Momma's Happy 'cause Daddy's Home!

Brent's BACK!! and boy is momma HAPPY!

It's back to the same ole, same ole. Brent's back and it was soooo great to see him get off that plane Friday night. We took my sister and her son with us to eat and shop after Ian's 5:00 baseball game (yuk!) and then went shopping until it was time to go to the airport. The boys were so excited. We went early so we could see his little jet land and Ian started crying when he saw his daddy's plane. Needless to say, we went to bed really late and he brought the boys back some goodies and a tote bag for me. Saturday was busy, busy. We had two birthday parties and a baseball game Saturday night. Ian stayed with his granny because he hates Liam's games because they last so long and he loses interest really fast, so after the game it was really quiet and Liam passed out after playing so hard. We stayed up really late talking and then slept pretty late Sunday. We picked up Ian pretty early as he had another birthday party (a total of 3 in one weekend) so I went shopping and doing the Walmart grocery thing while he was there and Brent built a new picnic table. He's so funny sometimes. I found one I liked off the internet that this guy makes locally and he looked and said he could do better. And guess what? He did. It turned out great and it should last for a long time. He thinks everybody else takes short-cuts to save money so he doesn't trust anyone. I'm happy and the picnic table is great. We just really enjoyed the afternoon and invited some friends over to eat BBQ and the boys swam. The water has been too cold but they braved it and made the best of it as the cool front blew in. We didn't get any rain but the wind turned cool really quickly so they came out pretty fast after that. Brent and Liam went to Liam's game on Monday night and they won so he was pretty stoked, which just happened to be the night before his first day of TAKS testing for the state of Texas. Don't even get me started on this stupid freakin' test. But he said he did well and today they are taking their Math TAKS so I'm sure he'll do well. He didn't miss any on math last year and only missed one on the Reading and Science last year so I hope he does just as well this year.

I really, really wanted to win the Kitchen Aid mixer that the Pioneer Woman was giving away. Well, I didn't win -- which isn't too much of a stretch considering I didn't realize it had a time limit and didn't even bother after I found that out. But I still wanted to win. So I've been doing research and that's what I want for Mother's Day. The professional series Kitchen Aid mixer with the pasta attachments so if my sweetie reads this, that's what I want. I really want pink (hot pink) but not sure if they make it in hot pink in the professional series but the chrome would match all my other appliances. So we'll see. He asked why I wanted one and I said to make homemade pasta of course. Well, of course. I'd have to LEARN how but that's the fun part. While he was out of town I did some major throwing-out and bought all new stuff for me and the boys: underwear, socks (a total of 40 pairs of socks, I bet they'll never say that they cannot find any now, right!) and some new iron skillets, pots, enamel iron pots. They come in the prettiest colors. The Lodge Logic or something like that: already seasoned and the big red one is actually being used to the roast au jus today. I hope it turns out pretty good. And me and the boys decided we needed new towels so that was another big mistake. They couldn't decide which ones felt better so we went to JCPenney's and they helped me and then when we got home I hated the colors (bright) and decided I wanted more neutral, muted colors so I went to Sam's and decided I liked the ones there better so I took the other ones back to JCPenney. That was an ordeal in itself but at least they were good and it kept them pretty busy. So, haven't made it back to Sam's yet to get more but those towels seem to be the best buy for the money. I can always rely on Sam's to have what I need. Why should I ever doubt and shop anywhere else first? I LOVE SAM'S. I could go at least twice a week, I actually go about 3 times a month and I have to control it. Between Sam's and Target, I don't think I would ever need another store. Trying out one of the recipes off of PW recipe contest. She had over 5000 entries and they all look so good.

Next week is going to be really busy. Will I ever have time to do billing? I guess I could be doing that now instead of blogging but NAH, I choose not to. Going on a field trip on Tuesday and then Liam has a field trip this Friday and next Friday. Ian is really excited I'm going with his class. I'm not too excited but it's for my baby, I don't have to enjoy it, just grin and bear it right? Right. Having to help the other moms out is one thing I don't mind in the least, however, having to deal with 18 other kids besides my own takes the patience of Mother Theresa. Hopefully, they won't be too bad. They all seem really well behaved when I go to the class to do Phonics and Vocabuary on Thursday, but you never know when you let them out of their confined space. Say a prayer for me. I am going to have to control my tongue and try not to call any of them names. This other mom just cracks up when I tell her what I'd call them if I could. Well, I guess I better check on my simmering stove and get rid of my "throw away" "shred" and "file" piles I have going all over my bed. I have gone through all of our papers and piles and finished all that today. So it's been a good and I've already accomplished a lot. Cleaned out the washroom in the garage yesterday. It was so beautiful and nice outside and now it looks pretty clean and organized in that area. Thinking about painting the cement floor in the garage. Going to go online and look into that. Any ideas on how to spruce up a garage cement floor?? Must go check on supper.... later.

This is the map we keep on the wall in the hall and mark where Brent is and where we are so Ian can see that he's only six states away this time. It helps him to feel closer to his daddy and each time Brent leaves, we pull out...... drum roll........ "THE MAP." Isn't that sad. I get all excited and we try to figure out the map scale and add up all the miles. I know, pitiful. What can I say? Ian has an unnatural attachment to his daddy. My friend tells me "that's 'cause he's cut right out of his asshole." YUK I think that means because they look so much alike but I really hated to ask.

