Why Not?

Four months later....
 So, maybe I abandoned the blog on purpose. I just didn't think my life was interesting enough that anyone would want to read about it. And it's busier with kids in school, a four year old with strong opinions (and a temper- don't know where she got that from) and a one year old that climbs on everything. I would rather read and zone out when I can than try to articulate anything that's remotely close to what I'm feeling. Sometimes words are not my forte.
The truth is, I don't really care if anyone reads this. I'm going to keep on documenting the daily grind, the ever predictable routine.... it's like the "song that goes on and on my friends". I will probably enjoy looking back on this in 18 years when all my kids have graduated from high school and wonder if I remember the little years accurately. Like when I go shopping and even though 90% of the time it's fairly easy and no one has any meltdowns, sometimes going to Costco turns out to be a real pain. However, there's samples galore there and even though my little toddler girl insists on being carried half the time which makes pushing a loaded basket difficult, if I let her eat all the strawberries she wants from the 4 pound container I got solely for her it turns out okay. She looks like a total mess at the checkout, but she's not screaming.
My super consistent schedule has been altered with the loss of my washing machine. It was with us for a good ten years and worked really hard. But, without a washing machine I have been loading up only the necessary items and using my mom's laundry room until we get a new machine and..... a brand new laundry room!! The room is framed out and I am so very excited! But the clothes be piling up like Mt. Everest anyway.
If I end up talking about laundry then it's time to stop writing for the day. (Obviously when the laundry room is finished and I am partying with a new washing machine that will need a post.) This post brought to you by Curious George, bananas and weird determination to keep on keepin' on.

Go forth and follow

So... about a week ago I clicked over to my google reader and got The Message. You know the one. Anyhow, since Google has decided to focus on other areas that are more important to them than Reader, I jumped on the Bloglovin train.
It was super easy to import my blogs and I got to clean up my list. Now, by the magic of the Internet, go.....

 Follow my blog with Bloglovin

you know, if you want to. No pressure.

off the top of my head

Yesterday after we picked up D from the bus we drove to the back and fed the catfish. (My father in law bought catfish to restock the tank, or "pond".) Buzz rode along in the feed scoop.

Rose. People always talk about the "terrible twos", but really you should be warned about the terrifying threes. I think it's a combination of wanting to be independent and still needy (???) with a side of jealousy of the baby thrown in. She's wonderful to her sister, but I think she really misses ALL the attention that she used to get. I do feel bad that I don't get to snuggle with her as much as I used to and I have been trying to get some quality one on one time with her.

 Ry is our negotiator. He will try to talk his way out of everything and nap time has been... exhausting. Between him and Rose nap has turned into a big battle that I've come to dread and yet, really look forward to. Well, I still look forward to it even though only Rose (sometimes) actually sleeps. Today it was nice outside and I gave Ry two options: sit outside and read or lie in his bed. It worked out really well and hopefully this will be the beginning of something good.... because I have a much better afternoon when I get a little break after lunch time.

Sam is smiling and cooing and being a good little baby. She gets needy at the best times- when I'm cooking, cleaning or doing anything besides holding her. That's only when she's awake so I try to do everything while she's napping, which thankfully is often.

Apparently I felt that you all needed updates on how the kids are behaving. I know it's been a week since I've posted last, but I am currently experiencing some sort of writer's block. I'll be honest I think that I'm on autopilot right now and trying to find time AND something to blog is too much most days. Maybe my own expectations are too high. I have been reading lots of blogs that are witty, introspective, creative and just plain entertaining... so I guess I feel like my posts should be as good as theirs. But I'm not going to give in to that pressure. I'm going to keep celebrating the small things that happen everyday. I don't know, I guess I just needed to get that out.

Top 10 of 2011

Here are the most viewed posts from this year.  I've written a very brief description of each.

Dear Me- Five Years Ago,
I wrote my past self a letter from my present self. It makes me cry every time I read it, just warning you. (One of my personal favorites)

Pictures from the fire
A terrible wildfire went raging through our county. Several families we know lost their homes, my aunt and uncle, the pastor of our in-laws' church, my sister-in-law's parents and grandparents... and many more. 

I blame anyone but myself for this nonsense
One of those rambling posts.

Apple Pie
I made apple pie for the first time and posted my recipe. I hope it has helped at least one person be the star of the dessert table.

Posting 201
This is about D's 5th birthday. I mistakenly thought I had published 200 posts.

He has Amblyopia
D went to the eye doc... we got this diagnosis and he got glasses. 

Documenting the Drought
The drought in Texas is "exceptional", the worst label/level to have. (Contributed to the wildfire) Our stock tanks went dry and it looked like the middle of winter in the middle of summer. Everything was brown and dry.

