Happy Halloween!!

Here we are... the day Nathan has been waiting for... TRICK OR TREAT!!  And, of course, it is going to be 20 degrees... GRRR!
I am still trying to figure out how to split us all up so that someone can be at the old house giving out the rest of my stickered candy... and Nathan can get to trick or treat.  AND... more work can get done on the porch project.

Speaking of the porch project... LOOKS AMAZING!!!  It may be awhile until we can get it shingled (we are using cedar shingles instead of siding... along with the entire front of the house)... but, just enclosing it and adding the window... AWESOME!!!  I absolutely LOVE it already!  Stacy is doing a fantastic job!!!  He rocks like that!

We figured out why the stove at the old house went out... the POWER was off for a few hours!  And, once it came back on... it started feeding coal to a none existant fire!  Which, made a mess and caused some issues when trying to relight it.

We gave my mom a key to the house yesterday... and showed her how to make sure the hopper on the stove stays full... next will be showing her how to empty the ashes. 
That stove is sooooo easy to use... I am not sure why we dont have one!  I think Stacy even thought the same thing... UNTIL, we had the threat of losing power!!  LOL!

The plug for my truck came on Saturday... thank God!!!  Getting it started has been a real treat lately.  So, as soon as Stacy gets it hooked up... it will be smooth sailing!

Cheer practice was a real treat yesterday.  I am sensing some hostility from some of the cheer moms... not that I much care.  I like how some try to "poke" at me... little do they realize we were ASKED back... it isnt that my kid waited until the last second to decide to join the damn team!  Oh well... all for the love of Britt.  I did get to have some good conversation with one of the girl's grandmother.  Sweet lady... and no negative conversation or gossip... just day to day stuff!  It was actually enjoyable!
I almost lost it when I saw the stunt they have Britt doing!  I hurt just watching!!!!!  But, Britt LOVES it!!  LOL!!  She amazes me sometimes.

I am really hoping to get back on some sort of routine/schedule once trick or treat is out of the way.  Between parades and other crap we have had to do... our evenings have really gotten kind of nutty!  I really dont like when that happens.

I have so much to do to day!!  Bills, laundry, grocery run, business bank trip, and more super cleaning.  Plus I have some stuff to finish up and get into the mail.
I guess I better get on my list for the day... with any luck I may actually get a few things accomplished!  LOL

Stay warm, everyone... and enjoy the sun!

The blizzard before Halloween!

It is pretty unbelievable that we are getting so much snow today!  It is so beautiful... but extremely weird at the same time!  So strange seeing the snow laying on the LEAVES of trees!!!  Usually, the trees are bare.
I have decided to just enjoy the beauty... and try not to let the weirdness get to me...LOL!

Stacy has been hard at work on the porch project.  He can not believe he is doing some major construction work in the middle of a snow storm!  But he is kicking butt on it, and doing a super job!!  I cant wait for it to be DONE!
My shop has been turned into a staging area... and his work area.  He cant really use his saw out in the snow!  LOL!

I am just doing my spring cleaning... in fall, maybe winter.  I have moved EVERYTHING out of the kitchen hall... scrubbed under everything... and deciding on some new decorating ideas!!  I also decided what I want to do with the steps to the upstairs... FINALLY!!!  But, I am not ready to tell... you will have to wait and see!
I have also decided on packing up some of my hutch items in the dining room... and pulling out some different pieces to display! 
I know this is going to be a week + long project.  Things usually are!  Because in order to accomplish one thing... something else needs to be done first.  BUT... I am pretty motivated!! 
I cant even tell you how much shit I am tossing out!!  I have the car loaded up with 6 bags of cloths to go to GoodWill too!!!  I have watched way too many episodes of Hoarders... I am ready to get rid of things!  It is so pointless to keep the shit we have sitting around here!

I managed to get ALL of my enamel ware collection washed!!  I am getting ready to clean my Hoosier cabinet next!  I swear... I am about to become SUPER anal about ppl dropping their shit on any flat surface they can find!!!  It is going to STOP... NOW!!  I am sick of seeing clutter and crap everywhere!

I also decided to start throwing away flip flops I find laying around the house... WITH HOLES IN THEM!!!!  I am not sure why my kids need to keep these things... but, if they arent put away... they must not be that important... and they will be going out to visit the trash man!!! 

We opted to let the kids stay down in Harrisburg another nite.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Well, about 6 hours have passed since I started this blog. 

Stacy came in from working on the porch... to get dry and warm, so we decided to put on some decent clothes and run up to Selinsgrove for a few things. 
I must say... I have an awesome hubby!!!  He walked around Micheal's with me for about an hour.  I was looking for "embelishments" for the Christmas gifts I am making this year.  And, it was a hard decision for me!!!  I have sooooo many ideas... and came up with even more as we were walking around.  What blows me away... the dont carry any soap making supplies!  Oh well... that was my random for the nite!
Of course, I couldnt leave without picking a few new stamps up! 
Then we went to Lowe's... for porch supplies.  I also found a few things I want to use on the Christmas crafts!!  ;-)
Then we went out to dinner.

The roads were shitty!!!  We past a bunch of downed trees... even a downed wire in Pillow. 

Stacy is up at the garage now.  We could hear trees and limbs falling all afternoon.  And while he was out with the dogs he heard something crash down on tin!  Hoping my ducks and chickens are ok... and our GARAGE!!! 

Well, I guess that about sums up our day!  I am hoping to make more progress on all of the changes I am making around here, tomorrow.  But for tonite... we have decided to curl up and watch movies... with our fur babies!! 

I am a VERY lucky lady... to have such an awesome hubby!  :-)

Winter weather... in October!

Stacy and I seem to be "bickering" back and forth about the pending snow threat!  I seem to think (or hope) that we get hammered!!!  He seems to think we wont get much at all. 
LOL

There are many reasons I hope we actually get some snow.  One... I cant wait to see what my truck can do in the stuff!!  ;-)  Two... it would give Stacy and I reason to curl up and spend the day sipping hot chocolate and watching movies!  Three... I think the snow is beautiful and could get some "interesting" FALL photos!! 

We decided to start a weekend project!  Oh yes, we LOVE those projects!!!  But, I only agreed to this one because Stacy assured me it could get done in 1 weekend... THIS weekend!!! 
We are going to enclose the side porch... and install a doggie door (in the wall, that will eventually lead to the stoned dog run we will be putting in)
Putting in my shop really took a bunch of our living space!  Right now, my living room is being taken over by bunnies and chinchillas.  The bunnies were living outside... but I just cant bear to leave them outside all winter.  Plus it is fun having them inside... they like to hop around and try to chew on my cords!  LOL! 
This was a project we had planned on awhile back... but never really needed to do it.  My 2nd stove is on the side porch... and I wanted to make that space my "out kitchen"... sooooo...  it kind of will be... only with some company!  LOL!  It will be nice to be able to cook my Thanksgiving turkey out there... but still be inside!!  ;-)

I had my first "aggressive" dog today.  A big lab... who was more afraid than anything!  But, he still had his balls... and well... thought he could push me around!!  NOT!!! 
I had to muzzle him... but once we got started, he realized that I was not going to hurt him.  He actually LOVED the bath!!!!!  He had a REALLY dry coat (his parents gave him weekly flea baths)...  so, once I got some good shampoo on him... and then did a deep conditioning... he was in HEAVEN!!  He even decided that he liked the dryer!!  It made him relax rather quick... I think he thought he was getting a massage!!!  By the time it was all said and done... he looked GREAT... smelled GREAT... and LOVE me!!  LOL!!!  We even had time for a little 'fetch' before his Daddy picked him up!!  I really hope they take my flea control advice...and keep him out of the bath for a few months!  His daddy was VERY happy that his pup had some shine back in his coat... and he didnt smell bad!!!  He says I will be seeing him again in a few months... AND, he said his Mom will be calling to set up an appt for her pup too!!!

Soooo... one piece of candy thrown at the parade just got me 2 new clients!!  I am soooo very happy about that!!!

