Thursday, December 21, 2006

Thoughts on a snowy morning

I got a package delivered yesterday. But it didn't get to my house--instead, the FedEx guy delivered it to where I work. Only in small town America do they not only know where you live, but where you work!

Probably a good thing he didn't drive out. We had at least 1/2 an inch of ice on everything. The weather forcast said it would get worse. It didn't, but we all stayed home anyway. I filled the bathtub with water, filled the water jugs just in case the electricity went out. Kev brought up the generator so if the power did go out, we could plug in the pellet stove for heat. We were prepared. But the storm backed up and didn't get to us. It might hit today, it might not. But today, I chipped off ice from the car and drove in to work. Kev chipped ice of the diesel and drove his route.

Usually, when we all have a snow day, I spend the day baking, cleaning, puttering around the house. Not yesterday. I parked my butt on the couch and sat. I greatly enjoyed watching the Star Trek: Voyager marathon on SPIKE tv. I never got to watch this series when it was on UPN, because we didn't have UPN, so I really enjoyed being a couch potato. Every now and then, I'd think, "I need to make some cookies or Christmas Candy, or maybe some carmel corn." Or, "I think I need to whip up some more bath bombs for gifts." And, I'd just sit. So unlike me. I felt guilty for just doing nothing, and yet, I never got the gumption to get up and do something...

Sad part of having a day off...now Kev has to work this weekend, so he won't be going to my folks' for Christmas this weekend. I'm very disappointed about that.

It's also sad that the kids are home today and I'm at work. It's sad that they've called me 3 times in the last 5 minutes--fighting. It's sad for them that I'm not answering the phone anymore this morning.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone, I'll be out until mid-January on Christmas break!

Friday, December 15, 2006

the lost is found

I found the band book that was lost. You know, the one that my daughter uses but-I'm-supposed-to-always-know-where-it-is. Yep that one. I found it in her closet. On the floor. Under her dirty clothes.

Yep, right where I left it.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

It's all my fault

It's all my fault. Really. Truely. It's my fault. I take the blame.

You see, Kat lost her band book. And, I learned this morning, that it's my responsibility to know where it is. I don't. So, now the band book being missing is my fault. Let's see. I saw it last week--in her book bag. And, I saw it last week in her room. But this week, well, I didn't know I was still supposed to know where the band book is. So, yes, it must be my fault that my daughter can't find her band book.

It's also my fault that Andy lost a library book. He lost "Left Behind" the first volume. But, I let him check it out, so it's my fault that it's gone now, and therefore, it's also my responsibiltiy to pay the replacement fee. After all, I work at the library, and I let him check it out...

I'm not sure what else will be my fault today. I'm sure something will come up. I'm ready to take the blame. After all, it must be my fault.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

I am the Queen

I realized this past sunday that I am the Queen doe of my goat "herd." My "herd" consists now of 2 goats. However, I am the Queen. Looking out the kitchen window sunday morning, I noticed that two of the stock panels were down. Luckily, neither goat was out of the pen. So, after lunch, I set out to fix the fence. My herd followed me out, and even followed me into the pasture, outside their fence. Not a problem, there's grass, they could graze while I fixed one panel and then I'd herd them back in. Except, they wouldn't stay out in the pasture unless I was out there with them. I couldn't fix the fence if I was out in the pasture. Every time I walked back to the fence, they'd "maaa" and bounce along behind me. So, I stopped fixing the fence and sat out in the grass watching my herd graze contentedly. They were content, I was content. The grass was soft and curly, the sun was warm, the goats were chomping and watching me, their Queen.

