I was going to do a year in review, or a list of Favorites, or something "bloggery,"but, really? Who are we kidding? Set an attainable goal- so, how about 12 things I learned this year? Yup. Can do. In no particular order.
1) Chalk pen does NOT. I repeat, does NOT come off of a chalkboard wall. Yup, tried that and that. Trust. I tried everything. I finally painted over it. All those people with cutesy-Pinteresty-chalkboards using chalk pens?- I call BS that they ever change them.
2) My daughter is an even bigger Longhorn fan than I am. Her Longhorn fervor pleases me to no end. She's 7 and can name everyone on the football team. Watching football games with her is an absolute riot.
3) Having two kids in soccer is exhausting. They are only 7 and 9. And, y'all, soccer season WORE us all out. Here, there, chairs, snacks, uniforms, and cleats. Oy.
4) Good wine is worth it.
5) Any getaway is totally worth it.
6) Do not trust Apple when they tell you that all the photos you've taken, but haven't synced because of a software issue with your phone, will be available after they guru it. Lies.
7) I finally got the hang of blow drying my own hair. this is truly red-letter news. It took me a ridiculously long time and tons of practice to figure it out-thank you to youtube and Jodifur (buy any hair thing she recommends).
8) I'm addicted to sheath dresses. They are my kryptonite.
9) Long and short of it- I'm glad Mack is gone. It was past time. I won't deny he brought the program back to national prominence (I lived through Mackovic), but, this is Texas, and there is no reason we shouldn't be national contenders every year. Don't even get me started on QB issues...My personal pick, Gus Malzahn seems to be out of consideration. Nobody ever asks my opinion-hmph!
10) At one point this Fall, our garage hosted a deer head in a cooler and a dead frozen badger in our freezer. Sadly neither surprised me.
11) This year was my concert year, I saw tons of great entertainers- Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Lenny Kravitz. Totally fun.
12) I hacked the heck out of Ikea and stalked Craigslist like a champ. As a result, I am thisclose to having the awesomest Liberace Lounge/Funky Family Room ever. SO close. (Thanks, Emily for all the consults!)
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Mother of the Year
Ladies, put your applications down. I won the "Mother of the Year" contest. I'm that mom, the one who got her daughter all excited about a sleepover party and arrived...a week early. Awesome. I guess now we are all ready for the party, when it eventually happens?
In my defense, I have been traveling a lot. And, evites are harder to remember than an actual invite. And, well...yeah.
In my defense, I have been traveling a lot. And, evites are harder to remember than an actual invite. And, well...yeah.
Unprepared
I didn't want to write this post.
My friend died today. Even though she had a terminal illness, I really thought she'd keep beating the odds. I honestly thought we'd get a miracle and was pissed when I realized we wouldn't. There is more to be said about Rachel and the lessons I've learned in the past few days. But, I honestly just can't. My heart hurts for her husband and their families. And, us.
This is my friend Rachel, and she was awesome. See?-here and here; awesome. She will be missed every day by many people. I wish you could have met her.
My friend died today. Even though she had a terminal illness, I really thought she'd keep beating the odds. I honestly thought we'd get a miracle and was pissed when I realized we wouldn't. There is more to be said about Rachel and the lessons I've learned in the past few days. But, I honestly just can't. My heart hurts for her husband and their families. And, us.
This is my friend Rachel, and she was awesome. See?-here and here; awesome. She will be missed every day by many people. I wish you could have met her.
Monday Musings
I came home from a four day business trip from a very windy and cold Baltimore-and less than 12 hours later headed out to the property. That was some serious culture shock- Northern city on the water to rural Texas.
Baltimore was actually really cool (and COLD), but that town must have some sort of exclusivity agreement with Pepsi. I'm a Coke girl. It took me a day to find a place that served Coke or a convenience store that sold them! Two hotels- no Cokes. I don't drink coffee, so Coke is my caffeine and I was dragging from the early morning meetings and time change. But, man, the food was Amazing. And, I'm a food snob.
