Fun Spot

The idea is to type in your answer into Google image and pick the best pictures that pops up.

First NameLast Name (*sigh* my LEGAL last name?)
Place I was Born

Favorite Animal
Past Love

Favorite ObjectFavorite FoodFavorite ColorBad Habit
First JobFuture JobPlace I Want to VisitMy Age

Five Words

So the kids in Ms. R's class were sent home with five stars with the instructions that we were to fill them out with five words that describe our child. I figured I'd throw it out in the wind for everyone to answer. Those out there that read this and know Ms. R ... write a few words that describe Ms. R for me. I'm curious to see how others see her. Not just her biased mother ;)

Frigid. It's a Fact.

I have been attempting to eat, drink and be merry... Oh wait, no no that's not what I am doing at all. I have been attempting to eat healthier, drink more water and exercise more regularly. It's a bet. Well, I'd do it even if there was no bet - but the bet makes me a little more motivated. Dawn and I have a bet going as to who can lose a certain amount of weight first and keep it off for a month (or lose more - that's okay too). The winner is granted a boon of a $100 prize. I, in all my hopeful cockiness am already looking up several different things. Concert ticket, day spa package, new clothes ...
The biggest hurdle for me is I hate water. Truly hate it. It's such a ... none thing. Sure, it can fill you up, cool you down, hydrate you. But still. It's such nothingness. I have tried adding flavor to my water bottles as I chug it down, but it seems my mouth objects to some chemical in the flavor packets, as my mouth gets entirely torn up after only one bottle of the stuff. So I've switched tactics. More than water itself, I hate water that isn't very very cold. As in icicles forming on the top cold. So, to trick myself into drinking more water (you're supposed to drink HALF your body weight in water - did you know that!?!?!) I set my water bottle out on the counter; so if I don't drink it, it progressively gets warmer. And I'm not allowed to cheat and put it back in the fridge between chugs. (haha, yeah, I'm neurotic enough to set up rules for myself and find myself trying to trick myself into cheating) So far, it's not going so badly. I'm drinking almost as much water as I'm supposed to on any given day. A couple times I've even drank more. I find the easiest way for me to keep track of how much I've drank is to put the water bottles I've emptied that day on the counter. It gives me a visual reminder of how many more I have to go. Kind of handy.

Weekend Away

Jerry decided while I was still in Canada that the weekend after the kids and I got home we'd leave the kids with his parents (who were dying to see the kids after 6 weeks apart) and take off somewhere. No destination in mind, just get away by ourselves. Give me a small break after being with the kids all summer. No kidding, he really thought of it himself. He has a bad habit of saying things and not entirely following through because business always seems to crop up, or he forgets, or sleeps through it. So though I hoped like heck he was serious (because I LOVE staying in hotels) I didn't truly anticipate him following through, knowing what was on his plate work wise.
However, he did. He followed through. After I got home we looked into various hotels and bed and breakfasts (which we opted not to do ... we have a bad record there ... once again, another story, another time). After looking over tourist websites of Texas I opted to stay in the area. I'd really done enough traveling at that point and just wanted to stay close to home. So I researched places within a 20 mile radius of home and found a Hyatt just down the road for $70/night with our AAA discount and membership in their hotel club (which was free). When I say just down the road, I mean just down the road. As in less than 2 miles from my front door. It actually felt rather scandalous to be staying in a hotel in the city we live in while his parents took care of our kids. The hotel itself was beautiful. They have recently renovated and even the hotel snob I brought with me was impressed. I think the 42" high-def swiveling tv pushed him over the edge of delight.The long weekend away together was great. We watched the Olympics (I explained random rules of various sports to my sports inept hubs), I read books, we went to a movie, swam in the hotel pool, ate at new restaurants, took naps ... oh the delights of not having to do anything.
On last thing I should mention - his phone didn't ring once. I was in heaven.

Oh. The Drama.

