a new meme

I got this from "little family" and thought it was cute!

These are the ABC's of homemaking.

rules: answer the following questions related to homemaking and then tag 3 people. don't forget to link to to the person who tagged you and let the people you tag know they have been tagged.

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aprons- y/n? if y, what does your favorite look like?
Yes. I got it for my wedding. It is green and burgundy striped and I love it

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baking- favorite thing to bake:
OK. I think you have to be a baker to answer this but I would have to say chocolate chip cookies. That is about as good as it gets in my house.

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clothesline- y/n?
Are you kidding? Not when you have perfectly good door frames to hang things on!!
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donuts- have you ever made them?
Alas, no. I am not that fun of a mom. I do make meatloaf though.

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everyday- one homemaking thing you do every day.
I make my bed and only mine. Then I put the toilet seat down.

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freezer- do you have a separate deep freeze?
Oh yes. We had to have one for Bry to put all his venison in that he doesn't get every hunting season.

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garbage disposal- y/n?
no. we are on a septic system and the plumber I live with said it is too expensive to get the kind we would have to have.

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handbook- what is your favorite homemaking resource?
OH MY WORD! The Fanny Farmer cookbook! LOVE IT!

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ironing- love it or hate it?
Oh I absolutely LOVE it! I stand around all day ironing!!! Yep! That's me!

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junk drawer- y/n? where is it?
I would have to say that it is my nightstand drawer. Not a good place but that is where it ended up.

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kitchen- color and decorating scheme?
My kitchen is painted a light sage green and has multicolored flower curtains that are darling. I decorated it with wrought iron from Thai Pan trading Co.. It is very cute.
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love- what is your favorite part of homemaking?
Is there supposed to be a favorite? I guess mine is laying in bed eating bon bons!

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mop- y/n?
Yes, but it is quick and easy.

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nylons- wash by hand or in the washing machine?
Nylons? What are those?

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oven- do you use the window or open the oven door to check?
Open the door. As do my children.

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pizza- what do you put on yours?
I like the combo the best or a gourmet veggie.

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quiet- what do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
I take a long hot bath WITH THE DOOR LOCKED! Or I get on line.

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recipe card box- y/n? what does it look like?
I have the pampered chef book you can fill up but how often do I get it out? hmmmm

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style of house- what style is your house?
It is an adorable pre fab! But it doesn't look like one. We, or may I say Bry, bought it for the shop/garage.

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tablecloths and napkins- y/n?
I use paper plates as often as I can and I do have tablecloths that I never get out. Napkins? Can you count dish towels as napkins?

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under the kitchen sink- organized or toxic wasteland?
Believe it or not, organized. I do like things in their place.

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vacuum- how many times per week?
We need to vacuum everyday out here in the stix but it usually only happens like 3 times a week.

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wash- how many loads of laundry do you do per week?
Heavens, I would say about 8. Give or take a bunch.
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x's- do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?
I have a day planner I use religiously but I don't mark anything off. I don't like to feel bad if I didn't get it all done.

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yard- y/n? who does what?
We have a huge yard. I try to do as little of it as possible. I do enjoy mowing though. Jake has stolen that job and Bry gets stuck fixing sprinklers!

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zzz's- what is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Turning off the heat in the winter and locking the doors. Thats all folks!

I tag, Lisa, Yolanda, Jeri and Charlotte for now.

I finished the book I was reading this morning. There is something so exciting about coming to the end... not wanting to lay it down and yet...not wanting it to be over.

This was a long book called "The Historian". It was heavy reading and It has taken me quite a while to read. That could be because I don't have a lot of time to do it!

But it was fascinating. The story took place in Turkey, Bulgaria and Hungary. It was a story about Dracula. Written so well, that it was easily believable. Wonderful. What colorful histories these countries have. I would read about something and then go look it up on the Internet. Fascinating.

I love books like that. You know, the kind that tell a wonderful story but teach you about history too. I also love one word titles. I think they sound more ominous or telling. Like, "the Client" or "The Bible" he he.

So, another book takes it's rightful place on the bookshelf. An honorary spot only for those I have read and loved. May there be many more.

A great day!

Happy Memorial day!

This is one of my favorite holidays. It is a holiday to be with family or go camping and to remember those who have left us.

We took the kids to see the new Shrek movie. It was pretty good but I liked the other 2 better. It was also very adult to me but they all are I think.

We had a picnic with my family and 6 out of 9 of my brothers and sisters were there. It was so much fun. We played kickball and I swear I never got to first base without getting tagged!

