No words

Kanji: Sadness, Sorrow, Grief

Yesterday one of Robs best "kids" from work was killed as a result of a horrible motorcycle accident. He leaves behind a wife, who watched it all from the car behind him.

There just aren't words. I can not imagine being in her position. I don't have any idea what to do/say. I just want to be there for her in some way. That might be intrusive. My thoughts and prayers are definately with her today and for many more days in the future. Thankfully her parents live close and were there almost immediately.

Makes me stop and be truly grateful for all the blessings I have in my life right now. I am one lucky gal, and I need to remember that more often.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving y'all.

I hope that you are all able to count your blessings and enjoy the special time with friends and family.

Out of Surgery

We are back at home now from the gals oral surgery. Ghesh, nothing easy about that this morning. I am a planner, and when things vary from the plan I start to get a bit freaky. The plan A anesthesia did not work because the nurse could not get an IV started. So plan B was a shot, different drug and I definately prefer not to use that one ever again!

See, it causes comatose. Her eyes are acting weird, she has no bodily control and can not talk. Not what I was prepared for at all, not to mention the gal!! Complicate that by the surgeon wanting me to take her home like that and, well, just not good....

We've been home about an hour and a half and she is coming around. Some nausea but I had expected that. She is talking and moving which is a relief to say the least. She sure is a trooper and will be getting a very special trip to the Build-A-Bear workshop tomorrow after school.

Right now she is up in bed with Dad who decided to stay home and help me after he realized she was in no condition to be left alone for even a moment. Thanks sweetie pie!

I can't bring myself to take pictures, it just doesn't seem right. Here they are together on Vets day after her school assembly. Aren't they cuties!!??

Kitty to the grindstone

What would one do without kitty supervision? Chip, one of the 2 kitties we kept, was all about keeping me on task while working on the new place mats for Thanksgiving. I'd pull out the project and poof, there he was like magic or something! Maybe chip should be on Phenomenon
(It couldn't make that show any worse)

Speaking of that show...Did you see that trick with Ross's credit card? OMG, not that I watch that show or anything but that was WAY cool!




Anyway- the place mats were started on Sunday during football and they got nearly completed today. I still have to stitch closed the opening used to pull the fabric through. Isn't there are name for that hole? Interesting...I can't think of it.


Enjoy the pictures. I'll be moving on to Christmas place mats after I rebound with some scrap booking.

ETA: What in Sam Hill is up with the font in this post? It won't change to all be the same. Arg.....drives my perfectionist side CRAZY.

Carving Smiles

Last night was the boys pumpkin carving night at his new pre school. They got to dress up in their costumes and go make a filthy mess. It was great fun. I caught myself smiling a lot, which I might have forgotten how to do for awhile. Did I mention it was FUN!?

Yes, the boy has no hair after a nightmare haircut. Poor kid!
Mums the word, he doesn't know anythings different!

The boy, aka Murray Wiggle, wanted nothing to do with the goo inside the pumpkin. Eventually we got him to take some out with a spoon, and then what do ya know? The goo wasn't so bad after all and he was a sloppy mess like his sister, aka Ms. Veterinarian.

My gal is cute, but check out the cutie behind her!

In other great news, I am proud to announce that I have finished the Felt Stocking I was working on! I really like it, but have not decided who's it is yet. Since that was finished I have been working away on scrapbooking for the kiddos. I seem to binge every now and then and get quite a few pages done in a shorter amount of time.

I'd also like to take a minute the thank those of you who offered advice on the FIL situation. It really takes a lot to get comments when the post isn't cheery and happy, but you all came through for me and I appreciate that more than ya know! As of right now, it's a bit better and that is good enough for me. [hugs]

Hormones start at 7

Today was the gals 7th Birthday party. We were ready, had invited 5 girls, and thought that this was the year everything would go smoothly. Afraid not, someone always get left out. In this case it was the poor sport of the party that ended up in the corner crying and milking me for all I was worth. I'm exhausted. But what can you do?

