I have little to say this evening. I can breathe out of only one nostril, which makes everything a little off. I am feeling the need to do something productive, but I don't know what. I have an overwhelming feeling of dread that I cannot shake. I am in need of divine intervention when it comes to planning for and creating VBS snacks. And I feel terribly lonely. As I have said before, Summer is a strange time for me. While I hate getting the kids up so early and homework and stress and blah blah blah during the school year, I have regular interaction with other adults. In the Summer months, we have fewer demands on us and more freedom to have fun. But there are fewer opportunities for me to chat with the over 10 crowd. Lots of time to think and stew and become paranoid about what makes me a reject in the friend material bin. Low, low times.
On that note, I am accessing Netflix and watching the documentary "Being Elmo". Duck Dynasty is not on tonight. My loss. Debbie Downer...out.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Storage Wars for now...Duck Dynasty for dessert
While I am cleaning and atraightening and packing various containers away, I must have some entertaining background noise. We all know my mad and undying love for the boys over at Duck Commander on Duck Dynasty. We have watched every episode on demand more times than I can count, have purchased some episodes on iTunes and watched every clip I can find on YouTube. I admit I have a more exciting life than most. This evening Storage Wars has been playing back to back episodes. I find this show entertaining and would love to spend the day with Barry Weiss. What drives me crazy is when "The Gambler" puts the statement "dollar bill" after every estimated worth. "The 7 armed vintage Johnson rod there? It's worth at least a 56 dollar bill!". "Those Home a interior paintings? They're a 36 dollar bill all day long.". The hub and I have been to many an auction and have heard many an auctioneer say all kinds of funny things. Larry Linkous in Virginia had a little sing songy ending to each lot: "This oil lamp is going going gone for a 42 dollar biiii-iilll!". Love me an auction, but I like to know what I am buying. That's why I couldn't do storage lockers. Too many unknowns. Waaaay to many.
Enough of Storage Wars. My guys at Duck Dynasty are on. I gots to go....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Enough of Storage Wars. My guys at Duck Dynasty are on. I gots to go....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Melancholy day
I miss my Granny today. Well I miss her every day, but today has been particularly sad...for no real particular reason. I guess that's not completely true. We went to the grocery store and while in the juice section, I saw this:
My grandmother was a creature of habit. She loved her routine, thrived because of it. Every morning she got up, went to the kitchen and turned on her hot tea pot, headed to the bathroom where she took her meds, got dressed, had half a banana(for her potassium) and then headed to her chair. It was there where she put her hearing aids in, put her nitro patch on and got settled. At that point, either my aunt or mom or uncle or myself would bring her some nicely sweetened hot Lipton tea, a freshly toasted and buttered piece of Old Mill Sweet French bread and a cup of Orange Peach Mango juice. It used to be that we had trouble finding that particular type of juice. That type of bread was only baked on certain days, so my aunt ordered it ahead of time. Looking in her extra freezer in the garage, it looked like a breakfast stockpile. Rows of bread on the shelves and the door stocked neatly with frozen juice. The big treat for the grandchildren was to come at breakfast time and share some toast, tea and juice with Granny. She enjoyed her breakfast routine, but enjoyed sharing time with the little ones even more.
I hadn't seen that juice in a while. We don't drink a lot of juice at our house, so it is kind of off my radar. But I spotted it and my heart just burned. My grandmother was the first to be called with any kind of news. She delivered it to the rest of the family, proud in the knowledge that she knew the info first. When we went shopping, we went to her house first to have "Show and Tell" and let her see the fruits of our labors. In the lonely Summer months, I would take the kids over to play in the sprinkler while she watched out the window. She passed away 3 years ago this coming July and it still feels like yesterday.
