Megan was a super happy toddler but she did have her moments when the temper would flare. When she was around two years old, she began using a phrase that we couldn't translate. Whenever she would get really, really angry, she would stomp her foot, slap her hand down and stammer "I'm...I'm...I'm organizing my tenna-structor!" It was very dramatic and appeared to be completely out of nowhere. She would only say it when she was really angry at us. We had to hide our giggles b/c it was so darn funny to hear her say something so absurd. For months we tried to translate and/or find the source of her quote. We tried different variations on the phrase, with the theory that she was mispronouncing a word.
One day we were watching her Pooh movie. It wasn't her favorite movie but we watched it on occasion. Suddenly, there on the screen was Rabbit, angry at Pooh & friends, stomping his foot, slapping his hand and stammering "I'm constructing my turnip extractor!". Apparently Pooh & friends had greatly interfered with the construction of this so-called turnip extractor and Rabbit was really, really angry. I immediately jumped up and yelled to anyone who would listen that I had finally, after all these months, translated Megan's phrase!
But it was too late.
"Organizing my tenna-structor" was here to stay. It now defined our anger and frustration at a situation. Burn supper? Spill your drink? Forget something important? That might be enough to make anyone organize their tenna-structor.
Today, I organized my tenna-structor when someone hacked my blog and posted spam on the comments. If it happens again, I will have to eliminate Anonymous comments. So in the future, if you try to post anonymously, it may not accept it.
So tell me what makes you organize your tenna-structor?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
I can't think of a title for this one...
...so I'll just tell you what happened.
My profession requires I attend classes every year to keep up with my certification. I decided to attend one in St. Louis this week. I had registered just days before; when I asked on the phone if the course was full, the lady said "Oh, no, we have no limits! We register as many as we can!" The topic was Sensory Processing Disorder. This topic is not only helpful for my job, but I also happen to have a daughter with that diagnosis. I was looking forward to learning new information that might be useful.
When I walked in the room, 50% of the chairs were facing the back of the room. The hotel had put chairs on both sides of the tables, thus resulting in only half of the participants facing the speaker. Remember the "No limit" policy they mentioned? They weren't kidding. I was given a chair in the back corner of the room, with no table to sit at but I thought, at least I can see the speaker. When the speaker arrived, he said No worries, you won't need to see me at all today, there's no Powerpoint, there's no reason to look at me, we're just gonna read from the manual! That was my first clue that I picked a bad course. Clue #2 came when he said All questions have to be asked during the breaks.
I considered leaving but I knew that I wouldn't be able to count the hours, so I would be forced to attend yet another course. So I stayed. I played on my Blackberry, posted on Facebook, texted, whatever I could do to pass the time.
At lunch, I decided to eat in the hotel restaurant. I sat with 3 women I didn't know. I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. One woman disagreed with every word that came out of my mouth. Another woman responded to each comment with something along the lines of "I"m breastfeeding" or "I need to pump", or "My breasts are really full". I mentioned that my daughter has Sensory Processing Disorder and the other woman waved me away with Oh, we all have sensory issues! When the meal ended and I said I needed a piece of chocolate, they all looked at me like I said I just crapped my pants.
So I found a hotel employee who informed me that the hotel did not have a gift shop but I could find chocolate in the laundry room.
Before lunch, the speaker had ranted on and on about how artificial and processed foods are destroying our children's minds. When I returned from lunch, the hotel had placed packages of artificially sweetened and overprocessed cookies on the tables for us to snack on. I would have raised my hand to comment on it, but remembered he told us Sorry, no questions or comments except at break time. So I ate the fake cookies and the laundry room chocolate.
The afternoon dragged on. I sat in bewilderment when he spent 15 min talking about the side effects of fluorescent bulbs in our schools. He suggested we ask the schools to replace the bulbs with floor lamps. He droned on and on about his research and his publications and his theories.
I finally walked out, 45 min early and shortly after he made a joke about someone being bipolar. If you know me, you know I find no humor in anyone being bipolar.
Of course, now that it's over, I'm glad I stayed. I got my 6 credit hours. I got a day off from work.
And had some squeaky clean chocolate.
My profession requires I attend classes every year to keep up with my certification. I decided to attend one in St. Louis this week. I had registered just days before; when I asked on the phone if the course was full, the lady said "Oh, no, we have no limits! We register as many as we can!" The topic was Sensory Processing Disorder. This topic is not only helpful for my job, but I also happen to have a daughter with that diagnosis. I was looking forward to learning new information that might be useful.
When I walked in the room, 50% of the chairs were facing the back of the room. The hotel had put chairs on both sides of the tables, thus resulting in only half of the participants facing the speaker. Remember the "No limit" policy they mentioned? They weren't kidding. I was given a chair in the back corner of the room, with no table to sit at but I thought, at least I can see the speaker. When the speaker arrived, he said No worries, you won't need to see me at all today, there's no Powerpoint, there's no reason to look at me, we're just gonna read from the manual! That was my first clue that I picked a bad course. Clue #2 came when he said All questions have to be asked during the breaks.
I considered leaving but I knew that I wouldn't be able to count the hours, so I would be forced to attend yet another course. So I stayed. I played on my Blackberry, posted on Facebook, texted, whatever I could do to pass the time.
At lunch, I decided to eat in the hotel restaurant. I sat with 3 women I didn't know. I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. One woman disagreed with every word that came out of my mouth. Another woman responded to each comment with something along the lines of "I"m breastfeeding" or "I need to pump", or "My breasts are really full". I mentioned that my daughter has Sensory Processing Disorder and the other woman waved me away with Oh, we all have sensory issues! When the meal ended and I said I needed a piece of chocolate, they all looked at me like I said I just crapped my pants.
So I found a hotel employee who informed me that the hotel did not have a gift shop but I could find chocolate in the laundry room.
Before lunch, the speaker had ranted on and on about how artificial and processed foods are destroying our children's minds. When I returned from lunch, the hotel had placed packages of artificially sweetened and overprocessed cookies on the tables for us to snack on. I would have raised my hand to comment on it, but remembered he told us Sorry, no questions or comments except at break time. So I ate the fake cookies and the laundry room chocolate.
The afternoon dragged on. I sat in bewilderment when he spent 15 min talking about the side effects of fluorescent bulbs in our schools. He suggested we ask the schools to replace the bulbs with floor lamps. He droned on and on about his research and his publications and his theories.
I finally walked out, 45 min early and shortly after he made a joke about someone being bipolar. If you know me, you know I find no humor in anyone being bipolar.
Of course, now that it's over, I'm glad I stayed. I got my 6 credit hours. I got a day off from work.
And had some squeaky clean chocolate.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Cheez-its Love Me...This I Know
As a mom/speech therapist, it's very important to me that my kids talk correctly. When they were little, I always listened carefully to their words and if they pronounced something incorrectly, I always provided a correct model for them. Neither of my girls could ever pronounce "crayon" and still today they say "crown" and it drives me crazy! We tried for months to teach Megan how to say "iron". She pronounced it "i-run". I tried not to be the speech Nazi but for goodness sake...if my kids couldn't talk, what kind of speech therapist was I?
When Megan was very small, there were 2 things (among many) that she really loved- Jesus and Cheez-its. Unfortunately, we were unable to discriminate between the 2 words. She could often be found standing at the pantry, asking for Jesus....please can I have a bowl of Jesus...I'm so hungry for Jesus. On Sundays, she would sing "Cheez-its Love Me, this I know" and she often professed to having Cheez-its in her heart.
Last night Scott and I did something we don't normally do. I started an argument and we fought in front of the kids. I was very angry about something and I really let loose. Luckily, it was brief and when it was over, Emily came into the office and asked me if I needed a hug. She leaned in and said "Mommy, I know why you and Daddy were fighting." My mind began to race. Had she really understood what we were talking about? So I said "Really?" She said "Yes, Mommy. I know that Daddy was talking to someone on the phone and he pronounced his words wrong."
All I could do was nod my head and say "Yes, you're right".
And if I'd had a bowl of Jesus, I would have thrown it at your Daddy's head.
When Megan was very small, there were 2 things (among many) that she really loved- Jesus and Cheez-its. Unfortunately, we were unable to discriminate between the 2 words. She could often be found standing at the pantry, asking for Jesus....please can I have a bowl of Jesus...I'm so hungry for Jesus. On Sundays, she would sing "Cheez-its Love Me, this I know" and she often professed to having Cheez-its in her heart.
Last night Scott and I did something we don't normally do. I started an argument and we fought in front of the kids. I was very angry about something and I really let loose. Luckily, it was brief and when it was over, Emily came into the office and asked me if I needed a hug. She leaned in and said "Mommy, I know why you and Daddy were fighting." My mind began to race. Had she really understood what we were talking about? So I said "Really?" She said "Yes, Mommy. I know that Daddy was talking to someone on the phone and he pronounced his words wrong."
All I could do was nod my head and say "Yes, you're right".
And if I'd had a bowl of Jesus, I would have thrown it at your Daddy's head.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
If You Give a Girl a Grandpa
If you give a girl a Grandpa, he'll want to take her to the fair.
He'll take her to the fair and she'll ask to see the animals.
He'll take her to see the animals and she will see the bunnies.
She will love the bunnies!
She will ask who the bunnies belong to and Grandpa will tell her they belong to 4H members.
She'll ask what 4H is and Grandpa will tell her all about it.
Then, she'll ask to join 4H. Grandpa will tell her that's a great idea.
She'll think she needs a project so she'll tell Grandpa.
Grandpa will buy her a bunny for her project.
She'll love the bunny and call her Grace.
Since she has a bunny and she joined 4H, sooner or later she'll need to go to the fair.
If she's gonna go to the fair, she'll need a Grandpa to go with her.
He'll take her to the fair and she'll ask to see the animals.
He'll take her to see the animals and she will see the bunnies.
She will love the bunnies!
She will ask who the bunnies belong to and Grandpa will tell her they belong to 4H members.
She'll ask what 4H is and Grandpa will tell her all about it.
Then, she'll ask to join 4H. Grandpa will tell her that's a great idea.
She'll think she needs a project so she'll tell Grandpa.
Grandpa will buy her a bunny for her project.
She'll love the bunny and call her Grace.
Since she has a bunny and she joined 4H, sooner or later she'll need to go to the fair.
If she's gonna go to the fair, she'll need a Grandpa to go with her.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Lessons
What do you get when you cross Fire Safety Week and a husband that left on a 4 day fishing trip?
Frazzled nerves, sore knees and a vow to be very kind to my husband when he returns.
If you know Emily, you know that sometimes her engine gets stuck and it's really hard to get her back on track. This week was Fire Safety Week at school. Every day this week, she came home with new information on fire safety. Then the weekend arrived, Scott left for an extended fishing trip and I found myself flying solo as a parent for 4 days.
Shortly after arriving home from school Friday, Emily began sharing her fire safety knowledge...and sharing...and sharing. This morning she woke in a panic b/c our family had not devised a fire plan. I made a brief attempt at protesting, but to no avail. Before I knew it, the 3 of us were crawling through the house, looking for the nearest exit.
I was becoming very frazzled by this afternoon. I began to doubt my ability to make it through the rest of the weekend. Then we watched a Supernanny marathon. I began to feel smug at how well I raise my kids until I found myself snapping at them for squirming on the couch.
The Fire Safety Lessons continued until about an hour ago, when I tucked Emily into bed and I said a small prayer that we would never need all those lessons.
