what a week! first ed mcmahon (a relief he won't have to shill for "Cash for Gold" anymore), then farrah (not unexpected, but so sad she didn't get to marry Ryan when she had finally said yes), and finally the shocker of the day/week/month - MICHAEL JACKSON!
i miss him when he was a man, before he became a caricature and a punchline. he was a genius of an artist, and he was planning a comeback in London next month. who knows what could have been? but his kids might be a little less abby-normal without the strange-man he had become, and i hear his oldest is also talented... time will tell.
but i am sad for his loss.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
first day of summer vaca
for the kids, at least; not me!
we got out to lunch to celebrate, and went to AC Moore to pick up the essential items for the family T-shirt. everyone got new drawing pads, and LaLa got a COLOR WONDER coloring book. she thinks it's pretty spiffy - and so do the rest of us. we're fighting over who gets to 'help' her color in her tinkerbells.
ordered a new phone so we'd have a "house" phone/text back and forth when i leave the kids alone for 30 minutes straight, and #1 son can take it with him when he's out.
and got ticked off at the rental agent who thinks he shouldn't have to WORK for his job.
i even got the kids to do some housework AND some educational exercises. now, if we can keep up our energy and manage to accomplish more than "maximum possible games of Farkle played with our summer," i'll be happy.
we got out to lunch to celebrate, and went to AC Moore to pick up the essential items for the family T-shirt. everyone got new drawing pads, and LaLa got a COLOR WONDER coloring book. she thinks it's pretty spiffy - and so do the rest of us. we're fighting over who gets to 'help' her color in her tinkerbells.
ordered a new phone so we'd have a "house" phone/text back and forth when i leave the kids alone for 30 minutes straight, and #1 son can take it with him when he's out.
and got ticked off at the rental agent who thinks he shouldn't have to WORK for his job.
i even got the kids to do some housework AND some educational exercises. now, if we can keep up our energy and manage to accomplish more than "maximum possible games of Farkle played with our summer," i'll be happy.
LMAO
so, we have a nighttime ritual; of course, we have a 2-year-old! no matter what else she gets at bedtime, she insists mama rock her and sing "lu-la" (Tu-Ra-Lu). every night. even if my voice is gone with bronchitis and whatnot, MAMA must sing.
only we're being contrary tonight. and i've dragged her into her jammies and tucked her in properly in "blank" so we can sing, and i'm singing. and daddy comes by and drops her "poppy" (formerly known as Pop) in her lap. and she pipes up:
Daddy, Help, Help, I stuck in rocking chair! Ow Ow Ow!
what a little twerp! then when her song is over and we're on our way to her bed she is trying to convince me to sing again.
it's a fun age. laughing and cussing, all day long.
only we're being contrary tonight. and i've dragged her into her jammies and tucked her in properly in "blank" so we can sing, and i'm singing. and daddy comes by and drops her "poppy" (formerly known as Pop) in her lap. and she pipes up:
Daddy, Help, Help, I stuck in rocking chair! Ow Ow Ow!
what a little twerp! then when her song is over and we're on our way to her bed she is trying to convince me to sing again.
it's a fun age. laughing and cussing, all day long.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
sick stories
for those of you who are unaware, i have had BRONCHITIS and been ill for 3 weeks. it seems like 3 years. the baby gave me her cold, and i felt a little better 5 days in, then turned around and got bronchitis. have seen dr. 3 times as of yesterday, finished 10 days of antibiotics and 6 days of steroids, and started new steroids yesterday; FINALLY turned a corner and am on the mend.
everybody get up and do the happy dance! because being so sick is really a drag. you feel awful, and you are bored and restless but you know if you do the slightest thing you'll be back in bed anyway so you may as well stay there in the first place. the person who may be the MOST happy about this turn of events, so to speak, is DH, because he wasn't picking up slack, he was carrying the whole darn rope.
so i have hilarious stories to tell about how stupid you get while sick and how it affects you to have a 2-year-old around while trying to recupe (hint: not positively).
***********
the first time i went to the doctor for this illness was my first trip to the doctor since we moved last August, and i had to establish care with the new family physician everyone else had already seen. and i listed off my meds and allergies and thought i did a good job - until he started writing a prescription for antibiotics. and my brain FARKLED right out and said i was allergic to the drug we had cleared years ago and that we had cleared the one i had a reaction to years ago. and he wrote me up and sent me on my way.
i toddled off to the pharmacy to pick up the meds and the pharmacist met me, quite concerned, as their system had flagged the medication as an allergy (THIS IS WHY WE USE THE SAME PHARMACY ALL THE TIME, PEOPLE!). my reactions were all as an infant so i felt like i could take the medication anyway (the two in discussion are related), and i'd just wait for DH to come home before i took it. (i had no reaction in 14 days)
what makes this hilarious to me is my type-A personality has NEVER forgotten an allergy before. and i have a list of 6, which i list off in descending severity order. because i'm type A. i had to be seriously cement-headed to screw that one up!
