The garden...one solid week

And just when you think you have won....

My Husband's one wish in our 18 years of marriage has been a dog...

Seriously. And despite my being a stick in the mud for 18 years, he has remained married to me.

I do not want to wash one, pick up poop....I have no idea where I would find the time for a dog. I barely have time to raise feral children. I suppose, it would ensure a walk daily.

However, I am losing the vote for a dog in the house. So my guess is, it will happen some time in the next year.

The Husband wants a gun dog. PN a poodle, SR wants a Turkish van cat, because he thinks a swimming cat would be the shiz. (Only my son would want a swimming cat)

I wanted an Italian Spinone, since I cannot steal Charlie.

I just do not EVER want to find dog poop in my house. I do not want a dog to spill water on my computer.

I do not want a digger, or an escape artist. I never want to chase after a dog. No thanks.

I was an accidental pet owner as a child. I was the child that brought home a 3 legged dog, and a tailess cat, a frog that had a hook in him. I was that kid....

SpouseBuzz Radio tonight, a must listen!

What do you do when you are depressed and your Husband is deployed?

Determined

Carrie, my friend from SB, posted this on her facebook this morning, I nabbed it, and posted it as well.

I'm not sure if anyone watched it, but you must.

You really must.

A person cannot be 2 places at once

I have the wash machine going, the dryer going, the dishwasher going, the sprinklers going.

The inside of the house has taken a slide, because we are doing so much out of doors.

DH unloaded all of the dirt tonight.

I planted 4 green beans bush type, a row of onions, 1 spinich (per SR request), 2 serano peppers, 6 jalapeno pappers, 1 sweet green peppers, 1 cantelope, 1 acorn squash, 1 zuchinni, 10 tomato plants (various types), 1 cucumber (I should plant 1 more), 2 rows of bi-colored sweet corn, and I think that is it. DH still wants eggplant, and the kids want strawberries.

After we got the dirt, in and plants planted, we decided we had better put a rabbit proof fence up. Otherwise I will be wearing a rabbit fur coat in September, and eating them. So we decided to fence. the one thing I loathe about projects, there are more projects as you go.

I wanted to take pictures, but I played with The Collective, after they spent most of their after school time running through the sprinklers.

So now, I am pooped, but I have laundry to do, and a sink of dirty dishes. There are not enough hours in the day. Maybe we can get finished with this project SOON.

I also must find my canner, and must be on the look out for jars. People get rid of jars all of the time. And I will need shelves in the basement for my canned goods. I might enter something in the darn fair.

I do love working outside, and would prefer it, to anything inside.

I also weeded more.

Does a cow poop in the dairy?

If you have children you understand all too well the pure enjoyment children get out of the words poop/pee/underpants/ etc. ad naseum.

The other day I picked up Pink Ninja from school, to find she had sketched the picture above. Note it is a cow with a hairdo, with unusually long udders, and a cow that happens to be pooping. I am glad the teacher did not catch it.

Hair Today, gone tomorrow

PN got her hair cut yesterday! She wanted it short the last time I took her, but I told her to wait and think about it, and if she still wanted it that way the next time, she could do it! Well she did it, and frankly I think it should be the perfect summer do. I also got about 3 inches of my mess chopped off as well.

The sandbox project is complete! Hence all of the photos. DH and I also managed to build 4 gardening beds, but actually ran out of dirt today, and the gettin' place was closed. Do they not know that homeowners do projects on the weekends? The beds are 3foot by 6 foot. We are hoping to have the garden in this week, as well as unload about 3 or beds of coffee colored mulch into the flower beds etc...

I also must remember to by some weed something or other for the rock beds...

I also weeded and weeded, tis what you do when you have a million square feet of flower beds. We also had a lot of transplanting to do, because of the gardening beds we built. I keep thinking next year will be better, and it won't be as intensive, because we are doing all of this work now.

*Now the cousins, almost look like twins!

And he is on ground

My Brother In Law is now serving in Iraq, and sent this photo via e-mail a couple of days ago. I asked permission to post it, and he said feel free.

His last deployment was Afghan, and he is quite surprised at how civilized Iraq feels at this time. He mentioned it smelled of burning trash with plastic thrown in. Funny that DH made the same complaint while he was there.

Reminds me of the reason DH would be distracted by my perfume 18 years ago after Desert Storm.

Please keep my BIL in your prayers, he has 2 lovely twin daughters who are tweens, and I am sure they would love to have their Daddy home...

We would all appreciate those prayers.

I hope he sends more photos and updates soon.

Escaped mental patient impersonates Iraq Veteran for IVAW

Go here, and check it out...

No aspirin is ASININE....

You gotta read this....

While DH contends that the newest "no aspirin" rule, was one made up by folks who really had too much time on their hands, and probably thought they might even make an extra buck putting together the ASPIRIN confiscation teams on FOBS ...I contend that this is completely ridiculous.

The contention is this...

Blood loss is the most common cause of preventable death associated with combat injuries, the memorandum said.

Carter recalled Casscells asking his staff if the military was discouraging aspirin use by people deploying to combat zones where they stood risk of injury. The answer at the time was no, Carter said.

The subsequent memorandum, Carter said, also directed the cessation of "over-the-counter access" to aspirin through Army and Air Force Exchange Service outlets or morale, welfare and recreation activities in war zones. AAFES has jurisdiction over Army post exchanges and Air Force base exchanges.

AAFES is complying with the Health Affairs-issued memorandum, noting in a news release that its "operations in contingency locations are removing all products containing aspirin from their shelves."

