6 Random things about me and the hubs...

What could I possibly tell you about me and the hubs that most don't already know?!
I will give it a try.

Me:
I crochet... alot! I currently have 7 projects going at once. My office is covered in piles of yarn, projects and patterns... to the point of "Don't touch it or it will cause an avalanche!"  And here yall thought I was sooo organized! LOL!

Hubby:
He has fallen hard for this new kitten in our lives. He checks to see where she is, how shes doing, even wants to be updated on her litter box success's. I get what he is going through, she's got me wrapped around her sharp little claws too. After all we have gone through trying to keep the kittens alive and only having one survive, we are both constantly monitoring her progress. But I find it funny to watch this gruff and tough man get mushy with the fur babies.

Me:
Between work (crochet), raising kittens for the last 6 weeks (3 hour feedings, litter training..ect) and fighting to get ANY moment of sleep that I could, my house and yard have sorely suffered! Seriously, I feel like different folks live here, like a lazy alien has taken over my body. The weeds in the dog pen are taller than the dogs... where is Taco? See those weeds moving, that might be him. LOL!

Hubby:
I asked hubby if he put the little tiny check (rained out week) in the bank.
Hubby... No, it's in my wallet. I decided to donate to the cause.
Me... what cause?
Hubby... the "cause" my wallet was broke.
LMAO!!!

Me:
I have gained 10 pounds in a year! I have been anywhere between 210 to 216 most of the last10 years. I stepped on the scales a few weeks ago and wham, a whopping 225! Crocheting is fun, creating is fun, getting paid for it is even funner but gaining weight while doing it is not in my definition of fun! Lets blame it on the ice cream! LOL!

Hubby:
The Salmon vs Samon.
I have always pronounce it with the L, hubby does it with a silent L. Whatever! Potato, po tah to. Tomato, to mah to.  He KNOWS what I am saying, been saying it that way all my life. Suddenly now he decides that it is something to mess with me about. Vigorously and with rolling out of his chair laughter! The dude is gonna get hurt if not by me then by falling from the laughter! One way or another, it's gonna happen!  

My December... Days 6-11

I know, I know...I am soo far behind. It has been one crazy week with dad in the hospital for nearly 4 days and as soon as he gets home my mom ends up in the hospital and still is. Hoping she gets to come home tomorrow.

Soo, lets see where I left off...

Day 6... Shopping. Well first let me point out that I am not a big shopper. I very rarely go shopping just for the heck of it. When I do go, I tend to have a list of exactly what I am there for and I get in and out as quickly as I can, I don't linger or browse. I don't like to walk around and dream of having this or that, especially knowing it is not in the budget and probably never will. I have learned over the decades that most of what I would ohh and ahh over is really stuff I don't even need and probably will never or hardly ever use.

I did however do some shopping online last weekend. Hubby got some new work coveralls and i got 2 new patterns! LOL! All practical items, no frivolous stuff for us.

Day 7... Bright. I am not too bright. LOL!! Sorry it was the first thing that came to mind. I do try to keep my mind fresh and challenge it from time to time but the ever mounting evidence that my hubby keeps stored in his brain proves that there are numerous times that I am just not to bright. This is not to put myself down, I am fully aware and hilariously amused by my "out there" moves.

Day 8...Ornaments. I wanted to make my own ornament for our tree this year and even found some great patterns but I'm just a wee bit lazy. Naw, just kidding. I am so busy with orders I haven't even managed to get the tree up and decorated.

Day 9...READ??? Does patterns count? LMAO!

Day 10... Wrapping paper. This is soo sad. I used to have soo much wrapping paper it would take me years to use it all. My sis was wanting some Christmas supplies and I gave her all that I had. I made my grandkids some presents and couldn't even wrap them! That is sad!

Day 11... Green.

♪ Well the green outside is dying.
The Kitties are all crying.
It's soo cold , it's soo cold, it's soo cold. ♫



 

Me doing Electronics

So since we have practically stopped smoking (compared to what we used to smoke), we now have a bit more money available to us. We have been with out a VCR for a very long time (and have hundreds of tapes) and have been using the portable DVD player that is supposed to be in hubby's truck to watch any movies. Those long waits while waiting in line to get unloaded can very boring, so he really needs it back in his truck. I took the little extra money we had accumulated and bought us a VCR/DVD player! Yeah for us! But I let it set there in the box for nearly 2 weeks. hahaha


 Today while talking on the phone with mom I decided to get it out of the box and see if I could hook it up. I don't know why messing with things like that intimidated me so but they do...ALOT! Mom is still on the phone and I am getting a little frustrated because I did it just like the diagram said to do it and it is still not working. She says...Who are you talking to? Me? The mom who can't even figure out how to use her computer? I think you need to talk to your father AND promptly hands the phone to dad! I can hear Dad bellowing in the background.. What? Talk to her, Heather is having trouble hooking up her VCR. (Daddy's happy zone is talking electronics) I tell daddy what all I did and he tells me to move the yellow, red and white wires. Still nothing was happening, I put in a movie, made sure the tv was on the right channel and still nothing. I had my face down in front of the VCR and said...hmmm maybe this would help. Daddy says what and I busted out laughing and snorting!

AND yes it did help and I was still laughing when I told daddy what I did....he hung up on me!

Always remember to push the POWER button! LMAO!!!!!

Her Puppet Masters...

Sitting here drinking my coffee and going through my emails (it's been awhile). I get the weekly newsletter from Mama's Losing It, delivering the prompts for the Writer's Workshop for the week. As you must know already I haven't participated in some time. Anyway I got to last weeks prompts and the vlog option was "Show what a typical day looks like at your house". This tickled my funny bone pretty good. I started envisioning myself sitting down to watch the most boring movie ever! LOL!

