I did something last night that I have never, ever done before. I liked it, and I know I will definitely do it again.
I went to the movies by myself. ALL BY MYSELF.
And I liked it.
No.
I LOVED it.
It's not that I've never wanted to go alone or felt too uncomfortable to go alone... I just never had the desire to go. But I knew that my husband didn't want to see "Sex and the City" and I sure couldn't take the kids with me (though the R rating didn't stop the two ladies in front of me from bringing their children.... an infant and what looked to be a 5 year-old and a 3 year-old...)
I bought popcorn, a Coke and a box of Raisinets. I poured the Raisinets into the popcorn bag and no one groaned in disgust. I didn't have to suck up anyone's slobber when I took a sip of my drink. I didn't have to share ONE BITE. YUM-OH.
I loved every minute of the movie. It was good to be with the girls again. I loved SATC when it was on HBO (though I watched most of it on DVDs rented from Netflix) and the movie didn't disappoint. I enjoyed catching up with the characters I grew to love, and although the ending was a typical Hollywood fairy tale tied up in a neat bow, I was glad to see it all work out for Charlotte, Carrie, Miranda and Samantha. I was sad when the credits rolled. I wanted more time with my "friends".
I left the theater and went treasure hunting at TJMaxx. I had time to peruse everything and got lots of awesome bargains. Shopping in peace with no one calling my name is something I haven't done in a long time. I don't think I'll try that again soon, because the pocketbook does take a hit, but it was great fun. I even managed to buy myself 3 things, which is rare. Normally I shop for everyone else and forget that I need things, too.
When I got home I had cupcakes to make for Camryn's class party, so it was back to the Mom grind. It's all part of the job, and I LOVE my job; I wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China (and I love my tea, you know!) I'm so blessed to have a wonderful managing partner (my husband) who takes over the company (our kids) for awhile so I can have some vacation time. Love that man. Love him, love him, love him.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
A Wild Hair
I made the executive decision to let Lillian's hair grow out long enough to donate it to Locks of Love (try explaining THAT to a 3 year-old!) She agreed, though I think she believes she, too will be bald when it's over.
So the hair is growing out and it's getting knotted during the night. This morning she looked like Tracy Turnblad. I expected her to burst into a chorus of "Good Morning, Baltimore!" but she didn't. Dang it.
Today we tried braids. Lillian usually has very little patience for getting just a basic ponytail, so I was surprised when she sat still for the braiding process. It turned out okay. Near the end of the second braid, I pulled her hair too hard and she cried. The resulting picture tells the tale:
Here's the back:
And the individual braids:
The camera always cheers her up. She's a natural in front of the camera (could it be because I love to take her picture?)
I know the braids look like they're sitting on top of her head instead of being woven into her hair, but I can't do it any other way. It has to do with the direction I braid, I think. I can make my own hair look like it's woven, but when I do others' hair the braids sit on top. Strange.
So the hair is growing out and it's getting knotted during the night. This morning she looked like Tracy Turnblad. I expected her to burst into a chorus of "Good Morning, Baltimore!" but she didn't. Dang it.
Today we tried braids. Lillian usually has very little patience for getting just a basic ponytail, so I was surprised when she sat still for the braiding process. It turned out okay. Near the end of the second braid, I pulled her hair too hard and she cried. The resulting picture tells the tale:
Here's the back:
And the individual braids:
The camera always cheers her up. She's a natural in front of the camera (could it be because I love to take her picture?)
I know the braids look like they're sitting on top of her head instead of being woven into her hair, but I can't do it any other way. It has to do with the direction I braid, I think. I can make my own hair look like it's woven, but when I do others' hair the braids sit on top. Strange.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Three Things
(1) I cannot stand multi-level marketing. Someone gave my name to a guy from Cutco knives, and he came to the house today peddling the most freakin' expensive knives I've ever seen in my life. If I'm going to pay that much for cutlery, they better stand up and fix the chicken themselves.
(2) My daughter got her Stanford Acheivement test scores back today. According to her results, she could probably take the GED and pass. All of her scores were labeled "post high school". She's TEN. Ironically, her lowest score was on the L-I-S-T-E-N-I-N-G portion of the test. Go figure.
(3) My 7 year-old son CRACKS.ME.UP. Tonight the kids were especially complimentary of the dinner I prepared (Salsa chicken, fiesta rice, refried beans and cheese quesadillas to dip in the beans... plus a homemade peach cobbler with fresh peaches... total Mexican starch fest!) I told the boys that I would teach them how to cook, because even boys need to have that skill. Aiden said his wife could cook, and I told him she might, be he needed to know how in case his wife was tired or busy or whatever. Aiden looked up and said, "I'll just go buy her a Hungry Woman dinner." Ya know... like a Hungry Man dinner, only for the females. Funny, funny boy.
(2) My daughter got her Stanford Acheivement test scores back today. According to her results, she could probably take the GED and pass. All of her scores were labeled "post high school". She's TEN. Ironically, her lowest score was on the L-I-S-T-E-N-I-N-G portion of the test. Go figure.
(3) My 7 year-old son CRACKS.ME.UP. Tonight the kids were especially complimentary of the dinner I prepared (Salsa chicken, fiesta rice, refried beans and cheese quesadillas to dip in the beans... plus a homemade peach cobbler with fresh peaches... total Mexican starch fest!) I told the boys that I would teach them how to cook, because even boys need to have that skill. Aiden said his wife could cook, and I told him she might, be he needed to know how in case his wife was tired or busy or whatever. Aiden looked up and said, "I'll just go buy her a Hungry Woman dinner." Ya know... like a Hungry Man dinner, only for the females. Funny, funny boy.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Miles to Go Before I Sleep
I am dragging this morning. I stayed up too late last night.
I bet you're thinking that LATE is like 3 or 4 am, right?
Nope. The clock said 12:30 when I rolled over and shut my eyes. Pitiful, eh?
I hate feeling like this when I have so much to do. I feel so groggy, and my eyes hurt. I'm ready for the kids to be out of school, because I want to be able to sleep later in the morning.
Four and a half more days. That's all I have left.
136 miles. That's how far I have left to drive.
1 teacher gift finished, 2 more to go.
2 staff gifts to polish off.
June 6th, baby. June 6th. Then we'll be done.
D*O*N*E
done.
Then it all starts over September 3rd. That's 89 days away.
I'll be counting down those days before you know it.
I bet you're thinking that LATE is like 3 or 4 am, right?
Nope. The clock said 12:30 when I rolled over and shut my eyes. Pitiful, eh?
I hate feeling like this when I have so much to do. I feel so groggy, and my eyes hurt. I'm ready for the kids to be out of school, because I want to be able to sleep later in the morning.
Four and a half more days. That's all I have left.
136 miles. That's how far I have left to drive.
1 teacher gift finished, 2 more to go.
2 staff gifts to polish off.
June 6th, baby. June 6th. Then we'll be done.
D*O*N*E
done.
Then it all starts over September 3rd. That's 89 days away.
I'll be counting down those days before you know it.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Berry Frustrated
My husband is home from work today. My children are home from school today.
What does that mean?
It's time for a Caventure!
(definition: 1. noun. an adventure that usually goes awry simply because we are the ones embarking on the adventure. SYNONYM: Misadventure)
Camera? Check.
Sunscreen? Check.
Hats with wide brims? Check.
GPS? Check.
Adventurous spirits? Check (x 6).
It was gonna be a great day. We (well, really, um, I) decided that our Memorial Day would be spent in the strawberry patch. I read an article about Strawberry Hill USA (Cooley Farms) in the most recent issue of Southern Living, so we (well, really, um, I) thought that strawberry picking sounded like a fun family activity. After all, it was only a short drive from our house. Why not?
Famous last words.
Halfway to our destination Lillian got oh so grumpy and started yelling that the movie playing in the van was TOO LOUD. We turned it down a hair. "IT'S STILL TOO LOUD!" This went on for about 10 minutes. Finally, my hubby stopped the car, turned off the kids' movie and started back towards home. See, once Lillian gets sleepy grumpy, there's no dealing with her. He decided he'd rather try again another day than have to endure her whining. It'd be a LOT easier.
