Welcome to 2014. I have to keep saying "2014" out loud to remind myself. I've also written "2013" on several things. I like to keep people guessing.
We're only one week into a new year, and so much has happened. I may not be able to remember most of it due to frozen brain cells. The "Polar Vortex" descended upon us, and it is too cold to think. I love that name... "Polar Vortex." How cold did it get at your house? Our lowest low was 1 degree. Mercy.
The news stations told us how to prepare for the extreme cold. Drip the faucets, wrap the pipes, bring in the pets, and crank the cars. No one told me to prepare for smoke detector Armageddon.
Apparently, extreme cold can cause smoke detectors to malfunction. It's true.
I spent half an afternoon trying to find a chirping smoke alarm in my house. When I finally figured out which one needed a new battery, I discovered we had no 9-volt batteries. I had to let it chirp until I could run out to the store and buy new ones, because smoke detectors which are hard-wired into the home security system will CONTINUE to chirp and/or SCREAM even without a battery. It's like they're possessed. There's nothing like standing on a ladder in your 12 degree garage while the smoke detector above you blares a high-pitched tune. Because my hands were so cold, I dropped the battery and had to climb down, pick it up, and climb back up again. Twice.
Today, another one started beeping.
Then, when I went outside to warm up the car, I heard an unmistakable sound coming from the vacant house across the street. Every smoke detector in the empty house was beeping. It's like a nightmare I can't wake up from. I can even hear the neighbor's alarms from our house. Because my own weren't enough. I may have to move.
The "Polar Vortex" has also kept school from starting back on time. It's been too cold for buses to crank and too cold for kids to be out. Now, we have another day of vacation due to broken pipes and heating systems in the schools.
All this extra time at home is making the boy love me more. I made him clean out his closet yesterday. The start of a new year always makes me feel the need to purge our house of unnecessary stuff. It's funny how 14 year-olds don't share that vision.
In honor of all the cleaning and purging, I turned over a bottle of soy sauce on the top shelf of the refrigerator today. Soy sauce went everywhere. I had to take everything out of the fridge - including all the shelves - wash it all off, and put it all back again.
If some soy sauce would spill on my front porch, maybe I would have an excuse to get the last of those Christmas lights and garland put away.
Hopefully, life will be back to normal in a few days. We may see temperatures in the mid-fifties by the weekend, and it's safe to say I will see someone in shorts and a tank top. I have mentioned this before, but folks dressing "out of season" is one of my biggest pet peeves. I want to go up to them and ask, "What do you wear when it is 105?"
Then they can say to me, "Why do you still have Christmas decorations on your house?"
Happy New Year, friends!
Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
And It's Not Even Shark Week Yet
We "vacationed" to see Dan/Daddy's family for a few days last week. It's always great to see family, but it's even better when they live at the beach.
It's not so great when it POURS rain almost the entire time you're there.
It's also not so great when your child gets strep throat while you're there.
We made a visit to Urgent Care with the boy's temperature at 102.7, and the physician wouldn't even let us leave the office until they were able to start bringing the fever down.
We've actually made lots of visits to Urgent Care with the boy while in Florida. It's become a tradition.
At least 3 times for strep... more when he was younger.
Twice for hives.
Once to the ER with a sea catfish barb embedded in his thumb.
Do we know how to vacation, or what?
The boy is convinced the ocean hates him, even though he loves it. He told me he thinks his death will be by sea life... which makes the rest of my story a little freaky.
The sun came out for the last 2 days we were there, and I let my sick kid go to the beach.
The water was beautiful.
"Sir, there's a big fish near you!"
Dan/Daddy called back to her, "That would be a shark."
She was on the shore in about 1.3 seconds.
Dan/Daddy started making his way to the sand (but not nearly as fast as the lady).
The boy yelled to me,
"Come watch Daddy get eaten!"
Maybe we watch a little too much Animal Planet.
Perhaps it was the heat and sun.
He was running a very high temperature the day before.
Please don't think he was being cruel... he loves his dad.
I just think he has his mother's sense of humor.
It's not so great when it POURS rain almost the entire time you're there.
It's also not so great when your child gets strep throat while you're there.
We made a visit to Urgent Care with the boy's temperature at 102.7, and the physician wouldn't even let us leave the office until they were able to start bringing the fever down.
We've actually made lots of visits to Urgent Care with the boy while in Florida. It's become a tradition.
At least 3 times for strep... more when he was younger.
Twice for hives.
Once to the ER with a sea catfish barb embedded in his thumb.
Do we know how to vacation, or what?
The boy is convinced the ocean hates him, even though he loves it. He told me he thinks his death will be by sea life... which makes the rest of my story a little freaky.
The sun came out for the last 2 days we were there, and I let my sick kid go to the beach.
The water was beautiful.
I was taking off my flip flops and putting my stuff down on a towel when I heard the boy calling me.
Apparently, Dan/Daddy had dived right into the ocean, and a lady in the water close by was yelling, "Sir, there's a big fish near you!"
Dan/Daddy called back to her, "That would be a shark."
She was on the shore in about 1.3 seconds.
Dan/Daddy started making his way to the sand (but not nearly as fast as the lady).
The boy yelled to me,
"Come watch Daddy get eaten!"
Maybe we watch a little too much Animal Planet.
Perhaps it was the heat and sun.
He was running a very high temperature the day before.
Please don't think he was being cruel... he loves his dad.
I just think he has his mother's sense of humor.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Springing A Break
The first day of the boy's Spring Break looked like this:
That's my non-glamorous back yard. All covered in snow.
Day 2 of Spring Break looked like this:
Day 2 of Spring Break looked like this:
That's my non-glamorous doggie frolicking on the snow-covered deck. And those are my legs in my snowman pajamas, striped socks, and orange Crocs... very glamorous.
Now it's Day 4 of Spring Break, and this is what we're doing:
We've had our fair share of Old Man Winter. The sun shone for a few hours, and the temperature rose to 57 degrees, and we thought it was July.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Berry Picking
The boy and I went strawberry eating (I mean, picking) Saturday.
At first he was a little hesitant about eating them from the field... There might be rules. Or bugs.
