nothing of interest here

Ok, I warned you, if you are still reading this it is at your own boredoms risk. I have been using my phone like I never had one this week. I usually don't get or make very many calls, kinda hermity that way. Anywho, my mother calls me (which is unusual to begin with) and as we are talking, she tells me that my cousin absolutely loveed the afghan I made my mom for Christmas. This is a HUGE compliment for me, my cousin has always been one of those people for me. Don't get me wrong, she has a very loving,tender, sweet side to her but that is not what first strikes you about her. I love her to death, she was there for me when no one else was. Anyway, her house/car/dress/everything is always perfect. Nothing ever out of place. In fact the only time I ever remember seeing her look less then 100% is when she was in the hospital on bedrest when she was pregnant with her daughter. Kinda makes me feel less, like I am a huge, slobby poor white trash side of the family. Not intentionally, just my own insecurities showing their ugly heads. SO, the point of all this is SHE LIKES MY AFGHAN. That is making my day and I had to share.
I also want to share a lil bit o humor. I have a niece that likes to come play with my kids. She just turned 8 and we call her Junior. We call her this because she is a junior version of her mother and that was way obvious the other night. She was having a 'disagreement' with my oldest (who is 12 and should know better) and Jr looked at Chick and said "you are getting my pressure up and you are not going to like it" HMMM, I wonder where she could have ever picked up on such a thing.
Still out van shopping. I think we have decided on getting an Uplander, now we just have to find one we like in our price range. Have I mentioned I despise car shopping?
Mikey and I were talking last night about our camping spot. Even I am ready to get back into the summer routine; Grilling out with my sister(s) in law on Friday night and getting up and going junkin' on Saturday and then grilling out and visiting Saturday night. I won't admit this to him though. He is all excited about doing this and doing that and getting all ready for the fourth of July. I know, it is February. He is planning on having a HUGE party because his brother-from-another-mother Snatch will be here. I really hope the Army doesn't mess it up, they have a way of doing that you know.

stardate-Monday,February 26 2007 11:41 am

Ok, so ya'll know that commercial where the family is on vacation and they are taking all these pictures and the mom in a totally non smart ass way says they are looking for that elusive thing they used to see all the time and it is her teens smile? I am so living that. I have been trying to take a good picture of Chick because honestly, I haven't gotten but maybe one since her school pictures came out. She is very good at conveying how dumb she thinks I am with just a look. She inherited that from me so I am torn on whether I am proud or irritated.
I am at home today with Munchkin and two of my nieces, ages 5 and 8 monthes. And Mr will be home in 15 minutes. Yep, I am officially a glutton for punishment. ;)
I uploaded my camera and have a couple shots to share,



Mr got ready when I told him he had to have clothes on if he wanted to go outside.




This is why we have so many TV's in our house. Bubba and the twins playing video games and Tayter getting in on the action.




Bubba's mustache. Handsome, no?

Somewhere over the rainbow

I have discovered the secret to getting Mikey to go shopping with me, all I have to do is shop for a car. We are looking to replace our van (after a year of complaining about it) and it is so not what I want to be doing. It is kind of funny because we have totally opposite ways of doing it. With clothes or any other kind of shopping, I like to look around and check it all out, he wants to go/get/leave. With the vans, I am happy to look it up on the internet and narrow it down to one or two that I am really interested in and go check those out. HE wants to go to every car dealership from Shenandoah to Lincoln. I'll let ya'll know how my day goes :)

Disturbing revelation

I was surfing through www.blogthings.com (love this site, it is a hoot) and came across How Much Would You Sell OUt For? I thought I had more will power then this....

On Average, You Would Sell Out For

$284,274

At What Price Would You Sell Out?

you should try it, it is fun!

