Boom!

Watch out!

Seven kids...Christmas cacophony!

Family does not have to be blood related.
Family can be who you choose!
Christmas with the Damewoods 2013!

Twenty-Five Years!

Twenty-five years is a long time!

And we are still here!

It's Jacob's senior year and the girls are sill his #1 fans!

Here they are back at the beginning!

Delicious!

I made a great dinner tonight. The kids ate everything put in front of them and more. Here is the recipe from Cooks.com:

GERMAN PANCAKE

I actually doubled the recipe and used a 13x9x2 pan

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cube (1/4 cup or tbsp) butter

3 eggs

Melt butter in 8" x 8" X 2" casserole dish in the oven as it preheats to 425F degrees.

Beat all other ingredients together. Slosh melted butter around the sides of the casserole dish, and then pour batter of other ingredients into butter and bake in center of oven for 20 min.

Serve with powdered sugar sprinkled over the top and/or your choice of syrup.

Ours was topped with mixed berries and served with ham steaks on the side.

So Good!

C.H.A.O.S.

At my house we are suffering from C.H.A.O.S., that is the Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome, because This. Place. Is. A. Mess.

I need some help. I make lists, I make chore charts, I prioritize what should be done and you know what happens? The bare minimum.

I need help. I would love to hire a housekeeper, but the problem with this idea is that I think my family should clear their own clutter.

Proof that I DO make them clean sometimes.

I am looking around my living room. I see: no less than 8 pairs of shoes (and 3 of them are mine!); 2 loads of clean laundry on the loveseat; breakfast dishes for 2 kids on the coffee table; magazines, mail, and homework on the end table; hair from the dog all over the carpet and upholstery, 2 laptops, pillows, games by the shelves they are supposed on and not actually on the shelves, and various other items....

Yet, here I sit. Today's plan is to clean it all up and then what? How do I get my dear children to buy into the fact that once clean it should stay relatively neat?

Happy January

This little mouse is Ruby on Halloween

It's January! The month of the year that I like to think about organization and resolutions and getting the year started on the right note.

2010 is no different.

For 2010 I resolve to:

• Do at least one load of laundry each day. This means wash, fold and have the kids put away.
• Plan and prepare better meals. Cereal is for breakfast.
• Create and implement a chore list for the kids. Force them to stick with it.
• Stick with my Motivated Moms plan.
• And take more pictures. I only took 3 pictures total on Christmas day!

And that's it. That's as much as I can handle.

Also, I got the tree pic by turning off the flash and opening up my shutter to increase the exposure time.

The best week of the year!

Our sad little tree. It is a beautiful noble fir whose branches cannot handle the weight of our ornaments. Poor droopy tree!

The week between Christmas and New Year's is my favorite of the whole year. All of the Christmas pressure is off, but the good feelings of the season are still hanging around. My house is clean-ish and there are plenty of yummy leftovers to eat. We are planning a small party for New Year's Eve, nothing really special, just good friends, good food and hopefully a good time!

Ch-ch-changes...!

This is a picture of the first day of school, 2009. Jacob is a freshman, Hayley is a 7th grader and Ruby is a 1st grader.

Three kids, 3 schools. They have much better lives than I do and keeping up with their schedules is kicking me in the pants!

I started a new job with Douglas County Mental Health on July 6. It was supposed to be a 25-30 hour position with LOTS of flexibility so that I could manage being a full-time Mom and working too. Somehow the job has changed and improved (?) to be a full-time 40 hours a week benefited position. I really has turned into a career and not just a job. That is a very good thing and I love it!

Somehow I am still managing to be the Mom I want to be for the kids. I do not, however, have the time I need to do a lot of other things. Like laundry and cleaning the refrigerator and yard upkeep. I am definitely hiring a housekeeper to come in every 2 weeks. (The downside to that is that I have to have clutter cleared so that it will be effective. Another task to complete!)

Right now, the week between Christmas and New Year's is my favorite. All of the Holiday pressure is off, the house is clean-ish and there are plenty of leftovers to eat. All that is required is to enjoy family and friends and the feelings of goodwill that this time of year brings. Happy New Year!

My Political Statement

My name is Tracy and I am a conservative (mostly).

I did not vote for Mr. Obama. He is my President today and I will support him and I will pray for him and our country.

I will applaud him when he does well and I will speak up when he does not (both my opinion).

I am not wearing black today in protest, and I am proud to be here at this point in history.

I will not compare him to JFK or MLK Jr or anyone else, this is short changing him, he has the potential to be better or worse than either of these men, I am going to judge him on his actions alone.

I am going to champion democracy and discourage socialism.

I will do my best to be what an American should be.

And I will continue to vote.

I will believe in the rights of individuals and the rights of states and continue to believe that the federal government is growing uncontrollably under every administration.

I believe that all people over the age of 18 should be able to marry whom they choose.

I don't believe in abortion, but I do believe that I can't control your body- your body, your decision.