The intent of the new policy, Carter said, is to "discourage the inadvertent use of aspirin" in combat zones. People who routinely take small doses of aspirin per doctor's orders to maintain vascular health should be all right, he said, but they should consult their physician.

Service members and civilians could substitute over-the-counter, non-aspirin-based medications – such as Tylenol or Motrin -- for treatment of colds, fever, muscle aches and other maladies, Carter said.

"I think we should take every measure possible to make sure that we minimize blood loss," Carter said. "And, not taking aspirin, unless you need to take it, is one of those mechanisms that we want to use."

OK, as a nurse I get this. Aspirin works to treat many things. And yes it is an anti-platlet....

HOWEVER......as a military spouse I assure you, TRI-CARE relies heavily on (fill in the blanks folks and see if you get the answer correct)

__________________



Yes you guessed correctly. The Army Lurves Ibuprofen, Motrin, and Advil in BIG 800mg doses.

Uhhh....

Note, they are still OK'ing Ibuprofens use...

Ibuprofen, drug used to reduce inflammation, fever, and the sensation of pain. In prescription form, ibuprofen is usually taken to relieve the more severe symptoms associated with arthritis. The nonprescription form available over the counter is taken for low-intensity pain, inflammation, or fever.

Ibuprofen works by inhibiting the action of prostaglandins (chemicals that cause inflammation and contribute to the brain’s perception of pain). Ibuprofen reduces fever by blocking prostaglandin synthesis in the hypothalamus, a structure in the brain that regulates body temperature. Ibuprofen also acts as an anticoagulant, suppressing the formation of blood clots.

In adults, the dosage of ibuprofen commonly prescribed for arthritis is 1200 to 3200 mg per day, usually divided into 3 or 4 doses. For mild to moderate pain in nonprescription uses, the dosage is generally 400 mg taken every 4 to 6 hours as necessary. Because ibuprofen can cause stomach upset, pills should be swallowed with a full glass of water, and may be taken with food. Ibuprofen is not recommended for use by pregnant women.

Don't let the sun go down on me

There is a problem with this LIGHT thing. It is called routine. Our routine has been disturbed ever since the time change, and now that the sun is out until 8:40, we have a problem. It is called Mom having no idea what time it is. I might just add the kids do not know what time it is either. So we are a mess.

While I enjoy the extra hours of light, so I can work in the yard, it causes me to fall behind with my indoor work schedule, simple things like dinner, dishes, etc. Well they are getting done, but it is late at night, and frankly I do not like doing things at night.

I also think facebook, and tweet might end blogging altogether. I do not have any intention of quitting, but I notice people posting less, and less...which makes me sad. I am posting less, because I am fried out...

Let me see interesting things this week. I put in my 2 weeks at my job. "What AWTM, already? You wuss!" It pretty much came down to economics. Summer care for my children was going to cost a fortune. Over what I am bringing in, so the pure economics of it did not make sense. Plus, after not working for so long, well lets just say I forgot some parts of the working machine. I noticed most of the parts I did not miss. But seriously it comes down to economics. So I gave them notice yesterday, and they were nice. I would also much rather spend the summer with The Collective, and not. I am spoiled after years of staying home with them. Now we can hike, fish, and swim, and work on my summer learning plan. Nothing strenuous, I assure you. simple research and learning about gardening, animals, insects and the like. It should be fun. I also plan on getting myself back into some sort of shape. This can be accomplished by walking and pilates, and yoga. I have done it before....

The Collective are doing wonderfully, they have found a young willow tree in the yard they can climb, and even though I am terrified of one of them falling out, and breaking an arm, or a neck...well I figure "they are playing", "they are outside". The Collective found a slew of little toads in the french drain last night, and had a blast touching them, and carrying them, and watching them.

I noticed a couple of things this week....



I have to bend my arm to touch my son's head now. It seems like yesterday i had to be outstretched to touch his hair...no more.

No Wii

There is no Wii today for SR, he said damn it yesterday 4 times. He was warned. I am sure he heard it from me, but I have been really watching my mouth....

Today I missed her

Mom and I at white sands possibly 1998?

But I sat and recalled becoming a Mother for the first, and second time.....

I am blessed.

And this is what it looks like......

This is pretty much what one sees out the window when driving to my Father's house.

We managed to see a pheasant, a very large doe. It was a very beautiful drive, even if the kids thought it was forever.

Exhausted....

I have returned home to find a new chaise lounge on the deck! An early Mother's Day present from DH!! I hope it is sunny tomorrow, because I would not mind letting the sun see my flesh....I look like I have been having winter for 7 months. I would also like to sit and laze about.

Today my Father had a fish fry, with Canadian Walleye, and Crappie...it was delish...

We then loaded up the cars, and went to the cemetery to clean family headstones, and edge them. We took flowers to my Mother's grave.

Here are some photos of my Father scrubbing my Mother's headstone....and I suppose it is strange scrubbing your deceased wife's headstone, as well as seeing your own name on it...with the only space left being your date of exit from this World.





It was not a morbid visit, it never is for our family. It is certainly sad, as we were not done with my Mother yet...but we do believe she is with her creator. I also got to spend time with my family, and managed to hand deliver flowers to my Sister as well as a get well card.

I love going to my Father's house, but the visit was indeed to short

Coyotes, and a pet cock.

Tonight we started our sprinkler system. I had trouble reading the directions, because I have no idea what a darn "pet cock" was. Yes indeedy my friends, that is what the directions said. I looked at the drawings and everything.

When I grow up I am going to write directions fro things, and label confusing parts as pet vaginas...

