Panic Button

My Mama always had a saying, "Don't push the panic button until you need to." I am not my Mama. I push - I push hard. I don't know why but when an emergency arises - I panic. I freak out. I try not to but I do.

The assignment:

prompt # 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)

We have had multiple situations: When the MP hit the BACK of her head and her teeth flew out. PANIC.

When the YP recently had an allergic reaction to her Varicella shot. PANIC.

Anytime my girls hit there head. I PANIC. I Freak out in my own way. Grab the flashlight, check there eyes, keep them awake.

I know - horrible. I shouldn't but I do. I think part of the problem is that I always think worst case scenario. First thing that pops into my head. What if? I shutter to think but I DO. I really really dislike emergencies because I think it actually ages me by ten years each time. I physically feel pain when something happens to my kids. Does that happen to you? My nerves go haywire or something. I feel it even when they fall down. It just happens.

I am a stressful person which is so not what my mom was. Cool, calm and collected. My brother once shoved a PVC pipe THROUGH his abdomen. He was running down a hill with it and it caught on a rock and well you get the picture. OUCH. My mom - she's cool. Totally handles the situation. Even took out the stitches when the time came. I knock my teeth out when I was like 5. We were out checking on a Sow (female pig - I lived on a ranch) who was supposed to farrow (give birth) that night. I was in the front seat of an old pickup ( you know they didn't have extended cabs back in those days) when the passenger door flew open. She slammed on the brakes and I hit the radio. Bye bye front teeth! My mom - no panic. Totally calm. Speaking of my mom, she lost her finger (I was like 8) in a horse accident. The horse rared up and the rope wrapped around her pinkie and POP. Gone. Hanging by a thread. Gross right. Do you think she panicked? Nope. Her best friend did but she stayed collected through the whole ordeal.

I guess that gene didn't get passed on to me because I am not cool, calm, nor collected in any emergency situation. Good thing The Hubs is. He is truly the Yin to my Yang. He NEVER thinks of the worst case scenario and I have never seen him panic or freak out. He recently said, after one of my worst case scenario, "I am SO glad you said that because I would have never thought of that." Totally sarcastic too. It is true though. I often think of those things that no one else would.

That's me! I am trying to change because the OP is the same. The other day the YP fell face first at Hobby Lobby. She fell HARD. Blood everywhere. I immediately grabbed her and ran to the bathroom. I thought for sure she lost her teeth. I mean, really? It is not to far fetched to think. We have issues with teeth! Teeth and fingers (my mom's other pinkie was broken and then healed with it bent permanently) Anyway, I panicked a little but the OP FREAKED. Immediately the tears started flowing. I thought to myself. Great AMY! Nice job. You sure win Mama of the year.

I guess she didn't get the super cool calm collected under pressure gene either. I'll work on it. I promise Mom!

Go check out what other people are doing today at Mama Kat's

Writers Workshop: Home

Mama Kat has my Thursdays (well when I remember and when I have time - that is!) So this week I want to do two of the prompts but I probably will only do one.

I could have done three but I would have to pick ONE crazy dream and that would be hard because most of my dreams are crazy, strange and well.... down right weird. If I told you one you would want more and then I would have to start a new blog just about my dreams. Oh what would I name that one? Drama Mama Dreams - Scary!

Anyhow. I want to do #1 - developing a elevator pitch ( i/we have actually been thinking about something like that. I was totally unaware that there was such a name for it. That is what that little area above this post is for that says about us and under it says coming soon. That has been there for a long time - What? It takes time for developing a catchy sentence that encompasses what we write about, who we are and why you should LOVE us. Sometime at some point when there is free time to think - it will get done. *sigh*

Lady Di's suggestion was "Just two wild and crazy gals and all their drama" The hubs started to tell me one but I stopped listening after the word "old". We will keep working on our Elevator Pitch.

However I can do #4

"How many homes have you had? Write a journal entry about ALL the places you've called 'home' in your life."

I have had 13 homes. No. My Dad was not in the service. Wow, right? Even writing that seems so odd. 13 different places! I have though and each one holds a memory.

I was born in San Diego and lived somewhere down there for the first couple years of my life. Ok so I don't have a lot of memories (obviously) of that home. Then we moved next door to my Grandma (where I always felt at home and have so many memories). That home holds the first memory of my Dad. I was three and I remember it like yesterday. He wasn't my biological donor but he is my dad and I wouldn't change a thing.

Shortly after, when I was four, we moved to my home of 15 years. A ranch in Southern California. It is where I grew up, where I have most of my memories. We had horses, cows, pigs, sheep. 60 acres to roam and explore. In the course of 15 years we actually moved to two other places for circumstances that I was too young to totally understand. One was an apartment where I got my first puppy ( I was in third grade) and the other was a small house where I met on of my many best friends. I can't remember how long we stayed there until we moved back to the ranch, maybe a year. I just remember how nice it was that I had my best friend next door. Then it was back at the ranch until I was 18.

After I graduated high school, Lady Di and I moved to central California for junior college. In the course of 3 years, we moved 4 times. First we had our little apartment. Two rooms, one bath barely any furniture and a whole lot of memories. First time away from home and we had a blast. One very fond memory I have of that apartment is carrying Lady Di up the stairs after our first party and having a conversation about birds at 2:00am. Fun times.

After our apartment we rented a house with another friend - 3 bedrooms, 3 girls and 1 bath. I bought some seriously ugly furniture from an elderly lady for like 100 dollars and thought I scored big time. So many memories there. O my goodness. Let's just say there was more than once I would be sitting in class and here someone say, "Partay at 288 Birch". What? Di and I would look at each other and be like, "Dude that's our house!" *sigh* The local pd knew we were there and that we had many "get togethers" and they would watch out for us girls. Loved that town. .It had became home to me in so many ways. I met some of my most wonderful friends there including the hubs and while attending JC my parents had moved to Montana so home was redefined. After the house we moved back to the apartments we had started out at and then again to an even bigger apartment when the Hubs before he was The Hubs became mine and Di's roommate. That was such a nice apartment - 3 bedrooms, 3 bath with a big yard and tennis courts right outside our door.