Meanwhile, I sit and wait for Scott to return so I can treat him with a little more kindness. The lesson I learned this weekend was Never Take a Spouse For Granted.
And always test the door for heat by using the back of your hand.
Frazzled nerves, sore knees and a vow to be very kind to my husband when he returns.
If you know Emily, you know that sometimes her engine gets stuck and it's really hard to get her back on track. This week was Fire Safety Week at school. Every day this week, she came home with new information on fire safety. Then the weekend arrived, Scott left for an extended fishing trip and I found myself flying solo as a parent for 4 days.
Shortly after arriving home from school Friday, Emily began sharing her fire safety knowledge...and sharing...and sharing. This morning she woke in a panic b/c our family had not devised a fire plan. I made a brief attempt at protesting, but to no avail. Before I knew it, the 3 of us were crawling through the house, looking for the nearest exit.
I was becoming very frazzled by this afternoon. I began to doubt my ability to make it through the rest of the weekend. Then we watched a Supernanny marathon. I began to feel smug at how well I raise my kids until I found myself snapping at them for squirming on the couch.
The Fire Safety Lessons continued until about an hour ago, when I tucked Emily into bed and I said a small prayer that we would never need all those lessons.
Meanwhile, I sit and wait for Scott to return so I can treat him with a little more kindness. The lesson I learned this weekend was Never Take a Spouse For Granted.
And always test the door for heat by using the back of your hand.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I'm coming back...
...I promise. I can't even begin to tell all the craziness in my life in the past 3 months. But I have vowed to slow down...I actually told someone the other day that things will slow down in about 2 years...then I realized how ridiculous that sounded.
I started a new job but haven't yet given up my other two. I actually thought I could work 3 jobs and stay sane. Not sure what I was thinking.
I do have lots of stories to tell but for now, those stories will have to wait. I am facing the enormity of hosting a 7yr old fashion show birthday party for 25 girls and then coming home to host dinner for 16 family members.
Coming soon...Tales from the Sale...yard sale, that is. If you've ever had a yard sale, you know there are always stories to tell about the people that show up. Last week, I was in charge of a 20 family yard sale...I told you I've been busy...
I started a new job but haven't yet given up my other two. I actually thought I could work 3 jobs and stay sane. Not sure what I was thinking.
I do have lots of stories to tell but for now, those stories will have to wait. I am facing the enormity of hosting a 7yr old fashion show birthday party for 25 girls and then coming home to host dinner for 16 family members.
Coming soon...Tales from the Sale...yard sale, that is. If you've ever had a yard sale, you know there are always stories to tell about the people that show up. Last week, I was in charge of a 20 family yard sale...I told you I've been busy...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Still Cancer Free...
I have been so busy lately, I have not had time to post anything.
I had my CT scans last week and they were CLEAR. No sign of cancer. For hours, I found myself saying "Thank you Jesus" over and over. Hours after I found out the good news, Scott and I went to Little Rock for a Colon Cancer Awareness event. I met many people I have become friends with on the Colon Club. It was such a great weekend and I am so glad I went.
I will eventually post pictures of the weekend. I have added yet another job to my collection and I'm having difficulty finding time for anything right now.
Love,
Michele
I had my CT scans last week and they were CLEAR. No sign of cancer. For hours, I found myself saying "Thank you Jesus" over and over. Hours after I found out the good news, Scott and I went to Little Rock for a Colon Cancer Awareness event. I met many people I have become friends with on the Colon Club. It was such a great weekend and I am so glad I went.
I will eventually post pictures of the weekend. I have added yet another job to my collection and I'm having difficulty finding time for anything right now.
Love,
Michele
Friday, July 17, 2009
Would you like a loan to go with that sandwich...
This week I saw a Genetic Specialist. I went alone and it turned out to be an interesting trip. I was worried about going b/c I had lost all the papers and didn't have a family tree to turn in. I kept imagining the dr becoming angry and telling me to come back when my homework was done. Why didn't I have the paperwork? Because I made the appt last summer and they mailed the papers and I was supposed to go in January but 2 days before the appt, they called and said the Specialist had a baby early and could I come back in July. So of course, you can't expect me to find any paperwork in this house that came a year ago. So I show up and instead of a dr, it's a Genetic Counselor who comes in. I immediately go into the whole "I'm so sorry I don't have my family tree completed, I have no papers, I was supposed to come in January but someone had a baby...", to which she replied "that was me, except I didn't have a baby, I had 2 babies". And then she tells me she already has my family tree. I'm sure the look on my face was priceless. How in the world did she get my family tree. She then tells me she took a whole history over the phone and I didn't remember even talking to her, then I remembered, oh, yeah, this is the lady that asked if my husband and I are related in any way. So she spends over an hour with me, going over everything I needed to know and answering all my questions. Then the dr comes in and spends about 2 minutes, asking if I had q's and did I understand what the counselor had just told me and then she left. That really irritated me b/c I spent an hour talking with the Genetic Counselor, who probably doesn't make beans for a living, who confessed she is having trouble paying for childcare for her preemie twins, and I'll bet that dr made all the money for that visit.
So anyway, they took blood and told me to come back in 2 months for the results. Since I have Greta, my handy dandy Australian gps friend, I am very comfortable making the drive up to Barnes and back alone. However, I was worn out and hungry when I left the appt (I was, at this time, 5 days into my no-carb diet and I was really craving a sandwich...but that's another post). So Greta tells me to turn left and I begin to argue with her. She says turn, I say no, she says Recalculating, then she says turn, and I continued to argue with her until finally I gave in when I realized I was in a questionable neighborhood.
I'm so hungry at this point, I decide I have to have a sandwich. I know from my days of eating carbs that there is a Jimmy Johns in the corner of a strip mall at the Festus exit. So I take the exit, park on the side of the building, walk in and discover I'm at a bank, not a Jimmy Johns. That's right, I pretty much tried to order a sandwich at a bank. I had thought when I pulled up that it was odd to see a sign in a Jimmy Johns window that said "ask us about small business loans". But in my carb-deprived mind, I really thought I was in the right spot. So I had to get back in the car and drive over to the next strip mall to get my carb fix.
And I didn't share any of it with Greta.
So anyway, they took blood and told me to come back in 2 months for the results. Since I have Greta, my handy dandy Australian gps friend, I am very comfortable making the drive up to Barnes and back alone. However, I was worn out and hungry when I left the appt (I was, at this time, 5 days into my no-carb diet and I was really craving a sandwich...but that's another post). So Greta tells me to turn left and I begin to argue with her. She says turn, I say no, she says Recalculating, then she says turn, and I continued to argue with her until finally I gave in when I realized I was in a questionable neighborhood.
I'm so hungry at this point, I decide I have to have a sandwich. I know from my days of eating carbs that there is a Jimmy Johns in the corner of a strip mall at the Festus exit. So I take the exit, park on the side of the building, walk in and discover I'm at a bank, not a Jimmy Johns. That's right, I pretty much tried to order a sandwich at a bank. I had thought when I pulled up that it was odd to see a sign in a Jimmy Johns window that said "ask us about small business loans". But in my carb-deprived mind, I really thought I was in the right spot. So I had to get back in the car and drive over to the next strip mall to get my carb fix.
And I didn't share any of it with Greta.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
No Sip Sirwhat
Can you stand just 1 more work story? I am pulling this one out of the vault and then closing the doors for awhile. This is a classic work story I have told many times.
Years ago, when I was working at the outpatient clinic at the Hospital, I had a 4 yr old that came for therapy 3 times a week. If you know anything about therapy, you know that 3 times a week is a lot and that must mean this child's speech was REALLY delayed. He was basically unintelligible. One day, as we sat at the table, I stated something that was obvious and without even looking up, he said "No Sip, Sirwhat", to which I replied "what?". Again, he shrugged his shoulders and said "No Sip, Sirwhat". My mind instantly began to run thru the sounds this child could not say- sh, l, k. I then realized exactly what this child was telling me.
The kid's mom and brother just happened to be listening and watching thru the observation window. When I realized what he had said, I asked "where did you learn that", to which he replied "my brother".
Remember the scene in Christmas Story, when you can hear the mom on the phone, beating her son b/c he had taught Ralphie a bad word? That scene played itself out on the other side of the window. Big Brother was in Big Trouble. I could hear him trying to defend himself, but it was of no use. He was caught.
No Sip Sirwhat has become a common phrase in our house. The girls don't even know what it means or where it came from but it is a staple of our household vocabulary.
So leave a comment and let me know something so obvious, it will leave me shaking my head, saying No Sip Sirwhat.
Years ago, when I was working at the outpatient clinic at the Hospital, I had a 4 yr old that came for therapy 3 times a week. If you know anything about therapy, you know that 3 times a week is a lot and that must mean this child's speech was REALLY delayed. He was basically unintelligible. One day, as we sat at the table, I stated something that was obvious and without even looking up, he said "No Sip, Sirwhat", to which I replied "what?". Again, he shrugged his shoulders and said "No Sip, Sirwhat". My mind instantly began to run thru the sounds this child could not say- sh, l, k. I then realized exactly what this child was telling me.
The kid's mom and brother just happened to be listening and watching thru the observation window. When I realized what he had said, I asked "where did you learn that", to which he replied "my brother".
Remember the scene in Christmas Story, when you can hear the mom on the phone, beating her son b/c he had taught Ralphie a bad word? That scene played itself out on the other side of the window. Big Brother was in Big Trouble. I could hear him trying to defend himself, but it was of no use. He was caught.
No Sip Sirwhat has become a common phrase in our house. The girls don't even know what it means or where it came from but it is a staple of our household vocabulary.
So leave a comment and let me know something so obvious, it will leave me shaking my head, saying No Sip Sirwhat.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Say Busta!,
Before I was an in-home speech therapist, I worked in an outpatient clinic at a hospital. One day, I had a new kid on my schedule. He had a long, complicated name but when he arrived, his mother provided 2 pieces of info: He goes by Buster and that's the only word he can say. I sat the kid down in the floor and attempted to elicit some words. Mom again repeated to me "He can say his name", which I noted she pronounced "Busta". Then she began her attempts to elicit the 1 word in his vocabulary, Buster. She began her attempts in an encouraging voice, as in "Say Busta!" As her child ignored her, she became increasingly frustrated and repeatedly said "Say Busta!" Her agitation increased as he continued to ignore her. She had great inflection in her voice, as it moved from encouragement, to frustration, to pleading, to complete "hands on the hips" agitation. My favorite was the "this is ridiculous" tone. I sat back and watched in silence, as I knew from years of experience that a)this child had no ability to talk and b)if he could talk, he wasn't going to do it for her anyway. But for 1 hour, I had to listen to her insist that her son could Say Busta! By the end of the hour, I found myself wanting to blurt out Say Busta!
I never saw Buster again, but his mom's words have stuck in my head. It's not really the words, as it is the variety of inflections she used as her frustration grew. "Say Busta" has become a popular phrase in our house. I can't really say that any specific situation makes us want to yell it out, we just find ourselves occasionally trying to lighten the mood by insisting that someone "Say Busta!
I guess I could tack on a moral of the story...but when it comes down to it, there's no moral.
It was just really funny and I will never be able to control the impulse to yell Say Busta'!
I never saw Buster again, but his mom's words have stuck in my head. It's not really the words, as it is the variety of inflections she used as her frustration grew. "Say Busta" has become a popular phrase in our house. I can't really say that any specific situation makes us want to yell it out, we just find ourselves occasionally trying to lighten the mood by insisting that someone "Say Busta!