After a little encouragement from his criminal mother, he was popping them in.
It was a beautiful day, even though getting up early on a Saturday is not something I enjoy. I'm glad we did.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Go Get My Gun, Ma
I am way too happy on a Monday.
The early-summer 87 degree nonsense has passed.
Our temps have cooled off into the sorta normal range for this time of year. I can put my complaining on hold again until July. Maybe.
It is also the first day of the boy's Spring Break. For me, that translates into not setting an alarm and not having to make a turkey sandwich at 6:30 in the morning. Can you hear me smiling?
And last, but oh so not least... our confused bird wasn't singing this morning. I didn't have to shoot him. Don't call PETA on me yet. Let me clarify.
Every single stinking morning for the past week, a bird has perched himself on top of our basketball goal - right outside the boy's window - and held a concert. Normally, I love to hear the birds singing. But, this guy was confused or just evil, because he started his serenade at around 4:30 AM.
(As in, the weeeeeeee hours of the morning. Before any living thing should be awake.) Not only was he singing, but he was singing LOUDLY. He sang so loud I could hear it from my bedroom, and he was waking us all up every morning. Well, not all of us. One of the 3 of us could sleep if the bird was on his head, but I'm not naming names.
Mama is not pleasant at 6:00 am when she has to get up. Mama was definitely not pleasant at 4:30 am.
The boy and I tried to devise a plan to shoosh it away, but we couldn't get the screen up, and we realized the airsoft pellet wasn't going to reach far enough. Call us haters, but we didn't want the bird to die. We just wanted him to shut up.
So on this first day of Spring Break, he did. The bird shut up. The boy and I met sleepy-eyed in the living room this morning and both asked the same question,
"Did you hear him?" "Was he singing?"
We hugged and high-fived and celebrated not waking up at 4:30 am.
Oh may the good times continue.
The early-summer 87 degree nonsense has passed.
Our temps have cooled off into the sorta normal range for this time of year. I can put my complaining on hold again until July. Maybe.
It is also the first day of the boy's Spring Break. For me, that translates into not setting an alarm and not having to make a turkey sandwich at 6:30 in the morning. Can you hear me smiling?
And last, but oh so not least... our confused bird wasn't singing this morning. I didn't have to shoot him. Don't call PETA on me yet. Let me clarify.
Every single stinking morning for the past week, a bird has perched himself on top of our basketball goal - right outside the boy's window - and held a concert. Normally, I love to hear the birds singing. But, this guy was confused or just evil, because he started his serenade at around 4:30 AM.
(As in, the weeeeeeee hours of the morning. Before any living thing should be awake.) Not only was he singing, but he was singing LOUDLY. He sang so loud I could hear it from my bedroom, and he was waking us all up every morning. Well, not all of us. One of the 3 of us could sleep if the bird was on his head, but I'm not naming names.
Mama is not pleasant at 6:00 am when she has to get up. Mama was definitely not pleasant at 4:30 am.
The boy and I tried to devise a plan to shoosh it away, but we couldn't get the screen up, and we realized the airsoft pellet wasn't going to reach far enough. Call us haters, but we didn't want the bird to die. We just wanted him to shut up.
So on this first day of Spring Break, he did. The bird shut up. The boy and I met sleepy-eyed in the living room this morning and both asked the same question,
"Did you hear him?" "Was he singing?"
We hugged and high-fived and celebrated not waking up at 4:30 am.
Oh may the good times continue.
Monday, March 19, 2012
It Really Doesn't Take Much
I really am a simple gal. Our weekend was a blur, but full of little things that made me smile...
Spring soccer season started again. Yeah. This momma loves watching the boy play soccer.
On the way home from the game, we ran through Chick Fil-A for some lunch, and the lemonade was dyed green for St. Patrick's Day. It made me giddy. I took a picture to share with y'all, but the photo doesn't really speak to me the way the lemonade did. It actually looked kinda yucky. But, trust me... it wasn't.
I also took the boy to a local farm store. No, I am not a farmer. I am the daughter and the grand-daughter of farmers, however. So the farm store is a place I can appreciate. I had an ulterior motive for going.... I heard a rumor they had baby chickens.
The farm store did not disappoint.
Pictures with a cel phone can't do these babies justice.
A tub-o-chicks. Pure cheeping happiness.
Soccer, green lemonade, and baby chickens. I can't remember a weekend so nice.
Hope you all enjoy the last official day of Winter.
It feels like the middle of July to me.
Spring soccer season started again. Yeah. This momma loves watching the boy play soccer.
On the way home from the game, we ran through Chick Fil-A for some lunch, and the lemonade was dyed green for St. Patrick's Day. It made me giddy. I took a picture to share with y'all, but the photo doesn't really speak to me the way the lemonade did. It actually looked kinda yucky. But, trust me... it wasn't.
I also took the boy to a local farm store. No, I am not a farmer. I am the daughter and the grand-daughter of farmers, however. So the farm store is a place I can appreciate. I had an ulterior motive for going.... I heard a rumor they had baby chickens.
The farm store did not disappoint.
Pictures with a cel phone can't do these babies justice.
A tub-o-chicks. Pure cheeping happiness.
Soccer, green lemonade, and baby chickens. I can't remember a weekend so nice.
Hope you all enjoy the last official day of Winter.
It feels like the middle of July to me.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Everyone Here Went To Their Safe Place
There's nothing like be jolted awake to the sound of tornado sirens.
I am not much of a fan of being woken up... period. Add thunder, lightning, wind, and tornado sirens, and you get the picture of me tonight. Or is it morning?
A tornado storm system in January. Is nothing sacred anymore?
The weather gals on my favorite station are keeping us all radar-updated, and I am passing the time on Facebook and blogging.
Just a few minutes ago, I heard footsteps coming fast down the hall. The boy has jumped onto the couch beside me, and his cat came right behind him.
The weather gals keep talking about squall lines and hook formations, and they keep urging people to "go to their safe places." Because the storm is passing over, I am staying put for now and not dragging anyone to the basement yet.
I also just realized...
We are all already in our safe places.
