Happy Thanksgiving to one and all

Thanksgiving is here and we all slept in. That hasn't happened since...wait, I can't remember it ever happening. I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe, and filling Thanksgiving, whether today or whenever you are enjoying it.

Today I am thankful for 2 healthy children, a husband that works his butt off putting in LOOONNGG hours because he has a wonderful heart, and for there being a bountiful amount of canned food, frozen food, stocked cupboards, and the money to get more food as needed.

I'm thankful for pumpkin-o-bobs. Our porch was made bright because of the large one's appetite.

I'm thankful for my wonderful family. Everyone is healthy, and we're all blessed in so many ways!

I'm thankful for our community choir as they provide a break in the normal for people that do not have an easy way to get out and enjoy the school Christmas programs.

I'm thankful for my husband's large family, and my large one, too. Our parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews all provide warmth in our lives. God Bless!

I'm thankful for 2 little adventuresome boys that are willing to try anything, even the fish that Daddy cooked that Mama should have thrown out long before it got icky! (But the ice cream for supper made up for it!)

I'm thankful for a Cub Scout when asked whether he wanted to climb the easy climbing wall or the hard one, he chose the hard one--and did a really good job!

I'm thankful for being able to watch Monster and Peanut grow into the wonderful, though at times frustrating, boys they are. Thank you, God!

I'm thankful for all my friends and family. May God bless you all and provide all you need, even if it isn't what you want. May you all find peace and love abiding in your hearts today and everyday, to be able to provide for those that desparately need our love and compassion. May God keep all our troops, here at home and those many, many miles away, safe. Let our troops know they are loved and missed greatly! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

I feel miserable...

Ok, there's a virus going around on the West side of WI. It affects a person's balance badly and makes said person very tired... Well, guess what, I caught it. I never realized how hard it is to just walk around the house let alone look to the side. I gave Monster instructions that if Daddy isn't home and I fall to call Grandma right away. This is the 2nd full day of this awful feeling.

Despite feeling awful, I did get 6 laundry baskets of clothes folded, hung, and 99.8% put away. I just have to put Luke's and my hanging clothes upstairs in the closet. I think I might make it up the stairs with his work clothes... I hope.

All deliveries are done (except for one item that hasn't come in yet) for school and Cub Scouts. Thank you cards are written, signed by Monster and given out or mailed. Between 2 fundraisers and a birthday, Monster had 47 Thank You cards to sign. He got a comment back that one person he sold to would buy from Monster any time he had a fundraiser, just because the man got the Thank You card. It made Monster feel really good.  I'm hoping he is learning something from a simple Thank You card that is so grossly overlooked these days it seems: People like to feel appreciated.

I have more computer work to do tomorrow and then hopefully get a start on beadies for Traci and for my Aunt. I sure hope I can get the ones done for Traci asap since she has a craft show on 11/30. Wish me luck...

Today I am thankful for a bag of frozen baked potato and cheddar cheese soup that was in my freezer. It made a quick and easy supper I didn't have to think about. I just had to thaw it and warm it up. Thank you, God, for my many blessings.

FREEDOM by Monster

Monster brought home a project from school yesterday. On it FREEDOM is spelt going down, then the kids chose words to define what FREEDOM means to them. This was done for Veteran's Day. This is Monster's:

Freedom
Reward
Elevate
Eagle
Demonstrate
Order
Memory

I think this may be on the front of Veteran's Day cards next year... I'll have to find out if all the Tiger Cubs did this and get copies of what all the boys wrote.

It is 6:44AM and attention spans are non-existant! Breathe, Krista, Breathe! This too shall pass.

Today's agenda:

Get Monster on bus

Take package for UPS to John Deere shop to drop off

Get boys fluoride prescription from town

Take checks to bank

Do laundry

Make Beadies...

I think there are enough hours in the day...I think.

Today, I am thankful for simply being alive. I'd miss out on so much otherwise. Thank you, God.

Time to buckle down...

Ok, all the Cub Scout popcorn and greenery are delivered! YEAH! *happy dance, happy dance* Thank you cards are written and addressed. Monster just needs to sign them.

The Christmas cards that needed to be decorated for the Long Term Care Residents are colored. Monster just needs to sign them! (Do you see a trend here?!?)

Tomorrow I get to do laundry and buckle down on Beadies. Last time I counted I have 20 to make before the end of the monthd. Then I have a bead banner to make for Monster's teacher. And 3 adult Christmas presents to get or make... (if I make them, I don't have a clue as to what to make...)

