There is no winning with me today. . .

I'll admit it, I'm in a pissy mood!  First, I want to acknowledge that my life could be worse and that there are others who do have it worse than I.  However, I am allowed to feel pissy and grumpy on occasion without feeling guilty because I do have it better than some.

The weather here has been unrelenting.  The heat is just ridiculous, it's so hot out that it never even really cools down at night.  I wake up at 6 am and going outside then, the humidity just takes your breath away!  Needless to say, we've been running the AC non-stop and fans around the house to help keep it cool.  We live in a brick house and with no shading directly in the front, around 2 pm it's like living in a brick oven.  So, I'm uncomfortable with the heat AND paranoid about the electric bill.

I'm cranky too because I haven't been sleeping well.  Heat of course doesn't make for a restful sleep, but our children like to wake periodically through the night so that we are never given a break from them!  Seriously, I'm really starting to think this is part of an elaborate plan to take us out.  Generally for the kids, bed time is around 8 pm.  They're usually asleep by 9 and it's guaranteed one will wake up for something by 10, 11 if we're lucky.  Sam will wake up itching due to his eczema or Carter will wake because of Autism's notorious effects on sleep habits and then of course Lily will wake if she hears anything going on.  Once everyone is settled and back to sleep, Husband and I try to catch a few z's.  I wake up on and off through out the night in various positions because one at a time each child has made their way into our bed.  We've been working on this problem for almost 2 years now and have made NO progress at all.  We're about to start taking more drastic measures though, because I can't take it anymore.  I need sleep and I need comfortable sleep without being kicked in the face or waking up with a butt in my face.  Let's hope it works out because I don't want to be grumpy all the time anymore!

Hot weather, lack of sleep and (drum roll please) Hillbilly gawkers!  Yes, Hillbilly Gawkers.  Around here it's perfectly normal to  be stared at, no matter what you're doing or where you're doing it.  I don't mean just stared at either, absolute blatant, mouth wide open staring, that's what I'm talking about.  There is a large population of people around here who put their lawn chairs or park their vehicles up on the town square to just sit and stare at people driving through.  (I'm dead serious)  So. . when I go out in town, I'm quite used to being gawked at, because that's just what everyone does. . but, when I take my children to the grocery store with me, it turns into a whole other story.  .  I think my status on Facebook sums it all up for me:

Just wanted to say that I am on the verge of a breakdown. . so, be warned. The next person who grumbles, stares, makes a comment, laughs or even looks at me funny while I'm shopping with my child-who has Autism-and is having a meltdown, trust me. . you will feel my wrath and you'll regret it. Thank you.

Yes, I'm in a pissy mood and I'm allowed to be. .  let's hope tomorrow is better!

Amish Adventures!

There are some days that I really dislike living in this area and I hope that one day we'll  be moving to an area we are more suited to.  One thing I will miss terribly though, the local Amish and Mennonite community.



I enjoy driving out to the 'country' and buying fresh produce from their little markets and lemme tell ya they have the BEST tomatoes and peaches and cream corn.  My summer time favorite, country fried corn!  They charge a fair price and it's nice to know I'm not supporting a controlling corporation!  They also sell some of their amazing crafts, handmade furniture, soaps and toys.  Fresh herbs, pasta, canned sauces, jellies and honey.  I know I'm starting to sound like an advertisement, but it's just really neat to me.

One thing I won't miss. . getting behind one of their buggies on the road!  With these narrow country roads, it's kind of dangerous sometimes. . .

The little girls all playing outside of the general store



These last two pictures are a couple of the rugs in the craft store, made from plastic shopping bags, I posted these just for you Tammie

My little advertisement is done now. . . I'm off to enjoy another sweltering summer day with the kiddos. . Stay cool everybody!

Let's Go To The Movies!

Other than it being 113 degrees here today (that is with the heat index) there really isn't anything going on.  It's too hot to do anything other than lay around and soak up the air conditioning.  When I saw this, I thought I'd steal it too!  Thanks, Tammie.
Name a movie you have seen more than ten times: Jeepers Creepers, Sleepless in Seattle, Serendipity
Name a movie you have seen multiple times in the cinema: Jeepers Creepers, The Exorcist

Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a film: Ben Affleck, John Cusack

Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a film: Ashton Kutcher

Name a film that you can and do quote from: Sleepless in Seattle

Name a musical that you know all of the songs and lyrics to: Mary Poppins

Name a film that you would recommend everyone see: Oh my, there are so many movies I recommend to friends, but I know their tastes.

Ever walked out on a film: No, almost walked out on The Hours, my best friend and I went late one evening and she was bored with it immediately and we started to leave, but I wanted to give it a chance.  She fell asleep and I ended up enjoying it actually.