She was wakened by a snorting/sneezing dog that was trying to tell her it is time to get your lazy bum up and let me out. She throws back the covers, slips on her slippers and lets all dogs out while keeping an watchful eye on the escape artist cat. She gets her coffee, puts it in the micro, gives the cats their treats and goes to the bathroom. She retrieves her hot coffee, looks over at the computer and tells herself "Stupid! You left the computer on all night". She fixes up her coffee with cream and sugar, steals a sip and puts it down.

Grabs a glass of water and a scoop of cat food. Opens the front door to watch all the kitties come a running. She feeds and waters them and sitently counts to make sure none are missing. Momma and 1,2,3,4,5. Humm, where's the daddy? Oh well, he'll show up.

Back in the house she grabs her coffee and sits down at the computer, time to see what is going on in the world and with my friends. She briefly glances over Facebook. Stitch barks that he wants back in, she waits for all three to come in but of course Taco has to be a little subborn and says no by laying there and ignoring the opened door. She comes back to the computer only to be summoned back to the door just a few short minutes later. False alarm, Tacos just barking for the sake of barking. Again he fools me for a second time, on the third time she forces him to come in so she can stop this merry go round.

Back in front of the computer in her swivel chair. She gets snorted/sneezed at by one dog and whined at by another. She swivels around and asks WHAT? Three beds for three dogs there shouldn't be a problem. Ohh, I see. Tacos bed is occupied by a cat and Stitch wants covers. She fixes the problems and returns to her browsing.

Now that the cat has been awakened and removed from said basket, he needs someone to pick on in his grouchy mood. He picks a fight with Peachy, who was fast asleep in her own basket. This morning is not quite going off without a hitch! She rubs her face in aggervation and heads outside to water the plants.

Anything to get away from being the puppet to the puppet masters. They pull her strings and move her along through another day, but sometimes they try to pull those strings just a little to tight and taunt. This just happens to be one of those mornings.

Lets see if another cup of coffee fixes anything!
If this was a movie, it really would be boring. That was two hours of my morning. Sitting here writing this and doing the same chores I do every morning. The cat fight was not a typical thing but does happen at least twice a week! LOL!

Now it is time to get on the phone and do my daily phone calls to mom and bf. Then it will be time to get some crocheting done before the heat picks up to a miserable 100 degrees.

Tagged

So here I was blissfully hiding in the shadows and crocheting my life away, totalling ignoring my responsibility to my blog and all the lovely peeps that have been so kind to continue with me through my wishy-washy way of blogging. I was suddenly reminded (kicked in the butt) of certain peoples loyalty and was slapped with a tagging. LOL! My dear friend Spot has been reading my occasional posts and has been a true blue friend on facebook. She is all up to date on how much time I have been spending with my hook and yarn and decided it was high time I focused on something else, hence the tagging. LOL! Isn't she just the sweetest! Seriously, I really do need the break.♥♥

So lets see...where did I put those questions. Hold on, still looking...Ah, found them!

#1...If you could go back in time and relive a moment, what moment would it be?
Okay I have thought long and hard about this one and it has to be this...
Hubby and I had gone to visit my grandparents in Florida. Nana lived with them and was sitting in her chair crocheting..blind. I sat down on the floor in front of her chair and watched. Then she proceeded to teach me a particular crochet stitch. It was the first time I ever had the chance to really be close to her and feel that bond of learning something from my Nana in something that we both enjoyed doing.

#2...If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?
I'm not really sure there is anything that I would change cause that would alter the reality I live in and also alter me. There are things that I regret but in all of those things were a lesson learned. If I was to change the outcome of things, then I would have changed to lesson I got from it. Although...I could stand to go back and change that hairdo I was sporting in the eighties! LOL!

#3...What movie/tv character do you most resemble in personality?
I would have to say this would be a mixture of Ma Ingalls or Ma Walton. Very down to earth and strong, tough and at times even rugged and yet the homemaker with heart.

#4...If you could push one person off a cliff and get away with it, who would it be?
Wow what a question! I'm sorry to say, but I don't have anyone that I hate that much to end their life just for my satisfaction. Now if you had asked me that question back in my teens or early twenties I might have been able to come up with an answer. Thankfully I learnt that if you really dislike someone that much and can't get past it, it's best to stay away from them for both of your sakes.

#5...Name one habit you want to change in yourself?
Just one? Hummm...Give me a minute! I'm thinking...
Balance. I have a really bad habit of not being able to balance more than one thing at a time. Blogging, crocheting, photography, sewing... so on and so on. I wish I had more balance in my life to accommodate all of my loves, everyday.

#6...Describe yourself in one word.
I can't do it. I am a woman of many words. Lets just say I am a 50's housewife with a slight twist of modern. I am my grandmother.

#7...Describe the person who named you in this meme, in one word.
♥♥Friend♥♥

#8...Why do you blog?
For many reasons...To have a record of my life, to have a place to get it all out(vent), to have a place to keep family and friends up to date.

Now here is the part that everyone dreads..Hahaha (evil laugh)!
I am to name some folks to bestow this on. This might be harder than I realised considering my lack of blogging has lost me alot of readers. So in my good person fashion, I am NOT going to tag. I'm a meanie arent I?! You was soo looking forward to getting your name called out, weren't you? LOL!

Instead I will just direct you to some of my favorite peeps.
Tink
Suzicate
Peg
Angelia
Grace
MrsBear
Sprite's Keeper
Carol
Consider yourself tagged if you really want to be.

Update with a little rant...

