tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63919002384261989212024-02-20T05:50:50.517-05:00freeulwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.comBlogger496125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-52258812694118717812012-04-22T12:09:00.002-04:002012-04-22T12:13:34.433-04:00Tree!So...apparently, UTVs and trees don't mix well. Who knew? OK - I'm guessing most people did, but I had to test the theory!<br />
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We went out for Family Fun Day again yesterday. We loaded the UTVs and the dirt bikes for a fun outing. Unfortunately, Mother Nature was not in on our plans. It was colder than we wanted and never warmed up as it was supposed to.<br />
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As we were unloading the UTVs, The Boy and The Girl took off on their dirt bikes. <br />
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Neither went on trails; they simply rode around the prep area. They had a lot of fun with that. <br />
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Afterwards, we loaded up in the UTVs and headed up the trails. Typically, The Husband starts out with one child and I with the other. After lunch, we switch. Since The Husband took The Girl alone last weekend (The Boy had football), he took The Boy for the first round yesterday.<br />
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Generally speaking, I have NO CLUE what I'm doing in these UTVs. I just follow The Husband wherever he goes. We had been riding the trails for a while and he stopped to ask if I wanted to go where he and The Girl went last weekend. I said sure...I'd follow. As we were riding along, I managed to hit a tree. It was not a big deal...I heard it, but it did not stop us at all. The branch hit the roll-cage. All was well.<br />
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We continued along up through the trails. The Husband, who was driving the Rzr, went between two trees. It seemed to be a narrow trail. I, driving the Ranger, turned to The Girl and said, "This seems to be a silly thing to do!" Of course, no sooner did those words come out of my mouth than we were stopped.<br />
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WHAP!<br />
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We did not fit through the trees! I managed to back out (after cracking some plastic and bending some metal). It was a long trip back to the truck. I managed to bend the tie rod (whatever that is), so the two front wheels could not be facing the same direction at the same time. Despite it all, I managed to limp the Ranger back to the truck where we loaded it up for the day. To say The Husband was upset would be the understatement of the century!<br />
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Apparently, this part it not supposed to be bent...it is supposed to look like this...<br />
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Another angle...Again, this part is not SUPPOSED to be "U" shaped, but rather straight...<br />
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I maintain it is a testament to my AMAZING driving skills that I was able to get through the trails and back to the truck with a bent tie rod. It took MAD skills to maneuver the Ranger and I did it because I'M THAT GOOD!<br />
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After we loaded the Ranger, we sat down for lunch. Everyone calmed down (and yes, everyone is OK - no injuries). The day turned out to be great because since we only had the Rzr (which seats 2), the kids had to ride their bikes more. The Boy decided to venture off up a trail with The Husband following. When they returned, The Girl wanted to give it a try. Both kids rode their dirt bikes and The Husband and I followed in the Rzr. We were so impressed by how well both kids rode the trail (which was, for the most part, a simple ride...almost like a dirt road). There was only one big hill and The Girl did an awesome job on it, despite her fear.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-53875566472789507022012-04-15T17:38:00.004-04:002012-04-15T17:43:10.790-04:00This and thatWell, we *do* have cement; I have seen it. In fact, I even have photographic evidence; however, I have not put said photos on my computer yet, so you'll have to wait for them.<br /><br />We also have about half a building. I have not seen it yet, but The Husband has. Progress is slow, but moving steadily. The weather has cooperated, so there has been, as I said, steady progress. We are hoping it will be completed this week.<br /><br />In other good news, we have an address for our place! This does not seem like much, but in order for us to run electricity to the place, we need an address. Shockingly, it was a rather easy process and took less than a week.<br /><br />We have been keeping busy. Yesterday, The Husband took The Girl on a 'daddy-daughter' day trip. They spent their entire day trail riding and having a blast. They took only a handful of photos and I hope to see them soon! The Boy was busy with football. There was a QB camp at his school and they needed receivers as well, so he spent his weekend working out. I went and watched (and got sunburned)...and was reminded again how much I love the game.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-81969986626087144242012-03-31T10:00:00.005-04:002012-03-31T10:24:38.642-04:00Catching up<div><div><div><div><div><div>Rumor has it, we have CEMENT at our property! I have not actually SEEN it, but The Husband has, so I'm guessing it's true. All things being equal, we should have an actual building before long. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Woohoo</span>! We only ordered the thing in DECEMBER!! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ack</span>!</div><div><br /> </div><div>In other news, I am so happily relaxed after a wonderful spring break. I did not go anywhere (The Boy and The Girl do not have the same spring break I do) but I definitely was able to relax. At first, I thought it would be bad not to have the same break, but now I realize how wonderful it is. I get an actual BREAK - a whole week TO MYSELF. Loved almost every minute of it!</div><div><br /> </div><div>Family Fun has been in full swing as well. Last weekend, we took a break from working and went out to have some fun. We took our "toys" to an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">OHV</span> park for the day. </div><div><br /> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726063607999856034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2Dm3gCuCkw/T3cQg3QffaI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/x7nHK-zG8kg/s400/IMG_3476_1727.JPG" /></div><div><br /> </div><div>It was a lot of fun. The Husband had wanted to do this for a long time and we finally had a free day, so we loaded up. This is the before picture!