Scouting is ... good?

Okay, I've been wracking my brain to come up with something to blog about, and recalled a meeting I went to last night with my hubby.

We have four sons, and the two youngest are now involved in scouts. Since our oldest two are electing to NOT get their Eagles (which is apparently the die all and be all of the purpose of scouting in the first place) I think the leaders in our area are determined that the younger two will. Unfortunately, the older of the younger is Autistic and has no intention of doing anything that doesn't interest him - and right now scouting doesn't interest him. (he wouldn't even go on the camp trip last year, and last night he informed us that scouting is boring - uh huh)

So, that leaves our youngest, which of the 4 is most likely to be the one that works at the idea. The only problem, is right now they are working on the cycling merit badge, and that is a whole new world. Especially when ones bike is missing two wheels and you outgrew your helmet...sigh. And then scout camp this year is $100 per boy...

Scouting is good for the character or something, right? Well, so far I haven't seen it to be such a big help. My hubby has LOADS of character, and he never finished his Eagle.

Close to Nature

One of the wonderful things about living where I do is the deer that come through our back yard from time to time. This year they amazingly left my tulips alone, although it looks like they might have eaten one of my roses...sigh.

My sister doesn't get much of a garden, because they go through her yard quite frequently - she lives along a little gully that they use as a pathway - and eat her tomatoes and other items. Our other neighbors have them go through and eat the stuff out of their gardens as well.

My husband discovered one year that they were eating our melons...we found a hoof print crushed one and he decided that was enough. He created a little pop can chimes that he connected to one of the fruit trees by the garden and we haven't had issues with them since. In fact, we haven't seen many deer lately, and were bemoaning that fact - we think they're gorgeous and they used to go through our yard on their way to other places. We have LOTS of pine trees right next door and across the street, so it's like their own private forest.

Anyway - Sunday we looked out the window and they were in our back yard. Seems they like our willow tree - sigh. I guess they are few enough that they won't totally ruin it, but this is the first time we've seen them eating it. There were two of them, but I only caught one on film. Our digital camera is not that great - the zoom isn't very good. But, at least you get the idea. It fun to see them again...

Memorial Day

Once again we come to Memorial Day weekend. The start of summer. The first big BBQ. The day when everyone gets their first sunburns...

Unless you live in Utah. It never fails. I remember last year when school got out, and the first day of summer was cold and cloudy. You'd think we lived by the ocean! Well..that's what today is like. Actually, though, I like it. I wasn't ready for the 90 degree weather yet. sigh. I really wish we lived somewhere less contrasting in cold through hot...but then I'd have to give up my view. I guess we can't have everything...

But I just wanted to mention that this is a day that we visibly and verbally acknowledge and honor those who have died in defending our country - and the others that we have fought for. My father is one of them. My father was a Ranger in WWII, and was there on D-day. My hubby keeps trying to get us to California on this weekend so that we can visit his grave - I've never seen it. One of these years we'll make it, and I'll take pictures. But for now...I honor him and others of my family that have served and are serving - may we never forget their sacrifices and the country for which they fought.

Flag photo courtesy of (c) FreeFoto.com

Ahoy Ye Land Lubbers!

Okay...I have to say that I've seen the movie now, and I like it. Probably not as well as the first one, but definitely better than the second one. If you are totally clueless as to what I'm talking about, I'm talking about Pirates of the Caribbean - At Worlds End.

First, we have to mention its LONG. I mean, probably as long as Lord of the Rings...sigh. Take a big bag of popcorn and buy the refillable drink...

Then, I have to mention that Orlando Bloom actually looks better at the end of this movie than he does in the first one...way to go. The rest of the characters are actually themselves, which is nice - especially Jack - He is finally back to the way we like him in the first one.

Anyway - there has been lots of people that say it's too long...it's full of lots of plot lines, so it's a little too full of itself, but I like it. I think you will too...it really makes you want to go visit the beach. I'm really missing it now...

Stress - It's a Killer

One of my favorite animated movies that I don't get to watch much is Anastasia. I love the way the characters are done, especially the little bat. There's one scene where he's telling the bad guy how he needs to settle down and how his brother died from worrying about stuff. He tells him, "Stress - it's a killer, sir."

In watching family members and how they deal with it, I'm beginning to worry that he's right - especially with regard to my husband. Our older children are just causing us stress over things that we really have no control over - but you still can't help worrying about them, they are your children. It's such a frustration. You know they are making bad choices, and some of their choices end up affecting the rest of the family. What do you do at that point? Invite them to leave?