Mine is the safe comfort of the news and the weather forecasts. Remote control in one hand and keyboard in the other. I feel better being informed about the storm.
The boy heard the thunder and came running to find his safe place, and now the baby giraffe is asleep to my left.
The cat found her safe place on my right.
Dan/Daddy is snoring louder than the thunder... still in bed. He has obviously found his safe place, and it's knowing his wife will wake him up if the roof starts coming off. He might be a little sad he missed the couch party at 1 A.M.
Tomorrow is going to be a coffee-filled day.
I am not much of a fan of being woken up... period. Add thunder, lightning, wind, and tornado sirens, and you get the picture of me tonight. Or is it morning?
A tornado storm system in January. Is nothing sacred anymore?
The weather gals on my favorite station are keeping us all radar-updated, and I am passing the time on Facebook and blogging.
Just a few minutes ago, I heard footsteps coming fast down the hall. The boy has jumped onto the couch beside me, and his cat came right behind him.
The weather gals keep talking about squall lines and hook formations, and they keep urging people to "go to their safe places." Because the storm is passing over, I am staying put for now and not dragging anyone to the basement yet.
I also just realized...
We are all already in our safe places.
Mine is the safe comfort of the news and the weather forecasts. Remote control in one hand and keyboard in the other. I feel better being informed about the storm.
The boy heard the thunder and came running to find his safe place, and now the baby giraffe is asleep to my left.
The cat found her safe place on my right.
Dan/Daddy is snoring louder than the thunder... still in bed. He has obviously found his safe place, and it's knowing his wife will wake him up if the roof starts coming off. He might be a little sad he missed the couch party at 1 A.M.
Tomorrow is going to be a coffee-filled day.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Even If It Was A Spider
My not-so-little boy was mowing the grass in the backyard this week when he walked under the clothes line and walked through a spiderweb.
Yes... I said "clothes line." The house where we live is a rental, and there is a line in the back yard for hanging clothes. I suppose the homeowners liked to line dry their clothes. When I was little, my momma used the one in our back yard.
Let me make a clear distinction at this point.
It's all I can do to get the clothes from the pile in the floor to the laundry room, washed, dried, folded, and put back up again.
If I had to use a clothes line, the first thing I'd hang would be myself.
Anyway, while cutting the grass, the boy tore right through a spider web. I didn't see him do it, but I'm sure it was a spectacle. He hates spiders. I also don't know too many people who enjoy waltzing through one of their webs. Ghiiisssh. It gives me the heebie jeebies.
When the boy called me over to show me the spider, it wasn't because he'd crashed her web or because she was unnaturally big or icky.
It was because she was already building it back.
Very cool.
We stood in the yard and watched her for a minute or two, and let me tell you... she was busy.
It was one of those times I don't ever want to blow right past.
For just a few minutes, my not-so-little boy was content to watch a spider. (Pardon me while I cry and flashback to when he was 4.)
We talked about how funny it is when people walk through spider webs.
We talked about how God designs the spider to just KNOW what to do. No one teaches her how to spin that web, and no one was there telling her to get up and spin it again because some gangly preteen ripped it up.
We talked about the gnats she was already wrapping up for dinner.
We talked about the giant fake spider we hang on our door every Halloween.
And then it was all over in a blink. I was back to watering the plants, and he was cranking up the mower again.
So when you come visit us, you won't find clothes hanging from our clothes line.
(You may find me.)
All we have hanging out there is one determined spider.
And I owe a tiny thanks to her for slowing down time for me and my not-so-little boy.
Yes... I said "clothes line." The house where we live is a rental, and there is a line in the back yard for hanging clothes. I suppose the homeowners liked to line dry their clothes. When I was little, my momma used the one in our back yard.
Let me make a clear distinction at this point.
It's all I can do to get the clothes from the pile in the floor to the laundry room, washed, dried, folded, and put back up again.
If I had to use a clothes line, the first thing I'd hang would be myself.
Anyway, while cutting the grass, the boy tore right through a spider web. I didn't see him do it, but I'm sure it was a spectacle. He hates spiders. I also don't know too many people who enjoy waltzing through one of their webs. Ghiiisssh. It gives me the heebie jeebies.
When the boy called me over to show me the spider, it wasn't because he'd crashed her web or because she was unnaturally big or icky.
It was because she was already building it back.
Very cool.
We stood in the yard and watched her for a minute or two, and let me tell you... she was busy.
It was one of those times I don't ever want to blow right past.
For just a few minutes, my not-so-little boy was content to watch a spider. (Pardon me while I cry and flashback to when he was 4.)
We talked about how funny it is when people walk through spider webs.
We talked about how God designs the spider to just KNOW what to do. No one teaches her how to spin that web, and no one was there telling her to get up and spin it again because some gangly preteen ripped it up.
We talked about the gnats she was already wrapping up for dinner.
We talked about the giant fake spider we hang on our door every Halloween.
And then it was all over in a blink. I was back to watering the plants, and he was cranking up the mower again.
So when you come visit us, you won't find clothes hanging from our clothes line.
(You may find me.)
All we have hanging out there is one determined spider.
And I owe a tiny thanks to her for slowing down time for me and my not-so-little boy.
Friday, August 26, 2011
A Hurricane And A Sermon
My mind is busy this morning with thoughts about all my friends in NC, MD, VA, and the Washington DC area.
One of the nice things about the Army is how it brings so many people into your life.
I've met folks I would have never known if we were not a part of this crazy Army thing.
But having all these friends scattered all over the world makes my heart stretch more than I'd like. Places that were only places on a map before are now much more...
Because someone I call "friend" is living there.
I suppose it should be that way anyway.
Places and faces on the news and the map should be more than just places and faces.
(Is the theme song from "It's A Small World" going through your head yet? Good. Mine, too.)
The pastor on Sunday made a point about the love of God being Global.
Well, duh. Of course God's love is Global.
But is mine?
If I am honest, I kind of like my little bubble.
But, it shouldn't take a natural disaster to shake me out of it.
I get caught up in the laundry and homework and sport practices and laundry and bills and gas prices and groceries and laundry.
I can't SEE over the laundry. And everything else.
There's a song from a few years ago (Brandon Heath) that says exactly what I need to say.
