B*I*N*G*O* !!!!!

Yard Sales???

Do you like 'em? Do you hate 'em? Do you even care?

Well most of the time I don't. Because the thought of going to various people's houses who are mostly complete strangers and digging around and looking at their stuff kind of freaks me out. I used to go... when I only had two little squirts but now I have 5!!

After T-man was done with T-ball the entire family went to a few yard sales. I didn't find anything that I wanted, but I did score a find for my sister in law. What was the find? Well, you see they have had this problem with a leaky waterbed, and haven't had a bed to sleep on for a while because of a bad leak. They have ordered a new one, but they are still waiting for it to come in. B-I-N-G-O !!! I see this brand new box, might be a little old, but the original box glue is still in tact, and the condition of the box looks great. I call her while I'm at the yard cell, and asked her about her problem and whether or not they had it solved.. and then she told me the above situation. I told her I was holding a brand new (even if it was a few years old) King Size Waterbed Mattress, and the guy was willing to go $15.00. She was asking me questions about it, and then he said, if they really want it, I'll go as low as $10.00. She offered $7.00 and he said, he was pretty confident he could get $10.00. So she went ahead and told me to get it for her. Awesome!! A really good find, considering the one they are buying is costing them at least $100.00. So I'm glad that I could help her out, at least a little bit, considering she's helped me out a ton. With good deals.

So my point is, I like this "free" way of communicating that goes on between us. We try to pass on the good "steals and deals" that we find, and let each other know about them. We usually know what each other are looking for, and try to keep an eye out for those things. It's great.

I think that GOOD lines of communications need to exist in order for a good relationship to exist and succeed. Because really, who wants to be a part of something where there isn't any talking, or listening going on, and you feel completely alone because of it. This can be true with our spouses, our friends, and family members.

All I have to say is that I have some very FUN, BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, sisters in law that I get the privilege of being a sister to. I was the oldest in my family and was pretty much out of the house when all the other kids were going through high school, we all had different ideas and different goals, and different interests. (Which isn't always a bad thing) But I feel like I can call these ladies up and really let them know how I feel, and get a hug, or a listening ear whenever I need one, and they would try to give me the time of day. I'm thinking of two in particular, one is a few years older but since we have kids that are all about the same age, it doesn't feel like there is a 6 year gap between us, and the other one, is a few years younger. The more time we get to spend together the closer the bond. I'd do anything for them, and help them out in a pinch too!! Hey what is family for??

So the next time you are at a yard sale, think about your family, and how much they mean to you.

It's amazing how each family member has a little something different and unique about them that when combined altogether makes up a GREAT FAMILY. I always feel like a dork around them, because they are mostly all older than me, and I tend to ramble, and talk WAY TOO MUCH, but I don't know if they truly understand how loved I feel around them, and feel that I am really a part of their family.

I'm Back .....

Okay I'm back....

I need a different place I can go, and just be myself and not care who really is reading this. Sometimes I'm sassy, sarcastic, staunch, rude... have been known to be crude, but really all I want is a place I can call MINE. Because let me tell you it isn't happening in my house at the moment. Even my room has been taken over, by my kids, my clothes, my crap, everything is EVERYWHERE.

Wasn't always like this, I kept the place immaculate and perfect
decent all the time. I knew where things were, and it was mostly put away. And if it wasn't, like I said, I knew where it was. But at least here, I'm in complete control of what goes in, and what comes out. I focus on my family in the other blog that I have, but I really want to be SELFISH for once, and have a place that is all for me. So here it is and here I go. Into the world of ... what I call MY LIFE. It isn't grand, glorious, awesome, cool, happening, or likable (my life that is and not me) but this it what I'm all about, and where I can really be me. Want to know me better this is definitely where to check back and read more on me as I get ready to blow my mind on what I can possibly be capable of.

My roles consist of (and in no particular order) : Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Niece, Granddaughter, Sister in Law, Daughter in Law, Cook, Laundry doer, Missing shoe finder, disciplinarian, Fixer upper, question answerer, band aid putter-onner (if that's even a real title), dish doer, homework helper, taking care of the crying child in the middle of the nighter, problem solver, fight stopper, bathroom cleaner, photographer (amateur at all levels), and I'm sure there are 100's of others... so there isn't any wonder that I might feel like a failure most of the time, because I don't do all of these very well all of the time. I'm lucky if I can even get a shower every day let alone ... do the dishes, or clean the toilet, sometimes I'm lucky and have dinner ready by 5pm but, homework comes next, right into the "it's time for bed" moment. And it's just so crazy busy that I have no time for ME!!

