Just Went Camping...

...I think I'd much rather go camping and drive scenic drives than go to an adventure type place like Disney World. We had an awesome time and I think that this is the best time to enjoy the great views and awesome changing of the leaves.

This tree was right outside our tent. I love how there are at least three colors in the leaves and how well they look together. It was so peaceful watching the leaves fall.


Throughout the year, I try to remember how it sounds as the water flows past and the sounds of the night. Each time I return, I am amazed at how much I forgot and how wonderful the sounds are.


Nearby falls.


Me at the bottom of a hill. I look forward to hiking the trails in the National Forest where we camp. We have returned to the Ouachita Mountains for many years now.






More trees. I just love looking up at them.


My little one does too.


The one lane roads are tricky to drive...especially with all the switchbacks.


We just love the water... I found this place when I looked on the map for the nearest area to camp that had mountains and water where there weren't a lot of people. We happened upon this particular camping park and, even though I've looked elsewhere, I haven't found anyplace I enjoy more. It's not too far from home...about 6 or 7 hours.


This is right behind our tent/camp area.


Hunting for rocks.


Another hike. This is near the top of a hill looking down.


'My happy place.'


This is the life!

Noo-Noo

I visited my MIL yesterday at her assisted living facility. She was incredibly glad to see me. She's improved greatly since her fall and broken finger. We talked about her bruises, the rain and then I talked about what I've been doing at home. I can see the unsureness in here eyes because she doesn't relate to my stories but I continue on anyway knowing she needs the attention and conversation.

On the way out, I walk her to the dining room because it was dinner time. Actually, I pushed her on her walker (it has a spot where you can sit down.) She was trying to weasel out of going down there saying her hip hurt but I know she just didn't know that it was so close and that she could walk fine.

As everyone comes in, you can hear parts of conversation here and there. I knew someone had died because of the words out of context like "pneumonia" and "he lived a good long life."

As you walk into the open dining room, there are tables all over and the people usually sit in the same spot every time. The lady who sits behind my MIL is wheelchair bound and you can tell she has had a stroke. She can't use her left hand and her right side of her mouth doesn't move much. She always sits alone at a table for two and puts on a large bib to protect her clothing. She rolled over and asked if I were MILs daughter. I said yes (and said that I was her daughter-in-law.) She said her name was Noo-Noo and that she always tries to get MIL to eat more. She said MIL likes to sit and drink her coffee instead of eating. I laughed as I know she does that all the time too. By this time, MIL wanted to sit at Noo-Noo's table but was politely told no. Noo-Noo said that she saves that other chair for her daughter (who lives an hour away and will come to visit and sit there every other week or so.) I have never seen the daughter so I'm not sure if the timeframe is correct but it is nice that she keeps it unoccupied, just in case.

Then Noo-Noo explained that Mr. Ray had died that morning. He had been in the hospital with pneumonia and had quit eating (they put in a tube etc) and eventually died. She then pointed out where he normally sits and I knew exactly who it was.

He sat with his wife (who he shared a room with at that facility) and pushed her in her wheelchair all the time. We always passed him because their table was on the side of the room where we walk to get to MILs table. He normally would stop and talk to the boys and would hi-five them. I immediately pictured his cap (it had some military patches on it) and it saddened me that we would never get that opportunity to talk to him again. How really sad his wife must now be (as he took care of her there as well...now she'll be alone.)

Noo-Noo said...This is passing-away place. It makes me so sad. (I could see her tearing up.) And then she said, I gotta get out of here. ....I know she won't ever leave, not the way she wants to anyway.

And MIL is oblivious to the conversation taking place or what had happened. Because she tends to get sad and whiny when I leave, I let MIL know that I'd be back the day after tomorrow and that I had a surprise for her. She smiled big! I have a bright purple pair of house shoes for her (she loves that style and purple is her favorite color!)

Tagged

Rachel from Once Upon a Miracle tagged me. This one looked fun – and I’m tagging anybody who reads this...if you're interested. Just leave a comment and I'll be sure to read yours as well!


ABC'S OF ME SURVEY

A - Age: Early forties

B - Bed size: King (just moved up to that size a couple months ago) With my kiddos coming in throughout the night, I don't know how we survived without one!

