Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
What Bugs You?
Things bug me.
I can't help it. I wish I could only see rainbows and flowers like Pollyanna but it's just not so. I've become crankier with age.
Here are some things that bug me:
--No turn signals while driving. I’m mentioned this many times in my blog and some people have commented saying they know people who do this. Do me a favor: tell those people to stop being lazy and to flick their damn wrists so other drivers know their intentions. Mmmkay?
--People who are constantly late with no explanation. I understand things come up. I have two kids, one of which likes to suddenly go limp or lock herself in the bathroom (coughs, Natalie.) But I’m polite and let the person know about it. Some people just breeze in and are like, “Am I late? Haha.” Not haha. Rude.
--People who complain that others “spoiled” a show for them on Facebook or Twitter. Here’s an idea: stay off those sites until you’ve watched the show.
--When people constantly use ur for your online. I cringe. I can't help it. I post on Facebook and Twitter a lot on my phone and I REFUSE to use ur. I can understand once in awhile but all the time? It only takes a couple of extra seconds to write your or you're, I promise...
--Commercials that have the mother cleaning up, cooking, or organizing stuff. Why can’t the man be doing that? Hello? It’s 2011.
--Extreme Couponers who clear an entire shelf. It’s rude. Oh, and people who say, “Do Extreme Couponers eat fruit and veggies?” since they mainly get cleaning products and boxed foods. Does it MATTER?
--Smoking in the car. This is so gross! Even with the window rolled down, it makes your vehicle smell like an ashtray. I cannot stand when someone lights up while driving.
--When people write ‘your welcome’ instead of ‘you’re welcome.’ I always want to be snarky and go, “Your welcome what?”
--Texting while driving. If you cannot wait to find out what Kardashian is boinking today, pull over. Don’t risk other people’s lives because you can’t wait to find out the scoop. Thanks.
--Judgmental mothers-look, I’m a proud disposable diaper choosing, epidural getting, breastfeeding, circumcising, Gerber baby food mother…if someone looks down on me for this, they can kiss my pale ass. I love how everyone is different, otherwise the world would be a boring place.
So what bugs you?
I can't help it. I wish I could only see rainbows and flowers like Pollyanna but it's just not so. I've become crankier with age.
Here are some things that bug me:
--No turn signals while driving. I’m mentioned this many times in my blog and some people have commented saying they know people who do this. Do me a favor: tell those people to stop being lazy and to flick their damn wrists so other drivers know their intentions. Mmmkay?
--People who are constantly late with no explanation. I understand things come up. I have two kids, one of which likes to suddenly go limp or lock herself in the bathroom (coughs, Natalie.) But I’m polite and let the person know about it. Some people just breeze in and are like, “Am I late? Haha.” Not haha. Rude.
--People who complain that others “spoiled” a show for them on Facebook or Twitter. Here’s an idea: stay off those sites until you’ve watched the show.
--When people constantly use ur for your online. I cringe. I can't help it. I post on Facebook and Twitter a lot on my phone and I REFUSE to use ur. I can understand once in awhile but all the time? It only takes a couple of extra seconds to write your or you're, I promise...
--Commercials that have the mother cleaning up, cooking, or organizing stuff. Why can’t the man be doing that? Hello? It’s 2011.
--Extreme Couponers who clear an entire shelf. It’s rude. Oh, and people who say, “Do Extreme Couponers eat fruit and veggies?” since they mainly get cleaning products and boxed foods. Does it MATTER?
--Smoking in the car. This is so gross! Even with the window rolled down, it makes your vehicle smell like an ashtray. I cannot stand when someone lights up while driving.
--When people write ‘your welcome’ instead of ‘you’re welcome.’ I always want to be snarky and go, “Your welcome what?”
--Texting while driving. If you cannot wait to find out what Kardashian is boinking today, pull over. Don’t risk other people’s lives because you can’t wait to find out the scoop. Thanks.
--Judgmental mothers-look, I’m a proud disposable diaper choosing, epidural getting, breastfeeding, circumcising, Gerber baby food mother…if someone looks down on me for this, they can kiss my pale ass. I love how everyone is different, otherwise the world would be a boring place.
So what bugs you?
