Kids
Sassafras playing Guitar Hero (w/ a bad drawl, seriously, this kid can NOT do a Southern accent to save her life. Yes, she was born in GA and spent her 1st 6 yrs. there): "Heck yay-yeah! Ahm playin' Ted Nugget!"
She meant Ted Nugent
Bud (age 6), encouraging the Hamster (age 4): "C'mon buddy, I'm right here with you. I'm right beside you. I'll take care of any monsters that try to hurt you."
This is actually quite out of character for Bud. Usually he's the monster.
Pickles: "What is grog, exactly? And why would Santa bring me grog flavored mints?"
the Hamster, NOT playing Guitar Hero: "I rock Sass. I always rock when I don't play. And I'm a way-wolf."
random? yes.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Pancake and Syrup are still alive. What?
I got another mouse to see if our snake Medusa preferred females over males. WHAT?
Why are you laughing? Some snakes can "smell" the difference.
So now we have 2 mice and a ball python. In the same tank.
I put them on craigslist. 2 free mice. I'd link to it, but you know, I don't want you to know where I live unless you already do. You understand. And don't think I'll send you my address with the promise that you'll come get them. Or that you'll send me a New Years card. Or that I might like some flowers. OK, I might send you my address for flowers.
Anyhoo, someone did respond and ask if I would deliver them 20 minutes away since they didn't know this side of the river that well. I
So the feeder mice saga continues. And that's what passes for up-to-the-minute news at our house during a Christmas time blizzard trapped with 4 sugared up kids and a husband with cabin fever. Oh, did I mention that we are also watching a friend's boxer for a week? I didn't? That's because I'm trying to stay sane and telling everyone that this is the 4th dog-sitting gig I've done since Dec. 19th would make me sound less than sane.
Like this blog post may possibly be doing.
Carry on...
I got another mouse to see if our snake Medusa preferred females over males. WHAT?
Why are you laughing? Some snakes can "smell" the difference.
So now we have 2 mice and a ball python. In the same tank.
I put them on craigslist. 2 free mice. I'd link to it, but you know, I don't want you to know where I live unless you already do. You understand. And don't think I'll send you my address with the promise that you'll come get them. Or that you'll send me a New Years card. Or that I might like some flowers. OK, I might send you my address for flowers.
Anyhoo, someone did respond and ask if I would deliver them 20 minutes away since they didn't know this side of the river that well. I
So the feeder mice saga continues. And that's what passes for up-to-the-minute news at our house during a Christmas time blizzard trapped with 4 sugared up kids and a husband with cabin fever. Oh, did I mention that we are also watching a friend's boxer for a week? I didn't? That's because I'm trying to stay sane and telling everyone that this is the 4th dog-sitting gig I've done since Dec. 19th would make me sound less than sane.
Like this blog post may possibly be doing.
Carry on...
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Random...
the Hamster uses the excuse that his bum hurts whenever he doesn't want to do something.
Go clean your room Hamster. "I can't, my bottom hurts."
Go play outside Hamster. "My buns are tired, I don't want to."
Come eat Hamster. "I had a cookie. I don't like what we're having. That looks yucky. And my butt hurts."
You get the idea.
I'm not sure where this came from, and I'm sure a psychologist could write a killer piece for a journal about it, but there it is. I don't think it would work for me though.
I can't pay the electric bill because I have sore buns.
Yep, it's much cuter coming from a 4 year-old.
the Hamster uses the excuse that his bum hurts whenever he doesn't want to do something.
Go clean your room Hamster. "I can't, my bottom hurts."
Go play outside Hamster. "My buns are tired, I don't want to."
Come eat Hamster. "I had a cookie. I don't like what we're having. That looks yucky. And my butt hurts."
You get the idea.
I'm not sure where this came from, and I'm sure a psychologist could write a killer piece for a journal about it, but there it is. I don't think it would work for me though.
I can't pay the electric bill because I have sore buns.
Yep, it's much cuter coming from a 4 year-old.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Warning to my mom - don't read this at work
I was watching the Nutcracker at the Fox in ATL one year ago today. I was having a fabulous time with my daughter, my sisters, and my mom. We had seats front and center. The Russian stacking dolls were amazing, and the little girls playing the dolls were adorable. The rats did a funkadelic dance and had a bigger part than in previous years. I love how they change the choreography each year while remaining true to the story. Did you know that the Nutcracker has been performed every Christmas season for over 100 years?
It was a night memories are made and it was magical. At intermission, my mom got a phone call from my aunt. My grandfather, who had been doing poorly for several months, had passed away. The rest of the performance was difficult to sit through. He was in Florida and there was nothing we could do but sit and finish. I don't remember much. I was busy holding my sister's hand and trying not to cry at one of the best venues in Atlanta watching a classic ballet.
My grandfather, Harold, a.k.a. the Silverback, Hank, GrandDad, or Geraldo, lived an incredible life. I won't try to cover the whole of it here, but suffice it to say, he definitely made his mark on the world. He was involved in the beginning of the Arby's corporation, he founded a festival in one town he lived in, he raised 5 kids, was a mentor to 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. GrandDad had 2 loves: my grandmother and my GrandNorma. He had an exquisite sense of humor. With superb timing, a photographic memory, and a wit that I dare say was unmatched, he could turn a phrase in an instant and leave us rolling on the floor.
GrandDad, we love you and miss you terribly. And I would give anything to be able to get you the daily paper, and to make you a cup of some of that world-famous ice tea.
I was watching the Nutcracker at the Fox in ATL one year ago today. I was having a fabulous time with my daughter, my sisters, and my mom. We had seats front and center. The Russian stacking dolls were amazing, and the little girls playing the dolls were adorable. The rats did a funkadelic dance and had a bigger part than in previous years. I love how they change the choreography each year while remaining true to the story. Did you know that the Nutcracker has been performed every Christmas season for over 100 years?
It was a night memories are made and it was magical. At intermission, my mom got a phone call from my aunt. My grandfather, who had been doing poorly for several months, had passed away. The rest of the performance was difficult to sit through. He was in Florida and there was nothing we could do but sit and finish. I don't remember much. I was busy holding my sister's hand and trying not to cry at one of the best venues in Atlanta watching a classic ballet.
My grandfather, Harold, a.k.a. the Silverback, Hank, GrandDad, or Geraldo, lived an incredible life. I won't try to cover the whole of it here, but suffice it to say, he definitely made his mark on the world. He was involved in the beginning of the Arby's corporation, he founded a festival in one town he lived in, he raised 5 kids, was a mentor to 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. GrandDad had 2 loves: my grandmother and my GrandNorma. He had an exquisite sense of humor. With superb timing, a photographic memory, and a wit that I dare say was unmatched, he could turn a phrase in an instant and leave us rolling on the floor.
GrandDad, we love you and miss you terribly. And I would give anything to be able to get you the daily paper, and to make you a cup of some of that world-famous ice tea.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas to all!
Things I still need to do:
open family presents tonight (it's a tradition)
make cinnamon candy
make toffee
finish (after)Christmas cards
wrap presents
clean my house!
finish new quilts for the kids
write a long, sincere letter to a very special lady
study, study, study...
Things I've done (even though it feels like I've got NOTHING done):
Fallen on the ice - TWICE (another post for another day)
Christmas shopping
unpacked and organized the attic
worked on 3 paintings
made fudge
an important presentation
spent an amazing weekend with my sister, as well as one of my favorite people, E
read lots of books and made lots of cookies with my kids
pondered my testimony and realized that while it always can use more work, that it is strong and that I know my Heavenly Father loves me
What are things you've done or need to do?
Things I still need to do:
open family presents tonight (it's a tradition)
make cinnamon candy
make toffee
finish (after)Christmas cards
wrap presents
clean my house!
finish new quilts for the kids
write a long, sincere letter to a very special lady
study, study, study...
Things I've done (even though it feels like I've got NOTHING done):
Fallen on the ice - TWICE (another post for another day)
Christmas shopping
unpacked and organized the attic
worked on 3 paintings
made fudge
an important presentation
spent an amazing weekend with my sister, as well as one of my favorite people, E
read lots of books and made lots of cookies with my kids
pondered my testimony and realized that while it always can use more work, that it is strong and that I know my Heavenly Father loves me
What are things you've done or need to do?
Monday, December 14, 2009
I hope y'all have been well. It's been a lottle crazy round here.We went to GA for Thanksgiving and came back. We got to see pretty much everyone and a good time was had by all. I got to do a little bit of art with Eve. We climbed Stone Mountain (a first for the boys) and went to Waffle House. You know, to complete the GA experience.
I also went crazy. I don't think I'm back from that yet.
But I knew you missed my blogging and I thought I would share a few things that made my week more interesting.
********************************
Conversations with Pickles
Jax (a buddy): Pickles has a secret. He said he's looking at naked ladies on the computer.
me: WHAT???? PICKLES! GET DOWN HERE NOW!!!
(imagine the sound of an alephant on roller skates coming down the stairs)
me: Pickles, why did Jax say you were looking at naked ladies on the computer?
Pickles: Oh, I just told him that so he'd go away. We were really looking at giant millipedes.
me: next time Honey try to be a little less creative and shocking when trying to get someone to go away, ok?
*note: Pickles is an incredibly honest kid. He does not look at naked women online. Apparently, however, we need to work on other issues.
*********************************
Pickles: I can't go to sleep
me: why not?
Pickles: Because my radio won't work and I always go to sleep listening to my stories.
me: Tell a story to yourself. Out loud.
Pickles: I said everyone else is asleep and they won't think my stories are interesting anyway.
me: I said say them to YOURSELF
Pickles: Well, I don't find them that interesting either.
*********************************
We have a snake. She's a ball python named Medusa. She's a good snake and the kids think she's interesting. Medusa eats mice. It's the circle of life, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, mice really aren't that cute, Mickey excluded of course. It was time for Medusa to eat again 4 days ago so I bought a mouse. I put the mouse in the cage with the snake. The mouse did not get eaten. The mouse did however, get named Pancake. So Pancake and Medusa are roommates. At least until Medusa is done shedding and decides that she actually is hungry. I'll keep you updated.
*********************************
Everything here is white. Our house is 109 yrs old, as are many of the surrounding houses. Most of them are painted very pale colors. Pale houses and their yards are covered in snow here. The clouds are heavy and full of snowman seeds. Everything is bright and fairly monochromatic. And it reflects all light. Last night, at midnight, it looked like it was dusk.
I forget about that here. 27 years of being raised in GA is still ingrained in me. Winter should be 60-70 degrees. Scarves should be bought based on their cuteness, not their heat conserving abilities. The sky should bright blue and the trees should stay green. Pansies should bloom.
Not in the Midwest. But I'm OK with that this winter. I'm not sure why; maybe I'm beginning to bloom (like a pansy - insert your own joke here) where I'm planted. Maybe it's wearing me down. Let's go with the blooming, shall we?
I also went crazy. I don't think I'm back from that yet.
But I knew you missed my blogging and I thought I would share a few things that made my week more interesting.
********************************
Conversations with Pickles
Jax (a buddy): Pickles has a secret. He said he's looking at naked ladies on the computer.
me: WHAT???? PICKLES! GET DOWN HERE NOW!!!
(imagine the sound of an alephant on roller skates coming down the stairs)
me: Pickles, why did Jax say you were looking at naked ladies on the computer?
Pickles: Oh, I just told him that so he'd go away. We were really looking at giant millipedes.
me: next time Honey try to be a little less creative and shocking when trying to get someone to go away, ok?
*note: Pickles is an incredibly honest kid. He does not look at naked women online. Apparently, however, we need to work on other issues.
*********************************
Pickles: I can't go to sleep
me: why not?
Pickles: Because my radio won't work and I always go to sleep listening to my stories.
me: Tell a story to yourself. Out loud.
Pickles: I said everyone else is asleep and they won't think my stories are interesting anyway.
me: I said say them to YOURSELF
Pickles: Well, I don't find them that interesting either.
*********************************
We have a snake. She's a ball python named Medusa. She's a good snake and the kids think she's interesting. Medusa eats mice. It's the circle of life, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, mice really aren't that cute, Mickey excluded of course. It was time for Medusa to eat again 4 days ago so I bought a mouse. I put the mouse in the cage with the snake. The mouse did not get eaten. The mouse did however, get named Pancake. So Pancake and Medusa are roommates. At least until Medusa is done shedding and decides that she actually is hungry. I'll keep you updated.
*********************************
Everything here is white. Our house is 109 yrs old, as are many of the surrounding houses. Most of them are painted very pale colors. Pale houses and their yards are covered in snow here. The clouds are heavy and full of snowman seeds. Everything is bright and fairly monochromatic. And it reflects all light. Last night, at midnight, it looked like it was dusk.
I forget about that here. 27 years of being raised in GA is still ingrained in me. Winter should be 60-70 degrees. Scarves should be bought based on their cuteness, not their heat conserving abilities. The sky should bright blue and the trees should stay green. Pansies should bloom.
Not in the Midwest. But I'm OK with that this winter. I'm not sure why; maybe I'm beginning to bloom (like a pansy - insert your own joke here) where I'm planted. Maybe it's wearing me down. Let's go with the blooming, shall we?
Friday, November 06, 2009
Our president, finally mentions the shooting at Fort Hood almost TWO MINUTES into this address! He sounds disjointed, uninterested, and insincere...
Outrageous, saddening, inappropriate "shout-outs" - these are all just a few things that come to my mind when I watch this video.
What do you think about how Obama reacted to this tragedy?
Outrageous, saddening, inappropriate "shout-outs" - these are all just a few things that come to my mind when I watch this video.
What do you think about how Obama reacted to this tragedy?
Thursday, November 05, 2009
For my amazing and talented aunt,
and
because I LOVE these soaps! They are truly wonderful.
Loaves of soap
15" long
2-2.5" across because they are tapered like so \_/
2" high
The loaves may be bought whole or sliced into 15 good-sized slices. You can gift them to people (teachers, co-workers, stocking stuffers, etc.) or sell them yourself!
The loaves are $35/ plus shipping. 5 loaves shipped priority costs $13 for shipping and is the most cost-efficient way to get them to you. Half-loaves may be purchased as well for $20/ plus shipping.
Ready for purchase (also available by the slice $3.50)
Raspberry and Violet
Winter Morning Walk (think Pennsylvania mountains)
Lavender
Oatmeal, Milk, and Honey (hard not to eat!)
Mango
Other scents available to be ordered (in 1/2 loaves or more)
Daisy
Ocean Mist
Happy!
Rosemary
Almond
Clove
Strawberry
Vanilla
Plumeria
Mango/Papaya
Pink Grapefruit
Cinnamon
Green Tea
Citrus Medley
Secret Crush
Peppermint
Ginger Ale
"Angel"
Violet
Gardenia
Orange
Juicy Lime
Lemon
Rosie Posie
"Tide"
"Curious"
Sunflower
Stress Relief
Red Current and Thyme (one of my favorites)
Citrus Spice
"Escape" for men
Christmas Spice
Cherry Almond
Dandelion
Pearberry
Spearmint
Daffodil
Holiday Berry
Pikaki
Honeysuckle
White Ginger
Hyacinth
Lily of the Valley
Mistletoe
Please email any questions or special requests (regarding the soaps only. I mean, my aunt can't just fill any special requests ;P ) to wlpagani@aol.com or to me and I can forward them along.
And to any readers that live where I live, if y'all want to combine an order, and thus shipping, let me know!
and
because I LOVE these soaps! They are truly wonderful.
Loaves of soap
15" long
2-2.5" across because they are tapered like so \_/
2" high
The loaves may be bought whole or sliced into 15 good-sized slices. You can gift them to people (teachers, co-workers, stocking stuffers, etc.) or sell them yourself!
