Friday, August 17, 2007
Razzberries or Zerberts?
Whatever you call them Bennett has learned to make them...he's cracking me up right now as I type blowing on my leg. It may not be the noise so much as the fact that he's cracking himself up with each blow! Gotta love kids!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Plan B...
Well....Larry let me down on the Hilton Head trip for Doug's birthday. Not in the budget for this year on such short notice. So...Plan B is for the two of them to go to Wisconsin for the weekend, I've requested the time off and looked into courses and tee times. Not sure if they are going to stay at Larry's dad's or at the Bennett's camper. Either place would be fun for the two of them, the camper although less luxurious than Larry Sr.'s new house, is on the lake and they would have access to a boat a couple of really cool bars. Larry can decide...Doug will be happy just to be going away. I'm not as happy as if I were sending him to Hilton Head but I will get over it.
There is just one more wrench threatening to be thrown into my plan...when will Sam's first soccer game of the season be? His coaches are deciding whether or not to play in a tournament Labor Day weekend. If they do that will be great...if not I may have to spoil my surprise and tell Doug of my plans and let him choose if he wants to go away and miss Sam's first game or cancel the trip. GGGRRRRRR.
There is just one more wrench threatening to be thrown into my plan...when will Sam's first soccer game of the season be? His coaches are deciding whether or not to play in a tournament Labor Day weekend. If they do that will be great...if not I may have to spoil my surprise and tell Doug of my plans and let him choose if he wants to go away and miss Sam's first game or cancel the trip. GGGRRRRRR.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Shhhhhh....It's A Surprise!
I have secretly been planning a trip for Doug...he wants to play golf on Hilton Head island and I am gonna make that happen. I have a room booked for him and his friend Larry for November. I'm checking on flights and Larry is actually checking his budget, if it doesn't pan out for him I'm not sure who I'll invite, yikes! But I'm pretty sure he'll make it work...his wife is my best friend and Larry loves a good round of golf! Anyway...I've started looking at courses and making a list to call and reserve tee times. I want him to play at Harbor Town...the PGA holds a tournament there each year I believe and he would think I am so COOL! (He thinks I'm cool anyway but you know where I'm going with this...). I am checking on rental cars and I am going to request the time off of work for him from his boss. It helps that his boss is also a personal friend so I have no problem sending him an email to say "Hey Jim, Doug needs 4 days off in November cuz I am a really cool wife and am sending him on a mancation!" I hope I'm not forgetting anything...I've never been on a mancation myself, or even a golf weekend for that matter. Trip to Disney, no problem, got it covered right down to the last character buffet dinner and where to find the coolest penny smashing machine...but golf is not really in my realm of expertise. Any help or advice would be much appreciated!
The best part about planning this trip for him is that I am going to pay for it all MYSELF. Since I have been working at Meijer I have been stashing away the cash (except for the expenses that I got the job to cover in the first place). His birthday is September 23rd and he is going to be shocked! He thought the 40" LCD Hi-def TV he got for Father's Day was cool? Just wait!
I do have to admit that I am a little bit afraid of his reaction...what if he would have rather me used this money for something else? Like the credit card we're trying to pay off...I think he'll get over it but I'm still a little bit reserved...
The best part about planning this trip for him is that I am going to pay for it all MYSELF. Since I have been working at Meijer I have been stashing away the cash (except for the expenses that I got the job to cover in the first place). His birthday is September 23rd and he is going to be shocked! He thought the 40" LCD Hi-def TV he got for Father's Day was cool? Just wait!
I do have to admit that I am a little bit afraid of his reaction...what if he would have rather me used this money for something else? Like the credit card we're trying to pay off...I think he'll get over it but I'm still a little bit reserved...
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
I Have Regrets...
and not the good kind. My paternal grandmother passed away on April 1st. I didn't really know her very well. My mother did not like her mother in law or any of my dad's family for that matter and pretty much kept them all out of my life. I never spent a holiday with my grandmother. I do not remember her ever being at our house when I was a kid. She did come to my dance recitals every other year and I did see her on occassion at my aunt and uncle's house. I can remember being at her house once or twice. I know that none of that was in my control.