So as you have noticed I have been MIA from blogging. What can I say..I'm a slacker! I guess I'm not really good at multi-tasking. It's either blogging, chatting on the phone, facebooking, photography or crotcheting. One or the other, but never all at once. Sad I know, but that is just how things roll with me. If I am crotcheting (which I have been..ALOT) there just isn't much time left for anything else.

AND of course my friggin dial-up takes friggin forever to load a pic! Every pic I take I have to go and downsize just to get it to load (either here or on facebook) in 20 minutes! Drives me INSANE! If I leave it as it is, it takes 35 minutes or wont load at all...error is becoming way too common on my computer. Anyway, just incase you were wondering... what happened to that girl? I am increasingly getting frustrated with dial-up and of course I have to live in the freaking twlight zone where no satalite can reach! Can ya tell I'm losing it?! Do I feel better now...naw, not really.

So another year of my life has gone and passed by. I woke up on my birthday and looked in the mirror (by accident) and HOLY SMOLY, where the heck did those wrinkles come from?! I swear I instantly looked older! Naw, what it really was was I had had four teeth pulled a week ago and the swelling just suddenly went down and left my mouth a little sunken in...thus a new line on my face! Just what I needed ON my birthday! LOL! Cruel fate.

All them pretty little kittens (wow, look at all them T's) on my front porch are driving me nuts! They are cute and all but for the life of me I can't seem to find them homes. At one point I thought I had all but one spoken for and suddenly everyone bailed on me. Not one person has actually come and gotten one, lots of interest and promises, but alas they are all five still here. I am going though what used to be a months worth of cat food in a week! Oh and apparently word got around that this was the house to get food at cause earlier today I had to chase off two other cats and the neighbors little dog. It's bad enough I am feeding three adult cats and five kittens, I don't need the whole neighborhood thinking I am giving away free food!

Well after sitting here and rereading what I have written...I have come to the conclution that I seriously need to get out of the house! I NEED to find something to do other than sit on my duff all day. BUT of course leaving the house always ends up costing money, particularly gasoline. Sigh.

I guess I better go to bed before I either have a freak out or a meltdown. Tomorrow will be better, it has plans. Thank goodness the weekend always yeilds something to do.

Sorry if this turned into a pity party. Just one of those days that seems to weigh heavy.

Design Decisions!

I have been on a mission to find a decent design for address labels. Weird thing to be focused on, I know.
Here are the reasons why.

We get address labels in the mail all the time. Some are cute and some are awful, but most all only have the hubs name on them or the ones with my name say "Miss", like the hubs fell off the face of the earth or something. In some instances, this just will not do. Say I want to send my bf a letter or card, when she gets the mail first thing she sees is that my hubs sent her something. Yeah I know she knows it's from me, but it sure would be nice to have my own label so there is no guess work. Another example would be both of us sending something and of course it only says it's from him.

I'm goofy like that, I want things to be right and proper. I guess the only way to do that is to make some myself. Vista Print here I come! Seriously I really like that website.

Sooo after browsing through over 2000 designs I have 78 saved to figure out which ones best suit "Me". I'll work on the "Us" ones later. I have managed to downsize that number to 10, but can't make up my mind. I figure yall know me pretty well though the designs I have had on my blog and through the pics I take, so maybe yall could tell me which one you like best or thinks suits me best.

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
I would really appreciate some help from my friends. Thanks in advance! Decisions!

New Glasses

So as you know I have been a little off lately with headaches and dizziness and I pretty much limited my computer activities to Facebook only. A quick on and right back off again. I did do some research into my symptoms and concluded it was a vision problem.

Well that figures since I haven't been wearing my glasses for some time cause I broke them for the third time in the same spot. The area is soo full of super glue that it wont even go together any more. Soo they have been sitting in the desk drawer for months. Occasionally I would try to wear them with one bow but that is a little difficult with them sitting on my face crooked!

I finally checked the books and figured a eye exam was possible, then I was reminded we had to get propane for the winter. While in my debate as to what would get done cause both wasn't possible, I was reminded that I would need my eye sight to light the pilot light! Yeah makes sense! The propane would just have to wait.

I went to the store and on the way home I went the back way, which came out right next to the convenience store. I quickly pulled in. I had quit going to convenience stores cause it was too easy to fall into the trap of scratch off tickets, the money guzzling wastes of paper. I had conquered that addiction two years ago and avoid the convenience stores like the plague. Well the back slider that I am, I went in and bought a $5 ticket and won $100. Woohoo! (No worries I won't be falling back into the trap) Now I have the money for both items!!

Yesterday was the big day, the eye exam. I was curious as to how much different my eyes are now compared to how they were 6 years ago, but apparently they don't keep the records of folks that don't come on a regular yearly basis. I have no clue what my script was back then. This time I was informed that my script called for bifocals, but the doc said they were optional at this point. Yikes! Seriously? When the heck did I get old enough for bifocals? Thankfully I learnt that the bifocal part would be a non script section in the lens, with the script in the upper portion.

As finances as they are I opted out of getting them. I kinda wish I hadn't but oh well I had to do what I had to do. The doc said all I would have to do is remove my glasses when I was reading or something was right in front of me, but definitely need them for driving or anything some distance away. The problem already has risen from not having them. To crochet in my lap and try to look up at the tv occasionally is not working. With my glasses the tv looks great, but with them crocheting looks weird.

Looks like I'm going to have to work on saving some more so I can go ahead and get them. Sigh. I had turned grey, produced a colony of wrinkles and gone snaggle-toothed, so why not just go all the way and add on some bifocals. How many more steps till I am officially considered "falling apart"? LOL!!

