We won't be victims again...

We had a bad start this morning.

We were supposed to go to the Balloon Fiesta this morning. But the alarm died. We woke up at 7 am. We were supposed to be there at 5:45 am.

I glanced out the window to see if I could see the balloons in the air. But instead I saw my tree in the street. It had been yanked from the roots. Thrashed and smashed on the wood we had placed for our fence and thrown to die in the street.

This tree was planted in a little ceremony in front of our house in remembrance of the kid's little sister. In remembrance of my niece whose life was taken too soon. We called it "her name" tree and it was greener and more alive than any other in my yard. No exaggeration. We marveled over HER tree.

Why these people did this? I don't know. For a laugh? Because I told their multiple dogs to get off my property? Because I needed to use the street to get home and I interrupted their football game? Or maybe because I politely asked that their children not hit, punch or pull my kid's hair... who knows?

I was angry at first. I didn't know how I was going to explain it to the kids as I stood out there waiting for the police to come. I told the officer of the previous vandalism and this time I had a vandalized community mailbox to report as well. Gang letters? Whatever.

I stood out there and I proclaimed that I am NOT afraid. What can they do? Kill me. Go for it. Put me out of my misery. I am NOT afraid. When all is said and done. I know the life I led and I can proudly claim it. I know where I am going. Can the same be said for them?

In the meantime, I hope these images some how burn into their mind.

They tried to make this innocent child a victim once again. They tried to make my nieces and my nephew-- now MY KIDS victims again.

But no more. Joke is on you... you lose. The tree will be replanted and the fence will go up. All you get is this...

So rotate...

Tired (or the day that never ends)

I should be doing other things but I realized I miss reading my blogs. Especially when my little bloglines notifier pops up and tells me I have 846 posts waiting.

But honestly, I feel like I am stuck in the never ending day for about..hmmm-3 WEEKS!

Last night I felt like Cinderella. All day long I was talking about my tackle and I wanted to get it done and out of my living room. Yet I found myself barely starting it last night at nearly 11 pm. As I painted, I thought "Where have my days been going?" I lost the entire day. I was given task after task from each kid and hubs directly right after another with no spare time to myself until I had hubs in bed and his procedure started at around 11 pm.

Then I started to give myself a guilt trip over Sunday. Sunday I took the whole day "off". I stayed on the couch and caught up with Bridezillas and CSI:Miami. Then Hubs and I played Name That Tune: 80s edition until waaaaay too late. It was nice and I realized I hadn't had a break close to that in almost 6 years.

But I still felt guilt.

Yesterday, I moved non-stop. But it looks like nothing has been accomplished. I could write down a list of all that was accomplished though.

This morning I had to be up by 5 am to get my oldest to school for her field trip and it's time to get the kids up and get the day started already. But what do you do when you feel the previous day(s) haven't ended?

Hubs and I have errands to run. After we drop the kids off (did I ever mention that we pick them up and drop them off now, I'll have to check), they have a minimum day so chances are we will be picking them up on the way home. Then it's a way early dinner, Girl Scouts, catechism and finally home.

That seems like such a long time from now. lol

I don't mean to whine and I know when I took on these responsibilities with Hubs and the kids I said I would ask for help when I need it. But I've asked and there is no help to be found. Isn't that ironic?

Alright, enough mindless babbling. I've got kids to get up, a hubby to get in his chair and dinner to put in the crock pot.

Hope your day is a good one!

Uber Cool Nerd Queen

I saw this over at Melinda's and it looked like fun. Here are my results...

Your Score Summary:

For Science/Math:
12% scored higher,2% scored the same, and 86% scored lower.

For Computers/Technology:
9% scored higher,2% scored the same, and 89% scored lower.

For Sci-Fi/Comic:
52% scored higher,5% scored the same, and 43% scored lower.

For History/Literature:
7% scored higher,2% scored the same, and 91% scored lower.

For Dumb/Dork/Awkwardness:
91% scored higher,6% scored the same, and 3% scored lower.

Works For Me Wednesday

This week my tip has to do with the Littermaid automatic kitty litter box. I have one of the old one's from several years ago but this will work for the new ones as well.

I was worried about using all those plastic receptacles and how long they would take to breakdown in the dump, etc... when I came upon this solution on eBay...

Plastic bags that are the perfect size for the receptacles. I bought a pack last year and still have a ton left. They are so simple to use.

For demonstration purposes (lol), here is a brand new receptacle along with one of the bags. Simply place the bag over the receptacle and

pop it into the litter box...

TADA!

They are so easy to clean up too. Simply pull the bag off, knot it and toss it. Everything stays cleaner this way too!

It's way cheaper than buying new receptacles too! My neighbor down the street bought some extra large litter box liners and cut them in half. He said they worked just as well too.

I don't know about you, but anything that makes my job easier when it comes to these three stinkers is worth a shot.

Works for me!

For other tips click here!

Tackle It Tuesday

This week's tackle is this lovely wood bunk bed that was given to us from some neighbors down the street.

I want to sand it down to the original wood and paint it. I was going to stain it because the wood is beautiful underneath, but I just don't have the time. I don't think this will get entirely done today because it's a huge tackle and I will also be working on putting up a fence in our front yard.

Also, I need to find some dowels for it and see how the screws pan out. Maybe it will be done by next Tuesday? I'll update here with how far I got.

For other Tackles click here.

Anticipation

Last year was our first Halloween together. Hubs and I decided to start the tradition of making homemade caramel apples every October to welcome in the crisp chilly air that we've been waiting for. This year, we've been having some oven problems so I decided to try the microwave.As you can see, the kids didn't care. They watched their apples swirl around in the microwave. The oldest on the other hand waited patiently to see if the oven was going to oblige us.
Unfortunately, these are the only two apples I took pics of by themselves but they are enough to give you the idea of just why the kids love this tradition soooo much.

Do you have any similar traditions?

Menu Planning Monday

Here's the menu plan for this week:

Monday: Meatball Sandwiches and Steak Fries

Tuesday: Homemade- Egg rolls*, Chicken Pot Stickers* and Chop Suey*

Wednesday: Lil Smokies and Beans with Flour Tortillas

Thursday: Meatball Soup and Bread

Friday: Taco Salad

Saturday: Homemade Pizza, Salad and Green Beans

Sunday: Hamburger Wellingtons* and Corn

* New items

Wednesday all 4 girls are starting Girl Scouts and they have catechism right after. Those days that they have meetings we will need quick and easy meals. Hopefully, the crock pot will play a huge role. lol

This week also marks a month of Menu Planning. I love it!

For other Menu Planners click here.