The girls and I went exploring looking for bluebonnets and found fairy houses, tons of cacti, even a "mini Grand Canyon," but sadly very few Bluebonnets. I guess last Fall was too dry for them. While we were exploring, we stopped by my husband's newest project- a wild hog trap. He told me to look for a new "white deer shed." OK. I thought it was bizarre that we wouldn't have seen a deer blind/shed before since we've had the property for a couple years now. But, off we went. The girls and I drove over where he told me it was and looked, and looked, and nothing. I told him we couldn't find anything. Later on he took us out to the spot where there was a white deer shed-antler! Like, when they outgrow their antlers--like these for $50. Seriously.
We stay in our cabin while we are at the Property. A short distance away is a shed. My husband was rummaging about in there looking for God knows what for his pig trap project when he found a BLACK WIDOW spider. WTH?? He told me, "Don't worry, Black Widows don't go into houses. Not like Brown Recluses." Oh, great. That is NOT helping. Obviously, I'm never going back.
Our Property has a number of "retro salvage" pieces on it- old glass, rusted cans, barbed wire, etc. We tell the girls that they get a quarter for every piece they find -mostly so old barbed wire won't poke holes in our tires. This weekend they made over $3.00 each. Quite a racket! I'm sure we could Craigslist some of our "finds" for more than a quarter considering deer antlers are going for $50!
Speaking of Craigslist, I'm in the midst of spray painting an awesome dresser I found on Craigslist. I think I'm probably the most talented spray painter ever- I can get spray paint on the bottom of my feet. I have no idea.
Baltimore was actually really cool (and COLD), but that town must have some sort of exclusivity agreement with Pepsi. I'm a Coke girl. It took me a day to find a place that served Coke or a convenience store that sold them! Two hotels- no Cokes. I don't drink coffee, so Coke is my caffeine and I was dragging from the early morning meetings and time change. But, man, the food was Amazing. And, I'm a food snob.
The girls and I went exploring looking for bluebonnets and found fairy houses, tons of cacti, even a "mini Grand Canyon," but sadly very few Bluebonnets. I guess last Fall was too dry for them. While we were exploring, we stopped by my husband's newest project- a wild hog trap. He told me to look for a new "white deer shed." OK. I thought it was bizarre that we wouldn't have seen a deer blind/shed before since we've had the property for a couple years now. But, off we went. The girls and I drove over where he told me it was and looked, and looked, and nothing. I told him we couldn't find anything. Later on he took us out to the spot where there was a white deer shed-antler! Like, when they outgrow their antlers--like these for $50. Seriously.
We stay in our cabin while we are at the Property. A short distance away is a shed. My husband was rummaging about in there looking for God knows what for his pig trap project when he found a BLACK WIDOW spider. WTH?? He told me, "Don't worry, Black Widows don't go into houses. Not like Brown Recluses." Oh, great. That is NOT helping. Obviously, I'm never going back.
Our Property has a number of "retro salvage" pieces on it- old glass, rusted cans, barbed wire, etc. We tell the girls that they get a quarter for every piece they find -mostly so old barbed wire won't poke holes in our tires. This weekend they made over $3.00 each. Quite a racket! I'm sure we could Craigslist some of our "finds" for more than a quarter considering deer antlers are going for $50!
Speaking of Craigslist, I'm in the midst of spray painting an awesome dresser I found on Craigslist. I think I'm probably the most talented spray painter ever- I can get spray paint on the bottom of my feet. I have no idea.
Good-Bye December
I usually love December. Christmas is my favorite time of the year, even more so now that we have children. I love all our traditions, the lights, the songs, the anticipation. This year, I felt a bit off. I was just getting in the groove when the terrible tragedy occurred in Newtown. I couldn't think. Not for days. I couldn't process it. I'm not going to write about the tragedy because I still can't form all my thoughts. I don't have words for the pain and anguish those parents and families are going through, the trauma the survivors will face...it's too much. Many others have written more eloquently than I could. I tried keeping things normal for my kids (they still don't know, just that we've been praying for families in Connecticut who need our prayers), but I know they'll never be normal again.
We had a typical crazy, fun, busy Christmas season. We had another American Girl explosion and are capping off December with a short trip to our Property. I've already had to clean up squirrel poop from a squirrel who was apparently pooping his little pea brain out as he tried getting out of the cabin. I hate squirrels. On the upside, no mice. hooray. Sigh.
