A deVINE discovery

The other day, we decided to go check on our blessed beaver dam.  If you aren't up to date on the dam, you can read about it here.  We've been meaning to do something about it ever since we discovered it, but we just haven't gotten around to it. Somehow planting GRASS (ha) took center stage around here.  A couple months ago at a neighbor's party, another neighbor volunteered his friend to come trap the beavers, as apparently trapping season is approaching. I was all for it - get em OUT of here!  However, our realtor (and farmer/neighbor) stopped by the other day to talk to Ben and the dam was somehow brought into the conversation.  The two of them trudged down to check it out, and the realtor/farmer/neighbor guy was just in awe. He said, as a kid, they had a dam near their farm - and at dusk they used to go sit and watch the beavers in action.  He wants to bring his grandkids over to see it! He was very shocked that we wanted it gone, as he was totally marveling over the awesome piece of nature that it is. 

Of course, I do think it's cool and 'awesome' and all of that - and I really am amazed at the engineering skills of the little devils... but on the other hand, they are totally ruining trees and transforming a natural play area into a hazardous area.  Hmph.  What to do.  

Along with that conversation, Ben also reported to me the growing SIZE of the dam and 'pond', so this weekend we headed down as a family to assess the damages.  WOW. How many freakin beavers are camping out here?

With an upcoming get-together with TONS of kids coming over, I was kind of counting on a nature exploration (by the creek) being included in their activities... hmmm not so sure about that anymore.  We continued on our trek to see what else we could find to 'play' with.  Getting around down there is a little bit of a challenge - the brush and weeds are THICK, and there are some kind of 'vines' growing on everything.  Some of the trees have actually been pulled down by these annoying vines (another thing we need to take care of), but DUDE - check it out!

Indiana Jones has nothin' on my kids!  They must have done that a hundred times, getting more and more brave with each swing. It was FUN! I'm pretty sure we would have stayed out there for hours if it weren't for Charlie dropping off his vine into a pile of something itchy. Leave it to him! 

We headed back to the house for an oatmeal bath and some benadryl lotion (which solved the itchies beautifully), and with plans of heading back... in long sleeves.  Till then - 

I've got a case of the Mondays

Ugh.

The last week has been very STRESSFUL. We are in the process of moving our business to a new location.  (We were flooded last year and lost basically everything, and have been set up in a temp location while our 'new' place was being renovated). Thursday was our open house - and Saturday was the first day employees reported to work at the new pad.  Ben has been working countless hours since last week, leaving me to pretty much do the single parent thing here.  

Owning a business in itself can be a lot of stress - and it is - for us.  I curse having it about as much as I am thankful for it.

So this morning, as I marched around the house yelling at the kids (who at 3 minutes before heading out the door were sitting sock-less,  playing pokeman with unbrushed teeth - grrrr!) I could tell I was reaching my boiling point. As we pulled out of the driveway, and the boys continued to argue (unbuckled) over a rock, YES A ROCK, I slammed on the breaks to prove a point that NOBODY WAS LISTENING TO ME!!!  Will flew forward and smacked his arm on the divider thingy up my ME.  He was in the far back, leaning forward, mid-reach for the blessed rock when he flew. Yeah I felt a little bad, for his hand, but he wasn't hurt - and it did shock him - and he sat down and buckled after that.

I told the kids nobody was to talk unless it was to say something GOOD. Ha. Bits of arguing continued to leak out of W's mouth.  DEEP BREATHS.

When the time came for the kids to hop out of the van at school, Will looked at me like a deer in headlights...  "What's the matter"?, I asked.  OMG HE DIDN'T HAVE HIS SHOES ON!!!  It took all my might not to blow right there.  At least he did BRING them with. I helped him untie and ready one shoe while he put on the other, while glaring at the mom behind me - who was GLARING at me for sitting still in the 'drop off lane' - (get a life lady), and sent him on his grouchy way.

I fumed all the way home.

I'm still fuming a little.

ARGH!

Craigslist isn't just for Creeps

Like many people, I first heard of 'craigslist' from of all the headlined sex-for-sale and murders and what-not. I had pretty much written it off as a site to stay far, far away from, but when my friend told me she rented an apartment in Denver from Craigslist, and my cousin found his apartment in NY on there too, I became a little curious.  I hopped on my computer one evening and started searching around to see what the hell kind of crap was listed on there for prostitutes and whatever in my neck of the woods. I did find a lot of listings for 'massages' (yeah right) and 'escorts' (yeah hmm), but I was shocked at all the NORMAL stuff posted by local peeps.  

I've only bought a couple things so far, but both transactions were completely CRIME and scary-free.  I've even sold stuff on craigslist! I got rid of a lot of stuff before we moved, and out of all the transactions, we had only one mildly weird dude stop by (for the kittens).  Most people were average non-killing citizens just like me, looking for a bargain.  

