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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Inspiration Sunday








































Image courtesy: Monica Aguinaga
via Pinterest


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Wanna know something cool? As of yesterday, I was like 4 or 5 votes away from being back in the teens on Top Mommy Blogs. I would love to be there, and you can help me. It's beyond simple:
Just one click on this brown button with the juggling chick is all it takes. Nothing else. You can vote every day!
Thanks so much, you guys are amazing!


Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Coffee Clatch

Here's a little somethin' I posted on my old blog a while back. Thought I would dust it off and post it here....

*******










I have coffee with friends on Friday mornings. It's the highlight of my week, quite frankly. To talk with adults, as adults, when day in-day out you're surrounded by parasitic humans with a poopload of demands on you is a treat worth savoring.


But we haven't always enjoyed this companionship liberated from our children. In fact, when we first met, it was through our local MOMS Club. We all wore similar shell-shocked expressions as we shuffled through the meeting room of the church, one whining toddler clinging to our legs, one screaming infant slung across a hip, our boobs swollen and sore, bags under our sleepless eyes, but yet with a Barbie smile plastered across our faces that said to the world, "Holy crap, I'm really enjoying this!"

Truth be told, our conversations today still fall under the same categories they did so many years ago, but the subtext has changed.....

2012  (Sipping coffee) Hey Sarah, how's it goin'? Oh my God, I love your new bag...
2000 (Wiping up juice)....diaper bag. Where'd you get it?
2000 Oh, thanks, you like it? I got it at Babies-R-Us.....
2012  ....TJ Max. It's kinda small but it holds what I need. Look, it's got
this cool little compartment that holds my i-pod.....
2000 .....poopy diapers. And I love the size. It was the biggest one there.


2000 Hey Theresa, will you be coming over for Story and Craft on Thurs morning...
2012  ....wine and cheese on Fri night? NOOOO, leave the kids at home, have you lost your friggin' mind....
2000 .....day planner? Don't you remember? Third Thurs of every month is Story and Craft. Second Thurs is Gymboree and fourth Thursday is Toddler Time at the library.



2000 Hey guys, I was just at a Creative Play demonstration and I bought the most fantastic thing for Johnny. It's designed for babies 6 - 9 mths of age and it enhances their depth perception, tracking, and gross motor coordination. I know I spent too much but I'm sure it will be worth every penny....
2012 .... of his allowance goes to video games. I used to moderate what he played more, but honestly? If he's quiet? I almost don't care if he rots his brain.


2000 Thanks for asking, it was a big hit. She just loved the princess party. I made each of the guests a princess skirt from pink tulle and they made wands and tiaras for the craft and the cake was a huge castle. They loved the pony rides, too. It's not every day a little girl turns three, right?
2012 So he's asking if it can be a boy-girl party and they wanna hang out in the basement so they can "play video games", haha. I swear he thinks I just crawled out from under a rock or something.


2000 Guess what, his tooth finally came in! We were all just so excited when...
2012  I felt around in my mouth and can finally feel all my teeth again. I'm so glad I sprung for that implant. I hated having a hole where my tooth should've been.



2012  Sue, on your shoulder. You've got some omelette...
2000 ....vomit on your shirt.







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


Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!


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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop and A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras.
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Saturday, that means I'm linking my post "Meat-n-Greet"
with Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up, and with Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop.
Come join the fun!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Farm Friday - Meat-n-Greet

If you follow along here, you'll have seen some pictures I posted on Wednesday.

And you probably made an involuntary noise that sounded something like

awwwww
or
ohmygoshhowCUTE
or
fbrdywubitz

because, come on now...















With any luck, you're fully recovered by now from the anaphacuteness shock your system endured.

So it is time for a proper introduction.

The above dollops of cuteness are adorable, there's no denying it, but I'm afraid their days are numbered. These chicks are not destined to grow old and wise and fat while they lay eggs in between pecking at the ground and doing the chicken dance.

They are fated for the dinner table.

I'll wait for the gasps and cries of outrage to die down.

.....whistle, whistle.....

.....files nails....

Are you done?


I know, I'm a monster. I must hate animals, right?

And all of you Judgy McJudgersons are vegetarians, I presume?

No?

Well then I turn the judgement right back onto you with my jedi powers.

See, here's my twisted logic:

I care about animals.

And I had known for a long time about the deplorable conditions in the factory farms that are the source of all the meat we buy from the grocery store, but whenever I bought that sterile-looking meat all wrapped up in plastic and styrofoam, I hummed a little tune and thought unrelated thoughts and purchased away.

