Adventures with the Snell clan

2009-07-31T15:59:00.000-07:00

Our Nephew was here wisiting a few weeks ago, and all of the children (including Toby) had a wonderful time creating this "train" and rolling around the yard.

2009-07-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

Tracer's joy in life: de-fuzzing tennis balls before eating the chewy black rubber center.

2009-07-31T15:46:00.000-07:00

Our food order from Azure came this week. We collected a bunch of wonderful and healthy goodies, like Barbaras Blueberry/Fig Cake-Cookies and fresh Eggplant. Getting the groceries was an adventure, unloading a semi in 75* temps at 0700 in the center turn lane of the road. (This is not normal, Azure usually has pre-determined drop points that are much more organized than this!) http://www.azurestandard.com/ Give them a looksee you might find something wonderful! All of the wonderful and fresh goodies come carefully packed in re-used boxes without the tiniest bit of damage!

2009-07-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

I awoke three mornings ago to find these sleepy creatures in beds with me. Spike was sound asleep curled against my back, while Tracer seemed rather irratated that I had moved and woken him from his dreams.

I wondered out into the kitchen a bit later to find that Spike had convinced daddy to open a can of Mandarin oranges for him... and to let him sit on the counter to eat them. (After he emptied the cabinets of course!)

its is as if he was creating a nest of food to dine in?

2009-07-03T16:25:00.000-07:00

A bout of 5th disease has hit our house, leaving a very tired little girl to watch the other kids play. Two nights ago she fell asleep in a lawn chair on the deck, covered in a down blanket (it was HOT) and stayed there for nearly 2 hours.

Her faithful dog guarding her while she slept. Since Toby was grilling, I think he was guarding her from hamburgers, selflessly planning to eat any that got close.

Dog days of summer

2009-07-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

My Dog seems to have missed the memo that the "dog days" are in August. He has been flopped on "his" sofa for the last couple of days. Upside down, sideways, hanging off he does not care.

2009-06-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderfully fun day at the park a few weeks ago. Justice got to learn about static electricity on the swirly slide!

Spike was happy playing king of the hill and guarding the swinging brindge from trolls (sisters!)

2009-06-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

This is my flower bed... my only one so far. Made from the pile of old bricks unearthed in the woods, and tucked against the front of our pump house, it provides a little bit of "pretty" to the driveway.

2009-06-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

Toby has been hard at work clearing part of our wooded property. He has dropped several trees which have turned into firewood and created this lovely pile of chips with all of the branches and blackberries...

I didnt get a before shot with all of the trees and brush still standing, but it looks naked now!

the bricks were not our doing... they were here when we cleared it, along with misc. building material scraps that were not even from this house!

Toby has also been hard at work on these shelves, which he is making for the quilt shop where I work. They were nearly completed two weeks ago when our son decided to go after them with a pair of dykes, hacking little notches into the edges... so they had to be sanded and repainted.

2009-06-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

My Beautiful new Garden boxes that were built and planted in early June. Toby made the frames for me, then we had a dumptruck load of dirt brought in (dumped in the driveway and hauled by hand to the backyard!) The kids "helped" plant seeds, and now we have a wonderful seelection of peas, beans, eggplant, tomatos, cucumbers, corn, squash and herbs growing in the back yard.

2009-05-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

Justice celebrated her birthday at school last month (hers is in the summer and they want each child to have a special party, so she got to celebrate early!) This is what she wanted to werar... thank the Lord for moms, right?!

just like dad

2009-05-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

Just like my Dad! Wearing my boonie and makin' my messes!

The great escape

2009-05-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

This picture doesn't really need an explantion, the title says it all!

Walgreens, and the cashier from...

2009-05-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

Todays trip to Walgreens cost me a total of $22.00 cash and I came home with $5.oo register rewards for my next trip.

First purchase:
HoneyMaid Graham crackers 3.00
Jet Puff Marshmallows 1.79
Hershey milk chocolate 6 pack 3.00
Colgate Visible white 4.49
Bayer Aspirin quick crystals 2.49

Paid with $8.00 Register Rewards from last trip, and used $1.00 (Manufacturers) off purchase of smores goodies, Walgreens promotion for free Jet Puff marshmallows with purchase of Hershey's and grahams... for a total out of pocket $3.98 and they gave me back $7.50 in Register Rewards.

Second round I had to pick up a few things that wee needed now, in addition to just stockpiling sale goodies.

