Weekends

The past couple of weekends we have been out exploring different State Parks with the punks. Last weekend we went to Buck's Pocket I think we all had a good time. We didn't have the littlest punk with us. It was dreary and rainy that morning so she stayed with Granny. The week before we went we had had some major flooding in our area so we were a little weary, but it was all good. You could tell how high the water had gotten by standing on the river bank near the water, you could look up about 4-5 feet above your head and see debris and leaves/sticks caught in the tree limbs from the water rushing through. We walked the river bank a while then decided to go hiking up in the woods. I could tell I am majorly out of shape. My legs haven't felt a burn like that in a long time. It looked like it would be a nice place to camp. The punks could play around in the creek to cool off, but that would depend on the current. It was a good rafting river too. We saw a group of kayaks go by while we were walking. We started losing day light so we hoped back in the van and drove down another road a little father and came upon a bridge that was still flooded. The punks wanted to try to walk across it, but you could tell that it was way to strong to try that. Plus the water was FREEZING!!! I wouldn't even try to drive across it! On our way back out we stopped and took a few pics of a waterfall that was on the side of the road. All in all we had a good day.

This weekend we went to Rickwood Caverns. Even though the cave tours were still closed for the season we decided to go ahead and check it out. It was a little windy and chilly today. We only had 3 punks with us today, little one included. As soon as we got there she hit the playground! She played there for a long long time. Her older sisters stayed there as well. For a long time we were the only ones there, then a couple more kids showed up. After a while we got the little one and started walking up the trail, well she made it about .5 miles and was ready to go back! She had a hard time walking on the rocks. She didn't like that there were caves/holes under and inbetween the rocks. She did pretty good though. This park had a swimming pool! This would be a good place to camp with the punks. The cave tours would be open during the summer for them to do, plus swimming and hiking would keep them busy! We didn't get to stay a long today as I would have liked. But long enough to figure out what we needed to know.

Hopefully within the next few weekends we can check out some other parks!

Crash and Burn

I give up. I so sick and tired of trying to make plans only to have them crash and burn. We were planning a trip to MI, yeah it had to go and rain so now that trip is out. Ugh!!! I was so looking forward to the getaway. I needed it. But, it was par for the course for it not to happen. I should have know that it wouldn't have worked trying to plan it so quickly like we did. Some things began to unravel about a week ago, then something else would show up, then the weather tipped the bowl over this weekend and that was that. I keep hoping for a last minute miracle, but even then it's too late now. Damn it!!! I'm sure we'll go back this summer. But shit fire I wanted to go now. So did the punks. Freaking fracking fu@k a duck. I give up.

Merry Christmas

The jolly ole' man makes his appearance tonight! The countdown is almost over, it's down to the hours instead of days now. I still have a few last minute gifts to get that I overlooked last night when I thought I finished up shopping! In just a few hours we start our annual traveling to visit here and there. Dinner with the inlaws tonight, breakfast at grandmothers in the morning, then lunch at my moms. I'm already tired!!!
Here is a pic of the littlest punk with Santa:

Here I am with most of the punks!!! I'm missing punk 12! I wish she would have been there. Oh, she cut her hair off. I don't really like it, but it's her hair. She has to deal with it and man she has some thick thick hair!

12 days till d-day

It's only 12 days till Christmas. That means I only have 12 days to buy presents. Yep, you read that right, I have done no shopping at all. Well I have bought 2 gifts. But that's not much when you consider we buy 20+ gifts not including the punks. And the 2 I have bought are for the punks. And I've yet to figure out how we're gonna do that with just me working. I'll find a way. Always have always will.

Hubby is doing good. He says that he has got so much more energy now that he has the pacemaker. He's still on restrictions of not using his arm to give plenty of healing time so he won't pull the leads out and have to re-do all this.

I think the punks are all ready for winter break. But within a couple of days (if that long) we'll be hearing I'm bored. There's nothing to do. Well I won't be I'll be at work...hehehe.

