The One Upper and a Bitch Session

I'm getting this out and then I'm done with it.

I was so proud of Josh... he made the 5th grade band at Fort Worth Christian! I could tell that HE was proud, too. He tries to be humble but he wanted it SO badly... and he got it and I couldn't have been more proud of him. He was afraid to play rock music for an audition but I told him just becuase he went to a Christian school didn't mean that he couldn't listen to classic rock. That's just silly.

So, like any proud mama, I posted it to my Facebook page to share with my friends that know and love Josh OR that support me and would be excited for me too.

And then my sister comes and leaves a post that says, "Oh cool." Followed by about four lines of how wonderful HER daughter is. Completely without class. If you want to post about how wonderful your daughter is, do it on your Facebook wall, not mine.

Seriously, she tries to one up EVERYTHING in my or my kid's life. Does she really feel that badly about her, her life, her children that she feels the need to point out that although my kid did something great -- for him -- her daughter is obviously better because of such and such. She's done it repeatedly. It's annoying. It's obvious she's either jealous, bitter, contemptuous or just outright mean. Maybe a combination of all of them.

I posted something one time about Josh and running wherein she added how her girls were running 5k's and Cannon (the youngest) is going to run her first in a week. Well, good for them. Again, why shove it in my face about your kids. I'm excited for you and for them but don't post it at the expense of my children like you're showing how elite your family is over mine. It's pathetic. Thing is... every single time she does this I get e-mails from family and friends that know her telling me how absolutely pathetic it is that she does it and how badly she looks for having done it. So, it makes me wonder, does she even REALIZE she's doing it or is it so engrained in her psyche to put everyone else down to build yourself up even higher that she doesn't even know any better? Wow. That's sad.

I'm thinking, perhaps, she's still quite bitter about the fact that I didn't tell her I was pregnant. I know I did a post on that but I can't remember what I called it so in a nutshell, here's my rationale. I didn't tell her because I haven't really spoken to her in about 4 years. Yep, you heard me right. She moved to Hawaii and basically never called me again. I'd called and e-mailed and stuff but she was just doing her own thing and... well, there's a lot more than ocean between us now. I don't know her. I don't know her kids. I don't know her husband. She's related to me but she's more like a 5th or 6th cousin. We are "friends" on Facebook but I feel that is about to be shortlived. What's the point of BEING friends on Facebook if you're not friends in real life! So, I didn't tell her I was pregnant. Why? Because I don't know her. I don't talk to her and so for me to even call her would have been some kind of a conversation like this:

riiiiing, riiiiiing
Hello?
Hey, hi. It's April.
Oh, hey. What's going on?
Not much. Hey, I'm pregnant.
Oh cool.
Well, bye.
Bye.

What was the point of that? Seriously? It's just stupid. The people in my inner circle that really matter in my life knew. People that I talk to and converse with and that are close friends and famiy and that make a point to call and check on me... those people know. People that I don't talk to or have anything to really do with other than a card at Christmas... they didn't know. Why she'd expect anything differently I have no idea. I know if she were I'd never know either -- and I don't care about that. I don't know the nieces that I DO have... what's one more? Thing is, I'm totally okay with it.

So I don't have that storybook relationship of sisters that lean on one another and that can share recipes and ... send their kids to each other's homes in the summer for a week at a time to have a fun get away with their aunt. I always wanted that for my kids. Where your families vacation together and are close and enjoy one another's company. I don't have that. I'm okay with that. I guess she's not. But. That's not my problem.

Ben's snapshot in time

Ben turned 5 months on the 26th. He is just such a treasure. His entire face lights up when he sees me and that makes my heart melt. I lay in bed at night before bedtime and we just look at each other. He is at the stage where his little hand just pat, pat, pats whatever he's trying to grasp--be it my face, a toy, a blanket. Pat pat pat goes his little dimpled hand. He LIVES for bathtime. I've finally taken the sponge out of the formed bath and he lays back on the plastic. I feel badly becuase it's hard but he can scootch off the spongy thing so it's not an option any longer.

His hair still has a red tent and I STILL THINK he may have curls. His one little segment that he hasn't worn off to a bald spot from turn his head repeatedly on the surface of wherever he's laying is right on top. And I call it his cupie doll curl.

He's had rice cereal a couple of times. He does okay. I tried to mix in some ripe banana the other day and he wasn't too hip on that.

He is still in a size 2 diaper and still in size 3-6 months clothes. Generally he sleeps through the night but every now and then he wakes around 2 for a feeding. If he's hungry, I nurse him. Simple as that.

I'm considering making the transfer to his crib this month but honestly, I don't know how it will go. I do not want to but I know I need to. I love falling asleep with him by my side. I feel better knowing he's safe, that he's warm and that if he wakes and needs something I am right there and dont have to get out of bed to do it. I am comforted -- probably more than HE is -- having him by my side. He is my last son... and I want to cherish and treasure every single moment with him.

I do this silly thing where I hold him up above my head and say "SUPER BABY" and he's held out like he's flying. He just opens his mouth SO wide and just squeals. He loves that. He's finally taken to his Jumparoo, too. The song drives me nuts but... when you hear something over and over again, it's bound to. He HATES being put in the car seat. Seriously, every time you put him in, he cries. That things weighs a ton, too. I'll almost be glad when it's not even an option any more. He hates these little things in it that keep his head from falling forward when he sleeps but I like them because they keep his head in the right position.

He still grips his little toes around everything.

He's ticklish...everywhere but hasn't really let out a true belly laugh yet. (Does that mean I'm not funny?)

He went to "child care" for the first time ever when I went to MOPS on Friday. He did well... and was held for the entire two hours. Ha ha! Whoever the man was working in the nursery smelled good (Ben smelled like his cologne).

His favorite thing to do when he's tired is to be put in his swing and be given a binkie and his silk blanket to pull over his face. He LOVES the silky blanket on his face. It's pretty funny that we have this rocking blanket in the swing half the time.

He can roll over back and forth now. Very neat to watch him. He's not so smooth on the rolling from stomach to back and usully bomps his head a little when he lands and then looks at ME like, "Why'd ya do THAT?" So, I have a TRUE rollie polie now!

Sunday Stealing

The guys at Sunday Stealing go about the blogosphere finding memes to steal from other blogs. I like to participate so here we go! Cheers to all of us thieves!

21. If you were to live your life without your best friend, what would change? I would be a single mom and thus, my life would suck greatly. My children wouldn't have a father and I wouldn't be able to stay home with them as I'd be back at work. It'd be a horrible existence that I hope to never have to encounter.

22. Tell us about a era of your life that you really miss. I've always said that I wouldn't redo my youth because it made me who I am today but I miss the era of my life where I had no responsibilities. Where my grandmother was still alive and summer meant nothing more than spending my time with my cousin Laura and Tubby's swimming pool doing ceramics and eating salads with ranch dressing.

23. Have you ever been betrayed by someone that came as a complete surprise? Without revealing the person, if yes, tell us about it. I think anytime you are vested in a person and thus, a relationship, you should be surprised by any sort of betrayal. When I discovered my boyfriend had been unfaithful to me multiple times and had written about it in his journal (that I found)... that was a surprise and it let me know that I was very naive.

