I need a vacation!!

Getting ranger badges in Jewel cave.
My donkey friend in Custard state park

My favorite part. The bad lands and bubba.

Well we seemed to have outran that horrible storm in Wisconsin on Saturday and another one in Minnesota yesterday. Unfortunately, those storms found us again. There are here today and tomorrow. We had so much fun on our vacation, I need a vacation without the kids. We left on Friday morning and got home late last night.

10 states in 5 days. Sheesh. No wonder I am exhausted. These are some of our vacation pictures. I was out by Beth and Lulu and I think Susielou and Hawkeyechick. Cannot swear to it.

Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Iowa. Taking the kids in one car was not much fun I tell ya. All in all, they were on their best behavior even without duct tape. Hell I was getting antsy after driving so long. It took us 2 sleeps to get to Hot Springs. One in Wisconsin, one in South Dakota, one in Hot Springs, one in Keystone, one in Austin Minnesota and finally home. I hope next trip goes East.

For never leaving state before, the kids have gone to 20% of the US. Impressive if I must say so myself. Will share more photos soon.

Happy Birthday Bubba!!

Isn't he handsome? This picture was taken Memorial weekend last year. The little bugger has avoided the camera a lot this last year (he doesn't like his braces). Anyways, Bubba turns 14 today. Where has the time gone? Superdaddy and I have made bets that SD does not remember and call him and his step mother SDW will only text message him. He has not heard from his dad since the funeral for SD's grandmother. At the funeral, SD told him to make sure Bubba didn't make him a grandfather that SD was too young. Nice conversations I tell ya.

Below is a picture of Bubba's brother Mr. M. Bubba and Mr. M share a SD (sperm donor). Mr. M has not had any contact with SD in over 3 years. I keep in contact with Mr. M's mother for the boys' sake. It is not fair to them that their father is a looser.

Off to see "the faces on the mountain" tomorrow. Will share pictures upon return. Ever wonder how dum-dum pops are made? Will let you know when we get back as we are going to the dum-dum factory to see! Ta ta for now :)

These speak words...Chance of a lifetime

Even if we were teathered to a truck only going 30 feet off the ground, it was a blast. Will take a real ride soon enough.

Happy belated Birthday 12th Miss S. We miss you immensely. Wish you could have came by and went camping with us.

Catch ya after vacation!

Too cute not to share

A 5-year-old boy went to visit his grandmother one day. Playing with his toys in her bedroom while grandma was dusting, he looked up and said, "Grandma, how come you don't have a boyfriend now that Grandpa went to heaven?"

Grandma replied, "Honey, my TV is my boyfriend. I can sit in my bedroom and watch it all day long. The religious programs make me feel good and the comedies make me laugh. I'm happy with my TV as my boyfriend." Grandma turned on the TV, and the reception was terrible. She started adjusting the knobs, trying to get the picture in focus. Frustrated, she started hitting the backside of the TV hoping to fix the problem.
The little boy heard the doorbell ring, so he hurried to open the door and there stood Grandma's minister. The minister said, "Hello son, is your Grandma home?"

The little boy replied, "Yeah, she's in the bedroom bangin' her boyfriend."
The minister fainted.

Upcoming vacation

I think I need some help finding patience. I have absolutely none lately.

We have been planning for almost 2 months to go on vacation out west. Well, we meaning my aunt, grandmother and I. We have it all figured out food, lodging money and admissions and such and what happens to come along? DQ called last night and informed me her kids were going to go on vacation with me. Superdaddy has to work and man the house so it is a solo vacation of sorts.

Now, I invited Miss G and Miss M to go with us during the early planning phase. DQ was not impressed with me taking the girls out of state without superdaddy going. In fact, she was totally against it. The children and I (meaning Miss J, Bubba, and Chicky) quit discussing vacation around the other girls. When Chicky was 9 months old, we went to Disney with my grandma and DQ wouldn't let the other girls go that time either and boy was that a huge mess afterwards. Lots of hurt feelings and comments being made about loving them less because they couldn't go with us. DQ insists her children are not going under any circumstances.

