There are NO words!

They say that the American Dream begins with home ownership. Nathan and I bought our first house almost 10 years ago. Our first house we lived in for 7 years and we had NO problems. It was new when we bought it, it was 1247 sq ft. We OUTGREW our house. We found our dream house about 10 minutes away. We bought this house and we do LOVE it, but in the short amount of time that we have owned it we have:

replaced 5 windows

replaced 2 air units

had a new roof installed (insurance paid for this)

and now this kitchen situation.

My American dream would be to save some money! I love my house but wow! What a mess and to have this in the kitchen and the Laundry room-well you may as well fire me as being the cook and laundress! Perhaps a Vacation will work in well at this time-so long savings hello Hawaii!

OK that was a quick trip, I forgot, in an effort to be SuperMom-I signed the kids up for Cub Scouts. They think that in being a Cub Scout they will go on adventures and shoot stuff with a bow and arrow. Little do they know what we will really do is tie knots and sing camping songs. But that is OK, just more quality time out in public with me throwing ugly looks trying to get them to pay attention to what is happening. Yippee for us! Although I signed Nathan up to help as well seeing that he is an Eagle Scout and all.

What a Weekend!

We had quite the weekend. Saturday started with a BANG or more of the dulll drone of the wind tunnel that is my kitchen-so escape we did, we headed to the YMCA for a quick workout. Then Melissa called and we got with the Young family and headed out (all 8 of us in my van) to the Wilson County Fair. I love a good fair, I love to see the arts and crafts, the quilting and things that take some kind of effort. Those things that make you feel completely talentless and nothing like the home maker that I am.....I thought that it would be a "learning" experience for the kids to know that you show cows, make clothes and make pottery. We watched one round of the cows and they were complaining of the mature -oh yes, my kids do not know that it is manure! I on the other hand LOVED the cows and Melissa and I picked the winner and got it right. I should have been a "Cow Judge". We spent most of the time at the rides, with the carnies (you know who carnies are, the people that work the rides that have not teeth and do not know that second hand smoke is harmful.) and listening to the requests of the FOUR boys that we had. Then we headed to the MAIN EVENT!

We went to the Demolition Derby! Oh yes, me, Shannon Summar went to the most red neck thing that I have ever seen. I have been to a tractor pull, I can help on a farm but I have NEVER seen anything like this! It is Redneckdom at its best. And it was hilarious-not only for the idea, but for the people that actually had family members involved! OH MY, they were passionate about their beat up cars. The kids had a ball. Now that is good wholesome (with your ears covered) family fun.

On Sunday marked another special and sad day for our family. It was mom and dad's 45 Anniversary! But Sarah and Jason decided to have Baby Elizabeth baptised. We had a wonderful time at church, we all went to the chancel rail to see her get "sprinkled" and shed a few tears. She is such a special gift and we are so lucky to have each of our kids, no matter that we would like to kill them from time to time. After church I had the family get together for lunch. Kristi was kind enough to open her house at the last moment since mine is well, loud and wet. Everyone had a nice time.

Today I was back to First Grade. Then the man came back to check on my water situation. I really thought that we would get off easy. I could not see that my wood floors were cupping, or that the HVAC system would need to be cleaned out, or that the hard wood would need to be ripped up so that the sub flooring could dry. I think that we are in for it. They are coming to "rip" up the hardwood in the kitchen and the hall today or in the morning, then they will have that dry and then who knows, new wood, new finish new house?? I will let you know when I do . In the mean time check on your insurance policies and make sure they are paid up to date.

Good Stuff

Attention Men!

Generally speaking we know whom takes care of the house, you think that the women do. And you are correct, we do. However-the HOUSEHOLD is a completely different situation. And by household I am talking structure and all that is contained in it, on it or with in the walls and studs and insulation and whatever else you use to build a house. But my point is, I can clean, dust vacuum, polish, scrub-but when something breaks-don't walk out the door, state something about that being a problem and head off to work.

