The Big O....

Oh dear, i hope you weren't thinking i was going to talk about THAT now did you?? Get your minds out of the gutter:) No i'm referring to Omaha. My brother, SIL and my nephew are flying in from DC tonight. They have a wedding to attend tonight. My parents and then my sister from MN are all meeting up in Omaha tomorrow. DH isn't' coming b/c he wants to get in the field. They planted some early beans b/c they need to seed that ground down to pasture. Those beans are ready. Oh speaking of 'farming' i guess DH has gotten a different combine. He had gotten a different one last year ($50,000) and it needs some work done to it. SO the salesman, his friend, said he'd give him what he paid for that one toward this other one. WHICH is $90,000!!!!!!!! Can you believe that. My DH is spending $90g on a piece of equipment used about 3 months out of the year. And actually to buy a NEW COMBINE would run you up over the $150,000!! No wonder I got a 'newer' van.

Back to the weekend. We are staying at this hotel and it has a great indoor water park. Bummed that my niece won't be able to make it, but not as bummed as C'man will be with my sister pulls in tonight and there's no JoJo. JoJo has a volleyball tournament she is playing in this weekend.

What's all you readers doing this weekend?? Come on ya'll we need to put some comments in here. Make me feel better about this blabbing:) BFFE- you're good at this THANKS!

I must be out of my mind with this canning business. I've canned: Tomato Juice, Tomato Soup (still hot), Spaghetti Sauce, Pears, Cinnamon Pears (yesterday), Peach Pie Filling, Peach Jam, Froze a BUNCH of peaches and in the crock pot now is apple butter.

Tomorrow, or Friday, I will be canning a flat of peaches. The pears and peaches came from the organic store down the road from us. I'm not sure why i ordered so many flats but i did. They are the best dang peaches and pears you'll ever taste. Oh and i had gotten blueberries a couple weeks ago too! OH and Strawberries, waiting to make jam with them. Froze them till i had time.

I can can while the kids nap if i stay focused. Both kids have been napping for 3+ hours the last couple days. That allows me to get it all done. I'm trying to avoid using the pressure cooker. That thing scares me! Not to mention it hasn't been used in over 2 years so we're not sure how accurate the gauge is. None the less, I've called on the, 'canners for life' mentor and she advised me for the soup I could just do a hot water bath.

That's what I've been up too the last couple days. OH and picking apples. On Monday I entrusted my FIL with my life and let him hoist me in the air with the bucket on his old tractor. I was rather frightened. More by what my mother and husband would say if they saw me. At one point he about cut my head off by shoving me in to the tree to far:) Today was DH's turn to pick apples with FIL driving. I opt'd to climb the apple tree. Yes, that too was a sight. I got poked in the bum by a branch and nearly fell out. It still hurts.

So anyway, need apples come on over. We have plenty. I'd also like to hear any recipes you may have for canning and any stories you have about doing it!

Zumba bumba

WOW what a workout this Zumba is. Here's a link to our instructor at a local dance event. She's been on the news quite a bit with the Zumba. She is so cute too. Click on ZUMBA to see the news clip.
Back to me doing the Zumba. I think my legs and arms were all over the place. It was SO MUCH FUN! I just am so glad there was no camera crew, mirrors, or anyone behind me, b/c i felt like an octopus. The turn out wasn't to bad. Not the best, but not bad. I think those of us that were there LOVED it and will be busy talking about it gaining more interest by our enthusiasm.
We had 2 classes just this time. I did both classes. WOW! i was sweating so much my hair was just soaked. What a great work out! I do need to get different shoes tho. My arches starting hurting and now my big toe hurts. I think it's b/c i do so much of it on my toes!?
But it was fun and will be a great work out. I did notice that I'm going to have to miss one Monday night b/c i scheduled a purse party. Daaa
I'm talking tonight with a young lady that is at the beginning of her and her DH's infertility journey. Actually they've been on it for awhile but have just now visited with an Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE). They live out in PA, originally from near me. I'm so hoping I can be the support she needs as well as help her, encourage them, and just answer any questions they may have. I feel that I've been down this road one to many times and know exactly what they will experience.
I'd better get going, she's do to call any minute.

