Baby on the mind

So my daughter has been trying to talk me into a puppy. I told her to ask her dad. She said she did and her dad said "maybe."

She also has been asking me for a little sister. I told her you don't really get a choice in the matter because it's 50% chance it could be a boy, too. Then I reminded her that babies take a long time to make and about another year before they're interesting. I said by then she'll be about 9ish and won't be interested in a baby anymore. Besides that, they cry a lot, wake you up in the middle of the night to eat, and you have to change their diapers all the time. Then they turn into bigger kids who get into your stuff. Of course, she says that's okay because she'll share everything with her baby sister, even her DS- and her brothers are all stinky boys and mean and a baby will solve all her problems (has someone been watching Maury around her this summer??).

Kirby and I have been talking about babies a little. I told him I want a little girl if he knocks me up. If he can't give me a little girl then I want an Asian boy. Because they're so gosh darned cute!

I was helping Gwyneth clean her room today and she tells me if I have a baby she'll be responsible for it. She'll change it's diaper and everything. She'll even get up in the middle of the night. Of course I may have to wake her up sometimes if she doesn't hear it crying. She put her hands on my cheeks and told me it will be completely and totally her responsibility and I won't have to worry about a thing. Even if she's playing with her friends, she'll stop to change a diaper. Then she says if she can be responsible for a baby then I can get her a puppy!

Bestest Friends

My daughter doesn't just have friends. She only has best friends. And we are having a sleep over slash late birthday party for her Friday and she wanted to remind me that she wanted ALL her best friends there and why didn't I invite so and so and why didn't I ask so and so.... *sigh* Because YOU little missy didn't get all your bestest friend's in the world phone numbers.

If I can't keep track of her best friends now- how can I keep track of her best friends when she's a teenager?

Now she's asking me to have a tea party with actual tea. She says she tried a little today and it tasted kind of good. Now she is going to play a game... and wow I thought I was random. .2 seconds later she's off to something else.

weeds

So we have all these weeds on the side of the house. I've been working periodically all summer pulling them (and as punishment for fighting or hitting the children have pulled some, too). A few weeks ago I asked Kirby to get some particular hard to pull ones. Well like I said that was a few weeks ago... They've gotten quite thick now. They were some ragweed and other ones I don't know what they are, but they were just too big. One behind the air conditioner has this really tall thick stalk. Turned out it is a sunflower! My favorite weed of all.

I don't know how we got a sunflower there, last year we didn't have any weeds- this is in our rock garden. Weird.

Yay! 100th Post

That is on THIS blog! I don't know how many total... Someday I will add them up, although blogspot does keep a good record for me, I'm just too lazy to add them.

Anyway I have had a fantabulous weekend. My daughter turned 17, okay not really. Just 7 on Friday, but you'd never guess it was only 7. She is definitely a character in my life that I don't ever know what I did before she came along!

So she wanted to get her bangs cut because her hair in her eyes. Okay. The way her hair parts we always get them angled. She wasn't sure if she liked them so the lady told me to have her sleep on them (not literally) and if she wasn't sure in the morning we could get them fixed.

Conclusion- all her best friends (she doesn't have regular friends, only best friends) have their bands straight across so she wanted hers straight across. So we had to give into peer pressure and do what all her best friends have. She kept looking in the mirror to see if they were straight across and straightening them out.

On the way to her dad's she kept asking me over and over if they were straight. I had to tell her, yes they're cut straight, but her hair isn't plastic so it's going to move around sometimes so it isn't always going to stick in the exact places. With that said- she fixed them in the side view mirror of the car, clamped her hands on top of her head, and ran up the porch to her dad's house. She wanted to be sure the wind wasn't going to mess them up.

Chessex

I am just so excited because I am going to be the servicing agent for this account!! They showed me their new colors and everything and are going to be in GenCon. My contact told me to be sure to stop by and get a photo with her. I told her I wouldn't be very professional because I'd be all nerded up. I am going to get my photo taken with them! What an awesome first account to have set up!

Wow what a nerd I am, but what can I say? I love my dice.

karma / cat drool

Cat drool is last 2 paragraphs if you want to skip to that.

I really want to have the kids on an upcoming weekend to see some extended family but I'm sure my ex will say no. So I'm not even going to bother asking. I was in mid text when I realized it was a moot point. I thought the worst is the answer will be no, but I already know the answer is no.

Oh well, there will be other trips we can take. I was just letting hot air out so I don't want to hear about "karma" because it's the kids that are missing out, not me. That is the line that is pulled on me all the time. ...and yes, I'm arguing with no one.

Kirby's truck died and we had to upgrade to a mini van. It is really cute, but more importantly we can travel normally (and not crunched). It was quite a bit to fit 6 of us in his truck! Those kids are growing! Plus I was scared it was going to fall apart on the road and we'd have to flintstone it or something crazy!