The loaves are $35/ plus shipping. 5 loaves shipped priority costs $13 for shipping and is the most cost-efficient way to get them to you. Half-loaves may be purchased as well for $20/ plus shipping.
Ready for purchase (also available by the slice $3.50)
Raspberry and Violet
Winter Morning Walk (think Pennsylvania mountains)
Lavender
Oatmeal, Milk, and Honey (hard not to eat!)
Mango
Other scents available to be ordered (in 1/2 loaves or more)
Daisy
Ocean Mist
Happy!
Rosemary
Almond
Clove
Strawberry
Vanilla
Plumeria
Mango/Papaya
Pink Grapefruit
Cinnamon
Green Tea
Citrus Medley
Secret Crush
Peppermint
Ginger Ale
"Angel"
Violet
Gardenia
Orange
Juicy Lime
Lemon
Rosie Posie
"Tide"
"Curious"
Sunflower
Stress Relief
Red Current and Thyme (one of my favorites)
Citrus Spice
"Escape" for men
Christmas Spice
Cherry Almond
Dandelion
Pearberry
Spearmint
Daffodil
Holiday Berry
Pikaki
Honeysuckle
White Ginger
Hyacinth
Lily of the Valley
Mistletoe
Please email any questions or special requests (regarding the soaps only. I mean, my aunt can't just fill any special requests ;P ) to wlpagani@aol.com or to me and I can forward them along.
And to any readers that live where I live, if y'all want to combine an order, and thus shipping, let me know!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Recent conversations with the kiddos
the Hamster (while he rubs his little hand on my arm): Mom, do you hab any money?
me (putting down my book and looking at him): Why do YOU need money?
the Hamster: For a cookie. If you hab some money, then you can buy me a cookie.
me: get a job, buddy
******************************
Pickles: What's up with the dogs? Lately, Moki has been acting like Rowlf and Rowlf has been acting like Moki.
me: Well, while you were at school, they ran at each other really hard and smashed heads. When they got up, they had switched personalities.
Pickles: MOOOOOMMMM!
******************************
Bud: I kicked and punched and pushed Jackson (his friend) and then he hit me for NO REASON!
******************************
Sassafras: If there's something softer than the Hamster's belly, I'd like to know what it is
******************************
the Hamster: Mom, I'm hun-gwee
me: What do you want?
the Hamster: I want a meat on meat san-wuch
me: James, the Hamster's hungry. This one's all yours :)
James: Here's your meat on meat. (he gave him 3 pcs of meat which the H promptly put together like a sandwich)
the Hamster: I want ketchup on my meat on meat
James: no, we only eat plain meat on meat in this house you little weirdo.
the Hamster (while he rubs his little hand on my arm): Mom, do you hab any money?
me (putting down my book and looking at him): Why do YOU need money?
the Hamster: For a cookie. If you hab some money, then you can buy me a cookie.
me: get a job, buddy
******************************
Pickles: What's up with the dogs? Lately, Moki has been acting like Rowlf and Rowlf has been acting like Moki.
me: Well, while you were at school, they ran at each other really hard and smashed heads. When they got up, they had switched personalities.
Pickles: MOOOOOMMMM!
******************************
Bud: I kicked and punched and pushed Jackson (his friend) and then he hit me for NO REASON!
******************************
Sassafras: If there's something softer than the Hamster's belly, I'd like to know what it is
******************************
the Hamster: Mom, I'm hun-gwee
me: What do you want?
the Hamster: I want a meat on meat san-wuch
me: James, the Hamster's hungry. This one's all yours :)
James: Here's your meat on meat. (he gave him 3 pcs of meat which the H promptly put together like a sandwich)
the Hamster: I want ketchup on my meat on meat
James: no, we only eat plain meat on meat in this house you little weirdo.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Here we go
BBQ ribs that will make you wanna slap your mama (but you won't cause we don't slap our mamas)
I have an ingredient list, but I don't have a specific recipe. Just make sure you make it good.
About 3 hours before you want to eat, start your sauce.
About 2 hours before this, call some friends you haven't seen for awhile and invite them over.
the sauce
tomato paste
water
apple juice (more juice than water)
apple cider vinegar (not too much, but you want the sauce to have a little bite)
brown sugar (between 1/2 C and a C)
mustard powder (lots of good shakes, or just use a little mustard)
a few drops of liquid smoke
a few drops of sesame seed oil
a few shakes of Worcestershire and soy sauces
about 1/2 C veggie oil
add some heat, I like cayenne and/or Tabasco
garlic and onion powder (but not too much, cause you want it to be a tangy sweetish sauce)
a bay leaf (you take this out at the end before you pour it over the ribs)
the rub
lots of salt and paprika (you want it almost pink looking)
black pepper
garlic and onion powder (less than the salt, more than the pepper)
thyme (less than the garlic powder)
celery seed (about the same as the thyme)
Rub the ribs let 'em sit for awhile. I like country style beef ribs, but you can use this same recipe for a rack on the grill.
Do the dishes and dance around the kitchen while listening to the Allman Brothers.
Make sure your cast iron skillet is clean of cornbread crumbs from the last time you made some of that and pour just enough oil in to coat the bottom so the ribs don't stick.
Sear those meaty guys and throw them in a roasting pan.
Occasionally yell at the kids who won't stay out of the kitchen.
When you finish all the ribs, let 'em sit in the roasting pan for about 10 minutes to let the flavors get all happy together.
Then pour the sauce over the ribs and bake them for 15 minutes at 425. Turn the heat down and bake for an hour more.
Make some homemade rolls, or go get some nice soft ones from Hyvee (Kroger for y'all in the South).
Do some delicious sides like potato salad and greenbean casserole.
Make sure you have some apple crisp for dessert and apple cider going on the counter in a crockpot (for extra good cider, slice up some ginger root and slice the rind of an orange and toss them both in)
Enjoy!
BBQ ribs that will make you wanna slap your mama (but you won't cause we don't slap our mamas)
I have an ingredient list, but I don't have a specific recipe. Just make sure you make it good.
About 3 hours before you want to eat, start your sauce.
About 2 hours before this, call some friends you haven't seen for awhile and invite them over.
the sauce
tomato paste
water
apple juice (more juice than water)
apple cider vinegar (not too much, but you want the sauce to have a little bite)
brown sugar (between 1/2 C and a C)
mustard powder (lots of good shakes, or just use a little mustard)
a few drops of liquid smoke
a few drops of sesame seed oil
a few shakes of Worcestershire and soy sauces
about 1/2 C veggie oil
add some heat, I like cayenne and/or Tabasco
garlic and onion powder (but not too much, cause you want it to be a tangy sweetish sauce)
a bay leaf (you take this out at the end before you pour it over the ribs)
the rub
lots of salt and paprika (you want it almost pink looking)
black pepper
garlic and onion powder (less than the salt, more than the pepper)
thyme (less than the garlic powder)
celery seed (about the same as the thyme)
Rub the ribs let 'em sit for awhile. I like country style beef ribs, but you can use this same recipe for a rack on the grill.
Do the dishes and dance around the kitchen while listening to the Allman Brothers.
Make sure your cast iron skillet is clean of cornbread crumbs from the last time you made some of that and pour just enough oil in to coat the bottom so the ribs don't stick.
Sear those meaty guys and throw them in a roasting pan.
Occasionally yell at the kids who won't stay out of the kitchen.
When you finish all the ribs, let 'em sit in the roasting pan for about 10 minutes to let the flavors get all happy together.
Then pour the sauce over the ribs and bake them for 15 minutes at 425. Turn the heat down and bake for an hour more.
Make some homemade rolls, or go get some nice soft ones from Hyvee (Kroger for y'all in the South).
Do some delicious sides like potato salad and greenbean casserole.
Make sure you have some apple crisp for dessert and apple cider going on the counter in a crockpot (for extra good cider, slice up some ginger root and slice the rind of an orange and toss them both in)
Enjoy!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
When Jesus went to minister to the Irish
We went to Pickles' good friend, Chan's baptism yesterday. It was beautiful. There were sweet talks by the Grandma and the boys' previous Primary teacher. The littlest brother and I said a prayer. After the baptism, as Chan and his dad were changing clothes and drying off, we watched a video about Jesus. In the video you see Jesus acting out scenes from the New Testament. He gathers his flock, he blesses children, he heals people wearing rags. At one point, Pickles leans over and asks, "Are those the leprechauns he's helping?"
No baby, no. They're lepers.
Have you ever had to explain the difference between leprechauns and lepers?
We went to Pickles' good friend, Chan's baptism yesterday. It was beautiful. There were sweet talks by the Grandma and the boys' previous Primary teacher. The littlest brother and I said a prayer. After the baptism, as Chan and his dad were changing clothes and drying off, we watched a video about Jesus. In the video you see Jesus acting out scenes from the New Testament. He gathers his flock, he blesses children, he heals people wearing rags. At one point, Pickles leans over and asks, "Are those the leprechauns he's helping?"
No baby, no. They're lepers.
Have you ever had to explain the difference between leprechauns and lepers?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sup witchoo?
1. I'm sorry baby, I know I haven't been pulling my own weight lately. I've been selfishly taking comments without giving any to you. I'll be better, I promise. I have been reading all your blog posts though, and they're wonderful.
2. OK, go here for truly useless inventions. I especially like the fake breasts and the baby cage. Oh, and I can't decide whether I like the mechanical cat or the kitty footy dusters better.
3. I did well in some of my classes. And not so great in others. This school session was terrible, and that's all that needs to be said about that.
4. I'm reading Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own. It's beautiful. When I'm done, I'm going to read it all over again. I never do that with books. I can't even listen to a CD twice in a row.
5. I've been painting lately. I meditate when I paint. It's my therapy. What's your therapy?
6. I got the Hamster out of the car tonight. He said "Thanks, buttocks!" So I popped his. I was shocked. He told me he didn't like spanks, so I told him I didn't like little boys who said rude things to their mommies.
7. Carrot, no, I'm not mean. Although my sisters may disagree.
1. I'm sorry baby, I know I haven't been pulling my own weight lately. I've been selfishly taking comments without giving any to you. I'll be better, I promise. I have been reading all your blog posts though, and they're wonderful.
2. OK, go here for truly useless inventions. I especially like the fake breasts and the baby cage. Oh, and I can't decide whether I like the mechanical cat or the kitty footy dusters better.
3. I did well in some of my classes. And not so great in others. This school session was terrible, and that's all that needs to be said about that.
4. I'm reading Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own. It's beautiful. When I'm done, I'm going to read it all over again. I never do that with books. I can't even listen to a CD twice in a row.
5. I've been painting lately. I meditate when I paint. It's my therapy. What's your therapy?
6. I got the Hamster out of the car tonight. He said "Thanks, buttocks!" So I popped his. I was shocked. He told me he didn't like spanks, so I told him I didn't like little boys who said rude things to their mommies.
7. Carrot, no, I'm not mean. Although my sisters may disagree.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
just a quickie
Weird News Wednesday
you know those slashes in web addresses? look up above if you don't know what I'm talking about. Well, they weren't meant to be there. They're useless, apparently.
It may be just a time-traveling conspiracy, but some scientists think that some inventions, specifically the Hadron Collider, may be sabotaged by other scientists from the future. What? It could happen!
And now for something completely different. Very, very weird landscapes.
That's all folks!
Weird News Wednesday
you know those slashes in web addresses? look up above if you don't know what I'm talking about. Well, they weren't meant to be there. They're useless, apparently.
It may be just a time-traveling conspiracy, but some scientists think that some inventions, specifically the Hadron Collider, may be sabotaged by other scientists from the future. What? It could happen!
And now for something completely different. Very, very weird landscapes.
That's all folks!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
I woke up Monday morning at 5Am to a tiny voice frantically telling me they had a nose bleed. My kids don't get nose bleeds. I activated the ejection button on my side of the bed at lightning speed so as not to wake the angry monster (with two finals to take that day) I was sleeping next to. I had already had my beauty sleep interrupted once that evening by wet jammie bottoms and a crying the Hamster, so I wasn't looking too pretty.
But bleeding 6-yr olds don't care how you look so I stumbled into the bathroom that was fast becoming a crime scene. Man! I was glad we had moved into a house with no carpet. Bud was crying, and I was trying desperately trying to remember what you do for a nosebleed and trying not to step on the blood.
Stuff the nostrils with something absorbent? Irrigate his face? My extensive medical training (yeah, right!) had escaped me, and my ability to think straight was directly proportional to my lack of sleep.
"Bud, it's OK. Sometimes noses just bleed. Did you bump your face on your brother's head? Did you fall out of bed onto your face? Did you put something in your nose? It's ok to lose a little blood."
MOM! This is NOT a little bit of blood. This is a lot. It's everywhere!"
"Dude, if you cut your arm off, THAT would be a lot of blood. See? It's not that bad, is it?"
"Oh, ok."
Oh yeah, tilt the head back! I got it. Sit the bloody boy on the potty and tilt his head back and pinch the bridge of his nose. I found out the next day that you tilt the head forward and pinch so blood doesn't go down the back of the throat. Anyway, we got it cleaned up and Bud was bathed and put back to bed until I realized that it was 6AM and my little day-flamingos (the opposite of night-owls around here) were bright and shiny and ready for the day to start.
The angry monster was even angrier at that point. Being woken up the alarm is bad enough, but being woken up by crying children 30 minutes before the alarm is even worse. But I
But that's another post for another day...
But bleeding 6-yr olds don't care how you look so I stumbled into the bathroom that was fast becoming a crime scene. Man! I was glad we had moved into a house with no carpet. Bud was crying, and I was trying desperately trying to remember what you do for a nosebleed and trying not to step on the blood.
Stuff the nostrils with something absorbent? Irrigate his face? My extensive medical training (yeah, right!) had escaped me, and my ability to think straight was directly proportional to my lack of sleep.
"Bud, it's OK. Sometimes noses just bleed. Did you bump your face on your brother's head? Did you fall out of bed onto your face? Did you put something in your nose? It's ok to lose a little blood."
MOM! This is NOT a little bit of blood. This is a lot. It's everywhere!"
"Dude, if you cut your arm off, THAT would be a lot of blood. See? It's not that bad, is it?"
"Oh, ok."
Oh yeah, tilt the head back! I got it. Sit the bloody boy on the potty and tilt his head back and pinch the bridge of his nose. I found out the next day that you tilt the head forward and pinch so blood doesn't go down the back of the throat. Anyway, we got it cleaned up and Bud was bathed and put back to bed until I realized that it was 6AM and my little day-flamingos (the opposite of night-owls around here) were bright and shiny and ready for the day to start.
The angry monster was even angrier at that point. Being woken up the alarm is bad enough, but being woken up by crying children 30 minutes before the alarm is even worse. But I
But that's another post for another day...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Bragging rights and long nights
Sassafras reads 174 words a minute. She's also in the gifted program. The kid is also in 90% for her height, which is pretty cool since I'm only 5'4".
Pickles reads 229. He's not in the gifted program because he decided he didn't like all the extra work.
Bud reads at at an end-of-second grade level. He's the baby of his first grade class with his August birthday. He finishes his work before everyone else and then causes trouble. Sound familiar, Mom?
He has also stayed on "green" for the last three weeks straight. If you have ever met the little guy, you realize that this is quite out of character for him. Also, we're bribing him.
the Hamster writes his name, but thinks his middle name is first name spelled backwards. He can sing the alphabet backwards, and this may be entirely my fault.
I'm thinking the Hamster may be ambidextrous like I am. I actually prayed to have a kid who could write with both hands or be left-handed. Frivolous, I know, but I like them to be a little different. He also has dimples, which I prayed for as well.
Sass made higher than 95% on portions of her ITBS and was invited to take the BESTS test. Anyone know anything about that? I can't decide if it's actually worth doing or not.
