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Friday, February 27, 2009

Friday High Five


Angela at Angela's Adventures is hosting Friday High Five. It's very easy to play along just post five things about anything. Mr. Linky is up on her site and it only takes a second to link up. So what are you waiting for?

Today I decided to post five things that happened to me at swim class tonight. As a preface let me say that both of my girls swim at the Y on Friday nights. They are not in the same class. One swims at 6:30 and the other swims at 7:00 p.m. Tonight also had my son with me as my husband had dinner plans. It is also important to note that it is hotter than the gates of hell inside the Y swimming pool. Why? I couldn't hazard a guess.
Tonight I learned:
  1. The girls should only bring their towels into the pool area with them. If we bring the entire swim bag in with us, my middle daughter might unroll the towel with a fling and toss her sister's underwear right into the deep end (no I'm not kidding)
  2. My son cannot be entertained for an entire hour, no matter how many snacks I bring.
  3. Even in short sleeves in the dead of winter, it is possible to come close to heat stroke if you spend more than 1 hour in the pool area at the Y;
  4. If left alone, my 10 year old will use hand soap throughout her hair in the locker room shower;
  5. Bringing juice boxes and Cheese Nips for the girls was an A+ idea; no whining about being starving
One out of five ain't bad.


Thursday, February 26, 2009

Twenty-six Things Every Parent Says Everyday

This is part of Mama Kat's weekly writer's assignment. It's never too late to play along. Leave a comment and I'll be sure to stop by your blog and see what you wrote.

A - Ask me that one more time and the answer is definately NO
B - Because I said so
C - Can't you do it the first time you are asked?
D - Don't touch the _____________ (dog, your sister, you butt, that chewed up piece of gum on your shoe)
E - Eat everything on you plate.
F - Forget about what your friends are doing and do what you are suppose to do.
G - Big G, Middle G, Little G, or whatever your name is.
H - Here's a good idea...put your laundry away if you are bored
I - I love you, that's why I want you to grow up big and strong
J - Just because your friends are doing it doesn't make it a good idea
K - Keep your hands to yourself
L - Let me help you
M - Mommy needs a time out
N - NO
O - Only because you said please
P - Please
Q - Quit hanging on the dog
R - Reading helps your brain grow
S - Stop looking at me that way
T - Tickle torture
U - Unbelieveable.  Why would you think that was a good idea?
V - Vases are fragile.  They break easily
W - What would I do without you?
X - Xanax is a great invention...LOL
Y - Your friends don't make the rules in our house
Z - Zip your coat...it's winter time.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

February Book of the Month

I decided that I need to read more and Jenners over at Life with Little One recommended this book a few weeks back and I decided I would give it a go.  I enjoyed Lottery (which was a previous Jenners recommendation) so I thought "Why Not".
I'm so glad that I did.  It was so imaginative.  Basically, it answers the question--After Jesus started gaining popularity and had throngs of followers, what happened to the Greek gods and goddesses?
The book is written by a first time author and she can paint a vivid picture
Artemis, for example, the goddess of hunting, the moon, and chastity, is forced to become a dog walker and Aphrodite, the godess of beauty, is a phone sex operator.  Once you figure out the distinct personalities of all the characters, including the unlikely mortal heros, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.
I'm taking on quite a challenge for March.  I'm going to attempt to read Wicked .  After seeing the musical earlier this month, I just have to find out more.
In other business:  Shannon over at Inkhearts won our birthday/Harry Potter contest. Shannon watch your email for your cool prize.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Happy 10th Birthday, Big G

