Long Weekends: Blessing or Curse?

It's amazing how much a long weekend can disrupt an otherwise mostly-well-oiled routine. I mean, it's just one measly extra day, right?

For example: This weekend was a long weekend. We got an extra day because of the Labor Day holiday, so both kids were off school, and both hubby and I were off work. On this day, we were also invited to spend time with some dear friends of ours who recently got a small watercraft. Yes, I shall even call it a boat, as it is one. With some planning, we met said friends at the local boat ramp and, after a few false starts, managed to be on the water by about 11:00 a.m.

We enjoyed a lovely four solid hours buzzing around on the lake, towing the kiddos behind on a floaty-thing and reveling in their smiles and shrieks of laughter, and generally enjoying the day. Eventually, the aboard-boat snacks couldn't hold back the hunger, so we returned to the boat ramp, replaced the small craft upon its trailer, and headed to a restaurant where we proceeded to eat. A lot.

Fast forward to the next morning.

Kids slow to rise and get moving, so the proverbial Cattle Prods were removed from their safe spot and used liberally. (You do understand, we don't own cattle prods, right?) We left the house about 10 minutes later than usual only to find out that Boy-child had left his lunch box at school on Friday. When I asked him where his lunch was, he said, "In my backpack." I don't even want to know what he did, or did not, pack for lunch. I asked him where his trumpet was (he has band every day!), to which he responded, "Uh....I really don't know." REALLY!? Come on, kid! We called hubby, who said he'd bring it to the school later.

Girl-child, too, forgot her instrument (a viola) and called hubby to beg him to bring it to her.

Both kiddos forgot to brush their teeth, so we made them both go back inside and do that before they left the house. Which, I realize, added to our lateness, but tooth care is important!

Both kids were lethargic and quiet.

Both kids made mention of needing at least six more hours of sleep.

Both kids are going to have to deal with it and get through their respective days.

Welcome to adulthood, boys and girls.

For my part, I went to bed early-ish, got up as usual, got through my routine as usual, didn't forget anything, and, aside from being a bit later in arriving to work than I might prefer, I was still on time. This, friends and neighbors, comes from years and years of experience.

And...telling myself to "Do it anyway."

Even when I don't wanna.

TTFN
JMS

PS: I wish the kids would buy into my mantra!

Boy Scouts are stinky after a week at camp

I did a good job last week not saying anything about how Hubby and Boy-Child were gone all week long at Boy Scout camp in North Carolina.  It was just me, and Girl-Child, and I didn't want to give any creepers an opportunity to...well...be creepy. So everyone is home now and my world has returned to semi-normal.

When my boys are gone, and especially when Hubby is gone, I do not sleep well. The first night they were gone I was up practically all night. I think I finally fell asleep around 2:30 and was up again around 5:15. I remember seriously considering just throwing it to the wind and skipping church, but Girl-Child had to perform her Acolyte duties at the 11AM service, and it was Promotion Sunday (the day the kids who are rising grades move into their new classrooms; Girl-Child was moving up to YOUTH!) so we had to go to church.  I think I managed not to act like a zombie, but I sure felt like one.

Then, Sunday night, I let Girl-Child sleep in bed with me. But she kick and hogs the bed. She claims I steal covers, but whether I did or not (I claim not), I figure it's just desserts for only having 1/4 of the queen size bed. How a 10 year old can take up so much room is beyond me. She actually put her feet into the small of my back at one point and pushed. That was when I got up, shoved her over and said, "You have to move, or you're going back to your own room." She reluctantly relinquished a few scant inches and I climbed back in. Needless to say, on Monday night, she was back in her own bed.

So, you may be wondering what in the world I did with Girl-Child while I was at work all week? Well, I have wonderful, amazing, giving friends. One of whom graciously agreed to take her on all week. Not just to keep her at her home and keep her safe, but she fed her, did fun stuff, and was even up waaaay earlier than normal just to receive her at the door. I cannot express how much it meant to not only know that my girl was safe, but that she was with someone I trust implicitly. We were even invited to dinner on Tuesday night, which was a repast beyond expectation. Seriously, grilled steak and chicken, steamed broccoli, baked potatoes, grilled shrimp on skewers; wine. It was yum! They kept Girl-child overnight on Wednesday night - so I didn't see her from Wednesday morning until I got off of work on Thursday night. (A long time alone; and it was weird. I didn't really know what to do with myself.)

