My life has been very typically My Life: chaotic, unplanned and flying by at an insane pace. Seriously, where does the time go? Where is all the time that was supposed to be available to me once all my kids were in school?

A very strong and convincing case could be made that if I was more organized/scheduled/Type A/anal I could get much more done. Yeah, yeah. I know. But where's the fun in that? On the other hand, where's the stress in that? Likely, nowhere at all.

So, I'm going to try to schedule my time better. And post it here so that I can be transparent...accountable...waste more time doing something other than what I'm supposed to be doing...

So, first things first: My Goals:

• Make some money
• Keep my house somewhat organized
  
• Develop my photography skills
• Read more
• Spend time baking and cooking and blogging about it (more on that later)
• Volunteer for the homeless, needy, etc.

How I plan to accomplish this:

• Organize my days, balancing what needs to be done with what I want to do

This week will be my trial-and-error week. I'll chronicle my attempts at whipping my life into shape and examine what works and what doesn't. I'd appreciate any constructive input from the more organized of my readers.

Warning: Not only am I very unorganized, I am also chock-full of good intentions that lead to nowhere. Only time will tell if that's what this post is all about or if I will finally change my bad girl ways. LOL!

I think Zach is going to be a scientist. He's always testing things, looking at them from other angles, trying to find new uses for things. For example, he was hanging out with me in the bathroom while I put make-up on when he found Tim's old contact case. It's one with lids that separate completely from the case itself, and he took them both off and started running water in the case where the contacts belong. He twirled it around over the sink, letting bits slosh out. He did this for awhile, wordlessly and with great concentration. Then he filled both containers again and, without hesitation, drank the water from one. At my exclamation, he spit it out, filled both sides again and put the lids back on.

Yesterday I went into the guest half-bath on the first floor, which is more like The Boys' bathroom than it is for guests, as they use it more than anyone else. On the shelf is one of those Renuzit cone-shaped air fresheners that is filled with the scented gel that slowly evaporates; this one is white peony scent (though the stuff is red). I noticed it was sitting on the edge of the sink, closed. "Who closed this?" I asked as The Boys looked on and I opened it back up. Out gushed water and the liquefied guts of the air freshener. "I did it," Zach piped up. "I wanted to see what would happen."

Of course you did.

I also found a 4 Him Christmas cassette tape, unraveled and tucked way back on the bottom of the entertainment center. After some investigation I found that Zach had pulled the tape out, then vacuumed it up. When that didn't work as he'd planned, he pulled it free from the vacuum cleaner and pulled more tape out-- just for good measure.

There's a bunch to be said of life with boys, and the first is that it's never dull!


BTW, I've now done my 2nd show as a Pampered Chef consultant and it's going pretty well. I have 2 more shows this week and 3 more scheduled for October so far. It's a nice change of pace for me and I'm enjoying making money for the first time in years (other than on eBay but that doesn't really count).

Have you taken a look at my reading list for the year? I'm very excited to be close to on-track for my 50 book yearly goal. I'm at 31 books so far and I've calculated I should be at 39, so I do have some catching up to do, but I think I'll make it! Yay! I should reward myself if I make it, huh? Any suggestions?

So my commitment to blog at least every-other-day has flown out the window. Had you noticed?!

I do have an excuse for the weekend: I was at a church women's retreat. It was fun, especially because I got put in a room with the other 3 Americans that went and we all went to bed at 10pm while the rest of the ladies cackled and howled into the wee hours of the morning. We were up at 5:45 and by the time we were freshly showered and made up everyone else was yawning, waiting in long lines for one of the 4 showers. Ha! It's the only way someone like me survives these things: sleep and shower.

And now for the excuse that will keep me away from the computer till at least Wednesday: I've become a Pampered Chef consultant. Or, more accurately, I will be one after my first show tomorrow night. I Am Nervous!!! And it's not like I know this nice gal that's agreed to let me learn what I'm doing while she and her friends look on; she's the hairdresser I went to for the first time last month! Then on Saturday I have my second show, for a good friend who is helping me out while earning oodles and oodles of free and half-priced high-quality kitchen products. (How'd you like that plug for the biz?!) Then 2 more shows next week, and 2 more the week after... Hopefully the bookings continue and I figure out what I'm doing quickly.

Anyway, I'm in the last minute panic of trying to learn what all the products are called and what they do and why they're better than your average Walmart stuff. I also have to think up a snazzy presentation and make sure I have all the forms and do-dads I need. Oy. I'm off to the store right now to get name tags and pens, and maybe a food scale (cuz they use those here).

So while I'm temporarily away from the blog, keep me in mind. Say little prayers for me, for confidence and grace. I'll be back Wednesday with a summary of the nights successes and challenges.

;) Ciao!


~REESE (I accidentally erased my little name image, and I don't want to go through the necessary steps to reclaim it.)

