Just forgetting about everything for awhile was so nice

What a much needed break. It is sad that this is only 45 minutes away and we have never taken the kids before. They had a blast. We did the 1 1/2 miles trail...lots of climbing. Braden did one fall that scared about 10 years off of me but he hopped back up and was at it again...he was way too adventerous for my taste. Lots more pics in flickr.

Descending into the first cave...where I sat outside on a rock and spoke to nice tourists instead of crawling and climbing. The kids loved it. It was there favorite part.

More Devils Den...

A break for the day......hopefully

We are getting ready for a day trip to Devils Den State Park

I have been about to break this week. Feeling very depressed and overwhlemed. We need a break. A break from medical issues, finances, work, family, all of it.

Also after enduring a few hours outdoors hiking (not my fav thing normally) I get a reward....Target! Yeah for me...LOL...our local Target is suppose to open in Spring of 2008 until then I get excited for any trip that takes me by one.

I will post pics of the park, and of course more important I will let you know about the bargains I am sure to find at Target.

Almost among the living again

I am getting there. I hate allergy sinus colds, ugh. Yesterday I felt awful, this morning, better. I am sure after I run errands and take care of things, etc I may not be feeling as good. It was just nice to wake up not feeling like I wanted to roll over and stuff a pillow over my head.

I am whiner when I am sick, I know I am. I try not to be, but poor hubby has to hear it anyway.

Hubby has the day off on Friday so we are planning a day out. I think we are going to go to the state park in Arkansas called Devil's Den it has been years since I have been there. We picked a pretty easy walking trail to try that also has two caves to explore (the kids are so excited). Should be some pretty pics to take too.

Hopefully I will be completely over this junk by then. We had toyed with the idea of camping out Thursday night but decided not a good idea since I wasn't feeling that great. So we will just head out Friday morning only about an hour away. The best thing is it is only another 10 minutes to a Target...should be a perfect day some nature and fun with the family, topped off with Target shopping!

Contest over at In A Shoe

Kim at In a Shoe is having a great contest sponsored by Vision Forum.

Go check it out HERE

I just know

I just know it is going to be a trying week when already on Monday I have been up since 3am with a sinus cold. I have a list of things a mile long to do. Now that it is almost time for everyone else to get up I am ready to go back to bed. Promises to be one of those weeks.

I should be sleeping in

It is dark and raining....I should still be in bed, but alas I have been up since 5:30.

I am still enjoying the rain, it has been so dry. I can do without the threat of tornados though.

Last night hubby and I had a nice low key night out together. Our last attempt was thwarted with my headache.

We hit a new ice cream place that was super yummy. Did some Christmas shopping. Did a layaway at WalMart before they stop doing layaways. Got both kids big Christmas presents out of the way. Actually they are small in size big in amount of money out of my wallet. Both got Nintendo DS Light's....at least I think those are what they were called. Brittney got a pink one and Braden black. One game each. Luckily this thing plays the games they already have that go with their nintendo advance thing (you can tell hubby shops for the electronics).

I need to sit down today and look at what all we have bought and what will be stocking stuffers, and so on.

Suppose to meet my parents with the kids (they spent the night) at Fire Mountain for breakfast this morning, but I really dont want to get out in this rain storm. I need to go back and cover up in the bed...good idea....wont happen but still a good idea.

Favorite Foto Friday

I love this pic of the kids. I wish Brittney was looking at the camera but it is still cute. I love how Braden is holding her hand. Brittney was 4 and in PreK it was the school talent show. I ahve said it before and I will say it a lot more...time flies.

Dog the Bounty Hunter

I consider the Dog The Bounty Hunter show one of my guilty pleasures. I don't watch it all the time but I have to admit I find it enjoyable. I know Dog seems so full of himself and he prays in one breath and cusses in the next but still I think he has good values and does good for community. The more I learn about his recent arrest the more mad I get. How many US residents run to Mexico to be free from US law. Yet the US is going to send Dog, his brother, and son back to Mexico. I realize he "legally" broke the law when he apprehended Andrew Luster...but I for one could care less, he did it thank goodness. Andrew Luster was an awful person who was found guilty. Some sites regarding Dog. Dog is currently out on bond, and is fighting extradition to Mexico.