James started working in the clinic this school session and has completed the patient requirements while taking care of the kids each evening while I'm in class (every dang night), after his own full 30 credit hour class load for the day. Next session, he needs to see at least 25 patients. He also makes sure to bathe and feed the kids each night AND takes care of all the laundry and dishes. And he's blind. He's a pretty cool guy, if I do say so myself.
I'm nearly finished with a painting that I really like. I'm also incredibly glad that this school session is nearly over, because it is killing me slowly. Which is why I haven't blogged much. I've been working on not drowning and there hasn't been much left over for anything else. So if you're wondering why I haven't been to church functions, a meeting, called you, sent a letter, sent an email, stopped by, sent a carrier pigeon, telepathic message, or smoke signal, put my kids in sports, scouts, or music lessons, or anything else, that's why.
It's not you, it's me.
It is good to know though, that James can pick up my slack and the kids can actually thrive without me being on top of everything.
Hopefully soon, I can blog about some political things, about my amazing visit from 13 people I love dearly, as well as separate visits from James' dad and my mom (all the love!), and how I blinked and missed our Midwestern Fall. After these messages, we'll be riiiiiiiight back!
Sassafras reads 174 words a minute. She's also in the gifted program. The kid is also in 90% for her height, which is pretty cool since I'm only 5'4".
Pickles reads 229. He's not in the gifted program because he decided he didn't like all the extra work.
Bud reads at at an end-of-second grade level. He's the baby of his first grade class with his August birthday. He finishes his work before everyone else and then causes trouble. Sound familiar, Mom?
He has also stayed on "green" for the last three weeks straight. If you have ever met the little guy, you realize that this is quite out of character for him. Also, we're bribing him.
the Hamster writes his name, but thinks his middle name is first name spelled backwards. He can sing the alphabet backwards, and this may be entirely my fault.
I'm thinking the Hamster may be ambidextrous like I am. I actually prayed to have a kid who could write with both hands or be left-handed. Frivolous, I know, but I like them to be a little different. He also has dimples, which I prayed for as well.
Sass made higher than 95% on portions of her ITBS and was invited to take the BESTS test. Anyone know anything about that? I can't decide if it's actually worth doing or not.
James started working in the clinic this school session and has completed the patient requirements while taking care of the kids each evening while I'm in class (every dang night), after his own full 30 credit hour class load for the day. Next session, he needs to see at least 25 patients. He also makes sure to bathe and feed the kids each night AND takes care of all the laundry and dishes. And he's blind. He's a pretty cool guy, if I do say so myself.
I'm nearly finished with a painting that I really like. I'm also incredibly glad that this school session is nearly over, because it is killing me slowly. Which is why I haven't blogged much. I've been working on not drowning and there hasn't been much left over for anything else. So if you're wondering why I haven't been to church functions, a meeting, called you, sent a letter, sent an email, stopped by, sent a carrier pigeon, telepathic message, or smoke signal, put my kids in sports, scouts, or music lessons, or anything else, that's why.
It's not you, it's me.
It is good to know though, that James can pick up my slack and the kids can actually thrive without me being on top of everything.
Hopefully soon, I can blog about some political things, about my amazing visit from 13 people I love dearly, as well as separate visits from James' dad and my mom (all the love!), and how I blinked and missed our Midwestern Fall. After these messages, we'll be riiiiiiiight back!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tips for living with a blind man
1. For goodness sake, keep the fridge/closet/toolbox organized unless you want to get up to help him find everything he's looking for. Still, you will have to call out which shelf/side of cabinet/location of said item is anyway.
2. He does not think it's funny when you hide weird stuffed animals in his underwear drawer.
3. Just go ahead and match up church/office outfits for him, including pants, a shirt, a tie, belt, and shoes. It will save you both time. Come to think of it, it may save you time even if your husband is not legally blind.
4. Realize that your children will learn very early that they can sneak treats, as long as the wrappers don't rustle, right in front of Daddy.
5. Get used to driving. Everywhere.
6. Get used to being the one who always cuts the fingernails, gives the haircuts, and removes the splinters.
7. Learn to read medical/anatomical textbooks for hour-long periods. That one may be a little specific.
8. Get with the Dept. for the Blind. They will most likely pay your husband's school tuition. (Sweet!)
9. Be confident with your looks, 'cause it's not very validating to hear a blind dude tell you you're hot.
10. Don't believe him when he says he can't do something because he's blind. Unless you've tried it with your eyes closed and you can't do it. Except for driving. Please don't try that.
11. With reference to the previous listing, just don't be upset when a red sock accidentally decides to party in a white load of laundry. He honestly didn't see it jump in.
12. Do not leave turpentine sitting on the floor in a mason jar if you also drink out of mason jars. He may think it's water. He may take a big mouthful of it. You may have to clean up paint thinner off the floor.
13. Invest in window cling stickers. Or just don't clean the glass doors. Or both. Guess why.
14. Perhaps recommend a walking-around-helmet.
15. INSIST on a helmet for when he rides his bike. Oh yes he does.
16. Do not EVER buy the small Legos. Unless you want your children to increase their vocabularies quickly in a bad way.
17. If he says he's feeling your butt to identify who you are, don't believe him.
18. Encourage others to introduce themselves over and over and over. Voices really aren't that easy to recognize and when you walk away, he will just ask who the heck that person was.
19. Remind him that even though he can't see very well, other people can. Tell him to stop "adjusting" himself in public.
20. Love him, because he needs it!
1. For goodness sake, keep the fridge/closet/toolbox organized unless you want to get up to help him find everything he's looking for. Still, you will have to call out which shelf/side of cabinet/location of said item is anyway.
2. He does not think it's funny when you hide weird stuffed animals in his underwear drawer.
3. Just go ahead and match up church/office outfits for him, including pants, a shirt, a tie, belt, and shoes. It will save you both time. Come to think of it, it may save you time even if your husband is not legally blind.
4. Realize that your children will learn very early that they can sneak treats, as long as the wrappers don't rustle, right in front of Daddy.
5. Get used to driving. Everywhere.
6. Get used to being the one who always cuts the fingernails, gives the haircuts, and removes the splinters.
7. Learn to read medical/anatomical textbooks for hour-long periods. That one may be a little specific.
8. Get with the Dept. for the Blind. They will most likely pay your husband's school tuition. (Sweet!)
9. Be confident with your looks, 'cause it's not very validating to hear a blind dude tell you you're hot.
10. Don't believe him when he says he can't do something because he's blind. Unless you've tried it with your eyes closed and you can't do it. Except for driving. Please don't try that.
11. With reference to the previous listing, just don't be upset when a red sock accidentally decides to party in a white load of laundry. He honestly didn't see it jump in.
12. Do not leave turpentine sitting on the floor in a mason jar if you also drink out of mason jars. He may think it's water. He may take a big mouthful of it. You may have to clean up paint thinner off the floor.
13. Invest in window cling stickers. Or just don't clean the glass doors. Or both. Guess why.
14. Perhaps recommend a walking-around-helmet.
15. INSIST on a helmet for when he rides his bike. Oh yes he does.
16. Do not EVER buy the small Legos. Unless you want your children to increase their vocabularies quickly in a bad way.
17. If he says he's feeling your butt to identify who you are, don't believe him.
18. Encourage others to introduce themselves over and over and over. Voices really aren't that easy to recognize and when you walk away, he will just ask who the heck that person was.
19. Remind him that even though he can't see very well, other people can. Tell him to stop "adjusting" himself in public.
20. Love him, because he needs it!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Things that make my life more interesting...
the Hamster, "reading" his fortune at the Chinese restaurant: "You will go to a pawty with M&M's and ice cweam!"
*******************
Warning: this is disgusting.
Sassafras was told to get a gallon ziplock full of dogfood to take camping with us. (It was for the dogs, we aren't that primitive). She came back and asked how she was supposed to get it. Wha? Come on, Sass, use the cup in the dogfood bag for crying out loud. James goes to check on her after about 15 minutes. I walk into the kitchen a minute behind him. What is in that bag?!? It does NOT look like foo- IT'S POOP! I saw it before I could stop myself and spun into the bathroom. Thankfully, I had only eaten yogurt and yogurt rejoining the land of the living is still pretty much yogurt. Sassafras, obedient little girl that she is (yeah, right) thought her daddy had asked her to fill a bag full of dog poop. WHY, Sass, WHY? I don't know she said, I thought it was kind of weird...
*******************
As I was walking to school the other day, a guy in a Navigator drove by and I smelled his cologne. How much cologne do you have to be wearing for pedestrians to smell it?
*******************
The checkout lady at Sam's filled me on her daughter's broken arm, her mother's car problems, and how crappy this winter will be here in IA all in under 5 minutes. I thought I was in GA.
*******************
When we did go camping, without the bag of poop, Pickles told me it was the best camping trip ever. He tells me that about everything. Every birthday party is the best ever. Every trip, every Christmas, every visit from a relative, is the best ever. It's quite uplifting to live with such an enthusiastic kid.
*******************
Speaking of relatives visiting, we had my mom come visit (Yay!) 2 weekends ago, and then James' dad came to visit last weekend. Now, we are (hopefully) going to see Granny, Aunt Beccah, and the cousins in just a few weeks. All this love coming to visit us is awesome!
*******************
I gotta go to class, I'll post again soon. I'm sure you are all wondering about the Obama school speech thang...
the Hamster, "reading" his fortune at the Chinese restaurant: "You will go to a pawty with M&M's and ice cweam!"
*******************
Warning: this is disgusting.
Sassafras was told to get a gallon ziplock full of dogfood to take camping with us. (It was for the dogs, we aren't that primitive). She came back and asked how she was supposed to get it. Wha? Come on, Sass, use the cup in the dogfood bag for crying out loud. James goes to check on her after about 15 minutes. I walk into the kitchen a minute behind him. What is in that bag?!? It does NOT look like foo- IT'S POOP! I saw it before I could stop myself and spun into the bathroom. Thankfully, I had only eaten yogurt and yogurt rejoining the land of the living is still pretty much yogurt. Sassafras, obedient little girl that she is (yeah, right) thought her daddy had asked her to fill a bag full of dog poop. WHY, Sass, WHY? I don't know she said, I thought it was kind of weird...
*******************
As I was walking to school the other day, a guy in a Navigator drove by and I smelled his cologne. How much cologne do you have to be wearing for pedestrians to smell it?
*******************
The checkout lady at Sam's filled me on her daughter's broken arm, her mother's car problems, and how crappy this winter will be here in IA all in under 5 minutes. I thought I was in GA.
*******************
When we did go camping, without the bag of poop, Pickles told me it was the best camping trip ever. He tells me that about everything. Every birthday party is the best ever. Every trip, every Christmas, every visit from a relative, is the best ever. It's quite uplifting to live with such an enthusiastic kid.
*******************
Speaking of relatives visiting, we had my mom come visit (Yay!) 2 weekends ago, and then James' dad came to visit last weekend. Now, we are (hopefully) going to see Granny, Aunt Beccah, and the cousins in just a few weeks. All this love coming to visit us is awesome!
*******************
I gotta go to class, I'll post again soon. I'm sure you are all wondering about the Obama school speech thang...
Friday, September 11, 2009
I haven't forgotten
8 years ago today
It's a beautiful day. I have an almost 2-yr old and a 3-month old. I work at my sister-in-law's laundromat a little, babysit a little, sell a little artwork, and deliver pizzas on Friday and Saturday nights. James and I had just bought our first house 6 months before. James is at work. Life is good. I worry about the kids getting baths, getting enough sleep, about going to the farmers' market later today. I'm checking my email and the news sites that I read while periodically nursing Pickles and letting Sassafras watch a movie.
Boortz
"Folks, I don't know if this is some kind of horrible accident, but it looks as though a plane has flown into one of the World Trade Center towers."
What? I think I've heard of the Twin Towers before. No reason to think a whole lot about it. But I'd like to get another perspective so I head over to Drudge to check it out.
"It looks as though America is the victim of a terrorist attack."
I turn off Sass's movie and turn on the news. I start to feel sick as I watch another plane hit the second tower. Did that really just happen? I truly have never seen anything like that in my life.
I turn on the radio as well. I try to call James. He was in the middle of a massage.
I tried to call my mom, my sister, my dad. I try desperately to reach my family as I watch fellow Americans dying on live T.V. I'm not physically anywhere near the actual destruction but I can almost feel the heat from the fires, almost smell the smoke, almost hear the screams. I cling to my baby, and kiss his soft fat milk-sticky cheeks over and over. He laughs while I weep. Sass asks why I cry. I call a friend who lives a few miles from Ground Zero. Somehow I get through when her parents cannot. She's OK, but shaken to the core.
James calls me back. He had walked past a T.V. reporting the destruction, but had no idea of the utter devastation. He couldn't leave work and I couldn't think of a good reason to have him come home. Tell the boss your wife needs a hug that lasts the rest of her life, James, I'm sure he'll understand.
All I can think of is everyone in the buildings praying, crying, calling, wishing, hoping...dying.
Now
I still cry when I think of this day. This day that has lasted 8 years and will continue for as long as soldiers are still fighting, as long as families who lost loved ones are still missing a piece of their hearts, as long as the rest of us remember.
I can't say what the proper course of action could have or should have been. I didn't set out to make this a political post.
I just wanted to say that I haven't forgotten.
8 years ago today
It's a beautiful day. I have an almost 2-yr old and a 3-month old. I work at my sister-in-law's laundromat a little, babysit a little, sell a little artwork, and deliver pizzas on Friday and Saturday nights. James and I had just bought our first house 6 months before. James is at work. Life is good. I worry about the kids getting baths, getting enough sleep, about going to the farmers' market later today. I'm checking my email and the news sites that I read while periodically nursing Pickles and letting Sassafras watch a movie.
Boortz
"Folks, I don't know if this is some kind of horrible accident, but it looks as though a plane has flown into one of the World Trade Center towers."
What? I think I've heard of the Twin Towers before. No reason to think a whole lot about it. But I'd like to get another perspective so I head over to Drudge to check it out.
"It looks as though America is the victim of a terrorist attack."
I turn off Sass's movie and turn on the news. I start to feel sick as I watch another plane hit the second tower. Did that really just happen? I truly have never seen anything like that in my life.
I turn on the radio as well. I try to call James. He was in the middle of a massage.
I tried to call my mom, my sister, my dad. I try desperately to reach my family as I watch fellow Americans dying on live T.V. I'm not physically anywhere near the actual destruction but I can almost feel the heat from the fires, almost smell the smoke, almost hear the screams. I cling to my baby, and kiss his soft fat milk-sticky cheeks over and over. He laughs while I weep. Sass asks why I cry. I call a friend who lives a few miles from Ground Zero. Somehow I get through when her parents cannot. She's OK, but shaken to the core.
James calls me back. He had walked past a T.V. reporting the destruction, but had no idea of the utter devastation. He couldn't leave work and I couldn't think of a good reason to have him come home. Tell the boss your wife needs a hug that lasts the rest of her life, James, I'm sure he'll understand.
All I can think of is everyone in the buildings praying, crying, calling, wishing, hoping...dying.
Now
I still cry when I think of this day. This day that has lasted 8 years and will continue for as long as soldiers are still fighting, as long as families who lost loved ones are still missing a piece of their hearts, as long as the rest of us remember.
I can't say what the proper course of action could have or should have been. I didn't set out to make this a political post.
I just wanted to say that I haven't forgotten.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Untitled: a near-novel
Sassafras ran away the other night. For a terrifying 20 min or so, we didn't know where our beautiful almost 10-year old little girl was. I was gone picking up the Hamster from preschool and James called and asked if she was with me. Um, no, what do you mean you don't know where she is?
James is legally blind and we have a big house and Sass likes to find a small space and read. That is why he didn't initially realize she was missing.
