United we stand, even in Walmart

Today as I was driving down the road with my windows rolled down, just taking in the beautiful farmland and the warm air, my thoughts went to how much I love living in my little farm town. Today I went to Charlotte for breakfast with my Dad, and on our way out the door we exchanged a friendly “how’s it goin” with a local farmer walking in. I just love that! I love when there is a relaxed feeling in the day and one can exchange a friendly hello with a stranger, or a wave to a neighbor as you drive down the street. It got me thinking about the human race and how deep down we all care and support each other. I know at times it doesn’t seem like it. We all have our different baggage that we carry day to day, affecting each other in ways at times that seem to be destructive. There are disputes within families and offenses between co-workers and such a hustle and bustle in this busy world with all of us trying to make a name for ourselves. It seems at times that people are too busy to notice anyone else. We all tend to get so caught up with the stresses in our lives that we forget sometimes that man is not an island. We don’t have to talk to people to pump our gas our buy our groceries. It is very easy to let the busy times and stresses we take on to create what seems like a separation between us as mankind. But I know deep down we all truly care about each other, and I love that! You see the true essence of mankind reveal itself when we are faced with adversity and destruction to mankind itself. The common thread that ties us all together no matter what race, sex, social status, religion, or baggage is human pain. We all relate to each other, and even come together to unite as an indestructible force when facing devastations. Just look back at the past 10 years. When the levy broke, when the tsunami hit, when the tornados raced across the states, and when the twin towers came down on that somber day in New York. On those days all our stresses, social statuses, difference in religions, and all the little offenses over who stole whose lunch out of the fridge in the break room just didn’t matter anymore. When these devastations occur we get back in touch with the value for human life itself, no frills and lace, just appreciation and care for the person walking down the street next to you, living and breathing trying to do the very best they can. And it is beautiful days like today, as I wave to my neighbor spreading his manure on the field next to me that I am so grateful for this life, the people all around me living this life, and the metaphorical manure that gets spread here and again to bring us all together and remind us how grateful for each other we really are. So as these summer months are finally encouraging us to come out from hibernation, as you find yourself walking down the street, or into walmart, take the time to tip your hat as they did back in the day and give a friendly hello accompanied by a genuine appreciate of your fellow man. It is a great day to live. So for a moment here and there let us toss our cares aside and enjoy this life together!

Go North. Is that left or right?

Oh my gosh, I am so directionally challenged it is ridiculous. I was driving out to Dewitt today for a wedding shower, going to a house I have been to on NUMEROUS occasions mind you. It is actually a standing joke how every time I have to drive myself out there I get lost. But today I was sure I had it all together and could make it on my own. My mom was riding with me but she had never been there, poor girl, she didn’t know what she had gotten herself into. I called my aunts husband asking him to let her know that I would be late. I informed him I was not lost, I had to speak at a meeting earlier and was running a bit behind. But I wasn’t lost and I knew how to get there. Well for those of you have read some of my other posts are familiar with my lack of directional ability. In fact I am so bad that I had to “pre-warn” my in-laws on a trip we took a few years ago. We were going to Gatlinburg and I had already been there so I knew they might think I would be a good source of information, which I was, unless the question began with the word “WHERE”. But about an hour before we arrived I said this…”I just want you guys to know you do NOT want to ask me for directions. When we get to the town it will look familiar to me, and I will think I know where I am going because I have been there. I will want to be helpful and give you directions, but don’t believe a word I say.” And that very trip they leaned not to trust my directions. But anyway, back to my latest excursion. On my way to Dewitt, driving down 127, um, North I believe. We came to the other highway I am supposed to take and in a panic I asked my mom, “which way do we go?” Of course she didn’t know, she barely new where I was taking her. So I called home and Josh answered. I told him to take his Dad the phone, cause I needed to talk to him ASAP. His reply was “Well, I am on speaker phone.” I then said, “well, go get a phone and take it to your dad.” So I am waiting on the phone and I just here kids talking. Finally I said, “Josh, are you taking a phone to your dad?” No, it is dead so I am charging it for you.” In my head I am thinking, “what is this highly intelligent child thinking! Really, does he think I want to sit here and wait until the phone charges.” I informed him that I could not wait for him to charge the phone. I told him to go get his dad off the tractor and have him call me. Meanwhile, my mom called my aunts husband and we got the directions from them. As we got off the highway I went turn left and my mom informed me we needed to go right. “Wow, really, is that what he said, cause my inner map is telling me to go left.” I said. Yeah, my internal map is backwards A LOT. But I followed the directions my mom was now reading to me. We were coming into town from a different way and I looked at my mom and said, “This doesn’t feel right to me.” And my moms response was, “oh good, I will take that as a sign we are going the right way.” Yeah, I guess it is safe to say being a tour guide is probably not ever going to be in the cards for me. We finally made it to the shower an hour late and the rest of the day went pretty smooth, until I pulled into my driveway that evening and as I opened my door and the dome light came on I found my phone sitting in my melted Ben and Jerry’s that I had bought on my way home and only eaten half the pint. As I carried my ice cream covered phone into the house my husband just shook his head very affectionately at me. Josh made the comment, “Well, mom, your phone has been through worse.” I answered, “Nope, I don’t think so.” And he came back with, “remember that time you dropped it in the toilet.” Ok, once again the kid was right. So today was an adventure, I hope you all are enjoying your summer as much as I am!!!! Always an adventure, but at least I can say life is not boring.

