Drucken Friends

First off Thanks for everyone for your support. I feel much better about family now.

It's currently New Year's Eve, not even 10 PM yet, and my friends are pretty much all drunk. I am sitting here on the couch next to, well we will call him Han Solo, the husband of Princess Leia a friend of Dragonfly and mine since about fifth grade. He's pretty wasted, talking about work, making funny comments, and falling off the couch. And it is hilarious.

Now I normally don't condone getting drunk, but on this one night of the year where I actually drink a little (and only a little because it doesn't take much to get me pretty wasted), it's the entertainment of the evening. We all wish we had a video camera.

Tomorrow is Little Man's birthday party, his actualybirthday isn't until the 8th, but most everyone has new years day off. It should be a fun time, my father is making a deep fried turkey, and for those of you who haven't eaten one before, it is incrediably yummy.

*sigh* I gotta love drunken entertainment.

Family * Sigh

Okay, so I haven't been on in awhile, being Christmas and all, family has taken up most of my time. I've been at my in-laws most of this week and unable to really use a computer, they have only dial up connection. And as an added bonus, my SIL was also spending the week there so we were able to spend time together. I figured this would be fun.

I was able to talk to Big Guy today for a bit, and apparently my SIL, we'll call her Ms Perfectionist, Perfect for short, had a bit to say about my parenting abilities. Apparently I never played with my kids, I tried to reason with them like they were teenagers, I really should get a job and help with money, and what was I doing reading a book on D&D (dungeons and dragons).

I had kind of a clue that she was upset with me, but she never outright said anything to me. And in my defense, as if I need one, It's not my house, I don't know where things are. And do I really need to spend every spare minute with my kids, with so many people in the house I figured no one would miss me for an hour or so while I listened to an audio book in the back room.

Why do I need you lecturing me about what I do or do not do? The more I live my life, the more I just truly understand that people just do not understand what we military spouses go through, on a daily basis or any other time of the year.

It really hurts me that she thinks these things of me, that I was judged so harshly by her. And I don't think sitting on the floor telling Little Man to come here so I can change his poopy, stinky, smelly diaper is me reasoning like he's a teenager.

Big Guy was upset with his sister, and I guess they had words. And I am proud of him for sticking up for me, I would have liked to have read that conversation.

But that's my family, for better or worse right? I am trying really hard not to just close down, and just never be open and honest with her again, that is what I would have done a couple of years ago. And despite putting on a front of having a tough exterior, I am quite thin skinned, and what she said hurts.

*Sigh* family, can't live with them, can't leave for home yet. What to do.....

Prayers for Dragonfly

I received a call from Dragonfly today, and she could use your prayers. She is in the hospital with an infected gall bladder and is to have surgery to remove it Sunday morning. In a way it's a blessing because she finally has a diagnosis for the pain in her back and she will feel better soon.

The infection has been there for six months and the incision may need to be larger than usual because the walls are thicker from the infection. If she is able to have laproscopic surgery then she may be able to leave Sunday evening.

The Sgt has next week off, as they were planning travel, so he will be able to help with Little Mister and take care of Dragonfly.

Please keep her family in your prayers and that she has a safe surgery and recovery.

Do Dogs Dream......

I stayed up late last night to watch a movie, my dog Holley and my parents dog Maggie joined me in the l iving room and both promptly fell asleep. Holley near my feet and Maggie pulled herself up on the couch, she's a big dog.

But I am sitting watching the movie and I'm intertupted by Maggie growling in her sleep, it scared me at first. But I sat here and watched her for a bit, leggs moving, growling. It got so loud that Holley started barking back in defense.

And it made me wonder, what was she dreaming about? Chasing a rabbit, play fighting with Holley in the back yard? Getting her tummy scratched by her Daddy? Eating people food?

I would like to think they have wonderful dreams, where they get that dog treat, and catch whatever it is they are chasing.

Maggie & Holley

Remember When...

• You could shop at the mall all day long with your friends, eat lunch, try on clothes enjoy the time in an unhurried fashion?