It is only 7:23 PM CST, and I'm exhausted. Good thing Monster is old enough to do his own shower. Peanut gets out of it tonight since he got 2 vaccine shots this morning.  Speaking of this morning, Monster is 48.8" tall and weighs 51.9 pounds; not too shabby for a 7 year old. Peanut is 40.5" tall and weighs 33.9 pounds; still a peanut--hence his name... Other than that, annual check-ups went well.

I'm looking over my dining room currently. Oh, wait. I mean my jungle. I counted 28 potted plants on 4 tables, hanging from the ceiling, on a chair, on a cabinet top, and in a stand on the floor. I need a conservatory... (No. Miss Peacock did NOT kill Mr Body in the Conservatory with the Rope!)

I have a huge desire for strawberry margaritas... That or a couple Slow Gin Fizzes. Fuzzy Navel sounds good too...

I think I'm almost to the point for "Big Blue Bug Basher Basher". No, wait. That won't work. Traci doesn't have the Big Blue Bug Basher anymore... Though I feel about that giddy/tired. It's been a long several days...

Well, today I am thankful for the ability to hear what I can... I would miss listening to music, especially traditional Christmas carols, and hearing what my children have to say. Though some times (not very often, mind you) I wish I could go without hearing my children... So close, yet SOOO far away... Thank you, God.

Sadness cured...Frustration high!

Yesterday, I was happy my children got to celebrate another birthday each, but I was sad they aren't little anymore. Peanut solved that dilemma. He told me this morning (while he was having a melt-down after I told him he had to have breakfast before birthday cake--what in the world was I thinking?!?) that he was staying little forever. I told him I needed a "Little Peanut" hug. He ran over and gave me a "little" hug; ok, so it was a big one, but I am not complaining. It made me really smile!

Cub Scout popcorn and wreaths picked up---CHECK!

Cub Scout popcorn and wreaths delivered---all but 3 orders! CHECK!

My kitchen getting counterspace back--CHECK!

A new wave of toys entering the house--CHECK

Some of the new toys already put up for a while--CHECK

Both children having meltdowns this morning--CHECK

Peanut's meltdown ended talking with Aunt Traci and waiting the 4 minutes for his birthday cake--CHECK!!

Monster's meltdown ended by diverting topic to the BB gun he can now afford due to his birthday--CHECK

Taking Peanut to lunch with Monster--CHECK

Knowing I have 6 items to deliver for Cub Scouts--*big smile* CHECK

Thank You cards written for birthday gifts, school fundraiser, & Cub Scout fundraiser--CHECK

Having Monster sign above Thank You cards--will have to do tonight, hopefully... (to be continued)

Having above Thank You cards mailed &/or delivered--depends on when Monster signs them all

Has anyone ever had a moment where you KNOW you had a full glass of whatever you wanted to drink simply empty itself? I swear my Kool-Aid cup was full when I started writing just now... I looked over and it is now empty and Peanut is still taking his nap...(Though I got the normal, "Mama, I'm not tired!!!" complaint 2 minutes before he was sound asleep) I keep telling my husband I want NOT ME and I DON'T KNOW kicked out of the house; they are not a part of our family. I don't need them influencing Monster and Peanut. So far though they either know how to hide REALLY well or my husband hasn't had the get-up-and-go to kick them out. Any one know a good bad influence exterminator?

Getting everything done in the past 4 days that I have done has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Now, I have to make Beadies for Traci and an aunt, make a Bead Banner for Monster's teacher, make family members birthstone angels, and figure out what to make for the adults in Luke's side of the family for Christmas...

Happy & Sad all at Once...

It's official. Monster is now 7, and Peanut is 4! I'm happy they each made another year older, but sad knowing that it's getting more and more difficult to snuggle with both of them simultaneously. I remember Grandma telling me 4 years ago today that Monster woke up at 2 AM and told her he wanted to see his new little brother! Too bad Peanut hadn't joined externally yet! :-) I also remember Peanut "giving" Monster a birthday present when Monster came with Grandma to visit us.

Where has the time gone?

Then there's Luke's comment, "Oh it gets better..."

Happy Birthdays, Monster & Peanut!

Immediate check-off list is getting shorter!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH

Ok, first off, I am very thankful that God was able to provide someone to watch Peanut and Monster while I picked up the popcorn and wreaths this morning. It made it astronomically easier! So THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Grandma!

