Live, Laugh, Blog

Gas Grills vs. Charcoal Grills

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:36:00 +0000

I'm thinking about buying Mike a new gas grill for Father's Day. The charcoal grill we currently have is very old, and several years ago, the children used it as a platform to jump off of into the snowbanks. The wooden side tray is all bent downward from their jumping, so you can't place anything on it anymore. The bottom is rusting through and ash falls to the ground.

I'm not sure about getting the gas grill, though. He always raves about how much better the flavor is from the charcoal grills. What opinions do you have about the difference between the two? Should I stick with the charcoal or go for the gas one which is much more impressive?

Mimi Kirk: Incentive to Lead a Healthy Lifestyle

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:22:00 +0000

I saw this video earlier today and still have a hard time believing that this woman is 71 years old! I only hope I look half this good at her age!

The Ceiling Fan Debacle

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:03:00 +0000

Last night, it was so hot in our bedroom. Even with the windows open, and a hurricane-type breeze outside, the air seemed stagnant in the room. Mike and I argue all the time about the ceiling fan. I want it on all the time, even in the winter, to keep the air circulating in the room. He, on the other hand, does not like the air moving. Says it makes it hard to breath. We are constantly playing a game to see who gets their way, every night. I get up and turn the fan on while he sleeps. He gets up later and turns it off while I sleep. It goes on and on throughout the night.

The game has come to an end, though, because last night Mike broke the fan. He says it wasn't on purpose, but I know that isn't true. He never like that fan, and took the first opportunity to put an end to it. He grabbed that cord for the last time, pulling with all his might, yanking it from inside the fan motor. He pulled the cord so hard that when it broke free, the end came and hit me in my forehead, waking me from a deep sleep. I wake up to find him standing in the middle of the bed, holding the broken cord in his hand, a look of shock and fear on his face.

As the fan came to a slow stop, I realized what he had done. It's 2am, the middle of the night, remember. Wide-eyed, I hissed, "You did that on purpose!" and I whacked him with a pillow.

Of course he denied it. I'm not buying it. What I am buying is a new ceiling fan. One with longer blades, that turns twice as fast as the old one. THAT will teach him to mess with me and my fan!

Chasing You With My Butt

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:38:00 +0000

Chasing you with my butt is a new game invented by the likes of 6th grade boys obsessed with body parts and bodily functions. Tim has recently taken to playing this game with me. Well, playing with me implies that I take part in the game as well, when in reality, I'm only trying to get away from him while he is playing the game.

The rules are simple. Tim waits until I am not looking. He turns his backside to me, sticking his butt out as far as it will go. Then, in a loud sing-songy voice, he says, "I'm chasing you with my butt," and begins running backwards attempting to "catch" me with his butt. All the while he is chasing me, he's chanting, "I'm chasing you with my butt! I'm chasing you with my butt!" The first time he did this to me, I was horrified because as his mother, I know what comes out of that thing, and how often the boy showers. It was scary, and I ran.

This game was played almost every single day for a week until I devised a plan to put an end to it. My idea was simple as well. When he began another round of "Chasing You With My Butt," I would play along, too. It would be like a contest to see who could catch who first. It would be fun!

So, the next time Tim stuck his butt out, I was ready for him. Before he could begin chasing me, I turned my fanny toward him and ran backwards yelling, "I'm chasing you with my butt! I'm chasing you with my butt!" The look on his face was priceless. It was one for the record books, I'm telling you. He immediately stood up straight and began to run the opposite direction, like someone had set him on fire.

"Mom! Stop it!" he screamed over his shoulder. But, I kept coming. I chased him into a corner. He had no where to run.

"I give! I give!" he pleaded. "Please stop! That's just not right!"

I stopped chasing him with my butt and stood up straight, looking him in the eye with a straight face. "What's not right, son?" I asked him. You could see the horror in his expression.

"You, chasing me with your butt. It's not right. Moms aren't supposed to do things like that. You're my MOM!"

Desired outcome ACCOMPLISHED!

It's been over a week now since he's played "Chasing You With My Butt" with me.

Line 6

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:24:00 +0000

When it comes to musical equipment, as in amp and mixers, I have no clue what's what, or what how it is used to make music. My brother, an avid amateur musician, tries to educate me on the different types of equipment, but honestly, it goes in one ear and out the other without registering in by brain. He's a big fan of line 6 equipment, which I have come to understand is a brand name.