C - Chore you hate: Picking up after other people

D - Dog's name: Fatty (our late Australian Shepherd...she died last year...)

E - Essential start-your-day item: cereal, usually raisin bran. I usually check my email when eating breakfast too.



F - Favorite color: Black (a second color I love is green)

G - Gold or Silver: Both (I'm into silver right now though)

H - Height: 5'4"

I - I am: Going camping next week if the weather cooperates

J - Job: Mommy (in my former career, I was a juvenile probation/parole officer)

K - Kids: Four: Ages, 24, 18, 4 and 1




L - Living arrangements: I live in the house I grew up in (I moved back to it about two years ago after letting it be a rental house for a decade or so.)



M - Mom's name: She was Mom.

N - Nicknames: Rob

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: I had my tonsils out when I was 9 and for the births of my children...that's all.

P - Pet Peeve: Someone talking on the cellphone in a restaurant

Q - Quote from a movie: I have so many...the only one that comes to mind, lol!, is "Do NOT go in there!" from Ace Ventura, Pet Detective. We use that phrase to warn anybody at home not to go into the bathroom for a while!

R - Right or left handed: right.

S - Siblings: Three brothers. This is a picture of my youngest brother (from his wedding last year...he just sent the pic a couple weeks ago and I absolutely LOVE my hair in this pic...he looks handsome in it as well!)



T - Time you wake up: Usually 6:30, even on weekends (thank you children...ugh!)

"U- Underwear: Always

V - Vegetable you dislike: Maybe the question should have been, which ones Do I like (it'd be a smaller list.)

W - Ways you run late: I'm a huge procrastinator...but I like to blame the kids for last minute requests and issues as I'm going out the door.

X - X-rays you've had: ankles and sinus area

Y - Yummy food you make: King Ranch Chicken

Z - Zoo favorite: The merry go round ...and the penguins or seals, if it has them.

MMMmmm! Cupcakes!

Many years ago, my boss brought some cupcakes to work. They were wonderful and I got the recipe from her. I finally made them myself last week and had to actually hide them because we ate SO many at one time!!



Self-filled Cupcakes:

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix
1 pkg. cream cheese (8 oz.), softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
6 oz. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with baking cups. Make cake mix according to package directions. Spoon batter into muffin pans, filling each cup about two-thirds full. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Stir in the chips. Drop 1 spoonful of cheese mixture into each cupcake. Bake as cake mix package directs.

I hate feeling like this!

It was a stressful day!

I needed to take my MIL to the doctor. I have been seeing her a lot this week.
On Saturday, I spent many hours at the hospital with her after she fell and broke her finger....and again later on for a second time after she removed her half cast and all the gauze/bandages. Two times is too many times to go to the hospital on any day. So...I've been checking on her. She has been really sore and hurt from the fall (which she doesn't remember, of course.)

Of course, she continues to take off the cast on the following days as well.

So, today, I break out her wheelchair and use it instead of having her use her walker (because she'd take a month of Sundays to get from one place to another, and in pain, and I wasn't feeling very patient...I didn't have a lot of time either.) Fortunately, I got my older daughter to watch the toddler so I only had one kid with me during this 'quality time' with MIL. I packed up the dvd player and crayons/activity stuff for the preschooler along with snacks too. I never considered bringing anything to keep the MIL occupied. I should have...she kept asking where we were (her doctor, or mine.) This is the doctor she has loved for many years...and she has forgotten who he was (or where we were, and, when some memories come in, they're confusing to her.) We decide just to tape her two fingers together rather than deal with any cast/bandage issues...the easier, the better.

I need to work on my communication skills with MIL (instead of any memories she can't possibly remember.) We talked about the clouds way too much! I brought a doll to her place a few weeks ago and it has really kept her company (she talks to it and sleeps with it as well.) It's hard to think of stuff to talk about when we're cooped up in a room waiting on the doctor for an hour.

Little things seem to be so much more complicated when dealing with loved ones with Alzheimers. For instance, my MIL gets frustrated with me when I tell her how to get in the car. She feels like I'm talking down to her, I think. But, then thirty seconds later, I observe that she tries to get in on her own and gets stuck with just her head in the car and can't figure out how to get seated. I have to get her head and upper body out to then explain that her bottom has to get in first. Eventually it all works out but somehow, it makes us both feel awkward.