On another note, my insomnia is back, with a vengeance. So I am currently listening to coyotes, which makes me a bit nervous, as I hear a couple of dogs as well. that can't be good. I am not sure why coyotes make me nervous, but they do, when they are this close. The dogs involved in the coyote noise also sounded a bit desperate, which made me nervous. I keep wondering what is going on, and if anyone else is awake. How people can sleep with such ruckus going on, I have no idea.

It is moments like this, when I think I would have made a crappy pioneer. What would I have a lantern, and a rifle? No street lights to see the damn things, and I know they would have had my chickens by now.

Rhubarb season is here!! My Father called tonight, and said he has cleaned, and diced an entire ice cream bucket full. I will be making jelly and jam!

I would love to try this one

The sharp taste of rhubarb is balanced by the sweet blueberries and sugar.
Ingredients

3 1/2 C. rhubarb, coarsely chopped
1/2 C. water
2 1/4 C. blueberries, coarsely chopped
1 Tbs. lemon juice
1 57g box regular powdered fruit pectin
5 1/2 C. sugar
Directions

Place rhubarb and water in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat cover, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add blueberries, lemon juice, and pectin; mix well. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, add sugar, return to full boil and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Ladle jam into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4" headspace. Seal immediately with 2-piece lids according to manufacturer’s instructions. Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes.

My Sister is SuperWoman

I swear.

I have written a bit of her story here

My sister bit the bullet this month, and decided to have a radical hysterectomy. Just too much pain to function normally, and exhaustion after dealing with so much pain every month. Well it turns out, she had a pretty nasty case of endometriosis.

She complained a bit of pain after surgery, she had more side effects from the anesthesia, a little nausea.

They performed this surgery through her abdomen. Guess what, she has not required any pain meds since 6pm last evening. NOTHING, not even Tylenol. Holy Crap, she is much tougher than me, i would have been a junkie on the morphine pump. She is also up walking, and showered etc....

She says, she feels "fine". Seriously.

She amazes me.

I will say this, for those folks that made her made to get this surgery done, because they did not feel her pain was bad enough....uh the fact that she was cut open yesterday, had organs removed, and requires no pain medicine, says a lot about how much pain she has been dealing with.....

project laundry....

I am folding laundry, again. The never ending job.

After we moved, I neglected my netflix, I started it again tonight!

We have been watching news practically nightly for the last year? Holy cow, well, news and DeadWood.

I figure we will be working our arses off in the yard, for the next month, until it is up to snuff. Right now the lawn looks fabulous! We have GRASS, bluegrass, not bermuda, for the first time in 8 years. I have grass the kids can run barefoot on.. In fact the other day I caught SR lying in the grass watching the clouds...

Today's lawn work included weeding. I am almost DONE with the flower beds, I also have all of the trees, and shrubs pruned, and trimmed. Well except for the roses bushes, they are tedious, and I think there are 6 of them, and they are good sized. The war on the butterfly bushes is OVER, and what a battle it was. Seriously. This is our 3rd pickup load of brush....

Tomorrow we are going to try and figure out where to put our veggie garden. The kids voted on strawberries. DH found a greenhouse the other day and insisted I stop in. He was right, it is fabulous, and they have wonderful large pots for the front porch, and back deck.

Photos are sure to come....

It is not 90 at night, it is cool, and requires a jacket. Maybe we need a little fire pit

In like a lamb, out like a dandelion

I have posted this photo before, and i think this is the last cross country hike thing we did. We hiked through Colorado, and Utah. We had a wonderful time.


We are getting ready to take The collective hiking, and on our first over nighter in a tent...DH and I used to love to go hiking....and we have not gone since the collective were born. Oh sure I have taken them on short nature hikes, but it is not the same. Our old wonderful tent...I guess the poles, went bad. Who knew they could do such a thing? We did replacement poles for it. I suppose it goes to show you, if you don't use it, you will lose it.

I am looking forward to it, as I do none of the cooking while camping, and my only rule is, I get a shower EVERY night. Hiking is nasty, and sweaty. It should be fun. I think The kids might complain on the long hikes, but hell Nebraska is pretty flat.

The Collective have taken to picking dandelions for me as of late, and they get SOOOO excited seeing them. They think they are bright and beautiful. I tried to explain to them that no one wants them in their lawn, but they are indeed useful.

I have since attempted to give the collective a tutorial in all things one can do with dandelions.

They are edible, and supposedly are quite good cooked as greens (I have not done this).

They are also delish served fresh in salads, I had this at my Grandparents one time, Grnadma made hot bacon dressing. They were good.

Here is an entire page of recipes here

For more information, go here.

My Mother's parents made dandelion wine out of dandelions...

Here are some medicinal uses for dandelions, found HERE

---Medicinal Action and Uses---Diuretic, tonic and slightly aperient. It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs, and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders.

Dandelion is not only official but is used in many patent medicines. Not being poisonous, quite big doses of its preparations may be taken. Its beneficial action is best obtained when combined with other agents.

The tincture made from the tops may be taken in doses of 10 to 15 drops in a spoonful of water, three times daily.

It is said that its use for liver complaints was assigned to the plant largely on the doctrine of signatures, because of its bright yellow flowers of a bilious hue.

In the hepatic complaints of persons long resident in warm climates, Dandelion is said to afford very marked relief. A broth of Dandelion roots, sliced and stewed in boiling water with some leaves of Sorrel and the yolk of an egg, taken daily for some months, has been known to cure seemingly intractable cases of chronic liver congestion.

A strong decoction is found serviceable in stone and gravel: the decoction may be made by boiling 1 pint of the sliced root in 20 parts of water for 15 minutes, straining this when cold and sweetening with brown sugar or honey. A small teacupful may be taken once or twice a day.

