Short-lived victory and Wordlessness

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This morning, when I checked my reader, I had 85 unread posts.

Ah well, it was nice while it lasted.

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Conversation with Budman as I was hitting the snooze button this morning

Me: When do you want to wake up, baby?

Budman: Eighteen years

Me too, my love, me too.

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And now, for my Wordless Wednesday (which is not so wordless)

I get to see my favorite nephew this weekend! YAY

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more!!

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Are you Mediocre?

Head on over and join in the fun!

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Quick!!

I have to write this quick, cause I know any minute from now it will change.

As of this moment right now... at 11:29 in the morning, my Google Reader has NO unread messages.

YAY!

Of course, in five minutes, something will pop up.

But for now - it's a good feeling.

I'm Mediocre - Are you?

I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to do this story justice, but I'll try.

It all started here. Meghan from A Mom Two Boys was discussing Alltop, and how it's a really great idea, but it's not for people - well, like me, who hae a minimum of traffic. So, she threw out the idea of starting a site called AllMediocre for those of us who aren't quite ready for the big leagues of Alltop.

The story continued here and here. Suddenly, AllMediocre was born! And I KNEW that I had to get in on this.

Check it out - A lot of really talented bloggers have already joined, and you can too!

It's easy - All you have to do is meet the following requirements:

• Have a personal blog, that is updated on a fairly regular basis (at least once a week)
• Add a badge to your website, proudly proclaiming that you’re a member of AllMediocre
• NOT be a member of Alltop. Yet…

So - head over there, and join up -

Here are a few of the awesome buttons that some of the super-talented ladies at AllMediocre (and one from AllTop) have come up with! You can use them if you join!!

Weekend Update

Here I am, back with another weekend update! Saturday was a busy day - Budman and Possum worked on the boat engine ALL.DAY.LONG. Monkey and Mater went with me to drop the clothes at the cleaners, and then they went to a birthday party at The Little Gym. If you have one of these near you, I highly recommend a birthday party there. The party was 90 minutes long, and it was the most well-organized 90 minutes - with kids - I had ever seen. Every thing went like clockwork. And boy, did the kids have a blast!! I had my camera, but for some reason, it went kaput on me, so I may have to have Budman take a look at it for me (Or else convince him that I REALLY do need a new one- haha)

After the party and picking up the clothes from the cleaners, we went home and the kids played in the driveway, while Budman and Possum finished up working on the boat. I went into town to get some Popeye's chicken for dinner, and then back outside again. My excitement for the evening happened when I ran up to the corner store to get a lottery ticket. I picked up a bottle of Starbucks frappuchino and some candy for the kids, and as I was standing in line, I noticed a man standing by my car. I thought that it was rather strange, so I watched him closely, then realized with a sinking feeling that I hadn't locked my doors, as he reached for the door handle and opened my passenger side door. Without thinking, without even putting down the items that I was carrying in my hands (and hadn't paid for yet), I ran out the door, and YELLED at him "Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Apparently, I scared the crap out of him, because he began stammering and apologizing and saying that he had the wrong car. When I looked down, he had already put his beer in my floorboard. I guess it was an honest mistake after all... I locked my doors, and went back into the store, where the gentleman in front of me apologized for his friend, and the man behind me claimed that I had "scared him". I told him that "I pretty much scared myself". So, I paid for my items, and hoped that no one would notice that my hand was shaking as I passed my money over the counter. When I got home, I told Budman my story, and he was NOT happy. He didn't know what I was thinking, running outside to confront that man. For the record, neither do I.

Sunday, was a little less crazy, Budman and Possum took the boat out to the lake in the morning, I had instructions to meet them there at 9:30 with the little ones. That way they would have time to make any needed adjustments before we got there. Unfortunately, while the motor runs terrific, it has some sort of transmission (is it called a transmission on a boat??) issue, where the boat will not go forward OR backward. So when we got there, Budman and Possum were making their way back to the shore, by paddling with a 2x4. According to Budman, this is a fairly easy problem to fix, but he didn't have the tools he needed there at the lake. All the same, we came there to fish, so he put Mater and Monkey in the boat, strapped them into their life vests, and let them fish in the boat anyway. So what if we were 5 feet offshore, the boys didn't care.

We didn't catch anything, and after a while we headed home for lunch - My aunt, uncle and cousin had come over, and they had brought kids with them. When the neighbor put her kid over the fence so he could play too, that's when Budman and Possum snuck out for a haircut. Grrr.. I managed to keep the kids outside, and when they finally left, I was completely wore out.

