Pre Thanksgiving

Just a quick post as I'm busy preparing for T'giving. My parents, DH's parents, my sister and her family and my grandfather are all coming over tomorrow. My sister is supposed to be coming down this evening but JoJo has hockey till 530!! That would put them here @ the kids bed time. I told her I'd have them in bed before she came. I don't think she was to found of that idea but if i kept them up till 830/9 that means they'd be up till 10! I don't want that right before a big day on Thursday. So will see.

No I'm not cooking the turkey, leaving that to my parents. I think just getting this house ready is enough for me. I am making a pie, green bean casserole, corn from our sweet corn patch and a salad. I'm sure there's more but that's all my weary mind can think of.

C'man is running around the house while i type this, with a string and Sally Bellie chasing it. Cute listening to him squeal. That cat is the most easy going cat one could ask for. Doesn't come in very often but when she does she is just great with the kids. Letting them lay on her, drag her by the tail, and just purrs and purrs.

Here's a picture of the 3 of them. This was actually taken by our lovely babysitter.

In other news the kitchen table is up and functioning. I went to pick up just the chairs yesterday and DH would get the table later. I casually asked the guy if i could hire him to put it all together. By the time I got home he'd left a message on our answering machine and said he'd do it for $100 and then he'd just bring the table with him. HIRED!!

So he was out last night putting that together, DH was glad we paid him to do it. He even asked if $100 was enough. I whispered, just write the check:)

Must go C'man just had a run in with some toys I've told him to pick up, he tripped AND now Miss A is awake. Grrrrrr

Surprises-Like 'Em??

I think I should take a poll. Although in the past people aren't voting, so this time you really should. I'll see if I can get that working.
Me? NOPE. When it comes to surprises such as the Christmas gifts we've been getting for the kids, I can not tell you how hard it is to keep it hidden till Christmas. This is why I can't shop till the last minute b/c then everyone would have there gifts with in a day of me buying them!
Or if you say 'I know a surprise, or know something' I'll beat you up till you disclose. OK well not literally. DH has learned he can torment the crap out of me by saying 'I got you a surprise!'
Don't tell me if you're preparing a surprise party for someone, unless I won't be seeing them till the party. I can also detect surprises. If I think a surprise is coming I'll work my darnest to figure it out. Aren't I just a lot of fun.
OH but NJ-LA got me. She surprised me by showing up for a baby shower. EVERYONE knew accept DH and I! They did so good keeping it. WOW. I wish I could surprise someone like that but I just wouldn't be able to contain my excitement.
Last night we had our annual harvest festival which included supper and then an auction of goods. For instance, I brought my canned peaches, cinnamon pears, apples and apple butter. My peaches and pears brought $17! EACH!! Where I'm going with this is there were a couple mystery packages up there. I just had to have it and not only did i get one, but I had to open it right then and there!!
Now I have another surprise too, but I'm going to keep this one till I can't anymore. I don't think it should be hard to keep and I'm going to see how you all handle surprises. Probably harder via the computer world vs in real life (IRL).

Momma Said....