Dandelion is used as a bitter tonic in atonic dyspepsia, and as a mild laxative in habitual constipation. When the stomach is irritated and where active treatment would be injurious, the decoction or extract of Dandelion administered three or four times a day, will often prove a valuable remedy. It has a good effect in increasing the appetite and promoting digestion.

Dandelion combined with other active remedies has been used in cases of dropsy and for induration of the liver, and also on the Continent for phthisis and some cutaneous diseases. A decoction of 2 OZ. of the herb or root in 1 quart of water, boiled down to a pint, is taken in doses of one wineglassful every three hours for scurvy, scrofula, eczema and all eruptions on the surface of the body.

"It's very difficult to keep the line between the past and the present. You know what I mean? It's awfully difficult."...Edie Beale

I recall posting about THIS before...

My very first documentary in 1978-79. I was 8-9 years old...

Well they made it into a movie...

Here is the trailer for the original documentary.



Here is the new remake



I am hoping to watch it, with a big box of popcorn, and seriously what I wouldn't give to go dressed as Edie......maybe for Halloween?

The sun on our face

DH had to work today, which has become the norm. A lot of 28 day work weeks it seems. I decided I could stay home, and try to clean, whilst entertaining The Collective, or we could go to the Zoo.

We decided to go to the Zoo, and make a trip to the commissary. I called my Brother, and he actually brought cousin curl.

First off hats off to Henry Doorly, for giving family memberships to members of the military for less than $40! I need to send them a note of thanks.

Grandma misses her Grand babies, and wants pictures. Here you are Grandma, we miss you and cannot wait to see you.

pfffssst.

I heart the dog whisperer, and about 1 year ago I told my husband, I wondered if Mr Cesar Millan would come to the house and help....

looks like the South Park guys thought it would be a good idea too....

I might try the chicken thing...

Joe Biden scared the crap out of Nebraskans!

Flu is here? Maybe?

Looks like I have a troll...

here is the video for brass monkey

Let them eat Cake

Michelle Obama wore a $500+ pair of shoes to the food bank....

discuss.



I wonder if George Soros sent them?



Reminds me a bit of Madonna cavorting around Africa in her expensive track suit

squinting

Let me see....

It has been busy here. The collective are both learning Spanish. PN is right on her Brother's tail, and it was told to me, that she is doing fantastic, and we should be proud. She can even roll her rrr's.

SR, has been sort of roller coaster lately making it through most of the day and then having at least one frustration meltdown a day this week. Monday it was a mathematics problem. His mentor was out ill, so he had regular math with his peers, since he is ahead of them, his teacher gave him a worksheet to keep him busy, as the rest of them were working on adding. He did not like that at all. I am guessing it is because she did not explain it. He can work a+13=26, but he got a sheet that was a+b=26. I am not sure why he was stumped or frustrated, but he was. He was upset, and had to go the the Principals office to settle down.

Oye.....I asked her to send the sheet home, because we would go over it with him, she forgot it today.

Let me see, it is raining, and I will not complain, as I still need to turn on my sprinklers after blowing them out. I also have to WEED something fierce, and finish my pruning. We have mowed, and now will probably mow once per week. I have beautiful purple bud trees up front, and oh my too many things to report. I have lilac bushes right under my bedroom window, they will need to be moved. I also have 5 butterfly bushes in need of pruning of some sort. It is a lot of work.


We got new software at work, which I must say the font is terribly small. I find the headaches are almost daily. I probably need glasses, but seriously the font is nuts. Also the magic new software is not really as uber cool as anyone would have thought. It is currently a pain in the ass.

Tomorrow is only Wednesday.

Green

Camp Ashland is right by the river...it was pretty


My shoes....I think DH inadvertantly took this photo. I ended up with pearl colored shoes, that reminded me of Laura Bush


Last night we had DH had his annual Officers convention.

The night certainly did not go off without a hitch. First a bow tie emergency. My husband came out of his bedroom, with his bow tie untied. Ughhh....For the record I have no idea how to tie a bow tie, at least not one I can guarantee will stay tied all night. He said he did not want to look like Colonel Sanders all night. (I had made him purchase the tie while in DC this past fall) So I had him purchase yet another one, from Men's Warehouse on the way out of town.

I was pleased with my new dress, although i will say I need to get my arms back in shape. I was also having a weird hair night because it was raining and terribly humid. (For the record I have naturally CURLY hair, and spent about 30 minutes, with my fat curling iron putting big loose curls in it....

stupid hair.

Ummmmmmm....It was nice dining with DH, and spending some alone time with him, the chance are rare, and we do appreciate the time alone immensely.


My sister and her Husband came for the weekend to hang out, and watch the kids. and the funniest thing happened this morning before church....

My Sister and I arrived in the living room, looking identical this morning. We both had white shirts on under sea foam green sweaters, brown handbags and brown shoes....It was weird. I went and put a plum sweater on so we would not look like idiots while out shopping, and at church. It was hilarious.

I did manage to find a Spring coverlet for our bed. It is cotton and a lovely shade of green. I noted a lot of the coverlets were dry clean only, which seemed odd to me.

I also managed to get some more dead sea salt body scrub, and body butter...it is summer, and my skin looks dreadful.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Loved reading Romans 12 this morning....

The last honor flight for WWII Veterans from Nebraska

You can read the rest here...

Ranger UP????

I think I found her!!

And an Army Wife, blogger, and a model!

I think Ranger Up, stopped taking entries, but I think they might bend the rules for this beautiful lady.

