Jumble

Wow its 1:40 and I'm just now posting. In all honesty, I forgot.

I have been so busy today and so incredibly exhausted.

I had to fill out my FAFSA for college. What an ass pain. That took quite some time.

I had to do what every other Mom in the world has to do, pick up after the hurricanes that ripped through my house this morning before school.

Not to mention I am moving at a snails pace today. Just a word of warning to all of you who may not know better. Do not skip several weeks of Yoga and then dive right back in without first warning your body that you are about to punish it within an inch of its life.

I wanted to go ride my bike to try to work the knots out of my legs. The temperature is 40 degrees. Forget about it. Brrrr.

If I didn't know better I would swear I have PMS. I am going to take a nap. Vacuuming can wait.

Busy Bee

Today is promising to be very busy.

This afternoon I have an appointment with the admissions office at our local tech college. I am exploring going back to get my photography degree.

Ed has decided to go to prom this spring and needs to go rent a tux. I have no idea how I will fit that in to my day since the rental store is only taking prom tux rentals from 5-7 PM.

The girls have dance at 6, I have Yoga at 6:30.

Busy, busy day.

Why?

What in the hell? I want to know what kind of nation we live in where there can be multiple mass killings in a week and they have become so common place that people barely bat an eye.

What kind of society have we created that people treat violence like they are watching a movie? You cannot kill 13 people and yourself then hit the power button, reload the game and try again.

There has to be an end to this insanity. We as a nation need to stand up and start noticing what is going on around us. The neighbors of the man who shot all 5 of his children and later himself, said they heard him screaming at his children often and had called CPS several times. It makes me wonder what CPS found when they investigated.

Some blowhole was on CNN last night saying these things happen back to back because people see the coverage on television and it is easy to then see oneself in that scenario, killing random innocent people as a way to take control back of their life. Bullshit. Never once have I watched the coverage and thought hey I could pull that off. Every single time I see something so shocking and violent I get sad, then mad and I wonder what the hell went on in that killers mind.

We all as mankind need to stand together and stop allowing these things to happen. Stop romanticizing mayhem and murder on television, on the big screen and in video games. There is not reset button for real life.

Gobble Gobble

Today Cat and I made our semi-annual shopping trip to the largest craft fair in the midwest. As always I spent too much money on too many useless things. Its always fun though. I noticed this year though that the number of shoppers was way down as were the number of items carried by those shoppers. This damn economy is killing everything. In years past their are always so many people that the only way through is to elbow and shove. Not so much this year. We made it through the whole thing in a little over an hour which is about an hour and a half shy of what it normally takes.

On the way to lunch we saw the coolest thing! Cars stopped on the highway because of turkeys! Cat counted 19. I of course pulled over and whipped out my camera. They were a ways off for what my zoom can do but I wanted to share anyway.

Now I am going to take a nap. Zzzzzzz.

Focused

Because of some military clearance things that needed done I was able to spend the entire day with the teen yesterday. It was awesome having an whole day to spend with him with no distractions.

On the way home from the cities he suggested we go for a hike at this park he knew of so I could get some pictures. He directed me how to get there. It was unbelievable when we arrived. The very place he wanted to go was the old farmstead of my husbands grandparents. The county bought the land years ago, rehabbed the buildings and made it a park. I have been wanting to go explore the place for months. Unfortunately we didn't make it in far enough to get photos of the buildings. I did however get to play with my camera a bit and explore the settings to see what I could come up with.

The picture above is part of that playing. I purposely tried to make the bottom of the picture out of focus. It wasn't mean to be featured on any of my websites but I think it turned out kind of interesting and decided to share.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Fat Robin

I took my first fat robin pictures of the year yesterday. Fat robins really drive home the fact that spring is on the way. This particular fat robin was in the top of a very large tree, the zoom on my camera was all the way extended. If you enlarge the picture you will see all the buds on the tree are about to explode!

We had mommy and daddy fat robins make nests under our deck several years in a row. I always took great care to keep the kids away from the nests as to not spook the parents. Then the damn cat got out. No more fat robins. They seem to be his favorite snack. Sky did get to take a nest full of eggs in one year for show and tell due to the parents being viciously murdered by the damned cat.

