Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays

Ahh, it's been another week of birthdays. My oldest - Kage - celebrated his 12th birthday this past Wednesday. All three of my children have birthdays within a three-week time period in July and August. Middle child Mia will be the next - and the last - birthday of our birthday bonanza that we celebrate every summer.

Every year I re-tell each child the story surrounding their birth day. With Kage, I tell him about our expectation that he was going to be a girl.

Since he was our first baby, Sam and I decided not to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. We wanted to be surprised. Based upon his heart rate though (girls tend to have faster heart rates than boys in utero), the doctor suspected the baby was a girl.

The grandmothers and I went nuts planning for a baby girl - we bought adorable dresses and such. I did buy a neutral outfit for the baby's coming-home clothes, but for the most part, we were all convinced we were going to have a baby girl.

While I was in labor, just a couple of hours before the baby would be born, the doctor came in and looked at the heart rate monitor. She asked if we knew whether we were having a girl or a boy. I told her we thought probably a girl, but the two grandfathers (my dad and Sam's dad) were both hoping for a boy.

She smiled and said "Tell them not to give up hope yet." They were ecstatic. A couple of hours later we heard the pronouncement: It's a boy!

Thankfully, we had a boy's name picked out - not because I expected to need it, but just in case.

When Sam called his mother to give her the news he told her we'd had a baby boy and had named him Kage. He even spelled it - K-A-G-E.

A little while later, Sam's mom called back. She had misunderstood and told Sam's family "They've had a boy and they've named that poor baby Page!" Sam corrected her and once again spelled out the baby's name. K-A-G-E.

A little while later, I spoke with my mother-in-law. She asked how we'd come up with the name Kade for the baby. I told her the baby's name was Kage - spelled K-A-G-E.
I laugh about it now - and it makes a great story that I tell Kage every year on his birthday.

Now it's been 12 years and it's hard to believe how fast the time hast passed. When he was born, everyone told me I'd be shocked at how fast he would grow up.

Yep, that's the truth! Next year I'll have a teenager in the house. I don't think I'm prepared, but I guess I have a whole year to work up to it!

It's Christmas in July!

It's Christmas in July!

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Oops! I didn't mean to say that to you!

I get tons of email every day. To the tune of at least 100 emails each day. Understandably, I have scads of email addresses saved in my contact list. That makes it so much easier when I'm composing emails - to just simply type in the first letter or two of a person's name and my email pulls up the names that fit the criteria, then I click the correct one and I'm set to send.

Well, I'll warn you - make darned sure you choose the right email address and the right person. It's a little embarrassing to send a message to the wrong person. It happened once already to me this morning, then it almost happened again.

The first time was a little embarrassing but no big deal. I was sending an email to someone, when I typed in the first two letters of their first name, it pulled up their email address and the addresses for two other friends. I clicked on the wrong address. About half an hour later I realized my mistake and send an apologetic email to the friend who got the first email.

A little while later I went to send another email to another friend - whose first name happened to contain the same first two letters as the person I emailed earlier. As a matter of fact, this friend has the same first name as the friend I ACCIDENTALLY emailed.

I almost did the same darn thing - and sent the wrong email - again - to the same person that I mis-emailed earlier.

The first email was embarrassing because it was a silly mistake, the second email would have been embarrassing because it was a funny blog that was specifically meant for the person I was intending to email.

It would have been mortifying for the other friend to receive it! Honestly!

So the moral of the story: Double and triple check email addresses before you hit send!

Butterflies, bees and birds - oh my!

Every summer I look forward to my butterfly garden and the birds, bees, and butterflies that come to visit. This year's May 8 storm did some damage to my butterfly garden, and to be honest - with the heat, I haven't had as much motivation to get out and do much work in it.

Thankfully, nature takes over and my butterfly garden is doing well despite my lack of care. It is sprinkled with bright colors - orange from Butterfly Weeds and Daylilies, yellow from Yarrow, Daylilies and Blackeyed Susan, red from Bee Balm, and my rosebushes, purple from Catmint and Salvia.

