Saving money and do-overs

There are times when I am very proud of the fact that we try to save money at our house -

• by using dial-up



• and not having cable



• by eating out only sparingly



• by driving cars, that need an upgrade or two

and then there are times that I want to stamp my foot and -- have a hisssy fit!

I like to think I am a pioneer woman...

Like Barbara talks about at Therextras ha...ha...

but I'm not .... unless you consider~ that being the third wife of a husband who has confessed to eating a...Nutria! (In the crock pot....!){Jerry told me about this ...after we were married-- it might of been a deal breaker, had I known before we got married!} :}

We went camping and I was the one who asked..ummm(demanded,with a smile) to use the cot to sleep on-- Jerry and the kids, they slept on different foam pieces and sleeping bags that were on the floor of the tent.

Just yesterday, Jessica and I got to go to a silly and stupid movie-- it was free and so we stayed to see the whole thing... we should of skipped it... (Mr Bean's vacation) Jessica has swollen cheeks, so I treated her to what she thinks is her very first Orange Julius-- Then we were off to Walmart to find some rinse for her mouth. We came home with some rinse and a package of a frozen fruit mix, strawberries,peaches.pineapple,and red grapes-- and then a with a large container of Vanilla blended yogurt.---I am so GLAD I have a blender that works well-

- It was very frustrating to me that the driver side, power window on the KIA would not work-- but Jessica's window-- it worked... lucky Jessica... sad, poor warm me... wah, wah, ... When Jerry replaced the engine after the old one died-- for lack of oil-- he "accidentally" hit the A/C line and all that cool air disappeared-- so~ no cool air for me.

I thought that I would come home and post this funny short little video that I took of Shane... --Thanks to dial-up,blogger, and/or forces that choose to work against me... I was un-able... grrrr--It is such a funny little video, we were in the truck on the way home from camping and the Beyonce song about single ladies came on-- Well, just as I started to record, Shane put his finger in his nose... and then was "dancin" in his car seat-- This is soooo funny... but grrrrr...I can't get it to upload... grrrrr

I also tried again to upload the Mr Kracker video -- from our camping trip--here on blogger and even on Facebook... No luck... grrrr...

I also have an issue I want to blog about-(because I want your opinions...)- but I don't want the people involved to read about themselves... there is a SLIM chance that they may read this...so how to blog about it... (my version of FREE therapy..) without them reading it? changing their names wouldn't be enough...

I am about ready to stand on the street corner and beg... for the ability to share some funny stuff with ...ya 'all.. did I use that phrase correctly?

People standing on the street corner are ALL over the place here in our hometown-- I want to help-- really I do-- but begging on the street corner just seems like a bad idea... Some of the people get rather insistent that your help is required -- It's frustrating to explain to the kids that we don't have any to give--and yet still show that we care.

Last night Jerry ...finally went back to work-{yahoooooo}- because of the camping trip he ended up taking 6 nights off-- most of those nights were while we were camping, but having him home after we were done camping-- really put a wrench in my plans... I love my hubby... but sometimes he gets in my way.... grrrr... He kept saying he wanted to go Bear hunting, which made Jessica want to go {but I wouldn't let her-- I do believe she is a bit young...} and Shane to be mad that Daddy wasn't playing video games with him. I just wanted to do some dishes and upload some things...

Last night I convinced the kids that watching Mary Poppins would be great fun... and it was -- once I convinced Shane that he would enjoy the movie. (he liked the beginning, the middle and the end, but not the name...)

I really enjoyed hearing the kids try to say... supercalifragilisticexpialidocious~ Later today I think I am going to see if I can "teach" them how to spell it -- and see if they can pronounce it better!

Can I get a a do-over?

A bloggy,and Facebook friend of mine is having a spinal tap... her name is Bethany, and she blogs at And God Laughs... could you say a prayer for her... or leave her a comment she could use some support.

******edited to add.. I took Jessica's blood presure this am....
the Dr wants her to be below 116/77--- and I am very happy to report that she was 91/74 !
*******our neighbor just knocked REALLY loudly on the door-(poor Jerry trying to sleep) - and gave Miss Jessica a few pairs of shoes... awwww... we are blessed !
even if she didn't need any more shoes!

messy but brilliant ?

Our life tends to be a little messy and a little brilliant--

depending on your point of view,

or your personal views about parenting.--

That being said hehe...

My husband was mowing the lawn,

and Shane wanted to be involved,

but Shane is only 6 so -

-caution was key-- ah, hem,...