The kids and I went to the mall today, I only wanted to look at one store, just one. I remember why now, I dislike taking my children along with me. I parked at the wrong end of the mall, so we had to walk through the candy machine's, the little cars, kids can ride, and the kid play area. All of which distract their attention; after many shouts of "Crazy Daughter, come on, we need to go, lets go guys, please, we need to go to just one store" we finally make it to the store.

I was in heaven, I've missed malls, with stores I actually like to shop at. NY and Company was having a 50% off sale, everything. It was wonderful. I would have spent more time looking but, unfortunately Crazy Daughter decided it was time to leave.

We stopped at Starbucks and got a cookie, we sat next to an older gentleman.

Crazy Daughter is punching a deflated star balloon. People are walking by laughing at her antics.

"Crazy Daughter, please sit and eat your cookie, leave that balloon alone, please don't pop it." "Little Man please sit in your chair and stop digging in the potted tree, leave the leaves alone"

Older gentelman is sitting there laughing, talking to Little Man, watching Crazy Daughter go from one table to the next trying out each individual chair.

I was so wore out by the morning, we skipped the other stop I had wanted to do and went home and ate lunch.

I guess each season of life has different joys, and today mine was when Little Man gave me a huge hug and kiss before going down for a nap. *Sigh* it makes up for the trying morning.

Winter Wonder Land - Mission Monday

Holiday List

Day 1, Monday. Lights started flickering and I lit some candles “just in case”. Realized that I really need to get some flash lights and some more convenient candles that will last longer than these decorative ones. Put away all the presents I had gotten out to wrap. Prayed that power would be on the next day.

Day 2, Tuesday. I woke up to a freezing house, no heat, no electricity, I looked outside and it was quite beautiful, trees were “weeping” all the way down to the ground. Branches had fallen everywhere, and sounds of ice falling from the trees every couple of minutes. I started up the car (was covered with at least a ½ inch of ice) and got the kids strapped in and we just sat there, but it was warm.

Finally realized that the power wasn’t coming on today and called S to see if they were warm, spent the night.

Day 3 Wednesday. I spent Tuesday night in Crazy J’s full sized bed, with Little Man, complete with Diego sheets and comforter. Crazy daughter slept in Crazy J’s old toddler bed, she finally fell asleep after much crying and trying to get out of bed to “go potty, kiss K, etc.). I woke up to an uncomfortably numb arm and a really warm child on “my side” of the bed. (As if there were ever really “sides” of the bed)

Called housing, and power should be on by maybe midnight. Ok, sure, alright. Headed over to my house to let out Barkey Dog, and realized my freezer is leaking. So pretty much threw everything in the trash, what could be salvaged I brought back to S’s house.

Power went off at S’s house around 3 PM, and “possibly be on by midnight”. With Baby J (only 2 months old) we started calling everyone from church to see who might have power.

We drove to Chapman (didn’t know where it was before that night) to A’s house, with S and her 3 kids. So…. A and her 3, my 2 and S’s 3, made for a really full house that evening. But A was quite gracious and we had dinner and a warm bed to sleep in.

Day 4 Thursday. Called my housing area and still no power, maybe on by midnight but no guarantee’s. S’s power came back on, so they left and another family from our church joined us. Her two girls watched all our kids and A and I went into town to Wal-Mart. I got shampoo, conditioner and a change of clothes, the stuff you don’t think about until you are without.

Day 5, Friday. Power was back on, yea!!!. Packed everything up at A’s and headed home. Ice had melted somewhat but it still covered half the trees. Headed to our house and workers were out chopping up broken down branches. The house was warm and power was on, but no cable or internet. I decided that we would just throw things into the car and head to Michigan.

Day 6, Saturday. Arrived at 2:30 AM at my in-laws house, roads were clear and dry, but there was a snow storm that followed right behind me. We left at the right time.

This entry is for Mission Monday hosted by Painted Maypole.

Safely in Michigan

We are safely in Michigan now, we left Friday afternoon.

Our housing area finally got power Friday morning, no cable or internet, and no food in the refridgerator, I had cleaned it out on Wednesday morning. And there was another storm coming 5-7 inches of snow expected. So as much as I wanted to finish out the weekend with the things i had planned, I packed up the car and we headed out for Michigan.