Sharia law scares the h*ll out of me.

Have a great day today and let's be happy for all that we have in this country, there are worse things than the other party winning any election.

Good luck Mr Obama and thank you for your service Mr Bush, may you both be blessed.

Dating, ugh

I went on a date last night.

It was with a 40-year old guy who manages a more decent restaurant in Roseburg. (not fast food)

I don't think I am wanting too much from a person? They have to be intelligent and tall. And eventually they have to be a good kisser. I am even negotiable on the tallness and will forgive some intelligence.

This guy struck out completely.

He wasn't tall enough. Only about 5' 11", so if I wear heels, I am taller. But that didn't rule him out right off the bat.

He wasn't that smart. He did tell me he got his GED rather than diploma, which wouldn't automatically disqualify him either. But, he couldn't keep up! I have a dry, witty sense of humor and he really didn't get it. Or he got it waaay too late.

I learned a lot about him, his life, his kids, his divorce....

but I'm not sure I got to say a whole lot.

AND THEN he kissed me! eeeeeeeeew....

NOT a good kisser at all.

So, back to the damn drawing board.

I hate dating. I hate dating strangers.

But, even more than I hate dating, I hate being single...

Things I want/Things I'm saving for

DISNEYLAND!

New Furniture Still debating the merits of fabric vs. leather. Any suggestions?

iPod Touch (This is a refurbished one) This is a GREAT Costco.com deal! Franco Sarto Loafers (these are musts) Brighton Purse TAG Heuer Pink Diamond Watch (this one's never gonna happen)

Catching up, boring style

• We go a $50 gift card to Target for Christmas. There isn't a Target within 75 miles of here and I would rather not use it online. Isn't there someplace that I can trade it for another store card?
• Washer froze during the cold weather INSIDE the washer and is still not fixed. had to order parts online and I chose a schmuck company
• Dryer is also broken. My fault. i tried to dry a load that was waaay too wet and burned something in the control panel. See above for my lament about parts.
• The laundry mat sucks.
• Only 8 more school days until the end of the semester. NOW is when many of the kids I work with are finally interested in getting their grades above an "F". Sorry buds, I think you are SOL... Should have started this process at least 5 weeks ago!
• Hayley has been dramatically sick. From puking at school to offering spectacular sound effects here at home. She is finally feeling better.
• I live the dullest life on the face of the earth.
• can't think of anything else.
• BORING

WELCOME 2009!!

Welcome 2009!

That last 5 years have really been the pits for me. My Mom died, my marriage ended, changes, money, goals, expectations, plans... There have been a lot of disappointments.

As 2008 was winding down I promised myself that good thing were to come and I was going to make it happen.

It was important to me to ring in the New Year not as ho-hum as I have in the past.

I succeeded!

The kids and I had a party with 3 other families and had a great time. We had not a lot of alcohol, lots of food, drinks and a TON of illegal fireworks. I am sure my neighbors hate me.

I also decided on a few resolutions.

ME the one who doesn't believe in false promises to myself.

• I will turn off all the lights and lock ALL the doors every night before bed.
• I will NOT keep my keys in the car, but instead bring them inside and hang them on the handy-dandy key hook.
• I will not keep my purse in the car either.

(I live in very rural Oregon. Down a 1/4 mile driveway with 2 dogs and at least one gun)

• We will eat dinner at the table more times each week than we eat elsewhere.
• I will plan meals and grocery shop accordingly.
• I will make my bed everyday. (because the bed is the biggest thing in the room, and if it is neat the rest of the room will appear to be neat. Even if it's not.)
• I will make my kids keep their rooms clean-er. Even though they are upstairs and I really don't have to venture up there much.
• I will find time to do something crafty at least once a week. This is important, because I feel like I am stagnating if I don't touch my creative side. I have a hard time being crafty if the rest of the house is messy.

For the most part, these are all very do-able and easy changes to make. Hopefully by posting them here I will be more accountable and be more successful!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

100 Truths

I stole this somewhere on facebook.

1. last beverage→Orange Soda

2. last phone call → Toni

3. last text message→ Ty

4. last song you listened to→ Gotta Be Somebody by Nickelback

5. last time you cried→ it's been awhile for me...Christmas Eve?

SIX HAVE YOU EVER:

1. dated someone twice→ yes (what a fool I was)

3. kissed someone & regretted it? yes

4. lost someone special?→ yes

5. been depressed?→ yes

6. been drunk and threw up? Yes...

