A Day at Home

T.S. woke up in the middle of the night with a stomach bug. I've been fighting a cold and Robby is terribly busy at school, so we made the decision to have me stay home with T.S. today. This was my first "day at home" since school started.

I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself. I got caught up on laundry, finished some craft orders and made marshmallows. T.S. was better by lunch time. I even got some presents wrapped. It was an interesting afternoon watching the progress of the cows that were out most of the day and of the electric coop as they replaced a pole in the pasture to our south. We even had some uninvited visitors to our north. By the time I figured out we had company, they realized I was home and left. It appeared to be two men with some sort of bird--I'm guessing either a hawk or a falcon. They were up near our tree line and would hold out an arm periodically and a bird would return to it. It kind of made me wonder what all goes on out here when we're not home.

I enjoy my job. It has been nice to be among adults and be a part of civilization, but I was reminded today how nice it is to just be at home.

Today's Thought

This afternoon I watched as 20 minutes of my life vanished while I was on the phone trying to straighten out a problem with my order from Dell. The first phone call ended with the lady telling me that she'd need to hang up and call me right back. I bet you can guess how that turned out.

The second phone call had me transferred to 4 (YES, FOUR) different departments. I'm pretty sure it was an international call as well. (I will not even go into details on this.) It occurred to me, while I was on hold for all of the transfers, that if the people putting you on hold had to listen to the lovely music, they'd probably get to your call more quickly.

Why We Do What We Do

Today, a friend and I were working on a task that wasn't necessarily fun. He made the comment, "I'm still wondering why we do this." Me, too. Have you ever stopped to think about why we do what we do?

Why do teachers keep trudging onward amidst mad parents, troubled children and standardized tests? Why do people spend their Sunday evenings cleaning up a community center instead of enjoying a restful day? Why do farmers toil long hours with the hope (not guarantee) of making a crop?

The only thing I can come up with is it's how people are raised (sorry, Mrs. Smith--I know it is reared, but it sounds so funny**). It must be ingrained in us or genetic. Something continues to push people to go the extra mile, to do what is difficult rather than easy, to believe in the impossible.

And, I am thankful for that something.


**Mrs. Smith was my high school English, reading and Spanish teacher. She always said, "You raise corn and rear children." I am grateful to her for teaching me many things.

August???

Are you like me?
Are you wondering where the summer went? How it went by so quickly?
Did you start the summer with a long to-do list only to see very few items checked off?

Are you like me? Are the few projects you did start about 3/4 finished?
Yesterday I was contemplating the "loss of summer." I realized that even though it didn't seem like we'd had much summer, we sure have fit a lot of activities in. The kids have had fun, I've had fun, I think Robby has had fun (although several more rounds of golf would have made it more fun.)

So, what is the point of summer? Is it to cram as many activities and projects in or is it to rest and relax and enjoy? I think our summer has been a fairly good combination of both. Maybe we can fit a little bit more of the rest and relaxation part in next year.

And, hey, I still have one week before I start my new (gasp) job, so maybe I can at least finish the one project I started...in between all of the Happy Days Celebration activities, buying shoes for the kids, shopping for school supplies.....

Oh well, there's always next year.

Post Script 2

So if you read yesterday's posts you know that I had severe problems shopping the other day. Now that Wal Mart has changed their packaging, I now have to actually READ the box of resealable bags before grabbing one out. Used to, I'd grab the red box for regular and blue for freezer. Easy--just grab and go. Sadie did point out that regular has a picture of corn on it and freezer has strawberries, but my feeble mind can't process such things. I stand there thinking, "Was corn freezer? No, it was regular, I'm not sure." If Wal Mart only knew the amount of time they are taking from my day by changing things!!

Post Script

While I was cooking lunch, I remembered that I meant to add a few more things to this morning's post:

While confused in Wal Mart because of starting at a different end of the store than usual, I had trouble finding items that I buy all the time. Why wasn't I finding them? I reached for the Great Value quart and gallon bags that are always in the same spot, red for regular, blue for freezer. Well, Wal Mart went and changed the Great Value packaging on me. Can you believe? Such nerve!