Fast forward to last night on my way home from work. Phone rings. DQ asks me if I need their insurance cards. Hello I am the insurance carrier for them. I ask her what I needed them for. She informs me vacation. HUH? She wants dates we are leaving and returning. Miss G really wants to go and is mad DQ will not let her go. So my kids have some new outfits for school that my grandma bought them to take on vacation and use for school afterwards. Grandma got them their own special luggage. Miss G has nothing. I went and got Miss G and Miss M the same luggage last night. Heck they can use the luggage when we go camping as well. Well apparently, Miss M doesn't want to go. Her mommy will miss her too much. That is fine by me. Well as of 10pm last night, she convinced Miss M to go too so now they both will be going. So my $500 vacation money will not be enough for the gas, hotel, admission, food and souvenir's. Oh yeah and the last 4 times it has been our weekend with the girls, Miss M has been crying about missing Mommy and wanting to go home. We will see if things change between now and next Friday when we leave.

Weekend reflection

This weekend was very nice. Superdaddy went up north on Saturday and I had some quality time with the girls. The neighborhood bowling alley had kids bowl free for 3 games on Saturday and shoes $ .99. How cool was that. They even had hot dogs and soda's for $ .99 as well. CHEAP DATE!!

Superdaddy has not been able to contact C. Even his cousin who told us what has been going on with her cannot locate her. I guess they moved again or something. This weekend is a family camp with the church so the kids and I will be going there and Superdaddy has to work. Perhaps Saturday when he comes home, either he can drive up to try to find C or come up to camp with us. We will have to wait and see. I should have some really cool pics to post from camping after next weekend. They have a Children's wish club that pays to come launch hot air balloon's from the campground this weekend. It was a lot of fun last year should be a lot of fun this year as well.

On another note, a family from our church shared some information that I would like to pass along. If you know someone in your area that could benefit from it please pass it along as well. This is the link to food assistance. It is available in many states. If your family could benefit, you contact your local church, pay $25 and get double the amount of food. There is a menu on that site that shows what they give you. There are no "requirements" for income or family size or such. They even take Food Stamp EBT assistance.

Hope every one's weekend was blessed and peaceful. Here's to another busy week. I think I am going to follow Amy's lead and try the Flylady approach to getting organized. Will have to get snapping on it.

Sincere Apology

I do apologize for any offence I may have caused by my post on Thursday due to content or language. Some things are said out of frustration and could be offensive. These are things that are going through my head and would have been written in my private journal if I had one. For my foul language; I apologize.

Things have been worse and I know that. I know things have come a long way since then, and things can go South quickly. Things are looking up.

We still do not know if C will be coming to stay with us or not. Superdaddy needs to talk to them and find out what is going on. We are just taking one day at a time.

Fun test courtsey of Snickollet

WTF NEXT???

WTF is going on in today's world? WTF is a person like me supposed to do? WFT? WFT?

To hell in a hand basket is where my life is going. Something has got to give. I am afraid to ask what next. When Superdaddys father was in town a couple weeks back, we went out to dinner with him and got some insight about one of his children.

Superdaddy's mom has 3 kids; SD, J, and P. Superdaddy's dad has 7 kids: Superdaddy, J, P, D, M, J, C. A while back, D & M got into trouble with their mother and with the law and we had to go "rescue" them. They stayed with us even though things were not well with us financially. Hell we lived in a 2 bedroom mobile home with Superdaddy and myself, Bubba, Miss J, D, M, Dog, Cat, and Miss S, Miss G, and Miss M visiting every other weekend and I was pregnant with Chicky. Have I lost anyone yet?