(And it's much better than "It's A Small World.")
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Praying for my East Coast pals today and praying for my own ability to SEE a little further.
One of the nice things about the Army is how it brings so many people into your life.
I've met folks I would have never known if we were not a part of this crazy Army thing.
But having all these friends scattered all over the world makes my heart stretch more than I'd like. Places that were only places on a map before are now much more...
Because someone I call "friend" is living there.
I suppose it should be that way anyway.
Places and faces on the news and the map should be more than just places and faces.
(Is the theme song from "It's A Small World" going through your head yet? Good. Mine, too.)
The pastor on Sunday made a point about the love of God being Global.
Well, duh. Of course God's love is Global.
But is mine?
If I am honest, I kind of like my little bubble.
But, it shouldn't take a natural disaster to shake me out of it.
I get caught up in the laundry and homework and sport practices and laundry and bills and gas prices and groceries and laundry.
I can't SEE over the laundry. And everything else.
There's a song from a few years ago (Brandon Heath) that says exactly what I need to say.
(And it's much better than "It's A Small World.")
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Praying for my East Coast pals today and praying for my own ability to SEE a little further.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
It's That Time Of Year Again
Please forgive me if the blog posts are few and far between for the next 6 days.
Two words:
Shark Week.
Woo to the hoo! We are glued to the TV.
Stay out of the water, people.
Two words:
Shark Week.
Woo to the hoo! We are glued to the TV.
Stay out of the water, people.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Sneezing Animals and Broken Cameras
The little zoo we took our family to over the weekend was the coolest place. It's made up of all "rescued" animals. The people that own it/work there/take care of the animals are the most kind-hearted people.
For the record, I asked Dan/Daddy if we could have a rescue zoo when we grow up, and he said no.
We had a chance to pet a baby wolf, we fed some monkeys, we saw the tiniest baby rabbit I have ever seen, and we started a barnyard riot.
Well, actually, my sis-in-law started the riot.
I was just the riot's victim. (And I am not referring to the dropped camera. That's another separate incident.)
We bought food for the animals as we entered the zoo, and by the time we got to this particular pen, the bag was empty.
That didn't stop this one goat. Or my sis-in-law. He wanted to eat the bag, and she sweetly obliged.
"Wow lady. Are you really gonna let me have this?"
"Oh my word. This is so much better than that dumb food you were feeding me."
"Gimme the bag, chic. The whole bag, I say."
"Thanks, people. Sorry fellas... none left for ya'll."
And that's when the riot broke out. Goats and rams and cows and other horned critters were pushing and shoving and trying to get up close to the fence to see if they could eat some bag, too.
And then somebody sneezed. Not a person; an animal. The cow, I think. I'm not too sure who it was, because I was in the direct line of fire.
Yep. I got sprayed with barnyard snot mist.
We had to help my brother up off the ground and wipe the tears from his eyes. (Not because he was sad for me, in case you are confused.)
Despite the sneeze and the riot and the broken camera, I still love goats.
A grand time was had by all.
We ended the morning with lots of antibacterial wipes.
And here are the goats I was feeding right before the unfortunate camera drop.
Aren't they cute?
See that one in the bottom right corner? Don't let his adorableness fool you... he eats fingers.
For the record, I asked Dan/Daddy if we could have a rescue zoo when we grow up, and he said no.
We had a chance to pet a baby wolf, we fed some monkeys, we saw the tiniest baby rabbit I have ever seen, and we started a barnyard riot.
Well, actually, my sis-in-law started the riot.
I was just the riot's victim. (And I am not referring to the dropped camera. That's another separate incident.)
We bought food for the animals as we entered the zoo, and by the time we got to this particular pen, the bag was empty.
That didn't stop this one goat. Or my sis-in-law. He wanted to eat the bag, and she sweetly obliged.
"Wow lady. Are you really gonna let me have this?"
"Oh my word. This is so much better than that dumb food you were feeding me."
"Gimme the bag, chic. The whole bag, I say."
"Thanks, people. Sorry fellas... none left for ya'll."
And that's when the riot broke out. Goats and rams and cows and other horned critters were pushing and shoving and trying to get up close to the fence to see if they could eat some bag, too.
And then somebody sneezed. Not a person; an animal. The cow, I think. I'm not too sure who it was, because I was in the direct line of fire.
Yep. I got sprayed with barnyard snot mist.
We had to help my brother up off the ground and wipe the tears from his eyes. (Not because he was sad for me, in case you are confused.)
Despite the sneeze and the riot and the broken camera, I still love goats.
A grand time was had by all.
We ended the morning with lots of antibacterial wipes.
And here are the goats I was feeding right before the unfortunate camera drop.
Aren't they cute?
See that one in the bottom right corner? Don't let his adorableness fool you... he eats fingers.
Monday, April 18, 2011
What a Weekend
If you watch any news or the Weather Channel, you might have heard of the storms that blew through our area on Saturday.
If you - like my friend "S" - have your head buried in the sand, let me fill you in.
We had ourselves some nasty weather.
So many tornadoes touched down in the state of NC that the experts can't even agree on a number.
That's more than enough.
Our little city had a big one... an F-3 if you're a weather nerd like me.
In non-weather nerd terms... very scary.
We spent part of Saturday afternoon in the bathroom floor.
When the tornado sirens went off, we prayed for safety for us and for whoever else was in the storm's path.
We watched the news until the power went out, and we managed to keep updated with our dying cellphones and texts from neighbors.
The devastation leaves you in tears.
All this happened less than a few miles from my door.
We were without power for almost 24 hours, but some people won't have any for much longer.
Two of the gates to our base remain closed because of the destruction leading right up to them.
We have friends who have damaged homes, and our hearts hurt for everyone who lost so much.
So on this Monday when we might normally be complaining about the hum-drum irritations of life,
we are counting our blessings.
If you - like my friend "S" - have your head buried in the sand, let me fill you in.
We had ourselves some nasty weather.
So many tornadoes touched down in the state of NC that the experts can't even agree on a number.
That's more than enough.
Our little city had a big one... an F-3 if you're a weather nerd like me.