But then my dtr Rosie tied me up and forced me to watch this video so I would have to face what it was I was feeding into, if you'll excuse the pun.


(warning: if you watch this, know that it is extremely graphic and horrible and will likely make you puke and cry all at the same time)





And I was, of course, horrified.

Almost horrified enough to join Rosie in her pledge to be a vegetarian.

Almost.

Couldn't quite do it
(although I do now feed the family vegetarian meals once or twice a week)
and I applaud her for her continued committment to taking a pass on the bacon.

And to buy meat that's raised organically and free range and all that good stuff is ridiculously expensive. Like $10 a pound expensive, which is more than I'm willing to pay.

But hello, what's this? I have a farm. I've already proven I can successfully raise laying chickens, why not try my hand at raising meat birds? For maybe a little more than what I would pay in the grocery store, but far less than I would pay for organic free-range, I can humanely raise (and humanely kill) meat for my table that hasn't been pumped full of antibiotics.

Of course, I won't do the killing. I know myself a little too well to think I can do that. I'll send them out for "processing", at least for this first go-round.

Then I'll get back a dozen birds all cleaned and plucked and ready for the freezer.  Ready to feed our family.  With any luck, we'll be able to enjoy a few tasty chicken pot pies and chicken noodle casseroles and chicken quesadillas knowing we gave those dozen chicks a nice life on a farm for their seven short weeks of life, with clean bedding and fresh air, and plenty of space to move around.

And if I consider this a success?  My friend Theresa and I will be expanding next summer, upping our order to 50 chicks split between us. Maybe more than that the following summer.

And who knows, maybe I could even bring myself to raise a pig or cow for pork and beef.

Why?
Because we like to eat meat,
and because we care about animals.

Now taking bets to see if I will be able to stay the course or if I will wimp out..







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


Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!


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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop, and The Chicken Chick's Clever Chicks Blog Hop
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday, and Little Becky Homecky's Fantabulous Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Friday, that means I'm linking Tuesday's post "Mmmm-mmm-Mini-Cinnis" with Little Becky Homecky's Fantabulous Friday, and today's post with Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday, but I'll also be linking this same post up with some of the hops listed above in the coming week. Come join the fun!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Another Adorable Bella-ism

So the other day, Julie wanted to borrow some of Bella's eye make up...

Julie: Can I please, please use your eyeliner?

Bella: No.

Julie: What? Why not?

Bella: Because you shouldn't use someone else's eye make up cuz you can get a black eye.



























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


Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!




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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop and A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras.
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop, and the Mommy-Brain Mixer at Two in Diapers
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Thursday, that means I'm linking my post "How to Grow Healthy Pumpkins"
with A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop, and my post "Tooth Extortionist"
with the Mommy-Brain Mixer at Two in Diapers.



Come join the fun!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Wordless Wednesday - Cute Chicks

Hey Elfie, c'mere, somethin' just came in the mail!

























What is it?




















CHICKS!



















Cute little chicks....






















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

Thanks for your votes to keep me in the top 25 on Top Mommy Blogs!  Just click on this brown button with the juggling chick. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!


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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny, and Crafty Spices Wordless Wednesday
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Wednesday, that means I'm linking up today's post with Crafty Spices Wordless Wednesday, and my post "Tooth Extortionist" with My Life and Kids Finding the Funny. Come join the fun!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

A Tip for Tuesday - Mmmm, Mmmm, Mini-Cinnis

I posted this last Tuesday, but took it out after a couple hours b/c my friend put me up as a guest post, so I ran with that instead.

I offer this up as explanantion, lest you think you're "woozing your mind" (as one of my kids used to say).




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



Years ago, I found a recipe for something called Mini-Cinnis
(Southern Living article by Alison Lewis, recipe by Robyn Arnold)
that looked pretty scrumptious.

They were.

They are now my oldest son's favorite treat and he begs for them whenever he thinks he's on my good side.

I've made a couple of adjustments to the original recipe, and I pass that modified version to you here now.

I usually double the recipe, but because you are probably not insanely feeding 8 people normal, I'll just give the regular recipe, which makes a couple dozen little tiny rolls of deliciousness.











Enjoy!

