To be put in time out

This week's assignments are:
1.) If you could do it over again...(Inspired by Barb from Half-Past Kissin' Time)
2.) If you were put in "time out", where would you want to be placed and why?
3.) Steppin outside the box (describe a time when you went way out of your comfort zone)(inspired by Sherri from Matter Of Fact)
4.) A long drive...(inspired by Lindy from Lindy And Ree)
5.) Describe the first date you went on in a boy's car.(inspired by Lori from The Peterson Family)
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I chose to write about having a time out!



Time out. It has such a negative connotation, but to me it might just be a good thing! I would want my hubby to be put in time out also. It would be in a nice cabin with a creek nearby and good hunting ground. We could go and hunt and fish all day and come back and relax. We would love to have satellite and a hot tub. Cell phone service wouldn't be a biggie but Internet would be a have to! We could relax and just enjoy ourselves. I would read all the books that I hadn't gotten to read lately and spend some time with the husband and just have some us time. The dogs would have to come as well and we would have a good time with all of us. This would be like a second (or third in our case!) honeymoon or a perfect relaxing week. I keep thinking that this will actually happen soon!





Now it is your turn! Head over to Mama Kat's and link up!

Our Wedding Song - Writers Workshop

Directions: You can learn more about Writer’s Workshop here….it’s never too late to jump in!! Here is what you must do:
Choose a prompt that inspires you most.
Write.
Come back this Thursday and paste the URL from your actual post (do this by clicking the title of your post after you hit publish, an extended URL will come up in the address bar. That’s the URL you want to use) into the Mister Linky that will be up…this way anyone can click on your name and head over to your place to see what you wrote.
Feel free to write on more than one prompt if you so desire. I do it all the time, but it’s my game…and I don’t know how to shut-up…so it should be expected. And remember the more comment love you give, the more comment love you get so comment comment away.
The Prompts:
This week’s assignments are:
1.) Write about your wedding song. What was it and why did you choose it?

2.) A movie you probably should have previewed before letting your kids watch.

3.) We talk about mother’s guilt a lot…who needs it? Describe a good mom moment!

4.) Post a picture and a description that fits into this quote for you: “How far to heaven? Just open your eyes and look. You are in heaven” -Shankar

5.)Earthquake! Where were you when it happened?
Remember to link up this Thursday, July 22nd!!

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I haven't mentioned it too much but Mister and I have been married twice - to each other. Yes you heard that right. We met in 1998, married in 2002, divorced in 2004, continued talking, remarried in 2008. The second time that we got married it was lets make this legal and get to going! But the song that we have chose to live our life by is Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying". This song just sums up how we would like to live our lives to the fullest and just enjoy each day as if it was our last.

He said: "I was in my early forties,

"With a lot of life before me,

"An' a moment came that stopped me on a dime.

"I spent most of the next days,

"Looking at the x-rays,

"An' talking 'bout the options an' talkin’ ‘bout sweet time.

"I asked him when it sank in,

That this might really be the real end?

How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?

Man whatcha do?

An' he said: "I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,

"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.

"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,

"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying.

"An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,

"To live like you were dyin'.

" He said "I was finally the husband,

"That most the time I wasn’t.

"An' I became a friend a friend would like to have.

"And all of a sudden goin' fishin’,

"Wasn’t such an imposition,

"And I went three times that year I lost my Dad.

"Well, I finally read the Good Book,

"And I took a good long hard look,

"At what I'd do if I could do it all again,

"And then:

"I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,

"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.

"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,

"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying.

"An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,

"To live like you were dyin'.

" Like tomorrow was a gift,And you got eternity,

To think about what you’d do with it.

An' what did you do with it?

An' what can I do with it?

An' what would I do with it?

"Sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,

"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.

"And then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,

"And I watched Blue Eagle as it was flyin'.

"An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,

"To live like you were dyin'."

"To live like you were dyin'."

"To live like you were dyin'."

"To live like you were dyin'."

"To live like you were dyin'."

Writer's Workshop - Things that make me smile

Your Assignment, Should You Choose To Accept
This week's assignments are:
1.) Describe someone in your life who you might not know as well as you think you know.2
.) Write a poem about a memory you sometimes wish would disappear.
3.) Write a list of 10 things that are sure to put a smile on your face when you are not happy.
4.) People would be surprised to learn that…
5.) A snappy comeback!

Head over to Mama Kat's to find out more about it or to link up! It is tons of fun!

I chose the prompt write a list of 10 things that are sure to put a smile on your face when you are not happy.

1. 2.

3. Just being out in nature is wonderful. It doesn't even matter if I get anything!

4. Same as above. It is so nice to just be out in nature.

5. My garden is another thing that makes me happy. It is so neat to see all the small plants become bigger and start producing.

