Dentist Drama

(Saw this Pic on Pinterest and thought it was funny)

So I went in to the dentist today (4th and last visit in the past 2 months) to get the last of my fillings done. I was dreading it! My dentist will only do one side at a time and lucky me had one in each corner! BTW, I got rid of the bubble gum, and will now only use sugar free WHEN I can chew gum again. Well the last 2 visits have left me in pain, so I was NOT looking forard to this one, but I was going to "woman up" and get it over with. I walked out the door forgetting my ipod, which I use to attempt to block out some of the drilling noise, so I was dreading it even more so. I get there and the front desk lady said she was proud of me for keeping all my visits. I guess some people decide they would rather let their teeth rot away and not get them filled....believe me, the thought had crossed my mind after the last visit!

So I get in the chair and the dentist comes in and I ask "how are you doing" to which he replies, "not too good. I have to go to the cardiologist Monday, they are talking about maybe having to put a pacemaker in". He goes on to explain how his blood pressure was really high right then, and how he started out the day feeling ok, but not so much right then. I ask, if his heart is racing, then is it hard to breathe, he said ya. OK. I did NOT go to college, but I am kinda thinking, heart racing, hard to breathe, do I want you inside my mouth with big needles and a drill....ummm, no! So I joked and said, uh, do you want to reschedule? THANKFULLY he said "really?  you wouldn't mind?" Uhh DUH! He said he would not offer to still do it if he didn't think he was able but.....   BUT I don't want to be the patient he figures out he was NOT ok to work on after the fact! LOL So, twist my arm to have to put off a visit I was dreading, + he offered to take $100 off my return visit for helping him out! BONUS!!! Heck ya, I'll reschedule, any time doc!  I am sooo glad I have a friendly dentist who tells me his whoa's so I know what I'm in for! :-)  So instead I went and did a little shopping and came home and worked in the yard (after downloading some new hymns onto my ipod). Good Day! GOOOOOD Day! Thank you Jesus for watching out for both me and my dentist!

It's the little things

This year I am trying to make more time for myself. Time to spend on making ME better so I can BE better for my family. I think it's easy to fall into self pity and martar thoughts when we give everything to everyone else and never make time or spend money on ME. Selfish? Maybe, but if I am constantly begruding giving everything to everyone else, then I might as well not do anything for everyone because it is not in the right spirit. So far this year, I have paid to have my hair colored (which included a trim). I do not think I have ever in my life paid to have my hair colored and only a few times have I ever paid to have it cut. I also decided (with my husbands blessing) to have the vaneers taken off my teeth (they were put on in 8th grade) and get braces to finally straighten them once and for all (plus afterwards I can whiten them which I have always wanted to do). It turns out, that selfish act may have saved one of my teeth. Because the vaneer was not allowing the tooth under to get very clean and it was starting to rot away....eww gross! I know, that is what I thought too!
I also have been trying to make time to excersise, but as spring has come early and that involves much yard work along with inside work, that goal has not been achieved as well. But I have done better about my water intake and my skin has shown that dramatic improvement.
Finally, today, I really went all out. I was tired of painting my nails only to have it peel off the same day. So tonite, I actually paid for the more expensive nail polish and am hoping THAT will make the difference. It's so fun to look down and see my fingers look so pretty (as pretty as big man hands can). Although, if I don't stop typing, I think it will all continue to get messed up, as it's evidently not quite dry enough. So goodnight!

