5 for Friday.

1. About an hour after I got up this morning, I looked out and saw this. SOOC. Magical.
2. Sometimes I have really good ideas. I was hungry and decided sourdough toast spread with garlic and herb cheese, topped with tomatoes and avocado. It was so good I had to have 2.
3. I don't understand the internets obsession with S'mores or Nutella. Don't get me wrong. I like both. But why does everything need to be turned into a S'more? Or Nutella added to everything? I saw a S'moretini the other day.
4. I was so happy I didn't have to get up at the b/c of dawn (that would be butt crack o' dawn) and take anyone anywhere. I always get up early, but that's me time. Jake takes an outdoor ed class and for the last 3-4 months it's been on Fridays. We switched back to Monday's this week and it has been SO much better. I'd much rather get up and go on Monday than on Friday.
5. Also, I'm happy our out of town plans got cancelled for this weekend. We've been gone every weekend this month. I'm so glad to be staying home. Though I do hope we reschedule our original plans soon!

Happy Friday!

Yes, I'm bragging a little.

I can't help it.
This girl is reading like I can't even believe. We checked this book out from the library the other day and I figured it would be one that I read to her or that we read together. She's mostly been reading those "I Can Read" books at level one.  Then she just picked it up and started reading this herself.
The video is kinda lame since it's with my phone. I should have turned it sideways.



I promise she's never read this before.

Week 3.

I liked the way this weeks layout turned out so much more than last week. I think it was a combination of getting into a groove, working with a more familiar layout (design A for both pages), and using different products. I decided I really like certain things about the Clementine PL kit, but it is lacking color and I prefer more color. So there. Thanks to Nicole and Beth and Pinterest I've found a plethora of digital/printable products that I can use to spice things up a bit.
I just realized there's a typo on my Sunday journaling. I wish photoshop had spell check! Luckily I saved that and I just went and reprinted it correctly. :)

This one.

This is one of those pictures that, I think, are going to be a real treasure when she gets older.

This is the one she'll look at and say Oh yeah, remember that heart blanket I used to have? There's my horse blanket! That was my favorite. And oooh Miss Kitty! Remember how she used to sleep in my room almost every night? What was all that stuff taped to the wall? Mom, you really let me have all that crap on the wall? Look at my hair! Look at all the clothes spilling out of the drawer under the bed!
This is her life, her room, right now at 5.
I don't have any pictures of my room when I was 5 or 8 or 15. Of course I remember it in my head, but...this is so much better.
Just a reminder to myself to step back and take a wider look at what's around us. Life is in the details.
I love pictures.

Week 2. Project Life.

First let me just apologize right now for these horrible, horrible images. It's dark, so there's no good lighting but I knew that if I didn't just sit down and do this, it wouldn't get done.
I'm also not really happy with the way week 2 turned out. For some reason it seems to lack color or something. I really love the Clementine kit, but now that I've worked with it a little, some of the colors almost seem a little too muted. I can't quite put my finger on it. Anyway, it's done. I'm not going to harp on it. I've already stared week 3 and it's looking much, much better. I think I've finally found my groove.
Side 1:

This is the Design F page protector. I really like this format. It was a little intimidating at first, especially since I can get an entire week on just one side of these if I want. But they're also great for extra pics, extra journaling, or 'stuff'.
Side 2: (using the old version of Design A)

See what I mean? No color. Even with the 49er thingy. It's just not doing anything for me.
The top left is a collage I made with some of my 12 of 12 and other random pics. I plan to do a bigger one that actually includes all 12 and put it in a separate 5x7 page protector. I just need to get me some of those. The collage was made from a template I bought online. Lilly Pad designs I think? The pack came with a TON of collages for 4x6. You can find a link for it on my Project Life Pinterest board.
Anyway, there it is. I'm more excited to show week 3 cuz I already like it so much more. :)
By the way, I changed up my weeks this year to go from Monday to Sunday. I'm liking this format a lot. Last year I think for half of it was Saturday to Friday and that seemed weird. Then I changed it to Sunday to Saturday. I like Monday to Sunday best. How are your weeks organized?
Also, I'm not focusing on a photo a day as much as I did last year. What about you?

10 on Tuesday.

Oh yes. It's back. 2012 style.

1. I was kinda getting down on myself for so far only using iPhone/instagram pics in my project life album. But you know what? I actually kinda like 'em. And It in-and-of-itself is part of life right now. You know what I mean? I know it's kinda lame...but my phone is attached to my hip. I don't go anywhere without it.

