Need Wood?

I think we can spare some.  That is two rows deep, but I don't think you can see it.  I asked if we for some reason move real soon, would we be taking this wood with us, and he said, nope.

More flooring!

We went to Lumber Liquidators for the flooring.  We got 12mm with a pad attached, but Bry-D decided to lay down additional padding.

Yep, she's working hard.

Hhm, seems like a normal work crew; one guys works, the rest watch.

It got really exciting at this point, but the day wass over to quick & we had to leave it. 

We'll finish it sometime this week, probably.

Our Lady of Greenwood Festival

We did a family trip to the store & while we were out guess what we saw? A Ferris Wheel! There was carnival or summer festival going on and the kids started asking if we could go. The weather wasn't bad and it wasn't that late, so we walked over.

There were several rides for the kiddos, and then Eliz and I rode one of those rotating, spinning things. I remember riding them when I was, ahem, younger, and really enjoying them. I'm no spring chicken, 'cause I was dizzy and nauseous for 20 minutes. Eliz, however was priceless! I would have risked losing my phone to get a picture of her saucer-sized eyes when it started rotating while spinning, but we were strapped in to securely.

We let the kids play one game, and they were guaranteed a prize, so Eliz got what looks like a pink pig-dog, and Lex got a spotted frog.

There was a live band playing songs from Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots, and they were playing them really well. We walked to the tent, expecting a group our age, and they were TEENAGERS!!! We were horrified! It occurred to us that none of those kids ever bought the CD's from those bands, they had probably downloaded them from iTunes. They hadn't gone to any of their concerts, and then the worst of all – they were the same age we were when those songs were hits!!! It was almost to much for me. We decided to quit while we were ahead, or before some kid I used to babysit walked up and said they were in college.

The 500 Parade

My dad gave us 4 tickets to the 500 Parade.  He gave them to us because The Quilter's family is to big, but he got in trouble with my Mom, because she said she's always wanted to go.  She wouldn't take the tickets from me, though, so maybe next year.  Last year we went, but didn't have seats; it was much better being able to sit down and watch.  We also had good seats, right at the beginning of the parade.

As usual, the Purdue Marching Band started the Parade.  Bry-D played the Tuba, or Sousaphone, so I made sure I got a picture of them from every band that went by.  Don't worry, I'm not going to show them all to you, it's more for him.

 Yeah, not only does Governor Mitch Daniels get good stuff done, he also rides a Harley.  Not everyone can say one or both of those things about their Governor.  And yes, I'm insinuating that my Governor is better than yours.

 The Grand Marshal of the parade was Oliva Newton John.  Win!  She is still so very beautiful.  I've had the song "Magic" stuck in my head all day.  Not such a bad thing.  I remember when her outfit from Xanadu was all I ever wanted.  Maybe a bad thing.

 The Dragon float was amazing.  It was so big I couldn't get it all in one picture!

 Right after it passed us, it almost fell over!  I never found out if it made it through the entire parade, but I hope it did.  It was the first year for it in the parade, and it was really cool.

 A Briefcase Drill Team.  Now that's different.

 The princesses!  The people behind us were waiting and waiting for this - they were the family of one of the princesses.  As soon as this went by, they left. 

 Miss Piggy!  We just watched The Muppets this week, so both kids knew who she was without being told.  I was so proud!

 This was The Wells Fargo Stagecoach.  I didn't get a picture of some if the shenanigans they were doing taking off and stopping.  Also didn't get a picture of the people from the float that came after it trying to walk around the horse poo without losing the float.

 Oh yes, Gladys Knight!  I think they said she was the Legendary Honoree.  For sure, she was one of the people that got a standing O.  Of course. 

My personal favorite song is "If I Were Your Woman". Wanna know a secret? My favorite music ever is Soul and Neo-Soul. Whenever I entertain the idea of singing for people, I'm always singing Soul.  Chicago and Delta Blues are my second favorite.  I listen to Christian music almost exclusively. There aren't alot of Christian Soul artists to choose from, and they don't get much playtime on Christian radio.  Although Adele may help that some.  As she becomes more popular, Christian Soul artists will too.  I have high hopes, at least.

