"HAMPER"ing the Truth?!?

Nooo, I'm not.
I swear....... no lie....... honest to God....... I kid you NOT....... Seriously speaking....... No joke....... I tell ya....... it's the truth that while my laundry waits to be washed in that dark, stinky, romantic hamper, it BREEDS!

100 % Whole What?

100% Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Muffins... just about defeats the purpose.

Thankful Thursday: A Kind Word

Yes, so simple a kind word is... and I am thankful for when I get one. There are a couple of folks out there in bloggy-land that I've never met, but they always seem to have a kind word. You know, it's the little things. RR & NN, I'm talking to YOU. Thank you for your kind words that you so often leave.

So simple a kind word is. I like to think that I'm fairly cognizant of the strokes I give... alas, I am not always. For folks I've not met, or 'strangers' at the store, or my toddler daughter, or our animals... words come easier.

But, for the adults in my life... I need to be more cognizant. For I am not vulnerable if I do give strokes... do I think that I won't be stroked back?? And so what if I give strokes and they do not come back like I envision? Am I worse for the wear?... for the stroke that I dolled? No. And I know this.

Don't get me wrong, I do give strokes, that is, say a kind word, give a compliment to those adults in my life... it's just that... I don't know, maybe I assume many times that they know how I feel... and a stranger, or folks I've not met, our daughter or our animals don't know how I feel, so I tell them. Well, that leaves me still assuming regarding the adults in my life. We all know what the proverbial "they" say about assuming.

I just know that I need to be more cognizant of giving a kind word since I know how thankful I am when I get one.

48 Things About Me

I was not "tagged", per se, for this. But, since it has made its rounds on 3 of the 4 blogs I visit, I thought, 'what the heck'. So 48 things things... some of which may change before this is hits the blogosphere.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:30 AM

2. How do you like your steak? Medium

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Heck, I can't remember. I know my husband and I saw Pirates of the Caribbean II the weekend before our daughter was born-remember thinking 'My Gawd, this movie is dragging on.' (I had to go to the bathroom).

4. What is your favorite TV show? Don't have one, but like science and history stuff.

5. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Where I am.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Blueberry cereal.


7. What is your favorite food? Boiled shrimp.

8. What foods do you dislike? Oysters.


9. Favorite place to eat? (recent choice) Chili's -they're kid-friendly

10. Favorite dressing? Ranch

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Ford Expedition

12. What are your favorite clothes? Men's boxers and a sleeves-cut-out t-shirt

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Scotland

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Like to think I'm pragmatic and can ascertain the difference in different situations (I know, you're saying OMG)... I am an upbeat person with enough sleep, so... 'Half Full'.

15. Where would you want to retire? Where I am

16. Favorite time of day? Evening, right before dusk being outside.

17. Where were you born? SE Texas

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Horse jumping

19. Who do you think will not tag you back? Not looking for tags.

20. Person you expect to tag you back first? Not looking for tags.

21. Who are you most curious about their responses back to this? No one in particular

22. Bird watcher? Yup.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Tend towards the PM

24. Do you have any pets? Yup.

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? ...ummm... no new news... although, I have been poked a few times lately, in the bladder, in the middle of the night.

26. What did you want to be when you were little? Horse Trainer


27. What is your best childhood memory? ..best?? ...I don't know about 'best', but I'll pick ... all the horses memories, others filled with dogs and Colorado

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Am not one of those that thinks you HAVE to pick (we have both), but there is more relating with dogs... at least here, there is.

29. Are you married? Yes.

30. Do you always wear your seat belt? Yes.

31. Have you been in a car accident? Yes.

32. Any pet peeves? Yes. Just to name 3... people in my space, political correctness, and Pink Elephants (I have great difficulty sitting there and acting like it's not there w/o saying something).


33. Favorite pizza toppings? Hamburger

34. Favorite flower? ...lately... my New Zealand Rose (have always answered "mauve lilies" to this before).


35. Favorite ice cream? Double Fudge Brownie

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Taco Bell

37. How many times did you fail your driver's license test? None

38. From whom did you get your last email? my husband

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? 1st. wouldn't. 2nd. store that goes on card a lot: Home Depot

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? 'spontaneous' is relative... does buying 14 small trees count?