It's that time again

Well it's that time of the year again. Thanksgiving has come and gone. Black Friday is past. Now it's down to the nitty gritty of Christmas. I haven't even started shopping. I don't want to either. I almost tempted to just buy for the kids and no one else. I can't afford it. 10+ nieces and nephews, brothers, sisters, mom's, dad's and grandparents adds up quick!! Now if I didn't have 5 punks to buy for it might be different. But it's not so that's the way it is. They will come first and foremost then if there's extra I'll buy, maybe.
Hubby is off work for the next month and has been off the past month. We learned last week that he is going to have to have a pacemaker. That is scheduled to happen this week. Just in time for the holiday rush. First he fractures his hip, then gets cleared for work and we find out about this. Yep, sounds like the story of my life. If it's not one things it's another. It''s amazing how quick things can change.
Speaking of change I was going to update my blog look for the holidays but decided I don't know enough to hold all my widgets without having to redo them all. So if you do happen to read this your stuck with the colors already shown. I'll try to add a few pictures to add a little holiday cheer to the place.
Oh we have a new family member now. Her name is Pebbles. She is a teacup Chihuahua. She is about 7 weeks old. And let me tell you, if you think you want another baby. Get a puppy and you'll be reminded of the lack of sleep and waking at all hours of the night. But you also get to wake up with a cute little face in yours. She's spoiled just like any other child would be. If I could somehow manage to get the punks to actually let her feet touch the floor that might would help some. And maybe, just maybe she wouldn't be sitting here at my feet whining right now. Luckily no one at work minds that she sleeps under my desk.
We had our first mix of wintery weather today. We had sleet and snow flurries. It was so beautiful. I couldn't believe how hard it would come down at times. Unfortunately our ground and all it too warm and it melted as fast as it fell. But at least it actually did something.
Ok well I guess that's all for now. Catch ya the in the next five.

Happy Halloween

Today is probably one of the most exciting days for the punks, with the exception of Christmas of course. Who wouldn't love getting dressed up in a costume, going to houses & churches, and getting a shit load of candy? I usually get out the the punks at the various stops along the way, but tonight will be different. For the first time in 5 years Hubby will not be accompanying me. So I will be driving and still probably getting out of the van 500 and 50 thousand times. Ugh! This is the part of Halloween I don't like. We don't live in a neighborhood or town that you can walk to do the T-O-T. We have to drive. Hopefully I'll remember to take some pics this year. Forgot to do that last year....bad mommy!!! So what's your plans for Halloween night. Well if you live in Detroit you have a curfew of 6pm if your under 16 I believe. I can't believe people still to that crap. Oh well that's a different post for a different day.
Hope you have a wonderful scary Halloween!!!
Till next time...

week 2 of.... yeah you know

Well we have embarked on week #2. I believe in the previous post I said something about hubby cleaning and straighting stuff out. HA HA!!!! I think he did pick up 2 pieces of clothing and put them into the correct dirty clothes bin. And no people, I am not joking. I wonder if I made a list if that would help? Uh NO!! Know why, cause he'd hold on to that list until the punks got home and handed it to them. And of course there's not much of a problem with this, except that they only do a half-assed job of their particular job and consider that done. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm no perfectionist by any means, but come on! When you load dishes, take the two seconds to turn around and pick up the pan sitting on the stove less than 2 feet behind you. Oh, sorry there. That will be a different post for a different day. Back to hubs! Still unemployed, no foreseeable employer in the near future, no word on unemployment compensation.

PS: Don't ever do a stupid thing like I did when researching online colleges: which would be putting your phone number out there. I have one freaking one that keeps calling and emailing, you'd think they would get the point!

week 1 of unemployment

for hubby that is....

Hubby says that since he is "off work" right now that he is going to get things 'round the house straightened out. Oh boy! He's planning on going through stuff and getting rid of a lot of things. I told him that he's done that before but the keep pile is always bigger than the go pile. LOL Isn't that how it usually works? I would really love to get in there and do some deep deep cleaning on the place. All that has been getting done lately is a light surface cleaning. S17 has been helping me out so much in that area. I know she hates doing it, but she is one of the only ones that will do it without too much attitude. I have thanked her several times for cooking dinner while I shuttle punks to soccer practice and all. I hate putting so much on her, but she takes most of it with stride. Yes she can be sneaky as all get out, and yes she will do things that she is absolutely not supposed to do, but I guess it sorta balances out in a weird kind of way.

Got a little of subject there. Anywho, anyone want to take bets on just how much junk we are rid of while hubby is unemployed? Anyone want to guess how many more gray hairs I end up with by the time this is over? Will I be able to handle the stress that comes from cleaning? As long as all my rubber bands hold together I think I'll be ok....LOL

Don't worry...Be happy????