She was around the corner at a friend's house. She is not allowed to go anywhere without telling us. We have a nice house, on a decent street, but our neighborhood is pretty urban and there are streets nearby that have heavy traffic. There are also bad neighborhoods a few blocks over. An interesting thing about where we live - pockets of nice and scary back to back. Also, because we live in an urban area, there are quite a few sex offenders living around. The closest one is 5 blocks away. I had looked it up in the sex offender's database before we bought the house. I realize there are problems with this database, and all the implications that go with that could be an entire blog in and of itself, but it's still terrifying when your little girl is missing.
She left because she was mad at us. She had a decent day at school. She didn't seem upset when I went to walk them home from school. She had shared a funny story about a friend on the walk. What are you supposed to do with a kid who doesn't give you much warning?
Apparently, we don't let her do whatever she wants to do. Well of course we don't! We're good parents. Good parents don't let their child wander around quasi-inner city streets and ride their bikes all over town, which is what she wanted to do.
She wrote me a long letter (she's a writer) detailing some of our offenses. First of all, she hates her name. It's a beautiful name given to us in the temple for her. Second, she doesn't understand why we won't let her ride her bike around the block when her friends are allowed to. Well Sass, maybe their parents don't care if someone snatches them. Except that her argument was that they've never been snatched, so I shouldn't worry. Bizarrely she also included that her friends always had nice clothes that were clean. We stay on top of laundry and she just got about $200 worth of new clothes, so I'm not sure what that was about.
Because I am her mother and it's a mother's super power (usually) to know what is best for her own kids, I realized that she is just acting out her angst over moving and starting at a new school. Sass is actually quite resilient to change, but being the oldest child, the only girl, and having 2 parents who go to school double full-time can be overwhelming. She was crying for independence, but she really needed to spend more time with us. So I read Dr. Seuss books for an hour while she and the boys piled up on my bed and laughed. She needs me to take her to get our nails done. She needs to go shopping, and I don 't mean to the mall, I just mean grocery shopping. She needs Mommy time. I get it. I feel terrible that she thought she had to run away to get my attention. This did not go on consciously in her head. Sass genuinely thought she wanted new parents who would let her do what she wanted to do. But prayers can tell you amazing things about the path you should choose, especially when it comes to parenting.
She is grounded for the entire month. Which is really too bad for her, since this is her birthday month. We actually do birthday parties every year for every kid. I like parties and I think you should celebrate people on their birthdays. If you don't agree with me on that, I don't really care, so don't bother leaving a comment on that subject.
This isn't over. I realize that reading kids' books for an hour with my daughter will not heal whatever is bothering her. I also realize that this is part of the way some kids grow up. I threatened to run away at about the same age. I packed a bag of stuff and rode my bicycle up and down our street for close to an hour while my mother watched from the window. Then I came home and cried while she hugged me.
I love Sassafras so much it leaves me breathless sometimes. I know she came to our family for a reason. I hope I can be the mother Heavenly Father needs me to be for her and the boys.
Sassafras ran away the other night. For a terrifying 20 min or so, we didn't know where our beautiful almost 10-year old little girl was. I was gone picking up the Hamster from preschool and James called and asked if she was with me. Um, no, what do you mean you don't know where she is?
James is legally blind and we have a big house and Sass likes to find a small space and read. That is why he didn't initially realize she was missing.
She was around the corner at a friend's house. She is not allowed to go anywhere without telling us. We have a nice house, on a decent street, but our neighborhood is pretty urban and there are streets nearby that have heavy traffic. There are also bad neighborhoods a few blocks over. An interesting thing about where we live - pockets of nice and scary back to back. Also, because we live in an urban area, there are quite a few sex offenders living around. The closest one is 5 blocks away. I had looked it up in the sex offender's database before we bought the house. I realize there are problems with this database, and all the implications that go with that could be an entire blog in and of itself, but it's still terrifying when your little girl is missing.
She left because she was mad at us. She had a decent day at school. She didn't seem upset when I went to walk them home from school. She had shared a funny story about a friend on the walk. What are you supposed to do with a kid who doesn't give you much warning?
Apparently, we don't let her do whatever she wants to do. Well of course we don't! We're good parents. Good parents don't let their child wander around quasi-inner city streets and ride their bikes all over town, which is what she wanted to do.
She wrote me a long letter (she's a writer) detailing some of our offenses. First of all, she hates her name. It's a beautiful name given to us in the temple for her. Second, she doesn't understand why we won't let her ride her bike around the block when her friends are allowed to. Well Sass, maybe their parents don't care if someone snatches them. Except that her argument was that they've never been snatched, so I shouldn't worry. Bizarrely she also included that her friends always had nice clothes that were clean. We stay on top of laundry and she just got about $200 worth of new clothes, so I'm not sure what that was about.
Because I am her mother and it's a mother's super power (usually) to know what is best for her own kids, I realized that she is just acting out her angst over moving and starting at a new school. Sass is actually quite resilient to change, but being the oldest child, the only girl, and having 2 parents who go to school double full-time can be overwhelming. She was crying for independence, but she really needed to spend more time with us. So I read Dr. Seuss books for an hour while she and the boys piled up on my bed and laughed. She needs me to take her to get our nails done. She needs to go shopping, and I don 't mean to the mall, I just mean grocery shopping. She needs Mommy time. I get it. I feel terrible that she thought she had to run away to get my attention. This did not go on consciously in her head. Sass genuinely thought she wanted new parents who would let her do what she wanted to do. But prayers can tell you amazing things about the path you should choose, especially when it comes to parenting.
She is grounded for the entire month. Which is really too bad for her, since this is her birthday month. We actually do birthday parties every year for every kid. I like parties and I think you should celebrate people on their birthdays. If you don't agree with me on that, I don't really care, so don't bother leaving a comment on that subject.
This isn't over. I realize that reading kids' books for an hour with my daughter will not heal whatever is bothering her. I also realize that this is part of the way some kids grow up. I threatened to run away at about the same age. I packed a bag of stuff and rode my bicycle up and down our street for close to an hour while my mother watched from the window. Then I came home and cried while she hugged me.
I love Sassafras so much it leaves me breathless sometimes. I know she came to our family for a reason. I hope I can be the mother Heavenly Father needs me to be for her and the boys.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Update on yesterday's post
The White House is rethinking President Obama's address to schoolchildren next week. While the speech was touted as a pro-education and pro-American, many people, including myself, saw it as something a little more ominous. Exactly what kind of education would Pres. O be pushing? This article says that activities such as writing letters on how the kids could help the president would accompany watching the video. I'm not thrilled by the thought of this. I don't want to think about Bud (age 6) thinking of ideas about how to help the commander-in-chief who is trying to push his healthcare reform through in less time than it took him to pick out a dog for his little girls. Obviously it would be more along the lines of recycling and the usual govt education brainwashing topics, but still. The question was NOT, 'think not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do to help the President'.
Yes, we should help each other.
Yes, a healthy country is a wealthy country.
Yes, we have a responsibility to help people who need it.
But, we do not need it crammed down our throats by an overzealous, under qualified (but probably very intelligent and a nice guy) President. Sorry, that's how I feel about it.
We also need to think just a little about how this type of address would have been received had George W. Bush tried to do it. Would school boards across the country have jumped at the chance to have a day filled with the patriotism and commitment to education that they say this address would have been about? I'm not so sure they would have.
That being said, I like W's education reforms less than I like the idea of O's schoolchildren address. No Child Left Behind?!?! Another blog post, another day...
The White House is rethinking President Obama's address to schoolchildren next week. While the speech was touted as a pro-education and pro-American, many people, including myself, saw it as something a little more ominous. Exactly what kind of education would Pres. O be pushing? This article says that activities such as writing letters on how the kids could help the president would accompany watching the video. I'm not thrilled by the thought of this. I don't want to think about Bud (age 6) thinking of ideas about how to help the commander-in-chief who is trying to push his healthcare reform through in less time than it took him to pick out a dog for his little girls. Obviously it would be more along the lines of recycling and the usual govt education brainwashing topics, but still. The question was NOT, 'think not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do to help the President'.
Yes, we should help each other.
Yes, a healthy country is a wealthy country.
Yes, we have a responsibility to help people who need it.
But, we do not need it crammed down our throats by an overzealous, under qualified (but probably very intelligent and a nice guy) President. Sorry, that's how I feel about it.
We also need to think just a little about how this type of address would have been received had George W. Bush tried to do it. Would school boards across the country have jumped at the chance to have a day filled with the patriotism and commitment to education that they say this address would have been about? I'm not so sure they would have.
That being said, I like W's education reforms less than I like the idea of O's schoolchildren address. No Child Left Behind?!?! Another blog post, another day...
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
4 grits warning, just in case Nobody cares
Heads up:
Do you know what's going to happen on Sept. 8th? Pres. Obama will be addressing your children at school. There is a planned nation-wide address by the President to help the kids start their school year the right way. Whatever that means. You know what it means? There will be a sponsored brainwashing at a school near you. Am I Conservative? No. Ideally I would claim to be a Libertarian, although I realize this is an impossible political situation in reality. But Democrat, Republican, Seussian, whatever. I'm not comfortable with a politician speaking to my children without my consent. So I may very well be taking my kids out of school for this. I may very well give them my own address covering such topics as being kind to others and sharing what you have because YOU WANT TO, and not because you have been ordered to from over the barrel of a rifle. Yes, my kids go to a government school. Yes, I would send them to private school if I could afford it. Hopefully, eventually, I will do just that. But until then, I will do my best to be vigilant about the information that is fed to them. P.S. the article is a little inflammatory, so take it with a grain of salt.
Heads up:
Do you know what's going to happen on Sept. 8th? Pres. Obama will be addressing your children at school. There is a planned nation-wide address by the President to help the kids start their school year the right way. Whatever that means. You know what it means? There will be a sponsored brainwashing at a school near you. Am I Conservative? No. Ideally I would claim to be a Libertarian, although I realize this is an impossible political situation in reality. But Democrat, Republican, Seussian, whatever. I'm not comfortable with a politician speaking to my children without my consent. So I may very well be taking my kids out of school for this. I may very well give them my own address covering such topics as being kind to others and sharing what you have because YOU WANT TO, and not because you have been ordered to from over the barrel of a rifle. Yes, my kids go to a government school. Yes, I would send them to private school if I could afford it. Hopefully, eventually, I will do just that. But until then, I will do my best to be vigilant about the information that is fed to them. P.S. the article is a little inflammatory, so take it with a grain of salt.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Guess:
Guess what y'all?
I've been writing this blog for a year now.
guess what else.
I reached my lose 15 pounds, get a subscription (prescription?) to a fashion mag. goal. I know, fashion mags don't really seem like my thing, but I'm a deep, deep well.
I'm close to my be comfortable in the next size down in jeans by the end of the summer goal too. I'm going with the technical end of summer here - September 21st.
My junk is not your treasure, it's still junk:
I survived the yard sale. I didn't make enough to feel like it was worth it. I also didn't sell my obnoxious neighbor, but that may have been slightly illegal if I had, so it's probably better that I didn't. I made $80, met some colorful yard-salers, and got a sunburn...on my chin. Which is what happens when you wear your cute hat with a short brim that you bought in Baltimore. I also realized that yard sales are like childbirth. You only have one every few years so you sort of forget how painful they are. Remind me the next time I say I want a yard sale, OK?
Tease:
Bud turned 6 in the last couple of weeks. I won't tell you exactly what day, just in case you're a stalker. I made a volcano cake for him that actually erupted, but my friend took the video because we can't find our cameras, so I have to wait for him to give me a copy of it. So you'll have to wait for the amazing, fabulous, unbelievable volcano cake. Sorry.
Butterfly kisses, dipped in flower petals, and deep-fried in cuteness:
My friend Eve had her beautiful baby. Go see her pretty little girl and wish her congratulations. Unless you're a stalker.
Based on a true story:
A kind and beautiful lady helped her daughter move out of her apartment this weekend. The daughter owed her mother money, so it was in the best interest of this nearly-canonized mother to help the daughter. Said mother was on her hands and knees for hours this weekend scrubbing the floors of the apartment to be vacated. Does the daughter have roommates? Why, yes she does! Were the roommates there helping? No, at the time the saintly mom was cleaning the hovel, the roommates were not there. So Mother-Rella was cleaning and scouring, scouring and cleaning. She did not have singing woodland creatures to help her either. The gorgeous and immensely talented mother finished the WC and moved on the pantry. Even angels fall sometimes, and the mother was not feeling her usual incredibly generous self at this point. One may even say she was pissed. The pantry was still full of food, so the mom was moving the food out of the pantry to clean the shelves. Nestled behind 3 boxes of cereal, in the back of the closet, was a large jar labeled catmint. Now, the daughter has been known to self-medicate occasionally with something that looks a lot like what this "catmint" looked like. The size-2 mother with supermodel looks decided to ease her pissy torment by throwing away the catmint. She supposed that misery loves company and she was going to spread it around a little by making someone sorry they had left such a suspicious looking jar of leaves in the pantry for her to find. Embarrassed though she was to tarnish her golden sheen, she took more than a little glee from throwing the entire jar away. That will teach those wretched 20-somethings what's what! Keeping illegal substances is illegal, and the mother who shown with an inner light was ridding the apartment of evil. And making her self feel better in the process. Win-win, right? Except that when the daughter came upstairs and the mother proudly exclaimed what she had done (including finger quotes for the "cat mint"), the daughter burst out laughing. Cat mint, dear readers, is another name for catnip, a harmless herb used to help one get to sleep. The crestfallen, but still beautiful, mother laughed too and realized how silly she was. And then she called her equally beautiful oldest daughter to tell the tale you have just read.
Guess what y'all?
I've been writing this blog for a year now.
guess what else.
I reached my lose 15 pounds, get a subscription (prescription?) to a fashion mag. goal. I know, fashion mags don't really seem like my thing, but I'm a deep, deep well.
I'm close to my be comfortable in the next size down in jeans by the end of the summer goal too. I'm going with the technical end of summer here - September 21st.
My junk is not your treasure, it's still junk:
I survived the yard sale. I didn't make enough to feel like it was worth it. I also didn't sell my obnoxious neighbor, but that may have been slightly illegal if I had, so it's probably better that I didn't. I made $80, met some colorful yard-salers, and got a sunburn...on my chin. Which is what happens when you wear your cute hat with a short brim that you bought in Baltimore. I also realized that yard sales are like childbirth. You only have one every few years so you sort of forget how painful they are. Remind me the next time I say I want a yard sale, OK?
Tease:
Bud turned 6 in the last couple of weeks. I won't tell you exactly what day, just in case you're a stalker. I made a volcano cake for him that actually erupted, but my friend took the video because we can't find our cameras, so I have to wait for him to give me a copy of it. So you'll have to wait for the amazing, fabulous, unbelievable volcano cake. Sorry.
Butterfly kisses, dipped in flower petals, and deep-fried in cuteness:
My friend Eve had her beautiful baby. Go see her pretty little girl and wish her congratulations. Unless you're a stalker.