Dear Big G,
I can't believe that you are 10 years old already.  Sometimes, in my head, you are still the little happy baby above.  The little girl who thought I was the greatest mommy in the world and the most fun person to be with no matter what.
Times are changing.  I'm falling slowly down on the list of "People you'd most like to hang out with".  The good news is I'm still on the list...for now.
Most people talk about these early years as "the best time of their lives".  I think that's because everyone likes to feel needed, useful, loved.  As our children grow, they need us less and we feel, for lack of a better word, less.
For me, I want to look back on this time and say "It was one of the best times of my life", just not THE best.  I think you and I have a lot more bests to look forward too. 
Don't worry, I'm not fooling myself into believe that you will rush home from school to hang out with me when you are a teenager.  I wouldn't want you to.  After all, I'm trying to teach you how to live life without me, which, in my opinion, is the measure of a successful parent.  You need to learn from your own mistakes and I plan on being around to help you pick up the pieces.
Am I looking forward to the first time a boy breaks your heart?  Of course, not.  But I'll be here to listen when he does.
Am I looking forward to watching you pull out of the driveway on that first solo drive?  No.  I'm feeling anxious just thinking about it.  But I'll be here to listen to whatever story you come up with about how you dented the side and lost the fender.
As you approach this new double digit phase of your life, I hope you remember these five things:

  1. Even when we argue, and we will definately argue, I will always love you.  There isn't anything you can do to change that.

  2. True friends are rare, like gems.  They like you for who you are, not for who they can make you be.

  3. If you want to be better at something, whether that is violin, softball or math, you must put forth the efffort.  Without true effort, you are just wasting your time.

  4. Never forget the importance of human contact.  In a world filled with blogging, email, twittering, and phones more and more like mini computers, it is more important than ever to know who your neighbors are and to interact with more than just a screen.

  5. Count your blessings.  Try to learn to be happy with what you have and not to obsess about all the things you don't.
Monday, February 23, 2009

Weekend update - birthday party photos

Here is the cake I made for Friday's party.  It was super easy.  I ordered this icing layover on Ebay.  She has plenty to choose from, all different designs.  You just make a 10x13 inch cake, icing it and peel and place the overlay.  She even personalizes it for no extra charge.  I paid around $8.00 for it.
These are the Webkinz Owls that we gave out as party favors.  I was able to get all five of them for a steal and since I'm anti-candy lately I figured everyone would love a Webkinz.  They were a big hit.
We had all sorts of "Harry Potter" like foods.  This is a picture of our Herbology Health Tray.  We also had Percy's Prefect Mini Pizzas (Bagel bites), Hagrid's stuffed dragon eggs (stuffed mushrooms), Dumbledore Bat Wings (chicken wings), and Butterbeer Floats (which were rootbeer, butterscotch syrup and vanilla icecream).  They were quite yummy if I do say so myself.
My daughter (red nightgown) did seem to have fun, though I think she would have liked it better if the girls were more into the movies.  We played them over our projector and it looked really good up on the wall.  My other daughter (pink in back) was asleep by 11 p.m.  She went swimming earlier and it wiped her out.  Same with my son, he too was asleep by 11 p.m.
The rest of them were asleep around 1:30 or 2 a.m. and up again around 6:45 a.m.  Can't say I was nearly that energetic.
Would I do it again?  Hmmm.  Maybe for daughter number 2 so she doesn't have middle child syndrome all her life, but I'm pretty sure my oldest is done having traditional parties.  Next year we'll take a friend to the movies and call it a day.
I still have to survive Saturday when all the grandparents arrive...including my grandma, my mom, my dad and my stepmom.  Add some inlaws and it should be awkward with a capital A. 
Saturday, February 21, 2009

How I survived my 10 year old's slumber (or lack thereof) party

Barely.

I learned a few things last night.  They are as follows:

  1. I don't really like 10 year old girls.  I make an exception for my daughter, but some days she gets lumped into this group as well;
  2. Even in small numbers, there are few things -- jet engines, railroad crossings, banshee screams -- louder than 10 year old girls;
  3. No matter how hard you try, you cannot please them for more than 15 minutes at a time.  It has something to do with having the attention span of a really small dog, I believe.
  4. Few people actual read invitations.  Especially the parts about drop off times and pick up times.  Some think it's okay to come 30 minutes early and an hour late.  WWDAS?  What would Dear Abby Say?
  5. Finally, when it's all said and done, there is nothing better than sitting in the quiet of your house.
I'll post some pictures of the easiest cake I ever made on Monday as well as a couple from the party.  TTFN
Friday, February 20, 2009

Happy Blogiversary to me!

