14 years later

This morning I will take a moment of silence to reflect and then to pray for all those that were lost and directly affected by that morning. The entire nation changed that day. It brought unity and patriotism to a nation that had forgotten, and now, once again, we have forgotten. It saddens me to see the recent racism and hate that has ensued. We need to reunite as one nation and stop allowing the media to divide us.

Just writing...

I have written for quite some time now even being published at some point. I woke up this morning and sat and thought about my family and how much they mean to me. I had to write. It's not one of my best and pretty mushy but this morning I am filled with love and happiness!

The love of my family

When I'm close to you,
All of my troubles melt away.
I am filled with comfort.
I am filled with love.

When I'm close to you,
I forget the world is around.
I have you near.
That is all that matters.

When I look in your eyes,
I am reminded.
There is nothing to big.
There is nothing we can not conquer.

Teenagers

Something I don't get about teens is how they can hurt someone they love over and over and be ok with it. I don't understand how they can smart off and belittle parents and authority figures and think that's ok. They have a sense of entitlement and arrogance that really gets to me. Most aren't raised that way. So where does that come from? They don't understand that a parent's outward anger is actually hurt inside and a way to hide the tears.
On another note, school starts tomorrow. I'm so excited to have a high school student. I'm so excited to have a band member. I'm so excited to be so involved in band and that my arrogant jerk of a teen is ok with mom being around all the time and wants me there. To be clear, he's not always that way. He just gets to me at times. If he will just behave, this year is going to be amazing for us both!
3.0 has his 4 month doctor appointment tomorrow. I get to find out how much he's grown.  He's so chunky and it's precious!
Happy first day of school to all!!!

Falling behind but catching up

I have greatly fallen behind on my posting but catching up on things around the house.

Took 3.0 on his first picnic and put his little feet in the water at the splash pad. He seemed unsure but ok. I also got on a swing and swung gently with him. He really seemed to enjoy it. 

I finished the shelf I was painting and decorating for him and I love how it turned out.  I'm getting so close to being done with his room. I'm making a little side table for next to my rocker in his room that will eventually be his night stand. I have it cut and sanded. Just need to finish putting it together and paint it. Hoping to get it completed this weekend.

I planted a few things that seem to be doing well. Looking forward to some fresh vegetables.  Just have peas and tomatoes for now but it's better than nothing.

I found a little tree frog living in my hanging basket.  I've been crazy about taking care of it and making sure it is left alone. I love frogs. He leaves every night to eat and comes back every morning to burrow in my plant.

Today I made fig jam. It's my first time with figs. I hope it sets right. I can fix it if not but it's a pain. I know the flavor was marvelous.  I added a touch of cinnamon that really made it.

Ds1 is getting ready to start his freshman year summer band camp. I spent a couple of days having some one on one time with him.  Won't be long until he's too busy or moved away. I also find I have fewer behavioral issues with him when we spend a day together here and there. Sometimes I think he just wants to be heard and treated like an older person. I can do some of that within reason. Everyone needs attention now and then.

I made some super noodles last night. Cooked 2 small packs of linguini. Then combined 1-2 lbs Italian sausage,  salt, about half of an onion finely chopped and cooked just until done. Then add noodles to mixture with 1/2 cup basil pesto 1/2 cup fresh shredded parmesan, and 1/2 cup chopped tomato and mix well. I served it with garlic bread and salad and sprinkled a little parmesan on top. It was amazing!

Next on today's agenda...work on my friend's car. That's right folks. I'm a mom with wrench turning abilities.  I could be dangerous. Lol

Wow I've been busy today. I need a nap!

Cleaning fun

Has anyone heard of using a one and one mixture of vinegar and blue dawn for cleaning?  I tried it because I've desperately been looking for something to remove soap scum. No matter how much I've cleaned my tub it just gets worse. This actually works!!! You can see where it was applied and streaked down through it. I applied last night and rinsed/wiped this morning.  I did not scrub at all. Absolutely amazing. I'm all over mixing it up and trying it on everything.  Lol

I have come to the realization that there is nothing more relaxing than a sleeping baby in your arms with a loving dog by your side.  I love my mornings before anyone else is awake that I get quiet time with 3.0. He and I are early risers. I caught him sucking his thumb for the first time today.  His other four fingers were covering his face instead of in a fist. It was too cute.