************
i had another incredibly amusing story which i told DH and have promptly forgotten, most likely LaLa details which were going to bore most of my random readers anyway...
************
but yesterday, at my third (yes, THIRD) trip to the dr. for this stupid illness, we had FUN. the antibiotic had seemed to clear the infection but my stupid asthmatic lungs did NOT want to feel good or like i could oxygenate adequately or even take a deep breath. i was coughing constantly, sleeping poorly, and felt like i was going to die (a common feeling at this stage of bronchitis!).
so the doctor is befuddled why i'm not responding to medications and rest. and so he ordered some blood work to check things like Lyme disease, and a chest x-ray in case he was missing something with the stethoscope. and i toddled off to the resident vampire to do the blood draw.
where i tried my darndest to pass out (AKA vasovagal reaction). i sometimes get lightheaded and have to put my head down with blood draws, but i've probably had hundreds over the years (i also used to give blood) and less than a half-dozen reactions, so i recognize it when it happens but don't expect it.
and it was bad. i lost about 80% of my vision, and stuck my head between my knees and drank the juice they offered, but i wasn't coming back. had to step into a wheelchair and off that onto an exam table (staff did NOT know quite what to do with me!). ice to the neck and wrists and knees elevated and the whole shebang for 15 minutes while i waited for my arms to stop tingling and my vision to return to normal. which it does - a vasovagal reaction is NOT serious, just inconvenient.
the adventure was compounded by having my precious princess LaLa along. i had to throw her out of bed and into the car to get to the appointment, and she was actually very well-behaved waiting for the appointment. she got concerned when the nurse took my blood pressure, LOL! and she wanted to play with the computer but instead sat in the doctor's stool and stared at it. when he came in the room she looked as guilty as she ever had and slunk onto my lap. it was adorable.
then i went to the blood draw and the staff gave her a short stool and stickers to keep her busy instead of jumping on me while needles were about. and she did great - no worries with mom trying to fall out of the chair, no worries about the needle or blood, just did as she was told and followed the wheelchair to the other room.
when they came back to check my blood pressure again, THAT worried her. so as long as you don't wrap things around my arm and pump them up, you can do just about anything else to me and she won't mind. LMAO!
NB- my bp was only 90/60, which may have contributed to this reaction.
everybody get up and do the happy dance! because being so sick is really a drag. you feel awful, and you are bored and restless but you know if you do the slightest thing you'll be back in bed anyway so you may as well stay there in the first place. the person who may be the MOST happy about this turn of events, so to speak, is DH, because he wasn't picking up slack, he was carrying the whole darn rope.
so i have hilarious stories to tell about how stupid you get while sick and how it affects you to have a 2-year-old around while trying to recupe (hint: not positively).
***********
the first time i went to the doctor for this illness was my first trip to the doctor since we moved last August, and i had to establish care with the new family physician everyone else had already seen. and i listed off my meds and allergies and thought i did a good job - until he started writing a prescription for antibiotics. and my brain FARKLED right out and said i was allergic to the drug we had cleared years ago and that we had cleared the one i had a reaction to years ago. and he wrote me up and sent me on my way.
i toddled off to the pharmacy to pick up the meds and the pharmacist met me, quite concerned, as their system had flagged the medication as an allergy (THIS IS WHY WE USE THE SAME PHARMACY ALL THE TIME, PEOPLE!). my reactions were all as an infant so i felt like i could take the medication anyway (the two in discussion are related), and i'd just wait for DH to come home before i took it. (i had no reaction in 14 days)
what makes this hilarious to me is my type-A personality has NEVER forgotten an allergy before. and i have a list of 6, which i list off in descending severity order. because i'm type A. i had to be seriously cement-headed to screw that one up!
************
i had another incredibly amusing story which i told DH and have promptly forgotten, most likely LaLa details which were going to bore most of my random readers anyway...
