MelaniePenelope

Sunday Stealing: The Seven Deadly Sins Meme

 

Link up here if you're playing along today!

Sunday Stealing: The Seven Deadly Sins Meme

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1 - Pride. Seven great things about yourself.

a. I have a nice smile. b. I'm intelligent. c. I'm fun. d. I try really hard to be a good person. e. I always hold the door open for people. f. I make pretty babies. g. I don't half-ass anything; if I can't do it well, I don't do it at all.

2 - Envy. Seven things you lack and covet.

a. A nice figure. b. Enough money. c. Common sense. d. A Type-B personality. e. Willpower. f. The drive to exercise like my sister! g. A beautiful and powerful singing voice.

3 - Wrath. Seven things that piss you off.

a. Slow drivers, especially the ones that practically come to a full stop before they make a right turn in front of me. Really?! b. Racism. Intolerance. c. Litterbugs. d. Dumb-ass rednecks who have eleventeen Confederate flag stickers on their pick-up trucks. e. Child abusers. f. Husbands who make a pile of dirty laundry exactly five feet away from the laundry room, every day for ten years and laugh when I bitch about it (every day for ten years). g. Being misunderstood.

4 - Sloth. Seven things you neglect to do.

a. The laundry. b. Clean my house in a timely fashion. c. Get my arse up and go to the bathroom before I'm absolutely bursting at the seams. d. Sleep like a normal human being. e. Charge my phone BEFORE it dies in the middle of a conversation, at least twice a week. f. Wait a full 30 minutes after eating, before having something to drink, so I don't puke (a gastric bypass surgery thing). g. Knit a gauge swatch.

5 - Greed. Seven worldly material desires.

a. Money, for traveling and fun-having, mostly. b. All the puppies and kittens and other baby animals we can squeeze into our house. c. An unlimited gift card for iTunes. d. ...and Farmville. Yes, I'm a dork. e. More yarn than you can shake a stick at! f. Lots of cute clothes - for me and the children. g. An endless amount of craft supplies.

6 - Gluttony. Seven guilty pleasures.

a. Farmville :P b. Chocolate - but GOOD chocolate, like Lindt and Godiva. c. Pizza d. Reality TV, at least when we had TV. e. Driving way too fast. f. Using lots of bad language. Even with my kids. g. Finding out, usually via Facebook, that I've aged better than LOTS of the popular kids from high school. And my kids are cuter... {evil laugh}

7 - Lust. Seven love secrets.

Oh, my. Okaaay... I'll list some turn-ons: a. Fine black men. b. Gay porn (in small, infrequent doses, it's HOT. Feel free NOT to comment on this. I'm over-sharing here, as usual.) c. Intelligent men. d. Anyone who can make me laugh until my insides hurt. Any guy, that is... I'm not into chicks! (Sorry, Hubs.) e. A salt-and-pepper haired, tall man in a suit and tie, carrying a briefcase. (As a little girl, I always pictured that guy as my husband.) f. A man who can sing. Really, really well. (Think Cee Lo Green, Josh Groban, Eric Clapton...) g. A man with a sexy accent and a rakish grin.

Well, that was fun! And my face is a wee bit red...

Fin.

Saturday 9: Monday, Monday

 

Link up here if you're playing along today!

1. How does your day usually go on Monday?

I often stay up all night planning out our week, and we get into our homeschooling right away after the kids get up and have breakfast. We do Art first, then usually get into some reading, and then whatever else I've planned for the day. In the evening, Hubs usually takes Chloe to Tap class, and then Jack to Cub Scouts, with Sophia riding along to give Mama a break. I usually plan to do a lot in that time but end up wasting it!

2. Who was the last band you saw live?

I guess that would be the Black-Eyed Peas, right about one year ago! They were awesome. Ludacris was there, too.

3. When was the last time you purchased something over $50?

Psht. Tonight. We're in Branson, MO, on a work-cation. Hubs and I took the kids to Dixie Stampede tonight, where between the tickets, tips, pictures, and souvenirs, we spent... a small fortune. Eek.

4. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?

Generally, no, unless it's with an older relative. But with my kids, fortunately, I don't mind at all.

5. Do you wish you were someplace else right now?

Nope. My kids are splashing around in the hot tub in the next room and filling the night with happy squeals. Hubs is resting peacefully next to me on the bed. I have everything I need right here.

6. Tell us about the last wedding that you attended.

I don't go to a lot of weddings. I guess that would be my BFF Lisa's and her husband, Faris', when Chloe was 9 months old. That was almost 9 years ago now! We turn down a lot of invitations for weddings, sadly, because they're always many hours away and we can't get away at the time.

7. What's annoying you right now?

This new laptop we just got last night. I hate laptops. It's a nice one, but I still hate it, just because it's a laptop.

8. What is your best skill/ability? Why?

I'm pretty proud of my Third Grade award for Class Giggler. I'm still damn good at laughing. I do it way more than anyone should.

9. If someone asked a friend of yours, "Hey, what is one thing your friend is exceptional at?", what would they say about you? Why?

I posed the question to my husband, who I thought would give me a hysterical answer. He said, "I don't know? Knitting, crocheting, getting coupon deals..." and then he added the funny thing I expected. I can't tell you that one, though. Trust me, you don't want to know!

Happy weekend, y'all! (Oh, speaking of "y'all," at the Stampede tonight, the guy who brought us our pictures said to us, "Hi, would y'all like to see y'all's pictures? Here y'all are! Okay, y'all have y'all selves a good night!" I was snickering to myself...)

 Fin.

Sunday Stealing: The Very Late Meme

 

Click here to play along.

1. Make a list of 5 things that you can see without getting up:

My Xtreme Gulp cup from 7-11, my iPhone, my ever-present bottle of nail-polish remover and tube of chapstick, and my scanning device for Nielsen Homescan.

2. How do you style your hair?

Style? Hair? Pretty sure I just brush it and go... Sometimes if I'm feeling fancy, I tuck it behind my ears.

3. What are you wearing now?

Jeans from Old Navy and a Champion sweatshirt someone gave me. It's way too big.

4. What's your occupation?

Homeschooling mama of three, upper-echelon mystery shopper, and husband annoyer

5. What do you hear right now?

Wyclef Jean singing "Guantanamera," the washing machine going, and my own hiccups

6. Who was the last person you hugged?

The Girl Scout cookie chairperson for our troop

7. What is/was for dinner?

Haven't even thought about it yet. Maybe pizza delivery?

8. What did you do today?

It's just past noon. I've had a three-hour meeting with said cookie chair, created a table centerpiece with my older daughter for the Girl Scouts' Annual Meeting in March, and made 8 "sashes of awesomeness" for swapping things with other Daisies for Girl Scouts' Thinking Day party tonight. My life is all about the Girl Scouts right now. I'm not complaining. :\

9. Dog person or cat person?

Animal person. Especially irresistible baby animals. I like little, yippy dogs and teeny, mewing kittens.

10. If you had to change your name, what would you change it to?

I'd keep Melanie but make my middle name Penelope. I like lots of syllables.

