Things I've Learned Thursday

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've written.  Where does the time go?  In this year, so much has happened.  I've changed jobs (sort of), my son caught up with me in the height department, I can now share shoes with my daughter, we've diassembled our mini farm (still miss those donkeys), and I've confronted and am beating a great fear.  That's just a little taste of where I've been this year.  But in this year, I've learned a lot...about myself and about the world in which I live.  So, I thought I'd bring back "Things I've Learned Thursday" as a sort of memorial.

1.  The dark places in your heart can be filled with sunshine if you just let it in.

2.  Miniature donkeys stay in your heart long after they leave your barn.

3.  According to Kenny Chesney, we're not supposed to blink.  He's right.

4.  "You can't let your fear decide your fate."  -- AWOL Nation. 

5.  A little bit of uncomfortable-ness is just an opportunity for growth.

Hopefully, I can post a little more often than once a year.  Thanks Amy for the reminder!



Things I've Learned Thursday

Look at me!  Can it really be over 10 months since my last post?  Where has the time gone?  Nevertheless, it appears that it's time for another round of Things I've Learned Thursday...

1. Ten year old girls (mine anyway) are fascinated with miniature donkey parts -- especially when they have an interest in a future of veterinary school.  My daughter literally sat on the ground and watched as our miniature donkey, Chumley, was castrated.  I didn't even watch.  I couldn't.  It was too much for me...but Lainey?  Nope...she may as well have had a bowl of popcorn and a Dr. Pepper.
2. I think I dated Poseidon in an earlier life.  I hear the ocean call my name on a daily basis.
3. "You are what you eat" applies to dogs, too.  Spend the extra money and get the good food.
4. Adrenaline pools in your lower extremities when you're sitting down.
5. There's something wrong with the people at the gas station where I buy my Powerball tickets; they keep giving me the wrong numbers.
6. The Honey Badger?  He don't care! 

Things I've Learned The Day After Thursday

Look at that!  I missed A LOT of "Things I've Learned Thursdays," but I AM NOT BEHIND!  I'm just picking up where I left off.

1. When you read that you should have six months of paychecks in the bank "just in case," believe it.
2. A crabby hen sitting on a nest is called "broody," and they are NOT nice.
3. Driving through the backroads of the southeast/central eastern part of Missouri with the top and doors off the Jeep is amazing.  It's a beautiful part of the country.
4. Miniature donkey babies are C-U-T-E. [pictures coming soon]
5. The landmark Tower Rock near Altenburg, Missouri, is so neat.  Check out the link.
6. Since restarting my Tupperware business, I sense I've become more motivated, and, dare I say, organized.

That's it for now.  I'm missing my bloggy days...hopefully, I can make time for a little more.

Things I've Learned Thursday

1. Blogging is easy.
2. Blogging is hard.
3. The fruits of your labor taste so, so good.  I'll post about our ROI in our chickens soon!  It's so awesome!!!  Even though I've only eaten one egg so far, it just love sharing the eggs with others.  And I still love the chickens!
4. Drama begins early in girls....seriously, what kind of drama can you have in your life when you're 10?

To Be Continued...

I've taken a bit of a break from blogging, as you may or may not have noticed.  I'm still really searching for my niche in this blogosphere. 

I love to write and blog, and I love to share my adventures; however, I'm still looking for my ROI.  As we all know, getting something out of what you do makes it all worth it, right? 

So, as I continue to search for my direction, please bear with me.  I've got lots of new things to share and will begin posting again soon...especially since school has restarted and control of my schedule has returned.

(well, sort of.)

New Friend Friday

If you're visiting from NFF, welcome!  I hope you enjoy your visit!

The Girl Creative and The Trendy Treehouse have officially teamed up to co-host New Friend Fridays! Each week you will have the chance to add a link to your main blog to the ever growing list below. New Friend Fridays is a fun blog hop where it's all about making new bloggy friends and offering meaningful comment support to other bloggers. Whether you add your link to the list at The Girl Creative or The Trendy Treehouse it's all just one great big list.


The Rules are Simple:

• Add a link to your main blog
• Visit the blog of the person whose name is above and below your name in the list and leave a meaningful comment on their blog.
• Visit as many blogs as you can and leave comments telling them you are visiting from New Friend Fridays at The Girl Creative or The Trendy Treehouse.
• There is no obligation and no pressure to follow everyone who follows you. Please just follow the blogs that are of interest to you. :)
• Family Friendly Blogs ONLY please. Explicit sites will be removed.