We arrived Saturday at 2:30 AM, safely and with clear roads all the way home. The kids were excited to see Nana and Papa, and they were just as happy to have the grandkids.

And today we will be driving up to my parents house, and they have wireless broadband, so I will be able to use my laptop and upload some pictures. My in-laws only have dial up. grrr....

Thanks for your prayers and concerns, It was an expierence, and will make great stories for the years to come. But i'm glad to be in a warm house.

Ice Storm

okay, so Kansas got hit by a HUGE ice storm monday evening, and I have been without power since then. I've been staying at a friend's house who still had power but doesn't have internet access. She lost power yesterday so we are at a different friends house. Called my housing office and we still don't have power and it maybe on tonight at midnight. I'm not expecting anything at this point.

But S has power now and we'll probably spend the night there. Depending on if things I had planned this weekend get cancelled or not, I may leave for Michigan earlier than expected.

Just pray for safety and for the ice to melt.

I won't be on for a bit, so i'll check back when i can.

Fun with Photoshop

This post is part of Mission Monday, to have fun with Photoshop. I had fun.

Three Hours of Me Time

Yes, I had three whole hours to myself yesterday, shocker I know. It was Mom's Day out at our church, and in spite of the freezing rain that morning, they were able to have it in the afternoon.

So what did I spend my precious three hours on? Shopping at Walmart for kids Christmas gifts, a Tinkerbelle fleece throw and a 30 piece Dora puzzle for Crazy Daughter. Leapfrog Alphabet magnets for Little Man. I really do dislike Walmart, but the only other option was Target and that is located in Manhattan (yes it is really manhattan, they call themselves the Little Apple) and with the weather being awful, I decided not to brave the highway.

I then went to Payless Shoes, BOGO sale!!! I found a pair of toe sandles for 7$ and a pair of black (do I ever buy any other color dress shoes? lol) dress shoes.

And for the really wonderful part, I got a manicure and pedicure!!! No real reason, just did it because I wanted to. I think I got the head of the manicure department because she was wonderful. She massaged my feet and legs, and my hands and arms. I'll describe the relaxation as this, it felt almost as good as sex. And since it's been almost 9 months in that department, I was in heaven.

And here's my toes!!

I personally think it's gross to touch other people's toes, just me I guess. But I thank heavens that others don't have that aversion. And yes, the nail polish is dark blue. I don't do pink, unless I have to match a brides maides dress. (lol, thanks Shannon)

It was a wonderful day, despite the weather. and I'll get some more breaks when I leave for home in a week.

So I haven't Posted Much...

I have really intended to write more than I have, but honestly I've been putting it off. Writing is the way I tend to deal with things and I guess I've just been putting it off. And lots of other excuses too, Tin Man has been on SciFi this week, so my evenings have been spent in front of the TV, where they are ususally spent doing other things. Really good show by the way.

And it's been gloomy and cloudy this week, today's high is 38, I know, we didn't get all that snow the midwest did, so I guess I can't really complain.

And I didn'g do the Mission Monday challenge Painted Maypole posted this week. I had every intention.

So that's me right now, procrastination, and it seems this week has been a marathon of headaches and kids getting up at 5 AM.

So I'll get around to it, maybe tomorrow....

Crazy Daughter turns 4

Crazy Daughter 1 month old
Crazy Daughter today at Burger King

I can't believe she turns four today. She has changed so much and she hasn't. She's still the child overflowing with energy, a non stop energy. So here's to the fun filled years to come, I know that things will always be interesting.

Terrible Tuesday: I can bake, really I can

I signed up to make a dozen cookies for BLT (Bible Lunch Tuesday, where the Chaplains take lunch to JC High School feed them and then they have a Bible Lesson). I got a call on Sunday reminding me, and I would have forgotten had I not had the call. Bad forgetful Rose daughter.

Okay, yesterday I just didn't have the sanity to make the cookies during the day and deal with the kids wanting to "help" make them. So I waited until they were both in bed nearly 8:30 PM. I choose a new recipe I hadn't made before, Marble cookies, with sour cream and melted chocolate, sounded good. Everything is going well, the dough looks good and tastes yummy and I start baking them. The come out goopy, not even remotely done, this is after 25 minutes of baking. I'm disappointed but I can come up with something.

