Neighbors, Shneighbors...

We have this one neighbor that we can not get along with at all and in my opinion, it escalated tonight. It all stems back about 3 years. Our kids all got along great and everything was fine and dandy. Then one fine summer day, their cow dog got loose and was in our backyard and Ethan was back there and tried to get him out. Well, this dog bit him in the crotch. When I realized something was going on, Ethan was laying in the back yard, screaming, and this dog had him cornered and baring it's teeth, and then it turned on me and tried to lunge at me. I told the neighbor boy to get his dog now or I was going to kill it. Long story short... the police came, took the dog and exterminated it to rule out rabies. And that was about it. Until this neighbor gets another cow dog and a beagle. Now the new cow dog, not a bad dog. The beagle... that is another story. I have to digress a moment though... because that's the part that make the story even crazier. A little history: #1- The neighbor is on the sex offender list and I kind of think that he thinks we are picking on him for this reason... not true. #2- 2 summers ago we were at a family reunion and in walk our "dog neighbors." Wow... we're related... great! To think we thought about sueing them over the dog bite! So to continue... This stinkin' beagle will be the death of Rob. It doesn't bother me so much. But it howls ALL the TIME and it gets out quite often and we catch it in the back yard. One time it cornered Berlyn on the front porch and howled at her to the point she peed her pants. She was barely 3. Rob talked to the shneighbor about it, and all he said was that the beagle wouldn't hurt a flea. Tell that to a 3 year old. I would say that Rob goes over once a day and says, "Uhhh... your dog's howling." And he always says he knows but doesn't do a thing about it. So this morning, I have to take Ethan to the church for a tubing outing and I see the shneighbor man and his 3 kids standing out at the side walk, just standing there. And as I leave the subdivision, there is that beagle at the front house... digging up a flower bed. I made a comment to Ethan that I wasn't going to tell his dad because it would just make him mad. I drop him off, come home and the dog is across the street on the sidewalk across from our house. I just ignore the dog, always. I don't really care about it. But I can hear the dog following me, the oldest son is chasing the dog and shneighbor is telling his son to get the dog. The dog followed me all the way to the door. Many hours later I caved and told Rob... just because the dog came up in conversation. This evening, once again, the dog was howling. And of course Rob had to do his whole, "Uhhh... your dog's howling" routine. And then he relayed the morning events to the shneighbor and he said it wasn't his dog, he wasn't home all day. Another long story short, he told Rob I was lying......... yeah, now I'm mad. And he told Rob that the dog howls all the time because my kids knock on the fence on the way home from school. #1- Shneighbor is not home at that time. #2- Ethan? maybe. The girls? no! Ethan rides the bus home. #3- It's Christmas break! Explain that one, shneighbor! #4- Do my girls now walk home from school at 9p.m. when the dog does most of it's howling?? Anyhow, I was going to stay out of this but this guy just threw down the gauntlet. Call me a liar...

There are still a few honest people out there...

I had a completely freak-out moment that I think I handled quite well. Briyanna and I had to do a little shopping at Fred Meyer. I HATE going there... just because it across town and somewhat over priced. Anyhow, we got the 3 things we needed and went back home. About 30 minutes after we get home, Briyanna calmly tells me that she can't find her cell phone. So we call it and check in the van, the bedroom, outside. It is no where. So I'm kinda pissed but I think I did a pretty good job of being nonchalant about it. I really didn't want to go back to Fred Meyer. I didn't have gas, and once again, it is clear across town! Well, when Briyanna starts to cry, I normally have compassion because she does it so rarely. She literally has to be hurt bad or REALLY upset. I think the last time I saw her cry real good was when she got her head cracked open like an egg by a rock a year ago. So she was really crying. I gave in and drove back to that stupid store. I was irritated enough that I let her look around for a bit by herself, but then compassionate mom kicked in again. So I got out and looked around to. While we were in there my phone rang and it came up as 'BRIYANNA' and I just figured that I drove all the way down to that store and a kid had found it at home. But it was a man I didn't recognize, standing in the jewelry section call me. I was so glad. It's a trac phone and it's attached to my debit card and every 60 minutes used it pulls out $10. I was just imagining diaster. I was giving her til 9 to find that phone and then I was cancelling it. I'm so thankful for honest people.

