Tuesday, May 12, 2009
An apology or two, and a funny story
Second, I never for one second take for granted my two healthy children. I know I rant and blither about the mundane details of my 'stay-at-home' existence, but I would not have it any other way. I am blissfully (and perhaps this is directly related to lack of sleep) happy to be here in my life. I thank God every day that I was blessed with these kids and for some reason He sees fit to trust their life to me. So I apologize for seeming ungrateful, I hope you know that most of my ranting is--while truthful--for entertainment. And it is healthy to vent, right?
And no, none of your comments prompted this post. I just have a couple of friends going through tough times and it makes me even more grateful for what I have.
Okay now for the funny (to me anyway) story...
This morning I was sweeping up Play-Doh. Stop laughing, that's not the funny part. Little m, age 18 months, is in the living room watching.
"Little m, can you please pick your blocks up and put them in the box for Momma?"
"Mo-ommm" She says while tilting her head to the side and slumping her shoulders. I am not making this up. She totally got that from watching Little d. She doesn't even speak in two word sentences yet. But she understands everything. Even how to convey distaste for chores.
And a little PS to Miss Leslie. No I do not wish you to bite your tongue for your comment. But we are not officially trying for number three until June. (Meaning I would not be upset in the least for the other reason for cravings...color me crazy.)
Monday, May 11, 2009
When in doubt...
At least that's what I decided after a rather crappy mother's day that included me having to eat dinner at IHOP with my in-laws (dinner=me eating four bites of cold soggy pancakes while balancing Little m on my lap and sitting at a table that was literally broken and tilted down, so that I had to hold my plate from sliding off). Mind you, D worked all day Sunday, and so I had the privilege of getting two squirmy girls into (freshly ironed) dresses before D got home from work. After that 'dinner' I came home and made a lunch meat sandwich. Mmmm-mmm.
D was exhausted...you know he works all day...so I gave the girls their bath and the whole tantrum thing was my responsibility. Then, at 11pm I noted we were out of sippy cups. And I had the silly notion that I would get to sleep in Monday, so I unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher.
Monday I didn't get to sleep in, but I did get a back rub and an apology, so it evens out. I decided to take Little d shopping for shoes and other stuff at Target while D stayed with Little m during her nap. Huh. I go in this morning to tell her I wanted to take her shopping for new shoes and a bathing suit and pick out a gift for her aunt and I am met with...whining. "But I want to scrapbook while Little m naps!!" Sheesh.
How have I made it thus far with a child and never taken her shoe shopping? (Usually I grab a pair and hope it fits...usually it doesn't). Well today we made history. It exhausted me. Bending over and taking shoes off and on. Looking and looking for the right size--now she is anywhere between an 11 and a 1. So each style required trying on 3 sizes. And all she wanted was pink glitter ballet flats. Again-sheesh.
Then this evening while I was taking a shower (after walking) the girls spilled blue Gatorade everywhere. The silver lining? They were in the garage with D. So I gave them a bath and then Little d won't listen (shocking) while am trying to brush her hair, so I snap. I scream at her to go downstairs and get Dad to brush her hair. Which...you guessed it...results in full tilt meltdown. On both our parts. She later came an apologized and I did the same, but my brain is still somewhat hovering on bat-shit crazy mode, so I try not to do anything but cry and eat a sandwich.
It occurs to me, when D goes into the garage to finish up his air compressor, that I will bake a chocolate cake. Did you guess it yet? No? Really? I thought the chocolate cake was a giveaway. What if I tell you I want to eat it with sour cream and onion Lays?
That's right. P. M. S.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mom
I've been witness to some crappy moms and I feel eternally grateful that I didn't just wind up with a good mom, I got the best one. Any post I attempt to pay tribute to her with would pale in comparison to the actual person. Now I know many of you would argue that your mom is the best, but sadly, you are mistaken.
She has set vigil at death beds (notice that's plural) sick beds, hospital beds, and children's beds. She prays, holds hands, offers hugs and Kleenex when necessary.
She has an amazing sense of humor. She loves to laugh, spend time with her family, and play on the computer. (Not necessarily in that order-hehehehe) She taught me how to crochet, appreciate a good movie, listen, and cook. Though she would argue that she doesn't know where I learned to cook. She has this silly notion that I am a better cook than her.
She was endlessly patient with me. She supported my choices in life even if she didn't always agree with them. She is always a phone call away anytime day or night. And Lord knows I rely on this often enough. I would not have survived this far in life without her. She makes the world a better place every day.
The single most important lesson she taught me was to put your family first. I can still hear her telling me (usually when I was arguing with my brother at a young age) "Family will always be there for you-no matter what."
I think that is why I am so fiercely protective of my kids. The motherly instinct must be inhereted. Thank you Mom! I Love You!!
Mother's Day Pledge
So if you want to join me this Mother's Day to make a pledge to do one thing healthy a day, here's what you have to do. Pledge to do one thing a day that's good for you. Something that would make someone in the health care field smile. Take a walk, floss, substitute a soda for a glass of water, get a colonoscopy, schedule a pap. Whatever it is. Oh and it doesn't count if it's something you've already been doing forever. Do something new. Do it until it becomes a habit. Do it so you will set an example for your children, or someone who looks up to you as if they were your child, OR just do it for yourself!
We owe it to ourselves, our kids and our mothers. (Oh and our husbands, wink)
Happy Mother's Day to all of you!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #5

