Would You Like Some Cheese?

There are few things that, at my age, I would think are completely odd.  You know what I'm talking (writing) about.  Those things that just are not ok at 30 (well not quite, but really close).  Dressing in rainbow tights and mini skirts for one, that is more of a high schooler's look.  To still have no direction in life (ie completing your fourth degree and still not using any of them professionally) isn't ok at my age.  Having a goal in life is important, even if it just extends to next month, that is good enough.  Just to have something to reach for is good.  Another thing that is just not ok at my age is major health problems.  I'm not talking broken leg or tendinitis.  I'm talking major health issues, the ones that don't allow you to live your daily life.  When something happens and you can't do your normal routine.  If this thing keeps going for longer than a week, then it is a major health issue in my mind.  For myself, it has been nearly four weeks.  Misery is a good way to put it.  Unable to do anything for any length of time.  There is a lot of sitting involved.  At least the sewing room is getting well loved.  It is just so tiring to do anything.  Loading the dishwasher requires a 45 minute recuperation period.  Keeping up with the kids is like running 5 back to back marathons.  To be honest, quitting isn't an option, but I sure would like this to end.  Going from a very active lifestyle to a whole lot of sitting really really stinks. 

Ok, I'm done whining.  I'll post something happy tomorrow.

Lucky Number

So, since I'm sure that you all have been waiting with bated breath to hear all about Mr O's birthday, here it is.  Mr O is now one year older, and supposedly one year wiser, but that is up for debate.  He's still the kid that loves challenges of any kind, Legos, anything with a little bit of engineering involved, and learning.  So for his day he got quite the load of enjoyable stuff.  A kit of fun things to do with light; refracting, different colors of light, rainbows, and more.  The prism and flashlight are a big hit, now he can make things have rainbows on them.  Another fun kit full of different simple electronics to build.  That one is going to be fun, he wants to skip all the way to the motor at the end.  Peaches gifted a Lego fire truck set that has already been assembled and played with enough to douse any fire within a 10 block radius. 

 A fuzzy blanket and wallet have disappeared into the depths of the room, and are getting well loved.  The noisy toy (yes there is one) thankfully isn't that noisy.  And also came with instructions on how to build a very very cool roller coaster.  So, construction has completed and the roller coaster car has done enough loops and turns to make even the most practiced thrill seeker ill.  Now we're listening to minor changes being made and practice runs being taken.  We'll see how long it takes for him to come down for breakfast...

Shake it Again Please!

The first snow of the season always seems magical.  In a sense, it is.  The snow falls lending a surreal quality to the world.  Small bits of frozen water, changing the world one tiny bit at a time.  The muffling quality of snow also lends to the other-worldliness.  While the snow is falling, as well as the snow on the ground, it makes any noises that are heard seem soft and forgiving.  The only way to get anyone's attention is to yell, and even then you may not be heard.  As the tiny flakes fall to the ground the cover the ugliness.  Slowly but surely covering up the blemishes and ugly parts of the world.  Lending to everything a new life full of beauty and love.

Retrospect

I'm sorry for not posting much, but I'm just not up to it.  My energies have been focused on staying strong for my family.  Yes, I'm still in a lot of pain.  No, we still don't know why.  No, it is not my heart, that is behaving as normal as it always does.  So, this is me letting you know, I'm here, but I'm taking some time.  Cheers!

Officially Official

So I really do have the best man on earth for my husband.  Not only has he taken time off of work to help out here at home, but he has re-arranged his work week so that he can take the kids to school this week.  Wow.  I mean really, WOW!  This man has gone above and beyond.  The house is clean, the laundry is done, and the dog got a bath.  This wonderful man of mine has been going to work, coming home, and then doing my job(s).  He is amazing!  And then, to top it all off, he gave me a wonderful massage.  My Handsome man is amazing.  He truly is the most wonderfully amazing awesome man.  I am so blessed that he chose me.  Thank you, Handsome, for everything. 