I guess I could tack on a moral of the story...but when it comes down to it, there's no moral.
It was just really funny and I will never be able to control the impulse to yell Say Busta'!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Just Another Day at Work...
I was thinking today, as I drove down one gravel road after another, how different my job as an in-home therapist would be if I lived in another part of the country. I once had a friend who had been an in-home therapist in New Orleans. She carried a gun. I'll admit, there's been a few times I probably needed one too but most days, it's those low water bridges I'm worried about. When I show up for a visit and I'm greeted by someone covered in blood, I don't worry about violence- except the kind that involves butchering chickens. Today, I had a lengthy conversation about how it's been too wet to put up hay and I have 2 families that frequently send fresh eggs home with me. I sometimes drive so far out in the country, Greta's map tells me I'm driving in the middle of a field. These are not things I would experience as a therapist in the city. For example, I'm quite sure I would not have had this conversation several years ago, as I was starting my career as an in-home therapist:
Mom: We're having a baby boy!
Me: Do you have a name picked out?
Mom: Johnnie Ray
Me: Oh, are you going to call him by that name?
Mom: Nah, we're just gonna call him J.P.
Me: J.P.?
Mom: Yep, that's right, we'll name him Johnnie Ray after his daddy but we'll just call him J.P.
Mom: We're having a baby boy!
Me: Do you have a name picked out?
Mom: Johnnie Ray
Me: Oh, are you going to call him by that name?
Mom: Nah, we're just gonna call him J.P.
Me: J.P.?
Mom: Yep, that's right, we'll name him Johnnie Ray after his daddy but we'll just call him J.P.
Friday, June 12, 2009
I did not...
I am not currently drinking a cup of coffee on a Friday night just so I can stay up long enough to enjoy a quiet evening at home. I have not already had a nap and I'm not about to fall asleep again.
It was not a busy week. I did not take on another (temporary) job, leaving me with a grand total of 5 jobs. I am not doing my part to keep the unemployment rate down.
I'm so glad I don't spoil my kids, I would never do that. Emily did not add to her boot collection today, making a grand total of 7 pairs. I am NOT enjoying Megan's new found love of shopping and luckily, she's not spoiled either. And since these things never happen to me, I'll tell you that Emily did not say, at the checkout line, as she is trying desperately to buy a trinket of some sort, "Mom, I know you're tired and I know you don't want to listen to my crap..." Of course, this did not make me bust out laughing!
My Facebook page did not get hacked this week and I did not have people emailing me, asking why I was sending them to adult sites.
My oil doesn't need to be changed and my tires are not about to blow. My brother in law did not tell me a month ago they were bald. I don't know which is worse, not having the time or the money to get them replaced? Right now, I don't have the time.
I did not struggle to keep a straight face this week when someone asked me if our new gecko can stand up and walk like the Geico gecko. Seriously!
What have YOU not done lately?
It was not a busy week. I did not take on another (temporary) job, leaving me with a grand total of 5 jobs. I am not doing my part to keep the unemployment rate down.
I'm so glad I don't spoil my kids, I would never do that. Emily did not add to her boot collection today, making a grand total of 7 pairs. I am NOT enjoying Megan's new found love of shopping and luckily, she's not spoiled either. And since these things never happen to me, I'll tell you that Emily did not say, at the checkout line, as she is trying desperately to buy a trinket of some sort, "Mom, I know you're tired and I know you don't want to listen to my crap..." Of course, this did not make me bust out laughing!
My Facebook page did not get hacked this week and I did not have people emailing me, asking why I was sending them to adult sites.
My oil doesn't need to be changed and my tires are not about to blow. My brother in law did not tell me a month ago they were bald. I don't know which is worse, not having the time or the money to get them replaced? Right now, I don't have the time.
I did not struggle to keep a straight face this week when someone asked me if our new gecko can stand up and walk like the Geico gecko. Seriously!
What have YOU not done lately?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Scammed!
I've been scammed. As a matter of fact, millions of us have been scammed. Scammed into believing a blog story that was pure fiction. I fell for it completely, until the facts came out and of course, hindsight is 20/20. I'm not going to mention which blog it was, it's been removed from blogspot anyway. Luckily, I never posted the link on my blog.
I hope you will believe me when I say my blog is real! It all really happened- don't ever doubt me. I do not place ads on my blog, therefore I have no reason to profit from my story.
So in honor of my recent experience, I'm posting a new topic called "I've Been Scammed by a Fashion Statement".
Tonight's featured fashion scam involves those "no show socks" that everyone is wearing. What's the deal with those? They're the size of infant booties! I can only imagine the conversation that took place at the Hanes boardroom.
Ok, folks, we need to cut costs. Any ideas?
Yeah, boss, let's take our infant booties that require much less materials to produce, and market them as "Low Cut". Let's make raw, blistered heels a new fashion statement. Let's make it a faux pas for your socks to show.
Great idea! We'll use 1/64 of the material actually needed to cover the average foot!
I totally fell for this scam and bought several packages for Megan, upon her request. I didn't grasp the ridiculous notion of wearing infant booties until I started folding them in the laundry. I was stunned at how small they are! My friend KP said she got tired of the blistered heels on her daughter's feet and she got tired of fighting the battle so she threw them out!
My socks will continue to show around my ankles.
I will continue to buy infant booties for my daughter, all in the name of fashion.
I only regret not saving the ones she wore when she was 3 months old.
I could have saved a lot of money.
And avoided another scam.
Now it's your turn. Tell me a Fashion Scam you have fallen for. Or just feel free to discuss a ridiculous piece of fashion that you wore.
I hope you will believe me when I say my blog is real! It all really happened- don't ever doubt me. I do not place ads on my blog, therefore I have no reason to profit from my story.
So in honor of my recent experience, I'm posting a new topic called "I've Been Scammed by a Fashion Statement".
Tonight's featured fashion scam involves those "no show socks" that everyone is wearing. What's the deal with those? They're the size of infant booties! I can only imagine the conversation that took place at the Hanes boardroom.
Ok, folks, we need to cut costs. Any ideas?
Yeah, boss, let's take our infant booties that require much less materials to produce, and market them as "Low Cut". Let's make raw, blistered heels a new fashion statement. Let's make it a faux pas for your socks to show.
Great idea! We'll use 1/64 of the material actually needed to cover the average foot!
I totally fell for this scam and bought several packages for Megan, upon her request. I didn't grasp the ridiculous notion of wearing infant booties until I started folding them in the laundry. I was stunned at how small they are! My friend KP said she got tired of the blistered heels on her daughter's feet and she got tired of fighting the battle so she threw them out!
My socks will continue to show around my ankles.
I will continue to buy infant booties for my daughter, all in the name of fashion.
I only regret not saving the ones she wore when she was 3 months old.
I could have saved a lot of money.
And avoided another scam.
Now it's your turn. Tell me a Fashion Scam you have fallen for. Or just feel free to discuss a ridiculous piece of fashion that you wore.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
New Orleans
There's 1 good reason to go to New Orleans...
Scott and I can't get enough of it. We ate shrimp 4/4 days we were there.
Of course, that's not all we ate...
Greek beignets...
Gyros...
Souvlaki...
Scott and I can't get enough of it. We ate shrimp 4/4 days we were there.Of course, that's not all we ate...
Imagine my excitement when we discovered a nearby Greek festival. (In case you've never met me, allow me to explain that I was Greek in my former life but sadly, I was reincarnated as a kid from the Missouri Bootheel, where ham and beans, cornbread and blackeyed peas are served on a regular basis.)
Greek beignets...
Gyros...
Souvlaki...Then it was on to the French Quarter where we had French Beignets..
Then we ventured to the brand new Insectarium...
Megan and Tinni were spotted in the Bug Kitchen, eating cricket pancakes and other disgusting foods made from creepy crawlies. I told Megan she could never again complain about what I cook for dinner. The girl won't eat beef but she ate a pancake full of crickets.
Fried mealworms...
Superworm Salsa...
Minutes before we left, Emily and Tinni were roasting marshmallows and passing out smores.
Then we ventured to the brand new Insectarium...
Megan and Tinni were spotted in the Bug Kitchen, eating cricket pancakes and other disgusting foods made from creepy crawlies. I told Megan she could never again complain about what I cook for dinner. The girl won't eat beef but she ate a pancake full of crickets. 
Fried mealworms...
Superworm Salsa...Minutes before we left, Emily and Tinni were roasting marshmallows and passing out smores.
When we came home and I unpacked my suitcase, I noticed an oily spot on my jeans. I am unable to consult my Stain Removal Chart b/c I don't know if it was the gyro, souvlaki, baklava, beignet (French or Greek, take your pick), crab cheramie, or shrimp.
It certainly wasn't the cricket pancakes.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Meet our new baby...
Meet Liz, the newest baby in our home. The pics aren't real good, it's very difficult to photograph her. She's WILD! She can jump right out of your hands and she runs when we touch her. She's tiny, about 4 inches long. Emily chose her name, much to Megan's disappointment. I told Megan not to fret about it, it's not an original name for a lizard but we can tack on a last name and make her famous. Like Liz Claiborne or something. Send any suggestions for last names that will make her famous and we'll use the best one!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Zip 2005-2009
I'm back! I had a post nearly ready to hit the presses but then we had a sad day and I don't feel like cracking any jokes. We had to have Zip, our 4 yr old leopard gecko, euthanized. It was very difficult to say goodbye to him. Megan is very upset. Emily is taking it well. I have to commend the staff at Deer Ridge. Although this is not our vet clinic, we were forced to use them, as they are the only exotic animal clinic in this area. Their kindness and professionalism will not be forgotten. They knew exactly how to handle the situation, from start to finish.
4 years ago, we vacationed in Gulfport, Mississippi with Scott's brother Chris. When we returned from this trip, 2 things happened. We bought Zip and Hurricane Katrina hit. All in the same week. So I always associated Zip with Katrina. I never imagined that not only would it be 4 years before I would return to the area, but Zip would pass away when we returned. What a strange coincidence.
Goodbye, Zip. See you on the Rainbow Bridge.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Taking a Break
There were a lot of guesses about what Emily was doing in the picture. Kara was the closest guess! Emily was going to the moon, thus the helmet and oxygen tank strapped to her back. Clever.
I wanted to let everyone know I'm taking a break from blogging for awhile. I am suffering from a little bit of burnout and I need to take some time off. I'll be back though! Give me a couple of weeks and I'll be good as new.
See you soon!
Love,
Michele
I wanted to let everyone know I'm taking a break from blogging for awhile. I am suffering from a little bit of burnout and I need to take some time off. I'll be back though! Give me a couple of weeks and I'll be good as new.
See you soon!
Love,
Michele
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wordless Thursday
I would LOVE to tell you what my creative daughter is up to, but for now I'll leave it up to you to decide.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Ask Me Anything
Here are some responses to "Ask Me Anything".
(I don't really have a blog feature titled Ask Me Anything, I just made that up.)
Many of you asked for more info about what Megan is going to be doing. She is now an official Jr. Reporter for the local newspaper. She went to a training last week and received her first story assignment. She will be writing a news story every month and it will appear in the newspaper. The pic I took was her badge. Her first assignment? Squarefoot gardening. Now, look up at the title of my blog, where it states that my blog landscape contains "occasionally bragging about my children". Now I can tell you that they gave her the hardest story assignment b/c she was the most vocal in the class, asking the most q's, etc.
