Zzzzz

No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap.

Carrie Snow

I think this guy has the right idea, don't you?

Finding Strength

Sometimes I think my life would make a great TV movie. 

It even has the part where they say, "Stand by. We are experiencing temporary difficulties." 

Robert Brault

Life on the farm is anything but easy going right now.  Taking care of my parents has proven to be a full time job, which is unfortunate since I already had a full-time job as wife and Mama Hen to my three chicks.  Sometimes I feel like a juice box that has been sucked dry.  "They" say that one must eliminate stress from one's life, but what does one do when stress has moved in and has no intention of leaving anytime soon? 

Here's just a sample of the mayhem going on in this neck of the woods ---

My daddy has a bone spur in his spine and is in an intense amount of pain which has yet to be managed properly by his doctor.  He has also lost his appetite and refuses to eat just about everything.  This has been extremely upsetting to my mama and has made her just about impossible to talk to about anything.  Add to that, her hearing has really gotten bad so she misses have of what is said to her and fills in the blanks with some pretty crazy $#@%.  Boy Wonder is totally embracing the "teenage pain in the butt" persona at the moment and is so not pleasant to be around.  Every request is met with a grunt or worse and I am just about ready to ship him off to Siberia.  The Little Prince has croup and as is the nature of croup, it's keeping him up at night.  This of course means I am up at night too :(  The Munchkin not only has croup as well, somehow she managed to pick up another lovely virus --- Hand, Foot and Mouth disease.  As you may have guessed, she is not sleeping so wonderfully either.  With everyone short on sleep, there is a whole lotta crankiness going on in the ol' farmhouse.  Add to that, the Geek was out of town last week and I had to face all this craziness solo.  No surprise, I seem to have picked up a virus of some sort myself and now have a sore throat and a nasty migraine to boot.

Right now, all I feel like doing is curling up in the fetal position and just hiding out under my comforter for a day or two.  Can you blame me?  Of course that would only last all of five minutes until someone needed feeding, or changing or some other demand of my time.  

To be honest, lately I don't feel strong enough to face all the crap stuff life is dealing me right now.  I mean how much can a poor girl take before she breaks?  Lucky for me (I guess) the Geek won't let me hang out at my pity party for very long.  He insists that I am stronger than I think I am.  I know he's probably right, but I there are times I have my doubts.  I just gotta remind myself I am not in this alone. God's got my back and He will give me strength to make it through this season of my life.

"What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."
Friedrich Nietzsche

Fair Week 2012 - Saturday

We came. We saw. We had fun.

Another Fair Week has come and gone.  I'd be lying if I didn't say I was ready for it all to be over, but I'd also be lying if I didn't say in some ways I hate to see it end. It is fun to see the animals, watch the chicklets do their projects, eat fair food and just soak up all the excitement that is fair.  It's also very tiring and stressful to be away from home so much, especially now that Lady Bird and the Piano Man are living with us full time. 
I know the cousins are sad to see it all end too.  They are already making plans to return next year and I pray things work out that they can.  I must admit I envy them and the memories they will have of this time of their lives.

The Last Day of Fair Week 2012 ---Saturday, July 28th:

• Today was the big awards ceremony in the Show Arena.  Boy Wonder was awarded trophies for his Reserve Grand Champion honors in both Photography and Public Speaking.  That's a grand total of 4 trophies and 16 ribbons for him.  6 ribbons for the Munchkin.  1 ribbon for the Geek and 5 ribbons for Mama Hen --- not too shabby, eh?
• Our fair has the usual fair food offerings most county fairs do --- corn dogs, nachos, cotton candy and overpriced soda, but it also has something more.  A local catering company offers an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet in the main fair building.  We have eaten dinner every night this week and have only good things to say.  The cost is reasonable and the food is awesome.  The all-you-can-eat part was really great considering we were caring and feeding two teenage boys this week.
• Tonight's entertainment was watching the Motocross event at the Crater.  Boy Wonder has a friend that competes in it and I always hold me breath when he's on the course.  Unfortunately, he had a bit of a crash early on in his race and was run over by a another competitor.  He was able to walk away, but by the time we saw him the adrenaline was wearing off and he was starting to feel a lot of hurt. 
• Earlier in the day, the Munchkin and I were hanging out in the 4H activities tent playing checkers to pass the time.  A group of young boys came in and one of them struck up a conversation with us.  The most talkative one (who looked to be about 6 just like the Munchkin) said he was "with the carnival" and could get the Munchkin on the rides for free if she wanted.  I thanked him for his offer and quickly got us outta there before the Munchkin had time to set up a rendezvous.  My baby girl is so not hanging with a "carny" if I have anything to say about it.  What's that saying, "Never say never" ??? Well, fast forward several hours later, and the teens were taking her on a few carnival rides.  The Munchkin spots the young man and his posse from earlier in the day and says "Hey I know that kid --- he can get us free rides!" At that point, according to the teens, he recognized her and offered the free rides as promised.   The Munchkin accepted his offer without hesitation and he flashed his ID badge to the ride attendant and he and the Munchkin went on a  free ride on the Twister (with the teens chaperoning we were assured.)   Can I just take a moment and say, "Heaven help me! My 6 year old daughter is getting free carnival rides from a 6 year old carny-in-training.  OMG!"  The Geek and I are still trying to come to grips with this development and all that it foretells of the future ahead of us.  We are in for a rough ride with that one, folks.  A veeeeeeeeeeeeery rough ride.  Pray for us. Please. We need it :)