41. Like your job? Despite never feeling caught up ...heck, never BEING caught up [except when 'Grandma' visits-she's the laundry Queen.... I leave for an appt./shopping, come back & holy smokes(!), didn't know the washer worked that fast (& we're talking masses that have bred like India rats)... if the clothes didn't smell so clean, I wouldn't believe it... like my masthead say, I am blessed.. but, I digress..] ... and feeling tired much of the time... Momma-hood is good.


42. Do you like broccoli? It's alright... better with cheese.

43. What was your favorite vacation? Can't pick a "favorite" -like 'em for different reasons. Would like to go to Disney World someday when child(ren) are older.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Husband and daughter.

45. What are you listening to right now? The hum of daughter's room monitor

46. What is your favorite color? Mauve

47. How many tattoos do you have? None.

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? None.

On Again ~ Off Again

Arrghh... computers! Alas, I do have a love affair with them-what tools for learning at your fingertips.

BUT, ours is having problems. Long story short, it looks like our 'C' drive will have to be reformatted -wiped out. Much 'house-work' to do before then to save ?!?

Sooo, maybe when all's finished, I'll go faster & do more in a shorter amount of time.

*
p.s. Still pg., tired and tired again.
p.p.s. Am already feeling guilty about the loss of time with Little Someone (assuming all continues).

A Mother's Prayer

Found this poem sometime back. Even though I do not have two on the ground, I still identified with it. When I became a parent, I realized that there is this whole club of 'parents' out there.

In B.C. times (before children), I could imagine what it was like or going to be like to have children and be a parent. But one really doesn't know until they are... I don't care HOW much you baby-sat or take care of your nieces, nephews and the like... it's a 'whole-nuther ballgame' having your own children.

Which brings me to a quote by Sophia Loren... it is so true:

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.

Enjoy the knowing smile this may bring....

A Mother's Prayer:

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray my sanity to keep.

For if some peace I do not find,

I'm pretty sure I'll lose my mind.

I pray I find a little quiet

Far from the daily family riot.

May I lie back--not have to think

about what they're stuffing down the sink,

or who they're with, or where they're at

and what they're doing to the cat.

I pray for time all to myself

(did something just fall off a shelf?)

To cuddle in my nice, soft bed

(Oh no, another goldfish--dead!)

Some silent moments for goodness sake

(Did I just hear a window break?)

And that I need not cook or clean--

(well heck, I've got the right to dream).

Yes, now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray my wits about me keep,

But as I look around I know--

I must have lost them long ago!

~Author Unknown

Just For the Record

1. Well, my 'I could be doing something better' work paid off... though "paid off" is not the term I'd use since we're not getting paid -just getting reamed less. Was able to get what the CAD says our 'Market Price' per acre is down -from $31,600 per acre to $21,700 per acre.

2. Am still pregnant. Wasn't sure. Had some bleeding. Wasn't liking the roller-coaster ride of wondering, so I went in to know one way or another and all is still going. Still very early, so I defer to 'what will be, will be'.

3. I'm tired....... oh..... yeah...... you're probably getting tired of hearing that. I can assure not as tired as I am.

I Have Better Things to Do...

....but NOOO(!), I have to spend my time researching in order to protest our property taxes before the Appraisal Board next week. Oh, yes, it is a choice... I don't HAVE to do it. But, holy mother of and entity that forces one to unmercifully defend what they have properly bought and paid for... Lease Rape by the government is one thing to call it or Legal Extortion by the government.
POINT BEING... I am spending time that I could be SLEEPING looking up an ungawdly amount of "comparables" and I have not been having fun.

Sorry if I sound negative... I'm tired.

Hmmm... I think I've said that lately.

Nuff Said?

I'm one month away from Forty. I'm pregnant. I handle the WHOLE household (bills and ALL else)... plus five horses, two dogs and one cat. Oh, and my husband and I have a coming on three yr. old toddler.
I'm tired.

