Blog Business, and, Announcing a Big Birthday Bash Blogging Break

Yes, it’s that time of year again, and I must take a day or two off turn myself into a giant, stressed out bundle of nerves for the boys’ Big Birthday Bash on Saturday. You are coming, right? Please?

At any rate, before I sign off for a few days, I have a few things to announce/address, and then I’m outta here.

1. I mailed my postcards out on Monday afternoon, so probably really on Tuesday. So keep an eye out! And, I received my first postcard yesterday! Yay! Ronnica sent us a postcard from the campus of her college As predicted, the boys were thrilled. It’s hanging on our fridge as I type.

2. A very nice lady named Sara contacted me the other day about the Fresh Air Fund. It’s a program designed to give “free summer vacations to New York City children from disadvantaged communities”. Definitely a worthwhile charity, in my opinion. Apparently they are in need of host families for August. While I can’t help (school starts at the beginning of August around here, and I don’t have the space, anyway) maybe you or someone you know can. If there’s something you can do, please visit their website and get in contact with them. And, if you have any experience with this program, please share. Because this sounds like something I’d like to do someday, when we’ve moved further into the country.

3. My boys’ birthdays are next week (I guess that’s pretty obvious, since it’s party time and all!) and I want to do a post special for each of them. I thought I might do it in the form of an interview. You can help me by suggesting some interview questions…things you’d like to know about the kids. They do love to contribute to the blog, and I think it’ll be fun, but I’m not really sure what to post. Help me!

OK, so, that’s it. I’ll see you later, perhaps on Sunday or possibly Monday. Unless, of course, you’re at the party, then I’ll be seeing you on Saturday!

The Difference Between My Two Boys

It often amazes me how two children, from the same parents, living in the same household, dealing with the same upbringing, can be so very different.

One incident that occurred yesterday shows clearly the differences between my two boys.

Drew and Nick found a dead bird in the backyard. I was inside at the time, and therefore was not there to tell them not to touch it.

According to the story they tell me, Drew told Nicky to leave it alone, and Nicky told Drew to leave him alone, that he’d do as he pleased. Nicky then picked up the dead bird.

Nick brought the bird into the house (ick!) to show it to me. Drew was following closely behind, telling his brother that it was nasty and that he needed to put it down.

Nicholas then proceeded to ask (after I made him take it back outside) if he could use some scissors to look inside the bird to see what was in there. And could we please look up instructions on the computer on just how to do it, and so we could see what all the parts were? And when he was done looking inside, could we fill it with sand and put it in his room on a stick for decoration, like at the museum?

Drew informed us that if we did that he was going to throw up. That dead birds are gross, and that he wasn’t touching it no matter what. He suggested that we feed it to Spot, or throw it in the ditch.

I was surprised he didn’t suggest we bury it with a funeral service.

Of course, I didn’t let Nicky dissect it. It was icky and had ants on it, else I might have–provided he was willing to wear gloves and let me help him. We tossed it way out back in the field, and then looked up online what exactly was inside a bird. He was fascinated.

Drew not only didn’t care to look and see what was inside the bird, he told Nicky that he was “weird, just like Mama” and went off to build with Legos while we did our research.

What would your kids (or you) do if you found a dead bird in your yard?

Validation

On Sunday evening I took the boys to Arby’s for supper. (It’s not just in blogging that I lack motivation these days…it’s everything! And Arby’s meant no cooking). Typically we would drive through and come home to eat, but they begged to be able to eat in the restaurant. I said OK, as long as they promised to be on their best behavior.

We went in to order, and they had a difficult time making up their minds, but finally settled on popcorn chicken, fruit, and milk. They fidgeted around while we waited for the food, and then raced ahead of me to pick a seat. There was only one other group of people in the restaurant–some older ladies apparently dressed for church.

The boys chose to both sit on the same side of the booth, which I felt was a recipe for disaster. But I agreed, because I just wasn’t feeling the argument that would ensue when I said no. They rustled around in their bags looking for the prize and had to be told sternly to EAT and then they could play with the toy. Then they settled in to eat, all the while swinging their feet and occasionally elbowing one another and giggling.

We were about 3/4 of the way through the meal when one of the ladies from the table approached us. I was immediately afraid that we had disturbed her with their giggling and wiggling, and was prepared to apologize. The only other reason I could figure she was visiting was to inquire if they were twins, because we get that alot, and so I also had their birthdays ready on the tip of my tongue.

She surprised me with what she said, though.

“You know, I just wanted to tell you that you have the best behaved little boys here. They’ve been so quiet and good this whole time, and I just wanted to let you know that we’ve enjoyed watching you guys”

I was caught completely off guard. I mean, they had been behaving better than usual, but not up to my standards for sure. I thought that they were a bit too loud, and a bit to rowdy for a public place, and certainly not listening to my continuous commentary of “Please just eat. Sit still please. No elbowing! Please just eat!”.

I told her thank you very much, and then she went on to chat with the boys a bit, asking them their ages and all about their upcoming birthday party and what they wanted to do when they were grown up.

