You guys are not going to believe this, but I'm going to be interviewed and featured on this site: Mommy Page. I know, you're all wondering if they actually read my blog before picking me. That was my initial thought too. Then I thought maybe I was being punked. Because, I hear you all saying, "But, Spot, you're more like the anti-Mommy." I know, right? But they must have read my blog because the interview questions actually pertain to a post or two. And those questions? Man, they're hard. I'm freaking out just a little. But don't tell anyone, it would ruin my image.
So I'm definitely going to do the interview and I will let you all know when it is up; hopefully, you'll find a minute or two to sneak over and check it out, leave me a little comment love, and generally promote a site that apparently doesn't want to be preachy or "cookie cutter"ish. Let's face it, if they did, they wouldn't touch my blog with a ten foot pole. I mean I've openly admitted to not knowing where my children were every minute of every single day; letting them endanger their health by climbing tall trees, handling snakes (okay, so I totally did not encourage that, quite the opposite), riding without pads or helmets; and snarking at them. But, hey, they survived and became mostly functioning members of society (provided you don't ask Lu where any European countries are located or think that plans for total world domination is an odd life plan for a guy).
I've also stated numerous times that I'm looking forward to my children vacating the premises. I get really funny looks for that one sometimes. And it makes me wonder if people think they want their kids to live with them forever. And if they do, what kind of accident was it that caused the head injury that knocked your screw loose? Because, let's face it, no matter how close you are to your offspring (and anyone reading this blog knows that I'm nearly super glued to mine), there comes a time when you want some space. And I'm not talking about locking yourself in the bathroom for ten minutes with your fingers in your ears, refusing to converse with anyone standing outside the door. (You know you've been there, don't try to deny it.) And after raising them up, I deserve some "me" time. Or better yet, some "me & mike" time. So while I love them dearly, and will cry copiously the day they move out, I will also do a secret (okay, now that I've put it in writing maybe not-so-secret) happy dance.
They need the chance to blossom. Lu needs her own house so that two adult women with different ways of doing things aren't trying to survive in the same kitchen. Sean needs to not have me cook for him, clean his room, balance his checkbook, and amuse him on a routine basis. They need to flaunt their independence, make some mistakes, and become fully adult. Do I wish they weren't both moving half a continent away? Definitely. But I also know that there's nothing much around this area for them. We've always raised our children to want to get out of dodge and find their own niche in the world. I'll miss them like crazy (especially my adorable grandson) but there are cell phones, skype, and air travel. I'll make use of them all. Frequently.
And Mike & I? Well, I need time to devote to work and not feel guilty about neglecting the family. We both need a little less stress and a little more downtime. And we need more couple time.
And guess what? Lu & Sean took baby Dylan to visit his dad in Texas. So the next six days are a practice run at being empty- nesters. I'm only 8 hours in, Lu's called once already, but I'm kind of liking this silence thing. Just me and six sleeping cats. I'll let you know how it goes...
♥Spot
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The one where we wrap up the year...
Hello? *peers anxiously out at the audience* Anyone out there? *taps microphone* Is this thing on? Oh! Wait, there you are! Shout out to my stalker, Michigan. Didn't think I knew your name, did you? Yeah, I have mad stalker skills of my own. Or, well, ok, Sean told me. Anywho, for anyone still out there reading my rambling, few and far between posts, Happy New Year (a few days late).
I know I don't post as often as I should, but I've got my reasons. Mostly, I'm super busy and distracted. And it's not that funny shit doesn't still happen all the time at my house, I just forget it before I can blog it. Sad, but true. And then there's the fact that so many people that know me (in real life) read my blog that it's kind of awkward to put some stuff on here. And mostly, they're pretty awesome peeps but some just look for gossip. (You know who you are and you should probably get a more interesting life of your own so you don't have to try to ruin mine). Whew, I've been wanting to get that off my chest.
So, a whole 'nother year flew by. Seriously, it feels like it was whoosh and there went 2011. Why does time seem to go so much faster as you get older. Does it really speed up or is our perception skewed? The answer probably has something to do with quantum physics and the space time continuum. I'd ask Sean, but you know my eyes would glaze over and all I'd hear was "blah blah blah". I'm going to go with it actually does go faster, because to admit that it was my perception would be like admitting these lovely "silver" highlights in my hair were actually greys and that I'm aging. Which I think is totally unfair because most days I don't feel a day over 21. Well, mentally. Physically, some days I feel 100. Wait? Where was I?
Oh yeah, a new year. 2011 was eventful. I mean, like ginormously eventful. My oldest, CJ, graduated from his school and turned 21. Lu had a baby and got married!! And my baby, Sean, turned 18, travelled across the continent twice and joined the Marines. I don't have children anymore, I have adults. How weird is that? Mike was hospitalized, twice. I had gallbladder surgery (good riddance!), a skin cancer scare and started a whole new career. And Mike & I finally took a trip, all by ourselves. See what I mean? Last year was HUGE. And this year the world ends. I mean, if you believe all that "end of the world" stuff. Personally, I lean either way, depending on my level of optimism or pessimism. Although, if a cataclysmic apocalyptic event should happen, you know we're prepared out here. Sean even learned this year that I happen to be a pretty decent shot and won't be totally useless in the zombie apocalypse.
But I digress, the year in review: Wow. That's all I can say. I'm so grateful for last year. Don't get me wrong, there were some bad things. Mike's paternal grandmother lost her battle with cancer in November. She was an awesome lady and will be missed by our family. Mike's hospital ordeals were nerve wracking and not fun. My mother received a very grim medical diagnosis, although the second opinion is, so far, inconclusive. That will be a whole other post. But in the end, we came out stronger. My Mother's illness prompted my sister and I to take a weekend, just us and Mom & Dad. It was a weekend for healing old hurts and forgiveness. Watching my daughter give birth was one of the hardest, but most joyous, things I've ever witnessed. She was a champ. Her being a mother and wife has brought us even closer in fabulous ways. Mike's illnesses and our trip reminded us, again, to cherish each other while we can. (Sappy, right?)
And, as always, I am constantly reminded that we have met and continue to meet the most amazing people, both in person and online. Shout out to Peg at Square Peg in a Round Hole for the awesome white trash chex mix she sent me. It was delicious! Thanks to everyone who has sent notes, cards, emails, ect, whenever we've needed a "pick me up". And thanks, most, for continuing to share my life through this blog. I ♥ you, one and all.
And here's some highlights:
Our trip to Gulf Shores, Al in March with a pregnant Lu
CJ's prom in May
CJ's Graduation in late May
Counting down the weeks til Dylan's birth
The big day arrived, 07-18-11 Dylan James Flanagan, 7 lbs 10 oz
She's a beautiful Mama
Mike's Grandma Vera got to see the baby
The wedding: small but wonderful, in the place they met
Cutest family ever, Halloween
Mike in a New Orlean's coffee shop before the cemetery tour. How could you not love this guy?
May you all have a very blessed 2012!
♥Spot
I know I don't post as often as I should, but I've got my reasons. Mostly, I'm super busy and distracted. And it's not that funny shit doesn't still happen all the time at my house, I just forget it before I can blog it. Sad, but true. And then there's the fact that so many people that know me (in real life) read my blog that it's kind of awkward to put some stuff on here. And mostly, they're pretty awesome peeps but some just look for gossip. (You know who you are and you should probably get a more interesting life of your own so you don't have to try to ruin mine). Whew, I've been wanting to get that off my chest.
So, a whole 'nother year flew by. Seriously, it feels like it was whoosh and there went 2011. Why does time seem to go so much faster as you get older. Does it really speed up or is our perception skewed? The answer probably has something to do with quantum physics and the space time continuum. I'd ask Sean, but you know my eyes would glaze over and all I'd hear was "blah blah blah". I'm going to go with it actually does go faster, because to admit that it was my perception would be like admitting these lovely "silver" highlights in my hair were actually greys and that I'm aging. Which I think is totally unfair because most days I don't feel a day over 21. Well, mentally. Physically, some days I feel 100. Wait? Where was I?
Oh yeah, a new year. 2011 was eventful. I mean, like ginormously eventful. My oldest, CJ, graduated from his school and turned 21. Lu had a baby and got married!! And my baby, Sean, turned 18, travelled across the continent twice and joined the Marines. I don't have children anymore, I have adults. How weird is that? Mike was hospitalized, twice. I had gallbladder surgery (good riddance!), a skin cancer scare and started a whole new career. And Mike & I finally took a trip, all by ourselves. See what I mean? Last year was HUGE. And this year the world ends. I mean, if you believe all that "end of the world" stuff. Personally, I lean either way, depending on my level of optimism or pessimism. Although, if a cataclysmic apocalyptic event should happen, you know we're prepared out here. Sean even learned this year that I happen to be a pretty decent shot and won't be totally useless in the zombie apocalypse.
But I digress, the year in review: Wow. That's all I can say. I'm so grateful for last year. Don't get me wrong, there were some bad things. Mike's paternal grandmother lost her battle with cancer in November. She was an awesome lady and will be missed by our family. Mike's hospital ordeals were nerve wracking and not fun. My mother received a very grim medical diagnosis, although the second opinion is, so far, inconclusive. That will be a whole other post. But in the end, we came out stronger. My Mother's illness prompted my sister and I to take a weekend, just us and Mom & Dad. It was a weekend for healing old hurts and forgiveness. Watching my daughter give birth was one of the hardest, but most joyous, things I've ever witnessed. She was a champ. Her being a mother and wife has brought us even closer in fabulous ways. Mike's illnesses and our trip reminded us, again, to cherish each other while we can. (Sappy, right?)
And, as always, I am constantly reminded that we have met and continue to meet the most amazing people, both in person and online. Shout out to Peg at Square Peg in a Round Hole for the awesome white trash chex mix she sent me. It was delicious! Thanks to everyone who has sent notes, cards, emails, ect, whenever we've needed a "pick me up". And thanks, most, for continuing to share my life through this blog. I ♥ you, one and all.
And here's some highlights:
May you all have a very blessed 2012!
♥Spot
Monday, November 28, 2011
The one where charity begins at home...
Right. I know. You're all mad at me and probably no one even reads this blog anymore because I can't be bothered to write it. I'm sorry. *hangs head in shame* But honestly, I'm so busy living...that I don't always have time to write about it. And I don't know whether I can apologize about that.
Anywho, I do owe you guys a blog post about Mike & I's trip to New Orleans, complete with pictures, and I promise that one is coming. But this one is slightly more important.
Lately, I've been feeling ultra-charitable. Don't get me wrong, we've always tried to be charitable, I've tried to raise the kids to appreciate their blessings and give to those less fortunate. I think it worked pretty well, both of them will donate their time to a good cause. Lu cannot pass a Salvation Army bell-ringer without emptying her (and whoever happens to be with her's) pockets of change. We donate old clothes and shoes to the Salvation Army store. We've given away furniture and unused TVs. I recently redecorated the living room and donated all the old decorations.
And in New Orleans? Well, Mike wouldn't let me carry cash because I kept giving it to homeless people. Especially those with dogs. Something about those homeless dogs really got to me. When we got home I started feeling a tug every time a commercial for a non-profit would come on. I started debating the relative merits of donating to UNICEF, ASPCA and the WWF. You've seen the commercials, who can resist those sad eyed children or kittens? And don't even get me started on the tigers... I figured I could spare a little, and there were so many organizations who need help. But then I found a charity closer to home.
I noticed last time that I picked CJ up from his group home that he had some flaky patches on his scalp. We used some head and shoulders shampoo and I bought him a bottle to take back to his house. When I dropped it off, they told me that all the kids had been switched to a body wash/shampoo combo soap. Obviously, it wasn't working for CJ, but I'd bought him new shampoo. When I picked him up this time, I told them I'd bring special shampoo, soap and lotion back for him. We discussed how the new soap wasn't really working for any of them. I couldn't get that out of my head. Some of the boys in CJ's house have toileting issues still. That can't be good for their skin.
When we were driving CJ back to his house after Thanksgiving, I reminded Sean that I had to stop and get CJ some hygiene products. And that while I understood that smaller budgets and dwindling money sources had forced his school into trying to save money where they could, switches like these really bothered me.
"Why don't you buy enough good body wash for all the boys?" Sean asked.
Why didn't I? I talked to one of his aides and asked if that would be a problem or if we'd need special permission for them to use it. She said not as long as it was on the approved list. Whaddya know? Suave body wash for men was on the approved list. And since that's what I buy my guys at home, I figured it's what I'd buy these guys too. She said they'd go through 8-10 bottles a month. I bought one for each boy and got them started. But I'll be sending more their way. Everyone deserves decent soap, shampoo and lotion. Especially those who can't buy it for themselves.
Take a look around you this season and find someone who really needs your help. Pay it forward. I dare you.
♥Spot
PS- Many of the children with disabilities who attend CJ's school have families of their own. Some of those families struggle to send their children to a place where they can receive the special instruction and care that they need. Some of them live far away and don't get to visit often. And some of the children are wards of the state, with no parents. They can always use donations of clothing (all sizes), games, books, dvds, ect for the residential dorms and group houses. We have donated many items over the years and they are always very grateful.
**Update- here is the link to The Hope Institute's Webpage for those of you who would like to donate. http://www.thehopeinstitute.us/ They and I thank you.**
Anywho, I do owe you guys a blog post about Mike & I's trip to New Orleans, complete with pictures, and I promise that one is coming. But this one is slightly more important.
Lately, I've been feeling ultra-charitable. Don't get me wrong, we've always tried to be charitable, I've tried to raise the kids to appreciate their blessings and give to those less fortunate. I think it worked pretty well, both of them will donate their time to a good cause. Lu cannot pass a Salvation Army bell-ringer without emptying her (and whoever happens to be with her's) pockets of change. We donate old clothes and shoes to the Salvation Army store. We've given away furniture and unused TVs. I recently redecorated the living room and donated all the old decorations.
And in New Orleans? Well, Mike wouldn't let me carry cash because I kept giving it to homeless people. Especially those with dogs. Something about those homeless dogs really got to me. When we got home I started feeling a tug every time a commercial for a non-profit would come on. I started debating the relative merits of donating to UNICEF, ASPCA and the WWF. You've seen the commercials, who can resist those sad eyed children or kittens? And don't even get me started on the tigers... I figured I could spare a little, and there were so many organizations who need help. But then I found a charity closer to home.
I noticed last time that I picked CJ up from his group home that he had some flaky patches on his scalp. We used some head and shoulders shampoo and I bought him a bottle to take back to his house. When I dropped it off, they told me that all the kids had been switched to a body wash/shampoo combo soap. Obviously, it wasn't working for CJ, but I'd bought him new shampoo. When I picked him up this time, I told them I'd bring special shampoo, soap and lotion back for him. We discussed how the new soap wasn't really working for any of them. I couldn't get that out of my head. Some of the boys in CJ's house have toileting issues still. That can't be good for their skin.
When we were driving CJ back to his house after Thanksgiving, I reminded Sean that I had to stop and get CJ some hygiene products. And that while I understood that smaller budgets and dwindling money sources had forced his school into trying to save money where they could, switches like these really bothered me.
"Why don't you buy enough good body wash for all the boys?" Sean asked.