Rolls
2 (8oz) cans of refrigerated crescent rolls
(nowadays you can usually get the sheets of crescent roll dough, which makes things easier)
9 - 10 Tbsp softened butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 chopped pecans
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinn

Icing
2/3 c powdered sugar
1 Tbsp half and half
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/8 tsp salt

1) Unroll crescent rolls and separate to form rectangles. Press diagonal perforations to seal
(again, if you can use the sheet kind of dough, it's a bit easier).
2) Stir together the butter, sugars, cinnamon, and pecans.
3) Spread evenly over each rectangle, and roll up, starting on the long side
(once I get them all rolled, I stick them in the freezer and take out one "log" at a time to cut. This makes the dough easier to work with and they keep their shape better).
4) Cut each log into six - 1" thick slices (serrated knife works best).
5) Place on greased cookie sheets or cake pans, about 1/4" apart.
6) Bake at 375 for about 15 mins.
7) Mix up the icing and drizzle over the rolls after they've cooled a few minutes.
8) Embarrass yourself by eating them like you've lived in the woods all your life and were raised by badgers.





Image courtesy: myrecipes.com

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

Don't forget to vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs! Just click on this brown button with the juggling chick. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!


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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday, Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up, and Crafty Garden Mama's Tuesday Greens
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny and Crafty Spices Wordless Wednesday
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Tuesday, that means I'm linking my post "Tooth Extortionist" with Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up, "How to Grow Healthy Pumpkins"
with Crafty Garden Mama's Tuesday Greens, and "Meeting My Babies - Part 3 (The Chosen Child)" with Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday.


Come join the fun!




Monday, September 24, 2012

Mirth Monday





















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

Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!



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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop, The Chicken Chick's Clever Chicks, A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras Link-Up, and @ Home Take 2's Mom's Monday Mingle
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday,   Crafty Garden Mama's Tuesday Greens, and The Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny, Tilly's Nest's Down Home, and Crafty Spices Wordless Wednesday
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop, and Two In Diapers' Mommy Brain Mixer
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday, and Oh So Amelia's Friday Chaos
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up.

Since today is Monday, that means I'm linking my post "How to Grow Healthy Pumpkins" with Homestead Revival's Barn Hop, "Double Message" with@ Home Take 2's Mom's Monday Mingle,
and yesterday's post "Inspiration Sunday"
with A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras. Come join the fun!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Inspiration Sunday

































Image courtesy: Susan Rinehart, via Pinterest


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

Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Double Message

When I attended the middle school back-to-school night last week, I felt like there was something bothering me, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Was it the 95 degree heat?
Was it the 47,000 papers I was supposed to take with me now that our school is paper-free?
Was it the mwa-mwah-mw-mwa-mwa-mwahhh quality of the PA system?

No. It was none of those things.

But on the drive home, I figured it out.

It was the double message that we parents are subjected to when it comes to parental involvement in our children's education.

On the one hand, we are told that our children have reached an age where they need to learn independence. We snicker at the idea of "helicopter" parents. We shake our heads in dismay at parents who micromanage every step of their child's education. We enthusiastically agree that we need to let our juniors falter here and there, so they can learn from their mistakes. Learn to organize and manage their time and study without parents questioning them, checking up on them, editing for them, doing their work for them.

And I agree. With all of it.

But on the other hand, we're supposed to log in daily to check teacher websites and Parent Portal, so we can get up-to-the-minute updates on what was assigned and when it is due. We are expected to check agenda books as our darlings walk in the door. We should know the syllabus, understand the grading system for each class, and ensure that homework is completed neatly, accurately, and on time.

One teacher even let us in on the fact that she can check Parent Portal, too. She can see which parents logged in, and how long they stayed on for! So now I can add log-in time on Parent Portal to my keeping-up-with-the-Joneses list.

Great.


My idea of homework help can be boiled down to two questions:
"Do you have any homework tonight?"
"Did you do it?"

Why do I need to look up which pages and numbers were assigned? Isn't that my kids job?

I don't know if I'm old-fashioned or lazy or if maybe I just have too much faith in my kids, but I don't wanna go there. I don't think we should go there.

Everyone loves to throw around the words accountability, responsibility, and independence, all the while throwing more of those things into the laps of the parents and less in the hands of the kids.


And as parents, we're stuck in the mud. If our child fails struggles, it's b/c we dropped the ball. We didn't look to see when that assignment was due or we didn't keep the arsenal of poster board topped off, or the number two pencils sharpened to surgical precision.

On the other hand, if we have produced a high school student that can't wipe his own butt fill out a job application or register to vote, we have coddled too much and not allowed him to think and do on his own.