After the hubs and I graduated JC we went to Fresno State and moved into a tiny single wide trailer in the middle of a walnut orchard. 2 rooms one bath. Poor college students - we didn't have enough money for propane and froze our tooshes off. It was so so cold in the winter. We had to get up at 4am to go to work at the college dairy. It was there the hubs proposed, where we were living when we got married and where we got preggers with the OP. I graduated college in that house and got my first big girl job. I miss that time in our lives as well.

We then moved out of town to a neighboring town about 45 minutes from Fresno. The hubs and I started our own business and it was there that we brought home the our first baby girl. I worked full time and was able to bring her with me to work. That was not much fun. Being full time first time mom and full time employee.

Fresno was home for 5 years and I cherish those memories so very much. I met and worked with some amazing people.

In 2004, the Hubs and I thought we would go on a new adventure and we moved to the Land of Nowhere in Arizona to a huge ranch. First we lived in a travel trailer, then a small one bedroom one bath caretakers home while our house was being finished. Our beautiful huge home: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and monstrous kitchen and two living rooms. It was the middle of nowhere but it was perfect in so many ways. We brought home two more girls. So many happy memories where made there and some sad ones too. I thought we would be there for a long time but things change and the Hubs got laid off and not only did he lose his job we lost our home because they were a packaged deal. I remember leaving thinking how sad it was to leave behind all those memories all those feelings. I brought home 2 babies and I lost a baby there too and a cherished pet. I didn't want to leave. I was angry and sad that the people who had given us so much took away even more. More than they realized.

So now we are here in Montana, freezing. We bought our very first home in October. 4 rooms, two bath . It is a new adventure. The hubs said recently, "that we are on auto pilot and forgot to look at our destination but we have terrain avoidance and all is going to be ok." That is exactly true. We have no idea where we are headed but for now we are here and we are safe and it is home.

I am not going to lie. It hasn't been easy being here. I have had some rough days and so has The Hubs and the girls. It is an adjustment but we are very blessed to have a roof over our head. We are very blessed to have such a healthy beautiful family. I recently bought this sign for our house. It hangs on the wall and reminds me that

"No Matter What, No Matter Where it's Always HOME if LOVE is There."

I read it every day and I remind myself how truly blessed we are and that it doesn't matter where home is because my memories are packed and stored in my heart. I take them where ever I am and where ever I go.

Thanks for the prompt Mama Kat and thanks for reading fellow bloggers. It was fun looking back.

13 homes and one huge heart packed full of cherished memories.

Writers Workshop: Year ago Today

It has been awhile since I/we participated in Mama Kat's Workshop. So I meandered over to her place last night and found this prompt:

4) Choose the 7th picture you took from last January and write a poem

How could I not post this picture. It sums this girl up in on snap shot.

I don't have a lot of time for a poem so we will see how it comes out.

Here we go:

Cute, Sweet, Silly, Sassy, fun

All rolled up into one.

One I absolutely adore,

I couldn't enjoy her any more.

She makes me laugh and smile,

she makes life so worth while.

Everyday I thank the Lord above,

he sent this little one down for me to love.

Check out some more at Mama's Losin' It:

Writers Workshop- Marriage To Me: Amy the Romantic

If you want to see the prompts go here: Mama Kat Promts. Unfortunately I don't have a ton of time so I won't be listing them today but I encourage you to visit the prompts and then visit all the people who participate, here. So fun. I plan to. There were a couple of prompts that caught my eye this one in particular.

1. What does marriage mean to you? (inspired by Jon Gosselin)

I could talk about this forever so I will try to keep it short and simple but this has been on my mind recently.

If you lurk around our Mama Drama you have heard me (Amy) talk about The Hubs before. He is the love of my life. My one true love I call him. See because most of us have a first love, the one you THINK is the one, the one who sweeps you off your feet and then drops you like a sack of potatoes and leaves you a emotional wrecking ball. 99% of us ladies have been there, right? If you are the 1% who are fortunate to find your true love the first time around - Awesome. I didn't. My first love was an arse but was necessary in order to find my true love "God bless the broken road that led me straight to you. " - Rascall Flatts

See I believe that there is one person meant for each of us. It is written in the stars. I am a romantic - just ask Lady Di. I strive to have the marriage that both sets of grandparents had. However some of us don't take the time to wait around for that one and only someone. We jump too fast sometimes for good reason. ( I will get to that in a minute) See I think that marriage shouldn't be hard. It should be easy. If you are with the right person and it is a perfect fit then everything just works naturally. Of course things will be stressful at times but those times pass quickly and easily when you share the burden and work through it together.

Marriage to me is a a union, a contract of the heart. A lifelong friendship. It says that I will be with you always and forever, that I will do my best everyday to make you feel needed and loved. During tough times, I will provide a shoulder or be the rock that you need. I will never leave you feeling sad, betrayed, or unhappy because if I do I have failed and failure is not an option. I will always put our family first no matter what else happens in our life because when it all comes down to it family is all that matters. It is the reason we are on Earth, the reason Heavenly Father put us here.

Marriage is a beautiful thing if it is the perfect match. It is ugly and hard when it is not. When both people are struggling, pushing, and walking in different directions - it doesn't work. Marriage means having a common goal and working together to reach it. Otherwise it just doesn't work. How could it? It makes me sad when I see a marriage struggling or when one fails because I think to myself it so doesn't have to be like that. It shouldn't be like that.

Maybe I AM too much of a romantic. I recently had someone tell me that I was full of #!@*. Maybe I am. Maybe I got lucky. If that is the case, hooray for me. I'll take the lucky because I can honestly say that I wouldn't change a thing (well maybe the way The Hubs hangs the towels on the towel rack all bunched up so they can't dry or his horrible habit of cluttering my counter top.) Actually I wouldn't even do that because that is what makes him who he is and I know that I have some annoying habits that drive him crazy - but that's me and he loves me. If the good is perfect then the little things are just so trivial it doesn't matter.

