Contest & Check in...

I'm still alive! I'm about ready to start blogging again, although probably not everyday just yet. I've got some ideas, and I will be posting them soon, I hope.

But today.....

Lori, over at My Wooden Spoon is having a mega give-a-way contest!! This week, she's giving a Cuisinart Food Prep Plus Processor with a Wooden Spoon. There are lots of ways to enter, so hop on over and take a look!

She will be giving away prizes every week through July 31 - You don't want to miss it!

Taking a break

I'm going to take a little break from blogging. Not that I have scores of you lined up to read what I've written, but just in case anyone wonders. Between work, kids and school, I don't have the energy for thinking up and/or creating posts right now. Somethings gotta give, and it can't be my job or school and it's NOT gonna be my kids or husband.

My mind was thinking all weekend "Oh, this would be good for my blog" etc. I think if I'm giving it that much thought, what am I NOT thinking about that I should be?

Ah well, no guilt - that's the whole point... I'll be out living my life for a change - haha - and I'll be back when I've got some free time.

Hope you have a terrific week.

I (do not) have the Power!!!

No Thursday Thirteen today, due to the fact that the storms here last night, knocked over some power poles, which left my work with no power. Well, not exactly, but we're running off the generator, and except for the Monitoring center, we have limited lights, and no computers, copy machines, etc. It's pretty pointless being here at all, except that I'm the only one in my dept. who has buttloads of work to do that doesn't involve the computer. i keep trying to talk the others into doing some of it to keep them busy, but no luck.

Anyway, laptop power is low, I didn't charge it last night, because I usually do that here - when the outlets are working, that is.

So, I'm out - My Thursday Thirteen has just become a Friday Fight the Frump.

Have a terrific day.

Wordless Wednesday - Silly stuff

I need to get to work uploading pictures from my camera.

I have taken quite a few photos lately, but since they're all being held hostage (by me) in the camera, I'm using old pictures.

Plus, Chipmunk is in town YAY! and in going through all the photos on my computer at work and my laptop, I discovered that I have absolutely NO pictures of the poor child! They're all on the computer at home - which will simply NOT do.

I have lots more to say, but perhaps I'll leave that for another post - since this WAS supposed to be WORDLESS Wednesday.







For more Wordless Wednesday participants, click here.

Conversations #3 - Mater

Monday, to Grammy, after spelling a long list of words all by himself while doing his "homework":

"This is my dream come true! Mom is going to be so proud of me."

Thursday, after he fell on the sidewalk, and skinned his knees and elbow:

"That's why they call it a sidewalk, you're supposed to walk, not run!"

Showing off his new found ability to read clock times:

"Mom, let me show you how I can tell time! Six O'tock, Twelve O'tock, Four O'tock..."

After I showed him the blanket I am crocheting and asked what he thought:

"Blanket?? It's got HOLES in it..."

On the phone Friday:

Mater: "I'm doing my home work,"

Me: "Really, what are you learning?"

Mater: "I learned that 1 and 2 makes 12"

Friday night as I was putting him to bed:

"Mom, promise me in the morning, I can eat my head?"

Head on over to Absolutely Bananas for more Make me laugh Monday

YAY!!!

Budman comes home today!!

This week was difficult. I've learned that three days is about the most I can go without him before losing it - This week was a weird one, that's for sure. I still can't get over the commenter that told me that Budman was in Heaven. THAT was a little weird. and funny. And I'm pretty sure, that Las Vegas is about the furthest you can get from Heaven! LOL . Of course, in true mother nature fashion, my period was scheduled to begin Tuesday, and of course, I told Budman how lucky he was to be missing out on the whole ordeal. Naturally, this did not happen. My "friend" decided to show up TODAY! Budman said it was waiting for him to come home first. What a cruel world we live in. LOL!

I've got a busy day today, I suppose I had better get some laundry done. I'm shipping Possum off to Grandpa H's this morning so that he can help them move. I've GOT to clean my car, and I need to bring out the summer comforter for our bed - I cannot survive another night under the winter one... I've also got to help my Dad put together the new canopy for his back porch. Normally this is something that Budman would handle, but he won't be here, and I don't think Dad needs to be doing it by himself.

Plenty to do before we head up to the airport this evening...

Friday again - You know what that means.

I'm fighting frump.

Well, I don't know if that's what you would call it exactly, but here it is all the same.

I have finally reached a point in my life over the past few years where I was mostly happy with myself - with my body. I'm a little overweight, yes, but I was OK with that. I had this arbitrary number in my head. As long as I don't ever get above ___, then I'm content with the way I am. Budman has done a lot for me in this department, because he thinks I'm beautiful and sexy no matter what I weigh or how I look. And most days, that is all that matters to me. He believes that I am the most beautiful creature on the planet, therefore I am.

