Well Happy Freakin Halloween.

For MONTHS I have been getting together the kids costumes. I have drove all over, scoured goodwill and the Salvation Army, trying to put together or add to the costumes they had to have last year. BUT didnt get to wear. Cause they got in a BUNCH of trouble the week of Halloween.

I was SOOO looking forward to this year. I LOVE halloween. I planned on taking the kids to various realitives houses, then to a carnival uptown.

I had let Rayley spend last night with my mom, so at 1:45 I went to get her. When I got home there was a missed call from the school. So, I called my voicemail. After going through 24 messages I got to the important one. Brett had recieved his 3rd bus referal for misbehavior and was being suspended next week for 3 days.

I called the school back. The principal was busy. I fiqured this stemed from the altercation that Matt got in this week. He had came home and told me that he had hit a kid. Come to find out this is the kid that sliced Bretts finger last week with a broken pencil sharpener blade, (cut it pretty bad too), and the one that had ripped Bretts backpack earlier in the year, and was constantly kicking Matt and hitting him in the top of the head. The kid is in 5th grade. Well, he managed to kick Matt in or around the stomache on Wen. I think. And Matt popped him in the face, making his nose bleed.
BUT she had said BRETT. this happens alot. Brett actually got in trouble at school one year and was home sick that day. It was Matt in the first grade hallway, a teacher saw 'brett' down there, and when asked was told by 'Brett' that he was 'Matt' and supposed to be there. When pushed he swore he was (have I mentioned this kid has HIA syndrome and doesnt always 'get' things?) who he said he was. When she turned her back to tell some kids to quit running he ran. strait to class. This took alot of straiting out. She didnt see him disapear into the crowd, he never said a word and she couldnt 'find Brett' again. So she told on him. Easily fixed.

BUT the principal also said "this is his 3rd write up". UHHHH NO. I have NOT heard a SINGLE thing from the school. Granted, there had been a few issues, but with out school intervention I wasnt worried about it just yet. My boys aint angels and I am sure they were doing something to instigate or at least agervate this 5th grader.

SOOOOO. She calls me back. I told her that I had NO knowledge of these write ups and to my knowledge I always have to sign and return ANY write ups that they recieve. Had I known they were already in trouble I could have taken measures to stop the behavior. But, this was the first I had heard about any problems.

Oh yes, she assured me, they were in her office just yesterday. Both boys. I told her I knew nothing. And she wanted to know why they wouldnt tell me. Uhhhhh Cause they are boys, they aint that dumb and they KNOW they would get in trouble.

I said they wernt perfect. But they are smarter than your average bear. So then she said "well, Brett mentioned it would be a problem being driven into school"
Uhhh yep. I aint wastin 100.00 to drive him back and forth. he can stay here and work his rear off instead.

She did admit that she was lax in not following up on their previous reports. And I agree'd. There is NO way that I could have gotten away with not giving over a note as a kid. If it didnt come back the NEXT day, they were calling. I know. I tried that ONCE. on a paper I had failed that had to be signed. I never tried it again. But come to find out, they had also been in back in September. No note then either.

Well today Brett had gotten in trouble wiht out Matt. I am sure he did it. The first two were for bouncing around in the seat and throwing paper balls. Today was cause a girl had set in his seat and when he got on and told her to move out of his assigned seat (which I am sure he did) she got up and moved. But apparently he assisted her in moving. And then the bus driver told him to come up front and he ignored him. (both boys swear he never said to come up front) so the bus driver stopped the bus and walked back to get him. On the way he 'spoke' to some friends. I will take this as he was being a brat and showing off.

Anyway, she recinded the suspension. this time. So when BR woke up I told him. I also told him what I thought should happen punishment wise. I asked him to take care of it for me.

They dont really listen to me, they do, but NOT like they do their daddy. when he speaks they listen. When I speak they pretend to listen. Unless I twist off. Now they are semi good. And in their defence I do boss them around alot. Go brush your teeth, go to bed, do your homework, dont talk, answer me, dont do that, quit fighting, be nice to your sister, get your brother, dont holler in the house, take off your shoes, get dressed, get up, eat supper, go outside, be quiet, dont run in the house, clean your room, put up these clothes, feed the dog, feed the rabbit, pick up your dishes, bring me your dirty clothes, put up your shoes, find your homework, pick up the bathroom, quit playing in the kitchen... you get the picture.

