Some more "rules for grocery shopping

  So we're in the path of the up coming hurricane, we don't live on the coast, but we're close enough that people are in "panic at the grocery store mode" So I thought I'd give some simple rules out to those who don't know any better....

• It's not the cashier's fault that the store is out of the cheap store brand white bread, don't take it out on them. Be nasty to a manager if your really feel the need, but not the cashier.
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• If you're buying a whole bunch of tuna cans so you'll have something to eat, make sure you've got a manual can opener at home ( I jokingly said Remember you won't have your electric can opener to open the cans. Poor guy was in a panic as to where to find a manual canopener)
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• Fruit is just as easy to eat with no electric as junk food is, do you really want you kids all hyped up on sugar from Oreos and that sugary cereal if you're going to be stuck in the house in the middle of a storm?
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• This last one doesn't really have to do with the impending storm, but since I'm at it.... If you have varicose veins and you're pushing the backside of 40, you might want to rethink that short denim skirt you bought at Forever 21, it's just not a good look on you.

  

   I am so not looking forward to work tonight. People are acting like we're getting a foot of snow. By the time I get to work a lot of shelves will be bare and I just know it will somehow be my fault (because we all know the lowly cashier is the one who orders for the shelves and that there really is more stock in the back, we're just too lazy to go back and get it (insert eye roll here)

 So all you East Coasters be safe in the storm and remember to smile at your cashier when you're in line buying your cart full of bottled water, bread and peanut butter (if there's any left on the shelf) 

Day 2 (he poops)

  Day two Dozer showed us more of his personality, some good, some not so good. Dozer woke up fine, came out of the bathroom where he sleeps and went for his walk with me. I noticed there was a smell in the bathroom, but I looked all over the floor and there was no poop, so I figured he had some gas. Twin #1 goes into the bathroom and comes out saying uhm, did no one really notice what he did in the tub? Of course not, why would I look in the tub???? Dozer had pooped the size of a meatloaf!!!!!! (gag) So after much arguing discussing, Hubby and Twin#2(the one who's wanted a dog his entire life) cleaned up about 2 1/2 pounds of dog poop out of the bathtub. Then Twin#1 got the joy of scrubbing the tub out. (hey I'm always looking for family bonding!!!!) 

please commence the belly rubbing

     As a side note, Little Man has decided he'll never take a shower in that bathroom again. I didn't have the heart to remind him of how many times he poop in my bathtub when he was a baby!

  Dozer has also decided to find out where he fits into "the pack". He got aggressive with Hubby when Hubby was sitting on the couch playing with Dozer. That got the old heart pumping because Dozer is a big dog!!!, with a big mouth. Hubby did get firm with Dozer and show him who's the alpha male.  Dozer also tried this with the 18 year old twins as well. (we had warned them after Hubby's go'round that morning, so they were prepared) and Dozer did offer his belly to be rubbed by all of them so I think we're good.


  Dozer however didn't mess with me (smart dog knows not to mess with the mama!!) Dozer also puts up with all the love the little 2 want to give him.

I am king of all I survey!!!

  Oh and it rained yesterday, so we all got a chance to walk the dog in the rain (yeah we all enjoyed it about as much as the dog, but it sure beats cleaning up a mess in the house)


   So it looks like Dozer is winding his way into our household. We have to let the adoption agency know on Saturday if we'll be keeping him forever. He's such a sweet dog and he's already lost 2 home (the one that abandoned him and the foster home where he didn't get along with the other foster dog). 
  
    Our next adventure will be a trip to the vet!!! Fingers crossed that all goes well : )

Our New Addition

 So after my hubby vowing to never have a dog in the house, relented and we've gotten a dog (or maybe a small horse depending on how you look at it.)

   We had decided we'd rescue a dog instead of buy a puppy for a number of reasons. The most important reason being there are so many great dogs out there who need a loving home almost anyone will adopt a cute little puppy, the older dogs have lost some of their cuteness (at least to some people) Plus since my kids are not the best at picking up their toys and puppies love to chew on anything they can reach, there would have been some tears shed.

   So after browsing the petfinder site for over a month we found a dog we all like and that the foster "parent" would get back in touch with us. So this Saturday we got to meet Koby and bring him home if we all got along. Well we all got along and now he's snoring in my living room.  Since Koby's name is a little too close to one of the kid's names, we're renaming him Dozer (yes as in bulldozer)

   The car ride home wasn't too bad, he settled down in the car and with the help of Twin#1 petting him the whole time he had a great first ride. To show Twin#1 his gratitude for being so kind, Dozer sneezed on him (eeewwww gross).

