Fireworks, blackeyed peas and Cabbage.

its been a while..

But I have been busy...

Things I have learned this week:

I am convinced that koolaid is a drug that eats more braincells than crack.

wrapping paper multiplies and hides everywhere. I will still be finding it in June.

CHildren use their dirty clothes to make their beds monsterproof. They shove it up under there so nothing else will fit.

Bow will eat anything, even if it does try to eat him first. (I caught him with a spoon outside eating dirt by the spoonful and gagging everytime he put it in his mouth)

My children will be MORE courious about explosives after refreshing their memory on how fun fireworks are...

Rayley is going to be bald if Brett keeps combing her hair.

I will NEVER make my New YEars resolutions stick. I just dont have the willpower.

People should have to take a rudeness test before getting their licence, if they are incapable of allowing someone in, or insist on always pushing their own way through, they should be banned from getting behind a wheel.



On Monday I decided to take the kids to Lufkin, try and get the boys boots exchanged. They have a larger Baskins Dept. Store there. PLus I had to get groceries for the party Wend. night.

We arrived at Baskins, and they said no problem, go and find what you want. So back we went. They had at least 50 pairs of womens boots in every color of the rainbow, and 200 pairs of mens boots, in colors I didnt even know were in the rainbow. I looked everywhere for the youth boots. they had maybe 5 pair. the 2 that the boys got, and 3 pair of just plain ole brown ones. Baskins wouldnt give us back anything except a giftcard since they were bought on a credit card. the boys were just stuck. Of course the smart eleck girl behind the counter said "well, you can buy them toys, or clothes on the card and go elsewhere and buy the boots" right, like I have 75.00 per kid to just throw around...

Traffic was atrocious, and there was this one very rude woman who I swear had the same agenda as I did. After about 3 times of her either cutting in front of me, or cutting off a car I was letting in, I finally decided to use the full size of my truck to my advantage. She sure can cuss, but when I offered to get out and opened the door she left...


Then we went to Cavenders, another western store. THey actually sold the same pair of boots that Brett had, and so they were willing to take his in trade for a differnt pair. I had went there to return the first pair of boots I bought Rayley last week, before I found the fat babies on clearance. So, BRett went to find himself a pair. Matt would have to either a) keep his, or b) we would go to baskins and special order him a pair. As we were back there and BRett was picking out his boots, Matt fell in love with a pair. They are exactly like I had gotten Rayley (yes, I had gotten her boy boots, but they were light green on top, and she would never know) SO, I told Matt that I would trade the ones I got Rayley, for a pair to fit him, forgo my cash back, and trade his in, get Rayley a belt and maybe BR a few shirts.
He was great with that. SO we found his size. they had a 2. it wasnt as loose as I wanted, just slightly bigger than his foot, he would be out of them in 2 weeks. But he begged. he LOVED them. I relented, they will stretch some.

We went up to check out. and thats when Matt said "OH NO!!"
I asked what.
he wouldnt tell me.

He wispered it to Brett.
Brett wouldnt tell me.
Finally after me asking about 80 times Matt admited to me that the heel was coming off his boot. He was heartbroken, it was the ONLY 2, the biggest size they had and NOTHING else there was remotly what he wanted. PERIOD.

While we were trying on the boots, the sales girl had leaned over and was checking Bretts boot, well Rayley was standing beside her, and saw something, so she lifted up her shirt to see the rest of her tatoo. I couldnt help but laugh. I did tell her that was wrong, but still, it was funny.

SO then, I had to exchange Bretts, exchange Rayleys for Matts, and then exchanges Matts for a pair they were going to order for me. In a 2 1/2.

He was disapointed but handled it well.

We went on and shopped for food. I had to buy enough for like 15 adults and 5 kids. We just did the easy stuff, hamburgers, sausages and boudan.

