admin October 5th, 2008
Since it rained nearly all night last night, the gentle soaking kind of rain, it was a bit chilly today. More chilly in the house than outside after awhile. Anyway, we decided to have our first “official” fire of the fall since we were all freezing. Stu started up the woodstove with expert ease, and we had our lunch listening to the crackle of the flames and smelling the very “fally” smell of a wood fire. After lunch I happened to notice that we still had big candle sitting on TOP of the stove. I suggested that perhaps we should move it. Stuart agreed and touched the plate the big pillar was on only to get his finger tips burnt! Apparently it was already pretty hot. So me, being the “mrs. fix-it” that I am, grabbed a dish cloth to pick up the hot plate with, but in the process of picking it up I spilled the melted wax all over the top of the stove! It immediately started smoking like crazy, and while I was covering the smoke detectors with towels so they wouldn’t go off and scare Qade, the top of the stove burst into flame!!! Oh dear. Stuart watched the fire while I opened windows and turned on the fans. It was ridiculous how fast the WHOLE house filled with smoke! Fortunately the flames didn’t last long, just enough to burn off the wax, and none of the smoke detectors went off, which makes me think perhaps they need new batteries??? But our house smelled gross and smokey. I like to think that I have common sense, but sometimes it flees from my mind when I most need it. In retrospect, I should have first removed the candle from the plate, then soaked up the melted wax with paper towels, THEN lifted the hot plate off of the stove… but who has time to think of all that in the spur of the moment. Ha! Kind of like when I locked myself out of the house when I was pregnant with Qade and instead of asking our neighbor for a ride, I walked a mile and a half in the cold to a friends house… duh! Oh well, live and learn. I need to stop and reflect on the BEST method of getting something done, not always the fastest.
The smoke has cleared out, the house is toasty warm, I sprayed some febreeze to help with the smell, and both of my guys are having a well earned nap. Looks like it’s going to storm again, but I say, “bring it on!” 
admin October 3rd, 2008
I don’t sleep so well these days. So in my spare awake time, I think up all kinds of goodies to make/eat! Woo Hoo!! For a couple of weeks now I’ve been craving cinnamon rolls! Yummmmm!! So I found a recipe on copykat.com for rolls that are “pretty close” to cinnabon rolls! Well, who could resist that, huh? So today I “dug in” and decided to make the things. I don’t like working with yeast breads because of all the extra work and waiting, but if these puppies taste anything close to cinnabon then it will be time well spent! I just popped them out of the oven and they SMELL scrumptious! I WILL have to have one before dinner! Speaking of dinner, I have recently been wondering if I couldn’t make friend mozzarella sticks too, so today I’m going to give it a whirl. I double dipped them in egg, flour and Italian seasoning. They’re freezing right now to hopefully make it easier to fry them without the cheese leaking out. I’ll let you know how that experiment goes. 
So yep, I’ve been thinking a lot about food these days. I have to say, though, that too my credit I have not indulged as much as I did with Qade. It’s obvious in the scales too! 
However, it can’t hurt to look at the menu even if I can’t order, right? Ha ha ha!
Well, I hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of yummy experiences.
admin October 3rd, 2008
So our government is a republic right? “And to the republic for which it stands” yes, I believe those words are in the Pledge. The dictionary says that republic is, “a state in which supreme power is held BY THE PEOPLE and their elected representatives.” So what happened with our “elected representatives” and the Wall Street bailout?? Just curious, ya know because I was hearing reports on the news from legislatures who said such things as out of 900,000 e-mails about the bailout over 800,000 were “nay.” So what happened to our republic? Do we really have representation, do we really have a “say” in what happens in our government? I tend to think not. I’m not trying to be a pessimist or a doom gloom and dispair prophesier, but I have to admit that I’ve never had much “faith” in our government. In my thinking government has gotten WAY to big for itself and has become more like the “big brother” of Orwell’s “1989.” I believe that the government was established for the main purpose of protecting the country, NOT for the purpose of worming their way into every aspect of our lives and constantly gripping for more control. The bailout bugs me! Spoiled America has been living the life of “credit” for so long that now I hear phrases on the news like “get the credit flowing again.” What is that? How can something like “credit” flow. Maybe money can flow, gold can flow, water can flow, but credit??! Would it really be so bad if we didn’t “bail out” the millionaires who work for 3 weeks and still get paid MILLIONS of dollars? My solution, I know I’m so harsh, to these CEOs who are drowning their companies and whining about not have any more million dollar pay checks, is to go get a regular job at Wal-Mart if you can do no better! Why should the government have to support your ridiculously lavish lifestyle?? I try to steer clear of politics as much as possible. My hubby, his fam, and my fam both love it, so it’s sometimes difficult. However, I find that the more I’m into it the more “worked up” about things I become and the thing is, I can’t do a blessed thing about it, so why get my blood pressure out of whack. Now I’m not saying, don’t do “nuthin.” As far as you can make a difference, you should. VOTE! Even if your choices are “bad” and “badder,” do what you can with what you have. However, as has been proven time and again, you can’t get your security from the government…. in fact, most of the time you can’t even trust them to be above board in what they are doing as they supposedly represent we the people. So for what it’s worth, and no matter how much you love being saturated in politics, please don’t take your world view temperature from that thermometer. Learn to be an “objective” thinker, and if you can, sift the facts from all the emotional hype that the media throws us. Remember that the world, and country, were here LONG before we were, and most likely, will be here LONG after we are gone.