Pringles 2/3.00 (6 cans)
Kraft Mac & Cheese 1.50 ea. (three boxes)
4 Boxes of Bandaids 2.50 ea
sugar free lemon candy 2.29
Mitchum Gel deodorant 3.79/3.50/3.21 (three dif types)
Bic Utility lighter 2.99

Coupons:

3 manufacturers coupons for .50 off bandaids
3 walgreens coupons for mitchum deodorant making it 1.99
3 manufacturers coupons for mitchum deodorant .75
3 walgreens coupons for Mac & Cheese making it .69 per box
3 1.00 0ff 2 pringles coupons
1.00 off bic utility lighter

grand total 18.23 with a savings of $30.59 (I also left with $5.00 in register rewards for next week!)

There is also a deal on edge shaving gel, but the clerk from... wouldn't tell me when or if they might get more, just told me to "come back every day and check". I will be back...for .25 per can, but I will call every day to check, just to make her life a little more "fun" :)

Also scored some Kraft BBQ sauce on sale at Fred Meyer for .89 used two .75 off coupons making it .28 cents total. YAAAAAAAAAY!

feeling domestic

2009-05-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

The last few days being extremely wet here, I was not-so-patiently waiting for a clear day to do my laundry so I could hang it out. (Now that I have a clothesline, you would think I was allergic to the dryer!)
Four loads of laundry hanging on the line, I live for the fresh, crisp clothes that come in at night! My sheets are my favorite!

While we were hanging laundry (the dog came out to keep me company) I threw some goodies into the bread machine to whip up some bread dough for me to bake this evening. I let it rise slowly in the oven, with only the oven light for heat... works great!

Then my exhausted helper decided that it was nap time. This is "his" sofa, he does not have free run of our furniture, but in my attempts to get this sofa gone from the house once and for all, I have given it to Tracer for his nap spot. I think he is ok with the idea!

Adventures at walgreens

2009-05-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

Justice and I ventured out to walgreens today to do some super couponing. I am not as good as the pros, but I am happy to have a years supply of shampoo for Toby (he only likes a couple of brands so his is pricey) and an abundant stock of Mr Clean magic erasers. A few other odds and ends were a bonus. The swiffer is a special buy... I am not a fan of purchasing things for the sole purpose of throwing them away (like swiffer clothes) but I found a pattern to make a washable microfiber swiffer cloth from a dollar store dish towel. I cant beat that!Total Before Tax $39.24
Total savings $59.24
Register Rewards $8.00

After coupons, the prices were (each):

Aveeno lotion: $.39
V-8 Fusion: $1.00
Gillette shampoo: $3.99 for the first three, BOGO coupons for other three
Pert Plus: $ 1.50
Energizer Batterries: $1.99
Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches: $2.25
Mr Clean Magic Eraser: $2.50 for first three, BOGO coupons for other three
Swiffer starter kit: $10.00

For buying $25.00 of P&G prducts, I received a $6.00 register reward, and a $2.00 register reward for the pert plus. There was supposed to be a free aveno travel set with purchase, but after 20 minutes and not-so-smart clerks, I gave up searching.

if you cant beat 'em, join 'em!

2009-04-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

Spike gave up on picking up the toys this morning, and instead, climbed into the toy box to join them. He stayed in there playing with his "vroom vroom's" for about 20 minutes. He was not happy to learn he still had to pick up the toys when he was done!

2009-04-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

We had guests yesterday for a lovely spring time BBQ in our backyard. Kari brought over the trio: Maddy, Sissy and Lucy for an afternoon of fun. (note to self: barrow these children from her often, as they keep mine from fighting!)

Spike enjoys being surrounded by the ladies, and became somewhat of an exhibitionist, removing his diaper and streaking by a herd of giggling girls!

Amazingly, all five of them sat down nicely to eat lunch together, and pose for this shot!

the captive

2009-04-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

Tracer has not yet figured out how to escape his captors. They continue to keep him warm and snuggled. I don't think he cars for "Horton Hears a Who" as much as they do, but he tolerates it reasonably well. They took a Nap on Him Saturday, using him as a warm, breathing pillow. All three of them seemed to enjoy the experience to its fullest!

Justice, Very concerned that Tracer will get cold, likes to keep him covered with her blankets during nap time. I think he is awake, but plays dead in hopes that she will depart if she sees no reaction. No such luck...she continues to "adjust" his blankets until he lets out a big sigh and wanders off to find a new child-free sunny spot to nap in. Best of Luck in that endeavor, as I have been trying for almost four years and they always find me!

Tracer

2009-04-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

Toby went to the dump today and called an hour later to inform me he was at the pound and there was a dog he "really likes". So I left the grocery store midway throug my list and went on over tot he pound to see this "really cool" dog.

The really cool dog he discovered was a Catahoula! They are herding dogs, bred by eurpean settlers in the southern US, known for their amazing tracking skills and "crystal" blue eyes. So Tracer has become the newest member of our family. He has an apointment on Monday for a physical, and an apointment on Friday to have the big "snip-snip" done.