While we were gone to Canada and Jerry was gone to Utah for the Fourth, he had a couple of his "buddies" (read: business partners) enlisted to take care of Tigger. Seemed like a good deal. One would come in the morning, let the cat in, make sure it had food water, check the kitty litter, pet the cat a little. The other would come in the evening, pet the cat, let it out if he wanted, make sure the cat had fresh water. Well, there was one little snag. When the morning guy came a few days into the rotation, Tigger wasn't waiting patiently at the door as he usually was. On the inside or outside. So he started setting food and water out on our back porch, hoping to encourage Tigger to stick around. *side note* We live in an area that is quickly being developed by medical buildings and parking lots; taking over "natural areas" that any number of wild animals have inhabitated for at least as long as I've lived here. With the development of these properties and loss of habitat, the creatures are moving into adjacent neighborhoods. Namely mine. So if food is left out on the porch, there is no saying WHAT is eating it. Certainly not a stray cat.
Anyway, long story short, Tigger had still not returned by the time Jerry got home from Utah. So he started scouring the countryside (alright! the area okay?), calling all the pet shelters in a 20 mile radius every two days, putting up signs, hoping to find this cat that the kids (especially Ms. R) adored before we returned from Canada. No dice.
I had to break the news to Ms. R before we returned home because I didn't want to get here, have her running inside with the expectations of seeing her beloved cat and have to tell her then. Tears, wailing, sobs. That night she even whimpered in her sleep. It was wretched. Her daddy, being a daddy, promised her we'd get a new one as soon as she got home. Guilt is a mean motivator.
So, the day we return from Canada (there were two LONG flight delays and we didn't get into Dallas till 2am) Ms. R is already riding me, "Are we going to look at cats?", "When are we going to look at new cats?", "Are the new cats waiting for us?" I took the kids to a few shelters that day, then Jerry and I left the kids with him parents for the weekend and had a relaxing weekend doing ... nothing. That's another story altogether.
We get home Sunday afternoon to Ms. R's immediate question, "Are we going to go get our cat now?" *sigh*
We head over to a Pet Smart where they are hosting a local cat rescue adoption. What do my kids immediately pick out? Another orange tabby of course. What's his name? Tigger. Or Milo. Or Myno. Or Stupid Cat. Depends on who you ask, when.
I'd post a picture but I seem to have lost the memory stick for my camera. Don't tell Jerry.

Choreganizers

Do me a favor and go here http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeandgarden/
This is a fabulous idea, if you ask me.

How Much Do I Hate ...

house work? VERY much. However, as stated several times before - I hate messes more. I hate opening a door and being confronted by a "mysterious" bad odor. I hate sticky spills on the counters and floors. I hate craft projects being strewn willy nilly all over my house. I hate stepping on toys on my way to the toilet at night. I hate the constant clutter a *certain* member of the household accumulates. However, there is a certain thing I hate more than all. The laundry. I hate how it's never ending. I hate how it's a 5 part job. I hate that I am the only one in a house of four that does it.
Therefore, the other day I took very decisive steps to eliminate this particular hassle of mine. I tossed out all our clothes and we all now wear potato sacks.
Hahahaha.
Of course I kid.
What I really did was this: Called Jenie and asked her to remind of how she divides her laundry, I figured if I could make it a little fun by adding organizing to the task it may help. Then I went and bought a four compartment laundry sorter. Next I cut out pieces of construction paper in the colors Jenie had indicated and grouped them as she'd suggested. After attaching them to the hamper I brought the kids in and we discussed how clothes were sorted. Then I had them bring their laundry in and supervised as they had a ball deciding which hamper their clothes would go in.
Then we went to their closets and discussed how they could keep them in order. Once again, they were more than willing to do this as I described.
They kids now have chores. I now have two less steps. Everyone wins!

This is ME

i am: ready to be a better me
i think: about renovating my house, then start tearing my hair out
i know: I can be a better person and could be if I just applied myself
i want: To achieve the goals I have set out for myself
i have: much to be grateful for
i wish: I could travel more
i dislike: being scared or confused or angry
i miss: Thinking I knew it all
i fear: Dying.
i feel: Comfortable yet antsy
i hear: Absolute silence
i smell: Nothing. I'd be worried if I did - it's almost midnight.
i crave: Friendship
i usually: Let my kids make too big of a mess before I make them clean it up.
i search: The internet daily. For random, silly things.
i wonder: If I will one day fulfill a secret plan I have.
i care: if my laundry is done
i always: drive too fast.
i worry: about poisonous insects
i am not: that interested in the daily going ons of the world.
i remember: too much.
i believe: in angels ... and maybe vampires ;)
i dance: With my kids.
i sing: my heart out in the car, hoping to drown out Rhiannons ... ahhh ... beautiful tunes.
i don’t always: listen to the good advice of others.
i argue: for the fun of it. I don't care if I'm wrong or right. I just may be deprived.
i write: in my blog as a substitute for a journal
i win: Sometimes, but i'm okay with losing too. I just like to play.
i lose: my patience easily when I am tired
i never: drink as much water as I should
i listen: well to others.
i don't understand: why media sensationalizes bad and never high lights the good.
i can usually be found: at home on Friday nights :(
i am scared: I will never get over my love of lists. haha.

I tag anyone who wants to fill this out. No pressure or anything.

Last of Canada

as far as I know...

Little Girls and a Camera

and then some

Sorry, I know ... in the summer, I am a useless blogger. I take consolation in the fact that for the greater part of the year, I am STELLAR!