Today's To Do List:

• Change a diaper
• Fix breakfast
• Start some laundry
• Ready ourselves
• Encourage potty use/Change a diaper
• Grocery shopping
• Unload groceries
• Encourage potty use/Change a diaper
• Fix lunch
• Dishes
• Clean kitchen
• More LAUNDRY
• Encourage potty use/Change a diaper
• Read to daughter before nap
• Nap time
• A bunch of other stuff

The productive part of my day is in the AM... once nap time ends, it's all just tying up loose ends from the first part of the day.

Looking back at this list above... ha! If I tried to write down all the ancillary irons in the fire, I'd be sitting here for awhile and I've GOT to get my priorities straight... namely, SLEEP for me (I type these often the night before). Sooo, a short incomplete list it is.

p.s. Our Little Someone is getting better about telling me when she needs to use the potty and holding it when we're not around one. I haven't been one to push the issue. I hear when they're ready, they're ready.

Our Annual Protest

I'm whooped. And having to protest one's property taxes... stinks. I do it every year and that's what I did yesterday (Monday). My husband and I have gone together a few times. But, it seems I have better luck going by myself. So, at it alone, I go.

I WON'T GET ON MY BANDWAGON... because I may not get off of it before I need to go to bed... suffice to say that we CATEGORICALLY believe property taxes are extortion - one can never OWN their home/property. They have to 'lease' it from the government -a gov't that, incidentally, constantly increases your lease amount without your consent.

Sales tax... ALL for it. A person has a choice with a Sales Tax and the state still gets change in their pocket (plus, research shows that states get more from a Sales Tax).

ANYway, went to protest after doing my research up until 2AM the night before. Did get some 'relief' on our 'improvements' (ha... what a joke). But, my husband and I will both go before the Appraisal Board to contest our land value (we have 8 acres). Since we bought our property 11 1/2 years ago, the county has gone up in our "appraised value" a WHOPPING 449% ...how's that for 'legal' thievery!?!

OMGracious ...I cannot get started, it's too late and I need sleep too much to go and get my heart rate up.

**deeeep breathhh**

Life with Dogs

Really ... honestly... I have GOT to clean my baseboards ...and I ain't taking pics to show you. Just remember, we have TWO 165 lb. Great Danes that live indoors and out. We take our shoes off, but they just keep the grime between their toes until they enter their ....uhhh... our domain.

And then, of course, they have hair over 99.7265% of their l-a-r-g-e bodies and they have a bit of slobber too... which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't SHAKE every time they get up. For those that don't know, it's the shaking that sends the slobber sideways this and that. It can stick to walls and it doesn't match the paint color very well.
Hmmm... sounds like I have more than baseboards to clean.

*sighhh*

Life with dogs... BIG dogs.... well, truth be told, I wouldn't have it any different.

Gotta go clean...

Friday's Pop Quiz

Question: Are you tired and do you have a lot of housework and other stuff to catch up on?

Answer: Yes.

My Major Award

Remember the post title, "It's a Major Award! I Won!" ? Well, I am finally getting to download the photos from the digital pic camera (taxes always puts me in a stew and leaves me behind in other things). But, now that it's done, I can show you my award!

Libby over at Neas Nuttiness was celebrating her "One Year Blogaversary" by doing a giveaway. Lo and behold, I won. I don't normally win things, so I was delighted.

Look at this envelope with the lovely added touch of a flower and then the ribbon on the delicate little lace sachet ...and what nice handwriting! Mine has been accused of looking like it's either from a doctor or that it's 'man-handwriting' ~which is not fair to men, because my other half's is much neater than mine.

The earrings that are matching to the bracelet ~ simply chic.

And the bracelet- nice and dainty for my skinny little wrist... which is the only thing skinny about me (well, that and my ankles). Yes, I know, my nails are short. To repeat, we have a horse breeding business. Mares don't like long nails when my arm is up them for an insemination.

If you haven't checked out Neas Nuttiness, you ought to go over. She's a down home, dog-loving, wife and momma (of ten kids!) and will leave you with a smile. Thanks Libby for the lovely giveaway prize. I like that they are not overstated (which isn't my style) and look to enjoy them for years to come ...and, of course, think of you when I do!