Just another manic Monday

I am on day four of a four day weekend with my kids and they are all still alive, I get a cookie. :) Actually they have been really good for the most part. Friday Munchkin spent the night with her parents so I got a whole nights sleep, that was heavenly. I took 411 and Chick shopping for Chick a new coat. Let me just say that it is ludicrous you can buy 50+ styles of bikinis but only 2 stores in a 75 mile radius carries coats when it is -5 degrees outside. The two stores that actually had coats left were Dillards and Sears. Dillards "clearance" was still over $70, that is a whole nother ridiculousness. Finally tracked one down that she liked BUT she will need a new one next season because it will be too small. Given the options, it was the best. When the girls and I came home, our niece's 3 boys were visiting and their mother & 2 sisters came over too. SO for those of you mathly challenged, that brings the total up to 9 kids and 3 adults. Bubba was in hog heaven, he loves when boys come over. I got sent to the store to get a movie to entertain everyone. Yeah right, in this little outpost of civilization. So I rented Prairie Home Companion because it got all these great reviews and has a ton of great actors. STUPID. I watch a lot of movies and I couldn't even get 1/2 hour into this one, just slow and boring. So my niece and her kids left and Mikey and I went to bed. For about 5 minutes, then they came back. It was blowing and snowing so bad she couldn't see 10 feet in front of her car to drive home. SO we had a bunch of overnight guests. It was so funny to get up in the morning, there were bodies everywhere cuz my kids can't sleep in their beds unless they are forced to and they wanted the cousins right there with them. Saturday and Sunday we pretty much just hung out and dealt with Cranky Munchkin. My wonderful, beautiful, amazing, glorious sister in law took 411 and Bubba for most of the day yesterday. That was really great. The only place the baby would stop crying was on my shoulder like a sack of taters, really limited what I could get done. I finally broke down and went to Caseys to get swing batteries. That will teach me to forget them at walmart. Have I mentioned I LOVE THE SWING! she slept for 2 hours, longer then all the time combined all day.

On a totally other subject, I have another sister breakfast coming up. I am looking forward to it, I just have one more project to complete and then go shopping. I really like these adventures with the POB, wish they were more often.



EDIT: only 2 stores in a 75 mile radius that I went to. I should clarify that, I didn't take the journey to the other side of Omaha so I didn't go to Burlington Coat Factory, I am sure they do have coats. It would stand to reason. So anyway, I wanted to clarify that.

a couple random thoughts

ok so I have been watching too much tv already this morning and thought I would share some thoughts. First off, Anna Nicole Smith. There is definetly something wacky there, besides the obvious. What is the paternity count up to now, 4? seriously, that is just sick. I heard speculation (this is a juicy one and opens a lot of thought) that she used Marshell's sperm (the 89 year old husband [YUCK!]) to impregnante herself to collect on the inheritence that the courts have denied her AND Howard K Stern is up to his neck involved in it. He has been her sole legal counsel for a number of years and would know all of the loopholes. Speaking of which, why would she not have updated her will when her son died? I know grieving takes time but there is also resposibility to her daughter. And why drag out the paternity test? It takes 5 minutes to perform and 2 weeks to get the results, unless you have something to hide. I think it is just sick and wrong how many people are trying to get their "fingers in the pie", like her mother. The one thing that is consistant with EVERYONE that has something to say about the whole sick situation is she did not get along with her mother. It is reprehensible the woman is now trying to play the poor mom card.

Next, President Bushes speech this morning. I can only wish I could sidestep and dance as well as that man. He was asked at least 4 times what his intentions are towards Iran and not once did he answer except to say I will do something. That could mean anything from saying Naughty lil country to starting a war. He also said you can not like me or believe in my plan but you must support the troops. I guess that could be taken a couple of ways and I am so not qualified to discuss politics BUT (of course I am going to anyway) I think he is treading a very thin line and the next president is going to spend most of their term doing repair work. And on that thought, I think 2 years is entirely too much campaining. I get sick of a couple of monthes of local elections, this is enough to dive me mad.

And lastly, I was reading where there is a resturant in London that is offering free meals to anorexic looking models. This is a marketing stroke of genius. Hello, if they took you up on it, they wouldn't be too thin. If you really want to make a difference, take those meals down to the local homeless/battered shelter. I get so tired of hearing how some millionaire got $50,000 in free stuff by walking through a tent. It is ridiculous and most of the people that get these gifts don't even want it, just throw it out anyway.

So that is what is occupying my mind right now. thanks for listening :)

Happy Valentines Day

I object to kids having to wait for the bus when the windchill is below zero. I think it is ridiculous when they have group bus stops because some of these kids can't wait inside and look out the window (that is what mine do, go out when the bus is 1/2 a block away), they have to stand outside and freeze their little tushes off. If they are going to do it this way, they need to build a little shelter of some kind like the city bus has. It would protect them from rain too. yep, this is my new crusade.

