25+ Small Things

Last Night
As I lay in bed knowing I took the next day off of work, I say to my husband "you should take tomorrow off". He can't he says, and we both drift off into our dreamworlds.

Morning
In the morning we are all up swarming from room to room, kids are off to school, husband off to work, and I have the day off. I decide to crawl back into bed and just about the time I'm drifting off I hear a car pull into the drive way. I jump up to unlock the door, thinking my husband took the day off. He walks in and I smile and say"Did you take the day off?" "No" he replies ""Chics are in at the post office"

HOLD THE PHONES....

For those that don't know, we live on a hobby farm. This year my husband has invested in equipment to start breeding chickens. We currently have about 39 eggs, and I think 3 duck eggs, processing.  I'm sure processing is not the correct word but as you know I'm not a farmer! I'm learning and lord knows I like pretty things and poop (there is a lot of it on a farm) is not pretty. I've already been told no heels in the barn, and I don't need lipstick on do to chores. My version of duck hunting is going to the auction buying ducks and throwing feed on the ground to get them to come.

Ok, ok back to he chickens... So we have 39ish incubating (<- I think that's the right term) and last month my husband drove 6hrs round trip to get a special breed of chics that just hatched. He built a special brooding box for them, but the first couple of weeks they live in our house -in our house! A controlled  climate with out the up and down of temperatures. So today finding out our other chics came in was NEWS to me. I had no clue he ordered 25 of another "special"  breed. Which means more chirping in the front room, just when I thought the chics had flown the coop (aka got out of our house) 25 more are moving in.

I turn around without saying a word & go back to bed, he sets up the new babies and back to work he goes. The thing is it really makes him happy, but the fact I had no clue he ordered more makes me unhappy. Tonight I'll address this issue!

Tonight
I sit across from my love and give him the "eye" here and there. He's acting as though he doesn't notice. I ask "what are you looking at on the computer" he replies "a chicken hatchery"... I pause collect my words and respond "are you ordering more chickens? I didn't even know you ordered the ones that came in this morning" he smiles his shameful little smile I fell in love with 18years ago & says "I was gonna break it to you gently"! Ummmm mmmmmmm speechless to this response, and then I smartly say "your version of break it to me gently, is walking in the door saying they've arrived at the post office?" Here comes that Damn smile again, "I didn't know how to tell you?" Oh how I love this man, that sits here looking like a lost boy confessing to his mother in guilt. "We'll" I say "I need to order more makeup anyways!"  (Makeup being one of my other favorite hobbies)He laughs and says he loves me!

The life we live sure is entertaining, and I do love it. Our compromises, our surprises both good and bad, and our understanding in each others happiness really makes our house a home.  There's a saying "Don't sweat the small stuff" we'll even if its 25+ small things, I've learned if you give a man a house, garage and barn full of chics, basically you can buy as much makeup as you want!!

Unbrushed teeth

Last night....

   After discovering all of our toothbrushes were caked in a creamy substance, the toilet had drops of this mysterious cream floating, and the towel on the floor looked like someone sprinkle white paint everywhere other than the soaking, dripping wet half of the towel... I looked straight into my bedroom where my almost 5year old had a cheekish grin hiding under my blankets. I was upset, but kind of brushed it off until I discovered the creamy substance was not toothpaste. She made a cocktail of my facial regimen.... Face lotion, face wash, eye cream, night cream, oh the list goes on! Over $100.00 of products not only ruined but will take 2 days to get reshipped in the mail. Also my black eyeliner is now in some 5year old hieroglyphics behind my bedpost, my blue eye crayon has been used to color the outlet, and when confronted - complete denial!

  I think this was the first time I ever got mad enough to paddle her bottom. Usually we do time out, but it's bedtime (almost 11pm on a school night) & I know everything can be replaced but the lieing about it, that is what fueled my anger. I gave her a pop while she laid in bed, and of course refused to roll over; so over I turned her blankets and all... I think if a fly had landed on her Hinnie when I popped her the fly would have lived. It wasn't difficult to do but enough to show her no more lieing, no more playing with mommies makeup. She cried and I hugged her so tight and out of her mouth came these words "I love you mommy"! I told her I loved her back, and asked if she was sorry, explaining sorry means you won't do it again. She said sorry, I closed the door on  my way out, and tears filled my eyes!!

This morning....

