closing Remarks

1315-15:00 Exhibitor Stroll

* Each attendee will receive a free gift bag
* Enter to win great prizes in our raffle!
* Meet the SpouseBUZZ authors

I will be on panel 2, and will discuss how to make the most of the Milspouse Experience.

But the best part of these events to me, is meeting the SpouseBuzz readers. The new/young wives. They are amazing! Some of them on the 3/4 deployments and doing an amazing job.


I always learn from them.

Off to organize my home, and pack...yeah still not packed.

Tough act to follow, but he led it...

I know a little about John McCain, my MIL lived in Arizona while my DH wa in Desert Storm. She loved McCain, and the way he handled Arizona's affairs.

I learned more about McCain during a day visit to the POW Museum one afternoon in Andersonville, Ga. I went alone that day. And, I had no idea what I was about to enter. That day was a profound experience for me, and my visit was timed on the same day as 3 bus loads of former POWs, were there.


As I wife of a veteran, there are challenges I know our men and women face when coming home, but I will never know what being a POW for 5 years would do to ones spirit. I can guess what it might do to my own.....and I will say I am not made of that kind of stuff...

Last night I was reminded by Palin, that McCain has done so much for each of us, he has a VESTED interest in our country.

I am not a fan of big government. Most of us are not. I believe that with hard work, people can achieve what they dream. I believe it is up to each of us to help those around us too. I do not want the Feds involved in my family decisions.

And as a wife of a veteran, I feel most confident in trusting the American Presidency to the McCain/Palin ticket.

He knows what is at risk, he knows evil, he has seen evil up close....

And he wants to protect Americans from having to live what he lived through..

I particularly loved the very last minutes of McCain's speech.

He wants each of us to LOVE AMERICA as much as he does. He wants each of us to have a hand in taking care of our country, and our neighbors.

the end of McCains speech...

If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you’re disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.

I’m going to fight for my cause every day as your President. I’m going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank Him: that I’m an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on earth, and with hard work, strong faith and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me. Fight with me.

Fight for what’s right for our country.

Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.

Fight for our children’s future.

Fight for justice and opportunity for all.

Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.

Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.

Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God Bless you.

The Bloggers choice awards are a go!

Always fun!

Wow

Palin was amazing!

The place is a buzz with phonecalls and e-mails.

My Father is voting this year, the first time since Reagan.

Why? He is recharged, and the Governor of Alaska did it, she sold a damn jet on e-bay.

We all want America to continue to be the shining city on the hill. We are not ashamed to be Americans.

My favorite segments of Palin's speech

We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.

Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge.

And children with special needs inspire a special love.

To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.

There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you ... in places where winning means survival and defeat means death ... and that man is John McCain. In our day, politicians have readily shared much lesser tales of adversity than the nightmare world in which this man, and others equally brave, served and suffered for their country.

As the story is told, "When McCain shuffled back from torturous interrogations, he would turn toward Moe's door and flash a grin and thumbs up" — as if to say, "We're going to pull through this." My fellow Americans, that is the kind of man America needs to see us through these next four years.

I cannot think of a thing that did not inspire me tonight. I sat here with my 4 year old daughter sleeping in my lap, and my 6 year old son, cheering her on.

Our family needs McCain/Palin to win this next election....because like Palin said tonight....

The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it.

Our family has tried to do our part to leave this country to our children better than we found it....

huh?

People are complaining about the media being responsible for the Obama hype stuff...

I am not really sure if the media is to blame...

I mean who actually reads US magazine?

This seems to be a community problem.

I am at the point where I think if you get subsriptions to People or US, you should not be allowed to vote. If you can name the 10 sexiest people in the United States, but cannot tell me, who your state appointed representatives are....you should be sent out of the polling place.

I am not sure if it would change what people read, but you and I would not have to tolerate their ridiculous voting decisions.

phone calls

I just got off the phone with the coordinator for the schools talented and gifted program.

the next step is an IQ test.

Seems a bit much, and part of me is nervous, but I guess it will be a tool to figure out what my little guy needs.

He is capable of so much, and part of his frustration, could be the inability to explore those things...

I guess he has been doing the tests, and haivng fun, not anxious or frustrated so far.

He enjoys challenges.

But pray for us all, we need to be making the right decisions for the present and future

the world is small, a job interview, and how my apron strings are slinkies

I had my job interview today.

Thank you for all of the well wishes, advice and concern.

I had that sick flutter feeling about 15 minutes out, from it.

10 years since my last interview.

And frankly, few interviews prior to that.

Upon walking in, I said hellos, and then hear..."I recognize that voice, it is ______."

Wow, to have a recognizable voice.

I turned and noted it was one of my nursing instructors from years past.

Wow. Small World.

She actually conducted part of the interview.

I tried to be honest about what I was bringing to the table.

I told them, my family, and their schedule was the first priority for me.

I think I answered their questions they posed to me to the best of my ability.

I tried to let tham know what skills I had, and what I was proficient at.


I will hear back in 48-72 hours.

Part of me is a little sad today, my life long goal of being a SAHM while my children were small was met. I have enjoyed every day, even the mouse trap glue, the plaster of paris, the falling in graves. I have learned so much, and would not do it any OTHER way. We have had no real schedule, other than the Mom imposed schedule. And that part of my life is over. I am no longer a 24 hour presence. And it does tug on my heart. I am no longer the one little fat feet (feet are not so little any longer) will pad to when boo boos need kissing, or the person that KNOWS everything. I share that responsibility with those in my community now.

And this next chapter, is a curious and busy one, I am sure. I look and see other women doing what I am about to do, and frankly I am amazed at the amount of juggling, the logistics of going back to work. Motherhood, is much harder than it looks, working Mothers, some of you make it look like a piece of cake.

However, SR is in school now, and PN wants to be...so off I go. It is a strange feeling. Like my apron strings are made of slinkies.

The first 6 months after my Son was born, I felt like a duck out of water, a new Mommy, and the first time since I was 15, with no full time job. I felt guilt about not "contributing to the families bank." It took a year for me to relax about not earning my keep.

What is right for some of us, is not right for all of us. None of us will ever know what the other person's road is like.

But honestly I am glad I stayed at home, my children taught me more than I could ever teach them, and I am thankful for that.....

To rest....

DH recieved sad news over the weekend...

His spiritual mentor, friend, and Brother in arms, has departed this Earth...