I was watching Oprah, and waiting for dinner to thaw in the microwave

-- when I looked outside to see this~

(Shane's lawnmower was not running-- I don't think it even had gas in it--- )
Shane can be somewhat difficult to interact with unless you have a car- or a video game controller~ so it was nice to see that Daddy and son could do something to-gether that, created a laugh from me and a video to post...

The previously mentioned Nutria -- is gone from our front yard-- yahoo... at least for the moment--
If I see that invasive thing again- I will take a still picture of it and post some Wanted dead psoters up!
(am I taking this issue with the Nutria too far? nah,...I don't think so...But, I do think I am kinda funny...standing in the hail just to take a video of the Nutria? have I gone too far?)
Today is our first day of Spring Break and I am at this moment happy--- the kids are enjoying watching Qubo-- Veggie Tales and I have found some new blogs to read that are so funny I snorted my coffee twice!
Hop over to Rocks in my Dryer, and also Slurping Life -- both of these ladies are great at opening your mind to new,fun,creative things!

garden,museum and teacher

Shane and Jerry drilled holes in an old wading pool--- so that we can attempt a garden.

These other pictures are from our local University Art Museum--

Both of the second grade classrooms went to the Jordan Schnitzer,Museum of Art...

I wanted to really like the trip -- but the museum was so stuffy and not interactive I found myself impatient and somewhat bored. The kids that were in my group thought some of the trip was fun-- but they also were frustrated at the no touch and quiet requests. I think that because the themes tended to be about China,Japan and Korea-- I was less interested.

Although it was fun to hold a dead silkworm and find out the short version about how silk is made. I wasn't able to take flash pictures in the museum-- so a few of the things that I might of liked-- I don't get to show you.

This morning I had a quick talk with Shane's teacher-- she was commenting/complaining that Shane needs~ someone with him one on one-- so that he can stay focused and calm.-- I had asked for this at the beginning of school---

He has a coach right now-- but they would like to phase her out and let the teacher and her aid resume --- dealing with Shane.

I agree that Shane does better one on one... but I also think that this teacher is being lazy and not trying any of the techniques that are working... she is reluctant to use pre-talking as a way for Shane to know what is next.

No nutria sightings today! Yahoo... the sun was shining for a time and so I might have pictures to-morrow of how Jerry and the kids used the nicer weather.

Another video and the speech!

Here is the first video I took of the Nutria -- while it was hailing !

Tonight on the way to give the speech, the Nutria was in the road... and although the kids suggested that I run it over-- I didn't !

I figured that it served it's purpose, it kept me from being nervous and obsesssing about the speech.

So, the speech went well-- I think I spoke rather quickly-- but my sister-in-law Danni-- said I did just fine ~ Being up on the stage and looking down into blackness was a bit nerve racking-- so I kept my eyes on the paper in front of me. I was wishing that I would of had music playing while I talked--

The best part of the whole evening was that Shane-- stayed calm and realitivly quiet in his seat next to Danni-- I was simply stunned at how well behaved he was-- Yahoo!

Was it all the prayers-- the medication -- or being in the evening?

I don't know but I was sure thankful that everything went smoothly !

{I was going to have pictures or video but that person had to work late-- so I am going to see if I can order a DVD-- }

Ah,well... I am glad I did it, I am glad it's over...

The local radio station sent us a card--they want us to come talk on the radio again... -

- I do suppose the people in my area, will be really tired of hearing our story!

The Return of the disliked Nutria

I love the Lord, and I think HE ...IS ~

But what was HE thinking when he created the Nutria...?

I say yuck! yuck! Yuck...

(What really cracks me up about this video is that I somehow thought that by catching the nutria on camera would scare it -- or make it nervous and it would leave....I was so wrong! )

Maybe later this evening -- or tomorrow I will post another video of the Nutria in the sun...

At least -- the Nutria kept my mind off of the speech !

So, for that small thing, I am thankful !

200th post...!

Well, this is my 200 th post--
(I must have a lot of dull or boring posts...???)
(yup, I'm a fishin' for comments...!)
and I was going to list some 200 things about me and mine--{What 200 things?}
but that would take FOREVER....
and ever and ever and ever
(this is the song that never ends...)
So, I spared all of you that long... involved reading...
and I spared myself...all that long ...involved writing...

*gasp* But I have Great News to share....
The Nutria was hit today ~~~~!!!!!
YIIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
with a pellet from a pellet gun, and my dear hubby says that he hit it in the nose...!

We also took 5 hours out of our day to install a Brand New air conditioner !!!!!

