Good news: I am finished with my Christmas shopping.
Bad news: I have wrapped a total of ZERO presents.
Bad news: I ended up buying the kids 5 gifts each (as opposed to the 3 I had planned on).
Good news: Mark says that the Christmas PJs the kids open on Christmas Eve and books do not count towards their total... meaning I stuck to my 3 gift per kid resolution.
Good news: My December Daily album is coming along nicely and I am excited about the way it is turning out.
Bad news: The photo blog is still behind.
Good news: There are 18 days left in December and I am confident that I will have it caught up by December 31st.
Bad news: That means I am going to have to GET WITH IT already...sheesh.
Good news: I have been going to the gym on a regular basis.
Bad news: No Carbs = No Fun (but it also = weight loss...so it's not all bad news)
In the week ahead I plan on:
-wrapping ALL of the gifts
-catching up the photo blog
-going to the gym 5 times
-reading the kids at least 4 of their Christmas books
-reading the Christmas story through at least twice
-having lunch with a friend from middle school/high school that found me on facebook
-thinking about getting a massage
-taking a nap at least once
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A few things...
-I summoned the courage to start working out with my trainer again. I thought she loved me for coming back to my senses and getting back on the wagon again... I thought that until she made me do the bench lunges yesterday... I can barely walk up the stairs today...fortunately the girls are home for a *snow day* thus enabling me to say things like "Cammie...can you bring mommy the phone off of her nightstand"? and "Chloe, get the laundry out of my closet and toss it down the stairs to me".
-Did I mention that the girls are out for a *snow day*. There is nary a flake to be found...yet school was cancelled. What is that about?
-When we moved into this house, my little husband promised that he would hang icicle lights EVERY December. The first December he tried...truly, he did. I was so thankful that he didn't fall off the roof (we didn't have nearly enough life insurance) (just kidding), I tried really hard not to complain about the string of lights that were not attached to the highest peaked eave...instead they were tossed across the eave to the other side of the peak where he could actually reach. Really, I tried.
Evidently I didn't try hard enough because the past three December there have been no festive, twinkling lights attached to any eave...much less the highest peaked eave.
Ever indulgent man that he is, this year he suggested that we hang lit wreathes in each of the windows. I love that man. And I love the lit wreathes.
-I am going to update the photo blog (the first installment of catch up photos will be posted tonight). I know, I know...it is waaaaaayyyyyy behind...and I apologize that you have been forced to view the same picture of my ironing board since October 13th. If I had known that I was going to fall off the photo blog wagon, I would have fallen right after I posted a picture of my two adorable doggies...but I didn't plan on falling off...and so you have the ironing board picture instead. (Nathan, I promise I am going to catch it up completely this week...and stay up to date through the end of the year. I promise).
-It is December 2nd and except for my mom's present and Mark's gift, I am FINISHED with my Christmas shopping!
-Lastly, have I mentioned that Cammie is going to be an Olympic gymnast one day? Last night she received her first medal...not an Olympic medal, but a medal nonetheless. How many 5 year old kids can vault? I may be a bit partial...but seriously, she rocks!
-Did I mention that the girls are out for a *snow day*. There is nary a flake to be found...yet school was cancelled. What is that about?
-When we moved into this house, my little husband promised that he would hang icicle lights EVERY December. The first December he tried...truly, he did. I was so thankful that he didn't fall off the roof (we didn't have nearly enough life insurance) (just kidding), I tried really hard not to complain about the string of lights that were not attached to the highest peaked eave...instead they were tossed across the eave to the other side of the peak where he could actually reach. Really, I tried.
Evidently I didn't try hard enough because the past three December there have been no festive, twinkling lights attached to any eave...much less the highest peaked eave.
Ever indulgent man that he is, this year he suggested that we hang lit wreathes in each of the windows. I love that man. And I love the lit wreathes.
-I am going to update the photo blog (the first installment of catch up photos will be posted tonight). I know, I know...it is waaaaaayyyyyy behind...and I apologize that you have been forced to view the same picture of my ironing board since October 13th. If I had known that I was going to fall off the photo blog wagon, I would have fallen right after I posted a picture of my two adorable doggies...but I didn't plan on falling off...and so you have the ironing board picture instead. (Nathan, I promise I am going to catch it up completely this week...and stay up to date through the end of the year. I promise).
-It is December 2nd and except for my mom's present and Mark's gift, I am FINISHED with my Christmas shopping!
-Lastly, have I mentioned that Cammie is going to be an Olympic gymnast one day? Last night she received her first medal...not an Olympic medal, but a medal nonetheless. How many 5 year old kids can vault? I may be a bit partial...but seriously, she rocks!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I remembered something else...
I think the first time this happened I was 14 or so.
Scene: Grandma's kitchen table...eating her tasty spaghetti...
Me: "Grandma, you make the best spaghetti"!
Grandma: (smiling sweetly) "You're just sayin' that 'cause it's true".
Hmmm...I guess she's also directly responsible for my humble spirit...
Most of the time, when given a compliment she would simply say "thank you"...but every once in a while, she would throw out that phrase and it would just crack me up.
I really, really love my Grandma.
Scene: Grandma's kitchen table...eating her tasty spaghetti...
Me: "Grandma, you make the best spaghetti"!
Grandma: (smiling sweetly) "You're just sayin' that 'cause it's true".
Hmmm...I guess she's also directly responsible for my humble spirit...
Most of the time, when given a compliment she would simply say "thank you"...but every once in a while, she would throw out that phrase and it would just crack me up.
I really, really love my Grandma.
Friday, November 21, 2008
My Grandma...
Priscilla Rosalee Sinor
June 9, 1929 – November 14, 2008
May I tell you some things I know?
-she is the only person on the planet that has loved me completely and without conditions
-she is responsible for anything good within me
-she drank instant coffee, 3 cups every single day…with 2% milk and lots of sugar, she would pour some into her saucer to cool it off and then let me drink it…she is directly responsible for my Starbucks problem
-she was a bartender for over 20 years and she was the best (a fact that even though I don’t drink any more, I still think is cool)
-Grandma would buy my friend Carrie and I a whole watermelon, cut it in half and then let us eat the entire thing for breakfast…with a shaker of salt of course
-when she first came to Tennessee from Alaska at the age of 15 she had never seen a watermelon before, much less tasted one…upon her first introduction, she ate the entire slice…rind and all
-she was born in Valdez, Alaska…her mother was a full-blooded Aleutian Indian
-she taught me to use an eyebrow pencil to compensate for my lack of furrow
-rarely did she tell me “no” (I suppose she is directly responsible for spoiling me)
-however, she did slap me once, I was 7 and I took the Lord’s name in vain…I didn’t do it again
-she painted my room lavender when I was 6
-just about every single weekend from the time I was 2 until I was 14 was spent at my Grandma’s house (had I spent every weekend from 14 – 21 at her house, perhaps I would have avoided many a mistake)
-she wrote her grocery list on the back of junk mail envelopes…how I wish I had saved one of those lists…I can see her scrawled handwriting…milk, alka seltzer, hamburger...
-the first time she let me order a Big Mac instead of a happy meal (she always had an apple pie for herself)
-Faygo root beer in the fridge
-hours and hours at “rummage” sales and flea markets in search of long, dangly earrings for her to wear to work
-a pair of earrings that looked like a deck of cards and had individual cards hanging down
-the smell of Aqua-Net hairspray and White Diamonds perfume as she got ready for work
-Kmart…every Saturday…where I would get a coloring book, sketch pad, or book…but ALWAYS an Icee
-circus peanuts (that orange marshmallow-y candy)
-her spaghetti, stuffed bell peppers, banana pudding, toast and gravy, and of course apple cake
-shipments of fresh Halibut, smoked salmon and king crab that would follow her home from trips to Alaska…she let me have as much smoked salmon as I wanted…even though it was expensive
-the month that I spent with her, my papaw and my cousin Chad in Alaska…visiting family and seeing exactly where we come from
-our weekend routine: she would pick me up right after I got home from school, we would go to her house (I can still picture the route we took from one point to the next), she would cook dinner and I would help, she would watch the 5 o’clock news while resting on the couch, then she would take a bath (never a shower) and get ready for work, Papaw would come home, we would eat, she would go to work, Papaw would take me to rent a movie or to a a basketball game, we’d watch tv, around 3:30 am she would come home from work…sometimes with friend’s from work whose laughter would wake me up…and she would fix a big breakfast and let me stay up to eat too…then back to bed for both of us. on Saturday I would wake up and eat cereal…usually puffed oats or rice krispies…and watch cartoons (90 minutes of the smurfs, followed by Scooby doo) at 11 she would wake up, fix her coffee, read the paper…passing me the comics, we would then get dressed and head to kmart , flea markets and garage sales (my papaw would fill her tank up with gas before he left for work…she never learned how to pump gas)…after kmart the evening would go exactly like the evening before
-she always smiled
-my papaw would pat her rump and she would swat his hand away and say “Oh quit that”…but she would always grin... so I knew she liked the attention
-she told me that I was smart…and I believed her
-her kitchen was decorated with ducks for a very long time
-the duck phase gave way to the Campbell’s soup phase
-she would take me to Cedar Hill park (before it was a pervert magnet) and let me feed the ducks…if she didn’t have any stale bread she would take me to bi-rite and buy me a loaf to feed them
-she let me play in the creek behind her house for hours
-she smoked Winston cigarettes
-she would buy me candy cigarettes and “light” them for me with her lighter (this was before we knew how bad cigarettes were for your health…I think)
-due to said smoking she had a cough and when we would get separated in a store I would listen for her cough in order to find her again
-she really liked Lifetime movies on Sunday night
-she let my papaw name all of their male collies (and there were at least 4) Vandy…all female collies (and there were at least 2 of those) Lady
-Red Lobster was her favorite restaurant
-once when I was 10 she let me wash her car to earn spending money…I thought that it would be a good idea to squirt the hood with Windex and let it soak in…she didn’t yell at me when she realized that I had stripped the paint off of her car…she was nice like that
-she let me choose the radio station every single time we went out
-she let me use her good silverware and dishes to make countless mud pies…and then she would pretend to eat them
-she hosted family dinners every single month for everyone that had a birthday that month
-chocolate pie is definitely a dinner substitute
-she hugged me…a lot
-she teased me…a lot…(in that good way that let’s you know you’re loved)
-strays were always welcome (her affectionate term for anyone without family close by that spent the holidays with us)
-if it couldn’t be bought at bi-rite, we didn’t need to eat it
-I was her favorite…until I had Forrest and then he usurped me…I’ve never forgiven him for that
-every once in awhile she would take me to work with her…before we knew that bars were bad for children…and the band would let me request songs and she would let me dance on the dance floor and give me all of the Shirley Temples I could drink…then she would take a break and put me to bed in the linen room…she would tuck me with table cloths as my blankets and I knew that I was the luckiest little girl in the world
-she is and was my hero
-One thing I don’t know though…is how to live with out her.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Lest you doubt that I'm a natural blonde...
I present the following as further evidence...
Today, as I am hurrying around the house, trying to straighten up and start laundry and squeeze in a Publix run before picking up Forrest...Rachel called to go over important Brownie business...and to clarify carpool plans for the afternoon.
As we talk I corral the horses...er...I mean dogs, grab my purse and bottle of water (on the wagon for the 472nd time), I kicked the laundry room door shut and hopped in my truck. We are still chatting as I press the button to close the garage door, back out of the drive and head up the street.
I am a block away from my house when the line goes fuzzy. "Hmm...must have dropped the call" I think to myself. I look down to see what the screen on my cell phone says...and find that I am not on the cell phone, I am on the cordless phone.
Nice.
Today, as I am hurrying around the house, trying to straighten up and start laundry and squeeze in a Publix run before picking up Forrest...Rachel called to go over important Brownie business...and to clarify carpool plans for the afternoon.
As we talk I corral the horses...er...I mean dogs, grab my purse and bottle of water (on the wagon for the 472nd time), I kicked the laundry room door shut and hopped in my truck. We are still chatting as I press the button to close the garage door, back out of the drive and head up the street.
I am a block away from my house when the line goes fuzzy. "Hmm...must have dropped the call" I think to myself. I look down to see what the screen on my cell phone says...and find that I am not on the cell phone, I am on the cordless phone.
Nice.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Whew...
Elections are over and what's done, is done. I'm just glad that other important things can occupy my thoughts (until the end of January at least). No more Obama-infomercials and I think it is safe to say that the word "maverick" will be out of circulation...those two things alone are cause for celebration.
Now I can think on things more pressing. Things like Christmas.
We have decided to scale gift giving way back this year. When I first started thinking about revising our 10-15 gifts per child tradition, I was in the midst of cleaning out the cubbies in the playroom. I had stumbled across two Christmas gifts still in their packaging. Two gifts that were stuffed into the darkest corner of the entertainment center and promptly forgotten. This was towards the end of March.
As I carried the toys to the laundry room and stacked them in with the other Goodwill donations, I had the fleeting thought "next Christmas will be different, obviously they don't need all of this stuff". I didn't think about it too long though, it was March after all.
