The Last word

For 2007...do I have anything of great importance to blog about before this year ends?

• Gee, why start now? As I am the first to admit that while the stuff I blog about is important to me, it isn't really a blog dedicated to really important things. For those types of blogs, well, I wouldn't know where to send you because that sort of stuff just doesn't interest me. I'm more of a fluff blogger/reader.

Hubby is home. Murphy may now leave the premises.

• Shortly after he and his buddy made it down the mountain, the roads leading to the mountains were closed. I think they remain closed as I am writing this. Regardless, I prefer not to go there in terms of the "what ifs" as I understand their drive home was rather risky. He's home, we're happy he's home and all is well with the world once again (although the oven remains broken, we think we've located the part even though the fools at Sears tell us that it is so old they aren't required to keep the replacement piece).

I'm really rambling here, aren't I?

• Oh well...pretty soon we'll fix ourselves a happy hour drink. Big Booze News for me: while I enjoy a glass of wine, the older I've gotten the more trouble wine has given me in terms of headaches and sleepless nights. So, thanks to a couple friends, I've now joined in the Gin and Tonic bunch. YeeHaw: I can get soused with my dad as that is his favorite drink as well. Figure, if I can't beat him, might as well join him. Gin and Tonics must agree with old people: no headaches, no dry mouth and yet you still end up with that overall happy, toasty warm feeling (and given as cold as it has been lately, yes, I've enjoyed several such beverages).

Oh gosh, would she just shut up...at this rate it will be midnight before anyone gets to the end of this posting.

• 3.2.1: I'm DONE....Happy New Year!

(and no, I didn't type this entry while drinking...that's my story and I"m sticking to it!)
The photos shared in this posting are in tribute to JayZ. You'll never snooze alone, friend.

Murphy's Law: the out of town Hubby edition

Hubby is off bonding with his college buddies. He rarely travels which means being home alone has been a bit of a treat for the me. You know: I get to watch all the HGTV I can stand, and fix hot dogs and fries for dinner (OK, so I get to do these things even when he's home, but you get the idea).

But, it seems Old Mr. Murphy has decided to remind me that being home alone isn't always such a good thing.

Day 1: My fancy roller shade in the bedroom freezes. In the UP position. That means instead of falling asleep in a room that is totally dark, I get to drift off to the glow of the grocery store off in the distance. Nothing causes insomnia faster than rolling on your side and being able to watch the stop light change colors.

Day 2: Blockbuster Home Delivery brings me a chick flick. I get the boys all settled in elsewhere in the hosue and figure I'll watch a chic flick stretched out on the couch, using the big TV. Load DVD in and it locks up. Get the Quirky Kid to help me at least get this rental dvd out of the player...but now am too worried to try again.

Day 3: Inspired to make homemade lasagna, using extra cheese (because Hubby isn't so much a fan of cheese, why he married a girl from Wisconsin is beyond me...but there you have it, my chance to go overboard on the cheese). I place said lasagna in the stove and turn around to see fireworks flying inside my oven. I turn everything off and assume I just need to clean off some of the grime from the stove bottom. Reach in and the heating element crumbles. Oh crap: that lasagna wasn't just because I was feeling domestic, but my college buddy and her 3 hearty appetite kids were coming over for lunch in ONE hour. Luckily I've got good friends that let me use their oven, leave their kitchen smelling oh so delicious and yet, leave them not even a morsel to try. Note to self: must make a lasagna for Judy as a thank you.

So, now I"m wondering...what else will bite the dust with Hubby gone?
I think I'm ready for him to come home...

Ordinary Miracles

A friend sent me an email with all sorts of cute sentiments and adorable graphics....so I'm sort of gonna cheat and copy this person's idea. Shh...don't turn me into the plagiarism police, OK?

I wish you a day of ordinary miracles..

A fresh pot of coffee you didn't have to make yourself (Thanks Colleen)

• An unexpected phone call from an old friend (Nancy and I aren't necessarily old, but we've been friends since 7th grade. Thanks for calling~)




• Green stoplights on your way to work or shop (Or even better, having no where to go and taking all day to get there!)



• I wish you a day filled with little things to rejoice in (only, my little Things aren't so little any more)





• I wish you a day of peace, happiness and joy (which we've had, just don't peek at our Wii stats, or you'll figure out how I managed to create that happiness and find peace)

Merry Christmas

Was all set to brag on my amazing parenting skills as I had both Things in bed and asleep by 8:30 p.m. last night. Yep, I'm so great, you can hardly stand to be my friend, right?

