Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas

We. Have. A. Tree.

And that makes it a Merry Christmas because in the end it all worked out just fine and we are eternally grateful for Fr. Rick's gift of gab, it made us right on time for Mass.


Monday, December 15, 2008

Bah Christmas!

This is not turning out to be the Christmas of my dreams, again. I'm trying to keep with the message of the season that was imparted on us at Mass on the first Sunday of Advent that was basically to "slow down" this time of the year. Do not turn it into a rush of gathering, doing and wanting. So I'm really trying. But once again our living room is trashed. What turned into a goal to finish the project by 7pm on Saturday has evolved into not even a speck of primer on the wall by Monday afternoon. But I'm trying. Really. I haven't even questioned why it took ACE 1 1/2 hours to mix the paint on Saturday afternoon. Or how a simple trip to Frank's for sliced jalapenos during the paint purchasing trip required me to go back to Frank's to replace the mild whole peppers that were purchased. If I were Charlie Brown I would let out a wide-mouthed scream. But I'm not. So now, like a good little non-judgmental wife, I'll go clean the dry-wall dust in the living room and leave you with last year's Christmas photo that I am tempted to use again this year because that project has been neglected.

Yes, we did opt for Buchta instead of Ollie in the photo because she was able to cooperate.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

For Gibby

Gibby has always been the "lost" kid at our house. He wasn't the first born and didn't cause as much angst as infant number two Diezel did. He has just been the kid that blends in, the one that smiled at his dad just after he was born (And no it wasn't gas, the vernix wasn't even wiped off him yet!), the one that likes to do just about anything. Basically he has been fairly easy compared to other children I have been fortunate enough to parent. Well today, for the nth millionth time he made it clear that he needs a guitar and must acquire one soon. So I have entered him in the Kids Know Stuff guitar giveaway and I think you should enter too! By entering you could win a guitar and lower my chances of further upsetting my auditory sensory issues at the same time. Bless You!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Turkey Update

The turkeys managed to escape over the semi-frozen river so we had ham for dinner:


These "turkeys" managed to stick around:
This was our lame attempt to get all 6 dogs at our Thanksgiving feast to sit together. I think it was a wine induced fantasy or maybe we wanted to prove that at least our dogs can behave even if our children don't.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Turkey Season

Because I won't be trotting with the turkeys this year and winning a pie I thought I better go hunt up a turkey as my contribution.



Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Christmas My Style


There are plenty of things I love about the upcoming holiday season, like making cookies. I could, however, do without the gift giving business. It has just become too much and with Christmas being promoted in Target before Halloween I'm thinking things are out of hand. So, I took this link from Erin's blog because I love, love, love it. I think I'll have to watch it once a day until the Big Day is over while I frantically knit everyone a lovely scarf.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Even For You Non-Runners

I found this on Kelly's site and even if you don't believe in running you might just like it!

This video captures the fantasy of the perfect run. Brooks will donate five cents for every view of the video between Nov. 13 and Dec. 21. Brooks will donate up to a max of $25,000 to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, earmarked for the support of Breast Cancer research. Thanks so much, Brooks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2aecp-IINw

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Nailed!

An interesting approach:


http://www.miamiherald.com/video/index.html?media_id=2383065


p.s. They're family, I bet you can't guess which side!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

It Was A Good Run

And now she is stirring up Heaven...



Stonepoint's Golden Buchta
"Buchta"

January 10, 1999 - November 12, 2008

Loved Beyond Measure

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

PMD-96 or PMD-51




I'm searching for paint, again. I have officially decided to just paint the gosh darn living room and get it over with so Vinnie can adhere the custom-made trim before I die. His excuse for not hanging the trim is that he can't until the room is painted/papered/whatever and it is my fault for not selecting a color. I vow to have it done by Christmas.

In my quest for color I brought Seneca along hoping she would embrace the idea of a fresh start in the living room. She didn't. I finally had to suggest that she stop telling me that we should have painted the unpapered areas of the living room red to match the wallpaper and then we could make our own paper flowers and glue them up there. Her color suggestion after it was all said and done was black, she even chose a paint chip sample.