Apparently the critters don't mind that I haven't been as vigilant with the weeds or as motivated with cleaning up and caring for my garden as in years past. In truth, the heat and rain that have been a constant part of the summer thus far have sapped my motivation. It doesn't seem to matter though - I just stepped out into my garden this morning and found a few Monarch caterpillars (they're going into the butterfly habitat today!), and was greeted by a Monarch butterfly and a hummingbird. Two Carolina Wrens have built a nest in one of the birdhouses I built last summer and several frogs have set up housekeeping in my little garden pond (which alas, desperately needs some work done on it).

While I haven't seen as many butterflies and birds and other critters as I have in the past couple of years, they are still there - enjoying the butterfly garden. Standing out there this morning reminded me why I enjoy my butterfly garden so much - because of the peace it brings me. When I'm feeling stressed or sad or just in need of a quiet moment to refocus myself, my butterfly garden is the perfect spot - and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I do need to do some weeding though!

Dairy Queen saved my baby

Since yesterday was my baby's, ummm, I mean my daughter's 8th birthday, I'll share the story of the night she was born. She loves for me to tell her this and every year starting with her first birthday, I have cuddled with her while telling her about going to the hospital.

Since Ruby has two older siblings, making the trip to the hospital meant my son and daughter needed to go with my parents. The only problem was, we couldn't find my parents!

It was a Wednesday night and they had went to church. Church was already over, but we couldn't find them (this was before they had cell phones). I had a sudden inspiration: People are here go to the local Dairy Queen to hang out after church on Wednesday nights.

We drove into town, hoping that we'd find them at Dairy Queen - and yep, there they were - snarfing on some ice cream.

The end of the story is, of course, a new baby born later that evening!

Time flies. . .

They say time flies when you're having fun, but it also flies faster the older you get. I never used to believe that time passed as quickly as older people said - until I got older myself.

The kids have been going to Vacation Bible School at a church down the road this week. I drop them off at nine and pick them up at 11:30. During their time at VBS I work around the house - do some writing, some housework and such. That two and a half hours goes so darn fast that it's gone before I know it!

In the same way, I can't believe that the summer is halfway over. I mark the middle to end of summer with my kids' birthdays. My youngest - Ruby - will be celebrating her 8th birthday on the 12th of July, followed by my oldest's - Kage - 12th birthday on July 22 then middle Mia's 10th birthday on August 3.

Yes, we have a three-week-long birthday blitz every summer. It's exhausting but fun. I remember being so excited I could bust when it came time for my birthday as a kid, but I don't get that thrilled anymore. My kids do, though, so it's fun to watch them and feel the excitement rippling in the air as they get charged up for their birthdays.

With kids, they know exactly how old they are - especially when they get close to their big day. I remember telling people I was 11 and a half because I wanted people to know I was closer to 12 than to 11. I also remember rounding up my age when I was a kid. Once I hit 15 and a half, I was suddenly 16 (even before my birthday). Age was that important when I was young.

My 37th birthday is in August, but I don't tell people I'm 37. In truth, if someone asks how old I am, I have to stop and think "Now how old am I? What year is it now?" and "Let's see, I was born in 1972, this is 2009, so since my birthday is in August, I am. . .36 right now."

Yeah, I really do that. I have to think about it. When you're younger you know exactly how old you are at any given moment while you're counting down to milestones (10, 13, 16, 18 - then I stopped), but once you get older a birthday seems like more of a non-event. My age doesn't bother me at all, though - which is obvious since I tell people what my age is frequently (maybe because I'm trying to make sure I remember?).

I used to think someone my age now was so old. My parents are almost 60 and that doesn't seem as old as I used to think. It must all be about perspective now.

I find myself looking at my kids and thinking "How did they grow so fast?" This week, I'm wondering how my baby has reached her eighth birthday so darn fast! The fact that my oldest will be a teenager next year has also thrown me for a loop.

I guess it doesn't really matter - time will pass quickly or slowly - either way, though, it will pass. I can't stop it - nor would I want to, although I'd be happy to slow it down just a little - sometimes.

Either way, I'm enjoying my thirties (even as I slide down the side of that hill that takes me to 40 - which doesn't bother me at all) and I'm loving watching my kids grow older.

So, Happy Birthday to my baby Ruby - enjoy each day and each birthday and may each one be better than the last!

