Babies are a lot of work

This is an understatement -- definitely. Not that I didn't already know babies are a huge job -- I'm just not used to taking care of them anymore. I'm babysitting Jordan while Cassandra tries to find a job. She moved back up here a few days ago. So that's why the posts have been non-existant the past few days. The days have been a blur, actually. I think I finally got caught up on my rest, though.

On another subj. -- I got a new pedometer, which will allow me to track how lazy I am on a daily basis. That ought to be enlightening. :P I know I may have to work my way up to 10,000 steps. I've been wearing the pedometer for a couple of days now, and I need to keep track of my steps. So here is yesterdays info.

Yesterday's steps: 4163
Goal: at least 10,000 steps a day

I may try putting my steps on here every day, but since I'm not the most consistent person -- don't count on it. Not that you would. That would just be silly.

Diaper Blinkie

I noticed I get a lot of referrals from folks looking for cloth diaper blinkies. I thought I'd go ahead and make one. I think cloth diapers are great, and I'm glad they're becoming popular again. I used them with my youngest three children -- off and on. Now that there are better diaper options (not involving pins, folding and plastic pants!), they are even easier to use. I've made several fitted diapers for my grandson, and I'm working on making all-in-one diapers now. I've almost perfected my own pattern. If you can sew, nice diapers can be very cheap to make out of old flannel receiving blankets, terrycloth and polar fleece.

I will probably post more about cloth diapers -- eventually -- with some things I've learned from making them.

My free help & advice (you get what you pay for)

I'm going to try to help people find stuff from the oddball queries that led them here. If I don't have it, I might make it (up). In the past on my blog*spot blog, I usually only listed the odd search referrals and laughed in an insensitive way. Well now I'm going to make more of an effort to give people what they want. It's the thought that counts. Yes, it is.

Stuff I can help you with:

small cock -- Here you go.

roach balls -- Yes, you want these.

gmail invite links -- I have a few if there is anyone left on the planet doesn't already have one. See me after class.

who will wire my jaws shut -- first, buy some good insurance and supplemental insurance. Second, break your jaw, but make sure it looks like an accident. Third, go to the hospital -- they have people there called surgeons who do that sort of thing.

how to cut jaw wires -- First, pray you don't have to. Second, use the scissors you're supposed to have with you at all times. Third, only cut things that look and feel like wires. Fourth, let someone else do it.

i hate daylight savings time -- me too! I hope my empathy helped you.

prayers for itching -- I think they are like regular prayers -- just mention the itching.

Tobey Maguire weighs lbs -- Yes, he does, only I don't know how many. My advice is don't worry about how much he weighs -- just enjoy the scenery.

girlie men pictures -- Here and here if you must.

austen powers pics -- This may have been a misspelling, but you never know. I'm a actually a Jane Austen fan. I've never been a fan of Austin Powers, but he would make a great Wickham in Pride and Prejudice, or a great Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility.

'Austen Powers Wickham'

'Austen Powers Willoughby'

Stuff I'm afraid I can't help you with:

play the sims2 without disk 1 -- you lucky dog. I don't have any Sims2 disks yet.
just kill me -- sorry, I think that's frowned upon in most places.
dental hygenist enfp -- I'm an ENFP, but I would hate to be a hygenist.
helping inspirer Jung -- Huh?
byu television scary -- I seriously doubt it.
Blighton cat adopt -- no, I don't have a cat named Blighton, but if I get one you'll be the first to know. I have plenty of cats to spare.
sheltie pregnancy -- not yet, but Obi and Padi are working on it.
return lds missionary pics -- not for at least 2 years.

Usually at least one day late...

And several $$$ short... This is the story of my life. But despite my tendencies of lateness and broke-ness, life goes on.

• It's the day after the first day of Autumn.
• I missed Pixy Misa's birthday several days ago. Happy belated birthday!
• I'm out of Lexapro.
• I'm out of clean clothes.
• I'm out of it.
• Wictory Wednesday was yesterday. Click to see the extended post below.