Chaplain David McLemore
Chaplain “Col.” David McLemore was carried from the field of battle, having gained his final victory shortly after midnight Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008. He was surrounded by his loving family his body was draped with the flag which he loved and under which he served for more than 24 years. He is walking the streets of gold with his Heavenly Father whom he served faithfully since he accepted Christ at the age of 9 at the Baptist Church in Wilmar, Ark.
David grew up in Wilmar, the oldest of four children and graduated from Wilmar High School in 1966. He received his BS in mathematics from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and a master’s in divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He served as a pastor for 36 years including 21 years as senior pastor at Second Baptist Church in Russellville.
He served as a military chaplain with the Arkansas National Guard’s 39th Infantry Brigade, retiring in 2008 with the honorary rank of general. He attended the Army’s War College in Pennsylvania in 2000 and was promoted to the rank of colonel in 2004. His first deployment was in 1990 in support of Operation Desert Storm. His second deployment with the 39th was from 2003-05 in which he served as senior chaplain for the entire 39th Brigade.
He was preceded in death by his parents, P.D. and Ellen Zirlene McLemore.
He is survived by his wife, Margie McLemore, Russellville; his son, Jared McLemore, London; his daughter, Sarah Reel, Russellville; two grandchildren, Meredith and Chase Reel, Russellville; a brother, Jerry McLemore, Monticello; two sisters, Linda Sawyer, Russellville and Karen Cherry, Summersville, W.V.; his stepmother, Janie McLe-more, Wilmar.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Second Baptist Church. Rev. Bob Parsley will officiate. Burial will be at Hudson Cemetery at Moreland by Humphrey Funeral Service. Visitation will be 6-7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home, 16502 Lawson Road, Little Rock, AR 72210.
Internet obituary and online guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.

Prayers, and condolences from our home to the homes of Chaplain MaLemore, and his family, friends, and his church family....

Your loving spirit, kindness, spirit, and service to your Country will be remembered.

Frigid...

It was 90 degrees while we were at the fair...

Right now it is a fridged 62 degrees!

Brrr...

Is fall here already?

Labor Day...indeed!

We managed to labor today.

We took some shelving out of the garage. I love DH's cordless drill.

DH and I (mostly DH) moved wall lockers to the back wall of the garage, along with the freezer.

We pulled about a 10 gallon bucket full of weeds.

Hung some unused trellis up on existing trellis.

Fixed both of The Collectives bikes. Cross fingers!!

Put PN's playhouse together, and moved it to an agreeable position in the back yard.

Went to the store, got groceries, and some more baskets for PN's pigsty.

Got woodglue, and vice thingy's to fix the leg on PN's dresser.

Cleaned PN's room.....

Everything we had on the list, well it is complete.

I also managed to buy a gray pencil skirt, and a light short sleeve cardigan (on clearance, a pretty purple color, while at Target) for my job interview tomorrow.

I have a job interview....my last job interview was like 9-10 years ago...

holy moses.

I am trying to give myself a pep talk tonight, and think about how I DO HAVE VIABLE skills...

wish me luck....(and a good hair day would be good too.)

Babygate? Whatever...

Last night, I read this it KOS.... the left saying that Palin's newest addition was actually the daughters baby. No seriously, you have to read it.

And now the announcement, that Palin's daughter Bristol 17, is pregnant.


Well now, lets see what the left does with this...

I dare say, that in our home, this is a non issue. Both sides of our families, have had its share of unplanned pregnancies. I will not start throwing names out, because frankly it is no ones business as far as I am concerned. That is a personal decision.

Do I think this sets a "great example"....no probably not. I doubt if Palin will be running around encouraging premarital relations. Can families identify with this....?

Probably.

Stay Classy Moore....

Thanking GOD for Gustav....



Tammi told me about this.....

I had to hear it to believe it.

Preparedness....

LW, does an amazing job at reminding us what it means to be prepared for an emergency.

I grew up in a home where preparedness, was built in. Immigrant farmers on one side, and a Pastor/City Marshall/fix it guy on the other.

Nothing was ever thrown out. They were green before green was PC.

We always had plenty on hand in case of an emergency.

My dear Dad, still keeps an old ringer washer handy, because you NEVER know. No electricity, does not mean you have to run around smelling like an old sock.

So go over and take a gander at the list.

Also always remember you might need some items to barter, or trade with. Booze, tobacco and firearms....always good.

There are no promises.

Also, one of our favorite publications Backwoods Home

Also, they run a military SPECIAL!!!

bah

We had a terrific time today at the State Fair...

Thing DH and I were most looking forward to...

the quilts.....

WOW.

As always, we were not dissappointed.

There were loads of them, all fantastic.

I always have my favorites though.

Bad news, my camera is on the fritz...

This after PN, adventure with it not long ago...

crap.

You would think I just threw stuff around and did not take care of it, by the looks of things here right now...

The truwk, will not come out of park...possibly an accuater.

PN's dresser leg broke in the move, we discovered this yesterday, I have to repair this tomorrow.

the bike chain keeps coming off....

the macbook got dropped, and the back hinge is wonky...

ha!

Isn't it odd that the shit is hitting the fan...

Anywho, there were a million opportunities to take great photos today.

but the quilts were amazing...

My goal was to teach myself by the end of the year. I know I will not have time to do so at this time....

However I am hoping by April!

I do not know how he managed...

DH managed to get the rest of storage building #2 empty today! Gun safes, and the heavy stuff, sans me.

I did manage to take The Collective for a bike ride, (I think this will be an amazing way for me to stay in shape) Util the freakin snow shows up...However, I bought The Collective crappy bikes from Walmart last year ...actually I made PN buy her own bike with money she had saved. (thanks Walmart, for continuing to sell stuff so amazingly cheap, that I can't leave you alone, only to take it home, and say "Oh crap those bastards ripped me off again!)

anywho the bike is an amazing piece of crap, we have been plagued with chain problems etc. I am not a mechanic, nor care to be one, and frankly I am sick of watching her have a fantastic time only to end up draggin behind me as I push the damned thing back home...



I am giving in and buying each of us one of Electra bikes.


CRAP snow...

So we are officially in the house, all of our possessions in one place.

FIRST football game of the season!!

WE missed Nebraska Football.

Even though Nebraska has had a terrible go of things since Tom Osborne left...

We were not able to get tickets, so will sit here, and consume steaks and watch the game.

Now, that is Nebraska.



The only way to be more Nebraskan, would be to do those things in a cornfield.

So excited about Palin!

I have NEWS

job interview Tuesday!

Will Obama give out government cheese with the whine...

I begged DH to let me watch Obama's speech tonight...he claimed it would make him vomit.

Yeah, don't ask me why I insisted. I seriously wanted to hear "it" before the punditry and spin started.

DH said "I thought this was the DNC, not burning man."

He kills me really.

The most peculiar thing to me. Is the fact that Obama always ends up trying to convince Democrats, to vote for his socialist ways, doing the "My Grandmother worked so hard my Mother worked so hard" story. He does it every SINGLE time.