I finally found the bags--the new packaging is a very boring white. Sadie realized that regular have corn on them and freezer have strawberries (I think, it may be the other way around).

This confusion continued throughout the store. Each time, I thought, "You're kidding, they quite carrying ...?"

I guess I should be embarrassed that I am such a slave to routine and things being the same. No telling how long it will take me to get used to the new packaging.

Routine

Wednesday Sadie and I HAD to go to the grocery store. My list was incredibly long. I go to Wal Mart--I know there are those of you that despise the place, and let's face it, it isn't my favorite. That being said, they have nearly everything I need in one place and I really have checked prices on the groceries I buy every month, and, well, it's where I shop.

I have a routine there. I park on the same aisle (I have a habit of misplacing my car). I go through the store the same way. Sadie thought it would be fun to start at the front of the grocery part rather than the back. By the time we were half-way through, I gave up and went to the back and practically started all over. It seemed to take forever and I felt like I was in a foreign land until I went back to what I was used to.

Isn't it crazy how we are creatures of habit?

Some Thoughts

I don't know how many of you have clicked over to Clay's update page (by following the link on the right). But, I thought I'd let you know that he was released from the hospital this week--to the Ronald McDonald House--he still faces lots of therapy and multiple surgeries. Seeing how many people are now following his updates got me to thinking what a crazy, cool thing the Internet can be.

Who would have ever thought that something like a blog could unite so many for a common goal? Who'd have thought that hundreds (sometimes thousands) of people would read words a stranger had written, pray for the stranger, tell their friends about it and get them involved?

The Internet is a vast place, but I am currently following blogs written on each coast, in the middle of the country and even in Australia. I feel like I personally know some of the people whose blogs I read and would seriously consider possibly trying to meet them if I were ever in their neck of the woods.

Somehow this great big world seems a little smaller and more friendly when viewed from a computer screen.

What I did today (so far)...

Today has been a fun day for me. Robby and the kids went to play golf, so I have gotten to do the following:

1. Visit Nonnie (my grandmother) uninterrupted and even share lunch.
2. Transplant my tomato (20), broccoli (4) and jalapeno pepper(4) plants.
3. Search for and find a sprinkler that works and start the water on some dry spots in the yard.
4. Work on Bible school stuff.
5. Put the cages on the tomato plants (note to self: 20 cages=40 posts to hammer in; maybe make sure Robby is around for that next year)

I enjoyed my time in the garden--listening to birds, a Bob White quail, and thunder in the distance. The day is still young and there is still much to do. I believe I'll go sit on the porch, watch the sprinkler and listen to the thunder.

Everything else can wait.

Things to Do

The end of the school year is approaching, and with each passing day, the to-do list seems to get a little longer: 4 sets of firefly wings for 3rd grade musical, VBS supplies, summer Sunday school curriculum, plant tomatoes in garden, hoe the garden, mow the yard, flower beds, attempt to schedule time to visit family over the summer....the list keeps growing and growing.

So am I stressed or panicked? No. Rather than be overwhelmed, I've decided to tackle this one item at a time. Each task, when looked at individually, is really quite simple. We'll just keep plowing away, one thing at a time, until the list is completed.

Unfortunately, I've found out that a mother's list is never completed. Items just keep getting added to it.
Anyone want to come fold and put away laundry???

Where Have We Been??

I just realized I had not posted all week. Usually I have so much to say. It's not that I don't have much to say, it's just that I seem to have lots to do. This week has been a busy one at our house:
dance pictures and rehearsal Monday, UIL contest Wednesday, dress rehearsal Friday, and life in general on the rest of the days. It seems that this time of year is always busy. As a mom, I sometimes think we are over doing with all the activities. But, we all seem to be making it okay, and it gives me an excuse for the state of my house.

Today was a day of rest--literally. It was very chilly and rainy today, so the plan to go see the 4,000 year old horse bones at Lake Mackenzie was put on hold, again. Robby and I watched TV in our room most of the morning, then I slept most of the afternoon. What were the kids doing? Cooking, art projects, movies and getting along (I think I should try the sleeping all day more, they don't get along when I am awake. They also seem to be much more self-sufficient without me).

