MY DAZE

I have been told that I'm under too much stress or that I bite off more than I can chew. I will admit that I tend to have quite a lot on my plate. However, most of it is necessary.
I can't simply quit being a mom.
I also can't do much about being a single mom. I suppose I could take in some unemployed flunkey who can't even use me for sex as the newborn screaming in the background would be too distracting, but now I'm just getting off track.
I can't stop feeding the family.
I can't stop doing laundry or the dishes.
I can't quit my job.
Again, I guess I technically could do any of these things, but really I'm only gonna hurt myself eating off moldy dishes and wearing stank clothes.

To get back to the point at hand, I *do* have a lot on my plate. Yet, I constantly think of ways to put myself down. I always feel like I'm never doing enough. I always see what went undone. Therefore, I decided to take this opportunity to jot down some of my accomplishments today. I am going to write down all that I did do because I am an amazing person and I work my ass off.

*Changed sheets, made bed
*Did 2 loads of laundry
*One load of dishes
*Made Biscuits & Gravy for breakfast
*Made tofurkey sandwiches w/applesauce for lunch
*Made spaghetti for dinner w/ fresh sauteed veggies & garlic bread
*Helped daughter write a letter to her grandma
*Helped daughter find current event article (and had a long talk about vaccines)
*Breastfed 2 children too many times to count
*Sang Happy Birthday & other various lullabies
*Talked to imaginary creatures to please a two year old
*Read an article for my homework & started assignment
*Changed several diapers
*Took a shower (this TOTALLY counts!)
*Picked up balls, stuffed dogs, cleats (straightened up living room)
*Rocked/Held baby a whole lot

This is difficult. I keep looking at the list thinking, is this all?!?! Come on, you can do more! I feel so guilty for lack of client calls & lack of homework done. I think I will add a picture of how cute my kids are, that will surely make me feel better!

My Sister & My Daughter (2001)


I am from crocheted blankets and chicken coops turned into forts; from Tang and leftovers.

I am from wood stoves, green appliances, carpeted kitchens, and card games at the dining room table.

I am from green, green grass and walls of lilacs that touch the sky, from clear water creeks running alongside the mountains where I would camp with the family for a week at a time.

I am from Annie Annie Over and far too much sarcasm, from Ila Mae and Julian and Chris.

I am from many camping trips and just as many drinking games.

From "getting sold to gypsies" and "Holy Harkin' FarCry".

I am from do unto others as you would have done unto you.

I'm from too small of towns with Irish and German running through my blood, from casseroles and fresh caught trout.

From the rattlesnake wrapped around the boat motor, the biggest elk that ya ever did see, and one up a bush, two up a log.

I am from photo albums stashed in grandma's coffee table filled with vacations all over Eastern Oregon. I am from waiting for Papa to cast one more time while sharing a sunset with Grandma.

Inspired by, but not near as wonderful as: Mama Nirvana

To celebrate this joyous occasion I:

Mowed the Lawn
Weeded the Flower Beds
Finished up some Homework/Emails
Washed and Dried 3 Loads of Laundry
Folded the Laundry
Fed Children
Did the Dishes
Vacuumed
Picked up Multiple Toys, Clothes, and Garbage
Bathed a Toddler
Nursed a Toddler

I am going to be grateful for this day as I did not:

Clean up Puke
Change Diapers
Clean up any Potty Accidents
Dole out any Meds
Drive to any Sporting Events
See any Blood
Repair any Furniture, Walls, or Replace any Dishes

Our family tradition for celebrating this spring holiday is to visit a local farm that fills plastic eggs with apples, carrots, and corn that the children get to hunt for and then feed to the farm animals that have been rescued from abusive situations and now live on this vegan farm.
Here is somebody who looks particularly happy to see us.

The children are peering in at some doves. I love photos like this where I catch them engaged in what they are doing, especially when I'm lucky enough to catch a pic of the two of them together.

Kyla and Riok heading out in the field towards the goats.

Mama & Riok feeding one of them.

...and sister giving a little extra love to the goat. LOL

However, after a couple of hours of wind, mud puddles, and walking, even an abundance of farm animals is not enough to keep everyone in good spirits.
Especially this one.

To find out more about this wonderful farm, their amazing animals, and how you can help visit the Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary website.

What a fabulous day Monday was for getting the mail. I splurged this month and decided that my family needed presents to help us feel all the more excited about spring. My present to myself was a couple of new books. I am a geek like that. I will admire MAC make-up, clothes, shoes, and complain about never having anything new. I will dream of the day I have a place to wear heels and accumulated accessories that go perfectly with every trendy outfit. Yet, when I get an extra $20 I will choose books every time.
Yesterday I received one of my books.

...and the children obtained the last part needed to attach the new hammock swing to the swingset. A metal and plastic contraption doesn't look very exciting to kids in the packaging, but it was an entirely different story when paired with the hammock swing that had arrived a few days previous.

This is what our swingset now looks like. Note mommy's hammock in the background. Hammocks Rock!!!

This is Riok enjoying his new swing with the neighbor, one of his best friends.

...and this is just cute, even if a little blurry, as this is a spinning hammock swing.

A few moments ago, my daughter came in my room to give me this.

In case the writing on the skirt is hard to read, I took a close-up photo of it too. My heart is melting.

My two year old, upon hearing all of my sighs and cheers about what a wonderful daughter I had and how talented she was, quickly came running into the room with this.

I love these moments. It's times like these that ensures that my dear children do not get thrown out with the weekly trash.

The first one is so beautiful it had me bawling, the second one had me cracking up laughing.


"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Tomorrow morning I am carpooling with my aunt to visit the land where I was raised.

The land where "ya'all" drive "rigs" and fish in "cricks." There is no need to voice your jealousy, dear reader. I understand how incredibly lucky I am to be making this journey. The friendly voices of my family that I have not seen in years will ask such endearing questions as,
"How long do you plan on nursing that kid, anyway?"
"Why are you single again?"
"Have you gained weight?"
They will cover me with loving comments including, but not limited to,
"Your hair is in your face."
"That's an interesting outfit."
"You came here for Thanksgiving, and you're not even going to eat any turkey!"
Reader, please feel free to insert eye rolls and deep sighs with any and/or all of these quotes.

One may start to ask why I am going to put myself through this misery?
For this...

This is Grandma and Papa and I love them with my whole heart. I spent majority of my childhood with them and often was taken on camping and boating trips with them too.
The woman pictured above is my hero. She is AMAZING. My daughter was named after her.

Therefore, I will drag my butt down to po-dunk and do my very best to maintain sanity during join in the family festivities.

Wish me luck!