As much as I miss her, I am so grateful for the gift she was to me. My life is richer having been raised with her influence. What a Granny.....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
My grandmother was a creature of habit. She loved her routine, thrived because of it. Every morning she got up, went to the kitchen and turned on her hot tea pot, headed to the bathroom where she took her meds, got dressed, had half a banana(for her potassium) and then headed to her chair. It was there where she put her hearing aids in, put her nitro patch on and got settled. At that point, either my aunt or mom or uncle or myself would bring her some nicely sweetened hot Lipton tea, a freshly toasted and buttered piece of Old Mill Sweet French bread and a cup of Orange Peach Mango juice. It used to be that we had trouble finding that particular type of juice. That type of bread was only baked on certain days, so my aunt ordered it ahead of time. Looking in her extra freezer in the garage, it looked like a breakfast stockpile. Rows of bread on the shelves and the door stocked neatly with frozen juice. The big treat for the grandchildren was to come at breakfast time and share some toast, tea and juice with Granny. She enjoyed her breakfast routine, but enjoyed sharing time with the little ones even more.
I hadn't seen that juice in a while. We don't drink a lot of juice at our house, so it is kind of off my radar. But I spotted it and my heart just burned. My grandmother was the first to be called with any kind of news. She delivered it to the rest of the family, proud in the knowledge that she knew the info first. When we went shopping, we went to her house first to have "Show and Tell" and let her see the fruits of our labors. In the lonely Summer months, I would take the kids over to play in the sprinkler while she watched out the window. She passed away 3 years ago this coming July and it still feels like yesterday.
As much as I miss her, I am so grateful for the gift she was to me. My life is richer having been raised with her influence. What a Granny.....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, June 4, 2012
She's baaa-aaaaack
My safety patrol is back from her DC adventure. She is tired, sore and full of stories. What a homecoming they had! Since I did not go to drop her off, I had no idea the scope of what was going on over there at the mall(that's where everyone gathered to leave and depart). The parking lot was jammed full of anxious grown ups, waiting for their children to return. Some had huge bunches of balloons, some had posters. I felt like a crappy parent, for I had neither balloons nor posters. Then the helicopter came flying into the mall airspace, signaling that the buses were entering the vicinity. Next the sirens were heard in the distance and the caravan arrived. First several police vehicles came towards us, then the long stream of buses...31 I think. Happy faces waving from every window, screaming parents and siblings. Then they came pouring out of the buses with their AAA hats on, looking exhausted and happy. I had to hold G and the boy back, fearing we would lose them in the crowd. The love fest commenced and it was sweet to see. We picked up her picture on the Capitol steps, said our goodbyes and got the heck out of there. We've heard several stories, started her load of laundry and gotten her into bed. I can't wait to hear more. This trip was really such a wonderful experience. She said, "I missed you all, but I felt so responsible. It was a really nice feeling.". That makes it all worth it right there.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, June 3, 2012
One more night...
We, here at the ranch, are walking around a bit disjointed. The mood isn't quite as energized as it normally tends to be. Heck, the boy is so off kilter, he's gotten a bit delirious:
Before you inquire about our plywood and carpet runner decor, just know he was in the basement. When you have the decorating flair, you just have it...no way to teach it. **Cough cough**. Anyhoo, we're all a bit off, even more than usual. Just like a clock needs all its cogs and gears to keep time, our family needs all of its heartbeats together to feel complete. I know I talk about how the kids are at each other all the time, but they are equally as despondent when one is gone. And while I get so angry at them when they fight, my heart just swells when I see the love they really do have for each other. As a stay at home mom, I have my identity wrapped up in my children. That can be good and bad. When one is gone, I really feel a sense of loss...a hollow feeling of emptiness. Tomorrow all the heartbeats will be back under one roof. I honestly am unsure as to whether I will even sleep tonight, I'm so excited.