I cannot believe it's been soooo long since I blogged. We have been really busy, I'm sick, Brent's been sick and we've got this whole other thing going on and every day it's getting out there with our community and trying to get the word out about our cause. It's been great getting to know everyone and how tight knit our small piece in the big picture really is. I can honestly say that I really like all of them out here. I've met over 100 families and they are just hard-working Christians who want to raise their families and live a peaceful existence. My heart goes out to them.

HOWEVER, yup, the the big however, some of them are really weird. They mean well and I just crack up anytime I'm around them, but seriously these people need medication. One day gung-ho, the next down in the dumps. A little big of advice: Stop living off of Diet Coke, go see a psychiatrist and get properly diagnosed for your Bipolar I, Most Recent Episode, Depressed w/Psychotic Features or Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Severe w/ Psychotic Features, take the meds EVERYDAY, and be happy. I cannot understand these people who tell you they are depressed all the time, but won't take medication. Hell, give it to me and I'll take it just so I can stand to be around you. LOL I thought that was funny. Not really but my neighbors really are hilarious. And it's amazing how when you start talking about family and what you like/hate about yours and they have the same feelings toward their dysfunctional families also. Nothing like bonding over a cup of tea and the transgender cousin who wants to sue his employer for not having an "it" bathroom, I guess. LOL I crack myself up sometimes. On with that to this....

My baby daddy (or would that be "babies" daddy since we have two children?) oh hell, my baby daddy is still away on training and we cannot wait for him to come back home!!!???. The boys are just sick everyday and counting down the days until he comes back. His plane lands around 11pm Friday night and they are ecstatic. Every morning this week they have cried because they get up to a really quiet house when their daddy's not here. Then he calls before they go to school and I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not, but they sure do love talking to him and then the whole ride to school we have the conversation about how safe airplanes are and how they don't ever really fall out of the sky anymore. Ian seems to be obsessed with the fact that planes crash and are there any tall buildings where his Daddy is? It's so sad so I just tell them that God is watching out for Daddy and he'll bring him home safe to us. That's when I can really tell how much older Ian has gotten because he's become very philosophical and everything involves how long am I going to live? How long are you going to live? Why do we have to die? And, "Momma, you hate dirt and worms and bugs so when you die are you doing to like it?" I responded with "I'm going to be cremated" which lead into a whole other discussion about the process of cremation and where I'd like my ashes scattered and I told them I've been to the crematorium and toured it a long time ago when I worked at a funeral home. Very interesting by the way.


So, we've been busy with baseball every night. Liam had a game tonight and they won. He was ecstatic because they called the game for the 10 point rule or something. Didn't understand that but I just nodded, smiled, hugged him and got really excited about it for him. Granny and Poppie (Brent's mom/dad) took him to the game so I could do Ian's practice with him. I've just felt so run-down lately and I want to feel 100% better before Brent gets home. Liam was really happy about that and couldn't wait to get home to call and share every play of the game with his daddy. Cannot wait for my baby daddy to come home. We were talking this morning about how we cannot describe how we feel when we're apart and I said I've been thinking about it and here's my thought: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." And I believe it with all my heart. Every day you go through life with people's little eccentricities and then when they're not there, you miss those same little eccentricities. I miss Brent and the way he talks to me when I'm not in the room like I was and then the whole time I'm going "huh, huh?" until he gets up and walks back into our bedroom and then I just start dying laughing because I heard him the whole time. Now that's pretty funny but now it's like really funny because I've been doing it forever and he still gets up to come and make sure I heard his very, very important statement. So, guess that's it for now. Haven't cooked once. YUP, proud of that. But we did do Pei Wei with my sistas on Sunday and took the boys shopping and to the MAC counter (way yeah for me) and then I did Luby's take-out which is just like real food with veggies and salad one night and then last night Drake and Tricia took us to IHOP for breakfast for supper. The boys love it when we do that and now it's a tradition that every time Brent's traveling for work, we take them there for supper. We laughed and cracked up the whole time. Tricia has whatever I had. I guess I gave it to her but that's what she gets for drinking out of my drinks all the time. So, going to try to work on blogging more but tomorrow I'll be especially busy because I have a church thing in the morning and then I really need to get the house all tidied up for Brent's return. Ian has a game tomorrow night so that will keep us busy until Brent lands. Say a prayer for all the air travelers tomorrow and I'll keep all of you in my prayers.

Family First

It's official -- the JJ's have officially pissed me off! I guess that's not too hard to do but I've been trying really hard to keep my cool. See, JJ stands for our code word for this so-called church and "men of God" we are having a community controversy with. JJ stands for the followers "Jim Jonesers." Get it. They drank the punch, the jungle juice and so now they are with "the others." Anywho, it's really getting old. These people are psychotic. We had signs made up to protest and the one that was down at the park for our neighborhood yesterday mysteriously came up missing this morning. OK, if you are supposed to be Bible-toting Christians, why would you steal from a neighborhood park of which you are not a part of our community. The pastor said the "olive branch" that he extended to us has now be rescinded -- ewwww we're so scared you freakin' old pervert. I am so tired of people, I guess all people in general, who use the Bible to their advantage in whatever situation they see fit. It is a disgusting display of an overly big ego from an aged and decrepit old man. Things have been crazy this past week. I'm actually going to do billing today which I haven't done in over a month. I feel sorry for my friend since I haven't gotten any of her billing done and this is what she counts on for an income. Sorry for the rant but evidently our signs are getting under the man's skin and he wants them down. Sorry Charlie -- they are on private property and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it. There's this thing called an Amendment and we have the right to express ourselves and use our freedom of speech to make our point also. You aren't the only who can quote the Bible when needed. So drink some more punch you old FART!!! Haw yew doin'??

