Merry Christmas!!

Well, the eviction has been moved up, so I'm on my way to the Blue House to finish up painting so we can gather up moving help at Christmas Dinner! We opened presents last night so we have more moving time today, but I felt I HAD to catch up here. I probably will be sending out Christmas letters at some point, but it's so much easier to post life as it happens! It might also keep my letter to one page this year!!

Ok, I have to catch you all up over the last few days... so much has happened this week!!

This is Peach and Precious. They really came through for me this week. We've really had a lot of problems and headaches with my favorite plumbers from Shen, so I called in my dad's friends. They are quite the team. They are also electricians, so they can do about anything! They finished up the plumbing on Thursday; installed my sinks, faucets and garbage disposal, and fussed about not having cookies all day. So Friday, I had cookies and Precious forgot the milk! But they also got my appliances installed Friday, so my complaints were minimal. Peach needed a few more things to do while Precious finished up the dishwasher, so I had him finish up the closet light, hang my bathroom light and mirror, and I tried to get him to hang my shower door, but he really whined about that. Hmmm... cookies not enough??
Randy was really hard to get focused!! We made it clear how critical a bathroom door was for this party, so he did come hang that. He was supposed to come back to trim out four doorways, but apparently he had promised to lay tile in Shen. How important could that be??
Fortunately, my Uncle Paul and cousin Chad came over and helped me out. Uncle Paul got the bathroom doorknob set, and Chad got the pulls on my kitchen cabinets. Chad also got a basement doorknob set, which I thought was pretty important for keeping little ones from tumbling down the stairs! Chad and Chrissy put in a lot of the doorstops to save my walls, then they went shopping for Christmas decorations!! That girl is just so sweet, I have no idea how Chad landed her!! She brought back poinsettias for the end tables, garland and lights for my bay window, holly tablecloths for the card tables and then did all the decorating. She's just a dream!

Well, the party was a smash! We had about 50 people and Grandma Rose didn't know anything was going on. It was all a complete surprise to her. We were so pleased with everything and had a really great time!! This photo is Chrissy, Grandma Rose and Elena (Mary's) and the next is Chad with Casey. Once again, Chrissy came through and helped with the clean-up!! Mary grabbed up doing dishes. She liked our extra high counters. I have to say, that higher kitchen sink is quite fun! A new house just makes everything a bit more fun. It's much more fun to work down there with a working bathroom, too!! Well, I must go paint my trim and get ready for the move!! You all have a blessed Christmas, and even if you're moving and such like me, don't forget to remember the Savior whom we celebrate today. His birth changed our course and is the only way to Heaven. Praise Him today and always!!

No Sleep...

Well, it's 2 am and I'm still awake. Went to bed around 10 and woke up at midnight, and been awake ever since. I got up at 12:30 and did my normal list-making that usually eases my mind, but that didn't work. Just laid there for an hour. Poked around on the internet a bit but all the remedies there involve reading or listening to a good book. I guess I'd rather write one! I think the reason my list-making isn't working is because all my lists involve things other people must do for me. The tile is all laid and grouted, the carpet is all down, but now I need a working kitchen and bathroom, and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm no carpenter, I'm no plumber... I don't even seem to be a good organizer of these events because I never know what needs to be done next. So here I am. Awake and powerless. And yet so close to a home that I can really feel it. Speaking of feeling it, our eviction notice came today. We're moving next week, so I'm hoping things are ready!! No, Mom's just making plans for Troy's to be here New Year's weekend and it just all looks so possible that we're counting on a move next week. Things won't be done, but if we wait around for everything to get done, I'm not sure when we'd move. I've been so thankful for this party that really has everyone finally taking me seriously!! Plan the party, build the house. That's my way, I guess!! I'm just still a bit nervous about my garage sale toidy. What if it doesn't work? What if it works until half-way through the party? Ok, now you're seeing why I'm up. I do have to beat everyone over there tomorrow (today), though. Randy didn't want the carpet down yet, so I have to cover it well before he starts. And the plumber doesn't have a key, and he's really an early bird!! I normally like that, except that I know as soon as I do get some sleep, I'm not going to like morning! And then there's this job that really gets in my way. I'm scheduled in at the bakery tomorrow. I don't have time for that! On top of all that, the three of us girls came down with something this weekend and mine's still hanging on. Could be all that Sudafed keeping me up... oh, well, at least I can breathe for a while. Time to go try again... nighty night!

Mallory and the Angels

Last night we went to the Westside Christmas Pageant. They have been doing these fabulous productions for 21 years now, and we have gone to the last 5 or 6. We have our little "spot" in the balcony, and I like to get a picture of Mallory with an angel afterwards. Last year I found that you need to get that done quickly, before the angels get out of their itchy outfits!! This whole night is just so magical and I love it setting the mood for the rest of Christmas. The little angel on the right is the one who stood by us in the balcony during the angel scene. These kids must practice so much!! She did such a fantastic job and was so graceful. Even the boys love this night... except the first hour!! We have to get there an hour early to get our "spot" and sitting for an hour is too much to ask of those two!! We got through it with no bruises, and they had a wonderful time!! The church brings in live camels, donkeys, sheep and goats and it is just spectacular!! This year, one of the shepherds brought one of the goats up to the balcony for the kids to pet. They are still sleeping now, but I have to get down to the blue house and make sure the tile is done and Randy is putting in the rest of the door jambs!!

Closing in...

The tile comes tomorrow and Michael and Randy have been working on the trim all weekend. I've been pretty sick, but tried to go help last night. I lasted about an hour, then Michael had to take me home. Bonnie stayed in the truck the whole day. We're wondering if she knows something about the skunk! Michael was also putting a lot into getting the pantry units put together so Randy could get those installed today. We're counting up the number of things that need to be done today before the tile and the list is quite lengthy! Guess I better pull myself together and get down there!!

Well, now, that's just purty...