I guess I will venture up to the duck and chicken pens... and put down some straw.  It is suppose to get pretty cold out over the next few days... and I am afraid they arent ready for such a sudden change in the temps!  I didnt use heat lamps at all last year... but I am wondering if we should put them on... hmmmm....

Stacy and Josh are outside working on my side porch, as I type.  I am really excited about having that finished up.
We still have to run over to Josh's house tonite and light up his stove.  I guess we should make sure the kid has some heat for this blizzard we are about to get... LOL!

The kids are all gone for the nite.  My grandparents came up and picked them up.  We didnt even get to say goodbye to the kids... we were at Lowes picking up supplies, and that took WAY longer than I expected!!  We spent a good 2+ hrs in there!!!  We even picked out some cushy "floating" vinyl for the side porch floor... and opted for paneling for the interior walls (since Derrick said Stacy is NEVER allowed to do dry wall EVER again!!!  LOL)

While my grandparents where here... we came to the conclusion that Gunner is only "aggressive" when I am around.  Because he had NO problem with my grandfather today... while he was at our house.  But, last weekend he didnt like him one bit while we were at the old house doing yard work.  AND, he didnt like my mom last week when she was here for a visit.  Hmmmmm.... Yep.... must be me.  Great. 
I have been working him every day.  We have been doing some attention exercises.  It is so hard with him tho... because I really think he has ADD!  His aggressive tendencies need to be controlled.... if we cant get them resolved completely.  I am also ordering him that awesome automatic ball launcher!!  I cant throw a damn ball for as long as he can fetch it.  My shoulders bother me on a good day (damn FM)... so, it gets hard after about 12 or so tosses!  I really think this will be a good investment... and will excercise him even more... tire him out even more... and then maybe he will focus even more during our "training sessions"!  Fingers crossed!! 
Gunner is HIGHLY trainable!!  It is amazing how fast he picks things up!!  Hell, he even figured out how to open the side door on his own!  I cant wait to see him figure out the doggie door!!!  We even play hide and seek with his ball through out the house... and he can find that thing rather fast!  I want to figure out how to train him to sniff different things out... just have to research exactly how to fine tune that trait... and figure out what I want him to be able to search out.

It is so quiet around here tonite.  So strange.

I guess I should go and get my shop towels in the washer... maybe find the kitchen island under all the clutter that is on top of it right now. 
I was actually enjoying the break... but, I am not lucky enough to have a break that lasts that long.  LOL

I hope everyone stays safe in the upcoming snow storm... and manages to enjoy their weekend anyway!

Spring cleaning...

...in the Fall!!  Yes, I do EVERYTHING backwards!  LOL!!!

I have been going through our house room by room... doing a complete cleaning.  No easy task when you have as much crap as we do!!  (I have been using this task as an opportunity to throw shit away too!!  shhhh, dont tell anyone in my house that!  So far, no one has noticed anything missing!  lol)
Yesterday I started in the kitchen.  I took everything off the counters... reorganized the cabinets... scrubbed the cabinet doors.  Today I hope to get to the island. 
We shall see... because I already have a busy day lined up!  I have an appt in my shop... a big lab!!  Cant wait!!! 
Stacy is making a coal run for the other house... Josh needs new brakes and rotors (2nd time in 5 months... grrrr).  Then I hope to get to the auction.  Have to get to the bank.  PLUS... in between all of that I want to get our patio furniture put away for the winter... AND clean the side porch (since we are back to wanting to enclose it)... and I need to do a thorough cleaning on the stove/oven out there, since the holidays are fast approaching and I will be needing to use it!

BUSY BUSY BUSY!! 

Oh... on a side note...
My truck didnt have the damn cord to plug it in!!!  Grrrrr!!!  Had to find one... luckily I found one on eBay!! 
Just wish my awesome hubby would have figured this out weeks ago... when I first asked about it!  Should be interesting getting it to start and go get coal! 

Well, need to run... have to get Nathan and his Halloween costume packed up and off to school!  Hope everyone enjoys the sunny day we are suppose to have today!!

WOW...My baby is 10 yrs old!!

I just cant believe it... Nathan is 10 today! 
It seems like yesterday that I was taking the other 3 kids trick or treating... in hopes that the extra walking would send me into labor!!  LOL!!
And all of those sleepless nights...!!  Unbelievable... it was so long ago.

Nathan sure isnt like most kids his age!  He cant tell me what he wants for his birthday!!  Well... other than farm tractors!!  I dont know what I am going to do with him!  LOL

We didnt make it to Halifax's parade last nite.  We had so much other stuff to do...Like... HOMEWORK!  LOL!  And I really wanted to get my dining room back on track. 
Stacy also brought my eliptical back in the house for me.
PROGRESS!! 
I just want my house back in order... and it seems to be taking some time.  What can I expect... every time I turn around there is something that needs done for someone else.

Today is Stacy's early day at work... then he is off for at least 2 days...  3, if he is really lucky!!
I am hoping we can get some other stuff around here accomplished.

BUT...
Friday we have to get coal for the other house... and put brakes and rotors on Josh's car.
AND
Saturday we have big plans!!!  Grape stomping at the winery!!!  Oh yes... our team is gonna KICK BUTT!!!

Busy Busy Busy!!
Well... I must be getting my butt moving.  I need to work off some stress!!  Hope everyone has an enjoyable, rainy day!  :-(

Had a blast!!

Yes, I am riding on my parade high!!  We had sooo much fun last nite in Lykens Parade!!  I get soooo proud of my kids and my dogs!  The kids do a super job walking and passing out candy... the dogs do a great job in the middle of utter chaos!!!  
Sakari did a great job letting little kids pet and fuss over her.  Sprocket did awesome when a masked kid caming running up to him screaming! 
On a side note--  Sprocket's mohawk sure does get the attention!!!!  That is EXACTLY what we wanted!!!
We tossed a ton of candy... and handed out a boat load of business cards!!  We are really hoping to get some business from it!

I took some time and updated my website a little bit... and I have been playing with the dogs a bunch today. 

I have a bunch of stuff to do around the house yet... motivation has been an issue today.  I'm a bit sore all over... trying to work through it.  Plus... I am just having a hell of a good time playing with my dogs!  LOL

I started on Christmas crafts already!  I am loving the ones I managed to get done!  Sooo much... they have been added to my own decor!!  LOL! 
I have to do some ebay searching for a few hard to find items... and I will be on my way with project number 2!! 
I LOVE this time of year!!!!  Let's hope I can keep this great attitude through the holidays!  LMAO!!

It's getting CHILLY!!

I managed to get a bunch of things done yesterday... as I was trying to stay warm!  Boy, it sure did get chilly... and rather quick!

I did my grocery shopping... took Brittany for ankle supports... check the dollar store for some craft supplies... stickered another boat load of candy... the bunnies got brought in for the winter... bunnies nails and flea treatments are done... yea... I got alot done yesterday!

And let me add... DAMN these bunnies got HUGE!!!!  Camo has the biggest and cutest feet EVER!!  They all did great for their mini grooming session!!  LOL

I managed to find some of the craft supplies I need for Christmas gifts this year!  I think I may start on my "prototype" today!  LOL!!  In my head it is the coolest thing EVER... let's hope once I start putting it together it stays that way... LMAO!! 
I know there is one specific part I am going to have to order online somewhere... I guess I will do my search today some time.

Tonight is the Lykens parade!!  Let me tell you... I called ALL OVER yesterday trying to get info on this parade... and NO ONE had a damn clue!  Borough Office has nothing to do with it... they told me to contact the Chamber of Commerce... well, they didnt have a clue either!!!  I was unsuccessful with contacting the Fire Dept too!!! 
So... I have decided to just show up... and see what happens! LOL!

Tomorrow night is the Halifax parade!!  THEN trick or treat nights begin!  I want to make sure to hand out candy from the old house... stickered candy of course... LOL!

I soooo want my shop phone to start RINGING!!!

