Dear Boss....

My uncle sent me this... and I just love it. :)

Dear Boss,

I have enjoyed working here these past several years. You have paid me very well, given me benefits beyond belief. I have 3-4 months off per year and a pension plan that will pay my salary till the day I die and a health plan that most people can only dream about.

Despite this I plan to take the next 12-18 months to find a new position. During this time I will show up for work when it is convenient. In addition I fully expect to draw my full salary and all the other perks associated with my current job.

Oh yeah, if my search for this new job proves fruitless, I will be back with no loss in pay or status. Before you say anything, remember that you have no choice in the matter. I can and will do this.

Sincerely,

Every Senator or Congressman running for President.


*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
Try that at your job and tell me how it works out.

Clean bowls

Drew is my little Niblet. :) He eats in nibbles and spurts. He'd prefer three individual courses as opposed to one large meal (containing all the same components.) Point in case. It's about an hour before I was going to prepare lunch, yet he tells me he wants a little snack. So, I inquire what would constitute a scrumptious snack for Spiderman (that was the superhero du jour). He said he wants some "Chex Mix with some chips on it". I laughed but allowed him to choose his bowl and I could choose which went in it. He chose wisely so I awarded him with some. Now, mind you, it has a LOT of crumbs because when your "chips" are placed on the lowest shelf in the pantry, they have a tendency to be dropped quite a bit from voracious rummaging scavengers on the prowl for a meal.

So, like I said, I have obliged his craving for Chex Mix and as he sits in his favorite chair with his legs all scrunched up watching his newest "thing" the Transformers, he was in pure shalom. I did tell him, however, that he wasn't expected to eat all the crumbs. I said that when he was finished, he could just let me know and I'll take the bowl back. He smiled and said, "okay." And, that was that. Done deal. Everyone's happy. End of story.

When he'd finished, he comes to me and asks for oranges. Surprised, I ask where his other bowl was. He asked, "what bowl?" I said, "the one with all the Chex Mix crumbs in it." He handed me a bowl and then just matter-of-factly stated, "oh, dat same bowl, I licked it all queen for you."

Back to School time...

I don't know about you but as a child, I loved this time of year. You start getting all the sales flyers in the mail for all the cool new supplies. You looked forward to the first day of school to get your list in hand and hit the stores that night to purchase all the ultra cool items of your dreams. I often wonder if I'm short-changing my son because instead of allowing him this time-worn opportunity for self expression in supplies, for convenience's sake, I'm purchasing a pack of school supplies that come already assembled, in a convenient shrink wrapped container ready for him to use. They're delivered directly to the school and, honestly, I LIKE IT that way. But then again, I wonder if, before he's out of elementary school, I should allow him the opportunity to pick that perfect binder, that perfect folder, and then pick up that new box of Crayolas and let him appreciate the smell of a new box of crayons.

And then now in the modern age, if you're like moi, and have signed up for a multitude of e-zines in some consorted attempt to feel like you are in touch with the outside world, you start getting all these great back-to-school things like This

and what trendy girl wouldn't want This?

And speaking of Crayola... they have a ton of cool stuff Here

Would you believe that they have a whole website devoted to goofy little pens that are on some of the top 10 back to school "gotta have" gadgets? Check 'em out here

Like I said, the back-to-school madness is in full swing. ;) School is 3 weeks away. OOOH sanity is just 3 weeks away. Everyone says to enjoy it because the times go by SO quickly. It's EASY to say that on the outside looking in but when you've got a death grip on sanity because if you let go it's goign to get sucked into the vortex of time-suckage perpetuated by a tantrum throwing 4 year old wailing because HE wanted to open the back door... you pray for back to school times. :)

Pooh has a new meaning to me

There's something so endearing about Winnie the Pooh. I don't know if it's the great voice they've given him courtesy of Sterling Holloway. He's a chubby little tubby ole bear. Both of my boys' rooms were finished out in Classic Winnie the Pooh... not to be confused with the "modern" Winnie the Pooh. The Classic Pooh is representative of muted colors, free form drawn images, images derived from the drawings of A.A. Milne. The little bear with no shirt... I just love him.



I love the show that they have on the Disney Channel that they have now -- Tigger and Pooh. It's a computerized show about the Pooh clan with a little girl named Darby. Oh, and they're super sleuths. It's quite entertaining. There are a great deal of children's programs that I detest for a multitude of reasons. However, this one, I really enjoy. I think it is because the fundamental goodness in the heart of the characters. No one feels the need to blow up anything for entertaining. I think the most violent action would be if you accidentally got bounced upon by Tigger!

I don't like the pooh that used bright colors... bright red shirt, made him just a color that, to me, wasn't very pleasant. They used turquoise, violet, red and then the color of Pooh himself just... well, it wasn't "Classic" and I just love a good classic.



I find the conversations held between Pooh and his friends can really apply to anyone... For instance, in Pooh's Grand Adventure (I believe) Christopher Robin leaves for school and is trying to tell Pooh he won't be there the next day... that there may come a day when they won't be "together" and Pooh so eloquently responds, well as long as we are apart, together, then they shall be fine. :) He just touches my little pea-pickin heart! :)

I found another quote that is from Pooh's Little Instruction Book that is too cute and I thought I'd share.

Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We shall get there some day.

Isn't that great? It's truly a message that you really don't have to go so fast... sometimes you you miss so much because you won't just slow down and enjoy the ride. Life is what happens when you're busy making plans -- whomever quoted that is a genius becuase it is SO true.