My Friend the Sink
I wrote about how washing dishes by hand (since I have no dishwasher) has been somewhat therapeutic. (Also one of my favorites.)

Weekend Update
That one time I was feeling sick. My family is amazing.

Stop
I wrote it in response to a prompt and while the words felt forced, for me, the feeling is something I've been dealing with for a while.

I'm Sylish (and didn't even know!)

I was just reading up on the blogs I follow and Steph got an award for being a Stylish Blogger. Very cool. And guess what you guys? She awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award, too!! I'm pretty much famous now. (Steph is awesome and I really recommend you go visit her blog.)

Now, the rules of accepting this award are that I have to reveal seven things that you didn't know about me. I don't know if you'll be able to handle it, honestly. (I'm doing this right away, because I'm afraid my blog was in a mix up... we all know I lack style.)

1.

When I started this blog I was super afraid/paranoid that if I used my first name that some creepy predator would find me and murder me. (Yes, I have watched too many Dateline and 20/20 stories about this.)

2.
I never made it to my due date with any of my children. D was 11 days early, Ry was 13 days early and Rose was 12 days early- all according to the doctors due date. (Neat little fact.)

3.
If we can make it happen I'd love to buy an RV (like in 18-20 years) and travel. I also think about living in a small village somewhere in Italy or Portugal... I have never researched this, which is the odd part.

4.
I detest horror movies and see no point in them at all.

5.
When Ry was in the NICU I decided that I'd like to do volunteer work at a children's hospital at some point in my life. Maybe I will try to do this when all the kids are in school. 

6.

The woman who I strive to be more like is my Oma. She was hardworking, frugal and I can't remember a time she complained about her life. She also used to curse under her breath, on occasion, in German, which I still find amusing. I barely go a day without remembering her.

7.

Last night I spotted a scorpion crawl across the floor. Not a big deal? Well it was 15 feet away, partially hidden behind a pile of clothes that were stripped from children at bath time and it was the same color as our floor. I leaped from my chair and tracked it down and then had nothing in reach to kill it with. Beard-O grabbed the closest object: D's baseball bat and promptly executed it. May this be a lesson to all scorpions that plan to invade our house- I will see you and then end you.  

I'll continue the trend and send the award to some other very deserving bloggers.

Grace @ Camp Patton
Kelly Jo @ The Dr. and The Mrs.
Jen @ Runner Mom
ML @ My 3 Little Birds
Nina @ The Adventures of ArtsyNina (I've been blog stalking... awkward...)

Go forth and visit those blogs. I'll be back later to talk apple pie.

normal and much less personal

Well, well... shall we start with yesterday? I had an hour in the middle of the day Tuesday all to myself and miraculously all three children took a nap. (At the same time!) Rare as rare can get these days. I let myself think some seriously deep thoughts and this happened. Apparently I made some people cry (sorry) and honestly I could barely proof read it with the darn eyes tearing up. Thanks for your lovely comments. I was a little-okay, a lot- worried about publishing something that is so personal. Sometimes I forget that my friends, in-laws and husband read this. Oh, and sometimes my dad. It was really scary all of the sudden when I thought of that, because even those who I'm close to in my personal (non-Internet) life suddenly knew some things I went through and I didn't talk much about.

and now on to less sappy things

This is how I found Rose last week during nap time. Her picture book was opened to the page with Daddy on it. Just thought it was cute.

We opened our yard gate and let the cows and horses feast on green grass. They mowed it down pretty quickly.

I'm seeing more of this than I want to. Should I start harvesting?

I'll probably lose this list before I'm done writing this post. I will probably do 2.3 of these things and I'll let you guess which ones they might be. Don't you like how supper has question mark? I like making lists but I hate following them. I think this has something to do with my dislike of being told what to do. I'll see if I can cross some stuff off, though.

Also, yesterday was my friend Holly's birthday. I hope you took my advice and had something with sugar. You are awesome and I hope you had a great day!

My sister-in-law is trying to unleash my real name and identity on her blog. How dare her. (she is hilarious and super talented, go say hello to her.)

 Stay classy.

A look into the Future

At least on what I might write about.

Some random ideas I have for posts:

• Time management and my lack of it
• Washing dishes is therapeutic
• I'm a naturally unorganized person that craves organization
• How I make my life way more stressful than it actually is
• We have zero pictures on our walls. Why?
• I'm still afraid of the dark
• I dislike Friday night TV. It's always murder.
• Telling people "No" is empowering
• I avoid confrontation at all costs. There are exceptions, though.