2. However, all that being said, I'm resolving to get out my really nice, beautiful, easy to use, fun BIG MAMMA JAMMA camera out and USE IT.
3. Last year with my project life album I pretty much didn't do anything fancy. I followed the day to day/week to week pattern and never really added anything special. Not too much anyway. This time around I thought it might be fun to get a little more creative with it and bring back some of my love for scrapbooking. Funny thing? It's like I'm having to re-teach myself to A) remember what I have in my stash and B) how to use it.
4. We have been on the road a lot already this month. Somehow we have/had ourselves committed to someone or something every single weekend this month. Something out of town every. single. weekend. It's so not like us and while it is kinda fun, it is very wearing. I just wanna stay home!

5. On Sunday we had our belated Christmas gathering with my Step-mother and family. I was SO STRESSED about this. We don't talk a whole lot other than email. I hadn't been to my dad's house since the memorial service in May. I wasn't sure how she was going to act. I wasn't sure how I was going to act. I was unsure of how it would feel to be there without my dad. I literally lost sleep over it and ended up with a ginormous worry zit on my chin because of it. (well that and probably hormones!) But it actually turned out to be just fine. More than fine.
6. There was a bit of drama this weekend though, and it came from a very unexpected place. I'm not going to go into details here. Lets just say I'm a fan of disciplining children. Not necessarily corporal punishment but I think one of the most important things any parent can do is: follow through. If you say your going to do something: DO IT. If you say your going to take away their TV privilege, then do it. If you say you'll take them out to pizza for getting an A, then DO IT. Be realistic about your threats and rewards and follow through with them. Children not only learn respect, but also trust.
7. I'm NOT a perfect parent. I don't know any perfect parents.
8. We made butter the other day. It was easy and fun and Megan and I liked it. Jake didn't. Of course.
9. Did you ever want a rock tumbler when you were a kid? You know those things that take a dirty old normal rock and make it into a pretty, shinny one? I totally did too! Well Jake got one from my stepsisters for Christmas. Did you know it takes almost an entire month to do ONE rock?! I didn't either! There's apparently all these different steps and processes to go through and thing has to be on 24/7 for 20 something days? We actually had to print out a little calendar for him with reminders on when to do what. Crazy. I had no idea.
10. We're expecting rain tomorrow. It hasn't rained here in over a month. I'm not one to complain about no rain, but it sure has felt weird. Makes me wonder if we'll be swimming in rain till July?

Looking back at 2011...

Through photos.

Just some of my favorite things about last year. 

I could have probably made at least 3 more of these collages, but I think 2 will do.  I'm really looking forward to starting up Project Life again and taking many, many more pictures of our every day! 

2012 To-Do list

Happy New Years Eve!
I told the kids that if they were able, they could stay up until midnight tonight. Am I crazy? I haven't actually made it to midnight in years! HA! We got a Wii for Christmas, so I'm thinking some game play along with movies and snacks might help them last?? We will see.
New Years always kind of brings up funny feelings for me. Seems even more so this year. There's always sort of that holiday let-down afterwords and then the long boring winter days of January that seem to drag on endlessly. And yet there still is that excitement of starting new, fresh and wondering what's to come.
This year I sort of feel like hurry, hurry, get me out of 2011! And yet part of me wants to dwell here forever. Like if I hurry past it, I'll be leaving my dad here and I don't feel ready to do that.
I'm sure that sounds weird, doesn't it?? It's hard to explain without sounding crazy. I miss him so, so, so much. There's a place inside me that I didn't even know existed until this year....a place that holds a heartache I don't think will ever go away. My dad existed it 2011 and in 2012 he doesn't. Not here on Earth. I know he exists for eternity in heaven. I'll see him again. ♥
Ohhh....now that I've brought the mood down in the room. Jeez! Sorry.
Lets move on.
As you all know I don't make resolutions. Resolutions are made to be broken. Last year I made a 2011 to-do list...kind of a little poking fun at myself and the new year, but surprisingly, I actually accomplished all but two of the short list.
So without further adieu.... My 2012 To-Do List:

1. Take an out of state road trip. (Nevada doesn't count) This is a repeat from last year. One of the 2 that we never got around to doing. I really hope we do this year. We've been talking about going for a week to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and taking the kids to Yellowstone. I love that place.
2. Take better care of my skin. I've already been trying to do this, but I want to continue and I'm thinking of trying more natural ways of taking care of my skin--particularly my face. Maybe try the oil cleansing method.
3. Continue to learn more and practice photography.
4. Do another garden and this year include a bigger, more diversified herb garden.
5. Eat more real food. Continue to weed out the processed foods in our diet. Get a cow.
6. Make a quilt. (must get sewing machine fixed first)
7. Find an extra curricular activity for Megan to do. That's just for her.
8. Work harder to be in the present. Not live in the past. And not worry about the future.
...
....
.......

