07.29.2010 A Quote from the Wizard of Oz

Can you just feel it? In case you need a refresher - the witch is screaming "I'm Melting!!!"

I SO KNOW HOW SHE IS FEELING

If it were any hotter i think my relationship with my children would never be repaired. I am HOT. I AM CRANKY. I HAVE ZERO PATIENCE. I AM YELLING. I AM DONE!

Well done to be exact.

I really feel for people who don't have air conditioning. The honest truth is i cannot remember a time that i EVER did not have air conditioning. My first apartment, YEP. My first house, YEP. My last house, YEP.

But this house? NOPE.

WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH.

Ok so i am done whining.
I think.

07.28.2010 Oh the School Supplies!

I was reading one of my favorite blogs this morning and the subject of school supplies came up.

Apparently my daughter is not the only "School Supply Diva" on the planet. The one who has to have the character erasers instead of the standard Mead Pink Eraser on the list. Or 6 folders with puppies, kittens, horses, etc. when they only need 3 ("but Mom, when it gets worn out i will have a new one") Those were scary days. Craziness.

That is why i am ever so excited to start Homeschooling this year! In the past - we did the shopping trip, and then mom bought tons of extra (because it was on sale or uber cheap) which we kept in a big ol' box marked school supplies. There was also some in a cupboard...and who am i kidding...with a 6 and 8 year old there was plenty of what are deemed "school supplies" right in their rooms! So this year we are pulling it out of all the storehouse places and putting it in one room.

MY anxiety is setting in -not for the having to go to the store and deal with the drama- but instead for the Classroom that is still not done!

I like to have my stuff all tied up in a pretty bow. Translation - FINISHED. Early. Our plan was to start school 2 weeks early (Like August 16th) so that we would have 2 weeks of freedom come October or whatever for another trip to California.

No floors yet, so i can't start the organizing. I am not just mom this year, I am teacher. So i get the fun (like my sister) of setting up my classroom. Decorating the walls/bulletin board/putting up the calendar, clock, etc.

I feel a little like the nesting momma who wants the nursery to be all ready for the baby.

It's my first year Homeschooling so i want their classroom to be special. I want it to be exciting. I want them to enjoy learning. There is so much to do. I wish i could be doing it NOW.

Instead i'll take a deep breath and go clean somewhere. I'll throw some hints at hubby tonite about finishing the flooring. I'll shop online for the perfect circular rug.

But most importantly - I'll skip the Target/Walmart drama this year over supplies! Woo-hoo, Victory for Momma!

07.27.2010 Fun & Busy with a little bit of FIRE!

**FRUSTRATING** As i went to post my "novel" (translation excrutiatingly long post) there was an error and my over an hours worth of witty banter was lost. Here is the start - then - i had to restart all over w/ #2 and so on. UGHHHH.

It's been a crazy week. What with trying to get everything ready for our 5 visitors and finding things to do....whew! No time for blogging - it went something like this-