YUMMY: Doesn't that look delish? Chicken Bacon Sami from Pioneer Woman is the best. And all the boys in my life love it too. Thinking this and some fresh veggies with dip would be a good supper -- need something quick and not too complicated on practice nights. Visit her website for the ingredients. It's yum!

Crazy baseball games, batting practice and birthday parties all day Saturday. Brent worked overtime all week and 14 hours Saturday but he made it to Liam's game Saturday night. Me and the boys left our house at 9:15am to go to Target and pick up birthday presents for friends and between all the activities, parties, practice and games we didn't make it home until 9:45 pm. I was sooo exhausted and so was Brent from working. He really enjoyed Liam's game. It was the first one I watched and I felt like throwing up. I get so nervous for him so I probably won't be going to any until Brent has to go out of town on business at the end of the month. I think he feeds off my nervousness because he said he could feel me staring at him and being scared for him. Two kids got hurt (hit by the ball) at this game and at his first game the pitcher on the other team got hit in the leg by the biggest and hardest hitter on our team and he went out in an ambulance. I believe he broke his shin bone (or whatever bone that's actually called) so Liam is so little and with absolutely no meat on him I'm just afraid if he gets hit by one of these big oafs he'll suffer the same fate. Poor little man. Brent took him and bought him a two hundred dollar bat and a new pitching machine. YUP, we already had both but he thinks he'll do better with the bat Liam wanted in the first place. Whatever. Liam's team is the Astros so I bought Brent all this Astros stuff to wear to Liam's games and I bought red shirts for us and a red hat for Liam to support Ian's team. I know, I know, Dave wouldn't agree with those unneedy purchases but sometimes you just have to show you care and support them. I bought what I thought was the cutest baseball ring at Gaudie & Co. the other day but my friends and Brent said it was the ugliest thing they had ever seen. Brent asked how much it was but I wasn't about to confess so he said "if you paid more than what it cost to get it out of a gumball machine you got screwed." I responded with "move the decimal over and now you know." WTF> it was pretty funny. I love my ring and they can laugh if they want, it's beautiful. Or whatever.

Sunday we really enjoyed our day together. Ian stayed the night with my neighbor and her kids after Hunter's skating party so the morning was really quiet because Liam slept pretty late. We drank coffee out on the porch and watched the sun come up. Still exhausted from all the action this weekend. We took about 5 boys down to the baseball park at the end of the road to play baseball. I didn't really play, I just picked up all the foul balls. But they had to try out the new pitching machine and bat and then before we (the adults) were ready to go the kids were whining because they were hot, hungry, thirsty. We even skipped our class and boiled some spicy shrimp. They were so good with a cold coronas. Needless to say, Ian went to his grandparents for awhile then he came in and took a shower and went straight to bed. It was after 11 before I had everything cleaned and back in its original place and backpacks ready for school. The alarm going off at 5:20 this morning was way too early for me. Brent's getting ready for his trip to North Carolina and then he'll be going to Atlanta after that. Not sure when that trip will be, but hopefully before school gets out, and not the last few days when I'll need help with end of the year parties. But his birthday is in June so I definitely need to be thinking/planning. It just seems like this other stuff is taking up way too much of my time, and my family's time. Time to get back to what matters - them. If the neighborhood goes up in flames, I'll say I told you so as we back out the driveway to head out of town. Liam seems to be worried because we don't like what we're hearing about the future of the school district with all the low-income section 8 housing and apartments that are going up in the future so I visited several schools and got packets and tuition information. I told Liam he may end up in Catholic school and he was not happy but I told him it's only if all this comes to fruition. I went to Catholic school for 9 years, wore uniforms and prayed and went to mass and guess what? I'm still alive and probably a better person for it. The future holds the answers. I can only pray for the boys' sake that it doesn't end up like I think it will. That land in Fannett is looking better and better. After school today we have two practices at the same time in different locations and a meeting. Wonder how I'm going to pull this off? Busy, busy. Any advice, just let me hear it. Ciao for now.

Did ya miss me??

Sorry for the absence, I guess life happens when we least expect it.

Hope everyone's Easter was great and family-oriented. We had a nice day and the boys loved playing at their uncle's house all day. It felt good to get away and forget about the daily grind, even though the boys had to go back to school on Monday. What's up with that? We have always had the Monday after Easter off, except for this year. I really missed that. It's been so long that I think I actually forgot about blogging. Too many things going on that interrupt my daily life and keeping us very busy. Two boys in baseball is just about killing me. Different practices on different days in different locations now and then CCD two nights a week along with trying to fight this horrible situation going on in our small community. It is taking up all my time. I haven't done any billing in almost two weeks and it was spring break before that so I need to get off my ass and get some work done. Hopefully we are making progress with our campaign but who knows --- it is way too detailed and boring to go into right now. Needless to say we have personally met and became friends with all of our neighbors and over 85 people came to our meeting last week. In the midst of all this and the legal decisions we've all had to make, we made a unanimous decision to form a neighborhood/community association and try and revive some of the things the community voted on and did in the 50's, 60's and 70's. I think this could be a good thing if we decide to stay here, but Brent went and looked at four acres in Labelle and then me and Brent went and looked at two houses on Thursday when he was off work. He won't compromise on the land with acreage, so hell, for all I know we may be renting a beach cabin if we cannot stop this and have to move sooner than we planned. We already decided to not talk about building anymore until we know what's going to happen in our area. He is working so much overtime and with practices and games I'm going to be really busy and then he's scheduled to go to Atlanta, South Carolina and Colorado for training so that's going to be real fun -- being a married single mom again.