Hodge Podge - Post Holiday
1. What is the most useful book in your house? The bible. It is after all the Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth.
2. What's worse-being too hot or too cold? My stance on this is that you can take off items of clothing when you are too hot....but you cannot add enough when you are too cold. Frank is very hot natured So I just keep a blanket laying around for my coolermoments.
3. Share something that made you smile this past weekend. Babies - BigWheels, Tommy, Drew, Will and Jax. I loved having the boys around at all the family stuff we had. I love my family!
4. How do you like your hamburgers? Or don't you? I love hamburgers. My thought is that you can tell how good a restaurant is by their hamburger. I like them all the way (minus cheese).
5. What's your summer beach read? If it's not summer in your part of the world then tell us what book you're reading in front of the fire while sipping hot cocoa. I have been reading like a vulture....but then I do this every summer. My favorite book this year was called "The Birthday Bash."
6. How was your birthday celebrated when you were a kid? Birthdays were special. Mom made my favorite breakfast, packed my favorite lunch...with a surprise in it, and then Daddy would cook my favorite meal(either ribs or hamburgers). If there was a party it was always a big thing....but parties were only for special birthdays....13, 16. 21, etc. I did not realize until I was married the first time that everyone does not share the same concept of birthdays. My first husband let my 21st birthday go by without so much as a card. I was over 650 miles from my family and miserable. Yep I was a spoiled brat. He finally gave me a gift a couple of weeks after the fact. He never was good at remembering special days....Frank is totally the opposite. He delights in surprising me with special days....and I him.
7. What's something that is totally uncool that you love anyway? Uncool? Who me? Everything I love and do is cool.
8. If you had a snapshot of one of the most special times in your life what would that picture show?
To be honest there could be hundreds of them. I have been fortunate to have experienced many of those special moments and if I don't have an actual photograph of it...I have a mental picture or story of it. The birth of my daughter would have to be that one clear magic moment when all of heaven and earth aligned and life was good.
Kat - age 7 days we were at a July 1st cookout at Judy and Randall's house. Have a happy Wednesday.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Don'ts On Airplane Travel
I’ve been on airplanes a lot and have experienced all sorts of passengers: the chatty ones, the quiet ones, the ones who get comfortable with you quickly and lean their chair back into your lap.....
So I figured I’d make a list of things NOT to do while on an airplane.
Don’t lean your chair all the way back. It’s rude. I get that you probably paid an obscene amount for your seat so you feel you should be as comfortable as you want. But please remember there is a PERSON behind you who doesn’t appreciate your head in their laps. Should this occur, a drink might “accidentally” splash on you.
Don’t keep talking if the person next to you pulls out a book and starts to read. This signals that they are done conversing. I once had a lady jabber on while I was reading a People magazine. I’ll talk for a few minutes and then I need to read so I’m distracted when we take off. Otherwise in the middle of our conversation I’ll be like, “Holy crap, we’re moving. I hope we don’t die,” and this might scare you.
Don’t automatically hog the armrests. Especially if my arm is already on it. I’m polite and will take my arm off after awhile so the person next to me has a chance to use it. But some people immediately take it for themselves, refusing to share. Or, and this happened once, they’ll put their arm over mine on the armrest. That’s uncomfortable. Especially if you stink.
Don’t plug your earphones into my earphone plug. Look around for yours. This way I don’t have to tap you and say, “Excuse me, you’re using my plug.” Don’t have the nerve to look annoyed with ME for disturbing your precious music. Had you looked around more, I wouldn’t have had to bother you.
Don’t toss me dirty looks if my kids are being loud. This is the year 2011, kids aren’t just made to be seen and not heard. I will tell my kids to settle down if they get too noisy but I’m not going to ask them to hush if they are asking me questions. Trust me, if I don’t answer them right away, they only get louder. I wish there were airplanes for people with children only like you do, because when you toss me a dirty look, I want to toss my peanuts in your face.
Don’t bathe in cologne or perfume. I once had a person sit next to me who smelled as though they had sprayed the entire bottle of Calvin Klein on. I could even taste it in my mouth whenever I’d breathe in. That's disgusting, people.
