New Routines

Today we are starting a new morning routine. The background for it started last week at the Hasty's house.

Eric's Aunt Helen (God Bless this woman) had to have her tonsils taken out last week. I went with her and drove her. I also stayed with her to help take care of the kids. She is raising her grandchildren. So although she is ________ years old (I won't spill it on here Auntie!!) she is raising 7 and 9 year old kids. Anyway....

When I got up on Thursday morning with the kids, they came out of their room with their clothes already on. They have their own alarm clocks that wake them up and they set them and get up on their own and get dressed in their rooms. Their backpacks were ready by the door, their shoes were ready, their coats were ready and they sat down at the table. All they wanted to know was what was for breakfast at school, and what the option was at home. They brushed their hair, brushed their teeth, said good morning, and basically waited inside for the bus. It was so easy -- I couldn't believe it.

I used to think that my kids did ok. Well, not really. I have to constantly remind them to get their hair brushed, make sure Maddie has underwear on (seriously, I have to do this), make sure they all have socks, etc. Sometimes Madelyn will sit in the middle of the floor and ask/demand that we find her socks, shoes, etc. It is madness. Eric doesn't stand for this. He simply yells that they have 15 minutes, hurry up. This causes a lot of crying and wailing and madness. I want our mornings to be happy. Truth is, it is happy for the kids, but not for me. It makes me crazy. I breath a huge sigh of relief when they leave because I put way too much work into this morning routine.

So over the weekend I bought two alarm clocks, one for each room. Last night we set them and set out clothes I and told the girls how this new routine was going to go. This morning it seems to be ok. Not as smooth as the Hasty house, but getting better... So, hopefully by the end of the week, the girls at the Johnson house will be self sufficient in the morning and I can do whatever want/need to do in the morning that doesn't involve personally dressing a 6 year old!!

Blah blah blah

I have a feeling that this post of randomness wont' have any cohesion, so there is no point in pretending to give it a worthy title! But, I thought an EXTREME CLOSE UP of myself my make you giggle!!

First of all, I have to tell you that I am one of the most uncoordinated people, ever. I fell UP the stairs yesterday. I was running (there is my first problem) upstairs to get something for Eric (second problem) in my slippers (third problem) and tripped. I landed on the stair with my knee. It hurt instantly, of course, but thought I could live. Today it isn't so good. Terrible shades of purple and red with no skin on it. Great. Like I needed that!! Oh well, it's been a while since I "pulled a Kandi", so I guess it was time.

This weekend was opening hunting. Eric went to his brother Marty's house for hunting as usual. They always get together and hunt and eat and do whatever it is they do. Thank God for Kaley and her patience with them! I spent the weekend at home cleaning. If you refer to previous posts you will see that cleaning isn't really my thing. I don't love doing it, but this weekend, it really needed to get the house in order. I had an opportunity to go spend some time with my dear friends Heather, Gail and Karen, but I opted to stay home and get things done. And, boy did I! I cleaned every room in the house. It was really a good thing. However, I had to do this feat with the kids under foot. That was the impressive part. I am trying very hard to keep it clean, but we'll see how it goes.

Another reason that I got the house clean was so that I could get the elliptical machine into my house. Now, I have no room for this piece of equiment. I am the first to admit it. But, it was free, my cousin Clay gave it to me, and who am I to turn it down?! It's not like I don't NEED it, so I took it. It is currently residing in my living room. I spent 10 minutes on it yesterday morning. If you have never been on an elliptical, then it seems like 10 minutes isn't much. HOWEVER, if you have ever been on one, you know that 10 minutes is an eternity. The kids watched me, so they asked questions like, Why is your back wet? Why is your hair funky? Why are you breathing like that? Thanks kid... go away.

Tree season is going well. Eric got a contract from one of our contacts from last year for several hundred bundles and that will get us through the year. Eric is already laid off... which is very early and not so good, really. But, things will work out.

On a lighter note, I have been booked for several bartending gigs from now through Christmas. I am excited to do it, and the extra money from tips will be helpful! So, come on out and see me at Tommy's! I'll be there, and I'm sure I will have plenty of things to say to keep you entertained!!!

Disco Fondue Night

Last night I learned how to Fondue. I could say I learned how to disco, but really, I still don't dance all that well. I really like it, but I can't say I learned how.

My friends Jess and Tom recently opened up a business in town. They have a bar opened on Friday and Saturday nights. They do events like comedy nights, plays, dances, things like that. Last night was a Disco/Fondue party. Eric and I dressed up to go. Well, I dressed up and Eric wore brown courdoroy pants and put on some fancy gold jewelry. As you can see, THIS I do have pictures of!

So much fun. The fondue meat was pretty good. I think I would really enjoy it with cheese. I'm a cheese lover. Lots of cheese, the more the better, really. But, we had salad, and potatoes and vegetables to go with our fondue meat. Again, so much fun. Then the disco music began and Jess and I danced a lot.