Name a film that made you cry: Oh, I cry at lots of movies.  Sleepless in Seattle, Bounce, The Notebook. . I can't really think of anymore, but I know I have just sobbed at some movies.  Erin Brokovich. .  I think that got to me because of the truth behind the story!
.

Popcorn? Nah.  Raisinets or M&M's

How often do you go to the cinema? Ha!!  I went all the time as a teenager, then I saw Elf with my boyfriend (at the time) now Husband in 2003 and then I didn't enter a cinema again until a few weeks ago when I took my middle child to see Cars 2!  How sad huh?  It's fun once in a while, but I prefer being in my pj's with a good blanket and the ability to pause for pee breaks here at home.

What's your favorite film genre?  Dramedy. . that's a genre right? 

What's the first film you remember seeing at the cinema? The Exorcist, when it was re-released in theatres.

What film do you wish you had never seen?  I want to second the statement made by Tammie in her response to this question.  I haven't seen The Human Centipede, but a friend has and he is a true horror film fan and this movie terrified and disturbed him!!  Just looking at the movie poster is sickening enough!  Another one though, House of 1000 Corpses. . absolutely horrible!!!

If you could be any character portrayed in a movie, who would it be? Oh, I have no idea. . . I'll take any strong, brave, confident and skinny bitch there is!  Ha!

Total number of films you own on dvd: Most of the movies we have are Disney Pixar films or children's movies.  I do have the Twilight films available and a few random movies I've picked up here and there. 

Last film you bought: Martian Child . . It was in the bargain bin and I've always wanted to check it out, still haven't had a chance to watch it though!

Last film you watched: Cars 2. . The tow-mater character is pretty irritating, but I think the message in this movie was nice for kids.  Not to mention, my little guy smiled ear to ear through the entire movie.

Took this right before the movie started, see that smile?  Already starting before the movie started!

Five films that mean a lot to you: Movies are fine in the moment, but none really hang in there with me.  Books are where that's at. . I have a lot of books that have touched me and mean a great deal to me.

As a reward for reading my insignificant answers, I found a little journal I've had for some years and for a short while taped all of my movie ticket stubs to it. .

It's Hot!!

It has been insanely hot here in the last couple weeks.  Those that know me well, know that I do not do 'hot' very well.  I've tried to suck it up though and do as many activities as the children want, even if they are outdoors.  Carter's time at camp flew by and now I'm back to all three kiddos fighting for attention!  I bought a slip-n-slide and a kiddie pool to entertain them without causing a heat stroke. . .It took me about 45 minutes to get everything set up and they played all of about 15 minutes before declaring it too hot and piling back inside to their TV and Wii.  Gee, thanks kids!  Mommy just nearly had a heat stroke/heart attack so you could splash in less water than our bath tub holds!  You know it's hot though when the children express no desire in going outside, which they haven't, the slip-n-slide sits next to the kiddie pool screaming for attention only to be ignored by us air conditioned addicts.

Tim and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary this past weekend, and by celebrated I mean that we took our children to the zoo!  That's right, we took a family trip in 100 degree weather to the Zoo, why?  Because we're idiots.  Actually, we were turned down by just about everyone for babysitting.  So, we thought if we couldn't go out alone, we'd at least have a fun family day.  That didn't work out so well though.  Carter refused to go, stating he was scared and had a ridiculous meltdown.  Grandma took Carter for the day so, Tim, Sam, Lily and myself trekked to the zoo though and sweatted more than I ever have trying to get a glimpse of these poor, overheated animals.  I think overall we had a nice time, but that didn't really start until we rode the zoo tram. . this provided a break from the heat and a fast paced view of the zoo, my kind of outing!  I took tons of pictures and would happily share a few with you kind folks, however, my beautiful daughter decided she needed to dunk my camera repeatedly in the toliet while I was cooking dinner.  My oldest son was fishing it out and dear husband caught him, assuming he was dunking it, punished him.  Chaos insued after this until Carter explained he caught Lily dunking the camera and was trying to save it from drowning--his words.  Never a dull moment around here!  I have the camera in pieces trying to dry out, crossing my fingers it works again. . .

4th of July was spent at home, nothing special.  Carter hates fireworks and Tim hates crowds, so we grilled out and watched some movies.  Later in the evening Sam and I got to venture outside and watch the neighbors firework show. . .

Sam is constantly eating, just FYI, so of course he had a firework show snack!  The pictures aren't great because they were taken with my phone, due to the camera having been dunked in the toliet. . . Nothing says Happy Birthday America like Cheez-Its, water logged electronics and taking in a free show thanks to the neighbors!

We've spent today have light-saber (sp?) fights (thanks to Carter's obsession with Star Wars) and playing dolls with Lily.  Good times folks, good times. . needless to say, this is how I feel. .

Wishing you all well!