Zummmbaaa

Guess what i'm getting ready to go do. ZUMBA!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Hxw_Jf2B4

Oh it ought to be interesting with my 6ft body trying to do this!! Stop the chuckling BFFE, SML, Laura:)

STay posted for my take on it all!

My Mouth May Hurt

but not my fingers! I can still type. Dear me, what would happen if i couldn't do that. So lets see....what's on my mind.
Right now the little monsters, i mean children, are playing in the basement. I hear screams of delight coming. Delight to them may be oh DEAR to me! I have already changed Miss A twice before nap time. BUT she did 'pooters' in the potty! She then woke up from her nap, pulled her diaper off and i didn't know that, so when i got her, she had pee'd in her bed. SO that was time #3.
C'man changed clothes after coming home from the farm and being just covered in dirt. 1/2 inch of rain on a farm equals LOTS of mud! Then after his nap I dressed him for the 3rd time only to find him on top of a dirt/mud pile with NO SHOES! He had worn boots out there but they go stuck in the mud. However, that didn't cause the big mess. That darn sand and water table i got off of craigslist is what did him in. I hate that table. It's going back ON craigslist. The sand never stays on the sand side so that means I'm stuck cleaning sand/water/muck and my kids are constantly covered in it.
WHY did i think that would be such a wonderful toy to get them. It has caused nothing but grief. Even the cats like it, I've found them pooping in it. So BYE BYE! Anyone want it???

Yesterday was our first MOPS meeting of the year (mothers of preschoolers). This is my 2nd year. I am also a table leader and i can say I have a great table. We aren't very crafty, so we were thrilled yesterday when our table made this dipped pretzel 'dude' and it was already dipped, had the mini chocolate chips for his buttons and all we had to do was tie licorice for his collar and the other 'dude' we had to put a dab of frosting on the tip of the pretzel, put a gummy ring on and then his hat which was a gummy drop. It actually was really easy for us! To bad our kids didn't get to eat them. I know 1/2 of us ate it right there!! Fun times

Speaking of MOPS next month I'm the speaker. I will be educating mothers about infertility and adoption. Something I'm not sure any of the mothers have experience. Considering i think 5 moms have 4-7 kids out of 40, I'd say not. But still I'm sure some have struggled to get pregnant with one. I won't go any further b/c I'm sure you'll be my sounding/reading audience as i prepare for it.

What's on your minds? Not much reaction from my previous posts. Lots of 'hits'/readers but no comments. Not sure what to make of that. But i would appreciate any feedback:)

Off to see what the monsters are doing they are coming to find me!!

