To blog or not to blog.

I have been busy this week ... and by busy I mean leavin' the house by nine-am and not returnin' until nearly nine-pm.

It just seems that the past few weeks I have had more meetin's, do-gooder functions and casual get-together's than any gal should have to attend.

Add into that the schedules of 4 needy lovely children, a husband who can't seem to do a darned thing with out me loves my company and of course the prospect of a little extra slave labor work and you have one bone tired, not very witty Frannie.

But after the blogging events of the day ... I just felt the need to post a little somethin'.

Now I don't profess to know the blogger that I stalk read daily. But I do like to think that, after some time, I have a sense of who the are or who they aren't ... maybe I am fooling myself - but in general, I have been a good sense of character.

Now, are all bets off when you are in blog land? Am I naive to think that eventually a person true character will come out?

Maybe I am.

Now, I don't know if y'all know that I am a Stephanie Klein reader ... I am. I don't link to her blog because I figure she has more than enough readers and well, I wanna keep the few that I have ... or maybe I didn't want to appear cliquish - as I have read her since before I knew she was famous. I'm not really why I never linked her, but I didn't ...

Anyway ... I can recall quite some time ago when another one of the bloggers that I stalk read daily mentioned that she was going on a friend-date with a famous blogger and she was really nervous and excited ... and I was so amazed (and really freakin' jealous) that two of the bloggers that I ... well ... adore - were going to sit in the same room and talkin' blogging talk ... OMG. How cool is that?

OK, I digress ... they both mentioned that they had a good time and then I think SK moved to Austin and I don't really recall reading too much about them hanging out again ... fast forward to this post which causes no small amount of conversation on Stephanie's blog - nothing unusual there, she generally sparks a lot of heated emotions - but among the comments is one from k - the comment leads most readers to assume that this post is regarding k and the bashing (of both of them) is endless.

And I can think is NOOOOOO. Not these two, super cool, talented and amazing writers ... SK can't be writing about k ... in my mind the timing is all off, the traits that SK mentions just don't seem like the k that I read daily ...

Of course I go back later and see that both SK and K have said that K isn't the topic of the post ... I am relieved ... but still a bit shaken. Is that strange?

The only worse thing would be if Swishy and Manic Mom got into a b*tchfight.

Ok, so that is all soooo very random. But seriously, after the week I have had - it's all I got! Think of me what you will!

Frannie ...


Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit. Aristotle

If it's very painful for you to criticize your friends - you're safe in doing it. But if you take the slightest pleasure in it, that's the time to hold your tongue. Alice Duer Miller

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

Check it out.

So, if you haven't seen it already ... head on over to Just Jared (http://justjared.buzznet.com/) and watch the interview between George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Too darned funny and so CUTE. Brad Pitt even calls during interview ....

I have a feeling that if Julia hadn't hooked up with Danny - she and George would be the cutest couple ever.

Of course there is also the interview between Russel Crowe and Nicole Kidman .... not nearly as funny or cute. But not as bad as I thought it would be ... Nicole just continues to be very guarded ... but really, personally, I can't blame her.

And the botox thing ... yea, she should stop now. But I do think she is lovely and probably a very sweet person.

Hope your weekend is good. Umm ... we have s.n.o.w. again. Grrr... it won't stick, but its irritating anyway.

Frannie

We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. -Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. -Gandhi

He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. -Proverbs 15:15

Thankful Thrusday

I am thankful today. For so many things.

I am grateful that I can skip a few days, even a week here ... and y'all keep comin' back to see how I am.

The sun is shining today and I realize how very much that affects my daily mood.

There is a *truce* in our household. This is a good thing. Things aren't fixed, but much has been realized ... revealed ... understood. We are movin' towards better things. I knew we would, but those moments of frustration and uncertainty can really wear on a gal.

I am so thankful that, as a young mother of 24, I never had the sort of media attention and expectations on me as the young starlets of today. You know, I probably would have been just as likely to curse and throw something at someone if they followed me around constantly ... just waiting for me to fail. I don't want to draw any more attention to this ... I just really think it sucks. There is an obvious problem - help is much needed ... but how many of us, if under the same harsh microscope would jump up and say how desperate we felt??

