Break Time

Holy cow! It's been quite a few days since I've written on here!

I must be honest, I am SUPER busy and think I'll take a break from bloggin. I love it, but it's hard to find the time right now. Perhaps some time I'll pick it up again, but for right now, Ernie is gonna take a bow and exit stage right!

Easter Goodness

a good one, eh!?

the last egg to be found :)

Miss Mol

serious hunting

Easter afternoon at Granny & Grampa's

hi Mike :)

some football antics goin on before Easter dinner

what boys do!

Mouse had her first dance debut at church, she did great! So precious...

As you can see, a wonderful Easter Sunday was had by all. A great weekend all the way around. The clothesline goin in is nearly complete, we just need some more line and clothespins, not to mention DRY weather so I can get dryin' our clothes out there. I can't hardly wait! Reminds me of Auntie Jane's line :) Erk went all out with pullies (sp?) and 4 lines.

Tonight Jack had baseball practice. He did great - was pitched to 4 times and hit the ball in the first 3-4 pitches every time! He was geeked, great job dude!

Lots

Lots of great pictures today but not lots of time right now to post them! I'm pooped! Hoping you had a nice Easter as well. More in the mornin!

Aren't I Smart?!

So in the past 24 hours... I've been pulled over, Bean has crapped in the house, we've had 2 playdates and Erk has been rear ended. Whew...

Last night at this time, I was drivin' on home from a meeting. On my way home and talking to Erk, I thought there was a cop behind me. I even told Erk that and then realized it wasn't. A bit further up the same stretch of road I commented to Erk that there was a cop behind me (in the other lane) but I wasn't speeding. I was going 51 mph. Erk says, "yeah, but you do have a headlight out," to which I laughed and told him I'd be home in a few. Sure shootin' I hang up that dang phone and see red and blue flashes behind me. "He must have gotten a call" went thru my mind the first second, until I realized, "nope, he's pulling me over!"

There I sat with a bright-as-the-sun spot light reflecting off my side mirror right into my eyeballs waiting for him to walk up to my window. He approached the window and asked for my license, registration, etc. I opened the glove box and handed him the papers along with my license and leaned back over where the light was dead on blinding and asked "can I ask why I got pulled over?" He replied, "you have a burned out headlight," while reading my info. REALLY? Then he says, "I'll let you off with a warning tonight." WHEW. I honestly can't believe they will actually pull you over for that, but that's beside the point. Our insurance premiums just went up due to my... ah-hem... speeding ticket in Illinois last summer. So I was grateful, no ticky no washy. Yikes.

So I get home. Laughing and shaking my head at that one. Bean hasn't been feeling well for a few days but no huge deal. Until I get up to help Molly in the night (she has Croup and the cough comes right thru the ceiling, poor baby) to get her some water. I felt something wet underfoot but figured it was a drip from the dishes prior that evening, wiped it on the kitchen rug in the dark and headed up with the lil' pink cup for Mol. While upstairs I see the light coming up the stairs. Erk was up and had the kitchen light on. Wow, that was nice, he heard Mol coughin too and was coming to lend a hand? (See, he has sleep apnea which means a mask at night which means he doesn't hear squat when the kids are up). I come on down the stairs and round the corner thinking there is coffee spilled on the kitchen floor. Oh no. No coffee. Diarrhea. Bean's craps all over the floor. Erk is about to gag and I tell him "I'll take care of it." So I did, mind over matter, just as Dad has taught me. :) Strange, Bean has never done anything like this. Is she losing it for real? Now she can't control her bowels? Poor Bean. I'm gonna have to take her to the vet. What if something is seriously wrong. She's been our baby for 10 years... and the thoughts ran one into the other on and on.

A bit later, I heard her get up from the chair she sleeps in and jumped outta bed to let her out. She gladly went out in the night, taking care of business. I gave her a few minutes, then stepped onto the porch in the stillness of the night waiting for her. She must have heard the door cause she came without me calling her name. Hopped back in her chair, me back in bed. I thought I heard her again, but between bringing Molly medicine and the thoughts of what the vet might say, I couldn't lift my head off the pillow. Fast forward to this morning and walking into the kitchen to find it AGAIN. Sweet...