Why didn't I? I talked to one of his aides and asked if that would be a problem or if we'd need special permission for them to use it. She said not as long as it was on the approved list. Whaddya know? Suave body wash for men was on the approved list. And since that's what I buy my guys at home, I figured it's what I'd buy these guys too. She said they'd go through 8-10 bottles a month. I bought one for each boy and got them started. But I'll be sending more their way. Everyone deserves decent soap, shampoo and lotion. Especially those who can't buy it for themselves.
Take a look around you this season and find someone who really needs your help. Pay it forward. I dare you.
♥Spot
PS- Many of the children with disabilities who attend CJ's school have families of their own. Some of those families struggle to send their children to a place where they can receive the special instruction and care that they need. Some of them live far away and don't get to visit often. And some of the children are wards of the state, with no parents. They can always use donations of clothing (all sizes), games, books, dvds, ect for the residential dorms and group houses. We have donated many items over the years and they are always very grateful.
**Update- here is the link to The Hope Institute's Webpage for those of you who would like to donate. http://www.thehopeinstitute.us/ They and I thank you.**
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The one where things are random...
Life is random. There's no doubt about that. Popularity is random. Everything seems random lately. I've got 226 Twitter followers. I only know a handful of them. I have more Facebook friends than I know what to do with. Again, I only know so many of them. But apparently being an Editor and a Writer makes me a "cool kid". I'm slightly confused, because I already thought I was cool. I guess I'm just "cooler" now. But then again, I'm probably supposed to be spelling it "kewl" to be really cool. And while I am enjoying getting to know all my new friends and followers, I still want to keep my old ones. And some of you seem to be missing.
I didn't start this blog to make friends, but that's what happened. And there for awhile there was a core group of us. I could count on their comments and they could count on mine. I got to know them through their blogs and when I was in one of the darkest times of my life (Mike's accident), they helped pull me through with their constant outpouring of love and support. They reached out to me in real life, not just blogland. I miss you guys. I know I've gotten busy and don't blog nearly as much. I know I don't always make it to your blogs as soon as you post, but I do try to keep up! So, if the absence is because you're busy too- just know that I still value you.
And newbies- I heart you too of course. But leave comments, it's how I get to know you and helps insure that I visit your blog as well.
And now for the random portion of the blog. Because this blog is nothing, if not random.
Me: ugh. My hair has sooo many grays in it! Its definitely time to color it again.
Lu: Maybe you should go with the aunt Vicky style. (Mike's aunt who went through chemo. Her hair grew back this absolutely beautiful salt and pepper. She keeps it short and she looks amazing!)
Me: Um. I don't think I can pull off that short look. She looks so sophisticated now. I think I even like it better than her blonde hair she used to have.
Lu: Yeah. It looks "artsy". I don't think it would work for you.
Me: What the hell? I'm "artsy". So what do you think I'd look like if I let my gray grow out?
Lu: Kind of like a hippie.
Me: Oh great. So aunt Vick's hair says "artsy chic" and mine says "aging hippie". Thanks alot Lu.
Lu: Um. Sorry?
Me: Doesn't matter anyway. I'm going to start calling them silver highlights. That makes it sound like I put them there on purpose.
***
We were watching TV the other night and saw an advertisement for one of those shows where they show funny clips they find on the web.
Lu: Isn't that what Tosh.0 does?
Mike: yeah. And Web Soup.
Me: Well I do not have all day to comb youtube for funny videos you guys. Frankly, I'm glad someone else does it for me.
Lu: But I just want to see funny cat videos. I think they should have a crazy cat lady who only shows cat videos. And they can film it in her house with her 80 cats. And she can be all "Mr. Tickles found this clip!"
Mike & Me: *silence*
Lu: Well I'd watch it.
***
Lu & I made a trip to Dairy Queen. The closest one is 20 minutes away in a tiny town if you drive the back roads. So we're driving along and we stop at one of the few intersections. There are stop signs on the road we are on.
Lu: So for the longest time I didn't realize that wasn't a four way stop. And one time I almost got smashed by a semi.
Me: Is this a story where you're such a bad driver you almost died?
Lu: Pretty much. And there was this guy in a pick up truck at the other stop sign and when I went he freaked out. He looked so horrified. Glad that semi missed me. If it hadn't he probably would have told the cops I committed suicide.
Me: And they'd have been all "Ma'am, we think your daughter committed suicide" and I'd have said, "No. She's just stupid."
Lu: I can see you saying that to the cops.
Me: And Sean would be all "I told you she was too stupid to live."
Lu: *giggling* Guess I should pay more attention.
Hope you are all enjoying your week. Mine has been interesting to say the least. More on that later.
♥Spot
I didn't start this blog to make friends, but that's what happened. And there for awhile there was a core group of us. I could count on their comments and they could count on mine. I got to know them through their blogs and when I was in one of the darkest times of my life (Mike's accident), they helped pull me through with their constant outpouring of love and support. They reached out to me in real life, not just blogland. I miss you guys. I know I've gotten busy and don't blog nearly as much. I know I don't always make it to your blogs as soon as you post, but I do try to keep up! So, if the absence is because you're busy too- just know that I still value you.
And newbies- I heart you too of course. But leave comments, it's how I get to know you and helps insure that I visit your blog as well.
And now for the random portion of the blog. Because this blog is nothing, if not random.
Me: ugh. My hair has sooo many grays in it! Its definitely time to color it again.
Lu: Maybe you should go with the aunt Vicky style. (Mike's aunt who went through chemo. Her hair grew back this absolutely beautiful salt and pepper. She keeps it short and she looks amazing!)
Me: Um. I don't think I can pull off that short look. She looks so sophisticated now. I think I even like it better than her blonde hair she used to have.
Lu: Yeah. It looks "artsy". I don't think it would work for you.
Me: What the hell? I'm "artsy". So what do you think I'd look like if I let my gray grow out?
Lu: Kind of like a hippie.
Me: Oh great. So aunt Vick's hair says "artsy chic" and mine says "aging hippie". Thanks alot Lu.
Lu: Um. Sorry?
Me: Doesn't matter anyway. I'm going to start calling them silver highlights. That makes it sound like I put them there on purpose.
***
We were watching TV the other night and saw an advertisement for one of those shows where they show funny clips they find on the web.
Lu: Isn't that what Tosh.0 does?
Mike: yeah. And Web Soup.
Me: Well I do not have all day to comb youtube for funny videos you guys. Frankly, I'm glad someone else does it for me.
Lu: But I just want to see funny cat videos. I think they should have a crazy cat lady who only shows cat videos. And they can film it in her house with her 80 cats. And she can be all "Mr. Tickles found this clip!"
Mike & Me: *silence*
Lu: Well I'd watch it.
***
Lu & I made a trip to Dairy Queen. The closest one is 20 minutes away in a tiny town if you drive the back roads. So we're driving along and we stop at one of the few intersections. There are stop signs on the road we are on.
Lu: So for the longest time I didn't realize that wasn't a four way stop. And one time I almost got smashed by a semi.
Me: Is this a story where you're such a bad driver you almost died?
Lu: Pretty much. And there was this guy in a pick up truck at the other stop sign and when I went he freaked out. He looked so horrified. Glad that semi missed me. If it hadn't he probably would have told the cops I committed suicide.
Me: And they'd have been all "Ma'am, we think your daughter committed suicide" and I'd have said, "No. She's just stupid."
Lu: I can see you saying that to the cops.
Me: And Sean would be all "I told you she was too stupid to live."
Lu: *giggling* Guess I should pay more attention.
Hope you are all enjoying your week. Mine has been interesting to say the least. More on that later.
♥Spot
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The one where I catch you guys up...
It has been a crazy busy week and it's only Wednesday! Sunday I spent the day with my Dad. We went shopping at the new Scheels store in Springfield. That store is amazing! There is a ferris wheel in the store. We were shopping for the rest of Sean's gear for his trips to West Virginia and New Mexico. Poor kid is working so much that he hasn't had time. He has one more half day off before he heads out and we are going to try to celebrate his upcoming birthday on that day. That evening I picked up CJ and brought him home for a quick visit.
Monday, I hung out with CJ all day. We rode along with Mike on a trip to town, but only because there was McDonald's involved. Lol. Then CJ, Lu & I went swimming. We had supper and did some golf cart riding before a trip to DQ for ice cream. It was a perfect summer day!
Yesterday Lu & I both started the day with dr. appts. Hers went great. She's doing well. Dilated to a 2 and 50% effaced. She started her maternity leave so she can get some rest before the big event! My appt got me a steroid shot in my shoulder and strict directions for icing and motrin. If it's no better, then its on to MRIs.
Then we headed to Springfield, took CJ to his house and met up with my Mom & Dad. We did some shopping for CJ, he needed new clothes, and picked up the last few things on Lu's list of baby items. Then dinner at Lonestar. Yum! Lu had contractions the whole two hour drive home. Unfortunately they eased up and we went to bed instead of the hospital. But I'm pretty sure it won't be long now!
I posted updates on what's going on in my life work wise over at The Author Spot if you want to check up on that. Today, I am doing another guest post! I'm over at the wonderful Tyr Kieran's blog. There's another short story. Again, shouldn't be too scary for the faint of heart. It's a tale of revenge. If you want to check it out, I'd be all sorts of appreciative!
Happy Middle of the Week,
♥Spot
Monday, I hung out with CJ all day. We rode along with Mike on a trip to town, but only because there was McDonald's involved. Lol. Then CJ, Lu & I went swimming. We had supper and did some golf cart riding before a trip to DQ for ice cream. It was a perfect summer day!
Yesterday Lu & I both started the day with dr. appts. Hers went great. She's doing well. Dilated to a 2 and 50% effaced. She started her maternity leave so she can get some rest before the big event! My appt got me a steroid shot in my shoulder and strict directions for icing and motrin. If it's no better, then its on to MRIs.
Then we headed to Springfield, took CJ to his house and met up with my Mom & Dad. We did some shopping for CJ, he needed new clothes, and picked up the last few things on Lu's list of baby items. Then dinner at Lonestar. Yum! Lu had contractions the whole two hour drive home. Unfortunately they eased up and we went to bed instead of the hospital. But I'm pretty sure it won't be long now!
I posted updates on what's going on in my life work wise over at The Author Spot if you want to check up on that. Today, I am doing another guest post! I'm over at the wonderful Tyr Kieran's blog. There's another short story. Again, shouldn't be too scary for the faint of heart. It's a tale of revenge. If you want to check it out, I'd be all sorts of appreciative!
Happy Middle of the Week,
♥Spot
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The one where we celebrate America's Birthday...
That's right. 4th of July. In honor of this auspicious holiday I've made a list.
Things You Don't Want to Hear on the 4th of July:
1. I may have started a small fire.
2. Run! That one's headed towards you!
3. Just put all the duds in a paper sack and light it on fire. Then run like hell!
4. We didn't need that tree anyway. It gets in the way of my golf swing.
5. Damn that fuse was a lot shorter than I thought!
True story. Never mix a retired ammunition's expert with a boy genius. It's frightening.
Hope you all had fun and stayed safe. I mean, someone should.
♥Spot
Things You Don't Want to Hear on the 4th of July:
1. I may have started a small fire.
2. Run! That one's headed towards you!
3. Just put all the duds in a paper sack and light it on fire. Then run like hell!
4. We didn't need that tree anyway. It gets in the way of my golf swing.
5. Damn that fuse was a lot shorter than I thought!
True story. Never mix a retired ammunition's expert with a boy genius. It's frightening.
Hope you all had fun and stayed safe. I mean, someone should.
♥Spot
Monday, May 23, 2011
The one where I snap...
Meltdowns are never pretty. Last night was no exception. It was 10 pm. The Borgias had just ended (season finale, not to be seen again until 2012, why Showtime? Why??) and I got up from the couch,(Sunday night is family TV viewing for us- HBO's Game of Thrones and Showtime's The Borgias, not for every family, definitely not PG, but works for us) I gathered my teacup, phone & plate and headed to the kitchen. This is what I found there: teabags left in the sink to stain the sink, a cup ring on the counter, kool-aid spill on the floor and an overflowing garbage can. Have I mentioned that I live with quasi-adults and not toddlers? It was the straw that broke the camel's back. I exploded. I pointed out that people should clean up their own messes and not leave them for me. That we are going to have bugs very quickly if they continue to not clean up their messes. And then I pointed out that it was time to put on the big kid pull-ups and start pulling their weight. And then I pulled out the big guns.
Me: *to Lu* You know what I was doing when I was 7 months pregnant with your brother? Working 40 hours a week and taking care of my own apartment. I worked days and your dad worked nights so I fixed all my own meals and extra so he'd have a lunch to take the next night. I cleaned the whole thing by myself and we went to the laundromat and grocery store on weekends when we were off.
Lu: I do help out! I did the dishes just the other day! And I do all the laundry.
Me: Laundry is your chore. You do not pay rent or groceries so you still have chores. And doing the dishes once a week is better than anyone else in this house, but its not exactly helping out. And when you aren't at work, you are asleep. I know you're tired, been there done that. Wait until your going through this with baby number 1 and 2 to take care of also. But a little more help is required around here.
Me: *to Sean* And you! You aren't even working currently and you don't do anything until I nag you! Your Dad was only a few months older than you when he was going to school half a day and holding down a full time job to get ready for his first child.
Sean: I thought about doing the dishes the other day, does that count?
Me: No. I appreciate the thought but you need to actually do them.
Sean: And having a baby on the way is probably a really good catalyst for responsibility. So maybe I should knock someone up. Wait?! Will they still let me go to seminary school and become an exorcist if I have a baby?
Me: Um, no.
And then I couldn't help it, I started giggling. Mostly because the thought of Sean in seminary school or as an exorcist is beyond ridiculous. Also because I'm pretty sure that's the worst reason I've ever heard for getting someone pregnant. *Let me state- for the record- he was kidding about both of those things* I ended my rant by saying that I was tired of being responsible for every one's business and I refused to nag them until they got their stuff done anymore (Sean's eagle project, Lu signing up for birthing classes and registering at the hospital) and that they were now on their own. Sink or swim time. I have got to get them to take more responsibility for their lives. Then I mentioned how I knew this little meltdown wouldn't do any good and I'd see them same place same time next week.
And with that I went to bed. In bed was where I read all the twitter updates about the horrible tornadoes and damage to Joplin, Mo. And then I felt like a wretch. Here I was yelling at my family when people had just lost theirs. Instead of being thankful for the fact that I have a home, plenty of food, and my family around me- I was complaining. I was not remembering that it can all be snatched from you in an instant. And I was not remembering to value them. Why does it take a tragedy to remind of us these things? And how can we learn to filter what's truly important from what's truly petty? I dont' have these answers. I struggle with this in my own life. I went back out and told them that regardless of everything I loved them all and I would try not to meltdown anymore. They promised to try harder to be more helpful (emphasis on the word "try"). And then I went back to bed and asked the universe to help me remember not to take what I have for granted and to be a better mother, better wife, better person.
Life is short and unpredictable.
♥Spot
Me: *to Lu* You know what I was doing when I was 7 months pregnant with your brother? Working 40 hours a week and taking care of my own apartment. I worked days and your dad worked nights so I fixed all my own meals and extra so he'd have a lunch to take the next night. I cleaned the whole thing by myself and we went to the laundromat and grocery store on weekends when we were off.
