Thursday, January 31, 2013

YOU Haul

Mr. Yesteryear Acres and I spent the entire day hauling things for our older daughter.  She had to move out of the barracks and into an apartment in less than 24 hours. Can you say F U N?! We carried more boxes and unloaded more cartons and assembled more furniture pieces than I care to think about. I am SO tired. Mr. Yesteryear Acres is SO tired.  We just got back to our hotel room and are ready to completely crash.  I think the highlight of the day had to be tying the mattress and box springs to the roof of our SUV and driving with huge wind gusts, praying we made it without having it all slide off the roof into the cars behind us! The sound the wind made against the moving straps sounded like we were being toppled by a semi truck.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres kept saying, "Is the mattress still there?!?!" Yes.  Lots of fun!  The good news is we got most of it done.  We are now debating whether to go back in the morning to finish or just start the long drive home.  Hmmmm....decisions decisions.  SO much work to do at home.....so much work we could do for our daughter here.  One more half-day would make the biggest difference for her.  Guess we better sleep on it.  Morning will be here before we know it!  After all we are....YOU haul!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Yes, I Did That!

So today Mr. Yesteryear Acres and I spent the day......
Shooting rifles
Boarding Helos
Firing Grenade Launchers
Climbing into Assault Tanks
Participating in the O-Course
and
a TON of other REALLY AWESOME MARINE CORPS activities.
The day is packed full and we still have a ton of activities left to do.
We are seeing so many of the things that our daughter has accomplised at TBS and we feel a little bit closer to the life that lies ahead of her. It has been a once in a lifetime experience for us.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

On The Way

Mr. Yesteryear Acres and I are on the way to the US Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia because tomorrow our older daughter graduates from TBS!!! It has been a long long very hard tumultuous 6 months for her but she did it!  She made it!  We are so proud of her and can't wait to watch her receive her diploma. This is the single biggest accomplishment of her life.  She said it was much more difficult than her 4 years at the Naval Academy as TBS pushed her to her limits.  She had to dig deep to overcome all the obstacles and I know the sense of pride she feels must be overwhelming. This is all she has ever dreamed of.  This is all she has ever wanted to be. She can now stand tall as she is one of .....The Few, The Proud, The Marines.  Semper Fi. Congratulations 2nd Lieutenant! You are going to be one amazing Command and Control Officer! We are so proud!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!!!

Today is my younger daughter's birthday and she is lucky enough to be celebrating it in Europe. I told her she will never never never ever forget this birthday. It is literally her dream come true. 
She is seeing all the sights
And making each day an experience of a lifetime
I am so happy for her AND I am so grateful because today

Her host family made her an Apple Tart to help celebrate her big day. 
Happy Birthday My Sweet Girl!
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!!! 
AND....................
Just in case you thought I forgot it was PUPPY picture Monday
Here are this week's cute puppy picture updates -
They are one week old

And still so tiny

They are a bundle of happiness!
HAPPY MONDAY!!!!


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Thatsa Lotta Meataballs!

The other day I went to our freezer and GASP! NO MEATBALLS!  None! How can this be?  I always have prepared meatballs in our freezer for quick ready-to-make meals and now we were empty. This is a serious tragedy that must be rectified immediately.  Last night I took out some ground venison, ground pork and ground beef from our freezer and so today became... "Meatball Sunday!" I made a gigantic batch.  My hands were SO cold mixing the meatball mixture that when I was done mixing, I had to run them under hot water forever.  I then became the meatball making machine.  At the end of the day - 133 meatballs went into our freezer. "Thatsa Lotta Meataballs!"  I think we are set for a while! And if that were not impressive enough - I also made a homemade loaf of Yogurt Flax Seed Bread, 1 Gallon of Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice, Roasted Garlic Hummus AND I made my "son's" cooking project for school tomorrow.  Honestly - I don't know why the French teacher assigns cooking projects for the "students" because it never gets done by the "students."  My son HELPS me but it isn't as if he is in the kitchen whipping up loaves of  homemade French Baguettes by himself.  Nope - it becomes my homework as well. Every 2 weeks or so, my son's French teacher assigns a French region and then my son has to make some food item from that region. We have had Morocco, Normandy, Provence and Alsace just to name a few. Tomorrow's specialty?  Cajun French. OOOH WEEE!  I smell something SPICY! So my CHA...See You Later from da Bayou! C'est Tout!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