The new year is coming...

I just realized I accomplished all but 2 of my 2011 to-do list. That ain't bad, if I do say so myself. Not that there was anything groundbreaking on the list, but it feels good to look back and say: HEY! I did that!
So I guess I need to come up with another to-do list since I did so well this year. I'll take a few days to think and reflect on the year past and see what I can come up with for the next one. Anyone picking a word for 2012? Haven't done that one in a couple years either....I'll have to see if one comes to me.
Please forgive me for the blog break. I just didn't feel like it, honestly. But I think things are about to get back to regularly scheduled programming around here....so more blog posts to come.

The First Thanksgiving.

Megan and I were really sick over the weekend. In fact, we're both just now feeling better. It's amazing how much tissue+napkins+ TP two girls can blow through. Goodness.
Anyway, so what are we supposed to do when we feel cruddy? Well, I spent the entire weekend watching Food Network Thanksgiving specials on the internet. Yes I curled up with my laptop and Bobby Flay and Alton Brown all weekend long. That's comfort. HA! Seriously, I could watch Food Network and HGTV all day. Those are the only 2 reasons I ever miss having cable. The funny thing about internet TV is that usually they only post a few episodes of this or that. And being that Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, Comcast online or Xfinity as it's now called is only listing a bunch of Thanksgiving related Food Network shows right now. Fine by me.
So all weekend I was flooded with images of juicy turkey, all variations of stuffing/dressing, sweet potatoes made this way and that, and green bean casseroles aplenty, all while Giada and Bobby and Tyler and Alton explained just how delicious + easy each and every recipe was and how I MUST add this dish to my Thanksgiving menu.
I'm very easily influenced.
So Monday morning, when I was feeling just a bit better, I headed out to the store. I filled my cart with all things Thanksgiving. Sweet potatoes, fresh green beans, Trader Joe's corn bread stuffing and....even a turkey. As previously mentioned, I've never cooked a turkey before. Food Network told me I could do it, told me not to be afraid, so I believed them, so I bought one. Though, I decided to only go with the bone-in breast only though. I really didn't need a whole giant turkey a week before Thanksgiving. I also didn't want to wait for it to defrost. I have no patience. And I wanted Thanksgiving now. Food Network told me to do it. I'm very easily influenced.
Tuesday I spent all day preparing our feast.
"Is today Thanksgiving??", Megan asked.
"No", I said. "I just thought it would be fun to make our own Thanksgiving since we've never done it before and next week on real Thanksgiving we're going to Auntie Kim's".
"Ok, Momma".
"It is NOT Thanksgiving, Mommy. I do not want to eat all this stuff today," declared Jake.
"Too bad." I replied. "You will eat it and you will like it."
"I have the best wife ever." said Pete.
Our menu:
Mayo roasted Turkey (breast): said to make the turkey really moist without brinning. (again--no patience to wait for the brine)
Sweet potatoes: courtesy The Pioneer Woman. I am not a sweet potato fan. But these were really good.
Green bean casserole: also courtesy PW. This was really, really good! We didn't even miss the canned fried onions.
Stuffing: I used Trader Joe's cornbread stuffing mix. I just wanted to try it. It was pretty good. I added my own onions, carrots and celery to it. I think next time I'll go for straight up from scratch and see how it compares.
Gravy: from scratch made with butter, flour, turkey juices and broth. No Wondra.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie: Our Best Bites. I've blogged about this one before I think. Very, very good and super easy.
All in all, I'd call this first Thanksgiving very successful! Everything was really good. The only thing was I think the turkey could have cooked just a little longer. It tasted great and was definitely moist, but a little pink towards the bone. The Food Network told me to pull it out of the oven when it reached an internal temp of 160*. I do what the Food Network tells me to. I'm very easily influenced. But some episodes went all the way up to 180*. That's a pretty big difference in temp. I took mine out at 160*. Maybe next time 170* would be better.
I've got no pictures, but you can click on the links and look at other peoples food, if you want :)

