Monday, September 29, 2008

Mad Money



I give you the new design for the dollar. Rather appropriate wouldn't you agree?

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

What's so funny?

You are. You know you are. I've read your blog. I've smiled, I've laughed, and maybe I've even commented a time to two to just add to the humor of it all.

Well, now there is something we can all do with our humor.

Check this out:
The idea comes from Navel Gazing at its finest and it's called the Blog Book. The hope is to raise money for the Nielsen family. For those of you who are non-locals, you may not be aware of the Nielsens. If that is the case, I encourage you to read their story on the NieNie Recovery Blog.

In a nutshell:
On Saturday, August 16, 2008, Stephanie Nielson was in a plane crash with her husband, Christian Nielson, and his flight instructor, Doug Kinneard, near St. Johns, Arizona. Doug Kinneard passed away soon after arriving at the Maricopa County Hospital.Christian & Stephanie remain in critical condition at Maricopa Burn Center. Christian has sustained burns on over 30% of his body. His wife Stephanie’s body was burned over 80%. Christian and Stephanie have 4 small children,

Nope, I've never met this family, nor have I met the many dedicated and concerned family and friends that have surrounded this couple with their love and support. But their story of how the community has come together to support them in their hours of need is truly amazing. Please, if you will, check it out and show your support too!

*Thanks Vern and Dodi for bringing this project to my attention!

Monday, September 22, 2008

update...

the bribe?
Did.not.work!

Lord help us all...will we survive fifth grade?

The last quiet Monday

This is my last quiet Monday for the next couple of weeks. For the non-locals, the boys "track off" on Thursday which means they'll be home with me for the three weeks that follow.

The alarm goes off, we hit the snooze button. As I lay in bed, savoring the silence, it dawns on me that I'd promised to bring in a butter braid for teacher appreciation breakfast (side bar: who plans these things for Monday morning? Nah, just fussing, I do not want the job...even if I could do it better. I'm smart enough to just smile and cooperate lest I end up getting nominated to take over). It takes 25 minutes to cook, and is due at school in 20 minutes. Oh well: who cares if it was slightly undercooked? Got it baked and delivered all within the recommended time.

Next, one Thing decided he wanted to go to intramurals and the other decided he was still hungry and wanted to finish eating breakfast. Since it was the skinny Thing with usually no appetite that was willing to eat, I decided I'd break my rule of "you've got to agree, I'm not making two trips to drop you off" and hopped in the car to take Thing Two to intramurals.

Finally, Thing One is still eating, when we realize we have to leave NOW or he'll be late. Off he went...mouth full of food, and morning breath. Just glad I won't have to sit next to him in class! And hey, hopefully with a full tummy and a good night's sleep he'll do ok on his math test. A new bakugan is on the line if he scores a 90 or above. (yes, I'll out myself: I've resorted to paying my kid for a decent grade. Desperate times call for desperate measures. You might as well go ahead and call for Super Nanny to visit me: I told this same kid earlier in the weekend "sucks to be you" when he complained about some missing video game. Yeah...I'm up for mother of the year no doubt after this week's performance!)

hey, what happened to my quiet Monday? It wasn't even 0800 and I'd made three trips up to the blasted school? Oh well...it can only get better from here...I hope...

(just don't read Hubby's blog...I'm sure he'll post his woes later today but suffice to say Motorcycle Mistress #2 wasn't wanting to perform her duties this morning! No ignition...or something mechanical that involves ignition).

So much for that peaceful start to a Monday...

Friday, September 19, 2008

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Spelling woes continue

I was helping Thing Two with this week's spelling list. Checking which ones he knew, which ones needed more practice. I call out the word, he writes it on his dry erase board.

I get to "cranky". He writes "mom".

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Should I sound the alarm

or savor the silence?

The Things are as bad as their mom in terms of their being "early birds". But here it is, well past 0800 and they remain sound asleep.

what to do...what to do?

*nothing, I'm thinking a girl could really get used to having the silence of the morning all to herself!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Imitation


As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
So, Thanks to AT for leaving her layouts here for me to "copy" and double thanks to Ms. Smith for creating the design in the first place.

Yeah, and lest you think I"m on top of things...these photos are from TWO years ago...sheesh...gotta do some more copying before AT takes all her inspiring ideas home.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Wordless Wednesday: Welcome to the neighborhood


Details to follow...but I say us locals need to plan a tailgate party for when it opens!

Friday, September 05, 2008

Maybe they do listen?

Last night there was an "issue" at the scout meeting that left the Things and I feeling rather frustrated. Tears were shed, and words were spoken. When out of the blue Thing One announces loud and proud "I know what I'll do...I'll write a persuasive letter!"

Who knew he was aware of this genre of writing?
And wow, I'm impressed that he took his woe is me feelings and is putting them to some sort of appropriate use. Maybe they do listen to their teacher (thanks. Mr. D) and their parents who have harped on the importance of speaking up and taking action when something isn't right.

*and for the curious out there, the matter has already been resolved. With one quick google search I was able to determine that the practice of hosting a raffle at a scout meeting is not only developmentally inappropriate for kids this age (which was my argument) but against the scout rules/regulations.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Wordless Wednesday: Whatever


Yeah, I know it is Thursday. You give me a 3 day weekend and I get all turned around and confused.

And yes, I also know that this is not one of my two things.

But come on, could she be any cuter? She too seems a bit confused because, well...I thought she was all about the ponies? Do they know she's found another love?

Monday, September 01, 2008

Son of a blogger


You know you have your children well trained when they not only strike a pose, but hold it long enough for you to get the photo taken.


Why can they not be this cooperative with other requests? Oh well...today I'll take what I can get.


If you are in the area around 2 local time, we're doing last call at the pool. The water's chilly but the company should be as warm and inviting as ever.