</div><div><br /> </div><div>There was beautiful scenery along our ride:</div><div><br /> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726063620922058242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RlfAQABUoyA/T3cQhnZYpgI/AAAAAAAAA0k/zQfyc64w_hE/s400/IMG_3501_1751.JPG" /></div><div><br /> </div><div>We had quite a muddy adventure:</div><div><br /> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726063631641003154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MOedOqJ-3MU/T3cQiPU-xJI/AAAAAAAAA0w/cLoOg56-u8c/s400/IMG_3502_1752.JPG" /></div><div><br /> </div><div>Eventually, we stopped for a picnic lunch...and, of course, we HAD to skip stones. Technically, The Husband and The Boy did most of the skipping. Neither The Girl nor I seem to have that ability. Most of our stones went "plump!"</div><div><br /> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726063639519806818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNXyP60meDQ/T3cQisrbxWI/AAAAAAAAA08/C1FUaLDJJyI/s400/IMG_3542_1788.JPG" /></div><div><br /> </div><div>I love shots of The Kids from the back...so much photo-editing I can do with these!</div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726063649557213506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YDR_GMA6snQ/T3cQjSEicUI/AAAAAAAAA1I/mKjET0BuKHE/s400/IMG_3548_1794.JPG" /></div><div><br /> </div><div>Alas, the fun day had to come to an end. Well...sort of. The FUN part came to an end...the clean-up took a few more days!</div><div><br /> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726064310316943666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kyD4fMllbMQ/T3cRJvl7yTI/AAAAAAAAA1U/z62VU46Srps/s400/IMG_3568_1814.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-52830212804590440812012-03-21T17:32:00.003-04:002012-03-21T17:45:53.037-04:00Still raising a man!MANY, MANY (ok - 4) years ago, I wrote a post <a href="http://freeul.blogspot.com/2008/05/on-raising-man.html">on raising The Boy to be a man</a>. Today, I have an update.<br /><br />This afternoon, I received a phone call toward the end of my day at work. I saw the name on the phone was the head of intermediate school at The Boy's school (and for convenience sake, we'll call her the principal).<br /><br />Uh oh!<br /><br />I answered my phone and was greeted with an immediate "He's OK and She's OK!" <em>Have I mentioned that I love their school?!</em> After that initial comment, the principal went on to tell me about an incident at school today. Apparently, it was something that had been brewing for some time and started coming to a head yesterday. Today, it did.<br /><br />In a nutshell, a young lady has been pretty ugly to The Boy for a while. She frequently calls him names and hits him and such. I took it as her having a crush on him, so I mostly ignored it. He took it as 'she's annoying!' and mostly ignored it. Yesterday, though, it was a bit much, and he said something ugly and hurtful to her. He later said he thought it'd make her stop and go away. (It didn't.) Today, she physically attacked him. The Boy simply raised his arm to deflect the hits and scratches (and has a nifty scratch on his arm).<br /><br />In my conversation with the principal, I could tell the incident was about 85% this girl and 15% The Boy, although she never actually said that. She also went on and on to say how proud she was of how The Boy handled the situation - both with this girl and also with her when she questioned him. When he came home from school, he immediately told me we needed to talk. Once again, I was struck by his maturity as The Boy told me the entire story as it had unfolded. I explained my disappointment in what he said to this girl and he agreed it was not smart. Still, I was proud of how he handled EVERYTHING else. He even told me about another small incident at school that was also VERY well handled.<br /><br />The boy was assigned Saturday school for inappropriate language. He is OK with that. He understands and is not upset. His only concern is that he almost never has homework (he finishes in class or study hall) so he will have nothing to do during his time. Instead, he is going to speak to the principal tomorrow about working off his time instead.<br /><br />After The Boy and I spoke, I called the principal back and thanked her again. I told her how happy I was with how The Boy had come to me and handled himself and she was thrilled. She was also impressed with his forethought in knowing he'd HAVE to have homework to do and she said she is very receptive to the idea of his working off his hours instead.<br /><br />I think something is working. We <strong><em>are</em></strong> raising a MAN!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-65683218371430962362012-03-12T17:01:00.003-04:002012-03-12T17:04:36.044-04:00StandstillYou would think that in the TWO weeks since I last posted, I'd have LOTS to share.<br /><br />Nope.<br /><br />Nada.<br /><br />We still have a square-ish area of gravel and no cement. And no building.<br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br />We <strong>have</strong> cleared out more logs and made a ton of progress in THAT department, but that is all. It's somewhat disheartening...especially since we ordered this building back in DECEMBER! Here's to hoping for some more photos soon!!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-14391896225840469672012-02-26T11:19:00.005-05:002012-02-26T11:46:44.262-05:00More ProgressWe are putting up a building on our property. We are not at the point where we are ready to build a home yet, but we do need a building to house our tools and toys. Back in December, we contracted to have a building erected. Work has finally begun! Here are the men clearing and leveling the space.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3cVY2EJBqk/T0pfMXsI4FI/AAAAAAAAAzs/YtZSMGzlsAw/s1600/machine2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713483743395110994" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3cVY2EJBqk/T0pfMXsI4FI/AAAAAAAAAzs/YtZSMGzlsAw/s400/machine2.JPG" /></a></div><div>I had another photo but when I tried to move it, it disappeared! UGH. It is too much trouble to upload it again! Once they had the area leveled, this is what it looked like. All of this took place last week.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713483856494882594" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Bkec8V6pyg/T0pfS9BObyI/AAAAAAAAAz4/PJYCuLMABv4/s400/space.JPG" />When we arrived at the property this weekend, this is what we saw:<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7zcJhMVg1w/T0pfLHjYCQI/AAAAAAAAAzE/rAdXqRQA7zI/s1600/gravel.