All in all, the whole afternoon seemed stressful and frustrating. So.......I vented my anger to my older daughters afterwards. Feel a little bad about that too. I chastised my oldest for not following through with what she said she'd do at my house (in return to money loaned to her) and not visiting her grandmother. I told her she needed to just come visit me instead of running in for something or staying a few minutes and leaving. I remember my own mom saying something similar when I was young....but I then started spending hours on the weekend with each of our parents (or parents-in-law.) I just want to shake my daughter(s) and say...hurry - visit your grandma now or she'll never remember you again!

But...later on...I calmed down...I caught myself and the little boys singing to a song on the show they were watching. I try not to stay angry or frustrated for long...and I didn't. Tomorrow's another day, another day to improve and start over.

This is what I feel like doing a lot of the time...I can't ever decide what to eat!

If I had lots of money, I'd hire a personal chef to cook or prepare food for me and my family. I sometimes have good ideas and cook but I'm not a great cook, barely good. I eat out a lot, or I have done it a lot lately. My toddler seems to love soup so we've gone to a couple restaurants over and over because they make really good baked potato soup (and new england clam chowder.) He will eat really well by himself when he eats those. Nevertheless, I tend to eat better when my hubby is home when we plan and eat together. My preschooler eats lunch at his school (even though he goes half a day) so it's just the toddler and I. Food always seems to taste better when someone else cooks it!

I used to love coming home from school and smelling the kitchen right after my mom cooked something (maybe that's why I love the arouma of onions and green peppers together even though I don't like to eat them.) I got got another cookbook so I need to cook more!!

Fishing for Trout! Yep, we played a lot during the weekend...here are my boys fishing off of the 'boat' with their fishing poles (sometimes catching fish, sometimes seeing them get away!)


While checking me email (my computer is in the living room), my toddler crawls behind it and peeks through to see me. I then make a game of it and tickle him with the skeleton arm. Of course, my one time tickle turned into a game that lasted forever it seemed, lol!


My hubby was gone three weeks at work instead of two this month and when he got back, my toddler did NOT want to let him out of his sight...they were inseparable!

We had a nice cold front this past week and it rained for days. After a couple days, the boys couldn't stand it and needed to play outside! Since it wasn't thundering or lightening, we let them....and they both had their rainboots on! They had a great time and stayed out for a long time!


Standing in the rain to pose for a picture!


And my toddler licking the raindrops from his mouth. Within a minute after I took this picture, he decided he had had enough and we all went back in.

My 18 month old toddler, while playing at playground, grabbed the hand of the little girl next to him and they walked around together for a little while holding hands. It was SO cute! I happened to catch a picture of him just after he got her hand. Aaah!

I love this time of year....autumn...pumpkins...red and orange colors! There is a church in our community that sells pumpkins each year and we always go there to pick out a pumpkin for making a jack-o-lantern. My preschooler took his time to find the perfect one.

Starting the search...


Found one...but now want a bigger one...


Still looking...


Finally found one! Sitting on it making sure it's strong...


Taking the pumpkin in a ride...on the way to the car.


Cody (my nephew) also picked one out!


C'mon Halloween!!

We went to a local petting zoo yesterday. A mommy group planned the outing for this place in the morning (while my preschooler was at school.) My toddler and I checked it out and had a great time. There was a playground there, ponies to ride, a huge sandpile with lots of digging toys, and a petting zoo. It seemed like heaven to little kids!

We planned on returning later with my preschooler after he got out of school and after the toddler napped. We did a few errands and at some point, they were both asleep in the back seat in their car seats. When my preschooler woke up (he had fallen asleep for about 10 minutes), he said, "I took a little nap. That baby music is powerful." LOL! I had forgotten that our CD was playing in the car. We have several CDs with kid songs and music and I had put in a new baby einstein one earlier and it had some lullabies on it.

We did make it back to the petting zoo. When we returned, the animals hadn't eaten in a while and were quite hungry. There were many animals wanting some of the food that is in the tiny cup you get to feed them. What that means is that the animals swarmed us when we entered the area. It was my preschooler's first time there and it was quite scary for him. At some point, I wanted to take a picture of him in there. For a moment, he tried to give me a smile...but made sure he kept his eye on that big scary hungry goat right next to him!

