I'm an optimist. I'm a...

Quiet before the dawn

2012-01-26T06:06:00.000-06:00

I love the quiet of the mornings - well, if you don't count the snore factor who can be heard from just about anywhere in the house when he is in full swing - before the world wakes up. At least before my family wakes up.

I started this school year waking at 5:am and at first it really killed me. And, then I got into a routine but 5:am still killed me. And, then the snore factor made me finally give up the fight for those final 30 - 45 minutes and I started waking up at 4:30am. Which, actually wasn't quite as murderous as 5:am. I think it has something to do with my sleep cycle.

So now I use that extra time I've bought myself to enjoy the silence - to quote Depeche Mode.

I can read, search the internet, FB, and even - tada - blog! I've been more dedicated to my blog since starting this new morning routine too. Although, come Saturday morning I have a rule for no one in the family to disrupt my sleep for any reason.

With my quiet and calm before the dawn I'm posting a few pics of the youngins from the Live Stock Show:

Here is FJ and his deer blind. He placed 3rd in his class (which had about 25 entries). He welded the inside frame of the blind. His daddy taught him well and assisted him but FJ built it. I'm so proud. :-)

And, of course - the kids showing their bunnies at the auction:

They did great and we've got a little $ coming for their college funds. Well, I hear Lil'Gal stirring (she's a morning person like me) and it is time to wake the family so I'll catch ya' later. Mañana.

Happy Thursday!

Poppin' ya a Smile :-)

2012-01-25T10:41:00.000-06:00

So much to blog about but alas the family is complaining for lack of socks, undies, and so forth. As I bounce around the house I thought why not share a little happy rhythm with y'all.

So, enjoy!

FYI, I wonder what these guys were on :-P Happy Hump-Day!!

PLEASE VOTE: Lil'Gal's 4-H Homemaking Photo Entry

2012-01-14T17:41:00.001-06:00

Howdy Y'all. I need your input and fast as I have to get this photo printed and on foam board and ready to turn in on Tuesday.

Lil'Gal took several photos with two 'set ups' to enter in the photography division under 'animals' for the Livestock show this year. I need you to vote on two things:

A) Vote on your favorite pic in both the tea party and the basket photo shoots

B) Vote on your favorite pic/shoot of all and please tell me why. I don't know what guidelines the judges use in selecting and ranking photos. So I need to know what you think about the pic or the set up or how it made you feel, etc. Just a tidbit if you can as to why this was your favorite.

NOTE: The pics are at full pixelation so feel free to click on it and view them full screen or large because the entry is required to be printed as an 8 x 10.

THANK YOU!! FYI, I will let Lil'Gal pick from the top two voted pics for her submission. And, yes. She took these by herself although I was part of her crew to put the bunnies back on the mat (like a million times, LOL). :-)

PHOTO SHOOT 1:

Photo A

Photo B

Photo C

PHOTO SHOOT 2:

Photo A

Photo B

Photo C

Thank you! I'll post the winning pic and her entry selection as soon as I have received enough feedback. I'd like to order the print tomorrow midday for one hour pick up. (In case Walmart's print has issues so I can have printed somewhere else).

THANK YOU for taking the time to share your thoughts!

COOKIES! COOKIES! GET YOUR GirlScout COOKIES HERE!

2012-01-13T19:39:00.004-06:00

Howdy!

As some of y'all already know via my pre-announcement Facebook post - IT IS COOKIE TIME!

This is Lil'Gals first year in Girl Scouts. She wanted to join before but I didn't want to start in a troop knowing that we would eventually have to make the district change from our little private school (in B town) all the way to our BIG school/s the same distance the complete other direction. So we waited.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES! She is Super Excited to sell, sell, sell. AND, our troop is contributing to the local Animal Care and Control Center which happens to be the very same shelter where we adopted and saved our dear sweet Brandi a/k/a Biggun' from. :-D

She said she would write letters to her prospective buyers (like we do for 4-H) and I agreed that we would personally deliver any local cookie sales. Then I thought, why not take the sale to my out-of-town family, friends and bloggies? So I agreed that I will SHIP to our dear out-of-towners who are so supportive! She's handwriting 30 letters at this point in time. For those who order before she gets all of those written she wants to do a thank you letter to be included with your order.

The cookies sell for $3.50 per box/package. Here are the varieties her club is selling this year:

THIN MINTS: thin chocolate-pepperment (think Andes candies) cookie coated in chocolate. 32 cookies/10oz box

SHORTBREADS a/k/a TREFOILS: a shortbread cookie. 44 cookies/10oz box

SHOUT OUTS!: Light and crisp, Belgian-style caramelized cookies. 40 cookies/9oz box

TAGALONGS a/k/a PEANUT BUTTER PATTIES: regular cookie with soft peanut butter and coated with chocolate. 15 cookies/7oz box

THANKS-A-LOT: large shortbread cookie with a chocolate coated bottom. 16 cookies/8.5oz box

LEMONADES: large shortbread cookie with a tangy lemon icing. 16 cookies/8.5oz box

DO-Si-DOS: peanut butter cookie with peanut butter filling. 20 cookies/8oz box

SAMOAS a/k/a CARAMEL DELITES: vanilla cookies covered with caramel on top and bottom then rolled in coconut and striped with chocolate. 15 copies per 7oz box.

She has two goals. One, sell 125 cases, gets her a flatscreen TV for her room (which she knows she's not allowed to have a TV in her room until...well, currently after age 10 but personally I'd prefer after 15). The second goal is to sell 83 cases to win a point and shoot camera which she wants very much and would put to great use. [She has to borrow her Daddy's for her 4-H photo submission.]

These are out of the box goals. But, my Lil'Gal has a big heart and I have lots of friends with big hearts and so we thought why not offer free shipping for cookie purchases to those who are kind enough to order from afar. (My hope is that the free shipping will prompt bigger per order sales) :-D

If you are interested then email me at farmers.wife@ymail.com with Girl Scout Cookies in the subject line. I'll give you your total and confirm your shipping address. I trust my blog buddies and online friends so the check and the cookies can pass in the mail.

And, thank you all in advance for your support! We are super excited to make a mark in the Girl Scout cookie world and Lil'Gals dreams and hopes are high!

Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon of Blue :-)

2012-01-10T05:45:00.000-06:00

I heard this song on the way home from working in the library at Lil'Gal's campus yesterday and I found myself bouncy and light. :-) Not exactly bubble gum music but really catchy. So, I thought I'd share with all of you - because it is a great morning song!

'Keep your eyes set on the horizon on the line where blue meets blue,
and I'll bet that silver lining well I know it'll find you soon...'

LOVE IT!

So add a little bounce and a little happy optimism to your morning and give this a listen!

Happy Tuesday!

Spousal Debate: Angelina Vs. Jen

2012-01-09T21:32:00.000-06:00

I want your take. Men and women. Star lovers, haters and those who really don't keep up but have a thought to share anyhow.

THE GREAT DEBATE.

This conversation/debat has come up between the Hubster and I like three times over the past few months. Typically, I'm finishing dinner, he and the kids are prepping the table and we are catching part of 'Entertainment Tonight'. [And, yes, we do turn the TV off during dinner most nights. But Monday nights are Mama's TV night. Hubby gets Tuesday but he watches in the bedroom and the rest of the week plays according to the kids schedules and homework and visiting and playing and reading.]

Except Big Bang Theory on Thursdays - we all watch that. Anyhow, I've digressed - so like me. Back to the GREAT DEBATE.

In the past he and I have debated the awesome wicked sexy, pretty, coolness between Jennifer Aniston (my fave) and Angelina Jolie (his pick). He has agreed the 'overall' Jen is the more well rounded, normal, beautiful pick but that Angelina is sexier. !!VV##%$%$!! [That's me not cursing while thinking is he out of his F!ck$ng Mind?]

SO, I'm going to lay out tonights conversation after seeing some blurb about Brad that of course required the name Angelina to come up to which the Hubster once again commented, "She's beautiful (or) she's the sexiest woman." *GAG*

Me, "Um. NO. She's not."

Him, "Yeah, she IS. Those lips and she has a great figure... and since she and Brad have had kids she's not so weird anymore. I saw her in an interview the other day and she was... not so weird." In my mind I'm thinking adopted kids yes, (which is awesome) but just recently had a kid. I don't know if he is aware of that - even though that has nothing to do with this conversation and I am thrilled that there are six children with a loving family.

Me, "She has nice lips except they are disproportional to her face. I mean I love a nice pair of full lips but on her? No. And, she's not sexy. Jennifer Anniston is WAY sexy over Angelina. And, Angelina is still...(searching for a more defining word) weird. Physically weird... and socially odd."

Him, "Oh, yeah. Jennifer is beautiful but in a different way. She's like (I can't recall his exact words but it was like good girl sexy or something the made my mind think that way) **beautiful, but...Angelina"

Me, "If I had to choose I'd totally be Jennifer Aniston. She's in her early 40s and she looks fantastic, is comfortable in her own skin and just so well put together. Besides, I never liked Angelina. Even before the whole Brad-Jen-Angelina thing. She's just. Not believable."

Me adding, "Like that movie Salt? Will never watch it. No desire."

Him, "It's a good movie."

Me, "Blech." [Thinking, you just watched it cuz 'Joli' was in it.]

Him, "It's like that movie with so and so and Gina Davis? Where she was a bad @$$ hit man and then wanted to turn her life around so she went and (blah, blah, blah), like that."

Me, "I remember that movie. It was good. But, that was Gina Davis."

Him, "I still think she's sexy [ier than Jennifer]."

Me, she's so. NOT."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is your take? Brad-Joli-Jen love triangle (she's a bitch) aside - and Brad out of the picture - what is your take. WHO do you think is physically sexier/hotter and second who do you think is overall the sexiest and hottest. I'm an inquiring mind and I want ~~to BFF people who agree with me~~to know.

Oh, it just hit me. What brought the whole topic of discussion up was the fact that Brad Pitt is up against George Clooney for sexiest man. REALLY? Really REALLY? Isn't that a given? And, no. I'm not Team Brad. Poor Brad. 'Joli' totally kicked down his cool factor. Just sayin'. The last time I thought Brad Pitt was hawt was in Legends of the Fall. That was the first and only time. And that was ages ago. Sure, he's still cool. And, an great actor. But... if I was going to take that up with the Hubster on the next Great Debate I'd be Team George. 'Cuz George was all ER and Oceans 11 and that movie with Jennifer Lopez and he's so recluse and wears his grey so well. He's so... GEORGE.

I'm looking forward to your comments. :-D

Y'all ready for THIS!? [Pumpin' my Monday]

2012-01-09T06:14:00.000-06:00

I woke up this morning and as I removed myself from the bed the Hubster asked, 'Que hora es?" To which I replied, "Too early for you to worry about." It was 4:30. He wasn't snoring so bad although he did have a bout around 3:50 a.m.

I was just ready to get up (sleepy yes, but mentally alert as well) and tackle this Monday. This week in fact. There is so much on my list of things to be done in addition to the things I'm behind on (how? I don't know) that I was just ready to get on with it. And, after having woken up every morning last week at 4:30 a.m. I've found that I appreciate that extra down time where I can mingle through my morning without checking the time to ensure I'm on schedule. It is just nice - the time to myself. And, for whatever reason the 4:30 hasn't been so hard to get out of bed - maybe 5:am is back into my deep sleep cycle. I don't know.

Anyhow, today is super booked even though there are only two actual appointments on the calendar. I have tons of errands and a mountain of laundry to fold and hang (I'm sure I'll hear three voices in about 20 minutes asking 'Where is my XXXX?' LOL).

Next week is the livestock show. I'm excited about it but there is still lots to do in preparation. And, we've had some bunny issues. First one little bunny whom I've nick named 'Humper' hit puberty WAAAAAY too early. They aren't supposed to hit that stage for like another month. But, he developed early and so I had to isolate him to his own cage about four days ago. So, last night 'Hopper' (he's been named that since the beginning because this bunny is very difficult to handle and he hops all over the cage) started the same behavior. Harassing the other bunnies in his cage. Thus, I put him with Humper. This didn't work out as I thought it would. Because Humper, having been isolated was very excited to have another bunny and he could care less if said bunny was a boy or girl. It was probably due to the fact that Hopper had the scent of the ladies all over him. But, either way - our rabbit chair said best to separate those two as well because two 'horny' boys can get quite aggressive. *sigh* I'm out of kennels.

The other bunnies are doing quite well. But, we have three that need to put more weight on so I'll add bunny dessert to the list of things to pick up.

My house is a mess. At least by my standards. My floors need a good mop over. so much that I dreamed about it last night and when I woke I had the urge to see if there really was dried milk on the floor. And, my kitchen counter tops are a mess of papers, notebooks, 4-H stuff, and baking supplies. [I plan to practice FJ's upside down pear cake with a new idea before he makes his official entry next week.] The clutter drives me (and the Hubster) nuts.

If I can get back home from library duty and the feed store and Wal-mart for materials for Farmer, Jrs shop project notebook - and if I can get the laundry tackled before time to pick up the kids then maybe I can make a quick sweep/steam around the core of the house.

Oh, and girl scout cookies. Thursday we have our meeting and launch and starting the 15th we will be officially in full swing of girl scout cookies. If you want some, let me know. I'll deliver to the local peeps and I'll even ship to those out of town if you want several boxes. Just hit me a comment or an email or a FB post. :-D

Well, my spare time is up and it is time to wake the rest of the family.

HAPPY MONDAY! I'll leave you with this to pump up your morning since it's been playing in the back of my mind pumping up mine. :-)

Farmer, Jr. turned TEN - Bio on our risky delivery

2012-01-05T21:15:00.000-06:00

Ten years ago this week my son was born. I can't believe it has already been ten, quick, wonderful, memory filled years. 16 months after he was born, Lil'Gal was born. And, life became full of many BIG changes and adjustments - all worth it. (i.e.: I closed down my litigation business that grossed over $200,000 a year to raise my six month old son and our approaching daughter. It was QUITE the adjustment all in all).

Following is how we brought Farmer, Jr. into this world and the extreme medical issues he and I endured in doing so - and a few photos of highlights of my Little man. Heart warming to go back through the [TONS of] photos. <3

Farmer, Jr. was about five or six months old in this picture. I love this picture. It sits framed on our bookcase in the living room. Otherwise, it'd be hanging on my 'cotton wall'. I have a wall of pics of the kids in the cotton each year. It is the wall between their bedrooms.

His little hand in mine

This little guy and I had a really tough time bringing him into the world. I was working 60-70 hours a week/weekends running my own business but I was in really good shape. Toward the end of the pregnancy when I'd wake up at 4:am with heartburn and insomnia and uncomfortable I'd walk on the treadmill before dressing for work each morning.

The last six weeks or so I was miserable. Not wimpy first pregnancy wimpy but miserable. But, at the time I thought I was being wimpy so I didn't complain so much about my symptoms. Three weeks before his due date the OBs put me on rotation within the group - you know, in case I went into labor and my OB wasn't available to deliver FJ. The third doctor on rotation caught my blood pressure. I run low typically, even under stress - so what appeared normal to everyone else caught her attention as 'HIGH' for me.

PRE-ECLAMPSIA. Big time. Farmer, Jr. and I are so lucky. I don't think Hubby ever realized the severity of where we were.

SYMPTOMS I HAD (That I hadn't read about until after delivering him):

- severely painful pimples (even on my neck like men get) - caused partly by testosterone from FJ being a boy
- extreme itching; constantly
- extreme thirst
- extreme (I mean the worst ever in the world you can think of) heart burn

I remember mentioning to my OB about my heartburn and that all I could tolerate was apple juice (which I cut 1/2 with water) and malt-o-meal. She warned me about the calories in apple juice but didn't think much of the thirst as pregnant women near term need lots of fluids. I have to admit - I didn't make a big deal about any of my symptoms because I didn't want to be the wimpy 1st pregnancy pregnant woman. I learned after that I was just plain STUPID.

So, the risky part. DELIVERY. They had to put me on magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures because my whole body was out of whack. If you read about Pre-Eclampsia you can see how detrimental it can be. Mommy and baby can die from it. And, my case was severe.

I was in labor for over 24 hours - I think I gave birth to him around 5:am - I'd have to check my notes because I was so out of it from the MagSafe - as it was nicknamed. MagSafe makes you feel like you are on fire (at least in a strong dose like they gave me). It also feels like you are on the graviton at a carnival and like the worst hang over you could ever, ever, ever imagine having.

I delivered FJ after much stress between he and I. The nurse tried to put me back on Mag-Safe and I - as respectfully as I could - told her where to stick it. She got my doctor who explained I was still in danger of seizures and she compromised with me at a half dose and hour (it's administered through IV).

They finally released me two days later after he had been under double 'billy' lights for jaundice and I had lied about my fever (there was a whole other issue with this B!TCH of a nurse but that's another story). I went back into the ER and was admitted to the hospital a day and a half later due to extreme bleeding. Hemorrhaging actually. I bled/hemorrhaged all night long. At one point I passed a clot the size of a baseball (I SH!T you not) and the nurse said that was a good thing and referred to it as the size of a little baby almost - or something like that. She was sweet, very caring an doting but Asian with a strong accent. I lied there - bleeding all night - with FJ in my arms where I could nurse him with tears running down my cheeks. Hubby was there - sleeping in the recliner couch. He slept through the baseball sized clot.

I came within minutes, hours, ounces of a blood transfusion. It was ugly. Turns out the fever was because of infection due to part of the placenta that had remained in my uterus. The Pre-eclampsia had broken it down so bad that it delivered in pieces. Wonder Farmer, Jr. made it as long as he did. When the placenta is damaged like that there is no way for a doctor to know if any minuscule fragment remained. It was a fluke.

My little chick magnet; this was Hubby's cousin's wedding - Farmer, Jr. danced with several of the barbie doll bridesmaids

(My FJ with his #1 finger up because that 'babe' he is with (and all her friends) were #1) :-D

After that - about two to three weeks in, Farmer, Jr. developed colic. And, NO. I don't mean a night or two of gas. After Hubby and I experiencing along with Farmer, Jr. 4+ full months of colic I about tore out anyone's throat who dared to say their infant was colic one night that week. GAS is GAS. COLIC IS MISERABLE INFANT-YOU-CAN'T-FIX-IT !@#$$$ COLIC. Just so we have that straight. I thought I was going to have to nurse him into his teens. I literally lived off three intermittent hours of sleep for five months. Which is partly why when I was pregnant with Lil'Gal with FJ only six months old - me and Hubby agreed I'd close down the business. It would have been an impossible task after everything we'd all been through.

2011 Spring School Pic

Now? Farmer, Jr. LOVES sleep and sleeps well. Though, he still has a sensitive tummy. But, he's healthy and happy and he continues to bring us such joy. All the H-E-double-L he and I (and Hubby on some level) went through to get him here and even after - was totally worth it.

Farmer, Jr. and his Daddy walking in Grandpa's woods

Ahhh, the memories... My little man ain't so little anymore.

So, I finally got his birthday tribute post up. Now I need to shower and off to bed. 4:30-5:am comes early and I'm already at the end of my week. Happy tomorrow is FWFD of the WEEEEEEEK!

And, Happy Birthday! Again, my sweet, loving, adorable Farmer, Jr!

WEDNESDAY! Taking on the world!

2012-01-04T06:06:00.000-06:00

Howdy!

Happy Hump-Day! And, yes - I have a few minutes to blog on this fine middle of the week morning. If I would have gotten out of bed about ten minutes earlier I would have been even more ahead of the game but hey, 4:45 is pretty good - right?

So, I totally tackled Tuesday. The first day back after a three-plus week off from the school and extracurricular schedule. Yesterday was Farmer, Jrs 10th birthday. 10. TEN. Wowzers. That time totally flew by, LOL! I want to do a post dedicated to him but I have to load the pics from a disc of when he was so teeny and adorable. (He's still adorable, just not teen.y anymore. The boy is less than twelve inches from looking down on me.)

And, seeing as how I didn't have time yesterday to pull the disc out and how I waisted those extra ten minutes in the bed this morning [yes, waisted. The snore factor was in effect so it was dumb for me to even lay there] I don't have time to get that one up.

But, I wanted to pop in because I'm making an effort to blog more. :-) I know how much y'all miss me when I'm away.

Anyhow. Lots on the agenda in addition to the regular. Errands today, and then time to pack up Christmas before the kids get out of school. Tomorrow I'll be decorating Farmer, Jr's cake for his laser tag little birthday celebration on Saturday. [I'll post pics; hope it comes out like I've envisioned.] And, I have to work on the notebook with photos and procedure, etc. for Farmer, Jr's shop project and my CCD lesson.

But it is Hump-Day! YAY!

Make it a good one! And, remember to smile at someone!