Lu: I do help out! I did the dishes just the other day! And I do all the laundry.
Me: Laundry is your chore. You do not pay rent or groceries so you still have chores. And doing the dishes once a week is better than anyone else in this house, but its not exactly helping out. And when you aren't at work, you are asleep. I know you're tired, been there done that. Wait until your going through this with baby number 1 and 2 to take care of also. But a little more help is required around here.
Me: *to Sean* And you! You aren't even working currently and you don't do anything until I nag you! Your Dad was only a few months older than you when he was going to school half a day and holding down a full time job to get ready for his first child.
Sean: I thought about doing the dishes the other day, does that count?
Me: No. I appreciate the thought but you need to actually do them.
Sean: And having a baby on the way is probably a really good catalyst for responsibility. So maybe I should knock someone up. Wait?! Will they still let me go to seminary school and become an exorcist if I have a baby?
Me: Um, no.
And then I couldn't help it, I started giggling. Mostly because the thought of Sean in seminary school or as an exorcist is beyond ridiculous. Also because I'm pretty sure that's the worst reason I've ever heard for getting someone pregnant. *Let me state- for the record- he was kidding about both of those things* I ended my rant by saying that I was tired of being responsible for every one's business and I refused to nag them until they got their stuff done anymore (Sean's eagle project, Lu signing up for birthing classes and registering at the hospital) and that they were now on their own. Sink or swim time. I have got to get them to take more responsibility for their lives. Then I mentioned how I knew this little meltdown wouldn't do any good and I'd see them same place same time next week.
And with that I went to bed. In bed was where I read all the twitter updates about the horrible tornadoes and damage to Joplin, Mo. And then I felt like a wretch. Here I was yelling at my family when people had just lost theirs. Instead of being thankful for the fact that I have a home, plenty of food, and my family around me- I was complaining. I was not remembering that it can all be snatched from you in an instant. And I was not remembering to value them. Why does it take a tragedy to remind of us these things? And how can we learn to filter what's truly important from what's truly petty? I dont' have these answers. I struggle with this in my own life. I went back out and told them that regardless of everything I loved them all and I would try not to meltdown anymore. They promised to try harder to be more helpful (emphasis on the word "try"). And then I went back to bed and asked the universe to help me remember not to take what I have for granted and to be a better mother, better wife, better person.
Life is short and unpredictable.
♥Spot
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The one where I lose a tooth in a pumpkin carving accident...
Relax folks, it wasn't my tooth, but more on that later. First, let me apologize for my absence. I owe a special apology to my Kindle readers (you're still there, right guys?) because they actually pay to read this blog. Sorry. I wish I could say I had good reason for being absent. But I didn't really. It was just some strange lassitude that seems to have crept into my soul with the turning of the leaves. I'm not sure where it's coming from, generally this is my favorite time of year. I love fall. I love the month of October when I can DVR enough scary movies to last me through the winter. But this year, I'm lacking that special "oomph" and I'm not sure where it's gone. So if someone finds it, please send it back, I mean, after all, it is MY "oomph" and No One Else's. And besides, I NEED it. Like desperately.
Things are going well in the household. My trip to Ohio with my folks was actually way more fun than I thought it would be. And I got a haunted house fix. I will blog about that later in the week. My knee is healing finally. I still have a lot of trouble with stairs (thank goodness Lu does the laundry for me). And I'm not sure when I'll be able to squat. Seriously, you don't realize how often you squat until you can't. I squatted down to get on eye level with my niece and you could barely here my whimpering over the grinding protest my knee made. Yeah, not doing that again for awhile. But I can walk almost normally. And I can gingerly get down on the floor and back up again on my own. So it's probably functioning at a 70% level. I can handle that for now.
Mike has been super busy the last several weekends. This weekend should be the last big camping event, but since they started putting a new roof on the dining hall he'll still be tied up for awhile. At least he's feeling well. His stamina and brute strength still aren't what they were but he's doing remarkably well, considering. And the shoulder is still a thorn in his side but we see the doctor soon.
The kids are good. All working full time now, which gives me an empty house for most of the day. (Score!) And when they are home it's bustling chaotic confusion, but mostly in a good way. The freelance writing is going well. As those of you who are with me on FaceBook know, my boss emailed me the other day to tell me that one of my articles got picked up and linked to by a popular Hungarian newsite. I went to check it out, but it was all in Hungarian. Lol. Anyway, I was happy. I am currently looking for more editing work, so if anyone has written something they need edited or proofread...give me a shout. And I have several pieces out on submission. But as anyone who writes knows...that's just a waiting game.
So, now that you're caught up...on to pumpkin carving...
Luke had gotten us pumpkins over the weekend and CJ was home for a visit, so Monday night we went on the deck to carve our pumpkins. I sat down to do CJ's for him. Lu was diligently (if a little scarily) working on cutting off the top of hers with a really really big knife. Luke was sorting through pumpkin guts for the seeds (so he could roast them) and I was scooping out the inside of mine. Sean had taken CJ for a golf cart ride. Time passed, it started to get dark, CJ was back and ready to go inside and freakin mosquitoes (yes, mosquitoes in October, how effed up is that?) were eating me alive, so I was trying to carve my face quickly. Recipe for disaster. I'd drawn a pretty standard Jack O'Lantern face; two triangle eyes, upside down triangle nose and grinning mouth with three teeth. I carved and carved and was busy pushing out the carved bits. I noticed it was taking some effort, this pumpkin was thick. When I got to pushing out the mouth bit, I was really struggling, my hand deep inside the pumpkin, pushing outward. Finally I felt it give way. The mouth popped out of that pumpkin with enough force to go sailing through the air and hit Luke upside the head (totally accidental I assure you or do I?)!
Said simultaneously:
Me: Oh! I lost a tooth!(putting my hand to my mouth, don't ask why)
Luke: Did you just throw pumpkin at me?!
Then:
Lulu: What? You lost a tooth?! Omigosh! Let me see!
Me: Not me silly. My pumpkin! It came out of there so fast, it ripped one of the teeth out.
Luke: So you didn't throw it at me on purpose.
Me: No, I have no desire to start an all out pumpkin war because I know who would end up cleaning that up!!
Sean: So you almost lost a tooth in a pumpkin carving accident?
Me: For real.
And so the pumpkins were carved. And they were cute. I really do love October.
Have a fabulous weekend,
♥Spot
Things are going well in the household. My trip to Ohio with my folks was actually way more fun than I thought it would be. And I got a haunted house fix. I will blog about that later in the week. My knee is healing finally. I still have a lot of trouble with stairs (thank goodness Lu does the laundry for me). And I'm not sure when I'll be able to squat. Seriously, you don't realize how often you squat until you can't. I squatted down to get on eye level with my niece and you could barely here my whimpering over the grinding protest my knee made. Yeah, not doing that again for awhile. But I can walk almost normally. And I can gingerly get down on the floor and back up again on my own. So it's probably functioning at a 70% level. I can handle that for now.
Mike has been super busy the last several weekends. This weekend should be the last big camping event, but since they started putting a new roof on the dining hall he'll still be tied up for awhile. At least he's feeling well. His stamina and brute strength still aren't what they were but he's doing remarkably well, considering. And the shoulder is still a thorn in his side but we see the doctor soon.
The kids are good. All working full time now, which gives me an empty house for most of the day. (Score!) And when they are home it's bustling chaotic confusion, but mostly in a good way. The freelance writing is going well. As those of you who are with me on FaceBook know, my boss emailed me the other day to tell me that one of my articles got picked up and linked to by a popular Hungarian newsite. I went to check it out, but it was all in Hungarian. Lol. Anyway, I was happy. I am currently looking for more editing work, so if anyone has written something they need edited or proofread...give me a shout. And I have several pieces out on submission. But as anyone who writes knows...that's just a waiting game.
So, now that you're caught up...on to pumpkin carving...
Luke had gotten us pumpkins over the weekend and CJ was home for a visit, so Monday night we went on the deck to carve our pumpkins. I sat down to do CJ's for him. Lu was diligently (if a little scarily) working on cutting off the top of hers with a really really big knife. Luke was sorting through pumpkin guts for the seeds (so he could roast them) and I was scooping out the inside of mine. Sean had taken CJ for a golf cart ride. Time passed, it started to get dark, CJ was back and ready to go inside and freakin mosquitoes (yes, mosquitoes in October, how effed up is that?) were eating me alive, so I was trying to carve my face quickly. Recipe for disaster. I'd drawn a pretty standard Jack O'Lantern face; two triangle eyes, upside down triangle nose and grinning mouth with three teeth. I carved and carved and was busy pushing out the carved bits. I noticed it was taking some effort, this pumpkin was thick. When I got to pushing out the mouth bit, I was really struggling, my hand deep inside the pumpkin, pushing outward. Finally I felt it give way. The mouth popped out of that pumpkin with enough force to go sailing through the air and hit Luke upside the head (totally accidental I assure you or do I?)!
Said simultaneously:
Me: Oh! I lost a tooth!(putting my hand to my mouth, don't ask why)
Luke: Did you just throw pumpkin at me?!
Then:
Lulu: What? You lost a tooth?! Omigosh! Let me see!
Me: Not me silly. My pumpkin! It came out of there so fast, it ripped one of the teeth out.
Luke: So you didn't throw it at me on purpose.
Me: No, I have no desire to start an all out pumpkin war because I know who would end up cleaning that up!!
Sean: So you almost lost a tooth in a pumpkin carving accident?
Me: For real.
And so the pumpkins were carved. And they were cute. I really do love October.
Have a fabulous weekend,
♥Spot
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The one where I hate being laid up...
Honestly? I was looking a little forward to my down time. Having some enforced relaxation after what has to go down as the craziest couple of months for our family. I was looking forward to being on the other end of the "being taken care of" side. Settling in for some naps, some movies of my choice, some peace & quiet. But after almost a week of it- I'm so done.
I miss my computer desperately. I can only sit there for so long before the knee starts aching. I miss cooking (I must admit Lu makes the most amazing PB&J sandwiches ever but I need some meat!) I miss being busy and productive and caught up in the frantic chaos that defines my life.
Sitting around only allows me time to focus on the parts of my house that are flawed and desperately in need of work. Like how bad my carpets need shampooing. How badly the bathroom needs repainting. CJ's toy box needs cleaning out. New slipcovers, new chairs. The list is damn near endless. And mind boggling. I don't even know where to start.
Apparently, relaxing is no longer in my nature. Who knew? Oh yeah, so maybe you guys did. Good call.
So today found me hobbling around (don't yell- the doctor told me I could) and making my bed, wiping the counters, making a grocery list and loading the dishwasher. I'm either OCD or just have control issues. Again, no surprises there.
This whole episode has been something else. Apparently, the Doctor told Mike & Lu that once he opened up my knee the damage was worse than what the MRI had shown. He said my knee was "way older than the rest of my body". For realz? How the hell did I wind up with the used part?! And how do I get a refund? What gives, Universe?!
I guess perhaps it relates to the recent discovery of some labs I had done fourteen (yes, fourteen) years ago that suggest I have Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Oh well, it's always something, isn't it? Life is a constant uphill climb, but the roadside viewing areas are what makes it all worthwhile.
It looks as though things are finally moving forward for everyone. Lu is doing great and went back to work Tuesday. She has a 35 hour schedule this week. Luke is looking for a second job. Sean is a full time telemarketer and he loves it. How crazy is that kid?! His phone call stories make me cry with laughter. I'll be sharing those soon. Bobby works full times. And Mike is back full swing although he'll probably be facing shoulder surgery in January. He has a labral tear and impingement from the accident.
Once the knee is healed, hopefully I can get something of a writing routine going again. I have freelance work coming out my ears. So for now, life is good.
I will soon be catching up with all of your adventures as well.
Take Care, my friends,
♥Spot
I miss my computer desperately. I can only sit there for so long before the knee starts aching. I miss cooking (I must admit Lu makes the most amazing PB&J sandwiches ever but I need some meat!) I miss being busy and productive and caught up in the frantic chaos that defines my life.
Sitting around only allows me time to focus on the parts of my house that are flawed and desperately in need of work. Like how bad my carpets need shampooing. How badly the bathroom needs repainting. CJ's toy box needs cleaning out. New slipcovers, new chairs. The list is damn near endless. And mind boggling. I don't even know where to start.
Apparently, relaxing is no longer in my nature. Who knew? Oh yeah, so maybe you guys did. Good call.
So today found me hobbling around (don't yell- the doctor told me I could) and making my bed, wiping the counters, making a grocery list and loading the dishwasher. I'm either OCD or just have control issues. Again, no surprises there.
This whole episode has been something else. Apparently, the Doctor told Mike & Lu that once he opened up my knee the damage was worse than what the MRI had shown. He said my knee was "way older than the rest of my body". For realz? How the hell did I wind up with the used part?! And how do I get a refund? What gives, Universe?!
I guess perhaps it relates to the recent discovery of some labs I had done fourteen (yes, fourteen) years ago that suggest I have Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Oh well, it's always something, isn't it? Life is a constant uphill climb, but the roadside viewing areas are what makes it all worthwhile.
It looks as though things are finally moving forward for everyone. Lu is doing great and went back to work Tuesday. She has a 35 hour schedule this week. Luke is looking for a second job. Sean is a full time telemarketer and he loves it. How crazy is that kid?! His phone call stories make me cry with laughter. I'll be sharing those soon. Bobby works full times. And Mike is back full swing although he'll probably be facing shoulder surgery in January. He has a labral tear and impingement from the accident.
Once the knee is healed, hopefully I can get something of a writing routine going again. I have freelance work coming out my ears. So for now, life is good.
I will soon be catching up with all of your adventures as well.
Take Care, my friends,
♥Spot
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Don't leave the dyslexic girl in charge of the lottery tickets...
So as you know we road tripped to Ohio, by way of Springfield, and home, by way of Indianapolis over the weekend. Well we had a fabulous time with Hildi and her family and my cousins. Then we went to Indy and had a fantastic time with J and her family. We left her house around 1:30 pm yesterday and got in the car for another 5 hour stretch. Well after all the fun, Lu and I were a bit exhausted and maybe a tad cranky. So the trip was mostly us singing along to cds in order to not snap at each other. I did find out what Lu's thinking as far as her "boy drama" is concerned and I will totally relate that in another post. But other than that, there wasn't alot of talking.
Well having consumed two cups of coffee at J's, and having a monster size Coke in the car my bladder felt like it might explode. And for some totally insane reason, over half the rest stops along the way are closed. So we pulled off in some dinky little town to use the restroom in a gas station. Thankfully, said restroom was clean. Here's what happened on the way out.
Lulu stops and says "hey, I'm going to get my lottery ticket I bought Thursday and cash it in."
Me: Okay. Grab mine out of the car too!
Lu: You have the keys.
Me: Um. No. I gave them to you. (I can see the purple ribbon thing dangling out of her purse)
Lu: No U didn't! Oh wait! Here they are.
Me: Duh. (she proceeds to the car, comes in, hands me my ticket which I hand to cashier. It's a two dollar winner so I ask for two more tickets. Cashier eyes me like I'm an idiot)
Cashier: This isn't a winner.