1. Go to the Big City to pick up my cheap vanity Friday afternoon, only to find out it wont work for our 2 sink set up. There was no other 60" option locally in a pinch at a price we can manage. Husband decides heck, lets just put in 2 pedestal sinks that cost $50 bucks a piece and return the double sink countertop i paid $299. for thus solving problem AND saving us money! Marital discourse begins right then & there in the Lowes store in front of Michael W. (Who was ever so patient & should get a gold star in diffusing fights between husb & wife!) I, in a not so submissive tone, explain that there is no way in HELL he is turning any bathroom in MY HOME into an Exxon station. (No offense meant Exxon) -It's just sinks on the wall belong in Gas stations ONLY - not in 13 ft long bathrooms In My Opinion. A smaller vanity would show the pipes in the bathroom that was already plumbed for two sinks, not to mention look ridiculous. So, in the spirit of compromise, i look at what i consider an appropriate compromise that is NOT a pedestal and still affords me SOME storage (why else HAVE a 13 ft long bathroom?) The solution : Two semi-contemporary looking base cabinets with built in cool looking sinks in the same Java color i was supposed to be getting. Hubby does not like price (as they arent $50.00 ea.) so we "discuss" some more in the aisle until Michael W., bless his heart, shows us a clearance option which he can lower the CLEARANCE price by about $300.00 more if we just take both with the mirrors and get the heck out of his store (my take on it-though he did the whole thing with patience and a smile on his face). He even went so far as to travel with us to the Tile Dept. to grab a piece of the tile we put in our bathroom (also purchased at Lowe's) and set it on the floor next to these lovely beach cottage style vanities with salt/pepper granite tops. It does not even remotely "go" so we all unanimously decide that is not going to happen. Back we go to the option #2 tiny vanities. If we purchase two this will cover and thus solve the issue of it being plumbed for two sinks as well as fill the cavernous space. Where are the linens going to go? Where do our "guests" using this Guest Bathroom set their blow dryer or curling iron? (There is NO Countertop space) Men do not care nor understand the need for storage options. Who on Earth has a 13 ft long bathroom with absolutely no storage? Ahem, ok you can fit two towels under each of these sink/vanity combos. So he caves in, and we get the vanities with the matching mirrors. Should be a victory for me. Not so much! This is a temporary solution until we can afford a 60" or 72" inch real vanity and top. We grab them, all the required plumbing parts and head home where we proceed to stay up until 1am putting it all together. My beef being that i REALLY needed to be cleaning - and instead nearly every part required me to hold something, measure something or fetch a tool.

#2. Wake up at the crack of dawn (literally) and begin clean up. Derell heads to town for errands then leaves to pick up our guests from the airport. Flight delayed by 20 minutes, and i am still in frantic cleaning mode. They decide to go out to dinner at our local Mexican restaurant so i load up the kids and leave the freshly mopped floors and rugs still in the dryer. We had a nice meal, then i ran to the local K-mapart to get a sprinkler and some much needed room fans!

#3 Sunday we got up and did not go out to breakfast as i had planned and instead i am pretty sure everyone ate cereal or bagels (i am the worlds greatest hostess eh?) The kids played in the sprinkler, jumped on the trampoline and basically Sis & Kaitlyn (she is 6) bonded and did a good job of excluding little brother in everything. So i played Chess and board games with him while they destroyed Sis' room. We decided it might be fun to beat the heat (it was 95 outside and 80 degrees INSIDE) by going to the river or the local lake. We proceeded to pack up some snacks and drinks when i noticed a cloud out of the kitchen window. But it wasn't a cloud, it was SMOKE from a Forest fire. A VERY CLOSE Forest Fire on the hill/range behind our property. It's probably 4-5 mi away as the crow flies, but 10-15 miles if we had to walk it. Either way, Forest Fires here burn Hot and Long - plus we have strong winds up here which could make it reach us in no time flat. I was a bit unsettled. (Understatement)

#4 We proceeed to spend the next hour plus watching the huge flames (along with about a dozen or more of my adjacent neighbors) through binoculars, a spotting scope, and my zoom on the camera. The kids (and our visitors) found it facinating. The only neighbors behind us before Forest Service Land begins (thus closest to the fire) started sprinklers all around their property. DeRell insisted it wouldn't make a lick of difference. I started mental inventory of what i was going to need to start packing up. I even asked hubby if we should start removing all the solid core wood dorrs we just spent a fortune on...to which he replied "That's what Insurance is for". Ughhh, MEN! All i could see was all our blood, sweat, tears and REAL MONEY that we earned, (and re-spent) to build this house going up in flames. Thankfully though it was flaming high on the top, the wind was calm and the fire started to move down the back side of the Mtn. At this point we decided to go ahead and head out to the Lake - their Chinese parents stayed behind. We had fun boating, sun bathing and visiting. I managed to not get even one picture as i had left my camera on the front deck. We got home late and ate leftovers (again, i'm the hostess with the most-ess) is this not the most thrilling post you have ever read? Are you still there?