Having suffered from PPD, I know how hard it was for me to ask for help - when I was surrounded by people who were encouraging me ... it was like saying I was a failure - as a mother, a wife, a person.

Ok, that's all I am gonna say about that one because I am being thankful today -- this has just weighed heavily on my heart because I know that desperate feeling .... and, well remember I do tend to identify with those who suffer.

Another good thing -- the kids' school district decided to rearrange the calendar so that the kids do not have to attend school into July. We are all much relieved by this ... it would have made for a very short summer.

Manic Mom hit her 100 comments on her CONTEST post ... so now we can get back to the regular Manic Mom witty tête-à-tête's.

I have decided to give up one volunteer activity. I am going to spend the next month evaluating which activity I least enjoy - or find least rewarding. I am hoping that this will help ease the anxiety attacks that seem to be continuous.

Mr. Farmer has nearly - oh man I hedge even sayin' this - the small expansion project that he has been workin' on. (I won't mention how long ... I will not tell you how long ... I will not dwell on the how long!!!) Whew ... and am I ever glad. It seems I might be gettin' myself a brand.damn.new Washer before 2007 is over ... but shhhh don't mention it to Mr. Farmer, we don't wanna curse it or nothin'.

Well, I am sure that there is so much more that I am thankful for today ... my girls - let me tell you how sweet they are. They love each other so much - even when they are yellin' at one another ... there is love. AngelBaby has learned to say I yu you (insert name) and then grab a hold of your leg and squeeze as hard as she can ... pretty sweet stuff there ...

I am thankful that I could type this all out in less than 25 minutes and still pickup SweetiePie from school - on time ... as long as I stop right now ...

Bye y'all!

Frannie



Energy and persistence alter all things. -Benjamin Franklin


The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity.-George Bernard Shaw.


Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25

Do not pass go.

Go directly to Manic Mom's blog!

You see, she is having a little CONTEST thing. And she won't be posting until she has 100 comments. That 1-0-0! So, please go on over and tell her somethin' cool about yourself - so that I can get my regular Manic Mom fix.

Go directly to Manic Mom's blog!

Frannie's Fixin's & Cookin' Tips

So this is something that I intended to do once a week. Then I got behind ... and then I wasn't sure if people were really interested ... and well, then I just didn't do it.

But I miss it - so here ya are ...

So your Butcher Block is stinky?
Here is a sure-fire wayt to deodorize a wooden butcher block.

First, sprinkle baking soda onto a wet sponge and scrub over the butcher block.
Be sure you rinse it well.
Then re-season the wood by lightly oiling the surface with mineral oil (NOT vegetable or olive oil).
Wipe excess liquids with a paper towel.



Baked Halibut with Tomato Sauce

2 lbs. Halibut
1/2 tablespoon sugar
2 cups tomatoes
1 tablespoon capers
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup water
3 tablespoons flour
1 slice onion
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cloves
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Mix together; tomatoes, capers, water, onion, cloves, and sugar and cook over low-medium heat for twenty minutes.

Melt butter, add flour, and stir into hot mixture. Add salt and pepper, cook ten minutes, and strain.

Clean fish, put in baking-pan, pour around half the sauce, and bake thirty-five minutes, basting often. Remove to hot platter, pour around remaining sauce. Serve over whole wheat pasta and garnish with parsley.


Enjoy ...

Frannie



The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.-Edmund Burke

Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of.- Charles Richards

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Say something nice ...

something nice ... there. I said it. Ok, can we move on now?


In all seriousness ... I want to write a nice post today.

Several times through out the day, I think to myself this is what I need to write about ... this funny moment, this cute/sweet/humorous expression, this Love!

But it seems that when I sit down to write, I can't remember the specifics of those moments. Just that they felt good and I want y'all to know that there are good moments too.

Yesterday in the car LittleMiss said MaaMaa, tell me all about you.