Moved!

2009-04-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

We are moved and (sort of) settled into the new house! YAAAAAAAAAY!! We moved on Thursday last week, and spent the weekend unpacking and putting things away. I have lots of space, and have already put away several things and "lost" them because there is so much space here!

Toby has been hard at work on the yard, mowing, trimming etc... More than he should be doing with his back! He is enjoying having his own space to putter around in, and has big plans for the backyard!

Surgery on Monday went well, although the "mild" post-operative pain was a slight understatement. More than slight. Not sure what went wrong there, but I nearly passed out twice from the pain, and spent a large portion of Tuesday in tears. A little morphine and some rest seems to have me doing quite well today though! I was up and about all afternoon, even taking a short stroll outside!

Pictures of the new house coming soon!!

supporting our veterans

2009-04-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

Sgt Toby Snell, October 2004, Kabul Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom

There is a great group of people down in Florida that run an organization called the Independence Fund, one of the few (and very underfunded) organizations that steps in to take care of our veterans when the Military and Veterans Affairs can not (or WILL not.) This organization steps up to provide emotional and financial support to the veterans and their families who are left behind. The IF provides wheelchairs that are not covered by the VA, emergency grants to families who are waiting for benefits, hand crank bicycles to paralyzed veterans, and grants to cover travel expenses. (Did you know that many veterans are offered medical care in other states but if they can not afford to travel, it is noted in their file that they "refused treatment"?)

The Indy Fund is doing a huge fundraiser in Pensacola next month. The IF is supported entirely by donations, receiving no money from the government or big corporate sponsors. They are bringing in disabled Vets and their families for a weekend of fun with concerts, bike races and a 5k. There is no expense to the veteran or family for this. So please check out their website, and pass it on to your friends. They can really use your support! http://www.escarosaindependenceweekend.com/

For those of you who know us, the Indy fund helped make it possible for Toby to receive a two-week treatment in Seattle last year, and allowed me to be with him for a good portion of that. This is the same group that is fighting to get Toby a medical discharge so he can receive the health care he needs!

coloring

2009-04-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

We just couldnt get enough coloring done today! Lots of easter pictures, and when those were done we just covered the table to make and artwork table cloth! Whats more fun than that!?

2009-03-28T20:18:00.000-07:00

This is the Spikey Rockstar at 0800 this morning. with my underwear. Around his neck. Yes he is just that weird. I am not sure exactly what is happening in this picture, but I was doing laundry and put a basket in the living room to fold, and when I turned around, this is what was going on. It defies explanation.

Then we went for a hair cut. He didn't care for the idea so much, he screamed, and wiggled, and kicked and made himself sick trying to get away. His high and tight just kept getting higher and tighter until baldness prevailed. So, no he is not ill, he is just wiggly, and therefor bald. I love him, but he sure keeps us guessing!

New House pictures!

2009-03-19T22:27:00.001-07:00

My favorite room, the Living room. It's "L" shaped, with 4 big windows, making it bright and airy, calm and peaceful. Never mind the septic truck in the driveway...

This is the dining room. Center of the house. No windows...great for tornado warnings. Can someone please explain why you would need cable in your dining room? I am really at a loss for that one!

Family room: I think this was the dining room of the last occupants, guessing by the light fixture. But really, who feeds their kids over carpet when given the choice? Its going to be our family room, where the TV will reside, so that I don't have to see or hear it in the living room!

Also note, the garage entrance and the sliver of sliding glass door showing on the left. Makes the room bright and cheery!

Kitchen, my BIG kitchen. Still missing the refrigerator, but we are working on that. Lots of storage space, and a laundry room in the back ground. Off the laundry room is the hot tub (don't get too excited the only thing it it right now is wildlife!)

The other side of my kitchen with a lovely window overlooking the backyard and soon my garden, clothesline and kids play things!

shopping trip

2009-03-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

We ventured out to Walgreens this morning...not one of my better judgement calls. Small children and stores that sell small things that are easy to pull off shelves are a bad idea! We did make out well on our trek:
2 packages Huggies Diapers
1 Package (huge) Huggies wipes
3 Boxes kleenex with lotion
1 bottle hair detangler
2 packages no pull hair elastics
2 bottles garnier fructise shampoo/conditioner (not pictured)
4 packages of gum (Toby took three to work!)
1 Colgate total toothpaste

total $18.00 (plus tax) used coupons for diapers, wipes, shampoo and toothpaste. Walgreens special gives you $10.00 register reward for the purchase of $25 Huggies diapers/wipes (thats the total before they take off your coupons). So I bought the diapers and wipes first, then went back for the rest. Not the best I have done at Walgreens, but still a wicked good deal! Total before coupons/sale/register rewards: $74.30. This is why I love walgreens, they aren't too wonderful for groceries, but all the other things you need in life, from cosmetics and babycare, to petcare and candy can be purchased at rock bottom prices.