On a better note, Ian's first game was yesterday and he did really well. I was kind of nervous for him but that kid seems to take it all in stride. His coach was really impressed with him and so far he seems to really like it. Liam's first game is tomorrow night and I really want to go with him and Brent but we have a neighborhood meeting so one of us has to go to that to give our updates -- too much activity. Ian has practice too so I guess I really need to start relying on the crockpot and quick fix meals and doing some meal planning and casseroles (as much as Brent doesn't like them) because he'll be working and we usually bring him supper too. Geez Louise!! Anywho, haven't caught up on any of my blogs lately. Seem to be really disappointed in humanity lately and very critical of religions that condemn people, communities, or other religions. As a Catholic we have a set pattern to our mass and it leaves really no room for deviation except during the homily where the priest can try to make you understand the reading from the Gospel and how to incorporate God's words and wisdom into your everyday life. In all my years of being a Catholic, I have never heard a priest speak to the parishioners condemning other religions, people in the community, the community itself or for that matter, anyone outside of our religion. However, we witnessed first-hand a preacher (I guess he's supposed to be a man of God however he was far from it) condemn our community and told his congregation that because of our controversy and not wanting to help with his "vision" we would be sentenced to "Hell." Ummm, what you old, old freak???? I have never witnessed a man use the Bible for his own gain, to twist the words to accomodate his "vision", to use the Bible as an evil tool. It was ghastly, just disgusting. Because we (the whole community) do not agree with his "vision" in our small area, we will suffer and be sentenced to the pits of hell according to your Bible. I wanted sooo badly to go off but Brent said he's heard it millions of time. I just get so upset because as a strong, confident, intelligent woman, I would never let a man/preacher/priest tell my children which race, religion, community to condemn. I thought we were all equal in Christ's eyes. I thought that's how everyone feels. Whatever. I told my neighbors this church has some kind of hypnotic hold on its congregation. You know, now we just refer to him as "Jim Jones" and that the congregation "drank the punch." They were dying laughing when I made that inference but its really weird. Anyway, don't drink the jungle juice if you are offered any... we didn't and we were actually offered punch. My sister, Tricia, said "don't forget because you get all thirsty and parched and take the punch and drink it and then next thing you know you're missing." I laughed because I do forget easily and if I would have been thirsty at the time, hell who knows where I'd be right now! So, have a great week and enjoy this spring air. It's been beautiful here. Try and take time to enjoy the small stuff. I know I've been trying to do that lately even though all faith in humanity has just about diminished. It's really sad to see evil at work. Ciao!

New Song, Jimmy Buffett & Jealousy

OK, this is my new favorite song. Liam's adding it to his myspace since he likes it sooo much. It's just so happy and whimsical, carefree. It's about that time. Spring Break gave us a taste of it and now we're thirsty for the full, rich flavor of summertime. Liam cannot wait for school to get out. He loves it but he also loves doing whatever he wants and it's getting to that time where he's worn out. Between baseball, church and homework he has absolutely no time to do anything else during the week. We were at baseball from 4:15 to 7:20 last night. Two different locations now so it's back and forth although it's less than a mile apart. Brent's really into it so I'm just trying to be the supportive, doting wife and mother, although I feel like having a life. I could have been home doing stuff but he thinks they'll do better if each one of us is there to support them. OK.

Well, I've added a bunch of Brent's favorite songs. Of course there all by Jimmy Buffett and the second one on the playlist is A Pirate Looks at 40 which I find amusing because it's Brent's favorite song and he's looking at 40 this summer. Jimmy will be in Houston at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on April 21st so I'm going to try and get him some tickets. Trying to plan something really special for Brent for his big 4-0 birthday, although if it doesn't include the beach and a week of sun and beer, I'm sure he will not be interested. We were talking about it last night. It's hard to believe we've been together so long and good friends. He is my best friend. We argue but it's to the point that when we start arguing or I try to get mad at him or he tries to get mad at me, we just start laughing. I can hardly keep a straight face when I'm trying to get mad. I just look at him and my heart melts. Which leads me on to the next section. One of my songs I added is "Jealousy" by Natalie Merchant. Isn't jealousy one of the seven deadly sins?? Appropriate to the situation. Brent went to Lowe's the other day, I think it was Friday evening. And when the clerk gave him the receipt to sign she said (and I quote to make sure it's right) "Sign this and write your phone number on here for me. [Hahahaha Laugh Laugh Laugh]" He stares blankly. "Oh, I'm just kidding." So, he told me "I think she was trying to flirt with me" and I was like "you think? Duh." And I said "Am I going to have to get dressed and go down there and freak out on her little ass!" Of course he thought I was kidding but I wasn't. LOL. Yeah I was. No I wasn't. Anywho --- of course here comes the stream of questions. Who was she? What did she look like? Was she old or young? Anyway, this is the info he decided to share after 20 questions was over which only made me more pissed off inside. Um, OK, What was her remark supposed to mean?? FREAKs everywhere you go! To be so bold at such a young age. PLEEEZ! He was in a good mood which made it even worse. He couldn't even tell me with a straight face. I told him that was good because we all need a little ego boost every now and then. Then for the life of me I couldn't figure out why he would tell me. Men are so silly sometimes. But he will be pointing her out the next time we go to Lowe's. How 'bout those apples??