SO, they came home. I was already getting the younger kids ready to go Trick or Treating. Brett jumped right in to help me. I asked about the notes that the principal promised to send home. I tried to find out what had happened. Of course it wasnt their faults, they were innocent, and everyone else was throwing paper too.

Then BR came out of the shower. He asked questions, got told "I didnt do it" and "I dont know" alot. Finally he got to the bottom of it. ANd took away Halloween. That was it, some hollerin, some griping and taking away Halloween. I had requested a slightly differnt punishment.

I could have pinched their little heads off. Easily. I LOVE halloween. and this is the second year in a row they have pulled something stupid.

Well, although it wasnt as much as I wanted for them, I just kept my mouth shut.

I loaded up the kids, took BR to his semi (his truck is still in the shop) and started Rayley and Bow trick or treating. We just went to familys houses. I made the boys sit in the truck. They were not to MOVE for fear of loosing a limb.

all the greats wanted to know where the boys were. I would tell them. Then they wanted to know if they could have their candy. I would say no. Then they would have to go out and love on them.

Our last house was my mother in laws. SHe had just left, we had passed her on the road. but my father in law was there. Rayley and Bow got out and we went up and talked to him for a few minutes. Then she drove back up. She asked about the boys. I told her. we chatted a few minutes and then she went to talk to them. she was out there about 5 minutes and then started back up. Next thing I hear is a truck door shutting.
I looked around, the boys were unloading themselves from the truck.
"what are you doing?"
Silence
"what are you doing?"
"me me said we could get out"
"did I say you could get out?"
They got back in.

In the meantime my sister in law called. Her teenage daughter had made the kids brownies and cupcakes and such. She is SOOOO good at decorating. I tried to take some pictures, but they didnt turn out. PLUS I was scheduled to meet her at my house later and she was going to take pictures. I told her to come over when ever and explained the situation. She said she would be here at 8.

So at 9:30 Lisa showed up. I had decided to dress the boys in their costumes. They were NOT supposed to have fun, just to sit there, shut up and take the pictures. After about 15 minutes they were rambunctious as they could be. But when she showed up we got down to business. I had spent too much time to miss this photo op. So we were going to do it.

Here they are:

Incase you dont reocognize them, this is

Davey Jones, Holding Jack the monkey, Elizabeth Swann, and Jack Sparrow.

plus a closeup of Jack. (the human not the monkey)


and NO, he is NOT a bear. He is a monkey. He has a tail behind him somewhere.
And we did NOT pose Matt, he not only had the movements down, he had the VOICE of Jack Sparrow down. and was quoting the movie all night in what ever fit the situation best. Brett played the part of Davey Jones to a T. If I hear "DO YOU FEAR DEATH" again I just might show them the fear of death.


I know they had fun dressing up, but it was a 30 minute thing and they are NOT getting any of the candy, and the costumes and all the toys that I found to accent them are already put up. But I couldnt miss this picrure. I just couldnt.

But I will have them make up for it tomorrow. I have walls that need scrubbing, floors that need a handwashing, laundry soap needs to be made, the yard cleaned, the rabbit cage cleaned, and a zillion other things. My dad will be in for Bows birthhday so I will need the free labor to get it all together.

I am glad the week started, I need the rest.

Opening weekend. for kids.

This happens the weekend before season starts. and it means that I have to bust my butt to get everyone ready to go.

I had to find all their hunting clothes. wash them in special no smell soap, then put them in a sack with cut limbs and such, to mask any odors that didnt come out (back when I had time to hunt, I would take my book, or yatzee handheld game, Dr Pepper, some food, and smoke the whole time I was in a ladder stand. if you dont know what a ladder stand is, its a ladder, about 15 or more feet tall, leaned against a tree with a small, and I do mean SMALL, platform on it. if you fall asleep you take a chance at falling out. I always killed a deer). Then I have to wash their sheets, in the no smell stuff, keep them out of their room, till bedtime, make sure all the ammo, guns and accessories are readily avalible. Plus be up the next morning well before time to leave to make sure they are able to find everything that I have laid out.

