Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Spreading some cheer
If you live in a development this post may ring a bell with you. I was outside enjoying the beautiful day today, and got to thinking. Thinking particularly about our yard....mostly the dandelions......and the clover......and crab grass. I was feeling a little guilty and depressed because the rest of our neighborhood has such nice lawns and feeling as though I was in some way letting down the neighborhood with our negligence with remembering to put our "weed-n-feed" this year. Uh hum and last year. Okay, alright! 3 of the last 4 years we have lived here. So.....as I am thinking about this, I am thinking,….no,....I am SURE that the entire neighborhood secretly HATES us! After all they all just spent...eh..hum lots of money and time making their yards beeeeeuuuuutiful and we are spreading dandelions. A friend once told me that I make her feel better because now she knows someone else who is neurotic. : ) Okay so I wasn't REALLY sooo concerned with letting the neighborhood down,....just mainly concerned with my image: ) Because....after all, it IS all about me ya know!!! But then it hit me, we are TRULY doing our neighbors a favor. Yes, that's it! Just think! No one is feeling stressed and thinking, "The yard at 'This little house' always looks better than ours, how do they do it?" Yes, that is it! We are l-o-v-i-n-g our neighbors! Just like Jesus said! We are helping everyone feel better about their yard! Think of it as spreading some cheer, a public service for the greater good. Okay, so then I got to thinking....who decided that dandelions, crab grass and clover were bad plants anyway? That's like saying just because you have blond hair, you should be annihilated…. I believe that is uhh......discrimination! That's it! I have decided to have a competition....the yard filled with the MOST dandelions wins! They are bright and cheery, and after all you can eat them.....a good thing in our current economic state, don't ya think? Just think,....... all the neighborhood kids will enjoy coming to OUR yard to blow dandelions!!! It's a childhood must!!!! EVERYONE will remember OUR yard!!!!! Spread the word!!!! Dandelions are "IN!!!"
Monday, April 13, 2009
Muddled thinking
Today was one of those days that starts out well and as the day progresses you slowly begin to think you are losing your mind. Before you start to get too worried, let me explain. I frustrate myself. Way too much in fact. I forget way too much....especially when I feel overwhelmed with the demands of life around me. Well, today was one of those days and actually if I am honest, I have had those days often the last couple of months.
You see, it all started off well. My six year old wanted to get on the computer and so I thought I would quickly check my email and answer a couple innocent questions from people through email and viola.......something I thought would take a minute to explain takes.....uh 45 minutes!!! Notice I said questions plural....and.....people, more than one? Well, I think I was in a time warp because before I knew it, the morning was gone. Okay, so it wasn't uninterrupted. My six-year-old asked me every five minutes, "Are you done now, Mommy?" My three-year-old had a potty accident and I solved a couple of arguments, kept my eleven-year-old focused on her school assignments and mangaged to get my shower and do my hair.....but.....today I needed hmmmmmm....five of me would have been good, because all this should have been done by 8:00! Anyway, I am sure I am not the only one who has had days like this. After lunch, I was encouraged, thinking, "Okay I have about three good hours to really get something done."lol
The rest of my afternoon
1. I realized that one of my emails, I sent confirming a date this morning had a schedule conflict....that's okay just send another email to correct it, okay, done!
2. A phone call interrupted by my three-year-old screaming as he got stuck between the bed and the wall.
3. Return phone call to resume conversation that was abruptly ended (see #2)
4. More phone calls spurred on from the first to organize some things for school in the fall.
5. Ooops, ANOTHER schedule conflict, shoot, that's the person I messed up with last year.....grumble, frustrated with self thoughts, "Okay.....just send and reschedule." Allright, done.
6. More phone calls made, it feels good to be making progress.
7. Phone rings......now I don't know about you but when I have a lot going on, I sometimes have trouble keeping things straight and I know I heard the person's name on the other end but that is not what registered in my head........Yes, I had a nice conversation with this person, updating her with a lot of information for at least one minute when suddenly.......LIGHTBULB.......OHHHHH.......wrong person!!!!! LOL : ) This is the point where I am NOW completely convince that I have lost my mind! You see both people have first names that begin with , "S" and last names that begin with "Z," and for some reason my mind disregarded all the other letters in those names and thought it was the same person.........So you wonder why it is that I think I am going crazy?