But yesterday, I stepped on the scale at work, and THERE. IT. WAS. I have reached THAT weight - the one that I SWORE I would never be. And here's the kicker. I'm going to tell you what it was.

Give me a minute to get brave, though.

Ideally, I want to weigh 135. Realistically, I would settle for 160. Unfortunately, at the moment, I am weighing in at 200 lbs. Whew, there I said it. (deep breaths, Melody, it's OK.) I'm thinking that working on my weight loss in 25 lb. increments is probably a good way to go about this.

So, my Frump Fighting today is more like a quest for Frump Fighting advice. I've read many of the other posts over the past few weeks about exercising, eating right, etc. And I really want to follow them all, but here's the thing:

I don't DO exercise. I could probably manage something small, but heck, I get winded going upstairs. (OMG - how pathetic is that!?!)

I LOVE food (see yesterday's post) and while I do eat healthy, I also eat everything else. I'm not the one who cooks the evening meals in our house right now, so I don't have any control over what is for dinner. I suppose I could go home and have a salad while everyone else is eating something good, but it's not likely to happen.

I'm not expecting to find some magical weight loss program where I can live exactly as I have, and watch the pounds fall off of me. I know that this does not happen in the real world. The way I see it, I need to cut out back on Dr Pepper and drink more water. I need to eat smaller portions. I need to swear off French Fries completely. AND, I need to begin some sort of exercise program - something simple at first, just to get me started.

Anyone have any ideas that worked for you? Any tips for eating better, cutting fat or recipes that you swear by? Any suggestions on a beginner workout routine? I own a recumbent bike, that decorates the living room, and now that spring is arriving, we are spending a lot more time outside. I will be walking for the Alzheimer's Association in September, but I need to do something before then, of course. I've already mentioned what my daily schedule is like - so I'm not looking forward to spending a lot of time on this, but I HAVE to do something. Now that I've reached 200 lbs. THAT WEIGHT, I MUST to do something.

Pop on over to Fussy's place, and find more Frump fighters!

Thursday Thirteen 139th - Gourmet Edition

I was at a loss for my Thursday Thirteen, until i got a catalog in the mail last night.

I've never seen this catalog before, and don't remember requesting it, but since I'm a catalog junkie (another little known fact about me), I don't really mind all that much.

Thirteen Things I want to get from igourmet, but probably won't.

1. Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter - Apparently happy cows actually come from Ireland.

2. Gold Label Boneless Serrano Ham - only $249.00 for an 11lb. ham - Heck of a deal!!

3. Organic Maple Flakes Mill - I totally don't know what it is, but I want it...

4. Wild Boar Bacon - Actually, I'm not entirely sure about this one, but it's bacon!

5. Fire Red Chocolate Tortilla Chips - I got nothing clever here, but these actually sound yummy.

6. Kala Namak Fine Ground (Indian Black Salt) - I am ALL about new/different salt varieties.

7. Tete de Moine with Girolle Gift Set - I'm not sure about the cheese, but I love the little ribbons that the girolle makes, so I want it! :-)

8. Two by Two Artisan Buscuits - Since I'm going on an imaginary shopping spree, I guess I'll get something for the kids...

9. Tracklements Beer Mustard - And something for Budman...

10. Cypress Black Lava Mediterranean Salt Flakes - I warned you about the salt obsession.

11. Cat Tongues - How could I NOT want to see what that's all about??

12. European Drinking Chocolate - Look out Nesquick...

13. Trudeau 3 in 1 Fondue Set - It's cheaper than the Ham...

That's 13? Already? I haven't even gotten to the Stuffed Olives or the Coffee!!!

Ah well, there's always next Thursday.

Visit http://www.thursdaythirteen.com/ for more participants!!

Wordless Wednesday - Friends

Budman's Best Friend (Besides me, of course)


As always, for more - visit www.wordlesswednesday.com

Crazy...

Last night was my first night without Budman. The kids were fine, they missed him and Monkey and Mater made pictures for me to scan and email to him. We called him at bedtime, so they could say goodnight, and then I talked to him later after he had gone to get some dinner. The two hour time difference is going to be problematic, I can tell.

I've found through the years that when I do something too often, I tend to dream about it. It started with a tremendous Tetris obsession in the 11th grade, and has held true through Solitaire, Bejeweled, Electronic Yahtzee, online poker and other things. I couldn't sleep, and when I did, I dreamed about blogging - and bloggers. Not that I've actually met any of the people whose blogs I read, and now that I've been awake for a while, I can't even remember specifics. Nothing weird, just me having conversations with my blogging friends, and reading the comments that people had left for me. They all looked exactly like whatever pictures on their blog, and didn't change or move. I suppose that might be considered weird. I thought about listing the people in my dream, but I really don't want to freak anyone out.

I'm sure this says something about my mental state, but I don't know what.
Budman needs to hurry home!

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.

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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.
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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.
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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!