So when it came time to leave for our first playdate today, I put Bean dog in the mudroom. For those of you who know her, like really know the damage she has done, this animal can't handle being contained. I quickly coaxed her into the mudroom, then headed straight out the front door and locked it. I couldn't stand the thought of hearing her go all INSANE. Our first playdate was a surprise. I'd been messin' with the boys so they had no idea where we were headed til we got off the exit. Chuck E Cheese baby! It's been a few years since we've been there, and they were so excited, Jack screamed! It was fun, we hung with some friends from school and enjoyed the tokens and tickets for a few hours. Thank you Nanny for watchin Miss Molly, the Croupster, so we didn't spread her wealth to the other kids there!

On home we came to find Bean had crapped in the mudroom but that she hadn't escaped. I had visions of her waiting for us when we got home, sitting on the porch or in the neighbors 'back 40. She can open the back door, she has in the past. She can open anything she puts her mind to, she's crazy in the head. But she didn't. She did a little damage to the inside door, but nothing near what history brought from sucha situation!

Come 3 o'clock, 2 boys from school came on over, cute as can be. They are brothers, so sweet and respectful. The kids all played for a few hours, mostly outside. It was rainy and cold, but they didn't mind. I did. Just when Molly wanted to play out there too. I didn't really want to play out there but didn't feel right having these boys out there all alone, not to mention Mouse. So I sat in a wooden straight back chair in the garage, hood up on my winter coat, hands tucked in between my thighs, freezin my arse off to keep an eye on things. The boys were all rosy cheeked running with sticks playing tag and hide-and-seek. They'd have it no other way ;)

Once the boys were picked up and I was browning meat for burritos, I see a text from Erk. "Just got rearended." HUH? So I called him. Sure enough, some dude clipped him pretty good. Erk's head is still sore, but he keeps saying he's alright. The dude got him good enough that the impact made an accordian out of his white car, probably totalled. The investigator in me could tell it was a white car from the marks on Erk's bumper. Aren't I smart!?! HA! Erk's car faired pretty well but it's a little dorked in the back. He said the trunk still opens ok but it's a bit off. I'm glad he's alright (let's hope he is being honest) and that he made it home safe and sound.

So now here I sit in bed, telling you way more than you probably care to hear (or read) but hey, this is me :) I hope you had a good day today. And I'm hoping for a much less eventful sleepy time tonight!

The Past Few

Our Saturday started off with waking up to Auntie Meg being here! She got in late Friday night and stayed with us. A special treat! Once we were all up and around, we headed to Nanny and Papa's to "help" put the dock in. Ok... we just watched Papa and UJ put the dock in.
Mike found some tall rain boots and slid them on when he thought no one was looking (I saw him). He snuck up on the men folk standing there talking.
From there (where we had lunch and a nice visit while Dad and UJ got the feeling back in their legs), we headed north to hang with some good friends. Our trailer has been parked up there all winter long. If you could hear what goes on in my brain, you would have heard the song, "Reunited and it feels so good..." when I saw the trailer. We opted to bring Bean along, and as you can see, she was delighted. Even offered to drive.
The roads up there were lovely. I can't believe we didn't get swallowed whole. We could have all turned into bobble heads! But we made it. And enjoyed our time tremendously :)

We woke up to snow on the ground Sunday mornin! Crazy. Just one week ago on Sunday it was in the 80's! Weird.

Not far from the cabin, we had to stop for fresh made donuts. Mmmm. Erk opted for plain since the kids woulda made a mess... plain or not, they were DELISH!

While Erk was in the store, I snapped this of my grubby arse. YIKES, there is Ernie first thing in the morning! Same outfit as the day before, wore it to bed and woke up to keep it goin. I think my clothes could have walked away on their own if given the chance.
La la la, we were on the road when Erk took a deep sigh and hit the brakes. I'm so glad he saw it! I didn't! He got out and moved it best he could. It was a heavy sucker. Heard on the news that in that same area a woman was killed by a falling tree on her truck as she drove by. Scary!