Only at 3:43 a.m., Hubby wakes me up to ask if I too can hear the TV going. Um, I was asleep dude, nope, didn't hear anything until you woke me up.

Seems Thing One had awoken earlier and couldn't fall back asleep so he turned on his DVD player....and now he couldn't fall asleep.

Needless to say, it has been a long day for all of us...and well, I shall pass my Perfect Mommy Crown on to someone else! I can get them to bed ok, just can't manage to keep them asleep!

Pictures to follow...Wii have had a rather fun Christmas Day despite our sleep deprived status.

Humming a tune

Christmas Eve: of all the beautiful Christmas carols I could be humming this morning (my personal favorite is O Holy Night in case anyone wondered)...what is it that I've got stuck in my brain? From Nickelodeon, "Santa's Coming tonight tonight".

Sheesh...more coffee and more music because that is just an unacceptable tune to be humming all stinking' day!

Another one for the men are weird file...

My friend Tracey, recently wrote about her latest "weird man" story. So, I thought I'd share mine. And yes I know Thing Two isn't actually a man yet, but sadly he will grow up to be one long before I"m readu to say goodbye to my carefree little boy.

Thing Two is known for just saying what is on his mind. (gee, now where did he pick up this habit types the guilty mom?) Today, as we were returning from our attempts to surprise some friends with some Holiday treats, he started to wonder what it would be like to have two dilly dinks (OK, so he didn't call it a dilly dink, but I want to keep my G-rating/ dilly dink= code for boy part).

Gasp, choke, I start to worry and perhaps wonder exactly where this conversation is going....so I cautiously asked "what would you do with two?"

"Oh easy Mom, I"d tie them together and make a pretzel!"

And thus knowing this is his line of thinking, maybe he won't be too embarrassed when I show this picture to his prom date. And yep, I'm gonna miss this fella when he becomes a man and starts to discover modesty! PS: Blogger tells me this is my 500th posting. My how time flies when you like talking to yourself!

Pictures...as promised

I was trying to be all fancy like some of my other bloggin' mommas....but apparently my computer and SmileBox don't seem to like each other all that much. So, you'll have to accept just the usual, old fashioned boring old photos. No fancy slide shows, with cute backgrounds. I'll leave that stuff to those with more time on their hands. (just kidding, AT!)

'Tis the Season

• For Christmas parties...I had three this week. Pictures to follow but suffice to say, each one filled my heart with happiness as I realized how blessed I am! I gathered with the neighbor ladies and I realized I have way more wonderful friends than one person deserves to have. The Things each had class parties that reflected the talents of their teachers. Sure, they had fun but there was a learning piece to the celebration which makes it a good use of the school day. The boys are blessed with truly gifted teachers this year who approach their profession with passion and dedication. You know: the types of teachers that there just don't seem to be enough of?
• For Germs....I was feeling a bit cocky as first my boss missed work because her daughter was sick. Then my other boss (both hate to be called Boss, but hey, if I'm the aide, who is it I'm assisting?) had an even sicker child that required hospitalization. Both are improving but now my youngest Thing has succumbed to the germs floating around. A trip in to the doctor confirmed he wasn't just being a stinker and waking me up multiple times last night. Otis media.
• For....oh I don't know...I've got a long list of stuff I should be doing and yet the desire is just not there. Could be that between all the parties and the sniffles this week I"m just fresh out of Martha mojo? But, I knew I"d better update the blog before old Lois came over and started fussin' at me!

Deck the Halls

While I should be swabbing the deck (company coming tomorrow evening for dinner), instead, I'll share a picture of the boys decking the halls.

I hear it is the season for procrastination...why not join in the fun?

What's my problem? The battery has been kaput on my camera for a week now...and yet I can't motivate myself to put it in the charger. These pictures? I took them 2 weeks ago, with Hubby's camera. And, here we are, entering the 3rd week of December, and I just now made a photo file for Dec 07 pictures? And let's not even mention the fact that I've taken the boys sledding three times and yet not snapped a single photo of them having a blast flying down the hills at the school yard. And one of those days even had perfect lighting!

Oh my....they are going to take away my paparazzi card soon! I'm becoming one of those moms....next thing you know I"ll show up at the school party without a camera! Please rescue me before I get this bad

Another overheard remark...