Don’t constantly get up to use the bathroom if you are in the window seat. It’s annoying to the other two people beside you who have to constantly stand up and scoot into the aisle whenever you have to go. If you have a bladder problem, try to get an aisle seat. You can request these things when you book your ticket.
Don’t watch obscene movies beside me. I don’t want to watch soft porn on an aircraft, thanks. I’d rather not have to explain to my kids why the two adults are wrestling.
---------
Do you have anything I ought to add? I was tempted to put, "don't eat the airplane food" but not a lot of airlines serve it. Unless you want to pay for your limp noodles and mystery meat...
So I figured I’d make a list of things NOT to do while on an airplane.
Don’t lean your chair all the way back. It’s rude. I get that you probably paid an obscene amount for your seat so you feel you should be as comfortable as you want. But please remember there is a PERSON behind you who doesn’t appreciate your head in their laps. Should this occur, a drink might “accidentally” splash on you.
Don’t keep talking if the person next to you pulls out a book and starts to read. This signals that they are done conversing. I once had a lady jabber on while I was reading a People magazine. I’ll talk for a few minutes and then I need to read so I’m distracted when we take off. Otherwise in the middle of our conversation I’ll be like, “Holy crap, we’re moving. I hope we don’t die,” and this might scare you.
Don’t automatically hog the armrests. Especially if my arm is already on it. I’m polite and will take my arm off after awhile so the person next to me has a chance to use it. But some people immediately take it for themselves, refusing to share. Or, and this happened once, they’ll put their arm over mine on the armrest. That’s uncomfortable. Especially if you stink.
Don’t plug your earphones into my earphone plug. Look around for yours. This way I don’t have to tap you and say, “Excuse me, you’re using my plug.” Don’t have the nerve to look annoyed with ME for disturbing your precious music. Had you looked around more, I wouldn’t have had to bother you.
Don’t toss me dirty looks if my kids are being loud. This is the year 2011, kids aren’t just made to be seen and not heard. I will tell my kids to settle down if they get too noisy but I’m not going to ask them to hush if they are asking me questions. Trust me, if I don’t answer them right away, they only get louder. I wish there were airplanes for people with children only like you do, because when you toss me a dirty look, I want to toss my peanuts in your face.
Don’t bathe in cologne or perfume. I once had a person sit next to me who smelled as though they had sprayed the entire bottle of Calvin Klein on. I could even taste it in my mouth whenever I’d breathe in. That's disgusting, people.
Don’t constantly get up to use the bathroom if you are in the window seat. It’s annoying to the other two people beside you who have to constantly stand up and scoot into the aisle whenever you have to go. If you have a bladder problem, try to get an aisle seat. You can request these things when you book your ticket.
Don’t watch obscene movies beside me. I don’t want to watch soft porn on an aircraft, thanks. I’d rather not have to explain to my kids why the two adults are wrestling.
---------
Do you have anything I ought to add? I was tempted to put, "don't eat the airplane food" but not a lot of airlines serve it. Unless you want to pay for your limp noodles and mystery meat...
BBQing and Painting - A Most Unlikely Conversation.
BBQ on Saturday, BBQ on Sunday, BBQ on Monday for lunch. Last night when supper time rolled around Frank said, how about some eggs and bacon for supper. I don't think I can take anything else that has passed over a grill fire. I was in 100% agreement. I love BBQ's...but this weekend we were in BBQ overload. I cooked dinner quickly when we noticed a terrible storm heading our way and I was afraid our power might go out. I finished dinner just as the thunder and lightening started. The rain held off for another hour. We did NOT go to fireworks last night. We sat out on our carport and watched nature's fireworks at their finest. We could hear families around us shooting off bottle rockets, roman candles, and firecrackers....but for some reason the weather was not something I wanted to be out in. I wanted to be tucked away in the bed with a good book and listening to some long needed rain falling. I did see the Montgomery, AL fireworks at the Biscuits game on television thanks to Rich Thomas. They were nice. I had a great weekend shared with family and friends qnd today I go into upheaval mode. Frank and I live in a parsonage so for the past three weeks my windows, doors, and outside trim have been being primed and painted by Delbert. He is a local painter who gets here about 8 and leaves around 4 and works diligently. The windows look amazing. Today though he is starting inside the house. He will be doing the ceiling in three rooms: the laundry room, a guest bedroom, and my room. He is then going to paint the walls in the laundry room and my room. We have to move everything in those rooms so he can get around. He figures it will take a week. ARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!! I am going to be living like I did when we moved in last year....with furniture down the halls and in stuck in places I can't find. I am going to take the time though to change my desk up. Right now my desk is a table that was my aunts. We had nowhere to put it when we moved in....but it is going to a new home and family. It will be residing next door at Sherry and Keith's Visiting House. They have been letting me store my ebay stuff there and photograph it there....so this is the least I can do. I am finally moving the desk from the "Friends" guest room into the office guest room. That will be exciting. I am also planning to work one day this week up at my mom's, one day minimum with Amanda, trying to get her house in town ready to rent out so hopefully there will be plenty of opportunities for photos this week. I also have six more plants to get in the ground. Wish me luck. I was going to do that this morning early....but instead I am catching up on blog reading. I have missed seeing some of you in the last week. I hope the rest of your week is wonderful!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!
