What?!? 1018!! Your kidding me!!

Yup that’s right I found my old camera. The one I know that the girls ran off with but of course denied.

I know this for sure now because guess where I found it… Did you guess?

In their room, buried in the closet. Underneath all the “toys dat dey don’t wants no mores.” Yeah words from them after I convinced them we needed had to purge some of the blanket of crap toys they don’t play with let alone touch that was covering their floor. I’m proud to say they were happy to give up two whole garbage bags full of toys to get to pick an extra item each from our “wonder closet” or “closet o’ wonder” as we call it.

These girls are so spoiled rotten so of course when holidays and birthdays come around what we can snag and hide in there or things that at the time are to old for them we do. It may sound like we are mean however when we have four family Christmas parties and the expansive family we have for birthday’s they don’t seem to miss one, two, or a few more presents disappearing. I’m sure they will eventually notice but for now it works and makes days like this where it’s time to rid of the old and I can bribe convince them that they do this they get a new toy, it works wonders (hence the name.) Plus it’s a saver in so many ways. First I don’t have to go buy something new, or I don’t have to have them whining they have nothing to do. The best part of it though, if it’s been a rough day a visit to the toy aisle in our house generally makes that day have a brand new tune. I do buy some things if it’s a great deal that you just would be a fool not to get to put in there too. For example I found paint by number sets on clearance for a buck one time when a store was closing when the girls were barely two. These definitely came in handy the other day when of course since we live in the rainforest now.

Anyway onto the point (catching myself spewing crap once again.) So I pick up the camera and both girls have that deer in the headlight look.

“Not me!!” I hear in surround sound.

The battery door is busted off and no batteries to be found which wasn’t a surprise. However what was is that the card was still in it!!! So I get my other camera and hook it up to the puter and to my amazement 1018 PICTURES!! I’m like holy crap!! I know I couldn’t have taken that many… or could I have. I do tend to click, click, and click some more. But come on I know I didn’t take that many. So as we speak it’s loading…

and loading…

and loading…

crap this might take all night…

It’s been an hour and only 300+ is loaded. Will my computer take them all?

Hmmmm well what I’ve seen in the beginning is pictures from almost 4 years ago!! Yeah the first ever time we had the girls with us!! My family and Gary’s threw him a “Toddler Shower.” Best part was it was a total surprise for him. I managed to convince the girls mom to let us have them for a few hours. That his family was planning this to get him what we needed to have the girls in our home. It was early winter and we held it at what we call the Sportsman’s Club here in our little town. It’s a common building people can rent to use and has a range out back. Anyway the play was that my sis called me telling me that there was an indoor yard sale there to come check out, tons of girls stuff. So of course he bit hook, line, and sinker. We get there and we are heading in when he starts recognizing cars. Darn it but up till then he totally believed. SO instantly its “what on earth is going on!!” I just kept walking and in we went to a mountain of presents. Someone even bought us two toddler beds. He wasn’t the only one overwhelmed.

So now that the card has finished loading it gets to the end and… Only 323 pictures survived all the rest had errors, oh wait check that some had errors. With so many pictures the batteries died around 400 something.
This really will take all night. OK new batteries in and round two begins.

Oh well who knows what the error ones were but finding these pictures were a blessing anyway. I’ll have to share them with you soon.

Here is one for now… They were watching the doggies in the snow. Back when QueenB had Hair and Toughie didn’t. My oh my has that changed now. Toughie has a mound on her head and QueenB has just enough.

So with that I’m not staying up any longer I’ll have to show and tell you later what all I found.

A Bit About Mama

So the attempt to write an “about me” section has proved to be quite difficult. Why it’s so easy to write about others rather than yourself perplexes me.

So here it is the debut of the best I can figure of how to explain me.

I’ve lived in the same general 40 mile radius my whole life. Born and raised a small town girl and wouldn’t have it any other way. I grew up on a farm. With that fact I am proud to say I am no stranger, nor do I fear hard work or getting dirty. I will gladly stand up and take on any man that feels they are stronger than I, or any woman, for that exact reason. I wouldn’t say I am a feminist, however I would say I have a feminist attitude especially when it comes to the alpha male with the caveman theory they are still the strongest sex.