Do I feel guilty for doing nothing all day? Yes Not really.

Should I???

Why I keep kids...

Cheap labor, plain and simple:

Today the boys scrubbed cabinets, walls, baseboards and the kitchen floor while I sat on the couch eating bon bons and watching my soaps.

Seriously, I started scrubbing and T.S. wanted to help. Then C.W. came in and wanted to join the fun. T.S. even scrubbed the table legs. This is definitely a good skill for boys to hone.

Memories

On a friend's blog today I read about sandwiches she used to eat as a child. That made me remember that mom used to fix me (or let me fix?) a ketchup sandwich or two. We'd put them in a little orange, plastic picnic basket and I'd walk over to my great-grandmother's (we called her Memaw) to visit. I think Memaw couldn't believe that mom let me eat ketchup sandwiches. They really are good, you know, especially on very fresh, white bread.

I can't believe that Memaw used to let us stick a straw in an orange to suck the juice out, instead of making us eat the orange. She always had lemon drops for us as well and Chicken 'n' Biscuit crackers (I think that's what they were.) All of those things tasted so good at her house.

Memaw always did mom's ironing. She loved to iron. When I was at her house, she would lower the ironing board and let me iron dad's handkerchiefs. I'd work very hard at it and put the finished, neatly pressed and folded kerchiefs in a pile on her TV--remember the big console ones?

I seem to remember that she always had a little "something" in her electric skillet on the counter. She'd warm that up for her supper, I guess. It's amazing that she didn't die from food poisoning. My other great-grandmother would leave all the dishes leftover from Sunday dinner out. She'd just cover them and heat them up later. (and I seem to have survived my childhood unscathed) Now we kill ourselves to get everything in the refrigerator.

It's amazing how mention of one thing can lead you down a road of happy memories. It's also amazing that I grew up knowing two great-grandmothers. Oh to go back to the simple time of childhood and ketchup sandwiches.

Bucket List: Part 2

So yesterday I decided you could have two categories of Bucket Lists. One would be things you'd love to do/try but realistically probably never will. Why would you want to make a list like this? Well, one can dream, I guess.

Things on this list might include:

• Travel to the moon
• Visit every continent
• Jump out of an airplane
• Win the lottery (of course if this happens, all of the above might be attainable)
• Win a Nobel Prize
• End world hunger

See where I'm going with this? Me neither.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it is okay to have big dreams and goals. But what may be more important than creating some check list of things to do before we die is to just live. Live in a way that fulfills you and makes the need for the list nonexistent.

Still to come: my list of things I'd REALLY like to do someday.

A Bucket List??

On the way home from taking Sadie to school today I was debating a blog post. Should it be "the evils of the time change" or what? Then the morning show we were listening to on the radio had a call-in question. "What is the one thing you'd like to do before you die?" That got me thinking.

Do I have a bucket list? Do I need a bucket list? Aren't we taught to live life every day and be content with what we have? Should you make a list so you have direction in your life? What if you make a list and it is full of things that never get accomplished?

So, what do you think? Should we all make a bucket list? If so, should we specify how many things on it? Can you narrow life down to a top ten or top five list?

What's on your bucket list?

Picture(s) of the Day

This morning I gathered eight eggs. There may be more later, a few of the hens seem to hold out until evening.

This is a sign I have in my kitchen. I wonder how long it has been since eggs were only ten cents a dozen.

When Roosters Fight

The roosters have been fighting a lot lately. I'm sure it has something to do with trying to impress the hens and the pullets. (All of which are laying now--seems the fighting started when the pullets, who are in the adjacent pen, started laying.) Needless to say, the girls are not impressed.

T.S. and I, on the other hand, are impressed. Notice how they make the feathers around their head go out and how they puff up their whole body. I'm assuming this is to appear larger. I googled "why roosters fight" and mainly came up with real rooster fights. I also found some male enhancement products, but we won't go there.

Here are some pictures to show how the fight goes. Usually they bow down to each other, fluff feathers, then jump at/on each other. Then the whole process starts again. The hens continue to go about their business scratching and pecking like nothing is going on.