11. What was the last thing that you bought?

I stopped at 7-11 on my way home from my meeting and refilled my Diet Coke, bought two (okay, four, I lied) Lindt chocolate truffles, and a bag of Wonderful pistachios. They really ARE wonderful.

12. If you could afford to go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

All together now: The Great Barrier Reef! and then the rest of Australia/New Zealand...

13. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Wondering how it is that I'm about to hit 40 when I still think I'm 20!

14. Where's your birthmark?

I have one on the back of my right thigh. That's about it, nothing exciting. I have a bajillion freckles on my shoulders, though. And in the summer, my face is one giant, connected freckle. I kind of love that and hate it at the same time. But you didn't ask about that.

15. What are you doing this weekend?

We'll be at a resort in Branson, Missouri, doing nothing much because we're po'.

16. Which book are you reading at the moment?

Surely you jest. I don't even have time for a magazine article. When would I play Farmville??

17. The last movie you've seen?

That's easy. Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue, for the 95th time.

18. What are you doing tomorrow?

Finishing the laundry, packing for our trip to Missouri, delivering any cookies that I still have, going to the Girl Scout Leader meeting, and hittin' the road, Jack! Oh yeah, and taking the Littles to their gymnastics class. Can't forget that.

Is that all? I guess that's all.

Fin.

Saturday 9: Gimme Three Steps

 

Link up here if you're playing along today!

1. Has anyone ever got angry with you for flirting with their partner or date?

Yeah, probably. I can be an obnoxious flirt...

2. What is your favorite movie line or speech?

In Dirty Dancing, when Johnny is talking to ?? (the boyfriend of Baby's older sister) about the two girls and says, "Just put your pickle on the plate, college boy, and leave the hard stuff to me." I say that all the time.

3. What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?

I would say nothing, but I've had four kids, so that hardly seems fair. Making people is pretty miraculous. Also miraculous is that my oldest child is still alive. I'm not looking forward to her teen years!

4. What do you try to stay away from?

Cigarette smoke. I avoid it like the plague. Gives me an instant headache.

5. What is it too late for?

It's never too late, unless a person you've hurt has passed away. Then, yeah, you probably can't make things right.

6. If you could write three newspaper headlines, which would come true, what would they be?

"Infant Son Returns From Dead at Proper Age"

"Mandatory Recycling Becomes Global Law"

"New Milk Chocolate Invented That's Delicious and Healthy"

7. When was the last time you apologized to someone?

This morning. Chloë and I were selling Girl Scout Cookies at a booth with another parent and daughter in our troop, and I let Chlo have some of my Diet Coke. The caffeine totally made her spazz out and she was talking ridiculously, nonstop. The other mom was cracking up and telling me to stop apologizing, because it was hilarious. I apologize way too often. Kinda drives people crazy.

8. If you to find out now that you would very well known after you die, what do you think it might be for?

(Was that English?) I would like it to be for philanthropy. Of course, I'm not rich, so that'll probably never happen, but I try to be a giver. If I were wealthy, I'd have a hard time not giving it all away.

9. Are you easily angered or able to handle every situation calmly?

Bahahahaha. Definitely the former thing. The word "calm" is not in my vocabulary!

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Fin.

Aloha Friday

 

Joining Kailani this week? Link up here.

My question for you this week is:

What's at the top of your Bucket List?

For me, and this is not a surprise to my regular readers, it's diving the Great Barrier Reef. I long to go. I probably think about it every single day.

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Fin.

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday: Super Doubles Week Rocks!

 

I got $146.24 worth of groceries for $17.61 out of pocket, after sales and coupons, at Harris Teeter today. Woot!

For more WW, click on over here.

Fin.

P.S. List:

• Success Rice 59¢
• (3) Purina Cat Chow 73¢ each
• (2) Maxwell House coffee 50¢ each
• (3) Duncan Hines Glazes 49¢ each
• (4) Tony's Pizzas 17¢ each
• (6) Buitoni Refrigerated Pastas 59¢ each
• (4) Simply Orange juices FREE
• (3) Bestlife Spreads 59¢ each
• (3) Land O Lakes Spreads 47¢ each
• (2) Krusteaz Muffin mixes 49¢ each
• (2) Glade Plug-Ins 35¢ each
• (2) Friskies Cat Treats FREE
• (2) 7th Generation tissues FREE
• Johnson & Johnson Baby Bar FREE
• (4) Wholly Guacamole FREE (yum!)
• (4) 4-packs DanActive FREE ☺

In A Nepalese State Of Mind

Okay, so I never came back last night to post about this... I was tired and actually slept. And slept. And slept. I think I'm caught up now. Anyway.

Girl Scouts' Thinking Day is coming up, and my Daisy troop is going to a TD party in a week. SWAPS ("Something Whimsical Affectionately Pinned Somewhere") will be exchanged with girls from other troops at the party, so I had to come up with some things for them to, well, swap. Thinking Day is the day when Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world stop to think about each other, basically. One of the main "themes" for this year is to remember that girls in some countries - and yes, even in our own - don't get the same opportunities as boys, and to empower our young ladies to change that.

In order to get our SWAPS made, I held a special meeting yesterday afternoon at the home of one of my Daisy families. Six of the eight girls were able to make it, which was great, since 100 girls are expected at the Thinking Day party. [Is this making any sense to non-Girl Scouts out there? I'm listening to my headphones and coming off a migraine right now (probably not the best combination of things, especially since Nine Inch Nails is on at the moment), so I apologize if this is too discombobulated!] The country we (meaning "I") chose to represent for Thinking Day is Nepal, so all our SWAPS had to represent that nation.

I searched the internet for hours and hours. I found SWAPS for every country on the planet. Except Nepal. Seriously. If you do a search and find some, please don't tell me, or I'm liable to commit hara-kiri. So I had to invent my own. I don't consider myself particularly talented in the area of synthesis of thought or design, but I am pretty proud of the SWAPS I came up with. If you think they suck, lie to me. I think they're awesome. I didn't get any actual pictures of the girls making them, because I was extremely busy helping, so here are some pictures of the samples I made to show the girls:

 

This represents a bansuri, a flute-like instrument of the Indian subcontinent. Nepalese musicians use them. I'd been saving up empty TP rolls for MONTHS on end, with no clue what craft they would be used for, so I was pretty happy when this idear came to me. One of the moms told me one brand was easier to cut the holes in than the other, but we couldn't deduce what brand, so you're on your own there!

  

Oops just noticed the unglueage of that one strip. Anyway, all SWAPS get labels of some sort, with the country, the object represented, and our troop info. Most SWAPS are safety pinned, but this bad boy needs a clothespin.

 

Obligatory flag swap. The actual ones are red, not yellowish (my printer needs replacing, so I had our hosting mom print them out properly for me). Printed on card stock. Info written on back. Nepal is the only country that doesn't have a rectangular flag.

 

This is the Buddhist symbol (kind of like the fish or cross for Christianity, etc.), so this:


 

is the swap I came up with to represent that. Not exactly the same, but close enough, and fun and easy for my 5- and 6-year-old Daisies. They liked making this one. I let them use any colors they wanted.