If you would like to volunteer and/or donate to the Bush campaign, please do. Get involved. Here is where you click to find out more about Wictory Wednesday if you're interested in joining. Here are the other Wictory Wednesday bloggers:

My son-in-law is a DA

No, he's not a district attorney, unfortunately. He's a cook at Flying J. He is the kind of guy who has trouble keeping a job, as a matter of fact. I just got a call from my daughter saying that he punched the door, and that he might have broken his hand. Great. I guess this means that he may be out of work very soon. I know one thing -- he's not living with us. I hope I really mean it. ~sigh~

Update: He has a "boxer's fracture." The ER splinted it, but they didn't set it. He's got to go to another doctor to get it set for yet another $300.

Why, why, why did he do that??? I'm just glad he didn't punch my daughter or my grandson, but if he would punch the door hard enough to break his hand -- when will it be that he does hurt someone else?

My daughter says she's going to leave him every few days. I know better than to count on it.

I would like to have the kind of life that wouldn't be featured on daytime television someday. I know it may not seem appropriate for me to share this kind of information with the blogosphere, but I have to spill it. I have had a lifetime of carrying around similar stuff -- NOT Scott, of course. Later I will say more.

You don't know Jack

Jack is our "new" cat. We picked him up at the grocery store where he was hanging around -- being incredibly cute and friendly. I enquired within, and found out he had been hanging around for awhile, and that some of the employees had been feeding him. I was strongly encouraged to take him home -- as the traffic is really bad there, and Charity really wanted him -- so I did. He's actually is Charity's cat now. Jack is a male orange tabby with matching orange eyes. I don't have his mug shot yet, but I'll try to put one up soon. Jack is getting along fine with all our other pets -- almost from day 1. But Jack is "special". Jack gets on the table and countertops 587 times a day. But tonight I discovered that Jack had mistaken our dryer (with a few clothes in it) for a litter box. I guess that's "Jack squat?" Okay, that's a little punny -- sorry about that. I'm just hoping a sense of humor will help me get through this time until Jack learns squat and where I want him to do it 100% of the time.

Blogpodge

Do you ever know you should blog, but you just don't ever get started? That's me. I have a ton of un-related stuff to write about. So I guess I'll try to do this, and when I get bored and/or tired, I'll quit.

• I was driving down our driveway a few days ago, and I saw a couple of deer. They ran into the woods, but I looked over, and I could see a doe very clearly -- just a few feet away. She just stared at Charity and I and we stared back. We must have parked there for a few minutes before I rolled down the window and said, "Hi deer!" The deer was unhappy that I could see her, because she made a loud, snorting "Phhhbbttttt" and she took off into the woods with another deer. Charity and I thought it was pretty cool. Even though the doe was pretty rude to me, I did prefer that to her bouncing off my hood like my previous close-up deer encounter this year.
• I "got to" babysit Jordan Thursday night. It was quite an adventure for the whole family. Mark and Cassandra wanted to go to the county fair for Mark's birthday. About 15 minutes after they left, he began screaming bloody murder, which continued for about 3 1/2 hours until he finally wore himself out. I know he wanted his mommy, but it didn't help that the bottle she left for him had a broken nipple. Every time I'd get him to stop crying long enough to try to eat, he would choke and gag, because the milk was just pouring out of the bottle. The only respite we got was when I let him chew on my pizza crust, and when Jason played with him -- until he finally went to sleep. But he was a very angry baby. I need a backup plan next time -- my own set of baby stuff in case she forgets something. I really don't know how I made it through 5 babies.

  Oh yeah, and Mark and Cassandra blew $60 to win a Spongebob doll at the fair, and then Mark threw up all over himself and Cassandra on one of the rides. :P

• I made an all-in-one (AIO) diaper for Jordan -- my own design. :). I modified the pattern I made up for the diaper covers, and I left a "pocket" to insert a soaker pad. It's really awesome. I should have taken a picture of it, but my daughter has used it on him and said it's wonderful. The advantage to having a removable soaker pad is that it speeds up the drying time. Now I just need to make several more.
• Oh, my gall bladder cleanse was successful. The largest stones were only about 1/4" to 1/2" in diameter, but there were several, as well as smaller ones. The first clease I had some about the diameter of a quarter! It's good to know that I didn't go through that for nothing, because it isn't fun. But it doesn't hurt, and it's much cheaper and easier than surgery. Hopefully, I will learn to take better care of my liver and gallbladder so that I don't have to do these so often.
• My dental appointment wasn't too bad yesterday. I managed to feel relaxed, I didn't have to have the x-rays this time (I hate those), and I don't have any cavities! The hygenist said I have some of the best teeth she's seen all week. :)

