I can't believe I left something out of what happened this week. It was the whole reason I started writing the last entry.
Friday I pulled down my Google search bar and found the words "Naked People" had been typed there. I knew it hadn't been there that morning when I checked e-mail, so it had to be one of the kids. I asked Aiden if it was him. He said no. I called Camryn into my office and questioned her. She told me it wasn't her, either. Back to Aiden. I took a different, less accusatory approach the second time and he confessed that he had searched but had not clicked (I smoked but didn't inhale!)
We now have BSafe filters on all the computers.
Thank goodness for Google Safe Search.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
What A Week
Just a few things that have happened in our household this week:
Quinn has a loose tooth. His new one is visible coming in behind the loose one. Can you say, "BRACES!?!" I hope not, but it doesn't look good. The boy won't even let me kiss him on the lips, so I cannot imagine how pulling his tooth is going to go. Maybe I need to invest in some full body armor.
Camryn misplaced her iPod. I hope it's found soon, 'cause Santa shelled out a hundred clams for that thing. I knew it would happen sooner or later (I would've bet on sooner; it took her 5 months to lose it...) BONUS: Her room and closet are clean because she's been frantically searching for it. SCORE.
I kept Camryn and Aiden home from school on Friday (it was a half day). We all needed a Mental Health Day (me more than them, but we all rested).
Bikes are cool again. All the kids plus the hubs have been riding bikes all week. They're begging me to get on mine, but it's too small for me. I need to go bike shopping.
Speaking of bikes, last night the hubs told the kids he had prizes to give them after church. He built it up, made it sound awesome... and it was.... for the little kids. They love the tall, bright orange flags that hang above their heads as they bike. You know the kind... they attach to the back of the bicycle and make you look like a huge goober so cars won't hit you (Did you know that? Cars won't hit goobers with gay flags hanging off the back of their bikes. Carmakers program them that way...) Anyhow, Aiden came inside sobbing last night, loudly declaring between heaves that he was NEVER, EVER riding his bike again because of that stupid flag. Don't blame you, bud. I told him to go take a shower (he STUNK!) and I heard him boo-hooing the whole time he was bathing. Bless his heart.
I took Beeson to the vet on Friday for "old man tests" as Camryn calls them. He wouldn't let the vet within 5 feet of him, which is not like Beeson at all. He clawed the vet and 2 techs and I got a call to come get him and make an appointment to come back with him next week. They think if I stay with him it will be better. That just means that they want ME to be the one getting clawed instead of them. I know how they are. (That full body armor is looking more and more tempting...)
Sophie also went to the vet this week. She has a bum paw. That dadgum cat has cost me more in vet bills this year than I've paid to keep my family healthy. I brought home a bottle of Prednisone pills to give Soph this week and then they want to see her back in 10 days. Whatever.
Lillian pooped her pants twice in the last 5 days. Don't know why. I thought it was the Stride gum, because I confused mannitol (which the gum contains... it's the powder on the gum that keeps it from absorbing moisture while in the package) with maltitol, which is a sugar alcohol that causes "intestinal discomfort" (aka "diarrhea"). I thought she was getting the runs from the gum, but now I'm not so sure. Either way, no more Stride gum for Lillo.
I made 40 mini loaves of banana bread yesterday. The older kids' school is having a Geography Bee tomorrow and I told them I'd make the bread as thank you gifts for the judges. I did the same for the spelling bee back in March. It was fun, actually. Lillian was chief banana masher and we had a great assembly line going. Good times. Lillian proposed that she and I open a restaurant and serve our banana bread in it. She really got into it.
Lillian tried to escape the compound yesterday morning. Her neighborhood friend Kayleigh came to the door in her PJs and Lillian opened the door. That set off the alarm, so hubs jumped up and went to see what the commotion was. Lillian, already fully clothed, was trotting across the lawn towards Kayleigh's house. Evidently she'd seen Kayleigh coming and quickly changed clothes so she could go play. This was about 8 am yesterday. I don't know if K's family knew she was prancing around the cul de sac in her PJs, but we made Lillian come back inside.
