Happy Thanksgiving!

My  kids have the whole week off for Fall Break and Thanksgiving Holidays.  So we are gonna do some fun stuff.  See you on the flip side :)

PS- I am grateful for so many things, I won't take the time to list them all out.  But I will be spending the week doing my best to remember how grateful I am, and to teach my children to do the same!  Happy Holidays, may your pants be loose and comfortable ;)

First Braid

I feel like Kelsey is my child that has had the least amount of hair for the longest amount of time.  She will be three in about 3 months (where does the time go?!?!)  But she still really only has a pretty fabulous baby mullet going on.  (Also, I love this shirt!!!  The skeleton is printed in a lacy print, and it is so feminine and cute!)

 But the other day, I got her to sit still long enough to attempt some cute french braids.

 We did french braids because the hair is so much shorter up front than in the back, we can't keep a pony tail in.  This way, everything is woven in, and can stay in its place.

 I love this face!  Even with its assorted scrapes and chipped teeth (check out the front right).

Happy weekend!

Master Bath Doors

We figure since we have been in the house for almost 5 years, and since it has been under construction for so much of that time, it is probably about time to finish some of the things we have started. We (and when we say we, I really mean I) decided what kind of doors I wanted downstairs.  We purchased the raised panel router bit, and then we stalled.  Like, for months.  We finally got up the gumption to start again, and here are some of the results.  First you cut your pieces to fit.  

 Then you router.  And I mean router.  Everything.  Every side.  Lots of routering.  Lots of sawdust.   

When you do a door like we did, you have two edge pieces that fit together and overlap each other.  Like these.

Then you need to router the panel that goes in the middle.  This is the configuration of our doors.  3 small drawers on each side, with a door in the middle.  Then a rather large, hidden sort of drawer on the bottom.  It looks like a drawer, but it is much larger than you think.

 Then you router the panel bits for the inside and put them together.  

 Quite nice, right?!?!  So much routering.  So many pieces.  So many calculations.

 I am just glad that hubby did all the figuring.  My "Good Enough" calculations probably wouldn't have been as nice as his.

 For the panel inside the door, there wasn't any wood that was wide enough, so hubby glued two pices together and made up his own.  Then, we sanded it down, and it looked good as new!

 This is the other part of the "hidden" drawer.  The drawer will actually take in all of the toe kick part as well.  Here we were making a template to router the bottom of the toe kick even and smooth.  As much as it was just rigged, it actually worked out quite well.

After the routering was the sanding.  After the sanding was the gluing and clamps.  After the gluing and clamps was some finish sanding.  And then...  Then came the staining.....

Next Rocky

Hubby has long since installed a punching bag out in the workshop for entertainment and frustrations.  And while we spent a decent amount of time outside with the doors and the router, the children would join us at intervals too.  Kelsey spent the most time out with us, as the three older kids were mostly happy to stay inside and watch tv.

 It always amazes me the things that kids find entertaining.

 And yes, one of the first things Kelsey did was to push the bag too hard, and then get knocked on her rear.  

It is a rite of passage I am sure Rocky went through too.

Climbing Trees

First and foremost, shout out to my little bro.  He had a birthday yesterday and he turned super old.  Wait.  That isn't right.  Because that would me that I am super older.  Not.  Gonna.  Happen.  

Happy Birthday Jonaman!  Hope it was a fabulous day :)

I had written this post before last weekend, but I hadn't published it yet.  It seems like now is a good time.  That explains all the present tense instead of the past.

Pa lives on 400 acres.  There is plenty of places to walk around outside and lots of trees to climb.  We haven't really done much of this over the summer.  It is too hot, there are too many bugs, and there are too many snakes.  But the weekend of the festival, it was nice enough to hang outside, and climb some tree.  Our poor children haven't really had the luxury of doing this on a regular basis, having grown up in apartments.  

