These questions come from Roots and Rings...
1. What did you do this weekend?
I watched a funny movie with the boy, took the boy to 2 karate lessons, ran 26 errands, watched some "Swamp People," and went to church. We've been on the road for the last 2 weekends, so it was nice to be home.
2. Do you prefer short fingernails or long fingernails?
Short... On my own hands and other people's. Long nails gross me out a little because I wonder how much crud is under them.
3. What is your favorite use for Pinterest?
Wasting time and making myself feel inferior. (I'm kidding. Sorta.)
I probably use it for recipes more than anything.
4. Do you sleep with your mouth open?
No, unless I have a cold and can't breathe. Sleeping with your mouth open is miserable.
5. Where did you have the best pizza you’ve ever eaten?
It's a tie between "Elizabeth's" in NC and the chicken Tuscan pizza at a place here in town.
6. What do you eat for breakfast on weekdays?
Oatmeal or cereal or toast. Maybe an egg. Thrilling, huh?
7. Do you watch awards shows? Why or why not?
Yes. I love to gawk at the celebrities and the clothes. Hollywood fascinates me.
8. Can you whistle? Snap? Curl your tongue? Bend down and touch your palms to the ground?
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
And yes.
9. What email service do you use?
Hotmail
10. What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Sitting on the beach watching my 2 guys play in the ocean.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Take 2 Of These And Call Me In The Morning
Taking random photos of my counter tops is not usually at the top of my "To Do" list. This made me laugh, so I had to share it.
We have a corner of the kitchen that "catches" stuff. You know what I mean... school papers, car keys, random mail, coupons, twist ties, and other things that have no home.
Or... "Things That No One Wants To Put In The Proper Place."
I have the cure for what ails ya: Tylenol, off-brand Advil, and/or Sprinkles.
We have a corner of the kitchen that "catches" stuff. You know what I mean... school papers, car keys, random mail, coupons, twist ties, and other things that have no home.
Or... "Things That No One Wants To Put In The Proper Place."
I have the cure for what ails ya: Tylenol, off-brand Advil, and/or Sprinkles.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Middle School Mama Observations
I think Presidents deserve more than one day of honor and celebration.
I think I deserve a day to recover from the day off.
I think Tuesdays should never feel like Mondays.
We visited some of our oldest and dearest friends over the long weekend, and we had a great time. But... getting home late and facing Mt. Laundry was not how I wanted to start my week. Even if it is a short week.
So instead of going to the grocery store or doing laundry or unpacking or working on our taxes or anything else productive, I caught up on Facebook and looked through my drafts of blog posts. When I am in a bloggity funk, I tend to start posts but never finish. This morning, I inhaled a 2nd cup of coffee and finished this one.
The boy is halfway through his first official year of Middle School.
Pheeeeeew. (That was me... breathing a big sigh of relief.)
Sometimes I think I would like to be knocked out cold for the next 6 years and then jolted awake on his graduation day. But then I realize all the great things I would miss.
I want to be fully present for the driving test, the first date, the school dances, and all that other fun stuff. I may have to be heavily medicated, but I want to be there.
I want to savor every moment.
Until then, I've been making observations. Middle School is a whole new world. Actually, it's more like a different planet. These are a few of the observations I've made as the mom of a new Middle Schooler...
1. Middle Schoolers are very wiggly. Almost as wiggly as toddlers. They may try to act cool, but they can't stop moving. I have to roll slowly through the car line in fear that one of them is going to wiggle off the sidewalk.
2. Middle Schoolers like to test limits. Well, all kids do this, but Middle Schoolers take limits as a personal challenge. Again - in the car line - they stand their wiggly selves as CLOSETOTHECURB as possible... increasing the chance one of them will pop off the sidewalk in front of my car.
3. Middle School teachers need a raise. A big one.
4. Middle School kids either do not watch the weather forecast or they have superhuman temperature resistance powers. I see shorts and sandals on days when it's sleeting. I see furry boots and zipped up jackets when my AC is running.