 I got my kids up, we scrambled around the house in our tired ways. My oldest daughter had me put 2 braids in her hair, while my youngest daughter asked for 2 high ponytails. My son sat eating his bowl of cereal watching us girls scampering around.  What must go through his mind? All I can do is hope he sees and learns and loves a women who is everything I am plus more.... Bus he yells, and everyone files out the door!

 I sit back and think of last night, think of this morning. My littlest told me she wants to be like me whe she grows up...Wow... What an accomplishment to have her say that! Of course now I feel awful about last night. Sitting back thinking of her wanting to be just like me.... She wasn't playing with my makeup, instead I think she was farmilarizing herself with all the products. To do so properly you must smell, touch, see, and use....well that's just what she did, she tried them out on several surfaces, and got very farmilarizing with each one of them....she must have seen the value in my face cream as she tended to use that one the most.

 Today....

   I will order more, there goes extras on the grocery list this week! I think I will go to the dollar  store and get her items for facial regimens, that she can play, and learn with, since she wants to mimic me. Material things are always replaceable, but the enlighten moments in a child's life are not. Oh how I am mad, and at the same time completely happy this happened. Kids learn for us, and love us unconditionally. Better to put a smile on their face than a tear in their eye...but always important to teach them right from wrong. Parenting is so complicated.

 Needless to say this morning all 3 kids went to school with unbrushed teeth, as I will by more toothbrushes on my way home from work today.....

Important possession

There is a country song where a little boy swears and the dad says " son where did you hear a word like that". In response the little boy replays "dad I've been watching you, I wanna be just like you, I'm your buckaroo"... Or something along that line.

This morning, I watched and learned from my own kids! In the car we had an upbeat song on, happy, dancy type of music and a great way to start the morning, however, it said "Hell yeah". My son was singing along... I told him to please not sing that word, he can sing but just don't say the bad words. I did switch the station and guess what 3 times, 3 differsnt stations, 3 different swear words! I thought to my self "WTF" than I was like oh my gosh did I just think what the f#*%... Wow reality! We as parents often feel like we are the parents and our rules don't apply to ourselves. Boy are we wrong. Next time you are in a mall, check out line, or out in public listen to all the foul language that comes from kids mouths. Yes some are simply defiant children, but most have learned it from us, the parents. It's up to me to make sure my children know some words should not be used, even if they hear them on tv, radio, or from others. In public if I hear a child swear out loud, I think "do I say something, or not" I suppose for each situation I will have to decide.

As we approached the school I told my children to have a happy day. That all I want is happiness for them, each and everyday. I walked my youngest (pre-k) to the crosswalk across from the school doors. We stopped, looked both ways, paused waited for the school bus to drive by, looked again and she crossed the bus lane. She turned around a few times to wave at me as she walked into school. Which I in returned smiled as big as I could a shook my hand vigorously back and forth at her, faster than a dog wags his tail. As she walked to the doors a little boy was behind her. She stopped turned to wave one last time, than said to the boy " boys are suppose to hold the door open for girls, it's the way it's suppose to be".  At first I thought " you mouthy little thing" than I realized, no she is correct. Maybe his parents didn't teach him that, and I was instantly proud of my girl. The little boy did open and hold the door for her. I think a tear streamed down my face. Perhaps because she's growing up, or perhaps because we taught her manners.

Time with my kids is the most important possession I have. My life is not perfect, I don't often complain or vocally express the cons that happen. I choose to be happy, and allow that to reflect on those around me, whether on Facebook, twitter, by phone, or simply in person. I choose to show the public the happy side of our lives. I work full time, more than most people realize...I am blessed to have a career filled with financial stability. Even more I am blessed to be able to spend time with my children each morning, filling them with good, happy day thoughts to start their day off! I am blessed with the knowledge to raise my kids to have manners, know right from wrong, and know love...

And for this I continue to ...
   LIVE, LIFE, LOUD

Whistles and Whoa's

School is back in session.....
Schedules are back on track, kids have a go,go,go attitude, and I'm loving every minute.

The summer went fast. To start off summer I started at a new salon which has been a wonderful transition for me. My son was in full swing with little leagues. This year I finally was able to go to his games. He's got a knack for is it seems, as he rounded home base several times throughout the game. With one game to go in baseball, my husband and I got our roaster for our summer soccer team. Yes, we coached together, well most of the time. My oldest daughter and my son played on different teams, and little Olive played on the sidelines.It seemed one practice would start when the other one was finishing... I found I'm really blessed to have such an awesome husband, and really cool in-laws. My in-laws helped balance the kids soccer games so we could stay on track thru the summer soccer season. As the season ended we made the decision coaching was fun, but in the middle of hay season it's not a good idea. 