Oh, and I broke a toe kicking a chair. I didn't kick the chair on purpose; it did nothing wrong. My foot slipped as I tried to push my chair back and away from the dinner table, kicked the leg of another chair which was occupied. My toe was not was simply not enough force to make that chair move, so my toe went CRUNCH! And I went YIPE! Yes, yes - I assured my gracious hosts - I'm perfectly fine. I finished inner with grace and aplomb, hobbled to my car later, and went home to nurse my swollen, purple toe. It feels better now, but YOWIE! I don't like breaking toes. I've done it before and it hurts, by golly! It's much better now; a week later. But still twinges if I step wrong.  The swelling and bruising is mostly gone, except for a couple of spots. I expect I'll live to see another day.

The week passed slowly, with little decent sleep, and then it was Saturday and my boys were coming home! Girl-Child and I went to the Lavender Festival and had a blast. Picked up a Father's Day gift for Hubby, looked at all kinds of fun stuff, ate Italian Ice before lunch, bought a new outfit for her doll whom she adores (we get a new one every year; they're handmade by the vendor), I got a henna tattoo on my hand, Girl-Child filled a sand necklace, made a card for her daddy for Father's day, we saw lots of people we know and love. Then we went to visit some of our animal friends during an adoption event. And suddenly, it was time to go welcome the boys home!

Girl-Child made a sign - WELCOME HOME TROOP 129 - and we held it up street-side and waved furiously as the big yellow bus full of tired and stinky scouts rumbled back into the church parking lot. There was loud beeping and excitement and both Hubby and Boy-Child were pleased with their warm welcome.

I'm glad to have my boys home. We're back to our usual daily chaos, which, as much as the chaos makes me absolutely CRAZY, I miss it when it's not there.

TTFN
JMS

PS: Remind me to tell you about the time Boy-Child sliced open his hand and finger with a knife. That's a good story. (Ugh.) File it under, "At Least He Didn't Die," or "It Couldda Been Worse."

Latent Creativity

Years ago, I had an Etsy site; a place to sell the silly things I made that I thought were special. I sold some things - gratefully - mostly to family, but also to a few people I didn't know. It was fun. Then the kids became needier (as they do), and my free-time became less (as it does), and so I let my "store" lapse. I didn't close it - always hopeful I'd get back to it - but it's been, for want of a better word, dormant for several years.

Kiddos are now older, though my free-time is still somewhat lacking. I prefer spending free-time with kiddos, or volunteering, or doing various things at church, like the puppet ministry or teaching Sunday school.

BUT...on occasion I still do something crafty.  And thus I have done, and wanted to share it with you! (It's a big picture; keep scrolling for more info!)

[[PICTURE REMOVED]]

This is a handmade (by me!), crocheted afghan/throw. It's 60" x 40" (approx) and I almost don't want to part with it! It started out as a practice piece (I wanted to learn how to make a chevron pattern) but the practice piece came together so nicely, I decided to keep going. The result is what you see here. 

Hubby said, "Honey, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but...uh...it's kinda wacko. All those colors, you know?"

I said, "Yeah! I like it. It appeals to my sense of weird." (Or, something like that.)

So, it's definitely a little obnoxious and I know it won't be for everyone, but I LOVE it; I'm super pleased with how it turned out.

I decided, rather than write about my woes - of which I have many - I'd throw in something creative, fun, and positive today.

Feel free to share! :)

(Yes, I suppose that was a sales pitch. Whaddaya think?)

TTFN

JMS

PS: Woes return (with interwoven humor) next time.

SERIES: Jen's Library (#9)

GARRISON KEILLOR’S LAKE WOBEGON SUMMER 1956  

Truth be told, the first time I “read” this book it was an audio book Hubby and I got to listen to on a long car ride from Tennessee to Connecticut and, though I wasn’t actively flipping pages, it was an excellent read.  I’ve read the physical copy since then and it didn’t lose anything by reading vs. listening.  

I love Garrison Keillor.  I love the way he speaks (and he narrates the audio book) in such monotone with minimal inflections as to make even the most mundane sentence hysterical and the most hysterical sentence even more so.  Maybe because I read the physical book after listening to it in audio format, I read the book with Keillor's voice in my head, which was great.  And honestly, I don't know if I'm recommending you read first and then listen, or the other way around, like I did.  I guess it doesn't matter.