5. Monday i got up early to redeem myself as a host and cut some fresh fruit and made French Toast. I even managed to make some homemade soup with a whopping 5 ingredients that the Chinese parrents actuall enjoyed. *score* Then had to hurry and take Sis to town for a friends birthday present, come home and work for a few hours, then take sis to her friends party. D had to go to work. Bubba got to finaly play with Kaitlyn and they hit it off! After all, they are the same age. Our friends did laundry and re-packed to head out on Tues to Yellowstone for a few days. The maraton swimming/birthday party went till 5:30 then a long drive to pick her up everyone decided to meet in town for dinner. I was looking forward to some pizza, but they decided on Chinese. LOL. Eating at our local chinese restaurant is laughable to be able to even be called chinese. It's like going to China in search of a great Angus Hamburger. The highlight of the evening is when our guests asked if the menu was available in Chinese and they got the owner/cook to come out and have a nice long conversation in Chinese about the food. It must have been facinating to the other 3 patrons. I think the owner enjoyed being able to speak in his native tongue, but that didn't make the food any better. It was marginal at best. We had fun, and went home in the pouring rain and watched a little movie..you may have heard of it...AVATAR. For the 18th time (literally) i got to enjoy it and fell asleep on the couch fully clothed where i remained until morning.

6. I awoke, wiped the drool, and wondered "what the heck?!" just in time to see my guests off at about 7am. My new Chinese friends (grandma & Grandpa) even gave me a "Morning" greeting. It must have been my soup skillz that won them over! They borrowed our Camry for the drive, and when D talked to them at noon they were loving it and considering possibly taking it off our hands ( its been for sale for almost 6 months) It's cloudy a little rainy and we are due for some more thunder storms. Joyous. It's either smoking hot or humid & stormy. I can't decide which i prefer.

The good though has come in waves. We found out DeRell and Jon have been friends for over 40 years (LOL older than i am!!!), we got to learn all kinds of facinating things about China and Chinese culture from Jon's wife Julie who is Chinese -though fluent in English. We all managed with the parents who spoke not a lick of English and the kids each bonded (seperately) with Kaitlyn -Jon & Julie's daughter. Lots of my house got finished in prepartion of their visit. The Lord granted us an answer to prayer when the fire moved down and away from houses - ours in particular. It is currently raining like the dickens here right now, which is good...as long as the lightning doesnt start anymore fires and i don't lose my internet connection before i can post this. I've already had to retype it all once. So i better sign off quickly before we lose power.

I would post pics - but i havent taken any and now our friends are borrowing my camera since they left theirs at home! Next time there is something facinating to post i'll let you know. It may be a while. LOL. Thanks for hanging in there. Photos soon

07.23.2010 Crunch Time

The guests wiill be here tomorrow - it's "crunch time".

The grout is finished so honey should be home this afternoon so we can get a bunch of last minute to do's done. I had to narrow my list bcuz it's just not possible to get it all done and Grandpa left Wednesday. (Thus everything came to a skidding halt, LOL!)

We didn't get the tile in the mudroom - i could see it was taking much longer than they thought and couldn't imagine wasting what precious time was left tiling that. I have lived with my laundry room in the spider infested mechanical room for 6 months - so whats another few weeks right? Here's what we have left TODAY before they get here:

-Set Toilet
-Procure Vanity or do makeshift base for sink/countertop
-Hook up a plumbing for sinks/toilet
-Hang door for Bathroom
-Scrape/Clean Basement Bathtub
-Put in Faucet Fixtures in Mud Room Shower
-Clean & Hang Curtain on shower in Mud Room
-Procure Mattress/Box Spring for Basement Bedroom
-Procure Furniture for Guest bedroom (this is a maybe)
-Hang Towel Bars in Both Bathrooms
-Cut/Install Baseboard trim in both bathrooms

Oh, and CLEAN my whole house which includes about 10 loads of laundry. Ummm ya, that should take a good 12 hours. Heck, why am i blogging when i should be cleaning?! Afterall...it is cool (for now) so i should take advantage of that while i can!