************
but yesterday, at my third (yes, THIRD) trip to the dr. for this stupid illness, we had FUN. the antibiotic had seemed to clear the infection but my stupid asthmatic lungs did NOT want to feel good or like i could oxygenate adequately or even take a deep breath. i was coughing constantly, sleeping poorly, and felt like i was going to die (a common feeling at this stage of bronchitis!).
so the doctor is befuddled why i'm not responding to medications and rest. and so he ordered some blood work to check things like Lyme disease, and a chest x-ray in case he was missing something with the stethoscope. and i toddled off to the resident vampire to do the blood draw.
where i tried my darndest to pass out (AKA vasovagal reaction). i sometimes get lightheaded and have to put my head down with blood draws, but i've probably had hundreds over the years (i also used to give blood) and less than a half-dozen reactions, so i recognize it when it happens but don't expect it.
and it was bad. i lost about 80% of my vision, and stuck my head between my knees and drank the juice they offered, but i wasn't coming back. had to step into a wheelchair and off that onto an exam table (staff did NOT know quite what to do with me!). ice to the neck and wrists and knees elevated and the whole shebang for 15 minutes while i waited for my arms to stop tingling and my vision to return to normal. which it does - a vasovagal reaction is NOT serious, just inconvenient.
the adventure was compounded by having my precious princess LaLa along. i had to throw her out of bed and into the car to get to the appointment, and she was actually very well-behaved waiting for the appointment. she got concerned when the nurse took my blood pressure, LOL! and she wanted to play with the computer but instead sat in the doctor's stool and stared at it. when he came in the room she looked as guilty as she ever had and slunk onto my lap. it was adorable.
then i went to the blood draw and the staff gave her a short stool and stickers to keep her busy instead of jumping on me while needles were about. and she did great - no worries with mom trying to fall out of the chair, no worries about the needle or blood, just did as she was told and followed the wheelchair to the other room.
when they came back to check my blood pressure again, THAT worried her. so as long as you don't wrap things around my arm and pump them up, you can do just about anything else to me and she won't mind. LMAO!
NB- my bp was only 90/60, which may have contributed to this reaction.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
ew yuk
i can tell this story b/c it doesn't reflect badly on ME...
#1 son is currently emptying the clean dishwasher. the dirty dishes on the counter above the DW fell off, and he was picking dishes up off the floor.
he says to me, "there's a plate way under the dishwasher... i think i can get it."
as he pulls it out, he sees what appears to be grunge on it, and says "EW, it's OLD!" and backs away as though it had hairy legs and was bouncing around on the floor.
i go to look. yes, it IS old. it has what appears to be DRIED-UP CAT FOOD - we no longer have a cat - on a plate that never belonged to us (we moved in 9 months ago). i tell him this. he says "we don't have to KEEP it, do we?" i laugh. no, we can throw it away.
sometimes one's sensibilities are more important than the three R's (reduce, reuse, recycle).
#1 son is currently emptying the clean dishwasher. the dirty dishes on the counter above the DW fell off, and he was picking dishes up off the floor.
he says to me, "there's a plate way under the dishwasher... i think i can get it."
as he pulls it out, he sees what appears to be grunge on it, and says "EW, it's OLD!" and backs away as though it had hairy legs and was bouncing around on the floor.
i go to look. yes, it IS old. it has what appears to be DRIED-UP CAT FOOD - we no longer have a cat - on a plate that never belonged to us (we moved in 9 months ago). i tell him this. he says "we don't have to KEEP it, do we?" i laugh. no, we can throw it away.
sometimes one's sensibilities are more important than the three R's (reduce, reuse, recycle).
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
the farm tour! (PIOG)
we are whole-heartedly embracing local/organic food (back story posted below), doing our best not to re-bankrupt ourselves in the process. this weekend there was a local farm tour, sponsored by the local "local" market, among others. we had a BLAST touring farms within 30 miles or so of home. there were about 60 to pick from in the "triangle" area - all the way toward raleigh.
the first farm we went to was a cow farm. they did a neat tour on an open bus-type ride, pulled by a tractor, in amongst the calves and cows, and steers, and within sight of the bulls' paddock (but they were off in the shade so we couldn't see them). it was interesting, educational, and fun! LaLa said "COW! hi cow! hi cow!" a lot. tried to climb down whenever the farmer would stop the ride and talk. we distracted her with the camera and i'll try to upload later. picked up a couple of roasts at $5/pound (for grass-fed, organic beef). picnicked on leftover pasta salad we'd packed for the ride in the cooler they advised we bring for bringing home products of the farms. yes, i'm feeling virtuous.