Last year, I bought my daughter a mini-refrigerator during the August back to school sales and gave it to her for Christmas. She keeps it in her bedroom and lately, it's been empty. It's also a favorite place for my toddler to play...usually opening and closing it over and over. Surprise...he fits inside!

Last week, I had planned on going to meet some friends on a three day weekend with my kiddos. We were all packed and I was loading the car and checking off my list of things to do when I started feeling ill. So, I stopped and sat for a while while I took a break. As it turned out, I became violently ill. I also had fever and chills and became really weak. I spent the next several days also very weak (as I still am right now.) However, today (practically a week later), is the best I've felt since then.

My husband was at work and gone the whole week so I was incredibly thankful for my older brother (and nephew) for helping out every day! I sent that poor guy to the store (or to get food for us) each day too. On one day, he took my kiddos to his house and fed them (french toast and bacon.) He brought them back later and I smelled bacon on the toddler all day long, lol! By the evening,I was calling and begging him to cook the same for me as well........and he did!

Every once in a while, I forget what it's like to be sick and take being healthy for granted. I'm glad every once in a while, I get the message to slow down and enjoy each day as it comes by being slapped down by some illness. I was very fortunate that this was a temporary thing that is on it's way out... Having to do nothing for days makes me appreciate the option to be able to do anything else like go outside with my family or the dishes. I have huge piles of clean clothes in the hallway that need to be folded and that's the task tomorrow hopefully if I can get the energy. Meanwhile, I've had lots of quality counch time reading books to my kiddos and catching up on reruns on tv.

Julie tagged me with this Honest Scrap. The rules are that I have to tell you 10 things about myself and then tag 10 people to play along.

1. I have lived in the same city my whole life (and most of that time was in two different houses.)

2. My ultimate vacation would be driving the scenic routes around the United States in a small conversion van (like a RoadTrek) so that it can go over mountains smoothly.

3. I eat raisin bran for breakfast practically every morning.

4. I have weak ankles so I don't run or job. I have found that using the elliptical at the gym feels like I'm running and I love that feeling...

5. I love the movie "You've Got Mail" and cry everytime I see it.

6. I met the man who I ended up marrying when I was 15 at a skating rink.

7. I love to go camping (have actually only camped less than a dozen times.) I will be going again in November.

8. There are some times that I count down the minutes until my kids go to sleep and then miss them so much I that I secretly want to wake them up again for moments lost.

9. I am afraid of heights.

10. If you're reading this and want to play along, consider yourself tagged! I would love to get to know you better.

We went to a birthday party for a neighbor's daughter today at a park. While we all had a great time and I took a ton of pictures, there were many cute ones of my toddler that I wanted to share. He loves climbing and climbed up as I held my breath...



Then played peek-a-boo!


I just love his smile! How great it is to be one!


What SOOC photo do you have to share this SOOC Saturday {weekend}?

I have been working my behind off moving stuff at my mother-in-law's house (how I wish that was a literal statement!) I'm renting out her house to my brother (except a large room that used to be a garage in which I'm storing her furniture. I want her tiny nestegg to last as long as possible and the rent money will help. Her home is in such disarray that it would be in need of huge capital in order to rent it to anyone else. So, my nephew and I have been working in the mornings going through closets and moving furniture. I feel like her things shouldn't be disposed of or divided considering she's still alive. My dental hygienist suggested a book to me while I got my teeth cleaned last week, The Long Goodbye. She said her husband often referenced it in his line of work with the elderly...those with Alzheimers...they die slowly as their memories fade and away from the person you once loved... My legs are sore and I've packed many boxes thus far. We've been extremely productive and it feels great!