Ha! Maybe I did learn something after all. Maybe there's hope for me yet!

Anywho, line 6 is supposedly one of the best. As in, he believes it is. I wish I had more of an interest in this stuff. My brother and I are on two different planets when it comes to what we like. It would be nice to have something in common to talk about when we're together. I do know one thing, though. I absolutely love to listen to him play his guitar and sing. He's so talented. Even though I don't know how he makes his music, I do know he's very good at it!

Follow up to the Toddler That Was Put in a Washing Machine

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:54:00 +0000

A day or so ago, I posted a story about a child being put in a washing machine by his parents. New information has come to light about that story, so I thought I'd update it here as well.

As it turns out, the two idiots that placed the child in the washer, are not the child's parents. Instead, the woman is the girlfriend of the toddler's father (who is incarcerated, by the way), and the man in the video is as of yet, unidentified.

OK, so the morons are not the child's parents. Big whoop. They're still stupid.

Secondly, I'm smelling something a little fishy here. In this new article/interview on Today News the child's mother says that the child was actually in the washing machine for 5 minutes.

What?

The video itself, from start to finish, is only 1 minute 43 seconds. This includes the beginning before the child was placed in the washer, and the couple of seconds after he was rescued. How she got 5 minutes out of that, is beyond me, but I'm guessing she's thinking FINANCIAL GAIN.

In addition to her misconception of the time her son was in the washing machine, she's also said she's taking him back in for more testing to be sure he hasn't suffered any head trauma.

OK....I can see that, but only if you truly believe he has suffered some sort of trauma and not to try to back up your far-reaching story of a 5 minute ride in a washing machine. Just the tone of her voice sounds shady to me. She's not concerned for her son's health and safety. She's all about the money she stands to gain from the "accident."

"Accident." That's what the police called the incident and closed the case because there was no serious injury to the child and no one committed any crime. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't an accident something that happens accidentally; as in, not on purpose? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm right on this one.

That jack wagon put that child in the washer ON PURPOSE! The only accident that took place here was that he got accidentally lucky that that child wasn't seriously hurt.

I'm still appalled at the stupidity of some people. I'm even more appalled at the mother's blatant attempt at financially gaining from her child's misfortune. It's disgusting. She should be ashamed of herself.

Gold Chain

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:29:00 +0000

I have been taking a trip down memory lane quite a bit lately. I don't know why this is happening.

Actually, that is a lie. I do know. My kids are getting older, they don't need me as much, and I'm feeling....well, I'm feeling depressed.

Anywho, guess what I found in my jewelry box today? Remember back in the 80's when it was cool to wear a plain gold chain? Guys especially would wear them with their collars unbuttoned. Well, I had one myself that looked very similar to this one:

I wore that thing every single day, no matter what outfit I wore. Of course, after all these years, it isn't as shiny, or even as important as it used to be, but man, did it bring back some good memories. I once had a boyfriend who wore his own gold chain. While we dated, we exchanged necklaces to show our commitment to one another.

How sweet is that?

Actually, not so sweet because when my mother found out that we exchanged, she threw a fit and made us switch back. Something about mine costing more, and how could I trust anyone with something that valuable, blah, blah, blah.

I don't know why I'm sharing this with you all. I guess I'm hoping that someone out there is understanding me and the way I'm feeling. I'm not the only mother that's gone through this, I'm certain.

Be warned, I have three children as you know, so this could be an ongoing, intermittent thing.....

Stop the Ride, I Want to Get Off

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:03:00 +0000

I have indecisive children. It's taken me 20 years to realize it, but it's true. My children cannot make a definite decision about anything, and it's driving me crazy!

Take Tristan, for example. I love the boy. You know I do, but his indecisiveness about where he's working this summer, and where he's living this summer is making me insane. First, he's going to stay in Minnesota to live and work up there. Then, he's coming home to live and work here for the summer. Now, he may or may not be going back to Minnesota to live and work because he can possibly make more money.

He's only been home for a week and a half.

I've so enjoyed having him home. I didn't realize how much I missed him being away at college until now. I'm sad that he may be leaving again so soon. I'm so not ready for him to have a life of his own as an adult. As a matter of fact, I don't believe I signed anything that said I had to let go already.

It's just not fair, this heartache I feel.