Matt went first. We had high hopes, the deer cam is showing some good deer movements, of course its all at night, or mostly. They are coming back through around 9:30-10 am.
So Matt goes first. They came home at 8:45. Matt had seen a coyote. Not exactly something to fill the freezer with, but a blessing if we can kill them nonethe less.

Seems he got all nervous, plus he was COLD. it was in the low 50's. and was shaking like a leaf. He couldnt even get the gun up and shoot. SO BR took the gun, techincally, he cant kill a deer this weekend. BUT he can kill a coyote. he shot and missed. He said it was running off by the time he got the gun. OH did I mention that we only found 4 shells for the .410? the shotgun the kids were using? We have 40 rounds of squirrel shot, but only 4 slugs. and you need slugs to kill a deer.

So, they came home empty handed. Matt had decided he was ready to leave. He thought BR was mad at him. BR was not mad at him, but at himself, for missing. He did bring the SD card from the camera home. And when he walked back down there 8 minutes later to put it back, he saw a deer at the feeder. I swear, 8 minutes.

In the meantime I had to go to the ER and get my mom. SHe has had a bad cold for a few weeks. She is a heavy smoker and has emphasema and on Friday started feeling realy bad, and couldnt breathe. I wanted to take her to the DR then, but she wouldnt go, BR was home for the night and I could leave the kids with him. Around 2 or 3 am she called me in a panic. She was not able to breathe. I calmed her down, and tried to get her to breathe in a paper sack. But she said she was doing a little better. I offered at that time to take her in. She said no. She called back at 5 to get the phone number to call an ambulance. By then BR and Matt were getting ready to go hunting, and I couldnt ask them to stay and take care of the other 3 kids. So she went in by ambulance, which was best, She needed oxygen the whole way.
Anyway, I was waiting around for her to call, when she did I went in and got her.
Then I came home, and we watched the TExas Tech game. Rayley wanted to go hunting, and was upset when she heard the schedule. it was Matt on Saturday morning, Brett Sat. eve, Brett Sun morning and Matt Sun eve. I told her that her daddy would take her on Sunday afternoon.
This appeased her, and she got over having missed the costume party we were supposed to go to on Saturday but had missed cause I had to run in to town already.
They had been looking forward to the chance to wear their costumes more than once.

Anyway, We watched the game. Then BR took Brett out, it was around 4, and they were staying till dark. They showed back up well before dark. Brett had fallen asleep for about an hour and wouldnt sit still.

The next day Brett got up and they went out. They came back around 9. After talking for a little while, and looking at the pictures and seeing that the deer were coming in later cause of the cold snap, they decided to go back out for an hour or two.

About 20 minutes later they were back. To get Matt. Rayley was waiting for her turn, and somehow it was decided I would get to take her. Anyway, they came in to get him, so he could help them search for the deer. Seems Brett had seen one. He actually spotted it. And BR had told him to stand up, get ready, and Brett had tried and tried to shoot it. He kept asking "now?" "Now?". and finally BR told him yes. They said that she never flagged, clenched up and took off. All signs of being hit. But after 30 minutes of searching there was no sign of blood. No hair, no nothing. So they had to accept that he had missed it. After walking all over out there it was decided that it would be best to not hunt that evening, since the deer wouldnt be back in more than likely anyway. This didnt make Matt happy. But we all settled in, had lunch (I am SOOO not used to this 'light' cooking... them calories add up QUICK!) and were watching the 'boys play.

Matt had just about convinced BR to take him out. BR knew they wouldnt see anything, but that was okay.
And the phone rang, BR's grandmother and aunt were at his moms and wanted to see the kids, so we loaded up and went over there for a little while.

We visited for a while, Bow showed off his new walking skill, and used all his cute tricks, convencing them he is an adorable baby, and not a hellion.