My poor preschooler woke up at 4am with an earache. (Well, both little kids were up then, and all morning, but that's another story.) He has had some allergies lately (time of year) and they got out of hand. By morning, he was punch drunk because he was so tired and yet full of energy to stay awake. He wavered between laughing and crying. When I asked why he was crying...he sobbed, I don't know. He just felt bad. We went in early to see the doctor and sure enough, sinus infection! The doctor also asked if he had been snoring. Why, yes! I had noticed that he was snoring a couple of times this week (never does) and that was also a sign he was getting sick. His schedule is way off. I noticed in the waiting room at the pediatrician's office that most kids were sitting on their parent's lap....as my own kid was doing....trying to feel better. Boy, I need a nap!

Last weekend, we visited my SIL who lives on a bay. We always enjoy going there and hanging out. This particular time, their bulkhead (the area where the water meets the dirt area on their property) was being rebuilt and my preschooler was hanging a great time on the CAT bobcat that was left behind. The owner of the equipment actually came by and gave him a ride and lesson in driving it. Talk about hanging a great time!!! He really loved it!


We enjoyed playing peek-a-boo! The toddler kept peeking from behind the wall and cackling afterwards!


Going treasure hunting at the boat dock area. He rode his bicycle with one training wheel down there and then carried his shovel all around looking for something good. We kept singing Pirate songs, especially one by The Backyardigans, and saying Aargh!


At night, we enjoyed fishing on the pier. Only one was caught and it escaped before being brought all the way up. At night, we turn on the lights to warm up the water where the fish congregate so we can catch them easier. On this particular night, there was no wind and all the insects swarmed under the lights.

I spent nine hours in the ER yesterday with my mother-in-law. I thought she had a heart attack but, after many tests and an overnight stay as observation, it turned out that she had just sprained her muscle under her breast (and it was very tender.) She doesn't remember doing it, of course, or anything else of significance.

It takes a lot of patience to sit with someone with Alzheimers at a place out of their comfort zone for such a long time. And each time she asked the same question over and over and over again, I answered it like it was the first time I had heard it. There were four areas in this particular room and we were all divided by a curtain. The man behind us had apparently swallowed about 30 pills in an attempt to kill himself. His wife was there, and she was pretty quiet, probably wondering why, and what now? I was thinking they were probably getting tired of hearing our conversation over and over. I tried to think of interesting things to talk about (as the time seemed to drag on.) She knows that her memory is failing and now is forgetting some words (as opposed to memory) in sentences. She also now doesn't remember her marriage nor her late husband (they had been married 51 years.) But in it all, at one point, she said something memorable. In reference to things (as in material objects), she said "Things are not important......People....People are important." I know that's very true. She had many pretty things and many with long stories behind them. They mean nothing now. It's the people that matter. She then squeezed my hand and again thanked me for being there. I hope the man behind us heard that.

I went to MIL's apartment to get some clean clothes for her this morning (anticipating her being discharged) and spoke to a lady who asked about her. The lady had recently had eye surgery and now her arm was in a case. I asked about her arm. She went on to explain that she had broken it in four places when she tripped in her room. Since she has such brittle bones (due to her age,) she wasn't sure if it would heal in the cast (and may need surgery.) She talked on about how she wishes she had good health. I spoke up and said that my MIL has great health but can't remember anything. I think I'd rather have bad health and at least remember my life. She agreed as we both shook her head in unison.

Slow and uninteresting week...today, a couple things happened.

I was pleasantly surprised by talking to both of my brothers' wives today. One lives in California and sent me a text that they found out today that their baby will be a girl (to be born next January.) My other sister-in-law came over to look at a house to rent on our street (two houses over.) I'm not close to either, per se, but love the fact that I have two sisters-in-law and hope to strengthen our relationships. Since these brothers who are married are younger than I am....and married much younger wives, their wives are both younger than my older daughter, specifically ages 22 and 23. Hmm...makes for interesting conversations. While I try to talk about family and vague topics, sometimes the 'mother' in me comes out and I feel like I want to tell them the best way to do things. I don't though...I don't want to seem like their mom...I just want to be a friend.

I also went to one of my favorite restaurants...Cheddars. My toddler LOVES the baked potato soup and eats it very well by himself. I love their food and it makes us both happy, lol! The atmosphere there is nice...it's cool, has large wicker fans in shapes of leaves slowly going around in an area (keeps toddlers occupied watching) and a large fish aquarium. After we fill up on great food and spill lots of soup on our shirts (just the toddler), we stand at the aquarium and point out different colored fish watching them swim around. Then, on the ride home, normally the toddler falls asleep and...all is well.