Today is my blogiversary.  Yipee.  I feel so accomplished.  I started something last February and here it is February again and I'm still doing it.  Of course, it was much more sporatic back then.  I posted only when I was moved, now I'm apparently moved much more often.

I said I was going to host a contest today and that it woud probably involve a poem.  Since tonight's my daughter's 10th birthday party I let her decide.  She wants to ask you five Harry Potter questions (the theme of our party) and have you write a poem about what it is like to turn 10.  I said this might be hard because that was a long time ago for some of us.

But, I digress.

Here's your trivia questions...Big G will pick the winner on Tuesday, February 24th, which is her actual birthday and then we will come up with a great prize. 

We currently don't know what that prize is, but it will be great!

Thanks for playing!

  1. What are the names of Harry's two best friends?
  2. What does Malfoy throw up in the air in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone?
  3. Name two characters who die in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?
  4. Why does Ron's rat have a missing toe?
  5. What is the name of Harry's Godfather?
Thursday, February 19, 2009

Raise your hand if LOST makes you feel a little...well...lost.

I guess the opening of last night's episode was reserved for all those people out there who just can't get enough time travel.  Was it necessary to start at the end and flash back.  I mean was that really necessary.
The show opens with Just-Jack lying on the island forest floor dressed like he's headed to a funeral and holding a small scrap of paper.  We hear Hurley hurling for help and then we see him flapping around with a guitar case in a small lagoon.  Jack Just Jumps...of course he does.  Kate is looking dead along some rocks but, of course, she isn't.
Then we flash back.  How did they get there?
Creepy Elosie Hawkings, aka Daniel's mom, aka spooky lady from Desmond's past, obviously has something to do with it.  It turns out she has her very own Dharma lab.  How conveeeeeennnnniiiieeeet????
This Dharma lab doesn't have a button to push, or a creepy video to watch...it has a giant mofo pendulum, which apparently can pin-point the island location and print out an list of suggested flights.  Seriously, what was that all about.
Creepy Spooky Hawkings (CSH) give Just-Jack, crazy John Locke's suicide note.  Of course, being the shows marytr has it's downside...poor Jack must immediate act like he cares that John killed himself and assume the "It must be my fault" face.
He just can't bring himself to read the note.  Really?  I mean let me get this straight Jack...you are in yet another Dharma station, listening to Benry and CSH, you are considering going on a plane you are assuming will crash, you plan to bring along all your friends on said doomed plane and you are going to dress up a dead guy in your dad's old clothes...what about the note is too weird for you?
Desmond has had enough of CSH, no one knows if Sun is going to run back to Korea or head to Quam, Kate hates everyone, and just for fun we get to meet Just-Jack's grand-dad.  Do you think the writers were like...how is Jack going to get his dad's clothes three years after his death.  I know...let's send him to his grand-dad's nursing home and have him find some shoes.  Hey, it's just as believeable as the pendulum finding airplane flight...right?
Everyone, save Aaron, turns up at the airport.  Anyone want to venture a guess what Kate did with him?  Jack made the mistake of asking and it almost cost him some hot sex.  Do you think he's in her luggage?  I doubt Kate's mom is babysitting.  Maybe she gave him to Claire's mom...his real granny.  That would be so adult of her....so I doubt it.
Turns out Frank Lapidus isn't in the bottle anymore and has returned to flying the big planes.  He is, of course, the pilot of the pendulum found aircraft.   Jack reads the note and all it says is "I wish you had believed."  Thanks, John.  As always, you are so helpful.
We don't know if Lapidus or Locke has returned to the island as all we see are some shakes, some flight attendents flinging about and then poof.  Everyone is on the island...or are they?
We only see Hurley, Jack and Kate.  Where is Sun?  Where is Sayid?  Why was he a prisoner?  Was he pretending to be Kate this flight?
Since Sun is nowhere to be found, it's somewhat anti-climatic when the Dharma van pulls up and and out pops uniformed sporting, rifle yielding, Jin.  I can't wait to hear what he has to say.
Next week:  How many times did John try to kill himself before he was successful?  We here what happened to Locke when he left the island.  Looks like we have at least 14 days before we return to the island.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A Shameless Plug for your Support

As my regular readers are certainly aware of, my nephew, was diagnosed with Type I Juvenile Diabetes over Christmas break.