GPS Gremlin

Today my son went to a United States Naval Academy Admissions presentation which was being held a little over 3 hours away from our house.  I was really nervous for him to do the long drive by himself but we had puppies going home today so I couldn't go with him. We set the GPS for his destination and he set off with plenty of time to spare.  I told him to ignore the GPS for a while as my way was much faster than the GPS route. I had him heading due east and told him to head North after he had driven about 47 miles. Well, my son started listening to the GPS a little sooner than he should and the GPS was in full Gremlin mode. My poor son drove almost across the entire state and then the GPS Gremlin had him turn around and had him driving back in the opposite direction. I think he hit every gravel road and back road in our entire state. He called at one point to say the only thing he had seen in the last 30 minutes were horse and buggies.  Not a single car at all. He did finally make it to the Admissions event but not without a lot of angst.  He is now driving back home through a lovely lake effect snowstorm. I will be so glad when he gets home safe and sound. Please GPS Gremlin, bring my boy back home....withOUT the detours!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Snow Day!

OH how I love the beauty of fresh fallen snow.  This morning I awoke to a blanket of white and it kept snowing all day long. Everything is so beautiful and white.  Fergie's Chocolate Doodle puppies played outside for just a little bit today.  Within five minutes, our chocolate doodle puppies were white doodle puppies!  They had snowberries everywhere.  They loved it though.  They played, "Let's chase the snowballs we make with our paws" game with Blossom.  It kept them quite entertained.  The school system let out early today so everyone got the chance to enjoy the snow.  Everyone......except maybe Mr. Yesteryear Acres....or shall I call him Mr. Abominable Snowman Acres! When he came inside earlier this afternoon, he looked like a walking snowman!  He said something about it being really cold, and how much longer it takes to get the outside farm chores done with it snowing so hard, and how wet he was.  I said that he was totally wrong. "From inside, sitting at my desk, looking outside the window, it looks perfect!  I am not cold or wet at all! It is a perfect day!'  Poor Mr. Yesteryear Acres......Have a fun Snow Day!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Brings Out the Love

Every Thursday here at Yesteryear Acres is "Clean The House Thursday".  It happens without fail.  I don't really mind Clean The House Thursday.  Now mind you, I don't LEAP from my bed Thursday morning shouting, "Oh BOY! Oh BOY! It is CLEAN THE HOUSE THURSDAY! HURRAY!"  But I don't rue the day either.  It wasn't too long ago that I was physically unable to clean my own house on Thursday or any other day so I take pride and gratitude that I am strong enough and healthy enough to accomplish the task.  It takes ALL day long and I have a pretty good attitude about the whole thing.  When I clean my younger daughter's room, I look at her headbands and her pictures and her stuffed animals and all the things from her childhood and all the things she has now and I think of how much I love her.  When I dust her dresser, I think, "I love her so".  When I clean my older daughter's room, I look at her medals and her Marine Corps paraphernalia   I look at her United States Naval Academy diploma and all the things from her childhood and I think of how much I love her.  When I dust her shelves, I think, "I love her so." When I clean my son's room, I look at all the things he treasures in life. Every time I dust a little token that he has saved, my heart smiles. His room always takes the longest to clean.  His room gives me plenty of time to reflect on how much I love him. For instance, when I vacuum under his bed, and I vacuum up a missing sock, and it gets stuck in my vacuum wand, and I have to go find a wire hanger, and I have to untwist the wire hanger, and I have to fish out the very stuck sock, I think, " I LOVE HIM SO, I LOVE HIM SO, I LOVE HIM SO!!!!!!" See?  Clean The House Thursday brings out the love!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Garden Yummy Lunch Date