Based on a true story:
A kind and beautiful lady helped her daughter move out of her apartment this weekend. The daughter owed her mother money, so it was in the best interest of this nearly-canonized mother to help the daughter. Said mother was on her hands and knees for hours this weekend scrubbing the floors of the apartment to be vacated. Does the daughter have roommates? Why, yes she does! Were the roommates there helping? No, at the time the saintly mom was cleaning the hovel, the roommates were not there. So Mother-Rella was cleaning and scouring, scouring and cleaning. She did not have singing woodland creatures to help her either. The gorgeous and immensely talented mother finished the WC and moved on the pantry. Even angels fall sometimes, and the mother was not feeling her usual incredibly generous self at this point. One may even say she was pissed. The pantry was still full of food, so the mom was moving the food out of the pantry to clean the shelves. Nestled behind 3 boxes of cereal, in the back of the closet, was a large jar labeled catmint. Now, the daughter has been known to self-medicate occasionally with something that looks a lot like what this "catmint" looked like. The size-2 mother with supermodel looks decided to ease her pissy torment by throwing away the catmint. She supposed that misery loves company and she was going to spread it around a little by making someone sorry they had left such a suspicious looking jar of leaves in the pantry for her to find. Embarrassed though she was to tarnish her golden sheen, she took more than a little glee from throwing the entire jar away. That will teach those wretched 20-somethings what's what! Keeping illegal substances is illegal, and the mother who shown with an inner light was ridding the apartment of evil. And making her self feel better in the process. Win-win, right? Except that when the daughter came upstairs and the mother proudly exclaimed what she had done (including finger quotes for the "cat mint"), the daughter burst out laughing. Cat mint, dear readers, is another name for catnip, a harmless herb used to help one get to sleep. The crestfallen, but still beautiful, mother laughed too and realized how silly she was. And then she called her equally beautiful oldest daughter to tell the tale you have just read.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A tiny little good time*
James and I took the kids out of town for a couple days. Since buying the house and moving, as well as juggling school schedules, we haven't had time or money to do a family vacation this summer. Normally we take the kids camping for about a week, or stay in a cabin deep in the woods, but this year, we could only carve out about 48 hours. So we took them to Dubuque. Since we won't be staying in the Midwest once we're done with school (we love you Iowa, but we just can't stay), we decided when we moved here that we would try to see as much of this part of the country as we could.
So I booked a hotel with a waterpark for two nights. It had slides, a lazy river, and a water jungle gym. We only suffered 2 bumped heads and James was hot. Not hawt, just hot. The man is nuclear. He would steam up the car windows even if we were driving around Hell (which we once did, btw, although I'm pretty sure the residents there usually just call it West Virginia). So we cranked the AC to 62 and the rest of us slept under piles of blankets, pillows, and a couple of bouncy balls that snuck their way into bed after being banned. The rest of the room was pretty good. It's hard to find a hotel room that will actually sleep 6 without having to turn children 90 degrees on the bed and have them all sleep that way. This room actually had 2 doubles and a pullout couch. You know your kids don't get out much when they fight over who gets to sleep on the pullout couch. I would have taken pictures, but we haven't been able to find our cameras since we moved. There was also a balcony. It was only a balcony in name, however, because it was literally about 8 inches deep. James got out onto it and slid the glass door behind himself. He was holding his breath and sort of leaned over the railing a little. And then I locked it. He couldn't turn around to give me a dirty look, but I could see little curls of smoke starting to come out of his ears, so I unlocked it and let him back in. After that, he told everyone else they couldn't go out there. Spoilsport.
We also went to the River Museum. If you ever need to take your picture next to about 15 different statues of Mark Twain, Or, if you want to spend more time herding your children out of the gift shop and then dealing with a crying 8-year old who couldn't find ANYthing that cost $2 or less, than actually looking at exhibits, OR, if you want to explain 20 times why the touch-the-gar exhibit is closed due to resting fish issues (fishues?) to an angry 6-year old, you should totally go to the River Museum.
This is not a paid advertisement for the museum by the way.
So I think our next mini vacation will probably be a weekend camping trip. Now that the Hamster is almost fully potty-trained, I will end my ban on tent camping. Anyone who has camped with a kid in diapers will understand.
I need to go, I'm having a yard sale this weekend and I'm still pulling stuff together to sell. Anyone want to buy one ice skate? or half a puzzle? or an obnoxious neighbor?
*Sassafras used to make up words and phrases. Having a "tiny little good time" meant we were all enjoying a really great experience.
P.S. James really is hawt :) And the museum was actually pretty fun.
James and I took the kids out of town for a couple days. Since buying the house and moving, as well as juggling school schedules, we haven't had time or money to do a family vacation this summer. Normally we take the kids camping for about a week, or stay in a cabin deep in the woods, but this year, we could only carve out about 48 hours. So we took them to Dubuque. Since we won't be staying in the Midwest once we're done with school (we love you Iowa, but we just can't stay), we decided when we moved here that we would try to see as much of this part of the country as we could.
So I booked a hotel with a waterpark for two nights. It had slides, a lazy river, and a water jungle gym. We only suffered 2 bumped heads and James was hot. Not hawt, just hot. The man is nuclear. He would steam up the car windows even if we were driving around Hell (which we once did, btw, although I'm pretty sure the residents there usually just call it West Virginia). So we cranked the AC to 62 and the rest of us slept under piles of blankets, pillows, and a couple of bouncy balls that snuck their way into bed after being banned. The rest of the room was pretty good. It's hard to find a hotel room that will actually sleep 6 without having to turn children 90 degrees on the bed and have them all sleep that way. This room actually had 2 doubles and a pullout couch. You know your kids don't get out much when they fight over who gets to sleep on the pullout couch. I would have taken pictures, but we haven't been able to find our cameras since we moved. There was also a balcony. It was only a balcony in name, however, because it was literally about 8 inches deep. James got out onto it and slid the glass door behind himself. He was holding his breath and sort of leaned over the railing a little. And then I locked it. He couldn't turn around to give me a dirty look, but I could see little curls of smoke starting to come out of his ears, so I unlocked it and let him back in. After that, he told everyone else they couldn't go out there. Spoilsport.
We also went to the River Museum. If you ever need to take your picture next to about 15 different statues of Mark Twain, Or, if you want to spend more time herding your children out of the gift shop and then dealing with a crying 8-year old who couldn't find ANYthing that cost $2 or less, than actually looking at exhibits, OR, if you want to explain 20 times why the touch-the-gar exhibit is closed due to resting fish issues (fishues?) to an angry 6-year old, you should totally go to the River Museum.
This is not a paid advertisement for the museum by the way.
So I think our next mini vacation will probably be a weekend camping trip. Now that the Hamster is almost fully potty-trained, I will end my ban on tent camping. Anyone who has camped with a kid in diapers will understand.
I need to go, I'm having a yard sale this weekend and I'm still pulling stuff together to sell. Anyone want to buy one ice skate? or half a puzzle? or an obnoxious neighbor?
*Sassafras used to make up words and phrases. Having a "tiny little good time" meant we were all enjoying a really great experience.
P.S. James really is hawt :) And the museum was actually pretty fun.
Monday, August 24, 2009
For Super L (especially)
a few conspiracy theories to _______________ you,
Give us your foreskin and we'll leave you alone...but not really.
The CDC is considering urging all parents to circumcise their children. Oops! Did I say children? I meant your boys. A govt institution, that admittedly is in some ways a good organization, wants to tell you whether or not to cut off part of your little boy's penis. Is that a little harsh to read? Too bad. Not harsher than having part of your body removed without your consent.
And it will all end with a big pile of pulsating bio-goo.
Scientistsalready have are this close to creating artificial life. But Michelle, surely they will use their powers for good and only make little yeastie beasts to clean up spilled petroleum. HA! How do you know "they" haven't already made fake people who walk among us? OK, just kidding. I'm not that far off the deep end. But still, it's creepy. I don't particularly like the thought of some lab-dork (sorry to all my lab-dork readers) thinking up ways to create new tiny minions to infect all the people who made fun of him for wearing ladies' thongs in high school. Wake up and smell the sci-fi people!
Kiss your mother with that keyboard?
This one is great. A crazy chick called another crazy chick a skank anonymously on her blog. The crazy skank sued Google to find out the identity of the crazy blogger. The judge ruled in the crazy skank's favor. Now the crazy blogger is suing Google for $15 million for unmasking her. She would have asked for more, but she can't count that high.
Yes, I am feeling rather mean today, since you asked.
Karma is a bitch.
Bernie Madoff, the old guy who lived it up on other peoples' money, went to prison. Forever. Now he's telling everyone he has cancer. Think he really does? Cause, you know, jail probably isn't as much fun as stealing widows' life-savings.
She's not just my sister, she's also my wife!
This is why the jokes we tell are always about Alabama. Or Abalama as GrandDad used t'say. Modern-day Hatfields and McCoys got into it the other night. This is favorite part "The town's police chief was hit in the head with a crowbar but was OK." How much you wanna bet whoever got arrested sat in his jail cell hootin n hollerin when his news story came on?
I don't feel so brave in this world.
So now the Big O, and I don't mean Oprah, wants to create a special interrogation unit led by our prestigious Commander. Oh but don't worry, he won't have anything to do with it. The FBI will be in charge of it. But doesn't the CIA usually cover Intelligence? Yup. I'm thinking they're not too happy about this. You know, why don't they just hire Google to track everyone? They already track everyone's online movements. And just so you know, I'm not thrilled about Google checking out my cookies. (my online cookies, weirdo)
There you go. Now go forth, and conspire.
a few conspiracy theories to _______________ you,
Give us your foreskin and we'll leave you alone...but not really.
The CDC is considering urging all parents to circumcise their children. Oops! Did I say children? I meant your boys. A govt institution, that admittedly is in some ways a good organization, wants to tell you whether or not to cut off part of your little boy's penis. Is that a little harsh to read? Too bad. Not harsher than having part of your body removed without your consent.
And it will all end with a big pile of pulsating bio-goo.
Scientists
Kiss your mother with that keyboard?
This one is great. A crazy chick called another crazy chick a skank anonymously on her blog. The crazy skank sued Google to find out the identity of the crazy blogger. The judge ruled in the crazy skank's favor. Now the crazy blogger is suing Google for $15 million for unmasking her. She would have asked for more, but she can't count that high.
Yes, I am feeling rather mean today, since you asked.
Karma is a bitch.
Bernie Madoff, the old guy who lived it up on other peoples' money, went to prison. Forever. Now he's telling everyone he has cancer. Think he really does? Cause, you know, jail probably isn't as much fun as stealing widows' life-savings.
She's not just my sister, she's also my wife!
This is why the jokes we tell are always about Alabama. Or Abalama as GrandDad used t'say. Modern-day Hatfields and McCoys got into it the other night. This is favorite part "The town's police chief was hit in the head with a crowbar but was OK." How much you wanna bet whoever got arrested sat in his jail cell hootin n hollerin when his news story came on?
I don't feel so brave in this world.
So now the Big O, and I don't mean Oprah, wants to create a special interrogation unit led by our prestigious Commander. Oh but don't worry, he won't have anything to do with it. The FBI will be in charge of it. But doesn't the CIA usually cover Intelligence? Yup. I'm thinking they're not too happy about this. You know, why don't they just hire Google to track everyone? They already track everyone's online movements. And just so you know, I'm not thrilled about Google checking out my cookies. (my online cookies, weirdo)
There you go. Now go forth, and conspire.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
a little spice makes e'er thang nice
*I wrote a depressing blog post. I'm not dying (or pregnant) lovely reader, just stressed. But thank you for your concern, all the same.
*My mom texted me and told me she was going to be on some show on MTV. My mom is ** years old, people! on MTV?!? story developing...
*I suffered a migraine *shudders*. Nothing like having your head turned inside out swiftly and violently to make you immediately re-prioritize your day.
*I saw a rainbow. I spent an hour, gloriously alone, in a book store as a tempest raged outside. The heavens calmed themselves, I paid for my books (I bought 6 just for me!), and walked outside to see God's promise up above.
*The checkout lady at Walmart didn't say a word to me until she told me the total. I had almost $300 worth of groceries. That's a long time for a southern gal to wait for some dang customer service or a smile. If I had been in GA, I would have heard her life story starting from where her parents were born, all about her daughter's medical conditions (including the pictures), her brother who just got out of jail but still can't go within 10 miles of that trailer park anymore, and her new puppy who chewed up all her underwear and then got sick on her bed. Hmmm, come to think of it, carry on, Midwestern checker-outer. I wasn't in the mood anyway.
*the Hamster has only fallen off the potty-train once this week.
*Pickles asked if he could take the snake to school for Pet Day instead of the rabbit, because he was worried the rabbit would bite people.
*My suburban now only smells vaguely like the half-gallon of milk that spilled in the back a few weeks ago.
*James would like me to also add that he has done all the laundry and dishes for the last week as well. When I can come home after 12-hr school days to an empty sink and clean clothes, I can definitely add that to the post, Honey. Oh, also, I get foot rubs.
*and you stopped by to say hi. That's the best part :)
What has happened that has made your week nicer?
*I wrote a depressing blog post. I'm not dying (or pregnant) lovely reader, just stressed. But thank you for your concern, all the same.
*My mom texted me and told me she was going to be on some show on MTV. My mom is ** years old, people! on MTV?!? story developing...
*I suffered a migraine *shudders*. Nothing like having your head turned inside out swiftly and violently to make you immediately re-prioritize your day.
*I saw a rainbow. I spent an hour, gloriously alone, in a book store as a tempest raged outside. The heavens calmed themselves, I paid for my books (I bought 6 just for me!), and walked outside to see God's promise up above.
*The checkout lady at Walmart didn't say a word to me until she told me the total. I had almost $300 worth of groceries. That's a long time for a southern gal to wait for some dang customer service or a smile. If I had been in GA, I would have heard her life story starting from where her parents were born, all about her daughter's medical conditions (including the pictures), her brother who just got out of jail but still can't go within 10 miles of that trailer park anymore, and her new puppy who chewed up all her underwear and then got sick on her bed. Hmmm, come to think of it, carry on, Midwestern checker-outer. I wasn't in the mood anyway.
*the Hamster has only fallen off the potty-train once this week.
*Pickles asked if he could take the snake to school for Pet Day instead of the rabbit, because he was worried the rabbit would bite people.
*My suburban now only smells vaguely like the half-gallon of milk that spilled in the back a few weeks ago.
*James would like me to also add that he has done all the laundry and dishes for the last week as well. When I can come home after 12-hr school days to an empty sink and clean clothes, I can definitely add that to the post, Honey. Oh, also, I get foot rubs.
*and you stopped by to say hi. That's the best part :)
What has happened that has made your week nicer?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Feeling the strain
Do you ever feel like you need a break from something you do all the time? I know you do. Even if it's something that's good for you and is a necessary part of your life? I kind of feel that way about church right now. Like it's more of an effort than I can really handle. The only reason I want to go is for is the kids' sakes. My children and the ones in my Primary class. I understand all the reasons why I should go. I even understand that because I feel this way, I need to be there more than ever. But knowing something and being able to muster up the strength to do it are two different things.
I'm just so tired...
Do you ever feel like you need a break from something you do all the time? I know you do. Even if it's something that's good for you and is a necessary part of your life? I kind of feel that way about church right now. Like it's more of an effort than I can really handle. The only reason I want to go is for is the kids' sakes. My children and the ones in my Primary class. I understand all the reasons why I should go. I even understand that because I feel this way, I need to be there more than ever. But knowing something and being able to muster up the strength to do it are two different things.
I'm just so tired...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Conversations with kids...
Bud: I'm a storm!
me: A tornado?
Bud: edible play-dough?
me: no, a tornado!
Bud: um, no, just a storm.
************
me: Sass! get your dirty socks off my counter!
the Hamster: Ewwwwwwww!!!! I hate counters!
************
Pickles: Oh Dagnabbit! Blast it all!
************
Pickles: Mom, BunBun (his rabbit) really likes it when I make him pretend like he's talking. He says things like 'More celery please, and less onions. Thanks' BunBun is very polite.
me: I appreciate politeness in a pet.
************
the Hamster: If I go poo-poo potty, I can hab a twain?
me: like Thomas?
the Hamster: no, a WEAL twain.
me: use the potty and we'll talk...
************
all of them, constantly, anytime we drive anywhere, even if I've already told them a million times: Where are we going?
me: Crazy, and you're driving
************
the Hamster: What do shawks eat, Mom? he's a boy, let the shark fascination begin...
me: other fish
the Hamster: Dat's nat-ty! if I was a shawk, I would eat CAKE!