When we moved, D moved in with Superdaddys mom (not D's mom) and shit hit the fan with us. Chicky was born, we didn't have a pot to piss in, and D stole from Superdaddy's business. Big time. M could see the shit D was pulling and pulled away from D. D ended up going into the service as soon as he knew we wouldn't let M get into trouble and such. After P hit my friends car, and that shit hit the fan, M was stuck in the middle. M eventually moved into P's house and we haven't heard much since. Fine and dandy. Things have gotten settled in our cozy 2 bedroom house with 2 basement bedrooms. Somehow or another, C is not doing well. I don't know all the details as of yet, but apparently she contracted lice and her mom's boyfriend went around telling everyone she had lice, and they would not get her treatment for it. She is a teenager and some shit like that could be devastating to any child let alone a teenager. Superdaddy asked that C call him and talk directly. She may end up coming to stay with us for a while until Superdaddy's father can come back to the state. Now what? We are struggling and trying to stay afloat. How the hell are we going to afford another teenager to feed, and clothe, and house? And to think, we talked about having another baby in the near future. Sheesh. My teenager scares the shit out of me and possibly 2 teenagers?!?!?!?

Some people should not be allowed to breed. For shit's sake, the mom has 6 kids, the oldest being almost 21 and the youngest being 3 or so. Why is it that superdaddy has to raise his father's kids? I am tired of being the responsible one. The one to take care of everyone else. The kids' mother thinks when they are 13 or so they can raise themselves. WFT????

Proud of you Bubba

Where to begin. Bubba will be 14 in a little over 2 weeks. Damn that makes me feel old. He has been able to attend 3 summer camps this year with no help from sperm donor. The first was for Youth Leader skills. To help him become more of a leader instead of a follower. The second was for eagle scout specific classes. The third was this week for his troop camping. He has completed his final "eagle required" merit badge. Now all he needs to do is go up a rank (which he is really close to right now) and do an eagle project to benefit the good of someone else.

On family night, my son was asked to come back this week as a CIT. Basically grunt work. He will work his tail off for free as a "councilor in training". He gets to live in "Tent City" something he has wanted since forever; well since as long as I can remember. So this week he embarks on his 4th week of summer camp. Glad this week doesn't cost anything that is for sure.

DQ called Saturday. Apparently her cousin was getting married and she needed us to baby sit. Kills me I tell ya. So on her weekend, the girls came over. Them girls were so disappointed that I didn't take them to family night. DQ said NO they cannot go. We took them fishing on Sunday when we dropped Bubba off. So it looks like potentially, we will have the girls for the next 3 weekends if DQ lets them go on vacation with me and the kids (superdaddy has to work) to South Dakota to see "the faces on the mountain". We will have to see as she told the girls they could go to family night and wouldn't let them. Personally that is what I see happening again. Who knows, maybe I will take them across state lines and leave their sassy mouth's out west. Just kidding. Stay tuned for fishing pictures later today.

The girls fishing on the dock.

Chicky catching mom's favorite kind of fish: GRASS BASS!!

Happy Birthday Superdaddy!

For some reason, yesterday's post did not post?

Happy birthday Superdaddy. Sometimes there just are not enough words to tell you just how special you really are. Though the times have been rough and the road has been long, I love you more and more every single day. I missed spending time with you last night because of going to family night at B. Scout camp. I will make it up to you Friday :)

Dropping like flys

I am so very sorry coworker for your family's loss.

A co-worker has lost a beloved BIL. He was so young and seemed to have suffered a bit at the end. May the Lord's peace envelop and hold your family during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers today and everyday.

RIP co-worker Brother in Law. God's peace to the family and friends of the dearly departed.

Sometimes one just cannot win

I understand that the way I raise my children is not the way everyone raises their children. I totally understand and appreciate the differences. My children are not used to being outside from the time they wake up til the time they get picked up. When they are outside, 85% of the time either superdaddy or myself are out with them. Not that we don't trust our kids, but lets face it times have changed since we were kids.

NEWS FLASH!
The girls and I talked, apparently, at the substitute babysitters house, they are not allowed inside. Even if it rains. Ok I understand she is just a substitute sitter, and that being outside will not kill my children or cause them emotional scaring. Fine I can deal with that. How would one go about telling a friend of say....15 years, that you don't like the way they treat your children when they are there? I never would even think about doing that to her children. I mean, I pay her to watch them so it helps them out seeing how she is a stay at home mother and I send over food (like 2 boxes of cereal that I know will not get eaten in 5 days and lunch). I seriously am considering withdrawing my children from her home and asking NF to watch them as I know she treats my children better. You read that right NF. WTF?