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713483721883519234" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7zcJhMVg1w/T0pfLHjYCQI/AAAAAAAAAzE/rAdXqRQA7zI/s400/gravel.JPG" /></a>We were so happy! We had somewhat hoped to see cement, but sometimes the weather is not as cooperative as one would hope! <br><br></div><div> </div><div>In clearing space for the building, some trees had to come down. We were aware of this. The men who did the work said they'd bring the trees up to the existing clearing for us so we could cut them up. Unfortunately, I did not take a picture of what greeted us yesterday. It was a HUGE pile of TREES...full grown 15+ foot trees all in a pile. What a mess! So...we got to work. We started cleaning up the mess of trees, which, I must add, was no small feat. It was, however, fun! We chose the trees in order from the top, attached the winch from the Polaris, and pulled. Once the tree fell from the pile, The Husband cut it into 6' lengths and we started a pile. He and The Boy worked hard at moving logs while The Girl tended to the fire. Here we have The Husband moving a lighter log by himself.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xeRtse3ikHo/T0pfKpGLE4I/AAAAAAAAAy8/re-XKO2rts4/s1600/carry%2Blogs.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713483713707971458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xeRtse3ikHo/T0pfKpGLE4I/AAAAAAAAAy8/re-XKO2rts4/s400/carry%2Blogs.JPG" /></a></div><div>This is not a great photo - it was dark when we decided to call it quits (mostly because we couldn't see anymore)! Still, I tried to get a shot of the log pile we made. It is quite large. I am not sure how many trees we cut up, but I vaguely recall counting 8 roots.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713483726364180482" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kKDETorVHQU/T0pfLYPpgAI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/asFB78XKZug/s400/log%2Bpile.JPG" />The tasks at the property are seemingly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">never ending</span>! We will have plenty to do next week!<br /><div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-87414671805165987482012-02-19T17:58:00.003-05:002012-02-19T18:08:09.067-05:00Family Fun Minus OneYesterday, we went out to the property to do some work. The Girl was not with us. This was not so much because of her <a href="http://freeul.blogspot.com/2012/02/family-not-so-fun-day.html">injury</a> as it was because she spent the night with one of her best friends and, since they don't get to see each other too often, they decided to spend all day together as well.<br /><br />We had a good day and got a lot done, but it just wasn't the same without The Girl. We have really enjoyed our family time out at the property and her absence was noticable...to all of us. Even The Boy missed her (although he does not like to admit it)!<br /><br />The good news is that progress has begun on our building. When we arrived, there were already men there unloading equipment to begin leveling the ground. We decided to put up a building back in December, so it is nice to finally see progress on that front! Pictures to follow!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-21636786164625733342012-02-17T20:37:00.003-05:002012-02-17T20:52:53.251-05:00TraditionsTraditions are a funny thing. Sometimes, they seem to be far more trouble than they are worth. Other times, they are too good to give up! We have one such tradition that is fairly new, but far too fun to stop!<br /><br />This particular tradition began in September. It was homecoming. The Boy and The Girl go to a school in which the middle school kids also have a homecoming dance. It's pretty cool. They have a lot of the things the high schoolers have...sports, dances, etc. So, after the homecoming dance, we knew the kids would be hungry. We took a group of them to Steak 'n Shake.<br /><br />Since then, after every dance, we take the kids back. Last night was no exception. Last night was the Valentine's Dance. We always have a large group of kids (no fewer than 6...last night there were 9) and at least 4 adults (last night we were 8). We always have the same waitress (who, on our first visit, had blue eyeshadow all the way up to her eyebrows). She never gets our orders quite right. We have found it does not really matter what we order...she is not likely to get it right, but she is usually somewhere close. But she is funny. She is also slow, but she is entertaining! And the kids always get their little Steak 'n Shake hats, and they always wear them. And we love that they are so busy being kids!<br /><br />Next year, the majority of the group will be in high school. In fact, they all will except for The Girl. Hope they still want to continue our tradition. I have a feeling they will!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-49405146482310773452012-02-16T16:12:00.004-05:002012-02-16T16:18:40.545-05:00National Junior Honor Society<span style="color:#663300;">Today, The Boy was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. We are so proud of him. He is <s>usually</s> such a great kid <s>most of the time</s> some of the time. I'd love to share photos of this great occasion; however, despite the fact that The Boy does, in fact, enjoy seeing the pictures from events, he does NOT enjoy having them taken. To be blunt, he loathes the fact that I am always poised with a camera in hand...EXCEPT when sports are involved (specifically football). In that case, he is THRILLED with every photo of him I shoot!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">And so I have very few photos of the induction ceremony today, and in the ones I do have, The Boy looks pained. I think, in one shot, you can actually *see* the hot poker I have pressing in his back so he will be still enough for the picture!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">In all seriousness, Congratulations to The Boy. We could not be prouder of you!!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-60895133236451357992012-02-14T18:55:00.002-05:002012-02-14T19:03:25.926-05:00Technology today...<span style="color:#663300;">Earlier this week, (or maybe last week...I can't remember), I received an email from my mom about how<em> </em>easy life is for kids these days... Here is part of the email:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#003300;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning....Uphill...Barefoot...BOTH ways...yadda, yadda, yadda. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"> And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it! But now that I'm over the ripe old age of forty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia! And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it! </span></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#003300;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#003300;"><em>1) I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!!</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#003300;"><em>2) There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox, and it would take like a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents!</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#003300;"><em>3) Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our ass! Nowhere was safe!</em></span> </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Anyway...I found the email to be chuckle-worthy. There were 13 points made, all of which are funny because of their truth.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">That being said, I just went upstairs to tell The Boy something. I went into the bonus room and he was sitting at the computer (which was not on) doing his homework...EXCEPT, he was doing it with a friend and listening to music. His friend is not here...she is at home. They are working together while on FaceTime on their iPhones. (I'm fairly certain he 'muted/paused' the conversation when I came in to speak with him). As I left the room, I could not help but chuckle. How far we've come with this technology stuff!!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-65685099964042244202012-02-14T17:52:00.003-05:002012-02-14T17:54:21.359-05:00Happy Valentine's Day!<span style="color:#cc0000;">I hope you all get to spend some time with your special someone! I am looking forward to a nice evening home with my entire family. </span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-51017268274142699192012-02-13T19:26:00.007-05:002012-02-19T18:13:51.706-05:00Family NOT SO Fun Day...<div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">I suppose we all knew that EVENTUALLY, one of these "Family Fun Days" was going to be not so much fun. I mean, with a name like "Family Fun Day," nothing could possibly go wrong...right? RIGHT?<br><br /></span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Thought so.<br><br /></span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">SO...our family fun day this week started out with my forgetting the bar oil for the chain saw. The Husband was pretty miffed that I did this because it meant we could only run the chain saw through ONE tank of gas. Except (yes, I already said "except") that The Husband forgot to grab the tool that tightens the chain, and anyone who owns a chain saw knows that the chain <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">in-explicitly </span>loosens while sitting and NOT DOING ANYTHING. Our chain saw was useless. <br><br> </span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">I was not in the least bit deterred by this. I knew we had gathered plenty of smaller pieces of wood that we could burn. The high temp for the day was to be in the mid to upper 30s, so a fire was DEFINITELY in order. I began, at once, to get it started.<br><br></span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">While I was working on starting our fire, The Husband was getting the kids' dirt bikes ready to ride. These are new and the kids love them. Being the safety-conscious parents we are, we were certain to make sure each child has a well-rated helmet to wear AT ALL TIMES while on the bikes.<br><br></span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Things went along well. Kids were riding their bikes and we were burning off a good amount of debris. Then, The Girl dumped her bike. She picked it back up and got right back on. Good girl. Then, we ate lunch. While eating The Girl tried to open a package and, in doing so, stabbed her index finger. We should have taken this as a sign, but instead, we scolded her for being irresponsible and careless with a knife.<br><br></span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">After lunch, The Husband took The Girl for a ride on our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rzr</span>. (In case you do not know what that is, here is a photo.) Please note this picture is from the Polaris website...this is NOT us!<br><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 207px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708783692286340354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciugzE5LHnw/TzmshY5FLQI/AAAAAAAAAys/Z-XPVfWvy3M/s400/800.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">So...as I was saying, The Husband took The Girl for a ride. He had taken me for a ride earlier. It is fast and fun and The Husband tends to get a bit crazy in the corners. The Boy and I were finishing our lunch and sitting by the fire when we look up and see the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rzr</span> on its side...with The Husband and The Girl inside (both wearing seat-belts, mind you)!<br><br> </span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Once again, we should have packed up and gone home, but NO...we were having FUN, remember?! After picking up the vehicle, The Husband took The Girl back out for another ride to make sure she was not scared. They had a blast.<br><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">I went back to tending to the fire. The Husband was helping and both kids were riding their dirt bikes. Suddenly, The Girl screamed...again. We went to see what was wrong. She was standing there NEXT to her bike. We told her to pick up the bike (The Husband was raised that if you could not pick up the bike, you could not ride). She went to do so, but then we noticed the blood. There was a good amount of it...enough to make me swoon. The Husband (man, he's amazing...have I mentioned that ever before? Because really...he IS) went right into "Calm, Control" mode and took charge. He ordered The Girl to sit down and calmed her down as he checked her leg. The foot peg caught her in the shin. She was not wearing boots. It was a pretty ugly gash (I can't say for sure, as I only first saw it today!). The Boy (who, incidentally, is almost as amazing as The Husband) clicked into gear and did everything necessary to help The Husband while I did all I could to keep myself from vomiting. (I suck under this type of pressure and am NO good with blood!!)<br><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">After quickly assessing the situation, it was determined a trip to the ER was in order. I started packing things up while The Husband bandaged The Girl the best he could. Then, The Boy sat with The Girl and kept her calm as we loaded all our stuff.<br><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">The rest of the story is pretty boring. Luckily, it was not nearly as bad as The Husband had first thought. No fracture or anything. 9 stitches and 3 hours later, we were all at home trying to relax. The Husband was really beating himself up over the fact that The Girl wasn't wearing proper boots to protect her shins.<br><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Today, The Girl stayed home. The Husband stayed home with her...and also ordered several hundred dollars worth of protective gear. We are expecting a large shipment of bubble wrap very soon!