I thank God for my wonderful husband who last week asked me, "Do you think you're going crazy honey?" "Yes," I answered tearfully. Thenk he lovingly said, "You're not. You just have a lot going on and you need to slow down." Sigh............I think he's right.......just not sure how to do that. : ) Well, gotta go send some emails. Pray that I get it right. : )
You see, it all started off well. My six year old wanted to get on the computer and so I thought I would quickly check my email and answer a couple innocent questions from people through email and viola.......something I thought would take a minute to explain takes.....uh 45 minutes!!! Notice I said questions plural....and.....people, more than one? Well, I think I was in a time warp because before I knew it, the morning was gone. Okay, so it wasn't uninterrupted. My six-year-old asked me every five minutes, "Are you done now, Mommy?" My three-year-old had a potty accident and I solved a couple of arguments, kept my eleven-year-old focused on her school assignments and mangaged to get my shower and do my hair.....but.....today I needed hmmmmmm....five of me would have been good, because all this should have been done by 8:00! Anyway, I am sure I am not the only one who has had days like this. After lunch, I was encouraged, thinking, "Okay I have about three good hours to really get something done."lol
The rest of my afternoon
1. I realized that one of my emails, I sent confirming a date this morning had a schedule conflict....that's okay just send another email to correct it, okay, done!
2. A phone call interrupted by my three-year-old screaming as he got stuck between the bed and the wall.
3. Return phone call to resume conversation that was abruptly ended (see #2)
4. More phone calls spurred on from the first to organize some things for school in the fall.
5. Ooops, ANOTHER schedule conflict, shoot, that's the person I messed up with last year.....grumble, frustrated with self thoughts, "Okay.....just send and reschedule." Allright, done.
6. More phone calls made, it feels good to be making progress.
7. Phone rings......now I don't know about you but when I have a lot going on, I sometimes have trouble keeping things straight and I know I heard the person's name on the other end but that is not what registered in my head........Yes, I had a nice conversation with this person, updating her with a lot of information for at least one minute when suddenly.......LIGHTBULB.......OHHHHH.......wrong person!!!!! LOL : ) This is the point where I am NOW completely convince that I have lost my mind! You see both people have first names that begin with , "S" and last names that begin with "Z," and for some reason my mind disregarded all the other letters in those names and thought it was the same person.........So you wonder why it is that I think I am going crazy?
I thank God for my wonderful husband who last week asked me, "Do you think you're going crazy honey?" "Yes," I answered tearfully. Thenk he lovingly said, "You're not. You just have a lot going on and you need to slow down." Sigh............I think he's right.......just not sure how to do that. : ) Well, gotta go send some emails. Pray that I get it right. : )
Friday, April 10, 2009
Sweet Times
Please note, I actually wrote this a while back but I am just now getting around to posting.... :)
I love the three year old stage....not that I don't love the other stages, but they just say so many innocent, cute things at this age!
Today we were in the van taking a meal to a friend who just had surgery and Jedi fighter says, "Mom, I'm drinky?" He's been saying this for several months now and I dread the day he realizes the word is thirsty.
Last evening while I was snuggling with him after books, Jedi fighter said, "I wish we could put our house in the van and take it to Aunt Candie's house."
Okay, the next one is just plain sweet because the shirt Aunt Candie found for him was really special to him.
Aunt Candie had gotten Jedi fighter a Star Wars shirt that lights up! Jedi fighter came into the kitchen and said, "Mom, I put my new shirt in the wash." To which I replied, "Okay." He said, "No, I put it in the wash." To which I replied, "Good job, I'll wash it for you." Jedi fighter then comes closer, takes me by the hand and says, "No, I put it in the wash." So I walk upstairs so he can show me his new shirt is in the hamper. Realizing that he looked worried, that he only wore it a couple of hours and it didn't appear dirty, I said, "You can wear this tomorrow." He was so excited and then said, "We shouldn't wash it because the light won't work anymore."
