Meaningless rantings of a cabin fevered Mom.

well, yes Christmas is come and gone, and so many things to say, or remember, or just things on the horizon in 2008, but so hard to write it all down, that is, until my son opens his mouth and pours it all out in sentence. Let me set it up :) My sister is engaged to be married in 3 MONTHS :o, My big Brother is in a war, My husband is most likely getting a promotion that will relocate us to the west coast, in the desert, my Nana, and only surviving Grandparent will most likely not live to see another Christmas. Tonight i went to visit with my inlaws, and eat fab pizza, and let my sister in law drool on the kiddos. See, she moved out to Boulder Colorado this summer, hasn't seen them since, and it kills her, so she is drinking in every minute with them this week. As we leave, they give bg hugs and kisses, saying how much they love her, how they miss her, she hugs and clings and wonders why little people grow so fast, and Grant suggests that she just comes home to mama's house, eve...

It's coming on Christmas They're cutting down trees....... well i have no river to sail away on, but, if it hadn't gotten below 30 degrees last night, I'd have a lake in my driveway. :) That reminds me, i should spread some salt :P It's Christmas Eve! Truly my favorite day of the year. Somehow, on this night, it is easy to imagine the babe, the manger, the steam from warmth rising into the crisp cool evening. The smell of warm straw, and horses, and cows, and new life. The look on Mary's face, the thoughts running through Joeseph's head. The crazy looking shepheards running like mad to find a barn, and worship a baby. The angels overhead, singing, and God, looking down on it. Then add in today, the children anxious for Christmas morning, the familes all congregating together for meals, and laughs and memories. The twinkle lights in every house, the trees making it smell like the woods in our living rooms. The candles, the food, the feeling of belinging. No o...

There are too many things in life that go unsaid. Maybe we "just know" that the other person knows we love them. Maybe we don't get into the "mushy stuff" Maybe, there is nothing to say, or too much sadness or anger piled on top of it that you forgot what those words were. I have been sitting here crocheting, watching "Clash of the Choirs" (ya ya, boo hiss, cheesy whatever) .... anywho .... i heard these songs love, and family, and christmas, and wishing someone had said something to that loved one. Lest it go unsaid, I Love my Mom, I love my Dad, I love every one of my siblings more fiercely then any other people on this planet, (except my kids of course) I Love my Husband, he is my one and only always soul mate. I want my kids to always KNOW that Mommy LOVES them. I love my sister's in law like my very flesh and blood. My entire family is my most important relationship, next to God. :) I want my family to know that, call it an early Christmas pre...

One nice thing about having a cliff for a front walk, it makes a great sledding hill, complete with warm bathrooms, warm observation deck, first aid, oh yeah, and Hot Coffee. :) Matt planning Isaac's descent I can't get over the perpetual state of discombobulation of Aiden. Sammy seems to be bummed about watching and not being in the snow. He likes to lead, or dictate, or whine? It's cute though.

Yes yes we are buried! And even more so since Mike broke his second shovel SCHEEEECH! BUT, the snow and ice make for a lovely lazt sunday when we can decorate the tree, eat cookies, and crochet. Aren't they cute!? They may find thier way into stockings or gifts bags, depending on how many i can crank out in a week, along with Sewing PJ's and baking cookie *lol* im tired!

Copied from Madame Blueberry..... Go to the Wikipedia home page and click random article. That is your band's name. Click random article again; that is your album name. Click random article 10-15 more times; those are the tracks on your album. Band Name : Austin F. Pike Album Title: Sangokushi Battlefield Open Space Technology Baudline Gondia District Arthur Rudolf Hantzsch Medicine Hat Czechoslovak Socialist Republic 1590 in music Outro-solo Verenium Corporation Sound recording copyright symbol I feel like i should be shouting against social injustice, or perhaps put into an institution for thunking a glunk! The things you make me do blueberry!