Red Frosting

So as a few of you who know me personally have found out, I'm having some health problems right now.  Not to play up how severe this is, but it is my heart.  It hurts.  Bad.  It is painful enough that I take percocet.  Now, I'm not a pill popper, never have been.  I take two advil for a severe headache.  But this is bad enough that nothing else helps.  And percocet only takes the pain down by about half.  It's a lot of pain.  I am unable to function.  Walking is challenging, stairs are horrendous.  Forget about laundry and dishes.  Each breath that I take and beat of my heart is excruciating.  In all honesty I put the pain above what labor and delivery was like, and I did that unmedicated.  But, and here's the fun part: nothing is wrong with me.  Nothing.  I've gone through many tests, blood tests, electrical scans, even an ultrasound of my heart.  Everything has come back clean.  I'm the picture of health and vitality.  Exept for all the pain and being unable to do anything.  Now as you can imagine, this has become increasingly more frustraiting as time goes on with test after test coming back clean and the pain not going away or decreasing at all. 

The doctors shake their heads and tell me to go home.  But I still hurt.  And the next doctor that tells me it's all in my head is going to get kicked.  Hard.  In the shin. 

No, not really.  But I might dream about it.

So, this is me, shouting out that I'm tired of being tired.  I'm tired of not being able to take care of my family.  But most of all, I'm tired of hurting.  I want this pain to go away.  Please.  All I want is an answer. 

Please.

Glitz

There is something that has really irritated me for years.  No, not the kids, though they do make a good effort there.  It's the Christmas seasonal stuff.  Each year it seems that the decorations, commercials, and gift ideas start earlier and earlier.  This year I noticed an entire isle dedicated to Christmas stuff...Right next to the Halloween stuff in early October.  October.  Why is Christmas stuff getting put out in early October?  Really, that makes absolutely no sense to me.  It means that the kids are going to start writing their Santa lists early, they are going to start begging for the tree to be put up early, and I have a very firm rule of no Christmas stuff until after Thanksgiving.  It just really bothers me that Thanksgiving, which is a wonderful holiday, does not get much attention.  Yes, I do realize that Thanksgiving isn't a holiday for big decorations.  But still, that doesn't mean that it should be completely ignored.  I guess I'm a little traditional about it.  But I also believe that Christmas isn't a holiday, it is an attitude.  A way to live.  Christmas is about the joy of giving, and that is something that can be done any time that you see a need.  I guess what really bugs me isn't so much that the Christmas stuff is out, and has been for a while, it is that the "I want" and "gimme" attitudes of most people are already ramping up for the coming "what will I get under the tree this year" season.  The Christmas season has seen many changes over time.  It used to be all about giving.  Now it seems to have morphed into how big, how expensive, and how many will a person get.  It seems that people have forgotten how much joy can be had with the simple gift of love.  It isn't about the stuff, the decorations, food, or presents.  It is about the joy and caring that anyone can experience just by giving a hug.  A gift from the heart.

Optomistic

1.  Here's a conundrum: is the glass half full, half empty, or just over-designed?

2.  I use a water bottle.
Not because I really like a water bottle, it just doesn't break when I drop it.

3.  Is water really blue, or is it clear?

4.  I'm really not sure.

5.  The trees in the back yard make my yard seem so much friendlier.

6.  yellow and red are my favorite colors.

7.  Especially Yellow.

8.  It really cheers me up on those "grey" days of Fall and Winter.

9.  It is time to break out the hot cocoa.

10.  I love hot cocoa! 
We make it from scratch.  Whole milk (or 2%), cocoa powder, sugar, dash of vanilla, and whatever else you want to put in (peppermint, cinnamon, blackberries, etc).  Bring it almost to a boil, and there you have delicious home-made, from scratch, hot cocoa.  MmmmmHmmmm. 

11.  I have a little hand mixer from last Christmas (thanks to my in-laws!) that I use constantly with cocoa.

12.  Chocolate Chip Cookies sound really good right now.

13.  Handsome would not like me making them today.

14.  I'm still not feeling well.

15.  Life is good though!

16.  I'll have the kids make the cookies later.

17.  I love having the kids make stuff.  The whole kitchen gets messy.  Both kids take showers afterwards.  There is flour everywhere.  And the grins and giggles never stop.  I love it!