As we were leaving, BR had decided it was time to get back so Matt could hunt a little, my phone rang, it was our mechanic. He had a few minutes and was willing to meet us at my grandfathers where BR's truck was parked. To see if he could do something to get it going so we could get it in to him.
5 minutes later they popped the hood and with in 2 minutes he had decided it was the fuel pump. But wanted to make sure. He got under it, started hitting the fuel tank, while BR turned the key. The dang thing started right up.

We have to take it in later this week. that and the oil pump need changing. a cool 400.00.

While he was there, I asked him about my front end popping when I was in a parking lot turning. He looked, had BR shake the truck, and told me to bring it in next week. He would change out some dang barings, or balls, or something. All I heard was "do one, may as well do the other" "600.00" and "will eat your tires" OH and "just a little longer before it screws something else up"

Well great! I know there is never a good time to have to drop a truck note into the truck, on TOP of the note, BUT dang... right here at Christmas?? seriously?

Anyway, we headed home. Brett wanted to try to shoot the .223 rifle. He had realized that the kick of a gun only hurts if you aint aimin at something. SO he was willin to give it another try. They shot a box full out of it. OH, did I mention while I was in town BR called. Telling me to pick up some .30-.30 shells? to put in the boys .410? yep. and some more .410 shells. well they were out of .410 shells. But were willing to take all my money for the .30-.30 shells.

Rayley went out to shoot with them. She was bound and determined to shoot the gun. Matt was happy with the .410. I bribed him with a snack ticket for lunch if he would shooot it just once. He did. But still swears that he will only use the .410.

So the whole weekend and not a single bite of fresh meat.
Then today, I went to town to deal wiht some stuff, and BR called. Seems he went out to sight in his gun. a .270, and make sure it was dead on. He 'lost' a box of shells. Literly. He shot them, but they didnt hit the target. So he double checked the scope. turns out he didnt finish seating a screw or some such crap. so it was off. he wanted me to pick him up 2 more boxes. I went in to get them. 26.00. For 12 shells. Talk about sticker shock.. I about had a heart attack right there.

Something better come out of this season. we got NOTHING last season. and spent a fortune doing it.


I think the hardest part of all of it, is keeping the dogs in. We have pictures of them (from the camera, I swear, this is the cheapest form of entertainment I have ever gotten for anyone. I paid less for this than I did Deisel to drive the hour to get it and its given hours and hours of enjoyment) anywy, there are pics of them down there all in the corn and such. and when BR goes out with a gun, Duke knows he is hunting. He thinks he is squirrel hunting, but he still wants to go. So I have to deal with them in here, along with the kids that are not hunting at the time.

OH, and the rabbit is doing great. I guess. But it has opened doors for other 'projects'. Brett and Matt came running up to the house a few weeks ago. They came in, went in their room, walked around, got a lecture from me.

I had gotten a phonecall from my grandfather, he had went to church and no less than a handful of little old ladies had told him to call me and tell me my kids were hanging on the fence on the side of the road. First of all, we sit 25 feet from the road, up on a hill. with a very large gulley between us and the highway. Second, they were on MY FENCE. INSIDE the pasture.

He told me they were saying "even that little girl was hanging up there waving", or "they were running up and down the fence line, that girl throwing rocks at them"

So he called. Well the lecture was they aint supposed to be climbin my fence. It breaks it down. I aint a fan of strechin fence.

Anyway, I lectured, they got a drink, talked for a few minutes. Finally I realized Brett had something in his hand. I am used to the lizards and such being brought in. SO I told him, to take his new friend out and get rid of it. I didnt need another lizard in here.

"OH MOM!" "I forgot"
"forgot what?"
"you still have some baby rabbit milk right?"
"yes"
"well, you need to take care of this one too"
and he holds up his hands
"Duke and Darla found the nest, and we saved this one, isnt it sweet?"
"Brett, I dont want anything else I have to take care of"
"but mom, its eyes aint even open yet!"
"BRett, if its eyes are not open, the chances of it living are VERY slim. take it back, put the nest back together as good as you can, and leave it. Its mom will come back"
"but mom!! I think you could do it!"
"take it back"
so Matt says "show it to her, she will fall in love and let us keep it"
damn, I hate it when my kids outsmart me
So he opened his hands.
and there is a long naked tail, and a nasty pink body. He had found a rat!!