Sorry for the political rant, but it’s been building for awhile.
admin October 1st, 2008
Today will be a busy day for me. Maybe that’s why I found myself unable to sleep well and got up “early” 6:30 wooooo! Ha ha ha! I’m so bad about not liking to wake up in the mornings, but today it wasn’t a problem. I needed to come downstairs and stir my homemade (in the crock pot even) apple butter. :-) Can’t wait till it’s done and I can try some! It sure smells good! Anyway, today I have an OB apt in town which also means that I need to do errands and shop. It’s not a chore I enjoy, let me tell ya, but we’re totally out of some stuff since I’ve been baking more, so it’s off to the grocery I go! Actually Stu has today off, so we may go to town a little early and have some Cracker Barrel lunch thanks to the b-day gift cards from my bros!! Woo-hoo! Gotta love Cracker Barrel!
Well, I was reading this blog this morning, and found it kind of interesting. As mommies we like to think the things we’re doing with our kids is all good and the “best” for them. Inevitably however we’ll find someone who disagrees with us. For example I found myself bristling as I read the article because several of the “habits” that this lady said were so bad I actually ENCOURAGE with Qade. :-) I use a white noise maker when he sleeps, I feed him from my plate, I give him juice (but he also gets ice water and doesn’t complain) and I even TRIED to get him attached to a certain stuffed “lovey” but he didn’t go for that at all. Ha! As I was reading though I just reminded myself that the reason God gave Qade to us is because WE were the best parents for him. The reason this lady’s kids are hers is because she is the best mommy for them. We all have our very solid opinions on what our kids should/shouldn’t be doing, or habits that we want/don’t want them to develop. We’ll all go about getting them there in our own ways, and we WILL make mistakes along the journey. I think it’s too bad when we’re overly critical of ways that other parents use to bring up their kids. SO that’s my challenge to myself and you other mommies out there today. Try NOT to have a judgmental spirit toward other parents and the way that they are raising their kids. Learn from them, yes, even things that you personally would “NEVER” do, but give them room in your mind to be making the best choices for their children, just like you do for yours.
Happy Wednesday!
admin September 30th, 2008
… to check out my babyhacks blog! I’ve been faithfully updating it several times a week, and don’t want anyone to “miss out” on my amazing, fabulous, never before seen tips. Ha ha ha! No, I’m kidding, I know no “mommy” tip is original with me. There have been way too many mommies that have come before me and had to be creative with a LOT less than what I have. I just like to think that maybe someone will be helped by a “tip.” And speaking of tips, if you have any just e-mail me, and I’ll add them to the blog at some point. I really like to have other people’s opinions and ideas of what worked for them. Hey, I’m a mommy who needs tips too!