My Achin Mouth

Here you thought you were done hearing about my mouth. WRONG! I had my root canal today. I'm not very happy. It was HORRIBLE! I wouldn't wish that upon anyone, not even ahh...Obama! (ok well maybe)
I told the doc. that my dentist really had to numb me up, like REALLY numb my mouth. He said oh don't worry we will.
He shot that med. in to my mouth and pain ripped across my lips. I even said AHHHH.
Then he started with more needles, and then grinding, then me jumping b/c i was not all the way numb. I don't know how many times he had to give me more numbing medicine, at least a doz times. It was just awful. My entire body was as stiff as a board waiting for him to hit another nerve. At one point i was sweating but i was shaking.
Are you cringing in pain with me yet??
It took a good hour to get it done. My mouth was pried open for a solid hour. Now my mouth can move for a solid hour of talking, but NEVER this wide open. When it was 'over' they had to take an xray. After finally getting my mouth shut, i couldn't open it again to have that thing shoved in to my mouth. I just couldn't do it.
Well Mr Dentist, or whatever that guy is called, got it in there alright. Shoved it right in, i almost puked on him.
OK well I'm stopping now b/c i think I've said everything i can and I'm rather cross. I'm working on canning spaghetti sauce. Another process in and of itself.
I still would like some feed back on my previous post. I know there has to be someone out there that either disagrees completely or has something to add to it.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be opening a big ol' can of worms but if i am, I am. I've been struggling lately with the question/thought of how can a Christian be a Democrat? I follow a variety of infertility support groups on line and some topics I'm just avoiding such as those in strong support for Obama.
Repeatedly he has voted against ending partial birth abortions. I just don't understand how Christians can possibly think that's OK? I realize abortion may not be #1 in your reasons to vote for a candidate but it shows how 'liberal' he is. Then on top of all of this i read about many women who are infertile and think it's OK for women to abort. Really?? you want a child so bad that you think this is OK? Or those who have adopted, do they realize that had that mom chosen abortion that child wouldn't be with them? Does that alone not make you want to end abortion, or at the least, partial birth abortion?
We've all heard the stories where the nurse sits in a dark room holding a child that was just aborted and he/she lays there in the nurses arms trying to cling to life that it's mother determined was not to be.
It saddens me beyond belief. Abortion aside, we still have the appointment of judges. Do you really think Obama will appoint anyone that is just remotely conservative? not a chance! That is a big concern as there will be openings on the court and if we want to keep marriage b/w a man and a women we need someone to fight for that. Conservatives believe marriage is b/w a man and a women. God says marriage is b/w a man and women, so wouldn't a Christian feel the same? Maybe you're thinking it's not for me to determine. Well you may think that till little Johnny comes home from school and says guess what i learned today mom!?
It won't stop there either. This nation was founded on the belief of God. We are getting away from it and look where we're heading.

I don't think all the decisions Bush has made are right. Who likes war? Christians don't, know one does. But our freedom is being tested, much like our faith, and we need to stand firm. We are at a point in our history where we have to fight for our freedom. I strongly believe that JMC will get business taken care of and get out. Pulling out right now would mean loosing everything we've fought for. Our nation will always be at risk of terrorist. That's the way my children are going to be raised. But i will not worry about that with JMC in office.

Well, i think I've said enough and probably offended many. But i truly do want to know how a Christian can be a Democrat. I know i have hit just the tip of the iceberg, but that's what's front and center with me right now. So please if you could take a moment and respectfully agree or disagree, I'd appreciate it.

John McCain

Sorry i haven't posted sooner! Are some of you surprised? Well I'm sure you won't be surprised that i was thrilled with JMC (John McCain) speaking at the RNC. While i don't think he has the speaking qualities that Palin did, I thought he did great. Did it make anyone else sad when he talked about being held captive for 5 years?? I just simply can not imagine I had to kind of tune it out b/c it was so disturbing for me to listen to.
I'd like to hear what you all thought. What were parts that you liked? Questioned? Didn't like?