Then came June. Cammie turned 5 in June. All that she could think of for her birthday present wish list was a new bike and Webkinz.
July followed with Sophie's 8th birthday. Again, a new bike and Webkinz were the only things on her list.
Hannah turned 11 in August. She hadn't outgrown her bike and so the only thing on her list were more Webkinz. After a few weeks of prodding, she said that "she guessed she could use a new purse".
In September, I began asking everyone what they wanted for Christmas. None of the girls could think of anything.
So, this year they will all be receiving 3 gifts each... two from Mark and I and one from Santa. I was expecting some protest from the kids just on principle. Instead they said "okay, we don't really need anything anyway". And, that seems to be holding true.
Forrest has two things on his list...a new skateboard deck and a PS3 game. Chloe and Sophie want an American Girl doll and Webkinz and Cammie would like a Gamboy and Webkinz. Hannah wants Webkinz and "maybe something else". They realize that they have enough and that amazes me.
Mark is still not convinced that I can hold to the 3 gift limit...but I just can't buy them toys just for the sake of spending money. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Now I can think on things more pressing. Things like Christmas.
We have decided to scale gift giving way back this year. When I first started thinking about revising our 10-15 gifts per child tradition, I was in the midst of cleaning out the cubbies in the playroom. I had stumbled across two Christmas gifts still in their packaging. Two gifts that were stuffed into the darkest corner of the entertainment center and promptly forgotten. This was towards the end of March.
As I carried the toys to the laundry room and stacked them in with the other Goodwill donations, I had the fleeting thought "next Christmas will be different, obviously they don't need all of this stuff". I didn't think about it too long though, it was March after all.
Then came June. Cammie turned 5 in June. All that she could think of for her birthday present wish list was a new bike and Webkinz.
July followed with Sophie's 8th birthday. Again, a new bike and Webkinz were the only things on her list.
Hannah turned 11 in August. She hadn't outgrown her bike and so the only thing on her list were more Webkinz. After a few weeks of prodding, she said that "she guessed she could use a new purse".
In September, I began asking everyone what they wanted for Christmas. None of the girls could think of anything.
So, this year they will all be receiving 3 gifts each... two from Mark and I and one from Santa. I was expecting some protest from the kids just on principle. Instead they said "okay, we don't really need anything anyway". And, that seems to be holding true.
Forrest has two things on his list...a new skateboard deck and a PS3 game. Chloe and Sophie want an American Girl doll and Webkinz and Cammie would like a Gamboy and Webkinz. Hannah wants Webkinz and "maybe something else". They realize that they have enough and that amazes me.
Mark is still not convinced that I can hold to the 3 gift limit...but I just can't buy them toys just for the sake of spending money. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Day '08
Random thoughts...voted last week...people in line kept to themselves, no chatting with strangers like in elections past...sad that we are a country so DIVIDED...wondering what ever happened to ONE nation UNDER GOD...hoping that the speculations about riots are just hype...thinking that it's crazy that as Americans we are even considering the possibility of riots...hoping that our taxes don't shoot through the freakin' roof too terribly soon...feeling excited and anxious...wondering what the history books will say about this election in 20 years...glad that it will be OVER soon and what will be will be...fighting the urge to stock pile food and antibiotics...reminding myself that God already knows what tomorrow (and every day after that) will bring...wondering how long the accusations of voter fraud and recounting of votes will go on...wishing I knew how to explain things like abortion and taxes and religious freedoms to my 5 and 7 year old because they keep asking me why I am voting for the guy I am voting for...reminding myself that there will be another election in four years and that the damage done until then won't be past rectifying...hoping that we will remain America the FREE...wondering what HOPE and CHANGE really mean to those that will hold power over us all...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Overheard...
Conversation #1:
Scene: In the truck...on the way home from school.
Cammie: "See that tree over there".
Chloe: "Which one"?
Cammie: "That one with no leaves".
Chloe: "Yes".
Cammie: "If it has no leaves, that means it's BARE. BARE means no leaves on the branches. You can't call a tree with no leaves a naked butt because that would hurt it's feelings".
Conversation #2:
Scene: Chloe coughing as she reads aloud to me while I check my email. Cammie stands next to Chloe looking at the pictures in her book.
Chloe: cough-cough "I need some cough drops, I've been coughing alot".
Cammie: buuuuurrrrrrrrpppppp!!!! "I need some burp drops, I've been burping alot".
Scene: In the truck...on the way home from school.
Cammie: "See that tree over there".
Chloe: "Which one"?
Cammie: "That one with no leaves".
Chloe: "Yes".
Cammie: "If it has no leaves, that means it's BARE. BARE means no leaves on the branches. You can't call a tree with no leaves a naked butt because that would hurt it's feelings".
Conversation #2:
Scene: Chloe coughing as she reads aloud to me while I check my email. Cammie stands next to Chloe looking at the pictures in her book.
Chloe: cough-cough "I need some cough drops, I've been coughing alot".
Cammie: buuuuurrrrrrrrpppppp!!!! "I need some burp drops, I've been burping alot".
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The tally...
In order to make a decidedly dull "town hall" debate a little more bearable to watch, I hit the pause button (I heart Tivo) after the first five minutes,and sought out a pencil and a piece of paper.
I am happy to report that John McCain did not use the word "maverick" one single time. It would appear that his advisers got the memo to drop the over used title. Unfortunately, it was replaced by "reformer"...which was used five times. The bright side to that is that we now know that someone on his campaign staff owns a thesaurus.
Hopefully, that same someone will look up an alternative to "my friends". I lost count at 162.
As for Obama...well evidently some one told him that his lead in the polls widened by a percentage point every time he used the terms "Bush administration" and "the last 8 years"...and so, despite the fact that he is NOT running against the 8 year Bush administration, he managed to use those terms a minimum of 11 times.
I guess my main problem with this whole election is that I can't get behind either candidate 100%... Instead of voting for McCain, I find that I am voting against Obama. Honestly, I don't believe that either candidate will make this country a better place...
I am happy to report that John McCain did not use the word "maverick" one single time. It would appear that his advisers got the memo to drop the over used title. Unfortunately, it was replaced by "reformer"...which was used five times. The bright side to that is that we now know that someone on his campaign staff owns a thesaurus.
Hopefully, that same someone will look up an alternative to "my friends". I lost count at 162.
As for Obama...well evidently some one told him that his lead in the polls widened by a percentage point every time he used the terms "Bush administration" and "the last 8 years"...and so, despite the fact that he is NOT running against the 8 year Bush administration, he managed to use those terms a minimum of 11 times.
I guess my main problem with this whole election is that I can't get behind either candidate 100%... Instead of voting for McCain, I find that I am voting against Obama. Honestly, I don't believe that either candidate will make this country a better place...
Friday, October 3, 2008
I would hereby like to make a motion
to forbid the use of certain terms for the remainder of the Presidential Campaign Season.
Term One: "Bush Administration"
Senators Biden and Obama...please, refrain from using the words "Bush Administration". It appears that you have failed to notice that you are in fact running against Senator McCain and Governor Palin. Say it with me..."We are not running against George Bush, we are running against John McCain and Sarah Palin".
Term Two: "Maverick"
Senator McCain and Governor Palin...please, refrain from referring to yourselves as "Mavericks"...surely there is a synonym or two out there for you to grab onto. Find a thesaurus and a new buzz word. Seriously, the word has been used so much it has lost it's meaning.
Term Three: "Change"
All four of you... unless you can detail what your idea of "change" is, give the word a rest. Obviously "change is a'comin"...Bush isn't eligible for re-election. The presidency is going to "change hands"...tell us what "change" means to you, or quit stating the obvious.
And that is all I have to say about that.
Term One: "Bush Administration"
Senators Biden and Obama...please, refrain from using the words "Bush Administration". It appears that you have failed to notice that you are in fact running against Senator McCain and Governor Palin. Say it with me..."We are not running against George Bush, we are running against John McCain and Sarah Palin".
Term Two: "Maverick"
Senator McCain and Governor Palin...please, refrain from referring to yourselves as "Mavericks"...surely there is a synonym or two out there for you to grab onto. Find a thesaurus and a new buzz word. Seriously, the word has been used so much it has lost it's meaning.
Term Three: "Change"
All four of you... unless you can detail what your idea of "change" is, give the word a rest. Obviously "change is a'comin"...Bush isn't eligible for re-election. The presidency is going to "change hands"...tell us what "change" means to you, or quit stating the obvious.
And that is all I have to say about that.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Some random things...
because I haven't posted in a few weeks and I know how irritating it is to click over to someones blog day after day and find the same post that you found the day before...
-I have cooked two nights in a row this week...tonight will be night three. I am really trying to cook more often...and I know I have said that before...and I can pretty much guarantee that I will say it again...but hey, three nights is better than no nights...right?
-My truck was super-funk-nasty-dirty. Mark and I are going to Catalyst in Atlanta next week and some friends from church are riding down with us. The amount of cleaning my truck is in need of is far beyond my abilities. When the nice little detail guy looked at it to give me an estimate, he "tsk-tsked" and said that it was a "two-dayer"...and that "no, I couldn't let friends ride in it"...he'd "clean it so that I wouldn't have to rent a car". Thanks.
He also said that he could repair the 8" gash in my front bumper. A gash that has been marring the beauty of my lovely truck since the 7th day I owned it...a gash that was inflicted by WashMasters in Rivergate...side note...NEVER take your vehicle to WashMasters. I had said those same words to my well-meaning husband...I said "NEVER go through WashMasters...they have a history of damaging cars and not fixing them"...and he forgot that I said "NEVER go through WashMasters"... and in that moment of forgetfulness, he decided to be nice and have have my truck washed for me...and my truck entered the wash perfect and unblemished and emerged scarred and worn.
The detail guy also said that he could fix the spot where I had had an altercation with a yellow pole in the Starbucks drive-thru. No one warned me about the yellow pole in the Starbucks drive-thru.
-Winston is getting HUGE. He is 8 months old today and he weighs a little under 100 pounds. Oh how I love this doggie. His sister will be joining us in 10 days...I can't wait.
-Speaking of things that I can't wait for...I can't wait to watch the debate tonight. This election is so important...I urge everyone to read up on the candidates (specifically, read about their voting history in the Senate) make an INFORMED decision, and most importantly VOTE!
-I love Fall. More than I love Fall, I love napping in the fall. Actually, I just love napping...but napping is better in the Fall.
While, I know that this has been a rather bland post...but it beats the same page again...right?
-I have cooked two nights in a row this week...tonight will be night three. I am really trying to cook more often...and I know I have said that before...and I can pretty much guarantee that I will say it again...but hey, three nights is better than no nights...right?
-My truck was super-funk-nasty-dirty. Mark and I are going to Catalyst in Atlanta next week and some friends from church are riding down with us. The amount of cleaning my truck is in need of is far beyond my abilities. When the nice little detail guy looked at it to give me an estimate, he "tsk-tsked" and said that it was a "two-dayer"...and that "no, I couldn't let friends ride in it"...he'd "clean it so that I wouldn't have to rent a car". Thanks.
He also said that he could repair the 8" gash in my front bumper. A gash that has been marring the beauty of my lovely truck since the 7th day I owned it...a gash that was inflicted by WashMasters in Rivergate...side note...NEVER take your vehicle to WashMasters. I had said those same words to my well-meaning husband...I said "NEVER go through WashMasters...they have a history of damaging cars and not fixing them"...and he forgot that I said "NEVER go through WashMasters"... and in that moment of forgetfulness, he decided to be nice and have have my truck washed for me...and my truck entered the wash perfect and unblemished and emerged scarred and worn.
The detail guy also said that he could fix the spot where I had had an altercation with a yellow pole in the Starbucks drive-thru. No one warned me about the yellow pole in the Starbucks drive-thru.
-Winston is getting HUGE. He is 8 months old today and he weighs a little under 100 pounds. Oh how I love this doggie. His sister will be joining us in 10 days...I can't wait.
-Speaking of things that I can't wait for...I can't wait to watch the debate tonight. This election is so important...I urge everyone to read up on the candidates (specifically, read about their voting history in the Senate) make an INFORMED decision, and most importantly VOTE!
-I love Fall. More than I love Fall, I love napping in the fall. Actually, I just love napping...but napping is better in the Fall.
While, I know that this has been a rather bland post...but it beats the same page again...right?
Friday, September 19, 2008
I think that...
most parents want their children to dream big...set their goals high...aim to achieve more than they themselves achieved. Am I right?
Seriously, don't we want the best for our kids? A good education, followed by a rewarding career, a nice home and a happy family?
Bearing that in mind, you will understand why I found the following conversation perplexing...
On the way to church we pass Mason's Motel and Restaurant. The motel has been converted to pay-by-the-week apartments. For years, the sign has read:
Mason's
Motel and
Restaurant
As of last week, the "Motel and" part have been covered with a banner that simply says "Efficiency".
Forrest: "What do they mean by "efficiency"?
Me: " They no longer rent rooms by the night, they rent them by the week".
