FLOOD

It figures a monsoon would arrive with snow falling "later this evening". As it stands - the fence may or may not survive the sheer force of the water held back by the leaves that have collected and flowed along the huge stream through our property.

Jimbo - we're gonna need a bigger boat...

The "Wilderness"

Only in Redneckville would you come outside to wait for the bus and see Bambi standing in your front yard. It was pretty surreal but also pretty damned cool. If I do say so myself.

So what if I can't make a run to the border for some Taco Hell. I have deers and shit at my casa!!

*Sigh*

Our A/C is finally finished. The children are upstairs for their naps for the first time in I don't know how long and Annabel and I are just about to head up to join them.

I can't wait to feel cool sheets against my body as I snuggle in. I'll think about the humongous bill tomorrow.

Birdies

They are growing so fast!

Break my Neck

I'm so thankful that Annabel was napping and not in my arms when this happened. I've complained about the set of stairs in our home more than once. Besides the fact they are terrible on my knees they are also very steep and potentially very dangerous. I travel up and down them several times each day as our bedrooms are located all the way at the top and the playroom is located all the way at the bottom of them. I'd say I go up and down each set at least two dozen times a day.

Annabel had just fallen asleep and I laid her on the pallet before heading on up to check on the kiddos. I'd been listening to them on the radio and figured they'd be done with lunch (they had a mini picnic in Arwen's room while watching her play Zelda). When I got up there I noticed Jelly on the sheets so I pulled them off to put into the wash.

I'm not sure what I tripped on or if I slipped. One minute I was walking down, the next I was flying. I felt my hip hit around the same time the side of my head took a thump. I kind of tumbled the rest of the way down. After I'd cleared the stars from my eyes I sat still, my hip and head aching. I stood slowly and moved around. Thank god nothing appears broken and all I have to show for the fall is a knot on the side of my head and a slight limp.

Clumsy people and stairs are NOT a good combination. I hope I can manage to stay alive until we can move.

Baby Birds

For the last 5 years or so we've had birds come to nest in the same exact location in our garage. We keep the door open every year because of this and I noticed a Momma bird a few days ago laying on her eggs. When she flew away I took a peep and I made out 5 little speckled eggs inside.

Well today Arwen and I got to witness some of them hatch! This is the first time we've ever seen them actually come out of the egg. I rushed inside to grab my camera. The picture below shows the egg splitting in you look.

Another reason I adore living so far out in the country. Sure it sucks when you want fast food or need an ingredient for dinner but you can't beat benefits like this.

Mapping it Out

I'm stressed and for the first time it's not revolving around my health. Instead the focus of my worries is the upcoming summer with all of my children.

Saying it's hard to be the lone adult versus 4 rambunctious children is a understatement. It's like a rotating spin wheel and each of them take turns deciding my fate.

"I need a drink."

"I need to potty."

"I'm hungry."

And then there is the normal sibling bickering.

"Vincent pushed me!"

"Logan took my toy!"

"Arwen won't share!"

I've decided to sit down and create a firm schedule for them. The one thing I've learned with children is a set schedule keeps things smooth. Children need a routine, it calms them and helps them feel in control. I've been thinking also of different activities, including trips to the park maybe 1-2 times per week (with rising gas costs we cannot afford more of them). Maybe we can finally get a swing set for them this year as well.

I hope I survive.

Outside Fun

Another weekend, more stuff to do. This was us pulling down ivy from the front of the house. It has grown so wildly it took all of us, rope and brute force to pull it down. The kids thought it was hilarious.

Busted my Ass

Ouch.

I think I've broken my bootie bone. Last night while climbing over one of many child gates in our home my leg got caught. I tried to retain my balance but couldn't which ended in the gate breaking from it's hinge and since it broke it caused my leg to stay caught. I flew upwards and had no way to brace for the fall. So I landed directly on my tailbone.

I'm going to be walking little old lady style at the local Hell-Mart today.

Yard Work

Today was spent tidying up the yard. This is a huge chore for the entire family as our 'yard' is close to 1 acre. We managed to get the front finished but have to return tomorrow for the back. This is the one thing I loved so much about living an apartment; free landscaping. But then again, being so close to nature is worth the labor. I think it's more than a fair trade off.