Now onto my health. I am doing great! My platelet counts are climbing up slowly. My hematologist said I will not need a repeat bone marrow biopsy. My next CT scans are scheduled for Aug 27th. I am nervous already. Really nervous. I try not to think of it too often and since I still have short term memory loss, remembering is not a problem.
I am often asked whether my feet are still numb. Yes, they are. I am trying to believe that the numbness serves as a reminder of my cancer journey. Not that I could forget but you get the point.
I did have to return to the house in the middle of nowhere. I was happy that the road construction was completed and I could make it without trouble. I did notice about a half mile down the final gravel road that the fields were flooded and there was a small stream of water running over the road. I was so thankful I could easily cross. Imagine my surprise when, an hour later, I am bumping along the gravel road and I realize the road ahead is flooded. My first thought is I'm trapped. I'm gonna have to spend the night with people who butcher chickens, can their own lard and make their own cheese. Not that there's anything wrong with that. There's really not. But I didn't want to be a part of it. I was terrified b/c the only other way out was through one of those low-water bridges. So I drove back the other way and said many prayers that I could cross. My criteria for crossing a low water bridge is that I have to be able to see the bottom of the bridge. And there can't be any water rushing over it. Standing water is fine, rushing water is not.
I got lucky. Even though there was water on the bridge, I could see the bottom and the water was sloooowly moving across it. I made it.
No canned lard for dinner tonight.
Thank you Jesus.
(I don't really have a blog feature titled Ask Me Anything, I just made that up.)
Many of you asked for more info about what Megan is going to be doing. She is now an official Jr. Reporter for the local newspaper. She went to a training last week and received her first story assignment. She will be writing a news story every month and it will appear in the newspaper. The pic I took was her badge. Her first assignment? Squarefoot gardening. Now, look up at the title of my blog, where it states that my blog landscape contains "occasionally bragging about my children". Now I can tell you that they gave her the hardest story assignment b/c she was the most vocal in the class, asking the most q's, etc.
Now onto my health. I am doing great! My platelet counts are climbing up slowly. My hematologist said I will not need a repeat bone marrow biopsy. My next CT scans are scheduled for Aug 27th. I am nervous already. Really nervous. I try not to think of it too often and since I still have short term memory loss, remembering is not a problem.
I am often asked whether my feet are still numb. Yes, they are. I am trying to believe that the numbness serves as a reminder of my cancer journey. Not that I could forget but you get the point.
I did have to return to the house in the middle of nowhere. I was happy that the road construction was completed and I could make it without trouble. I did notice about a half mile down the final gravel road that the fields were flooded and there was a small stream of water running over the road. I was so thankful I could easily cross. Imagine my surprise when, an hour later, I am bumping along the gravel road and I realize the road ahead is flooded. My first thought is I'm trapped. I'm gonna have to spend the night with people who butcher chickens, can their own lard and make their own cheese. Not that there's anything wrong with that. There's really not. But I didn't want to be a part of it. I was terrified b/c the only other way out was through one of those low-water bridges. So I drove back the other way and said many prayers that I could cross. My criteria for crossing a low water bridge is that I have to be able to see the bottom of the bridge. And there can't be any water rushing over it. Standing water is fine, rushing water is not.
I got lucky. Even though there was water on the bridge, I could see the bottom and the water was sloooowly moving across it. I made it.
No canned lard for dinner tonight.
Thank you Jesus.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
What happens
This is what happens when you own a multitude of cats and you run out of cat food...but you happen to have 3 cans of tuna in the pantry.
This is what happens when you run out of tuna and you have one more hungry cat...and you happen to have some leftover spaghetti from supper...
This is what happens when you have a daughter that loves to write and has so much talent...
This is what happens when...
...you need a nap but your daughter beats you to the couch.
This is what happens when you run out of tuna and you have one more hungry cat...and you happen to have some leftover spaghetti from supper...
This is what happens when you have a daughter that loves to write and has so much talent...
This is what happens when...
...you need a nap but your daughter beats you to the couch. Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Guilty
I am realizing lately just how much guilt I carry around with me.
I was waiting to make a left turn at a stoplight when I realized all the others cars would have to stop just so I could turn left.
I felt guilty about that.
Those people could be in a hurry, late for work, late for school, whatever.
I was slowing them down.
Why do I care?
And why am I racked with guilt for all that happens in my life and the lives of my children?
I was raised on Guilt Street. I attended Guilt Elementary School and on Sundays I went to the 1rst Guilt Church. My mama served up a huge portion of Guilt and Tators every night.
You would think that when I left home, I might have left Guilt behind.
Not exactly.
In college, I took Advanced Guilt.
In my 20's, I gave birth to Guilt.
So now I am nearing my 40's and Guilt still lives with me.
My dad would say Guilt keeps me on the straight and narrow path.
He could be right.
Or maybe I carry Guilt around in my pocket b/c I stumble way too often in Life and recognize the consequences of my actions.
Guilty as charged.
I was waiting to make a left turn at a stoplight when I realized all the others cars would have to stop just so I could turn left.
I felt guilty about that.
Those people could be in a hurry, late for work, late for school, whatever.
I was slowing them down.
Why do I care?
And why am I racked with guilt for all that happens in my life and the lives of my children?
I was raised on Guilt Street. I attended Guilt Elementary School and on Sundays I went to the 1rst Guilt Church. My mama served up a huge portion of Guilt and Tators every night.
You would think that when I left home, I might have left Guilt behind.
Not exactly.
In college, I took Advanced Guilt.
In my 20's, I gave birth to Guilt.
So now I am nearing my 40's and Guilt still lives with me.
My dad would say Guilt keeps me on the straight and narrow path.
He could be right.
Or maybe I carry Guilt around in my pocket b/c I stumble way too often in Life and recognize the consequences of my actions.
Guilty as charged.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Mama Bear
This week at work I read Berenstein Bears Learn to do Chores to a nearly-three year old. She brought it out for me to read. Berenstain Bear books are rather lengthy so I summarized it.
Sorta.
Perhaps it was fatigue, boredom or just my wacky sense of humor, but the story went something like this...
Papa Bear works a lot and Sister Bear and Brother Bear never clean up their messes. This makes Mama Bear sooooo tired. Mama Bear works hard all day and she is just so tired of cleaning up after so many bears.
One day Mama Bear said Enough! You two bears are going to have to help me clean up!
Brother and Sister Bear grumbled about this. Papa Bear came home and he was just too tired to argue, b/c Papa Bear works a lot in the spring.
Mama Bear threatened to take away all the toys in the house.
So Brother Bear and Sister Bear learned to clean up their messes.
Mama Bear was soooooo happy. Mama Bear just gets so tired after working all day.
Brother and Sister Bear know how important it is that Mama gets plenty of rest, especially after a long day at work.
They want Mama Bear to be happy.
Otherwise she might move to Australia.
Sorta.
Perhaps it was fatigue, boredom or just my wacky sense of humor, but the story went something like this...
Papa Bear works a lot and Sister Bear and Brother Bear never clean up their messes. This makes Mama Bear sooooo tired. Mama Bear works hard all day and she is just so tired of cleaning up after so many bears.
One day Mama Bear said Enough! You two bears are going to have to help me clean up!
Brother and Sister Bear grumbled about this. Papa Bear came home and he was just too tired to argue, b/c Papa Bear works a lot in the spring.
Mama Bear threatened to take away all the toys in the house.
So Brother Bear and Sister Bear learned to clean up their messes.
Mama Bear was soooooo happy. Mama Bear just gets so tired after working all day.
Brother and Sister Bear know how important it is that Mama gets plenty of rest, especially after a long day at work.
They want Mama Bear to be happy.
Otherwise she might move to Australia.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Australia
There are 2 kinds of bad days. Some days are just BAD, like the day I found out I had cancer. Other days are what I call Alexander Days. If you've read the book to your children, you know about a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Today was one of those days.
I'll skip the part about how horrible our morning was. That was just the part that laid the foundation for the rest of my day. I can tell you that I called my friend Pam to tell her I was on the podium, ready to accept my "Worst Parent Award".
I had a 45 min drive to my first home visit. The location of this home gives new meaning to the term "middle of nowhere". A mere 5 min before I reach this place, I approach a Road Closed sign.
It's funny how, in desperation to get somewhere you need to be, you will find yourself staring at one of these signs, as if you can somehow figure a way to get past that barrier. Even if the road is completely torn up, equipment sitting there, no pavement within your field of vision, you will still stare at the sign, trying to figure a way out of this.
But an easy way out was not meant to be.
Luckily I have Greta, my Australian-speaking handy dandy GPS friend. I asked Greta to please find another route. She thought and she thought. Finally, she came up with a detour that would take me there in 20 minutes.
20 min doesn't sound like a lot of time until you realize it's all gravel. With lots of potholes d/t the rain we've had.
3 minutes before I reach my detoured destination, I come to a low-water bridge. A flooded low water bridge. (If you've never heard of a low-water bridge, leave a comment and someone will tell you).
If you read this post, you'll know why it was a good thing the girls weren't with me. Greta got an earful.
I called the home in the middle of nowhere and said "See you next week!"
I'll leave you with a quote from Alexander.
"It has been a terrible horrible no good very bad day. I think I'll move to Australia".
Maybe Greta has a spare room.
Today was one of those days.
I'll skip the part about how horrible our morning was. That was just the part that laid the foundation for the rest of my day. I can tell you that I called my friend Pam to tell her I was on the podium, ready to accept my "Worst Parent Award".
I had a 45 min drive to my first home visit. The location of this home gives new meaning to the term "middle of nowhere". A mere 5 min before I reach this place, I approach a Road Closed sign.
It's funny how, in desperation to get somewhere you need to be, you will find yourself staring at one of these signs, as if you can somehow figure a way to get past that barrier. Even if the road is completely torn up, equipment sitting there, no pavement within your field of vision, you will still stare at the sign, trying to figure a way out of this.
But an easy way out was not meant to be.
Luckily I have Greta, my Australian-speaking handy dandy GPS friend. I asked Greta to please find another route. She thought and she thought. Finally, she came up with a detour that would take me there in 20 minutes.
20 min doesn't sound like a lot of time until you realize it's all gravel. With lots of potholes d/t the rain we've had.
3 minutes before I reach my detoured destination, I come to a low-water bridge. A flooded low water bridge. (If you've never heard of a low-water bridge, leave a comment and someone will tell you).
If you read this post, you'll know why it was a good thing the girls weren't with me. Greta got an earful.
I called the home in the middle of nowhere and said "See you next week!"
I'll leave you with a quote from Alexander.
"It has been a terrible horrible no good very bad day. I think I'll move to Australia".
Maybe Greta has a spare room.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Chickens
Sometimes I think I should title my blog "I Couldn't Make This Stuff Up If I Tried".
Here's a very recent conversation in our house:
Me: Girls, come look at these Cornish Game Hens we're having for supper. I've never cooked them before but I'm gonna try!
Megan: Oh...do you eat them just like that?
Me: Well, yeah, they've been cleaned out so you cook them just like this.
Megan: You mean they, like, gave them an enema to clean them out?
Me: Not exactly...
Megan: You know when you die your bladder lets loose...
Me: Outta the kitchen!
Me: Emily, I'm making chickens!