This swap represents what may be the most important of the Nepalese festivals, the Majipa Lakhey, which happens during the full moon of the month of Yenlaa. I did not explain the background meaning of the festival to my Daisies, since it involves cannibalism and such, but you can read about it here, among other places.  
 

In the swap, the ball of white clay reps the full moon, with the tie-dyed felt and the feather (color choices optional; we have several in ours) representng the clothing and mask/headdress they wear for the fesival.

 

IMO, this is the coolest of the swaps. I wanted to represent Nepalese cuisine, so I chose Dal-Bhat-Tarkari, a soup made with rice, spices, and vegetables. I took a square of tulle and put in some basmati rice, lentils, and to represent the spices, I used fennel seeds so they wouldn't go through the holes in the tulle. Water excluded for what are hopefully obvious reasons.

 

I just used yarn to tie up the contents of the tulle and added a label and pin. So easy, but I think it's wicked cool. Disagree with me and pay the consequences.

 

I used my Cricut for the first time in ages, to make little swap-keeper boxes for the Daisies. (I used the Boxes, Bags and Tags cartridge and first chose the nut cups, but I switched to the popcorn boxes, which I think are a better choice.)

 

I punched holes all around the top of the boxes, so they could pin their swaps to the edges.

 

So this is the sampler of SWAPS and swap-keeper I brought to our Daisy meeting for the girls.

Now that I have thought about it and have seen the box in action, it really doesn't hold enough swaps. It might be good for one meet, too, but not for the future. So I'm thinking about getting or making sashes or hats for the girls to keep all their SWAPS on instead. Yeah. think I'll do that.

Total cost to the troop for all these swaps: $3.59 for the safety pins. Everything else I used out of either the troop's or my personal craft stash. Woot!! 

I will begin accepting lots of pleasant comments about my amazing creations.... NOW! Hee.

Fin. 

Scout Sunday

First, a lot of talky business, and then I'll show you a bunch of pictures. Deal?

This weekend was pretty Girl Scout-heavy for us. Girl Scout cookies came in, but fortunately I didn't have to pick them up since I have a pretty awesome Cookie Chair helping out our two troops. She has been a tremendous 'save' to the troop and me personally, and I'm so thankful for that! We were supposed to go to the Air & Space Center for a Black History Month celebration that was steeply discounted for homeschoolers, but we would have had to float a check to pay for it, so we opted out. That sucked; it would've been fun. I ended up with some 'free' time that I used to invent some stuff I'll show you in a minute, and then it was time for Chloë and me to go to the church where our troops meet, for a rehearsal.

Sunday morning was Scout Sunday at that church, and there are three services. The girls and I were signed up to help out at the latter two, and Chloë was going to be in the Color Guard (flag duties) for the first of those. For each service, one Scout, one Cub, one Junior, and one Daisy was going to be part of the Guard. They were talking about the Cub and Boy Scout carrying in the flags, but I was quick to rush in and say, "Hey, since you have girls represented here, too, why not let them carry a flag?" I was nice but kind of insistent, because, you know, girls gotta get a fair shake in this world. Well, there was some masked unpleasantness about it, but they took me up on my "suggestion," and that meant the duty fell to Chloë for second service.

Now, I know a lot of you haven't met her in real life, but you've seen me say it before: Chloë is REALLY petite. And she has a delicate air. And those flags are pretty big and heavy. So my suggestion seemed kind of, well, dumb, after they brought the flag in that she was expected to carry. She nearly toppled over when they handed it to her! I started to say, "Well, you know, maybe she shouldn't..." but she quickly spoke up with the whole, "MOM, I can DO it," thing, so I shut myself up.

After that, they practiced all the commands or whatever you call them, in the sanctuary, and she did a swell job. I exchanged numerous looks with the people in charge over that, and they pretty much gave me the thumbs-up and said she did a good job, so my nervousness over the whole situation dissipated. The last thing I wanted was for her to drop the flag or something dire like that, during the service, but she said that, while the flag was pretty heavy for her and she really had to use all her strength to keep it dipped at the appropriate times and stuff, she could DO it, MOM.

We went home after that. We were supposed to be heading out to our own church service after that, but I hadn't slept the night before and was terribly exhausted, so I made the argument that since we were going to be going to church in the morning anyway, couldn't we just skip it that time? Rob grumped a little but agreed. Instead of going to sleep, though, I had to get back to work on creating the stuff I'm fixin' to show you in a sec, and I ended up staying up a whole 'nother night. Let me tell you, massive doses of Diet Coke were required to keep me vertical during the day on Sunday. I managed not to fall asleep during church, though, which is a super-duper-ooper-schmooper good thing.

  

When it was time, we woke up the kids and scurried on off to the UMC for Scout Sunday. While Chloë was readying herself for the Color Guard, Sophia was put to work handing out bulletins. (This was the only picture I took at church, because I had camnesia and had to use my iPhone and didn't want to be rude. The people in charge took pictures of Chloë and promised I would get copies later.) Soap was instructed to smile, say, "Good morning," and hand everyone a bulletin, but she could barely manage the first two things. She was overcome with an uncommon-for-her case of shyness, but she looked so freakin' adorable anyway that everyone just smiled and commented on that part of things. I mainly stood by her and made sure she wasn't dropping the bulletins all over the place, but she did a couple times anyway. That was okay. Really, she was so cute, I can't even tell you how much.

Rob and the boy-child were in a pew waiting for us. They watched the Color Guard advance and do their duties, and he said Chloë did a stellar job. She remembered all her directions and didn't drop the flag and generally was superb. I'm very proud; I wasn't sure she could do it, and she did. Way to go, Curls!

The service we attended was the Contemporary one, which I enjoyed greatly. We knew some of the songs (well, hymns, I suppose) from our own church, so I sang loudly and freely during those and more hushety-hush during the ones I didn't really recognize. The message was nice but, quite honestly, I didn't really get much out of it like I do at the Vineyard where we go, so I have no plans to switch churches anytime soon. When the pastor (reverend? minister?) called upon all past and present Scouts and families of Scouts to stand, the five of us did so proudly. We sat in our pew and cuddled our sweet babies and generally looked a much nicer family than we really are at home, where we devolve into talking about poop and farting and, between us parents, lots of much more filthy topics.

But I'm not going on that tangent.

After the service, during which it seemed like EVERYONE greeted EVERYONE instead of just the few people around themselves like we're used to, I put my girls back to work. Another one of my Daisies showed up (thank you, G!), so the three of them handed out bulletins at the various sanctuary entrances. Soo many people showed up to this service that they ran out of bulletins. I had to scour the pews for ones the Contemporary folks had left behind! Then I found a full basket of them that I didn't know existed and felt like quite the fool. Anyway.

G and her family stayed for that service, while Team Odette skedaddled on out of there after the doors were closed. We'd done our duty, and we were excused.

Overall, it was super nice, and I was glad to be a part of it. I wore my Leader shirt and khaki pants, so while I wasn't quite in official GS Leader uniform, I was passable and representin' just fine.

I was going to continue with all the other stuff in this same post, but this got a lot more talky and lengthy than I originally planned (what else is new?). Plus I need to go run for a Diet Coke refill. I'll be back with photos and verbiage galore, okey-dokey?