24. Do you ever think that is a good idea to hide your feelings? To a degree, yes. I don't feel that you should drag your children into adult arguments or discussions. So, hiding your feelings until the situation is resolved is what is best for their livelihood.

25. Tell us about your favorite year when you were a student. I have no idea. My memory is foggy.

25. When was the last time you were in a very good mood? What caused it? Yesterday. I was under a great amount of stress, hadn't eaten anything but disgusting fast food, had a fussy baby....seriously it was a "CALLLLLGON" type of day -- I still realized how completely blessed I was and how wonderful my life was at that very moment. I HAD a family. My children were healthy. I have a beautiful baby. My spouse is having a great day. I'm in the home of family that loves us. What was there to be in a bad mood about? Nothing that was WORTH being in a bad mood.

26. Have you ever had a romantic relationship with a sibling of a good friend? No. That's crossing the line.

27. Tell us about the last thing that you did that you truly regret. Complaining about Andy's mood within earshot of Josh.

28. When did you laughed today? "Laughed" as in past tense in a present tense question? (Sorry, I'm an English freak sometimes.) I laughed this morning when Ben rolled over and kicked me in the back to wake up.

29. Do you trust easily? Actually, I do. Why should I put other people in a position of distrust becuase of someone else? They have done nothing wrong.

30. What do you care about that you wish more people would? Gosh... the environment, cursing/nudity/homosexuality on television, obesity, animal cruelty, the state of our country being run by someone who is intent on running it into the ground, Big Government telling me what I can and can't do with my life, money, time, house.

31. Is it easier for you to go without food or go without sleep? Wow... hmm... I'd say it'd depend on for how long. I'm a real witch if I go too long without either.

32. What non-alcohol beverage do you enjoy drinking the most? Water with flavoring such as True Lime, True Orange or True Lemon.

33. When you walk into a room full of strangers, generally how is your confidence? Through the roof.

34. Does talking about sex with anyone but your lover make you uncomfortable? No, it's a natural thing.

35. Do you tend to believe members of the opposite sex mostly behave the same way? Ha ha... absolutely!

36. Did you drink any alcohol this week? If yes, what? Nope.

37. Would you ever consider being a vegetarian? As much as I like a big ole honkin' steak at times, yeah, I think I could do it.

38. Do you believe that there’s always room in your heart for someone? Absolutely.

39. Do you believe in the concept of soul mates? ... not really. I think you make the best of the situation as it suits you.

40. Last week, we had a few players criticize our victim’s questions. Which is fine to do and we value your opinion. Would you ever consider writing questions for Bud and me to post on a Sunday Stealing? Sure. I'm not sure they'd be any better than you'd find elsewhere, however.

Blogger guilt

So I've taken a couple of weeks off. I have several posts in draft form but haven't finished them yet. And, I have that thing called blogger guilt. Not because I feel like I've shortchanged my "audience" but because these are memories of my children's youth that if I don't record them, they're probably gone forever.

However, since we are going on the second full week of school this week, I am going to be getting into a better routine and intend to start scrapbooking again which means my blog posts are that much more important for recording the happenings of our life. :)

The Draft

Today is the annual day of testosterone in my house. OK, well, I guess every day is THE testosterone day in my house since I AM the only estrogen producing life form contained herein but, today is THE day that men around the metroplex (and Austin) look forward to coming to our house -- the fantasy football draft.

Usually I go shopping and am up half the night preparing all kinds of things for them to nosh over. This year, I had SO MUCH to do and going on and the need for sleep that I simply couldn't do it. What'd they do? Jets Pizza. It's seriously, THE best deep dish pizza -- like ev-ah! The crust is crispy and soft and buttery and not soggy! It's DE-LISH! Typically they have the Mexican layer dip, meatballs, deviled eggs, queso, dessert, etc. This year--pizza.

This morning was get up and get ready. Andy took the boys to the Snooty Pig to eat. I stopped by McDonald's and grabbed an egg/sausage/cheese biscuit and headed to Wal-Mart to get birthday presents, milk, diapers and booster seats. Back home to unload. I took Josh to football practice and then back home to wrap up Jake's birthday present (General Grevious from Star Wars the Clone Wars) and make him a Clone Wars name/luggage tag. Drew got ready for the swimming party and then went across the street where Kelly was kind enough to take him to for me with her two. I then got Ben fed and packed up. I got clean clothes for the boys bagged up. I left at 11:30 to go pick up Josh from football. This was the first time Ben dozed off since 7:30 this morning. We sat in the parking lot of football practice for about 20 minutes with him sleeping. At noon, they were released and we headed to the house for him to take a towel bath and change clothes. The fantasy tailgaters were already here (Andy had left to pick up the pizzas). I opened the house to let them in and went back out to sit with Ben in the car while Josh hurried up and changed. I was backing out and Andy was ready to pull in the drive. We left to go pick up Drew from the swimming party at The Keller Pointe (very cool place, I think we may join next summer.) From there we headed to Mimi's and I unloaded the car and she offered to take them to Chuck E Cheese.

Then, from that point on it was a fight to get Ben to relax or eat -- he would do neither. He was seriously not a happy camper. I didn't know what to do... I felt badly because I didn't want to disrupt my father-in-law's quiet time with a screaming baby but he would NOT relax and had only minimal naps -- 10 minutes here, 5 minutes there since 7:30 in the morning. Not the makings for a great day. I finally got him down around... 3pm. He slept in his swing for about 2 1/2 hours. Andy called at 5:15 and said the Draft was over but I was NOT waking up that baby for NUTTIN! We got home about 6:30. I headed to Central Market for a SUPER salad and some fruit. The boys went outside to play. Andy went to a friends to watch the Dallas Cowboys play and ... I was just... ready... to collapse at 9pm. Ben got a bath and he was OUT for the night.

I couldn't have been happier that this day was over.

Getting into a groove

It's been hard to get into a groove or a schedule or any sort of what Flylady.net wants me to with the bizarre things that just seem to pop up that need my attention.

Yes, I'm trying the Flylady.net program once again in an attempt to a) keep my house "company ready" at all times and b) do everything in small manageable segments so that I don't have to have a housekeeper every other week. Not that I don't enjoy having one, but I hate that I have to and I also hate the week up to her coming because generally there ARE dustbunnies in the corners and since I haven't made time to remove them, I don't feel I have time to remove them.

I'm trying to find time to do several things. Here are some of them, in no particular order:

1. scrapbook
2. clean house
3. read books
4. plan menus
5. exercise
6. attend MOPS group events
7. attend GCSML events
8. prepare healthy meals, snacks and breakfasts
9. do batch cooking sessions

So, as this week comes along... I fully intend to use my "free" time to finalize my scheduling and planning so that I can get things in order to be the best mom, wife and ME that I can be!

MOPS

It's the season in my life to attend MOPS again. I love MOPS. MOPS is Mothers of PreSchoolers. It's a faith-based organization for moms in the season of life that entails little ankle biters! :) Ha ha... It's a chance to go to a setting with other moms in like seasons to share some MOM time that will equip you to be a better Christ-follower, mother, wife and person.