What was in my control was how I behaved as an adult. I regret that I did not make more of an effort to get to know her and have her be a part of my boys' lives. I guess it had just gotten to a point that I didn't know how or where to begin. She was family...it's not supposed to be like meeting a stranger for the first time but that's how it felt everytime I saw her. I invited her to my boys' birthday parties each year but my mother made me feel guilty. The conversation would go like this:
"I don't know why you invite her?"
"I did it for Dad."
"I don't know why he would want you to invite her, it only causes him grief from me."
In her mind I was betraying her, taking my grandmother's side. (Of what argument I will probably never know.) There have been only a few other times in the last few years that I have seen her, my cousins weddings and baby showers and such. My sister was apparently alright with betraying our mother because she would invite Grandma to birthday parties too. I can not have any contact with anyone from my dad's family without guilt from my mother. She is currently angry with me for attending my grandmother's funeral on Good Friday and spending the day with my cousins, aunts and uncles. She was so angry she actually contemplated canceling Easter. If she didn't have grandchildren I'm certain she would have. She is pretending that nothing has happened now but I know this will come up in the future. She holds grudges like no else I've ever known.
My father assures me that my grandmother knew that she was loved and that she understood that it was my mother making it difficult for me to spend time with her. He says she was glad to have had the time she was able. He apologized to me for putting me in this "situation" with my mother, which of course I do not blame him for. None of this is making me feel any better.
But where do I go from here? I really would like to have relationships with my cousins. Everytime I am able to see any of them they tell me how nice it is to see me and my family. They were all grateful that I brought the boys to the funeral so they were able to see them. I believe they are sincere because I am really happy to see them as well. I am so fortunate and thankful that they don't hold my mother against me. But where do I go from here?
What was in my control was how I behaved as an adult. I regret that I did not make more of an effort to get to know her and have her be a part of my boys' lives. I guess it had just gotten to a point that I didn't know how or where to begin. She was family...it's not supposed to be like meeting a stranger for the first time but that's how it felt everytime I saw her. I invited her to my boys' birthday parties each year but my mother made me feel guilty. The conversation would go like this:
"I don't know why you invite her?"
"I did it for Dad."
"I don't know why he would want you to invite her, it only causes him grief from me."
In her mind I was betraying her, taking my grandmother's side. (Of what argument I will probably never know.) There have been only a few other times in the last few years that I have seen her, my cousins weddings and baby showers and such. My sister was apparently alright with betraying our mother because she would invite Grandma to birthday parties too. I can not have any contact with anyone from my dad's family without guilt from my mother. She is currently angry with me for attending my grandmother's funeral on Good Friday and spending the day with my cousins, aunts and uncles. She was so angry she actually contemplated canceling Easter. If she didn't have grandchildren I'm certain she would have. She is pretending that nothing has happened now but I know this will come up in the future. She holds grudges like no else I've ever known.
My father assures me that my grandmother knew that she was loved and that she understood that it was my mother making it difficult for me to spend time with her. He says she was glad to have had the time she was able. He apologized to me for putting me in this "situation" with my mother, which of course I do not blame him for. None of this is making me feel any better.
But where do I go from here? I really would like to have relationships with my cousins. Everytime I am able to see any of them they tell me how nice it is to see me and my family. They were all grateful that I brought the boys to the funeral so they were able to see them. I believe they are sincere because I am really happy to see them as well. I am so fortunate and thankful that they don't hold my mother against me. But where do I go from here?
Monday, March 19, 2007
Blog Challenge: Laugh
This week, write about the last time you had a really good laugh. A belly laugh. A laugh that took your breath away. A laugh that starved you of oxygen and gave you a headache. A laugh where you tossed your head back and really let 'er rip.If you can't recall a time when you've laughed that hard, then figure out WHY NOT, and write about that.Laughter.It's good for the soul.If only it burned more calories.
The first event that comes to mind is the water balloon fight that took place on my patio 3 summers ago...We have a monthly get together with 2 families that live next door to us and 2 houses down from us. Between the three families there are 8 kids ranging in age from 13 to 16 months (however there were only 7 for this water balloon fight as Bennett was not yet with us).
