Manners and Rudeness....

I really dislike harping on bad things and try to ignore negativity. Not always an easy thing to do, but I feel the urge to post something not so nice about people and their tendency to be so self absorbed and rude to others.

This past two weeks we have been very busy at the county fair. My children, nieces and nephews like to get involved and participate in various thing around the grounds.

My nephew Nathaniel has a disability which has him in a wheelchair during these long hot days. The fair grounds has handicap accessibility, but to be honest, not always the easiest to use. So we have a favorite bathroom. Getting to the bathroom is a maze, but the stall is very nice. So why do we have to wait for the only stall that we can use when there is many (about 6) open? Because a skinny teen wanted to use that one. I can understand that some tines it is needed to use the handicap stall, but it was not necessary. I know this happened to me and my sister almost every time. So frustrated.

Nathaniel likes to watch. He will just sit in his chair and watch the show, auction, pigs, or really almost anything that caught his attention. We know that walkways were put so people can walk safely from point a to point b. So we park Nathaniel out of the path in a safe place. So it really upsets me, well really pisses me off, that the general public feels the right to stop in front of the handicap and stand their to watch. There are bleachers that you are able to walk up and sit down, so why can't they? Because it is easier to be so self absorbed that they do not pay attention to where the are, so they do not know that they are blocking a person from enjoying the activity. Yesterday it got so bad that we had to wheel him into a pen to keep the public from blocking him so he could watch his sister and cousin show the pigs. All it would need is for people to know where they are and who or what is around them for this to be prevented. But it seem that is too much to ask.

Last night was the last day of the fair, and Dominick (another nephew) qualified to a championship round of mutton bustin (like bull riding but on sheep) This is a really cool group of people, and we had been their for many of the show and got kinda known. (Audrey and Caitlyn two other nieces conned the lamb so they were very memorable). So Josie thought she would ask if she could sing the national anthem live. Every show they would play a recording and she thought it would be cool if she could do it. No harm in asking, right? Well she did ask and was given a go ahead. This would be her first time singing the national anthem solo for a crowd. We were so exited. But some of my family became to tired, and had to go home, couldn't blame them for I wanted to go home, but even thou my video camera broke earlier in the day I still had my digital camera which takes video so I could still record it for those who couldn't see them. Or I thought I could. Josie was singing, I was filling up with pride, for her and our country when the "gentleman" next to me proceeded to take out his camera lean in front of me to get a better view. It was so hard to hold my tong! I didn't want it recorded what I wanted to say, so I just tried to shove him out of the way. No luck, song ends and I proceed to tell him thank you for giving me the perfect view of him and his camera, he was all... no problem it hasn't started yet, he would move some. That was his answer, I let him know that it did start and I was recording my daughters first time singing the national anthem solo in public. He told me it didn't matter I didn't miss the real show. UGGGGG!!! I wanted to scream. I knew I was wrong for shoving, well to be honest basically hitting him(he didn't even move) but he had no clue how his self-centeredness affects others.

I know that we all get caught up in the moment, and sometimes forget ourselves, but for it to have happened so constantly It makes me believe that it was not just a momentarily slip, but a constant place of rudeness. I feel bad for thinking it but their were far more rudeness going on than politeness. This disturbs me! In the past few weeks both of my children have been verbally assaulted by adults. Not adults seeing them doing wrong and trying to correct it, but yelled at and called names for things that were not their doing and out of their control. That an innocent child goes try to hug a relative that had not been seen in the last year only to be kicked away like a ball is wrong. I know that parents teach their children, but it is the persons choice to on what to use as he or she grows up. I do not know if any of these people were taught manners, but I do know that by this stage in their life the did have the choice to learn some and they chose to learn rudeness. This really hurts and upsets me!
I know that their is alot of polite well mannered people out there, but after the last two weeks I have just had my fill of rudeness!

RUMMAGE SALE!!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone. Tomorrow we are having a rummage sale at butterfly boutique. And there are going to be some really cool items that we have worked hard on.... Like we will have a 4 piece chair set that are completely refinished. they have leather backs and made of wood. So it would be great if you all came out and supported us... Thanks.
Dancing away Josie

SOO Frustrated!!!

Now I know that I don't post very often, but I spent a lot of time last week editing all the pictures that had been riding around on my memory card.
Boy some of them were old!
I had many cute post forming in my mind.
One of them was about what I learned by editing the pic. it was something that had been right in front of me but I didn't see until I saw the pic.
But FRED (the computer) decided it was hot out and time for a vacation. It needs a new fan, but until we get it a new one it is holding all of my pictures hostage! So no more end of the school year pic. Josie and Brianna's birthdays and 4th of July. Not to mention many others! I know they are all in there. Once we get a new fan install it and boot it up I will be able to post pictures, but until then the COMPUTER has my pictures!
So my question too all of you... How do you store your digital pictures?

In only 1 hour...

Goodness Life has been so busy that I started this post but forgot a few things. So here I am to try to finish it up.

It was Josie's 8th grade party. I only had a little bit of time (one hour) to do the mommy thing.

I get distracted easily... I know shocker. So I normally can juggle multiply jobs at once better than hunkering down and focusing on one thing.

One hour befor the party was to start I pull up to a frantic Josie worried that she would be just done up normal or really late. Oh child of mine with little faith. She doubted the training that I have recived due to her dancing to turn her into the Princess she wanted.

So in one hour....

Set her hair

French manicure, and glittered pedicure

Special make up

and take out the hair set and style it.

Whoo, that was alot but very possible.

The hot curlers were already hot,

she had already showered and cut/filed her nails

and the dress had been hung up in the bathroom durring the shower so no pressing!

Dear child of mine do not fear for mommy is here.

We are back!!!

