Day 304: Happy Halloween!!

Well once again it was a shitty Halloween due to the weather! LOL Poured all damn day. I think I would have rather had snow.....I can't believe I said that! You want to see some hard core trick or treaters, come North! Haha! The kids did make out good though, and we really didn't go to many places. We went up town......funk you up! Haha! Where I saw the most awesome costume for the business, an Oompa Loompa handing out candy at the Chocolate Haus!! OMG I LOVED it!! And then we went to an assisted living place that we saw a sign, advertising trick or treating 5:30-7:00pm. Awesome! It's out of the rain! This just warmed my heart when we entered. The older folks sitting there with their candy waiting for the kids to come by. Kwintyn got so many swoons or salutes from his costume. Everyone loved his costume! He was a Police Officer, and Chelsea went as that invisible man...or whatever his name is...oh, excuse me, woman. Frank wasn't feeling well so he didn't want to dress up and I did. So I went as Kwintyn's criminal that he captured. My crime, flashing, framing, and shooting people. We also stopped at Cops & Doughnuts, and they loved his costume. We also ran into 2, other inmates, and a Police Officer. ;) Overall we had a wonderful Halloween, and the kids made out only going to 2, places in the community. Not to shabby! Happy Halloween!!! Hope everyone had a safe, happy Halloween. Just think tomorrow Christmas music will be playing!! Tis the season to be jolly.....falalala..fu$k.

Happy Halloween

Day 303: All Hallows Eve

Halloween selfie!!! I'd say this is the best one we have ever took. Damn, we look good! LOL Enjoy the festivities, and be safe!

Halloween Make-overs

Day 302: Shattering Skulls

I wish I could have taken the photos that I wanted to take today, but its against the rules at school to do so, and I totally get that! Kwintyn had a pajama day at school today, and he had so much fun! I got to join in the fun after the policy council meeting I attended. I also got to officially meet someone, I had added them on Facebook talking about photography as they were a mutual friend of a friend. Funny how you can know someone but not really know someone. That's Faceboom for ya! I also had a few little buddies today at school. Is it bad that I find other people's kids much more pleasant than my own?! LOL! Other people's kids just like me. My own kids.....not so much. Hahaha! But oh, the face that Kwin gave when his friend sat on my lap. He got over it kinda fast, but as soon as his friend got up guess who was in my lap?! LOL!!!!! We haven't carved pumpkins, or went to the pumpkin patch this year so maybe that is why I have been wanting to make Halloweeny things? But I found this poem, and I like it. So this is what I came up with.

Shattering Skulls

Day 301: Stop Being Afraid Of What Could Go Wrong..

And think of what could go right. Today I did something that I fear. I accepted an offer to do a Wedding shoot for next year. Now a lot of people know that I don't do weddings. I have had a few offers and I would regretfully decline. Why? Because I'm afraid that I will mess up. Weddings are a very special day in ones life and I fear the photos I take will come out blurry, out of focus, bad composition, bad lighting, the list goes on. Can't just say, "Hey, I didn't get a good shot,lets do it again!" Not to mention how stressful & crazy weddings can be. Wedding photographers bust their ass & run around like mad people. Next time you're at a wedding watch the photographer for a bit. Oh, and don't forget to smile! So, just a few reasons why weddings terrify me. I'm already so hard on myself when it comes to just a regular photo shoot. I always feel like my photos are not up to my standards. I'm constantly comparing my work with those who have been in photography for quite some time, and I always tell myself they had to start at the bottom too. And that it takes time to learn, you just don't conquer the world in one day. I know my number one problem is me, and how much of a perfectionist I am. Some days I just wish I could see things through another's eyes. While people tell me, "You take beautiful photos." I kindly say, Thank-you. But I just see all the errors in the photo and think I'm never going to get this. I suffer from depression and anxiety so I'm sure this escalates my thoughts more. But this wedding is a little different, it's for a long time child hood friend, that I grew up with and was an/is a VIP in my life. It's such an honor that she wants ME to be her photographer for her wedding!! Not many think taking pictures is a deal, and anybody can do it as long as they have a "good camera." I laugh at that, and challenge people to go shoot a wedding, or any other kind of photo shoot they can think of. Cause it is a big deal. Just because you have a good camera doesn't make it that you can charge people money. I have seen those kinds of photo shoots and I'm sorry, but they are bad. Shadows on faces, using the on camera flash, shooting at the wrong time of the day, blurry, out of focus, bad composition, ect. I've been there, done that but I never charged people either, I just suggested they give me gas money if they want me to come to their house for me to take photos. And 6, years later I am still giving out a free photo shoot here & there. I have people inquire on photo shoots and I will always tell them I am not a Pro, that I am an amateur and if they want top of the notch photos they should look else where but I will always do my best into capturing what they want. I don't have the confidence in myself not my work and that fails me tremendously. Confidence doesn't come easy for me, and that is why I need to face my fear. Go out and just do it. Because hey, I could have a knack for this? I did do one wedding, it was a simple backyard wedding and I feared doing that...and I did that one as a testing the waters kind of thing. They loved their photos but I cringed at a lot due to my nit picking. I really need to just get over this. Woe is me, said the artist. I have almost a year to plan for this so I am thankful for that! Haha! Surely I will have my ducks in a row by then. And who knows maybe some new gear as well? I will need some lights and a better flash....hmmm maybe this isn't sounding so bad after all?! New gear! 😁 I'm super excited & super anxious, but it is something my heart just needs to do. 