Every once in a while, you really get to let go with a cake! This was the case with this one. It was a surprise party for his wife and he wanted a birthday cake. But for just wanting a birthday cake, he sure had a lot of requests! But just about the time you think you've outdone yourself, the only response is, "Yep, that's a cake." No, I don't get that much, but it's one of Michael's favorite lines when I really start thinking I'm something. But I'm about done with these surprise orders! Lining up the pick up or delivery on the sly can take more time than decorating the cake! I think Mom was just about to deliver it for him when she saw where he planned to put it. He was shoving stuff around in the trunk to make room, but she knew darn well that all that stuff was going to shift and topple down on the cake! Well, we haven't heard the final results, but we sure hope it got there looking like this!

My friend

This is Herman. He's my new friend. He's been poking around at the Blue House and appears to wish to stay. I'm not completely pleased about this, but he is extremely cute. But, as with all cute guys, he does have his downfall. No, he hasn't done anything wrong yet, but I know boys and it's only a matter of time. We've seen him the last couple of days and think he may be living in the crick somewhere, or in the big log we've tried to burn twice. I called my dad since he claims to be a hot shot pest control manager of some sort, but he was busy. I'm thinking of calling the sheriff, but all he will do is call some hot shot pest control manager (a.k.a. "DAD") that won't have time until spring. I can just see how this goes... we finally get the house ready and can't move in because the neighbors have stunk it up. grrrrrr

Have to hurry

Really wanted to post last night's cake. It is so sharp. All red and black (plus some green leaves). It's for a restaurant's first anniversary.

But anyway, Michael's rounding up troops to head out to the blue house to unload all we got from Home Depot last night. We have a lot of cabinets to put together for Randy to install! And I already have a lot of dings and such to fix up with some spackle, too! All part of the job, I hear!

Busy day... have to play later, but had to get this cake up!

Kitchen Progress

My kitchen seems to be coming together! The cupboards all went in Wednesday, then they started on the cabinets and island Thursday. The guys took a long weekend to Branson, against my better judgement. Not that they asked me. There couldn't be anything more important in Branson!! Randy has to build the island countertop because it's so big. We're really excited about that. We have a 36" base in the middle, and we're wishing it was a 24" to give more room around it, but I'm sure nothing would be perfect anyway. Always depends on how many people are in the kitchen! The electrician is coming back to finish up the lighting today. Michael sent me to get a home theatre system and said not to spend over $400. Well, of course, the one the guy said I HAD to have was over $600, but while he was looking for kitchen speakers, I ran into a display of them for $48. Really had me baffled on that one. Sure, it didn't have the whoop-de-doo receiver thingy, and you had to buy your own brackets for the speakers ($8 at Walmart), but that's what I got. Done. Now to explain to Michael. I tried to tell him I spent the $400 so I could feel better about getting a good system, but he said he had told me to only spend $300. I reminded him that he shouldn't have sent me. So I said fine, it was only $250. After arguing and negotiating a price I had already paid, he called my bluff and asked for the receipt. Bad call. I threw it away. Well, no convincing him of that. Any woman that can tell you exactly what the household spent on Mountain Dew last year doesn't throw away a receipt for a sound system. Bummer. Definitely sold out there. So he found out what it cost and wasn't too upset at all... yet. We'll see what the electrician thinks about it!
The other photo is Morgan cleaning up. You might think I have a great kid there, and I do, but what he's really doing is gathering up sawdust for himself! They play in it like it's sand or something, but since I haven't found anything contextually disrespectful or morally reprehensible about it, I'm letting that one go! Happy cleaning!!

Hanging lights!!

...And I don't mean Christmas lights!! Chris got nearly all the light fixtures up yesterday!! It's really coming together! Morgan got some pictures for me. (And a great job there, too. Out of 32 photos, 5 were keepers!) He also got all the outlets and most of the switches hooked up, too. I changed my mind on a couple of rooms, so after work I ran up to Home Depot to get more paint, a couple more light fixtures, several switches, a doorbell, and a whole cart load of light bulbs! (What? Those don't come with?) My deep blue wasn't working in my room, so I wanted something truly black. I found one in the Disney paints called "Mouse Ears" and figured those to be black! Then I found one in the brand I like called "Dark Secrets." There ya go. That's what you need in your bedroom! Anyway, the guy mixing them said they both take nothing more than black. 16 ounces of black! So we'll see if that fixes my problem. Probably not, but maybe it will fix my walls. So the dining room (see Morgan's outlet photo) is back to its original color. I tried a faux finish, but really didn't like it as much as the solid color. So now it's back to solid. I also tried to do a neat glow in my living room, but it didn't really do for me what the solid did, so I got more living room paint, too. Today's project! Home Depot knows me by name now. I'm not saying they don't run and hide, but they do know me. When we got back with all the stuff (Mom was precious enough to go with me!), we went straight to the blue house to unload it. Chris had a light on for me! I had minimal bulbs there at the house, but he put one in an outside light for me. He's really cool. Dad also came and shortened the extenders for my palm frond fans in the living room. He's so cool, too. Those are the greatest fans ever. Except the globes. Stupid globes looked like someone sprayed them with that tacky frost junk ya spray in trailer park windows. grrr. New globes. The ones I really wanted were about $12 each. Now I can multiply 12 times 8, but at that particular moment I chose not to and to keep looking for something I can live with! They aren't great, but they're better. So after unloading and getting back home, we were crawling in bed about midnight, so first service is a little less attractive today... but it's my turn for the shower, so things will look brighter in a few minutes!

Been Busy

Well, I took the week off work to paint, and I got pretty far, but not far enough!! I had to leave the living room so we could spray the trim, but all the other rooms have at least two coats. The bedrooms have three coats, and the boys' even has four so far. It would be nice to give it one more, but we'll see. These photos are the mudroom (with the red door) and the kitchen. Nothing photographed well on the first try, but I'm posting these anyway. My little helper there is Morgan. My hands are killing me, so this is it for now! Might get some more up later this week.

One more time...

We went to Cook, NE yesterday to get a new truck. New. Haha. Anyway, we haven't found any problems yet. For its age, 1988, it's in pretty good condition. The outside desperately needs paint, but the upholstery is good, the tires are excellent, it has a bed liner and shell, and most all the lights and such work. The right turn signal won't stay on, but hey. Mallory said in a very shocked tone, "Is this your fourth truck?" Then Matthew follows up, "How long will this one last?" Teehee. My job here on earth is done. I have created my replacements. Actually, I never would have made these statements out loud. To him. Anyhoo...