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: The Sunset Meme

 

Link up here if ye be thievin' today!

1. What is your favorite Mexican dish?

Enrique Iglesias... wait, he's not Mexican, is he? I guess a bean and cheese enchilada/burrito/quesadilla/tostada/chalupa anything is my favorite. Don't put any meat in there!

2. When you were a kid, did you get started on your homework right away after school, or did you procrastinate?

When I was a kid, I did extra homework, all night, every night, so I didn't have to leave my room and be near my "wonderful" family. It was my hiding spot. Little wonder I had like a 118 GPA (out of 100).

3. What is your favorite store for home furnishings?

I have eclectic tastes and find inspiration everywhere. There's no one place. I do find a lot of cute stuff at Target and Pier 1, not that I necessarily buy there.

4. When you were young, did you like school lunches?

Hell no. My stepmother's mantra was "leftovers first," and that often included a thick slice of ham. If I go to hell, there will be thick slices of ham there.

5. Is religion a crutch?

Tonight, someone told me that he was a "true child of God," and yet his actions and words couldn't have been more hypocritical. Religion and spirituality are two different things. If you commit bad deeds in the name of religion, then shame, shame on you.

6. In your region, what is the “big” high school sport?

I don't have the first clue, where we are. Growing up, I guess it was football, then soccer and lacrosse.

7. Do you consider yourself rich?

In every other regard but financially, I'm pretty filthy stinky. Lucky, lucky girl.

8. Which of these would you have the best chance administering:

A) CPR
B) Heimlich Maneuver
C) Changing a flat tire

Hopefully A, since I just got certified a few weeks ago!

9. Which dance would you prefer to learn & why:

A) Salsa
B) Hip Hop
C) Waltz
D) Swing

Swing dancing looks SO very fun. I would love to learn. But I'd be happy with lessons in any of them. I adore dancing; I took lessons when I was a kid and was quite good.

10. What’s the worst news you’ve ever delivered to someone?

Telling our parents their grandson had just passed away was pretty high up there. I can't think of anything worse.

11. Name something you learned in college that had nothing to do with classes or academics.

I'm VERY hard to live with.

12. New variation on an old question: If there’s a song in your head that just won’t get out, what is your favorite (or most repeated) line in that song?

Right now it's "Miami" by Will Smith, and I keep hearing, "Hundred-thousand-dollar cars, everybody's got 'em"

Fin.

Saturday Six – Episode 357

 

So I'm doing this meme for the first time ever; congratulate me. ;) Gotta kill time while I wait for the kids to wake up so we can go somewhere. Anyway, here are my killer answers:

1. Which is easier for you: looking someone directly in the eye when you’re telling them something that’s very personal, or looking someone directly in the eye when they’re telling you something that’s very personal to them?

The latter thing. I'm shy, though. I look down a lot when I'm talking. It's that whole authority thing I have going on, I think. That and the paranoia thing and the self-consciousness thing and... yeah, you know, I have some issues.

2. Who is the person you find easiest to make eye contact with during a conversation?

Aside from my kids, because they're MY kids, I guess it would be The Hubs. I'm pretty comfy with that guy. Obviously. We made kids together, and all...

3. If you could change the color of your eyes, would you?

Yeah. I'd pick green, like my grandpa's. I don't know, maybe not. There's no song, "Green-Eyed GIrl," is there? I guess I like my brown eyes. How's that for decisive??

4. Take the quiz: What Color Should Your Eyes Be?

Your Eyes Should Be Brown

Your eyes reflect: Depth and wisdom People find you to be: Loyal, honest, and comforting Your best trait: You are comfortable with who you are, and you don't pretend to be someone you're not What's hidden behind your eyes: A tender heart

5. If you could choose a new option for eye color, besides blue, green, hazel and brown, which would you choose to add to the genetic mix?

Violet, duh! White would be pretty freaky too, huh?

6. If you were given x-ray vision for one hour, where would you go first?

I guess I wouldn't need it in a men's locker room, so maybe a hardbodies' gym? Yeah. I'd be looking at that shit.

Well, that was fun. Now I'm thinking about penises.

Fin.

Sneak-Up

(Click collage to embiggerate.)

Jack was reading to Sophia on the couch, so I grabbed my camera to surreptitiously catch a shot or two of the scene.  Finally, the flash went off on the last one, and they caught me. I love having literate kids!

Fin. 

Saturday 9: I Saw It On TV

 

Here's your link, playas!

1. What new TV show rocks your world this year?

None, we haven't had TV service in a year. Dexter still rocks my world from last year, though. ;)

2. What is your least favorite ethnic food, and what makes it your least favorite?

I used to HATE Mexican food until I married my husband, who loves it. Since I've had to put up with it a lot more frequently in the past 10 years, it has grown on me, and I look forward to some good vegetarian Mexican. So there isn't any ethnic food I don't love - as long as it's not spicy. I don't do spicy AT ALL.

3. When does liking someone a lot become loving that person?

When you can't imagine life without them or how you lived before you met them

4. Is there a job you would do for free, and is it your current job?

I'm a homeschooling stay-home mom, and I love it, so I guess, yeah. There are lots of jobs I'd do for free, like be a dive instructor on the Great Barrier Reef. Let me know if you hear of any openings!

5. What is one person/thing that inspired you to take action of some sort?

I'm an environmental nut. One time, I saw someone at the stop light in front of me open his door, reach out and put his bag of fast food garbage on the ground, and shut his door. Never mind the light, I got out of my car, walked up there and berated his littering ass. He mumbled an apology and picked up the garbage before driving off. I wonder if he still does it? (Seriously, it's 2011, are you still littering? If so, knock it off, you dumb fool!)

6. Though you might not believe in it, would you like fate to exist?

I believe God already knows how our whole lives will go, and what choices we will make, although they are ours to make. Is that the same? I don't know. I do hate it when something bad happens and people tell you "everything happens for a reason." Seriously, don't say that to people experiencing a loss. It's a sucky cop-out; if you don't know what to say, just be there with them. Wow, holy tangent.

7. Tell us about a news story that truly shocked you.

Princess Diana's death really stunned me at the time. She was a beautiful blond, blue-eyed woman with two young children, who died very young, suddenly, and tragically. It hit VERY close to home for me, and I was personally terribly upset by it. It might sound stupid to you, but I really wanted to reach out to her boys. I didn't, though.

8. What's something you're looking forward to?

Our upcoming trip to Missouri. It'll be great for Rob and the kids to see his mom (and me too, of course!), whom we haven't seen since '07, and I look forward to any time he gets to travel with us. This is our first trip together in a while. I love being with him, wherever we go, whatever we do. ♥

9. What characteristics do you despise?

I usually say arrogance, but this time I'll say: Indifference. Apathy. I don't care what your "thing" is, but feel strongly about something, and do something about it when you do. Don't just live your life letting the world pass you by; get involved in something. Care.

Fin.

Friday Fragments

 

Link up here if you're fragmenting along with Mrs.4444 today!

I can't promise my fragments today won't depress you. If you don't feel like it, shuffle on along now... ;)

☼

So I had this friend. A really, really good, close friend, who I cared a tremendous bit about. I knew him a very short period of time, but we clicked immediately and got along like two people who get along real well.