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Just wanted to say Happy St. Patty's Day to everyone and I hope this brings you Good Luck. Still looking for my pot o'gold and for the life I can't remember where I put it. Not much going on. Brent has training this week which is good because he gets two hour lunches and gets off early. I was shopping in Walmart and he was already home for lunch so needless to say he ate leftovers because by the time I made it home and unloaded, he'd already eaten. Finishing up on the Easter Bunny and getting all that taken care of. Still have a few things to pick up like a couple of movies and a Wii game for each of them (they cannot agree on one) to add to their baskets. Brent's cousins, that he hasn't seen in a while, stopped by while he was on his lunch break. They were on their way to eat lunch in town and so he got to catch up with them.

Got all the Easter goodies put away so now we have to dig out the Easter baskets from the plastic box marked "EASTER" out of the attic. Sounds easy but it's never that easy. They just sprayed up there and I am not going up there and touching anything so I have to wait for Brent to get it all down and then wash the box off. I just love their Easter baskets. Liam's basket is actually Brent's Easter basket from when he was a baby and used it every year so it's like OLD, but I still love it. Ian's basket is similar to Liam's, but I bought it his first Easter and he'll use it his whole life.

Brent's leaving for training in Atlanta in a week or two. Then right after that he has to go to Colorado. I think it's two weeks from now. Anyway, he'll be gone about a week or a little more I guess so I'll be playing married-single mom again. My, how I can't wait. Yee Haw. I know he needs/wants/has to to do this, but it's just that we miss him sooo much, and I guess he'll miss our class that week also. But I'll catch him up -- I just know he can't wait for that. LOL

We found a big ole snake in the garden yesterday. Brent tried to chase it down and kill it, to no avail. So, back in the house I went. I'll do anything outside until I see a really creepy bug or something slithering along the ground, then I'm outta there. NO WAY. So my claim that all the weeding would be done was short-lived. Tricia called last night about 11pm after we were in bed and we were talking and just cracking up. I was laughing soo hard it woke Brent up. I was trying to be quiet but the bed was shaking and I guess he was wondering what was going on, so he decided to wake up and find out. We were talking about the snake -- which lead to talking about bugs -- and then the LADYBUG. It seems Tricia found a ladybug in her house. Knowing she didn't want to kill the poor little ladybug, she got an envelope to scoot it onto to take it outside. She said all was well and she carried it outside on the envelope. Just as she was about to let it crawl off the envelope the ladybug's back opened up and these giant (her words, not mine!) GIANT, wings unfolded and it tried to attack her. It flew straight at her. She said she just let out a blood-curdling scream and took off running across her patio into the house. Her husband was in the house and could hear her screaming (yet did not even attempt to get up to see what it was). Whatever. Anywho, she said she was sooo freaked out about the ladybug because she didn't know they had wings. I just died laughing. Even I know that. And she was like "No, they have giant wings that are three times the size of their body." Duh. Well, whatever, at 11:00 last night I thought it was hilarious. Of course, if it would have been me I would have just squished it in the first place.

Pretty Clouds and the Hairy Testicle (a.k.a. Heritage Festival)

Hey, um, when you were a kid (or almost everyday still today) did you ever make shapes, animals, people, out of clouds? I used to do it all the time. Even now when I drive I get side-tracked and we just end up staring up at the clouds on a beautiful day with a blue sky to see what we can make out of the different configurations. I don't know, I guess sometimes I am an airhead, but that is what me and the boys do when we sit outside and talk on the weekends. We went outside to drink coffee on the porch this morning and it was beautiful, but a little chilly although right now it's about 80 degrees. Spring Break has worn me out. We went to the Heritage Festival every evening for a few hours to let Ian ride with his friends and some neighbors we met out there. Then last night I took our other neighbor with us and they rode for four hours. I mean, come on, how can you balk at leaving after we followed y'all around for four freaking hours??? So, Ian comes in with his little friend and they run to play a game on the Wii and Ian turns around and throws-up, no, chunks-up, all the freakin' crap he just ate at the festival. It seems that riding the mummy (or whatever you call it) 11 times in a row did him in. His friend Zak was just mortified watching Ian throw up all over my rug. Thank God the rug was there because if not, it would have been forever embedded in the carpet. So at 10:30 last night Brent takes the giant rug outside to hose off the chunks of nachos and caramel apple and popcorn so that we could shampoo it with the carpet cleaner. Thank God for that wonderful invention from Bissell!! We also went ahead and did the carpet just in case any spillage accidentally got on it. After it was all said and done, Ian had his third shower for the day, collapsed into bed, my house smelled wonderfully clean thanks to the fresh clean carpet and rug and my neighbor showed up right in the middle of all this to pick up her son. To say the least I was a little frazzled but only because the idea of throw-up lurking on my rug or carpet for hours or days makes me want to puke. We were both dry-heaving while trying to get everything clean and then Liam just chunked Ian's throw-up clothes next to the washer in the garage so I wake up this morning to Ivy lapping on his shirt when I opened the door to the garage. OK, so I know dogs are lovable animals and all that crapola, but shit, that's disgusting. See, I knew all animals were nasty. After all, they lick their own asses and eat regurgitated nachos but whatever Ivy does, I just ask she not do it in front of me. I lose all respect for her. So I guess just when I was actually started to pet her nose every now and then I'm back to petting her belly with my foot --she loves it, but the whole idea of her licking or touching my hand after she sucks on her poonanni and old throw-up -- EWWWW, that is freaking disgusting. So after collapsing on the couch we didn't go to bed till 1:30am and Ian woke me up about 8:30am asking when we're going back. I cannot believe he wants to go back and ride after that. Hell, I haven't even gotten over it yet and he's wanting to go back.