No more time to blog... Nathan is being high maintenance!  GRRRR!!!

Tough Love

Well, I think it is about time to implement some "tough love"... all around!

I have been living day after day spread so thin!!  I get creative channeling our finances so that everything is covered.  I run around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get everything taken care of.
I have gotten to the point where my own health has gone to crap!!  The thing that gets me is no one really cares... they still just want what they want!!  Seriously...?!?!?  Am I really surrounded by such selfish people???  I guess so!

For my own health and sanity... and for the sake of my own family...  it is time to put some "tough love" into place!

I have found that my oldest son has been quite rude to those around him!!  Those ppl that go above and beyond to do things for him!  That really pisses me off!!  I guess he forgets that he is my Grandfather's great grandchild (one of 4)... which means the man has CHILDREN and a GRANDCHILD!!!  It seems that Josh doesnt want him to help anyone but HIM!  Guess what?  That isnt how the world works!!
I guess he also forgets his Nanny risked any type of relationship with her other grandchildren to "save" him from our evil grasp!! 
Hmmm....  maybe that is why he acts like he does... he has been treated like the only person that matters for so long!!  It would appear that he has been #1 for a very long time!

Well, in my world... which I like to call "reality"... I  have 4 children.  And all 4 of my kids are loved and treated equally.
Soooo...  when Joshua has burned through NEW brakes and rotors in LESS than 5 MONTHS...  it is time for some tough love!!
Mommy and Daddy arent fixing this one!!! There is NO excuse for this one!!!  Other then he drives like a damn asshole!

Now, Joshua just got a speeding ticket on Friday.... his car payment to us is due... his electric bill is due... AND we are now requiring him to pay some sort of rent, which is due Nov 1st!  ALL of this on top of him needing new brakes and rotors!!
WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!!!!!!!
I am DONE going without things in order to keep Josh afloat... just to have him take it all for granted!!  I love him... very much... which is why I think it is about time he grew up!
I already know his next course of action will be to run to my grandfather for help.  Well, I already took care of that!  Nope... no help from the great grandfather he was so rude to yesterday... when he told him he just didnt want to talk to him because he was mad about my grandfather helping with HIS damn coal bin and taking my mother along!!  Nope... not acceptable!!!  (Side  note on this one... my grandfather is also volunteering to pay for the coal to FILL his damn coal bin... that WE spent money on to build for the coal stove WE bought so he would have heat!!!)

Josh, I know you sometimes read my blogs... and we do love you very much!!  But it is time to start treating ppl with some respect and act like you appreciate things that are done to help you!!  In addition... be thankful and willing to SHARE the bounty you have been blessed with!!
The house you are living in... and have been living in... IS NOT YOURS!!!  It is ours!  You do not NEED a 4 bedroom house!!!  Your Nanny NEEDS a place to live... and that is the woman who (was stupid, in my opinion...but we wont go there) and came to your "rescue"!  Open your damn eyes... stop acting like a spoiled damn brat... and stop crying the blues to ppl about the situation! 

Everyone of us have made sacrifices for YOU!!!  And yet you still manipulate and bully ppl to get your own way. 
It is time for you to make some sacrifices.

And no, I am firm on not having my CRX leave our driveway until ALL of the changes I want to make are made!  That seems to be taking FOREVER... well, it is another one of the sacrifices I am making for everyone else!  So, let's hope you learn to take better care of your car... because without it, you will be screwed!

With that all being said about Josh...

I have 3 other kids who seem to want to take advantage of us as well!  They live the nice cushy life... have their cell phones and all of the luxury electronics.  Well, they wont after today... if they dont keep up with their simple chores and the rest of the things they need to be responsible for!  I have had it playing catch up every morning before I get on with my daily "chores"... and making sure they have a meal on the table every nite!  Nope... I am DONE with all of that!!
I AM THAT MEAN MOM... from this moment on!!
I want time for ME... and I will NEVER get it with things going the way they are!

As for our other house...
I am done dealing with it.  I am writing up final agreements... making some final decisions... and then it is on the people living in that house!  If they cant keep up with the agreements... they dont need to live there!
I damn paralyzed myself pulling weeds and trimming everything back! There is no excuse for that shit.  The grass needs cut desperately...and I am NOT doing it!
I am done sinking money into it to make everyone elses lives better.  I am done sinking time into it to make everyone elses lives better.  I am just plain DONE!

I am also DONE helping people that dont want to help themselves!  If ppl arent making an effort... dont look at me to do it for you!  Nope... that is "tough love"!  Have to learn to do it yourself at some point... what better time than NOW! 

There is no one rushing up here to help me clean my house... or pull my weeds... or scrub my siding... or put in my dog run... or help with the yota... or put on my front porch...!!!!!!   But we are so pulled in so many directions that we dont even have time to work on these things ourselves!!!  I live in a complete mess right now... AND winter is coming.... AND I am trying to get my business going!!
No one cares. 

So... I am done!  It is time to focus on ME... US... and OUR HOUSE for a change!

Am I being a bitch... maybe.  But, I will be a bitch NOT passing out from a heart issue!!  I will be a bitch who has the extra money to have dinner with my hubby on occasion!!!  I will be a bitch with a damn front porch!!! 

Ok... I am done now!   And yes.... maybe I will be able to fit back into a training bra since I got all of that off my chest!  (hell, I hope so... since I need to make 50lbs disappear so I dont die!  yea, and that is another thing.... only 2 or 3 ppl have stepped up to show they care and support me in that "journey"... And I am sooooo very thankful for those ppl!  I love them and dont know what I would do if they werent in my life!  Thank you!!!!!)

Ups and Downs...

Yesterday was definetly an "UP"!!  Kids all had school... and Stacy took me on a road trip!! 
We headed up to Sullivan County... and had a late lunch at Forksville Gen Store!!!  I LOVE that place!!!  I also LOVE that we already have our retirement planned up there!!!  I cant wait to be sitting on the porch of our little cabin type home... relaxing... looking out over our little piece of heaven... with our dogs, and other animals!!!  NO bullshit!!!
On a sad note... the devastation up there from the flooding last month is sooooo sad!!  Even cabins built on stilts are gone... but the stilts remain!  Foundations left behind all over...boats now resting at the top of trees... cars smashed into things... metal roof pieces laying all over... destroyed building ...  roads completely GONE... Just sooooooo sad!!!
Yesterday was an amazing day!!!  I miss those time Stacy and I use to have.  But, I am glad we can still sneak in those moments here and there... and go to my favorite place, during my favorite time of year!! 

Today was spent working on the other house.  I weeded and cut back a lot of stuff.  And boy am I hurting now!
Stacy put in the coal bin. 
I think we are just about done over there.  We really need to focus on our own shit... for a change. 

I am seriously just spread too thin.  We have so much going on... all over!!!  And I am about sick of it.
I am quickly learning to set limits.  It is what I have to do to keep myself healthy... because Lord knows, ppl will just keep taking and taking until I am dead!  No one cares!
I came home from working at the old house... to my own mess of a house.  Of course, the one child that IS home this weekend didnt do a damn thing!!! Not even her chores!!!!!!!!  See... they want me to have a damn stroke!!!
So needless to say... that didnt go over very well... but she didnt care. 
Things need to change around here.  But I cant change it all on my own. 

THEN everything I CAN eat, on my new diet, is GONE!!  Even my decaff tea!!!  So, I am pissy about that!!  I'll just starve and dehydrate until I get the chance to go to the store again.... who cares...

Ok... I am done...  I am EXTREMELY pissed off....

I guess I'll just go the hell to bed... to wake up and deal with it all by myself tomorrow.  Stacy has to go back to work.

So many fun things!!