Have a Happy Weekend- if i don't post you'll know why!

Oh and p.s. my cutie patootie got the coolest haircut ever (his words) at his own request. Photos later. H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S.

I'll leave you with a pic of the finished Grout in the bathroom. Yay!

07.22.2010 Baby Steps - We have Carpet!

We have carpet! We have a door! We have baseboard trim in! The bedroom downstairs is shaping up nicely.



It wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination.

The door was a pain! Our lovely carpenter doesn't like to shim doors so he made the opening the exact size (supposedly) to fit the jamb & door.

Only it DIDN'T fit.

So we scraped. Then we used a planer. It was WORK.

But after a few hours it did work.



So now we have a bedroom for visitors - no bed - but a bedroom nonetheless.

Today is Grouting. My not so favorite. I always manage to get clean up on that job. Wiping the grout from the tile. Pain in the bum. Going to start with the bathroom, so we can get the toilet set tonite or tomorrow. Then work our way down the hallway. If we get the landing done i can get my cabinets out of storage and set those. In my mind that will make it look so much more "finished". (Not to mention i will have room for the "stuff" that is in the garage and storage. Then i can move my fridge there and voila! Happiness.

All we need now is countertop (6ft) for the cabinets at the landing and the vanity cabinet for the bathroom (i already have the top with built in sinks). If i get desperate i can use a credit card.

I'm think i'm feeling desperate!

07.21.2010 Perty Teeth

Yesterday was the kiddo's 6 month checkup. We've come SO FAR!!


(notice the mustache is on the FISH on his certificate! LOL!)

1st up was Bubba- Mr. issues of the teeth. As you are well aware (or not?) we have spent upwards of the price of a used car on this poor baby and we are not near done yet. He's only 6. His early medical issues completetly destroyed his teeth. His four front ones are not his - they are porcelain. We chose to give him teeth instead of further delay his early speech issues by making him a toothless boy with a possible lisp. Not kidding. Anyhow, his appt went great, NO CAVITIES for the boy and his two loose teeth (the porcelains) will fall out soon. One is practically dangling the other is loose. (Thanks sissy for help knocking the other loose) We sincerely hope his permanent teeth will be fine. He will have Surgery this winter on the roof of his mouth to remove his "Phantom Tooth". He has an extra in his roof growing down toward his perm teeth. It has to be removed so as not to wreak havok on his good teeth. He was a trooper and all excited this visit - mainly bcuz there were NO XRAYS this time. Poor kid has had enough of that. He was rewarded with prizes and got a fake mustache. It became his new best friend...though he was worried about actually sticking it on "cuz it will hurt like a bandaid when he has to take it off". Yep son, it would - not to mention it will take off all those lil hairs on your top lip. LOL





Sis got called to the next chair over and i must say - she was the biggest trooper of all. They both go to the specialist in Pediatric dentistry in the big city for different issues. Hers was FEAR. She fears all medical people, Dr.'s, Dentist's, Lab workers, everyone. (She once full on mule kicked a nurse who tried to take her temp). She layed with her cool shades watching Nemo on the ceiling TV. She tolerated the pink gunk they put on to see where she brushes well and where she doesn't. Knew exactly what she wanted, and did as she was told. No tears. No drama. NO CAVITIES. She was so proud of herself, and i was proud of her...for how far she has come from that girl 2 years ago that would scream and have to be strapped down to let anyone near her teeth for a checkup. She got her No Cavities certificate, 2 tokens for prizes like her brother, and the coveted Carousel ticket for a carousel ride for the no cavities.



This is a GOOD DAY around these parts!!

07.20.2010 What will be.....

Instead of looking at this bathroom as stark naked - i choose to think of the possibilities.

Instead of thinking - wow it looks Orange....i choose to remember my lovely guest bedroom that is this pumpkin/terracotta color - yet is called "Peace of Mind". A lovely paint color indeed.

