Blogging again? Maybe...

You know, I always enjoyed blogging. I was never a biggie, rarely got paid, never got free stuff, just had a few fun followers and made a couple of friends who are still my friends today. I think I had higher ambitions and when they didn't come to fruition, I kind of faded out.

You can see from my sidebars that my blob is seriously outdated.  I'll work on that.

But here's the thing. I LOVED blogging. Sometimes I think I can write here better than I can talk in person. Maybe because 29 people aren't interrupting me, but still. I've read some of my really old blogs and I wasn't embarrassed much at all. In fact at times I was pretty impressed with me.

I feel like I'm at a bit of a crossroads in my life right now, changes are a'happenin'. Maybe writing about my experiences here will be fun, help someone, or just help me.

 So stay tuned, never know what may happen.

The Pioneer Woman on Food Network!

Y'all, I've been reading The Pioneer Woman's blog for over 4 years. The first thing I remember reading is the recipe for this sandwich. And I cooked it. And we loved it. Over the years I've cooked many more of Ree's recipes, and let me tell you - they are AWESOME.

I don't read as many blogs as I used to, but I never miss a Pioneer Woman post. I've read about her kids, her dogs, calf nuts, book tours and her husband's chaps. At the risk of sounding like a stalker, I feel like I know this woman.

So last fall when Ree did Showdown with Bobby Flay? You know I DVRd it. And watched a thousand times, pausing to explain to Paul who each and every person was. Paul was thrilled. Well, I was seriously thrilled, because this chick? Who I know? Sort of? Was on the TV! That's like one degree of separation, except for the minor detail that she doesn't know I exist. But still.

Now you can imagine my excitement when I heard that Ree was doing a REAL show on Food Network, just like Miss Paula Deen!

Hey, guess what? I'm about to get to my point.

The Pioneer Woman premiered (I think it was the premier) this morning! And don't you know that I watched it. And loved it.

This is not your average cooking show. I mean, I'm sure the exact recipes are on the Food Network site, but here, Ree just lives her ranch life with an emphasis on cooking. On today's episode she made Chicken Fried Steak, etc., for dinner and Breakfast Sandwiches for - you guessed it - breakfast. And there were lots of kids and dogs and cowboys and cows...y'all, I absolutely love this show.

It's a hard one to explain, so just do yourself a favor - watch it. It's scheduled for 10:30 CT Saturday mornings, but I imagine it replays throughout the week. Check Food Network for showtimes.

Memorial Day Report-A-Thon

I haven't much to report, but in the interest of keeping this here blob current, I present to you some randomness:

I sincerely honor all of our servicemen and -women who have given their lives so that we may live in a free country.

In honor of the holiday eve, Court, Mag and I watched Shrek Forever After yesterday - two and one half times - while Big Daddy took Ab to the Rangers game. Where the Rangers won. Go Team!

I need a new header for my blog DESPERATELY. I'm working up the courage to tackle a tutorial and learn how to make myself a new one.

I am such a sewing sewer lately that it's scaring me. And making me happy. Latest projects include Easter skirts, cute kiddie art kits and hemming all of my girls' cut-offs. Well, not all. There a few still in the To Do Stack, and a few of them we left all fringy. Fringie? I dunno.

My next sewing projects will probably be shirts for Buddy (the Chihuahua we rescued but I haven't blogged about), purses for Court and Mag and maybe some organizing type things for myself.

Cause you know you were totally wondering.

Good movies on the TV this holiday weekend! Better go find me some and hunker back down in bed because it is totally too early to be up on a holiday.

Eight Years Old!

Y'all, my baby is turning eight today.

It's unreal.

She's growing up and staying a baby all at the same time, and it's killin' me! I don't have baby pictures on this computer (a separate hard drive is on my wish list), but here are some of the almost-eight-year-old:

We cut her hair a few months ago, for the first time in about 4 years. I absolutely LOVE the way her little bob looks, but then when I see photos of her with long hair it makes me a bit melancholy.

I'm fickle like that.

Maggie is an artist and a songwriter and Oh, so emotional. Even as I'm typing this post, she's singing an original song - most of them are original. And they

go on forever. They start out beautiful and poignant and heart-grabbing, and then after about 5 minutes it's like, "Dude, you're no Don McLean and this ain't American Pie." I'm a lovely Mom, huh?

I'm sure time will refine that.

I'm sure of it.

So Happy Birthday, my sweet Maggie Mae! Mommy loves you more than she ever knew she could!

15 Months

Fifteen Months!

That's right, I haven't posted on this here blog in fifteen whole months. But I'm thinking that's about to change. We'll see.

So let's see if I can bring you up to date.