Daily Grind

I am always afraid to write down my plans or goals, because it seems as soon as I do, they are jinxed. I make a long menu plan, and daily goal plans, that I have been doing really good with, but as soon as I put pen to paper, I seem to jinx it and it all falls apart. However I am determined to persevere and keep trying! I have most of my menu through to the end of April planned, and my daily to do list until after Easter down. Hopefully I will accomplish more than what I have on that list, but if I only get the things done on that list.... atleast SOMETHING wil have gotten done. I know there are several books on how to run your home like a business, but unfortunetly, I was never any good in the business world, that's why I became a stay at home mom!
Yesterday, I got alot accomplished, and it didn't seem like much until I wrote it all down. Therefor, I think I am going to start writing down all I get done in a day....Yesterday's was the following:
Made breakfast, lunch and dinner.....that is an accomplishment in of itself, as we have been eating out alot lately!~
Did laundry alllll day! ....It's still going today, sheets and blankets take a long time to wash, especially if they have piled up....
Cut out and sewed 2 more pairs of coulots for Gracie...not as simple as it sounds, as she is very particular about her shorts, and so I was constantly making adjustments. I had cut out and sewed one other pair the night before.
Worked on garden and fenced it in ... this involved putting more dirt into the beds that the dog had dug the dirt out of! Some of the dirt had gotten wet, so lifting shovel fulls of wet soil is hard work (that was probably good for me, but I can't acknowledge that) ....as far as fencing it in (to keep said dog out in the future), well my husband ACTUALLY did this, but I did start the process and hammered in a few of the stakes, but after seeing me miss the stakes and hit the fencing, one too many times, well, he decided to take over....
Weeded in between the bushes ....these bushes are the ones a few weeks ago I took the time to lay wet newspaper (per pinterest),and then put down mulch so I would not have to weed! However some persistent weeds have found their way out (probably to the tune of "I'm a survivor"). So I pulled them and then covered those areas with cardboard and recovered with the mulch.
Pruned and weeded the blackberry bushes ...hopefully I will only have to do this once this year. I am using the approach that worked out front between THOSE bushes, where I cut/pull the grass and let it lay there as the mulch to keep new grass from growing. I also watched a video on pruning blackberry bushes on Pinterest (yes some people actually put those ideas to use and not just repin them), and hopefully we will not only get more berries this year, but have better access to them.
Changed the sheets on my bed...I have been doing this often as the dogs insist on climbing in with me, no matter how hard I try to keep them on TOP of the blankets, one inevitably finds his way UNDER and the other one goes  under in search of the first. Therefor the sheets/blankets need changed often, therefore all the laundry in the above chore...
Put away clean clothes ...this is actually remarkable for me as they often sit in the basket until I need them, then I curse myself for letting them sit there getting all wrinkled when I need to wear them!
Made menu through the next month along with chore to do list (while soaking in a nice hot bath, see I can multitask) ...Let's hope I stick to it!
All this while juggling two homeschooling kids and a husband....who needs the business world, I have enough in my own little home world! Plus the benefits are much more....beneficial to me!

Spring is in the air...

What has taken up all my blogging time! I have been super busy as of late, with what you may ask, well, let me just share a few of the things that have been going on.....

First, I must say, I am dissappointed in the lack of storms we have had so far this spring. However one did produce some good thunder and lightening for a short period. It even gave us a bit of hail. Not as much as others, who got baseball size, but enough the kids and I were a little....over dramatic about it! But just like people, it came in all different sizes......

                                                      What the hail???

                                  It was even blown onto the covered porch!

Along with spring, came my husbands 2 week vacation for being with the company so long. He coulndn't have picked a nicer two weeks! We were able to get outside and get alot of the projects done BEFORE the yard got the better of us. We got the back fenced cleared and sprayed with weed preventer, we got the garden moved (3rd times a charm, right?) , 4 new raised beds made, 4 new large pots bought, and cardboard laid down, then the beds/pots, then surrounded by mulch and then filled with dirt! THAT was a long two days. Later  I planted the peas. And since we have had such unusually warm, record breaking warmth, with no change in sight, I decided to gamble (they only way I will ever be doing that lol ) and go ahead and plant things you aren't normally supposed to until later. I figure, if we do drop low enough for a frost, I should know ahead enough to cover them.

We also got to the bushes along the fence in time. This year, I layed wet newspaper down before mulching, hoping it will keep the weeds at bay. They are prickly little boogers that come up there!

And I got my tomato plants started indoors. Gracie is trying some flowers, however, I do not see her getting much farther than when Frank tried it a few years ago. Hey I admit I have a brown thumb when it comes to flowers. It may just turn out they do too!