FF: what would you like to know?
LM: everything MaaMaa.
FF: you mean when I was your age?
LM: yea, when you were justa kid.
FF: well, that was a long time ago ... but I remember when I got the chicken pox because it was a special day at school.
LM: what else?
FF: I remember my Kindergarten teacher ... He was cool. Had a long beard (hey it was the 70's) and played his Banjo in class.
LM: A Banjo ... wow.
FF: Yea, it was so much fun ... I remember that he had a lot of different instruments on the wall.
LM: Was he nice?
FF: He was nice. He talked to us like people ... not *little kids*.
LM: oh.
LM: But, MaaMaa ... weren't you justa little kid?
FF: Yes, but it was nice that he treated like we were bigger.
LM: oh.
LM: MaaMaa ... can you tell me all about Daddy now ....

Guess, MaaMaa's life story isn't all the thrilling ... I was just warming up too ... I guess I should have spiced it up a little more ...

Happy weekend all ...

Frannie



Turn yourself around like a piece of clay and say to the Lord: I am clay, and you Lord, the potter. Make of me what you will. -St. John of Avila.

If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten. -Anonymous


Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Jagular is right.

Life is more important than blogging.

Absolutely.

And I have been concentrating on life ... important parts of my life ... but I do need this blogging outlet.

I wish, oh how I wish, that I could just say - I feel better ... but that would be a lie and really I am lying every where else in my life - I just can't lie here.

I received some really good feed back, from a really good friend, regarding my rant last week. It's a lot of feed back - but I asked for it ... and my good friend is really pretty right on - which makes me sad.

Because she sees things (pretty much) as they are. I do too; it just isn't so easy to change things when you are living them.

The name of my blog came about because my life has long been quite scrambled - and try as I might, I just can't seem to unscramble things ... it's like that ball of string that is so tangled that you just can't make heads nor tails of it ... or even better - the slinky that becomes so tangled that you almost have to unwind the entire thing to get it back into slinky form, except that in doing so you almost always make the slinky an unrecognizable form.

That, my friends, is the life that I lead. It's mine, but it is an unrecognizable form.

Now, let me just say this; I am not just sittin' back waitin' for things to change themselves. No way cowboy. I am on the horse, tryin' my best to mend broken fences and patchin’ up some holes in the road … I am workin' on the thing that only I can fix - me.
My attitude.
My sense of self .
My joy/care/love/affection for myself and others (for and with).
My expectations.
My strength - physically, mentally ... you know.

... the me things ... there are more, I know.

I understand that it all needs to start with me. I have said it before – in our house the mantra is; If Mama Ain’t Happy Ain’t Nobody Happy! I think this is true in most homes … but it is a cycle … how does Mama get happy with out the help of others in the house?

So, that is where I am at the moment – I am workin’ on the me things. I am. But I am also feelin’ sad because I know, as much as I work, I can’t do it alone. I can not fix it on my own. It just doesn’t work that, at least not for me. And right now, there isn't another option.

Of course, there is more to the story. There always is, right?

As always, thanks for listenin’ - and remember - Jag is right; life is more important.

Frannie



Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact. William James (1842-1910)

I do not at all understand the mystery of grace--only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us. -Anne Lamott

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalms 9:10

Enjoy your day ... I'll be a better blogger soon.

Yes, I do feel better - thank you very much.

Some days ranting is just necessary and I am glad that I can do it here, rather than at the people around me who might be less forgiving.

Today I am enjoying LittleMiss and AngelBaby … the others (you know – those older girls) are off doing their own thing … It has just been my and my babies. Nothing can cheer you or better than a good day with sweet babies (likewise, nothing can make you crankier than a bad day with those same babies, when they are less than sweet - lol!)

It started with both of them crawling into bed with me between 5 and 5:30am (Mr. Farmer was long gone) … these girls are both touchy feely little things … especially with MaaMaa and each other. (in a good way ... this is a G rated post - well except for the ps)

Thank heavens we have a king size bed ‘cause I had one on either side, just rubbing my arms away … we all fell back to sleep and then when it was time for me to get up and shower, they snuggled sleepily with each other. I can’t tell you what a sight it is to watch them caress each others faces. So sweet – words can not describe. They stayed there for my entire (long and hot!) shower – very unusual for them.

Anywho … the rest of the day has been more of the same – them just lovin’ on MaaMaa and on each other … so darned sweet – they make my heart melt.