A Look Ahead to Tomorrow:

• The boys are all getting up at the crack of dawn to head back to the fairgrounds to pick up the birds and help clean up.  The girls and I will be sleeping in thank.you.very.much. 

Fair Week 2012 - Friday

Today was a pretty mellow day at the fair.  We just kinda hung out and didn't do a whole lot.  We made our daily pilgrimage to the petting zoo.  The Little Prince loves to play with tractors in the corn box (much like a sand box, but filled with dried corn kernels), while the Munchkin gets to hold a bunny or a baby duck. The cousins spend a lot of time hanging out here too.  They get a kick out of holding the bunnies and would just love to take one home as a souvenir :)
The Munchkin also got to do her daily Rock Wall climb.  A vendor brought in a portable rock climbing wall and a couple of bounce houses.  The price is reasonable and the Little Prince and the Munchkin manage to get their daddy to let them have a go at least once a day -- the little man jumps around in the bounce house while the girl climbs the wall.  The Munchkin has even made a friend of sorts with the operator and has gotten quite a few free climbs with private lessons.  She enjoys it and we don't mind 'cuz it helps her not pout about the fact that the teens are off having fun without her.

Other Fair highlights for Friday, July 27th:

• Because her parents lost track of time, the Munchkin almost didn't make it to the final Pedal Tractor Pull competition, in fact she missed her age group and had to compete with the "Big Boys" in the 8 year old class.  She didn't let that faze her and proudly brought home a nice big 3rd Place ribbon for her collection. Princes Pia decided that one trophy was enough and that the farm boys should have a shot at winning, so she didn't compete again.
• The Poultry Superintendent awarded Boy Wonder with a coin commemorating the Fair's 75th Anniversary.  Apparently only a few coins were made, so they are extra special.  She chose to honor him because he has gone above and beyond the "call of duty" helping with the Poultry department.  We had no idea he would be getting this acknowledgement and it was a very pleasant surprise.
• The teens spent some time watching the demolition derby in the rain.  The weather was far from picture perfect again today.  It rained off and on most of the day, but on the plus side it was much more bearable temperature wise.
• We all took a few trolley rides around the fairgrounds, as we have every day this week.  It entertains the Little Prince for a few moments and we all get a kick out of it too.  The tractor pulled trolleys are okay, but what's really special is being on a horse-pulled one.  There's something about listening to the clop-clop-clop that soothes the soul.  It is definitely one of my favorite parts about Fair Week.
• Had a taste of my favorite fair food treat -- elephant ears! Mmmm! There's something about that warm, cinnamon-y, sugary goodness that can't be beat!

A Look Ahead to Tomorrow:

• Boy Wonder will be receiving a trophy or two at the Awards Presentation.
• Taking a trip to the Swine Barn and seeing what info we can glean from the "pros".  We have just about decided to let Boy Wonder raise a couple of hogs for next years fair.  Also considering some market chickens and turkeys.  All of these projects have limited time commitment (a few months tops) and could potentially earn Boy Wonder a little cash for his college fund. 
• Saturday night is Motocross Night at the arena.  This is one event we all enjoy watching.  Boy Wonder's friend competes in it which makes it fun to have someone to root for.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate.  I am getting a little tired of the wet!

Fair Week 2012 - Thursday

We all slept in today with the hopes we'd finally get our oomph back --- didn't work.  The copious amounts of caffiene consumed with lunch, however, did wonders and and we managed to meet our biggest goal for the day --- to have fun.  We didn't let a little lot of rain stand in our way, we danced in it and made memories.  This IS the stuff folks!

