Long time, no write

Wow! Okay, I didn't realize that it had been so long since I had written anything. We have been busy around here AND, my dinosaur computer takes FOREVER to download my pics. All these pics took me 55 min. I know, it's totally sad, but since my electronically challenged mind wants nothing to do with fixing the problem, then it's up to Farmer Bob, who at this time, is busy being a farmer. It is Spring now, YEAH!, so I have lost my hotty husband to the outdoors, rarely to be seen again until November.

Farmer Bob was able to spend some fun time with his little girls though. The Stake put on a 'Princess Ball' on the 17th. Butterfly Personified was so excited the first time she heard about it I just had to laugh. We went out shopping and she went through 3 stores before she found exactly the right dress. I was REALLY happy when she finally said 'this is the one Mom'. We live in boonyville so our selection of stores is severely limited. I was not going an hour into town for just one dress. So the night of the event we prettied them both up and were able to get a couple of pictures before they took off. The invitation said that it was a ball so I wish so badly that I could have been there to see Farmer Bob dance. On a regular basis he just doesn't, but he manned up and took his girls for a twirl.

They got back at the stoke of 10 and I wanted to get pictures but Princess Buttercup was so tired - and excessively crabby - that she wouldn't have anything to do with that. I couldn't believe how much the Stake actually did. When they got there they separated each age group. All the Primary kids went one place, all the mutual girls went to another place and then all the Dads went to another place. The girls received princess crowns, - which Princess Buttercup wore for a whole week afterwards until Hulk, well, hulked it. Its in a pile of beautifully sparkling pieces on my desk, waiting to see if Mommy can repair it - went through a princess training coarse, and played games where they won prizes. Princess Buttercup won a scepter - or as she calls it, her sparkle wand - and a necklace with a green bead on it (princess and the pea). Butterfly Personified won a bead necklace and a matching bracelet, and just to share how thoughtful and generous she is, reader, she gave them both to Princess Buttercup even though they were nice and she really liked them. So Princess Buttercup came home dripping with jewels. They gave all the girls a cookie in the shape of a crown as well.

The Dads met together and Stake Pres. Kirk talked to them about honoring and cherishing their daughters, and the powerful influence that affection from Dads can make in the way their little ones turn out, specifically girls. I thought that was awesome! Then the Dads went into the gym and all the girls were introduced by name and walked the red carpet back to their Dad so the dance could begin. They had light refreshments and loads of fun, so I've been told. I hope the Stake does it again next year. They did a phenomenal job.

On the 20th, Butterfly Personified and I had to take off and get her to her OAT testing for school. It's a little more than an hour away so it's less expensive for us to just stay there than to drive back and forth every day. The school reserved a conference room in a Comfort Inn for the testing, so we got a room there. We inherited a free breakfast with our room, which was nice because we could roll out of bed, down the elevator, and into a chair to eat. We stayed there for 2 nights, 3 days, and we stayed up pretty late. Usually it is me and my friend that goes, because I converted her to home schooling last year and her daughter needs to test as well. But this year she couldn't find anyone to take care of her other babies so I ended up taking her daughter and mine on my own. I am very MUCH a princess. I need a protector by my side for me to feel safe and well. I sucked it up though and took the girls by myself. It wasn't so bad actually. Farmer Bob had another reconstruction class that he had to attend. He had initially taken those days off so he could stay home with the rest of the munchkins but later found that he had to be at the academy for a week. THAT week. Go figure. I had to find someone to watch my kids and milk my cow for three days while I was gone. I found my saviors in really good friends and it all went along smoothly, well pretty much anyway. Farmer Bob left Sunday night and Butterfly Personified, her friend, and I left Monday morning.