I choose to imagine a beautiful Java colored vanity with a stone top and double bowl sinks.

I imagine a toilet, so no longer waiting in line upstairs for the priviledge to "go".

It may be a while, but a girl can dream of what will be...right???



Plus, we got THIS far, which is saying ALOT. There is tile. We have a toilet in a box just waiting to be installed. I'm in a happy place just imagining!!! Won't you join me here? The happy place that is - i think the bathroom might get a bit crowded. =)

07.19.2010 Tile, Tile Tile!

So much progress over the past 3 days. I would love to show you - but i have (once again) misplaced my camera battery charger and the camera is dead. *Edited 7/19 10pm to incl photos*

Grandpa got here on Friday night (we all know that means stuff is gonna GET DONE!) and the boys got busy organizing and getting ready. Basically here is what we have left to do in the basement:

Flooring (laminate) in classroom (optional)
Carpet installed in Bedroom
Tile bathroom
Outlets and switches installed/hooked up
Tile in hallway
Tile Landing
Tile Mudroom
Move washer/dryer & hookup in Mudroom
Purchase utility sink & install in Mudroom (optional)
Hang shower curtain in Mud room
Trim in Basement Bathroom
Purchase/Install Vanity in Bathroom
Install Toilet
Travertine in Master Bath
Purchase & Install Master Bath Toilet {out of stock =( }
Trim in upstairs Bathroom
Install ceiling fan in Living Room
Paint & install fans in bedrooms
Hang roll shade in Sis room

This is just what i would LIKE to have done by Friday.

Oh, and a million more things. Did i mention, D's best friend from school (with wife and daughter) are coming into town this coming weekend? Oh ya, and with his wife's parents as well. Five extra people in my one tiny bathroom house. Oh please Lord let me be able to finish the downstairs bath. Only problem currently is the Vanity. We wanted a 72" but too expensive. Actually 60" is too expensive also thus the problem! I did buy the countertop/sinks yesterday. We returned a bunch of stuff we didn't need or bought too much of and i used store credit and the cash to get other things. The vanity was too expensive- so worst case we can throw up some 4x4 base for now so people can wash & brush their teeth! I found a nice one that will do at Lowes, but we are lacking the $550 bucks to get it. I still have 5 days so we will pray extra hard for one of his clients to pay! Worst case we can throw a 3 ft square of tile in our master and put a toilet there so we have at least one more toilet - but the one we NEED (extra flush power like my sister Kelly's) is currently out of stock.

The great news is the hallway tile and 95% of the landing are tiled. By this evening we should be able to grout...except they need to finish the rest of the tile (partial hallway to Mudroom and Mudroom). So if today (Monday) the tile could get finished - we can grout Tuesday night. Then i can get the cabinets out of storage for the landing and move the extra fridge there. So Wednesday is cabinets, and hopefully moving/capping plumbing and hooking up Washer Dryer in Mudroom. Man will my world be SO much better. Plus it will finally be coming together downstairs.

We still haven't found anyone to come & install the bedroom carpet. Who wants to do just 1 room?! Oh ya, and we dont have a BED for them to sleep on - so there is another financial problem that can only be cured by one of hubby's clients miraculously paying their bill.

We also have no doors on order for down there. Who needs doors or window coverings? That's overrated! We live in the middle of nowhere so no one is going to see anyone anyway! Ha! At least that is hubby's train of thought!

I am sure it will all come together - but for now it is a tad overwhelming trying to rush all this stuff to happen with no funds! LOL! I am still hopeful and excited about the progress thus far! It was a productive weekend.

Now i am off to the garage to scrounge up some more stuff that can be taken back in hopes of having some funds for some window coverings - or at least cheap roll shades to get us by!

Have a great Monday and I'll update with pics soon!