Follow Up to Testosterone Boosters: Do They Really Work?

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:53:00 +0000

As a follow up to the previous post I made about testosterone boosters, there is a website that can help you decide for yourself which products are the top testosterone supplements, and which of those supplements are right for you.

Before beginning any testosterone supplement, it is a good idea to learn as much as possible about the product and its effects on the body. You might even ask your doctor his opinion about the products to make sure they are safe.

For instance, did you know that when taking a testosterone supplement, the dose needs to be cycled in order for it to be effective? Cycling means that you take a specified dose for a specified amount of time (usually about 6 weeks for testosterone), and then you abstain from taking the supplement for the same amount of time. This process of cycling prevents the body from becoming used to the supplement, rendering it ineffective, or worse yet, tricking your body into stopping its own testosterone production.

You can read more about cycling and other testosterone supplement information online.

Testosterone Boosters: Do They Really Work?

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:44:00 +0000

With so many different dietary supplements on the market today, it's hard to determine what really works and what doesn't. Every single one claims to be the best and to produce incredible results, but the truth of the matter is, many aren't worth the money you pay.

Many testosterone boosters fall into the latter category. Many claim to improve muscle strength, burn fat, and boost testosterone levels. The problem is finding one that actually does what it says. In a recent myoripped review, the writer says Myoripped increases energy and testosterone levels, makes workouts more productive, and improves libido. Where many supplements of this nature only contain one or two ingredients, Myoripped contains four for best results.

I'm not a man, and do not play one on TV, but it sounds to me like this supplement might be something to look into for anyone needing help in these areas. The only downside to this product is the price; a hefty chunk at $49.95, but if it works, it would be worth it!

This Gives New Meaning to the "Hot Potato" Game

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:28:00 +0000

Remember when you were a kid, you played the "Hot Potato" game? You know remember that game, right? We used to use rocks as the "hot potato" and toss them back and forth. Other than a minor bruise here or there from someone throwing the rocks a little too hard, it was a harmless game we played all the time.

Who would have thought that rocks could end up setting you on fire?

That's exactly what happened to one woman in California after her children collected a handful of rocks from a beach and she put them in her pocket. It turns out that the rocks were somehow coated with the chemical form of phosphorous, which ignites when exposed to air. Her shorts caught fire when the chemical reaction took place and she suffered third degree burns on her legs. She and her husband also suffered second degree burns on their hands after trying to get the rocks out of her pocket.

Crazy things happen all the time, and this is one of the craziest. I can't tell you how many times I've gathered rocks, sticks, and leaves from different areas of my home after the kids have collected them because they were "pretty." Rebecca went through a rock-collecting stage for about 6 months when she was younger that filled several of my Tupperware containers. I was forever finding rocks all over the house during that time. Aside from occasionally stepping on a small rock that had buried itself in the carpet, sending me into a fit of cursing, I would have never thought they could possibly burn my house down, or me, for that matter!

No one has claimed fault for the phosphorus covered rocks as of yet. With a military base, an island used for live shooting training, and a nuclear power plant nearby, it's anybody's guess as to how the phosphorous got on the rocks. We'll probably never know, but in the meantime, this poor woman is still hospitalized.

Cellular Shades for Energy Efficiency

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:58:00 +0000

Since remodeling the living room, I've been looking for window coverings that will enhance the new colors and keep the room cool. The big window on the south side lets so much light in, and it gets so hot in the late afternoon, even with the room darkening mini-blinds closed. I'm just not happy with how much the air conditioner has to run in order to cool that room in the summertime.

I found these cellular shades online that are supposed to make your home more energy efficient because they absorb the hot/cold air coming in through the windows, as well as blocks the UV rays to keep the room either warmer or cooler, depending on the season. They are more expensive than anything I've ever bought in the past, so I'm a little hesitant to buy them if they aren't going to be any different than the mini-blinds I already have.

Do any of you have any experience with cellular/honeycomb shades? Do they really make a difference in helping to keep the temperatures comfortable inside while lowering your electric bill? I really like the way they look, and if they perform the way they say, I'm planning to buy them. Let me know what your opinions are, please!

Perfume Pendants

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:33:00 +0000

Oh. My. Goodness!

