Conversations #2

Part of Absolutely Bananas' Make me Laugh Monday



Monkey to me this weekend after showing off his awesome basketball dribbling skills:
Monkey: I did that for freedom.



Mater: Mom, can I tell you another secret?
Me: Sure.
Mater: Yours butt is bigger than Daddy's
Me: Thanks, Mater.


Monkey, one morning as he and Mater are in the bathroom going potty (After a particularly impressive pee.)
Monkey: Mater hasn't gone yet - That's ALL me!

Fighting the Frump - Back with a Vengance?

OK - not a vengeance. But I am back. After being lazy taking a few weeks off to come up with new ideas, I am back to Fight the Frump!!



I've been having a bit of trouble thinking of new ways to Fight the Frump. I've talked about getting rid of the old to make room for the new and I've discussed the wonders a new haircut can do. There was the ever important Beauty Sleep mention and the post where I cheated recapped some of the FtF ideas of the lovely and oh so smart ladies who are Fighting Frump with me every week. Then there was my not so humorous post about what happens when you send a man to do a woman's job.

At this point you're saying "Oh, goodness - Not another recap post! Can't she come up with an original idea??" At least, that's what I would be saying.

I have a busy life (don't we all??) Kids, work, school, blogging other stuff - It's a wonder we ever get anything done - This is no surprise to anyone, I'm sure. Budman and I leave our house each morning at 5:45 while the kids are still in bed. We carpool because gas prices suck - and I arrive at work just before 7:00. This is not that bad, since we now leave our house earlier, and because traffic is not as bad at the butt crack of dawn that early hour. I leave work at 4:30, and we arrive home at 6:00, provided there are no stops to make and no major accidents. We then have dinner, help the kids with homework, I get out the laptop and do my school lessons (which I have also spent my lunch hour doing), play with the kids if I'm lucky before I put them to bed, and then head off to bed myself. Weekends are slightly better, with work & homework removed from the mix - although I still try to find time for my schoolwork. We try to limit our social obligations, but someone always wants us to come for a visit. We try to make time for us to do things as a family. (oh, and just in case you're wondering, I don't leave my kids home alone in bed while I traipse off to work - Grammy takes care of the kids - getting them ready for school, on the bus each morning and Mater to school at noon each day.)


And here it is. My fight the Frump tip. Find some time to do something YOU like to do. Doesn't have to be everyday - In fact, if your life is like mine, there's no way in Hades that you will find the time everyday.


Lately, I have taken up crochet. I'm not terribly good at it, but I like it, it's even something I can do while watching classes on the laptop for school - if it's an easy project. So far, I've made a hat - I was supposed to make two - one for Monkey and one for Mater, but the first one turned out too small and VERY lumpy. So, I switched to something else. The pattern calls it an evening shawl, but it's not really looking fancy enough to be an Evening Shawl. Since my mother (like me) is ALWAYS cold, I thought she might like to have it to wrap around her shoulders while watching TV, or sitting at the movies. My mother NEVER goes anywhere without a sweater or a wrap - LOL! Last night, I started what will probably be a small blanket - no pattern, but I'm trying a new stitch I had never seen before, and really liked.


I hope soon to pick up sewing again. (HA! like I've sewn a lot up to this point.) So far, I made the boys Halloween costumes (Actually, I sewed two little pullover vests - it's less impressive than it sounds) and I sewed (and this one, I'm REALLY proud of) stockings for all seven of us this year. Next I would like to try aprons. This probably won't happen for while, but I like to plan for the eventuality of it anyway. Daydreaming about what fabrics I might use, and what it will look like when it's done, and how it will be the absolute most cutest (yes, I just said that - but only for effect) ever made in the history of aprons.

OK, so go find something you like to do. Scrapbooking, gardening, reading, watching movies, making jewelry - something that makes you feel good - something that relaxes you, or something that invigorates you. Just do something.

It feels good, I swear.

For more Frump fighting ladies, visit Fussy today!

Monkey update & Wordless Wednesday

I spoke with Monkey's teacher yesterday, she informed me that 'Yes, she was at school Monday' and 'No, she did not draw the pre-school happy face in his notebook'. We discussed what a good little liar he was, and she told me all of the things he did Tuesday at school. When we got home, we gave him a last chance to 'fess up, which he did, he copped to the writing of the smiley face, the picking of boogers and wiping them on someone and playing at the water fountain in the hallway. I beleive he finally admitted his part in the Iran-Contra affair, the Tailhook scandal and he owned up to being the second gunman on the Grassy Knoll.