I've almost become addicted to looking at the items for sale on craigslist - it's updated constantly! I fear I'm going to miss out on some SUPER GREAT DEAL. And speaking of great deals, check out my latest one:

sand & water table with umbrella! For only $30!

So happy with his new toy!

BUSted

My bus woes continue...

We all know that my kids have the longest bus ride(s) in the history of man kind.  While that does suck, it's tolerable... but the CRAP my kids are being subjected to on the longest bus ride in history is NOT. Several times now the kids have come home complaining of some high school kid named 'Bozar' (uh huh) who bothers them.  Why is a high school kid sitting by 2nd and 3rd graders anyway? (And who in their right mind would name their kid Bozar?) Good question.  He not only sits by them, but he twists arms, puts kids in headlocks, etc.  Will once came home with a bruise on his eyelid and a little cut on his lip from getting bonked into the bus window. That's when I started making regular calls the bus director.  

My first call resulted in reassurance that he'd take care of it.  A new, experienced driver was starting on Monday and would get the bus under control.  I also told him of all the new swear words my kids were spelling for me nightly that they heard on the bus, like 'H-E-L-L, S-H-I-T, A-S-S, and B-I-C-H'. (haha) If my kids can hear these kids shouting profanity from the back, can't the driver?  

Last week I started driving the kids to school in the morning and letting them take the bus home, figuring it might help a little to decrease their exposure to Bozar by half. Nope. Yesterday they came home complaining of him again.

My third call to the bus director was a little less friendly this time - it was clear that I was not happy about the situation. He was happy to learn the kid's name and said he would notify the driver and have the H.S. principal pull the kid in the office.  sweet! He said that if it continues, the kid will not be able to ride.  double sweet!  He did also mention however, that the bus driver has often said it is difficult to tell when the kids are just 'messing around'. Duh.  I told him - it may SEEM like they're kidding, but it often turns ugly.  What happened to rule #1 of the bus - KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF?! My kids don't like to tattle, especially on a scary high-schooler (another duh), so please driver - just handle it instead!!!

So, we'll see what today's report brings.  Here's to hoping.

Corny Day

Each year towards the end of the summer, we try to buy a bunch of sweet corn and freeze it for winter use. Since the end of the season is now upon us (sigh), the kids and I drove 45 minutes to Oelwein yesterday to buy corn from Ben's cousin (who makes a living off growing some pretty kick-ars sweet corn) - the last crop of the year. Today is the day we processed and froze TEN dozen ear (is it 'ear' or 'ears'?) of corn. 

It's kind of a pain doing it, (imagine shucking 120 ears of corn, cutting it all off the cob and then cooking it... FUN!) but it's something you're just so glad you did when it's the middle of winter and it's in your freezer.  If you've never tried 'freezer corn', you are really missing out! Everyone who's ever had it over here has the same response, 'oh my god, this is awesome!'.  It's true, it is awesome. 

The kids had fun shucking corn until about the 4th dozen... ha.  Their corn got less and less 'clean', making for more work for me during the prep - but at least they helped!  So in the end, here is my bee-you-tee-ful product.  Fresh corn 25 times this winter.  Ta Da!

Wordless Wednesday

Take Me out to the BALLgame

When Ben's step-dad suggested we go to to a minor league baseball game, I wasn't so sure. I knew there was a local team, and our kids do love baseball, but figured they'd never sit through a whole game - especially Jacob. Tickets were cheap, and we didn't have much else going on, so we decided to pack up the fam and head to one of the last home games. And you know what? It was fun!

The stadium is decent sized (nothing like a pro stadium), lots of vending and give-aways and every seat in the place was great. I had to laugh at myself because before heading out the door, I threw two pairs of little binoculars in my bag for the boys - HAHA we did NOT need them. Our 'premium' seating section (which cost ten bucks per ticket) even had padded chairs with backs and cup holders. Yeah!

The kids got to watch some great players in action, run the bases after the game, play catch in the outfield and even watch a kick-ars fireworks display at the end.  That's right - we made it through the whole game! 

PTO Here I come!

With my kids in only 1st and 2nd grade last year, and knowing we were moving, I didn't take the time to put down many roots at our old school.  I knew a few parents from T-ball or passing in the hall, but not really. I saw how certain parents flocked together, heard of vacations taken by parent friends and saw pictures on facebook of joint family outings from the weekends.  I did none of that.  Not that I didn't want to - I just figured, what's the point with moving.  So, now that we are settled and never moving again, I'm gonna put down some roots gall-darn it! I'm naturally a little shy before I get to know someone - I'm not usually the one to push myself on others - but I'm changing that!  I've been making a point to introduce myself to people whenever I get the chance.  So far I've met parents at the salon, a clothing store, the gas station and most recently a PTO meeting - WHICH by the way I am taking over.