I look around the cupboards and I have everything for the No Bake oatmeal cookies, I use the remaining sugar and follow the directions. Everything looks normal and smells like I remember them. I spoon out the batter on parchment paper and leave to harden overnight.

I get up this morning and find the cookies are goopy, they are not edible , well you could eat them with a bowl and a spoon, I'm not able to even pick them up. At this point you would think I would just leave things alone and say I tried and not bring in my promised cookies. But more than I wanted to fulfill my obligation, I wanted to prove to myself, that I really can bake. I really can.

So I look around, no granulated sugar left, so normal cookies are out of the question let alone I don't have the time to bake them. But I do have a box of cake mix, and so I find a recipe for cake mix oatmeal cookies, calls for only butter, eggs, cake mix, and oatmeal. By this time in the morning it's 7:30 AM and we need to leave to go to PWOC (Protestant Women of the Church) or Bible study. I need to get the kids dressed, myself dressed and I suppose we should eat something for breakfast.

At the end of the morning, I got them done, I didn't have time to try one but at that point I really didn't care what they tasted like, as long as they looked like cookies. I wasn't able to get a shower or eat breakfast for myself, but the kids were dressed, eaten, and we were on our way by 9:00 AM.

I've never had this happen before, where I made two completely different recipes and neither of them turn out. Maybe I was too tired, maybe I missed something in the recipe, who knows. But it will be awhile before I try making cookies again. I'm all baked out for now.

Mission Monday - So you want to know how to give kids a bath...

How to give kids a bath: A Mission Monday

1. “Who wants a bath?” Watch the kids run screaming down the hallway towards the bathroom to see who can get their clothes off the fastest.

2. Run the water, don’t get it too hot or too cold, and add the bubble stuff. What would a bath be without the bubble stuff? Don’t forget to turn the water off, don’t want it too full.

3. Finish undressing Little Man and make Crazy Daughter go potty. Put the kids into the tub and empty the toys from the mesh turtle toy holder.

4. Listen to the squeals of laughter as they play with cups making waterfalls, and crowns of bubbles on their heads.

5. Gather towels, washcloths, brushes and combs, and clothes to change the kids into. Don’t forget underwear and diaper. Place a large blanket in the living room; make sure the couch is clear of clutter for Crazy daughter to wait her turn. Place clothes and brushes nearby to get the kids dressed.

6. Head into the bathroom to wash. Lather the washcloth with soap and start with Little Man, grab his feet and legs, then wash his hands and chest. Make him stand up to get the rest of him. Do the same for Crazy Daughter.

7. Wash hair, lay Little Man down to get hair wet. Listen to his screams of torment as you wet his hair. Lather with shampoo, again listen to his protests, and lay back down to rinse, you would think I am torturing this little guy.

8. Little Man will cry “eyes, eyes” use a hand towel to wipe off his eyes and as Crazy Daughter follows suit, wipe off her eyes.

9. Have Crazy Daughter lay down to get her hair wet, Listen to her cries of pleasure. Sit her up and have the hand towel ready to wipe off “eyes mama, eyes”.

10. Lather with shampoo, use liberally as she has thick and LONG hair, be sure to scrub every inch of hair and scalp. Lay her down to rinse, wipe off eyes again.

11. Time for conditioner; use a fair amount to fend off the tangles that will inevitably come about. Leave in for as long as she will sit there, which isn’t long, rinse.

12. Have Crazy Daughter pull the stopper on the tub, and have the kids pass the toys to be put away in the green mesh turtle.

13. Crazy Daughter is first, get her out of the tub, towel dry hair and wrap towel around body, pick up (this child is heavy) and carry to the living room couch. Listen to screams of abandonment from Little Man, hurry back to him. Get Little Man out of the tub, carry into the living room.

14. Dry off Little Man, he’s shaking but is fighting getting dressed. Puts him arms up in the air and says something to the effect “I’m naked”. Wrestle his clothes on and comb his hair.