The girls did great their first testing, which was the Reading test, so of coarse they both did great. That is their easy one, so they were both done in little over an hour. We couldn't check into our room until 3 so we headed out to Amish Country. We went to the flea market and the cheese factory - YUMMY!, wish you were there! - and one of my ALL TIME favorite places ever. It is this little junk shop and I can't even describe how crazy it is. I took some pictures but they don't even come close to showing you the insanity of this place. It is owned by this sweet little couple from Italy and even though I have only been in that shop about 4-5 times now over the corse of 2 years, the little lady remembers me. It dawned on me a few days ago that I have never asked them their names! Shame on me!

This first picture I took is down one of her isles. There are linens on one side and dishes on the other. You can ask her where anything is and she'll take you right to it. It's absolutely amazing.

This second picture I took is just shortly after you come through the door. There is so much stuff they hang it from the ceiling.

This third picture I like the best because it gives you a better idea of what the place is like. This view is what you see when you walk into the front door. It's a 2 story building that is mostly open to the top. They built a 'plus' sign shaped walk way with a stair case that is off to the left of the front door. There are banisters that close off the walk ways on the second story to contain all the things heaped on the floor and hanging off the sides of the rails. There are things climbing up the walls - bushel baskets, chairs, stools, bed frames, walkers, pictures, etc., etc., etc. - and stacked all over each other. There are two rooms in the back that are full of gardening tools and other things of that nature.

INSANE! And I absolutely love it!

This is the sweet little couple that own it. I have the same conversation with this man every time I go there - where do you live?, OH, I love it there. I go hunting up there. (Then he shows me his trophy picture with 10 deer strung up in a row) What do you do for work? Oh that is good that you are a Mommy. What does your husband do? Oh tell him to give me his card so I can get out of trouble if I need to. (Then he tells me of tickets that he has gotten along his travels) - all the while he plays his accordion and taps his foot to the beat. But this time he asked me if I had a farm. I told him yes, and he asked what kind we had. When I told him that we have a dairy cow he got all excited and told me stories of his childhood in Italy when his mother would make cheese and ricotta. He got SO excited about it, as a matter of fact, that he offered to give me his wife for an afternoon so she could come to my house and teach me how to make cheese! What a funny man! I'll have to remember to bring them some cheese this summer when I go back. I have my eye on this little wash board and a beautiful foot peddle sewing machine. I have to go back. I ALWAYS have to go back!

As I was looking around and setting item after item on her table to purchase them, this little lady just laughed and told me I was getting myself into trouble and that I should come more often so I spent less money each time. It's easier for my husband to take that way, she says. I JUST LOVE THESE GUYS!

After a very fun shopping day we made it back to the hotel and checked into our room. Last year they spoiled us by giving us a 3rd story corner room with a view of the courthouse and town park, sporting a gazebo and beautiful green trees. The hotel is over 150 years old so there are 20 ft. ceilings, 8 ft. windows and enough crown molding to make you sigh. This year our room was quite small and when I opened the curtains, the spectacular view out my glorious 8 ft. window was three other brick buildings, the roof, and all the heating duct work. LOVELY! Well, you can't have everything. It did rain on us the whole time and it was quite cold. So I read for a majority of my free time and the girls switched between playing 'Littlest Pet Shops', coloring, and watching all the Harry Potter movies.

On Tuesday the girls had their Math test. That took both of them almost 2 hours (not a good subject for either girl). That night we went to this little restaurant called 'The Mocha House'. Their food is surprisingly cheep and exceptional. They have a dessert case that is about 15 ft. long and filled with the most beautiful and delicious delights you could imagine. Ya, we bought more than 3 people could eat at one sitting. Yum!

On Wednesday the girls had their Writing test, which, again, they both finished in little more than an hour. We checked out of our room and went to Mosquito Lake for a hike. It was really windy, cold and drizzly but we had a good time anyway.

We got home and only had 2 more days before Farmer Bob got back. Which is a good thing because things don't usually go well when he's gone for a long period of time. I tell myself that I don't like it because it's hard to take care of all the animals (children included into that category) all by myself, but truly, I just can't stand to not see him for more than 2 days in row. Pathetic, I know, but what can I say? He's my knight in shining armor, and I'm whooped!