Emily: You are??? Oh, I want a pet chicken so bad...will they hatch eggs after you make them?
Me: No, Emily, I'm not MAKING chickens, I'm cooking chickens.
Emily: @#%$#!^$^%%$^!&#*!&^%#&#^@^%$!$#%$!#!
There will be no cornish game hens for supper.
I thawed them and realized they were...hairy. Is this normal? Have you cooked these before? My mom has never cooked them and neither has Scott. So feel free to chime in and let me know your experience with Cornish Game Hens.
Unless of course, your experience involves chicken enemas.
Here's a very recent conversation in our house:
Me: Girls, come look at these Cornish Game Hens we're having for supper. I've never cooked them before but I'm gonna try!
Megan: Oh...do you eat them just like that?
Me: Well, yeah, they've been cleaned out so you cook them just like this.
Megan: You mean they, like, gave them an enema to clean them out?
Me: Not exactly...
Megan: You know when you die your bladder lets loose...
Me: Outta the kitchen!
Me: Emily, I'm making chickens!
Emily: You are??? Oh, I want a pet chicken so bad...will they hatch eggs after you make them?
Me: No, Emily, I'm not MAKING chickens, I'm cooking chickens.
Emily: @#%$#!^$^%%$^!&#*!&^%#&#^@^%$!$#%$!#!
There will be no cornish game hens for supper.
I thawed them and realized they were...hairy. Is this normal? Have you cooked these before? My mom has never cooked them and neither has Scott. So feel free to chime in and let me know your experience with Cornish Game Hens.
Unless of course, your experience involves chicken enemas.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Shawndra Turner
Here is an article that came out today about Shawndra Turner. I hope everyone can take a few minutes to read it b/c it mentions how she saved my life! Although my name isn't used, if you read it, you will recognize my story.
http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1144886.html
http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1144886.html
Lesson in Amish Living
Whenever we make the 6 hour drive to my parent's home, we travel through the outskirts of an Amish community. There are signs on the highway that remind us to "share the road" with the horse and buggies. We always look for any traveling Amish families, and we usually see at least 1 or 2.
Being the Mother that I am, always trying to teach my children something new, I decided Emily needed a lesson in Amish living. So I began to explain how the Amish live. No electricity, no cars, no televisions, no computers...
Emily interrupts me when she hears "no computers".
"But Mommy, what do they use?"
"Nothing honey. They don't have computers at all."
"But Mommy, How do they send their emails?"
Being the Mother that I am, always trying to teach my children something new, I decided Emily needed a lesson in Amish living. So I began to explain how the Amish live. No electricity, no cars, no televisions, no computers...
Emily interrupts me when she hears "no computers".
"But Mommy, what do they use?"
"Nothing honey. They don't have computers at all."
"But Mommy, How do they send their emails?"
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
My Girls
I love my precious girls.
And I love all that they are.
Tonight, while I was cooking supper, Emily brought this to me and said "Let's play Church. I made this- it's Jesus dying on the cross".
So, she conducted Mass, complete with songs, homily, Eucharistic prayer, bringing up the gifts and partaking in the Body and Blood of Christ. She even made me kneel on the floor, to which I promptly fell backwards into the stove and stifled my laughter as she continued the Mass without skipping a beat. After a rather lengthy Mass, I whispered "supper is ready". Several minutes later, as Mass continued, I whispered again "Supper is ready. Fishsticks"
Then I heard "This Mass is ended. Let us go in Peace".
It was one of my proudest moments as a parent.
Speaking of proud, Megan is swimming a 500 yard at the meet this weekend. That's a lot of laps.
You Go, Girl.
And I love all that they are.
Tonight, while I was cooking supper, Emily brought this to me and said "Let's play Church. I made this- it's Jesus dying on the cross".
So, she conducted Mass, complete with songs, homily, Eucharistic prayer, bringing up the gifts and partaking in the Body and Blood of Christ. She even made me kneel on the floor, to which I promptly fell backwards into the stove and stifled my laughter as she continued the Mass without skipping a beat. After a rather lengthy Mass, I whispered "supper is ready". Several minutes later, as Mass continued, I whispered again "Supper is ready. Fishsticks"
Then I heard "This Mass is ended. Let us go in Peace".
It was one of my proudest moments as a parent.
Speaking of proud, Megan is swimming a 500 yard at the meet this weekend. That's a lot of laps.
You Go, Girl.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter
Apparently this is the day I'm supposed to brag on how cute my kids were on Easter and tell you all about how they hunted eggs and ate chocolate.
But I thought it would be more fun to post a pic of my brother in law Keith...
I could title it "Keith gazes longingly at an unknown object while allowing Emily's stuffed German Shepard to sip his wine".
But I thought it would be more fun to post a pic of my brother in law Keith...
I could title it "Keith gazes longingly at an unknown object while allowing Emily's stuffed German Shepard to sip his wine". I'm counting on you to come up with something a little more concise and clever.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Parenting 101
On the day my first child was born, I said to myself that I would be the best parent ever! I would make all the right decisions and my child would grow up to be the most amazing adult that ever walked the earth- all b/c I was so good at raising her.
On the 8th day after my child was born, when I took her to the doctor all dressed up in a cute-but-ridiculous little yellow duck outfit (complete with webbed feet and a bill) but without a pacifier, a bottle, a cloth diaper and an extra outfit, I said to myself Ok, well I messed up already, let's just start over, she won't remember this.
Today, I've been a parent for about 3,830 days. I have 2 kids. I average about 8 mistakes per day per kid. That's a lot of mistakes. I have a habit of wishing I could make a fresh start. When they were babies, I always had the excuse that they wouldn't remember. Now, I often catch myself thinking, Ok, if I make no more mistakes from here on out, how screwed up will my kids be by the time they reach adulthood. In other words, if all the mistakes only occur between birth and age 6, will my child remain unscathed or is it too late?
I once had an ongoing competition with a coworker to determine who was the World's Worst Parent. Sometimes she would show up at work and say "Michele, I'm the winner today. I am THE world's worst parent". And she would tell me what she did and we would laugh together. And sometimes, I was the winner.
This morning I would have been declared the winner after I "raised my voice" at Emily b/c she moved her head when I was installing 2 state of the art ponytails for spring picture day. As you can imagine, it wasn't really about the ponytails. It was about how I stayed-in-bed-too-long-hadn't-had-enough-coffee-couldn't-find-an-outfit-for-spring-pictures-needed-to-take-beverages-to-the-girl's-school-for-the-faculty-meeting-needed-to-get-to-work-on-time-really-needed-more-coffee.
My guilt is the same no matter what the offense might be. Sending my kids to daycare for 5 years while I worked leaves me with just as much guilt as buying Koolaid at the Salvage Store. If my kids become delinquents, I'll never know whether it was from daycare or the discount Koolaid I let them drink.
Or maybe they remember the duck outfit.
On the 8th day after my child was born, when I took her to the doctor all dressed up in a cute-but-ridiculous little yellow duck outfit (complete with webbed feet and a bill) but without a pacifier, a bottle, a cloth diaper and an extra outfit, I said to myself Ok, well I messed up already, let's just start over, she won't remember this.
Today, I've been a parent for about 3,830 days. I have 2 kids. I average about 8 mistakes per day per kid. That's a lot of mistakes. I have a habit of wishing I could make a fresh start. When they were babies, I always had the excuse that they wouldn't remember. Now, I often catch myself thinking, Ok, if I make no more mistakes from here on out, how screwed up will my kids be by the time they reach adulthood. In other words, if all the mistakes only occur between birth and age 6, will my child remain unscathed or is it too late?
I once had an ongoing competition with a coworker to determine who was the World's Worst Parent. Sometimes she would show up at work and say "Michele, I'm the winner today. I am THE world's worst parent". And she would tell me what she did and we would laugh together. And sometimes, I was the winner.
This morning I would have been declared the winner after I "raised my voice" at Emily b/c she moved her head when I was installing 2 state of the art ponytails for spring picture day. As you can imagine, it wasn't really about the ponytails. It was about how I stayed-in-bed-too-long-hadn't-had-enough-coffee-couldn't-find-an-outfit-for-spring-pictures-needed-to-take-beverages-to-the-girl's-school-for-the-faculty-meeting-needed-to-get-to-work-on-time-really-needed-more-coffee.
My guilt is the same no matter what the offense might be. Sending my kids to daycare for 5 years while I worked leaves me with just as much guilt as buying Koolaid at the Salvage Store. If my kids become delinquents, I'll never know whether it was from daycare or the discount Koolaid I let them drink.
Or maybe they remember the duck outfit.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Meeting Kelly
Welcome back to another edition of "Things I Think Are Just Snazzy".
Tonight just one item is featured...
Meeting a fellow blogger and Mom to a Miracle Baby is incredibly snazzy.
Here we are. 3 women with 3 incredible stories.
Kelly , my sister Linda, and me.
This weekend, my sister and I had the opportunity to meet Kelly. If you know me, you're laughing right now at my use of the word "opportunity". This was no chance meeting. You know me better than that. I had to do some figurin', some plannin', and some arrangin' to make this happen.
I was nervous. But I didn't need to be. Kelly is exactly as I imagined her to be- Incredibly Sweet.
Megan was a bit starstruck. Maybe that's why she blurted out "Your earrings look like dinner plates".
Thank you Kelly for taking the time to meet us. Your kindness will be remembered.
And so will your earrings.
Michele
Tonight just one item is featured...
Meeting a fellow blogger and Mom to a Miracle Baby is incredibly snazzy.
Here we are. 3 women with 3 incredible stories.
Kelly , my sister Linda, and me.
This weekend, my sister and I had the opportunity to meet Kelly. If you know me, you're laughing right now at my use of the word "opportunity". This was no chance meeting. You know me better than that. I had to do some figurin', some plannin', and some arrangin' to make this happen.
I was nervous. But I didn't need to be. Kelly is exactly as I imagined her to be- Incredibly Sweet.
Megan was a bit starstruck. Maybe that's why she blurted out "Your earrings look like dinner plates".
Thank you Kelly for taking the time to meet us. Your kindness will be remembered.
And so will your earrings.
Michele
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Salvage Joy
We have added some new terminology to our household lately.
Salvage snacks, Salvage drinks, even Salvage supper. That's right. Tonight we served our children a Salvage supper.
I have gone Salvage Grocery Store crazy. I'm hooked.
Every week, I come in the house, dragging bags containing numerous items that quite simply, didn't sell the first time around.
Where else can you buy 8 Pria bars for .99cents and a pound of Starbucks coffee for $1.99.
I've shopped at Salvage stores before but never one like this. It's a crown jewel nestled in the hills of Bollinger County.
I realize no one will ever eat at my house again. But if you do, I promise never to serve a box of outdated Mac n' Cheese.
I'll save that for the kids.
Here's my favorite product...
Although it's not labeled as such, it's an appetite suppressant.One bite and you'll lose your appetite for hours. Eat the whole bar and you'll not eat for days.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wordless Monday...
Pre-digital camera, pre-home remodel, pre-housecleaner, circa 2003
What could Oprah possibly be saying to my girls?
What could Oprah possibly be saying to my girls? The winner receives recognition on my blog! Sorry, no prize this time. I still haven't personally delivered the Target Gift Card to my friend Jin who is the winner of last week's contest. Congratulations Jin! Your story was brutally honest and funny, now that's what I call a real winner.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Believe
I've been putting off this post for 2 days now b/c I didn't really want to type the words.