Confessions

* I know people tend to really like this whole time changy/fall back thingy. At least they all SAY that on Sunday. Yay! We get to sleep in! But you all know it sucks when it's dark at 5PM. Admit it. I much prefer springing forward.
* Because of said time change, I've been wide awake since 4AM. I am now in a punchy mood. Don't mess with me.
* I don't like to plan things more than a few weeks to a month out. Except you know, like a big vacation or something. But day to day things I don't plan meticulously. I do not plan my entire homeschool year out in July. Or August. Or ever. I look over our materials and I know what's coming up and what to expect. But nothing is planned more than a few weeks out.
* My friend and neighbor/fellow homeschool parent is already planning school for NEXT year. It's driving me nuts. I'm sure I'm driving her equally nuts with my non planning.
Story: a few months ago my friend and neighbor was asking me: how many days of school are you planning this year? And I was all: HUH? what do you mean? School is over May 18th?? And she goes: so you're planning a full 180 days? And I'm like: I guess?? I don't know, people! I know school started on August 15, I know it ends on May 18th. I know there are 'scheduled' breaks somewhere in between, but honestly...what does it matter? As long as the work gets done, learning is happening and progression is being made..who cares if we only have school 2 days a week or if we don't take time off at Christmas? I mean, that's NOT how we do it, but there's not really any rules to this gig.
* I've never cooked a turkey. For some reason I'm completely intimidated by this task. I guess maybe because I've never had to do it. Either my Grandma, or mom or Mike or Pete's mom has always just done it. I'm not afraid of baking bread or a pot roast or grilling or really anything else in the kitchen. But I'm totally afraid of making a turkey.
* I have visions of the perfect Martha Stewart-esque Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner table complete with a white linen table cloth, home made gorgeous center piece,fresh herbs surrounding the perfectly golden crisp turkey,  cloth napkins and stylish place cards at each setting. It's just a vision. It would never happen! I think the closest we've ever gotten is paper napkins with a cartoon turkey printed on them.
* I love how my landlord sends us our garbage bill a week AFTER it's due. {insert eye roll here}
* I started using "anti-aging" make-up. Oh how that makes me feel old. But guess what? Fat fills in wrinkles. YEP. And I don't have all that much fat any more. Well, at least not on my face, apparently.
*That last one was a tough one to type. Maybe that's all I can really confess to today.

Halloween Camping, round 3!

We went camping for Halloween again! It is still just as much fun as it was the first time we went. Pete was actually gone hunting in Idaho the week before we were supposed to go. I begged and begged him the entire time he was gone to come home in time so we could take our own trailer this time. He actually got home around 3:30 AM on Friday and we pulled out with the trailer hitched to the truck around 11:30 AM the same day. He must really love me, or I'm really good at nagging. Let's go with both. ;-)
Oh, but it was so nice to have our own trailer this time. Honestly, I can not wait to take it out more. I'm bummed the weather is changing and we won't be going camping for a few months, I'm sure.
Anyway, here are some pics of our weekend. I tried to take a few more of how people decorated their sites and a few of the crowds as we tricked and treated.
First, here are the kids. They both decided to be pirates. This is Jake's 3rd time being a pirate! I made Megan's tu-tu all by myself! Seriously this is the easiest costume ever, and CHEAP. I think I'll make her some kind of tu-tu every year if she'll let me. :)

Megan, of course, was sick. Because you know, we can not take her anywhere without her blowing chunks.  I'm not kidding, I'm sure you could look back in my archives and find that 9 times out of 10, the girl gets sick when we go out of town. In all seriousness, she was really sick. Fever, chills, barf, the works. :( Her costume and trick or treating only lasted about 15 minutes.

Campsite displays:

 We saw this one right before the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Guy scared the sh*t out of me with his chainsaw. I screamed and spilled my adult beverage (that another campsite was kindly handing out) all over myself. And if you've ever been around me when I get scared, you know that no matter what, I start crying. I can not help it. That's what I get for saying, "I'm not scared of you, or your chainsaw!". I know, easy target. I've decided next year I will get my own scary mask and walk around with it scaring people in order to combat the people trying to scare me.

 This one below looked better in person, the fog machine kinda ruined what it really looked like. Very cool graveyard scene.

 The crowds: the picture really doesn't do it justice.