I am in LOVE with this necklace! I found it on Facebook yesterday, or rather I found its creator on Facebook yesterday and haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. Not only is it handmade, it's a perfume pendant. The flower is made from polymer clay so you can put a drop or two of your favorite perfume or perfumed oil on it and it smells good all day long! Supposedly the scent lasts longer than if you wear it on your skin!

I am so buying one of these. Yes sirree, Bob.

The link to the site where you can buy one, too is here.

Yonka

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:35:00 +0000

Somebody stop me! I am just a wealth of information and opinion lately!

A few days ago I posted about Dermalogica skincare products. Today, I'm talking about Yonka, a leading skincare line that specializes in all natural aroma-therapeutic skincare. This stuff has been around since the 1950's, and is excellent for healthy skin.

All the ingredients are plant and mineral based, derived from the essential oils of over 130 plants from the Mediterranean. Each product is scientifically backed and proven effective in fighting skin cell damage, the signs of aging, and environmental contaminants. Using these products diminishes fine lines and wrinkles, sloughs away dead skin cells, and leaves behind smoother, firmer, younger, healthier looking skin.

My goodness! I'd better get a better job just so I can afford all these wonderful products!

And the Worst Parent of the Year Award Goes to....

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:59:00 +0000

A few days ago, I watched a video on Facebook where a set of parents and a toddler were at a laundromat doing well....laundry. At one point, the father decides it's a good idea to put the child in a front-load washing machine and close the door. He stands back to watch, and the mother even takes a look, not seeming too concerned. What started out as funny to them, turned scary and dangerous quickly because the washing machine locked and began its cycle as soon as the door was shut.

It didn't take but a few seconds for the two to realize that their child was in serious danger and they begin trying to get him out of the washer. You can see the child tumbling around in the washer as water begins to fill the tub. Frantic, the father runs to find help, as does the mother a short time later when they both fail to open the door. Eventually, an attendant comes over and unplugs the machine from the back, and a few minutes later, they rescue the child. The mother scoops up the child and the three run off out of sight of the camera.

It's unclear as to whether the parents will face any charges.

Hmmmm......

At what point in any adult's stint as a parent is it ever funny to put your child in a washing machine? How stupid do you have to be to think that that is ever funny? Even if the washer hadn't locked and started washing, it would have been scary and possibly traumatic for that poor child to be confined inside like that.

I am outraged to think that nothing will be done to reprimand these parents for doing something like this. It's not unheard of for kids to die inside a washing machine by accident. This father purposely put his child inside....as a joke.

The video has garnered 6,414,779 views since being published on May 18, 2012.

What is your opinion about these parents?

US Mint

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:44:00 +0000

I remember as a kid admiring my dad's coin collection. He had pages and pages full of gold and silver coins of all shapes and sizes. I thought they were so pretty and loved looking at them all the time. Once, I asked him why he had so many "monies" in a book and not in his pocket like his other "monies." He told me that they weren't for spending, but only to look at because they were worth lots of money. I didn't understand it at the time, but now can appreciate their beauty and worth. I don't know what ever happened to that coin collection. I don't think he's added to it in years.

I like to spend a lot of time just browsing the Internet. I'll do searches for random things, usually when I'm bored (which isn't very often! Who has time to be bored nowadays?) One site I came upon that brought back these old memories is Golden Eagle Coins. I spent quite some time just browsing through their selection of gold and silver coins, Morgan Silver Dollars, proof sets, us mint sets, and modern commemoratives. I tell you, it brought back that feeling of awe as I scrolled through the beautiful coins. I hadn't thought about that coin collection in years. Maybe the next time I visit my parents, I'm going to ask about my dad's old coin collection. I think I'd like to look through it again.

It's Like Changing Underwear.....

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:24:00 +0000

I can't begin to tell you how stressful it is to have all three of my children "into" the opposite sex now. It was cute at first. You know, when they come home from school and say, "So and so likes me," or "I like so and so." But, now that they are getting older, "dating" seems to be a part of their daily lives.

The amount of drama these kids are involved in just amazes me. I wonder sometimes how they have time for school, when so-and-so likes so-and-so, but so-and-so doesn't like them back, so so-and-so spent two periods in the bathroom crying. Or Julie is mad at Katie because Katie was flirting with the boy Julie likes, and now they aren't speaking.

Or today's story according to Tim:

Cullen likes this girl, but she doesn't like him back. I may end up going out with her instead because she said she likes me, but I have to hang out with her first before she'll say yes. Cullen's going to be mad at me.