I'm so sore and exhausted right now but in a good way.

Waiting for the Bus

And he's here~!!

Mornings

"Wake up baby."

I feel a gently pushing and slowly open my eyes. Light trickles into the room from under the curtain as I crinkle my eyes to bring the room into focus. I look at the clock and the numbers 6:40 glow back at me in a neon green. Sleep is still heavy on me as I look down at Annabel who is sleeping undisturbed. I slowly slide out of the bed and I look for my pants on the floor. I stumble around and almost fall as I try to get my legs inside before walking to the door and then downstairs to the kitchen.

Logan and Vincent are eating cereal at the table while Arwen is getting dressed in her room. I walk to the counter where I left the lunch boxes after cleaning out their backpacks the day before. I lay them open on the table and place the easy stuff in first: chips, mandarin oranges, raisins, fruit roll ups. When that is done I pull out the bread to make Logan's jelly sandwich. I trim off the edges of the bread before slathering on the jam. When it's covered I cut it the sandwich into 4 pieces. I place it into a sandwich bag and lay it inside his lunch box.

After his lunch is done I pull out a container for Arwen's. I put in shredded sharp cheddar cheese before pulling out oven roasted turkey and slicing several pieces into thin strips. I separate the meat and cheese and put it into the container.

When I finish I quickly put together Arwen's snack. After I walk to the fridge and grab ice packs which I put into their lunch boxes. I place her bags inside her backpack and Logan's inside of his. I clean the table of any bread crumbs or cheese. Meanwhile Jimbo has dressed the boys and they are ready to wait for the bus.

I brush the boys hair, hug and kiss them as they go to wait outside with their Daddy for the bus. When it's time for Arwen, she tries to stall. Her hair is once again tangled beyond belief. The curls naturally intertwine and brushing them out is painful. I spray leave in conditioner on her curls in an effort to tame them and to ease the pulling caused by brushing. Every morning this one thing is the worst part of our routine and today is no different. I'm beyond relieved when I finally place her hair into a ponytail and tell her, "all done!"

She rushes out of the room and I follow her. By now the bus has ran and Jimbo is back inside. He has made his cup of coffee for the road and stands holding it along with a drink for Arwen. I grab Arwen's jacket and help her put it on. She kisses me goodbye and hugs me hard before walking out the door to the car.

I shut the door behind them and walk to the table. Vincent's and Logan's bowls sit where they left them and I stare at them for several moments before grabbing them and placing them into the dishwasher. I put away anything else that was left behind and make my way upstairs to Annabel.

It's just another morning in the S household.

Does anyone else?

Do any of you fellow bloggers have a room in your house that just leaves you asking:

"What the hell were they thinking when they designed this house??"

I do and it's my kitchen. It's almost the smallest kitchen I've ever seen (the only other smaller was my apartment kitchen but they are very close) and provides very little cabinet space. I have 8 cabinets total, all very small, all with two shelves inside.

I can't deal with the lack of room much longer. We've already built an outdoor cabinet in the garage to place canned goods and since the house is built rather oddly (in what I call a 'wrap around' design. The middle floor goes in in a circle, kitchen>dining room>living room>kitchen) there is no space to place things anywhere else.

I wish I could meet with the builder and the person who paid to build. I seriously would like to know what they were thinking.

Garfield Phone

It's not officially my birthday for another 2 hours here but here is one of my presents from my too sweet husband! I've wanted a new phone for the office that added a bit of fun.

I'd looked into Mickey Mouse ones (among other things) when I saw this phone from my past. My best friend had this phone in her bedroom for several years. I remember being so sad when it stopped working one day and had to be retired to the closet. I always loved that phone.

So when I saw this online, I knew I had found my phone. Garfield arrived today and not only am I happy with him but so are the children. They love that his eyes open when you pick up the phone off the base. Vincent actually left the phone off the hook for several hours today and I didn't notice until later (when I realized Garfield was staring at me).

Stream

If there is one thing I love about where we live it's the stream that runs down our property. There is no sound more soothing or relaxing. The water is so clear and crisp I wouldn't be afraid to drink from it (unlike the tap that has all those drugs inside). Vincent threw a truck into the water and I fished it out. I decided to snap a couple of pictures while I was at it.