Since Mr. Yesteryear Acres and I spent yesterday cleaning out our deep chest freezers so wonderfully, today we treated ourselves to a lunch date.  I made some delicious Corn and Tomato Tortilla Soup this summer with fresh picked corn and tomatoes.  It is SO good and is one of our favorite soups.  We decided we could hardly wait for lunch time and agreed to meet at 11:30am for our soup.  Well, as you know, here at Yesteryear Acres - things don't always go as planned.  11:30am became Noon. Noon became Noon-Thirty.  Noon-Thirty became 1:00pm NO MATTER WHAT which quickly became 1:30 and at 1:45.....LUNCH WAS SERVED!  It was worth the wait though!  When I made the soup this summer, I cut the corn straight off the cob into the soup and then fill the pot with freshly picked peeled tomatoes. Mmmmm!  We used to cut tortillas into strips and then lightly fry them in peanut oil. I have to say - they are REALLY good that way but since we have made the move to eliminate unnecessary fats, we decided to forgo the deep fried tortillas.  Instead I took whole tortillas, spiced them up with delicious seasoning and then baked them in the oven with no oil.  You know what? It worked!  Our garden lunch date was delicious! Hot spicy soup on a cold afternoon....PERFECT!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

That was NOT on the schedule

Today was full of "HEY! That was NOT on the schedule!" For instance - this morning, as I was soundly sleeping, I do not believe I had, "Be rudely awoken by yelling panicked boy" on my schedule.  I double checked and nope - that was NOT on my schedule.
"MOM WHERE ARE THE OTHER KEYS TO MY SISTER'S CAR?!!!!!" is how my day started.  This was followed shortly by my son saying that the car LOCKED ITSELF after he started it.  So there the car sat.  In the driveway.  Running.  Completely locked. With the keys IN the car. Where are the other keys? I have no idea.  We looked everywhere. It seems there is a very good chance that the other set of keys are somewhere in Belgium enjoying all the sights in Europe.  Lucky keys.
This set off a daylong series of "That was NOT on my schedule"
Highlights include:

* Getting bundled up, before the sun rose, so I could stand out in the driveway in a balmy 12* completely FREEZING watching the running car contributing to Global Warming

* Waiting for AAA to come and unlock the car so we could shut it off

* Becoming a human Stun Gun as I electrocute myself on every metal surface in my house

* Having my hair stand up a good 12 inches from my head due to my increased Static Electricity build up so I look like one of the Supremes

* Hearing Mr.  Yesteryear Acres BRILLIANT idea of the day....."Hey I know - let's defrost the deep freezers today!!!!"

* Putting on snow mittens INSIDE so I could help empty all the freezers

* Carrying all the freezer items outside so they could stay nice and fresh AND FROZEN!

* Watching Mr. Yesteryear Acres use a big heat gun to defrost the freezers (Fascinating! WOW!  So lucky!)

* Hearing what surely sounds like a 5 Gallon bucket of water being sloshed onto the floor only to turn around and see one of our pregnant doodle mommies peeing from one room all the way to the other with gallons of pee leaking everywhere she walked

* Shop vacuuming the dining room and kitchen.....all the way out to the backdoor, thank goodness it can hold so much liquid!

* Washing carpets

* AND YES, last, but certainly not least, FOR MY SISTER......GOING out in frigid temperatures TO THE POST OFFICE and yes Sean's US Marine Corps Fire Team figure is on the way!

I wonder when I will get to the things that were ACTUALLY on my schedule????  Hmmmmmm.  You never know around here!

Monday, January 21, 2013

Puppies, Snow, and more Puppies

Happy Monday!  We had a busy weekend with our doodle puppies! Our sweet Goldendoodle Eloise delivered her Double Doodle babies over the weekend and Mommy Eloise and Puppies are all doing great.
Here are the sweet new babies
Their little noses haven't even turned color yet. 

They are so adorable.
AND
 Our chocolate doodle puppies are almost ready for their new homes.  Today we had snow falling during our Puppy Picture Photo session.
See the perfect snowflakes on the puppy? It was just beautiful outside! 
Our chocolate babies will be ready for their new homes this weekend.

I love this Peanut Butter Chocolate Girl!

Any one want some chocolate love?
Happy Monday!



Sunday, January 20, 2013

Email Issues

Today I received a few emails from people who hadn't received my replies to their previous email inquiries. It seems there was a glitch with the outgoing mail server last week. I am SO glad they emailed me again because along with writing my blog every day, I am committed to answering all my emails. I am usually very prompt with my email replies and if you haven't heard back from me within a day, please email me again as something must have gone wrong. I always feel so awful when someone doesn't receive a response from me.  I wouldn't want anyone to feel that I have ignored them as answering my emails each and every day is a top priority for me.  In fact just yesterday, I was telling my mom that I never have a day off from computer work.  I haven't taken a day off in years.  I write the Yesteryear Acres blog every single day and I always answer all my mail.  I also take care of the doodle doggies and puppies so every day is a busy day around here.  I check my emails frequently throughout the day so if for some reason I missed your correspondence, please email again.  I am happy to answer any and all questions.  That is what I am here for and I am always happy to help.  Also never hesitate to write anytime.  I am never too busy to get mail.  I love hearing from my puppy families! As a matter of fact......I will go check my inbox now. Email time!