Kevin (vman) passed away on Thursday at about 8:30 am Eastern time.
Here are the 3 pics I took of him last year when we met. In case you have not been following my blog for that long, let me explain how we became friends and how we came to meet.
It started when I saw Kevin's first post on the Colon Club. I left a comment on his blog, Hey just noticed we are the same age and diagnosed the same week with Stage III Colon Cancer. Just wanted to say hi. From there, our friendship really took off. Unfortunately, our cancer journeys were not destined to be similiar. Kevin's surgery wound did not heal and chemo was delayed by several months. In that time, his cancer spread.
Last year, as my cancer journey was coming to a close, Scott told me to pick a vacation spot anywhere (well, let's clarify that; anywhere on American Soil that was warm and within driving distance, so yeah, basically anywhere you want, Michele). I have always wanted to visit the Outer Banks so that's what I chose. When I told Kevin where we were going, he told me we would be passing right by his house on the way to the Outer Banks. So we made plans to stop by.
Scott agreed to this, b/c let's face it, he was spoiling me rotten at that time.
It was an amazing visit. We could have all talked for hours. Unfortunately, the kids were tired and we didn't get to stay long.
So here are the pics I took. Kevin was a little embarrassed that he had the chemo bag strapped on but I didn't care. Emily loved sitting on the bike. That's Caroline the Duck on the bike, we took her with us and posed her on all the tourist spots. That's Kevin's wife Brenda in the last pic, on the left.
Kevin always signed his emails and posts with "Believe". He believed he would be healed here on Earth, but he knew that if that didn't happen, he would receive healing in Heaven.
Kevin (vman) passed away on Thursday at about 8:30 am Eastern time.
Here are the 3 pics I took of him last year when we met. In case you have not been following my blog for that long, let me explain how we became friends and how we came to meet.
It started when I saw Kevin's first post on the Colon Club. I left a comment on his blog, Hey just noticed we are the same age and diagnosed the same week with Stage III Colon Cancer. Just wanted to say hi. From there, our friendship really took off. Unfortunately, our cancer journeys were not destined to be similiar. Kevin's surgery wound did not heal and chemo was delayed by several months. In that time, his cancer spread.
Last year, as my cancer journey was coming to a close, Scott told me to pick a vacation spot anywhere (well, let's clarify that; anywhere on American Soil that was warm and within driving distance, so yeah, basically anywhere you want, Michele). I have always wanted to visit the Outer Banks so that's what I chose. When I told Kevin where we were going, he told me we would be passing right by his house on the way to the Outer Banks. So we made plans to stop by.
Scott agreed to this, b/c let's face it, he was spoiling me rotten at that time.
It was an amazing visit. We could have all talked for hours. Unfortunately, the kids were tired and we didn't get to stay long.
So here are the pics I took. Kevin was a little embarrassed that he had the chemo bag strapped on but I didn't care. Emily loved sitting on the bike. That's Caroline the Duck on the bike, we took her with us and posed her on all the tourist spots. That's Kevin's wife Brenda in the last pic, on the left.
Kevin always signed his emails and posts with "Believe". He believed he would be healed here on Earth, but he knew that if that didn't happen, he would receive healing in Heaven. What do I believe? I believe he is up There right now, riding his bike. Oh, he loved riding! It was really hard for him in the last several months to be unable to ride. I remember when I saw those 3 bikes in his garage, I gasped at their beauty. (He had 3, and I think they were unofficially labeled, His, Hers and His).
I believe Kevin was up There laughing yesterday when I FINALLY won a radio contest and my prize was a free rental at a hall, which I have now decided I will use to host a fundraiser/party to benefit Colon Cancer in some form. When I won, my first thought was This is Divine Intervention. Then I knew it must be Kevin. Let's face it, I've been trying to win something on the radio for YEARS. About 7:30 am Central time, I win BIG. That's exactly 24 hours after he passed away.
I am so Thankful that I met Kevin, both online and in person. He was a true friend. I believe we will meet again someday.
Ride like the wind, vman. You will be greatly missed.
Love,
Michele
Here is Kevin's online obituary
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Take the Bull by the Horns
If you read this post, you probably have an idea about how marriage works in our household. You could say we've got a good thing goin'. But sometimes this happens...
You might be surprised to know what causes us to lock horns. I'm not talking about fighting over money (or the lack thereof), fighting over division of household chores, or anything as simple as how to discipline the kids. Not us! Our horns lock up when our kids get sick. That's right. The first sign of a sick kid and the horns begin to protrude from our head and we begin stomping and snorting. The issue? Who will stay home with the sick kid.There's no Policy & Procedure Manual for who stays home. We both begin to rapidly list all the things we have to do at work, how hard it will be to miss, how we will have to rearrange things, the list goes on and on between us. It really comes down to this- Whose job is more important? Some days, my job is more important. Other days, especially in the spring, Scott's job is way more important. But sometimes we have to lock our horns and see who comes out a winner.
Sometimes it's just a matter of logistics. If you are a parent in a multi-child home, here's how the conversation goes: Ok, you take ___, I'll take___, I'll pick ___ up at ___, then come home at ___, and then you can ___ and then I'll ___ until 5 and then you can ___ until 7. Sound familiar?
Now it's your turn to tell me something that causes you to lock horns with someone. It could be your spouse, your child or maybe your own parent! I'll pick the most creative answer and the winner gets a $10 Target gift card!
I can't wait to see your answers!
Monday, March 23, 2009
I did NOT...
I do NOT suspect Megan is faking illness to get out of school. She would NEVER do that. Not my daughter. She did not talk cheerfully on the phone to me and then when I asked how she was feeling, her voice did NOT suddenly deteriorate. She did NOT send me a text that said "Can I have chocolate. It might make my chest feel better".
I did NOT sneak over to Kohls today to see the clearance racks. Upon seeing a cute sweater on clearance for $4, I did not buy 1 in every color- gray, black, brown, green, purple and blue.
Never in a million years would I bribe Emily with french fries. Especially when we had an important meeting at the bank. She did NOT sit on the floor of the bank office, eating fries and suckers. She did NOT take the sucker stick and announce in a sultry voice, "I'm smoking". That would be way too embarrassing.
I did NOT win this plastic goat from my friend Stephanie Saturday night. That would never happen b/c who would buy a plastic goat for a party favor?And who would announce that all the party favors were new except one, and that one was an item she no longer wanted. NOT my friend Stephanie!
I did NOT sneak over to Kohls today to see the clearance racks. Upon seeing a cute sweater on clearance for $4, I did not buy 1 in every color- gray, black, brown, green, purple and blue.
Never in a million years would I bribe Emily with french fries. Especially when we had an important meeting at the bank. She did NOT sit on the floor of the bank office, eating fries and suckers. She did NOT take the sucker stick and announce in a sultry voice, "I'm smoking". That would be way too embarrassing.
I did NOT win this plastic goat from my friend Stephanie Saturday night. That would never happen b/c who would buy a plastic goat for a party favor?And who would announce that all the party favors were new except one, and that one was an item she no longer wanted. NOT my friend Stephanie!
Please tell me what you have NOT done lately, just so I'll feel better!
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary to my parents! 44 years of wedded bliss! Congratulations!
Love,
Michele
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Fish Tales
My worst nightmare come true...murder by exercise. Did you see this story?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29791289/from/ET/?gt1=43001
I always knew exercise was dangerous...that's why I've been avoiding it for years.
Here is Emily begging for a pet fish this week....
Here I am, telling her no a thousand times... (before you feel sorry for Emily, please remember we own 5 cats, 1 dog and a lizard)
Picture us at someone's office. Emily says Mommy look at that beautiful fish tank. In fact, it was beautiful and I oohed and awed over it.
Picture Emily saying "Mommy just think of all the positive things that can happen when you own a fish".
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29791289/from/ET/?gt1=43001
I always knew exercise was dangerous...that's why I've been avoiding it for years.
Here is Emily begging for a pet fish this week....
Here I am, telling her no a thousand times... (before you feel sorry for Emily, please remember we own 5 cats, 1 dog and a lizard)
Picture us at someone's office. Emily says Mommy look at that beautiful fish tank. In fact, it was beautiful and I oohed and awed over it. 
Picture Emily saying "Mommy just think of all the positive things that can happen when you own a fish". I'll be making a trip to Petco this week.
My kids aren't spoiled.
NOT mine.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A Letter to My Beloved Nephew.
Dearest Declan,
In just a few short hours, it will be March 19th, a date that will be forever marked in our hearts as the day you were born.
I will never forget how scared we all were that day, knowing it would take a miracle for you to survive your birth. We got that miracle and for 65 days we all clung to the hope that you would receive complete healing.
I remember Day 64, the moment your mommy called me to say things were bad. I remember Day 65, when we arrived at Children's Mercy and we all realized just how bad things were. Your mommy and daddy were so gracious to let us spend some of those last precious hours with you. I am so grateful that I was able to hold you and tell you how much you were loved. I kissed you and looked at all your tiny fingers and toes. You were so beautiful!
Do you know that I think of you every single day? So many things remind me of you! Every time I hold a baby at work, every time I see a little onesie in the store, every time I hear the word "preemie", I always think of you.
If there is one thing you should know, it is this: You are so loved and your legacy will live forever in the hearts of all who were blessed to know you. You will always be our beloved baby Declan.
Tomorrow we will all quietly celebrate your birthday in our own special ways. Look for some balloons tomorrow afternoon, as we send them up to you. The girls and I will write a special message on each one.
Happy Birthday Declan.
Aunt Mickey Loves You.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Fortune Cookies
Scott and I keep the Chinese food industry in business. We love Chinese! Our local favorite is Chan's but we really love Happy China in St. Louis.
Ok, you know I'm not really writing a post about Chinese food. Because there's something else I love about Chinese food...
The fortune cookies!
Over the years, I've collected some very interesting fortunes. Tucked away in a scrapbook, alongside pictures of the great remodel of '06, is a fortune that says "Home remodeling is in your future". I would have dug it out and taken a picture but unfortunately, d/t our current remodeling project, it is unaccessible.
This one is my favorite. Scott and I were just married and I was thinking of quitting my job. I wanted to be settled in my life but I knew I was a long way off from that. But reading this fortune gave me great comfort...
(I did quit my job by the way and soon after, the company went bankrupt.)
Scott got this one but I like to pretend it was mine...
After all, we've both been very successful in our businesses. I own mine and he owns his. Imagine the laughter we had last week when my fortune said I would soon receive a great promotion at work! For that to happen, I would have to promote myself!
Imagine Scott's delight when he got this one last week...
Now it is your turn to tell me your fortune cookie story. Do you save the good ones? Have any come true? Any funny ones? Do tell!
Ok, you know I'm not really writing a post about Chinese food. Because there's something else I love about Chinese food...
The fortune cookies!
Over the years, I've collected some very interesting fortunes. Tucked away in a scrapbook, alongside pictures of the great remodel of '06, is a fortune that says "Home remodeling is in your future". I would have dug it out and taken a picture but unfortunately, d/t our current remodeling project, it is unaccessible.
This one is my favorite. Scott and I were just married and I was thinking of quitting my job. I wanted to be settled in my life but I knew I was a long way off from that. But reading this fortune gave me great comfort...
(I did quit my job by the way and soon after, the company went bankrupt.)Scott got this one but I like to pretend it was mine...