Thanks for all of your comments – I will write more when I can say it more eloquently ... there is, of course, a lot more to the story … but only so much I can say here in bloggerland … Y’all rock though and I am incredibly fortunate to have such a great group of cyber friends!

Frannie


ps - has anyone else seen the Justin Timberlake Video w/Scarlett Johansson? Wow. Smokin'!
nsfw or children though!



Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief. Proverbs 14:13

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4

Blogging funk.

That’s right; I am in a blogging funk. Some call is writers block, but since I don’t consider myself a writer … I am just goin’ with funk – plus I just wanted an excuse to say the word funk …

It isn’t that I haven’t had anything to say, maybe it’s because I have too much to say.

I have said it before, so I apologize for the repeat; when I get tired of saying how poorly things are going, I have to decide whether to lie or just stop talking. I have been in the stop talking mode the last couple of weeks.

Please, please, please don’t tell me you are sorry, or that you hope things will get better … I know you are and I know you do … but I am just so tired of being sad, hurt, frustrated, angry, tired, in pain, anxious, needy. I.AM.SICK.AND.TIRED.OF.BEING.SICK.AND.TIRED.

Maybe I am just tired of being pathetic.
Maybe I am just tired of being broken.

Because that is how I feel.

I constantly find myself saying ‘I am just waiting for life to be normal’ … but what I realize is that this hellish chaos is NORMAL for me …

Now some of y’all have been around for a while so you have had glimpses of what I am talking about … those who are new are probably scratching your heads saying ‘whew, what in the heck is up with Frannie?’

And I apologize that I can’t go into details – but I can’t.

I am just going to RANT today.

Because this week I have been told that;

*I am constantly in either physical or emotional pain.*
TRUE.
But I can't mention it, E.V.E.R., can I? People might think something is w.r.o.n.g.

*I identify with those who suffer.*
TRUE. - Isn't that part of what makes me, ME?

*I am a victim.*
Feels like it sometimes.

*I am powerless.*
Feels like it sometimes.

*I find joy in nothing.*
How DO I address that? To dispute it seems futile.

*Fun & spontaneity don't exist w/me.*
Ditto.

*There is nothing that I am proud of.*
Right,
not proud of my children,
not proud of my church activities,
not proud of my volunteer activities,
not proud of my weight loss,
not proud of my cooking endeavors.
Don't ever boast about those.
Nope - not at ALL.

*I have no regular activity that I enjoy.*
And the time to do anything regularly is WHERE? Here is ME- with children 24/7/365!

*I find ‘emotional charge’ in any conversation.*
AM.I.A.WOMAN?

*I am disgusted by my personal appearance.*
SOOOO NOT!
Have I ever mentioned the 75 pound weight loss?
Or going from a size 22+ to a 14/16?
Or that for having 2 babies in under 2yr; I think I look pretty darned good?
Am I disappointed that the girls have gone *South*? Yep!
Do I dislike the stretched out tummy stuff? Absolutely!
Disgust - nope.

*Everyone I have loved or cared about has hurt me, so I build a giant wall.*
Likely.

*I have unrealistic expectations.*
DUH!

*I seem lost.*
SHOCK.

I guess I am ANGRY now. But I shouldn't be right, because I am just being told these things so that I CAN BETTER MYSELF.

Ok, got it. I will get to work on that RIGHT NOW.

FUCK OFF. For you ... anything!

Off the RANT box ... this is it, right here - the SINGLE place that I can speak (almost) freely.

So you all get the wrath.

now I think I am going to go spend some money that I don't have - on this!

Frannie

Families are about love overcoming emotional torture.-Matt Groening

One of life’s most painful moments comes when we must admit that we didn’t do our homework, that we are not prepared. -- Merlin Olsen

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 63:3

Rest Anna ... peace.

I just can't help but feel deeply saddened by Anna Nicole Smith's death.

Is she someone that I can relate to? Not really ... except that she seemed like such a tortured soul. Except that she was a mother, and despite her many faults, I am certain that she deeply loved her children. Except that she is a child of God and He chose her ...

Rest In Peace ...