Anyway, I came home from work and was laying on the bed chatting away petting my old cat who was on my belly and he shook his head and drool went flinging everywhere... I mean everywhere- like in my mouth. It was gross. I wiped it out, but I could still feel where it landed. Then Kirby kissed me and I thought that was like Frenching the cat because after his kiss I didn't feel the drool spot so much anymore.

I remember once when Garry was laying next to his head and drool dripped in his ear. He didn't like that much.

You have to do

I suppose when you're subjected to stress it's harder to be spontaneous? The cool thing about "getting away" is that you really can forget about everything you leave behind. Where we were this weekend was so far out in the hilly countryside I didn't even have phone service for 3 days (sorry anyone who text or called me Fri, Sat, or Sun- I didn't get them).

If you hadn't guessed, we were out of town... Kirby and me and 4 of the kids, camping. Oh yeah it was a blast! I think they had fun. Kirby couldn't find my grocery list so he "winged" it from memory. We had hot dogs twice and lots of chips. I don't really like chips, i.e. migraine triggers, very much. Or hot dogs.

Oh we forgot one extra sleeping bag and no extra blankets. Oops. Always forget something important, right? Brr for the sleeping adults (at least it was summertime).

Anyway the one thing we got to do was go caving!! It was so cool. Giant caverns with stalactites and stalagmites and columns and crystals. Still water and waterfalls inside it... We only did walking tours since Gavin has a broken hand (he's doing a lot better, as good as can be expected- poor guy). Gwyn was about 8 days too young anyway to do the crawling, get all dirty ones. They were really cool because I had never been in a cave. I so want to go again! With my mud boots and dirty jeans!

If you haven't ever gone caving I highly recommend it. It is definitely an experience you must have. Photos and descriptions just don't do it any justice. Speaking of, I will try to get a photo up next blog (if they turned out).

ps, if you have a camper with a/c and a flat screen t.v.- that's just wrong!! Camping cheaters! lol

Responsibility

Is it wrong to call someone out on their responsibility? I know you step on toes, but why should I have to continuously pay for someone else's mistakes?

So here's the deal. I've asked this person over and over about this certain thing (sorry I'm not being specific) I got tired of asking so took the proper steps to get it taken care of- the right way. Of course other people have to get themselves involved... because things between two people can't stay between two people.

I'm sorry this "thing" has caused anyone else undue stress. I'm sorry your feelings toward me are what they are- negatively and you feel you, (and others), still feel you have to call me nasty names.

I know I'm not a bad person. If you do something wrong, then you must own up to the consequences. So the consequences may not be what you want them to be, but that's a part of life.

I have had to own up to some really sucky things and had to pay for it. I've had to suffer the consequences of other people's decisions that have affected my life. That's a part of life.

Sometimes a choice you make, or someone else makes, years ago you still have to pay for. Deal with it. If someone calls you out on something that is your responsibility, that doesn't make them vindictive. If you think so then I'm sorry that you have to live in the real world. If the tables were turned I know for a fact that I would be the one on the other end.

I have felt a little guilty because in all reality I do appear to be better off. But I've worked really hard for what I have and where I am currently in my life. I do what I'm supposed to do and I continue to work hard. Things aren't handed to me. Sometimes if you want something you have to be willing to give up other things. I wanted a college degree so I gave up a lot of my free time to do it. 2 years, plus I worked full time while I did it. And I'm paying for that degree!

I've learned that you can't judge people just like you can't judge a book by it's cover. You can't assume you know things when you really don't. I know- I'm bad about judging others myself, but I'm working on it.

I'm far from perfect! But I'm trying to be a better person and a better mother and I'm trying to live by the standards I expect among others around me. I thought I knew a lot a year ago and I thought I knew a lot 5 years ago or even 10 years ago. It turns out that every so often I realize I didn't know near as much as I thought I did.

Lesson: Be responsible, accept the consequences of not being responsible.

Yep, that's broke

Gavin was riding his bike and crashed it yesterday and he broke his hand. I didn't think it was broke (he wiggled all his fingers and stuff), but I knew it was going to be bruised pretty bad cuz he fell on it. I had him put ice on it and a couple hours later when Kirby came home it was all puffed up and stuff. So we took him to redi-med and sure enough it was broke!

They said it was a weird spot and they couldn't set it there so they put it in a splint and we have to go to orthopedics this morning (impatiently waiting for them to open to call) and they will set it and he will get a cast. He just has to keep it elevated and I gave him ibuprofen and ice for it. Poor guy!!

He still wants to ride his bike tho, what a trooper. He hardly cried, but I'm really worried and freaking out (inside) about getting it set. I've never had a broken bone, but I have a feeling it's going to hurt really bad when they set it. :(

It's his right hand 5th bone (that controls the pinky) kind of on the bottom closer to the wrist.

