Saturday Morning Silence

August 25th, 2012

I'm up early today because that's what I do now.  Actually, it's what I did all summer too.  My kids had to be up and gone for jobs & school so I conditioned my own self to do the same.  I hate that feeling of over-sleeping and then having to hurry all stressed out.  So getting up was my way of helping everyone get to their spots.

I know….I'm amazing!

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This morning, my girl pups and I are outside enjoying the newly arriving fall weather.  It's not quite cool during the middle of the day yet…but it is wonderful in the mornings and evenings.  I'll take that anyday over the boiling temps we've had all summer.  Thanks to the extreme heat we've paid mucho higher electric bills, water bills and lost two cars air-conditioning.  Both mine and Gavin's cars no longer blow cold air.  Each one of them too complicated for the shade tree mechanics to fix.  Oh and on my car?  The front passenger (also called shotgun) door and window do not work.  So, imagine riding in that seat after school when the car has heated up to a million degrees.  Go ahead, call me white trash!  This might make me deserve it.

It is a nightmare!  You have to wait for someone to let you out!  Awesome!

I had to make a grocery store run after school yesterday and by the time Gates & I made it back home (we also had to run through the bank drive-thru)….we were soaking wet and sick from the burning car.  Misery!

I'm thankful for a "paid for" car…just throwing that in here.

And for this morning, God arranged a cool shady breeze loaded with sweet whistling birds just for me.  I can sit outside on my back porch while the whole world seems to be quietly waiting to wake up and get started.  I'm glad I didn't sleep in and miss it.

Tell me–What are you doing this weekend?

Tow Trucking

August 24th, 2012

You know….there are just some things you shouldn't blog about.  When I posted all about coming UNGLUED yesterday, I had no idea that within hours…I'd be put to the ultimate mama test.

I'll give you a hint—-

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Yea, someone would break down on the side of a busy highway, while I was in the middle of class (and couldn't hear my phone) and all by herself!

Oh yes, that one.  The cute little blonde standing in the picture.  Of course she was far away too.  She was heading over to Bloomington to spend the day with her boyfriend after scoring a super grade on her first math test of the semester! She didn't quite make it there.  Her car had other plans, like a water pump malfunction.  On a long, lonely highway in Brown County (one of Indiana's most beautiful areas).

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I don't recommend this as a form of fun family bonding.  No, this was stressful and dangerous.  Both Ally & I went along with the guys (hubby & son) to "help" out.  I don't think we were anything but comic relief but hey, we were there to share the burden.

I will be honest.  Traffic is not safe.  Being broke down on a highway like that was uber dangerous.  The entire time we were trying to get that beast loaded, cars/trucks/semis, you name it….soared past us right beside us.  The majority of them didn't even try to scoot an inch over.

If I ever had a moment….  that I wanted to come Unglued.  

So, remember that shade tree mechanic Saturday we had last weekend?  Yea, we'll be doing that again this weekend.  I'm so grateful for the nice Sheriff Deputy that came by almost immediately and picked up my beautiful girl.  She was scared and crying…..and he certainly saved me from running straight out of a class full of students to rescue her.  I'm thankful my hubby dropped everything and took off for her…an hour away at that point.  I'm proud and thankful that her boyfriend (Tyler) grabbed his dog Leif and headed to her and stayed with her at the gas station/restaurant until her dad arrived.  And last, I'm so happy to have such a nice neighbor (Eric) that loaned us his car trailer.  

All of these blessings, reminds me……I have a wonderful God that cares about every single detail of our lives.  I don't have to wig out.  He is in control!

Have a great weekend, friends!

Unglued Mama

August 23rd, 2012

I hope I've made it clear here that I am far from perfect.  Matter of fact, I might be a poster child for the mom who loses it on a regular basis.  To be honest, as I've gotten "older" and trained forced conditioned my children/family to comply with my ways….being a well-functioning mom has gotten easier.  But there have been times when sister has flipped her lid and melted down in a puddle of emotions that only Jesus could handle.

Alright….I've been known to come UNGLUED!

After reading many "confessions" by other mom's on some of the greatest blogs in the world…I've come to the conclusion—>  I'm not crazy and other mom's wig out too!