Ah, the landing of my stairs (view from upstairs to bottom of basement stairs)



Woo-hoo the 1st hallway done (grout to come)

Not sure why pics turned out so yellow? Must be reflection of flash on walls? Tile is beige/tan in color!


And a picture of Mr. Remodel himself finishing the North hallway that leads to the Mudroom. (That's Dad or "Grandpa" as we affectionately call him-looking on).

07.16.2010 Missing Princess!

I was only half joking when i told Karen she could leave one of her pups here so as not to have the trouble of TWO pups all the time. You see, princess and I kind of bonded. She's my buddy. She's a Beagle/Jack Russell Terrorist mix and all sorts of scrumptious. She's a yapper, but i don't hold that against her. In my heart i tell myself i could break her of that.

I don't even like small dogs. But she stole a piece of my heart.

If our property were any bigger seriously we could consider having a petting zoo with all the animals i currently have - which my hubby reminds me often that we have too many. I can't help it. I love to love on my animals. I don't need TV or outside entertainment when i am surrounded by the love of my furr children. I am sure many of you can relate. Though i doubt to the having of 6 critters like me.

Man i could have made it 7 in a heartbeat!

The cutest thing is she ran onto my bed and gave me a goodbye kiss. She was excited to get on the road (just like her sister) but i thought it especially endearing that she came to say goodbye.

We will miss you all! But this momma will miss Princess most of all. Ok, no maybe Karen MOST, but Princess most of the furry ones.


Bailey and Princess relaxing on the top of the couch.

So farewell for now Princess. I hope to see you soon. You and your family are welcome to visit anytime. I'm just a phone call away if you are ever lonely or you real momma goes on vacation or something. =) xoxoxo

07.15.2010 The Van of Shame

I am so NOT a "Mini-Van Mom"! 8 years ago my husband traded in our Honda Odyssey mini van (loaded...leather, pop-down dvd and all) after a year bcuz i just couldn't do mini-van as hard as i tried.

In my defense, we only had a 10yr old and a newborn and weren't at the stage where it was the quinticential part of our family or anything.

For Mothers Day that year i got a BMW 735. Not a bad trade. (oh the glory days when we both made a 6 figure income)

But i digress. Last year, while at an auction to get my hubby a work trailer, it happened. He couldn't bear that someone was not buying this "sweet" ford mini van that was all beautiful inside with new studded tires. It looked like a kid had never set foot in it (props to the detail people as that was not the case.. we would find out later that a teacher at my daughters school was actually the previous owner-and she had 6 kids) and it was the only car we have ever paid cash for. Seriously. Who could pass that up? Apparently not HIM bcuz he bid and won it for a great price and we became mini van owners once again.

It was a new car to us, and completely paid for. No payments. A concept that the 2 of us had never shared together in our nine years of togetherness. It sealed the deal and in honor of our newfound attempt at living debt free i agreed (begrudgingly) to drive it.

Thus began my saga of a driver of the "grocery getter" and unbelievably the "coolest" car (in my kids minds). It was painful for me you see. Plus we already owned 3 cars so why in the heck did we need it? Who knew then that it would become my daily driving vehicle.

I shouldn't whine...lots of people LOVE mini vans. Heck, there are families that only have 1 car and would love this to be it (if that is the case - leave me a comment, i could surely part with it) It is just not for ME. SUV yes, Crossover (i.e. "station wagon" with a cool name) okay, 4 door sedan yep, but Mini van? Nope.

In it's defense it's been a great vehicle. It holds soooo much stuff. It runs great. The air blows mighty cold and the heater actually warms you (unlike my '09 Toyota Camry that for some reason neither heats nor cools well) The kids have their own doors, reading lights, and room to stretch out or be far away from each other bcuz the 2nd row has bucket seats instead of a bench. It gets great gas mileage. `

I just have always preferred to roll in style. I guess it stems from my 1st car i was forced to drive being a Pinto station wagon with avocado green interior. It scarred me people. From then on my sights were always set on sunroofs, leather interiors and good interior/exterior styling. A car snob. I fully admit it.