This book is a story of a young, teenage boy named Gary who hails from a suffocatingly religious family in fictional Lake Wobegon, Minnesota.  Gary is a writer, loves baseball, his slightly older cousin, Kate, and dirty magazines.  He hates his annoying older sister and the Sanctified Brethren influence of his family.  The story follows Gary through the daily trials and tribulations of his young life.  It’s not exciting.  It’s not a quick read, but it doesn’t plod along, either.  It is well-written and uproariously funny.  I can almost guarantee you will snort whatever beverage you are sipping on out your nose.  (Hubby and I have never laughed so hard on a car trip before...or since.)  And, of course, it’s by Garrison Keillor.  If you don’t read any other book by Keillor in your life, you need to read this one.  You might be offended (in multiple ways) but I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Halloween of ages present: Little Red Riding Hood

A follow-up to the whole family costume thing at Trunk-or-Treat:

This year it was Little Red Riding Hood.  I think The Wolf had entirely too much fun.  He wore a little red bow tie with boats, joked around with the kids and took off his mask to show he was only human if a little one seemed dubious or scared.

Boy Child was awesome.  He stood statue-like, axe raised, in the hallway, prompting folks to wonder if he was real.  Girl Child caught on but decided that kids were mean (they are) so she gave up and just enjoyed herself. 

There were a couple of minor costume mishaps, and a short burst of rain which we all lived through, but otherwise it was a wonderful time.

Can't wait for next year!

TTFN
JMS

Halloween of ages past (well...last year, anyway)

Hello, my name is Jennifer and I'm certain I'll never completely grow up.  I still love to dress up for Halloween.

We've discovered that dressing up as a family - with a theme - is pretty durn cool.

Take, for example, the picture on the left from our church Trunk-or-Treat last year: I am (of course) the Wicked Witch of the West.  Hubby is the Witch's Castle Guard (Oh Rhee Oh!).  Girl child is Dorothy (isn't she cute?) and Boy Child is (grudgingly) the Emerald City Guard.  (I think Blogger will allow you to click on the picture to get a larger, more detailed, version.)

Anyway - this year, we've decided to do Little Red Riding Hood.  I am Grandma.  Hubby will be The Wolf.  Girl Child is (of course) Red Riding Hood herself, and Boy Child will be the Huntsman.  (I will post a post-Halloween family pic, well...post-Halloween.) 

We're already discussing what to do next year.  I am personally pushing for the Addams Family.  I am desperate to "play" Morticia and think Hubby would make an awesome Gomez.  However, I think Pugsley will be a hard-sell for Boy Child and Wednesday will be an equally hard-sell for Girl Child.

Girl Child wants to do a family of Vampires, which, of course I'm totally okay with as vampires are kinda my thing - and always have been.  But who knows?  I've got a year to convince them - and fatten up Boy Child a tad so Pugsley will be sufficiently, well, pugsley.  Mwahahahaha!

TTFN
JMS

UPDATE (Later the same night) - I have won!  Both offspring have agreed to Addams Family for next year!  Girl Child is okay with portraying Wednesday Addams, but Boy Child has decided Cousin It is more his style.  Not exactly in the way it was originally in my head, but I'll take it!  Hubby is deciding between Gomez and Uncle Fester.  Either way, it will be fun!

Qualitos Improvimentus -or- The Harry Potter

File Location: http://www.trommetter.org/timeline/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/dt150115.gif

The Pecking Order of Stuffed Animals

It’s a still dark outside, bleary-eyed, heavy-headed, shuffling, door-jamb-holding, not-enough-coffee-in-the-world kind of morning.  And no, I’m not hung over.  What I am is sleep and caffeine deprived.  Plus, like everyone else (or, most everyone else) I am dealing with the loss of an hour in my day which, apparently, affects me more strongly in my middle-age than in my younger, stronger, thinner years.  I feel thoroughly abused this morning.

***

I officially have an eight year old.  Good grief, where has the time gone?  Yesterday, we spent a wonderful day celebrating girl-child’s birthday, which included lunch, a trip to Build-a-Bear, an afternoon on a trampoline in a friend’s back yard, and making pizza.   Her new bear (which is really a tiger, I am told) is “Izzy” and, according to girl-child, going to have some trouble making friends with the other animals...especially “Cathy” – the stuffed golden retriever she got from Build-a-Bear on her birthday last year. 

Cathy has been girl-child’s constant companion every day for the last year and is very obviously a well-loved friend.  Last night, girl-child made it very clear that Cathy tends to be a little jealous of newcomers and made a big show of introducing Cathy to Izzy and explaining that they needed to learn to get along.  Cathy grudgingly allowed Izzy to sleep next to girl-child last night as it was Izzy’s first night in the house.  I suggested to girl-child that she rotate nights snuggling with her stuffed friends, to which she replied, “We’ll see, mom.  Cathy will have to decide.”  