I think of this quite frequently when driving with my boys in the car. I see people out on walks chatting away on their phones. Since when did taking a walk require a cell phone? What in the world is so important that you cna't just take 20 minutes to detach yourself from your electronic appendage and just enjoy the beauty of nature, the sounds of the birds, the barking of the neighborhood dog.... the laughter of your children because you're so tied up in something that is SO important. When you're in your car the next time for any extended period of time. Turn OFF your mobile phone ... turn OFF the radio... spend some quiet time with yourself... and just WATCH how many people are on their phones... Isn't that sad?

I have several little dust collecting "decorations" that have some great Pooh quotes... and some that I just have memorized from reading the books to Josh -- Drew really could care less... he's all about his Spiderman books. :)

“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”

“If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”

“Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.”

“"I don't see much sense in that," said Rabbit. "No," said Pooh humbly, "there isn't. But there was going to be when I began it. It's just that something happened to it along the way."”

I just love the silly nonsense that this bear says too... Want to go back in time, grab a WTP book, sit back with a cup of Earl Grey, a spoonful of honey because, everything is better with a little smackrel of honey...

You're not the only one....

Don't think you're the only one having to downsize your vehicles because of the price of petrol now...

Happy Trails

I took Josh to a great little equestrian center in Sachse for a Cub Scout Riding Clinic on Saturday. :) Despite the incredible cold front we've been having (that's a freakin joke, son) it was really a lot of fun! We carpooled out there with Tricia and her two boys and MJ and her son, Nathan. The ride out there was about an hour but it was nice because of it being Saturday and no traffic. Otherwise, simply stated, it just wouldn't have happened. :)

The place is called the Capricorn Equestrian Center. We had a good turn out of scouts, siblings and parents even that wanted to participate and it was fun. I wanted to BUT I love to canter and gallop... the trail ride thing just ain't for me, ya know? That would bore me to tears.

As soon as we were all there, the boys were broken into two groups — experienced riders and new riders. The boys were assigned horses (the names were so cute -- Mo, he was my favorite -- he LOVED to kiss your hand... and just have affection. HE was like a big dog. I wanted to take him home.)

Josh was assigned Dusty....


Other names were Harry, Vegas, hmm... hmm.. there were more but alas, the other names escape me so I'll have to confer with the resident expert (Josh) on those names.

The boys were given a demonstration on the appropriate way to tack up a horse Western style. Then it was time to demonstrate their knowledge… most did a fairly good job!

I wanted to take pictures of Josh doing it so I wasn't a lot of help and frankly, the bridle they gave him was unlike any others I've ever used so I just said... hey, let me get pictures, they're here to help and that way you can do it while they're here and your fingers will be a-ok! A few final instructions and then off to the indoor arena they went.




Basic instruction was given on how to go forward, stop, do half turns and so forth. Another lesson they had that day was general horse terminology such as the names of their various body parts. I thought it was great when she spoke about horses only having two knees. They really had to think on that one. They were told different types of horses that were in the stables as well as the different colors of horses there.

Oh, and I got to meet Simon, the barn cat.


They were also given the opportunity to ride bareback on a horse named Harry.


After the morning ride, lunch, bareback, terminology lesson… the workshop attendees were allowed back in the indoor arena this time, learning to trot the horse. The instructor wasn't telling Josh to use his legs at all when the horse started to trot so I told him (because I was right there), when the horse starts to trot, keep your rhythm using your legs...and then the "horse Nazi" came out and told me not to talk to the riders because if they were listening to me, they weren't listening to the girl in the arena. I was like... listen HUSSY... that's my boy and I know what the heck I'm doing. I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday! Thing is... she didn't TELL him to use his legs the first time the horse trotted and he was freakin bouncing all over the place! It was pathetic! I had to save my baby's butt! Here is Josh at a trot (his horse didn't get up enough speed to canter)





Then they were allowed to hand feed some oats to one of the horses… it was a hoot watching their faces as they watched the horse’s lips try to get the oats as they pulled their hands away for fear of losing a finger.


However, all good things must come to an end and this, too, was no exception. But before leaving, they had to muck-out the stalls (poop duty). And surprisingly, there were no complaints. Isn’t it crazy you can’t get them to pick up SOCKS from the floor but they’re excited about cleaning up horse poo?



And THIS (below) is a LOT of poo!


And this handsome young man on the right of this photo is the one and only Josh-a-roni! With my favorite horse, Mo. I kept saying "hey Mo" (like the Three Stooges). :) If you don't know who the three stooges are you really have missed the best years of comedic genius. :) Go buy yourself some culture and rent a DVD of their classics!



Josh and Jack spent the last part of their time in the stables coaxing this beauty to smile... and I got it on film! :) See, even he was happy we’d been there to spend the day with him.



Josh has decided he wants "this" as a summer job when he's older - working at a stable. :) I would love for him to. There's something special about having a bond with God's creatures.



They have none of the less-than-appetizing qualities that we humans possess... you know, arrogance, greed, rudeness, etc. They just are.

Oh... and I just took this photo because I loved the nostalgic look ... I love stables, I love the smell of them... I love the sound of the horses, I loved this whole experience and look forward to the day I can have my own.

Cardboard Confessions

This is such an amazing video... have a tissue handy... and think to yourself...what would yours say... Amazing stuff. Amazing love. Amazing grace. Amazing mercy. Amazing He is... amazing.

Cardboard Confessions