Quinn also tried to get away this week. One night around 10:30 I heard the alarm beeping the warning that means you have 30 seconds to enter the code before the big sirens go off. I heard my husband rush to the laundry room and enter the code to turn off the beeping. Then he came into our bedroom and said, "Quinn's getting into his car seat!" I followed him to the garage, where indeed, our boy was attempting to buckle up. Hubs started talking to Quinn, and Quinn started laughing like a maniac. He laughed all the way inside, all the way through a visit to the bathroom, and all the way to his bedroom, where he hit the pillow and went back to sleep with a smile on his face. He's done this before (gotten up in his sleep) but he's never made it past the den.
Hubs and I went to see Larry the Cable Guy last Saturday. My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. My favorite line: "I bet the Wal Mart is empty right now!" meaning his entire audience was comprised of Saturday night Wal Mart regulars. If you've ever been to the Wal Mart on a Saturday night, then that's funny to you. If you haven't, you must get out more. It's a real freakfest. Grab a snack and go sit on a bench near the checkout. That's some fun stuff right there. Oh, and Larry (I can call him that, 'cause we're tight...) had a joke that hit close to home. He said he would never get his eyes checked by an eye doctor at the Wal Mart. HA! That's what hubs does. He said, "Can you imagine that exam? The doctor would say, 'Cover one eye and tell me how many teeth the cashier out there has.'" Funny.
That's about all I got this week. At least it wasn't a meme.
Quinn has a loose tooth. His new one is visible coming in behind the loose one. Can you say, "BRACES!?!" I hope not, but it doesn't look good. The boy won't even let me kiss him on the lips, so I cannot imagine how pulling his tooth is going to go. Maybe I need to invest in some full body armor.
Camryn misplaced her iPod. I hope it's found soon, 'cause Santa shelled out a hundred clams for that thing. I knew it would happen sooner or later (I would've bet on sooner; it took her 5 months to lose it...) BONUS: Her room and closet are clean because she's been frantically searching for it. SCORE.
I kept Camryn and Aiden home from school on Friday (it was a half day). We all needed a Mental Health Day (me more than them, but we all rested).
Bikes are cool again. All the kids plus the hubs have been riding bikes all week. They're begging me to get on mine, but it's too small for me. I need to go bike shopping.
Speaking of bikes, last night the hubs told the kids he had prizes to give them after church. He built it up, made it sound awesome... and it was.... for the little kids. They love the tall, bright orange flags that hang above their heads as they bike. You know the kind... they attach to the back of the bicycle and make you look like a huge goober so cars won't hit you (Did you know that? Cars won't hit goobers with gay flags hanging off the back of their bikes. Carmakers program them that way...) Anyhow, Aiden came inside sobbing last night, loudly declaring between heaves that he was NEVER, EVER riding his bike again because of that stupid flag. Don't blame you, bud. I told him to go take a shower (he STUNK!) and I heard him boo-hooing the whole time he was bathing. Bless his heart.
I took Beeson to the vet on Friday for "old man tests" as Camryn calls them. He wouldn't let the vet within 5 feet of him, which is not like Beeson at all. He clawed the vet and 2 techs and I got a call to come get him and make an appointment to come back with him next week. They think if I stay with him it will be better. That just means that they want ME to be the one getting clawed instead of them. I know how they are. (That full body armor is looking more and more tempting...)
Sophie also went to the vet this week. She has a bum paw. That dadgum cat has cost me more in vet bills this year than I've paid to keep my family healthy. I brought home a bottle of Prednisone pills to give Soph this week and then they want to see her back in 10 days. Whatever.
Lillian pooped her pants twice in the last 5 days. Don't know why. I thought it was the Stride gum, because I confused mannitol (which the gum contains... it's the powder on the gum that keeps it from absorbing moisture while in the package) with maltitol, which is a sugar alcohol that causes "intestinal discomfort" (aka "diarrhea"). I thought she was getting the runs from the gum, but now I'm not so sure. Either way, no more Stride gum for Lillo.