Thing One talks to himself (he gets this from me, I fear). Last night he was playing some sort of online game and he managed to get a high score. Not only did he shout out in cheer, he talked to the computer as if it could hear him (another habit he gets from his mother, and well, probably his maternal grandmother who had the habit of spending her Saturday afternoons hollering at the tv to get those Georgia 'dawgs to get their head into the game). ..."How dumb do you think I am? I didn't leave my brain in Nebraska!".

Ok, I know that Virginia is supposed to be for lovers, and that what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay there, but Nebraska and left behind brains? Hmmm...good thing he's good at math because I think we can safely strike slogan writer from his list of possible career options.

A morning chuckle

With the recent string of winter weather, we're working hard here to not get cabin fever. So the other night, the guys decide to do some elfing.

Check out the "And Baby Makes Three" clip.

There ought to be a law...

That a restaurant's food should not smell better than it actually tastes....
(reference: Jim 'n Nicks)

Oh please be tuned out...

Thing One was watching Modern Marvels just now. He's very into the show: commenting on things from the '80s as if it was the stone age. Gee thanks son, Mom remembers the 80s with mostly fond memories. Anyway, time for commercial...and while I'm relieved they weren't hawking some toy or candy, I cringed when I realized it was one of THOSE commercials. You know: for the men with "issues".

I patiently waited for him to comment on something that he was hearing. Hoping it would be something I could ignore and move on (and while I could have hit mute, I think that would have only raised the curiosity alarm). As the commercial winds to an end, noting this product works for 36 hrs...he finally opted to comment "wow, that's like way longer than 30 minutes".

Oh thank you sweet TV commercial gods...yes, the time difference between 36 hrs and 30 minutes is so within my comfort discussion zone!

Good Stuff...

So, I've had the sniffles since Saturday. Doing OK, trying to just use whatever I've had here at home. Today, I thought my head was gonna explode so I figured "maybe, I should get the good stuff"....you know the sudafed you used to be able to just pick up whenever/wherever until the meth heads started causing problems and now you've got to sign your life away to the teenager at Target pharmacy. Yeah, that stuff...you know what I"m talkin' about...

YOWZA: what a difference that little extra chemical makes in terms of feeling good...
Sort of like Rum and Coke...without Barcardi, it doesn't have quite the same effect!

Baby who?

As is the custom, when I set up the nativity scene, I hid the babe that goes in the manger on Christmas. The boys were looking for something and discovered my hiding place. Thing One immediately asked me "what is Baby Moses doing in the drawer?"

Uh oh...but it does sort of go along with his excitement when he realized that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence...giving him, Thing One, freedom from religion

Yeah, church isn't really his thing is it?

Murphy and Me...

Murphy's Law seems to have found me. All week, I secretly prayed one of my boys would develop an illness that required my skills as a mom to trump those as a teacher's aide. Nope, they both stayed healthy. And still are..thank heavens.

But me? That headache I had all week, figured it was stress...has now added some sinus congestion, drainage and the sore throat that means I'm the one about to get sick.

Yep, a week too late and a few sudafeds short...There really ought to be a law!

Mission Accomplished

The week, by the numbers

• 1: Business trips taken by Hubby
• 2: Press Conferences (aka Parent-Teacher conferences) attended
• 3: Days late on returning library books. Just never got around to it
• 4: Times I wished that red wine didn't make me so sleepy because I could have used a glass of something after work each evening.
• 5: days that I worked. (which I might add was about 4 days too long)
• 6: (at least) people I've complained to about working
• 7: (at least) new little friends I made this week...one little girl brought me a card and present today. Another? Tapped me on the shoulder and flashed me the sign for I love you. And the little boy that shouted out really loud "Miss Martha, you are the bestest teacher we've ever had". (and yeah, the other woman was in the room when he said it). So just maybe I'll change my mind and decide to sub again...but first I need at least 7 days to rest up and renew my happy chi...

Behind the curtain...

On a couple occasions, people have asked me why I don't work in the nurse's office at the Things school. Sure, I've got the training, even the experience as outdated as it is, would probably be better than what we've currently got as a school nurse. Part of my reasoning for NOT working has to do with time and money: I have no desire to be away from home that long for that tiny of amount of pay. I've also said that I don't want to see what goes on "behind the curtain"...you know, a la Wizard of Oz. I'm a much happier parent not knowing the inner workings of my children's school.