When I was in MOPS with Drew, I made some of the best friends I've had in a long time. It's refreshing to have someone that's in that season with you that you can call and, more importantly, see on a regular basis to just feel like something other than "just a mom" a day or two a month.

Today was the first get together of our table--the blue table. I was 20 minutes late because Ben decided to nurse AND fill his diaper in the 15 minutes before we were leaving. Sigh. C'est la vie.

I am SO excited for the members and moms at my table. There are a couple that are just stinkin' beautiful! Seriously, I wonder what time they start getting ready in order to look THAT GOOD. One said she gained EIGHTY pounds with one of her pregnancies. The girl is a size ZERO (or a two, but that's about it) so I have no idea how in the world that oculd have happened. It gives me hope I, too, can be a size 6-8 again. Heck, I'll be happy with an 8-10 right now! :) There is a pregnant mom as well so it's nice to know that I won't be the ONLY one with an infant. A couple are like me with kiddos that are older and in school, too.

The only thing I wonder is if we'll have playdates. My kiddo can't play and I have all my "baby" toys in the attic. LOL. Wonder if I should keep them out "just cause".... naaah...

I see the start of some great friendships. I look forward to this time each month!

Football...

So, Josh wanted to play football again this season. He was on the Giants last season which is, obviously, "off season" leagues. His team went to the Superbowl. Fluke that he got on a great team. I have a problem with him playing football. I haven't told him this. I don't really tell anyone this but, I can tell you, my silent blog this, right? Josh isn't aggressive. He doesn't enjoy just the thought of laying someone out and making them say that, "UNNNGH!" as they hit the ground. Andy's described it as a game of mental toughness. The ONLY time you'll ever be 100% in a football season is the morning before your first day of practice. After that, it's all about just giving everything you got with every practice and every game. Toughing through it.

Josh... he's not about toughing through it. I think he thinks it just looks like a lot of fun. I think, too, that he'd really like to be a receiver rather than be on the line.

So, the first practice was on his first day of school, the day he felt like his throat hurt, and after a summer of relaxing (for the most part -- he did take racquetball and triathlon in College for Kids but that was about 3 weeks prior so he definitely hadn't been conditioned for running drills yet. So we get there and he says something about his leg...he's a bit of a hypochondriac.... I don't want to NOT be concerned but... should you really eveeeeeeeeeeeeery time show major concern for any little thing. This kid ... seriously... Drew walked on his hand, "Mom, I think my hand's broke." Every. Little. Thing. Produces. Pain and DRAMA! So, like the boy who cried wolf, how do you find that balance between believing and showing concern and love and teaching him to be a man and suck it up a bit? Seriously? I went CAMPING when I was 7 months pregnant... SUCK IT UP!

But even just saying that seems like such a bitch thing to say to your kid. ??? Is that where the importance for the mom/dad roles comes into play? SO that I then look like the loving, motherly type and dad looks like the hard-ass wanting his kid to be the next great thing? Or does that then make dad look like someone who expects too much and is mean? Where DO you find that balance?

The first practice they played a game called "The Deer Hunter" where they squared off a section of field. Four players has orange material stretched over their helmets. They were the hunters. The rest of the players were in the square and they became, duh, the deer. The goal? The hunters tackle the deer one at a time until they're all gone. Once you're tackled, you're out. I never saw Josh once really show aggression and try to just take someone down. He tries to just grab them with his hands rather than use his body weight and momentum to take them down. It's so aggravating to watch because HE is the one that said HE wanted to do this! So, does he really? If so, WHY?

The first practice was cut short because he had to go to a Webelos event. He left in tears saying he couldn't put his foot down all the way. He was limping. I feel like such a worthless lump at the fact that I really find it hard to muster sympathy in situations like this.

...fast forward... he misses Wednesday's practice because of strep throat.

Saturday is the next practice. I didn't go. He's recovering from strep throat and speaking of... I probably need to sanitize his water bottle! Add that to the growing things to do list. Andy said that he did better but he, again, left in tears. This time saying that his throat hurt so badly he couldn't breathe. This time, I really do have sympathy for him. Poor kid. I'm sure he wasn't at 100% for the simple fact that he's been blowing his nose like crazy and you can hear that his throat sounds coated with crap every time he talks.

Andy tried to talk to him about how it's a game of mental toughness and how even when you're beat down, you don't quit.

I just don't know if after this season, I can take another season of this. I want him to be in some sort of physically exerting sport but... seriously. He is NOT an aggressive kid. He thinks the boys are mean that talk "smack" on the line. He doesn't understand why they need to cuss at each other at their age (I don't either) but seriously, he's just too nice for football, right?

Why he wants to play football is beyond me. I've speculated before... he knows how much Andy likes it and sees this as a way for him to do something for them to bond together. Maybe he hopes to be so great that Bob will come down from Iowa and be proud of him for something? Is he trying to feel worthy of attention or praise? He GETS attention and praise? I just don't GET what my role is supposed to be here. I try to give him ideas, pointers, and advice. I tell him it's not a game of size (always), more of leverage. I showed him pictures of LITTLE guys going against HUGE guys and the common denominator they have -- they never give up and they give their all. EVERY. TIME.

Sigh. It's frustrating!

Friday Fill Ins

And...here we go!

1. Laughter is not only the best medicine, it's a great way to make milk come out your nose.

2. "Well, why in..." are the three words that started off the last e-mail I sent.

3. What I'm most looking forward to today is ... I don't know honestly, it will be the first time ever that both older boys are at school, all day, and I'm here alone with Ben and a to do list a mile long. I don't know if I should tackle the to-do list or just go take a nap! Seriously, I'm at a loss.

4. Seeing Benjamin smiling at me first thing in the morning (even if it IS at 4 am) puts a smile on my face.

5. Where in the world do Americans get their sense of entitlement from? Since when does ANYONE owe you ANYTHING? Seriously... think about it.

6. Andy always seems to know just what I needed.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my continual house purge, doing nothing and letting the boys enjoy their first weekend of the school year, tomorrow my plans include going to Home Depot to get the materials to install my new countertop in the laundry room and hearing how Josh's 2nd football practice went and Sunday, I want to enjoy my time at church as well as take dinner to a new mom!


You can play along with Friday Fill Ins, too. Click HERE.

Five Question Friday

Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then link up to My Little Life (below)!:

1. Do you have any nicknames and if so how did it come about? No, but sometimes I feel like I should. There was a Seinfeld episode where George wanted to be T-Bone but because of his actions he was labeled as something else.


2. What is your birth order amongst your siblings? I'm the "baby" (ha). I have a 42 year old half sister (different dads).

3. In a movie of your life, who would play your significant other? Um... ??? My husband, duh?!

4. What is currently your favorite song? You know, I just don't know... I never am good with the "favorite" question because generally I have SO MANY favorites -- of everything. I don't like to feel limited to ONE THING.