As usual, I am now not able to let a holiday go by without decorating for it. Partly because we are finally financially able to afford for me to buy the decorations! lol. Sooo right after Valentines Day, I put up my St.Patrick's Day. Now that it is over, I have up my Easter decorations, but this was then and not now! :-)

Loved this material (it looks better in person I promise) but could not decide what to use it for. Finally after I got everything up, I decided I needed a table cloth on the coffee table and this material would be perfect, so away I went to JoAnn Fabric to get the material I had been coveting for about a week!

Little dangly shamrocks from the curtains.... There were more decorations, but that is all I wanted to put on this already full blog.

And last but not least, I have tried my hand at quilting, in ernst. A family friend was having a baby girl. And the green, pink and brown were her nursery colors. I decided to make a quilt (using my new and barely used accuquilt to cut the squares) and am pretty pleased how it turned out. So was my husband, for now I am making him one for our 15 year anniversary! After that, my daughter has requested one! Oh boy, not sure when I will get back on here again with all the "orders" my family has put in!

There have been some other things that I don't have pictures of, well not that I will be posting anyway. For instance my long desire to get the vaneer bonding off my teeth and get braces on to permanently straighten them and then be able to whiten them! Plus all the homeschool we have been doing. Our second trip to Great Wolfe Lodge, where not only did they loose power, the fire alarm went off (so they had to corrall everybody to the back of the building) and someone did SOMETHING in the wave pool which required all swimmers to leave that part of the park and an employee to go in with gloves and a net.... Not our favorite visit! lol  And finally, I admit, my pinterest addiction. However it is starting to wane a bit as I feel I have seen just about all I can. I keep seeing things I already pinned about 70 zillion times! I want to tell eveyrone, just go onto my boards and I have taken care of all your pinning needs! lol So now I am working on actually achieving some of those pins! But I would like to get better about my blogging. I obviously did not make it far on my picture a day. But that is o.k. I'm still living it, just not photographing it!

The First Valentines Day Banquet

So this year, my young man, had his first Valentines Banquet at our church. He decided to ask a childhood friend to be his date. He said if she said no, he would just ask her friend, another childhood friend. Well after waiting for what, for him, seemed like forever, (her mom was out of town and she wanted to wait until she got back to ask her opinion) not only did girl #1 say yes, but the "backup" agreed to go as well so it would be a group date and not so awkward. Ofcourse this made Frankie feel like Mr. Stud Muffin!

So after a lOOOOng conversation on how he should behave and how he should approach things, he decided he wanted to get the girls roses (with his own money). However he insisted on looking up what each color meant so as not to put out the wrong impression. Deciding on Pink, because one of the meanings of pink is to say thank you. So we got the flowers and a new suit (thanks to Gran) and headed out to pick them up.

I guess I should have versed him on waiting until the girl was all the way down the stairs to hand her the flower, but he was just so anxious to give it to her!

Girl number one, that he asked.

Girl number two. I had to tell him to quit holding his thumb up and acting like he was more than he was! lol

The three musketeers. If you go back a few years in my blog about spin the flip flop, these are the same two girls! haha  http://momoffrank.blogspot.com/2009/02/old-blogs-from-my-myspace.html

I made sure to tell him to be a gentleman so I was very pleased to see him open the door for the girls. Although he panicked a bit about who to open it for first, and the girls, showing how supportive they would be the whole night, helped him out by both getting in the same door!

I dropped them off and left so I had to rely on other people's  pictures from the night. Here is a pic Kaci (girl number 2) took with her phone. I think it ended up being my favorite of all of them!

I believe it was likely this game that gave him the embarrassing moment of the night, when his brand new pants ripped just under the zipper! Tori (girl number one) tried to spare him a little embarrasement by having another guy tell him, but this guy evidently didn't want Frankie thinking he was looking down there told him Tori is the one who saw it! lol. But Frank, being the ever laid back kid that he is, just put his suit jacket back on and went on about the night.!

After looking forward to this for weeks, and all the build up, I think the let down finally came on the way home, that it was over. He was very quiet and subdued and most likely tired! However after dropping the girls off, we had a really nice long talk about dating and relationships at this young of an age. I certainly think it was an experience he will never forget and showed him that he has friends who are true and will always support him when needed! That's a good thing to realize no matter what age you are!

