Heebie-Jeebies, Arg!!@#!@

I caught a vole. eeeehhhh. (I can't write the noise I'm making right now). The thing is, we noticed a small part of our yard had been "voled" but it wasn't bad at all and didn't stay, and you can't even see the remnants of it in our yard any more (lucky us). But this morning, I was up early to go water my garden, and at the bottom of my cement stairs, just out my door, was this little guy just looking up at me. When he saw that I saw him, he ran into our rain gutter (currently laying on the ground) and then jetted from there to under our stair steps...under the cement. Ok...look up on the internet..."how to get rid of voles." Have a few ideas, but really, that's the hubby's job (thank goodness for men).

Well, my kiddos were playing in the backyard, and Isabel says "MOM--there's a rat in our rain gutter." Evidently the little vole-guy likes to hang out in it. I said "Step away and be calm." I got a plate, put it on the opposite side of the gutter, and picked the gutter up...trapping the little scurrying thing. And it was scurrying, and my insides were quaking. I'm not good with things like this. I'll kill a little spider with a shoe, but anything bigger FORGETABOUTIT!! So, there I stood with a plate and a rain gutter and our furry friend inside. Thank goodness there was no way he was getting enough traction to climb up my vertical trap. "What next?" I'm thinking. "Jim will just have to come home from work! Plain and simple." No, we have a neighbor that can handle this and he's often home in the day-time. "Isabel--go get Todd next door." Phew--he was home and Todd was my hero today! He took the plate and the rain gutter and walked off cool as can be... This is why I'm so glad for MEN... (one of the many reasons)...but PHEW!!!

Yes, my skin is still crawling and I can barely hit the letters on the keyboard correctly. Ick! Now...if our little (hopefully dead) furry friend he has friends.....

Rory just said "That's cute...can we someday buy one" UM NO!

Last Day of 2nd Grade

I can't believe Isabel is done with 2nd Grade! It's gone so quickly. I know...such a cliche as parents say that all the time...but really, it did go quick!

I wasn't really ready for her to be in 2nd grade, and now she's done with it. In fact, I went to the time for the 1st grade orientation...thinking "She's in 1st Grade"--oops. Maybe this next year, I'll show up for the 2nd grade orientation?? No, I'll actually try to remember 3rd grade, 3rd grade, 3rd grade. (I have to say it over and over in my head to drill it in)

It's been a great year, and Isabel has LOVED being in Ms. Luebbert's class...she's done fabulously. Congratulations Isabel!

It's beach party day (hence the fun hair and lei)

It's In! Better Late than Never!

We got our garden in! It was just about a week ago that I decided I wanted a garden. I've been thinking about it for a few years, but every time I decide I'd like to have a garden, it's too late...it's summer and the seeds should have been sewn. Well, I decided --I DON'T CARE-- that it's late in the season to get started...if we build it, at least we'll have it for the next several years.

With that attitude, I planted several veggies and even did an herb garden in an adjacent planter. I figure --whatever grows--great! If not, o.k. too. I've never done a garden, so this is a trial year, and I figure by the time I'm in my 40's (sooner if I'm lucky) I may have a successful garden.

My mother and sister really inspired me...they have great gardens and I've always been very impressed. I may just have a nice one someday too! A BIG THANKS to Jim, my hero that can do ANYTHING. He really worked hard to get this done for our family and I so love him and his being able to do any project. He could build a house on his own (given the time and $$). He amazes me and I just can't thank him enough!

I'll update you on the success.

What I Just Read

I really enjoyed this series. This book, Specials, was book 3 in the series. The first book is Uglies, by Scott Westerfield. This genre was different for me, but I was glad I ventured out--as I really had fun with these booksbooks. Honestly, I couldn't stop reading.

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

My'>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/18640834?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">

My

review: 4 out of 5 stars
I VERY much enjoyed this series...much more than I thought I would. This book had a good conclusion...although left me a little melancholy--wanting more and to tweek the conclusion for my own romantic purposes. I've never been "into" sci-fi or fantasy, but this may change my mind. The series was adventuresome and I couldn't stop reading. Good fun!

View'>http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/909838?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.

No Proof Here

Back to the blog. Well, for now anyhow. It's been a while since I've blogged as there have been some upsetting events occurring with my family...and it has been emotionally consuming. While I'm at it, thank you to my friends who have reached out and offered words of comfort and support--even your small little messages have brightened my day.

On to happier things: I saw this though and thought it was so cute. Kyle LOVES broccoli and he really does gobble it down...so Jim thought "We'll get it on film so we can prove to him when he's older that once upon a time, he did like it!" Well he had other ideas in mind, watch the film.

He's a cute little stinker!

(click on the play arrow twice)

And I didn't Want to Blog

My life has been a little emotional lately with "things." So, I really haven't felt like blogging as the thing in the forefront of my mind is nothing I want to share with the world right now. Thanks Shay for "tagging" me with this, as it is simple and I don't have to share too much!

ABC Tag
A-Attached or Single?- Attached
B-Best Friend?- Jim and Rebekah
C-Cake or Pie?- Cake
D-Day of Choice?-Friday at 4pm
E-Essential Item?- Chocolate and/or a good Book
F- Favorite color? Green (shade depends on the season and mood)
G-Gummy Bears or Worms?- Bears
H-Hometown? Split between Diamond Bar, CA and Camarillo, CA
I-Favorite Indulgence?- Cake and a large glass of Milk
J-January or July? July
K-Kids? Four
L-Life isn't complete without? People around you to love and love you back
M-Marriage Date?- July 25, 1998
N-Number of brothers and sisters? 1 Sister, 2 Brothers
O-Oranges or Apples?- Oranges, as long as they're really, really sweet and easy to peel.
P-Phobia and Fears? Someone hurting my children (or any ones really)
Q-Quote?- "I believe in Christ for the same reason I believe in the sun, not because I can see it, but because of it, I can see everything." --C.S. Lewis
R-Reason to smile?- When we turn on the music nice and lough and I dance around my house with my kids...biggest smiles on all of us!
S-Season of choice?- Fall
T-Tag four people?- Cari, Marcie, Summer, and Kami
U-Unknown fact about me?- I hate being late (I think that may be known though)
V-Vegetable?- Broccoli
W-Worst habit?- Eating junk food beyond normal human limits
Y-Your favorite food?- 1 food? Hm... Today: Chinese food from The Mandarin
Z-Zodiac Sign?- Aquarius

A New Favorite Thing

About a month ago I went to a friends "Scentsy" party. I was really impressed with their "wickless candles." They heat the little smelling cubes (wax of sorts) and melt it--but they do it without a flame--it is all with a 25 watt light bulb. SO, no burning down your house! It is warm to the touch, but not HOT.

It's made my house smell so yummy and delightful! I got 3 scents: Coconut Lemongrass, Enchanted Mist (so nice), and Bergamot & Tarragon. They have SEVERAL scents to choose from. It was hard to decide which to get, but I really like the ones I got.

They have so many warmers to choose from but I got the one pictured above, but below is one that I think I'll get next. It would be really pretty in my bathroom.

Check it out at: http://www.scentsy.net/