5. Are you saving your money for anything right now? Big or small purchase? Retirement.


Come join the fun each Friday at My Little Life

Day 1 ends... Day 2 begins

So day one of school went off without a hitch. Josh had a BUSY afternoon afterwards. We were heading for his guitar lessons at 3:30 p.m. and he said, "Mom, my throat hurts." I said, "Open your mouth and say "AAAAHHHH."" He did. I saw a white spot. What that meant, I had no idea. Why? Because I never ask him to open his mouth and say that so if that spot is there all the time, I'd never know.

He went to guitar. We came home. He rested (after all, he'd been up a while with it being the first day of school and all.)

Then he got suited up and headed to his first football practice. He's on the Raiders this year. More about THAT later. Left practice in tears after an hour to head to Scouts.

Finished a Webelos program at a local Boy Scout Troop he'd gone 4 other times this summer and really enjoyed himself.

Came home and ate, showered, and went to bed. HOWEVER, when I woke him up Wednesday morning, I could tell he didn't sound right. We went to Care Now (because the Pediatrician's office couldn't get him in until after 11:30 a.m.) and he came back positive for STREP! UGH! So he's missed the first full day of school. But, I guess if you have to miss, the time to do that is NOW.

That's the way the cookie crumbles...

I'm on a quest. A quest to find the perfect oatmeal cookie. I found two recipes to try but they both called for quick oats which is something I simply don't have in my home. So, I resorted to using the recipe that's on the inside of the box lid for the oatmeal. I don't know if you can use quick oats and rolled oats interchangeably in recipes. Can you?

And so, they're okay but... is it too much to pine for the perfect oatmeal cookie?

I want them chewy, somewhat cakelike and delicoius. All the ones I find seem to be flat and crunchy. While the taste is still good, it's just NOT the kind of oatmeal cookie I covet.

So, ladies and gents -- if you know of a great chewy oatmeal cookie recipe (preferrably with nuts), I'd love for you to share with me.

The pick up line...

My pick up line (for when I pick up my kids from school) besides the obvious, "How was your day?" to which I generally get, "Good" is "What was the best part about your day."

So... first day of school, I ask, "Josh, what was the best part about your day?"

He thinks for a minute and proceeds to explain something about what they did in art with a picture frame. Carefully describing his color choices and such. He confessed he wasn't sure if he should share because he thought it might be a gift for me for later in the year but... I just wanted to know so he shared.

Drew said, "My favorite thing about today was that I made a new friend." Seriously, that just made me tear up! I was so thankful that he's finding friendship in a new place... because it's awesome that he's in a new environment and is already building relationships. Maybe ones that will last a lifetime!

A common theme

I've been noticing a common theme from many of the blogs I read/follow on a regular basis. Everyone is wanting to take a little bit of a break to refocus on the one thing in life that means the most to them -- their families. Like they "owe" it to their readership to give them a reason for NOT blogging. It's beyond comprehension to me. When and where and how do you draw the line between blogging and being a slave to your blog.

I, for one, use my blog as a way to record moments, feelings and milestones in my life so that when I go back to scrapbook the photos, I've got the juicy details all right there for me to put on paper.

I find it so bizarre that people are feeling GUILT for not keeping up with their blogs as if they owe someone something. You know? Weird.

I write for me... I write for my children. If you subscribe, I hope you enjoy. If you're compelled to leave a comment, feel free. If you don't want to, that's okay too. I just -- it's so weird to me to image people being a slave to a THING. That THING won't hug you, validate you, keep you company or give quality time to your kids. It's a thing... leave it in it's priority on the totem pole. :) Family first man... family first. :)

It's the little things...

"Little things" conjures up lots of little cliche phrases for me such as "Little things come in small packages." People say that life is made up of the little moments that take our breath away. Or, that the big things are the little things.

As a mom, we will absolutely go without so that our children have everything and anything that they could possibly need. Point in case, imagine making a pie that your grandmother always made you as a child... the house smells delicious and you simply cannot wait to sink your teeth into a bite after dinner.

You graciously prepare dinner for your brood which is something equally divine and savory. You serve your husband first as a sign of respect. As the head of the household, it is your job to put him second (God, obviously first) in line. Next, any guests present are served ample portions. Next you carefully prepare the plates for your children giving them just enough. Last, you serve yourself and seat yourself among the others. If your children have any sense of manners, they are all waiting for you at the table and have yet begun to eat. After a heartfelt prayer of thanks, dinner is gobbled up voraciously. This fills you with a sense of accomplishment and pride. You graciously clear the table. Your well-behaved, eldest son smiles and helps. With dishes placed in (or near) the sink, you smile and bring in your masterpiece--the pie. You smile and take in the compliments of your guests and family on the presentation of this beautiful creation. You cut and again, serve your husband. You serve your guests. You serve your children. You smile and exit the room for a moment only to return to see that your children have cleaned their plates. The adults are conversing among themselves and the children... one of them asks for the last piece. You haven't had your piece yet but graciously, serve it onto his eagerly awaiting empty dessert plate. He asks, "Are you sure you don't want it?" Your reply, "I've never been fond of pie anyway."

These are the things a mother does to put her children first. Doesn't that just have a whole "Normal Rockwell" feel to it? Sure, you pictured June Clever in her blue dress, heels and pearls with a beautiful pie featuring a meringue topping a foot high if it's an inch, didn't you?

Well, in a normal world in my house, that's really how it is (minus the heels and pearls) but I really would let my children indulge over myself. I do serve my husband, guests and children first. I do feel proud when I have created something savory and palatable for everyone at my table.

However, when your children have TWO ENTIRE 5-drawer rolling carts FULL of art supplies such as pencils, pens, crayons, erasers, markers, Sharpies and the like and I have one SMALL milk glass container the size of a dessert bowl on my desk that is supposed to house 2 blue pens, 2 black pens, 2 red pens, 2 pencils, 2 Sharpies and one set of thin Crayola markers... darnit... I EXPECT THEM TO BE LEFT ALONE! I just went to grab a pen -- they're ALL MISSING I went to grab my black Crayola marker, someone's used it until it's dried out! The red is missing as is the green and yellow. My black Sharpie -- MIA.

So, as that is said, this LITTLE thing is a BIG THING to me and I'm going to have a LITTLE talk with my LITTLE men and tell them to leave my LITTLE pen holder alone or they're going to have a LITTLE pain on their LITTLE behind from my LITTLE wooden spoon because trying to find a marker, pen, pencil or Sharpie has given me a LITTLE headache.

I guess it IS all in the little things after all.

Back to school organization

We have so many things coming up around the corner.... football, baseball, band, homework, practices... it's time to get organized. Stay tuned for some awesome organizational tips, a very cool organizational system and some freebies to download if you're interested!

Ding Dong the Laptop's dead

I made that Wicked Wednesday post and shut down the laptop only to have it black screen me requesting a start up cd - which didn't come with the computer when we bought it. We did, however, get a great little piece of cardboard WITH a picture of a CD on it that says:

Your new computer does not require an operating system CD or drivers CDs. Instead, if you ever need to reinstall your software, use one of the following methods.

Microsoft Windows System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files. For more information, double-click the Owner's Manual icon on your desktop.

Dell PC Restore returns your computer to its original operating state. For more information, double-click the Owner's Manual icon on your desktop.

