May 30, 2009

She asked me to babysit... after last time!

Hello, internets! My loving sister has handed over her blog today…

For those of you who don’t know me,
I’m Dana’s younger sister –
the spoiled rotten, “city girl”, little sister –
who has annoyed Dana for almost twenty-eight years.

Earlier this year, Dana let me watch the kids while she hung out in ManTown with the Man-Of-Her-Dreams.
You can read about my experience here.
Let's just say I didn't know if she'd ever trust me again after reading about some of our escapades.
(And the ones that followed that included Worker #1's first highway drive...during RUSH HOUR.)

Since I'm in charge of the brood again this weekend while she picks up ANOTHER child to add to the mix (her 18-year-old stepdaughter),
I thought it was appropriate that I take over one more of her duties and make a blog entry.

*sigh*
Let me just say I'm exhausted.
I've been out here since Wednesday night, and I hit my breaking point today.
If the bathroom window was any bigger, I wouldn't be here right now!
(Though just dreaming of sneaking out the window helped me pass my homicidal moment.)

Between a morning at the ball park,
getting sunburnt because I'm a city girl who gets no sun,
a house that needs needed to be straightened up,
kids who act up worse than normal when their dad's around (Dana's ex - here for baseball),
a puppy who hasn't learned to use the outdoors as his bathroom,
very loud video games,
a 5 year-old who is adorable but hates hugs from her aunt,
frozen ground beef when we're ready to make burgers for dinner,
and a hair-singeing moment when we were finally ready to grill said burgers...
I had a hectic day.

And to think that Dana does this every day.
By herself.
I had support from my mom, the neighbor, Worker#1's girlfriend (very useful when adored by the little foreman in pink!), and the ex-husband.
And Dana copes with all five all week long while the Man-Of-Her-Dreams works out of state (and very likely out of country soon).

I admire her, I'm proud of her, I LOVE my sister... I just don't want to BE her.

I may have mentioned before that these kids are the best birth control money can't buy.
I SO don't want five kids.
Right now, I'm so frazzled, I don't even know if I want ANY.
NOTE: I'll take that back in a little while - I expect excellent baby sitters from these scoundrels.

At my house, I take the kids one at a time.
They are the most pleasant kids when they get alone time with Aunt Bessany.
We have "date nights" where we go to dinner and a movie,
they stay up really late,
they get anything they want to eat at the store,
and best of all, they get ME!!! :o)

But with their siblings?
Not so much.

I think they'd agree that there's two Aunt Bethanys.
One who's the awesome, super-cool aunt who lets them stay up late and pick the movie.
The other who's another rule enforcer, is quick to yell when they pick at their brothers and makes them eat all their vegetables.
Guess which one comes out when she's watching the crew all at once??
Not the one any of us like.

So, kids, no offense, but I'd like to go home now.
Your other Aunt Bethany will be back in a couple weeks.
After she's over the trauma of this weekend.

See you then!




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May 26, 2009

My Last One...

**sigh**
See this beautiful boy?
He is my last baby boy.
He melts my heart.
He makes me smile.
He makes me giggle.
He makes me proud.

He turns 10 years old today.

He is my last little boy I'll have cuddle down under the covers with me.
He is my last little boy who will ask if he can marry me.
He is my last little boy who comes running for me to kiss his boo boo.
He is my last little boy who thinks I'm the prettiest woman in the world.
He is my last little boy who will believe anything I say because I know everything.

...until I have Grandsons.
and I'm in no hurry for those yet!







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May 25, 2009

His Name Was Jeremy...

I Have never met Jeremy.
I don't know his family.
I'm not sure of his age.
I don't know what he looked like.
I don't know if he went to church.
All I know is that he was from Liberty Texas.
And he was a Marine.


I heard through the grapevine that one week ago today he earned a free trip back home after being gone for awhile.

So today I found myself standing on the shoulder of a usually busy road waiting for him to pass by.

I was so proud of my little town. there were flags lining the road into town, and a huge flag hanging from the railroad bridge.

I saw the motorcade coming from a distance.

And I couldn't help it..... I began to sob.

I don't know if it was because I am the mother of 4 boys, one of who's life long dream is to be in the military.

Or if it was because of the pride I felt seeing all activity in my town come to a halt for a brief moment to honor this young man.

Or because in my minds eye Jeremy was the age of my brother who died at 18 yrs old.

Or If it was because I could only imagine the heartache that was contained in the family car following their son.

Or if it was How humbled I was by this young hero's selfless sacrifice protecting ME & mine.


all I could do was whisper "Thank You Jeremy" as he passed by.

It seems so inadequate.

he will be buried Tomorrow.

Thank You Jeremy.

(Re-Post from Last year... seemed fitting for Memorial Day)




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May 24, 2009

Daily Farm Randomness...