(this list was just interrupted by me heroically killing a scorpion and thinking that my shirt collar was attacking me. If only you could have seen it... you would laugh for days.)

• The Omnivore's Dilemma by Micheal Pollan ('nough said)
• I finally got some squeezable applesauce. Very much enjoyed. As well as expensive.
• Am I doing this the right way? you know, being a mom
• I prayed for patience once. I'm still getting my answer/lesson
• I'm disappointed in September. It was 100 today

Maybe I'll actually write about some of these things. At least I'll have something to reference when I feel like I'm out of ideas.

Finally, something without a weather report

For those of you that want to know about the pumpkin muffins I made yesterday I got the recipe here and I also have a link to it over on my "In the Kitchen" page. Cause I be fancy like that. And how were they? I had to hide them from the kids (okay, and myself) so we wouldn't eat them all at once. Beard-O thought they were really good and ate a few (three) himself last night. Altogether I had three as well. So, thumbs up and delicious and I like the fact that it called for a regular can of pumpkin so I wasn't using only 2/3 of a can and then trying to figure out how to use leftover canned pumpkin in my spaghetti sauce. (Which is what we had for dinner last night. without pumpkin.) You should definitely try them! I got 15 regular sized muffins out of it.

my sign of approval

I'm hoping I didn't come across as really grumpy this week. I have been (this is for you T) strug-ga-ling with my mood in the mornings. Several mornings while I was trying to find something to write about (note the amount of times I thought weather was good topic) I was so frustrated and irritated. It literally took me three hours to write yesterday's post. I know. I know. Of course, by the time I was dedicated to it (I deleted many. many. paragraphs) all the kids were awake and I was even more frustrated with myself. As soon as I hit publish and walked away I felt so much better. Mood was elevated about seven thousand notches and then I wondered what was wrong with me. Here's the thing: some mornings I just want to read blogs and pretend shop on Amazon and just don't feel like writing but I force myself to and try to rush through it and it puts me in a really awful mood for a tiny little while. Then the afternoon rolls around and I feel inspired by someone or have just thought of something good to write about and since I've already posted nonsense that morning I just go on about my day. Why are you telling us this? So you won't be alarmed if I don't post in the morning. It probably means I'll post in the afternoon. Wow, all of that just to say I might post in the afternoon. (I used to do that.)

Our friends came by last night (they are moving next week to the land of Far, Far Away.) When they were leaving H (can I just use your name?) said, "Well, goodbye. We probably won't see you again." I know she meant she won't see us again before they leave but it made me sort of laugh. Of course you will see us again. You can never get away from us that easily. Muah ha ha ha. (that's supposed to be evil laughter; I probably messed it up.) Anyhow, we're going to miss you guys while you're living in the strange land of Rock Yards. (Maybe you can make some pet rocks to put out there!!) Geeze, I make myself laugh. Like I said, find the best Mexican food out there and we might come visit. It has to be comparable to Maudies, alright? I have high standards when it comes to enchiladas.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Comments, comments (another tutorial)

Alright, so I explained once before about commenting by just using your name. Spectacular! I got some comments and it was awesome (still waiting CLB).

Now, I love love love getting comments y'all! Sometimes you ask me questions and I would totally love to answer you or reply to a comment you made and here's what happens when I try:

I am set up to fail due to the "noreply-comment@blogger.com" (robot) address. So... what I need you to do is go edit your profile! If you have a blogger profile go to the edit option and check the "show my email address" box.

Don't want to share your email address because you're afraid of spam? I haven't had any yet, so I wouldn't really worry about it. Still don't wanna share? Fine. I will reply with a comment in the comment thread (how will I know you'll check that?) and hope you'll see it. I totally respect your decision (just do it already!). 

By the way, I really do love getting comments from y'all. It makes me giddy. Thanks so much for taking the time to do that!

This title doesn't exist. Just like my previous template

Yesterday was the best Monday I had all week. (it was not that great, but the only one I get this week and I'll say it was the best if I want to) I woke up with a headache that progressed into a beautiful migraine. I immediately missed the old days before I had children where I would just take a prescription pill and be knocked unconscious and wake up after a two hour nap (that always made me drool for some reason) to be back to normal. Those prescription painkillers are long gone and now I rely on Excedrin and sometimes am forced to take generic Tylenol. I wasn't about to be taken out by a little old migraine though (let's be honest, I thought I was dying and blinking was practically unbearable and have you noticed how often you blink?) and I squinted my way through writing my post yesterday which is probably why it was incredibly lame. (Excuses, excuses) I drank two cups of coffee, took two Excedrin extra strength (which was laced with even more caffeine) and ate breakfast hoping that would work. It did somewhat about two hours later I was walking around with a dull ache and a foggy medicated feeling. (Blissful, I tell you.)