He is eight years old.

He has to prick his finger four, sometimes five times a day.

He takes multiple doses of insulin everyday.

He is eight years old.

My sister is walking in a the Walk for a Cure being held near her home this year.  Unfortunately, I'm not able to attend, but I'm still raising money for "Connor's Cure" the name of my sister's team.  While I realize that everyone is  hurting for money during this current economic situation, I'm still asking for anything you can spare.

This is a great cause that will help many children.

Diabetes is incredibly expensive; can provide years of complications, and requires constant diet modifications, finger pricks and shots.

Please visit my online donation page to learn more. http://walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=87298847
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

My upcoming Blogiversary

I think that my blogiversary is coming up on the 20th and since I'm close to hitting a big number on my hit counter I thought that maybe I would do a contest or something.  However, I'm having a little trouble coming up with a fantabulous idea.
Here's what I'm thinking...it's gonna involve Mr. Linky, possibly a poem and  a really cool surprise.  Be sure to stop back on Friday to see what my crazy brain comes up with.  It is bound to be frazzled as that is the date of my DD's magical Harry Potter slumber party.  UGH. 
Pray for my survival.
Monday, February 16, 2009

Fun and games with Jenners


Jenners at Life with Little One and More is hosting a silly game on her website today.  It looks like you have until the end of the  month to enter.

The idea is to write the worst opening to a novel ever.  Here are my entries...

  • It was raining and everything was wet.  Sarah didn't want to go outside for she had a terrible fear of melting. ~ from Adventures of a bar of soap.
  • Aliens were picketing on my front yard and I knew from the very beginning that today wasn't going to be a good day. ~ from the Top 10 Reasons I Lost My Job
  • Earthworms live in dirt.  They mate with themselves.  After what just happened with my last boyfriend, I think I may want to be an earthworm. ~ from My boyfriends name is Jack.  It's short for something.
If you want to play along, Mr. Linky is up on Jenners blog.

Weekend Update -- My Secret Valentine's Day Getaway


My hubby took me to New York City for Valentine's Day! Isn't he so sweet? I'd never been there before.

I had no idea where we were going and started to get a little nervous when we parked at the Newark, NJ airport. I mean it is one thing to not know where you are going...it is another thing to fly there. LOL

We took the train into the city and walked to our hotel which was in the theatre district. On Friday night we saw "Mamma Mia"; it was quite funny and had very upbeat music.
On Saturday we went on a bus tour and took a ferry out to the Statue of Liberty. It was quite chilly on the ferry, but really neat to see the statue that close up.



This is a picture of the traffic from the tour bus window. Just think this is what it is like on a Saturday afternoon. I'm kind of glad I didn't see it on a business day. LOL
Saturday night we went to dinner at a brewery and steakhouse and then went to see "Wicked". This show was amazing. After watching it you see the Wizard of Oz in a whole new light. It asks the question "Are you born wicked? Or is Wickedness thrust upon you?" It was sooo amazing. It even had flying monkeys.


Needless to say, we had a really great time and it was just what we needed. A break from the kids and time to remember why we fell in love in the first place. It's truly an amazing place to visit, but I'm sure glad I don't live there.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

An Open Letter to the Jackass who Hacked my Paypal Account Today

Dear Hacker,

What has happened in your life that has made your moral compass turn south?  What possesses someone to take something that isn't theirs?

I find your actions despictable. 

I find your boldness irritating.

I find your stupidy annoying.

If you weren't the most stupid person on the face of the planet, you would know that you can't steal what someone doesn't have. 

You would know that your attempted transaction would send red flags off in about three different locations. 

You would know that I would take all measure to make sure that it didn't occur.

Lucky for me you are the most stupid person on the face of the planet.  Paypal called.  They froze my account.  I notified my bank.  You have caused me quite a few headaches and a lot of paperwork.

AND. YOU. DIDN'T. GET. A. DIME.

Why?  Because you are a jackass with no moral compass.