P.S. We found out the other day that we have a rarely seen creature living in our bluebird house. Ian was playing with the hose and squirted the birdhouse. He came running in to say that there was some weird-looking creature we had to see. He had wedged a rock into the hole to keep it from escaping. ;) He took the rock out and squirted the birdhouse again, and it was a flying squirrel! I didn't know what it was at first. Charity said it must be nocturnal. It did have very big eyes. When it started climbing the tree, I noticed the shape of it -- you know, the skin that goes between its arms and legs. It didn't take off, but it just climbed farther up the hickory tree and hid. I hope he (or she?) is back in the birdhouse. I don't want to keep harrassing the poor thing. ;)

Carpe Dentum

I get to go to the dentist today. Actually, I'm freaking out a little and want to cancel, but I need to get it over with. There's just something freaky about having people -- even very nice people -- all up in my face and mouth. Do you know what I mean? And this is just a cleaning. But the good thing is that I have a very nice dentist, and an wonderfully gentle and nice hygenist. Maybe part of the freakiness of the situation is that I went to high school with the dentist. I didn't really know him then, and I don't think we had any classes together, but he always talks about who's doing what, etc. He really keeps up with people from school, and I don't -- and don't care. Long story, but I'm out of time...

Monday Madness

Play Monday Madness here.

1. You are given 1 million dollars. You must give it all away before the donor gives you $1 million. Who would you give it to? Well, aside from the inevitable large contribution to the IRS :P, I would probably give it to some local charities -- like the battered women's shelter and the crisis pregnancy center, etc.
2. If you had $1 million what would you do with it FIRST? Again, the IRS would take most of it, and then I would pay off my mortgage and buy the 10 acres of land that we rent.
3. Do you participate in lotteries? I bought a few tickets when we lived in California, but I wouldn't ever waste my money on them now that I'm better at math. ;)
4. Name 3 of your best physical features. I have very long, brown hair with silver "highlights", I have green eyes with a very unique iris pattern, and I have really great teeth -- according to 4 out of 5 dentists. ;)
5. ..... 3 of your biggest virtues. I can make people laugh, I love to learn, and I can do just about anything I really try to do.
6. ......3 of you biggest vices. I waste a lot of time (i.e. LAZY), I drink too much Coke, and I'm a cheapskate.
7. ...... 3 of your favorite pleasures in life. Reading, sleeping & playing on my computer.
8 If you were a member of the opposite sex, what would you choose to do for your occupation? I can't really imagine myself as a man. I'd probably be some kind of girlie-man. ;) I'm sure I would do something geeky.
9. If you were to come back after death as another animal, what animal would you choose to be? A bear -- or maybe some kind of bird.
10. What kind of 'baby' are you... water, clouds, beach, garden? I like the beach and gardens (minus the bug bites/stings)

Hear me now and listen to me later...

This is my Wictory Wednesday post -- finally.

These are your choices, and it isn't brain surgery:

So hear me now, and listen to me November 2nd:

"Vote for George W. Bush!"

If you would like to know how you can get involved, click to read more:

If you would like to volunteer and/or donate to the Bush campaign, please do. Get involved. Here is where you click to find out more about Wictory Wednesday if you're interested in joining. Here are the other Wictory Wednesday bloggers:

Boycotts

I don't participate in most most boycotts, but I'm going to boycott Tide and Crest. Find out why.

And I still plan to boycott Girl Scout cookies -- not like I need to scarf anymore of those evil thin mints anyway. ;)

So I thought it might be interesting to ask, "Have ever boycotted anything and why?" I'm curious.

P.S. I suppose it goes without saying that I won't be buying anymore Heinz products -- ever.

Back again

My internet has been down for several days now, but Scott got it working again tonight. I'm so grateful, as I have missed blogging. I missed a lot, actually. I don't realize how much I can do on the internet until it's gone.

And this is what I made while I was offline:

I have to go drink fresh grapefruit juice mixed with cold pressed olive oil now. That's right -- it's time for a gall bladder cleanse again. Woohoo.

Late/Early

I've got to start getting to bed earlier.

I made 2 new blinkies today/yesterday:

P.S.