Friday, May 8, 2009
Jewelry Color Inspiration Challenge #35

Here's the card:

I think this card will be going to my Dad's mom. I usually try to incorporate blue on her card as it's her favorite color. (good thing since she did have NINE sons.) She also had FIVE daughters if you're keeping track.
Did I mention I love my new camera? Let me count the ways...
closeups. And I haven't even played with any of my other lenses yet.
natural flash. Indoor pictures without the horrid bright white flash. LOVE IT.
Are you all able click on my photos and make them larger? I can't do it from my computer, but I have been adding the link on most of them that I think makes it possible. Just curious...
Oh and in reference to my Play-Doh post--thanks for the warning, I will steer clear of 'moon sand'!!
Play-Doh...me no likey!
Still don't like it today. Obviously it still smells the same. And you can only play with it for an hour and then it's pretty worthless and stiff. Yes I know the directions say you can rehydrate it with some water, but that is so ewww you will only do it once I promise. Oh and {breathe} forget if I {deep breath} find a {breathe through your nose} a {swallow} hair enbedded in Play-Doh. {change the subject, change the subject}
I've taken some art classes in HS and college and guess what? I don't like working with clay. I hate the way it makes my hands feel. Ewww.
Back to Play-Doh. Why is it so hard to open the containers? They are childproof that's for certain. They are practically adult-proof as far as I'm concerned. And then this morning Little m wanted to play with some so I opened a container and look what I saw...


Play-Doh as a petri dish. I know the second pic is not focused, but it looks like it's erupting, so I had to post it. What the hell is that? I give up. What is the redeeming quality to this amorphous solid? (I paid attention in HS biology-go ahead, look surprised.)
Okay. Fine. It does have a redeeming quality. It keeps a four and half year old and an eighteen month old playing together and quiet for a long time. Long enough for me to type this ranting post. Which is the only reason I keep it in my house. That and the fact that my BFF gives it to the kids for EVERY holiday. Grrr.
BTW. Check out the close up of that second picture. If I had focused in on the right place it would have been awesome. New camera rules!! I mean how cool does the edge of that Play-Doh container look??
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Canon T1I