VACATION OVER

2012-01-02T09:26:00.003-06:00

VACATION OVER.

Yep. Today is the last day of our winter/holiday break. The past few days I've been breaking the kids and myself back into a 'normal' bedtime/morning routine. Still, tomorrow morning is going to be a shocker to all of us. I'll probably add an extra scoop of coffee grounds into the coffee maker tonight.

We always think the holidays are so busy but as they come to an end I start to mentally prepare for the busy-ness to come. In addition to taking down all the decorations (I've been gathering them all under the Christmas tree which I will conquer tomorrow while the kids are in school) we are preparing for the livestock show.

I still have to work on the notebook for Farmer, Jr and his deer blind project (sharing the process and incorporating pictures that demonstrate it).

Luckily, we get a week off for the show (even though we are participating we don't have to worry about homework too).

I didn't (or at least haven't yet) make any New Year's resolutions this year. Although, I am assessing my time and what changes I might make in my schedule (that being make a regular schedule with things I want to do actually on the weekly calendar).

Some of those would be to exercise regularly (I know, cliche) and read a little more. [I made a last minute goal in November to read 50 books in 2011 and I was at 30 or so. I think I made 40 if I include a beta that isn't listed in goodreads yet.] I'm starting 2012 with a goal of 50 books. As soon as I finish this post I'm going to hit the treadmill and finish a kindle book as my first of 2012. Only 49 to go :-D

I'm still waiting on feedback on my graded (final) writing assignment for the writing course I had been taking. My instructors feed back could make or break how I see my level of creative writing and to what depth I will continue to pursue it.

I do have several short stories from the course that I just need to polish and then actually submit to a few children's magazines. That would be awesome. Totally.

Pretty much though, I'll spend the next 20 weeks or so trying to get from Monday to Friday with the kids grades in high standing - and from intersession to intersession in the count down to summer.

My thoughts may seem a little all over the place because they kind of are - and I'm having to monitor the kids on the Wii (love-hate and all). Plus, I'm blogging from the blogger app and it is kind of restricting. Still, at least I CAN blog. :-D [I *heart* my iPad.]

Happy Monday!

Blogging from the iPad

2012-01-02T08:59:00.001-06:00

Our internet has been down here at the house for a few days now. It was being weird before that too.

Anyhow, I've wanted to blog and was going to write my first post of 2012 but when I went to upload a picture it wouldn't take. This apparently has something to do with the lack of Flash which (I've read) Steve Jobs had a great disdain for.

I did a little research and found that BlogPress had a great iPhone app and now an iPad app that would help fix this issue. But, I couldn't find 'that' app. All I could find was WordPress and a few others.

BUT, I did find this blogger app and so I'm trying it out as a test this morning.

So, let me know if it works. (The picture is of Brandi and the kids used an app to decorate her for Christmas). :-P

A Farmer's Wife Christmas!

2011-12-28T12:01:00.000-06:00

Santa came. Oh yes he did. And, he spoiled everyone - so we must have been very goods boys and girls this past year. GO SANTA! GO US!

And, of course the grandparents spoiled me and the Hubby and the kids too. We are so blessed.

I know I'm a little bug eyed fighting the flash; this was the best with the four of us, LOL!

I got a donut maker (so I can be super mom for the kids) and a roaster! Always wanted/needed one but wouldn't ever buy it for myself. And, a few other spoils from MIL and FIL. Mom gifted us meat - yes, straight from the meat market - yum! Daddy gifted us cash! And, Hubby went over board on me (I knew he was going to do that, LOL!)

He had a fishing pole made by John Deere duded who makes them on the side. All personalized with my favorite colors! I haven't had my own pole in ages. And, he got me a FOOD SAVER! Smokin' awesome! Y'all all know how I am about 'freeze it!' for anything. Bulk sale meat and food, left overs, etc. If I can refreeze it I'll make another meal or two out of it. So a food saver is PERFECT! I already saved the extra turkey from dinner with my mom and baby brother - to pull out in February for meals! Sweet!

Lil'Gal

Farmer, Jr.

Look at those happy, shining faces? Who wouldn't be happy opening pretty wrapped presents? (Farmer, Jr. in his new winter hat. He loves it - and he looks so adorably handsome, right? Or am I just biased?)

Now on to New Year's Eve, 2012, and the Livestock show. Whoop!

My youngins and two of their bunnies :-)

Can you believe the kids are both smiling in that picture? Sitting together and getting along? That is rare; but they are holding bunnies. Everyone has to smile about cute, fluffy, white bunnies. :-D

Here is Farmer, Jr. working on his shop project: a deer blind. Hubby is teaching him how to weld. Pretty cool.

Notice the safety gear; good boy FJ!

Lil'Gal working on her baking:

She's concentrating on her measuring. Personally, you can never have too much vanilla.

It's been a good year. We are very blessed. I wish you all a Merry end to 2011 and a Wonderful beginning to 2012. All good and bright. Blossoms and Sunshine. Butterflies flittering about your mind.

Happy Hump Day!

What to get the man who has everything...

2011-12-22T08:48:00.001-06:00

So the Holly Jolly, belly-full-of-jelly guy is coming in three - scratch that two days and an overnight trip.

Hubby and I agreed - okay, well I asked like three weeks ago:

"So, our watches are our Christmas, right? Because I have a really good idea but I had decided to save it when we agreed your watch would be your gift and I already said my watch would be my Christmas." [These are really expensive, you'll never need another watch, watches. And, as blind as I am at night I've been going through $50 Walmart watches like mad - I never take my watch off. I bathe, fish, cook, swim, everything with the watch on.]

Me, "So agreed? Because I can get you the other thing or something else but I know we are watching the $. So, I thought I'd get that for Valentines/Anniversary or I'd get it for you for Father's day." [It's really cool. It's a neon sign for his barn. Don't tell, kay?]

Hubby, "That's fine. Sounds good." Or whatever he said while watching his show and scanning pages on his LT.

Me, "Okay, I just don't want you to be pulling some extra presents out of your PIE and I have nothing?"

Hubby, [I think he nodded.]

Two nights ago, I think it was. I got this eery feeling that he wasn't keeping his end of the agreement. I put a Facebook post asking for MADAY suggestions. Because, he's the guy who has everything OR, he has to pick it out or give you the exact specifications - thus, he knows what it is.

I had some great suggestions. A belt - yeah, he can always use a new dress or work belt.
A Hunting or Fishing Wii game - yeah, he even mentioned they have a hunting one but then you also have to buy the 'chuck' gun attachment.
A Range Finder (that one is high dollar but a great idea)
Home made coupons - great idea, cost no $, but I tend to be selfish and he tends to turn them in when I'm not in the mood to fulfill the duty. Besides, Lil'Gal gives a better foot massage than me. (Y'all had your heads in he gutter again, didn't y'all?)

Last nights conversation:

Me, "So, we agreed our watches are our Christmas right? Because I had some ideas but I didn't get you anything extra."

Hubby, " [Smiling] Well, I got you a few little extra things."

Me, [inside, Dammit!! I knew it!!] "Oh. Well, now I feel kinda crappy." Or whatever I said that basically meant that.

So, today was supposed to be a slow day. Only appointment? Sign some legal papers before the new year. But, then the kids dentist called and was able to squeeze their appointments in during holiday break - which is way better than during the school day, or after school. And, we still have those papers to sign. And, I have to go BACK to the grocery store. AND, I gotta' get Hubby something extra to put under the tree.

On an up note, I kicked the whole family's pie at Wii bowling last night, I'm almost finished with my beta read of the new-and-improved 'The Spirit Keeper' formerly known as 'The Seventh Tribe' written by my dear friend and favorite author, Melissa L. Garrett. And, I get to bake a chocolate pecan pie for my brother and a turkey tomorrow to share with Mom and my babiest brother for our early Christmas tomorrow.

Oh, AND we are out of school through January 2nd! Rockin' Awesome! Oh, and I'm going to have my posse gals and their significant others over for New Year's Eve and we are going to have a Wii dance off and a Wii bowling off and eat lots of not-good-for-you-but-super-yummy food!

Then, I'm going to start a real exercise routine and diet on January 1st. Because I'm going to be 40 in 2012.

So, it's all good. And, I've got a plan. :-D Farmer*sWife always has to have a list, a calendar and a plan.

Happy "It's almost FW favorite day of the week AND it's almost Christmas!!"

Oh, and wish me luck on 'operation-find-hubby-something-without-getting-smothered-in-the-crowd'!

Lil'Gal's Favorite Chicken Casserole

2011-12-13T19:48:00.003-06:00

I have to share this because it is soooo easy and so delicious and Lil'Gal just LOVES this casserole. The first time I made it I googled chicken casseroles, looking for something that didn't include cheese (although, sometimes now I do). I was in need of a quick casserole to make for dinner and I had flash frozen chicken breasts on hand. They are easy to defrost and very tender.

So, I found a creamy chicken casserole. I don't know if I adhered to the recipe completely because I rarely do, unless it is baking. That is totally different.

With this time of year (although, our weather today was a muggy 78+ with spots of sunshine) this is a great, yum-up and then snuggle-up dinner time meal. Lil'Gal always asks for it on a left-over night or for lunch when we are home.

I present to you, CREAMY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Can you see the creaminess inside?

Ingredients:
(makes a 9x9 or 9x11 dish depending on how much chicken you use and how thick you like your casserole)

2 - 3 large chicken breasts; or a boiled whole 3-5 pound chicken
1 - 1 and a 1/2 cans of cream of chicken soup
8 oz of sour cream
optional: 1/2 cup grated monterrey jack
butter crackers
salt, pepper, seasonings (Nature's by Morton [msg free]; Cavender's All Purpose Greek Seasoning)

cook and shred or chop chicken into bite sized pieces
add seasonings to chicken (I like Cavender's all purpose greek seasoning and Nature's season by Morton)
*you can season your chicken as you prefer but these are what we use
mix in cream of chicken soup; how much depends on how meaty you are making your casserole; you don't want it too soupy or it'll will be watery when cooked. But you want enough to cream it up
next mix in the sour cream
** if you like, mix in a 1/2 cup of grated monterrey jack cheese; optional. Often I go cheese free.

Last: crush butter crackers, enough to cover the surface of your casserole depending on what size dish you are using. I use almost one whole pack and put them in a quart zip bag and let Lil'Gal roll them into crumbs with the rolling pin

Non-stick spray coat your baking dish. I always do this for an easier clean up. Dish your casserole mixture into your baking dish and spread evenly. Top with your butter cracker crumbs.

Bake at 325 for about 30 minutes or until bubbly and the crackers are slightly browned on top.

SHLURP! YUM!

Another idea you can do; kinda' along the thought of Chicken-a-la-King is to serve it over steamed mixed veggies. Super-Yum. At least to a veggie lover like me. :-D

Caught in an Electronic Noose

2011-12-12T15:38:00.001-06:00

Long gone are the days of the noose, or are they?

I have to say, in my own technological way, I got myself in quite a pickle. Or, as I like to refer to it, an electronic noose. Follow along closely because it gets quite complicated even though it is actually a simple issue. Of course, those simple issues tend to have a high end $ fix.

So, like - I dunno' - five - six weeks ago? It was in October when the new iPhone 4S came out and iCloud was released as a free upgrade for the rest of our iGadgets as well, I went on full out update mode. Y'all remember I was all up in a cloud of my own. I updated EVERYTHING. The iPhone. The iPad. Kid #1 iPod Touch. Kid #2 iPod touch. I emailed the Hubby the link and the SIL. This was a very big thing. I updated MIL's iPad to sync with the iCloud and her iPhone. I was on an 'i' update mission.

After reading the awesomely coolness of apple's new operating system LION OS I decided that I deserved and would put this new OS to good use. So, I purchased it and waited the next 12 - 16 hours for it to download and install. Then, I got reeeeeaaaally, really busy and wasn't home enough to play with it, for weeks.

When, I did get to play with it I discovered that we don't have a time capsule (we no longer use apple airport, etc for our wireless in the house. Hubby had the tech guys make changes to speed up our internet - this I did not know). When I found out we didn't have the time capsule I realized I couldn't back up, so I can't finish up with the boot camp assistant and in the end I can no longer access my word program because it was old ~~in serious need of upgrading too~~ and on parallels. I no longer need parallels and the old word required them. *sigh*

FYI, when I asked the Hubster why we didn't have the time capsule he replied, "I didn't think we needed it." After a stern look from me, he added, "Well, I didn't need it." Grrrrr-diddle. >:-/ We totally need it. It automatically and wirelessly backs up all the computers in the house.

So, since then I've been holding off and running half mass of the awesomeness that is LION until I get the capsule (that runs about $200, there are cheaper ones but I want it to back up three LTs), to finish the upgrade to have Mac be totally awesome and up with the rest of my iDevices in the wonderful iCloud Steve Jobs left us with upon his regretted demise. [I miss him and his genius.]

Anyhow, my writing assignment ended up being turned in late because I couldn't open some docs in word and had to open and view via google docs so that I could type up my story and info via Pages on the iPad and then submit it via email. The cool thing though, when I went to the iCloud on the LT there were my documents. All nice and purdy and ready for me to down load.

NOTE: Lion comes with a great version of TextEdit which has the same features as word for the most part - but the navigation is a lot slower for me (a LOT slower) because I'm not familiar with it.

Anyhow, I love technology. And, I am lucky enough to have several devices to save me when I hang myself in an electronic noose. Don't blame the gadgets - this one is all on me.

Happy Monday!!

4-H: Look at the bunnies!

2011-12-10T14:38:00.001-06:00

I told y'all the bunnies were coming! And, they are so cute and adorable! And, lovable! And huggable! Hubby picked them up yesterday while me and the kids volunteered and then played at the school's Winter Fest. That was really fun because it was put on by the entire ISD and had lots of fun and cool booths to play and shop at.

This morning we headed out in cool, rainy, dreary weather to have the bunnies validated. That is where they check them and tattoo their little ears so that people have to use the rabbits they raise for the project (to keep people from cheating and buying other rabbits to win the show). The weather didn't bother me though because we had adorable bunnies with us. Who can be grim with cute, fluffy white bunnies?

I made a vlog with my iPhone but blogger and YouTube wouldn't accept the formatting. Go figure. That's alright. I'll save myself the embarrassment of speaking baby-bunny talk for three minutes. (I can't help it though, they are just such adorawable widdle things.)

Here's a few photos from the first official (daily) weigh in.

See? Aren't they just the cutest darned things? We have ten of'em. :-D Only 8 will make the show though. Which isn't until around the 19th (the show starts the week before that). We'll be doing some baking too. (Of course, not with the bunnies - with flour, butter, pears, sugar, etc. Get your minds out of the fryer.)

Bunnies at Christmas time are the best animal project ever! Although, Mr. Cuddles gets a little cranky because he gets side stepped in the adorable category by the soft white bunnies.

But Mama is sure to take care of him too.

:-P Hoppy Saturday (dontcha' just love my humor?)

Fabulous on Friday

2011-12-09T06:13:00.001-06:00

I so own today. Really!

I woke up knowing I own it and this particular Friday knows it too! Well, it was a little struggle at 5:01 to get my mind to convince my body to crawl out of bed. But, after that it's all down hill!

The kids have early release today - so as of noon we will officially be on our holiday break! Super Yay! Three whole weeks of sleepin' in and no 5:am wake ups.

I'll run a few errands and then pick up my kids and Les' lil'Diva and we might even head to Dairy Queen because - I'm just in a D.Q. kind of happy mood today. To which three young voices will chime in YAY!

We have to be at the high school campus at 3:pm to help Farmer, Jr.'s teacher/s set up for the Winter Fest this afternoon. This is a district wide event. And, it is going to be big and - dare 'I' say it about a festival full of masses of people - FUN! Of course, being on the first shift to set up means we also get to play early and before the rest of the world gets away from their day job. So the masses won't be so bad.

AND, more happy news! Farmer, Jr. pulled his science and language arts grades back up to Bs. So, he made A-B honor roll this six weeks. Which means no worries about 'no pass-no play' for participation in the LiveStock show. [We all know this is never an issue with Lil'Gal because she rocks school.]

THE LIVESTOCK SHOW? Yes, we all know what that means. BUNNNNIIIIIIEEEEEES!!

While I'm working/playing with the kids at the festival the Hubster will be picking up ten, adorable, soft, huggable, lovable, little bunnies. We'll come home to white fur, wiggling noses and pink eyes.

And, this year Lil'Gal gets to participate and enter!

With the livestock show coming it is time to get down and floured in baking to decide what recipe the kids want to enter. Oh, and we will be making and decorating Christmas cookies. FJ has been begging me. But as I always say - when we are on break. I run a pretty tight ship during the school schedule.

Obviously, I've had my HUGE mug of coffee and my fingers are flying across the keyboard and I could ramble on about sooooo much more but my ten minutes are up and it is time to really start this day - meaning start the family. :-D

Happy FW favorite day of the weeeeeeek! My second favorite Friday of the year!!! (Can you guess what my first favorite Friday of the year is?)

My favorite holey jeans...

2011-12-08T06:04:00.000-06:00

About a year ago, I wrote a post at Triond about my favorite pair of jeans. Luckily, they still exist. They've made it yet, one more year. Sure, they have holes and frays. But so far, not in those 'conspicuous' places.

It's cold outside. And, all of my responsible, pressing 'to-dos' are within the home today - other than getting the youngin's to school and back. After all, the laundry and toilets don't care if I go casual.

When Hubby sees me in these jeans, he takes notice and in his endearing concern for my well being he will kindly inform me that these jeans have holes. I always smile. These are the jeans that fit me so well. The perfect pair. They are over nine years old.

Truth be told, I hated them when I first got them home from the store. But we grew to love each other over the years.

They fit like they were cut and stitched for my body only. I love them. I still haven't found a replacement for them. I don't know how much longer they can hold out. I try to keep them on a shelf - to wear them only on those days that call for their particular level of comfort in an effort to extend their life expectancy.

But today is a day that requires the cold weather clothing comfort only they can provide. So today, I greet the world in my 'holey jeans'.

Happy Thursday! The day before FW favorite day of the weeeeeeeek!!!

Library Birthday Books! Super Cool!

2011-12-07T17:54:00.000-06:00

HANK THE COW DOG - a series boys 8-9-10 love and enjoy and that makes getting those AR points fun.

But, why doesn't Farmer, Jr's library have book #58 - the latest in the series. He has brought this to his wonderful/awesome librarian's attention. And, then....

I have to share another cool thing about our new district. Birthday books. The librarian will recognize a student's birthday with a book. The parent has to pay for the new book, of course (at a set fee). The librarian will then order a new book with those funds and it will be dedicated erternally to 'that child' and that child is allowed to check that book out first - on his/her birthday.

My description sounds formal but it really is cool. The child is called to the office on his/her birthday for the morning announcements and then presented with the book (of which the librarian has already checked out to that student because the librarian is totally awesome that way) and everyone else then wants to read that book (and gets the benefit of said book for the rest of its library life).

Farmer, Jr. has been nagging at me and at some times his librarian - the Awesome Mrs. Mc - that she really should have the latest in the 'Hank The Cow Dog' series. That being book 58. When we visit public libraries he checks the stock of 'Hank The Cow Dog' and compares to what Mrs. Mc has provided on the shelves at his campus. Lil'Gal checks her library shelves and has mentioned to me, to which I mentioned to her Mrs. M, the we are quite lacking on the HCD book series. Of course, the reading level is higher - multiple at 4.2 grade level and above - but still, even Mrs. M agreed that she has above grade level readers in bulk from time to time.

So, the FUN PART!

Farmer, Jr's, birthday is the exact day we return from Christmas break. So, I asked Mrs. Mc, 'Could we do the #58 in the series for FJ's birthday book donation?' She, being so awesome, said 'Of course!' But, she wouldn't be able to get it in in time the way she has to order. So, I ordered it in leu of a check to the school for a book and come return after the holidays Farmer, Jr. is going to be THRILLED to not only get to read book #58 in the series but to know that after his prodding he actually got to DONATE the book to the library for all those other HCD readers. And, volunteering in the library? Let me tell you. There are many, many, many HCD lovers. :-D

FYI, Farmer, Jr. has 80+ AR points. The highest in his class, even over the GT (Gifted and Talented) kid in his class - and I think above all the kids in 4th grade. *GO FARMER, JR!!* At 100 points, Mrs. Mc puts a student's picture on the wall of fame and the Boy and Girl who score the highest for the year get crowned AR King and Queen. He's shooting for the crown. :-D

That is my happy note that fell to my errands today that actually took me to three places, shopping, and the internet to conclude.

Tomorrow is Thursday. Happy 'No Homework' Thursday to be proceeded by 'Early Release Friday' and the totally awesome 'Winter Fest'! AWESOME. Totally.