My big fat Greek "birthday"

Well, today was my birthday, and what a beautiful day. It has been a wonderful day, and boy do I feel special! It was so awesome getting oh about 1,000 happy birthdays on facebook, so it seemed. It was awesome! And then this week, my mom and sis are taking me out tomorrow, my husband is taking we out later this week, and my Dad called and said he wants to do breakfast. Wow! How exciting. Well, it got me thinking why have a birth”day”, how about a birth”week”. If I have a “birthweek” would that be a good excuse to skip doing the laundry, or skip cooking dinner. Although lately my idea of cooking dinner is ordering pizza or if I am really motivated I will cook eggs and toast. Anyway, if I had a “birthday week” I would have an excuse for such dinners. I figure hey I birthed four children, that should add on a couple of days to my “birthweek” and the fact that I haven’t officially sold any of them on ebay yet, well that should add a few more. I figure if that one girl can have “My big fat greek wedding” well, I should be able to throw in a “My big fat greek birthday” here and there. Ok, so maybe a “birthday” week is not probable, but I do get a few birthday dinners and I am excited! Thanks to all those who sent me birthday wishes on facebook, it was awesome. It has been a beautiful day and I certainly enjoyed it. I hope you all can take a few moments this week and enjoy them yourselves. Take a some “my big fat Greek “moments”” to enjoy!

The Important discussion of TP

I find it amusing how some things have to be done a certain way, just because. There is no real benefit, just simply personal preference and everyone is different. Take for instance which way you prefer your toilet paper to roll out. This has absolutely no effect on pretty much anything in my life, yet I will take the time to turn around the toilet paper roll when my kids put it on “wrong.” I prefer mine to roll out over the top and I really can’t imagine anyone would want it any other way. In fact if I am at my sisters house and I run into the same predicament I will change hers for her too. I was sure she thanked God every night for her sister who was always there to keep her TP rolling the “right” way. LOL. Not really. Come to find out she just throws it on there and doesn’t really care which way it ends up. And to my disbelief I met someone who actually prefers it roll out from underneath the roll. The concept seamed so strange to me. I just could not have toilet paper rolling out from the bottom in my house. It just goes to show how even the simplest of things, we all have our idiosyncrasies, I mean seriously, it is toilet paper. In the grand scheme of life does it really matter what way the material, you are going to use to wipe your fanny, rolls off the roll. Yet I make SURE it rolls from the top, EVERY time. So, for the fun of it, I have added a poll to my blog, cast your vote! Let’s see what we all think is the “right” way to place your TP! Next week we can discuss whether Charmin is better than Angel soft. And furthermore if the “wet wipes” for adults are all that they say they are. LOL Just kidding. As I look back on what I just wrote I am beginning to worry that Bo staying out of trouble may not be so good for my blog. lol


The poll is on the right hand side of my blog. Pass on the word!!!!!! Anyone can Vote!!

End of the year party

· Thirty three kids
· Two pots of dirt cake
· One kiddie pool filled with mash potatoes and corn flakes to search for hidden coins
· One giant slip and slide
· One tub of spaghetti noodles with hidden objects
· Water games
· Three hundred water balloon for a war, five adults against thirty three kids
· Two days of prep time
· Two hours of fun


All this leaves you with Two parents lying in bed, not moving, just watching TV, hoping that morning will come a little later tomorrow. I could probably write you a funny blog based on the events of the day, but I am too tired. lol

A damsel in distress

…. Continuation from yesterday…

Well, Tuesday, when our power still wasn’t on, I decided I was just going to have to pack by flashlight in my closet. The 4th grade Mackinaw Trip was this weekend and Kate and I had to be up to the school by 5:30am. I was just glad I found enough clean clothes to get me through the next 3 days. I wasn’t sure how my husband and the boys would fare with their clean undies supply, but what’s a mom to do.

I had to run into town for some bug spray and snacks for the trip. We headed out at lunch time so we could eat at Wendy’s. I wasn’t sure what was still edible in the fridge. On my way to Jackson, feeling like I was quite the pioneer in my “no power” situation, I felt the cold air blowing out my vents suddenly get warm. Then my engine started making a weird noise, so I quickly pulled over and turned my van off. I jumped out and popped the hood to see what was the matter, as if I would even have a clue what to look for. I just knew from watching Michael and my dad, when something is wrong with the engine your are supposed to pop the hood and stare at it. When I opened the hood it smelled like burnt rubber. I don’t know much about cars but I am pretty sure it is not good when the engine smells like burnt rubber. But there I was, a damsel in distress on the side of M-50. I decided to check my oil cause that is the one thing I “mostly” know how to do. I would like to say it was like a “Hollywood” moment. Ya know, the scene where the girl is in a pair of cute shorts and a tank top, with her hair blowing in the wind as she peers under the hood to find the problem. Nope, not quite. Because of my lack of electricity I was still in my PJ’s, my hair was tied up in some sort of crazy bunnish thing. I hadn’t showered in 3 days, it was 85 degrees and I was dripping with sweat. So their I stood a sight for sure flailing around my dipstick trying to look like I knew what I was doing. But one thing I did know how to do as a damsel in distress is call my knight in shining armor. I called Michael and while he was on his way the kids watched a DVD in the back and I took the opportunity to clean out my van. I figured if I was going to be stranded I might as well get something done. Lol We still don’t know exactly what was wrong with my van, but we do know the air no longer works. Ugh. Bummer!!