I made 40 mini loaves of banana bread yesterday. The older kids' school is having a Geography Bee tomorrow and I told them I'd make the bread as thank you gifts for the judges. I did the same for the spelling bee back in March. It was fun, actually. Lillian was chief banana masher and we had a great assembly line going. Good times. Lillian proposed that she and I open a restaurant and serve our banana bread in it. She really got into it.
Lillian tried to escape the compound yesterday morning. Her neighborhood friend Kayleigh came to the door in her PJs and Lillian opened the door. That set off the alarm, so hubs jumped up and went to see what the commotion was. Lillian, already fully clothed, was trotting across the lawn towards Kayleigh's house. Evidently she'd seen Kayleigh coming and quickly changed clothes so she could go play. This was about 8 am yesterday. I don't know if K's family knew she was prancing around the cul de sac in her PJs, but we made Lillian come back inside.
Quinn also tried to get away this week. One night around 10:30 I heard the alarm beeping the warning that means you have 30 seconds to enter the code before the big sirens go off. I heard my husband rush to the laundry room and enter the code to turn off the beeping. Then he came into our bedroom and said, "Quinn's getting into his car seat!" I followed him to the garage, where indeed, our boy was attempting to buckle up. Hubs started talking to Quinn, and Quinn started laughing like a maniac. He laughed all the way inside, all the way through a visit to the bathroom, and all the way to his bedroom, where he hit the pillow and went back to sleep with a smile on his face. He's done this before (gotten up in his sleep) but he's never made it past the den.
Hubs and I went to see Larry the Cable Guy last Saturday. My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. My favorite line: "I bet the Wal Mart is empty right now!" meaning his entire audience was comprised of Saturday night Wal Mart regulars. If you've ever been to the Wal Mart on a Saturday night, then that's funny to you. If you haven't, you must get out more. It's a real freakfest. Grab a snack and go sit on a bench near the checkout. That's some fun stuff right there. Oh, and Larry (I can call him that, 'cause we're tight...) had a joke that hit close to home. He said he would never get his eyes checked by an eye doctor at the Wal Mart. HA! That's what hubs does. He said, "Can you imagine that exam? The doctor would say, 'Cover one eye and tell me how many teeth the cashier out there has.'" Funny.
That's about all I got this week. At least it wasn't a meme.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Friday Fill Ins 4/24
It's been a long, busy week. I have over-committed myself and I should learn how to say NO. I'm really, really, really looking forward to summer break. I think it's less than 30 days away (not counting weekends). I'm so ready. Next year I swear I'm not saying YES as much as I have this year. It's exhausting.
Here are this week's Friday Fill-Ins:
1. Apparently there's some sort of strange thing going on in my house. After a couple of years of refusing to ride her bike after a bad fall, Camryn climbed back on this week and has been riding everywhere since then. Aiden got into the act, too, and hasn't played Club Penguin in 2 days. Hallelujah for the kids enjoying being OUTDOORS!
2. I much prefer a sunny day over a cloudy one. I love the sunshine!
3. 2009 has been awesome so far. I can't believe it's almost May already!
4. My breaking point with a certain classmate of Camryn's came yesterday, and that was it. I'm so done with her behavior and the way she has treated my child for the past 2 years. I'm going to talk to the principal about it next week and hopefully we'll see some resolution to the problem. Camryn is tired of turning the other cheek, and I'm surprised it took her this long. She's a strong one, but she can only take so much. Time for Mom to get involved.
5. For too long I've been this mess with Camryn's classmate go on. I should've done something a long time ago, but I was trying to respect Camryn's wish to fight her own battles.
6. I am not obsessed with Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook; I am not! (Yes, I am.)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing NOTHING (well, maybe watching last night's episode of Harper's Island that I missed because I fell into bed early last night). Tomorrow my plans include making 40 mini loaves of banana bread, then church (first time in 3 weeks!) Sunday, I want to bake some goodies for the ladies to sell during BRCA's Geography Bee on Monday and then I'm looking forward to community group tomorrow night.
Here are this week's Friday Fill-Ins:
1. Apparently there's some sort of strange thing going on in my house. After a couple of years of refusing to ride her bike after a bad fall, Camryn climbed back on this week and has been riding everywhere since then. Aiden got into the act, too, and hasn't played Club Penguin in 2 days. Hallelujah for the kids enjoying being OUTDOORS!
