A family that bills together . . .

For the first few months we are checking each bill before it's sent. This is our stuffing, sealing & stamp crew. They refer to themselves as indentured servants. If you could only hear the complaining and whining coming from the males in the bunch - notice the looks of agony on their pitiful faces. I think they were suffering from sleep deprivation, paper cuts and an overwhelming dislike for the billing procedure. The females loved the task and can't wait til next month - must have something to do with that Mars/Venus thing.

Coming Soon to a field near you!

Milah is the proud owner of a new cutter (yes, Milah financed the purchase). Sten spotted it sitting next to an outbuilding, obviously neglected. After some inquiring, he found the owners who explained what they believed was wrong - he spied the solution right away, but kept it to himself and worked an awesome deal.

Sten was just a baby when we bought Buck's before. One of his first words was "Bucks". Here he is driving a truck that is just one year younger than him. A strange and unexpected turn of events -

Soccer Again

We started early, ended late and came home with 2 first place trophies!  Milah & Maren's teams were victorious in the tournament today.

Grrrr

I've had it with politcal correctness.

We live in a vanilla world.  If you happen to be chocolate chip mint or peanut butter brittle - you are gonna have a rocky road.   In the name of tolerance, we are forced to accept behaviors that are borderline evil.  However, we cannot, under any circumstances make someone feel uncomfortable.  If we do, we will be fired - written up - sent to the principal - or passed up for promotions. We are more than 31 flavors people - all this tiptoeing and posturing is giving me blisters and making me nauseous. Get over it -quit taking things so personal and have a sense of humor for Pete's sake.   

Real Emotion

A friend of mine refers to the word, "fine", as a 4 letter word - one of the bad ones.  So often we utter that word, when asked the familiar question - how are you?  We've all responded with that term when our hearts were screaming - LIAR!  It's not appropriate to dump your cares and fears on everyone you meet - but it's okay to admit that things are not perfect.  Regardless of how it may look, nobody has a perfect life.  That's real stuff - like it or not. 

How is it when things don't go as expected or a person might not be their usual self, we often think - what in the world is wrong with them?  We may even be tempted to call another to inform them of the odd exchange. BUT . . . we have no idea what is going on behind the scenes.  Have you ever found out (after the fact) that someone's difficult behavior was the result of hidden turmoil and instead of being kind in the situation, you had been critical? (my head is bowed in shame). 

We're all in this together.  We'll never regret being kind - cause one day we're going to need heaps of it ourselves.

Disclaimer!  If you are unnecessarily mean to my children - the above message is not for you.  I will come at you with claws sharpened and teeth bared.  To borrow a phrase from a relative - I will come down on you like a thousand pound rock!  Sincerely, mother of three cubs

Would you like FRIES with that?

So, I'm wonderin - how can 1 tsp worth of ketchup (in a packet) rolled and squeezed in a child's hand suddenly explode into a 2-3 cup coverage area?

Ask Maren who succeeded in making a gigantic mess in the pickup.  Ask Milah who got an ear full of ketchup.  Ask Scott who ran into the house fetching a rag to clean up the mess -sternly informing Maren - DO NOT MOVE!

Winners!

Today was the last day of regular season Spring Soccer.  Maren's team was undefeated this season and Milah's team tied for 1st.  Milah's team was victorious over a team that has been undefeated for several seasons!  The girls love to play - and it is a blast to watch them. 

The Knights

The Determinators

Curb Appeal

The outside of our building was dismal.  The business does not have much "walk in" traffic, but you can see the building from a heavily traveled road nearby.  Pressure washing made a huge difference, painting, and then signage completed it.  An awning over the window and doors would look awesome - but that's down the road (way down the road).  See that tall rectangular wooden structure on the right - I'm thinking that would be perfect as a giant portable toilet.  Hmmm, that would be fun . . .
 

Custom lettering used to be off the charts expensive.  But these signs were reasonable.  The lettering on the door was only 10$!  Can't even get letters at the hardware store for that price.

Mr. Hollywood in Action

Here's the clip that aired last night which featured Buck's as one of the dirtiest jobs in Lane County.