6.

7. I love doing anything with crafting. It is so neat to see something come to life. 8. Cooking. I get to create something from scratch and it has another purpose, to nourish us!

9. Everyone of my personal collection of figurines has a special memory or meaning behind it.

10. Reading a good book, canning or any one of a numerous list of things that I love to do!

Now it is your turn. Choose a prompt, write and head over to link up!

Writer's Workshop - Summer Time

Your Assignment, Should You Choose To Accept
The writing prompts this week are:
1.) The Love List. Write a list of 50 things you look for in a man.
2.) Write a poem about a picture.
3.) What does your child do that reminds you most of yourself? How does it make you feel?
4.) Write a letter to whatever is stopping you from losing the extra weight you'd like to lose.
5.) What summer means to your family.

What summer means to our family....
Fishing, working in the garden, mowing, picking ticks off of us and the girls. Starting to shoot our bows so that we can be good this fall. Canning things out of the garden. Did I mention fishing? Blackberry picking. Plum picking. Garden watering. Fishing. Time with Mister's family. A little more canning. And last but not least FISHING!!!!

What does summer mean to you? Link up over at Mama Kat's!

A new hobby that failed

Your Assignment, Should You Choose To Accept
The writing prompts for this week are:

1.) The popular girls.

2.) It happened at work.

3.) "How long until you realized you had no talent or patience for this? Tell the story (true or fiction) of trying to learn a new talent or hobby that you only pursued briefly."

4.) "Who first told you that it's not nice to stare? Write about a time you stared when you maybe shouldn't have, or a time when sometime stared at you."

5.) Describe a happy reunion.

So pick one, head over to Mama Kat's and link up!

The failed hobby....

I was taking my sister-in-law to her hunter's safety course, and those suckers are long. Like over eight hours long. And this time we had an extremely large turn out so they had to move us to a different building so that took forever. Since it was a Saturday no one wanted to answer their phones.

So we get into the building, two hours late, and they start the class. We are in an auditorium now. Not exactly what I had planned on when I was thinking that we were going to be in a classroom. But I was going to make the best of it.

I had gone to our local Wal*Mart and bought a kit and some yarn. I was going to learn how to knit. I had eight hours so surely I could teach myself in eight hours right? I had already taught myself to cross stitch reading instructions and stuff on the Internet so I was pumped to learn to knit.

I read through it all and think that I know what I am going to do. So am crossing one leg so I have a "desk" to rest the book on and get started. It is telling me to do seven stitches and is showing me how to do them. I finish those stitches and am so proud of myself. Then comes the time to make the second row of stitches. You have to do the opposite of what you just did as well as hook into the row below.... That is when it started getting bigger. I figured that when it was washed it would all even out. So I went to the next row and it got even bigger. I tried this multiple times and it was the same thing every time, I was miscounting and just couldn't get it. So I pulled the stitches out, pouted and actually had to listen to the lecture over hunters safety.
I have tried to pick it up a couple more times with the same results so I have decided until I can find someone to sit and help me, I will not be knitting any time soon!

30 things to do this summer....

30 things I vow to do this summer.... I am enjoying this summer so lets see if I can think of 30 things that I am wanting to do. Head over and see the other topics at Mama Kat's and see if you can find something else that you like as well!

1. Make salsa so that we have enough to last through the winter.
2. Learn how to use a pressure cooker to can green beans and possibly other things. I have heard that chili is good and that would make it super easy for dinner.
3. Get a tan that is from being outside, even if it is a "farmers tan".
4. Make multiple kinds of pickles.
5. Keep my house clean so I am not stressing.
6. Learn how to can tomatoes.
7. Spend some time relaxing outside.
8. Lose weight so that I feel comfortable.
9. Go floating down the creek more than once.
10. Cut down my computer time in the evenings.
11. Read at least 5 books over the summer.
12. Watch the whole first season of Glee in one day (or maybe two).
13. Spend some time with friends around the campfire.
14. Take Roxy to the water and let her play.
15. Go out and eat with Mister at least once a week, just the two of us.
16. Start making Christmas gifts.
17. Start buying Christmas gifts.
18. Clean out, shampoo and wax my car.
19. Finish ripping the guts out of the inside of the bronco and build a roll cage inside it.
20. De-clutter my house.
21. Organize my craft stuff.
22. Keep up with canning so that we have lots of yummy food this winter.
23. Make sure and at least once a week have nothing to do when we get off work.
24. Not wish the summer away, no matter how hot it is.
25. Grill out and eat healthier.
26. Eat more fresh veggies out of my garden.
27. Give away some of the veggies to those around me.
28. Shoot my bow enough to pull 50 lb. draw weight.
29. Take a blanket out in the dark and watch the lightening bugs (fireflies) with Mister.
30. Go target shooting with the husband and father-in-law.