There is a website where you can get more info, sign a petition, etc.
FREE DOG

Works For Me Wednesday - Coffee Filters

Coffee Filters can be bought pretty cheap and can be used for a lot of different things....I am sure they are more but here are some that work for me!

Serving snacks (popcorn, chips, etc) the filters are disposable and less expensive than paper bowls or plates.

Prevent soil from draining out of flowerpots. When repotting, place a filter at the bottom, over the drainage hole, then add the soil.

(one of my favs) Protect hands from Popsicle drippage. Slide the wooden stick of an ice pop through a coffee filter so your hands stay mess-free.

Clean windows and glass. Coffee filters leave no lint or other residue.

I guess he told me

Tucking Brae into bed tonight.

Me: I am so proud of you. You are learning to read and doing your homeschool so good. I am so proud of you and you are just getting better and better. I am so so proud.
Brae: I am proud of you too Mom you are getting better at the teaching pretty soon you will be good.

Good for now

$2.01 a gallon here...YEAH...so much better than pushing the $3.00 that it was in the summer. They stated it should be about $1.95 this weekend, but will probably go up after November 7 (election).

Is it sad?

I was checking my calendar for the week and I was like what is that on Thursday. I had marked that it was the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy....is that sad? I am so addicted to that show, of course they will make me mad I am sure and I will gripe about it for days.

I am not a big TV watcher I have maybe 5 shows that I watch regularly. I added Dancing With The Stars this season, I talked bad about it in the seasons past thinking why would I watch that. Now I am totally addicted. I watch The Soup on E Channel on Friday nights, Grey's, Dancing, and now I cant think of any others. Hmmmm so 3 must sees. I might watch Desperate Housewives. For news I like Fox and Friends in the morning, and O'Reily in the evenings.

So am I missing any great shows? Let me know and I may try to check them out.

Now I have my week all planned out and I have three evenings booked (Dancing and Grey's).

It will be a busy week so I can think about those shows as my reward!

She is so old

Overheard conversation while kids were playing a video game.

Britt: "Don't worry Brae it's not over till the fat lady sings"
Brae: "What does that mean?"
Britt: "Don't worry about it Brae it is just an old saying I remember from when I was young"

Yard Sale Bargains

I didn't really want to go to yard sales this morning with my mom. It was city wide yardsales. So even with my pounding headache that is still not gone away I was up at out at 6:30.

I did get a closet shelf organizer still in the package unopened for $3.00
For my nephews 2 footed pajamas, 4 pairs of Gap jeans, 2 long sleeve Tshirts $3.00
Brittney 2 pairs of jeans and one was Limited Too which earned me lots of brownie points, 2 shirts $4.00
Brittney 2 pairs of skechers shoes (this was the best deal of the day) that look brand new I paid $2.00 for both pair.
Braden a power Ranger movie that he didnt have $1.00
Me a Christmas TeaPot .75
Amelia Bedelia book and tape $1.00
Science Experiment book .10

So I got a few things and I didn't spend much but I much more enjoyed coming home while my dad still had the kids and taking a nap!

Anticipation with a headache

Hubby and I are having a date night.

My mom is suppose to be here within about 30 minutes to pick the kids up for the night.

Hubby and I have been looking forward to this all week.

So of course since we were looking forward to it I ended up waking up with a terrible headache. I have taken things all day, it is not as bad at least I can walk without feeling like my head is going to explode with each step. But still a headache.

Yuck.

Still looking forward to our date but wish it wasnt with a headache. I just popped two more Excedrin Migraines and rubbed stuff on my head for a migraine and put Bio Freeze on my neck...so hoping for less of a headache soon.

He needed a quarter.

The kids and I went to JCPenny's yesterday. Shopped around a little bit and I said lets have a potty break before we head on.

I take Braden in the women's restroom with me. I was in a stall, Brittney on one side, Braden on the other. He got done first and went to wash his hands.

This conversation starts:
Braden: "Mom, I need a quarter".
Me: What?
Braden: "I need a quarter".
Me: Why?
Braden: "Because it says Napkins Always twenty five cents and I need to dry my hands".
Laughter from other women

I got out of the stall and right beside the sink was the womens personal supplies machine with "Always" on the top then "Napkins" "25 cents".

I showed him the papertowels on the opposite wall.

I didn't make a big deal out of it. The two other women however were "oh how cute"..."how funny".

