In the middle

Lots of ignorant things going on in my neck of the woods. Not a lot I want to really get into, but I really have been pushed to my limits. I am really trying to stay as professional as possible, but that is an incredibly hard thing to do when you are personally attacked. Especially when your reputation and honor are questioned. I'm so aggravated that this situation has been going on way too long, and also aggravated that people think so much of themselves. Even better when they read your blog and take personal offense, when what you wrote had nothing to do with them in the first place. With my husband in Iraq, and all of my friends in other states, it's hard to find an outlet ( I like to talk something out until I feel better, no one wants to listen that long lol) I don't want to unleash anything here because I'm sure that even as I am careful to not give away too much, what little I am saying is being read, and warped into evil. Frankly, I'm beyond caring. Go ahead and do your worst, because you are only perpetuating the reputation you already have, and not doing yourself a bit of good. At this point, I'd love to never hear from you again. I refer to my favorite quote by Maya Angelou "When people show you who they are, believe them the first time." If I hear one more darn thing, I swear to god, I'm going to show my mean side!

Here's the thing:

Listen, here's the thing. I spend a lot of my time helping people. Most of the time I say yes, even when I have a million other things to do. I postpone personal things in order to take care of someone else. If I say no to an invitation, it's because I'm exhausted, and need some time to myself. Please understand that I am very careful and very picky about who I call friend. I do not hug if I do not mean it. I do not say I love you if I do not mean it. I try to not "talk about" people. If I say something about you to someone else, it's never anything I wouldn't admit to, or say to your face. I don't like drama, I'm too old to deal with people talking behind backs or making up crap. I don't like having to defend myself, and I don't like worrying about who I can trust. These are the very reasons that I do not go out of my way to make "friends", I don't get to know my neighbors, and I don't like to pretend. If I don't like you, you will darned well know it. Trust me, I have told people out right that I do not like them. They know who they are. If I call you friend, I mean it. If you aren't my friend I'll call you an aquaitance, but if I call you my best friend, then you are very special to me. There are only a couple of people that fit that description, and I hope they know who they are. My point is, that while I am so picky, and not touchy feely, if I do reach out to you, then that moment is all the more important (maybe more to me than you) but it means something! I have spent a lot of time in my life trying to play the social games that most people play, and I found it much easier to be honest. I don't care what anyone thinks of me. I'm not hard to figure out. Don't try to, because you will be wrong (I think I've said this before, no one listens) I live my life the best way I know how, and I bust my ass to help other people. My WHOLE life is helping others. So please, cut the crap. If you have something to say, let it out. I couldn't possibly get mad at you for telling the truth. But know, if you don't like me, and you tell me, there won't be any pretending. I do tend to hold a grudge, and I don't go out of my way for people that screw me over. I can be the best friend in the world to have, but if you can't appreciate that, fine. You don't have to like me. I don't care if you do. Just don't play the game, and don't try to make me. I will not spare your feelings. I'm not going to apologize for anything I say here. deal with it. Stop listening to the things you hear. I'll come clean if I said something, so ask. It never hurts to ask! Let me just say one thing more. Don't harrass me and make me have to try to explain myself. I think this says enough. If you don't like it, then you will have to deal with it on your own. I'm simply trying to explain myself once more so that I can be understood. I would like to stay friends with those I call friend. Don't let other people ruin friendships. that is their ultimate goal. Think about it.
Much love to all my friends, buddies, family members, and best friends, You all know who you are. :D

Wierd Random facts about me.

The rules are; once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog with ten weird random things, facts, or habits about yourself..At the end you choose ten people to be tagged, list their names, and why you chose them. Don`t forget to leave a comment that says ''You are tagged'' on their profile and tell them to read your latest blog; and No tag back

1. I am not patriotic. I hate the national anthem, and I think saying the pledge is idol worship.
2. I still don't know who I'm voting for, but it's between Hilary, and Obama. Which ever seems like they are going to get my husband out of Iraq for good. I confess, I don't care about the rest of thier policies, I just want my husband back.
3. I hate being a housewife. I love being married, and I love my kids, But I was not raised to stay at home. This may be the death of my soul.
4. Sometimes I really miss highschool, and I wouldn't change any of my memories, for all the tea in china.
5. I still like to eat chicken noodle soup cold from the can.
6. I have every letter, card, love note, and present that I have ever gotten (most of it was saved from the fire because Tanya said I should put the stuff in storage to forget about the guy that sent them, thanks Tanya)
7. I hate repeating myself. Even though I'm deaf and I have to ask other people to do it, if I have to, I get really aggravated.
8. I often wonder what people really think of me. Considering no one ever has the guts to tell the truth, I wonder if I really have any friends at all, or if everyone is just too chicken to say, I don't like you.
9. I really like answering the questions on tickle.com. I don't know why.
10. I really really really really miss my husband.