So in explanation - I woke up this morning to my refrigerator hissing. This is funny because normally we get along fine. I asked Nathan what was happening with the fridge (he gets up early and had been sitting in the same room with it for over an hour) he wanted to know what I was talking about. I told him the thing that we get food from, is hissing what is happening? ((Crickets)) then I lean down to inspect-there is water coming from this hissing monster. Well what do you do? I went and got a towel, told Nathan and he still sits. Anyhow it is Friday and the day that everyone has to go to work, school or work at school. I call Daddy T on the way to school and ask what I do, Daddy T is my father in law that knows everything about everything. He says I should call my insurance company.And when I am done with school Daddy T comes over and we get the water shut of, clean up the standing water,discover that it has gone under the wall and into the laundry room and I call USAA they tell me they are sending out the .........

Water Mitigation Team! What? I just have some water and I thought that you only mitigated in a courtroom. They come-climb under the house in the haz mat suits, take picture, and finally set up a wind tunnel in my kitchen and Laundry room. They leave stating that they will send someone out on Monday to take a look....If I had an infant the white noise would be a welcome visitor, now it just hinders us from hearing one another.

And you know what? I handled it all myself, with a generous helping of Lend a Hand from good ol Daddy T! And Nathan did have a good day at work, thanks for asking.

Choir

So I mentioned last night that I was looking forward to the kids getting back to Wednesday night suppers and choir at church. And recall when I said that I would like to take a class. Well I found my class.....

My class is the Kindergarten and First grade choir! I believe that we are called the "Singing Angels" YEP! And it really would not be a BIG deal other than the other mom's all have girls, and you know who they look at when the corner of boys starts misbehaving, well they look at the mom that has two boys.

So I was stuck in the corner with a bunch of nasty little boys for a half hour. And you know what I learned? My kids are not that bad and I am REALLY glad that I do not teach any kids in school!

Sorry that it has been so long!

Sorry for the delay in posting to my blog....I have been a busy person!

We just got home from the Baseball field and it is 9PM. I do not know who thinks that 7PM is a good start time for a six year old's game but- 7PM is closer to bed time than start time. Ethan scored a run! I am so proud!

I had scrappin on Friday night. I love my group! We have such a good time with one another. I made a couple of cards and laughed my way through the night.

Saturday brought quite a few tears in our household. It was my Daddy's 65th birthday. I wish that he could have been here to celebrate with Sarah whom turned 32 on Friday.

Sunday was lunch at MeMommy's house and then we went to play with Noah and Carson! What a fun way to start the week!

We have also had another loss in the family. As most of you know we take pet ownership VERY seriously in our family. And when one of our pets dies, it is a loss for all of us. Sarah had to put her cat down today. "Hightops" was truly Sarah's first baby, he was raised on the bottle and remained a steadfast friend through all of his 15 years of life. But I know that Grandaddy is loving having Hightops in heaven to spoil.

Also in the news-Christopher started Kindergarten! Watch out for the BIG man on campus. We are so proud and happy for this new beginning for Christopher and his family!

We start Choir again as First Graders at church tomorrow night. We love Wednesday night supper. It is such a nice time to catch up with family and our church friends. I think this session I may take a class. I really enjoy Wednesday nite classes as well.

I will be e mailing out baseball schedules soon. I hope all is well.

Chao!

Food for thought

OK-the real post is below this-

We know how I am lovin' the baseball thing correct? (for those of you that do not know, I DO NOT love the baseball that my kids are playing)

I have an observation:

If you (coach) cannot manage to put your baseball cap on straight and centered on your head- your IQ goes down at least 10%

Food for thought for my peeps!

Ok so now that we have that done-

Ok so it is a fact that I do not know how to post pics and explanations. Therefore-I shall post many pics and try to explain myself as not to look like a complete moron that just goes out looking for nature and snaps pics. Oh I believe taht you may call them a nature photographer.

SO the first pic is my rabbit hole. They are gone and I, their rabbit mommy is sad. However I keep my eyes peeled and the garden ready for whenever they would like a nibble.

The next picture is the kids in johns room pre-paint. And I pose this questions, how come I take their picture for the bare walls effect and they take the best picture, I take OH a Christmas picture and they are enemies? I would just like to know. So this MAY BE our Christmas Picture.