Home Run

Does anyone else think Sara Palin hit a home run last night at the RNC? Man I continue to stand by my statement that she's the one. This women means business. She has a look to her like a school teacher that could take a ruler and tap a couple kids on hands if they aren't listening.
A couple things of note from last night. I noticed she was wearing a skirt. I liked that. I was hoping she wouldn't take the Hillary look and do the pant suit. While i find them just fine, myself having worn many of them, I thought the skirt was a better choice. The last thing we need is comparison to Hillary.
I loved that when she said the Gov't was going to help AL build a bridge she said will build it ourselves. She has been behind an extensive oil pipe line that is nearing completion. She is fiscally conservative. Even sold the Governors airplane on eBay and got rid of the cook. Man that would have been hard to do without the cook. (i hope that cook wasn't union, will never hear the end of that. Oh wait, i'm sure they hooked them up with another job)
She believes in the value of the life of an unborn child. When many may have aborted a down syndrome baby she didn't give it a 2nd thought. She is firm in her convictions and I like that.
I think for domestic issues she's got us covered. She is strong where McCain may be weak and vice versa. I feel she will stand her ground and not be bullied. I can tell she has a great level of respect for those protecting us, her own son being one of them.
She stated that yes her family struggles with issues just like every one of us.
And her husband, can we say WOWSA!! Besides the fact he is HOT!!!!! he appears to be an average citizen trying to make a living. He is a fisher man and does something with snow machines?? Didn't catch all of that. Boy will his life change!
And her daughters boyfriend, well golly darn, i think I'd wrap a ring on that finger too.
While thinking about her daughter my friend Shannan pointed something out. While I'm not sure if marriage is necessarily the right choice she, the daughter and her boyfriend, are doing what's right by marrying one another. Shannan pointed out that the age group of our parents and older believe that that's what should happen when a girl gets pregnant. The man should take responsibility and step up to the bat. I think she has a valid point.
In a way i wish adoption was an option, and maybe it was something they discussed. But to be honest, no matter what she does it won't be the right 'solution' for the liberals. But at least she didn't abort.
So yeah, at any rate, I think she did an amazing job. That little daughter of hers is adorable. Licking her hand and then smoothing her little brother's hair. PRECIOUS! Waving like she's Cinderella on that stage.
I think Sara has a grip on family and work. While I personally feel the mother should stay home when at all possible, i certainly don't condone those that choose to work. Or are forced too. I do not hold that against her or any mother. I've done both and some days i wish i was still working:)
What do you all think? don't be bashful! You can leave comments anomalously if you so choose. I don't even know who would leave them.
Tell us all what you thought. What you liked? disliked?

Labor Day

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at the Lakes, specifically Arnolds Park . Arnolds Park is home to this wooden build roller coaster. Built in 1927, the Legend roller coaster is actually the 13th oldest wooden roller coaster in the U.S. Check out the link b/c there is a video of the roller coaster. No i didn't go on it either. About 5 years ago I went on it with my dad and neither of us said a word when it came to a stop. We didn't say a word the rest of the day in fact. It whipped our neck in ways we never knew was possible. With Dad's bad neck already and me heading that way, it was NOT what we should have done.


DH and JoJo did go on it, but only once. DH is complaining of whip lash.





This is the perfect place tho for C'man and Miss A. Even JoJo has fun. They have little rides just right for the little ones. Like the fish:


Miss A could have ridden this all day.





Then the little roller coaster that C'man must have forgotten that he didn't like the last time. But before he could remember it he hopped in the last car and off he went. I think the pictures say it all. But i must add there was not a dry eye b/w any of us or any that happen to see him. We laughed so hard at the expressions as I'm sure you will too.
They forgot to tell him to prepare for take off.


Oh my gosh is it over yet? Nope 5 more rounds sweetie


The scrambler and tilt a whirl were also big hits. I stayed off of any rides. My tooth hurts when i brush my teeth and all that blood rushes right to it.





It was a run day. We finished the afternoon off with pizza before heading back to mom and dad's camper. There we got the kids ready for bed and headed for home. They didn't fall right to sleep like i thought they would and eventually DH ended up in the back seat with them. LOVE that middle 3rd seat in the Odyssey. The last 30 min. no one was awake. It was a long drive.





I'd say the day was a hit with everyone!!!

Have we had some interesting conversations lately with C'man. When talking about him and Miss A being babies he said A got milk from mommies bump. I replied:

"from where"
C'man: 'your bump on your shoulder'

Me: LMAO! You mean my boobie.

C'man: Yeah that

HOW does he remember this stuff. He was Miss A's age when she came around.

Then yesterday coming home from the farm we drove by the calves with there mommy.
C'man: The calf is with his mommy getting some milk

Me: Oh really? And where do they get there milk from:

C'man: The cow's weenie

OH MY GOSH!!! This kids is cracking me up. And he is right the cows teats do look similar to his wee wee.

Have a good Labor Day. We are heading to the lakes and going to the little amusement park. We will be with my sister, niece, and my parents. The kids will have a BLAST! I shall post pictures.

Mouth Update #????