Forrest: "Like an apartment except you pay week-to-week instead of month-to-month"?
Me: "Yes, exactly".
Forrest: "Hmmm...I'll have to keep that in mind".
Me: "Keep what in mind"?
Forrest: "You know, as an option for when I graduate".
That's right son, dream big.
Seriously, don't we want the best for our kids? A good education, followed by a rewarding career, a nice home and a happy family?
Bearing that in mind, you will understand why I found the following conversation perplexing...
On the way to church we pass Mason's Motel and Restaurant. The motel has been converted to pay-by-the-week apartments. For years, the sign has read:
Mason's
Motel and
Restaurant
As of last week, the "Motel and" part have been covered with a banner that simply says "Efficiency".
Forrest: "What do they mean by "efficiency"?
Me: " They no longer rent rooms by the night, they rent them by the week".
Forrest: "Like an apartment except you pay week-to-week instead of month-to-month"?
Me: "Yes, exactly".
Forrest: "Hmmm...I'll have to keep that in mind".
Me: "Keep what in mind"?
Forrest: "You know, as an option for when I graduate".
That's right son, dream big.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Today I am...
celebrating the first anniversary of my 30th birthday. (Which sounds so much better than "today I am officially in my thirties").
Sarah and I have birthdays two and a half weeks apart. We've always said that we would celebrate our 30th birthdays together somewhere fabulous. Last year when we realized that we couldn't work out our schedules to actually make that happen, we began planning for our 1st anniversary trip.
And (yes, I know that it's not proper grammar to begin a sentence with the word "and") that is where we are now. Lazing about in our hotel room in New York City. Napping and reading.
In an hour or so, we'll begin getting ready for an early dinner and afterwards, we'll be seeing WICKED on Broadway. Have I said that my birthday is my favorite holiday?
My other birthday present is this...
-
-
We haven't named her yet. The breeder that we adopted Winston from called a few weeks ago to let us know that her dog Madison had just given birth to a litter of 8 pups. She knew how much we had enjoyed playing with the previous litter on our visits with Winston before we were able to bring him home...and since this would be the last litter for Madison, she thought we might like to come and visit the little pups.
-
All puppies are cute, but Saint Bernard puppies are exceptionally so. When I held this little cuddly pup and she fell asleep on me, I fell in love...and my ever indulgent husband bought her for me.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Six silly things about me...
I was tagged by Brea...here goes:
1. I love true crime stories. I started reading true crime books when I was 10. At the time, it didn't seem weird. Today? Who let's their 10 year old read about The Black Dahlia or this guy? Seriously, I think I should have been supervised a wee bit closer. Now, I like to watch Cold Case Files and such while I fold laundry.
2. Sometimes, I narrate conversations and situations in my head. Example: Driving down the road the other day...
Forrest: "Why do you pick me up before you pick the girls up"?
Me: "Beacause Forrest, you get out of school 20 minutes earlier".
Forrest: "Can't you pick them up and then pick me up"?
Me: "Sure Forrest, I'd love to add an extra 40 minutes to my after school pick-ups".
After I said that last line...in my head I thought "she said sarcastically".
That's just one example, I actually do that on a fairly regular basis. Sometimes, it annoys me.
3. I just realized that I should have titled this "6 Bizarre Things About Me".
3. (I was joking about that last #3). This might be TMI...but I brush my teeth while I am in the shower. Yep. I keep toothpaste and my toothbrush in the shower and that is were I polish my pearly whites.
4. I seriously have a problem with the news. I read it voraciously. Fox News is my home page and I check it several times a day. I love talk radio. I love the news...just not local news. I do not read the local paper and I do not watch any local news stations. Global/World news...I need to know. Local news...I'd rather be blissfully ignorant.
5. My favorite holiday is.......My Birthday. As a matter of fact, my birthday is next Friday. Yay Birthdays!
6. My friend Carrie and I used to be all about some old school Hip Hop. There was a teen club in Rivergate called "T Michaels" where we would go to dance on weekends (who let's their 13 year old hang out at a dance club???). While the dancing and big hair were a fleeting phase, we continued to like the music. To this day, if we catch a Bel Biv Devoe, LL Cool J, De La Soul or Digital Underground song on the radio, we'll call each other and bust into song..."bitties in the BK lounge...".
AND there you have it. Six pieces of completely useless information about moi.
Okay, let me see...I should tag someone else...how about the lovely Amber Corey, my talented friend Renee Camacho and my amazingly gifted blogging friend Elizabeth. (I know that you guys have been tagged for various things before...feel free to opt out).
1. I love true crime stories. I started reading true crime books when I was 10. At the time, it didn't seem weird. Today? Who let's their 10 year old read about The Black Dahlia or this guy? Seriously, I think I should have been supervised a wee bit closer. Now, I like to watch Cold Case Files and such while I fold laundry.
2. Sometimes, I narrate conversations and situations in my head. Example: Driving down the road the other day...
Forrest: "Why do you pick me up before you pick the girls up"?
Me: "Beacause Forrest, you get out of school 20 minutes earlier".
Forrest: "Can't you pick them up and then pick me up"?
Me: "Sure Forrest, I'd love to add an extra 40 minutes to my after school pick-ups".
After I said that last line...in my head I thought "she said sarcastically".
That's just one example, I actually do that on a fairly regular basis. Sometimes, it annoys me.
3. I just realized that I should have titled this "6 Bizarre Things About Me".
3. (I was joking about that last #3). This might be TMI...but I brush my teeth while I am in the shower. Yep. I keep toothpaste and my toothbrush in the shower and that is were I polish my pearly whites.
4. I seriously have a problem with the news. I read it voraciously. Fox News is my home page and I check it several times a day. I love talk radio. I love the news...just not local news. I do not read the local paper and I do not watch any local news stations. Global/World news...I need to know. Local news...I'd rather be blissfully ignorant.
5. My favorite holiday is.......My Birthday. As a matter of fact, my birthday is next Friday. Yay Birthdays!
6. My friend Carrie and I used to be all about some old school Hip Hop. There was a teen club in Rivergate called "T Michaels" where we would go to dance on weekends (who let's their 13 year old hang out at a dance club???). While the dancing and big hair were a fleeting phase, we continued to like the music. To this day, if we catch a Bel Biv Devoe, LL Cool J, De La Soul or Digital Underground song on the radio, we'll call each other and bust into song..."bitties in the BK lounge...".
AND there you have it. Six pieces of completely useless information about moi.
Okay, let me see...I should tag someone else...how about the lovely Amber Corey, my talented friend Renee Camacho and my amazingly gifted blogging friend Elizabeth. (I know that you guys have been tagged for various things before...feel free to opt out).
Thursday, August 28, 2008
So we've established that...
I am not an overly sentimental person...and that I am not so good on the whole update-my-blog-on-a-regular-basis-thing. I'll work on it, I promise. I don't promise that improvement will be made...because honestly, I have commitment issues and I don't want to set myself up for failure here.
Hmmm...hmmmm...hmmm... there are so many things that I would like to blog about...and then, I think..."no, that might offend so-and-so", or "what would so-and-so think if I wrote such-and-such". Seriously, the list of things/people that I find irritating is growing by the day...and while blogging about those things might make me feel better, it probably wouldn't make the situation better. Does that make sense?
Like when someone that you barely know makes up blatant lies about you in their little minds, then spews those little lies like they're the gospel truth to acquaintances and mutual friends, then has the nerve to act like their wittle feelings are hurt when you really have nothing to say to them and therefore avoid conversation...those kinds of people really tend to bring out the best in me.
Then, there's the friendly gentleman that was driving 60 in the fast lane of a 70mph stretch of bypass, that decided he would speed up and slow down, speed up and slow down for 4 miles to keep me from passing...only to flip me the naughty-finger when I was finally able to gun-it and pass him. Him, I loved...and because of that love, I am proud to say that I was able to refrain from reciprocating his crude sign language.
Now, that I have those little things off my chest, maybe I'll be able to move on to more chipper posts in the near future. Until then, please check out the 306 blog...I am allllllmost completely caught up...and there is nary a negative thought or comment to be found.
Hmmm...hmmmm...hmmm... there are so many things that I would like to blog about...and then, I think..."no, that might offend so-and-so", or "what would so-and-so think if I wrote such-and-such". Seriously, the list of things/people that I find irritating is growing by the day...and while blogging about those things might make me feel better, it probably wouldn't make the situation better. Does that make sense?
Like when someone that you barely know makes up blatant lies about you in their little minds, then spews those little lies like they're the gospel truth to acquaintances and mutual friends, then has the nerve to act like their wittle feelings are hurt when you really have nothing to say to them and therefore avoid conversation...those kinds of people really tend to bring out the best in me.
Then, there's the friendly gentleman that was driving 60 in the fast lane of a 70mph stretch of bypass, that decided he would speed up and slow down, speed up and slow down for 4 miles to keep me from passing...only to flip me the naughty-finger when I was finally able to gun-it and pass him. Him, I loved...and because of that love, I am proud to say that I was able to refrain from reciprocating his crude sign language.
Now, that I have those little things off my chest, maybe I'll be able to move on to more chipper posts in the near future. Until then, please check out the 306 blog...I am allllllmost completely caught up...and there is nary a negative thought or comment to be found.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
I'm not an overly sentimental person,
I'm just not. I'm fine with taking a trip without the kids. Mark and I can go out of town for a week and it usually takes us until day 5 or 6 to say "wow, I miss the kids". It doesn't bother me if my kids want to sleep over at Granny's for the weekend, and I'm fine when it comes time to send them off on their first day of school.
Please, don't get me wrong, I really LOVE my kids...I just don't NEED to be around them 24/7. And, I promise, they don't NEED to be around me 24/7, just ask 'em.
I know people who are not like me in this respect...and I think it's great that they are different from me...really, it's what make the world go 'round.
All of that to say...I am feeling sad and sappy today. Cammie started kindergarten this morning. (Our school district is a bit weird...she goes for half a day today, one half day next week, and then full time the following week).
I am blaming my sappy-sadness on the fact that not only did my baby start kindergarten this year, but Hannah started middle school and Forrest started high school.
This melancholy feeling I have must have been brought on by triple milestones, right? I think I will allow myself to wallow in this sea of sappiness...because I'm sure it won't last long...and it sure is nice to be in a quiet house again.
Please, don't get me wrong, I really LOVE my kids...I just don't NEED to be around them 24/7. And, I promise, they don't NEED to be around me 24/7, just ask 'em.
I know people who are not like me in this respect...and I think it's great that they are different from me...really, it's what make the world go 'round.
All of that to say...I am feeling sad and sappy today. Cammie started kindergarten this morning. (Our school district is a bit weird...she goes for half a day today, one half day next week, and then full time the following week).
I am blaming my sappy-sadness on the fact that not only did my baby start kindergarten this year, but Hannah started middle school and Forrest started high school.
This melancholy feeling I have must have been brought on by triple milestones, right? I think I will allow myself to wallow in this sea of sappiness...because I'm sure it won't last long...and it sure is nice to be in a quiet house again.
Monday, August 4, 2008
I know I'm behind
on the photo blog. Of course, you and I both new that it was bound to happen. I tried really hard to keep my delinquent posts to a week or less...alas I am officially off the wagon.
Actually, I have pictures for every day. Pictures that were taken on the assigned day...and then left to simmer on the memory card.
I could make excuses for my lack of punctual posts...and most of them are pretty good and definitely true...but, really do you want to hear my excuses? No. I didn't think so.
Oh, what the heck...I'll throw in a few just to make this post longer and maybe more interesting.
Well besides the obvious two: procrastinating and perfectionism there are these (in no particular order):
1. I went out of town with a friend and lacked Internet service.
2. I decided to consign and use Saint Vickie to tag everything...but I couldn't find anyone that I could pay to climb into the recesses of my attic and pull down the 4 over sized Rubbermaid containers and the rod with approximately 6' of hanging clothes upon it...so I had to do it...gasp... myself.
3. All of those clothes had to be dug through to make sure that I was able to part with them.
4. My sister called in an IOU and I spent a day helping her with her new scrap room. (Just because I had fun doing it doesn't mean that it can't count as an excuse).
5. Forrest had two major projects due today (yes, on the first day of school), and they both required mucho (there's my Spanish kicking in again) parental assistance. Seriously, his tumbleweed project cost me at least 40 hours and that is not an exaggeration. It also caused my OCD to kick in which caused me to spend countless more hours researching family ancestors.
And, that is more than enough excuses...because the bottom line is...I haven't made time to upload the pics and get them posted. BUT, I plan to...tomorrow.
Actually, I have pictures for every day. Pictures that were taken on the assigned day...and then left to simmer on the memory card.
I could make excuses for my lack of punctual posts...and most of them are pretty good and definitely true...but, really do you want to hear my excuses? No. I didn't think so.
Oh, what the heck...I'll throw in a few just to make this post longer and maybe more interesting.