The kids didn't watch a minute of TV this weekend - until Sunday evening, when I decided that I had finally had enough outside time (It got up to 92 degrees yesterday - ugh!) I made let them come in and watch America's Funniest Videos. I don't know what it is about that show that they love so much...

Anyway, that's mostly it. It was a pretty good weekend, and I only wish it had been longer...

Whoo hoo!

I won a contest! Lori at My Wooden Spoon kicked off her 3 month long giveaway on May 1st. She has a new givaway every week, but you can't win this one, 'cause it's mine! Yay!

Photo credit: My Wooden Spoon

I am now the proud owner of a Kitchen Mill, a Cookbook, three dishtowels and a wooden spoon (DUH!)

Thanks Lori! A new giveaway started yesterday, so head on over there to check it out!!

Have a great weekend. Tune in Monday for the Weekend Update - Hopefully I'll have something interesting for ya!

More of the laziness!

I really have nothing today - I'm tired (more so than usual), I can't think of a thing to write and I'm trying to convince myself to work at work today - instead of half-assing it, and checking blogs at every opportunity. Anyway, here's what I've got...

I don't usually post these - I kinda feel like it's cheating. But, I found this one a while back at DamamaT's, who can't remember where she found it... This one described me VERY well, so I have to throw it out there...

You Are a Carousel

You are young at heart and a truly playful person. No one would ever accuse you of taking life too seriously. You are definitely in things for the fun. You find joy easily, and you are often building up anticipation for your next adventure. In relationships, you tend to want to be babied and taken care of. And while you may be a bit high maintenance, you are incredibly loyal. Your life is simple and satisfying. Each day you treat yourself to something you enjoy. You have a lot of emotional attachments, and experiences are extra vivid to you. You tend to be nostalgic and sentimental. The past is important to you. Comfortable around all living things, you have a special connection to animals and children. At your best, you are whimsical, free spirited, and creative. Even if your schemes seem a bit strange, they usually work out wonderfully. At your worst, you are spoiled, demanding, and impossible to satisfy. You've been known to act like a brat if you aren't getting your way!

What Carnival Ride Are You?

Lazy Post today

Weekend Update - Mother's Day edition

Whew! I'm tired! Busy busy busy...

Saturday, we loaded up the kids and went fishing. First, we stopped by the grocery store, and picked up stuff for lunch. Out at the lake, we fished a while (with only Budman and Mater catching anything), and once it started to get a little crowded, we headed up to a picnic table and started lunch. I played 'I Spy' with the boys while Budman cooked brats and we all snacked on potato chips. After fishing, the guys dropped me off at the house so they could go shopping for Mother's Day gifts. After a while, they came back and said "We couldn't find anything, so we're sending you to get you haircut, and to get a pedicure and your nails done." My gut, told me they just wanted me out of the house, and I was right - but, hey, who am I to argue??

So here are my nails...

And my toes

Also, the flip-flop sandals that Monkey and Mater picked out while shopping. Monkey picked the red ones, and Mater picked the white ones!! This way - I didn't have to take two pictures.

These are the shoes that Budman picked out for me - I should have known, he was just commenting the other day about how dirty my Keds were...

I think this is what happens when you send boys/men shopping. Oh well - We LOVE us some Tony Stewart!!! I alos got a Tony Stewart #20 Home Depot t-shirt and a Dallas Cowboys t-shirt. I LOVE having boys! :)

Choxie truffles - YUM. I had to go ahead and eat a few of these - I left them on my laptop - and they melted. In situations like that it is best to remove the evidence. Still have several yummy sounding flavors to try, but unless I want to share 2/3 of every truffle with Monkey and Mater, I think I will hide in my closet to eat the rest!

Here is the card Monkey made me at school. Inside, there are several pages where he completed the sentences his teacher had written. If I had a million dollars, I would buy my Mom: a slidr fon, a red slidr fon (a slider phone, a red slider phone) I didn't even know he knew what a slider phone was!! The best thing about my Mom is: byin her stuf (Buying her stuff) And the last one (which he said he didn't have time to finish, but completed for me verbally) It makes my Mom happy when: I get a sticker.

I think it's a remarkable likeness, don't you?

Aren't I lovely??

He also made this bookmark - they picked the flowers themselves, pressed them and made them into bookmarks. I think I love the stuff they bring home from school better than the stuff from stores...

This is the card from Mater - There's a poem inside - very cute

Here is a photo my Mom took of all of us yesterday (well, not all of us, but all of us that were there...)

Hope you had a terrific Mother's Day - My guys really outdid themselves this time...