So, Good-bye December and take your pooping squirrels with you.
We had a typical crazy, fun, busy Christmas season. We had another American Girl explosion and are capping off December with a short trip to our Property. I've already had to clean up squirrel poop from a squirrel who was apparently pooping his little pea brain out as he tried getting out of the cabin. I hate squirrels. On the upside, no mice. hooray. Sigh.
So, Good-bye December and take your pooping squirrels with you.
Friday Favorite- Life of Leisure
I've spent the past week enjoying time off in between jobs. What a blessing. I've done all most the errands I never have time to accomplish. Did you know that grocery shopping on a Tuesday mid-morning goes super fast?! It's freeing. More importantly, I've gotten to eat lunch with my girls, read to the class, and be there to pick them up after school. I've really enjoyed spending those little bits of extra time with my girls. I know the end of my free time/life of leisure will be here all too soon. I'm really trying to relish every free minute I get. I've also learned a lot-there is a whole sub-society of school moms and their understood ways of doing things. Whoa. Eye opening. The only drawback so far has been trying to ignore all the Halloween candy calling my name. I need to go and try to cross some more items off the TO-DO free time list (and avoid bite sized candy bars)! Have a great weekend.
My current (but quickly going away) Life of Leisure is my Friday Favorite!
My current (but quickly going away) Life of Leisure is my Friday Favorite!
The End of Summer
Our Summer list is sadly complete. The girls had fun making the list before Summer started (we cheated a little by adding a few new things to our list after our beach vacation!) and crossing things off all summer. *Our entire list is not pictured-we had a lot of things on that list.
Today was the first day of school. I now have a first and a third grader. I have no idea how that happened. I might sit in a corner and cry. I can't since I have to fill out a thousand forms with the same information-Why? WHHHHYYYY must there be so many duplicate forms every single year?!
The Beach!
School starts next Monday. Next week at the office will bring me more work than ever-really dreading that. I'm a beach girl at heart and needed to feel the sand between my toes. We escaped for one last hurrah. Even though it didn't start off as planned- courtesy of flash flooding and fleas, it's been pretty great so far. Lots of beach time, playing in the waves, and just sitting down and playing games. A week of slowing down and enjoying; ice cream before dinner; staying up late; and even petting a (baby) shark.
My views today-I took my iphone to the beach and didn't even check email.
The only work I want to do-helping the kids (mine and our friends' little boy) build a ditch from the water to the blanket! A lot of sand in between the toes- just what we all needed...I'm so relaxed that I don't even mind too much when my husband wants to watch hunting on tv!-I lied. I still mind because those shows are B-O-R-I-N-G no matter where you are!
Monday Musings
It's amazing to me how different my two girls are even though they look almost identical. This weekend we went to a new (to us) pool with some friends. The pool had a climbing wall and a mini ropes course. True to form, Em immediately jumped in and attacked everything. She's fearless and almost always does everything perfectly the first time. M hung back, clinging to me until she was really sure she was ready. Even then, she wasn't really sure. The first time she tried things, she failed. There was wailing, screaming, and gnashing of teeth. Once she made up her mind to try again, she wanted to try that ropes area until she made it. She must have tried at least 20 times to make it across. T's daughter was the perfect little coach, encouraging M the whole way. If M had not rubbed her little hands raw, I think she would have triumphed. We have to go back so she can make it across!
We recently got HBO and the full cable package. I feel compelled to watch HBO all the time now that we are paying for it! Holy heck, does HBO stand for blood and nekkidness? Geez. That said, I really enjoyed "Veep" and watched the entire season in one night. I love her clothes and her hairstyle. Now I really want to cut my hair short. Again.
I'm sorry the Olympics are over, but I was kind of exhausted from all the events. I love the stories, the games, the races, the medals (Go USA!). I can't pick my favorite part, but the US women's gold medal soccer game was awesome. After we watched it, I decided that there are worse things to be than a soccer mom!
Speaking of the Olympics, how does Princess/Duchess Kate keep her hair looking so beautiful ALL the time? It doesn't matter where she is, it always looks amazing. Serious hair envy.