Anyways, that's when my camera died, immediately after taking Gladys Knight's picture.  So I didn't get pictures of Eliz standing and watching all the soldiers and veterans go by, or the human flag.  Nor did I get a picture of Ben Davis, Bry-D Alma Mater.  We didn't leave until the end of the parade, though Lex had to get up and walk around midway through.  We grabbed some of the big streamers that exploded on everyone at the end of the parade, and I spent $12 to get the kids an inflatable toy for each of them.  It's something I always wished for, and even if I only get to do it this once, at least I did get to.

We came home, fed the kiddos, and put them to bed.  In fact, everyone took a nap this afternoon, we were all worn out.  But it was a great time, one that I'd like to make a tradition, whether we get seats or not.  Happy Memorial Weekend, everyone!

I don't know why I'm surprised

Really, I can't let that man out of the house.  He took Eliz on their second date(she started begging for him to take her to dinner on Monday) and called an hour in to ask what I thought about buying a kit or all the stuff separately for the Beta fish he was buying her. 

**Eye Roll**

No, I don't really care, he's just, well, a goob.



 Eliz has decided that it's a girl fish, even though we've told her several times that it's a boy, and *her* name is Shiny.

 Bry-D pointed out that it could be used as a nightlight - like that makes it all fine and dandy.  When I asked him how this happened, he just looked guilty and said "I don't know."  Wuss.  Kay, fine, I'll admit - I'm upset that he has, yet again, found something cool for the whole family to enjoy.  Bry-D - 4ish, Me- Big, round 0.

Well, I guess this is a step in the direction of spoiling her - how many boys are going to buy her a pet on the second date?  See, I thought Lex and I were being extravagant by getting Taco Bell AND Cupcakes.  'Parently not.  So, now we have to train Lex to never, ever, ever, never TOUCH THE TANK!  If you need me, I'll be banging my hand against a wall.

Saturday Morning traditions

I don't eat donuts, but every Saturday morning, I go and get them.  I also grab myself a couple of muffins and a Grande White Chocolate Mocha. 

 Look at these bums!  They'll stay on the couch for hours!  Those two put off way to much heat for me to even sit next to them.  It's worse when Eliz sleeps in bed with us.  It gets so hot, I swear I can feel the fat sizzling off my butt. 

 While those lazybones lay around, Lex and I eat and play.  They eventually get up and join in.  All of us rolling and laughing.  Squealing 'stop tickling' and shouting 'come and get me'.  Pillows being thrown, dogs barking joyously, everyone panting and laying still only for it to all begin again.  The kids chests heaving while they insist that they're good for another round, while I try to think of a viable excuse to get away.  Bry-D coming up with yet another silly crazy thing to do with the kids.  My recent favorite is his "Xander Guitar", though all it plays is giggles and wiggles.

If the strike happens, though, we'll have to stop getting the donuts. No more Starbucks or fresh bakery muffin(unless I bake them).  We've been cutting back for awhile now, but we're a week or so away from "it" happening.  And if "it" happens, we'll only have a few things left to give up.  As we discussed what to give up when, we both kind of realised that while we live well within our means, the rising costs of living - food, clothes, gas, etc., are making it harder and harder to do that.  We admitted that some people would consider us poor.  No tv, most everything we buy is used, I clip coupons and exclusively sale shop, and even then, it's only when it's beyond necessary.  But I don't see it that way.  As I've said before, to me, in order for something to be a sacrifice, you have to miss it, and I don't miss any of those things.  I wouldn't say I'm content though - I still long for material things daily, sometimes lots of things.  The upside to our way of life is that if "it" happens, it will take awhile for us to feel it.  We've got savings, we can go without a few more things, and we know God's got that under control.  I don't worry about how we will pay our bills or if we'll lose the house.  I don't worry about Bry-D's job, because all those things will happen the way God wants them to.  If things go the worst way possible, it's all part of the bigger plan, we just have to hold on through the storm.  Bry-D may not be so peaceful about it, but I trust his faith, and moreover, I trust my Lord.  He never lets anything happen without planning for the best to come from it; I've lived that my entire life, and I know that won't change, ever.  So, while we may not get donuts and coffee, He'll bring about something better, and we'll enjoy that while being thankful for the times when we got donuts and sat on the couch, played cars and wrestled til we couldn't breathe.

Date night!