2. I much prefer a sunny day over a cloudy one. I love the sunshine!
3. 2009 has been awesome so far. I can't believe it's almost May already!
4. My breaking point with a certain classmate of Camryn's came yesterday, and that was it. I'm so done with her behavior and the way she has treated my child for the past 2 years. I'm going to talk to the principal about it next week and hopefully we'll see some resolution to the problem. Camryn is tired of turning the other cheek, and I'm surprised it took her this long. She's a strong one, but she can only take so much. Time for Mom to get involved.
5. For too long I've been this mess with Camryn's classmate go on. I should've done something a long time ago, but I was trying to respect Camryn's wish to fight her own battles.
6. I am not obsessed with Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook; I am not! (Yes, I am.)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing NOTHING (well, maybe watching last night's episode of Harper's Island that I missed because I fell into bed early last night). Tomorrow my plans include making 40 mini loaves of banana bread, then church (first time in 3 weeks!) Sunday, I want to bake some goodies for the ladies to sell during BRCA's Geography Bee on Monday and then I'm looking forward to community group tomorrow night.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Manic Monday #164
Describe to me your favorite lounging clothes.
Pajamas, really. Long, elastic-waisted pants and t-shirts.
If you promised to never lie again in your lifetime, in what area would it be hardest to uphold the promise?
It would be hard to not lie to the kids. If you're a parent, you know that there are times that the truth has to be bent. I don't mean that I lie to the kids frequently, but there are just occasions where the whole truth isn't good for the kids at that moment. I can't think of a specific instance, and I know it sounds awful to say I lie to my children, but there it is.
Give a one word answer to the question "why is life worth living".
Jesus.
Pajamas, really. Long, elastic-waisted pants and t-shirts.
If you promised to never lie again in your lifetime, in what area would it be hardest to uphold the promise?
It would be hard to not lie to the kids. If you're a parent, you know that there are times that the truth has to be bent. I don't mean that I lie to the kids frequently, but there are just occasions where the whole truth isn't good for the kids at that moment. I can't think of a specific instance, and I know it sounds awful to say I lie to my children, but there it is.
Give a one word answer to the question "why is life worth living".
Jesus.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday Fill Ins 4/17
1. Join me in wishing my daddy a happy 63rd birthday! It was actually yesterday, but I always try to milk a birthday as long as I can. Happy birthday, Daddy. I hope you had a great dinner last night and a great day yesterday! Can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks.
2. Put a little laughter in your day! I can't go a day without laughing. It always makes me feel so much better.
3. Happiness is snuggling with one of the kids. Lillian had bad dreams early this morning, so she came into our room around 1:45. When the kids come into the room like that, I do get a little miffed that my sleep was interrupted, but I try to concentrate on the specialness of the moment. I know they won't be little much longer, and then I'll miss the feeling of their little warm bodies snuggled up to me, the smell of freshly washed kid hair under my nose, the knowledge that one looooooong hug (and maybe a backrub) from me can calm them after a nightmare. I'm a little sleepy today, but it's worth it. I love those moments.
4. Lost and confused. I love the show "Lost" but sometimes I get no sense of clarity about it. The stories get deeper every week and I long for that episode that gives me the big AHA! I've been awaiting.
5. I'm waiting for our trip to Disney! Only two more weeks!
6. A bag of peanut m&ms, no matter how small, is hard to resist.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Slumdog Millionaire with the hubby. Tomorrow my plans include date night with Stan (dinner and a Larry the Cable Guy show!) Sunday, I want to catch up on some things I've been putting off this week, then church community group in the evening.
2. Put a little laughter in your day! I can't go a day without laughing. It always makes me feel so much better.
3. Happiness is snuggling with one of the kids. Lillian had bad dreams early this morning, so she came into our room around 1:45. When the kids come into the room like that, I do get a little miffed that my sleep was interrupted, but I try to concentrate on the specialness of the moment. I know they won't be little much longer, and then I'll miss the feeling of their little warm bodies snuggled up to me, the smell of freshly washed kid hair under my nose, the knowledge that one looooooong hug (and maybe a backrub) from me can calm them after a nightmare. I'm a little sleepy today, but it's worth it. I love those moments.