Taking TEN

2011-12-07T06:09:00.000-06:00

I've been on this mission this week. Well, trying to incorporate a mission into my morning routine. Like I did in the old days, you know the waaaay old days when I actually posted a minimum of once a day - particularly in the mornings. My mornings have been rolled back by and hour and a half and filled with more things to be done. But, I've started taking ten.

I check the clock and do my FB updating/check-in while waiting on the coffee pot to brew. That's my get vertical time. Then, I keep a keen eye on the time while I paint myself a face and flip a curling iron in my hair. I catch the news and weather during that self-prep time and hopefully all things on task - I get to sneak back into the kitchen with about ten quiet, to myself, whatever I want minutes.

And, here I am. Taking my ten. Rambling to all of you (taking up part of your ten) about what's new, what is on the agenda and hopefully filling your mind with blossoms and sunshine. :-D

Unfortunately, on this particular morning it is cold outside. Very cold. I'm not talking typical Farmer*sWife complains because its 56 degrees which to a lot of y'all is spring time weather. I'm talking 29 degrees with wind chills in the lower 20s. Who can grow blossoms and sunshine in that $h!t?

Some people find the cold festive. I have kids to get to school and errands to run and I have to tell you this cold spell is pee-ing on my festive spirit. I'm feeling quite scroogy. Can one attend a secret Santa party with a tracking confirmation saying 'your gift will arrive on' because I'd prefer to hole up inside and handle life online today. :-P

I've consolidated my day into one errand after dropping the kids. One errand all the way in the 'city'. And, I'll be there early and have to wait for the store to open. But, it'll be worth it. Everything on the kids party lists will come from Barnes & Noble. Books for everyone. Gift cards for reading. Because when it is cold, I'm a one stop shopping kind of girl. And, Santa is all about the books.

FYI, while I wait thinking quietly to myself 'OP-en, OP-en, OP-en' I'll be finishing the latest book on my kindle. 'Cuz I'm all cool that way. I've only got 15 more to go to get my to 50 read this year. And, I've still got 20 plus days to go.

Happy Hump-Day! Put some dignity in it. And, thanks for sharing ten with me this morning. :-)

Monday's madness

2011-12-05T06:09:00.000-06:00

OK, not really so mad for a Monday. Well, kinda. After losing an entire Sunday due to illness that kept me horizontal and snoozing for 24 + hours I feel a week behind. But, I managed to sneak in 9 extra minutes this morning before I wake the household to start our week. So, I'm spending it drinking coffee and babbling to y'all.

The kids get out of school on Friday, 1/2 day. But, I'm working first shift at the Winter Festival with FJ's homeroom teacher (I *heart* her). It'll be cold too. And, everyone knows Farmer*sWife don't like the cold. It's in the 50s and windy today. Tomorrow will be colder, and then Wednesday even worse. By worse I'm talking in the 30s. FW don't do the 30s. I do 95 degrees with a triple digit heat indice (did I spell that right?). I'm hoping to peek at the calendar and see that I have nothing pending outside the house so I can hole up and hibernate. [I peeked. I have a seminar/meeting with Hubby on Wednesday. Poo.]

Today is library day for both kids campuses but Hubby says since I spent yesterday supine I should probably steer away from that duty. In addition I need to make a serious trip to the grocery store - in the cold and wind mind you - and get a few Christmas items tackled. Mrs. Clause can't do much with children tagging along so I better get to it this week.

Oh, and parties. Parties, parties, parties. Doughnuts for this, dozens of cookies for that, secret Santa over there, donations for project A,B,C here.

And bunnies. Yes! THE BUNNIES ARE COMING! Hubby will be picking them up Friday while I work the festival and let the kids throw dollars at the various booths in an effort to support the district. Be ready for lots of pics here and on FB. Bunnies are just too adorable and cuddly and they make everyone smile.

I've finished two more books over the weekend (even considering yesterday's loss). I'm shooting for 50 this year on my Goodreads page. I thought I'd read more this year but I'm at like 33. Wait + 2 = 35. So, 15 more between now and the 31st? Can I do it? I'm gonna' try.

Well, the coffee didn't entirely lift the fog still wafting through my brain. I'm hoping it's lagging from sleeping so much.

That's what I gots to say about Monday. Hope y'all have a good one!

A mushy post :-)

2011-12-03T10:44:00.000-06:00

Howdy all,

It's a somewhat windy, weird, gloomy kind of Saturday on the outside but on the inside it's calm, quiet and pretty much perfect. Some of the house has risen but they have remained in their residential places leaving Farmer*sWife with peace, coffee and the laptop. :-)

I've been wanting to write this post for days but I've had so much other stuff going on, including getting my Creative Writing Challenge up that was due December 1st for a chance at a $15 Amazon Gift Card. [I won last month!!]

FYI, if you want to play along for December's challenge and a chance to win $15.00 deposited into your PayPal account, click HERE. It's easy and it's fun!

Anyhow, on to the event I wanted to share. During dinner one evening last week Hubby brings up in conversation,

"So, David [a farm hand] came up to me about fifteen minutes before quittin' time and said 'Can I ask you a favor?'"

Hubby had replied, "Um, sure."

"Can I borrow the sprayer? I want to take it down to my girlfriend's house for a few minutes."

Me listening and thinking, why would he want to take the sprayer to his girlfriends house? Hubby was just as curious at the time of that conversation.

Now, before I get to the sweet part, let me share that we aren't talking this type of sprayer:

I mean this type of sprayer:

"Well, I met my girlfriend while spraying for Farmer So-and-So. And, so I thought it'd be special if I showed up on a sprayer to ask her to marry me."

I blink and then let out a melodic "Hooooow sweeeeeeeeeet...... So, what did she say?"

Hubby, "I don't know, he was on his way when I left. I just told him to be sure he had it back at the barn before dark."

Me, being a girl, "How can you not know?"

Anyhow, as it turns out she was quite surprised and they are engaged. Isn't that just the sweetest thing? I found it completely romantic and I just had to share. Happy Saturday!

CWCG: Game Night

2011-12-01T12:55:00.003-06:00

It's that time again! Time for the CWCG.

And, yes. My entry is last minute again. But, I've kinda' discovered that the funnest (I know, it should be most fun but 'funnest' is a funner word) entries are when I work them up in my head last minute and click them out rapid fire!

This one came to me yesterday before I'd even gone back and looked at the words and the theme. I knew whatever the words were would work in somehow with my GAME NIGHT entry; but when I reviewed the theme I was thrilled that this fit perfectly! Be forewarned, part of it is a little cheesy. :-P

Oh and excuse the formatting; I actually typed the whole thing up in blogger and the indent key doesn't work up in here.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you November's CWCG entry:

GAME NIGHT

It is game night at Kay and Jay's house; Friday nights are always game night. We each take turns hosting a night of rivaled fun. The host gets to choose the game but I was able to coerce Kay to play Charades tonight.

India has no clue what is in store for her. India is my girlfriend. We've been together since we met at the 'Plan B' 18 months ago. 'Plan B' is a bar where me, Kay, Jay, Kendal and Zack always hang out. I, being the more introvert type, have always been the fifth wheel until that St. Patrick's Day evening when I bumped into a beautiful brunette - promptly spilling my green ale all over her white Bluefly, James Jeans. I didn't know what those were, but I immediately found out from the brunette's five minute rant.

I've since learned that spilling green ale, any ale, on a pair of Bluefly jeans is the same as spewing on a pair of leather Clarks. I didn't know what those were either, until she bought me a pair. Since being with India, I've been educated in labels and fashion. India has flair. That's what I love about her.

"Hi guys!" Kay bubbles as she opens the door. I remove India's wrap to hang it in the closet, brushing her sleek, bare, olive shoulders with my thumbs. I feel her shudder under my touch. That's a good thing. I smile to myself, she doesn't know just how good it is going to get.

"Y'all wanna' glass of wine?"

"That sounds wonderful, I'll take a glass of red." India answers.

"I'll take the same," I reply.

While Kay heads into the kitchen for the wine we head into the living room. Kendal and Zack are on the couch and Jay is warming himself by the fireplace while sipping on his usual scotch.

"What took y'all so long, you guys were supposed to be here like thirty minutes ago?" Jay harasses as he pats me on the back.

"Well, you know me. It always takes me longer to accessorize than I plan." India answers, her eyes stealing a quick glance at me. We both know it was the shower and what we did in it that delayed our attendance.

"And the fog slowed us down," I add.

"Yeah, it rolled in earlier than expected this evening," Kay notes as she hands us our glasses of wine.

"Well, let's get started!" Kendal forces herself up from the couch with a helping hand on her back from Zack. Kendal and Zack have been married almost as long as India and I have been together. She was my date for their wedding. I recall the shock on my friends' faces when I walked in with the brunette who had reamed me out and humiliated a drunken me in a bar a mere two weeks before.

"I wanna win the game before I go into labor with this baby." Kendal was within two days of her due date. I know this only because India has been on the phone with her almost every day since the sonogram confirmed the pregnancy. She's fit in well with my old pals. They love her almost as much as I do.

"Okay, so we all know the rules. Nine rounds and then the 'phrase challenge round' to determine the ultimate champion. Which, by the way, will be me!"

"Hey!" Zack chimes, "There are two of us on the team you know."

"OK, we. But you know we only win because of me." She sasses as she pokes her tongue at Zack.

"Oh, that's real mature, Kendal. Are you going to teach the baby that?" I jab, getting into the banter as I poke a mini sausage with a toothpick.

"They do always win," India joins in.

I take a seat on the the love seat and she sits down on the floor between my knees, resting her head against the cushion of the seat. Having her there reminds me of something else we did earlier and I feel my pants twitch. Watching India as she takes a long, deep sip of her wine draws a little shot of electricity through my body and another twitch. My senses are in high gear, my heart beating a little quicker than usual with the anticipation of tonight.

"I'm first because I'm the pregnant one."

"I'll sure be glad when she has that baby so she'll quit using that one on everything." Kay says, rolling her eyes.

Kendal goes first. She's wiggling her fingers from above her head and then all the way down to the floor. At least as far as a full term pregnant woman can squat. She repeats the movement.

"Um, Leaves!" Zack shouts. "Fall, falling...RAIN!!!"

"That's it!" Kendal beams, "One point for us!"

Kendal resumes her seat on the couch next to Zack. He immediately, begins to rub the small of her back with his hand.

My turn. I draw a slip. Printer. Now how the hell am I supposed to act out a printer?

Kay flips the timer, "Go!"

First I just stand there.

"Come on Miles, you can do it." India prompts me. "Give me something, anything."

Then an idea comes to me. I hold my hand flat like it is a writing pad. I take my other hand and mime a pencil, pretending to touch the led to my tongue and then I start to mime write on the invisible pad in my hand.

"Writing!" India yells. "Writing a note! Drawing! Making a list! List!"

I just nod my head no and keep trying to do what I'm doing harder and with more emphasis as if that will make it any clearer.

"Times up!" Kendal hollers out! "That's one for us and zeeeee-ro for y'all."

"Not very sportsman like," Jay teases.

"Since when have I ever been sportsman like? I'm in it to win it, baby!"

I return to the love seat. India reaches for my hand and leans her head back for a kiss. The warm flavor of the wine and the tickle of her tongue make my body sizzle.

Kay and Jay are up next. They win their round, the word was lollipop. Kay did a really good lollipop and every one razzed Jay about it. The game continued until the last round before the final 'phrase challenge'.

It's Kendal's turn to act out again. Kendal draws a slip of paper, scrunches her face for a minute and then puts it on the coffee table.

"This is a hard one, but I'm no quitter so I'm going to give it my best." She nods and Kay flips the timer. She slowly leans down to the coffee table, placing her hand on it as she lowers herself on all fours. She crawls around like that slowly.

"Dog! Cat! Animal!" Zack shouts. "Horse!"

Kendal rapidly nods her head that he's on the right track and then she rises up, again using the coffee table for support. She makes a draping motion over her head, then cradles her bulging baby belly. She points to where she was on all fours and then cradles her belly again.

"Baby? Pregnant horse?" Kendal glares at him.

"Um..."

"Times almost up," I say. "Just a few grains of sand left!"

Kendal repeats her actions, applying more attention to the invisible drape over her head.

"Um, Oh! MARY!! Joseph...DONKEY!!!"

"Yes! Yes!" Kendal squeals and her and Zack embrace and then do their ritualistic happy dance, which is more laughable than usual considering Kendal's enlarged state.

"Un-Believable. Y'all looked at the words before the game." India teases. I kind of wonder the truth in that. Kendal is very competitive. I wouldn't put it past her.

"Now what would be the fun in that?" Kendal cracks back.

"You'd win," Jay and Kay say simultaneously. Enough of this. I'm ready for the 'phrase round'. That's where the night is really going to get good. I massage India's shoulders and run my fingers through her long locks of hair. I love her hair. I can smell her juniper shampoo.

"Let's finish this up already and get to the phrase round so we can eat." I say.

"Why even play it, we already know who's gonna' win." Kay replies. Kendal beams that huge winners grin of her.

"Yeah, lets eat. All this winning worked up an appetite," Zack agrees.

"NO." I respond, almost a little too emphatically. "If she's going to win, she has to win fair and square. Besides if India and I win this round there will have to be a phrase off." I shoot Kendal and evil grin.

"We're playing." Kendal pipes in determinedly. "And, I'm going to beat your pants off Miles Harper." I knew that'd get her. Game back on.

We rock, paper, scissor to see which team goes first in the phrase round. India and I win and go first and it is my turn to act. I planned it that way. I draw a slip of paper. I pretend to read it but I don't need to. I already know my phrase. I slip my hand from the safety of my pocket and rest it at my side against my leg.

"Aaaand, GO!" Kay flips the timer.

I calmly lower myself down on one knee. I bow as I slowly raise my right arm and open my palm where a black, velvet box resides. My eyes are locked on India's. The others in the room gasp, lightly. They had no clue what I had planned for tonight. What better way to propose to the woman I love, the India I adore, than with the friends who were there the very moment I met her.

"Well, don't just sit there India! Guess dammit! Guess!" Kendal belts out.

"I...I...."

"The phrase!" Kay chimes in.

"Times almost out!" Zack jumps into the moment.

"Will... you... marry me?"

I jump up from where I am and embrace her, "Yes, India. I will. Will you marry me?" I whisper into her hair. She answers me with a kiss so deep I almost forget we are in the middle of my friends' living room with all my best friends watching on.

"Miles, you devil." Jay says.

"Let's give 'em a minute, guys." Kay herds everyone into the kitchen as she adds over her shoulder, "Y'all come join us when you are ready."

India and I hear Kendal complain as she exits the living room, "That was great and all, but I still win."

"Oh, Kendal." The rest of them say.

India and I chuckle together. She takes my hand and tugs me toward the restroom. I hesitate until I see the smoldering look in her eyes. Sorry Kendal. This time I win.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What do you think? Too cheesy?

You know you want to play! It's easy and anyone can participate. Just use the five words and include the theme. There is a picture that is optional (I didn't get the picture in this entry).

Click HERE for this month's challenge! (Come on, click it! You know you want to!)

A Post: Enjoy The Silence...

2011-11-29T06:09:00.000-06:00

Happy Tuesday. Hope today brings all positive things for ya'.

I have a few extra, quiet, to-myself minutes this morning to enjoy the silence, peace and my coffee. I love the calm and quiet of the morning before the rest of the family gets up. Though, I'm not so ready to say that when my alarm goes off at 5:am. But, once I'm vertical - all is good. :-)

When did life get so busy that I have to nickel and dime my blogging time? I remember the days when I'd sometimes post twice, even three times a day - especially, if it was something humorous.

*sigh* 'Tis life. 'Tis kids. 'Tis a calendar that stays booked months in advance. :-) But, I'm blessed to have such a full schedule.

Two more weeks, well eight-and-a-half school days until three + weeks of Holiday break freedom! Me and the kids count down the days by tests and extra-curricular activities. :-D

[Peeking at the clock] ooooh, I still have four minutes left. Sweet!

Let's just enjoy the silence, shall we? .............................. .......................... ......................

INFATUATION (A Little Harmless Military Romance)

2011-11-28T10:26:00.000-06:00

YEP! She did it again. Melissa Schroeder 'wow'ed me with another great story. This one I especially loved! The thought of a man-a well built, well defined man-in a uniform makes me tingly.

This is the first in her 'A Little Harmless Military' series, labeled a novella at 32,000 words. McKade, 'Kade', is a Seal. He's known Shannon forever as she is his best friend's sister. He's always had a crush on her but never moved on it out of respect for his best friend who is also a Seal.

Shannon has been crushing on Kade as long as she's known him too. With a little prodding from her sisters, she makes a move on Kade he can't refuse. *waggling eyebrows*

After a mission gone bad, Kade finally returns back to Louisiana and Shannon's bar. Thinking he's damaged goods and no good for Shannon he at first tries to refuse her but that doesn't last long. *waggling eyebrows again*

That's all I'm going to give away - I've already said too much. WARNING: This isn't you're mother's romance novel. This has some light erotic notes to it, though quite mild compared to some of the other novels I've read by Melissa. >;-)

I'm telling ya', if you want to warm up your tosies (among other things) this winter - this is the book that will do it!

Thank you to Melissa Schroeder and her PA, Brandy Walker for the opportunity to read this hot story!

'Out Of My Mind'

2011-11-22T10:09:00.000-06:00

I read this book with my Lil'Gal as part of her AR challenge. It was above her level but because it received the '2012 Blue Bonnet' award she was allowed to take an AR test on it if she read it with her parent. So, we checked it out from the school library, brought it home and dove in.

And, I'm so glad we did. This is a wonderful story and reading it with my Lil'Gal was a great shared experience. This is one of those books that I would recommend to everyone - young, old, boy, girl, regardless of one's particular genre. Following is my review that I posted on goodreads. [Click HERE to find out more about Sharon Draper's 'Out of My Mind']

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This book offers a wonderful insight into the minds of the severely physically disabled. Melody, the main character, is an 11 year old girl with cerebral palsy. Although, extremely intelligent, she is often taken as a mentally challenged child based on her appearance and inability to speak. She shares with us life from the perspective of a kid dealing with her disability and how those around her treat her including some doctors, teachers, and students.

With the help of Ms. V and of course her parents who have always believed in her, Melody surprises everyone. Thanks to her communication board, and later her Medi-Talker, after 11 years Melody can share with everyone around her what she really thinks. And, just how smart she truly is.

I read this book with my 8 year-old daughter for her AR challenge. It was wonderful to share this experience and understanding with her that just because some people look different, it doesn't make them less of a person. We had recently visited the therapy department and she had seen a boy in a similar [physical] state as Melody. My daughter was able to apply the understanding she was learning from reading this story to his situation. She understood that just because he couldn't really speak, and that he kind of drooled, and that he looked different, he was still a person who could learn and understand - which he proved by laughing at another patient's joke he'd overheard.

I recommend this book for everyone. I truly loved this story and felt several tear jerking moments when Melody was sad, when she shined in her brightest moments and in her humor and personality.

Thank you, Sharon M. Draper, for bringing this story and your message in such a wonderful, humorous, and revealing way.

CWCG Nov.1st: "I'll do [you in] Vegas"

2011-11-01T21:43:00.004-05:00

Well, yes. I was behind. I started this challenge earlier than last month but took to the last minute to complete. Although, I was quite pleased with the short story it took me through. [I don't outline these, I don't think about them - I just like to sit down and see what they type themselves up to be.]

But, then blogger forgot who I was - of course to be expected when running late against a well known deadline - so I spent forever trying to get back in.

Add into that, when I downloaded from pages via the iCloud the document opened into my OS TextEdit program because I haven't backed up my LT so that I can do the cool Boot Camp thing to get everything the way I want it and I didn't have time to go pull through Word and I thought it'd be a good learning experience to work in TextEdit while under a deadline. *insert raspberry*

Without further ado (and no pic because I just didn't get the whole weird carrot-ball, olive eyed salad looking display) and with no embellishments, here is my November 1st entry for the CWCG.

CWCG: October 2011

Network

Comic

Seat

Pincer

Credit card

Theme: Frivolty

Pic: Carrot Salad balls with green olives?

"DREAM VEGAS"

Being a comic is a tough line of work. Don't get me wrong, I love it and I'm good at it. I'm one of the small percentage of the working class that actually loves his job. However, I'm not always rolling in the dough. Often I find myself eating ramen for days at a time in an effort to practice anti-Frivolty, while paying off a maxed out credit card.

This particular night, I was hoping for a grand slam. This was one of the larger venues I've performed in and it was rumored there was a talent agent attending tonight looking for someone to fill a regular set in a Vegas club. A regular gig meant a regular paycheck.