Now that that is off my chest, My kids teachers are so going to hate me today. I let all four of them have their valentines boxes this morning before school. then three of them have parties this afternoon, I would truly not like being in the classroom today. :)

I did some spring cleaning this week. It's a bit premature since there is 7 inches of snow in the front yard and it is below zero but hey. Anyway, there is a wonderful website, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleOmahaNE and is all about giving stuff away in Omaha. I listed a bunch of stuff that was just going to the thrift shop or dump anyway and someone took it. And the beautiful part is, they come to pick it up. Well, I had to put it in mike's car so it could ride to work with him but then the person comes and gets it from Mikey. I personally think this is a fabulous idea. It is crazy what people offer and / or take. It's true, one mans trash is anothers treasure.

Whats this do mommy?

Mr has been home a total of 1/2 and hour and I have answered that very question at least 15 times. Munchkin is off for an all day visit and I am enjoying the quiet. Well, I WAS enjoying the quiet I should say. I spent the morning getting Valentines for the kids and then cleaning the boys' room. I should have taken before and after pictures. It took me 2 1/2 hours, 2 bags of trash and 2 bags of toys but I got-r-done. I have warned Bubba since Wednesday it was coming and that he was making the choice to lose his toys but he didn't really care. I also took video games away, that you would have thought killed him. So, first thing this morning before the bus he is playing his gameboy. I took it away and reminded him that he lost it because he made the choice to not clean his room. He just looks up and says 'oh, I thought that started tommorrow.' So it ought to be interesting to see how well he deals with his toy boxes being off limits stacked in the corner and no books. I took close to 100 books out of his room, the boy is a reading fiend. Which is great but I am really tired of picking them up, so those are on a one at a time ration. Ahhhh this will be an interesting night.

Afternoon Delight

I have one and a half hours of no baby, I am taking advantage. I really wish I would have had a video camera last night, I could have easily won America's funniest video contest. Mr has discovered Veggie Tales ( a religious based cartoon of singing vegatables for those without kids) and loves to dance to the silly songs. So picture this, he is in his underoos (Mater of course) and the Manatee song comes on the DVD. He starts dancing like his pants are on fire and singing at the top of his lungs. He cant pronounce half the words so he just yells aaaaaahhhhhhhhh till there is a word he can say. Mikey, Chick and I were laughing so hard we had tears.

it is a balmy 40 degrees outside, I kicked 411 and Bubba out to play in the snow for awhile. They get along pretty good when no one is watching. :)

Celebrate good times, c'mon

After 12 monthes after worrying, we recieved a call last night from our very good friend Snatch. He's officially in the states now. After 2 weeks of typical military hurry up & wait, he is back. He won't be able to come up to visit till the fourth of July but at least he is in the right country.

I have been reading the news lately with increasing disgust. There was a woman in Omaha that was shooting unknown stuff into her toddlers IV, a man in Pennsylvania beat his 23 month old child and then sent her outside in sub freezing weather for the night in her jammies, there was a crack head who tried to sell her kid to her dealer for some drugs, and that isn't even all the inbred-brain dead idiots who kill their babies because they cried or were just an incovience. A couple of people I know have asked me if I was crazy or just stupid for taking foster kids when I have 4 of my own. Neither, as long as there are bastards like these out there, I feel like I have to do something. I may not have a lot to offer but I do have love and safety. That is more then a lot of these children have ever known.

Since Munchkin has been up and talking since 5:45 this morning and showing no signs of wanting to nap, I thought I would babble here for a minute or two. Buuba,411 and Chick are getting flu shots today. Mikey keeps telling them, oh it doesn't hurt I promise. DUH!! it is a shot and I don't care if it is happy juice, it is still going to hurt. He is ruining his credibility with the kids, so much so Mr, a three year old, asks me if he is telling the truth.

Oh my, a nap and a shower, I feel like a new woman. Let me just say here and now, the swing is the BEST invention ever. And johnny jump ups but that will come later. I was looking at getting one of those jumparoo's, they are like a johnny jump up on the ground, and damn those things are expensive. It kills me how much money companies make off of baby stuff. just think, when we were tots there wasn't all this new fangled stuff and we liked it!! :) yeah and it was uphill both ways in the snow too!