Plus, I couldn't run in my Birks so I had to run barefoot and it hurt my knee but I got it fixed this morning by my wonderful chiropractor! Love that man!

Aren't my sisters cute? I love these gals!

I'll put in a few pics of our fun day. I just love hanging with family.

This is my brother that I hadn't seen in I think about 2 years. How weird that we live so far apart when we used to see each other everyday!

This is what it is all about. Family. They are the ones that will stick by you through thick and thin. They are the ones who love you even when you're an a--, and they are the ones who love your kids even if they don't love you! he he

Of course everyone in my family loves me so it's is not ME I am talking about! (now they are all going to wonder who it is that I am talking about! I love suspense)

Oh my word!!! I have company coming this weekend and they will be sleeping in my sons room who has a double bed. I have been nagging him for a week to get it clean and well, we all know how 11 yr olds clean their rooms most of the time.

The thing is, I know he is perfectly capable of doing a really good job because he has before. Well, I just went in to do it and I am charging him $20.00 . I carried out 2 kitchen garbage bags of GARBAGE! Plus 2 kitchen garbage bags for the DI.

He has always been a pack rat and loves to keep things because he might use it someday. I will usually go in and deep clean every few months and the last time was around Christmas I think. I can't remember.

I just can not believe all the crap in there! It almost makes me feel like a bad mom for even allowing it to get to that point!

Anyway, Now I am exhausted! I did Seth's room too but his room was just sorting clothes and putting them away.

I love it when company comes because it gives me a reason to deep clean the house when I usually just let that stuff go. There are so many other things to do that it starts to add up and when you are tired or depressed etc... it's really easy to ignore.

So.. That is my morning in a nut shell. It took over 2 hours to do Jake's room. I think 10 bucks an hour is a fair price for house cleaning. Don't you?

Good morning ladies,

I had an interesting experience yesterday and I can't decide if I should write about it or not. It is a delicate subject and a very sensitive one to some people.

Let me start by saying that I had an appt. yesterday with my midwife. She was going to do a pap smear and check the string on my IUD. I found out after my surgery a few months ago that I have Endometriosis. I have to either take the pill or use an IUD to control it. I have found that I can't take the pill without a lot of really bad side affects. So I use the IUD.

I found that after I took it out last Oct. to try to get pregnant, that my libido skyrocketed. WOW! I had no idea. I found out that even though it is a very low dose of hormone in the IUD, it still affects that area. On me, I REALLY noticed a difference.

Well, with this new one, I have noticed the difference again but the other way around. It is very frustrating to me because I really enjoy sex.

This is where the touchiness of the subject comes in. My midwife told me that you wouldn't believe how many women come in who have been married 10 to 15 years and have never had an orgasm. She had asked them if they ever had they say something like "I'm not sure." She tells them, of course, that THEY WOULD KNOW!. It is not something you can miss!

This makes me sad. I wonder how many women go through life never experiencing something that is absolutely fabulous. And what is wrong with our sons that when they grow up, they do not know how to please a woman? Is it something as parents we need to teach them the night before they are married?

Is it the women.? I realize that there are women out there who have hangups because of sexual abuse, or inhibition or other things. In the catholic church, as far as I understand, they are taught that sex is dirty and bad. That is why babies are baptized. They are conceived in sin according to them.

In our church, this in not the case. In the right place, at the right time, sex is good, clean, beautiful and a God given right and gift. What is it then, that would have a woman go through 10 years of marriage without ever experiencing what it is that makes sex great. (One of the things that makes sex great)?

All I know, is that in my situation, I have to figure out how to overcome this little obstacle to make it good again. I am guessing it will just be a lot of foreplay which after 10 years is sometimes glossed over rather quickly. Dang!

Anyway, I hope this subject doesn't offend any of my friends out there. It was just interesting to me and I wondered what you all thought about it.

Serenity

This morning, as I started to leave the house for a run, I just didn't feel like listening to my normal running mix. I clicked on Yanni "In my time" instead.

It made the mood completely different as I ran and every time I run to classical or new age, I do better. Weird.

Anyway, it was so perfect. As I ran past a pasture, the calves were running around together playing, almost as though it were choreographed to the music. The sun had not yet come over the mountains but the sky glowed where it would come up. It was so beautiful and so serene.

The quiet with the soft music made me feel joyful, as corny as that sounds, I couldn't help but thank God that I lived here. Here, surrounded by corn and alfalfa fields. Cows and horses grazing. Beautiful pointed mountains at my back and blue sky all around me.