I take the ticket back, peer at it for a minute, and look at Lulu.
Me: You grabbed the wrong one! (I'd had two sitting on her console, one a winner, one not)
Lu: (cashes in her own ticket for 5 more). Um. Well. I'll give you one of mine. I threw the other ticket away when I cleaned the car. I thought I grabbed the right one. (She peers at the ticket) Oh! I must have just seen the 2's and thought it was a winner. Sorry. I'm so dyslexic with numbers!!
~At Hildi's house on Saturday, Hildi left to take her girls to grandma's since we were all going out that night. Lu started up the stairs to take a shower.
Me: You need to take your phone with you to shower?
Lu: yes, because if I leave it you'll read through it.
Me: What?! I would never! That's a total violation of your privacy!
Lu: Oh really, snoopy snooperson?
Me: Well, what do you have to hide? Oh...I know...all those naughty texts from Mr. Tim. I know all about your "sexting". (Please note that I was totally kidding. She was not sexting).
Lu: Sexting? Is that a real word?
Me: Oh Lu. You're so sad. Get in touch with your generation! Of course it's a word!
Lu: It's so weird that my mom uses more slang than me. I'm not sure if it makes you completely cool or really weird.
Me: It makes me awesome. Duh. I don't know why I have to keep reminding you of that.
~And as we were leaving Hildi's...
Lu is driving and we go through Mickey D's to get insanely large Cokes. In the drive thru I tell her I'm going to text J to let her know we're on our way.
Lu: I hope her back is better. I would hate for her to be in pain the whole time we were there.
Me: No doubt! That would totally suck fer shizzle.
Lu: (blinking at me) Did you just say "fer shizzle"?
Me: Yeah? And?
Lu: You just totally used it in a sentence and you weren't even joking. Sometimes you just boggle my mind.
Me: Yeah. That's how I roll, yo.
glad to be back,
♥Spot
PS- Sean totally has pneumonia. Stupid freaking camp out. Why Boy Scouts? Why??!
Well having consumed two cups of coffee at J's, and having a monster size Coke in the car my bladder felt like it might explode. And for some totally insane reason, over half the rest stops along the way are closed. So we pulled off in some dinky little town to use the restroom in a gas station. Thankfully, said restroom was clean. Here's what happened on the way out.
Lulu stops and says "hey, I'm going to get my lottery ticket I bought Thursday and cash it in."
Me: Okay. Grab mine out of the car too!
Lu: You have the keys.
Me: Um. No. I gave them to you. (I can see the purple ribbon thing dangling out of her purse)
Lu: No U didn't! Oh wait! Here they are.
Me: Duh. (she proceeds to the car, comes in, hands me my ticket which I hand to cashier. It's a two dollar winner so I ask for two more tickets. Cashier eyes me like I'm an idiot)
Cashier: This isn't a winner.
I take the ticket back, peer at it for a minute, and look at Lulu.
Me: You grabbed the wrong one! (I'd had two sitting on her console, one a winner, one not)
Lu: (cashes in her own ticket for 5 more). Um. Well. I'll give you one of mine. I threw the other ticket away when I cleaned the car. I thought I grabbed the right one. (She peers at the ticket) Oh! I must have just seen the 2's and thought it was a winner. Sorry. I'm so dyslexic with numbers!!
~At Hildi's house on Saturday, Hildi left to take her girls to grandma's since we were all going out that night. Lu started up the stairs to take a shower.
Me: You need to take your phone with you to shower?
Lu: yes, because if I leave it you'll read through it.
Me: What?! I would never! That's a total violation of your privacy!
Lu: Oh really, snoopy snooperson?
Me: Well, what do you have to hide? Oh...I know...all those naughty texts from Mr. Tim. I know all about your "sexting". (Please note that I was totally kidding. She was not sexting).
Lu: Sexting? Is that a real word?
Me: Oh Lu. You're so sad. Get in touch with your generation! Of course it's a word!
Lu: It's so weird that my mom uses more slang than me. I'm not sure if it makes you completely cool or really weird.
Me: It makes me awesome. Duh. I don't know why I have to keep reminding you of that.
~And as we were leaving Hildi's...
Lu is driving and we go through Mickey D's to get insanely large Cokes. In the drive thru I tell her I'm going to text J to let her know we're on our way.
Lu: I hope her back is better. I would hate for her to be in pain the whole time we were there.
Me: No doubt! That would totally suck fer shizzle.
Lu: (blinking at me) Did you just say "fer shizzle"?
Me: Yeah? And?
Lu: You just totally used it in a sentence and you weren't even joking. Sometimes you just boggle my mind.
Me: Yeah. That's how I roll, yo.
glad to be back,
♥Spot
PS- Sean totally has pneumonia. Stupid freaking camp out. Why Boy Scouts? Why??!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
She's Baaaaacccckkkk!
Okay so I'm back. To blogging that is. I didn't really go anywhere. I guess I took a staycation from blogging. Christmas was soooo hectic. Maybe if I hadn't put absolutely everything off til the last minute the total hecticness could have been avoided but um that was kind of an epic fail. So I spent the last week before Christmas frantically, shopping, wrapping, planning and crafting my ass off. Did it pay off? Was Christmas loverly? Indeed. But I'm definitely starting in July next year. Yes, I know I said that last year, but this year I mean it. Really.
It didn't help that I was very nice and offered to do Christmas morning at my house on Christmas eve so that Lu & Luke could go to his parents house for the real Christmas morning. I mean all my kids are old enough that it didn't really matter, but it did mean things had to be ready a day early. Which was tough this year let me tell you. Then there was the fact that Lu had major drama this year (which is of course continuing...). Then there was the fact that my sis (Hildi) got mad because I gave her husband a toaster for Christmas. Seriously. Because she didn't think they needed a new one and apparently this means I sided with him in implying that he does everything. The hell??! All that from a toaster?! Who knew they were little relationship landmines??! It was meant to be funny...
Then my hubby told me that he didn't have time to shop for a gift for me. Lu had done all his stocking stuffer shopping and wrapping, but he said he'd had no time or ideas for a big gift for me. I got him a new phone. At first I didn't care because I really am more about the giving gifts and watching others open them. But then I kinda got a little sad that he couldn't even go to the bookstore and pick up a gift card?? Was I that unimportant to him? So Lu & I load the stockings the night before and then the next morning we get up when CJ wakes up. On my way to the bathroom I mention making the bed and when I come out hubby says "c'mon woman, I'll help you make the bed." Now, this in itself is highly irregular because he never makes the bed. Second, it's really kind of a one person job. So I go to my side and then I notice two huge lumps under the covers. "The hell?!" I say and whip the covers back. And it's a Wii!! And the Wii Fit!! I have been wanting those for like a month. I just looked at him in confusion. Then I say "Thank you so much. But this is so unfair! I didn't have $300 dollars to spend on you!". And he says "22 Christmases and I have never ever gotten you a truly memorable gift. I wanted to give you something you really wanted but probably wouldn't end up spending money on yourself for." I cried. Now, to some of you a Wii Fit might not sound like a romantic gift. Or even a great gift. Some of you might be wondering if he's trying to tell me I'm fat. But no. I know him. I wanted the Wii Fit. I wanted to lose weight and have fun working out. I wanted to strengthen my muscles and feel better. And he listened to what I wanted and chose his gift accordingly. To me, that's the most romantic thing ever. To really listen to your mate and sacrifice to make that happen. And he spent money that he'd worked hard for and was supposed to go towards his hunting habit. So he not only listened, he gave up buying himself something. Wow. That in itself was the best gift ever.
But let me just say...I love me some Wii!!! The whole family is enjoying it. We love the competition of playing against each other. And I have been using it to work out. This thing is amazing...it keeps track of everything for you...whether you're doing an exercise correctly, how many calories you've burned, how long you've been working out, ect. And I'm happy to say that I've already lost 2.3 pounds. Since the 25th. And I'm never bored with it. And my body is sore but in the good way. Not from the fibro, but from the exercise. Sean (who of course has a perfect BMI and weight) has also discovered a passion for tennis. I can't wait for warmer weather so I can take him to a real tennis court and teach him the game. My dad and I used to play weekly when I was a teen. And Lu...yeah you guessed it...her BMI is low. She had to make a goal of gaining a few pounds. Skinny little witch. So the Wii has been not just a wonderful gift to me...but to the whole family. We even get hubby to turn off the tv and bowl a few games at night. And he's addicted to the boxing.
All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas. All the kids were here on Christmas eve and it snowed so everything was pretty. We ate, we played, we talked, we enjoyed. And isn't that what it's all about?
Hope everyone else enjoyed theirs as well. Tomorrow I'll detail Lu's drama. Because I know you're all dying to know...
♥Spot
It didn't help that I was very nice and offered to do Christmas morning at my house on Christmas eve so that Lu & Luke could go to his parents house for the real Christmas morning. I mean all my kids are old enough that it didn't really matter, but it did mean things had to be ready a day early. Which was tough this year let me tell you. Then there was the fact that Lu had major drama this year (which is of course continuing...). Then there was the fact that my sis (Hildi) got mad because I gave her husband a toaster for Christmas. Seriously. Because she didn't think they needed a new one and apparently this means I sided with him in implying that he does everything. The hell??! All that from a toaster?! Who knew they were little relationship landmines??! It was meant to be funny...
Then my hubby told me that he didn't have time to shop for a gift for me. Lu had done all his stocking stuffer shopping and wrapping, but he said he'd had no time or ideas for a big gift for me. I got him a new phone. At first I didn't care because I really am more about the giving gifts and watching others open them. But then I kinda got a little sad that he couldn't even go to the bookstore and pick up a gift card?? Was I that unimportant to him? So Lu & I load the stockings the night before and then the next morning we get up when CJ wakes up. On my way to the bathroom I mention making the bed and when I come out hubby says "c'mon woman, I'll help you make the bed." Now, this in itself is highly irregular because he never makes the bed. Second, it's really kind of a one person job. So I go to my side and then I notice two huge lumps under the covers. "The hell?!" I say and whip the covers back. And it's a Wii!! And the Wii Fit!! I have been wanting those for like a month. I just looked at him in confusion. Then I say "Thank you so much. But this is so unfair! I didn't have $300 dollars to spend on you!". And he says "22 Christmases and I have never ever gotten you a truly memorable gift. I wanted to give you something you really wanted but probably wouldn't end up spending money on yourself for." I cried. Now, to some of you a Wii Fit might not sound like a romantic gift. Or even a great gift. Some of you might be wondering if he's trying to tell me I'm fat. But no. I know him. I wanted the Wii Fit. I wanted to lose weight and have fun working out. I wanted to strengthen my muscles and feel better. And he listened to what I wanted and chose his gift accordingly. To me, that's the most romantic thing ever. To really listen to your mate and sacrifice to make that happen. And he spent money that he'd worked hard for and was supposed to go towards his hunting habit. So he not only listened, he gave up buying himself something. Wow. That in itself was the best gift ever.
But let me just say...I love me some Wii!!! The whole family is enjoying it. We love the competition of playing against each other. And I have been using it to work out. This thing is amazing...it keeps track of everything for you...whether you're doing an exercise correctly, how many calories you've burned, how long you've been working out, ect. And I'm happy to say that I've already lost 2.3 pounds. Since the 25th. And I'm never bored with it. And my body is sore but in the good way. Not from the fibro, but from the exercise. Sean (who of course has a perfect BMI and weight) has also discovered a passion for tennis. I can't wait for warmer weather so I can take him to a real tennis court and teach him the game. My dad and I used to play weekly when I was a teen. And Lu...yeah you guessed it...her BMI is low. She had to make a goal of gaining a few pounds. Skinny little witch. So the Wii has been not just a wonderful gift to me...but to the whole family. We even get hubby to turn off the tv and bowl a few games at night. And he's addicted to the boxing.
All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas. All the kids were here on Christmas eve and it snowed so everything was pretty. We ate, we played, we talked, we enjoyed. And isn't that what it's all about?
Hope everyone else enjoyed theirs as well. Tomorrow I'll detail Lu's drama. Because I know you're all dying to know...
♥Spot
Thursday, December 17, 2009
So 40 is the new 20...
Or so I'm told. Between my sister and my J (my friend from high school) I'm pretty sure the entire universe now knows that I'm 40. Well, if you're expecting me to act like it, you totally have another thing coming because it ain't happening. They say your only as old as you act so I'm pretty sure I can stay in my twenties forever. =]
Oh my stars! Where has the last week gone?? I feel like I was caught up in some space time tunnel without a flux capacitor. Or a pulse phase converter. Yes, I did spend too much time with Sean and my brother in law last week. Actually, I'm really having a hard time getting "back to business" so to speak. With the rush on to finish Christmas shopping and decorating and the fact that my bday turned into a week long celebration in two states I feel kind of flustered. Or maybe it's just old age setting in.
So, I will finish up the Disco Chronicles in the next couple of days. But today I will update you on the last week. Our trip to Ohio was awesome. We had cold, but clear driving weather the entire time. I got to Christmas shop with my sister, which is something we don't normally get to do and it was so much fun! She threw me a party Saturday night with her friends and our cousins and it was great. We stopped on the way home from her house and had lunch with my friend J in Indy. That was two hours worth of amazing. I really wish I got to see her more often. Sean stated after lunch that he could totally understand why we were friends because we were so much alike. Then we stopped at my parents in Springfield and had an awesome dinner and presents and cheesecake! We got home Tuesday and Mo came down and we went to dinner, just the four of us then came home and watched videos.
They got me awesome gifts and I will even forgive the black balloons. Luke didn't make it but he did send the cake, which he made.
Tonight we are having dinner with two other couples to yet again celebrate my birthday. And I'm supposed to go out with "the girls" for drinks on Saturday night for my birthday. Really, how much "birthday" can one person take?? Thank goodness I never turn 40 again. I might not survive.
In other news, I found my parents a condo for February. They are going down to Myrtle Beach for the whole month. Since my dad retired they've been talking about doing all kinds of fun things and this is only the beginning. Mo, Sean and I are for sure going to join them for a week. I can't wait!!
Do to J's posts on Facebook about having lunch with me, several old high school friends have found me. I think this is a good thing, but it does leave some explaining to do to Mo (who totally cyberstalks me). Like "what does this G guy mean about getting busted in the balcony at Prom junior year??! What were you doing??!!" She's not buying "I don't remember. That was a long time ago. I'm old. Leave me alone!" Apparently it was his now mother in law who busted us. Hmm. Awkward.
And speaking of old boyfriends coming out of the woodwork...remember my story about Mo's first love, the marine? And how he called her from Iraq? Well...guess who started texting us both last week? Yeah, okay so that was kind of a "gimme", just play along anyway. Guess who's dying to see Mo when he comes home next week. Yep. Zach. Well, things haven't been all roses in Iowa with Luke. In fact, they are having some huge issues. And let me be clear and say that I like Luke as a person. But hubby and I have been concerned about whether it was the right situation for Mo for a while now. And she's beginning to have serious doubts herself. How do ex bf's know this stuff?? It's like they have radar when you're unhappy in your current relationship. Three of her exes got in touch with me last week. Two marines and drunken ex. Anyway, she and Luke are "talking about the fate of their relationship" and she's going to come home and see Zach on Sunday. At my house, not like alone. Because, well, they've never been able to resist each other. But the bad news is...he's stationed in California and he goes to Afghanistan in July. I will have to give you a post on their history for you to be able to understand these two. It's a doozie.
