Can I just say......

that as much as I love my precious children, my cup overfloweth right now with quality together family time, and I think it's time for the schools to re-evaluate how long they give the kids for Christmas break. 

Oh don't get all feisty with me and make me feel like I'm the only one who feels like the house is closing in on me....because you know good and well that if you were honest....you are probably feeling the same way.  

And I'm avoiding the kids' rooms like the plague, because their rooms are a constant reminder that they have just been inundated with more "stuff" and that it's time for the annual "post-Christmas purge".  You know....the ole' "get-yourself-a-strong-cup-of-coffee-before-you-cross-the-threshold-of-their-doorframe" purge.  Because you know it's gonna' take more than coffee to recover after you're finished. 

Sigh. 

Then there's the whole "undecorating-the-tree-and-lugging-all-of-the-decorations-that-have-only-been-down-from-the-attic-less-than-a-month-back up-to-the-attic" routine.   And don't get me wrong.  I love, love, LOVE my keepsake ornaments that my kids have made over the years....you couldn't give me a million dollars for them, but the fact is...everyone gets excited about "trimming the tree" but not quite so excited about "un-trimming the tree". 

And did I mention the infamous "box-to-ship-to-St. Louis" that's sitting on the living room floor?    You know....the box with the gifts that no one EVER receives on time?  Sigh.  It's how I roll, unfortunately.  And I try to always tell myself, "It's okay, Leah....everyone loves to get a late gift....it just keeps Christmas going."  But I'm not sure if getting a gift in May can still count as a Christmas package.  :/ 

No....I have never sent a Christmas package in May.....

And ordinarily I would feel extremely guilty about the PILE of Christmas cards sitting un-sent in my kitchen that I "scrambled-to-take-pictures-of-my-kids-for-while-my-daughter-was-home-from-college,-and-braved-the-pouring-rain-to-get-to-Sam's-Club-for-them-to-develop-them-on-their-last-day-of-their-Christmas-card-special.  I mean...come on.....$15 for 100 of them is a good price.  No....I don't send out a hundred, but it's too good to pass up.  Unless of course you never actually send them OUT.....


Sigh.....


And I'm ashamed to tell you how behind I am on my laundry, but just suffice it to say that my husband has had to ask where some clean socks were a time or two, and I would be lying if I said that I had never had to holler from the bathroom for someone to bring me a clean towel out of the dryer...


Yep.  The holidays do it to me every year.  But throw in a sick daughter needing hip surgery the week before Christmas, and you've got yourself a stressful holiday season!!!  


So I guess I'm allowed to be pooped and ready for school to be back in session and things to get back to normal again.....whatever normal is.  


I'm just sayin'. 

A few days late, but just to name a few..............

things that I am thankful for.....


My very best friend.

• My husband of 22 years, who has worked so hard for our family, and has never once asked me to go to work and put our children in childcare over the years.  He knew how much it meant to me to be a stay-at-home mom (even though on days I thought I was going to go crazy).  For that I am eternally grateful....and I guess I'm gettin' a little sappy....so I'll move on.....

• My girls....it was such a surprise to find out I was having another baby so soon after Kaleigh, & it was anything but easy having them 18mo. apart, but they were such big helpers as the boys later came along, & though they fussed like all true sisters do, I know that they do love each other.  Though they are so different in their personalities, I wouldn't change a thing....I feel so blessed to have two of them & am so thankful to know that they will always have each other.  Karissa is a little lost without Kaleigh here right now....but she is adjusting. :)
  

• My boys....I just couldn't be more grateful that God blessed me boys as well as girls.  They are so much different than the girls were, and it's been so much fun parenting them.  One thing is for sure....they are a lot less maintenance, but there is no shortage of cuts, scrapes, bruises around here.  They are best buddies and would die for each other.  Their personalities are totally different but such a compliment to each other.  I am blessed.         

