Wordless Wednesday: Did you hear? The pool is open. YEEHAW!

Memorial Day

There are only two words that describe Memorial Day: Thank You

Now, go fly the colors

Go Get 'Em Mrs. G

Follow the words of Dr. Seuss...

I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.Some come from ahead and
some come from behind.But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.Now
my troubles are going to have troubles with me!~Dr. Seuss

We're rootin' for you...and Colleen-O, you know where to find us, sister wife! Got butter braid and coffee ready to roll...you just let us know how and when we can help!

A sign of the times

You know, I'm really digging my husband and his mistress, Maria. They are at least a budget conscious couple.

Lucky Day..

First, I deleted my wordless Wednesday post. I couldn't figure out the problem. Nothing worth wasting time trying to get it to work.

So yesterday, Thing Two shouts out very excitedly "Today MUST be my lucky day".
Skeptical mom replies with "why, what makes you say that?"

Well, Mom (with that tone of "mom, you know nothing" being used by even my baby!), I found not just a penny but also a dime!

Ah, maybe he is right...and I don't know anything...11 cents, who knew so much joy could be had?

Mammo Monday

Celebrity Look alikes...

While I have no clue which celebrity I resemble, I can tell you that the bag boy up at Safeway looks exactly like a very young Brad Pitt.

Next time I shop there, why yes, I do need help to my car, and please, call me Angelina....

The REAL problem with high thread count sheets...

It isn't that they wrinkle (besides, you're sleeping, your eyes should be closed, you shouldn't be seeing the wrinkles, right?). Nope, it is the magnetic pull that they have whenever that morning alarm clock goes off.

Yeah...it is Friday and I so don't want to get up and go. But I'm up and Thing Two is back at school. And I realize I've lost a couple days thanks to him being home sick this week.

Can I cram three days worth of stuff into just one day? Not if I don't get my hiney off the couch...

Wordless Wednesday: Being all that I could be

Hey Tracey, you know you want to...just say the word...I hear they are still looking for a few good

nurses...

You know they aren't faking it...

when the kid that has a cold and asked to stay home...is now reading quietly on the couch because the TV noise hurts his head. Note, this is the child, that when healthy, views reading as a chore and usually finds any and all excuses not to read.

And when he says "I know I need to miss school and skip tennis. My head is too stuffy to do either one". This boy LIVES for his Wednesday afternoon tennis lesson.

Sometimes it isn't the classic signs of illness you have to watch for...it's the atypical behaviors that make you realize he really is sick...

Hubby Tagged

My friend Lee tagged me...and since it looks fun, I'll play along...

I figure I dedicate enough time yappin' about me and the Things, Hubby is due for a little attention on the blog...

So here we go...
What is his name? Domingo
How long have you been married? It will be 13 years in November
How long did you date? Um, maybe 18 months or so? A year of dating, and a six month engagement.
How old is he? 48
Who eats more? If we're talking the healthy stuff, he wins hands down...
Who said I love you first? Probably me...I talk more...I'm sure I said this long before he did
Who is taller? Have you met me? Of course, everyone, hubby included is taller than me
Who sings better? While neither one of us are great, he is the less frightening
Who's temper is worse? I'm probably worse...now that's he's got Maria, he is much more zen...Does this mean I need a motorcycle?
Who does the laundry? Me...and really it is OK, I'm a bit of a control freak about this

Who does the dishes? Me...most of the time, although he's always willing to help
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed (when you are facing it)? He does
Who pays the bills? Me. Which is okay. I do most of the spending too :)
Who cooks dinner? Unless I'm in the mood for spam sandwiches, it is me in the kitchen
Who drives when you are together? Dom...I hate to drive

Who has more friends?I win this one...but the friends he has, he keeps forever

Who has more siblings? Another win for the Hubby...he's got brothers and a sister. I just have a sis

Who wears the pants in the family? I'd say we're pretty much balanced in the power department if that's what this question is really asking. But, yes, we both prefer to wear pants over other types of clothing.

OK...I'm tagging Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Thomas. and Lady Redundant Woman (because she really is overdue for a decent blog update). I'd tag Mrs. Kravitz but I think despite our assorted pleas, she hasn't started a blog yet...