18.  They are getting pretty good about cooking too.

19.  They can follow a recipe (so long as someone reads it to them, I have horrible handwriting), make mac-n-cheese without help, and really really want to start getting things out of the oven.  I'm not ready for that yet, they aren't quite tall enough to balance that way.

20.  They try to clean up the mess too.  They just don't quite succeed.

21.  Fun times!

A Place to Start

If you are ever in the area, come on by.  We'll help you down the road to adventure! 

To start out, we'll go down some roads that look like this:

Next, if you want, we'll find lots of beautiful things.

We may get a little wet along the way.

We may find one or two of these in your hair once we're done.

But really, the view is worth it!

And even though a picture is worth a thousand words,

This is nowhere close to what this looked like in reality.

Not So Simple Anymore

I love being a wife and mother.  Really, I love it.  I wouldn't trade my two full-time jobs for anything, ever.  Granted I'm not always very good at them, but the effort is there.  I try my best.  In return my husband loves me and spoils me rotten, buys me chocolate, and lets me snuggle with him endlessly.  Peaches and Mr O give tons of hugs, kisses, and help (or hinder) in any way that they can with any given task.  They really try.  I'm loved.  I'm blessed.  My cup of joy runs over constantly.  Right now there is a little bit of a worry on the horizon.  I'm suffering with some minor health issues that make it impossible for me to comfortably do what I need to do throughout the day.  To put it simply, I hurt.  And I want to know why.  I want the Dr to be able to find this problem, and fix it.  I want to feel good again.  I'm tired, in pain, and unable to sleep well.  All I'm asking for is an answer.  I just want to know what is wrong.  Please.

Decisions Decisions

Hey hon!  We need to figure out where to go on our date. 

Let's meet on the corner to figure it out.

I'd like to go somewhere a little different.

Not that different.

Well, we could just go to another country, they might have something different.

Then again, if we need to follow that road, I think we may have a problem.

Well, we do need to stop for gas somewhere, this place looks good!

it's a good thing they let us know that it's the only station in town,

otherwise we may have kept driving.

Oh maybe these guys have food!

Well, I guess you would need a "u" in there if it were food.

Well, we need to go, so long!  We'll be back,

Because, with this town..

It really is about the people. 

I want to go visit again.

Really.  Like tomorrow.

Gold

This very well may be one of my favorite photos that I have ever taken.  Not just because it is a good photo (it is a straight out of camara shot, no editing), not just because of the subject (wheat trucks rock!), but because of what it symbolizes.  A full wheat truck is the end of the story for farmers.  It is the end of the road of a long hard hot summer.  Fighting the weather.  Praying for rain, then praying for sun.  Plowing, planting, spraying, praying, watching, hoping, anticipating, harvesting, and finally unloading.  Every day of labor culminates in the harvest season.  That golden grain represents months of labor.  Mending equipment.  Purchasing fertilizer and insecticide.  Praying that the weather cooperates.  Working from dawn until past sundown to get the crop in.  Mending whatever equipment needs it along the way.  Thanking God when everything is in.  And then repeating it all in a few short months.

Reason #749

There are so many thousands of hundreds of millions of reasons that I love and fall deeper into love with my wonderful man.  He really does so much for me and our children that I feel humbled and amazed that he chose me.  In our house there are a few things that run smoothly, or rather are supposed to run smoothly.  Well, one of those things decided to break.  Not the slow limp along for a while and shop for a new one, oh no.  This was a full-on, Boom, Busted, no coming back or limping along or any of that.

  It was done and told us so with a lovely puddle in the kitchen/dining area.  So my wonderful man went shopping for a new one.  Right then.  Handsome didn't wait around for a few days pricing, shopping, and crunching numbers.  He went out right then and came home with a new one in about 3 hours.  Wow, he sure does get things done!  Then there was the removal of the old unit, shoving, grunting, and adding more water to the towel.  Then in with the new!  Oooooh!  Shiny!  Black!  And my personal favorite: Quiet.  Really, really, quiet.  When I turn this one on, I have to listen specifically for it, otherwise I can't tell whether it is going or not.  I love it!  Oh.  My. Word.  Awesome!  My Man is Awesome! 

 Oh, and by the way, if you didn't figure it out, "it" is a dishwasher.