Let them know you think they should give her a shot!

customerservice@rangerup.com

He makes me laugh...

This was terrific this morning!

girls night

So PN and I did chores as soon as we got home, and then we went shopping....

I found a cocktail dress. I did not get a long gown, I found a beautiful shade of blue called Tacoma blue, a simple sheath, satin dress. I do need shoes though. None of mine look right. (Even DH said so....) I also pre shopped for Christmas cocktail events, and found something ON CLEARANCE. It is a set of separates, but very sharp. A long satin skirt, and a red blouse thing that ties at the waist, with blingy buttons. Very festive. I am done shopping for any sort of ball or event for a long while....

PN managed to help me shop, she is fun to shop with, and she got a few sets of summer clothing, and sunglasses.

SR, also got some summer clothing, shorts and polo shirts...

I should not have to shop for a long while.

There are not enough hours in the day, between running here and there, and working out of doors, the inside is suffering.

This is the first mil-blog conference I will miss...I am so sad I will not be seeing so many friends. Maybe next year?

Hee-Haw Hot...

So we managed to go from 39-82 overnight....simply ridiculous

Back to normal....

I am feeling 100% better.

the kids and I have already been out in the garden.

We managed to trim most of the dead crap away on 2 levels. There was so much brush we have an entire trash can full, and a BIG pile, which I have no clue what we will do with.
And there is more. I went around and pruned the river birch, as I kept getting tangled in them.

DH started a rhubarb patch last night, with PN. I am hoping it takes, if not, my Father will have to bring down some for me to transplant, along with some asparagus.

I am thankful The Collective were so helpful this afternoon, otherwise picking up all of the piles of dead stuff would have taken me hours. No JOKE. they have earned their dinner tonight for sure. There is still some trimming left.....

It was 39 degrees this morning, and is now 70 at least....I am sweating!

Thank you to Grandma for sending gardening gloves for me and the little fuzzers!! They were nice to have!

My Brother in Law is now in Iraq, with his unit.....pray for them all...

Stuck to my guns...

I decided to stick to my guns, and went to bed early although I was not tired. I turned on Top Hat, so I could fall asleep. It must have worked.

I slept, and then was plagued with weird dreams all night about vacationing in Memphis, PN kept wandering off scaring me to bits.

I woke at 3, chilly. I am now sleeping with the heat off, and the windows open. I was chilled. Slept off and on from 3-5.

It seems I do that, and then go back into a deep sleep from 5-6 and then do not want to wake....

Headed to work, a WILD day ahead, as we have changed software, and today is the LIVE date for the change over. CRAP. Should be a flustercluck.

*Just checked the temps, no wonder I was chilled, it was 39 degrees this morning.

I am feeling better...

How do I know this...my love affair with sleep is over. Last night it took me 40 minutes to fall asleep. I woke at 3:30, and then again at 5:00 because of the loverly birds chirping.

Darn, well it was good while it lasted.

In other news, I have to get my garden ready, I am behind. Far to windy and brisk for me to deal with it today. Tomorrow I have choir. I am moving my flowers down to level one, and moving a veggie garden and a sandbox to level 2. I want them contained as well, I am unsure about wooden frames, or tires right now. The garden is not going to be crazy this year, I would like tomatoes, cucumbers, and green beans. Perhaps acorn squash, and jalapenos.

SR still likes, sand, and building roads, and his Tonka trucks. So the sand box will be similar.

Seems as though Spring happened overnight, the pear trees are in bloom, I do wish it would warm up. My bones would appreciate a thaw...

PS: Yellow Dog democrat Step FIL is coming for a visit, I adore him, but I am no mood to be called a "dirty teabagger"

I do not like Easter Grass

It should be banned I tell you, banned!! I am currently finding it in every cranny of the house.

I took The Collective to church this morning, as DH had to work yet another weekend! GO TEAM!

Afterward I noted I was feeling better. So I thought, I could run to the store and do some shopping, etc.

HA, I overestimated how good I was feeling. I really want another nap. And the napping seems to be working to make me feel better. I am sure when I am 80% I will be back to my regular insomniac self.

I thought I would set up the croquet to help the kids keep busy and out of the house. I have too much to catch up on here...and wanted them out. That is what happens when Moms are down with whatever, the fridge empties, the crap piles up....and now I am waiting for them to beat each other to death with mallets...

I napped

WOW, I slept in this morning, and took a nap.

Amazing really.

My head hurt most of the day, but is better now. The nap kicked it.

the cotton balls are drying out...at least I hope.

I heart sleeping.

Seems as though WE are a petrie dish of filth

So everyone who was here over Easter is now ill, with a head cold. This particular head cold/bird flu/ whatever. Makes your skull feel like it is in a vice, and nothing will drain. Imagine someone stuffing wet cotton balls in your skull. Freaking weird.

Hence I am in no mood to be motherly today. I wish I was, but I can't. I do not have it in me. So I am bailing out, and taking my children to the children's museum. They can play there, maybe I can take my crocheting, or a book, or something.

I wanted to work on my yard, but that is not going to happen, as it is raining, and I have a hitch in my giddy-up

CNN did not show you....

Go to 1:49 if you want to see the rest.

One more thing...

Go over to Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion, and read his take on what the DHS, thinks about The Constitution.

More strange appointments by Obama

Rosa Brooks??

In what has to be one of the most extreme appointments yet by the Obama Administration, ex-Los Angeles Times columnist and Georgetown law professor Rosa Brooks has just been made an adviser to Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michelle Fluornoy - a move Brooks describes as "my personal government bailout." (Click on that link, it will make your head explode)

Bailout is certainly the right word for someone who appears to have no relevant national security qualifications for the position. She does though have experience working as Special Counsel for George Soros's Open Society Institute in New York, and as a former adviser to Harold Koh, the hugely controversial nominee for Legal Adviser to the State Department.