My children can not be trusted around perfume. When perfume makes you stinky, you have gone too far. Note to self-take all perfume samples away from the girls' play make-up!
We recently got HBO and the full cable package. I feel compelled to watch HBO all the time now that we are paying for it! Holy heck, does HBO stand for blood and nekkidness? Geez. That said, I really enjoyed "Veep" and watched the entire season in one night. I love her clothes and her hairstyle. Now I really want to cut my hair short. Again.
I'm sorry the Olympics are over, but I was kind of exhausted from all the events. I love the stories, the games, the races, the medals (Go USA!). I can't pick my favorite part, but the US women's gold medal soccer game was awesome. After we watched it, I decided that there are worse things to be than a soccer mom!
Speaking of the Olympics, how does Princess/Duchess Kate keep her hair looking so beautiful ALL the time? It doesn't matter where she is, it always looks amazing. Serious hair envy.
My children can not be trusted around perfume. When perfume makes you stinky, you have gone too far. Note to self-take all perfume samples away from the girls' play make-up!
Happy 4th of July!
I'm getting ready for a day full of American pride, celebration, and probably a little BBQ too. I remember spending a number of Independence Days in other countries. Probably the most interesting would have to be the years we spent in Britain. "Woo-hoo, let's going to celebrate our independence from tyranny. Oh...wait, that was you." Ha! At least we could see fireworks at the base. Enjoy the day if you are American. If you're not, then happy Wednesday!
Love Thursday- Passing the Torch
My family swims. We basically grew up in or around the water. We all taught swim lessons, spent summers as lifeguards, etc. We loved to watch swimming and diving in the Olympics and probably all dreamt of being on that podium. I remember watching when Greg Louganis hit his head. I remember watching the East German women and knowing that there was no way, even after years of training (big cheaters). In our family, swimming speed decreased with age (meaning my mom was fast, but my younger brother smoked us all) and medals increased. I swam competively for many years and loved it. Well, maybe I didn't love ALL the training, but I met some of my best friends in the pool (Hi, Amanda!). I would have loved to continue my swimming career in college. My high school swim coach desperately tried to convince me to be on the team, but going to UT would have made me the slowest person on the team and I would have killed myself to be that slow person. Not wanting to leave swimming behind, I "assisted" the Texas men's swim team. Basically I helped with timing meets, meeting possible recruits, etc. Really it was a big excuse to hang out with insanely cute and talented guys. I loved it. The coolest part was getting to meet amazing athletes like Jenny Thompson (she came for a meet and was so nice) and watching the Olympics, and recognizing so many of the swimmers for so many years. The UT Men's Swim team always sends tons of guys to swim on the National team; it's really amazing. Now most of the swimmers I knew are coaches themselves. But, I still LOVE watching swimming races.
During the last Olympics, my girls were too young to appreciate anything other than the pageantry. They missed out on the awesomeness of Michael Phelps and Lezak's relay leg. This year, we're all watching the US Swimming trials and loving every minute of it. We pick our favorites- Phelps, Lochte, Brendan Hansen, Matt Grevers (that dude is TALL, have you seen him? Amazing), Natalie Coughlin, and waiting for one of my favorites, Darla Torres to swim. I miss some of the "older crowd," like Aaron Peirsol. That guy was amazing, a Longhorn, and a super cutie! It's been great to take time to explain each stroke to my girls. I tell them which strokes mommy used to swim and why the swimmers kick like that. I feel like I'm passing part of my family's history to them. Honestly, they could be faster than any of us ever hoped to be. Em is an amazing swimmer; naturally gifted. M took a little longer, but is now showing real promise. It's taking every ounce of restraint to not put them in any meets. I want to grow their love for swimming. I know that you have to really love the sport first. It takes so many hours of training that if you don't love it, you'll leave it. I'm hoping that watching the Olympics will start a fire in them. If not for swimming, for something else (preferrably something that isn't too dangerous!).
Likewise amazing is how quicky they built the swimming facility on the floor of the arena. It's the fastest above ground pool ever! Plus, the flames that shoot out intermittently on deck are pretty dang cool. I told my husband that we need to add some deck flames to our backyard pool. He mentioned something about zoning and fire risk, blah blah blah.