15. Drag Crazy Daughter off the couch; pry the towel away from her. Watch her shake and do the “I’m Naked” scream. Dress and then….. Hair

16. For the next five minutes listen to screams of torment, watch real tears roll down her face, while you brush her hair. Wonder for the billionth time “what do you get in your hair?” and anticipate in less than a month the moment of getting her hair cut.

17. Kids are now dressed, clean and watching Where are You Scooby Doo. Head into the bathroom and survey the mess. Pick up the sopping wet bath man and run into the kitchen and into the washer. Head back and wipe the water off the floor.

18. Time to shower yourself, my pj’s are sopping wet and I’m tired from wrestling two kids in a bathtub.


Today's Monday Mission is to write a post in the form of directions. It's fun, try one yourself. You can do it.

Wordless Wednesday

Frantic Cleaning

Why do we alwayse feel the need to have our houses spotless when family visits? For whatever reason, I'm cleaning, really cleaning today and tomorrow. My paretns are driving in from michigan to visit for Thanksgiving. And I'm procrastinating, I really don't like scrubbing, washing, and sorting. I have a list I still need to accomplish before dinnertime tomorrow.

What are everyone's plans for Thanksgiving? We are having Turkey, Green Beans Casserole, Sweet Potato casserole, stuffing, apple Pie (oh yes I still have to make that one) and crab dip. I am so very glad my parents will be here to help cook, that is going to be one huge mess in my tiny kitchen.

And we have a birthday to celebrate this week, Crazy Daughter will be turning 4 on the 29th, but we are celebrating early, while my parents are here. We went to le target for supplies, and the theme for this years party is Tinkerbelle. Tinkerbelle plates, cups, wrapping paper, candles and stickers. Crazy Daughter has been demanding her party every day this week since we purchased the supplies. It was so much easier when they were smaller and didn't have so much invested in the whole thing.

And I should go, my kids are playing in the sink, and are probably drenched by now.

7 Random Things

I was tagged by Dragonfly to do the "seven random things" meme. It was surprisingly difficult to come up with seven things. But once I started writing, I got more than seven. lol

Here are the rules:
1 - Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2 - Share seven random and/or weird things about yourself.
3 - Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4 - Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven Random Things About Me

1. I love to read, and read lots of books. But I would rather buy the book than visit the library. The reason for this is quite simple, I ALWAYS return books late and build up a hefty fine. So rather than pay that fine, I'll buy the book.

2. I love crafty things, sewing, cross stitch, etc. But I am a very poor finisher of those projects. I can name you several right now that have been sitting for years, just waiting to be completed. Little Man's cross stitch birth announcement, a cross stitchfor my mom that just needs to be outlined, pillowcases that was meant for last years Christmas gifts. I tend to be over ambitious.

3. I don't make new friends easily, I think I have some trust issues. But the friends I do have, I keep for a life time. Dragonfly and I have been friends since kindergarten.

4. I love fairy tales, and my most favorite is retold fairy tales. Rose Daughter, my blog name, is also a retold fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast. Not necessarily because of the night in shinning armour, but there's just something about the fantasy and the journey.

5. Places I want to visit, Scotland, Ireland, Greece and I hope to someday take a cruise, with no kids, to someplace warm, with lots of beaches.

6. I have lived in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and currently Kansas. Both Texas and Kansas were places I never dreamed I would live in, both were military posts. But I want to someday move to Tennessee, it's so beautiful there.

7. I like playing video games, not like shooter games, but adventure games. I'm currently going through Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando for the 3rd time. My kids like to watch, and if their daddy were here, they would watch him play. But I'm anxiously awaiting the latest installment of the Ratchet and Clank series, but Big Guy has them in Iraq and selfishly won't send the new PS3 back to America so I can play my game. *sigh* I guess he has more time to kill than I do.

So that's some random wierdness about me. awell I'm not going to tag anyone, I see this has made it's rounds quite a bit. But I would love to see a random comment on the comment section. Or if you haven't done this meme, post one on your blog.

Thanks all for reading

Don't grow up so fast...

Crazy Daughter and I were sitting on the couch yesterday. Let me preface things by saying my kids have this facination with my boobs, Little Man likes to pat them and so does Crazy Daughter who then lifts up her shirt and points to her "boobies".