Continue to read here...

I must be sick, I actually slept...

Do not worry I am headed to bed as I promised.

I have already been there and took a nap.

The one good thing about not feeling well, I actually sleep, the insomniac sleeps. Ahhhh I love sleeping.

I only wish I could breath out of my left nostril.

My Sister called tonight, and said one of the pictures she took while here I look like my Mother. Almost exactly, down to the look I am giving the camera.

It is strange resembling a dead parent. There are times I see myself in photos and see her, speak and hear her. I also move like my Mother, walk like her, carry my handbags like her. It is eerie some days when I see my reflection in store windows. I wonder if my Father notices, and i wonder if it bothers him....

OK off to a hot tub to soak, and then bed.

I am hoping they send me home...

I feel like crap...

I am shakey, legs and arms feel as though they weigh 50 pounds, my head is stuffed...and I am headed to work.

I am guessing influenza. Crap.

I wanna stay in bed

*I made it through the day....

I fell like crap, but I made it.

Illness reigns

Right now my head feels like it needs to be removed from my body and drained.

I had to leave work early to pick up PN from school. She was running a temp of 102, after I gave her Tylenol this am. I took her to the Dr. She has bronchitis, and a right ear infection....

DH had this for 2 weeks. SR has it too..

Sick of being sick.

Some things piss me off...

like this...


and THIS

piss poor planning.

here is the video

I am not amused. Locking family out of a going away event?

to my Brother In Law headed out...

Prayers daily, we are proud of you.

Happy Anniversary

*picture taken 18 years ago by DH's Grandfather....


Today we celebrate 18 years of marriage.

That seems like a long time.....

last night we talked about this...

AWTM: "Does it feel like 18 years?"

DH: "I no longer have any concept of time."

AWTM: "It feels like 10 or so to me."

DH: "some days"

Easter Celebration

We had a small Easter celebration today.

The oddest part of the day was SR announcing he found dead rats while in the play hut out back, while searching for an egg....

Upon closer inspection I noted 5 very young bunnies, hairless. The Mother had made a nest in the play hut out back...and never returned. I am going to guess, a car, or coyote got her....poor things either froze or starved....or maybe both. Not exactly what you want to explain to the kids, after "The Easter Bunny visited".....

Also 3 children can find 84 eggs quickly. VERY QUICKLY.

All was delicious and yummy, and I did not even eat dinner tonight, as I was stuffed....

You should hear The Collective sing this....

Good Friday....

h/t to XTN Yoda

I missed my Birthday...

My blog is now 4....I just received an email from a friend reminding me that I missed my blogoversary...

It was supposed to be March 9, or something...

It does not feel like 4 years until i look at the pictures of the children....

Spring?

Or just another tease?

I hope not, last weekend we had horrific winds, and COLD, and snow and sleet.

Ick, I am done with this. Winter has been cold. I WANT SUN.

The past two days have been lovely, until the sun goes down. I feel as if I am in the desert.

The past two days have been so lovely though, after school I have taken the kids to the park to play, today it was so AWESOME we had no coats! So strange after wearing boots, wool socks, hats, scarves, and what not through the winter.

The collective need sun, and fresh air.

I need the house power washed, check the gutters, clean out the back flower beds, pull weeds which seemed to thrive in the snow...figures.

I want to try and get a small garden ready. I also have to re-mulch a ton, as the wind has blown away all of the current mulch. Let me say we need a lot of mulch. A lot. I also want to build The Collective a sandbox.

Spring overwhelms me, it always does, the lists go on for days, and days.

It does not help things when Winter seems to last from October-May. That is over half a year for those of you keeping track.

I used to love winters, and maybe I can learne to again, but right now....well...

I want SUN.

In good news SR gets to open a savings account at the bank tomorrow. He never spends his $$$. He wants a Nintendo, and I told him i would not buy it. He must do this himself.

He did manage an almost perfect report card today, and the report from his Mentors were outstanding. Today he started learning about Aristotle, he was excited. I also got several of his projects he has been working on at school. He has been writing research reports on animals, songs, poems, and stories....

My Sissy is here visiting and is going to go to school with PN tomorrow. This should be fun!!

drama island...

I am just wondering if I am biased, but I am going to ask people a question...

We all know people that like drama. What I mean by drama, is not real drama either, it is drama that seems to be made drama.

Does anyone think this is a generational issue?

I am becoming more zen like in my age...no drama is good.

I do not like every conversation I have to be a dramatic one.

PN polishing the dining room table






The kids took apart a dead DVD player, this was good for about 3 hours of fun.

breaking the law

SR, starved and bored out of his wits.


While at the Saudi student dinner the other night, The Collective were quite good. They were really good considering they had to wait a while for dinner, and listen to several speeches.

After dinner, I thought I might take The Collective to the Art Gallery, as they were having a walk thru, with fruit and chocolate. However, PN was waering her Easter shoes from last year, and learned her first lesson in "do not wear those, your feet will hurt by the end of the night."

So after dinner, we walked through the student union, for a short tour. SR loved it. And then we went outside, so they could run. In front of the student union, there is a fountain that is empty right now. It has large stone boulders in it, so The Collective were climbing. It seemed harmless, until about 30 minutes into it, when SR tells me there is a sign that says, "no climbing or wading". I could not read the sign from where I was sitting.

