Memories And The Not So Lucky Week

OK~ We have memories. This was the first day he drove the 1993 Ford Taurus to school.

February 2012 (In Iowa)

The status report is now in. When the car blew up the other night, it was the end. Simply put- done!  So, it is time to let this once reliable car rest in peace. All the work the boys spent fixing the brakes on it this past week-end, yes, you read that correct; is now out the window. In the grand scheme of things, I'm thankful nobody got hurt and we can now look forward.

What a week we have had- a family of skunks, the car blew up and Garrett's gun broke. Tomorrow we head to the Iowa State High School Trapshooting Meet, and Garrett will shoot a gun that is new to him. The timing on all of this is just crazy. I know there is a reason, but I really do not understand why. Garrett commented the other night, "Mom, this week has not been very lucky for me." I sighed, "I know." After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

The Day My Son's Car Blew Up

OK~ It is always an adventure with a teen driver in the house. The past 48 hours have been a challenge here. From here on out, things can only go up. They have went about as low as they can go the past couple days.

You know, this all started with all the chaos we had with that family of skunks. The craziness continued when Garrett and his "rider" headed over to the gun club. They were not more than three miles from home when, "Bam!" Yep, this Mom got the call. "Mom, My car blew up!"  I'm thinking to myself, "Great!" As I approach the stalled car I can see a large stream of oil on the road, not good.

 I rescued two 17 year old boys alongside the road, got them back home to vehicle #2 and they were on their way to work at the gun club. The next part of this lovely day was to awake Todd to let him know we had to go get Garrett's car off of the shoulder of the county road. His sleep is precious and I dreaded tapping him on the shoulder. But, I knew I had to do it.

He woke up, got dressed and we were ready to head out. I knew the car was going to have to be towed home. So, off we went. We had a truck, hitch and chain, all ready to roll. Todd hooked the car up and said, "What one are you driving?" I said, "Car!" Big mistake- this Mom pumped and pumped those brakes and even used the emergency brake and she could not make them work!

Getting the chain hooked up

Todd got in the truck and I got in the car, off we went. I did ok keeping the car behind the truck until he started to slow the truck down and I could not slow the car down. I then found myself venturing into the other lane, as it seemed like the better alternative here. Yes, the lane with oncoming traffic (thank God there was none)! The other alternative was slamming into the rear end of the truck. I think I made the best choice, don't you? At one point the chain was going across the road and the front passenger door of the car was next to the passenger car of the truck. At that moment I knew I had been fired and had blew my chances of ever being hired by a tow truck company.

My view while in the car being towed

After managing to get both vehicles safely to the side of the road we switched views. Todd told me, "Don't go over 25 mph!" I immediately said, "That's too fast. I could not slow down." We were now homeward bound. Only three more turns and one stop sign, life was looking good. Well, the stop sign scenario was not good. While taking off there was a large "clunk!" Thankfully we were still attached with a heavy chain and we had a hammer nearby when we arrived home.

My view after we switched places- I like this view better!

Things were looking much better as I pulled in the driveway and was able to park the truck without any vehicle alongside of me. For some reason, the car stayed behind the truck while he was driving. Seriously, what's up with that? I did not stick around long as I heard Todd say, "Gotta get a hammer to get that chain off!" Well, remember that loud clunk? Turns out that really tightened up that chain.

See- 15 mph is good!

Thanks to my son's car blowing up I now know where the emergency brake is located in a 1993 Ford Taurus, (although I question if it works), I do not risk being hired by a tow truck company and I know that 10-15 mph is the perfect speed limit to travel when towing a vehicle. Oh yeah, and one more thing. The plus side to living in Iowa-there isn't much traffic. Geeshe....I think I need a drink now! After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

My 118th Wordless Wednesday

Skunks And Spring Time- This Mom Wants The Skunks To Waltz Right On By

OK~ Living in the Iowa countryside can be crazy at times. Spring times brings critters that this Mom would love to see waltz right on by her yard. Seriously, why would a family of skunks want to waltz through our grove? You know, we have cats and dogs that really do not enjoy a confrontation with a skunk.

It should be no surprise that I was in the house at my computer with the windows open and that lovely horrible odor that skunks emit began to flow through our home. I quickly closed the windows. I stepped outside to find one dog, Skipper. Garrett was no where to be found, as well as the other dog, Wally. Within two minutes I had found one "smelly" seventeen year old son and two smelly dogs. Momma skunk and siblings had moved on their way. One skunk met it's demise with a dog and a kid!