House update

2009-03-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

We got the news today: The bank accepted our offer! Yeah! Now we (meaning "I") get to spend the next month scrambling to get inspections done, appraisals processed, paperwork completed, movers lined up, and the all important paint colors chosen.

"Bali Mist" with the dutchboy pearlize topcoat will go somewhere in my house. Perhaps my bathroom while Toby is at work (he wont notice if he doesn't see me doing it....) or my sewing room....or the hallway...or dining room...or all the rooms...I am just crazy like that. (Doubting? Ask Janet, she can verify that I am a special sort of crazy!)

the snow fairy

2009-03-09T22:08:00.000-07:00

This is my husbands new girlfriend. God gave us a lovely dusting of snow this morning to welcome her to the family. Then another dusting. Finally one more to top it off. The snow didn't stay long, but it was a nice break from the rain. We are looking for another dusting tonight and some very chilly temperatures!

Please come back Mr Stereo thief! There's more!

2009-03-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr Stereo Thief,
I hope you enjoyed your recent visit to our driveway. I am sure you feel very proud of yourself bragging to your friends that you were able to rob a disabled veteran. Congratulations.

Unfortunately you forgot a few things: I have some home defense rounds that you forgot, I would love to provide you with two or three if you would like to return. There are also two clips of 9mm rounds that are still here, we would love to give you those also...they belong to the disabled vet, but I think he is willing to share with you.

Also, the gentleman across the street has a treat for you, offering you some ammo of his own. He really is a wonderful nieghbor and he loves to share. Just wait for him outside of his house in the night, he will be thrilled!

To top it all off, the lady next door owns a nice Louisville slugger that she would like you to have. Just make a little noise outside tonight and all of us will rush out to provide you with those extra items that you left behind. We are a nice group of people... Just think of it as neighborhood hospitality.

Sincerely,
Mr and Mrs Lunchbox
(and neighbors)

What a weekend!

2009-03-08T22:12:00.001-07:00

We had so much going on this weekend my head is still spinning!

We are anxiously awaiting an acceptance or counter offer on the house (hopefully Monday sometime....) that has had us hoping desperately but trying not to get our hopes up too much. I have found myself daydreaming a little too much about paint colors, shelving options and garden plots!

Saturday I found out my husband had found a new girlfriend...er...truck. We had driven by it several times this week (one of many since the mills are closing the loggers are selling everything they own) but hadn't been able to catch anyone home. Saturday morning Toby succeeded in stalking the owner. After a brief test drive he called me, begging like a small child in the sugared cereal aisle of Safeway "Please, I promise I will never ask for anything again! I will help with the laundry, and use it ti pull a horse trailer for you later. Pleeeeeeeeeeeease?" Although I know that the first two promises are lies, there is a rather large (and loud) truck parked in our driveway. I give up...at least there are coupons for lucky charms. I have yet to see a Sunday paper with a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for Dodge diesels.

We had a lovely evening with Aunt Marilee tonight also. I hope she enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed her. The kids love "aund Marireee" and continue to ask if they can live with her in her house with her kid (the concept of grown children living in their own homes is not a concept we grasp yet!) I have beautiful flowers adorning my kitchen table now, and a lovely batch of leftover chocolate cream pie...that wont be leftover for long!

I am excited to say we will also get to have company next weekend for Sunday dinner and target practice. Target practice with the company not at them! That sounds horribly redneck so I will stop while I am ahead!

The House

2009-03-06T20:57:00.000-08:00

We have been half heartedly shopping for a new home the last few months, knowing that what we want and what we can afford are two distinctly different groups of homes. Anything with property and a livable home was out of our price range, and all of the livable homes seemed to be located approximately 17 inches from their furthest neighbor! Until we found http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/142-Ridgecrest-Dr_Longview_WA_98632_1107046630 this house. We actually had looked at it last year, but again, house we wanted and price we could pay were very different. It came to pass that the house has been repossessed and the bank is now in a big hurry to be rid of it, dropping the price down to something we can reasonably afford. We placed a bid today and will now wait for acceptance or counter offer...

Where have we been?!

2009-03-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

It started two weeks ago with an innocent trip to preschool, where a mother (who shall remain nameless) brought her sick child. Two days later Justice was sick, followed by Spike, Toby, and finally me. 24 hours of hugging my trash can and/or toilet, it was over, but we were all exhausted.