In non-weather nerd terms... very scary.
We spent part of Saturday afternoon in the bathroom floor.
When the tornado sirens went off, we prayed for safety for us and for whoever else was in the storm's path.
We watched the news until the power went out, and we managed to keep updated with our dying cellphones and texts from neighbors.
The devastation leaves you in tears.
All this happened less than a few miles from my door.
We were without power for almost 24 hours, but some people won't have any for much longer.
Two of the gates to our base remain closed because of the destruction leading right up to them.
We have friends who have damaged homes, and our hearts hurt for everyone who lost so much.
So on this Monday when we might normally be complaining about the hum-drum irritations of life,
we are counting our blessings.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Brrrr.
Well just when we thought Spring-ity-Spring-Spring was upon us...
Old Man Winter decided to have one last hurrah. Our high temps were in the low 40's this weekend. Gracious.
It wouldn't have been so bad except for the fact that it went from 80ish to 39ish in about 4 days. Gracious.
We basically hibernated this weekend. We only ventured out to see a movie (Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2... cute flick.) and to eat. Why do we eat so much when it's cold?
We also had the privilege of having Dan/Daddy home from his school all last week.
I made some observations while he was here:
1. When he's home, I get nothing done.
2. When he's home, we have no groceries.
He offered to "run out and grab us a bite" last night for dinner.
Awww... that's so kind, I thought. And then he said,
"There's not really anything to eat in this house."
He was right. But he had a lot to do with that fact.
So the week that lies ahead promises to get a teensy bit warmer. (60 would feel like a heat wave at this point.)
And the week ahead promises to be nuts.
It's a short week at school for the boy, there's a field trip to the aquarium I get to go on, we have family coming into town, I think I have approximately 97 errands to run, there's a PTO meeting, we have plans with friends, and...
There are only 5 more days until a certain cutie patootie someone turns 12.
It's a good thing I'm busy this week. I won't have too much time to mourn and lament the aging of my baby and the fading of my youth.
Old Man Winter decided to have one last hurrah. Our high temps were in the low 40's this weekend. Gracious.
It wouldn't have been so bad except for the fact that it went from 80ish to 39ish in about 4 days. Gracious.
We basically hibernated this weekend. We only ventured out to see a movie (Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2... cute flick.) and to eat. Why do we eat so much when it's cold?
We also had the privilege of having Dan/Daddy home from his school all last week.
I made some observations while he was here:
1. When he's home, I get nothing done.
2. When he's home, we have no groceries.
He offered to "run out and grab us a bite" last night for dinner.
Awww... that's so kind, I thought. And then he said,
"There's not really anything to eat in this house."
He was right. But he had a lot to do with that fact.
So the week that lies ahead promises to get a teensy bit warmer. (60 would feel like a heat wave at this point.)
And the week ahead promises to be nuts.
It's a short week at school for the boy, there's a field trip to the aquarium I get to go on, we have family coming into town, I think I have approximately 97 errands to run, there's a PTO meeting, we have plans with friends, and...
There are only 5 more days until a certain cutie patootie someone turns 12.
It's a good thing I'm busy this week. I won't have too much time to mourn and lament the aging of my baby and the fading of my youth.
Monday, December 27, 2010
White Day-After Christmas
Christmas came and went... calmly and sweetly. It was great, and I will post pics from all our festivities. We still have MORE celebrating yet to do. (smile)
But we were treated to a "day-after-Christmas" special that I had to show you...
(And it wasn't the great buys at Target... I couldn't get there!)
According to the newsfolk, we got 8.2 inches! Yippee! I'm like a big kid when it comes to snow... Love it. LOVE it. The only thing that would make it better would be missing a day of school.
Most of the day, I sat inside in my PJs and enjoyed it. Having Dan/Daddy home to play in the snow with the boy was great. I've had "play-in-the-snow-duty" the last few times when he was deployed, and it was a nice change to sit inside... dry and warm.
I did venture out to get a few pictures and taste some snow. (Yes, I said taste it. I told you I'm like a big kid.)
The guys made a cute Mexican snowman
... and the biggest honkin' snow fort I've ever seen. I don't know who they thought was coming for war, but it would have more than protected us.
So we are waiting for the "black ice" to melt before we hit the road again. This time to celebrate with my family.
I know... Most of you have already jerked the tree to the curb and hauled the ornaments to the attic. We like to spread out the joy and fun!
Stay warm!
But we were treated to a "day-after-Christmas" special that I had to show you...
(And it wasn't the great buys at Target... I couldn't get there!)
According to the newsfolk, we got 8.2 inches! Yippee! I'm like a big kid when it comes to snow... Love it. LOVE it. The only thing that would make it better would be missing a day of school.
Most of the day, I sat inside in my PJs and enjoyed it. Having Dan/Daddy home to play in the snow with the boy was great. I've had "play-in-the-snow-duty" the last few times when he was deployed, and it was a nice change to sit inside... dry and warm.
I did venture out to get a few pictures and taste some snow. (Yes, I said taste it. I told you I'm like a big kid.)
The guys made a cute Mexican snowman
... and the biggest honkin' snow fort I've ever seen. I don't know who they thought was coming for war, but it would have more than protected us.
So we are waiting for the "black ice" to melt before we hit the road again. This time to celebrate with my family.
I know... Most of you have already jerked the tree to the curb and hauled the ornaments to the attic. We like to spread out the joy and fun!
Stay warm!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Snakes in a Hay Bale and Pumpkin Love
Who doesn't love a pumpkin?
I love pumpkins. (I say this every year, because I love to repeat things unnecessarily.) I especially love pumpkins "en masse." Not at Catholic church; but in large groups. So sweet.
I have been Halloween-i-fying the house, and I haven't had a chance to make it to the Farmer's Market yet. To buy pumpkins, that is. My pal, Jeanna, and I made a quick stop there after Bible Study on Tuesday to grab some hay bales.
She bought pumpkins, but I knew that the wrath of Baby Giraffe would come down upon me if I picked out pumpkins without him. He gets his love of the pumpkin from his momma.