After all, we've both been very successful in our businesses. I own mine and he owns his. Imagine the laughter we had last week when my fortune said I would soon receive a great promotion at work! For that to happen, I would have to promote myself!Imagine Scott's delight when he got this one last week...
Now it is your turn to tell me your fortune cookie story. Do you save the good ones? Have any come true? Any funny ones? Do tell! Finally, tell me what your fortune would have said on the day you were born...get creative... and have fun!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Welcome to the Green Green Grass of Home!
Welcome to my new blog! I will continue to make some changes in the next few weeks but I wanted to introduce the new title. I decided to borrow Porter Wagoner's song for the title since Scott is a landscaper.
*As we speak, my blog is currently being reviewed to determine if it is "Family Friendly". I hope it gets chosen! I think they use some type of software program to scan for bad language, etc.
If you have your own blog, send me the link so I can read it and put it on my blogroll. And don't forget to reset the Favorites button or reset your own blogroll list, so it will reflect my new title. Thanks!
Love,
Michele
*As we speak, my blog is currently being reviewed to determine if it is "Family Friendly". I hope it gets chosen! I think they use some type of software program to scan for bad language, etc.
If you have your own blog, send me the link so I can read it and put it on my blogroll. And don't forget to reset the Favorites button or reset your own blogroll list, so it will reflect my new title. Thanks!
Love,
Michele
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A Few Things I Think Are Just Snazzy...
Welcome to another list of a Few Things I Think Are Just Snazzy...
1. Trader Joe's If you haven't been, you should check it out. I can't live without this store! What is Trader Joe's? It's hard to explain but it's a grocery store with lots of healthy foods, organic foods, unique items, etc. It's biggest claim to fame- the low prices. When we take the girls, they busy themselves searching for the hidden squirrel in the store and when they find it, they get a free (healthy) treat. Click on the link to find the stores located near you.
2. Dr. Oz book "You on a Diet" I have never read a diet book in my life. I bought this one b/c it was on clearance. I read it last week and it has changed what I know about food. I learned so much, I urge you to read it. My sister Linda wants me to bring it when I go visit but I don't know if she can tear it away from my hands.
3. Cafepress You can find millions of t-shirts on this site, with just about anything on them. You can type in your job, your political views, your sport, whatever you want, and get thousands of options for design, color, print. Sometimes when I'm bored, I just browse. I have ordered several times and I love their shirts.
4. Listverse My brother-in-law Randy introduced me to this site. It's so much fun to read! Nothing but lists. You know, like the 10 most bizarre inventions, 10 worst products ever made, etc. I am hooked!
Now it's your turn, tell me what you think is just snazzy!
1. Trader Joe's If you haven't been, you should check it out. I can't live without this store! What is Trader Joe's? It's hard to explain but it's a grocery store with lots of healthy foods, organic foods, unique items, etc. It's biggest claim to fame- the low prices. When we take the girls, they busy themselves searching for the hidden squirrel in the store and when they find it, they get a free (healthy) treat. Click on the link to find the stores located near you.
2. Dr. Oz book "You on a Diet" I have never read a diet book in my life. I bought this one b/c it was on clearance. I read it last week and it has changed what I know about food. I learned so much, I urge you to read it. My sister Linda wants me to bring it when I go visit but I don't know if she can tear it away from my hands.
3. Cafepress You can find millions of t-shirts on this site, with just about anything on them. You can type in your job, your political views, your sport, whatever you want, and get thousands of options for design, color, print. Sometimes when I'm bored, I just browse. I have ordered several times and I love their shirts.
4. Listverse My brother-in-law Randy introduced me to this site. It's so much fun to read! Nothing but lists. You know, like the 10 most bizarre inventions, 10 worst products ever made, etc. I am hooked!
Now it's your turn, tell me what you think is just snazzy!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Weekend Getaway...
Can you guess what I'm smiling about?
You'd be smiling too if you were on a 2 day getaway with your husband in Kansas City!
He's smiling too, b/c he had fun visiting the place he grew up. OK, he didn't exactly grow up here, at the top of the World War I memorial, but he did spend most of his childhood living in Kansas City.
For 14 years, I've been hearing about how great Minsky's pizza tastes. Now I understand why he loved it so much. It's delicious!
But what could be better than chocolate that costs $34.99/lb? We splurged and bought 2 pieces!
This was the grandaddy of the whole weekend- Jack Stack's BBQ. Look at the size of that rib!
This is how I felt when we left- like a pig!
You'd be smiling too if you were on a 2 day getaway with your husband in Kansas City!
He's smiling too, b/c he had fun visiting the place he grew up. OK, he didn't exactly grow up here, at the top of the World War I memorial, but he did spend most of his childhood living in Kansas City.
For 14 years, I've been hearing about how great Minsky's pizza tastes. Now I understand why he loved it so much. It's delicious!
But what could be better than chocolate that costs $34.99/lb? We splurged and bought 2 pieces!
This was the grandaddy of the whole weekend- Jack Stack's BBQ. Look at the size of that rib!
This is how I felt when we left- like a pig! A great big THANKS goes out to Kasey, who stayed with the girls while we were gone.
It was the best 48 hours we've had in a long time.
Love,
Michele
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
I did NOT...
This is NOT my 2nd "did not" post in less than a week...there are never that many crazy things that happen to me...
Megan did NOT tell me she needed a new notebook for school and when I said we have lots of those nickel notebooks from Walmart, she did NOT tell me that her pencils would not write in those cheap notebooks, that the words would not show up on the paper and the whole notebook would literally fall apart within days b/c it did not have a fancy cover on it. My daughter is NOT that spoiled.
I did NOT sit at a stoplight this afternoon and watch a man put his SUV in park and then smack the heck out of his kids in the backseat. I am glad I've never done that!
I did NOT find an awesome salvage grocery store yesterday in Marble Hill. My heart did NOT skip a beat when I spied the bargains.
And finally, today when I went to work, I went in a home and said to the Dad of the house, Hey, were you home when your neighbors house burned. He did NOT say to me with a mouth full of chewing tobacco, Heck yeah I was home, I was poopin' when it happened!
Megan did NOT tell me she needed a new notebook for school and when I said we have lots of those nickel notebooks from Walmart, she did NOT tell me that her pencils would not write in those cheap notebooks, that the words would not show up on the paper and the whole notebook would literally fall apart within days b/c it did not have a fancy cover on it. My daughter is NOT that spoiled.
I did NOT sit at a stoplight this afternoon and watch a man put his SUV in park and then smack the heck out of his kids in the backseat. I am glad I've never done that!
I did NOT find an awesome salvage grocery store yesterday in Marble Hill. My heart did NOT skip a beat when I spied the bargains.
And finally, today when I went to work, I went in a home and said to the Dad of the house, Hey, were you home when your neighbors house burned. He did NOT say to me with a mouth full of chewing tobacco, Heck yeah I was home, I was poopin' when it happened!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
I did NOT...
Since these things would never happen to me, I do not mind sharing them...
This week, a kid did NOT try to beat me up and then when she realized she was in trouble, she did NOT try to turn the next wallop into a High-Five. No, Pam's daughter would NEVER do that. She's way too sweet...
Tonight at Healthpoint Rehab, Emily did NOT propose to a male therapist she had just met. I'm talking about an all-out marriage proposal. I know my daughter would NEVER do that. That would be very embarrassing. I'm glad she would NEVER tell a man she was searching for a husband b/c she wants to have lots of babies. Earlier this week, Emily did NOT tell me she has a boyfriend in kindergarten. When she told me his name, I did NOT admit that he does belong on the cover of Child GQ. I did NOT tell her I approved of their eventual marriage b/c his mother is a speech therapist.
As a matter of fact, these tales are so outlandish, I will let you take a turn and tell me what you have NOT done lately.
This week, a kid did NOT try to beat me up and then when she realized she was in trouble, she did NOT try to turn the next wallop into a High-Five. No, Pam's daughter would NEVER do that. She's way too sweet...
Tonight at Healthpoint Rehab, Emily did NOT propose to a male therapist she had just met. I'm talking about an all-out marriage proposal. I know my daughter would NEVER do that. That would be very embarrassing. I'm glad she would NEVER tell a man she was searching for a husband b/c she wants to have lots of babies. Earlier this week, Emily did NOT tell me she has a boyfriend in kindergarten. When she told me his name, I did NOT admit that he does belong on the cover of Child GQ. I did NOT tell her I approved of their eventual marriage b/c his mother is a speech therapist.
As a matter of fact, these tales are so outlandish, I will let you take a turn and tell me what you have NOT done lately.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Happy Anniversary!
Dear Scott,
Happy Anniversary. I am so glad you sent me that message on Facebook this morning, reminding me of what day it was...I had to chuckle at what 14 years of marriage has done to us...wishing each other Happy Anniversary online....not to mention the fact I had to be reminded.
Can you believe all that we've been through? I was trying to add it all up this morning. 4 houses, 2 kids, about 18 different pets, 7 surgeries (all mine), 10 years of daycare, 12 jobs (between us), 2 companies (1 yours and 1 mine), 2 sets of in-laws, about 12 different vehicles, 3 boats, wow, the list could go on forever.
We always say that one of the reasons we get along so well is b/c we started out our marriage with nothing. Everything we have, we got together. When I sent Emily to school this morning with our wedding cake topper for show & tell, I started wondering what we have left from that first year of marriage. Tigger immediately popped into my head...14 years of marriage and one thing we've got to show for it is a cat with Alzheimers.
We have moved up in the world, that's for sure. When we first got married, we lived in a 2 bedroom house...now we've moved on up to 3 bedrooms, now that's progress. All of our furniture was borrowed, now we can say we actually own the couch and the bed. We didn't have a garage at our first house. Now we have a garage-turned-into-playroom. Yeah, we've done well, that's for sure. We owned 2 tvs when we got married, hey now we have 3. Cryptically speaking, when we got married, we did not have a container to urinate in. Now we have 2 of those.
You sure have put up with a lot over the years b/c of me. Like the $500 mistake I made in the checkbook the day before our wedding. What a surprise we had when we picked up the mail after the honeymoon...all those bounced checks were quite a welcome home package. You didn't get mad at me then and you didn't get mad when I caught the car on fire, or when I wrecked the car last summer. And you always agree with me that my speeding tickets are a complete injustice.
You didn't say a word when I forgot to do my billing and didn't get paid...oh, wait I don't think I ever told you about that...and you are completely supportive of me when I come home from work and tell you about the life-threatening situations I have found myself in. You always keep (somewhat) silent when I bring home stray animals from work and you never say a word when I swear I won't bring home another animal EVER.
I know I used to complain that you didn't always show your love and affection for me. But when I got sick last year, I never doubted how much you loved me. You treated me like a princess and for that I'm forever grateful. You were so good to me!
I love you forever and I know we are a team together. I know that whatever comes our way, we can handle it and it's all worth it at the end of the day when I look at our beautiful daughters.
Love,
Michele
a.k.a. your "Campbell Peach"
Happy Anniversary. I am so glad you sent me that message on Facebook this morning, reminding me of what day it was...I had to chuckle at what 14 years of marriage has done to us...wishing each other Happy Anniversary online....not to mention the fact I had to be reminded.
Can you believe all that we've been through? I was trying to add it all up this morning. 4 houses, 2 kids, about 18 different pets, 7 surgeries (all mine), 10 years of daycare, 12 jobs (between us), 2 companies (1 yours and 1 mine), 2 sets of in-laws, about 12 different vehicles, 3 boats, wow, the list could go on forever.