Friday stuff

Last night we took the family out for a Birthday dinner. Budman even invited his parents, so with his parents, mine, us and the kids, we had a party of nine. We had a good time, and a good meal, and then headed off to Bransom's to pick up some ice cream on the way home. (Possum didn't want a cake) . Once at home, we all had some ice cream (in waffle bowls - I think I'm in love with waffle bowls) and Possum opened presents from Grammy & Papo J.


Budman and I have been back and forth on what to get him for his birthday, Budman wanted to buy him some Justin work boots, and I think that $150.00 is a bit much to spend on work boots for a 14 year old. Especially since they're work boots, and therefore worn whenever Possum is doing something that would require him to be getting dirty, etc... He has Budman's old boots (They wear the same size shoe - ACK!) and while they are old, that's kinda the point. I think we've decided on getting him him his own tackle box - He and Budman (and the little ones) like to do a lot of fishing, so I think it would be good for him to have his own gear. Plus, Budman is rather particular about his things, and gets a little bent out of shape when something isn't put back properly, or is lost or damaged... Having his own tackle box would solve both their problems

Additionally, since Possum is doing well in school, and hasn't gotten into any trouble since he's been here, we lifted the video game ban, and gave him our PlayStation2. As long as he has his homework, chores and other responsibilities taken care of, he can go to his room to play his video games. He's pretty happy with that, so as long as his grades stay up, and he doesn't neglect his chores, we'll keep that arrangement.


In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, Budman's father has decided that they will not be doing any work over at their house, so Budman has a whole weekend all to himself (a rarity) and so he is making big plans to go fishing Saturday morning. (And to go shopping, since he STILL doesn't know what he's getting me for MD - hee hee).


As for my weekend plans, I got a new toy present a few weeks ago - while I was taking a blogging break, so I didn't get a chance to share with you.

Isn't it cute?? That picture isn't exactly what I have - Mine is a Ruger 10/22 Pink Hogue (whatever that means), but it looks almost exactly the same as that one. I know, it's totally silly. We were at Academy, getting Chipmunk's birthday present last month, and I saw it and asked to look at it. Budman asked if I wanted him to get it for me, and of course, I said "No, not today - maybe later." 'Cause I never spend money on me - certainly not on something so caompletely frivoulous. That's when the kid behind the counter informed us that it was a limited release, that they only had two, and they wouldn't be getting anymore. So, I decided that I must have it. Other than air/BB guns, we don't actually own any (until now) and I hadn't owned a gun in over ten years, but for some reason, that silly pink gun was callin' my name. So, I had my dad "pimp my gun", it's got a scope, and a few other things I can't remember right now, and I haven't gotten to try it out with the scope on it, so I think that I will be talking my Dad into taking me to the range, while Budman takes the monsters fishing. I'm such a nerd, I know...

Well, I guess that's it for me this morning. Stay tuned Monday for our weekend update...

ANOTHER Birthday!!

Possum is 14 today!

I hope you know that I'm not nearly old enough to have a 14 year old!!

And I hope that you know just how very much we love you, and how very glad we are to have you here with us.

I coudn't resist. I also hope you realize that you were put on this earth so that your father and I could embarrass you at every opportunity.

We love you and we are so proud of you. You're a terrific boy kid young man, and I am so happy that I get to be a part of your life.

Happy Birthday, Possum.

Another contest!!

I can't help it.

Lori at My Wooden Spoon has some SERIOUS contest happenings over at her place, and I MUST enter.

Today, it's a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer! OK, so truth is, I have one of these already. But my Mom doesn't, and her birthday is just around the time the contest will be ending. See, I'm such a thoughtful daughter...

So, even though I know that every time I blog about a contest I'm reducing my chances of winning by about 3, I do it anyway. Go on over there, and win my Mom's stand mixer away from me.

It's OK, I understand - it's really cool. I won't blame you if you do.

weekend update

This weekend was - thankfully - largely uneventful. Friday, I slept all day, took Possum to his appointment (He remembered not to ride the bus home - YAY!)

Friday evening was more hanging out in the recliner under a blanket.

Saturday, Budman and Possum headed off to his parents house to help out. They've just bought a house, and between moving, repairs, yard work and auto maintenance, Budman and Possum have given up ALL of their weekends lately. Unfortunately Budman's dad is too sick to do most of these things and his Mom shouldn't be doing it all by herself (although, she's a tough one!) and Budman's brother bailed to AZ, so there isn't anyone else to help them. I stayed home with the little ones, we went out to lunch at our local Italian/Mexican/home cooking restaurant - I.kid.you.NOT. Chicken Fried Steak, Flautas, and Ziti with Meatballs were just a few of the items ordered at our table.

