Brooklynism

Brooklyn is in the kitchen making cupcakes all by herself, because she IS old enough to do it herself you know! She even told me so. When I overheard...

"Oh, crap! Never mind, I take that crap back."

"When cupcakes cook, they get a little high."

"Making cupcakes is fun and easy and we had everything I needed and it doesn't make a very big mess. I like making cupcakes."

I wanted to take pictures of her but, wouldn't you know it, both batteries for my camera are dead and Kayla took Sierra's to camp with her. Oh well, I still got a good laugh from listening to her talk to herself.

Brooklynism

Brooklyn and Sierra set up a tent in the rumpus room last night to have a sleepover. Since we have not gotten new speakers for the projector they borrowed my computer to watch movies on. When Brooke came in to get it, I told her not to drop it. She said, "I won't and if I do I will punch myself in the face, so you don't have to." 

What ever gave her the idea that I would punch her in the face??? Crazy girl!

More Australian "Fun"

Brooklynism

"I think that people from Tennessee must be really good at playing tennis, because it is called TENNIS SEE." "Do you get it?"

More Pics From Around the House

 

Who ever said that being a mom is FUN...

must have been a dad! 

Don't get me wrong, being a mom has it's fun moments and I know of the blessings that come with being a mother. I just find myself frustrated more often than not. Frustrated with the fact that I cannot get my kids to put their clothes in the basket even though it is right behind them, finish their chores right away and without whining about it the entire time, put their dirty dished in the dishwasher, put their clean clothes in the closet, pick up their toys, or to put their shoes on the shelf when they walk in the door not just leave them in front of the shelf. Then they expect me to give them everything that they ask for. Where have I gone wrong? Do I expect too much of them? 

I understand that since I am the owner of a vagina, society has labeled me as the family housekeeper, chef, laundry maid, daycare provider, taxi service, psychologist, nurse, accountant, and artist; all without any monetary gain. Therefore I must also be employed outside of the household to help provide to the family income. This has added a new element to my frustration and feelings of inadequacy because I find that I am constantly exhausted and out of patience. I love having the extra money, but I wonder if it is all really worth it. I find myself lacking the motivation to do anything because I know that as soon as I do it the kids will just undo it and quite frankly I don't want to waste the energy trying anymore.

I know that if I quite working then I will just stress about money. Probably doesn't help that I hate my job and I don't mean just a strong dislike, I mean HATE. I dread going there every day. Even on my days off I dread having to go back. I am supposed to be taking a phlebotomy position at a local pathology clinic, but haven't heard back from them. They keep saying that they will call and then they don't. I am not sure what to think of it. I know that it is a job that I would enjoy a whole lot more than what I am doing now and just want it to work out.

I wish that I could figure out a way to balance it all out. I feel sorry for James having to listen to me whinge constantly. He has been trying to offer advice and I love him for it. Guess I just need to adopt the Australian mentality of not worrying about anything.

Some Pics From Around the House

Flood 2 March 2010

This photo was taken just around the corner from us. The yard that we were standing in to take the pictures was completely under water, with it going into the house, just 20 minutes after we were there. It was simply amazing how fast the water rose and how much there was. This is the kind of stuff you only see on TV. The only flood related deaths were animals and about a dozen people were bitten by snakes. The scary part is that 5 of the worlds 9 deadliest snakes are native to Roma.

I was standing in the road in front of our house to take this one. That is how close the flood water got to us on this side. On the other side it was just around the corner.

This was just two houses down from us.

This was down the block from us. They brought in rescue boats to take people whose houses were flooded or those who didn't feel safe staying in their houses into town.

You can kind of get an idea of how high the water was here. That is the street sign on our road.

This is the view from the other direction. Water as far as the eye could see.

People just started leaving their cars all over the roads hoping that they wouldn't get flooded.

This is of the rescue boat and jet ski. They also had to bring in a rescue chopper to get some people out.

Thanks to all of the water we have 100s of frogs all over the yard.

This guy was hanging out on the sliding glass door eating mosquitoes.

Some good news, we have an orange tree in our back yard.