We went to check progress on the drywall fixing project. The bedrooms are pretty good, but the rest needs help. I took off all next week to paint, now it looks like I won't be able to start until at least mid-week. grrrrr We're meeting with them tomorrow morning to point out the errors of their ways. I know it won't be perfect, but if they can match the job they did in the bedrooms, I'd be reasonable.

Ok, grabbing a movie and heading downstairs. Never lasts long before the boys find me in my favorite hiding spot. Ok, my only hiding spot, but everyone deserves one.

Good List

Since everyone likes a good list, I thought I'd post the one we got in Sunday morning Bible study last week. We're going through Tommy Nelson's Song of Solomon conference on video and it is just so much fun. Anyway, here's the list:

17 "Nevers" of communicating with your spouse
1. Never raise your voice in your home. (Easy enough... except when I need to yell)
2. Never publicly embarrass your mate. (Good one. Never do it)
3. Never argue in front of the children. (Understandable, but sometimes I need them for backup)
4. Never use the kids to win an argument. (Just shot #3)
5. Never talk about your spouse outside of your marriage. (Always support him, even behind his back. Learned that one in pre-marital counseling)
6. Never use sex to win. (Wouldn't do that. But he doesn't get any until I win)
7. Never touch in anger. (I love how this leaves room for throwing things)
8. Never call names. (Okay, that's childish, but sometimes necessary)
9. Never get historical and call into account a wrong suffered. (What's the point of a good memory?)
10. Never stomp out. (Get him to)
11. Never freeze your mate out. (Leave him a good coat)
12. Never use the in-laws. (Good advice. Especially when you're living with them)
13. Never reason in the face of pain. (Very good. Don't do it)
14. Never let the sun go down on your anger and give the devil an opportunity. (Make him stay up till you're done)
15. Never reverse an argument. (Very hard to do. This has squelched way too many arguments I would have like to have finished this week)
16. Never fail to listen to your mate. (Had that one. We're both good at that)
17. Never harden yourself toward your spouse. (That would be the end)

So we've been using those this week, and it's surprising how many times you find yourself in the middle of something you shouldn't do. And you can even see why, but then that blows the argument, and well, sometimes you figure out that you didn't need to be arguing about it in the first place. Oh, well.

If anyone has the opportunity to see the videos, take it. They are so worthwhile for everyone. While we are always told right and wrong, this really points out the rewards of doing things right. There is also a series for the unmarried, but this one covers that as well. I really hope to get to go through them again. An absolute gold mine of information for loving your spouse even more.

I knew I could!

Well, since everything I have been posting has been clashing with my blog layout, I've been trying to change it for the fall. Now that winter has just about hit, I'm getting this figured out! I'm glad this is a free service, because I could be spending a small fortune just on thier FAQ page! Anyway, feeling a little sick and dizzy today, so I'm hoping for a slow day of Sesame Street and video games. Not too much to ask, is it? I guess we'll see...

Happy Anniversary, Sweetie

Today is our 12th Anniversary. What are we doing? Hopefully, painting doors or something constructive like that. Progress continues slowly on the house. Sounds like a move in date in February. Really starting to knock the wind out of my sails. Janice really noticed it at the bakery yesterday. She says I usually do come in like it's my day off, but yesterday really had me down. We thought these drywallers were really going to fix all our problems, but then I find out they're smoking in the house and shoving cigarette butts in places I'll never get them out. That's when Janice said, "Wow, it really is one thing after another!"

But then I got going on a Thomas cake like I made Morgan, and later I got to make some new ones that we just got in. I had ordered some Curious George and Tinkerbell, and already had an order for George. It was in that awful Reddi-whip icing that just makes me cringe. I don't care how good that stuff tastes, it's not frosting! It doesn't spread like frosting and it doesn't decorate like frosting and the longer a cake stays decorated in it, the worse it looks. That stuff is gross. One huge, sticky mess. Hopefully my kids never hear it, but at the bakery I've always called it Crappy-Creme. I just think that even by the time someone picks up her cake, it's already ooozing together, colors bleeding, and drying out. And Buttercreme just looks so pretty. Always. And you can do so much with it. You can build it up, you can shape it, you can put black next to yellow and the yellow doesn't get upset. I'm about to stop taking Thomas orders in it. That's just disrespecting the Train. And he looks so good in the Buttercreme. Anyway... time to get moving toward church. Dad took Mom out for their 40th Anniversary last night and they came home with overalls for the boys. Just like Grandpa's. Mom said they have them on hangers in their room. I've never seen them hang up their Sunday clothes like that. Hmmmm.... I wonder if they think they're wearing them to church today... I think I really better get moving. I may have to hide some overalls before I get overruled!!

Spooks and Cats

October 31... Halloween and Bugger-Man's birthday. He's not so fond of the kids or the camera, so when I sent them to get a birthday picture, I didn't have a whole lot of good shots to post. Anyway, he's 14 years old now and outlived the other two. We lost Haze two years ago spring, about six days before his birthday. I probably would have posted some memorial about him, but this spring I was dealing with Joey's bad heart. I lost him just three days before his birthday. So Bugger making it to 14 is kind of a big deal to me, but the kids and I still spent the day kind of missing Joey and Haze. They really were great cats. They were kids' cats. Joey would put up with anything. Matthew used to follow him around clutching his tail, and it never bothered him. He was also their nurse. If anyone was sick and lying on the couch, there he was holding the covers down. Hazey was my foot cat. No matter where my feet were, he covered them. I really miss those guys. And it's worse on the kids, because Bugger doesn't like them. He's the flighty kind of adult cat that really doesn't like fast-movers. Matthew's not really pleased about him being the only cat we have now. Poor guy.

