Happy Cows DO NOT come from California!

We spent last week drywalling and painting. My house was in a construction sort of mess... dining table in the kitchen, living room furniture in the dining room... drywall dust all over EVERYTHING! There were paint cans, brushes, and masking tape to clean.

So Monday morning, I drank my coffee... and channeled my best Cinderella. I was on my hands and knees cleaning the paint splatters off the floor. I wiped all the over sprayed texture off cabinets... and I pulled up all the masking tape off of windows, cabinets and floors.

I was feeling quite pleased with all that I accomplished when I looked up and seen...

















TWO (2) Grazing COWS.

Yeah, that might not be that big of a deal, you say, for someone who lives in the country. But here's the fact: I don't own TWO (2) Grazing Cows!

I watched them for a minute or two, and realized they were chewing on everything. They had their head in our recycle cans, they were trying to chew on the hose, they were nibbling on some of our construction stuff. AND I kept thinking about the 'patties' they were going to leave behind.

I thought to myself, "Hey, I killed a mouse this year... what could it hurt to 'shoo' off two cows?"
So I grabbed a broomstick, and went outside. The dogs were going nuts, so I let them out. I walked up to them, one of which is eating a dog food bag, and said in my loudest cowgirl-esque voice- GO HOME!

This is the look I got...


















Of course, I've watched enough TV to know these are not the smartest creatures.. but don't they know what "go home" means? I get up close to one, and at that time my lab decides to try her best attempt at herding. Sadly for me and my ego, the cow has no where to run, except TOWARDS me- and he does.

So me and my broom stick take off running, and I think to myself, "Since when do gentle cows charge, and why does it have horns anyways?" Apparently those commercials with the social, friendly cows don't know what the heck they are talking about... Happy Cows DO NOT come from California!

Hmmm. Now I am irritated... so I start yelling and hitting the ground with the broomstick. They also were slightly irritated, and started moving towards the back of the property. I was certain that they were from a neighbor in the back, and when I got them there, I would patch the fence with grass that I would pluck from the plain.

Out of no where... my American Bulldog, Bella- channels her best herding gene. She ran behind those cows, nipping and barking- like she'd lived on a ranch her whole life.

Well, this Cowgirl thing wasn't as hard as it looked!

So we get to the back of the property... and there is no hole in any of the fences. Bella is exhausted, and we've all had our fun... so we head home. I'm certain we've convinced those cows that our home is not theirs... and they'll stay back there until their owners come for them.


I'm so proud of my girl... and we head back towards the house.

And I call my hubby, and sis in law to share my wacky afternoon. When I look up and discover- THEY ARE BACK!

So, once again... I let the dogs back out, grab my broom stick and start the whole process over. This time I am going to find that hole in the fence- or make one and shove them back in it.

This time, with my best herding dog at my side... I start saying "Yawwww"... and was picking out my new boots in my head.

However, the bull turned towards us, and wouldn't back down. Thankfully, neither would Bella. (Now I'm thinking about how much a vet bill is going to cost if she gets kicked in the head.)

I mean.. REALLY? How do I get into this stuff?

So we chase them to the back property again, and I still can't find where they came from. I called animal control and she just laughed. I called my sister in law, and she 'googled' it for me. I called my hubby... and he was on his way home. Thankfully.

He ended up finding the owners, two parcels away. They had just discovered their cows were missing. Lucky for them they didn't waste a whole afternoon on the darn things. Even luckier for those cows I don't know a thing about slaughtering an animal.

However, I think this Cinderella might ask for an electric cow prouder for Christmas.

Zach's BIG News!

Do you see that magical smile? That is a little boy BEAMING with pride. That is Daddy behind him also beaming with pride.

That is also a bicycle that no longer has training wheels, and a kindergartner that successfully rode that bike last night!

He told his daddy that he wanted his training wheels off. They came in to get me, and I tried giving them all the reasons to keep them ON.

It was no use, they were ready. So I grabbed the camera and watched my boys take flight.

Daddy is giving the new "Evil Knevil" some instructions on how to properly crash. (Did you there was a proper way? My dad forgot that conversation with me!)

John kept saying "It's all you Buddy!"... at least until he couldn't breathe and run at the same time!

And like that, Zach was off...

Laughing and riding a two wheeler...

Both of his crazy parents cheering him on...

Looking like he'd done this a million times.

I'm not sure what age the training wheels normally come off. I suppose it depends on the kid, but this particular child isn't that adventurous.

I couldn't be more proud of him!

I also have a great story about me chasing two cows off the property... but I'll try my best to post it tomorrow... Stay tuned!

Two of the cutest boys EVER!

We have worked hard this week on the last of the drywall. We have been sanding and preparing for the living room to be painted.

After finding a leather jacket my mom purchased for Zach in the closet... and now it fits Kyle... I decided it was time for a photo shoot with the boys.

So we ventured out to the back of the property to the "Lake in the Back".

I could take pictures of these two all day.

I could dress them up and pose them with a million props... I suppose my bank account is lucky that I had boys.

I never got a picture of Zach with this jacket... it was just never his personality.

But Kyle is a different story.

Kyle is probably going to be that 'leather motorcycle jacket' type of guy. Umm... he actually already is.

He asked me after I spiked his hair "Is it beautiful?"

Yeah, it is babe.

Then he ran out to the living room to proclaim his hair was 'beautiful' to Daddy and Zach.

They just looked at him with a blank stare.

I guess I need to choose my adjectives a little more carefully, hmmm?!

Get on your bad motor scooter and ride baby!

Zach was a trooper... but he wasn't going to let me dress him up.

The other day he wouldn't wear the shirt I picked out for him, because he was afraid the other kids would laugh at him. (He's in kindergarten- and apparently he cares what other 5 year old kids think about him!)