We just had our nightly chat with S. Because they were a bit off schedule today, they got into their rooms late which meant shorter talking time due to lights out. They have to get all packed up and ready for bed in less than a half hour's time. The report was as follows:
1. 6.2 miles of walking
2. It snowed at Mt. Vernon...it did.
3. A girl lost her iPod, but Capitol security found it and returned it to her.
4. That "Duncan Guy" was nice...our representative, John Duncan, Jr..
5. The tape on all of the doors of our school's kids, the tape to see if anyone has been out causing trouble, had been ripped off. The teacher went to hotel security to look at the films. Hardcore. Somehow I think bad things are in store for the culprits.
6. Last, but not at all least, everyone is still getting along and she has not lost her iPod.
I'm sure we have just the tip of the iceberg in terms of information. I cannot wait to hear the rest...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Before you inquire about our plywood and carpet runner decor, just know he was in the basement. When you have the decorating flair, you just have it...no way to teach it. **Cough cough**. Anyhoo, we're all a bit off, even more than usual. Just like a clock needs all its cogs and gears to keep time, our family needs all of its heartbeats together to feel complete. I know I talk about how the kids are at each other all the time, but they are equally as despondent when one is gone. And while I get so angry at them when they fight, my heart just swells when I see the love they really do have for each other. As a stay at home mom, I have my identity wrapped up in my children. That can be good and bad. When one is gone, I really feel a sense of loss...a hollow feeling of emptiness. Tomorrow all the heartbeats will be back under one roof. I honestly am unsure as to whether I will even sleep tonight, I'm so excited.
We just had our nightly chat with S. Because they were a bit off schedule today, they got into their rooms late which meant shorter talking time due to lights out. They have to get all packed up and ready for bed in less than a half hour's time. The report was as follows:
1. 6.2 miles of walking
2. It snowed at Mt. Vernon...it did.
3. A girl lost her iPod, but Capitol security found it and returned it to her.
4. That "Duncan Guy" was nice...our representative, John Duncan, Jr..
5. The tape on all of the doors of our school's kids, the tape to see if anyone has been out causing trouble, had been ripped off. The teacher went to hotel security to look at the films. Hardcore. Somehow I think bad things are in store for the culprits.
6. Last, but not at all least, everyone is still getting along and she has not lost her iPod.
I'm sure we have just the tip of the iceberg in terms of information. I cannot wait to hear the rest...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Looking for fun things to do
Because S is on her DC trip, we have felt the need to provide some enjoyable activities to fill those fight free hours for G and the boy. Yesterday, in between monsoons, I took them to see The Avengers for a second time. Yes. I did it. And it was just as enjoyable during round two. That was some fun.
This morning we slept in and then decided to go have a bagel at Panera. After sitting next to a table of the most clueless, arrogant dinkwads who had no filter, we left with a wide-eyed G who is still owed a 7 year old's version of what a misogynist is. Nice. To make up for this unfortunate turn at breakfast, we traveled to our favorite Home Depot to see Bob the builder at the Kid's Workshop. I knew it was going to be an interesting time when this greeted us in the parking lot:
I love the smell of El Camino in the morning...it's like, like, um, not victory. The kids had fun building their organizers and showing off their hammer wielding skills.
We got to see toothless couples pushing each other on lumber carts yelling, "Where's the return desk? I got me a dud!". Yes, we had lots of lessons about not pointing and staring today. After getting our soil, compost and pepper plants, we headed home to have lunch and do some yard stuff. I mowed my diagonals and then put the peppers in the ground. The kids were chomping at the bit for another "fun" activity, so what could be more fun than vacuuming out Daddy's car? The cheers that went up made us realize that our children have set their standards very low for fun...which makes us feel less than great in the cool parents department.
The boy got into his work. His size really worked to our advantage. G stepped it up as well. She is a beast with that industrial vacuum!
We got the last remnants of Spring Soccer 2012 out of there...thank goodness.