During the last Olympics, my girls were too young to appreciate anything other than the pageantry. They missed out on the awesomeness of Michael Phelps and Lezak's relay leg. This year, we're all watching the US Swimming trials and loving every minute of it. We pick our favorites- Phelps, Lochte, Brendan Hansen, Matt Grevers (that dude is TALL, have you seen him? Amazing), Natalie Coughlin, and waiting for one of my favorites, Darla Torres to swim. I miss some of the "older crowd," like Aaron Peirsol. That guy was amazing, a Longhorn, and a super cutie! It's been great to take time to explain each stroke to my girls. I tell them which strokes mommy used to swim and why the swimmers kick like that. I feel like I'm passing part of my family's history to them. Honestly, they could be faster than any of us ever hoped to be. Em is an amazing swimmer; naturally gifted. M took a little longer, but is now showing real promise. It's taking every ounce of restraint to not put them in any meets. I want to grow their love for swimming. I know that you have to really love the sport first. It takes so many hours of training that if you don't love it, you'll leave it. I'm hoping that watching the Olympics will start a fire in them. If not for swimming, for something else (preferrably something that isn't too dangerous!).
Likewise amazing is how quicky they built the swimming facility on the floor of the arena. It's the fastest above ground pool ever! Plus, the flames that shoot out intermittently on deck are pretty dang cool. I told my husband that we need to add some deck flames to our backyard pool. He mentioned something about zoning and fire risk, blah blah blah.
Monday Musings- Camp Edition
Things I have learned from my daughter's first sleep-away camp:
1) I'm pretty sure that the camp told the girls to roll around in sand. I have approximately 10 tons of sand in my washing machine.
2) I also found a couple lanyards, a friendship bracelet, a mood ring, and a nickel in the washing machine.
3) The camp had this whole list to determine "Is your daughter ready for camp?" Notably missing was- Is your daughter a big baby about bugs? One of Em's tent mates (let's call her Allison, since that's her name) was deathly afraid of bugs. At a camp in the woods. Where the girls slept in tents. Apparently Allison's antics made the entire tent late for most activities, etc.
3) Em came home with her dirty laundry in the specific laundry bag we packed. Hooray! And, her clean clothes underneath her wet towels and muddy tennis shoes.
4) I have done more laundry than I thought possible.
5) At least Em wore all the underwear we packed. The first time my brother went to Boy Scout camp, he came back with 5 clean changes of clothes (including underwear) from a week long camp.
6) They teach the kids a lot of camp songs. Ask me how I know.
7) Em used her camp store money to buy a little trinket for her sister. Awww
8) She might have been (very) dirty, but she was happy.
Now to prepare for next month's camp!
1) I'm pretty sure that the camp told the girls to roll around in sand. I have approximately 10 tons of sand in my washing machine.
2) I also found a couple lanyards, a friendship bracelet, a mood ring, and a nickel in the washing machine.
3) The camp had this whole list to determine "Is your daughter ready for camp?" Notably missing was- Is your daughter a big baby about bugs? One of Em's tent mates (let's call her Allison, since that's her name) was deathly afraid of bugs. At a camp in the woods. Where the girls slept in tents. Apparently Allison's antics made the entire tent late for most activities, etc.
3) Em came home with her dirty laundry in the specific laundry bag we packed. Hooray! And, her clean clothes underneath her wet towels and muddy tennis shoes.
4) I have done more laundry than I thought possible.
5) At least Em wore all the underwear we packed. The first time my brother went to Boy Scout camp, he came back with 5 clean changes of clothes (including underwear) from a week long camp.
6) They teach the kids a lot of camp songs. Ask me how I know.
7) Em used her camp store money to buy a little trinket for her sister. Awww
8) She might have been (very) dirty, but she was happy.
Now to prepare for next month's camp!