Anyway, things got too intense, and when I posted this, he had enough. It cost me the friendship.

That was what, a week ago? My heart is still broken.

Actually, for the first time since I was a teenager, I did this:

 

 

I never considered myself a "cutter," because I have always used my fingernails (I have attempted scissors and knives but couldn't ever manage to break the skin with them), but apparently that counts. It's worse than it looks in the picture; that was fresh. Don't ask me why I took a picture.

Right now it looks like this, though:

 

...because Hello Kitty was all I had in my First Aid kit. Hey, whatever works. It hurts like hell. I won't be doing it again anytime soon. That's a promise.

 ☼

I did try not to cut. I even put on my sneakers - which I never, ever wear - and went out for a run to try and stop the pain I was feeling. I don't run. I just don't. But I did. And I liked it. So I've been gathering up a Playlist of run-worthy songs on my iPod, and as soon as the weather isn't crappish, I'm going to keep doing it. I WILL run that 5K this year!! Another promise.

☼

Anyway, CM, if you're out there reading this (which I doubt, but you never know), please stop this nonsense and be my friend again. Please?

☼

Here's another thing I posted this week, that I think you should read. I'm actually kind of proud of it. I printed it out and mailed it. Kinda hoping it makes the old man cry again. Is that wrong?

☼

I have to admit, I feel like I've been falling down on the job when it comes to homeschooling. I think we do okay at it when we DO it, but we haven't spent enough time on it since Christmas. Granted, my 5yo went from not knowing all her letter sounds to READING, and my 7yo went from a mid-kinder reading level to a mid/late-first grade level so far this school year, and my 9yo went from being TERRIBLE at math to adding up $80 worth of groceries in her head and only being 3¢ off the actual total... and oodles of other things, but... I'm slacking. There. I said it. I'm slacking. Time to get back in the saddle and be more gung-ho again.

☼

We've been doing lots of Valentine's arts and crafts projects this week, including all these on Tuesday and more stuff today:

 

our bedecked chandelier, and

 

our Valentine (eucalyptus) tree, and

 

our bannisters, and 

 

this little love-note to my alma mater, the U. of Miami. Fun times. I had every intention of doing more academic stuff today, but we had a rough, tough morning, so I made it up to the kids with an afternoon full of buttons, ribbons, glitter and hot glue!

☼

Tonight, I continued the craftiness by finishing up the African Gray (amigurumi) parrot I've been making for a good friend of mine. I had no pattern or experience, really, with amigurumi other than one or two little things, so it was a real challenge for me. I can't show you the picture yet because she hasn't seen it and reads this blog, so I'll just show you my starting point a few weeks ago:

 

She approved of my color choices, but that's it! Everything else will be a surprise. Eek! I'm nervous!

☼

At Bunco last night, Skinny-Minnie T totally made my night by standing next to me and joke-angrily saying that SHE was supposed to be the skinny one, here! At the time, I was wearing size SIX jeans and really needed a belt!! :D

☼

I'll leave you now with this funny (and totally wrong!) little conversation that my husband texted to me. It happened a little while ago:

Hubs, to son Jack, 7: "I'm trying to take a dump, can you leave [the bathroom], please??"

Jack: "I'm trying to look at the damn [valentine] tree!"

I busted a gut. I probably shouldn't share that, but I think it's hee-larious. Some - maybe all - of you are shaking your heads, and I don't care. It's funny to ME!

☼

All right, good-night and happy weekend.

Fin.

Aloha Friday

 

Yo, hook up here if you're playing and stuff.

So my question for you this week is:

How clean is your house right this minute?

My answer:

Not so much. I'm not gonna say we have rats or roaches or anything, but having grown up in a company-ready-24/7 house, my current sitchyation grosses me OUT!! Oh, where have my standards gone?!

Peace out.

Fin.

So, How's Your Day Going?!

Here's mine:

 

Argh...

Fin.

Treats For My Sweets

On Thursday, we have a homeschoolers' Valentine's Day party to attend. The guest list seemed rather short at only 8, so I figured I could whip up some cute valentines for the kids to give out in no time. I got started this morning at 0500. (I only slept from midnight to 0230, when I ran out of sleep. No time like the present to get workin'!) Anyway, I really liked these candy cones, but I can't give credit because I forgot where I saw the idea. Pretty simple and commonplace, anyway. I made these:

And are they not so cute?! I love them. Love. I wish I could keep them and admire them longer, but alas, the photos will have to do. (I'm so queer, I know.)

 

I used my thick, sparkly scrapbook paper (which you might recognize from the now-destroyed-by-Sophia Advent box we've used for the past two Christmases) for the cones, and lots and lots of hot glue. Which is now all over my craft table. And my manicure. But who cares? I had fun. Each cone was filled with a bunch of gummy hearts, a couple Starbursts, and a Lindt milk chocolate truffle. My favorite! I can't believe I actually gave them away. I am insane, people. (I mean, seriously - have you tried them? Insane.) 

And then I found out, no, no, there are way more children coming than just eight! But I had used up all these candies for these cones, so what was I going to do? And more importantly, what to do with the cones? Ah, but Thursday afternoon, I am meeting with my Daisies to do - what else?- some more crafting, for upcoming events, and there just so happen to be eight of THEM! Voilà! I will give these cones to my Daisies, and they will love them and go home happy. Yes. Perfect.

I remembered I still had many of the organic lollipops from the 5-lb bag I'd ordered from Amazon, so I searched for lollipop valentines for the kiddos to make. I found these somewhere I also can't remember, and so the kids and I got to work cutting out all the bears and tags. These are for Jack to give out at the homeschoolers' party. I'm glad I've been collecting all kinds of ribbons for a while; I love that each one is different. That sort of thing rocks my boat.

I was originally going to make enough bear pops for all three kids to pass out, but hello, that is boring craftiness, and anyway, I was getting sick of waiting forever for the kids to cut them out! So I found these cute lolli-mice, for Sophia to give out. She traced and cut out the big hearts for the bodies. On one, she messed up, and she asked if that one could be hers. I've explained it to her eleventeen times, but she still doesn't quite get that not any of these will be hers! Oh, well. Come Thursday, she'll figure it out.

Of course, then I had to figure out a third lollipop design for Chloë, and this recipe was handy. She wanted lovebirds, but I didn't find lovebirds, and anyway, these are adorable. She claims to have made them all by herself, but really, she just traced and cut out the flowers and signed the backs. I did everything else. That kid kills me! So now we are finished, and there is just ONE lonely lollipop left in that huge bag. Which makes me glad, because I am utterly sick and tired of finding the finished sticks stuck all over the house. (Ahem, Sophia.)

 

And that is what we spent hours upon hours doing today, instead of working on Reading, Math, or any other school-y stuff. Hey, it was terribly important, you know?

Fin. 

An Open Letter To The Greatest Man In My Life

Dearest Grandpa,

I wanted to write and tell you exactly how much you've meant to me over the past 34½ years. You'll be 85 later this year, and while I hate to think about it, that number keeps inching ever closer to a time when I may no longer to be able to tell you how I feel.