The Michelin Baby

Heather's husband Dan is always uploading funny pictures to his Facebook page. This one I had to repost because it made me laugh out loud!

A Valuable Lesson

Dad has no clue how to dress Barbie.


This was definitely a "had to be there" moment. McKenna tied on Barbie's shirt way too tight and I couldn't undo it. She was sure her dad could and I warned her there was no way he would know how to take care of it. He sure took care of it his own way, he ripped it off and busted the straps. McKenna was almost in tears when she realized he had broke her Barbie shirt. Next thing you know she is telling him to put it back on her, so he ties it in a knot around her neck and there you have it. You can't really tell but it's kind of a halter type shirt and Dan just tied the the straps around her neck without putting the shirt all the way on, so it's just dangling around her neck. McKenna was NOT happy, not even a little bit.

Mark's Thoughts

Today was my day to post. Reese and I are really trying to commit to keeping up with the blog because it is important to us. I had a really hard day at work. Things are just crazy. I asked my boss to figure out how to clone me so there could be an "at home" Heather and an "at work" Heather. I hate trying to find the balance and get it all done.

Here it is 9:30 p.m. and I had no idea what I was going to post about until Mark came in the room. He's such a funny kid. I had no intention of posting about Michael Jackson or his death. I have my own thoughts on it and it really doesn't matter what I think but one thing I didn't realize is how confusing Michael Jackson could be for our children. I mean, they didn't watch him "evolve".

Dan was watching part of MTV's tribute to MJ when Mark walks in and says "oh, is this about the boy Michael Jackson or the girl Michael Jackson?" Dan and I had no clue what he could be talking about so we tell him there is no girl MJ. He then says "What do you mean? He was once a black boy and turned into a white girl." Now, that's confusing, and looking at his pics I can see where Mark got that assumption.

They also showed MJ singing with Slash from Guns N Roses and Mark says "Hey, that's the guy from Guitar Hero" Dan told him that he was much more popular than Guitar Hero and Mark said "Why, because he has a funny hat, big hair and you can't see his face?" Uh, yeah Mark, that's why!

Truthfully, that conversation made me feel a little old. There is no way that Mark can understand at his age why MJ or Slash are popular because they are so different from the artists of today. It's kind of like when my mom had me listen to The Beatles and artists of her time. At 11, I just didn't get it...and, none were nearly as confusing as MJ.

I hope this doesn't come across disrespectful, because it's not my intent. Just a glimpse into my 11 year old's head.

The Summer Reese Wears Dresses

There was a time in the not-so-distant past that the thought of wearing something that the majority of the population deemed ugly would have sent me into a panic. Not any more. With my 30's came a new-found confidence. Very little actually intimidates me as far as clothing is concerned. (Unless it's seriously immodest- I don't like to go there.)

I've wanted to find some dresses for the summer time; something flowing and airy, not too short (it gets awfully windy here), and low cost. I've dubbed this summer "The Summer That Reese Wears Dresses" but only had two that looked like they belonged outside a church. Today at the BX I decided to have a quick browse to try to expand my selection.

Since I've started a weird patchwork burn/suntan pattern on my shoulders and back, I decided to look for something strapless. Viola!


Sean's comment? "You're not going out in that are you?!"

Kristine's comments? "No comment." (Then she commented.) "You look like you're going to a luau." And: "I'm sitting here in the van. There's no way I'm going to be seen with you in that!."

Actually, as soon as I slipped it over my head in the fitting room I heard my friend Linda say (in her distinctive African-British accent), "I don't like it." She's very honest that way. She doesn't like the color of my hair either. But she loves me.

As for me:

• Red hair? Bring it on!
• Pigtails? Bring it on!
• Wildly unpopular dress that drags the ground and is in a crazy design? Bring it on!
  

Useless Inventions

My oldest son was telling me about some useless inventions he and his friends had come up with (silent car alarms, solar powered nightlights), and it got me thinking about the truly useless inventions out there.

Like this: the contraption that keeps noodles from splatting your face while you slurp them.


Pure genius!

Click here for Time Online list the top 10 useless inventions. I'm digging the alarm equipped fork!

And The Piercings Continue...

Since Heather and I have a history of sharing when we get pierced with things (click here and here for a reminder), I knew I had to post this one. After teaching at youth group on Wednesday night I got home and effortlessly stepped on a sewing needle. Do these things ever take effort? Well it took effort on the part of the person (Little Boy, no doubt, though no one is 'fessing up) who dug around in my sewing box and carried the needle down to the living room), who not only left one needle on the floor, but Sean found another one after I left for the ER.