16 Random Things about Me

My friends Christy and Janda posted a list, so since I can't seem to think of anything to blog about and I think they are pretty cool. I decided to give it a try.

1. I'd rather play with the kids or do a craft than do housework. (especially dishes or laundry) That's probably why I keep kids--it's a good excuse for crafting and no housework.
2. I could spend all day outside messing in the yard and garden or "checking" on the zoo animals.
3. I think my kids are absolutely fabulous--T.S. can come up with something funny everyday. Sadie can imagine and dream up more than I ever could.
4. I can't believe I lived 23 years of my life and went to college 8 hours away before coming home to Happy, TX to meet the love of my life at Happy High School. What are the odds?
5. I'm really looking forward to our family spending time together at the San Antonio Stock Show.
6. I'd trade anything for Nonnie to be living here on the farm instead of us. I'd love a lunch of home-made chicken tenders and biscuits. Followed by an afternoon snack of a Coke and a Hershey bar (with peanut butter and mini-marshmallows on it if I wanted).
7. I'm glad we can visit Nonnie and enjoy her company at the nursing home. The kids have made some fun memories there. Not many kids get to have good times and eat cheese dip with their great-grandmother.
8. I'm looking forward to working this summer with mom. She amazes me with all of the things she knows how to do around here. Maybe I should start taking notes.We're going to try our hand at a pumpkin patch this year. I think it and the zoo thing go hand-in-hand.
9. Bonza Bottler Day is the best least-known holiday to celebrate. More people should participate, it is important to take time out to have fun with your friends.
10. My husband works way harder than most people in his position. I think the community finally sees that and is starting to appreciate what he does for our kids.
11. I'm blessed to live in a small community that feels like a big family. Sadie (and T.S. next year) has teachers that have known her her whole life. It's fun to raise (or rear as Mrs. Smith would say) children with the people you grew up with. Even better is the fact that some of our parents grew up together.
12. It has been fun watching Sadie and Robby and T.S. with our show animals. At the stock shows, I've missed my dad more than I thought I would.
13. I love to mix Honey Nut Cheerios (the generic bag-kind), peanut butter, mini-marshmallows and M&Ms together for a snack. YUM! Other than that I'm not a big dessert/sweets fan.
14. The perfect day would be one spent outdoors with family and friends. A day with no obligations except just to "be"--be happy, be content and have fun.
15. I can't remember the last book I read. I really need to a)make time to read and b)read more books of substance.
16. I am a picky eater--I really hope my kids don't inherit that.

Okay, so that's 16 random things about me--a little deeper than I intended. Let me know if you decide to post 16 or feel free to post some things about yourself in the comments here.

Bunco

I'm in a Bunco group. A group of 12 ladies get together once a month, eat supper and play Bunco. Bunco is a very simple game played with 3 dice. Every woman/mother needs one thing that is hers. One thing that she can go and do by herself or, even better, with a group of her peers. Bunco is a time for us to come together, share stories, lift one another up and essentially just remind each other that we're all in this together. (how cheesy sounding)

Anyway, this article was in the paper today. It is a story about a group of ladies who have been getting together to play Bunco since the Depression. They decided to call it quits after years of gathering once a month. It made me think of my group. I hope we can keep rolling as long as they did.

Have you seen my spoons?

A strange phenomenon has come over our house. We seem to be missing quite a few spoons. I noticed the other day that there weren't many in the silverware drawer. I just thought the kids had eaten lots of cereal and they were in the dishwasher. Instead, our spoon supply seems to have dwindled.

When Robby and I married 10 years ago we started off with enough silverware to serve at least 12 and probably 14 (can't remember the exact number of place settings we received.) I haven't counted, but I think we are down to something like 8 spoons, maybe less. So where are they?

• Were they inadvertently thrown in the trash?
• Did the kids "borrow" them to play something and forget to bring them back to the kitchen?
• Are they where the lost socks go to play?

I'm pretty sure that somewhere in another dimension are lonely single socks and lost spoons trying to figure out how to re-enter the world and find their mates and place in the drawer.