I guess I went on a babbling spree there. Anxiety at its finest. 

Day 300: Not Every Witch Lives In Salem

Feeling super tired today, and I was feeling the Halloween spirit, so I made this graphic for Halloween. On another note, Day 300!! Only 65 days left for this year!


Not Every Witch Lives In Salem.

Day 299: This Is How We Brew It.

Kwintyn asked me to make him a sandwich today....typical male!!! LOL!! So, I said, "Make me coffee and I will make you a sandwich". His response, "I don't know how to." Guess who got a lesson on making coffee?! Yep, Kwintyn! I showed him how we pout the water in, and the filter, and then the coffee....knuckle deep. I pointed out the tube that that makes the water come out at the top, and when it started brewing I opened the top so he could have a peek and see the water come out. He said, "It look's like mud!!!" Hahahahaha!! And that son, is what makes coffee. The most delicious beverage on the planet. Nobody likes Mom's coffee as I like mine black, Frank takes his with creamer. I will add creamer from time to time. All my children enjoy coffee, if they didn't I would question who's child they were. Because any child of mine, would like coffee. LOL!


This is how we brew it......

Day 298: Is He?!

Well that stray little kitty that's been hanging around the yard for the past week or so finally warmed up to us. Finally got him to come up on the porch and he would take food from you, but couldn't pet him just yet. He had a name, I was calling him Toby. And was just waiting for the right time to catch him. I wanted him to warm up to us first and try to get him a calmer way than when Brownie & her litter mates showed up at our house. We baited them in the dog kennel, and the porch and,wow! Cats can really move fast, jump high, and sure can f!ck a room up!! So, with that I didn't want to do it the "aggressive" way. So at 1-1:30 in the morning we decided to try to get him on the porch & close the door. There was a huge cat out there that had bothered him earlier & I felt bad for him having a big scary cat creeping around waiting to start a fight. Got him on the porch with the door closed and he did stress a little but not much. I went over & reached down to pet him, not knowing if I was going to get attacked. lol But the sweetest thing happened. I started scratching his head, and oh the joy & warmth he felt!! He LOVED it!! I picked him up and he got his claws out, but as I sat down and started to pet him, he was in love again, and trying to nestle in to my nice, warm, comfy robe. You would have never known he was a stray kitty! We brought him inside & in to our too since that is were Brownie still has camp set up. Our beloved cat, Rubie did not get along with Brownie, she would stalk & attack her so she stayed in our room. Well ever since Rubie has been gone, Brownie hasn't been staying in there at night. So we set Toby up in there, and he slept on my chest most of the night. The morning was interesting. He was now roaming around & he was scared again. He freaked out when we tried to get him and he climbed my curtains. LOL! But after getting him and cuddling him he was fine & loving the petting he was getting. Chelsea & Kwintyn were SO happy to see Toby inside and to be able to pet him. Well while we were petting him I was looking him over for fleas & all that. Not a single flea or dirt on him. He looks really healthy, and um......Is he a girl?!?!?! Yep. Sure is!!! Well out goes Toby. I really thought he looked like a Toby. Chelsea suggested a few names but is really settled on one. And when Frank got home he suggested the same name!! He had no clue she even said this name. The name: Izzy. Frank said Izzy because, Is He....a girl?! I'm not sure if I'm sold on Izzy. I love the pun of it! But just not sure. But...Chelsea always gets her way, and Kwintyn already told someone we have a new cat and her name is Izzy. Hahaha!! I had the names C-A-T, Matilda, Mia, Mya, and Praline picked out. Get it, Brownie & Praline. Lol Poppy was another pick of Chelsea's. But the way it's going it most likely will be Izzy. I have to tell Chelsea what her official name is tomorrow. We can't get over how much "Izzy" looks like our Rubie. She even sleep stands like Rubie did, and loves her belly rubbed like Rubie did. Frank & I joke and say that this kitty is Rubie reincarnated. It's not looking so good for Brownie. LOL!! We swear that every single time we lose a cat, a new one shows up within days, weeks, or a few months. I still find it odd that this kitty just showed up like she did. If cats don't get socialized by a certain age the will be a feral cat. She showed signs of human contact before, because if she hadn't we wouldn't have been able to even turn a head without it running away. Oh, the things we do.....