A couple Christmas pictures...

Chrsitmas with THE Crank!

Without going into too many details, I had a pretty miserable Christmas. I was really excited about our plans... going to McCall and just vegging. BUT... there are 5 things that I forgot to factor in.
#1. Rob hates Christmas.
#2. Rob hates my family.
#3. My family hates Rob.
#4. My mom is a control freak.
#5. I don't like to be told what to do...by ANYONE!

So those 5 things all thrown together = a disaster. I'm glad to be home. I think I will lock myself in a bathroom away from everyone for the next month. I'm extremely irritated w/ several people right now. Hope New Year's goes a little better.

Wanna talk music anyone?

I'm making scrapbooks for each of my kids that's all about their dear mother...ME! so I was laying in bed thinking about my favorite songs- EVER... and I really did think that I could narrow it down to my top 3 songs ever. No..no, that didn't quite do it. How 'bout 5? Naw, I have a few more than that. 10? Nope, that doesn't cut it either. I finally narrowed it down to my top 72 songs. So if you don't know me really well, (wait, I just changed that to 75~ nice round #) then you don't realize how much I love music and I felt it needed to be added in the scrapbook. My life revolves around it. I sing non-stop, much to my families irritation, play piano and picking up the guitar. I just love music. When I was little (I love saying that now that I'm big!!), I had 2 friends that I would go to concerts with all the time. I've been to at least 30 concerts, some good and some bad. I own hundreds of CDs. And now that I have Youtube.... I'm in heaven! I know all of the lyrics to every song on my list. That is my requirement!

So here it goes, in no particular order. Songs w/ the * beside have special meanings or memories. And of course, I may have to explain myself on some of them, so bear w/ me!