Dear Soldier
"Thank you" seems woefully inadequate to say to the military personnel who fight to protect my freedoms.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1899828/dear_soldier.html

Am I a husband beater?

No, I'm not. Really.

But I did do something stupid last night that has give my husband and friends a good giggle - at my expense. I guess I deserve that.

Let me preface by explaining: I HATE being tickled, and I HATE having my toes messed with. Specifically, I can't stand having my toenails played with. My husband thinks it's fun entertainment to grab my bare feet and flick my toenails because I spaz out. I go into "whacking out" mode - kicking at him to get away and punching his arms to make him stop.

He knows I absolutely hate this. He thinks it's funny - I don't. At all.

Last night he grabbed my feet and started with the toe flicking thing. I wasn't in the mood and decided I wasn't going to put up with it. I wasn't really mad, in truth - just not willing to giggle and put up with it. So I punched his arm - very hard - with my right hand. After a few good punches - which obviously don't make him stop his toe attacks, he decided to block my right arm (because he says I hit too well with it), which left me with no alternative but to start with my left hand.

I couldn't get good leverage, so instead of a punch, I slammed my left fist down on his arm. It hit his shoulder instead and I felt something pop in my hand.

When I howled in pain the doofus stopped his toe assault, but it was too late. The damage had been done. I don't think I actually broke anything - but I do think I cracked a bone. It's not bruising - but it really hurts. And movement is somewhat limited - just because it hurts to do too much.

I don't want to go to the ER to have it x-rayed because I'm not about to tell them I hit my husband. They wouldn't understand even if I told the whole story. For the record, Sam is 6'2", 250 pounds of biker-type intimidation, I am 5 feet of mush - I really don't think I could hurt him if I tried.

So - am I guilty of spousal abuse? I don't think so. He started it.

For the birds. . .

I enjoy watching and feeding the wild birds that visit my yard. There are lots of them. I have birdfeeders and birdhouses (that I made myself!) here and there and I often enjoy sitting on my swing to listen and watch.

I have a pair of Carolina Wrens who have called my butterfly garden home for the past couple of years. They have built nests and hung out - singing their sweet songs as I sit and watch them.

Yesterday I noticed a nest in a tree limb about 20 feet up - directly over my butterfly garden. I took a pic and decided to keep an eye open for the birds that might have built it.

Today I think I saw the builders - a pair of Robins. The nest is too high for me to know if there are babies in it, but I'll keep an eye on it to see if I can figure out what's shakin'.

I danced with the devil. . .sort of

Well I did it - I held a tarantula. And I survived, but you figured that one out. I wouldn't be writing this and you wouldn't be reading if I'd died from fright.

I took my kids to the local library for a reading program about bugs. The presenter had a few live bugs for the kids to see and even hold - one of which was a tarantula.

Now, I'm not fond of spiders and everybody knows it, but I decided to do something adventurous and hold the tarantula. When the lady asked "Who wants to hold the spider?" I said "I do!"

My kids were shocked. They were certain that Mom was going to spaz out, but I am proud to report that I did it. She set the tarantula in my hands and the critter started to shimmy up my hand a bit toward my arm and I didn't throw it across the room.

My mother even took a picture of me holding the thing - although it sort of looks like I'm smiling. That is actually a grimace.

I am proud of myself - because I have discovered that I am more adventurous as I get older. Ten years ago I would have never even considered doing such a thing.

The best part is that I proved to myself that I could step out of my comfort zone and survive.

Facing my fear: Arachnophobia

I don't like spiders. I talk in depth about my arachnophobia in an article I wrote here.

I have tried hard to relax my stance on spiders. I try not to spaz out every time one gets near me. It doesn't always work.

In fact, as part of my rehabilitation I have allowed a spider to reside in our house. This is one of those furry black (and harmless) spiders who hangs out on the ceiling. He crawls from room to room in our house on the ceiling. We've named him Larry.

But I digress. This week there is going to be a reading program for the kids at our local library and there is going to be a tarantula on display. Anyone who wants to will be able to hold the darn thing (obviously there are nutcases out there who would like to do such a stupid thing).

I've found myself toying with the idea of holding the sucker in an attempt to overcome my arachnophobia.

So, friends and readers, what do you think? Should I do it?