Thursday, July 26th:

• The Munchkin gave it her best shot at the Pedal Tractor Pull competition, but she couldn't beat out those 6 year old farmboys-in-training.  Princes Pia (aka my lovely niece), however, won one for the girls and beat out some brawny 12 year old lads.  The rain held off just until it was her time to pull and we thought it might be a "no go" but the show went on.  The clouds opened up just as she took the wheel and we got soaked to the bone.  It was all worth it though to be able to take home top honors for her class and one very sweet trophy.
• The rain pretty much put everything on hold for a bit after that, but right around sundown it cleared enough for the "headline entertainment" to go on with his show.  It was a Tim McGraw tribute artist and he was totally worth sitting in soaking wet clothes just to see him perform.   The Munchkin informed me she thought he was kinda cute (he bore a very uncanny resemblance to Mr. McGraw) and asked if she could please have him for her birthday present.  Gotta love a girl who knows what she wants!

What is in the cards for tomorrow:

• The Munchkin will try once again to bring home a trophy in the Pedal Tractor Pull. We tried to get the Little Prince to do it today, but he wigged out at the last minute --- maybe he'll get over his anxiety and give it a try tomorrow.  Princess Pia would love to add another trophy to her collection too.
• The teens are planning on watching the demolition derby --- once again I'm thinking this Mama Hen and my better half are prolly gonna pass --- we just don't dig all the loudness anymore.

Fair Week 2012 - Wednesday

Three days down, three to go.  Fair week is a marathon and I am not quite in marathon running shape.  All of us are starting to drag a bit, but I'm hoping counting on catching our second wind.  Competitions are all behind us now and we just have one focus for the rest of the week -- have fun!

Wednesday, July 25th:

• Spent most of the day prepping Boy Wonder for his Public Speaking competition.  The cramming paid off and he brought home Reserve Grand Champion honors for his project.  He gave us fits preparing for this event -- don't know why because he's pretty much a natural at it.  Maybe it was because it was his first year trying it, or maybe he just was embracing his cantankerous adolescence, but whatever it was -- that boy was not on my favoritist people list by this afternoon.  It all worked out in the end and hopefully the high honors will convince him this is something he's good at and next year he can come back even stronger and not wait til the last minute to pull it together.
• The kids took a few rounds around the carnival, but everyone was feeling a little off so we headed home "early" at 8 o'clock.  The plan is to get a good night's sleep and get our stamina back. 

What's in the plans for tomorrow:

• Made a mistake yesterday while reading the fair schedule --- It's tomorrow that the Munchkin will be trying to bring home a trophy in the Pedal Tractor Pull.  I know a little three year old who would love to join her, but I'm pretty sure competition begins at age four, so he's got another year to wait for his turn at the wheel.
• The teens are planning on watching the Truck and Tractor Pull --- Mama Hen and the Geek are prolly gonna pass on that one --- it's too loud for the old farts
• Looking forward to listening to a country music band under the stars

Fair Week 2012 - Tuesday

Thankfully a few prayers were answered and we got a reprieve from the heat a bit today.  Shady spots are few and far between on the fairgrounds and are quickly "claimed" by a lucky few.  Even sans shade, however, today was not too shabby.  Bringing home a few more ribbons and trophies just added to the goodness.

Tuesday, July 24th:

• Two of Boy Wonder's Photography projects earned high honors.  One set of prints earned Reserve Grand Champion (the BIG ribbon and a nice big trophy) and another set was ranked Best in Class.  In fact, all of Boy Wonder's photos earned blue ribbons for quality.

Photography, by the way, is one of the toughest (if not THE toughest) project areas in which to earn a ribbon -- Boy Wonder makes it look easy. 

•  The Munchkin has wicked interviewing skills and flew through her Clover Sprout Project Interview with ease.  Her artwork earned two awesome aqua Clover Sprout ribbons and high praise from the judges.
• Boy Wonder's first attempt in Fine Arts was a success and garnered another blue ribbon for quality.  The judges complimented his skill and encouraged him to continue on with the project again next year.
• The teens spent a lot of time exploring the fair on their own today.  Word has it, they are getting our money's worth out of the"All You Can Ride" carnival wristbands we bought them for the week.
• Mama Hen, the Geek and the Little Prince enjoyed some of the free entertainment and jammed to the sounds of a Jimmy Buffet cover band while sipping $5 per glass lemonade --- the band rocked, the lemonade not-so-much

On the docket for tomorrow:

• Boy Wonder will be competing in Public Speaking
• The Munchkin will be trying to bring home a trophy in the Pedal Tractor Pull
• Watching the Bump and Run Demo Derby
• Taking the little chicks to the carnival area for a few rides on the ol' merry-go-round.