If you have any questions or concerns about the rules, please click HERE to read a post that should clarify things a bit.

Things I've Learned Thursday

I've decided to start a regular Thursday post...we'll actually see how this goes.  It's titled "Things I've Learned Thursday."  I'll share what I've learned this week, which may or may not end up in a story.

1. The plastic thing that holds the water in your toilet tank is called a flapper.  It's very easy to replace your flapper when the original gasket gets flushed down the toilet.  Yea...it just disappeared.  And, you can't buy a replacement gasket.  You have to buy an entire flapper.
2. Mini horses poop A LOT!  I mean A LOT!  Every single night this week I've had to clean out their stall.  While I really don't mind this now since it's summer, I keep envisioning what it's going to be like in January and February when it's so flippin' cold!
3. It doesn't matter that your kitchen floor was just mopped.  It will rain.  And your dogs will get the floor dirty.
4. Your calves can sweat...I mean the ones on your legs. 
5. Big Brother 12 isn't as good as BB11.  I still love Jeff and Jordan.  Brendon and Rachel can go home.
6. When your boss resigns, you get a pang of nervousness for the future.
7. When your boss resigns, opportunity presents itself.
8. Turning 38 was easy.
9. Even though it's been over 100 degrees two days this week, I still love summer!
10. I really do live my life as an adventure.  Being told on Tuesday that I have to go to South Carolina (from Missouri) on Sunday was not overwhelming.  I LOVE South Carolina, so this is just a quickly planned adventure that will test my "bounce-ability" and spontaneity, but it will be awesome.  Being a single mom of two kiddos, with 19 feathered and furry creatures that depend on me for food, it can be VERY difficult coordinating trips away from home for work or pleasure.  But I have an absolutely A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. family that helps me out even though they don't have to. 

100 Things

Here's a list of 100 Things that you may or may not have accomplished.  I have put the things I have accomplished in bold print! I hope you will play along on your blog! Leave a comment if you do! I'd love to see.......


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis -- and I was scared to death!
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (does that fake wall count?)
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life -- if you count the rescue / foster animals we've had
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Hope you enjoy!!

adventure Awaits! The Story of My New Necklace!

So, a few months back, I subscribed to Mom magazine after a bargain post from Collin at Hip2Save. I then read a few weeks ago that some of the new subscribers were receiving a box of free samples to try. I didn’t give much thought to this, but then I received my box. Well, there weren’t just samples of stuff to try, there were oodles of things in this box. My 11-year-old son said, “Mom, why did you order all that baby stuff?” Lots of baby stuff there was, and all of it has found a great home with some well deserving moms of young children (or ended up in my daughter’s baby box as the cloth diaper did…that thing was awesome!).

Anyway, there were several gift certificates in the box as well. Well, of course I took advantage of these! One of the certificates was from LisaLeonardOnline.com. You must check this site out if you’re looking for a gift item for someone special (or for yourself like I was…I’m the baby of the family, what can I say? I’m a little selfish…). She has such pretty things and all in sterling silver.

So I decided, after much internal deliberation, on the “Word of the Year” necklace. You can have this necklace customized with any word you wish. I chose “adventure” to represent the way I choose to live my life.

It arrived wrapped in Oh! So pretty paper and tied with a bow:

As I unwrapped, I was more and more impressed with the care that went into the

presentation of the item.

I am so happy and impressed with my necklace!! I absolutely love it and can’t wait to wear it! It’s so unique and personal. I hope you’ll check out LisaLeonardOnline.com!

I was not compensated to review or post about this product! Just sharing an item I love with friends!

Weekend Wrap-Up

I think I'm going to have to take stock in Buchheit's, the local farm supply store.  I've spent way too much time and money there since April of this year in my quest to build a small zoo empire collection of furry and feathered creatures. 

We got our miniature horses this weekend.  Better pictures to come, but here they are:

This is Pearl.  She's a very shy girl, and she's stark white.  Absolutely gorgeous!

This is Tootsie Roll.  She's Pearl's daughter and has the most beautiful blonde mane and tail.

It's hard to get perspective on just how small they are, but the green gate behind Tootsie Roll is 48" in height, and Tootsie is shorter than that.  She comes to just below my waist.  So small and just adorable.