*1. Lamentation~~Leah Andreone....great song! I listen to it when I'm depressed.
2. Strawberry Fields Forever~~ The Beatles...I actually like the "Across the Universe" version alot better. Definitely in my top 5 songs ever.
*3. Paint it Black~~ Rolling Stone... In my top 3. Maybe even #1
*4. Hurt~~ Nine Inch Nails AND Johnny Cash... Another of my top 5. I can't chose which version I like better, but I think I might lean towards NIN
5. Hey Jude~~ Beatles... Another I like "Across the universe" version better. also in top 5
*6. Incomplete~~ Backstreet Boys... Good song. I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring here and just say right now that I think that AJ is the best singer...and hot. He's got the tattoos. I can't help it. How old am I??
7. Stay~~ Lisa Loeb
8. Smells Like Teen Spirit~~ Nirvana
9. She's Gone~~ Steelheart... If you have never heard this song, you have to listen. I think it is amazing.. and that note he hits... WOW! You will know it when you hear it.
10. My Savior, My God~~ Aaron Shust
11. Drive~~ Incubus... Now playing on my phone. In my top 10
12. You are Holy (Prince of Peace)~~ Michael W. Smith
*13. Creep~~ Stone Temple Pilots... Used to listen to this song for hours on end in college when I was depressed. I think my roommate thought I was suicidal.
14. I Can't Hate You Anymore~~ Nick Lachey
15. In Christ Alone
16. Mercy~~ Duffy
17. Poison~~ Alice Cooper Alright... I know! This is a nasty song and an even nastier video, but it's part of my past. And I love it!
18. Dr. Feelgood~~ Motley Crue... and yes, I feel guilty when I hear my kids singing this song, but at the same time i realize that they are kids after my own heart!
19. Adonai~~ Avalon
20. Fly to the Angels~~ Slaughter
*21. Grey Clouds~~ Dakota Motor Company... Aww.. the memories. one of my favorite concerts
*22. Jesus Freak~~ DC Talk... another great concert-- actually fabulous since Kevin jumped on my head in the mosh pit!! Haha... I'm such a nerd!
23. She Wants to Move~~ N.E.R.D.... A dumb song, even dumber video but it makes me want to dance... if only I could!
24. What Goes Around ~~ Justin Timberlake... so true...
*25. I Remember You~~ Skidrow... Definitely a top 3 song. The only reason I started playing guitar. I almost started to hate this song when I saw Skidrow in concert. Absolute scariest night of my life ever (that's another story). Plus Seb Bach was so high on something he couldn't sing.
26. Only Time Will Tell~~ Nelson... sigh... Some of you will understand that!
27. Our Song~~ Taylor Swift
*28. Knees to the Earth~~ Watermark... WOW! one of my favorite worship songs. It used to move me to tears.
29. Sexy Back~~ Justin Timberlake
30. Kick Start My Heart~~ Motley Crue
*31. I Saw Red~~ Warrant... One of their lesser known song, but their best- IMO
32. House of Fire~~ Alice Cooper... I had to throw in the other nasty A.C. song. Just as bad as the first.
*33. Slipped Away~~ Avril Lavigne... So I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE everything by A.L. so it would be redundant to list every song she has so I'm just listing my absolute favorites. I do prefer her angrier stuff though. Her newer stuff is a little to girly for me.
*34. Complicated~~ Avril
35. Girlfriend~~ Avril
36. My Happy Ending~~ Avril
*37. Nobody's Home~~ Avril... I love this video
38. Don't Tell Me~~ Avril
39. 18 and Life~~ Skidrow
*40. What Hurts the Most~~ Rascal Flatts... The one and only country song
41.Consume Me~~ DC TALK
*42. Heartbreak Station~~ Cinderella... I swear... I can't even begin to say what this song meant to me when I was in high school
*43. After the Rain~~ Nelson... sigh... again... my favorite concert ever... 3rd row floor. I still have the guitar pick they threw
44. Patience~~ Guns n Roses
45. You Give Love a Bad Name~~ Bon Jovi
46. Signs~~ Tesla... another fun concert
*47. Praise You in this Storm~~ Casting Crowns... makes me cry EVERY single time I listen to this song...it was played at a dear friend's funeral who committed suicide. So, so good for us here on earth.
48. Since U Been Gone~~ Kelly Clarkson
*49. Youth Gone Wild~~ Skidrow
*50. I Wish We'd All Been Ready~~ DC Talk
51. Every Rose has it's Thorn~~ Poison
52. Rebirth~~ Skillet
53. The Kill~~ 30 Seconds to Mars... I really like their acoustic version of this song is better, but I'll take either...not mention how hot Jared Leto is.
54. What if I Stumble~~ DC Talk
*55. More Than Words~~ Extreme... One of my top picks. This song has more meaning than anyone can begin to imagine. My parents passed this fabulous gene to me that doesn't allow me to audibly tell people that I love them. Nice, huh? Anyhow, this song made me realize they did tell me that they loved me by their actions. still chokes me up a little. and I realize that it was a love ballad between couples but you take things how you need them when you need them. Oh! and ah-hem... Nuno Bettencourt... I will leave it at that.
56. Never Again~~ Kelly Clarkson
57. Quicksand Jesus~~ Skidrow... another not good song, but I feel in love w/ it, good gravy, can that man sing or what?
58. Sweet Child O' Mine~~ Guns n Roses
*59. Let it Rain~~ Michael W. Smith
*60. Be Thou My Vision... My all-time favorite hymn. I want this song played at my funeral just so everyone knows. And in case something happens to me soon... remind Rob. I'm sure he has forgotten I said this.
61.No Air~~ Jordan Sparks
62. I'll Be There For You~~ Bon Jovi
63. Here I Am to Worship
64. While Shepherds Kept Their Flocks By Night... my favorite Christmas song
65. Home Sweet Home~~ Motley Crue
66. You are my All in ALL
*67. My Jesus, I love Thee... reminds me of my choir teacher that was murdered. She taught the whole school sign language for this song so her deaf parents could "hear" it
68. Behind These Hazel Eyes~~ Kelly Clarkson
69. Beautiful Savior~~ Casting Crowns... yep... a really good one if you need a reminder of how great our God really is
70. Wasted Time~~ Skidrow
71. If I Fell (in love w/you)~~ Beatles... Once again, like the across the universe version better
72. While my guitar gently weeps~~ Beatles (see above statement)
73. I Wanna Hold your Hand~~ Beatles (see above statement)
74. What's left of Me~~ Nick Lachey
75. Me and You~~ Cassie

Did I miss any? Feel free to add your favorites. I know I missed some good ones out there.


edit:: I forgot one!!!! Canon in D... piano version. Simple and beautiful. I really wanted to walk down the aisle to this song, but it was yet another thing that I didn't get my way with at my own wedding.