I did really well in school, and can’t say I fit into one clique. I was friends with EVERYONE. I called it my eclectic ability to socialize. I still find it present in my life now. I don’t like enemies, however if someone feels they are mine, there in for nothing but kindness from me from now on.

I'm a wife of a Fire/EMS addict. Who has recently dragged me into that lifestyle. Becoming an EMT has been an eye opening experience. It has always amazed me his dedication to this line of volunteerism. (<< can’t believe that’s actually a word.) I can’t call it work only because that isn’t possible to be a paid job in this little area we live in.

My hubby came as a package. When I married him I got twin stepdaughters as well. They are my LIFE. I’ve been blessed by my hubby to be able to be a stay at home mom for them. QueenB and Toughie sure do keep me on my toes, and have a huge thirst for adventure. We are blessed that they are so smart, so active, and so full of love.

We are struggling with the fact that I may not be able to get pregnant. We dearly want a child of our own. Of course nothing will take away the love we have for the girls. Facing this hard fact has been difficult and heart breaking. We will get through it and in fact being in this situation we fully believe is to only make us stronger.

I say that I speak my mind whether you like it or not. I've always been told I posses more knowledge and wisdom than anyone my age should. My Grandmother whom I miss terribly repeatedly told me in my teen years that some day I would realize that having a mind that processed things far beyond my years isn’t a curse, rather a blessing and I should cherish it. I still haven’t figured out how it’s a blessing, but knowing my Grandmother I’m sure I’ll find out soon.

I've chosen to share my thoughts, random theories, some dislikes, and favorites of what ever comes to my mind here for you all to enjoy, disapprove, or perplex you into wondering what on earth is she thinking. I invite you to sit back and take a trip with me into my life, my mind, and the utter chaos and adventure I’m sure will arise.

 

 

Wordless Wednesday -- Spring

Enough said.

Wanna be green thumb employs questionable laborer’s…

First let me start with I think Mother Nature is either menopausal or trying to smite me. Either way we went from 80’s on Thursday to barely 60 and rain on Friday. Then came Saturday where once again it was barely 30 and that stupid white CRAP was falling once again!! So then we hit Sunday. Yes the sun was out however we were only mid 50’s at best. Totally unbelievable!! Needless to say we were home for once and didn’t have to run off somewhere. So we decided what better day than today to enforce some child labor, right?
After the girls went and picked out their perfect work clothes. Out to our back/side yard we went. Raking and picking up sticks.
QueenB consistently thought her rake had to be leaf free.

Wrong end their Toughie!!

Seemed to be no matter how much they raked they couldn’t keep it in a straight line. That wasn’t our thing Ms. Perfect QueenB wanted it that way.
(Note the boots on their feet ;) and they had to have their worker bibs on today. It was too cute!)

Toughie telling QueenB to do it yourself then. (Ha Ha no one bosses me around hmph)

We found so many cool things out in the yard. For example apparently we have been attacked by Woody!!

He left his mark everywhere in the back yard!! Take a look.
Here,

and here,

and here!

So then we went to go work in the garden. If you saw last Monday’s post True Confessions of a Wanna be green thumb. Here I showed off my gardens, or lack there of. I’m not going to show you what we have done so far to fix them, but I’ll just tell you we managed to weed a TON of grass from the side yard and put up the rock line in front of it. The front garden wasn’t touched at all. (poor thing) Anyway while we were digging away, we found a few things. I’m so proud of my girls for not being squeamish about gettin’ dirty or picking up things like…
WORMS!!!

He wasn’t a keeper to go fishing with so we decided to put him back. Of course that was after much convincing they didn’t need a worm in the house. I swear some days I’m raising two boys. (check the fingers!! see how filthy we were already!)

Then we found this weird little thing he is on the rock there, sorry I didn’t get a close up, but he was brick red and hard shell on one end and like a worm on the other. All in all we had a great day. We finished the rocks and most of the weeds. Hope next weekend is nice so we can plant some rose bushes and maybe some bulbs. However with Mother Nature being so wishy-washy we might have to wait a bit longer.
On a further note thank heavens for a shower in this house, or I’d have been cleaning a dirt ring for days with how much dirt came off of all of us.

The girls lovely artwork… on their headboards.