There'd be days like this!
Boy she wasn't lying, but what about weeks??
This week has been HELL!! I'm going to just start within the last 5 hours. Miss A has been CRABBY! She cries all the time, screams, fights with brother, and is just a HUGE PITA!! I finally thru my arms up at 915AM and called the doc. She's had a cold all week i thought maybe her ears are bothering her. They wanted me to come in one hour. No problem we're coming. WELL NOTHING other then a cold is wrong with her. Ears fine, throat fine, drainage yes but she'll get over it. I talked to the Ped. about how frustrated I am with her. Nothing works. She has such a temper, she throws everything when she's mad. You can rationalize with her (OK i know what 2 year old CAN you rationalize with!?) She's been up most the night this last week and I'm just up to here with it.
I asked about OT (occupational therapy), ADHD, Autism, psychologist, whatever just something to help me with her. The response was can't test for ADHD and Autism till they are 6, why do you want a psychologist? and have you read any books. I have researched ADHD and not really seeing it in her!?
I was prepared for this response and i proceeded with I'm just so frustrated and I'm looking for answers/solutions. Maybe she's just strong willed but i need to talk with someone how to handle it. I have the books, great ones but I'm totally lost right now and am on the verge of a mental breakdown!
She concluded with I think shes just strong willed and you had an easy 2 year old with your son you'll weather thru it.
Now please pay $95 and no we don't give discounts for private pay.
Am i shocked, no. I knew they wouldn't do anything for her cold. I was just praying that maybe her ears hurt resulting in the very crabby behavior.
Oh i guess she did suggest getting her in a playgroup, needs more social interaction. Well I'm beginning to think i need to take her somewhere once a week for the AM.
On the way home she screamed the last 20 min b/c i took her glass away which was filled with water. She even peed in her car seat. I cried. No i bawled.
DH has been gone every night this week, even all day. The last 3 days he's gone before the kids get up and home after they are in bed. I get them up, feed them 3 meals, bath, put them to bed and try to keep things orderly around here. Of WHICH my dryer is still not fixed. I got in there and did as much cleaning of lent as I could and am now waiting for a repair man to come look at it. I think it's going to be fine after cleaning it out, but i just need it fixed.
Finally just called someone to do it b/c there's no telling when DH would get to it. His solution is to take it to his parents. Oh yes doesn't THAT sound like fun to haul wet laundry, 2 cross kids and an even crabbier mother to dry laundry b/c he is to busy to fix it.
NADA!!!
So there you have it. I'm just going to stop here as I'll just get more worked up. If you have any words of wisdom please pass it on. Don't be harsh with me, I'm not in the mood to deal with it. Any other parents out there that can relate to this???

Was God trying to tell us something? We bought that new kitchen table and couch and in a matter of 24 hours my dryer literally starts smoking and DH finds out he has to come up with a LARGE amount of money, by the end of the month ,for taxes on an estate. LOVELY!! This happens every time. When we bought our van something happened too, can't remember what, but it did.
The stupid dryer sometimes smells smoky but not for long. Well last night it smelled HORRIBLE. I opened it and a poof of smoke came out and the place smelled like a burning building. I called FIL to come figure out what to do. He came right over but proceeded to tell me over and over about the time there dryer wasn't drying and he took the entire thing a part. Couldn't find anything wrong, heating element was fine, etc. So he puts it back together only to find out as he was screwing in the LAST SCREW, that one of the g'daughters had put it on air fluff!!! I laughed. That was good!
So yes, DH thought it would be OK after i cleaned out the lent hose that goes from the dryer outside!? but i just looked inside the dryer again and it reeks. Needless to say the clothes that were in there I've had to wash 3 times to get that awful smell out. It's done for, now i have no dryer.
What to do, buy a cheap one? But a new one that I'd really like? Do we buy a washing machine too? Sometimes the deals are better!? What do you all recommend?
Oh and did i mention too that we hired a contractor to put in storms over the only 2 original windows in the house, trim out the kitchen AND sheet rock the garage ceiling??? Yeah, lovely! Sheet rock is being delivered Friday. I cleaned the garage out as good as i could stand too this afternoon. It sucked. The kids have to many toys, the cats have made havoc in there, and recycling has over taken our garage. I made a pile of 'free' stuff and have listed it on websites in attempt to get it out. I don't care if i get nothing for it, i want it out!!

I think my MIL may never....

Watch the kids again! Remember how yesterday I posted about the kitchen table we were getting. Well DH and I went to go pick it out, and look at couches, so MIL watched the kids while we made a quick trip.

Once at the store and having found our table, and a new couch,

we called G'ma to see how it was going. DH did, and all I heard was oh, ohhhh, hmmmm, and i thought oh boy they are being dirty little rascals. That was an understatement. My MIL said they were HORRIBLE. I called back later as the paying, picking up, details was taking FOREVER, and she told me that Miss A had the worst fit she'd ever seen. (i thought yeah, now you see what i deal with) It started by C'man throwing her toy over the gate, then her kicking, screaming, hitting, and that would be all the way upstairs as g'ma put her up there to cool off. Then she started destroying the room. I had to just chuckle b/c when we got home MIL was upstairs with the kids (this was at 910PM) and the crib was in the middle of the room and MIL said I had to do that or who knows she'd had pulled the curtains down and I'm surprised the crib is still standing.

I said she her name up on the wall?? Notice the 'S' is missing, well it got broke in one of her fits of rage.

WE told them how disappointed we were in there behavior and they said sorry and gave g'ma all sorts of hugs. She really just wanted to get home. I could hardly blame her. She left exhausted and defeated. Poor lady. I felt so bad and was so cross with my kids. there behavior was 100% unacceptable and I don't think G'ma will be wanting to babysit/watch these kids for a very long time.