We have had a very busy time lately and I just needed a break and to spend time living. I have spent time with my family and by focusing more on them we are coming to grips with some big changes. My girls have blossomed into two very independent young women and for the most part they are becoming best friends willingly. It is a true blessing to watch.

Brianna is growing up real fast, a few weeks ago she spent a week at the 4 year collage she wants to go to, and it confirmed her plans. Such a big step. She has been pulling away more and more lately, but I know I must start letting go.

Josie is still liking hanging out with mom. She treated me to a concert a few weeks ago and it was just filled with priceless memories. We got to see Gloriana. As seen above. Yep we had the cheep seats but it made no difference. We had a blast.

Do you see a happy little girl here?


Kelli Pickler also performed. She had to do it seated because the night before she fell and hurt her ankle. A very Brianna like move if you ask me. It was still an awesome performance. I think by being forced to sit her vocals were so much better.





And then the Main concert started......











Can you tell who we went to go see?





Yep it was Taylor Swift.



The concert was one of the best I have seen.

She was so gracious and thankful. Full of entertaining. Telling sweet stories. She made us all feel like she was here just for you. She would go into the crowd and meet people. I was blown away at what an amazing performer she was, And how though the entire concert ( which was over 2 hours for her part) she would keep thanking us for being their and how it was such a treat to be performing for us.

It was an amazing trip full of laughs, music, food, and memories.

My only regret was that Brianna didn't want to come, I would have loved having her their too.

But two weeks ago she did spend the day with me, so she hasn't left me altogether yet.

Butterfly Boutique had a booth at the Walk for Autism day. Brianna came with me and it was one of the most enjoyable street fairs that I have ever done. Now that kid rocks at street shows! She gets down and will just play with any kid passing by, giving parents a chance to shop.
So no kid running off that you have to chase, and she get the child to fall in love with something so the Adult buys it! A very good combination if you ask me.

We were having a good time but the walk was about to start so all the people were lining up, so no customers. Brianna looks over at me and asks if she could go on the walk. I told her to go see what she would need to do to register, and if it was too late. It was starting in less than 5 min.

She comes skipping back saying that she could walk, you don't need to do anything to just walk and could she please go. So off she went walking and I was thinking what a cool kid I had That she would give up a free Sunday to hang with her mom working a street show, and then to go walk for Autism. I felt that she might not be pulling away too fast, and that she is still around for a bit more. She gets back from her walk dressed a bit differently.

So she joined the group walking from her old Elementary school, and made a 25.00 donation for the tee shirt. She babysits one night each week making 20.00 dollars each time. She took the money that she had earned and used it for the donation.
I felt so blessed to be this child's mother.

She was so happy to give.

So proud to say that she contributed and helped this cause.
Never asking me for the donation money.
(which I would have given her)

So we have spent time slowing down, being at home, planting a garden,
making quilts, lots of home made food, helping the elderly, our neighbors, and our community. And I am being with my girls, having separate dates each week with each of them.
So we are doing well and are happy.

Fun with out so much sun....

Monday was a holiday for the kids here, so we spent the day calmly working, from the shop and at home. We had been having real weather all day long, so about 4:30 I decided to skip the "bewithcing" hour and go for a drive. I LOVE where I live and can only say that living on the coast has kept me functional.(notice I didn't say sane?) Being at the water is where I go if I am hurt, happy, or just needing to HEAR god. I took Nat and Audrey on this drive to see the waves.

We normally have pretty peacful weather but when it is stormy, I love to go to the beach. Watching the waves be so violent just calms me like nothing else. I can see and hear God here better, I get to give all my worries to Him by sending them away on the ocean, deep breathing with the roll of the waves, me matching His Breaths. I get the overwhelming presence of God.

Yep, I am a Beach person!

So out we go to watch the waves.

The view as we start to decend to the cove whee we are going.

Some of the waves crashing on the tide pools.

Standing in the cove looking out to the cliffs.

More tide pool waves.

It is starting to get dark, and creating beautiful clouds.

So, the little kids informed me that I never have taken them there to watch the waves. Normally we go to Morro Bay, witch has wonderful look out spots too. But I was in the mood for here so off we went.

They kept running and skipping rock, having a ball of a time. After a while we drove to the top of the bluffs, and opened the windows to listen.

Me asking "do you here that?"

Them, "No what?"

"That is God talking to you."

I think they get it.

If they don't then we had a beautiful afternoon and made many memories.

Packing, teenagers, and 1 small bag.

Tonight we are packing to go on a little vacation. The first real Vacation in 5 years.

No wedding, graduation, bithday, dance competition, or pig show to use as the reason to go.

Just going to have FUN.

And fun will be had, if we can get packed with out blood shed.

We are going to Disneyland as a family Christmas present. Now we are going as a family, My girls, me, Gretchen and her two little ones. If you counted that was 6, and we have a 6 passenger car. We also need to fit into the car Nathaniel's wheel chair, which now that he received a new and bigger one takes the whole back end.

So enter the big fight of the night.... We are only taking ONE little bag. Yep. For me and my two teenage daughters I have limited it to one bag. One bag for all!!! Clothing, bathroom supplies, makeup, hair and entertainment. (you know books, crayons, notepads etc.)

Brianna is trying to convince me to let her take her computer and that she could use her computer bag to pack into. Not falling for it.

Josie is just in denial. The pile of stuff she Needs is as tall as me, but she says I am the Queen of packing and will make it all fit. I am surprised that she hasn't tried to get me to pack her guitar, saying we could all play or sing to it.

Now me, I haven't even begun to sort and pack, I have been avoiding it all, hoping the girls will wise up and follow the guidelines put before them.

Hey it is a new year, I can be optimistic.

I am hoping to get it all done tonight, so then their is no fighting tomorrow.

Will I succeed?

BTW...I get to take my computer...It is smaller!