So, instead, I work with our school's "day care" program. Sure the pay still stinks, but the hours are way more flexible and we are one layer further out from the behind the scenes stuff at school.

Except this week, I have somehow found myself subbing with a department that is a bit more connected to the real school.

Suffice to say, I was right NOT to want to see that much about what makes a school tick.

Colleen-o has her own way of doing countdowns. For me, I have a simple countdown I'm working towards: 14 hours to go. And then I'm free of this added job that I've taken on. It's been a long and rather enlightening week. Suffice to say, next time I'm asked to sub this much, all I need to do is think of "behind the curtain" and respectfully decline.

Just who does he think he is?

Yet another random conversation...Thing One says "Mom, don't forget my press conference is this Friday".

Huh?

Press Conference?

Don't you mean Parent-Teacher Conference?

Go Ahead and hate me..

Not because I'm beautiful (I'm not)...but I've finished my Christmas cards. Yep, signed, sealed, and even delivered to the post office.

6.03

I know, I should be grateful that my boys are early birds. Some day I will appreciate their willingness to get up and get going each morning with such a cheerful attitude.

But come on folks...a four day weekend. FOUR opportunities to go without alarm clocks and just let our bodies wake us up naturally.

Why oh why did they both wake up on three of those four mornings at exactly and precisely 6:03 each morning?

Good thing there is plenty of coffee to get my morning attitude re-adjusted. Because for this self described morning person, even 6:03 is TOO early to start the day.

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

But, I'm just delighted with how I spent my day. I did a little bit of this and a little bit of that.
Now I should be working on dinner, folding laundry, maybe even thinking about working on some Christmas cards. But really, I'd rather be doing more of this...

Giving Thanks...

This year...I'm ever so thankful for...

• That loving Hubby of mine. On a couple occasions this past year, I was reminded of women not nearly as lucky as I am when it comes to being married to a committed, hard working, honest man. And he's cute too...what more could a girl want?
• Those crazy Things I call my children. Again, I look around and see people who would give anything to hear the laughter and antics of wild ones running amok. I've got a pair and am ever so grateful for the endless supply of smiles they put on my face.
• A plethora of friends. If I am ever feeling alone and blue, all I need to do is shout out and suddenly a flock of great gal pals come scurrying over. Whether we are talking trash about some celebrity or wiping away the tears of each other's heart breaks, we've got each other and I'm ever so grateful for that.
• All the comforts of home...from cars that run, to a roof over my head and a warm cozy bed to snuggle into each night. I've got it all. It may not be the biggest mansion on the block, nor is the bank account as full as we'd like, but we've got enough and that makes me thankful.
• The many men and women who make sacrifices each day to keep our countrysafe and secure. I've worn the uniform of our nation's Army. I know that it is a very hard job that involves sacrifices rarely noticed by others. But I am ever so thankful for the many men and women who hear the call to duty and serve our nation with pride.

And with that...I say, what are you thankful for?

For all your HVAC needs...

Call SW Heating and Air Conditioning!

No, I don't work for them. Nor do I get any kick backs or rebates.
But, come on, who knew that such companies still existed?

• I called and left a message for the on-call/after hours technician. He returned my call within 5 minutes.
• He arrived within his promised time frame
• He explained everything to Hubby, they fixed the problem and the bill came to $0.00
• It was 'under warranty' he said. OK, probably the furnace is original to the house, making it at least 15 years old. And while we did have it "inspected" when we bought this house, that also occurred way past any warranty period I'd expect. (Can you believe we've been "court side" for just about 2 years now? In some ways, this place has always felt like home)
• This is the same company that came to look at our A/C unit this summer: and that time, they were at my house within 90 minutes of my initial call for a "routine' check.

Hello...you'd be foolish not to use this very customer friendly company!

OK, now before you think I'm all sunshine, rainbows and ponies this morning...I've got a bone to pick with the makers of the Butter Braids. This last batch I got through our school fundraiser? Well, the initial loaf is smaller than the old size, they were more expensive and the darn thing didn't rise like it is supposed to. I'll not be purchasing from this group again...thank you very much!

See...I can still be my hard to please, nothing makes me happy self!

Multiple personalities?

On the way home, Thing Two is talking with his brother about all the "helpers" he has:

Mr. Nerd helps me during math
Mr. Brain helps me during spelling
Mr. Glasses, well, he helps me pretty much with everything.