Why go to the ER and not just yank it out myself? I was asking myself the same thing for about an hour-and-a-half after it happened. See, I took out "Taking Care of Yourself" (military issue medical book) rather than the needle. When it asked if I'd had at least 4 tetanus shots (I don't think I have, though my last one was in 2007) and if there was any "foreign material in the wound" (duh!), I suggested to Tim that we call the ER before pulling it out. They always "err on the side of caution"; they told me to come in.

Here I am filling out paperwork before the x-ray to see if the needle had hit the bone. (It hadn't.)


The craziest thing about the whole experience was how fun it was. Tim and I haven't had a lot of time together lately, as he is putting in overtime at a second job. As soon as he was told that I had a needle in my foot, he hung up with a client and took good care of me. At the ER the techs, nurse and doctor ribbed me mercilessly and it was fun. We even took out the camera and recorded all the moments we could. Here I am being goofy, still waiting for the x-ray tech.

When it first went in, the only part showing was the eye of the needle. Grossly enough, I pushed on the top of my foot and it stayed at this level the rest of the time, till the doc pulled it out with pliers.


Here's the Staff Sergeant that set off all the teasing when I first got there. He asked me, very seriously, how it had happened. The nurse laughed and said "How else you you get needles in your foot?!" He answered, still serious, "Maybe she did it on purpose." That was it. After that they started teasing me about clearing needles out of every room before they wheeled me, lest I stab myself purposefully again. SSgt P ended up being the one to clean my in-a-flip-flop-all-day foot. Eew!


After it was removed.

Continuing the interesting experience with an airman and the British EMT on duty. That EMT had a blast. I was surely the most interesting case to come in all night.


And afterward, Tim and I had dinner together! What a great way to end a very interesting day. I'd take another needle in the foot for a fun evening with Tim, but I'd probably pull it out myself next time.

My Flowers, The Garden & The Fish

I just had to come today and show you how my flowers are growing, they are turning out so pretty.

Also, I have decided to do a garden this year. The plants I have growing right now are 1 watermelon, 4 cucumbers and 9 sugar snap peas. Right now we have this fencing over it to keep the dogs out. The plants are starting to weave their way through the fencing now so we are going to have to figure something else out.


I've also decided to clear out an area of our yard and I'm going to plant corn, more watermelon, cantaloupe, maybe some more peas and a green pepper.

Here is the area I'm clearing for that.

When I first started it looked like this

As you can tell our backyard is a big, nasty jumbled mess so I'm so excited to see what I can do with it this year. I've always wanted to grow a garden, I just never gave it a try. Apparently this year I felt the need to really go for it. I can't wait to just go out back and grab corn on the cob for dinner!

Oh, and here are my new little friends. I turned one of my wine barrels into a fish pond. We started out with 9 fish and are down to 5. I'm hoping these ones survive okay. It's so nice when you are working in the backyard to hear the sound of the fountain going.

?

Does James Bond ever take a sip and exclaim, "Wait a minute! This has been stirred!"?

Firsts

A partial lists of my "firsts" from the past few weeks:

• I started the camera class. Finally, someone is explaining my Canon to me. My knowledge has increased by 200%, which would really be saying something if I'd had any level of understanding in the first place...
• I listed to The Beatles. Then I listened to them again. And again. And again. And again. And... I'm not a fan. I wouldn't have even listened the first time, but Tim decided to really acquaint himself with their music, and since his studio is across a tiny hall from our bedroom I had to listen too. I'm glad I was born after their prime.
• I bought a U2 CD, then I listened to it. I've always had a hunch I'd like them if I took the time to listen. I was only 25% wrong. Yes, I like them minus 25%.... whatever that means.
• I started reading Peter Pan. JM Barrie had the most enchanting imagination. I hope he's in heaven. I want to chat with him.
• I met with a neurosurgeon. Fun stuff. He wants to cut my neck open and drill my offending disc out. I'm not so sure.
• My daughter gave me a pedicure last night. Lucky for me, she's decided she wants to be a cosmetologist. I have cute red toenails right now.
• I cleared out the space under the window in my bedroom and put a small desk there, which is where I'm sitting right now. It's my space and I love it! I don't have many spaces that I have any control of in my house- my techie husband has indulged in his love of technology and what I want comes second. There was a time that this arrangement used to infuriate me. Now I love him for who he is and appreciate small victories, like desks under windows that are all mine. I have just begun to decorate my space: I have a picture of fairies in a meadow, the pressed flowers my Grandmother framed over my great-great Grandmother's napkin and gave me, a few writing books and my Bible, and a ladybug mug with pens and pencils. My mom called me "ladybug" when I was little. I love ladybugs. I also have pictures of my brother Jason, Jonas, my friends Alberto and Christina and their family, and the picture of me squeezing Tim's American buns the day he got home from Kuwait in 2007. (That's a post I never got to!)

Any firsts for you these days?