Grandma Win

On the 17th of this month, we lost our Grandma Win. It's hard to write a tribute to her because of all the new things I was always learning about her in her later years. From the time I was a child I had one impression of her, but in the last 10 years my opinion of her has changed drastically. She was athletic, spunky, sassy, a fantastic pie maker, a willing listener, an indulgent story letter, a saviour to small children who hate fish, a game/game show lover ... Dawn, of all the grandchildren, was the closest to her I think. So she took the news particularly hard. I was a lot more introspective, having not spent the last 3 years the next town over from her. For me, it was a sad blow, simply because I realize the last of my natural grandparents are no longer living on this plane of existence. Knowing all the questions I had lined up to ask grandma so I could write down and never forget and pass on to the next generation ... will never be answered. That I waited too long. That I took for granted that she'd be there, as she always was.
Grandma's memorial service was just as Grumpa Jones' was. An open service with all invited to stand up and give a tribute and share a memory of her. There were a lot of tears, but so many more laughs. That, in itself, said so much to me. She has passed on a sense of humor to all of us. Something to cherish and celebrate.
Having so many of the cousins here was such a treat. Getting to know the younger ones, who are no longer so young. Renewing friendships with those that we were "tight" with when we were children. I just wish it didn't take such tragic circumstances to bring us all together.

Oh My ...

How the great have fallen. I am sorry, my dear reader (s?) by this time I am sure you have despaired of ever hearing from me again. Fear not, oh faithful ones - I am still alive and kicking; just not writing. I'll do a lengthy recap:

On the Tuesday after Michael and Jenie returned from Ireland he was called to be the Branch President up in Whitecourt. So our sister Dawn and her family, our mom, dad and his wife Sandy all trouped up to be witness to his setting apart and ordination (did I say that right?) While everyone was there, we finally had a nice day and took all 11 grandkids to Whitecourt's Rotary River Slide. A ton of fun for free. What more can a girl ask?

On the 17th we all headed over to Alberta Beach where the Jones Cousin Reunion was scheduled to take place. It was a nice private campground with little traffic and even less dirt, which was nice. After throwing up both tents we attempted to light a fire with wet wood. Seriously, it was so wet it sizzled. I was mighty unimpressed. We ended up tossing the kids "campfire pita pizza's" onto the camp stove Jenie's dad had lent us. I waited till the fire had died down some and tried my luck with the coals. Actually turned out rather tasty.
A storm rolled in shortly after we put the kids to bed so Jenie and I just crawled into our tents to read hoping to wait out the storm. The kids and I fell asleep rather quickly, as big storms in Texas are common place ... so it was practically a lullaby. I was rudely awakened by water splattering my face ... and soaked from the chest on down. Much to my dismay and disgust, the tent I had bought only the day before was "leaking" like there was no fly on it. I raced out of the tent, ripped the tarp I'd draped over the remaining firewood/toys/coolers off of those items and strapped it down over my tent. Miserable night.
I woke the next morning to find out Michael and Jenie's tent had also leaked ... and Michael had come late bearing very sad tidings. Our Grandma Winnie Jones had passed away the night before. Though she was 83 years old and had been sick off and on for the past few years it was still a hard reality. I love that she still had vanity. When this picture was taken last summer, she quickly removed her oxygen tube that she wore 24/7 ... because heaven knows she didn't want to be remembered wearing that infernal thing. Or at least let anyone have proof that she did.

With the reunion canceled, I look my time getting down to southern Alberta. I headed over to Jasper National Park to introduce my little Texans to the Canadian Rockies. As we slowed our approach into the park B-Man poked his head out the window and was swiveling all around until he paused, let out an audible gasp and exclaimed, "Oh mommy; look at the mountains!" From there on in, it was all gravy.

We stopped at the Jasper Tram Way, because I figured going up a mountain in a rickety basket would be fun ... (?) Alright, it was fun. Ms. R had SO MANY questions about how things were formed and where they came from and WHY and WHEN and ... oy! I should have been a geologist. Or at least had one with me. As we were discussing where we were going to be camping that night she became rather concerned when I told her we'd be on the mountain. Ms. R "Ahhh ... mom?" looooooong pause.
Me "Yes, Ms. R?" another looooong pause.
Ms. R "Won't the mountains hurt our head?"
Whhhhhhaaaaat? Okay, I should have expected it after explaining to her what mountains were made of and how they were formed (or so I theorize). But no. I was blind sided. After a lengthy conversation about the camping gear we had with us, blow up mattresses included, she was convinced I wasn't putting her head in jeopardy. Phew!
However, when we go to our campsite on the side of Whistlers Mountain these signs were posted EVERY WHERE. Rhiannon's anxiety level jumped 83 degrees. She was SURE that these signs meant that there was a bear just waiting to pounce on her. I am still not sure how she came to that conclusion. But there it is. However, after I read her the sign, reassured her of where our food was stored, she felt much reassured. Thank heaven for responsible parents. Or something.
The next day we kept on driving down the Ice fields Parkway or highway or something of that significant sort. The views were breathtaking. I had quite forgotten how magnificent the Rockies are when you are in them. After living in Banff, you'd think I would have acclimated to the splendor and beauty ... but no. We stopped by a particularly beautiful part of the river that Mt. Christie over looks so I could let the kids experience how frickin' freezing the water from the mountains and glaciers is. They were of course (haha) duly impressed. Or just cold. Either way, a copious amounts of pictures were taken in that area.