Right now, I"m wishing that he had a Mr. HVAC in his operating system, because our furnace has gone belly up and it is no longer 70 degrees and sunny in the long range forecast. (fear not, the after hours technician is in bound but still, there goes my mad money for the month!)

That Girl...

Gotta love the kindergartners. I'm working with a whole bunch of them for the next two weeks. And as I was leaving school this afternoon, one of them spotted me, he waved and I overheard him tell his mom "That girl was our substitute today. She was really nice!"...

Not sure which I was happiest to hear....a kid call me a "girl" (take that you old hag from the gym! Silver Sneakers will just have to wait for me to join your group) or that he thought I was nice.

Yep, without a doubt...it was being called THAT GIRL!

Another His/Her weekend

A happy pair we are indeed!

And just how do I title this one?

This morning's breakfast conversation went something like this

Hubby: Hey, I heard Christmas is cancelled this year if you
don't eat your breakfast (editor's note: we start early with the be good 'cuz Santa is watching stuff)
Thing Two: OK, then we'll celebrate Kwanzaa
Hubby: Um, son, we're not black
Thing Two: Then how about Hanukkah?
Hubby: Nope, we're not Jewish
Thing One: (who up until this point had been buried in his electronic gadgets, we'd assumed he was tuned out to the world around him): NO,I don't want to be Jewish, Hitler might come back from the Dead!

Life Observation #388

Why are we called Stay At Home Moms when we often find ourselves not able to practice the stay at home part? Grrrr....looking forward to a weekend filled with staying home and being a mom!

Why bother...

Spending money on hair color if someone at the gym is going to tell me "Oh you can join Silver Sneakers, you only have to be fifty".

HUH???????????
Next thing I know, folks are going to ask me if the boys are my grandchildren!

Old Navy, how you've broken my heart

To the fun folks at Old Navy:

Oh how I enjoy your commercials. Your stores are always such a fun place to shop. Affordable, colorful, stylish stuff. Until yesterday!

My question for you is: when did you start to ignore the BOY factor in your merchandising? While the girls had a plethora of fun seasonal stuff to choose from (from candy cane robes to snow man jammies), the boys had Nada. Oh wait, I take that back: there was one seasonal t-shirt. I believe it read "Santa is my homie" or maybe it was Homeboy. I so don't understand the urban slang, and even if I did, would I want my cute, adorable boys sporting a t-shirt that talks about homies/homeboys? Am I living in a suburban fantasy world to hope that we can hold off on the "gangster" look until at least middle school?

Please, I am begging you to re-visit your marketing strategies. Yes, I know, boys this age prefer to wear nothing but their boxers. But, could you at least offer some cute stylish, seasonal boxers just so us Mommies can continue the tradition of dressing our fellas in cute stuff Christmas eve?

Yours Truly, A Disgruntled customer (and yeah, I know Christmas is more than a month away, but it is your comrades in retail that rush the season so DEAL with it!)
PS: Kohls: you weren't much better! The biggest selection of seasonal jammies you had? Were in the men's department and well...suffice to say, Fredrick's of Hollywood called, they want their merchandise back!

Spelling Humor

The Things are night and day different when it comes to their aptitude for spelling. One kid looks at the word once, and remembers it from here to eternity. The other kid, not such a talent for spelling.

Last night, we were working on spelling with the one who doesn't really care for spelling words correctly. He was asked to write words that had the -ck ending. He snickered and giggled when he suggested "bick".

Well, color me confused! What's so funny about that word (if it even is a word?).
Then I remembered a week or two ago when he shyly told me he'd heard a new bad word....and spelled it that same way. At the time I just smiled, I was sad that he'd heard such a word, but grateful that he'd heard it wrong, and hopeful this innocence of whispering bad words would last forever.

Now? I still find it funny...but DUDE...here's a classic example of why being able to spell properly is important. If you are going to write cuss words, make sure you've got them spelled right!

Another Overheard moment..

Two Things sitting huddled on the couch this morning, when I hear one say to the other "She's Crabby" "Yeah, I know".

HUH? I am not crabby. I'm just slowly waking up, looking around for missing lunch boxes, filling thermos for husband, figuring out what to serve his royal pickyness that is Thing One, and hoping that we've got what Thing Two prefers for breakfast. So what if I was a little snappy when they woke me up before I was ready. I'm not crabby...I'm just the mom!

I go back to putting together sandwiches of all shapes/styles, when I hear "Yeah, but I caught her, now she's mine".