And if you didn't notice... he got a new ouchie on his nose. He tripped over the area rug and face planted.

I suppose it makes him look sort of tough... unlike a biker jacket might do.

Then we went and took pictures in the buttercups. It's not the most masculine thing for two boys... but they love their mom and they choose to humor her. (Wisely, of course)

Is that the sweetest picture, ever?

I don't know if he's striking a pose, or getting ready to throw a rock at me.

I told them to look sideways... I meant for them to look over their shoulders. Apparently they think alike...

At least this year they are looking at me, for the most part.

They were pretty sick of mom... all they wanted to do was chase the butterfly. And in a field of buttercups- what else are two boys supposed to do?

Picnic at the park

It was 79 degrees this afternoon... and I finished my day early at the salon. John picked up the boys... I picked up sandwiches at Subway. We headed to the park and had a picnic.

It's supposed to be this nice all week... and it feels fabulous! We have some serious spring fever around here!
(These pictures were with my camera phone... so they are a little weird with the colors.)

Spring and the Swings

Spring has sprung around here.. the trees are all blooming... and the boys are back out on the swing set.He was pointing to an airplane he wanted me to look at. He said "Mom, listen to me... I'm telling you somethin'. Stop taking my picture!" But how can I... he's so gorgeous!

And the bicycles... Zach is a master of his two wheeler!

And of course, we all feel better when we soak up a little sunshine! Of course, it's important for proper eye protection...

And that's his new teddy bear in his jacket. He takes him everywhere... his name is Mr. Beary Train.

And Daddy was teaching him how to shift the motorcycle. I can't believe he hasn't eaten a pound of bugs with that mouth being stuck in a permanent grin!

It has been so fabulous to spend some time outside, and feel the 'cabin fever' disappear a bit.

We have a really busy weekend full of work and fun! My brother is helping out John put up some drywall. I finished the hearth, so we should be able to install the new pellet stove. We are also hosting dinners on Friday and Saturday- and if we're still alive on Sunday we have to go grocery shopping.

I suppose since I work Friday and Saturday- I have a feeling by the time Sunday gets here I might be a couch potato. (Yeah right... )

Ahhh... enjoy your weekend... I hope you find some sunshine to soak up!

My date with Jon...

If you live in a hole, you might not know this. Jon Bon Jovi and I had a date last night. It was a magical trip back to when I was 17... and Mr. Bon Jovi was my chauffeur. He took me down "Memory Lane" with tons of stops along the way.

I was so excited when he finally came onto stage. His presence was electric... and he knows how to get a crowd to their feet. He has almost three decades of music to pick from... and each song he chose took me to a certain time of my life. I have been listening to Bon Jovi since I was 15 years old... and he has sung every anthem to every chapter of my life.

I was a bit surprised to see how old the crowd was... and I spent more than a few minutes comparing myself to some of the other women in the crowd. I couldn't POSSIBLY be as old as some of these nice ladies, could I? (My twenty-something sister in law assured me I was MUCH younger than most of them... thanks anyways Miss.) Either way... I would enjoy being 17 again tonight- no matter what.

And with each song that Bon Jovi sung, I sung with him. I was transformed back into time where I felt for a few seconds like I was sitting next to a dear friend... or the song on the radio when I kissed a boyfriend goodnight... and even some songs that belonged to Hubby and I.

However... feeling 17 was a bit difficult when the pizza I ate gave me heartburn... and my feet hurt from standing so long... lol.

But the Magical Jon BON JOVI did not disappoint. He played for almost three hours... and I am convinced that was the best concert I have ever seen in my life. After his second encore, he was exiting the stage until he heard the crowd singing Happy Birthday to him. He turned around, came back up onto stage... looked over the crowd and smiled. He tapped his heart twice and pointed to the crowd... he was touched at our thoughtfulness.

The man knows how to connect to a crowd... I suppose that's why he's still on stage, selling out concerts after 30 years. (Holy crap... did I just say 30 years?!)

My sitters did great... the boys did fine without us... and John and I got to bed a little after 1 a.m. And four short hours later, our magical trip to the past was over... and I felt every bit my age. I worked through the day, and somehow stayed up long enough to blog.

And now you know the rest of the story.

Jon and I have a date tonight!

It was March of 1993 when we had our last date. Tonight we meet again... It took a small orchestra to make it happen. My parents drove across country to be home in time to make sure I had a sitter. My brother is coming up to help my dad... they know how important it is that Jon and I see each other.

Yeah... I keep an extra Jon around. Jon Bon Jovi... mmmm.... just his name makes me giddy. Today I am Jo Bon Baer. Today, I will stand before him and scream "Lay Your Hands on Me".

I will wear my vintage concert t-shirt, circa 1989. I will have a large beer and a piece of pizza for dinner. I will scream my head off... and I will wish the birthday boy a happy birthday. I will be 17 tonight.... and hold on to the memories for the next 20 years. (Ohh, that didn't take me to a happy place after doing the math :S)

Tonight... those leather pants will be directly in front of me.

Yeah, I know, I am a married woman... and a mom. However, John (my hubby) knew about Jon and I before we were married. He's okay with him being the third wheel. He said as long as I come home...

But for a few magical hours...

Happy Birthday Quentin!

Happy Birthday to our little friend... Quentin! He is the son of my girlfriend Jennifer... and happens to be quite the sweetie- but I'm a bit partial!He had his birthday party at "the Little Gym"... and ALL the kids got to run and play on the equipment. Zach and Kyle loved all the activity... and I was certain they would sleep well that night- they didn't.We all held the parachute and spun him around while singing Happy Birthday... he was a trooper! I was dizzy enough for both of us! :)

Happy Birthday lil' man! We wish you the very best!