So c'mon teachers. I love ya', but you can't have it both ways. In the interest of continuing my lazy parenting style producing independent thinkers and doers, ask not what I can do for my child, ask what he can do for himself.












Image courtesy: Gary Larsen, via rethinkhr.org


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


Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!


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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop and A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras.
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Saturday, that means I'm linking my post "How to Grow Healthy Pumpkins" with Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up, and "Another Shoebox Funeral" with Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop.
Come join the fun!







Friday, September 21, 2012

Guest Post for Farm Friday - How to Grow Healthy Pumpkins

As I wrote last week, I didn't have too much luck raising pumpkins this year
is it raising or growing?

That's putting it too mildly.

I failed miserably, is what I did.

Swooping in to the rescue before you can say pumpkin pie in your face is Eve Harrow.

She contacted me about writing a guest post, and as it turns out, she knows a thing or two about sustainability and all things green.

So with a minimum of begging and pleading involved on my end, she agreed to write me up a post about how to successfully raise/grow pumpkins.

Perhaps next year I'll be able to redeem myself.

And here it is....


















*********



How to Combat Pests and Grow Healthy Pumpkins

It’s a fact; pumpkins are hard to grow. Well, they’re easy to plant, and easy to feed, but if you want them to look perfect – bright, plump, orange and rounded – you’re going to need to do more than pop a seed in the ground and add water. Pumpkins take a long time to mature – around 85 to 125 days. During that time, they are vulnerable. There are many garden pests that take advantage of this and will damage – or even destroy – the plant of your orange beauties by spreading harmful bacteria and plant fungus.

The good news is, there are several organic methods you can take to prevent this damage. Hopefully, the following tips will ensure that if you’ve not had success with pumpkins before, your luck is about to change.

Grow in late season
If you plant your seeds at the beginning or middle of the season, you’ll be subjecting them to prime bug time. It’s a frequent mistake; thinking that by planting at the beginning of the season, you are allowing your pumpkins the maximum time in which to grow. In reality, it opens them up to increased risk of infection. Make sure you leave enough time before the end of the season for your pumpkins to reach full maturity, but by leaving it until the end of the high season; many of the colonies of bugs will have reached the end of their life spans. To give your pumpkins extra chance to flourish, start them off indoors so they are totally protected in their earliest days.

Pyrethrin combats squash vine borers
Pyrethrin is an organic pesticide, which can be found in many anti-insect products. The substance – harmless to humans and animals – protects the plant from squash vine borer eggs before they hatch into pesky bugs. For maximum effect, douse your entire pumpkin plant in a pyrethrin pesticide once every two days during the first week it starts to surface.

You should always keep an eye out for squash vine borers as, after the larvae are inside the plant, pesticides are much less effective. The small black and orange moths can be easily spotted grazing on the plant’s flowers, and they tend to lay their yellowish eggs at the base of plant stems. Make sure you tackle them before they get inside your pumpkin plants!

Encourage pollination
Pollination – by insects such as bees – to the plant’s flowers will aid growth of the pumpkin. You can aid this process by making sure the flowers are fully exposed. Remove protective row covers on a daily basis (first thing in the morning is the best time) and then replace again in the evening.

Prevent slugs
After squash vine borers, slugs and snails are probably the next most harmful creatures to your pumpkins. They feast on the new and tasty flesh of your pumpkins and create unsightly – and unhealthy – holes and tunnels all over the plant’s fruit. You can deter these pests by placing a layer of sand underneath your pumpkins as they appear. The dryness and blandness of the sand will keep slugs at bay and prevent them from going any nearer to your pumpkin.

Water properly
For those that farm pumpkins professionally, watering is not as easy as it sounds. Many will employ the use of a farming vehicle to distribute the right quantities of water. It’s an expensive and complex business though, such to the point where farm vehicle insurance is paramount and a specialist watering vehicle or equipment is a necessity. On an industrial scale, watering pumpkins is like science.

Luckily, if you are just growing a few for fun, it’s a little simpler (and you don’t need a tractor – or insurance!) However, an understanding of the pumpkin’s ideal water intake is key. Pumpkins require a lot of water for their growth (they consist of around 80-90% water) so having the right equipment – and knowing the right dosage – will ensure you grow a family of healthy pumpkins.