So, if the paint companies could just stick with the number of a color, PMD-96 or PMD-51, instead of Wild Wheat or Cardamon I would have a much easier time selecting. I am way too swayed by names that bring a vision to mind: Sweet Honey, Shaved Chocolate, Red Red Wine. How is a woman to pick? My kitchen is painted Oatmeal, the playroom Hunting Coat Red, mudroom Rye Grass Green and the bathroom Chai Spice. A little influenced by the namers, I think so. Hum, what about Velvety Merlot or Caramel Sauce?

Friday, November 7, 2008

The Obama Bucket

I don't usually do politics but I couldn't resist sharing this brief conversation my son had out loud with himself the other day.


When it appeared as though the Republican Party didn't stand a chance in the current election we thought we better get the kids used to the new agenda. We did this by having them put the rest of their candy in the Obama Bucket after they had two days to eat their own "stash". In the Obama Bucket it would be shared among us, especially those of us that did not work to collect that candy.

The Obama Bucket




Sadly, the Obama Bucket is already considered empty, apparently nobody likes red licorice around here. Kind of like when you feel all good about yourself giving canned food this time of the year and you donate the canned spinach that had no hopes of being eaten anyway. Red licorice must be our canned spinach.

I know, you were hoping it would end here but it doesn't. And the reason it doesn't is because this is the amazing part: last night Diezel got to thinking and knowing that Obama is slated to take office in January he wanted to affirm that next year Obama would take some of his Halloween candy and give it to others. He wanted to know if Obama would just deliver the candy to other people's doors and before anyone had a chance to correct him he went on to conclude that "There will be nobody trick or treating next year because they will all just wait for the candy to come to them." After thinking on that for a moment he exclaimed, "Well I'm not going to trick or treat either, why should I if nobody else is and then I'll have to give my candy away." Some rather strategic thinking for a seven year old.

And really, I know it is about more than the redistribution of wealth. There are a lot of issues at stake and a lot of problems to solve. But thank goodness Obama is considering the advice of our very own Governor Jennifer Granholm when it comes to this economic mess. I hate to be disrespectful but OMG and WTF! Jennifer Granholm?

I'm off to hide my Obama Bucket refills.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Something About Hats

I had the privilege to see this felting artist at the First Frost Arts and Fine Craft show at the FIA last Saturday. I visited her booth four times! I was convinced that one of her hats would be perfect for me but the $38 price tag was a bit much to swallow. That is, until some lovely older lady remarked what deal the hats were, and then another savvy shopper said the same thing and then another! Either Sierra Cole paid these people to walk around and sell her wares in such a sly manner or they really were a deal. Now that I looked them up on her website and found out she sells them for $48 plus $5 shipping I'm glad I purchased mine in real-life time. She might be coming near you too, check it out!


Santa will be bringing this fine tri-colored purple beauty to Seneca,

and this gorgeous rusty one to me. Sorry ACE but I'll be getting non-hardware related items this year!


And here is Ollie modeling one of his lovely new beanies!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Bucket List


Fellow blogger Erin requested a "20 things I would like to do before I die list" so I'm gonna give it a go. I actually had a list like this in high school and I wish I could find it to see how many things on it I have accomplished, I do know that run the Boston Marathon was on it as well as ride in a taxi. I have successfully checked those items off. I guess I better see what I can do with the rest of these:

1. Write and publish a book.
2. Raise a leader dog for the blind.
3. Live off the land, except for bare minimum staples, for a year.
4. Travel to all of the homes that Laura Ingalls Wilder lived in.
5. Visit Africa.
6. Run a marathon in Alaska.
7. Enter a quilt in our county fair.
8. Go on a trip by myself.
9. Raise sheep.
10. Complete a triathlon.
11. Participate in a canoe race.
12. Run an ultra.

I'll have to work on eight more, maybe dig up that old list and see where I stand...

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Creepy Craft

The most difficult part of this project was hiding the Dum Dums until Ollie fell asleep so we could make them without a taste tester!


They will all creep and crawl to school on Friday for the Halloween festivities.


Well, almost all of them.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Insanity


I'm not sure insanity is the word, maybe stupidity sums them up better. Reading news stories like this and this really make my life seem normal. Some days I am glad for that.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Having One of Those Days? Me Too

















More than a thousand ice sculptures representing human silhouettes by Brazilian artist Nele Azevedo slowly melt away, Florence, Italy.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Cottage Chic? Country Chic Living?


Or how about four kids, 2 dogs and no money chic?