PS: yes, I know I skipped 12 on the 12th: did you want to see pictures of me mopping the floor, lunching with Mama Z, grocery shopping, dusting, cooking dinner, supervising homework, watching the Things opt to color and write stories over video games (ah yeah, that I should have captured in pictures as it happens so rarely) and me spending the evening on the couch catching up on Brothers and Sisters watching them on the laptop? Yep, gainfully unemployed...I'm living life large these days I tell ya!

Guest Blogger

In honor of Mother's Day, I've turned over the controls to Thing Two...who compiled the following Top Ten List with the help of his teacher.

Top Ten Reasons Why I love my Mom...by M.C

10. You nurse me up wen I'm hert
9. You feed me lots of proteen
8. You taught me the english langwige
7. You rent me moves from BlokeDuster
6. You take me to tenis lessins
5. You potty traned me
4. You help me with my homewerk espesile with my spelling
3. You give me hugs and kisses
2. You help me when I am sad
1. You take good care of me

So much for freezing time...

After watching the school choir perform their version of High School Musical, Thing One asked to watch the real deal. Up until this point, both boys had determined this was "icky" and a total chick flick...thus we'd managed to skip this whole HSM craze...

But alas, my baby is growing up...he just finished watching and liked it...

There is still hope for Thing Two...as he refused to watch any scenes where it looked like kissing might be involved...

As for me, I"m not sure which is more worrisome...the idea that I could be the momma to any of those actors (again, counting my blessings for being a late bloomer) or the fact that I too enjoyed watching this "tween" movie with my kids....

Grouchy No More...

This morning I was perhaps not in the best of moods. You know how it goes, during the morning rush hour, you start thinking of all the things you need to do, want to do, should do, didn't do and well...before you know it you are perhaps a bit more "abrupt" with your children than is necessary.

I didn't think I was that bad...until Thing Two says "OK, Miss Grouchy Pants Momma!" when asked to go brush his teeth.

Nothing like the insight of an 8 year old to snap you out of your funk and focus on the important things...

Which brings me to the really important news items of the day...as of 2:45 this afternoon, I am gainfully unemployed outside of the home....Can I get an Amen from the crowd?

Yep, Miss Martha has left the building.....

A Teacher's Task

Is To take a lot of hot wires and make sure that they are grounded.

Today, take time to thank those teachers for helping ground your hot wires...as it is Teacher Appreciation Day (or week...depending on how you look at it).

Wordless Wednesday: 25 yrs of Tommy

If Oprah can dedicate 2 hrs to Tommy, I suppose we can dedicate one wordless Wednesday to Tom Cruise...25 years in films. Yeah, I know...slow blog days when you resort to mentioning Tom Cruise and showing pictures of your child in his briefs...

I'm in love...

The Things and I are heading to the Midwest this summer to help Dad celebrate his birthday. The whole clan will be there (OK, as Lutherans, I realize our clan isn't as big as some of my blogging buddies) ...but aunts/uncles/cousins/life long friends will all be together. It's shaping up to be a might fun filled July 4Th Holiday weekend.

And while I am looking forward to this trip, my wallet was a bit worried.
Ah, but have no fear, Ole William here helped me out big time!

Thanks to "name your price" I scored some seriously sweet deals. They accepted my bid of 70% off the lowest available rate if booked directly through the hotel (and a 4 star hotel no less). And the car rental is 46% off the lowest published price.

Yowza...what shall I do with all this $ I'm saving? It just would not be good enough to savor my savings. That would seem so un-American, right?

Another reason to freeze time..

Yesterday, I wore a dress. Yes, that is a very unusual occurrence for me.
The Things took notice (I had changed back into my standard mom attire before Hubby had a chance to notice).

Thing Two says "Mom, you look beautiful"
Thing One says "No, better than beautiful, you look hot!"

God save that poor boy when the hormones kick in and he realizes he once thought his rolly polly momma was hot. Forget college, I really should start saving for his therapy!

But for now, I'm just wishing we could sort of freeze time for these little men of mine!

Wordless Wednesday: Worth a chuckle...

Three generations...