After the groaning and crying and pleas to please turn around Daddy! died down, Lillian fell asleep. Miracle of miracles! We turned the car around and made our way back to the strawberry patch. Lillian awoke refreshed and ready to pick some strawberries.
We drove around this complex of red roofed buildings, but couldn't figure out where we could select our own berrylicious treasures. My husband finally went inside and asked for some instructions, but he was told that the only "picking" we could do was in the market part of Strawberry Hill. You can choose this bag or that bag, but you can't pick 'em out of the ground.
Hmph.
We bought 2 huge bags of strawberries and a large bag of peaches, sampled all the samples there were to sample, and got back into the car. So much for our strawberry picking dreams.
After all that driving and whining and grumping, you know the funniest part?
There's a freakin' "You Pick 'Em" strawberry patch a mere 3.7 miles from our house. Take a right turn out of our neighborhood, drive 1.7 miles, turn right, drive 2 miles and THERE IT IS.
You know how far we drove to Strawberry Hill for what amounted to the world's most expensive strawberries (once you factor in the cost of gas)?
60.2 miles round trip.
The berries are good, though. Sweet and ripe. Perfect for cobblers. Just not worth all that time and gas money.
Next time I'll just pick up a pound for $3 at the grocery store. And I need to cancel my subscription to Southern Living. It costs way too much.
(I did get some great photos. See below! Click on them to see larger versions.)
Oh, and if you own Photoshop and can make Quinn appear in that photo above, I'd be your best friend. He was in the car peeing in a cup when it was taken. Classic Quinn.
What does that mean?
It's time for a Caventure!
(definition: 1. noun. an adventure that usually goes awry simply because we are the ones embarking on the adventure. SYNONYM: Misadventure)
Camera? Check.
Sunscreen? Check.
Hats with wide brims? Check.
GPS? Check.
Adventurous spirits? Check (x 6).
It was gonna be a great day. We (well, really, um, I) decided that our Memorial Day would be spent in the strawberry patch. I read an article about Strawberry Hill USA (Cooley Farms) in the most recent issue of Southern Living, so we (well, really, um, I) thought that strawberry picking sounded like a fun family activity. After all, it was only a short drive from our house. Why not?
Famous last words.
Halfway to our destination Lillian got oh so grumpy and started yelling that the movie playing in the van was TOO LOUD. We turned it down a hair. "IT'S STILL TOO LOUD!" This went on for about 10 minutes. Finally, my hubby stopped the car, turned off the kids' movie and started back towards home. See, once Lillian gets sleepy grumpy, there's no dealing with her. He decided he'd rather try again another day than have to endure her whining. It'd be a LOT easier.
After the groaning and crying and pleas to please turn around Daddy! died down, Lillian fell asleep. Miracle of miracles! We turned the car around and made our way back to the strawberry patch. Lillian awoke refreshed and ready to pick some strawberries.
We drove around this complex of red roofed buildings, but couldn't figure out where we could select our own berrylicious treasures. My husband finally went inside and asked for some instructions, but he was told that the only "picking" we could do was in the market part of Strawberry Hill. You can choose this bag or that bag, but you can't pick 'em out of the ground.
Hmph.
We bought 2 huge bags of strawberries and a large bag of peaches, sampled all the samples there were to sample, and got back into the car. So much for our strawberry picking dreams.
After all that driving and whining and grumping, you know the funniest part?
There's a freakin' "You Pick 'Em" strawberry patch a mere 3.7 miles from our house. Take a right turn out of our neighborhood, drive 1.7 miles, turn right, drive 2 miles and THERE IT IS.
You know how far we drove to Strawberry Hill for what amounted to the world's most expensive strawberries (once you factor in the cost of gas)?
60.2 miles round trip.
The berries are good, though. Sweet and ripe. Perfect for cobblers. Just not worth all that time and gas money.
Next time I'll just pick up a pound for $3 at the grocery store. And I need to cancel my subscription to Southern Living. It costs way too much.
(I did get some great photos. See below! Click on them to see larger versions.)
Oh, and if you own Photoshop and can make Quinn appear in that photo above, I'd be your best friend. He was in the car peeing in a cup when it was taken. Classic Quinn.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Mousetrap
The image below may be disturbing. Proceed with caution.
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READY?
ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE READY?
REALLY, REALLY SURE?
OKAY. I WARNED YOU.
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This, my dear friends, is a dead mouse.
It was killed by a 5 year-old, a 3 year-old and a glass of iced tea.
The 5 year-old was told to go fetch the glass so I could fill it for dinner. The 3 year-old, who is the 5 year-old's constant shadow, jumped up and ran to get the glass herself. A fight ensued, and yes, there was much screaming, and then it got quiet. Somehow tea ended up all over my desk. Of course no one is admitting fault, but there were only two people in the room.
Towels were fetched, frantic drying began and appropriate punishments were handed out.
Dinner commenced with much crying and poking out of lower lips. Tension had eased by the end of supper. Happiness was restored to the land.
After dinner I sat down for a post-incident straightening of the desk, and I found the mouse to be non-functional. Screws were removed, some shaking took place, some tea splashed out of the cavity, and the mouse now works...intermittently. I can hear him weezing, poor thing. He's drowning in there. Splenda allergy, I guess.
Sadly, there is another dead mouse just like him in the closet. He died about 2 months ago. I guess this one will join his big brother in the dark closet (why can't I throw them away? I dunno. I guess I'm hoping for a miracle like in Pet Sematary. Whoooo... scary reincarnated mice!)
So I suppose tomorrow I'll pack up my Staples reward check and go rodent shopping. Let's hope the new one lasts a little longer than 2 months.
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READY?
ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE READY?
REALLY, REALLY SURE?
OKAY. I WARNED YOU.
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This, my dear friends, is a dead mouse.
It was killed by a 5 year-old, a 3 year-old and a glass of iced tea.
The 5 year-old was told to go fetch the glass so I could fill it for dinner. The 3 year-old, who is the 5 year-old's constant shadow, jumped up and ran to get the glass herself. A fight ensued, and yes, there was much screaming, and then it got quiet. Somehow tea ended up all over my desk. Of course no one is admitting fault, but there were only two people in the room.
Towels were fetched, frantic drying began and appropriate punishments were handed out.
Dinner commenced with much crying and poking out of lower lips. Tension had eased by the end of supper. Happiness was restored to the land.
After dinner I sat down for a post-incident straightening of the desk, and I found the mouse to be non-functional. Screws were removed, some shaking took place, some tea splashed out of the cavity, and the mouse now works...intermittently. I can hear him weezing, poor thing. He's drowning in there. Splenda allergy, I guess.
Sadly, there is another dead mouse just like him in the closet. He died about 2 months ago. I guess this one will join his big brother in the dark closet (why can't I throw them away? I dunno. I guess I'm hoping for a miracle like in Pet Sematary. Whoooo... scary reincarnated mice!)
So I suppose tomorrow I'll pack up my Staples reward check and go rodent shopping. Let's hope the new one lasts a little longer than 2 months.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Thank you, Anna Marie Jarvis!
I love Mother's Day. I might love it more than any other holiday, really. Know why?
BECAUSE IT IS ALL ABOUT ME.
Yep. It's the one day a year that I don't have to do one.single.thing. I don't have to lift one finger. Not even a toe, really. And everything we do during the day is a result of a choice I MAKE. It's like being Queen for a Day!
I was allowed to sleep late (8 am!) this morning, which is always a great experience.
I was served breakfast in bed (eggs over medium with buttered toast and iced tea). On the tray with the breakfast was a beautiful descriptive paragraph my 10 year-old daughter wrote at school. She said her teacher told her it would make me cry, and as predicted, tears did fall. It was a very touching paragraph, and if I wasn't so lazy, I'd get up and go get it and retype it here...
I was left alone for about an hour after breakfast, so I watched TV from the comfort of my bed. The children and their dad were in the basement doing the Mommy Mall, so it was even QUIET upstairs while I was in bed. Yee haw.
I was showered with gifts. It's crazy insane how many gifts I got, really! I loved every single one of them. Some chocolates, some scrapbooking things, some shirts, a pair of PJs, some earrings, a Wii fit game and a lot of good smelling soaps, lotions and bubble bath products from Bath & Body Works (my husband said each child made their own gift bags at B&BW on Friday night, which must've been a comical scene! Bless the man for his patience!)