Then, last night, while I was rocking in my old lady chair watching (clears throat) Antiques Roadshow Beard-O asks from afar, "Why'd you go and change your blog?" To which I replied, "WHAT do you mean? I didn't change anything!" I hurried into the room with him and grabbed my laptop and proceeded to break down in tears when I saw the horror of what was now my blog template. I may have cursed every button, tab, link, and "new template design" I laid my eyes on while trying in vain to get my outdated "classic" template back. OH yes, I can get it to appear on my blog, however, I can not edit anything on it anymore and it's so terrible. I had nightmares about it, I woke up with another headache(!) and now I'm just trying my best to get it as close as possible to my (perfect) previous design. (I am really upset.)

Anyhow, I am going to spend today playing with this template and try to bring myself to even sort of liking it. Well, not all day, but in my spare time. And that is the bottom of my coffee cup... I gotta go to work now.

double you tee eff blogger.

That's Not What I Said

Here I am with post two to make up for the nada I wrote yesterday.

I planned on addressing this yesterday but obviously did not due to the fact that I was really busy. I will be referencing the second paragraph of Tuesday's post. (click the link and get informed. Or be like me and don't because you can't have people telling you what to do and just be confused. Again.)

My "baby-toddler" talk was misinterpreted by a couple of people. By a couple I actually do mean 2. (maybe others were also confused or misinterpreted my message, but I don't know.) These two are also of the male gender. (background: CLB has been working out at his farm and spends the night occasionally.) So, Tuesday night CLB comes in and says, "So, you want to have another baby! I bet you'll be pregnant/have another one in no less than two years. I know it, it's gonna happen!" (something like that, okay?) I was a little caught off guard because, seriously, where would he get a crazy idea like that? I turned from the sink with a half washed plate and nearly threw it at him (just kidding!) and responded, "yeah, I don't think so. Why would you even think that!?" Well... he took that "baby-toddler" talk to mean that I sure missed having a baby around and that I want another one Right Now. No... that was all talk preventing me from having another baby!
(please tell me if you understood what I was saying! I need backup!)
(the other person that thought similar things was my own husband.)

Just so we all have a clear understanding... I'm not wishing for another baby. I'm completely happy with our family exactly like it is. I think it's perfect. (and so does Beard-O)

So, I guess some people need clear and concise wordage while others (like my sister-in-law) can see that I'm just being humorous and joking about how I gotta keep a "baby" around or I'll end up having another one...ha. ha. so funny.
and... The End.

Spanish and Comment Tutorial

Hola! Good Thursday my lovely readers. I recently decided that I need to learn Spanish and so I really hopped on board that train and downloaded a whopping two pod casts yesterday. Don't be jealous of me getting my smarts on. (I'm sorry, I'm in a strangely fantastic mood this morning) Anyhow, I did minimal research to find out the best pod cast to download. I enlisted the help of my good friend, Miss Google and as always she gave me lots of options. I choose option 2 and clicked over to my iTunes and promptly clicked Download. Free. My first lesson (of my choosing) was learning how to ask where the laundry detergent was. I felt this was most closely related to my vocation and if need be I can now say "I don't know" and "where". But I can't type them because I know not how to put accent marks on letters. (I shall ask Miss Google) "No sé" and "¿Dónde?" the power of instant know how! Yea for me!! Today I will learn how to say "Watch out!" As in "Watch out! That coffee is hot!"

Guys, try not be too hopeful for me, but the sky is really dark to the East and the wind is picking up. Last night it rained to the East of us and everything died out before it got here. We were sorely disappointed. (There are currently 17 rain drops on my window but I am trying super hard NOT to get my hopes up, this could just be a really cruel joke)

looks promising...right?

In non weather related news.... I saw this accent meme thing and am thinking about posting one here. It's where I record myself saying words that usually showcase a Northern or Southern accent. Or Midwest... trying not leave anyone out. Except the west coasters... y'all are accent-less. So... here's what I need from you. I need THREE words to add to my list. What would you like to hear a Central Texan say? I don't think I have a very heavy accent so... there. Maybe I can get the kids to play along too. Children always have fun accents. Go leave me a comment (it's not that hard CLB. Just post using the Name/URL option at the very bottom of the list...no logging in required.) Goodness, I'll walk you through it so you can stop giving me lame excuses. (by the way, thanks for still reading!)

STEP ONE

STEP DOS

STEPS THREE AND FOUR

Don't let me down. If I don't get those 3 extra words then I can't record a video of myself saying random words. It would be so much fun!