One, Two, Three

If anyone is still wondering what happens when you take kids, a 4 wheel drive truck, dog, and husband up an old gravel road, this should clear a few things up.

If any water is spotted on the road, it needs to be driven through.

At high speed.

So that you can get the biggest splash possible.

A splash that is capable of hiding the truck from view.

Such splashing will induce laughter, giggling, and chuckles, a shell-shocked dog, and a grinning Handsome. 


...And a filthy truck.

One Word

Something happened in our life recently that made me think.  About the passage of time.  Really, what is time?  Why do we measure it in years and hours and days and weeks and months?  Why not measure it by the life cycle of a tree frog, or of the Lily pad blossoms?  Why not measure time by the beauty and majesty of an eagle's life.  The cycle of a butterfly.  The simplicity of a daisy blossom.  Time.  It moves on, whether or not we wish it to.  I am now officially a year older and was thinking back about my life.  I don't feel my age.  Not at all.  In fact I feel pretty much 6-7 years younger than my birth date says.  It is nice, not feeling my age.  It is a bit of a wake up call though, having these two kiddos.  They would not be this old if I was the age I feel.  So, I guess being this old has it's perks.  I love my life.  I love my wonderful husband.  And I love my goofy kiddos who make me feel young and goofy right along with them.  I'm measuring time with joy.  All those moments that make me smile, laugh, and chuckle.  All of it.  It is my time.

If I Could Live to be 1000, it Still Wouldn't be Enough

I know, y'all are probably sick to death of hearing how much I love being a mother.  Well, too bad, here's yet another post about it.  My kids in all their imperfection are the most lovable little guys ever.  Those just getting up snuggles and good night kisses, random hugs and holding hands.  I love every minute.  Mr O with his creative genius and desire to build robots to do everything for him.  Or the fact that I'm asked for gunpowder on a weekly basis so that Peaches and Mr O can see how different things explode.  For the record, I've never given them gunpowder or explosives of any kind, the thought is a little frightening.  Peaches and her willingness to explore different situations and offer unbiased advice on how to improve different aspects.  The way that these two munchkins work together.  Whether they are getting into mischief or just playing a game, they are working together towards a common goal.  Yes, it has been more prank related lately, but I think that is one of those things that I'm gonna have to accept with them getting older.  I just love the way that they share ideas, impliment the best ones, and come out with a great result.  I almost hope that they go into buisness together.  Then again, that could be disastrous.  Just the fact that they work so well together is something that is amazing.  Two heads whispering together, coming up with a plan.  Two little (or not so little) kiddos gathering supplies on common ground.  Two mouths chattering and giggling during set-up.  And two excited munchkins showing off the final result.  Oh how I love it! 

Orange, lots of it!

Halloween.  A "holiday" that strikes fear into mother's hearts across the nation.  As mothers we know that the kids are going to come home sugar high, bouncing off the walls, and smeared with chocolate.  It is also a time for pumpkins to wish they had chosen a different profession as seedlings.  Although the cool faces may make up for that...not really sure, I've never been a pumpkin.  My personally favorite part of carving is the carving itself.  The gut removal is necessary, the tracing is too.  But the actual carving of the face into the side of the pumpkin is just so much fun!

  The kids were old enough this year to do most of the gut removal and carving themselves.  All mom and dad did was picture transfer and the odd helping hand.  It was so fun to watch those little hands hard at work.  Creating something totally unique and way way cool.  the theme this year (nothing to do with the adults in the house) was cats.  Peaches did a smiley cat face and Mr O did a flower cat face.  They look pretty cool all lit up.

  Now I know in most households that have children Halloween means a night of walking around house to house getting candy from people.  Well, in our household we have a different approach.  You see, after four years of the kiddos hating wandering around, complaining the whole time we were out, and refusing to say thanks to those who freely gave, we came up with a new plan.

  These kids get to hand out the candy on Halloween.  They love it!  Every time the door was knocked on two little bodies raced each other to the door.  One would open it.  The other would get the bowl of candy to hand out.  Two happy grinning faces would then say "you're welcome" and shut the door again.  In all honesty, that has been the best Halloween we've ever had!  Next year I think that they'll dress up, since they saw everyone's costumes this year.