Anyway, the trick-or-treating went well. The Bat-boys had their costumes from last year, but Mallory got a new one. Her Rapunzel was just not going to fit again. I expanded it as far as it would go for it to fit last year! But we only do two year costumes, so it didn't matter. We put together a really nice angel for her. She helped pick out the pattern and the fabrics and all the trimmings. I was pretty concerned about the wings, but she eventually found those, too! That was a relief!! I had no idea how I was going to do those!! But we had a really good time and went to several houses. The kids don't really know the knock, get your candy and leave routine. Anywhere we go, we go in and talk for a while. They play with any of the pets or toddlers that were left behind until Mom gets done talking! Michael was really surprised the first year we came back with that much candy after only going to about six houses. Around here, there aren't many trick-or-treaters, so you get loaded at the houses that are prepared! He also said that when he was a kid, he'd just go straight down the street whether he knew the people or not. I thought that was kinda boring. Well, anyway, it's all about the kids so we do what they like. I let them pick most of the houses. It's fun now that we can visit their friends now and not just mine!

Magical times

Yesterday was that appointment we all look forward to all year. That time when a girl and her doctor can really bond and get to know each other. She also reminded me that I'm closing in on that extraordinary age where a boob squishing will be part of the experience. Oh, joy...

Well, at least we get that over with first, then on to some major shopping. Things I never dreamed I needed. When three girls get together to tackle their lists in a city they don't visit very often, it can be a wild ride. Craft stores, Quilt stores, Bath and Body stores, and of course, Sam's and Wal-Mart, where you really can leave half your inheritance. We normally all take our Berninas up to be serviced, too, but this time it was only Janice's. I love hearing the lady in there say, "Oh, no, you can't have that back today! There are 10 machines ahead of yours!" Of course, we've already called Al for an appointment, so it's ready in a few hours.

So Janice took us to a quilt store that was beyond belief. Although the fabrics were all quilt based (i.e... no wedding fabrics, swimwear... only quilting fabrics), there were more fabrics than I could imagine. This place had more classes than a scrapbooking store and more quilts on display than any one woman could complete in a lifetime. It was also amazing how knowledgable each of the ladies was in quilting. It seems all too often that people in a fabric store know little to nothing about fabrics or sewing. This place was incredible. Janice and I got some fabric for a kitty cat Christmas throw. It's a rag quilt, which basically means you stitch it together and clip it so it ravels and looks ragged. I was hoping for it to be a fair project for Mallory, but she thinks that's probably too much for her. After the scarf clipping experience last year, Mom thinks she may be right. Well, Mom actually paid for everything, so for all I know, I may not be included in this project either!!

We also stopped at Kohl's. It's really no different than any other department store, except that about 90% of the stuff in there is on sale. And they know sales... 50 and 60% off. Not that the prices start at anything I'd pay, but half of that is fine! They also get serious about their clearances. I got about 6 shirts for the boys for spring at $2.50 each. Great stuff. I also got Mallory her favorite panties, but I really shouldn't talk about those. HA! I'm really not looking forward to shopping in the juniors department. They just don't make anything that covers a poor girl. I mean, really, why are we showing so much skin to begin with, let alone now in fall when a girl would like to stay warm?!? Almost makes me want to go back into fashion and fix those people! Almost...

Well, anyway... I think Michael's waiting for the computer. Probably a big Texas tourney coming up. And since I really didn't have anything worthy of reporting today, I could easily close this! Off to the bakery today. Have fun and maybe I'll see ya there!

The fun of fall

I really love to make the fall cakes. This one was for our Assistant Pastor who is leaving for his own church. He's going up north of Ames, where I went to college. We're so excited for him, but it is so hard. We love them so much and got to see both of their daughters married. It's only been about seven years, but seems like forever. They are such a part of us.


Work should have started back up on the house today. It's getting too cold to paint any doors, so I may have to live with the mess until spring. I've lived through worse! This whole mess is costing us a fortune, but hopefully Joe's Great Adventure is about to be behind us. We packed up a few boxes today, with hopes the house will be ready in the near future. There were many tears over that which was packed. Just can't get through that there just isn't room for all this stuff. I'm not sure the boys believe it's going to be returned. They're just too used to the "Confiscation Boxes" of things that were taken away, not to be returned until the new house. Now that it's been 16 months, they aren't sure anything's coming back! I've had those same fears over the furniture in the apple barn! I'm just sure it's all destroyed, or that I'll wish it was! We also started up some math today. I'm just really nervous that we'll never catch up. I know we will, but I need something to be happening. Things were pretty normal. Morgan was first and couldn't wait to see his new book. The minute we opened it, I saw Matthew fly past the window with his dog. Mallory just worked on her verses until it was her turn. She wasn't feeling all that well, so I gave her some medicine. She got a lot of her math done before she threw up. Poor girl. Then she wanted to come back and finish. I thought there were better things to do for the time. Matthew assumed that meant he was done, too! The boys got her settled in on the couch, trying to take care of her like she does for them. They put in all of their Marvel Comics movies, and I'm sure that was just the ticket. After they were done sitting for a while, she put her own movies in! Hope things improve for tomorrow. But at least we have this hope of the end of homelessness!!!

Thursday morning pains

Wow, I must be getting old. I've always had a hard time getting up after Cubbies, but now I just plain hurt. The kids wake up so excited and ready to hit the day head on (like my mom, who is at this moment sewing up a storm), and I'm just left wondering what happened. Oh, well, I'm at the bakery at noon... this can't last forever. So these are yesterday's cakes. The fall one is for the residents and Dora Mountain is for a classmate's little gal. Janice showed me how to make the pine cones last time I was at the bakery. One of my high school teachers ordered a couple fall cakes and I tried them on that one, so then I just couldn't wait for the residents to see. There is a new activity director over there, so I guess she actually ordered this one. She tried to tell me that this was exactly what she ordered. Whatever. This is for the residents, not you... anyhoo...
So, that little Cubbie that I wrote about last week put me in my place. She had told her mom that she did NOT say she looked like a doll, she said she looked CUTE. So there you have it. I stand corrected. (And loving it!!!) No matter how much I hurt the next day, I'm always reminded why I do this!! I like to give out a prize or small candy as the Cubbies are leaving. Lots of the older kids get something in the form of a prize that they've earned, and I learned my first year at Cubbies that there are fewer tears if I just do the same! A lot of parents have caught on and bring something in, but I always have something on hand, just in case. Last night I had that huge pack of mini-Play-Doh tubs. Boy, was that a hit!! The Cubbies were thrilled and the parents always like something that's not candy, but also not something that they have to sneak to the trash after they've stepped on it for the 28th time. I even had the big kids in there begging for some! No, no, you'll have to earn your own prizes, these are for the Cubbies!