Sincerely,

~me

Mom's Night Out, Lemon Drops, and a new award

Last night I got in late from MNO and didn't have time to post. I'm trying to organize a once a month event with some of the mom's in my neighborhood as well as our close friends. Last night 7 of us went to Chili's for drinks and food. It was really fun.

I had me one of these Sunrise Margarita's and two Lemon Drop shots. The Mushroom Jack Fajita wasn't bad either, but I found the bill a little pricey. I think I could have bought all the ingredients to make said drinks for a lot less.

Earlier this week Michelle at BCR8IV gave me a new award. I think it is really nice to be acknowledged by a fellow blogger and Michelle is one amazing crafter. If you've never been to her site, what is stopping you?





As part of the reward I'm supposed to pass it on to a few other worth bloggers so I thought I would mention the ladies that I gave shout outs too earlier in the week.

Here are my picks...

The Scattered Mind of a Tatooed Minivan Mom She makes me laugh out loud! And currently she may be the only blog out there featuring "You Be Illin'" by Run DMC..LOL

Angela at Angela's adventures and mishaps. She is a great story teller and I enjoy hearing about her adventures. Plus her kids are so stinkin' cute!

and last but not least...

Tutu'sBliss TuTu's site has the following warning: I will continue to celebrate motherhood. So if breasts, birth, dilation and mother's milk makes you uncomfortable please consider yourself warned. The subtitle of her site should be "keepin' it real".

Thanks for stoppin' by today. Quit being a lurker and leave a comment.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Two Cents Tuesday - why doilies shouldn't be used as party favors



TuTu over at Tutu's Bliss is hosting Two Cents Tuesday. She has a fine post about romance, quite fitting for the week of Valentine's Day. If you'd like to play along, Mr. Linky is up on her site and I'm sure we'd all be better off having read your two cents worth.

As for me, I'd like to take this opportunity to talk about Classroom Parties. Ahhh, I hear the groan from the audience now.

Here's the scenario...I room full of second graders all forced to pretend they like each other by delivering store bought cards to each other in the hopes that they will bring home bags of candy. Enter the mothers in charge of the party.

I was lucky enough to be selected as a classroom helper. The paper sent home to me included this endearing sentiment: IF YOU THINK ABOUT BRINGING ANY OF YOUR OTHER NON-SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN TO THIS PARTY, WE WILL BE FORCED TO PLACE YOU AND SAID CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL FREEZER FOR THE DURATION.

I paraphrased a little, but you get the point. Without a moment's pause, I guarantee someone will bring their younger child and say the directions were not clear.

Anywho...back to the party. I'm in charge of the craft. Yeah. I like crafts. Valentines Day is a tough one though as many boys find pink to be the most vile color in the crayon box. The "Co-ordinator" or top dog mama as I refer to her wants me to do DOILIES! Seriously. HOW. OLD. ARE. YOU?

DOILIES!

"I think boys would love to make a doily card for their mothers," says Mary Jane. Personally, I think she's been hittin' the pipe a little. I mean how many 7 or 8 year old boys do you know that want to do anything even reasonably appropriate with a doily??

How do you get the co-ordinating job? Do I have to attend PTO/PTA meetings? Raise your hand if you think those are just an extension of the pretty girls/popular club from high school. I know....it's a grown up snobority.

I vetoed the dollies without a majority vote. I figured it works for our government it should work for a party about love. I decided to do a bookmark craft and then I come to find out that my dear hubby is taking me away for the weekend on a surprise trip...Did I mention I hate surprises???

Alas, it seems I won't be able to help at the party.

Do you think that by cancelling this close to the actual date, I may get blacklisted from future classroom parties or, dear I even say it, not be allowed to chaperon the end of the year field trip???? ****GASP****

I can promise you this...I made a vow to my daughter that even if I have to drop off the craft on my way out of town...she will not be making a doily!
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kisatrtle
I'm a 41 year old (gasp) freelance writer, school cafeteria manager, wife and mother. I have three children and one anxious and overweight beagle. I use my blog to make others laugh, to share some cool crafts, to document my lunchlady adventures and to lament about the challenges faced by us all on the journey called life. Thanks for visiting. Please leave some crack...um...I meant some comments.
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