4. Lost and confused. I love the show "Lost" but sometimes I get no sense of clarity about it. The stories get deeper every week and I long for that episode that gives me the big AHA! I've been awaiting.
5. I'm waiting for our trip to Disney! Only two more weeks!
6. A bag of peanut m&ms, no matter how small, is hard to resist.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Slumdog Millionaire with the hubby. Tomorrow my plans include date night with Stan (dinner and a Larry the Cable Guy show!) Sunday, I want to catch up on some things I've been putting off this week, then church community group in the evening.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Some things are better left to the imagination...
So while were in Charleston last week I had to take Quinn to the potty. Nothing new there.
We used the women's restroom, of course, and for the first time Quinn took notice of a tampon vending machine hanging on the wall. It was large and silver and shiny. You couldn't help but notice it.
He said, "Boy, I wish I had some money right now!"
I followed his gaze to the machine. I had to let this conversation play out just to see where it was going.
"Oh, yeah? Why is that? I asked.
"'Cause I'd buy something out of that machine!" Quinn answered.
"Like what?"
"Uh, what does it sell?"
"What do you think it sells?"
"FOOD!"
I laughed.
"Why are you laughing?" Quinn said.
"Oh, 'cause you're funny. Quinnie. That machine doesn't sell food."
(Dumb move, 'cause you know what the next question is, doncha?)
"WHAT DOES IT SELL?"
Yikes. Stuck!
"It sells stuff for ladies."
"Like what? Dresses?"
We both laughed.
"No, stuff girls need when they grow up," I answered.
The next line is classic Quinn.
"Like a cane?"
I belly laughed all the way to the car, where I shared the story with the rest of the family.
Poor Quinn. He never did find out what magical things that machine held, but he took pride in the fact that he made us all laugh.... three of us harder than the rest.....
We used the women's restroom, of course, and for the first time Quinn took notice of a tampon vending machine hanging on the wall. It was large and silver and shiny. You couldn't help but notice it.
He said, "Boy, I wish I had some money right now!"
I followed his gaze to the machine. I had to let this conversation play out just to see where it was going.
"Oh, yeah? Why is that? I asked.
"'Cause I'd buy something out of that machine!" Quinn answered.
"Like what?"
"Uh, what does it sell?"
"What do you think it sells?"
"FOOD!"
I laughed.
"Why are you laughing?" Quinn said.
"Oh, 'cause you're funny. Quinnie. That machine doesn't sell food."
(Dumb move, 'cause you know what the next question is, doncha?)
"WHAT DOES IT SELL?"
Yikes. Stuck!
"It sells stuff for ladies."
"Like what? Dresses?"
We both laughed.
"No, stuff girls need when they grow up," I answered.
The next line is classic Quinn.
"Like a cane?"
I belly laughed all the way to the car, where I shared the story with the rest of the family.
Poor Quinn. He never did find out what magical things that machine held, but he took pride in the fact that he made us all laugh.... three of us harder than the rest.....
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
Borrowed...100 things to do in a lifetime
I got this off my friend Bry's blog. I've done the things in BOLD print.
1. Started your own blog- Duh
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you could to a charity - I've given a lot, but never more than I could.
7. Been to Disneyland - one day! The kids want to go, but I'm afraid that they'll be disappointed after having been to Disney World so many times.
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis (stepped on one, maybe...)
10. Sang a solo - badly... "Friends Forever" musical in church when I was in high school
12. Visited Paris - I wish I could go back. I was 19 and homesick and didn't enjoy it as much as I should have...
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch Does scrapbooking count?
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning - kind of... I ate some way undercooked pork in Barcelona and had to spend the next day nauseated on a bus that wound its way through the Pyrenees mountains. One look out the window was more than I could handle.... ick.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables - We did this last summer. This year I'm going to grow tomatoes, okra, zucchini and fresh herbs, hopefully.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa - Yes. It was hanging in this small, hot, crowded room inside the Louvre. It's much smaller than I imagined it to be, but still surreal to be standing in front of it
20. Traveled by Train - Yep, twice on that Spain & France trip in 1992. Wetraveled from Madrid (where it was cold and snowy) to Barcelona (where it was in the 70s and sunny) on the same day. A couple of days later we went from Spain to Paris overnight, so I've even slept in what they called a "cochette" on a train. It was cool!
