Surveys

I miss surveys. Do you remember MySpace surveys? Oh I do! Honestly, I loved MySpace and the only reason I switched to Facebook was peer pressure. The majority of my friends deleted their profiles on MySpace for the more popular Facebook. I refused for a very long time, but what's the use of a social website with no friends? So I switched, but I still don't like Facebook. I digress... Surveys. I miss them. So I am going to start posting surveys on my blog. :)

Deodorant

Jake has only asked me to send him one thing. Deodorant. Apparently Brazil doesn't have "the good stuff", so I got some Old Spice and put it in his package, along with tons of other stuff. He told me he got his package, so I asked him if that was a good deodorant to send or if he wanted something else. His reply?

"There was no deodorant in my box, someone must have taken it before giving it to me."

Say WHAT?! Are you serious? I know first hand how frustrating it can be to get anything into Brazil without jumping through hoops or paying a "tax". Twice they wanted him to pay more than $100 to get a package I sent!! Nothing I send is worth $100, mostly its candy and American comforts like good toothpaste and peanut butter. He refused to pay so they are required to mail it back to me, and 1 of the 3 returned to me actually made it to me.... and everything in the box was crushed, opened or looked questionable at best. I threw it out. So not only did I pay for the things to put in the boxes, I paid $55 to get nothing in return. Annoying.

I just can't believe that someone would steal from a missionary! That sin probably counts as two... or ten. Makes me wonder what else those customs people have taken from my packages to him??

Well, I sent him the smallest box available and only put deodorant inside hopefully that gets to him. They generally don't open and check the littlest ones, at least that is what I have found to be true so far. We'll see if he gets it. 

Right now I am working on his Halloween/Thanksgiving package and I'm thinking I will write a list of the items included inside the box and tape a picture of Jesus next to it... that way when they go through it Jesus will be looking at them the whole time, maybe that will discourage theft. haha.

If that doesn't work he might be getting a mac and cheese box with a surprise deodorant in the middle! Who doesn't love surprises?! I know I do.

Not every day can be a great day.

what I did today:
woke up earlier than I wanted to
made eggs and bacon for breakfast, cleaned up the kitchen
fed Kenzie, then fed the puppies and took them to out to play in the yard
fold and put away 6 loads of towels, blankets and kids' clothes
played with kids
tried to cheer up Brad, failed.
worked for 2 hours
re-sorted dirty clothes in the laundry room
changed and started more laundry
made lunch, cleaned up lunch
went to an appointment ... at a welfare office - because we are that poor for the next few weeks
picked up a couple of things at the grocery store
unloaded groceries and put them away
changed and started more laundry
made snacks, cleaned up snacks
sang songs with Marley
watched Quinn play a video game
put Kenzie in the puppy house to feed puppies, realize she won't
feed the puppies again, played with them in the yard with the kids again
worked for 2 more hours
loaded kids into the car to take J2 to the farm to do horse chores with grandpa
drove over to the school to pick up Xie from football practice
made snacks, cleaned up snacks
changed and started even more laundry
took out the garbage
redirected Xie (new meds.not my idea.not going well.)
unloaded the dishwasher
loaded the dishwasher
redirected Xie, stopped him from throwing pillows at people
cut up chicken and packed it into ziplocks for the freezer
hung out with Jesse, talked about life
feed Kenzie
redirected Xie, took toy sword from him
set up playdoh for the kids so I could make dinner
redirected Xie, took playdoh knife from him
made dinner: kickin' chicken salad and hamburger helper
started chore time with kids
packed snacks/foods/drinks for Brad's trip to Idaho
tried again to cheer up Brad, he laughed this time, win.
dished up some wheat thins and read books to the kids before bedtime
Pjs and Teeth for littles
sent boys to bed at 9:30, scolded them about not finishing chores.
changed and started one more load of laundry
2 more hours of work then bed.

... all while experiencing constant, debilitating cramps and bleeding from this fetching IUD (it's suppose to be helping fix my issues, not make them worse... apparently it didn't get the memo.)

Now, these were all important (and I really did enjoy doing some of them) things to get done in my day but :

what I wanted to do today:

go for a jog

organize the pantry

preschool

cut coupons

watch True Blood with my handsome, hardworking husband

read my book

shower and do my hair, something other than a pony-tail.

(insert long, sad sigh here)

There is always tomorrow, but I feel cranky because lately tomorrow never comes. People all around me are doing the things that make them happy. And the things I want to do most rarely make the cut in my almost always over-booked days. Perhaps I don't make myself feel important enough, but if I keep sacrificing the things that make me happy I will start resenting people and put on my cranky pants ... and then no one will be happy. Tomorrow, I am going to start with my 'want to do' list THEN go on to my responsibilities. Other than the necessities of course, like feeding people and animals and handling disasters including Marley's daily "I don't want to poop in the potty, but I refuse to wear a diaper" drama. :)

Long story short: tomorrow I am going to put me first for a bit and see how it goes.

MIA

I have been in dire need to just sit down and blog a little (actually a lot) about everything that is going on in my life lately, but I can't find the time. Not that the time isn't there, it's just more important things seem to be demanding my attention these days.

Like even now, I just put on a Netflix show so I could have some "me time" but the timer on the dryer just beeped, and when I looked at the clock just now I realized it's time to make lunch and do quiet time. Ah life, you are good... but you are not always easy. :)

to be continued ...  

Shhhh.....

Is it possible that some people have no quiet voice?

X can't help but be loud all.the.time. I am not even exaggerating on this one, his whisper is louder than my normal voice. It's so bad that I've had his pediatrician test his hearing and check his ears (twice) because I was convinced something was seriously amiss. But much to my dismay, his ears and his hearing are all normal. So why can't he keep regulate the volume of his voice? Who knows!?
Here's how it usually goes:

X: I am really hungry, it's weird how its late and now I am hungry.
Me: Shhh... the kids just went to bed, I need to you to talk quietly.
X: (In the same very loud voice) I am being quiet.
Me: Well, then I need you to whisper, because that is not quiet.
X: (In the same very loud voice) Ok. I will, can I go get a snack?
Me: Yes, you may. Please just practice talking as quietly as possible.
X: (In the same very loud voice) I really am being as quiet as I can be you know.
Me: Yeah, I know...

lol. No matter how I try. No matter what we practice. He can not be quiet.

What can ya do?! lol.

I just LOVE these types of beds!!

My Birthday Wish List

My birthday is coming up and usually I don't ask for anything, but this year I am making a list so my husband can pick a few things and know I will be happy!  lol. :)

Gift Card to Lowe's (for bathroom remodel)
$100 in ten dollar bills
Subscription to Tri-City Herald
A case of paper and ink for my printer
Tanning package at Illusions
Hot pink or lime green bicycle
Mani and pedi
New bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths
More baseball card holders for my binder
Facial and/or 60 minute massage
One year paid membership to Gold's Gym
Subscription to All You magazine
Lime Green running shoes (tounge-less)
Coupon for a "free day", so I can relax
Dinner at Outback
Tickets to a Comedy Club
New tupperware and Pyrex collections

...surely there will be more added to this list!! :)