This went well for him, for while he is still grounded for two weeks (YIKES! I'm a mean momma!) and got a spanking, I let Budman do it, which involves a lot of noise and fanfare, but the spanking is pretty wimpy. (Just don't tell Monkey that)

We had a talk with him about the issues that his teacher mentioned, and I'm hoping that it will make a difference. This punishment was alittle harsher than he's had in the past, but I'm hoping that it will make an impression on him. Now I just have to hope that Grammy doesn't let him do whatever he wants when we're not around, thereby negating any good it may have done.

================================================

And now for the wordless stuff...

Visit www.wordlesswednesday.com for more participants!

With a capital T - and that rhymes with C and that stands for

Monkey.

My little Monkey is a good liar, it turns out. Last night when I got home, I asked him if he got a sticker at school (This is the conduct process they use at his school). He said "yes", we said "Good!" and went about our evening. Budman and I were dealing with Possum and some assignment/homework issues he was having, I ate dinner, and played/talked with the little ones. Later, when I asked to see Monkey and Mater's notebooks, Mater brought his right away, I signed it, and looked at his papers. Monkey started in with a story instead "Um, my teacher wasn't there, and I had another teacher and I got a smiley face, but she THOUGHT I had a bad day, so the smiley face looks a little weird."

Anyone suspicious at this point? I was. I opened his notebook and saw something similar to this.

Now, it was written in pencil, and basically, it looked like a 6 year old had drawn it. Normally, his teacher, when she doesn't have time to do stickers will draw a smiley face (two vertical lines for the eyes and a smile) in pen or marker. I asked Monkey over and over if he had drawn it, I all but called him a liar, gave him MANY chances to tell the truth before I grounded him... Oh - the two colored dots correspond to whatever infraction he committed yesterday, I can never remember what they mean. Keeping hands to himself, and following directions, I think. So, you can see why I might be a bit suspicious of his story.

No matter how many times I asked him, no matter that I said repeatedly that he would be in more trouble for lying, than for just admitting that he perpetuated a cover-up, he stuck to his story, even brought out the tears, until I was starting to believe him myself.

I know in my gut, that his teacher did NOT NOT NOT draw that smiley, but dang, that boy was starting to convince me.

I am SO in trouble when he's a teenager. What am I gonna do when he SWEARS he doesn't know where that beer came from (or worse - OMG!) and he's SUCH a good liar that I believe him!?!?!??!?

Before you think I'm a horrible mom for grounding him without actually getting the truth, I wrote a note to his teacher (who WAS at school yesterday after all) for clarification. Monkey is grounded until further notice, and once I get the whole story, we'll revisit it.
==================================================
In other news, on the way to work this morning, not even a mile from our house, which isn't exactly in the country, but more like a rural area, a little bunny rabbit ran out in front of the car, and while I did hit the brakes, Mr. Bunny has seen his last Easter. Budman, of course, was laughing at me (only because we have an ongoing argument about a squirrel that he ran over once, only he insists that I did it, and now he has the bunny to hold over my head for the next 50 - 60 years...) and I was rather shaken by the whole thing.
==================================================
In other news, Budman (every time I type that it comes out Budamn LOL!) is leaving town next Monday for a week. His work is sending him to a trade show. In Las Vegas. So I'm not only incredibly jealous, because even a business trip to Vegas is like a vacation, I'm also going to miss him terribly! We've never spent more than one night apart since we got married. **Sigh** Next week should be interesting, and if I get a bit whiny about how I miss my man, I'll understand if my readership (LOL - both of you!) decided to skip out and come back once he's returned. ;-)


Have a Happy Tuesday.

Weekend Update

**EDITED to add: I tried not to make this post sound whiny or as if I were complaining. I'm not, really, sorry if it comes across that way...**

Ah, this was a busy one. Budman left my camera at work, so I have NO pictures of our Easter frivolities.

Friday, Budman was planning to replace the alternator in my car, so I took his truck to get Easter baskets for the little ones, and eggs for coloring. As we were leaving Albertson's, his truck wouldn't start, so the boys and I headed back in to call him to come get us. Since my little car had a faulty alternator, and most likely wouldn't have been able to jump the big truck, he had my father come with him. Unfortunately, the battery was still showing a charge, and the alternator seemed to be the problem. ARGH! So, both boys, Budman, and I all rode home with my father in his pickup (NO BACK SEAT!) Thankfully, we were not far from home, but I was VERY uncomfortable with the arrangement.