Once I was dressed and ready to leave the house, I was adorned with a beautiful yellow orchid.
I was taken to a nice restaurant for brunch, where my children behaved and didn't whine or fight (much). They were even agreeable enough to get a nice picture at the end of the meal. (Look! The older two are even T.O.U.C.H.I.N.G.)
I was given a bouquet of tulips by our waiter (other moms were just getting one tulip each, but he gave me one tulip for each of my lovely children. Can you say NICE, FAT TIP?) BONUS: They perfectly matched the tulips my sister sent!
The waiter also gave me a split of champagne and a $25 gift certificate to spend on a future visit (Woo hoo! I smell a DATE NIGHT!)
When we got back home, I was allowed to spend more time by myself while the children swam with my husband in the backyard pool.
I talked to my mom and had a nice conversation.
At 7 pm, we gathered on the couch as a family to watch "America's Funniest Home Videos", which was, as usual, a gutbusting good time.
As I type this (sitting in my comfy spot on the Oasis), my sweet husband is preparing a bacon sandwich for my dinner, and we have the "Survivor" finale paused on the DVR.
Tomorrow I'll have to go back to doing the dishes and the laundry and cleaning the house, but for now, I'm just chillin' and letting myself enjoy these last few Mother's Day moments. Ahhhhhh.....
I am truly, truly blessed.
Happy Mother's Day, y'all. I hope yours was as good as mine was.
And thank you, Anna Marie Jarvis, for creating Mother's Day. You are my hero.
BECAUSE IT IS ALL ABOUT ME.
Yep. It's the one day a year that I don't have to do one.single.thing. I don't have to lift one finger. Not even a toe, really. And everything we do during the day is a result of a choice I MAKE. It's like being Queen for a Day!
I was allowed to sleep late (8 am!) this morning, which is always a great experience.
I was served breakfast in bed (eggs over medium with buttered toast and iced tea). On the tray with the breakfast was a beautiful descriptive paragraph my 10 year-old daughter wrote at school. She said her teacher told her it would make me cry, and as predicted, tears did fall. It was a very touching paragraph, and if I wasn't so lazy, I'd get up and go get it and retype it here...
I was left alone for about an hour after breakfast, so I watched TV from the comfort of my bed. The children and their dad were in the basement doing the Mommy Mall, so it was even QUIET upstairs while I was in bed. Yee haw.
I was showered with gifts. It's crazy insane how many gifts I got, really! I loved every single one of them. Some chocolates, some scrapbooking things, some shirts, a pair of PJs, some earrings, a Wii fit game and a lot of good smelling soaps, lotions and bubble bath products from Bath & Body Works (my husband said each child made their own gift bags at B&BW on Friday night, which must've been a comical scene! Bless the man for his patience!)
Once I was dressed and ready to leave the house, I was adorned with a beautiful yellow orchid.
I was taken to a nice restaurant for brunch, where my children behaved and didn't whine or fight (much). They were even agreeable enough to get a nice picture at the end of the meal. (Look! The older two are even T.O.U.C.H.I.N.G.)
I was given a bouquet of tulips by our waiter (other moms were just getting one tulip each, but he gave me one tulip for each of my lovely children. Can you say NICE, FAT TIP?) BONUS: They perfectly matched the tulips my sister sent!
The waiter also gave me a split of champagne and a $25 gift certificate to spend on a future visit (Woo hoo! I smell a DATE NIGHT!)
When we got back home, I was allowed to spend more time by myself while the children swam with my husband in the backyard pool.
I talked to my mom and had a nice conversation.
At 7 pm, we gathered on the couch as a family to watch "America's Funniest Home Videos", which was, as usual, a gutbusting good time.
As I type this (sitting in my comfy spot on the Oasis), my sweet husband is preparing a bacon sandwich for my dinner, and we have the "Survivor" finale paused on the DVR.
Tomorrow I'll have to go back to doing the dishes and the laundry and cleaning the house, but for now, I'm just chillin' and letting myself enjoy these last few Mother's Day moments. Ahhhhhh.....
I am truly, truly blessed.
Happy Mother's Day, y'all. I hope yours was as good as mine was.
And thank you, Anna Marie Jarvis, for creating Mother's Day. You are my hero.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Holy Saturday, Batman!
Today we had a neighborhood yard sale. Someone else organized it and promoted it and all I had to do was open my garage and put out a bunch of stuff to sell. Easy Peasy, right?
Wrong.
I found more junk in my basement than I expected to have. I just kept pulling things out. It needed to be done, really, but man, am I tired and sore because of it.
Today was the sale. We had gorgeous weather and a great turnout. We made $178, which is nothing to sneeze at. Nice chunk of change.
The best part was spending 5 hours with my daughter. My husband took the little ones to his mom's on Friday night so they'd be out of my hair today. My 7 year-old spent most of his time playing computer games, then realized he was all alone inside the house and came out to sit with us.
From 7:15 (!) a.m. until about 11 am it was just me and Camryn minding the store. We had fun selling our junk, watching the people come and go, and just talking and laughing together. If our relationship survives the teen years, I suspect we'll be very good friends we she grows up. I really enjoy being in her company, 'cause she be a funny girl!
When it was over and I was packing up the stuff to take to the Goodwill, the UPS man pulled up in front of my house. Unusual to see the man in brown on a Saturday, but there he was. He was a nice lookin' man in brown, too.
He brought me a box and wished me a Happy Mother's Day.
The box was from 1-800 flowers. I thought, "Aw! My hubby sent me flowers!"
Then I opened the box and saw these:
and I read this:
Those gorgeous tulips were a gift from my younger sister. I was floored.
I was so touched, because I don't think she's ever given me a gift for Mother's Day. I didn't expect one.
But I love it. I love that she took the time to send them to me. I love tulips. LOVE them.
Thanks, Neener. You really made my day.
Wrong.
I found more junk in my basement than I expected to have. I just kept pulling things out. It needed to be done, really, but man, am I tired and sore because of it.
Today was the sale. We had gorgeous weather and a great turnout. We made $178, which is nothing to sneeze at. Nice chunk of change.
The best part was spending 5 hours with my daughter. My husband took the little ones to his mom's on Friday night so they'd be out of my hair today. My 7 year-old spent most of his time playing computer games, then realized he was all alone inside the house and came out to sit with us.
From 7:15 (!) a.m. until about 11 am it was just me and Camryn minding the store. We had fun selling our junk, watching the people come and go, and just talking and laughing together. If our relationship survives the teen years, I suspect we'll be very good friends we she grows up. I really enjoy being in her company, 'cause she be a funny girl!
When it was over and I was packing up the stuff to take to the Goodwill, the UPS man pulled up in front of my house. Unusual to see the man in brown on a Saturday, but there he was. He was a nice lookin' man in brown, too.
He brought me a box and wished me a Happy Mother's Day.
The box was from 1-800 flowers. I thought, "Aw! My hubby sent me flowers!"
Then I opened the box and saw these:
and I read this:
Those gorgeous tulips were a gift from my younger sister. I was floored.
I was so touched, because I don't think she's ever given me a gift for Mother's Day. I didn't expect one.
But I love it. I love that she took the time to send them to me. I love tulips. LOVE them.
Thanks, Neener. You really made my day.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Blog Challenge: Picture Perfect
This week's Blog Challenge from ScrapShare, posted by my friend Joanie:
This is my choice:
This is the photo that came to mind when I read the blog challenge. It's one of my favorite photos that I've ever taken.
I love pictures that capture that essence of who we are. It got me thinking about my own loved ones and how much I treasure those few photos that capture the magic of that person I love. So the challenge this week is to post a picture of someone you love. It can't be just any picture, it should be one of those pictures that you look at and you really see something about that person.Once you find that special picture, post it in your blog and tell us what it is that makes it special.This is not limited to children, or spouses. It is for anyone, even beloved pets.
This is my choice:
This is the photo that came to mind when I read the blog challenge. It's one of my favorite photos that I've ever taken.