He ALWAYS ends up with Mother and Grandma. How proud he is of them and how hard they have worked. He mentions, how his heroes are his hard working Mother and Grandmother. Then he will mention how working hard, is not fun. It is hard. Some folks have a hard time making ends meet. He does not trust anyone to take care of themselves. "Let the government help you."

It is a fundamental conundrum that confuses me.

Using a pulling ones self up by the bootstrap story to propagate socialism.

I do not get it all.

Oh and there is that little thingy where his Trinity church, let Palestinian terror groups meet there...

*Oh and I am sort of confused as to why Obama referred to Russia as our "oldest ally". Did I miss something?

the bathroom is done...

I am celebrating by grilling marlin.

sounds yummy.

Just retrieved SR from school, and he is quiet...

I should probably e-mail the teacher and find out how the testing went...

so I changed my mind...

I changed my mind this morning at the paint store...

the halcyon looked too deep...

so I got quietude.

I do not know who names paint...

and yes I am sick of it...

However, only a few more rooms to do!

I will say bathrooms suck to paint, between the plumbing behind the toilets, fixtures mirrors etc...

It is time consuming for such a small room...

Plus a bathroom does not dry fast like a great room...

So it is a test in patience.

Buying paint this morning....

Going to Sherwin Williams to buy Halcyon Green paint for the main bath up stairs today!

Need to get the darn thing done....

Testing 1,2,3...

Meeting with SR teacher went well....

DH made it in time to go.

She understands SR a little already.

The accelerated, talented, and gifted person gave SR his first grade math test today.

He scored a 98%

Looks like he is done with first grade math.

Tomorrow is second grade math.

I am not sure what they do in second grade math.

So we will see.

I also gave her all of SR's homework from last year, so she could look at it, see potential weak spots, etc.

Vodka Pundit cracks me up...

Bwah!

Not funny...threats to Michelle Malkin.

Pacifists, I never will understand them...

are they chanting peace in the background...?

Love Peace Justice?

Wow

I look like Cilla...

this is going to take some getting used to.

*sidenote...the hairdresser looked like Amy Winehouse

knowing ones limits...

I guess it depends on the time, and the events surrounding...

My tolerance is low right now.

I have decided not to go back to school in 4 days...that is just nuts...

I am going to take an online course, and then set up my own clinical...

For now, that is all on the back burner.

I am going to focus, on nesting, painting, etc...

Getting our family in a routine.

Then job. I just need to keep reminding myself of this.

Frankly, I was just trying to attack too many things at once.

DH has been here with us, for about 5 days total...maybe 4 hours at a time.

So there is that.

I have been working with The Collective with the bikes, a big deal.

Plus there is the every day things that happen...

I am downshifting, for the time being...

In good news, I get my hair colored today! and trimmed up. A new stylist...

Oh how I miss and long for my last stylist of 8 years.

I have paint in my hair, I am sure they will appreciate it.

And let me tell you, the grays keep coming!

I can see them in the rearveiw mirror! Shocking! Little gray wires poking up...

MIL thinks I should go gray like Emmy Lous Harris...seriously.

No thanks...

Tuesday Earworm...

SR room primed

Bathroom started

Priming

Today I am going to Prime SR's room.

And fill out an application...

The mornings are going smoothly here.

PN and I are still walking SR into the school.

He is transitioning amazingly well.

He comes home a little tired, and famished.

Tomorrow I get coiffed (long past due), as summer has taken its toll on my fine hair. The sun has turned it an indescribable color, even with the special summer shampoo/conditioner/ and masque I was using on it...

We meet with SR's teacher to speak with her about the plan for the year.

I did note, they offer accelerated mathemathics, and reading. Both of which he will need.

He mentioned liking art.

So all is well.

PN is getting anxious to start, and has a couple of weeks to wait.

wa wa wa....(the cartoon noise that crescendos..)

Ok folks, just got of the phone with the state board of nursing, and the college I need to take my refresher with.

The class is Tuesdays/Thursday nights...

Starting next week, until December.

Between class time, books, and clinicals...$1,000....

Not to mention the time factor and the baby sitting factor.

etc, ad naseum....

I feel like I am going through a maze right now, and keep hitting walls instead of cheese. An existential crises of sorts...

Part of me, feels like I should be hitting some sort of stride at this age...

A part of me feels as though I am a struggling toddler....

I am fortunate, I realize this...I am blessed.

but right now, I have no place to dig for reslove, I am DONE...DONE.

there is no reserve gas tank here.



none...

The great job search of 2008

I have never applied for a job, I did not have at the end of the day...

Which is pretty common as a nurse, waitress, bartender, and other various jobs I have had.

Here is where the problem lies. I have to get a job, and pretend I am a single Mother...

Why? DH is gone A LOT.

I cannot rely on him to drop off children at school, or to pick them up.

With nursing jobs, this can be rough.

Most nursing jobs are 6am-2:30, 3-11pm, 11-7am. Or the dreaded 12 hour shift 6am-6pm, or 6pm-6am. Unless I want to make $9 an hour, which frankly would not be worth my time, and most of those jobs start at 9am.... that is right when I am dropping SR off at school.

There are also NO snow days in the medical field. They will find a way to come to your home and get you there. There is also not a large allotment of sick days. They also need nurses on Holidays, and weekends.....

See the conundrum?

PN is ready for school, she is social and is longing for a "pre-school". She is a bright 4 year old, and is ready. I feel as though I owe her to not be bored with good ole Mom any longer. I tried. But frankly she is READY. In fact I am sure she is ready for kindergarten, but cannot enter because of her birth date.

I was actually looking at picking up a lunch shift at a restaurant down the road. I figured, I could live on tips for a while.

And then I got answers yesterday.....

It seems there is a nanny in the neighborhood. She is retired, and widowed and looking for some extra $.

ahhhh....relief. I was relieved, even though I have not spoke with her yet. I have a few things to clear up first.

#1. get my hands on contact hours complete.

#2. take the two job offers into consideration and pick.

It is sort of spooky to go back to work after this amount of time...

Sunday earworm

A post in which I prove I was high school entrepreneur of the year.....

In case you could not tell, after my bedroom/macbok post.

I have a case of the grouchies.

Actually I think it is a case of the PMS.

You know, I never put much stock into the idea of PMS. Never did, but the last 3 years...yowza.

Now I'm a believer.

The Collective sense I am not my lovey self, but seem to feel safe to play "lets poke her with sticks all day just to make sure she is not insane." Not a fun game. especially if you fell partially insane living with a garage with boxes staring at you, and a bedroom that is pink and blue.