I finally peeled off the wallpaper yesterday in one fell swoop. Well it didn't come off that easy, but after a trip to our local friendly ACE store where I purchased some DIF, a spray bottle and a bit of motivation I was able to remove it all. And now I clearly see why we had to wallpaper the room. I had myself all set to just paint because it is more economical and easier to change but I'm not quite sure that the defects in the 100 year-old walls will not be glaring.

Not one to go down without a fight I went to the BHG website for some inspiration, however, their decorating collections just don't seem to fit my lifestyle. Maybe if I got rid of the animals, found homes for the children, sent the husband to live in the barn and, well, basically lived alone, it would work. Then I could select between Chic I and Chic II or even Living with Books. Not that I truly care for any of those options but the ability to pick something other than super-heavy-duty-extremely washable paint would be nice.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Monday, October 20, 2008

Really, I Did Run


That race? Remember that trail race I was so looking forward to over a week ago? I did make it to the starting line and found myself running on an incredible trail. The first lap was pleasant with rolling hills around the lake, the second loop added a tremendous hill in addition to the rolling ones already on the course and the third lap, well the third lap kicked my ass with a mountain that the race directors tried to call a hill on the race flyers. Liars! There was an older gentleman making the climb behind me and he kept shouting what he might have thought were helpful directions that consisted of warnings that what appears to be the end of the "hill" is not. We climbed, it would level for 10 yards, we climbed again, it leveled again, we climbed again... I seriously considered tucking into a ball and rolling down the other side. Note: for those of you that are non-runners going down a lengthy hill can be more difficult than climbing it because you have to keep yourself from toppling over and that uses very different muscles.

Anyway, I survived. As far as rating the race, I loved the course but there were no mile markers which also means no split-times. There was only one aid station so if you were running the 8.5 mile race there was lots of space in-between available hydration (I carried my hand-held bottle with me.) The awards, as you can see, are plaques and NOT mugs. Bummer, big bummer.

My biggest beef was actually the lack of beef, or at least some filling post-race food. They only had bananas and apples. I spend the days before a race training and eating well and the last thing I want to see upon landing at the finish line is another banana! I would like to see some type of muffin, cookie, or a cinnamon crunch bagel from Panera. You know, real food.



***These race directors were very economical in that they used numbers from The Crim that were leftover. I'm glad I got one that said 10 mile on it and not 1 Mile like some runners did.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Truffle Anyone?

Hershey's better move out of the way because BHG Pumpkin-Spiced Gingersnap Truffles are where it's at! I'll admit if you are not a lover of the flavor of the season you may not take to these. But if you find yourself ordering the Pumpkin Spiced Latte at Starbuck's I suggest taking a few minutes to make these amazingly easy and tasty truffles. These are exactly what I envisioned when I saw Hershey's had a pumpkin spiced Kiss.



They may not be as pretty as the Hershey creation but a little fancy foil does not foil the taste buds!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

As Long As I Have My Running Shoes


This election is wrecking havoc on my brain so I've decided to forgo the evil thoughts I have about it and resume a life of ignorance. Some people may consider this irresponsible or just plain stupid but I've had enough of people gleefully supporting one candidate while denouncing the other. Both sides are being slaughtered and praised at the same time, it just depends on who you want to believe and want you want to believe in. At this time I'm gonna believe in my running shoes because I know where they've been, who they associate with and how they'll treat me. There are no surprises and no matter what happens I'll always have them (or a pair just like them) and unless things get really bad I'll always be able to lace up and tromp down the road.

I read a few running blogs and last night as I was preparing for my psyche to go into another fit regarding this damn election I realized that if you only read these blogs and nothing else you would have no idea that America was divided and getting prepared for a major election. Say what you want about people that are not making this election their life-consuming hobby but they have other ways to feel triumphant. I like runners. Especially these runners. Sure they may be in the midst of marathon taper and have nothing but 26.2 miles or more on the mind, but I relish the focus on the run and not The Race.

This weekend I'm gearing up for another trail race and I'm popping the vitamin C to keep a creepy cold at bay. Part of me dreads the whole race scene, (Just ask those that travel with me, I'm a pretty nervous racer.) but if my memory serves me correctly I'll be elated at the finish and pleased later in the day when my legs ache and my muscles protest at the sight of stairs.