then we went to the prawn farm. prawn are freshwater shrimp. they showed us how they farm them, told us what they feed them, but it was over 90 saturday and the kids were getting peaky. so DH did most of the tour while i distracted the overheated children with sodas and learned about prawns. brought home one pound of prawns ($10) for dinner. (could've used 2 pounds but we were trying not to blow the budget)
then we went to a farm that had a little of everything. we'll be going back out for strawberries to this one soon! they aren't very far from us, and they showed us the greenhouse for starting baby plants and the herb gardens. #2 son had really overheated and waited in the car for us to look around, and #1 son was sweet and stayed with him. LaLa loved the herb garden, plucked a nasturtium. the lady farmer said "now that you've picked it you have to eat it!" so she stuck it in her mouth. (she had previously mentioned they are edible, good on salads, a little like radishes.) LaLa spat the petal right back out, but i felt that if she tasted one, i should too. they have a nice clean crisp taste, with a sharper ending flavor. they would be nice sprinkled on a salad. we bought some hamburger for dinner sunday.
finally, we wanted to see a farm that was just a couple of miles from home. it was really neat. they have in the last two years totally reclaimed a worn-out farm, designed it, and are providing organic produce and meat to local restaurants. the map really didn't work for this one and despite its being very very close to home we had to go around it at least once to find the turn that was marked wrong. but the kids played with their australian collies until they were bright red and flushed. working dogs are FUN for littles and mediums! they kicked the soccer ball for the dog to retrieve and just had a blast. we didn't buy anything here.
then we came home and had a BIG nap (LaLa). DH cooked up the prawns in a garlic sauce with red pepper and they were fabulous. right up there with scallops. they are supposed to be protein-rich and very healthy, and easy to cook b/c they take on the flavor of most of what they're cooked with.
sunday we went to church, worked, played, and had hamburgers for dinner. we wanted to get an idea of what the meat tasted like on its own. it was slap-your-momma good! like burgers used to taste. we slurped them up.
the driving around was one of our favorite kind of things to do, so it was a great weekend. if we had had room in the apartment for our chest freezer (sold when we moved) we could really stock up on some local and organically-raised produce and protein. as it is, we'll have to drive around on a somewhat regular basis - darn!
the first farm we went to was a cow farm. they did a neat tour on an open bus-type ride, pulled by a tractor, in amongst the calves and cows, and steers, and within sight of the bulls' paddock (but they were off in the shade so we couldn't see them). it was interesting, educational, and fun! LaLa said "COW! hi cow! hi cow!" a lot. tried to climb down whenever the farmer would stop the ride and talk. we distracted her with the camera and i'll try to upload later. picked up a couple of roasts at $5/pound (for grass-fed, organic beef). picnicked on leftover pasta salad we'd packed for the ride in the cooler they advised we bring for bringing home products of the farms. yes, i'm feeling virtuous.
then we went to the prawn farm. prawn are freshwater shrimp. they showed us how they farm them, told us what they feed them, but it was over 90 saturday and the kids were getting peaky. so DH did most of the tour while i distracted the overheated children with sodas and learned about prawns. brought home one pound of prawns ($10) for dinner. (could've used 2 pounds but we were trying not to blow the budget)
then we went to a farm that had a little of everything. we'll be going back out for strawberries to this one soon! they aren't very far from us, and they showed us the greenhouse for starting baby plants and the herb gardens. #2 son had really overheated and waited in the car for us to look around, and #1 son was sweet and stayed with him. LaLa loved the herb garden, plucked a nasturtium. the lady farmer said "now that you've picked it you have to eat it!" so she stuck it in her mouth. (she had previously mentioned they are edible, good on salads, a little like radishes.) LaLa spat the petal right back out, but i felt that if she tasted one, i should too. they have a nice clean crisp taste, with a sharper ending flavor. they would be nice sprinkled on a salad. we bought some hamburger for dinner sunday.
finally, we wanted to see a farm that was just a couple of miles from home. it was really neat. they have in the last two years totally reclaimed a worn-out farm, designed it, and are providing organic produce and meat to local restaurants. the map really didn't work for this one and despite its being very very close to home we had to go around it at least once to find the turn that was marked wrong. but the kids played with their australian collies until they were bright red and flushed. working dogs are FUN for littles and mediums! they kicked the soccer ball for the dog to retrieve and just had a blast. we didn't buy anything here.
then we came home and had a BIG nap (LaLa). DH cooked up the prawns in a garlic sauce with red pepper and they were fabulous. right up there with scallops. they are supposed to be protein-rich and very healthy, and easy to cook b/c they take on the flavor of most of what they're cooked with.
sunday we went to church, worked, played, and had hamburgers for dinner. we wanted to get an idea of what the meat tasted like on its own. it was slap-your-momma good! like burgers used to taste. we slurped them up.
the driving around was one of our favorite kind of things to do, so it was a great weekend. if we had had room in the apartment for our chest freezer (sold when we moved) we could really stock up on some local and organically-raised produce and protein. as it is, we'll have to drive around on a somewhat regular basis - darn!