Which One?

We are getting a new kitchen table. Need help on deciding on which one. They are the same color even tho the picture makes it look like they are not. OK nevermind. DH

and I decided on this one. Now i'm on the phone working with the sales lady on the phone right now!

While I Wait

Sorry no deep thought behind that title. Just waiting for my FIL to bring back my boy. C'man is hanging out with daddy and papa at the farm. One would not believe the love my FIL has for C'man and Miss A. It really moves me to tears to see this man who really didn't have a lot to do with his own kids, till they were old enough to work, enjoy our kids so much. Don't read to far in to that last statement. I know without a doubt he loves his boys, just was, still isn't, big in to the saying I love you, hugs, holding, etc. But if you saw C'man and Papa interact with one another you'd be amazed. I think one of the coolest things to date, that Papa and C'man did was this late Summer, early Fall, they put up a new fence together. I'm sure C'man told papa how to do it as I've been told in great depth how to build a fence by him. But i bet the dialogue was flowing b/w the two them at a very rapid and hilarious pace.
But i think back to what my FIL said. He remembers decades ago building that same fence with his father and now C'man helped him build the new one. They both are very proud of this tender moment they got to share. I can hear it in 10+ years' riding by that fence and saying 'remember when you helped papa build that fence?' Those are the kind of memories i want to create b/w my kids and there g'parents.
Oh and recently papa has started pulling on Miss A's hair, or when she has piggies in he gives them a whirl. All little actions he does to express his love for those kids. Miss A loves hanging out with papa too b/c he gives her whatever food she wants to keep her quite LOL.
Well since starting this Papa has dropped off a very crabby C'man. DH just came home as it has started to rain. Further delaying harvesting. VERY frustrating for the farmer.
So share your kids, or your own, relationship with G'parents! Any fond memories?

Have You??

I'm editing this b/c when i looked at it the things i've done didn't show up in bold!!

I found this on another blog and thought it would be fun. I do like to do these kind of things, when time allows. So here's how it works. Copy and paste this and then bold the things you've done. Leave a comment here a long with a link to your blog for us to see your answers. (plus get more people on your blog)
If you do not have a blog, post your responses in the comments or email me them!

Here it is:
Have you?
Bold the things you’ve done.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower-the night C'man was born there was one on the way home from the hospitol
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world (both)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang/played a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty-Im not sure if we ever made it to the top but been there many of times
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping-Lake Michigan with my friends when we nannied. What memories. Especially when the cops showed up:) My friend amy had her underwear on backwards lol
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run-i kicked on in kick ball:)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma-once but i passed out
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check-oops
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating-no Sarah Palin here!
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club-i have the intentions of doing this!!
93. Lost a loved one
94. Make a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

ok now it's your turn!!! Remember to link to your blog!!

Farm Life In The Fall

I realized I haven't given any posts to harvesting. Tis that time of the year here, where the farmers are busy busy! Here is pictures of DH's 'life' the last couple weeks and the next couple weeks. Luckily this combine has a buddy seat where C'man, Miss A, or myself can comfortably sit!

I did manage a quick ride this past Sunday before a purse party I had. Here are some shots of that. Note the 'dress' clothes and not my regular hanging out going no where clothing:) C'man just LOVES playing farmer or rather being daddy's assistance. He has the answers for everything/ He can not wait to ride with daddy however after just a couple 'rounds' he usually is falling asleep. Me on the other hand, I had to get out after 15 min. I was getting sick from all the jerking, turning around, bumps, etc. Just the other day i rode again on longer rows and was much better.

Here we are waiting for daddy to come back. I was in here all of .5 seconds and we picked up a rock causing DH to fix something?? We were left to entertain ourselves:)

Here then is a video of the process. Sorry for my annoying voice:) But it does give you an idea of how it works. The beeping horn noise is caused when the head goes down to go thru the corn. Lots of alarms, horns, bells and well whistles on this combine. All sorts of gadgets that register moisture, yield and who knows what else!

Miss A does like to ride too. She often is napping when C'man gets to do most of his riding. But this past week all 4 of us got to go for a ride. Here she is in all her glory.

I think that about sums it up:) Questions? comments? Thoughts?