admin September 29th, 2008
admin September 28th, 2008
Yesterday was an exciting day all of it’s own! Yes, the post title is true, there were several dead things that showed up in our little lives. Our coat closet has been “smelly” for some time now, I know, it makes me want to gag just thinking of it. Stuart and I had both independantly looked in there for the “source” of the nasty odor, but had no luck. Well since we’re getting ready for a garage sale we decided to go through the closet together, to consolidate (don’t jackets pile up so quickly???) and organize. In that process, Stuart found an old mouse nest and in it were several dead baby mice. Ugh!! I nearly lost it at that point. I’m so thankful for my stalwart husband who willingly deals with stuff like that even though I know it doesn’t thrill his heart too. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, Stuart decided to take the car apart to see if he could discover why it had such a reek as well. The whole garage was smelly!! It took him several hours because he basically had to take it all apart, and in the air compressor (or something) he did discover a nest! So that’s why the AC hasn’t been working!! But that wasn’t the worst part, because as he was pulling out nest stuff from up in the car, he grabbed a mutilated dead mouse! Oh gross! I don’t even know why I’m telling you all this, it turns my stomach just thinking about it! The car had been parked outside all summer because our garage door was broken, so the mice and whatever had full access to it. Blah! Well, once again, my hubby is my hero because I never would have been able to do what he did. For one thing in my blubby state I couldn’t have fit under that dash, but secondly, I NEVER would have attempted it for fear of what I’d find! What a blessing it is to have a husband who is motivated to take care of things, and not lazy and indolent. I’m so thankful for the man God gave me!! So think happy thoughts! The other morning I saw the outside cat devouring a mouse, so hopefully we won’t be having any more nastys about! Qade is dancing with his wall shadow right now… if that doesn’t make you smile, nothing will.
admin September 27th, 2008
HERE is a great article called “When Moms Get Angry.” It’s a good reminder to be an actor not a reactor. Anyway, I thought I’d send you all to read it if you get a chance. Who knows in what stress filled moments it’ll come back to you and help calm a would be volcano. Raising kids is a HUGE blessing, but can also be a lot of stress, which can lead to angry outbursts. None of us wants our little ones to grow up in an atmosphere of anger, or harsh words. Just something to think about. Hope you’re all enjoying your weekend! I am!!!
admin September 26th, 2008
Yep that’s what today is. I’m the fat in the Friday, just so ya know! Ha! I woke up tired… isn’t that a shame? Qade woke up not feeling too good. He was a tiny bit warm, and just not so much himself. I think it’s the terrible teeth that are to blame. His top eye teeth have actually cut, I think, but the bottom two (are they still eye teeth on the bottom??) haven’t come through yet. I can see them, but they aren’t through yet, poor boy. So anyway, I didn’t put any pressure on us to get stuff done today. Qade had fun destroying the kitchen by strewing the towels and dish cloths all over the floor, which I had fun putting back during nap time. I rested with my coffee this morning, and did some crochet. Then I had a brilliant idea to make some “freezer muffins.” Ha! We’ll be having fam for company in a week or so, and I wanted something easy to pop in the oven for breakfast. So I made an Oat-buttermilk batter, put it in the paper cups and froze it. The plan is that when I want a muffin, I just pop it in the tin and it bakes like “normal.” I think I’ll “test drive” one tomorrow, just to make sure it works. I also made a batch of granola muffins which sound really nummy right now.
Well, hubby is home from work, wrestling with the lad, and I’m doinkin’ on the computer. I’d rather be with them, so Ta ta!
admin September 26th, 2008
And about ready to POP! It’s encouraging to think that I “could” meet this baby in just a little over a week and he’d still be “full term” but it’s discouraging to think that it could be yet another 5 weeks away, as in the case of our reluctant Qade. I’m doing great though. Besides the normal bothers that come with being this huge and uncomfy I have nothing to complain of… pity… makes blogging so much less interesting- ha!
I believe that my brain is nesting though. That means that it keeps me awake all night thinking of “stuff.” Stuff to do, stuff I wish I could do, stuff that needs to happen, stuff that might happen, just stuff! Then when I finally do get to sleep I have wacky dreams!! The other night I dreamed that my sis-in-law’s midwife didn’t show up to deliver her baby, so I had to help. Ugh!!! That was not a fun dream… Joy, make sure you have a backup that ISN’T me, okay? Anyway, the point is when I have crazy nights, I get up too tired to actually “nest.”
Today though, I had plenty of energy for some reason, so I did get some stuff done. I did some more organizing the depths of the spare room. So much work, and it seems to accumulate in there! Then I made some more freezer biscuits kind of blending 2 recipes. They still turned out, miracle! Then as if I hadn’t gotten enough flour everywhere, I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Baked half, and the other half will go in the freezer in “log” form where it will be ready to be sliced and baked whenever the urge for fresh baked cookies comes on.
This evening we went for a walk after dinner. Qade actually walked a good long way! He should sleep well tonight! When we got back Stuart started watering the lawn and Qade got the HUGEST kick out of walking through the sprinkles! It was very funny! I got a bit of it on video, so one day all you adoring Qade fans will be able to see it. *sigh* That’s another thing I’m totally behind on. Oh well, someday! Now my little bubby is walking around in nothing but his diaper, and I’m getting ready to put him to bed just as soon as I send this off to cyber space for you all! Hope you had a wonderful lime green Thursday!