Mr stayed home today from preschool because he was still kinda droopy and very snot filled. He is also full of vinegar now. Streakin' all over the place after the bath with the monster trucks he insisted he needed. ok, now we have the backwards underwear (cuz he likes it like that moooooooommeeeeeeee!). 411 was wearing a denim mini skirt over her jeans the other day, my little trendsetter. I just keep thinking of the commercial that says what goes on her tummy isn't as important as what goes in it. Yep, that is my philosophy with her and Mr. Otherwise I will be gray with bald patches.

and again to the er

Mr went on a trip to the ER again last night due to that wonderful spasmodic croup. The doc said it is viral and he will most likely grow out of it but in the meantime, we can probably count on a trip to the Er once a month or so. I was trying to explain this to someone I know last time and they just kept focusing on CROUP. "why are you freaking out over a cough? sure it sounds nasty but really, a trip to the ER everytime?" wellll, Mr can't be simple. He struggles to breath and it looks like his chest is caving in. He has to get epinephrin (Spelling I am sure is wrong) breathing treatments and pediapred perscriptions. we tried to home remedy of exposure to cold air and that did help, till he warmed up then it started all over again. Yeah, it is a good thing he is my last child and not my first. With all the scares he has given me between this and the peanut allergy, he would definately be an only child.

Spent yesterday running around munchkin to doctors visits. She is up to 8 lb 15 1/2 ounces. She now weighs as much as 411 did at birth and she is 3 monthes old. Had to take her to the eye doctor wayyyyyyy up by westroads mall, sat in the waiting room for 45 minutes for the nurse/tech (whatever) to call me back ask me 3 questions, send me back out to the waiting room because the doctor isn't there yet. 20 minutes later they called us back to the room and the doc put dilating drops in her eyes and back to the waiting room we went. 25 minutes later, they called us back, he took all of 1 1/2 minutes looking in her eyes and said she was good to go. I am discovering whole new levels of patience. I still don't deal well with stupid though, I will have to work on that.

question

ok, if you know that there is no reason for someone to go out into 2degree weather, you would tell them right? My stupid lawyer didn't. I loaded the Munchkin and 411 up this morning and drove over to Glenwood, unloaded them and hustled them in the office for him to say sorry, don't have the paperwork ready, maybe tommorrow. This is after he made a point of saying how important it was I come to his office in the AM today. Arrgghh I know it is petty and prolly pretty stupid to be irritated about. I know this but still a phone call to say hey, don't worry about it today, I am a little behind. Is that too much to ask when it is a wind chill in the negatives out there?

411 got a surprise, she had entered a sweepstakes awhile ago and she got a new video game from it today. She is one of those kids that if she sees a www. address, she thinks she is obligated to go there. It worked for her today I guess. Maybe I should get her to pick out my lottery numbers, obviously mine aren't working. :)

no crying baby

We spent a lazy afternoon yesterday... as the pictures show. 411 and Bubba decided that the noodles were dry enough and made great walls. Chick watched tv in her room, Mr napped and Mikey played with his new toy. It was a quiet day after we got home from visiting G'ma. Today the kids played a rousing game of hide and seek and they let Mr be the seeker. wasn't that nice of them? Anyway, he shocked me when he closed his eyes and counted to 11 all by himself then yelled ready or not! This is amazing to me since 7 monthes ago he refused to say even 2 words. Literally, mom or dad once in awile but never at the same time. I so love preschool!!
I have been trying to teach myself to knit since I don't have nearly enough to do. I got the basic stitch down, now I have to figure out how to read the patterns. There have been a couple of patterns I wanted to do but I don't knit so that stubborn streak in me said, learn dumbass!
I am going to enjoy the next hour before I have to go pick up, ya'll have a good day :)

A day in the life

I am officially child free. At least till noon when Mr comes home from his hard day of preschool. I have a whole new appreciation of silence :)
Bubba, my loving sweet adorable blonde haired little boy brought home a "book" that he and a classmate have been working on.
The title is 'Classified War Battles'
Page one Iracie war
Page two We kill blood thirsty Irac's!
Page three Die! Infact (thier idiots) yay,die Irac!

This causes me some concern, him being 8 years old. Should he really be so into war and death? Having never been an eight year old boy, I have no idea. He is a quiet child so that worries me nore :)

I have been doing a lot of inner reflecting today, kinda just grooving with myself. I have decided that I like myself and I shouldn't wonder what others think. It is always nice to hear that other people out there think you rock, that is basic humaness (not a word, I know Whimp, but it suits). But I am ok with knowing that I am working with what I have to make my corner of the world better. Maybe I shouldn't be left alone so much, I start getting all philosophical and stuff :)