Well besides the obvious two: procrastinating and perfectionism there are these (in no particular order):
1. I went out of town with a friend and lacked Internet service.
2. I decided to consign and use Saint Vickie to tag everything...but I couldn't find anyone that I could pay to climb into the recesses of my attic and pull down the 4 over sized Rubbermaid containers and the rod with approximately 6' of hanging clothes upon it...so I had to do it...gasp... myself.
3. All of those clothes had to be dug through to make sure that I was able to part with them.
4. My sister called in an IOU and I spent a day helping her with her new scrap room. (Just because I had fun doing it doesn't mean that it can't count as an excuse).
5. Forrest had two major projects due today (yes, on the first day of school), and they both required mucho (there's my Spanish kicking in again) parental assistance. Seriously, his tumbleweed project cost me at least 40 hours and that is not an exaggeration. It also caused my OCD to kick in which caused me to spend countless more hours researching family ancestors.
And, that is more than enough excuses...because the bottom line is...I haven't made time to upload the pics and get them posted. BUT, I plan to...tomorrow.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
"To sell or not sell"...that is the question
How many consignment sales do you think I have participated in? Not bought things at, sold things in?
How many times do you think I have spent hour upon hour checking outgrown dresses, skirts and shirts for "stains", "piling", "wash wear" or "pin holes"? Then, ironing each of the things that met with approval... making sure to put matching items on the same hanger to sell as "an outfit" because, we all know that "outfits" sell better than say a lone skirt.
Speaking of hangers...how many time do you think I have placed my selected items on hangers facing all the same way, safety pinning my carefully crafted 3x5 index cards on the specified shoulder for maximum ease of reading?
Speaking of those carefully crafted 3x5 index cards...how many times do you think I have filled them out noting manufacturer, size, price, approximate times worn and ND in bold red ink?
I'll cut to the chase. I'm sure most of you that know me are banking on "ZERO"... and you will be surprised to find that I have actually participated in such an undertaking...ONCE, yes ONE time.
Ironing, that was your first clue that it wouldn't happen more than once.
The one time that I did manage to summon the gumption to consign, I made $200.00. All of my clothes sold except for one outfit. Not too bad if I do say so myself.
So, why not consign more often you ask? Did I mention that I had to iron?
No, seriously. I decided to NEVER consign again because (1) It was easier to give the stuff away or (2) sell it to people I know. (3) I spent $256 at the sale bringing me to net -$56 and (4) I had to iron.
Oh, and I need at least a month to mentally prepare for numbers 1 through 4. Usually, when I think about consigning, it's as I am standing in line waiting to pay for the clothes I am buying at the consignment sale.
But (yes, I know that it is improper grammar to begin a sentence with the word "but", but I don't care), I am thinking that I may consign this year.
What's changed, you ask?
Well, for one thing, I thought about it before I was standing in line with fall clothes to pay for. For another thing, I have a TON of stuff to sell and 4 girls to buy for and also because my friend Brea has kept in the forefront of my mind by mentioning her huge consignment sale on her blog several times.
Now, if I can just factor in the cost of having the dry cleaner iron all of it into my selling price, I will be in business.
How many times do you think I have spent hour upon hour checking outgrown dresses, skirts and shirts for "stains", "piling", "wash wear" or "pin holes"? Then, ironing each of the things that met with approval... making sure to put matching items on the same hanger to sell as "an outfit" because, we all know that "outfits" sell better than say a lone skirt.
Speaking of hangers...how many time do you think I have placed my selected items on hangers facing all the same way, safety pinning my carefully crafted 3x5 index cards on the specified shoulder for maximum ease of reading?
Speaking of those carefully crafted 3x5 index cards...how many times do you think I have filled them out noting manufacturer, size, price, approximate times worn and ND in bold red ink?
I'll cut to the chase. I'm sure most of you that know me are banking on "ZERO"... and you will be surprised to find that I have actually participated in such an undertaking...ONCE, yes ONE time.
Ironing, that was your first clue that it wouldn't happen more than once.
The one time that I did manage to summon the gumption to consign, I made $200.00. All of my clothes sold except for one outfit. Not too bad if I do say so myself.
So, why not consign more often you ask? Did I mention that I had to iron?
No, seriously. I decided to NEVER consign again because (1) It was easier to give the stuff away or (2) sell it to people I know. (3) I spent $256 at the sale bringing me to net -$56 and (4) I had to iron.
Oh, and I need at least a month to mentally prepare for numbers 1 through 4. Usually, when I think about consigning, it's as I am standing in line waiting to pay for the clothes I am buying at the consignment sale.
But (yes, I know that it is improper grammar to begin a sentence with the word "but", but I don't care), I am thinking that I may consign this year.
What's changed, you ask?
Well, for one thing, I thought about it before I was standing in line with fall clothes to pay for. For another thing, I have a TON of stuff to sell and 4 girls to buy for and also because my friend Brea has kept in the forefront of my mind by mentioning her huge consignment sale on her blog several times.
Now, if I can just factor in the cost of having the dry cleaner iron all of it into my selling price, I will be in business.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
sigh...
Well, to be honest, I had a whole post typed out...then deleted it because every sentence contained the word "sucks"...and really, it doesn't matter how many times I use the word, it won't change anything and it doesn't make me feel better either.
My grandma has lung cancer in addition to Alzheimer's, and the prognosis isn't very good. The next few months are going to be incredibly hard on our family.
If you think of us, please, pray for us.
My grandma has lung cancer in addition to Alzheimer's, and the prognosis isn't very good. The next few months are going to be incredibly hard on our family.
If you think of us, please, pray for us.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Ummm...good question.
We have a nosey child.
I know, I know, with our *perfect* parenting, it's hard to believe that one of our offspring would have undesirable traits. Trust me, it baffles me too.
(For those of you that don't know me very well, those last two sentences are dripping with sarcasm).
Anyhoo, Chloe is, well, interested...yes, that's a nice way to say it...she's "interested". She also has a knack for quietly inserting herself next to adults who are in conversation. In fact, this is probably the only time that she is quiet.
Most of the time, I shoo her away while repeating..."Chloe. Stop being nosey, it's rude. We are having an adult conversation, go play". I think I need to record that on a little tape and press play each time...it would save me A LOT of time.
There are times when she manages to "fly under the radar" so to speak, and actually over hears most of the conversation.
Case in point... A few weeks ago, I was talking with a friend at church. My friend is currently trying to get pregnant. Nothing was said that Chloe shouldn't hear, and so, on this rare occasion, she was not shooed away.
Yesterday, I was on the way to my favorite dry cleaner. Forrest, Chloe and Cammie were in the car with me. The kids had been quiet for a complete five minute stretch, which is nothing short of a miracle.
Chloe eventually breaks the silence... "Mommy"? (She says this at least one million, six hundred, seventy-two thousand, four hundred and eighty-three times per day).
Me: "Yes, Chloe"?
Chloe: "How do you try to get pregnant"?
Forrest: snickers loudly and says under his breath "yeah, mom...how do you try to get pregnant"?
Me: "You pray and ask Jesus to put a baby in your tummy".
Chloe: "Oh".
Forrest: " You are good. How do you do that...technically tell the truth without actually saying anything? You didn't even have time to think".
Me: sly grin, basking in the awe of my first born son
I know, I know, with our *perfect* parenting, it's hard to believe that one of our offspring would have undesirable traits. Trust me, it baffles me too.
(For those of you that don't know me very well, those last two sentences are dripping with sarcasm).
Anyhoo, Chloe is, well, interested...yes, that's a nice way to say it...she's "interested". She also has a knack for quietly inserting herself next to adults who are in conversation. In fact, this is probably the only time that she is quiet.
Most of the time, I shoo her away while repeating..."Chloe. Stop being nosey, it's rude. We are having an adult conversation, go play". I think I need to record that on a little tape and press play each time...it would save me A LOT of time.
There are times when she manages to "fly under the radar" so to speak, and actually over hears most of the conversation.
Case in point... A few weeks ago, I was talking with a friend at church. My friend is currently trying to get pregnant. Nothing was said that Chloe shouldn't hear, and so, on this rare occasion, she was not shooed away.
Yesterday, I was on the way to my favorite dry cleaner. Forrest, Chloe and Cammie were in the car with me. The kids had been quiet for a complete five minute stretch, which is nothing short of a miracle.
Chloe eventually breaks the silence... "Mommy"? (She says this at least one million, six hundred, seventy-two thousand, four hundred and eighty-three times per day).
Me: "Yes, Chloe"?
Chloe: "How do you try to get pregnant"?
Forrest: snickers loudly and says under his breath "yeah, mom...how do you try to get pregnant"?
Me: "You pray and ask Jesus to put a baby in your tummy".
Chloe: "Oh".
Forrest: " You are good. How do you do that...technically tell the truth without actually saying anything? You didn't even have time to think".
Me: sly grin, basking in the awe of my first born son
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Tumbleweeds...
You know that whole "divorce is not a good thing" mentioned in the bible? God definitely new what He was talking about.
In all of His infinite wisdom, He new that even though His grace and mercy would see His children through such situations, it could not make drafting a family tree any easier.
Forrest has homework due the first day of school. One of those assignments requires him (translation: us) to create a family tree covering 4 generations. At first, this sounded like an interesting and somewhat fun project.
Until we actually began thinking it through.
Then, we (translation: I) was presented with dilemmas...as in more than one dilemma.
Dilemma numero uno (see, my Spanish classes are paying off): Which "father" do we use? Forrest cleared that up rather quickly and decided that we should use both Brandon and Mark.
Hurdle cleared, we move on. Now, in order to incorporate all of Forrest's siblings, Mark's ex-wife got added to the family tree. It's getting more and more interesting by the minute.
Okay, so far we have Forrest at the bottom of the tree. We have the "mother" blank filled in and we have the "father" blank filled in...twice. We have a broken line to account for Mark's first marriage thus allowing us to account for all siblings.
Now, we move on to Forrest's grandparents. Of course there is my mom. Easy enough. My dad...not so easy. Let's see...I'm not exactly sure who my biological dad is...so, do I put a large "?" in that blank?
Then, I think "I should just use my step-dad because he did in fact raise me". Now if I do that, then do I change my maiden name to my step-dad's last name...and if I do that...wouldn't that be lying? Of course he has to be on the tree somehow, because we have to account for my sister, Forrest's only maternal aunt.
Okay, a headache is forming, let's move on to someone else. How about Brandon's side. His mom (Forrest's paternal grandmother) is easy enough. Insert more broken lines to indicate her two marriages that produced children in order to show Forrest's aunts and uncles, which means more broken lines to account for a remarriage and the children that came with it to account for cousins.
My headache is getting worse.
Did I mention that we also need dates of birth, death if applicable, marriage, divorce, and remarriage?
We are barely through generation two and Forrest's Family Tree looks more like Forrest's Family Tumbleweed.
In all of His infinite wisdom, He new that even though His grace and mercy would see His children through such situations, it could not make drafting a family tree any easier.
Forrest has homework due the first day of school. One of those assignments requires him (translation: us) to create a family tree covering 4 generations. At first, this sounded like an interesting and somewhat fun project.
Until we actually began thinking it through.
Then, we (translation: I) was presented with dilemmas...as in more than one dilemma.
Dilemma numero uno (see, my Spanish classes are paying off): Which "father" do we use? Forrest cleared that up rather quickly and decided that we should use both Brandon and Mark.
Hurdle cleared, we move on. Now, in order to incorporate all of Forrest's siblings, Mark's ex-wife got added to the family tree. It's getting more and more interesting by the minute.
Okay, so far we have Forrest at the bottom of the tree. We have the "mother" blank filled in and we have the "father" blank filled in...twice. We have a broken line to account for Mark's first marriage thus allowing us to account for all siblings.
Now, we move on to Forrest's grandparents. Of course there is my mom. Easy enough. My dad...not so easy. Let's see...I'm not exactly sure who my biological dad is...so, do I put a large "?" in that blank?
Then, I think "I should just use my step-dad because he did in fact raise me". Now if I do that, then do I change my maiden name to my step-dad's last name...and if I do that...wouldn't that be lying? Of course he has to be on the tree somehow, because we have to account for my sister, Forrest's only maternal aunt.
Okay, a headache is forming, let's move on to someone else. How about Brandon's side. His mom (Forrest's paternal grandmother) is easy enough. Insert more broken lines to indicate her two marriages that produced children in order to show Forrest's aunts and uncles, which means more broken lines to account for a remarriage and the children that came with it to account for cousins.
My headache is getting worse.
Did I mention that we also need dates of birth, death if applicable, marriage, divorce, and remarriage?
We are barely through generation two and Forrest's Family Tree looks more like Forrest's Family Tumbleweed.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
For the record...
Lest you think I am a complete sloth, I thought I should let you know that I actually did some things today.
First, I started in on the mounds and mounds of laundry.
Then, I actually planned meals for the next week and a half. Because, I actually plan on *gasp* cooking.
Next, I went to the grocery. Yes, I braved the Super Wal-Mart. On a Saturday. With everyone else within a 20 mile radius of Hendersonville. (I had to navigate a 9 cart pile-up in the laundry detergent aisle). Have I mentioned that I do not heart Wal-Mart? Or grocery shopping? Or cooking?