I have one seriously good-looking family. And then there's me. My Aunt has advised me to be in some of the pictures, so he's what D got...
No I am not pissed, I'm just in the middle of asking him a question. Yes that is a smudge of BBQ Fritos on my shoulder. I could have cropped it out, but I'm trying to keep it real. There is a better close up of me, I'm actually smiling. But in that picture you can tell I need to wax my eyebrows, and I'm not going to keeping it that real! Maybe soon I can get a picture of me and D together...after I wax my brows!!
ETA: Here's a link to the camera....CANON T1I.
Monday, May 4, 2009
A clarification and an update...
Aunt Betty is back and home and doing well. {Even if she's all hopped up on pain meds.} My mom and I spoke to her on the phone this morning and I am thrilled to say that she still has the same spunk as always and I am most confident that she's going to be up and running soon. (Ok- maybe not running, really what's the point of running on purpose unless you're being chased?)
Second the clarification.
Yesterday I mentioned that the only person who can fool me is my husband. You probably read my little story and thought "huh, even I saw that coming...she must not be very observant." I've known D for nine years and he fools me about half the time he tries. But this backfires because there was one particular incident that I refused to believe when I really should have trusted him.
A few years ago {I won't bore you with the who what why} he was travelling an hour away after midnight. He was supposed to stay up all night in preparation for working the next night, but he was tired, so he drank a Dr.Pepper to help keep him up. Before he left I told him to call me when he arrived at his destination. I then promptly fell asleep.
At about 12:30 am he calls me. I fumble for the phone. "Hey, did you make it there?"
"No I ran off the road."
"Yeah right, are you at the house?"
"No, seriously, I am stuck in the ditch."
"Babe, stop, did you make it there?"
"I'm not kidding, I'm stuck."
"I don't believe you..." I am sure I sung this to him like nah-na-na-na-nah-na.
"I am really stuck in the ditch, do you think I should call T to get me out."
I think we argued for a full five minutes before I believed him. To his credit, he never got mad that I refused to believe him. Running into the ditch because he dosed off may have mellowed him. (D is pretty mellow anyway.) Of course this incident apparently didn't phase him as he is still always trying to play jokes on me...
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Gullible=Me?
D calls to me from the hall, "Someone has vacation on June 5th and 6th." The weekend of the Glenn Beck thing. (fyi-our tickets are in the mail)
I think he must be pulling a fast one, "Is it you?" I don't even look away from the computer.
"No."
"Are you kidding?"
"No."
Pause. Okay now I look away from the computer and he sits on the couch next to me. "Does this mean you can't take it off?"
"Yep."
"Are you kidding?"
"Nope."
Now me with the rapid fire questions {this is Glenn Beck people--my crush, remember?}
"Who is it why did they take off can you ask them to trade can you tell them you already bought the tickets?????"
D gives me that look of intense patience that means he's the only man for me. "Dennis took vacation--I'm not sure why."
Oh. Dennis is friends with D this could work. "oooh, Can you explain it to him?"
"He's called in sick through Sunday." Great, I think--probably swine flu.
"This sucks!" I look at him one more time. "Are you kidding?"
"Yes." And then that grin. Pisshead. If he wasn't so good in bed I'd kick him to the curb.
"You know you are the only person on the planet who can fool me?"
He just laughs. It's a good thing I love him. A lot.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Garage Sales
So through her I have braved the garage sale world and found some cute things. Mostly I look for craft/scrapbooking stuff. She has also introduced me to the world of Estate Sales. If you've never been to one of those they are pretty neat. Usually it's a fancy house in a fancy neighborhood where the little old lady has 'moved on'. And every one of these little old ladies had a sewing room. And in this sewing room she had buttons. Tons and tons of buttons. And you know where buttons go, right? On a layout or a card of course! In fact, on the card from Thursday I used a silver button from an estate sale I visited a couple of weeks ago. I also scored some brand new DMC floss. And a large bag of antique-y ivory buttons. Because I need more embellishments in my stash...
This morning my BFF went to a garage sale which I bowed out of due to the fact that I would rather sleep than shop most days. BTW, thaaat's another drawback to garage sales. If you don't get there at 7am, you might as well forget it.
Things I've bought at a garage or estate sale...
- MegaBlocks, which I soaked in a sink full of bleach for an hour.
- buttons
- scrapbook paper still in the package
- sheets for the plants in winter, which I have yet to use
- buttons
- a basket
- buttons
Things I've sold at garage sales (and I honestly can't believe people buy some of this stuff)...
- clothes
- panties, including but not limited to thongs
- a partially used roll of aluminum foil
- a couch that belonged to D that his mom bought at Goodwill
- used makeup, no I am not kidding
- broken electronics--with full disclaimer
- did I mention a used roll of foil?
It amazes me that people buy some of this crap. The used makeup and foil were a joke and I told my BFF no one would buy that. But they did! And what's funny about the clothes is that sometimes it sells like hotcakes and sometimes it doesn't sell at all.
Well I've prattled on long enough. In fact, I think I will start a new label for posts...meaningless prattle. Mostly it's to keep my mind off the whole swine flu thing....
Friday, May 1, 2009
Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #4