Milestones? We lost both of our beloved dogs, Bear and Buster last year. Bear was 16 and Buster was 15. It sucked.

After we lost Buster in January, we also lost our dadgum minds and drove 100 miles to buy a puppy that was advertised as a Dachshund/Beagle mix just like Buster. We named him BJ and enjoyed him oh, so much. Until his legs got longer than mine. Uhm...neither Dachshund nor Beagle, and WAY too big for my dainty girls and our other dogs.

That's right, dogs. Because while we were wild with grief, we also rescued Princess, a Pom/Yorkie mix who was pregnant.

Bear was not amused.

Princess had those adorable puppies on March 30 of last year, and we named them Smoke, Choco and Daisy. The birth experience? Requires a story of its own. Dang, I wish I'd been blogging back then.

For those of you keeping count, that brought our canine total to SIX. Bear, BJ, Princess and 3 pups. We were rebels in violation of city ordinances.

BJ was the sweetest boy but just terrorizing everyone in the house, and we eventually found him a home with a Doberman rescue guy. The guy was a little off, but absolutely spoiled and doted on all of his Dobermans (Dobermen?) so we felt great about sending BJ off to his new home.

One of the puppies went to live with my cousins, making us legal here in our city.

And then in September my sweet Bear left us. Y'all, I had Bear longer than Big Daddy. But he couldn't stand or walk very well any more and he was just ready to move on. It was one of the most difficult experiences in my life.

And that's all I have to say about that.

My girls are all awesome and think they're grown and have crushes and are such young ladies these days. I'll post pictures soon. I'm still homeschooling but we're planning on attending a Charter School in the fall. It will be quite a transition for them all and I'm trying to be more structured here to prepare them.

Pray for them. And me.

Nine paragraphs on my dogs and one one my kiddos. Clearly I have some catching up to do on the girlies.

And on that note, I'm gonna go to sleep so I can get up in 3 hours to feed these crazy dogs and take them outside. Because the minute the alarm goes off they start licking my face and won't stop. No snoozing for me these days, my friends.

Later.

American Idol - Top 12 Girls Compete

Hey, look at me! I'm writing a blog post!

I know, I suck at blogging these days, huh?

Let's see how I can do at blogging American Idol.

Paige Miles - Started out good, but I think she junked it up in the chorus.

Ashley Rodriguez - Pitchy.

Janell Wheeler - I like her voice,b ut was underimpressed at the performance overall.

Lilly Scott - Dang, she lived in her car, y'all! I wish she had just a little bit of color in her hair tho. She's not really my cup of tea, but I think she did the best just so far.

Katelyn Epperly - Love the hair. And her performance was good. Not great, but very good. I may be having a problem with the sound or the arrangements or something tonight; not sure.

Haeley Vaughn - She really put her own spin on such a well-known song. Good job.

Lacey Brown - I totally want her hair. Totally. Plus - TEXAS! Not feelin' the song, though. I sorta like it and I sorta don't. But have I mentioned that I love her hair? Cause I DO.

Michelle Delamor - Meh.

Didi Something - Man, I like this girl's voice, but so many of these songs tonight are not my thing. That is all.

Siobhan Magness - Like her.

Krysal Bowersox - Hey I know I misspelled er name bu some of my keys ae sopped working. EEK. Wa's weird is a ey work eery were bu Blogger.

I qui+

So hey, I guess I didn't have much to say after all. But I'm puttin' it out there nonetheless. See ya tomorrow night for the boys.

Sayonara.

Loral Langmeier Scam

So yesterday I mentioned that I was less than happy with the Loral Langmeier organization, and I bet you don't even know who that is, huh?

Raise your hand if you know who that is.

Anyway.

Back in December, while riding in the car one night, Big Daddy and I were listening to talk radio and heard a lady who was very inspirational, very motivational, very Get Your Butt In Gear, etc. She was offering a free book, which you and I know is never really free, but I called the 800 number to get the details.

The operator assured me that the book was, in fact, free, but that we would have to pay for shipping. I was fine with that.

Oh, and you also get a free month of Loral's magnificent online community, web coaching, whatever the heck it is, and if you don't cancel in the first month, we'll just start charging you $67 a month. No biggie.

Yeah, NO. I do not want the "free" membership.

The operator informed me that the 30-day membership would begin the day we logged into the site, so I thought, "Hey, I just won't ever log in."

Yeah, that didn't work. They charged me anyway. AAAAAGH!

I called the Customer Service department Wednesday, and could tell that this is what they deal with EVERY day, people who didn't want to be charged, who tried to prevent getting charged, because the whole point is - THEY MAKE THEIR MONEY BY OFFERING FREE BOOKS AND THEN RIPPING PEOPLE OFF FOR $67.