Let me start by saying that last nights parade was AWESOME!!
Amaruq couldnt handle all of the excitement... so he ended up napping in the Bronco while Sakari (the pumpkin), Sprocket (the chicken), Snickers (the lil devil), Ellie (the spider), and HoneyBun (the ladybug) all walked the parade with us!!
I am sooooo very proud of my dogs... and well, myself!  I have VERY well behaved dogs...and they got that way from proper training, being worked with and getting lots of personal attention!! 
There were ppl in front of us... with a dalmatian (they had a wagon with the theme of 101 dalmatians)... that dog was sooo out of control!!  It was lunging at a mini pony... and then it tried to go at Sakari (bad idea!)... but she only barked a few times and then showed all around us what a well behaved dog looks like!!  I should have given the dalmatian owner my card... for training!!  LOL!! 
To top that off... as the parade started... her dog was lunging and barking at EVERYONE in the crowd!!  That is one dog that should NOT have been in a parade!!!
Sprocket was sooo excited... he looked drunk weaving back and forth trying to say hello to EVERYONE!!  Sooooo cute!  Sakari did a great job carrying the spare candy!  She even was extremely patient with the kids that were in line behind us... that just wanted to hang on her... because she is such a big dog! 
We tossed a lot of candy with our stickers on it... and got MANY compliments on our dogs.  We handed out some business cards to ppl with dogs too.
When we got home... we all crashed!!  Poor pups were tuckered out!
Such an AWESOME night!!!  Cant wait to do it again next week!!!  :-)  (and I can say this even tho I had such a horrible, blinding migraine!)
NEXT YEAR:  We start planning WAY earlier... and we have a theme... and we kick butt in the judging!!!  :-)

Let's see...
Today I need to clean up my shop!  I spent a good part of yesterday grooming my dogs... and doing some deshedding.  But because of my nasty headache... I didnt clean up very well.
I also need to prepare for tonights training session!!  And maybe actually spend a little bit of quality time with my hubby... since he is home today!
Gunner has a vet appt this afternoon.  Brittany's halloween dance is today... then she is going to spend the night at Zoey's.  Nathan is going to go to his Aunt Debbie's for the weekend.  So it will just be me, Stac and Courtney home this weekend.
Tomorrow there is a scavenger hunt at the gun club... I really want to do that.  I also have a grooming appt in the afternoon.
Sunday is the halloween pet parade at TSC...  Guess who will be there??  Yep... US!!  And Britt has cheerleading.

Soo... busy weekend in store for us!!

I am still sticking to my diet!  It was a hard beginning... but it is getting easier! 
Well, I guess I better get my butt moving... lots to do... and I have to eat breakfast yet!
I hope the sun sticks around this weekend... so we all can have an awesome, enjoyable weekend!!

MUST be STRONG!

Let me tell you... giving up sugar is NO easy task for me!!! 
To make it harder... today I have the headache, and the "crashing" begins!  Of course, the day I have TONS to do... because we are in going to be in the parade tonite... my body decides to say..."HEY, screw YOU!!" 
I want to just curl up in bed... and stay there all damn day!!!  BUT... I have dogs to groom today... and make pretty!  And make the final decision on who is walking with us... and who is not...  and who is wearing which costumes! 
I have already had 2 doses of tylenol... and it isnt touching the pounding...which is REALLY pissing me off!!!

I CAN make it through this day!!! YES, I CAN!!!  AND... I WILL make it WITHOUT any caffiene or sugar!!! 

Thank God Stacy only works until 2 today.  I will need some strength from him.  But, I dont think he "gets it" anyway... so, as usual... I will just be on my own.  (Well... not really on my own!  Because I have an amazingly, awesome friend who is doing my 'diet/torture' with me!  Again, dont know what I would do without her!!!)

I sat in bed last nite stressing about the amount of weight they want me to lose.  I dont know if I can do it. 
But, I guess as long as the scale is going down... I am winning the battle. 
I cant believe how much I have slacked over the last few years!  I have NEVER been this heavy... and I use to follow my "heart diet" to the "T"!  What the hell happened to me?!?!?

Stacy picked up the gym schedule for me... I am hoping I can get into a habit of going!  It is just so hard with these "needy" kids of mine!  If I am not here with them at all times... their world goes into a tizzy!
How do I take care of EVERYTHING... and still have the time and energy to take care of mysefl??

Oh a positive note... My car is now fixed (for the most part) and inspected!!  Now, I just need to lift it some... to avoid ripping the exhaust off again.  I even passed emissions... which means the damn "check engine" light managed to stay off long enough!  Wooo Hooo.  I need to fix that O2 sensor issue.  Add it to the list...

Brittany is making everyone shirts for the parade tonite!  They are looking really good so far!!  She is such a crafty one!

Well... I guess I better get to laundry... AND, I have some shop calls to return!  Bring on the dirty dogs!!!  :-)

I will really be happy once all of this CANDY starts to disappear!!!!!!!!  Such TORTURE!  LMAO!

Enjoy this sunny day, everyone!

Ahhhh (A sigh of relief?)

Let me first say that today has been a GREAT day!!  I worked with a sweet little terrier mix this morning... and then finished up Sprocket.

I dont know what happened... but today I feel so relieved!!  I think my "self talk" last nite did the trick!
That... and the fact that the nurse at the cardiologist's office told me that I needed to step away from ALL of the stress IMMEDIATELY!!  (And I have to get back to 140lbs, and cut out ALL sugar, choc, pasta, caffiene... and everything else fun... and get my ass back in the gym doing some low impact excercise...)  My heart is already under stress from my previous surgery and the scar tissue left behind... add the extra weight I have picked up = even more stress on my heart... If I cant get this under control on my own that means more surgery... which means even more scar tissue... which means even more stress on my heart!!  Soooo... it is a nasty little cycle I have gotten myself into!!!
Needless to say... I have removed my head from my ass... and have all intentions of getting this under control... ASAP!

Sprocket is actually TIRED!!!  He had a busy morning...and is now sound asleep on the floor by my feet!  WOW... that is a first!  LOL!

I just called Millersburg Borough... I was told that the parade has been postponed until tomorrow nite.  Which means we will NOT be participating in Millersburg's parade.  Tomorrow we will be in Elizabethville's parade! 
I am going to pester Brittany into making T-Shirts tonite...  and I think we are just going to walk it!  I will brush and blow out my dogs... maybe add some "flare"... and that way we can talk to ppl while we hand out candy!

The past few days have been interesting.  The stress has just been mounding up on me... and I swear, I just couldnt take any more!!
Monday nite Stacy and I had to go over and chit chat with Josh... about my Mom moving up.  He wasnt happy.
My Mom was up yesterday... she checked out the house.  I guess it is all set... she will start moving in the up coming weeks.

I wrote up agreements for everyone to sign.  Had to lay out some "ground rules" to get everyone past the first couple of weeks.  Other than that... I am pretty much done.  They will have to work it all out.  I have done all I can do, at this point.  Everyone has a warm place to sleep at nite!  They will need to either appreciate it... or move on.
 
I REALLY need to get my focus back on my shop... and making it successful!  I also need to get focused on the kids I still have living at home!!  I have been so preoccupied that Nathan and his homework hell has been rushed through all week!  Since ALL of that kind of stuff gets put on me too! (cough, cough... STACY!!!)

Stacy dropped my car off, to get inspected today!  Fingers crossed that it passes!!!  I know the tires where a bit close.
Now if we can just find someone willing to part with some stock CRX springs... life would be good!!  THEN I can drive the darn thing and stop using my truck all the time!!!

I guess this is all I have time for right now.  I have to get started on my to do list.  I have some comfy, fuzzy socks waiting for me!  AND... a ton of laundry.

BRING ON ANOTHER SUNNY DAY!!!

The sun can stay awhile!

I love looking out my windows to see the sun looking back at me!!  We have had so much rain this year... that I havent had the chance to hang out with the sun near enough!
I dont like the fact that our days are getting shorter either!!

I took the kids and 2 of the dogs out for a hike yesterday.  It quickly turned into the hike from hell!!! 
Between stupid ppl... protective dogs... and kids bickering and fighting... It was NOT the relaxation I thought I would get!!!  Next time I need a stress reducing hike... one dog, and no kids will accompany me!