Then came the croup... again, one at a time we succumbed to the evil clutches of the lung goobies, of which I still suffer. My new best friend is the bag of foul flavored (but extremely effective!) cough lozenges made by fishermans friend. The consistency of chalk with the delightful flavor that one imagines comes with eating a jar of Vick's vaporub... Great product, but you have to be really sick to be that desperate! Also slathering my feet with Vick's, works wonderfully on my kids, not sure if it works for me or not but it sure makes my feet soft :)

I waddle, therefor I am

2009-02-20T21:59:00.000-08:00

If you have ever seen me move, you would not call it "running". its faster than walking, but nothing that you would imagine falling under the umbrella of the word "running". I see people look at me when I waddle, and sometimes I want to pretend that I am really a convict doing litter patrol, not a penguin waddling down the sidewalk.

I really dont care most of the time. The reason that I dont it because those people who see me waddling, usually see me from their automobile, or from thier lawnchair in the front yard. I am moving in a forward direction (quite possibly slower than the snails racing me up the sidewalk). I realize now that I may never "look" like a runner, I know I will never be a fast runner, and most likely will never be a gracefull runner. Those things dont matter to me now, because the thrill of moving forward under my own power is an amazing feeling...

When was the last time you ran? Gradeschool? highschool? After a toddler? when you were running to first base in the third grade, did you think about having the body of a runner, or if you were as fast as the other runners? Chances are no, you just ran.

So I just run (waddle). Except when being chased by a big dog...then I waddle faster. (Do dogs eat penguins?)

2009-02-14T21:02:00.000-08:00

This is the actual dancing video...uploaded the wrong one on Thursday...oops! She just about takes out the boy next to her, its great!

2009-02-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

This is my darling little girl at her valentines day preschool program. Dancing. She is the only one dancing because it was not a dance program. But she had fun, and at least she wasnt the little girl flipping her dress up through the whole program. (that is not in the video, because there are some pervs out there!)

Just click on the play button to watch it!

cooking

2009-02-03T20:35:00.000-08:00

I got a new cookbook today...its a kids cookbook. I like cookbooks with easy to prepare, and easy to eat recipes. We are always seeming to get stuck in the food rut, where we are eating the same peanut butter and jelly sanwiches and the same four dinners every week. We are expanding! This recipe here is for baked eggs, which I have made before with bacon, but these ones call for ham, which will be a ncie change.

All these great recipes with nice pictures and easy instruction come in this book. For $6.00 from scolastic. Look for it online!

isnt he hot?

2009-01-31T20:30:00.000-08:00

Isn't he hot? This was a couple of years ago, but its still my favorite picture of him...not much has changed since then, a gotee, a little less hair on top, and a couple of extra burritos that show around the middle... He is still a stud, he makes my heart flutter...and I will stop now since my mom reads this blog too!

4 years ago....

2009-01-31T20:15:00.000-08:00

I was looking through old pictures today, and came accross this. This was taken about 4 1/2 years ago near the american embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. This is the man I feel in love with, the one who still knew my name when he woke up in the morning, still recognized my face in a crowd. He can no longer do those things...he wakes up disoriented and frightened, often doesnt remember where he is, and can no longer focus on any one person if there is anything else happening around him. I guess we should all be thankful for what we have because we never know when it is going to change.

Stick in the road

2009-01-27T23:28:00.000-08:00

Toby went out into the woods today to do whatever it is men do out there... and came accross a stick in the road, and for some reason a stick on top of the snow that was falling, struck him as odd. He got out to inspect the "stick" and discovered this little creature. He thought it was dead but it twitched a little so he scooped it up and put it in an amunition box (the big green metal ones the military uses.) He warmed up inside the truck and was more lively when he got home.

My kids were beyond thrilled. Justice Loved touching it and feeling it walk on her. She didnt want to put it down!

My studly son (in his diaper and t-shirt) dropped the toys he was playing with and got out of his cardboard box to see the critter. now puting down his toys is easy enough, but him getting out of his box was shocking!

happy critter lives in the backyard now. Maybe we will see it this summer when we are out gardening!

2009-01-25T18:00:00.000-08:00

She took all of her clothes off so that she wouldnt get paint on them. The scary thing is I see her logic!

This is a baby cradle on her head...why? that is the question of the day, even she doesnt know why!

2009-01-25T17:56:00.000-08:00

Toby is teaching his aunt Marilee how to play super mario cart on the Wii...which is funny considdering neither Toby or I are any good at it yet. Practice makes perfect, right?

We are loving the fit board, its fun except when your personal trainer tells you not to take breaks or that you gained two pounds today!