The kids just about drove me batty in the store. I had 2 buggies, one for groceries and one for kids. Brett pushed one, Matt pushed the other and they kept switching. They do this crap to confuse me. They KNOW I confuse them easy, and I would pick up something, hand it to Brett and say "put this in your buggy" "But I'm Matt", well crap, "Brett put this in your buggy" "are you sure?"
"Yes"
"wont Rayley smush it or Bow eat it if its in here?"
"YOU were just pushin the food buggy"
"I know, I got bored so we switched"

GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRr

OH and please explain to me, how do you go pee when you have a 8 and a 10 year old boy? Or even assuming I can hold my bladder for a 7 hour marathon shoppin trip (remember I have had 4 kids, so thats not happening), what if Princess Criesalot has to? I cant take THEM in with me, cant leave them OUTSIDE the bathroom in a large, unfamilier city, Cant tell her (OR me for that matter) to hold it... what is the rule for that? Cause I didnt get the chapter on it in the mommy book.

then Tuesday we spent ALL day cleaning. and I do mean ALL day. I bet there was 15 loads of laundry done. and as soon as I got to the bottom of it, the kids miracalously found more. Plus we picked up the living room and I spring cleaned the kitchen. THE MINUTE I got it done, someone gave Bow some chips to keep him quiet. They ended up all over my floor. THEN, I had to cook supper, another mess. I ran the dishwasher 4 times that day, and again yesterday.

I am not sure what a house with out a major applience running sounds like, but I would like to find out. Thats why I always have the TV going, to drown out the sound of water running. cause if it aint the dishwasher, its the washing machine and dryer, or BOTH.



When BR got home we had to run and get fireworks. We had to drive 20 miles to get them, ONE way. I wish I had the money to get a stand going. I really do. It wouldnt take much, and I KNOW I could make it back with NO problem. I could make it back, and enough to buy MORE for the next time, AND have a profit. I just need the seed money.

The way our New Years and July 4th partys work is each of BR's siblings (there is Lisa, Luke, and Toby plus their families) all bring some fireworks. My mother and BR's parents come over and if things go well for me, someone else always has Bow, so I dont have to entertain him. Last night was such a night.

Anyway, BR went to work on Wend. and we didnt know when he would be done, so there was a chance I would have to do the BBQin. Not what I wanted to do. Luckily he did get home before anyone started to arrive, of course he also had to change the hydrolic oil in his tractor. ( I am still not sure why that had to be done right then.... ) He got done and got out of the shower just as the first ones were driving up.

We all ate, and then it was time for the fireworks. The guys act like kids. I swear, I really dont know who to keep a better eye on, the grown ups or the kids. The kids LIVE for the roman candles and various mini fireworks. The big kids try to get the roman candles BEFORE the kids do, and love the mortar rounds, and all those other big box things.

I just stay out of it, or more often than not, I end up being stuck unwrapping the stuff and unwinding the cords. Plus since I have a lighter everyone runs to me to get a sparkler lit, or a roman candle.

Everyone left a little before midnight. Lisa and Gavin didnt get in here till around 7, he is a truck driver too, but has a dedicated run to New Orleans everyday, so his schedule is set, but never consistant. ABout the same as BR and Luke, he just has the potential to get stuck further from home cause of some stupid crap.

Not that BR's job has less stupid crap, he just doesnt venture far from home most of the time.

Toby, the baby brother got hired on to work out there with BR and Luke yesterday too.
So there was lots of truck drivin talk around the bonfire that night. which is fine, although its not near as interesting as when they all worked at the state prison.

Anyway, we enjoyed the fireworks, Had fun visiting, and are looking forward to the 4th of July. But I hope we can do the wholesale thing. It would be nice to get more fireworks, and spend less money.

I am including some pics, of course the fireworks ones are not great, but I took them and you are obligated to look.






Rayley loves her 'preditor sticks' as she calls them. They shoot them into the trees and it really does look like the movie.



Bow and his Aunt Amanda - No telling what she was telling him.



This is BR teaching the boys something. I am afraid to know what.. But I am sure I will hear about it. Hopefully not from the school...










Today BR called me, said it was supposed to rain today and it might be a good idea if all the debris was burned. I took the hint, and the last pics are ones that Brett took while I was working my butt off.
I know now, why BR is so adement about always using the tractor for everything. Sitting up there, giving directions is about the easiest job in the world. It was nice to make the boys take my place and do all the hard work. I always KNEW I was the one working the hardest, but when we would put in a full day he would still talk about being tired, and muscles hurting and such... I reckon that was an act.

Notice the pic of the kids all hanging off the tractor? Brett wasnt up there at the time of course, but we sure did look like the Marcell Ledbetters clan headed to town. (if you have never heard Jerry Clower talk about his cousin, you HAVE to look it up. )

Bow insists on driving, he doesnt help matters, and Rayley is so tiny that you are scared to hit a good bump for fear that she will go flying at any second. I have seen her do it while riding with my grandfather in his mule or my great uncle on his golf cart. Its really comical to see her loose all gravity and end up on the ground.