We're supposed to leave Friday-tomorrow- to Southern Indiana to go camping and stuff. Kirby says he should be able to do everything we have planned just have to bring the ibuprofen and bags (for his cast). I feel so bad for him, but he's been really good about it- so far!

ps he says he isn't going to let anyone sign it. I wonder if they still do the colored ones? OH it's just after 8:00 I can call the Orthopedics and call for his appt. *gulp*

Best 4th of July!!

I know, I title every holiday with that. I think this year really was one of the best. We had an 'ice cream social' with one of Kirby's work friends Friday, like we did last year, and saw Whitley County fireworks from afar. (I told Kirby you can tell it's a suffering economy because they didn't do quite the show as the year before). It was still nice, though.

The kids had a blast running around like crazy people. Then give them glow sticks and sparklers... (you can fill in the blanks) They had so much fun it was almost one of those things where I almost didn't want to claim them for mine. But my daughter, stinking with sweat and dirt, constantly wants to come hug me and tell me how much she loves me. No way can I turn that down!

They were off to their dad's yesterday and my 10 year (almost 11) old was particularly excited because THIS year he was going to be able to light some of the fireworks they got. I told him he had to come home with all his fingers attached.

Kirby and I were going to be old fuddies and were planning on staying inside and popping in a movie, but we had Josh who was wondering the neighborhood with growing excitement as each house with a child it seems prepared their own concoction of fireworks. So he drug us out and we socialized with our neighbors. Before we knew it, all the neighbors consolidated to one driveway with fireworks and we must have had hundreds of fireworks, big ones, little ones, bright ones, loud ones, smokey ones, spinners, parachutes, and not to mentions the sparklers! Josh had a blast as well as did all the neighbor kids!

We really had a wonderful time and I'm so glad that we decided not to be fuddies!

I haven't seen their driveway yet, but I'm sure it needs power washed.

7%

First off Happy 4th of July!!

I got this email and thought I'd post it, and add my opinions, too. Some was pretty good advice and some hit home for me... But this peanut gallery always has something to say so here we go!

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio I checked it via snopes http://www.snopes.com/glurge/lifelessons.asp and this lady is legit. "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. I'll give her that, although sometimes it sucks royally! So if you don't find reasons to laugh at yourself you may get sucked into the unfairness of it.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. Sometimes baby steps are the biggest ones you can take.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. True, but although there are a couple of people I dislike enormously sometimes it's easier just to admit I hate them and move on.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. And it's your friends and family that visit you in the hospital, not your job- unless you have an AWESOME boss... like my grandpa's when he was sick in the hospital.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month. Or just know how evil they are and don't ever get one!!

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. Easier said than done, especially when you have to have the last word, or when you're 6 and have to be right. This is a concept I've tried to teach my children... Unsuccessfully.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. Make sure they are a friend not sleeping with your lover.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. No comments from the peanut gallery here.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. I really wish I had known about this one 15 years ago!

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. Unless it's a migraine trigger.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. Don't dwell in the past either, learn from your mistakes, and move on, live in the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. ...and that they have.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Everyone has a story, and there are 2 sides to that story.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. comment to #7

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. God may not blink, but He is a silent witness and sometimes you have to go through hard times by yourself. It's okay because I think it can make you a stronger person. God and you may disagree, but there was some times I was pretty angry. #8 :-)

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. That it does! Sometimes I sigh really loud, too.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. Donate it because someone else may find it useful, beautiful, or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. Unless it's a migraine in which it leaves you bedridden for days at at time and you come out feeling like a train hit you.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. Is this living vicariously through your children?

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. You'll always wonder why you didn't try!

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. Don't forget the sunscreen! Especially if you have a red headed child!

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. I totally don't get this one.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain. And you should check into Romance 101 if you don't know how to use it.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?". I think yes it does matter, because every decision you make now shapes who you are in the future. What may not be a big deal to you may be a big deal to someone else. Do decide wisely.

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything. Easier said than done, but I think it's easier to make them apologise for their transgressions first and if not, then I can mark them out of my life until they come into it again. I know- obviously I'm working on some issues. Hurt is a complicated thing, especially when it keeps coming back.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business. Tru dat, and that is why I need to get rid of the people that hurt me. I don't mean murder I mean #28.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time. Yes I think in time #28 will come to pass and my hurts will heal.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. If you think it's going to change for the worse, it probably will. If you think it's going to get better it probably will. I think a lot of it is your outlook.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. I never take myself seriously except when I have to be serious.

33. Believe in miracles. I don't think I've ever experienced a miracle.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. The irony is I will die Young. LOL lol. Just hopefully at a ripe old age.

37. Your children get only one childhood. And I'm making the most out of it.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. With all I have

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. Again with the miracle thing. I like the sunshine and trees and grass and nature parts.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. Maybe...

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. Envy is my way of complementing those I love. I'm not really jealous.

42. The best is yet to come. I think I already have the best, so the better is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. Unless you have a migraine and you're about to toss your cookies if you move your head...

44. Yield. Slow down and enjoy the scenic route.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

It's estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'.
I'm in the 7%. Remember that I will always share my spoon with you!
Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.