It's way too much fun. ;) It's therapeutic somehow.

I don't think I have as much to say tonight/this morning, but it feels like a good idea to try to keep up the habit. I'm really bad about not sticking with the good stuff I start. Since I used to try to keep lists on my blog, I may start again. It's just when I get too obsessive that it all falls apart.

So here is my Disclaimer: It's okay if I stink at setting goals, but I can also be good at it if I want to. I give myself permission to do nothing, everything, or a few of the things on the list. It's okay if everyone with internet access in the whole world sees that I did nothing. I may put every little thing on the list, or I may only put the most important depending on my mood. I'm cranking out the list just for my own reminder and/or entertainment for myself and others. And last, but not least, I will not feel obligated to make a list every day -- or ever again unless I want to.

Now any doubts you had about whether or not I'm crazy have been completely put to rest, right? ;)

So here is the start of a reminder list for tomorrow/today. I may add to it throughout the day tomorrow.

Make bed
load of laundry -- including Christopher's clothes wash - dry - fold - put away
load of laundry wash - dry - fold - put away
clean master bathroom - toilet - sink - tub - shower - sweep
water plants
wash dishes

make blinkies!

more to come later... maybe

Thank you!

For some reason, I forgot to publish this last night, duh:

I really want to thank everyone who commented today. As Eeyore would say, "Thanks for noticin' me." ;) I'm even more glad than I was in my last post that I started blogging a year ago. Bloggers are some pretty nice people. :) I'm grateful to all my bloggy friends for helping make my day, week, month and year more special than it would have been without you. I'm not a real "get out, socialize and make friends" kind of person outside my blogging world. I have my husband, children, family & a few friends from church. Other than that, I'm pretty isolated. It's partially by design, but a lot of it is that I live in a very rural area and down a lonely (very washed-out) dirt road.

Even in the blogosphere, I may read a lot of blogs, but it's not easy for me to leave a comment. Is that weird? I want to, but if I do it is usually a struggle. I don't want to say I'm shy exactly, because I'm really not. I guess I'm overly concerned about saying something dumb. But I do want to make more of an effort this year to comment and get to know people.

I did not get around to making a list of the major events of the year. I think I'm going to give myself more time. That's the beauty of it being my blog. ;) I want to tweak my old blog*snot site a little first fix the pics, etc.

Other than basking in the glory of my 1st blogiversary, I haven't felt very well today. I have stayed very close to the master bathroom. Isn't that a very nice way of getting my point across without giving you too much information? Thankfully, I'm beginning to feel better now.

Unconscious Mutterings

I don't usually do this meme, but what the heck:

1. Reporter:: Journalist
2. Mythology:: Greek
3. Wimbledon:: Tennis
4. Civilization:: (the game)
5. Punctuation:: comma
6. Party Games:: Pictionary
7. Flawless:: perfect
8. Unprecedented:: never before
9. Curry:: I could murder a (DEATH -- in Mort, a Terry Pratchett book)
10. Tropical:: storm

Wictory Wednesday

What can I say that I haven't already said? I feel optimistic about this election. It looks like the Kerry campaign is imploding. If the idea of him becoming president weren't so scary I'd almost feel sorry for him about now. Nah.

Oh yeah, here's a new George W. Bush blinkie I made today:

Feel free to use it if you want, but I would really like you to save it on your own site, and a link would be very nice. ;) I also improved my Republican blinkie -- scroll down a little or look in the left column.

If you would like to volunteer and/or donate to the Bush campaign, please do. Get involved. Here is where you click to find out more about Wictory Wednesday if you're interested in joining. Here are the other Wictory Wednesday bloggers:

1st Blogiversary & why I started blogging

I'm really happy to be posting very early on my real blogiversary. Maybe it's because I know that this is the only time of day I can have an uninterrupted thought or two. Any other moms out there know what I'm saying? I love my kids -- and now that they are relatively self-sufficient it's fairly easy being their mom. But it's crazy around here a lot of the time. And since I'm a SAHM and a homeschooling mom -- well, you can imagine. It would probably take me over half the day to come up with something to post later in the morning -- probably because I stayed up too late having time to myself.

Wait a sec -- they're still up pattering around... arrggghhh!

