100th Post!!

Today I am writing my 100th post!!  Not that it really means much... just thought I would point that out.  LOL
Want to know what I have figured out through these 100 posts...??  I get more hits on my negative post than I do on my positive ones!  How strange is that?!?!  Ppl would much rather read about our misery!  Interesting.

Anyway...
I wasnt real pleased when I woke up to rain this morning... BOOOO!!  But, I cant bitch too much... the weather has been really, really nice and for quite some time.  My kids want it to be snow.  It did snow, majorly, in October... and here we are with 65 degree weather in November... I am not real sure what to think.  LOL

Last nite was another sleepless nite.  Cats were fighting!  Let me tell ya... I almost tested out Britt's new gun myself!  I am so sick of ppl getting these freakin cats... but not keeping them as pets!!!  Some have made the Yota their new home!!!  It is GROSS!  I am not real sure why they decide to hang out around our garage... but it is pissing me off!!! 

So yes, I am a little cranky today.  LOL  To top it off... Nathan is NOT cooperating.  You'd think I would be use to that by now.  Not so much use to it... but definately sick of it!!

Brittany lost her major attitude with me... it didnt last as long as I had thought it would.  I am pretty thankful for that.
The bottom line was... she didnt like a large percentage of the girls on the team... they didnt like her.  She couldnt trust them and they would drop her!  I despised a large percentage of the parents... and it took all I had on a weekly basis NOT to go off!  It just wasnt people/kids I wanted my family around.
So I will admit it... I did a happy dance when Britt chose NO cheerforce team!!!  :-D 

Yesterday Britt even loosened up... pulled out her drop spindle and gave it another try.  THANK YOU, GOD!!  We are moving on.  And I really feel that the 4-H kids and parents are a MUCH better match for us!! 
We are looking forward to doing the live nativity in December!!  AND making the quilt square... even tho we have NO CLUE what we are doing!!  LOL

Tomorrow my 1st two dogs return to my shop!  It's hard to believe I have been at this for 7 weeks!!!  I am hoping to be able to give them both more poodle looking cuts tomorrow!  Soooo... I am pretty excited!!!

I guess it is about time to start thinking about our Thanksgiving Feast!!!  I will take the rest of this week to plan my homemade meal to share with family!!
I am hoping this will be a special Holiday for everyone... Stac and I think it is pretty important to get everyone together, around Pappy George, since his health isnt the best.  We are really looking forward to hosting this!

Last nite we set the dog run posts!!  And put down the stall mats!  I am hoping to have it all finished by the end of the week.  THEN to train them to use the doggie door!!! 
From what Stacy researched... we cant put down grass seed until spring.  BOOOO.  I am really looking forward to leveling out the yard and getting some grass to grow!! 

I am only going to touch on this subject...   Let me tell you how PISSED I am that my dear hubby didnt PUT THE POOL AWAY... when he took it down!!!  Ummm... he is a starter... NOT a finisher!!  Anyway, it layed out there... and while he was moving the something around, the dolly got hooked on it and ripped the damn thing!!!  That is all I am going to say about that!  Other than... GRRRRRR!  Good thing I put away all the pieces I could physically move... Lord only knows what would have happened to them.

Ok... that is all I have time for.  Must get Nathan moving.  He is trying to tuck himself away in the bathroom again... and it isnt going to happen again today!!!  He missed yesterday... that was enough. 
I emailed his teacher... because we really need to figure out what to do about Nathan's HATRED for school!!  Of course, since I mentioned his IEP... she never responded to my email.  Perfect!

Enjoy your dreary, rainy day!!!  Maybe I will start on my Christmas projects... Hmmmmm....

Parent of the year... I am NOT!

What a rough weekend around the Graff house!

Our top story... Brittany and cheerleading!
I made the decision that Brittany needed to be on only ONE of  the CheerForce teams.  As you can imagine... that went over like a lead balloon!!!
With all of the kids being in different activities... and my "case load" of kid stuff and family stuff and house stuff and life in general...  2 cheer teams are just too much for me to manage.  We cant afford to make 2 trips all the way up there every Sunday... and spending 8 hours up there is just too much time.  In addition... each team has additional practices every week now... so that will be 3 trips and back.  Nope... too much for me to give... too much for the other kids to give.  Because, in reality... they are the ones suffering because like revolves around Britt.
I talked to the program director... she said if Britt were to be on one team... it would have to be the Junior team.  And well, that was just not good enough for Brittany.  Sooo.... Britt chose NO cheer!  Which is even better for me!!!