I've decided I'm done planning parties. I'll throw a few for my son to make it even, then we are off to BK or Chuck-E-Cheese, or somewhere other than my home.

Here are some pictures of the good times.


There was also a Pinata, pin the tail on the Donkey and bracelet making. I have no pictures of those events though. Oh well.

Dear Abby

I really need some advice here folks, I'm at my whits end and feel like I am about to boil over. Advice is appreciated. Just a heads up, it's gonna be long and whiny.

Most of you know that my Father in Law lives with us. He moved in last November after being evicted from his Tucson AZ apartment. He called and beat around the bush about the problems, and I ended up telling him to come here and stay with us. The other option was to put him out on the street, not an option at all.

We sent him some gas money and he started the drive up after putting a few belongings in storage. After settling in and transferring his job we depleted our savings account, bought airfare and all the other expenses associated with moving. Add on several huge money surprises and we were broke. Anyway- he's been here for a year.

He's been working, and paying rent with just a little nudge until we moved. He and I talked about this move before hand. We discussed that this house was quite a bit more expensive and that this rent would go up quite a bit. We discussed transferring his job locally and after some conversations and meetings with the boss he said that it would all be fine.

Except it's not.

The transfer did not go through for whatever reason. We've been here 2, nearly 3 months and he has not paid rent. He does misc work for the landlords, but has never offered to work in exchange for rent, or a credit to our rent. He offers no money, blows all his money and then has the nerve to say that he is going to buy and Xbox for himself. In the next breath he mentions that he needs gas money to get to the $8 an hour job that he managed to get. ($8 part time doesn't even come close to his rent) Add to that the $300 hole he is in at the bank because he is writing rubber checks and you can see where the frustration is coming from I assume.

So that brings me to what to do about it....

I have no freaking clue what to do about it. The stress level is astronomically high here. Things between the Hub and I don't need to take another blow for another 7 or so years. We are already arguing about how to handle this situation. We both have no idea what to do. I can't put him out on the street, gosh sometimes I want to, but as a human, I can't. There is no where else for him to go. All the other family have "reasons" they can't help him.

Because of this we are dead broke. Stressful ass dead broke and he either doesn't get it or doesn't give a shit. We are at the point where I'm going to have to go back to work, which I don't want to do. I love being an at home Mom. I shouldn't have to be the one who has to make a sacrifice....at least I don't think so. I've made enough sacrifices turning our lives upside down trying to rescue him. It should be him that gives a shit enough to make sure he doesn't run his kid into the financial grave. ugh.

So I can talk to him about it, but I have no idea how I am going to stay ahead of my pissed off mouth. It can tend to get away from me at times. So yeah, I can talk to him and vent. He'll act like a teenager, not look at me and sulk. Worst case scenario is that he gets so stressed about it that he decides to do something that scares me to death to even think about....

I just don't know what to do about him anymore. We are definately between a rock and a hard place. I need your advice!!!

I'm tired of being his 5 star hotel, but there is no where else for him to go.....

What would you do?

It's 5:50 am, where are you?

I've been out chasing my naughty naughty horses since 4:45am.

Thank GOD Hub had to go into work very early this am.
Thank GOD that the knuckleheads hadn't made it to the road yet.
Thank GOD that they didn't bust the fence, just went through an "open" gate.
Thank GOD that they are both back where they belong.

I really need to learn how to rope. Watching Henry run and buck through the front yard was beautiful, but really at 5 am I'd rather rope you and go back to bed.

That's where I'm headed now.

Whew

First Day of Preschool

It is so quiet in this house right now. I can actually hear myself think, I can hear the heater blowing in the background. I can hear every key that I press on this key board....wow.

I walked in the door about 5 minutes ago from dropping little man off at his first day of preschool. What a big boy he is! No fear about it, just total excitement. As soon as I opened the van door to let him out of his car seat he said, "Okay, bye Mommy"

This is moving so fast. How do you be a stay at home Mom when there is no one here to "Mom" around?

Hum, I'll need a list, a to-do list to help me pass time.