As she was leaving she made one last comment:

“I just want to thank you for raising them so well. The girls over there and I come here every Sunday before church, and you wouldn’t believe the behavior of some of the children we see in here–so disruptive and rude and disrespectful. We groaned and prepared to leave when we saw your family come through the door, but your children have been a pleasant surprise. Keep up the good work!”

And then she and the girls headed out, I presume for the evening service at their church.

Wow.

She totally made my day. The boys had been giving me a hard time most of the day, and the threat I made before we went into the restaurant was that they had better behave OR ELSE. Because you know, birthdays are coming up and I don’t HAVE to throw them a party or buy them gifts. And it was so nice to know that someone thought I (well, we, but Andy wasn’t there–he was at work) I’m doing a good job. So nice to know that my children were viewed as polite and respectful.

I guess I must be doing something right, huh?

Goodness, I’m So Lazy!

Geesh, a meme on Friday, a photo on Sunday, and a video on Monday. Could I get any lazier? Hopefully, for everyone’s sake, I’ll find my blogging motivation tomorrow. Until then, enjoy!

Photo Sunday #91: The Golden Hour

iPod Meme, revisited

As you all are well aware, I received an iPod for Christmas. And, shortly after that I did the ever-popular iPod meme, because I’d just been dying to do it ever since I had first seen it, but I had never had an iPod to use for it.

Well, I’m out of chatty things to say this week. There are some more serious blog posts I could be writing, but I’m just not feeling the seriousness right now. And while I was syncing my lovely little iPod yesterday, it occurred to me that I could do the meme again. Because I now have three times the amount of songs on it that I had before, so certainly it would be more interesting.

And so, without further ado, here is my second attempt at the iPod meme:

The rules are simple: Hit shuffle on your iPod (or whatever mp3 player or your music library on your computer) then answer each question by hitting next. NO SKIPPING SONGS!

Q: What does next year have in store for you?
A: Paint Me a Birmingham, by Tracey Lawrence

Q: What does your love life look like next year?
A: Always, by Bon Jovi

Q: What do you say when life gets hard?
A: Heard it in a Love Song, by the Marshall Tucker Band

Q: Song that reminds you of good times?
A: Redneck Woman, by Gretchen Wilson

Q: What do you think when you get up in the morning?
A: Chances Are, by Bob Seger and Martina McBride

Q: What song will you dance to at your wedding?
A: Lullaby, by Jack Johnson (didn’t happen!)

Q: Your favorite saying?
A: I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, by Aerosmith

Q: Favorite place?
A: She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy, by Kenney Chesney

Q: Most Missed Memory?
A: Laughed Until We Cried, by Jason Aldeen

Q: What song describes your best friend?
A: Manic Monday, by The Bangles

Q: Where would you go on a first date?
A: Baby Got Back, by Sir Mix a Lot (Um, yeah. No. Not me at all!)

Q: Drug of choice?
A: Whiskey Girl, by Toby Keith (again, not really me)

Q: What song describes you?
A: Follow Me, by Uncle Kracker

Q: What is the thing you like doing most?
A: To Be Loved, by Curtis Stigers

Q: The song that best describes the president?
A: What’s Your Name, by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Q: Where will you be in 10 years?
A: Should’ve Been A Cowboy, by Toby Keith

Q: Your love life right now?
A: Walkin’ on the Sun, by Smash Mouth

Q: What is your state of mind like at the moment?
A: It Ain’t Cool (to be crazy about you), by George Strait

Q: How will you die?
A: Something More, by Sugarland

So, there you go. Sorry to be so boring on a Friday. I’ll perk it up next week, as the countdown to the Big Birthday Bash begins. Are you coming to the party?

Crazy. Silly. Typical.

Boys, what should I write about on my website today?

Who are you writing to?

Everyone that reads my site.

Oh.

So, what should I write about?

Drew: Kellie. She’s cool.

Ok, so, what else?

Nicky: She’s nice. Write about Callie, too!

What about Callie?

Nicky: She’s a black dog.

Drew: And she’s a girl, and she can fetch things.

OK, anything else?

Drew: You should write your own website.

Nicky: Yeah, it’s not our job!

I AM writing it. But I can’t think of anything to write about. I’m asking you for help.

Nicky: You could write about how cute I am.

Drew: Or about how handsome I am!

Good idea! And I can write about how pretty I am, too.

Drew: Well, you could write about how pretty Kellie is.

But what about me?

Nicky: You’re not as pretty as Kellie. You are old and she is not.

Hey! I’m not old!

Drew: Well, you are older than Kellie. But you’re not older than Shira…she’s 114! (fyi…Shira is 25).

OK, this conversation is over.

Nick: You told them that Kellie is cool and pretty, right?

Yes, I did.

Boys: Ok, then.

Not So Wordless Wednesday…

…but just because I have blog business to take care of Next Wednesday it’s back to wordless!

Wow, you guys! What a great response to my idea! I am so excited! And, there are some of you that I know want to play and just haven’t visited yet…if you haven’t commented yourself in yet, don’t worry–you still have plenty of time! Just leave a comment on the Idea post and be sure to e-mail me your snail mail address, and you’re in. No time limit. The more the merrier!