The next pictures are post paint. John has blue walls and EE has the brown walls. I think that it turned out wonderful. The kids are excited and Nathan is still alive- good news all around. I will take more pictures once we have all the pics hung, furniture in place and whatever.

The final picture is of ANOTHER hummingbird whom thought that their idea of cross continental travel included a trip thru M'boro and in my garage.

Well I have to go, I am waiting on the appliance man to come get a door stop out of my drier, don't ask, it is my fault-perhaps I will take some pictures of the kind man and blog about it later.

So Tired!

I must confess, I am tired!

Painting for three (one of which lasted until 1AM) days, watching the Olympics and having a sick boy- (whom I let stay in my bed last night-while I resorted to the couch)I am pooped!

Ethan went to bed at 5PM yesterday. Then he woke up this morning and had a fever of 101.6. We took John to school and headed to the Dr. He has strep. Little man had a shot and hardly cried. He is now sleeping-again and willbe home for another day or so.

Oh and I also wanted to brag about my neighborhood. We have had two neighbors die in the last few months. And the way that our neighborhood snaps together to help the family is beyond! I do not know of any other 'hood that does such a thing. We have been known to supply familys with food, house sitting and given memorials. Each time I hear of something else that is happening in the hood, I am so happy to live here. These things just do not happen anymore. And our neighborhood is rather small so we have a real sense of community. So for the time being I will not mention the over indulged teens that think that they rule the place.

Nathan has called me in the last hour and metioned that he is not well. I told him to have a safe drive home and the sheets are clean.

More later.................

Fresh Coats of paint

Well we did it, we did the painting weekend. We managed to get like 95% of the kids rooms painted. I love it. I will post some pics once I have the rooms set up. All of the furniture is in the middle of the room-so not so pretty.

One of my daddy's cousins was is this weekend. He was in to see GG (Dad's mom). They had a wonderful visit. GG is tired. It was neat to be around him. He reminds me so much of daddy. Just the way that they both talk, carry themselves and act around the kids. Makes you know that genetics has soo much to do with who we are as humans.

Nathan and I managed to work well with one another. We actually had a nice time in the rooms painting. The kids really needed some attention-in other words-they were acting up. But nonetheless-they will like their rooms once mommy finishes putting them together.

And finally we will have a bunny update...

so my babies have moved on. They have moved out of their hole and into the wide world.

til we meet again.

It's Friday!

I am really happy that it is Friday! We get 48 hours with Daddy~but we are PAINTING all weekend. That's right the dreaded painting weekend. But the kids have been so patient with us in deciding what to do with their rooms. So I went this morning and got the four gallons of paint needed. I have cleaned out their rooms-HOLY moly- they have aLOT of stuff. So Nathan and I will spend the next two days tell thing the kids to move and making mean faces behind one an other's backs.

Well I went and had my eyes checked today and they were more healthy than they were last year. I went to another doctor namely because I wanted to get fitted AGAIN for contacts with a Dr. that was patient and not afraid to try many times to get my eyes correct. And I have found her and hopefully this set of lenses will work.

Then I had my final laser hair removal session today. So I am done and I am so happy! if you have unwanted hair-DO IT. I just cannot say enough!

Happy day I have had. I have to go to baseball with the kids at 530 and then again tomorrow at 330P. And then I think that I will watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.

Looky Looky!

As you can see, I have upgraded things around here. I was tired of the polka dots that I had before. So I upgraded to this..... Hope you like.

I had a fairly busy day. I started out at hobby Lobby to get some art framed-we are "supposed" to do the kids rooms this weekend. I detest painting. Anyway back to Hobby Lobby, they had frames on sale so I have some art framed. Then I kicked the back of my shopping cart, I hurt! Then I let it go well whenIwas checking out I thought that something was dripping on me well it was - MY OWN BLOOD from my little toe! I had soaked my sandle with blood so I threw the art in the car and went to mom's for some comfort and care.

Well if it is comfort that you are looking for: don't go to Sally's! She just passed me a Band-Aid and said yep I bet that hurt.