That's my daughter, Lillian, on the left. She was 2, I think. That's my dad on the right, doing his "I'm gonna' make you laugh" face for Lillian. It worked, 'cause she's laughing.
My dad loves me and my sister so much, and he always made it a point to tell us that and show us that love as we grew up. I'm so grateful to have had a sensitive, caring, loving, funny daddy, because there aren't many of those in this world. I was blessed to have married a man just like Dad, too. The men in my life truly love their families, would choose their company over any other, and that is precious and rare.
My daddy has a great laugh. He doesn't laugh at everything; he's kind of selective. He loves slapstick humor and intelligent humor the most. I have to say I swell with pride when I make my dad laugh. I am honored that something I said tickled his funny bone, because he's a smart man, and he appreciates a smart joke. The same can be said of my husband. He's very similar to my dad in a lot of ways, but that one area more than any. I love making those guys snicker, because to me it says I'm smart if I can make a smart person laugh.
I love that picture because it reminds me of my dad's love of laughter and his love for his family. I can almost hear Lillian giggling when I look at it. It makes me giggle, too.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
One Word
Not as easy as you might think... answer each question with only one word!
1. Where is your cell phone? car
2. Significant other? work
3. Your hair? grey
4.Your mother? intelligent
5. Your father? talented
6. Your favorite thing? pajamas
7. Your dream last night? weird
8. Your favorite drink? tea
9. Your dream/goal? debtless
10. The room you're in? scrap
11. Your hobby? scrapbooking
12. Your fear? drowning
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What you're not? sad
16. Muffins? banana
17. One of your wish list items? ring
18. Where you grew up? missed
19. The last thing you did? dishes
20. What are you wearing? shorts!
21. Your TV? distraction
22. Your pets? soft
23. Your computer? distraction
24. Your life? amazing
25. Your mood? upbeat
26. Missing someone? parents
27. Your car ? overused
28. Something you're not wearing? jewelry
29. Favorite store? Target
30. Your summer? anticipated
31. Like someone? children
32. Your favorite color? red
33. When is the last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? dunno
1. Where is your cell phone? car
2. Significant other? work
3. Your hair? grey
4.Your mother? intelligent
5. Your father? talented
6. Your favorite thing? pajamas
7. Your dream last night? weird
8. Your favorite drink? tea
9. Your dream/goal? debtless
10. The room you're in? scrap
11. Your hobby? scrapbooking
12. Your fear? drowning
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What you're not? sad
16. Muffins? banana
17. One of your wish list items? ring
18. Where you grew up? missed
19. The last thing you did? dishes
20. What are you wearing? shorts!
21. Your TV? distraction
22. Your pets? soft
23. Your computer? distraction
24. Your life? amazing
25. Your mood? upbeat
26. Missing someone? parents
27. Your car ? overused
28. Something you're not wearing? jewelry
29. Favorite store? Target
30. Your summer? anticipated
31. Like someone? children
32. Your favorite color? red
33. When is the last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? dunno
Friday, April 25, 2008
Accomplishment
I shared my to do list a few blog entries ago, and I'm proud to say it's partially finished. I feel empowered!
On Wednesday, Lillian and I cleared the ledge. We left a few things in place, because there is a huge neighborhood yard sale on May 10th, and there were some things on the ledge that need to go in the sale, or in the trash can outside, or to the dump.
And then we cleaned out and organized the bottom tall cabinet (to be 100% honest, Lillian enjoyed some Goldfish and an apple juice box and verbally encouraged me while I worked, saying things like, "Wow, Mommy! You are a good cleaner girl!")
Now that cabinet holds paper towels (previously stored under the kitchen desk) and the kids' lunchbox stuff.
When my husband came home, he was inspired by my enthusiasm, and he finished emptying the upper tall cabinet.
Well, I'll say that he was more inspired by me saying, "That upper cabinet is your stuff, so you need to grab a box and clean it out," but he actually took the suggestion to heart, so I'll give him credit. He saved a few of his Nutri System entrees, because he likes them (shiver). Ick.
The Nutri System boxes are now sitting in the floor of my scrapbook room, waiting to be photographed and listed on eBay. Hopefully I'll get around to that this weekend, but I also have to help the boys clean out their closet (again) and rotate the summer clothes to the bottom racks of the kids' closets.... and then there's the laundry. Always the laundry. So if I just get the Nutri System photographed and organized, that will be a big hurdle cleared.
And, it wasn't on my original list, but I did get the countertop cleaned off this morning. It was cluttered with junk, and now it looks like this:
In other news, here's what Quinn and I worked on last night while Daddy took Camryn and Aiden to Math & Science night at their school:
I'm so very proud of him, because just 2 weeks ago he was stumbling over naming the letters. I had a conference with his 4K teacher and we talked about some things we could do to enrich his letter learning. They've worked, because now he's calling out letters he sees on signs when we're in the car, and he is copying words I write. I'm amazed at his progress, and he is so very proud of himself!
A couple of other tidbits...
Camryn's room has remained clean the entire month. She has needed some reminders, so I think we'll give her a small reward at the end of the month and encourage her to keep cleaning without reminders. Then she will get the loft bed. (The original agreement was that we would consider the bed at the end of April... there was never a guarantee...)
Aiden never ceases to amaze me with his intellect and powers of reasoning. A few days ago I was sitting with him watching something about space. Maybe Nova or Discovery channel or something (the kid DVRs everything that has anything to do with science!) The topic was way over my head (galaxies and black holes and whatnot... yawn...) but Aiden was thoroughly engrossed. I was half listening, so I got the gist of what they were saying: in billions of years our galaxy will collide with the Andromeda galaxy. Gotcha.
At one point Aiden looked at me, and I could see the gears turning. He said, "Hmmm... I bet when that happens, we'll have a lot more planets in our solar system."
You go, baby Carl Sagan. You rock that space stuff, son. I'll just sit here and pretend to know what you're talking about. (The kid got his scientific curiousity from his Daddy...that's for darn sure!)
So that's what's happening here this week. It's been a pretty good one, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da. Life goes on.
On Wednesday, Lillian and I cleared the ledge. We left a few things in place, because there is a huge neighborhood yard sale on May 10th, and there were some things on the ledge that need to go in the sale, or in the trash can outside, or to the dump.
And then we cleaned out and organized the bottom tall cabinet (to be 100% honest, Lillian enjoyed some Goldfish and an apple juice box and verbally encouraged me while I worked, saying things like, "Wow, Mommy! You are a good cleaner girl!")
Now that cabinet holds paper towels (previously stored under the kitchen desk) and the kids' lunchbox stuff.
When my husband came home, he was inspired by my enthusiasm, and he finished emptying the upper tall cabinet.
Well, I'll say that he was more inspired by me saying, "That upper cabinet is your stuff, so you need to grab a box and clean it out," but he actually took the suggestion to heart, so I'll give him credit. He saved a few of his Nutri System entrees, because he likes them (shiver). Ick.
The Nutri System boxes are now sitting in the floor of my scrapbook room, waiting to be photographed and listed on eBay. Hopefully I'll get around to that this weekend, but I also have to help the boys clean out their closet (again) and rotate the summer clothes to the bottom racks of the kids' closets.... and then there's the laundry. Always the laundry. So if I just get the Nutri System photographed and organized, that will be a big hurdle cleared.
And, it wasn't on my original list, but I did get the countertop cleaned off this morning. It was cluttered with junk, and now it looks like this:
In other news, here's what Quinn and I worked on last night while Daddy took Camryn and Aiden to Math & Science night at their school:
I'm so very proud of him, because just 2 weeks ago he was stumbling over naming the letters. I had a conference with his 4K teacher and we talked about some things we could do to enrich his letter learning. They've worked, because now he's calling out letters he sees on signs when we're in the car, and he is copying words I write. I'm amazed at his progress, and he is so very proud of himself!
A couple of other tidbits...
Camryn's room has remained clean the entire month. She has needed some reminders, so I think we'll give her a small reward at the end of the month and encourage her to keep cleaning without reminders. Then she will get the loft bed. (The original agreement was that we would consider the bed at the end of April... there was never a guarantee...)