Well, we are praying and contemplating the best course of action. Then we have a wedding dinner tonight that we have to get to early because we have half the chairs for it - with all the kids who are home (did I mention it was a 45 minute drive? I get home at 3 pm and it starts at 4:30 and my hubby doesn't get off until then...), a wedding reception tomorrow as well as a couple of mystery shops, painting this weekend, one of my children's cars to fix and register, and my second oldest son starts his first job this Saturday.

I'm not sure whether I'm glad school is out in a week or not.

And the Beat Goes On

Well, I decided that I love having children. Not necessarily because they bring me joy, (which they do sometimes) or that they are a blessing (which I usually consider them as) or that they are brilliant and funny - well most of the time. I love having my children because they are so convenient to order around.

It's like having a built in slave, but one that is not quite as willing to be one. It's also, kind of pay back for my parents. I know everyone has heard the phrase, 'I hope you have a kid just like you,' said by every frustrated mother in the world. Well, it usually happens, which is really sad, when you think about it, because you always hope your children are going to be BETTER than you were.

sigh. But what cracks me up, is the conversations are just about the same. I say things I remember my mom saying to me, and it's like de ja vu. (however you spell it) I hear my husband say things to the children, and shake my head while laughing - that's exactly what my dad used to say! My brother has discovered the same thing. He remembers our dad lecturing us on turning off the lights. In fact, he was talking about this the other day, how he would round us all up and make us all go turn off three lights in the house. He remembers this so vividly, because he is doing the same thing with his own! It's way funny.

There are some changes. I heard a conversation with my son and husband the other day that filled me with hope.

Dad: Hey, you need to go out and get mowing those weeds so we can plow the garden.
son: And I want to do that, why?
Dad: Because you like eating and sleeping indoors.
son: I don't know, I kind of like sleeping outside.
Dad: Not where you'll be sleeping.

I like the fact that he reminds them they like eating and sleeping indoors. It brings a bit of reality back into the equation. Gives them something to have to say to their children that won't be the same old - brush your teeth, wear deodorant and don't tie strings to the cat's tail!

Oh to Be Young Again...

sigh. One of my older children came home this morning and informed us she had traded in her old car for a newer one. A littler one...a less gas costing one. A Lumina for a Cavalier. White for Blue.
While on the surface this looks good, let me state the facts:
1- she still owed $2300 on the old one.
2-the interest is %25 - ouch!
3-her insurance is going to go up.
She didn't ask for any advise from us, and she's almost 20 - so what do you say?
I told her that I'd make extra payments as much as possible. She says she plans on refinancing in a year...good luck.
On the other hand, her twin is looking at buying her first car, a 1991 Mazda for $600. Personally, I think the second girl is making the better choice, but I guess we'll see.
Ah, the impulsiveness of youth...sigh.

I REALLY Like Some of Our Modern Inventions...

I have to say that I really like some of our modern stuff. I especially am grateful for the washer and drier. Every time I hear or read about how they used to do stuff even just 50 years ago, I cringe. I mean...some people didn't have driers. They HAD to hang the stuff up outside. Now, I know there are lots of people who LOVE the smell of outdoor dried clothes, but to me they are all stiff and hard...no thanks. I love my driers.

Yes, I said driers. I have two of them. We have 7 children - have I mentioned that before? And
in doing laundry, my hubby decided that it would better served for my time and effectiveness of getting through the mountain of laundry we routinely have in our laundry room - to have two driers. I thought it was a bit much at first, but I've quickly learned it was the best thing he ever came up with. Second best would be two washers, but lets not get ahead of ourselves.

My hubby has long since promoted drying the clothes outside on a clothes line, and I've always objected. As I stated, I don't like the ways the clothes feel hung outside. I still have visions of the old pants driers for jeans so that they wouldn't shrink as they dried...never worked in my opinion. Remember them? The little metal frames that you stuck in the pants and then hung the whole contraption out to dry? I'm sure any kid from today's world would run away screaming...

No thank you. I'll stick with my wonderful washer and drier and I'm ever so thankful to whoever invented the modern version...

I love Green

This is one of my favorite times of the year. My desk faces our back yard, and I have this large expanse of green grass, trees that abound with green leaves, and glorious green plants with flowers. It's like a cornucopia of green. I love it. I love the view from my window, I've become rather fond of this spot. My husband mentioned the other day that this was not my dream home we live in, and that it never will be because we are not millionaires. You know what? I don't care anymore. I know that we can work at it and gradually make it what we want, but right now, there is nothing I would change about this view. I love it, winter, spring or fall. Summer, on the other hand, ugh. I'm afraid it will always be too hot for me - but it's still worth it.

Anyone want a cat??