It's been a sad week here in our quiet little corner of the world. While none of the recent losses have impacted me directly, I'm so sad to watch friends and neighbors cope with such losses.

One woman lived a full life, and judging from how great my pal Dodi turned out, I'd have to conclude Mrs. B. did an awesome job raising her family. And while her presence will be missed, I'm suspect that her family has many happy memories that will comfort them in the days to come.

The next woman has fought a hard battle against M.S. for many years. Severe pneumonia and a failing neurological system means that she too will pass away very soon. Her family has asked for God to release her from her suffering and their prayers are that she will be called home soon. She's the childhood friend of one my nearest, and dearest pals, Judy. My heart aches for Judy...to lose someone you've called friend for longer than anyone else you know just seems impossible to imagine.

The third loss is perhaps the hardest to imagine. A little baby girl never made it out into this world to feel the touch of her parents or hear the laughter of her siblings. She wasn't due to make her entrance into our world for another week or so. I can't imagine how a mother moves on...tending to the needs of her family while her heart is broken for the little baby she has lost.

My deepest sympathies go out to all these friends and neighbors who are suffering this week...
And for the rest of us, let us all reach out to one another...Take time to share a special memory with a parent while you still have that chance, call up your childhood pal and just ask how things are going, and love your children with all your might...for none of us know when these opportunities will no longer be possible....

Worries

Thing One tells me today that he had a bad day. Apparently he read in his book that when you turn 11 you become mopey. He wants to stay 10 forever...he doesn't want to turn mopey. I didn't have the heart to tell him "too bad bud, we're already seing signs of the teen 'tude".

Wordless Wednesday: Apparently, Size matters

If you've not been bitten by the bug, this makes no sense to you at all. But, if you have, you realize sometimes you need more than 5.5 inches!

On the last day of track off

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Tomorrow the Things return to school for their last quarter of this school year. We've had a great time off track and in celebration of the fun, we went on one last adventure, meeting up with friends at a nearby park. A beautiful Spring day here...so we soaked in the sun as we had fun with our friends!

Messy Things

In case you wonder where he gets his messy ways...look no further than his momma. Or at least her craft room..(I'm in the middle of Spring Cleaning, I'll have you know)

Apparently I also have the "big butt" gene that I inherited from my father...or so that's what Thing One announced last night at dinner "It's OK Mom, it's your Granum gene that makes your butt big". Hubby did his best not to snicker but only said "Son, I've got a lot to teach you when it comes to sweet talking the girls"

In other random weekend news, I found myself letting up on my hover-mom tendencies just a tad when we let the boys get trampy with the neighbor's new trampoline. It still isn't totally my thing (in other words, NO, we won't be getting one ourselves) but they had fun and were eager to be outside so I think I'll manage. Heck, I've overcome my worries about Hubby and his mistress...(not once did I nag this winter when he said he was riding to work so maybe there is hope for me after all?) Again, you won't see me on a motorcycle but I realize that if I worry too much then all my worries and then some might just come to be.

Letting go of excess worry doesn't come naturally to me but neither is being neat but I remain a work in progress...

Speaking of making progress and working I'd best quit procrastinating and get back to my mess..

Cleaning Up

A snippet of last night's pre-bedtime exchange
"Thing One, time for your shower" hollered mom
"But why do I have to take a shower, I hate showers" replied the pre-teen, attitude and all
"Because you've played outside all day and ya stink" replied the mom

I finally get him upstairs and in the shower.
And you know what he does next?
Yep, starts singing and won't get out of the shower when I tell him "times up"
"Mom, don't you know I just love taking a shower, I don't want to get out"

And we wonder why mommies take to drinking??????????????

Trying to make sense of it all

Thing Two is my thinking/questioning one. (Thing One is quick to admit "not going to think, I"m off track" and trust me, his track off attitude reflects this admission). This morning out of the blue the youngest one asks "what's the point in having a middle finger if you can't raise it?"

I think I"ll leave that one to Hubby...as he wasn't buying my explanation about all the things we're able to do because of our five digits not just four.

Wordelss Wednesday: While I was away..

Scrappin' happened and here's the proof!