To top off my extraordinary day of domesticity, I cooked dinner. Yes, I did. Paula Dean's shrimp creole.
Now, if you click on that little link to see the recipe, you will notice that it is rated as "easy", and the prep time is rated as "5 minutes". Ummm...I don't want to call Paula a liar...because, really I love Paula. I really, really love her fabulous restaurant and I really, really, really love her hoe cakes.
But, it takes a bit more than 5 minutes to chop the celery, bell pepper and onion. And, even when you buy shrimp that is "peeled and deveined", you are bound to get shrimp with that icky, slimy, gross funk down the back...and I assure you that it took way more than 5 minutes to re-devein the deveined shrimp.
First, I started in on the mounds and mounds of laundry.
Then, I actually planned meals for the next week and a half. Because, I actually plan on *gasp* cooking.
Next, I went to the grocery. Yes, I braved the Super Wal-Mart. On a Saturday. With everyone else within a 20 mile radius of Hendersonville. (I had to navigate a 9 cart pile-up in the laundry detergent aisle). Have I mentioned that I do not heart Wal-Mart? Or grocery shopping? Or cooking?
To top off my extraordinary day of domesticity, I cooked dinner. Yes, I did. Paula Dean's shrimp creole.
Now, if you click on that little link to see the recipe, you will notice that it is rated as "easy", and the prep time is rated as "5 minutes". Ummm...I don't want to call Paula a liar...because, really I love Paula. I really, really love her fabulous restaurant and I really, really, really love her hoe cakes.
But, it takes a bit more than 5 minutes to chop the celery, bell pepper and onion. And, even when you buy shrimp that is "peeled and deveined", you are bound to get shrimp with that icky, slimy, gross funk down the back...and I assure you that it took way more than 5 minutes to re-devein the deveined shrimp.
Saturday randomness...
Cammie, Chloe and Sophie are at Granny's house.
Hannah is at church camp.
Forrest is still asleep.
Mark is pressuring washing the deck.
For all intents and purposes (I've never used that saying before, but I like the way it sounds when other people do), I am alone in my house. On a Saturday. Which, is just unheard of.
What to do, what to do.
Do I tackle one of the big projects that have been on my To Do list...repair the sh oer curtain valance thingy in the kids' bathroom, hang the two pictures that go in the kids bathroom but have been patiently waiting in my office since last September, oooohhhhh finish cleaning my office, order pictures since I haven't in over a year...which means that I have been scrapbooking photos from circa 2004 lately, catch up the laundry, or maybe finish those Guatemala posts that I started well over a month ago
So very many things to choose from.
For someone with OCD, I sure can leave a lot of things undone. See, this is caused by issues that I have discussed before...the "P" words that go hand in hand with OCD...Procrastination which is brought on by Perfectionism. Oh, okay, I'll be honest...there is a bit of laziness thrown in the mix that has nothing to do with OCD.
It's a dreadful combination...OCD, Procrastination, Perfectionism, Laziness.
First, I think I'll have another cup of coffee, then I'll work on being productive.
Hannah is at church camp.
Forrest is still asleep.
Mark is pressuring washing the deck.
For all intents and purposes (I've never used that saying before, but I like the way it sounds when other people do), I am alone in my house. On a Saturday. Which, is just unheard of.
What to do, what to do.
Do I tackle one of the big projects that have been on my To Do list...repair the sh oer curtain valance thingy in the kids' bathroom, hang the two pictures that go in the kids bathroom but have been patiently waiting in my office since last September, oooohhhhh finish cleaning my office, order pictures since I haven't in over a year...which means that I have been scrapbooking photos from circa 2004 lately, catch up the laundry, or maybe finish those Guatemala posts that I started well over a month ago
So very many things to choose from.
For someone with OCD, I sure can leave a lot of things undone. See, this is caused by issues that I have discussed before...the "P" words that go hand in hand with OCD...Procrastination which is brought on by Perfectionism. Oh, okay, I'll be honest...there is a bit of laziness thrown in the mix that has nothing to do with OCD.
It's a dreadful combination...OCD, Procrastination, Perfectionism, Laziness.
First, I think I'll have another cup of coffee, then I'll work on being productive.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Obsessions
For some reason, I have thought that I shouldn't post anything until I was finished with the Guatemala Chronicles...hmmm...perhaps it has something to do with my OCD.
It's the strangest thing...I'll get something in my head, and "that's just the way it is"...then, one day the fog clears and I think..."hey, I could do it this way". For example, there have been several times that I have thought..."I should blog about that... Oh, wait... I can't...I haven't finished the Guatemala posts". Then, out of nowhere, I just have this thought..."So what. I can finish those posts any time" .
Let me clarify, I have thought "so what" a few other times, but I couldn't get past it without breaking out in hives ...then, today... I think "so what"...and voila...no splotchy red marks arise on my chest when I pop over here to post.
This is not a new phenomenon, it has/does happen with other things too...Many of you are aware of my recovery from my Little People problem...here is a brief explanation for those of you who are not.
There was a time, that my Obsessive Disorder caused me to be fixated on Fisher-Price Little People. I kept a list of all the Little People sets and pieces that we had (this began when Forrest was little). I would go through the Little People, checking off my list when they were present and accounted for. If, heaven forbid, one was lost, I would scour the Internet looking for a replacement. If I happened down the toy aisle and came across one that we didn't have, splotches of red hives would appear across my neckline. This lasted for a few years...then, one day, it miraculously disappeared. I knew I was fficially cured from my Little People Disorder when I was able to give a few sets to the Goodwill.
Some other things that either have or still cause an obsession are:
-hair bows...please don't ask how many we own...suffice it to say, I plan on putting Chloe through college with the money I make from reselling them.
-Basic Grey scrapbook paper...DANGER DANGER...I need at least 3 sheets of each paper that they make...no need to do the math on that one either.
-hanging clothes in all closets by (1) color (2) sleeve length (3) collar style.
-music on itunes...I have to pace myself...because if I log on without giving myself a limit of 10 or so songs...well, just this afternoon, I somehow ended up downloading 50 songs...I know, I know...but The Dance Hall Crashers were one of my favorites...and I like to sleep to Morphine...and, and...
If I could somehow channel this to say...laundry, oooohhhhh or cooking...life would be good.
It's the strangest thing...I'll get something in my head, and "that's just the way it is"...then, one day the fog clears and I think..."hey, I could do it this way". For example, there have been several times that I have thought..."I should blog about that... Oh, wait... I can't...I haven't finished the Guatemala posts". Then, out of nowhere, I just have this thought..."So what. I can finish those posts any time" .
Let me clarify, I have thought "so what" a few other times, but I couldn't get past it without breaking out in hives ...then, today... I think "so what"...and voila...no splotchy red marks arise on my chest when I pop over here to post.
This is not a new phenomenon, it has/does happen with other things too...Many of you are aware of my recovery from my Little People problem...here is a brief explanation for those of you who are not.
There was a time, that my Obsessive Disorder caused me to be fixated on Fisher-Price Little People. I kept a list of all the Little People sets and pieces that we had (this began when Forrest was little). I would go through the Little People, checking off my list when they were present and accounted for. If, heaven forbid, one was lost, I would scour the Internet looking for a replacement. If I happened down the toy aisle and came across one that we didn't have, splotches of red hives would appear across my neckline. This lasted for a few years...then, one day, it miraculously disappeared. I knew I was fficially cured from my Little People Disorder when I was able to give a few sets to the Goodwill.
Some other things that either have or still cause an obsession are:
-hair bows...please don't ask how many we own...suffice it to say, I plan on putting Chloe through college with the money I make from reselling them.
-Basic Grey scrapbook paper...DANGER DANGER...I need at least 3 sheets of each paper that they make...no need to do the math on that one either.
-hanging clothes in all closets by (1) color (2) sleeve length (3) collar style.
-music on itunes...I have to pace myself...because if I log on without giving myself a limit of 10 or so songs...well, just this afternoon, I somehow ended up downloading 50 songs...I know, I know...but The Dance Hall Crashers were one of my favorites...and I like to sleep to Morphine...and, and...
If I could somehow channel this to say...laundry, oooohhhhh or cooking...life would be good.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Guatemala...Day 3
After a quick breakfast of fruit, toast and unbelievably good coffee, we loaded our luggage back onto the bus and headed for Panajachel, Guatemala. On the way, we were scheduled to stop in the town of Tecpan to explore the Mayan ruins of Ixiche.
Everyone in the cab was smiling, and didn't seem bothered at all when they had to get out of their cab and walk the rest of the way to their destination due to our impromptu road block.
The drive was beautiful, and I was fascinated by the fields that the people farm. They plow any land available...most of it being on steep inclines.
The "highway", and I use that term very loosely, was narrow, and wrapped around a mountain. There were no dividing lines and no guardrails, and there was major construction going on. Guatemalan construction is a bit different than ours. First of all, it is a VERY long process...years and years and years. Their equipment is limited and dated. The workers shut down one lane for HOURS while letting the other lane continue to move. It isn't uncommon to be stuck for three hours or more.
Luckily, we were not in the lane that got stopped and were able to travel through easily and quickly...easily if you count clinging to the side of the mountain in a top heavy tour bus with cars zipping around you, while you try not to look down the side of the cliff to the rock bottomed creek below.
We reached the ruins right on schedule. I have to admit, I was very excited about this excursion. Ancient history has always interested me, and to be able to explore Mayan ruins was a dream come true.
After Sister Lynne negotiated our entrance fee, we were free to explore the small museum and then the grounds. This picture is of a diorama that was set up in the museum. This is what the ruins looked like when complete.
Looks like blunt force trauma to the head... What do you think?
This was our first glimpse of the ruins themselves...
Here we have a closer shot of one of the ruins...
Let me put that last picture in perspective so that you can get a true grasp of the size. This is the same ruin with two of our friends standing atop.
As I mentioned in my photo blog, one of the rituals that the ancient Mayans performed was rather grotesque. A female virgin would be placed on one of the smaller altars at ground level. In order to complete a rite of passage into manhood, a guy would kill her, rip her heart out, race up the steep narrow steps and present it to the king while it was still beating.
I wonder two things...(1) What happened if it stopped beating before he got to the top...did he get a "do over"? (2) What did the girls get to do in their rite of passage? Hmm...think on that....
There was one altar still in operation. In fact, a family was in the process of making offerings to the "gods" with the help of their "witch doctor" while we were there. Photography was prohibited...but, thanks to a zoom lens and a few friends to block for me, I was able to get a few images...
In the first shot, you can see the "witch doctor" (in the green sweatshirt), the dad and two small children. Evidently, this particular god likes Big K...they offered him/her two 3 liters. I'm not sure what they were burning.
The god also likes papayas.
The offerings are placed at different stations around the altar. Candles of different colors are also lit depending on what you are seeking from the god.
After watching for a few minutes, I decided to explore further. I don't know about you, but I would have to question the validity of a "god" whose temple had a potty like this one...
Here are a few more ruin shots...
After the ruins, it was time for lunch and our second Guatemalan meal. We ate at Katuk...a restaurant that specialized in kabobs. They were tasty...but the pineapple was the best...divine.
This also happened to mark the beginning of my love affair with Naranja de Soda (rough pronunciation: Na-ha-ron-ja duh Sord-ah). No, that isn't the name of a hot Guatemalan man...it's the name of a cool and delicious fruity drink.
Basically, it's like lemon-aid, but instead of lemons, you use oranges and instead of regular water, you use soda water. Oh so refreshing...Then, we were back on the bus and heading for Panajachel.
In order to reach Panajachel, one must travel through the city of Solola. Which, isn't a big deal...unless one happens to be riding on a ginormous tour bus. Then, Solola becomes a bit tricky. Why? Well, the streets are a on the narrow side.
This is where the problems started...
Now, see the two buildings on the right? We needed to turn between the red brick building and the yellow w/orange stripe building.
Oscar, our bus driver's assistant had to get off the bus to help with the navigation. Notice the little boy watching the spectacle.
Speaking of people watching the spectacle...here are some people in their cab watching us...
Everyone in the cab was smiling, and didn't seem bothered at all when they had to get out of their cab and walk the rest of the way to their destination due to our impromptu road block.
This guy however, got tired of watching, and needed a restroom break...since you have to pay to use restrooms, this electrical pole looked like a good alternative.
Obviously, the bus would not make the turn. Fortunately, there were some friendly law enforcement employees willing to help in exchange for a"tip" (a more accurate term would be: bribe) . We backed down a one way street. Then, our escort RAN ahead of us down another one way street for about a mile, stopping traffic so that we could get through.
Before long, we were over the mountain, and catching our first glimpse of the lake...
the streets of Panajachel...
and our hotel...
Monday, May 19, 2008
Guatemala...Day 2
Monday April 28
-
Let me begin by saying that I was completely prepared for sub-par hotels, restaurants and restrooms in Guatemala. In fact, I was disappointed to find out that we would be staying in a nice Radisson rather than in a corrugated tin lean-to. This is a third world country after all.