I had to add a couple of pictures on the end here because they were just too funny. Hulk is a good multi-tasker, no?

Princess Buttercup insisted on picking her outfit for church on Sunday. Well, the picture definitely doesn't do it justice. The shirt and skirt certainly match with their corresponding hot pink flowers. But the silver shoes and tights - bright pink with dark red diamonds down each ankle and Mini Mouse nestled right in the middle - don't really go that great. I guess I should be thankful. She started out with a white and yellow tank top that had bright blue flowers on it. Since we have a rule of not tanks out of the house or yard, then she compromised on the shirt for the tights.

Ahhhh, the delights of independence. I can handle it, I'm cool! I let her out of the house didn't I?!?

Easter Weekend

On Friday Princess Buttercup started to feel a lot better and I was hoping that the flu had passed everyone else by and vacated the premises. But alas, Hulk started chucking Friday - after a full dinner mind you - and then I started feeling sick to my stomach late that night. It was a pretty long night! On Saturday Hulk took it like a man and handled the whole situation like a pro.
He curled up on the cool dinning room floor in the corner and slept for half the day. Poor guy! But what could I do? I had turned from Farmer Bob's hotty babe to a Zombie queen over night. I put on my comfy clown pants (not because they make me look like a clown but because they are hideous and they make me laugh), a loose shirt, pulled my hair back in a pony, and I lived that way for two days. I really don't excitedly anticipate this event reoccurring!

All the yucky kept us from being able to go to church (SAD! I always look forward to that.) but didn't stop our Easter celebrations. At least those that were able to participate. Farmer Bob and the kids were still able to decorate eggs and I have to tell you, you can color brown eggs. I will give you one tip though, don't rub them in any way until you let them set over night, the color will rub right off.

Pretty eggs!!! Good job kiddos.

The kids had a great time, as usual (you'd think that it would become mundane even though it is only once a year), gathering up the eggs. (Nice outfit sis!!!)

What a cutie Princess Buttercup is! She banked on eggs too, by the way! She is an awesome finder.

Dash is double timing it! He looks WAY better with his hair cut!

Since I was sick we decided to throw everything into a communal basket and let them all look for it together. I was all for throwing the junk on the kitchen table and telling the kids that the Easter Bunny was in a hurry. I have become alarmingly bahumbugish about holidays. Farmer Bob saved the day though and took care of all the details. I can always count on him!

Most important of all though, is that I still managed to get that Mani and Pedi that I wanted. Ahhh! That feels nice!

Conference and things

Conference rocked, as always, but I do have to say that my favorite part was on the Sunday Morning session for the closing hymn when they did their little slide show with 'We Thank Thee Oh God, For a Prophet'. I do sooo love our Prophet! Isn't it interesting how we get attached to people that we haven't ever met and have this strange loyal devotion that permeates our entire beings? Odd things, we humans. I also loved Pres. Monson's talk in the first session on Sunday when he was talking about hardships and having faith. The story he told about the Mother who had to leave her home during the depression and go back to Germany, a 1000 mile trip, and she had to do it all on foot with four children from infant to 7 years of age. Her husband was dead and along the way all four of her children died too. She had to dig their graves with a table spoon and the last, the baby, she had to dig the grave with her hands. Finally making it to her destination, all she could do was be grateful for the plan of salvation and her love for her Heavenly Father. I cried and cried while Pres. Monson spoke and it made me wonder how strong my testimony really is.

So, as I go on reader, just keep in mind that I know that my trials are nothing to compare to the sorrows and struggles that others have faced, but I must write them down for my posterity anyway.