We had a pretty good bonfire going with all the boxes from the fireworks and such, it took me 3 loads to get it all to the stump I was piling it on.

And Bow has fiqured out that the joystick will move the bucket. He was constantly grabbing for the dang joystick!






Can you see Bow's face when I am dumping the load? He was really enjoying himself!







At one point, there was a small ring of fire coming out and licking at the dry grass, (you can see there in the bottom right of the picture) I told Matt to go and stomp it out, he was wearing boots and myself, I just had on crocs. (smart move on my part)
while I sat on the tractor, (BR style), he went to do my bidding, (michelle style), He got up to it and realized how hot it was, finally he went to it and about the time he stomped his foot on it, a unpopped firework, a perfect ball of green fire, came shooting out, right at him.
I have never seen a white kid jump that high, that fast or hold air that long. When he finally came down to earth, and got his breath, he realized what happened. I was about to fall smooth off the tractor from laughing at him.

So he walked back over, and went to stomping. this time more cautiously. Then 3 brightly colored balls of flame came at him in quick succession. If he could run the bases that fast he would NEVER be called out.

By then I was lauging so hard I couldnt breathe. The pop was loud, and it did scare the crap out of both of us, him more than me I think. I was lauging so hard I couldnt get the tractor started to move it to safer ground. and he was shaking so bad he couldnt hang on to ride to safer ground.

Finally we stoped laughing, and he took Bow inside while I made sure nothing else would catch on fire and parked the tractor. Bow was disapointed that his driving was over. That child LOVES to ride the tractor.

Once our cleanup was over the kids and I came in and they helped me make cornbread, Black eyed peas and cabbage with sausage. That was our New Years supper and hopefully we will benefit from its supersticious folklore. I am all for more money and luck.

I have done pretty good on my New Years resolution. I havent smoked a pack of cigerettes today. Just a few. Unfortunatly, I found a pack yesterday that I didnt know I had. I had bought just enough to last me till last night. But since I had these I couldnt resist. I will try harder tomorrow.

Here are some pics from Christmas morning, sorry I didnt get them up till now, its just such a PITA to do pics.. LOL





Nothing like a princess with a loaded weapon!
and do you notice the concentration on Bretts face?



Oh and before I close. I have a friend who could use a little web community intervention. Long story short, She and her husband decided to risk it all and buy an 18 wheeler. They have paid on this thing till they only have 4 months left. Meaning he has worked his butt off. He drives over the road, and thats alot of time to not be with your wife and kids.

Anyway, A few months ago, the clutch went out, not a huge deal, you expect stuff like that, so they had money put back to fix it, he had it done here in Texas (1700.00). Then he headed off to New Jersey. He gets there and the clutch goes out again. Well the Texas Company wont fix it unless he comes back here with it, hard to do when you are in NJ. so he found a freightliner shop up there, they fixed it, and he had to pay them (2500.00) Then he came back home ready for another run, and it went BACK out. come to find out NJ had let an inexpeirienced mechanic 'fix' it, and now its gona cost 7000.00 to get it right. there is SUPPOSED to be a warrenty on the repair job, BUT NJ wont do a thing, so I'd like to see if everyone can call, or email or write to this company and Dave, the service manager.

This man managed to survive everything from a hellacious truck payment, to 4.00 a gallon deisel, to various repairs and even illness to be FOUR months from paying off his truck. Now he is going to loose it. He has spent his entire savings to work towards owning his own truck, spent years away from his family and is now with in a few months of being able to be home with his family with a truck he OWNS, but has exhausted his repair savings, and is now out of a job. He cant work with out a truck, and he is their only income.
He doesnt want a handout. He just wants the truck fixed, like he was promised would be done. Its a long way from Texas to New Jersey. He cant just take it back up there to have them look at it. It wont run. Any new job he gets will keep him from home even more, and he had really planned on stopping the Over the ROad driving when the truck note was paid off. He was going to get a dedicated run and be home with his family.

So, just write or call and tell Dave to do the right thing. To please fix Leslie Neal's truck. Vin number G51486

Toll FREE phone number:

1-800-300-5293 speak to DAVE the service manager...


Email addy for dave:

davecejnowski@qstarliner.com


snail mail addy for dave...

ATTN: DAVE service manager

41 public RD
Monroe township, NJ
08831

Thank Y'all for doing this. I appriciate it, and I know the Neal's will.