Fifi

So my penpal in Scotland shared a picture and a poem with me. The picture is her dress form. The poem, one her mother made up for her dress form, who was lovingly called "Fifi". I LOVED it and wanted to share it!

                                                             FIFI

I'm a dressmaker's dummy who's seen better days.

Why?, I can remember when I wore silken stays.

I then was very smart and sofine,

But have since 'ad parasites in my spine.

My name is Fifi 'cos I am French, you see

I  'ave mixed withthe best in Society.

When elite fashion salons showed

Dress designs of the latest mode,

They were adjusted on my slender figure

 And pinned to shorten or make bigger.

The fabrics were o glowrious hues

Of reds and pinks or various blues.

Drapes were carefully placed on me

By Miss Evangeline or Miss Bea.

I loved to wear each new creation

And be gazed upon with admiration.

Alas! Those wondrous day were fading

When "The House of Elliot" ceased trading.

My social life took quite a flop

When I was sold to an antique shop.

Placed amonst the memorabilia

Public gaze now seemed much chillier.

I seemed not wanted anymore,

And languished there inside that store.

One day, a lady passing by

Was 'eard to give a joyful cry,

"A dummy stand is what I need

To make my dressmaking succeed!"

She purchased me right then and there

And took me to a place elsewhere.

Although I was not richly gowned,

A different life style there I found,

As my new owner indulged in pleasure

Of wielding scissorsand tape-measure.

It gave me back my self-esteem,

Helping that dressmaker to seam.

Then came a terrible situation-

My mistress went into liquidation.

It was not the market that brought 'er down,

Pipes burst one night and she did drown.

I was cast up on the tide,

And left to stand in the cold outside.

A rag and bone dealer who had a kind heart

Gave me a ride in his rickety cart.

Then 'e sold me to the corner shop,

Where I was fated there to stop.

I was left in a bakehouse, dark and drear,

And where I stood for many a year.

Then, just when I thought all hope 'ad gone,

I was sold for a 'fiver' and so I moved on.

Again, I was used to model a dress-

Not up to my standard, but nevertheless

I was quite 'appy until the day

My mistress upped and moved away.

This time, I was put in a plastic sack

And laid in attic upon my back.

The years rolled by....Oh!  Misery me!

My spine 'ad an itch, but it was no flea!

A boring woodworm had traced me down,

And inside my backbone it set up a town.

After a long tim someone raised the trapdoor,

And a head appeared thro' the attic floor.

A very kind gentleman carried me down

Ad stood me upright on the ground.

A lady said, "Fifi will be in a position

To model a costume at our exhibition."

So I was dismembered, dusted and polished,

My woodworm was spotte - it will soon be deomolished.

Next, I was transported in Dottie's car

To Cyrprus Road Hall, it was not very far.

I grew quite excited and wondered with glee

What sort of costume they would put on me.

But days went by.... Nobody came--

I stood in a corner. Oh! What a shame!

It really made me feel quite ill

When I heard the folk from Abbeville

Speaking my native French,

And me-- in a sack behind the bench.

I was afraid hey might peep in to see

The plight that 'ad befallen me.

I used to be so very chic.

Ooh! La! La! I felt quite weak.

  I held my breath in trepidation,

But the French were on a town-twinning vacation.

New 'ope has now come from the museum man,

Who said, "I will help out if I can".

"If historical costumes we can obtain,

Fifi will be able to model again."

Then loaned to The Heritage Centre I will be

'Appy, to be gazed at admiringly.

Long years 'ave passed I 'ad to wait

And wonder what would be my fate,

For no museum did I see.

They said there was no place for me,

After they'd raised my 'opes so hight,

"Mon Dieu" I wished that I could die.

In the garage I was put

In plastic sacks from 'ead to foot.

There I thought I must remain

But I am on the move again,

Vicky 'as come nd rescued me,

She cried "Oh Goody! 'eres Fifi,

Now that I 'ave much more room

I'll take you with me to Loch Broom".