We eventually stopped at Lake Louise so we could ride to the top of another mountain. The ride up was great. The view at the top way out standing. The kids loved the snow patches we found there. The wild life interpretive center was very informative and hands on. Watching B-Man break out into a run as he came down a VERY steep mountain with terror bursting through his eyes, tearing up the mountain as fast as I could and catching him as he launched himself into orbit ... that was not so much fun. I also had an impression, before I rode on a ski lift chair with my children, that I hadn't a fear of heights. Turns out kids turn you into a blabbering, fearful idiot. I am proud to say nothing left my body out of either exit ... but good lordy my stomach was in my mouth the entire ride to the bottom. Out of fear for my children. Motherhood makes you such a sissy.

To end off the Rocky Mountain experience, we of course had to stop in Banff. I have to tell you, I have avoided going to Banff since I moved from there. I loved living in Banff. I loved my job, I loved where I lived, I loved the people I hung out with, I loved the experiences ... I knew if I looked back, I'd yearn for things that are best left where they are. In the past. As I walked around Banff with my kids, seeing the town as an "adult" (bah humbug on that term anyway!) I realized, yeah, I miss parts of who I was then. I miss parts of what was taken or left or forgotten. But that person doesn't entirely have to be left there. I can resurrect parts of me that I loved being, things I loved doing. There is nothing saying I cannot. The only person stopping me, is ME. I love Banff because of what I learned about me there. I made peace with Banff and had a HUGE salad at Tony Roma's ... where the service was CRAP.

B-Man had been begging to go to the zoo since we crossed the line into Canada so we headed over to Calgary. The Canadian exhibit there is fabulous. I'd have to say they even out did Fort Worth's Texas exhibit. As you know, that's saying a lot. The kids loved seeing all the babies and loved a full day of just wandering around seeing new animals.

As we were driving through Nanton I noticed a train store that I remembered my mom mentioning once. Since it'd already been a long day and I wanted a break I decided to stop in there. For adults, admission may seem a little steep unless you're like me and just looking for a break. The kids loved the Thomas the Train stuff and I haven't seen a miniature track put together like that since I was in Europe. So ... it was worth the $10 it cost me to just sit for a hour.

Round Up

To conclude ...
Haha, yeah, I know - I have done an AWFUL job of doing a day to day. But mostly, it's not my fault. Between Jenie and Michael's crappy internet service and me falling asleep with the kids - I just couldn't maintain. So blame Telus and 7 (sometimes 6) kids for me not keeping in touch.
A general summary of the week:
We went to the River Slide twice. Good times. The second time we got there before they had turned it on, so we just played in the pond it dumps into. The kids didn't seem to care either way. I couldn't find Baby L only once; she had wondered off to sit with another family with kids eating snacks. Shoulda known. Little mooch. Don't kill me for misplacing her, please Michael. It was only like two minutes. I swear.
H got a yeast infection on Tuesday, so her grandma Bobbie came over to help her take care of it. They decided to just take her with them that evening since they had planned on taking her the next day for her birthday anyway. She was gone till last night. Surprisingly, that made the dynamic around here A LOT easier to deal with. H is quite the manipulator and she and E have a VERY hard time dealing peacefully with each other. So without H running the show O, E and Ms. R played all three days without screaming, tears or me tearing my hair out in frustration.
All the kids besides H have taken the time Michael and Jenie have been gone relatively well. H ... not so much. One kid out of 5 isn't so bad though. Good odds, I'd say. The one I was the most worried about - Baby L had taken them being gone surprisingly well with no complaints. We (meaning Baby L and I) do butt heads frequently, but she's almost two and I don't take subordinance well. Don't tell me toddlers aren't subordinate and ornery.
So, in conclusion - the time has gone slowly simply because I am lonely not because the situation was overwhelming. I can do 7 kids without it being a big deal - mostly I think because I had nothing else on my plate. It has made me consider taking on a kid or two more myself. Kind of. Not seriously. Just ponder. You know, maybe in a couple/few years.