I got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your diary. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either.
----------------------
To not like it when people have deer heads on their walls. This freaks me out. The glassy eyes seem to follow me everywhere.
To want to see the new Tom Hanks movie. I really like him.
To always make the last bit of my ice cream soup when I have a bowl of it. I always stir the last bit until it's liquid and then I slurp it up. I only do this at home though.
To want to slap Casey Anthony's parents. And Casey Anthony. And her lawyer. Basically everyone who believes she's innocent.
To cringe when people walk into a room and say, "Knock knock." If you need to really knock, actually KNOCK. Don't just walk in and SAY knock knock.
To not care that William and Kate are coming to the US. They seem like nice people but really, I wish we'd focus more on our soldiers. You know, people defending the country.
To think plain oatmeal tastes like paste. I like the strawberries and cream one.
To have not seen fireworks on the fourth of July. There was a ban on them in Texas because of the drought. No biggie though.
To think it's silly that some parents are in a tizzy because they think Cars 2 was too violent. It wasn't. I liked the movie.
----------------------
To not like it when people have deer heads on their walls. This freaks me out. The glassy eyes seem to follow me everywhere.
To want to see the new Tom Hanks movie. I really like him.
To always make the last bit of my ice cream soup when I have a bowl of it. I always stir the last bit until it's liquid and then I slurp it up. I only do this at home though.
To want to slap Casey Anthony's parents. And Casey Anthony. And her lawyer. Basically everyone who believes she's innocent.
To cringe when people walk into a room and say, "Knock knock." If you need to really knock, actually KNOCK. Don't just walk in and SAY knock knock.
To not care that William and Kate are coming to the US. They seem like nice people but really, I wish we'd focus more on our soldiers. You know, people defending the country.
To think plain oatmeal tastes like paste. I like the strawberries and cream one.
To have not seen fireworks on the fourth of July. There was a ban on them in Texas because of the drought. No biggie though.
To think it's silly that some parents are in a tizzy because they think Cars 2 was too violent. It wasn't. I liked the movie.
A Lovely Reunion
She smelled sweet.
Like bananas.
And little girl.
Her arms circled my neck, her lips left a ball of spit on my cheek from where she kissed me. I didn't care though.
I had been away from my kids for four days. My Mom had taken them back with her to Texas so I could finish unpacking. Even though I missed the kids, I did enjoy my time away from them.
I was able to do the following while they were away:
--Unpack. Naturally. That was the main point of having them go.
--Read. When I was finished unpacking for the day it was wonderful to curl up on the couch and get lost in a book. It has been ages since I have finished one in two days.
--Watch Sex and the City during the day. Or anything else I wanted. I didn't have to worry if it was inappropriate for children or not. I can't even watch The Real Housewives anymore because Natalie has been taking everything in and she's like, "Why do those girls yell at each other all the time?" or, "What's wrong with that girl's face?" (She says this mainly towards the California housewives...you know, the ones who Botox their face up to the point where you can't tell if they are happy or sad..)
--Walk around in my underwear. Well. I didn't really do this. But it felt great to know that I COULD if I wanted.
--Take PIPS. (Poops in peace) I didn't have someone banging on the door or worse, walking in and making a request as if they didn't notice me sitting on the commode.