That night on my way to my Dad’s for some dinner, I got a call from my mom saying the power was back on. My heart actually leapt in my chest. You would have thought I had spoken with an Angel by my reaction. I really wouldn’t have done so well back in the day. I really like “electricity.” This would make getting to the school at 5:30am a little easier.

That is what I get for being prepared

I had the holiday weekend all planned out perfectly!(Memorial Day) By Friday I had the meals bought and prepared so we could all just kick back and relax at the lake all weekend. Saturday afternoon the boys were waxing the boat and we would be soaking up sun for the next 2 days! I could hardly wait! But apparently mother nature decided our weekend was a little too planned and predictable. That afternoon a storm rolled in and took out the power. Despite our hopes of a quick fix, at 9:00 that night I was packing up the food I had brought to my sisters and we were headed over to my in-laws to mooch off their electrical abundance at the moment. On our way into the house Michael accidentally dumped out my pre-made deli tray I so creatively put together myself. It was at this moment I realized the well planned, perfectly organized weekend, full of relaxation, I had planned, was looking like my deli tray, “turned upside down”. Finally by 11:00 the kids were tucked away, and Mike and I followed soon after. We did manage to spend Monday on the lake, that was nice. That night Michael and I drove home in separate vehicles, I pulled into my driveway only to still find there was no power and then got a call from Mike. He had run out of gas. What would have been a quick 5 minute trip to him turned into 15 because the road he was on had trees down blocking my path. By the time we got home it was to late to crash at my in-laws again, so we all camped out in the basement. It was actually a fun time, all of us in one room playing with flashlights. That is a memory I will keep with me forever.

Stay tuned. I will finish the story of my week without power tomorrow. It is titled “A damsel in distress”.

So I thought seeing as how my sister is out of town I would just take over her blog, once again. I just spent the last 5 days roughing it with no power. I mean I forgot what is all involved when you say “No power”. Sitting on our couch, I got a phone call from my husband who was around the corner at my dads. “Hey we've got Tornado warnings. You might have to get the kids and go to the basement.” I kind of fluffed it off b/c I didn't feel the weather was that bad. Yeah, a second later the wind ripped through the house and the power shut down. I ran upstairs grabbed both of my sleeping babies and hit the basement. A couple minuets of heavy rain and it was over. I do have to say that one scared me a bit :) I walked upstairs and tried the lights...nope. We decided to load up and go to my dads. I started getting the diaper bag ready. I ran over to the sink to make a bottle...right no water. Ok no biggie. Then it's upstairs to throw on some clothes...right no lights. Oh gosh I have to pee....flushed the toilet and realized that was the last flush for that toilet. Long story short everything kept hitting me of just what was involved with NO POWER. No fans for noise makers for my kids...no hot bottles for Zayne, no drinking water for Ayden, no baths for my stinky children or there stinky mom. I mean you don't realize until it's gone. However between my dad having a generator I was able to get 2 showers and some water for small things. I thought it was humerous however that it happened over the most humid days of the summer. When you become accustomed to AC...its a shock to the system to have to go to sleep in 84 degree house. My sisters power came back on Tuesday...so I geared myself that mine was next....nope. I got home today, to my tornado of a house, and got depressed. I didn't clean, I didn't do anything but take a nap with my kids. However I woke up at 5 and saw the Consumer Energy truck drive down my road. I got excited. YUP....2 seconds later the power kicked on, my fans began turning, I heard the toilets fill up...I began to get even more excited. I walked through the house and turned on all the lights...just because I could!! The Consumer truck went back down the road and I felt my dramatic side come out. The operatic saga began to play as I ran in slow motion to the road to wave a beautiful red scarf in saying my thanks. I had so much energy because I was so excited I cooked dinner, bathed my dog (which I don't EVER do...b/c I cant stand that dog) bathed my kids, put them both to bed, cleaned my whole kitchen top to bottom we are talking scoured, cleaned all my bathrooms, vacuumed, and did 2 loads of laundry!!! I think I made my husband tired by just watching me. I told him I had a whole new lease on life, that I was a brand new woman!!!! Haahaa...we will see how long this lasts but I'll tell ya it's a good thing I was born in this century b/c outhouses and baths once a week are not for me. More power to ya Laura Ingles...but this roughing it is for the birds :)