Most farmers had their hay in by the end of July, it seemed that here it is September and we just finished. This was my first true year of doing hay. In the past my job or I suppose I should say employer demanded very long hours at work. I barley had time to see my kids let alone help with any chores. It wasn't his fault, he had a business to run, however having a family, and life outside of the salon was important to me. After 3 long years of working in a high demand, fast paced salon I took a leap of faith and quit. I had faith that I was not just a good stylist but a great one, and I could work  in any salon. Well any salon that allowed me to do what I love, hair but also be around those that I love, my family....Viola here I am; attending games, coaching, spending time, quality family time, helping with chores and really living life.

August began with whistles and whoa's. My son padded up and whistles were blowing as football season is in action, while my daughter put on her shin guards and tried out for the varsity soccer team. After 2 long days of tryouts I drove her to her 3rd and final tryout day. She told me she didn't think she made it, I of course tried to keep her spirits up...at 10:32am I got a text and tears streamed down my face. "I made the team"  my sophomore made the varsity girls soccer team. So now we are running to and from football and soccer, and I still work doing what I love to do hair, and here come the Whoa...

I got a horse. My very own rideable horse. My husbands Aunt & Uncle the Little's own a farm. Not just any farm, but a horse farm. Sounds strange to some but they sell, trade, breed horses, they have stud services available, you can rent a horse to ride, or the have wagons for horse drawn wagon rides. (they provided a horse drawn wagon on the best decision day of my life, the day I took the name Mrs. Justin R. Pincoski) They also have a cabin for those that want to spend a week of riding of very well groomed trails, or want a week of peace in a country setting. Well at one of their cowboy dinners (a really cool dinner is cooked entirely the way pioneers did it, and than a band plays and there are cowboy games..these are a must do that everyone should try) my husband made the arragmenents and   Thecrosspatch.com was on the look out for a horse for me. I can't express how I felt when they introduced me to this white and brown mare. I named her "Bliss" it's beena long time that I  wanted a well trained horse, and they found her....well not completely trained. However my Bliss is at their ranch and undergoing professional training. A thecrosspatch.com horse gets the best training for your needs, and I needed something that would be patient with me, and me with her. Whoa, whoa, whoa is the command to stop and the most important. So I am working on figure eights as she is learning neck reigning, and trust me she knows whoa...

So on top of managing kids sports and my career, throw in my horse hobby and you'd think I'd crumble....wait did I mention Olive starts pre-k this year. The salon I'm in now I have unbelievable
hours...I have a set schedule, yet make appointments on my off hours, but now putting my kids the front lines of my life. I'm able to see my kids, I mean really see them, work in the salon, and find time for my Bliss. Living life to the fullest. So as I said in the beginning; Schedules are back on track, kids have a go,go,go attitude, and I'm loving every minute. besides what's that new saying "You Only Live Once".

YOLO everyone so Live, Life Loud...

Couples that HAY together, Stay together...

Woke up early, packed a cooler full of water, and trail mix and headed out for the day... This day was set out to be hot, sticky, hurry up and wait type of day. For this day is my husband and my full day off, and today we Hay!!

Having a farm with horses, pigs, chickens, rabbits, and a few other animals = several hot summer days of bringing in hay. The past years we have cut, raked, baled, and sweat on good old Whig Street, with my wonderful in-laws. This year we are all over the map, because this year we are working with my husbands aunt and uncle helping them to bring in hay for their full time horse farm, as well as bring in our own.