     

  We decided to give Dozer a bath and that went really well, Dozer stood there like a good boy.So other then the "whole shake like a dog when it's wet", we did really good. Dozer smells like a nice dog and not the kennel anymore.

 Our first day with Dozer wasn't too eventful. Thankfully no accidents in the house. Dozer likes to pull on the leash sometimes, but he'll soon learn who gets to control the walking. Going to check into a special harness for him.


  Dozer seems to be a great dog. He loves to be pet and have his belly rubbed. The kids all think he's great. Other then reminding him Not for Dozer when he puts his nose to the counter we seem to all be getting along. I have a feeling this is going to be quite an adventure for all of us.


  

A Good Day at Work

    Ok I am under no illusion that my job is fantastic, or going to take me anywhere special in life, but it's a good job and I do it fairly decent, so with that being said, today was a good day. Actually I guess it's more like tonight was a good night. Since it's the Friday of a long holiday weekend lots of people were shopping. Lot's of teens who have no idea where anything in the store it. Lot's of picnic throwers getting all their rolls, meats, watermelons (by the way, I finally learned the register number for watermelons since I sold so many in the last two days)
  
      I had one lady tell me you are just so pleasant. Two Aren't you just so sweet to help me? And one Thank you so much for the conversation as I checked out my groceries, it seems like so many cashiers don't even want to greet a person any more. Ok that last one, I can't really take credit for because I'm at home with the little two for most of the day by myself and quite frankly I'm just happy to talk with an adult and not be interrupted by some little voice who needs a drink, food or a referee, so I'm a regular "Chatty Cathy" when I'm working for the most part.

    I had one customer who never used self check out before, and he was so nervous he'd mess it up (it's not the atom bomb folks, there's nothing you can do to that machine that can be undone with the turn of a key.) So I explain the basics, he goes through his whole purchase, with minimal help from me, and that was only because he had produce, and at the end, the look of pride/excitement on his face was priceless (reminded me of my kids and a good grade on a test). So now he's all excited and can't wait to use self checkout again!!! (I'm sure he went home and told his dear wife all about it.)

    So while I didn't cure cancer or balance the national debt, I did make some people smile today. And I helped one man face his fear of the self checkout and walk away with the feeling of victory. All in all, not a bad night in my book.

And now I can breath a sigh of relief!

       The twins are officially high school graduates! And that my friends is no small feat! They both had very bad cases of senioritis! In fact so bad, I wasn't so sure they were going to walk to get their diplomas. I think I got at least 30 more gray hairs in the last month (not that I didn't need to dye it already). I think I can write about it now, without crying (too much) so here goes.


       One June 8th they graduated from their vocational school (in our area the students have a choice to split their educational day between "home school" and "tech school") Now this wasn't the graduation that worried me. I knew they were passing their classes there with flying colors. Twin 1 was awarded the "Excellence in Machining" and given 2 tool boxes, with machining tools, that were gifted to the school from a retired machinist. Twin 2 was awarded "Excellence in Welding" from his employer and also given a bonus from them. #2 also won an award for writing a letter to thank a veteran for their service. This award is given to a graduating senior from his welding class every year in honor of a past student who upon graduation joined the Marine Corp and lost his life in Iraq. The mother of the Marine was there to present #2 with the $500 check to be used toward further education or tools for his trade. (as a mother, I can't imagine her loss and my heart breaks for her. The strength to go every year and meet these young men who must remind her so much of her own lost son) 

   So here they are all dressed up, ready to head off to tech graduation.

     So the next week we have the "home school" graduation. And this is the one that had me worried. But by the Grace of God and the skin of their teeth, they passed Economics and were able to walk with their class.
     Although they were irritated they had to miss their co-op jobs to make rehearsal, they suffered through their classmates being idiots. A little funny side note here is that because the class is so large (577) they have the kids come from either side to make it go quicker when they call the names. So Twin 1 finds his name on the side he needs to be on, but Twin 2's name is not on that sheet. Twin 2 now proceeds to almost hyperventilate because he thinks he failed his final and will not graduate with his class (which means he will have to face his parents who will not be happy at all) Finally after what must have seem like hours to him, but really only a few minutes, someone points out his name is on the other list that sits on the other side of the stage. Now as a mom, I know I should feel bad for my poor dear son, but, hey he shouldn't have cut it that close!!!!