 It is a little difficult to tell from Kaitlyn's picture, but the girls were actually up quite high.  And they wouldn't have been able to get up there without some help from the most helpy helper.

 See?  Its pretty up there!

 Kaitlyn was in a model mood :)

 And the light was nice outside.

 Dylan, my cute little boy, was not so sure about being up so high.

 He was much happier once he got down.

 'Round the back of the house there was a slightly easier tree to climb.  Daddy had to give his girls some lessons. 

 My cute little orphan girl!  She is so cute, but always looks so disheveled and dirty down there!

 Those dimples!  My Oh My!

 Hi Daddy!

We are so grateful to have somewhere to climb trees!

Goodbye Pa

Unfortunately, that was not the end of the day.  We had been in bed less than an hour when the phone rang.  My first thought was "Who calls after midnight!!!"  Then I thought "Uh Oh.  Something must be wrong."  It was Nana.  She had gone down to Pa's house earlier in the week, because we had gotten news that he was just getting worse, and wasn't doing that well.  It turned out to be a blessing that she went down when she did.  She had a day or two to visit with Pa, and be there with him when he passed away late Friday night.

Of course that changed whatever we had planned for the weekend.  We loved Pa and wanted to be there to support the family.  He had lived a full 95 years, and was ready to join his wife in heaven.

The crappy thing, of course, is missing him while we are all still here.  

So, last weekend was spent laundering, packing, driving, visiting, hugging, and crying.  Then, there was time at the wake and funeral as well as time spent cleaning, going through things, packing up things, and  wondering.  There is so much left to do, and it will probably be a while before it is done.  We loved Pa and he will be missed.  It is also the end of an era, and that leaves holidays newly opened, and a house less occupied.  

We love you Pa.  You are already missed.

June 12, 1919 - November 7, 2014

Poor Doggie

Curve Ball #2

Friday afternoon, after things have settled down for a minute, I get online to wind down a bit.  As I scroll around on the book of Faces, I see some bad news.  My SIL, whom I love and adore, has announced that her dog, who was 11 years old, passed away.  

I know, some of you say that she is "just a dog", but this particular SIL has a big heart, and a large soft spots for animals.  This dog was also with her through some difficult times, as well as some joyous times.  And it was the loss of a companion that was sad.  So, we call her to talk and tell her that Trixie will be missed.

After we speak with my SIL, I go on the remainder of the evening.  We had planned to have some friends over for dinner and a rousing game or two.  We decided to go ahead and go through with it for a few reasons.  1) They are good friends and wouldn't mind too much if hubby was on drugs or if he had to stay in the recliner the whole night.  2) We could really use some fun times for the night.  And 3) I didn't have anything for dinner anyway (I had planned on going to the store, but that got kinda pushed to the side), so pizza is always nice to share.

So, we had our friends over, and played a few games.  Poor hubby...  Between the muscle relaxers and the pain relievers, as well as just the stressful day, he just wasn't himself.  He still had fun, but it was a long day.  And by the time our friends left, it was about 11:30 and time for bed.

So, we end the day with some fun and then headed to bed...  

Curve ball #2.  The end.

1-2 Punch

Ok.  So.  Friday morning before I take the kids to school, I get a call from hubby.  I playfully answer the phone "What did you forget?" to which he responds "Nothing.  I just got rear ended.  I just wanted to warn you, so you could change your plans for the day."  Great.  Wonderful.  Thanks for the warning.  

