Wanderlust...

First, I have to let those who made the dump cake... it does not turn out like a fluffy cake. I should have mentioned that when I gave the recipe. It's a pretty thin "cake" that is basically a fruit on the bottom w/crunchyish top kind of cake. Just to clarify. I had a few questions about that.

Now, where do I begin!? There is SO much that I could discuss in today's blog...
The fact that the world did not end... (I was not one of those "followers," by the way, and it makes a sad representation of Christianity when someone falsely prophesies).
The pain it is to be a landlord...
The trouble our president continues to make...
The annoyance of trying to buy a car...
The amazing deals I've been getting lately...
The issue about the rising gas prices...

Gas prices... that makes me think... and it gives me something positive to "blog" today! I think I have a serious disease. Actually, I know I do. I mean, it's plagued me since I was a child, but I've only been able to peg it down recently and figure out what it actually is. "This is a positive blog?" You may be asking...

Well, yes. It is.

This disease I have, I guess, it really is a positive thing. It's called Wanderlusticism. (Yup, made that up myself). Basically, what it is, is a desire to travel to every possible place I can, see as many things I can, and learn about the people, the culture, the differences, etc... It's positive, because it helps me have dreams and goals. Of course, it's a pretty shallow and selfish disease, I do like it and don't want to get any help for it... Not yet, at least.
When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be like my dad (except for being a hunter). I am a definite "daddy's girl." My mom and I are close, but I already know I'm like her... probably too much like her that it clashes sometimes. :) One way that I know I am certainly like my father is his desire to travel and see the world and experience life. I LOVE that about him... and I think, my Wanderlusticism is an inherited disease from him.

I've always loved geography, always LOVED maps, know how to use a compass, and most of all - LOVE traveling... much of that comes from my dad. I know it has. So, when I was little, I decided I wanted to go to every state in the United States - whether it was driving through or staying in that state... I wanted to visit each one before I died. It was kind of my #1 "bucket list" item as a child... and when you're a kid... getting to 50 states in your lifetime seems impossible. :)

I've changed since then. When I was in my late teens, I realized that it was a bit easier to travel. So I gave myself a new deadline... 30. This was all well and good... I had money and I had time. :) I traveled a bit here and there in high school and college and I've been to MANY of the states. Now, however, it's a bit more difficult to travel - it's expensive and takes time I don't really have anymore... but I'm still shooting for my goal.
Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to check off a bunch of states with my husband as we toured the West coast together. AMAZING! We went to Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois. When I was pregnant, my friend and I went to Colorado - driving through Iowa and Nebraska... and then driving up through Wyoming, South Dakota, and Minnesota. A few years before that, I traveled to Georgia with the Dack family to go on a camping trip... we drove through Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, up South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Indiana, and then home...
A few years before that, I took a road trip with another friend (when in college), and we traveled to Banff in Canada... but went through MN, North Dakota, Montana, and then up to the boarder... A few years before that I traveled to Missouri with some friends that are like family to me... We hit Iowa, Missouri, and even made it to the boarder of Kansas.  When in high school, I traveled with a singing group and also went to Missouri... My senior trip was to the east coast... we hit Washington D.C. (a territory, I know), Pennsylvania, and Ohio (and others I've already mentioned).
I've been to Michigan, New York, and Florida a few times.

So - I have 2 1/2 years left... and this is what needs to be covered:

Out West: Idaho.
Out East: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Down South: New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Way Far Yonder: Hawaii and Alaska.

Meanwhile, we need to get our little man to Australia to visit his family!

17 states... and for some reason... I'm going back to that daunting feeling of impossibility...
I do love my wanderlusticism, but it has its drawbacks.
Once I'm 30 and finish those 17 states (hopefully) - I will be turning my focus onto bigger things... like, going to the British Isles, backpacking through Europe, Italy for our 25th anniversary, and eventually seeing New Zealand! :) For now, I'm thinking as locally as possible.

I think I need to go back to what a wise friend once told me, "It's not where you go, it's who you're with."
And with that, I say, friends and family are always welcome to travel with me! :)
I blame my dad for this.

Why Pay More??

It is rummage sale season again! I LOVE rummage sales! Today, I'm headed out with the little man and I'm going to meet a friend and her boys - to go RUMMAGING! I'm already a pretty nosey person, so rummage sales just fit my personality. :) I think it is incredibly interesting what great finds you can... well, find... at rummage sales! Today we're going out and I'll be looking for clothes for the little man, outdoor toys, indoor age-appropriate toys, etc...
Some people won't buy from rummage sales. I have my limits as well, but if it can be washed and sanitized... there really isn't any harm in using someone else's leftovers as your treasure! Now, you won't find me buying any undies or anything... but probably most anything else. :)

I'm hoping the little man stays happy for me today. He is always a fantastic little dude... HOWEVER, as of yesterday, I cut out his morning nap. I'm letting him sleep in till 8 this morning and then I'm going to get him up and ready for the day... hoping he will last till 12:30/1pm before he needs his nap! He did not do too well with it yesterday, but we were inside most the day and he didn't use up much energy. Today, however, I'm hoping to have him out and about - getting fresh air (which will keep him awake - BUT make him tired). :) I'm hoping for the best!
I have some awesome video I'll be adding soon. He's been such a chatter box lately! I just have to go through and figure out which ones to post.

OH! On Wednesday we went to the Milwaukee Public Museum... we had such a blast! One of the best parts (which we didn't realize until we got there) was that it was "International Day" so anyone from an international country got in free!! I let the lady at the counter know that Josh was from Australia and he happened to have his license from Australia with him... showed it to her... and that was $12.50 off our entrance fees - plus AJ was free!! WOHOO!!! 

