A Dog Gone Sad Story

I went to Hell-Mart today to get some groceries. On the way home I decided to stop at Dollar General to look for something for my Halloween costume. As I was driving down one of the main busy streets in town going about 50 mph, two dogs that looked to be bulldogs started across the street. They hesitated at first but before I had time to stop, one of them walked out in front of me. When I was learning to drive my dad told me over and over don’t slam on your brakes and don’t swerve if an animal walks out in front of you. We lived on a rock road and slamming on your brakes or swerving would most likely cause an even bigger accident. In the split second I had to decide, I tapped my brakes and firmly grabbed the wheel. I hit the poor dog and killed it. I pulled over into the bike lane to calm my nerves, check the car and call Jody to let him know what happened. I watched in my rearview mirror and saw a man stop traffic and get the other dog. He left the other one in the road. When traffic cleared out some, I got out and checked my van. One of my fog lights is gone and the bottom of the bumper is crunched. I’m just so thankful that my dad’s directions have become instinct. I was in heavy traffic when the dog ran out. Had I swerved or slammed on the brakes, I could have caused a more serious accident. I hate knowing that I was responsible for the dog’s death, but I’m grateful that I was watched over.

A Pig Story

Yesterday I was taking care of the kids when Randy and his brother showed up at our door. We don’t usually get many visitors so I was surprised to see them. They said they had been on our land looking for deer tracks and decided to stop by and see our pigs (We raise pigs that we sale and butcher). When they got to the pigpen, the pigs started going crazy and two of them broke out of the pen and escaped. He and his brother hurried and blocked the other two pigs in the pen and proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes chasing down the other two pigs. They finally caught them and put them in the goat pen by the barn. The IL’s dog Boss proved to be quite helpful. He’s a blue heeler and loves to help with the animals. Their other dog KC wasn’t as helpful and ended up pinning the biggest hog down by the neck at one point, biting hard enough to draw blood. She’s a crazy mutt that gets a little too excited. When Randy told me the story, I didn’t believe him. You would think that if two grown men were chasing pigs all over your property you would hear them, but I didn’t. I went up to the goat pen and sure enough there were two pigs in it. One had a scratched up face from running through briars and the other had a bloody neck from where KC went after it. The whole thing is kind of ironic since FIL was thinking about moving the pigs up the pen by the barn anyway. Randy and his brother sure went about moving them the hard way. I would have paid good money to watch them running all over the place trying to catch those pigs.

Serger celebration

I bought a serger a while back and I have to admit I don't exactly know how to use it. My experience using a serger is very limited. I used a serger once in college in my clothing construction course, and I used one again while doing a service project when I worked in the Young Women's organization at church. The manual that came with the machine might as well have been in a foreign language. Actually it's in English and two other languages and none of them make much sense to me. All I know to do is stick the fabric on the plate and push the pedal. The fabric runs through the machine and out comes a serged edge. I've played around with the tension a bit but can't say that I've noticed any differences. I was having trouble with my stitches over hanging. It's done it since I bought the machine, but I didn't know what was causing it to happen. That's where the part about me playing with the tension came in. It didn't help. Last night I sat down with the manual while watching The Nine (good show, by the way) and was bound and determined to figure out how to fix the stitches. Well, I figured it out. And I didn't even have to get out the foreign language dictionary or make any phone calls. Probably a lame thing to be proud of, but it feels good to have the stitching look right. And as a manner of celebration I finished sewing my cloth wipes and prefolds this morning. Woohoo! Now onto my next project...

Shout Out

I have to give a shout out for MagLite flashlights. I have a mini MagLite that I keep in my diaper bag. It takes one AA battery and isn't much larger then one. I used the flashlight while we were in VA and forgot to take it out of my jacket pocket before I washed it. Wouldn't you know, those little buggers are waterproof. I accidentally ran it through the wash and it still worked! The wash didn't affect the flashlight at all. It's back in my diaper bag for safe keeping and any potential emergency. Hooray for a well made product!

Virginia

Everyone keeps asking me when I am going to blog about Virginia. I haven't for various reasons. I was tired and worn out when I got home. Paxton got sick on the way home so he's been a whiney, sick mess. My internet works at a snail's pace which means it will take forever to upload any of the awesome pictures I got while we were there. Excuses, excuses.