It's been awhile since I've given an update. On Friday AM i had more excruciating pain with my ears, mouth, etc Seriously, labor was easier then all of this! I called the dentist and said it was getting worse, I can't even remember what his response was. But DH ended up having to call him b/c i was in pure agony. I couldn't talk, think, anything, all i could do is weep in pain. OK BAWL/scream/moan (you get the idea) in pain.
They told me to come right in, that he would drill in to that tooth and release the pressure. They did just that. They had to give me so many shots to numb it, it was incredible. Doc couldn't believe how much he pumped into me. You'd think i wouldn't be able to feel my mouth for a week, and quite honestly that would have been fine with me.
My nerves were indeed shot to that tooth. I'm not sure i understand all the lingo but he explained it as a hall way and each nerve is a door way. All three doors were shut. When that happens it leaks gases?? in to the body which in turn gives one the pain.
The next question was, was that the only tooth bothering me or do i have another one going bad on top? It was quite the process of drilling, shots, more drilling, suctioning and something tasted HORRIBLE. It took all my brain power to not throw up.
Ever since being pregnant and having bad AM sickness throwing up isn't near the struggle it used to be. But i didn't puke, thank GOD! I left there feeling better and i can honestly say i feel 80% better.
I'll have a root canal done on that tooth a week from Tuesday. All of this done and NO dental insurance. Totally sucks right now and i was getting all worked up about the bills. I even asked if i could trade steaks for teeth work. My parents have been great at calling every day to see how I'm doing and listening to me break down Thursday as i wondered how i was ever going to come out of this.
DH's glasses broke Thursday AND that evening someone called to say the cows were out. His Dad came barreling down the road with a hay bail on the front of the tractor and plowed right in to DH's mail car. I'm glad i wasn't there to hear all that yelling. Then his brother tried to fix it and broke the radiator!
So really this all is horrible timing. No money b/c we haven't started harvesting yet and just paying month to month bills is becoming a struggle. Ah the joys of farming and insurance. My Dad did tell me not to worry about the dental bills as they'd take care of all of that. I don't know how i feel about that b/c then i feel they have a level of control on what you do choose to spend money on once you have it back again.
Will muddle thru it all I'm sure. Always do.(purses anyone? Wallets? i have great deals) But this teeth/mouth pain has been a pain in the arse. I feel sorry for anyone, even O'bama, to endure what i have.
With that, I'd better get going here. DH took the kids back to the farm and i have lunch waiting!

Gov Sarah Palin

Should it come as no surprise that I'm very happy to see John McCain pick Sarah Palin as his VP? I had said a couple weeks ago when I heard talk about it that i thought it would be a good choice. I stay true to that. Referred to as a Barracuda by her basketball team b/c of her competitive nature I think she is someone who will deliver on what she says she will.

A mother of 5, she is very Pro Life. Has a son with Downs Syndrome that her and her husband found out about at only 4 months in to her pregnancy. She said knowing this strengthened her pro life stance.

She believes in marriage b/c one man and one women. Couldn't agree more. She will fight for this and I know she'll have the backing of many Christians on this as well.

I believe she will way heavily on the appointing of judicial judges, just HUGE for this election. This has been looked over greatly. But if we don't get conservative judges as we know, this nation will not stay founded on the governing documents of our fore fathers. It just will not.

She also is for off shore drilling. Something we just have to do. Mr Obama seriously thinks we can be energy efficient in TEN years!?? There is no flipping way if you don't want to do off shore drilling, Just isn't possible. 10 year's isn't that long.

I do not know where she stands on the war and foreign policy. I feel in a couple weeks to a month we will know where she stands on that.

In Doc Zortman's words:
I'm sure all of you would agree - there could not have been a better representation out there for you (women)... Sarah Palin not only gives women hope - but anyone who saw the look in her eyes as she delivered her acceptance speech - she'll be one tough cookie

Can't wait to get my bumper stickers McCain/Palin

Mouth Update

OK so lets break from politics:) I hear a sigh of relief from many. I just hope those who do not share the same thoughts come back and continue to read!