The jury is still out.

TTFN

JMS

Tidbits

Girl-child’s 8^th birthday is this Sunday and she wants to take a friend to Build-a-Bear and then to out for lunch (or maybe lunch first).  This is the same thing she did last year and she was absolutely thrilled with it.  I think her chosen friend is excited, too.  Girl-child was given the option of a party at the church or something a little more special; she chose The Special.  Boy-child’s 11^th birthday is the 26^th (yes – both my kiddos are March babies) and he wants to take a friend to Jump Jam.  He was given the same option as his sister and also chose The Special.  Lunch, too, of course.  Trying to get all that worked out, plus figure out when we can go up to visit the aunts and uncles and grandparents who want to wish them a happy birthday, too.  March is always a little overwhelming for me.  Plus, my sister’s birthday is the 30^th.  Sigh.  I guess I’d better get on that, too.

***

Planning to attend another girl’s night next Friday (the 13^th…woo) and we’re going to have a St. Patrick’s Day meal; Corned Beef and Cabbage (yum!).  We do a pot-luck meal, but trying to feed all of us is, as usual, proving to be difficult.  One is a Glutard (no – I’m not being mean, that’s what she calls herself!  She’s gluten-intolerant.); another doesn’t eat veggies, another is diabetic, I’m counting calories.  Sheesh.  But it always works out and there’s always a lot of fun and laughter.  (Just in case you’re wondering, I’m bringing spinach artichoke dip, which feeds the gluten intolerant, the diabetic and me.  Even the veggiephobe says she actually likes spinach if it’s cooked in something or in a salad!)

***

I was up and at ‘em this morning with a crick in my neck.  Painful, yes – but mostly just annoying.  Who likes not being able to turn their head left and right?  Not me, that’s for sure.

***

I made dinner last night.  Hubby helped.  The kids always ask for my ranch chicken so last night, it was made.  Both kiddos scarfed down three pieces of chicken (I use the smaller chicken tender strips) before hubby had even gotten to the table.  Plus steamed red potatoes and green peas and dinner was proclaimed by all to be a wild success.  Go me!  (Yeah – we all know how much I hate to cook – but that doesn’t mean that I can’t cook.  It used to be that I could burn water – truly, there are witnesses to this – but I’ve managed to figure things out.)

***

One week to go and then I’m taking a week off for Spring Break.  Not going anywhere.  However I believe I am renting a dumpster and throwing everything in my house away that isn’t nailed down or absolutely necessary.  I’ve already discovered they won’t deliver a P.O.D.S. to my house so we can’t just store stuff out of the way.  I suppose a yard sale this Spring is vital.  Anyone want a buncha junk?

TTFN

JMS

Heard around the house

Hubby: Have you brushed your teeth?

Boy-child: Not yet.

Hubby: Well, you'd better get on that, Hoss.

Boy-child: Who's calling who 'Hoss,' huh?

I guess it was one of those you-had-to-be-there-moments but it sure was funny.

TTFN

JMS

Age and Eccentricity

I shall dye my hair some obnoxious color, give it a tight perm and start wearing rhinestone-studded spectacles.  Or maybe allow my hair to go fully gray, and grow it out long enough to wear in a thick braid down my back.

I shall wear flowing, bohemian skirts and weigh my neck down with lots of necklaces – at least one of which must have huge hunks of raw turquoise.

I shall turn the storage building in the back yard into my personal workshop where I shall make beauty products from natural ingredients, beaded jewelry and handmade greeting cards.

I shall keep bees, collect their raw honey and sell beautiful, golden jars of the stuff at a roadside stand.

I shall read Jack Kerouac, write haunting poetry, stay inside on a Thursday simply because it’s Thursday.

I shall have a cat and never name it because cats don’t come when they’re called so it doesn't really matter if they have a name.

I shall have a basset hound and name him Arthur.

I shall become comfortable using a typewriter instead of a computer and foster several false starts at writing the great American novel – or at least a book of passable poetry, thoughts and observations.

I shall live in an old Victorian home where the peeling wallpaper only adds to its charm.

I shall have a personal library and walk into it every day simply to inhale deeply and breathe in the scent of the volumes I've collected.