Aiden never ceases to amaze me with his intellect and powers of reasoning. A few days ago I was sitting with him watching something about space. Maybe Nova or Discovery channel or something (the kid DVRs everything that has anything to do with science!) The topic was way over my head (galaxies and black holes and whatnot... yawn...) but Aiden was thoroughly engrossed. I was half listening, so I got the gist of what they were saying: in billions of years our galaxy will collide with the Andromeda galaxy. Gotcha.
At one point Aiden looked at me, and I could see the gears turning. He said, "Hmmm... I bet when that happens, we'll have a lot more planets in our solar system."
You go, baby Carl Sagan. You rock that space stuff, son. I'll just sit here and pretend to know what you're talking about. (The kid got his scientific curiousity from his Daddy...that's for darn sure!)
So that's what's happening here this week. It's been a pretty good one, and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da. Life goes on.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Reading is Fundamental
Yesterday after lunch (Welcome to Moe's!), my husband took my two younger children to spend the afternoon at his mother's house at her request. He offered to pick them up on the way home from work yesterday evening, so I didn't have to go get them.
Works for me.
I picked up our two older children from school and decided to spend the afternoon with them, since that's not something we get to do often. We stopped at our favorite gas station/restaurant/bait shop/convenience store and got some junk food, then drove down to a book store my daughter has been begging to visit. The books were supposed to be cheap, and I'm all about cheap!
When we got there, I felt safe letting the children go to the kids' book section while I browsed the adult books. I told them they could spend $15 each, so they took off in search of literary treasure.
We met back up about 30 minutes later, arms laden with stories to be explored. Together we chose books for the little ones, since we couldn't leave them out.
The car was quiet on the drive home. Each of the kids had his or her nose in a book. I love the silence created when the kids are reading. I love that they enjoy diving into stories and learning things only books can provide. LOVE that.
Last night after everyone was in pajamas, I was cleaning the kitchen and noticed it was somewhat quiet in the house. I peeked around the corner of the kitchen and saw this:
and this:
and this:
My three youngest children, who live for that last 10 minutes of computer or Wii play before bedtime, were sitting on the couch, together, TOUCHING, reading that Star Wars book. Well, Aiden was reading it, but Quinn and Lillian were sitting QUIETLY, enraptured while Aiden read.
Amazing.
That's the power of words, y'all.
Works for me.
I picked up our two older children from school and decided to spend the afternoon with them, since that's not something we get to do often. We stopped at our favorite gas station/restaurant/bait shop/convenience store and got some junk food, then drove down to a book store my daughter has been begging to visit. The books were supposed to be cheap, and I'm all about cheap!
When we got there, I felt safe letting the children go to the kids' book section while I browsed the adult books. I told them they could spend $15 each, so they took off in search of literary treasure.
We met back up about 30 minutes later, arms laden with stories to be explored. Together we chose books for the little ones, since we couldn't leave them out.
The car was quiet on the drive home. Each of the kids had his or her nose in a book. I love the silence created when the kids are reading. I love that they enjoy diving into stories and learning things only books can provide. LOVE that.
Last night after everyone was in pajamas, I was cleaning the kitchen and noticed it was somewhat quiet in the house. I peeked around the corner of the kitchen and saw this:
and this:
and this:
My three youngest children, who live for that last 10 minutes of computer or Wii play before bedtime, were sitting on the couch, together, TOUCHING, reading that Star Wars book. Well, Aiden was reading it, but Quinn and Lillian were sitting QUIETLY, enraptured while Aiden read.
Amazing.
That's the power of words, y'all.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Found Treasure
When I was back "home" in Alabama in the fall, my mom gave me a box full of recipes. The box had been at my grandparents' house when it was cleaned out after my grandfather died in 1999. I took the box thinking I could go through the recipes and make a scrapbook of them.
My grandmother passed away in February, and since then I have been craving her Mississippi Mud Cake. I found a recipe for it when I Googled "Mississippi Mud Cake", and I made the cake, but it just wasn't my grandmother's mud cake. The icing wasn't right, and I don't think she cooked the marshmallows, because that makes them tough. Her marshmallows were creamy.
I remembered the box of recipes yesterday. I had completely forgotten that I owned it. It's been tucked away in a closet since October.
I sat on the couch last night and went through the box. The kids and I had a few laughs over some of the stuff in the box. There were old vacuum cleaner ads from the 70s, grocery store flyers, recipes written on the backs of deposit slips. And oh, the pie recipes. Doris had a sweet tooth, and it was never more evident than in that recipe box. Of the hundreds of cards and clippings we found in the box, I'd say about 15 were for meat or side dishes. The rest were pies, cakes, candies, fudge, or homemade pickles. (The woman made a mean homemade pickle. I wish I still had a few jars of her sweet pickles. Maybe I can get my mom to help me make some pickles this summer...)
After just a few minutes of searching, I found an envelope addressed to my grandmother from a friend of hers. Inside was one single sheet of notebook paper with a recipe written on it. The recipe was for Mississippi Mud Cake. I don't know who the friend was or why she mailed the recipe to my grandmother, but there it was.
Later on in our recipe box dig we found an index card with the same recipe rewritten in my grandmother's handwriting. THAT was a treasure.
I can't wait to try her actual recipe for Mississippi Mud Cake. I can almost taste it. I can see myself sitting at her old Formica kitchen table in one of her sparkly vinyl chairs, enjoying that delicious cake. She always had a cake or pie on the table. Sometimes it was homemade, sometimes store bought, but she always had something sweet there.
And no, she didn't cook the marshmallows when she made her Mud Cake.
"Pour marshmallows on top of hot cake and let them melt slightly, then pour icing over the top."
I guess she didn't like chewy marshmallows, either. My kind of gal.
My grandmother passed away in February, and since then I have been craving her Mississippi Mud Cake. I found a recipe for it when I Googled "Mississippi Mud Cake", and I made the cake, but it just wasn't my grandmother's mud cake. The icing wasn't right, and I don't think she cooked the marshmallows, because that makes them tough. Her marshmallows were creamy.
I remembered the box of recipes yesterday. I had completely forgotten that I owned it. It's been tucked away in a closet since October.
I sat on the couch last night and went through the box. The kids and I had a few laughs over some of the stuff in the box. There were old vacuum cleaner ads from the 70s, grocery store flyers, recipes written on the backs of deposit slips. And oh, the pie recipes. Doris had a sweet tooth, and it was never more evident than in that recipe box. Of the hundreds of cards and clippings we found in the box, I'd say about 15 were for meat or side dishes. The rest were pies, cakes, candies, fudge, or homemade pickles. (The woman made a mean homemade pickle. I wish I still had a few jars of her sweet pickles. Maybe I can get my mom to help me make some pickles this summer...)
After just a few minutes of searching, I found an envelope addressed to my grandmother from a friend of hers. Inside was one single sheet of notebook paper with a recipe written on it. The recipe was for Mississippi Mud Cake. I don't know who the friend was or why she mailed the recipe to my grandmother, but there it was.
Later on in our recipe box dig we found an index card with the same recipe rewritten in my grandmother's handwriting. THAT was a treasure.
I can't wait to try her actual recipe for Mississippi Mud Cake. I can almost taste it. I can see myself sitting at her old Formica kitchen table in one of her sparkly vinyl chairs, enjoying that delicious cake. She always had a cake or pie on the table. Sometimes it was homemade, sometimes store bought, but she always had something sweet there.
And no, she didn't cook the marshmallows when she made her Mud Cake.
"Pour marshmallows on top of hot cake and let them melt slightly, then pour icing over the top."
I guess she didn't like chewy marshmallows, either. My kind of gal.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Passing the Torch
Tonight we're having pot roast with carrots and potatoes for dinner. It's my mom's recipe, I guess passed down from her mother, because I remember eating in on Sundays after church at my grandmother's house.
(That opens up a whole 'nother can of memories of being in my stocking feet, "ice skating" on the slick floor of her foyer, or trying on my mother's high heels waiting for the day I could buy my own pair. I remember sitting at my grandmother's table, smashing my potatoes to smithereens, then adding Miracle Whip to them to make mashed potatoes. I gotta stop; I'm gettin' hungry! Where is that husband of mine so we can EAT already?!?)
