Earlier this week, the precious children and I had to run to the store because we were out of everything. Everything meaning... Diet Pepsi and Peanut Butter Oreos. It’s a wonder we survived!
Anyway, while we were at the store I decided to run over to the pharmacy section and get some benadryl because the pollen has ganged up with the mold and they are trying to kill me.
We were standing in line at the pharmacy, waiting to check out, when I noticed an elderly couple sitting in the chairs to the right of me. They were either waiting for their prescriptions to be filled or for the shuttle to take them back to the Happy Ever After Assisted Living Community.
The elderly gentlemen kept looking at something just past me. Finally, with much effort, he got up and shuffled over to look more closely at the items on the aisle right behind me. I heard him give an outraged “HMMPH!” as he shuffled back over to his wife. He sat down next to her and loudly said, “They’re charging folks $2.85 for Chapstick! The whole world is goin’ to hell in a handbasket.”
God bless you, Sir. I completely agree! And may I suggest you stay away from the gas pumps.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
How to Identify
How to Identify a Challenging Morning:
1) You resort to pulling out the Play-Doh for the one and two year old to play with... before 7:45 a.m.
2) You consider a day off work, from an office full of dysfunctional personalities -- me included -- an evil form of punishment.
3) You pull out baby pictures (of your ONE and TWO YEAR OLDS) to remind you that the Tasmanian devils who have taken the place of your gorgeous, cuddly babies are really your HUMAN offspring.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Calling All Recipes
I love to swap recipes -- especially no-fuss dinner ideas and delish dessert ideas. I would love to find recipes that include easy ideas for grilling vegetables in a way that could appeal to children (or picky husbands...). Any thoughts? Please share all ideas -- or if you have favorite cooking/recipes websites. I would love to receive info about those too.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Painting
Wow! Life is busy and it's difficult to find time to blog -- even randomly and on an irregular basis. Children are crazy with the end of school and beginning of summer. Wrapping up the Brownie troop year. Hubby and I are working like mad to finish miscellaneous house projects. Just painted the living room and am working on the kitchen and upstairs hallway -- which is tiny and you wouldn't think would be too hard, but painting with a one year old and two year old under foot is a feat that most experienced military personnel couldn't even accomplish!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Ducks!
My fabulous neighbors invited the family to visit her business partner's Cottage Grove home (10 acres!) to see their baby (teenage?) ducks. E is out of town with Auntie Katie, Jim, and Deegan so it was up to G, D and I to experience the ducks by ourselves. (C opted out since he isn't as excited by cute, fuzzy, feathered animals to the same extent that the children and I are.)
We had a fabulous time listening to the ducks squeak and quack at us. There were nine of them and they were darling. Since it was such a gorgeous evening, we also took a walk thru the trails on their property. It was so awesome. I loved playing camera and experimenting with different settings on my camera. I hope we can go back again some time and let the children explore more as I play more camera. Thank you, JP and CP. You two ROCK!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Pay It Forward
Today E had the privilege of selling red poppies with Grandma and Papa for the VFW. Papa is the Post Commander (I think that's the right title?) of the Woodbury VFW. He and Grandma enlisted E's help for a booth outside a big box store. She had a fabulous time working for a great cause.
Although I try not to bore people with political ramblings, I am about to stand on a soap box for a moment or two. I believe that no matter what you think about the military situations our country's leaders pull our armed services into -- it is essential that the entire country support OUR service members. All people who chose to serve our country, and put their lives in peril, deserve to be shown our utmost gratitude. There is NEVER a good reason to disrespect our troops.
I say this as a person who is utterly against war and as a person who does not believe we had good enough reasons to invade Afghanistan or Iraq. It doesn't matter that I think our current president and his administration are idiots (with the possible exceptions of Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell). I will always support our troops.
My dad is a Vietnam Vet who suffers from PTSD. He proudly served our country, yet he was treated horrendously when he returned to the United States. He tells awful stories about returning and how there was no thanks or recognition for his sacrifices. For a member of our military to put their entire life on hold; to leave family, friends, children, spouses; to experience the unspeakable tragedies that accompany war and then return to anything less than a hero 's welcome is completely unacceptable. It breaks my heart.