The road trip to TN and then VA can only be described as long. 5 kids and 2 adults and all their weeks worth of luggage shoved into a Chrysler Town and Country minivan makes for a tight fit. The kids were very well behaved. Thank heaven for portable DVD players. Whoever invented them should be given the Nobel Peace Prize. The one thing we didn't take into account while planning our trip was the traffic. What we thought would be an 18 hour trip turned into a 28 hour trip. We managed to hit every big city along our route during a traffic jam.

The highlight of the trip had to be when, upon arrival to Virginia Beach, we realized the only way to actually get to the beach was to take a tunnel that went under the ocean. Eek! To the average joe this wouldn't be a big deal but both Misty and I and out anxiety induced selves were not to keen on the idea. Add to that a 10-15 minute delay due to traffic and we were a hysterical mess! After a couple cigarettes (on Misty's part) and a few prayers (on my part) we made it safely through the tunnel without any incident. It is an experience I do not wish to repeat and let's just say we found an alternate route home that only involved bridges.

The ocean was incredible. The massiveness of it was almost scary. But it was so beautiful and hypnotic. The kids loved playing on the beach. And I have to admit I loved playing just as much as they did. We played in the waves despite the frigid temperatures. The kids played in the sand and collected sea shells for Jody. It was wonderful.

The greatest part of the trip was meeting mommies from all over the US whom I have gotten to know since joining a message board when I found out I was pregnant with Olivia. We have been chatting since June 2002 and I honestly would be different person if I had never met them. They are such a wealth of knowledge, love and support, and I have learned so much from them. And I am a better person because of them. I can't describe what it meant to meet so many of them in person. We had a blast! I had wondered if it would be akward or weird meeting everyone IRL but it wasn't. We "knew" each other instantly and had a great time hanging out together.

So yes, I had a great vacation. The kids had a great vacation. It was so great Olivia didn't even want to come home. I told Jody we have to go the beach next summer. I...I mean the kids...can't wait to play in the ocean again. Until then, I just might catch you in the Juniverse. ;)

Thirteen Things You Don't Want to Hear Your Doctor Say 1. Oops. 2. This will only hurt for a second. 3. I've never seen that before. 4. Don't worry, I've watched this procedure a hundred times. 5. When was the last time you had a pelvic exam. 6. I'm sorry. 7. Let's talk about your weight. 8. You'll now feel some pressure in your anus. 9. Congratulations, it's triplets! 10. I just need to run a few more tests. 11. There's been a little mix-up. 12. That left arm isn't good for much anyway. 13. Do you ever wake up in the morning and think everything is going to be okay? Today isn't that day.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the game is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Higher education

Olivia's HIPPY teacher came today today. Her teacher is taking a college algebra course this semester and before she left she mentioned that she had a test next week and that she's been struggling. I told her if she needs any help to let me know. I may need to study the book a little bit, but I've always been pretty good at math.

This got me thinking: maybe I should go back to school. I had planned on working on my Masters when Olivia was 6 months old. "You need to get to work on your Masters, " my dad said right after I earned my Bachelors Degree "Or you'll never get it done." Olivia turned out to be a very difficult baby so going back to school wasn't an option at the time. Here it is 4+ years later and it still hasn't happened.

The thought of going back to school frightens me. Something about having children made my brain turn to mush and where in the world would I find the time and the energy to study? I know why my dad warned me not to stop. All that great education I am still paying for is slowly slipping away and after all that hard work!

So I thought about taking a college class. I don't know what class I would want to take. Maybe one of those adult education classes like quilting or oil painting. Is it sad that it makes me sad that I now fit in that category? Maybe a science course like Basic Anatomy, one step closer to becoming a nurse if I could just get over my fear of dead people. Any class would do. Anything that would require me to use my brain for something other than remembering where Paxton took off his shoes or figuring out how long the half gallon of milk will last before I need to go to the grocery store. And what's that say knowledge is power? or is it money is power? Anyway, you get my point.

The pictures as promised

Paxton's favorite new toys

Paxton blowing out the candles on his birthday cake

Paxton's 2nd Birthday

Paxton turned 2 years old today. I can’t believe my little boy is 2 years old! Has is really been two years since we headed to the hospital full of fear and excitement, half believing I would be sent home in false labor? Two years since our world was forever brightened? Where has the last two years gone? First rolling, then crawling and walking, and now talking, my little boy is growing up so fast.