And that ends my blogging for today... Have a wonderful Thursday!
Mama

Anybody Out There?

Alright, I know this blog is super popular and I write riveting stories that make you laugh (at me), cry (of boredom) and have deep thoughts (of not clicking over here again to read about laundry). I know at least ten people clicked over here this week. I have this cool feature behind the scenes here at Mama's Gone Country called "stats" that lets me know how many people came over, from which country (Germany, Russia, India, Australia...) and which posts they read. I can also find out what website or search sent you here. I'm like my own private detective. I just don't know who you are. Are you creeped out yet? Anyhow, I like looking over my stats (one day I got 54 views for writing about yogurt) and I enjoy seeing that two people came by and at least looked at something I wrote before they ran screaming from the computer.

Truth is... I'd like a comment from someone. I do write this for my own sanity, but doesn't anyone want to say something? You could just say  

• Hi, I like/don't like your blog. 
• I'm reading everyday/never again. 
• I love seeing the pictures/couldn't care less about your obsession with your children being cute.  
• I like coffee too/hate coffee. 
• Can you post more gardening things/please never post about gardening... you don't know what you're doing.  

Basically, I'm fishing for some human interaction/conversation with someone taller than my 4 year old. I know it's virtual... but I'm fine with that. I prefer text messages to phone calls anyway.

We could be real virtual friends! Don't you find that exciting?
This now concludes my "personal ad" for people to act like they care about what goes on here. That and I have to go fix my adorable children breakfast, wash some laundry and try to make it though the day with only two cups of coffee.
Mama

I really should file this in drafts

I want to give you some fair warning that the blog may be a bit on the skimpy side next week. Blame my goddaughters. They are coming to stay all week while their parentals go on a much needed vacation. (Maybe this blog is also going on vacation?) Anyhow, unless I really do wake up at 5am next week I'm probably going to be swamped with opening extra cheese sticks, peeling an extra banana or two and praying that everyone is exhausted and naps all together around 1pm.

I may also being making extra coffee... it's an addiction, I know. Over the weekend I jokingly said that me drinking coffee is like some people smoking... it calms me. Everyone looked at me with a serious expression and agreed... "yes, it's called having an addiction." Ooohhh... perhaps that's why I have started needing it around 2 in the afternoon. I think about coffee a lot. I recently discovered the cheapest coffee ever. I bought it thinking since it was so cheap that if it was terrible it wouldn't be such a punch in the gut to throw it out. Then I opened it and it smelled heavenly... like chocolate.  A chocolate coffee heaven, yes. Anyhow, Folgers is twice as much for the same amount and I rather like having coffee with Don Pedro every morning. He's rich, smooth and aromatic. I always have liked a good smelling man. (I will never live this down once T reads this. Not only will there be my Top 5 celebrities I named after having a few too many... there's also Sancho. And now Don Pedro!) A particular man I know smells like Old Spice and sometimes Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani. Oh. My. 

Can be habit forming.

Uh.. anyhow. The blog might be pretty random and or non existent next week. I might write about other things I like or seem to be addicted to. Wait, nothing tops my coffee addiction. Unless you count my obsession with a certain actor/director. Also, let's please not forget all things Lonesome Dove. Perhaps another time. I seem to be getting carried away.
Mama

P.S. If anyone works for any of the brands listed and wants to sponsor any of my addictions or this blog... email me. (it's under the contact tab)

Totally Boring (but you asked for it)

Hey y'all. I am happy to report that yesterday I actually got some things accomplished. I baked some brownies for after supper, otherwise called dessert (I might have sampled them pretty heavily before then, though.) I washed two loads of laundry and managed to put away some of it. I cleaned up the kitchen (don't laugh, it takes effort to keep it clean.) I planted a bunch of flowers that my mom dug up out of her garden and gave me. If they die I'm blaming my soil. I did the usual farm chores and even remembered to set out something to thaw for supper. We ate and then watched game 5 of the NBA finals. Actually I only watched half of it. T stayed up and let me know who won. Last night I kept waking up to unclench my jaw. Every so often I do this clenching thing and then suffer the consequences the next day. I've got a headache this morning. As soon as I eat breakfast I'll be taking some medicine.

She shares your boredom

I really wish she'd say something slightly interesting

In addition to my usual tasks I changed up some stuff on here. You'll notice I now have a profile picture, some share buttons at the bottom of the post and a new closing picture. You can also leave me a comment. That's not new, I just thought I'd remind you!

She shares my excitement

She also got all her coolness from me

I hope y'all have an awesome weekend. We've got plans (oh no!) for the park, swimming and maybe some grilling.
Mama
P.S. Look! I totally posted every day this week! (weekends excluded, of course)