Oh man, there's been so much going on. Life is like these hurricanes that keep heading into the Gulf of Mexico. My life it about on the same track. Not sure which way it's going until it's too late. This week has just plain sucked. Excuse me.. SUCKED!!! I spend one day at the ER and Urgent care offices with hubby. Damn ER docs didn't do shit but prescribe some pain pills. Urgent care finally gave some kind of diagnosis and more prescriptions. This would be good except for the fact that hubs is being a stubborn male and doesn't want to take the medicines. Ugh! Fine then keep hurting and complaining. Then punk 17 blood sugars was too high for school so she spent the day at work with me. She got a small taste of working. She did good then we get home and her blood starts rising again. So there's got to be something at home she's got stashed that she's getting into. I want to believe her when she says no, but its hard to when things like that keep happening. And if this was enough, hubby got laid off from his job. This is the icing on the cake. I don't know what in the hell we are going to do. Yeah we have a plan, but can't act on it for another month. How are we going to make it another month? I have soccer practices 4 nights a week, plus games fixing to start. Once games start practices will go down, but we'll still be making trips for those. Hubby brought it up that it's usually about this time of the year for him and his jobs. Ugh! It's so dang frustrating. Between life and kids I"m going to go crazy!!!! ****One more person lies to me or yells at me I am not responsible for my actions!!**** Bye now!

Happy Hump Day

Is it Wednesday already??? Where did the week go? Oh yeah I was out of it on Monday and recovering on Tuesday. LOL My procedure went well. No problems so far.

I did miss the first day of soccer practice for little Bug. Hubby got to take her and I think she impressed him. I'm so proud of her. I got to take her today. She did pretty good. I got tickled at her when she was in the goalie position. Then they did a little scrimmage and the ball hit her and she started complaining. Uh, babe, get used to it. It's gonna happen a lot playing soccer. I need to get her ball soon and get outside with her and practice. Does anyone know how to add more time to the day? Ugh, I need it. My oldest, punk 12, practice got rained out yesterday. So hopefully she'll get to practice tomorrow! She's excited for tomorrow.

I just read that one of the blogs I read A LOT is going away. I don't know for how long or if it is going to be permanently, but if you don't mind stop by and say bye: I will miss reading her blog tremendously. http://www.wombattheinnsane.com/

Ok it's about bed time here.

New school year

Well today was the first day of school for my punks. Hopefully it all went well. I've been worried about punk8 all day. My two started a new school this year. Both were nervous and so way mom, but I kept it hid as well. I did talk to hubby earlier and he said that 8 didn't say much when she got home and seemed pissed. Oh no!!! Now I will worry till I get home. My punk 12 was climbing trees "literally" this morning while waiting on the bus. Can we say nervous energy? Hopefully she didn't crash out during the day. She was worried about finding all her classes (7th grade) because she couldn't find a few at open house. I remember my first time having to change classes. It was a scary experience. And lets face it: Upperclassmen can be assholes!!!!

Busy, Busy Busy

Don't you just love the end of the month at work? Top that off with school starting back in a week and throw in dr. visits and you have a crazy busy week!!! So far this week I have been to three different dr. appointments. First up was hubby. Still having chest pains and shortness of breath. Doc is going to put a device in to record his heart if it drops below a certain # or above a certain #. Hopefully this will help and they can figure out what is going on!!! Next was myself to the Doc. Just a checkup, but I will be going in for an out-patient procedures in a couple of weeks as well. Female crap! Let's just say it's one step short of a hysterectomy. Finally eye visits for 2 of the punks. One checked out fine the other needs glasses! Plus, I have the shop to myself this week at work. Trying to get stuff out by end of the day. It sucks! So as I type I'm scarfing down my lunch. Next week schools starts back and I have lovely task of transferring punks from one school to another. I don't wanna do it but gas prices are forcing my hand. Also next week, I believe we have our first soccer meetings. I've about convinced myself that I was crazy for signing 2 up to play! Ok off to accomplish something, not sure what yet.

No MoRe TeXtInG

I think we're putting our foot down on texting. Not for me and hubby of course. For s16!! We have handled so much teenage drama this weekend. I've had enough!!

Imagine trying to make plans via text to spend the night:

Ok neither punk was with their appropriate parents. Parents were getting told this and that. (Actually parents had no freaking clue what was going on.) This started Sat. We thought it ended Sat. But nope! Started again Sunday. Ok so we have an extra kid suddenly. Ugh! Said child was supposed to go home the next morning, but neglacted to tell me when I asked. more texting more texting. Enuff!!! I know how to use the phone.