The next generation

My dad is making me post this. It's his idea of feeding his grandkids. He is so proud of his grandkids. I'm just so proud to be a trapper's daughter. Not that this deer was caught in a trap, but growing up with a scuddy, knuckledragging trapper and being dragged to all the scuddy, knuckledragging trappers' conventions across the world, I was pretty anxious to marry out of this life (see previous posts, maybe Dec last year). Mom just wants the carcasses out of her yard before they get posted again!!

Oh, those Cubbies!

Well, ya just gotta love them! I already knew we'd be short the two high school helpers because of homecoming week and their activities. Then Michael got home yesterday and was trying to fuss around about being sick. I wasn't listening. I knew I'd be going without him, but he was pretending to fight the good fight. HA. Anyway, as I was getting set up, I grabbed a gal who likes to help anywhere needed. Thing is, she's on oxygen and has to drag around the little cylinder. No problem, she says, she takes it everywhere and never lets it slow her down. As the Cubbies were starting to come in, one of the new ones steps in, drops her coat showing a little pink leopard print outfit and exclaims, "Don't I just look like a doll in this outfit?!?" She really did! As the night drew on, I was noticing that one of the other leaders didn't show up either. She probably told me about this, but that doesn't always help when you're in the thick of things and wonder where your help is!!! Well anyway, the Cubbies never notice. They had a great time, learned their verses, had their snacks and did their craft. I'm sure enjoying this year. My kids are doing very well in their groups, too. Morgan will probably be done with his book by Thanksgiving, Matthew's pulling along well and Mallory is a little behind her classmates, but is making such great progress! She didn't finish her book last year, but has her goals all set to get this one done in the next few weeks. I just love seeing her dedication. Just still wish there was a way her math skills could help her here!!
It's late, off to bed!

Passing on my best

The woodcutters are at it again. I'm supposed to be making coffee. It's brewing. They had me come out to get some pictures a while ago, and I just had to post this one. If there's anything I truly must pass on to my daughter, it's the ability to make it clearly understood when you find something irritating or unpleasant. None of this "suck it up," no, that's for the boys. It's a way of making it miserable for anyone who might try to make things miserable for me. All about me, ya know... That's what my dad says, anyway.

I love Christian Weddings

Brecka got married yesterday and was just the most beautiful bride I've ever seen. Her beauty and poise were set off so much by the way they truly pledged their lives to one another. After they lit their unity candle and prayed together, they washed each other's feet, just as Jesus did for his disciples the last time they were together. It was unbelievable. I can't wait to see what they do together. They are really committed to God and it's exciting to watch kids like that.

Her husband, Matt, is from Michigan and does something for the Pistons, I'm not sure what, but he wanted the groom's cake to be Michigan Stadium. I thought this sounded fantastic, but being cake, it's oftentimes difficult at best to get what you want. If you don't look at a photo of Michigan Stadium, this is pretty good... but anyway... He loved it, especially the confetti "people" in the bleachers. It was a hit.

Brecka's cake was really pretty. Very simple, as was the whole affair. I would have loved to have Jennifer's opinion on whether I got the white cake moist enough, as I know she is quite the cake connoisseur. Comments from my chocolate are always good, but now I worry about the white! Brecka chose a confetti cake, which was fun. I treated it like a white wedding cake and left out the yolks so it would be a sharp white. I ordered the daisies and the blue flowers. They really were pretty.

This and that

So a few updates here and there... I guess I've been forgetting to take pictures of my last few cakes. The last four have been round ones: one with roses, one confetti, one Dora and one Wicked Witch of the West... for a boy. He's a funny little character. The grandson of Mom's employer. Apparently, he's everyone's best friend, but Grandma says he's a bit bossy! Dora was for his twin sister. This cake was for Michael at The Ambassador. They are without an activity director there at the nursing home right now, so by the end of the month no one had requested the monthly birthday cake that I always make for them. I had to take matters into my own hands and make one anyway. Can't skip their birthdays, ya know.

The other photo is coat 2 on the red door. I still think it's going to take several coats to get it nice and deep. I still need to take the original paint chip, as well as the colors for the living room and make sure I have a match. I have never seen a paint go on so much differently than it dries to. This is a very orange-red when it goes on, but I think it's very close to the Cherry Cobbler I picked out. As long as it blends with my living room, it's a go! News on the drywall isn't as uplifting. It's now in the hands of the insurance and could be months before they make any decisions. I think I'll call Randy and get the phone number. Maybe a daily call could cheer them up and help them make this faster.

Well, my last day with Malarie at the grocery store was interesting. She really liked the mouse-gift I gave her. She saw the tail and walked past it twice just hoping it wasn't what she thought it was. After Jenny told her it was me, I got a page on the intercom. It was surprisingly calm! Everyone else was pretty excited about the whole deal because she had been quite ornery to everyone just the day before and they were all trying to figure out how to pay her back. So I guess everyone was satisfied!

Yesterday was Grammie's birthday. We called her to sing Happy Birthday and then Michael asked if she was busy working or if she had time to talk. She mentioned that out in California it was only 6:15 and her alarm hadn't actually gone off yet. OOOOPS!! Happy Birthday!!

Tonight is AWANA and I have much to do today. We're still getting a couple more Cubbies each week and I'm trying to make some security nametags for all the leaders, so there's much left to do still. It will always be ongoing, but I'm hoping to get a major dent in it today. So, onward!!