This evening after supper, we went for a walk. I realized that last year when we went for walks, we always ended up carrying two of our little cherubs! This year they all ran ahead and had to wait numerous times! We weren't even walking slow.
After our walk, we went into the back yard to let the kids run around to further release their extra energy and I wanted to check on my fruit trees to see how they are faring after the hail storm last week. As I was checking out the trees our 11 year old gasped. I looked over to see her staring at a hole in the ground with a large rock protruding from the ground. Puzzled, about her outburst, I asked the next obvious question....."What?" Now what I am about to tell you may leave you concerned you have just found a totally insane woman but that is okay because insanity can be a good thing on occasion. She replied,........ before I tell you I have to rewind a few months to September. You see I am a home school Mom and this year one of my major goals was to do more hands-on activities and have more fun learning this year. We started out the year with Egypt and proceeded to make a lot of fun things like Egyptian clothing, Necklaces, bracelets, salt maps.....and.....we......uh......mummified a chicken. Yes that's right. It was a rather messy lengthy process but we were successful and for, well, let's see, five months we had a wrapped chicken mummy in our garage, which Julia aptly named Nefretiti, who was a famous Egyptian Pharaoh who also happened to be a woman and because our chicken mummy was a hen......You get the idea. Anyway they have still to find the real Nefretiti's mummy....it's gone....vanished......it's a mystery.
I had been kidding with the kids that we were going to have a genuine burial for our Pharaoh Chicken Mummy Nefretiti, complete with chanting and Egyptian costumes etc.....Well,......two weeks ago I was away, and when I returned, much to my surprise, I find that my husband had performed the ceremony without me....lol....wrapping our beloved chicken mummy in layers of foil, plastic wrap, etc,.......Well, I'm sure you have guessed what has happened by now Yes, our oldest daughter gasped because........Yes!!! TOMB ROBBERS!!!!!! Our beloved Pharaoh Chicken Mummy Nefretiti is gone,....vanished!!!!.... without a trace (save the lone piece of foil lying in the woods and a headstone). Nefretiti's mystery continues........my guess? Maybe a fox. I have to say, I am a little concerned about the neighbor that spots our chicken mummy lying in their yard. lol...lol...lol.....Oh.....I wish I could see their faces as they investigate!!!
I love the three year old stage....not that I don't love the other stages, but they just say so many innocent, cute things at this age!
Today we were in the van taking a meal to a friend who just had surgery and Jedi fighter says, "Mom, I'm drinky?" He's been saying this for several months now and I dread the day he realizes the word is thirsty.
Last evening while I was snuggling with him after books, Jedi fighter said, "I wish we could put our house in the van and take it to Aunt Candie's house."
Okay, the next one is just plain sweet because the shirt Aunt Candie found for him was really special to him.
Aunt Candie had gotten Jedi fighter a Star Wars shirt that lights up! Jedi fighter came into the kitchen and said, "Mom, I put my new shirt in the wash." To which I replied, "Okay." He said, "No, I put it in the wash." To which I replied, "Good job, I'll wash it for you." Jedi fighter then comes closer, takes me by the hand and says, "No, I put it in the wash." So I walk upstairs so he can show me his new shirt is in the hamper. Realizing that he looked worried, that he only wore it a couple of hours and it didn't appear dirty, I said, "You can wear this tomorrow." He was so excited and then said, "We shouldn't wash it because the light won't work anymore."
This evening after supper, we went for a walk. I realized that last year when we went for walks, we always ended up carrying two of our little cherubs! This year they all ran ahead and had to wait numerous times! We weren't even walking slow.