The Customer Service rep told me that she would order a recording of my phone call and we would listen to it together, just call me back in 24 hours.

Guess who hasn't answered her extension since then?

I'm so aggravated, both at the scammers and at myself. Because I should have seen this coming. I should have hung up the minute they mentioned the stupid online membership. I thought I could handle it.

But they beat me.

Puppies and printers and scammers, oh MY!

Do you have those days when you feel like you did NOTHING at all, but you're tired anyway? Today was one of those days. And so that I don't feel like a total loser, I decided I'd post my accomplishments, no matter how small.

And off we go

I got my kids fed and dressed. Hey, that's quite the accomplishment here, where the Dirty Laundry girls would like every day to be Pajama Day.

I took this sweet puppy outside humpteen times to go potty, and I fixed his special meals of puppy food and formula. He's one month old today, you see. Oh, and also I can't stop taking pictures of him. Like a grillion.

Let's see, what else? Oh, I called Lexmark regarding a problem I'm having with my color ink cartridge, and surprise of all surprises? THEY ARE SENDING ME A NEW CARTRIDGE. You don't see that kind of customer service much these days! So YAY, Lexmark.

Called scammer Loral Langmeier to argue about a charge to my account. I may write an entire post about this tomorrow. Yeah, I will, so check back. I know, I haven't been so consistent with the writing of the posts, but just check back - I'm trying to do better.

Hey, the puppy just deleted my entire post. Thank goodness for Auto Save!

I sorted my tax receipts - until this afternoon, everything was crammed into one folder. Next step will be entering them into spreadsheets.

Made and/or received several business calls. Have I told y'all lately that we love our business? Ask me about it.

Oh yeah, and I also educated my children. Found a great typing site through a friend's blog. Printed out worksheets, introduced new exercises. It was a GREAT school day.

Did I mention taking a grillion pictures of the puppy? Oh, and wrote a blog post for the first time in 87 years. I guess I wasn't such a slacker after all.

Carte Blanche

Wow, it's been over a month since I've posted.

You know what? With Twitter and Facebook around these days, it's just so easy to post a quick thought there, and never really get around to putting those thoughts together into a post.

Even today I'm just writing a quickie, to say HOW VERY MUCH I love my new 'do. I've returned to the Best Hairdresser I Ever Had, and I'm embarrassed that it's taken me this long.

Sherry was the first one who gave me layers, oh, like 25 years ago. Sherry was the first one to perm my hair, and the first to give me highlights too.

No, I don't perm my hair these days. My frizz phase passed in the early 90s.

Don't ask my why I left Sherry; I don't remember. I think it was an impulsive day when I couldn't get an appointment with her, and I just wandered away aimlessly.

I'm so ashamed.

But yesterday I returned to the Mother Ship, and all is right with the world. She said to me, "Can I have carte blanche?" And I said, "Go for it."

And she did.

And I'm happy.

But I don't have a photo yet, so you'll just have to wait.

Polly's Return

Hey, how come I just found Polly Pocket's black pump in my bed? I haven't seen that tramp around this house for MONTHS, and today I find her dadgum shoe in my bed?

I wanna know what the heck's been going on, y'all.

Standin' up for the Depot!

I thought I might present an alternative view to the Home Depot "controversy" in the news this week.

Big Daddy has been employed by Home Depot for over two years and we have found them to be a generous and fair employer. An employer with rules.

For the first few months that BD worked at HD, he wore whatever ball caps he chose. At some point, it was brought to BD's attention that he was to wear Home Depot-approved ball caps. So BD complied with his employer's dress code.

Until this month, all employees at HD had been allowed to wear shorts year-round. Effective October 1, they were notified that shorts would no longer be allowed until Spring. So my husband complied with his employer's dress code. He whines, but he complies. :)

We're well aware of the rule that prohibits personal buttons on the work apron. Heck, that sacred apron isn't even allowed out of the dang store! And the buttons? Home Depot buttons, baby. NASCAR buttons, FROM HOME DEPOT. Vendor buttons, FROM HOME DEPOT. Reward badges, FROM HOME DEPOT. I think you get my point.

Oh, and? BD reads WHATEVER he wants to in the break room, and that includes his Bible.

To be honest, y'all? I don't think it matters what the guy's dadgum button said. It could have said, "Kiss Me, I'm Irish!", "I Love My Wife!", or "Star Trek Forever," and it would have been out of compliance with the company's dress policy.

Are people seriously saying that because the button was patriotic or Christian that it should have been allowed, regardless of the rules? Seriously? It's not like it was a cross on a chain around his neck, or a yarmulke or some such religious icon. It was a ding dang pin-on button. And his boss told him to take it off. And he refused.

Insubordination is grounds for termination.

