When I grow up, I want to settle down.

(Izzy and her microphone. She is playing and singing "God Bwess Amewica". Oh, how I love that girl.)

We got a piano. I was against the idea. At the moment I am thankful, because it is occupying these two. Anything that occupies Kaija is my friend. And maybe my girls will become pianists. That would be fun.

Why am I against the piano idea? Well. To be completely honest, it isn't the piano at all. It's what it represents, in my mind. It represents a permanence. We're filling our too big house and will make it hard to downsize. We recently found out that our dream of moving to the Mqt area within the next couple years isn't realistic. And I'm heartbroken. I didn't realize how much I had counted on it, until it was no longer an option. I never said I wasn't wishy-washy. I realize that I thought this would be the place for us. Turns out, no. We've got some really wonderful people in our lives here, but have come to realize that nothing can really replace family. I'm so homesick for our families that I can hardly stand it. We have missed out on so much already. Mqt wouldn't be home, but it would be so much closer. We'd see our families more often. Being as it is so close to my original home, it serves as a perfect meeting point with my family. And, I have so many more aunts, uncles and cousins there. And. My only grandparent left on this earth, my Gramma. I have a sense of urgency in spending time with her. I feel like I have pacified the gypsy side of me and am ready for something permanent. Or. Maybe not, since I'm ready to move again.

Don't get me wrong, if we can't move, we can make this work. And probably learn to love it here. We actually do like it here already. It could probably become home. But I feel a sense of urgency with this, too. At this point in my life, we need to get to where we are going. Soon my kids will grow roots. Wherever their roots are planted will be home for them. And when they get older, finish school, get married- whatever they do, they will most likely end up "back home". And where they settle will be our home base during our retirement years. Do we want it here, so far from our "home"? As long as we have each other, I guess it doesn't really matter where we are.

Maybe this is exactly the way things are supposed to be. Maybe we'll have better than what we wish for. All we need is a little faith and let things fall as they may. It's just hard for my heart to remember that.

I (almost) live here. Officially.

Since I've lived here for a little bit more than a week now, I decided I must be on top of things and get a Michigan license. I don't procrastinate. Ever. And my license isn't expiring in two days, causing me to panic. Nope.

Today was attempt two (not bad for a week and a couple days) at the old license thing. APPARENTLY in this state, you need the Dr. that delivered you to validate the fact that you are an American citizen. Born and raised. Today I had with me: my social security card, original birth certificate (didn't have it with the first time), two utility bills for proof of residency and my almost-expired-but-still-valid NM drivers license. And it wasn't good enough. I also need my marriage license to verify the fact that I used to have a different last name. Seriously.

When I got married in MN, I also waited a week and a half to change my name on my license and ss card. Neither required much more than me saying, "I got married and now I have a new name." As a matter of fact, I could have changed my first name at the same time, the lady said. Again, a week and a half after I moved to NM, I didn't need all that proof of being an American citizen to get a license. And we lived 3 hours from the border. That's a whole 'nother issue for a whole 'nother day. (Do you sense a trend in the way I operate? I hate to get too committed to anything- give it a good trial run before I commit.)

I think what is really happening here is that I'm not meant to live in lower Michigan. If they don't take me tomorrow, I'm outta here. I won't have a choice! ;)

The Mindi O. Project

There. (brushing my hands together)

My square foot garden is put together and planted. And that's when I read about the big thunderstorm and the hail. Yikes. Please don't kill my plants, Mother Nature. Thank you. Good news is, half of the garden is seed. The other half, well. Hopefully not soon-to-be-dead-little-plants. I'm quite proud of our handiwork. (Z helped with the structural aspect.) And can't wait to reap the benefits, if this project produces. Since I killed a cactus once, I don't have a ton of confidence in myself.

It'll definitely make my little "Mindi O. Project" more fun. Michelle Obama started a good/bad project in our public schools. Good: it possibly introduces them to new fruits and veggies and encourages them to eat them. My kids school does not take advantage of this program, but some of my nieces and nephews benefit from it. Thanks to my aunt, their school cook. Bad: more spending. Anyway, it inspired me to turn up the volume in the fruits and veggies department in our own home. Thus, "Mindi O". It has not gone unnoticed by my kids. No longer can they go to Subway (for example) and order a sub with no veggies. Mean mom. And I've been giving them more than one veggie per meal. I'm not sure they are enjoying it as much as me, but they'll deal.