Of course crap happens, right? I said I would come back to this. I came from a broken home, or was it? I recently had a conversation with my mama. It made me cry. She apologized for the crap. I told her not to apologize because the crap had to happen for the blessings to come. They came in the form of two awesome children and 5 beautiful grandchildren. For me they came in the form of an awesome husband and 3 beautiful princesses. Everything happens for a reason. WE are ALL meant to be here. My girls were meant to be here, the union of The Hubs and I was SUPPOSED to happen and so the crap had to happen - broken road. I told her that I was sorry she had to suffer through the bad for me and for my brother to exist but that I was grateful for all of it. I wouldn't change it and I know she wouldn't either. Was life always easy ?no! Is it easy now? not always. But as long as I have The hubs, my girls and my family I have everything I need.

Marriage to me is waking up everyday seeing my Hubs and smiling and thinking, my gosh I love this man more and more everyday and going to bed every night looking forward to the rest of my life with him. Looking forward to the adventures ahead of us.

Just one more thing then I will quit. I will never forget the moment that I saw my Papa look at my Grandmother with such love in his eyes that it brought me to my knees. Still does. See, he died a year ago next month. We were all there. I was there by his bedside when he said all he needed to say through his eyes. He looked at her and held her hand with such passion. They had been married for 62 years. **breathe Amy (and Monica if your reading this)** His eyes said, I love you more than anything in this world. I don't want to leave you here without me. I had never seen my Papa cry until this moment (he was not an emotional man). The moment I believe he knew he was leaving us and nothing else mattered to him but her. The love in that room was so powerful that I can't put it in words. This is what I strive for. What I believe I have found. How could I not want that for everyone?

On a lighter note. While I was typing this the MP cut her hair. A huge chunk. Nice huh?

Thanks Mama Kat, I needed this prompt today!

Writers Workshop-Doggone Crazy!

It's time for Mama Kat's Writers Workshop. The prompts:

1) My animals are making me nuts. (inspired by Jody from Take Me As I Am)

to be continued........................

2) List the 5 best things about the first day of school. (inspired by Lane from Sneaky Daddy)

I am longing for back to school like at an actual school! Back to school for me started on the 3rd, yes August, and it was really another day just more stressful because the YP and MP are harder to deal with this year. NOT FUN homeschooling with two toddlers around. They just don't understand that sis and mom are busy and can't play.

3) Tell us about your crush. (inspired by Lisa from Just Lisa, No Filler)

The only one that matters is my current crush, the hubs, and no one wants to hear about that.

4) How did you break it? (inspired by Brandy from Not Your Average Soccer Mom)

Knock Knock on wood I have never broken a bone and I hope my kids never do. I am sure the MP will -she is just THAT kind of kid.

5) Show us a favorite summer craft (inspired by Kristin from The Way It Is)

I wish I had time for crafts this summer. I HAD big plans but those plans changed and then summer was over. I'm sad.

Make sure you go visit the originators they have some great posts.

Let's see back to number 1. My pets.

They, actually she, is driving me nuts even as I type. Do you remember that I got the crazy idea to buy a dog while on vacation? Remember this post? So cute she was. She is still cute but such a pill. The hubs just shakes his head and says, "why is it that you manage to find a dog that is just like the MP?" Lady Di already informed you here that she shat in my room. I wish I could say it was the first time, it wasn't. It was however the LAST! I don't do doggie doo! I don't. I gag - like really gag. It isn't pretty. I can handle kid throw up , kid dirty diapers even of the worst kind but I can't handle dog doo. I can't. I want to gag right now. I am feeling nauseated as I type. I 'm done. Moving on. I almost forgot - she peed on me! Well she peed on the bean bag I was sitting on. That was the last straw. We haven't had accidents since but I have to watch her like a hawk. Did I mention I home school. I do.

She chews on every kid toy in sight. There's a lot. Most of all she really likes the girls coveted lovies. It isn't pretty. There is lots of screaming. Girl screaming. It hurts the ears kind of screaming. every time. Then there is the shoes, the furniture, the carpet. She bites my kids and me- I have since learned that you are not supposed to buy a dog under 10 weeks because between 6 and 10 they learn from there mothers not to bite. I got her at 6 weeks. FAN FRIGGIN TASTIC!

{break while I go check on her - oh wait she is chewing on my computer cord}

However here is the number one reason she is DRIVING ME NUTS (and the hubs): she is up at 4:30 AM. IN THE MORNING ready to play. She yelps, she crys, she whines, wakes me up, wakes the hubs, wakes the princesses. Every morning I am ready to sell the dog. I don't do mornings and that combined with a grumpy husband and three grumpy princesses is not pretty. It's just not! I hid this morning. The hubs left early and put her outside. I knew she would be at our bedroom door whining in a matter of minutes so I propped up pillows so she couldn't see me. The OP came in and I told her to hurry and get behind the pillows. She was like, "what?" Me: "HURRY HURRY BEFORE SHE SEES YOU!" It worked until the OP stretched.

I surrendered. I got up.

I let her in thinking that she would just be happy. Oh no! she wants to play and she whines and yelps and cries until you play.

What was I thinking? I was captured by those cute little eyes and those curly droopy ears. I have a thing about those eyes.

See our basset hound:

droopy eyes, long ears. He is great except he gets up at 4 am which isn't a real problem because he just goes outside. Except - he wakes the pup! He doesn't stay in much.

Now excuse me while I go get a cup of coffee and find the dog. It is way too quiet.

Go check out the other writers at Mama Kats

*UPDATE* Look what was happening while I was blogging. I told you it was too quiet.

You so don't want to know what this was.

Writers Workshop- Where's the Teeth?

Mama Kat's prompts:

1. Your trip to the ER......spill it. (inspired by Stephanie from This Blessed Life.) What a cute family! Once the MP put mini M&M's up her nose. Thank heavens I didn't have to go to the ER for that. I started to panic thinking my child's brain was leaking out her nose but then we all realized what it was. BIG.SIGH. OF. RELIEF.