I shall turn my home into a bed and breakfast, fill the guest rooms with antiques and local artwork and the bathrooms with my homemade beauty products.

I shall kneel in the garden caring not one whit about the dirt on my knees or under my fingernails and wear a large, floppy hat to combat the sun and wrinkles.

I shall send my children baskets filled with love and my grandchildren shall receive pieces of ribbon and buttons and other leavings and findings with instructions to make something beautiful for me to hang on my refrigerator.

I shall help my husband tie his neckties when he deems the occasion fit to wear one and, with pleasure, listen to him sing to himself when he doesn't think anyone else is listening.

I shall smile secretly to myself at some half-remembered dream.

I shall feed the birds all year long and rise early to catch worms.

I shall paint my toenails simply because it makes me happy and then wear boots so no one can see what color I've chosen; it shall be my little secret.

All these things I shall do because I shall have no qualms at showing my age or eccentricity – though perhaps I shall begin today so my new penchant for flowing skirts and dirty fingernails doesn't come as a surprise to anyone tomorrow.

First, I must win the lottery.

***

NOTE: All this brings to mind Jenny Joseph’s poem, Warning.  I didn't realize it until after I’d written everything above how similar they are in some respects – but as a matter of note, I, in no way, intend to copy or reproduce her work or her style.  My style is my own, and so is my work.  I simply note here the similarities.

TTFN

JMS

And since we're on the subject of snow...

It’s one of those times when, because it’s all around me – physically manifested on the ground, talked about on the news, the topic of most conversations around the old water cooler – it’s kind of hard to get it out of my head.  So, since Mother Nature is still on a snow kick, so, too, apparently, am I. 

My brother contacted me after my post the other day regarding throwing snowballs at memories and said that he remembered that particular incident and further stated (sorry bro…spillin’ your secrets here) that it was not the only time he’d engaged in that particular activity.  He further stated he was pretty certain it was the only time that he managed to convince me to engage in it, too.   I was right in remembering I was not the one to come up with the harebrained idea.

All of this – everything from the weather itself to remembering my brother’s goofball idea of fun – got me thinking about other winter activities I engaged in while I was young. 

• I used to walk outside (and still do, sometimes) barefooted…in the snow…just to see what it felt like.  It’s a quick, shocking cold, but not an altogether unpleasant one.  And the snow feels good.  It is kind of like very cold sand between your toes.  One observation is that flash-frozen toes actually warm up rather quickly.

• I remember the snow-blower my father used to clear our driveway, sidewalks and paths.  A big, loud, red, spinning, monster machine that ate up the snow and spit it out in a cyclonic fury leaving giant piles of snow in its wake.  My brother and I used to dig tunnels and forts in those piles and line them with black, plastic trash bags for insulation.  We’d be absolutely frozen, but we had a ball.  The best part was when we finally made two opposing tunnels connect.  It was like discovering a treasure. 

• I remember making orange snow slush (no, not yellow snow – getcher mind right) and eating it with a long-handled, stainless steel spoon.  We’d get plastic cups and fill them – packed tight – with freshly fallen snow.  It had to be fresh or it was of questionable edibility.  Then, we’d pour orange juice on top and marvel at how the concoction would stick to the stainless steel spoon. 

• I remember a back yard full of snow angels, footprints (child and dog), and thickly reinforced fort walls used for shelter during snowball fights. 

• I remember the entire neighborhood - all the local kids - gathering at the elementary school down the street for sledding.  Hours and hours of hauling our various sledding implements of choice up hill and whizzing down, again and again and again until no amount of hot chocolate, no fire too hot, no clothes or homes too warm could thaw our frozen, elated bodies. 

Snow now, as an adult, is so much different.  I wish I still could enjoy it with the innocence and enthusiasm of a child – of my children – but mostly it just annoys me now.  Oh, it’s beautiful to look at, don’t get me wrong, but all the things that it are affected by it (school/business/bank closings, bad roads, sketchy driving conditions, power outages, frozen pipes) that interfere with adult life have taken some of the magic out of a good snowfall.  I need to remember now, when my kids want me to play outside with them in the snow, that it’s not about me anymore.  Who cares if I no longer own any waterproof winter boots, snow-pants or gloves?  I’m from North; I’m made of stronger stuff than that.  Come on…gimme whatcha got.  (Wait, actually, don’t.  I’m kinda done.)