Taking some time for the Special Olympics.

So your probably wondering what happened, where have I been, what have I been up too?

What happened...Well first I got sick but was still trying to stay with it. The lingering dizziness and fatigue that is still here, but has eased up a little, have really taken its toll on me body and mind. If you feel neglected, you should see my house! Hubby has done the dishes for me many times since this thing set in. Bless his heart!

Where have I been...Well I'm embarrassed to say I have been right here, hiding in the cloud of a mindless woman. Okay that was stretching the truth, but it was like that at first. I guess you could say I detached myself from blogger, not literally but mentally. I know it's not fair to yall for me to be soo neglectful, it wasn't intentional,, it just evolved it to a blah. Matter of a fact all my Internet experiences of late have been a blah. Does that mean I am done with blogging? No, it just means it's a little slow around here in this old brain of mine. Maybe I will slow down for now, hubby has been very happy to have lots of my attention and it's been good for me too.

What have I been up to?...Crocheting! Yeah it is finally in the temps of crocheting weather. It is a passion that definitely interferes with blog reading or creating, very difficult to crochet and blog at the same time, well at least for me it is.

My perfect model
I finished up some unfinished projects and went looking for yarn on ebay, when I couldn't find what color I was looking for I went to the Red Heart site. My world changed for that one decision. Up at the top of their site is a "Follow us on Facebook" button. I did that! Then I learnt of the Special Olympics Scarf Project. The details are here, just in case your interested as much as I am. I even got my bf to get busy with some scarfs and trying to talk the old man at our local craft store to put up flyers.

My current work with the Special Olympics colors
It's funny..last year I pretty much skipped crocheting season and this year I can barely put it down. I am having a lot of fun, knowing some of my work is for such a good cause doesn't hurt.

The scarf I sold
Oh and I posted my finished work on the Read Heart Yarn Facebook page and sold my first scarf! I guess you could say that motivates me even more to get the most out of this season as I can. I also signed myself up for the next available knitting classes here in my local town, that should be interesting.

Hope yall wont miss me too much, but I'll still be around just not as often. Okay soo back to work I go!

First Memorable Sunburn

Searching through the last few writing prompts from the Writer's Workshop, looking for something to activate my brain.

"It was a bad burn. Tell about the worst sunburn you ever received. How did that happen!?!"

Well this one could work but I'm going to change it a little. I'm going to tell you of the first sunburn I remember getting.

I was 11 years old and we were having a yard sale. We were preparing for our journey across the world. (Well that is how it felt at the time!) We was headed to the wasteland of Texas. From what I had see in the westerns on the tv, it was a land of desert with no trees and mirages of water. I was scared, worried and very much in protest, not just in words but in actions too.

I was told that I had to down size all my belonging to ONE small suitcase. We was selling everything for money for the trip. I mean everything, from clothes to toys to beds. I trudged around in a sour face at every purchase that was made of my things. It was bad enough that I was being taken from my friends, grandparents and even my cat, but to have to watch these strangers walk off with my treasured toys was unbearable. Everything that I forced into my suitcase was at least safe.

I was dressed in a girls undershirt and a skirt. For those of you who have no clue what a girls undershirt is Except mine had lace around the edging, with a little bow at the neckline. Not much different than today's regular shirts.

My dad was yelling at me to go get a shirt on and I was being all rebellious and refused. (What it really was.. I didn't want to let my parents see what I was keeping in fear that they would decided I had to get rid of it.) I guess he got tired of fighting with me, cause I wore that undershirt all day with nothing else on top of it.

The next morning when I woke up my skin was tight and when I tried to move the pain crept in. Yup I had a sunburn on my arms, shoulders, neck and face. I was scared and yet fascinated. I keep remembering me standing in front of the mirror checking it out and touching it, watching the flesh go from red to white and back to red with each touch.

Of course my mothers cure for all things was Epsom salt and Calamine Lotion. So after soaking in a bath of grainy salt, I was lathered up in pink! I was not a pink kinda girl, so you can imagine the horror!

Guess I should have listened to my dads yelling and went and put a shirt on! LOL!

Little did I know, I was moving to the kingdom of many many sunburns!

I’ve come to realize...

I was tagged by Angelia over at Living, Loving, Laughing to reveal even more about myself. Eventually yall are going to know me better than I know myself! Good for me to have a record to go back to and say "You really said that?! What were you thinking?!" Hahaha, just kidding, maybe...

Sooo here we go:


1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size… hurts my back.

2. I’ve come to realize that my job… is let dogs out, let dogs in.

3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving… is the only time I listen to music.

4. I’ve come to realize that I need… to accept the things I cannot change and change the things I can.

5. I’ve come to realize that I have lost… my will power to the delicious, crunchiness and saltiness of Tostitos.

6. I’ve come to realize that I hate… not having any wheels, to be able to just get up and go whenever and where ever I want to or need to.

7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk… then I must have broken my sobriety and I must have robbed the rent money to do it.

8. I’ve come to realize that money… should fall from the sky above my house for at least ten minutes. Please please pretty please!

9. I’ve come to realize that certain people… will never truly understand me and I'm cool with that.

10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always… be a dreamer.

11. I’ve come to realize that my sibling(s)… are the folks I talk to the most.

12. I’ve come to realize that my mom… is actually a person and not just mom, a friend I never knew I could have.

13. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone… wants me to add more minutes, even though I still have over a thousand minutes left. It is money hungry!

14. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning… my feet actually had to fit the floor to be considered awake.

15. I’ve come to realize that my first love is… happily married to someone else, thank goodness.

16. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking about… whether or not I need to make hubby's lunch, he might work today and he might not cause of the rain.

