It's a smelly job.

The dating years are fast approaching in this here house hold and I am armed and ready.




You hear country songs where they talk about dad's cleaning their guns when their daughter's dates come to pick them up.




Well, I've found something even more powerful to keep the girls at bay.





"Son, you just keep on buildin' up that thar mountain cuz you're gonna be king of it for ooooooh, a good nuther 10 years....."

The Piano Recital! A Tribute to Mike Carson.

Last night the natives had their yearly piano recital. (I have to do that apology thing.....bad lighting......point and shoot camera.......not the best photo's or video....okay, done apologizing.)

They did so well and we were so pleased. Pictured above with the natives is their piano teacher, Mike Carson and let me tell you what! He totally rocks as you'll see/hear when you listen to the performances. The progress these kids have made, how well they play, is all credited to this fine man and the talent we are blessed to partake of. Believe you me, not a day goes by as my kids are practicing that I do not realize and appreciate this blessing in our lives and I pray I never take it for granted.



I couldn't resist adding this photo with my baby girl's feet. She's kind of awkward....kind of like her mamma.





Also one of the many performing that night was my baby girl's best friend who lives across the street and, "we're twins mamma!"




Not first up in the program but first up in our family was my baby girl. I don't know how my kids do it. I'd be scared silly but if they are.......they sure do not show it!





If this were me........See that plant there in the back behind the piano? I'd be hiding behind it seeing if it needed to be watered.......





Next up was this native. He was actually excited to perform.........what is wrong with these children? Does stage fright ever enter their minds?




Hello? Shaky? Knees knocking? That plant still looks like it needs watering....




Well, if the plant needed watering this native was NOT the one that was going to do it.



Calm.......serene......relaxed........asleep? "How DOES he do it?"






By literally bringing the house down after this last number. The kid is a natural....and he nailed it. I think everyone in the audience was holding his/her breath through this entire song and when he nailed it....everyone let out a whoosh of air and a cheer and leaped in their seats...

and then we all remembered where we were and sat down quietly and smoothed our dresses and slacks and got ready for the next performer.




Which was this native on the left. The one who wouldn't let me take a picture until finally his younger brother grabbed him and we bribed him. Okay, we didn't actually bribe him but I was getting pretty darn close.







Sorry for the three video's........I had camera issues.......and I wasn't happy about it. But, once again.....another performer who amazes me.





And last of the performer's in our family but not least by any means............





Is this boy who is fast becoming a man but don't tell him I said that. He already thinks he's all that since he's passed both me (snort--not hard) and his daddy up in height. That's okay.....I've ways of keeping him humble. We'll talk more on that tomorrow.






Proud mamma I is/am/are/will continue to be as we see what this year brings in the natives continued progress with THEE most fabulous piano teacher. I realize I'm gushing here but he truly is amazing and I want the world to know how blessed we are to have him. Thanks Mike for another great year and for sharing your gift with our kids. You truly are amazing.

Sabatage, cheat, what ever you have to do to be number 1.

Last week not only did I fall off of the wagon, the dang thing ran me over. It was very difficult because as you know from past posts.......I'm REALLY competitive and I have this Number 1 position that I am trying to keep on said sophisticated bathroom scale project.

All week I have plopped here on the couch in agony knowing that my SM was downstairs trying to beat me out of my Number 1 position. There was only one thing to do......and I did it honestly....I'd never cheat. I've my reputation to uphold here on the home front....turkey farm......gremlin ranch....

You see, my SM gets embarrassed when I tease him while he's trying to steal my home plate. Here's case in point: While setting up his "character" on the Wii, he knew I'd tease him if he chose the female trainer so he chose the male. The same bobble head spandex wearin' pony tail yoga Nazi that I did.

So, I was sitting up stairs minding my own business on the couch reading as I listened to the bobble heads commentaries. Anyone that has done the Wii knows that you have to concentrate. It takes deep concentration to keep your balance and keep the little ball in the yellow circle. Break that concentration......and the natives say stupid things like, "gee mom, I see you like to color....." as the red ball is flying all over the screen. Laughing and keeping the red ball in the yellow circle...can't do it.

Back to minding my own business listening to the commentaries and I hear...."you have great balance".......Time to act and pull out my Ace of cards: (In a syrupy drippy mimicking voice) Me: "you have great balance".

SM starts to color.

Bobble head: "You have great posture"
Me: (Syrupy voice) "You have great posture"

SM starts to color more erratically.

Bobble head: "You have great hips"
Me: (Syrupy voice giggling and oozing) "You have great hips"

SM falls off glorified bathroom scale and huge burst of breath escapes after failed attempt at holding his breath trying not to laugh and busts out laughing.

Me.....I continue to schlep on the couch....minding my own business.....until I hear....bobble head's voice replaced with female bobble head voice........I love making that man blush. Can't wait for round two!

Oh, and that photo? Think you can pick out which one is my SM? I'll give you a hint. He's the only one in the entire photo with arms.......and I get to be wrapped up in those baby's every night with my head on those broad shoulders.....

Answer to Wednesday's question.

Interesting responses to what you all thought was going on in this photo. You see, by the looks on their angelic faces you would think love, peace, and harmony were abounding but what you do not know is that my baby girl was caught in a conniving act and the look on her face is the "busted I'm guilty so I'm gonna try to charm my way out of this one" look.

The rule in our house during the school year is, no game cube, Wii, t.v., movies, etc. until Friday and even then......not until all chores and home work is done by everyone. What this means is come Friday after school the natives are running around frantically getting after each other to, "hurry and get your chores done cuz I wanna play the Wii." It works....at least in our house.

That is it works until mom catches little miss delegator pawning her chores off on the baby and is happily teaching/telling him he needs to do her dusting and this is how it's done!

So, last Friday my house got dusted and it looks great! If you're two feet tall......and don't look any higher........

Next up....how to sabotage your husband while he is trying to beat your scores on the Wii so you can still hold 1st place position when you're too sick to compete.

Question?

When you see this photo......what do you see? What do you think is going on? Just curious......Friday morning I'll post the answer but in the meantime......I'd love to hear what you all think.

Till Friday.........

More enlightening poetry.......

There was a little girl, who had a little curl,





In the middle of her forehead.




And when she was good, she was very very good.




And when she was bad...............

Come to MAMMA!

This is what happens when you have a house full of teenage boys.




They all stand behind you with mouths hanging open, drooling, and frothing at the mouth while I stand guard wielding a sticky, sugar, encrusted knife making moans and groans of delight with each mouth watering bite.

Back off! I'm the alfa mare in this herd........you can lick the pan when I'm done.