It was September and the after dinner entertainment was going to be a water balloon fight. I spent the afternoon filling about 600 balloons assuming that the excitment would be over in about 10 minutes. I was sooooo wrong! For some reason these balloons did not want to break! The kids were throwing them with quite a vengence but they were bouncing off of each other, bouncing off the patio and all over the place. They would not break...this 10 minute water balloon fight lasted almost an hour. It was hilarious to watch the kids brace themselves to be soaked (you know the stance, back turned, knees slightly bent, shoulders up trying to hide), make that face (you know the one, sqinted eyes, all muscles tight) and have it not happen. Equally funny was the look of disappointment and surprise on the thrower's face. Then, they would finally let their guard down assuming that the balloon was not going to break and it would! Hysterical...I laughed my head off! Over and over again! With three boys in the house this is probably not the most recent time I have laughed like that but its the time I remember best...one of my most favorite memories!
The first event that comes to mind is the water balloon fight that took place on my patio 3 summers ago...We have a monthly get together with 2 families that live next door to us and 2 houses down from us. Between the three families there are 8 kids ranging in age from 13 to 16 months (however there were only 7 for this water balloon fight as Bennett was not yet with us).
It was September and the after dinner entertainment was going to be a water balloon fight. I spent the afternoon filling about 600 balloons assuming that the excitment would be over in about 10 minutes. I was sooooo wrong! For some reason these balloons did not want to break! The kids were throwing them with quite a vengence but they were bouncing off of each other, bouncing off the patio and all over the place. They would not break...this 10 minute water balloon fight lasted almost an hour. It was hilarious to watch the kids brace themselves to be soaked (you know the stance, back turned, knees slightly bent, shoulders up trying to hide), make that face (you know the one, sqinted eyes, all muscles tight) and have it not happen. Equally funny was the look of disappointment and surprise on the thrower's face. Then, they would finally let their guard down assuming that the balloon was not going to break and it would! Hysterical...I laughed my head off! Over and over again! With three boys in the house this is probably not the most recent time I have laughed like that but its the time I remember best...one of my most favorite memories!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Inspired by Beth...
A week or so ago my friend Beth wrote a poem on her blog about the daily frustrations of motherhood and how we long for them not to end. She brought me to tears at 9am and I thought that wasn't fair...to early for crying. Beth is usually good for a great laugh. Her poem was pretty much my life minus the Barbie, Polly Pocket and girly hair stuff. Although there is girly hair stuff all over my house because my baby is in the "empty every drawer and cabinet I can get into " phase right now. Anywho...she inspired me to write my own poem. I borrowed a couple lines word for word I think, thanks Beth! Here it is...
"Welcome to my toybox!"
is the greeting you will hear
Take a look and you will find
three little boys are near
There are so many toys 'round here
my boys, they're spoiled rotten
I'll just take pictures of this mess
to be sure its not forgotten
There's a hippo in my kitchen
a tiny man is in my shoe
Puzzle pieces on the stairs
Rescue Heros too
Building blocks of every kind
are everywhere, its true
Legos, Wedgits, Tinker Toys
just to name a few
Diego and his animal friends
are scattered all around
and everywhere you look you'll see
Little People can be found
Light sabers are glowing
a battle is ensuing
Bennett's eating crayons
he doesn't care what they are doing
Balls are rolling all around
Books are lying here and there
To find something where it belongs
is really very rare
Little planes are under foot
Boats are setting sail
Rocket ships are taking flight
The trains are off their rail
If I step on one more car
I'm going to swear, I fear
They're going to end up in toy jail
with all the sporting gear
There's laundry to do and dishes to wash
and errands to be run
The floor should be swept and probably mopped
but I'd miss all the fun
One day this house will be quiet
One day I'll get some rest
I'm sure I"ll look back and think to myself
"Those days, they were the best!"
I did take many picture that illustrate my poem and I can not wait to do the layout in my album! In my old age I presume I will need the reminder of my frustrations to help me miss my children just a tiny bit less!
"Welcome to my toybox!"
is the greeting you will hear
Take a look and you will find
three little boys are near
There are so many toys 'round here
my boys, they're spoiled rotten
I'll just take pictures of this mess
to be sure its not forgotten
There's a hippo in my kitchen
a tiny man is in my shoe
Puzzle pieces on the stairs
Rescue Heros too
Building blocks of every kind
are everywhere, its true
Legos, Wedgits, Tinker Toys
just to name a few
Diego and his animal friends
are scattered all around
and everywhere you look you'll see
Little People can be found
Light sabers are glowing
a battle is ensuing
Bennett's eating crayons
he doesn't care what they are doing
Balls are rolling all around
Books are lying here and there
To find something where it belongs
is really very rare
Little planes are under foot
Boats are setting sail
Rocket ships are taking flight
The trains are off their rail
If I step on one more car
I'm going to swear, I fear
They're going to end up in toy jail
with all the sporting gear
There's laundry to do and dishes to wash
and errands to be run
The floor should be swept and probably mopped
but I'd miss all the fun
One day this house will be quiet
One day I'll get some rest
I'm sure I"ll look back and think to myself
"Those days, they were the best!"