TTFN

JMS

Snowmageddon 2015

Quick!  Run to the store!  There’s gonna be a snowflake!  Yeah, yeah…that’s probably a little harsh, but having grown up in the North, a couple of inches of snow didn't mean utter and complete panic.  Sigh.  That’s probably a little harsh, too.  I live in the South now, and they’re really not panicking, I suppose, but it’s a near thing.  As soon as someone even mentions the word snow (or it’s bigger, badder Evil Twin: Ice) there’s a run on the nearest grocery or convenience store for the basics: bread, milk, eggs and toilet paper.

I remember once, many moons ago, just after I had moved from North down to the Washington, DC area, we got nearly three feet of snow.  The Federal Government shut down.  I recall sitting in my street-view bedroom, looking down on the scene below, and watching people try to drive like it was an ordinary day.  I imagine they were quite puzzled when their normally well-behaved vehicles skidded sideways down the street.  Huh.  How about that?  But if the DC area was bad, it’s worse here.  (I’m sorry – I’m just making a blanket generalization.  Please don’t chastise me…yet.) 

As a kid, I (and the rest of my peers) lived for snow days.  But, being from North the Snow Day was the Stuff of Legend.  (It happened once.  People still talk about it.)  Now, as an adult with children, I look at snow days in a completely different way.

The Preemptive Strike

The Preemptive Strike occurs when the just the threat of inclement weather (take your pick from a myriad of options) is enough to close down whole school systems.  I understand that those in charge of making such decisions are merely doing so for the safety and security of the children who attend said systems.  As a parent, I appreciate knowing as far in advance as possible.  Truly, there’s not much worse than a phone call at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning to let us know that school is cancelled for the day.  Actually, worse would be the call that happens just about the time your kids would normally get up for the day and therefore negating any possibility of them going back to bed for an hour or two allowing you a brief respite.  Anyway, I like the Preemptive Strike.  Mostly.  What I don’t like is when the decision makers call the game (if you will) and then absolutely nothing happens, weather wise.  That’s just annoying.

The Early Out

The Early Out occurs when kids are already at school, but the powers that be decide the impending weather situation is enough to warrant sending everyone home early.  Again, I understand that those in charge are making such decisions for the safety and security of the children and I am absolutely in favor of that.  But, a couple of years ago they let school out early and there was a mad rush to pick up kids, causing a worse problem with cars and traffic than the weather would have.  In response to that situation, most schools around here, when faced with an Early Out, stagger the releases of kids.  First this school, then that school.  First these grades, then those grades.  It seems to help and, though parents really have to pay attention to the times their children are being released, the staggered pick-ups seem to work.

But, regardless of the weather situation, kids are still up to their old tricks.  Mine do The Snow Dance, which involves hands waved in the air and little kicks and wiggles that is, quite simply, hysterical to witness.  They wear their pajamas inside out and backwards and flush ice cubes down the toilet.  They are glued to the weather channel or the weather on the local news in an amusing, innocent way.  Boy-child even loaded a weather app on his tablet (a tablet which, btw, he saved for and purchased himself) and has been our very own, personal Weather Man for the last two days.  And if, by some miracle, a snow day does occur (as it did this morning), they then believe that all their tricks and nonsense worked because – POOF! – no school.

Snow days, while somewhat miracle-like for the children, admittedly test the sanity of the parents.  It’s a stressor for those who have to take time off work to look after their kiddos.  Some parents may even lose business when snow days occur.  Some parents struggle to find stuff that’s interesting for their children to do all day.  That doesn’t mean that snow days don’t affect me, either; they totally do.  But Hubby gets the short end of the kid stick.  Hubby is the best Stay at home Dad in the whole wide universe.  I’m totally lucky in that regard, and so are my kiddos.

Anyway, here’s hoping your pantry is stocked, your family is home safe and sound, and you have lots of fun indoor activities to do.  Snowmageddon 2015 is upon us!.

TTFN

JMS

Writing in the present, reading about the past

For those of you who don’t know, I tend write these posts a day or two ahead of time.  I love the schedule option afforded to me by Blogger.  For example, as I write this, it is Thursday evening, the twelfth of February, 2015.  I am currently sitting in bed feeling quite pleased with myself at having made a pair of navy blue hand/wrist/arm warmers out of a very well-loved but much too small pair of girl-child’s old tights.  I’m crafty like that.  I just grabbed the pair of super-sharp scissors out of my bedside table drawer and after 6 snips – TA DA! – comfy warm things I can wear while I type.  My fingers are still kinda cold, but I’m toasty warm up to my elbows!  Go me.