I Love Where I Live

Today around 4:00 Dan decided to go for a motorcycle ride, but then he decided he should wait for me to get off of work. That was a good thought. Some of you may remember, I love to go on the motorcycle. It's actually the place that I think and pray the most. I have nothing to do back there but thank God for the beautiful surroundings. There is no one else to talk to, so I may as well talk to the one who made it all.

This trip was especially beautiful because this one of the times in the year that everything is green and the wild flowers are blooming everywhere. The other especially pretty time of year is the fall, the colors are even more amazing then.

When we got to the look out point, here is the view that was waiting for us:

Also, McKenzie had her first set of surgeries today. She had a feeding tube put in her tummy and her lower eye lid done. She's doing very well and the surgery was successful. I'm going to Portland tomorrow evening with some friends for a girls' night away and then Saturday we will bring Bethany & McKenzie home! Please continue that she stays healthy and that there are not any complications.

Pure Torture? How About These Movies?

Fox News posted this list of movies that are pure torture to watch. Do you agree?

• Basic Instinct 2
• Battlefield Earth
• Catwoman
• Gigli
• From Justin To Kelly
• The Postman
• Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot
• Striptease
• Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2
• Waterworld

I've seen Catwoman, The Postman, Stop or My Mom Will Shoot. I fell asleep during Waterworld. It was a long, long, long time ago.

They forgot to add "White Chicks". (Sorry, Dan.)

My Newest Obsession!

My name is Heather, and I'm addicted to flowers!

Seriously, I think I have a problem, although, it is a pretty one :) I have always wanted a pretty yard but have recently come to terms with the fact that I won't have one due to several reasons. One of the reasons is we have three dogs, the other is that our backyard is situated so that there is never any shade and it gets over 100 during parts of the summer and my flowers just die back there. We could plant trees and try other methods, but with three dogs it just doesn't work. We did put gravel in the backyard and turned it into a volleyball court and also put a fire pit back there, so that's fun.

I'm getting away from my original post. I've found that I really enjoy planting flowers, watching them grow and the last couple of weekends have been so beautiful that I just haven't been able to resist. So, here's the front of our house now. Last year the only flowers I had were the ones in the oblong wine barrel down on the ground. Now, look what I have done. I have my eye on a few more additions too!

None of these look fantastic, but I know in a few weeks they will have spread out and filled out their pots and when they do, I will take more pics :)

This pot is right at my front door

This is the only pot I had last year out front. Here is what it looked like then. This barrel is on the right side of my stairs.

My newest addition. I put this together Sunday night. It's my Mother's Day present! LOL! I had to buy it early because there are only two stores in town that have these barrels and once they are gone, they don't get anymore. It's on the left side of my stairs.

Looking at the house from the bottom of the stairs, along with our cat, Callie.

These pots are on either side of the stair case at the top. I was supposed to go back to the store and buy two flowers to go in my hanging baskets and I came back with enough flowers and pots to do two of these. I left them in the car so Dan wouldn't figure it out and made sure to have them in place before he got up the next morning. Pretty sneaky!

Here is the other one on the other side of the stairs. The pot that isn't really blooming yet are going to be full of daises! I can't wait, they are my favorite flower!

This is the view from one side of the porch

Here is the other side of the porch :)

Here is the view from the street.

I am sure I have bored you to death, but Reese was wanting to see my obsession.

None of this was here when she left 4 short weeks ago!

Stay tuned..American Idol tonight! Reese has a fun little poll going on to see

who we think will leave tomorrow.

iPod Shuffle

I had an optometry appointment today, and while my eyes dilated so the doc could stare deep into my soul, I started the iPod on shuffle to see what I came up with. It took awhile so I managed 15 songs. Here we go:

1. When I Grow Up by Nicole C Mullin
2. Tonight Tonight Tonight by Genesis
3. Author of Life by Phil Joel
4. See You by Shaun Groves
5. We Make Alot of Love by Harry Connick, Jr.
6. Easy To Love by HCJ
7. The Cinema Show by Genesis
8. Chanson du Vieux Carre by HCJ
9. Open Skies by David Crowder Band
10. Never Die by Creed
11. Easy To Ignore by Sixpence None the Richer
12. Child by Tait
13. Say It by Rihanna
14. Lord, I Don't Know (Live) by Newsboys
15. Words I Couldn't Say by Rascal Flatts

Hearing the Phil Joel song reminded me of a funny moment in Oregon a couple of weeks ago. I was talking to my Dad and brother, trying to remember the name of "that bassist that used to be with The Newsboys, you know the one that made a couple of albums on his own... the blond guy with the long hair?" My Dad gave me a goofy smile, "You mean Phil Joel? How could you not think of that right now?!"

My Dad's name is Phil, my brother's is Joel.

Duh.

Update! My American Idol tid-bit: if you need a reason to love my Matt, click here. This is the night I became his cheerleader!