Well, you know that'd be real freakin helpful if the freakin computer would boot UP to the freakin desktop but since a freakin STARTUP file is "missing or corrupted" it won't GET TO THE SCREEN "to" be able to perform one of those actions wherein having the disks would prove to be a tad helpful. What idiot thought they'd save the company money with that ingenious idea. What an idiot. Sorry, computer issues makes me a little nutty.

Can I get a collective "grrrrrrr"?

So, I'm EXTREMELY limited as to when I can get on the computer because it has to be a) when I have nothing else going on and b) Ben's in the swing -- which right now he's screaming at me so I should obviously get off of this but... I'm irritated and needed to vent.

And, in closing, ladies and gents, I implore you -- if you're in the market for a Dell system, REQUEST THE CD's. That way IF (and I hope you never do) you need them, you have them at your disposal.

Wednesday Wickedness with Oprah

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Wickedness. We are like other memes in that we will ask you ten questions each and every Wednesday. But our little "twist" is that each week we will pick a famous person and pick ten of their quotes. Each of our questions will be based on the quotes. Got it? Great! Let's begin this week's meme!

Today we picked Oprah. Here's Wednesday Wickedness!

1. “I don't think you ever stop giving. I really don't. I think it's an on-going process. And it's not just about being able to write a check. It's being able to touch somebody's life.” What was the last thing that you did to help somebody’s life? I believe I help lives everyday... you offer words of encouragement, a friendly chat with someone who is down, a hug to cheer a sad child... it doesn't have to be one big defining moment -- because sometimes, it's all about the little things.

2. “Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” How long have you ever held your breath? Probably about... well, let's see. One. Two. Three. I'm done. Ok, three seconds. Seriously, maybe 30 seconds. I have watched free divers (on tv shows) that can hold theirs up to SIX MINUTES! That's crazy!

3. “As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around.” At what point do you think that you really decided who your were? Yesterday.

4. “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” At what time of the year do you think you celebrate your life the most? I don't agree with this statement. I'm not about celebrating me. I'm about living a good life and being happy but I don't feel it necessary to celebrate me. I would rather celebrate everyone around me that has something to DO with me... but not me. Seems very narcissistic... oh wait... a billion dollar celebrity made that statement right? Yeah, well...there ya go.

5. “So go ahead. Fall down. The world looks different from the ground.” Are there times when you thought you had fallen down and learned something about yourself? Of course, if you don't learn through your mistakes... what's the point of even living your life? Mistakes aren't really mistakes...they're just opportunities that didn't make! Ha!

6. “Devote today to something so daring even you can’t believe you’re doing it.” What was the last thing you did where you thought that you could not believe in what you were doing? Having another child...

7. “Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” Do you think that you must struggle to become strong? I think we all do. If you're comfortable, you're not pushing yourself.

8. “Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” Do you feel that life’s experiences always prepare you for what there is to come? Not always.

9. “The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” Can only a rich person feel this way? What do you think Oprah means by this? I think it's easy to live the life of your dreams when you have limitless resources. I think she means -- for the rest of us -- to do the best with what we have.

10. “I do not believe in failure. It is not failure if you enjoyed the process.” Do you believe in failure? I believe in failure...because if you just flat out give up... you've failed. You could have failed a team, your family, your God, your employer. I mean, if my brakes don't work... they've failed. I think that's something someone says to just make people feel better. Kind of like the whole... "people are beautiful on the inside" being something ugly people say.

My favorites

Josh will routinely ask me what my favorite is... my favorite color, my favorite flower, my favorite movie, my favorite song, my favorite band... and truth be known -- I don't really have many favorites.

I mean, to say something is your favorite really means that you're putting one thing up on a pedestal as the end all be all your top of the totem pole favorite and...well, it's seems so limiting to me.

Colors.. it depends on what it's for... I like white... I like black... I like red... I love hues of green and yellow and brown and turquoise... all mixed together in a beautiful design. I love purple and coral. Picking just one just isn't a good ting to me. For cars, however, I really like black. For shirts, I like plain white or black -- I can't really pull off patterns very well.

Numbers... ??? I don't know why anyone WOULD have a favorite number. If I had to pick one it'd be ...well... number ONE! LOL. Just keep it simple but for no other reason than it's typically a winner!

Flowers... again, why be so limiting? Tulips are beautiful as are hydrangeas and daisies and roses... how about a big old bunch of wild flowers??? They're all my favorite just because they're each beautiful and unique in their own.

then... you talk about kids.

Josh -- Josh is my favorite because of his kind and gentle heart. He aims to please and he is very sensitive. He wants to be exceptional at everything he does and would rather do without than someone to go without because of him. He's goofy and has the most beautiful hazel eyes of any kiddo ever! He wants to do well. He wants to fit in. He's my favorite because of at the stage in his life that he's at... with the cards that he's been dealt... he handles it better than any kid I know could. He's my favorite because he loves to learn and likes having little pieces of trivial knowledge to insert into conversation. He's my favorite artist. He's my favorite because he is learning that if he doesn't speak up for himself... sometimes no one else can. My favorite is Josh...

Drew -- Drew is my favorite because of his desire to be happy and his imagination. He is an amazing Lego maniac. His recent plastering every inch of wall with personally made Star Wars posters is awesome. He's my favorite artist. He drew my most favorite Boba Fett, ever. He, too, aims to please and he, himself, will be moved to tears at the thought of upsetting Mommy or Daddy. He has a very tender heart and does not like people to laugh or make fun of him. It hurts his feelings and when they get hurt, he runs to hide. His vulnerability is my favorite. His imagination and hour long "play baths" are my favorite. He has these awesome grey eyes. My favorite grey eyes. My favorite is Drew...

Ben -- Ben is my favorite because he needs me. He looks lost in a room until he looks up and sees me and then instantly smiles. ...because he knows that I will provide for him whatever it is that he needs to feel safe and secure. ...because he doesn't care what he wears, what's on TV, what's for dinner or when... because he hasn't reached the age of antagonism or orneriness. He doesn't need anything but some milk, some love, some sleep and a clean diaper. His simplicity is my favorite. He just wakes up when he needs something and then makes eye contact with me and just smiles the most genuine smile. My favorite baby smile. My favorite is Ben...

So, see, it's just like why I can't say I have a favorite child because they're ALL my favorites since they're all unique and different and wonderful. If they were all the same, it'd be easy to say, "THIS....this one is my favorite." But they're not. And I wouldn't want them any other way.

Dress Code

I am the meanest mom ever, you know?

Generally, dress and personal appearance I take with a grain of salt. For the most part, I let my boys pick whatever they want to wear so long as they're clothed. If they want a mohawk, they are the ones having to wear it, not me! If they want to wear pajamas to Wal-Mart (not that they have), I would be okay with that. However, today Josh, Drew and Mimi are going to the Dallas World Aquarium for an adventure before school starts. I call upstairs (using the intercom system on the phones we have) to wake Josh. "Time to get up and get ready, get dressed and grab some breakfast. Mimi will be here in about 45 minutes." I get a sleep, "OOoooooookaaaaaay," in response.