17. I’ve come to realize that my dad… is a great father but has recently shocked me at how he is as a husband. I never noticed his ways as a kid, but as a grown woman, if I had picked someone exactly like him, he would be...Lets just say I don't know how my mom deals with it.

18. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook… it is only to check status's, messages and comments.

19. I’ve come to realize that today… I really need to stop getting so worked up over miscommunication and misunderstandings on subjects I know better than to talk about. Certain subjects just really set me off and I try to avoid them.

20. I’ve come to realize that my best friend(s)… are some of the strongest women I know.

21. I’ve come to realize that my spouse… is my world and I am blessed to have him.

22. I’ve come to realize that I really want to… be more, do more, live more.

23. I’ve come to realize that life… is not just for humans, there is plant life and animal life too.

24. I’ve come to realize that this weekend… we will be looking into seeing about what is wrong with my truck.

25. I’ve come to realize that next weekend… will be grocery shopping, Nascar and relaxation. As it is most every weekend.

26.I’ve come to realize that my (step)children… are very dear to me and I wish we could all be closer in heart.

27. I’ve come to realize that when life gives you lemons… squeeze them on a fish fillet and enjoy.

Wanna play?

You know you want to!

Feel free to join in!

Twenty-Five Things You Didn't Want To Know

Six days ago I saw that Nancy over at f8hasit got tagged and was passing it along. I scrolled down to see who the lucky winners were. Most were my friends and I must say I was relieved to NOT see my name. I had just spent numerous hours doing my awards and tagging show, I wasn't ready to do another so soon.

Three days ago Suzicate over at The Water Witch's Daughter thought it was worth my time to reavel 25 things about myself that you DIDN"T want to know. Well after waiting and mulling it over and not really having anything else going on here lately, I decided to cave in...I'm just easy like that.

1) Sometimes I forget the laundry in the dryer








2) I am never caught up on my Reader list.
3) I very rarely ever have all ten fingernails long at the same time.
4) I panic every Friday that my caculations for hubby's paycheck are right and what I can pay with it.
5) I have a drawer in my desk that has tissues, Tums, aspirin and other meds in it








6) I have extremely bad teeth, self inflicted of course. Dr. Soosie please don't yell at me! I haven't the money nor the insurance.
7) I am FAT! 5'7" 210 lbs with thunder thighs and saddle bags, heck who am I kidding! I'm big all over! I lost 12 pounds but still haven't lost anymore in about 6 weeks.
8) I am a organized person who always has something that needs to be organized, but just never seems to get done.
9) two tsp sugar, two tsp creamer in my regular plain old Maxwell house! No fancy smancy stuff in my coffee.
10) I went to the thrift store teusday and bought two purses I didn't need








11) I hate a corner of my kitchen, it is dark and useless. Drives me insane!
12) My brain goes on vacation every minute or so. Makes it real hard to focus and that is why it takes me so long to read blogs and write them too. I can write and then suddenly I am picking at my nails, twirling my ring or playing thumb war with myself. Oh yeah, back to writing...
13) Shocker...I only make my bed when I have just put fresh sheets on it.
14) I like to make a salad with Green Leaf lettuce, tomato, red bell pepper, red (purple) cabbage, shredded cheese, creamy Ceaser dressing, 2 chicken strips (cut up) and sunflower seeds.
15) I don't always put the previous days dishes away until I am ready to wash in the evenings








16) I'm sitting here telling myself..Come on Heather, think! I do that a lot!
17) I run my hand through my hair all the time. When it is longer I tend to twirl it around my fingers.
18) I usually have a stash of sunflower seeds in my drawer here at the computer. Sadly I don't have any, budget was super tight this week.
19) It's freakin midnight and I'm still not done with this post, I've been at it since 9 pm!!!
20) I have really dark circles under my eyes








21) If I get a pimple on my face, I practically have to sit on my hands to keep myself from messing with it. Hubby is always catching me and yells "Fingers!"
22) If you offer me a choice between something sweet or something salty, I will pick the salty everytime. I would take a bowl of salty popcorn over a candy bar any day!
23) I am currently frustrated with hubby for not being willing to hook up the VCR for me.
24) Swivling in my chair, trying to think of one more...I once bought a large bag of 500 chocolate milk bottle tops from my grandfathers family dairy. Still don't know what I'm going to do with them.
25) Note the dot on top of the oval box, I haven't dusted in the bathroom in awhile








Suzicate tagged 10 people but I think I'm only going to tag 3, since I just did the awards and tagging last week.

1) Morgan Madness
2) The Testostrone Three and Me
3) The Katz Cradle

Milestone and Awards

Time sure is flying by. 200th post and I haven't a clue what they were all about. Some were stupid, some were silly and then there were the occasional serious ones. I wish I could write deep, profound and meaningful posts for ya, but hey what ya see is what ya get! I'm brash, hard, silly, goofy and nuts! AND in all of that I am a big procrastinator (or maybe a FREE SPIRIT, yeah I like that better)!

My dear and precious friends have bleed their hearts and have tagged and awarded me. What do I do? I keep the pic in my little awards folder and let it sit there. I'm no good folks! I love the fact that I even cross yall's mind and yet I let you sit there and leave ya hanging. The guilt has been tormenting, but not enough to dig them out. Yes, I do need a kick in the pants! Thanks for asking.

Every time I see that awards folder, I reproached myself for not having done some of them yet. Two days ago I realized I was approaching this 200th post milestone and I had to yell at myself. No more excuse Heather, now is the time! Get'er done!