My grandmother served her pot roast with a pan of store bought Parker House Rolls, which were perfect for soaking up the gravy from the roast. I could eat an entire pan of those fabulous rectangles of heaven all by myself (Yes, my name is Beth, and I'm a bread addict...)
When Mom made pot roast, she served us her homemade Pop Up rolls, which are an entirely different palmful of deliciousness. They're so easy to make, and they go great with anything (but I like to make them when I have some sort of gravy, because dadgummit if that's not nature's perfect food!)
Tonight my 10 year-old daughter volunteered to make the Pop Up rolls. She measured everything so perfectly, stirred everything so well, and dropped the dough into the muffin cups. And no, I didn't take pictures. I plum fergot. I think I was overwhelmed at the thought of rolls and rich roast gravy, to tell the truth.
I saw the rolls a few minutes ago when my daughter brought them to me for inspection. They didn't pop over like they're supposed to (I think she beat them too long), but they look good enough to be gravy sponges, which is what they are.
Where *IS* that husband of mine?!? I'm going to eat my left arm if he doesn't hurry it up, already!
Oh, do you want the recipe for Pop Up rolls? I'll share it with you, but be warned. They're addictive, and I will not be held responsible for your carbohydrate coma if you eat too many.
2 cups Self Rising flour
2 T granulated sugar
2 T mayonnaise (puh lease, no low fat, but if you must...)
1 cup milk
Mix together all ingredients and scoop into greased muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Makes 6-9 rolls. (I usually double the recipe.)
And while I'm at it, do you want the Pot Roast recipe, too?
1 sirloin tip roast, or bottom round roast, (2 to 3 lbs? I never look!)
2 (10 3/4 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup (only Campbell's will do!)
1 pkg Lipton dry onion soup mix (if you don't have onion soup mix, chop a small onion)
salt & pepper
In a deep skillet, brown roast on both sides. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
While the roast is browning, stir together the mushroom soup, plus 2 cans of water (use the soup cans). Stir in Lipton Soup mix.
Place roast in Crock Pot. Pour soup mix over roast.
Cook on high 3 to 4 hours. About 2 hours before dinnertime, add 1 pound of baby carrots (or slice your own regular carrots) and 14 to 15 small (peeled) red potatoes, halved (or 5-6 large potatoes, quartered).
Cook until vegetables are tender. Serve meat with gravy. And the rolls, if you haven't already inhaled them all.
(That opens up a whole 'nother can of memories of being in my stocking feet, "ice skating" on the slick floor of her foyer, or trying on my mother's high heels waiting for the day I could buy my own pair. I remember sitting at my grandmother's table, smashing my potatoes to smithereens, then adding Miracle Whip to them to make mashed potatoes. I gotta stop; I'm gettin' hungry! Where is that husband of mine so we can EAT already?!?)
My grandmother served her pot roast with a pan of store bought Parker House Rolls, which were perfect for soaking up the gravy from the roast. I could eat an entire pan of those fabulous rectangles of heaven all by myself (Yes, my name is Beth, and I'm a bread addict...)
When Mom made pot roast, she served us her homemade Pop Up rolls, which are an entirely different palmful of deliciousness. They're so easy to make, and they go great with anything (but I like to make them when I have some sort of gravy, because dadgummit if that's not nature's perfect food!)
Tonight my 10 year-old daughter volunteered to make the Pop Up rolls. She measured everything so perfectly, stirred everything so well, and dropped the dough into the muffin cups. And no, I didn't take pictures. I plum fergot. I think I was overwhelmed at the thought of rolls and rich roast gravy, to tell the truth.
I saw the rolls a few minutes ago when my daughter brought them to me for inspection. They didn't pop over like they're supposed to (I think she beat them too long), but they look good enough to be gravy sponges, which is what they are.
Where *IS* that husband of mine?!? I'm going to eat my left arm if he doesn't hurry it up, already!
Oh, do you want the recipe for Pop Up rolls? I'll share it with you, but be warned. They're addictive, and I will not be held responsible for your carbohydrate coma if you eat too many.
2 cups Self Rising flour
2 T granulated sugar
2 T mayonnaise (puh lease, no low fat, but if you must...)
1 cup milk
Mix together all ingredients and scoop into greased muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Makes 6-9 rolls. (I usually double the recipe.)
And while I'm at it, do you want the Pot Roast recipe, too?
1 sirloin tip roast, or bottom round roast, (2 to 3 lbs? I never look!)
2 (10 3/4 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup (only Campbell's will do!)
1 pkg Lipton dry onion soup mix (if you don't have onion soup mix, chop a small onion)
salt & pepper
In a deep skillet, brown roast on both sides. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
While the roast is browning, stir together the mushroom soup, plus 2 cans of water (use the soup cans). Stir in Lipton Soup mix.
Place roast in Crock Pot. Pour soup mix over roast.
Cook on high 3 to 4 hours. About 2 hours before dinnertime, add 1 pound of baby carrots (or slice your own regular carrots) and 14 to 15 small (peeled) red potatoes, halved (or 5-6 large potatoes, quartered).
Cook until vegetables are tender. Serve meat with gravy. And the rolls, if you haven't already inhaled them all.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
My To Do List... in Pictures!
Here's what I have on my to do list. I'm hoping that posting pictures here will shame me into getting these things DONE.
Maybe.
We'll see.
(1) This video cabinet in the den needs to be cleaned out. I did it about 6 months ago, adding those pull-out baskets, but it just got junky again. Truth be told, the kids don't watch VCR movies much anymore. We really need to invest in a DVD/VCR combo so we can copy the VCR tapes to DVDs.
Yeah.
That's why I'm putting off that job.
That's the ticket.
(2) This cabinet above my kitchen desk needs to be rid of all the baskets. They've been there since we moved in 2 years ago. I'm not using the baskets, and they could be sold on eBay for cold, hard cash. I just need to pull them down, photograph them, and list them for sale.
Sounds easy enough, huh?
It would be easier if someone would knock on my door and ask if I had any Longaberger baskets for sale. THAT would be easy, but that ain't gonna happen.
Hold on... there's a knock at the door...
(3) More stuff that needs to be put on eBay. See all that NutriSystem food? I had high hopes for that stuff, if you'll remember from my blog entry about it. I could probably lose more weight eating dog food, and it would be about as tasty. Anyhow, it's taking up precious cabinet space and it needs to go.
(4) This is the ledge in the stairwell leading to my basement. Stuff always gets piled here. Outgrown clothing, old towels, games that belong downstairs (but are hauled up to the first floor to be played), stuff we should just chuck or give to the Goodwill.... it's all there. It needs to be somewhere else. It's going to fall over soon, so this probably should be number one on my list.
So that's it. My to do list.
My "It's not getting done because it's mostly hidden behind doors" list.
Eh. More like my "I'll do it one day" list.
Meh. More like my "My kids can go through it when I'm dead and buried" list.
Maybe.
We'll see.
(1) This video cabinet in the den needs to be cleaned out. I did it about 6 months ago, adding those pull-out baskets, but it just got junky again. Truth be told, the kids don't watch VCR movies much anymore. We really need to invest in a DVD/VCR combo so we can copy the VCR tapes to DVDs.
Yeah.
That's why I'm putting off that job.
That's the ticket.
(2) This cabinet above my kitchen desk needs to be rid of all the baskets. They've been there since we moved in 2 years ago. I'm not using the baskets, and they could be sold on eBay for cold, hard cash. I just need to pull them down, photograph them, and list them for sale.
Sounds easy enough, huh?
It would be easier if someone would knock on my door and ask if I had any Longaberger baskets for sale. THAT would be easy, but that ain't gonna happen.
Hold on... there's a knock at the door...
(3) More stuff that needs to be put on eBay. See all that NutriSystem food? I had high hopes for that stuff, if you'll remember from my blog entry about it. I could probably lose more weight eating dog food, and it would be about as tasty. Anyhow, it's taking up precious cabinet space and it needs to go.
(4) This is the ledge in the stairwell leading to my basement. Stuff always gets piled here. Outgrown clothing, old towels, games that belong downstairs (but are hauled up to the first floor to be played), stuff we should just chuck or give to the Goodwill.... it's all there. It needs to be somewhere else. It's going to fall over soon, so this probably should be number one on my list.