Saturday, January 19, 2013

When I Grow Up

I got to spend some really awesome quality time with my mom this week. She is a LOT of fun and we are usually so busy that we don't get to see each other as often as we would like.  We are limited to a quick phone call or email and we always mean to get together but somehow life gets in the way. This week was different.  This week we got to go out together and we took time to exercise together and we had some DELICIOUS meals together and we even got to go dancing together.  I cannot tell you how many people came up to us and asked,
"Are you mother and Daughter?"
Followed immediately by, "You guys are the happiest, most fun, mother and daughter we have ever seen! You are so lucky to have so much fun together!"
My mom had a lot of people come up to her and say, "I want to be like you when I grow up" or "I hope I can be like you when I am your age!" At first she wasn't sure how to take this. "My age??? My age? AM I OLD?!??"  I had to tell her that yes, she is old BUT she doesn't act old and that is all that matters!  She outdanced everyone on the dance floor.  She outsmiled everyone in the restaurant.  She literally sparkled with happiness.  We had the best time together and I am SO appreciative of every minute. Everyone needs a little Mommy time in their life! I am so lucky mine is so much fun!

Friday, January 18, 2013

Happiness is sure to follow

 Today I had a nice long talk with a Doctor that I happened to have met. This wasn't a doctor appointment type talk -just a happenstance type encounter. He is an extremely well known and respected physician and we just started talking about life and life choices.  He had some tough things happen in his life and I shared with him what happened with me and my heart attack.  He said almost word for word all the things I was feeling. He was very much about living in the present and giving yourself permission to take care of your own needs. It was a deep conversation and it just made me feel good about the choices I have made.  Taking time out of each day to exercise and to eat healthy is important. Taking time out of each day to be grateful and appreciative of all the things you are given in life is important. Not taking a single day for granted is important.  Letting go of the things you cannot change and being responsible for your own happinesses is key to living a peaceful and happy life. He was quick to tell me that most people don't come back from a heart attack like the one I had.  Then he said he was really glad I made it and that I was one of the happiest, most upbeat, smiling person that he has ever met.  I thanked him and said that every day, I feel blessed and I like to share my happiness with others.  That is one of the big reasons raising puppies is so fulfilling.  Each time a sweet puppy leaves us to join their new family, happiness is sure to follow!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Love to Dance!

I love to dance.  I mean I really love to dance.  If I hear any music with any type of moving grooving beat, I can't even sit still. At first my toes will start tapping and then my legs start moving and before I know it - dancing is on.  I have a few friends that can definitely verify my love of dancing.  When I was at the Labradoodle conference last October, one night a band started playing and NO ONE was dancing. I asked some of my doodle friends if they wanted to dance and they were shocked. "THERE IS NO ONE DANCING! WE MIGHT DIE OF EMBARRASSMENT!"  Embarrassment? Over dancing?  I think not!  So I started dancing and then other people started dancing.  It is often like that on the dance floor.  No one wants to be THAT person that starts dancing but once one person gets it going, before you know it, the dance floor is full.  I am pretty much willing to always get the dance party started.  I can literally dance all night.  I never get tired.  Since I rarely get the chance to dance, I have to sneak it in when I can.  When I clean the house every Thursday - I dance.  When I do puppy work, I dance.  Sometimes I have the best music playing when I walk on the treadmill and then I do this weird treadmill walk/dance.  I can't help it.  Once the music starts....the dancing begins! I think people who love to dance are happy people.  I know I am!!!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Something Special