Wordless Wednesday: While I was gone

Naps happened! Thanks Dad for helping keep

the home fires burning!

(Belated) 12 on the 12th

The Midwest Edition...In the middle of nowhere....You can find this lovely retreat house called the Keepsake Kottage
Nestled in amongst some trees, the river runs right behind the Kottage..

Inside, you'll discover there is some scrapbooking going on...(that's Jill and Jodi whose husbands farm in the surrounding communities. Jill also highly recommends you check out http://www.recipetips.com/ for fabulous meal planning ideas)

Even those known more for yapping, might find themselves scrappin...(just kidding Amy!)
You can find a "dealer" in Iowa (assuming what you're buying is Mary Kay and not drugs)
You'll take a trip into town (driving along some dirt roads) where you'll lunch at the lovely Blue Bell Inn...
Where you will feast on this lovely lunch...complete with dessert

After lunch...you'll walk past the liquor store where you bought your booze the night before. Yes, I know, it looks like a bar, but trust me...if you talk to the bartender, he'll escort you down to his basement where he sells you stuff right from his stash. Yes, it is as creepy as it sounds...

You'll make a quick stop in the adorable little crafty shop, where low and behold, you find a rusty cock to add to your rooster collection (actually I passed on purchasing it because my luggage was already pretty full)
At some point you'll return back to the cottage, scrap a little, laugh a lot and just enjoy the time spent with others who share your passion for scrapbooking, and online chatter...
Thank you to my new found friends in the Midwest...I had a blast and appreciate how you treated me so well!

*yes, I know...I have more than 12 pictures...but there are so many stories to tell...12 just didn't seem like it would be enough!

Wordless Wednesday: I'm outta here

Assuming Mother Nature doesn't foil my finely crafted plan...I'll be heading out before some of you reach for that second cup of coffee tomorrow morning. Catch you on the return!

Only a matter of time...

Ever since my friend Dodi told the story of her mistaken identity, I knew with certainty, that my turn was only a matter of time. Well, today, let's just say: Time was up!

Yep, while the Things placed their candy order with the woman running the snack bar, she replied with a smile and said "as long as it is OK with Grandma!"

Yikes...and this is AFTER I've just had my roots done.
At least my children corrected her (I was just going to let it slide, why point it out?) and she appeared embarrassed but I reassured her it really was OK. Because you know what: I've got cousins, not much older than me, that have grandchildren older than the Things. I know I bloomed late: but I also know I"m a much better mom thanks to my later in life choices!

Retro Monday...

I have nothing interesting, funny or even slightly amusing to say this evening.

I can tell you that the house is company ready as dear old Dad arrives tomorrow evening. Hubby remarked that he thinks we should have Dad visit every other month or so just so that the "Martha" side of me makes more frequent appearances. Funny dear, very funny (but shhh...he's right...many of the chores never get tended to unless we've got company coming).

So instead, I give you this picture...isn't it fun to see how much they really change in a couple years? This fella was so brave today when he had two teeth extracted. He even went back all by himself. OH MY: I've become a waiting room mom...but I only brought one short magazine...fear not, the oldest one still wants/needs Momma by his side so I don't worry about my usefulness becoming extinct any time soon. I'll always have Thing One!

She knows...

Uh oh: guess who I ran into this evening at Wally World? Thing Two's teacher.
How lovely you say.

Probably not so lovely when all I had in my basket was tonic water.
That alone ought to tell her how week one of track off went! Pass the Mommy Juice s.t.a.t!

1 in 150

children will develop Autism. This ONE is mine....
and our world is brighter thanks to him and his most unique way of looking at the world.

Take time to learn what you can about Autism...today is World Autism Awareness Day!

Wordless Wednesday: Only in my dreams

Does a Thing look anything like this when in the chair!
Goodbye mad $, Hello Southmoor Pediatrics!

Question of the day

Hair color?

That was the stumper when I went to fill out the passport renewal application. While I'm glad they didn't ask my weight (do I lie or tell the truth, the never ending moral dilemma), I found myself totally stumped for what color my hair is.

