New Beginnings in 2010

As I sit here typing on my laptop, I know I should be finishing my latest bracelet design. So far the girls love it and tell me they would wear it. That's part of the problem, they love to wear what I make so it's hard to get it posted. At least my first critics like what I am doing. Now, I have to start writing down directions for what I have made. I have it in my head, for now. Then the sometimers sets in and I can only remember some of the time.

This is the end of 2009 and it has been a good year. Now, I am looking forward to what I can accomplish in 2010. I am confident that I can create more crocheted jewelry while I homeschool the girls. Yes, I can multi-task. I think the girls getting older and more independent helps a lot.

Here's to a fantastic 2010 as I start a new adventure.

Girl's Nail Day

It's almost time to start school, so I thought a Girl's Day would be fun. We had 11:00 appointments at the local cosmetology school, acrylics for Stina and me and a manicure for Kimber. The ladies that did the girls were confident and ready. The poor lady that had me was panicking and hoping I wouldn't show. She asked another student to help her. I thought that was cute. I felt bad that she was so nervous. She did a good job.

The lady who took care of Stina was completely ready. We were side by side. My lady had to borrow a lot of the tools. I didn't mind. I thought it was funny. The three ladies were friends and it was comical to watch. Meanwhile, Kimberly was getting her manicure and becoming very relaxed. She was nodding a bit when she got her hand massage. It was too funny. I would like to have joined her...

After that, Kimber wanted to check out the local thrift store. So in we go with Stina grumbling... Kimber found her Halloween dress. She wants to be a light fairy. I don't know what it is, but she has some ideas. I found a couple of books that the library doesn't have. Did I mention Stina grumbling?

Then I wanted to check some prices at Sally's Beauty Supply. New things the nail techs used. We pass Honk's Dollar Store. Kimberly and I looked around there on Saturday, so Stina really wanted to go. I make the U-turn and off we go. She found a couple things, since I bought Kimberly the dress. Kimberly was wanting more, but mean old mom strikes again. This time she only whined a little and didn't throw a big fit.

Off to Sally's again... "Mom, I'm hungry." Jeez, didn't I just spend enough money? Wasn't breakfast supposed to last longer? OK, I see a sub shop called Port O Subs. I pull in and Kimber wants to try it, but Stina doesn't. She grumbles, we try it. She quit grumbling when she saw the chicken Caesar salad. Heaven forbid I have to use the bathroom and leave the girls alone. What was I thinking. It's a one stall bathroom, I thought they could handle the few minutes. I thought wrong. At least they weren't fighting. They were standing by the table wrestling and laughing so loud it echoed in the bathroom. They knew the two words going through my head, "not impressed" and stopped.

We finally get to Sally's. The UV lamp to cure the gel that protects the acrylic $60. That's a no go. Like I am made of money--Lee's money, but still. I get some bright pink powder so I can fill my nails--I just had to try the new color. I have plenty of white and regular pink. I don't have the $12 every 2 weeks to get them filled. The whole budget thing rears it's ugly head.

Then I am close to the pet store. Rosie (the gecko) needs crickets. The girls have to check out the cats for adoption--beautiful, but Lee would kill me. Then Kimberly wants a third guinea pig. Did I mention Lee would kill me. We already hove two, they have to be kept in pairs or they gt depressed. So she wasn't happy, but responded well anyway.

We made it home in one piece with my hair still here. Ahhh. Made it through a girl's day and we all had fun...

Stina, had to get the nail polish out to paint her nails. They are the pink and white nails that look great unpainted. She paints them. A little while later she takes it off. Now she's painting them again. I just shake my head.

I am proud of Kimberly. She has kept her polish on for 6.5 hours so far. She added flowers to her thumbs and left the rest alone. She has dark glitter blue on one hand and light glitter blue on the other hand.

As I sit here and reflect on my day, Lee is napping, Caesar in curled up between us four paws on me, Ally in my lap and Salem on the other side of the laptop. Right now, life is grand. Hope yours is too.

Joy of Insomnia

Ever wonder what to do with those sleepless nights... I used to get some chore crossed off my list or read a good book. This was when I lived in Texas where the kids slept at one end and Lee and I at the other. Now, our bedroom doors are about 18 inches from each other. If I am awake, someone hears me and follows me downstairs. If it is hot upstairs and Lee is downstairs under the fan, I'm stuck. Dishes piling up? Piles that need to be gone through... Not happening now. I used to toss and turn and bought a book light.

In walks Facebook... I can do it from my phone too... Now, I can Facebook anytime I want to--as long as the light doesn't shine in Lee's peaceful, sleeping eyes. How cool!! Then I can go do dishes or read. But the nights that Lee is downstairs, I have toss and turn, play on facebook, play solitaire on the phone, or read. Yep, Facebook won again.

I have to do something quiet or else the girls wake up. I must be going deaf, because I don't know who turned up the TV so loud. But I was the last one to watch it. Hmmm. Maybe all the yelling between the kids and at the kids has taken its toll on my hearing. Or maybe I just try not to hear too much--like the word Mom.

I tried the who's Mom? My name isn't mom. Not sure who you need trick. It was funny, but didn't last too long. It was fun. I'll use it occasionally. But most of the time I have to say, you are old enough to figure it out. They continue screaming... If Lee is home, I politely remind them that they have a dad too. I love it when I am told, but you will get her in trouble. I guess it doesn't pay to be the mean one.