Writers Workshop - tattoo or the end of the world?

Directions: You can learn more about Writer’s Workshop here….it’s never to late to jump in!! Here is what you must do:
Choose a prompt that inspires you most.
Write.
Come back this Thursday and paste the URL from your actual post (do this by clicking the title of your post after you hit publish, an extended URL will come up in the address bar. That’s the URL you want to use) into the Mister Linky that will be up…this way anyone can click on your name and head over to your place to see what you wrote.

Feel free to write on more than one prompt if you so desire. I do it all the time, but it’s my game…and I don’t know how to shut-up…so it should be expected. And remember the more comment love you give, the more comment love you get so comment comment away.

The Prompts:
1.) Write about an experience you have had with a celebrity.(inspired by Jenn from She Says…)
2.) Who have you forgotten about until right now? Think hard and list five people from your past that you really should have written something about by now but haven’t. Circle the name of the person who stands out the strongest. Write a description or brief memoir of that person.
3.) List five things you would do different if you started blogging today.
4.) The world is going to come to an end unless you get a tattoo that covers your entire back. Describe the tattoo you’ll get.
5.) Describe a moment when you put your foot in your mouth.

Tattoos? I LOVE tattoos. I currently have 9 and I love each one of them for a different reason. If I had to get a tattoo that covered my entire back I think that I might get a saying that meant something. I saw once where this guy had the whole Lord's prayer that covered his back. But then again, I think that if I could have my favorite tattoo guy do mine I would choose photographs of some of my favorite times and have him put a collage together. My mom and myself, a portrait of me and all my cousins, Matt and I on our first wedding day with his great grandpa, Matt and I on our second wedding day. Just moments like that. I could be a walking memory board. but it would have to be worked around the fish that is on my shoulder, but even that has great memories behind it....

What tattoo would you get if the world would end if you didn't get it???

My present joy....

Directions: You can learn more about Writer’s Workshop here….it’s never to late to jump in!!

The Prompts:
(all prompts inspired by this months copy of Oprah Magazine.)
1.) “I’m mad at myself. I’m embarrassed. I can’t believe after all these years, I’m still talking about my weight.” Poor Ope. What are you mad at yourself about?
2.) Divorce Dreams…a tempting alternative? A disaster to be avoided? Ever an option? Advice? What’s your take?
3.) What is the joy in your present moment?
4.) List 10 rules you’ve unlearned (meaning 10 things you thought were expected of you or were the “right way” of doing things, but that you now ignore).
5.) Mother’s Day is coming…what is the secret behind the close bond you have with your mom? OR What do you do to create that close bond with your kids?

What is the joy in your present moment?

The joy in my present moment is the fact that it is almost the end of another semester. I have papers that I have to write and they have to pass being assessed. I have passed the five for this semester, I had my exit interview for my first internship and am done with my internship. I have 3 more weeks of school after tonight and am ready for the summer. But my biggest joy at the moment is that I AM DOING IT!!!! I drive an hour and a half to go to college, but it is worth it. I have two semesters left, but it will be worth it. I don't always get to do things that I want, but it will be worth it. I feel overwhelmed at times with the full-time job, the part-time job and what feels like another full-time job with school, but it will be worth it. I get grumpy with my husband who then tells me what for and gets me relaxed again, he also knows it will be worth it. Some my joy right now is just the knowledge that I am getting ready to have a summer off. My true joy is that in another year I will walk across that stage with my husband and his family looking on. And I will know, IT WAS ALL WORTH IT. All the tears, the time on the road, missing things for homework and the sleepless nights will be worth it when I can walk across the stage and know that the next phase of life is starting too. The next phase will be one to help students grow to love English but also help them realize that they are worth it and someone cares for each and every one of them.

7 more classes, 2 more internships, 1 more year, many sleepless nights, many invitations turned down, countless numbers of tears, hundreds of miles on my car and too many fill-ups to count, but in the end I will be able to say

I DID IT ALL ON MY OWN

AND IT WAS ALL WORTH IT.

Writer's Workshop - Emergency

Directions From Mama Kat's Blog
You can learn more about Writer’s Workshop here….it’s never to late to jump in!! Here is what you must do:

Choose a prompt that inspires you most.

Write.

Come back this Thursday and paste the URL to your actual post (do this by clicking the title of your post after you hit publish, an extended URL will come up in the address bar. That’s the URL you want to use) into the Mister Linky that will be up…this way anyone can click on your name and head over to your place to see what you wrote.
Feel free to write on more than one prompt if you so desire. I do it all the time, but it’s my game…and I don’t know how to shut-up…so it should be expected. And remember the more comment love you give, the more comment love you get so comment comment away.