Anyway, I just spent the evening with girl-child.  She started out kinda grumpy but pretty soon managed to dig down deep and find her happy.  We took a trip to the Greens of Wal and purchased some super-groovy Valentine’s Day cards for her classmates.  Then, at home, she spent a very happy 30-40 minutes filling out the cards and making a special one for her teacher.  There was even humming involved.  Humming usually means relaxed and content girl-child.  Humming is a good sign.  You don't want to interrupt the humming girl-child or relaxed and content may be in jeopardy.

After that, she and I played a few rounds of 4 Pics 1 Word.  She’s super good at that game and tends to be a lot faster than I am.  Then boy-child came home with Hubby and, though he came and joined us for a few minutes, he sorta broke the moment.  Not that I wasn’t happy to see him – he’s a goober and I adore him – but girl-child and I were doing fine without him and boy-child is nothing if not competitive.  I’m sure you can see the problem.  There began the pushy-shovey-my-turns and I finally had to call the game and kick them both outta the room.  Sheesh!

It took absolutely ages to get everyone in jammies with teeth brushed and tucked in bed with kisses and hugs and dream-lites making blue star patterns on ceilings.  But now that young'uns are settled and I am able to settle a little bit, too – I realize that I am bone tired and my brain is mush.  I am more scattered than usual.  (Probably the reason for this very poorly written, all over the place post.  Sorry.)  

I am very much looking forward to tomorrow night, which is actually Friday, because remember, you're probably reading this on Saturday so tomorrow night as I type is actually last night when you’ll be reading this.

Confused yet?  So am I.

I think I need to go to bed.

TTFN

JMS

Mirth on a Monday

A friend sent this to me. I think it's hysterical and therefore had to share. You may chastise, forgive or praise me later.

*** Adult Truths ***

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die. 
 
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. 
 
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger. 
 
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font. 
 
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? 
 
6. Was learning cursive really necessary? 
 
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood. 
 
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died. 
 
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired. 
 
10. Bad decisions make good stories. 
 
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day. 
 
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again. 
 
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to. 
 
14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call. 
 
15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well. 
 
16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay. 
 
17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option. 
 
18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger. 
 
19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said? 
 
20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters! 
 
21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever. 
 
22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is. 
 
23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time. 
 
24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.
 
Quit laughing, ladies!

TTFN

JMS

Oh, for the love of music!

Like lots of you fine folks out there, I use Pandora for streaming music.  I'm going to say this right up front - I love Pandora!  And further, I am totally stuck on "Depeche Mode Radio" on Pandora.  (Some of you already know this because I haven't shut up about it lately.)

Fair warning, those of you who follow (current or past) that kind of music may vehemently disagree with me here.  I was thinking about something, though. (Who am I kidding?  I'm always thinking about something.)   Depeche Mode, New Order, Erasure, Yazoo (Yaz) - though different, are all one in my head.  Same kind of stuff, I suppose; I love them all.  While I'm at it, I think Billy Joel, Elton John and Rod Stewart are all one in my head.  Where there is one, there are all.  Does that make sense?

Oh! And The Cure! Orchestral Manoeuvres in The Dark!  The Psychedelic Furs!  Pet Shop Boys!  Echo and the Bunnymen!  And...uh...OK - I think you've had enough.  I guess I never realized that I love this stuff as much as I do.

I can't wait to educate my children in all of this this awesomeness!

TTFN
JMS

Hm... *That's* different!

Guess what I did today?  I mean, besides laundry and grocery shopping and going to the doctor and playing Mom Taxi?

I jumped on a trampoline!

For the first time in - I have no idea how long it's been - I jumped on a trampoline.  For fun!  It was awesome.

My knees are protesting and I'm still not sure my neck and head will ever forgive me, but it was a blast.  And my son got to see his mom grinning like a fool.

He said, "Mom!  You look younger when you're doing that!"

TTFN
JMS

Minecraft is bad for the memory

My children are getting along.  Voluntarily spending time with each other.  I'm not entirely sure what to do right now, actually.  Yeah, yeah - enjoy it while it lasts.  I know.  Thanks - with all the sarcasm I can muster.