• Brown: back when the original passport was issued, you betcha. It was all the rage back in the 90s.
• Blond: my current color and the color I sported when I was a young thing
• Gray: again, we're back with the "should I be honest and tell the truth?" It's why brown no longer works for me and blond is just an attempt to cover up the gray.

Decisions decisions...which should I choose?

So much truth in one little cartoon

The Joy of Boys: NOT

Just now, Thing Two shouts "Bootie Power, Activate" followed by perfectly timed fart.

Oh my....most days I love being a mom to boys.
Just now? Not so much!

Dream Interpretation

The past two nights I've had the same dream. I'm racing up a hill where someone has left their child. I bring the kid back down and head back up the hill, finding yet another kid. Over and over I'm going up that hill, bringing down a youngster.

While I have no idea why I'm headed up that hill (I'm not usually interested in such physical endeavors), Hubby had an answer for why I'm finding kids everywhere "Obviously you've been working with kids for too long".

I'm hoping that since today is our last day of school before our three week "track off" break, I can go back to my regularly scheduled dreams...without the hills and especially minus the kids that don't belong to me!

Wordless Wednesday: If you find this funny...

Then be sure to read www.shoeboxblog.com for a daily dose of inappropriate humor!

The pupil has caught on..

Again, Thing One is helping his brother with the homework
He reads the direction "measure to the nearest half inch or half centimeter, you know nearest not furthest"

"Ah, just tell me the answer!" replies the pupil
"No, you have to learn it"
"That's just because you don't understand it either!"

Easter: Ready or not...

Here it came....

Yeah Yeah, I"m with everyone else, it came too early this year. I wasn't ready. We are barely into Spring, hardly recovered from "springing forward", how could it possibly be time for the Resurrection? Come on, if He can rise from the dead today, why not again in a couple weeks, when we're all more "ready"?

I think there has to be a sermon topic somewhere in all of this "not ready yet" but, I"m not a preacher, so I"ll skip that sermon.

But I am happy to say we managed to be ready for Easter.

We spent a lovely day with friends that are indeed like family to me. And yet, just like family, I don't get to spend nearly enough time with them just visiting and remembering when.

• Like the fact that Jenny was there "when" I got pulled over for my first and only speeding ticket ever....back in 1986. She and the other friend were roaring with laughter because well, it just isn't in my nature to go too fast...but I was and I got caught. Jenny is also one of my few local friends that has met my mom and dad. Since my mom's been gone for nearly 20 years now, well, do the math...Jenny and I have been friends for a long long time. And interestingly enough, I didn't really like her all that much the first go around. It just goes to show you that sometimes that first impression is all wrong and you need to give people a second chance.
• Or how about Judy...she was my first friend that I met when we moved here to CO. On a whim, I knocked on their door and invited them over for a Christmas open house. They came into our lives that December day and I am forever grateful for the friendship she and her family has given me and my guys these past 10 years. It also goes to show, that sometimes it is ok to open the door to a "stranger"...she might just end up becoming one of your dearest friends ever.

So as this Easter day winds to an end...I'm so grateful that I got my act together and was "ready for Easter!". The rewards of the day were so worth it!

Deep Thoughts

Thing One: "I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about thinking"
Mom: "Hmm, what now, were you thinking about something specific"
Thing One: "nope just thinking about what to think about"

Ah...to be 10 and so carefree in your thoughts...nothing specific on your mind, just general pondering.

As for me, I've had a long week, and have spent a lot of time thinking...and a decision was finally reached...I gave notice for my part time gig. And right now, I'm sort of numb. I realize this will be the first time since both Things went to school that I've not had some sort of regular commitment to obligations outside the home (either through my part time job or a regular volunteer assignment).

Maybe now I too can find myself with time and inclination to think about thinking....

Wordless Wednesday: Weigh In

Now I see why I've not been losing weight....I've been using my scale all wrong
(again, thanks to Jacqui for the morning funny).
I'm either struggling with allergies or catching variation #875 of this winter's cold...either way, I'm tired and cranky so it is just as well that it is wordless Wednesday...all I"m capable of is snapping at others!

It happens to us all...

See, the guys get old too! (only I wish my waistline expanded only as much as old Richard's did)
And thanks to my friend Jacqui for sending me this morning funny!