So the other day it was to be nap time. Now my 4 year olds usually lay down still for at least 45 minutes, I know lucky me, usually. Well the other day it wasn’t lucky me. I really do love the fact they are learning to write however this is not the place to be writing with markers. View exhibits A and B.

 

A is Toughie’s bed before.

B is Queenie’s bed before.

 

Now they thought that it was so awesome. “See my name.” they both exclaimed, with the biggest grins on their faces. Oh I soooo wasn’t happy. All over their headboards, pillow cases, sheets, yeah everywhere. I strip the bed’s and throw them in the washer and of course I go to the bathroom and get some wash cloths and get my cleaner. Which I totally love all of them, even my laundry soap. They are all chemical free, so guess what the girls can clean up their artwork!! After many gripes and groans, and a lecture from me that you don’t write on the walls, the furniture, or anything that is not paper for that matter they finally got them clean. If I was thinking I would have taken pic’s of the before on the sheets too but didn’t think that fast. Anyway check it out!! Exhibits C and D.

 

C is Toughie’s.

 

D is Queenie’s.

 

All clean and back to normal. With two excited kids too!! Only because the beds went back to the way they should be. So lesson learned right? Well yeah only because the next day I go to my desk to catch them now writing on my work papers.

So I guess I didn’t need this one.

 

 

All in all it was a glorious weekend. I’m more than happy they are learning to write, just wish they would do it on the papers and notebooks we had bought for THEM. My walls and desk need a break.

 

Friday the 13th, Lucky for me how about you?

Oh the elusive Friday the 13th is upon us!

I googled "why is Friday the 13th considered unlucky?". Many articles popped up about 116,000 it said. So I read a few as to why so many people have come to believe it is an unlucky day or date. However I was surprised in most of them that right off they state that many believe it to be a very lucky day too especially the Chinese. I fall into that category, not the Chinese the believe it‘s lucky just incase you might have been confused. : ) I've always had a great day when it was Ft13th. Especially when it falls the day after my bday.

So as I read on it seemed to be that there is no "proof" scientific or otherwise to prove why this day is considered so evil. There is always one a year and as many as three. One site had a whole table as to when and how they figure it out and how it happens in the leap year and WOW way to much to absorb at 8 am with kids running all over and no caffeine yet. “Oh coffee where are you…”

Next there are those that are Paraskevidekatriaphobics — people afflicted with a morbid, irrational fear of Ft13th — who have either positively or negatively effected the studies and research they have done. No one can actually pinpoint a determination as to when the fear started either. They have several theories as to when and how it evolved but no exact date or even year. However there are times where they can point out reason’s why people have become so afraid.

On one site they stated that the British Medical Journal’s study of Ft13th on your health was that less people were on the road yet more people were seriously injured if they were in an accident. So their conclusion was, "Friday 13th is unlucky for some. The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52 percent. Staying at home is recommended."

WHAT?! Stay home, that’s not going to happen here. I have so much crap to do I can’t afford to let that get in my way. For example today I have a list of at least 4 places I have to go to in town. That’s a 20 minute drive there then all over town and the 20 minute drive back. If I let that get in my way I’d be so far behind come Monday. Now if you’re a mom being behind is no fun at all. It’s bad enough to try and figure it out to schedule everything in one day. There is the loading the kids, unloading the kids, buckling seatbelts 400 times, pee breaks every ten minutes. Heaven forbid you go into a store that they like stuff then it’s the “I want” “I need” “PUUHHHLLLEEEEZZZEEEE!!” Followed by the pouts and tears when you say no. Or the haven’t had a nap, got up early, you’ve dragged me around town, it’s now 4 pm, full blown tantrum that gets you the evil looks and whispers as you grab them drop everything else and head to the bathroom if you think you can save it but most likely the car. So now you didn’t get that task done, got to reschedule. The list is never-ending. So in a few we will set off to town to see if my Ft13th will stay lucky/good day for me or if the girls will prove me wrong and make it one of those days where everyone gives us those looks and when I get home I’m now laying on the floor with all my hair pulled out drooling incoherent and twitching…

http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/historical/a/friday_the_13th.htm

My favorite site I read this morning on Ft13th

My Birthday Present!!!