Business as Usual

I managed to drag myself out of the bed this morning and get the kids off to school. I'm still not 100% but tons better than before. I even managed to do my nails last night before bed (OPI Edin-Burgundy above, the perfect red creme).

For some reason I feel on edge. Almost as if I've forgotten to do something or I have something coming up I forgotten about. I hate it when that happens. I'm anxious and jittery, maybe it's because it's my first day alone in awhile. I seem to do this whenever the kids have been home on break or when Jimbo takes off for long stretches during the holidays. It's hard to return to being all alone in the house (with the exception of Vincent and Annabel).

Isn't that weird? Alone to me is being with 2 children. I find comfort in being surrounded by my large family I suppose.

Almost

The other day my Mom (Jim's Mom) brought over some wallpaper. I was so excited. I've been wanting to do our living room for the longest time but since the kids were young (and money was tight) have had to wait. She found the most beautiful deep red wallpaper with the most subtle striping to it. Even better, she found it at 2 dollars (yes you read that right) a roll. I was beyond happy.

Sadly, I was 1 roll shy of what was needed to do the back wall (I'm doing one wall and painting the rest, using the wallpaper to add depth and texture). So I began the search online and when I hit the jackpot I had to stop from shitting myself. The paper she found on sale usually runs 20-40 dollars a ROLL. I ended up spending about 40 dollars for 2 rolls but in the long run, I actually saved money (if you think about it). Had I bought all the paper at cost it would have been $150 instead of $46, I can live with that.

Then yesterday while out I found the most amazing curtains (they are pictured below a roll of the wallpaper). They too were on sale! So the room is coming together. All that's left is to pick out the paint (from the pillow in the photo, that matches the couch). Then I'll spend a weekend doing my living room, FINALLY.

It's about time, our entire home has one room for adults, the formal dining room, and even that is slowly being taken over with home work and supplies (I have a metal wire cabinet with supplies and organizers underneath the antique hutch that holds my wedding paraphernalia). It will be awesome to have a room for me to sit in that doesn't have wall to wall toys!

Just in Time

My Mother in law and Father in law were nice enough to go pick up our couch when it came in this last weekend (since the family had that nasty bug). It appears it was just in time since this is where I'll be parked most of the day.

I was up all night with a clogged nose, sore throat and low grade fever. Today I feel achy and sore, my throat still hurts, I'm running a low grade temp and I just want to sleep.

Too add insult to injury, Annabel is beginning to show signs of having this funk to. So we get to be sick together.

Fantabalous!

Daunting

Every time I force myself to sit down and think about all of the tasks we have to finish I get exhausted. There is so much work to be done (on the house) that I don't know where to start.Then when you figure in 'the' question. The one that asks 'how long will you be living here', that begins to make it even more stressful.

I like our home. It's just wasn't built correctly. If it's not the stairs (14 up to the 2nd floor, 14 down to the basement/family room) it's the tiny kitchen, small bedrooms, or tiny laundry area. As it stands we are contemplating what to do to make our kitchen more functional. I'm guessing we'll start eating in the formal dining room soon and might place a bar near the bay windows with some storage space underneath at some point.

Then there is the exterior of the house. We are due to have that resided and I'm not looking forward to it at all. It's bad enough that it will take alot of time and I'll be surrounded by all of these men I don't know. But then when I think about the costs, yikes! Especially with (again) all the stairs. It's going to take alot of siding.

We also want to:

Redecorate the living room, kitchen, one bathroom and our bedroom.

Put wood flooring on the entire middle floor.

Re carpet the children's bedrooms, or the entire top floor if possible.

So it's going to take alot of time and patience and cash. It's very daunting to say the least. I realize it will be worth it, even if we move. Because the price on the house will rise as the upkeep does. I'm just thinking forward. Our goal is to sell this house eventually, move to another larger ranch style home (if possible) with acreage. Then Arwen and I can finally have the one thing we each want most (my childhood dream). A horse in our own backyard.

The picture above is of our home. I felt kind of weird posting pictures of our house, but this picture gives a general idea (it's a colonial style home) and is spooky to boot. I took this one night during a full moon around halloween. I thought it looked neat.

Foggy Day

I just snapped this from our side deck. It's foggy (and cold and wet) outside, you can barely make out the road in the distance.