*************
Sass: I am SO glad I'm not a boy...
*************
Bud (who's birthday is late this month): I'm gonna have two birthdays this year Mom. That way, I can be 7 instead of turning 6 after everyone else. It's hard to start first grade when I'm only 5.
me: Wow, Bud. That was an incredibly wise thing to say.
Bud: Ok, but I don't know what wise means.
*************
Pickles: Why do you have to go to school all the time? You already know so much stuff!
Bud: I'm a storm!
me: A tornado?
Bud: edible play-dough?
me: no, a tornado!
Bud: um, no, just a storm.
************
me: Sass! get your dirty socks off my counter!
the Hamster: Ewwwwwwww!!!! I hate counters!
************
Pickles: Oh Dagnabbit! Blast it all!
************
Pickles: Mom, BunBun (his rabbit) really likes it when I make him pretend like he's talking. He says things like 'More celery please, and less onions. Thanks' BunBun is very polite.
me: I appreciate politeness in a pet.
************
the Hamster: If I go poo-poo potty, I can hab a twain?
me: like Thomas?
the Hamster: no, a WEAL twain.
me: use the potty and we'll talk...
************
all of them, constantly, anytime we drive anywhere, even if I've already told them a million times: Where are we going?
me: Crazy, and you're driving
************
the Hamster: What do shawks eat, Mom? he's a boy, let the shark fascination begin...
me: other fish
the Hamster: Dat's nat-ty! if I was a shawk, I would eat CAKE!
*************
Sass: I am SO glad I'm not a boy...
*************
Bud (who's birthday is late this month): I'm gonna have two birthdays this year Mom. That way, I can be 7 instead of turning 6 after everyone else. It's hard to start first grade when I'm only 5.
me: Wow, Bud. That was an incredibly wise thing to say.
Bud: Ok, but I don't know what wise means.
*************
Pickles: Why do you have to go to school all the time? You already know so much stuff!
Hello beautiful people!
I've had a few blog posts rolling around in my head lately, but they're not so coherent and they're also not finished, so rather than wait till my Organic Chemistry class is over and I have my days back for a couple months, I decided to just post a few updates about what's goin' on 'round here.
We're settling into the house. We have just a few boxes left to unpack and we're planning a garage sale for the last weekend in August. Anyone who wants to bring anything over, you're welcome to do so. No kids though. It's illegal to sell them. Don't worry about how I know that, just trust me.
I also would love some bar stools too, if you happen to have 4 you don't need anymore. Apparently, bar stools are in high demand. I've been trolling craigslist recently looking for them. I've found free chinchillas, and an antique torture device, but no bar stools for less than $100/pc. I didn't take the chinchillas or the antique, I just found them...
The kids are loving their own rooms. It'd be great if they'd actually sleep in them. Bud carries his outer space nightlight around with him and that's how I know which room he's sleeping in. I just look for the projected image of space on a ceiling. Pickles shares his room with his rabbit, BunBun. Nobody could come up with a good name, so his nickname stuck. Pickles didn't like my suggestions of Steve, Ra-butt, or Dinner, so Bunbun it is. Sassafras has been living in her room for the past several weeks. She's on a mission to read a gajillion books this summer. She's almost there too. We just slide a plate of food under her door and try not to get our hand bitten. And the Hamster is still not potty-trained. Remember how I said it's illegal to sell kids? Well, I'll give you this one. He's really cute, funny, and eats his fruits and veggies, he just smells awful once or twice a day.
I have to go write up a paper that's due in a few hours, but I wanted to let y'all know we're still here. Hopefully it won't be close to 2 weeks again before I post.
Love you long time, Michelle.
I've had a few blog posts rolling around in my head lately, but they're not so coherent and they're also not finished, so rather than wait till my Organic Chemistry class is over and I have my days back for a couple months, I decided to just post a few updates about what's goin' on 'round here.
We're settling into the house. We have just a few boxes left to unpack and we're planning a garage sale for the last weekend in August. Anyone who wants to bring anything over, you're welcome to do so. No kids though. It's illegal to sell them. Don't worry about how I know that, just trust me.
I also would love some bar stools too, if you happen to have 4 you don't need anymore. Apparently, bar stools are in high demand. I've been trolling craigslist recently looking for them. I've found free chinchillas, and an antique torture device, but no bar stools for less than $100/pc. I didn't take the chinchillas or the antique, I just found them...
The kids are loving their own rooms. It'd be great if they'd actually sleep in them. Bud carries his outer space nightlight around with him and that's how I know which room he's sleeping in. I just look for the projected image of space on a ceiling. Pickles shares his room with his rabbit, BunBun. Nobody could come up with a good name, so his nickname stuck. Pickles didn't like my suggestions of Steve, Ra-butt, or Dinner, so Bunbun it is. Sassafras has been living in her room for the past several weeks. She's on a mission to read a gajillion books this summer. She's almost there too. We just slide a plate of food under her door and try not to get our hand bitten. And the Hamster is still not potty-trained. Remember how I said it's illegal to sell kids? Well, I'll give you this one. He's really cute, funny, and eats his fruits and veggies, he just smells awful once or twice a day.
I have to go write up a paper that's due in a few hours, but I wanted to let y'all know we're still here. Hopefully it won't be close to 2 weeks again before I post.
Love you long time, Michelle.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Things I miss about my kids while I'm away:
Sassafras
1. How helpful/loyal/kind/generous she is.
2. The rich dark color of her hair and eyes. How pretty Sass is takes my breath away.
3. Her laugh when something is unexpectedly funny.
4. Her ideas about life.
5. Discussing books with her.
Pickles
1. His curious curious questions.
2. His round cheeks.
3. His hug-a-minute ness
4. How even when he smells like 3-day old overcooked bellybutton, I know where his still smelling good spots are.
5. How sweet he is with the Hamster
Bud
1. His freckles. Oh! His freckles!
2. You know how some kids are snuggle-bears or snuggle-bunnies? Bud is a snuggle-porcupine. The kid is all elbows and knees. And I miss that.
3. He understands and uses puns. He's 5!
4. His quest for justice for all, even though it's usually slanted a little his way. (he is 5 after all)
5. How much he loves me. I've never gotten so many I-love-you notes from anyone.
the Hamster
1. His blue eyes. I could lose an hour or so in them, if he'd let me.
2. The baby that's still in his chubby elbows, thighs, nibblelicious neck, shallow dimples, and raspberry-worthy belly.
3. How much he loves fruit. The kid could put away half a watermelon alone... and he has!
4. Watching him morph from a baby to a big boy. It's painful, beautiful, and amazing.
5. His devotion to Sassafras, his mini-mom.
and so many other things...
Sassafras
1. How helpful/loyal/kind/generous she is.
2. The rich dark color of her hair and eyes. How pretty Sass is takes my breath away.
3. Her laugh when something is unexpectedly funny.
4. Her ideas about life.
5. Discussing books with her.
Pickles
1. His curious curious questions.
2. His round cheeks.
3. His hug-a-minute ness
4. How even when he smells like 3-day old overcooked bellybutton, I know where his still smelling good spots are.
5. How sweet he is with the Hamster
Bud
1. His freckles. Oh! His freckles!
2. You know how some kids are snuggle-bears or snuggle-bunnies? Bud is a snuggle-porcupine. The kid is all elbows and knees. And I miss that.
3. He understands and uses puns. He's 5!
4. His quest for justice for all, even though it's usually slanted a little his way. (he is 5 after all)
5. How much he loves me. I've never gotten so many I-love-you notes from anyone.
the Hamster
1. His blue eyes. I could lose an hour or so in them, if he'd let me.
2. The baby that's still in his chubby elbows, thighs, nibblelicious neck, shallow dimples, and raspberry-worthy belly.
3. How much he loves fruit. The kid could put away half a watermelon alone... and he has!
4. Watching him morph from a baby to a big boy. It's painful, beautiful, and amazing.
5. His devotion to Sassafras, his mini-mom.
and so many other things...
Sunday, July 26, 2009
I've told you before (if you don't remember, or I didn't really tell you before, then just go along with it) that I'm a teacher at church for the 4-yr olds turning 5. It's called CTR 5. CTR = Choose the Right. Anyhoo, each Sunday, we ask the children how their week was. Did they do anything special? Did they go anywhere fun? James, who team-teaches with me, always asks what they had for breakfast...
So the last few Sundays have been particularly entertaining.
me: How was your week E?
E: It was good. (interrupting herself) I'M A ROCKSTAAAAAARRRRRR!!!! So anywaaaaaaaay, my sistooh and me took a shower and we peed on each other. Oh, we also went to Chuck-E-Cheese last week, but I already told you about that.
James inexplicably had a coughing fit at this point.
me: You know, E, that's probably not a good idea. I don't think your mom would like that if she knew.
E: Oh, she doesn't know. Also, when are you gonna get a new boy? Bud is totally annoying. Are you pregnant now?
me: Uh, no. OK, who's next?
Chach: ME, ME, ME, ME, ME, ME!
me: Ok, Chach, what did you do this week?
Chach: We went to Chuck-E-Cheese too!
me: You did? That's awesome! What for?
Chach: Dad said that if M went potty training, then we could go. She did, so we went. I got 20 tokens!
E: You did not.
Chach: I did too! You weren't there.
me: She went, E. Girls, that's enough. Who's next? Y? You want to go next?
Y: no.
me: Not anything?
Y: no.
me: J? How bout you, buddy?
J: I have a baby now.
me: You do? What's his name? (J's new little brother is several months old now, but he's still excited about it.)
J: E-why. And then he said something that sounded like a story about monkeys invading his house.
me: Really! That's great. J'dan? How bout you honey?
J'dan: We had some friends come over. And they made a mess. And my mom said they're not very good-picker-uppers but that every family has different rules and that we like them anyway.
I'm sharing these with you so that as a parent, you can be aware that your kid is soaking up and sharing all kinds of interesting tidbits with their teachers, and probably any other adult who will take half a minute and listen. And then that adult will blog about it.
Just so you know!
P.S. E and her sister do not really pee on each other. I shared E's story with her mom and they had a LONG talk!
So the last few Sundays have been particularly entertaining.
me: How was your week E?
E: It was good. (interrupting herself) I'M A ROCKSTAAAAAARRRRRR!!!! So anywaaaaaaaay, my sistooh and me took a shower and we peed on each other. Oh, we also went to Chuck-E-Cheese last week, but I already told you about that.
James inexplicably had a coughing fit at this point.
me: You know, E, that's probably not a good idea. I don't think your mom would like that if she knew.
E: Oh, she doesn't know. Also, when are you gonna get a new boy? Bud is totally annoying. Are you pregnant now?
me: Uh, no. OK, who's next?
Chach: ME, ME, ME, ME, ME, ME!
me: Ok, Chach, what did you do this week?
Chach: We went to Chuck-E-Cheese too!
me: You did? That's awesome! What for?
Chach: Dad said that if M went potty training, then we could go. She did, so we went. I got 20 tokens!
E: You did not.
Chach: I did too! You weren't there.
me: She went, E. Girls, that's enough. Who's next? Y? You want to go next?
Y: no.
me: Not anything?
Y: no.
me: J? How bout you, buddy?
J: I have a baby now.
me: You do? What's his name? (J's new little brother is several months old now, but he's still excited about it.)
J: E-why. And then he said something that sounded like a story about monkeys invading his house.
me: Really! That's great. J'dan? How bout you honey?
J'dan: We had some friends come over. And they made a mess. And my mom said they're not very good-picker-uppers but that every family has different rules and that we like them anyway.
I'm sharing these with you so that as a parent, you can be aware that your kid is soaking up and sharing all kinds of interesting tidbits with their teachers, and probably any other adult who will take half a minute and listen. And then that adult will blog about it.
Just so you know!
P.S. E and her sister do not really pee on each other. I shared E's story with her mom and they had a LONG talk!
Friday, July 24, 2009
I've been chastised for taking so long between posting. I suppose I could post rather than facebook, but since fb is like TV for me (I don't watch TV btw), I don't need my brain. I can zone out and read my news, catch up with people, etc, without having to think up any commentary on stuff. But since you are here, you must be interested at least a little, and some of you a lottle, by the thinks I think.
So here's a few things that have been niggling my brain.
I'm taking a physics survey course. And as much fun as trying to remember trig functions is, sometimes it's a bit boring. *gasp!* I know. But my teacher said something poetic the other day, which added to the marbles rolling around in my noggin.
Picking a flower could move a star.
Due to the effects of gravity, everything has some impact on everything else. This is not a new thought to me. You can't sit on top of a mountain and not have this thought. But it's been awhile since I've either thought this, or sat atop a mountain.
My teacher for one of my business classes also added to the marble pile by reminding us to sit still for about 10 minutes everyday.
I don't think I've done enough of that lately.
And when I don't sit still with myself enough, I find myself questioning things from an outside perspective rather than from within. Which is where I should start my thinks. My ideas and decisions, when born from silence and reverence, have a divine origin. When the silence is drowned by the noises from school, other people, the kids' Wii/movies, loud music, and...well...you get the picture, then I lose that peaceful facet.
I need to go again. There are things I must take care and then I think I will go find a quiet corner to myself for awhile. If you have a comment, feel free to leave it. If you have any particular way that you renew yourself, I'd love to read it.
So here's a few things that have been niggling my brain.
I'm taking a physics survey course. And as much fun as trying to remember trig functions is, sometimes it's a bit boring. *gasp!* I know. But my teacher said something poetic the other day, which added to the marbles rolling around in my noggin.
Picking a flower could move a star.
Due to the effects of gravity, everything has some impact on everything else. This is not a new thought to me. You can't sit on top of a mountain and not have this thought. But it's been awhile since I've either thought this, or sat atop a mountain.
My teacher for one of my business classes also added to the marble pile by reminding us to sit still for about 10 minutes everyday.
I don't think I've done enough of that lately.
And when I don't sit still with myself enough, I find myself questioning things from an outside perspective rather than from within. Which is where I should start my thinks. My ideas and decisions, when born from silence and reverence, have a divine origin. When the silence is drowned by the noises from school, other people, the kids' Wii/movies, loud music, and...well...you get the picture, then I lose that peaceful facet.
I need to go again. There are things I must take care and then I think I will go find a quiet corner to myself for awhile. If you have a comment, feel free to leave it. If you have any particular way that you renew yourself, I'd love to read it.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
a slight departure from usual Wednesday fare:
Weird Pictures Wednesday
Electrified plants. It's...well...electrifying.
Just in case that bad joke didn't tingle your fancy, a photo of a lightning bolt hitting a boat. It's shocking!
wait! Don't go. I promise no more terrible puns.
this may be photoshopped, but if it's not, it will complete the triumvirate of cool electricity photos.
y'all be good, come back now, and and watch for deer!
Weird Pictures Wednesday
Electrified plants. It's...well...electrifying.
Just in case that bad joke didn't tingle your fancy, a photo of a lightning bolt hitting a boat. It's shocking!
wait! Don't go. I promise no more terrible puns.
this may be photoshopped, but if it's not, it will complete the triumvirate of cool electricity photos.
y'all be good, come back now, and and watch for deer!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I have bloggers' block. I want to keep y'all update, rahlly I do, but I sit here to type and all I can think about is how stressed I am. I don't even have time to do the de-stressing things I do like painting/walking/hanging out with friends.
I have a beautiful old attic in our new house that I want to turn into a studio. Converting it really just means putting drafting tables and easels and supplies up there and sitting down to paint.
Are you new here? I'm an artist. I like to play around with all mediums, but what I have a burning desire to do is paint in oils. Specifically with paint knives. I like to smear the paint on like it's icing. I usually use a very rich palette full of deep blues, crimsons, and yellow ochres. I tend to go towards a more impressionist style with a dreamy quality. I like to express how something made me feel, rather than recreate a scene. Are we all together now?