He's in 6th grade, for Pete's sake!

I have to laugh a little when they say they are "dating" someone, or "going out" with someone. They don't actually date or go out. They aren't old enough to do that, but that's what they call it.

Oh, and Facebook! I have some of my kids' friends on my Friends List on Facebook. They will start dating someone, and within two days tops, they are already saying "I love you" or "I love so-and-so" on their walls. Then, when they break up, they hate them.

I wonder, was I ever like this? Did I partake in all the drama at one time, too? How embarrassing if I did.....

When Quality Counts: Olympia Steel Buildings

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:16:00 +0000

Olympia Steel Buildings offer excellent quality and craftsmanship at cost-effective prices for metal and steel buildings. As a matter of fact, you can save up to 50% over conventional construction. With a 25-year warranty on the roof, a 40-year warranty on the paint, and a lifetime warranty on the screws used in the roof, Olympia Steel Buildings has the power to back up their product.

Olympia Steel Buildings are made to last, outstanding even the most harsh weather conditions. One customer in Florida even wrote in to comment on how his steel building was able to survive Hurricane Frances without a scratch! If you're in the market to build a new steel building, don't hesitate to check out Olympia Steel Buildings. Not only will it save you money, you'll have a building that will last a lifetime!

"Coal Miner's Daughter" Loretta Lynn Age Discrepancy

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:13:00 +0000

One of my favorite singers of all time, Loretta Lynn, is currently battling claims that she may have fudged the facts a little in her autobiography, "Coal Miner's Daughter." In her book, she tells a story about being married at age 13 and a mother of four by age 18. The movie by the same name starring Sissy Spacek, followed the facts of the book closely.

It was recently discovered by an AP reporter that Lynn's birth date is actually three years earlier than she's claimed all these years. If this is true, she is 80 years old as of this writing, not 77.

It would have been illegal for a girl under the age of 14 to marry in Kentucky in 1948, said R. Eric Henninger of the Kentucky State Law Library. At that time, he said, "lots of folks didn't have any sort of official proof of age."

OK...my question is: Why does this matter? In the grand scheme of things, does the fact that she may or may not have lied about her age really make any difference in her life story? Does it make it any less interesting?

I say no. So she was married at 15 and not 13. Big deal. Either way, it's still incredibly young, and the story just as intense and inspiring.

You can read the entire story here.

Dermalogica

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Sat, 19 May 2012 13:19:00 +0000

Boy, the older I get, the worse my skin seems to get. I was under the impression that once you got through the teenage years and puberty, you would have clear, beautiful skin. How wrong I was in that line of thinking. As a matter of fact, I have worse acne now than I did as a teenager! Some days, I just want to crawl under a rock and hide.

After doing some research, I've learned that I'm not alone. My skin problems seem to be more normal than I thought. Many adults suffer from acne, in addition to aging. We older folks just can't catch a break.

I've also learned that a line of skincare products called Dermalogica work wonders on skin like mine. I'm very tempted to give it a try. Dermalogica makes products that are all-natural and scientifically proven to treat a myriad of skin conditions. Shoot, they've been around since 1986, and I've found only positive reviews, so the products must work.

At this point, I'm ready to try something new. It's getting really cramped under this rock; my older body doesn't fit the way it used to when I was a teenager.

Do You Watch The Vampire Diaries?

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:38:00 +0000

Do you watch The Vampire Diaries? It's one of my favorite shows. Not only do I find it interesting, I have a serious teenage crush on Ian Somerhalder. Those piercing blue eyes get me every time!

Anywho, what did you think about the season finale?

Oh, before we go any further, there may be spoilers in this post, so STOP READING! if you haven't watched the last episode yet.

I'm not kidding. I will tell you all about it, and then you'll be mad at me. But, it won't be my fault. I did warn you.

So, Elena's a vampire now, huh? Yeah, it was bound to happen. I mean, one can't hang around with a bunch of vampires for three years and not become one themselves eventually. It's like a bad cold; only a matter of time before everyone has it.

And what's to come of Tyler? Klaus screwed everyone over once again, but what happened to Tyler? Oooh, and Bonnie, that little back-stabber. She says she's looking out for her friends, but come on. You don't play nice with the enemy to do so.