First up we have this kicking award of friendship given to me by Spot:


The rules are that I have to list 6 things I'm a master at and then pass the prize to six other bloggers. Here goes:
Master at:
1) wishing I could do this or that, go here or there, have this or that.

2) making my sister laugh so hard she gets hiccups, brother laugh so hard he can't breathe and crumbles to the floor. They find my snarky humor funny.

3) hurting myself! I can trip on nothing, fall onto things, swing my hands into things, bump my head on trees....

4) annoying my pets with the flash of my camera. Gezz, you would think they would be used to it by now!

5) Forgetfulness. I forget nearly everything. Like..stopping at the post office for stamps, doing my awards, watering my plants (the poor things) and sometimes even making hubby's lunch! But yet ask me where something is at inside my house and I know.

6) My money. I know where every dime went and if for some unknown reason I don't, dang it I will find it!! I have many accounting methods of keeping track of the money. Checkbook register, (actual real)folders for each household bill, receipt box divided into sections, Monthly bills chart created with Word Document and checking the bank website. Every penny is important in this house.

Now everyone yell "Pick Me" and hopefully I heard you!

1) Tinkerschitzel at Zommbie Mommy. She is an aspiring artist and crafter. She dapples in painting, drawing, ceramics and she even does reupholstering! She loves to go camping! She also shares stories of her little family and the joys and trials of her job in her posts.

2) Eric at Bored Neoclassical Guy. He always manages to make me laugh or learn something. He is an artist with stone, he also intrigues me with history and takes me to other countries.

3) Maureen at Islandroar. Seriously if you don't know her, where the heck have you been hiding?! She is one of the sweetest ladies ever! She will draw you into her life as a mother of grown children. She will also take you to the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard, the beauty of it, the history of it and the daily life of it.

4) Jen at Starting Over. This girl just amazes me all the time! She is an outdoorsy kinda girl. She hikes through the state parks, kayaks rapid waters, marathon bicycle rider, marathon runner, camper. Plus she has a daughter and she is doing college courses. Her adventures are amazing!

5) Kathryn at From the Inside...Out. She is just so funny, it seems like she doesn't even have to work at, it's just natural. I love going to her blog, she is sweet, funny (yeah I mentioned that already, but gawd it is soo true), witty and a mom to teen aged boys!

6) Ocean Girl at Live High. She shares her love of the Isles of Malaysia with stories of life and culture. She also shares beautiful photos of the area. I seriously am soo jealous, she lives in paradise!

Now if you are saying "But I didn't say "Pick Me"" Well let me wag my finger at you and tell you "You weren't playing the game right"



Then we have this Panda award for super comments given to me by Jimmy:


The rules for this award are to answer the following questions:

1) Why do you blog?
To have a record of things for when I go senile.

2) What was your favorite age to be and why?
Can't say I ever really had a favorite age, maybe I just haven't reached it yet.

3) What's your favorite sport to play?
Chase the dog. Is that a sport? I also like to walk.

4) What's your favorite sport to watch, and who's your favorite team?
Nascar baby!! Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip, hubby likes E.jr and Mark Martin. At least we have one in common.

5) If you could pick your perfect career (and money doesn't matter/the kids are out of the house) what would it be?
Travel the world and take lots of pics. Well that would make money matter, cause someone would have to pay my expenses for a while. Money don't matter...work at a nursery and be someones apprentice.


6) Do you ever feel guilty for blogging?
Yes and no. I don't feel guilty for blogging, but with blogging comes responsibility to your readers and I feel guilty for not keeping up my part as I should.

7) What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas! Not for the presents, I prefer a present less Christmas. I like the decorating, gathering, feasting and the music.

8) What's your favorite kind of music?
Just about anything, except for rap. I really haven't paid much attention to current music, but I do have some music that is only 8-10 years old.

9) Do you consider yourself a good driver or bad driver?
I am a good driver, never had a ticket or accident. The fence might call me a liar, but never had on with another vehicle. So don't listen to the fence!

10) What's the farthest away place you have visited?
Not really a fair question. I have been to all 48 states, Mexico and Canada.

Now for the hard part I have to pick some of you excellent commenter's to pass this one along to:

1) Mrsbear at Outmunbered Two to One. Has her hands full with the daily life of a house full of kids, but yet she always manages to make me smile or laugh.

2) Peg at Square peg in a round hole. I'm still getting to know her, but so far I have found her to be down to earth and very friendly. Hey she is Suzicate's sister, what more needs to be said!

3) Gerardine at My Walking Path. She will take you into her little family and make you feel at home. She writes about her hubby, her pets and the beautiful nature around her.

4) E.D. at Eternally Distracted. Ohhh what can I say! This girl is hilarious! She writes about her life in a country that she has to remain anonymous. She most common subjects are Mec (her other half) and Max (her cockatoo).

5) Lucy at What is left of a whole new life. She is 80 years old and blogs. To me that is amazing! I hope to be still blogging when I'm that age. Heck I hope to still be around! She writes about daily life with hubby Joe and dog Spunky.

I also did another awards show a month ago, but for some reason nobody got there awards (except for South Dakota Cowgirl). It might have something to do with the fact that I forgot to personally inform them about it. Go here to check if one of those was yours!

The day it all began

Our wedding pic

Well nineteen years together and 4 years married is coming up this week.

Lets talk about when we meet, I hope I don't shock you too much.

I was staying with my best friend (A), her children and her mother. I had just left my first husband for the last time, just days before and I was sporting a black eye that was covered in a pound of makeup.

A and I were sitting on the steps of the apartment complex, trying to figure out how we can get some alcohol and cigs. Yeah, we were bad girls like that. The upstairs neighbors were coming down and told us they were going to a party in the unit across the parking lot.