So, I was just going to go back the pharmacy and purchase postcards. But THEN Melody directed me to a site where it had ideas for making postcards out of your photographs. And you know I have to do that!

As long as it’s alright with you guys, of course. Because I have to order the stuff, which means I won’t be mailing out postcards for a week or more. But I’m definitely doing it! I am ordering the prints tonight and I ordered the things to make them into postcards last night, so it’s in the works.

Now all I have to do is choose the photo I’m sending. Hmmmm. Because I need to order all the same print in order to get the discounted price, you’ll all get the same postcard. And I feel like it needs to be something local to me here, because the whole point is to get regional postcards, right? Right. So, if you guys are loving a particular photo you need to let me know, because I’m choosing this afternoon

Yay! This is so much fun!

Idea

So, I love to get mail. Real mail. It’s one of my very favorite things. So favorite, as a matter of fact, that no one else is allowed to get the mail, because half the fun is going to the mailbox and opening it up and seeing what’s inside. Of course, bills aren’t any fun. Catalogs and magazines are marginally better. But the best thing to find in the mailbox, of course, is personal mail. Packages, letters, and postcards. It always just makes me feel so good, so loved, to get mail.

I was waiting at the pharmacy yesterday for my prescriptions, and I noticed a rack of postcards. Not generic ones, but postcards depicting local attractions. Some of them were pretty cheesy, and some of them were pretty cool, but still…wouldn’t it be fun to get all sorts of postcards in your mailbox?

I would get a whole bunch of postcards in my mailbox…if each of you were to send me one.

Tell you what. I will send all of you a postcard from here. I promise. All you have to do is comment that you’d like one. Oh, and you’ll need to promise to send me one in return! Preferably one from your area. I think it would be so cool to get all kinds of postcards from all over the world, and I know it would be a great learning experience for the boys. They could help me choose the ones we send, and help fill them out/address them, and then they could check out the ones we get in return and see what different places are like.

I’m pretty excited about my idea. For all I know, though, it could be dorky and lame–if it is, please don’t tell me! But I’m trying it anyway, because I’m willing to bet that there are other people out there who love to get mail, too.

Are you game?

Holiday Weekend Recap

Let’s start with Friday. Friday was Independence Day. Andy worked all of Thursday night, and so in an effort to let him get some good sleep, the boys and I headed out early. A Mennonite crew was constructing a pole barn out at the farm, and I knew the kids would enjoy watching. By 8 AM we were happily seated on the tailgate of the truck, munching on baggies of cereal and watching the construction. By 9 AM we were in the truck on the way back to town, going to pick up various supplies that had been forgotten by the crew. But, by 11 AM, we were back to watching. The boys and I ate lunch with the crew and family, and then headed home with Callie to keep her out of the way. Callie and the kids swam most of the afternoon, and Andy slept most of the afternoon. I grilled burgers and roasted potatoes for supper, and then we just waited and waited for dark. We did a few fountain fireworks and sparklers at dusk, and then Andy headed in to work. The boys and I walked next door and watched the neighbors’ extensive fireworks show. The boys LOVED the fireworks, as did I. They also loved staying up so late…it was after 10 PM when I finally got them into bed and settled.

So, even though they had no nap and played hard all day and went to bed super late, they were up before 6:30 on Saturday morning. We piddled around the house for awhile (showers, laundry, dishes, etc…) and then when Andy headed back into work at 9 AM the boys and I headed into town. We did the weekly grocery shopping and ran a few errands, and then came home to pack a picnic lunch and head to the farm. It rained on Friday night, so I wanted to get into the garden with a hoe while the ground was still soft. We worked in the garden for a long while, and then went and captured Angela and put her back into her small lot to prepare her for Sunday. Then the boys decided to play on the dirt pile for a “minute”, which turned into nearly 2 hours. We returned home, again with Callie, and played outside until supper time. Some lasagna and some quality trampoline time and it was time for Saturday Night Movie Night. The boys settled in with Sky High, and I settled in with National Lampoon’s European Vacation

My alarm went off at 6 AM yesterday, and the day was bright and clear and cool. I had to be at the farm at 7 AM to work cows, and I was glad for the nice weather. By 7:30, it was still bright and clear but humid and sticky. And, by the time we finished up at 9:30, it was 85 degrees and the humidity level must have been about 1000%. Whew! But, everyone who needed shots has shots, everyone has been dewormed, and the bull calves are now steer calves.

The rest of the day was spent playing in the sprinkler, eating supper at Sonic Burger, and building with Legos before capping it all off with an America’s Funniest Home Videos marathon.

What? You don’t think I should have been messing with the cows with my bad foot? Well, you were probably right. It felt fine until I took my boots off, but then it was VERY sore. And it’s VERY sore this morning–although not as sore as the softball sized bright purple bruise on my thigh where calf #5 nailed me with his little pointy hoof. Unfortunately, the bruise is on the leg opposite the bad foot, so I’m gimpy times two. Or, perhaps the injuries cancel each other out? Anyway…

So, that was our weekend. Today the boys are back at the sitter and I am back to work and Andy is in court all morning and then at work. Everything is back to normal.

I sure wish every weekend was a 3-day weekend, don’t you?