 This was cool....skeletons made out of PVC pipe. They were sittin' on lawn chairs having drinks. Too cute!

That's about it. There were so many more, but that covers the good ones. There was also a 'fun house' haunted house. They did the same thing last year, but this time it was much bigger. Not as scary, I thought though.
We can't wait till next year! Already made our reservations.

Where does time go?

I was just browsing through my blog archives tonight and I came upon this post. Oh my gosh, the video. It slays me. Still. I'm in tears. I watched the last one over and over. Thank God for video. Seriously. I don't use it enough. Note to self: get out the video camera tomorrow.

The punkin patch

Come on...you know you say puNkin and not puMPkin, right? Or is is that just me?
Well here's some pictures of our trip out to the punkin patch last week. Really, it ended up being a picnic in a field of pumpkins because most of the "fun" stuff (according to Jake) was not open. Like the corn maze and the panning gold and gems. That last thing is Jake favorite thing ever. He's obsessed with anything gold, gem-like or what he deems as 'treasure'. He was very disappointed that it was closed, not to mention the fact he was the oldest in our group and most of the kids there were either babies or Kindergarteners on a field trip, he was not happy. Not happy at all. Lucky for him, we're going again this Friday with kids his age. So expect more pictures.

 I will sit here because you asked me to, but know that I am not happy. Not happy at all. 

 Do I really have to act like I like these kids? Uhg. Fine. But this is as close as I get. He actually does really like these guys. But he was in such a mood. 

 This 'lil donkey was so cute. She came right up to us. Of course because she looked slightly like a horse, Megan loved her.

Tree climbing did make things slightly better for the boy. By the end of the day he had perked up. It may have been because I threatened him. You WILL have fun or I am never taking you anywhere again! Now SMILE for Mommy Dearest! Just kidding. Sort of. 

Tuesday things

1. My blogging has been pretty sporadic lately. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with things I think I should blog about or maybe want to blog about and then my head gets full. And you know what I do? I don't blog. Or I blog about lame things. Or I make lists ;-)
2. I quit using my dishwasher. Yep. I'm crazy. But the thing is...the dishes were looking better going in than coming out! I can't figure out what's wrong with it. I tried all kinds of soaps, I put Jet Dry in, the water heats, the spinners spin. So what's the deal?? I don't know. So I just said screw it. Even though I hate washing dishes (or so I thought). The best thing? My favorite coffee cup is always clean and ready for me in the morning. And the sinks are always shinny and clean. Win + win!
3. School is going along great. We had a little rough bit of it today, but 99% of the time we're good!. I've been thinking of doing a 'day in the life' homeschool style post soon.
4. One thing I have learned to accept is that schooling 2 kids IS harder than just one. And it IS going to take a little more time than originally planned. It took me a little getting used to, but I'm totally ok with it now.
5. The crock pot has been my saving grace lately. Our busiest days are Monday's and Wednesdays (we have extra curricular classes those days)  so I've been trying to have stuff ready to go so I have one less thing to worry about.
6. Pinterest. Can't say it enough. But I love, love, love this site. I know a lot of people say its a time waster or a place to put things and then never do them. But not for me. I do actually use the site for more than just pretty things. This is my recipe board I really have tried at least 70-80% of the things I've pinned. Here are a couple favorites:

Source: chefmommy-brandao.blogspot.com via Corey on Pinterest

Salsa Chicken (crock pot) kids favorite.

Source: bakingbites.com via Corey on Pinterest

Lemon bars. Oh my gosh these are SO GOOD.
7. I also use Pinterest for school stuff. There are tons and tons of homeschool references, grade level things, freebies from teachers, or just really good ideas you could adapt for your own kids. I'm planning on doing  these two things before the end of the month:

Source: ttsd.k12.or.us via Corey on Pinterest

Pumpkin Math Day

Source: mrsleeskinderkids.blogspot.com via Corey on Pinterest

Science investigation
8. These images are ginormous! I'm sorry. I have no idea how to fix them. :-/
9. What are your kids going to be for Halloween? I'm usually so excited for it...but I'm just not prepared at all this year! I can't believe it's coming so soon. We are excited, however, to go on our annual Halloween camping trip! (I hope it doesn't rain this time!)
10. Certain things always remind me of either a song or a movie. Or a song will remind me of a movie. Or something like that. Example: Pete was just going to make a phone call. Jake says: Who ya gonna call? And I immediately think: GHOST BUSTERS! My children think I'm crazy because they have no idea what I'm talking about. Note to self: rent Ghost Busters.