I don't know if I have mentioned before, but about 18 months ago (almost to the day), hubby was rear ended on his way to work.  The guy was coming up over a hill, and was "blinded" by the early morning sun.  He didn't see the cars parked at the red light and hit the guy in front of him.  However, that person was NOT my hubby.  Nor was the guy in front of him.  Or the guy in front of him.  Or the guy in front of him.  Yes, the rear end originator caused a chain reaction that eventually, after 4 other cars. struck the back of hubby's borrowed, company truck.  It hit with so much force, that after months of back pain, we were forced to consider the fact that it was not whip lash anymore.  After several doctors appointments, and scans/xrays, he was finally diagnosed with a herniated disc causing nerve interruption.  However. the test they ran to get surgical confirmation was inconclusive.  They would have to run it again.  Hubby is no stranger to pain.  Remember that he has headaches daily and migraines 3-4 x a week.  He has had epidurals and blood patches.  (Those are not so pleasant.  Look it up).  He has had 2 knee surgeries and months of physical therapy.  But he said the myelogram was the most painful thing he has ever done.  He was not super enthused to repeat it, ya know?  So he has been dealing with it for a year and a half.  Then, on his way to work on Friday, he was struck again from behind.  Thankfully, no one else was hurt, but with already dealing with issues, we we not happy.  

So, I took the kids to school, and came back home.  Hubby calls right after I have changed Kelsey for the day and says "Come pick me up."  Normally, I am happy to spend a few extra minutes with hubby during the day, out and about running errands and such.  But, usually, I would have showered and gotten dressed first.  Hubby says there isn't need or time, so I throw Kelsey back in the car, and head out the door.  In my pajamas.  And slippers.  I go to the site of the accident, where hubby gets into the car and says "Follow that tow truck."

So errand #1 turns into following the tow truck to the yard to empty out the truck of anything valuable or useful for the next who knows how long.  In my pajamas.  Joy.  After we finish that, I drop hubby off at the ER/Urgent Care clinic to get a check up and xrays to see how it has affected his back.  Sweet, loving daddy that he is he says, "Go home and get in the shower, then get to school."  You see, Friday was an awards lunch at the kids school for Kari, who got the most AR points in her class.  He was supposed to come to that, but now wasn't going to be able to make it. But he wanted to make sure Kari (and the other kids) had someone at their lunches, so he sent me home to shower so I could join them.  Yay.  2 hours of lunch in an elementary school lunchroom.  Doesn't that sound fun?

I pull into the driveway, and open the door to pull Kelsey out.  Backstory: I have given Kelsey gum many times before.  And she was stuck in her car seat and impatient, so when she asked for gum, I figured why not? Ha!  As I pulled her out of the car, I noticed the gum was now in her hair, and not in her mouth.  At this point, I have 30 minutes to shower, do hair and make up, get dressed and get to school for the first child's lunch.  And now I have gum in Kelsey's hair.  I grabbed the peanut butter and a comb, and thankfully, surprisingly, it worked better than I thought.  I got the gum out of her hair, and now had to throw her into the shower with me.  Was I late to the first lunch?  Yes.  By a lot?  No.  That is good enough for me!

So, after Kari gets her award, and I eat lunch with the other two, Kelsey and I go back to pick up hubby from the doctor, who is starving.  We grab him a bite to eat, then head to the nearest rental place.  Wouldn't you know it, they are out of cars.  And their sister lot is too!  This whole time we are trying to track down the other guy's insurance company and having difficulty getting in touch with the proper adjuster.  Also, hubby has to stop by the office to get his computer because he will end up working from home a little bit over the weekend, since he didn't get anything done on Friday and he will be on muscle relaxers and pain meds for the next few days.  Of course, he can't actually walk in and walk out, so when he finally gets back to the car, we have to race home to meet the bus.  I drop him off at the porch, then turn back around to get his prescriptions.  

And thus ends portion #1, also possibly titled the first curve ball, of the weekend.

Please Pardon my Procrastination

I don't want to sound vague and intentionally mysterious, but it has been a long weekend, and I need a break.  By weekend, I am sure I have you confused as today is Wednesday.  I had written a few posts ahead of time, and had them scheduled to publish, so when life threw me a curve ball, or three, I just let them roll.  I hope to be back tomorrow with an explanation, but today is necessarily brief as I have neither the energy, brain power, or desire to be witty and entertaining.  

See you on the flip side.