Burrito

A busy, crazy, fun-filled weekend followed by a busy day yesterday! I'll post some pix later, off to church for mom's group. WHEW! I'm thinking Miss Crabby Pants (not me, Mouse) will definitely need a nap today.

Ohh, one quick cute note, I was conked last night and Erk woke me up to say Molly was calling for me. So I half asleep clunk up the stairs to find her crying in the dark hallway. "I need a kleeeenex!" she cried. So I grabbed one out of Mikie's room and wiped her nose. I helped her get back in bed and all wrapped up. A side note, when the kids have dirty sheets and they are still in the wash, the kids "camp out" with blankets folded over like sleepin bags. Well, Molly and I started a different phrase to describe it, she likes to be "wrapped like a burrito." So I wrapped her up like a burrito, kissed her forehead and half awake found my way back down the stairs and into bed. As I'm drifting back off to sleep, I hear the long, moaning sounding cry from upstairs again. So I toss back the sheets and head up. She's in bed this time, and quivers with her precious 3 year old voice, "I can't find the sour cream."

TODAY

WE DID IT! It came off without a hitch :) Well if you don't factor in my redness on my face, but it wasn't too bad. I was red before we even entered the news station, I felt it creep up my chest and neck to my face. It was like my own little heater :)

I picked Shawna up and we headed that way, weren't exactly sure where the station was but found it. We prayed together in the truck before heading in. We were placed in a conference room for what seemed like an eternity! Then two dudes came in with mics and "packs" to snap to the back of our pants. We had to feed the mics up our shirts so the cords wouldn't show, but I saw on the program mine kinda peeked out. Oh well. Then they whisked us onto the tv show set! It was a commercial break and we chatted with the host for a moment (she recognized Shawna cause they have kids at the same school) and then we were "LIVE!"

I had this strong desire to clear my throat, but kept myself to a minimum as the host read thru some Top 5 at 5 items. Then they shifted gears to us and what we do. I felt like I took over the conversation and didn't mean to talk over Shawna but now having watched it 3 times, I didn't. We did pretty equal talking! What an experience! WOW! I still can't believe it!

Perhaps our next stop will be the Today Show :)

Jittery!

I'm honestly having to try really hard not to poop my pants. I get distracted, but then the thought comes up again about being on TV and I'm in knots! WHEW! I know we'll do just fine, I'm just like butterfly CITY! It's like this heat comes over me and my stomach starts flopping around and my mind races... Please pray for us, that we'll just be ourselves and that our nerves won't be too obvious.

I've got the outfit I'll wear all figured out, finally. I got all of the pieces a few days ago, new jeans and black top, new earrings and cute red wedge heels. I thought it came together nicely :) Until I tried walking in the shoes more than just trying them on. Walked from the kitchen into the den at home and realized I couldn't keep those darn red heels on. They kept slipping off my heel. I texted Meg for help! I was gonna get some inserts for them (or in my fashion, get some double sided tape goin') but then gave it some more thought. I am already much taller than Shawna, and add in heels? I'm gonna look like a freaken giant! So I changed my thoughts to flats. Headed to Payless first, then Shoe Carnival, then Kohls and ended up at Target. I was unsuccessful at all of those places, returned the red ones to Target and thought I'd look around. Even tried on a size smaller of the red heels just in case but they were too small. Ended up finding some strappy black shoes I can wear that aren't too dressy and go with the funky sorta look I'm going for. Best thing is they are FLAT! So now if Shawna will wear heels, we'll only be like 4 inches apart ;)

Anywho, so I got home after all that running today only to realize the cute new jeans? Too long for flat shoes. As in clean the floor too long. So back to Target I just went tonight to swap them for Regular instead of Long size. And that my friends... is how the outfit came together :) I know you were wondering!