Saturday morning, the alternator that Budman put in MY car was not working, (and we still didn't have the truck back) so I had to borrow my step-mother's car to take the boys to my mother's for our family Easter egg hunt. Budman put the old alternator back in my car, and went off to help his brother build something.

We had lunch at my mom's house, and then Easter egg hunting with all my cousin's kids. Seems there's a lot of sickness going around these days, so we had a skeleton crew this year. My mother has 6 siblings, I have MANY cousins, and out of the 8 or so of us that live in town we usually have around 15 kids each year. We only had 10 this time, still quite a few... Monkey & Mater were VERY well behaved, I was so proud of them. Funny, don't you just LOVE getting your kids around other kids - just so you can see that yours aren't so bad after all?? Budman, worked all day with his brother, and came home late, falling asleep on the couch instantly, poor thing.

Sunday, we headed off to get his truck from the Albertson's parking lot. Turns out, it wasn't his alternator, only the battery (weird, they even tested it at the auto parts store, and said it was fine.) Anyway, the new battery did the trick, and we brought the truck home. When we got there, Grammy was loading the boys in the car, to go get Papo J; he had run up to the corner store, where the BATTERY died on his Jeep - it wouldn't start, and she needed to go rescue him. LOL! They're all convinced I'm a jinx! I pulled the boys from the car so we could get the eggs colored for our Easter Egg hunt that afternoon with my cousins from my father's side of the family. Budman volunteered to go get Papo J.

We kinda had to laugh at all the car issues this weekend. I told Budman that we should just be thankful they all happened now, while we still have tax money instead of some week when we can't afford it. That's normally our luck!! Besides, he said it was finttin for Easter weekend, since his truck died on Friday, and we fixed it on Sunday (;-P I told him that was sacrilege!!)

Anyway, Uncle K and his gang were coming over for lunch, but were running late because they had car trouble (LMAO!!) then Easter egg hunting and off to the airport so that we could pick up Possum. We got home just in time to put the little ones to bed, and off to sleep ourselves not long after.

Why are weekends so tiring? Why do I always expect to get rested up on the weekends? I should know by now resting up is what work is for!

Another Birthday

My Bear turns 13 today.

It's funny, when he turned 6, I felt really old, and had a mini age crisis. (LOL - at 26!) Now that he's 13, I'm fine!

OK, Melody - this is not about you...


Happy Birthday, Bear. My first born son. I love you always...

PS: I know I said I would do a Fight the Frump post, but Bear's birthday takes precedence. It wouldn't be fair to combine the two - not when Monkey got a whole Thursday Thirteen for his birthday. As every mom knows, life MUST be fair! LOL!

I Hate Sarah Marshall - And my Thursday Thirteen

  

This weekend, I saw a billboard that looked just like this

as I was driving somewhere.  The next day, I saw this one

This morning, I went to the website listed on the billboard.

Where I found this picture:

Is it just me - or is this SO wrong??

A little research shows me that this is all to promote a movie, which was my first instinct, but if you have some time, take a look - It's cute, although the ad campaign is a little reminiscent of John Tucker must Die

I guess I should get to my Thursday Thirteen, which in continuing along the movie theme is Thirteen of my all time favorite movies.

So, here I go

Thirteen of my favorite movies 

(not necessarily in order)

1. The Princess Bride
   
   
2. Strange Brew
   
   
3. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
   
   
4. Forrest Gump
   
   
5. Singin' in the Rain
   
   
6. Full Metal Jacket
   
   
7. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & Kill Bill: Vol. 2
   
   
8. Gone with the Wind
   
   
9. Big Fish
   
   
10. Pirates of the Caribbean:
            The Curse of the Black Pearl
            Dead Man's Chest
            At World's End
          
    
11. The Lord of the Rings:
            The Fellowship of the Ring 
            The Two Towers
            The Return of the King
    
    
12. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
    
    
13. The Music Man

For more participants, visit www.ThursdayThirteen.com

Have a great day!

Wordless Wednesday

Check out the new Wordless Wednesday HQ!!
View More Wordless Wednesday Participants

It's 'MY MELODY' - Get it??? Melody!?!?! She's my favorite...

A Few Thank You's

I won a couple of contests recently and wanted to share!