Shopping Alert

Ever been to a United Grocers, Cash & Carry?  They are a kick - gotta find one near you - gotta go.  The adventure begins as you enter the store with the monstrous flat carts they provide.  Take it from me, don't try to push these dudes - pull them.  Don't expect catchy displays - this store caters to those in the food industry who are getting things done.  The small restaurants, the coffee stands, the weekend caterers, the wanna be's and the (dreamers) like me. They have huge walk-in coolers that feel durn good on a hot day and it's fun just to cruise the aisles.  Bet you'll think to yourself - "oh, that's where they get this stuff".  It's difficult to escape without dropping a Benjamin Franklin or two.  I ran in for a few items yesterday and dearly wanted to throw in the red/white waxed paper liners shown above (perfect for summer barbeques).  Instead I spent a few quiet moments in the freezer, mowed over several small children with my massive cart and left the store for under 50 bucks.

Mom's Day

Mom & I (leavin on a jet plane)

This is my mommy.  She is amazing.  She is one of the most unselfish people I know.  I've hardly ever heard her complain and she is rarely in a bad mood.  She sees the best in people and will spend an abundance of time making sure those she loves feel special.  Her capacity to care for people sometimes goes beyond her physical strength, but she continues - with a cheerful attitude. As a grandma, she is kind - a little goofy, and a cheerleader for each of her grandkids.    

I do have an issue with this picture.  Why did you make me wear such a short dress?  You look stunning by the way - groovin' on the hair do. 

Real Kids

Yes - we grow real kids here too.  They aren't perfect (they get that from us).  They fight, they argue, they occasionally complain, they aren't perfectly coifed, they don't (all)get straight A's and they make poor decisions at times.   Real life folks - it's not a neatly posed picture in a perfect field of mustard.  It is tears and hugs mixed with joy and gutwrenching sorrow.  

I had a recent revelation.  It told me that I signed up for a lifetime of concern. Just because these tender creatures leave the nest, doesn't mean the mommy in me flutters away.  I get to be concerned for the REST OF MY LIFE.  At some point it will get more complicated, adding their spouses and their kids.  ACK - what were we thinking???!   

Happy Mother's Day to those of you that are walking this journey and to those that have survived! 

The Other Side . . .

Welcome to real life . . .   I love pinterest and bloghopping, but sometimes you wonder - does anyone actually LIVE in those spaces??  Everything is perfectly perfect.  This is not one of those posts, this is my moment of getting real -

I have a dirty little secret . . . this is my side of the closet.  Stop searching for the "after" pictures - there are none.  There was a point when this space was neatly arranged and garments were folded precisely and hung on coordinated hangers but that was a few (ok, quite a few) months back.  Scott's side of the closet is neat and orderly and I'm shocked that he hasn't evicted me.

This is the open dishwasher and the heaping recycling that needs to be taken out to the container.  Oh yes - that is the box from the meal that I fed my family last night. Guaranteed high in sodium and fat -  loaded with known carcinogens.  Did we dine with cloth napkins and a fresh salad - No.  We were all starving and stood over the skillet, scooping the food onto our paper plates.  Maren took one look at the picture on the box, and informed me that the food on her plate was not the same thing as the photograph.

The rest of the house doesn't look like the closet and I do cook from scratch - but things are definitely not magazine perfect.

Kudos to those women who can keep a perfect house (I know several of them).  For the rest of us - I have come "out of the closet" and given you a glimpse of the real me.  Whew!  I feel better.

Mr. Hollywood

Scott was interviewed today for a segment of a show featuring dirty jobs.  I think this line of work definitely qualifies.  Icky poo!  Apparently the interviewer braved the scenario and cleaned a toilet herself - barely escaping throwing up.  Guess it airs next Monday -

Altogether Now - Ahhhhh

So, we're driving by this beautiful field of mustard and the children holler in unison to stop the car.  They pile out with big smiles on their faces and beg me to take their picture.  Who am I kidding?  The grumbling and complaining started the moment the car began to decelerate.  It was in full roar as they struck this pose - whaaaa whaaaa - sounds like a bunch of babies.  Our cute little babies.

Well Deserved

You're looking at the student of the month!  This girl was recognized for her outstanding achievements in reading and her rapidly improving math skills!

Notice the new spectacles.  The day after we picked them up from the (overpriced) eye doctor, she was unable to locate them.  They have been missing for weeks, and FINALLY were discovered in a different glasses case packed in a bag.  Cause for celebration! 

Three cheers for Maren!  Whoop Whoop!

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