5. Middle Schoolers are perpetually embarrassed by their parents, and they have good reason. Dads should not pick up their kids at school wearing a tank top. (See previous post.) Not only is your child humiliated, but the rest of us are nauseated. "Lounge wear" is another story... I drop the boy off at school wearing my pjs at least 3 times a week.
6. A lot of Middle School teachers, parents, and administrators think all Middle School kids are punks with bad attitudes. Some off them are, but most of them are sweet kids with good hearts trying to navigate this scary new world. But some of them are punks. Some of the sweet good-hearted ones act like punks from time to time. Mine included.
7. Middle School kids eat like wild starving horses and still look cute in skinny jeans.
8. Middle School kids need approximately 15.8 hours of sleep each day. This was a beautiful discovery for us, because the boy never slept past 5:00 am as a baby. He ran on fumes for 11 years. Now, he sleeps. Praise God.
9. Middle Schoolers are not too cool for notes in their lunch box, Capri Suns, and Goldfish crackers. Don't let them fool you.
10. You can still smooch your Middle Schooler before he gets out of the car in the mornings. Just get it done at the red light down the street from the school, and make sure no one is looking.
Happy Fat Tuesday, friends.
I think I deserve a day to recover from the day off.
I think Tuesdays should never feel like Mondays.
We visited some of our oldest and dearest friends over the long weekend, and we had a great time. But... getting home late and facing Mt. Laundry was not how I wanted to start my week. Even if it is a short week.
So instead of going to the grocery store or doing laundry or unpacking or working on our taxes or anything else productive, I caught up on Facebook and looked through my drafts of blog posts. When I am in a bloggity funk, I tend to start posts but never finish. This morning, I inhaled a 2nd cup of coffee and finished this one.
The boy is halfway through his first official year of Middle School.
Pheeeeeew. (That was me... breathing a big sigh of relief.)
Sometimes I think I would like to be knocked out cold for the next 6 years and then jolted awake on his graduation day. But then I realize all the great things I would miss.
I want to be fully present for the driving test, the first date, the school dances, and all that other fun stuff. I may have to be heavily medicated, but I want to be there.
I want to savor every moment.
Until then, I've been making observations. Middle School is a whole new world. Actually, it's more like a different planet. These are a few of the observations I've made as the mom of a new Middle Schooler...
1. Middle Schoolers are very wiggly. Almost as wiggly as toddlers. They may try to act cool, but they can't stop moving. I have to roll slowly through the car line in fear that one of them is going to wiggle off the sidewalk.
2. Middle Schoolers like to test limits. Well, all kids do this, but Middle Schoolers take limits as a personal challenge. Again - in the car line - they stand their wiggly selves as CLOSETOTHECURB as possible... increasing the chance one of them will pop off the sidewalk in front of my car.
3. Middle School teachers need a raise. A big one.
4. Middle School kids either do not watch the weather forecast or they have superhuman temperature resistance powers. I see shorts and sandals on days when it's sleeting. I see furry boots and zipped up jackets when my AC is running.
5. Middle Schoolers are perpetually embarrassed by their parents, and they have good reason. Dads should not pick up their kids at school wearing a tank top. (See previous post.) Not only is your child humiliated, but the rest of us are nauseated. "Lounge wear" is another story... I drop the boy off at school wearing my pjs at least 3 times a week.
6. A lot of Middle School teachers, parents, and administrators think all Middle School kids are punks with bad attitudes. Some off them are, but most of them are sweet kids with good hearts trying to navigate this scary new world. But some of them are punks. Some of the sweet good-hearted ones act like punks from time to time. Mine included.
7. Middle School kids eat like wild starving horses and still look cute in skinny jeans.
8. Middle School kids need approximately 15.8 hours of sleep each day. This was a beautiful discovery for us, because the boy never slept past 5:00 am as a baby. He ran on fumes for 11 years. Now, he sleeps. Praise God.
9. Middle Schoolers are not too cool for notes in their lunch box, Capri Suns, and Goldfish crackers. Don't let them fool you.
10. You can still smooch your Middle Schooler before he gets out of the car in the mornings. Just get it done at the red light down the street from the school, and make sure no one is looking.
Happy Fat Tuesday, friends.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Why Do We Trust a Groundhog?