After our walk, we went into the back yard to let the kids run around to further release their extra energy and I wanted to check on my fruit trees to see how they are faring after the hail storm last week. As I was checking out the trees our 11 year old gasped. I looked over to see her staring at a hole in the ground with a large rock protruding from the ground. Puzzled, about her outburst, I asked the next obvious question....."What?" Now what I am about to tell you may leave you concerned you have just found a totally insane woman but that is okay because insanity can be a good thing on occasion. She replied,........ before I tell you I have to rewind a few months to September. You see I am a home school Mom and this year one of my major goals was to do more hands-on activities and have more fun learning this year. We started out the year with Egypt and proceeded to make a lot of fun things like Egyptian clothing, Necklaces, bracelets, salt maps.....and.....we......uh......mummified a chicken. Yes that's right. It was a rather messy lengthy process but we were successful and for, well, let's see, five months we had a wrapped chicken mummy in our garage, which Julia aptly named Nefretiti, who was a famous Egyptian Pharaoh who also happened to be a woman and because our chicken mummy was a hen......You get the idea. Anyway they have still to find the real Nefretiti's mummy....it's gone....vanished......it's a mystery.
I had been kidding with the kids that we were going to have a genuine burial for our Pharaoh Chicken Mummy Nefretiti, complete with chanting and Egyptian costumes etc.....Well,......two weeks ago I was away, and when I returned, much to my surprise, I find that my husband had performed the ceremony without me....lol....wrapping our beloved chicken mummy in layers of foil, plastic wrap, etc,.......Well, I'm sure you have guessed what has happened by now Yes, our oldest daughter gasped because........Yes!!! TOMB ROBBERS!!!!!! Our beloved Pharaoh Chicken Mummy Nefretiti is gone,....vanished!!!!.... without a trace (save the lone piece of foil lying in the woods and a headstone). Nefretiti's mystery continues........my guess? Maybe a fox. I have to say, I am a little concerned about the neighbor that spots our chicken mummy lying in their yard. lol...lol...lol.....Oh.....I wish I could see their faces as they investigate!!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Uno
Did you ever decide to try something new and then wonder why? Did you ever just want to have fun and things didn't go as planned? I thought something was wrong with us. Us being my husband and me. Why couldn't we just play a simple game.....in a smiling, fun, easy going sort of way? Instead, our family game of Uno went something like this.
(I haven't decided on blogworthy names for everyone yet but they will be forthcoming when I am enlightened). In this post, Jedi fighter is 3 year old boy, Honey is 6 year old girl.
Here honey, hold your cards like this. Laying them out face up lets everyone see what you have.
okay, it is your turn. No, you need to lay a red card or a number 2.
Jedi fighter, it's your turn, can you come up to the table? Put the other toys away if you want to play the game. Okay, lay this card.
Play continue quite uneventfully for three players...total 30 seconds.
Then,...."Honey (who has proceeded to lay every card face down on the table in response to my last request) it is your turn.........please hold your cards in your hand, you can see them better if you hold them in your hand."
Honey: "I know I have a blue card......somewhere......."
Jedi fighter, come back to the table we are waiting for you....you don't need an elephant when you're playing Uno.......sigh........okay it's your turn, no the color is blue. Oh, why are you crying, it's okay honey just pick a card from the pile if you don't have blue.....it's okay maybe you can go next time.
Play continues quickly and swiftly for three players to the tune of a wailing 3 1/2 year old.
Honey, where are your cards!??? How will you see them under the table? Pick up your cards, we're waiting for you.....................No the color is now red, look to see if you have a RED card. Okay then choose a card from the pile.
Jedi fighter, it's your turn. Please take the elephant off the table so you can see the cards. Do you have a red or a draw two........It's okay.........maybe you'll be able to go next time.....don't cry.
Next three players.....done.....no time!
So, you know the questions. The questions that nag at a Mom and a Dad......tell me, why do we do it??? Why do we torture ourselves? Is it because we enjoy the frustration? Is it because I enjoy seeing the vein popping on my hubby's neck? What is wrong with us???? We can't play a simple game of Uno!!!!
Where are you GOING? You don't NEED your doll. It's your turn....I know Jedi fighter has an elephant....IF YOU WANT TO PLAY COME BACK TO THE TABLE......NOW! We.......are......waiting......for.......you!