2. "Why are Americans obsessed with weight? Why are we always fighting or complaining about what is natural for our bodies?" (inspired by Jenn from Jenny Says What?) Amen Sister! Let's have Cake, cheesecake that is!

3. Describe one of your 'God Moments'. (inspired by Jordan from Wide Open Spaces.) Oh my! Loved this one. I need to go back and visit her for some tips - I have control issues.

4. List ten things you would say to ten different people in your life...... if you had the hutspah. (inspired by Cassandra from Cassagram.) If only! Sigh!

5. Why is your kid in time out? (inspired by Sera from Laughing Through The Chaos) Ouch! The question is why isn't mine in time out these days?

Check out the inspired by's - you won't regret it. I didn't.

I choose #1 because it is dramatic and this is Mama Drama. What is more dramatic than trips to the ER when you are a mama? Not much. I mean I have had a few ER trips before I was a mama. One involving a giant saw, a log, and a shot of Apple pucker. Not fun. Not dramatic just embarrassing. The ones that are the most memorable are the ones that happen after you become a mama the ones involving the munchkins. Actually I could probably slip in number two here as well.

The MP was just two weeks shy of turning 2 and the YP was just a couple of months old. We had just gotten home from town, remember I live in the Land of Nowhere, and I sat down to nurse the YP and the other two girls got up to the counter to eat Macaroni. Here I was nursing the baby when all of a sudden: WHACK! The MP is on the floor, we have hard tile floors on top of concrete. I practically through the YP at my cousin, ran over to the MP who is laying there with a bloody mouth. My mind was racing:

Did she bite her tongue?

Why is there blood?

Is her head OK?

Oh my God, why is she bleeding?

Why is the hubs over by the microwave?

What is he looking for?

Where in the hell is her teeth?

Oh my God - her teeth! Where is her teeth?

I think I actually started screaming at this point. I panicked. I did. Not a good idea - I know. So she fell backward in her chair while sitting at our island, hit the back of her head on the floor and her two front teeth FLEW out of her mouth. Yes FLEW! Who wouldn't panic a little?

Needless to say I spent the next two hours (Land of Nowhere) singing to my little girl and clapping my hands to keep her awake and trying to keep her still (which wasn't a real problem - which was problem. It's the MP and she never stays still.) Her eyes rolled back a few times. Then the mishaps came: The ambulance got lost. The dispatcher didn't call the local volunteer EMT's- They got a call from the lost ambulance. When they (the ambulance) finally did arrive - they were horrible. Rude. Annoying. Slow. Idiots. They made her stand - she fell into my arms. We forced them to take her. They wrapped her wrong (the Dr. at the ER made them do it again when they got there.) It was a mess. I cried. I prayed. I prayed a lot.

She was fine. No concussion. No cracked noggin. She was fine! Amazing. He was there (God moment- I felt it even through the panic). She had angels. Even the doctors were surprised. I will never forget when the Doctor looked at me and said, "Now tell me how her teeth fell out? She hit the back of her head." I responded, " I was hoping you were going to tell me?"

Lovely times. This will most likely not be the first time for this girl. She is rough. Thank heavens she is tough! Now the poor little thing won't have front teeth until she is seven. The OP has lost hers and gotten her new ones and there is my little MP- 3 1/2 years old with a "Window in her Smile."

Be sure to visit Mama Kat for more

Writers Workshop- On Fire!

This week for Mama Kat's workshop I chose prompt #1: Who made you red hot this week?

I'm on fire this week! {I just glanced over at the T.V. and no kidding there was a Smokey the Bear commercial putting out a candle - he is 65 this year apparently} Anyways. ON FIRE! Three things happened this week to set me on fire. I am only going to talk about two.

As some already know I am in Montana visiting family. My mama and I went shopping and I started without her while she got a new card (my mama is a power shopper). We only needed a couple of items, eggs being one of them. I had pretty much got everything we needed except the eggs because I couldn't find them. In my Costco they are in the refrigerator case at one end. Anyhow I couldn't find them and while looking my mama calls me and asks my whereabouts. I say, "I am trying to find the eggs." When I hear someone say, "You looking for eggs!" I turn, still on the phone, expecting to see a friendly face and I see her - Turkey Burger Lady looking at me like I am an idiot! In the process of turning I hung up with my mama because I am expecting to be graciously directed in the correct direction. Instead I get this:

Turkey Burger Lady: You can't find the eggs! {not so nice look - I happen to be the master of looks. }

Me: No {with smile on my face}

Turkey Burger Lady: There with the milk! Don't you KNOW where the milk is! {said with major attitude}

Me: { Oh no you just didn't - you most certainly didn't look at me like I'm an idiot and give me attitude. Miss Turkey Burger Lady!} As a MATTER OF FACT. I DON'T! I am not from HERE and this is the FIRST TIME I have been in this Costco! {Thank you very much}

Turkey Burger Lady: Oh. Well they are IN the DAIRY section. {said again with attitude like I should still know this} Behind me where it says, DAIRY!

By now I have already completely shut her out, ignoring her. Actually by the first "Dairy" I was already past her and walking away. I wish I had been thinking on my toes because I would have said what I thought a few seconds later which was, Really last time I checked chickens are not related to cows! %#@&*! Oh I was on fire I was so flipping mad. The nerve - first she interrupted me then she throws attitude and treats me like I am stupid. I didn't even ask her! Rude!

Then a day later. A person who is much younger and has not had near as much reality in her life nor life experience than me is at my computer and wants me to take one of those stupid Facebook quizzes. You know, the What State Should You Live In?, quiz. I agree and she starts asking the questions and, thinking she knows me, answering them too. She gets to one that asks, What personality type are you? (or some sort of crap like that) Then I notice that she has highlighted NAIVE. I think to myself surely not and I say, "Well what do you think?" She says, looking at me like I am an idiot as well, "Naive."

I DON'T THINK SO! Are you flipping kidding me! These amongst other things ran through my head and I said, "Um no if anyone is naive it is you." I know I shouldn't have but I was beyond flaming red hot. I am talking breathing dragon flames hot. I just couldn't believe that someone totally insulted me to my face. It burned, it hurt and I am still hot!