We had a Family dance last night at Monster's school, which I had forgotten about until by chance I looked at the calendar at 3:30 pm. The dance started at 6pm. SO, Monster got off the bus and said the Veteran's Day program went well, and he felt proud for being in it. Then the boys played for a bit, at a very scattered supper (Peanut had left-over mac-n-cheese and Monster had cold cereal.) Then we went to the dance. We were all ok until they decided to turn on the strobe lights. We all got really worn out after that. Needless to say I woke up with a migraine, Monster had a headache when he got up, and Peanut was simply himself.

After breakfast it was a frazzled time trying to get them dressed and ready to go to Grandma's. After I finally dropped them off, I went and got Monster's popcorn and wreath orders. I was there at 9 AM. No one else showed for over 20 minutes, which was ok, since I got to talk to an experienced cub scout leader. (I was asked by Monster to be his, and since I have "all the time in the world" (according to my hubby), I am now his den leader.)

I got 12 of 29 orders delivered today, will deliver 1 tomorrow, 13 on Monday (4 to businesses in town and 9 at Monster's school), and 3 on Wednesday after CCD.

Tomorrow is the boys' birthday party at McDonalds. They are very excited and are looking forward to it. Because it is their party, I have them BOTH taking a nap today. (Hopefully, that happens tomorrow to, but we'll see.)

Otherwise, I have dishes going, washer going, dryer going, and I'm finally able to veg for a bit. I may join the boys for a nap.

Thank you, God, for providing everything I need today, and everyday! I am truly blessed.

New day, new outlook?

Let's see. What all do I have to do today?
1. Get William on the bus
2. Do computer work for my FIL
3. Go to the bank and deposit paycheck
4. Go to library and return books
5. Get house ready for company
6. Make sure things are ready for popcorn/wreath pickup
7. Make sure things are ready for boys' party tomorrow

How many of me are there?!?

It is only 6:36 AM and I am tired just looking at what all I have to do... I need to figure out how to tap Peanut's energy and make it usable by me... Too bad in 7 years I haven't figured that out yet.

I think for now I'll drink my coffee, have something for breakfast, and make sure to breathe. Things will fall into place eventually, and if they don't, then I'll deal with them when it is necessary. *Breathing deeply* Thank you, God!

Oh, I started the month listing things I'm thankful for. I think I'll start over and continue it with every entry.

1. I am thankful for my family: my husband, Monster, and Peanut--even though they can irritate the living daylights out of me. I would not wish them gone or not a part of my life ever. Thank you, God.

I need to remember to breathe...

Ok, today is the full moon. Add to that the first "snow" of this season. (It was a dusting that was gone by 9 AM.) What do you get? Two young boys that are enough to drive me batty even before it is 7:30 in the morning.


Hi, I am a mom of 2 boys: Peanut is 4 and Monster is 7. I'm going to use this as an outlet for when I need to BREATHE! This will be my counting / personal time-out blog. Along with other tidbits of my life. My children keep me busy with Monster being in Cub Scouts, and Peanut being at home all day with me. We have a super busy weekend ahead of us with Monster having a Veteran's Day Program at school, which he is part of, tomorrow, and I get to do some computer work for my FIL and go to the library to return books; popcorn order pickup Saturday morning; a family birthday party for the boys Saturday evening; and Monster's school birthday party at McDonald's on Sunday. Not to mention, I have to sew my patches on my Cub Scout leader shirt, make cupcakes for Monster for school Monday, and get all the teachers' popcorn/wreath orders together to deliver Monday. I'm going to have Peanut help me deliver on Monday after we drop things off at school for Monster. Plus we have a Pack meeting Monday night. Tuesday is a education class for me and Grandma after school, which we get to bring the boys to. Wednesday is the boys' annual check-ups and a pot luck dinner for church so no CCD after school but during dinner time... Then I actually have nothing planned for several days! Thank you, God!

When did my life get so  busy? 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Breathe... In...Out....In...Out...In...Out...   I thought I was busy when I was working full-time. I laugh at that memory. I had so much extra time then... Hopefully, we can keep Peanut and Monster out of sports. (Monster isn't coordinated for team sports, but does well with individual sports like archery. Peanut is coordinated for team sports but is at this time bound and determined to do what he wants when he wants to.)  If I can keep them interested in Scouting, which seems to be a good thing for both at the moment since interest is high and Peanut still wants to do what Monster does, we may make it through until each is 18 with no one suffering a break down... God, please help us.