The Gestational period for a cow = 284 days,
or about 9 months & 10 days.

This means our first ever calf is due on
August 10th or 11th...
The little slut snuck out to visit the neighbors Bull last Halloween!

I really thought we raised her better than that!!

We were so ashamed,
we considered sending her to a barn for wayward heifers,
but decided to support her in her journey to single parenthood.

And, of course, the Bull has had nothing to do with her since their late-night romp!
I guess she has to learn the hard way.








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May 23, 2009

The Hardest Job in the World Ever, with a side of whine.

I have had many jobs and worn many hats in my life.

I scooped ice cream at Baskin Robbins.
I was a hostess at Golden Corral.
I waited tables in a Texas steakhouse.
I managed a sports bar.
I trained waitstaff for an upscale hotel.
I worked in the ER.
I worked on a ambulance.
I was a bartender, a cocktail waitress, a day care worker.

I've sold insurance.
I've sold advertising.
I worked in a psychiatric hospital.
I owned an elder care company.
I've worked the farmers market, in an auto repair shop, sold on eBay, craft shows & flea markets.

And even with all these jobs, I was only fired once in my life.
That's another story for another day,
But it had nothing do do with me or my job performance.

I now hold the most difficult and challenging job title in the world...

Continue Reading...










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May 20, 2009

Cliff Notes, Catch-Up

Man..
I’ve been looking back at this month and my posts.
I noticed I am kinda slacking.
So, I figured, I should play catch-up.
Here is the Cliff Notes version of life on the farm.

Planted my garden.
Weeded the garden.
Ate a tomato.

Went fishing.
Saw a Bald Eagle.
Ate Hot dogs NOT fish for dinner.

Baked a banana cake.
Ate the banana cake.
Gained 13lbs.

Mowed the lawn.
Saw three snakes.
Screamed louder than the mower.

Bought a new coffee cup.
Drank coffee.
Dropped and broke new coffee cup.

Buried a dead Great Dane.
Crawled under the house and got 4 newborn kittens.
Cleaned up 413 piles of Pug puppy poop.

Bought a new serving platter.
Broke the new serving platter.

Weeded the garden.
Picked 33 cucumbers.
Made cucumber salad.

Thought about blogging.
Watched a movie instead.
Gained 7lbs from the popcorn.


That’s about it.
Consider yourself updated.
You can thank me later.



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May 19, 2009

Vrrooooom! A GIVEAWAY!!

This week-end we got the chance to try out a totally AMAZING store to visit with your kids!
It's called Ridemakerz.
Think 'Build-a-Bear' but with Super-Cool Remote Control Cars!!!

This is a FANTASTIC idea for boys and girls! (and parents too!)
My 16 yr old boys had just as much fun as my 9 yr old!
My 5 year old Daughter said it was "Awesome!".
And the Man-of-My-Dreams finally got a chance to design and build his dream car.

We all did!
Oh BOY! You should see my Big Girl Truck!!

I'm giving a $100 gift certificate on my other blog, Mom in Time-Out.
Come enter!
(Don't worry, you can even use the $100 online if you don't have a Ridemakerz storefront near you!)

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May 18, 2009

Monday Morning Harvest

33...
Thats right 33 cucumbers off of my vines that haven't even made it half way up the fence yet!
Momma is happy... very happy!
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May 17, 2009

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

This cake is wake up in the middle of the night thinking about it good...
Sneak a piece in the closet good...
Make funny involuntary moaning noises while eating it good!
Hide the last piece from your very own children good!!!!!

When I found this recipe on Recipezaar, I thought it looked yummy.
Then when I saw it has almost 500 five-star ratings, I knew I had to try it!

The method is kinda kooky.
The cooking temp is strange.
The ingredients are super-simple.
This cake is impossibly moist.

And.. it is one of the BESTEST cakes I've ever made!
The complete recipe and story can be found HERE.

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May 16, 2009

Happiness Is...

Happiness is...
The first home-grown tomato of the season!

ignore the green marker on the palm of my hand...
the 5 yr old Little-Foreman in Pink is neater than me when coloring!

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Another Dirty secret...

They say confession is good for the soul.
I feel that y'all know me well enough now that I can share something with you.
Something that I have told very very few people.
I can only hope that you'll understand.
Many Many years ago I fell in love.
Before my first marriage to "B", before my children, before I was even a bonafide adult.
I fell hard for "Chub" (don't ya just love the silly nick-names that true loves make you come up with?).

Chub came into my life at a time I was innocent. I was wanting to explore the world, I lived with reckless abandon, I didn't care about tomorrow, Heck.. most of the time I didn't even care about today!


He was so sweet.
When I was down, Chub made me feel better.
When I cried, Chub was there to comfort me.
When I celebrated, I celebrated with Chub.
The more time I spent with Chub the more I felt my love grow.
I didn't tell anyone about Chub. I wanted to be the only one to know.. My little secret love.