I've Discovered

The last two summers I've had the opportunity to discover what kind of mom I would be to many kids. It's not someone I don't know per say ... just not the funner, easy going person I'd rather be. I become this controlling, cleaning, hyper organized person with too many rules in order to keep things .... in control. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing, just someone I'm not completely use to being.
Yesterday Jenie and Michael called after I shot off a semi-pleading email to them, requesting they call to help put their daughters fears to ease. Everyone seemed pleased with the results and they are having a wonderful time in Ireland.
I made the disastrous decision to let the kids make "Get Well" cards for Rod. Fortunately I put them out on the balcony for the activity, unfortunately that DID NOT contain the mess. Good heavenly days, do 7 kids make a big mess with paint. Haha, no kidding, right? I am still finding swipes of paint through out the house. Heaven help me.
While we were out there doing the cards H's stomach started hurting. To anyone who knows that situation, you'll know why that immediately made me worry. She clutched at her stomach, with tears streaming down her beautiful freckled cheeks and cried in despair, "The infection is back! The medicine isn't working!" I called up her Wheeler grandparents here in Whitecourt and requested they bring her over some cranberry juice. I stayed up with her till 11, pumping at much juice into her as I could before I let her fall asleep on the couch. O woke up at 1:14am complaining that she couldn't stay asleep. Confused as to what she wanted me to do I asked her if she wanted to sleep on the other couch in the living room which she immediately agreed to. Just as I was drifting back to sleep I heard E crying. So I trooped down stairs and asked E what was up. She apparently was too scared to sleep down stairs by herself. After transferring her to H's unused bed, I went back to bed. Only to be woke up at 5:30 ... by all the kids except B-Man. All ready to be fed. And play. My eyes hurt so bad I wanted to shove them all outside for another couple hours. Didn't think that'd win me any "good parenting" awards though, so I stuck it out. Got them breakfast, kept both eyes open (mostly) while I watched them make up dances and cried on the inside.
H says she feels "pretty good" today. I've been pushing juice and water on her like a mad woman ... but heck, I'd rather be considered mean than have H in tears again.

Breaking the Baby

Alright, I exaggerate a little. I'm not actually breaking the baby per say, just her soother habit. Jenie mentioned that she was considering taking away the soother before she left, but wanted to save me the heart burn of dealing with it after she left. Okay, so she didn't use the words "heart burn" exactly. But something along those lines.
She forgot to take into account that I am heartless and mean spirited and am impervious to small children's tears. Bring it on Baby L, I've got what it takes to snatch the soother right out of your mouth. *smiles*
Really, all we did today was have the kids bring me any soothers they found hanging around and hid them up in a cupboard. Unless Baby L was in her crib, no soother for her. Which surprised me when I showed her that she could have one at nap time and she still resisted. Indicating, at least to me - that she really doesn't need it.
I'll admit I miss the cuddles she gives when she's sucking on her soother all content and all ... but ... ahhhh ... it's for the best?
The kids played together really well again today. E had a couple melt downs because of the injustices of the world, H, E and O cried after bed time because they miss their mom (oh ... and I'm sure her dad too), B-Man has decided he loves Baby L and trails her everywhere, LG has adopted me and trails me everywhere telling me all sorts of details I never knew I didn't want to know about all sorts of things ... over all, a grand day.
Oh and my camera doesn't have batteries that work in it. We may have to stop into the Super Store or something tomorrow to grab some. We're having some hilarious moments I am annoyed I have missed out on capturing.

Status Report ...

As most know, I have come to stay with Jenie and Michael's kids while they are off gallivanting in Ireland. I'm going to post little updates fairly regularly, so that when they get back Jenie can look back and see what did or didn't occur while she was gone. Because heaven knows I am going to forget what takes place in the next 10 days ...

Kids picked up from school on time? Check! Even though it took me all the trip to the school and 6 minutes while waiting for them to figure out how to turn on the DVD sound in the minivan. I didn't even get lost! For some reason the roads in Whitecourt kind of confuse me, which is unusual because I usually have a great sense of direction.
Kids fed all 20 million times? Check?
Cups tipped over? Two (thanks, B-Man) Help cleaning it up? Baby L! Thanks, baby.
Kids bathed? Two. Couldn't sponge down the baby and not B-Man...
Petty arguments I had to break up? None. So far, so good. And it was an "inside" day with all that cold rain falling down.
How long it took E, LG and Ms. R to clean up the entire basement before they could eat supper? One hour.
How many kids did I make cry because of this? One. But only because he thought I meant they couldn't have supper.
Number of kids who have come to me sobbing because they miss their parents already? Two. Mama's Boy and the one who can comprehend how long 10 days is. Oh well, I teased them out of the crying and made them laugh before they fell asleep. I consider that somewhat of a success.

More tomorrow!

Sunday Afternoon

White House

So this morning I was listening to talk radio (yeah, I have NO IDEA how that happened either) and there is this huge "kerfuffle" going on around something a representative or senator or some other randomly placed Texas guy in government. I think it's a GOP ... but I'm not entirely sure what a GOP is. Or maybe it was a pin at the GOP convention here in Texas... Anyway ... I guess they are coming under A LOT of criticism for this: Standing at the fringes of it all, I find it kind of funny. More in the absurd "I can't believe some old guy said that ..." type of amusement. I mean, my grandpa Jones was one of the biggest racists I knew. One Easter I was dating a guy named Stan Black, it just so happened that my parents and I were going over to my grandparents for the holiday - I invited Stan to come with us. My grump was appalled that I was bringing a black man to HIS house. So when we walked up to his house and Stan in all his caucasian glory shook my grumps hand, he glared over to me and practically shouted, "I thought you were bringing home a black boy." I had to laugh, then explained "Yeah grumps - Stan. Stan BLACK. That's his name."