Day 297: Halloween Party!!

Frank, Kameron, Chelsea, Kwintyn, & I, were invited to a Halloween Party tonight. We had no clue what to be, and not a whole lot of money to spend either. Especially after buying the kids Halloween costumes....sheesh!! So, I tried to think of something geared around the bridesmaids dresses I have. I didn't really like any of the ideas I did see. Bs then I remember I had this one dress. And got the perfect idea!! It was my prom dress that sparked the idea. Game show host & Hostess!! You can't really see the dress in the picture but I will be taking more pictures soon because I really didn't get any good ones. Plus we are missing our sign, and a few other things. Soooo...looks like we are dressing up again for Halloween. We went to Salvation Army and bought Franks suit, and tie. And then went to A-Z resale and bought my coat. I'm glad I bought it, is warm! Kinda gaudy, but warm. Which was needed as it was rainy. Thanks so much Mike & Krystal for inviting us! We had a blast with it all!! 

Game show host & hostess 

Day 296: Thank-You's!

So I ran out of a bunch of paperwork for my photography and I have been working on a few things. I made this Thank-You card for my clients. I am wanting to jazz up my paperwork, and I still need so much stuff! So far I made made up some image release forms, a thank-you card, and a gift certificate card. I want to try to make my own stickers & stationary at some point. I really need to figure my printer out as its not connecting to my computer.....argh! I think within the next year I will be focusing more on getting all my paperwork in order. Trying to focus a little more on the business aspect of this photography adventure. Oh, the headache....I can already feel it! Always have been interested in taking a business class so that is a possibility as well!


Thank-You!!

Day 295: Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The News...

I've gotta bad case of loving you!! It's really just a gnarly cold. Poor Kwintyn, has only went to school for 1 day this week. He doesn't have school on Friday's so his week is over. I'm sure by Monday he will be feeling better? The Doctor gave him some medicine for swelling & to clear his nasal passages. The medicine went great! He spit it out! And then proceeded to get angry because it tasted bad. Guess you ain't getting better now are ya, buddy?! LOL!! Sheesh.....this shall be FUN!! Keagan missed school today, too. This crap better not spread like butter.

To the Doctors.....

Day 294: Back To The Future Day!!

Great Scott!! Today is the day that Doc Brown set the time circuit to go to the future. October 21, 2015! If you were an 80's kid or a huge Back To The Future fan then this is an exciting day! I still love all of the B2TF movies. I, was like 9 or 10 years old, and I had thought Micheal J. Fox was pretty darn cute! Always gotta watch the movies when they are on. I took a picture of Kwintyn's Delorean to honor the day. I asked him to find his Delorean & I was actually surprised he found it. That boy sure knows his cars! Happy Back to the Future Day! Here's some Back to the Future quotes to enjoy. :)


~You built a time machine out of a Delorean?

~ Road? Where we're going we don't need roads.

~If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour..you're gonna see some serious shit.

~1.2. GIGAWATTS?!

~ What the hell is a gigawatt?!

~ Flux Capacitor

~I guess you guys aren't ready for that....but you're kids are gonna love it!

~ Hey McFly!

~ Nobody calls me chicken.

~ Hey You! Get your damn hands off of her.

~Great Scott!

~Why don't you make like a tree and get out of here.

~Are you trying to tell me that my Mother has the hots for me?

~It's written all over you're underwear.

~Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one.

Day 293: Oh, Mags!!