I don't need this election in my life, all I need is my running shoes and perhaps a bit of decent chocolate. It doesn't matter who wins as long as the medical *marijuana* legislation passes in Michigan so that when we have national health care (Let's just pray it isn't modeled after the government school system, Medicaid, social security or any of those other wonderful government controlled areas, or better yet the Secretary of State.) and it takes me a year to see my rheumatologist I'll at least have something for the pain lupus causes.

Enjoy The Race. I know I'll have a great time at mine and I'm confident that my shoes and I will have a clear head at the end!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Really *Viagra*, I'm Good

I don't know how admin@Viagra got my email address but I'm getting a bit tired of them sending me messages as if they are my friend. The last thing I need is that drug in my house. There are no ED issues for any male person at this homestead. And if there were I would not be in any hurry to fix them.

So please admin@Viagra don't send me a message with the subject line "re:message" as if (as if!) I contacted you in the first place. Because you see, we already have four delightful children that remind me everyday why one more in the mix is totally unnecessary. And because we have these wonderful short people running around here there is rarely time to devote to recreational activities such as the one your medication promotes-especially for that kind of duration.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Not Quite Disgusting, But Close

Hershey's had me foiled again this weekend! On Sunday I saw the weekly Target ad and felt my heart rate go up when I saw that there were new Kisses out there and on sale this week. I have been let down by the Hershey company in the past, so terribly that I actually wrote them a letter about how their version of a chocolate truffle Kiss actually tasted like chocolate wrapped around a ball of sand. But this time I was certain they would have the formula right for the latest and greatest Pumpkin Kiss. Like I said, foiled again, in more way than one.

The wrapper is pretty, but that is where it ends.


The color is so nasty that even my first impression was "blah".


The inside didn't help the poor little Kiss.


This poor boy had grand expectations and was equally disappointed.


Try them if you dare! They taste like white chocolate with some type of flavoring dumped in. I'm not quite sure what type of pumpkin related flavor is in them as the words cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and cloves are not in the ingredient list. Another possibly good thing gone bad by the Hershey company.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Crash Be Gone

We finally ordered a new computer. A month ago. When she first arrived I placed the box on the counter and for three days Vinnie and I would walk past it with a sideways glance. Neither of us wanted to open the box and boot her up due to the Dell Disaster we have been coping with for the last four years. The Dell, on several occasions, has caused us to consider divorce because nothing is more stressful in the age of technology than a crashy computer. It was kind of like the saying "If mama ain't happy, nobody happy," when your computer crashes and blue screens several times daily ain't nobody happy, especially the guy whose paycheck relies on the machine. And yes, we called Dell many times over the years, in fact the only overseas calls I have ever made, we even paid them an extra hundred dollars to receive phone support after our initial coverage ended.

Needless to say, it was either Vinnie get a new computer and be 90% more efficient at his job or get a new job, or heaven forbid, I get a real job. We did not have it in us to do the Dell thing again, even though others we knew have loved their Dells. Between the unhappy blue screen of death and the terrible support, Dell has lost a customer.

So, we ordered this Lenovo thing, laptop actually, and we were both so gun shy we forced her to sit in the box like she was knitted underwear from Great Aunt Martha. The day we finally let her out and started her up she wouldn't boot up properly. Vinnie just started walking away mumbling something about "Just send it back, send it back, I can't deal with another piece of shit." I, having more faith than a farmer waiting for rain, decided to stick with her and got her up and running in a new pair of Asics.

After being certain she could get her gears turning or bytes biting, whatever the terms are these days we let her sit again until last night when the big internet test took place. I don't think if tigerdirect.com placed a limit of 30 days on our possible return that we would even have gotten to the internet hook-up this year. She looked mighty fine on the counter next to the Kitchen-Aid mixer and surprisingly has survived the creation of quite a few baked items since she arrived. We really didn't want to push our luck but we really needed to know if she was worthy.

Her location was altered and the internet cord attached in the appropriate place. Then the great debate began as to how to get connected. We had a disc, but we didn't think it was the right disc. We figured some type of settings needed to be typed in but we didn't know where. Really, we assumed it had to be difficult so we made a quick call to our internet provider for some technical support and next thing you know I can type, search, read and browse without having to reboot, shut down, restore my previous session because of a crash, or scream. Vinnie told the support tech not to tell anybody that all we had to do was plug in the other end of the cable to the router.