This ordeal lasted ALL day yesterday!!!  Brittany could spit fire... I think I almost saw it happen.  The tears... the sobbing... the gasping for air.  All VERY dramatic... she could probably win an award!!  LOL! 
She should know by now... that shit does not work with me.  And her latest tactic of trying to make me miserable and say hurtful things wont work either!

Stacy and I took Britt and Nathan to sling pumpkins yesterday morning!  Very cool!!!  Stacy and Nathan enjoyed it... Britt was too busy being bitchy to allow herself to enjoy it.  BUT, she did try it... and we almost saw a smile!
After that... it was off to 4-H.  The kids made drop spindles... and learned how to use them!  VERY COOL!!!  Britt was still being a bitch... and her behavior was almost embarrassing!  She wouldnt allow herself to have fun... or even get into trying anything new.  Only hurting herself, really.
The people (kids and adults) in this 4-H club are absolutely amazing  people!!  I had MANY woman willing to help ME learn as well!!!  All very supportive and going out of their way for my bitchy kid... and Nathan... and ME!!  I LOVE that we chose this group!!!  THIS is what I expected 4-H to be all about!!!  (Stacy was bummed that he didnt get to go with us... he stayed home to pick up Courtney from her first sleep over and work on getting our dog run fence put in.)

Ahhhh... Courtney's first sleep over!  Well, finally at age 17... our dear Courtney is blossoming into a true teen girl!!!
The sleep over itself went good.  The phone call I got while pulling into the 4-H leaders driveway... NOT so good. 
Courtney crying... friends mom wanting to speak to me... I was freaking out!!!  Friends boyfriend broke up with her... and I guess things just went down hill from there!  Long story... but, it turned into an entire day of Courtney crying over this stuff.  Which for Courtney is soooo very odd!!!  She doesnt show emotions.  It just isnt something that Autism has allowed.  She never cried over the loss of pets... or even her step grandfather passing away last month.  Emotions are something that never developed.  WELL... BAM... here they are... and NO ONE (even me) knows how to handle this latest twist!!!  We are still working through it.

This morning has been much better.  Nathan insists he is dying and cant go to school... he has locked himself in the bathroom.  This is the battle I am fighting now!  Lucky me!!

Other news this weekend...
We lost Bella... our Ebony Momma chin.  This makes me VERY sad!!!  She was our first chinchilla.  I have no clue what happened.  She was fine Friday... bouncing around, playing, having a good time.  Saturday she was dead.  She showed no signs of being sick at all!!  UGH!
Yesterday I put "Stumpy"... Bella's son... in with Oosier... or Violet wrap Momma.  Since Stumpy is a Violet carrier... I am hoping for some beautiful violet babies!!  Time will tell!!

We had to run and pick up fence posts for the dog run last nite.  Not sure why Stacy needed me to make that call... but, he did.  Which meant a run to Lowes, since TSC does not carry them.
I decided to use horse stall mats in the dog run.  They are not a choking hazard... or a blockage hazard... like stone or wood is.  Cheaper than concrete.  Easy to clean and disinfect!  PERFECT!
Now to get the fence up!!! 

I am also seriously concidering bringing in a male and female pair of ancona ducks.  In hopes that artifical light will get some eggs... fertilized eggs!!  So we can hatch some more Ancona's!! 

The kids and I still have all intentions of going to MD on Saturday (while Stacy and Josh move my mom) to show bunnies!  Time will tell.  I will make a final decision today.

And, on a final note... Farm Show!  The kids picked their project areas for entering the farm show this year.  Now to make sure these are FINAL answers before I buy supplies and such! 

Ok... I think that is all I got for this morning.  I need to go take care of my poor sick Nathan... who just hates school soooo much that!  Oh yes... should be interesting!  NOT!!!

Hope everyone enjoys their day... even with the threat of rain!

The past week...