This would be my 151st post! W00t. :) Anywho, just letting y'all know there is a new memory on My other blog. :)

Uhoh! Looks like SOMEONE is getting on the naughty list this year! Heehee Yuh, so i found something new and fun to make with yarn, and oh my goodness im having SO MUCH fun with it :) Life here has been pretty busy. We have been gearing up for Christmas, looking into a possible relocation (more on THAT later) and trying to keep up with everything else. I have been rehearsing for a drama on Sunday, with My dad as my Dad and my brother as my hubby EWW! I do have to say though, having half of the cast being of Atkins' origin, it certainly adds alot of joviality to the skit! **is that a word?** my spell checker didn't hit it heehee Mike is loving his job, we have lots of lovely snow, Grant can finally walk up and down the sledding hill, (aka our front walk) himself, and so gets to go play outside alone, which he loves. He is doing very well in Pre-school, loving the learning, and meeting new friends. So thats a very short overview of life here, i gotta go clean off the counter so ...

So, monday we woke to the first big snowstorm of the season. Looks like we could get a bunch! For once i planned ahead! We have hats gloves coats AND even sleds for the kiddos. Yay me :) Of course, per Atkins' tradition, with the first snowstorm comes the first Christmas cookies. :) Now i have to tell you! Last year i tried to make these things with Mom Doenges' OLD cookie press. It had been passed down a few times, with the recipie, through her family, and no one likes to make them, because the press nearly breaks your hand. WELL! This year, i cracked open the Pampered Chef one my muddah gave me, and OH my GOODness! These were the easiest cookies i ever made! *lol* and last but certainly not least, A day in the life of Samantha, as told in pictures. Tempermental? Moody? Adorable? You decide!

Growing up, in Walpole NH there was a grocery store called IGA. On the paper bags for years was printed the Phrase, "Hometown Hero's" I can't remember why, but it sticks with me today. I have been thinking alot about Hero's about our hero's mostly, those in the military. I usually muster up extra patriotism whenever i have a loved one deployed to the warzone. I wear RW&B on Friday's i wear a pin, i cry over all the soldier songs. I am Vocal about praying for our troops and remembering their sacrifices. But it occurs to me. Do they know that? Do my deployed loved ones KNOW that? Do they KNOW that i cry over the news? Do they KNOW i pray for them? Have i written them? Have i sent them emails, sail mails, care packages, anything? To my shame, i have not. In fact i just barely started a small campaign of my own, I have adopted an Army Wife, whose husband is deployed, and i try to send her an e-card of encouragement once a week. Not to brag, just to say out...

So, today i figured out the reason i like Pigs so much *lol* I bought two movies at walmart yesterday, The REAL "Land Before Time" and the original "Charlotte's Web" The very one i watched in school one year when i was very little, in the old yellow Hooper Institute Building in Walpole N.H. :) As i watched the movie today, Sammy walked in the room, and saw the baby piglet in the baby carriage, and exclaimed.... " Mooomy! Wook! A wittle baby piggy! awwww, He's sooo cUUte!" It clicked, this movie started my love of pigs. So now you know. :) and on a nother note, could Wilbur GET more sentimental? Good greif, he cries more then me over extreme home makeover! *lol* Oh, and on another not so small note. I got a NEW CAMERA!! WooHoo! So, here is how my son christened it *rofl* he looks very old to me suddenly.

COMING SOON ....... to a christmas Card near you!! You only THINK you have seen this picture already ........ pay close attention to details! :) I LOVE photobucket. :) Anywho, on another note, i went to the doctor this weekend, got an XRay, and it seems i have a bad sprain, not a break. SO YAY! I am trying to move it more, and i think i will be able to make christmas cookies, AND all the little handmade crafts i was gonna tackl e scheeech :P I did feel better after proper splinting, and hearing about the poor woman who was cleaning the cuisenart and hit the switch before unplugging it. OUCH! Now THAT is gonna hurt :P Onto other issues. :) This weekend i met my sister's new friend Rick. I suppose now we are calling him the Boyfriend. Oi vey! I must say, he passed the sibling test with flying colors. He even seemed to enjoy himself, Amy was red in the face alot of the time, i wonder if she is allergic to him? heeheheheee He is sticking around. Even after Two big dinners with the At...