Party, Party, Party

The kids had a really great time at Mary's party yesterday. She has 3 kids, 2 born in September and one in January. The January guy got snowed out or snowed in, so she threw one big party for 3 little kids. The theme was Pirates/Dinosaurs/Pooh, depending on which kid you asked. What fun. They had to find a treasure chest, walk a plank, grab pretzels with a hook, erupted volcanoes, had a dinosaur egg hunt, made cave paintings, and whacked an Eeyore pinata. There was even more, but the titles would take more than a line, so let's just say that they all had a fantastic time. She had even made 3 cakes. Her plan was to end the party watching "Treasure Island," but the boys must have known that if they stopped they would fall asleep, so the boys crashed around outside while Mallory followed Elena around for a while. No one remembered to tell poor Isaiah about the sleep thing, so we found him and his dad crashed on the couch. He really thought he was watching the movie!

Anyway, time to get things rolling toward church. It's donut Sunday, so at least we can skip breakfast!

Still Not Happy

The second bid came in to fix Joe's Great Adventure (with my drywall) and the insurance wants a third one now. I guess they're just not getting how much of an adventure he had. Michael met with an adjuster last night, and Michael really felt like the guy knew something about drywall, so that helps. But Michael doesn't see us getting in before Dec 1. grrrr... I had a "Mom's night out" planned for the new house with my homeschool group and I want it in my new house. I really just want a house!! Anyway, keep my chin up, right? okay...

Malarie is leaving the bakery and today is my last day with her. She's actually in the deli today, but we still tend to see each other a lot. Not too long ago, there was a mouse loose in the grocery store, so someone had set traps here and there, and she made it clear that she really didn't want to see one in a trap. So for our last day together, I had to go get a fuzzy little cat toy mouse to set in a trap as a good-bye present for her. I think she'll like it.

I have two cakes for the weekend, so I should get going on them. God Bless!

Chilly Morning

Well, it's one of those mornings. We had Cubbies last night, so my brain's pretty much mush. I just got done with my morning sudoku and found myself scrolling up and down looking for where in the scope of things the 4 might appear. The boys were being wild in the bedroom and riling up their sister so I sent them outside. It's only about 40 degrees out there, if that. They came back in looking for breakfast, but I wasn't ready for that so I sent them back out.

I can't believe how my mom wakes up. Hits the ground running. Has laundry going, whipping her house in order after being gone for two days, and is getting ready to go mow. It takes a second cup of coffee just to watch.

More bad news on the house. The first bid came in on fixing Joe's Great Adventure and it was high enough that the insurance company wants a second bid. This adds another couple weeks to the delay. I decided a couple days ago to start getting doors painted. I'm not very happy with the red. It doesn't really cover very well, and it bubbles. We're planning to sand it down and repaint and see what happens. I only got a quart and was wondering when I could run up to Home Depot to get more when I decided to just find my paint chip and get Paul at True Value to match it. I left the store with something very orange and the thought that Paul was not the Super Handy Man I had once thought. But I painted a stir stick and by the next morning it was a great match. We already figured that with it being a second coat, it didn't have to be a perfect match, just one I liked, but I now have great hopes that I'll love it. The blue doors painted up very nicely. That one had great coverage, but the fuzzies from the rollers were showing. So Paul sent me home with a whoop-de-doo roller that won't leave fuzz. I'm thinking that a sanding and one more coat is all the blue doors will need. We shall see.

Now my grandpa's coming up with a fish that needs a photo. They are apparently having camera problems and cannot preserve their great moment. I wonder what the sitting fee for a 40# flathead might be... Oh, well, at least he's bringing it here and I don't have to go chase the bugger down for a photo I don't want... ok, well, some in the house may want it, but don't expect to find him here!!

Trains, trains

Well, I was supposed to take the boys out to see the trains last night, but Mallory and Michael thought they had to go, too. So we all went, but arrived just as everyone had gone out for dinner. One guy, Dan, had stayed and really had a great time showing the kids all kinds of things they couldn't have seen if everyone had been there. It really worked out well. It was dark when everyone got back, so the photos are poor at best. My greatest new photographer, Matthew, took most of these. We really had a great time and the kids want to talk Grandpa into going again after church.

This was my friend, Malarie's big wedding cake weekend. It was so beautiful. She is so talented with cakes. I was really jealous of this one. It had staircases and a fountain and lots of orbitals. All my brides ever want is flat stacks. Someday!! My next one is another flat stack, but the groom's cake is Michigan Stadium, so that should be fun! But anyway, Malarie's cake was just fantastic. She had blue icing ribbons all around it and matched blue water for the fountain. She brought pictures in to show me. Her topper really made me nervous. One of the heaviest and unbalanced ever. I sure hope it stayed up. She had good plans on how to stabilize it, I'm just not sure that it could work. Sure hope so!

Keep your chin up!

I am repeating this to myself over and over again. The drywaller really really really messed up the entire house. The first problem is that we hired this guy not because he had the lowest bid, which he didn't, but because he could start the soonest. Impatient little Michelle. He hired another guy who actually hired another guy. So I guess this is actually sub-contracting woes. Anyway, we asked for smooth walls. Everyone told me they would be more expensive and take longer. No problem, it's what I really want. Now the guy doing the work said he'd actually charge more for the textured walls because they take more product. Hmmmm... Carrie, if you're reading this to Marty, you better stop here. It gets worse. So we could still see the roughed up paper between the lines of mud, but the middle contractor said to put the primer down and that would lay it down. Ok, on went the primer. No go. So he came over to give it a look and I knocked it down a little with a sanding block and he says, "Oh, yeah, that'll work. Sand it all and put the gloss on." That took a little time and Michael had to re-prime the sprayer several times in the process. So I was trying to stay ahead sanding while he sprayed on the gloss, and then as the sun went down, we could still see the lines of mud and checkerboard pattern between stripes of mud, and now we could see bubbles in the mud, round prints from the sander and even a few screws. Ok, almost all of them. So we had that second contractor come out to look at it and he's still thinking that sanding and painting is going to fix it. We went home and decided to call the guy we actually hired and planned to meet the next morning. In the meantime, the second guy called and yelled at us for painting, mind you it was his idea that we paint. He also said that smooth walls were a 5 coat job and we only paid him for 3. Michael calmly (almost) reminded him that we didn't hire him at all. We hired the other guy to give us smooth walls and he should be more careful how he bids, however, not our problem.
So then, the guy we hired had some guys come down from Omaha to check it out. They walked through the whole place and just kept saying, "Wow." I didn't take that as being a good thing. They were really hinting at the options that at this point included more texture than smooth, but everytime they did, I could just feel my eyes well up. I had already asked Michael if he was aware of what my greatest fear at this point was. He asked, "That we won't get in before Christmas?" More tears. No, I'm just afraid that there's no way to get smooth walls now. So anyway, he stressed to the guys that we are aware that perfect is not possible anymore, but that texture of any kind just isn't an option for me. Michael had to leave for work at that point, and these guys apparently know how to treat women, because the subject never came up again. They did want to show me a knock-down technique, because it's all the rage in the $2M houses, but it just didn't get me. I'll take it if I have to, but I've had smooth, glossy ceilings once and I really loved them. Just keep praying!