I am also the Queen chicken. Or maybe just the head "cook". Whenever I walk towards the pen, or even into the pen, I'm swarmed. Chickens underfoot, behind foot, beside foot, I can't take a step without stepping on a chicken. They know that I'm the person who makes sure the feeder is full, I"m the person who sometimes has treats like nasty lettace, or leftover anything. I'm also the one who gives them that tasty treat, scratch grains! Milo, cracked corn, wheat, black sunflower seeds all good for them, all quite tasty, all devoured almost as soon as it hits the ground. The two red girls, who stay inside all the time, swarm me when I open the feedbox. Yep, they want their share and hop up on the rim of the feedbox clucking and cooing, begging me for a treat. Once they are fed, I'm history. I'm of no further use and they practically ignore me. Fickle chickens.

You know, on those days when my Kids think I'm the mother from Hell, it's nice to have someone who loves me, even if it's goats and chickens!

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Fill in the blank

1. My current favorite song is: You know, I really don't have one! Favorite Christmas song is The little drummer boy.

2. The last book I read was: Last one I finished was Born to Rule: 5 reigning consorts, granddaughter of Queen Victoria by Julia Gelardi. But I'm now reading a Nora Roberts one and Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier.

3. The last book I bought was: Well, I don't buy many books for myself, after all I work in a library. But the last one I bought myself was Born in Death by JD Robb and I just ordered 2 books for my Dad for Christmas. (Some war stuff...)

4. The last CD I bought was: I must be the world's worst shopper. Last CD...umm...Gosh. No idea. Haven't bought one in ages!

5. Another CD I wanted but didn't buy is: This one I can answer! There was this telecommercial about songs of the 70's and another one about songs of the 80's and I wanted both. Some Time-Life CD's. But, I didn't buy them.

6. Right now, I'm wearing: Khaki pants and shirt and I still have my jacket on cause it's a little chilly.

7. The last gift I bought was: Well, I priced some arrows yesterday online for Andy, but didn't buy them cause I'm waiting of Kev to tell me the size. So the last gift I bought was still probably for Andy, cause Kev and I picked up a few things for him on Saturday--jeans?

8. The last time I laughed heartily and loudly: Last night while watching 2 1/2 men.

9. My favorite holiday ornament is: Sheesh, I can't narrow this down to ONE! I love all my Garfield ornaments on my tree.

10. My house smells like: Well, I really hope it doesn't smell.

11. The first thing on my to-do list tomorrow is: That's too far ahead. I have a meeting tomorrow, does that count?

12. If I could sit on Santa's lap and believe that he'd bring me whatever toy I wished for, I'd ask for: Crap, put me on the spot. I'd be so tongue tied that I probably couldn't think of a thing. Like right now, can't think of a thing. Do ya think that Santa could make it feasible for me to be a stay at home Mom?
13. If I could holiday shop in ONE store, all expenses paid, I'd shop at: Cabelas

14. If an angel alighted on my doorstep today and said, "I'm here to grant a Christmas wish," I'd wish for: Maybe the angel can make it feasible for me to stay at home full time...

15. When I see a bell ringer while out shopping, I: Smile and walk right by. Then I feel guilty, but I N.E.V.E.R. have any cash or change. I'm a mom--I have kids who know how to open my wallet!

Friday, December 08, 2006

My little girl

My little girl is growing up. Last night, I watched Kat perform in the 5th grade music program. She had a speaking part as "Student 6". She was so excited to have the part--a "valley girl" type character. She likes performing, in fact, she's had parts in 4 of the last 5 school programs, so she must be fairly good...or maybe it's because she's so darn cute.

But, anyway, watching her, on stage with her classmates, I realized that she's not a little girl anymore. She's a girl on the verge of puberty, and from there, it will be a short jump to adulthood. My baby is gone, and she'll never come back.

I'm glad she's growing up, I'm glad she's S.L.O.W.L.Y. maturing, and acting more grown up. But sometimes, I miss my little girl. And, I still see her, but her interests are changing. She still likes dolls, but she likes music. She likes talking on the phone to her friends. She's nagging me to get internet at home again so she can chat. She giggles about boys. In fact, she asked me if she can "go with" a boy. I know that in the 5th grade, "going with" a boy just means that you like each other. That's fine. But she's not "going" anywhere with a boy until she's much older!