This past week got completely away from me!!  Monday I picked up new bunnies... and cages... and stopped in the 4-H extension office.
Tuesday I had to deal with family drama... but that got all sorted out for the most part... thank goodness.
Wednesday our fridge DIED... had to move everything to our downstairs fridge... THEN had to show my ROAR... as I hooked up the trailer and went down to Harrisburg and bought a brand new one!!  We were going to buy one off CL... but, I dont want to be bothered with the chance it will just die in a year or so.  Brittany also got her first hunting rifle!!  Just her size!
Thursday I had a chance to get some things done around the house... laundry, cleaning, etc.  When Stacy came home he ripped cabinets out of our kitchen to make room for the HUGE fridge I picked out... LOL!  And got the new fridge in the house and in place.
Friday I had 2 psycho dogs in the shop... which fought me tooth and nail!!  They were matted to the skin, had fleas, their nails were NEVER cut... AND they were biters!!!  I got bit a few times!  Grrrr!!!  Once that was over, we took the kids to a different 4-H club meeting.  They LOVED it!!  Stacy enjoyed himself too!!  And I was extremely pleased with the whole experience!!  We will be going back... that is for sure!! 
Today we were suppose to be moving my mom... BUT, poor planning made that impossible!  Soooo... I sat down and talked to the kids about 4-H opportunities, and they  made their final decisions on what project books they want to get involved in.  Brittany also decided she would like to go to the Leadership conference... and they both are going to enter their bunnies in the farm show this year... as well as some other projects!!  I am really, really proud of them!!!
Stacy has been hard at work putting the floor in the "out kitchen"... Then it will be on to the dog run!!  THEN that project well be complete!!!
This afternoon we are taking Britt to shoot her gun for the first time!  She is excited about that. 
I am not real sure what tomorrow will bring... kind of depends on a few things.

Ok... that is all I have time for... got to supervise my crazy kids... they are being quiet and appear to be getting along!!!  Something has to be wrong!!! LOL

What a day!

Another day that started off pretty darn rough!!!  WOW... I tell ya... there is always something being thrown our way!  BUT... I turned it around... put a positive twist on things... and the day is ending rather well!!

I got PLENTY of exercise today!!  Lord knows I need it.  I opted NOT to get on my elliptical after making so many trips up and down the steps...LOL!  I also had to fight the trailer to get it hooked up onto the truck today... I really think I need a bigger drop hitch!  Lifting that trailer with a broken back SUCKED!!!  But, I managed... like I always do!! 

We opted to buy a new fridge... instead of a CL bargain.  I do NOT want to have to buy a new fridge for a long, long time!!! Since we JUST bought Josh a new fridge less than a month ago!!  When it rains, it pours!! 
I am just glad we are able to help Josh... and my Mom. 
Sooo... of course I picked THE BIGGEST fridge with ALL of the options!!! LOL!!!  Stacy has to take out some cabinets to make it fit... but, we needed a bigger fridge.  Our fridge space was ridiculously small!  Not anymore!!!  ;-)  I cant wait to have crushed ice at my finger tips!!!  LOL!!  Yes, I am just a bit spoiled like that.

After we rushed home... we grabbed Britt and headed to Kell Brother's ... to size her up for her first rifle!!!  Good thing too... She opted for the smaller (youth/woman's) model.  It felt good for me too!  ;-) 
Stacy is excited... My grandfather is super excited... and Brittany is both!!  Seriously, I am not sure who is more excited!  They plan on testing it out on Friday!
Sooooo... the count down to opening day has started!!!

I have a pretty full day in my shop Friday...which is AWESOME!  I am really hoping I will get a bit of time tomorrow to catch up on some things around the house!  Plus I have to find new homes for all of the stuff that lives in the cabitnets that will soon be gone.

I guess we are also on a count down to our THANKSGIVING FEAST!!  It is turning out to be a nice BIG gathering!!!  We cant wait!!! 
I guess I will sit down and plan our feast menu next week!!! 

The kids and I have some other things in the planning stages!!  Soooo many exciting and new things going on around here!!

Friday we are going to our first 4-H meeting with a different club!  The kids picked the project books they are interested in... and I am really excited that they are really excited!!!  They are both also looking forward to the fairs and farm show next year.  They are also really, really excited about showing their bunnies!!!  AND... we are thinking next Saturday will be our first attempt!!!  But, we are still in the planning stages...  I will have to figure a BUNCH of things out... no pressure!  LOL

Ok... I am seriously exhausted... time to go cuddle up with my amazing hubby!!  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

When it rains...

...it pours!!

As if my plate hasnt been full enough...LOL!