Today, I got distracted from a purpose by Minecraft.  (I know there will be a small contingent of you who do not know what Minecraft is, so I have provided a link for your edification and reading pleasure.) There I was, headed to the storage room, on a mission, when I run into four or five guys standing in the hallway discussing Minecraft.  They asked for my two cents (or, rather, I gave it to them...you know me) and then when I continued on my purposeful journey to aforementioned storage room I had totally forgotten why I went there in the first place.  For the life of me, I couldn't remember.  I still don't remember.  Not that it really matters, though, I suppose.  Although it makes me wonder what else I'm forgetting.

I guess I'm getting old.  It goes along with the hot-flashes.  (Yes, I did just say that out loud.  Get over it.)

And that, my beloved friends and readers, is about all I can muster today.

TTFN
JMS

Good Stuff Happening!

Oh boy.  There's been A LOT going on lately!  I don't even know where to begin.  Some stuff I can talk about and other stuff I can't, but honestly, it's all good.  

First of all, as stated in one of my last couple of posts, VBS is over for another year.  It seems like I live year to year in fear of, preparation for, or recovering from VBS.  It's always a TON of work and it's always SO much fun, and it's always SO exhausting - but the kids have a great time (and not just my own) so it's also TOTALLY worth it.

I posted on Facebook the other night that I'm still "reeling from all the good" and that's still very true.  

Good friends bought their first house and are moving nearby, which is not only awesome for them (new house, YAY) but awesome for me, 'cause they'll be so close!

I went to the endocrinologist the other day and he proclaimed me in good health.  "Don't come back for another year!"  That's always music to my ears!  Apparently, 2 years and a couple of months post surgery, my body is adjusting well to the lack of a thyroid.  Meds are good, no adjustments needed, and the ultrasound looked all clear.  So, yay me!

And something else going on with me (something good) that I can't really talk about online, but that a lot of you will know about already, or find out about soon.  (No, I'm not pregnant.)  But definitely a major life-changing thing coming up that I am totally excited about and which I am feeling most overwhelmed and humbled by.

Father's Day Weekend was great.  We spent some time at the zoo that Saturday with Hubby's sister and her hubby.  Excellent day, and I hardly even got sunburned!  (Another bonus!)  And even though Father's Day this year happened to fall on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the death of my beloved mother, I'm OK.  I think maybe the overwhelmingly positive things balanced the very negative thing.

TTFN
JMS

Thank you!

Ah…the moment when you realize that the thing you’ve been preparing for, for months and months and months, is over.  And then that other moment when you realize that you’re so tired you can’t really enjoy it!  LOL! 

What I mean to say is that Vacation Bible School at my church is now officially completed for 2014 and, though I am exhausted, I have nothing but good things to say!

I had an excellent (truly excellent) team behind me.  It would be nearly impossible to call them all out, but let me touch on a few:

Richard.  You headed up crafts for the second year in a row and did an amazing job.  Your entire team, without exception, came to me to let me know how well organized, fun, and creative you are and how they were proud to have been on your team. 

Emmily.  Your culinary creations are always sure to please, and this year was no exception.  You and your kitchen crew seriously rocked it…again! 

Paul.  My sound guy!  Thank you for microphones and music and putting up with my indecision with a smile and a goofy hashtag!  #youareawesome!

Patty.  The party.  Ah – what can I say about the closing celebration and party except that it was, as always, another resounding success.  You never cease to amaze me.  You and your entire team are to be commended for giving the kids just one more reason why VBS at Kern is the best in town!

Ashley.  Music is alway so much fun, and you make it even more so!  The kiddos absolutely adore you, and I do, too!  Thank you for making our Tribal Tunes awesome!  Something about hashtags needs to go here, too!  How about I copy Paul's: #youareawesometoo

Debbie.  I couldn’t do this without you.  I truly could not.  You are the glue that binds me together when I am about to come apart at the seams.  You are the needle and thread that sews up all my frayed edges.  You are the iron that smooths out all my wrinkles (and not the ones that are on my face).  You are the cheese!  (I just wanted to say that.  You aren’t really cheese.  Cheese-y, maybe, but not cheese.)

Tom. Who knew that Moses would be so popular?  You have an innate way of engaging kids and making them understand difficult, Biblical concepts in a fun way.  I see it every year, Plunger Man.  You rock!

Jamie.  You are my other half.  My better half.  The person I can count on when everything else is going wrong.  Thank you for your help and your constant trust in me.  I love you!

My Group Guides, all twenty-something of you, were SPOT ON!  THANK YOU!  We couldn’t have had such a successful VBS without you!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you – all of you! 

Normally, I would sign of with my usual TTFN JMS – but I think today requires something…more.

How about:

I love you all!

Jennifer