I was polished and dusted in a 'urry

And soon was on my way to Surrey.

'Er two good buddies Mike and Will

Said "You can stay with us until

To Ullapool we do repair

Then Fifi we will take you there"

So 'opefully I'll end my days

Up in my 'ome upon the Braes.

I  'ad news that will amaze,

My mistress saw and advertisement

A model wanted for a Grand Event

To model at an exhibition

At last I've gained my true position.

She contacted them that very day

And I was 'ired without delay.

So to Achiltabui I am bound

Where I will be richley gowned,

In a Victorian dress from days of yore,

Such fashions I 'ave worn before,

And everyone will praise Fifi,

My mistress will be proud of me.

After all my trials and tribulation

I 'ave reached my proper station.

As elegant as in days gone by

When I caught everbody's eye,

So now I can forget my past

For Fifi 'as arrived atlast.

With my mistress Vicky on the Braes.

She'll model all 'er clothes on me,

La! La! I 'appy as can be.

So let the bag pipes, al resound

For Fifi's to the Highlands bound.

(Fifi's last adventure)

After years of Trial and Tribulation

Atlast I reached my poper station,

With my mistress on the Braes

Here I hope to end my days.

After the Achiltabui Exhibition

I became a Lady of high position.

One day my mistress said with pride,

"You've been asked to model for a bride"

So I was taken in a car

To a lady's house it wasn't far.

The bridal gown as put on me

In case adjustments there should be,

So there was I in a wedding dress

I felt so porud as you may guess.

Teh lady gazed at me with pride

Then said "Oh! What a lovely bride,

Fifi, you have sone so well."

Then an awful thing befell.

As they went to take me home again

In my back, I felt an awful pain.

And they became most agitated,

When they found that my spine had disentigrated.

The woodoworm had dwelt there of yore,

Many many years before.

And they had weakened it you see

Ooh! La! La! Oh poor old me.

The lady said "Fifi don't worry

We'll get you mended in a hurry.

Because I know the very man

Who will help you if he can."

So she called him straight away

And took me there that very day.

And he made me another spine

And I'm glad to say I'm feeling fine.

Now the church he goes to decree that

Every lady should wear a hat,

They said to me you can't come in,

Without a hat t'would be a sin

So now I have returned back home

Never more again to roam.

Day 9

So TODAY, the temps were very spring like and so I told the kids "get out there while you can!". And so, Frankie, in true Frankie fashion, puts on his winter coat and pulls up the hat! I think that kid thinks it's a hoody sweatshirt. Once the coat goes on, it usually doesn't come off until he gets home! Oh well, they got out there anyway! I told them the trampoline time could count as their 30 mins of PE. Gracie went out earilier with me though and had already put in a good 45 mins. I went out to take stock of all the yard projects we are going to have and to burn some stuff in the burn barrell. I love the smell of burning trash (it was mostly paper and boxes, so it wasn't stinky stuff) however I always worry when it gets real smokey if someone is going to think the garage is on fire and call 911 and the firestation down the road will show up. We called once, not long after we moved in because it smelled like something electrical was on fire in the air outside, and they came lights and sirens! I was so embarrassed, then I was more embarrassed when they couldn't find anything. The weird thing was, when you walked through the middle of the yard it was very hot but there was no rhyme or reason.....The other "experience" I had with the firemen, one day I was out blowing leaves in the front yard with the leaf blower, (those things are really loud btw) and the truck was on it's way back from a run. Well they must have come from a boring run and needed some excitement, because as they got close to where I was, they blasted the sirens real quick to startle me and they are lucky they didn't have to turn around and get me out of the tree I just about jumped in when they did it!!! See if I send any Halloween candy THEIR way! They TRICKED me for sure! WOW! I can really get off track can't I?!  Now, how did all that come from a post about how nice the weather was today..... THIS is why my house is full of 1/2 fiished projects, my mind easily goes from one thing to the next without any reasoning...... You've heard of the 7 degrees of seperation, I can easily do that with my thoughts as well and be able to come back full circle!