I had met with the principal several times before school to gear up for the transition for the kids. He is super duper nice. And he must have thought I was at least normal too, because he called me the other day wondering if heading up the PTO would be something I'd consider. Hmmmmm....  I wasn't sure. I had signed up to volunteer and be a PART of the PTO, but it's just something I had never considered. He told me what was involved, which really wasn't TOO much, and after some pondering - I said I'd do it.  I went to my first meeting Thursday night with five other parents and the principal. The principal also brought a stack of papers about 2 inches thick full of other parents willing to help, but didn't want to come to meetings.  I can understand that. 

It only took about twenty minutes of listening to the current leader (she's preggo, gonna pop next month), before I felt comfortable jumping in with my own opinions and ideas. This PTO has done an AWESOME job of fundraising (holy crap you should see their new playground - it's incredible!), BUT it seemed that's mostly all they do. Another hmmm...  Never having been a part of the PTO before, I wasn't 100% sure of their role in the school, but I was pretty confident it involved some fun non-fundraising activities for kids and families. This school has an ice cream social once per year after the music concert - whoopie. 

Since Thursday, I've done a bunch of reading on-line and surveying of fellow parents to see what role the PTO plays in different schools. I think I'm right. So, I crafted a lengthy but nice email to the principal, suggesting we expand the PTO's focus, and start organizing activities to get the kids and their families connected to the school.  Movie night, fitness night, art show - anything! I wonder if he's regretting the day he ever called me!  HAHA!

What role does your PTO play?

Got Grass?

I thought I should post a little blurb about our grass saga since I've been whining and going on and on and on and ON about it for weeks.  WELL, here's the dirt.  After the rains came (13 inches in two days), we were left with lots of ruts (as I've previously crabbed about) all over the yard. We were certain all the grass seed had washed away, and we watched sourly as our ditch started sprouting a kick-ass stand of grass.  What can ya do.

We started watering anyway.  I mean, why not.  So, for the past week, I have been tending to sprinklers every twenty or so minutes, getting covered in mud and sprayed in the face - a lot. It's rather difficult to get anything accomplished around here, when you have to constantly drop everything to rescue a stuck tractor-sprinkler, pull the hose or reposition stuff.  And then like I said, you come back muddy.  Argh.

Here's one of the many sprinkler races we watched...

And would you believe... that grass actually started growing? It did! 

But I have to admit - we wish it wasn't.  WHAT?! I know, what a statement after all the drama! Here's the predicament we are in now. The torrential downpour took a lot of our seed away and tore up the lawn in the process.  Now we have a bumpy, patchy and weedy conglomeration of a 'yard'. I don't know what would be worse - having none of it grow and having to start again... which would at least give us the smooth yard (but cost twice as much) OR grow what we can and address the problems after?  

It's starting to fill in, and from a distance isn't TOO bad...

I'm less upset about it than Ben.  I'm really just happy that anything is growing. I'll take a weed-grass mix any day over MUD.  

Brotherly Love

The other night, Charlie got sick (all over himself and the bed) in the middle of the night.  The next morning, he awoke to find this note taped to his night stand...

How darn cute is that.

Golf for Dummies

This past weekend was my class reunion. 16 years. Yes, I realize that is an odd number to celebrate, but our class is also a bit odd, so it's pretty par for us. 

And speaking of PAR (ba-dum-ching!), I had the opportunity to play golf for the first time on Saturday morning with some of my classmates.  I had taken lessons when I lived in Colorado (many moons ago), but the driving range is as far as I'd ever gotten - so I was really looking forward to finally taking a swing at a real game of golf!  It was a hoot. 

Here's my girls --> ("whitey", me and "pinky")

There weren't many people out on the course that morning, so I was able to go in a group with my two best friends and their men and another classmate "T". Since Pinky and I were pretty bad, and since we had six people, we were terribly slooooow, but it didn't matter! The guys and Whitey were all pretty good golfers, so we got lots of helpful advice, and most importantly.... PATIENCE!  I only hit Pinky's golf cart once, but I can't take responsibility for her parking it in a bad spot! I also became an expert at lobbing the ball back and forth over the green.  I have to admit, that was pretty frustrating.  My swing is decent (sometimes), but I have no idea how hard to hit the dang ball aside from teeing off. 

The funniest part of the day was when T, while doing a celebratory power squat after a great put, literally split his pants down the sides and they completely fell off! Luckily for us (although I can't imagine why he did), he had swim trunks on underneath the pants.  I'm still giggling about the incident while typing this! 

I'm pretty sure we broke the course record for the slowest game in history (our group finished nine holes in about the time another group golfed 18!), but we enjoyed every minute of it.