An end to an era. Or something. So I am closing up shop. The end of my blog. I don't think anyone will notice? On the off chance that someone will go, where the hell did Mandy go?, I am giving a heads up that this blog will be closed in the next couple of days. There is no purpose. I jumped off all my soap boxes long ago to focus on my family. Jokes on me.

Who knows how long it will take me to figure out how to close up shop. In the meantime, what's a post without some music? :) One of the best fucking songs ever.

Puddle jumpers.

We are late. We really can't deal with getting soaked right now. Do you have to destroy your shoes like that? Ugh!! Some of the many reasons why I am always telling the kids to stay out of the rain and puddles.

Today, I realized it would be a perfect day for jumping in puddles! With their jammies still on, and Baby Doll sporting her favorite cowboy boots, we took the plunge.

I would ask you if you can just see the excitement on their faces, but Duder looks a little bit frightened more than happy. Don't let this photo fool you. They were loving it! Have you jumped in a puddle lately? Take time to "smell the roses." Or, in this case, skip through the water until you get thoroughly wet.

Socks.

When the two year old is frantic to go outside and play and the laundry is not washed, it does not matter if he wears his sister's frilly socks. :)

Swimming cameras and bloating.

As I heard the plunk, I stood there like a deer in headlights. No...that didn't just happen...my camera did not just leap off the counter, earning a 10 with a dive into the soapy water filled sink. I fished it out by it's strap, staring at it stupidly as the water poured out of it. The camera would be fine, right? No biggie, right? Right, right?!!! Wrong...so very wrong. No more fun and random pictures from me. I will be beside myself without a camera. Until the next one joins our family.

I have come to a realization. If I am bloated about 95% of the month...I don't think it's bloating. Especially when I started noticing this trend soon after all of the Halloween candy was eaten. There was that moment when I was like, "Man, I am always bloated, what's with this?" Time to play some more active Wii tennis is start working out again. I hate bloating. But it is much more tolerable when it only happens 5% of the time. :)

An irritating Life's Truth.

When I have the time to look for all of the information I wanted to share with you all about making a Jesse Tree, I decide to load up a new Christmas music sampler first. When one has the time and ability to do a project, one is bound to get into an argument with the computer and need a cooling off period. :)

What to do when one is late...

My perspective: I let the extra tired camper sleep in a little bit this morning, but as a result we were running late to school. The first warning bell had rung and the kids needed to hustle to get to class this morning.

Little Mama's perspective: She was tired and slow, and why rush even if she is running late to school? This would be the perfect time for her to very slowwwwwwly make sure she hops over ever single crack in the sidewalk on the way through the school gates.


And another truth for today...

I am just too damn old to be sleeping on the ground! Mommy must have a blow up mattress or mommy cannot walk the next day. : )

A Life's Truth entry thanks to Avery.

Nothing, and I mean nothing will start your day out well better than blasting the theme from Superman through the house. That was Baby Doll's request. I challenge you to do it and try to keep a straight face! I kept my smile all morning, even after sitting down on a peed on toilet seat. Now, that means Superman is inspiring. I think Baby Doll was getting her Halloween persona (Supergirl) ready for this weekend.

Truths...

Little girls see nothing unusual about asking their daddy to dress up as the Little Mermaid for Halloween?

Some things I know for certain...

*A four year old's voice (whether being used in a tantrum, a serenade or a question fest) has the power to drown out absolutely everything else.

*I am a hippie at heart.

*"I wuv you," whispered by a two year old can heal almost all hurts, at least temporarily.

*When the cat tries to nudge the toilet seat up with her head right after something very unpleasant was flushed down, it is time to check her water dish.