I started spending more and more time with Chub.
Soon we were together every night. Sometimes we would even get together during the day!

Chub was everything a girl could ask for.

So I thought...

As time went on I began to realize that our relationship was not as perfect as it appeared.
Chub could be very cold.
I would turn to Chub when I had a problem and, altho he made me feel better, it was always a temporary quick fix.
Chub never really solved any of my problems.
Chub never even offered ideas for solutions.

I didn't like the person I was becoming when I was around Chub, I became very jealous. I didn't want anyone else to know about Chub. I would not share.

When I would go to the places he should have been hanging out or just chillin and I could not find him, I would fly into a rage.

My relationship with chub was quickly becoming unhealthy.
So
I ended it.
I said good-bye to Chub.
I was sad, but life moved on...

I married "B", I became a mother.
There was still a part of me that longed for my first true love, but I dealt with it.

Then one day out of the blue I saw him. My excitement took me by surprise!
I wanted nothing more than to hold on to him and never let go.

So... I went to him and we had a little fling.
He was as sweet and wonderful as I remembered.
When I was with him I felt complete. I felt happy, I had my Chub back!!

But then I realized that Chub was getting way too clingy. He wanted nothing more than to grab onto my body and never let go. It was not good.
I was tired of sneaking around, I was tired of being with Chub only in the dark of night because of the fear that someone would find out that we were together again.
I ended it once more.

After a few years I never even bumped into him anymore. I would go to the places where Chub always hung out and waited for me and he was no longer there.

It's been over 7 years since I even saw Chub.

I am in love with The-Man-of-My-Dreams.
I am happy.
I am complete.
Chub never even crosses my mind.

Then this morning it happened.
I went to the grocery store. And guess who I bumped into?
Yep, Chub!

Chub looks the same as I remember.
I am ashamed to admit it, but I brought Chub back home to our house.

The-Man-of-My-Dreams is working out of town.
I am lonely.
I am sad from missing him.
Is it so wrong to find comfort with an old love?
What harm can one simple night together really cause?
No one needs to know.
No one needs to tell The-Man-of-My-Dreams.

When we got home I could not resist.
Oh you just have no idea how wonderful it was...
When my lips touched Chub it was as sweet as I remember.
I felt the love that I had turned my back on so long ago.

I am excited. And a little bit ashamed.
I should NOT be doing this.
Please help me have strength.
Help me resist this burning desire I have to jump in and enjoy this guilty pleasure.
Just once more. Just one more time.... it cant be THAT bad .... can it?

I snapped a picture of Chub so I can have something to remember.
Because I know I cannot start meeting Chub again.
This has to be a one time only deal.
Just once.


Look at how wonderful Chub is below....
And tell me honestly.... could YOU resist him?





(Who can resist fudge covered, peanut butter filled pretzels, in silky smooth ice cream, blended with thick chocolate fudge & peanut butter swirls? Not Me!!)


this is a re-post from last year...
cause I did it again!
Oh The SHAME!

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May 13, 2009

I Musta Done Somethin Right...

Yes, I know It's Tuesday.
Mothers Day was three days ago.
But, it took that long for me to regain my senses enough to hunt and peck out a post.

I scored BIG time goods for Mothers Day this year!

The Man-of-My-Dreams was still working out of state, so I was kinda bummed about that.
There was a knock on the door, and a sweet UPS man handed me 2 dozen of the most Beautiful Roses I've ever seen!
I was in shock!!
There were several different colors of roses, but these coral colored ones were my favorite.

These funky lavender ones ran a close second.
He done goooood!
One of the reasons I was so surprised was not only the fact that I never get flowers that aren't picked from the front yard (which I adore!).

But My Mother sent me a Beautiful arrangement of Irises a few days earlier with
a sweet card that simply said...
"Thank-You for all my grandchildren."

I know!!
I got all teary-eyed too!

Then... Worker #1 gave me wood!
How sweet!
I love wood!
It wasn't just any wood.
He worked for hours in wood-shop building me a wonderful ceder bench for the front porch!


He did a Great job!
Even when I plop my big butt on it, it's as sturdy as can be!

I LOVE it!

Now that I finally posted my Mothers Day recap, I'm gonna go enjoy a nice cup of tea that Worker #4 gave me as his gift.

I love my men!!
Oh yeah....
I love my Mom too! ;)

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May 12, 2009

Bad Mothers Anonymous

Have you read Bad Mothers Anonymous?
It'll make you laugh.
It'll make you Mad.
It'll make you cry.

But I hope it'll make some of us feel better about our parenting!

www.BadMothersAnonymous.com

Let me know what you think!
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May 11, 2009

Dizzy Otis the Boston Terrier

Cheap dog toy...