• 
  My parents and the Godly upbringing that I was so blessed to have. They loved each other, and though money was not abundant, their love and dedication to us was. I never once heard them fight, and my goal in life was to grow up and be as happily married as they were. They have now been married for 42 years, and have weathered many of life's unexpected storms. One of them being an actual storm that involved multiple tornados this past spring. I am so thankful that not only were their lives spared, but my childhood home, where I have so many memories, only suffered external damage....which is finally all repaired for them.  

 

So very much to be thankful for.

• My brothers.  They prepared me for my life as the mother of boys....be it sitting at the ballpark cheering them on, or being the recipient of childhood pranks.  Life wouldn't have been the same without them and the roaring laughter they continue to cause when we're all together.   I am also very thankful that they are both amazing Daddys to their children! 
  

• And I'm sorry....but I just gotta' say it.  If you don't have a sister....then don't hate on me, but there is just nothing like one.  My kids all know when I am on the phone with her, simply because of my uncontrollable laughter.  She has seen me at my very worst, attended the birth of one of my children (yea....that would probably have been the "seeing me at my worst" line), puts a smile on my face every time I talk to her....I am thankful for my sister. 
  
• Friends that love me for who I am.....not what my house looks like, or what size I'm wearing.....true friends....that have been around through the good and the bad times.  I'm so blessed to have them in my life and I thank God for them. 
  
• My freedom and the men and women who defend that everyday.  Words are not enough.....
  
• My church and my church family....and the saving grace of Jesus.  Without Him we are nothing, and I am so thankful that He loves me in spite of who I am.  Without Him, the list above wouldn't be possible.....and I am so very thankful. 

I'm just sayin'.

So my mom calls me......

and wants to know if I have ever seen toilet paper tube Pilgrims. 

Seriously....she did.  About four years ago. 

She teaches Kindergarten, and was looking for a cute craft....which got ME looking for them FOR her. 

And I found some.


They were adorable.....so I just had to give them a try with my own kids.

We did take pictures of the process, although that was in my pre-blogging days, so I wasn't quite as thorough in my picture taking. 

And.....if you know my boys....you'll have to try to remember when they looked that young, because they look nothing like that now. 


Sigh. 


Okay....so about the Pilgrims and the Indians. (oh yes...they have toilet paper tube Indians too)


I will post the link to the website that originally published it so you can see the perfectly done version, but frankly, I think that my boys' version is much cuter. :)


You gotta' have empty toilet paper tubes, which we have no shortage of around this house.  They're ALWAYS empty.  I swear I hear, "Somebody bring me a roll of toilet paper, please!!!!" on a regular basis.....but you probably didn't want to know all of that. 


Sorry.


Just keepin' it real.


Anyway....so you need empty toilet paper tubes, felt, paint, & hot glue gun/sticks (and use the low temp ones for cryin' out loud.....I burned the heck out of my thumb about a week ago trying to make the boys' Halloween costumes with a HIGH temp one that I thought would get the job done quicker).


Like I said....I'll post the actual link to the step by step instructions, along with the supply list that you'll need, because I know you're ALL going to want to run to your local craft supply store, so that you can have your very own set of these.  They're just that adorable! :)


And I am not sure why my precious daughter felt the need to take pictures that included me in there, but let's focus on the craft at hand, shall we?




Yes, that really is Jack and Destin four years ago.



And yes, that's our tiny little "kitchen table that could".....sigh.  If you never read that post you should.   But I can't, because I'll get all sappy again. 



Destin taking his job of painting very serious...as usual:)





Skin has been painted and is now drying.

Cutting all of the tiny pieces.....

Tracing....apparently Destin gets his serious concentration from me. LOL



In true fashion...Jack needs to see what's going on on TV, Destin still quite serious about his Pilgrim.



And did I mention that the top half of a rotisserie chicken container makes a great ummm.....palette for your paint?  :)  You just gotta' love how I recycle.  

Now just go ahead and tell me these aren't the cutest little Pilgrims and Indians you have ever seen????



Don't you love the not-so-perfect character that they have???  They were truly done by my then 5 & 8 year olds.



Now since I know you are dying to make your own.....I will post the link to the site.  Don't be overwhelmed by the long list of instructions.  They really are not hard at all.  And if you decide to make a set.....take pictures and send them to me!!!!

http://www.freekidscrafts.com/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=547


Can't wait to see yours!!!