Good to know, right?

Now, I don't have the book in my hot little hands just yet.  But I've been following along as Lysa (I call her that….cause she is my internet friend) has posted snippets as she wrote the words that no mom wants to admit.  All I can say is that I admire anyone who puts their business out there (the stuff we try to hide from everyone else) and allows God to use it to help others.  So, if you haven't heard yet….the new book UNGLUED is out and ready for you and for me to buy and read!

Also, good news!   Several bloggers are hosting book giveaways right now.  Who wouldn't want to win a free book?  Click on this link to Lysa's blog and viola, you will find all the blogger links participating.  Feel free to enter them all and for gracious sake….don't be afraid to admit that YOU TOO COME UNGLUED!

You're welcome, just sharing the love…friends.  Enjoy your Thursday or as I like to call it–FRIDAY EVE!!!

 

 

 

TV CRAZY

August 22nd, 2012

I am so pumped up for the new tv season.  Shows that I've been waiting to pick back up are looming overhead as I type.  Some people spend their money on season tickets to NFL games or new cars or even trips…..I buy cable/NETFLIX/Xfinity!

Worth it.

I'm still pretty psyched that we cut our cable bill down to practically half of what we had been paying.  Yeehaw!  It pays to shop around.

I loved the winter (2010-11) we had a ton of snow days and I was able to watch several seasons of LOST with my kids.  It sucked us in and may have been the cause of extra prayers for snow days that year.  I couldn't think of anything but what was going to happen next….

Yes, I am the queen of lame.

This last winter, DOWNTON ABBEY owned my heart!  I practically cried every Sunday night when the show would end.  My ability to wait all week long for another episode was almost childlike.  I couldn't stand the waiting!  I even bought the book by the current owner of the mansion and read the real history based on the show.  Good stuff!

So, finding a new love for summer was so awesome.

During June, my girls and I were G L U E D to the tv/Hulu watching the whole season of REVENGE.  Oh my word!  It is crazy good!   I just thought LOST was addictive.  I admit it, the three of us (my girls and I) even drug our meals down to the family room to watch episode after episode.  Sick pups!  You can probably guess about bathroom breaks….hit pause and run?  Yea, that was us.  Real mature, huh?

When the season ended (it was still early summer)….I thought each of us were going to need some sort of intervention.  The crack show had us hooked!  But, I pushed on and I can't believe that just this week….teasers are being played to let the world know, REVENGE is coming back on September 30th at 9:00pm!

Yippee!  Yahoo!  I AM SO HAPPY!

The only bummer is that I'll have to play by the rules and watch it like everyone else—week by week episode!  It'll be a Downton Abbey moment all over again.  Which is also coming up January 6th!!!   Woohoo!  I feel like hugging a stranger this excites me so much.

I know they're just tv shows, but I love them.  I don't get into the reality shows (sorry, but I hate the dating shows), never liked Dancing With the Stars, gave up American Idol (it turned sooooo bleh), can't stomach the dysfunction of Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, Kardashian's and most sitcoms….they just don't do it for me. But give me a well-done drama or good story show and I am a fan!

Oh and don't let me forget to mention….it is officially NFL season!  You know I'm watching football!  I even asked my hubby about getting the NFL channel so we could watch Peyton in Denver.  I miss him and the rest of the Colts that were sent a packin!  I admit, it's going to be painful.  Like ripping a bandaid off of a fresh wound, painful.  But, I will be watching football.

What's your vice?  Are you a stay home kind of girl/family that loves watching good tv?  Or would you rather go somewhere and do something out & about?

Oh and listen, all of the shows that I've mentioned in this post are available to watch (in full) for free.  If you haven't watched any of them….you should!  Maybe you'll get a taste of just how addicting they are.

 

PS-Something that really makes watching good shows fun…is doing it with my family.  It's a great way for us to spend time together and to get involved with characters.  Some families like to sit at track meets/sporting events etc…we like our family room!  

 

 

Shade Tree Mechanics

August 21st, 2012

These are my guys.  They work on stuff and make it right again.