1. Stitch the horse costume.
2. Create the Wiggles logo for halloween
3. Watch the horses. (Yes, I just like to watch them sometimes too)
4. Pick up boy for Lunch.

Alright, that should do it. Enjoy the picture of the proud Big Boy and his very cool Diego backpack! (argh, blogger is being grumpy, I'll post the pic later)

The Crafty side

Hi guys! I've been busy again. busy busy busy. But I have been bitten by the holiday craft bug and am well on my way to a handmade Christmas. (Gosh, I say that every year, but I still think it would be great!!)

First on the Craft list is a felt stocking for ME this year! Finally! I've been making these things for years now and every time I think that I can stitch my name up there someone else needs one. I love giving them though and there will be a need for an additional stocking this year as Hubs Grand mother will be joining us from Colorado. Alright, so maybe it's hers, dang nabbit.

Next on the list are some beautiful snow flakes found in this magazine. Many thanks to Sue for blogging about it! It's a must have this year for me as there are several projects that I just must make!

After that, I have an idea in mind for a quilted gift. My sewing machine and I have been on the outs and I'll need to see if it's willing to cooperate this time or not. A sewing machine that jams all the time is enough to send me to the sewing nut house!

There's just nothing like Holiday crafting for me, I love it and find it so relaxing to just sit and stitch or whatever.

You offer me a trail ride however, and I am out the door. No contest!

He's making progress, you should go check him out!

Henry's Home

Some funnies

I thought I'd do something quick today. Here are a couple things that have struck me funny in the last few days.

I can't get it any bigger, sorry.

**********************************************

Last night while in the living room watching TV, out of the blue I asked DD what she would think about moving to Texas after her Daddy retires from the Navy. She very calmly replied.

"No, cause we speak English Mom."

LOL

Another Meme

I found this Meme over at A Good Cup of Coffee which I found through Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. The Meme I did yesterday was fun so I thought I'd get this one out there too.

I tag Sue and Lucy. Have Fun!

Soup
Name 3 television shows you watch on a regular basis.

1. One Life to Live

2. Grey's Anatomy

3. Sunday Football

Salad
What’s the scariest weather situation you’ve experienced?

When I was stationed in Oklahoma there was a huge tornado that came through when I was on leave. I got called back to find virtually nothing left. On the medic side of it there were 2x4's in peoples legs, we gave tetanus shots out like crazy. Life wasn't the same for a long long time.

Main Course
If you could wake up tomorrow morning in another country, where would you want to be?

Ireland...I have always wanted to go there.

Dessert
What do you usually wear to sleep?

Lately sweats and a t shirt. It's getting cold here at night!!

el numero dos

Sue, over at Good Yarns mentioned I might do this Meme. Guess what? She knows me pretty well!! Thanks for remembering me Sue, it would have been a very boring night with out a Meme!


JUST TWO THINGS

Two Names You Go By:
1. Christy
2. Baby

Two Things you are wearing right now:
1. Sweats
2. band-aid

Two Things you would want (or have) in a relationship:
1. soul mate
2. humor

Two Things you like to do:
1. Bake
2. Play with the horses

Two Things you want very badly at this moment:
1. Van repairs, for free. :)
2. water...I'll be right back.

Two Things you did last night:
1. Made a meatloaf from a new yummy recipe.
2. Watched Grey's Anatomy

Two Things you ate today:
1. Chicken
2. 3 Milano cookies. YUM!

Two People you spoke last to:
1. The Hub
2. The Boy

Two Things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Working on the current craft
2. Hanging out with the horses.

Two Longest car rides:
1.Virginia to Washington
2. Washington to Virginia (done it 3 times!!)

Two Favorite holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Turkey Day!

Two Favorite beverages:
1. Mocha no whip
2. Water

Two Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Medic, USAF
2. Wife/Mom

Two Movies I would watch over and over:
1. Ever After
2. Open Range, Young Guns. Westerns.