I commend you, dear Anna to almighty God, and entrust you to your Creator.

May you rest in the arms of the Lord who formed you from the dust of the earth.

May holy Mary, the angels and all the saints welcome you

now that you have gone forth from this life.

May Christ who was crucified for you, bring you freedom and peace.

May Christ who died for you admit you into his garden of paradise.

May Christ, the true Shepherd, embrace you as one of his flock.

May he forgive all your sins, and set you among those he has chosen.

May you see your Redeemer face to face, and enjoy the vision of God forever.

Forgiveness

For some; forgiveness comes easily; it rolls off the tongue and vanishes from the heart with little effort.

While others hold on to their grudges until they are steeped in bitterness. They use them as excuses to move forward in life, allowing them to dictate their social lives, their family wellness and likely their health.

Why is it sometimes easier to harbor those feelings of resentment, than to just let them go? Don’t they hurt you just as much as the offending party? Are you winning an ultimate prize by not releasing those hostile feelings? What gives?

Bitterness rapidly leads to hate, which brews within you and taints everything around you. Is this the life you want to live?

How do you get past it? Write a letter? Explain your view … to a person who may or may not listen? You can clear the air … for yourself, for your future, for your own well-being.

Forgiveness does not absolve the wrongs done, it can not change the past – it can only enrich the future. It can (I swear) allow you to live a life that is anchored in hope and potential … it will allow you to breathe more freely, trust more readily, and embrace more openly.


Without forgiveness life is governed by...an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation. - Roberto Assagioli


My friends, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Philippians 3:13-15

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Amos 5:14

Words

Comforting or distressing
Kind or cruel
Inspiring or appalling
Painless or painful

Words … can hurt; just as much as actions. Maybe more.


Still I Rise


You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

Maya Angelou






Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin! Proverbs 21:4

Check this out!

Seriously!
Go on over to Bumble Blog and check out her Gladys Hardy on The Ellen DeGeneres Show - soooo funny, seriously - I (almost) laughed my ass off .... it will cure a shitty mood in a second ... and I know fosure. (Today was a cruddy day and I don't want to further damage my reputation in blogland by speaking any further ....................................)

Day 2, no coffee.

Do ya feel for me? At all?

I tell ya ... it hurts. The no coffee thing. I need coffee. Which does make me sad, as I prefer not to need anything ... besides air and God (and not in that order).

The other sad part is, if I don't drink my prerequisite pot of coffee in the morning ... then I eat. Well, I do generally eat a little in the morning - some yogurt w/granola or fruit - but it seems that the coffee (duh) fills me up and keeps me going ... with out it, I just want food and then I get tired.

Bleh.

The wee ones are busy gettin' themselves dressed for the day ... you should see the lovely combinations of skirts, dresses, tights, pajama bottoms and tutu's ... whatever, I don't care what they wear. We have to go to the mall, which I hate ... so I just don't care what they wear - it will make me laugh.

Mr. Farmer still insists that he can fix the coffee pot, but if I see on on sale, I might just be tempted ...

5 Minutes For Mom is having a Contest! Tomorrow is the cutoff, so stop by and check out the terrific goods they're givin' away.

Anyone out there know a blog designer? I am really interested in getting my own design ... just don't know where to go.

No one mentioned that they would like the Frannie's Fixin's & Cookin' Tips back ... so I am still trying to decide if I should nix them ...

Well, shower time for Frannie - hope your Saturday is fabulous!

Frannie


Never lose sight of this important truth, that no one can be truly great until he has gained a knowledge of himself, a knowledge which can only be acquired by occasional retirement. - Johann Georg von Zimmermann

God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Psalm 53:2

My higher calling.

post in jest ... mostly.

I couldn't help thinking last night, as my finger was throbbing and AngelBaby was, once again, practicing her special poop-art, that this blog is my higher calling.

Let me explain ... I think, almost seriously, that God called me to write this blog so that y'all could feel better about your own lives. That my daily dilemma’s and quandaries need to be recorded, so that my cyber friends are able to properly embrace their blessings.

Now I did say that this post was in jest …

But, in all seriousness, last night that (above) is what kept running through my mind.