-
When my flight was cancelled due to mechanical failure on two different planes, and when I had spent 12 hours in an airport terminal due to those failures, and when I spent half an hour circling over Cuba dumping fuel to avoid a burning inferno in case of a crash landing... wanting to sleep in a decent hotel just doesn't seem to be asking for too much. Does it?
-
We could tell that the room was a bit on the funky side, and turning on a bunch of lights seemed like a bad idea. Since the air barely worked and the circulation was at a minimum, Mark and I slept in two separate beds.
-
Thanks to my friend Nyquil, I slept well. When I woke up around 9:30, I thought it would be a good idea to open the door to the balcony and let some fresh air in. As I turned around to head towards the bathroom and a cool shower, I glanced down to see that I had spent the night sleeping on this:
Now, had we been in Guatemala when I made this discovery, I would have thought it a bit yucky, but I would not have been ill or angry. BUT, I was in AMERICA, in Miami, and I'm sorry, but I just expect a little better than stained sheets. Oh, and my pillow also had the same stains on it. So, my bedding was not stained (a stain would imply that someone had actually washed the sheets), no, my bedding was soiled and then left unwashed when the bed was remade. Unfortunately, in a hotel that I hadn't paid for complaining would have gotten me nowhere.
-
Obviously, I wasn't able to eat anything prepared in the kitchen at the hotel, so Mark and I called for the shuttle and told everyone that we would meet them at the airport.
-
We made it through security, checked our luggage and had a nice brunch at a Cuban restaurant. Afterwards, we headed to the gate and settled in for our 5 hour wait. By this point, my attitude was much improved. I read a book, Mark read the paper. We played a game of Scrabble (oh, how I love my travel scrabble).
-
After everyone else arrived, we all spent the next hour wandering around the terminal spending the food vouchers the airline had given us. Peanuts, chocolate, bottles of water, cheese fries and Starbucks...lots and lots of Starbucks.
-
Twenty minutes before our flight was scheduled to board, an announcement was made that it had been delayed twenty minutes. After all of our delays the night before, this was not a good sign. So, we gathered into a large circle and prayed. Within 3 minutes of our prayer, another announcement was made...our flight would be boarding right on time...and it did!
The flight was blissfully uneventful. I took a few shots of the clouds through the window. Later, when I previewed some of the pictures, I found this:
The shadow of our plane against the clouds, encircled by a rainbow. Thank you Jesus for your protection, a hedge around us, just as we had asked for!
-
After having our passports checked, retrieving our luggage and wandering through the maze of heavily armed guards, we pushed our WELCOME carts outside to wait for the missionaries and our bus.
Remember how I had been expecting a tin lean-to instead of a hotel? Well, my ideas on our transportation were along those same lines. I had envisioned a converted school bus with no exhaust pipes or air conditioning and our luggage tied on top. Instead we had a luxury tour bus...cushy seats, cold air, luggage compartment underneath, and huge windows to look out.
We had to stay at a different hotel than we had originally planned for the first night. I hate that I didn't get a picture, but believe me when I say that it was NICE. Check-in was a breeze, our room was large, the bathroom was gorgeous and the sheets were pristine.
-
After settling our things into the room, we met with the missionaries, the AIMers, and the rest of the group for an overview of the trip. We learned what not to eat...anything from a roadside vendor, any fruit we didn't peel ourselves, unrecognizable meat, etc. We also learned about pick-pockets and thieves and the safest place to keep money...a little in your purse or wallet in case you were held up, more in your bra, and emergency money somewhere "creative".
We also had our first Guatemalan meal.
At 11 it was off to bed. We had to be up, re-packed, fed and on the bus by 8:30am.
-
Let me begin by saying that I was completely prepared for sub-par hotels, restaurants and restrooms in Guatemala. In fact, I was disappointed to find out that we would be staying in a nice Radisson rather than in a corrugated tin lean-to. This is a third world country after all.
-
When my flight was cancelled due to mechanical failure on two different planes, and when I had spent 12 hours in an airport terminal due to those failures, and when I spent half an hour circling over Cuba dumping fuel to avoid a burning inferno in case of a crash landing... wanting to sleep in a decent hotel just doesn't seem to be asking for too much. Does it?
-
We could tell that the room was a bit on the funky side, and turning on a bunch of lights seemed like a bad idea. Since the air barely worked and the circulation was at a minimum, Mark and I slept in two separate beds.
-
Thanks to my friend Nyquil, I slept well. When I woke up around 9:30, I thought it would be a good idea to open the door to the balcony and let some fresh air in. As I turned around to head towards the bathroom and a cool shower, I glanced down to see that I had spent the night sleeping on this:
Now, had we been in Guatemala when I made this discovery, I would have thought it a bit yucky, but I would not have been ill or angry. BUT, I was in AMERICA, in Miami, and I'm sorry, but I just expect a little better than stained sheets. Oh, and my pillow also had the same stains on it. So, my bedding was not stained (a stain would imply that someone had actually washed the sheets), no, my bedding was soiled and then left unwashed when the bed was remade. Unfortunately, in a hotel that I hadn't paid for complaining would have gotten me nowhere.
-
Obviously, I wasn't able to eat anything prepared in the kitchen at the hotel, so Mark and I called for the shuttle and told everyone that we would meet them at the airport.
-
We made it through security, checked our luggage and had a nice brunch at a Cuban restaurant. Afterwards, we headed to the gate and settled in for our 5 hour wait. By this point, my attitude was much improved. I read a book, Mark read the paper. We played a game of Scrabble (oh, how I love my travel scrabble).
-
After everyone else arrived, we all spent the next hour wandering around the terminal spending the food vouchers the airline had given us. Peanuts, chocolate, bottles of water, cheese fries and Starbucks...lots and lots of Starbucks.
-
Twenty minutes before our flight was scheduled to board, an announcement was made that it had been delayed twenty minutes. After all of our delays the night before, this was not a good sign. So, we gathered into a large circle and prayed. Within 3 minutes of our prayer, another announcement was made...our flight would be boarding right on time...and it did!
The flight was blissfully uneventful. I took a few shots of the clouds through the window. Later, when I previewed some of the pictures, I found this:
The shadow of our plane against the clouds, encircled by a rainbow. Thank you Jesus for your protection, a hedge around us, just as we had asked for!
-
After having our passports checked, retrieving our luggage and wandering through the maze of heavily armed guards, we pushed our WELCOME carts outside to wait for the missionaries and our bus.
Remember how I had been expecting a tin lean-to instead of a hotel? Well, my ideas on our transportation were along those same lines. I had envisioned a converted school bus with no exhaust pipes or air conditioning and our luggage tied on top. Instead we had a luxury tour bus...cushy seats, cold air, luggage compartment underneath, and huge windows to look out.We had to stay at a different hotel than we had originally planned for the first night. I hate that I didn't get a picture, but believe me when I say that it was NICE. Check-in was a breeze, our room was large, the bathroom was gorgeous and the sheets were pristine.
-
After settling our things into the room, we met with the missionaries, the AIMers, and the rest of the group for an overview of the trip. We learned what not to eat...anything from a roadside vendor, any fruit we didn't peel ourselves, unrecognizable meat, etc. We also learned about pick-pockets and thieves and the safest place to keep money...a little in your purse or wallet in case you were held up, more in your bra, and emergency money somewhere "creative".
We also had our first Guatemalan meal.
At 11 it was off to bed. We had to be up, re-packed, fed and on the bus by 8:30am.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Guatemala...Day 1
Sunday April 27
-
We loaded our luggage (3 suitcases, 1 huge duffel bag, 1 camera bag, 1laptop bag, 2 carry on suitcases and 1 large carry on) into the truck and headed to church.
-
When we arrived, all of our things were loaded into a pull-behind-trailer. I spent some time introducing Carol to the people that would be helping to get Forrest to and from youth functions and trying to chase down Chloe and Cammie for kisses. Chloe and Cammie were more interested in getting to their Sunday School rooms, and if I hadn't been leaving for a foreign country for 8 days, I'm sure I would have marveled at their love for their teachers and the house of God. As it were, I spent a few minutes sulking and pouting.
-
We were able to participate in the worship service. Then, the 25 of us who were part of "Team Guatemala" were called to the front of the church to be prayed for. It was an unbelievable feeling. Knowing that we were about to embark on this journey, knowing that God would not only use us to bless others, but that He also had plans to change us and bless us...it was such an humbling feeling. Yet, there was also a feeling of unmatched excitement. Almost like Christmas morning...when you know that there are great gifts waiting for you under the tree, but not knowing exactly what they are or what will be unwrapped first. It was just a broad mix of emotions.
-
After we were prayed for, we were dismissed for the airport. We all piled into the church vans and were off.
-
The flight into Miami was scheduled for1:40. We checked-in and then had a bit of lunch. Our flight was right on time, and things went smoothly.
-
We arrived in Miami a short time later and we had an hour and 15 minutes before boarding our plane at 6:00 (Miami time) to Guatemala City. When we reached the International terminal, we found that our flight had been delayed an extra 45 minutes...no problem, there was a Starbucks in the terminal and I had travel Scrabble.
Our departure time kept climbing. At 7, we were notified that due to "maintenance issues" with our plane, they were calling in another plane and our new departure time would be 8:30. We were informed that our dinner in Guatemala City had been cancelled and that we should eat dinner in the airport. So we did.
It took two shuttles to carry all of us. The men gallantly let the ladies catch the first shuttle, while they waited the 20 minutes for the return shuttle.
After a bit of confusion at the check-in desk, and some very rude "other guests" Mark and I finally stumbled into our room at 2:30am...only to find that our air-conditioner was actually an air-circulator. I took a shot of Nyquil and finally, slept.
-
I would like to point out that we somehow managed to get TWO planes that were faulty...
...that Mark, in all of his many, many flights, has never had a plane turn around and go back to the airport.
We later found out that our plane had been circling over the ocean dumping fuel because of concern about landing without an instrument panel. Thank you Lord for protecting us!
-
We loaded our luggage (3 suitcases, 1 huge duffel bag, 1 camera bag, 1laptop bag, 2 carry on suitcases and 1 large carry on) into the truck and headed to church.
-
When we arrived, all of our things were loaded into a pull-behind-trailer. I spent some time introducing Carol to the people that would be helping to get Forrest to and from youth functions and trying to chase down Chloe and Cammie for kisses. Chloe and Cammie were more interested in getting to their Sunday School rooms, and if I hadn't been leaving for a foreign country for 8 days, I'm sure I would have marveled at their love for their teachers and the house of God. As it were, I spent a few minutes sulking and pouting.
-
We were able to participate in the worship service. Then, the 25 of us who were part of "Team Guatemala" were called to the front of the church to be prayed for. It was an unbelievable feeling. Knowing that we were about to embark on this journey, knowing that God would not only use us to bless others, but that He also had plans to change us and bless us...it was such an humbling feeling. Yet, there was also a feeling of unmatched excitement. Almost like Christmas morning...when you know that there are great gifts waiting for you under the tree, but not knowing exactly what they are or what will be unwrapped first. It was just a broad mix of emotions.
-
After we were prayed for, we were dismissed for the airport. We all piled into the church vans and were off.
-
The flight into Miami was scheduled for1:40. We checked-in and then had a bit of lunch. Our flight was right on time, and things went smoothly.
-
We arrived in Miami a short time later and we had an hour and 15 minutes before boarding our plane at 6:00 (Miami time) to Guatemala City. When we reached the International terminal, we found that our flight had been delayed an extra 45 minutes...no problem, there was a Starbucks in the terminal and I had travel Scrabble.
Our departure time kept climbing. At 7, we were notified that due to "maintenance issues" with our plane, they were calling in another plane and our new departure time would be 8:30. We were informed that our dinner in Guatemala City had been cancelled and that we should eat dinner in the airport. So we did.
Finally, at 8:30, we boarded the plane. We had been in the air for about 15 minutes when something felt wrong. I pulled my earphones out and asked Mark if he felt it. Mark is not easily excitable (understatement), so he rolled his eyes at me and said "No, it doesn't feel wrong, it feels like turbulence. Don't worry about it". I rolled my eyes too, just to let him know what I thought of his experienced-world-traveler-know-it-all-self, and put my earphones back in.
A few moments later, I hear the pilot make a muffled announcement. I pull my earphones out just in time to hear him say that due to a "mechanical failure", we were turning around and going back to Miami. Oh, and he said we shouldn't worry. Hmmm...there is a mechanical failure, we're turning around, don't worry...which statement doesn't belong? It seems to me that the pilot was obviously worried or we wouldn't be turning around.
Our group begins to pray (yes, all of us...yes, out loud). Thank the Lord, we made it back to the airport and landed safely. The pilot then comes back on to let us know that the instrument panel had gone out!!!
The plane is unloaded, and we are told to wait in the terminal for further instructions.
Luke decided to play Airline worker and took over an empty information desk. He also dialed a number listed on the plane and requested that a new plane be sent to our terminal. Unfortunately, a real worker came over and scolded him. Fortunately, we were not tossed from the airport.