We always say that one of the reasons we get along so well is b/c we started out our marriage with nothing. Everything we have, we got together. When I sent Emily to school this morning with our wedding cake topper for show & tell, I started wondering what we have left from that first year of marriage. Tigger immediately popped into my head...14 years of marriage and one thing we've got to show for it is a cat with Alzheimers.
We have moved up in the world, that's for sure. When we first got married, we lived in a 2 bedroom house...now we've moved on up to 3 bedrooms, now that's progress. All of our furniture was borrowed, now we can say we actually own the couch and the bed. We didn't have a garage at our first house. Now we have a garage-turned-into-playroom. Yeah, we've done well, that's for sure. We owned 2 tvs when we got married, hey now we have 3. Cryptically speaking, when we got married, we did not have a container to urinate in. Now we have 2 of those.
You sure have put up with a lot over the years b/c of me. Like the $500 mistake I made in the checkbook the day before our wedding. What a surprise we had when we picked up the mail after the honeymoon...all those bounced checks were quite a welcome home package. You didn't get mad at me then and you didn't get mad when I caught the car on fire, or when I wrecked the car last summer. And you always agree with me that my speeding tickets are a complete injustice.
You didn't say a word when I forgot to do my billing and didn't get paid...oh, wait I don't think I ever told you about that...and you are completely supportive of me when I come home from work and tell you about the life-threatening situations I have found myself in. You always keep (somewhat) silent when I bring home stray animals from work and you never say a word when I swear I won't bring home another animal EVER.
I know I used to complain that you didn't always show your love and affection for me. But when I got sick last year, I never doubted how much you loved me. You treated me like a princess and for that I'm forever grateful. You were so good to me!
I love you forever and I know we are a team together. I know that whatever comes our way, we can handle it and it's all worth it at the end of the day when I look at our beautiful daughters.
Love,
Michele
a.k.a. your "Campbell Peach"
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I have a dream...
Is it terrible that I sometimes dream of what I'm going to do when my kids grow up and leave me? I love my kids, I really do but...lately I find myself sitting around thinking of all the things I'll have the freedom to do in, oh...about 12 years.
A few weeks ago I thought I would torture myself and sign up for email updates from the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, just so I'll know what shows I'm actually missing. Every semester, SEMO sends me informative brochures- informing me of what shows I'm not able to see at the River Campus. And of course I always check the movie listings to see which movies I won't be seeing. This weekend I went to the movie store and browsed all the movies I cannot watch in front of the kids and I'm too tired to stay up and watch after they go to bed. Sometimes I browse the 1000 photos I have thrown in boxes, just to remind myself that I won't be organizing them anytime soon. Sometimes I send my kids to school with a fever, just so the school nurse can call and tell me I have to leave work once again to fetch my sick child. If I'm really dreaming, I take a moment to check the balance in the bank account, just in case I forgot what I spent on the kids this month. But if I'm really desperate, I just take a look around the house to remind myself of how much space is filled with toys, school papers, backpacks, and FurReal Pets. Just in case I forgot.
So tonight, tell me what you dream of doing when your children grow up. Or if your children are grown, remind me of what you do to fill all that time.
A few weeks ago I thought I would torture myself and sign up for email updates from the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, just so I'll know what shows I'm actually missing. Every semester, SEMO sends me informative brochures- informing me of what shows I'm not able to see at the River Campus. And of course I always check the movie listings to see which movies I won't be seeing. This weekend I went to the movie store and browsed all the movies I cannot watch in front of the kids and I'm too tired to stay up and watch after they go to bed. Sometimes I browse the 1000 photos I have thrown in boxes, just to remind myself that I won't be organizing them anytime soon. Sometimes I send my kids to school with a fever, just so the school nurse can call and tell me I have to leave work once again to fetch my sick child. If I'm really dreaming, I take a moment to check the balance in the bank account, just in case I forgot what I spent on the kids this month. But if I'm really desperate, I just take a look around the house to remind myself of how much space is filled with toys, school papers, backpacks, and FurReal Pets. Just in case I forgot.
So tonight, tell me what you dream of doing when your children grow up. Or if your children are grown, remind me of what you do to fill all that time.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sad news
My friend Sandy passed away Saturday. Here is a link to her obituary.
http://www.semissourian.com/article/20090222/RECORDS01/702229893/-1/RECORDS
http://www.semissourian.com/article/20090222/RECORDS01/702229893/-1/RECORDS
Thursday, February 19, 2009
I did NOT...
Thank you for all the kind words after last night's post. As I said, it's been quite a week and I have quietly muttered under my breath at least hundred times "I did NOT" just say that, see that, think that or do that.
Do any of you have a LeapFrog Word Whammer? The toy that lets you put 3 letters in and then it pronounces the word for you? This week, at work, I did NOT sit and giggle with my friend/mom of a speech kid as we tried to figure out if this toy would pronounce naughty words! NO, I DID NOT do this!!! We did NOT discover that there must be a chip installed that does not allow the frog to say naughty words! I'm serious!!! He won't say them!
I am NOT going to shriek if I hear the phrase "in this bad economy" one more time. I am NOT tired of everyone in the media trying to make their point by using that phrase.
I did NOT complain about how far away I had to park and walk to get to the gym tonight. The GYM for Pete's Sake! Ok, it wasn't me getting the workout, it was Emily taking swim lessons but geesh, do you SEE the irony in that???
I did NOT get my house cleaned and my car detailed today by someone other than myself. I am NOT spoiled rotten, no, not me.
And here's something I would never do- I did NOT walk up to my friend Kellie H today at a meeting and say "Hi, I'm Michele". She did NOT look at me like I was crazy. I did NOT put my hands on her face and say "Kellie, is that you?" I'm sure she did NOT want to backhand me.
And finally, I did NOT leave the Word Whammer totally speechless this week when I realized I forgot to turn in a very big kindergarten project. The Word Whammer was NOT unable to pronounce all the words that left my mouth.
What did YOU not do this week?
Do any of you have a LeapFrog Word Whammer? The toy that lets you put 3 letters in and then it pronounces the word for you? This week, at work, I did NOT sit and giggle with my friend/mom of a speech kid as we tried to figure out if this toy would pronounce naughty words! NO, I DID NOT do this!!! We did NOT discover that there must be a chip installed that does not allow the frog to say naughty words! I'm serious!!! He won't say them!
I am NOT going to shriek if I hear the phrase "in this bad economy" one more time. I am NOT tired of everyone in the media trying to make their point by using that phrase.
I did NOT complain about how far away I had to park and walk to get to the gym tonight. The GYM for Pete's Sake! Ok, it wasn't me getting the workout, it was Emily taking swim lessons but geesh, do you SEE the irony in that???
I did NOT get my house cleaned and my car detailed today by someone other than myself. I am NOT spoiled rotten, no, not me.
And here's something I would never do- I did NOT walk up to my friend Kellie H today at a meeting and say "Hi, I'm Michele". She did NOT look at me like I was crazy. I did NOT put my hands on her face and say "Kellie, is that you?" I'm sure she did NOT want to backhand me.
And finally, I did NOT leave the Word Whammer totally speechless this week when I realized I forgot to turn in a very big kindergarten project. The Word Whammer was NOT unable to pronounce all the words that left my mouth.
What did YOU not do this week?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Updates
If you're lookin' for laughs today, this is not the place to find them at this time. It has been an incredibly difficult week for me and my friends and family.
Last Saturday, my cousin Ginger was killed in a car accident. She was only 34 and she leaves behind 3 sons. Even though it has been many years since I saw Ginger, I have always remembered her spirit, her penchant for fashion and of course, her beauty. When I heard the news, I managed to keep my emotional distance from it for several days. Then my sister Linda posted a few words and some old pics. It started to sink in a little bit more. Then when I saw the online obituary, the reality hit me.
Many of you are wondering how Kevin is doing. I have talked with his wife Brenda and his brother-in-law Andy several times. Kevin's cancer has spread throughout most of his body. He is currently in the hospital, fighting the many complications that come with this horrible disease.
I can't begin to put into words how sad I am for him and for Brenda.
You have heard me talk about how I met my friend Sandy in this post. Sandy's health has declined rapidly in the past 2 weeks and hospice has been brought in. I went to see her yesterday. Although she is unable to communicate at this time, I hope that somehow she understood that I came to tell her how much I love her. I also had the chance to meet her husband, who is a wonderful man. So very kind and very good to Sandy. Mike knew that there a lot of people who have been concerned about Sandy's lack of blog updates but he did not know how to post so I was able to show him how. If you have followed her blog, feel free to post a comment on her site so he will know just how many people out there have followed her story.
I am sorry to post such a sad update but I felt like many of you would want to know what was going on.
Thanks to everyone who reads my blog. I love all of you.
Love,
Michele
Last Saturday, my cousin Ginger was killed in a car accident. She was only 34 and she leaves behind 3 sons. Even though it has been many years since I saw Ginger, I have always remembered her spirit, her penchant for fashion and of course, her beauty. When I heard the news, I managed to keep my emotional distance from it for several days. Then my sister Linda posted a few words and some old pics. It started to sink in a little bit more. Then when I saw the online obituary, the reality hit me.
Many of you are wondering how Kevin is doing. I have talked with his wife Brenda and his brother-in-law Andy several times. Kevin's cancer has spread throughout most of his body. He is currently in the hospital, fighting the many complications that come with this horrible disease.
I can't begin to put into words how sad I am for him and for Brenda.
You have heard me talk about how I met my friend Sandy in this post. Sandy's health has declined rapidly in the past 2 weeks and hospice has been brought in. I went to see her yesterday. Although she is unable to communicate at this time, I hope that somehow she understood that I came to tell her how much I love her. I also had the chance to meet her husband, who is a wonderful man. So very kind and very good to Sandy. Mike knew that there a lot of people who have been concerned about Sandy's lack of blog updates but he did not know how to post so I was able to show him how. If you have followed her blog, feel free to post a comment on her site so he will know just how many people out there have followed her story.
I am sorry to post such a sad update but I felt like many of you would want to know what was going on.
Thanks to everyone who reads my blog. I love all of you.
Love,
Michele
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Few Things I Think Are Just Snazzy...
Rotorhead, get ready to stuff your man-purse...here's another edition of "A Few Things I Think Are Just Snazzy". Tonight, Emily is co-starring with me.
First on the list is this cool bag I picked up at Kohls around Christmastime. It comes folded and snapped up and fits easily into your purse...
Bring it to the store, unsnap it and use it in place of those NON-snazzy plastic bags...
While you're sittin' around, pleased about saving a plastic bag, take a sip from one of my favorite things to drink from- a Tervis Tumbler. Like the PedEgg, the Tervis Tumbler was a gift from my sister-in-law, Jenni. (She really knows how to pick out gifts). Don't know what a Tervis Tumbler is? Check out this link. My tumblers have dragonflies inside. This really creeps Emily out but I think they're gorgeous.
Finally, Emily wants to tell you about one of her favorite products. This was the first time I ever downloaded a video and I could not figure out how to turn the picture, so please tilt your head and let the show begin...
Finally, Emily wants to tell you about one of her favorite products. This was the first time I ever downloaded a video and I could not figure out how to turn the picture, so please tilt your head and let the show begin...
What are some of YOUR favorite things?
COMING SOON...
My blog is getting a makeover soon. I need a new title. Any ideas?
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