Eric and I went with our friends the Rauvolas and the Duseks, but really at Tommy's, everyone kind of mingles. It's not a typical bar scene. The bar is quite small, with no bar stools. Round tables are set out to encourage talking and visiting. I really enjoy going there. In fact, I bartended there last weekend. That was a great time too.

I also had a great visit and fun time with a newly single friend of mine. I had her back and sort of told her when it was time to leave and how to gracefully exit a conversation with a man who was a little too friendly. Not sure why I know that, or how I know that... Afterall, Eric and I have been married almost 14 years! But, I do, and I did, and she's very grateful. Love ya!

All in all, it was a great night. I have posted pictures for your viewing pleasure. A few people didn't recognize me and told me I looked like a totally different person. Maybe the blue eyeshadow is a good look for me! Or it could be the Olivia Newton-John headband. What do you think?

Pumpkin Head

This post would be so much better with a picture. Really. I have one on my phone, and if I can get a cord to get it to my computer I sure will.

Tuesday morning when I went to get the goats out of the hut and fence to go on their feeding frenzy, I noticed that one was missing. It was my favorite, Frank. So, I was looking all over and was calling for her.

Finally, she ambled out of the hut, with this crazy pumpkin necklace on!! First, I'll explain that goats, like deer, love pumpkins. After Halloween we put all of our jack-o-lanterns out for the goats to eat.

So, Frank stuck her head in the top of a jack-o-lantern. In the spot were you dig out all the guts. She must have eaten her way through the face part, you know, where you carve out the eyes, nose and scary grin. Then she was stuck. So, this large pumpkin was stuck around her neck. Apparently it was there all night! Hysterical. I called for Eric to (a) see it, and to (b) remove it. We laughed for a while and then he broke it off of her. She was shaking her head and walking sort of strange. She was also yawning and moving really slowly. I suppose she had a hard time sleeping with that on her head!!!

Silly goats.

Another Goat Parade

So, the goats had a play date yesterday!

I got a phone call from my neighbor yesterday asking if I was "missing 5 goats". I said, well, I'm not sure if I am missing them or not. I am working and haven't looked outside lately. She said well they are over here in my yard. The neighbors live about half a mile away with two fields between us. I said, well if they aren't bothering you I'd like to let them stay. She agreed that it was ok. I kept an eye on them over there throughout the day -- I could see them in the field. She called again in the afternoon to tell me that they were being really good. (ummm... ok, thanks?)

I sent Eric over there on the 6x6 to pick them up. They ignored him! He didn't bring food or anything; but he called them and called them and they looked at him like he was crazy. Then Eric had to go to work.

So, after I got done with work I jumped on the 6x6 and drove across the field to get my goats. All I had to do was drive over there and say "Hey Goat Girls" and they came running! Once again, I was the Grand Marshall of a goat parade. They came running and chased me all the way home. Crying and running all the way. Silly goats!

I put them away in the fence, gave them some hay and grain, and a few buckets of water. Within 30 minutes they were all sound asleep. Oh, silly goats! I just love them!!

Virus recovery

So, you may think that means our family had the swine flu. Nope. Not yet. My beloved computer contracted a virus.

Now I hate to place blame on anyone (Eric), because I know that viruses can really happen to anyone (Eric), but I have never gotten a virus in all the years I've owned a computer. Ok, enough. It is back now. Thank goodness! It's been a long long week without my computer!

I'm back and I have plenty to talk about. Stay tuned!

Tree Season

Usually Eric's tree season starts in Septebmer. Over the past few years we've hit some major bumps in the road. I will not go into it. If you want the full scoop, feel free to talk to Eric; but I hope you have several hours and a few beers! Ha.

Anyway, we haven't begun to cut or anything yet this year. Yesterday Eric got in touch with someone that wants 100 bundles at the end of today. That's 1,000 trees. Obviously we said yes. We need the money. However, we have nothing done. So, it has to get done, TODAY.

This morning, we are all going out in the woods! Eric, Kennedi, Lauren and I are "suiting up" to hit the swamp. Luckily for me I have to leave the woods at 10 to go to my parents and to a benefit.

I have always avoided going out into the swamp. Usually I help with tying the twine and counting things out. I am not cut out for physical labor. That is why God gave me a brain. I can't do physical stuff. But, in order to do this mini-contract, I'm willing to do anything. Lauren and Kennedi and all ready to help haul trees and apparently so am I. I have real doubts about how helpful I will be. Eric is practically giddy with the thought. I am not. But hey, what are you going to do? This needs to be done. We need the money.

So, here we are, 7:15 on a Sunday morning, heading out into the swap. What a family bonding experience. Go ahead, laugh it up. I would be if it weren't so damn sad.... ha ha ha. Oh, by the way, Madelyn is at a sleep over, or we'd be hauling her with too...