Well, I'm going to go catch up on my blog reading and commenting and then I'm going to sew til my eyes cross to try to finish up some more Christmas. Hope everyone stayed healthy and happy while I was gone! I missed you!!
home again,
♥Spot
Oh my stars! Where has the last week gone?? I feel like I was caught up in some space time tunnel without a flux capacitor. Or a pulse phase converter. Yes, I did spend too much time with Sean and my brother in law last week. Actually, I'm really having a hard time getting "back to business" so to speak. With the rush on to finish Christmas shopping and decorating and the fact that my bday turned into a week long celebration in two states I feel kind of flustered. Or maybe it's just old age setting in.
So, I will finish up the Disco Chronicles in the next couple of days. But today I will update you on the last week. Our trip to Ohio was awesome. We had cold, but clear driving weather the entire time. I got to Christmas shop with my sister, which is something we don't normally get to do and it was so much fun! She threw me a party Saturday night with her friends and our cousins and it was great. We stopped on the way home from her house and had lunch with my friend J in Indy. That was two hours worth of amazing. I really wish I got to see her more often. Sean stated after lunch that he could totally understand why we were friends because we were so much alike. Then we stopped at my parents in Springfield and had an awesome dinner and presents and cheesecake! We got home Tuesday and Mo came down and we went to dinner, just the four of us then came home and watched videos.
They got me awesome gifts and I will even forgive the black balloons. Luke didn't make it but he did send the cake, which he made.Tonight we are having dinner with two other couples to yet again celebrate my birthday. And I'm supposed to go out with "the girls" for drinks on Saturday night for my birthday. Really, how much "birthday" can one person take?? Thank goodness I never turn 40 again. I might not survive.
In other news, I found my parents a condo for February. They are going down to Myrtle Beach for the whole month. Since my dad retired they've been talking about doing all kinds of fun things and this is only the beginning. Mo, Sean and I are for sure going to join them for a week. I can't wait!!
Do to J's posts on Facebook about having lunch with me, several old high school friends have found me. I think this is a good thing, but it does leave some explaining to do to Mo (who totally cyberstalks me). Like "what does this G guy mean about getting busted in the balcony at Prom junior year??! What were you doing??!!" She's not buying "I don't remember. That was a long time ago. I'm old. Leave me alone!" Apparently it was his now mother in law who busted us. Hmm. Awkward.
And speaking of old boyfriends coming out of the woodwork...remember my story about Mo's first love, the marine? And how he called her from Iraq? Well...guess who started texting us both last week? Yeah, okay so that was kind of a "gimme", just play along anyway. Guess who's dying to see Mo when he comes home next week. Yep. Zach. Well, things haven't been all roses in Iowa with Luke. In fact, they are having some huge issues. And let me be clear and say that I like Luke as a person. But hubby and I have been concerned about whether it was the right situation for Mo for a while now. And she's beginning to have serious doubts herself. How do ex bf's know this stuff?? It's like they have radar when you're unhappy in your current relationship. Three of her exes got in touch with me last week. Two marines and drunken ex. Anyway, she and Luke are "talking about the fate of their relationship" and she's going to come home and see Zach on Sunday. At my house, not like alone. Because, well, they've never been able to resist each other. But the bad news is...he's stationed in California and he goes to Afghanistan in July. I will have to give you a post on their history for you to be able to understand these two. It's a doozie.
Well, I'm going to go catch up on my blog reading and commenting and then I'm going to sew til my eyes cross to try to finish up some more Christmas. Hope everyone stayed healthy and happy while I was gone! I missed you!!
home again,
♥Spot
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Quiz results! And photos!
So business first...Only Tina and Brite played my game. But it was a Monday so I guess I'll let things slide...Brite played well, with 5 correct answers but Tina rocked the quiz and got all but one correct! Um...yeah...sorry Tina, there's no prize...just bragging rights. So the answers were:
1. Duma Key, which is one of my all-time favs of his.
2. Under the Dome. Which really wasn't fair since it's so new.
3. Salem's Lot. Very scary book.
4. The Shining. It was kind of a trick question, because it was a line from the Stanley Kubrick film version. But then again, who hasn't seen that? Even though the remake with Stephen Weber is way closer to the book!
5. Dreamcatcher. If you only saw the movie...read the book! They screwed up the ending in the movie.
6. The Shining, again. This one was supposed to be a gimme.
7. Duma Key, again. I threw this one in because I totally have to "sideways think" sometimes when I lose a word.
8. Misery.
9. Cujo.
10. Heart-shaped Box. If you haven't heard of it or read it, I highly recommend it. It was one scary ass book. Joe Hill is definitely a chip off of his dad's block.
So I kind of started on Christmas. I've got my basic ideas for gifts. I need to sit down and write it all out. And then I need to get my fabric out and patterns and look at what I have and what I need and go on a supply run. And yes, I know Christmas is only 24 days away but seriously, I work best under a deadline. And it wouldn't be Christmas if I wasn't sleep deprived and slightly deranged from all my holiday preparations. Hubby swears that I get a bad case of "Martha Stewart-itis" this time of year. That only proves that he doesn't really pay attention to me, because it's like a chronic condition. It never goes away. I'm constantly in Martha mode, unless I'm busy writing. It seems to semi cure the problem, or at least masks the symptoms. Anyway, for one of my projects, which I cannot list here because some of the recipients of said gift read my blog, but I found this charming graphic on photobucket and I'm pretty sure it sums up my attitude:
I found a whole bunch of these pics and they are perfect for my project! Score! I will post pics of the finished after Christmas. I'm almost excited to get started. I'm really bummed because it was so freakin cold on Thanksgiving that we didn't get to go outside and take any pics. I take pictures of all three kids together every year and this year due to illness, and Lu moving away and the weather, I haven't really managed it yet.
Here's last years photo~
And the year before...
How beautiful are they??! But as you can see, even at this age, they change so much in a year. I wish I could get it done before Christmas, but that's highly unlikely at this point. Ah well...there's always January.
I hope everyone else is well on their way to holiday bliss. I hope no one else is seriously contemplating bodily injury to their spouse. What?! Did I just type that?! Oh yeah. I did. No worries. It happens every year at this time. The man is such a bah humbug that I almost have to ignore him for a month to keep from wanting to strangle him. Really. He's very anti-christmas. Anti decorating, anti gift giving, anti shopping, anti house cleaning, anti visiting. It's bad. Because I'm the exact opposite. I loooovvvveee me some Christmas cheer. Seriously, I think out of the 21 Christmases we've spent together, I've threatened to divorce him at least 16 of them. Somehow, I never seem to get around to it. Ah well, at least there's that break at my sister's to look forward too!
candy canes and eggnog (and by eggnog, I totally mean rum),
♥Spot
1. Duma Key, which is one of my all-time favs of his.
2. Under the Dome. Which really wasn't fair since it's so new.
3. Salem's Lot. Very scary book.
4. The Shining. It was kind of a trick question, because it was a line from the Stanley Kubrick film version. But then again, who hasn't seen that? Even though the remake with Stephen Weber is way closer to the book!
5. Dreamcatcher. If you only saw the movie...read the book! They screwed up the ending in the movie.
6. The Shining, again. This one was supposed to be a gimme.
7. Duma Key, again. I threw this one in because I totally have to "sideways think" sometimes when I lose a word.
8. Misery.
9. Cujo.
10. Heart-shaped Box. If you haven't heard of it or read it, I highly recommend it. It was one scary ass book. Joe Hill is definitely a chip off of his dad's block.
So I kind of started on Christmas. I've got my basic ideas for gifts. I need to sit down and write it all out. And then I need to get my fabric out and patterns and look at what I have and what I need and go on a supply run. And yes, I know Christmas is only 24 days away but seriously, I work best under a deadline. And it wouldn't be Christmas if I wasn't sleep deprived and slightly deranged from all my holiday preparations. Hubby swears that I get a bad case of "Martha Stewart-itis" this time of year. That only proves that he doesn't really pay attention to me, because it's like a chronic condition. It never goes away. I'm constantly in Martha mode, unless I'm busy writing. It seems to semi cure the problem, or at least masks the symptoms. Anyway, for one of my projects, which I cannot list here because some of the recipients of said gift read my blog, but I found this charming graphic on photobucket and I'm pretty sure it sums up my attitude:
I found a whole bunch of these pics and they are perfect for my project! Score! I will post pics of the finished after Christmas. I'm almost excited to get started. I'm really bummed because it was so freakin cold on Thanksgiving that we didn't get to go outside and take any pics. I take pictures of all three kids together every year and this year due to illness, and Lu moving away and the weather, I haven't really managed it yet.
Here's last years photo~
And the year before...
How beautiful are they??! But as you can see, even at this age, they change so much in a year. I wish I could get it done before Christmas, but that's highly unlikely at this point. Ah well...there's always January.
I hope everyone else is well on their way to holiday bliss. I hope no one else is seriously contemplating bodily injury to their spouse. What?! Did I just type that?! Oh yeah. I did. No worries. It happens every year at this time. The man is such a bah humbug that I almost have to ignore him for a month to keep from wanting to strangle him. Really. He's very anti-christmas. Anti decorating, anti gift giving, anti shopping, anti house cleaning, anti visiting. It's bad. Because I'm the exact opposite. I loooovvvveee me some Christmas cheer. Seriously, I think out of the 21 Christmases we've spent together, I've threatened to divorce him at least 16 of them. Somehow, I never seem to get around to it. Ah well, at least there's that break at my sister's to look forward too!
candy canes and eggnog (and by eggnog, I totally mean rum),
♥Spot
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Turkey Day...survived!
OMG! I'm so excited to be sitting here in front of my computer today!! Blissfully alone and with nothing to do I absolutely have to do. First off, thank you all for your wonderful comments on my last blog. I hope that everyone had a fantastic Turkey-a-thon and that Brite had a fabulous non turkey weekend since she's stuck in the UK. Mine was fabulous. And definitely worth every ounce of crazy busy the three days before.
We got up Thanksgiving morning (okay technically my sister woke me with her 7 am "Happy Thanksgiving" text. Apparently she and her sister in law have some kind of contest over who can be the first to send it out. Thanks for winning Hildi. Really, I didn't need that extra half hours sleep. What was I thinking?) I immediately get Senor Turkey ready for the oven. Then I get the apple pie ready, pumpkin dump cake ready, and oatmeal scotchie dough ready and get this...my hubbby & I drive down into camp and he opens up the dining hall kitchen and lights the ovens. Oh yeah...I got to bake all three of my concoctions at the same time in industrial ovens. That my friends, is the way to go. He took the boys to his gma's for her get together and I spent an hour down there cooking. (okay, so there's no heat in there and it was a tad chilly, but so worth it). Then I loaded my freshly baked goods and headed back to my house! I ran through, quickly straightening, decide against a final vacuuming and got myself in the shower. Then whipped up a couple of homemade dips. By then, my parents and sister had made it to town to the nursing home to visit my gma and hubby and the boys stopped and picked up my nieces and brought them out to my place.
As they're carrying stuff in...
Sean: (whispering to me) If Maddi asks...the blacktop road is Drury Lane and the Muffin Man lives on it.
So my nine year old niece comes in and (of course) says "what's the name of that road out there?"
Me: Drury Lane
Her: who lives in that one white house?
Me: The Muffin Man. You didn't know that??! I thought everyone knew that!
She was convinced. The next morning hubby kept telling her if she'd walk down to the Muffin Man's house he'd give her fresh muffins for breakfast. She said it was too far to walk. Lol.
We played with the girls and CJ while we waited on the others to arrive. My youngest niece cheats at Candyland, just so you know. And then I hear someone come in, and I go to the door thinking it's my parents and nope. It's my aunt and her husband. I recover nicely and say with a smile "I'm so glad you could make it!" but secretly wonder how many others my mom has invited and forgotten to tell me about. Turns out half the town, but only my aunt and uncle made it. Of course, there was plenty of food and the more the merrier. Especially when the uncle told me my homemade apple pie tastes just like his gma used to make. (Go me!)
We had a great time. So good that my family decided to stay an extra day. Luckily, there were plenty of leftovers to feed everyone and we had a great time. The only downside was that CJ was sick with some sort of cold or virus and ran a temp and coughed alot. But when he's sick he just likes to cuddle alot and nobody minded that at all! They all left and since CJ was fever free yesterday, hubby and I returned him to school. So today, is my first day to breathe freely and not answer to anyone except me (and the towering pile of laundry in the laundry room. It's threatened a hostile takeover if I don't get to the washing)
I will leave you with a funny convo that Sean and I had while he was helping me make the dough for the oatmeal scotchie cookies Lu & Luke had requested~
Me: could you hurry up with those oats? You don't have to measure so carefully! It's cookie baking, not rocket science.
Sean: I'm used to rocket science. Don't rush me woman.
Me: Well it's not like you're mixing hydrogen and helium or any other combustibles. It's oats and brown sugar for Pete's sake! If you accidentally mix them you've only created breakfast cereal, not blown up the kitchen.
Sean: Well, this one time, I was taking the tiny pellets out of those snap things that you throw on July 4th and they explode, and separating them and putting them in a empty pill bottle so I could pack it and add a fuse...
Me: Hold up! So basically, this story should start 'so this one time, I was making homemade explosives...'?"
Sean: Yes.
Me: Those stories almost never end well.
Sean: anyway, I accidentally dropped one in too hard and several exploded, it knocked me backwards in my chair, and I had this high pitched noise in my ears. That's the sound of your nerve cells dying. I'll never be able to hear that tone again.
Me: probably why you should stick to cookies. Inadvertently creating breakfast cereal equals no hearing loss.
Sean: but when I was finished and set it off...the bang was soooo satisfying.
Me: hmmm...well my cookies are going to be better than satisfying. They're going to be deliciousness to die for. And no one's going to go deaf.
And they were! And I must thank Mindy for the pumpkin dump cake recipe. My four year old niece who only eats mac-n-cheese, ramen noodles, chicken nuggets, french fries, fruit snackees and some cereals ate two whole pieces. Unbelievable. It was like a turkey day miracle.
turkey & explosives,
♥Spot
We got up Thanksgiving morning (okay technically my sister woke me with her 7 am "Happy Thanksgiving" text. Apparently she and her sister in law have some kind of contest over who can be the first to send it out. Thanks for winning Hildi. Really, I didn't need that extra half hours sleep. What was I thinking?) I immediately get Senor Turkey ready for the oven. Then I get the apple pie ready, pumpkin dump cake ready, and oatmeal scotchie dough ready and get this...my hubbby & I drive down into camp and he opens up the dining hall kitchen and lights the ovens. Oh yeah...I got to bake all three of my concoctions at the same time in industrial ovens. That my friends, is the way to go. He took the boys to his gma's for her get together and I spent an hour down there cooking. (okay, so there's no heat in there and it was a tad chilly, but so worth it). Then I loaded my freshly baked goods and headed back to my house! I ran through, quickly straightening, decide against a final vacuuming and got myself in the shower. Then whipped up a couple of homemade dips. By then, my parents and sister had made it to town to the nursing home to visit my gma and hubby and the boys stopped and picked up my nieces and brought them out to my place.