Third seat to the right of the stage, second row. It was as if we were on our very own network and she had a personal hub to my jokes. She didn't just laugh because they were funny, she didn't just 'get' the jokes. She actually seemed to get me.

As I continued through my set I could hear her sultry laughter, the crowd becoming more distant. I found myself performing just for her, forgetting about the talent agent all together.

Once back stage, I was anxious. Who was she? If this was one of my regular gigs I'd head out to the bar for a drink and search the room. But this wasn't a bar gig and I couldn't risk a chance at a real career boost for what would most likely end in a sweaty one night stand.

These thoughts rolling through my mind were suddenly interrupted when two soft, silky hands simultaneously covered my eyes. At the same time I felt a warm, breath against my ear as the smell of whiskey plumed around my nostrils.

A provocatively, magnetic voice whispered in my ear, "All this chemistry is putting me in the mood to experiment." She laughed lightly. I recognized that laugh and my groin lurched.

"Experimenting sounds dangerous," I flirted back, knowing I had no time for this because I should be searching out that talent agent along with my shot at a regular gig. "Any other night -"

"If you want the job, it's yours," her voice growled abruptly in a somewhat business manner. My heart clenched, my breath caught and my groin lurched a second time.

I reached to remove her hands from my eyes when she tightened her grip, suddenly switching her voice to seduction in its finest form. At least the finest form I'd ever heard.

"If you want me along with it, pack your bag. You do Vegas, you do me in Vegas."

My mind was spinning, my flanks caught in her pincer. This was better than the moment I'd been waiting for. This was surreal, unreal, and I was ready to play.

"I'm definitely doing Vegas…" I grunted as I reached for her hands.

A haze blinded me, a sound too loud. "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" a loud voice-over announced. I rubbed my eyes. As I sat up on my couch I knocked over my stale beer into a cold bowl of ramen noodles.

The voice blared from the television once more, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Recognizing the voice, my groin pressed erectly against the inner seam of my jeans with expectation, still drunk from the dream. While my heart went limp, left empty by its own subconscious tease.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phew! In before the deadline. FYI, if you want to play along (and by reading my entry this month you can see how easy it is) here is how: Monthly Creative Challenge Game hosted at Someday, When I'm Famous. :-)

If you find any glaring typos, particularly due to transition of the cut and paste procedure, please alert me. I'm tied up with red ribbon week tomorrow and my mobile $$ making job so I won't be able to review this with fresh eyes in the mornin'.

Happy writing! Hope you enjoy it and decide to lurch along next month! Hee hee, that's just funny to me!

TURNING POINT WINNER! (and book coupon codes!!)

2011-10-18T09:15:00.000-05:00

HOWDY Y'ALL!

Just a quick fly-by to announce the winner of the digital e-book, which was offered in this post: PRESS RELEASE: Turning Point (YAY!)

An old fashioned-drawing was handled by my son, Farmer, Jr. and the winner is *DRUM-ROLL*

Callie Kingston!! CONGRATS CALLIE! And, thank you to everyone who entered to win an e-copy of this awesome book!

PS. If you didn't win, you can currently purchase a digital copy for 99 cents at Smashwords.com.

Click this direct link to Melissa L. Garrett's Profile Page to purchase your copy TURNING POINT and/or PRECIPICE (an adult romance novel). :-D

Be sure to read her bio where she offers the 99 cent coupon codes for both books as a thank you for visiting.
:-)

Happy Reading!

Why Volunteer in the School Library

2011-10-14T11:16:00.004-05:00

As most of you who follow me regularly or frequent me often know, this year was a big transition year for both my children and myself into a new school district.

We went from a private campus of 36 students, grades Pre-K through 4th to a Primary campus of 1,100 students and an Intermediate campus of about 600. Not only was it a size transition but also a social and academic transition because the teaching methods are different.

It took a full six weeks for us to settle in. While Farmer, Jr. fell in well socially (it didn't matter one way or the other to him) he struggled with academics and new teaching styles (ie: Mama can't hold your hand no more). Where as Lil'Gal adapted to the scholastic part but, even being my assertive social butterfly, she floundered socially. To the point of tears almost every morning - hers (and mine once out of sight).

I had to find a way to be involved. I needed to know what was going on. My children's entire academic careers have involved me being involved. I'm lucky enough to have the flexibility that I can volunteer and attend school functions during the day that I know some parents aren't lucky enough to be able to do.

Obviously, I volunteered myself to the teachers as needed. Lil'Gal's teacher took me up on this here and there and this was beneficial in Lil'Gal's adjustment - she felt more secure knowing I was there on campus somewhere. And, the occasional pop-in to the classroom furthered this. But, Farmer, Jr.'s teachers didn't seem to need me. How else could I be involved? Then a flyer was popped into my hand - "Volunteer at Your School Library". GENIUS.

It is amazing the untapped knowledge I've learned and continue to learn from volunteering at the library. I've learned how the school works, the schedule, I've met teachers and am getting to know the student population AND they are recognizing me. I'm "Lil'Gal's Mom" which makes Lil'Gal a person, a name, no longer just a student ID number. I'm there which makes me more available to the teachers and the teachers more available to me. I myself am no longer a parent to an ID number, but a parent with a face - and thus a voice.

Librarians are the heart of the school, I swear. They know something about everything going on. And, they know all the teachers and staff, obviously :-). They know testing schedules, upcoming events, and of course ALL ABOUT AR. They gave me links to pretty much everything - my children's academics and AR are all online. I can know anything I need to about anything with the click of a mouse. "I" can check out additional library books for additional AR reading for the kids. I could go on and on and on.

Top Reasons Why You Should Volunteer at the School Library:

1) It's FUN!
2) The Librarian and the library are the heart of the school, vessels of knowledge (and they will share)
3) Accessibility: to the teachers and by the teachers as well as to your kids
4) Make your child a name and face, not a student ID #
5) Learn how AR and so many other school and academic programs work
6) It makes it easy to help pre-select AR books your children would like and test well on
7) The BOOK FAIR!!
8) Get to know the student population
9) Meet other parents who also volunteer
10) Your kids really love you being there ;-)

Believe me, this list should be WAY more than ten. But, if you get the opportunity to volunteer at your children's school library then you can find out the rest for yourself!

I'm blessed, as Dave Ramsey says, "Better than I deserve". HAPPY FRIDAY!! FWFD of the week!!

I'm IN LOVE! (with Friday!)

2011-10-07T20:45:00.000-05:00

Every Monday or Tuesday I hear a particular song on XM 80s and I think, Holey Guacamole THIS is the song for this Friday! I'm so TOTALLY going to SCHEDULE the post for the ultimate impact.

UmKay. Last school year. This school year. Two sets of six weeks. I've heard the song probably six times in 12 weeks and swear that this time I'm gonna' totally do it and NOT forget and then, ahem. What day is it?

BUT WAIT! It is still FRIDAY! And, an unexpected lower key Friday before I am dutied to so many things tomorrow and this song crossed my mind and said, "But it is STILL Friday??!??"

So, with this wonderful sentiment of a song I give you: FRIDAY, I'M IN LOVE!!!

[Unfortunately The Cure has that stupid embedding not allowed issue on their videos - um, not good for promotion considering they are currently a been-there-been-heard, where-are-they-now group - but who am I to judge their artistic license. I just found another video, so there The Cure! I'm sharing you - against your will. I might even influence a few record sales - sue me if you want to] :-P

HAPPY FRIDAY! FWFD of the [squeeeeeeee] weeeeeeek!

CWCG PROCRASTINATION (September 30th)

2011-10-01T20:04:00.001-05:00

It's time for the CWCG again. This months prompts were:

depricate - to express earnest disapproval of, to depreciate or belittle

finesse - extreme delicacy or subtlety in performance, skill, discrimination

gemma - any budlike structure or outgrowth that can separate from the parent to form a new identical individual

mailed fist - coercive force or the threat of such force

varicose - abnormally enlarged or swollen

Theme: jealousy

And, the picture:

And, here is my piece: PROCRASTINATION

She was anxious. Time had run away from her and now it was deadline time and she had nothing. Not a single word or syllable. Not even a letter. Not even a title. And, there was a prize. She signed up and entered this challenge in hopes of winning the debut YA thriller novel, TURNING POINT, from her favorite author - the famous, million dollar book seller, Melissa Luznicky Garrett.

She'd been following her since her very first publication. She dreamed of being a gemma to Ms. Garrett. Ms. Garrett wrote with such finesse. Audrey had loved her as an author since the very first word she ever read written by her.

Ms. Garrett would probably greet her with a depricate attitude, shunning her for her irresponsibility and lack of attention to scheduling her time and calendar. But, then there is the husband, the kids, all the extra curricular activities, and life that got in the way of Audrey's passion for writing. Still, Melissa Luznicky Garrett, author, had three children of her own ranging from kindergarten to junior high. And, yet. She manage to write all those books, and tell her stories. Meanwhile, Audrey was scrambling and hoping to get her entry submitted before the midnight deadline.

She applied her fury with a mailed fist, "No Honey. No Kids. I can't. I HAVE to get this in. This hour is mine..." She deserved it after all, didn't she? After all, she'd done girl scouts, guitar lessons, 4-H meetings, dance class, homework, volunteering at the school, she'd spread her time for everyone else. It was time she took a little 'time' for herself? Right? Right.

Her families needs were varicose compared to her own. Well, no that wasn't right. Audrey just tended to their needs with more attention than to those of her own. But, not tonight. Tonight she was focused. She closed the door and locked it. She ignored the cries for dinner, clean socks, and gym shorts for the following day. She ignore the demand for her husband's fishing pants. "He's a grown man, surely he can find them in the dryer for himself. I wanna' do this. I want this. This hour is mine."

She was tired of being jealous of the freedom and time the rest of the family had to spend as they so chose, almost wasting their free time on TV and riding scooters outside and playing card games together. This was her moment. This was her hour. She would write, write, write and she would enter. It might not be the best entry. She probably wouldn't even win. But the lucky part was that it wasn't about the quality of the submission, rather a random drawing by those who chose to participate and make the deadline.

Audrey had thoughts in her mind of the day she would not only win a personalized signed copy of Melissa's book to add to her unsigned library, but of the one day Ms. Garrett would offer a chance to meet with her in person. New York was a long drive and a fearful flight. But, Ms. Garrett had promises of visiting each of the 50+ states of the US. Audrey had her heart banked on it and would drive across the entire state of Texas, anywhere, just to meet and greet with her favorite author of all times.

Audrey grabbed another gummy bear from the package. She bit the head off and said, "I can do this, I still have two hours left. I will meet this challenge. I will ignore the knocking on the door. I will ignore the please for dinner. Tonight, I will write. Just for me. And, of course, for my winning entry."

PRESS RELEASE: Turning Point (YAY!)

2011-10-01T11:55:00.001-05:00

Convinced a fresh start is all she needs to escape the problems at home, seventeen year-old Jenna Lyons runs away in the middle of the night. But when her car breaks down on the outskirts of La Grange, Missouri, population less than a thousand, she gets sucked into the small town, and one family in particular. Jenna discovers there’s a liar in La Grange, and he’s deceived everyone. Now she must decide whether to run away from the truth, or blow his secret wide open.

“The tornado isn't the only thing that twists in this story--if you love dark characters with even darker secrets, TURNING POINT is for you!” ~Anne Riley, author of The Clearing

“TURNING POINT is a YA thriller that will rock your socks, young or old. You should add it to your wish list immediately. I recommend it to anyone who loves stories that expose hidden secrets.” ~Tegan Allan, review on Goodreads

Published by Create Space

ISBN 1461149703 (ISBN13: 9781461149705)

Available In Print and Online:

Watch the TURNING POINT book trailer on YouTube.

Melissa Luznicky Garrett is an author of adult and young adult novels. TURNING POINT is Melissa’s second published book. She lives with her husband and children in upstate New York, where she is currently at work on her next book. Connect with Melissa on her blog: http://www.MLGarrett.blogspot.com.

THE FUN PART!!

This is the press release for my dear friend Melissa. Today is the official release of her second published book. And, with this.....*drum-roll*

I am offering one digital copy of this YA thriller to one lucky winner!! [Thank you Melissa for sponsoring this!]

All you have to do is comment why you think you'll like this book!

That's it! Easy peasy! This giveaway will close at midnight CST on Saturday, October 15th. The winner will be announced on my blog and contacted via email (please provide your email or other link to contact you).

Happy Saturday and thanks for stopping by to check out this great announcement ;-)

WHAT'S UP, Butter Cup!

2011-09-23T10:24:00.003-05:00

There are several posts I've wanted to write up and publish, but finding the time - or should I say 'making the time' has been an issue lately. And, then I just decide to forget about it.

Partly, after the whole 'malware' issue that went on for about a week. What a crock. I mean, I understand Google watching out for us all but my blog was the martyr in this incident. [Wait, is that the term I'm looking for? Anyhow, I took the hit having caused no foul.]

You know though, I got the most hits in the week the day my site was back up. That was nice! ;-)

So, some updates:

I'm about to finish my writing course. Next week my synoptic outline and market research are due and I'm pretty much done with both - just need to review and type up and format. YAY! The second part of this final assignment is to submit the first 3 chapters of my WIP about six - eight weeks from now. I've got a big start on that seeing as the first three chapters and then some are already written - but, I did leave it by the wayside a few weeks ago in the middle of changing tenses. (School started, guitar lessons started, dance class started, then 4-H started and then Girl Scouts started, then CCD started - been bid-zy around here)

So, I'll be sending those off to Lis a/k/a Melissa Luznicky Garrett since she has not only completed the course but has two books out in publication! YAY! Pending her approval, I might consider a few other authors I know for a beta group. But, that is getting way ahead of myself since I still have probably another 50 - 60 thousand words to go. :-P

Fingers crossed, Lis gives me a good review/feedback/editing tips and then my instructor RAVES about it and then I am on my way with all of that.

Update #2: Lil'Gal.

This really deserves a post of its own considering the on going story of her urinary issues. I will come back and write a post of its own about her current successes and what we are still dealing with because I know having it out there is beneficial to other parents with children going through this type and similar issues.

In short, she had her uro again (where she fills her bladder, they measure the amount, she expels her bladder, they measure the residual). Before we began therapy (which is incredible how it works) with a full bladder of 320+ccs she had 140ccs residual. The average person should have 5 - 10ccs residual. So, Not Good. And, she had 'a lot of activity'. There isn't supposed to be 'a lot of activity' going on when you go. Only when you are trying not to go. Therapy is part of retraining the pelvic floor.

The good news:

As of a week ago she had 56 residual out of 327ccs, showing great improvement. Unfortunately, it still isn't enough. They put her on a new med but I post-poned starting that because in the middle of all this she developed - yet another - UTI. Overall, we are making improvements - it is amazing the way the body works. Truly. I'll share more in her update post.

Of course, Lil'Gal would die if she knew I was sharing all of this with you. She is at the age now that kids are very socially aware and having these issues is NOT. COOL. She requires me to be very cautious and behind the scenes about it (which I always have been; except within the sanctity of our own home and family). So this is another stress for us. Again, more to come.

Update #3: School and the library (ies)

School is better. We really struggled the first six weeks. Farmer, Jr. with his lack of focus having been used to ME running the academic show. Well, this year 'they' took my power away and I've had to be more hands off while watching him struggle. [It sux. It's a good thing. But, it sux.]

Lil'Gal expected the new, bigger school, to be a party. But with that size of a campus - it is very structured. And, as I've said before, most of her friends are in second grade so she doesn't get a lot of hang out time with them. BUT, extra-curricular activities and my being involved in the school have submerged us into the social situation.

LIBRARY: This also deserves and shall ~~eventually~~ get a post of its own. It is amazing what a wonderful experience it has been for me - in addition to Lil'Gal - by volunteering and assisting in the campus library for Lil'Gal and also Farmer, Jr. I have learned so much about the schools, about the programs, I've gotten to know the teachers. The library has been the inside scoop for me. I can't count how much I've learned that - having not had the opportunity to do so - I'd never know. Resources, etc. And, it is FUN! And, Lil'Gal loves me being there; as does Farmer, Jr. And, I get to know the students and the students get to know me. :-)

That's the short of the long of what's been going on in Farmer*sWife's world lately. Lil'Gal has her awards assembly today because SHE ROCKS her GRADES and I'm supposed to take her a delicious lunch made up of thousands of calories and transfats, ie: hamburger, fries and chocolate milk from Whataburger. It's her reward she earned from me for all her hard work and for all of her fantastic reading for AR.

After that, I'll probably spend the last few minutes in the library and then she, I, Diva and Les are heading to the homecoming game this evening. The girls are wearing their cheer leader outfits and they'll be sporting beautiful Mums too. Pics will come. ;-)

Don't worry. Farmer, Jr. isn't being left out. He's going dove hunting with Daddy, my BIL and my nephew. (Pending, of course, he does well on his spelling test today).

Happy FRIDAY! FWFD of the weeeeeeeeeek! Super Squeeeeeeeee!

I'M BACK!!

2011-09-20T12:27:00.000-05:00

I'm back! YAY! After what seemed like a week of issues with a 'blacklisting' warning that my blog might have malware. MY BLOG? I think not!

But, it had been 'exposed' via another blog (she was hacked, bless her heart - hackers suck PIE).

Anyhow, I had to delete that link and reading that this has happened before via the blog roll list (ie: one link could be to a site that has malware or gets hacked and thus you are exposed and expose all your friends/blogs who have your link to that) I had to remove my blog roll.

:-(( That's a very big frowny face. I *hearted* my blog roll because although I follow tons of blogs in my google reader I tended to click to my blog to see who of my regulars had posted what most recently. And, it was easier to scroll down and say to myself, 'Hmmm, so-and-so hasn't posted in awhile' and then I could check in with so-and-so.

Not sure what I am going to do about that right now. At the moment I have a Lil'Gal home with dilated eyes (those blue babies dilate quick and stay that way for-evah or most of the day) because when you can't focus up close you can't very well do math, social studies, AR reading testing, etc., etc. :-/

Anyhow, I'm back! So don't be afraid to check out what you missed that was posted shortly before the 'case of the back-link hacker' incident. Like for instance, an opportunity to get a free e-copy of Melissa Luznicky Garrett's 'to be released' YA thriller, TURNING POINT!

Grrrr. D@MN hackers. >:-{

Anyhow, Happy Tuesday!

In Service

2011-09-19T10:27:00.000-05:00

My blog is currently in service, trying to figure out this malware warning. I believe I've removed the tainted link but I have to get google to remove the black list warning.

Thank you for baring with me through this mess.

google-site-verification: googleac4fbc88f0d0d528.html

At this TURNING POINT, find a free ebook!

2011-09-15T12:23:00.000-05:00

Howdy friends, bloggies and book lovers! I've got an offer for you! :-D

Love books?

Love free books?

Love e-books?

Enjoy various genres including YA and THRILLERS?

Then, guess what!? I can hook you up with a free e-copy of Turning Point, a YA Thriller written by Melissa Luznicky Garrett.

ANYONE can get a free copy! There is no limit on who can get one!

There is no jumping through hoops, no tweet here, Facebook there, write a review here and there, etc.

Just post the Press Release on your blog when it comes out (Melissa will email it to you) and that is it!

TADA! You get a free copy to read.

I've already read it because I'm a beta reader for Melissa and I also get ARCs. :-D So, I can tell you it is a great little diddy of a thriller!

Click HERE for more details and for your FREE e-copy of Turning Point! It's that easy.

Happy 'It's the day before FWFD of the weeeeeeeeek!'

The Last Detail...

2011-09-10T16:47:00.000-05:00

Check out that cover. She looks pretty tough and a little spicy, right?

She so totally is! Louella, the MC, is one bad@ss, weapon carrying, female agent trying to collect her one last collar that pays big enough to get her back to earth. But that collar turns out to be one smokin' hot agent himself. Sam Dawson is hiding out on this hell hole of a planet until he can figure out who set him up.

Yep. This is one of those sci-fi kind of action-based romance novels.

In the past I was never one much for Sci-Fi until I picked up a pack of Larissa Ione's Demonica series. Suddenly, I'm all about demons and sci-fi and hand to hand combat. So when I saw this book out by Melissa Schroeder, an author I have previously read, it caught my attention. And, let me forewarn you because 'The Last Detail' isn't just an action-romance romance. It's a whole weave of erotica too! [She never lets me down.]

Lucky for me I follow her blog and happened upon an opportunity to receive an ARC e-book copy! I jumped on that one and I was accepted!

It kicks off hot and heavy pretty much from the start. Throw into the mix, Jared, Lou's long time friend (who, of course, is secretly in love with her) and you better be ready for anything with those three. I mean anything.