I don't know how many times we have to say that. Oy! This dog! She isn't feeling well today. I awoke to dog puke on the couch, and then she had 2, more bouts of it. Those 2, smelled SO bad. It wasn't normal dog puke smell this was just toxic. And cleaning it out of her kennel was horrific. I was a dry heaving. Of all the puke that I have had to clean up I would put that one in the top 3. She never goes in to her kennel unless she gets in trouble for something or we leave. And she wasn't eating. Not like her at all. And really hasn't pooed today. So we are thinking blockage? She seems to be doing better this evening, and her symptoms have improved but she does have a Vet's appointment tomorrow. I'm happy to see her acting better. Kwintyn stayed home from school today,& will most likely be missing it tomorrow, too. He has a low grade temperature & was complaining about his legs & arms hurting. My poor babies!! I hope they feel better. 

Oh, Mags!! 

Day 292: And You, My Brown Eyed Girl

Do you remember when we used to sing Sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah. A few snap shots of my brown eyed girl today. I did get some of Kwintyn too, but he has been used many, many times in my project and my sweet girl is now at the age where it's....."Ugh, Pictures!!" Kwintyn still yells, "Mom, take a picture!" So I love that! One day soon he won't want me to be taking his pictures either. It's already so hard to get a picture of the older boys. I NEED to get our family photos taken some time this week! It's just these kids & their work! Never have the same day off! 

You my, brown eyed girl. <3 

Day 291: Whip it!

Boy, did we whip it real good! Frank, and I, made our own whipped cream for the pumpkin bars I made. The pumpkin bars kinda sucked, but the whip cream was really good. We don't have a mixer so we had to whip it ourselves. We took turns whipping as it takes some good whipping, and your hand gets tired. LOL!!!! Oh, to hear the comments that were made!! Hahaha! Yes, my mind always goes there. It just makes things more fun.

Whip it, Whip it real good.

Day 290: Happy Sweetest Day!

Mother Nature was so kind, and gave us a gift! The gift of snow! It was really pretty this morning, as I don't mind the snow, it's the cold I dislike. Went outside & snapped a few pictures, and went cat calling. I'll just say that you all are lucky that I stopped typing as I was talking. That story got a little out of hand here. LOL!! Only me & my dirty little mind.....hehehe. But anyways I did do some cat calling. Last night Kameron found a baby kitty in our driveway but it's to timid to come to you. He's still here today, and hanging around. I would guess that he is about 4-5mos old? And if you know me, I have a heart for animals and this is just driving me crazy that I can't catch him. It's getting cold, and he's just a baby! Awwww!!!! Charlie's kitty condo is being used as a shelter for him right now. I've been putting food, and water up there for him, and put an old sheet in there in hopes he will sleep in to for the night. I was wondering when cats where going to show up. Seems like every few years a few cats show up at out house. Which now has got me thinking, Did someone drop them off here? I have not seen a cat or cats around the yard all summer, and never do the neighbors get these cats. Or maybe they are coming from the neighbors? If this cat was a part of a litter, where are the rest?! I'm afraid to know. Last time a kitten showed up, the next morning 3 more appeared. It was like Gremlins & they just multiplied. And yes, I broke the rules and fed it. I just feel bad for the poor little Kitt'ay! He looks like a good blend of Mama cat, Rubie, & Felix. 3, of our cats who passed, so it's just like, I want this kitt'ay!!!

Today is Sweetest Day! We never really celebrate this holiday but today I feel special, because Frank surprised me & remembered it was Sweetest Day. He was so sweet and got me a new coffee maker because this morning I was bitching that my coffee maker is running slow again, and my Keurig has been out of commission for a few months now. He also got me some Hershey Kisses with Almonds because I commented on how good they were, when I had some when my Mom stopped over. He also got me a Caramel Apple Cider from Tim's, Flowers, and some other treats. Kyle was nice & treated to me Starbucks today. He only did that cause he needed a ride to Starbucks, so he could get his girlfriend a treat from there. He was also a sweet boyfriend, and got her flowers. *cough, cough...that I told him about.* Today also happens to be Homecoming for the High School, and that none of my kids are going. Siiiiigh. Oh well. Saves me money I guess. Kyle is watching horror movies with his girlfriend. I wonder if they will watch the movie, Carrie?! Now, to catch that cat!!

So Sweet!

