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!!