So that's it. My to do list.
My "It's not getting done because it's mostly hidden behind doors" list.
Eh. More like my "I'll do it one day" list.
Meh. More like my "My kids can go through it when I'm dead and buried" list.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday Thoughts
It's currently 71.1 degrees in Orlando right now. iGoogle taunts me with the Orlando weather every time I sign on, because I gave it permission to do so. I like knowing the Orlando weather, but not on days when it's 48.9 degrees where I live. Sheesh. It was gorgeous over the weekend, and now this AGAIN. If I'm going to have an allergy-induced cotton wad in the back of my throat, I'd at least like it to be because Spring is here to stay. It feels more like winter outside, and I DON'T LIKE IT.
(I shaved for this? I want to wear shorts, doggone it! I didn't pull out the Intuition razor just to have to cover my bare legs with long pants yet again!)
=================================================
Today is day 14 of no eating out (except on Sundays after church). When I put this plan into motion, I wasn't sure how it would work. 'Twas an adventurous experiment.
I planned out 2 weeks' worth of menus and committed myself to at least that many days of homecooked meals. There have been some complaints about the menu, but for the most part, I can say it's working. We have modified the schedule so that I can take Fridays off (we have leftovers and give the kids Totino's pizza), and I don't cook on Sunday nights. After a big Sunday lunch out, most of us aren't very hungry anyway. We either have sandwiches or cereal. Works for me.
I have noticed three major differences in our family since starting this experiment:
(1) We're not rushing to dinner and back from dinner, getting everyone quickly bathed and dressed, then racing to get the kids in bed before 8 pm. Now we have a leisurely dinner at home. We talk more, the kids linger over their food, they help more with the clean-up, and we have lots of time to sit together and talk in the den, or watch Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy, or play a quick Wii game together. Going out to eat is supposed to save time, but I've really found the opposite to be true.
(2) We're not eating as many calories. I've lost a little weight without really trying to, simply because we're not eating in restaurants where I can't control the preparation of my meal.
(3) Our kids are much happier, and their attitudes have vastly improved. More time with Mom & Dad means happier, more obedient children. I'm not kidding. I *knew* that, but when we were eating out so much there just wasn't time to spend time, ya' know?
I have to admit I'm more fulfilled cooking for my family, too. I love to cook for everyone; it just meets a need I have to serve my loved ones. I love doing things for people, because it makes me feel important. Then there's the part of me that loves to be organized, and having the menu planned out really meets that need for me. I feel in control, and that gives me a huge amount of satisfaction.
Dinner's beeping, and there are two children in the tub that need to be washed. Wish today's thoughts could've been funnier, but they are what they are.
Happy Monday!
(I shaved for this? I want to wear shorts, doggone it! I didn't pull out the Intuition razor just to have to cover my bare legs with long pants yet again!)
=================================================
Today is day 14 of no eating out (except on Sundays after church). When I put this plan into motion, I wasn't sure how it would work. 'Twas an adventurous experiment.
I planned out 2 weeks' worth of menus and committed myself to at least that many days of homecooked meals. There have been some complaints about the menu, but for the most part, I can say it's working. We have modified the schedule so that I can take Fridays off (we have leftovers and give the kids Totino's pizza), and I don't cook on Sunday nights. After a big Sunday lunch out, most of us aren't very hungry anyway. We either have sandwiches or cereal. Works for me.
I have noticed three major differences in our family since starting this experiment:
(1) We're not rushing to dinner and back from dinner, getting everyone quickly bathed and dressed, then racing to get the kids in bed before 8 pm. Now we have a leisurely dinner at home. We talk more, the kids linger over their food, they help more with the clean-up, and we have lots of time to sit together and talk in the den, or watch Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy, or play a quick Wii game together. Going out to eat is supposed to save time, but I've really found the opposite to be true.
(2) We're not eating as many calories. I've lost a little weight without really trying to, simply because we're not eating in restaurants where I can't control the preparation of my meal.
(3) Our kids are much happier, and their attitudes have vastly improved. More time with Mom & Dad means happier, more obedient children. I'm not kidding. I *knew* that, but when we were eating out so much there just wasn't time to spend time, ya' know?
I have to admit I'm more fulfilled cooking for my family, too. I love to cook for everyone; it just meets a need I have to serve my loved ones. I love doing things for people, because it makes me feel important. Then there's the part of me that loves to be organized, and having the menu planned out really meets that need for me. I feel in control, and that gives me a huge amount of satisfaction.
Dinner's beeping, and there are two children in the tub that need to be washed. Wish today's thoughts could've been funnier, but they are what they are.
Happy Monday!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
ABC Favorites
An alphabetical list of my favorite things, inspired by Ellen DeGeneres.
A- Aiden, apple pie, Amazing Grace (the song), Auburn football, Alabama (my home state)
B- banana bread, books, bubble baths, beach vacations, Brooke (my sister), bleached white clothes fresh from the dryer, beauty pageants, Billy Joel
C- chocolate pie (my grandmother's), Camryn, conversation, clean sheets, cooking, compliments, Christmas, candy apples
D- Disney World, Date Night, Dirty Jobs, Dr. Pepper, DVR, deviled eggs
E- Easter, elegant stationery, Eighties music
F- flannel sheets, freebies, friends I can trust, fall days, fresh bread, funnel cakes
G- good movies, getting dressed up, General Hospital
H- History Channel, handwritten notes, hotels, haircuts
I- iTunes, iPod, ice cream
J- Jeopardy, John Grisham novels, John Hughes films, Japanese hibachi
K- kindness, Kool Aid (grape or cherry), Kit Kat bars, kids' freshly shampooed hair
L- Lillian, learning something new, laughter, laundry fresh from the dryer, lunch dates with my hubby, lazy days
M- Mexican food, my husband, marching bands, massages, making up, Mountain Dew
N- new experiences, naps, Nachos Bellgrande from Taco Bell, Nascar
O- Olive Garden, Oscar awards ceremony, orange (the color)
P- pedicures, paying it forward, pens, Pine Sol (the smell of), PayDay candy bars, powdered donuts
Q- Quinn, quarters, quotes
R- road trips, random acts of kindness, red
S- Saturday Night Live, scrapbooking, snuggling my children, shopping, surprises, sunsets, Sunday afternoons, swimming, summer
T- Target, tulips, talking to my husband, travel, teaching, Thanksgiving, time alone, toile
U- undisturbed sleep, unexpected gifts
V- Van Morrison music, vacations
W- whispered words, warm sunshine, Wii (I just rediscovered Super Mario!), words of encouragement, watermelon Jolly Ranchers
X- x-ing things off my to-do list, XXXL pajamas, X-Rays at the dentist (I love that heavy lead sheet they put on you!), X-Files reruns
Y- yellow roses, yard sales, Yankee candles
Z- Zero bars, zucchini
A- Aiden, apple pie, Amazing Grace (the song), Auburn football, Alabama (my home state)
B- banana bread, books, bubble baths, beach vacations, Brooke (my sister), bleached white clothes fresh from the dryer, beauty pageants, Billy Joel
C- chocolate pie (my grandmother's), Camryn, conversation, clean sheets, cooking, compliments, Christmas, candy apples
D- Disney World, Date Night, Dirty Jobs, Dr. Pepper, DVR, deviled eggs
E- Easter, elegant stationery, Eighties music
F- flannel sheets, freebies, friends I can trust, fall days, fresh bread, funnel cakes
G- good movies, getting dressed up, General Hospital
H- History Channel, handwritten notes, hotels, haircuts
I- iTunes, iPod, ice cream
J- Jeopardy, John Grisham novels, John Hughes films, Japanese hibachi
K- kindness, Kool Aid (grape or cherry), Kit Kat bars, kids' freshly shampooed hair
L- Lillian, learning something new, laughter, laundry fresh from the dryer, lunch dates with my hubby, lazy days
M- Mexican food, my husband, marching bands, massages, making up, Mountain Dew
N- new experiences, naps, Nachos Bellgrande from Taco Bell, Nascar
O- Olive Garden, Oscar awards ceremony, orange (the color)
P- pedicures, paying it forward, pens, Pine Sol (the smell of), PayDay candy bars, powdered donuts
Q- Quinn, quarters, quotes
R- road trips, random acts of kindness, red
S- Saturday Night Live, scrapbooking, snuggling my children, shopping, surprises, sunsets, Sunday afternoons, swimming, summer
T- Target, tulips, talking to my husband, travel, teaching, Thanksgiving, time alone, toile
U- undisturbed sleep, unexpected gifts
V- Van Morrison music, vacations
W- whispered words, warm sunshine, Wii (I just rediscovered Super Mario!), words of encouragement, watermelon Jolly Ranchers
X- x-ing things off my to-do list, XXXL pajamas, X-Rays at the dentist (I love that heavy lead sheet they put on you!), X-Files reruns
Y- yellow roses, yard sales, Yankee candles
Z- Zero bars, zucchini
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Blog Challenge #12 - Getting To Know You
Blog Challenge #12 - Getting To Know You
Copy and paste the following section into your blog and answer as best as you can. You can elaborate (I hope you do), you can post pictures, you can be deep, you can be funny. Whatever you choose -just be honest.