You knows it bad when you can hear it in the garage!

Never have I been more proud of my son than today when he farted in the living room and his dad came into the house from the garage and asked if that was a real one... Okay, so I can't help but laugh, BUT.... this is what I get to ride up to McCall with tomorrow. Wow! I am one lucky woman! I hope I get a gas mask in my stocking for the ride home.

The books have fallen

This past week has been a complete frustration for me. I'm not sure if I'm PMSing or what. I don't think that I normally do that (DH may not agree w/ that) so I'm pretty sure it's not that, but I have been a mess. I've made stupid actions on several things. And then, this is what set me off, I have a few "friends" that really took advantage of me in the last 2 weeks. And family members have hurt my feelings. The list could go on. But here I am all irritated about one thing, then something else happens... It's like having a large book, then someone putting another on top and this happening until the books to heavy to carry any more and they come crashing down. And that is how I feel. So now I have a pile of books that I have to clean up. And I don't want to. I just want them to lie there on the ground. I'm going to watch them lie there. And I don't care. I have alot of work to do and I've been so in the dumps today that sat around reading and playing the guitar til I had blisters. Both of those seem to sooth me. And my wonderful time of evenings at home is coming to a screeching halt! Briyanna starts soccer up here in a few weeks so it's back to soccering 3-4 nights (maybe more) a week. I know I am complaining about this. I hate it, BUT! it has improved her game so much this fall. She was good before, but now she's really good. So I'm going to live with it. But I'm not sure that I could handle all of my kids in this kind of program. I'm actually looking forward to summer break already!

Finally..

I finished... life can go on!

In the Twilight Zone

Not the do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do kind. I can't put down the Twilight Books. I have had my nose stuck in any one of the books for the last week and I'm just now starting the 4th book. So yeah, you found me out. I am a super (and I mean SUPER) slow reader! It is so frustrating. But I can't skim a page and get the jist of it. I have to read every single word (sometimes twice)! I just want to make sure I got the whole concept of what I'm reading! So that said... like I said, I'm just nowstarting the fourth book. Actually, I bought it this morning and I'm starting it tonight... hopefully done by Wed. I had so much to do last week, including fill orders (!!), that I have have put off, ignored, forgotten, all because I have found a new book series to be in love with. And now that I have a face for Edward Cullens... do you blame me??

So last night, I'm sitting on the couch, reading of course, and decided to take a bath because I'm freezing. Now please don't get a visual here, but as I undress I am literally covered from neck to knees with some kind of bug bite, about 50 of 'em. And these are big bites, like the size of my thumb nail. I was thinking spiders because I've seen them moving in for the winter. But Rob reminded me that I had been cuddling with the stray cat the day before. So be it fleas or be it spiders... I itch like crazy!!

Blah, blah, blah...

That's how I feel... mentally, physically... I haven't posted anything in what feels like forever because I just feel like crap. So I will go back a few weeks...
The weekend before Thanksgiving, we went over to my grandma's house and re-roofed her house. It was cold, snowy, not to mention, the day that BSU played. I have not worked that hard in years. I ripped off shingles, laid tar paper, ripped up old boards and nailed on shingles. 3 large blisters, a hole in my hand from setting my hand on a hidden nail, 2 HUGE bruises on my leg and knee from the crowbar and 3 days later... we finished! I can mark that one off my list of things to do before I die... even though it was never on there to begin with.

And then on Wednesday, Rob came down with a cold. I got it on Friday, Briyanna and Berlyn on Saturday. It sucks. I am so miserable!

Sunday had to be my worst day by far. I just laid on the couch in misery. Rob got a call from our friend up at the church camp we have worked with for a few years. A young man that we worked with died over the weekend in a tragic accident at Celebration Park. It has been all over the news channels and newspapers. So as I sat there on the couch feeling sorry for myself, it felt like a large grey cloud rolled over me. It is still numbing. Rob just took him to a board meeting, a month ago today. And everytime I flip through the numbers in my phone, I run across his phone number. And all I can think is... He's dead! Everytime someone dies that I don't think should, it brings me back to reality! We are all so fragile! Hold the ones you love a little closer because you may never see them again... or they may never see you again.