My Mother had a case of the grouchies from the time she was 38-47. My sister and I refer to them as "the dolphin years." Why? Well she would just unfurl with this noise of angst when irritated. And I promise, we walked on eggshells around her. If we would have pulled the kind of poking with sticks routine that my kids try to do with me...I might not be living and typing this.

I am hoping my case of the grouchies, does not last that long.

However, tonight as I was sitting here pondering the fact that I am jobless, and have such a massive hole in my resumme..

Maybe I should open the basement room to a bunch of crazy premenstruals. I mean after all, I have spoke of this red tent thingy to death here on the blog. Native Americans used to pack a tent and leave during their "time"...they saw it as a time for rest and renewel, reflection.

So, I have decided that if I am not employed by December I am going to open the basement room up as a "The Red Tent for Premenstrual Types". Because frankly they just want to be left alone. they want a padded room, a nice bed, a basket with chocolate/and something with salt, a small tv where they can watch stupid movies that make them cry, and the book Bridges of Madison County...

I sooo think I can do that too.

It does have a catchy ring to it.

"The Red Tent for Premenstrual Types"

~when all you want to do, is not be bothered

I think it is sort of a catchy idea.

I wonder who will give me a loan?

I should probably find a male loan officer with a 38 year old wife who is grouchy.

I am a beige person...

I also like vanilla ice cream, and white pressed shirts, levi jeans that are worn with holes.

boring.



However here is the after and before of the dining room paint

fried?

A padded room?

OK...

so tonight, whilst I am on the phone, my son who has permission to use my Macbook (only because I do not have the PC hooked up, picked it up...tripped over a basket(Pink ninja left lying in the middle of the floor), and dropped it...

something is all wonky with the hinges now.

I have an extended warranty on the thing...but really, I am unsure if it covers this sort of thing...

Kids....

I mean it was unintentional, but really.

Can't they leave a few of my possessions alone. After all they had my uterus.

I have a couple of strange rules here at the house. (Which I have not come up with a name for by the way) I have a standing rule, that is no children in my room. I just do not like the only 13 feet I have left in the universe, invaded and sticky etc...I want the bed to look made, and no toys. I want a room that looks like a hotel room. It is selfish, but it has been that way since I stopped nursing them. I prefer them in their own rooms.

Oh they make their way in here, I promise, I will catch one or the other jumping on the bed, or wrestling in it...

It drives me loony toons.

Hotel room means nice linens, no cleaning, a mint under your pillow and room service. It may sound weird, but I needed a restful place like that.

I actually love my bedroom, the bedding, the furniture. It is by far the loveliest room in the house. Well except for this crappy paint right now.

However, upon moving in, my DH announces that he hates the bedroom linens.

Really, he said that.

They are gorgeous. They are mink colored imported Italian 1,800 thread count linens. Just the Duvet, and the 2 pillow shams, all else is cream colored. What is to hate about that? Seriously.

So I have been on the search for non brown bedding.

Part of me thinks I should just buy something really fluffy, and floral, not me and make DH think, "I guess the brown was not so bad after all."

But I have been consulting him.

I have found one option i am willing to change for, because i was that in love with the current state of things...

For Gods sake I even had lamps that went with, curtains and everything.

And now they violated the macbook...

ughhh

Can a woman get some peace?

There is a room in the basement, that no one wants right now. It is an empty 4 by 10 unfinished room. A cement floor, and walls. I am seriously considering moving, the brown bedding in there, padding the walls, and taking the computer in with me. Maybe I can pad the walls, move in a small bed, my computer, and a teeny fridge full of food I do not like to share. Like chocolate, coconut ice cream, cashews and the like.

No one would ever suspect me hiding in there.

SR says...

So I picked up SR today from school, I asked the teacher how he did today.

I guess he needs to work on listening.

They were having a fire drill, and when he heard the bell he took off like a shot.

I told SR, that he needs to follow directions, and he said...

"What if it was REAL FIRE, I am not standing in line."

I could not argue with that sort of logic, but explained to him, that he could have run right into it, so stay together!

Geesh

In other news, there is a Dr. that works with the Teachers college here in town. She specializes in gifted children. I took a chance, picked up her book, and sent off an e-mail. We have been having a dialogue today. Maybe she can give me some tips.

HA...

Look who is a Mommy Blogger now?

She even blogged about poop and breast milk...

ha

Bored...

SR has made it clear to me that he is already bored with school. He told me they are doing pre-k work.

They are not I assure you.

I think the teachers are reviewing skill sets from last year to ensure all of the children are on the same page. She is also trying to establish a routine. So the children know what to expect.


I have always known my son was ahead of his peers. I have not pushed things, I have tried to nurture his skills. But I have never pushed. He can be intense, and a worrier. I try not to add to those things.

Most of his challenges last year, were "learning the rules". Interacting with his peers in an appropriate way.

However on day one of school, he came home to tell me he is bored in math. Yesterday he told me they were writing the letter A.

Fast forward to last night. First grade open house.

I read through the curriculum for the year. He already knows it. Which says nothing about anyone else or what a normal 6 year old can do.


I just KNOW, they will have a problem with him, if he is bored. (the teacher informed me that he jumped off a desk in the classroom yesterday, he had to go to the thinking area, the new time out). He knows better. So he was having trouble controlling his impulses, trying to wow his peers, or trying to get attention is my guess. Heck perhaps it was all 3.

I stayed after the meeting to talk with the teacher. I tried to explain to her, that I have always know he was bright, but I was surprised at how far ahead he is, after looking at the cirruclum. I explained that SR can multiply, and divide some numbers, he can read cursive hand writing, he can also read most words. He has been sight reading since the age of 18 months....he enjoys the abstract, he enjoys mechanisms, he can count change.

I warned her that he is bored, and it will be a long 2 weeks, if he is not challenged soon. They do have an accelerated program, and I think he may be a candidate.

She did mention that he seemed hyper, and mentioned Dr. in the same sentence. I told her he has incredible focus, IF he is engaged.

I would be bored to if someone asked me to write the letter A.

I think some of his behaviors are clearly boredom now, I think he is also having trouble interacting with his peers because their interests are not his. He does interact much better with older children and adults. Most adults I know do not like interacting with people that do not have the same abilities or interests.

This should be an interesting year.

I sent the teacher an e-mail last night requesting a meeting, and suggesting he be evaluated for an accelerated program.

Soon....

*also he has taught himself how to play Englishman in New York by ear last week. He only uses one finger but still....

Cilantro

DH's Aunt made pico de gallo when were visiting about a month ago.

It was the BEST!

BEST I swear.

Cilantro is the key!

It is easy...