Okay, let's talk about this.  When did she get so grown up?  When did she get so pretty?  If you saw this was happening and didn't tell me, we're not friends anymore.  I've been telling Bry-D since she was born that he was going to take her on dates. 

He didn't get it until recently as he began to notice her going from little child to little girl. Our goal is for him to spoil her so much that no punk kid will ever be able to keep up with her Daddy. Which is what my Dad did, and it worked. In my opinion at least.  I told her Daddy was taking her on a date and she needed to get dressed in something warm, so she got on her favorite pants, belt and shirt, then had to settle for a less than favorite sweater.  Ah, well, we'll be more prepared next time.  I liked how she knew to get 'dressed up' for a date. 

My father took me fishing in summer and bowling in the winter.  It may have been once a month, but to me it seemed like every weekend my Father and I went someplace, just us.  And I babbled and babbled, and he listened.  Now that I'm older, it's occurred to me that he may not have been hanging on my every word,though it seemed like it to me.  Because a few days later, he always asked about the things I said.  I don't know if he tuned out everything but a few sentences and then asked about those things, or if he really did hear the 3,000 words I said each time he was around.  I remember in my teens following him around, talking non-stop, and I never thought that he didn't like it, didn't have time, or wasn't interested.  Which is why it took me some time to adjust to Bry-D not always listening, didn't always have time and wasn't always interested.  But I have been drilling into him for years that the most important thing about these dates is for him to do two things.  1. Shut up and listen, listen, and listen, and make sure she at least feels like he's paying attention.  2. Do things she wants to do.  She needs to be taught that boys are supposed to do what she wants, because it's so easy for girls to just give up everything for the smallest crush or tiniest bit of attention.  If he trains her to expect boys to do what she wants, it will be a hard thing to swallow if boys try to only do what they enjoy.  In this case, being spoiled and used to getting your own way is a good thing.


When Lex saw that Eliz and Daddy were going out, he asked to go out.  I thought, may as well start training him how to treat girls now.  So we went to Ritters and then sat in the car while he drove.  We talked about motorcycles, Spiderman, and how yummy chocolate ice cream is. 

He doesn't get it yet, but soon enough he'll realise I'm molding him into all the things he needs to be to get the girl.  Other boys will have to work pretty darn hard to compete with him.  In college my guy friends worked really hard to be gentleman.  They made a very conscious choice about how they treated the girls in our circle.  They opened the doors for us, walked us to our cars, and if we went out to eat, they made sure each girl's food was paid for so she didn't have to.  One thing they did that is small but made an impact is that they always walked on the side of the sidewalk closest to the road.  Another thing that I remember is hearing one of them get on a guy he didn't know for cussing around us.  He was pretty upset and a kept saying, "You DON'T talk like that around women!"  The guy wasn't cursing at us, but in our hearing.  There was another time a man did that, told someone else to watch their language because a woman was around, and I remember both occurrences.  It was not some big conflict, no huge fistfight, but I remember it because it's not normal.  It should be - boys should go around protecting the girls around them, not exploiting them.  And I'll be hanged if my son ever disrespects a female and thinks he'll live to do it again.  My son will be a trained gentleman, by both his father, and by myself, and hopefully, he'll set a precedent for other boys that will change the way things are done - if only in his circle of influence.

Cutie Pie

He's cute and he's knows it.

Cousins and Mud, is there anything better?

The Quilter has a great screened-in back porch. It just doesn't have a ceiling. So we headed over to her house yesterday. The kids played, the guys worked, and she and I shopped and played.  At one point, The Deputy and Bry-D had to be gone while The Quilter and I were out, so the 13 yr old boy was left in charge.  He let Clyde and Lex outside, by themselves.

Personally, this is one of the best 'cousin' pictures ever.

Now, the mud doesn't bother The Quilter and I at all.  It's all the construction equipment that's out there for them to hurt themselves with.  See Clyde's boot?  He fractured the cartilage in his foot, so he's got another 4 weeks with the boot.  Notice Clyde's dress coat and shirt?  That's how he dresses himself each day - and usually insists on a tie.  If he doesn't have a clean Jacket, he has to wear a vest. 

That's the BIG mud puddle they found.  These guys a are almost exactly 9 months apart, so it's a good chance the shenanigans are just beginning for them.