--Having a snack and not having to share. I don't like to share all the time. Sometimes I want the Klondike bar for myself.
Yes.
I definately was relaxed. I could even relax on the airplane from Oklahoma to Texas. I didn't have to tend to anyone. I could open my book and read, not having to worry that my kids were entertained and not peeking over the seat in front of us. ("I think I see The Office, Mommy," Natalie had once said as she glanced in front of us and my heart had raced for a second. John Krasinski. Flying Southwest! Like the rest of us regular people. I knew there was a reason why I liked him. I knew--oh. The guy Natalie was talking about turned around, scowling at us, and I realized he looked a bit like Micheal Scott. But he wasn't.)
"I missed you," Natalie breathed, refusing to let me go. Her feet were clamped behind me, her arms looped around my neck.
"Hi, Tommy," I said to my son, who stared at me with bright eyes. At the age of nine, he no longer attaches himself to me and likes to act as though he'd be fine on his own.
"Hi," Tommy answered.
Of course I thanked my mother. She had admitted that it was hard work, that it had taken a lot out of her to watch the kids. After all they have tons of energy, the kind that I wish I could bottle up and sell. I'd be a millionare. And then comes the neverending questions. Why is the sun yellow? Why doesn't it rain a lot in Texas? Why did Darth Vadar turn to the Dark Side? What's wrong with Snooki's hair? Can we have chocolate for dinner? Why not? YOU'VE had chocolate for dinner before.
We walked out to Mom's car, Natalie still gripping onto me. My arms were starting to ache. She may be light, but she begins to feel heavy after a few minutes. Maybe it just means I'm weak.
"I've been swimming and I go under water. I'm not scared," Natalie told me solemnly as we walked.
She's much different than I was as a child. I hated going under the water.
"What was the airport like at Oklahoma?" Tommy wanted to know. He's obsessed with the designs of airports. It's one of his Asperger quirks. Another is power lines. He wants to know the design of power lines in each state. If he ever meets you, one of the first things he might ask is, "What do your power lines look like?" He has notebooks filled with drawings of different power lines. I'll watch him draw a row, his tongue poking out the side of his mouth in concentration.
"The airport was much smaller than Denver," I answered, naming the airport we used to fly out of when we lived in Wyoming.
Tommy puffed his lower lip out. "Oh." He liked the design of Denver, loved the trains we had to go on to get to the different concourses. He'd even repeat the voice of the train, the ones that said, "Hold on, please," even the sassy one, the one that said, "Step away from the doors. YOU are the one holding up the train."
"It's still nice though. You'll see it when we fly back," I assured him.
"When we drive home, will we see the power lines?" Tommy asked hopefully.
"I'm sure we will."
Natalie still clung to me as we walked outside the airport. The heat hit me in the face. I was in sweatpants because airplanes make me cold. I could never wear shorts or else I'd freeze.
Natalie eventually let go of me when I buckled her into her carseat. That was another thing I could do when the kids were gone: I could leave a car without having to worry about anyone else. Now I was back in Mommy mode, latching Natalie's buckles, making sure they were tight around her. She's old enough to move into an easier seat, a booster seat, but I want to keep her in a six point harness as long as I can.
We stopped for lunch before we headed to Mom's house and when our food arrived, for a brief second I almost started to eat as I was able to when the kids were away. But then I remembered that it was no longer Just Me. I leaned over and cut Natalie's noodles, placed a puddle of ketchup on each of their plates for the french fries, requested more lemonade for Tommy...
Really, it was nice to have Me Time.
But it feels good to be needed.
It feels good to be loved, to have someone want to attach themselves to you and never let go.
Like bananas.
And little girl.
Her arms circled my neck, her lips left a ball of spit on my cheek from where she kissed me. I didn't care though.
I had been away from my kids for four days. My Mom had taken them back with her to Texas so I could finish unpacking. Even though I missed the kids, I did enjoy my time away from them.
I was able to do the following while they were away:
--Unpack. Naturally. That was the main point of having them go.
--Read. When I was finished unpacking for the day it was wonderful to curl up on the couch and get lost in a book. It has been ages since I have finished one in two days.