Okay, so we were sitting on the couch enjoying some alone time, Little Man was sleeping, and she starts point to my "boobies" and then pulled up her shirt.

Crazy Daughter "Mama you have big boobies"

Rose Daughter "Yes, well compared to yours they are bigger" (I'm not overly endouded)

Crazy Daughter "Mama I want big boobies"

Much Laughter from Rose Daughter whose family is on the smaller side of the scale.

Rose Daughter "Sweetie, one day you'll get bigger ones, but don't grow up too fast on me okay."

*sigh* they grow up so fast don't they.

I know there are days when I wish they could be in school so I could have a little break time. But I know I will miss these days of cuddling and sloppy wet kisses.

So I'll sit back and try to type as Little Man is on my lap, trying to show me his toys and enjoy the time as it is.

Mission Monday

Scene: Crazy Daughter and Little Man sitting on the couch watching TV. Rose Daughter at the computer. I change the channel to The Wizard of Oz. It's just begning, the house is in the tornado.

Crazy Daughter: Mama change the channel.

Rose Daughter: No sweetie, just watch, you'll like it.

Whining ensues, Crazy Daughter starts throwing a temper tantrum.

Rose Daughter tries to reason with her, nothing will work.

TV: House lands in OZ, Dorothy walks out the door into a Technicolor World.

Crazy Daughter: Mama, it's beautiful.

Little Man: OHHHH

The rest of the evening is spent in front of the TV, the kids intently watching The Wizard of Oz.

Peace and quiet is beautiful

This Monday Mission is hosted by Painted Maypole, we had to write a post int he form of a script or dialog. This all happened last night, neither had seen The Wizard of Oz and it was very special to see their reactions to such a beloved movie.

Things that wake me up at 3:30 AM

1. Crazy Daughter patting me on the arm, "water Mama, Water".
2. Crazy Daughter falling askeep on MY pillow while I go get the water.
3. Crazy Daughter not willing to MOVE so I can lay down on MY pillow.
4. Having to go find another pillow so I can lay down in MY bed and go to sleep.
5. Little Man then kicking me because Crazy Daughter is crowding him. (he was already in bed with me)

And that was my night. Tossing and turning trying not to squish someone. I believe we finally all fell asleep around 4AM, but I am not sure how soundly we all slept. Little Man is still teething, which was why he was in bed with me, I can't wait for it to end.

It's 8:20 AM, and I could use a nap.

Thanks for all your suggestions, I did set them in front of the TV, I put in Peter Pan. But it calmed them down for a bit. And I made a cup of tea for me, it was a bit relaxing.

The kids are in the bath, I'm sure there is a lake in my bathroom now. *sigh* Will the cleaning never end.

Give Me Sanity

An hour, that is all I ask, just an hour of peace and quiet. Little Man is teething, and when he's teething his is not happy and needs mama all day, every hour of the day, every minute of the day. I want my happy boy back.

Crazy Girl is being her normal, energetic, crazy, stubborn self. Hugging the dog until she gets mad and starts to growl, dumping the basket of toys in the living room. Finding Halloween candy who know where, she doesn't need more sugar.

I guess it's been a long week, busy and lots of runing around and I'm just tired of caring for others needs all day long. My stomach is quaesy, I have a headache, and I'm tired.

ok, enough of my pity party.

I will have a break tomorrow evening, our FODS (family of deployed soldiers) group at church is meeting so we'll have two hours without kids to sit and talk about grown up things. I just wish it were tonight.

What do you do when your sanity stars to leave you? I could really use the suggestions today.

Dreams of the Future

I got the inspiration for this post from Dragonfly from this post.

I commented on Dragonfly's post that the smell of Lilac was my favorite scent. It brings to mind pictures of a spring day, sitting on the porch (if we had one), kids playing in the grass, wind gently blowing and the lilac's in bloom.

And I started thinking about what I want for the future. Big Guy is getting out of the military in 2010 so it is on the horizon. But I want to live in a house, to own a house again. To be able to paint the walls any color I want and not have to repaint when we leave. I want to have a porch, have lots of comfortable seating to sit outside, to have company over.