Two Places I have lived:
1. Washington
2. Texas

Two of My Favorite foods:
1. Doritos
2. Mexican rice

Two Places I'd rather be right now:
1. That spa Hub took me too.
2. On a trail ride.

Two People I think will do this meme:
1.Mom
2.Tracey

Car trouble and a handy helper

So we headed out to leave for little mans testing yesterday afternoon and guess what happened? The MFing car wouldn't start. How can that happen on such an important day?? It's just my luck I suppose.

The battery has been dying regularly recently and it's caused all kinds of problems for us. We need a new one obviously, but the timing for that is horrible.

I popped the hood and went inside to call Hub and the appointment to let them know. I came back outside to find this.

Little man trying to jump the van with his big boy bike. HOW CUTE!!!



I had placed the jumper cables there before I went in, but still. Way to precious! He was saying "I fix cah mommy"

This kid just surprises me everyday!

We made the appointment, we were late, but we made it. I'm glad I stuck with it, I was ready to reschedule and not deal with it but it turned out alright.

Little man had fun playing with the teacher while I talked to the Lady in the other room. When the speech therapist emerged my kid was glued to her and she was obviously fond of him too. She mentioned that she understood next to nothing of what he was saying but that his personality was so great. That's my boy!!!

We know he qualifies for the speech, I knew that all along. I suspect he will get other services also that will help him with the everyday aspects of life. I'm so proud of him!! And proud of me for not being reduced to a pile of tears on a particularly hard day.

Testing 1...2...

This morning is a huge day for us. Little man goes in for the school districts version of all the testing required to get him into speech therapy again and all the other services he needs.

The testing is BS. He was tested in July back before we moved. This is just their attempt to try and not qualify him so that they don't have to make room for him.

I just pray I have the right words to stand up to them, to tell them that they are wrong. I need the courage to stand my ground and demand the services that I know as his mother he needs.

I just don't want to wade through all the bull shit to get there.

I better go get my mud boots on.

Wish us luck!

Kitties

Remember when I posted about Fostering the Kitties? Remember how I said it was their policy that you could not adopt one, or um, 2? I swear I was telling the truth. Those softies changed the rules on me and now look what happened....


We are now a home to 5 humans, 2 horses, 1 dog and 3 CATS.

Holy crap!

But they sure are cute, and the kids love em. And they make Hub and I laugh hysterically with all the kitten stuff they do. Serves me right. No more fostering animals. period.

Unless however you have a horse that needs me......

nope, nope, can't do that either......

bummer.

Bored

I'm bored. b.o.r.e.d

Hubby has duty tonight, he won't be home until tomorrow.

The kids are playing nicely together (wow) I don't want to go in there and jinx that.

I can't find the card reader for the computer to share new pics with you, that has really bummed me out.

I think I've reached the end of the internet. It's all blah now.

I might just have to go clean something. That's a drag.

Hum maybe I'll blast some Keith Urban from the computer and clean while I drink a nice cold beer....

Cleaning it is.

Cya!

Keith, sexy sexy Keith!!

Oh wow! I am reaping in the after glow of a fabulous concert we attended on Saturday night. Keith Urban was in town, and I thought it might be something fun for the Hub and I to do. I got the tickets off of Ebay about a month ago, the tickets had been sold out for quite awhile so I was lucky to find some that were reasonably priced. We had Mom come over for the weekend to watch the kiddos and allow us to be comfortable enough to travel up to Seattle and not worry our brains out. Thanks Mom!

We stopped in for dinner on the way up and had a nice chat. It's amazing what you have stock piled up in your brain to talk about but can't for one reason or another. You sit down and it's quiet and you (well, I) just start flapping my gums with all the crap I have been thinking/pondering/wondering etc. Poor guy. We had some great conversation. I just can't tell you how happy I am to have the love of my life back with me. I am feeling pretty whole again.