The Prompts:
Which one will YOU choose??

1.) A song you can’t escape.(inspired by Stefanie from I’m not much into health food, I am into champagne)

2.) Explain a time there was an emergency. What “mode” did you go into? Freaking out, calm and collected, etc.(inspired by Jennifer from Momma Made It Look Easy)

3.) Write an open later to a cartoon character.

4.) Write a poem about a moment you would like to relive.(inspired by Mama B. from Peanut Butter in my Hair)

5.) List 10 things you never knew until you were mom. Mine?(inspired by Christy from Life With Triplets)

If you have a chance, try to stop by and say hi to the person who inspired the prompt you’ll be writing on this week.

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On May 10, 2008 we were pumped to go to the Monster Trucks that were coming to our hometown and on that night we got around and started getting ready. When we got into the truck the neighbors cows were right up behind the house. And by right behind I am talking that all 100 head were pushing into the corner of the pasture and you could see the strain that was being put on the barbed wire. We took mental note, talked about how that meant that bad weather was normally coming and went on with our plans for the night. That bit of information was tucked into my mind for later use - little did I know.

We have quite a few friends who drive tuff trucks and one who drives a monster truck so we wanted to get there early and see everyone before the action got started. We get there and pull into the pit and park the truck and get out and like any true redneck, find the beer tent. We were over shooting the breeze with some of the people we know and look around in the sky and west was jet black and the other directions it was bright and shining. We mentioned it and never really thought about it. We live in Oklahoma where the weather changes every five minutes. Then all of a sudden the wind picked up and started blowing things over. The beer tent was grabbed by about 10 of us and it took all that we had to hold it down. The port-a-potties fell over one by one like domino's. Dirt and hats were flying everywhere and as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. This odd still comes over everything and then you start hearing the radios go off. To the west they were watching a tornado and we kept hearing them call out its every move. It missed up but it had moved on to Picher.

We had friend who lived near there and kept trying to call them but were unable to get through. I felt so helpless and although I finally got a hold of our friends I still felt like I should be able to do something else. I know simple first aid and CPR but realized quickly that this was going to take more than that. I was told that by staying put and not clogging up the road I would be doing more good, emergency personnel needed to get in immediately. I sat in the truck, listening to the radio coverage and wondering about everyone who was there. There were lots of prayers going up for those who were affected by this tragedy.

In all of the chaos there were so many different numbers going around about how many had lost their lives but the number ended up being significantly lower. But there were whole town and counties devastated by the damage that was done. Seven lost their lives that tragic day. New stations were flocking to cover the damage but News On 6 did a good job of covering the whole event. Click on the link to read more.

Photo credit

One year later we were all thinking of those who went through this and there was a local news crew who was covering the year anniversary. The wind picked up and the sky was green. I started worrying when the wind picked up and was blowing branches and other objects against the side of the house. Matt was heading into town and as it picked up he was going over an interstate bridge. It picked his truck up and floated him to the other side of the road. It blew over with no damage in our town but in a local town the tower for the TV station had been blown over. It was the news station that was covering the anniversary. They had gone off the air 8 minutes before and luckily there was no one inside the building. The tower crashed onto the new station and a house next door. Luckily no one was injured. The news station was off the air for a few months repairing the tower and the building. But just like every other situation, we bounced back and are going strong.

But one has to wonder what May 2010 might bring for us.... Lets hope that it is nothing like the previous two years...

Writer's Workshop

Mama Kat is having another Writer's Workshop this week and I am hurrying to squeeze it in. Here are the prompts.....

The Prompts:
1.) I recently read all about the importance of us bloggers developing an “Elevator Pitch” via one of my new favorite blogs. According Wikipedia and Elevator Pitch is “an overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride (for example, thirty seconds or 100-150 words).” Create one short (a sentence long) and one longer (100 – 150 words) Elevator Pitch describing what your blog is about.(inspired by Darren from Problogger)

2.) The strangest dream ever…(inspired by Amo from Where A Woman Shakes Her Tablecloth.)

3.) Write a list of 10 things that can be done to stave off boredom.(inspired by Lourie from CA Girl).

4.) “How many homes have you had? Write a journal entry about ALL the places you’ve called ‘home’ in your life.”(inspired by writingfix.com).

5.) “Why wouldn’t they just start over? Write a story where a character refuses to go back to square one.”(inpired by writingfix.com).

Which one will YOU choose??

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I choose to write a list of 10 things that can be done to stave off boredom.(inspired by Lourie from CA Girl).

These are the ten things that I do to stave off boredom....