We had noticed all the truck drivers that had moved in a few months ago, but had not socialized with them. Not because they were scary or anything, just cause we was busy and I had my own problems at the time.(I had marital and family problems)

A and I asked if they had cigs and drinks? Of course they do it's a party!
I went over with them. Wild and carefree, I was. I took A a cig and beer and went back. I was in the mood to be around people. It was time to get happy for a night, instead of sitting around brooding in my issues.

There was a group of men sitting around the kitchen table, passing some stuff around to each other. Another man was sitting in a recliner with a beer in his hand and he was watching "The Wizard Of Oz".

The man in the recliner...He was slender and tall, with super long hair and sporting a gnarly scar on his face. He was wearing a Harley shirt, Levi bell bottoms with a bike chain belt and flip flops. He caught my attention immediately. Like..where in the world did he come from? The 70's?

The stuff was passed to me and I declined and passed it on to him. I'm guessing this is the point that he noticed me.
He said...You don't want any? I explained that I didn't do that stuff.
He shrugged his shoulders and turned away from me to hit it.
He then passed it on and turned back to me. (I was in awe of this consideration, wow there is a gentleman inside that rough exterior.)
He says...Would you like to watch something else?
No, I love this movie!
We sat there talking, drinking and watching "The Wizard Of Oz"

Somebody said we was out of beer and someone had to make a beer run. (We lived in a dry county, beer was a good 15 miles away and liquor was 25 miles.)
I don't remember if he volunteered or if they volunteered him.

Anyway he was leaving. He suddenly turns to me as he is going out the door and says..wanna go? I was up out of my chair in a heartbeat! Yeah I could do that back then, now it is a few more heartbeats!

We was just supposed to go get beer, a 30 minute ride at the most.
He asked me what my favorite liquor was...peach schnapps with orange juice a.k.a. Fuzzy Navel. He prolonged the trip (I think on purpose) by going the distance to the liquor store.

I found out that they were having the party cause it was their last night there, they were heading back to San Antonio that evening.

I must say I was not laughing about the irony of meeting someone on the night they were leaving. I had mixed emotions about it. On one hand this was a great evening with a perfect gentleman (for once), I could walk away so easy. On the other hand, I had meet a gentleman!!! How was this even remotely fair?!

When we did finally get back, the other guys were loading up their stuff getting ready to head out.

I think they figured we wasn't coming back since we had been gone almost two hours cause he drove the long way back. I don't know why I was surprised, but he was already loaded up and ready to move out even before the party started.

I stood there as most of the drivers were heading out. He was standing beside me and said that he couldn't take his motorcycle that evening. He was going to have to come back for it in two days. I thought that was sweet, him wanting to make sure I knew he was coming back. I also thought he was going to ask me to keep an eye on it till he came back.

Instead he asked me if I would like to come to San Antonio with him for those two days. Being the impulsive, carefree, go with your gut, kinda girl...Said YES!

Although he did nearly have to sign his life away with A's mother! She made him give her every form of identification she could think of..driver's licence number, ss number, mother's name and number, make and model of his car..ect.

We came back the two days later and got his bike and all of my stuff too!

Nineteen years together and four years of marriage, all from an impulsive moment.

In my experience being impulsive isn't always a bad thing...

(My present to hubby is my time, I won't be blogging again till Monday)

Spin Cycle: Prom

I really don’t know what to say on this subject. I didn’t get far enough in high school to go myself and never had any kids to send off to the prom, maybe I’ll just have to wait till one of the grandkids get old enough. Then again that won’t work either, because 7 out of 8 grandkids are home schooled. Do they even have home schooled proms?

By time I got to my second go-around with the 9th grade, I got fed up with it all and quit. I had already done two rounds in the 7th grade and had been on probationary status since the 5th grade. Yeah school and I didn’t get along very well!

I was supposed to have been a junior in high school but instead I was still a freshman. All my friends had moved on and I was still stuck, making it to the prom was the last thing on my priority level.

Now to be fair, I wasn’t a bad student. I did great on tests and in class work, but as far as homework went…well lets just say it never made it out of my locker! I really do and did enjoy learning new things, but I knew taking homework home was a waste of energy. I never had the time to do it, not with three kids to take care of and a house to clean. No, not my kids, nor my house. My parent’s kids and house. My parents always claimed it was my chores and my responsibility as the oldest to help with the kids. So…needless to say homework was futile.

I guess this post just changed topics from the prom to my education. I mean, really you can’t have the prom without the education. Right? Anyway, sorry about that.

The word "Prom" evokes such emotions for me:
Longing
Wonderment
Celebration
Lost opportunity
Disappointment
Anger
Joy (for others)
Plus many more...

To me it marks such a special event, that one has made it through the best and most difficult time in their lives. You all can’t tell me high school was a breeze!
It also marks friendship and boyfriends. I would imagine one would be so thrilled and get all giddy with their friends. Then there is the boy that asked to be your date or going with the boyfriend you are dating. Both of these things will be remembered for a life time.

There would also be the dress and stress factor too. What to wear, what to wear!
Oh and of course the dancing too. Now that I think about it, I’m glad I didn’t go! Just kidding! Although really, who would want to be subjected to my moves?! LOL!

I asked my mother if she had gone to her prom. She said yes, BUT she was the guy's second date! This kid thought for sure one of the two was going to say NO, neither did. I'm sorry to say I laughed my fool head off when she told me this. Okay fine, I'm not sorry. It is still funny!

My best thing that reminds me that kids really do go to prom, is the two pics I have. One of my step son and another of my step daughter at their proms.