Day 289: Winter Not Welcomed

I'm so over Winter already and it hasn't even begun. Me, I think it's already Winter. It's snowing now, and cold. Enough for me. I don't like the cold, it bothers me so I can't just let it go. 😜 I guess it's better than the mudslides that are going on, or the flooding. But damn it!! I hate the cold!! 

First snow of the season. 

Day 288: Golden Path

Another thing that makes fall so lovely is the path that is in my backyard. I LOVE how it looks when the leaves cover the pathway, and the beautiful glow that it gives off. This was taken with my iPod. I wanted to get a few quick pictures as the leaves were falling, but it was raining quite well. So I didn't get the photo I wanted, but this is just as lovely!! 

Natures Beauty 

Day 287: Fall In Love!

What's not to love about Fall?! I just love the colors, they are just lovely! My kitchen has a lot of fall colors in it, and I love it!! Something about the golden yellow, and reds. I stopped by the garden again today, and was there for 15 minutes. I ran in to a nice lady who was tending her little garden she tends there, got talking to her, and she gave me some strawberry plants. So hopefully next year we can have some strawberries!! So very thoughtful of her. :)

October Love <3

Day 286: I'm So Glad That I Live In A World Where There Are Octobers.

Could you imagine all the beauty that we would miss?! Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with it's last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale. ~Lauren DeStefano~ Today I stopped by the garden & did a quick shoot. I mean quick! It was raining, and I was limited on my time because I needed to pick up Kwintyn soon, and it was raining. So I was all worrying about my camera getting wet, and being late. I'm hoping tomorrow it won't be rainy, and I can go back to get some better photos, but this is what I got. Not the best, but still pretty. The leaves are starting to fall & A LOT have fallen overnight due to the rain & wind, so I really want to get in a fall color shoot!

I'm so glad that I live in a world with Octobers

Day 285: GOOD Morning!!

What a sunrise we had today!! I usually lay back down after the bus arrives, but this morning I saw that beautiful fall glow and went out to take some pictures. As I was getting to lay down, I noticed this pink glow in the sky, so back outside I went. I was lazy & took pictures with my iPod, I should have just grabbed my camera! But was just such a lovely sunrise this morning! I'm in no way a morning person, and I know that sunrise is a great time to take photos. I now see why! Especially in the fall, as it has this amazing glow. I must do a morning photo shoot this Fall!!!

Good Morning!!

Day 284: October!!!

What's not to love about October?! Such a beautiful time of the year, and of course it's pumpkin season! The colors have just a popped the past few days. I need to take a road trip!! I'm thinking sometime this week after I drop Kwintyn off to school. I had a photo shoot today so I enjoyed that today. Also The Walking Dead is on!!

October!!!

Day 283: Party Time!!

Today we had Chelsea's 10th birthday party!! Still can't believe that she is 10!!! It was a beautiful windy day, that made it a bit brisk today. But NO RAIN!!! Or snow, so I say success!! I did put in a request to a few people upstairs to see if they could put in a request for some sunshine. :) Thank-You to all who came, it made my girl's day! She says she had a fun time at her party, and likes everything she got for her birthday. She say's, Thank-you!! Kwintyn even had a fun time, and I am hoping that he will sleep well tonight from all that running & playing at the park.

 I swear everything just worked out today! I was not thinking & did not check to see if this park had a bathroom before deciding to have the party there, and I just had that thought today before we left. They did have a bathroom, and it was not locked or winterized yet. They did have electric outlets so I could have made hot cocoa like I had wanted too. But everything just worked out perfectly.

Party Fun!!!

Day 282: Hectic, Active, Lively.

In other words, I'm busy!! Had shopping, and stuff for Chelsea's party to get together, and make cupcakes. Got home late, and didn't get to bed till 1:00ish. But in all of the rush I was able to stop & see this lovely nature find. I will take time to take photos if something lovely catches my eye. And this simple leafy just did that. Very peaceful, Serene feeling I think that photo gives off, and I needed that just for today!

Fall leaf & raindrops

Day 281: Got The Blues

I have been thinking that it's time for our annual family fall photo session!! Been trying to think of a color scheme, and I think I've got the blues.....and a bit of the oranges going on this year. I am really loving these two shirts of Kwintyn's and am having a hard time picking which shirt to have him wear, and then color coordinate everyone from his outfit. I'm thinking the one with the orange. Last years color was red, and the year before that was green, and brown. I think it's nice to the eyes when everyone color coordinates for photos. LOL I'm a fan of matching outfits, too!! Hahaha! But my kids won't let me get away with that much anymore. My next two Sunday's are booked for fall photos!! So, I will have to do ours during a week day most likely. Thinking different location, too. Colors are starting to pop! I will have to take a road trip, and have a photo shoot along the way & capture the beautiful colors!