I pretty much flew through this story, blushing quite often. As far as what I call 'my smut fix' it totally fit the bill. If anything was missing I'd have to say I wished there was more of the chase-down action in the middle of the story. The very beginning is chock full and the ending is too. The middle holds a lot of emotional and 'physical' development between the Lou, Sam and Jared ~~often at the same time~~ but not much bullet dodging in between. Whoever thought 'I'D' be asking for more bullet-dodging? I'm usually all about the 'hot and heavy'.

Melissa Schroeder is the author of The Harmless Series, of which I've read multiple of ie: A Little Harmless Sex, A Little Harmless Pleasure, I Little Harmless Obsession... you get the idea. It's all just a little harmless, he he he. And, I will say that they are all full of hot characters and rated with a big "R". >;-D

Regarding my over all reading across all of the varied genres I read, I give this 3 1/2 stars. On my 'smut factor' I give it a full out 4. :-)

Thank you to Melissa Schroeder and her personal assistant, Brandi Walker, for the opportunity to be one of the first to read this story! Fingers crossed I get to stay on the list because she has several others coming out that have definitely peaked my interest.

September's CWCG: Hunger

2011-08-31T12:42:00.000-05:00

It is time for this month's Creative Writing Challenge results! I'm actually a day early this time around, WOW! Click here to find out how to play along!

This month's words:

Quay – warf; concrete or stone

Cornbread – bread made of corn

Fuddle – to confuse or stupefy, as with alcohol

Venereal – of sexual intercourse; transmitted by sexual intercourse

Evil - morally wrong; harmful

Theme: Nature

Picture:

Here is my September entry, share your thoughts!

HUNGER

She sat down and rested her back against the tree, looking out over the hills and watching the prairie grass in the breeze. The hills rolled in waves, an ocean of different kind. She enjoyed coming here, to this spot. The rhythmic swish of the grasses in the wind had a calming affect.

She held tight to the leather-bound journal in her hand.

“You have a story to tell,” he had said. “Write it down.”

Looking down at the journal, she wondered if today would be the day she would confront those memories. She stroked her fingers across it gently, feeling the smooth surface of the tightly-bound leather. The spine was firm; it urged her to crack its cover and fill its pages. She pulled the fountain pen from the clasp that locked the journal shut. She drew her fingers slowly, with great care, opening the cover.

The pages inside were made of cotton, at least 25 percent. She pulled the cap from the pen and doodled a blue, flowery vine along the outer margin of the page. Then, she began writing.

*****

I met him on the quay. I was barely 16 when I stowed away, hoping for a future in a new and rich land. When first discovered by him, I was fearful he’d turn me in to the authorities. I was, after all, an illegal in this country. He was charming and seemed sincerely kind; I’d soon discover this was a bluff of his inherent evil.

He offered me a warm meal. I was fearfully skeptical. But I hadn’t eaten since two days before, having savored the very last morsel of cornbread I’d packed for this journey. My stomach grumbled, giving itself away, and I agreed to the meal. He took me to his home and introduced me to his wife, a fragile looking woman, almost emaciated. The wife took my hand in her own, it was cold to the touch. She patted it and smiled.

In what seemed a blessing, the couple offered me a job as nursemaid and helper to the wife. It included room and board. What more could I ask for? How lucky I was to be so blessed, right off the ship and already food, housing and income. But it wasn’t a blessing in the end.

What was to come was venereal in manner. I didn’t know which was worse. The way he took of me, or the way she did.

The first time he was kind enough to fuddle me with flavored liquors and seltzer. He said we were celebrating our good fortune, having happened upon each other at such an opportune time. Then he was on me, groping me, taking me like a starved man; I was the mirage of his meal. He whispered things to me as he took me. It hurt. He was my first. I would soon find that he would be my second, my third…

He apologized after, as if his hunger for affection would be forgiven so easily. He stroked my cheek and tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear and then he left me. I was weak and my mind still fuzzy, dreamlike when she entered. She hungered for me too, but she would feed from me in an entirely different way.

*****

She slammed the journal shut, as a tear fell, wetting the leather. She replaced the cap on the pen, and returned the pen to the clasp. She listened to the grass swish and sway. She would write another day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had more, but it didn't have any good breaking point. It was kind of hard to continue without getting into a whole other basket of 'words'.

HAPPY HUMP-DAY!

I WILL...GET BY: musical update in Farmville

2011-08-30T13:35:00.002-05:00

Howdy,

I've really meant to blog since my last post. Seriously. In fact I even wrote a post Saturday entailing all that had been going on and the once again emotional roller coaster this school year has left me riding so far. But, it was REALLY long. And, Lil'Gal REALLY wanted my attention. (I mean, annoying-me-crazy wanted my attention). So, in the end I bagged it.

The just:

This year has been an adjustment both socially and curriculum wise in addition to teaching styles, etc.

Farmer, Jr. got off to a bad start in math because he wasn't paying attention and Mama wasn't ~~allowed to be~~ there to keep him on task.

Lil'Gal had an adjustment period, socially and with the structure of her day - she didn't like it because she expected it to be a party; as she said, she was used to her old school where they were all like family.

Just as we are all on track and know what we are doing, Farmer, Jr.'s math grade takes a ~~bigger~~ dive.

I poke, prod, nag and in the end it drops so low ~~If ain't a B or above it is failing in this house. I'm talking a glaring, bold red 69 on the computer when I looked it up~~ that I am physically ill.

His teacher reviewed his grades and graciously allowed FJ to retake one of his math tests. *FINGERS CROSSED* he nails it today (the two grades will be averaged together).

The other:

I don't like change unless I have planned for change at that particular day/moment/event. I'm structured. My calendar is scheduled months out. Giving me an answer or response of "We'll see" equals "No, ain't happening" in my book.

I was pleased to have Wednesday scheduled as 'extra curricular day' for the kids extra stuff (not including the once a month Monday 4-H meeting). Kids get out of school at 2:30 on Wednesdays. FJ does guitar lesson at 3:pm. Snack and library for homework. Lil'Gal dance lesson at 5:-pm. Home, dinner, baths, bed.

Last week:

Guitar instructor can't do Wednesday's anymore because he has a lab at this time (he's close to graduating from college at which time he is opening his own business/music lessons)

Two days later, Dance class schedule has changed. Same night but doesn't end until 7:45 PM. This is the only night they offer this particular class. I can't drive at night - the whole vision thing (most of y'all are familiar with this).

Next morning, FJ's grade shows up on computer as failing, 69. Five days to bring it up (but, as you read above we did get to do the whole retest and FJ did better on his speed drill and got a 99 on his rounding test, TTGL!)

I flip out. I get physically ill. This week is NOT working out. Friday evening I drink lots of wine, with Mom friends, and whine.

But, I got through it. Worked it all out. Guitar Mondays at 3:pm. Dance Tuesdays at 5:pm (not the same style but it is supposed to be 'High School Musical' like) ;-) That works.

DISCLAIMER: I know, if these are the biggest of my troubles and worries I need to count my blessings - and I did. But, keep in mind that: four weeks of a daughter crying every morning when you leave her at school, and writing you notes all day about how she doesn't like it, and a son who seems clueless about how to get his work done and turned in and doesn't understand the repercussions of failing, AND, I can't do a D@MN thing about it - along with the fact that I'm getting little sleep and interrupted at that for the past five weeks, WILL wear a Mama down both physically and emotionally.

And, with that update I'll leave you with this week's 80s flashback: Because I Will Get By.

Because it is on my mind...

2011-08-24T10:06:00.002-05:00

I read a link from Lis a/k/a Melissa L. Garrett's Web Wednesday post this morning and this blogger was sharing the 'best' blogging tip. Turns out, the best tip? Is simply 'to blog'. Yep. That easy.

I've been so caught up with so much; I just don't post here as often as I used to. I know we have lost several great bloggers along the ride over the past year. Though, I will say that FB might be an infectious party to this. Nothing personal, FB. You know I've got your app everywhere and that I'm always signed in - heck I get the phone updates and bings. I'm just sayin' some have fallen prey to a simpler - more on demand - form of cyber socializing.

Anyhooo. I love 80s music. I have the 80s channel in my Chariot on XM and I play it daily ~~along with five other channels I constantly surf back and for through~~. There are so many songs I want and should and need to post here to bring back the nostalgia of that decade. :-D Maybe I will, in my new effort to take NIKI's word for it and "Just Do It" in implementing the blogging advice I read this morning.

Maybe I'll make one day a week an 80s flashback day. Whadda'ya think? Music Monday? Flashback Friday? Or, What's That Song Wednesday?

Anyhow, because it was on my mind - and I DON'T know why... here is an 80s flashback for this Wonderful Wednesday. For the fun of it, I'm throwing in one more... After all, if we have one with men in hats then we need one with Men Without Hats.

:-D

Happy Hump-day! Now go out and put some DIGGITY in it D@MMIT! :-D

RESULTS: The Experiment

2011-08-17T12:34:00.002-05:00

Twelve days ago, I submitted a post requesting your participation in helping me to understand my Lil'Gal's science test. Because, as I mentioned in that POST how I 'apparently' misconstrued the information and thus talked Lil'Gal out of her answers and into mine. After all, I'm a 39-year-old and I would think I trump a third-graders knowledge.

Here were the two questions, pulled directly from her test, that I ~~thought, WTH are is wrong with this~~ found to be very confusing. (There were more than two).

[Again, this experiment was nothing to judge the teacher or school. But possibly to prove that either I didn't understand and am not as intelligent as I previously thought, or that the text/curriculum needed some re-evaluation.]

#1: Which item below can exhibit more than one state of matter:

A) a hamburger
B) a soda
C) a straw
D) all the above

#2: If it the thermometer read 20 degrees celsius would it be:

A) too hot to go outside
B) a pleasantly nice day
C) an icy cold, miserable day
D) school would be cancelled

Regarding #1:

The overall answer was B, a soda. Which makes complete sense. A soda is a liquid, it can be frozen into a solid and it is also somewhat gaseous. Some mentioned that the straw, a solid, could be melted into a liquid (to quickly return to a solid state). I considered this when thinking through this question with Lil'Gal. But, a hamburger? A hamburger is a solid. Knight mentioned that it had moisture, which is true. But, even if it was put in a dehydrator it would still be a solid. And, if you put it in a tub of water it still wouldn't completely disintegrate. The bread might, but the meat would be just a big swollen, soggy mess.

The actual answer? D. No really, D. I mentioned this to the teacher and she said that under an intense heat source a hamburger could be burned up (basically, into nothing). My thoughts? No. You could burn it down into ash, but you would still have ash. A powdery solid, in my opinion. Hubby's thoughts to this was, "Well then anything and everything has more than one state of matter if you are considering incineration."

Regarding #2:

Again the majority chose B. I googled the conversion and 20 degrees celsius would convert to 68 degrees fahrenheit. 68 degrees is pretty close, two degrees shy of, 70 degrees. 70 degrees is pretty much considered a nice day where ever you are in the US. I know in California, where ProHomemaker lives, most of his days are in the 70s and nice. I know in New York, 68 degrees is pretty much a perfect day. I know here in South Texas 68 degrees might prove to be slightly chilly (okay, just to me) but with the sun shining high in the sky, it would actually be a beautiful day.

The actual answer? C. Yeppers. C. Personally, I can in no way comprehend that 68 degrees would be a cold icy day. I can no way comprehend how 68 degrees could be 'too hot to go outside'. I can in no way comprehend how 68 could be a day where school would be cancelled.

Come the next science test I will consult with Lil'Gal's teacher (before the test) on any questions that could possible throw me for such a loop. Though, I have to say - I was very confident in my answer over Lil'Gal's. Though, when I picked her up after school and she expressed her grade she added, "See, I TOLD YOU MOM."

In deed she did. This is NOT the third grade I remember. :-P Thanks for participating. It did make me feel better that I wasn't the only one in my 'mis'assumptions. But, now I'm going to second guess any problem she and I have issue with. If only to be a fly on the wall in the classroom. Or, if I could send a tape recorder. LOL!

Share any thoughts in the comments!

It's not just about a kiss! It's a PRECIPICE.

2011-08-14T15:45:00.004-05:00

<------------------- SEE THAT? All steamy, right?

Talk about going in for the kiss!

But, Precipice isn't just about a kiss. It is about a woman named Julia Becker, who is discovering that some of the stable decisions she's made in her life are turning out not to be so right.

Infidelity is out of the question, even in a dead end marriage that never should have happened in the first place. Try telling that to Wes, the school's music teacher who happens to find Julia irresistible.

In addition to her own personal struggles with a marriage to a man she now realizes she never really loved and the secrets he keeps, unbeknownst to her; she finds herself struggling against the ultimate betrayal to her best friend.

Life is weighing down on her and she just might not have the will power to fight the attraction any longer. She's at a PRECIPICE...

This story is one of those that leaves me feeling like I really know the characters, as if I could pick up the phone and call them over for dinner one evening. Stories told like this one leave me reminding myself that they are characters in a book, though I still wonder what they are doing now.

AND NOW YOU can have a chance to read it TOO! I promise you won't be let down! The author, Melissa Luznicky Garrett, has been generous enough to offer one more giveaway because I just had to offer all of you a chance to win this wonderful story. If you like contemporary romance, or romance of any kind, you will adore this story.

FYI, Melissa "Lis" is a very dear friend of mine. I have followed along as she wrote Precipice, as well as several other books currently in the works for publication. Next in line is Turning Point, a Young Adult thriller! (You'll be hearing lots more about Turning Point in the near future!)

[Note: this giveaway is open to US readers only.]

HOW TO ENTER:

1 entry) comment in the comment section of this post that you want to win a copy

That's it, you are entered! If you happen to want to earn extra chances/entries then look below! I'd love it if you would participate in any of the following to help get the word out!

HOW TO EARN ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

2 entries) follow Melissa on Facebook at @Melissa Luznicky Garret, writer (be sure to let me know here)
3 entries) comment on @Melissa Luznicky Garret, writer's FB page "I'm entered to win PRECIPICE!" and tag me at @Glasshalffull.gal (if you don't tag me, I won't know to give you credit)
5 entries) follow Melissa's blog to keep up with all her latest writing and other shenanagans at Someday, When I'm Famous...by Melissa Luznicky Garret, writer (don't forget to let me know!)

This giveaway closes Sunday, August 28th at 11:59 pm. The winner will be selected by a random drawing and notified on my blog. I will also email the winner, provided an email address has been provided. [If I have not received a response by the winner within 72 hours, I will redraw for a new winner.]

You can find Precipice and Melissa's other books here: Melissa Luznicky Garrett, my books.
And, you can follow Melissa on twitter at @MelissaGarrett.

FYI, ARE YOU ON GOODREADS? I totally love goodreads.com and if you are a reader/writer/author I would love to have you as my friend there where we can keep up with what we are reading, what's hot, what's not and what is happening in the world of Good Reads!

Friend me here, Goodreads: Farmers Wife.

You can also find Precipice at goodreads.com, Goodreads: Precipice.
Melissa is also at goodreads.com, Goodreads, Melissa Luznicky Garrett, writer

CWCG #6: CHANGES

2011-08-07T14:35:00.001-05:00

Howdy!

It is time for CWCG #6. Due to scheduling issues, Lis has agreed to host our monthly challenges at her place. It still works the same, and she'll include the link box so that we can all link our entries and hop around to see how we have each interpreted the word, theme and picture prompts.

Here is challenge #6: Prompt for September's Creative Writing Challenge Game. It is due September 1st, 2011. Simply post your entry/creative writing project and then click over to Lis' entry that day and link up! Then sit back and wait to be read and receive comments about the piece you've written.

CWCG was created to help improve our creative abilities and keep our mental faculties fresh. And, of course, because it is FUN!!

Anyone is welcome to participate. And, your submission doesn't have to be a short story. It can be a poem, a song, or even a very tightly constructed sentence. All you have to do is include the prompts provided.

So what do you say? Come 'write' along with us!

WINNER! 'A Map Across Time'

2011-08-07T13:32:00.001-05:00

Howdy all,

Last night closed out the drawing for a copy of 'A Map Across Time' written by C. S. Lakin.

This is a mythological, fairy tale about a brother and sister and their mission to save their kingdom from an evil spell that is destroying all that is important to them. It is also a wonderful story about love and about believing in oneself, as well as a story of sacrifice for the greater good.

You can read my full review of this wonderful story here. Also, if you are interested, the first chapter is available for reading HERE.

Now, on to the winner!! Lil'Gal was gracious enough to stop what she was doing and do the drawing for the winner of this wonderful book:

Congratulations! I'll be emailing you for your shipping address so that the great folks at phenix&phenix literary agents can ship out your copy!

EXPERIMENT: I need your input

2011-08-05T18:59:00.001-05:00

I'm conducting an experiment. Non-judgmental to any party. I just want to know how the majority of us would answer a particular question. See, Lil'Gal had a Science test today. She didn't do well on the review test the day before and so I requested some study information to help bring her up to speed.

Her teacher was wonderful and emailed us a five page review sheet. Fabulous. We didn't have the book, but I'm no dummy. Surely, I can answer these questions on states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) and a few other things. After all, this is only 3rd grade science. Lil'Gal argued with me on a few of the questions and I expressed my "I'm older and smarter" will upon her and so she, worriedly, took my answer over hers.

She studied her review diligently and knew all the answers for the actual test. But, guess what? The one's she argued with me? That, her answers just didn't make sense to? She was correct. Insert very upset with myself parent because my Lil'Gal did the work, the extra work, the studying and I screwed her grade up.

D@MM!T.

So, answer a few of these questions for me please? Use the following format in the comment section:

#1, (A, B, C, or D) which answer you choose #2, (the same). I'd really appreciate it if you'd leave a little note along with each answer why you think so... Just to help a FW out with her experiment.

#1: Which item below can exhibit more than one state of matter:

A) a hamburger
B) a soda
C) a straw
D) all the above

#2: If it the thermometer read 20 degrees celsius would it be:

A) too hot to go outside
B) a pleasantly nice day
C) an icy cold, miserable day
D) school would be cancelled

You tell me what you think about these. Give me your honest, answer and I'd really appreciate a 'why you answered that way'. The 'why' is really important to me regarding reasoning so that I can assess my own thinking.

Also, I want you to keep in mind while you may be very scientifically minded - this is a third grade exam. There are no super powers, lasers, or matter distorting options available at this point. Although, maybe I'm wrong on that and NASA was covered as well. Or, the sun? I don't know. Just answer your adult opinion/answer (like I did with her) and your reasoning why. As a third note, a little input about that knowledge in comparison with a third grade assignment is also welcome. I guess I'm saying, spill whatever comes to mind along with your answers. :-D

I'm going to leave this open for awhile, let us say a week - until August 12th at midnight - to obtain comments/answers. Then, I will analyze the answers and provide a follow up post. I'll provide a link to said analysis post to everyone who participated - so long as I can trail you back somewhere or you provide your email address.

I really appreciate your participation in this. Really. Even if you are anon or pop in here by a search engine and didn't find what you are looking for - please? Kindly? Share you two wee little answers?

Oh, and one final request. Please DO NOT read the preceding comments until after you have posted your comment. I have a few teacher friends and one specializes in Science. So, I want your 'un-influenced answer' first, then you can go and see what the rest of the world had to say.

THANK YOU!!!

Happy FWFD of the WEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

CWCG #5: A Wish

2011-08-05T10:43:00.002-05:00

It's that time again! Time to share our stories from this months CWCG!

This month's challenge was:

misadventure - mishap; an instance of bad luck
satire - literary works in which vices, follies, etc. are held up to ridicule and contempt; the use of ridicule, sarcasm, etc. to attack follies, vices, etc.
pottage - a kind of thick soup or stew
noggin - a small mug or cup; head
russet - yellow brown, or reddish brown; a winter apple with a mottle skin

Theme: Loss

Picture:

When I headed out on this trip, I never expected it to turn into such a misadventure. My mind had dreamed of sunshine, flowers, ocean spray, sand between my toes. I envisioned evening shows, and afternoons spent at the swim up bar enjoying every kind of fruity cocktail the bartender could concoct. Who knew, maybe even a fling with said bartender. Cue the movie 'Cocktail' running through my mind.

Okay, so it totally did start out that way. Only, it wasn't the bartender. It was a beautiful man with a warm, rich, accent - French to be precise. His skin was tanned a summery russet and his hair, dark and wavy, fell down to his jaw.

He was warm and dreamy...and sensual. I'd had my fair share of romances and interludes. Well, maybe not my 'fair' share but enough to almost count on one hand. Not including the finger prod by my short term, drum playing boyfriend in high school and the too-quick-to-count behind-his-girlfriend's-back encounter with the captain of the soccer team in college.