Paxton’s not big on crowds so we decided just to have family over to celebrate his birthday. My sister and her son are here from Nebraska. It’s great since she was here right after Paxton was born (contrary to the plans we had made for her to actually be here for the birth as my birth coach, but that’s me and planning!) MIL, FIL and BIL all came too. Paxton wasn’t too keen on opening presents. As soon as he opened Anna’s gift of a John Deere tractor train, he was done. If it had been up to me I would have let him play with it and open the rest later, but MIL and FIL had their own agenda.

The cake, well, what can I say about the cake. It was supposed to be a tractor, but by the time I got done with it, it looked more like Super Nanny’s car. Perhaps a little toast to the terrible two’s that are just around the corner. Paxton doesn’t understand blowing yet so Olivia was delighted to blow out the candles. The cake was yummy and the leftovers will make a great breakfast tomorrow. (pictures will follow. blogger isn't letting me load them.)

Here’s to another healthy and happy year, my sweet little baby boy. I treasure every moment I have with you and can’t wait to watch you learn and grow. Love-Mommy

Thirteen Ramblings 1. Jody started his new job at the Cabinet Shop this week, and he loves it. He has better hours now so we actually see him during the week. And best of all, he is happy with where he is working. 2. In my quest to try cloth diapering, I made Paxton a pocket diaper. The diaper turned out really good for being my first attempt at sewing one. Paxton likes it because it has tractors on it. He usually insists on putting a cloth diaper on after his nap. The rest of the day he could care less. I have another pattern to try out but haven’t found the motivation yet. 3. Paxton has a huge scab under his nose where he nose-dived in to the pavement the other day. Thank goodness kids heal quickly. It looks gross. 4. Olivia has suddenly become afraid of thunderstorms. When we had some strong storms the other day, she insisted that we light a candle in case the power went out. It started raining yesterday while she was at the IL’s house yesterday and she had them promptly bring her home. She so reminds me of me as a child. 5. We mopped the floor last night for the first time since I don’t know when. How embarrassing is that! But when your house is one big open space, it’s hard to find the time when the kids aren’t here to get it done. 6. Last night we had Pack Meeting. I arranged for FIL to come teach the boys how to rope a steer. We had to do it in the gym since it was raining. We had a plastic steer head stuck in to a stack of chairs leaned on their side. The boys had a blast. At the end we did a competition between the parents and the boys to see who could get the most points roping a steer head. It ended in a tie. But everyone had a great time trying. 7. Olivia had her WIC appointment today. She weighs 36 pounds and is 42 inches tall. She’s a beanpole! 8. We need to get a new freezer. The one we have is not sealing properly. Ice keeps building up around the edges and aggravating the situation. I have requested that we get an upright freezer this time. That way food doesn’t get lost in the bottom of it. 9. We are going to make the kids a sandbox. We intended on getting Olivia one for her birthday, but it never happened. Now that the weather has cooled off and the ticks aren’t as bad, it seems as good a time as ever to get one. I priced the materials and it looks like the project is a go. This will be my first wood working project so we will see how it turns out. 10. My sister and her son Charlie are coming to visit!! I can’t wait. I miss having my family here sooooo badly. We are going to have so much fun. We’ll probably end up just sitting around watching the kids terrorize each other, but at least we’ll be together. 11. Two weeks until the big Junatic Get Together in Virginia. I’ve never been to the East coast or to the ocean so this is going to be so much fun. And I can’t wait to meet all the women that I have been chatting with for the last 5 years too. 12. My mom is applying for a job down here. Sometimes I think it is totally selfish of me to want her to get it since all my brothers and sisters live in Nebraska, but I could sure use some family around here. 13. Olivia has become obsessed with learning to write her ABC’s and 123’s. She is currently crying because I told her she was writing the 3 backwards. Maybe she won’t be so sad if I tell her that she really made a capital E in cursive.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the game is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A conversation

We were driving home from town the other day, when I asked Olivia what she wanted to eat for supper. I usually give her choices so I told her pizza or chicken nuggets. "Can you give me some more choices," Olivia said. I told her mommy was really tired and didn't feel like cooking. "Well," Olivia said. "You could go to McDonald's and cook." Where does she come up with this stuff?!