And here's my card.

I know technically I used colonial white instead of white, but CTMH's Perfect Day paper was...wait for it...Perfect! Okay I'm done. Later hopefully I can get that post about our adventures buying a camera done for your veiwing pleasure. Oh the things I will do to humiliate myself to keep you people entertained...
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Jewelry Color Challenge #34
I'm trying an experiment since I don't have my new camera yet. The first picture is without flash to show texture and the second picture is with flash to show the colors better. Which looks better?


And here's some cute pics of the kids...first Little d proving she can fit in the bassinet.

And Little m making her 'mean face'. Or pouting like a supermodel...

As you can tell they were a great help yesterday while we cleaned and moved furniture in the scraproom
Gadget...yeah or nay?
It seems to have a lot of pros, but I am wondering how satisfying it is to read a book on a mini computer screen? I mean take away the tactile act of turning pages and how would it feel to read a book? I'm not sure I would like it. But on the blog I read about it on, she has tons of positive feedback-you can check it out HERE.
And I do read A LOT of blogs, so what would be the difference? Well, I won't be getting one anytime soon, because it's far down on my list of gadgets-to-buy and at $350 a pop, it probably won't be moving up the list to quickly. Oh and guess what? We just bought a camera. This time not from a scam website! I'll post more on that later...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
I {Heart} Glenn Beck
I watch The O'Reilly Factor as often as I can. D told me that I would love this guy Glenn Beck that was on CNN. I was like "CNN, doubt it."
"No really," he assured me, "and besides he's coming to Fox News." But then he said, "I think he's taking over O'Reilly's spot."
"NOOOOOOOOoooooooo!" Me raising my fist to the sky.
"Just kidding." D said with that evil grin.
So eventually I got around to watching him. Sigh. He's so dreamy. Hee hee. But he totally cracks me up. I laugh out loud so often when I watch him. And then the nights when he's a guest on O'Reilly? fuggeddaboudit!
So when they were doing the tea party in San Antonio my wonderful husband offered to take me because Glenn Beck was going to be there. Even though he rolls his eyes every time I say I love Glenn Beck. Anyway, I chose not to go because we were at my parents' house and I didn't know what to wear for one thing. Ha. But I told D "the next time he comes to Texas you are taking me!" Guess what!?! He's coming to Houston! AHHHH!
And I am seriously thinking about going even thought the last row tickets are $152 a piece. Come on, what else am I using the money for? The Dream Home?
PS My husband read the title of this post and got pissed off. And I can't stop laughing about that. Does that make me evil? Oh well, I told you I had to pay him back for hitting me with the salt water at the beach two weeks ago...
PPS My husband was only joking about being pissed off...
PPPS We got the tickets Monday morning for only $60 a piece. AND they are in the 12th row. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Did I mention I Heart Glenn Beck?