I'm just sayin'.

I've MISSED you!!!!!

Yep, that's right. 

I said I missed YOU. 

Because I have. 

Things have been a bit rough around here lately, as Karissa has had some medical setbacks, HOWEVER.....things are looking up a bit, and I am READY for the holidays!!!! 

Okay, wait a second. 

Perhaps "ready for the holidays" was a strong statement.   

Because I suppose in order to be ready you have to have all of your shopping done, menus planned, party outfits purchased (who am I kidding?  I'll wear the same "go-to" holiday sweater I have worn for the past 10 years!) 

Stop laughing.....you know you've got one of those stuck down in the archives of your drawer somewhere, afraid to admit you have it, but when in dire need of something festive you drag it out hoping no one will remember that you wore it last year, and that no one at the party will be critical of the fact that holiday sweaters aren't what's in style anymore. 

Okay....so maybe it's just me that does that.  But I'm admitting it.  And I'm happy to report that I have actually upgraded to a more fashionable sweater for the holiday season.  A lot less 80's looking.

But I just can't let go of that holiday sweater for some reason.  Mable gave it to me.....so I guess I'm a little sentimental.  But I guess it shouldn't make me get all sappy......it's not like she put great thought into making a purchase for me....she hated sweaters and didn't want to wear it!!!!!  LOL  You just had to love her.  :-)

Now where was I?

Oh yes.  Ready for the holidays. 

Let me rephrase that by saying.....I am ready for the fun, smiles, laughter, cooler weather, good food, crafts and great picture ops that the holidays bring. 

And I'm hoping to blog more soon.

I'm just sayin'.

He can be a pistol.......

but that boy has got a heart.

So it's that time of year again....you know...project time? Yea...I'm equally excited. Can't you hear the enthusiasm in my voice as I type??


I mean...don't get me wrong. I love to be creative, and help my kids on projects, but sometimes the expectations are just over the top.


Fortunately for me...this time it was do-able.


Jack's little "project jubilee class" (the name says it all), is studying Australia as their first unit. Easy enough....as long as I don't have to sew a darn kangaroo outfit or something ridiculous.


The first project is to create the Australian flag, and you're graded on creativity, use of unique materials, etc. Maximum size? 9 x 13.


Any of you fellow bakers out there thinking what I'm thinking?? Mmmhmmm.....you guessed it. Cake.


Sigh. Okay, okay....I cannot take credit here. I'm actually SHOCKED that it wasn't my first thought, because I tend to gravitate towards baking and goodies (not something I'm altogether proud of, but let's move on shall we?) Nope....actually it was my husband's idea. But he knows me well, and so I was on it!!


And we all know how expensive these little innocent projects can be don't we? And in your mind your thinking...aww...a cake mix is a buck...a little icing, we'll be out the door for five dollars.


Yea. Not so much. Try twelve dollars. But let me back up a little in the story.


And I just have to brag on Jack here. I think I'm allowed....it is MY blog, right? ;-)


On the way to Wal-Mart (because that's the only way I was getting out of there for less than $20), Jack says to me, "Hey mom....do you think there is something special we can make for (we'll call her Susie)? She's allergic to eggs.

Now I realize that it might not touch your heart quite like mine, but I thought it was very thoughtful of an 8 year old, typically rowdy little boy to think about the poor child who's allergic to eggs.


And this is where I was extremely thankful for my long term love/hate relationship history with Weight Watchers. Because it was during one of my many memberships over the years, that I learned that you could take a cake mix and add a can of pumpkin in place of the oil, water and eggs, and voila...you had a less fattening, yet full of fiber cake. (And yes...I know that you can also use diet soft drinks or whatever, but those methods aren't tried and true at my house, and I frankly think those kids probably needed more fiber!!!)


So that is exactly what we did. 


Aforementioned can of pumpkin





Have I ever mentioned how much I love my Kitchen Aid Mixer??




It looks different with the pumpkin minus the usual ingredients....




And it is HARD work to scrape the sides and pour it into the pan




Now for the fun part......yes...I let him do it all himself.