So that put a damper on the whole going to pick okra and tomatos. I was going to can again because my Father In Law asked me to go pick some Vaggies. I just came home and worked around that house until time to get the three amigos. I kicked them outside today. Too nice not to play outside.

The kids are staying the night at Nathan's parents. But I cannot lay around and eat bon bon's. No I am headed to the gym. I have realized I pay a trainer because there is NO way that I would ever do these things to myself. I came out on Tuesday and thought that I was going to DIE! But today is OK because I have a hurt toe. HA HA. Kevin does not care about my toe.

Any who. I am off to the gym. and here is a pic of my babies. I am sure that you will notice looking back my bunnies have really grown up. Everyday I wake up and check them thinking that they will be gone and WOW they are still there! Love them!

An Open Letter

Dear you know who you are:

I have taken my irritations with you to the internet now-a whole new level. You take up MOST of the closet-and I keep my mouth shut. You come home late and I (mostly) keep my mouth shut. You work far too much and I share you with your boss Larry! I allow you to work in the bed, the lake and in the car-but my latest and most current rant with you has to do with your clothing.

And while I realize that you are "busy" so am I! I have to clean the house, raise Bunnies, carry the kids from here to there, go to first grade two days a week ( I am learning alot-thanks and my favorite class is music, thanks for asking) clearly you need to understand that I have NO time to walk around the house gathering your suits! including but not limited to: shirts, ties, and shoes, shocks and ties suspenders, and whatever else you can put on your body.

I did not get your suits out, I do not have to put them up. We learned this last year in Kindergarten-i loved kindergarten, I had wonderful teachers and I learned to add-thanks! You may think that it is OK to undress (part of the way) in the living room, I detest your shirts being left in the Hearth Room! And before I send you back to your mom, whom I am sure does not want you back-learn how to PROPERLY hang up a suit. You have been doing this for 5 years and still do not know how to hang up suit pants. Then you go to work with wrinkles and this is a direct reflection on your stay at home mom of a wife. And moreover, you have so much money tied up in your clothes that unless you want me to visit Louis Vuitton or shop on line for some new Manolos you WILL hang up and put up your stuff!

Now, I have made my point. and do not think that hanging your yesterday suit on the back of the closet door is properly hung up.

And one more thing- you....

Katie Holmes! I saw that you recently again cut your hair. And while I think that it is really cute. And in keeping in mind that YOU were the reason for my current do. I will not mess with my hair at this point. I am still trying to get used to my prison yard mullet that you inspired me to do. Thanks!

Ever so sincerely,
Shannon

PS- pray for rain, we have Baseball tonight-if it rains, no baseball.

Baseball, Rabbits, and organizing

Ok so baseball was an adventure. My kids have played 3 seasons on a christian based soccer club. In other words parents are told to shut up and just let the kids HAVE FUN. But this season they told me that they wanted to play baseball. OK, well I asked my brother who to sign up with for baseball. He tells me the only way to go is M'boro Baseball Assoc. OK so I pay my 55.00 each. The coach calls me over the weekend tells me what to buy, where they practice and asks if the kids have ever played Coach Pitch. No-I explain this is their first real experience with baseball as a whole. I am used to having one-one hour practice a week with one game on the weekend.

OK so now we show up for one of the FOUR practices this week. The practice in 1 1/2 hours long and practice was at 7PM. Furthermore these kids all knew one another because they apparently have all stuck to the same team for MANY seasons. I do not mind my kids being the new kids-heck I spent half of my life being the new kid. But the parents! OMG! I cannot tell you how they spoke to their kids! One dad told his son to "Get under the ball, if it hits you it will not hurt long." These kids are six and they are having fun. NOT training for the Majors. But Ethan and John were having fun and that is all that matters. But honestly, if your kids play sports-just remember unless they are playing for the Mets-it is just FUN! Especially at this age.

OK That is my rant for the day.

Other than that I am adding a pic of my bunny. I am showing you all how cute a bunny tail is especially since it is soooo tiny.