Surprise! Today I worked on a surprise gift for Mr. Yesteryear Acres.  He works so hard all the time and he never ever complains.  No matter what life throws in Mr. Yesteryear Acres way, he faces it with a smile.  He is very much a "Life is what it is ..... it's the attitude that makes the difference" type guy.  He is a caring, smiling, positive, glass is ALWAYS half-full person.  He is Mr. Steady. Nothing ever rattles him and no obstacle is too big to overcome.  I love that about him.  He is my rock.  This week has been kind of a rough for him so today I am working on getting him a present.  He never asks for anything so what better than to pick a random Wednesday in January to get him a present. The best part - I know he will love it.  His gift should arrive by the weekend.  I can't wait!  Mr. Yesteryear Acres......all your hard work is SO appreciated and something special is coming just for you!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Music fills the soul

Every now and then I like to take the time to be appreciative of those things I sometimes tend to take for granted.  Today I just am super grateful for the gift of music.  I love music.  I love all kinds of music.  My rainbow of music appreciation is quite vast.  I am happy listening to the Phantom of the Opera. I am happy listening to Latin Reggae-tone music.  I love everything in between.  I can be in the bluest of moods and one minute of Jack Johnson singing can instantly cheer me up.  Music can wake my sleepy soul on dreary days and have me tapping my toes and singing along with  happiness.   Music makes cleaning the house a much more enjoyable chore than it would be otherwise.  As I did my morning workout this morning and found myself smiling as I was singing along - I just thought - how lucky we are to have a world filled with beautiful melodies to brighten our days. 

Monday, January 14, 2013

No Napping Allowed

COFFEE. Oh man I need coffee today. I am so sleepy.  Everyone here at Yesteryear Acres is seriously sleep deprived.  I find myself doing that odd staring thing where you aren't really looking at anything but you can't stop staring at the nothingness.  My productivity level is seriously lacking.  Even my workout enthusiasm was clearly lacking.  I did my workout but I know I could have put forth a much better effort.  I might have to do the unthinkable today.  I might have to take a (gasp) NAP! I was raised that taking naps is something one just doesn't do. It is almost an evil thought - needing a nap.  Both my sister and I still have an unnatural fear of naps.  If I tell my mom I got three hours of sleep for the entire night- she will say, "That's good".  She never naps.  She also wakes up before the sun EVERY SINGLE DAY.  She never sleeps in.  As in never.  When we vacation together, I have to set my alarm unnaturally early for O'Dark-Thirty and she will have already been awake for hours.  I might need to actually go against my non-napping stance and just lie down for a few minutes.  Just a few.........zzzzzzzz

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Worry

Worrying is a completely useless emotion. It serves no purpose whatsoever.  If you spend all day worrying about something, does that do anything to alter the course of events? No.  Does it make the situation any better or any worse? No.  Worrying only saps the joy out of the current moment. It takes everything away from what IS actually happening and instead focuses everything on what COULD happen.  I used to be quite the worrier.  I think all Type A people tend to be worriers.  We just so desperately want to be in control of everything and fix everything and make everything better.  The reality is - life is NEVER what you expect or have planned.  It throws curveballs every chance it gets.   Over the past few years I have trained myself to only worry about something when it  becomes absolutely necessary to worry about it.  You will know when that time comes.  It comes when there is an obvious definitive action that needs to take place. Up until that point, worrying doesn't solve a thing.  We have had a lot on our plate at Yesteryear Acres lately and I have fallen into the worry trap.  It is an easy thing to do.  Today, I will breathe.  I will take a moment.  I will look at what is happening in the here and now and I will remember....
I shall not worry about something until it is absolutely necessary to worry about it.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Yay for you!

I got up very early to exercise this morning and was pleasantly surprised by how many people I saw doing the same. It was great to see so many people out and about and working on their resolutions of good health.  I have to say, that even though I am very committed to staying fit, it isn't always easy for me to find the motivation.  Some days I waste more time thinking about putting on my shoes than I do actually putting on my shoes.  Someone once told me that the amount of time people spend rationalizing or questioning whether they really want to workout could be better spent actually working out.  If you spend 10 minutes thinking about whether you want to get moving - instead you could have already been moving for 10 minutes.  I try to get motivated right away any time I start down the path of "if I exercise later then....."  So this morning, I was up and out and I felt happy to see other people jogging and walking and biking.  It gave me a sense of camaraderie. It does take time and effort to maintain physical fitness but with every minute you give towards being fit - you gain a lifetime of health and happiness.   Here's to all my morning workout buddies! Yay for you!