Today I woke up to a freezer full of thawed out meat... and a fridge that had warm milk!  PERFECT!!!
I tell ya... we cant seem to catch a break at all!!

Yesterday was an interesting day... and didnt end up near like I had thought.  Things took a weird twist.  Besides that... my mom and Josh are on good terms... and hopefully things stay that way!!!  I seriously just cant handle any more of that drama!!

I got to make a million trips up and down the basement steps... moving food from the upstairs fridge to the downstairs one.  Good times there!! 
Then my mom decided she wants to stop by... perfect... my house is a mess!  I feel like we are under non stop construction around here... BUT, it is way better than it was when we had no living room ceiling!!  LOL!!

We got the holes dug for the dog run... now to get the fence poles in and the fence up!

BUNgalo is now holding bunnies... got most of the hutches and cages moved... still a few more to figure out.

Moving right along!
Well, I need to get on with my daily chores!!  Hope everyone enjoys our last sunny day... tomorrow rain... YUCK!!!!!

Most fave convo today!!

Her: You are WOMAN hear you roar!
Me: Someone is about to hear me roar alright!
Her: I know
Me: LMAO
Her: There really is something wrong with us! LMAO
Me: Yep... but it is ok! LOL!! I am comfortable with it.
Her: Yea, I am happy, might not make the rest of the world happy tho
Me: Must suck to be them!!! LMAO
Her: Laughing out loud in Walmart!

Not off to a good start

I am not off to a good start to my week!
Yesterday I had 2 kids home sick with fevers!  Nathan and Brittany were both not feeling well.  Brittany had a double whammy... because she got hurt Sunday at cheer practice... so she had a painful neck, back and head... in addition to a fever and stuffy nose.  I guess Nathan has a double whammy too... because he still has that nasty burn healing on his hand... which looks a bit "angry" today.
So far... both kids are still miserable and stuffy.... only time will tell what today has in store!

I am also dealing with alot of bullshit and drama from my mom and Josh... and everyone else who wants to jump on that band wagon of giving ME a hard time!!  As usual, nothing I do is good enough.  Even though I am trying the best I can... doing all that I can.

I think last nite I experienced the beginnings of a nervous breakdown.  I am not really liking it... and I dont think my husband is either!!  It was a rough nite.  And I need to re evaluate my limits and boundaries... and make them a bit more known.  Because I seriously just cant handle this bullshit.  It isnt good for my heart or any other part of me!
I just cant take any more... and no one seems to care!!! 

I cant even get into any more of this right now... I am too ansy to continue blogging.  I will try again later.

Oh...on a positive note... we brought home 7 new bunnies last nite!!!  They are BEAUTIFUL!!

A good start!

I had a good start to my weekend!!
Last nite, I had a training class with Julie and Addie!!  It is soooo awesome to see all of the progress Addie is making.  Julie is doing a GREAT job with her!!  She is a completely different dog, from when I met her a few months ago!  I soooo love what I do!!

After training... Stacy took me out for a SMALL icee... My "reward" for making it through a stressful week.  An icee never tasted so damn good!!!  LOL!!
We stayed up watching TV kind of late... but I NEEDED the cuddle time.

This morning started off with a grooming appt.  Poor puppy... he needed!  He looked pretty cute when he left... but he has bald  patches from a skin condition.  So, I could only do so much.  I ended up spending quite a bit of time on him... and I think he really appreciated it!
I also had some time before he got picked up to try to make sense of my scheduling software!!  Now, if I could just figure out how to get my shop name to print on the top of the receipts... I will be pretty happy!

I had time to print my wine bottle labels today too... and put them on.

Stacy is making awesome progress on the side porch.  I am hoping we will be digging post holes before to long.  He is doing a GREAT job... It looks awesome!!!

I got my final parts for my newest 'creations'!!!  Cant wait to have some time to sit down and work on them!!! 

So... I am a happy camper!!!  Shop time makes me happy!!

Courtney is at her friends house for the day.  Brittany is getting ready to head to "Field of Screams" with one of her friends (yes, I know... she is afraid of EVERYTHING... not sure how she plans on handling this! LOL)  Nathan is home.

I guess I should go out and start pulling things out of the garden... since the SNOW... I think my pepper plants are finally DONE!  LMAO! 
I must say... I have been liking the bright, sunny weather we have had for a whole week now!!!  I am thinking that must be some sort of record.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!!