Six Flags Over Texas

Last Tuesday Colette Erickson, Lacey Arens and I went out to lunch (well, we were supposed to be with the R.S. but Colette and I both gagged over the place that was slotted ... so we picked another place). In the midsts of all the chatter Colette mentioned that she'd got season tickets to Six Flags and asked if Lacy and I would want to come along with them sometime this week. I was ALL ON BOARD, so was Lacey.
So yesterday Colette, her four girls (aged 8-14), Lacey (who's 25, home from BYU for the summer), my kids and I all headed over to Six Flags after B-Man was done school at 11:30. We had so much fun! It was the perfect combination of people, there was always someone willing to go on a ride with you and enough "older" people in the group that we could split off and meet back up with out worrying about anyone getting lost.
B-Man, as usual, was the little dare devil. He went on rides I refused to go on - and apparently laughed with glee the whole ride.
Ms. R was a little more cautious, but loved being around all the "big girls".
We decided to stay and watch Cirque Dreams Coobrila, which is the show currently being featured at our Six Flags. It was an interesting show full of human acrobatics, dancing and weird costumes. Colette had secured us really great seats about 10 rows back from the front of the stage and right beside one of the side running stages ... that is, they would have been great seats if the show hadn't been so intense and weird. B-Man completely freaked out. About 5 minutes into the 30 minute show I had to take him to the very back of the theater so he'd spot clawing at my neck and squeezing the life out of me as he tried to get away from the show.
It was a LONG (we were there for 10 hours!) Hot (it got up to and sustained the temperature of 100 degrees) expensive-ish ($100 for the day including lunch) day, my knees and feet ache today. But, man! Was it ever worth it!

Do you ever?

Have really absurd thoughts that immediately after you have to laugh at yourself for? Like just now I was packing up our stuff that we're going to take to Six Flags this afternoon, as I placed my phone in a plastic zip lock (there are rides you get really wet on) I thought, almost in a panic, "What if I can't hear it ring through the plastic?" Riiiiight, a plastic zip lock bag is not only going to keep it dry ... but contain the noise of the ringer INSIDE. That's a well thought out concept right there. I'm brilliant.

*Of Men and Their Mothers*

Tina and Jenie, you'd both be so proud of how I have been sticking to only picking out books at the library. After deeper contemplation, the library route for most books is the easiest, cheapest, most accessable way to go. Up until this month, I was spending at least $40 a month of books at the Half Price Book store, generally speaking, considering how many books I read in a month - this is a good deal. However, when you consider all but a few I simply turn around and sell back to the book store at a fraction of the price I bought them for ... it's not such a good investment. I'm not like Dawn and have a collection - I rarely read any book more than once.
This was an amusing, light read I found in the front racks of the library. About a divorced woman who still has to deal with her ex-MIL of the mama's boy she divorced to keep relations civil for her 16 year old son. How she deals with the excessively frustrating woman, her son and his new girlfriend and trying to be as unlike her ex-MIL as possible and move on her her life career wise and romantically. This book probably isn't for everyone. It's kind of awkward at parts, but over all rather amusing.

Phew!

So, I have been in a bit of a quandary lately. Well, really since last summer but the problem didn't return again till this summer as I was preparing to return to Canada. Cross the border. That type of thing. Last summer after I crossed the border B-Man's birth certificate fell into the realms of the unknown. I have my suspicions as to what I may have done with it ... but we're not going to talk about that. Before we crossed the border I had Jerry email up a copy of the copy we'd made of the document, printed it out and had Michael (some times it pays to have a lawyer brother) notarize it as a lawful document. This summer, however, with almost a full year since that particular notarization I wasn't too sure if it'd pull weight. So almost 8 weeks ago I went online and ordered a new birth certificate from the state. As of yesterday it STILL hadn't arrived, so I was desperately searching around for a fast follow up that I could get from a private party. The quickest THEY could get me a copy is TEN DAYS. We are are leaving next Friday, NOT soon enough! I had really started to sweat.
Today, however, it came in the mail. *huge sigh* I hate it when things come down to the line like that. It makes me VERY nervous.

You've gotta make a choice?