When I got home I started on the weeks meals.  Since this week is FULL of very busy evenings... I wanted to be prepared!  We have 2 parades on our schedule AND we will have to spend tomorrow evening getting everything ready.

Plus...
Stacy and I get to go lay down the law at our old house!
We dont think any one person living there can have things entirely their way!  It just wont work like that.  Josh is going to have to give... as is my Mom!! 
I do NOT feel it is up to Josh to say he is willing to give my Mom 2 bedrooms, and that is it!  Who the hell is he??  And I dont feel my Mom can ask him to get rid of all of this stuff.
AND... I sure as hell feel that NO ONE can really stick their noses in this situation... but those ppl directly involved!!! 

I know that I will NEVER be able to please everyone... I have never been able to please even a few ppl!!  LOL!!  I know that this is really going to split my twisted "family".   I just dont get how everyone can be so mean and nasty to one another and NOT want other to be happy and succeed!  And ppl wonder why I ended up so "off... and why I moved far away.... REALLY?!?!?

So... Stacy and I will be stepping in... and making the decisions on things ppl cant agree on!  AND, if ppl dont like it... they can live elsewhere!  We dont need the bullshit!  My feelings WILL NOT get hurt!  I have taken the emotion out of it all.  Ppl cant hurt me unless I let them... and I WONT let them anymore!

I am really hoping that my shop starts picking up... especially after the up coming parades!  I have HUGE hopes with this!!!

Ok... well... time to clean up the mess left for me after the weekend!  Oh the joys of being a maid... oops... I mean Mom! 

Enjoy the sun!!

Weekends...

It seems as though weekends arent those same, once looked forward to days!  They are equally stressful days... and lately, it is just a time to get more crap done, because we have more hands around here to help with it! 

Yesterday we realized that the truck wont be done for the parades... now, my husband held on to that info for a few hours, before sharing it with me!!  UGH!!  Did he not realize I needed to regroup and form a plan "B"...?!?!?
I already had the start of a plan "B" in my mind... just need to work on some details!! 
Stacy wants to do a full out "float" now... Oh boy... this is gonna be interesting!!! 

I stopped counting the candy pieces!  LMAO... We have TONS stickered... and TONS more to do!  My kiddos have been helping with that... and they are doing a GREAT job!

Yesterday I got an email from the program manager of cheer... apparently a girl had MRSA last week at practice and didnt know it.  THANK GOD my kid was camping last weekend!!!!!! 
I am a bit pissed that we didnt hear about this until yesterday.  It makes it impossible for me to talk to our pediatrician and get his PROFESSIONAL opinion!!  I am sorry, but I am just not trusting what that kids parent is saying... and the fact that no major disinfecting of the gym has happened!!!  PLUS, they said the kid will be back at practice today!!  Ummm... needless to say... my kid wont be!!!!  I did do research online... and I am just not comfortable with it.  I want to talk to Dr Darowish!!

Last nite we went and picked up costumes for the dogs!  AND made it home in time to watch Gnomeo and Juliet!!!  LOVED IT!!!  Tooo damn cute!!!! 

I also realized yesterday that I have some issues to deal with with Gunner!!  He IS a bit over the top aggressive to strangers.  He is very protective... AND he just doesnt know how to say "Hello" in a very nice way.  Sooooo.... that will be our focus in the coming weeks!  Needless to say... he may have to sit out the parades.

Ohhhh... the pool is DOWN!!  And all of that stuff is put away for the winter.  I also put more chairs away from the patio.  We are winding down for the winter!  Next step will be to swap out summer clothes!!  Stacy cleaned out the coal stove yesterday... so it is all ready to be fired up... as soon as we decide it is getting chilly! 

I think that maybe today I will try to get some grooming of our dogs done.  They are a muddy mess!!
And also figure out what my mother wants to do.

But, I guess I should start with BREAKFAST... I am starving!!
I sure do hope the sun sticks around!!!

Frustrated

I am a bit frustrated this morning. 

Once again, I wake up to the weight of the world (OK, well... this house) on my shoulders!!!
If everyone would just DO THEIR PART... I wouldnt have this frustration!!  I really dont ask for much!!
What is even more frustrating... if everyone did do their part... I would have some "free" time to do things I ENJOY!!!  Go freakin figure!! 
Apparently I live with ppl that just cant have me enjoying anything. 

Gunner is STILL a complete mess!!  He is on 2 meds that "SHOULD" knock him out... but they dont even come close!  I am so sick and tired of hearing him whine and cry!!  It is NON STOP!  And if he isnt whining and crying... he is pacing the house or walking in circles!  The more I think about having his elbow surgery... the more I KNOW that will be just pure torture on him... and all of US!! 
He has destroyed his cone collar already...we are on number 2 of that.  He has bent and destroyed his crate... I had to get his head unstuck twice now.  I am not sure how he didnt choke himself to death!!
UUUGGGGHHHHHAAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!

I did manage to get some parade stickers done.  I plan on working on that today.  I know we will need more candy... but, I wanted to see what kind of candy worked out the best before I bought anymore.

I planned a "PARADE SPECIAL"...  anyone hearing about the shop through one of the parades will get $5 off their first grooming appt!  I will put it up on my website over the weekend.  I really hope to have my shop phone ringing and ringing in the next 2-3 weeks!!
I also have to remember to get costumes for my dogs this weekend!!

I have been reminded (thank God for the friend in my life that probably had about the same amount of therapy as I have...lol)...  I need to set limits!!  LIMITS to keep me sane!!!  No matter what anyone else thinks or feels... LIMITS are a good thing!!!  They are NOT a way to get our own way, or be a bully... or anything else I have been told when I set limits.  They are to keep me sane... and healthy!!  Soooo... I have a bunch of limits to set!!

Ya know... my feelings were kinda hurt yesterday.  I need to address that too... because I have really been trying to do good things lately.

Ohhh... Ohhhh... Ohhhh...
Big news--  I have appointments next week!!!  I am loving it!!!  AND... my first training class starts today!!  I am sooooo excited!!!  I LOVE what I do!!! 

Ok... not sure what the weekend will bring, other than more stupid rain.  I may try to get out on Sunday (while Britt is at cheer practice) and get some Fall pictures.  I need to change the pictures in our dining room frame... I am really behind in that, they are still from last summer!! 

Well, I must get moving on putting stickers on candy!  Oh the good times... !!!  LOL!!!  I hope everyone has a good day!!

Just another day is paradise

I have 3...possibly 4 of my kids completely pissed off at me.  Because I am "cracking down" on expectations.  (And if number 4 isnt pissed at me yet... it is still early!!LOL)

I have a completely psycho dog right now.  Gunner is so use to major excercise... and playing.  But now he cant... so he is about as bad as Courtney is with pacing and walking in circles!!!  He is getting into EVERYTHING!  And when I crate him... he howls, cries, screams, and tries to destroy the damn crate!!  I wonder if the Vet will give me tranquilizers for him!!  lol  I feel like I am watching him literally lose his mind.
I cant stand another nite like the past 2! 

Stacy and I ran to walmart last nite... picked up a few things.  (NOT comfy, fuzzy socks... I didnt like their selection).  Then we went for a nice visit with Aunt Vicki and Uncle Keith.  I borrowed some books from her. 
Of course, since we were in Lykens... a trip to DQ was neccessary!!  LOL!!

I am hoping to make some progress on my parade stickers and coupons.  Not sure yet though... I have a dining room that needs some major attention!  I soooo want my house back... I just cant seem to get it done as fast enough... AND... no one helps keep it in order.  So I just get soooo frustrated!! 
UUUGGGGGHHHHHHHHAAAAARRRRGHHHH!!

Not enough of me to go around.
Well, this isnt getting anything done... Finishing up Joyce's message... then getting serious around here!

At what point...

...do you just throw in the towel??

That is basically how I am feeling lately.  Like I said the other day (not sure which one... because they are all running together)... Just when I think we are crawling out from under the bullshit... BAM... something else hits!