Anyway, I do have to give some credit to my (now 17 yo) daughter for starting me blogging. It was my way of coping with her leaving (yet again) that led me to start blogging. She had always been a very high-maintenance child, but the last few years she has been completely out of control because of us not letting her do whatever she wanted -- a very long story involving trips to the hospital for supposed overdoses -- to visits to counselors & psychiatrists -- to countless trips to Little Rock to visit her in youth treatment facilities -- to her staying in foster care (her idea, and we agreed because at least we would know where she was) -- to wondering where she was because she ran away from foster care and the youth facility. The last time she ran away she was gone for several months. She would call occasionally, but we had no idea where she was or how she was getting by. Finally she decided she wanted to come home. It was easy to forgive and forget the past because of our relief, and we took back in. Of course, it only lasted a month or so -- at least she was able to get her GED before she took off again. We knew where she was at that point, but we finally just gave up and let her have her way. She was pregnant -- and for me it was very, very difficult to go through that loss AGAIN when I wanted so badly to believe that she really did want to be home.

So it was that day that pushed me to decide to start blogging. At the time I thought blogs were really cool, but I didn't think *I* was that cool. ;) But writing a little and figuring out how to change my template, etc. -- taking tons of inane quizzes gave me a welcome diversion from the pain I felt. And I'm still not cool, but I've had a lot of fun and met a lot of wonderful people. I know I will probably keep blogging as long as there are blogs to be blogged. I may not say very many important things, but I enjoy myself very much. I started this blog for me --- only I lose focus on that fact sometimes in an effort to be a better blogger than I actually am. ;)

A lot of things have happened this year, and I think I want to make a list of them in my next post.

Oh, and I may have started blogging to cope with the problems with my daughter, but thankfully she is doing pretty well now. I think being a mom has really calmed her down and given her a purpose. Not that I'm really glad she's a mother at 17, but considering all we've been through, I'm glad to report that she's living nearby and doing quite well.

My 1st Blogiversary!

...is coming soon! I know it isn't actually the 8th yet -- it's only the 6th, but I'm impatient. ;)

For my blogiversary, I got this from Scott:

At least that's my story, and I'm sticking with it. Okay, I can't lie to you. I bought it for myself and then told him he got it for me for my blogiversary. It sounded like a good excuse for a gift. ;)

What I really want from you -- if anyone reads this -- is a gmail invite from someone. I know someone is giving them away somewhere...

or cash

or stuff

or at least some comments. ;)

So now when I tell you I was just kidding about the cash & stuff the relief you feel is going to make you comment, right? Oh, and I wasn't kidding about the gmail invite.

Update: I got the gmail thanks to Pam!

Chicks for Bush

The Irish Lass has a great idea -- Chicks for Bush. I had to sign up! :) Go check it out!

Wacko Liberal Kookies

This guy needs to move to Florida. It's all very well and good to say you root for the hurricanes and get disappointed when they don't hit -- when you live in Manhattan's Upper West Side. I wonder how people in Florida feel about his attitude? But the underlying message in his blather is that hurricanes are nature's way of getting back at people for their 'deforesting, stripmining, and the destruction of animal habitat', and to get back at George W. Bush through Jeb Bush for the war 'on' Iraq. Oh yeah, and the explosion of the Columbia shuttle was also a sign that 'the gods' were not happy with Bush. Arrogant Idiot.
via Dave Barry's Blog

Then I read this wonderful post on Brutally Honest about some wacko feminists at a NOW rally -- just read it, because I can't do it justice.
via Dana at Eat The Lettuce

2 New

I made 2 new blinkies! ;)

Today was a pretty good day. I went to church for the first time in 2 weeks. I realized something today. We sat on one of the small rows on the side near the back. I think I must have felt about 47% less stressed than when I sit in the middle near the front. Weird.

Anyway, as many of you will not be laboring tomorrow or reading my blog, I hope you have a happy holiday. Figure out what that means and get back to me, because I'm not sure what I just said there. Fine, I know I don't really have anything to say. I'm just blogging to blog. But...

Yesterday's post -- Here is what I wrote last night when I wasn't able to post for whatever reason:

Another day, another blinkie. ;) I think this one is my favorite so far. I'm still in this blinkie-induced phase (or haze), so expect to find more soon.