With that, Shawna is due here any minute to discuss what we'll discuss tomorrow :) Remind me not to take an Excedrin Migraine right before we go on cause I did about an hour ago and I'm jittery, shaky right now!

Melted

I had the fun opportunity to be in Jack's class this morning to read with the kids. What a hoot! Jack always reads with me first, he's so sweet. Speaking of his sweetness, last night Erk went to pick the kids up from Granny and Grampa's house. On their way home, Erk said something like, "isn't that a pretty sunset?" To which Jack responded, "not as pretty as Mom." Not knowing that, I went out to greet them when they got home and Jack ran up the 3 porch steps and wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me tight. Then he told me what he had said. SO SWEET, melts a Momma's heart :) Anywho, back to being at school... so I'm down to the last little girl to read with, who's name happens to be Mollee, and the boy's old DK teacher stops in the hall to chat. She heard from Mikie (she said he's telling everyone!) about me being on the "news" on Friday. So we chuckled about that and she mentioned the PTO. I just saw this morning in the boys backpacks a note about how 3 of the 4 members of the PTO are stepping down. Anywho, Tena told me that she and the current Vice President were talking about it and my name came up! HOW FUNNY! I was flattered and dumbfounded and tickled. That was so sweet that they'd think of me. Do I wanna do it? I'm not sure! As I left school and signed out in the office I asked the ladies if there is a write-up I can read for what is involved in the "job." The one lady in the office has always come across as I'm wasting her time. She gave me tude as I asked her about the PTO. Fortunately the other office lady chimed in and gave me a hand in what I was looking for. The phone numbers of the current board. So we'll see... I'm not sure if I'll do it or not, but I sure was flattered that they thought of me :)

Ice Cream Drive-Thru

the other night we had an ice cream drive-thru at the kitchen window. the choice was an ice cream sundae with freshly baked brownies. mom took the orders and daddy served it up at the "next window."

mouse helping me make the brownies

More Sunday Evening

Boys playing football, Bean adding her squeeky toy to the mix (thanks Ma! ;)

want it, Bean?

enjoyin the ice cream drive-thru

TV!

I'm excited nervous shocked sucking my gut in what do I wear amazed that we will be on tv this FRIDAY!!! After some persistance, not annoying, but emails here and there to contact different local newsies, we finally got our break! On a new show that airs weeknights from 5-6pm! What amazing exposure this will be for us two lil stay at home momma's (well, technically Shawna works at school now so she's a workin' lady). Can you believe it!??!??!

Ernie of green GABLED

Well the weather outside is... AMAZING!! Just came in from pricing some garage sale stuff. WOW, I love this weather! I know it won't be here forever, so we appreciate days like this :) It's been a really nice weekend. Yesterday both boys had t-ball/baseball practice, so Erk took Jack (and Molly went with them) and I took Mikie. He and I decided to go a little early so we could play catch. Mike grabbed the baseball bat too so we went into a field nearby the baseball diamond (there were girls practicing so we didn't wanna be in the way) and Mikie hit a few of my pitches. I kept covering my face with my hands, afraid he was gonna break my nose! An old school fear of mine... softball/bat/hitting my face, flashbacks! After Mike's practice I told him he and I would go get a hot fudge sundae. I called Erk on our way home to see what they were doing and they were heading home too. I told him our plan and he said we were on speaker so everyone heard the plan! So we'd better go thru the drive-thru and get 5 hot fudge sundaes :) So we did. We sat on the front porch steps and enjoyed... Ohh, I wanted to tell you, slowly but surely we are learning more tidbits about our house. I discovered last week where the original basement walls were, so now when we sit at the table and eat, I tease the kids "I'd be sitting outside." Apparently the outside laundry room wall was the back of the house, all the way across. But at some point they added on to our kitchen area (to give the house plumbing), and the mudroom/bathroom. From some research online to find out what type of house this is, I found it was built as a "Gabled-Ell". Most likely the front room of our house (which is now our den, was our dining room) was the kitchen. COOL, eh!? Perhaps you aren't as interested, but I find it intriguing! I hear Bean barking at some poor bikers. Her bark is sounding slower, more "I'm trying to scare you but I'm 70 years old" sorta sound. She just doesn't have that agile, take off like a bullet sorta run in her anymore. We play catch and after 3 tosses of the ball, she won't drop the darn thing out of her mouth cause truth be told, she doesn't really want you to throw it again. Then she'd have to chase it.