2 cups diced very ripe tomato
1 cup diced Spanish (purple) onion
6 - 10 jalapenos, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp salt (or garlic salt)

* Dice 2 large, very-ripe tomatoes and 1 large Spanish onion into 1/4" cubes.
* Chop jalapenos, garlic and cilantro.
* Mix all ingredients and refrigerate at least six hours.
* Keeps refrigerated for 4-5 days.

Variations - Add any or all of the following:

* 1 tbsp lime juice
* 1 habanero
* 1/2 can whole kernel corn
* 1/2 can black beans

Paint part 2...

So after noting it was not me and the paint...

Dad is having a stroke, I stayed calm, and said....

"let me do this...it is the closest hardware store, we have dropped a ton of money in there..."

So I called Menard's told them the problem, they were "whatever, no one has ever complained before"

So I load the heart patient who is likely to have a stroke, in my car (My Father NEVER swears, and actually used the F word!)

We go in, and request the manager.

We beg him to hop in the car and look at it.

We explain the situation. Now understand here, I can show my ass with the best of them, I just figure I would try and handle this in a calm manner."

The Menards manager suggested that we get different paint from them.

I was like..."Are you freaking serious, I would not trust you to mix paint ANY longer, your paint quality is poor, I am going to Sherwin Williams like I normally do."

"Dude, the problem is not the paint, or the cost of the paint, it is OUR TIME. We painted for like 8 hours...2 people 8 hours."

Menard's manager: "Well what can I do to make this right?"

AWTM: "Well I do not trust you to mix my paint, would you?"

Menard's manager: "Probably not."

AWTM: "Can we get a gift certificate to make up for our time?"

Menard's manager: "I can't do that?"

AWTM: "Oh really?"

Menard's manager: "What I can do is give you my card, if you need something, let me know, you will have a standing discount. Call me, and I will take care of you."

AWTM: "I do not think this will work for me, I do not want to walk in here and explain this ever again, and I frankly do not trust you to follow through."

Menard's manager: "No we are good, get what you need to replace your painting supplies."

AWTM & Dad: (Go shlep and get supplies, not many I did not want to be greedy. I got 3 rollers, 4 paint tray liners and 1 new brush for cutting in.)

We then schlep off to Sherwin Williams, take the shade we want there and try to match it with one of theirs.

I get one 4 gallons of Cashmere paint, in kilm beige.

I take them home. I put 2 rollers on each wall to test the color.

It is too light.

So I load up and drive clear across town, back to Sherwin Williams with paint in tow.

I pick a new shade. Pavillion Beige.

I take 1 gallon home, and leave 3 behind.

I put the paint up and decide it is correct.

I take SR to First grade open house(another post altogether)

I call Sherwin William's to mix the other 3 gallons.

I pick it up, arrive at the house, and Dad and I paint until 10:30pm.

oye.

Paint is lovely, and the finish is so soft, it loks like you could put your hand through the wall.

Anywho, fast forward to yesterday morning. I need different try liners,(the previous ones did not fit the trays I had purchased there when I bought the paint, and they do not sell liners for the trays I bought...go figure) and more rollers. (ain't washing rollers...no thanks)

I stop in at Menard's, I call the manager to customer service and he says "I can give those to you at cost."

AWTM: "I knew you would do this, I should know better."

Now folks, we are not wealthy, but I have dropped some cash in that store. I should have known, to buy Sherwin Williams paint from the get go...

I needed an 8 foot ladder, I bought it there, I needed paint, I TRIED to buy it there, I need a wrench, I would hop down there. I have spent hundreds of dollars there since being in our home in just 2 weeks.

No longer. I will not be spending our money there any longer. My time is not valuable to them.

The paint thing...

OK, so last Sunday, my Father was here.

I tried to keep him occupied with some shelves I had bought PN, but he finished them bright and early.

DAD: "why don't we get some primer up"

AWTM: (very tired of painting, because of painting the entire house in Arkansas) Rolls eyes.

Folks, I do not mean to sound like a wuss, but I am pooped. Between the move and loading, and living in strange places, hotels, and packing every 2 minutes. I am done.

I had also figure painting the house, would take a while and it would be easier to hire it out at this point. We have tall ceilings, and large rooms. Bedrooms, I can do. But this large livingroom/dining room/kitchen. No thanks. I had called the family friends that were painters, and they were supposed to come give me a bid/ color/ etc.

Anywho.

So Dad and I go off to buy some Kilz primer.

That goes on fairly easy, and we are done.

So Dad suggests, "hey lets go ahead and paint!"

Oye...I did explain my trepidation about starting this. Dad is a great painter, he is fast. I am above average in the painting department, but still know that between 2 coats and cutting in it will take me a while.

I break down and go get the paint swatch DH and I agree on. We take it to the store down the road, because that is where I picked up the swatch. I was not sure of what paint it was. Well it turned out to be Menard's brand. Menard's is a regional hardware center. (I always will go to a regionally centered store as opposed to a big box store.) I also figured since it is their color, they should do it better than anyone.

I bought one gallon to make sure it is the right color. My Father and I put the paint on in the dining room. It looks fine....the color is what I want, the paint wasn't great paint, you had to work it, but that was ok...

I went back and got 2 more gallons.

My Father and I paint on top of kitchen cupboards, part of the great room. I stayed up late, (2am) and finished. Why in the heck did I stay up until 2am? Well, my Father insisted on coming back to help...I really wanted to knock it out. So he did not have to do as much.

Fast forward to Monday morning, I wake and see a horrid finish, streaks, the paint looks wet, but is dry....I seriously wanted to cry.

I call my Dad, who is coming back to help...

and I say, "hey I stayed up and painted, and it looks like shit." "I am not sure what I did, but I must paint worse than I had thought."


Dad: "Do not touch it, I will be there"

Fast forward to my Father coming in the room.

Dad: "Hey, this paint is seriously three different colors..."

He was right,

painting saga continued...

Very unhappy with my service at Menard's this monring...

will fill you in when I have time.

first day of first grade...

found my camera

must remember to take it with.

Today is the first day of school for SR.

740 students will be a change!

They have a Beta fish on his table, he wants to name it twinkie.

I hope he LOVES his new classmates, teacher, and classroom.

Still painting, what can i say, it is a big room.

Managed to get one coat in the hallway done, the amount of cutting in was ridiculous.

Maybe tonight I will have something interesting for all yawl.

Off to carve out a face, I have to walk little man in. That means no jammies, and makeup.

No, still not unpacked...

Mostly done, and whatever.

last day of summer vacation...

The tale of painting will have to wait. ALWAYS spend $ on paint. Nuff said.