Clyde roaring.  I forgot to mention, he doesn't care what kind of pants/shorts/swim trunks he has on, as long as he has on his dress clothes on top.  oh, and next week they're going to Florida, so The Quilter and I decided this was just a way to test the boot for waterproof-ness.

Watch this splash!

The Quilter printed out this picture and had Clyde give it to the Ortho Doc when they went for his final appointment.  Clyde asked her if the doctor was going to be mad.  She said Ortho Dr. laughed and said it was going on his desk.  When they left bootless(which by that point was totally mangled from the rough living it had done) the Doc winked and said, "We'll see you soon."  Now whatever gave him that idea?

Bonnie takes a more delicate approach than her twin.  Somehow I deleted the picture of Clyde laying in the mud while Bonnie tip-toed through the puddle.

So here's the ceiling getting framed. 

And here it is, dry walled!  My Dad is a true handyman, and when we called to invite him by, he and Mom already had plans.  Bry-D and The Deputy had a theory for why he wasn't coming by: he'd see all their mistakes and feel obligated to tear it apart and fix it.  Dad was all, no, no, I'm sure you did a great job!  Tell me when it's done, and I'll come by and take a look.

It's in my DNA

At least, that's my excuse for why I have to make a bigger mess in order to clean something. 'Cause that's how my Dad does it.  Which is why I can honestly tell you, this is almost clean.

First time to Eagle Creek

We took the kids hiking for the first time today.  I've taken them for long walks through the woods, but this was real, actual hiking.  Like Bry-D and I did before we had kids.  We found deer tracks, which Lex didn't understand; he kept asking where we saw a deer at.

This is the hill we climbed- it was very steep, and of course had a creek bed with a foot of water and slime to break our fall.  Lex started out in a carrier, then started walking.  I'm proud of both kids, they did really well.  There aren't al ot of pictures, but we were there for a few hours, letting the kids roam and play.

Why, yes, yes they did pee outside.  And for the record, the big guy in khakis started it!

I had to help Eliz alot with her *restroom break*.  There wasn't much she could do to stop me from taking the picture.  She's not a Grizzly Jane, but we'll give her time.

Little man with his walking stick - just like Daddy!  Before we left for home, we stopped and ate the snacks I had brought, drank the last of our water, then got into the car.

What I will never understand is how my hunka-hunka-burnin' love was able to go off the trail for most of the afternoon and still end up back at the car in the allotted amount of time.  That's a very keen sense of direction.  The only things to add to our arsenal - kid sized gaiters.  It was too warm for them to have pants, but then, of course they had the prickles and twigs and such attacking their legs. 

Yet another sewing project added to the list!  Which reminds me, all this pinning and doing - I know I haven't posted pictures, but I've been doing my best with March Madness Challenge - I have an idea for the month of May, another Challenge, one that will appeal to everyone, whether they get in Pinterest or not.  I'll wait until April to tell you, though!

Yeah, I totally judged him for this!

He says it's my fault; I forgot to get dog food, so while he was out getting dog food, he got this game.  What-EVER!  

We talked about getting this game, and agreed that it wasn't necessary.  I guess he changed his mind.

 He pointed out that it comes with a wheel to steer with, because that justifies everything!

Eliz liked it b/c it had a sheet of stickers you could use to decorate the wheel with.  I'm still on a quest for a toy I want that everyone else will enjoy.  Let me know if you think of anything!

Birthday Boys!!

The weather has been yucky, and we've been sick, so we kept the birthday celebration simple-cake!

We talked about all sorts of things to do, and ended up not really doing anything.  Bry-D and I went out on a date for his birthday, of course, but still, it wasn't an eventful weekend.  Oh, wait, Bry-D got to go to the BMV and get his license renewed.  Always the fun way to spend your birthday!

He did it again!

Got a another new toy, that is.  Yep, that's a remote controlled helicopter.  I thought about getting him one for Christmas, but this is sort of an early birthday present. 

 At least he shares with the kids!

 Yes, I married a goob.

At one point he said I was just jealous because all the "toys" he gets are for the whole family, and therefore justifiable, and all the "toys" I'd like to get would be for me alone.  Which is true, to a point.  I'll find something for all of us.  That doesn't cost a fortune and isn't just for the beach!