I ran across this today and it made me laugh so hard. Plus, it was rather stylish..
(DONT 4GET TO GO TO THE BOTTOM & PAUSE MY MUSIC FIRST)



That Swagger Wagon is something i could definately see myself driving, LOL. Do you think i could get it for a couple thousand? If so, I'll rethink my negativity associated with mini-vans.

07.14.2010 Karen's Visit Part II

We have been having a very nice time around these parts. Much relaxing mixed with barking (LOL, kidding Karen, we love them pups!) and hurting ourselves by biting off more than our old bodies can take with the 3.5 mile multi-terrain walk that nearly killed us both. We went out TWO nights in a row arriving home after 1am. We left on Weds night about the time i am usually settling in for a good movie and some sleep. Needless to say my body slept until noon as i am just not accustomed to going out, drinking, playing pool when i should be sleeping, nor casino/bar hopping. But we did.



It's a real cool thing (to "out of towners") that we have casinos on every block (literally) as gambling is legal here. You only have to be 18 even. So it's a tourist draw. Funny thing is in 6 1/2 years i have stepped foot in a casino/bar a whopping sum total of 3 times. I don't drink except on extra special occasions, and it's usually a sip or one glass of something. Heck, the last time i drank an entire Margarita - - the good Lord decided to smite me with leperacy (at least in my mind...as i broke out with about 15 fever blister/cold sores all over my upper lip and couldn't show my face for 2 weeks). I told myself never again.

Never say never.

Karen and I go Waaaaaaaay back people. To my single ladies days and experimenting with bar hopping and all flavors and varieties of cocktails. We were young, skinny and gorgeous. MY WORD how times have changed for me! Plus my recent vacation escapades have left me looking once again like I'm about 6-7 months pregnant. Why on earth can't i gain it EVERYWHERE like normal folk? Nope, just in my stomach and thighs-lucky me. Thankfully the near 40yr old curse hit Karen some too, so we can comiserate together and look back fondly on the days of sizes only 6th grade girls should wear!

Anyhow, i digress. It was my duty to show her a good time no matter how unaccustomed to that i am. I tried my bestest.

My dear hubby watched the children on night ONE we played video poker and some caveman keno, i drank multiple flavors of cocktails, made a late night Taco Bell run, and played some more pool (which i suck at btw). We had a great time.



Night number TWO there were 5 of us all together and it was some Karaoke (again i suck at any bar related activities), more pool, Taco Bell runs, and this night only 1 flavor of cocktail that is apparently one of Karen's favorites. Which would be a new favorite of mine should i ever decide to drink again which is not likely.

I have awakened with the fever blister/cold sores from Hell. So far only 3. We shall see as the week progresses. There was a little tingling like i had one coming on after night one, but as of today there is a full blown war of blisters on my lip. Why is it that i feel like i can't have fun in a bar without adding alcohol? Hubby does it. 2 Cokes was all he had. So nice he could play pool, laugh at the 3 girls, and drive us home just a shakin' his head the whole time.

Karen has all the good pics on her camera, and Don might have some video of some really bad karaoke on his phone. Evidence the likes of which you will never see. Unless you are my "friend" on Facebook or Karens. Likely she has the whole darn 2 day deal already up for people to laugh at!

Long story short, my days of partying it up till the wee hours are officially over. Unless of course you come to Montana and ask me to show you a good time. I might have to oblige and thus more incriminating photos may appear. But i need some fair warning first, so that i can kill myself with some 30day shred and thus not look like a very pregnant woman drinking and whooping it up!

07.12.2010 Box Day!!!

We are extremely excited today. It is "Box Day" after all. For those of you not familiar with box day...i am sorry for you. Kidding!

Box day is when the boxes filled with all the Homeschool materials arrive and my children gaze lovingly at all the "stuff" and gawk at all the fun to come.