Sherwin Williams "cashmere" paint is the bomb...no joke.

Today, is the last day of summer vacation.

To the park to play and for a picnic, and then it is off to the pool.

I refuse to paint today...at least until they are in bed...

Streak

Not that kind...

I am unsure if it is the paint , or the finish...

I see some streaking.

Never good.

Maybe a flat finish streaks less that a satin one...

ughhh

It is not like I am a novice painter either.

It is irritating.

I spent about 9 hours painting...

crud.

In other news, YES Tammi, PN has shelves!!

Woot.

Which means her room, should look like less of a pigsty soon...

Off to decide what I am going to do about this stupid paint.

Kilz primer is excellent. BTW, but you all knew that.

And for the life of me, I cannot find my freaking camera.

New dining room set arrives today!

It will be the first new Dining Room table we have ever owned.

We have always had used, or hand me downs.

It should be mega pretty.

Off to take more face plates off, and move more crap...

Moving crap, is starting to suck.

Groundhog Day...

sometimes you wake, and it seems you are living the same life ALL OVER AGAIN....

My Father and I are painting!

AGAIN.

Yes, the weight loss plan is in full swing.

We are painting the kitchen and dining, and living all the same. It is an open room. The paint color changes as all do, depending on the light or wall.

SR rode his bike a mile and a half today. the kid loathes the stupid seat on the bike. Don't blame him, it is an odd seat. PN, is off like a flash riding everywhere.

I heard the woman right across has a daycare! That might be something to think about.

Dad and I are painting. AGAIN.

Got the blue, and orage primed today, and first coat on 75%, second coat on part of that...

Tomorrow should be quicker!

I ain't unpacking shit that does not have a home...

Tomorrow morning is the big PARTY yeah, it will be nice to have everyone in the same house. Well i thought it would be. DH told me he has to work tomorrow. Crap. He said he thought he told me, I say I do not recall hearing it...so there.

I talked to Dad on the phone tonight, he really wanted to go to storage with DH and move the rest of the stuff, since we will have extra man power here.

No can do.

Which is fine by me.

All 5 beds have fresh linens, and have since we have moved in. That night. All beds were set up and made.

The kitchen is unpacked, although I am missing at least 2 boxes, and my darn crock pot.

My Dad will have a bee in his bonnet tomorrow, he will want to dig into my boxes, and unpack them.

And then I will have piles of more stuff laying around.

In good news, I got a handy dandy shoe organizer tonight, some other storage containers that will fit in my laundry room closet, and I got PN's bookshelves, for less than half of the original price! Yeehaw. I should be able to unpack her books tomorrow night, as well as have a place for her baskets. (Praise Jesus, this kid is a mess.)

I am going to try and paint SR's room this week, the green is driving me batty. I am going to try and paint it a dark tan, and then drop a 7 inch stripe that is navy about 6 inches from the ceiling. Unsure if I want to mess with the stripe or not. He insisted on big boy bedding upon moving in. I also bought him a new lamp shade and finial tonight. A new lamp shade, did wonders. His room needs no cleaning up, as he is very tidy (with his room).

We will see if I paint or not, school starts this week. We have an open house Monday night, and then school Wednesday.

I need to find a class for a week to take a refresher course, in order to reinstate my nursing license.

I need to figure out what I want to do when I grow up...

Now I have seen EVERYTHING

I was preparing dinner tonight, and saw THIS commercial on Cartoon Network...



Holy crap. I recall

this



and there is this



But telling kids to go out and play? WOW.

Remember when I got my macbook?

(images not suitable for kiddos...)

And I was smitten?

Looks like another blogger is falling in love.

Must listen of the day...

Sweet Ella...

Olympics

Watching the womens gymnastics, and feeling less than physical.

WOW! I cannot even stick a cartwheel in the lawn in an elegant way. They seriously make it look TOO EASY.

ahhhh...

Finally, I feel as though I have accomplished something.

Mounds of paperwork done.

OK, so I am exaggerating a bit.

But it was a lot of paperwork.

New physicians paperwork-done.

Immunization records obtained, and copied for new Drs. and schools.

Rebate for the new Internet connection filled out.

School information sheet about my child filled out(this should help his teacher tons).

All school paperwork complete. No small exercise. I promise.

Instead of mailing it, I am going to run it to school tomorrow, it is less than a mile away, and I want to ensure it is there.

In good news, the school day does not start until 9am! How nice is that. That will help our family mounds.

I did call family friends the other day. They have a home painting business here in town and have been painting for at least 40 years. They are coming Tuesday to give the house a peek, offer suggestions and put in a bid. I have trepidation about color. I figure, they will know what looks good when up on a wall. Plus I have one of those open floor plans, and rounded corners. I have no idea where to "stop" with one color and begin another, or if one color is fine. Unsure if I can do more than one color. For those folks that say.."ah, it is paint, you can just repaint." No thanks. I hate thrown enough paint up this year. The exterior of my last house, seriously about killed me. I would like to do this once, and leave it for 5 years. I can do the bedrooms, etc. But the great room is overwhelming.

DH came home and mowed, the lawn is lush. It is very pretty. We had not mowed since DH had been gone. I took some time to weed, and cut some dead blooms off of some flowers.

We are hosting my niece's birthday party Saturday, Cousin Curl turned 4 the other day!!

It will be nice to have everyone here. The first big event.

Relief. Seriously. We are making headway.

Now if these damn boxes would unpack themselves, I would be thrilled.

More boring crap...

Today was school haircut, and school shoe shopping day.

First I will tell you, upon waking this am it was 65 degrees. I note some trees yellowing, the locusts are telling me we got 5-6 weeks left before COLD.

OYE vey, I am used to a little longer summer.

Loving how it cools off at night. Lurve it.

This morning Dish Network came to install the DISH thingy, next week they put a permanent foundation thingy in for it. So it will not be an eyesore on the roof, or on the deck.


In good news, they did it in the rock bed, in bad news I feel like a chicken trying to turn the darn thing on and off.

Then it was off for "look nice for school haircuts. SR has inherited my cowlicks. Poor guy. He has 3. I have like 6. They look smashing.

then it was off to get school shoes.

SR is the problem here. If a shoe is made with any sort of bump in the fabric, if it is too tight, or too ANYTHING, it turns into an all day event. Not joking. So I decided to take the kids to a "children's shoe store". I made them aware of the problem, and bingo bango first and second pair both fit. AMAZING! I made him pick ONE pair. And then it was PN's turn. The child is 4, in the 90 percentile on her height and wears a 13 shoe. She looks like she is wearing boats on her feet. I tried hard to get her to buy a brown pair of Mary Janes, or even suede. No. She wanted PINK, some sort of pink athletic, mary jane. they are ugly. ACK. I went ahead and let her get them. My thinking, everything she owns is pink anywho, and quite frankly I will not be wearing them...