I imagine living in the the country, well sort of country, just not in a subdivision where my neighbor is two feet away and close enough to a town of good size. Oh and be near a book store, an actual book store. I want lots of trees, I want to plant lilac trees and have them bloom. I want the kids to be in school and I want to get a part time job. To be able to participate at their school but have a job to fill my need to do something.

And I want my husband to be home, to come home every night and really be in the kids lives. To have the whole family involved in a church, really involved and volunteer our time there. I want to be happy and secure.

Quite a few wants, lol. It's been in my imagination lately, dreaming of what my house would look like. And who knows, maybe someday we will own a house again, settle down somewhere where our kids can make life-long friends. Dreaming give me hope and we all need hope.

What do you dream for your future? Write and let me know.

I'm An Army Wife & I Can't Do it All

Tuesday at PWOC the topic of asking for help was brought up. How many times have you done this. A child in your arms, the other holding your hand, a diaper bag, purse and book bag slung over your shoulder. You have a plate of cookies in the hand holding the baby and you are trying to open the door with your foot. And someone asks you if you need any help.

"No, No, I've got everything under control. I can get it."

I know I am guilty of saying this, quite a lot in face. It seems us military spouses (and maybe other mommies out there, I'm just drawing from personal experience) are always saying this. We are Army Wives, I can take them to school, all theire sports, clean the house, cook, go to work and still be sane at the end of the day. We, I, feel the need to make sure things are going well here so my husband won't have to worry about things here, he can concentrate on his job over there.

We need to remember, and this definately includes me, that we can't, do it all. God make us to be in control over our entire world. Honestly most times when I try to control things, I make it worse in the end.

It's been humbling these past couple of months, learning to give up that control and to ask for help. There are people out there that care for us and are just waiting for us to ask. And maybe, their giving is God's blessing in their lives.

"Yes, thank you, I do need help with that door."

And you think you have messy hair...

Caption: Of course I blow dry it, do you think it gets this way naturally?

A Vent

Okay I am going to just vent a little right here right now. The people who would be upset from seeing this don’t know about this blog, so I feel safe to do so.

Background, my Grandma (on my husband’s side) had a stroke this year and is now no longer able to be in her house on her own. She is unable to walk without assistance and needs around the clock care.

My MIL just sent out a schedule of her care schedule to all family so we would know what was going on with Grandma. And here’s my vent, Why is it only my MIL and SIL the main ones to take care of Grandma? There are five sisters and one lives closer to Grandma than my MIL. Why Can’t Aunt K take a day or two to help with Grandma and alleviate some of the burden placed on Mom. Just because Mom is an RN doesn’t mean she doesn’t need help. We are all human, some consideration would be nice.

Okay done venting, thanks for listening to me.

A Meme on Me

So I got tagged by Dragonfly who was tagged by Alex Year One (well she read it there). So here it goes.

4 Jobs I've had
Medical Records Clerk in a Neurology office
Office Administrator at a Youth for Christ Office
A temp job at a Electrical Company
Student Worker at Cornerstone University

4 Movies I love to Watch Over and Over
The Importance of Being Ernst
The Matrix
Serenity
Emma

4 Places I Have Been
Denver Colorado
Florida
Toronto Canada
Kansas, Not Every thing's Flat in Kansas

4 Websites I visit Daily
Splitcoaststampers.com
stumpleupon.com
ondragonflywings.com


4 Favorite Foods
Chinese
French Onion Soup
Tri-Colored Tortellini
Dark Swiss Chocolate

4 Places I would Rather Be
Having my family all together.
Home with friends and family, especially dragonfly
Visiting Ireland, Scotland and Europe.
Sitting poolside, with a good book, Ipod, and a child free day

That was more difficult that I thought it would be. Feel free to write your own. :)

And because I forgot to do this question
4 Favorite TV Shows
Battlestar
Num3ers
Project Runway
Dr Who (the new ones) (I like the old ones too but they arn't on anymore)

No Motivation

I'm sitting here on the computer when I should be working on Little Man's Halloween costume for Wednesday. I have no motivation, none. I've been putting it off all week long and just realized that tomorrow night will be my only time to work on it uninterrupted. So I've decided, Little Man won't wear a costume on Wednesday.

