A Monumental Event...

has taken place at La Casa de John Deere Mom.

Hamper...empty-ish.

Washer...empty.

Dryer...empty.

Folding table...empty.

Laundry basket...empty.

Hanging clothes hooks...empty.

The laundry is done.

For a few hours, anyway.

Intruder

We had an intruder in our home last night.

A big, dark, formidable shape was lurking in our bedroom.

I could hear the heavy breathing in the darkness.

I tiptoed in, holding my breath, as I switched on the light.

Imagine the horror when I saw this on my bed!
It was Smokey...aka Fat Bastard.

And wait. I think he has an accomplice. Yes, if you look carefully you will see the backside (and more!) of a certain Mexican.
Spoiled. Rotten. Ridiculous.

If you want to read more about Smokey and the rest of the critters around here, check out this post.

Sick Day

Cole woke up this morning with a fever and tummy ache. Unfortunately, he didn't wake up until we were getting ready to leave, so I had to scramble to figure out what to do. It's this kind of day that makes it tough being a teacher and living 30 minutes away from school.

After 5 phone calls letting various people know what was going on, Little Miss and I headed to school to get things organized for a sub and a morning field trip. Cole stayed with daddy and looked at tractor magazines so he was one content little boy.

I got sub plans organized for me and my IRLBFF teacher across the hall, then let one sub know she would be going on a music field trip while the other sub stayed behind with a small group of 5th graders. I haven't heard anything, so I assume it all went well.

Sometimes I forget that the world will continue to go on even if I am not at school in charge.

I have spent the majority of my unexpected day off changing my layout and header. I broke down and spent $10.00 on credits at Scrapblog since they are now charging for some of their items. And my bloggy friend, Marilyn at The Parks Farm, taught me just enough more HTML code to make me a very dangerous woman. I have spent way too much time messing around on this computer today. I blame her.

I did get a few chores done, but should really get off my butt and tackle the laundry situation.

Poor Cole is so pathetic. He has had a fever all day...and hasn't moved from the couch except to get on the recliner. Hopefully he perks up soon and we can enjoy the weekend.

Have a wonderful Friday. And now your moment of zen...

Did you know...

*that today is Square Root Day? That's right...3/3/09. The next Square Root Day? 4/4/16.

*that only big dorks know it is Square Root Day?

*that I drove by 5 (count them...5!) police officers on patrol today and got ZERO speeding tickets?!

*that I was on "auto-pilot" today absorbed in my thoughts and drove home? Before picking up the kids?! Mother of the Year indeed.

*that right after daycare, my daughter immediately changed into an evening gown, high heels, jewelry, and concealer that can only be described as pumpkin-like?

*that I now have concealer all over my couch and carpet?

*that I have 8 school days until Spring Break?

*that I gave chocolate up for Lent but only lasted about 4 days?

*that I need to decide on something different to give up for Lent (really...how am I supposed to give up chocolate during state testing week AND Cadbury egg season?! I had no chance.)

*that it takes all kinds of people to make this world go 'round?


*that this is a freaking hilarious commercial?

*that it is 8:50 and combined with the fact that I enjoyed a frosty mug full of a delicious wine-like beverage, it is now bedtime?

Weekend Recap

It was so freaking cold here again this weekend! (It was 11 degrees when I drove to school this morning. 11 degrees. In March. Hello?! Global warming, my a$$.) I am very much looking forward to spring. We all need to get outside and run off some energy!

Despite the fact that we had to stay inside all weekend, we made our own fun! Little Miss decided to "camp out" on the couch with her lantern and Dora "ipod." Cole got to go to the barn a few times to help the guys grind feed. He even came back with his own feed. You'd be surprised at how a handful of corn can keep a little boy occupied for hours! Yay corn!

No weekend would be complete without a little dress-up. Little Miss went out all with a stunning navy evening gown, red Dorothy shoes, and jewels. Here she was hamming it up for the camera while dancing to a Barbie movie.

We also went to Grandma's house where the kids painted little wooden cut-outs. Cole did a great job of painting animals, even shading in and mixing colors to make "just the right shade." Little Miss spent most of her time smearing all the paint on her paper plate, then wiping her fingers off and asking for more.

All in all it was a relaxing, uneventful weekend. Just the way I like it.

This week we are in the second round of our state testing. It was scary hard today. I am hoping for much better things tomorrow during the language arts section.

My husband cooked dinner tonight. Pick yourself up off the floor, ladies. I am serious. I sat on the couch while he cooked dinner. This might not seem like a momumental occasion, but trust me. It was. A girl could get used to such treatment.

And the best news of all? I got my hair cut AND colored today. Phew. It was a little touch and go there for awhile but I made it. :)

John Deere Green...and yellow, and pink, and black

Last week the people at my favorite John Deere online store, Rungreen, started following my blog. Exciting, right?

You know what I was thinking? Maybe, just maybe, if we're all really good and promise to check them out, the good folks at Rungreen will think about giving me a little something to give away right here!

A girl can dream, right?

If you don't have a need for John Deere products, you might not know what's out there. Here are a few of my favorite things for sale at Rungreen right now. (You should be able to click on the picture to take you right to Rungreen for each product.)

This super adorable John Deere tractor tire cup. I think a certain little boy might have to have this one.

They have this John Deere tote in pink, green, and black. (I happen to have this tote in pink and white.)

And hello. Look at the cuteness that is this bag. I am definitely ordering this one.

John Deere rubber bracelets...so cute and cheap.

I am loving this pink John Deere mug. I actually saw this one in a store and it is just as heavy and durable as it looks.

They have a huge selection of John Deere hats, but this one is my new favorite.

I am a sucker for water bottles. I constantly buy them. I love this metallic looking John Deere sports water bottle.

And of course Rungreen has baby gear, clothes for men, women, and kids.

They have super fun party supplies. We bought plenty of these for Cole's party...even John Deere suckers and little John Deere Skittles packets!

They have John Deere housewares, outdoor products, and even office supplies. And you KNOW how much I love office supplies.

Last but not least, they have a new product that is almost enough to make me want to have another baby. Almost.

Look at that John Deere crib bedding. Oh. It's almost more than I can handle. You know, most John Deere bedding is so...so...John Deere. It's just over-the-top green and yellow.

But this? This is just perfect for a little country boy.

Now go check out Rungreen for yourself...and tell them JDM sent ya.

There. Surely that was enough brown-nosing to get a free hat, at least.

Proof Positive...

that I can't talk on the phone and do anything else.

Indiana doesn't have talking while driving laws. Yet. So I spend a lot of time talking while driving, usually on my drive home from school. Inevitably, I will get absorbed into the conversation and miss my turn. I don't think I make driving mistakes, per se. I follow the speed limit (well, as much as I do when I am not on the phone), stop at lights, etc. But I often miss my turn or forget where in the world I was going.

I had to stop at Wal-Mart today on my way home from school. I was on the phone when I parked, on the phone all the way through the store, and finally hung up when I got to the check-out lane. As I made my way out to the parking lot, I headed to Row 3...my usual spot. I walked. And walked. And walked. I finally got my keys out and hit the door lock button a few times, hoping to hear the "beep" sound.

No beep.

I turned and headed the other way. Still no beeps. By this time, I am freezing. It dropped like 25 degrees today and I was not prepared for another 30 degree day.

Finally, I made my way to the OPPOSITE entrance and found my car in row 8. 8, people. Not 3. And wouldn't you know? I had a kick-ass parking spot in row 8...right up front...right in front of the grocery entrance. If only I hadn't been on the phone, I might have actually NOTICED where I was parking and saved myself a lot of walking in heels in the cold, cursing under my breath.