I've been swined

I've had the flu this week. I'm doing fine- it's actually not been all that bad. I didn't get the fever which seems to have made it tolerable and I've been able to function most of the time. I'll be damned if I wasn't able to do laundry- shoot. Things I wasn't able to do include cooking. And that's about it. So family has been eating what they make- mostly oatmeal, fruit cups that are supposed to be saved for school lunches and corn chips. It won't kill them. I even got to watch Offspring make their own lunches! What a wondrous thing that was- I would like to see it more often. The nutella took a serious hit since they were in control of the spreading. In fact, the peanut butter was not even a part of the equation-just nutella sandwiches, pudding (Oldest Offspring decided to make pudding) and cheese sticks.

Other than the free reign in the culinary department, things have been running smoothly and I'm hoping to feel better soon. The flu has now moved to my chest as of this morning so I'm on the last leg of it's journey- my head and throat are feeling a bit better and other nasty things tat occurred are over as well. Nothing left but the hacking.

It's my friggin' birthday- I am unashamed

It is. I'm 43. My kids are in foul moods and so my dream day of a walk around Cleary Lake followed by a picnic has been turned into a quick walk around the neighborhood with Husband, dog and one daughter as the other threw a fit a block into it and turned around and went home- granted, she is in 5th grade and someone might have seen her. Now they are complaining to their dad about going to a restaurant for lunch. So, I'm down here crying in my blog. wyahh wyahh. I know, I know. Get a real problem.

and yes, I am begging for birthday wishes. So give me some!

Muffin says hi.

Muffin is now a mid sized kitten with a serious amount of energy- she runs through the house on loud stomping paws and her thunderous clomping can wake the dead. She's constantly pouncing on Fruff, who hates this and whines defensively until she realizes that kittens don't listen to whining and then she growls and pops the kitten a good one on her cute little noodle. When Muffin isn't terrorizing her elder she is grooming her favorite dog. She believes a tidy dog is next to godliness. She chews his toenails and dives head first into his ears to lick them clean. All I can say about that is, "ick!" She also enjoys a good wrestling match with his tail or a spar with his whiskers which he seems to tolerate where I would not were I of canine ilk. She climbed up and over me while I was on the computer and left some large scratches down my shoulder blade on her way down.

She will be "getting her nails done" when she gets spayed.

So long Halloween

I am pleased to say that Halloween was done well at our home. I'm equally pleased to say, "it's over!" We had fun but all that orange was beginning to get to me. I've put away the decorations and have a very toned down home. Whew. I'm always relieved that Thanksgiving is a more serious and drab holiday. Christmas is crazy so it's good to have a break.

I put myself back on the sub list and got some hours last week. This week I've got a day and a half to do. Poor me. I am doing preschool on Thursday afternoon and I love that! I got to be in there last week for preschool special ed and had a great time. And the shorter shift is a good fit. Friday I'm special ed para in the k-2 school. Youngest Offspring loves when I'm at her school. I know these days won't last so I'll take all the hugs and nonsense she gives when she sees me at school.

Kitty Muffin is growing and getting busier but she is absolutely, hands-down, the sweetest little kitten you ever met. The kids say she poops out all the evil because she's just so darn nice. Fine with me- leave it in the litter! She (the kitten) has taken up washing big dog's face as well as teething on his nails. She owns the dog, sleeps on him or curled up next to him every night, plays on him, rides him and fusses over him all day. They are such an unlikely couple- but very cute. He still has at least a 108 pound advantage over her but he's as gentle as a...as a...kitten! yeah, a kitten! Muffin and Fruff are pals now too but not quite so much love going back and forth, more like happy tolerance from Fruff until the kitten gets to be too much and then unhappy intolerance ensues.

We're hosting my folks and their dog for Thanksgiving. I got to them first and I think my brother wasn't too pleased. They are hosting a very large event but we're opting for quiet, casual and home.

Vampira cutie-poo

 

Here's another view of my handiwork. More photos soon from our adventures at "The Landing"

 

for buddha

I'm slow, I know- but here's some photos from our recent visit to the apple orchard. It was a muddy, horse poopy messy day, but it had a llama- and we all know, Buddha loves llamas.

Mowing and Sewing

That's today for you- I've mowed the back yard- hopefully, for the last time this year. I have sewed too- a vampire cape and I've gathered 5 yards of black tulle. I have five yards of red to do as well but I got frustrated. I thought I had a slick idea to attach the tulle to a skirt and then I wouldn't really have to make a skirt- well, it didn't work and I broke the needle on the machine. Now it's a mess- I will have to rip it off the skirt and actually make the skirt. poo.

I'm pretty proud of the cape though. photos to come once youngest offspring is in it.