Double HUH? I'm just standing here, stewing...
Oh wait, notice what the boys are doing: heads buried in their electronic gadgets...
Apparently, they had caught "CRABBY" some sort of Pokemon.

Yet again, that reminder that sometimes it really isn't all about me!

Singing in the shower...

No, not me. Who has time for such a lengthy shower to belt out a tune?

Last night, Thing One was in the shower, and I was distracted helping Thing Two. He got to stay in the shower longer than the usual assembly line style of get wet, lather, rinse, get out that both my boys are used to.

So, as I'm walking in to tell him "time's up" I hear him singing the following "lyrics"...

• Ya shimmy to the left, Ya shimmy to the right. (at which point the ad libbing started) I don't know my left from my right so I'll just keep the shimmy going anyway I can.

It was one of those "Thing One" moments that just make me smile.

He's been doing that a lot lately...which of course makes me smile even more!

And the xray showed...

no evidence of a fracture.
So, I can hang up my crown of mommy guilt and go serve up some tater tots...

The nurse in me was sort of on the fence about a strain/sprain vs. fracture, but the mommy guilt led me to make the call. All you mommies and nurses in training out there: I'm here to tell you, the two areas may overlap but the water gets mighty muddy sometimes! :)

The trouble with quirky...

Thing One has an incredibly high tolerance to pain. This is not to say he isn't perfectly capable of whining and over-exaggerating with the best of them. But, when a real injury occurs, I've often wondered/worried whether he'd know it or not.

He tripped/tackled on the playground yesterday and immediately announced that he had a broken foot. Yeah right...

Only, now almost 24 hrs later, I"m concerned he might be right. I just checked in on him at school and he is really avoiding putting weight on the foot, hobbling about.

Me, ms. I hate to take them to the doctor, has called and he'll be seen in an hour...
Fingers crossed he's learning how to over-react and that it isn't broken...
Because if it is, well, pass that bad mommy award over to my side of the room.
I'll update once I know for sure...

Nightmares...4th grade style

Thing One announced this morning he was really sleepy. Could it be too much Halloween fun last night? Apparently not, because when I asked him he told me he had bad sleep because of "nightmares". Further questioning revealed the subject of his nightmare was "I dreamed I was going to school at at AN ALL GIRLS school". EEEEEEKKKK...that would be a bad dream for boys that are at that stage where girls are nothing but trouble

Aside from that, we seem to be in recovery mode from all the festive fun of Halloween. It was a mellow year for us this year. I'm not sure why but I think we're at an awkward stage in Halloween. They are done with the little kid side of Halloween (instead of picking out pumpkins, they offered to push the cart while I picked out the pumpkins) and yet they are not quite ready for the "creepy" side of Halloween. Stuck in the middle.
But, being pretty good cooperative Things (most days) they still went through all the photo op obligations and so ....yeah, I have photos to share! Enjoy!

Daddy's boy

If Hubby helped the Things create their costumes....

Tagged

I've been tagged (thanks Stacy!)Even as a kid, I didn't care for tag...but being a good sport, I figure, what the heck? It isn't like watching the World Series is much fun these days (heavy sigh)

Here's the plan for this type of tag:
A. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names

Truth #1: I am a patient person. Maybe too patient and too forgiving. But there you have it, if you mess up with me, you pretty much get a second chance. And now that I'm getting older, you might even get more than that because I"m likely to forget that you blew it on your second chance with me.

Truth #2: oh wait, can I claim forgiving too?
Truth #3: and forgetful? But that is sort of a given since I'm over 40..

Truth #4: I love a bad, totally inappropriate joke. I was telling bad jokes long before I understood half the jokes I would tell as a kid. And yes, I've been known to pass on a tasteless joke or two to my kids. While in my every day life I try hard to be p.c. and not offend anyone, when it comes to a good joke, bring on the worst and I"ll probably laugh my hiney off.

Truth #5: The best day of the week for mail is Friday because I usually get my People magazine. Oh how I love my celebrity gossip!

Truth #6: I really find these sorts of challenges very difficult. Until I read someone else's and then I go "oh yeah, me too"...which leads to the final truth...I'm a copy cat! But, isn't imitation the highest form of flattery? At least that is my story and I"m sticking to it.

