A quick update

It's a dog's life..lol....Pic of my Bella fast asleep in my bed. Yes...she is spoiled rotten but a great companion and good watch dog too. She went to get clipped this week as her Cocker Spaniel hair is impossible to manage with daily hikes. She gets sticks and mud and all sorts of trail bits in her hair. Then she fights me on brushing it so goodbye hair! But one thing bothered me...she had flees! And I give her that pill every month that kills flees and ticks and worms. The little monkey was spitting them out! LOL! So time for the other stuff that you squirt onto their shoulder blades...grr! Stubborn girl....just like her Momma...lol..

Lost 6 pounds so far on Weight Watchers. Feeling really good. Eating very "clean" and exercising every day. Tried a spinning class....Fantastic! I was wiped after but what a good work out. Taking Zumba once a week and an Abs class on Mondays. Hiking everyday and have more energy than EVER! People that see me every day are like...oh no! Susan has MORE energy? Is it possible? YES! LOL! My crazy energy is crazier than ever! LOL!

Closed down my previous Facebook account. Friends of friends could see and comment on my pics and that freaked me out! My kids did not sign up for FB and have to protect their privacy. Have shared pics on this blog but carefully chose them. My FB had intimate family pics...vacations....birthdays etc. Some glitch allowed others I didn't know onto my page so started fresh! And will be very careful what I post for pics....but will still voice my opinion! Really? LOL!

And NO RETAIL! I don't even miss it at this point. I went into London Drugs to get a passport photo and looked up every isle...bought NOTHING! AM I cured? LOL! Probably not but conscious!

Big Momma ENERGY hugs to you all! XO

You have just GOT to love BOYS!

Yesterday was the last "nice" day for some time and in a moment of absolute craziness I volunteered to take two of mine plus 3 more from other families on a hike. The Moms of the kids coming with me were like.."Oh thank god!" See ya! LOL! All the other Moms were like "Are you crazy?" LOL! 5 boys 7 and under? In the woods? By yourself? Yep! And it was FUN!

Of course they started off all energy and running and not listening....until the big thud of a tree. 'SHHHH" I said...it could be a bear. Stay close. That solved the running away problem in an instant! HAHAHA! Sam and Ty knew where they wanted to go and show the others this and that. Let them lead the way. Up this hill and down that one. 2 boys started getting scared so they held my hand. "Spiders won't bite you...just use a stick to push them aside". Okay...okay...then I had 5 little boys with sticks. UMMMM....what was I thinking? LOL! But they were all so serious about keeping those spiders off of them that not one poked the other.

We go down a ravine and two of the boys are scared. Held their little hands and showed them the side ways walk...and to grab onto the ferns if you have to. They got to the bottom and bolted to the creek. A "camp" was set up by some "green" teens. There is a "tent" made of trees and benches and garden ornaments and even a sign to remind all who visit to be respectful. I read it out to the boys and they all nodded....then proceeded to jump the creek!

 All except one boy who was too scared...so I held his hand across and he just beamed! He made it back across all by himself and was so proud! Six years old and beaming! I almost cried....such pride in that little boy face. Can you be any cuter?

Up the ravine we went. The new hikers grabbed onto what they could...my boys rammed up like mountain goats..lol...Bella leading the way.

 To the Bridge! Where they threw rocks and got soaked to the bone...well 3 did..and yes 2 were mine..lol....it's just water!

 While we were there a boy on a bike came by and told me it was "dangerous" for them to be there. LMAO! Told him it was fine...we go all the time...and he looked like he wanted to join us. But he didn't...off he went. I think his parents have it grilled in his head to be "safe".

Up the stairs we went...made it a game. They all looked at it and said no way..LOL! Race to the top? Ty was last...he had on only socks as his shoes were wet and I wasn't going to carry him....hell no! LOL

A great hour spent with those beautiful little boys. They were challenged and had fun. I was challenged and had fun. The woods is my most favourite place and was glad to share it with them. Safety is important but if you don't challenge those little bodies and little minds how will they know how strong they are? How will they ever face their fears? How will they ever have the skills to think during a crisis? It's just ravine hopping and getting wet. The odd spider and yes a bear...but we were so loud I'm sure he left the area.

Broke down and paid the $10 for sewing for Ben. Taking the hit as I know the teacher bought supplies retail. Which brings us to 27 days of retail in almost 9 months.

Big Momma "Gotta Love Boys" love to you all. XO

What a difference a year makes...and I am CLUELESS with high school

Pic of my Mom in the "cookie" jar...according to my youngest..LOL..It's been a year today since she passed away and never a day goes by that I don't miss her. Do the loving ever STOP missing the missed? I don't think so...it's just that kind of love. The drawing of the Lion of Lucerne was done by my brother...Mom was an artist and so was he...back in the day. Both very talented. Both never pursued it. Both never picked up a paint brush or charcoal after the death of a parent. Wish they had. What a beautiful way to vent! What can I do? Crunch some more numbers? LOL! That's inspiring...lol....

Lost 3lbs this week....would have been more if I hadn't eaten the dam Weight Watchers prepackaged meal that had 680 mg of sodium! For a person with kidney disease that is just torture! 8 lbs of water overnight! Don't eat them! Cook from scratch! Even if you are healthy that kind of sodium will kill you over time....it almost did me in completely! Couldn't pee for 24 hours....my body swelled like a raccoon in fall......which brings me to the next event...

A raccoon discovered I have a doggie door and decided to enter! Ate all of the dog's food and peed all over my wood floors...grrr!..Dog woke up when the coon dropped my tea cup ON MY KEY BOARD! I have NEVER seen my dog so mad! She chased that big bottomed coon through the doggie door and up a tree. Was close behind when my cat jumped off the table...yes I peed my pj's a bit thinking it was another raccoon..lol...then the cat casually looked out the doggie door to check out the action. Went outside and at this point the neighbors were up too! "Bella treed a bear?" "Um...no...just a big ass raccoon that was in the house!" That coon killed my key board, made my house wreak with coon pee and dumped the dog water everywhere! Bella didn't sleep last night...she is on guard for ME! LOL! She is still keeping vigil....and my cat? Just watched the whole thing..lol...

No retail this week..except a new keyboard...which falls under office supplies...so it doesn't count. But must get sewing supplies for my oldest in high school. He has SEWING class..lol...Have a few friends that sew and have offered stuff....what the hell do I know about sewing? NOTHING! I FAILED grade 8 sewing...lol...and paid a friend to get me through metal work. NOT my thing and don't think it's Ben's either. He better be creative in his bargaining is all I can say..lol...


Love and hugs to you all...missing the missing..XO....and busy figuring it all out..XO