Happy Spring!

It's official. Spring is here. How do I know?

1. I can smell the flowers...crocuses and daffodils
2. I can hear the chirpy birdies
3. I can feel the warm sun
4. I can touch the green grass
5. I can SEE colors...no more browns and grays!
6. I can taste spring rain

But best of all, the crack of baseball and softball bats is in the air! Six days a week, at least an hour and a half a day. That's lots of bats, balls, and crazy kids. Yay for spring!!!!

*big grin*

It's been three days.

Three. Days.

And it's amazing how different I feel in just three days.

Remember what I said?

No more pets, right? *rolls eyes* That lasted all of a week. And this time? it was DH. He got pissed off during the Great Lizard Tank Exchange of 2008 (more on that in a moment) and decided he was setting the two African Cichlids free. They are assholes, won't live with each other or anyone else, and he was tired of it. They are now swimming happily in the neighbor's pond with the catfish. And probably beating the hell out of/trying to kill the catfish. *rolls eyes* So now he has 8 little peaceful, happy, easy going pretty fish. In a new to us 55 gallon tank. That required a custom cabinet built by DH.

*sigh*

Of course, this happened at the same time that we realized 3 boy golden geckos in one tank was NOT a good thing. Apparently, geckos stress out easily. Apparently boys will try to kill other boys. Thankfully, ours just stressed and found various places to hide and not come out.

So. Now we have:
1 Yellow Lab
1 Cat
8 fish (Gouramis and two other pretty fishes)
3 lizards in 3 seperate tanks
1 hamster who has new tunnels and a new spinny running wheel

Anyone wanna visit the petting zoo?

Weather WTF.....

Last Friday morning, we had snow.

Today? Our high temp is supposed to be 90.

No wonder half the state is walking around with nearly-pneumonia.

My house, the pet store....

As of 7pm tonight, the official count is:

1 yellow Lab, Trouble, age 8
1 white and gray kitty, Belle, age 2
2 African Cichlid fish, Fasty and Slowy, age 1 1/2
3 Golden Geckos, Buddy, Schizo, and LittleMan, owned for 2 weeks (Buddy) and 2 days (Schizo and LittleMan)
1 Long Haired hamster, newly christened 'Spike', now with us for 3 hours.

When did we become the pet store???? What's next? I swear, no more pets. At least, not indoor pets.

Snow!

The first wave of snow on Monday missed us and left us with a couple inches of rain.

The second wave of massive snow Thursday (4-9" of snowfall) missed us completely, although we did get 3" of rain and some sleet.

The third wave of snow (very early this morning) finally caught us. Barely. We got about an inch or so of the heavy wet stuff. So pretty though.

Of course, being in Texas? It is now super sunny and in the high 40s. All that pretty snow is now pretty puddles.

Shopping.......I almost miss it.

One of my goals for this year was to cut down on unneccessary shopping...you know, going to the mall or stores because I was bored and felt like shopping with no real needs or wants in mind. And spending over $100 on shit I (or the kids) didn't need/want.

Here we are....going into the 3rd month of the year. I've saved myself a few hundred bucks. BUT...I kinda miss the browsing/shopping boredom. I don't even know what kind of good stuff I'm missing out on! *horrified look*

So tell me...am I missing out on good stuff?

Details, please....

So down there, in that last post, *points down* I was spreading the Bravie love. Well, I still am, even though my plan isn't working as well as I want it to. But that's okay, I'm continually trying.

The plan? To quit smoking.

Carey inspired me, and I figured if she can do it, I can to. Well, I got the book and read it. And was feeling totally wonderful about the whole no smoking idea. So, I finished the book and smoked my "last" cigarette. Or what was supposed to be my last. Seems that idea about no more "just one" didn't quite stick with me. *sigh* But I'm continuing to try.

Right now, my problem is more along the lines of .... I don't want to smoke, I don't like the taste or the smell (which, smells are a totally seperate post), but every once in a while (maybe once a day or so), I smoke a cigarette. Why? Hell.if.I.know. I guess the simple answer is because I can. Even though I tell myself I can't, don't want it, don't need it, and have no real "cravings" for one.

Grrrrrrrr. But I'm trying not to frustrate myself. I can do this. I will do this. And soon, there will be no more one or two a day.

It's all Bravie's fault.....

And I love her even more for it.

But it's ALL her fault. So feel free to blame her.

Seriously.

And she won't deny it either.

*gigglesnort*

I am a mean, mean, evil momma. Yes, I am.

Valentines Day? I sent the kids stuffed animals and balloons in their classrooms.

Rotten1's 10th birthday yesterday? I bought him a 20lb bag of white calcium sand, some fake leaves and plants, and a box of rocks. And he loved it.

for today......

my post will be about the little things we tend to forget, we tend to overlook, we tend to take for granted. because, if nothing else, survey taught us to cherish those moments.

tonight, i will continue to do something i've started since the first of the year. i will read library books to the kids when i put them to bed.
tonight, i will not gripe about the drips of water on the floor when the kids get out of the shower and run to their rooms without drying off in the bathroom first.
tonight, i will actually enjoy sitting on the couch and watching tv with the kids...tv shows that they have chosen.
tonight, when dh calls from work, i'll actually pay attention to the day he's had and the stories he tells instead of paying more attention to the kids/dog/tv/whatever else is going on while the phone is attached to my ear.
tonight, i will remember just how much i love my kids and cherish the moments i am with them every day.
and tomorrow, i will try to remember what i have learned and carry it with me everyday.

goodbye survey. you may be gone, but the lessons you have taught all of us, the strength you have shown all of us, will not be forgotten.