Really? No Comments

OK so i have this tracker thing on here and my 'hits' today is about triple then normal. But no comments. Not sure if that means you'd rather not waste your energy by responding or just as soon keep your thoughts to yourself. Not that I want a war of words/posts, but I'm curious what brought you over here? Was is a comment I left on another blog? Do you stop in from time to time b/c either you know me or happened upon my blog?

In weather news, isn't it just amazing how I can jump from one subject to another!?, we had a Tornado Warning right here by me!! Yes it's November and we had tornado warnings! Doppler indicated, but none the less. It was when the kids and I were sitting down to eat supper. It was so dark out it was hard to see what was going on. Had to look when the sky would light up. Called DH who was feverishly putting farm equipment away, wondering what we should do. Well I would have went to the basement but you know, I didn't want our supper to get cold:) just kidding. Here's the forecast for here! Check out the temp for today (wednesday) to Thursday!!
Wednesday: Hi 75 FLo 60 F Strong storms possible
Thursday:Hi 45 FLo 45 F Chilly showers
Friday: Hi 35 FLo 31 F Light snow possible
Saturday: Hi 36 FLo 25 Flurries?
Sunday: Hi 37 FLo 24 Flurries?
Monday: Hi 40 FLo 24


Full circle here, back to election results. I've gotten many great emails from people in response to what we're up against. I ask people like 'Doc' to comment. Or BFF-E who is a teacher that voted for McCain and sent an email very concerned about our future. What about you out there? I know there are readers out there that voted McCain (Karon) tell me what's on your mind right now.

Mommy Are We In Trouble?

That was the question C'man asked me today while eating lunch and listening to the news. Of course all over the news is the news of Obama becoming our new President. God help us all. I can see that I'm getting lots of 'hits' today and I'm assuming everyone is waiting for my response to this all. I'm not going to go on and on, you all know how i feel.
I can't say I'm shocked by the news, really I'm not. I'd like to see a birth certificate first and then bring the change on I guess. Us Christians out there need to be on our knees! Especially when it comes to abortion. I'm shocked by the number of 'Christians' that are so pro life but yet vote Dem. How in the WORLD does that work?? Or all the families out there unable to have kids and want to adopt. You think that's going to get any easier now?
OK I'm going on and on and I said i wouldn't. I'd better go stand at my mailbox waiting for my $$ to come! I think I can make money now being a stay at home mom!!
Get on your knees those who believe in prayer. We're going to need it!! (regardless of who won. we'd need prayers, but when it comes to abortion and gay marriage, this president is going to go all out!)

Election Day 2008

It's here!! If you had to read my blog to realize that, well then you've been living under a rock! I hope each and every one of you who can vote, have voted. I went this AM @ 9. I dropped the kids off at my FF-S's house and headed to town. I drove 18 miles to vote! I can't believe the 2 towns closest to me are 4 miles and I had to drive 18 miles. But yeah, we are on the way end of our township. No ID was required. I'm sorry I don't care if you know me, ID should still be required!

I was in and out in 15 min, max! If I'd voted straight Republican I'd had been done in one min. But nope, I wanted to fill in each bubble for each of the people running for office that i wanted.

I then ran some errands before coming back to FF-S house and watching all the kids so she could vote. While she was gone, I carved 2 pumpkins. HUGE pumpkins. The kids were supposed to help, note the 'supposed' to. I ended up doing it myself and now i have a bowl full of seeds that I'll be roasting. here's the recipe I'm going to use to roast pumpkin seeds. And just like the little hen who did all the work to bake the bread, well the same will hold true for the pumpkin seeds. LOL! Ok I'll share....

Windy as all heck can be around here. I walk outside and darn near get slapped in the face with cornstalks! It's dangerous. BUT it's beautiful as far as temp. The last couple days have been mid to upper 70's!!!! so NOT November.

Alright my friends. Get out there and vote! John McCain/Sara Palin too!! I'm off to an election party tonight for our Congressman. It doesn't start till 730pm and FF-S is coming with me. I'm really looking forward to it. Four years ago when I went it was a very late night!

I hope the next time i write I'm not saying our new President is Obama but I'm fearful that could happen. I'm fearful even more so, what's going to become of this country! i hope we're ready to fight war on our own grounds b/c that's what's going to happen!

Oh lets end this on a fun note, pictures of the kids from Halloween!

The lion trying to

kids the unicorn:)