The secret to the watering process is not to give it to them unless they really need it. Check the soil moisture before watering; if it is moist and the plant looks healthy, it doesn’t need watering. When the soil starts to dry out, or the plant starts to wilt, that’s when it is thirsty. In this case, give it a good, long soak.
Deep and infrequent watering is key to ensuring healthy pumpkin patches. Furthermore, water plants at the base of the stem, not on the leaves. The best time to water is at the start of the day, so the plant is fully soaked when the light kicks in. This will also help protect from fungal diseases, which are rife in dry plants during the day time. When your pumpkin starts going orange, it will require less water. It will hardly need any water during its final 7-10 days.



Good luck for next season!



**********

Thanks, Eve!





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


Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!


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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Friday, that means I'm linking today's post with Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday, but I'll also be linking this same post up with some of the hops listed above in the coming week. Come join the fun!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Midweek Date for a 40-Something House Frau

Shower. Extra throughly.

Shaving.

And grooming.
*ahem*

Lotion.

Smell nice.

Good bra. Best underwear. Must match!

Nice outfit. Not dressy, but not toddlers playdate at the playground, either.
*not that I'm going to be seen wearing the clothes*

Make-up. Cover up those eyebags. Little eyeliner. Lipstick? Go for it.

Hair.

Mirror check.

All set.


















For the gynecologist.






Image courtesy: myportlandphotographer.com

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


Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!




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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop and A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras.
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop, and the Mommy-Brain Mixer at Two in Diapers
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Thursday, that means I'm linking my post "Pumpkins. Bleh." with A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop, and "Parallel Universe" with the Mommy-Brain Mixer at Two in Diapers.



Come join the fun!





Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

Apple Festival at the Amish Market this past weekend.

Good times....


































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

Thanks for your votes to keep me in the top 25 on Top Mommy Blogs!  Just click on this brown button with the juggling chick. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!


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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny, and Crafty Spices Wordless Wednesday
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Wednesday, that means I'm linking up today's post with Crafty Spices Wordless Wednesday, and my post "Parallel Universe" with My Life and Kids Finding the Funny. Come join the fun!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Guest Posting at Five of My Own

Today I'm keeping comp'ny with Lori (a fellow adoptive Mom of three bios and three adopted -- sound familiar?) over at Five of My Own. I wrote a guest post for her called "Adoption and Loss", which she is posting today.

Read her intro and teaser, and then head on over!







I feel privileged to share another brilliant guest post from Anne Kimball. Anne is a bio/adoptive mother of six (gotta love that) and Top Mommy Blogger who writes Life on the Funny Farm. If you enjoy well written, smart and witty writing make sure you bookmark her site!


I think Anne crystallizes a great point in the adoption "debate" when she writes, "Rejoicing in the new does not mean there is not grieving for the old, for one does not take the place of the other. They coexist."

Enjoy....





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Don't forget to vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs! Just click on this brown button with the juggling chick. You can vote every day till like, forever.

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In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday, Crafty Garden Mama's Tuesday Greens, and
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Tuesday, that means I'm linking my post "Parallel Universe"
with Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up, "Pumpkins. Bleh." with Crafty Garden Mama's Tuesday Greens, and "Meeting My Babies - Part 2" with Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday.


Come join the fun!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Mirth Monday - When Spanx go horribly wrong...

Oh.
My.
God.







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

Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!



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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop, A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras Link-Up, and @ Home Take 2's Mom's Monday Mingle
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Monday, that means I'm linking my post "Pumpkins. Bleh." with Homestead Revival's Barn Hop,   "Tooth Extortionist"  with @ Home Take 2's Mom's Monday Mingle,
and yesterday's post "Inspiration Sunday" with A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras. Come join the fun!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Inspiration Sunday









































Unfortunately, I can't properly credit this image. I got it from my friend Meg, who got it from her boss, who got it from.... I have no idea. Sorry, cyberpolice!

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

Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Tooth Extortionist

Fred was reading the news on his iPad the other night when he came across this little gem in USA Today.

It's all about the Tooth Fairy's going rate.

And I learned that apparently the TF round these parts is a cheap skate.

For, according to the article,

"Kids found an average $3 per tooth under their pillows this year, up 15% from last year..." and "...some received as much as $20 per tooth".


WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?


In sidebar articles, there were even tips on teaching your child about saving and investment.




Once again, I feel like the odd man out. Let me count the ways I have failed my children in the realm of the Tooth Fairy:

1) My kids were lucky if they got a dollar, forget three, and certainly never 20.  More often, it was whatever change we could scrape up out of the junk drawer, with little crumbs and twist-ties picked out of it before being hastily thrown under the pillow.