So he walks downstairs and into the kitchen... wearing a Guns and Roses T-SHIRT??!?! At first I wasn't going to say anything but then I thought better of it. "Josh, you're going to an indoor aquarium... with your GRANDMOTHER. Please put on something nicer."

He rolls his eyes and sighs and walks upstairs.

Only to return wearing a dark navy blue Old Navy 2010 July 4 t-shirt. UGH! I said, "Another t-shirt, really? Please wear a collared shirt.

Again, a sigh.

He comes BACK downstairs wearing a nice collared shirt (and had told Drew - in advance - don't go downstairs unless you're wearing a nice shirt, Mom will make you change.)

In the end, I win.
The boys look handsome.
Mimi will look good too.

Prayers

I'd been following THIS blog since I first saw a prayer request for Preslee. She has passed... I can't begin to fathom the feelings this young family have had to take on. Helplessness, sadness, emptiness, loneliness, distraught, loss. My heart breaks for them. Please keep them in your prayers. If you go to the site, please take a hankie (or ten) with you... you'll need them.

Silence of Sunday

Since Ben and I co-sleep, typically when he goes back down at 5-5:30 a.m. from his morning feeding, I'm right there with him but I rarely am tired enough TO go back to sleep. This morning, I got him tucked in and decided to do some much needed... iGoogle reading! :) It's my therapy!

I love having quiet time. I can ponder lots of things... it really does get me thinking, though, about lots of things and faith and God and children and cooking and family and friends and games and crafts and... my mind simply will not stop when I get in the quiet.

I have one week from today when it's officially "SCHOOL SEASON" for the boys. This is Josh and Drew's last week of freedom. This is the week when they'll be going to bed at 8 and 9, respectively and ... starting on Wednesday, getting up by 7am just to get in the swing of things.

This past week we went and bought their uniforms for them at Fort Worth Christian. What I don't understand at all is why they cost so darn much. Seriously, Wal-Mart carries school uniforms where you can get 4 shirts for $18. I paid more than that for ONE shirt! Why? I'm seriously taking the clothes we bought to stores that sell uniforms and if I see something comparable, I'm buying it. Why the strictness for where the uniforms come from is ludicrous. If they're getting kickbacks from the uniform company... that's wrong. People are paying tuition to go there... don't nickel and dime them on uniforms...let them save money SOMEWHERE. :(

Another thing that happens when they start school is that I start on the weight loss journey again. It's been a while coming but since I"m back at my heavy weight again -- this is the weight I was before I joined Jenny Craig and lost 32 pounds the last time... I have to lose that same 32 pounds again. A lot of it will be easy once I'm not eating out for lunch with the kids and once I start walking/jogging again. I'd prefer to jog but that's not going to happen right now. My boobs are HUGE! Nursing boobs are just... seriously, I'm a 34DD in real life. While nursing, I'm probably a double F. As in are you EFFing kidding me? I rejoined Weight Watchers and they have great resources and diet plans for nursing moms. Seriously, they're huge and I hate them. My friend Aymie (that I went to high school with) is on Facebook and she had a reduction done and said it's the best thing she ever did. I'm seriously considering it after I'm done playing Nurse Bessie Moo Cow. One of my problems right now is that I can't find a COMFORTABLE BRA! I have two racing back bras that put SO MUCH strain/hurt on my shoulder muscles that I dread wearing them. I want a NORMAL bra that just happens to be a nursing bra. I don't have one and it sucks. So, obviously, since I have no 'normal bra' I can't realistically jog because, well, I gotta keep the girls in place. So, I will walk...and walk.. and walk.

I don't have a jogging stroller so I'm going to use the regular stroller and hope it will hold up. I hate, however, that it only has one brake. One of them apparently broke off. Waah.

What else has happened...Ben was given the go ahead at his 4 month check up to start solids. Our regular pediatrician, Dr. Knapp, was at Philmont so he wasn't there and the lady that saw us in his absence just wasn't as ... I don't know... just wasn't Dr. Knapp. You know how people are with their physicians? If it's not them, it's just not them! He only gained a little weight but he grew a couple of inches. Hard to grow all the way around...out and up I supposed. I've never started the boys on rice cereal until they were 5 1/2 to 6 months. I think the issue I'm facing right now is ... I'm an exclusively breastfeeding mom. For me to give him cereal means that I need to MIX it with some liquid something... but I don't pump so ?? Do I use water? Formula? I don't know what to use. I'm not "anti" formula but I do hate that it stains but I don't see -- even if I wanted TO pump -- how I'd be able to pump enough milk to use for these purposes of having enough to mix with the rice, oatmeal or whatever a couple of times a day.

I'm having continual Mommy Guilt from not getting out the camera more often. I hate that I don't...and I know these moments won't last forever but since my small one bit the dust... it's just a pain to break out the big dog all the time. Starting the first week of school, I'm going to be doing weekly pictures of all 3 boys. That's on my "to do" list. I actually have it as a recurring appointment on my calendar.

I'm also starting with FlyLady. I hope to get a system down in my house so that I don't need a housekeeper anymore and can just manage it all myself in just minutes a day.

OH... and my friend Eric sold me 4 pieces of furniture for $130. My mom sold one for $70 and then refinished the other 3 for me. I let her keep the $70. AND THEN... I found this great idea for a "home command center" that I just really want to do and my mom went and got the two pieces of sheet metal to make it happen! I'm so excited! Basically what we're going to do is install these two 2x4 pieces of sheet metal on the empty wall in the laundry room (in studs -- it's heavy!). We will then frame the perimeter with some chair rail. Then we will get these little decorative corner pieces. I will then fill the space with filler and then paint the edges. I can't decide if I should go black or white. I'm thinking black since I'm going to install a black counter top in there but??? Don't know yet. Once it's all the way we want it, it will have a file folder hanger on it... a calendar... our weekly menu... magnets to hold up important papers... the chore chart and anything else that is magnetic and that I want up on the wall! I'm QUITE thrilled to have my home command center coming together!

I'm excited to have signed back up for MOPS and for the Mom's League again. I hope that will help me get out of the house some more and develop some great friendships again.

I'm hoping that by getting all these things in my life together it will enable things to run smoothly and for me to get off the computer... forget about the unnecessary and spend lots of quality time being a mother and wife... those are the two most important things in my life to me.

Sunday Stealing

The guys at Sunday Stealing go about the blogosphere finding memes to steal from other blogs. I like to participate so here we go! Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. Introduce yourself. Why? I know who I am... why don't YOU introduce YOURSELF!

2. It’s Wednesday at noon, where are you usually? Having lunch with my boys

3. What kind of laundry detergent do you use? ...whatever is on sale and made for HE machines

4. What brand of shampoo is in your shower right now? Head and Shoulders along with Suave.

5. Did you ever get into a bar and drink before you were 21? No. I didn't think it was that important.

6. What countries have you been to? Mexico and Jamaica

7. Do you watch MTV anymore? Nope

8. What do you think about Oprah I think she tries to do a lot of good with what she can. I think she's influential. I do feel, however, like the celebrity elite, she's so rich that she's so out of touch with the common person that it's not even funny.

10. You need a new pair of jeans: what store do you go to first? The Gap

11. Did you ever watch The O.C.? Since I don't even know what that stands for... or what it is... I'm going to have to say no.