Oh...in case you're wondering....yes I do buy my children clothing, but all FOUR of them have preferred Darwin's old USMC t-shirts for PJ's, and they have holes in them....but apparently that makes them more comfortable.  :-)

I get the feeling this icing was hard to squeeze out!!!!  But probably not half as difficult as trying to cut giant marshmallows into stars.  Clearly....he ended up with only one marshmallow star.  Icing seemed the best option at this point.

And there you have it....the Australian flag.  And he is quite proud.  So am I....but more so over the fact that he was putting into practice something we try to teach our kids...putting others needs or wants ahead of our own. 

I think there may have been a little disappointment today when Jack took the cake to school and the sweet little girl, who was allergic to eggs, still turned down the offer for cake....but you have to hand it to her....at least she's acutely aware of her condition and how it could adversely affect her. 

And I gotta' hand it to Jack....because it's the thought that counts. 

I'm just sayin'. 

22 things I learned this past weekend......

1.  When someone offers you (2) last minute tickets to the Auburn vs. Mississippi State game....you jump on the opportunity and worry about additional tickets you may need later.

2.  I can pack for said impromptu-trip-to-Auburn much faster than I packed in my pre-children days (not sure if that's because I've matured in my packing abilities and realized that I don't need 13 outfits & 15 pair of shoes, or if it's simply because I don't have more than one or two good outfits for said event.)  Regardless....I can be ready pretty darn quick.

3.  Parenting is hard work....I'm just sayin'. 

4.  To stick to my guns when I think walking from daughter's rental house to the stadium is too far. 

5.  Jeans aren't the best walking clothes when the walk is 2 miles one direction. 

6.  I should have started my fitness program long before now.

7.  Signs with pictures drawn by 8 year olds are perfect when you need two additional tickets. 

8.  There are still caring, giving, good people in the world. 

9.  That we cannot outgive God.  A man and his wife saw Jack's sign and informed us that they had prayed for a family to GIVE tickets to, and all they wanted to be sure of is that we weren't going to sell the tickets.  (Can I get a thank you, Jesus???) 

10. That ramps are better than multiple flights of steps after a 2 mile hike...er....walk in jeans when it's hot.

***At this point, refer back to number 6.***

11.  That I wasn't emotionally prepared for a 9/11 commemoration in a stadium filled with over 87,000 fans.  (Here...watch for yourself.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZVtWgKE1-0

11.  That regardless of which team you're rooting for, when remembering 9/11, you are completely united with every other American that you're standing next to, and that each and every one of them can respectfully become hauntingly silent at that moment. 

12.  That I don't understand penalties when Darwin & Jack are sitting clear on the other side of the stadium....without him to ask..

13.  That if you just watch which direction the referees point their arms, and listen to the crowd, you'll get the gist of it. :-)

14.  That after standing in line waiting your turn, Auburn concession stands still don't take your debit card, but yet direct you to the handy-dandy ATM machine just down the way, causing you to lose your place in line and have to start over. 

15.  That Mississippi State fans are actually very cordial.  They tap you on the back and let you know that you're getting sunburned. 

16.  That said concession stands don't list sunscreen as one of the items they sell.

17.  That even though you can feel your arm roasting, it's still a good idea to take a fellow Auburn fan (who turns around and gives you "the look" ) up on his offer of the sample sized sunscreen he has clipped to his belt loop.  (I would have laughed before too.....I think you will see later why now I wouldn't. )

18.  That even if your arm is already burnt, applying sunscreen at that point is still a wise decision and will keep you from frying any further.

19.  That it would have been good to use said borrowed sunscreen on more than just my burning left arm. 

20.  That there are some games worth burning for.

21.  That the 2 mile walk back is much longer and harder.

And last but not least.....I learned that you can still get sun poisoning, even if your sunburn doesn't cover a large area. 




I have no idea why I thought it was a good idea to let my daughter take this picture.





Or this one.....





Can you see where my cute little shirt was?????

























Oh....and I learned one more thing. 