I haven't seen a single fat robin in our yard this spring. They remember the murderous feline lives here. We do however have those fuckers that build their nests under the eaves of our house. They are right above our living room window and my office window. It is hilarious watching Linus slam himself into the window several times a day trying to get to the birds. He is getting a belled collar this year so the poor little rodents and birds can hear him coming.

It really is the small things in life that entertain me.

Better than Starbucks

For the very first time this entire school year all of the kids rode the bus on the same day! I saw everyone out the door, laid back down and slept until 7:30. It felt just like a Saturday!

I didn't get into the shower until 9 where I promptly lost my navel ring down the drain. There goes my perfect morning. Now I have to drive 30 freakin' miles to buy a new one. Oh wait! There's an old one! Perfect morning back on.

It's roughly 9:30 and I am just now having coffee. Yep perfect morning on. Well, at least until I have to go to the hell house and supervise the cable guy. Yes, I do do it all.

And the Award Goes To.......

I love how this looks like a mirrored image

Why is it when you really want to take a picture the batteries are always dead? It snowed last night just enough to look really pretty. I went to my favorite barn (where the horses live), I had just put fresh batteries in yesterday. I lifted my camera to power up and nothing. I didn't have any spares with me since I thought I was fully charged and ready to go. I had a near panic attack thinking maybe my camera was dead. I have a full replacement warranty on it but that takes time and I can't be camera-less for that long. Thank goodness fresh batteries did the trick.

Today is April Fools day. I got 2 out 3 kids with the whole school is cancelled today bit. Hannah fell hard just seconds after I proclaimed it to be April Fools Day. Ed fell victim a few minutes later. Skylee didn't bite at all. Yeah right Mom was her response. If you pull off anything good today I want to hear about it. Miss Catherine tries and fails to get me every year. I am just too darned clever. She hasn't even tried yet this year.

Today is the day I am giving another award away. Here goes...

The rules:

1~ I share with you seven things that I love

2~I nominate seven other bloggers for the honor

• 
  
  I heart turtles. They make me really happy and I have been known to sit for hours in front of their tank and observe them.

• Mexican food. Oh my goodness! No one makes Mexican food like they make it back home in Wyoming. Every trip back home I have to get my fill several times before I head back to Minnesota.

• My Mom's cooking. She makes all this wonderful German comfort food.

• Summer and everything that goes with it. Camping, gardening, weed pulling, walks, bike rides, mowing the lawn. All of it.

• Reading. I would die if I couldn't read.

• Pogo!

• No list would be complete without the top thing I love. My family. My kids, my husband, my Mom, my sissy and most of my brothers! Ha :)

Onto the seven bloggers

1. Bobbie Leigh at Welcome to BobbieLand




2. Lisa at Wearing My Heart on my Sleeve




3. Chris at Text Imps




4. Oh Captain at The life and thoughts of a midwest geek




5. Bobby G at The G-Spot




6. Jeanne at The Raisin Chronicles




7. The nameless Only a Movie (Leave me your name! lol)

Please stop by and check these awesome bloggers out! You won't be disappointed, I promise!

Happy Birthday Hooker!

Where oh where has this day gone?? It's 2:38 and I haven't posted it. Shawn had a snow day so I've spent the day watching tv, grocery shopping and Chipotle eating. How dare he intrude on my first week home alone! Jeez.

I know this hooker. Today is her birthday. She is 26. Happy Birthday Sis!!

The Eigth Anniverary of the Biggest Move I Ever Made

I get really freaked out when I find out people search for stuff like this Pizzadelivery man fuck house wife vids and arrive here. What in the hell sick people? Okay, now that I got that off my chest....

Eight years ago today we arrived in Minnesota with 3 kids and a dog. We had the keys on a rental town home that we had never seen before and not much else. Shawn had family out here, his brothers and sister, aunts and uncles, cousins. His whole family was here. I had met them all a few times and genuinely liked them but didn't know them well. For all intents and purposes I was out here alone and all I wanted was to go back to Wyoming. Man have times changed.