Now, if you have never seen a skunk in action, let me tell you- they can be very vicious! Dogs are OK, Kid is clean and this Mom is bracing herself for round number two. With a Momma skunk and siblings nearby, it's not gonna be a rosy smelling summer.

Amazingly, Wally accepted his date with the garden hose and dish soap rather well!

Skunks, raccoons, wood chucks, and opossums seem to like what we have to offer here. I guess it's due to the solitude that we enjoy, a critter has to throw in a little chaos now and then. For now, I'm enjoying the breeze that we have in Iowa, as it's sure to air two dogs and a kid out today! On the bright side, the school nurse has not called me to tell me that my son is omitting an odor at school. After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

Apartment Guide: Offering Real Time Solutions For Busy Families

OK~ If you are on the hunt for a new place to live, you will want to connect with Apartment Guide. Did you know that Apartment Guide offers how-to-tips for making the most of your space on a budget and so much more? Many of us are on the move in our crazy world of today and it is reassuring to know that Apartment Guide can offer photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect apartment community.

Apartment Guide is sponsoring my trip to the Type A Parent Conference. I will be representing Apartment Guide and sharing ways bloggers can partner with them on lifestyle-themed challenges, as well as engage them with their social media pages. So, if you are attending Type A Parent Conference, let's chat while in Charlotte.
Social Media Connections You Will Be Glad You Made!

Connect with Apartment Guide on Facebook, Twitter , and don't forget to circle them on Google+ for real time tips and updates on making the most of your space. Apartment Guide offers real time solutions for people like you that are on the move and looking for ways to keep your life organized. For the visual person, you must connect with Apartment Guide on Pinterest. One of the most user friendly pin boards around, go ahead; connect today!

How to Decorate a Small Apartment is an excellent example of what you can find while connecting with Apartment Guide. I'm always looking for new ways to decorate and new ways to get my "stuff" organized. Busy Moms that are offered real time solutions equal happy families. Apartment Guide to the rescue, a connection you will be glad you made. After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

*Apartment Guide Has Partnered Up With Me, As They Are Paying For A Portion Of My Way To Attend Type A Parent Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, In June 2012.

New Life Is Around Every Corner

OK~ It's a holiday week-end and everywhere I turn there is new life. Several friends that I have met through social media have celebrated the birth of a new baby this past week, as well as a birthday or two in the house. Blessings are abundant, sometimes they are right in front of us and other times we have to search a little. Overnight this appeared!

 A rose

The soybean fields in Iowa continue to look a little more green each day.

Iowa Soybean Field

I am truly amazed that so many of these have came to life this Spring.

Peony In My Yard

And then this wonderful surprise! Pirate, the Mother Cat, had four little kittens yesterday. She found a box in the barn and continues to be near them.

Pirate, The Mother Cat and Four Kittens

The little blessings we have in life are truly beautiful. From flowers, to plants, to cats- new life is surrounding this Iowa Mom. It will be interesting to see how things have changed and grown in a months time. I'll have to update you once the July 1st rolls around, to let you know how all of these new creatures have grown.  After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?

Simpler Times And Medicine No Longer Exist

OK~ I guess my age is showing when I write this, as I know some of you may not remember these simple times. Today I had an appointment at my Dr.'s office for a standard blood draw. The wait was relatively short, but you know what really gets me? It's the fact that I have been a regular patient at this office for 18+ years and the people that work at the front desk seem to not know who I am. Each visit we go through the same routine. Your name? Your Birthdate? Your insurance card? Your driver's license?

Yes, I do get that this is the year 2012 and not the year 1998. Have we lost all personal contact when it comes to our health and our medical care? Thankfully my Dr. knows who I am and treats me like a person and not a number. I do realize the person at the front desk is doing their job, but seriously? If you want to talk about mental health, I can understand why some people need help with their mental help after visiting the Dr.'s office. Many people enjoy being greeted by their name (I know I do), and need to know that someone cares about them.

I long for the simple times of going to the local Dr. office and being greeted with a smile and being greeted by my first name. I can recall many times as a child walking into Dr. Adams' office with my Mom, being greeted with a smile (no matter how miserable I felt) and feeling welcomed. Gone, those days are gone, folks! Just another sweet thing of our past. Time continues to march on. This Mom really works hard to get to know people, find out a little bit about them, and be a friend. I wish our medical field could be a little more welcoming when it comes to that first impression, as it could use some work.

I wish we could go back to simpler times. But, in all honesty due to the words identity theft and the insecure world we live in, these new complicated times are here to stay. I wish my boys, 21 and 17 years old, knew these simpler times, but they never will. After All, It's All In a Mom's Day, Right?