12. What kind of car do you drive 2010 Chrysler Town and Country

13. Honestly, is that car insured? Of course... we're still paying on it.

14. Do you like sushi? No.

15. Have you ever been to Tiffany & Co. or Saks 5th Ave? Both! I love Tiffany's! :) I love their little turquoise boxes wrapped in white ribbon. Saks is fun to walk through but I would never pay those prices for clothes. Spaghetti stains a $500 shirt just as easily as it'll stain a $20 shirt.

16. Did your parents spoil you growing up? Nope.

17. Do you like roller coasters? Sure... I just usualliy don't ride them anymore because I have a little one with me.

18. What magazine(s) do you buy regularly or subscribe to? Family Circle... there are a few others but that's the main one besides Family Fun

19. Do you remember the old WB show “Popular”? Nope. Guess it wasn't ... huh?

20. When you go out do you prefer to go to a dance club or to a bar? Depends on whom I'm with... girlfriends, dance club... just group of friends... bar.

21. What do you think about gay marriage? I think two people that love each other and want to make a commitment to one another should be allowed to make a formal, legal, civil union but I don't think it should be called "marriage".

22. Who do you think will be the next president? a Republican that is actually an American citizen

23. Are you registered to vote? Sure am.

24. Do you own an iPad? Nope.

25. Is your bathroom filled with beauty stuff? ??? Not really. I'm not a high maintenance person.

Five Question Friday

Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then link up to My Little Life (below)!:

1. Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper?
You know, I really don't know because...well.. I'm asleep. I think I'm a fairly neat sleeper, however. You'd probably have to ask Andy...the cover stealing, burrito rolling messy sleeper.

2. Fill in the blank. I wish I was more spontaneous. Seriously, I wish I could let go of the things that HAVE to be done and let loose a little. But I hate having loads and loads of laundry to do and I hate having to do things at the last minute because of failing to plan...but I admire those that are able to do it all and still not be frazzled.

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about? Getting married too young.

4. What was the best thing you ever found at a garage sale/flea market? I don't really garage sale or go do flea markets so ??? I do go to Canton and I've bought a few repurposed things that were already redone...but were still at a great discount...

5. If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be? OOOhh.... lobster with melted butter, small filet mignon, side of asparagus and garlic smashed new potatoes... some of those wonderful cheddar biscuits from Red Lobster and a delicious white on white cake for the ending. But, then you'd have to roll me out to my car! LOL


Come join the fun each Friday at My Little Life

Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!

1. Life is only what you make of it.

2. Never give up, always keep going.

3. My last text message (or IM) ended in these three words: ...pretty cool, huh?

4. Meatloaf is what I'm thinking about for dinner sometime soon.

5. On the 1st day of August my true love gave to me.... oh wait, that's another song!

6. These days of summer find my boys lively and energetic.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my continual house purge, tomorrow my plans include a DIY project with my mom (and playing with the boys and Ben) and Sunday, I want to get something accomplished and go to church!


You can play along with Friday Fill Ins, too. Click HERE.

Thankful Thursday

The Mommy Files is where you'll find this great Thursday link-up. Join us in being thankful! It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “W.”

Happy Thursday!

I'm thankful for:

• Walt Disney World - It's like... one of my favorite places on the planet!
• waffles - because they make Drew happy
• Whole Wheat - because it's healthy
• Weight Watchers -- cause they're gonna help me be healthy again
• Water - cause... well... like we'd all die without it!
• Watermelon -- it's summertime and they're delicious!
• Washers! -- I love my LG front loading washing machine.
• Wal-Mart -- OK.. I dont LIKE them but I'm definitely thankful for how much money they save me
• well-behaved children -- aren't we ALL thankful for those?
• Western movies -- I love Toombstone, Young Guns, Open Range, Wyatt Earp... love westerns!
• Whataburger! We love their burgers!
• While You Were Sleeping -- One of my favorite movies ever.. thankful that everytime I see it, it just makes me smile

Wednesday Wickedness with Chelsea Clinton

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Wickedness. We are like other memes in that we will ask you ten questions each and every Wednesday. But our little "twist" is that each week we will pick a famous person and pick ten of their quotes. Each of our questions will be based on the quotes. Got it? Great! Let's begin this week's meme!

Today we picked Chelsea Clinton. Here's Wednesday Wickedness!

1. “I think with our problems with hopelessness and cynicism that [the solution] ultimately has to come from the young people themselves. We've got to realize we are the future and we make of our future what we make of it, and ultimately we have to do it for ourselves.” If you had a wish for your future, what would it be?
I would with to live a challenging, fulfilling, grace-filled charitable life that touches many lives and leaves a legacy of love for my children.

2. “We proved we could be safe and secure at home, and still have more allies and friends in the world.” Tell us about a couple of your closest friends.
--Christie is my best friend. I've known her since we went to tech school together out of high school. She's been my bf since I was 19... so almost 20 years! She's honest, trustworthy, will tell-it-like-it-is and giggles a lot. They made her and then broke the mold. I love her and am glad she's not family -- well, because if she was, I'ms ure I WOULDN'T like her... so since she's my friend, I can! Ha ha! She's "family" without being family. We don't see each other like we used to and although I really, really miss that... I know that if I ever needed her, all I'd have to do is pick up the phone and she'd have my back.

--Gene is my "guy" best friend that I've known since SEVENTH GRADE! He's currently in Iraq serving in the USAF! We've been through marriages, divorces, deaths, all the trials and tribulations of high school and we are still just as close if not closer than before. He's family...

3. “I had seen people who had lost everything and everyone they loved to war, famine, and natural disasters.” What is the most that you have ever lost?
I lost part of myself when I got married the first time. I lost who I was... what I stood for... most of my friends... my independence... my self esteem.... Never again.


4. “We grieve for the loss of life, ... I ask you to redouble your resolve and help your neighbors.” What was the last thing that you have done to help a neighbor?
I make meals for them. I send flowers when they're blue. I place phone calls, drop by or pick up things that I know will brighten their day. I've watched children... I'm pretty neighborly. :)

5. “I think they were interested in it.” What have you done to help someone because of a shared interest?
What haven't I done? I scrapbook... I share e-mail with my friend Christa because sometimes I feel she's my sista-from-anotha-mutha. We are kindred spirits like that and share a crafty spirit!

6. “How we use these surpluses in this moment of prosperity will determine America's future for decades to come. Nothing will more surely determine it than making the right choices…” What do you think the priorities of the United States really should be?
Lower tax burden

Reduce deficit

Impeach the illegally instated President

Secure our borders

Take care of our nation prior to bending over backwards for everyone else.

7. “For all the tornadoes Arkansas has, and the ones that have hit around Little Rock, we never had one just basically come down Main Street.” What was the last severe weather situation that you and your neighbors endured?
Probably just some intense rain. We live in Tornado Alley so we hear the sirens going off at least once or twice a year but -- knock on wood -- nothing has ever come to be from it.

8. “I had seen people who had lost everything and everyone they loved to war, famine, and natural disasters.” Who among the folks you consider family or friends has lost the most?
My parents...because they've lost their parents. However, what people define as their "currency" differs... what I would consider a great loss wouldn't be the same as what another would.