As they're carrying stuff in...
Sean: (whispering to me) If Maddi asks...the blacktop road is Drury Lane and the Muffin Man lives on it.
So my nine year old niece comes in and (of course) says "what's the name of that road out there?"
Me: Drury Lane
Her: who lives in that one white house?
Me: The Muffin Man. You didn't know that??! I thought everyone knew that!
She was convinced. The next morning hubby kept telling her if she'd walk down to the Muffin Man's house he'd give her fresh muffins for breakfast. She said it was too far to walk. Lol.
We played with the girls and CJ while we waited on the others to arrive. My youngest niece cheats at Candyland, just so you know. And then I hear someone come in, and I go to the door thinking it's my parents and nope. It's my aunt and her husband. I recover nicely and say with a smile "I'm so glad you could make it!" but secretly wonder how many others my mom has invited and forgotten to tell me about. Turns out half the town, but only my aunt and uncle made it. Of course, there was plenty of food and the more the merrier. Especially when the uncle told me my homemade apple pie tastes just like his gma used to make. (Go me!)
We had a great time. So good that my family decided to stay an extra day. Luckily, there were plenty of leftovers to feed everyone and we had a great time. The only downside was that CJ was sick with some sort of cold or virus and ran a temp and coughed alot. But when he's sick he just likes to cuddle alot and nobody minded that at all! They all left and since CJ was fever free yesterday, hubby and I returned him to school. So today, is my first day to breathe freely and not answer to anyone except me (and the towering pile of laundry in the laundry room. It's threatened a hostile takeover if I don't get to the washing)
I will leave you with a funny convo that Sean and I had while he was helping me make the dough for the oatmeal scotchie cookies Lu & Luke had requested~
Me: could you hurry up with those oats? You don't have to measure so carefully! It's cookie baking, not rocket science.
Sean: I'm used to rocket science. Don't rush me woman.
Me: Well it's not like you're mixing hydrogen and helium or any other combustibles. It's oats and brown sugar for Pete's sake! If you accidentally mix them you've only created breakfast cereal, not blown up the kitchen.
Sean: Well, this one time, I was taking the tiny pellets out of those snap things that you throw on July 4th and they explode, and separating them and putting them in a empty pill bottle so I could pack it and add a fuse...
Me: Hold up! So basically, this story should start 'so this one time, I was making homemade explosives...'?"
Sean: Yes.
Me: Those stories almost never end well.
Sean: anyway, I accidentally dropped one in too hard and several exploded, it knocked me backwards in my chair, and I had this high pitched noise in my ears. That's the sound of your nerve cells dying. I'll never be able to hear that tone again.
Me: probably why you should stick to cookies. Inadvertently creating breakfast cereal equals no hearing loss.
Sean: but when I was finished and set it off...the bang was soooo satisfying.
Me: hmmm...well my cookies are going to be better than satisfying. They're going to be deliciousness to die for. And no one's going to go deaf.
And they were! And I must thank Mindy for the pumpkin dump cake recipe. My four year old niece who only eats mac-n-cheese, ramen noodles, chicken nuggets, french fries, fruit snackees and some cereals ate two whole pieces. Unbelievable. It was like a turkey day miracle.
turkey & explosives,
♥Spot
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Gather round the table...
So I got two comments on yesterday's blog. And while I am fully appreciative of those two comments (you guys rock!), it seems to me that this suggests that nobody wants to listen to me whine. Which is totally unfair because other people whine on their blogs and they still get like 35 comments but whatever. I don't hold grudges. Because they're messy and you get that stuff all over your hands and then it takes like days to get it off and it stains your whole aura and really, who wants to walk around with a stained aura? That's right. Not me. So I'm now officially over it.
As an update on Lulu~ we actually did not go back to the ER yesterday morning. We decided to give it a little time and see how it went (yes, OK, we were both completely tired and grumpy and had abso-freakin-lutely no desire to go back there like ever again.) Actually, I relied on the "spidey sense". And it was telling me that she wasn't in dire need of medical attention. And as the day went on she improved. She even sat in the kitchen while I made dinner last night and after some motrin, all of her pain was gone. Which is the first time in days. She's feeling so much better in fact, that she wants to go back to Iowa today. I told her "we'd see" which is Mom code for I'll totally decide that when I see how you are tomorrow morning and don't even think you can fake me out because I have eyes in the back of my head and spidey senses.
So I ended up with a full table for dinner last night. Hubby, Sean, Lu & Luke, Brian & Molly and our friend Brandi. Now, Brandi is a program director for the camp for persons with disabilities that both Lu & Sean work at every summer so she knows my kids really well and hubby. We've only recently become friends and you will remember her as the haunted house screamer. She had never been to our house for dinner. So I'd hand seasoned a large amount of venison steaks and had hubby grill them. I made a big (and by big, I mean huge) pot of homemade mac-n-cheese, carrots in butter and brown sugar and sliced a loaf of french bread. There was a lot of laughter while making dinner. (We have a large eat in kitchen and people have a tendency to congregate there while I cook). Some of it because after hubby went out to start the grill, I asked who was going to go sit outside with him and keep him on task. (he has a tendency to let his mind wander and ends up burning whatever meat he's grilling. As I spend alot of time hand rubbing seasoning on to the meat, this really pisses me off). Of course everyone's hand flew to their nose and screams of "not it" filled the air. In the end, Sean volunteered. And by volunteered I mean lost.
When it was done, and the table set, and the drinks poured and we began sitting down I looked at Brandi and said "wow, you've never been to dinner at the Turner house before. I hope you're ready, you will never be the same." and she replied "that's what I'm hoping for". I warned her that conversation is very rarely appropriate. And I did not lie. Conversation flew and it consisted of such varied topics as:
~The upcoming vote in California legislation to legalize marijuana.
~The 80's one hit wonder group "flock of seagulls" and whether or not they had a fan club consisting of three men in their 40's who gather in one of them's mother's basement at least once a month.
~Tye dyed underwear and tye dye tuesdays
~the zombie apocalypse and why our house is the best place to hole up.
~whether mac-n-cheese on it's own could really be considered a meal
~twilight mania and why I think Edward's hair is totally gross
~Luke's opinion that Edward's hair is the best thing about twilight movies
~Books, especially Pride Prejudice & Zombies (so we like zombies, so what?)
And then I told a story about our little black kitty "Cujo" and our huge catdog "Spot". Spot was laying on the coffee table yesterday and Cujo (who's roughly half Spot's size but is convinced he's a badass) snuck up behind him and smacked him with his paw while making this high pitched meow. Sean said Cujo was screaming like a little girl because he realized Spot might turn around and eat him. I said it was Cujo's war cry and it was sure to confuse his enemies. And then~
Me: I haven't heard a sound that girlie since Sean screamed the other day.
Sean: Jesus mom! It was one time. You said you wouldn't tell.
(At this point everyone's rolling, knowing that Sean's just playing along)
Sean: and I'm telling you that freakin mouse came out of nowhere!!!
And towards the end of the meal I announced that there was butterscotch pudding for dessert. Which garnished me a few incredulous looks from my menfolk. Apparently, I was supposed to announce this at the beginning of dinner so that they "saved room". Um. Just a thought...don't stuff yourself to the point of bursting in case of dessert. Just saying...
Here's to a better week,
♥Spot
Disclaimer~ Brandi does not eat venison. She didn't want anyone to think she ate Bambi or anything.
As an update on Lulu~ we actually did not go back to the ER yesterday morning. We decided to give it a little time and see how it went (yes, OK, we were both completely tired and grumpy and had abso-freakin-lutely no desire to go back there like ever again.) Actually, I relied on the "spidey sense". And it was telling me that she wasn't in dire need of medical attention. And as the day went on she improved. She even sat in the kitchen while I made dinner last night and after some motrin, all of her pain was gone. Which is the first time in days. She's feeling so much better in fact, that she wants to go back to Iowa today. I told her "we'd see" which is Mom code for I'll totally decide that when I see how you are tomorrow morning and don't even think you can fake me out because I have eyes in the back of my head and spidey senses.
So I ended up with a full table for dinner last night. Hubby, Sean, Lu & Luke, Brian & Molly and our friend Brandi. Now, Brandi is a program director for the camp for persons with disabilities that both Lu & Sean work at every summer so she knows my kids really well and hubby. We've only recently become friends and you will remember her as the haunted house screamer. She had never been to our house for dinner. So I'd hand seasoned a large amount of venison steaks and had hubby grill them. I made a big (and by big, I mean huge) pot of homemade mac-n-cheese, carrots in butter and brown sugar and sliced a loaf of french bread. There was a lot of laughter while making dinner. (We have a large eat in kitchen and people have a tendency to congregate there while I cook). Some of it because after hubby went out to start the grill, I asked who was going to go sit outside with him and keep him on task. (he has a tendency to let his mind wander and ends up burning whatever meat he's grilling. As I spend alot of time hand rubbing seasoning on to the meat, this really pisses me off). Of course everyone's hand flew to their nose and screams of "not it" filled the air. In the end, Sean volunteered. And by volunteered I mean lost.
When it was done, and the table set, and the drinks poured and we began sitting down I looked at Brandi and said "wow, you've never been to dinner at the Turner house before. I hope you're ready, you will never be the same." and she replied "that's what I'm hoping for". I warned her that conversation is very rarely appropriate. And I did not lie. Conversation flew and it consisted of such varied topics as:
~The upcoming vote in California legislation to legalize marijuana.
~The 80's one hit wonder group "flock of seagulls" and whether or not they had a fan club consisting of three men in their 40's who gather in one of them's mother's basement at least once a month.
~Tye dyed underwear and tye dye tuesdays
~the zombie apocalypse and why our house is the best place to hole up.
~whether mac-n-cheese on it's own could really be considered a meal
~twilight mania and why I think Edward's hair is totally gross
~Luke's opinion that Edward's hair is the best thing about twilight movies
~Books, especially Pride Prejudice & Zombies (so we like zombies, so what?)
And then I told a story about our little black kitty "Cujo" and our huge catdog "Spot". Spot was laying on the coffee table yesterday and Cujo (who's roughly half Spot's size but is convinced he's a badass) snuck up behind him and smacked him with his paw while making this high pitched meow. Sean said Cujo was screaming like a little girl because he realized Spot might turn around and eat him. I said it was Cujo's war cry and it was sure to confuse his enemies. And then~
Me: I haven't heard a sound that girlie since Sean screamed the other day.
Sean: Jesus mom! It was one time. You said you wouldn't tell.
(At this point everyone's rolling, knowing that Sean's just playing along)
Sean: and I'm telling you that freakin mouse came out of nowhere!!!
And towards the end of the meal I announced that there was butterscotch pudding for dessert. Which garnished me a few incredulous looks from my menfolk. Apparently, I was supposed to announce this at the beginning of dinner so that they "saved room". Um. Just a thought...don't stuff yourself to the point of bursting in case of dessert. Just saying...
Here's to a better week,
♥Spot
Disclaimer~ Brandi does not eat venison. She didn't want anyone to think she ate Bambi or anything.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Scary things...like ghosts and my mothers driving...
So talking to my sister the other day and her telling me to come visit her made me think back to October of last year. Most of last year I was sick. I spent a year going through tests and getting diagnoses only to have them ruled out later. I'd taken the entire summer off from my job, hoping that the rest would help, I returned in September but things weren't good and in October, my boss finally asked me to take a medical leave of absence. I did and ended up not going back. And all of that is another blog, but the result of this was that I decided to tag along with my mom and go to my sister's house for Halloween since my kids are older and past the whole trick-or-treating thing. Plus my sister is the only person I know who loves Halloween as much as I do! My aunt also decided to go with us. So the three of us set out.
First pitfall? My mother feels the need to take half of her house with her when she goes anywhere. We were going for 5 days so she takes 3 suitcases, two "bathroom" bags, and hanging clothes. My aunt has three suitcases. I have one suitcase and one small bathroom bag. We're going to Ohio, not China. If you forget something there's a Walmart down the road. So, finally, I get all of this luggage crammed into my mom's Ford Escape and we argue over the driving. My mom insists on driving. Now, my mom is almost the worst driver I know. My aunt is the worst. Neither of them really pays much attention to where they're going and both of them take this crazy mix of prescription pills that renders them semi-conscious on occasion. Can I just say that I huddled in the backseat, surrounded by excess luggage and feared for my life for 5 hours?? Example:
Mom: Boy this road is really rough!!
Me: Um. Mom? You're driving on the rumble strips.
True story. No lie. So we get to my sisters finally! I enjoyed my stay with her and the kids. I had a blast taking them trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. My sis and I are both avid ghost fans so she and her gf's (her bestie Jen, our cousins Nikki & Andi), and myself go to a haunted house at Mansfield Reformatory (one of the most haunted places in the US)! It was some good scary fun let me tell you! But after our 5 days are up, I have to get back in the car for the return trip. Again, my mother insists on driving. And I have to let her due to the fact that I'm under doctor's orders not to drive. Unfortunately, we've shopped while we were there and found a stray kitty (which of course I'm taking home with me). So there's even more stuff to cram in the car. Once again, I find myself huddled in the back seat, furiously texting my sister.
My sis: Where you guys at?
Me: Mom took a wrong turn. We're lost in downtown Indianapolis. And it's going to be dark soon.
My sis: Holy shit! I hope you brought supplies?
Me: You mean like crosses and wooden stakes?
My sis: Well, as you may or may not know, Indy is a hotbed of wampires (not a typo. She actually calls them wampires).
Me: Yes, I've got holy water in squirt guns of course. And it's okay because I'm wearing a hoodie.
My sis: A hoodie? How's that gonna help? They can bite right through that.
Me: No way. It's cotton. Everyone knows cotton is God's fabric.
My sis: Seriously?
Me: Of course. It's grown in dirt. Everyone knows vampires don't like dirt.
My sis: Dude. You're making that up. They sleep in their native soil.
Me: Yeah, so they don't like other dirt. I'm totally going with it.
My sis: hmm. Whatever. If you turn into a wampire don't come visit me.
Me: Rude.
Thankfully, my mother managed to get us home without killing anyone. I'm thinking of going to my sisters for Halloween again. This time...I drive. And don't think I won't be wearing my hoodie.
That's my blog and I'm sticking to it!
Ghosts, wampires & cotton hoodies,
♥Spot
First pitfall? My mother feels the need to take half of her house with her when she goes anywhere. We were going for 5 days so she takes 3 suitcases, two "bathroom" bags, and hanging clothes. My aunt has three suitcases. I have one suitcase and one small bathroom bag. We're going to Ohio, not China. If you forget something there's a Walmart down the road. So, finally, I get all of this luggage crammed into my mom's Ford Escape and we argue over the driving. My mom insists on driving. Now, my mom is almost the worst driver I know. My aunt is the worst. Neither of them really pays much attention to where they're going and both of them take this crazy mix of prescription pills that renders them semi-conscious on occasion. Can I just say that I huddled in the backseat, surrounded by excess luggage and feared for my life for 5 hours?? Example:
Mom: Boy this road is really rough!!