Whoo-Hoo! Taxes are DONE!

Now, just to get them sent off. So, in the spirit of this ....ahem.. cough, cough... choke(!) ...wonderful time, here's a little TaxMan Boogie song for you.

Don't forget to scroll down and pause or mute my Playlist on the right, so you can hear the video.

Arrgghhh ... Taxes

Did I mention just how MUCH I despise taxes? ...and doing them? ... hmmm... maybe they're doing me, cause I feel sc*ew*d.

{My apologies for the inappropriate humor. This is what doing taxes does to me though... puts me all in a funk.}

Taxes IS a Four Letter Word

Just in case you don't read the comments that folks leave, I decided to put it in the title. That is, that TAXES is a four letter word.
RR let me know so. You see that fifth letter... the "S" -it's just an add on (like a tax)... and, you know what I think the "S" stands for??
Yes, just what you're thinking... well, just what many of you are thinking.
Still plodding~

Plodding Along the Tax Trail.... Ugghh

The outdoor loving part me wishes for nasty wet weather so I don't have too feel so bad about missing being outside. You know "TAXES" should be a four letter word.

Friday's Quiz & Other Stuff Cancelled due to More Mentally TAXing Things

like...

I won't start... or I'll try not to. Just FYI, "bloggy-land" may be traveled infrequently by me for ?!? as TAX time is upon us and, with an Equine Breeding Business, all of our ducks ... errr... horses must be in a row.

Let me just say, I cannot tell you how MUCHHH I despise our tax system... on SO many levels. I could rant for a LONG time on the subject, but I won't subject you to that (hey.. "subject and subject" what do you call those words that look the same, but are said differently?).

ANYway, hope y'all are faring/will fare well with your TAX stuff.

And please, don't redistribute any of your "wealth" on my behalf.

Yup, slowly, but surely, I think Atlas may be shrugging.

[ For those ?? not so 'political'... sorry, but... I just had to get that off my chest... *sighhh* ...okay, I feel better now. But, that shouldn't last long because I haven't started doing our taxes yet. ]

Until next time....

Thankful Thursday: Music

I do love music... of all sorts... well, most sorts. I don't care for that loud angry metal stuff or cRap (sorry, but that's what it is to me). Since I love sunsets and nature too, I thought this pic was fitting for this "Thankful Thursday: Music" post since the birds remind me of notes on a music staff.

I did have to look up what those lines are called though (a music staff), as I took one semester with the flute when I was in middle school and I don't remember much... well, then there's that college music course I took... I didn't absorb much of that class either.... nevertheless, I do love music.

If it's not obvious already, I don't play an instrument, but I love the piano. It has been my favorite instrument for as long as I can remember (actually, we have a piano- was my grandmothers when she was alive). To me, a piano, more than any other instrument, can play a wider array of music with more dimension and depth. It just conveys more to me. I have added a couple of my favorite piano pieces to my Playlist down on the right. They are at the end of the list (Jessica's Theme & Fur Elise).

There's another piece there by Doug Smith. We have two of his CDs. He is from West Texas -from a farming family.... OMGosh can he play. I was only able to find a snippet of this one song that is on the Playlist. I say "can he play" -I don't believe he still can... we learned that in 2007, he was in a bad car accident... last I saw on his website was a note at the end of 07 saying that he couldn't come home even after 5 months and was confined to a wheelchair and unable to move his arms much. I know I sidetracked, but if you like Piano, he has some fabulous moving music you can get. [p.s. Just found this article written a year ago about his condition.]

So, Music... that's what I'm thankful for... it takes me places. Plus, I have this weird knack of being able to remember the words to a song very quickly (funny enough, I remember numbers well too... but, can I remember what I had for dinner last night?!?). You give me a Neil Diamond, Simon & Garfunkel, Ann Murray, Waylon, Willie, Merle, Bee Gees... I'll stop ...but if I could get on that music lyric game show, I might be able to bring some bacon home ... great, now that ?? Osh-sha-lee ?? commercial song is in my head. I'm such a dork.

But I'm a music loving dork.