Hppy Birthday Spike

2009-01-17T16:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was little mans birthday, and because we are having a party later, we had cake for breakfast (first and only time this will happen!) He loved it! once he figured out how to eat it, he kept pointing at it saying "please". he finally stabbed it with his fork and flipped it over to eat it. Messy...but effective.

Party will be Sunday the 25th at 300, Papa Petes Pizza. (a slice of pizza and cake are on us!)

Hysteria

2009-01-14T21:13:00.001-08:00

I will spare you the pictures but my husband is on the wii fit board "hula hooping"...in his boxers. no need to say more.

Here's to you, Hero

2009-01-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

Capt. Brian Donlon at the Euphrates River

Heres to you Captian Donlon. Thank you for bringing him home. Thank you even more for not giving up on him ever. Even when he wont call you back. He loves you (sometimes it borderlines on creepy when he calls me "little D" at night.)

Sgt Toby Snell (aka "Lunchbox") in Fallujah

Thank you Babe, for volunteering to do a job that is deadly at worst and unpopular at best. What other job would involve learning to barter for sex in nine languages? (even if you never leave the states you still learn wonderfulfully useful information like that!)

Cpl Adrew Ingram and Lunchbox on Christmas 2005

Here's to you, Santa (aka Cpl Drew Ingram) for loving lunchbox enough to share your food with him, and refusing to give up on him even when he drags you out into the boonies of western Washington.

I huge thank you to Cpl Fike, it took a lot to be in the turret that day. Bobby Marchione...thanks for running to him, you had no idea what had happened or what else was coming, but went anyway. Doc Bondo, thanks...for jumping out with your gear before your truck had even hit the ground.

I figured if Capt D. could bring Toby home alive, I could trust him to play superman with my baby. Ok... it made me nervous, but then again so did sending my husband to Iraq. Congrats on the Engagement Brian!

3 Years ago

2009-01-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

Things get a little wierd around our house this time of year. Three years ago tomorrow I got the call, the one no military wife ever wants to get. But we survived, and here we are, weirder than ever and overcoming odds that I could never have even imagined. (yes I was that nieve) Tomorrows post might be a bit different, I am nto sure yet. Please keep my Hot hubby in your prayers, this is a rough day for him.

This picture would be the "weird" part. what do you figure he is thinking? my guess is that he is wondering why on earth he let me buy a digital camera...I have done nothing but harrass him with it for the last 5 years. But, hey its not like I have anything more exciting to do!

Marvin gets a new home

2009-01-09T17:05:00.000-08:00

Marvin got a new home yesterday. He has been residing in a papaer cup since he was planted in October. After several attempts at murder I gave up and gave him a new home in the pretty flower pot that mom got me for Christmas.

I was sure that Marvin would not even sprout, let alone grow when he came home. He was planted in a paper cup by my preschooler for a halloween project. I hoped she would forget about it and Marvin would go to be with the Lord.

No such luck. We have been faithfully watering him since he came home, and now he is happily growing in my laundry room window. We will be the only family in town eating pumpkins in April...

Magazine

2009-01-08T12:35:00.001-08:00

If anyone didnt know, we are featured in the January 2009 issue of "All You" magazine (available at Wal Mart) on page 62. It is the mag with the purple cover... NOT the special issue of exercise and nutrition.

This is what we really look like...not so much like the picture in the magazine! We were both sick but had 1 day to get the picture done, so we both look like death!

2009-01-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

last week I went to Costco and apparently came home with the most exciting thing in the world...Just look at my son's pizza covered face...

Really is a case of paper towels that thrilling? He looks like we are going to disney land...with a 40lb bag of chocolate...on Christmas.

Justice was excited because he was...I think she was happy but really not sure why the package of paper towels was supposed to be exciting.

the flu

2009-01-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

Both of the punks have been sick this week so things have been pretty calm around here, lots of lounging around and eating cheerios.

Spike has taken over the chair with the massage mat in it...its heated and vibrates....he thinks its great.

So next time I am sick I am going to lay around all day and expect everyone else in the house to wait on me. I will let you know how that works out for me....

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-01-05T17:06:00.001-08:00

Happy 29th Birthday mom! Sorry I dont have any more recent pictures of you! We will have to fix that! Love you!

Nuns Puffs

2009-01-04T23:08:00.000-08:00

Ok this Picture doesnt have anything to do with my delightful baked goodies, but I thought it was adorable. Spiky Rockstar has been under the weather and is alternating between fever and chills. Apparently he was chilled this morning, he was curled up like this watching Cars (also known as the "Vroom Vroom" movie.)

These are the pre-baked nun's puffs, when you are making them your sure that you have done something wrong, they are more the consistancy of a wet bread dough than a muffin or puff.