So I was just thankful that I had something to blog about...LOL

Works for Me Wednesday (Homeade Magic Erasers)

A friend of mine posted to a group this recipe. I tried it and it worked really well.

I love the Magic Erasers for cleaning.

Try this homemade version...

Take a bowl and pour in some arm and hammer baking soda then pour a little white vinegar over it -- it will foam up and just make a paste with it = use it on the spots just like magic eraser using a wash cloth. As your paste gets too dry - add a bit more vinegar. WORKS as well as the Magic Erasers that you buy!

I haven't tried this one yet but my friend says it works GREAT....Grease spills in the garage -- sprinkle with lots of baking soda then pour on some vinegar and watch it bubble around then use a brush to lightly scrub it right off!!

Works for Me!

8 Things about me

I couldnt come up with anything to write so I stole this from BarnGoddess

8 things/habits/facts about me.

1. I grew up a military brat, living in Germany then Fort Riley Kansas, and other places until my dad retired to Oklahoma right before I turned 15.
2. I have a VERY good memory, I can recall conversations word for word, books I have read years before, people's names that I have seen just a few times and then see again years later. (This habit is not my hubby's favorite as I tend to use it against him..LOL)
3. I read VERY fast I read a book in about an hour and half depending on the thickness.
4. I keep a journal where I write letters to my kids.
5. I am very picky about how things are done, I like order and I like things organized (Hubby is probably dying to comment on this one...LOL)
6. I pay money to get rid of my curly hair every few months. Some people pay for perms not me....I hate my curly hair...I love it when I get it straightened.
7. I start Christmas shopping in March for the following year.
8. I tend to agree to things so I dont hurt someones feelings. (Which is why I usually end up way over extending myself).

Winding down

One of those days that seemed to go at warp speed with too much to do and not enough time to do it.

Hubby bless his heart is just about to scream over this school board mess. Our school system is such a mess right now. Tonights school board meeting is suppose to be a big one and I know several news crews were suppose to be there. I am just waiting to hear how it goes.

The kids are doing well on their homeschool. I sent in the first of their grades to abeka today for their progress reports. I really like the way it is shaping up. I am enjoying it immensly. Still more I want to do but that is an ongoing thing with me. I can see results and that is making me feel great that it was the right decision for our family.

The kids are laying down watching a movie in their rooms before going to sleep. I have Fox News in the background and waiting for news from the school board room. Basically just enjoying some quiet time. Not that I dont have my never ending to do list that I could be working on but this down time is too nice to pass up.

Remembering 911

September 11, 2001 will always be one of those days people remember where they were.

Myself I was doing a freelance legal job in a town about an hour away. I took the kids to a babysitter for the day and headed to work. It was my last day on this job and so I had certain things I had to do, I remember going over the list in my head. I didn't want to listen to the radio so I was listening to a romance book on cd.

I walked into the office and everyone from the law office was in another office for a finance company. Leslie told me that they were having prayer. I didn't know what was going on. At that time the first plane had hit. We had prayer, thinking it was a terrible accident. The day just got worse. I remember calling hubby and my mom had already called him. I also remember being so thankful that he had flown in from corporate office 2 weeks prior and was not away from us right now.

All day long rumors were around town, people were gathering food, gas, no one really knew what was going to happen. Everyone knew that life was forever changed.

I somehow finished what work I needed to do and headed home. The radio on the entire drive the book on cd that I had listened to on the way there was since forgotten. I came home and glued myself to the television while hubby went and got the kids.

Brittney was not quite 4 and she didn't understand but I remember telling her some bad people hurt a lot of people. She prayed with me on the couch.

Hubby and I kept all the Time magazines and newspaper clippings and put them in a tote in the attic so that in another 5 or 10 years when the kids are doing school reports they would have them.

I have read the book "Let's Roll" by Todd Beamers widow and it will bring tears to your eyes and peace to your heart.

Tommorow during homeschool the kids and I will read a story I found appropriate for their ages regarding 9/11 and talk about this world changing date and most of all we will pray for all those touched by the disaster.

Weekend Fun

Friday afternoon the kids and I headed to Tulsa to visit my aunt. The hospital she works for rented out an amusement park for their company picnic on Saturday. She also lives right on the river so the morning started with a short walk around the river bank. Then to Target before going to Bealls for the picnic.