About that time, we heard police sirens going off somewhere downtown. I swear I have never seen my children move so quick in their lives. They seriously thought the police were coming to arrest them.

lists of things to do

Contest...

The University of Nebraska is having a contest...


Colorful Creature Contest
What Color is Your Creature?

All submitted artwork goes on exhibit in Morrill Hall this spring!

Eligibility:
Children in the following Age Groups are eligible to participate:
Preschool or younger
Grades K-1
Grades 2-3
Grades 4-5






Creature Categories:
1. General - any creature, ancient or modern
(i.e. tigers, bugs, lizards, dinosaur, birds, etc.)
2. Mammoth - depictions of Mammoths only
Children may submit one entry per category.


Guidelines:
1. Coloring must be the exclusive work of the child, without the assistance of others.
2. Contestants may submit one entry per Creature Category: General and Mammoth.
3. A separate Entry Form must be attached to each piece of submitted artwork.
4. All artwork must be on white, 8 1/2 x 11 size paper.
5. Contestants may use any kind of art medium to generate their creatures. Use of vibrant color is strongly encouraged.
6. Entries must be received by Saturday, April 18th 2009. Completed artwork, and corresponding Entry Forms, may be dropped-off or mailed to: University of Nebraska State Museum, 307 Morrill Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0338.
7. All entries will be displayed at the museum as part of a temporary exhibit in May.
8. All entries become property of the University of Nebraska State Museum at the time they are turned in (though if you stop into Morrill Hall within a month of the exhibit's end we will do our best to find and return your child's image).
9. There is no purchase necessary, nor any cost to enter the contest.
10. Families who drop off their artwork may also visit the museum for half price that day.

This looks like another fun activity for The Collective, we also LOVE this museum!!

Preparing for Easter

These are the eggs we made with the silk ties. I had as much fun as The Collective!

PS* Follow the directions, and let the eggs cool, as the print will probably be more pronounced...we are an impatient bunch. Yes even me, the Mom.

The case of the flat size 12 1/2 Easter shoes solved.

Easter shoes obtained. They are not exactly what I was hoping for, but whatever...done. Sometimes it is about getting things done. We were looking for white, and ended up with pink. Pink Ninja has a size 12/12 shoe, she has big feet.

We also decided to go out for lunch today after church, and went to Culver's because it is SR favorite restaurant. I ordered fried chicken, because I have not had any in a long time. I also ordered onion rings...I needed neither, but whatever.

We have had difficulty finding any place to eat here. Seriously.

We normally go out to eat one meal a week, sometimes 1 meal every 2 weeks depending how frugal, or exhausted I am feeling.

So far service everywhere has been fantastic, but the food is either not that great, or not what I had heard from others. Do people care if the food is actually good when they go out? I keep hearing people rave on about food, only to show up excited, and leave sort of disappointed.

We have found one excellent Mexican restaurant, which is actually in the back of a grocery store, the food is delicious. Lincoln used to have great Vietnamese places, but the last 2 I walked in smelled so bad, and had flies, we left promptly.
There is supposedly a good Thai place downtown, I have heard rave reviews, but then again I have been going to recommended restaurants since we returned, and only have a handful of places I would return to. We went to a new Indian place in town, and the food was actually almost Pakastani, spicier than normal Indian food which did not bother me, but the prices were high for what was served, and we were sat right by the door on a COLD and WINDY day, we about got blown out of there, and it made for horrid dining.

So I continue to look for wonderful food here. My Husband says there is an Iraqi restaurant that is quite good, I have eaten their food, and it is tasty, but only at catered events.

OK I am off to vacuum, and dust, and CLEAN toilets! The Collective are busy cleaning as well, the money per core thing is working out wonderfully. And I note they are more likely to do more if I pay for each task. A nickle for this, a dime for that, a quarter for the other. Free enterprise works. SR even cleaned his Sisters room to get her money, because she did not want any money....she changed her mond, and is nw cleaning a bathroom with VIGOR.

I am tired of pee, and fart, and toot jokes. Seriously.

Laundry list...

PN haircut X

grocery store X

Spring Shoes for PN (could not find any shoe for a 5 year old, with a closed toe, WITHOUT a HEEL)

Easter clothes for SR (there was nothing cute for boys anywhere, enough with the skulls)

dye eggs (in process)

clean my house (uhhhhh?)

wash linens (uhhhh?)

do laundry (hey, I am working on it)

pay bills X (done, but made me grumpy)

mail them (will do after church in the morning)

*I am also making homemade pizza tonight, well except for the crust, HY-Vee, had the little store brand bags of them for 39 cents. I tried it last week, and it was not bad at all, this is a good way to get everyone to eat veggies...



uckkkkk

also a blizzard is supposed to be headed this way. Right now the wind is gusting about 45 mph...

Out on the town...

Tonight our family is attending this event. We were invited to a dinner tonight.

WE are going to take The Collective. I am not quite sure about this decision, as DH is attending on behalf of work, however with SR continuing to have a week that is complicated....well unless you have been there you have no idea. I am hoping they find dinner fascinating. There is a fashion show, so PN might like.

The week has been a complicated one, and I have had several heart to hearts with SR....

He is trying, he really is.

But in my brain, he is capable of sooo much. And I think there lies part of our issue.

This weekend I am missing SpouseBuzz Live in Virgina. I always come away from these events with such energy, and feel refreshed. I wish I could have attended, as I have friends, that really could use, girl time, support, and an ear...

Wish us luck tonight.

And today was better...

except for the pharmaceutical rep who said..."well you are Valerie Bertinelli's age" uuuhhhhh...no I am not.