Friday, January 11, 2013

My Apologies

I bet you didn't know that I possess an amazingly unbelievable super power.  I am able to control........the weather! I really am.  For instance, if Mr. Yesteryear Acres and I finish planting our 5 acre garden complete with 110+ tomato plants, the very next day, there will be NO rain.  In fact, there will be NO rain for weeks.  If I have a drive scheduled through the mountains that has to occur on a specific day, with no chance to change the date, there will be a blizzard of massive proportions.  If I wash my car, it will immediately rain, or it will sleet or hail. For sure some sort of slushy salty road mixture of precipitation is a definite guarantee.  So I apologize. Because yesterday I bathed all the doodle doggies and doodle puppies. Every doodle doggie and doodle puppy sparkled they were so clean.  Today...........RAIN!!!!!  Tons of rain. In January. Turning our backyard into a weird mixture of sinking mud holes and treacherous ice slides.  The result ....our doodle doggies and puppies say,  "OH BOY LOOK AT THE ICE SLIDE!  Let's GO DOODLE DOGGIES!  OH BOY! IF WE HIT THE ICE SLIDE JUST RIGHT, WE CAN LAND RIGHT IN THE MUD PUDDLES AND SPLASH FOR HOURS!!!!"  For every single person suffering through brown drippy muddy messy doodle doggies - I am sorry.  I can control the weather but I need to work on fine tuning my abilities.  Some day....some day.....I will get it right!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Puppy Baths and Puppy Fun

This weekend our sweet doodle puppies will be going to their new homes so today was Puppy Bath day! All the puppies really enjoyed their day at the Yesteryear Acres Spa and are now sparkly clean and ready to meet their new families. Mr. Yesteryear Acres and I worked together to make sure the puppies were beautiful from head to tail.  Nails - Check! Ears - Check! Happy fun puppies - Check check and check! It was a busy day but as always - spending the day with cute puppies is always a good day. Looks like the weather is going to warm up so all the puppies should have a blast playing outside with their new families.  Puppy weekend is almost here!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

NOT happy....SIGH...NOT HAPPY

Okay - so I thought saying goodbye to my daughter at the airport was the stressful part of my day yesterday but noooooooooooooo I was so wrong! Last night I received a phone call from my daughter. The second the phone rang, I immediately panicked! She was supposed to be flying over the Atlantic that very minute.  Why is she calling me?
"Mommy, our plane had an engine failure so they turned it around and we are back in Atlanta."
And there she sat. And sat. And sat. On the tarmac from 4:30pm until 8:00pm.  Which meant she was never ever ever going to make her connecting flight in London. PANIC!  My daughter's school offered a group flight option for getting the students to the University in Europe.  Did I use that? NO! I found 2 separate flights on 2 separate airlines that saved over $500 and decided that we would do our own flights.  Good plan.....UNTIL THE ENGINE FAILED. WAH!  I spent hours on the phone with both airline companies and big surprise - neither one cared. In the end I had to spend money to change her existing flight reservations to the next flight departing London later that afternoon. The change fee was MORE THAN HER ENTIRE TICKET COST.  ACK!  I had no other choice.  Then to make me feel even better ....the original flight she was scheduled on for this morning was DELAYED.  So she would have actually made the morning flight!  And I spent TWO hours on the phone today with both airlines again and no one will refund my change ticket fee.  Basically they said, "You paid for a change. We gave you a change.  There is no refund for getting what you requested."  Oh gee thanks.  I feel ever so much better about paying for a change that I didn't need to pay for. I also feel awesome that my daughter is still stuck in London waiting for the late afternoon flight and I am sure she is thinking how much she loves me now that she has a 9 hour layover.......and was there.....when the original flight departed. I don't think I will breathe easy until I hear that she has made it to her final destination safe and sound.  I hope I hear from her soon!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

HAPPY...sigh.....HAPPY....sigh

My younger daughter is on a jet flying across the pond to a grand adventure. She will be spending the next semester in Europe, seeing all the sights and experiencing all the different cultures. When she learns about Van Gogh in her Art History class, her professor will then take the entire class to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. She will have a field trip to the Louvre in Paris.  Everything she reads about in a book she will experience first hand. I am so HAPPY for her!
and then.......
sigh.....OH MY GOSH! The doggies already miss her.  The puppies already miss her.  I ALREADY MISS HER!!!!!  She will be gone for so long! How will I live!?! The house is already so empty without her.
and then.....
She will see the Alps!  She will see Castles!  She will see amazing museums! She will see the Mediterranean Sea!
HAPPY!
and then.....
I had to say goodbye to her at the airport and watch her walk through security knowing I will not see her again for almost six months. Inside my heart was literally breaking.....sigh
But on the outside, I smiled and I hugged her tight and I waved, I said I AM SO HAPPY! Cause I am.........Happy.......and .......well you know.  Sigh.