Overall, I did not have a happy childhood, between mom dying so terribly young and all the awful times that followed my dad remarrying. However, there were many bright spots during that time, and I can't think of a single one that didn't involve Grandma and yourself. You saved it for me and made the whole thing far more wonderful than it ever could have been without you in my life. And I am grateful.

I remember when you and Grandma would wake up Stacey and me at the crack of dawn for an overnight trip down to Atlantic City. Scruffy would be in the car, too, and while Grandma was playing the slots at Trump's Tower, the three of us would walk the dog up and down the boardwalk and look in the windows at the salt-water taffy and other fun beachy wares. When Scruff didn't come along, you took us to see a show or two. I know we saw A Chorus Line, but I forget what else there was, because the most important thing about it was getting to spend time with you and knowing you were right where you wanted to be, too - with us kids.

I remember all the times you two took us down to the Jersey Shore to stay at Alma's house, whether it was for the Fourth of July or just because it was Summer and the Shore was our place to go. Back then, Stacey and I were free to roam around and walk down the block or two to the beach and get as sunburned and sandy as we wanted to be. Grandma always scolded me to put on sunscreen, but now, all these years later, I am still not doing a great job of listening to her!

I remember when you took us to see the tall ships for your big company picnic. My favorite thing about it was the endless supply of ice cream. Which reminds me, you were always so proud to tell everyone that you were the guy who taught me how to eat it! You and I shared a love of ice cream like no one else, and now, neither one of us is allowed to have it! Tsk, tsk.

I remember the time you drove us into the Bronx - or maybe it was two or three times, I'm not sure - to go to the zoo. One time it was because the pandas were there from China, and they weren't to be missed.

There were lots of little things to remember, too. The way you, Stacey and I always made a special trip to the Butterflake bakery in Englewood after church, for doughnuts. I always loved the way they tied the box with that red and white string. I thought it was special for them then, but now I know that it's a common thing.

Or what about how you would wake up at 4 AM and come home for dinner by 4 PM, and even though you worked phsyically hard all day long while Grandma and we lounged at the pool, you were never too tired after supper to go out back and throw the ball around? You had an arm like a major leaguer, and I threw like a girl. Stacey was so much better at Catch, so you two would play while I ran after the balls that didn't get caught. Sometimes I was jealous of that, but really I didn't mind, because I just loved being out there with you.

I remember how many times you walked us around the corner to the little park, and we sang, "Hi-Ho Cheerio" the whole way there. You pushed us higher and higher on the swings, until I thought my toes would touch the treetops and begged you to stop. And you always stopped. You never let me be scared.

How many times did you grab the two of us girls for a late-night run to Carvel for hot fudge sundaes? Grandma would put in her order, and then we'd go and pick up the treats. I always looked at the silly shaped cakes while you chatted with the guys behind the counter who knew you well. Then you zipped home so Grandma's ice cream wouldn't melt too much.

We had so many traditions when we stayed with you: Grandma giving us each a can of black olives for Christmas, and going out at midnight to bang pots and pans and wake up the neighborhood on New Year's Eve! Going for flowers and planting them at Mom's grave each time we came for a visit. The nightly games of Uno and Skip-bo out in the living room. Grandma in the bedroom, and you in the living room, shouting the answers to "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" back and forth to each other. Wednesday nights at Wendy's, where Stacey and I would each order double pickles on our hamburgers, and I gave all of mine to her. She was the pickle queen!

Today, Grandpa, you're three or four states and far too many hours away from me, and I hate it. I would give anything to have you near me now, for my children to know you as well as I did, to get as much out of knowing you as Stacey and I were able to do.

You did so much for me in my life, and every chance I get, I want to be able to do something for you. Tonight, when you called me after opening the box of pistachios I sent, it absolutely made my day - no, my whole week - to hear how happy you were to get them. When you cried a little bit over it and all the other packages Stacey and I have been sending you lately, I felt that love in my heart that is so big I think I will surely burst. It feels tremendously good to know that you're aware how much you are loved and adored by the two of us.

You mean the world to me, Grandpa, and I thank my lucky stars every day that you're in it.

Love you forever,

Melanie Ann

 

Fin.

The Queen's Meme: The Afterlife

 

It's my first time doing this one, and I'm trying it out because I'm killing time whilst not getting the taxes done! Click here to play along. I'm doing last week's, because this week's is about football (the North American kind), and frankly, I couldn't care less about it!

So. Here we go:

1. Have you ever seen an angel? If not, do you believe in them?

No, I've never seen one, but yes, I believe in them. I think of my son as an angel. And my mother. And I believe in guardian angels... I'm sure I have one. Maybe it's my mom, I don't know...

2. Tell us a real ghost story. Ever seen one?

No ghost stories here. I don't believe in them (ghosts).

3. Have you ever had a near-death experience?

I have, but not like an out-of-body experience or anything like that. I was really quite sick with severe pre-eclampsia before my eldest was born, and it was scary for me.

4. It is midnight in Heaven. You have just arrived. You are told that you can choose any kind of "Heaven" you want. What would that be?

All my loved ones are there with me, and my long-standing questions are answered. Beyond that, I'm sure it will be amazing, and I don't even want to begin to guess how awesome.

5. You have come back to Earth as something or someone else. Describe that entity.

Hmm. Interesting. I would love to be the person who is able to convince the world's human populace to stop the destruction and devastation that we're causing Mother Nature.

6.  It is your first morning in Hades. What fascinating aspect of the underworld will you visit first? 

Suck. I don't want to be there! I don't even want to think about it.

7. Scientists have just created a new pill that induces immediate immortality. You can live forever! What are you going to do with the rest of your life?

Oh, please, no. I would not take that pill. I welcome death.

Fin.

Thomas Gets Me Alone

There's this local homeschooling Yahoo group that's set up just for inexpensive local field trips, and I sign up with them regularly to get my kiddos out and about. Thomas the Tank Engine's live show was this morning, and I bought tickets for Rob and all the kids to go.

Why not me?

Well. Heh. I was supposed to be in CPR Instructor class all day, but I kinda-sorta slept through my wake-up call. I'm really surprised, because I slept all afternoon, half the evening, and all night, so I should've been quite perky come 0700. Not so much, though!

Anyway, I sent the rest of Team Odette off to their little show and spent the next two hours all by my lonesome. Rob and I texted back and forth, I read emails, looked at Facebook, and generally accomplished a whole lotta nothin'.

It was fab.

And that picture up there? Is the only good one Rob managed to get. Which is why he rarely mans the camera.

Fin. 

P.S. Oh, right, right. Yes, the kids had a good time. Of course!

Sunday Stealing: The Ace Meme, Part Three

 

Link up here if you're playing along this week!

68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?

Dexter, but we don't have TV anymore, so I suffer without him.

69. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T LIKE?

Kill 'em with kindness, if you can't get as far away from them as possible!

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?

PB and chocolate... big, thick, hard chunks of PB, mmmm

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?

I did at last check, yes.

72. SO IS IT GOING TO BE THE STEELERS OR THE PACKERS?

I don't give a Fig Newton.