I have one week to get shit together for the parades!  One week... and then they start.  Stacy cant get the truck running... and I just dont have the time or patience or whatever you want to call it, to help him with it.  I am soooo on "over load" that... I cant focus on a damn thing!  I know he needs help with the truck... and I just cant seem to spread myself any thinner to help him.
I NEED to get my stickers printed... I NEED to get the candy... I NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN THESE PARADES... SPREADING THE SHOP NAME!! 
I never made it to the vinyl/sign guy... Not sure if it is too late, or not.  I dont have costumes for my dogs yet. 
I have to make this shop a success.  And this is the PERFECT opportunity to get the name out there!

Gunner kept me up most of the nite.  It seems the pain meds work great and knock him out for the first 5 hours... but after that... he is up whining and crying.  It was a rough one last nite!
This morning wasnt much better.  He had his first feeding... and he isnt very patient as I "prepare" his meals!!!  Have to wet his food, to make is mushy... since his tongue has a boo boo.  Have to add the supplements... and his meds... then top it with a bit of canned puppy food.  To him... it just takes too damn long!  LOL  Poor boy!!

Mom seems to be doing good today.  Her job sounds interesting... LOL!  I think she is moving in the right direction on making decisions for the future.  That is a HUGE relief to me!!! 
My grandparents still SUCK!  But, I wont even go there again.

Let's see...
My children are in for a rude awakening!!  They have pushed me to the point that they just may not like me anymore.  And I am ok with that.  I am tired of giving, giving and giving... and them just expecting, expecting, expecting!  Ummm... they dont appreciate a damn thing... they dont even keep up with their chores.  I am done playing this game.
I just cant keep up with EVERYTHING...   I am at my breaking point.

Another bummer-
I was doing soooo good with my "diet"... and last week it all went to shit! 

MUST PULL IT TOGETHER!!!  MUST PULL IT TOGETHER!!!

Time to clean up more muddy paw prints... because this rain is exactly what we needed!  NOT!!!

UUUGGGHHHHHAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH....

Yea, that about sums it up.
I am serious... just when I start to think I can crawl my way out of the stress and mess... Something else POPS up!

Today Gunner went in to get neutered.  Simple surgery... right?  Not for us!!
Around lunch time, I got a all from the Vet's office.  They had Gunner under, and were starting his surgery... when they noticed something odd.  Of course.  He had a tumor on his tongue... and wanted to remove it.  Of course I said yes.  THEN... while they were doing his procedure... they found more tumors!  They removed them all.  And they are sending them out to a lab... because they may very well be cancer.
On top of that... his elbow is getting even worse... and he NEEDS that elbow surgery! 
Gunner has to be the MOST expensive animal I have EVER owned!! 

Of course... I am pretty worried.  Gunner is MY dog.  And to prove it... he got aggressive with EVERYONE at the vet's office... and they made sure to use stitches that would desolve.  He wouldnt let anyone look at his incision spots... I had to go back and look at them, and describe what it all looked like! 

I am soooo afraid of losing my GunnerMan!!  I cant even think about losing him!!!  So... I NEED to get my business moving!!  I MUST make the money to afford all of his surgeries!!!

:-(

Other than that... it's been a typical, crazy day. 
My mom picked up Earl's ashes... she really worries me these days. 

I looked at the kids lunch accounts... oh boy... we need to chit chat about that.

Josh is here with car issues again.

My grandparents COMPLETELY disgust me... and the things said yesterday, by them... makes me want to puke!

And I may very well have an aneurysm before the end of Oct...  Because I seriously just dont know how to handle everything...!

I am going to go cry... then finish cleaning dog crates...  

Beautiful, sunny day!!

It isnt even 3pm... and I have already got so much accomplished!!  I hope this motivation follows me through the week!  I have alot I want to get done!

I am still fighting the sinus headache and issues... which is NOT my favorite... but it is better than yesterday... which was better than the day before.  So, in the big picture... I'll survive!

I managed to pulls some wild morning glories... that are still popping up all over the garden!  Those things are INSANE!  If only my arbor wouldnt have fallen down over the winter... then I would have had TONS of morning glories growing where they should have been and it would have been awesome!  Instead... they spread all over my garden and made things interesting this year... and here we are in Oct... and the things are still springing up all over!  Stacy mows over them all the time... but they just keep growing and growing!!  Amazing!
I also picked peppers and raspberries.  All before my grooming appt got here!  Needless to even say... I LOVE WHAT I DO!!!  I LOVE my shop!!!  I LOVE working with the dogs... and their parents!  I have really missed doing what I do with dogs!
After my appt... I got to work in the house.  I SCRUBBED the stairs, stairway, and walls!  Wooo Hooo... go me!!!  LOL!  It is something I have been looking at for 2 weeks now... and just didnt have the time to do.  Well, it is DONE now!  I also scrubbed the living room floor.  I am completely disappointed in my million dollar Dyson vacuum... but I am not even going there right now!

I also continued with pumping water out of the pool.  We have decided to take it down for the winter... since once it got filled, the ground settled and made it VERY unlevel!  I didnt like that... so, we will try again next year.
We are also going to put up a dog run in the yard.  I am sick and tired of muddy dogs and a muddy house!!  Sooooo.... I will have to resort to containing them to a stoned dog run on wet days... which are ALL days right now.  Our yard just wont dry up.

I am getting ready to head out to get the kids.  They spent the weekend at camp with my grandparents.  It is the fall tradition. 
I am really glad to have them back... I think the chickens and ducks will be too!!!  I havent gotten ANY eggs AT ALL since they have been gone!! 

I am also anxious to hear how my moms first day of work went! 

And... I get to have a nice long chit chat with Josh today... and my grandparents!  I am about sick of their shit and how they treat ppl!  Oh yes, should be interesting!!  Stacy is staying at work a little later today... I think it is so he doesnt have to witness any of the previously mentioned talk!!  LMAO!!

I really thought today was going to be a rough day... since I got use to having Stacy right here when I needed him.  But, it went really smooth...and flew by rather quickly!  Like I said...we just have so much to do... and I just couldnt get a handle on myself to get it done.  Hopefully that is changing.
Not real excited about making another trip to Harrisburg... BUT... I gotta do what I gotta do!  (It would be really nice to have my mom closer... then trips to visit wouldnt require 2 hours in the damn car!)

OK... time to hit the road!  Ohhhh.... Stacy got my truck running perfect again!!  Even my air horn works now!!!!  :-)  See... the simple things just make me soooo happy!!
I have to add that Joyce's message today really hit the nail on the head for me!!!  She is just good like that!  LOL!!

Ohhhh... and... Jen had a kitten find its way to her this morning!  I think it is a sign!!!!  I sure hope she can nurse it back to health!!! 

I hope everyone enjoys their sunny afternoon/evening!!

Where to start...??

Which is what we have been asking ourselves all day today!!  So much needs to get done... and there just isnt enough time, or enough of us to get it all done!

My rant--

I am completely disappointed and pissed off at the fact that we have Josh living in our other house... and for some reason or another, things that NEED to get done, just arent!!  So... We are basically taking care of 2 houses... and Josh is living the easy life.  If someone were to give me a place to live... and not ask for a damn thing in return but UPKEEP... it would be the nicest looking place on the block... at least!!!
What also REALLY bothers me...
The boy has a 4 bedroom house to himself... and rent free.  One would think he could step out of the realm of being completely self absorbed and self centered...and realize what is going on (he KNOWS what is going on...it has been discussed)... and maybe... must maybe... say "hey, I dont need all of the space I am living in... Nanny should come stay with me."   OHHHH HELL NOOOO... that is the complete opposite of what he says!!  (His response... "you cant do that to me"... HUH... I CAN and I WILL!  Time to be the man you think you are, my dear...  or move and support yourself 100%)
My mother risked my relationship with her...and the relationship she had with her other grandkids... to "save" Josh from me.  He played her to the fullest.  But do you think he would even think of repaying the favor???  Not at all!!
He is worried he will lose ALL of the space he has... and all of his freedom.
Well, let me tell ya something...  My house... My rules!  And Stacy and I have both had about all we can take of the situation! 
We drove by today... and there is still a pile of trash under the deck.  I guess he never got to it.  I am sure the mold is still growing on the basement walls.  I guess he never got to that either.  AND... the weeds are still taking over the front side walk... and the borough isnt happy with it.  Oh wait... He didnt get to that either!!!  Along with getting a full time job... and cleaning up after himself... and many other things.
Yes, I am completely frustrated!!