After a frustrating trip to the grocery store where everything that wasn't hanging from the ceiling was touched by the kids, we were ready to head to check out. We were having trouble making a decision in the ice cream section. Luckily, Captain America in his civvies helped us out:
The kids are now in bed with visions of wood glue, industrial vacs and creepy bagel patrons dancing in their heads. We talked to S who informed us she had walked 8.4 miles today, watched an orangutan's poop fall from the sky(but did not find it picture worthy) and got bad leg cramp walking at Arlington. What more does a parent need to have in life than these things? I think nothing.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This morning we slept in and then decided to go have a bagel at Panera. After sitting next to a table of the most clueless, arrogant dinkwads who had no filter, we left with a wide-eyed G who is still owed a 7 year old's version of what a misogynist is. Nice. To make up for this unfortunate turn at breakfast, we traveled to our favorite Home Depot to see Bob the builder at the Kid's Workshop. I knew it was going to be an interesting time when this greeted us in the parking lot:
I love the smell of El Camino in the morning...it's like, like, um, not victory. The kids had fun building their organizers and showing off their hammer wielding skills.
We got to see toothless couples pushing each other on lumber carts yelling, "Where's the return desk? I got me a dud!". Yes, we had lots of lessons about not pointing and staring today. After getting our soil, compost and pepper plants, we headed home to have lunch and do some yard stuff. I mowed my diagonals and then put the peppers in the ground. The kids were chomping at the bit for another "fun" activity, so what could be more fun than vacuuming out Daddy's car? The cheers that went up made us realize that our children have set their standards very low for fun...which makes us feel less than great in the cool parents department.
The boy got into his work. His size really worked to our advantage. G stepped it up as well. She is a beast with that industrial vacuum!
We got the last remnants of Spring Soccer 2012 out of there...thank goodness.
After a frustrating trip to the grocery store where everything that wasn't hanging from the ceiling was touched by the kids, we were ready to head to check out. We were having trouble making a decision in the ice cream section. Luckily, Captain America in his civvies helped us out:
The kids are now in bed with visions of wood glue, industrial vacs and creepy bagel patrons dancing in their heads. We talked to S who informed us she had walked 8.4 miles today, watched an orangutan's poop fall from the sky(but did not find it picture worthy) and got bad leg cramp walking at Arlington. What more does a parent need to have in life than these things? I think nothing.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, June 1, 2012
She's off
We got up at 4:30 this morning and got her up at 4:45. Putting contacts in at that time is apparently difficult, but she muddled through. After she got dressed, I did her hair for bus travel and required hat wearing:
Not too bad for a half asleep mommy. She gently woke her siblings up and gave them hugs and kisses before going downstairs for her breakfast. Almost too nervous to eat, she choked down some homemade bread and juice...constantly checking the time and fretting about punctuality. Then, after prayers and bigs hugs, she was gone. Ready to embark on her great adventure. We decided I would stay home with the youngers and the hub would take her then go on to work. After several texted pictures of her with friends or on the bus, they left out in an enormous caravan.
We have monitored Twitter, getting reports and pictures of all the red-shirted kids eating lunch at the rest stop. We've been a bit nervous after hearing of funnel cloud reports on the Beltway, but have to pray she's in good hands. We anxiously await the text saying she is in her room and we can call for her first update. We'll let you know how the adventure is progressing.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Not too bad for a half asleep mommy. She gently woke her siblings up and gave them hugs and kisses before going downstairs for her breakfast. Almost too nervous to eat, she choked down some homemade bread and juice...constantly checking the time and fretting about punctuality. Then, after prayers and bigs hugs, she was gone. Ready to embark on her great adventure. We decided I would stay home with the youngers and the hub would take her then go on to work. After several texted pictures of her with friends or on the bus, they left out in an enormous caravan.
We have monitored Twitter, getting reports and pictures of all the red-shirted kids eating lunch at the rest stop. We've been a bit nervous after hearing of funnel cloud reports on the Beltway, but have to pray she's in good hands. We anxiously await the text saying she is in her room and we can call for her first update. We'll let you know how the adventure is progressing.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)