GOING GREEN
i swore i'd never do this. i couldn't even think about it b/c of the expense. but...
the back story: DH borrowed The Omnivore's Dilemma from a guy at work who read it in a book club. he read it and passed it to me, has recommended it to my veggie aunt, and we both recommend it highly. (click the link for more deets than i can give)
it is a book about the industrialization of our food supply and how terrible it is ecologically. also presents alternative sources but doesn't preach. still, reading how our food is raised, and how the industrial and political controls it, rather than nutritional or ecological, we have changed our purchasing pattern already, and we plan more improvements.
the goal is to eat local foods whenever you can. organic local is best. but if your organic food has to travel far to reach you, it has wasted the ecological benefit in fuel consumption. you will never want to eat a chain hamburger again after reading this book - and that's a healthier change already!
we have changed our dairy and produce purchasing and are working on meat (baby steps). when we eat local and organic food several days in a row, i can tell the difference in how i feel. deleting hormones from your diet can make a huge difference! extra hormones just aren't good for us - especially those of us who battle depression!
the back story: DH borrowed The Omnivore's Dilemma from a guy at work who read it in a book club. he read it and passed it to me, has recommended it to my veggie aunt, and we both recommend it highly. (click the link for more deets than i can give)
it is a book about the industrialization of our food supply and how terrible it is ecologically. also presents alternative sources but doesn't preach. still, reading how our food is raised, and how the industrial and political controls it, rather than nutritional or ecological, we have changed our purchasing pattern already, and we plan more improvements.
the goal is to eat local foods whenever you can. organic local is best. but if your organic food has to travel far to reach you, it has wasted the ecological benefit in fuel consumption. you will never want to eat a chain hamburger again after reading this book - and that's a healthier change already!
we have changed our dairy and produce purchasing and are working on meat (baby steps). when we eat local and organic food several days in a row, i can tell the difference in how i feel. deleting hormones from your diet can make a huge difference! extra hormones just aren't good for us - especially those of us who battle depression!
Thursday, April 02, 2009
broken
it's been quite a year, hasn't it? i just keep coping, keep on keeping on, and doing my best to cope.
well, i kinda feel broken inside. there are parts of me that really feel happy every day, enjoy the best of life. there are parts that are just getting by. and there are parts that want to cry all of the time and can't get over the hard things that i didn't have time to do more than just barely cope with.
it's so hard feeling all of these emotions all of the time. and i don't know what to do about it.
life is good right now. but i think things are catching up to me. and my hormones are trying to balance themselves. and i'm kind of lost.
any suggestions?
well, i kinda feel broken inside. there are parts of me that really feel happy every day, enjoy the best of life. there are parts that are just getting by. and there are parts that want to cry all of the time and can't get over the hard things that i didn't have time to do more than just barely cope with.
it's so hard feeling all of these emotions all of the time. and i don't know what to do about it.
life is good right now. but i think things are catching up to me. and my hormones are trying to balance themselves. and i'm kind of lost.
any suggestions?
pout
who loves the dentist? don't everybody shout at once!
i've never minded going. i'm 39, i've had 3 fillings. i could've prevented only one if i flossed.
now, who flosses every day? again, don't deafen me?
this is between two back teeth, and it has given me problems since it was first filled. the filling broke (bad dentist), i had it fixed, and the tooth has remained somewhat sensitive. i felt plenty of guilt b/c if i would floss, it would never have happened. and i keep trying to resolve to floss more often (twice a year is a LOT!). but it doesn't happen.
well, i went in yesterday for a cleaning, no worries, figured no cavities.
the tooth NEXT TO the one with the old filling now has a cavity on the surface facing the filling.
damn it. i REALLY have to start flossing! it's just a little cavity, minor fix. but if you've ever had back teeth worked on, it's really uncomfortable. and i'm so dang MAD!
now, who's going to start flossing after hearing my experience? yeah, that's what i thought.
i've never minded going. i'm 39, i've had 3 fillings. i could've prevented only one if i flossed.
now, who flosses every day? again, don't deafen me?
this is between two back teeth, and it has given me problems since it was first filled. the filling broke (bad dentist), i had it fixed, and the tooth has remained somewhat sensitive. i felt plenty of guilt b/c if i would floss, it would never have happened. and i keep trying to resolve to floss more often (twice a year is a LOT!). but it doesn't happen.
well, i went in yesterday for a cleaning, no worries, figured no cavities.