The day that started with the shredding of my left pointer finger, continued in that same vain … to explain in detail would … well take an entire day on its own … so I think I will continue you with the Friday Fourteen, 14 crazy things that happened yesterday …

1) I shredded my finger, which continued to bleed until 10pm last night (give or take …)

2) I did not get blood on the food (Jen), but I did ruin two super sweet linen kitchen towels.

3) I did make it to church on time, only to arrive simultaneously with the busy-body sweet Widow Wilson; who was (of course) quickly filled in by LittleMiss that MaaMaa had cut off her finger while cookin’ up the food for the Ladies luncheon and it bled real bad … and of course you know that WW turned all pale and rushed off to speak with Mrs. Cater from the Baptist church … gotta love those babes.

4) After I assured WW that I had not actually cut off the finger, but rather grazed it (albeit deeply) with the new jazzy shredding implement, she agreed to revote her request that Frannie no longer cook for church functions.

5) The luncheon went well … until AngelBaby heard the water running in the kitchen and decided to strip down – for her daily sink bath ya know. You see, we have a large country style sink in our kitchen, large enough for AngelBaby and LittleMiss to bathe in … which they often do, especially if MaaMaa is trying to cook up something’ or construct one of her witty blog posts … And so, upon hearing the water and seeing the giant sinks in the church kitchen, it only seemed natural to my little darlin’ that it was bath time … I am sure those Baptist ladies are convinced that the Farmer family is nothin’ but a bunch of heathens.

6) I managed to get her clothes back with a minimal amount of screaming (for both of us), only to discover that during our scuffle I had bled through yet another Band-Aid and there was blood all over the floor – so much for sanitary regulations in the kitchen.

7) Of course bribery was required to get AngelBaby home … a bath and chocolate. Dang, it’s good to be a toddler. We got home, I put her in the bath, handed her a Hershey's Miniature – the life I tell ya.

8) While in her luxurious bath, AngelBaby manages to pull the coffee maker into the bath with her. Why, I just don’t know … carafe, full coffee basket, cord and all - the entire bloomin' thing … scared the dickens out of me …

9) Until it made me M.A.D! *&%$@#*&!% … It is broken. Completely and entirely d.o.n.e. – I dried it out, I shook it out, I tore it apart, I even talked sweet-nothin’s to it and nothin'. It makes a strange sparky noise when plugged in.

Now, for those of you who love coffee, dare I even say require coffee … you know how devastating this is to a gal. No Coffee … UGH. And, of course I couldn’t just run on out and get a new coffee maker …

first off; Mr. Farmer will certainly say that he can fix it – so why waste the money – second; I had to take SweetiePie to the Dr. yesterday afternoon and LittleMiss first thing this morning – so no time to actually go get one … third; even if I had the time and Mr. Farmer gave up on fixin’ it (ha!), I would want to research a new coffee maker, ensuring that I get one I want this time … one that would suit my needs and compliment my kitchen.
So, no coffee this morning and I am grumpy.

10) Somewhere in there yesterday … I started my period and I don’t know about you, but the first day for me is always HELL! (Sorry guys – all 2 of you – I know that is TMI … but it is a crap-factor for the day!)

11) So, I have mentioned that AngelBaby has been sick – for a week now; a fever off and on, a runny nose and no sleep. Well, this sickness has also been accompanied by the r.u.n.s. – another true crap-factor for the day – she isn’t entirely potty trained yet, heck even if she was I doubt she would make it, and so this means several special cleanups per day.

As we were winding down last night I notice AngelBaby doing some sort of happy dance … when I go in for further inspection, (WARNING – GROSSNESS TO FOLLOW) I notice that one of her hands is in her pants – yea, the back part (not that it matters, I guess …) and she proceeds to show me … um … well … errrr … her treasure. Ick, ick, ick. I already feel light headed and nauseous, since the finger is t.h.r.o.b.b.i.n.g. like crazy and that was sooo not what a mommy needs to see.