Just because...

Earlier this week:

The rain came down in sheets. I thought for a moment the Good Lord had forgotten about fall. It poured and poured and poured. And thunder and lighting too. So weird.
But the beautiful fall weather has returned. It really is what keeps me sane, since summer isn't too much like summer here...with the fog and all. Anyway, I got a few good ones of the girl in the warm, soft afternoon light as the boys were busy blowing all the evidence of the storm away down the hill. {this place is a mess after it rains!}

Going to go enjoy the rest of Sunday. ♥
side note: i guess blogger has gone and changed the picture format again?? i don't know, but these seem to look a lot better when you click on them to get the larger image. 

Do you see what I see?

This was last night looking out Megan's bedroom window. A momma and two baby deer just chillin' in our driveway.
It's not really an unusual thing. We see her and the babies all the time. Just the first time I really got a pic of it. Momma is so not afraid of humans at all. I've come out my garage/carport door and she's been standing right behind the car (which you can't see in this pic) and all she does is look up. She eventually walks off slowly, but she's got no fear.
Baby #1 was born just this year. He's a little buck. He's so cute. Right now he's got two tiny little antler stubs on the top of his head. Earlier this summer he had cute little white spots all over his rump but they're gone now.
Baby #2 is actually a yearling. She should be 'leaving the nest' soon.
Anyway, just a peek into this amazing place we get to live. Right smack dab in the middle of a city, right above a busy freeway, yet worlds away from everything. I love it.

Tuesday Things.

Not sure if I'll make it to 10 or not.

1. Sunday was the memorial service for one of the people from our church that had passed away. It was a wonderful memorial. She was a little younger than I thought she was. She'd been through so much in her life, and it showed on the surface. But on the inside...she was...so young. She never, ever complained about the things that had happened to her. She always smiled. She always said she was "alright", even if you knew she wasn't. She was a wonderful example of faith, in that way. She always knew He would take care of her. I'd like to think I'm that way, but I'm not. I worry way too much. I don't put my problems over to Him as much or as trusting as maybe I should.
2. I made the photo board for the memorial service. I only knew her the last 11 years of her life. It was amazing looking through a lifetime of memories. Once again, I'm reminded of the power of photographs.
3. I started watching Thirty Something on Hulu back when I first had my surgery. I needed something to do whilst I sat in a recliner for a week. My parents never watched that show when it was on TV. I thought, hmmm maybe I would like it now that I actually am thirty-something. It's funny even though I am the same age as the people in the show...they will always seem older than me. Always.
4. I also started watching Felicity on Netflix thanks to my friend Allison. (Pete is gone this week, that's why I am filling my time with TV shows LOL!) I loved Felicity when I was younger. LOVED it. And when I watch that show now, I am exactly the same age as the characters. (as I was when the show first aired...18-19 years old)  Do you know what I'm talking about? Is that just me?
5. The fridge repairman came today. He was late. As expected. But the good news was it wasn't the compressor. And I don't have to go out and buy a new fridge. It was only a $279 fix. Not bad considering what it could have been. But dang, the labor was 3 TIMES the cost of the part. And he was only here an hour. Ca-razy!
6. Pete's in Wyoming this week. Hunting. Of course. I'm glad it's only a week this time. His dad went with him. I'm glad his dad decided to go. I hope they're having fun and will be home soon.
7. My children decided it would be awesome to lick their fingers and stick them in the sugar bowl I have on the counter for coffee. Yeah. I wanted to get really mad at them for doing that. Then I remembered I used to do the exact same thing to the butter when I was a kid. Gross. Don't worry, I threw out the sugar and moved it so they couldn't easily get it. You won't have to worry if you come over for coffee ;-)
8. So I have this friend. Well I guess technically she's more like an acquaintance. I've known her for a long time, and we have mutual friends. We've just never really hung out before. So all of a sudden she wants to hang out. Which is fine. Only she didn't call me to ask. She asked one of our mutual friends to "set it up". Isn't that kind of strange? I guess she's maybe intimidated by me? Or at least that's sort of the way I feel whenever I'm around her. I don't know why that is. I can hardly intimidate my own children let alone someone else....an adult. I don't really know what to make of all this. Only now, I'm supper uncomfortable to hang out with her. I'm uncomfortable because obviously she is. I don't know. It's just weird.
9. Um well....that's all I can come up with. I need to go get all the food from outside in the carport and put them back in the house. fuuuuuun!