It was incredible. Everything I could have imagined, did imagine. I was living out the romance of an erotic novel. We were hot together, groping almost non-stop throughout the day regardless of where we were. We were like a warm thick pottage, he would say. He devoured me in ways I never knew existed. He left me satiated and yet not; my hunger for him could never be completely squelched. Though, while I lay tangled in his arms and legs I felt a never ending ebullience.

As it turns out our togetherness was a satire of what I had presumed it to be. I reached for the noggin of coffee as I stared out over the ocean, watching the sun prepare the sky for dawn. Rich purples and deep reds strewn along the horizon and grew up into the sky. The sun, an immensely large and bright orange ball began to erupt from the water's horizon.

I blamed him all the while knowing I was really the one at fault. We fell into each other, in love with the taste of each other and how explosive our union together was. He was in love with my mind as much as my body, he had told me.

If only he hadn't reached for the phone. If only I had told him...before. If only I hadn't lied to him, to myself. I blew at the dandelion I had picked along my morning walk wishing I could go back in time - to the moment I met him. Not my French love whose trust I broke, but the man whom I so recklessly and irresponsibly gave my life to all those years ago.

A heartfelt wish that would never come true.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was a free-flow story and I didn't really go back through it - I'm going to let it stand alone, as is (because I think it is pretty good for a first run through and because I'm five minutes late getting out the door). :-)

Thoughts?

Link Up!

[The link didn't copy over; I'll put it up here when I get home this afternoon. Either check back or leave your link in the comments!] THANK YOU AND HAPPY FRIDAY!!! FWFD of the weeeeeeek!

Fingers Crossed...

2011-08-01T11:30:00.001-05:00

Today begins the third week of school. I have to say in all honesty, it hasn't gone as smoothly as hoped.

Farmer, Jr. is adjusting fairly well with his typical attitude of 'I hate school; school is dumb; whoever invented school is cruel'. Although, he is thrilled with their playground and all the super cool stuff it has and that he can do.

Lil'Gal on the other hand typically LOVES school. Her friends, learning, homework, reading, studying - she truly loves it all.

She loves being smart. She loves being right. She loves the fact that she is good at school.

As most of y'all know via me, FB, the first week got off to a rocky start. What I thought was a good start turned out not to be such. Each day is a struggle. We have a good day and then I find out the next day isn't so good. Lil'Gal is having trouble adjusting.

The new school is bigger. Actually, bigger is a misnomer. It is HUUUUUUUGE. Huge not just in change from our tiny little private school but by most schools in general. With the masses comes crowd control.

So, things are very structured. Not that Lil'Gal isn't used to structure but it seems difficult to freely socialize. How can a social butterfly like my Lil'Gal make new friends when she feels stifled at every turn? And, she has friends there at the school but they are in second grade. The grades aren't allowed to mingle - again, crowd control. *sigh-grunt*

I have to keep in mind that she was quite sheltered at our little private school. And, the change was inevitable. Long gone are the days of Pre-K and kinder. Third grade is a stepping stone. School is not a party, it is a job. I explained this to Lil'Gal.

She's doing her best. She's trying hard. She's making the effort. Once she gets to P.E. I've been told by both her and her teacher that life seems to pick up. She's in good spirits when I visit her at lunch, saving seats for her two or three new friends from class. She's happy and chatty when I pick her up in the afternoons. Still, this past Thursday I got the call from the counselor's office. Lil'Gal had been crying all morning. What? MY LIL'GAL? :-((

We are trying a reward system. She tries hard to be optimistic (you think she would come by that naturally) and keep her chin up and I'll bring her a special lunch and eat with her, or take her for an ice cream treat after school. She did great this past Friday. Even her teacher commented. And, before I left she helped pull down the chairs, pass out breakfast (she likes to help and be needed), and she even asked me to show one or two of the students a picture of our Biggun' from my phone.

This morning is a new week. We head into school and wait for the teacher outside her door as we get there early. I can feel some level of anxiety. I make small talk. We go into the class. I encourage her to pass out breakfast which, she takes to immediately of course. We get chairs down. I try to make a little conversation with the boy at her group (he is always there early too). She hugs me and hugs me again and kisses me on my cheek and hugs me again. I can feel her whoa.

'Draw a picture' I say. 'Write me a note about how your day goes'. She pulls out her spiral and this seems to comfort her. She shows me her desk and folders (immaculately organized) and I offer praise and oohs, and ahs. One last hug, she seems to be holding her chin up though it is a struggle this morning.

[Why does this have to be so hard?]

I exit with my stomach once again in a knot and my fingers crossed. Prayers up through out the day along with optimistic thoughts that today will be the day that finally breaks over into happiness during school.

Fingers crossed.

EATING MY WORDS...Chillin' on a dirt road...

2011-07-29T17:16:00.001-05:00

When I first heard this song I fell in love with it IMMEDIATELY. Until 40 seconds or so in when Jason Aldean started speakin' this talk that just didn't fit with such an intro and beautiful chorus. Seriously. Why couldn't he have told the story (in the lyrical parts) like George Strait? Why go rap-rap it up when the chorus is so wonderfully, country divine?

The two just didn't fit, IMO at least.

Originally, I cursed this song and then forgot about it. Until, the Country Music Awards. ~~Maybe it was the AMA - same thing, two different shows - either way, I watch'em both~~.

Some guy named Ludacris (maybe I should know who this guy is but, hey? I, FW, can only be so cool) pulled the rappin' part off rather well, but then isn't that his venue of music?

And, at least his being there makes sense as he raps it up to Jason Aldean's new song.

(But, I'm still trying to figure out why Kid Rock was the announcer (again). ~~I do like Kid Rock but I just don't find him quite befitting the CMAs~~. [Does he bathe? Or, wash his hair? Just askin'.])

Here is the CMT awards video, if you are curious:

I found myself changing the channel in the radio only to hum the chorus over, and over, and over, and OVER again. Literally waking for that middle-of-the-night visit to the restroom with that chorus in my head.

I love the lyrics. Completely. Here's just a few below:

Yeah I'm chillin' on a dirt road
Laid back swervin' like I'm George Jones

An ice cold beer sittin' in the console
Memory lane up in the headlights
It's got me reminiscing on them good times

I sit back and think about them good old days
They way we were raise in our southern ways
And we like cornbread and biscuits
And if it's broke 'round here we fix it

After days and evenings and nights, and actual weeks of humming it, hearing it my mind and my brain I found myself looking for it. I even YouTube'd it. While publicly bashing it, I found myself a closet listener.

And, then. Finally, I *GASP* purchased it on iTunes.

I KNOW, RIGHT?! Does that make me a traitor to traditional country music? Or, am I an open minded and well-rounded country music lover? Have I been brainwashed by the local country music stations into thinking I like it? Subliminal messages probably play across my LT saying "Buy that song, buy that song, you WANT that song."

Am I a hypocrite?

Whatever the reason I, Farmer'sWife, do officially own the download and enjoy listening to "Dirt Road Anthem". Rapping and all. There. I said it. I've purged.

Happy FWFD of the weeeeeeeeeeek! [You mine as well give the song a listen, while you are here. Just sayin'.]

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

2011-07-22T17:32:00.001-05:00

So, Monday was the first day of school for us. As you can see in the pic to the left, Farmer, Jr. was LESS than thrilled (you totally gotta' click it for a larger view). Lil'Gal only frowned because as she said, "Ugggh, a pictuuuure?" :-P

I expressed that yes, I had to get at least one. I actually had to take three because it was very trying to get FJ to smile.

It was also very early.

See? -------------------------->

There's a better pic. Two beautiful children smiling for their back to school picture.

I must say that this year comes with A LOT of changes. First off, we start back earlier because we are now in year-round school. Which has its benefits. Hubby is tied up most of the summer getting the crop out of the field.

With year round school we can better plan trips and visits to friends and family during inner-sessions. Inner-sessions give us a week off after every six weeks. This is great! Great for the kids to take a mental break and for me as well!

Second, our new ISD is HUGE compared to our little private school which had typically consisted of about 35 children from Pre-K to 4th grade. Farmer, Jr.'s campus has 560 students while Lil'Gal's campus has - are you ready for this - 1,100. HOLEY-SMOKES Batman!! Upon realizing this I had a slight panic thinking that my Lil'Gal with her blond hair was going to be a needle in a haystack. But, we have friends who have children on both campuses and they have adapted well so I know eventually (fingers crossed) that mine will too.

Third, school starts earlier than our old school. Which 30 minutes isn't so bad, except that the kids are at separate campuses this year: Lil'Gal is at Primary (Kinder - Third) and Farmer, Jr. is at the Intermediate (4th, 5th, and Pre-K/Headstart). The schools are within minutes of each other but there is another issue.

Drop offs and parking, due to the TONS of children and parents and vehicles crowding the Primary in the mornings and afternoons. If I'm five minutes late it'll take me 30 minutes to drop off the kids. I have to drop FJ extra early, as soon as the doors open to the school (though, he's not the only one), so that I can beat the majority of the masses to Primary where I do walk Lil'Gal in. In the afternoon, I have to get there 30 minutes before school lets out or else it will put me late picking up FJ. This is actually kind of nice though; I sit and read or play on the internet, FB, etc. :-D

Today being the last day of the first week, I'm feeling quite optimistic over all. Though, Lil'Gal had a little trouble (she burst out crying the first night at bed time after having told me all day that she had a great time - she said she had just said that to make ME happy.) :-/

But, we got her settled in the next day with new enthusiasm and discovered one of the girls in her class has been my CCD student off and on through the years and attends our church. This was a big plus; and then there is the other little girl that has joined their little group. I showed up at lunch to surprise Lil'Gal and see how she was adjusting. You can't imagine the relief in my heart when she came in chatting with said girls and a smile on her face before she even saw me. My stomach unclenched and I knew things would be okay.

Farmer, Jr is still 'working' on making friends. He seems pleased and adjusting well, other than being so tired in the mornings - and, the fact that he *dislikes* school - period. They stay so busy that the day doesn't allow much for chit chat. But, he said he was teamed up with one boy in one of his classes (they swap between two teachers) and he was nice and they seemed to be hitting it off.

The awesome part is that:

A) so far little homework so the kids get to take a break when we get home.
B) we get out of school 45 minutes earlier than last year; kind of making up for the early morning.
C) extracurricular activities!

Our new schedule and venue allows us to participate in some fun stuff. For now I have FJ signed up for guitar lessons on Wednesdays. (FYI, Wednesdays are early release days; the kids get out 30 minutes early so that the campus staff can have a weekly planning/meeting.) After his guitar lessons Lil'Gal will have dance class.

We attended a mini-session yesterday afternoon and she and Diva LUUUUVED it. So, we will be signing them up for the full course when it begins next month. Below is a video of their first session together. OMG, they are adorable and had a blast! I've already downloaded a couple of the songs they started working routines to so they can practice together. :-D

Having the extracurricular all on the same day is so wonderful. Keeps the rest of the week free'd up. And, of course, in the fall we will have 4-H, working on sewing entries, baking entries, shop projects and of course raising BUNNIES. ;-)

Over all we are doing really great! I am at peace; I don't come home with that lump in my throat having to nag already-tired-of-school-work children to do more and study more. Of course, this is the first week. And, I know there will be homework and AR reading, and tests to study for. I just feel it is going to be less intense.

We do miss the family atmosphere of our old school and I have to say that the teachers instilled my children with a fantastic foundation, educationally, behaviorally and in their faith. But, we grow and things have to change.

That's the Back-to-School update for 2011-2012~ Oh, and you know it is my birthday today, right? So, we'll be celebrating me this afternoon and evening! Happy Friday!

Turning 39; preparing for the big 4-0!

2011-07-18T11:35:00.002-05:00

BRING IT!

Well, in 370 days, please.

As many of y'all know I have a birthday coming up. Friday to be exact. [For those of you who thought it was July 1st due to my FB profile, sorry. That was a mishap, but I usually use a fake birthday on all social networking sites...phishing and all.]

Friday, I plan to do what I usually like to do for my birthday. Have friends over, make a great meal, enjoy some spirits and good conversation. This year will not be much different OTHER THAN I'll be preparing for my 40th next year.

Me and turning 40 = a BIG @$$ party. Because, you have to embrace it - right? (After all, there ain't no fightin' it.)

I've already begun preparing for my 40th. I've pretty much picked a date to celebrate next year that will allow my friends, family and best-ies from the farming community to attend before hopping on combines and tractors for the crop.

My friend Les and I will celebrate together. (She'll be 40 in March, but we've shared a lot of life's milestones: dating, marriage, pregnancy and kids; so why not celebrate this one together too?) :-)

Other ways I'm preparing:

I've begun taking a multi-vitamin daily.
I've begun taking a calcium supplement to go with.
I've started a better skin regime (hope it isn't too late to undo some damage done, and slow the rest).
I've been exercising, but getting more regular about it now that summer has come to an end (school wise).
I'm implementing a brunch and dinner diet; because my body really doesn't require three full meals a day and I can see that as well as feel it, inside and out.
I'm working out a new weekly schedule for myself as well as the kids and extracurricular fun for them, which I hope to implement next week (this week is a buy as I'm just trying to conquer two kids on two different school campuses amongst the masses).
I have a hair appointment on Thursday, and I'm contemplating a new do. Not just a touch-up. As in a cut. I wish I could wear something more wash and wear but because of my short chin and flat head profile I just don't wear it well. In fact, I don't wear my hair well period. I try but as I've aged it has gotten fine, and flat and just. Well, blah. We'll see how this goes. Typically, when I go shorter I love it for two weeks and then hate it for ten months, LOL!

My prospective schedule will help incorporate some goals I would like to accomplish before I turn 40. I hope to be more successful than I have been the past seven months since my New Year's post. [Link left out intentionally, LOL.]

Life is about to get a whole lot busier. Next week will be the full-on beginning of that. Guitar lessons, dance lessons, 4-H, maybe some girl-scouts in there, homework, CCD lesson plans and class, strict bedtimes and the like. But, I'm ready (I think) so bring it on. [But not until after my birthday this Friday.] :-D

Tomorrow's post will be about the first day of school. I'm holding out to see how it actually goes for the kids today; and how the rest of the day plays out. Also, I'll have a pic of my little darlings. The only one they'd let me take. At the house. :-/

What's that smell??

2011-07-13T16:46:00.001-05:00

WHAT'S THAT SMELL?

Hubby and I kept asking. We had this stealthy smell of death and decomposing going on in the garage. First it was weak but over night it grew into a fearsome odor.

Me "It's the trash."

Him "It's not the trash."

Me "Yeah, I think it is. There are fish remnants and raw chicken parts in the trash."

Him "It's something dead somewhere in the garage."

Me "Exactly. The trash."

Him: Loads trash up the next morning and hauls it off.

Me: Walks into garage and about passes out. "Oh, good." I say to myself as I recover. "He hauled off the stinky trash."

The next day, guess what. PEEEEewwwwwwww.

Me to myself, "He's right. Something died in here and it ain't little." Peering around looking behind and under stuff but finding no carcass to which I could haul out to the pasture. I'm thinking super sized rat? Maybe?

Another day or so goes by. Enter at yesterday evening. I'm at the barn, with book/s, kindle, newest edition of 'The Writer's Mag' fresh from my mailbox, iPhone and a glass of wine. (This is the way I typically travel ;-P )

I've been pondering experiments in which to give the 'Escape Artist a/k/a Crazy Loca a/k/a the Dullse' (our medium sized dog) the freedom she so longs for to roam the pasture and fields without worry of her crossing the road or not returning when called. This merits a whole other post. But for the moment, I discuss with Hubby and we decide to let her off her leash and act like it is no big deal.

She hangs around for a few and then discovers her freedom and takes off happily running, jumping and sniffing everything. I watch her roam across our five acres and off of them and then return and then back to Mom and Dad's (MIL/FIL) where she gets the dogs down there all in a bother...but she never crosses the road and she does eventually come back! Yay!

Ahem, no face licking...please.

Then she sniffs and runs around the house and into the garage and WHAT DOES SHE DISCOVER? The smell. Apparently, someone ~~dang kids not paying attention when they close the freezer~~ didn't close the freezer well or slammed it and in the process a one pound roll of hamburger meat fell out and rolled from sight.

Leave it to our Crazy Dulce (her full name is Cafe Dulce because she is the color of brown sugar, but she goes by Dullse for short) to find it, run with it and try to roll all over it. Ew. Must be a dog thing. Anyhow, at least we solved the case of "What is that awful smell???"

And the crazy pup, Dulce, will get another chance at freedom this evening. Need to find something? I'll send her over, though she's partial to the stinkier items, LOL!

That's what's happening in Farmer*sWife's world. What's happening in your's?

CWCG #5; Calling all creative writers and thinkers!

2011-07-09T13:17:00.001-05:00

Howdy!

It is time for this month's Creative Writing Challenge; this will be Challenge #5. I'm hoping to get more participants in this. It is easy and fun. How it works can be found HERE. :-)

If you play along, be sure to invite your friends too. The more the merrier!

On to this month's words and theme:

WORDS:

misadventure - mishap; an instance of bad luck
satire - literary works in which vices, follies, etc. are held up to ridicule and contempt; the use of ridicule, sarcasm, etc. to attack follies, vices, etc.
pottage - a kind of thick soup or stew
noggin - a small mug or cup; head
russet - yellow brown, or reddish brown; a winter apple with a mottle skin

Theme: Loss

Picture:

This Challenge will be due on Friday, August 5th, 2011. This will give us four weeks, keeping the monthly challenge on track.

See you here and at your place then to find out how you interpreted this month's challenge! Have fun and happy thinking!

'The Map Across Time' Review/Giveaway!

2011-07-09T10:43:00.001-05:00

The Map Across Time is the second book in The Heaven's Gate Series, by author C. S. Lakin. It is a mythological, fairy tale about a brother and sister and their mission to save their kingdom from an evil spell that is destroying all that is important to them.

Although this is the second book in this series, it stands alone. (I haven't read the first book).

When I was first offered the opportunity to read and review this book, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it because it sounded somewhat out of my typical genres. But, as y'all know I do like to challenge myself now and then and read something different for me. Which is what is so fun about reviewing books.

I looked up the book's website and found that I could download the first chapter. (If you are interested in reading the first chapter you can find it HERE.)

After having read about a boy and a girl, an ill queen, a king going mad, a nursemaid who can weave potions and magic, and a kingdom with an evil mystery, I decided I wanted the whole book.

This book did not let me down. Though, it took me quite awhile to read at 413 pages. Not that I can't pound through a large book fairly quickly, but because it required my full attention. It is a wonderful story that kept me on my toes, because I didn't know what Adin would find with his magical map and how his sister would fair in a separate time. That might be a spoiler alert, but it also might be exactly why you'll want to read this book.

There is magic, there is war, there is distrust and resentment, there is a powerful bond between the young prince and his sister, the princess. And who wouldn't love Winston. He's a hoot.

This story is woven with light magic strewn across time. And, only the chosen one can use it to save the kingdom from the curse that was placed on it from its very beginnings.

THE FUN PART!

Not only can you download the PDF version of the first chapter here, you can also enter to win a free paper back copy for yourself!

ENTRIES:

1 entry) MANDATORY: comment that you want to win this book (be sure I have your email or can link back to find you)

2 entries) post this giveaway on Facebook (if you aren't my FB friend, please place the link here in the comment section so I'll know and credit you) :-)

1 entry per day) tweet this giveaway/review [only once a day, please] and include me, @GlassHalfFull

This giveaway ends, Saturday, August 6th, 2011 at midnight (CST). I'll do a random drawing shortly after and the winner will be contacted and also announced here on my blog. If I am unable to make contact with the winner in 72 hours I will have to choose a new winner.

I would like to thank Shelby Sledge, with phenix&phenix literary publicists for providing me with this lovely book and hosting this giveaway!

WINNER: 'Amber Frost' YA e-book!

2011-07-07T16:50:00.000-05:00

SORRY! As y'all know I've been out of the state, and had internet issues, AND family and my lifelong BFF in town upon returning home so life around the farm has been non-stop busy! But, a great kind of busy.

We had two, only two I'm disappointed to say, actual entries on this giveaway - although, it got lots of visits which is a good thing for the book, readers, and the author. ;-) As always, thanks for following me and reading me and all that. I love books and I love to share books and Michelle at ireadiwrite has been generous with allowing me to read books for review AND share those books with all of y'all!

So, without further ado (spinning paper entries, with my eyes closed) the winner is.....

"LAURA! The Zealous Reader!" Super YAY! Laura, I'll be in contact shortly and I'll need your email address and what format you would like for your e-book copy of 'Amber Frost'. It will be delivered via email from Michelle with ireadiwrite.