Me: Um. Mom? You're driving on the rumble strips.
True story. No lie. So we get to my sisters finally! I enjoyed my stay with her and the kids. I had a blast taking them trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. My sis and I are both avid ghost fans so she and her gf's (her bestie Jen, our cousins Nikki & Andi), and myself go to a haunted house at Mansfield Reformatory (one of the most haunted places in the US)! It was some good scary fun let me tell you! But after our 5 days are up, I have to get back in the car for the return trip. Again, my mother insists on driving. And I have to let her due to the fact that I'm under doctor's orders not to drive. Unfortunately, we've shopped while we were there and found a stray kitty (which of course I'm taking home with me). So there's even more stuff to cram in the car. Once again, I find myself huddled in the back seat, furiously texting my sister.
My sis: Where you guys at?
Me: Mom took a wrong turn. We're lost in downtown Indianapolis. And it's going to be dark soon.
My sis: Holy shit! I hope you brought supplies?
Me: You mean like crosses and wooden stakes?
My sis: Well, as you may or may not know, Indy is a hotbed of wampires (not a typo. She actually calls them wampires).
Me: Yes, I've got holy water in squirt guns of course. And it's okay because I'm wearing a hoodie.
My sis: A hoodie? How's that gonna help? They can bite right through that.
Me: No way. It's cotton. Everyone knows cotton is God's fabric.
My sis: Seriously?
Me: Of course. It's grown in dirt. Everyone knows vampires don't like dirt.
My sis: Dude. You're making that up. They sleep in their native soil.
Me: Yeah, so they don't like other dirt. I'm totally going with it.
My sis: hmm. Whatever. If you turn into a wampire don't come visit me.
Me: Rude.
Thankfully, my mother managed to get us home without killing anyone. I'm thinking of going to my sisters for Halloween again. This time...I drive. And don't think I won't be wearing my hoodie.
That's my blog and I'm sticking to it!
Ghosts, wampires & cotton hoodies,
♥Spot
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Hack, Hack, Hack...
No. That is not a commentary on my writing abilities (or anyone elses). That is the sound I'm making as I sit here coughing up a lung. For those of you who didn't know, I have the lungs of an 80 year old smoker even though I've never been a smoker or even dated one. (Well okay maybe I dated one once, but we won't go there). Due to horrific childhood asthma that almost killed me and my yearly (sometimes twice yearly) bouts of pneumonia my lungs suck badly. So whenever I get sick even with a minor head cold, it tends to migrate south and lodge in my chest. So here I sit, in my jammies (they are really cute though), messy curls, and pink cheeks (thanks to the fever). No one is home, Mike & Sean had a camp out and Bobby has homecoming. I had to make my own tea!!! And even my cats are avoiding me.
I was supposed to go to Springfield today to my folks house. My sister & her fam are in town from Ohio. And my uncle is in town from Phoenix. But I woke up this morning feeling lousy (and as my hubby proceeded to tell me when he popped into the house for all of 5 minutes, looking like death- not the warmed over kind, but the kind that's been in the fridge for a few days. Thank you dear, for your support!) So since her girls had just gotten over being sick I decided to not go and re-infect them. So I called her:
My sis: You sound like crap.
Me: Oh good because that's what I feel like. Don't you hate it when you feel like crap and you sound amazing? *Insert hacking cough here*
My sis: So you aren't coming, right? Because the girls just got better.
Me: No, I'll spare you my Ebola. But I really wanted to see you.
My sis: You can always come visit. I mean, you can write at my house.
Me: Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Except that Sean had to go and get himself a life now so I'll probably have to come alone.
My sis: Damn teenagers. So selfish.
Me: I know right?! Their growing up is seriously cutting into their "keeping mom entertained" time. I have to amuse myself now. It's ridiculous. I mean isn't this why we had kids? So we'd have something to do?
My sis: So you're going to the doctor right?
Me: (a bit muddled) Because the kids are growing up? I don't think there's much they can do. *insert another hacking cough*
My sis: Noooo. Because of that cough.
Me: no. It'll go away if I rest today. I had it on Tuesday, so I rested and I felt better the rest of the week.
My sis: But you didn't have a fever on Tuesday. I remember you telling me that.
(It's hard to believe she's my baby sister isn't it? I mean, she's such a mom.)
Me: It's Saturday. There's no doctors. (Which isn't strictly true, but close enough).
My sis: Well on Monday, then.
Me: Sure. If I still have a fever and am hacking up a lung.
My sis: *sighs* Okay. Want to talk to mom?
Me: Nope. I talked to her yesterday. You can pass along the message. Love you.
My sis: Gee thanks. Love you too.
I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow so that I can go see Zombieland with Sean. And eat chinese. Because I love chinese food. And Molly saw the midnight showing of Zombieland (wench) and said it rocked.
And if you're wondering...the whole homecoming football thing? Yeah...it sucked. It was sleeting!!! We froze (even though I wore gloves and brought blankets) through the first half (in which our team got slaughtered. I mean slaughtered. Like 27 to 0. And the other team...all their senior players got suspended last week so they weren't even there. I told you our team sucked.) Then we did the walk out on the field and it wasn't bad mentally. Physically, it was brutal. Even Bobby was so cold he was shaking. I think it's the first year I've seen the homecoming court candidates standing there in gloves and hats and coats.
Here's a pic:
He didn't win, but thankfully, he didn't care. And then we all came home and got warm. I'm pretty sure the whole freezing and soaked to the skin thing accounts for the lung issue today. But you do what you gotta do, right?
Tea, tissues & cough drops,
♥Spot
I was supposed to go to Springfield today to my folks house. My sister & her fam are in town from Ohio. And my uncle is in town from Phoenix. But I woke up this morning feeling lousy (and as my hubby proceeded to tell me when he popped into the house for all of 5 minutes, looking like death- not the warmed over kind, but the kind that's been in the fridge for a few days. Thank you dear, for your support!) So since her girls had just gotten over being sick I decided to not go and re-infect them. So I called her:
My sis: You sound like crap.
Me: Oh good because that's what I feel like. Don't you hate it when you feel like crap and you sound amazing? *Insert hacking cough here*
My sis: So you aren't coming, right? Because the girls just got better.
Me: No, I'll spare you my Ebola. But I really wanted to see you.
My sis: You can always come visit. I mean, you can write at my house.
Me: Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Except that Sean had to go and get himself a life now so I'll probably have to come alone.
My sis: Damn teenagers. So selfish.
Me: I know right?! Their growing up is seriously cutting into their "keeping mom entertained" time. I have to amuse myself now. It's ridiculous. I mean isn't this why we had kids? So we'd have something to do?
My sis: So you're going to the doctor right?
Me: (a bit muddled) Because the kids are growing up? I don't think there's much they can do. *insert another hacking cough*
My sis: Noooo. Because of that cough.
Me: no. It'll go away if I rest today. I had it on Tuesday, so I rested and I felt better the rest of the week.
My sis: But you didn't have a fever on Tuesday. I remember you telling me that.
(It's hard to believe she's my baby sister isn't it? I mean, she's such a mom.)
Me: It's Saturday. There's no doctors. (Which isn't strictly true, but close enough).
My sis: Well on Monday, then.
Me: Sure. If I still have a fever and am hacking up a lung.
My sis: *sighs* Okay. Want to talk to mom?
Me: Nope. I talked to her yesterday. You can pass along the message. Love you.
My sis: Gee thanks. Love you too.
I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow so that I can go see Zombieland with Sean. And eat chinese. Because I love chinese food. And Molly saw the midnight showing of Zombieland (wench) and said it rocked.
And if you're wondering...the whole homecoming football thing? Yeah...it sucked. It was sleeting!!! We froze (even though I wore gloves and brought blankets) through the first half (in which our team got slaughtered. I mean slaughtered. Like 27 to 0. And the other team...all their senior players got suspended last week so they weren't even there. I told you our team sucked.) Then we did the walk out on the field and it wasn't bad mentally. Physically, it was brutal. Even Bobby was so cold he was shaking. I think it's the first year I've seen the homecoming court candidates standing there in gloves and hats and coats.
Here's a pic:
He didn't win, but thankfully, he didn't care. And then we all came home and got warm. I'm pretty sure the whole freezing and soaked to the skin thing accounts for the lung issue today. But you do what you gotta do, right?
Tea, tissues & cough drops,
♥Spot
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wedding of the Weekend?
So my sister-in-law got married this weekend. It's her second marriage and oddly enough...it's to my cousin. (NO! I do not live in Kentucky! Lol.) He's like a 2nd cousin, twice removed or something. I don't know, somewhere on my gma's side. All I know is we attend his family's funerals and they attend ours. Which should go under the heading "strange customs in small towns". And we've called ourselves "cousins" since they started dating like ten years ago and we realized we were semi-related. After attending the wedding...I'm definitely stressing the "semi".
So we arrive at the church, after picking up my son's girlfriend (brave lad that he is...introducing her to his dad's side of the family and all) and meet my daughter and her boyfriend in the parking lot. We file inside and do the meet and greet. They introduce their significant others to some family members and then my brother-in-law seats us. Well I'm way down the pew from my daughter, so I text her:
me: Did you notice how trailer park the groom's side is?
her: You're horrible! We're in a church.
me: Yeah, I'm gonna burn in hell. But did you notice?
her: Yes of course! Luke says stop discriminating.
me: I'm not discriminating! I'm poking fun. There's a big difference. I know I will totally be partying with these people later. But when did "greasy" become a hairstyle?
her:When Robert Pattison made it cool.
me: oh. damn. you're right. Btw, your father says he's pretty sure there must be a Motley Crue concert around here somewhere!
My daughter and I at the wedding:
At which point...we stopped because the wedding was beginning. So...the best man is called "four eyed joe". Why? Because he has eyeballs tattooed on the back of his head. And yeah, his hair was short enough that you could see them staring at the congregation. That and the ZZ Top beard are quite the combination! Another groomsman had a really long braid hanging down his back. One had a bandanna on his head. Now, lest you think I'm a prude or a snobby bitch, I'm not looking down on these folks. I've been known to spend an afternoon in the tattoo parlor myself, I'm just saying it was something to see. I guess the funniest part was the fact that four eyed joe kept leaning during the ceremony...farther and farther back. I mean at one point my hubby and I were convinced he was going to fall over backwards and take down the others like a stack of dominoes. I thought maybe he made the mistake of locking his knees and was feeling faint. That is, until he nearly ran into me after the ceremony while hollering "Super Joe is here to save the day!" I'm not even gonna speculate on what combo of liquor and street drugs he'd ingested but it was obviously something. Oh, and I probably forgot the tiny detail that "four eyed joe" just happens to be married to my husband's ex girlfriend. Hehehe. It just gets better and better, doesn't it?!
My son and his girlfriend. I swear he's not drunk! The flash gets him every time!
So after the requisite family photos, we head to a local restaurant, because my daughter insists that she's starving. Probably, because she hasn't eaten all day. Huge surprise. We chow down on some chicken nachos and I have a glass of wine. Dealing with my in-laws often drives me to drink. Then we checked out the house my hubby and son and one foster son are working on for a friend of mine. Nice little old house. Needs tons of work! Then it's time to hit the reception. Let the games begin. Find out we missed the cake cutting!! But we're just in time for the Bride & Groom's first dance. We get a table and I head to the bar for my first beer. (Let me intercede here and stress that while I like to drink, due to health issues, drinking excessively is a pretty rare occurrence for me. However, this night my husband offers to be the sober driver!!! I cannot pass up this rare opportunity!) Well everything goes well. The Mother/Son dance is a little sad because the groom's mom passed away suddenly last year. But his sisters come up to fill in. Well, two of the three (the other one's in jail). My daughter points out that the sister who just got out of rehab's dress is actually a shirt. They sell it at the store where she used to work. Now she can't understand why I insisted she didn't dress like a "hootchie" when obviously it was allowed.
My beautiful daughter and her boyfriend. Note: not a "hootchie" dress!
So let's just say I had a lot of beer. They actually asked me at the bar if my glass had a hole in it. Of course, this is the same guy who totally convinced me that the keg was running out and we were on beer rationing so he could only give me a 1/4 glass. (Did I mention my middle name is gullible?). My husband started pointing out I was flirting with the bar guy (nuh-uh, he was totally flirting with me). Which meant he could flirt with that guy's girlfriend, who happened to be one of the bridesmaids. A girl who'd grown up with his sisters and had totally had a huge crush on him. I ixnayed that idea pretty quickly. Anyway, we danced alot. We laughed a whole lot and generally had a great time. My husbands family does know how to party...I will give them that. At the end of the reception, my brother-in-law informed us that everyone was going "late-nighting" and we should come to. "Late-nighting"?? I'm too old for that! But we sent the kids home and headed to the club. Now, honestly I can't even remember the last time I went to a dance club. But there we were. Me, pretty drunk, my husband, pretty amused. He got me a beer and we went to the room where the dance floor was. His ex comes flying off the floor and grabs my hand. "Come dance with us! We can be friends, right?" I assured her that we could and preceded to um, well I guess you could call it dancing to some song I'd never even heard before. I'm with the bride, a bridesmaid, the ex, and one of the groomsmen's wives. So the groomsmen comes up behind his wife and just pulls her dress completely up. So us, and everyone in the bar is treated to a view of his wife's naked boobs and her thong. Me, I'm shocked. The others just laugh. Apparently this is standard party behavior for them. The HEll??! I go running to my hubby. "Did you see that??!" Him: "Why yes, I did!" So we go out to the beer garden, so everyone can smoke. Then my brother-in-law, who's managed to pick up two blondes who are making out with him, and each other, drags me in for a shot. Me & the bride do a shot. Of what? Yeah, no clue. I go back out to the beer garden to find my hubby and the groomsman's wife is on her hands and knees crawling around. Me "You ok?" Her "No! I lost an earring!" Her Husband "It's a diamond. I bought it for her." Well I spy it on the ground and pick it up. At which point...she throws her arms around me, tells me she loves me and kisses me. Ack!!! I don't mean a quick peck. She lays one on me all "I kissed a girl and I liked it". Her husband then repeats the process. Leaving me shell shocked and my husband (damn his hide) laughing. So soon we all decide to head to the bride and grooms house. I make sure they have a sober driver and the bride asks us to drive the ex and four eyed joe to their house. My husband comes out of the bar, carrying the ex. Literally. Because she can't stand up. I warn them both, theres no puking in my car! And frankly, I gotta admit, four eyed joe scares me. He's got crazy eyes. Like Charles Manson eyes.