I know you've seen the news and heard all the talk about how this has been the warmest Winter ever. The lack of snow has the weather people all confused.
After a week or so of Spring-like temps, we are freezing our buns off again.
Can I tell you what baffles me? Plenty. But when the sun peeps out and the thermometer rises to around 60ish, the thing that baffles me the most is the choices of clothing I see.
I am not joking when I say it was 64 degrees, and I saw people dressed like they just came from the pool. The last time I checked... it was February.
I know the Spring and Fall seasons are tough months for clothing choices, but it is still February.
In fairness I don't know anyone who has an entire wardrobe of "transitional" clothes? I sure don't.
But, when the weather is warm for a Winter day, what's wrong with lighter-weight clothes? Or thinner layers? Can we just take OFF the sweaters?
Why do the spaghetti straps and shortie shorts have to come out now?
I want to ask them what they wear in the mornings when it's still in the 40's.
I also want to ask them what they will wear when it's 103.
I know I have mentioned this before, but there are lines being crossed that I cannot understand.
Last week, I noticed a dad in the school pick-up line who was sporting a tank top.
Yep... I said a DAD. All his chest and underarm hair was poking out, and it was unpleasant.
Who told him he looked good in that? Does the man not own a shirt with sleeves?
Now before you athletic type folks jump on me, I will say there was nothing about him or his tank that screamed,
"I've just been exercising."
Maybe he had been in the gym. Maybe I am just being mean.
Maybe I need to find something else to worry about than how other people are dressed inappropriately for the weather.
If that groundhog is gonna pop out and declare to us when Spring will arrive, then he needs to pop out some fashion advice, too.
After a week or so of Spring-like temps, we are freezing our buns off again.
Can I tell you what baffles me? Plenty. But when the sun peeps out and the thermometer rises to around 60ish, the thing that baffles me the most is the choices of clothing I see.
I am not joking when I say it was 64 degrees, and I saw people dressed like they just came from the pool. The last time I checked... it was February.
I know the Spring and Fall seasons are tough months for clothing choices, but it is still February.
In fairness I don't know anyone who has an entire wardrobe of "transitional" clothes? I sure don't.
But, when the weather is warm for a Winter day, what's wrong with lighter-weight clothes? Or thinner layers? Can we just take OFF the sweaters?
Why do the spaghetti straps and shortie shorts have to come out now?
I want to ask them what they wear in the mornings when it's still in the 40's.
I also want to ask them what they will wear when it's 103.
I know I have mentioned this before, but there are lines being crossed that I cannot understand.
Last week, I noticed a dad in the school pick-up line who was sporting a tank top.
Yep... I said a DAD. All his chest and underarm hair was poking out, and it was unpleasant.
Who told him he looked good in that? Does the man not own a shirt with sleeves?
Now before you athletic type folks jump on me, I will say there was nothing about him or his tank that screamed,
"I've just been exercising."
Maybe he had been in the gym. Maybe I am just being mean.
Maybe I need to find something else to worry about than how other people are dressed inappropriately for the weather.
If that groundhog is gonna pop out and declare to us when Spring will arrive, then he needs to pop out some fashion advice, too.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Flashback To 2011
I have composed about 17 new blog posts. I've written a few in my head as I drive. I've sketched out one or two on scrap paper. Some are actually in the drafts folder.
But they are all dead to me. I am in a slump and I don't care who knows it.
So I will do the next best thing... Bring out old stuff y'all haven't seen yet.
Due to the death of our computer, you folks missed a lot.
Back in December, we took the BEST trip ever to Disney. My whole family went, and it was good times all around.
In looking through my pictures, I had a hard time deciding which ones to post. There are a bunch of great ones (160ish to be exact), but I don't want you all to run for the hills out of boredom. So I will limit it to a few of my favorites. (Well, they are all my favorites. All 160ish of them.)
It was an awesome trip, and I am blessed to have such an awesome family to go with.
I made my mom ride Tower of Terror, and she's still speaking to me.
I bought my nephew a Pirates Of The Caribbean gun, and my sis-in-law still loves me.
I made my brother ride Rock & Roller Coaster with me, and he didn't throw up on me.