Sweet Mother Of Jesus.

While I will say congratulations to Ms. Bertonelli, I will also add that if someone paid me that sort of change, I could be in a bikini too...(any takers? cash only...)

I am just sic of seeing her before and after everywhere I turn around, and I live in a world with very little pop culture.

Yesterday sucked, it was a SR issue. I am not going into details here, he was naughty, and should know better...ughhhh. Consequences have been dealt, and etc etc etc. I did want to poke forks into my eyes from 3-6 yesterday. I managed a bath, and a small drink, and did nothing but over think. Which just seems to leave me spinning.

Work is work, and I wish I could blog about it...maybe soon.

PN now has a bad cold. Yeah I am serious. The petrie dish of filth which is daycare...is making her immune system work overtime.

I will add here, I am tired of the cold, and WIND. I am ready for sun, and fresh air. I am about as cabin fevered as I have been in years. I want flowers, and sunshine. The birds know it is coming, and I hear them all morning.

Tonights dinner? Hamburgers on the grill, with onions, and mushrooms.

I am not really hungry at all...

If I could pick a them song for the day it would be this...



And while I am escaping...if I were Emma Peel I would love this pink top!

sucking eggs

That would sum up my day....

just when I think things look like a cakewalk.

I have not

watched The Daily Show for a long time, but I did last night...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Carmageddon '09 - Lemon Aid
comedycentral.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Sew

I am currently working on a small project for a very good friend. I could not be there for her wedding, so I am embroidering her an antique handkerchief to carry with her on her special day. I am free handing it, to match her wedding invitation she sent.

In good news it feels good to do something for someone I care so much about. In bad news, I wish I would embroider more, so I was better at it. I will be attaching a note that says, do not look at the back. I also have noted my need for bifocals, is far worse than I had thought. I will need some in the next couple of months, as my eyes are fatigued.

I am watching Hildago right now, wondering how hungry I would have to be to consume a locust.

I do not think Monday helped much, as work was fatiguing, well not the actual work, but personalities can be...

It was almost 60 today, and tomorrow we are supposed to get some terrible Spring storm, which includes snow.

My Grandmother was buried in the month of April, and I recall walking in pumps, in the snow, in a think silk skirt....and how cold it was on that day. I also thought of Grandma this week when I was cooking asparagus, and for a moment, I could smell their home. Oh how sweet they were, and how they are missed.

On my nightstand

Since Deadwood ended, it left me wanting more of tales of Western expansion...

so I am reading this...

Phoebe Judson was a young bride in 1853 when she and her husband crossed the plains from Ohio to the Puget Sound area of Washington Territory. She was ninety-five when this book was first published in 1925. The years between were spent in “a pioneer’s search for an ideal home” and in living there, when it was finally found at the head of the Nooksack River, almost on the Canadian border. Phoebe Judson's account of the journey west is based on daily diary entries detailing her fear, excitement, and exhaustion. At the end of the trail, the Judsons encountered hardships aplenty, causing them to abandon a farm and business in Olympia before their arrival in the Nooksack Valley. During the Indian Wars they holed up in a fort at Claquato. In time, Phoebe overcame her fear of the Indians, learned the Chinook language, and won their friendship. All this is told in vivid detail by a woman of great dignity and charm whom readers will long remember. In a foreword, Susan Armitage, professor of history at Washington State University, calls A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home a "classic pioneering account," important for its woman's point of view.

More details
A pioneer's search for an ideal home: a book of personal memoirs
By Phoebe Goodell Judson
Contributor Susan M. Armitage
Published by U of Nebraska Press, 1984
ISBN 0803275595, 9780803275591
309 pages

I always think I was born during the wrong time, I cannot help but wonder if I would have made it then, if I would have died early from cholera, or smallpox. Or if I would have managed to build a sod home, and would be able to stand snakes in my home.

Invasions of the ants....

It is always some THING, is it not?

The other day after the torrential downpour...



I note ants. Foraging ants, not the water type.

We have Terro granules out of doors, and the little Terro pads on the inside.

Gross

And the work week comes to a close

This is the view out back...and the sunset, although I caught it a bit late this evening, it was glorious.

I am glad this week is over.

Bwah, I love this chart

Am I the only one?

I spent most of the day scouring things...AGAIN.

Bleached, lysoling, laundry, etc...

and at some point today I thought it may be easier to just pack up and leave the house, to get out from under the foot of whatever virus this is. My hands are raw.

DH and I have yet to be touched seriously with it...

SR spent the day with a case of the lower part of this jazz.

I had to think to myself, that there is no possible way I could be the only person to have ever thought that it may just be easier to leave the germs behind.

It is Spring, and I would like to be planning my garden, and spring cleaning, etc....I am tired of scrubbing toilets, buckets, doorknobs, and washing bedding, and toothbrushes...

Last night at 8:30pm I looked into the mirror and frightened myself. I told DH that 10 years ago, 8:00ish was early int he day, and I would have looked great. Those days are over. I tried to perk myself up, with a apricot facial scrub, and a refresher of my hair color. Sadly it did little. amazing what a few years can do. My Father laughed when I relayed the message to him today, and let me know, the mirror becomes less forgiving with time, but in good news he could give a shit.


This has to be the last of illness for while right?

In other news, despite the fact that I am not hungry, or feel like cooking, I feel obligated to cook for my children who look thinner than normal.

I am making turkey filets on the grill, mashed potatoes, and asparagus, in hopes they consume some of it...

Project this week, correspondence, and Easter Clothing for the Collective. PN wants a lavender colored cotton dress. SR could care less as long as he is comfortable