After 20 minutes, the airline announced that our flight had been cancelled and that arrangements were being made to rebook our flights and for hotel rooms for the night. We were near the front of the line for re-assignment which was a great thing since it was taking an average of 10 minutes per person to be re-booked. The bad news was that we wouldn't be able to leave Miami until 6pm the following day. There was an early flight, but not enough seats on it to accommodate our group.
Food vouchers, hotel name and new tickets in hand, we went down to claim our baggage. The not-so-customer-service-oriented fellow working the baggage claim area made it clear that we would be in for a long wait if we "insisted on retrieving our luggage" instead of "just letting it go on to Guatemala and picking it up when we got there".
We "insisted". It took a long time. So long that we all sat on the little conveyor belts that had signs that said "Do Not Sit", except for Luke who laid on it, and Mark who laid on the floor.
It took two shuttles to carry all of us. The men gallantly let the ladies catch the first shuttle, while they waited the 20 minutes for the return shuttle.
After a bit of confusion at the check-in desk, and some very rude "other guests" Mark and I finally stumbled into our room at 2:30am...only to find that our air-conditioner was actually an air-circulator. I took a shot of Nyquil and finally, slept.
-
I would like to point out that we somehow managed to get TWO planes that were faulty...
...that Mark, in all of his many, many flights, has never had a plane turn around and go back to the airport.
We later found out that our plane had been circling over the ocean dumping fuel because of concern about landing without an instrument panel. Thank you Lord for protecting us!
Disclaimer...
Okay, so I know that I said I would post an update of our trip...oh a week ago. And, really, I had every intention of doing so.
Then, well...I spent the week in sheer denial of all of the things that *needed* to be DONE. So instead of doing things like laundry, grocery shopping, and updating this here blog...I did things like read two books, sleep late and take naps. I did manage to buy Mother's Day gifts and cards, which, should count for something.
In order to help fight off procrastination and overwhelmedness (yes, I made that word up), I am going to post a recap of each day of our trip daily. I do, however, reserve the right to skip a day if I am over taken by overwhelmedness and the right to post two days worth of recaps in one day if I am feeling especially frisky.
I shot a little over 2,200 pictures...and there is no way I can upload that many pictures onto blogger...so I will post a few each day and maybe, possibly upload the rest to Flicker...we'll see.
Then, well...I spent the week in sheer denial of all of the things that *needed* to be DONE. So instead of doing things like laundry, grocery shopping, and updating this here blog...I did things like read two books, sleep late and take naps. I did manage to buy Mother's Day gifts and cards, which, should count for something.
In order to help fight off procrastination and overwhelmedness (yes, I made that word up), I am going to post a recap of each day of our trip daily. I do, however, reserve the right to skip a day if I am over taken by overwhelmedness and the right to post two days worth of recaps in one day if I am feeling especially frisky.
I shot a little over 2,200 pictures...and there is no way I can upload that many pictures onto blogger...so I will post a few each day and maybe, possibly upload the rest to Flicker...we'll see.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
We're home...
...safe and sound.
Turns out, we did NOT have internet access in our hotel. Look for an update later this afternoon...
Turns out, we did NOT have internet access in our hotel. Look for an update later this afternoon...
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Touching base...
Hmmm...so....
Maybe you're wondering how my "word for the year" is going... you remember, the one I posted in January in lieu of a New Year's Resolution, or New Year's intention.
Discipline, I believe it was.
Well, I'll tell you about two different conversations with two of my lovely daughters, and then, you can judge for yourself.
Last week, I was getting dressed for church. I was in the process of putting on a pair of Spanx. Now, if you've never wore Spanx, let me just say, they do great things...they also look like biker shorts for a 9 month old when removed from the package.
So, I was wriggling into them, and Chloe was sitting on the edge of the tub chatting with me.
She stops mid-sentence and says..."Those Do Not fit you. Your bottom is Too Big and those things are Too Small".
"Thanks Chloe", I reply.
"What momma? It's da truff".
-----------------------------
Yesterday, sitting on the deck, having lunch with Cammie.
She glances down at my thighs and says, "When I grow up, my legs are gonna be wittle, not big".
I just nod my head.
She points at my thigh and says "See, your legs, they're big. See my legs, they're wittle. Mine aren't gonna get big like yours".
-----------------------------
Well...that's enough about that. Moving on...
We are wrapping up the final preparations for our trip. Buying luggage, ironing out schedules, catching up laundry, making sure I have plenty of memory cards, etc.
Please remember to keep us in your prayers.
Oh, and I found out that we will have Internet access in our rooms and Mark will be bringing his laptop (if his gets stolen, his work has to replace it...if mine gets stolen, we have to replace it)....so, look for updates from Guatemala.
Maybe you're wondering how my "word for the year" is going... you remember, the one I posted in January in lieu of a New Year's Resolution, or New Year's intention.
Discipline, I believe it was.
Well, I'll tell you about two different conversations with two of my lovely daughters, and then, you can judge for yourself.
Last week, I was getting dressed for church. I was in the process of putting on a pair of Spanx. Now, if you've never wore Spanx, let me just say, they do great things...they also look like biker shorts for a 9 month old when removed from the package.
So, I was wriggling into them, and Chloe was sitting on the edge of the tub chatting with me.
She stops mid-sentence and says..."Those Do Not fit you. Your bottom is Too Big and those things are Too Small".
"Thanks Chloe", I reply.
"What momma? It's da truff".
-----------------------------
Yesterday, sitting on the deck, having lunch with Cammie.
She glances down at my thighs and says, "When I grow up, my legs are gonna be wittle, not big".
I just nod my head.
She points at my thigh and says "See, your legs, they're big. See my legs, they're wittle. Mine aren't gonna get big like yours".
-----------------------------
Well...that's enough about that. Moving on...
We are wrapping up the final preparations for our trip. Buying luggage, ironing out schedules, catching up laundry, making sure I have plenty of memory cards, etc.
Please remember to keep us in your prayers.
Oh, and I found out that we will have Internet access in our rooms and Mark will be bringing his laptop (if his gets stolen, his work has to replace it...if mine gets stolen, we have to replace it)....so, look for updates from Guatemala.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Prayer request...
Mark and I are going on a mission trip to Guatemala...we leave a week from Sunday, and will be gone for eight days.
Forrest's grandmother will be staying with the kids at our house while we are away, and they are all EXCITED to see Grandmother...so excited, that they are not in the least bit bothered that they won't be seeing Momma and Daddy for a week...
While we are there, we won't have access to the Internet. Neither will we have our own cellphones. Our group will have two phones for emergencies, but not to call home and chat.
Now, Mark and I have taken trips without the kids before. Usually just long weekends. Last year, we went to New England for a week...but, we were a two hour plane ride away...and we had two laptops with us...and we had two cell phones with us...
This time...six hour plane ride... in a country with maybe two flights to America per day...with zero laptops and zero phones.
Honestly, Carol will do a much better job than I do with the kids. They will actually eat a home cooked meal every night instead of cheese quesadillas from the Mexican Restaurant next to our house, or pasta from Carraba's or ...well, you get the picture.
They will also have scrambled eggs, or sausage and biscuits for breakfast instead of pop tarts, cereal bars or microwave oatmeal.
Their clothes will all be put away, the next days outfit laid out the night before... which will be a nice change for them...seeing how I tend to procrastinate the putting away of laundry and therefore have to scramble in the mornings to assemble their ensembles.
Yes, they will be well cared for, spoiled rotten and content.
While I am completely confident that things will be FINE, I am a bit nervous about the lack of communication.
So, please pray:
-for Mark and I (and everyone else in our group) to have safe travels.
-that our kids remain healthy and all of their bones intact.
-that our lovely kids don't drive Carol crazy.
-that we (Mark, myself and our group) are a blessing to the people that we encounter in Guatemala.
-that we are changed and impacted for life for the glory of the Lord.
-that revival falls in Guatemala.
Thanks in advance for any and all of your prayers!
Forrest's grandmother will be staying with the kids at our house while we are away, and they are all EXCITED to see Grandmother...so excited, that they are not in the least bit bothered that they won't be seeing Momma and Daddy for a week...
While we are there, we won't have access to the Internet. Neither will we have our own cellphones. Our group will have two phones for emergencies, but not to call home and chat.
Now, Mark and I have taken trips without the kids before. Usually just long weekends. Last year, we went to New England for a week...but, we were a two hour plane ride away...and we had two laptops with us...and we had two cell phones with us...
This time...six hour plane ride... in a country with maybe two flights to America per day...with zero laptops and zero phones.
Honestly, Carol will do a much better job than I do with the kids. They will actually eat a home cooked meal every night instead of cheese quesadillas from the Mexican Restaurant next to our house, or pasta from Carraba's or ...well, you get the picture.
They will also have scrambled eggs, or sausage and biscuits for breakfast instead of pop tarts, cereal bars or microwave oatmeal.
Their clothes will all be put away, the next days outfit laid out the night before... which will be a nice change for them...seeing how I tend to procrastinate the putting away of laundry and therefore have to scramble in the mornings to assemble their ensembles.
Yes, they will be well cared for, spoiled rotten and content.
While I am completely confident that things will be FINE, I am a bit nervous about the lack of communication.
So, please pray:
-for Mark and I (and everyone else in our group) to have safe travels.
-that our kids remain healthy and all of their bones intact.
-that our lovely kids don't drive Carol crazy.
-that we (Mark, myself and our group) are a blessing to the people that we encounter in Guatemala.
-that we are changed and impacted for life for the glory of the Lord.
-that revival falls in Guatemala.
Thanks in advance for any and all of your prayers!
Friday, April 11, 2008
True or False reveal...
1. My pantry is super organized. All veggies in one section, organized by color, all labels facing forward. Same for beans, etc. My OCD runs rampant in all things closet/pantry related.
TRUE. I notice immediately if a label is turned the wrong way, and adjust it. People ask if it takes a lot of time to maintain. Nope. It just makes sense to me to have things organized. I don't have a "problem" or an "issue". I don't. Really.
2. When I was 16, I was a Subway Sandwich artist. I still order my sandwich in the way that I "perfected" while working there. And yes, it does make a difference in the way it tastes.
TRUE. My favorite is a veggie and cheese on wheat. The veggie/condiment configuration I created works with all sandwiches though...and really, it makes sense. Lettuce goes on after the meat and cheese. Then, you put the mayo and/or mustard on (it helps the lettuce stick together and keeps it from falling off), next oil and vinegar (the lettuce absorbs it and keeps it from dripping off the sandwich and onto your shirt). Next, all other veggies. Tomatoes on top (keeps the small veggies in place). Follow that up with salt, pepper and oregano. Voila, a sandwich that isn't too messy. It just makes sense. Really. It does.
3. I love creeks. My grandparents had one in their backyard through out my entire childhood. I would spend hours exploring in it, or reading a book on a large dry rock in the middle of the stream.
TRUE. One day, we will have a yard with a creek. I heart creeks.
4. I read at a very early age, but I didn't fall in love with reading until the second grade. I was a helper in the library and while shelving books, I discovered Nancy Drew. I read the entire series that year, and I have been a voracious reader since.
TRUE. I love me some Nancy Drew. I tried to get Hannah to love some Nancy Drew too. It didn't work. They are a little to scary for her. Sophie is next on my list. I doubt Chloe will like them for the same reason as Hannah (they are my timid two). Cammie, she'll read through 'em in a month and move on to True Crime books without batting an eye. Hmm...on second thought maybe I won't encourage her to meet Nancy.
5. My favorite childhood breakfast is my grandma's toast and gravy. Mmm Mmm. (Mark wants everyone to know that my favorite breakfasts now are his pancakes and his biscuits and gravy).
TRUE. MMM MMM. Talk about good stuff. (Yep Tammy, that's what we were talking about the other day). Good stuff.
6. I heart my freckles.
TRUE. I've always like my freckles. Forrest has them too, and I think they rock (can't use the word cute when referring to a 14 year old male). Hannah has a few sprinkles. Sophie, no freckles. Chloe...zero freckles...so sad. Cammie...yay freckles!
7. My favorite form of exercise is running.
FALSE. I do not heart running. I get shin splints...where your shin is rammed between your knee and heal and hurts really, really bad and not because you're a wimp but because it really, really hurts. Really. (Renee, you were right, my kick boxing trainer made me run, but, the floor was padded. No jarring).
8. I have never been to Disneyland or Disney world.
Sad but TRUE. I am on a desperate mission to change that. I think everyone should email my lovely little husband and complain about the injustice of a 30 year old woman being withheld from the happiness and goodness that is Disney World/Land. AND, I think you should tell him in your email, that the only way to make up for that painful deprivation would be to book us a room in the Animal Kingdom resort with a balcony so that the giraffes can wander past. I'm just sayin', ya know, if you want to.
9. When I was 12, my dream car was a yellow low-rider Nissan truck with graphics on the side. (Yes, I went through a "G" phase...it was short, very short).
TRUE. It took mucho courage to put that in writing. Moving on...
10. I am considering going in for a consultation at the place where they grow hair. I saw a billboard that says "We grow eyebrows too".