The men worked on the balers to make sure they have all their "teeth (which scoops the hay up)", My husbands Aunt got the water coolers filled, gathered the extra bale n twine, and did the odds and ends, while I ran to the gas station to get the diesel fuel for the tractors. This was my first trip to the diesel pumps and after filling all the gas containers for the tractors. I didn't realize all that goes into farming. I road with Megan in a truck hauling a hay wagon to the fields, while the men drove 4 different tractors, 1 attached to a our square baler, another to their round baler, two attached to two rakes while Luke drove the big diesel; it looks like a mini semi with a long flat bed attached. Although the fields were less than 7miles away it seemed to take forever to get there. Upon our arrival, we saw my husbands Uncle cutting in one field, and in another field the hay was cut and his Aunt was raking. This is all new to me, I work so much I usually show up to throw the bales on the wagon. Three years living on a farm and I'm just beginning to learn what it really takes. I watched the miracles happening, and not happening. I saw the frustration in 4 men's faces as the baler stopped wrapping the hay! After an hour of delay and them pulling the thing apart, out came a metal file, the cutters got sharpened and voila the men are sweating, smiling, and back in business! I ran to and from their tractors taking them water, and throwing broken bales into piles to be re-baled. I learned where the bathroom was, and decided to "hold it" until the next trip back to the house. At around 6ish pizza and pop was brought to us. Funny realizeing most of us haven't eaten since 7-8am in the morning and due to heat I didn't really think about eating until we got pizza. Dinners over back to work! Two wagons piled up sky high, ropes to hold it in place, and a flat bed filed with round bales. I got asked to drive a tractor back to the farm. This too being new to me. Sitting on that tractor, I smiled with sweat from the hot, humid, sun beatin day dripping down my face, my shirt was sticking to my back, and even my legs rolled with sweat. In front of me was my husband with a tractor pulling a full load of hay. It tended to Lean to the right a bit but slow and steady and he'll be fine.

I sat on that tractor and as much as I thought I was driving it home, I think that big blue ford knew our work was done and time to retire for the night. Being in the Sun all day and now driving home as the sun sets, I froze. My cold body was filled with the events that took place throughout the day, and the smile on my face got bigger and bigger. Today 4 couples worked together bringing in hay. No one yelled at each other, no one stormed off, no one complained about each other (well often complained about the machinery, lol). 4 beautiful hardworking women, 4 handsome hardworking men spent the day together, quantity time getting hay. I thought about all the times we laughed, and all the times we were silent. It was a good day, no a great day, no a fantastic day.

Getting back to the barn, the men situated the wagons filled with hay, for the hay would be taken off the wagons tomorrow. It was 10:47pm when we all gathered around sitting, chatting, laughing over the day. I thought about a saying as my husband held my hand as we walked to our car, " couples who pray together, stay together".... Well in farming world the saying stands true "couples that HAY together, stay together!". I fell asleep holding my husbands hand as he drove us home. When we got home, quick showers and straight to bed. I slept smiling on the chest of the most perfect man God has created for me...

LIVE, LIFE, LOUD....

You DO Change The World...

GOOD MORNING.....

This week many youngsters graduate. Whether it be from pre-k, elementary school, or complete the 12 year curriculum of high school. I think there is a little more spunk in their attitudes as they become a bit older with their lives developing. What a honor it is to see your child walk across stage or stand there and get a piece of paper that says " YOU ARE A WINNER YOU DID IT, WAY TO GO". Ok well maybe they don't say that but they should.

As we become adults often times its up to us to tell ourselves we did good,and that we woke up survived the day and yes this makes us a winner. I think we should all print out certificates and give them out to people through out the month.... Imagine at work, let's take retail. Imagine being called in the office and your boss giving you a certificate that says "great job with keeping order". What does it mean, keeping order? Well interpret it how you will. Those that kept a clean floor will interpret it that way, those that kept the shelves stocked will interpret it that way, those that helped others to keep the flow, etc..well you get the point! The poi t is that person will have extra pep in their step just for receiving a little piece of paper they will hang up at home an see everyday. Honestly imagine if we gave each other high fives more.

I blogged in the past about keeping your "five hand open" have you done that? I do every day, yesterday it was a little boy he was 2 and his birthday is 2weeks. I was in the supermarket check out line. I gave him a high five, then it trickled down the line to his dad, and mom, than he told me to give the store check out girl one, which I did, and then he said to give the guy walking in the door one! I gladly went up to him and did just that. The man was a little confused but smile with the high five. The little boys smile was enough for me, but by the time I left everyone was "keeping their five hand open" and man it's fulfilling to see happiness amoungst strangers.

As these youngsters graduate I can't express how important it is to honor them and encourage them, as they grow. Hey I met a man a couple of weeks ago, 98 he was, and after his haircut he said " well I didn't know that"! I replied " yup, your still growin, learning knew things all the time". We never stop growing, we always need to encourage ourselves, and others around us. It's not about doing for yourself, it's about doing for others...man when you do that You Are A Winner, Every Moment You Do Something Encouraging for others.