I already sat and tried to figure out how to make space for my mom here... with us.  And I just dont know how we would do it!  Between the kids... and the dogs... and everything else... Besides... it just doesnt make sense!  There is an entire house sitting in E-ville... with just Josh in it!! 

There is no way I can ask or expect my mom to get rid of Fred... to live somewhere else.  I mean, really??  Would I want to lose my furbabies??  HELL NO!!  She has experienced enough loss!!  It would be devastating to get rid of Mr Fat Cat... I mean, Fred.

Soooo much on my mind... sooooo much stress!!!

My other frustration is the fact that it seems like the weight of the world rests on mine and Stacy's shoulders.  We have SOOOO MUCH going on... and SOOOO MUCH to deal with!
Two houses, unfinished projects (FRONT PORCH, his truck for the parades), putting our house back together...pool needs closed for the winter... hot tub needs drained and cleaned... dogs need a kennel run before winter sets in...
I am trying to grow a business.
I need to help my mother... and be there for her... but I am soooo far away.
Brittany is in full swing of cheerleading.
The list just goes on and on... and we are just running like chickens with our heads cut off... and when we accomplish one thing, 5 more pop up!!

The stress is about to make my eyes pop out of my head!!!

I would like to have my mom closer.  That would be a huge weight lifted... from me and Stacy. 
I would like to have kids that listen...and do the things they need to do without me telling them a million times!!  I think their lives will be changing this week.  Because I am DONE giving and not at least getting what is expected of them in return!

Tonite I have decided that Stacy and I will be making a real to do list... and going down the list to get the end result that we want.  It is just so hard since there are only the 2 of us. 

Ok... I guess I am done for now.  I cant even get my own thoughts in order at the moment!

BUT...
I am so completely thankful for those of you that helped me help my mom!!  There were times when I didnt know up from down... and I just needed to vent and keep from having my own little break down!  I dont know what I would do with out those dear, close friends/family!!!  Stacy and I both know we are lucky to have you! 
AND...
I am soooo very blessed to have the best husband EVER!!  He has really gone above and beyond this past week.  Right there... keeping things in order... doing whatever was needed... and willing to do so much now, and ongoing!  I love him soooo damn much!!

OK... time for more allergy meds and decongestants... and BED!!!  I am totally exhausted! 
Tomorrow I am on my own.  Stacy goes back to work.  I will have to put on my big girl panties... and face the day, the world, and all that may be thrown my way... on my own!  UGH!

Good nite!   Hmmm... which fur baby will we cuddle with tonite!

I got this...

What an insane past few days!!
I cant thank my husband enough for being WONDERFUL!  He has been right there, reminding me what is up and what is down... when I seem to forget!  I dont know what I would do if he didnt have these couple of days to spend with me... and my mom.

I am 210% PISSED at my grandparents!  I CAN NOT believe how they are acting during all of this!!  They make me sick!  My grandmother didnt even acknowledge my mother losing her husband... and my grandfather acts like it is a major inconvenience and wont help me, help her AT ALL!!!!  BUT... if it were his one (pot smoking, drinking, etc) sister... he would be dropping EVERYTHING to run and wipe her ass for her!! 
I just dont get my family!!!! 

It is ok... I got this. 

I have added to my already full plate... and I am dealing with it all. 
Today we managed to clean out Earl's closet... and Stacy and I packed everything up.  I divided things between the kids... and have the rest in bags in the car... until we find out if Lori's consignment shop is going to take men's clothes!  At least that way we may be able to get a few bucks for things...for my mom.  Earl had quite an impressive wardrobe!  And my mom could use the money!
We also took and are going to dispose of Earl's medications.  That is a weight lifted off my shoulders. 

My mom starts her part time job on Monday.  I think that will be a good thing! 

In addition to stuff with my mom...  I have 2 grooming appts on Saturday!!  Oh yes... I am starting up a grooming business... I almost forgot!  LOL!!! 

My mom has visitors coming tomorrow!  Sooo... Now I dont feel bad going to the big CRAFT FAIR at Knoebels with Jen!!!!  Ohhhhh the money spending possibilities!!  LOL!!!  I NEED some new crafty fall decorations!!   

I am really glad my mom will have visitors...other than just me and Stacy.  I just can not believe NO ONE in my "family" has even called... or sent a damn card... UGH!  Yea... some "family"!!  That is ok... all those die hard "Catholics" will get their... because GOD WILL PUNISH THEM.  Not very Christian like... that is all I have to say!

Anyway... my mind is going a million miles a minute... and my phone is still ringing... I have a bunch of things to get in order before morning...
Stacy doesnt know it yet... but he is going to have a "to do" list tomorrow... since I wont be here to do the things... and they need done before the weekend.  I have things I need to figure out!!!

Ok... done babbling!  Good nite! 

:-(

Today was a completely sucky day.

It put a whole different perspective on things.  I never had to worry about my Mom being alone.  She has been with Earl since I was 14 or 15... and well, back then I didnt worry about much. 
I was never super close to Earl... but I knew he made my Mom happy.  Seeing her heart broken today... broke my heart.
I cant even begin to imagine...

The kids all want to go and spend the night with her... and I think that is a great idea. 

It is so weird what the kids are saying... and how they are processing it.
NONE of them are dealing with it very well... everyone is super pissy!!
Nathan took it the hardest...which is what I expected.  His mind is in a tornado of emotions and thoughts... He said it is sad that Papa Earl didnt get to go to Josh's graduation party... and he wont see Courtney graduate.  I explained to him that Papa Earl did put some words in Courtney's year book... and that will make everyone very happy.  Then he went to worrying about my mom... then he went to worrying about Papa Earl's car.  Then he just sat down next to me... and said... "yea, I am really sad too"  Like he was the last thing he thought about.
 
Brittany isnt good with things like this... she finished her homework... then resorted to taking it all out on everyone around her... until she shut herself in her room to cry a bit.

Courtney... well... I dont think it sunk in.  I am not sure she is getting it yet.  Because with her... there was just a blank stair. 

Well... I dont have any more time... I have to get my kids packed up... They want to go spend the night with my Mom.  And, I think that will be a great idea!!  When I called my Mom... she seemed happy to have them! 
Time to pack them up!

A Day in the Life...

Ok... Let's recap the past 24 hours... maybe then ppl will understand...