*scratches head*

*looks around*

I know I was here last week. I know I updated my links and such. Where the ^*((%! did my post go? I thought I wrote one. I'm almost positive I did. Hm. Maybe not. *shrug*

We've been through Rotten2 and the stomach flu, me and the sinus/cold flu stuff. Blech. I so want summer. I'll settle for spring.

Rotten1's birthday is next week. My baby is so excited to be hitting "double digits". Yes. Really. That's what he said. I'm not old enough to have a child in double digits!!! Waaaaaaaaaah. And for his birthday, he's getting a lizard. Not sure what kind of gecko it's going to be, but a lizard is all he wants. Unless you count the Wii. But he sure as shit ain't gettin' a Wii.

Beyond that, not too much going on worth noting - nothing like the insanity train I was on the first of the year, but still busy. BB starts in a few minutes. Baseball signups are going on, so that means we'll have practice and games a few times a week soon. Yay!

*smoooooooch*
Hope all is well with you guys. I'll try to hit a few blogs soon.

Holy Effing Winter!!!

Between the 50 mph winds and 30-40 degree temps, I am not sure if I live in Texas or Canada right now. This sucks. I want spring. Now.

Happy Freakin' Flu Season, too. Grrrrrrrrr. Five days of 102+ temps for Rotten2, 36 hours of throwing up and we're on the mend. She finally went back to school today. Who's next?

For the first year in ages? We've had ONE snow thus far (3 hours on Turkey Day)......and next to no ice. Several very close calls, but nothing ever materialized. Thank God. Texas does not handle snow and ice well at.all.

And now? I'm going to freeze my ass off and take the dog out in the 28 degree temps with 30 mph winds so she can sniff around the yard and possibly take care of her business.

Yeah, I know. Quit bitching. Everyone up North is dealing with temps below 0F. I still want spring. Now.

WTF?

It's been almost two weeks since I've entered blogland.....where has time gone?

*We spent a long weekend at the farm with the kids and celebrated Christmas after the first of the year
*I've de-funked both kids rooms and gotten rid of FOUR black trash bags of crap, two black lawn & leaf bags of clothes and an entire pick up truck bed load of toys for the local Goodwill
*I've repainted and refloored the hallway
*I've repainted and totally redecorated Rotten2's room
*I've painted and hung new shelves in the laundry room
*Rotten1 and I are reading the Lemony Snickett books - we're about to start Book Three tonight. Or, I am. He's still on Book Two.
*Rotten2 has a webkinz. So does Rotten1. MUCH time is spent at the webkinz site
*My best friend had her baby on Monday
*I'm anticipating the mod duties again at a friend's Big Brother site starting back up in a couple weeks again
*And in between? It's all about work and homework.

Hell of a first three weeks to the new year. In all honesty, I'm kind of enjoying having a bit of a lot to do.

One of these days.....

My children will realize I'm not the complete and total moron they think me to be.

How is it that seemingly overnight, the children who thought Momma had the answers for everything, now think I'm a total moron? I thought this wasn't supposed to happen at least for a few more years.

Some examples:

RottenChild: What's for dinner?
Me (standing at the stove cooking): Tacos and chips and queso
RottenChild: Really? (looks in the pans and oven to double check)

RottenChild: Can I have milk?
Me (in another room): No, we are out and I need to go to the store
RottenChild: Nuh-unh. (Checks fridge). Oh.

RottenChild: Where are my shoes?
Me (in another room): In the bathroom, where you left them last night when you took a shower.
RottenChild: No they are NOT! I put them away.
Me (still in another room): No you didn't. I just stepped over them.
RottenChild (in closet): My shoes aren't IN my closet!!!!! (starting to get that whiney edge to the voice)
Me (walking into bedroom): Did you check the bathroom?
RottenChild: No! They aren't in there.
Me (walking into bathroom): Oh. Look. What are these?
RottenChild: Oh.

Happy New Year!

And as we counted down,

10:15 - 1 down, 3 to go - DH has to be up at 4:30 to go to work
10:46 - 2 down, 2 to go - Rotten2 crashed during the opening scenes of High School Musical 2
11:40 - 3 down, me to go - Rotten1 crashed during the ending scenes of High School Musical 2
11:58 - Still here...and waking up the Rottens for the ball drop
12:00:03 - Rotten2 is back down for the night
12:07 - Rotten1 is back down

And Happy New Year to you all. Best wishes for a happy, prosperous, loving 2008 where all your resolutions stick and you enjoy each day.

*smooch*

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you - I hope the holidays bring you much love, happiness and peace throughout the season, and into the new year.

*hugs*

Stupid Work

I've had over a week to play, so I really shouldn't complain when work turns to chaos in the middle of the afternoon and continues to stay chaotic for two days.

But dammit, I'm complaining! I wanna play!!!!!!!!

This?

Is what happens when you take a 7 year old to her 4-H fundraiser at 8am, to McDonald's at lunch, and Christmas shopping for the better part of the afternoon in 35* weather.

Cookies!!! and more....

The post lady brought a box today - a big box! With lots of cookies, a calendar, and some of the most beautiful bookmarks ever! So far, I've seen M&M pretzels, Oreo balls that I have not yet tasted, and two others that I have not opened yet. I'm almost positive one is a sugar cookie type and the other is some chocolatey toffee/peanut buttery type something.

*grin*

I love my sweet cookie sender! Even if she is SuperDork!