21. Had a pillow fight - Duh. I shared a bed with my sister until I was in 6th grade. There were pillow fights aplenty.
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill - Haven't we all?
24. Built a snow fort - I've never lived anywhere with enough snow to build a fort.
25. Held a lamb - No. Eaten lamb, yes. It was very greasy.
26. Gone skinny dipping - Yes, in my own pool.
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (solar) - a couple of times. I remember going outside to see one when I was in 8th grade. We took cobalt glass and watched it. It was cool.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Sunsets aplenty. I've only seen a sunrise a couple of times. I like my sleep.
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise - once, in 1997. I'd love to take another one.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - with my youth group sometime in the late 80s. It was amazing. I'd love to take the kids back to see it.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors- Hmm, not sure about this one. My dad's family is German, and I've never been to Germany. I don't know about Mom's family.
35. Seen an Amish community - no, but we passed a lot of horse-drawn buggies when we were in PA in 1995.
36. Taught yourself a new language - does 4 years of high school Spanish + 1 jr. level course I took my freshman year of college count?
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I don't need money to be truly satisfied, but yes... we're comfortable.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David - Does the replica inside Spaceship Earth in Epcot count?
41. Sung Karaoke - Never in public, but I have sung along with Camryn's karaoke machine.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - my parents took me out west when I was 18 months-old. I *think* we visited Old Faithful, but I don't remember it.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - Yep. This is one of my favorite things to do.
44. Visited Africa - I got close. I was supposed to go on a mission trip to Kenya after I graduated from high school, but tragedy struck the missionary we were supposed to help and we ended up going to Belize instead.
45. Walked on the beach in the moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing - No, but this is on my list of things I'd love to do when the kids are older.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - Yes.... at night. It was gorgeous! I ran out of film right before we went, so I have no pictures of it.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - Snorkeling, in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Gorgeous. Our guide killed a conch on the boat ride back and we ate it fresh. It was good. Tastes like chicken.
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
(WHERE IS #54?)
55. Been in a movie - No, but I saw one being filmed in Union Station (Washington, DC) in 2000. It was the sequel to Silence of the Lambs. We saw Julianne Moore and Anthony Hopkins. Really cool.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - Yep. It's a direct sales business. I sell Longaberger baskets & pottery and have since 2003 or so.
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen - no, but I keep saying when the kids are a little older we're going to do this one Thanksgiving.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies - yep. Once. I hated selling door to door, because my friend Lauren and I lived in the same neighborhood and were in the same troop.
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason - Yep. Just last month I got a lovely yellow bouquet from my husband.
(NUMBERS 64 & 65 are missing, too...)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check - 2 or 3 times, but not since I was in college.
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - I even had the privelege of going to the Vietnam Memorial with my dad, who is a Vietnam Vet. That was a very moving experience.
71. Eaten caviar - Yep. Aboard an airplane. My sister and I were bumped up to first class on our trip to Spain in 1992. It was N-I-C-E. If I ever fly long distance like that again, it will be in first class (if I can afford it). There's no other way to go!
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - on that same trip out west, I think. I was a toddler, so I don't remember it.
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car - I've owned 2 brand new cars in my lifetime, and both were minivans. The first one I didn't even get to test drive, because I was 9 months pregnant and wouldn't fit behind the wheel. No more new cars for us. We only buy used (and pay cash for them) now. Too much depreciation on new cars to make it worth the money.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox - I had them bad in 4th grade. Blisters and all. Ick.
89. Saved someone's life - one of my 2nd grade classmates fell in our pool at our end of the year party and grabbed her and swam her over to the edge, but I don't know if she was really drowning. Her mom said she couldn't swim, but I don't know that I saved her life. I had a friend in 7th grade who talked about killing herself and I told my math teacher about it. I don't know if the friend was serious, but I knew I couldn't just let it go. The principal talked to me about my friend, and that was it. She didn't kill herself, but again, I don't know if I could be credited with saving her.