Well, now I hope to change all that. I'll complain, I'll rejoice, I'll praise, I'll nag... I'll wonder, and then I'll know that I'm still only a daughter of God, and that if I'm important to him, I most definately must be here for a reason... and I shouldn't be so hard on myself. My kids aren't perfect by any means, neither is my husband (even though he thinks it), but most of the time I am. That's right. I said, that most of the time, I am perfect. I am perfect - ly doing the things I can when I can do them. I tend to be hard on myself .. when the dishes don't get done, like they are right now, or when I have 10 loads of laundry that need to be folded and put away, and clothes all over the house that really have no business being here other than they hitched a ride in on a brown box we call "packages from Great Grandma". I try to be dilligent and get the stuff out right away if we don't NEED it, but sometimes, I forget and then I have chaos everywhere.

Aaaghhh when will my house ever look like a home again, without slaving hours upon hours and still feeling like it accomplished absolutely nothing.... SOMEDAY, that wish will come, and then I'll wonder what happened to my kids?? That will probably mean they are all grown up and not running around screaming in their underwear refusing to get dressed because they are perfectly comfortable running around practically naked because it's HOT.

So since I can't win them both I might as well just sit back and enjoy the ride, because sometimes it can be quite funny.

Where the Heck did my life go???

I really enjoy when a day goes exactly how I have it planned. Know why?? Neither do I!! But it has something to do with low expectations and let come what may. I don't like to stress over the little things, there isn't any point in it.



I used to stress over the small things, and occasionally I still do, but I try not to let it bother me often. Being a mom of 5 kids, I'm kept rather busy, and a lot of times feel like I'm just treading in water rather than swimming towards the other side.



I was talking with my friend tonight and realized that I'm not the only one that has these feelings. I sit back somedays and ask myself, "Is this really my life??" -- where has all the time gone and what am I working towards. I do the same things over and over almost everyday and ... well frankly it starts to get to me. I need to regroup and rethink what's going on.



I've discovered that life isn't what happens, it's what you make happen. I can't just sit back and just let things go on around me, while I'm stuck in neutral and just kind of sitting in "idle". I need to be more proactive in what goes on around me and what I want to do. I need "ME" time, and I really need to have focused daily goals everyday.


It's not just enough to let life happen, but to be actively involved in my life. I don't want to wake up in another 30 years (when I'm 61) and wonder WHERE THE HECK DID MY LIFE GO???
So I'm going to try and enjoy my kids more, but hopefully find a way that I can do that while enforcing good habits in the way of cleanliness, and hygiene, and being polite, and etc...

I sure wish there was a simple parenting handbook that was called something like " Parenting for the unmotivated, and lazy and plain just boring people" Because sometimes that how I feel I come across, but really, I'm not that lazy -- it's all just sleep deprivation, and that makes me tired and when I'm tired do I feel like I want to do anything. HECK NO!! I'd rather rest and relax than make myself exert any energy that's barely left in my resevoir. Maybe that's just how life is when there are so many young kids just out trying to "ENJOY" themselves at the expense of one person. ME!! Mom!!!

Here's to being more proactive in my life !!!

In my arms....

I really enjoy laying with a good book and reading. What's even better?? When my two year old wants to come snuggle up in my arms and there is no one else around and no noise and he lays down and falls asleep and starts snoring. His little body is so constantly busy that I forget how precious this little guy really is.

And with the reality eating at me that he might possibly be my last child.... my heart is trying to soak up all the love and joy he brings to me. His silly little grin, he's very beginnings of trying to talk. He's also (when he's not throwing a fit) trying to please his mom. Oh, that's me!! Lucky me . I enjoy getting to spend time with this little guy, and as I feel with all my children. I love to see them happy, and learn and grow. I can only pray that my efforts, with the help of a loving Heavenly Father will be enough to create their solid foundation .

What do you want?????

I seriously considered dropping of my now 2 year old at the nearest person to me, when all he did while I ran into the store to buy 2 dozen eggs for dying. It all started when I got him out of the car..... I unbuckled the little guy, and the first thing he did was WHINE OUT LOUD that he wanted something... but because of his lack of communicating verbally with any remote sound of a word... I had a hard time figuring out what he wanted. I realized that he wanted his Easter bucket with him in the store... apparently they are best friends now and I wasn't aware of this fact.