I carried on like a psychotic 7 year-old when I saw Mickey Mouse, and the boy still took pictures with me. (160ish of them)
My dad rode Space Mountain, and he hasn't had to visit the chiropractor.
Dan/Daddy went on an extended vacation with his wife's side of the family, and he had a blast.
It really is the "happiest place on Earth."
But they are all dead to me. I am in a slump and I don't care who knows it.
So I will do the next best thing... Bring out old stuff y'all haven't seen yet.
Due to the death of our computer, you folks missed a lot.
Back in December, we took the BEST trip ever to Disney. My whole family went, and it was good times all around.
In looking through my pictures, I had a hard time deciding which ones to post. There are a bunch of great ones (160ish to be exact), but I don't want you all to run for the hills out of boredom. So I will limit it to a few of my favorites. (Well, they are all my favorites. All 160ish of them.)
It was an awesome trip, and I am blessed to have such an awesome family to go with.
I made my mom ride Tower of Terror, and she's still speaking to me.
I bought my nephew a Pirates Of The Caribbean gun, and my sis-in-law still loves me.
I made my brother ride Rock & Roller Coaster with me, and he didn't throw up on me.
I carried on like a psychotic 7 year-old when I saw Mickey Mouse, and the boy still took pictures with me. (160ish of them)
My dad rode Space Mountain, and he hasn't had to visit the chiropractor.
Dan/Daddy went on an extended vacation with his wife's side of the family, and he had a blast.
It really is the "happiest place on Earth."
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Me, Ellen, and Kathie Lee
There are 2 things on my mind as I compose this post:
1. Y'all are not going to believe me.
2. I should not eat Zaxby's wings at 8:30 in the evening.
A few nights ago, I had what could possibly be the kookiest dream ever.
I had a dream that involved pink lemonade cake, Ellen DeGeneres, and Kathie Lee Gifford.
I promise I am not making this up.
In my dream, I was apparently friends with Ellen and Kathie Lee. Ellen owned a bakery, and I was trying to get in to buy some of her pink lemonade cake. I was frustrated because her bake shop was closed, and I was having a conversation with a group of people about this problem. Kathie Lee popped out (from somewhere?) and told me that Ellen's bakery had been closed the day before, too.
Then, I woke up.
I can tell you how and why my subconscious brain put the pink lemonade cake in my dream. I cannot tell you why I dreamed about Ellen and Kathie Lee. Or why I was, apparently, living among the rich and famous.
I have been obsessed with the pink lemonade cake ever since I saw it on Pinterest.
Obsessed.
Not obsessed enough to make it, however. My sis-in-law made one, and my mouth actually watered when she told me about it.
I keep saying I'm going to get the ingredients together to make it. I just haven't yet.
Maybe I'll call my buddy, Ellen, and order one from her bakery.
If she'd ever open up the darn shop.
1. Y'all are not going to believe me.
2. I should not eat Zaxby's wings at 8:30 in the evening.
A few nights ago, I had what could possibly be the kookiest dream ever.
I had a dream that involved pink lemonade cake, Ellen DeGeneres, and Kathie Lee Gifford.
I promise I am not making this up.
In my dream, I was apparently friends with Ellen and Kathie Lee. Ellen owned a bakery, and I was trying to get in to buy some of her pink lemonade cake. I was frustrated because her bake shop was closed, and I was having a conversation with a group of people about this problem. Kathie Lee popped out (from somewhere?) and told me that Ellen's bakery had been closed the day before, too.
Then, I woke up.
I can tell you how and why my subconscious brain put the pink lemonade cake in my dream. I cannot tell you why I dreamed about Ellen and Kathie Lee. Or why I was, apparently, living among the rich and famous.
I have been obsessed with the pink lemonade cake ever since I saw it on Pinterest.
Obsessed.
Not obsessed enough to make it, however. My sis-in-law made one, and my mouth actually watered when she told me about it.
I keep saying I'm going to get the ingredients together to make it. I just haven't yet.
Maybe I'll call my buddy, Ellen, and order one from her bakery.
If she'd ever open up the darn shop.
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.
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