Years ago, I couldn't read a certain small font at work and bought some reading glasses to read it. Since then, slowly but surely, I can tell that my eyes are getting older (and I now use reading glasses at the computer.) I have noticed that I am doing what my own mom did at this age (squint and ask for clarification on certain numbers or letters.) I used to only need them for close-up reading but I've noticed in the last few weeks, that even farther away things are now blurry. I seem to carry reading classes around with me all the time (reading bedtime story at night, reading menus at restaurants, balancing the checkbook, and reading the newspaper.) The mornings are the worst. Ugh!! I guess I will soon bite the bullet and actually get my eyes checked. That's not the scary part...when I do get glasses, my biggest issue will be picking out frames.

Somehow, I found motivation to clean today! Mmmmm! I love the smell of a clean house! LOL! Obviously, it doesn't happen as often as it should. There are a few problem areas that I'm still trying to iron out. I feel so productive as I planned several goals and then followed through. Of course, I had to stop several times to play Wolverine and the X Men, to hold the toddler as his gums were hurting, and help the preschooler with puzzles. We took advantage of the quality time together while his brother was taking a nap (as puzzle pieces can become airborne or chewed up otherwise.) It could have been done much faster, but what fun is that? The preschooler insisted on helping in the kitchen mopping and later, the toddler insisted on helping to mop in the bathroom. Hopefully, I can keep that kind of help up, especially when they get to be teens, lol! It was a great day!

In addition, I even took my mother-in-law to lunch. I have never done that. She was the kind of lady who didn't eat out much and always had a reason to stay home or order out. Now that she can't remember much, she didn't know she didn't like to eat out. It was a little stressful...not because of her but because of the two kiddos I had with us. I ordered her food I knew she would enjoy. She ate slowly and we were finished long before she was. Perhaps it was because it was habit...that we rush through the meal before the kids lose interest and get loud. I ordered a bowl of ice cream for the kiddos to keep them entertained while she finished up. She was quiet most of the time but made a joke that she didn't get any ice cream. We all laughed. I realized a little later that she actually wanted some so I ordered some for her as well. Halfway through her ice cream, she asked why she was eating ice cream. LOL! I answered because she asked for it and it was really good. She agreed and finished it up. Yep, ice cream definitely brings out smiles and makes life good.

Today is day 4. I'm on a diet and I'm finally working out. I got a membership at a gym and have been going there as well. I'm so out of shape that I can only do about 30 minutes at a time. I'm looking forward to feeling better and getting more energy though. I haven't tried to really diet in um.....fifteen years or so. I have noticed I'm so tired at night though, even more than usual. I'd be nice to fit into my clothes better...I'm keeping my eye on the prize!

Just playing around at home (and with the camera!)

I often go see my mother-in-law in her apartment (at the assisted living facility.) I went today because I received a call that she bumped her head while falling early this morning and it was protocol to have her go to the hospital to get her checked out. Her head was fine. I called her before I went and she addressed me with my name and asked me to go visit her (and to bring the boys.) I had intended to so the toddler and I went and visited for a while.

I have pictures all over the walls for her. One thing I made for her has all of her kids names and pictures of her kids in order (vertically arranged on the wall.) One picture is of my husband (and the toddler) that is at a lever where it can be seen and touched by little ones. Of course, my toddler went up to it and was pointing to it, saying da-da. She didn't seem to notice. I hinted that the picture is of his dad (and said the name.) It was then that I realized that she didn't know who I was referring to. She read off all the names and then said she wasn't sure which picture was which (even though they were clearly arranged in such a way that it seemed obvious...and she used to know.)

So I asked the hundred million dollar question. I asked if she who I was related to (from the pictures on the wall.) In other words, who am I? Does she know anymore? And the answer, no.

I am a very kind person who will continue to visit her and bring little boys to visit and slather lotion on her hands, wash her clothes, keep her company and talk about the clouds in the sky. I changed the subject as to not make her feel like it mattered that she really didn't know. She mentioned earlier in the week when I visited that she saw me pass by and thought I was the Angel Gabriel and was so happy to see me. I took that as a compliment.