FRankly it was well worth the extra money to be in and out in 20 minutes. Seriously.

Tonight, and tomorrow I will finishing up paperwork and immunization paperwork.

Unpacked yet?

No quit calling and asking....

If I were a morning person, I could save the WORLD. Or at least myself.

I have never been a morning person.

Never.

Even when I worked from 6am-6pm as a nurse, and had to wake at 4:30am, I HATED it. HATED it.

I woke up every morning loathing the 4:30 hour. I tried to like it, I did, for 8 years I tried liking it.

Me "the talker", does not like conversation in the morning. (Do not expect a smile until 9:30am) Hard to believe, I KNOW.

I do not like romance in the morning either. That romantic notion of rolling over and madly attacking on another in the morning, is not typically appealing. I need to have coffee and brush my teeth.

I am a night owl. I function fantastically from 10am-2am.

I always have. I have insomnia, always have.

In junior high, I would sit and listen to old radio shows until I fell asleep.

I read at night to go to sleep.

I wish I could hop in bed at 10pm, and sleep.

I have tried about everything at this point. Long walks, yoga, and regular exercise does help....no caffeine after 11am, helps.

For 17 years I have been married to a morning person. My children are morning people. Everyone here wakes up going 100 miles per hour.

Me? I look like an ostrich in the morning, all disheveled, and wild, feathers all fluffed up, eyes half closed. Irritated. That is me in the morning.


These children need someone perky in the morning. They need someone who will be ready to go "Sis boom bah! Get ready for school, it is a gorgeous day, the new day awaits, conquer it, I LOVE you guys, etc...."

I am going to have to work on this.

My poor Husband, sings and jokes, and is playful in the morning. Me? Not so much, I should not be allowed to talk to another human until 10am.

And people who wake with cheerful dispositions in the morning, irritate the shit out of those of us who wake slowly.

When my Mother was still living, she and my DH would wake at 5am, make coffee, go on the deck, chat, cook and have a party. My Father who is also an ostrich...and myself, we would wake and roll our eyes at them as we sipped our coffee. We would secretly plot how to make their mornings as miserable ours.

And the other day I read this brilliant little ditty by Tuna Girl...

I so fervently wish that I could be a morning person. This morning I got to hang out and chat with my husband while he got ready for work. I got to spend some quality time with my son who is sickeningly happy in the morning. He was even dancing! And I got to sip coffee while the men in my life had bacon and eggs. It was nice.

I feel like if I could just wake up at 6 a.m. every morning my life we be so much better. All of my problems would be fixed. I'd be the kind of person who exercises and folds laundry right out of the drier. I'd be the kind of person who saves money and has a hobby. I'd be the kind of person who has a clean house and...does stuff.

My teeth would be white. My hair would blow in a constant wind. And I'd wear...outfits!

I am with her, being a morning person could solve all of my problems...

It might make me near perfect...

Or maybe I need another cup of coffee.

things I need and cannot find...

My iron

My hairdryer

drill bits

In what I think is good news today! I have internet, i am not having to steal from the neighbors!!

Hoooray.

The Collective have a Drs. appointment for pre school physicals.

Houston, we have a Dr.

Ahhhhh....

relief.

And now I hope we like them.

For the record, I have not had Tri-Care Prime-evah.

I have not had military insurance for 16 years.

A new adventure awaits.

The good news, the new office is friendly, and helpful.

The Collective get in for physicals this Thursday!

How handy Dandy is that?

In other news. My DH had to talk me out of my anxiety tree. I spend a lot of time in the anxiety tree.

I am easily talked out...

Classic worrier. Note my wrinkled forehead, and furrowed brow.

After 38 years you would think I would learn anticipation of the worst is a terrible way to live everyday...

A great read this morning

My cousin was featured in an article...

My favorite quote...

" And for me, being around the outside of a horse will fix anything on the inside of a man.”


That is nice.

Novel idea...

I woke this morning at 8am.....

Knowing there are few of these late mornings for me.

The first thought as my feel touched the ground...

"Why on Earth do they not make daylight savings time the DAY school starts.

I mean it would make sense.

The kids would be rested, etc. etc. etc. (Still watching the King and I.)

In another note I am watching mens gymanastics. My favorite men's gymnastics year. The Mitch Gaylord year. Seriously. It would have been the 1984 Olympics, I am sure someone else remembers.

I was attending a country school, and the girls and I all had mad crushes on Mitch Gaylord. One of my friends parents scored tickets to go see some sort of Olympian roadshow thingy...

We went and waited and waited downstairs on the floor for Mitch Gaylord. I just knew if he met me, he would be smitten and want to marry me. Sort of stalkerish, but I was 14, and harmless, all 80 pounds of me.

While I am at it...

Here is PN, and her loverly very FIRST dance recital...

She is the blond, 3rd child from the left. The one that stops and waves half through!

Finally!

The video is up!

could have fooled me...

I read that John Edwards and Clay Aiken both have new babies.

Frankly this news surprises me.

I seriously thought they were both Teh gay.

So I am watching the Olympics instead of unpacking.

I watched as the North Koreans somberly marched in the opening ceremony. I kept thinking, I bet this is amazing for these folks. After all they are uber isolated.

Someone happened to put the Italians like one or two groups behind, and the Italians were loving LIFE. It was a walking party.

It would suck to be North Korea.

I have balls

Too many balls in the air.

I found a job listing!

It is with the school system, in healthcare.

The position closes Monday.

I have no printer.

So I must run and get an application today.

Which means I must clean up and head down there to get one, and then I must fill it out and have it back down there today.

I also noted I have to take a "nursing refresher course" to practice here. Darn it. I did not need to do this in Arkansas.

I still cannot find a Dr. I have scoured the Tri-Care West sight. Most will not take Tri Care Prime Remote.

I have to find The Collective's immunization records. They are in a box, somewhere in the garage.

I am still unpacking.

Feels ridiculous.

I am not used to so much administrative "schtuff".

*Update: Got application today. Filled it out, and handed it in. Found my most non-wrinkled professional looking outfit. Not easy when you are a SAHM. The Collective showed their "a$$e$" in the office, after I gave them a long lecture about it. I rarely "get mad"...but I was not happy. Sliced my finger on the dolly in the garage. Blood EVERYWHERE. Butterflied it, sitting here with it iced. And am now grouchier than ever.

between meltdowns and homesickness...

I have spent the last hour lying in bed with Sir Rowland, who would not stop crying.

He has what appears to be good old fashioned "homesickness"



"Is there a cure?" He asked.