Second part of the challenge - post a picture (from this week) of you at your computer. Don't worry about cleaning up - just post and have fun.
1) Right now I want:
My sore throat to go away. I've had it for about 3 days. I usually get one during allergy season, but it still hurts, even if I'm expecting it!
2) I wish I knew how to:
Sew. I have a sewing machine. I have made things with it. I just don't have the patience to really learn how to make clothing well.
3) When I want to indulge myself, I:
Take a hot bath and watch a movie in the tub. Mother's Day last year my gift was a small, flat screen TV with a built-in DVD player. It's not often that I watch a movie in the tub, but if I have a couple of hours with nothing to do, that's what I choose.
4) You’ll never see me:
In a bikini. Even if I was skinny, I don't think I'd wear one.
5) A childhood memory that I love:
There are so many. Playing in the dirt behind the bushes at my grandparents' house; picking vegetables in the garden with my grandmother; the feel of cool, just-shelled peas falling through my fingers; road trips in the Caprice Classic station wagon (singing along to Barry Manilow's "Even Now" 8-track); walking around in the deep end as the water started filling our new in-ground pool; playing tennis against the garage door; riding my bicycle up and down the street; the Christmas my sister and I got our Big Wheels and wooden table & benches; snuggling under the warm quilts on a cold night in the bed my sister and I shared as kids... I could go on and on!
6) 2 things I do every single day:
Unload the dishwasher
Wash a load of laundry
7) Happiest moment of 2008, so far:
Gracious. That's hard! I have a happy moment at least once a day, because I have four of the greatest kids and the best husband in the world. They do try my patience some days, but for the most part, I can find joy in every day.
I think I'd have to say my happiest moment was knowing that my grandmother is finally in Heaven. I've mentioned her on my blog before; she had Alzheimer's disease, which was something she'd seen steal her own mother's mind. I hadn't seen my grandmother in a couple of years, because I just couldn't bear to remember her like she had become. When my mom told me Dos had passed away, I was sad, but oh, so happy that she was finally free from her earthly body. It had deteriorated so badly, and to know she was in Heaven and whole again just made me smile.
Something that was said in her eulogy still cracks me up. My grandmother was a very headstrong lady. You couldn't tell her no, and she didn't quit until she got her way. During the eulogy the pastor said, "Something the girls (my mom and aunt) said while I was talking to them about Doris sums up her personality pretty well. They said, 'You could do something the right way. You could do something the wrong way. Or you could do it Doris' way.'" Still makes me laugh.out.loud. Feisty, she was.
8) Describe yourself in 3 words:
Mom. Wife. Content.
9) 2 scrap related goals for this year:
I don't set particular scrap goals for myself. I just try to scrapbook a little each day and enjoy the process of creating.
10) You have $40 that you MUST spend on yourself – what do you do with it?
iTunes or Target, baby. Or maybe a pedicure. Sandal weather is comin'!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
This, I Know, is Payback
As a child I was a stuffer.
When Mom said, "Clean your room!" I would stuff the clutter into the closet and under the bed and dresser instead of putting things back in place. I guess I had better, more important things to do with my time, like playing with Barbies or Strawberry Shortcake dolls or My Little Ponies or reading the next Nancy Drew book in the series. For whatever reason, stuffing just became my method of operation.
Mom always said one day I'd have a child just like me. Why do moms curse us that way? If mine hadn't ever said that, I might have a perfectly lovely daughter who likes to put away her things.
(Yeah, right.)
Instead I gave birth to a stuffer. She's like me in so many ways, so it shouldn't surprise me that this, too, is something we have in common.
(Note: I have since reformed my ways. I am a recovering stuffer. There is hope!)
I picked said stuffer (my 10 year-old, Camryn) up from school yesterday and she immediately revealed that she had no homework to do.
"Perfect!" I said. "We shall spend the afternoon cleaning your room, then!"
"Uh, I mean, um, I do have a little studying to do for a geography test. I neeeeeeeed to study for that, so I guess we'll have to clean my room another day."
"So sorry, chica. We'll do the room, then I'll help you study."
Silence reigned on the drive home. I'm sure I felt tiny daggers pierce my skin as she glared at me from time to time. Mere flesh wounds. I was pumped. Let's do this thang!
We started our project around 4 pm (I had to help Aiden with his homework, which was an entirely different battle...)
Three hours, two bags of garbage, five (yes, FIVE) dirty dishes, half a dozen putrid socks and one laundry basket full of empty hangers later, we were done.
The room is blissfully clean. I can actually get further than the doorjamb without getting a headache.
Bonus: I won't need to buy hangers until the year 2015, IF AT ALL.
Serendipitously, we performed our cleaning on the first of April. My husband and I have offered to buy the child a loft bed (one of her deepest desires in life) if she keeps the room clean until May 1st. We'll see how long it lasts.
I don't think I'll be shelling out the dough for the new bed in 30 days, but she may just surprise me.
And then again, I may find Jimmy Hoffa stuffed under her bed at the end of the month.
Stay tuned, folks. Stay tuned.
When Mom said, "Clean your room!" I would stuff the clutter into the closet and under the bed and dresser instead of putting things back in place. I guess I had better, more important things to do with my time, like playing with Barbies or Strawberry Shortcake dolls or My Little Ponies or reading the next Nancy Drew book in the series. For whatever reason, stuffing just became my method of operation.
Mom always said one day I'd have a child just like me. Why do moms curse us that way? If mine hadn't ever said that, I might have a perfectly lovely daughter who likes to put away her things.
(Yeah, right.)
Instead I gave birth to a stuffer. She's like me in so many ways, so it shouldn't surprise me that this, too, is something we have in common.
(Note: I have since reformed my ways. I am a recovering stuffer. There is hope!)
I picked said stuffer (my 10 year-old, Camryn) up from school yesterday and she immediately revealed that she had no homework to do.
"Perfect!" I said. "We shall spend the afternoon cleaning your room, then!"
"Uh, I mean, um, I do have a little studying to do for a geography test. I neeeeeeeed to study for that, so I guess we'll have to clean my room another day."
"So sorry, chica. We'll do the room, then I'll help you study."
Silence reigned on the drive home. I'm sure I felt tiny daggers pierce my skin as she glared at me from time to time. Mere flesh wounds. I was pumped. Let's do this thang!
We started our project around 4 pm (I had to help Aiden with his homework, which was an entirely different battle...)
Three hours, two bags of garbage, five (yes, FIVE) dirty dishes, half a dozen putrid socks and one laundry basket full of empty hangers later, we were done.
The room is blissfully clean. I can actually get further than the doorjamb without getting a headache.
Bonus: I won't need to buy hangers until the year 2015, IF AT ALL.
Serendipitously, we performed our cleaning on the first of April. My husband and I have offered to buy the child a loft bed (one of her deepest desires in life) if she keeps the room clean until May 1st. We'll see how long it lasts.
I don't think I'll be shelling out the dough for the new bed in 30 days, but she may just surprise me.
And then again, I may find Jimmy Hoffa stuffed under her bed at the end of the month.
Stay tuned, folks. Stay tuned.
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