Liam's been living out there just about with his friends or I've been dropping them off everyday and I have all my friends who are working the booths keeping tabs on him. I'll call him and say "Why are you .... " to which he's like "how did you know?" and I was like "All eyes are on you buddy, I have little birdies everywhere and you don't know who's watching you so you better mind your manners and be respectful." Of course, we're just cracking up but I can guarantee you he's walked a straight line. My sister works at the post office which is at the beginning of the kiddie rides section so he knew he could go to the post office if he needed us but it's worked out really well. He gets to go and have fun and all the moms are keeping tabs on everybody's kids and calling each other with updates. He's at a friends birthday party and sleepover which started at noon today until noon tomorrow. I told the mom she's pretty brave keeping all those boys for 24 hours.

OK, going from blond highlights, brown and black base with red highlights too to just cinnamon brown. I guess it's a cross between a deep red and brown but I think the highlights and everything we do to my hair are starting to dry it out too much and I read on a site that highlights (heavy ones like I usually have) age you. I was YIKES SCOOB no way. If I in any way think something is making me look older, I have to change it, get beyond it, forge ahead. So, at least for the months of April and May I will try one color. I know, I know, it seems so boring and depressing but maybe, just maybe I'll once again be carded when I buy beer/wine. It's only been in the last six months or so that I haven't been asked for my license and I don't know if every liquor store/walmart clerk is conspiring against me but for the love of God would you please card me people!! See, Brent and I have this bet that I always get carded and he never does and I (in some sicko way) get a great deal of satisfaction out of that. I hardly ever buy beer/liquor (Brent does the deed) but when I do, please, please card me and you will be rewarded with heavenly riches. No, no, I digress but you will get a big ole fat THANK YOU from me!!

Ran across an envelop on the floorboard of my truck that contained, can you guess? Guess not. Our tax return. Seems that the amended return is not going to be electronically filed so all the time I've been waiting for this, it was in my car waiting on us to sign off on it and mail. Oh well, at least I found it before April. I guess God was looking out for me because any other time I wouldn't run across crap in there for months. I usually just gather it all up and stick it in a rubbermaid box I have in the back. But I just happened to glance in there and wonder what that was ... do you think they'll accept it with a baseball cleat print on the envelope. Hope so because that's what they're getting. I smudged it off as best I could.

Ian ran in the house a while ago with what looked like poison ivy/poison oak on both arms. I had never seen this before so I just washed it and then ran alcohol over it trying to stop it from itching. Well it's been about two hours and whatever we did worked because it's almost completely gone. Brent said he may have gotten into some bull nettle (sp??) which I've never heard of but I'm just glad it's almost gone. I was like no way buddy you are going to school on Monday! Brent's been off since Wednesday so we've been keeping busy and he's been completing little projects around here. Most of the time I think they just play around but the boys have been enjoying it. I cannot believe Easter is next weekend. I have to finish up everything as soon as the kids get back in school on Monday. Ian had baseball practice every day during spring break (whatever, I think that's crazy) but he didn't make it Thurs. or Friday because he had friends over and he wasn't willing to give up going to ride rides and eat junk for baseball. We probably should have made him go but it's spring break, hence the word "break." I really don't care but Brent does. He's been working with both of them everyday he's

been off and Ian's pitching has really improved.

I think we're going to see if Brent's mom and dad or Auntie Tricia wants to spend some quality time with Ian tonight so we can go do something fun. It's been ages since we went out by ourselves. The last time we got away from the boys my family met up with us so it's just not the same. We need some alone mommy/daddy time. Sometimes we drop off the kids and then come home without any specific plans and just spend time together doing whatever we want. Then again, sometimes we just go to Rao's and drink coffee or go get a margarita somewhere. We just want some away time. Maybe that's what we'll do tonight. Lord knows I have no intention on fighting the crowd at the Heritage Festival again tonight, or as the boys might say "Hairy Testicle." Quite inventive, eh?

Feeling Narcissistic....

OK, so time change has snuck up on us once again and I was really confused yesterday. First of all, the boys always wake us up early on the weekends, like clockwork. Usually by 7-7:30 (AM) our house is buzzing and moving and shaking. Well, yesterday I woke up and I could tell one of the little stinkers was up and playing xbox but the other was still sound asleep. I know this from the comfort of my bed because I could hear the game and silence, no fighting, so I knew whoever it was, he was alone or else there would have been screams and shrieks of "get out of my way," "stop shooting me," and "I'm gonna go wake THEM up!" So, I looked at the clock and it was 9:50 am. AMEN!!! They had learned after all this time, we're in much better moods when we're not awakened at the crack of dawn. Then it dawned on me "We didn't set the clocks ahead!" So, it was actually 10:50am. Almost 11 am. I haven't slept that late since Brent was out of town last summer and the boys were at my sisters!!! HEAVEN, Glorious Heaven! I was soooo happy. Then I realized yet again that half the day was already over. I have officially become an old person, yearning for that hour BEFORE the snots awaken to make the rest of my day hectic and nerve-racking. Then I said to myself "If he's not getting up, I'm not getting up." And I went back to sleep. Of course it was only for about 10-15 minutes but in the end I WON, I out-waited him. He got up first and had to deal with them which by this time were both up and yelling and fighting over the stupid game. He set them in their place and started the coffee. Once I could smell the sweetness of my buttered pecan coffee, the roasted aroma that filled my home with that inevitable smell that will get my ass out of bed, I knew then that I could face them, face the day. So I got up ... only to be asked ten minutes later who pissed in my cereal and that I needed to go back to bed because I was "in a mood." I was not in a MOOD, I was exhausted from sleeping sooo long. I find that if I sleep longer than 6-7 hours I'm usually more cranky that if I had slept 12 hours. Don't ask me why, it's just me. The day got better and I was actually pretty happy and playful. Thought there may be a few things you don't know about me yet since I'm so stand-off-ish and have nothing to say. (That's a joke.)