I'm just gonna say that I don't use my Christian beliefs or love for my country as an excuse to break rules. And I don't like it when other people do, either.

Breaking News

THIS JUST IN!

Britney Spears buys parakeet!

Seriously? People Magazine? Do we need to know this?

I just don't get it.

Today's Mantra

Today's Mantra:

She'll grow out of those boots soon and I won't have to cringe at what she wears them with.

And also? I know my participle is dangling...or some kind of grammar faux pas.

The Ride of Our Life

Contact me if you want to join us.

All Over The Place

So I've got a lot on my mind, and maybe putting it all down here will help me sort it out and make some sense of it. Whether you'll enjoy reading about it? Is debatable.

We're building a business, which is SO rewarding and stressful at the same time. We're involved with some of the most fabulous people we've ever met, as well as some of the most infuriating. God's prospering it though, so Yay, God!

I'm on a pretty strict eating program right now and getting GREAT weight loss results. Problem is? I'm getting oh, so bored with my eating choices. The supplements and foods keep me from craving lovely things like steak and chocolate, but still...there's only so much you can do with lean meat. Tired of chicken. Almost tired of salmon. Wah. The bright side? I did just figure out that I can have eggs, so YAY!

My dogs are old. I mean, like 14 and 15 years old. They've begun going potty all over the house and it REALLY stresses me out. Plus I think they have worms. And fleas. And we have fought such a diligent battles against those parasites that I'm upset by our failure. We haven't gone to the vet since getting their annual shots, and if we go now, he will certainly want to do "geriatric" blood work AGAIN, and DANG that's expensive.

We're planning a trip for later in the fall, and please see above re: elderly dogs. There's only one person in the world that I trust to dog sit for us, and if she's not available...AGH.

My oldest daughter has just been diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder, and while it's such a blessing to know the REASON for her behaviors, it's still exhausting to deal with at times.

Pretty sure my youngest daughter has some sort of Attention Deficit thingie, and her flightiness wears me out some days. Can not be still. Can't. Not an option. But we're working on getting an evaluation, so I'm looking forward to that.

Homeschool this year is like a giant chess match. We have one too few computers, and I haven't found our rhythm yet on who's where, and when. Pooh9 now has a computer in her room, so she's set. But the other two? Keeping them busy and focused has been a challenge so far.

I can't wait for those Christmas sales, so we can get one or two more computers. Of course, we'll have to move out the beds and stuff to fit it all in, but hey, whatever works.

We're going to a fantastic training for our business tomorrow, and am VERY excited. Woo Hoo!

And by the way, I know that my God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory, and I know that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Because if it weren't for Him, what sense would anything make?

And on that note, y'all have a great weekend, because I intend to.

House Wanted

Scooter: Momma, every morning when you wake up, you burp.

Me: You lay in there and listen to me in the morning?

Scooter: (giggling) Yes ma'am.


Yeah, we definitely need a bigger house.

Churrrrrrrrrrrros

Is it wrong that I want to move into the Big Brother house just so I can have the Churros?

Dang, I love me some Churros!

Oh, and also? Michelle's hair is JACKED ON UP. Seriously, I wish Jordan or even Natalie would tie her down and do something with that crooked parted, greasy mess.

And send me some Churros while they're at it.

Fear

I saw this quote today on Facebook:

Confront your fear HEAD ON!
Take the sting out of it, then start acting to eliminate it!

Nothing robs your energy as fast as FEAR!

More To Love - August 4

I'll admit it - I may be addicted to reality television. I'll watch anything once, and some ridiculous shows even more than once.

Tonight I'm watching More to Love on Fox, and I have a few thoughts to share.

Y'all, I'm a big girl. The smallest I've ever been is a Size 16. My wedding dress was an 18. And now? I'm not gonna tell you the size, but I'll tell ya this: I'm the largest I've ever been. Praise God, I'm losing weight again, but that's another post.

My point is this: No matter what my size has been, I just lived my life. These girls whine about their size CONSTANTLY. All the time. Non-stop. And come on - most of them are about a size 18, maybe a 20.

Shut up, you big honkin' babies!

Most of them could use a session with Clinton and Stacy from What Not to Wear, too, because OMG, they wear such unflattering clothes! Yeah, maybe weight isn't the reason you can't get a date. Maybe it's because you dress crappy.

Just a thought.

And finally? This guy comes off insincere to me. I hope I'm wrong, because I'd hate for him to just be playing games with all these basket cases.

What do you think?

Big honkin' jerks

You know what hacks me off?

Jerky people who lie - that's who hacks me off.

Seriously, isn't it sad when people lie about others, just to cover the fact that they themselves are big honkin' jerks?

Ugh.