And finally,

I aspire to be organized. I own a labler, I have file folders and I got a new computer to keep all the photos stored on. (This computer don't think that I own two of these.) And in my effort to clean out my wardrobe-I HAVE ORGANIZED!!! This wardrobe is what I put everything in. You know, the kids bring something home and it is cute and you have NO idea what to do with it so you put it in the Wardrobe. it was my catch all. Only my catch all was HUGE. And secretly I was scared that if something happened to me Nathan would REALLY find out that I am a "closet" slob-with aspirations of being more Martha Stewart than George Jefferson.

Man Does it starts young..

This is the newest pic of my baby. I have three others that look like this one. And while you are NOT supposed to handle wildlife, they are not wild. They are my bunnies and Bonnie and I have an understanding. I look after the cones and she feed them..I check and make sure that they are safe while she is gone and haul butt thru my house to turn off the irrigation system (at 630AM) and she does not mind that I pick up the babies for pictures only. I love them

On another front-I was talking to Nathan on the phone and it went something like this. Yes, Ok, Ok, yes, 7 tonight at Barfield-(we were talking about meeting at the baseball field.) and then I got a beep. I got rid of Nathan and this little voice asks for John Summar. I think that it is Noah (my nephew) because they had been talking earlier in the day. But I thought that it was weird that he did not say-something "aunt Shannon" but I pass the phone to John without question. And since it was a beep I could not check the caller ID. A couple of minutes later, and no eavesdropping, John comes in to the room where I am organizing my wardrobe (not my clothes, my furniture -I try not to wear "art" )with all my pictures. And he says mom, guess who that was. Noah, I say. and he says no. it was MaZaria! This is a little girl in his class. She was in his class last year. While she is a nice little girl, I feel that First Grade is FAR too young to be calling. especially a girl calling a boy. And while I am accepting-I can say that I am not all for the inter-racial relationship until they can understand the complete repercussions.

I was not allowed to call a boy until I was in college! At least not with my mom knowing. Man having parents that grew up in the 50's and 6o's was the BEST!

My new ring

Look What I got!

I drug Nathan to West Nashville to a nice little boutique. He was nice enough to purchase me some diamonds-lots of diamonds. I got an eternity band, a diamond bangle and a saphire band like the eternity band. The little rings are stacking bands so that he always knows what to get me-you just add on and stack them up.

My won't I be a pretty one! I have the nicest hubby! Once the other two items come in I will show everyone.

Little Nuggets of Heaven

My car is home safe (for now) and sound. I am so happy to have my car home.

But far more important than any car-my babies. These are my little nuggets of heaven. They are the cutest, smallest and most precious things that I have ever seen. I think that my campaign to keep them is breaking Nathan down. I have now involved the kids who remind him of our plans to keep the babies. Ok so you see how tiny these babies are- can you imagine how tiny and cute their little bunny tails are? I have never seen anything so cute. I had a Bonnie sighting yesterday. I think that she smiled at me and my smiling I mean that she said thank you for watching out for the interests of her babies. Anyway. My mom says that I have to be careful because once they open their eyes-OH BOY! they may run from me. er Hop from me. And I know that if they run from me I will cry.

Anyway do I have any people that enjoy info-mercials? I have a child that gets up at lord knows what time and comes into the hearth room to watch infomercials. He watches them, studies them and is sure to ask for and tell us about the various items. The first time that this happened, he told me about the magic jack, he knows how to use it, what it does and how much it costs 2 easy payments of whatever. He was also game for calling mom, Me Mommy and whomever else I told him to tell the Magic Jack about. Sarah was up one night feeding Elizabeth and was able to catch the Magic Jack-and lo and behold-John knew the whole commercial as Sarah found out.

This morning at 6AM, I heard about the Oven Pro. Lordy- I was not up enough to understand what he was saying. But I have a feeling that if John finds QVC or HSN we will no longer be watching cartoons. Furthermore, a couple of nights ago we had the TV on during dinner- the ShamWOW came on- he cranked his head around and did not move for 2 minutes (quite an accomplishment for a 6 year old) then he promptly asked if I could buy one. This kid! He could turn into a hoarder!