1. Get up and take care of the two girls.

2. Get around and get ready to my full-time job that I do during the day.

3. Leave work at 5 and change into more comfortable clothes.

4. Go to my part-time job in the evenings and work with the kids.

5. If I don't go to the part-time job, I drive an hour and a half to go to school.

6. Sit in class for 3 hours and LEARN!!!

7. Drive an hour and a half home.

8. If I am not going to part-time job (see #4) or going to school (see #5, #6 & #7) I am doing home work for the 13 hours of classes that I am taking.

9. If I am not doing #4, #5, #6, #7 or #8 I am looking and reading through my friends blogs.

10. Then if I am not working my full-time job, working at my part-time job, going to school, or doing homework, or looking at blogs I am SLEEPING!!! But that doesn't happen very much.

So I will stop at the ten but I promise I could continue going on and on and on. I didn't list all of the other stuff that I do like hunting.... or fishing..... or all those other redneck things that we do in this neck of the country. I haven't even touched on my cross stitch, embroidery, quilting and all the other *girly* stuff that I enjoy....

Have you ever heard the words, BORED come out of my mouth???? I have no time to be bored. But if any of you are bored I would love to have some pointers on how to spend my few minutes a day that I waste... Just kidding but seriously, if someone knows how to make more than 24 hours in a day I would appreciate the hint. I never seem to have enough time. But such is life!

Now head over to Mama Kat's and look at what everyone else is talking about!

Writers Workshop

Mama Kat is giving you an assignment, if you choose to accept it. Here are the prompts for this week.

The Prompts:
1.) Describe what you would change about yourself if you could.
2.) Book Review! What children’s book do you hate reading to your child?(inspired by E. from Mommy’s Still Fabulous)
3.) What do you predict will happen this decade? (You can be funny or serious if you like).(inspired by Christopher from CaJoh)
4.) Choose the 7th picture you took from last January and write a poem.
5.) Write about a heated argument you had with your parents (real or fictitious).(inspired by Writer’s Digest)

I am going to choose the first prompt....

My poor, poor husband. I do feel sorry for him sometimes. He is this relaxed guy who is a *fly by the seat of his pants* kinda person. I.AM.NOT. I am the type that has everything planned out and wants it to go just so. I have a planner that I put every ones birthday in (with the year that they were born beside their names) and anniversary (with the year also beside it) and I have all the days that school will be out, any appointments and all that information. Did I mention that I have the cards for the appointments also stuck in a paper clip in the planner? I have all of Matt's tournaments down, what holidays I will have off, what days he is planning on taking off. Okay you get the idea.

I have a rule that has been this for the last 11 years that we have been together. When someone asks about Christmas the name and time is put on my planner. It has a number that is circled beside it. 1 is for the 1st person to ask, 2 is for the 2nd person to ask and so on. This is to make the holidays *easier*. I still end up a bawling, sobbing mess because I am worried about upsetting someone or things not going like they have been planned. This year I threw it all out the window and told everyone what our schedule was to come over and the times that we would be around. (Keep in mind when you are calling me crazy that Matt had four sets of GREAT grandparents living when we got together. This meant at least 4 days of traveling around for Christmas.) Between the snow storm that we had and the ability to just let go I enjoyed this holiday season much more than the previous ones.

So if there was one thing that I could change about myself it would be how scheduled and OCD that I am about it. I need to learn to relax and have a more easygoing attitude. Although I will have a hard time since I am taking 13 hours. I will have to schedule my times to study, which will be most of my free time. But I will try and get better at being relaxed and not worrying about the time, or about making others happy at my expense. I am going to live life fast and loose, as much as I can!

Writers Workshop - Dream Christmas

Mama Kat has a Writer's Workshop that is always so much fun! Head over there and check it out and join in!!!

The prompt that I choose was describe how you would celebrate the holidays if it was totally up to you and money was not a factor.

If money wasn't a factor I would take us all to Disney World. And I am being serious. I have gone once before and that is the best time of the year if you are from Oklahoma to go. I was wearing shorts and short sleeved shirts while my friends back home were wearing coats and layers of clothes. The other thing is that they have deals for that time of year. They don't want you to stay home and not do anything. Go there and spend your money!!!!

We would have to go to all the different parks but then I would want to also go deep sea fishing. Matt and I have always wanted to do this and it would be the perfect opportunity for us to do that. Killing two birds with one stone basically.

There is no telling what we will see because my wonderful husband doesn't want to fly. He enjoys driving. Let me say that again. He enjoys it when he can sit in the passenger side and no have to do anything when we get into heavy city traffic and not do anything. So there is no telling what else we might see!

What would you do for Christmas if money was no object?????

Head over to Mama Kats and check everything out!!!

Writers Workshop: Destructive Pets

This is a part of Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. It is the most fun and you really should jump over and check it out. We always have tons of fun and learn all sorts of new stuff. There are five prompts to look at and chose one to write about. Or choose them all! Mine this week is......