We're in a Holding Pattern

....and the brakes have been applied. As of right now, our vacation trip to MI is in the air. Hubby's father is in the hospital at this time. By tomorrow we should know something for sure. I'm on the fence on it all. I've had a feeling I haven't been able to shake concerning this trip. I think we still might go camping at a local place, or just go somewhere a few hours away instead of 12. I don't know. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Oh a good note, I finally got my "baby" home. After being gone for a week, 3 is back at home. Man I missed her. So for the first time in a long time, all 5 punks were home this weekend. And oh my God, what a freaking loud weekend it was. And the arguing/fighting, I've got to figure out where to apply for the referee pay. Sheesh. And mostly over stupid Barbie doll clothes/shoes. "Don't touch my stuff".... if I could coin that phrase I'd be a millionaire! But the worst part was it was s12 saying that to 3!!! Come on. Ugh! 8 has the bad habit of being a follower/pushover, so she got into some trouble too. And why can they learn that when your asked a question, just answer truthfully. Yeah you might get in trouble. But I guarantee it will be less than when you lie to our face!!! Needless to say 8 was put to bed early last night. Followed by 12 & s12 who started arguing and fighting. Then s17 & cousin 12 went to bed at eleven. Then s12 decided to start aggravating them. I need to invent something to keep them tied down in bed without getting me in trouble. Why can't they just go to bed and stay in bed like normal people. I don't need to hear all the bumps in the night! I'm starting to get sleep deprived over this!!!!

Pushing Buttons

For this post to make any sense whatsoever you need to read this post first.

Ok I'll start with s12 first. Yes the questions were still thrown at me and hubby left and right. No matter how many times you give a response, if it's not the one she wants the question is coming back at ya later (or should I say rather soon). I'm getting to be pretty good at blowing it off, now hubby will get fed up sooner than I. I know all this is a big adjustment for her, coming for the previous living situation and all. But shit, it's been over 2 months with our rules, our house, or life style. You'd think something would have clicked just a little by now. AAAhhhhh.....I digress.

Ok now on to 16. Can you guess what happened?? Bet ya can! I get there to pick her up and lets just say I wasn't surprised! We get home and the shit hits the fan. I was doing very good letting hubby handle the situation then a nerve of mine got struck and I flew off the handle. Our house, our rules, we are the parents no one else!! And I don't care what so & so said. She apologized later and I told her that I couldn't do anything for her anymore and best thing to do it drop it and let it fall away for now. I did give her an example of what she should have done to show us respect and to be responsible. Maybe that will sink in. For the next few days both are gone visiting grandparents.

I haven't seen 12 in over a week now. She went on vacation with my parents and then to her dads and here and there. I take that back I did see her for about 2 minutes Friday. LOL She is supposed to come home tonight; but has already called to see if she can spend the night with Granny!! And 8 called wanting to say somewhere too! My kiddos don't wanna come home! 3 is also gone for a week visiting her aunt and cousins. I certainly don't mind a quite house, but dang I miss the little punks!!!!

TGIF

Ahhhhh... only a couple more hours to go then I'm off work!! Yea for me!

Feeling a little better today. Not a whole lot. And if your wondering, we had to deal with the punk 16's shit again last night. But it was sworn to us that the boy would not be there this weekend while she's there so I believe we are going to let her spend the night. If I find out any different, she'll figure out just what how mean I can be instead of dad! Who knows if it's a mistake or not, only time will tell. But at least I don't have to hear the moaning and groaning and deal with the attitude of her tonight. No tonight it will probably be s12!! Oh, also, I told you that during all this punk 3 was usually planning her attack. Yeah, you guessed it, she attacked last night like never before. Punk 8 will be carrying a nice size bruise on her forehead/temple. This is what happens when you are hit in the head with a wooden building block! Yeah punk 3 threw it at her and nailed her. Punk 8 had a pretty good size knot and it was already turning purple when she got to me. She got an ice pack and little miss terror got put in time out, then sent to bed. She kept saying "I wanna be nice" or "I be nice now". Broke my heart, but I had to tell her that I knew she did, but it was too late and she was in trouble. She did hug her sister several times and kept telling her "love you sissy and I sorry". The little stinker!

Party of 1, please!