Moving on.
Anyway, I can't seem to remember anything funny my kids have said lately. Either I can't seem to keep it in my brain, or I just haven't seen them enough lately. Prolly both. I am planning on taking Sassafras to see the new Harry Potter movie. She made it a goal to reread the series this summer and finished last week, little genius that she is. She read them all last summer, but didn't finish till August.
I haven't been keeping up with politics lately either. I'd love to write a witty reply to Sotomayer's wise Latina remark, but I've only skimmed articles and read headlines.
I feel as though I'm losing my pithiness. Or it's just being replaced with Chemistry and Physics.
I did get to unpack all my herbs and spices. The smell when I opened the boxes in the new kitchen almost made me cry.
There's lots to do at the new house. Unpacking first, but small repairs here and there. It's 109 years old, so there's ongoing upkeep. It's beautiful though.
I have to go. I have class again in a few. Sorry if this post is so disjointed...
I have a beautiful old attic in our new house that I want to turn into a studio. Converting it really just means putting drafting tables and easels and supplies up there and sitting down to paint.
Are you new here? I'm an artist. I like to play around with all mediums, but what I have a burning desire to do is paint in oils. Specifically with paint knives. I like to smear the paint on like it's icing. I usually use a very rich palette full of deep blues, crimsons, and yellow ochres. I tend to go towards a more impressionist style with a dreamy quality. I like to express how something made me feel, rather than recreate a scene. Are we all together now?
Moving on.
Anyway, I can't seem to remember anything funny my kids have said lately. Either I can't seem to keep it in my brain, or I just haven't seen them enough lately. Prolly both. I am planning on taking Sassafras to see the new Harry Potter movie. She made it a goal to reread the series this summer and finished last week, little genius that she is. She read them all last summer, but didn't finish till August.
I haven't been keeping up with politics lately either. I'd love to write a witty reply to Sotomayer's wise Latina remark, but I've only skimmed articles and read headlines.
I feel as though I'm losing my pithiness. Or it's just being replaced with Chemistry and Physics.
I did get to unpack all my herbs and spices. The smell when I opened the boxes in the new kitchen almost made me cry.
There's lots to do at the new house. Unpacking first, but small repairs here and there. It's 109 years old, so there's ongoing upkeep. It's beautiful though.
I have to go. I have class again in a few. Sorry if this post is so disjointed...
Monday, July 13, 2009
The interesting situation I find myself in:
I'm paying rent for the month of July for a house I'm not living in.
I don't officially own the house we are living in until next Friday.
Money hasn't been this tight in a long time.
We met one of our new neighbors, who immediately threatened to call the cops on us if we let our dog bark all night again. Which we don't. A plate of cookies would have been a WAY nicer welcome.
Someones tried to get into my truck the first night it was parked out front. My 285K mile, battered, nicest thing in it is Hamster's car seat, Suburban. So, luckily we have a garage out back that we will definitely be parking in from now on.
We had a swarm of people from church come and help us move. We have NEVER had this many church members help us move. When we get settled, y'all all need to come over for some fried chicken - yee haw!
I got a new pair of running shoes, but haven't been able to try them out for the last 3 days. grr.
I have a great new attic with 100 year old wooden floors to use as a studio. I'm itching to paint just thinking about it.
Good friends moved away, and I miss them.
I'm on a 2 hour break from classes right now, before I have to go back.
which is why...
I've been reading and enjoying everyones' blogs, even if I haven't been commenting or posting my own. Don't worry, I'm still here.
I'm paying rent for the month of July for a house I'm not living in.
I don't officially own the house we are living in until next Friday.
Money hasn't been this tight in a long time.
We met one of our new neighbors, who immediately threatened to call the cops on us if we let our dog bark all night again. Which we don't. A plate of cookies would have been a WAY nicer welcome.
Someones tried to get into my truck the first night it was parked out front. My 285K mile, battered, nicest thing in it is Hamster's car seat, Suburban. So, luckily we have a garage out back that we will definitely be parking in from now on.
We had a swarm of people from church come and help us move. We have NEVER had this many church members help us move. When we get settled, y'all all need to come over for some fried chicken - yee haw!
I got a new pair of running shoes, but haven't been able to try them out for the last 3 days. grr.
I have a great new attic with 100 year old wooden floors to use as a studio. I'm itching to paint just thinking about it.
Good friends moved away, and I miss them.
I'm on a 2 hour break from classes right now, before I have to go back.
which is why...
I've been reading and enjoying everyones' blogs, even if I haven't been commenting or posting my own. Don't worry, I'm still here.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Quick update
We close on the house tomorrow at 1pm
I start a brutal school schedule next Tuesday that will have some days that start at 8am, take a break at 2pm, start back at 345pm and end at 945pm. I have already made a giant cardboard cutout of myself so the kids don't miss me. Then I recorded myself saying things like "Go clean your room!", and "Get off the roof!" They won't miss me at all.
Mom and Shannon came for Pickles' baptism on the Fourth of July. Cool date, no? But we miss them. We also missed our other family members who couldn't make it.
I got some running shoes. I like walking/running, it's just difficult to get out and do it. But I am 15 lb lighter than I was last summer, so it's progress. My small goal is to be a size smaller by the end of summer. Just one size. My pants now are already a lot looser, so I'm on track.
I'm thinking about planning a road trip to ATL at the end of October to pick up all the house type things we left in GA when we moved here: washing machine, corner cabinet, lawn mower, etc.. So if you feel like driving to GA and back with me the last week of October, let me know. I don't listen to country and I don't take many bathroom breaks, so that weeds a few of y'all out already.
That's about it for now.
We close on the house tomorrow at 1pm
I start a brutal school schedule next Tuesday that will have some days that start at 8am, take a break at 2pm, start back at 345pm and end at 945pm. I have already made a giant cardboard cutout of myself so the kids don't miss me. Then I recorded myself saying things like "Go clean your room!", and "Get off the roof!" They won't miss me at all.
Mom and Shannon came for Pickles' baptism on the Fourth of July. Cool date, no? But we miss them. We also missed our other family members who couldn't make it.
I got some running shoes. I like walking/running, it's just difficult to get out and do it. But I am 15 lb lighter than I was last summer, so it's progress. My small goal is to be a size smaller by the end of summer. Just one size. My pants now are already a lot looser, so I'm on track.
I'm thinking about planning a road trip to ATL at the end of October to pick up all the house type things we left in GA when we moved here: washing machine, corner cabinet, lawn mower, etc.. So if you feel like driving to GA and back with me the last week of October, let me know. I don't listen to country and I don't take many bathroom breaks, so that weeds a few of y'all out already.
That's about it for now.
Monday, July 06, 2009
An email my mother sent me. Thanks, anonymous author!
Excerpts from a Dog's Diary......
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
Excerpts from a Cat's Diary...
Day 983 of my captivity...My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs..I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...
Excerpts from a Dog's Diary......
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
Excerpts from a Cat's Diary...
Day 983 of my captivity...My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs..I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...
Monday, June 29, 2009
Things I've did in the past week...
I spent a day watching most of the little boys at Cub Scout camp beat on each other while my son borrowed a magnifying glass to watch a caterpillar crawl a tree.
I got a ferocious sunburn at said camp.
I went to bed before 8PM that night.
******
I sent my little girl to GA on a big plane all by herself for a week. Don't worry, she's not spending her week in ATL alone, my mother picked her up from the airport - thanks Mom!
I cried because I miss her.
******
I spent 10 hours over the weekend scraping lead paint off of 15 windows in the house we're buying. I spent another 2 hours repainting them.
I was simultaneously pissed and thankful that we are buying a house that was foreclosed upon.
We found 6 baby bunnies in the backyard at the new house.
I convinced my kids that the babies were better off with their mother than with us. This was rather selfish on my part, since I had no desire to wake up every few hours to try to feed baby rabbits with a ridiculously small dropper bottle.
******
We celebrated 8 years of Pickles being here on Earth as part of our family with a cookout at the park. He had a blast, I had a hamburger.
I turned 31.
Yep, we share a birthday.
******
gotta go finish a 10-page take-home exam, so I'll be back later!
I spent a day watching most of the little boys at Cub Scout camp beat on each other while my son borrowed a magnifying glass to watch a caterpillar crawl a tree.
I got a ferocious sunburn at said camp.
I went to bed before 8PM that night.
******
I sent my little girl to GA on a big plane all by herself for a week. Don't worry, she's not spending her week in ATL alone, my mother picked her up from the airport - thanks Mom!
I cried because I miss her.
******
I spent 10 hours over the weekend scraping lead paint off of 15 windows in the house we're buying. I spent another 2 hours repainting them.
I was simultaneously pissed and thankful that we are buying a house that was foreclosed upon.
We found 6 baby bunnies in the backyard at the new house.
I convinced my kids that the babies were better off with their mother than with us. This was rather selfish on my part, since I had no desire to wake up every few hours to try to feed baby rabbits with a ridiculously small dropper bottle.
******
We celebrated 8 years of Pickles being here on Earth as part of our family with a cookout at the park. He had a blast, I had a hamburger.
I turned 31.
Yep, we share a birthday.
******
gotta go finish a 10-page take-home exam, so I'll be back later!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
This was written almost a week ago as a Word doc. I've been having internet problems...
But it's here now, and that's what matters.
How I spent my evening…
I studied and memorized the entire periodic table. It was great! I balanced redox equations with ease and handmade a Madame Curie costume all within an hour. Pickles presented a full length opera he had composed, Bud softly played a difficult piece by Mozart, and the Hamster painted a family portrait in oils. James made a 3 course meal that was healthy and balanced, while Sassafras was away at an accelerated learning Boarding Camp for gifted girls. Our house was spotless, the dogs taught themselves to use the restroom AND flush, and we found a check for $500 dollars that had fallen behind a cabinet! It was amazing! We ended the evening with a family singalong and homemade granola that had been baking at a low temperature for several hours so as not to destroy the enzymes present in all the raw nuts and seeds I had added.
Here, have some wading boots, because it’s getting kind of deep in here.
How I ACTUALLY spent my evening…
I hid in my room, the only one with a window AC unit. James interrupted me 10 minutes later, 10 FREAKIN MINUTES! later to ask what to make the boys for dinner. When I explained that it was kind of his job to think of something tonight since he was done with school for the next month and I’m taking a difficult class, he said the boys had been eating all day and probably weren’t hungry right now anyway.
The boys interrupted 10 minutes after that to ask what I was making for dinner because they were starving. Iscreamed calmly explained that their father would be making them dinner tonight. And to please leave. I SAID LEAVE. please.
Pickles did NOT compose an opera – he sat in front of the Wii for 2 hours straight. Bud did NOT play the piano, he whined about not being able to play the Wii because he screamed at the dentist’s today for 30 minutes about having to have x-rays taken (which eventually weren’t). the Hamster did NOT paint a canvas, he actually pooped in his underwear twice. When they were finally sent to bed, they asked what they had eaten for dinner.
Sass was away all day being a Mother’s Helper to a friend so she could make some fun money to spend when she’s in GA for a week without us. That’s a whole other post…
The house is a mess, I found a strainer full of blueberries (and fruit flies) under the dining room table, and the washing machine hasn’t been working for a week. Why? Because I decided to wash the bathroom rug. The 10 year-old bathroom rug being held together with dirt anddisgusting things never to be spoken of love. The rug that didn’t get hung after it was washed, but rather sat in the washer going sour and losing its rubber backing piece by tiny piece. So that when I rewashed the sour laundry load the next day, the backing completely disintegrated. And clogged up the hose. I said screw it, it’s finals week and my chem. class has begun.. And so it sat for 2 more days.
Tonight was the night. The night the washing machine was going down. I was beyond being able to wear the same pair of pants for another day. The washer had to be conquered. I saw things and smelled things that will haunt me for years. Things no mother in a civilized society should ever see/smell. But I won. And I will wear clean pants again!
But it's here now, and that's what matters.
How I spent my evening…
I studied and memorized the entire periodic table. It was great! I balanced redox equations with ease and handmade a Madame Curie costume all within an hour. Pickles presented a full length opera he had composed, Bud softly played a difficult piece by Mozart, and the Hamster painted a family portrait in oils. James made a 3 course meal that was healthy and balanced, while Sassafras was away at an accelerated learning Boarding Camp for gifted girls. Our house was spotless, the dogs taught themselves to use the restroom AND flush, and we found a check for $500 dollars that had fallen behind a cabinet! It was amazing! We ended the evening with a family singalong and homemade granola that had been baking at a low temperature for several hours so as not to destroy the enzymes present in all the raw nuts and seeds I had added.
Here, have some wading boots, because it’s getting kind of deep in here.
How I ACTUALLY spent my evening…
I hid in my room, the only one with a window AC unit. James interrupted me 10 minutes later, 10 FREAKIN MINUTES! later to ask what to make the boys for dinner. When I explained that it was kind of his job to think of something tonight since he was done with school for the next month and I’m taking a difficult class, he said the boys had been eating all day and probably weren’t hungry right now anyway.
The boys interrupted 10 minutes after that to ask what I was making for dinner because they were starving. I
Pickles did NOT compose an opera – he sat in front of the Wii for 2 hours straight. Bud did NOT play the piano, he whined about not being able to play the Wii because he screamed at the dentist’s today for 30 minutes about having to have x-rays taken (which eventually weren’t). the Hamster did NOT paint a canvas, he actually pooped in his underwear twice. When they were finally sent to bed, they asked what they had eaten for dinner.
Sass was away all day being a Mother’s Helper to a friend so she could make some fun money to spend when she’s in GA for a week without us. That’s a whole other post…
The house is a mess, I found a strainer full of blueberries (and fruit flies) under the dining room table, and the washing machine hasn’t been working for a week. Why? Because I decided to wash the bathroom rug. The 10 year-old bathroom rug being held together with dirt and
Tonight was the night. The night the washing machine was going down. I was beyond being able to wear the same pair of pants for another day. The washer had to be conquered. I saw things and smelled things that will haunt me for years. Things no mother in a civilized society should ever see/smell. But I won. And I will wear clean pants again!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Did I scare you away pretties?
You should be thankful I only post a few of my conspiracy theories on this here blog.
You can come back and read now. I promise this post is full of delightfully witty things my kids said.
Ready?
Sassafras held up a waffle in front of the Hamster's face and said, "THIS is a spider waffle, see its many many eyes?"
(she had bitten tiny holes all through it)
Sass, again. "I'm going to steamroller you, Pickles!"
Pickles: The only steam I see is coming from your posterior region. P-U!
(Have I mentioned Pickles is still 7? Did I mention our plethora of anatomy books we have laying around the house?)
the Hamster: Mom? An I hab dog-foo ice weam?
me: Dog-food ice cream?
the Hamster: yeah!
me: Sorry Dude, we're all out.
Bud: Mom, I'm having a really hard time scratching my ear with my foot.
me (exasperated): the Hamster, PLEASE use the potty! You are a big boy and you need to use the potty like Bud and Pickles, or I will make you use the bathroom outside, and sleep in the dogs' crates at night, eat dogfood. Is that what you want?
the Hamster: YES!
Does it sound as though our dogs are actually raising our kids instead of James and me? Will you see a story on our poor neglected Mowgli children on the evening news? Only if you turn me in!
Sass: When I grow up, I will let my kids wear whatever they want!
me: Whatever! I'm going to live with you and still pick your clothes out for you when you're 35.
Sass: How will I ever get away from you?
Pickles: Bud hit me again! On PURPOSE!
me: Why?
Pickles: Because I kicked him.
So there you go, no aliens, zombies, or gov't plots today! Tune in next week for another exciting adventure!
You should be thankful I only post a few of my conspiracy theories on this here blog.
You can come back and read now. I promise this post is full of delightfully witty things my kids said.