FYI, if you want to read my review of Amber Frost click here. :-D

Thanks as always for participating, and of course always reading me and, for those comments! I'm off to work on my 'next' review of "The Map Across Time", an in-print book by C.S. Lakin (second in the series). AND, you can win a copy of this book as well thanks to Shelby Sledge with phenix & phenix literary publicists. YAY!

CWCG #4: Family Money

2011-07-04T17:09:00.001-05:00

CWCG #4

Sorry it is so late. I tried from AR to get mine up with the linkie and all but it took time and the kids didn't feel like sitting in the Walmart parking lot anymore and it was over a 30 minute drive to go back later or another day. So, I sucked it up and waited until I got home.

It probably needs editing; and, I used the cliff hanger thing again. Well, kinda. I found a stopping point and I stopped. It could go on, maybe it should go on. But, with everything 'we' have going on I'm too busy to continue and I totally wanted to get mine up.

[FYI, we have family in from Georgia and my life-long, bestest friend is in town and we are working in a day for us and our kids. Farmer, Jr. registers for school Thursday and then it will be school supply and school shopping because school starts in two weeks from today. Busy.]

Here we go!

Words:

spritzer: a drink consisting of white wine and soda water
eyedrops: liquid medicine for the eyes
trek: to travel slowly or laboriously; to go on foot; a journey; a migration
legitimize: to make or declare legitimate
deed: a thing done, act; a feet of courage, skill; a legal document which transfers property

Theme: Temperature

Picture:

FAMILY MONEY

I put my eyedrops in and took a sip of my spritzer. Seven-thirty a.m. was probably way too early for some to be drinking but I needed something to take the edge off. My brother and I had been estranged for 13 years. Not a text, not an email, not even a postcard. So I was shocked when I got the call the night before that he had been killed in a 4-wheeler accident. That’s not the call one expects. I was even more surprised to find out he had left his largely amassed estate to me.

Today I'd be meeting with the executrix of his estate, which also happened to be his wife. Obviously, she wasn't happy to make the call. She was part of the reason my brother and I weren't in contact anymore. I believe my last words to him was "She's a money grubbing bitch, that's why! And, in the end she's going to leave you without a pot to piss in!" Yeah, no one wants to hear that on their wedding day.

I flipped a final piece of hair up into my bun. Buns are more professional, I've always thought and I needed to nail professional. I threw back the rest of my spritzer, wishing for something stronger, and applied my lipgloss. I looked ready to take on the world. Let's hope that's good enough to take on the devil's advocate, aka my sister-in-law. I walked out onto the 7th floor balcony of my uptown flat. I'd done well for myself too. Having a mom and dad with morals and good business sense went a long way in rearing one to be independent. The fact that they had connections and money didn't hurt either. I didn't have the estate my brother had accumulated, but I'm financially sound. Let's just say I won't be homeless anytime soon.

It was already a sweaty, balmy morning. The temperature gauge read 85. The weatherman had mentioned a heat index of 105 today. As soupy as it felt, I believed him. It's time, I thought to myself. With that, I headed back in, grabbed my keys and headed on my way. It was a long trek to my brother's side of paradise.

As I drove, I wondered how my brother had faired the last 13 years. I didn't want us to lose touch, and I thought he'd eventually come around. But after five years of effort and unanswered phone calls on my part I finally got the message. He really was done with me. It was unfortunate. I was only looking out for him when I warned him about his choice of a bride. My intentions were good. I loved my brother. I guess, I didn't have to be so cruel about it though. But I didn't know how else to get through to him and I'd never been one to lace cinnamon and sugar in my words. Shoot straight and honest, my dad would always say. Like pulling a band-aid, the truth is always easier that way. Maybe I could have laced in just a little sugar.

After 10 hours on the road with only one potty break and one quick stop to top off my tank, I was ready to stretch my legs. I was about 30 minutes from the exit that lead to the gate of my brother’s massive mansion and cotton plantation. I decided to stop and take a walk and a few deep breaths. I clipped my way along the sidewalk and off into some trees. A bit of a task in my two inch heels. I wore those for the height. I was hoping to put on a good intimidation factor. Looking up I saw feeders placed up in the trees here and there. Some were filled with bird seed, some held dried ears of corn. I walked a few trees further into a shaded area. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flip of something. A squirrel sat feeding on a half eaten cob, his tail flipping left and right in delight. "Quite the life." I hollered up to him. "All the trees one can wish for to live in, and meals provided for your fill at your liking."

I thought about my mission today. I thought about my brother. I wasn't even invited to the funeral. That hurt. After all this, if he hated me so much or found me so unforgivable why would he leave his entire estate to me? He was obviously still married to that diamond digger. I could see leaving me something, a letter, but I just couldn't wrap my mind around this concept. 'Estranged Sister Inherits All' the headlines would read. My brother's death and amassed wealth was definitely something for the headlines. "Well, I'd better be going." I said to the squirrel. His tail twitched, slightly annoyed that I was interrupting his feast. I turned around and clipped my way back to my car.

Driving through my brother's estate was like site seeing. Everything was lush and beautiful. He loved nature so it was befitting that the drive in was lined by trees and plants and flowers of multiple variety. Lush greens, purples, reds, blindingly bright yellows, pinks, oranges and corals. You name a plant or flower, I bet it was there. Up to the left and right the horizon was decorated in orchards with fruits of all varieties. I passed a tank as a few deer stood lapping a cool drink. A swim would feel good about now. How I would love to kick off these heels, drop this dress and jump in for a swim. Like the old days when my brother and I would race, stripping as we ran down the back hill at mom and dad's, to see who could jump in first. I miss him.

I approached the main entrance to the house, which was surrounded by a limestone and shell rocked wall. An electric gate guarded the drive up. There was a key pad and a call button. I still remembered the code from 'pre-exile-ation' and tried it for the heck of it. It worked. 'Star'. That was the meaning of my name. He'd never changed it, even after he married that, that, her... I sighed to myself as a tear tugged at my eyelid, finally making it's way down my cheek. Dammit! I thought to myself. This is not the time to be sappy. Save the breakdown and mourning for later. I wiped at the tear on my cheek and checked the mirror to be sure my mascara hadn't ran. Then, I drove through the gate.

There was an area for cars to park, designed for when one was entertaining for large parties. But, I drove right on up to the front walk and parked, blocking any other visitors that might drop by. My hope was to piss off the Queen Bee. A young boy, obviously freshly post-pubescent, approached me. "Ma'am, Let me help you unload your things and I'll park your vehicle in the designated location." A valet. She hired a fricken' valet. You've got to be kidding me.

"I don't have any things to unload, I'm here to sign a few pieces of paper and be out of here. But, here are the keys," I said as I tossed them to him. "Feel free to wash and wax." I added. That'd give the boy something real to do. I wonder if my brother's wife was a closet cougar. I'm sure she'd invested in enough plastic and Botox to make her look 'cougar-able'. I placed my clutch under my arm, threw my shoulders back and stood tall. Now to ring the doorbell, I was not looking forward to this.

A sweet, well-rounded woman in her late 50s or early 60s greeted me at the door. "Why, hello Ms. Layton, we have been expecting you. Did you bring a bag?"

"Um, no, just my clutch and my pen. Apparently, I have some papers to sign." Why would I be bringing a bag, I mean this ain't a slumber party for crying out loud.

"Fine then, the Misses would like you to wait for her in the den. Could I get you a refreshment, some tea possibly?"

"No, thank you. Wait, on second thought, where's the bar?" My brother always had a fine appreciation for the spirits. And, right now my spirits needed some lifting. The portly lady showed me to the bar and I politely waved her away. I could find my way around it blind folded, I knew my brother so well. Did I mention we were identical twins?

I found a nice aged scotch. Not my flavor, I've always been a vodka kind of girl but he loved well aged scotch. His evil half loved bourbon. Yeah, that's sounds like what I need. I found a bottle, probably cost $250.00 on the low side. I broke the seal and poured a finger pull into a high-ball glass. Swirling it, I brought it up to my nostrils. It stank. I threw it back anyway, the burn almost making me cough. Enough of that, I thought just as I heard the clicking of devil's claws coming down the hall.

"You were never much of a bourbon lover." She purred.

"Yeah, well. Time to make a change," I replied, and then took a pull straight from her fancy @$$ bottle. "It grows on you," I added as I tried not to wince.

"Feel free to keep that one considering you've contaminated the flavor with your low class back wash."

"I plan on keeping all of them, seeing as everything now belongs to...ME." I swear I saw flames in her eyes and horns begging to protrude through her unnaturally black hair. I bet her stilettos hid her emerging hooves.

"Lets not make this harder than it has to be." She tossed two packets across the table at me. "The first one is a copy of the will, of which I'm not included. The second one is the deed. Well deeds, to everything as you so well put. Read them, sign them, and get out. I have 30 days to relocate." She spun on her heels and began clicking away. So much for conversation I thought to myself, knowing we were both better off without conversation.

Suddenly she spun back toward me, "They are completely legitimized. He had an air tight pre-nup, thanks to you."

"You mean legitimate. Never did take that English course, huh?"

"F^ck you." She said, bluntly. I wasn't expecting that. "You've always had the best part of him. Now you have all of him. And by the way, I really did love him you self-righteous b!tch. I wanted his money, yes. But, I wanted his love more." That, I didn't know. Sorry little brother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My character is a little sassy. Though, I'm not thrilled with my story this month I really like her. Funny thing is, one of the books I'm currently reading has a really sassy character. I think my reading sometimes influences my writing. What about you?

Link your story here!

CWCG #4

2011-06-30T12:32:00.006-05:00

Howdy creative peeps! As many of y'all know, I'm in Arkansas visiting with my dad. The kids and I are having a great time but I'm having slight withdrawals because my signal this year is very weak and so I can't easily get service to the iPad and my service on my iPhone is slow too. Not phone or text but my Internet. :-(

So, I'm sitting in the Walmart parking lot trying to get this up so everyone can 'link up this month! Mine CWCG #4 is almost done but Daddy is taking me and the kids fishing this afternoon along the river (I don't know which one). So, I'll get mine posted in this very same post soon, but in the meantime I wanted y'all to link up.

Comment if it doesn't work and I'll work the kink out. I'm all HTML right now. :-)

Mr. Linky Test

2011-06-26T17:44:00.006-05:00

This is a test, only a test of the Farmer*sWife blogging system. Should this be a real linky post you would be notified by an actual blog post.

I'm testing two things:

1) that it works

2) if I can change the post id for each month when I use this for the CWCG and/or other events. ;-)

Double Rainbow rises and falls over my castle!

2011-06-22T20:46:00.001-05:00

So, after a slow trickle of rain over the day; enough to keep the Hubby home and out of the field so we could spend some actual time with him, we walk out to find not one Rainbow but TWO! Arching over my castle.

I took some pics with the big camera but only after I did the video first. Sometimes rainbows can be so fleeting, so I grabbed the first photo recordable unit I could reach! I'll put the pics on the LT tomorrow and see if I can enhance the second, weaker, rainbow out without losing the quality.

But, I had to share because this isn't so random and even at that, how often do two rainbows arch and bow over one's home, one's castle? SWEEEEEEEET. Totally. :-D

Excuse the yelling but I was talking to the family and kids! :-P Oh, and the finger was clearing the fog off the lens. Indoor a/c vs. outdoor totally warm and humidity causes that... I didn't have time for the camera to 'aclimate'. LOL!

HOW blessed am I? [Prayers of thanks tonight for a wonderful, awesome, family filled day.]

Lil'Gal singing 'my side' with her acoustic guitar

2011-06-20T19:15:00.000-05:00

My Lil'Gal, my star. She actually let me video her again! (Side note the lyrics changed for the camera; they were a wee cooler the first two rounds but I think she was trying to impress). The 'you said you went to the moon and you lied' was word-for-word. :-P

My future country music star and pop-cross over!

In reviewing this, I get the feeling this song is about and to her brother... :-P The whole 'just cuz' you can play a guitar (he was giving her cord lessons yesterday; though, I doubt he'd lie about going to the moon. I'm thinking he lied about something 'else' he was allowed to do that she isn't.) Kids.

GREEN LANTERN: a Mom's review

2011-06-19T21:13:00.001-05:00

Let me start with wishing all the Daddys out there a wonderful Father's Day. Thanks to some greener grain, Hubby was able to attend church with us this morning and join the MIL and FIL and church crew at breakfast. Then, at his request and seconded by the kids, he wanted to see 'Green Lantern' which has just opened this weekend.

I don't think I've ever written a blog review of a movie other than expressing my obstinate love for the Twilight Movie Saga. I will add 'A Walk to Remember' as another good, unrelentingly loved movie, for those who (*gasp*) have lacking admiration for Twilight and its succeeding movies. [FYI, A Walk to Remember is a must see movie if you believe in true, unrelenting love. I'll just say, Shane West.]

GREEN LANTERN (3D)

First off. I've seen one or two other 3D movies in the theater in the last three years. I'd say two, to be exact. The last one I recall is Tangled, which was adorably funny. However, the 3D affects of Green Lantern gave me quite an issue with my vision. It was uncomfortable and caused me to focus and refocus. I tried to watch without the 3D glasses but then, most things were blurred or double visioned (because they were designed for 3D vision). My assessment is that the 3D used in today's technology does not mimic IRL visual three dimension.

Once the movie progressed into more of the earth/human related daily life I found more comfort. But, all of the alien/space/horrible evil bad guy scenes reinstated my visual difficulties.

Within 30 minutes after leaving the movie, I found myself with a pounding headache and my eyes felt like I had been over-focusing all day. They felt extremely strained, which apparently they must have been after the length of Green Lantern. If you have eye issues you might reconsider 3D.

Secondly, I didn't pay much attention to the parental guidance rating because I'd seen a scene or two in the commercials which demonstrated that the move was quite entertaining and light hearted as other 'super-hero' movies we have viewed as a family together. My children have watched Iron Man with my husband and I, and Transformers as well. Lil'Gal has loved 'Hercules' for several years (even when I found the whole evil vs. the gods war toward the end quite deeply scary myself).

The way this movie started out, even I found a bit intense (blame me for not researching in advance). The concept is that there is this one bad guy (originally from the board of eternal rulers) who had been banned because, well, he went bad. You know, the power trip kind of bad. He fed on fear. So, not knowing where this movie is, the first 20 minutes is this bad guy sucking the fear out of people, excuse me, species and leaving them as empty dried carcasses of themselves. Ahem. Insert my Lil'Gal covering her eyes and/or hiding under my arm. >:-{ Not liking.

At the point where I expressed to my husband that this is "NOT what we thought" and that we were considering entering another movie (I was thinking that penguin movie with Jim Carey, which Lil'Gal also wants to see), Lil'Gal says to me, "I thought there were going to be real people in this." Me too. Suddenly, enters Ryan Reynolds and real people. Phew. The movie did get much better from there. But the evil bad guy parts were still a little overwhelming for my eight-year-old who can understand and tolerate Twilight. *GASP* yes. She's finally seen even the violent scenes but with my play-by-play explanation.

A plus, and earning a BIG STAR is Ryan Reynolds, whom I find adorable in more than one way. His little girly friend, all smart, jet flying and feisty was an equal plus for the male genre of watchers.

I have to say this picture in Neeeeoooow way does justice to how well his 'energy skin' fit his tightly built.........everything.

And, the whole internal struggle he deals with while finding himself as this new super hero is well written and well understood by both my children.

I have to say his 'earth' nemesis (who is an innocent, unappreciated or valued but super intelligent professor of science, that Hall/Green Lantern Human grew up with) was quite annoying in all of his severe, ear piercing screams during his multiple transitions from an infection caused by I can't say how or where because it is a spoiler alert.

Another BIG star is earned because my Hubby grew up with Green Lantern (which I did too, but he followed the original more closely) and expressed that they really did a very good job at staying true to the story. We went on to discuss the
*tiny SPOILER ALERT* yellow ring that came about and the fact that it left the story open for a sequel. Hubby shares a short tid bit about said earth nemesis (aha, we thought he was gone) and how it might all play out.

So, if they have a sequel and Ryan Reynolds is in his green energy skin, then I have to give this one more BIG star. Over all, I like the movie. Farmer, Jr. loved it. He too, though, in all honesty finally expressed that the big, black, turmoiling, multi-snaking like, yellow fear sucking, evil guy was scary.

My SCORE:

Movie true to story: STAR
Scary guy believable: star (dislike though)
Ryan Reynolds in green energy suit: **SUPER-STAR**
Moral values teaching courage and self belief: STAR
Social acceptance of all species: STAR
Child friendly (under 10): MINUS star and thumbs down

As an adult, I'd give it 4 stars. As a parent taking children to see a super-cool, super-hero movie? I give it 3-stars as it could have been slightly more kid friendly. (ie: please don't inflict nightmares from the stupid, evil, fear-life sucking guy).

One last note, put this in a green, energy skin. In other words, he's like this but painted green. Oh, and no shorts.

>;-D he he he.... Ooooh, yeah. FW did enjoy the movie. Thank you Hubby and Happy Father's Day!!

'AMBER FROST' Review/Giveaway!

2011-06-14T15:11:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago I finished reading another YA read provided by ireadiwrite.com.

ireadiwrite is an independent press specializing in digital books. I have a kindle and *heart* books on demand, so this is a great site for me to find great reads. [Though, their books are available in multiple e-reader formats.]

Amber Frost, by Suzi Davis, is a YA romance novel with a little bit of enchantment mixed in.

The core of the story is about happiness. Personal happiness and wanting happiness for others as well. Who would be willing to sacrifice their own personal happiness if it would make someone else happy?

The MCs visit this concept often throughout the book.

What if in wanting happiness you were able to influence the things around you, the weather, people even, without realizing it? Somewhat unintentionally. Sebastian Caldwood is someone, who for whatever reason, emits such an influence. He and Grace Lynn develop a wonderfully strong relationship. But, it is what they both want? Or, is it merely what he wants for himself? What does he want for Grace Lynn? What does Grace Lynn want for herself?

And, what are the detriments to Grace Lynn because of this misunderstood influence?

Sebastian and Grace Lynn toil together as they also begin to discover that Sebastian has a very long, and mysterious past.

*Slight Spoiler Alert*

I was conflicted slightly with Grace Lynn and her family dynamics. In the beginning she is a pleaser who doesn't know anything other than fulfilling what is required and expected of her. Then, when it seems she has finally found independence and personal worth, she gives it all up at the turn of a page (click of the kindle). Because she had finally found her ability to assert herself, the way she immediately fell back under the emotional insincerity of her mother lacked a little plausibility for me.

BUT, then again, Grace Lynn is a teenager. AND, she had spent a lifetime living inside a perfect little shell. So, maybe that is just me. You'll have to read it to judge for yourself!

A couple of my favorite scenes: the weather change; the shed; the lake. :-)

This was a really cute, quick read. And, it did get me thinking about what real happiness is. FYI, it is the first in a series. The second is expected to be available Fall of this year. [You can find out more about this book at Good Reads: Amber Frost]

Speaking of happiness, I have a little to share with you! ireadiwrite is offering a signed digital copy as a giveaway!

All you have to do to be entered to win is:

1 entry) comment here that you want to be entered

Additional entries:
1 entry) share in your comment what sounds good to you about this book!
1 entry) FB post about this review and giveaway (and tag me please, @GlassHalfFull Gal)
1 entry) tweet it (chirp, chirp!)

You don't have to FB post and tweet every day; though, that is great if you want to. One post or multiple still earns you one entry. If you want to post about it on your blog that would be great! But, I'm not making it a requirement or an option to earn a chance to win.

I'm trying to keep it simple so we get a lot of book lovers/e-reader lovers to enter!

And, yes, this book is available in various formats for various e-readers.

This giveaway closes at midnight (CST), July 4th, 2011. So be sure to enter before you shoot off those fireworks! Good luck!!

The Best Dog Ever

2011-06-13T16:09:00.001-05:00

Mug Shot ;-)

Most of y'all know I'm a pet lover and animal lover and lover of nature. I've visited Killdeers' nests and documented their family on my blog along with saving a finch here and there a couple of humming birds who accidentally concussioned their head due to my shiny windows. [Grackles are the exception; total dislike.]

I followed the baby dove that got blown out of the tree during a big storm last year, I even have pics I never posted. It was amazing how the mom and dad kept feeding the baby who fell from the nest and moved her from here to there as she grew and the sun's heat got more intense. The kids witnessed this; what a wonderful lesson of nature.

Along with that there have been the stray baby jack rabbits, frogs and toads, a snake or two and we have video'd and witnessed multiple red wasps stinging extremely large spiders to drag to their dens. [At which point, I spray said 'den' with wasp and bug killer spray. My house is 'NOT' flying-stinging critter friendly.]

As a family we have a fish, formerly a beautiful 3-inch Luber grasshopper, a guinea pig, and two dogs: the escape artist, a stray, who adopted us several years ago (literally). And, the 'BIGGUN'whom we adopted after the loss of our 13 year old weimer, BLUE - named for his color.