I've got the blues...

Day 280: Shrug...Say Welp & Carry On.

*Shrugs* Welp! That just kinda sums my whole day up in one word.

Shrug...Say, Welp & Carry On...

Day 279: Take Time And.....

Come on, Mom!! I'm ready to go!! I guess I spent to much time taking photos of this awesome nature find. A spiderweb, raindrop. Kwintyn yelled that at me as I was taking photos. Guess he was in a rush to get to school. I think it gives this cool illusion that it's water bursting. I had a good day today which was nice because the past few days I was feeling blah. I spent some time with my Mom today, and then I made some apple crisp for dessert tonight. So good! I didn't have vanilla ice cream as that would have made it even better! I also made a homemade pot pie for dinner. :)

Spiderweb raindrops

Day 278: Happy Birthday, Chelsea!

I can't believe it has been 10 whole years since Chelsea came in to this world!! Double digits for this girl now!! I can remember the day so vividly, even though it was a decade ago! I just had this feeling that I was going to go in to labor on October 5th. Our friend, Chris even agreed with me, I think he just liked the idea of the baby being born on his birthday. I still have to take a photo of this "sign" as it was on the ceiling in the basement, and still is until we decide to put a real ceiling in. But anyways, Oct 5 is wrote all over the wood on the ceiling & I said it's a sign! Chris always said, that I was going to have a baby girl, born on October 5th, his birthday.

 Well the morning of October 5th I woke up 5:20 AM. I was having contractions, and at first I thought it might just be false labor, but an hour later I knew I was in labor. After all it was October 5th. :) I got the boys off to school, and then we took Kameron to the bus stop. We came home, and I called the hospital, and they told me to just stay at home as long as I could, and to shower, and to eat something light if I could. So I did just that. I puttered around the house, and Frank started setting up the crib. Well I was getting bored, and I really wanted to know if I was dilating. So up we went to the hospital. Awe got up there a little after 10:00 AM. I think I was only dilated to a 6, so I was a little disappointed because I was hoping to be dilated at least to an 8! The contractions started to pick up, but they weren't to painful yet, but I opted for the drugs this time!! This would be my first medicated birth, they gave me a spinal block. And I felt nothing!!! I was talking & just a laughing away until the time came & said, "Hey, I think I need to go pee!" Frank goes and gets the nurse, and well since I had that lovely spinal I couldn't get out of bed to use the toilet. So my options were a bed pan, or a catheter. I went with the bed pan. Well as the moved the bed up to position me, I felt this urge. Well I didn't have to pee, I was going to have a baby! I was fully dilated!! They yelled out to get some other nurses in the room and to call the Dr. They told me I couldn't push until he got there. I told them,  Well he better hurry up because I can't hold it any longer! Just as I said that, he comes through the door. I may have been medicated but I did feel that "ring of fire!" She came so fast, and it only took 2 pushes. I REALLY wanted to get her birth on camera because we had no idea what she was going to be? A boy? A girl? An Alien? So I wanted that "Its a _____!" caught on tape. Well she came so fast, and the fact that my Husband was dozing just before she was born, that we didn't get it on tape. But you can hear me 5 minutes later just repeating myself, "I can't believe it's a girl!!" It's a girl, I'm so shocked!" It's a girl!!" I even got to cut the cord myself!!  You see after having 3 boys you don't think that you will have a girl. I made a bet with Frank, I now realize I never win the bets. I made the bet that if we had a boy, I would name him. If we had a girl, Frank would name her. Frank really didn't care for the names I had picked out for a boy, and I really had a hard time picking a girls name out. And well, I thought it was going to be a boy. LOL I think he picked a lovely name for her, and he was so very kind to leave the middle name for me, as I already had my hopes on Elizabeth as it was my grandmothers middle name. So, Chelsea Elizabeth it was. She was my biggest baby weighing in a 8pds 12oz, and was 20 3/4" long, and she had dark hair. A little Princess from the start! Her birth was quiet, and calm. Just as my sweet girl can be. And though she be but little, she is fierce!