Val at I know EVERYTHING - just ask my hubby had a contest a few weeks ago last month, and by some miracle, I won! I received my prize last weekend, and Budman and I were so busy playing with it, that I forgot to post my thank you!

Here's what I won!!!

This game is SO addicting. I finally had to walk away from the computer - I didn't get any schoolwork done that weekend!



Also, Meg at Montessori by Hand had a contest recently to name her new apron pattern. And my submission was chosen! My prize arrived yesterday (Saturday, actually, but no one checked the mail until bedtime last night!) and I'm sitting at my desk this morning looking it over.

Here it is!




Oh - and be sure to stop by Meg's pattern site and check out her CUTE designs. I will be ordering several of them, and of course, the Elsie Mae, since it's named for my great-grandmother.

I almost forgot - Here is the ADORABLE apron that I helped to name!



Isn't that the most adorable thing??






In other news, it was a busy weekend, maybe once I wake up, I'll tell you all about it.

Blogher Survey and other business

Blogher has a survey - If you would like to participate, click this picture.

In other news, I am taking the day off from Fight the Frump. I tool yesterday off work so that I could have lunch at school with Monkey, and meet with Mater's teacher about his speech referral, and after running all day yesterday, and not being able to sleep last night, I am more tires than if I had worked all day! Besides, I didn't even touch a computer after I posted my TT yesterday morning, so I haven't got anythign prepared...

I'll get with the program next week.

Monkey's birthday went well, as mentioned I took McDonald's to his school and had lunch with him. After school, we played outside with his new basketball - I actually wrapped it. Monkey said "That's a ball" (DUH!!). I told him he should shake it, make a few wrong guesses before he just burst my bubble like that - LOL! I'm all, "no, Monkey, you're supposed to guess! 'Is it lettuce???, Cantelope?' Act surprised!"

Ah - funny story, Grammy was playing with the boys in the front yard while I was unloading his presents from the car, and he asked her "What did my parents get for me?" She said "Oh nothing much - I think it's just clothes." Monkey said "Aww, man! This day is just not turning out like I had planned!" Too funny.

Monkey got to pick our dinner, so we had hamburgers, he opened presents and then we all watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Just after 9:00 (we let them all stay up to watch the movie) I said "Ok, boys clean it up, get ready for bed. Even birthday boys have to get their rest. OH CRAP!!!" Budman asked what was wrong, and I just stared at him. WE HAD FORGOTTEN TO HAVE THE CAKE!!!! So Budman said "Boys, get to the kitchen!" We cut the cake, took some more picures and sang Happy Birthday. Boy, those kids were hopped up on sugar when I sent them to bed!

LOL! I'm the worst mother ever!

All in all a good day. Monkey is having a friend spend the night tonight, and then we'll go to Incredible Pizza Co. tomorrow. There's a family get together at our house Sunday, since we couldn't get everyone together last night. Uncle K & Aunt J are coming, and they're bringing my favorite nephew with them!!!

Thursday Thirteen - Birthday Edition

Monkey turns 6 today. So, Here's my Thursday 13.

Monkey-boy style.

Yeah, I know that was more than 13, but LOOK at that face!!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Wordless Wednesday - My guys

Visit www.wordlesswednesday.com for more participants

Conversations

Monkey to Mater Saturday evening (sitting in the living room floor):

Monkey: "Wonderful weather we're having, huh?"
Mater: "No, it's farty weather, 'cause I just farted." (Running toward the front door) "I'm gonna send it out into the world. Here world! Smell this!"


After Monkey's shower that same evening as he was getting on his PJs:

Monkey: "Mom, I like the way you put on my shirt" (Big hug)
Me: "Aww, you're sweet. Mmm, you smell handsome" (he always has to wear Daddy's cologne after a bath)
Monkey: "Thank you. Really, I mean that."


As we were discussing how important it is for him to be good at school everyday:

Monkey: "I wish I had Mater's brain."
Me: "Why, honey?"
Monkey: "Because his brain always tells him to be good"


Mater: (as he hops on his bicycle in the driveway) "Talifornia, here I come!"


Mater: "Mom, will you play 'Rock, Paper scissors' with me?"
Me: "Sure. Ready? Rock paper scissors! Oh look, scissors - we tied!!"
Mater: "Let's do it again. Mom, will you pick paper this time, PLEASE??"

A little clarification

I may have given the impression in yesterday's post, that I was angry or upset with Budman.

This is simply not true.

Not that he NEVER ticks me off (LOL), but I certainly know better than to get bent out of shape over shampoo!