Not to trump my sis in law with her HILARIOUS treadmill story, but it runs in the family, and we all like doing things together, so it's fitting i get to tell a whopper to :) So, like i said, we went to super bowl this weekend, but before that, i made a pit stop to get junk food, caffeine, pull ups and hat and gloves for grant. ( you can't send them to Mamaw's house with no hat and gloves *lol* ) so. i went in, got my stuff, went to check out, and as im finally getting to the checkout, i start to chat with the normal seeming guy behind the register, as my children begin a high pitched terror induced scream. I prepare myself not to scream back at them and turn to see the cart.... the empty shopping cart with Sammy strapped in the seat, careening over onto it's side, on top of my 4 year old who is clutched to the edge with a "I'm gonna die" look on his face. I leap, leaving my wallet and card for anyone to swipe on the counter, and i grab the side of the car...

No matter how prepared i am, the first snowfall always makes me feel a tad under the gun to get the Christmas chopping done *lol* Even though this year, i almost have all the kids gifts, and Mike and i are taking whatever is left from the christmas money to buy a camera :) So, i don't feel too stressed. Of course when you wake up to the first snow, it's very calming really, until the oldest child calls out "daddy! Mommy! wake up! It's awesome! Its SNOW!! I need clothes! I need to go outside!" Oi! I need coffee :P heeheeehee so today, we drop the kids off with Mamaw and Poppa and head off to Ny for some God Only knows reason :) It's actually for Superbowl we chaperone it every year, i think I have been to every one for the last ........ oh ..... 7-9 years? WOW, i am a glutton for punishment. LOL It is alot of fun, and this year, we have 80 kids .....yes EIGHTY!! Thats like, one stuffed premiere bus, plus numerous church vans and mini vans, an lots of crazy adu...

As hard as i try, the Force is strong, and they keep trying to pull over the innocent to the dark side. (we left the kids alone with thier Grandparents for 30 minutes, and this is what i come back to! You just can't trust anyone! ) "Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Luke... Luke... do not... do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor or suffer your father's fate you will. Luke, when gone am I... the last of the Jedi will you be. Luke, the Force runs strong in your family." **sigh**, they ARE cute, maybe we could superimpose a Yankees symbol over her shirt? Then i could use it for Christmas pictures! :) "Then the Emperor has already won. You were our only hope." "Yoda spoke of another. " "The other he spoke of is your twin sister.........."

just an FYI ...new post on memory blog ... :)

My Mum is having a birthday soon. On Sunday in fact, (along with my twin nieces out west).I would like to commemorate the occasion by listing some of the unique things i learned from her over the years. For no specific reason *giggle* I chose 59 as the magic number. #59 --- Closets! The first thing to look for in a house is ample CLOSETS!(we lived in a salbox style farmhouse for 9+ years, three bedroom, and 2 closets. TWO, one little one in Mom's room, one little on in the hall Ghastly!) #58 --- For goodness sake, learn to laugh at yourself. Life has too many potholes, must have some smiles! #57 --- A clean home is a quiet home, pleasant, and calm. ( that's the theory anyway, we constantly strive to reach that goal!) :) #56 --- Nothin' says lovin' like somthing from the oven! #55 --- Embrace Your femininity. Embrace your Masculinity. In this time of fuzzy gender lines, and the breakdown of marraige, Mom has always been very good at showing us ho...