1. I have a hangnail on my wedding ring finger that is killing me. I actually think it's infected. I had fiberglass nails until about 3 weeks ago when I got the hair up my ass to rip almost all of them off -- it took me all weekend but I was determined to get them off because I just knew an infection was killing my otherwise healthy nails. But ... once they were all off, guess what? No infection so I totally ripped them off for no reason. So by Easter I'll be making another appointment. I think it's good to let them breathe for awhile and get healthy again. My sister has had nails for like 15 years and that totally grosses me out. She's had new sets and all that but for the last 15 freakin years she had had fake nails and a really bad nail infection where she had to soak her nail in pure Clorox for 5 minutes each 3 x a day. WTF?


2. Brent's been working a lot of overtime and that makes me happy. I miss him but getting out of debt is numero importante right now so that's his contribution. It makes the time we spend together and as a family that much better because we appreciate him and all that he does.


3. Other people coughing or blowing their nose or sneezing out in public makes me want to gag. I literally get a lump in my throat and my mouth starts watering like I'm fixing to throw up because I'm usually shorter than the person who is doing that and I can see all the germs flying out everywhere and where do they go --- down! Yup, right where I'm standing. I've been known to tuck my nose and mouth into my shirt if someone does that around me and I don't care how rude it looks. If I had a little white mask to wear like Michael Jackson, I probably would. Get this you asshole: COVER YOUR MOUTH, NOSE, ETC WHEN EXPELLING BODILY FLUIDS!!! That is just soooo nasty.


4. I have so much housework to do today to catch up from the weekend but since it's the first day of spring break the boys are going to play, relax and I'm going to enjoy that. No screaming about cleaning up and all that ... we're going to watch a movie in a bit and watch funny bunny scenes on the internet. Don't ask me what that is but Liam said they're funny and not nasty so Ian can watch too. Whatever I'll try anything.


5. I get in moods where I don't feel like talking. I mean really. I would rather sit here and type all day then move my mouth and utter a sound. I will not answer the phone somedays no matter who is calling, including my sweetie, just so I don't inadvertently start a major conversation. If he calls then I'll text him back or something like that. Or I'll work up the nerve to call back to see what he wanted. Some days... you know, somedays are just like that. I'll roll my eyes and move my children bodies and use hand gestures. I just get tired of always having to explain my actions, answers, etc. So when I've had enough, I get fed up -- I just shut up. I think I got that from my mom. She's not a talker at all. And then again somedays, usually after I've taken like 3-4 Jet Alerts or Excedrin (for the caffeine) I'll talk up a storm. A regular chatterbox. For Brent to say that I talk a lot, well if that ain't the pot calling the kettle ....?????? I can't remember! What does the pot call the kettle?? I think it's black, is that right? It doesn't sound right but it may be. Anywho, he talks a lot, everyday, so I guess I feel like I don't have to!


6. I have no idea what to cook tonight. I have a whole pack of chicken out and since I wasn't too sure about that I took out a roast last night to defrost. Now what do I do???


7. Ever since I went to the eye dr. Thursday and put in these new contacts, my left eye is smaller than the right eye. What the hell is up with that? I can't find my glasses that I LOVE, but somehow when I put in the new contact my eye just wants to close up over it.

Have a good day and remember:

If you can remember how many times you kissed your baby today, it wasn't enough!!

Spring Break & Giant Cupcakes

Spring Break is here! I am so excited ... no getting up early, no lunches to make, no clothes to fight about and no homework. We're going to relax this week, enjoy the Heritage Festival and have some down time. Cleaned out my pantry this afternoon and I threw out pudding packages and jello that expired in '05. I cannot believe I kept it this long. It was at the very back of the cabinet in a rubbermaid plastic container so I ended up throwing away everything that was in there, including gravy mixes and a lot of different microwave popcorn. I'm really bad about buying stuff and forgetting where I put it ... I forgot I had that box in the back anyway. Brent and the boys were outside all day because it was so beautiful and he's working on helping them pitch. Ian's coach told us he'd be pitching and how well he was at it and I was shocked ... it looks pretty bad to me ... I'd be afraid if I was the other kid on the other end of his pitches but whatever ... I guess they know more than I do. Liam is doing really well and his two coaches are really astonished at the fact that he's never played. He still says it's pretty boring because it's slow-paced compared to soccer, but he's adjusting. He said he cannot wait until soccer starts in August. Although Ian loves baseball, he's still more interested in riding dirt bikes, go-carts and four-wheelers than anything else. Brent and Liam practiced baseball for about three hours today and Ian rode on the back track the entire time. I was like "At $3.11 a gallon, he needs a new hobby!" I think that's when Brent realized it and said he never thought about it that way. I was just kidding but that kid can go through a tank of gas in no time and was wanting to cut the grass on the tractor when it got dark and he couldn't ride anymore. Little stinker!