We now have 4 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat and 2 turtles. We had our home built. Shawn's brother went missing years ago, his sister in not around much. The aunt and uncle that treated us like their own kids and our kids like their grandkids aren't together anymore and we haven't seen him in years. The one cousin I became very close with, he was my life line out here, is gone now too BUT I am no longer alone out here. I have some very close friends that I refer to as my Minnesota family. I know a lot of people and I am in love with this place. Well in love with the warmer months anyway!

Tomorrow I plan on giving out the other award that I received. Happy Monday everyone!!

Sisterhood

The wonderful Kat gave me an award today. She rox! I need to pass it along. I am really bad at passing them along. I got one from Deb weeks ago that I have yet to pass on. I need to do that tomorrow!

• Anyway, here are the rules



• Put the logo on your blog or post.



• Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!



• Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.



• Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.



• Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award

This is going to be HARD! I heart all of you! So here goes....

Julie at Causes Rats in Lab Cancer she is a fellow photog, she lives in a really cool and equally cold place and she used to live right here in Minnesota.

Deb at Daisyhalos she has had a whole boat load of shitty things thrown her way since I started reading her and she has handled it all with a grace and dignity that is rarely seen.

Jo aka Dorn at Dust Bunny Club of North America damn she is funny! No one else could talk about farts and shit hounds and make it as funny as she does!

Joanie at Joanies Random Ramblings another one that makes me laugh. I have spit all over my computer a few times because of her.

Myshka at My London Eye she was one of my first regular commenter's. She is a fabulous writer!

Rachael at Rachael Pachel was my name she has some pipes on her and had lived a very fascinating life.

Kate at Sapphire Springs she was one of the first blogs I ever read way back in the Aol Journals day, she was Lunatic Factory back then. She is a crazy cat lady too and cracks me up quite often!

Kate at Sauciewee is funny and serious at the same time. Her blog is a fabulous read.

Elle Charlie at Sometimes a Girl Needs a Blog is a fellow Minnesota transplant. I love reading her perspective of being stuck in the frozen tundra and she has a really naughty dog who never ceases to entertain.

Cat at Zipbag of Bones is my Jill. She has had a really rough fall and winter but yet never stops having a sense of humor about it all. Sarcasm gets her through and she says Fuck a lot!

Ok that's 10. Everyone should go give them all some love.

Eye

A few things you never wanted to know about I.

• I am a germ nut. I refuse to touch public door handles with my bare hands. When I leave a bathroom I have to use a paper towel. When I go to the store I open the sleeve on my sweatshirt which I nearly always wear just for that purpose.


• I have to use fabric softener. When I'm out I fill the ball with water and throw it into the washer. Its a compulsive thing.


• I count how many times I pull on the toilet paper. 3. Always 3.


• If I had to eat out every day for the rest of my life and I could only go one place it would be Chipotle. Mmmmm Chipotle.


• I'm a compulsive reader. I read at least 2 books a week. The best place to get books is Goodwill and garage sales. When I pick up a book I have to read it within 24 hours even if that means I don't sleep.


• I have to watch TV to fall asleep or I lie awake for hours. It can't be just anything either, I have to tune it to a show I want to watch.


• I heart my Dyson. For the first few years I had it I got mad if anyone else dared to touch my vacuum.


• If I could get away with it I would snuggle with my turtles and give them kisses. I love my turtles *almost* as much as I love my kids. Okay that's a stretch.

Okay that's enough for now. Tell me a few things I may not know about you.

What's the opposite of stellar?

I would venture to say that today is not stellar.

I was climbing off the ladder front ways (as if I were walking down stairs) and my feet went out from under me. My back slid down all the steps and is now skinless. It looks fairly gnarly.

Skylee put a nail through her shoe and into her foot. I couldn't get it out so my Dad had to take it out. Thank God he was a medic at one point too. While I was freaking out and deciding if she would need a tetanus shot he got it cleaned up and determined it was just a poke and had it bandaged up before I could even calculate the number of years since her booster shot.

I realized we are way in over our heads at the hell house. The water damage is just so extensive. It looks like the second layer of ceiling may need to be removed. Fuck! How did I get sucked into this project? Pushover? Maybe.

One bright shining star in this whole mess is that today is the last day I have the kids alone. I get to spend some time with hubby this weekend and he gets to help me with the chiltlens.