One of the reasons I love living in the DFW area is because there is something to do EVERY weekend, if not every day. You have to actually choose which activity you'll do ... not just go for which ever one is happening.
Today we choose to first go to the Borders bookstore down the road to listen to some fire fighters from the local station read some fire safety books; then the kids were allowed to climb all over the fire engine, try on their uniforms and ask the fire fighters all sorts of silly questions.
Next we headed up to Cabela's in Fort Worth for their annual Kids Fest. There was SO much to do! The kids climbed in and out of RV's/tents/boats, up a climbing wall, watched sporting dogs try to break records, went on a "virtual safari", touched exotic (dead and stuffed) animals, fished in a derby (more on that later), dug for dinosaur bones, sampled numerous foods (including "wild game" sausage), threw balls at a dunk tank ... It was a VERY full afternoon.
Now, about that derby. As soon as Ms. R and B-Man saw other kids gearing up to do some fishing they would not be pried away. I was a wee bit queasy at the idea, as I saw in the groups before us that the parents of the kids had to disengage the fish from the hooks, toss them back and re-bait the hooks. I am opposed to touch fish in general, forget about it when it's on a hook wiggling around. However, as the only adult there with my kids ... I was kind of stuck. The deal was fishing was acutally free, however, if you wanted a trophy it was $5, or a shirt for $10. Ms. R was dying for a trophy - as she knows from seeing her babysitters trophies for volleyball that is means that you are good at whatever you happen to be involved with. I, of course, broke and told her as long as I NEVER had to touch the trophy while we were there this afternoon and she let her brother share it with her if he wanted, I'd let her get one. She was surprisingly responsible with it. As promised, she never asked me to carry it (I think she may be getting smarter) and she always remembered to pick it up after they had done all following activities. She got the trophy at the beginning of the 4 hours we were at Cabela's - so I was pretty darn impressed.
B-Man was a crack fisher man. Seriously, I don't know if his bait looked different, or if he wiggled his hook differently, or if he was just in a plentiful area but within 30 seconds of tossing his line in every time (much to my chagrin) he had another fish hooked. I lost count of how many he caught. When I'd pull them out, he's cringe away from the thrashing tad pole like it was a shark. Every time though, I would (1) curse inwardly (2) take a fortifying breath (3) gingerly pull out the little fish (4) take a firm hold of the fish (5) vomit a little in my mouth - seriously (5) proceed to disengage the poor fish (6) toss it back (7) try not to think about the fact that my hands STUNK like fish. ... oh yeah, in there some where I also congratulated him on his catch ... while cursing in my head.
Ms. R was the proud reeler of 1 *mighty* fish.

Top Fourty

I stole this from Mandy's blog, you all know how I love lists ...
Answer the following with only one word:

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your significant other? Sleeping
3. Your hair? Unmanagable
4. Your mother? Country
5. Your father?
6. Your favorite thing? Reading
7. Your dream last night? Fabulous
8. Your favorite drink? Fizzy
9. Your dream/goal? Self-sufficent
10. The room you're in? Backroom
11. Your children? Laughter
12. Your fear? Dying
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Elsewhere
14. Where were you last night? Here
15. What you're not? Rich
16. Muffins? Please
17. One of your wish list items? Passat
18. Where you grew up? Coaldale
19. What you read last? Book
20. What are you wearing? shorts
21. Your TV? big
22. Your pets? peaceful
23. Your computer? Expensive
24. Your life? cluttered
25. Your mood? amused
26. Missing someone? Family
27. Your car? Runs
28. Something you're not wearing? Socks
29. Favorite Store? Banana Republic
30. Your summer? Alberta
31. Like someone? Sure
32. Your favorite color? Blue
33. Last time you laughed? Seconds ago
34. Last time you cried? Michael ...?
35. Someone you wish to know more? Friends
36. Horrible habit? Cursing in my head
37. Future plans? Travel
38. If money were no object? House
39. Life long dream? photographer
40. Greatest accomplishment? Kids

Reduced Sugar

Jerry's mom has mad skills when it comes to making freezer jams, a talent I have longed to share. A few years ago I tried my hand at making some strawberry and raspberry freezer jam. I was slightly successful when it came to all but one of the batches. The one batch was frickin' fabulous. "Why?" You may ask (or even if you didn't, I'm going to tell you). I forgot to add sugar to one batch of raspberry jam. One may think that this would have horrifying, possibly even disastrous results. Au contraire mon ami. It was, as previously stated, fabulous. Since that fortuitous accident I have strove to find reduced sugar (since there are no sugarless brands available) jams. Most of the time I have had to settle with a brand that uses less sugar then substitutes Splenda for true sugar; which anyone that has had Splenda in products can tell you, leaves somewhat of a nasty after taste.
A few days ago I happened to be over by a bulk resale store called BIG LOTS. This company generally takes over stock, left over stock and nearing on expired stock from all sorts of grocery, furniture and gardening stores. You can always find something odd or unusual there at a discounted price. As we were meandering around the grocery isles I found the BEST raspberry jam I have ever ate (besides my own). Streamline Reduced Sugar Raspberry Jam. I have literally ate 1/4 of the jar myself. Don't worry, I've ate it on toast - not by the spoonful as I've been tempted to do. I think I'll tuck an extra jar in my suitcase so I can share this delight with one and all in Canada. I am not exaggerating. Best jam I've ever had. Lots of fruit, a little bit sour and ALL good!