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I know what you're thinking…..rednecks, right?  Well, in my family…we don't hire out any jobs unless it is absolutely necessary.  Hubby and son usually do all the car maintenance and house maintenance.  We are frugal, except for the part where we have to rebuy tools and equipment because….we can't FIND THEM!!  🙁

This past weekend hubby needed to change his spark plugs–8 of them!  I told him he had to do something!  Every time we were cruising down the highway, the car would chug like a choo-choo train.  At fast speeds.  Talk about a stomach ache.  Eww.

The job took all day.

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When I walked outside and saw this…..I knew I had to take a picture.  Because telling you and showing you just aren't the same.

Shade tree mechanics.   I love them!

PS-the car drives awesome now too!

Tell me, does your family do their own maintenance jobs or do you pay someone else?

FORTY-FIVE THINGS I KNOW

August 20th, 2012

I'm so good at learning life the hard way.  I'm sure you can remember (yourself) the old days when you knew it all.  Right?  It may not have been so long ago.  I just happen to be a middle aged lady that has lived a few more years than many of my day-to-day friends.  Ok, I'm the oldest in most of my circles.

How'd that happen?

I read the greatest post this weekend, it was a younger blogger's take on what she's learned in "30" years.  Whoop-dee-doo, kid!  Try almost 46 years!  Now that's a long time to learn some stuff!  I had to giggle at some of the things she's learned because….she's spot on, I've learned many of the same lessons.

Life, it's a school everyone must attend.

Forty-five Things:

— Learn to apologize, sincerely.

— DATE THE NERDY GUY.

— MARRY THE NERDY GUY.

— Show affection, even when you're PMS'n.

— Learn to cook.  It makes lots of people happy.

— Read books, lots of them.  Every genre.  (I know, I'm book snobby)

— Only buy clothes that flatter.  Don't fall into trendy mistakes.

— Make friends, especially with someone you wouldn't normally talk to.

— Pray.  Outloud.  Every time you have the chance.

— Sing to your children, all the time.

— Celebrate special occasions.  Each one is a gift.

— Learn to drive a stick shift.  It will impress your son, someday.

— Go to the beauty parlor at least every other month.  Trim those scraggly ends.

— For goodness sake, WAX YOUR EYE BROWS!!

— Be patient with your hubby & kids.  They really do want to make you happy.

— Write thoughts and prayers down in a journal.

— Have a healthy sense of humor.

— Smile, a lot.

— Share what God gives you.  It really is better to give than to recieve.

— Be passionate about something and help someone else love it too.

— Send words of love to those who are far away.  Distance can't stop love.

— Watch movies with your family.  Make it special with treats & pj's.

— Own a dog.  Caring for an animal teaches a lot about unconditional love.

— Learn how to make eye contact and do it.

— Overdress.  Always.  Trust me on this one.

— Guard secrets.  No one keeps them, in case you haven't learned yet.

— Speak kindly about others.  It will always come back on you if you don't.

— Keep in contact with college girlfriends.  Forever.  It's fun growing old.

— Tell your kids who you admire and why.

— Use a 3-way mirror.  Really, look at your backside before you leave home.

— Learn how to wear make-up.  Look classy when you go out.

— Wear cute boots & scarves.

— Take fun trips with your hubby (alone).

— Splurge & buy something really special for yourself.  Especially on your Bday.

— Go to the beach every time you get the chance.  You may move far away.

— Cheer for your hubby's favorite teams.

— Buy good sheets!

— Brush your teeth and floss 3 x's a day.  Just do it.

— Change your hair color.  Wear it like a bosslady!

— Be known as an encourager.

— Save your money.  It disappears before your eyes & you will need it!

— Go to college.  Do it.  Don't think you'll go back.  You won't.

— Marry for love, not money.

— Open your heart to Jesus.  He will change your life like no one else.

— Love people.  Really love them.  They'll know if you don't.

 

I know I'm not the wisest gal in the world.  But this list represents much of what I do know.  My wish is that somehow along this path of livin'…I've passed the good stuff on to my children.  Don't wait to make your own list.  Write down what you know and smile at the life lesson's God has sent your way!