TRUE. Oh so true. I don't want to be one of those little old ladies with the drawn on eyebrows that look like they are in a constant state of SURPRISE! Blonde body hair is great when it comes to leg hair...it's invisible. It is not so great when it comes to eyebrows...it's invisible.
TRUE. I notice immediately if a label is turned the wrong way, and adjust it. People ask if it takes a lot of time to maintain. Nope. It just makes sense to me to have things organized. I don't have a "problem" or an "issue". I don't. Really.
2. When I was 16, I was a Subway Sandwich artist. I still order my sandwich in the way that I "perfected" while working there. And yes, it does make a difference in the way it tastes.
TRUE. My favorite is a veggie and cheese on wheat. The veggie/condiment configuration I created works with all sandwiches though...and really, it makes sense. Lettuce goes on after the meat and cheese. Then, you put the mayo and/or mustard on (it helps the lettuce stick together and keeps it from falling off), next oil and vinegar (the lettuce absorbs it and keeps it from dripping off the sandwich and onto your shirt). Next, all other veggies. Tomatoes on top (keeps the small veggies in place). Follow that up with salt, pepper and oregano. Voila, a sandwich that isn't too messy. It just makes sense. Really. It does.
3. I love creeks. My grandparents had one in their backyard through out my entire childhood. I would spend hours exploring in it, or reading a book on a large dry rock in the middle of the stream.
TRUE. One day, we will have a yard with a creek. I heart creeks.
4. I read at a very early age, but I didn't fall in love with reading until the second grade. I was a helper in the library and while shelving books, I discovered Nancy Drew. I read the entire series that year, and I have been a voracious reader since.
TRUE. I love me some Nancy Drew. I tried to get Hannah to love some Nancy Drew too. It didn't work. They are a little to scary for her. Sophie is next on my list. I doubt Chloe will like them for the same reason as Hannah (they are my timid two). Cammie, she'll read through 'em in a month and move on to True Crime books without batting an eye. Hmm...on second thought maybe I won't encourage her to meet Nancy.
5. My favorite childhood breakfast is my grandma's toast and gravy. Mmm Mmm. (Mark wants everyone to know that my favorite breakfasts now are his pancakes and his biscuits and gravy).
TRUE. MMM MMM. Talk about good stuff. (Yep Tammy, that's what we were talking about the other day). Good stuff.
6. I heart my freckles.
TRUE. I've always like my freckles. Forrest has them too, and I think they rock (can't use the word cute when referring to a 14 year old male). Hannah has a few sprinkles. Sophie, no freckles. Chloe...zero freckles...so sad. Cammie...yay freckles!
7. My favorite form of exercise is running.
FALSE. I do not heart running. I get shin splints...where your shin is rammed between your knee and heal and hurts really, really bad and not because you're a wimp but because it really, really hurts. Really. (Renee, you were right, my kick boxing trainer made me run, but, the floor was padded. No jarring).
8. I have never been to Disneyland or Disney world.
Sad but TRUE. I am on a desperate mission to change that. I think everyone should email my lovely little husband and complain about the injustice of a 30 year old woman being withheld from the happiness and goodness that is Disney World/Land. AND, I think you should tell him in your email, that the only way to make up for that painful deprivation would be to book us a room in the Animal Kingdom resort with a balcony so that the giraffes can wander past. I'm just sayin', ya know, if you want to.
9. When I was 12, my dream car was a yellow low-rider Nissan truck with graphics on the side. (Yes, I went through a "G" phase...it was short, very short).
TRUE. It took mucho courage to put that in writing. Moving on...
10. I am considering going in for a consultation at the place where they grow hair. I saw a billboard that says "We grow eyebrows too".
TRUE. Oh so true. I don't want to be one of those little old ladies with the drawn on eyebrows that look like they are in a constant state of SURPRISE! Blonde body hair is great when it comes to leg hair...it's invisible. It is not so great when it comes to eyebrows...it's invisible.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
10 UNimportant things about me...
Accepting a challenge set forth my Tammy and then Renee...10 things about me, but 1 is false. Can you guess which one is false?
1. My pantry is super organized. All veggies in one section, organized by color, all labels facing forward. Same for beans, etc. My OCD runs rampant in all things closet/pantry related.
2. When I was 16, I was a Subway Sandwich artist. I still order my sandwich in the way that I "perfected" while working there. And yes, it does make a difference in the way it tastes.
3. I love creeks. My grandparents had one in their backyard through out my entire childhood. I would spend hours exploring in it, or reading a book on a large dry rock in the middle of the stream.
4. I read at a very early age, but I didn't fall in love with reading until the second grade. I was a helper in the library and while shelving books, I discovered Nancy Drew. I read the entire series that year, and I have been a voracious reader since.
5. My favorite childhood breakfast is my grandma's toast and gravy. Mmm Mmm. (Mark wants everyone to know that my favorite breakfasts now are his pancakes and his biscuits and gravy).
6. I heart my freckles.
7. My favorite form of exercise is running.
8. I have never been to Disneyland or Disney world.
9. When I was 12, my dream car was a yellow low-rider Nissan truck with graphics on the side. (Yes, I went through a "G" phase...it was short, very short).
10. I am considering going in for a consultation at the place where they grow hair. I saw a billboard that says "We grow eyebrows too".
1. My pantry is super organized. All veggies in one section, organized by color, all labels facing forward. Same for beans, etc. My OCD runs rampant in all things closet/pantry related.
2. When I was 16, I was a Subway Sandwich artist. I still order my sandwich in the way that I "perfected" while working there. And yes, it does make a difference in the way it tastes.
3. I love creeks. My grandparents had one in their backyard through out my entire childhood. I would spend hours exploring in it, or reading a book on a large dry rock in the middle of the stream.
4. I read at a very early age, but I didn't fall in love with reading until the second grade. I was a helper in the library and while shelving books, I discovered Nancy Drew. I read the entire series that year, and I have been a voracious reader since.
5. My favorite childhood breakfast is my grandma's toast and gravy. Mmm Mmm. (Mark wants everyone to know that my favorite breakfasts now are his pancakes and his biscuits and gravy).
6. I heart my freckles.
7. My favorite form of exercise is running.
8. I have never been to Disneyland or Disney world.
9. When I was 12, my dream car was a yellow low-rider Nissan truck with graphics on the side. (Yes, I went through a "G" phase...it was short, very short).
10. I am considering going in for a consultation at the place where they grow hair. I saw a billboard that says "We grow eyebrows too".
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
I saw the funniest
bumper sticker this afternoon. Oh, how I wish I had put my pocket camera back in my purse.
It read:
SAVE A PIT BULL,
NEUTER A THUG
Does anyone else find that highly amusing?
It read:
SAVE A PIT BULL,
NEUTER A THUG
Does anyone else find that highly amusing?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Here I am...
Ya know, just in case any of you were wondering where I am.
Now, where have I been? Good question.
Saturday, we spent the day with my family, celebrating Easter at my cousins' farm in Bucksnort. (Is Bucksnort not the funniest name for a town)? (Oh, and just to clarify...everyone calls it a farm because it is a couple of hundred acres in the middle of nowhere which, I am sure you gathered by the name Bucksnort...it does not however, have animals or crops, so I am not sure what the actual term should be, so for the sake of the story, we'll stick with "farm").
Where was I? Oh yes, Bucksnort. We spent the day eating fantastic Bar-B-Q, hunting for eggs, riding 4-wheelers and enjoying the farm life. (Mark and I are trying to convince ourselves that we do not need a "farm" ourselves).
Sunday was spent at church of course. It was fantastic. Truly fantastic.
After church, we left for St. Louis.
On the way, it snowed. Heavily.
We were shocked by the sight of flooded farm land.
We checked into our hotel. (My husband wrinkled his nose at my choice of the Drury Inn Plaza. He apologized upon arrival. It was a great hotel, great service, nice breakfast and huge rooms. Yay for tripadvisor-dot-com).
Monday, after breakfast, we hit the Zoo. St. Louis has the BEST zoo.
We had lunch at a Root Beer bottling place called Fitz's. The food wasn't great, but the Root Beer was TASTY. (Forrest and I are root beer connoisseurs).
My lovely husband took the kiddies for a swim and I read for a bit as I was coming down with a cold.
Which is why I took NyQuil in order to sleep that night.
Which is why I slept through 3 hours of Sophie and her stomach virus. Have I said that I have the best husband in the world? He completely handled the stomach virus. All three hours of projectile body fluids. God bless him.
We slept through breakfast at the hotel on Tuesday.
Sophie and I braved IHOP with everyone else.
Then, she and I came back to the hotel and slept for the next four hours. Mark (the saint) took the rest of the kids to tour a historic court house, wander around the green-space beneath the Arch, and swim in the pool again.
On Wednesday, things were looking better. We made it to breakfast.
Then, we headed to the City Museum. We couldn't believe how much they have added in the last 5 years. The weather was great, and the kids had a blast playing outside. After 6 hours, we were wore out. We headed back to the hotel, ordered in, packed and went to bed early.
Which was a good thing.
Because Chloe woke up with the stomach virus.
The plan was to go to the Arch and then to the Magic House Museum.
Instead we ate a quick breakfast and headed for home.
Which was a good thing...because Chloe threw up in a plastic bag for the next three hours. Yay. (Yes, we tossed them out and replaced them with fresh ones frequently...just in case you were worried about the germs and/or smell).
And we had to stop at Wal-Mart to get Hannah cough medicine because she caught my cold.
And then we were caught in a hail storm.
And then Mark got the stomach virus.
And then I got a fever.
And now, I am going to bed.
p.s. Pictures to follow.
p.s.s The 306 blog will be updated tomorrow.
p.s.s.s Even when we are all sick, we have a great time together, and I am so eternally thankful that God has blessed me with this hectic-crazy-sickly-fun-wild bunch of kids and fantabulous husband.
Now, where have I been? Good question.
Saturday, we spent the day with my family, celebrating Easter at my cousins' farm in Bucksnort. (Is Bucksnort not the funniest name for a town)? (Oh, and just to clarify...everyone calls it a farm because it is a couple of hundred acres in the middle of nowhere which, I am sure you gathered by the name Bucksnort...it does not however, have animals or crops, so I am not sure what the actual term should be, so for the sake of the story, we'll stick with "farm").
Where was I? Oh yes, Bucksnort. We spent the day eating fantastic Bar-B-Q, hunting for eggs, riding 4-wheelers and enjoying the farm life. (Mark and I are trying to convince ourselves that we do not need a "farm" ourselves).
Sunday was spent at church of course. It was fantastic. Truly fantastic.
After church, we left for St. Louis.
On the way, it snowed. Heavily.
We were shocked by the sight of flooded farm land.
We checked into our hotel. (My husband wrinkled his nose at my choice of the Drury Inn Plaza. He apologized upon arrival. It was a great hotel, great service, nice breakfast and huge rooms. Yay for tripadvisor-dot-com).
Monday, after breakfast, we hit the Zoo. St. Louis has the BEST zoo.
We had lunch at a Root Beer bottling place called Fitz's. The food wasn't great, but the Root Beer was TASTY. (Forrest and I are root beer connoisseurs).
My lovely husband took the kiddies for a swim and I read for a bit as I was coming down with a cold.
Which is why I took NyQuil in order to sleep that night.
Which is why I slept through 3 hours of Sophie and her stomach virus. Have I said that I have the best husband in the world? He completely handled the stomach virus. All three hours of projectile body fluids. God bless him.
We slept through breakfast at the hotel on Tuesday.
Sophie and I braved IHOP with everyone else.
Then, she and I came back to the hotel and slept for the next four hours. Mark (the saint) took the rest of the kids to tour a historic court house, wander around the green-space beneath the Arch, and swim in the pool again.
On Wednesday, things were looking better. We made it to breakfast.
Then, we headed to the City Museum. We couldn't believe how much they have added in the last 5 years. The weather was great, and the kids had a blast playing outside. After 6 hours, we were wore out. We headed back to the hotel, ordered in, packed and went to bed early.
Which was a good thing.
Because Chloe woke up with the stomach virus.
The plan was to go to the Arch and then to the Magic House Museum.
Instead we ate a quick breakfast and headed for home.
Which was a good thing...because Chloe threw up in a plastic bag for the next three hours. Yay. (Yes, we tossed them out and replaced them with fresh ones frequently...just in case you were worried about the germs and/or smell).
And we had to stop at Wal-Mart to get Hannah cough medicine because she caught my cold.
And then we were caught in a hail storm.
And then Mark got the stomach virus.
And then I got a fever.
And now, I am going to bed.
p.s. Pictures to follow.
p.s.s The 306 blog will be updated tomorrow.
p.s.s.s Even when we are all sick, we have a great time together, and I am so eternally thankful that God has blessed me with this hectic-crazy-sickly-fun-wild bunch of kids and fantabulous husband.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Introducing...
Winston Oliver Suffridge
-
Born: February 1, 2008
-
Currently 9lb 10oz (and growing by 5oz a day)!
We are in love.
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