Then while we were in the store to prevent the 2 year old and the 4 year old from running all over the place I got a shopping cart and placed the 2 year old in the seat at the top and the 4 year old in the basket part. And the 2 year old placed his bucket in the basket part as well. All was fine for the rest of the 30 seconds before I got the eggs in the cart, and then he started WHINING out loud over and over!!! He wanted in the basket, then he wanted out, he wanted on the side than he wanted in the seat again, and this went on over and over. I'm finally at the checkout counter with just 2 dozen eggs and a calm 4 year old sitting nicely in the basket while I'm getting those "grinned" stares simultaneously with my 2 year old wailing and wailing and starting to throw himself backwards while I'm holding onto him in my arms ..... and I tell you I about lost it right there... I had to keep counting to 10 SILENTLY OUT LOUD IN MY HEAD in order to make it through that torturous little trip to the store.

But then I discovered why he was throwing a fit.... guess??? That's right he wanted to HOLD the EGGS. From the minute I put them into the cart until I drove all the way home ( a total of 5 minutes or less) he screamed, and then some after we came into the house. Poor little guy, he didn't understand those ones are "BREAKABLE" -- someday maybe, he'll catch on.

And I'm only writing this so that I have a record of it later... but also to have it be one of those FUNNY stories when he gets older. (Just remember, Ethan, I love you!)

Okay so this is a blog I wanted to start all about me, for me, and what makes my day, what drives me crazy, and the things that others do for me that make me feel glad to be ALIVE!!!
Thus the name " My Cliffs of Insanity" was chosen. Because it doesn't take much before I need a break, and if I don't get it...... I'm one step closer to jumping of that cliff. So in a way this is a place for me to "vent" and "rant" and "praise" and "Thank" when it's called for, so that I can keep my feet planted solidly where I'm at.

I'm not perfect by any means, I have a hard time doing all the things I'm supposed to. I'm nearing the ripe old age of (shhhhh 31) in just a few weeks and I'm thinking, what am I doing?? My house is constantly in shambles, I feel used and abused most days. I'm like a maid working for a not for profit organization experiencing the effects of a rough economy.

I'm not a fashion guru. I know, but it's sad too, when my favorite pair of jeans have a hole in the knee and just look completely stained ( with oil stains etc....) And the rest of my jeans ALL have holes in the knees as well. I don't spend a whole lot of time on my knees but apparently enough to wear them out.

I'm not a beauty queen. I wasn't one that you would have thought a HOT BABE in high school. ( At least I don't think I was) I do attempt to wear make up more frequently now, because I'm showing signs of wear and tear. And I feel "prettier" if I have the make up on, but all the time and effort to just forget to wash my face before I go to bed.... blah ---- most of the time I go without the make up though. That' s how I am most of the time and when my husband fell in love with me, I was a plain JANE!! So at least I don't have to try and impress anyone right now. Right??? He loves me and that's all that matters.

I was athletic at one point. Not so much anymore... . something I want to remedy in the near future. Good thing spring is upon us, and the warmer weather is here. I'm so out of shape now, especially having five kids and not taking anytime for myself to stay physically active. Shame on me.

I try to be a good friend. Heck that's one thing I try to EXCEL at . I think having friends are important. And I don't mean " My husband is my best friend and that 's all I need..." Because he's a man, he doesn't understand the same things that I feel. But you know who does??? Or who might??? My friends of the female kind. They don't judge you, (at least not in your face) they seem to be understanding, loving, and offer advice or suggestions of things to help correct a situation. Not everyone I meet comes across as a genuine person but once in a while I'll find someone like that. Those are the ones I stay connected with. So count yourself lucky if I still have found ways to connect with you. So that's just one thing I can't stand and that's fake people. Saying one thing in front of you.... but doing something completely different out of your sight. I get the vibes, then I wait, I watch, I listen, and then I make the final conclusion.... if all the above add up ... then chances are I don't want to really continue a friendship with you... it's more like an "acquaintanceship". I'll still say Hi, and have casual chit chat, but forget about the deep and satisfying kind of conversation.

I don't like to be mistreated, so I try not to mistreat others. If I do..... usually it's a lack of communication or understanding.

I know that I'm a daughter of God, and that all things I try to do, I hope allow me closer to reaching my end result. To return to live with him again. I know that things are hard, I know that trials are a part of life. But with Him all things are possible.