After that, more sleep, then watching the boys while they played outside in the backyard. We picked berries, and the boys ate them with sugar. Budman and Possum got home very late, and he was exhausted.

Sunday morning, even though I still felt like crud, I volunteered to head back over to my in-laws house with Budman and Possum, so that we could (hopefully) finish up the hedge-trimming and auto repairs (actually, Budman handles auto repairs) and get back home in time for lunch. We had Grammy take the little ones to church, and we got over to the in-laws house and got down to work (after waiting for them to get home for 30 minutes) When I finally looked at my watch again, it was 1:30, and there was no way that we were going to be home in time for lunch. Budman had promised the boys a fishing trip in the afternoon, so after a quick lunch, we finished up and headed home. Of course, we were all exhausted, and when Budman found out that the boys had Monday off from school, he quickly decided that he would take the day off of work and take them fishing then instead of Sunday evening.

So, last night was spent being completely lazy. We did give the little ones their summer haircuts, (This is when I stop spending money on professional cuts for the summer, and buzz their little heads in the driveway!) they have been begging for weeks to have it done already. I was waiting until I was sure that it wouldn't be getting cold anymore. Monkey asked to be completely bald, and I told him that he would have to wait until school was out for that. He's almost there, anyway. I will have to get pictures, soon. For Mater, we can't go quite as short with him - he's so blond, that he looks like he has no hair at all if we get it too short, not to mention I worry about sunburn on his head. I figure we can slap a little sunscreen in his hair, right??

So, the boys (Budman included) went fishing today, and I headed in to work. I'm still feeling a bit yucky, but nothing to stay home over, so here I am.

I'm glad Budman got a chance to do something fun with the boys - weekends are often so busy, that it's good when they can all have a little guy time.

Fabulous Flirty Apron Swap!!!

I'm a little apprehensive about this. I SO want to participate in this Flirty Apron Swap, and I TOTALLY want to win that cutsie little apron in the picture above, but since I've not actually MADE an apron yet, I would hate for my first attempt to be one that I had to send to some poor unsuspecting soul. Besides, with only four weeks to complete my apron, and having no idea how long it actually takes to sew one - or how often i would be able to work on it, with my schedule I'm afraid that I would end up dissapointing someone.

If you're interested, however, you should certainly join in! I think I will sit this one out, enjoy the photos, gather ideas, perhaps make an apron or two to get me started, and then find an apron swap to join in the future.

I have big ideas, but little time!!

Today would be a perfect day for posting, but

I'm sick. I didn't even go to work today. I woke up long enough this morning to call in sick and to tell my children to have a good day at school, and to remind Possum that if he rides the bus home today instead of waiting for me to pick him up, he's going to be sorry. (The forgetfulness?? Is this a boy thing? Will he grow out of it? Is it just doing it to make us crazy??)

Anyway, back to me - woke up long enough, blah blah blah and then I went back to sleep until 11:00 AM. Feeling a bit like someone has kicked me in the head, and I'm about to head to the shower, to see if hot water and steam well clear the pressure and congestion from my head and chest.

I have to take Possum to an appointment this afternoon (rescheduled from last Friday when he - you guessed it RODE THE BUS HOME while his father and I took off work early and drove laps around his school looking for him for an hour.) since I am "Off" today (Why is taking a sick day being "OFF" from work?? I'm SICK!!) Budman will not be required to take off early this afternoon and I can handle it. YAY ME.

Well, it's not the post I had planned, but it will do. I'm off to the shower, and to continue being a "Bitty sang" (This is what my mother's family calls it when we're sick, puny, pathetic, hurt, or otherwise down in the dumps" No one else on earth has a clue what I'm talking about when I say "bitty sang" - usually said in babytalk). I could call anyone in my mother's family, and say "I'm a bitty sang today" and they would not only know what I meant, but I would get an appropriate level of both sympathy and baby talk. It's awesome.

Have an awesome weekend - I'll be resting - I wish.

Contest & Check in...

I'm still alive! I'm about ready to start blogging again, although probably not everyday just yet. I've got some ideas, and I will be posting them soon, I hope.

But today.....

Lori, over at My Wooden Spoon is having a mega give-a-way contest!! This week, she's giving a Cuisinart Food Prep Plus Processor with a Wooden Spoon. There are lots of ways to enter, so hop on over and take a look!

She will be giving away prizes every week through July 31 - You don't want to miss it!