There's a gun in the bathtub and a hammer on my head

There must be an unwritten rule that says a Mom's life is not supposed to be easy.

Yesterday was an officially unofficial "Bicker Day" in my house. We celebrated well into the night while my brains slowly leaked down the back of my neck.

My three precious wee ones chose to argue over lint, the weather, Monopoly money, who got the first whatevertheheckitwas and other intricacies of life.

I threatened to run away, sell them to a traveling gypsy, run away (they would find me and bring me back) and finally bring the hammer down - on my own head to put me out of my misery. I believe at one point I begged for someone to kill me or kidnap me but even strangers wouldn't get near me - they were afraid of the kids.

My life is stupidly interesting - who knew a boring life could be so exciting?

Case in point: For the last week I have had a recurring thought each time I step into the shower. It is: "I wish someone would move that gun."

Gun? In the shower? Yep. Only in my house.

You see, my brother gave my kids a water pistol that resembles a real pistol and of course they've enjoyed the thrill of the hunt with this gun. When they got finished with it the other day somebody threw it into the bathtub - where it stayed.

So for the last week every time I have stepped into the shower I have seen the gun and had the same series of thoughts: "I wish someone would move that gun," followed by "I wish someone would clean this shower."

Wait, clean the shower? Oh - that's my job. Which is why I wish someone else would do it.

Lo and behold - it happened though. Not the clean shower - the gun was removed! Hurrah! Huzzah! Whatever.

It now sits on my bathroom sink.

So now my thought process is "I wish someone would move that gun" followed by "I wish someone would clean the shower" with "I wish someone would clean the sink" close on its heels (and a slight aftertaste of "I wish someone would clean this bathroom.")

Where's that hammer?

What am I thinking today?

Not much.

It's a beautiful day outside and I'm in a funk. I've been stuck in funk for a few days now and I need to get un-funked.

Tomorrow I get the chance to get out of the house (and away from the computer!) to visit with real, living, breathing people who call themselves my friends.

I can't wait, but I hope it's not raining so our plans will be able to include playtime for the kids at the park.

Ahhh, I know - I'll pray for a butterfly - that always unsticks the funks in my life.

I love butterflies and seeing one is always a reminder to me that God loves me and nothing in my life is bigger than that fact.

I hate feeling yucky!

That's exactly how I feel today, though. Yucky. Miserable. Tired. Ready to go back to bed.

I'm supposed to be writing today - I have lots to get done, but I just can't think very well and I feel like a giant slug. Here's a poem I wrote to describe how I feel.

Why, oh why
do you betray me
flesh and bone and gray matter?

You cage and enrage
the real me
keeping me at your mercy
and beck and call

You scream at me
to sleep
to nap -
I must obey

I will pout -
incapable of ignoring
couch lure
while the keyboard
calls longingly
begging for my stroke

Oh to have such masters!
My body betrays me
and
chooses
the spinning wheel prick
- no guilt
sweet dreams
while the keyboard sobs
and plots revenge

Amusement parks, wooden roller coasters and near-death experiences

I just posted a slideshow and an article on my AC page about our trip to Holiday World Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana.

I hate wooden roller coasters, but I decided to give not just one, but two wooden roller coasters a go while at Holiday World. Stupid, stupid me. My trip on the wooden coasters is the basis of my article - so have a read and tell me what you think.

Will I ever go on another wooden roller coaster? Nope. Never. Ever.

Lord help me - it's a slumber party!

My two daughters are having a slumber part at our house tonight with two of their friends.

That means four girls in our house - ranging in ages from 7 to 12. It's not the first time we've done this and I love having a house full of kids, but I do need strength. Maybe another round of Diet Dr. Pepper to bolster my strength!

Animal Week on Tammy Planet

This has been quite a week for animals in distress.

First, Monday morning I was out for my morning walk and spied a turtle trying to cross the road. He was stuck in the middle of one lane while traffic tried to dodge him while trying to also dodge me.

I was sure he was going to splattered at any moment. When I was able to get close enough, I darted out into the road (no traffic nearby!) and grabbed him, then moved him the three feet he needed to go to the side of the road. I hope he didn't try to venture across the road again.