This is our FIRST annual "Box Day" - so i am sure subsequent years will be even better. They each picked out what they thought will be their new favorites...and mom was just as excited as they were. I already have my Teachers Guide put together and am reading a book on Homeschooling now that i purchased with our materials.

It is like Christmas in July....but with lots and lots more books.



Oh, and for fun here is an update of what we've been doing (well besides our 3.5 mile walk, errands, pizza lunch, and the aforementioned box day)

07.11.2010 Visitors!

Wanna know what i love more than working on the house?

VISITORS!

One of my dearest friends from California decided on Friday night she could come for a quick visit. So she did! So a big Montana welcome to Karen! She got here Sunday afternoon, with her 2 pups in tow (the cutest lil beagle/jack russell "terrorists") and we had a nice lunch, watched a movie in the office Demo Theater, toured the house and just enjoyed the evening.

She'll be here for a few days so I will try to keep you posted of our fun. Or our relaxing- in which case no photos will be involved.

Yay! I love visitors.

07.09.2010 Show us your life - Favorite Bible Verse

I follow Kelly's Corner Blog and each Friday she has a "Show us your life" segment. Today was Bible Verse. I have SOOOOO many i could pick from. I chose this one today.

COLOSSIANS Ch2; v5-10
5 For even though i am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form
10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

This letter Paul wanted given to the Laodicean Church who were becoming basically "lazy" in their faith. It reminds me of the promise, and to keep my faith strong. Just as i wrote about the Hills and Valleys i am reminded to believe.

I could pick about 10 Psalms as well!

07.08.2010 Remiss

I am sorry i have been such a bad blogger of late. Sometimes i wish this ride called "life" would slow down and let me off. Yet most of you know i LOVE roller coasters so other times it's more of "bring it on"!

We have been busy as usual trying to get this house finished. Undone and unfinished as you know just doesn't work well with my personality. I need closure. Completion. We are nearly there..but finances as usual keep it just out of reach. We have some friends coming in from Washington state to visit in 2 weeks so i need a little something to happen. It should keep my nights/weekends busy for a while. The painting is done. The Office is complete - flooring, trim, switches/outlets, and even a new (to us) desk is all assembled. We need carpet laid in the bedroom and 3 more boxes of flooring to finish the other room (classroom). Oh speaking of that...

We did decide to Homeschool this coming school year. I prayed so much about this the last 3 months, and i truly believe it is what i am meant to do. I am over the moon excited. If you read my High School yearbook...you would know i wanted to be a mom and Kindergarten teacher. Hilarious i know. But coming so close to that 20+ year old goal.

The kids are not quite as excited as me. They have enjoyed their little private Christian School so much. We just cannot afford to have both of them there this next year. They are worried they will miss their friends, they love the teachers. I am hoping to be the newest teacher that they love. Hoping to play into their individual strengths and help with their weaknesses. Hoping to be a good Christian role model as well. My Sonlight Curriculum has been officially shipped and we should have it next week. No turning back now...

I have so much more to post but don't want to bore you to tears. Let's just say there is never a dull moment around here. I endure the hectic craziness knowing there are "hills" and "valleys". The hills make us look to the Lord and ask for his strength to get through. The valleys make us appreciate the Lord all the more. If it weren't for the "hills" would we just be content to go about our lives without looking to the Lord? Sadly, i think yes. I have had many a season in my life where it was all valleys - and you know what? I was remiss. I had all the answers, was doing all the right things, forgot about the Lord and lived my life as if i didn't need Him ... i had it all figured out. I am glad that i found Him again during one of the valleys so i could call on His grace and love when it came time to face the hills. So no matter the season now, i know i can endure and celebrate Him when the valleys come.

I have so much more to share, but you'll have to wait.

I'll leave you with this photo i took last night.


Don't laugh - they were just trying to get the critters to look at the camera. I promise no one was actually injured while trying to get the shot!

07.02.2010 American Girls

My little American Girls. That's Bella on the left. Sis on the right. They had a great time at the Milk & Cookie party and Bella got quite a few new outfits out of the deal. LOL.