the tooth NEXT TO the one with the old filling now has a cavity on the surface facing the filling.
damn it. i REALLY have to start flossing! it's just a little cavity, minor fix. but if you've ever had back teeth worked on, it's really uncomfortable. and i'm so dang MAD!
now, who's going to start flossing after hearing my experience? yeah, that's what i thought.
panic button
so, while i was typing my LAST entry, LaLa managed to get herself in a fix.
she had a pen i had found in an OLD box. it's probably 17 years old. roller ball, still works, no worries.
well, i looked at her 1 minute later and her lips are navy, her tongue is navy, and she doesn't have the pen anymore.
apparently the seal broke and her chewing the pen got ink all over her mouth.
YES, i called poison control. immediately. (scrubbed her with wipies as best i could first.) i was ON HOLD for 5 minutes. i wasn't worried about immediate effects, just whether i had to take action. imagine being on hold for 5 minutes if she'd ingested something scarier! just wow.
so, they said, yes, pens are toxic. no, there's not enough of the bad ingredients in a WHOLE PEN CARTRIDGE to worry about. even in a 25-pound toddler.
however, she will look like a maori for a week. pix to follow!
she had a pen i had found in an OLD box. it's probably 17 years old. roller ball, still works, no worries.
well, i looked at her 1 minute later and her lips are navy, her tongue is navy, and she doesn't have the pen anymore.
apparently the seal broke and her chewing the pen got ink all over her mouth.
YES, i called poison control. immediately. (scrubbed her with wipies as best i could first.) i was ON HOLD for 5 minutes. i wasn't worried about immediate effects, just whether i had to take action. imagine being on hold for 5 minutes if she'd ingested something scarier! just wow.
so, they said, yes, pens are toxic. no, there's not enough of the bad ingredients in a WHOLE PEN CARTRIDGE to worry about. even in a 25-pound toddler.
however, she will look like a maori for a week. pix to follow!
wicked
i'm a wicked, wicked mother; wicked Zoot!
my son will complain his joints hurt. "oh good, you're growing!"
lately, it's been extreme frustration with being clumsy. "oh good, you're growing!"
he's almost 12, and the frustration is just beyond his capacity to deal. he's always been very coordinated and athletic, and now he's walking into walls and stubbing toes. it really does mean he's growing (he's grown about 2 inches this year already!). could i be nicer about this? maybe.
but this is the mom he's got, the mom he knows, and how things work around here!
wicked, wicked zut!
my son will complain his joints hurt. "oh good, you're growing!"
lately, it's been extreme frustration with being clumsy. "oh good, you're growing!"
he's almost 12, and the frustration is just beyond his capacity to deal. he's always been very coordinated and athletic, and now he's walking into walls and stubbing toes. it really does mean he's growing (he's grown about 2 inches this year already!). could i be nicer about this? maybe.
but this is the mom he's got, the mom he knows, and how things work around here!
wicked, wicked zut!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
just for mom
... who commented i haven't posted anything in a while. since i'm in a posting mood today (DH has the kids off at the park), this one is just for her.
no content. no pithy thoughts (*snort*). but it's just for her.
love ya, mom
no content. no pithy thoughts (*snort*). but it's just for her.
love ya, mom
Dirty Jobs
along the discover channel theme, we all love Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. recently, he made his 200th episode and delivered a special look back at all his dirtiest jobs. it was awesome. snakebit, up-chucking, dealing with poo - all the reasons we love to watch HIM do these things and talk about how we wouldn't do them for love or money. as Mike puts it, these are the jobs that make Civilized Life possible. and these are the people who do them.
he closed his show with a comment, What Was Left To Do to follow up 200 episodes???
and he answered: "I Quit." he cited the examples above as excellent reasons why he was DONE. No more. it made me sad. it made sense. it seemed an appropriate epitaph for the show. IT MADE SENSE. and he exited stage left.
and after we'd all had a few moments to wrap our minds around the concept of it all being over, and nobody could say he'd been less than fair, he returned. ARE YOU KIDDING? THIS IS THE BEST GIG I'VE EVER HAD!
now i'm just furious. i could handle him quitting much more easily than this TEASING! and the best gig he ever had? i hate to wonder what the rest of his life has been like!
will i still watch? yes. but will i trust him ever ever again? hell no.
he closed his show with a comment, What Was Left To Do to follow up 200 episodes???
and he answered: "I Quit." he cited the examples above as excellent reasons why he was DONE. No more. it made me sad. it made sense. it seemed an appropriate epitaph for the show. IT MADE SENSE. and he exited stage left.