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous - Vanessa Williams (when she was Miss America 1984) and Sorrell Booke, who played Boss Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby - Four times.
95. Seen the Alamo in person - Alamo Rental Car, yes. The actual Alamo in San Antonio, no.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone - yep. Got my first bag phone in college. The kids think the concept of a bag phone is hilarious.
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in a day
1. Started your own blog- Duh
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you could to a charity - I've given a lot, but never more than I could.
7. Been to Disneyland - one day! The kids want to go, but I'm afraid that they'll be disappointed after having been to Disney World so many times.
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis (stepped on one, maybe...)
10. Sang a solo - badly... "Friends Forever" musical in church when I was in high school
12. Visited Paris - I wish I could go back. I was 19 and homesick and didn't enjoy it as much as I should have...
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch Does scrapbooking count?
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning - kind of... I ate some way undercooked pork in Barcelona and had to spend the next day nauseated on a bus that wound its way through the Pyrenees mountains. One look out the window was more than I could handle.... ick.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables - We did this last summer. This year I'm going to grow tomatoes, okra, zucchini and fresh herbs, hopefully.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa - Yes. It was hanging in this small, hot, crowded room inside the Louvre. It's much smaller than I imagined it to be, but still surreal to be standing in front of it
20. Traveled by Train - Yep, twice on that Spain & France trip in 1992. Wetraveled from Madrid (where it was cold and snowy) to Barcelona (where it was in the 70s and sunny) on the same day. A couple of days later we went from Spain to Paris overnight, so I've even slept in what they called a "cochette" on a train. It was cool!
21. Had a pillow fight - Duh. I shared a bed with my sister until I was in 6th grade. There were pillow fights aplenty.
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill - Haven't we all?
24. Built a snow fort - I've never lived anywhere with enough snow to build a fort.
25. Held a lamb - No. Eaten lamb, yes. It was very greasy.
26. Gone skinny dipping - Yes, in my own pool.
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (solar) - a couple of times. I remember going outside to see one when I was in 8th grade. We took cobalt glass and watched it. It was cool.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Sunsets aplenty. I've only seen a sunrise a couple of times. I like my sleep.
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise - once, in 1997. I'd love to take another one.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - with my youth group sometime in the late 80s. It was amazing. I'd love to take the kids back to see it.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors- Hmm, not sure about this one. My dad's family is German, and I've never been to Germany. I don't know about Mom's family.
35. Seen an Amish community - no, but we passed a lot of horse-drawn buggies when we were in PA in 1995.
36. Taught yourself a new language - does 4 years of high school Spanish + 1 jr. level course I took my freshman year of college count?
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I don't need money to be truly satisfied, but yes... we're comfortable.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David - Does the replica inside Spaceship Earth in Epcot count?
41. Sung Karaoke - Never in public, but I have sung along with Camryn's karaoke machine.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - my parents took me out west when I was 18 months-old. I *think* we visited Old Faithful, but I don't remember it.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - Yep. This is one of my favorite things to do.
44. Visited Africa - I got close. I was supposed to go on a mission trip to Kenya after I graduated from high school, but tragedy struck the missionary we were supposed to help and we ended up going to Belize instead.
45. Walked on the beach in the moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing - No, but this is on my list of things I'd love to do when the kids are older.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - Yes.... at night. It was gorgeous! I ran out of film right before we went, so I have no pictures of it.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - Snorkeling, in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Gorgeous. Our guide killed a conch on the boat ride back and we ate it fresh. It was good. Tastes like chicken.
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
(WHERE IS #54?)
55. Been in a movie - No, but I saw one being filmed in Union Station (Washington, DC) in 2000. It was the sequel to Silence of the Lambs. We saw Julianne Moore and Anthony Hopkins. Really cool.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - Yep. It's a direct sales business. I sell Longaberger baskets & pottery and have since 2003 or so.