I really hate that the season had to end. I thought this season was one of the best yet, at least toward the end. I was getting kind of tired of the whole who-will-Elena-choose story line, but it looks as though she finally chose Steffen, which I find incredibly ignorant. I mean, hello! Has she even looked at Damon?

I can't wait for next season to find out how this all turns out with Elena being a vampire. I hope they continue with that story line. I really hope they don't come up with some long-lost cure for vampirism and use it on her to make her human again. Quite frankly, the goody-two-shoes persona is getting boring. Elena needs to find her wild side!

Gardening With Whitney Farms

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:48:00 +0000

This post brought to you by Whitney Farms. All opinions are 100% mine.

We moved into our house a little over six years ago, and to this day, I have yet to get control over the flower/vegetable garden I have in the backyard. It seems no matter how much time I spend out there, it never produces much of anything spectacular. The flowers are lack-luster, and the vegetable plants produce very little. However, the weeds seem to have no trouble thriving. I think it's time to do something about it.

Up to this point, I have only used what is already there. I haven't attempted to manipulate the soil in any way or add any organic plant food. I'm thinking this may be the problem. I've been doing some research and have found that organic soil produces healthier, more beautiful plants because it is all natural and better for the plants. Whitney Farms® has a wonderful line of organic soils and organic plant foods that produce big, beautiful flowers and veggies. I think this is the way I'm going to go this summer because I'm to the point now where I'm ready to plow it all under and get rid of it all. I really hate to do that because I've always dreamed of having a colorful flower garden like this:

I think I'm going to take advantage of the $3 off coupon for Whitney Farms. If having a beautiful garden is something you've always wanted, or just want to keep your garden in tip-top shape, I suggest you take advantage of the coupon, too!

All Chicks Are Back in the Nest

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:29:00 +0000

I am happy to announce that all my children are back at home....where they belong, if I can be so bold. It's been hard this past week having them spread to the winds. Becky was in Washington DC on a class field trip where she managed to have the seizure to beat all seizures yet. And Tristan, of course, all the way in Minneapolis at school. I was feeling the effects of an empty nest, and did not like it one bit.

On the seizure/epilepsy front, we are taking Becky to a new doctor for a second opinion. We just don't feel like her current doctor is doing everything that should be done to help her. Her seizures are getting worse and worse, but the doctor only ups her meds without really doing anything else. I've had enough. Time to move onward and upward and seek out new advice.

Tristan got home this past Monday, and I was never so happy to see him. It looks like he is spending the summer at home (yay!) and working at the roofing company he worked for last summer. There was talk of going back to Minneapolis to work, but the roofing company came through with a pretty nice wage that he couldn't turn down. If I could, I'd kiss the roofing company's owner, I really would.

So for now, Momma Bird is happy and content to have all her chicks back in the nest. It's going to be a good summer, I can feel it!

Dock Ramps

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:12:00 +0000

Saw a really neat thing at Walmart yesterday. I don't know why it struck me as interesting. Maybe it was the fact that I thought everyone that drives delivery trucks should have one to make their job easier. This truck had automatic dock ramps. There were two men unloading the truck; one in the truck placing the boxes on the conveyor, and one at the bottom, taking the boxes off. There was a lot of stuff to unload from that truck, and they got it done in the short while I was in the store. By the time I came out, they were just closing the truck doors and finishing up. I thought to myself, "How convenient and quick was that?!"

I know what you're thinking, and I'd probably be thinking it myself if I were reading this on someone else's blog, but it's 100 percent true. I don't know where I get this stuff, or why it pops into my head.

Not the Best Mother's Day I've Had

noreply@blogger.com (Live, Laugh, Blog) — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:46:00 +0000

It would have been fine with me if Mother's Day had gone by this year without notice; just like any other day. It wasn't a bad day, persay, just blah. The fact that only one of my three children were home, and that Becky had another seizure, in another state, where I couldn't get to her, made it a not-so-great day.

Becky's fine now, in case you're wondering. I think the trip to Washington DC with her class was just a little too overwhelming and hot. Hot as in, 90º, hot. The chaperones on the trip did a great job taking care of her, and for that, I am thankful. I can't wait for her to get home tomorrow, so she's safe in my protection.

I'm looking forward to Tuesday, when all of my wonderful children will be home. Of course, a couple of days of that, and I'll be ready for them to leave again.

A mother's work is never done. No rest for the weary, I always say.