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May 9, 2009

Paella for people who are intimidated by the thought of making paella.

Paella.
That yummy Spanish dish with it's classic saffron-yellow rice.
Brightly colored veggies, and combination of seafood and meats.
But have you read a recipe for paella?
Or seen it made on a cooking show?
It looks crazy complicated and easy to mess up!

All that stirring, all the ingredients, all the perfect timing... UGH!
I found this wonderful Portuguese Paella recipe.
I don't know if it's totally authentic paella, but I do know it's way BETTER than any Paella I've ever had in any restaurant.

and.....
Don't tell anybody....
But you actually BAKE this in your oven!
. . . continue reading


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May 7, 2009

Gee Thanks Mother Nature!

What do you think this is?
I think it kinda looks like maybe some sort of delicate tribal art.
I can just see it as a tattoo on some skinny pale womans arm.

Or maybe it's some super-duper expensive spice? Kinda like saffron.

Maybe it's a super-lightweight new fiber that will save the lives of thousands when it is woven into a impenetrable anti-shark-bite suit.

Or.. maybe it's a close-up view of some new DNA, it could be used to solve cold-cases and bring peace to mourning families.

Or...
Maybe it's the three super-thick white hairs I just plucked out of my hairline.

Yep... I'm afraid thats what it is.
As if my flabby and saggin-from-birthin-all-them-babies body doesnt have enough problems!

I have super thick BLACK hairs sprouting on my chin!!
And I now have super thick WHITE hairs sprouting from my head?!?!?

Gee Thanks Mother Nature...
You better hope we never meet in a dark ally!

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May 6, 2009

A message from the outcast.

Why is The-Little-Foreman-in-Pink sporting a two-day old pony-tail?
Why is she still wearing her T-ball uniform from last night's game?


Why does my kitchen sink look like this?


Why did I feel the need to make 4 gallons of Chicken Noodle Soup last night?


Why does my coffee table contain these messy items?
Dirty cups
Tissues
water
Tissues
Blackberry/phone
Tissues
Cookbook for reading
Tissues
Wal-Greens bags
Tissues
TAMIFLU



Why does Guss the Pug puppy run and hide whenever he sees me coming like I'm some scary Medusa-looking-shrew?

Figure it out yet?

Non-worker #3 and I are stuck in our house while our county doctor awaits news from the CDC about the test results for the H1N1 virus! Fun, fun fun!

Now... before anyone freaks out the H1N1 (or swine) flu is no worse than any other flu.

But due to the MASS hysteria surrounding this new virus we are not allowed to go anywhere but the Doctors office! And when we go there, we have to use the "special" back door!

That being said...
NO flu is fun!
wanna come do my dishes?

Our final test results will take 5 days to come back, so we'll be all better by the time we even know if H1N1 is what we have! crazy huh?


Till then, I'll be here enjoying my perma-butt impression on the couch.
Just like Otis.

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Beauty & Substance

I often ask people who live in the city if they plant a small veggie garden.
I promise that ANYONE can have something growing that they can eat.

Apartment dwellers can have a "Salad in a pot" (lettuce, tomatoes and a cucumber plant in a large pot) on their patio.

Any small corner in a small city lot can easily squeeze in a small (3x3) vegetable plot.

Any flower bed can also hold a vegetable plant amongst the flowers.

The smallest windowsill can hold small pots for herbs.

Cucumbers or beans don't need much soil space.... just a fence to climb, and most city yards have fences already!

The newest reason I've heard is that people want "pretty plants" in their limited spaces.
They don't want to use their precious space for plants that don't add beauty and color to their landscape.

Who said you can't have both?

Look!

This is my summer squash.
These plants are covered with BIG beautiful yellow flowers!
I'd say this flower is just a pretty as just about any other I've seen growing in a flowerbed!

These onions add height and a clean fresh look to your garden with it's long dramatic tubular leaves and stems supporting it's puffy white cluster of flowers. This one is almost three feet tall!


Cucumber vines can easily cover an ugly fence with big green leaves sprinkled with happy and bright yellow flowers.


Want more interest and drama?
My freaky lettuce plants fit the bill!

It's time to think about form AND function.
There is nothing better than producing your own food!
You control what goes in it, on it, and around it.

And you don't have to sacrifice beauty for home-grown veggies!
Try it!
You'll be glad you did!


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May 5, 2009

I think I'm Doing it Wrong!

Isn't this pretty??

This is my lettuce.
I've never grown lettuce that isn't a leaf variety.

It's Buttercrunch.
It's Bibb lettuce.

The back of the seed packet says...

Light: full sun... Check!
Maturity: 55 days... Check!
Head Size: 4.5"... ummm Not quite!

These suckers are pushing 3 and a half FEET tall!
I think I'm doing it wrong...

Anybody wanna come over for a salad?
I have plenty to share!

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