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen - no, but I keep saying when the kids are a little older we're going to do this one Thanksgiving.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies - yep. Once. I hated selling door to door, because my friend Lauren and I lived in the same neighborhood and were in the same troop.
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason - Yep. Just last month I got a lovely yellow bouquet from my husband.
(NUMBERS 64 & 65 are missing, too...)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check - 2 or 3 times, but not since I was in college.
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - I even had the privelege of going to the Vietnam Memorial with my dad, who is a Vietnam Vet. That was a very moving experience.
71. Eaten caviar - Yep. Aboard an airplane. My sister and I were bumped up to first class on our trip to Spain in 1992. It was N-I-C-E. If I ever fly long distance like that again, it will be in first class (if I can afford it). There's no other way to go!
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - on that same trip out west, I think. I was a toddler, so I don't remember it.
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car - I've owned 2 brand new cars in my lifetime, and both were minivans. The first one I didn't even get to test drive, because I was 9 months pregnant and wouldn't fit behind the wheel. No more new cars for us. We only buy used (and pay cash for them) now. Too much depreciation on new cars to make it worth the money.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox - I had them bad in 4th grade. Blisters and all. Ick.
89. Saved someone's life - one of my 2nd grade classmates fell in our pool at our end of the year party and grabbed her and swam her over to the edge, but I don't know if she was really drowning. Her mom said she couldn't swim, but I don't know that I saved her life. I had a friend in 7th grade who talked about killing herself and I told my math teacher about it. I don't know if the friend was serious, but I knew I couldn't just let it go. The principal talked to me about my friend, and that was it. She didn't kill herself, but again, I don't know if I could be credited with saving her.
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous - Vanessa Williams (when she was Miss America 1984) and Sorrell Booke, who played Boss Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby - Four times.
95. Seen the Alamo in person - Alamo Rental Car, yes. The actual Alamo in San Antonio, no.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone - yep. Got my first bag phone in college. The kids think the concept of a bag phone is hilarious.
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in a day
Friday, April 03, 2009
Friday Fill Ins 4/3
See, Mom?!? I am alive! I just haven't had time to sit and blog about anything in awhile! But today starts spring break, and I have nine glorious, shining days of rest ahead of me. Can't wait!
1. Angel or not, I will not understand what this statement means. Wha?
2. You can massage my back anytime, any way you want me. (That sounds a little dirty, huh? I can't think of anything else to put there! But I do know that I could use a long massage right now!)
3. As my mother used to say, you're full of... actually, my mother never said anything like that. At least to my face, she didn't. I don't know.
4. I feel weak, like my legs are made of Jell-o after I'm done working out or doing something strenuous. That's why I try to avoid doing things like that. ; )
5. Even in the most crowded of rooms I can hear my kids' voices.
6. A day that I wake up and there is no tea made for me is a day fraught with peril.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to lounging and catching up on the sleep I lost last weekend! Tomorrow my plans include wrapping a gift for Aiden to take to Dawson's birthday party and then church (which I really missed last week!) and Sunday, I want to enjoy having our church community group over for a pool party. I hope it doesn't rain. We're going to swim! The pool is heating up as I type. Can't wait! I've missed swimming!
1. Angel or not, I will not understand what this statement means. Wha?
2. You can massage my back anytime, any way you want me. (That sounds a little dirty, huh? I can't think of anything else to put there! But I do know that I could use a long massage right now!)
3. As my mother used to say, you're full of... actually, my mother never said anything like that. At least to my face, she didn't. I don't know.
4. I feel weak, like my legs are made of Jell-o after I'm done working out or doing something strenuous. That's why I try to avoid doing things like that. ; )
5. Even in the most crowded of rooms I can hear my kids' voices.
6. A day that I wake up and there is no tea made for me is a day fraught with peril.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to lounging and catching up on the sleep I lost last weekend! Tomorrow my plans include wrapping a gift for Aiden to take to Dawson's birthday party and then church (which I really missed last week!) and Sunday, I want to enjoy having our church community group over for a pool party. I hope it doesn't rain. We're going to swim! The pool is heating up as I type. Can't wait! I've missed swimming!
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