We had a blast free drinks and food (including lots of cotton candy!).
Braden is my thrill rider (we knew this from Disney). He loves rides. Him and I rode the roller coaster, Brittney is not such a thrill rider her and my aunt opted out of the roller coaster. We got home a little while ago shortly followed by hubby getting home from work and now we are just being bums.

Favorite Foto Friday

This is from two summers ago when Brae played Tball. I love that look on his face (his mean look).

Love Thursday

Brittney giving her brother a welcome home from the hospital kiss a little over 7 years ago.

I'm so mean

Braden is receiving hard punishment tonight. It is awful he cried when he found out. He threw a fit and he knew there would be punishment. He keeps saying mom I promise not to do it again, I wont throw a fit, I love you mom, please don't make me, please, please.

What is it that instills such fear in my son............
...............
...............
...............
Instead of getting to pick his own movie before bed he has to watch.....
...............
Little House on the Prairie.

He hates it, and he thinks it is the worse punishment, the thing is one night of this will probably give me six to eight weeks with no fits.

Brittney's worse punishment is I let her brother be in charge of her room for one day.

I had to get creative with these two!

3am wake up

I have been so stressed lately. Just on edge. Not sleeping. This morning I woke hubby up at 3am. I just needed to pour it out and talk. He didn't mind at all. Actually he was more aggrivated about the fact that I told him I had often wanted to wake him and up and talk but felt too guilty to wake him up.

None of the issues are really resolved but after my 3am spill session I feel better. Not quite so crazy. Of course hubby may be the crazy one because he puts up with me!

Not going to do that again

On our way back from Tulsa I wasn't feeling too well. I had taken some excedrin but I was feeling like maybe I had a fever I didn't have any tylenol, but I thought I had some Jr. Tylenol for the kids in my little carry case. I popped them in my mouth and the moment I popped them in I thought wait when I was getting them out of the counter I couldnt find the Jr. Tylenol so I grabbed Motrin just in case the kids needed some.

I am VERY allergic to Ibuprofen. I immediately spit them out. Hubby is looking at me odd and I was like I dont think those are Tylenol. I looked in the case and sure enough it said MO 60...oops. I told hubby no big deal they just barely touched my tounge.

3 minutes later my tounge was filling up my mouth it was swelling, and I could barely talk. Luckily my throat wasnt closing up. We were miles and miles away from a hospital. I immediately started popping Benedryl. Luckily the Benedryl was enough to sit off the reaction. It was nuts for about 20 minutes. Hubby said I scared him. I scared myself.

Last time I had Ibuprofen I spent 3 days in the hospital. Luckily I thought about it before I actually swallowed them. I told hubby no more carrying Motrin even for the kiddos.

Other than that we had a good time in Tulsa. Just that little snag on the way home. I am feeling much better now once the Benedryl made the swelling go down and the hazziness went away from the Benedryl.

If hubby ever wants to off me I guess he can just slip me some Motrin or Advil....I better not five him any ideas...LOL...of course his policy on my isn't as good as mine on him so that should keep me safe...HAHAHAHAHA.

From now on it's hubbys job

Hubby was working today so the kids and I went out for breakfast and next stop was WalMart.

I knew the car needed an oil change, we are going to Tulsa tommorow and again next Saturday. I thought I would do it so hubby wouldnt have to worry about getting it done this week. I figured WalMart would be easier than a quick lube place because the kids and I could shop. I pulled in I was the 4th car....not too bad.

2 hours later......

I finally got my car back. No more oil changes for me, from now on hubby's job.

Of course the kids were so good for so long I rewarded them so that upped the bill, plus spending two hours in WalMart I found so many things we "needed"....so in honesty it will be cheaper on hubby to just take it next time.

Favorite Foto Friday

The kids and hubby when we visited Grand Canyon. We were on our way home from the doctor in Arizona we had been in Pheonix and had to buy Tshirts, then in the Grand Canyon their was snow and we were FREEZING.

Cutie pie?

Braden came in my room last night to tell me good night.

He gave me a hug and said "Mom you are a cutie pie"

Me: I am?

Braden: Yes, even though I don't know what a cutie pie is, you call me that and I look like you so you must be a cutie pie too.

It was cute. He is such a sweetie.