*The Other Boleyn Girl*

Truly, I am hard to make happy. If it's on Oprah's book club list, I am not likely to read it. If it's become a movie, it's a safe bet that I will not read it. If it's been on the New York Times best seller list, I am suspicious of it. So the other day when I went to the library and I saw "The Other Boleyn Girl" sitting there in all it's post-major-movie-making glory I really wanted to resist it. I resented that they had changed the cover from it's original to the movie poster cover. However, I am in love with that era. Everything about it enthralls me; I love the majesty and the uncertainty, the romance and brutality.
This book was written so well. The author made the 1500's come alive with her imagery, it felt like you were walking through the royal gardens, dancing in the royal court, sitting in the queens compartments with the "players" in question. I thoroughly enjoyed this different point of view. Written, seemingly through the eyes of Henry the VIII'th mistress, then sister in law (same person just different times in her life) it brings a perspective that you don't really consider until it's brought to enlightenment as it is in this book. All in all, I loved this book. It was looooong and involved. However, I kept my head and NEVER stayed up past 2 am reading it ;)

Confused

Lately I've been having excessively vivid dreams; so much so that when I am doing things during the day I have to stop and wonder if I dreamt it, or it if really happened.
For instance, last night I had a dream that I had drove to Canada this year. Once I got there I went to find my mom and I couldn't remember where she lives. I could see in my dream head all the location she's lived in the last 5 years and for the life of me I couldn't get it straight in my head which one she currently resides at. This isn't beyond the realm of possibility because even when I am awake sometimes I have to concentrate a bit to remember just where she is now (come on, she's moved A LOT in not so much time). So this morning when I woke up I had this sense of confusion and panic that I wasn't REALLY THAT SURE where my mom was, or how I could reach her, if I could find her if I was looking. It was more than a bit disconcerting. Mom, you still live out by Raymond on the acreage, right?

*A Touch of Grace*

I had no intention of reading a Christian novel. I really didn't. However, as I was perusing the books at the library (proud of me?) the other day the cover called out to me. It was simple, with a hint of longing in it. It seems that lately I have had a bit of longing in me too, so it appealed.
The is another book in a series of recent books that do not really follow what the back cover says they should be like. It's suppose to be a book about a girl named Grace (hence the title), her life and how two men kind of mold her choices. However, I found it to be more about the aunt of this girl, the way two families work a farm together in the early 1900's North Dakota, how the town works, the evolving relationships between various people ... THEN about Grace. It seems to barely skims the relationship between the title character and the two men who supposedly cause her so much self reflection.
Though it was not as it was presented, I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed being reminded of just how easy we have it in this day and age. I felt for the families as bad things happened, I rejoyced with them when they triumphed in small things. The author successfully conveyed relationships between people in the simple gestures they shared, the private thoughts they had and love of the way they lived.
(I think you may really like this book, Tina)

*Body Surfing*

You know when you read a book and there is a slight buzz of familiarity to it? So much so that you look up the author on line and discover you've already read one of her books and wasn't entirely thrilled by it, but didn't hate it ... so you keep on reading the book you are currently involved with? No? This has never happened to you? Oh. Well, it happened to me with this little ditty.
About a woman who has been twice married, once divorced once widowed (I am still not entirely sure why this was made such a big point) who goes to tutor a girl for her October SAT's. The family happens to summer in the New Hampshire, which is where the majority of the book takes place, at the summer home of this family. I think I bring that up, because the location was the most interesting thing about the book to me. I suppose this book is more about the woman and the families two grown sons, who the woman has ... interesting encounters with. It was a disjointed book that made me wonder how the author has written about a dozen books and stayed popular. I think more than anything, it's the good write up on the back cover. It appears to be a really interesting, human drama book. I don't recommend it. At all.
I've also read a series of romance novels recently I refuse to talk about, because it just makes me all that more crazy for feeling that involved with it ... and I am still somewhat embarrassed by the fact that I read that many romance novels. I mean... a lot. But possibly less than my sister. For some reason, this makes me feel less crazy.

B-Man, anyone?

I realized as I scrolled through a few of my previous blogs that I haven't mentioned B-Man lately. Which, really ... we should all take as a good sign. Haha.
No seriously though, he's been doing well. He still has some aggression issues we're trying to work through. I am kind of edging towards wondering if it's a low blood sugar issue. It seems if I send him to "play care" at the gym after I've filled his tummy till he stops asking for food, there are no incidents of him hitting/kicking/pushing/pulling hair. However, if I just toss him an apple (or something else small) then send him off to play care, I am called back within 20-40 minutes. The mornings I've had a hard time getting him to consume more than a cup of juice, he goes to school and starts tossing kids around. We'll keep adding and subtracting variables to see what happens.
Usually though, he, like Ms. R ... just seems like an extension of myself. It takes an effort to pay attention, to see if an outside eye would think it was funny or strange or ridiculous.
Ms. R started swimming lessons today and it just about killed him that I wouldn't let him get in the water with her. I just don't think he'd follow directions from the life guards, he'd be in there all flapping around, doing his own thing, distracting the whole class. He doesn't want to go to go to class, he just wanted in the water. So even though I had a wailing B-Man practically throwing a hissy fit at my feet, it was a no go for the boy. Ms. R, by the way, is a swim star. She also thinks she wants to start playing tennis. Go figure.