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a></div>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-42292975468781686192012-02-10T17:10:00.000-05:002012-02-10T18:08:33.552-05:00Project Fence!<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">One of the first things we wanted to do on our property was put up a fence. A fence would show people that someone OWNS the place, and that someone CARES as well. We had already seen evidence of trespassers on the place, despite our "no trespassing" signs. In fact, one day we even saw someone WHILE WE WERE THERE! (Some people have NO manners!)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Step one for putting up a fence is putting in posts. Keep in mind The Husband and I had NO CLUE what we were doing. Neither of us had put up a fence of this sort before. Hell - neither of us even knew WHAT we wanted up yet! We decided to start with 6" diameter wooden posts. Here you see The Husband and The Boy (<span style="font-size:85%;">who has grown TREMENDOUSLY, by the way</span>) digging holes.</span><br /><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707644129259554178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzwgmIPfkUE/TzWgGFzcBYI/AAAAAAAAAyg/h-SXaMiSLiY/s400/IMG_2620.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Once the holes were dug, it was time to set the posts.</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707643218320510130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbWsGa8E18o/TzWfRESpTLI/AAAAAAAAAxs/zA28n4SPjl0/s400/IMG_2675.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">We knew we wanted <em>plenty of space</em> to get in and out, so we ended up going with two 10' gates. It was the best way to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">guarantee</span> the necessary room to maneuver a tractor and whatever other equipment The Husband comes up with! </span></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r6Cqbv86zCA/TzWfSf-62yI/AAAAAAAAAx8/bi2ba-SKOJM/s1600/IMG_2810.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707643242933836578" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r6Cqbv86zCA/TzWfSf-62yI/AAAAAAAAAx8/bi2ba-SKOJM/s400/IMG_2810.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">The fence wasn't really a fence yet. It was still a bunch of posts and a gate. It was time to make the decision of what was going to go between the posts. This may not seem like a big deal, but we really had NO clue what we wanted. We tossed MANY ideas around, some of which were downright ridiculous (<span style="font-size:85%;">including the idea that we'd buy 4" posts and cut them down the center to make 2"x 4" beams, which, I might add, they ALREADY SELL at the store!!!</span>) In the end, we bought treated deck planks to go from post to post. The Husband notched the posts so the planks would be flush with the poles. We put two cross-beams on each post.</span></div><div><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707643259807171954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaDBLCA6ZJU/TzWfTe11hXI/AAAAAAAAAyE/PObsHsIYx3s/s400/IMG_3090.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">As nice as that looked, it just wasn't *finished* yet. We decided to run a diagonal across each space to help with both aesthetics and stability. The result: a really nice looking fence!</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span><br /> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707643289388587938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aENkpDDySmQ/TzWfVNCmG6I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/cq65LyXCe7k/s400/IMG_3188.JPG" /><div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Not bad for a couple of people who really don't know what they're doing!!</span></div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a></div></div></div></div>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-19626178938999466252012-02-09T20:36:00.004-05:002012-02-09T20:36:00.217-05:00The return of Family Fun Day!<span style="color:#663300;">As you (should) know, we own quite a bit of land...79 acres, to be exact. The problem with that land is that it is 3 hours from here. We do not have the opportunity to go there nearly as often as we would like. We love it, though, and enjoy the time we *do* get to spend there.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Recently, we decided to buy land closer to here. We ended up purchasing just under 33 acres. It used to be part of a large family farm, but has been partitioned. The tracts were then developed as hunting spaces. This land is less than 30 miles from where we currently live. Since we purchased it, we've spent a *tremendous* amount of time out there. The Husband has been hunting on the property since before it was officially ours (with the seller's permission, of course). He actually shot two deer out there. He has taken The Boy <em>and </em>The Girl hunting as well; however, neither was as lucky as The Husband. The Husband, The Boy and The Girl all have their own bows and do the majority of their hunting that way. </span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#663300;">I, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">incidentally</span>, will stick to my CAMERA for all my shooting needs!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">We now spend a significant amount of time out at the property. We are out there EVERY weekend for at least 5-6 hours. There is so much to do! To date, we've put up a gate and built a fence (which is pretty darned spiffy, if I do say so myself), and done a good amount of clearing. Of course, there is still plenty more to do and clear, and it can seem overwhelming if we get too wrapped up in it. Instead, we try to take it as it comes and enjoy the ride. It's amazing to be back in the rhythm of spending the day together as a family with no distractions. We are really enjoying each other again!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-32641444431926035122012-02-08T20:22:00.007-05:002012-02-08T20:33:39.698-05:00Hmmm...so THAT's how this works!<span style="color:#663300;">So it seems it isn't enough to *<strong>think</strong>* my posts...I actually have to take the time to <strong>*</strong>write* them as well! Perhaps that is why there have been no posts since August!!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">To be honest, once school started this year, I became<em> incredibly</em> busy. It was unreal. The Boy was in football and The Girl was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">cheerleader</span>. There was A LOT of running around. Quick recap: The Boy's football team had an AMAZING season. They finished the regular season as the number 2 seed, won their playoff game, and played in the "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Superbowl</span>" against the only team to whom they'd lost all season. Sadly, they came up short and were not crowned <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">champions</span> by the league. They *were* champions to us, though. It was an incredible season.