I did take many picture that illustrate my poem and I can not wait to do the layout in my album! In my old age I presume I will need the reminder of my frustrations to help me miss my children just a tiny bit less!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The Big Picture
I bought myself a book today. I can't remember the last time I bought myself a book or even read a book above a 3rd grade comprehension level. This book, The Big Picture by Stacy Julian, is an awesome book! It was recommended by one of my friends on Scrapshare. She said it is changing the way she scraps...I second this! I can not wait to do it differently! I love to scrap but have fallen behind and have been paralyzed by the heaps of photos and memorabilia that have been piling up since early 2003. I can not put this book down. I don't really like to read much but I have gotten through the first 60 pages of this book since 4:00 this afternoon. I actually have another book on my list that I can't wait to buy...Clean & Simple Scrapbooking by Cathy Zielske. This too was recommended by a SS friend and Stacy Julian references her at least 3 times in this book...now I really have to have it. Not sure I've ever felt that way about a book before...
Not only am I eager to read but I am eager to scrap again. I think I'm gonna start with the tag project from the book and use all kinds of fun embellishments that I never would have put in one of my scrapbooks before. Brads, eyelets, ribbon, fancy paperclips...I'm not sure what else is out there. I've been such a CM purist for so long I haven't even paid attention to anything else. Did I say "eyelets"? Oh my! That means I have a pressing reason to buy a Crop-A-Dile! I think scrapping and spending money on scrapping stuff just got fun again!
I gotta get back to my book now...
Not only am I eager to read but I am eager to scrap again. I think I'm gonna start with the tag project from the book and use all kinds of fun embellishments that I never would have put in one of my scrapbooks before. Brads, eyelets, ribbon, fancy paperclips...I'm not sure what else is out there. I've been such a CM purist for so long I haven't even paid attention to anything else. Did I say "eyelets"? Oh my! That means I have a pressing reason to buy a Crop-A-Dile! I think scrapping and spending money on scrapping stuff just got fun again!
I gotta get back to my book now...
Saturday, March 10, 2007
6 Months Ago...
I was challenged to celebrate and write about my life as uneventful as it may be from day to day. Cowtown Stacy said "I have a life worth writing about. Celebrate it, 'cause so do you. Get to it! Be remarkable!"
She inspired me to start a blog but I am just now getting around to actually writing something. I have been pondering this first entry for 6 months...really, I'm terribly intimidated by the writing of the other women who's blogs I read. UGH! Part of me hopes that no one ever reads what I write and part of me is writing just for them. All of these other women I know through a message board, Scrapshare.com. I love being a part of this community and I truly feel that I know some of these women but I don't feel like I am letting them get to know me. I guess that my hope is that I will be able to write for myself as if no one is reading and let them in. I hope will be able to write without feeling intimidated, self conscious or afraid. Without worrying if I'm liked, approved of, agreed with, being entertaining, inspiring or even writing something worth reading. Wow, I sound like I have serious issues! Maybe I should just end this now, publish it and get my first entry out of the way!
She inspired me to start a blog but I am just now getting around to actually writing something. I have been pondering this first entry for 6 months...really, I'm terribly intimidated by the writing of the other women who's blogs I read. UGH! Part of me hopes that no one ever reads what I write and part of me is writing just for them. All of these other women I know through a message board, Scrapshare.com. I love being a part of this community and I truly feel that I know some of these women but I don't feel like I am letting them get to know me. I guess that my hope is that I will be able to write for myself as if no one is reading and let them in. I hope will be able to write without feeling intimidated, self conscious or afraid. Without worrying if I'm liked, approved of, agreed with, being entertaining, inspiring or even writing something worth reading. Wow, I sound like I have serious issues! Maybe I should just end this now, publish it and get my first entry out of the way!
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