So here it is. My Birthday! Another year gone and another to set off on new adventures. Most people set new year’s resolutions, well not me I set birthday goals. I have things set in my mind that I want to accomplish before then. That will probably be another post. This one is all about what I got for my present this year.


Yesterday Daddy and his brother (Kit I’ll call him : ) an acronym for him and only I know why) were here to install my dish washer. Now the house we live in was my grandmother’s. It is well over a hundred years old. So of course It’s not like there was a place to put it in. So the spot we picked we don’t hardly use the drawers they just contain junk. Amazing how we all have a junk drawer. Then the cupboard was full of all of my grandma’s stuff I still haven’t put anywhere or gotten rid of. Plus the floors in this place are so unlevel. Can't have anything on wheels it's like riding a rollercoaster through the house! Well maybe not that bad but you get the idea. So here is the spot.

Next Kit cut it all out.

No turning back now!

Then next was the plumbing… All I have to say is good thing we were doing this because apparently our drain was leaking so it all had to be replaced! Here it is our brand new plumbing! LOL Daddy wasn’t happy it cost us more money. OOPS but still what’s he crying about, that little money just saved us a whole LOT of money later, right? So eventually after running out to my parents farm to get a part for something and a trip to Menard’s for the plumbing parts it was finally in. Including water being sprayed all over at one point. "Hey Kit ya can't turn on the sink when a hose is undone!!" Here's the new plumbing see...

And then it was in!!!

Now all that’s left is to make a little shelf next to it and frame it all in. But after Daddy and Kit both worked the night before took a nap and then installed my dishwasher. As long as it works, and I can use it I can wait for cosmetics! Now where to put the mountain of stuff that came out of there. Hmmmm....

New Toys..... or the box....

It amazes me how much stuff we accumulate over the years of our life. Right now I’m trying to sort through stuff to pack away, or get rid of. Daddy has brought me home some boxes to accomplish this mission. Hard part is I have no problem throwing stuff in the boxes, girls are getting good at it too. However Daddy for some reason is a pack rat rather attached to some a lot of his things.

The girls have so much stuff we could supply a small country with toys. Well maybe not that many but it sure seems like it. See the girls have a rather huge extended family, and not many kids their age. When Christmas or their Birthday comes around they get sooo much stuff. Sometimes I think we need a storage shed just for presents after Christmas. That doesn’t include the stuff that the grandparents just buy them or the girls manage to manipulate and con out of them. For some reason it is programmed in the grandparents to never say no to their innocent little grandchildren when they ask for something. But hey who passes up free daycare, so Daddy and I get time alone YAY!!

Anyway the girls open most of their toys after the holidays but we do put some new stuff away. That way when I get the days where “I’m bored”, “What can we do”, “There’s nothing to do” come whining from their mouths I have a plan of attack. The girls go pick out some toys, I try to make it more than we are getting out, to give away or throw away depending on how well “used” they are. Once they are boxed up we go to the new stuff and pick out two or three things.

So it ends up being Christmas all over again to them. Plus the bonus I now have a few hours most times to have no distractions and get stuff done. (ie on the computer, but don’t tell Daddy *wink wink*)

So now yesterday I got to thinking the girls hadn’t pulled their whining in awhile. Don’t get me wrong I was very happy about that. Still we hadn’t been in the “New Stuff” closet in quite some time. The girls had been good so far today so I figured the melt down was soon to occur. I went to find the girls to see if they wanted to get in the closet and this is what I found in their room…

No wonder it had been a good day!!!!


Forget the toys, forget the park, forget everything! Just give us a box big enough to fit in! They spent hours playing in those boxes all day yesterday, and actually today now too. This has been the most peaceful couple days in I can’t remember how long. I guess if the closet runs out of toys, which I’m sure it won’t, all I have to do is get Daddy to bring home some more boxes.

I’ve heard them driving bus, fire trucks (apparently sirens came on the box and were loud!). They have made them an animal shelter complete with every possible stuffed animal they could shove in, glad they have somewhere to be now. Today now the boxes are back to being the fire truck and ambulance and are on their way to go help Daddy. (Daddy is at a live burn training which we are going to later)

So now I guess I go try to pry them away from their fire trucks so we can go see Daddy and his. I’m pretty sure when I mention Daddy and the fire guys I’m the one going to have trouble catching up to get them ready.