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">The Monday after football ended, basketball began. That has been a whole different story! The team is not as good at basketball as it was at football, but it's been a tremendous experience watching The Boy blossom into a basketball player. A few weeks ago, he had a career high 14 points in one game. It was a lot of fun to watch. It was also a bit sad because we all know this is the last season he will play basketball. He will not pursue it in high school; his focus is football and we all know it. In fact, he has even decided not to bother playing baseball at school this year. The Boy has played baseball every year since he was 4, so it will be strange for him not to play. He said he may play in town...just not at school. The football coaches are quite pleased with his decision!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">The Girl is, as we suspected she would be, an excellent cheerleader. All those years of gymnastics paid off and she's also a lot of fun to watch. Once basketball season ends (this weekend), we will look into putting her back into a tumbling class so she can practice, reinforce, and maybe even expand her skills. She is pretty excited about that.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">There is so much more happening in our lives right now, but I will take my time getting you all caught up. It is too much for one post!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I really hope this is the start of my return to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">blogosphere</span>...I've missed you all and hope you have not forgotten me!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-5029093800305605572011-08-04T17:08:00.003-04:002011-08-04T17:13:53.405-04:00And we're back<span style="color:#663300;">Officially, that is. I started back to work on Monday, but today, the kids came back. It was actually kind of fun. We have a sort of strange thing going on where we don't do anything academic on the first day of school. I would not choose to start a school year like that, but no one asked me. Regardless, I spent the day telling my students what school supplies they will need and asking them questions about themselves. Had I been more on top of things, I'd have had one of those ice-breakers prepared...but I didn't.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I think it will be a good year. I've got some neat kids in my classes and I'm excited about it. I love how optimistic and fun the first few days of school are. Everyone is so positive and it is contagious. It always reminds me of why I love my job so much!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Adding to the joy of a new school year is the fact that this year, I have my very own classroom. I am starting my third year at this particular school and I just now got a classroom. I spent the last two years on a cart (but I did have an office <em>almost</em> entirely to myself). I feel grounded and I like that.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I think it's going to be a really good year! It will be interesting to look back at this post at the end of May and see what I think!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-15521367922647140152011-07-27T12:36:00.003-04:002011-07-27T12:58:48.983-04:00All good things must come to an end<span style="color:#663300;">And for now, that thing is summer vacation. This is my last week off; I go back to school Monday.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I know - it's awfully early for summer vacation to be ending. After all, it's still summer. Heck - it's still going to be summer for a LONG time.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I grew up in New Jersey. We used to be out of school for the summer. School ended around June 20 (+/-) and we did not return until after Labor Day. We were not out <em>all</em> summer, but most of it. Now, I live in the South. The kids get out of school before Memorial Day and return very early in August. It's not summer break, but spring/summer break. Most years, it's only <strong><em>warm</em></strong> during "summer" break. Other years (like this one) it's <strong><em>hot </em></strong>the whole time. Oftentimes, it's <strong><em>hot</em></strong> when the kids go back to school. There is no sense in buying jeans and such for 'back to school' because the kids won't be wearing them for another few months! Last year, The Boy wore shorts to school every day through winter finals. (Most people did not; they turned to their jeans around Mid-October or so.) When kids grow as frequently as mine do, I cannot buy jeans at the start of the school year because they won't fit when they actually need them (which happened with The Boy two years ago).</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I don't really understand this timing. As I said, it is typically hotter in August than in June. Why spend the extra money to cool the schools when it is hotter out? Buses do not have air conditioning and there are students who ride the buses for an hour each way. It's insane. Additionally, kids from around here don't have the same opportunity to go to national camps and such because they typically hold sessions in July and August. To go away for the month of July is cutting it awfully close around here, and I even have a friend not far from me whose children will begin school tomorrow, JULY 28!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">There is a group/movement called <a href="http://www.savetennesseesummers.org/">Save Tennessee Summers </a>that is trying to make some changes. Hopefully, their changes will take hold. And, not that I think tourism should dictate school calendars, but other states have ordinances that dictate the start and end of schools. North Carolina, for example, has an ordinance (brought up by the tourism industry, I believe) that states school cannot begin before August 25, nor can it end after June 10. I'm not saying it has to be that strict, but it would be nice if summer break were, indeed, in the summer.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-23244828693072456692011-07-23T18:17:00.002-04:002011-07-23T18:24:21.320-04:00Neat Website<span style="color:#663300;">If you have not already checked it out,</span> <a href="http://pinterest.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pinterest</span></a> <span style="color:#663300;">is a really cool website. My friend, <a href="http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/">Nichole</a>, got me hooked and I really love it. I believe it requires an invite, but if you go to the website you can request an invite and you should receive one promptly (I believe it took a day).