All of this brings me to our wonderful dog, our Brandi, the perfect [very large breed] dog.

You must be touching or petting her or you get the paw.

When we adopted her she seemed under fed for her breed. Though the story told, she had come through the pet center twice. They had to heartworm her the first time and the previous family to adopt her had to bring her back -- I think the husband was military and got transferred unexpectedly. He had two small children who loved to ride on Brandi's back as if she were a cow or small horse. The staff story went on to say the Dad of the family actually had tears in his eyes upon returning her. :-(

I saw her on the weekly 'pet-of-the-week' segment on our local noon news channel. I swear she looked into the camera and directly into my eyes. I immediately called the pet placement center and Hubby directly after, "I think we found our new dog."

Picked up the kids from school and, homework be d@mned, we went to meet her as a family. She LOVED the kids and we could tell how displaced she felt. In the 'visiting area and dog run' she would follow the kids and never leave our sides. She was a sure sell. The tech who helped us with her had spent time with her at her former 'incarceration'. She was so thrilled for such a great family for 'Brandi' that I think she skipped a few hoops and requirements so she could be sure we got to take her home that afternoon. [Did you know you have to apply and have referenced to adopt a dog? Yep.]

Brandi was 103 when we adopted her (at 4 years old; a full grown female of her breed is typically around 150). Now she's a full figured gal at 160 pounds. [I will merit, that she needs to lose about 10 pounds; we're working on it.]

A typical full bread, English Mastiff pup, will run you around $700.00 - $1000.00. GASP! We adopted her for a menial $60.00.

Brandi is the most loyal, most loving, most generous and tolerant and understanding dog. Her breed was built to rest at the feet of kings. [She's also good at intimidating strangers due to her size.] :-D

Kids love her! She loves kids!

And, out of all my dogs, she is the bestest, most wonderful, most loyal, most kind natured, [shhhh, don't tell] favorite dog ever. Ever, ever, ever. Which is why you continually see pictures of her posted on FB and conversations about her. :-P

Sunday's Summer Sunshiny Day List to Do :-)

2011-06-12T13:07:00.000-05:00

What's on the agenda today, Farmer*sWife?

Why, not too much; after a few things I'm going to claim this day as a 'do-nuthin' or only what I feel like' day. (Those are awesome days). :-D

THE LIST:

~~skip church~~ Attend church with Hubby and the family because Hubby will be in the field for the next couple of weeks with little or no break. 24x7 or as he says, 'Balls to the wall' busy.
Breakfast with the family and church crew at our local Mexican taqueria. (YUM!)
Sort the socks (blech)
Read on the treadmill: Still reading A Map Across Time, started One for the Money (Hilarious), begin my next book for review, begin a Smutty book for the week as soon as I finish the Map book >;-D he he he
Write book review on 'Amber Frost'
Catch up on blogs and WWF and FB (okay, I'm always caught up on FB)
Maybe, maybe write an article for Triond; I've fallen off the wagon over there
Read the current Beta version of TURNING POINT, while sitting at the barn with my feet resting on my 160 pound 'puppy' and an glass of ice cold tea or wine, depending on the time of afternoon
Enjoy the moment...

That's it. That is my Sunday Summer Sunshiny Day List!

VLOG: Tribute to Melissa Garrett, Author

2011-06-06T21:12:00.027-05:00

Y'all who follow me closely know my passions and my dedications and my friends, and so many if not most of us, have become dear friends and supporters to each other.

For those of you whom I am lucky enough to have as followers and lurkers who aren't necessarily in my FB group or a regular or a commenter - I am thankful for your following and taking time here and there to read the ins and outs of my life as a Happy Mother, Happy Wife to a Farmer, and my working on being a true Writer. Along with my other antics and occasional gripes and love for the spirits. ;-)

This vlog is a dedication to my dear friend, 'LIS', more professionally known as Melissa Luznicky Garrett. I could give you a history of what great friends we have become, some inside jokes we wouldn't share but with one or two IRL friends and the overall congruency we share as mothers and wives and friends and our lives in general. But, it is pretty much understood at this point in life. :-)

I will put in print the overall statement of what I say in the vlog, though I say it better there:

Melissa Luznicky (that's a hard name to say AND type) Garrett, Congratulations! I am so proud of, but more and mostly, FOR you. You are on your way. You took that step and you didn't fall off into the pit of fear and denial. (I wouldn't have let you anyhow = me nagging.) You have wonderful, creative stories to tell with endearing characters and the world would miss out so much if you didn't share them with us. But, you are sharing them.

Lis, since the beginning, I have and forever will be riding the dust trail of the shooting star you are.... *smiley wink*

Without further 'ado' my tribute vlog to you (take four better work, LOL!):

LIS, you ROCK!

CWCG #4; come 'write' along with us!

2011-06-03T23:59:00.000-05:00

Another month, another new story for us! There are five of us signed up to play along so far but it is hard for everyone to participate every month with kids, jobs, housework, juggling, and our more lucrative writing projects.

There is no pressure and if you want to post late one month, just be sure to let us know here when you have your creative work up at your place. [No, I haven't found a free Linky thing yet.]

And, anyone can play. You don't have to be published or looking to be published. We all love to be creative and it is fun to write a little poetry, make up a funny story, put words into a heart felt tale, etc.

As I've said before, one could even participate by writing a tightly constructed sentence.

The only things you have to do to play along are:

Incorporate the five words (chosen randomly from the dictionary)
Have your piece work around the theme provided
The picture is totally optional
And, have fun!

It is that simple!

Now, on to this month's challenge:

Words:

spritzer: a drink consisting of white wine and soda water
eyedrops: liquid medicine for the eyes
trek: to travel slowly or laboriously; to go on foot; a journey; a migration
legitimize: to make or declare legitimate
deed: a thing done, act; a feet of courage, skill; a legal document which transfers property

Theme: Temperature

Picture:

(I shouldn't comment, but isn't he adorable?)

There you have it! Let your mind ponder and write away! I'm going to make the deadline on this one for June 30th, 2011 (dontcha' think we'll all be busy that Friday prepping for 4th of July Celebrations?). The new CWCG #5 [YAY] will be posted Friday, July 1st for a deadline at the end of July. Sound good?

Well then let's get cracking! Or should I say, 'clicking' across those keyboards. ;-)

CWCG #3: Experience of a Soldier

2011-06-03T14:17:00.006-05:00

This is going to be my second attempt at blogging with the iPad. Fingers crossed, it is a success. I typed my entire Creative Writing Challenge Game #3 on the iPad this time rather than sending back and forth to the LT via iWorks and pages. I've learned a lot more about the formatting and how to work with an external keyboard. Traveling without the LT has so far been a success, though I miss the comfort of 'knowing I have it with me'.

I wrote this totally free writing without really thinking about where it would go. I'm not completely thrilled with this story, but like my last CWCG I tried an area a little more foreign to me.

Share your thoughts both extreme grammar issues and/or storyline. Pats on the back are extremely welcomed and appreciated!
;-)

CWCG #3

Libra - seventh sign of the zodiac
Slumlord - an absentee landlord who exploits slum property
Scarce - not common, rarely seen
Roar - to make a loud, deep, rumbling sound; to laugh boisterously
Formal - according to fixed customs; stiff in manner. Designed to be worn at ceremonies.

Theme: Military

Picture:

Also coming shortly will be the next Creative Writing Challenge so be sure to check back and play/write along with us!

EXPERIENCE OF A SOLDIER

   I wake, the sound of chopper blades a roar in my head. My mind is confused as I try to recall where I am and what is happening. Pain is burning through me, my chest cavity in flames, the pressure is so intense I can hardly breathe.

   Someone is speaking to me, I see his face in a blur. The sound of the blades are still piercing my ears, my head, my body. I've been shot. I remember now, the impact of the hit. I'm alive. I think of my wife, expecting our second child. She is waiting for me to return for my leave in time for the birth. We scheduled a C-Section so I can be present. I missed the birth of our first. I need to be strong. I need to survive for them. The pain is so intense. I will myself to live.

   The person is speaking to me again, his face is clearer. It is my sergeant. We are in route to the medical facility. "Hang on," he yells over the whipping of the chopper blades. I say in my mind, I will hang on. And, then it is black.

   One month, two weeks and three days later I am well enough to be discharged from the medical facility. Due to my injuries I am eligible for an early discharge. I am able to return home. I can still feel the hole in my chest and abdomen, though pink, soft, scars are all the evidence left of that almost fatal day. My sergeant tells me to return to my wife and kids, to forget the military and live a normal life. "You've served your country well," he adds.

   Forget? Who can forget? Would such memories so easily become scarce? I think not. I know that I will not forget. It would be wrong to forget. It would be impossible.

*****

   I see my wife. She is crying and waiving as I exit the plane and make my way across the tarmac. Our eyes are locked, and I think how I almost lost this. I kiss her on the cheek, on her lips, across her forehead. I reach for my daughter and take her from my wife's embrace and I hug her to me tightly. I say a prayer in my head thanking the Lord that I am here now. I hug my wife again, feeling my son who resides in her full belly against me and I kiss her intently, the four of us clutched tightly together.

   It's been almost eight months since I last saw her. I long to kiss my wife in other places, across her heart tattoo placed where only my lips and my tongue may roam. Maybe I can forget just a little of the death and fire and war I've just returned from. Kissing her in those places will replace those memories, even if for a few moments. I want to kiss her tummy where our son is growing. I love my wife and my family. I am home. It is good to be alive. Others from my troop didn't fare as well.

   My wife makes idle conversation on the drive home. I peer out the window, watching the streets, sidewalks, buildings go by. We pass so many buildings that are condemnable and yet the slumlords rent them to the poor and less fortunate. I think how these buildings would be the dwellings of a wealthier man in the place from where I have recently come, having a real floor rather than sleeping on dirt. Cockroaches, yes, but running water and a sewage system. I am thankful to be an American. I turn my thoughts back to my wife and daughter to hear their chatter. After all, I am home. I should be thinking of home and not that other place.

*****

I've now been home three weeks. Each night I fall asleep rubbing my wife's fully grown belly, feeling childlike as my wife simultaneously strokes my hair with her hands. It is comforting. It is an adjustment, returning back home after all I have seen and experienced. My wife doesn't press me but I know she wishes I would talk with her and share what I am feeling. I do not want to share. I do want to share. I feel like two people. The soldier, and the husband and father. I cant seem to merge the two. I feel torn. I am a Libra. Libras are known to be fair and balanced. I do not feel balanced. I share this with my wife.

My wife is quietly thinking about what I have said. She keeps stroking my hair, my ears, across my eyebrows, my cheeks. It feels nice. I find myself lulling into sleep. She whispers as I fall into slumber, "Tonight you sleep, tomorrow we'll find balance."

*****

Today is my first appointment with a therapist. My wife has scheduled me with a therapist who specializes in working with soldiers returning from war. It feels so formal. I wear my dress uniform. My wife says I don't have to. The therapist will require that I talk about my tour, my duties, my dreams that haunt me. Thus, he will be speaking with the soldier and I will dress appropriately.

*****

   Today is my sixth session. There are no orders given, no rules to follow. He let's me talk about anything and everything. I express to him how I feel split, like two different people. I want to be one person again. He understands. He does not judge. He does not put words in my mouth. He does not tell me how I should behave. He tells me to feel, not to lock it away. I find he is an outlet that helps me combine my two parts together again.

   He schedules our next session. As we approach the door he grabs my hand to shake it. "Thank you," he says. Why is he thanking me. I should be thanking him.

   He sees the confused expression on my face and explains. "I say thank you because of what you experienced in an effort to protect our country, your family and mine. I am thanking you for your sacrifice. I've dedicated my career to soldiers. And part of fulfilling that is by showing appreciation." He pats my back. I am realizing that what I experienced, while unfathomable as it is and horrible as it was, that in someway, it is a good thing. I served a true purpose. I am not a horrible person.

   I am a good soldier. I am a good father. I feel that the two can become one again. It will take time, but finally feel I can find my balance. My phone rings as we are saying goodbye. My son is ready to meet us. He and I shake hands once more and he pats me on the back again as he rushes me out the door.

   My wife smiles at me as I enter the room. "You promised you'd be here and here you are." She struggles through a contraction. I hold her hand and she squeezes mine hard. I witness the beauty of the birth of my son. This very moment confirms everything. The death, the war, being shot, almost dying -- it was all worth it. To live my life, with my family and my freedom.

Thank You LORD: My House, My Home, My Family - Intact.

2011-05-24T18:20:00.002-05:00

Dear Lord,

I've seen the news, the reports, and the horrid damage from the Tornado/es in Joplin. I've seen the damage and flooding in Mississippi and neighboring states. I've seen the ash, and the fall out from that volcano, I'm aware Japan is still rebuilding though we don't hear about it as much now that we have so much of our own National natural catastrophes.

I've seen and heard about all the political unrest within other nations and countries. There was fear of the 'rapture' just a few days back. I don't fear the rapture, though I do fear losing the life I have built here on earth, even though I know Heaven is supposed to be Golden.

I watch the gangs, the families who fight and shoot and stab each other. I see people hurting each other; killing people just because they don't share the same political beliefs. Really?

I see a world falling apart.

But, I also see my children growing. My friends and family growing and achieving new things each day. Reaching goals. I see people showing up for people they don't even know. I see us banding together. I see us trying to help wherever we can. I appreciate this. It is enlightening, though it in no way over shadows the suffering of the masses.

I remind myself to focus on all that is good and pray for those who are suffering such insufferable situations. I pray for them and, I also share a prayer thanking you for how blessed I am. How lucky I am.

I implement my coping vices. Prayer, spirits, and when it gets really bad I put my fingers in my ears and sing 'lalalalalalallalalallalalalla' or, I close the dome to the castle and put my head in the sand.

Please hear me Lord when I put up this prayer to bless and assist and share grace and compassion for all those who are currently suffering.

And, I thank you above all that my house is not in splinters and pebbled rock, that my home is full with the health and safety of my family, and that all that I have is intact.

Amen.

Lil'Gal and the Super, Wonderful, Very Good Day!

2011-05-22T20:55:00.001-05:00

Lil'Gal left; Niece on the Right

Today was a wonderful day with Lil'Gal and I. It might seem odd that I would actually take time to blog about what a great day we had seein' as we didn't have any great/fun shopping, or trips, or games or parties. Just a typical Sunday.

Except, it wasn't. For Lil'Gal (considering how stubborn she is and what a boundary crosser she is at every moment) this was a Super, Wonderful, Very Good Day for her and I.

Let me preface this with yesterday. Hubby was readying to leave to visit with the boys for some beer and bull$h!t. He does this every other Saturday evening or so. Sometimes at their barn, sometimes at ours. As he was about to depart as I felt the sounding of a very bad temper tantrum - a melt down - a knock-down-drag-out, as I call them coming on from Lil'Gal.

She respects her Daddy's word better than mine, mostly because he's no-bars-hold when it comes to behavior and discipline, even I fear his temper sometimes when it comes to that (not in a bad way, just in a 'I warned them and now their gonna' get it' way), but she totally follows his word because of it - unwillingly, but she does.

I catch him before he leaves and explain to him to deal with her first or one of the two of us (she and I) might not exist by the time he returns home (I'm thinking me, from brain explosion). I do NOT exaggerate. Lil'Gal can give me a run for my money; I grow grey hairs upon each encounter of fit and temper and war-of-the-wills. It exhausts me emotionally, mentally and physically. I love her dearly. I appreciate her strength. I DO. It makes me proud. But it wreaks havoc on me at times. Think of those horrible fits you see on 'Super Nanny' and 'Dr. Phil'. I jest not. And, she knows it because she will ask me not to tell, "So and so, Daddy, etc." She doesn't want them to know how inappropriately she can behave and more importantly how inappropriately she behaves, at times, with ME.

Ahem, speaking of which. Don't leak that I shared on my blog. She'd be horrified.

Anyhow, Daddy dealt with it but she is still on a rampage and half way through her bath we are both, I'm embarrassed to say, screaming at the top of our lungs. And, poor Farmer, Jr. is in the other room having to listen too it all - as is somewhat typical.

She's mean, hurtful, hateful, whiney, non-compliant to the point of purposely making my duties difficult for me. We are both mean to each other. Yes, I did hear Dr. Phil in the back of my head sayin' "What were you thinkin'? You are the parent and adult. You do not have the RIGHT to lose control." *sigh* Sorry Dr. Phil. But, you weren't here to help me.

Then, insert the guilt. I prayed for forgiveness in church this morning and direction and to be a better parent. (I was told never to pray for patience because that one comes in a 'teaching' lesson. I don't need anymore 'lessons' in patience. I just need more patience.)

Anyhow, long story not-so-short, she and I apologized shortly after her bath. We started on a new page. We agreed that we didn't like how WE felt about ourselves or each other when we behave that way. And, we reset for a nice evening. We snuggled asleep until Daddy got home and moved her to her own bed.

Fast forward to today. The Super, Wonderful, Very Good Day!

This morning I told her to dress for church. She came out in cute long shorts and matching top outfit to which I replied, "Not good enough for church." To which she started to tantrum. I left to dress myself leaving her to work it out herself. Apparently, she didn't fall into full tantrum. She came to me minutes later in a cute skirt and a separately cute top, silver sequenced belt and matching flats. WIN FOR ME!

NEXT, she let me brush her hair with little complaint. She even wore jewelry. Her charm bracelet, her ring I bought her through a jewelry party AND, a necklace!

She was well behaved in church, wonderful at breakfast, great on the way home. She got her birthday gift from Gramma (my mom) and 'it' needed a memory card. She had been so wonderful that I took her to Walmart to get said memory card. Typically, this would have waited until a trip was merited. We did a little grocery shopping too of which she helped me and reminded me the few details we currently needed, including meat for dinner which I let her decide because I was feeling high on my low stress level rush.

She didn't complain when I brushed her hair again for my niece's piano recital. She behaved for that. We get home and she is ready for a bath (What? I have to bathe her nightly because of the huge cast). So I do but I have to miss my window to exercise on the treadmill. She is aware of this but I don't complain.

She helps me with dinner. I mean BIG TIME HELP. Hubby had to leave for a ship and I was rushing to get dinner to the table so he could eat with us before leaving. Let me task out what she did:

unloaded the dishwasher
got milk from the back fridge for me (full gallon with her awkward hand)
set the table, placemats, condiments, silverware, etc.
got the butter out for me at speedy demand (who knew she could reach)
got some utensils I needed
helped me clean as we went
served green beans for her and her brother and didn't cheat on how much to serve
put stuff in the laundry, pantry, etc as I needed
waited for my beck-and-call for what else I needed

After dinner she (unprompted):
put the flour container away (I'm surprised she didn't drop and break it, but she managed on her own accord casted and all)
cleared the table; completely
loaded the dishwasher with some instruction from me
assisted in making their lunches; she handled 3/4 of the duties
put lunches in back fridge
put milk and all condiments away
put placemats in the laundry
helped me put leftovers away
returned my cookbook and rack and other items to the appropriate counter
put dirty dish towels from cooking fried meat and cleaning kitchen in utility room for washing
cleaned and pledged table
when I swept the floor under table and in kitchen she got the dust buster out and waited for me to finish and then 'sucked' it up for me
she RETURNED the dust buster to its place in the pantry

she told her brother it was bath time
she started running his bath for me because she knew Daddy wasn't here to help me
she didn't fight with her brother -AT ALL - even though he kinda' earned an argument here and there

she hugged me and said, "Mama, I'm sorry you didn't get to exercise today."
she hugged me and said, "Mama, was I help to you tonight?"

ABSOLUTELY. I told Hubby, "If Lil'Gal was like this every day? My stress level would be at negative 5."

If every day with my sweet, smart, strong willed, head strong, assertive Lil'Gal were as Super, Wonderful and a Very Good Day as today? I have to admit I probably wouldn't appreciate days like today. :-P

AND, I don't think I would appreciate her as much. I do think after last night's knock-down-drag-out, our sincere apologies and love and heart-to-heart -- that, she gets it. She gets me a little more. I think she finally considered things from my point of view. I think her help tonight also made her realize all the little things I do that end up being the whole sum of what 'Mama' is and does, day to day, moment to moment. I feel valued, appreciated, and she and I were so in love with each other over working so well together.

Today, was my current favorite "Lil'Gal and the Super, Wonderful, Very Good Day!"

And, to end this post, I shall add Lil'Gal's video of my sweet niece and her perfect piano recital. :-D

Because she is my other adorable Little Gal in my life. <3 And, of her, I am also so proud.

Happy "Tomorrow is Monday and the last week of the 2010-2011 school year!" SUPER SQUEEEE!