22.  WEAR SUNSCREEN TO DAYTIME FOOTBALL GAMES!!!!!!!!


I'm just sayin'.

You're not going to believe this.....

but after my multiple struggles on the beach with that darn beach umbrella....the next day Darwin manages to not only put it up without it flipping inside out, but not once have to fight it and look like he's umbrella challenged like me someone else I know. 

Just look at him...

just enjoying the beach view under the shade of the same stinkin' umbrella that nearly cost me all of my pride by threatening to make me chase it down the beach, all while being flipped inside out. 

Hmph. 

Figures.  That's the way it always goes.  And I lose all credibility when he ever so casually just puts the umbrella up like it's nothing.  And I get the ole' over-the-glasses-look like, "really, Leah...what was so difficult about that?" 

And I hate that look. 

But I assure you....it happened....just ask my boys. 

I mean really....do you really think I would make that humiliating story up???

I'm just sayin'.

I'm not exactly sure what I was thinking......

when I thought that coming to the beach for a week would actually be a relaxing vacation. 

Well, I mean really....I have kids....and the words "relaxing" and "kids" don't really go in the same sentence do they??

No.  They don't. 

And am I the only one that feels like just getting to the beach is an act of congress?  Seriously.  I thought I was going to collapse when I finally walked in. 

And I'm not sure what I was thinking when I thought it might be a better idea this time to buy the groceries down here as opposed to lugging them all from home.   Clearly everyone else had the same idea....at 9 o'clock at night.  It looked like Christmas Eve in that store.....

Would you believe it if I told you that there was not the FIRST package of Kraft American Cheese singles???  Nope...not one.  

Lesson learned.  

And would you believe me if I told you that the boys set their alarm for 6am the first morning??  

They did. 

But I was determined to be a good sport about it....right after fighting with my teenage daughter shopping for a swimming suit. 

And just in case you're wondering, younger brothers ages 11 & 8 don't really relish the idea of shopping for an older sister's swimming suit on their first day of vacation. 

And mama's don't really appreciate 20-something male custodians being allowed to vacuum the ladies fitting room when their daughter is trying on a swimming suit.  I'm just sayin'.  Grrr......

The only positive thing out of that shopping trip, is that I finally found a swim suit cover up that actually covers!  (Okay, okay....so maybe it's closer to the length of a dress, but some of us don't look like Jennifer Lopez after having children.  Heck...I didn't look like her BEFORE kids!)

And I'm not sure if it was sleep deprivation or the heat, but for some unknown reason I decided it would be okay to not only wear a swimming suit with above mentioned cover up dress, but to venture down to the beach on a rather windy day....alone with two boys very anxious to do what they had come to do and not anxious to help their very out-of-her-element-mother "set up camp". 

Yes...I said set up camp. 

You know...spread the blanket, get situated, and.......put up the umbrella.  Dear Jesus, what was I thinking?

I mean....you need the visual here. 

Struggling with major anxiety about even being in a swimming suit/dress ensemble, I was determined for the other beach go-ers to never even notice me.  You know....I was gonna' just blend in with everyone else, and not draw any attention to myself. 

That is.....until my umbrella got involved. 

Yea.....kind of hard to go unnoticed when you very slowly try to put up the umbrella, and it immediately flips inside out threatening to carry me down the beach like a parasailing trip gone very bad. 

You can stop laughing now. 

I was trying to stay calm.....knowing that now....all eyes were now on me. 

And what is it about 11 year olds?  Could he not SEE I was having a major crisis and on the verge of an anxiety attack right there on the beach???? 

(In my calm voice that I'm not used to using...)  "Ummm....Destin, could you try to help me here??"

And all I can think at this point, is Lord, PLEASE don't make me have to get back UP off this sand in order to put this thing back down. 

It wasn't pretty. 

But we managed to put it back the way it belonged, only to have the wind catch it again. 

No.  I'm not kidding. 

And one would think that I had learned my lesson. 

(At this point, I'm going to claim the sleep deprivation thing again.)Because as I sat there sweltering soaking up the rays I never intended to soak up because I was suppose to have an umbrella....watching the boys look for sea life under water, some strange phenomenon came over me, and I looked longingly at my umbrella and thought....SURELY I should try this again. 