Okay, much as I love the darlings, they are driving me crazy. I have a curtain in my sunroom that now reeks of cat poop and pee, and my carpet is in need of serious cleaning. We have begun having them go outside to get used to the idea that they are going to be outside cats, but it seems to be slow going. Yesterday my hubby had to rescue one that was falling out of a tree - he didn't pull her out, he just caught her so she wouldn't fall five feet.

They also think that every time we sit down anywhere in the room - particularly my desk (where my computer is) is an invitation to come sit on us. Or on the keyboard. OR anywhere its impossible to type or do anything. It's not bad with one, but all five?
I think we've spoiled them...they are definitely people cats. Now what do we do with them???

Right now, I have one sitting on the desk in front of my keyboard because there is no lap for him as I type. One on my shoulder, one behind me on the seat of the chair, and two fighting on the back of my chair. ARGH! I managed to take a picture as they were sitting on the back of the chair behind me, they were very curious, one shot has the middle cat right up close...they crack me up, which is probably why they are still around.
However, they might become outdoor cats sooner than they are ready for...

Happy Mother's Day to me...

Well, I survived another one. This one, actually, wasn't bad. My daughters brought me crepes in bed, and my other children and hubby saw to it that I didn't make dinner or lift much of a finger all day. I like when that happens, it makes me feel special. We went to visit my Mother-in-law, and that was fun. She liked our present, which is always good - although if I had known what kind of paint job was on it, I wouldn't have purchased it.
I get to out to dinner on Wednesday, one of my daughters wants to take me. I guess her grandmother is coming as well...so that should be an interesting confrontation. sigh. The wayward daughter and the loving grandmother confined to a table with a crowd so that no one can run away... I should sell tickets. I'm sure my hubby wishes he weren't going to be there.
I got a geranium, despite the fact I tried really hard not to get one...I have to say, of all the flowers they give for mother's day, geraniums are the ones I dislike the most. sigh.
Anyone want a geranium? It's free...

Websites and blogs..oh my

Well...I've decided I need to set up a more formal website to show my art work and prepare for publishing my books. So, I'm looking into webhosting stuff, and man- there's a lot out there. If any of you know anything and want to pass it along, I'd love to hear your suggestions.
I'm gonna have to stop now because the cats are insisting on being held (go lay on the couch!) and I've got to go. I can only type so fast with one hand....sigh.

Greetings to May - Cinco de Mayo and all that...

Well...I'm trying to get my act together. I'm trying to be more consistent with my blog, I'm trying to set up a website where you can view all my fantastic art work (well...okay, some good stuff to look at anyway) keep writing on a daily basis, submit work to be published and find a job before the end of the month when my current one ends. (Anyone need a typists? I really am quite good...)
I feel sometimes as if I've got too much on my plate, and I'm doing nothing with any of it. I hate that feeling. It's when it comes down to editing time, and I feel I need to be writing new stuff...I HATE editing sometimes.
Oh, and Cinco de Mayo is definitely an American holiday - or so I've heard. Do you realize we celebrate it bigger here in the states than they do in Mexico? I think that's hilarious. Just another symptom of the cultural stuff in America. Let's bring all our stuff here and make it bigger...not become an American, but I don't want to get into that this morning.
Anyway...as I was or was not saying...LOL
I've been reading several published author blogs lately, and I've discovered there are some I like, and some I don't. Some I want to keep going back to see, and some I wouldn't care to. There are some that I thought were hilarious, but are now just a commentary on American Idol...(sorry, but I do NOT watch the show...that or any other TV program for that matter) so I have no interest in reading that blog again. Perhaps in the summer when Idol is on break.
I have been told I need to have a portfolio for my art work. I am trying to be an illustrator as well as a writer, and since I've actually had that happen (which was a shock to me, believe me) I've figured perhaps the best way is to have a web site where the work can be viewed. Anyone else have a suggestion?
Anyway, so I'm going to be setting those up in the near future. I'd love to have some feedback from someone who might be reading my blog...LOL...I know there's like ONE out there. (thanks sweetie)
Anyway, we ate taquitos and chips and watched Zoro for Cinco de Mayo. Oh, and part of Fools Rush In. We love that movie. sigh. I love Zoro, I think both those actors are great. Of course, I think Antonio Banderas makes a great cat too...LOL
Mothers day is coming up, and I know it's going to be a trial for my hubby. I'm hoping it goes smoothly for him this year. I know he feels bad that he can't shower me with material things, but his love does just nicely. Then again, he hates Father's day too...so where do we go?
Well, time to end. I've got to see what else I can accomplish before time to go to work.
Ta.