For more Writer Workshop participants visit Mama Kat:

Thanks Mama Kat for the prompt. I needed a good vent.

Writer's Workshop- 3 Things You Would Just LOVE To Know About Me

For today's Writer's Workshop I chose prompt #5- What are three things we would love to know about you? Well, I don't know if you would LOVE to know any of this about me, but I'm going to tell you anyway. Don't worry there are no real big revelations or major confessions. Just three simple facts about Lady Di.

#1: I hide chocolate and other delicatable snacks in random, obscure places around the house from my kids....and husband. Although, I think my husband may be on to me because once he wanted to know why a bag of Reese's Pieces were in my apron and oven mitt drawer. Now, why he was in my apron and oven mitt drawer I do not know, but luckily it was unopened and I said I was saving it for "us". He bought it...I think. I have since abandoned that hiding place. No worries, there are others that have yet to be discovered.






#2: I LOVE baking and decorating cakes. I am a self-taught cake maker. I have a whimsical fantasy of owning a cool pastry shop and being a cool pastry chef like the ones on T.V. However, a little thing called "real life" gets in the way of that. No worries, I get my cake fix by making cakes for my kid's birthday's and there are plenty of nieces and nephews around to keep me busy. I even made a wedding cake once. Maybe when the kids are all grown up I will open that shop. Instead of being the Cake Boss, I can be the Cake Granny. The first picture is the Tea Pot cake I made for daughter's 2nd b-day.






My nephew LOVED Superman!














The Princess Cake for my daughter's 3rd b-day











It has black icin'! You can't even begin to imagine how hard it is to make black icin'! (it always just wants to stay a yucky gray color). It was great though, all the kids had black teeth and mouths. This was also for a nephew whose Daddy (my bro-in-law) is a 2nd Lt. in the Army.




#3: I believe in Guardian Angels. I recently had an experience that affirmed this belief. Some of you might already know this. A rather large tree fell on my parked Suburban while I was still INSIDE it. I won't go into too much detail, if you want the whole story and see more pictures (they are pretty amazing) you can go HERE. However, I will say that there was a series of events that saved me from harm. So, I am a believer in Guardian Angels. I am so grateful that I came out of the whole thing relatively untraumitized. Unless of course you consider the fact that I give every tree I drive by the "stinkeye".



There you have it. 3 things about Lady Di. Oh yeah, #1 is our little secret okay (pinky swear?)

For more Writer's Worshop click on the link Mama's Losin' It

Writers Workshop-Got Tents?

I have to admit, at first I wasn't particularly inspired by the prompts for this weeks workshop-NO DISRESPECT, OH DIVINE GODDESS OF BLOGGING!! It's not you, it's me. However, I woke up this morning with that song in my head. You know, the song from National Lampoons Vacations. The original, in which Clark W. Griswald takes his family on a cross country trip in the "family truckster". Well, Clark's long lost twin brother AKA my father liked to take his family on such adventures. Except, the end destination was not even a chessy amusement park like Wally World and our ride was nothing like the luxurious family truckster.

We had the family camper. How can I get a visual for you? Okay...think of that drive you have taken through one of those dilapidated Twilight Zone towns (we all had one of those drives, you pray you don't pop a tire and get eaten by the natives, but anyway...). Then think of the yards in said Twilight Zone town, the broken porches, the washing machines and toilets in the weedy area known as the front lawn. Now, find that brown rusty single cab truck with the hood up, flat tires, and a white camper a top with broken windows in which the lovely 70's orange and gold curtains are flapping in and out of.......THAT'S the family camper. Those were some good times. It has been a long time since I have been camping, but here are 5 things my brother, sister, and I LOVED to do when we went.

1. Hiking-The forest is the the biggest playground when your a kid. My parents were old school and basically said, "See ya'" when we got set up at a campground. We would go hiking and exploring for hours. Looking back on it now, I think, "Holy crap! I so could have been eaten by a bear SOOO many times!!" We did walk right into a herd of Elk one time ( not cool, those things are freakin' huge!!!) Oh well, I survived.

2. Fishing-I hate eating fish, but I like fishing. Camping is the only time I do it. Again, my sibs and I were alone...at a river (HEL-LO PARENTS) and my bro said he had one and kept tugging on his line. My sis and I went over to check it out and we (being the Bass Pros we were) determined that he had his hook caught on a rock. He disagreed with that determination and kept reeling in. We being the pushy gals and Bass Pros that we were kept taunting him the whole time.....until something poked out of the water and my sis kneeled down to take a closer look. She had her face about an inch from the water (hey, I said she was pushy and a Bass Pro, not smart) when what I would still call gigantic tentacle like things came up out of the water. She screamed, I therefore screamed, we were a team after all and ran, leaving our little 7 yr. old bro at the raging river alone. Turns out he caught a catfish. Little bro survived being ditched by sisters at river, catfish did not.

3. Picking Berries- We did this while hiking. This too can be hazardous to your health since bears like berries too. We had a favorite trail that led to a store. On the way, we would pick some blackberries (not the ones that make you sleep forever), then go to the store and buy some ice cream. Then we had to book it it back to camp to eat our ice cream with fresh berries on top-YUMMY.

4. Swimming/Rafting- We always stayed somewhere close to a river or lake. It didn't matter if it was 50 degrees out, we went in the water. It's amazing how kids can do that, because God knows I don't get in water unless it's well over 90 nowadays. My sister was kind of a pris about her hair and always just floated on a raft. Of course this was like waving crack in front of a crack addict to my brother and I to make it our mission to flip her off the dang thing. She survived, her hair did not

5. Sleeping in a tent and sitting by the campfire- Mom and dad slept in the camper while we kids got to sleep in the canvas tent. I went to bed many a night hoping that the smell of beef jerky had dissipated off me so I would not wake up with a furry friend sniffing my head. I made my sibs practically go through a decantamination chamber to make sure every crumb was off their body and searched for any food contraband in the tent. I wasn't going to become Ranger Rick's next cautionary tale of tent safety at Jr. Ranger camp. Next, there is nothing like putting your feet up to a warm campfire......and melting the bottom of your shoes. Yes, that's right Jr. Rangers never fall asleep with your feet up to a warm fire if you plan on wearing your shoes the next day. I survived, pair of Reeboks did not.