These bring our empire zoo collection to 3 dogs, 3 cats, 4 bunnies, 7 chickens (I can't for the life of me figure how we still have all 7 after where I found them this weekend), and 2 mini horses.  The thing that makes me the most proud is that all of them (well, except for one very cranky and blanket-possessive bunny) are kid-friendly.

Feel free to stop by and visit any time.  That's why they're here!

But, this was my favorite day.  The day I did not have to mow the grass because of this:

Lainey can mow the grass!!  And she likes it!  THIS was a most wonderful day.  I sat in the garage in my recliner chair enjoying an icy cold beverage, while my most awesome daughter took care of this chore.

Five Question Friday

Here's my Five Question Friday answers hosted by My Little Life.

1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?
Not really a favorite, but I loved stuffed animals.  I do still have one -- Rocko the Raccoon.  He sits on a shelf of my dresser...although his nose was chewed off my one of my dogs...nothing is sacred.

2. Do you dream in color?
I think so...although no one ever has feet in my dreams.  It's like anything below the knee just doesn't exist.

3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?
I'm 5'5".  I've never wished to be taller, but maybe a little shorter.  Although I think I'd have trouble with my weight if I were shorter.  I like the food.

4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be?
Keith Urban or Marcos Ambrose...I love the Aussies!
5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?
I ALWAYS return it to the corral, sometimes even the store.  It's lazy and unhealthy to do anything less!

NFF

New Friend Fridays is a fun blog hop where it's all about making new bloggy friends and offering meaningful comment support to other bloggers.

If you're visiting from NFF, welcome to my corner of the 'net!  Hope you'll stay a while!  I'll be sure to visit you back!

What I've Learned in the Last 11 Days (Or Was Reminded Of)

1. No matter how hard you try, making a sinus infection tolerable AND remaining conscious just doesn't work .
2. People worry even when you tell them not too.
3. Rabbits can get a fungus on their heads...poor Tater Tot.
4. July in Missouri is M.I.S.E.R.A.B.L.E. (My car temperature read 103 yesterday afternoon...and that's without the 98% humidity factored in.  Seriously, it's really hot. Steamy hot.)
5. If you build it (a nesting box), they won't necessarily come to it...stupid chickens.
6. How to tell if your radiator is cool enough to open AND how to add water to it.
7. Cats meant as barn cats don't always stay in the barn.  Welcome to the family Olly and Rocky.
8. Getting a barn and pasture ready for new mini pets is not pleasant (Refer to #4).
9. When mowing the grass at 9:30 PM, make sure both headlights work...and be prepared for a before work touch up job.
10. Ocular migraines SUCK.
11. No matter how bad you want it to work, sometimes technology just gets the best of you.  (I'd rather poke my own eye out than deal with computers that won't do what I want them to do.)
12. The state of Washington is TOO FAR from the state of Missouri. (Refer to #11 -- My techie is in WA.)
13. Turning 38 without being able to say to my Mom, "Can you believe your baby is 38?!" isn't any easier today than it was turning 33 through 37.  I miss you everyday, Mom!

Five Question Friday

Five Question Friday by My Little Life:

1. What were your school colors?

Green and White.  Is there another color that a Dragon would be?  Oddly though, the lady teams at my high school were/are called Head Hunters...where did that come from?  How do you have the SGHS Dragons and Lady Head Hunters?  Usually it's the Pirates and Lady Pirates.  Leave it to Small Town, Missouri, to be as backward as possible.

2. What's the best compliment you ever received?

Gee, this is a tough one...Immediately I think of people telling me my children are "well mannered."  I almost want to snort a laugh when they say this because my kids can turn on the charm when necessary.  But I think the one compliment that stood out most to me has been, "your house feels lived in."  On the surface, this didn't make much sense to me, but once I started thinking about it, I realized what she meant by it.  My house isn't clutter-free, it isn't organized, and it isn't put together, rather it is frequently messy, always noisy, and full of excitement -- lived in.  And I love it!
3. Do you buy cheap or expensive toilet paper?

I buy the cheapest, expensive toilet paper I can find.  I hate the single ply Scott's stuff, but I just can't justify the Cottonelle 1/2 inch thick ply either (although I love it!).  So, I find the best TP that's on sale and I have a coupon for and that's what I go with.  I'm not brand loyal when it comes to TP.

4. Have you ever had a surprise party thrown for you? Or have you had one for someone else?

Yes, to both.  My wedding shower (for my first marriage) was a surprise and I. HATED. IT. WITH. A. PASSION.  I'm not a surprise party kind of gal.  I've thrown a surprise party for my boyfriend's 40th birthday.  He is a surprise party kind of guy, so it was good for him. 
5. What is one material possession that you "can't live without"?