All that to say, why pay more - when you can get it for less!?

Milwaukee... Here We Come!

Well, tomorrow we are heading off to Milwaukee. We have some business to attend to, but since our little man will be with us, we're hoping to turn it into a fun day! I've been looking into places to go and things to see... and I'm thinking we'll either go to the Milwaukee County Zoo or the Milwaukee Public Museum. It all depends on the weather. I think I'd be happy with either!

At this present moment, we're at my parent's house and my darling husband is "jamming" on his drums... which, is actually making my chair move as I type. Thus, I can not really concentrate because I can't even hear myself talk through whatever it is I'm thinking about writing...
Now he stopped. I think I'm deaf.

Anyways, it's been an interesting last few weeks. I've been so out of order with my back that things just aren't getting done... yet, life is good.

My sweet friend, Maggie, visited me ALL day on Saturday while Josh hunted and it really got me thinking about my friends... I love my friends. I am so blessed to have a few very very very close women in my life who I can just pour my heart out to and they are so amazingly encouraging when I need encouragement... or they beat me over the head with reality when my head is in the clouds. I think if it was not for my few lady friends, I would be a hermit. Locked away in a tower somewhere... growing out my hair real long... Oh... sorry... Just watched Tangled recently. :) However, I'm not joking... I would be a hermit.

Moving on... I gave AJ a haircut today. Any mom who tries to use a scissors... STOP! Life is SOOOO much simpler with a clippers (thank you, lady friends, who gave me those ideas)!! I cut his hair in 5 minutes, and although he looks like a big boy with his hair cut short... it actually turned out acceptable today. I'm pleased. Now, whether or not Josh lets me touch his hair ever again is another story. It sounds like he liked his first cut... but I haven't cut it since... hmmmmm....

I'm getting old.
Have I mentioned that?
It's actually sinking in though. I'm married... have a child (over the age of 1)... and I'm talking about my back pains, cutting hair, and how I'd like to be a hermit. Ugh.

Well, this old codger is going to get her little guy rugged up and get home... If you've been to Milwaukee and you know some great (preferably free) places to go... please let me know before tomorrow! I'd be happy to have options! 

A Late Night Dack Original...

My blog was down all day... so I'm only able to post this now... wrote it last night...

11:49pm.
Can't Sleep.
No clue why.
Wrote a poem.
Probably terrible:

Husband snoring
Night is Boring
Wish it was raining
so I could hear it pouring.
What's going on
Can't sleep a wink.
Better get some shut-eye
sun will be up b4 I blink
Can't stop my brain
Twirling all these thoughts
Man oh man
This really rots
Writing some words
Not helping much
Keeping me awake
On my iPod touch
What's there to do
Can't close my eyes
Time to go to sleep but
My body don't recognize!
Wish I was tired
Wish I was drowsy
These anti-inflammatories
Make me feel lousy!
The fan finally blowing
So glad it's not snowing
Must get to sleep
B4 the roosters start crowing
Gonna try again
Hoping for some Z's
Can someone just knock me out
Pretty  Pretty Please?


Original
By Dackmum
Created way too late on a Thursday night.
By the way, literary license was taken while writing. If someone knocks me out, this poem does NOT "okay" it in a court of law. Disclaimer: I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO KNOCK ME OUT. It is not okay. It would make me sad... and I would probably cry (once I gained consciousness).
Also, husband wasn't actually snoring... Just had to find a rhyming word with boring. That came to mind.
Good night.
Hopefully.
Dack Mum <3

My E-Mealz Blurb...

So I sprained my lower back. I went to the chiropractor on Monday and he adjusted my back to the point where I could actually stand up straight without having to walk hunched over, crippled in pain. However, because it is sprained, the swelling will continue, and he will need to continue adjusting my back. I am not quite in as much pain as before, but I still can not lift, turn fast, or even walk properly still. The chiropractor says it will take about 4 months to heal completely, but I should be off work (from serving) till Monday (at least) which, then, I will have a reevaluation and see how things are going. All I can say is... ouch.
I am still very much in pain, but it will get better. What "pains" me the most is the fact that I can not lift AJ in and out of his crib properly, put him in his high chair without nearly collapsing, and can not do much house work (laundry is in the basement... can't go up and down that flight of stairs), etc... However, I have still been able to make some meals. I can only stand for a short while, but it's enough time for me to do what I need to do... I blame E-Mealz for that. I'm not getting paid for this blurb about them... it's just a personal recommendation. Each week I have 5 nights worth of meals figured out for me, and a shopping list all ready to go (with an estimated cost of the needed ingredients). It will cost $12.50 for 3 months if you put in the Coupon Code: DAVE. I have included a banner link at the top of my blog because it is worth sharing with others. You can get a family size meal plan or they have meal plans for a family of 2 (which always feeds me, Josh, and AJ... and then Josh's lunch for the next day)... I have two different meal plans for variety because I can pick and choose if I don't like a particular meal (which is INCREDIBLY rare). We have been so surprised with how delicious these meals are. You can go on their website and see a sample meal plan.
It's an incredible blessing to still be able to do at least something for my family even though my back can barely support me. If you live in the U.S. --- you really really should do this!
If you sign up and are confused... leave a comment and I'll help in any way I can! This is a great online help and I know you'll love it if you try it!

Painfully signing off...
Dackmum <3