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?

Looks like we're going to church in a li'l while, followed by them cleaning their rooms and me doing the taxes. 'Citing stuff.

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU RETIRE?

Wherever my husband wants to live when he retires is where we'll live. Just please, God, let it not be Alaska.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?

No. I don't really care who answers them, to be perfectly honest.

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?

Missy Elliott on "I'm Talkin'" from Supa Dupa Fly

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?

Diet Coke from my "Holy Crap That's an Extremely Big Gulp" tank cup

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Some stupid neighborhood kid who keeps prank-calling me to pretend-order Girl Scout cookies.

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE SEX YOU'RE ATTRACTED TO?

I answer this question entirely too often. Truthfully, I notice the whole package all at once. If he's smoking, I look away and don't look back.

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

Shit like this, apparently. I do a lot of stuff. I wish more of it included knitting, because I'm waaay behind on those projects.

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?

Slow-poke drivers in front of me

82. FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR?

summersummersummersummersummersummersummersummer!!!!

83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?

Lindt milk chocolate truffles are muy delicioso.

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?

Yes, I really and truly have. It makes me sad to think that not everyone has.

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?

Who knows? My friend "Nadine" (who has apparently forgotten how to blog, tsk) says I have "hair-colored hair," which is boring and non-unique, so I change my hair color several times a year. My sister blonded me a year and a half ago, and that was outré! I looked terrible! I'm thinking hot pink and black stripes sometime, can I get a "hell yes"??

86. EYE COLOR?

"Shit-brown," according to my lovely older sister, Stacey, who also branded me as "Smellyann"!

87. SHOE SIZE?

Depends on the make but about a 6-6½. I wear a size 4 bowling shoe and size 4-5 Crocs though. I gots teeny-weeny feeties and hands.

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?

If Subway counts, then that's my place, but I rarely go there anymore, either.

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

I don't really have a favorite, but I like an upscale, white-tablecloth kind of place, with an enforced dress code, a valet waiting at the curb, gigantic crabcakes and scallops on the menu - and the kids at home with a sitter!

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?

Love it! Now I want it, domo arigato!

91. WATCH TV TODAY?

Nope. No TV here.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?

I'm terribly fond of Independence Day (4 July for you non-'mericans) and everything that it brings with it.

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?

Didn't we answer this one last week, too? I used to play the organ, but now I just play the skinflute.

94. POLITICAL PARTY?

I'm a registered Democrat so I can vote in the primaries, but I'm a Green girl at heart. I don't really care who does what with the money - just stop hurting our Mother Earth in the process, will yas?

95. KISSES OR HUGS?

Both. I'm very touchy-feely. I'm all over ya like a damn octopus - but only if I'm in the mood.

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?

One-night stands, of course. Psht!

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?

The Diet Coke mentioned in #77

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSE SPOUSE?

I think I am one. House Spouse. Ha!

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?

Books? Read? What is that? I'm lucky to read the mail the day it comes. I DO have a list of books I want to read, though...

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE:

Happily married to my best friend, but that doesn't keep me from checking out the hot guy in the car next to me...

Fin.

Feast Your Eyes On This

 

Also on Thursday evening, before Team Odette had to rush off to get Sophia to CHKD for her sleep study, our two Girl Scout troops met at the church where we meet, for our annual feast. It was supposed to happen in the Fall, but weather and scheduling difficulties meant that a lengthy postponement was in order.

Rob dropped off Chloë at 1600 so she could start cooking with Miss Nikki and her Juniors. The Daisy families were responsible for bringing rolls and desserts, so we didn't have too much craziness there!

When the rest of Team Odette arrived (late) at 1730, pretty much everyone else was already there. Including all seven of the other Daisies, and their brothers, and, well, someone needed to step in and get the chaos under control! Since I'm the Daisy leader, that meant me, natch. I checked in with Miss Nikki in the kitchen to make sure I wasn't needed there first, and then I went out to the feast area to call together the band of children who were currently doing the conga around the tables.

We played many games, starting with their favorite, "Daisy-to-Daisy". For this occasion, I changed it to Scout-to-Scout, in deference to the three Cubs we had playing along with us. The girls LOVE this game, but when they started fighting over who got to be the caller and/or calling parts like lips and other no-nos, I had to switch up the games.

So we played "Duck, Duck, Goose," "Ring Around the Rosy," and other such things. Fortunately, they're young enough to be entertained by these things, which were simple enough for me to remember how to play!

When I ran out of ideas on games, I took a cue from both my daughters' days in the Creative Movement class at their dance academy, and suggested we act like animals! Here, they were pretending to be kitties. I had just called out "Snake!" when Miss Nikki interrupted to tell us that the food was finally ready. Eleven children zoomed away from me to find their spots at the various tables, with their parents. 

 

While we ate, Chloë and the other Juniors put on a little skit for us. It was cute... 

 

After the Juniors were given time to finish their meals, Miss Nikki, the Juniors and Daisies, and I all got up to entertain the rest of the families some more. We sang bunches of songs, including the one I taught my troop: Fish and Chips and Vinegar! It's hard for me not to sing it in a British accent, but I handled it. (And yes, as you can see up there, 9yo Chloë IS shorter than some of the 5yo Daisies!) Fun times. I'll have to find more cute songs to teach my girls, since they do so love learning songs. I tried to teach them how to do Fish and Chips in a round, but oh, no, that didn't quite go over so well!

At the very end, Miss Nikki passed out the patches her Juniors had earned through the Fall. Now it's time to get the ol' iron out and stick 'em on the green vest. I'm all about the patches!

{ Special thanks to Miss Nikki and her co-Leader, Miss Kim, for putting on another spectacular feast for us to enjoy. It was fantastic! }

Fin.

 

Sweet Child O' Mine

I pretty much love this picture, even if Sophia was a stinker and snuck into it at the last second. She has been doing that for years! Anyway. Of all the children I've birthed, and there have been a bucketful, Jack has always been the snuggliest. In the womb, he nestled up in my right rib. Built himself a nest there, he did, and cozied down until Robby decided he needed OUT at 30½ weeks. Now, at any given time, he's still the one who will come up to me from behind and put his head on my shoulder, with his thumb in his mouth, and then hop into my lap after I give it a pat. He'll let me hold him until the cows come home, if there's time, whereas the girls are more likely to sit there for a half-second and then dash off to do ABC-XYZ.  

Green, because that's both Jack's and my favorite color. ♥

 

I wanted to try again, sans Sophie this time. This was the result. Um, no.... one more time, then: 

And this was it. I pretty much love this one, too. And that special little boy of mine. Here's to you, kiddo!

Fin. 

Breathe, Baby, Breathe

(These are all iPhone pictures. Forgive the me.) Sophia and I spent the night at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters on Thursday night, so she could have a sleep study to help figure out why she's been having trouble breathing since September. Here she is meeting all the various and plenty cords that will soon be attached to her brain.

Well, not directly.

Shortly after we checked into her room, she started getting hooked up. I've been through this before, but I did a horrible job preparing Sophia. Here's exactly what I told her to expect: 

(Right. There's nothing there. *ahem*)

 

Whoops...