So we made a mad stop for hay bales... in her minivan. 2 moms, 1 baby, and 3 bales of hay in a minivan. Don't ask how we did it. Just try to imagine it in your mind.
When we got to her house, where my car was parked, I put my bale in the back of my car. And all the way home I couldn't stop thinking about a snake crawling out of that hay bale and slithering up to the driver's area with me. The fear was overwhelming me. You may know I have an intense hatred for all things snakey. It was so bad, I had to roll the windows down for fresh air, pray, and think happy thoughts to avoid a panic attack.
Please don't try to tell me it was irrational. I know someone personally who had a snake crawl out of her Fall Festival hay bale into her back seat.
I also grew up on a farm. My daddy still bales hay to this day... and I know what can get baled up in that hay. Might as well call them "snake bales." Gheesh. I'm getting the heebie jeebies just thinking about it.
When I got home, I jerked that hay bale out of my car as fast as a middle-aged momma in wedge shoes can jerk a hay bale. (Those farm girl skills do pay off.) I tossed it on the front porch, poked my scarecrows down into it, and shivered all the way inside.
It's a long holiday weekend here for the boy and Dan/Daddy. We head out to the Farmers Market tomorrow AND the pumpkin patch on Monday.
Bring on the pumpkin love.
I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't tell you about the lady that lives a few streets over from me. I see her around school time every morning, and she has tiny little stuffed pumpkins on the dash of her car. All lined up. LOTS of them.
I keep wondering... What happens when she has to slam on the brakes?
Now that's pumpkin love on a whole new level.
I love pumpkins. (I say this every year, because I love to repeat things unnecessarily.) I especially love pumpkins "en masse." Not at Catholic church; but in large groups. So sweet.
I have been Halloween-i-fying the house, and I haven't had a chance to make it to the Farmer's Market yet. To buy pumpkins, that is. My pal, Jeanna, and I made a quick stop there after Bible Study on Tuesday to grab some hay bales.
She bought pumpkins, but I knew that the wrath of Baby Giraffe would come down upon me if I picked out pumpkins without him. He gets his love of the pumpkin from his momma.
So we made a mad stop for hay bales... in her minivan. 2 moms, 1 baby, and 3 bales of hay in a minivan. Don't ask how we did it. Just try to imagine it in your mind.
When we got to her house, where my car was parked, I put my bale in the back of my car. And all the way home I couldn't stop thinking about a snake crawling out of that hay bale and slithering up to the driver's area with me. The fear was overwhelming me. You may know I have an intense hatred for all things snakey. It was so bad, I had to roll the windows down for fresh air, pray, and think happy thoughts to avoid a panic attack.
Please don't try to tell me it was irrational. I know someone personally who had a snake crawl out of her Fall Festival hay bale into her back seat.
I also grew up on a farm. My daddy still bales hay to this day... and I know what can get baled up in that hay. Might as well call them "snake bales." Gheesh. I'm getting the heebie jeebies just thinking about it.
When I got home, I jerked that hay bale out of my car as fast as a middle-aged momma in wedge shoes can jerk a hay bale. (Those farm girl skills do pay off.) I tossed it on the front porch, poked my scarecrows down into it, and shivered all the way inside.
It's a long holiday weekend here for the boy and Dan/Daddy. We head out to the Farmers Market tomorrow AND the pumpkin patch on Monday.
Bring on the pumpkin love.
I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't tell you about the lady that lives a few streets over from me. I see her around school time every morning, and she has tiny little stuffed pumpkins on the dash of her car. All lined up. LOTS of them.
I keep wondering... What happens when she has to slam on the brakes?
Now that's pumpkin love on a whole new level.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Sometimes... Happiness is a Temperature
Dear October,
This girl is glad to see you.
You are a great month.
Full of scarecrows and hayrides and tiny candy bars.
You may not know it, October, but you saved my life this year.
I was on the verge of leaving my family for Antarctica.
It's almost like you heard my sad little cries for relief.
And came running in with this...
(Becase my cel phone takes rockin' awesome pictures, I will tell you that says, "65." As in, degrees.)
Cue music...
So haul out the cider, put up the giant fake spider before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the plastic pumpkins; I may be rushing things, but hang the leaf wreath again now...
Well. It doesn't exactly go the same, but you get my point.
Happy First Day of October, people.
This girl is glad to see you.
You are a great month.
Full of scarecrows and hayrides and tiny candy bars.
You may not know it, October, but you saved my life this year.
I was on the verge of leaving my family for Antarctica.
It's almost like you heard my sad little cries for relief.
And came running in with this...
(Becase my cel phone takes rockin' awesome pictures, I will tell you that says, "65." As in, degrees.)
Cue music...
So haul out the cider, put up the giant fake spider before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the plastic pumpkins; I may be rushing things, but hang the leaf wreath again now...
Well. It doesn't exactly go the same, but you get my point.
Happy First Day of October, people.
Monday, September 27, 2010
I Am Sorry... (a little)
Well.
I owe Fall an apology.
He finally decided to show up.
A tiny bit.
And WAY later than I had planned.
But it is raining today, and the temp is hovering around 75.
Thank You, Lord.
Even our little weatherman was downright giddy this morning. Poor guy... He was probably worried about a riot of angry hot people.
We had a weekend full of soccer and football and church. With a heat index of about 175 degrees. (The weekend was PRE-nice weather.)
I sat at the boy's soccer game under an umbrella. Like a granny.
The boy has some mad soccer moves.
He even scored a goal for the other team out of the goodness of his heart.
Well, not really.
The other team kicked the ball, it hit the boy in the chest, and it ricocheted right into the goal.
Let's just say the boy was not happy and leave it at that. This being a Christian league and all, he didn't feel right using the words his momma taught him.
When the game was over, his face was the color of a tomato. It was crazy hot.
We spent the afternoon recovering in the AC and watching Alabama barely beat Arkansas. I can't take the stress of games like that. My nerves were shot by the 3rd quarter.
Mostly I am thankful Alabama won so I didn't have to listen to the boy's complaining. He doesn't take kindly to losing. Or scoring goals for other people.
On Sunday morning, I taught Sunday School for my pal, Jeanna. Normally, I am her able-bodied assistant, but she was out of town.