Tuesday Thoughts
I missed Monday Musings because I was musing, musing a lot about my baby away at camp. Oh my heart. I take full credit for any angsty mommy feelings I have-I caused them all. I brought up the idea for camp, found the camps, packed the bags, paid the money, etc. My 7 year old is at her first sleep-away camp. She's at the same Girl Scout camp my sister and I attended when we were little. I know she's having a great time. I know she's far too busy to write home. I'm just having a hard time adjusting to life without her (even for a few days). I've had that little voice and smile around for seven years. Being away from her is hard. (Seriously, sniff, mah baybee) The camps have all these questions about whether or not your kid is ready for sleep-away camp, they should have had questions for the parents! My daughter would leave for college now if she could, little Miss Independent. I've got to suck it up to prepare for her leaving for a two week camp in July. Eep.
In other news, I signed my younger daughter up for a theater day camp. She's got quite a flair for performing and literally sings all the live long day. I thought it would be nice for her to have a special camp while her big sister was away for her camp. I could not have imagined how perfect the theater camp would be for M. To say that M loves theater camp is an understatement. I think she's found her calling. It's as if all the lights turned on for her and they are all Broadway lights. I'm glad, but y'all, there are stage moms at this camp. I do not understand-it's a half day camp for 4-6 year olds, is it really that big of a deal?! Geez. Being a pushy stage mom is not in my genetic material!
It's been a weird few days, watching my independent girlie become even more independent and watching my little one shine in ways I couldn't have imagined. Oh, and planning a big birthday bash that makes me think of this phrase "My colors are Blush and Bashful." "Your colors are Pink and Pink." More to come on Blush & Bashful. Let's just say the party I'm working on was one I never thought I'd host. The things we do for our kids (see above).
In other news, I signed my younger daughter up for a theater day camp. She's got quite a flair for performing and literally sings all the live long day. I thought it would be nice for her to have a special camp while her big sister was away for her camp. I could not have imagined how perfect the theater camp would be for M. To say that M loves theater camp is an understatement. I think she's found her calling. It's as if all the lights turned on for her and they are all Broadway lights. I'm glad, but y'all, there are stage moms at this camp. I do not understand-it's a half day camp for 4-6 year olds, is it really that big of a deal?! Geez. Being a pushy stage mom is not in my genetic material!
It's been a weird few days, watching my independent girlie become even more independent and watching my little one shine in ways I couldn't have imagined. Oh, and planning a big birthday bash that makes me think of this phrase "My colors are Blush and Bashful." "Your colors are Pink and Pink." More to come on Blush & Bashful. Let's just say the party I'm working on was one I never thought I'd host. The things we do for our kids (see above).
Monday Musings
I think my husband is messing with me (more than usual). Exhibit A: he has recently started leaving the toilet seat up at night. It's like he WANTS me to fall in. Exhibit B: He calls me Friday, "I'm at the cupcake store." Me-"Great. Um..., are you buttering me up for something?" Him-"I need the name of a good divorce attorney." Me-BLINK. Him-"For a friend." No Kidding. Not funny. OK, slightly funny. Mainly mean, but slightly funny.
My kids are out of school for summer. I wish I still got a summer. Wouldn't that be awesome?!
I don't understand the point of French manicures. Why not just paint your nails clear or light pale? Also, I've been to France. I've never seen one actual French woman wearing her nails like that. Why not just call it the "American Manicure"? So called French pedicures confuse me more.
There's been a lot of media coverage on the Queen for her Jubilee. I'm glad to see all the interviews, but I have yet to see the one interview I really want-Princess Catherine sharing the secret for her super shiny, super awesome hair.
My two girls look so much alike. We regularly get asked if they are twins (nope-2 years apart). But, Em is fastidiously clean and put together and M is quite possibly the messiest child I have ever met. She ate a cookie the other day and one of my friends said it looked like a "Smurf exploded all over her." Ha. How is that possible?
My kids are out of school for summer. I wish I still got a summer. Wouldn't that be awesome?!
I don't understand the point of French manicures. Why not just paint your nails clear or light pale? Also, I've been to France. I've never seen one actual French woman wearing her nails like that. Why not just call it the "American Manicure"? So called French pedicures confuse me more.
There's been a lot of media coverage on the Queen for her Jubilee. I'm glad to see all the interviews, but I have yet to see the one interview I really want-Princess Catherine sharing the secret for her super shiny, super awesome hair.