12) Well, of course the sink is full of dinner dishes, so there won’t be a sink bath for baby … up the stairs we go. MaaMaa could use a shower anyway … so I wipe her down as best as I can … and throw her in the steaming shower … take out my contacts, tell everyone else IT IS TIME TO GO TO BED – N.O.W! and hop in the shower …

I give AngelBaby some Bath and Body Works smelly gel and tell her to wash her body – she proceeds to grab my lovely face cloth (from my amazing Christmas Gift) and scrub her coochie … with my face cloth. I can hardly believe it … this is the same coochie that … well, you know … was just covered in – ick, ick, ick. -
-Face cloth in the garbage. Shower not enjoyed much by either of us.

13) The shower, of course, caused the finger to bleed (and sting like heck) even more … so I decide to use some of Mr. Farmer super-duper blood stopping powder stuff …

This is a powdery substance that he keeps in a small plastic vial. He got it from his father when he first started shaving – and has had it since then … the same powder in the same vial. But it works. It will seriously stop you from bleeding … I remember Mr. Farmer applying it once when I have cut my leg shaving.

The part I forgot … it stings like a son of a gun. I mean it stings – bad – and it turns your wound black! Words.can.not.express.the.anguish.

That’s when I remembered more … Mr. Farmer’s father got this concoction while serving in WW2, they used it on the wounded when there weren’t doctors readily available … now I am assuming that he made Mr. Farmer up a fresh batch when he gave him the magic vial … but that was at least 30 years ago. Hmmm. Perhaps not a smart idea on my side …

14) So finally off to bed I went. Withering in pain, cursing my new handy devise – as well as Mr. Farmer for being out of town last night, and thinking … well this is certainly a day to blog about – because they wouldn’t believe me if I tell them …

What a day.
Glad its over.

Happy Friday!

Frannie


Most people want to be delivered from temptation but would like it to keep in touch. -Robert Orben

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

I can't type today.

or I could title this post: the day that Frannie sliced and diced her own finger ...

that sounds a little ghastly though, right? And it is … ghastly.

You see, I might have mentioned once, or twenty times, that I cook. A Lot. So, lately I have been in search of tools to make the preparation for cooking a little easier … when you peel 20 or 30 pounds of potatoes, slice a gazillion carrots and grate approximately 50 pounds of cheese a week … well, you kinda wanna streamline the process a bit.

So, I picked up this handy little device …

and it works wonders, it is an animal when it comes to fruits and vegetables ... seriously, I don’t know how I lived with out it this long.

The downside? Well, the learning curve – ya know… every tool has its intricacies. This one … well, you have to hold it just so. And if you don't ... well, ummm ... it gets a wee bit snippy. With your digits. I guess I wasn't paying it enough attention; perhaps I gripped it a bit too tight ... because the retaliation was fierce.

Somewhere between carrots #27 and #28 it took a good part of the tip of my finger off - and let me just tell you – it hurt like h-e-doublehockeysticks! I contemplated posting a picture so you could share in my misery, but every time I remove the bandage I get all weak and stuff …

Anywho ... I gave out a yelp and scared the little children, who (of course) came a runnin’ to see what was wrong with MaaMaa … I had to send ‘em out to get Mr. Farmer, who told me I had to stop the cookin’ process right now .... umm I don't think so Mr. Man, I've got food to deliver in roughly 32 minutes and I am not gonna be late for the ladies luncheon at church ... you know how Mrs. Wilson likes to gossip; if I'm late, the rumors will spread and suddenly everyone in town will just know I'm some sort of irresponsible derelict. That woman, she shure does talk, and talk, and talk ... and well sweetie, this is the ladies luncheon and you know they invited the Baptists from across town ... if I am late, well they'll all just think terrible thoughts about our little congregation ....

Well, at about this time ... Mr. Farmer placed a gag in my mouth gently guided me to table, where he bandaged my hand ... not once, not twice but ... five or six times. There was a lot of blood, which the children found quite fascinating - what is wrong with them?

Anywho ... it has taken me a lloonngg time to type this little ditty ... and AngelBaby is still ClingyBaby and well, its Thursday - and I made it through another day ...

God Bless!

Frannie


Anger is never without a reason, but seldom a good one. - Benjamin Franklin

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man. Nehemiah 1:11