Monday, January 7, 2013

Snowsicle Puppies

Oh my the puppies had so much fun playing in the snow today.  All the previously snow statue puppies now can't wait to go outside and romp in the snow. They love it.  Today was snowtastic!

We want to play!!!!

YEA! It is our favorite snow buddy!
 
Shhhhhh. I will sneak up very slowly
Time to pounce!!!!
SNOW SLIDE TIME!
We made it!!!!
We are too little to go outside and play
Bwahahahaha we get all the warm snuggle time!
Happy Monday!








Sunday, January 6, 2013

BIG Surprise

My younger daughter and I spent the majority of the day running errands. It was the "let's go get everything you need, last trip, last chance, don't forget" errand run.  When we arrived home, my son had spent the entire day working on our porch and kitchen. I was SO surprised!  The porch was completely vacuumed and new carpet laid out and everything was dusted and beautiful.  The kitchen was so clean, I literally almost fell over!  We have a coat rack in our kitchen that has long disappeared.  There are so many coats flung onto the rack that it nearly topples over with the slightest breeze. The coats were all gone! They were actually put in the coat room! Hanging up where they are supposed to go! We also have a ridiculous shoe and boot collection as soon as you walk in that takes over 1/4 of the eating area in the kitchen.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres and my son work outside for so many hours each day, that when they come in, everything they are wearing gets dumped into that corner and all their tools and boxes get stacked onto one section of my kitchen counter.  Each and every day, I shove their "collection" down the counter and stack it to a teetering height so that I can use my counter.  Each and every evening, they spread their farm collection down the entire length of my counter. It is a never ending battle.  Today - my entire counter was clean.  Not one tool. Not one glove. Not one battery, flashlight, WD-40 can, twine, hand warmer, roll of duct tape.....nothing.  The boots were ALL put away! The floor was vacuumed! It looks amazing and my kitchen looks twice as big. Now that is the kind of welcome home that I love!

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Snow Good!

This week we have been busy trying to convince our young sweet puppies that going out in the freezing cold snow is FUN!  REALLY FUN!  And even more fun  than going out into the snow is "GOING" in the snow.  As in going potty.  The puppies have thus far been reluctant to embrace this idea.  Every time I take them out, they turn around and look at me as if to say, "Are you kidding me?"  The whole outing usually results in the puppies laying in the snow, "frozen" to the spot, with no movement.  Within 2 seconds of being placed in the snow, they start shivering for added effect.  They look as pitiful as they can and then we head back inside where the second they feel the warmth of the house, they all say, "HEY NOW WE CAN GO POTTY! It's so nice and warm in here!"  Today - we had puppy visit day, so the puppies had lots of social interactions and lots of time to go outside to show off their snow skills.  By the end of the day, we had most of the puppies actually GOING in the snow!  Success!  We still have two reluctant snow statue puppies - but I have a feeling by tomorrow, they will join in the snow fun as well.  Once the puppies got over the "Gee it is cold and the snow is deep and why am I out here" stage - the puppies actually started having fun.  We did snow mountain climbing and snow sledding and snow romping.  It was a great progress day for the pups and it was so much fun to watch. Once they got the hang of it - there was no stopping them.  Snow Good!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Room for me?

Today was spent tying up all the little loose ends before my younger daughter departs for Europe.  I think we have everything covered.  We have to go through her 2 bags one last time, do the online check in for her flights, pick up her rail pass but we are nearing the end of the giant To Do list.  We have had fun getting ready together and I know her adventure is going to be amazing. Of course....I AM GOING TO MISS HER!  When I went to bed last night it hit me.  She is going to be GONE! She is my bestest helper.  She is my smiley happy sunshine girl.  She is my I love you Mommy girl.  She is my watch silly girly TV shows girl. I don't know how I will survive the next 6 months without her! I know this is the best decision and greatest adventure and I never ever would want her to miss such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but.......
is there room for me in her suitcase?