Laurel's achievement!!!

Laurel received several awards today, but this one is the big one. She is so thrilled, and so are we! I had to brag about my baby!

My New Mower!!! Go Green!!!!

http://www.neutonpower.com/home.aspx

I know I run the risk of sounding like a commercial, but this mower is too awesome to not tell everyone about it! It is a little pricey, but after looking at all of the websites for Lowe's, Home Depot, and Wal-Mart, I realized that if I wanted a gas free mower without an electric cord, this was the only choice.

The mower came in only three days, via ups, neatly packaged in two boxes ( I bought the weed eater attachment). I was so excited I ripped the boxes open and started assembling the parts. The only thing I really had to assemble was the handle, which was really easy. The hard part was waiting the 12 hours for the battery to charge! Much to my chagrin, it was chilly and rainey for a few days, keeping me from trying out my new toy. ERRRG

Finally, on Tuesday, I deemed it safe to take the mower outside. I attached the grass collection bag, inserted the safety key, and let 'er rip. I was completely shocked by the lack of jarring noise and vibration! I listened to the video on the website (click above) but I figured that they must have adjusted the sound in order to be able to hear the spokesman. Nope! It's so quiet I could mow at 6 am and not bother a soul. Even better, I was able to weedeat and edge my lawn with barely any extra effort. I do need to get a little better at aiming in tight spots, but other than that it was easy as pie! The battery (which charges with an adaptor inside your house) lasted for more than an hour while I mowed the large backyard, the tiny front, and edged. Not too bad! I was worried that I would get nearly done and lose power, but it didn't happen! So far, my only complaint is that I was so nervous about breaking the thing. Not that it isn't well put together, but the price is enough to make me be extra careful!

The best part, though, is that I never have to buy motor oil, gas, or filters. Since it is electric, I don't have to have it serviced once a year, the movers will move it with no hastle (no dangerous fluids) and it's safe for the environment! I can't wait for next saturday!!! Check out the website. It has video, and a lot of great info about the mower. They claim that the mower pays for itself in 5 years....11.00 for electricity, versus the near 400.00 in service and gas for a regular mower. Good deal, huh? I'll keep you posted, in case something changes my mind, but for now, I'm in love!

My latest obsession!

My latest OBSESSION: gluing stuff. lol I searched the ebay pages for weeks looking for bargians, and apparently everyone had my idea at the same time! Go ahead, search cufflink bracelets....I'm shocked at how much these go for! I made a few before finally choosing the best one for my mom for mother's day, and so far every time I see her, she's wearing it. I'm not sure if that's because she's my mom, or if she really likes it. You never can tell about those mom people. :D

So, I went "home" for the Mother's Day weekend, just missing the bouquet of flowers my hubby had sent. Somehow, every time he sends flowers, I choose that day to check the bank account online, so I find out they are coming before they actually get here. Very disappointing! This time though, storms kept me from driving home until Monday night, so my poor hubby had to complain to the company that I didn't get the flowers. Now I have to stay at home until they show up. Tell me, why don't they leave a note letting you know that someone is trying to deliver something? Give me a heads up as to when they will stop back by? Holy cow! Jay is trying to be sweet, and it turns into a week long irritation. Figures, right? Anyway, it was a great weekend. We saw "What Happens in Vegas" at the theater. It was hilarious! Mom and I had decided to take the girls though, and if you aren't a parent comfortable with normally ackward conversations with your kids, that's not a good idea! I'm fine with it, because my kids and I talk openly about sex, and bad decisions. So it didn't bother me too much when at one point of the movie, Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz are both in their undies, dying to sleep with eachother, and instead end up sleeping in seperate places, when Miah leans over and whispers in my ear " I think they want to have sex again!"