Describe the most destructive thing your pet has done.

Meet my girls, Sasha and Roxy....

The little white miniature schnauzer is Sasha. She is 2 1/2 years old and she was picked out from birth. She weighs 12 lbs. The big white lab is Roxy. She just turned 2. She THINKS that she weighs 12 lbs but she actually weighs 85 lbs. That doesn't stop her from trying to sit on our laps though!

Which of these girls would be the destructive hellion in our home?

Is it the big gorgeous lab that loves to LAY on my love seat that is a rocker recliner???? (I am so worried that she is going to break this but isn't it hilarious to see? She has learned this from the little one who lays on the back of the couch.)

Or maybe it is the cute little one who loves to cuddle under a blanket while I am cross stitching...

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BINGO!!!!

I know that she looks innocent but you should see what she can do.

Although she is absolutely beautiful she is the one who is a destructive hellion in our home.

Now which story to tell......

Here she was trying to *help with the dishes*

Or there was the time..... I am going to let you in on TWO times she has been majorly destructive...

I came home early from work that night and was looking forward to relaxing for a bit... But that didn't happen at all! I walk in and Sasha gave herself away that she had done something. When she has done something wrong her ears lay flat and she hangs her head. She knows that she is in trouble! I walk through the house to let Roxy out of her kennel and realized what she had done...

My book bag is a messenger type bag that can handle my books for when I have two classes a night. A normal school book bag was too small for the books, binders, pencils, pens, stapler and all that other stuff that I need. I had set it by the desk that the computer and all my school stuff is on. The one thing that I didn't do was zip it up.

Big Big Big mistake. It was my first ever of course! It looked like it had snowed inside my house. She had pulled my small dictionary, my big binder, my book and some dividers to put in a binder out. The binder was okay, the dividers were demolished and she decided that she didn't like linguistics any more than I did... she tore the back cover off and the last page - which are both charts that were important and something that I needed. She had also found a magazine and had demolished it as well, hence the snow....

I was running around my house, chasing my dog and yelling at her. She did the best thing that she could do and slipped out the door. About 5 minutes later, as I am trying to put things back together, she peeks her head around the door to look at me. Matt came home a few minutes later and didn't make the situation any better by laughing but at least he helped me clean it up and try to piece it back together.

I sent a message off the Roxanne (my lifesaver) and she loved the story but also said that she would make me a copy of the pages that I need. So I went to Wal-mart, got some red duct tape (it matched the intact front cover), and fixed my book. I have learned that she HAS to stay kenneled up and that makes all of us much happier in the long run...

But before I learned that hard lesson..... Here is story number two!!!

Matt went to pick up the box springs for our new bed that we were going to make. While he was doing that I ran to Joplin to get a set of sheets and the stain that we would need for the bed. I bought two quarts of stain and set it, still in the plastic bag, on the kitchen table. Didn't think a second thing about it.

I got up and went to work that Saturday morning and Matt was out hunting so Roxy was in our room in her kennel and Sasha had the run of the kitchen/dining and living room. I call Matt at a little before 11:00 to make sure he had gotten home to watch the OU game and he had. I asked him what he was doing and his exact words were "Cleaning up your dogs mess". A million different scenarios went through my head.... What had she gotten into now?????

Now I should say that Sasha is a nosy dog and loves to know everything that is going on. When I come home from the store and set the bags on the floor the first thing that she does is stick that nose inside the bag to see what is in there that she might like.

She also loves food. So if a bowl or bag is left in reach or to where she can jump up to (like the kitchen table or the kitchen counter) she will have it on the kitchen tile floor. She has grabbed a two pound loaf of homemade bread before, ate 1 pound and hid the other pound for later.So I am trying to figure out what she has knocked off.

-----She knocked the stain off----

------Ebony stain on my cream tile floor ------

Only one quart opened and luckily it wasn't shook up so Matt was able to clean it up except for the grout, which looks like I have black mold growing in it!!! I was so glad that she didn't get into and spread it all around. I would have cried then. The only thing we can figure is that she had just done it. She knew she was in trouble and ran outside and stayed out there until Matt was done!!!!! I was the one then who was laughing at Matt. We had friends coming over for a football party and to watch the game. They came in just as Matt was finishing up wiping it up. We only ruined one mop, three towels and Roxy's blanket. And of course the grout in the tile! It is looking better now and is *hardly* noticeable.

I love both of my girls and wouldn't trade them for the world but there are sometimes..... And then I look at them cuddled up next to me in the morning, or while I am cross stitching and I have one on each side of me, or when we are outside and they are looking at what Matt is doing while staying near me and taking care of me. Then I feel that puppy love that is so strong and wonderful. But..... They are both kenneled up when we leave every day. I love them but I am refusing to clean up any more *snow*, food, and messes out of the floor just 'cause my baby is nosy and bored!!!!