But as I walked out of the building toward my car, I noticed my eyes were a little wet. It's so sad to see so many memories fade away. I wish this wretched disease on nobody and wish there were a cure.

A few days ago, my family and I met a friend at a local restaurant. While we were eating, we heard the lady at the next table talking to her friend. She had a kind of a loud voice and her vocabulary included lots of profanity. I was amazed she didn't notice that we were staring at her or that there were kids around. My daughter decided, in her anger, that the best thing to do would be to cuss the lady out. I told her that she would then be just as bad as the lady was. So then I was stressing about keeping my daughter's rage under control as well as being angry at the patron near us. As it turned out, my husband took our little ones to the playground located down the hall (of the mall where the restaurant was located.) My daughter then left as I was getting ready to pay the bill. The foul mouthed lady actually got up to pay and was right behind me in line. For the life of me, as much as I wanted to say something to her, I couldn't even open my mouth. I have thought about it so many times since then about what I should have said to her. She was discussing her drinking habits with the guy she ate lunch with and I thought to myself that her whole demeanor and tone probably meant that whatever I said wouldn't have phased her a bit. But, I am still kicking myself for not having found a way to diplomatically urge her to notice next time who was sitting near her or to talk quieter, or anything. Ugh!

This past weekend, we had a party and celebrated our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary with our family and friends. It was a lovely day and we had LOTS of food! It was wonderful to see so many people come by and say hello. We extended the event to last all day so anybody could come by for a few minutes or to stay all day. We are very blessed! The next day, we were SO tired. The house was a mess and we just rested a lot. At one point, I looked down and the toddler was sitting right in the middle of the empty steam table pans. Rather than get him out, I reached down and grabbed my camera!


For more fun with SOOC Saturday or to participate yourself visit Melody at slurpinglife.typepad.com

Candid Picture...of my boys.

My preschooler is in the bathroom doing his business reading his ABC book while his toddler brother looks on. My husband is sitting on the side of the bathtub reading the newspaper keeping them company.

We went to the beach this week for a few hours. I had forgotten how the sand feels after you get wet and the total stickiness (is that even a word?) Since I had to be so close to my youngest, I didn't go looking for shells or beach treasures. I just watched them enjoy a different sort of playground.

Naturally, the kids were so busy playing that they didn't want to pose for any pictures and just wanted to play. I enjoy this picture because my smallest just sat for a while and watched the waves.


And, since there were storms in the area, the waves for larger than normal, and it was fun watching them come in and out again. Here, my preschooler just lays in the water as the waves go back and forth over him.


And my favorite...crawling out to sea.

I have been writing down the books we read aloud this summer down as part of a summer reading program for my preschooler. Yesterday, we turned in the form and listened to a presentation about strangers from a police officer. It was a sad quick talk (of no significance) but the officer let the kiddos go look and sit in his police car. Now, that was the cool part for the kids. There was a moment where my preschooler turned around and had an expression of joy/confidence with barely a hint of a smile. It was an expression I've seen only a couple times. He didn't even say anything but I could see in his face and he kinda walked over and stood into me (while waiting for his turn to go see the police car.) By this time, he was patiently waiting for his turn to go outside and was incredibly patient. He got his turn and had a blast! I didn't realize that the back of the police cars were plastic seats (in our area) and that there was Plexiglas between the two seats. Afterwards, we went back in the library's children's section and sat in bean bag chairs (and read books.) At one point, we laid back and looked up. There were cool ceiling windows and a really high circular area. I put the baby on my chest and we both looked up. While he wasn't really sure what we were looking at as we leaned back and looked up, I pointed out all the things we could see above and told him what they were. I realized he was really paying attention and also pointing just like I had. For him to lay still for such a long time, I took advantage of it. I just loved smelling his neck/hair while I was talking to him. Our cheeks were next to each other and his skin was soft I enjoyed taking advantage of his curiosity to hold him as long as possible. It turned out to be more fun than I expected. An ordinary errand turned out to be a fun morning!!