</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">The thing about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pinterest</span> is that in addition to seeing lots of cool ideas and things, you can search for things as well. If you are throwing a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Halloween</span> party, you can type "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Halloween</span> party ideas" and you'll get TONS of stuff. Change the wording to simply "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Halloween</span>" and you'll get a whole different set of ideas.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Anyway, it's a really cool site and I recommend it. So far, the only drawback seems to be that you cannot start a "private board." This can be a problem if you are looking to pin ideas for a specific birthday/celebration that is a surprise and the guest of honor is following you on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pinterest</span>. Perhaps one day they'll allow for private boards. Until then, happy pinning!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-4184635735948232932011-07-20T16:04:00.002-04:002011-07-20T16:18:39.062-04:00Etiquette<span style="color:#663300;">Why is this so difficult for people? What has happened in our society that we are now seemingly unaware of or incapable of exercising proper etiquette?</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I am having a bit of trouble with our upcoming festivities. It seems people are unaware of basic etiquette. An invitation addressed to a single person is <em>not</em> an invitation for an entire family. Why is this unclear? I always thought the basic rule of thumb was that only people named on the envelope are invited. And yet, I am seeing that is no longer common knowledge.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">A few weeks ago, The Girl received an invitation to a birthday party. It has a phone number and asks that we RSVP. The invitation was sent about a month prior to the event, which is awfully early for a birthday party, but it *is* summer and I suspect the mom wanted to know who would be on vacation. At no time from the moment that envelope was placed into my mailbox to now did I think that I was invited to this party. I did not plan for The Boy or The Husband to attend either. It is very clear it is intended for The Girl; she is to whom the envelope was addressed.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Why is it people think the case is different for a more formal affair? I have already had several people imply they would be attending the kids' party. None of these people were invited. It is now my job to be the "ugly one" and tell each person that he or she is not invited to the event; The Boy and The Girl invited their friends, not their friends' families. </span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I want to be able to mail <a href="http://www.emilypost.com/guests">this article</a> to everyone, but alas, that would truly be ugly of me. And so, I will continue to make phone calls and attempt to let people know <strong><em>if your name isn't on it, you are NOT invited!</em></strong></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-56475916125001556372011-07-19T11:18:00.004-04:002011-07-19T11:25:14.640-04:00Moving right along<span style="color:#663300;">Well, there have been no more signs of our little rodents, so that is a good thing. I have put the silverware away, which is good, because it was getting on my nerves sitting on the counter top!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">All the invitations for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">B'nai</span> Mitzvah have gone out and we received the first few response cards yesterday. People are amusing. Because some people are invited to two parties, I have two response cards. I have only one response envelope. I would think people could figure this out and put both cards into the envelope. In my first six responses, one person did not make this connection and mailed one response card in a different envelope. I don't really mind, but I had paid for the postage. Guess he wanted to pay a little more!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Today, I meet with the caterer. I'm not even sure what the questions I have are, but I had better figure that out; we meet in three hours!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I have gone into work only one day so far. There is so much to do there, it is overwhelming. I will definitely go back again this week and most likely, a bunch next week...I think! </span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I think my posts will become more infrequent, but I'm trying to keep on top of it all. Wish me luck!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-53314575319127483162011-07-14T00:07:00.002-04:002011-07-14T00:11:21.172-04:00Friends in low places<span style="color:#663300;">It seems the deceased mouse indeed has a friend. I learned about him today when I opened the silverware drawer to get a fork and found some mouse poo on it. </span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Can you say YUCK?! I swear I puked a little in my mouth!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">SO...we emptied out the silverware drawer (which had a LOT of droppings in it...droppings that were NOT there yesterday when I emptied the dishwasher, by the way) and put everything in the dishwasher on high heat! We cleaned out the drawer and now the silverware is sitting on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">counter top</span>. I am waiting to see if there are signs of Mr. Mouse again in the drawer. I need to put the trap in there.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">What bothers me most, though, is that the silverware drawer is above the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">tupperware</span> cabinet. Guess what has to be cleaned out next?</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Again, I don't mind having the random mouse now and again, but ONE per year is all I can handle. I would prefer this little guy go next door!!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-12750574440472849322011-07-11T17:06:00.003-04:002011-07-11T17:16:52.984-04:00Little Bunny Foo Foo<div align="left"><span style="color:#663300;">Hahaha! Now you are all singing that song. It's stuck in my head and I shouldn't be the only one! </span></div><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Before our house was built, this area was a field. It was a rotating field of corn and soybeans. I know this because across the street, behind the houses, is the rest of the field and those are the two rotating crops. With a field comes field mice. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">This house is about five years old. That means that for as long back as anyone can remember up until about five years ago, there were field mice EVERYWHERE. When we first moved in, we expected mice. We had quite a few, but they have since been...um...<em>taken care of</em>. Now, we get one or two mice every year.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Two days ago, I noticed remnants of said mouse under the kitchen sink. Last night, I cleaned out the cabinet and set my trusty trap. Now many people think the sticky stuff is more humane than the snap-traps. I beg to differ. The snap-trap is a swift and almost instant kill. The sticky stuff is slow and painful. The green blocks the exterminator uses sometimes work, but we still get the stray mouse here and there.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">This afternoon, I decided to check the trap. Sure enough, the little field mouse was dead under the sink. Then it was a matter of "who wants to get rid of the mouse?" It was just like the Little Red Hen. All I heard was variations of "not I..." So, I grabbed my plastic grocery bag and used it as a glove to dispose of our now dead critter.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I set another trap just in case our friend was not acting alone...but I'm guessing he might have been as there were not signs of him anywhere else besides the sink.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I'll keep you posted.</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-24582862902704541642011-07-10T22:58:00.002-04:002011-07-10T23:07:20.702-04:00Backward Desserts<span style="color:#663300;">Yes, you guessed it. Backward desserts is STRESSED!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">I know, I know...most people prefer to look at it the other way around. I wish I could, but right now, it's more stress than dessert and I'm hoping to try to stay AWAY from the desserts!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">You see, there comes a time in every Jewish child's life when he or she is called to the Torah. It is a time of joy and happiness. It is a signal of adulthood. It is an occasion to be celebrated.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">With that celebration comes a party. With the party comes stress. Are you following me here?!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">We are within the 6 week countdown to the event. There are fewer than 40 days between now and when my head will explode. Have I mentioned that school starts back up inside this block of time so I will have the added stress of the new school year and all it entails as well as all else on my mind?!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">The Boy is not exactly counting down the days. Yes, he's excited about a party, but not so much about the service. The Girl is pretty excited about both aspects. I am still stressed. (Have I mentioned that yet?!) The Husband is taking it easy and not worrying one bit. After all, that's what he married me for, isn't it?! His job is to sit back and relax. MY job is to go crazy!</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">So...if you don't hear from me, fear not. I am somewhere losing my mind as I try to finish planning and preparing and counting and such.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Incidentally</span>, I am already planning The Girl's elopement!!!!!!!!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-31130809080205273692011-07-07T18:36:00.002-04:002011-07-07T18:49:18.772-04:00Interior Design...sort of!<span style="color:#663300;">The Girl is not particularly happy with her bedroom. I can't blame her. While it is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">plenty</span> large enough, it doesn't work. It has far too many <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">obstacles</span> and no good bed placement options. She has, in her room, <strong>3 doors</strong>, all of which open in. Additionally, she has a large window that is roughly 75" long and *not* centered on the wall. Setting up this room is a nightmare at best.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">The other day, I was browsing one of my new favorite sites, <a href="http://pinterest.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pinterest</span></a>. There, I found a cool website on which you can design your room. It is called <a href="http://urbanbarn.icovia.com/icovia.aspx">The Make Room</a> and it is from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Icovia</span>. I went to the site and set to work designing The Girl's room. I went upstairs and took meticulous measurements to ensure all would fit. Here is what I designed:</span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626743147276481490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnMGZAUbRd4/ThY1FKfHM9I/AAAAAAAAAtU/KF3VlPls7LQ/s400/emma%2527s%2Broom%2Bideas" /><span style="color:#663300;">The Girl really likes the design, although we've already modified it some. We have decided *not* to put a desk between the closet doors because it is too crowded. Also, her dresser is not as large as the one pictured, but that is because she needs a new, larger one. At this point, there is no chair in the corner yet. Again, we don't have one, but she definitely knows what she wants.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">The "rug" in the middle of the floor is a cool shaggy blanket. The color is the same bright green as on her bedding, shown below.</span><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626743475975790226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHPXCat_lBk/ThY1YS_InpI/AAAAAAAAAtc/4uGRWZdHi-I/s400/bedding.jpg" /><span style="color:#663300;">We are, for the most part, pleased with how it all came together. The bed is pretty close to the door when it is opened, but there isn't much we can do about that. One closet door does not open all the way, but The Girl doesn't really use that side much and, without putting a desk in, she will be able to access it with no trouble.</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#663300;">Next up...The Boy's room!</span></p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6391900238426198921.post-77085599901158369892011-07-04T14:44:00.002-04:002011-07-04T14:45:50.185-04:00Happy 4th of July!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onngV8iMWTs/ThIKO7kBu5I/AAAAAAAAAtM/60FMt4DfQdM/s1600/4thofJuly%2Bimage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625570136162417554" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onngV8iMWTs/ThIKO7kBu5I/AAAAAAAAAtM/60FMt4DfQdM/s400/4thofJuly%2Bimage.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div><span style="color:#663300;">Be safe and have fun!<br /></span><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/cbermom/1af27e3b33a9259f7424b7c60ac7e1f2.png" /></a></div>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07374376869139545732noreply@blogger.com0