Just to say, NEW layout! :) I found this at this site here, Gisele's Bloggy Things So yeah, thats my news of the day :)

oh the days of cowering in the back of the house and ignoring all the little knocks at the door....yes those days are gone ....WAY WAY gone! LOL No, we don't "celebrate" halloween, but, we DO love an excuse to dress up, so for now, it's cute and pretty costumes, candy giving and getting, and the beloved sugar rush. So, tonight we visited Nana at work, AUnty Amy at work, and went Trick or treating with Uncle Jacob and "uncle Ben" (who is our brother by proxy and was dubbed 'uncle' just this evening to his great delight!) LOL at Nana's work Nana is having fun showing off the babies and taking pics Aunty Amy at work All done harvesting TIME to EAT! Sammy said "I got Yots and YOTS of candy mom!" :)

I was hurrying around the house trying to get dressed and ready to head out, and wondering why in the world i can't keep a neat house, and i walk into the living room to this scene, twice the size, (there were piggys and kitties on the couch with bigger blankies, and one on daddy's chair, and Sammy was wandering amongst them singing some song that sounded a bit like Jesus loves me ABC Rock the baby. LOL So, i stopped what i was doing and took a picture. I need a real camera :P I only have a cell phone currently, perhaps santa has one with my name on it :D

First, dorky i know, but it IS kinda fun that I'm the only single word LINKAGE on Muddah's blog :) Secondly, fall is finally here, and I am happy with the cool weather VERY happy! Third, i may be addicted to popcorn, and now i know how to make it in a pan on the stove (much quieter) bad news dude! Lastly, but the more important of things i've been musing over lately. Lots of soul searching, looking back, looking forward, checking my brain waves and all that fun stuff. Last night i went to pick up my hubby from our local airport. Nothing to brag about, but great fun for the little ones. As they frolicked about in the cold clear air of a fall night, they laid in the grass at the base of the gi-normic spotlite and looked up, ooohing and aweing at the size and coolness of it, and i was struck suddenly. By a memory, one i hadn't visited for a long while, a cool night, unlike this one, it was foggy VERY foggy. My mom and i were on the way to the local airport, to meet my dad...

did not beat Amsie, but not too bad of a showing really :)

I have much to say, i have few words, i am somewhat lost. My Mom let me borrow a great CD. It is AVALON "Faith: A Hymns Collection" I highly recommends it! Although our childhoods in a certain odd church comes with tons of hair raising, eyebrow lifting, snicker snicker ha ha, stories, one thing remains. We were brought up with Hymns, and they stick! And thank goodness. Read these words and I hope they Encourage some weary hearts. :) 1. My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. * Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand. 2. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. 3. His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the whelmin...

Grow Cube See more like this on kontraband.com Oh my goonis, you HAVE to try this!! It's soo crazy addicting!! There are more "grow" games here, EYEMAZE Good luck! :)

You know, life is funny. God never promises we will be beautiful, or age gracefully, or even age at all in some cases, BUT He does promise to hold us every step of the way, if we let Him. Sometimes, kinda feels like we are rag dolls. No less beautiful, just older, wiser, and softer. Just a thought i wanted to share, to anyone feeling beaten up, forgotten, alone, or just plumb tuckered out, God Loves his little Rag Dolls with a LOVE that passes all understanding. Yay GOD! :)

So, here we are, as hazzie likes to say. It's friday, the last day of a nutty week, quite unlike LAST friday where i was all excited about getting out without kiddos, this week im gearing up for boy's birthday party. :) I'm actually kinda excited, it's the first one I've planned with 'structure'. Usually it's just everyone coming over, munching on food, and then we get around to gifts and cake before the kids start to beat each other up LOL. So, this time, i have two games and a little simple craft project, so that should be fun. Our little trip to Boston was awesome! We had a very nice hotel for a nice 'price-line' price :) we got to shop at IKEA, which i have never seen in person, and now I am addicted!! :) We went clothes shopping for mommy and Daddy. I got SUCH a cute dress, oh and shoes, yes shoes to die for LOL. My sis in aw may be jealous :D and THATS not easy to do Aren't they adorable? Heehehee! oh, and i can't forget, the GRANTI...