We had a very productive day today. After staying up way too late last night, I wasn't too excited about getting up and doing anything, but I cleared off my desk and organized it (it's semi-trashed again already), and then I started throwing stuff away. It was great. We also started loading up Scott's truck with stuff to donate. I made posters to announce next weeks' ward activity at church (we're having a movie night). I finally wrapped the wedding gifts for Shane & Michelle -- the couple at church that just got married. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow of the stuff I crocheted for them along with pattern links.

I don't usually focus on the news on my blog, although I read it every day and usually keep up with what's going on. My point is -- I was very, very sad and upset about the hostage situation at the Russian school, and about all the people who were hurt or killed. It is too much for me to read more about it for the time being. Last night I saw a picture of a very upset father carrying his son -- probably around 8 years old. From the back, he looked so much like my son Christopher. The boy had blood on his body and arms. I just started crying. I didn't find out if the boy was alive or not, but seeing that image and the look on the father's face -- it was so upsetting. It may be in Russia, but it hits close to home. After 9/11 we realize it could very well happen anywhere.

Blinkies -- get the sunglasses!

I really haven't accomplished much today, but tomorrow is another day, right?

I had to make an "I Love W" blinkie tonight. I've noticed that people visit my site looking for election blinkies -- Republican and George W. Bush -- in addition to looking for the FlyLady blinkies I've made. So here is my first election blinkie. I've only made a few blinkies altogether, so I'm sure it's not as good as a lot of them out there. You're welcome to use it, but please save it to your site and a link would be nice. ;)

I need to make a blinkie page to display the few blinkies I have made. But since I'm probably going to procrastinate, I'll put them up in this post. I posted them before on blog*spot, but I'm sure the links are probably broken. And that's another thing I need to work on -- someday. And so here are the rest of the blinkies -- and linkies back to my blog are appreciated.

P.S. I stayed up until 3 am making this Republican blinkie:

All I needed was another obsession.

See if you can guess...

Which shirt would 2flower wear? Hmmm........?

This recent atrocity from Planned Parenthood is sickening and over the top. I really can't relate to the person who could design and/or wear such a thing. To be proud of an abortion -- amazing how the depravity of some seems to be snowballing. I'm just grateful that my mother doesn't wear the shirt on the left!

Some of the best things in life can't be "planned," (like people you didn't know you wanted until they showed up). :) I don't think that many people who wear the shirt on the left could be totally honest with themselves and others and say they have no regrets. I wouldn't go back and change a thing about my 5 little "choices" I call children.

The Republican Convention

If I weren't already feeling optimistic about the upcoming election, George W's speech tonight would have done it for me. As it is, I'm feeling even more optimistic. I don't agree with all of his domestic agenda, but I can't hold it against him. I did like some of his ideas quite a bit. What's cool is that I know that he tries to do all the things he says he's going to do, so I can look forward to seeing the stuff I support actually happening. I think he has done, and continues to do a great job for this country. He is real. He knows what he believes should be done, and he does his best to do it. I feel that he has made the country a safer place by standing up to terrorists and fighting them. I am so proud of George W. Bush, Laura Bush, and all the speakers at the convention. It makes me proud to be a Republican.

Plus the balloons did nice, cooperative, pretty stuff at the Republican Convention.

Wictory Wednesday

I have been feeling increasingly optimistic lately about the election. I think Bush will win. I think he has done a wonderful job these last four years, and I want him to stay four more. I love being Christian, conservative, Republican and a member of the VRWC. George W. Bush comes the closest by far to representing what I want in my President. I'm glad I have the freedom to speak and vote the way I want -- it makes me very happy. And I do wish that for everyone -- no matter what their beliefs may be. God Bless America!

If you would like to volunteer and/or donate to the Bush campaign, please do. Get involved. Here is where you click to find out more about Wictory Wednesday if you're interested in joining. Here are the other Wictory Wednesday bloggers:

Today's pictures

Charity with all three dogs watching TV. Left to right: Piglet, Obi and Padi

Padi and Obi playing on my bed

Diaper covers (top 2) and fitted cloth diapers I've made since yesterday. The covers are made from polar fleece, and the diapers are made from cotton flannel with cotton terry soaker pads sewn into them.

Happy September

I made this on typoGenerator -- the crack cocaine of online graphic generators. Just say no.