Thirteen Ramblings 1. Tuesday I turned two pictures and three dresses into the County Fair. I went and checked them yesterday and I got four blue ribbons and one red ribbon. 2. The kids got to ride on rides at the Fair for the first time yesterday. I only bought ten tickets thinking it would be enough for 5 rides for Olivia. Paxton decided he wanted to ride too so he went on two rides and Olivia went on three. 3. I like to walk around and watch all the crazy people riding the rides. Olivia begged to ride some of the scariest rides. I told her mommy's heart couldn't take it. I swear I won't be able to be there the day she gets on one. 4. Olivia had her first day of gymnastics yesterday. I really like the facility and her teacher was great. There are only four children in the class. Olivia's favorite part of class: doing the push-ups. 5. My brother and SIL came for supper Tuesday. I didn't know they were coming over to eat so I had to throw a meal together spur of the moment. It actually turned out pretty good. The conversation wasn't bad either. 6. I tried cloth diapers on Paxton for the first time this week. I think I need a bigger size wrap. I'm thinking I would like pocket diapers even better. I need to decide if I want to invest the money in them though. 7. I got my Creative Memories order in today. I got a lot of new products. I can't wait to get started on my Summer Vacation 2006 album. First, I need to get a ton of pictures printed. 8. I love getting packages in the mail. Letters too. It may be juvenile but it makes me smile. 9. Jody comes home tomorrow - hooray!! 10. I love the cooler weather we've been having. It's been getting in the low 80's during the day and high 50's at night. This weather is almost perfect, just needs to be just a little cooler. 11. I've been sleeping with my window open. This morning I awoke to the sound of cows mooing on the ranch. They must be weaning them again. 12. My sister and I are having a contest to see who can work out more. So far she is winning. I haven't worked out once since we started our challenge. 13. I took a two hour nap today trying to get rid of my headache. It worked. It also explains why I'm up at 11:30 finishing my TT.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the game is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Free time

While walking through the craft department at Wal-Mart yesterday, I spotted a pink fabric with ballet shoes and music notes on sale for $3.00 a yard. I thought it would be perfect for a bag for Olivia's dance shoes. Last night I decided to start my project and ended up staying up until 11:30 getting it finished. I still may add a piece of Velcro to the top to keep it closed. Other than that, I think it turned out ok.

On the list

Olivia is now enrolled in gymnastics on Wednesdays from 10-11am. I hope she loves it. I spent much of the afternoon looking for the leotard that a friend from church who is a gymnast bought Olivia. I know I put it in the top of her closet so we didn't lose it. But it isn't there or anywhere near there when I went to get it out. I have a day and a half to find it. Suddenly this little house feels a whole lot bigger.

Remembering 9/11

It's been 5 years since the attacks on our country. I haven't watched the documentaries and news stories about remembering 9/11. I feel too emotionally raw right now, and I do not need to see the footage and hear the stories to remember. It is still too fresh in my mind. I'm sad for the people who lost their lives and for the people left behind. I am sad that our country will never feel as safe as we once thought it was. I now know that you should take nothing for granted and that you should treasure each day because you never know what tomorrow may bring.

Lessons

I'm considering enrolling Olivia in gymnastics along with dance. Her once a week dance classes can't come fast enough, and I know she would love doing gymnastics too. I figure that since we aren't paying for preschool, we might as well put her in some other activities. I asked Jody if he thought we could budget it, and he said he doesn't want to let money get in the way of his kids getting to do activities like this. He can sale enough junk to make the $40 for the classes if need be. So tomorrow I'll have to make some calls about classes and schedules.

Gone Again

Jody left for Memphis yet again. He said if they want him to go again next week he is going to decline. This last week was hard on the kids (and I'll admit a little hard on us). Jody is tired of being gone. I'm tired of being a single parent. I've been good and haven't complained. You do what you gotta do to pay the bills, but I miss having my husband home. I am not someone who does well on their own. Don't get me wrong, I'm very independent, but I don't like "being" alone. I want someone to share my day with and someone lying in bed next to me at night. When Jody is away I feel disconnected and alone. I miss my husband. Five more days and he'll be home.

Happy 4th Birthday, Soraya!

Thirteen things I like to do in my spare time (when I have it) 1. Scrapbook 2. Visit the Juniverse 3. Read a good book 4. Take a nap 5. Stamp cards 6. Bake bread 7. Listen to music 8. Call a friend, or better yet a sister 9. Watch a movie 10. Go fishing 11. Do a puzzle 12. sew 13. Blog (of course)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the game is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday

Jody's shed