I must have been dehydrated....my mind clearly wasn't right. 

Because this time....I attempted this WITHOUT the support of my kids around in case this went wrong. 

Yep...you read this correctly.  I thought maybe the third time would be a charm. 

And I think you know you're in trouble when a tourist from several spots down notices me fighting to hold on the once again flipped inside out umbrella and he says, "Yep...I think that thing's finished now." 

Oh geez.  Thanks for the encouragment....and I'm suppose to be the local that knows what I'm doing.

And after seeing me struggle, he hoists himself up on the sand and brings along HIS son for reinforcement to assist.  Fortunately I had once again....single handedly gotten the situation under control.  But not before DYING of embarrassment and berating myself for being foolish enough to try it AGAIN. 

It was at this point that I was very thankful that everyone else on this beach seemed to be consuming alcohol.  It was my only hope that perhaps everything they had just witnessed would never be remembered. 

A girl can dream can't she?

And no....there are no pictures of this escapade.  You'll just have to use your imagination.

I'm just sayin'.

Better them than me......

I'm just sayin'. 

Seriously.....if you could hear the moaning and groaning coming from the teenage girls who are definitely in better shape than their mother.....you would agree. 

I made a very wise decision to simply be a spectator in yesterday's 4th of July fun. 

Yep....you guessed it....they went tubing. 

They....as in...the kids. 

(Just wanted to be sure that I clarified that.) 

I mean....Darwin is in better shape than me, but still knows his limits, and tubing didn't fall in to the category of wise-decisions-when-you-have-a-bad-back.

He just had to look good while driving it!

The boys are becoming old pros at this....as this was their fourth trip out.....

They've even been known to give their mother a heart attack  go hands free or stand up!!!  No pictures of that....I was screaming too loud from the dock.....


Quit laughing.

Thankfully, the girls are a bit more cautious.

I'm just praying she isn't miserable today since she's still trying to recover completely from her RSD.....but she's tired of sitting on the sidelines!!!

And Kaleigh later informed us, that she was NOT coming off of that tube.....she was too apprehensive about what could be in the water!!!

And speaking about what's in the water.....you know I was a little more jumpy than usual seeing as how "Swamp People" is the new favorite show around our house. 

So I'm sure you can understand my apprehension when we pulled up to our neighbor's "river house" and saw not only this.....

But this lurking in the marsh......

Yep....you're seeing correctly. 

That's a big ole' gator looking piece of a log.....

Sorry.

I've seen one too many episodes.

I almost yelled "Shoot 'im, shoot 'im!!!"

If you've seen the show....I need not give an explanation. 

If you haven't.....you need to.

I'm just sayin'. 

So that you'll feel better about yourself, your garden and your yard......

I'll let you take a look at mine. 

You see, we haven't had any rain in forever, so we have had to water the garden with a sprinkler....therefore resulting in very high grass in just that area. 

And we've been busy with swim team practice, making pickles, getting orientated along with Kaleigh at Camp War Eagle (aka Camp Information Overload for parents of incoming freshmen...I'm just sayin'), and the yard and garden has...well....

been neglected a little.

Oh okay....a lot.

Ummm, yea....that would be the "scarecrow" thing Destin built a while back, and yes those ARE ginormous green onions....I...ummm....I....tried a new variety this year??? 

And I was so upset when I realized that  our mammoth squash plants had been attacked by the "squash vine borer" (yes...I googled it) that we had to uproot all of the dead plants and I guess you could say we've just abandoned the garden with the exception of an occasional picking of tomatoes and jalapenos.  But even the jalapenos have been disappointing this year.  They are not hot...at all.

Seriously....even for you wimpy  less seasoned spicy food eaters...these things are like eating a regular green pepper.  Zero heat.....so what's the point???

Isn't that why you eat jalapenos??  For the heat??

Sigh. 

Yea....that's what I thought. 