Flat Rock Days

Have I mentioned that Pa lives out in the sticks.  Like pretty far out out in the country, where it isn't particularly populated.  They have a decent community sense though.  The first weekend in October, they put on a little fair called Flat Rock Days.  It is named for an area in the nearby river called Flat Rock Ford, where people used to cross the river.  

 One of the attractions at the festival is the sugar cane syrup.  Back in the old days, they would attach a mule or horse to the machine and it would just walk around and around and around in circles.  This year, they used a riding lawn mower.

 But don't feel bad for the occupant.  I don't think she minds much.  

 They push sticks of sugar cane through the squisher thing, and it squishes out the juice.  Traditionally, you would boil it down until it was thick and then you would have cane syrup!  They were handing out free samples of the juice, and I had my first taste.  Hubby was a bit appalled that I hadn't tasted any before this, and made sure our children didn't suffer the same fate.  It tastes like sugar water really.  Not the most appetizing.... but not bad.

They also had a petting zoo that the kids loved.

 Like, seriously loved.

 They had a nice little mule that was very tolerant.

 I believe his name was Eeyore, and Kelsey thought he was pretty awesome!

 Dylan was pretty brave, and caught a guinea pig all by himself.  He didn't like it that much when it started moving though.

 They also had a big blow up slide and between that and the petting zoo, the kids had tons of fun and spent hours playing!  And, thankfully, Kelsey had lots of fun too!

Have you ever seen the show Hart of Dixie?  I fell in love with the show a while ago, but I think it is because it reminds me of Pa's.  Here is the proof!  Instead of the Blue Bell Belles, maybe they would be the Flat Rock Fillies?

 It is so funny to me that he looks so at home here.  When we first started dating, he was a skater punk, building a turbo 240.  But, once I got to know him, he is really much more comfortable walking out in the woods with a rifle in his hands.

 I love the fall time.  For the weather and all the fun festivals!

Ironically, on the way driving down, we encountered some car trouble.  Like new transmission car trouble.  Like the second one for this van trouble.  Like, so frustrating and really hating the van trouble.  *Sigh*  Glad it is over.

Also, Happy Veterans Day!  Many Much Thanks for all those who fought for our freedoms, fought to keep us safe and to their support systems at home.  (Honestly, I am not sure which is the harder job ;)

Dylan wuz Here

Occasionally, when walking around the house, I run into things like this.  And all I can think of when I see them is: 

"Dylan Wuz Here"

Annual Polo Match

Hubby's boss had the annual polo match out at his property over the summer.  And we were grateful to get tickets to participate.  The polo match (while cool and interesting in itself), is actually a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.  So, tickets are $75/person.  It is really a nice thing that hubby's boss provides them to his employees free of charge.  Because, if you do the math...  6 x $75 = Not.  Gonna.  Happen.  Because it is a fund raiser for kids, there are lots of fun things for the kids to do, in addition to watching the match.  There were horse rides.

And a big bouncy slide (which, you will notice, Kelsey wasn't super fond of).

Drinks galore (which is good because it was hot that day!)

And a bouncy house!

There was also this inflatable racing/maze/tube thing that was pretty difficult for Kelsey to get in and out of.

They also had face painting.  Kari got a polo stick/ball, Dylan got some crazy eye dots, and Kaitlyn and Kelsey got butterflies.

The kids had tons of fun :)

During the polo match, the kids got to stomp the divots.  I stayed up with our things, but was able to get pictures of this reunion request from afar :)

I love taking picture of my children moving/running/walking.

Especially from the back.  The scenery was beautiful!

This is Kelsey's new "cheese" face. It's pretty sweet :)

And for the grown up kid, there were horses to watch, and game to cheer!

This was Dylan's sad face.  Over the course of the game, the polo players occasionally lose balls.  If you are lucky, you can find them outside of the playing field and take them home.  Dylan did not find any....

But both of the girls did!

The only thing missing was a fabulous hat, a la Julia Roberts :)