Right now I am in love with her speed and consistency. I think I should borrow her shoes.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Corn Feet

Until I officially became entangled in the farming business I had no idea how ugly the base of a stalk of corn looks. No wonder the nasty little corn feet are cut off when corn shocks are made!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Trying To Save a Buck or Two


My attempt to save myself more than a few bucks today really backfired. After morning Mass at the children's school I figured I would shop locally this week for groceries (really bananas, all we ever really need is bananas) and save money on gas and the extra $50 worth of stuff that is "on sale" but that we don't need. My trip was ever so successful and the milk percentage that we drink, or close enough anyway because really 1% isn't gonna kill us in a week, was even on sale.

Unfortunately it all came crashing down and my tidy savings went out the window when I open the passenger door of the van to put my slight purchases on the seat and my ergonomically correct mug smashed onto the cement parking lot. Most people would shrug off such a loss but those of us that are sensory challenged have a difficult time parting with items that make us feel "normal" and on days when my pants fit funny I could at least use this mug because as Goldilocks would say, "It was just right!"

I should have spent the extra money on gas and driven to Meijer because then I would have purchased enough stuff to justify opening the hatch and the mug never would have fallen out. Now I have to go back to the Flint Farmer's Market and hope that there is another mug in my size.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Sometimes It Isn't About Us

Sometimes the answers to dilemmas we face as parents are not always as clear as we want them to be but often times if we lay it all out on the table before making a decision we have a better chance to focus. At the beginning of this school year we were forced to make a difficult choice regarding our 5 year old son that was enrolled in kindergarten. Although we knew before classes started that he would be the only boy among 6 girls in the class we still maintained that he would hold a position in that group. Shortly after the year began it became very apparent that this classroom was not going to be a good fit for him so I started the agonizing process of trying to find out what would be best for Gibby. Note: I did not say what was best for me, because truly and honestly the easiest thing would have been to drop him off each day with the other kids and pick him up at the end of day.

I researched schools online, called some of them and even spent a half day in two different classrooms observing. And although I know my child, I still sought out the opinion of others who knew him and those that have valuable experience in education. I was doing my best to make a switch but I desperately want to make the RIGHT switch. It was a challenge for all of us, but especially for Gibby. We did attempt to make it easier by allowing him some limited and very guided choice in the matter. We encouraged him to choose what we thought would be best for him in the future and not what would be convenient for me right now. And I'm proud of Gibby for giving it a chance to work, to take a leap and trust that mom and dad sometimes know what they are talking about. He is now happily homeschooling the kindergarten curriculum and attending a high-energy preschool classroom in the mornings to meet his socialization needs. It is amazing how a problem can work itself out with the best possible solution if one chooses to seek out the right resources and puts their child ahead of all other worries and comforts.

Monday, September 15, 2008

To Be Three

Or ten.

I imagine he will tug at my heart in seven years the same way he did when he was born three years ago and as he does today. Somehow all the trials, frustrations and complexities of getting him to the talking/eating/using the toilet stage melt away when I view him in his natural element:




Sunday, September 14, 2008

2-4-2 and 3.1

2 Straight days of steady rain,

4 kids,

2 dogs,

and a 5k run at Genesys Health Park on some slick but beautiful paved trails.

It apparently was the last race I will run during the official calendar season of fall as I am going to be entering the wonderful world of having a dancer audition for a part in the Flint Institute of Music's Whiting Production of the Nutcracker.

Anyway, the race course was great, a bit on the curvy side and with the rain and wooden bridges one had to be extra cautious, but the rain was definitely welcome with the heat and humidity.

And I knew one of these races would finally come through for me on the post-race refreshment front! I have been disappointed the past few races but the people directing this race knew how to keep us happy as we were waiting for the chip-timed results. Krispy Creme donuts, cinnamon roll things, bananas, apples, bagels from Big Apple, Fruit and Yogurt Parfait from that place with the golden arches that I am vehemently against but I will give them credit nonetheless, and some kind of baked fiber/fruit/chocolate chip bar that contained a week worth of fiber but still tasted really good.