Sooooo, what you ask is the moral to my story? Is it, "Don't play cards with your family???" of course not you know that.....Is it, "It's not worth the trouble, so don't try?" I know, I am insulting your intelligence......Okay the reason for me posting this is because I, (and I imagine many other parents have also), thought that something was wrong with us, me, my husband, my children. Okay I didn't really think anything was wrong with me....husband, kids,....yes. I thought something was dreadfully wrong. We can't even enjoy a fun easy going game. What I didn't realize is that there are many parents playing Uno or Candyland (For the benefit of your mental health, I hope you also established the rule that the specialty cards ESPECIALLY the plumb and candy cane...DON'T go back in the deck once they're used!!!!) who are feeling the SAME PAIN.....the SAME agony.....the same!! You are NOT alone.....I, my friends am with you.....So the next time you look into your game closet and think,...."It would be nice to play a game as a family for some nice relaxing fun"......we can laugh.....because we know this is God's way of punishing us for all the times our parents played with us........LOL......and.....THEY will play with their children....he, he, he.
(I haven't decided on blogworthy names for everyone yet but they will be forthcoming when I am enlightened). In this post, Jedi fighter is 3 year old boy, Honey is 6 year old girl.
Here honey, hold your cards like this. Laying them out face up lets everyone see what you have.
okay, it is your turn. No, you need to lay a red card or a number 2.
Jedi fighter, it's your turn, can you come up to the table? Put the other toys away if you want to play the game. Okay, lay this card.
Play continue quite uneventfully for three players...total 30 seconds.
Then,...."Honey (who has proceeded to lay every card face down on the table in response to my last request) it is your turn.........please hold your cards in your hand, you can see them better if you hold them in your hand."
Honey: "I know I have a blue card......somewhere......."
Jedi fighter, come back to the table we are waiting for you....you don't need an elephant when you're playing Uno.......sigh........okay it's your turn, no the color is blue. Oh, why are you crying, it's okay honey just pick a card from the pile if you don't have blue.....it's okay maybe you can go next time.
Play continues quickly and swiftly for three players to the tune of a wailing 3 1/2 year old.
Honey, where are your cards!??? How will you see them under the table? Pick up your cards, we're waiting for you.....................No the color is now red, look to see if you have a RED card. Okay then choose a card from the pile.
Jedi fighter, it's your turn. Please take the elephant off the table so you can see the cards. Do you have a red or a draw two........It's okay.........maybe you'll be able to go next time.....don't cry.
Next three players.....done.....no time!
So, you know the questions. The questions that nag at a Mom and a Dad......tell me, why do we do it??? Why do we torture ourselves? Is it because we enjoy the frustration? Is it because I enjoy seeing the vein popping on my hubby's neck? What is wrong with us???? We can't play a simple game of Uno!!!!
Where are you GOING? You don't NEED your doll. It's your turn....I know Jedi fighter has an elephant....IF YOU WANT TO PLAY COME BACK TO THE TABLE......NOW! We.......are......waiting......for.......you!
Sooooo, what you ask is the moral to my story? Is it, "Don't play cards with your family???" of course not you know that.....Is it, "It's not worth the trouble, so don't try?" I know, I am insulting your intelligence......Okay the reason for me posting this is because I, (and I imagine many other parents have also), thought that something was wrong with us, me, my husband, my children. Okay I didn't really think anything was wrong with me....husband, kids,....yes. I thought something was dreadfully wrong. We can't even enjoy a fun easy going game. What I didn't realize is that there are many parents playing Uno or Candyland (For the benefit of your mental health, I hope you also established the rule that the specialty cards ESPECIALLY the plumb and candy cane...DON'T go back in the deck once they're used!!!!) who are feeling the SAME PAIN.....the SAME agony.....the same!! You are NOT alone.....I, my friends am with you.....So the next time you look into your game closet and think,...."It would be nice to play a game as a family for some nice relaxing fun"......we can laugh.....because we know this is God's way of punishing us for all the times our parents played with us........LOL......and.....THEY will play with their children....he, he, he.
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