--Watch Sex and the City during the day. Or anything else I wanted. I didn't have to worry if it was inappropriate for children or not. I can't even watch The Real Housewives anymore because Natalie has been taking everything in and she's like, "Why do those girls yell at each other all the time?" or, "What's wrong with that girl's face?" (She says this mainly towards the California housewives...you know, the ones who Botox their face up to the point where you can't tell if they are happy or sad..)
--Walk around in my underwear. Well. I didn't really do this. But it felt great to know that I COULD if I wanted.
--Take PIPS. (Poops in peace) I didn't have someone banging on the door or worse, walking in and making a request as if they didn't notice me sitting on the commode.
--Having a snack and not having to share. I don't like to share all the time. Sometimes I want the Klondike bar for myself.
Yes.
I definately was relaxed. I could even relax on the airplane from Oklahoma to Texas. I didn't have to tend to anyone. I could open my book and read, not having to worry that my kids were entertained and not peeking over the seat in front of us. ("I think I see The Office, Mommy," Natalie had once said as she glanced in front of us and my heart had raced for a second. John Krasinski. Flying Southwest! Like the rest of us regular people. I knew there was a reason why I liked him. I knew--oh. The guy Natalie was talking about turned around, scowling at us, and I realized he looked a bit like Micheal Scott. But he wasn't.)
"I missed you," Natalie breathed, refusing to let me go. Her feet were clamped behind me, her arms looped around my neck.
"Hi, Tommy," I said to my son, who stared at me with bright eyes. At the age of nine, he no longer attaches himself to me and likes to act as though he'd be fine on his own.
"Hi," Tommy answered.
Of course I thanked my mother. She had admitted that it was hard work, that it had taken a lot out of her to watch the kids. After all they have tons of energy, the kind that I wish I could bottle up and sell. I'd be a millionare. And then comes the neverending questions. Why is the sun yellow? Why doesn't it rain a lot in Texas? Why did Darth Vadar turn to the Dark Side? What's wrong with Snooki's hair? Can we have chocolate for dinner? Why not? YOU'VE had chocolate for dinner before.
We walked out to Mom's car, Natalie still gripping onto me. My arms were starting to ache. She may be light, but she begins to feel heavy after a few minutes. Maybe it just means I'm weak.
"I've been swimming and I go under water. I'm not scared," Natalie told me solemnly as we walked.
She's much different than I was as a child. I hated going under the water.
"What was the airport like at Oklahoma?" Tommy wanted to know. He's obsessed with the designs of airports. It's one of his Asperger quirks. Another is power lines. He wants to know the design of power lines in each state. If he ever meets you, one of the first things he might ask is, "What do your power lines look like?" He has notebooks filled with drawings of different power lines. I'll watch him draw a row, his tongue poking out the side of his mouth in concentration.
"The airport was much smaller than Denver," I answered, naming the airport we used to fly out of when we lived in Wyoming.
Tommy puffed his lower lip out. "Oh." He liked the design of Denver, loved the trains we had to go on to get to the different concourses. He'd even repeat the voice of the train, the ones that said, "Hold on, please," even the sassy one, the one that said, "Step away from the doors. YOU are the one holding up the train."
"It's still nice though. You'll see it when we fly back," I assured him.
"When we drive home, will we see the power lines?" Tommy asked hopefully.
"I'm sure we will."
Natalie still clung to me as we walked outside the airport. The heat hit me in the face. I was in sweatpants because airplanes make me cold. I could never wear shorts or else I'd freeze.
Natalie eventually let go of me when I buckled her into her carseat. That was another thing I could do when the kids were gone: I could leave a car without having to worry about anyone else. Now I was back in Mommy mode, latching Natalie's buckles, making sure they were tight around her. She's old enough to move into an easier seat, a booster seat, but I want to keep her in a six point harness as long as I can.
We stopped for lunch before we headed to Mom's house and when our food arrived, for a brief second I almost started to eat as I was able to when the kids were away. But then I remembered that it was no longer Just Me. I leaned over and cut Natalie's noodles, placed a puddle of ketchup on each of their plates for the french fries, requested more lemonade for Tommy...
Really, it was nice to have Me Time.
But it feels good to be needed.
It feels good to be loved, to have someone want to attach themselves to you and never let go.
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