And then I get that lick on the cheek and the cuddling at night and forget about it for just a little bit!

Writers Workshop

Mama Kat has a writer's workshop every week and have all sorts of interesting prompts. You should really go and check her out. This is the prompt that I chose this week....

Describe how you are hoping motherhood will change you?

If you are anyone who knows me you know the back story to this but I will tell everyone who doesn't know!!! I lost my mother when I was 6 years old. My dad remarried 8 months later and his new wife couldn't stand me and still can't. She wanted nothing more than to get me out of the house ( which she succeeded in 5ish years later). I then moved in with family members and although there were people around me I never had a true "mother".

When Matt and I would discuss kids I always have wanted them but I was scared of how I would be as a mother. My mother was wonderful and creative and always had fun with me. I went from that to someone who was abusive and mean. I was scared that I couldn't be like my mother and would be like my dad's second wife. After much talking and crying I have finally decided that I will not be HER. I am going to be my mother through and through.

The changes that I can hope motherhood will make in me is more patience, enjoying today more, not worrying that everything is perfect and the biggest one, learning to not live by a schedule and to go with the flow. I am a planner and get frustrated if everything doesn't go by plan. My husband is not that way so he doesn't understand what it is like. I am hoping that I can be like my mom and if it is nice out, we can go to the creek and play. I am trying to learn now how to change how I am thinking but it is sooooo hard sometimes!

I have a friend who will be a first time mom in a few short months and sometimes I am so envious of how laid back and relaxed she is with EVERYTHING. I am trying to learn that and I am sure that little Anna has alot to teach all of us and I can't wait to see her. I know that Brandy probably has some of the same fears as me. I know that there is the thought that everyone else can say " I will just call and ask mom" and neither one of us can do that. But there are people around who will help us and keep us standing upright through this time. I can't wait to see little Anna and know that Brandy is going to make a wonderful mother.

Relaxing and just being able to enjoy the moment without a plan in place is one of the things that I hope motherhood can change in me.

**********

Head on over to Mama Kat's and see who else is writing over there!

Writers Workshop - Hi, My name is...

Hi, my name is Alisha and I am an empowered woman… I know most of you are saying “I know that you are a woman” but keep reading and you will understand. Outdoor Summit issued a challenge and I was more than willing to take them up on it. I found out about the challenge from a good friend Rick who tells a wonderful story about his friend. I had been reading about The Fat Cyclist and his wife's fight and then Mama Kat listed her prompts and everything just fell together! This is about breast cancer and bringing it to the forefront and making us all think about it once again...

Breast cancer has been a part of my life since I was a year old. Actually it was a part before I was born but we will start there. My mother found a lump when I was a year old and everything, for me at least, started there. My mother had a single mastectomy, among numerous other surgeries at the same time, and chemo. She was "cancer free" for a year before her hip started hurting. This whole time my mom continued as a nurse and was raising a small child. After doing some tests they found that it had metastasized into her bones. She refused the chemo at that time but once it was moving into other organ she did the chemo again. I have a friend of my mother's who told me the other day that *I* was the reason that she fought so hard. After 4 1/2 years my mother lost her battle but not without putting up a huge fight and impacting me in the process.

My grandmother (mothers mom) was diagnosed about4 years later and fought for two years. She lost her battle a year after my grandfather died of a massive heart attack.

My Aunt Teanne (mothers sister) was diagnosed and fought. She wanted to be able to last for me get married and she succeeded. She fought for a couple of years as well and passed a month after Matt and I got married. Although she didn't get to come to the wedding, her sons were there and I sent back many thoughts and prayers to her. She didn't tell us how bad she was and then I got a phone call all of a sudden that she was gone.

After looking at all these women in my family I took everything into consideration and started the procedures that I needed for early detection. I have mammograms every year, even though my insurance won't pay for it. We have kept me double covered with insurance so that if something does come up we can take care off it. I don't say that these things have been done easily, it has taken some commitment on our part and sacrifices. There are times that I am frustrated and worrying about money since we have had to spend it on insurance or paying the medical co-pays, but I always bring myself back to the big picture of prevention. I had an MRI done in April and was thankful that we had both insurances because we ended up after the fact with no out of pocket ( I got a check back from them).

In April, about the same time, I have a friend who was diagnosed with lung cancer. She beat breast cancer almost five years ago and now is faced with another battle. This spurred me to take further action and start looking up testing and prophylactic mastectomy options. I also was able to get my mother's medical records, after a short battle, and found out that My great grandmother on my mom's side had also had breast cancer. This makes it my great grandmother, my grandmother, my mother and an aunt. These are all on my Mother's side of the family.