2) I don't believe I EVER, not once, turned the Tooth Fairy leavings into a discussion on investment. I have ill-prepared my children for the world, and they are sure to be cardboard box inhabiting vagrants when they grow up.  That's alright.  With any luck, one of their twenty dollar-a-tooth peers, educated in the principles of investment, will drop some change into their tin cup as they walk up Wall Street.  All my kids will have to do will be to pick the pocket lint and paperclips out of it.

3) I'm not sure what my ratio of nights-the-money-got-put-under-the-pillow-the-same-night-the-tooth-was-put-there to nights-the-money-was-completely-forgotten-about-and-I-had-to-cover-the-Tooth-Fairy's-ass-the-next-morning are, but let's suffice it to say it's a number I'm not particularly proud of.

Now, for me it's too late to reform. My kids are all teens and have bid their baby teeth goodbye. But for those of you out there who still tote around little gap-toothed urchins, the article spelled out some helpful advice for you.

It would seem there is, you guessed it,

an app for that....


To help parents calculate the going rate for teeth, Visa on Tuesday is launching an app for iPhone and iPad and a calculator on its Facebook page. The app uses the survey's data to determine the average payoff a child can expect based on a parent's gender, education, location, age and income. The app also shows how much the recommended dollar amount was worth when the parent was 8.

While the app aims to promote fiscal responsibility in kids, financial gurus say it may encourage parents to try to outdo one another. "The app would be a driver of tooth inflation, not a tracker," says Charles Green, CEO of Trusted Advisor Associates, a management consultant. "I would predict a psychological bidding game."



"The app would be a driver of tooth inflation"



When I read that, I hoped against hope that a dental implement would magically appear in my hand so I could gouge my eyes out.

For if I live in a world in which I have to add "the potential for a tooth fairy app to drive tooth inflation" to my Parental What To Worry About List, which includes stranger danger, cyber safety, and lice prevention, well then just kill me now.


And psychological bidding game? Am I supposed to be concerned that my kid might not get as much from the tooth fairy as the next kid? Is that couch material for the shrink when they grow up?

Trust me, trust me, if that's the worst damage I did to my kids, I will pat myself on the back, pour myself a drink, and congratulate myself on a job well done.

If those app inventors want to make something useful, they should come up with an app that finds better things to worry about than how much money to give a kid for a lost tooth.

That would be something I could get behind.









Image courtesy: bucks.blogs.nytimes.com


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


Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!


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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop and A Cat-Like Curiosity's Monday Mantras.
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Saturday, that means I'm linking my post "Pumpkins. Bleh." with Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up, and "5 Things Children Learn From Their Pets" with Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop.
Come join the fun!

Friday, September 14, 2012

Farm Friday - Pumpkins. Bleh.

So as I wrote over the summer, I tried my hand at pumpkins this year.

Although I started them late, they got off to a good start.

















They grew quickly.




















They grew well.























They got a little scary.




























They were kind of beautiful.
























But now?



Bleh.

They're not looking so hot.





















Lots of vines all over the place.





















Dozens of flowers.

















So that would mean.... dozens of pumpkins?

No.



We have one honest-to-God pumpkin.


























We have a couple wannabe pumpkins.


























We have a lot of anemic vines and pathetic, droopy, splotchy leaves.

















Anyone out there know pumpkins?
Can anyone advise me on what I did wrong?







Or can I blame it all on the gargoyle?























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


Don't forget, I will love you forever if you throw me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs. You know the drill by now, don't you? Just click the juggling chick and you've voted. You can vote every day till like, forever.

Top Mommy Blogs - Click To Vote!

Thanks!


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

In case you didn't know it, I'm like the queen of blog-hoppin' lately. It's kind of like square dancing but without the dated outfits, smelly gym, and elderly caller.

Here's the schedule I keep:
Monday: Homestead Revival's Barn Hop
Tuesday: Heavenly Homemaker's Gratituesday
and Wrinkled Mommy's Tuesday Archive Link-Up
Wednesday: My Life and Kids Finding the Funny
Thursday: A Rural Journal's Rural Thursday Blog Hop
Friday: Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday
Saturday: Camera Critter's Life With Dogs Pet Blogger Hop and Country Momma Cooks Saturday Link-Up

Since today is Friday, that means I'm linking today's post with Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday, but I'll also be linking this same post up with some of the hops listed above in the coming week. Come join the fun!

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