Despite my tales of woe, I really did enjoy our family camping adventures. They certainly make for some interesting and colorful stories. I'm glad I participated in this weeks workshop. It brought back some great memories.


For more Writer's Workshop go here

Writers Workshop- Conversations

Its Thursday and time for Mama Kats Workshop. A new week and new prompts. Click the link for the prompts. This week I chose #4:

Relay an interesting conversation you recently had with someone that may or may not involve creating a Loch Ness Monster Theme Park. (inspired by Jen)

I have had a few interesting conversations with the Hubs lately. None contained the Loch Ness Monster but they were still interesting none the less.

{The first one took place a few weeks ago when Star Trek came out in the theatre. I was watching movie trailers on my mac.}

Me: I have heard that Star Trek is a really good movie.

Hubs: Yea?

Me: Since you were supposedly once was a Trekky, although I have never seen you watch Star Trek, maybe we should go see it.

Hubs: I did watch Star Trek when I was young.

Me: I know and I find that a little odd since you always make fun of me for watching fantasy movies like X-Men and Fantastic Four.

{here's the interesting part}

Hubs: Well, really - it (meaning Star Trek) is more realistic, don't you think?

Me: What? Aliens are more realistic than super powers?

Hubs: yes.

Me: Okay. Hmmm!

{and he walks out of the room leaving me more than perplexed}

The other two conversations happened just yesterday.

First, and this one takes some set up:

We had just got home from town. We were rushing trying to beat the weather because he needed to bale hay. (We have been getting pounded every evening and it was too wet yesterday morning to bale.) Of course we made it to the field just as the rain starting coming down in mass quantities. He's ticked. There is a ton of lightening all around us. We have some crazy lightening. Our cows have been hit by it and just a couple of days ago it hit the Pivot (sprinkler system to the fields) right outside my house. It's crazy and it scares me to death.

Anyhow at this point he is still going to give it a try and gets out of the car. I am thinking he is going to go straight to the tractor, right? Nope! He starts running toward the hay (i guess to see if it too wet). This is where I think, Are you kidding me? I am going to watch my husband get struck by lightening. Lovely! He thankfully changes his mind and runs back to the car and jumps in soaking wet.

Hubs: Forget it! Damn rain. @#!*

Me: Where were you going? I thought you were going to the tractor. Did you not notice the lightening everywhere?! You could have been hit!

Hubs: I was checking the ( he interrupts himself) I am worth a lot of money. Don't you worry.

Me: What? Are you serious? Worth a lot of money? Dead! Nice! Really? You are worth a lot more to me alive. Thanks.

Hubs: Well that is nice of you to say, thank you!

{ummmmm- again. Perplexed.)

Now for the third and best conversation which took place last night:

I am in the kitchen pushing the LP around on a toy she has. He comes out of the bedroom with some men's health and fitness magazine he had got that day. ( We have both been trying to lose weight and get healthy and we both have been doing really well). He holds up the magazine and says:

Hubs: What are you going to do to me when I look like that?

{pointing to the cover model who looks like the equivalent to Matthew McConaughey with no shirt}

Me: Nothing more than what I do with you now. I mean your body will be different but you will still be the same to me. I will love you the same no matter what you look like. I mean, what are you going to do to me when I have the body of Jillian Michaels?

(Seriously I can not use his exact words, mainly because it was just a series of noises but here is the equivalent - or what he might as well have said)

Hubs: OohLa La! The question is not what I will do to you but I what I won't do to you!

Me: Oh that is nice, dear! Just nice. That is not exactly what a wife wants to hear.

{After we had a little more conversation regarding this subject we both were laughing and he gave me hug}

Hubs: you know what I meant.

Me: yes I do. You are so good at those back handed compliments.

love him!

Check out more at Mama Kats.

Writers Workshop- All About Daddy

Its Thursday and time for Mama Kats Workshop. Yep Yep. Click back there for the prompts. In keeping with this weeks theme, All About Daddy, I chose #1:

1) Interview a Child (inspired by Quilao Triplets)

I can only interview the OP and the MP because I don't really understand the YP's lingo yet.

OP (she's 6 1/2):

Daddy is cool.

His eyes are green.

His favorite food is steak.

He's stronger than me.

His job is hard.

He's really good at washing dishes.

He is not good at cartwheels.

What makes him happy? Us.

What makes him sad? Us Leaving.

How old is he? 32

How tall is daddy? I have no idea.

What does he do when we are not home? How would I know I am not here?

How do you know your daddy loves you? He tells me all the time.

I love my daddy because he loves me.

The MP (She's 3):

Daddy is my boy.

His eyes are brown.

His favorite food is almonds.

He's stronger than a Lion. Roarrrrrrrrrrr!

His job is writing with a pen, talking, working, checking goats, putting on lids.

He's really good at exercising and watching Wizards. (that would be Wizards of Waverly Place)

He is not good at not working.

What makes him happy? Giving him hugs and kisses.

What makes him sad? when mommy is angry.

How old is he? 3

How tall is daddy? ummm. as tall as an elephant.

What does he do when we are not home? He works at work

How do you know your daddy loves you? He gives me hugs

I love my daddy because he's my friend and he gives me hugs.

Check out more at Mama Kats.

Also, I was photo tagged by Amy at Keeping Up With the Schultz Family and it fit perfect for this post strangely enough.

The rules:

1) go to your photo files.

2) Open the 6th folder.

3) Pick the 6th photo.

4) Write a story about the photo.

5) Tag six people.

Easter time 2007

This is Daddy dying Easter eggs with his OP and MP. They had so much fun, well at least the OP did. The MP had as much fun as any 18 month old. She lost interest early and was more interested in eating the crayon.

I tag the first 6 people that comment. Participate or not it is up to you.

Soups On!