Confrontation

So the confrontation happened with NF and it actually went better than I anticipated. I only hope she understands that I did it as a friend. Superdaddy and I talked and I told him my concerns. He agreed about my suspicions. He talked to NF hubs and told him what I thought was happening. I had already asked NF if she was using. Long story short, her hubs told her if she was going to use that she would lose me as a friend. She understood. Thursday and Friday at church was much better. She participated and was great with the kids. Thursday I confronted her. Sunday she came over and we rode bikes to church in the park and talked on the way there. Was real nice. Only she knows the truth, but she totally acted normal on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Heck Saturday, NF and hubs, and the boy came over to barbecue. Things were normal. Perhaps she really was exhausted. Who knows. All I know is that life with an addict suck big time and I certainly hope and pray things work out. One way or another.

Dilemma

So how would one go about telling a "new friend" (NF) that I think NF is full of shit?

Background:
Said NF is actually the wife of superdaddy's friend. She is a nice gal. In recent past, NF was addicted to pain pills. She used to get them from work or something or other. I never allowed myself to become a close friend with her. Being the good mother that I think I am, I kept my distance for a long time. As in almost 5 years. In recent past like 6 months or so, NF confided in me that she is trying to kick habit and make friends and learn to live life without narcotic glasses on. She is trying to learn to enjoy life with the boy being sober.

Not the immediate trusting person I am (had an addicted hubby in past who overdosed and passed away), I kept conversations to telephone; always keeping purse in eye contact with minimal cash and carry as I have been burned in past with ex. NF's hubby is superdaddy's best friend from school. Everyone knows she had a drug problem. They (NF and hubs) have many issue because of drug using and that is really their business. They have a boy now who is almost 3. My children adore him.

Problem:
Recently, they have been going to VBS with the kids and I. Her and I have been talking and haning out somewhat, I have became more of a friend, and less cautious. Monday things were well. The boy had so much fun at church. She was a class helper and seemed to enjoy herself as well. Tuesday, she watched the girls for me while I went to work. When I picked them up, I noticed that her eyes were like watery almost glassy. Like she was high. She got a shower and went to church with us. Well, she was nodding out in church like in the middle of everything. Like eating, and activities. We were painting and she nodded out. Nodding out as in like my ex-POS used to do on heroin. That is really the sickest thing I have ever witnessed in my life and quite frankly, I had flashbacks. I will never forget witnessing that. My stomach churned. I know her choice is not heroin. It is prescription vicoden, zanax, and zoma's. It was still really disturbing to witness. NF claimed it was being exhausted from being up early watching my kids, and going to bed late Monday.

Fast forward to Wednesday. NF called to ask if I can take her boy to church so she can finish cleaning her house. NF told me when she called that her and hubs got into a huge argument about money and her not working. She is a stay at home mom and like most places, the economy sucks and money is tight everywhere. To add to that, the house was messy from her having all the kids there for the day and when I got there to get them, we went right to church. I agreed to take the boy so she can clean up before he got home from work. Her eyes were still kind of watery/glassy.

How do I tell her I think she is full of shit about being exhausted and I think she is using? I think if her hubs was bitching about money and such, she probably took money from the bank for her fix like she has in past. It really isn't my business but I really believe in my heart she has her poker face on and I don't want to play poker. Lets face it, I am constantly busy with life, work, kids, single parenting, church, scouts and I don't nod out or have glassy eyes when I am exhausted. There is always something to do and never enough time. I don't want to be around someone who is using. Nor do I want my kids around it.

DQ does it again

Ya know what really pisses a step-mom off? A DQ who tries to bribe her child. You heard me right. BRIBE her child!

So the girls were supposed to come on Sunday and DQ decided to keep them until Monday night. The girls will have to miss a day of VBS (Vacation bible school). She told us she was taking the girls to work on Monday that is why they couldn't come Sunday. Whatever. So she calls and tells me she has to pick the girls up then bring them over. I thought they went to work with her? Lying bitch.