I need a nap!

PS. I made it through the whole post without bitching about the weather. Score one for me!

Mmmmm Mater

It's cold and snowy here today. I need a splash of color. If I liked tomato's I could take a big bite out of these bad boys. I do not like raw tomato though so I will have to imagine them chopped up and made into salsa. These maters may actually still be around in a jar of salsa.
Man I need summer!! So does the Red River Valley. They are about to float away up there. Please keep them all in your prayers.

The day she cried and ran away

In spite of what the calendar says it definitely is not spring in Minnesota. I am thinking it may warm up around the 4th of July. It snowed a bit over night. Northern Minnesota had a massive ice storm that is forecasted to leave up to an inch of ice in its wake. It is cold and shitty.

This is the suckiest spring break I can remember the kids having. They haven't left the house because of the rain, now the cold.

I should just turn this blog into a weather update blog. In Minnesota the weather controls every one's lives. It really is ridiculous and seems its all people talk about. "Nice day today huh? Is it warm enough for you? Just wait until August when we are complaining about the heat. It could be worse." Yeah it could be worse but I'm tired of worse and no I won't bitch in August. I will plant my ass on the deck under the umbrella and soak up enough warmth to get me half way through January. Then all bets are off again.

At least we are getting some spring cleaning done during the kids break. Who am I kidding? I have cleaned the kitchen several times a day, vacuumed at least a hundred times and picked up enough books to make a library jealous. Basically all I have done is followed 3 kids and a teenager around the house making threats and begging them to please cut me a break and clean up after themselves. I have told the teenager 4 times already to put the syrup and butter away after he made waffles. I wonder if losing his phone will entice him? Hmmmm. I would take the computer away but I spent an hour this morning trying to wipe away the viruses he installed last night. He has already lost that sucker.

I was thinking of running away but I would have to come back at some point and then I would really have a mess to clean.

Conversing with the toothless

I had started a really long engaging entry about my experience with teenage pregnancy, then this little gem of a conversation happened and I couldn't pass it up.

Hannah: Mom is there such a word as whore?

Me: Yeah and its a really naughty word. Please don't say it. Why do you ask?

Hannah: I am rhyming words with door so I said whore.

Matt: Mom I think she means horror.

Hannah: Yeah mom like a scary movie. A whore movie.

Me: No Hannah that is horror. Pronounced differently.

Hannah: I know Mom. Whore movie.

Me: Uh huh. Eat your pizza.

Spring Break- Day 1

Shawn went back to work today! The kids also start spring break today. I think he did that on purpose. He has been home for nearly 6 months and he goes back the day its raining with wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour and I am stuck indoors with 4 kids.

I did manage to sleep in until 9 this morning. It was awesome! I can't remember the last time I actually slept in. 3 of the 4 kids are still sleeping and the one that is up cleaned the living room for me. Makes a Mommy very happy! It must be because I told them last night that we would be spending the first day of spring break doing some spring cleaning. He wanted to get a jump on the process I guess.

I never did give an update after I bitched about my hair the other day. It turns out my stylists is on maternity leave so I made an appointment with the co-owner. I walked out with shorter hair than my son has! Maybe I should have just buzzed it myself?

Today's picture is my self portrait. :)

A thing of the past

Spring is definitely in the air. Finally. It was nearly 60 and gorgeous yesterday.

Things are starting to grow a bit, mostly weeds.

While driving yesterday Cat and I were talking about our pure love of all things summer. That conversation made me even more wistful for my friend summer. I am really looking forward to tackling a few yard projects and a deck rehab. Mostly I am looking forward to caring for the vegetable garden.

Soon. It'll be here soon and then the frost that lies on the weeds above will be a bad memory.

A touch of green

Click and look at the cool frost patterns

Lookie! The weeds are coming up!

Last night Cat and I ran away to Claudia's for an over nighter. It was a complete and total blast full of laughter, great food, great wine a few tears and a drunk ass who wouldn't shut the hell up. It was like being at a lecture as Cat put it. We had such a good time though and I can't wait to run away with my favorite girls again. I would tell you all about it but quite frankly I need a nap.

Happy Spring!

Happy Vernal Equinox ya'll!