I simply thought it was cute, a little silly and totally typical of a man. (Could YOUR husband bring home the right kind of hair product? Didn't think so.) I'm actually pretty impressed that he remembered to get them at all!

The point I was trying to make yesterday, is there are some things that you just shouldn't delegate to another. Purchasing beauty supplies is one of those things (Although Budman did get me exactly the makeup I wanted for Christmas, that's because I circled it in the ULTA ad.)

In other words, if you want something done right, do it yourself.

LOL!

Besides, he's way too cute for me to stay mad at him!

Fighting the Frump - Week 5 (or is it 6?)

OK - so you all have seen the Before and After photos of my haircut. What? You haven't? Shame. Go ahead, take a peek, I'll wait.

.....

I suppose I should get to the point. My fight the Frump tip is this:

Never let your husband go pick out your hair care products at Target while you stay next door at Payless and shop for shoes (which is another upcoming FtF post in itself).

These are the products I found in the basket upon checkout:

In case you can't read that - it says: Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Shampoo and Conditioner

Anyone catching the problem, here yet??

I'll continue.

Also in the basket (and I didn't even notice this one until I got home):

Oh - In case you can't read what it says - That's a bottle of Garnier Fructis Style Curl Shaping Spray Gel

Figured it out yet?

I'll help.

Let's take another look at my Before Photo, shall we? (I was going to post it here, but I can't look at it again - YOU go look.)

Now, let's take a look at Budman - Notice his CURLY locks?

(Boy, he is a handsome devil, though)

What? Sorry.

Think back. Did ANYONE see anything remotely resembling a curl on my head?

No? Weird.

My darling Budman must think I have curly hair, because when I pointed out that I did, in fact, not have any curls at all, he said "I thought that was the stuff we always got."

Bless his little pea-pickin' heart.

The moral of the story:

Buy your own dang hair-care products, or Lord knows what you will end up with.

And I've got to use it, cause I'm too cheap to let it go to waste - or to buy new stuff until the old stuff is gone!

Be sure to Fight the frump with the Fabulous Mrs. Fussypants today!

Thursday Thirteen - 135th Edition

Thirteen things that are on my Amazon Wish List


1. Into the Wild
by Sarah Beth Durst (Author)



I read some excerpts from this book, and a few interviews with the author, and I really can't wait to read it.



2. Yarn Tainer Large-10.75'' x 6''

I'm not sure why I want this, but I do! In fact there are three sizes, and I want them ALL!



3. Alias - The Complete Collection (Seasons 1-5 + Rambaldi artifact box)



I miss Alias SO much!


4. Shrink Art Plastic-Clear 8/Pk 8X10.5"

ShrinkyDinks! Do you remember these?? We had so much fun with them. (I still have Christmas ornaments I hang on my tree each year that we make from ShrinkyDinks.)


5. Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens



Oh, I covet this camera. Or any number of other Digital SLRs I drool over on a daily basis.


6. Fred Salt and Playtime




I collect salt & pepper shakers - I have about 30 pair in storage. It started as a joke, and got a little out of control! LOL!


7. Cooking Texas Style (Tenth Anniversary Edition)
by Candy Wagner (Author), Sandra Marquez (Author)



My dad has this cookbook, and I decided that I just needed to get my own, instead of copying all of the recipes by hand.


8. Beginner Jewelry Making Kit





I've gotten it in my head that in addition to learning to sew and crochet, that I also want to learn to make jewelry. In addition to this kit, two others, and some tools, I have about 20 different beads on my wish list.


9. Ballykissangel - Complete Series One





This show was on BBC a few years back, and it was such a good show. (Plus Colin Farrell was on there at some point, so I gotta have them all!! LOL)


10. Smart Kit Foldaway Sewing Kit




11. Crochet Patterns For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))
by Susan Brittain (Author)


My great-grandmother taught me how to do the stiches when I was a little girl, but I never learned to read patterns, and that's my biggest challenge so far.



AND

Crocheting for Dummies
by Karen Manthey (Author), Susan Brittain (Author)


I started my first crocheting project this week (If it turns out well, I might post pictures at some point...


12. 64 ct. Easy Select Colored Pencils



AND


Mind Ware Stained Glass Spinlights Coloring Book


I actually have about two pages of coloring books very similar to this one in my Wish List. Not for the kids. For me.


13. A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book

I am so mesmerized by this site., that I want the books now, too.






Go to Thursday Thirteen for more participants!