Overall, this was a great race, the usual nice (long sleeve!) t-shirt, exciting course, yummy post-race food but they really lost it with the awards. I mean, I know I shouldn't complain and all because I did receive an award but I'm not quite sure what to do with it. It is the plaque thing in the upper left of the photo. I'm not thinking I want to hang it next to my 6th grade "diploma" plaque or replace our wedding photo with it (I know, for those of you that have been here, what photo?). Maybe Vinnie could use it as a coaster for his whiskey glass in the barn? Or possible I could send it to the student loan people and they would accept it in lieu of this month's payment? Because really, without a "real" job, that is all I am worth at this point in time.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

I Meet E

Again. It has happened again. A small simple letter switch because some well-meaning individual thinks the first "e" in my name is a typo and should be an "i". I always tell people it's with an "e" not an "i" and then I proceed to spell it for them: M-e-c-h-e-l-l-e. No, no, not one "l", two "l's" but with an "e" and not an "i".

The trouble started early. When I was in kindergarten I discovered that you could spell Mechelle with an "i" as opposed to an "e" so quite frequently I would switch them up. I had the coolest name! You could spell it two ways! Then somewhere in between taking a test with a purple crayon in the room across the hall and watching the Letter People on t.v. there was a conversation between my mom and the teacher. I vaguely remember it, but it was regarding my confusion about my identity because I kept changing the spelling of my name. From then on I was discouraged from spelling it the wrong way. No more cool name for me.

I made it though elementary and middle school where teachers were always double checking the accuracy of my name spelling on the first day of class. And it was just assumed that I would never be able to own any of those personalized items that were all the rage with my real name on them. Like the colored rulers or pencils that had Jennifer in fancy letters. Nope. I do remember one Christmas I found a red ruler in my stocking with MECHELLE on it and I was so excited that the spelling must be common enough to delegate the use on other such items. Upon closer inspection I realized my mom had taken black marker and added lines to the I. The fact that you could not find the spelling of my name on such items caused my paternal grandmother such angst that she took to buying me things that had Shelly on them. In fact, I wonder if some of her dislike for my mother started with the odd-spelling her first granddaughter's name. Geez, she couldn't find anything made out of 14k gold with that spelling on it! With disappointment in hand she bought me a gold chain with the letters S-h-e-l-l-y hanging from it. Thankfully the name never took and that grandma was the only one who called me that.

In high school I kept the "e" and dropped an "l". Again, with teachers making sure The Book was correct in regard to my first name.

College was back to two "l's" and acceptance of the "e". Most professors in the early years didn't care but as the classes got smaller I started receiving the verification question once again.

The best job I ever had in college I almost didn't get an interview for because my future boss thought I had a typo in the heading of my resume. He told me this after he hired me and we had a working relationship.

Skip forward to today where I received a phone call from my doctor's office because the labs I had drawn on August 22nd were still not in the system. In fact the lab claimed my last blood draw at their facility was March 08. I'm quite a regular there these days so I knew something was not right but it never entered my mind that the old "i" got put in place of the "e" and my second personality was under scrutiny and not my real one. I'm thinking if the results are less than desirable I will have them treat that woman with the "i" instead of the "e" and I'll go about my regular life, maybe change my name to Shelly if I have to.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Playing with Mary

When Mary asked for five things that drive her blog-readers crazy she probably didn't anticipate that it would take me days to whittle down my list to such a manageable number, but I think I finally did it and because the past week has been hell but is now looking up I want you all to know that number one is the nearest and dearest to my heart right now:

1. Parents that do things or make choices for the sake of their own convenience without any regard for what is best for their child/children.

2. Politics.

3. Graham crackers that don't break on the lines.

4. Potty training.

5. Walkers that line up for races in front of runners and then proceed to walk in unpassable packs.

Bonus: Crappy race t-shirts!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Number One Way to Tell Fall is Coming

Back when we were homeschooling I required the children to watch the entire series of Little House on the Prairie, all nine seasons. They loved it! But for some reason the discs sit in their homes until about this time of the year when they innocently pop out and I find the theme song to Little House blaring. This is how I know that fall is coming and winter is soon to follow, because with nine seasons you have to start about now to get to the end, you know, the one where Albert is all addicted to morphine and we have to watch him puke all over himself while he is detoxing with Pa in the middle of the woods. I sure wish spring would hurry up.

One Lucky Gal

I might complain about this farming business once in a while but with morning views like these I sure am thankful that I married a farmer!