I think I can finally sleep now. I am tired and have been since 10 p.m., however as soon as my head hit the pillow it claimed to be awake. I'll try again. Goodnight.

Friends, Fun and Makeovers

Who would have known that my girls could do makeup and nails pretty well? Even more who would know that 23 and 21 year old guys would allow them to "make them over"? These aren't ordinary guys either, one is in the Air Force and the other is in the Army and brothers-in-law. They are just such awesome guys and my two just adore them. Also Bobby, who is 21 is expecting his first child. The girls gave Linzy his wife a back and foot massage. They also gave the guys a facial with a clay mask. Those guys were so wonderful with the girls! Linzy and Alyssa took pictures, while I cooked. It was great. We couldn't convince Lee to let them doll him up.

We had such fun last night and played a great prank on Lee. Alyssa and I had talked about an April Fool's joke of me pretending to be pregnant. Alyssa had Linzy take a pregnancy test so I would have a positive one to show Lee. My friend Renee from Texas had given me the idea a couple of years ago. Sean, Alyssa, Linzy, and Bobby arrived around 4. Lee gets home around 6, so we had time to plant the test. We put it in the kitchen on the counter. When Lee came home, I told him to look by the recipe box. He was shocked to say the least. He looked at me sideways and said "It can't be mine." Bobby said it could be the milk man to egg him on. The look on his face was priceless. I just told him that the surgery isn't 100%. I told him we need to tell the girls and he told me to tell them because it's my news. Then he looked at me again and said, "You're kidding, right?" I couldn't go on and told him yes, I was joking. It was hilarious and his look was priceless. I don't think I can top this one.

Since Sean and Bobby missed Thanksgiving at home, we had a Fried Turkey feast. Stina made a cake for dessert and it was great. Sean, Bobby and Linzy hadn't had fried turkey before. We all ate very well and Lee was happy with his great leftovers. I think he forgave me for the prank because I got to him through his stomach. I love him.

Today was a fun day too. While I was at a Day Camp meeting in Boise, Stina stayed home to work on her hair. She wanted to pull her hair through a highlighting cap so she can have blue highlights. She needed me to help her when I got home with Lee and Kimberly. Stina's hair looks pretty good. We can actually see the blue this time. I am curious as to how long it will stay in. It is suppose to wash out. We'll see...

Kimberly learned how to braid hair today. She's all excited now. She wanted to do my make-up, but I had my shower. So did Stina. I will let them tomorrow. My skin is so dry up here, I don't want to wash it any extra. I have a pretty good lotion, but it still stays dry.

Lately, Caesar has taken to using me as his bed at night. Talk about interesting when I try to turn over. He also likes to lay on Stina's back when she picks him. Salem has decided that he needs to not only follow me around the house, use my rear as a scratching post and call for me, he has to sleep up by my head. He's such a mess. I don't know what all has changed in the move, but my loving boys are even more affectionate. I didn't think they could get any more loving...

I think I have finally adjusted to Idaho. I am really staring to like it here. Could be the pretty blue skies with wispy clouds and pleasant days with cool nights. The mountains still have snow are are very pretty too. I am so excited to be starting the first volunteer run Day Camp this year. It is all just so much fun. I am praying it works out well and we get all the volunteers we need. I am standing and believing that it will all work out. I am having so much fun with Girl Scouts! The girls have great Leaders and I can do the other stuff I enjoy... Blessings to all who read this! Good Night!

How to Volunteer...

Ever wonder how one gets started volunteering? Once upon a time before Septermber 2003 I did. Well, all I had to do was inquire about Girl Scouts... I met Tammy who said she could put my daughter in a troop, but they need a leader...

Now, 6 years later I am still in Girl Scouts. Since we moved, I am not the leader for 2 troops anymore. Instead, I thought I would only be a Girl Scout Trainer. Well, they learned about my love of Cookies. So, I decided to help with that. Ok, I told Lee this is it.

While I was up at Council, I asked if they have Day Camps here. Turns out, they don't. What did I do? Open my big mouth. A really nice lady, Brooke, from Council called and asked if I would like to start a Day Camp up here. Of course, I LOVE Day Camp and eagerly said yes. One neat thing is that Christina is old enough to really help me. Kimberly has some great ideas too, so we have a 3 person Day Camp so far. I know people will be calling constantly to volunteer to help with this venture.

As if all that isn't enough... I went to my first Service Unit meeting. They were in need of an Events Coordinator. Well, note the were. I am not that too. I am one of they ladies that they say "Bleed Green". I love Girl Scouts. It is a great organization and helps so many girls. It has shown me things to teach my own girls. Since I home school, you would think I can create enough things to teach them...

Since we are on home schooling... My next lesson in volunteering (after Sunday School), is the home school co-op. Yes, there is always a need there. I think I found an idea for a class or two for next year.

When I tell Lee or the girls about my ideas, I am met with faces that say please don't forget about us. Christina even said she doesn't want to share her mom. I thought the older they get the less they want you. I guess I was wrong. I think that is a good thing. At least I know I am loved.

Now that I have the Day Camp flyer sent off for approval, I am going to get some sleep. It's so hard to sleep when there is so much work to be done. Oh, did I mention I have only 3 months to pull off the Day Camp. Normally, we start planning that back in June after the previous day camp.... Please keep my in your prayers and help me learn to say "no."