Ready?
Sassafras held up a waffle in front of the Hamster's face and said, "THIS is a spider waffle, see its many many eyes?"
(she had bitten tiny holes all through it)
Sass, again. "I'm going to steamroller you, Pickles!"
Pickles: The only steam I see is coming from your posterior region. P-U!
(Have I mentioned Pickles is still 7? Did I mention our plethora of anatomy books we have laying around the house?)
the Hamster: Mom? An I hab dog-foo ice weam?
me: Dog-food ice cream?
the Hamster: yeah!
me: Sorry Dude, we're all out.
Bud: Mom, I'm having a really hard time scratching my ear with my foot.
me (exasperated): the Hamster, PLEASE use the potty! You are a big boy and you need to use the potty like Bud and Pickles, or I will make you use the bathroom outside, and sleep in the dogs' crates at night, eat dogfood. Is that what you want?
the Hamster: YES!
Does it sound as though our dogs are actually raising our kids instead of James and me? Will you see a story on our poor neglected Mowgli children on the evening news? Only if you turn me in!
Sass: When I grow up, I will let my kids wear whatever they want!
me: Whatever! I'm going to live with you and still pick your clothes out for you when you're 35.
Sass: How will I ever get away from you?
Pickles: Bud hit me again! On PURPOSE!
me: Why?
Pickles: Because I kicked him.
So there you go, no aliens, zombies, or gov't plots today! Tune in next week for another exciting adventure!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Newspeak and the Thought Police coming to a T.V. near you!
Can you say Nineteen Eighty-Four, boys and girls? Now that the president has control of a major network, tell me how the Socialist States of America will play this out. How long before they set a protocol for things you can say and things you can't say? How long before they set a protocol about things you can show and things you can't? I know this sounds like a fairly extreme conspiracy theory, but this kind of thing scares the hell out of me. This is not a news source anymore. ABC has become a propaganda machine.
Can you say Nineteen Eighty-Four, boys and girls? Now that the president has control of a major network, tell me how the Socialist States of America will play this out. How long before they set a protocol for things you can say and things you can't say? How long before they set a protocol about things you can show and things you can't? I know this sounds like a fairly extreme conspiracy theory, but this kind of thing scares the hell out of me. This is not a news source anymore. ABC has become a propaganda machine.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Randumb
Did you ever wonder about the brain anatomy of a zombie? Maybe you remember how I feel about zombies. Maybe this guy has a thing about zombies like I have a thing about tornadoes. So he wrote a "scientific" paper detailing the brain of a zombie.
Dr. Weirdo (see above) briefly discussed, in his (I'm sure) peer-reviewed thesis, what zombies eat for dinner. I bet they don't sushi though. But if you do, you may be hosting a new friend. This article discusses how the rise in popularity in sushi has also given rise to the world's population of tapeworms.
Excuse me while I go dry heave.
OK, I'm back.
Now that you're sufficiently grossed out, how about a cool optical illusion.
that is all today kids...
Did you ever wonder about the brain anatomy of a zombie? Maybe you remember how I feel about zombies. Maybe this guy has a thing about zombies like I have a thing about tornadoes. So he wrote a "scientific" paper detailing the brain of a zombie.
Dr. Weirdo (see above) briefly discussed, in his (I'm sure) peer-reviewed thesis, what zombies eat for dinner. I bet they don't sushi though. But if you do, you may be hosting a new friend. This article discusses how the rise in popularity in sushi has also given rise to the world's population of tapeworms.
Excuse me while I go dry heave.
OK, I'm back.
Now that you're sufficiently grossed out, how about a cool optical illusion.
that is all today kids...
Monday, June 08, 2009
I know I said I'd take a break from posting, but I wanted to share,
a few things that made my week more interesting...
Having to say, "Do NOT put the dog's tail into the fan!"
Hearing about how the other inmates saved cookies for a lady who's "paying off" her traffic fines with weekends in jail...from the pulpit during a fasting and testimony meeting.
Reading about this tiny microwave that plugs into a USB port on a computer. You know, in case you need a very small bag of popcorn while you're facebooking and you just can't pull yourself away.
Telling Pickles, more than once, that I had no idea if it would take longer for someone with a tan to die in the desert than it would take a really white person to die.
Having all my kids ride home in their undies after an accidental swimming lesson in a park pond.
Finding sandwich meat stuffed into an empty water bottle in the fridge.
Finding this video on boortz.com. I'm terrified of tornadoes, almost to the point of phobia. It's ridiculous really, I've never even been through one. But each Spring, I read stories, watch videos, and view pictures of the massive storms and generally scare myself stupid about it. Like it's tornado porn. So anyway, this video just feeds the fear. Also, I'm starting a therapy fund for myself.
Hearing one of the counselors in Primary say she must be smoking something because she messed up what she was saying. In front of the kids.
Taking the kids to see UP. It was really an excellent movie. I laughed throughout the movie because it was genuinely funny. There wasn't even any hidden innuendo to try to keep the adults entertained! I don't know about you, but I hate it when directors think they need to add some "hidden" sexual humor in a kids' movie to try to keep the adults happy. Congratulations Pixar! Another good one, so thanks. Also, I definitely recommend the 3-D version.
Watching Bud dance. Probably the best thing all week. He's insanely shy, so seeing him bounce around like a chicken perched on an electric fence was AWESOME!
a few things that made my week more interesting...
Having to say, "Do NOT put the dog's tail into the fan!"
Hearing about how the other inmates saved cookies for a lady who's "paying off" her traffic fines with weekends in jail...from the pulpit during a fasting and testimony meeting.
Reading about this tiny microwave that plugs into a USB port on a computer. You know, in case you need a very small bag of popcorn while you're facebooking and you just can't pull yourself away.
Telling Pickles, more than once, that I had no idea if it would take longer for someone with a tan to die in the desert than it would take a really white person to die.
Having all my kids ride home in their undies after an accidental swimming lesson in a park pond.
Finding sandwich meat stuffed into an empty water bottle in the fridge.
Finding this video on boortz.com. I'm terrified of tornadoes, almost to the point of phobia. It's ridiculous really, I've never even been through one. But each Spring, I read stories, watch videos, and view pictures of the massive storms and generally scare myself stupid about it. Like it's tornado porn. So anyway, this video just feeds the fear. Also, I'm starting a therapy fund for myself.
Hearing one of the counselors in Primary say she must be smoking something because she messed up what she was saying. In front of the kids.
Taking the kids to see UP. It was really an excellent movie. I laughed throughout the movie because it was genuinely funny. There wasn't even any hidden innuendo to try to keep the adults entertained! I don't know about you, but I hate it when directors think they need to add some "hidden" sexual humor in a kids' movie to try to keep the adults happy. Congratulations Pixar! Another good one, so thanks. Also, I definitely recommend the 3-D version.
Watching Bud dance. Probably the best thing all week. He's insanely shy, so seeing him bounce around like a chicken perched on an electric fence was AWESOME!
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Saturday, June 06, 2009
4 grits warning
Well, this may be an opening for the restablishment of certain gospel laws. New Hampshire, one of those states that not a whole lot of people know anything about, has polygamy advocates up in arms after they passed a same-sex marriage law. The polygamists argue that if two guys/gals can get married, then why can't more than two people make a marriage. I realize that marriage in the temple is only between a man and a woman. But will gay marriage laws repave the path toward polygamy? It is a very interesting debate to think about.
I try not to think about the end of times too often. It's a heavy heavy topic. One that I'm not entirely comfortable with, actually.
So anyway, if you have any thoughts on this, feel free to comment. I promise not to attack you, unless you attack first. But any thoughtful interesting comments are welcome.
Well, this may be an opening for the restablishment of certain gospel laws. New Hampshire, one of those states that not a whole lot of people know anything about, has polygamy advocates up in arms after they passed a same-sex marriage law. The polygamists argue that if two guys/gals can get married, then why can't more than two people make a marriage. I realize that marriage in the temple is only between a man and a woman. But will gay marriage laws repave the path toward polygamy? It is a very interesting debate to think about.
I try not to think about the end of times too often. It's a heavy heavy topic. One that I'm not entirely comfortable with, actually.
So anyway, if you have any thoughts on this, feel free to comment. I promise not to attack you, unless you attack first. But any thoughtful interesting comments are welcome.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
A little bloggy sampler, with a side of southwest ranch sauce
Weird News Wednesday
Do you like pigeons? Yeah, me neither, but these pictures are pretty cool.
Conversations with kids
Bud, (pretending to be a dad) "You are bad! Go to your room!"
Sassafras "You better be careful, or I'm calling Child Amusement!"
(We can work on the psychology of that conversation later...)
Politics
What the crap is going on with the big O saying it's perfectly OK for Iran to have nukes? You don't give mental patients big sharp knives to play with and hope nothing bad will happen.
Daily Life Updates
*We should close on the house by the end of the month. We are also very poor, and will qualify for some forgivable loan type programs to add to the down payment.
*My chemistry class starts Monday. Coincidentally, finals for the other school I'm attending also start Monday. Can we say stress, boys and girls?
*The B&B James whisked me away to was wonderful. If you live around here, and you need a relaxing place to go visit, ask me where it was.
*The kids get out of school Friday. Did I mention I won't be? These next two weeks should be, uh, interesting.
So I probably won't be posting too too much for a little while.
But I still love you.
Weird News Wednesday
Do you like pigeons? Yeah, me neither, but these pictures are pretty cool.
Conversations with kids
Bud, (pretending to be a dad) "You are bad! Go to your room!"
Sassafras "You better be careful, or I'm calling Child Amusement!"
(We can work on the psychology of that conversation later...)
Politics
What the crap is going on with the big O saying it's perfectly OK for Iran to have nukes? You don't give mental patients big sharp knives to play with and hope nothing bad will happen.
Daily Life Updates
*We should close on the house by the end of the month. We are also very poor, and will qualify for some forgivable loan type programs to add to the down payment.
*My chemistry class starts Monday. Coincidentally, finals for the other school I'm attending also start Monday. Can we say stress, boys and girls?
*The B&B James whisked me away to was wonderful. If you live around here, and you need a relaxing place to go visit, ask me where it was.
*The kids get out of school Friday. Did I mention I won't be? These next two weeks should be, uh, interesting.
So I probably won't be posting too too much for a little while.
But I still love you.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Lemme give you a twopic.
Twalk amongst ya-selves.
*Why does the busiest airport in the world have chicken bones on the floor in Baggage Claim?
*Why does my 3.5 yr-old have no interest in potty-training unless it involves bribery? Perhaps I'm being played?
*Why would a old gross smoker ask me if any of us darlin's have a cigarette when it was me and 2 of my KIDS standing there?
*Why have my children been obsessed with the fattest-man-in-the-world?
*Why have I wanted to send them a postcard "from" the fattest-man-in-the-world (asking them to bring him more food and if they don't he'll eat them) as a joke?
*Who told my kindergartner that we live in the nostril of the state we live in? (If you know what state we live in, look, we live right at the nose)
*What in the world did the dog eat, because the hork on the carpet is unidentifiable? (just so you know, I cleaned it up BEFORE I blogged)
*Why did I just break my own I-don't-post-about-vomit rule?
*Why have I decided to up my school hours from 18 to virtually 30?
*When did the kids going to high school become closer in age to my daughter than to me?
*Why are there popcorn kernels all over the living room floor, when I don't buy popcorn?
*Why am I blogging about them instead of vacuuming them up?
*Why are you still reading this post?
Buh-bye!
Twalk amongst ya-selves.
*Why does the busiest airport in the world have chicken bones on the floor in Baggage Claim?
*Why does my 3.5 yr-old have no interest in potty-training unless it involves bribery? Perhaps I'm being played?
*Why would a old gross smoker ask me if any of us darlin's have a cigarette when it was me and 2 of my KIDS standing there?
*Why have my children been obsessed with the fattest-man-in-the-world?
*Why have I wanted to send them a postcard "from" the fattest-man-in-the-world (asking them to bring him more food and if they don't he'll eat them) as a joke?
*Who told my kindergartner that we live in the nostril of the state we live in? (If you know what state we live in, look, we live right at the nose)
*What in the world did the dog eat, because the hork on the carpet is unidentifiable? (just so you know, I cleaned it up BEFORE I blogged)
*Why did I just break my own I-don't-post-about-vomit rule?
*Why have I decided to up my school hours from 18 to virtually 30?
*When did the kids going to high school become closer in age to my daughter than to me?
*Why are there popcorn kernels all over the living room floor, when I don't buy popcorn?
*Why am I blogging about them instead of vacuuming them up?
*Why are you still reading this post?
Buh-bye!
Friday, May 29, 2009
I realize I'm being very stingy with my posting lately. Life has been flying past at a mile a minute and I haven't had much time to sit and whip you up a delicious pot o' Michelle. I don't have much time now either. awwwww, man.
I know.
The 30th is James' and my anniversery and he has "surprised" me with a weekend away. I give you "' with the surprise, because I always find out. The man has never surprised me with anything. Poor guy. He keeps trying though. And that's what counts.
So we're off to a B&B. Mama Howerton has graciously agreed to watch our kids for us. So before she can change her mind, I'm off to pack the kids up and send them to a super fun place where they get good snacks and there's a trampoline and better games and cupcakes to ice (in their words).
Thanks, Howertons, I can't tell you how much I need this. If you keep watching the kids for us, I'm going to end up owing you a month of babysitting!
I know.
The 30th is James' and my anniversery and he has "surprised" me with a weekend away. I give you "' with the surprise, because I always find out. The man has never surprised me with anything. Poor guy. He keeps trying though. And that's what counts.
So we're off to a B&B. Mama Howerton has graciously agreed to watch our kids for us. So before she can change her mind, I'm off to pack the kids up and send them to a super fun place where they get good snacks and there's a trampoline and better games and cupcakes to ice (in their words).
Thanks, Howertons, I can't tell you how much I need this. If you keep watching the kids for us, I'm going to end up owing you a month of babysitting!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Interesting...
There is a new airline that will start offering $9 tickets. They will serve mid-sized cities where larger airlines won't fly.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/New-lowcost-airline-targets-apf-15348934.html?.v=5
So there ya go.
There is a new airline that will start offering $9 tickets. They will serve mid-sized cities where larger airlines won't fly.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/New-lowcost-airline-targets-apf-15348934.html?.v=5
So there ya go.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
This past week, I...
flew to GA and back with 4 kids alone
got to hang out with some of my favorite relatives
wore a bridesmaid dress
sniffled and cried, but just a little, when my baby sister married a good man
almost lit my extremely hair sprayed hair on fire standing too close to the candles
watched my kids shake their booties on the dance floor - they are GOOD
ate leftover wedding cake 3 days in a row
took the kids to the Renaissance Festival
bought the kids tails and gargoyles (what kid doesn't want a tail and a gargoyle?)
got a two hour massage from my other sister, and it was awesome
....
and now I desperately miss my family and GA and all the friends I didn't have time to visit and, oh!
so I'm going to go be homesick now, and study for the exams I missed that I have to make up tomorrow.
I'll post more good stuff soon, promise...
flew to GA and back with 4 kids alone
got to hang out with some of my favorite relatives
wore a bridesmaid dress
sniffled and cried, but just a little, when my baby sister married a good man
almost lit my extremely hair sprayed hair on fire standing too close to the candles
watched my kids shake their booties on the dance floor - they are GOOD
ate leftover wedding cake 3 days in a row
took the kids to the Renaissance Festival
bought the kids tails and gargoyles (what kid doesn't want a tail and a gargoyle?)
got a two hour massage from my other sister, and it was awesome
....
and now I desperately miss my family and GA and all the friends I didn't have time to visit and, oh!
so I'm going to go be homesick now, and study for the exams I missed that I have to make up tomorrow.
I'll post more good stuff soon, promise...
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