The lesson was Adam and Eve.
We teach a children's class.
Guess who had to say the word "naked" to people under the age of 9?
I said it 3 times for effect.
Good times.
I am off to a PTO meeting and a dentist appointment.
In the rain.
But I am NOT complaining.
I owe Fall an apology.
He finally decided to show up.
A tiny bit.
And WAY later than I had planned.
But it is raining today, and the temp is hovering around 75.
Thank You, Lord.
Even our little weatherman was downright giddy this morning. Poor guy... He was probably worried about a riot of angry hot people.
We had a weekend full of soccer and football and church. With a heat index of about 175 degrees. (The weekend was PRE-nice weather.)
I sat at the boy's soccer game under an umbrella. Like a granny.
The boy has some mad soccer moves.
He even scored a goal for the other team out of the goodness of his heart.
Well, not really.
The other team kicked the ball, it hit the boy in the chest, and it ricocheted right into the goal.
Let's just say the boy was not happy and leave it at that. This being a Christian league and all, he didn't feel right using the words his momma taught him.
When the game was over, his face was the color of a tomato. It was crazy hot.
We spent the afternoon recovering in the AC and watching Alabama barely beat Arkansas. I can't take the stress of games like that. My nerves were shot by the 3rd quarter.
Mostly I am thankful Alabama won so I didn't have to listen to the boy's complaining. He doesn't take kindly to losing. Or scoring goals for other people.
On Sunday morning, I taught Sunday School for my pal, Jeanna. Normally, I am her able-bodied assistant, but she was out of town.
The lesson was Adam and Eve.
We teach a children's class.
Guess who had to say the word "naked" to people under the age of 9?
I said it 3 times for effect.
Good times.
I am off to a PTO meeting and a dentist appointment.
In the rain.
But I am NOT complaining.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Weather Channel, Here I Come
I should have considered a degree in Meteorology.
But they probably wouldn't have let me graduate from weather-person school.
Weather people are like news people... They have to appear unbiased. They have to act like whatever weather they are reporting is the best weather.
Not me, friends.
"Here in our area today, we are having our 84th day of 90+ degree heat.
And that STINKS. It's hot, and I am tired of being hot.
Back to you, Bob."
And that's why I would be a weather-school flunkie.
And in family news...
The appointment with the new Allergist last week was very exciting.
Warning: The following photographs are of a medical nature and may be disturbing to some viewers. There's also a little back nudity.
The doc divided the boy's back into 6 areas, labeled A, B, C, D, E, and F.
Each section was injected with 10 known allergens... 60 total.
By the time they injected Section F, Section A already had hives. Good times.
In summary, he reacted to 52 of the 60 injections... Most of them pretty severely.
He's allergic to every grass, every tree, every weed, every mold, and feathers. But no foods.
I knew he had some allergies that had changed, but this momma was not prepared for that news.
So the doc wants us to think about the future... Do we continue with his regular medications? Or do we take the path of shots? Every week. For who knows how long?
This boy has a way of testing my faith. And my sanity.
But I sure do love him. And his red, itchy, hive-covered back.
They gave him meds at the office so he could make it home, and then we stopped for a Blizzard.
Thank the Good Lord no one is allergic to ice cream in this family.
Now a hot weather allergy? That's a whole different story.
But they probably wouldn't have let me graduate from weather-person school.
Weather people are like news people... They have to appear unbiased. They have to act like whatever weather they are reporting is the best weather.
Not me, friends.
"Here in our area today, we are having our 84th day of 90+ degree heat.
And that STINKS. It's hot, and I am tired of being hot.
Back to you, Bob."
And that's why I would be a weather-school flunkie.
And in family news...
The appointment with the new Allergist last week was very exciting.
Warning: The following photographs are of a medical nature and may be disturbing to some viewers. There's also a little back nudity.
The doc divided the boy's back into 6 areas, labeled A, B, C, D, E, and F.
Each section was injected with 10 known allergens... 60 total.
By the time they injected Section F, Section A already had hives. Good times.
In summary, he reacted to 52 of the 60 injections... Most of them pretty severely.
He's allergic to every grass, every tree, every weed, every mold, and feathers. But no foods.
I knew he had some allergies that had changed, but this momma was not prepared for that news.
So the doc wants us to think about the future... Do we continue with his regular medications? Or do we take the path of shots? Every week. For who knows how long?
This boy has a way of testing my faith. And my sanity.
But I sure do love him. And his red, itchy, hive-covered back.
They gave him meds at the office so he could make it home, and then we stopped for a Blizzard.
Thank the Good Lord no one is allergic to ice cream in this family.
Now a hot weather allergy? That's a whole different story.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
When Benadryl Ain't Enough
I would like to blame the cotton in my brain on the barometric pressure from Hurricane Earl.
He's speeding towards NC as I type.
I'm usually like one of those little old men sitting on a bench in front of the gas station in a small town. When bad weather is coming, my body begins to creak and moan. I get a headache and my bursitis acts up. (Don't really know what the heck that means, but it always sounds good.)
Although my head pain is a good indicator of whether or not it's going to rain,
I can't blame this crud on Earl.
I am blaming this one on Dan/Daddy.
He took me away for our anniversary, gave me the new watch I've been needing and wanting...
and a cold.
A doozy of a cold.
All week long, Dan/Daddy has proclaiming the cure-all wonders of "Airborne." He's been chugging it since Monday. (And he's still sick.) He should be the annoying spokesperson in the commercial.
He tells me to take it as soon as I start feeling bad. Which I did. And I immediately felt worse.
Nasty stuff. And it didn't stop the cold from coming.
Last night, I took 2 Benadryl tablets, thinking it would at least knock me out.
Nope.
I tossed and turned and mouth-breathed.
I hate mouth-breathers... especially when I am one of them.
This morning, the boy sneezed about 7 times into his breakfast.
The family that stays congested...
Stays together.
And congested.
Be safe East Coast!
He's speeding towards NC as I type.
I'm usually like one of those little old men sitting on a bench in front of the gas station in a small town. When bad weather is coming, my body begins to creak and moan. I get a headache and my bursitis acts up. (Don't really know what the heck that means, but it always sounds good.)