I would have to say that if I had gone to the prom I would have been the oldest kid there! Cause who knows how long it would have taken me to get to the 12th grade! LOL!


Now for much better spins and more authentic experiences, go to Sprite's Keeper!

Tagged and Awarded by Jimmy!

I have been tagged by Jimmy over at Jimmy's Opinion


Easy Five, Five Times

Question 1. Where were you five years ago?

1. Going to my bf's everyday to help her get things done around the house, while she was going through chemo for breast cancer.

2. Planning our long (15 years) awaited wedding.

3. Re-adjusting to life with hubby being back to work after being home for two years due to injury.

4. Started weening myself off of my 20 year road of drinking , on to the road to quitting for good the next year.

5. Had my first clean pap smear ever! I know you boys really wanted to hear that, but I celebrated!


Question 2. Where would you like to be in five years?

1. Alive and older.

2. The winner of the Lotto (hey, I'm a dreamer).

3. If not: than right here in my little house, but all repairs finally done.

4. Smokeless (again, I'm a dreamer).

5. In a new truck!


Question 3. What is on your to-do list today?

1. This.

2. Catch up on my reader's list.

3. Laundry.

4. Mail out the money for a piece of pottery I am buying from Tinkerschnitzel.

5. Research how much a giant tire is worth and post it on Craig's List.


Question 4. What snacks do you enjoy?

1. Sunflower seeds.

2. Cheesy garlic bread.

3. Yogurt.

4. Cottage cheese.

5. Ritz crackers.


Question 5. What five things would you do if you were a billionaire?

1. Well If I didn't die from the shock, I would scream.

2. Take care of my parents so they can live happy and not have to worry about money anymore. Dad can have his junk yard and mom can have a place separate all nice and pretty. I'll make sure there is a fence down the middle with a gate! LOL! Love ya mom!

3. Travel the world and take lots of pics.

4. Collage funds for the next generation (so no one gets left uneducated like most all my friends, family and me). Houses on property (so no one has to move cause they can't pay their rent or the land is being sold out from under them). Cars/trucks/vans that are reliable and no worries of not having a ride or being stuck out in the boonies and can't get anywhere unless you walk.

5. Donate to charities that serve the needy people and animals.

OK now for the tagged ones to be named:

Lucy@Day to day life
Kendrasue@Life in the slow lane
Mrsbear@Outnumbered two to one
Laufa@Morgan's Madness
Lisa@Try all of column B

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Award

Jimmy also gave me this beautiful award!


I'm to tell yall seven things about me. Hmmm, what don't yall know already?

1) The good neighbor was out by the road weed eating and I ran out there and pointed down in front of my gate and he got that weed I keep forgetting. I couldn't pass up the opportunity!

2) I just helped my dad learn how to put his pictures on a cd.

3) I walked and walked yesterday (taking pics with new camera) just out of curiosity of where the road goes. When hubby got home we went and measured how far I went..3 miles round trip.

4) I'm horrible about remembering to take some thing out for dinner. Let me go do that right now while it is on my mind.

5) I still get breakouts like a teenager.

6) I was researching ancient ruins and was horrified to see pics of great ruins with graffiti all over them! Mad me mad actually!

7) I am in love with my new camera!! It takes such great pics compared to my old one. Such great color and even great pics in my dark house.

Now I am supposed to pass this on to 15 bloggers, I'm a rule breaker and am only going to do seven.

Mindy@Suburban Life
Tinkerschnitzel@Zombie Mommy
Jen@Starting Over
Jen@Sprite's Keeper
Erica@Pines Lake Redhead
Kaylen@It's Serious this Time
Jen@The South Dakota Cowgirl

Phew, that is done! That took hours!
Yall have a great day!

Today is my Birthday

Sooo...today is my birthday.

I have managed to survive another year.

I can recall the days when I never thought I was never going to make it to ten. I was overwhelmed with adult responsibilities and each day was a challenge, but I did finally make it to ten.
...

Then there was the "I'll never make it to being a teenager". As if becoming a teenager was going to make all my problems go away and I would suddenly be all grown up. NOT! None of that happened and for some cosmic irony all got worse!
...

I just knew I would never make it to fifteen! I thought for sure one of these days my father was going to really kill me. I pushed the old man's buttons ever chance I could get. It's a miracle I survived and he did too!
...
Why sixteen was my next goal I don't know but it was a day to celebrate while my Aunt was away.
...

Seventeen! I made it at last! The day I had been waiting for..FREEDOM! No rules, no parents, just me and my friend parting the nights away. Some where in all that I thought I had arrived to adulthood with all the knowledge there was for me to know. I thought it so deeply, I got married. What did I know, I was just a kid!
...

Twenty-one..I had done so much, see too much, been hurt too much and experienced so much. AND yet I was alone, confused and looking to to drown in the bottle and escape from the world. The possibility of seeing another year was not in the plan.
...

Twenty-two..Yup I made it through, surprisingly enough. I was swept away by a stranger to another city, never to go back again!
...

Twenty-eight..Bored and itching for more to life, than what I had always been doing since I was a kid... I left my happiness behind and drove into hell and met the devil himself. I was begging to die and again seeing anymore birthdays was not in the plan.
...

Thirty-three..Suddenly I woke up from my nightmare and went back to happiness.
I felt like I had been reborn on that day. My perspective of things were finally clear and my love for life had been gifted to me. I was no longer searching or drowning, I had finally found peace within myself. It was a long journey to get through, but hey I made it and I am a better person for it.
...

Forty-one (where the heck did that number come from), yup I said it for all to marvel at. I am no longer hiding in the past, the future is all I want to see.

Soo..today is my birthday, with a bright future ahead of me.