I began talking with my Doctor I made a decision that some have questioned. I am having genetic testing done on August 31st. It could take up to two months to get results but I am excited about it. I am a planner so I have two plans of action in my mind of what we will do. Matt and I have sat down and talked about the different options and what we both feel comfortable with. We are going to look toward the future, with no fear, and plan for our life that we will build together. This is only made possible though through both of our strength and agreeing on the options. Early detection is the best key for taking care of the problem and I want to live to see my babies grow up. I want to see all the things that my mom didn't get to see. Opposition to my decision has said that I am playing God but why would we have this amazing technology if it wasn't for God????? I would appreciate any prayers that could go up in this time in our lives.

I have done the research and will not be another statistic, I will be me....

Head over to Mama Kat's and see what else is being said!!!

Writers Workshop - My trip to the ER

My first and only time that I remember going to the ER was last September. I had been diagnosed as having pneumonia and bronchitis on Tuesday and had been off work. I decided that I was going to go back to work on Thursday--- wrong choice! I got short of breath needless to say, I went back home. I was driving home and Lisa called me to stop by her house. I stopped by and she had spoken to her doctor and had something for me to try. I did two breathing treatments and was still lethargic sitting on her couch. I went home, took my couch syrup and took a nap. We don't have a door bell so I was awakened by the girls barking and then realized there was banging on the door. I got up and went to the door and Lisa was standing there, saying "okay I am taking you into the ER". I had wore a dark color shirt and Roxy is white so I was trying to brush hair off of me. As we were driving in I found out that Matt, Lisa and Karen were all talking while I was napping deciding what to do about me. I got my bracelet sat waiting to be taken back. I finally got into the back and was laying down and then I heard it--Karen's voice.

Now I need to interject here some family history. Matt is my wonderful husband. Here's where it gets interesting!! Lisa is my mother in law. Karen is my mother in law. I know that you are going to read this a couple of times and start wondering. We are a conservative family so there is nothing too strange going on. My husband father has been married a few times and Karen was the first wife and Matt's mom and Lisa is the third. Alot of people wonder if we are sisters since she is five years older than myself. We have fun with it and that day was no exception.

So back to the story.... I am laying there and they decide to take me to get chest x-rays. The nice nurse who was wheeling me back asked me " Is that your mother and sister?" I kinda giggled and said " Actually they are both my mother in laws." I explained that Karen was Matt's mom and that Lisa was his present wife. I let this sink in while she was taking the x-ray. As she was wheeling me back I dropped the bombshell. "Today is my brother in laws first birthday." I actually got her stopped on that one! I then had to explain that I had a sister in law who was almost 4 and a brother in law who was turning one!!!! So when she got me back they waited for the x-ray and told me I was going to have to change meds and gave me a slew of prescriptions. I got chauffeured to Walgreen's and then home to sleep. But the funniest time of September 25, 2008 was explaining my husband's wonderful blended family!!!!

Go over to Mama Kat's and check everyone else out!!!

Writer's Workshop - How will I enjoy my last days of freedom (aka summer)?

How will I enjoy my last days of freedom (aka summer)? Well... I was absolutely pumped and thought that I wouldn't go back to college until August 24th. Then I got a phone call - I was told that a class that I was going to have on Tuesday nights was moved to Thursday nights. "Not a big deal, I will go to my Monday class and then to my Thursday night class", I thought. Nope, now way, no how. The college that I go to starts classes on Thursday August 20th so I will actually have to start a couple days earlier and then finals week I will be there later. Bummer of a deal but oh well! That being said I had a couple a days cut off of my summer so my plans are changing. I am working on a quilt for Christmas for my mother-in-law. She has no idea and I am almost done. I have a friend who is going to have a baby in December and she just found out that it is a GIRL so i just ordered a quilt to make for her. And I am so blessed that I get to help my friend out and paint the room for the baby this weekend. It is going to be yellow I am told. This Friday I am going to watch Jeff Bates, Trent Willmon and Mark Willis. Then I will just be finishing everything up and getting ready to start back to school on August 20th. I will be cooking and freezing alot to have food where Matt doesn't have to fix anything if he doesn't want to and so I can have a healthy dinner quick before or on the way to school. (The girls at work really worry about me driving and eating at the same time and apparently there was a survey that showed the insurance companies don't like this habit that we have picked up of eating or drinking in the car.) I will also be trying to wrap doctors appointments up and having a birthday dinner for the dad of the earlier mentioned Baby GIRL in which we are having fried perch, fried potatoes (sweet and russet), cornbread and for dessert we will have real whipped cream with strawberries and homemade shortcake!!!! Let's hope I can get all this done and shop for school supplies!!!