Little Martha Washington

I didn't realize when I picked out this christening gown that she would look so much like Martha Washington. The whole front were these ruffles of eyelet. I thought it was cute. Compared to some of the other gold and organza monstrosities that were there I thought it wasn't too bad. I unfortunately got about 5 pictures because it was a mess. First it was raining and we had to stay in the entryway of the church for over an hour because they were having the Feast of St. Michael and then they finally decided to rush us around back and crammed a lot of very rude family members of 6 babies in a 20 x 20 area. I had the wrong lens on my camera and couldn't stand back far enough to get pictures. With all the rude people rushing the baptismal area with their cameras I was lucky that the godparent's were even part of the ceremony. I was holding Ava and some idiot tried to push me out of the way. They were doing all 6 babies at the same time and the priest almost missed one because she and the godfather were pushed out of the crowd and had no idea what was going on. Luckily another dad and I noticed and made sure he finished blessing her. I'm lucky I was in a church because there was a confessional at the other end that I would need to confess all of the sins I was about to commit.

I know you may think I'm a hypocrite for even considering baptism since I do not go to church or practice any religion and most days I contemplate if god even exists (that's really an OCD thing not an atheist thing) but I figure one, my MIL appreciates it and two, I figure if she wants to practice Catholicism then she has her start. I try not to discuss religion too much. I think it is one of those very personal things that are better left undiscussed in casual settings. I respect, greatly, people that have strong convictions as long as they are not forcing the issue on me. I would never force the issue with any one else.

On to a lighter subject PICTURES all 2 of them I'm afraid. Notice the little "diamonds" in her ears. I got her ears pierced last Thursday. They aren't even red. She didn't cry when her first ear was done and I think that actually put the girl in shock. Then after the second ear she cried about 30 seconds and then nothing. She looks so cute now, not that she didn't before but now I don't have to answer "yes she's a girl". I tend not to dress her in pink that often. I even have a green camo outfit that if it wasn't for the gold threaded "cutie" on the front you would think it was a boys shirt.

In all her Martha Washington greatness

Scatter Brained

My head is all over the place lately. I'm starting to think I'm bipolar instead of OCD (I'm really just joking here). I have all these ideas and projects in my head now. My friend's first reaction was "great that will keep your mind off of the intrusive thoughts". Well it does but now my mind is focused on things that MUST be done. Now I can't sleep unless I get things accomplished and I'm cranky and my head spins and sometimes I don't even know where to start. I hate this feeling. I am constantly anxious. I don't want to do certain "fun" things like shopping or going out to dinner or just going to the park because I need to stay home and reorganized my closet or paint my library or hang curtains. It feels, physically, like I have had way too much coffee for the day and mentally I'm just spinning. I'm functioning normally on the outside but not too many people see me so I don't have to be normal a lot of the time.

I've chewed my nails off and have become increasingly forgetful because I just can't think straight. I went and picked up paint from the store and leaving the parking lot I hear "Don't Drive, Don't Drive!" from the back of the car. I stop short and my son comes flying up to the front. "Strap Me In, Strap Me In" He bumped his knee but he is okay. I FORGOT to buckle him in. I put Ava-son in the car and buckled her in jumped in the car and took off. I don't know whether to be more thankful that I was going 5 miles an hour in the parking lot, that my son knows the value of being buckled in his seat (ok this I'm really proud of though) or that I didn't leave him outside of the car standing in the parking lot. The thoughts that are going through my head just recounting this episode, ugh.

To top it off I'm freaking out because between now and the end of the year I have a Christening, 5 birthdays, my birthday, my anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas, all 5 animals going to the vets, 2 new car seats to buy, a few new clothing items because I can't wear sweats to the Christening on Sunday, pictures of the kids oh yeah, and freaking Halloween too. One of those 5 birthdays is my father in law's which is TODAY and I FORGOT it, apparently so did my husband. Okay writing this is making me freak out even more and it's almost making me sick to my stomach.

See, head spinning.

On a good note, everybody is doing well, very happy and my poison ivy completely cleared. And it's officially AUTUMN!!! I can't wait until the leaves turn a little more so I can take some pictures with my newly learned camera skills. Stay tuned for pictures!

Poison Ivy

Just lovely. I have poison ivy completely covering the right side of my face. At first we were concerned that it was shingles because it is known to affect one side of the face. I could have had a repeat of my Bell's Palsy on the other side of my face from this. Just great. Since I do not have intense pain, fever, or any other symptom of shingles I am pretty certain its just poison ivy. We drew blood to make sure. I just can't figure out why it is only on my face. It isn't on my hands or my legs or arms. I played golf on Sunday and kept thinking how dirty the course was - I was literally covered in a film of dirt and I wiped the right side of my face. It would make a little more sense if my hand and/or arm was covered as well but no just the entire right side of my face. I have one spot on my left cheek but I can't tell if it's just a pimple or not. It started to form on Monday late morning and didn't start itching until today.

I can only figure I must have been very vain in a past life or I have really retarded luck. I vote on the retarded luck. I bet you are all feeling just a little bit itchy now aren't you?

Our Little Fallen Hero - an Ode to Pepper

Pepper was my SIL's dog. Pepper was not their dog, Pepper was Pepper. He had people status in our family. He was a very quirky husky/chow type mix that was found in my SIL's shed when he was 6 months old. We think someone just dropped him off in the woods. They brought him to the pound with strict instructions that they were to be notified on the seventh day if his owners never came forward. You see, my SIL had been looking into getting a German Shepard and that day was ready to shell out $1500 for a pure bred. Well Pepper was not exactly a Shepard but had the fuzzy coat and coloring like one, so close enough. According to them it was fate. Pepper loved scraps and people food but would never ever touch a cold cut (makes you think twice about eating them yourself) He kept our yards safe from bear and possums and gophers. He greeted everyone at the front door with zest. In public he would lean on you even if he didn't know you or he would literally hug your leg (there was no dominance humping involved just a big ole hug) When he got nervous he would go sit in the shower. No one knows why he chose to go there. We used to joke that he used to see ghosts and the shower was his safe place. My SIL used to have conversations with him and sometimes she swears he was about to say something back. My son used to ask to call them on the phone so he could talk to Pepper. Pepper really was a family member and last night they found a tumor on his heart.

Last night Pepper had to go over Rainbow Bridge and wait for the rest of us. Pepper you were the funniest, quirkiest and most loved dog I've ever met. You will be so missed. When my son calls you on his pretend phone I hope he can hear your love and you his. Know that we all love and miss you.

RIP Pepper 9/12/08

Rain rain go away

Such an original title I know especially when all we have of the "hurricane" is lots of rain. Unfortunately today was the day hubby was on call for the ER which means he leaves the house late and doesn't get home until midnight. The worst of this storm was supposed to sweep from the west of the state to the east from 3:30 until around 9pm of course when and in what direction do you think hubby is traveling today. So now you all know I will be a nervous wreck with intrusive thoughts of worst case scenario all day. I also have limited things to do with my ACTIVE children. We are already contemplating things to do with our kids during the winter. Looks like we will all be a bit stir crazy today. I'm just hoping the power does not go out. That would just suck royally. No television, no internet, no music (you would think I would have something battery operated but no) NO LIGHTS to really do anything with kids that won't sit still and no way to cook. I may just move into my car. There are lights, a dvd player, radio, drive through for food and most importantly a way to strap the kids in. Please power don't go out!