Now those of you out there who are thinking, bad mommy, he's only 2, well almost 2. I think I took out all my energy on sewing Crazy Daughter's Princess Dress. See attached. It's difficult to tell, but there is quite a bit of decorative sewing, lace, ribbon, underlining and lots of hemming.

Okay, now that my guilt is out of the way.

Any other stories of Mommy guilt out there that you would be willing to share to alleviate mine. I'd love to hear some stories.

Beautiful Morning

I woke up pretty early this morning, I had an appointment at 8AM and had to get the kids up and dressed to drop off at day care at 7:30AM. So I was a bit rushed until I got into the quiet car and just breathed. There is nothing like the sound of silence, no talking, no screaming, nothing.

I pulled out of the parking lot and drove down the hill to exit the base, and in the distance, along the river bed, everything was covered in mist, deep, opaque fog. It was stunning, the sun was just rising, stars were still out. It reminded me that mornings can be beautiful, not just hectic and rushed. Not just another day to get through or another of tried patience. But a gift from God, to be cherished and spent wisely.

I think we all need that reminder every once in awhile.

And now I will post my meme, I got tagged by On Dragonfly Wings a week or so ago, and I am just now getting around to posting my responses. In my defense, I've been busy, driving from Michigan to Kansas, Bible Study, Awana.

I got tagged by On Dragonfly Wings, who in turn was tagged herslef. The very long and descriptive title is Ten Literary Characters I Would Totally Make Out With If I Were Single and They Were Real But I’m Not, Single I Mean, I Am Real, But I’m Also Happily Married and Want to Stay That Way So Maybe We Should Forget This. Now I don't think I've ever actually imagined myself kissing a character, instead I more think along the lines of qualities, their character, and honestly, would I want to be her kissing that guy.

It’s been quite thought provoking and I’ve had to really think back through books I’ve read to come up with a list of ten.

In no particular order

1. James Fraser from the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon.

Okay, let’s get the purely physical things out of the way, he’s Scottish, he has an accent, and he wears a kilt. I really don’t know why that appeals to me, but I’m a sucker for an accent. And on a more important note, he loves Claire, even when he doesn’t think they will see each other again, he loves her. He has moral character, he stands up for what he believes in, even when it means putting himself in harms way to protect them.

2 Edward Cullen from Twilight and others by Stephenie Meyer.

He may be a vampire, but he’s a good vampire. He loves Bella even when Bella’s love starts to falter (I have an issue with her on that one). And it doesn’t hurt that he’s handsome either.

3. Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

When I picture him I always picture him as Colin Firth portrayed him in the mini-series. He may be opinionated and stubborn, but for some reason, I just like him.

4. Severn from the Cast in Shadow series by Michelle Sagara.

Since Dragonfly Wings hasn’t read this series yet, I won’t say too much. But, well, he’s a good provider and despite surface facts, he really does care for Kaylin.

5. Lord Nightshade from the Cast in Shadow Series.

Is he good or bad, his intentions with Kaylin are a complete mystery. But I’m imagining him to have the right intentions towards her.

6. Christopher Carrion Lord of Midnight from Abarat by Clive Barker.

And now most of you are thinking I’m crazy and yes he is the bad guy. He is actually pretty ugly to look at but something inside me is rooting for him to turn good and find the love he wants.

7. Black Leg (Lancelot) from Dragon Queen & the Raven Warrior by Alice Borchardt.

He’s not the typical Lancelot you read in legends and even though you want to root for his love, you don’t at the same time.

8. Aragorn from Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Yes, I was continually rooting for Aragorn and Arwen, because it was special and circumstances kept them apart but despite everything they are together. And Viggo was amazing in the movie.

Okay these next will not be from books, per se, but I’m drawing a blank.

9. Patrick Verona from 10 Things I hate about you.

Yes it’s a movie, but it was a play first, Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. I like Patrick because he’s different, he’s himself. And he will sing and dance to get a girls attention.

10. Wesley from The Princess Bride.
It was a book before it was a movie. But what can I say, I love this movie and I love the characters. True love wins.

And there is my list. Hope you all found it interesting. Let me know what you think.