Let the excitement begin, “OOOHHHH Girls!!!!”

New Adventures!!

In this post and probably many more I will refer to my girls as Toughie and QueenB. That is what they are. I have my little Tough Tomgirl and my little Tender QueenB, well Tender on most days, others not so much.

So over the last week and still continuing this week we have definitely had and are having our own set of new adventures.

Last week the school went on the splendid H1N1 vacation. So now my whole daily routine has been thrown back into the chaotic days of summer but undoubtedly without the warm weather. Shall we say cabin fever! Add that all on top of the sugar injections, which results in overdoses, then the coma that ensues afterwards from this weekend, and we now have had a great Meltdown Monday!! Which oh so thanks to that pager started at 5:45 am this morning. :)

QueenB newest adventure was getting glasses last Thursday - (Toughie goes back tomorrow to see if she does too) So now who‘s bright idea was it to put glasses on a four year old. Oh I’m not raising my hand to claim that one. The fun has only just begun but the last four and a half days have been so much fun.

One she won’t leave them alone. They are the new toy, not only for her but sissy too. How many times can you say don’t touch and leave them alone before it actually gets heard?

Two she thinks it’s the coolest thing ever. *sigh* I’m sure that will change. Oh and Toughie can’t wait till she goes back tomorrow to get hers too. Oh I’m sure the meltdowns will continue to Tuesday if she doesn’t get glasses too. That’s the hardest thing with twins, you can’t just have one of something no matter what it is.

Three add another item to the list of daily things to clean, and because of number one its often more than once a day. I mean how is she supposed to see better when they are filthy. Hmmm don’t remember having to keep washing the eyeballs….

Four how many times must we have the conversation,

“Time for bed your glasses need to go in the case.”
“But I need to see to sleep”
“Your eyes are closed when you sleep you don’t need them to see”

What does she have some great works of art on the back of those eyelids I wasn’t aware of. Course the glasses still won’t help to see that, well if they were or are there. Again kids say the darndest things sometimes.

So the last but not least has to be my latest adventure. It only took my hubby about three years to convince me but I have finally enrolled and start my EMT class tonight. Just another chunk of time to add to my already chaotic schedule on top of finding a sitter as well two to three times a week. So now I get to leave Toughie & QueenB in the hands of my hubby’s good friend. Yeah he is good with kids but can he handle the climax and grand finale of a Meltdown Monday?? Course tonight will probably be like signing that dotted line on the phrase he uttered to me the other day, “ after spending a day in your life, I’m really thinking about getting snipped.” Guess we will find out the verdict tonight when we get home from class. :)

The Beginning

So I figured it would only be appropriate to make my first post a background of me and what I intend to write for your enjoyment and or for your enlightenment.

I’ve grown up and now live in the same small town in Northern Nowhereville Michigan. One of them where everyone knows you, your family, what your doing, and where you’ve been types of towns. All in all it makes it a great and not so great place to live. Don’t get me wrong I love the small town feel. The jump when someone needs help aspect of the community. When someone’s in need there are always people there. The support of a so to speak extra large family. I was a farm raised girl who wouldn’t baulk at hard work or rough housing with the boys. I grew up with only two sister’s but seemed to have gathered several brothers along the way. For some reason they thought I needed protections when really they were the ones needing it from me.

So now I have married, and convinced my hubby to move here with me. We have twin daughters who keep this life of mine at its peak of craziness. All in all what else is the life of a wife and mommy right? My hubby is a Fire/EMS addict so at any given moment of the day our plans/lives can be totally changed and or rearranged if that pager happens to go off. Which in my eyes is a blessing and an honor in some aspects. It takes a strong person to be able to drop everything they are doing, and in some situations risk their life, to come and help you in your time of need.

So I am a SAHM and love every minute of this chaotic life. I’m a social site addict, caffeine dependent, don’t cross me or you will pay type of woman. I have always used some form of journaling as a so to speak therapy and am now choosing to share with you my every thought, theory, rant, rave, or anything else I feel like writing. I can’t guarantee that you will agree with the way my mind works or thinks, however I do believe you will find enjoyment out of what I write. So here we go off on this glorious adventure!