Now, who to tag/torture next? Of course, all you sister wives... Tracey, Aimee (you are long overdue for a blog update anyway, sister wife!), Colleen, and Dodi. Add to that Kaesmom and Ganelle. Oh wait, Ganelle doesn't have a blog. Perhaps now is as good of a time as any to start a blog (which brings me to my bonus truth: I'm a nag! giggle giggle)

*participation is totally optional, I'll forgive you if you choose not to participate.

A way with words..

The boys have figured out how the phrase "What the ..." ends. Luckily they knew it was something they shouldn't be saying, no how no way! But still, a sad reality that they've figured it out. For some day, probably too soon, they'll get over their hesitancy to use the phrase.

The youngest also announced he'd heard a new bad word this week. I was afraid to ask but he quietly whispered "Bic".

Needless to say, I didn't correct his pronunciation. He'll figure it out soon enough I fear...

Whatever happened to those days when the worst word they knew was NO?

Life Observation #387

If you are a muscular guy, you shave your head bald, you sport a tat or too and you are enjoying this beautiful Fall day here in nothing but your wife beater tank top...might I suggest you wear some other type of pants besides orange sweatpants?

'Cuz you sort of gave me a scare over there at the Sam's Club...you look like you had escaped the local detention facility and were stocking up before you made your get away!

Decisions, decisions...

Should I Let Hubby sleep in (he worked last night and it is his birthday today) or go upstairs and try to quietly take my shower so that I can get my day started out on the right (and clean)foot?

Why is it...

That when one kid is finally in the groove when it comes to all things school (he heads off to school with smile on his face, willingly does his homework, reads without any coercion required), the other one (who had a pretty decent attitude before we tracked off) decides to go all weird on me?

I so don't like this secret handshake/tag you are it approach that the Things have perfected over the years.

I'm old, I"m tired and I am just about out of patience.....

Fall Humbug!

The weather man was right. 'nuf said!

The Homestretch of track off..

We've rounded the bend on our time off from school. The Things return to school on Tuesday and I go back to my part time job sometime next week (I've not looked at my work schedule close enough to see exactly when). All in all, while we've had a good time, I think it is time to get back to the routine of school. We're getting a bit too lazy and comfy with being out of school.

Yesterday I spent the day catching up on my stockpiled tv shows. E.R., Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters. I watched them all. And yes, my house reflects this extremely non productive day! ?

But, as I had a couple extra kids over, I really needed to be somewhere in the house where I could hear the interactions and make sure everyone was playing fair. The best place to police the area? Right here in the family room. Where the TiVo and the shows are. Imagine that? What a coincidence. Hey, that's my story and I"m sticking to it! :)

Some observations from yesterday's ABC marathon (yeah, ER is on a different network but I"m sort of done with that show, just watch it out of habit more than anything else)

• What do you think is the secret that the new neighbor is keeping from the others on Wisteria Lane?
• Come on writers of Brothers and Sisters, there are other options for pain management than narcotics. Send Justin over to the hunky acupuncture dude at Private Practice. Or better yet, try another nerve block. But, I forgive you, you've brought back adorable and oh so gay Scotty.
• Private Practice: my compliments to the casting crew...you serve up a delightful dish of eye candy for my viewing pleasure.
• Grey's Anatomy: please bring back that weird and wacky. I'm so tired of dippy Merideth and self centered Izzy. McDreamy? I'm about to call you "McStupid" for just putting up with all this for so long. For a brain doc, you sure are lacking in self confidence to realize there are plenty of women out there way better than Mer. These days, Alex is sounding like the voice of reason!

Well...now that I've outed myself and admitted to having serious TV issues, I"d better go do something productive with the day. Like feed my kids some lunch...

Oh Baby!

*Edited: yes, I took the slide show down. This non-geek girl is doing some editing and maintenance. The music was bugging me. :)

Without a doubt, the highlight of our trip to California was spending time with Baby E! He's everything a baby is supposed to be and more! But, alas, I can call him a baby only for another week when he turns the Big One! My how, this year has passed all too quickly. And gee, I"m only the auntie. Imagine how his folks are feeling?
Congrats to L and C...you've made it through this first year!

Annie had it right...

When that little orphan sang out "The Sun will come out tomorrow"....as that is exactly what happened yesterday! Thanks Auntie L and Uncle C for making up for our rained out adventure!

Washed Away

Yesterday it rained, then poured, then...oh whatever is worse than a downpour occurred. Washing away almost all of our plans for visiting the City. While the kids weren't all that disappointed...I was pretty bummed with the way the weather cooperated for us yesterday.