No more drama, please.

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post. But I figured y'all needed something to look at since I haven't posted a picture in forever.
I don't really want this to become a "poor me" post. But I'm afraid it will probably come off that way.
You know those "friends" you have on facebook? The ones who maybe aren't really your friends or a friend you haven't seen since high school anyway? You know, the ones who seem to always have something wrong happening? Some horrible drama? You know the ones. The ones who seem to get off on the drama and enjoy the attention it gets them for posting their crap on facebook?
I get really annoyed with those friends.
But you know what? I sort of feel like I am that girl lately.  Only I don't like the drama. I don't like it one bit. And I don't get off on getting attention because of said drama. I'm only writing this, not for sympathy, not for attention, but only for pure venting purposes. Because, I'm totally sick of it.  I just can not take anymore drama.
Lets see here's some things that have gone down in the past year.

* My dog died
* My dad got sick
* various family dramas because of it
* My gallbladder starts going bad
* Dad in the hospital multiple times
* Dad passes away
* More family drama
* My house sells, yet they won't turn off the water because the bank hasn't recorded the new owners name yet. So I keep getting charged for water and garbage.
* various other instances dealing with my old house.
* I have surgery to remove my gallbladder.

Here's what's happened just in the last few weeks/ 24 hours:
* 2 church members pass away on the same day (our church is small, so this is kinda a big deal)
* our pastor is in poor health and it's sad, but we're pretty sure it could be any day now for him too.
* we've had 3 mice in the house. All dead now, thank goodness. But I've since been cleaning like crazy. There is not enough bleach in the world to disinfect after mouse droppings, in my opinion.
* I can't really write about it on the internet since it's not completely resolved yet, but some lady is trying to say we did something when we didn't do. Or well, trying to blame us for something that was her fault. I don't see anything really coming of this, but STILL. It's just one more thing.
* One of my incisions from my surgery (after more than a month) has all of a sudden started "leaking". Yeah. Not blood or anything, but clear fluid, and it's red and irritated and kinda hurts if anything touches it. So that can't be good.
* My computer is on the fritz. It's 5 years old, Dell won't warranty it anymore and it's moving slow and crashes at least once a day. I have a laptop, and it works fine and we can make due, but with the kids homeschooling and Jake being required to be on the computer for a class 30 minutes a day, we really do need 2.
* THEN TODAY all of a sudden, my freezer quits freezing. I've turned it all the way up and it's still leaking water all over my kitchen floor. The ice cream is melted and veggies unfrozen. Luckily the meat seems to be holding up ok. We bought this fridge about 9 years ago when we bought our first house. Nine years isn't old in refrigerator years, is it? They're not like dogs, are they?

Anyway, I realize in the scheme of things, 90% of what I just wrote isn't any big deal. It's just life stuff. We all go through it. I totally get that. Again, I'm not looking for sympathy. I just needed to get it off my chest.
I'm just....*ugh*.... warn out I guess.
I'm just ready for some normal days.

And right after I wrote that....a GIANT spider jumped out of my printer onto my desk and across my keyboard!  (*&$(@)(&*%)(*&^!  I freaking HATE spiders!!
Someone give me a break! :-P

10 on Tuesday

1. Oakland + September = my favorite. If it would only stay like this all year.
2. I desperately need a new computer. My next one will most certainly be a Mac.
3. Crockpots may be one of the 20th century's greatest inventions. Especially for busy moms. One of our favorite recipes: chicken + BBQ sauce + pineapple. Hawaiian pulled chicken. Sooo good.
4. Photo shoots are fun but I think they take a lot out of me. I didn't have a desire to take a pic for a week.
5. I'm completely sold on local + organic food. I have been for a while but recently since I found a great farmers market, I've been buying ALL my produce there or getting it from my own garden. Besides the obvious health reasons... It just TASTES so much better. I'm excited to continue this into the fall and winter and see if I can make it eating 'in season' produce only.
6. School has been much much better. I've got some things ironed out and we're going much smoother.
7. Today we finished school around 1. So much better than 3.
8. Girls are so much easier to teach. And they just inherently have better handwriting.
9. Got my first pair of TOMS. I was sure Pete would say they were ugly. But he actually likes them. I see more in my future. They are comfy.
10. Thinking of starting a winter garden. Have you ever done one? What grows in winter?


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