That evening as I was walking in front the driveway, I heard a kitten crying. I grabbed a flashlight then headed in the direction I heard the noise. Eventually I found myself in the neighbor's yard where a tiny, black and white kitten sat crying forlornly. As soon as he saw me and heard me talking to him he stopped crying and sat waiting for me to get to him.

I knew my neighbor didn't have any cats or dogs so I picked up the little guy. He was pitiful: One eye was matted shut and he was nothing but a tiny bag of bones covered by some furry skin.

I took him in and we cleaned him up and tried to get him to eat. We fixed him a box with a warm blanket lining it. The next day I bought some kitten replacement milk for him and we tried to get him to eat that. I had seen this illness before in a kitten and knew what the outcome was going to be - but I wanted to try.

We called him Moses - because I had found him. Unfortunately, Moses didn't make it - on Friday morning we found that he'd died in the night. He was with us such a short time but he quickly made a spot in our hearts. We thought that Thursday he was getting better and seemed to be trying to eat. He was even following us around the yard when we'd take him out to play.

The animal rescues continued with a baby guinea keet that fell into my mom's garden pond and almost drowned. She fished it out, and cleaned it up but the mother wouldn't let her get near to put the little guy back. I started thinking about her cat (who is actually my cat) snacking on the little guy (popcorn chicken snack!) - so I told her to bring him to me and I'd try to nurse him back to health.

I'm passing him off to someone else today (woohoo!).

I need to work on having a cold, black heart of stone instead of the gooey, mushy soft one I have.

Nice little vacation

Had a nice two-day vacation with the family (including my parents) this past week. We went to Holiday World/Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana.

It was a nice trip and the kids had a great time - actually, we ALL had a great time! I'm currently working on some articles for Associated Content about Holiday World and the hotel we stayed at - Santa's Lodge.

We only had to travel about two hours away from home - which made this an easy-on-the-budget getaway.

Keep watching my AC page to catch the articles when they are posted!

Hair coloring project

I posted last night on Facebook that I was undertaking a new hair coloring project. One friend who commented wondered how coloring hair could be considered a "project."

Well, I decided to put crayon red streaks in my hair - something I've always wanted to do but never put forth the effort to actually do.

I decided to give it a go - and I am thrilled with the results! I'll post a pic later.

I used to be terrified of doing anything that would show my individuality - I was always afraid of what people would think. Now that I'm older - I don't care what anybody thinks. I want red streaks in my hair - it's my hair, my choice.

And I loooove it!

Needing to update. . .

I've been lazy the past couple of weeks (or so). I've not invested much into my writing, but after chatting with a friend last week - I got a new motivation.

I decided to make some goals for myself and do some writing I had been putting off. I finally got around to submitting an article and a photo to Constant Content. I submitted a piece to a paying blog and book project. I submitted a poem to an online site.

Those, besides my regular writing gigs, have made me feel productive. This week I have more goals - we'll see if I actually complete them!

Another rainy day

I fell asleep last night to the sound of pouring rain.

I woke up - in the middle of the night - to hear reruns - all night long.

It's nippy outside, and everywhere I step I have to slog through mud. It's enough to make an optimist sad!

I know that the rains must come to remind us of how much we appreciate the sun. During the summer, we complain when it's hot and sunny, but we fail to appreciate what the seasons mean.

We must get plenty of rain in the Spring to saturate the earth and prepare for the coming Summer when rain might be scarce. Fall and Winter must come to give the plants and trees a season of rest.

Although I prefer all seasons except winter, the cold and frosty days of January make me long for even the chilly, rainy days of Spring - about which I am now complaining!

I'll try not to complain any more, though - ever day brings what it is supposed to bring - and we should take it as it comes - and make the best of it.

Soon enough, the plants that are hinting at beauty right now will be ablaze with color and encouragement - and I'll be able to sit outside next to my butterfly garden and enjoy.

I can't wait!

Eco-Friendly Activities for Kids

Are you looking for some fun ideas to help your kids go "green?"

Here are a few links that might help you out.

Check out Green Games for Kids for some earth-friendly games.

How about some general activities? Green Activities for Kids provides some ideas.

10 Tips for Helping Your Kids Help the Earth can give you some more ideas to get your kids involved in eco-friendly activities.

It's never too early to teach kids about recycling, reusing, and reducing waste!