9. “I Do.” If you’ve been married what you’re your thoughts when you said that? Or if not, what would you hope them to be?”
I do... but I better not HAVE to! Ha ha... just kidding

10. "I'm a big health-food freak and a vegetarian devotee." Have you or are you a vegetarian? Thoughts?
Animals are my friends so I must eat them. ROFL Just kidding. Actually, I'm quite all right doing a partly or mostly vegeterian lifestyle. My husband -- NO WAY! I tried to have a meatless meal (veggie burritos one night) and you would have thought that I had told him there was no Santa. Seriously, it was ridiculous.

Not quite a Harley... more like a Hardly

In the world of motorcycles, there are a few codes... one of them is the "hello" code. When you're approaching another biker, you lower your left hand and kind of hold it down and out to greet them as you pass by. It's cool. It's "in." It's a way to befriend another cycler on the street.

So, I'm driving to take Josh to Scouts tonight... I see a motorcycler in front of me. Beautiful Harley (and if you know me, I don't really like Harleys but it was pearl coat ivory... lots of chrome and was being ridden by an older "cool" guy. Coming toward us was a guy on a red Vespa (...read that as SCOOTER).. yeah, he was on a FREAKIN SCOOTER and I saw him... he stuck his hand out... HE STUCK HIS HAND OUT?!?! I was like...

WHAT
THE
HECK
ARE
YOU
FREAKIN
KIDDING
ME

That'd be like the Urkel of motorcycles... seriously, I felt bad for the guy. So, while one was on a Harley... I would say that chump was a Hardly!

JOke of the day

One of my favorite blogs (The Mommy Files -- her button is down on my blog on the right) posted this and I laughed so hard I woke up Ben so I had to share it with you while he's now kicking at my arm as I type. :)

Two strands of DNA were walking down the street and one says to the other...

Do these genes make me look fat?

Bwa ha ha ha ha! LOVE IT!

Under pressure

My friend Christa has been telling me she wanted to can / preserve her own foods. She's got that itch.


I found an entry on a blog I subscribe to that dealt with that very subject, so I sent it to her. It was about canning/preservation of foods. It required a pressure cooker. And that got me thinking about a time when my mom used them. I remember the kitchen... the tsst, tsst, tsst, tsst of the weighted "thing" on the top as it'd hiss and hiss. My mom opted for something easy for dinner since she was sick. She had pneumonia and was very tired. So we were having beans and cornbread.

As she lay in the recliner, I sat on a nearby chair drawing or something equally unimportant, I'm sure. I didn't notice that the tsst, tsst, tsst had ceased. Perhaps I just assumed someone (you know, that "someone" that ALWAYS gets blamed for everything that goes wrong) had turned the heat off the stove. Boy was I ever WRONG.

The next sound you hear is this loud popping explosion. The safety valve on the pressure cooker BLEW and BEANS WERE forced up through that hole like Mount Vesuvius! I ran to the kitchen and mom just screamed, "Get it in the sink!" I'm screaming, the dog is barking. Mom's yelling. I realize I can't do it for fear of scalding myself, so she hops up (seriously, folks she was SO SICK) so it was amazing in and of itself that she was even vertical. So, as she gingerly holds this erupting canister of beans imagine, if you will, a galley kitchen with a stove top opposite the sink. So, therefore, with a huge pressure cooker by the handle in both hands (it was heavy, heavy!) she pivoted her body from the stove top to the sink with the idea of turning the pan upside down so the continual spray of beans will go straight into the sink. However, doing so... left a trail of destruction... sigh.

Once it was all said and done... there were beans in the ventahood over the stove top. There were beans in an exploded line on the ceiling, all over the light fixture, on every single mini blind on the window over the sink straight down to the sink. I think it took us two good hours to clean all the beans off. We even had to eventually repaint the ceiling because you could see the little explosions marks everywhere.

So, when I ever heard of anyone being "under pressure" and "about to explode" ... seriously... I steer clear of them... I know what kind of disaster that leaves in its path!

Sunday Stealing

The guys at Sunday Stealing go about the blogosphere finding memes to steal from other blogs. I like to participate so here we go! Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. Was your dad named after anyone? Not that I'm aware of.

2. What do you think is the minimal age to get married? I think it's like 14 with parental consent or 18 without. However, I don't think anyone should get married until they're like... 30!

3. What’s the longest time that you‘ve been involved with the same person? Involved is such an odd word. I mean... I'm "involved" with my family... so that's 37 years. I'd say that's the longest. I'm still "involved" with my ex because we have a son together...??? so...

4. What actor/actress do you consider hot at the moment? They're all over-rated, over-paid ego-maniacs which makes them NOT hot.

5. What is you favorite album by a band? Wow... I don't do favorites....too many.

6. What is your favorite album by an individual artist? Same thing... too many.

7. What is something that you‘d rather be a bit dirty? The laundry, before I wash it. Josh has a tendency to put clothes BACK into the laundry basket that he doesn't want to put up. And that, my friends, is why he does his own laundry now.

8. What was the last TV show that you watched? Something on the Discovery Channel last night -- it's Shark Week, you know.

9. How many people have you met from the blogosphere? Who are they? In person? I dunno.. 5-10 maybe.

10. What's your philosophy on life? Have a dream. Pursue it. Don't become so focused on it, however, that you don't stop living your life. Play. Don't take life (or yourself) so seriously.... everyone starts out and ends up in diapers.

11. Do you think prescription drugs are over prescribed? Absolutely.

12. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest? Depends on what it was about.

13. What is your favorite memory in the last year? Finding out I was pregnant with Ben.

14. What is your favorite guilty pleasure? I love white cake with buttercream frosting. mmmmmm.....

15. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you: I have never been stung by a wasp, bee, hornet or anything.

16. You can have three wishes (for yourself, so forget all the 'world peace etc' malarky) - what are they? I wish that me and my immediate family live, healthy lives. I wish that I could learn from osmosis. I wish that I could have a photographer follow me around a few days a month taking candid shots of my family and me so that I could actually BE in some photos.

17. Who would you want to get together with and make a cake? My grandmother... I miss her.

18. Which country is your spiritual home? ???? That's weird. USA

19. What is your big weakness? My family (and my dogs)

20. Do you think Judd Corizan is a good person? NO clue who that is.

21. What was your best/favorite subject at school? I did well in most all my subjects except Physics where I was supposed to BUILD a project every 6 weeks. I'm NOT mechanically inclined.

22. Describe your accent: Texan

23. If you could change anything about yourself, would you? Hell yeah. I'd love to have a size 4 body again. I'd love to have B cup boobs. I'd love to have a natural tan or at least skin that tans easily. I'd love to have naturally wavy hair. :) LOL.

24. What do you wear to sleep? Pajamas

25. What is your favorite casual outfit to wear? Yoga pants and a soft t-shirt.

26. Do you use cigarettes or alcohol? No.

27. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together? (If you have no idea, just say something crazy, it'll entertain me!) I wouldn't spend it with you, I'd spend it with my kids...