So as the day swiftly sweeps over you, Remember to give some one a certificate, a High five, an encouraging jester, because today my fiends if you do this YOU DO CHANGE THE WORLD!!!!

LIVE, LIFE, LOUD

I'm on the untouchable road...

There are no words to express the feelings going through me. I have been on an incredible weigh loss journey. I have lost 42lbs since Febuary of this year using Xyngulars incredible system.

I started walking and then jogging and then running. I ran my first 5K on May 16. My daughter ran with me, well actually she ran ahead but she was there. When I made it to the finish line my husband, son, youngest daughter, oldest daughter (who finished around 10-15minutes before me), and my mother in law. They had flowers and water for me, my brother called, I talked to my dad. It was emotional. The 5K was for "Gotta Kiss Cancer Goodbye". I ran for my dad that had kidney cancer and so many others affected by cancer. Later that day sitting at my sons baseball game my husband and his aunt chatted about his mom. Valarie is an amazing mother in law, she is a great mother and grandmother. Tears streamed down my face as I've been married to my husband for 15 year and never knew his mother is a cancer survivor. Having her at the finish line was wonderful but to find that out makes it a miracle. I think about how life would be different if she wasn't part of my life, my kids life, my husbands life... I truly do love this women.

I have come to a little plataue in my weightloss. I can't seem to lose but I'm not gaining. Xyngular has been great, I love Xyng and Core4 they have really gotten me to this point, but now what. I know the answer. We have a system called Ignite. It's gaurenteed that you will lose 5-15lbs in 8days. It re-ignites your body and helps get over the plataue. It gets you started in the right direction, it is what everyone should start with, it boosts your metabolism, it detoxes, it restores, it is what I need. It is more strict than what I've been used to, it's only eight days, but I feel like I can't commit.....which lead me to Insanity.

Insanity is an intense 60 day workout program. It tests you, it makes me cry. I feel like a failure because I can't do every single workout move. I try, I compromise using the sofa to stabilize myself, to do push ups, I use the wall to hold my balance. At the end of each workout my oldest daughter and I give each other high fives. She's doing it with me. I've only began this strenuous workout, but I'm doing it. Tears stream down my face, sweat drips off my body, my legs sweat, I don't think I've ever pushed myself like this before. People have already said "I couldn't do it' so good luck", knowing this makes me want to try harder. I have to admit i took day 4 off, I could barely bend over at work, my arms were trembling as I foiled highlights and cut layers into hair, holding my arms up...the pain! I will continue but i need to learn how far to push. After all Insanity is a workout for trained athletics, which I am only beginning to become. It's 60 days of pure muscle confusing insanity....I emailed the Beachbody company to tell them of my day after struggle, they of course suggested I buy whats called Power90. For my body, my untrained, unproportioned body. Beachbody felt this would allow me to push my self, without the strain from Insanity. They were awesome, they gave me a number to call, which I did and I loved that they suggest I work at intervals, I love that they said if I do Power90 than by Christmas I would be powering through Insanity....duh why didn't I all them first.i will continue with Insanity until Power90 comes in.... I can do ignite, I can commit to it now. If I can push myself through this pain I can do 8days to reignite my body. 8 days of pure nutrition commitment, yeah I can do this! drop weight, to get healthy. My daughter has almost given up a few times during the workout, but as the trainer says " dig deep" I can tell when she's done, my response is ..."Bean (my nickname for her) your doing awesome, I can't believe your doing that move." then I will see her literally dig deeper.

To see myself going through this transformation is awesome, however, to see my daughter by my side, being inspired by me is surreal. To know that through my own will I am teaching her health, I am teaching her how to push, to go that extra mile, I am influenceing her life, that my friend is is worth every pain dripping tear and sweat. I once saw a quote that said "I wear black when I run because it's like a funeral for my fat" well my friends I'm happy to say I am still wearing black but I've added a few fairs of color as my size dwindles down....

I am alive again. On the 27th of June I will help my husband coach our sons soccer team... I have taken the road that I've never scene before, the road I never thought I'd go down, the road that seemed untouchable. I've not only taken this road im now running down it...it's my path... My friends I hope you too find your path, and if your not sure which way to go, I will tell you just NEVER LOOK BACK, and you'll be heading in the right direction!

LIVE, LIFE, LOUD