It was so darned funny, I immediately leaned over Laurel to relay the message to mom. At this point I'm snickering so hard I can barely contain myself, when Laurel also cracks up. Miah shut me up pretty quickly when she asks why in the world did I tell "Manny" what she said. OOPS. mom faux pas! It's moments like that that are better than Mother's day flowers. Your kids sometimes say things that will stick with you for the rest of your life! Not to mention how proud I am that Miah is so smart to pick up on the emotions the actors portrayed on screen. I'm thinking that my trying to raise my kids to be smart and independant thinkers is working. Wonder how many people will think me a rotten mom for that?

Speaking of rotten moms, I was reading a blurb from the Fort Campbell Newspaper online, I won't mention the ladies name, but she was talking about a conversation she over heard between a mom and her small boy. Apparently the boy was crying over an item he wanted, and in order to hush him, the mom told him to be quiet else the cops came to take him away, because they would think she was being mean to him. Granted, I don't really agree with this type of parenting. Telling the kid that someone is going to take him away strikes me as somewhat mean, but, what I find worse is this "reporter" (not sure??) found it ok to bring it up! How many times have you had you kids act like a rotten brat in the middle of a store? The kid is screetching and you feel the stab of a thousand evil stares on your back. You can almost hear the people around you thinking how rotten a mother you must be for this child to erupt like this! It's happened to me for sure. Miah (who is so much better now) used to freak out not because she wanted something, but because she couldn't hold still, and felt the need to squirm and yell in order to entertain herself. How rude of these people to hear one snippet of a threat, one time in a stressful situation, possibly in the middle of deployment and mom has a million little things on her mind, and judge that poor mom. You never know what a child has been like all day, or what mom is dealing with, or even whether this is a one time deal, or if it is a common occurance. I'd say just about anything to get Miah to shut up in a crowded wal-mart! I hope that mom wasn't too offended by the article, and I hope that the threat WAS a one time deal, and I hope that "reporter" never has to deal with her kids freaking out!!! Every time I see a kiddo freaking, I want to tell the parents that I understand, that it gets better, and that I'm not looking at them in disgust, but in sympathy. Give us moms a break! If you don't like dealing with the kid scene, go shopping at midnight!

Enough of the ranting....

I'm actually having a great day. I got back on the treadmill horse, and at the same time recorded some tv to send to Jay, and haven't got a ton to do! I'm off to get the kiddos, but I will be back to tall you all about my new lawnmower I used for the first time Tuesday. Until then...

Good Morning Sunrise!

This morning, I decided to take some time for myself. Just a few moments, before the day has to start. For once, Miah is not up at 5 am on the weekend! I brewed a cup of coffee in the French Press that Jeremiah bought me for my birthday one year, poured the finished product into my saracup, and headed to the hammock out back with a pillow and throw.

Chet and Dobby followed, as usual, and barked up a storm at the imagined dangers of the morning. (Squirrls, neighbors, other pets down the way...)

Curled up in my blanket, my face towards the sun, I sipped coffee, and relaxed. The sunrise was beautiful. Dobby eventually found her way to my lap, curled up next to the warm coffee cup, and snoozed. As I lie there, not thinking of anything in particular, I realized that I really need to make this a weekend tradition. It really sets the mood for the rest of the day. As a matter of fact, Since chilling for 45 minutes, I have already completed my menu and shopping list for this payperiod, brewed today's tea, and planned today's projects.

I'm really excited about one particular project. Yesterday I received the etcher I ordered, and started planning the inscription for the spoon bracelet I made for Sheila. I think I did a great job. Before I got started, I practiced on a few things I didn't think terribly important, and when I got good enough at controlling the thing, I went to town! The inside of the spoon reads: To Sheila, From Stacy, and around the handle it says: Love, Life, Peace, Happiness, Laughter, Friendship, are all I hope for you. I can't wait to give it to her! Hopefully she will like it as much as I do. Today's project is to make dogtag keychains for Jeremiah and myself. I also have a secret project in mind for Father's Day, but that description will have to wait for later.

One of the girls is finally awake at 8:11. Whoever it is snuck into the bathroom before I got a glance, but my money is on Miah. I'm going to try to type as quietly as possible so she won't find me. YES! It is My Miah Bug in her footsie Jammas. This signals the end of my quiet morning, so I will leave you. On to start the day. Wish me luck!