My two girls look so much alike. We regularly get asked if they are twins (nope-2 years apart). But, Em is fastidiously clean and put together and M is quite possibly the messiest child I have ever met. She ate a cookie the other day and one of my friends said it looked like a "Smurf exploded all over her." Ha. How is that possible?
Afro Circus Hilarious
I would normally keep this to highlight for a Friday Favorite. But, these youtube videos are too funny not to share immediately. I found these this weekend and we have laughed ever since, with "Mommy-Afro Circus PLEEEEEASE?!!".
Even funnier, the multi-language version.
Hope you enjoy these as much as we do!
Even funnier, the multi-language version.
Hope you enjoy these as much as we do!
A Pool with a View-Texas Style
We used the long weekend to put a pool in at our "ranch" property. We have a pool at our house and thought it was past time we put a pool in at the property. Look at that great Texas view; we hate to waste that during the hot Texas summers.
It's the same type of pool that ranch and farm kids have played in for years. My mother, a rancher's daughter, had one growing up.
Oh, you expected a real pool? Ha. Not happening for years...unless we win the lottery. It's a galvanized feed stock tank and I have to say, it works really well. It fits the four of us with enough room for a rowdy game of "Marco Polo." Plus, it adds character to our little piece of property. Why buy an inflatable pool from a store when you can get a galvanized feed tank from the farm supply store?
Monday Musing- School Lunches
I was so proud when I taught both my girls to pack their lunches before school started last Fall. I thought I was so smart. I patted myself on the back. Then, they took their sweeeeet time making their lunches. It would routinely take them 30 minutes to make their lunches. Don't ask me, I have NO idea what they were doing either.
Today it dawned on me. Require them to make their lunches BEFORE they get dessert (lunches are made after dinner each night). Ding-ding-ding-WINNER. It only took me 10 months to discover the key. Well, at least next year they will be quick about making lunches!
Those of you who don't yet have kids, that's free parenting advice for you. Be ye not so slow.
Today it dawned on me. Require them to make their lunches BEFORE they get dessert (lunches are made after dinner each night). Ding-ding-ding-WINNER. It only took me 10 months to discover the key. Well, at least next year they will be quick about making lunches!
Those of you who don't yet have kids, that's free parenting advice for you. Be ye not so slow.
Family Time-The Property
We get asked, so "What do you DO at the Property?"
Well...
Well...
We pick flowers.
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| The girls picked these for me |
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| Em calls these the "Lorax Flower." |
We Fish.
We haul a TON of limbs to burn-no pictures of that, I was too busy dragging limbs everywhere! By "we" hauling limbs, I mean me hauling limbs. While somebody (my husband-ahem) was off hunting and checking traps.
We use that fire for s'mores.
We (I) hope and pray there are no mice or scorpions in the cabin.
We discover that M can make pitch perfect hen turkey calls.
I go for long runs on country roads.
We make family time.
Monday Musings- Mulch and Manure
This weekend my husband was hard at work on the yard. He used an aerator, continued our planting from last weekend, mulched, and spread compost. At one point, our girls were being crazy, rolling around on the yard. He noticed that they were rolling around on top of where he spread the compost. The compost that contains manure. Y-e-a-h. When he told the girls, Em shrugged her shoulders and said, "Well, it's not like we won't get clean later in the bath." Lovely.
Not as funny, but more icky, we are giving home hospice care to one of our cats. We narrowly avoided having to put him down this weekend. After spending a lot of time at the vet, we got him well enough to come home. This is probably his last week with us and we're all upset. This particular cat has been with my husband for about 16-17 years. I've only been with my husband for 13 years!
Well, maybe not all of us are upset about the cat's imminent passing. While we were discussing kitty heaven, Em's eyes filled with tears. Her sister then asked "When the cats die, can we get goldfish?"
A Magical Time
This was my view for the last few days. Disney World! Lots of magic, lots of fun, a little whining (thankfully, not mine), miles of walking, and two very excited little girls.
You know those vacations when you need a vacation from the vacation? Yeah, that. Whoa.
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