Enough of my ramblings... I am very glad that E had the opportunity to volunteer to help gather funds for the VFW with Grandma and Papa. It is very important to me that she learns to do all she can to "pay it forward" and be of service to others.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Heaven
E's best quote of the day:
"Do you know what I think? I think it's windy out there cuz of a big breath from God and all the angels... partying in heaven the whole day. They blew a big breath cuz they must be getting tired up there."
"Do you know what I think? I think it's windy out there cuz of a big breath from God and all the angels... partying in heaven the whole day. They blew a big breath cuz they must be getting tired up there."
Glorious
FINALLY the weather in MN has taken a turn for the better. It's supposed to be in the mid-70s and sunny all weekend. A few of suburbs around here are having their all-city garage sales and I am raring to go! Got lots of bargains to hunt down so my children can actually be clothed. The challenging part is always getting a one and two year old to cooperate while browsing the messy tables and boxes in search of the next grand find.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Different Breed
Why do sweet, precious, darling little girls turn into she-devils at some point in their second to third year of life? It's as if the cuddly little dears morph into some new breed of bipolar species that can turn make their head turn circles like Linda Blair! Since G is a bit past two and a half, I was hoping we had missed the worst of the terrible twos; however, the last few weeks... she has been crabby and has begun morphing into an unknown, unstable animal who attacks your ankles and throwing her tiny 25 pound body around in the most violent way! For no apparent reason!
E had a rough go of the twos and her threes were even worse. Fours were a welcome relief. I realize each age has its own unique phases and that each children is unique.
Our sweet H had okay twos and her threes have been fairly smooth. With fours beginning next month, I count our blessings all the time. She is such an even-keeled and tender-hearted little dear.
Then G came about... I adore her but she is a spoiled little booger. I think twos and threes are going to be "interesting", which is the P.C. way to say scary, challenging, and wrought with hair pulling -- me pulling my own hair out -- as well as lots of shrieking.
D has also started on his twos a bit early. I think he may be following G's lead recently since he has developed a dramatic taste for pitching awful fits where he throws his body against anything and anyone in his way. Picture a solid, 18 month old carrot top "moshing" and slamming his body against pointed furniture and his parents innocent foreheads, cheek bones and noses.
E had a rough go of the twos and her threes were even worse. Fours were a welcome relief. I realize each age has its own unique phases and that each children is unique.
Our sweet H had okay twos and her threes have been fairly smooth. With fours beginning next month, I count our blessings all the time. She is such an even-keeled and tender-hearted little dear.
Then G came about... I adore her but she is a spoiled little booger. I think twos and threes are going to be "interesting", which is the P.C. way to say scary, challenging, and wrought with hair pulling -- me pulling my own hair out -- as well as lots of shrieking.
D has also started on his twos a bit early. I think he may be following G's lead recently since he has developed a dramatic taste for pitching awful fits where he throws his body against anything and anyone in his way. Picture a solid, 18 month old carrot top "moshing" and slamming his body against pointed furniture and his parents innocent foreheads, cheek bones and noses.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Phenomenal Women
One of my all time favorite poems in the entire world is "Phenomenal Woman" by Maya Angelou. I positively want to live my life according to that poem. I strive to be the kind of woman the poem describes.
Let me preach to the choir for a moment since I know everyone already is aware of how FABULOUS Ms. Angelou is... Ms. Angelou has led quite a challenging life and overcome various harsh situations, AND she handles all of it with such grace and wisdom and patience and gratitude for life's blessings. She plain ol' rocks and I adore her writing!!! So, in honor of Maya Angelou, as well as the woman whom she describes in her awesome poem -- whom I strive to be each day -- read on and enjoy Ms. A's fantastic literary talents.
Let me preach to the choir for a moment since I know everyone already is aware of how FABULOUS Ms. Angelou is... Ms. Angelou has led quite a challenging life and overcome various harsh situations, AND she handles all of it with such grace and wisdom and patience and gratitude for life's blessings. She plain ol' rocks and I adore her writing!!! So, in honor of Maya Angelou, as well as the woman whom she describes in her awesome poem -- whom I strive to be each day -- read on and enjoy Ms. A's fantastic literary talents.
Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say It's in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say It's in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Moms Work At Work and At Home
Since tomorrow is the ONE DAY A YEAR that this country designates to celebrate the very bestest people on this planet (mothers, of course!), I thought I would share a portion of a cute Q&A I received in an email. Below are some answers Second grade school children gave about mothers.
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
2. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
2. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at a friends.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
2. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
2. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at a friends.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
It's Been A While
Life is chaotic and I have not had the time or energy to write for a whole week. I went on my scrapbook weekend and had a phneomenal time. Came back in town and promptly had an awful bout of the flu on Tues and Wed. Beginning to feel human again. Good health is a precious blessing I take for granted. Below are a few pics of the fabulous weekend. (Thank you Steph, Brian and Family!!!)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Countdown
Yahoo! Wheeee!!! In approximately 24 hours I will up scrapbooking with lots of awesome ladies (and a few fabulous men). I can't wait! I do not know which excites me more: A) Chance to sleep through the night, uninterrupted by snoring husband/son or shrieking children, B) Full weekend of home-cooked meals that are prepared by SOMEONE OTHER THAN ME, or C) Scrapbooking for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours on end.
Do not get me wrong. I adore my family. It has just been a particularly challenging week. E was home from school sick two days this week; G and D have had terribly snotty noses and been sick since last week (G was diagnosed with pneumonia yesterday!); Hubby-dearest was out of town Monday through Wednesday. I am ready for some less multi-tasking.
Why do moms (specifically ME) always feel so guilty about taking time for ourselves? To prep things for my husband while he has the children by himself this weekend, I have made sure all the laundry is caught up, house is relatively clean, all grocery and household supply stuff is stocked (heaven forbid he need to shop EVER, but especially with children), set aside clothes outfits for each child for the three days, posted a meal plan on the front of the fridge that "suggests" what meals can easily be thrown together, etc... [Mental note -- I had better run to the liquor store tonight and grab him a few beers for Saturday night! He'll probably need some adult refreshments by Saturday evening.] No offense, but when Hubby needs to be out of town, do you think he takes great pains to prep the house for me? I think not.
Seriously, I am not trying to sound sassy. Just trying to make a point -- these are the types of things moms always do for their family. It is just taken for granted that they will always get done and be taken care of.
I am constantly set on "multi-task mode", it feels odd and just plain wrong to slow down and do something for me. It's completely natural for me to help E with her homework at the kitchen table while preparing dinner with G or D on my hip as I change a load of laundry. (Yes, our laundry is in our kitchen. It is an odd, yet surprisingly convenient, set-up.) I know I am a better mom, partner, friend when I make time for me, but when life is so busy... It's hard to slow down and remember to just take deep-breaths.
Do not get me wrong. I adore my family. It has just been a particularly challenging week. E was home from school sick two days this week; G and D have had terribly snotty noses and been sick since last week (G was diagnosed with pneumonia yesterday!); Hubby-dearest was out of town Monday through Wednesday. I am ready for some less multi-tasking.
Why do moms (specifically ME) always feel so guilty about taking time for ourselves? To prep things for my husband while he has the children by himself this weekend, I have made sure all the laundry is caught up, house is relatively clean, all grocery and household supply stuff is stocked (heaven forbid he need to shop EVER, but especially with children), set aside clothes outfits for each child for the three days, posted a meal plan on the front of the fridge that "suggests" what meals can easily be thrown together, etc... [Mental note -- I had better run to the liquor store tonight and grab him a few beers for Saturday night! He'll probably need some adult refreshments by Saturday evening.] No offense, but when Hubby needs to be out of town, do you think he takes great pains to prep the house for me? I think not.
Seriously, I am not trying to sound sassy. Just trying to make a point -- these are the types of things moms always do for their family. It is just taken for granted that they will always get done and be taken care of.
I am constantly set on "multi-task mode", it feels odd and just plain wrong to slow down and do something for me. It's completely natural for me to help E with her homework at the kitchen table while preparing dinner with G or D on my hip as I change a load of laundry. (Yes, our laundry is in our kitchen. It is an odd, yet surprisingly convenient, set-up.) I know I am a better mom, partner, friend when I make time for me, but when life is so busy... It's hard to slow down and remember to just take deep-breaths.
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