If your here from SITS because Lady DI was number one today her post is here. There are two of us. I'm Amy feel free to read mine too but be sure to drop in and say congrats to the one who deserves it. :)

It is that time again; Mama Kat's writers workshop! When I saw the prompts I got all giddy. Seriously, I yelled out to the Hubs, "Guess what number six is this week at Mama Kats?"

"What" he says. I say all happy, "Apparently her daughter sleep walks so #6 is Share a sleep walking story of your own!"

{ I am beaming with excitement, he smiles - he knows}

"Yep, you are so being blogged about tonight baby!"

{He laughs and walks away. He's used to it}

Yes my husband can fall asleep on a dime and he can talk. No no he can carry on conversations and sometimes yes sometimes when he is really really tired - he walks!

Let me set you up a bit:

Once upon a time there were two people { I think we were married at this time - maybe engaged. Oh I don't know it was a while ago. yes we lived in sin. Don't judge! We were broke college students}. Where was I? Oh yes, two broke college students who lived in a tiny tiny two bedroom single wide mobile home in the middle of a walnut orchard outside of town (it was actually kind of nice). Except that we didn't have the money for gas to heat it. Once you went to bed you stayed there nice and toasty under lots of blankets. This is vital information: The washer and dryer were located in a shed outside this little home of ours.

Anyway I was used to the talking. Countless nights I would think I was in a conversation with my Hubs ( I am an night owl. He is not) only to realize about 5 minutes into it that he was completely asleep. I would finally realize this only after he went from being completely making sense to saying something to the tune of, "The farmers need paper plates!" me - "Huh?" He would then get louder, " the farmers are stupid they just need paper plates!" me- "Are you kidding me?"

I would then be completely irritated and hit him, roll over and go to sleep. I know - I am mean. I would bring it up the next morning and he would never remember it. Crazy.

This one particular night we had gotten home late from class. We were super tired but I had to do laundry and pack still. We were leaving really early in the morning to go to Montana to visit my family. I was on my last load and The Hubs said, "hey lets go to bed and then wake me up in a couple of hours {why we didn't set the alarm is beyond me} and I will go change over the laundry for you." Me- "Awesome!" Off to bed we went. I woke up about 2am and here is our conversation:

me: Crap! wake up. {nudging the hubs}

Hubs: What? what?

me: i fell asleep. The laundry still needs to be changed.

Hubs: Oh alright.

{he gets up, goes outside and is gone forever. Seriously I am starting to worry. I start to get up when I hear him come back in. He climbs back into bed}

me: What took you so long?

Hubs: It's not done yet!

me: not done yet? I

{Seriously it has been hours}

Hubs: It needs more time.

me: it has to be done.

{ here it comes }

Hubs: The soup is not done yet!

me: The soup? What soup?

Hubs: The soup is not done yet.

me: Are you flipping kidding me? Arghhhhhhhh! Your asleep!

{I throw off the covers, completely irritated and go outside.}

Guess what I found in my shed on top of my washer that, by the way, was done?

You'll never guess. It was my crock pot! There it was sitting on my washer! I started cracking up. He had carried my crock pot out of the house and sat it on my washer. I think he had even tried to plug it in! Must have been dreaming of soup. I changed over the laundry, went in the house, hit him and went back to sleep.

Do you think he remembered in the morning? NOPE!

After I told my mom she was so afraid that when we had children that I would wake up one night to find them in the washer, dryer or outside. Seriously she is a little freaked out about it. Happy to report that I have never found my kids anywhere but in there room or our bed. He has actually never had another episode like that (i am pretty sure) and is very good when the kids cry - he usually wakes up first.

Thanks Mama Kat for the chance to share!

Hey I know mine was long but Lady Di's is short, sweet and funny! She is pretty happy about making #1 on SITS today. We have a rivalry she is winning! Go give her props and Go see her post. CLICK HERE.

and don't forget about my July 4th hair bow giveaway.

For others responses to the prompts head on over to Mama Kats place. I can't wait.

10 Little Happy Pills

The Prompts for this weeks Writer's Workshop from Mama Kat:

1.) What is your life's anthem? You know...that song that is ALWAYS in your head. The one you'd go to sing first if someone told you to sing a song right NOW. What is it and what does it mean to you?

2.) We love telemarketers don't we!?! Describe a memorable experience you had with one.

3.) How much does focusing on weight affect your daily life?

4.) Describe in what ways you expect too much from your significant other. Do they deserve an apology?

5.) List ten things that make you HAPPY.

6.) Share a sleep walking story of your own!!


I chose number 5

Ten Things that Make Lady Di Happy
OR
Ten Little Happy Pills

The doctor recommends a daily dose of each pill, especially numbers 4, 7, and 10. However, number 9 may not be covered by insurance and therefore incur a higher "out of pocket" expense from time to time.

1. Hearing my kids laugh...that really deep belly laugh.
2. The occasional morning when I can actually sleep in.
3. Comments (hint, hint)
4. Chocolate
5. Spending time with friends.
6. Talking on the phone with my best good friend Amy
7. Chocolate
8. Watching the kids get excited and run to hug their Daddy when he gets home from work.
9. Gas prices that are not SOOO ridiculous.
10. Did I mention chocolate??

**I have to add one more thing that makes me happy since I am absolutely beaming right now.

11. Being the number 1 comment on SITS today. Oh, yeah!! Doing a little SITS victory dance on the bed right now. Sorry...I'll get a hold of myself now. Amy and I have a friendly rivalry over who can comment on SITS first every day :)

Go to Mama's Losin It for more Writer's Worskop

Amy's got a sleep walkin' story. If you got the time check it out. click here.

Writers Workshop- I'm Going Kayaking!!

That's right. This Memorial Day Weekend I am going with my two daughters to go kayaking. Now before you go and think I am some big explorer that takes her children on wonderful, daring adventures, let me just tell you, I am not. My big weekend adventure usually consists of which load of laundry to start with first. I have never been kayaking in my whole life. In addition, the riskiest thing I have done in my life in the last 10 years was have children!