First Ballet

Mousie trying on a costume before the ballet! I love this picture! Jack getting a tattoo Nanny and Mol colorin before the show

Molly and Maya ended up with the same tattoo. Cute lil buddies :)

Today was the first real ballet experience we've ever had. Sure I took ballet in 2nd grade and Molly just finished her 6 week class, but this was a whole new ballgame. The liturgical dance leader at church (who was also Molly's ballet teacher) asked if any of the girls would like to go see the local ballet put on a children's program.

So, a few weeks ago, I asked the boys (separately of course) if they had any interest in going. First I talked to Jack, "sure, sounds cool..." shrug of the shoulders and half smile. I went upstairs to ask Mikie while he was playing in his room and his response (which kinda surprised me actually) was "Nope, I'd rather hang with Papa." And so that's how the ticket purchases shook out :) We called Nanny and she was pleased to join us!

Come this morning, Mike was still glad he wasn't going and Jack was trying to convince Mike that he was gonna miss out (and I believe convincing himself that it'd be worth it). And it was. Truly, Jack even said when I asked if he had rather gone or not gone, he said "have gone, that was fun!"

Anywho, once we got there, they had fun stuff around for the kids, like costumes to try on and tattoos and coloring. Then we lined up (fortunately Miss Jennifer knew that we'd better be ready when the doors opened) and got in the 2nd row. The show opened and it was really cool. Granted in those leotards you can see an awful lot (if you get my drift)! Ohh and Molly yelled out twice, "where's Nemo!?"

Overall, I feel we got some culture today and Molly sure looks cute in roses intertwined around her head :)

Waiting for the curtain to open! After the ballet Molly, Jack, Nanny and I went to have some lunch. Mouse was a tad on the grumpster side, but she came thru it. Jack and Nanny talked solar system books and bargain bookstore ideas :)

This Old House

Ok, so we met a few road blocks. That's ok. We're gonna keep diggin... For the longest time I've wanted to research our house. When was it actually built? They told us 1900, but is that accurate? We have reason to believe otherwise. How many families have lived here? We know an old woman died on our front porch, but who was she? How big was the original house? What rooms were added on later?

(if Jack would just zip up his sweatshirt he'd probably be warmer :)

With Spring Break this week I thought this would be the perfect time to start to find answers. The kids and I headed to the bank to get cash in case we needed it for making copies and on over to the Township Hall. Nice people in there, but they couldn't help us with squat. They confirmed the "1900" year, but that's because that's the only record they have. There were 3 people in the office and a dude in the back chimed in and said it's because "any house built before 1940 doesn't really have the paperwork to say when it was actually built so many homes that vintage are a guessed year." And the chick sitting in the back chimed in and said it's "because there weren't many building permits back then to keep track." Interesting facts indeed. So I asked where we could go from there and was told to check the Census records. That's something we'll look into later.

From there we headed over to the town Historical Society to see what we could find. We parked and took a little stroll near the dam, freezing our butts off only to find that they are "Closed for the Winter, See you in the Spring!" Last I checked, technically it is Spring! Oh well, back to the truck and on home we came. Not before snapping a picture of this place, the color scheme we'd like to paint our house, perhaps this summer!? Wouldn't that be cute! We'd be adding to the history of coolness to this house :)

"Sticky Forrest" Trail

Jack rearin' and ready to go Mouse bringing her pink scooter on down (and Bean, of course can't miss being nutso)

And he's off!

we were in our back 40, even though it's just one acre :) Isn't that a cute farmhouse?

there goes Mikie!

showin the last leg of the trail

ready to go it again