Yesterday 5am:  My day begins. 
Girls up, showered, fed, out the door. 
6:15am:  Wake up Nathan... begin the morning battle.  "Stop poking around, Nathan... Eat your breakfast... those jeans are too short, get rid of them... brush your teeth...is your book bag packed?... Time to go out for the bus, YES YOU HAVE TO GO!
7:45am:  ahhh ... PEACE AND QUIET
From that point on... time just flies by...
Eat my breakfast.  Take my 30 minutes of "my time" to listen to Joyce, catch up on my internet games, catch up on emails, etc.
Then the fun begins:
Start on mountain of laundry, take care of aminals (dogs, chins, bunnies that arent mine), empty sink that is now full of dishes... because whomever has it as a chore didnt do it.
Phone rings... ahhhh, Jen... take time for our daily chit chat.  Feel uplifted... continue with day.
Back to reality...  Scrub living room floor, iron curtains, hang curtains... hmmm, what to make for dinner??... take dogs out, more laundry, put away various things the kids let lay, clean up all of my husbands soda cans from previous day, more laundry.  Hmmm... come up with new arrangement of dining room furniture...start putting more shit away that was displaced during the reconstruction of our living room.
Ughhhh... I have to pay bills!  Which means I have to catch up the checkbook, hubby doesnt know how to write things in.  A full hour spent figuring out check book... rain slowed down I should burn the MOUNTAIN of burn trash while I have the chance.  back in to do more laundry, write out bills. Rob Peter to pay Paul.  Ohhh I hear the phone... It is Josh... car troubles again... Perfect!  Get frustrated because no matter how many times I say we need to stick to our budget... the budget gets swept under the rug! (Supporting 2 houses right now and Josh needed a new fridge and a coal stove for winter.)  Ewww... what smells bad in the kitchen closet?  Tell Stacy HE can deal with that when he gets home.  Start dinner.  Kids home, Homework HELL begins.  Hmmm... trash nite is tomorrow... I better clean out the fridge...  and start to gather all of the other trash that needs to get put out.  I wonder what I can throw away, that will clear some space and no one will notice... HMMMM...
Stacy is headed home, Nathan is pissy.  Gather kids to go over CHORES... AGAIN!!  And how I expect them to be DONE DAILY! 
Listen to them complain about school stuff... They all NEED new cell phones... they are ALL broken.  Too bad.  Oh, hear how we love Josh more... we spend all of our money on him... Lock myself in bathroom for 15 minutes so I can cool down.  Shit... dinner!!!
Run down stairs, start sides... clean up from dinner prep... UGH... damn flies are everywhere!! 
Stacy comes home... serve everyone dinner... Stacy heads out to check my truck our for inspection (Since he forgot it was due at the end of SEPT!!)... he takes forever.  I deal with kids and clean up and dogs.  Tell kids to do CHORES... get the usual "we will".
Stacy comes in... I ask him if he smelled the kitchen closet... he tells me "Yea, it does smell a little funny"... AKA... I am not dealing with it today.
Load up stove pipe and bricks... AND Josh's resume which I had to make for him AND hand deliver because he "forgot" them every time he was here!!...listen to Nathan cry that we dont love him anymore because we are going to Josh's to deal with that stuff and not staying home to supervise his shower and bed time... WHAT'S THAT... MY SHOP PHONE!!!  Answer phone... answer a slew of questions... they will call back to make appt... ugh... head to Josh's house to get the stove set up.  On the way Stacy tells me how he disconnected my truck batteries... tested them... cleaned the connections... blah blah blah...Listen to stories about welding school...
Demand DQ on the way!! 
Get to Josh's...
"Josh, get the clorox spray out of my truck... I think that is black mold on the basement walls"... OK, I will then.  I say this at least 3 more times and get the same response.  Do you think he got it... or the walls got sprayed... NOPE! 
Hear about how car is acting funny... hear about how they cut his hours at work... joke around a bit... Ok... it is 9pm... we need to get home.
Get it truck...  it doesnt start!!!  Batteries dying!!!  Hmmm... never happened before!!  Stacy gets it to start.  PERFECT... I have NO transportation tomorrow!!  Little bronco got sold last week!!!  Get frustrated as hell... stew over not having the CRX in the garage to fix it... Oh wait both the truck and the CRX are out of inspection anyway...  Wonder why I got married, for the second time today....?!?!? Hmmm... more work, another person to think for, another person to clean up after, more laundry, have to cook more... etc.   Now stew over what my "jobs" are... and what his "jobs" are... ?!?!?  I really need to sit down and figure that out... make lists... because I really think I get screwed on this one!!
HOME... get dogs out... sit and get pissed because I cant get into our Netflx account to cancel it!!!  Stacy researches truck batteries and things.  I stew because we have a hole in front of our house STILL!  And I have no idea how we are going to get a porch put on... damn rain... out of money(refer back to support 2 houses and Josh's endless car problems)... Put a bunch of thinking power into advertising my shop... and using upcoming opportunites to do so...  wonder if anyone will step up to lend a hand in promoting the shop... probably not.
BLAH...I am going the hell to bed, it is getting late!! 

5am this morning.
Come down stairs NO ONE did their chores!!!  GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!
Girls up and ready for school... and out the door.  Listen to the bitching because I will only give them so much lunch money... they will need to pack some.  Out the door they go.
Nathan up... typical morning battle there.

I have to pee... walk into downstairs bathroom... NO TOILET PAPER!!!!GRRRRRRR!!!!  Upstairs I go.  Back down.  Nathan is bitching because I am NOT paying for school pics this year.  I did their pictures already.
Walk into laundry room... WTF...?!?!?  Washer is flashing... it never finished last nites load... What the hell does that error code mean?!?!? Start it all over.
Nathan out the door for the bus.
Walk into kitchen... pour bowl of cereal... open fridge... NO MILK!!!  Cant run to get any... no working vehicle!!!   PopTart it is... I really HATE not having my cereal in the morning.  Turn around to see empty milk carton on island... like I thought anyone could possibly put it in the damn recycle bin.... And oh look... a sink full of dishes waiting for me... and even better a half full dishwasher... WTH?!?!?!  Oh... dirty glasses left on the table.  Why do I even bother?!?!?
Sit down to write all of this down... now to watch Joyce... then off to do everyone's chores... clean out that smelly kitchen closet... and start on the things ppl expect me to have done so their lives can be as simple as ever!   I LOVE when I have to do everyone elses responsibilities before I can get to my own!!! 

Yea... and then ppl wonder why I am in just a wonderful freakin mood!!!
HERE IT IS!!!  And this is just the bullshit that I can recall... I am sure there is more.  And I didnt even mention that my damn hands, shoulders and hips hurt like hell... and I hate this damn non stop rain... and I have had a headache for 3 days...

Well, I guess I am wasting time... Apparently I have A LOT to do!  Hope everyone has an enjoyable day! 

Hello October!

This year is so insanely flying by!!  Here we are... October... already!!!

This month is going to be a busy month around here!  I guess I should get my butt in gear and decorate for fall... before it just doesnt happen!! 

Our weekend was busy... as usual! 
Saturday Stacy went and helped put a new roof on his Pap's garage.  I guess the rain held of just long enough for them to get it done.
I groomed dogs most of my day Saturday!  I am sooooo sick of having fluffy dogs... only because of all of the rain!  Every time they go out... mud gets a free ride back in our house!  Grrrr!  I gave Sakari a beautiful modified Lion cut!  She is soooo pretty!!!  And Sprocket lost his fluffy legs and feet!  He is still super cute tho!

Fall is in the air!!  People all around us are cranking up their wood stoves!  I really like that smell!!
We didnt see anything above 47 degrees around here yesterday!  And all of the rain we are having is adding so much dampness to the air!!  IT SUCKS!  Hard to believe it was 80 degrees a week ago!!!
Our house must be super insilated...  it hasnt dropped below 68 degrees in here.  So, no real reason for us to light up our stove yet! 
Josh on the other hand... he turned on the electric heat yesterday morning at his house!!  Stacy is going to go over tonite and set up his coal stove... and I guess we need to make a coal run for him this weekend.

Let's see... what else do we have going on this week...
Thursday is the 4-H info night... for small animals.  I plan on taking Nathan.  He can learn to show his bunnies!!
Friday I think Jen and I will be hitting Knoebels for the Craft Fair!!  I LOVE that kind of stuff!!!
Also on Friday... my kids will be LEAVING for their Fall camping weekend!!!  Oh yes... 3.5 days of NO kids!!! 

I have some other October plans!!  I am going to keep them under wraps until I have my thoughts better organized and planned out!  BUT... BIG SHOP IDEAS AHEAD!!!  :-)  MUST get my name out there!!!  I want to have FULL shop days!!

I guess that about sums things up.  I have to get Nathan moving this morning!  He is sooo pokey sometimes.... ok, most of the time!  lol
THEN I get to catch up on laundry... a never ending task.  Feed animals.  Scrub mud off my floor... another never ending task these days.  Pay bills... woo hoo... gotta love that... NOT!  And then... iron these damn curtains that have been sitting here staring at me!

Hope everyone enjoys their day!!