We ate supper at Pizza Hut last night. Kat had a friend of hers with us, J. J is "going with" a boy, J. (Hum, J + J, might get confusing!) J, the boy, came in to eat with his dad and stepmom. Somehow, once he came in, the girls couldn't simply eat, they had to be...well, girls! Giggly girls, wiggly girls. Girls who watched J the boy, and Girls who whispered, giggled, primped, hid behind their hands. Girls, who normally would finish off 4 - 5 pieces of pizza, could only manage to eat 2. O my. What an experience! Giggly girls trying to not be obvious about liking the only boy in the restaurant. Subtlety was not their strong suit.

Kat has good friends, a lot of friends. She treats everyone in her class well (from what I can see!) ; she's liked by the teachers (even tho we all acknowledge that she's a little lazy when it comes to schoolwork.) She's a good kid. And, she's cute. She's got her dad's bone structure. I never noticed it before, but she definately has Kev's facial structure, that pointy chin, thin face, well balanced features. She's small and petite. Something I never was.

She has an individuality and a strength of character. She will never do something just because someone wants her to do it. If she doesn't want to do it, she won't. And I know this, because we go round and round about cleaning up her room, about practicing her flute, about doing chores, about the color of the sky. I swear, if I said it was blue, she'd argue that it's really purple! And, I've seen her tell her friends that she's doing this, and NOT that. Somehow, they fall into line with her, and not the other way around.

Her individuality shows up in her clothing. She knows what she likes and she can put together outfits that might not work for anyone, but somehow do for her. She dresses with confidence and isn't ever afraid to be an individual. She just doesn't care if someone thinks an outfit looks stupid, if she likes it, she's gonna wear it. And somehow, it always looks pretty good!

She's strong willed and has a great deal of self confidence. Both definately gifts from her father. And, sometimes, she's not so confident, when she's sobbing in my arms, she's my little girl, and I can make the world right again.

We have a nightly ritual. At bedtime, Kat comes over to me, we give each other two "european" kisses--you know, kiss the air by the right cheek then the left--then one on the lips, and I have to say, "Good night, love you, sweet dreams, see you in the morning." Then she's off to bed.

She's a girl on the verge of womanhood. I hope it holds off just a little longer.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Chubs

Looking down below, I realized that I hadn't updated anyone about our missing cat, Chubs.

We found the little twerp the night I blogged. Well, Kevin found him--under an up-side-down trashcan. Kev said the trashcan was right in front of the door, but it wasn't that morning when I looked in the shop. Kev said he heard Chubs meowing from under the trashcan. But I didn't hear anything when I went looking for him.

Evidently, he'd been there a while, because there was poop under there too. But I swear that the can wasn't there in the morning before work. I know, because I walked into the shop. No matter. We're still not sure how he got trapped under there, but we're grateful that we found him.

I had forgotten how much joy and laughter a housecat can bring. We have another one, Cutie, but she's a crabby old thing, and she absolutely hates Chubby. Chubs is still a kitten, and he just brings us so much joy. Most of the time. He didn't bring me much joy when he drug a pound of hamburger out of the sink and ate most of it in Kat's bedroom. And, he doesn't bring me much joy when he subtly tells me to clean the litter box--by leaving a pile in the middle of the laundry room floor. And he's rather annoying as he lays in the middle of the kitchen floor, right under foot. But he does bring me joy when he's playing with the ring off a milk jug and when he attacks toes that move under the blanket and when he carries his toy mouse around the house. And he even brings me some amount of joy when he goes with me to feed the chickens and the goats. I swear, he thinks he's a dog and that's his job, to escort me during chores.

So, Chubs is safe and sound at home. He's outside today, terrorizing the rest of the cats, but I'm confident that he'll be sitting by the front door when I get home, ready to come in and share the rest of his day with us, his family.