We get to the house and I went inside with the bride to help get her outta that dress. And omigod there's like fifty knots in the string that undoes her laces!!! This takes my drunk ass quite awhile to undo!So we get her outta the dress and she throws on clothes. I walk into the kitchen and someone is rolling a joint. Well I'm really not into that (my daughter is the original "hugs not drugs" girl and she'd kill me) so I walk outside. Where my husband finds me and says they put the ex to bed and we need to go so that we can drop the bride and groom off at their hotel. Fine by me. I'm totally wearing down and ready to head home. I start saying goodbye to people when the groomsman and his wife come up to me, squish me between them and kiss me again. I'm pretty sure they were feeling me up too. What is with these people??? I politely disentangle myself and make it to the car. We drop them off at their hotel (and the funny thing here is neither the bride nor I realized she was barefoot. Nothing screams "class" like checking in drunk and barefoot.) At this point we headed home. On the half hour drive my husband confessed that as he was taking the ex out of our car and into the house she tried to hold his hand, hug him and otherwise shower him with affection. All the time asking why he picked me. Did he marry me just because I got pregnant? (Please note that we dated for a year, then were engaged for a year before I got pregnant. Obviously, this was not the only reason he married me). And why did I get the good guy. He says he assured her that he wasn't a good guy, mostly he was an asshole and she could check with me for confirmation. And that he married me because he loved me. He said he was worried the whole time that four eyed joe would overhear her and decide they needed to fight. Or that I would come around the corner, see her all over him, and get the wrong idea. I laughed. Like so hard I almost peed my pants. Normally, I'm a pretty jealous chick, but the look of absolute fear and revulsion on his face sent me in to hysterics instead. Poor guy. This is what you get for staying sober and taking care of people. I also couldn't possibly be jealous. I mean, I won, right? I'm not married to four eyed joe, who named their oldest child "Root". Yeah. For real!!
My hubby, who crazily enough, still only has eyes for me
All in all, it was an awesome night. It's the first time ever that we have gotten home after all of our teenagers, biological and foster. How outrageous. And thankfully we followed them by hours, because I seem to remember some drunken noisy sex too. The next day (after my hubby brought me Tylenol and juice) and after the room stopped spinning and my head stopped pounding, I crawled to the shower. When I emerged into the living room, my youngest commented that i was more plastered last night then the house their redoing for my friend. And that's a lot of plaster. Thanks kid. Love you too. He did add that at least I wasn't the kind of girl who got drunk and made an ass of herself. Thank goodness for small favors. My daughters boyfriend said I was hilarious. I was me, only more me. Definitely intense me. I think that was a compliment. All I know is...it takes longer and longer to recover from a night out then it used to. Which is why I only do this like once a year. But god help me...because we have another wedding (which promises more outrageousness) in November. I may not survive...
Hangovers & headaches,
♥Spot
So we arrive at the church, after picking up my son's girlfriend (brave lad that he is...introducing her to his dad's side of the family and all) and meet my daughter and her boyfriend in the parking lot. We file inside and do the meet and greet. They introduce their significant others to some family members and then my brother-in-law seats us. Well I'm way down the pew from my daughter, so I text her:
me: Did you notice how trailer park the groom's side is?
her: You're horrible! We're in a church.
me: Yeah, I'm gonna burn in hell. But did you notice?
her: Yes of course! Luke says stop discriminating.
me: I'm not discriminating! I'm poking fun. There's a big difference. I know I will totally be partying with these people later. But when did "greasy" become a hairstyle?
her:When Robert Pattison made it cool.
me: oh. damn. you're right. Btw, your father says he's pretty sure there must be a Motley Crue concert around here somewhere!
At which point...we stopped because the wedding was beginning. So...the best man is called "four eyed joe". Why? Because he has eyeballs tattooed on the back of his head. And yeah, his hair was short enough that you could see them staring at the congregation. That and the ZZ Top beard are quite the combination! Another groomsman had a really long braid hanging down his back. One had a bandanna on his head. Now, lest you think I'm a prude or a snobby bitch, I'm not looking down on these folks. I've been known to spend an afternoon in the tattoo parlor myself, I'm just saying it was something to see. I guess the funniest part was the fact that four eyed joe kept leaning during the ceremony...farther and farther back. I mean at one point my hubby and I were convinced he was going to fall over backwards and take down the others like a stack of dominoes. I thought maybe he made the mistake of locking his knees and was feeling faint. That is, until he nearly ran into me after the ceremony while hollering "Super Joe is here to save the day!" I'm not even gonna speculate on what combo of liquor and street drugs he'd ingested but it was obviously something. Oh, and I probably forgot the tiny detail that "four eyed joe" just happens to be married to my husband's ex girlfriend. Hehehe. It just gets better and better, doesn't it?!
So after the requisite family photos, we head to a local restaurant, because my daughter insists that she's starving. Probably, because she hasn't eaten all day. Huge surprise. We chow down on some chicken nachos and I have a glass of wine. Dealing with my in-laws often drives me to drink. Then we checked out the house my hubby and son and one foster son are working on for a friend of mine. Nice little old house. Needs tons of work! Then it's time to hit the reception. Let the games begin. Find out we missed the cake cutting!! But we're just in time for the Bride & Groom's first dance. We get a table and I head to the bar for my first beer. (Let me intercede here and stress that while I like to drink, due to health issues, drinking excessively is a pretty rare occurrence for me. However, this night my husband offers to be the sober driver!!! I cannot pass up this rare opportunity!) Well everything goes well. The Mother/Son dance is a little sad because the groom's mom passed away suddenly last year. But his sisters come up to fill in. Well, two of the three (the other one's in jail). My daughter points out that the sister who just got out of rehab's dress is actually a shirt. They sell it at the store where she used to work. Now she can't understand why I insisted she didn't dress like a "hootchie" when obviously it was allowed.
So let's just say I had a lot of beer. They actually asked me at the bar if my glass had a hole in it. Of course, this is the same guy who totally convinced me that the keg was running out and we were on beer rationing so he could only give me a 1/4 glass. (Did I mention my middle name is gullible?). My husband started pointing out I was flirting with the bar guy (nuh-uh, he was totally flirting with me). Which meant he could flirt with that guy's girlfriend, who happened to be one of the bridesmaids. A girl who'd grown up with his sisters and had totally had a huge crush on him. I ixnayed that idea pretty quickly. Anyway, we danced alot. We laughed a whole lot and generally had a great time. My husbands family does know how to party...I will give them that. At the end of the reception, my brother-in-law informed us that everyone was going "late-nighting" and we should come to. "Late-nighting"?? I'm too old for that! But we sent the kids home and headed to the club. Now, honestly I can't even remember the last time I went to a dance club. But there we were. Me, pretty drunk, my husband, pretty amused. He got me a beer and we went to the room where the dance floor was. His ex comes flying off the floor and grabs my hand. "Come dance with us! We can be friends, right?" I assured her that we could and preceded to um, well I guess you could call it dancing to some song I'd never even heard before. I'm with the bride, a bridesmaid, the ex, and one of the groomsmen's wives. So the groomsmen comes up behind his wife and just pulls her dress completely up. So us, and everyone in the bar is treated to a view of his wife's naked boobs and her thong. Me, I'm shocked. The others just laugh. Apparently this is standard party behavior for them. The HEll??! I go running to my hubby. "Did you see that??!" Him: "Why yes, I did!" So we go out to the beer garden, so everyone can smoke. Then my brother-in-law, who's managed to pick up two blondes who are making out with him, and each other, drags me in for a shot. Me & the bride do a shot. Of what? Yeah, no clue. I go back out to the beer garden to find my hubby and the groomsman's wife is on her hands and knees crawling around. Me "You ok?" Her "No! I lost an earring!" Her Husband "It's a diamond. I bought it for her." Well I spy it on the ground and pick it up. At which point...she throws her arms around me, tells me she loves me and kisses me. Ack!!! I don't mean a quick peck. She lays one on me all "I kissed a girl and I liked it". Her husband then repeats the process. Leaving me shell shocked and my husband (damn his hide) laughing. So soon we all decide to head to the bride and grooms house. I make sure they have a sober driver and the bride asks us to drive the ex and four eyed joe to their house. My husband comes out of the bar, carrying the ex. Literally. Because she can't stand up. I warn them both, theres no puking in my car! And frankly, I gotta admit, four eyed joe scares me. He's got crazy eyes. Like Charles Manson eyes.
We get to the house and I went inside with the bride to help get her outta that dress. And omigod there's like fifty knots in the string that undoes her laces!!! This takes my drunk ass quite awhile to undo!So we get her outta the dress and she throws on clothes. I walk into the kitchen and someone is rolling a joint. Well I'm really not into that (my daughter is the original "hugs not drugs" girl and she'd kill me) so I walk outside. Where my husband finds me and says they put the ex to bed and we need to go so that we can drop the bride and groom off at their hotel. Fine by me. I'm totally wearing down and ready to head home. I start saying goodbye to people when the groomsman and his wife come up to me, squish me between them and kiss me again. I'm pretty sure they were feeling me up too. What is with these people??? I politely disentangle myself and make it to the car. We drop them off at their hotel (and the funny thing here is neither the bride nor I realized she was barefoot. Nothing screams "class" like checking in drunk and barefoot.) At this point we headed home. On the half hour drive my husband confessed that as he was taking the ex out of our car and into the house she tried to hold his hand, hug him and otherwise shower him with affection. All the time asking why he picked me. Did he marry me just because I got pregnant? (Please note that we dated for a year, then were engaged for a year before I got pregnant. Obviously, this was not the only reason he married me). And why did I get the good guy. He says he assured her that he wasn't a good guy, mostly he was an asshole and she could check with me for confirmation. And that he married me because he loved me. He said he was worried the whole time that four eyed joe would overhear her and decide they needed to fight. Or that I would come around the corner, see her all over him, and get the wrong idea. I laughed. Like so hard I almost peed my pants. Normally, I'm a pretty jealous chick, but the look of absolute fear and revulsion on his face sent me in to hysterics instead. Poor guy. This is what you get for staying sober and taking care of people. I also couldn't possibly be jealous. I mean, I won, right? I'm not married to four eyed joe, who named their oldest child "Root". Yeah. For real!!
All in all, it was an awesome night. It's the first time ever that we have gotten home after all of our teenagers, biological and foster. How outrageous. And thankfully we followed them by hours, because I seem to remember some drunken noisy sex too. The next day (after my hubby brought me Tylenol and juice) and after the room stopped spinning and my head stopped pounding, I crawled to the shower. When I emerged into the living room, my youngest commented that i was more plastered last night then the house their redoing for my friend. And that's a lot of plaster. Thanks kid. Love you too. He did add that at least I wasn't the kind of girl who got drunk and made an ass of herself. Thank goodness for small favors. My daughters boyfriend said I was hilarious. I was me, only more me. Definitely intense me. I think that was a compliment. All I know is...it takes longer and longer to recover from a night out then it used to. Which is why I only do this like once a year. But god help me...because we have another wedding (which promises more outrageousness) in November. I may not survive...
Hangovers & headaches,
♥Spot
Thursday, September 17, 2009
One of these days...
I'm going to convince my family that this is my work. Yes, thanks for pointing out that it would be easier if I was actually making money at it. But, I have to devote the time, perfect my craft, and work up a fan base to even start making money. And to do that I have to have more of that precious commodity called "time". Time in which I'm left alone, at my computer with the door closed. This seems to be nearly impossible. If my youngest son is not poking his head in to inform me that he's hungry and ask what I'm making him to eat, my husband is poking his head in "just to check on you", or a cat is scratching at the door (or more often, walking on my keyboard), or a friend is calling. Why is carving out time to devote to something I love so difficult? And if they aren't bugging me, it's usually because I've snapped and fussed at them all. Then I feel massively guilty and keep thinking about the times when I'm missing them. Even now, I've just booted everyone out of the room and I'm writing this but at the back of my mind is the knowledge that the guys just got home from work and I need to get some supper started. How do successful writers do this? How do you balance it all? I would love to disappear in here and write for hours on end, only emerging to use the restroom and eat, but the guilt would swamp me...
Oh well, maybe being a successful writer isn't really in my future. It's not like I haven't done anything worthwhile with my life. I'm pretty proud of my kids and how they turned (continue to turn) out. Maybe successful mother is enough. *sigh* I wish it paid better...
wistfully,
♥Spot
Oh well, maybe being a successful writer isn't really in my future. It's not like I haven't done anything worthwhile with my life. I'm pretty proud of my kids and how they turned (continue to turn) out. Maybe successful mother is enough. *sigh* I wish it paid better...
wistfully,
♥Spot
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Yes, I am alive...
Okay that should have been YES!!! I am alive. And not dying! The surgery is over, the healing is not, but pathology reports have come back completely benign. If my stomach didn't still hurt so badly, I'd do a happy happy dance!
The surgery itself took twice as long as predicted and there were a few complications. Seems the cyst would not pop, would not drain, would not reduce it's size. As it had grown since the ct scan and was now the size of a freakin grapefruit and of a rather leathery consistency, they had to widen the incision. Then I'm told, they nicked an artery and had to sew that up right quick. All in all I came out with more then I'd bargained for pain wise. The incision is an ugly 4 inch gash on my left side that is rather indented and gross. It also pulled apart some when the glue came off so I won't be modeling swimwear anytime soon. (Not that I ever did). It's healing slowly and as long as I don't make any sudden jerky movements (coughing reduces me to tears) it's not so bad anymore. Funny how you don't realize how often you use your stomach muscles until they've been slashed open and re sewn. Yesterday I had to make a trip to the ER for fever. Spent an hour getting meds and IV fluids and was told to go back to "taking it easy". Wow, just when I'd resumed mountain climbing. lol. Really...I'm so tired of sitting on my behind doing nothing it's ridiculous. And yes...my house is suffering. Note to self...do not schedule surgery for the day before your daughter runs off to Texas, thus leaving no one to do housework. Oh yes...there are the guys. Hahahaha. They don't really get housework. But at least Sean has been good about taking care of me.
I'm trying to heal fast because the Myrtle Beach vacation is less then a week away! We leave Friday morning to head to Ohio to meet up with the rest of the clan. Then it's a three vehicle, ten people, 12 hour caravan to the coast. I'm insane you say? Yes well, I thought that had already been established...
missed you dear readers,
♥Spot
The surgery itself took twice as long as predicted and there were a few complications. Seems the cyst would not pop, would not drain, would not reduce it's size. As it had grown since the ct scan and was now the size of a freakin grapefruit and of a rather leathery consistency, they had to widen the incision. Then I'm told, they nicked an artery and had to sew that up right quick. All in all I came out with more then I'd bargained for pain wise. The incision is an ugly 4 inch gash on my left side that is rather indented and gross. It also pulled apart some when the glue came off so I won't be modeling swimwear anytime soon. (Not that I ever did). It's healing slowly and as long as I don't make any sudden jerky movements (coughing reduces me to tears) it's not so bad anymore. Funny how you don't realize how often you use your stomach muscles until they've been slashed open and re sewn. Yesterday I had to make a trip to the ER for fever. Spent an hour getting meds and IV fluids and was told to go back to "taking it easy". Wow, just when I'd resumed mountain climbing. lol. Really...I'm so tired of sitting on my behind doing nothing it's ridiculous. And yes...my house is suffering. Note to self...do not schedule surgery for the day before your daughter runs off to Texas, thus leaving no one to do housework. Oh yes...there are the guys. Hahahaha. They don't really get housework. But at least Sean has been good about taking care of me.
I'm trying to heal fast because the Myrtle Beach vacation is less then a week away! We leave Friday morning to head to Ohio to meet up with the rest of the clan. Then it's a three vehicle, ten people, 12 hour caravan to the coast. I'm insane you say? Yes well, I thought that had already been established...
missed you dear readers,
♥Spot
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