I tried to tell him, that it would feel more like home, as I got his things unpacked, and that the longer we are here, the more memories we would build...

I tried to explain to him that I moved when I was little and I understood.

But I let him just have a good cry.

It was bound to happen to him.

My child that does not transition from the house to the car well.



I have had him help me unpack his room.

Time, I figure....

3 hours wasted

I spent almost 3 hours on the phone yesterday trying to find a Dr. that will take TRICARE prime remote.

Good luck with that......

We have paid for Federal BC/BS for the past 8 years. Even when my DH was activated and deployed we always kept our other insurance.

And now I know why.

I NEED a Pediatrician. 3 hours of folks telling me they do not accept our insurance. The Collective both need physicals for school ASAP.

I am unhappy about this....

I have not even started looking for Dentisits/Gyno/Internists. Looking for Physicians may be worse than I had anticipated.

* I did call 3 of the groups on The List... they are no longer accepting TriCare Prime remote patients.

I will start making calls tomorrow

Sir Rowland driving the combine

Unsure when this video will be available, sometimes Youtube, takes a little time.

I present Sir Rowland driving an hugantic combine.

Here is how the conversations started...

Farmer: "So you want to drive the combine?"

SR: "I am afraid I do not have a drivers license." (serious as a heart attack)

Farmer: " Let me look around, I do not see any patrolman around here."

SR: (stuck a piece of straw in his mouth, and took his responsibilities very seriously.)






*NOTE: you can hear my female cousin calling in, asking pretty much "where in the hell are you".....I felt a little bad for imposing during harvest time, but how often do "city kids" get to drive a combine?

I still cannot get over $800 a day to run the combine!

MKH kills me....

Endless sea of boxes.....

I think I am trying to set the record for the most time consuming move on record.

Today I managed to unpack 20 more boxes. Mostly kitchen things, vases, tea sets. (note to self, have people over for tea I have enough tea sets here for 40 people at least. That is just silly but they are all "family" semi-mental thingys. I wonder if folks would show up to a tea blog meet? I will blame it on my Father's English anscestry.)

20 boxes, and I felt accomplished. Until DH brought another load home tonight. He did the same thing last night.



It is seriously like the never ending sea of boxes. I have no idea how to stay motivated at this point. The Collective are no longer entertained by the notion of me unpacking. I have been trying to get them out and give them a break here and there, but geesh "how many more boxes are there?"

At this point I do not want to know.

I stopped asking 2 loads ago.

How I had all of this in our teeny house is beyond me.

Children of the wheat...

A few more photos of my cousin's farm, and the wheat fields.

I happen to have video of SR actually driving that combine in the other video and will try and load it soon.

I do want you to imagine for a moment harvesting grain by hand. Think of how long it would take to do that. Not long ago and people did this task by hand with a scythe or sickle. ( people still do, but it is not all harvested by hand.

My father used to work wheat in the summers as he was a kid, as did my Mother. My Father described the arduous process in detail. I can recall my Mother telling me she hated "hay and wheat harvest, more than ANYTHING". "People were hot and grouchy, and all I can recall about it, is just being plain old hot."

Here is a snippet...

I do wish Jerry would record his father telling us how they used to do this...

things I lurve so far....

I love being all together as a family again. DH had been here since I believe February. It had been a while.

I love our new home, despite some of the wacki colors and other fixable things. I love my deck, it is HUGE, and partially covered. The yard is great too, we have soo many butterfly bushes, that we almost always have 20 butterflies about.

I love the public library, and yawl know how much I loved our old library. They have a bigger selection of books for the children and SEVERAL play areas. We can even check out MORE books and movies!

The service here has been great,so far!! For example, I sent a note to the Nebraska state licensure for nursing this morning and heard back within 15 minutes. Seriously.

We escaped the 100 degree MONTHS in Arkansas, and even though we picked the hottest weekend to move, it was still tolerable. Yesterday it was 79 degrees, and cooled off at night!! (Ask me again in November when I am freezing).

The public parks, and childrens museum are fantastic. Seriously! The Children's Museum is incredible 3 levels of amazing activities. This will come in handy when it is 30 below zero.

The stores ARE clean!! Spotless. When DH arrived, and was here for the first week, he was almost run over by an employee with a mop.

Ahhhhhh....

Wheat blogging

Well if Jerry can do it, I can too!!

How about "The Great 2008 bloggers wheat off"?


My second cousins planted wheat this year on several sections of land.

It was just gorgeous.

Wheat is pretty at almost every stage.

Even when you are left with just straw.

So here is a video from my Cousin's place, who actually lives in a "village".

This is a video of the grain harvest.

This was a HUGE combine, not kidding. The head on the darn thing was 36 feet long. 36 feet. The cost of running this particular combine with diesel fuel?

Guess, come on I know you want to.

$800

PLAYERS: The irritating voice is mine, the squeaky voice is PN, the blond boy is SR. The guy in the shorts, my Dad.

For those folks that are not "country". The combine separates the grain from the wheat. This leaves straw. I think have another video of SR driving the combine, and the balers working on the straw.

crud...

My sbcglobal.net e-mail is no longer in service.

Please note

I will not get your e-mail.

my current one is gmail

Some proof of craziness...told you so.

Pray to God that these are before pictures, and I find the enrgy some place deep in my soul to correct it SOON.

Instead of being a spouse-blogger/mommy blogger...

Looks like I will be a painting blogger. Which means not nearly as much blogging as I would like.

It is the year of disappearing time....

The first piece of mail

Was a box that contained piano solo arrangements for Cole Porter, from this blogger!!

Now I must practice in the shower, so I can WOW her.




Go wish her congrats on finishing the bar exam.

where did that bruise come from?

That was the game I played tonight as I lay in the tub looking at my legs...

My guess is a desk, or a box. Something.

Another of those quick update thingys which I do poorly.

I LURVE the house. Lurve it. However, there is that midwestern pessimisstic part of me, that just stays "even". Just in case. One would not want to get oo excited. #1, it might look like pride. #2, you are asking for something bad to happen if you are "too happy."

Seriously, I am nutz.

My Brother and his wife were here yesterday, and my Brother kept saying over and over. "you do not seem that excited, aren't you excited?"


For the record, I am thrilled. I am.

We are blessed. I am married to the man I love, I have 2 children I asked for. the house, well that part is gravy. It is beyond my wildest expectations.

We are home...

hole

enjoy!

IN

We closed this morning, and took posession immediately...

Ahhhhh.

My family is finally under one roof AGAIN.

It feels like home.

Pictures soon.

Did I mention the previous owners LOVED color?

yeah.


I got my bath.