It has been VERY warm here lately, and I have to ....whine... that I don't like the heat!
I currently have some stuff.. in my throat
(it feels like I have a slug in my throat--- ugh! )
that takes my voice away and makes me
grumpy-- so between the heat and no voice I haven't been the sweetest wife--
Praise the Lord for husbands who are thoughtful when you need them most!

This weekend my kids will visiting Their Grandparents--
(if all goes as planned...)
So, I will have some time to clean, and sew without interruptions!
My dear husband will hopefully sleep through my endeavors....!

Water Fun

Jessica was the first to try out the tube
Shane decided to jump in the water and get wet, but he was so quick I only got a picture of him on his way back into the boat-- and his hair even stayed dry!
Jessica and Daddy -- Jessica is still getting used to "swimming"
Our sweet kids two in the tube...
Wave at mom!
On another topic, I was spoilin' for a fight-- but the Nutria didn't show last night...

Die, Nutria --soon...you shall die!

The nutria is back...
and it is not afraid--
{I threw about 2 quarts of water and a big cup at it---
and it just stood,(squatted) there and looked at me--
clearly this "animal-rodent" doesn't have much fear}
- if only ~ it knew that I want it dead
I even called Jerry at work to tell him, if he sees it shoot to KILL---(usually I don't like to kill animals-rodents, but this Nutria needs to find a new place to be... like under the ground!)

Shane got his forearms all dirty the other night and he said, Look, Mom~ natural tattoo's!
I wanted to take a picture, but I wasn't sure if the camera was working or not.

We plan to be out on the water in our boat --
and on a tube that we tow behind--
I hope the camera decides to work !

I have to go and make lunch,
otherwise I would post all about 5MFSN---
are you curious?
want to know more?
go see Michelle at In the Life of a Child

From a circus, to a zoo???

Well, you saw the post about the circus kids in the front yard-
This is what happened in the back yard~!

Late last night -- my husband was watering our..."garden" ~
We saw a Quail in our back yard....
and a Nutria--- the Nutria wasn't very shy-- it was happily eating the grass !
yup, that little furry dark colored thing... is a Nutria

Agh!
A nutria is the same animal -- that my husband,
before he was... my husband Once..
caught,cleaned and cooked in the crock-pot!
I plan on being super aware of the food that I eat... --- LOL!
I am not planning on letting my dear, loving, husband cook ANY mystrey meat!
I did try to get a picture of the Quail-- but they are very fast and very good at hiding in plain sight!

Last year my husband saw on the local news program --- an idea to get more tomatoes ~
by planting the tomatoes upside down--- that way the tomatoes wouldn't weigh down the plant--
- Nice idea...I guess-- but that just "helped" the nutria have a nice meal of our tomatoes!
(lucky, darn Nutria)
So, last year the tomatoes were on the green rack--- this year Jerry moved them to the white rack!
As, long as the sneaky,greedy,fat annoying little Nutria doesn't figure out how reach up ... we might just have some tomatoes!
(I do love animals... just not sneaky,greedy,fat annoying ones..that steal MY tomatoes! } LOL!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On another topic... please stop by Slurping Life
Take a look at her most recent post --- leave a comment ~ This topic needs more conversation!

Sick day

My dear son ... is sick ---
I knew this was coming on, but I was praying that it would just disappear! ha..ha!
I am not in charge!..God is~great
I am not in charge!..God is~all-knowing
I am not in charge!..God is~loving
So, far it is only a head cold that seems to be in his chest,
but my mommies' heart just hurts when I hear him cough.

although...looking on the bright side...???
He sneezed during a breakfast of sugar free-strawberry jam on pumpkin pie--

and ... it was a very nice... ummm.... specimen! LOL!
Hopefully I will continue to have a ..."bright" outlook on this topic today!

And the voices in my head, start laughing hysterically!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
On another note...yesterday Shane was full of things to tell me... [sarcasm ahead...]
---
"Mommy, do you want to lose weight?"

"Yes, I would like that--why?"

"Well, if you lose weight then you will no longer be in charge, and Daddy will be ~~I like Daddy being in charge, he lets me do what I want ... That's cause, he's cool!"

"So, if I'm not....fat... then I can't be in charge?"

"You have to be big, like a giant to be in charge!"

I might just have to look into shrinking my kids,
and myself so that I can always,...BE in charge!
Heaven, only knows what would happen if
Daddy was in charge, that is the stuff of night mares! AGH!
{I say this only in the most loving way... Jerry likes to eat chocolate,to spend the day watching video's or playing video games,has eaten a ...Nutria..REALLY!--}
Let's just say that Daddy is good at being who he is...(don't say red-neck is a ..bad thing!)
But , Mommy is better at being... the Mom in Charge! {when do I get my pay-raise?}