I felt like I was running through a piece of heaven. Something made just for me. I love to get out there early on the weekend when hardly anyone else is even out of bed. It clears my head and when I choose just the right music for my run, it completely changes my day.

Thank you, Heavenly Father for this gift this morning. I cherish these early birthday presents.

Good stuff!

I can't believe how long it has been since I have written last. I read on "but I digress" her top 13 favorite songs so I want to do that too. Here are my favorites AT THE MOMENT.

1. Cakkidi a personal favorite from Turkey. Love it. A good song to make love to. Not that I know, of course.

2. Beautiful Liar by shakira and Beyonce. Love this one too. Men!

3. No Mermaid from Message in a bottle. I listen to this when I need to feel strong and powerful.

4. Unwritten from Sisterhood of traveling pants. Helps me remember that each day is new and I can do with it what ever I want.

5. You want to make a memory by Bon Jovi. Such a beautiful love song.

6. Breathe by Anna Nalik. This one keeps me going when I feel life is too hard.

7. Chasing cars by snow patrol. I love love songs lately. Makes me remember to take time to smell the roses. Slow down.

8. I need to know by Marc Anthony. Makes me want to dance

9. Black horse and the Cherry Tree by Kt Tunsdell. I like to run to this one.

10.Lady by Lenny Cravitz. This one makes me feel sexy. you know?

11. Poison by Alice cooper. Don't ask

12. She Bangs by Ricki Martin. This one makes be want to move my bon bon.

13. Thank You by Alanis Morissette. this one speaks for itself. Life.

Happy Mother's day!

Happy Mother's Day!! This is a day that is not always a happy day for some women. Some women have no children and want to be mothers, some women are in abusive relationships or have rebellious children. Some mothers are depressed, some single, and doing it all alone and feel over whelmed. There are even mothers in jail because they did drugs, lost their kids and are contemplating their futures. Sad and all too real.

I am a lucky mom. I have a good man, great kids (most of the time) and a nice house to live in. Enough money and a happy life. I feel so blessed. I wonder if it is luck or blessings because, to be honest, I do not feel like I have been a "better" person that many of the other women out there who are not as "lucky".

Bry did good today with his Mother's Day gift. In fact, it was one of his best. He got me a gift certificate for a massage, facial, pedicure and manicure! Wow! How cool is that!? Now that is a good man! I may have a few complaints once in a while, but he always seems to rise to the occasion.

And now, for my mother, where ever you are, I love you. I miss you. I wish you were here so I could kiss you. I wish you were here to kiss my babies. I wish you were here to go on trips with and shop with. I wish you were here to argue with. I can still imagine the feel of your skin and the smell of your clothes. I can almost hear your voice. How I wish you had had more time here.

I hope this special day is a good one for all of you mothers out there. Whether you have your own children or get to mother someone else's kids. Kuddos to you. It is a very hard job and we definitely need each other.

It's Saturday, and I love Saturdays. This one feels just like they did when I was a kid.

We have cleaned the house, Bry fixed the swamp cooler, the kids have been doing their chores and we have even had a little time for naps.

I bought one of those little tiny hair trimmers and I trimmed Bry's hair and then shaved him. That was so fun. He doesn't let me do it that often but it felt good to put the shaving cream on his face, and shave. It was a little scary. I am glad it is easier to shave my legs!. But this reminded me of that scene in the movie "Phenomenon" , where she shaves him. It was a moment.

We don't get enough of those in our busy lives. I love just hanging out in a clean house.

We will go out in a bit to build a new chicken coop. We have 13 chicks a 1 turkey chick who need more space. All these dang animals that need room!!

Anyway, I sure enjoy them. Except for our neighbors' dog who woke me up at 12:30 am and didn't stop barking for a couple of hours. I was ready to kill it! But I am trying not to be violent so I let it live.

I hope you all have a very happy Mother's day. I intend to. Love to you all!

I went out with a friend of mine today. We got our nails done and went shopping. It is so nice to have girlfriends. Someone to talk to about anything with. Even us mommies need that. So often women get married and quit hanging with their girlfriends.

This particular gal wants to go to the Erasure concert. I like Erasure too but she found out it is going to be a gay celebration or something. Anyway, her husband does NOT want to go. I told her I would love to go with her. We'll hold hands and hug and everyone else will leave us alone!

I will pull out my tight jeans, big hoop earrings and dance the night away!