This is the delightful goodie when it emerges from the oven. they look like the top mgiht be crunchy, but they really arent...more like a soft bread crust.

Dotn forget the all important steam release...otherwise you end up with a soggy goo inside that reminds me of Elemers school glue...great for art, but who really wants to eat it?

want to try them? http://www.recipezaar.com/Nuns-Puffs-332805 I stir in a packet of splenda with the eggs for a little extra sweetness, and omit the sugar on top. Happy baking!

Spike

2009-01-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

I am really not sure what is happening in this picture... Spike disapeared into his sister's room for a few minutes. While he was in there, he aparently got tired of wearing clothes so removed everything (including diaper). He then felt that a headband would make a nice accessory to his birthday suit. And one must have freshly burshed teeth before making an apearance in such a lovely outfit. All he needs are the fairy wings that he steals from Justice to make his outfit complete.

my favorite household goodies

2009-01-02T20:32:00.000-08:00

I have a few not-so-mainstream household helpers that I couldnt live without. Things that are pretty easy to fin in the grocery store, but aren't advertised much.

Mrs Stewarts liquid Bluing is one of them. I am notterribly fond of the smell of bleach, even the so called "fresh scent" ones that cost a fortune. Mrs Stewarts keeps everything white (I still use a bleach pen for spots) without any strange smells in the laundry room. Just make sure you add to the water and swirl around before adding your whites! Also works pretty well for light colored laundry (yellows, off white, etc...) keeps them looking new.

This is one of the main ingredients in both my homemade laundry and dishwasher soap. Its uses do not stop there, it makes great scouring powder if mixed with water or lemon juice. Also works well to soak up something gooy to make for easier clean up (like when your son dumps honey on the floor!)

And Lemishine. My sweet Lemishine. I discovered this in NC when we had sulfur in our well water. I wasnt fond of having my dishes smell like sewage when they came out of the dishwasher clean, and I found this little wonder at walmart. Its Super! A tsp or so in the rinse of the laundry keeps it from smelling like poo too. Although we no longer have the poop water issue, I do use it in my dishwasher detergent to leave everything shiny without a film.

I use white vinegar for most everything else in the house. Keeps the pergo floors shiny, the windows from showing streaks and the toilet bowl shiny and smelling nice. I do have simple green that I use for the counter tops and table right now, but only because I have a gallon jug of it. There is nothing wrong with it, it works great in fact, but when vinegar costs 1/3 of the price and works as well, I cant justify it.

Let me know if you have any other great household helpers that are unusual (or maybe a usual one with an unusual use?)

"ride me down the slide" and other great ideas

2009-01-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

I was making lunch this afternoon while the kids were playing on their new treehouse/fort/slide thingy and I hear "Hey Auston, come up here and ride me down the slide" Thats one of the many phrases that sets off the mommy allert siren in my head. I look around the corner to see:

They are preparing to go down the slide together. Gravity alone is not fast enough so Justice added a blanket to increase the speed, and presumably the amount of static electricity that will flow through her little brother when he reaches for his metal dump truck at the bottom. This is why I love them, they are an unending supply of entertainment!

Quilting

2009-01-01T22:49:00.000-08:00

This is my latest creation...Made with fabric from the purple bumblee where I work. I havent quite finished the top yet, I still need to add my borders. I was originally planning to go with a rail fence zig-zag, but I liked this windmill pattern better (I dont know what its called, but I think it came out better this way.)

I have been working on it for two days now, off and on between being sick and having way too much help from the kiddos. I am trying to get it completed in the next week so I dont have yet another quilt top sitting on top of my stash. The border and binding will be a yellow and light blue floral print with tiny little flowers.

A very bright a cheery quilt that makes me feel like summer, even in the dead of winter. It has been either raining or snowing for 3 weeks now, and I am feeling a bit down, with no sunlight in sight. I will post a full picture of it as soon as it is finished!

Wii (and other things that make me feel old)

2008-12-31T23:40:00.000-08:00

Tonight I unpacked it. It has been taunting me from its box on top of the entertainment center since last Friday when the Ladies from Red Canoe delivered it (thanks again!) The first 40 minutes I spent trying to figure out how to connect it. Its really not that hard, but when there are 40 cords and a power strip in the entertainment center, its a bit more challenging.

So now that I have the beast connected and the controlers synced with the console, I insert a game disk. Bakwards. Try again. Then it tells me I have to create a Mii. (for those of you who dont know, its a little version of you that lives in the Wii console and plays the games for you.) I thought that would be fun to create a little me, until I realized that it actually gives you the option of choosing a body style (thick), hair color, eye color, face shape, and to make it even more acurate male Mii's get a mustache option...females get a beauty mark. Now I could have done what the ideal Mii would look like, but I dont want to hear my nieces tell me how it doesnt look like me.

