My babies are here.....

They're getting settled in their new home.

Who couldn't love this face and those fluffy butts?

In the Words of My Dear Friend Amy....

"I haven't fallen off the face of the earth..." lol

There's just not a whole lot to write about lately. My life is oh so NOT exciting!
Of course, I rather boring over exciting most of the time anyway.

We've finished our first full week of school with no problems. Even Gracie likes school. Maybe I shouldn't say that and jinx myself?

I'm waiting on a call anyday now to go to work. I applied at the school board to work in the cafeteria. Oh so glamorous, I know, but you can't hardly beat the hours. I have to start off as a substitute and wait for something permanent to open. So really, it'll be last minute calls for now.

I'm so bored at home by myself. I finish all my work and there's no one here to mess it up for me to have to it over again! I feel so unproductive just sitting here twiddling my thumbs every day. I've also heard and seen way too much of the national news stations. I'm a news junkie when I can actually listen to it. And believe me, it's been so quiet here during the day, I'm listening to too much of it.

So yeah, that's all that's been going on lately. That's why I haven't bothered to bore ya'll. lol If something exciting happens, I'll write.

Conquering Fears.......

I'm so proud of my sweet girl. Two days in a row now, she has faced her biggest fear. Being with strangers....... I put her on the bus with her brother, sister and cousin this morning. She ran out to meet the bus and everything. But, once it was time to actually step on there, she wasn't so sure. She wanted me to go with her. Don't those sad little faces just break your heart? It didn't take long to talk her into getting on so I kind of ushered her up the steps before she could change her mind.

It makes me kind of sad because I feel like I pushed her into it all at once. I know it needs to be done but she is still my baby. I don't remember the other ones being so babylike when they started school even though they were the same age. Maybe it's just because she is my last.

Her teacher said she did well yesterday but she had a problem staying in her seat. Hey, I've already warned her that she's a handful. That's why she's in school this year. She needs practice before going to K. She's smart. She doesn't need to educational part, she needs the learning how to control herself part!

So, we've passed another milestone today. I've had a stressful week with these milestones. I've been dreading this week for a while now. I'm relieved that it's going better than I thought it would but I can't wait for the routine to actually feel normal. I just feel kind of out of sorts still.

Back to School......

It's that time of year again. This year I'm both happy and sad because my baby is going to school. I dropped her off this morning. It wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be but it wasn't nearly as easy as it was with the other two. This one has been attatched to me since the day she was born. It's just her personality I guess.

I went in with her and showed her where to put all her stuff. Then she saw puzzles and wanted to play so we put a couple of puzzles together. Then, the bell rang and I had to leave. Ugggg..... When I first told her I had to leave, she just said ok, but as I walked to the door she ran after me crying. The teacher's aide had to hold her so I could leave. It makes me cry but I know she'll be ok once she gets used to it. I just hope she starts having fun and doesn't cry all day. That just breaks my heart.

The other two are always ready for school. They love it. I'm so lucky that they're such easy kids.

My house is eerily quiet right now and I'm not sure I like it. This is the beginning of a big change in our lives. Nothing will ever be the same. No more babies at home, I plan to go back to work soon, the older two are so independent. When did this happen? On one hand I'm excited about it and on the other I'm not sure I'm ready for this!

Learning to can......

So, I wrote a while back about buying a canner and teaching myself to can. Well, I guess I didn't really NEED the canner. I've only water bathed so far but I WILL pressure can something soon. I think....... I'm building up to that.

This is what I have done so far.

I have grape jelly, apple jelly, hot pepper jelly, watermelon jelly, vinegar pickles, banana pepper rings and jalapeno pepper rings.

The grape jelly and apple jelly, I made from frozen juice concentrate but all the other stuff is fresh from the garden. Well, I didn't grow the watermelon(mine didn't come out this year), but my neighbor did! Aren't those shiny jars just beautiful? I have to say that the watermelon jelly is so good I want to eat it right out of the jar with a spoon. It's quickly becoming a famous item in Lacassine, La. lol

I was so nervous making my first couple of batches but I've relaxed and it's becoming quite fun. I really, really enjoy it. Even if you do just a few jars a day it really adds up. It gives me a sense of accomplishment to learn such an important skill. I mean, really, it's just jelly and pickles but it kinda goes deeper than that.

Today I have to deal with this......

But, I'm not complaining. I'm very blessed to have it to deal with. I love not having to buy peppers from the store. I just have to decide what to do with them. Can them, freeze them or dehydrate them?

What warm clothes does

to sleepy cats.
Can you see him?

Cleaning the Oven

I cleaned my oven today. I consider myself a pretty good homemaker but this is not my favorite chore. It's not exactly on the list of my top priorities. I'm ashamed to admit that it's been at least a year since I've done it. It was really, really bad. I would have been embarrassed had someone looked in there. YIKES! How does that stuff get in there anyway? I mean, it's not like I stand there and throw the food directly into it.

I'm not one to use many harsh chemicals in my house but there is a time and place for everything. Today, I made friends with a can of Easy Off. Thank God for this stuff or I would have put off cleaning the oven for at least another year. I left it on there for several hours and I still had some scrubbing to do. After about 45 minutes, it looks brand new!! Ok, maybe not BRAND new. There are a few spots that we'll just have to live with. I'm done. My legs are numb from kneeling and my hands are raw. I scrubbed straight through one of those sponges with the scrubber thingy on them.

Oh well, at least it's done now and I feel better about myself. ;-) I'll try not to let it go another year. I mean, it would be much easier if it were done regularly right? Or not...........

Note to self..................A self cleaning oven is worth the extra $$$.

Go forth ladies (and gentlemen) and take a look at your oven. Is it screaming in agony like mine was or do you take extra good care of it?