It's an uneventful day here at the House of Chang...which given the fact that I caved and let the boys have a friend spend the night last night I consider this a great start to the weekend.

Why "teacher" is probably not a good career choice

...for Thing One at least.

Yesterday, he had no homework (standardized testing week at his school, no homework during the week of the almighty assess them till they drop process of CSAPs) so he decided to help his brother with his homework.

I'm thinking his logic was that the sooner both of them finished, the sooner they could both get back to playing.

So, he tells his brother "Are you ready for your spelling words?" Brother replies yes.

"Ok, spell the word high. You know H.I.G.H"
"Good, now spell the word flight. You know F.L.I.G.H.T"

(I fear he gets this "give 'em the answer" approach from his momma)

Who are you and what have you done with my child, The FIRST born edition

Thing One tells me "Hurry up Mom, I need to get to school so I can start working on my Big Brain project with my group!"

Um...hello? MY group? eager to work together with peers, NO WAY DUDE!
And this doesn't involve math but the dreaded task of writing...again with the NO WAY DUDE!

At this rate, what am I going to have to worry about?
Thankfully, there is still my four eyed future metal mouth to keep my mom skills sharp!

and I suppose since it is Wednesday and the 12th I should go think of something for those two posts. Doubtful since I'm still trying to recover from the 11th...my own version of a series of unfortunate events (none so devastating to blog about, just all those pesky problems that by the end of the day you're needing TWO of those fukitol tabs along with a double shot of gin in your gin and tonic...and mostly just me and my innate tendency to make mountains out of molehills)

When it rains, sometimes it pours..

Imagine this: 3 updates in a day. But there ya have it...

This afternoon, I found Thing Two downstairs softly sobbing. I asked him what was wrong (as all I had done was send him downstairs to find a book to read) to which he replied "I've had a bad day and now I"m thinking that my future isn't too bright...I mean, come on MOM, have you ever seen a kid with glasses AND braces?" (side bar: no, he doesn't have braces yet, but if you've seen his teeth you'd know for sure it is a part of his future)

Oh how it took every ounce of my mommy energies not to burst out smiling.
Time for the group hug....and a dish of ice cream (he's so my son when it comes to drowning his worries in something sweet).

Sometimes you just can't wait until Wednesday

To share something really funny. Ok, so it is probably old internet humor, but it is funny to me and this is my blog, so laugh with me, ok?

Witness this..

Since I was expecting a package delivery, I jumped up when I heard the doorbell ring.
Two nice church ladies are standing there... looking rather dazed and confused.

Turns out they are Jehovah's Witnesses and they were looking for Chinese families.
Well, while I've got the last name to might lead you to think a Chinese family lives here, my chemically enhanced blond hair, my Norwegian blue eyes and my Germanic figure do little to support this truth. You'll have to come back later to meet the Chinese delegates of this family (and honestly, they'll not be nearly as kind to your door to door approach as I was).

So, perhaps you might have better luck at the local Chinese restaurant...but then again, maybe not. (as I recall the most recent visit to the local Asian restaurant was filled with Hispanic cooks)

*what can I say? It's a slow start to the week for blogging.

Who are you and what have you done with my child (version #875)

This morning, Thing Two begs me to please go to the library and see if they have Lemony Snicket #5 "Because Mom, I just have to know what the Count does next!"

OK, your wish is my command...especially since you are the one who views reading as a chore!

*and yes, there shall peace in the kingdom as they had the book on the shelf.

Wordless Wednesday: It's five o'clock, and now you know where to find me...

From boohoo to yahoo...

Thing Two is going on a field trip Wednesday. While I volunteered to chaperone, I learned they already had enough parents asking to go, and not enough space on the bus for all of us willing and able parents.

Initially I was rather sad. I know, I'm a freak but I rather enjoy these adventures with my kids. I get to see a side of them that I don't often get to be a part of.

My sadness turned to happiness today when I heard the weather forecast. It ain't pretty!
Ha! That will teach them to turn away the Volunteer of the Year for 2007!
(insert evil snicker, sneer!)

Saturday Funny

Thanks Dad for the morning laugh ( somethings are just funny no matter which team you prefer)