So she pulls up in my drive and Miss G comes in all smiles and hugs and such. Miss M however is crying yet again. She tells her while I am standing there that when she comes home she will take her to get ice cream. She tells her if daddy doesn't want her over, she will come pick her back up. Like superdaddy don't want to see his kids. She tells her call me later and I will come back to pick you up if you want. DQ tells Miss M she misses her too much when she is not there. Once Miss M is at our house she is just fine. There is no more crying after the first night. It amazes me how much of a basket case she has made Miss M she is 6. Rather pathetic that DQ is so dependent on a 6 year old's feeling sorry for her mom.

See Miss G has always been a daddy's girl and Miss M has always been a mamma's girl. Fine and dandy, but for crying out loud, you should not use your children as pawns in your pathetic life. Especially as emotional weapons.

Happy Anniversary Baby!

Two years ago today, I married my best friend. We started sharing our lives together as a family and created a new family for the children. I love you more today than I did 2 years ago. Happy anniversary baby!

Goodbye my friends mom

I just found out about a death that is really hard to swallow. A childhood friend of mine her mother died last week. I found out about it last night and I totally missed the service. I guess the hard part about it all is that she wasn't very close to her mom. Her dad either for that matter. Her mom was sick for as long as I could remember. Some days, her mom was better than others depending on her medication. We used to curse her mom when she was off her meds. Her mom was one of the sweetest ladies around when she was on her meds. Though I have lost touch with my friend over the last 7 years or so, I think about her often and drive by her house more often. She is in my thoughts as is her dad. May her mom rest in peace and be my friends angel from above watching over her as she begins this difficult journey without her beloved mother. My friend, I am so very sorry for your loss.

Best Hubby around

Can I just brag about my hubby for one second?

This weekend was sort of rough at first but turned out to be wonderful. He had to work for like 80% of it. When he was tired and cranky, he found a way to fix my vehicle. The back door has been stuck for quite a while and would not open. He went out there and took out some aggression (i assume) by beating the hell out of it and VWALLA.....IT OPENS NOW!!

Thanks Superdaddy. Like you didn't have anything better to do :)

Nice Weekend

I sure hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Ours started out a little rough with Miss M not wanting to be there but turned out to be so much fun. I think the girls were glad to have some quality time with me and daddy all to themselves.

Friday was sort of quiet. My mom took us to Chinese food after work and well, it was nice that is until supermommy decided to be an ass of sorts. After we ate, I was messing around with the water glasses and made what looked like c0ke with soy sauce and sugar and water. Don't ask. We had a good laugh. Miss G wanted to try a sip and convinced me to bottle it in our pop bottle and take it to bubba. Anyways it was fun. When we got home, I had the girls help with laundry and such.

Saturday, was some of the most childish fun I have had in a long time. Unbelievable. We picked mulberries. They are in our front yard and we got a huge mess. See below for details.

It started innocently like this...

And turned into a little juicy fun.A little more...And look out mamma this was fun...

My mom took us to lunch after we cleaned up and well, brilliant ass mom made another wonderful concoction. I can't wait for the girls to tell DQ what we do at restaurants. We took a glass with ice and added salt, pepper, seasoning salt, mustard, ketchup, french fries, soda from all our glasses. The girls were impressed it looked like salad dressing. Don't ask. Then we went bowling on some free passes my mom picked up: THANKS MOM! Talk about a blast. The girls, my mom and I were not doing so hot bowling. So we spiced it up some. I think the folks next to us were a little frustrated and probably embarrassed by us but never the less it was so much fun. See below.

Back to the asses at the bowling alley. I am so surprised the people next to us didn't ask us to leave. But boy did we have lots of fun.

The end result....WE ALL SUCKED AT BOWLING but we had so much fun!!

Sunday Miss M wanted to go with me to take Bubba to camp. Surprised Miss G wanted to stay home seeing how Miss M was crying for Dad and DQ on Thursday. See ya on Saturday Bubba!