You ever had those days that you just want to have a pity party? Well today is that day for me. I have no clue as to why. I just feel off today. A lot has happened in the past couple of days. Bad, worse, then worst about sums it up. I've had to drag myself out of bed. I've had to make myself do the things that mom's do like cook and bath for little one. I've had to make myself do anything. And yet here I am sitting at work on the net instead of tackling work that's laying in front of me. All the while I try my best to keep a happy face on for the world to see. I'm starting to despise my job. I don't want to do it. And most of the time it's one of the most laid back jobs one can have. Sure there's the stress of customers, jobs getting screwed up, equipment going down. But it's just something that can't be explained I guess, cause I sure as hell can't right now. I don't want to quit, I don't want to find another job. I just want some time off. Granted I was off on Tues but that word "worst" from earlier comes into play there.
But then we have the joy of dealing with punk16 who doesn't know when to let a subject lie dead for a day or two. Ever tried to explain to a 16 year old female what a 16/17 year old male thinks with? Especially a male that already has a child? And 16 can't figure out why she can't go and stay the day where he's at even though it's at a family members house. Sorry I'm not fueling the fire. I've been there done that and I know what can/will happen. But, but, but,... cry, cry, cry,... stomp, stomp, stomp... I hate you... DOOR SLAMS! Dad's tried to explain it in the daddy way, I've tried to explain it in the step mom/mom way, I've laid out the cold hard facts, I've listened to her spill, yadda yadda. And yes my dear friends, this has been ongoing off and on for a week now, but since Sunday night it's been EVERY DAMN NIGHT!!! Why can't it stop?
For just a day, I want to walk in and say shut-up now, don't ask period. Most days I don't even make it to the porch steps before questions start being thrown at my head, now not from just 16 this would be from punk s12 (step daughter who's 12, remember I have a punk who's 12 too) or punk 8 as well. I can fend them off, make it into the house, set things down, go to change clothes (it's soo hot!) and to the restroom then they must know I"m sitting down LOL because questions start flying again. By then I break and yell, "Not right now, I'll be there in a freaking minute" Yes, they have me saying freaking! All this time, punk 3 is planning her attack. We're never sure who it will be upon but believe me, it's coming!!
Maybe in a couple of weeks after vacation things will get better. But first we have to make it on that vacation. Ugh! So much shit to deal with.
Some days I just want to Fugetaboutit!!!!

Hey Boo Boo, do I see a picnic basket?

I was asked in a previous post where we were going on vacation. Well by the title can't you tell? Jellystone Park in Michigan. I'm hoping the punks will have fun. But who am I kidding, trying to keep 5 punks from 3 yrs to 16 yrs happy? Does anyone have a xanax, lexapro, effexor, or just a big bottle of alcohol I can take with me? I know we will def. have our ups and downs. We went last year for a family visit and had a pretty good time. See here's proof: And no I didn't leave her buried in the sand. That might be an idea if they get out of line too much this time. Think anyone will notice?


It won't just be my family this year. We are meeting up with my father & mother in law, as well as my sister-in-law, and several cousins as well. They are "roughing it" in campers, while we are "roughing it" in a tent!!! I love tent camping though, something about being outdoors. We did a week long camp last year and had a good time. Well most of it was good, we did have one injury and one ambulance call, but that's another post. Just wishing and praying that this year will go off without a hitch and everyone enjoys their time away from home/work/life as we know it.

Weekend plans

I usually don't make plans, because they have a way of getting screwed up. Well either that or the punks piss someone off and put everyone in a bad mood and dampens things a bit. But I think we actually "made plans" for the weekend. Nothing big. Saturday: morning maybe taking stuff the the landfill then off to the lake for swimming and boating. Sunday: Family reunion and then off to the lake for swimming and boating. See a pattern there? Hopefully I can come out of this weekend NOT favoring a lobster like last weekend. I would like to get a way for a while without the punks, but the likely hood of that happening is well not that good. But I can hope that everyone minds their P's and Q's. Whom I kidding, it will be balls to the wall like normal.

Oh!!, only (about) 28 days until vacation!!!!!!! Wanna go somewhere? Click here!

ETA: Only one punk left in the house for tonight(so far)!!

It's summer time...

The time has finally arrived. It's time to drag out all the floats, water toys, beach towels and sunblock! Summer is here. Well not officially but close enough. Memorial day has come and went, thus kicking off "cookout season". We spent the day on the lake. We had a blast swimming and boating. The water was still a little chilly, but not too bad. At least it didn't leave the kiddos with purple lips. I, for one, seem to favor a lobster today. The burgers and dogs wasn't the only thing that got cooked yesterday. I made sure to slather sunscreen on the little miss ray, but mom didn't do so well with myself. One of these days I'll remember. Maybe next weekend when we go back out? Hopefully! We're on the count down to vacation. About 34 days to go! The only part I dread is the 1400 miles. Yes we're driving and gas prices are gonna kill us. But oh well, it's once a year. By the time next year is here we'll make up the difference.....