And, well, yes the grass is very tall....Angel feels like she is in the jungle when it's like that.....and I'm not even gonna' lie...it's pretty funny to see her out there in the thick of it, looking like a tiger on the prowl. 

But today....just as I was sitting down to take a much needed rest from being on my feet all day, listening to the sound of the dishwasher running and the sound of Destin cutting the grass, I knew I was in trouble when I heard the lawn mower bogging down and sputtering to go further, and then revving up again.  The same routine, over and over.....

So I felt sorta' bad, and went to the window to check on Destin....and there he was just steadily pushing the mower, determined to cut the jungle out there, in spite of the fact that it was nearly 100 degrees and had rained heavily this morning.

But....what are you to do??  When you're not home, you're not home, and it doesn't cut itself. 

Deciding that this was okay for him to be doing (after all....he is eleven and in optimum shape from swimming every day), I decided it would be okay for me to sit down and rest again.....(because I'm not eleven and in optimum shape)......

until the sound of the mower ceased altogether. 

One of two things had happened.  He had either lost his gumption, or the darn mower was out of gas. 

Yep...you guessed it.  Out of gas. 

Sigh.   I guess it's just not meant to be for me to be able to sit and rest my feet.

So off to the gas station I went, talking to myself, and confirming that THIS in fact, is why it has gotten so out of hand to begin with.  There's just always something else calling our name, needing our attention that feels more important than cutting the patch of grass that's growing....because believe me.....the part that wasn't getting watered was not tall at all. 

And I know you can't tell it by looking at this unsightly picture of the dill I have grown, but I was rather proud when we made pickles a week ago, to be able to just walk out the back door and break off a "tree" of dill to be able to use!  Although it's looking a wee bit out of control too. 

But you want to know the funniest part of this whole story??? 

I was just sitting here typing the blog, and heard Destin's voice outside over the loud sound of the mower, so I got concerned that perhaps he needed something or had seen a snake (not that I would be of ANY help at all, which is exactly why I sent Jack out to see what he needed....stop laughing), so he stops the motor, comes in and says, "What mom??" 

I said, "Well, Destin, I was just concerned about you....I could hear your voice out there over the loud sound of the lawn mower." 

To which he replied, "Oh I was just singing, I Am a Man of Constant Sorrows."   And surely you know the song, but click and listen again....

And I'm sorry to admit this but I just started cackling right out loud!!  Because I'll bet he WAS thinking that!!!!!

You go boy!!!!  Sing it!!!

And I still say that the best solution to the out of control schedule and yard maintenance, is closing the blinds and pretending it doesn't exist. 

I'm just sayin'.  ;-)

It was good while it lasted......

but it didn't last long.....

Yes, I'm talking about the cat. 

You know...the one I was falling for this morning? 

The one who's picture I changed my profile picture to on Facebook? 

Yep...that's the one. 

Let's just say that once he "sobered up", he was a wee bit anxious, and began pacing and walking in circles, but wouldn't touch his food or water.  I did everything I knew to do to comfort and reassure him that we would be a good family. 

And one would think that my Chihuahua would have been the source of stress and anxiety.  Not so.  Apparently, his former owners had a Bulldog, so interaction with Angel wasn't a problem. 

He finally found his "happy place" hunkered down in a quiet, secluded corner of the living room.  But when the boys and Darwin got home from their fishing trip...things headed south very quickly.  The new, loud voices were more than he could handle, and when Jack headed over to pet him, hissing and teeth baring ensued. 

This was not the same cat we dealt with last night.  (Albeit he was drunk from a sedative last night), but still....things were not looking good. 

And he pretty much wrote his ticket back to the clinic when he tried to bite Darwin through a blanket. 

Yep....we had to enlist the help of Kaleigh, vet technician and future veterinarian headed to Auburn University (proud mama moment).  She had him caged up and back on the road in no time. 

The poor cat has obviously spent too much time being boarded at the clinic.  He was still hissing and fighting Kaleigh until she got him into a "kitty condo", where he finally felt at home again, and immediately starting eating and drinking. 

It just wasn't meant to be....

And I think Angel is secretly happy to resume her reign as "top dog" around our house.

I'm just sayin'.