So from dinner we headed up to the Seattle Center and after a minor parking snafu we found a place that was free. Free is good! The walk was not bad either. How is it that we lived in Seattle for nearly 2 years and we didn't know all the fun stuff that Seattle Center had to offer? There is a carnival that is there permanently I think. There is also this fabulous fountain that you MUST come see if you are in the area! It's so nice to watch and it likes to play tricks on the kids who run up to it. We sat and watched with the crowd and oohed and aahed with each change in the pattern.

Anyway- We made our way in and found our seats. PERFECT SEATS!! I can't believe how lucky we got! We were in the first level off the ground, dead center, and could see everything! Well we could see everything when the ladies in front of us weren't standing....

Here's an interesting experience. Our seats were right next to a pair of women who were, hum, overflowing....lets leave it at that. I took the seat next to them to avoid making Hub uncomfortable. While waiting through the opening act I thought I was being, um you know, rubbed on my shoulder, by her....I'm sure the look on my face was priceless when I turned to Hub and asked "Please tell me that's you" Thank Goodness!

So I told you that one to set you up for this one. Looking back it's rather funny. Right before Keith started, the lights were off etc, A man and wife were entering the aisle. The man trying to maneuver his way around the overflowing lady nearly lost his balance. Somehow in order to regain his balance and avoid falling backwards into the stands below he reached out and grabbed his only life line, my left tit. Yes folks, I was molested at the Keith Urban concert. It wasn't just a quick grab either. He held on until he had regained his balance and started moving once again toward his seat. I was in shock, and I am sure that he realized where his hand was as he was moving past and releasing his grasp he whispered an "I'm sorry". EEEEWWWWW. I had to have the Hub give me a squeeze so that I wasn't feeling the mystery mans grope the whole night..

Gosh, this is long. I hope you are still reading. I'll just end with this. The concert was amazing. Keith plays an awesome electric guitar and just goes to town between songs. He also is astoundingly HOT!!!

Sorry to keep you. I make sure the next one is short to make it up.

I told ya so

I said I would, so here I am. I'm blogging. Imagine that! Let me first tell you that the Hub is home safe and sound from the ship. It was so nice to see him and know that most of this stress is over. We are so glad to have him back!

Secondly, we have gone through some MAJOR changes recently. Huge, major changes. Changes that have kept me away from my computer at night. Things that have boggled my brain and stressed me out, tested me on all sorts of levels. I made it. We made it and we are alive and breathing. Thank the good Lord for that!

This biggest change is that we have moved. I happened upon a rental ad on Craigslist and called. No particular reason to call, but the thought of moving had been on my mind to get closer to Hubs new job. Everything about this home turned out to be perfect. You know when it's meant to be all the energy just lines up and falls right into place? (Mom will love that line!) Everything went fairly smoothly, if I do say so myself. I'm pretty proud of me that I made it through!

This house is our dream home. It is like going from the Motel 6 to a 5 star luxury hotel. We are about 1/4 mile from the road on a beautiful winding driveway, there is aprox 15 acres of quietness, room for the horses, it just goes on and on. The house is huge, it looks rather empty right now. I am so happy here! There is a HUGE jetted tub in the master bath that I swear I could live in. Luxury.....yum.

So anyway- we moved before Hub returned from deployment, and in hindsight I am glad we did. He didn't need to return home too all that stress. Living here means actually getting to see him on weekdays and no long lingering trips to the barn. We are the barn right here, and that is super! The little gal will miss her horse lessons there but I hope to hire someone to coach her along once we are a little more settled.

So we are here and getting settled. Life is starting to calm back down and I am really missing my connection with my bloggy friends. I miss the crochet group and hope to be back involved with that again soon, but I miss reading and commenting and sharing the laughs with all of you.

Drop a line, say Hi. I'll be back with the rest of the news soon. I hope soon means tomorrow, but ya never know. Here are some pictures of us at the local carnival recently. We all had a blast!!

*Everyone wave at the camera*

*The bouncy cars were a big hit!*
*This little lady is a dare devil!*

Gonna Do it......

I really am. I'm gonna blog tonight after the kids are asleep. Aren't you so excited?!?

Now I need to go figure out where to start. Hum...