So, why I have I decided to go paddling out in the ocean in a little boat with my two daughters now? Well....I really don't know. Other than deep down inside I am secretly an adventurer who never got to go on adventures and an opportunity arose and I'm taking it and I'm dragging my kids along with me. Don't worry, they won't be in any danger. If I even see one whitecap I'm keeping my feet on dry land. Of course, I'm slightly nervous as I'm listening to my friend explain that you have to watch the tide tables and wait for the best time when the current is not so fast (why?...so, you don't get swept out to sea? I wonder). The people I am going with assure me that everything will be fine and it is completely safe.

I'm excited, but then the other night I saw a commercial promoting tourism for Canada. Has anyone else seen this? It is video footage and at first all you see is what appears to be the front of a... kayak and something jumping in and out of the water. Yeah, my interest was peaked. You can't quite figure out what the heck it is until all of a sudden out jumps a seal which lands on the front of this kayak. Of course, the person taping it thought it was really cool and that's the whole point...then it says something like, Canada, A Great Place to Be or some crazy thing. I didn't actually get the catchy little "come see Canada" phrase because I was still contemplating the fact that a freakin' seal could JUMP onto a kayak. Let me just say I don't think I will be near as happy as the idiot on the commercial if that happens to me this weekend. However, all jumping seals aside, I think (I hope) we will have a good time and this will be a great experience for the girls.


For more Writers Workshop go visit Mama Kat

Writers Workshop: Trying a Different Way

It's that time again. Time for Mama Kat's Workshop. Go here for the prompts. I picked #2. It might not be that long because I had truly planned on getting this done and then going to bed early but here it is 10:20 and I am just getting started because my internet connection had other ideas. Even as I write this I see the message at the bottom could not contact Blogger.com Saving and publishing may fail.  Gerrrr! Which means I will be up for awhile..........

2) Tomorrow I will do it differently. Here's how.......

Tomorrow when my 3 1/2 year old (the middle one, I am thinking about calling her JT for Just Trouble) gets the soap for the umpteenth time from the bathroom and spreads it on the foot stool, a stuffed animal, her baby sister, really anything she thinks needs, I don't know, washing maybe.  I will not get completely irritated and raise my voice. Instead I will bend down to her level and I will give her a hug and tell her I love her and I REALLY want her to try to listen to what Mommy says. Because getting angry is not working with her and even though the reasoning thing  has never worked before I am going to use the power of positive thinking and hope that my calm reaction will reach her.

Tomorrow when that same 3 1/2 year old takes all the tupperware out of my cupboard to her room (while I am teaching my Oldest across the house) and opens her baby sisters soy milk and decides to empty it into above mentioned tupperware resulting in major spillage of milk onto my carpet (mainly by her baby sister who happens to be in there and is thinking that this is great fun).  I will not overreact instead I will be patient, clean up the mess and again kneel down and give my little determined, stubborn, hard headed child a kiss and tell her I love her and ask her to work really hard to try and not to make such messes.

Tomorrow when I walk into her room expecting my two little girls to be playing together to see again that same 3 1/2 year old trying to be Mommy and changing her baby sisters diaper using diaper cream and notice that it is all over her, her baby sister, and the carpet that I have already cleaned once. I will not put her in the naughty chair, I will not get upset. Instead I will kneel down give her a kiss, and tell her that although I appreciate her help  Mommy should take care of the diaper changing because that is my job and if she wants to help than Mommy will let her fasten the diaper.

and tomorrow when I walk into my kitchen (after I realize its much to quiet and she has to be into something perhaps some more soap)  just to find that little rambunctious, strong - willed  3 1/2 year old lying on my kitchen rug sound asleep I will carry her into her bedroom, lie her on her bed, lay down beside her, wrap my arms around her and thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such a beautiful, loving, caring, incredibly adorable, super silly, truly sweet little girl who will teach me many things but above all -  patience.  That is one thing I won't do differently!

To read more responses or to take part in Writers Workshop visit Mama Kat:

I Think I May Need an Intervention

Writers Workshop from Mama Kat: I chose prompt #3) Who got in big trouble this week? Well, if your a reality T.V. fan the answer would be John of John and Kate plus eight fame. He got himself into some mighty fine trouble. However, my trouble is of a different sort as you will read below. Although I have been dabbling in the blogging world, it has not been until fairly recently that it has become a little more than dabbling....

Okay, seriously...I need to get a grip on this new blogging hobby of mine.

The laundry didn't get done this weekend.

The dishes are piling up...well not really that's what 13 yr olds are for, but they would be if she wasn't here.

In the evening my children have essentially turned into feral children, scavenging for any food they can find in the pantry because Mama hasn't made dinner yet.

My laptop has seen more action in the last two weeks than it did while I was in school full time just a few months ago.

I was late for work the other day because I was checking roll call on SITS.

I am considering buying a Verizon wireless web thingee so I can check on our blog and make comments on my personal laptop at work...although my first graders might get a little restless while their teacher checks the latest on Mama Kat.

The other night I was up late for reasons unrelated to blogs (honestly), however, my computer was on and I realized the whole postings at midnight thing and being first to comment (remember I'm a newbie). Needless to say, I was very proud of my high-end comment status. The next day of course I felt like I had a hangover because of lack of sleep. I told myself I would go to bed early, but I found myself a little forlorn that I would not be able to stay up to partake in my new obsession. I was a good girl. I even fed, bathed, and dressed the kids (what were their names again?) for bed. Not once did I flip that screen up on my laptop. I walked right by it as I came downstairs after getting the kids to bed. I exercised... again, like a good girl. Then, I retired for the night and was out like a light. However, nature called at about 1 something in the morning. Can you guess what I did after I went to the bathroom? Oh yeah, I was 50 something on Roll Call!!! Amy was so jealous. Watch out folks, I think I may have sparked a little Mama Drama competition. So, anyway, what do you think? I don't think it's that bad. I mean really, why be a slave to the laundry and a dinner made out of pickles, fruit snacks, and peanut butter never hurt anybody. Besides, the kids need to build their independent living skills. Obviously, areas of improvement are making better dinner choices.

To participate or read more responses go visit Mama Kat.