 

Ana, our wonderful polysomnographer, made sure she knew what to expect, however, and was absolutely wunderbar for the next 10 hours. I loved her immeasurably.

 

Ana started attaching the transmitters to the head of Soap with some majorly sticky goop (that's the technical medical terminology). Her comments consisted of, "Eww. Blech. Blech. Eww," and stuff like that.

Also, next time your child has to have a sleep study, please do not be a dumb mother like me and put her in a one-piece pajama. Two-piece, please. It makes things much easier on both the tech and the child needing to go potty the minute everything is hooked up.  

Soapster trying to see what was going on in the back of her head. Haha! This child is so comedic.

Fortunately, watching American Idol on TV kept her preoccupied throughout most of the process. I generally find that to be true wherever we go, since we haven't had TV service at home for a whole YEAR now. 

 

Sophia's first view of herself getting made up - looking good, baby!

"I'm not so sure about this, Mommy!!"

Sophie being Sophie

Yes, she WAS expected to sleep like that!

Ana to the rescue! I'd spent a while with Sophia before we left, carefully selecting Barbie coloring pages to print out, and we left them at HOME! Argh. She was very upset with me, and rightly so. (What was that about dropping the ball...?) She kept fussing about it, so Ana darted out and came back with a Minnie Mouse book and some crayons. Cheap kranz. Sophia was gleeful, and I was relieved. Phew!

 

Call me a bad mother, but I LAUGHED and LAUGHED and LAUGHED...!!!

It didn't take long for Ana to put Sophia out of her misery and give her a face-hole. Hey, you face-hole!

"Mama, do I look funny?" "No, dear, of course not." *snicker*

 

"Ahhhh! Yes, I DO!!!"

That gray thing drove her NUTS all night. She asked me, "Why do I have to have this antenna on my face? I'm not a CAR!"

Once Sophia was all hooked up to her brain circuitry there, she hopped into bed and finished coloring her picture. She begged and begged me for a snack... and I had brought her one, but stupidly, I chose something that contained chocolate and therefore caffeine. I am not thinking clearly this week. Forgive me, my dear child. I asked Ana for crackers or something, but they had nothing. Poor kid. She is constantly hungry, too, and for good reason - she actually grows (as opposed to her older siblings, who prefer to stagnate on the charts of growth)!

She may look pathetic, but... yeah. She was. Aww. Poor little baby. I thank the good Lord above that she wasn't in that hospital for more serious reasons, though.

Lights Out time was 2200. She was tired, so it seemed like she would go right out, but she kept yakking away about being hungry, the antenna on her face, being cold, being hot, and the usual, "Can I play a game on your iPhone?" Finally, around 2315, she zonked out for good, but not before this one last giggle with Mom! 

The night went well and passed quickly. While I read magazines by the light of my iPhone, Sophia slept soundly beside me. She pulled out her tubing and transmitters a few times, necessitating Ana's rushing into the room to hook everything back up, but it didn't wake her up. She's been a sleepy girl ever since this stay. Last night, we got a pizza and watched movies together on the couch, but Sophia slept so soundly from about 2100 through the morning that she had an infrequent accident on the couch. And she fell asleep in the car this morning, too. Snoozy girl!

 

Ana came in at 0500 to wake up my sleepy girl and set us free. But first, she had to clean all the guk off her face, legs, chest, and hair. This was the awesome result. I refused to straighten her up for the long walk out to the car park, and we were met with lots of strange looks and giggles from folks just coming in for day surgery and whatnot. Sophia and I giggled right back. I told one such couple, "Tell her she's BEAUTIFUL, please." And they did. 

 

Hiya. Mama Smelly-melly here, from the bathroom of Sophia's CHKD room. Looking rather like a chipmunk, but that's neither here nor there. I talked to Ana several times during the night, mostly to make sure I had put the cannula back in Sophia's nose properly after she had yanked it once again, but also to see how she was doing. She couldn't discuss it too much with me, but she did reveal that the reason Soap kept waking herself up was because of numerous episodes of apnea during her REM (dreaming) phase of sleep. That was interesting; I didn't expect that at all, as I hadn't noticed breathing stoppage. The rest of the findings will have to wait until we talk to the pulmonologist, Dr. E. I can't wait to hear what she has to say!

Also, I talked to Ana about being a polysomnographer myself, since I am Ye Olde Fashioned Childe of the Night. Apparently, the $2K course at TCC is only a one-year certificate program, and then one is set to go! I might look into it...

And that is all.

Fin.

Put A Ring On It

 

Yeah, that's my sexy leg up there. (Shut up, it is TOO.)

With my sexy hand on it.

With my sexy ring on my sexy finger.

Oh, the ring, you say? Where did I get it? Well, I'd be HAPPY to tell you!

It was a gift from my lovely friend Michelle, out of her Etsy shop, Gymbohannah. I'd been admiring it for months on end, and I mentioned it to her again, so she popped one in the mail to me!

Now, I can't promise you the same special treatment, but I can promise you'll find lots of fun goodies created by Michelle's own two hands in her shop. Check her out! And like her on Facebook, while you're at it! Tell her I sent ya!

Thanks, Michelle! I love it. Hubs likes it, too. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Fin.

Saturday 9: Margaritaville

 

Link is here for you crazy 9ers!

1. Tell us about a time that you had way too much Jose Cuervo.

All right, since this album reminds me, necessarily, of Key West, I'll tell you about this time I went there with my friends KR and S for Spring Break. We started out one night - no lie - at Margaritaville and had, I don't remember, but probably margaritas. I had a salad, too. Next place, we each had a pint of Guiness. I am not a beer drinker and certainly not a dark beer drinker, so yuck, but I drank it anyway. And danced my ass off. At the third place, we were sitting at the table, and the bartender sent us over a round of tequila. That was it for me. I went to the bathroom and lost everything immediately. At least I was sober enough to get us home, since drinking was out for me after that point!

2. Do you agree with the following statement: "The older you get, the faster time goes by"?

Yeah, pretty much. Especially having young kids.

3. What do you usually do during your "down time?"

I have downtime right now, and I'm doing this. I should be cleaning and doing laundry, but I'm not gonna! I may knit...

4. When it comes to the opposite sex, do you feel you have a grasp on 'em - or do they continue to just surprise you?

It doesn't matter. I may know what to expect, but that doesn't mean it can't hurt/shock/surprise when it happens anyway. I'm so naive.

5. What is your home town famous for?

Cold weather and lots of snow, hence my absence from it.

6. How many romantic relationships have you had?

Far too many to count. I've been around. :|

7. What's the best concert that you've ever been to?

Not really a concert, but the Steven Wright show was awesome. Blue Man Group was tons of fun, and so were the Peas, but I think I enjoyed CSN and/or Bob Dylan best, just because my husband was so damn thrilled to be there. I love making him happy!

8. Which famous person would you like to meet? Why?

I'd love to have a personal serenade by Eric Clapton, because, duh! Eric Clapton!!!

9. Has a newspaper or television reporter ever interviewed you? If so, what were the circumstances and what did you think when you read or saw what you said?

Not the most exciting meme ending ever, but: N/A.

Fin.