Ever since I started designing the nursery
I planned to make a small shelf/table to put next to my rocker/recliner that would later be used as a nightstand.  My dad bought the wood for me before he was born but I was unable to get it done because the pregnancy got me down so badly.  Today we finally cut the pieces. I hope to get it put together tomorrow and maybe sanded at least. We will see. I'm just excited to be making progress.  Hopefully I will get his room finished by the end of the month.

Early appointment tomorrow to see about ds1 getting braces. Hoping it goes well and the insurance approves them.  His upper canines can't come down because there isn't enough space but he's on medicaid for now and it's super hard to get approved with them. So we will see. If not we will wait until I start a new job and get private insurance. 

I reckon that's all for tonight. Wishing the best to all. I cook a lot and crochet. Let me know if there is anything specific you would like to see, a recipe or project. Be sweet...

It's hot...

We live in a duplex and the ac doesn't keep up well in the dead of summer. Today I finally had to turn on the window units to help. Geez it's hot.

Ds1 continues to test my patience.  I tell him to do something and have to really push to get it done. Today i had to take his phone. Needless to say he got an attitude but it got done! I hate having to do that.  I wish he would just do as he's told but he will learn one way or another.

The sweet loving fuzzbutt in the picture is Chiona. She's a chihuahua and weimaraner mix. I have no idea how that happened. Anyway, she's also a crazy daredevil and, though she was spade at just 3 months old, thinks she's supposed to mother everything.  Last night she ran round and round in the house and would slide at every stop.  She's so silly and we were laughing so hard.

This morning I got up and made breakfast for the family that included scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits from scratch in the shape of paw prints.  My scratch recipe includes a stick of butter, tsp of salt and baking powder,  around 3-4 cups flour, and just enough milk so it holds together but not sticky.  I mix it together and roll them out to about 3/4 inch thick and bake at 350 until they spring back when touched.  Never dry hockey pucks.  :D

Baby love and decorating

I painted this shelf for 3.0 this past week and finally got to hang it today. The top is completely blue.  I'm so pleased with how it turned out. The colors are perfect and I just love it.

On another note, there is nothing more satisfying and relaxing than the love of a child. They smile beautifully and love unconditionally (just like puppies and I LOVE dogs). I love to sit in my rocker and love on this little guy.  He smiles when I pick him up and holds on so tight when I hold him. He's just precious.  Last night he rolled over from tummy to back for the first time. I was so excited. I missed those things with ds1 because of work but since I'm not working right now (but looking) I'm soaking up every minute I can. I cried when he did it and he smiled so big and giggled.  I wish everyone could find the peace and love I have with my family.  I'm sitting here rocking him now and, like other nights, I'm not going to want to put him down. This is where I am most at peace.  All the troubles and craziness of the world and life in general melt away when I have this little one in my arms. My husband is the only other person with that ability.  I can come in crying and hysterical and he calms me down every time. We are two very different people but it works.  I think our trust and ability to do our own things makes it work.  Without those things I don't think any relationship will work whether it's friends or romantic.

I took ds1 to see minions yesterday.  We were disappointed.  They are so cute and funny in the despicable movies.  I expected much more out of this one but was sadly disappointed.  It's worth a watch though. Today was reserved for working in my dad's garden and helping out around his house.  I cooked him dinner, beef tips and rice made from round steak from a cow we slaughtered and green peas.  Part of our day today actually consisted of cutting up a different cow that had been aging. It's a lot of work and my dad and his wife are much older. It wears them out. So we help and they thank us with some of the meat. I would take that meat over the grocer any day. Yummmm! I also harvested some figs.  I'm hoping to get enough to make some preserves. If not I will just eat them! I love figs.

I'm not real entertaining today but that's all I got for now. It's been a long, hot day. Time to get some rest. Tomorrow is another day!

Newlyblog

So I'm a newly-blogger. I've never done it before but with the chaos of 3 small dogs, a cat, a teen (DS1), a newborn (3.0), 2 large dogs, and my DH I have plenty of entertaining stories to tell. I'm hoping to amuse you and perhaps pass on some wisdom. We are a very fun family and a group of animal lovers.  I feel like I am a first time mom all over again. I may start slow but keep with me. It will get better.