    So there they are, all dressed in there cap and gowns, the grandparents have come, and even Hubby's brother and wife (who happens to also be my sister) hubby's nephew come to watch the graduation as well. And now it looks like rain. So I am texting all who pray and asking for prayers the rain holds off till the kids are done. Other then a few "spritzes" here and there, we made out alright and the rain held off (thank you Lord!!!!!)

       Twin #1 walking in with his class, so happy it's almost over

      Twin #2 has just gotten his diploma. The key to his future.

   After graduation the Pop Pop and Nana offered to host a little dinner party at the Texas Roadhouse!!! We had a great meal and a good time. If you've ever been to the TR you know they have a saddle you get to sit in for special occasions such as birthdays, etc. Well graduating is a pretty special occasion so the waitress wanted to know if  she should bring the saddle over for the twins.  Oh heck yeah, bring that bad boy over!!!!
     
    So with a little bit of coaxing each twin had their turn in the saddle as all shouted YEA HAW!!!!! Yes their faces turned a little red, but it was all in good fun and they laughed just as hard as the rest of us

                                                      Twin 2

  Twin 1

     And so now they're men and working in the real world. Twin 1 is a machinist, working for a company that makes surgical parts. His boss seems pleased with his work and he will be working full time (started today) It's a good job and the benefits are good. 
       Twin 2 will be working 3 days a week (his choice) for the month of July and goes full time in August. His employer also seems quite please to have him working there. They were happy to see he'd spent his bonus on a nice tool box that will help #2 to be a good employee.

   So we have 2 down and 2 to go. (although it's going to be a long while before the other 2 are even close) I am very proud of the young men who are my sons. They've struggled, but they've prevailed and they are on the road to success. Sure they'll have a little stumble here or there, but I beleive they've got what it takes to make it in this world. For now they'll stay living here at the house. I don't think I'm ready for them to move out just yet. Let me just enjoy not having to hound them to do their homework.

     

Feeling much more hopeful about the garden

  OK so finally the rain stopped long enough for us to get back in the garden!!!! I did have to replant the string beans and carrots, but the peas and radishes are thriving, the verdict is still out on the beets, but they like to be spread apart anyhow.

   With Dad's help we got the garden tilled till the dirt was nice and fine. Then twin #1 planted the corn (only a little curve to the row)

 We planted 4 rows of Butter and Sugar (bi-color) and 2 rows of  Silver Queen. The bi-color will come on quicker, so by the 1st week in August I'll have sweet corn!!! (YUMMY!!!!)
      
     I know we totally cheat using the bigger equipment, but hey, it sure does make my life easier to plant lots of corn that way. Plus it makes The Men happy to help in the garden!!

      It rained this morning, well actually a down pour, but hoping that didn't wash the seeds away and will just help them to jump up quick.!!

My poor garden

    We've had nothing but rainy, cold, damp weather for the most part this spring. The few days of sun we've had, haven't really been enough to till the garden and get it planted. The up side to that was the lettuce reseeded it's self. So I got out the rototiller (the one my PopPop used on his garden) and tilled up a row to move the lettuce to. Onions had restarted themselves, so I put those in the row too.

    Last Thursday it was dry enough, Pop could disk the garden for me. It was too wet to plow, so I got the tiller out and tilled up enough for peas, radishes, stringbeans, beets and carrots. And then the dry weather was over. The lettuce is still fairing well. Some of the stringbeans came up, but I'm thinking I'll have to replant most the row. Not sure about the peas yet. I *think* they're coming up since it's a straight row of something growing there.

      This is what my garden should look like by now

I should have radishes ready to harvest. I should have lots of tidy little rows of green. The corn part of the garden should be ready to be planted in the next week or so

 But no, it's just a big muddy mess with some lettuce and a few string beans poking their little heads out. I can't even bring myself to take a picture of it right now.

   So here's hoping that this rain decides it's had enough of dumping on my poor little garden and by this time next week I can plant the tomatoes, peppers and cucumber plants that are sitting in their planting pots just waiting to grow some yummy veggies for us to eat. In the mean time, I'll just be happy my livelihood doesn't depend on the weather conditions and pray for the farmers who do.