And hopefully learn to love their veggies. If all goes as planned, they will be eating them by the plateful before the end of summer. Thanks to Mindi-O. Join me. It's fun. And it doesn't cost the taxpayers a dime. You can even blame it on me.

Bullet-tin

*Hoo-boy! That was a small picture. I apple-gize. Sort of. I should have stood on the other side as the draping on my dress was unflattering in the pictures. It didn't drape on both sides. Whatev. The naturalizers stole the show, anyway. Thanks, Penny, for the birthday gift.

*I exploded another potato in the oven. That happened before my trip to MN. Since I couldn't clean the hot oven immediately, I left it be. Fuggodabodit. Cranked the oven on and my house now smell interesting. I'm going with it anyway, maybe it'll give my chicken some character. You're welcome. I only hand out useful information.

*Which reminds me, I've pretty much decided I want a smoker. Then I'm going to become a meat-smoking queen. Man's job or not. I'll invite you over, once I know that I won't kill you with my food.

*The hips. Logan's are looking really good. Bone is filling in where it should. And he even got the go-head to start biking again. Yesterday he was out in the rain, biking and grinning from ear to ear. Cutie pie.

*The other hips. No improvement, darn it anyway. Kaija had outgrown her brace and is now in a bigger one, so we hope this jump starts the healing process. She only has a year until she reaches the age where a brace doesn't do what it is supposed to. So we have our fingers crossed.

*In the big scheme of things, these hip issues are really just a small bump in the road.

*Hugs to those dealing with bigger issues.

*Go to my friend Lenny's garage sale. If only to see her in her fanny pack, pecking at the keys on her adding machine. It's hysterical. (I would imagine.) Plus, I know she is bored because she bugs me. All. day. long.

*I can't stop giggling. Just so you know.

*The Bizzizzle will probably need eye surgery to correct her lazy eye. I won't lie, I'm starting to feel like the hypochondriac mom that blows things out of proportions and goes for the extreme measures as soon as they are offered. At least this is a pretty minor surgery.

*I really miss my sisters a lot. It really hit me hard after this trip. I wish I lived within walking distance to them.

*I might have ADD. I definitely still have the giggles.

*But, seriously, how bored can you be to actually still read my blog from time to time? I have nothing to offer here. You are just so cute.

My thoughts are all over the board at the moment. So I'll leave you with this picture instead.

Happy Mom's Day weekend!

I really, really wish all of my mom friends a fabulous weekend. Mom's deserve a whole weekend, not just a day.

Each year that I delve deeper into mommyhood brings new challenges. This year was absolutely no exception. Thankfully, with the challenges comes a greater appreciation for other moms. For my own, for my Grandmas, for my aunts, for my friends and their motherhood experiences, for anyone that can give me a golden nugget of advice, support or understanding. It's amazing how the right words can carry you through a difficult situation.

May all the moms forgive themselves for the mistakes they have made, applaude themselves for the situations they have handled well and continue to do the best they can.

I hope all the Moms in my life have a wonderful Mother's weekend! You deserve it.

The buzz

The big weekend:

some people got married.

some guy died.

the biggest buzz was about ZzTop & I and our anniversary.
of course.

it's good to get away together, to make sure your hopes and dreams are still aligned.
they are.

future moves.

a new dog, of a certain type.

a fixer-upper house on acreage.

a camper.

a garden.

a sauna.

continuing education for me.

landscaping ideas.

both still loving the new car.

a newer truck.

wanting to find a really good piece of pie.

(we did).

new bike for me.

biking together.

future vacations.

finally getting a flag put up.

retirement.

(i have to remind him that we want a motor home when we retire).

not a permanent home in NM.

so we can tour the whole country with an extra long stop in NM.

then he remembers what a good dream that is.

we've got a good life, Z and I.