Daylight Savings Time .... OK, what the hell is that all about? Why is it so early this year ... I think it's stupid. I like that it gets dark early and we get everything done and Ian's in bed by 8:30 -- I look forward to the evening ending without a fight to stay out longer because it's still daylight!!! Why are they always fucking with everything??

Read in the paper that gas is going to be pushing $5 a gallon. That is incredibly ridiculous. Whatever ... we'll just be home doing our own activities and swimming all summer. We were going to plan a trip to Disney for June but now that we're on our debt free plan we postponed it. I told Brent that if we don't stick to our guns then we'll be paying for cars and houses forever and I want to be done with all of that. We wanted to go to England but since everyone is coming in September for the wedding, I told him I'd rather wait and go later. That gives me a goal (besides being debt free) that we'll get to enjoy without feeling guilty. He's been working a lot of overtime so we opened another account for all the "extra" money like the overtime, income tax, automatic savings deductions, my business and things that come up like that, so that as we accrue the extra income, we'll be earning interest on that amount. We decided that if we don't put it away as soon as we get it, then we'd spend it if it was just sitting in the checking account. So now I'm glad he did, but it's really nice knowing that he is taking care of everything now and is showing an interest in our future.

The couple who is conducting our class said they did the same thing and were out of debt in a little over a year and they also paid off $32,000, not including their house. They are still working on it. We don't have half of that to pay off and so far it's been relatively easy, except for not buying up Target every time I go in there. I left the other day with only $91 worth of crap, whereas before it was always $150-$170 so Brent was proud of me.

Tricia's ring from the James Avery store: Isn't it adorable?

Speaking of Target, Tricia's coming over tomorrow and in the morning we're going to make her a giant cupcake cake for her birthday. I bought it at Target the other day and it is so freakin cute. The pan is the top and bottom of the cupcake and each part makes a whole cake mix, so it's like two cakes in one, then you use icing to get the top of the cupcake to stick to the bottom. So we're going to make it for her and surprise her. I took her out on Tuesday for her birthday to lunch and then we went to the new James Avery store. They have the neatest jewelry and crosses for your home. I was really good and didn't buy anything although I did pick out two cross necklaces for the boys for Easter. I really like them but I'm going to keep looking for a crucifix and chain for them. Tricia got the cutest butterfly ring for her birthday at James Avery and the wings on the butterfly stand up off of the ring. It is really cute and dainty on her hand but she wears a size 4 so it is pretty dainty anyway. We had fun. We laughed the entire time and I splurged and bought a new cookbook and some things for the boys' Easter baskets. You know, gotta keep that theme going. The baseball soap that I bought for them was seen in the car so now that's not going in their baskets -- I guess I'm weird but I don't even want Liam to expect certain things even though he doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny. And I want Ian to keep his imagination regarding the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy as long as possible -- there's sooo many years in the future to be disinterested, disheartened and discouraged -- I'd like for their childhoods to be just that ... a childhood. With that said I'm going to watch a movie with all my boys. Wishing safe flights and voyages for all my friends flying off to Disney, sailing off to Jamaica and Cozumel and driving to Florida for the spring break.

Woe Is Me?

Wow, I've been busy today. Went to the eye doctor this morning and guess what? My eyes are getting worse. I guess it could be getting old but I have some kind of rare shaped cornea so it's hard to fit the contacts on them and make them stay. We're trying a new brand/manufacturer so these should stay better. My eyes are still dilated so if this has a lot of typos, missing commas or extra spaces, just deal with it here 'cause I can't see a freakin' thing. Brent's getting off early and we have some errands to do and business to get settled. Been thinking about our will and guardians for the boys so I guess we're about to embark on that stage in our life. I just hope the people we want the boys to go to do not say no! How embarrassing would that be??? Nah, just kidding. Hey, whoever they go to will be well taken care of that's for sure. I guess we just need to get all of this in writing. As Brent approaches 40, I think he is more aware of the inevitable and needing things to be taken care of and sorted out. I guess it's growing up and maturing. He would not even talk about a will when Liam was younger and I wanted a friend to do it for us. So, now we just have to sit down and start deciding. Those are some major decisions, especially when money is involved. I just want the boys to be happy and in no way a financial strain on the guardians so I think it will all work out. We should be back in time for baseball practice but it is supposed to storm this afternoon so then we could just do something fun. Just one more day until spring break officially starts and I cannot wait.

We do not have class for the next two weeks so we'll be able to catch up on our homework. We sat down last night and did our two year plan and I'm really excited and pumped up now. I cannot believe how much money we could put away in those few years compared to how much we just blow on crapola. So our goal is to be completely debt free in less than 3 years, including the house, which isn't too bad. Then we can either sell our humble abode but he's leaning toward building in the back. Whatever -- as long as it's free and clear. It may be long and boring, but it will be well worth. Live like no one else now so you can live like no one later. That's our new motto. We even sat down and read the verses from the Bible regarding the biblical relationship a person has with money. It's really interesting how things have not really changed that much regarding people's notions towards money in the last 2000 years! At least it's a start for us toward our independent and debt free life.