Oh well, today is another beautiful, sunny day and we're back in the car to see the Grandparents. I think I whined enough to BIL/SIL that they will take both their cars and let me be a passenger today. Trust me, after yesterday's downpour, I earned the right to just sit back and watch the traffic pass me by.
And folks that are in the path of this storm? Yeah, you over there in Colorado. Watch out: it is laden with moisture. Which I find hard to believe that there is any moisture left to fall from those clouds. Surely they are all drained out?

I know I"m drained from that silly storm...

Seeing the forest and the trees..

Kaesmom's comment made me realize, others may not recognize where I dragged the Things yesterday. Muir Woods. A forest filled with big trees...really big and really old trees. Getting there was an adventure: a curvy, twisty, winding road that made this chicken momma driver pull up her big girl panties and just DRIVE. But as you can see, the destination was worth the misery of getting there. Without a doubt, one of my most favorite Bay area landmarks. The peaceful quiet of the forest is there...even with my boys clowning around.

Picture Talk

Between navigating the California Highways and getting up on Rocky Mtn time...I'm tired. Here's a sample of what we did today.

The Simple Things

We're staying at a "Boutique hotel". Still looks like a regular hotel to me but there are a couple features my Things aren't used to seeing. A stocked mini-bar and snack center (HUGE threat issued not to touch that $4 bag of cookies...no matter how tasty it may look). Sterling silver ice bucket...and wine goblets instead of plastic cups.

The boys have had a blast playing bar tender One pours the soda into the wine class and offers it up to his brother. They even announced last night: "Happy Hour, just like Grandpa!". This morning? Thing One announced to his brother "I'll be butler, where is your goblet sir?".

who needs fancy toys and gadgets...they just needed soda (that we bought at the grocery store across the street) and wine glasses. They've been entertaining themselves for hours!

You'd think after all these years...

traveling to the West Coast, I still can't sleep in. It was really bad those first few years of marriage, when we would come from VA to see Hubby's parents here in the Bay are. That 3 hour time change did me in and I never would adjust until we left for home And even now, with the time change being only an hour, I still struggle.

So with my usual internal alarm clock going off at 0600, I instantly wake up at 0500 local time. And the Things were also stirring by this time as well.

Oh man...it is going to be one long day for sure. And I have to navigate my way through Bay area traffic without Hubby to do the driving for me.

Good thing they have good coffee here at the hotel.

Leaving on a jet plane

Or at least that is the plan. If I don't get my hiney off this couch and get started on the day's chore list...we won't be going anywhere.

I'm outta here...laundry, packing, errands, post office, bank...all sorts of stuff must be tackled if I am to leave for vacation with my to-do list mostly done.

If you see me lurking around, would you tell me to go tackle a chore, promise?

Call off the search party

There is calm in the kindgdom once again!

*shoe remains missing. But it was old and stunk really bad so we've moved on from that missing item.

One down, 2 to go..

And I don't think the Things have much cause for complaint. In the first week of their vacation, they had no less than 3 play dates with friends, one awards assembly and a road trip.

On Thursday, Thing One was officially recognized for being the character that he is. He received a character award for demonstrating outstanding responsibility. Yep, this decision was made by his teacher before he aided and abetted in the disappearance of one comcast remote. And while I believe such award ceremonies are a ploy to get families to come to the PTO meetings (big surprise they get their certificates at the monthly PTO meeting), we were proud of him just the same...that is until he got nervous and started in on his monkey act, complete with monkey inspired grooming skills. 'Nuf said on that.

We finished up this first week with a little road trip. We headed South to the North Pole. And if you live in Colorado, this makes perfect sense doesn't it? If you are not from these parts, then I'll catch you up. At the base of Pikes Peak is a very old, very tired, rather tacky kiddie amusement park all centered on the theme of Christmas. Yep, you can visit with Santa year round. But the price is right (with a coupon it comes to around $10/person for one of those all you can ride places) and the forest like setting makes it worth it in the long run. I figured it was a good way for me to get my leaf peeping fix while keeping the boys entertained. While I got my Aspen fix, the boys seem just about too old for this park. Not saying they are ready for more intense places...as we had to cut our trip short when Thing Two decided his head and tummy hurt really bad after his 3rd trip on the Tilt-a-Whirl!


So, now we're heading off into the second week of Track Off. Wonder what exciting adventures await us? Only time will tell...