Not much more needs to be said :) We are on our way to Boston for the weekend to celebrate our 5 years of bliss *ROFL* Bliss what a funny word :) but yes, looking forward to a weekend of no kids, GLAD i'm not a fly on the wall in Matt's house tomorrow! :) Thanks Bro ... *heeheheheee*

Rule #1 Be Confident in your abilities ..... know what you can do and know you do those things well..... case in point ... i LOVE to make things with my hands, crochet is something i picked up again and I am just havng a ball with it! Here is My rag doll ..(formerly known as "Sara Doll" recently re-named "Mommy Doll") well she was in need of some new clothes that sammy could dress her in easily, so i went to work, aaand maybe went a bit overboard, LOL but it's fun, and I'm good at it! Here is the afghan i recently finished for Grant's bed, he will get it next weekend at his birthday party, and it coordinates well with the new **cough** NASCAR bedding he is getting. heehee I am also trying to make new stocking for Mike Sammy and Grant, copying the one my Memaww made for me many years ago. How To Become a Wilton Method Instructor Another thing im looking at recently is Teaching "the Wilton Method" Woohhoo! :) Yup, i got an interiew at the local ...

I was at work, just like any other day, The strange stories that i heard from customers, co-workers, and finally my mom. You know, in crisis, call MOM! The things i heard were NOT adding up, did NOT make sense. it could NOT BE HAPPENING!! Well, it did. We are not as safe as we think. We are not invincible. We are human, and frail. In a moment, in the twinkling, our life can change. Mine did, suddenly, all my cool Army guys, were now going to war. Everyone i loved feel too far away. Everything i LOVE about the USA was even more precious. So without going on and on and on about the terror, the horror, the moments we all remember like they were yesterday, I want to ask a Question. Where are you now? What did you learn? What do you see 6 years later? I see a cloudy tuesday, so unlike the one we all remember, almost seems fitting. I see my faith as SO vey nessasry to survive in these times. I see my freedom as precious, and not something we will always enjoy, unless we are willing ...

So, you know how it goes, you start winding down close to payday, and the cabinets are gettin' low, and you start to get creative. Kinda like when we were young and Mom used to shop at Ft. Devens down in Mass, 14billion hours away *heeheehehee* we came up with a smart ditty once. Twas the day before Devens and all through the house, The children were starving, Matt's EATING a mouse!! anywho, today we are out of sandwich bread, so i got creative, wondering how long it would work when my bright young son says, "Mommy, where did we get ALL this food?" "um, we bought it, with money, money that daddy made from work." to which he says.. "Awww, isn't he just a great, super daddy?" ROFL, yes son, yes he is LOL. To be a child again life WAS more simple back then LOL.

quick update before i expire :) Grant started Preschool today, WOW. I didn't think it would be too tough, or that he would fuss too much. Apparently i was fooling myself *lol* I dropped him off, and when i was leaving, i knelt down with sammy gave him a hug and said, "okay Grant, we are gonna leave...." at this point he starts to get all sad looking mommy's heart is warming awww... he doesn't want to leave me :) "nono, mommy and sammy are going home, you will stay here and......." "OH! Okay, cool! Bye mom!" and that was it, i sat there crouched on the ground in the hallway next to sammy looking at a closed door. the dad behind me chuckles, "well, THAT sucks!" o.o I was a bit out of my element i mean im glad he is doing well and all, but he could have clung a leeetle bit just for effect...scheech! ahh well, twas a nice quiet morning, sammy very much enjoyed mommy time, we made a new dress for "dolly" who is actually MY dolly ...

Well, i've had this video banging around in my head for a while now, since i started that other blog of mine. These are the songs that inspired the blog, (that and the fact that David didn't know we went to Florida once LOL) So here is my Generations video, tissues may be needed for anyone who knows the people involved. *lol* Oh, and i put the first story up on the new blog, also, anyone who has a story to share with the rest of us, send me an email with your blogger-email-addy, and i will add you on to the list so you can post :)

I get a swift kick in tha patootie! :P My dear frined Sandra sent me this Link and i think this woman is awesome! What a story teller! You will surely get a kick out of this, and look at how much her auction sold for! "THE BEST EBAY AUCTION EVER" i am adding her blog to my links :) I would like to get to know her!