LIST THREE FAVORITE COLOURS:

1. Red

2. Pink

3. navy

THIS MONTH HAVE YOU:

1. Made a new friend → yes

2. Fallen out of love → a little bit more all the time

3. Laughed until you cried → yes

4. Met someone who changed your life→ absolutely

5. Found out who your true friends were → yes..

6. Found out someone was talking about you→yes

7. Have you kissed anyone on your friend's list→ yes

8. How many people on your friends list do you know in real life →lots and lots!

9. How many kids do you want to have→a long time ago i thought i wanted 4, but i have 3

10. Do you have any pets →yes

11. Do you want to change your name→ not really

12. What did you do for your last birthday→nothing exciting

13. what time did you wake up today → 6:36 am with the alarm

14. What were you doing at midnight last night → texting a new friend

15. Name something you CANNOT wait for → yikes! i have nothing right now :(

16. Last time you saw your father→Nov. 1, 2003. Not because i wanted to.

17. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life →I wish i could pick my family

18. What are you listening to right now → itunes- jack johnson

19. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom → yes. don't like him. at. all.

23. What's getting on your nerves right now →too many chores to do

24. Most visited webpage → Facebook, 2Peas, and MSN weather

001. Whats your real name → Tracia

002. Niccknames: Tracy, Burnside

003. Relationship Status → divorced

004. Zodiac sign → gemini

005. Male or female → female

006. Elementary → Un-named schools in the Portland area, WL Henry, Mooberry, WL Henry

007. Middle School →Poynter Jr. High

008. Highschool →Glencoe High School

010. Hair colour →dirty blonde

011. Long or short → medium - i can't make up my mind which way to go

015. Are you health freak → not really

016. Height → 5'9

017. Do you have a crush on someone → yes, darn it. a blast from the past.

018: What do you like about yourself? →I am very loyal, and thoughtful and practical and patient

019. Piercings →just my ears

020. Tattoos → one

021. Righty or lefty → right is tight

FIRSTS :

022. First surgery →never

023. First piercing → ears

024. First best friend →Nicole Noyes

026. First sport you joined →softball

027. First pet : dog

028. First vacation→California

029. First concert → ?? Steve Miller band??

030. First crush: Daryl Rise and PETER SHEPHERD

CURRENTLY :

049. Eating →nothing

050. Drinking → nadav

052. I'm about to → serve my children dinner

053. Listening to → itunes - The All american rejects

055. Waiting → for 2009!

YOUR FUTURE :

058. Love? I certainly hope so

059. Want to get married? YES!

060. Careers in mind? still working on my blasted degree--education?!

WHICH IS BETTER WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX? :

068. Lips or eyes → lips

069. Hugs or kisses → kisses

070. Shorter or taller → tall is important

071. Older or Younger→ age is a number

072. Romantic or spontaneous → both

073. Nice stomach or nice arms →arms please

074. Sensitive or loud →sensitive

075. Hook-up or relationship → relationship

077. Trouble maker or hesitant → a nice mix is good

HAVE YOU EVER :

078. Kissed a stranger → yes

079. Drank hard liquor →yes

080. Lost glasses/contacts → yes

081. Ran away from home → never

084. Broken someone's heart →i doubt it

085. Been arrested →no, thank goodness

086. Turned someone down → yeah

087. Cried when someone died → yes

088. Liked a guy/girl friend → yep

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

089. Yourself → mostly

090. Miracles → yes

091. Love at first sight → hasn't happened to me NO

092. Heaven → yes

093. Santa Claus →Santa is real. I am Santa.

095. Kiss on the first date → yes

096. Angels → I hope so.

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY :

097. Is there one person you want to be with right now? Yes

098. Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time? yes

099. Do you believe in God? yes

100. Posting this as 100 Truths? yes

How do you REALLY feel?

This is Hank, our 11 week old Springer Spaniel, telling us how he REALLY feels about Christmas!.

SCATTERGORIES

(I got this in an email from a friend. Though it would be a good thing to fill space here!)

Rules: IT'S HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!

USE THE 1ST LETTER OF YOUR NAME TO ANSWER EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. THEY HAVE TO BE REAL PLACES, NAMES,THINGS.NOTHING MADE UP! YOU CAN'T USE YOUR NAME FOR THE BOY/GIRL NAME QUESTION.

1. What is your name: Tracy

2. A 4 Letter Word: true

3. A Boys Name: Travis

4. A Girls Name: Tiffany

5. An Occupation: Teacher

6. A Color: Turquoise

7. Something you wear: Tie

8. A Beverage: Tequila

9. A Food: Teriyaki chicken

10. Something found in the bathroom: towels

11. A place: Tennessee

12. A Reason for being late: tired

13. Something you shout: Tough!

Christmas Thankfulness

My family is so blessed.

While my home is a bit shabby, we have a place to call home.

While my bank account isn't overflowing, our needs are always met.

While my job isn't always enjoyable, I am employed.

While my kids keep me busy and and create chaos wherever they go, I have three healthy, wonderful children that I adore.

I have a nice running vehicle with heated leather seats.

We have plenty of clothes to wear (and they're all piled up in the laundry room waiting for me).

We have food on the table

We have family and friends who love us and help us in so many ways.

Most of all we have love....

ETA: I stole the format of this post from another blog I read somewhere, I just can't remember where to give proper credit.

The best Christmas album EVER

This is THE best Christmas ever. Merry Christmas by Johnny Mathis What's your favorite?