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Snow Mountain Climbing is not in my future

This afternoon I had a BRILLIANT idea! I ran to share my brilliance with my daughter. "HEY!  Do you know what we could do? We could go walk in the deep snow for exercise! It will be great!"  My daughter readily agreed.  Snow walking.  Excellent idea. The freezing cold weather is just an added bonus because just staying warm burns calories and when we add in walking - we will be so in shape it will be amazing! We put on all our winter layers. Thermal layer. Check.  Fleece layer. Check.  Scarf. Check. Hat Check. Snow boots. Check. Gloves. Check. Snowsuit. Check.  100% ready for awesomeness!  We grinned from ear to ear as we stepped out into the snow covered landscape.  Off we went. Step. Sink. Step. Sink. Step. Sink.  MAN this snow is deep.  Step. Siiiiiiink.  I have never climbed our hill so slowly. I was literally gasping for breath when I reached the top.  How can this be? I have been exercising regularly! My daughter, while slightly winded, was WAITING for me. She had to do extra laps as I was THAT slow.  Every single step resulted in me sinking in the snow, slowly pulling my leg out and taking yet another slow and ever so difficult step.  After the first mile, I was totally walking in my daughter's footsteps.  I wasn't even breaking my own snow anymore and STILL I was tired.  I started pulling off layers.  I didn't need a hat or scarf or gloves or ANYTHING.  My face was so red from the exertion, I looked sunburned.  After 3 miles, my daughter asked if I wanted to do another loop. Ummmmmmm..... how about NO!  I crawled back to the house, took off all the ridiculous layers and fell to the floor.  Can I please have some water?  I am afraid I will be here laying on the floor until tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

OH OH OH day

Tis that time of the year.  Time for.....OH OH OH day.  What is OH OH OH day? Well it is the exact opposite of HO HO HO day which is let's get everything out of the attic and put boxes all over the house and get out all our Christmas decorations and DECORATE.  So of course OH OH OH day is - let's get all the empty boxes out of the attic and go to each and every room and gather ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL the Christmas decorations and put them away until next year.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres LOVES Christmas and believe me - there is not a single room without Christmas decorations.  It will take ALL day and maybe part of tomorrow as well to get the entire project finished.  Tonight we will probably have the entire tree done and all the ornaments boxed up in their special little boxes.  Mr. and Mrs. Claus have come back inside.  The tin soldiers are back in their boxes.  The wreaths are off the doors.  The candles have been collected.  It is UNChristmas day here.  It always is kind of a bummer of a day but once it is all done - it is always a relief. Tomorrow will be the cardio burn/strength training day as all of Christmas will be lugged back to the attic.  Looks like I can eat the rest of my Christmas cookies guilt free!  OH OH OH is here!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Year's Resolutions

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is a brand new day of a brand new year of a brand new you!  Today is everyone's favorite day.....NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION day!  You know the day where you promise to be a better version of yourself and do all the things you have promised to do each and every New Year's Day for the past decade?
Common Resolutions:
I will lose weight
I will exercise each and every day
I will be more organized
I will file my receipts EVERY single time with no delay
I will keep my house clean
I will work less and enjoy life more

Now that we have gotten those resolutions out of the way......I have decided to make ALL NEW RESOLUTIONS for this year.  Resolutions that matter.  Resolutions that are needed.  Resolutions that are obtainable.
Like....
I will be the first one this year to Let the Dogs Out.   CHECK!
I will be the first one this year to clean up puppy poop.  CHECK!
I will be the first one this year to empty the dishwasher. CHECK!
I will be the first one to track snow inside the house because one of my doodle doggies LOVES THE SNOW SO MUCH that I have to go outside and pretend to throw a snowball into the porch so she comes back inside.  CHECK!

I am on such a roll I might continue to make resolutions all day long! I forsee resolutions to
make dinner
clean the table
do the dishes
fold the laundry
and of course I certainly can make a New Year's Resolution to UNdecorate my Christmas Tree and UNdecorate my house.  I see ALL my resolutions coming true!  WOW!  I am GREAT! HAPPY NEW YEAR!