So now the Mii is complete...and I am too tired to actually play any of the games. I feel old.

oh yeah...its midnight and I am going to sleep before the ball drops. Again...OLD

HAPPY 2009!

2008-12-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

My littlest one is snoozing happily in his bed. Notice the lack of pacifier in his mouth...he only wants to have it when he is sleeping...not actually use it. Lately at night he has been sleeping in odd places: under his bed, in his toybox, or draped accross his chair. Tonight I caputured him sleeping peacefully in his bed (dreaming up new ways to be naughty tomorrow I am sure!) He will be up bright and early banging on his bedroom door, yelling "I'm done" and wanting to be let out... And by early I mean 0300 when theneighbor leaves for work and headlights shine into Spikes room. Needless to say this is not actually when we get up for the day. Its just when we get up, look for twilight turtle, find the pacifier that is now under the bed, turn the blankey until he finds his favorite corner and snuffle back to sleep.

While my little darling is asleep, mommy is up playing with his toys. (Hey, he got some cool stuff for christmas!) Tonight I created an airplane with his bristle blocks.I had to follow the directions on the box, I am not that creative on my own. I am trying to figure out if the little person(?) is holding onto a steering device with it's "hands" or rather listening to the engine sounds with a stethascope...

ketchup, the cure for inpropriety

2008-12-29T22:25:00.000-08:00

This is actually something that happened a while back, but is too funny not to share...

For some reason the makers of most jeans today feel that if you dont have at least an inch of crack showing, they are not doing their jobs. So after some searching I found some appropriate "mom jeans" that kept everything covered (so long as I was wearing a belt.) Bending over too far put me into a dangerous territory where taking a deep breath might leave my naughty bits getting an afternoon breeze.

While making an attempt to get out the door one afternoon, I sat Justice down with some chicken nuggets and ketchup to eat while I dressed Spike to leave the house. Since he doesnt lay still to be changed or dressed, this is more like a combo of yoga and power lifting than putting on clothing.

Durring this odd yoga style event Justice became very concerned "you butts hangin' out mama, you butts hangin' out!" Apparently she was concerned somebody might stroll by the second story window and catch a glimpse. I assured her it would be fixed when I put my belt on, and went back to wrestling my son into his jeans.

Then I felt it. We keep our ketchup in the fridge, so it was nice and cold as it trickled down. Looking behind me, there she was, holding the plate where the ketchup had previously resided. For anyone who doesnt know, ketchup has onion powder in it, and onion products cause me to have a severe allergic reaction...I raced to the shower, while she wondered into the kitchen to put her plates in the sink, happy to have completed her mission. (And no, she did not get into trouble for it, I was laughing too hard to have a serious conversation with her!)

She just wants to make the world a better place...one booty at a time.

2008-12-28T22:05:00.000-08:00

She Just gets a little more of her own personality every day...

This is My girl...or if you ask her: "I am grandma Janets Princess!" She is a little nut who loves to pack up everything she can find into a box, bag, or tote, just to keep it from her brother. So every night before bed I wonder around dumping out boxes of legos, purses filled with puzzle pieces, and occasionally a pocket full of something that can't be identified.

My People

2008-12-28T21:59:00.000-08:00

My niece, Brianna might kill me for posting this picture, but I think she is adorable in every picture. She is the family sports star, and is frighteningly strong (think she might be part alien or something.) She's a little crazy, but will be the first person to back you up when you need help (gosh, that makes her sound like a maffia thug...)

My niece "monkey" opening her christmas gifts. The only one in the family who watches the backyardigans with my kids, and likes it. Also the one who gives good fashion advice, and makes delightful baked goods.

My husband's sister, Crystal...who amazingly answers the phone everytime I call, even in the middle of the night. She does a very challenging job, working in a public school with gradeschoolers who have severe behavioral problems (the ones that are physically violent.) She is also the first person my kids ask for when they get into trouble "can we go to Aunt cystallllls house?"

This is Scotty... My super brother-in-law who carries my pumpkin for me...and digs my husbands truck out of the snow, and loans us tools, and fixes sinks, and takes Toby shopping (he is kind of a jack-of-all-trades guy.) We love him.

Thank you

2008-12-26T23:15:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the mysterious person who suggested our family to Red Canoe Credit Union to be the sponsored family this christmas. And Thank you to the wonderful people at Red Canoe who sent us the wonderfully thoughtful gifts. The attatched card said "Something for you...because sometimes 'thank you' just isnt enough".