and after we'd all had a few moments to wrap our minds around the concept of it all being over, and nobody could say he'd been less than fair, he returned. ARE YOU KIDDING? THIS IS THE BEST GIG I'VE EVER HAD!
now i'm just furious. i could handle him quitting much more easily than this TEASING! and the best gig he ever had? i hate to wonder what the rest of his life has been like!
will i still watch? yes. but will i trust him ever ever again? hell no.
orange chicken
we ALL love orange chicken. it's panda express' most popular dish. and it's no worse for you than most chinese/american cuisine. served over rice, it makes us feel virtuous! and it's so yummy!
well. thanks to my dear sister, i've learned how to MAKE the stuff, make it HEALTHIER, and far less expensive than ordering out. it isn't quick and easy, but it isn't hard, just a little labor intensive (but anything "breaded" is). everyone in my family inhales it and begs for more. it's all i can do to keep orange juice in the house and out of their glasses long enough to make it, but if i tell them i'm going to make this, they back right down and ask for water. hilarious.
of course, LaLa just loves the broccoli that i make with this, some days; others she eats all the chicken in sight and hoovers the rice as well. it makes a mother's heart happy when people eat what she serves with a smile and genuine gratitude. we don't ask much!
well. thanks to my dear sister, i've learned how to MAKE the stuff, make it HEALTHIER, and far less expensive than ordering out. it isn't quick and easy, but it isn't hard, just a little labor intensive (but anything "breaded" is). everyone in my family inhales it and begs for more. it's all i can do to keep orange juice in the house and out of their glasses long enough to make it, but if i tell them i'm going to make this, they back right down and ask for water. hilarious.
of course, LaLa just loves the broccoli that i make with this, some days; others she eats all the chicken in sight and hoovers the rice as well. it makes a mother's heart happy when people eat what she serves with a smile and genuine gratitude. we don't ask much!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
what's in a name?
1. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (mother and father's middle names) Duell Farr
2. NASCAR NAME (first name of you mother's dad; father's dad) Carlton George
3. STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two letters of your first name) Erdje
4. SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, town where you were born) Anne Graham
5. SUPERHERO NAME (second fav color, fav drink, add 'the' to the beginning) The Blue White Russian
6. FLY NAME (first two letters of your first name, last two letters of your last name) Jesy
7. ROCK STAR NAME (current pet's name, current street name) Sparky Pointe
8. PORN NAME (first pet, street you grew up on) Snuffalupagus North
9. GANGSTA NAME (first three letters of your real name, plus izzle) Jenizzle
10. STRIPPER NAME (favorite perfume, favorite candy) Sandalwood Whoppers
2. NASCAR NAME (first name of you mother's dad; father's dad) Carlton George
3. STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two letters of your first name) Erdje
4. SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, town where you were born) Anne Graham
5. SUPERHERO NAME (second fav color, fav drink, add 'the' to the beginning) The Blue White Russian
6. FLY NAME (first two letters of your first name, last two letters of your last name) Jesy
7. ROCK STAR NAME (current pet's name, current street name) Sparky Pointe
8. PORN NAME (first pet, street you grew up on) Snuffalupagus North
9. GANGSTA NAME (first three letters of your real name, plus izzle) Jenizzle
10. STRIPPER NAME (favorite perfume, favorite candy) Sandalwood Whoppers
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
What Not to Wear
I am such a Discovery channel junkie. and of all their awesome shows, this is probably my favorite. better yet, DH enjoys it. and my kids will put up with one or two episodes if i pout.
here's the shocker: I'm LEARNING from it.
i'm 38 years old, headed fast for 39 (in 3 weeks). i'm probably old enough to do something with my hair, makeup, clothes, a little more labor-intensive than wash and wear, whatever T-shirt is on the top of the drawer, ponytails, and makeup if i need a mood lift.
so i styled my hair a little differently the last time i cut it. (yeah, i'm still nuts, and i still cut it myself. it's curly, it forgives me, and i usually do a pretty good job.) and i pull it back on one side instead of a ponytail, which makes me feel prettier. this was inspired by a fashion mag comment about Demi Moore looking younger and softer when she didn't part her hair in the middle but let it fall in waves - i don't look like her, but it held true for me, too. ponies make your hair look severe without bangs, and i can't wear bangs.
it's still wash and wear. and though i totally hate the idea, someday when i have a job OUT of the home again, i'll likely have to STYLE MY HAIR every morning - for the first time in my life. i'm somewhat comforted by the idea that i am paying my time into an account - all the time i'm saving now with wash-and-wear hair, i'll pay back later.