This is the easiest question EVER.  Without a doubt, the one material possession I cannot live without is my iPhone.  How I survived without one is beyond me.  Blackberry shmackberry.  Give me my iPhone or give me death!

Follow Me Friday

Hey there!  Welcome visitors!  Hope you stick around for a little while and enjoy a post or two.  It's a little slim this week....I've been sick ALL WEEK!!!  Yuck!




Hosted by The Girl Creative and The Trendy Treehouse

Bucket List Beware!!

This is what I've felt like for the past three days...just add a vice.

On Monday, after a very scary episode which ended up with me at the hospital getting an MRI on my brain, I was diagnosed with ocular migraines.  For someone who's only had a total of about 5 migraines in my life, this was a shock to me, but also a relief considering what it could have been. 

That period of 24 hours when I didn't know what was wrong was a very scary time.  Lots of things went through my head.  The most pressing thing was, "What have I done?" as in what's my legacy?  Sure, I've got a bucket list, but what's been crossed off?  Not enough!  There's so much more that I need to do.  So, when this funk moves on, look out!  Let the adventures begin, and bucket list beware!

Until then, please bear with me as I climb my way out and back to normalcy...well NewLeafNickie normal anyway. 

DIY Dog Toy

So, I've mentioned that I try to be frugal right? Well, in my quest for cheap and durable dog toys that require some level of time and attention (on the part of the dog, not me), I came up empty handed.

It's very frustrating to have dogs that destroy a toy within a matter of minutes.  So, they say that necessity is the mother of invention (or something like that anyway), I made these:

A Do-It-Yourself dog toy.  You simply drop some kibble in the holes, maybe smear some peanut butter in, and Voila! your pup is entertained for a little while.  And uses her brain in the process!!

Here's your instructions:

1.  Head to your local hardware store (my favorite is Lowe's of course--it's designed with us ladies in mind), and pick out various sizes (depending on the size of your dog) of PVC and different types of end pieces.  If you're not PVC savvy, no worries, it all makes sense when you get there.

2.  Cut the PVC to desired length.  These were made from one piece of pipe and are about 10 inches long.  I used a Sawzall (no idea if I spelled that right), but you can use a manual saw as well.

3.  Put the end pieces on.

4.  Drill some holes in various places through out the pipe and ends.  (Make sure your holes are big enough for your kibble.  I made that mistake at first.  Small dog bits are the best.)

The two pieces on the right have big openings on the ends so it doesn't matter how big the kibble is.  I usually put peanut butter in these two to keep the kibble from just falling right out.  Plus it takes longer for the pup to lick all the peanut butter out.

This project cost me about $15-20 total, so around $5-7 each.  I've had these for several months, which is longer than I've had ANY dog toy, labeled "virtually indestructible" or not.  In my mind, well worth the price!

Here's my pups enjoying their toys. 

Jersey figured out pretty quickly that she just had to push on it with her nose to roll it and the kibble just falls right out.  That is until she gets down to just a few pieces.  She'll work for an hour to get that final piece out.

Stains sticks in tongue in the opening and the kibble sticks to it.

Here is another of my PVC projects:

I use this for to give my boy rabbit some grass time and keep him away from the girls.  I also used it for the chickens when they outgrew their smaller cage but before they could go into the barn.  It's just one inch PVC pipe, three way connectors, chicken wire, and zip ties.  I've used this thing so much and it was way cheaper than buying one of those plastic wire pens. 

Stay tuned to see what else this "can do" girl will build with PVC.  It's my new favorite craft!

Eighteenth -- Cardinal Baseball

St. Louis.
Just rained.
Hot as Hades.
Baking skin.
Sweaty seats.
Cold beer (and it's free)!
Cardinal Baseball.
Is there anything better?
Seriously?
I think I could live at the ball park.

Seventeenth

Is this abuse of child labor?

Sixteenth -- Despicable Me

So, tonight the kids and I saw Despicable Me.  I'm getting to a point where I rue going to a kids' movie, so I went in with lower expectations.

Although it's a typical movie with the requisite bad guy and happy ending, it was alright.  Believe me, I've sat through worse...lots worse.  But the minions, the minions are FANTASTIC.  I want one.  I realize that it's not going to happen, but I did find this...

You can make your own Minion!!!  Check it out here!