I have been having a really hard time with my depression lately, solely due to my large butt and regardless of how long or hard I run, it just keeps running with me (instead of OFF me). 'Her Royal Highness' recommends I go on drugs and I am seriously considering it! I am way too stressed with little hope of de-stressing because I don't know quite what it is that I am stressing about. Anyhoo, Farmer Bob had to go down to the Academy for more training on his crash reconstruction responsibilities. Before he left on Tuesday he separated Little Mister and Jenny May. Then he went to work at 2 and didn't come home until Friday night at 6. In the meantime, I was milking the cow as usual but instead of being able to milk her in 10 minutes (because Little Mister was getting his full), it was taking me 30 - 40 minutes. Needless to say, she didn't like it so much and neither did I. She started kicking the bucket and moving around so I had to follow her around the barn with my little stool in tow. And then on Friday morning when I was milking her she stood there like a good girl for those magical 10 minutes and then she moved over to the side of the barn and LAID DOWN! I untied her to pull her up and when she got some slack on the lead she laid her head down on her side and closed her eyes for a refreshing morning snooze. I was in, not small amounts, of shock as I stood and stared at her for a time. Then I pulled her up and she kicked the bucket for the rest of the time it took me to milk her. But the fun really started when Farmer Bob came home that night and went out to milk her. I told him that she was being a brat and he said 'Okay, Okay.', and he and Butterfly Personified went out to milk her. About 15 minutes later Butterfly P. came running back into the house yelling 'Jenny May kicked dad and he's really pissed and he's going to beat her, or EAT HER!' I went outside and found out that Jenny May had kicked Farmer Bob in the knee so Farmer Bob hauled off and kicked Jenny May, which of coarse ticker her off, so then she wouldn't let Farmer Bob milk her. We were out in the barn for over an hour trying to get Little Mister's dinner from his Mommy. She kicked the bucket and spilled the milk out so Little Mister went hungry that night. I tried to explain to Farmer Bob that Jenny May and I have a routine. She is a very Holy Cow. I go into the barn and play my favorite church CD, I muck her stall talking sweetly to her the whole time, and then after I tie her off we say a prayer together. He didn't do that. Now he does. She is always so good for me and now she is good for Farmer Bob.

After Farmer Bob came back I went into hibernation and started the 'Twilight' series again (still don't think I like it but I thought I would give it another try). I have been reading almost non-stop since Friday. My house is a mess and I don't care. My friend and I went to a 'Stampin` up' class last night and it was great fun and good to get out of the house. We made 8 projects, most of them cute, and had some yummy snacks (none of them helpful to my butt problem, of coarse). My friend's husband stayed to watch the kids and milk Jenny May for me so we could go together which was very nice, but when we got home I found out that I have a bipolar cow that went ballistic. She stomped on him, kicked him, bucked, and basically freaked. He had to tie her legs down and in general, they really didn't get along. He didn't play her favorite music and pray with her. I'm telling ya, I'm not crazy, she really is a Holy Cow.

Today I was able to go out to lunch with some of my other friends. We have a standing monthly date and I love it! I especially love that I was able to go today because Princess Buttercup was crying, then Dash started to cry because he had to clean his sty (his room), then Butterfly Personified started to cry because she had to clean her sty (also her room), and then Hulk pulled the girl's dresser over. He truly is Hulk. This isn't just a 3 drawer jobby, it is one of those long dressers with 6 drawers and it had stuff on the top. Hulk walked away with no injuries and cried for a second because he was startled by the big crash from the falling debris. It was great to get out of the house but I came back to Princess Buttercup chucking (out both ends, LOVELY!) and a pile of laundry a mile high, but every one's room was clean! Farmer Bob was in a bad mood so it was good that he got to go to work. I anxiously await my girls night out this coming Saturday (we're going to watch a movie called 'North and South' [nothing to do with the Civil War]. I have never seen it before so it should be great) but will be very sad that Spring Break will be over. Then its back to the grind stone for me. What I REALLY want to do is have a nice Manni and Peddi so I can start to show off my toes again. We'll see if I can't shove that in somewhere amongst all this brew-ha-ha.