***********
and the big 4-0 looming on the horizon is much more palatable when i figured out i wouldn't be a larva anymore. if you haven't read The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love and its many sequels, what are you waiting for? i've been plugging them for years, i finally met the boss SPQ Jill at a book signing in January, and you will not regret it. Jill figures it's a wonder we have all our limbs under 40 - we feel grown up, we got cars and everything, but we're just larva. and that gives me something to look forward to!
innit fun psyching your-ownself out?
here's the shocker: I'm LEARNING from it.
i'm 38 years old, headed fast for 39 (in 3 weeks). i'm probably old enough to do something with my hair, makeup, clothes, a little more labor-intensive than wash and wear, whatever T-shirt is on the top of the drawer, ponytails, and makeup if i need a mood lift.
so i styled my hair a little differently the last time i cut it. (yeah, i'm still nuts, and i still cut it myself. it's curly, it forgives me, and i usually do a pretty good job.) and i pull it back on one side instead of a ponytail, which makes me feel prettier. this was inspired by a fashion mag comment about Demi Moore looking younger and softer when she didn't part her hair in the middle but let it fall in waves - i don't look like her, but it held true for me, too. ponies make your hair look severe without bangs, and i can't wear bangs.
it's still wash and wear. and though i totally hate the idea, someday when i have a job OUT of the home again, i'll likely have to STYLE MY HAIR every morning - for the first time in my life. i'm somewhat comforted by the idea that i am paying my time into an account - all the time i'm saving now with wash-and-wear hair, i'll pay back later.
***********
and the big 4-0 looming on the horizon is much more palatable when i figured out i wouldn't be a larva anymore. if you haven't read The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love and its many sequels, what are you waiting for? i've been plugging them for years, i finally met the boss SPQ Jill at a book signing in January, and you will not regret it. Jill figures it's a wonder we have all our limbs under 40 - we feel grown up, we got cars and everything, but we're just larva. and that gives me something to look forward to!
innit fun psyching your-ownself out?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
unbelievable
there is a family doctor in Las Vegas named - get this - PETER PHILANDER. like, his parents said, he's doomed with that last name anyway, let's give him the WORST first name we can think of, so he'll get exponentially MORE teasing!
i'm just in awe of their parenting skills. this is what we all want for our children.
i'm just in awe of their parenting skills. this is what we all want for our children.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
google reader
yeah, call me lame and/or slow, but i just got this figured out and it's so awesome. i can keep up with everybody in one place and i don't miss out on special offers anymore.
now that i'm keeping up, i'm SHARING. just call me warm-hearted and generous, b/c i'm letting all of you mature audiences enjoy this from Eric Snider's blog. i know you'll want to bookmark it for your own.
not only that, but my darling unnamed relative shared THIS link, which will seriously drive you crazy. -ier.
so now that i'm more tech savvy, all my loyal readers (all 2 of you) will have just that much more entertainment in your lives.
you're welcome.
now that i'm keeping up, i'm SHARING. just call me warm-hearted and generous, b/c i'm letting all of you mature audiences enjoy this from Eric Snider's blog. i know you'll want to bookmark it for your own.
not only that, but my darling unnamed relative shared THIS link, which will seriously drive you crazy. -ier.
so now that i'm more tech savvy, all my loyal readers (all 2 of you) will have just that much more entertainment in your lives.
you're welcome.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Discover Health
i'm so addicted. i love everything on it - my family begs me to turn the channel if the story appears sad, but i just can't. it's like trash TV - once i'm tuned in, i can't tune out!
they've been running teaser footage of the "pregnant man", and he/she has some really great musculature. i'm not thinking about that too hard. see me not thinking about it? (can't wait to see the feedback on that one!)
they've been running teaser footage of the "pregnant man", and he/she has some really great musculature. i'm not thinking about that too hard. see me not thinking about it? (can't wait to see the feedback on that one!)
Pay It Forward
The RULES
1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!
2. Winners must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your 3 Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! SO, REMEMBER...Pay it forward! (ps, I did NOT type this last paragraph! Can you really imagine me saying "Linky Love"? well, maybe.) ((and i stole that disclaimer from sister stewie))
p.s. i might ask the winners for some of their favorites in various areas, but yeah, i'm on board with this giveaway.
1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!
2. Winners must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your 3 Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! SO, REMEMBER...Pay it forward! (ps, I did NOT type this last paragraph! Can you really imagine me saying "Linky Love"? well, maybe.) ((and i stole that disclaimer from sister stewie))
p.s. i might ask the winners for some of their favorites in various areas, but yeah, i'm on board with this giveaway.
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