I go through cycles where it really bugs me when the hubby never wants to do what I like to do. Then, I remember that that is why I have girlfriends! To do the things with that I enjoy that Bry does not.

I had a talk with my sister about this. Her best friend is also married to a "white" . She has to do the same as me. Hang with the girls when she wants to have fun. I wish it were different and Bry and I do compromise most of the time but I have found that I have more fun with the gals at certain activities.

Thank heavens I am married to a man who gives me complete freedom. It doesn't bother him a bit when I leave to go play. He probably looks at it as a night of freedom!

So, Here's a toast to freedom, ladies!

Baby things

I have been going through all my baby things. Sorting which things to give to the DI, which things to give to my sister who is pregnant and which things I want to keep.

This is really hard. It is breaking my heart actually. I know in my heart that I am not going to have any more children myself, yet, I want to hang on to these precious things that represent beautiful memories that I will never experience again.

The most beautiful things I will give to my sister, and the cute things to a neighbor of mine who is having a baby.

The outfits that all my babies wore, blessing dress, special blankets and things, I will keep. these things only take up a half of a tote. The things I am giving away take up 2 totes and 5 kitchen garbage bags!

I need to do this. I can't keep hanging on to this stuff. Plus I need the space. My youngest is almost 3 and really, others could use these beautiful things. But it makes me feel like a piece of me has died. I don't know how to explain it. I have to face it. Face reality. This is life. I am getting older, I have 4 great kids. Kids grow up.

I am like my mother. She had 8 kids. All in a 20 year span. She loved the baby stage and when one of us got to be about 3 or 4, she would want another. She had her first at 20 and her last at 40.

Now, I don't want to do that but I am very sentimental about my baby things. I hate giving them away. I want to be selfish with them and hold them to me and never let go.

I will shed a few tears and know that I am giving a huge gift to someone who cannot buy all these things on their own, but 0h, how hard it is.

I wanna dance!

Lately... I just wanna dance! I don't know what it is but when I turn on music, I want to move it, move it , move it!

Ricki Martin makes me want to get out my Latin hips and swing 'em! In Venezuela, I learned the salsa, and merengue. LOVE THEM! Dancing is a primal instinct we all have in us.

I turn on music and even a 1 yr old baby starts to move! Everyone laughs at that but it is real. The beat is in us!

I have not been dancing in YEARS! I also married a man who has no desire to dance let alone take me anywhere to dance! POOR ME! This is the hardest thing because I yearn for someone to dance with me like this picture here! I think I must be in a mid life crisis!

So I turn up the music loud and go to it with my kids! They think I am crazy and my 11 yr old tells me I need to "get a room". I don't know where he learned that phrase but I'll wash his mouth out later!

Right now.... I'm dancing!

Sugar .... anyone?

I have a new fetish lately. I have taken a liking to rock music. I don't know why. I have never really been in to it before but to be honest, I like the animalistic rawness of it.

So, I had an experience today with it that has convinced me that I am going to HELL! Do not judge me too harshly though. I have sins that are worse.

So I was in the car this morning with Gabe and Heidi and I had made a CD of some of my favorites . I like to rock out in the car to them. The song "Pour some sugar on me" came on and the little voice of my daughter in the back seat drifted up to me saying. "I love this song, mom. " She had said it so matter of fact and I started laughing. In a very serious voice, this 5 yr old asked me to not laugh at her. I told her I was laughing because she is so beautiful and makes me happy.

Now tell me folks. Am I the biggest sinner ever here? But, since I have vowed to always be honest in what I write. These are the facts. I love rock, I love rocking out in the car and my kids are always with me. What to do..... Obviously I am not too worried. Maybe I should be. I don't think I would have that particular cd playing if Pres. Hinkley were with me!!!

But only the good die young and I want to stick around for a while.

Corners

I read Chroniclers, Lisa's, Smee's and now, I want to take a turn.

This is the corner where I spend most of my time. I have a new computer now but that is the only thing different here.

I work here and play here. My kids love to play here too and so I have great leverage with game playing.

Oh, and the tv is no longer there. It died.

So, this is my happy place.

Cakkidi

The power of music. I have a new song. A new love. A song that moves me more than one has in a very long time.

It is called "Cakkidi". It is by a Turkish man named Kenan Dogulu . You can hear it if you just type his name in the address bar. it will take you there. click on "English", then click on albums, click on "festival" and then the song.

This song is hot folks. It makes me melt like ice cream on the 4th of July.

I listen to it quite a bit and let me just say... life has been much spicier. Listen at your own risk....