Happy Happy Birthday

So much has happened since that early morning post. The sun was not quite up yet when I took off to deliver the cake, so I must not have noticed the puddles in the driveway. I took off like I always do, and thought about the dirt road going east and remembered a very sunny Saturday. What I forgot is that we were expecting some weather last night, and it apparently arrived. I didn't get very far when I remembered the storm and tried to get stopped. I backed out a little way, then had to park and walk. I was all dressed for church in my short capris and a short sleeved top. I had gone out with wet hair because I like having the extra drying time. I hadn't taken my sandals, though. I knew I could do this one more errand in my favorite Crocs and it was such a good thing that I did. It was less than a mile walk, but it was so cold in that outfit and the wet hair just made my ears even colder. I got home and Dad and Michael came and got me out. Michael was really nice about it, but when I got back from delivering the cake Dad had to ask how the road was coming from the other way. Michael cleaned up my Crocs and Mom found some warm clothes and we still made it to first service. I was really shocked.
After church, the folks took us out for dinner. It was my favorite Chinese place and it was sooo good. Not so much the boys, though. They reminded me why I don't get out much!
When we got home, I went downstairs to check my charges. The geckos were fine, but the turtle was missing. I had everyone down there looking everywhere with flashlights. I was just thinking of how many people had offered to watch these guys, and they picked me. ugh. It really didn't take long before Mallory found him in a pile of wood chips still around from last winter. We got him in the water and watched as he coughed out who knows what all. What a journey he had made. Not sure how he made the fall. That was a long fall for a little guy... especially one that needs to land right side up.
So then Michael and I got ready to go put primer on the drywall. Some friends were meeting us there with a paint sprayer. We were really excited about this. Sure enough, we got all the drywall covered in about 5 hours. We can only imagine how long that could have taken. Wow. So tomorrow we're spraying all the ceilings, closets and the pantry with the white. Oh, yes, and the courtyard. That's what Mom's calling the little hallway to the bedrooms. It's really not a hallway. It's a round about that has all three bedroom doors, a closet, a door up and a door down. So she's just started calling it that and it will probably stick!
We just got home from this and I'm completely exhausted and can't think of anything clever, but wanted to get this posted so you could all rest assured that I had a really wonderful birthday!!

Outdone by my 9 year old!

Can you believe this?? Mallory baked and decorated my birthday cake, with only a little help from Grandma. She told Grandma exactly how Mom bakes them, then later selected her colors, changed tips, and decorated it all up!! What a sweetie. We opened presents last night because Grandpa didn't think Morgan could keep a secret until today!

Well, I have to deliver someone else's cake now, but I'll post more after they take me to dinner today! Sounds like the rest of the day will be painting, yes painting!!! We're putting the primer on all the drywall this afternoon, and hopefully get some ceilings and closets white!! Finally, a home is looking possible!!

Why we do it

I just added another link to this blog called "Raising Small Souls." This was amazing, thank you so much, Rachael. Not everyone can or wishes to homeschool, and I really do understand that. Believe me, I do!! It's not always the joy one might think to bound out of bed and think, "Oh, wow, I'm in charge of my kids' education today!!!" Ok, well most of us think about it long before that morning, but it's still a heavy thought some days. But anyway, for those who can and choose to homeschool, this is all about the goal: fine tuning it to the kid. It's all about the kid. A lot of teachers get it and are able to apply it to their classrooms as well, and most parents know all too well that it takes different motives to actually move each child. Just wanted to share this with you. We can all apply it in some way.

God Bless you abundantly!!

Peaceful Weekend

Michael and the kids went camping yesterday, so I've been enjoying some time to myself. I went to an AWANA leader's house to update some records and look at the 17 scrapbooks she's completed this summer!!! Then made my way to the homeschool planning meeting, which is always so much more fun than it sounds. As we say, "The moms getting together to misuse grammar and laugh about it!!" We had a great time sharing our struggles and joys, and encouraging each other to trudge on! We have several interesting field trips and presentations planned for the upcoming year.
The campers recently returned to clean their catch and clean up themselves! They caught a nice sized channel cat and a very nice sized blue cat. Mom got a lesson in telling catfish apart. Another thing we discussed last night. Why do moms always speak in 3rd person? "Mommy's going to go to the bathroom now, so stay right there and finish your math." I'm sure it makes it hard to tell when I'm talking about me or my mom. I'm never consistent with calling her Mom or Grandma, either. But anyway, the peace has ended and I need to make Kool-aid and get some other things ready for them to leave again! And it's a bakery day so I need to get ready for that, too!