I say that Chelsea is my wish come true. I have always wished for a daughter. Not that I don't love my boys & have a special bond with them, it's just that Mother & Daughter thing, and I wanted it so very much. She was my wish upon a star when I would see this first star in the sky, or the wish I made when I saw a shooting star! She is just that, my star! She has taught me so much, and I think she has taught others things as well. I am so very proud of my daughter and love her so very much. Happy 10th Birthday, Chelsea Elizabeth!!

She celebrated her day at school by handing out puppy chow & caramel apple pops for her birthday treat. She came home from school & helped me make some maple bacon cookies. She got a small present, and some flowers, and we had cake, too! She surely has that Princess personality down, as she HAD to have stuff like this on her actual birthday. That's my Princess!! But we already seen all that coming. Happy Day, Sweet girl!

10 years old!!!

Day 277: This To Shall Pass

*Warning-This post may contain to much information. Read at your own discretion* 

Like a kidney stone. It hurts, but it will pass. Last night I am pretty sure I had a kidney stone attack. Oh, the pain!!! If I could have walked, I might have made it up to the ER. This episode was a little different than the last time I had kidney stones. Last time I had all the classic symptoms, especially the flank pain. This time it was a little different. It started like cramps, and then got more intense. Last time I had an overwhelming feeling to pee every 3 seconds. This time I didn't. I did try to pee, and then the steam stopped & I felt nauseous & felt like I was going to pass out. I laid back down & was in intense pain again, and was feeling clammy. I then started to profusely sweat and had bouts of nausea. The pain, oh did I mention the pain?! The pain this time was felt in my groin area, and nether regions. TMI, but I swear my vagina was going to fall out. I'm not sure if I passed a stone or not? I'm feeling crampy and my right flank has a dull ache to it. And I just feel a general malaise. Anybody have kidney stones that sound like that?!  I took it easy today. My husband ran all over today, and did a lot around the house & dealt with the kids. He's the best! Thanks, Franklin. I did help him get Chelsea's school treats made for her birthday tomorrow. Puppy Chow, & Caramel Apple Pops. I can't believe that she will be 10 years old tomorrow!!!! 

This to shall pass. 

Day 276: Life & Death

What a busy day! Had the garage sale again today. It didn't go so well, hardly anyone came, but I'm sure it was due to the cold. It was chilly out! We then went to a funeral for a family friend. Many may know him as, Coach. He was a pillar in our community, and was a softball coach for years, amongst other highly qualified positions. He was the one to give me my diploma when I graduated, and Frank his as well. He will be greatly missed by many. RIP, Coach. We then headed to a birthday party after that, and that had lifted my spirits up. Kids, & laughter have that effect. Life, and Death. What matters is the in between. Make the most of it. 

Day 275: A Dogs Life

Sarge & Maggie waiting for Dad to come home. Kwintyn can utter the words, "Daddy's home!" And the dogs go crazy. He likes to tease them and say this just for the hell of it. Drives me mad. And yes, my dogs think they are part cat & think that they can perch themselves on the back of the couch. 

Please come home, Dad! 

Day 274: Selective Mutism

October is Selective Mutism Awareness Month. My daughter, Chelsea suffer from this. It all started 6 years ago when she started Pre-School. She just stopped talking. She would talk to us, and her siblings, but stopped talking to grandparents, and other close relatives & family. She did talk to the friends she did make. Every year in school she has struggled with this. She finally got to 1st grade, and started whisper talking. 2nd grade she did wonderful! And in 3rd grade it was back to not talking. I am happy to say that 4th grade has been wonderful & we just started school just a bit ago, and she has talked to both of her teachers so far!! So it's been quite a journey to get to where we are today. I hope to spread some awareness on selective mutism, because not to many people know what it is. If I have to talk till I am blue in the face, then so be it! Some people can be quite rude when they encounter my daughter, expecting her to talk to you, when you don't even realize how hard it is for her to do. I'm sure she is so tired of hearing the word "Shy" by now. But that is the easiest way to explain selective mutism to people when they just don't get what you are trying to tell them. I just want people to understand her that is all. I'm sure you would do anything to make you're child's life easier if they were struggling with something. All I am asking is that you take 5 minutes, and read about selective mutism. I don't talk about this all the time, so it's not like I am blasting this all the time. But for the month of October you can bet you're duppa I'm gonna spread the word.