Although my head pain is a good indicator of whether or not it's going to rain,
I can't blame this crud on Earl.
I am blaming this one on Dan/Daddy.
He took me away for our anniversary, gave me the new watch I've been needing and wanting...
and a cold.
A doozy of a cold.
All week long, Dan/Daddy has proclaiming the cure-all wonders of "Airborne." He's been chugging it since Monday. (And he's still sick.) He should be the annoying spokesperson in the commercial.
He tells me to take it as soon as I start feeling bad. Which I did. And I immediately felt worse.
Nasty stuff. And it didn't stop the cold from coming.
Last night, I took 2 Benadryl tablets, thinking it would at least knock me out.
Nope.
I tossed and turned and mouth-breathed.
I hate mouth-breathers... especially when I am one of them.
This morning, the boy sneezed about 7 times into his breakfast.
The family that stays congested...
Stays together.
And congested.
Be safe East Coast!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Happy Shark Week
I was working away on this week's Ten on Tuesday, and I stopped dead in my tracks when I read the third question.
Was someone looking into our windows?
I don't think anyone else feels the same way we do about Shark Week. We're a family of Animal Planet nerds.
1. What is your current favorite television show?
I have my buddy, Jeanna, to thank for this. She got me hooked on "Criminal Minds."
I mostly watch the reruns. I love it, but it is TWISTED.
The whole psychological aspect... the "profiling" of the worst criminals... It's fascinating to me.
I even told my brother (who is a real mental health professional) that I wanted to join the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Team and be a Profiler. He told me I would have to become a cop first, and that there are actually very few REAL profilers. He's a wet blanket on my FBI dream.
2. Apple juice or orange juice?
OJ all the way.
3. It’s Shark Week on Discover Channel. Do you watch? Why or why not?
Woo Hoo!!
How much of a geek would I be if I told you I (we) live for Shark Week?!? I can't remember a year we haven't watched. I wonder if the boy had been a girl, would we still be watching? Or would we be watching something with princesses and fairies?
I think sharks are beautiful and amazing creatures, and I get freaked out every time I go into the ocean... thank you, Shark Week.
4. What are the non-blog websites that you visit regularly?
Facebook, Hotmail, CNN, The Weather Channel, and Fox News.
5. What is your favorite way to prepare green beans? Asparagus? Potatoes? Carrots?
Green Beans? Roasted.
Asparagus? Roasted.
Potatoes? Baked. Mmmmm... With butter and sour cream.
Carrots? Raw.
6. What is your favorite flower?
I think my favorite flower is a daisy.
7. How do you feel about handkerchiefs?
I feel like they remind me of my dad, because he always has one. He has the worst allergies of anyone I know (except maybe my own child).
I think a handkerchief is old-fashioned and kinda yucky, but a bit more practical for a man.
It looks normal for a woman to pull out a bunch of Kleenex from her purse. (I might even take one if she offered it to me.) It seems odd for a man to pull a bunch of wadded up Kleenex from his pocket. Kinda weird. (And I probably would not take one.) Handkerchief? Not so weird. (As long as it's clean!)
8. If you could only shop at 3 stores for the rest of your life, what would they be? (You probably should include a grocery store.)
A grocery store. One like Whole Foods. (Did we say money was no object?)
A craft store (like Hobby Lobby).
And probably Target. Target would have all the other stuff I'd need.
9. If you could only use wine for one purpose for the rest of your life, which would you choose? To cook with or to drink?
To drink. And I could get it at Target, too!
10. What’s your bedtime?
Whenever the last of the Criminal Minds reruns goes off.
Was someone looking into our windows?
I don't think anyone else feels the same way we do about Shark Week. We're a family of Animal Planet nerds.
1. What is your current favorite television show?
I have my buddy, Jeanna, to thank for this. She got me hooked on "Criminal Minds."
I mostly watch the reruns. I love it, but it is TWISTED.
The whole psychological aspect... the "profiling" of the worst criminals... It's fascinating to me.
I even told my brother (who is a real mental health professional) that I wanted to join the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Team and be a Profiler. He told me I would have to become a cop first, and that there are actually very few REAL profilers. He's a wet blanket on my FBI dream.
2. Apple juice or orange juice?
OJ all the way.
3. It’s Shark Week on Discover Channel. Do you watch? Why or why not?
Woo Hoo!!
How much of a geek would I be if I told you I (we) live for Shark Week?!? I can't remember a year we haven't watched. I wonder if the boy had been a girl, would we still be watching? Or would we be watching something with princesses and fairies?
I think sharks are beautiful and amazing creatures, and I get freaked out every time I go into the ocean... thank you, Shark Week.
4. What are the non-blog websites that you visit regularly?
Facebook, Hotmail, CNN, The Weather Channel, and Fox News.
5. What is your favorite way to prepare green beans? Asparagus? Potatoes? Carrots?
Green Beans? Roasted.
Asparagus? Roasted.
Potatoes? Baked. Mmmmm... With butter and sour cream.
Carrots? Raw.
6. What is your favorite flower?
I think my favorite flower is a daisy.
7. How do you feel about handkerchiefs?
I feel like they remind me of my dad, because he always has one. He has the worst allergies of anyone I know (except maybe my own child).
I think a handkerchief is old-fashioned and kinda yucky, but a bit more practical for a man.
It looks normal for a woman to pull out a bunch of Kleenex from her purse. (I might even take one if she offered it to me.) It seems odd for a man to pull a bunch of wadded up Kleenex from his pocket. Kinda weird. (And I probably would not take one.) Handkerchief? Not so weird. (As long as it's clean!)
8. If you could only shop at 3 stores for the rest of your life, what would they be? (You probably should include a grocery store.)
A grocery store. One like Whole Foods. (Did we say money was no object?)
A craft store (like Hobby Lobby).
And probably Target. Target would have all the other stuff I'd need.
9. If you could only use wine for one purpose for the rest of your life, which would you choose? To cook with or to drink?
To drink. And I could get it at Target, too!
10. What’s your bedtime?
Whenever the last of the Criminal Minds reruns goes off.
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