Visitors

These are some folks that needed a home for a couple weeks. First is Minn, a painted turtle. Max, the one stuck to the side of the tank in the bottom right, is the guy who cleans up after him. Talk about the cure being worse than the disease... no, he's a cutie in his own way. The other tank houses Frodo and Sam, a pair of geckos. These guys are just amazing. Matthew and I are just getting nothing done because we're just downstairs all the time playing with the new kids. Minn eats hotdogs. Now that really surprised me, but he's been living on them for a year and a half now, so who am I to question that? Our instructions say that he eats a good sized chunk every day. Then, if he's taking pot shots at Max, we should give him another chunk. Apparently, Max does fine on what Minn leaves behind. The boys were quite impressed by the skull in the bottom of the tank. They probably think Max cleaned that up himself for a trophy. Frodo and Sam came in with a few crickets and now have those all cleaned up. I feel bad because they can't have our crickets. Dad just sprayed around here and we're afraid that's how poor Edward lost his fight. He was a tiny painted turtle that we had for about 3 months. He mostly ate flies, but we'd toss him a June bug or something now and then. Then one day he just stopped eating and died a few days later. So we're getting all of these guys' food from Earl May. The geckos also came with some mealie worms. I was having fun hand feeding them the worms and then Matthew wanted to try. I told him that they'd probably catch his finger, but it didn't hurt and they let go fast. Well, of course that's not what happens when they get a soft, tender little Matthew finger. Sam hung on pretty well. OOOPS!! I could tell it stung because his eyes welled up quite a bit. We found a pair of tweezers and moved on to Plan B!!! Sam ate quite a few, but Frodo didn't eat any. Morgan thought we better call their parents to find out for sure what to do. Diane said that was quite normal and they'd eat when they're hungry and they can pretty much eat all they want. So anyway, we feel better and later did get Frodo to eat a couple worms. I'll have to head to Earl May pretty soon to get some non-bug sprayed crickets.
The final photo is Bugger Man wondering what happened to his role in the family! Ah, nothing replaces a fuzzy face!!!

Huge Loss

However expected some may have seen his death, it was still so huge to me. Steve Irwin added such life and passion to the Animal World that I know he will live on in our imaginations. He took me to exotic places I could never go and showed me fascinating animals I'd never see. And it wasn't the same as seeing them sleeping or pacing in a zoo. He showed off their defenses and their agility and just portrayed a love and excitement of them that truly sparked the love of animals I already had. He may have been the show off that many accused him of being, but his charisma made it clear to me that it was genuine. Many said that Steve was the very same person on and off the camera. I suppose that's what I want to believe and will anyway. I'm glad he packed so much life into his few years so we will have plenty to remember him. I'm sure the DVDs will be pouring out now. He will be missed and his family will need our prayers.

All for just $49.95

But wait!! There's more...

No, really... this is a project Mallory and I were working on this winter, then pretty much had to put aside to start work on the house. It's just some photo note cards scrapped and embellished with some of my favorite new fibres and other fabulous finds... thanks, Carrie!!

We're actually making two of these since I'm blessed with two mothers-in-law. One is coming in to the airport as we speak, so I got hers finished up. And well, I'm pretty sure the other one reads this, too, so it's going to be finished in the next couple of weeks, now, isn't it?? heehee... I was just waiting for another tin box for the other set. It's in and now I just have to paint and embellish that one. I made all the cards at the same time and hope to get back to it if I can ever get another crop together! My life is so out of control, but it will get better. Don't get me wrong... I still want it full, but I'd like to find a place to put my stuff that doesn't drive my mother crazy!! It's so much better to drive my hubby crazy!!

Well, Mom and I are on our way to the Blue House with a load for the pit. Yes, the kids went with Michael to the airport, so we are hauling much stuff off for good!! Must go!!

This is it!

Oh, I was so happy with this one. I hope the bride is, too. She wasn't there when Mallory and I set it up. The gal that was there with us seemed to think it was okay! She was more impressed with how well Mallory knew what she was doing. I'm really not too sure I could do any of this without Mallory. She is such a huge help with these. Mal was even surprised with how fast it went up. I do like the ones that have pedestals. A lot of brides want them stacked straight onto each other. Then you have to double board everything and be ready to finish all the borders and remove the finger indentations from putting it together. This was so much faster!

Mallory also had a lot of fun helping with the fondant rope on this one. She would keep the fondant soft and warm and then roll it out thin when I was ready. We never did find a horseshoe cutter, so I took a tulip from a Walmart set and bent it into a horseshoe. I even looked online to get the right shape, but when I saw all the gal's other stuff at the reception hall, I think mine look more like the game horseshoes than the ones she had everywhere. It's a cute little western reception with washbuckets of flowers with bandanas tied around the buckets. There are also bandanas around the cake table and lots of other places. It's really cute. Hope the rain gives her a break when she needs it! It was pretty wet when we were setting up!

Meanwhile...

Well, the cake's done, just gathering up stuff to load in the car to go set it up. Thought I'd go see what the menfolk were doing and found Matthew cleaning out from underneath the mower. I'm pretty sure it's just to buy himself a chance to drive it again. He's really anxious to mow the lawn, and you know, who wouldn't be, but anyway, we're trying to ease him in to this position. The only hard part is that he's the one who knows all he needs to know about things, so it's usually pretty hard to teach him anything. Mallory's been taking her time, gathering advice, driving it slowly around the yard. Not Matthew. Have to figure out exactly how fast this can go, what kind of a mountain it can clear and what you can run over without stopping. Sounds a lot like the way he learned to walk, climb out of his crib, ride a bike... not sure why I thought this would be any different, but was hoping for some patience and wisdom. Guess I'm still waiting for that in myself, too!!

So far...

Well, I have 2 tiers of the wedding cake done, and all the flowers. Will finish the other 2 tiers in the morning. My back and neck are done for today. I hope this gal likes the cake. It's always hard to get in someone's head and make sure you're getting her what she wants! It's a really nice looking western wedding cake, so I'm pretty sure it's what she's thinking. I'll post one of the finished cake tomorrow, but this is the big bottom tier. The other one is a birthday cake that was lots of fun! Corn and piggies for a nice old farmer. At least I hope he's nice. He could be a grouchy old bugger for all I know, but the part of his family I know is really great, so I'm just going to assume he's great, too. The piggies were fun and Mom said the corn came out better than the last one I tried. Everyone called them dandelions, so these must be a little better. Ok, a little TV and bed. Have to make this cake stand up tall tomorrow!

Oh, and hey, look Belva!! I got the time stamp fixed!! No more 4 am postings unless I'm really up at 4 am posting!!