So my mouth, I called the dentist back this AM 757 to be exact, and he was in. I told him, I'm no better, but no worse. I told him I think i have a swollen lymph node and the pain in my ears is excruciating. I set my alarm for midnight and 6AM just to stay on the 'every 6 hours' of the antibiotic. I told him that I was wondering if I was resistant to Clyndamican b/c of my MRSA i had 2 years ago. Later on I did find my MRSA print out and I am 'susceptible' to it!?

At any rate he agreed it was time to see my MD. I called them right away and actually got an appt for 1145 TODAY! WITH the doc i wanted to see.

I explained the LONG story of what was going on and he asked me many questions to find out if i had a sinus infection. Then he felt my lymph nodes and responded with 'wow you really have something going on, I'm giving you a shot of Rocephin.' He said you'll get it in the rear and it burns. THANKS DOC!!

If I've learned anything from IVF, and I have learned a lot, i know that shots in the bum are not a big deal:) In fact i still don't shutter at the idea, that process is still to fresh in my mind.

I got the shot, had to stay in the office for 15 min. to make sure I had no reactions and was sent on my way. Oh i was also prescribed a pain med. but when i went to get it it was $51.99 (i thought i saw $1.99) and i declined. I was not about to pay that much for something that if the antibiotic works i should be feeling better.

He told me i had some other swollen lypmh nodes (not sure where!?) and that if I'm not better in one week he wants to do a cat scan of my face. He wondered if i had TMJ. (Wendi I need Rachel's assistance on this one!)

So that's the low down right now and I'm not feeling any worse and I may be feeling a tinge better, but still the pain in my ear is just killing. Along with that, any time my mouth doesn't keep moving, hush...i know that's not very often, it hurts to do anything (eat, talk, yawn) so this makes first thing in the AM eating breakfast impossible.

So for now i continue with the Ibuprofen and just pray to God that the pain subsides, no goes away!

Political Talk Ahead

Ahhh...now really, if this doesn't either turn people away from my blog or start some conversation I'm not sure what I'll do. I fully realize that not everyone, or maybe anyone, will share the views I do. I am a Conservative. I am that b/c of a number of reasons. Not only financially (oh how i wish in my own spending i didn't have to be) but as well at my morals and values. I am aligned with the Republican party b/c i believe they most closely align with my views. I'm sure i will continue to touch on why I am a Republican in the weeks and months to come.

But for today I must just say i continue to be very cross with my teeth. I am really about to have them pulled and be done with it. I don't know what to do and neither does the dentist. We have doubled up on antibiotics and I'm taking 800-1000mg of ibuprofen every 3 maybe make it to 4 hours. At any rate I'm cross and don't feel like writing to much deep witted stuff. Did I mention that when mommy is cross, the kids are REAL stinkers. GRRRRRR

So with that, I asked my buddy 'Doc' to write something for me in regards to politics. He obliged and did it very promptly. Expect to hear more from him in the weeks/months to come as I think he is a man that really has some valid points. He is closely aligned with John McCain and even has 2 voice mails on his cell phone from him thanking him for his work. With that take a moment and ready what he says and PLEASE comment. Tell us what you think about what he said. Tell me why you are a Conservative, Liberal, Democrat, Republican.

The one thing we have to show the rest of the world is that our word is as good as it gets - if we don't want to be involved with the other countries - we need to drop out of treaties we've signed - we need to drop out of every other international and regional pact we belong to. We must be able to provide every service and material we need - from manufacturing to oil/gas/fuel/food. When we have achieved that and really don't need any other country - then, we need to shut down all transportation in and out of our country - we need to build a fence 50' high and place our military on that fence to keep us in and others out. Along the oceans, we would need to do a fence and a trench - where possible, fill the trench with shark and alligator to make sure anyone who stumbles into that area - they are instantly eliminated. We would not need our ports to ship "stuff" or receive stuff - therefore, the wall and trench would not affect traffic.
As we move in this direction, we need to take over Canada and Mexico -
Doesn't this sound like a real solution? No? Well, then we need to make what we ARE doing work - somehow...