Hee heehehee Well geez, this is our second storm with "damaging winds" (as matt calls it) well the second one to hit my street, there have been several in our state this year, but i have just never seen SUCH damaging winds here in our nook. Major trees got taken out this time, just random trees snapped, or knocked over, our landlords almost lost their house to one big pine. We were out of power overnight, no big deal, but mike's grill got picked up and thrown across the yard we found marble sized hail in a little pile, and the whole side of our house was plastered with debree. No one got hurt no serious monetary damage, but pretty cool to look at the aftermath. Here is a pic of what the garden behind our house looked like afterwards .... sad sad sunflowers :( Oh, and this is Sammy in Clarie's, LOL she LOVES that store, could be expensive :)

You ever wonder that?you look at something cool and wonder, How does that work? Well i guess most people with any kind of imagination do, and some of the smart ones just 'know' how it's done. Then there are the "tinkerers". The ones who are pretty sure they know, but they just have to SEE it. Does ANYONE know ANYONE like that? My son, my son is similar to a tornado, in that he is calm quiet and quite pleasant most of the time, however, when his energy hits a certain level, he leaves massive destruction and waste in his wake. Leave him alone in a room too long, and wallpaper disappears, blinds become new amazingly aggravating sculptures, curtains are removed from windows and turned into a "SUUUuuuuuuuuPERMAN" costume. The most recent victim was the hamper. Just a cheap hamper, a fold able one, you know, the type with mesh and a wire frame, perfect for boys to throw things in, sit on, walk into, move, pretty indestructible, until, the child decides he WILL...

Read first post :) for more Wordless Wednesdays, click HERE

So, im starting a new blog, cause i dont have enough ya know *lol* It's going to be a family blog, where we can all post pictures and memories of "the old days" to help the younger siblings, and even the grandchildren, see and soak up new memories or days and even family members they missed out on seeing. So i will try to get all the bloggers invited so we can all start posting. :)

Several years ago i pegged that as my life verse, my chief ambition. My lifelong goal is to stand before my Saviour in Heaven and hear the words, "Well done, my good and FAITHFUL servant." So, my trip to blue field West Virginia with 16 teenagers, was in fact life changing. In very small ways, but very cool. I now have Fan girls LOL! and i love them dearly, a gaggle of jr high gigglers have claimed me as their own. They run up to me in church and hug me and say good morning and are really happpy to see me, they even went to the Sunday school director and suggested he "fix it" so Mrs Doenges is the Jr High teacher in the fall. Heeheehee so cute :) I learned new ways to be a servant. I also liked that we took upon ourselves as a team to be the servants of the week. We were last in line to eat first in line to help, my little team was the fastest dinner crew of the week! I learned that most of the time teenagers are LOUD for NO GOOD Reason, and can get on nerves almost...

Yes Samantha is 2 years old today, seems like yesterday, but i think i will be saying that for many many more years :) Also Happy Birthday to her cousin Aiden who is 4 today. :) For more Wordless Wednesdays, go HERE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKEY!!!!!!! i love you :)

Okay ..... so my summer is now supposed to wind down :) with my mission trip done, and im still mullling over the details, so i will post on it again later. We have just completed our annual "Family Campout" Our entire church camps all together on one section of emerald lake state campground every year. Its really alot of fun. We have a Lobster cook on thursday night, pig roast on saturday and worship under the trees on sunday morning. This year had new organizers, so we saw some nice upgrades, 24hour coffee bar built by one of our resident wood work wizards, and supplied by Green mountain coffee. We also had a raffle on Friday night. LOTS of nice gifts given out (the lady in charge spent months going around and rounding up TONS of donations for our weekend). and a lovely couple even donated free fire wood for the entire church all weekend WOW! Here are some higlights caught on my camera, i have many more, i'll post more lata. Signs on every site so you knew where every...