Wow! Talk about FAST cleaning! A couple of friends were in the neighborhood (one was picking another up from a doctor's appointment) and asked to pop by to use the bathroom and/or hang out a bit. I said, sure! Then, it hit me...OMG! The place is a mess! I went into turbo overdrive...a speed I hadn't had in a long time I think. I managed to clean the kitchen (including dirty dishes from last night), vacuum the living room and halls and clean the bathroom in 30 minutes!! I swept but didn't actually do the real cleaning on the kitchen floor...there wasn't enough time for that. I'm feeling much better now. What's ironic is that they didn't come. They also said something in the original call that we could all go to lunch close by at 11 and it's getting close so I imagine that we'll all just meet there instead. I even sneaked a shower in too (no make-up though.) Of course, my kiddos are sharing dry lucky charms and I've noticed some on the carpet....sigh.

I went grocery shopping today. I really look forward to this task I do at least once a week. There are times that I only go do a great intensive shopping trip once or twice a month (and get milk and a few things weekly.) But I love looking around at different stores for new interesting things to eat (via sampling) or recognizing ingredients I had forgotten about in hopes of making a forgotten recipe. This afternoon, I took my teenager as well as the little boys. My preschooler was Wolverine today (complete in his mostly yellow costume and yellow and black mask.) He asked if he could wear it to the store and told him, sure. Naturally, my teen was having a fit thinking that she would be embarrassed or that he might cause people to look our way. I didn't care because he loves his costume and you can only get away with that at this age for a short time and then you're expected to conform (wear 'normal clothes' and play dress-up only at home.) I love his excitement when he pretends with his costume and voice and when he takes on the behaviors/phrases of his current superhero character. As it turned out, it was a positive experience and she even suggested he put on his mask to top off his whole wardrobe. That was wonderful to watch in and of itself. We did well during this trip not buying a lot of junk food. It was amazing how much fruit we bought as we normally don't buy a lot. I have eaten cherries this week. I haven't eaten cherries since I was a little girl. I don't know why I quit eating them either. I bought a bag a few days ago and have practically eaten the whole bag by myself. I bought another and will eat fruit when I get the urge to eat something sweet.

And a wonderful, scary, noisy thunderstorm rounded off the day giving us our much needed rain. It's still sprinking outside.

What a great day!

We were away for a week! Had a nice relaxing time at a relative's house! Of course, Optimus Prime (from the Transformers) had to go with us:







And I enjoyed another birthday!! I love celebrating them and especially, picking out my own birthday cake! Luckily, my sister-in-law Patti made me one....a Texas Sheet (sheath) cake! Mmmmmm!!

I have lived in this house for a year and a half. I moved from another house where I lived for over 20 years. I have yet to put any pictures on the walls, lol! I have many beautiful frames and pictures but enjoy the bare beautiful uncluttered walls that I haven't gotten around to arranging pictures. I don't really have any company to speak of either so I haven't been motivated to do anything about it either. I am going to pick up a picture tomorrow (a family one that was taken a couple of weeks ago) and will finally put it (and other pictures) up. I haven't had a 'family picture' made in over 15 years...and the one before that was when I was still a kid at home. I ought to take family pictures more often. It always seems that I'm the one taking pictures so I have albums and albums full of my family (those other than me) and have only taken professional pictures once in a blue moon. I am so excited about getting the picture tomorrow!!! Here's to change!

When my house gets dirty, I try to clean up a room at a time. I started in an inner closet today and then thought of an idea. What if I could move some furniture around to make the room better? So, I changed a bunch of stuff up! I now have a tiny room that includes a twin bed for a nap bed for my preschooler so that he can sleep there without toys (or in a room with a sleeping baby brother having to be extremely quiet) and a bookshelf with books if he wants to read before/after his nap. It took practically all day to move the stuff around (and move the bed from the other side of the house into there.) Unfortunately, all the other tasks were neglected, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. It can even be a small guest bedroom (ok, so it doesn't have a door but....it works.) I am going to try to tackle that huge mound of clean clothes tomorrow. I always feel so much better when things are in their place and it smells clean. That is my goal this week....summer cleaning! My fingers are crossed!

It's almost the end of crawfish season. We decided to have one last crawfish boil. It was a good time to sit and enjoy the afternoon too.

Crawfish up close.


Cooking them.


Transferring them into an old icechest to keep hot.


Enjoying conversation with family...


...and entertainment.