Friday, April 28, 2006

ARRRGHHHH!

Ever had a great day only to get home and reality slap you in the face?

Well, if you haven't and you don't want to be exposed to the ranting and raving of a mad woman then move right along.

Wonderful day....came home......everyone turned into a CRAB upon crossing the threshold.

The boys had to go and get haircuts. You would have thought we had scheduled them to walk bare foot over hot coals. Geez...........

Bank account empty, no groceries in the fridge and everyone is hungry. Ughhh!

Every single tupperware/gladware/plastic container is dirty because two little boys in this house think every. bug. in. the. bloomin. yard. needs it's own house. Shriek!

And........every bloomin piece of clothing is dirty.............because laundry wasn't a priority this week. Scream!

Inhale..................Exhale....................

Emergency mode in place!

Laundry: started
Dishwasher: started
Haircuts: done
Bank account: payday in two weeks until then a round of PB&Js will have to do

Get it out of your system....it really is SMALL stuff!

Carry on and have a drink for me,

Lyn

What to do with a boy who's about to turn 8

Today Wise One and I chaperoned a field trip of 60 high school art students. He was so excited he couldn't sleep last night and was up before I was out of the shower......getting dressed "mommy, is this shirt okay?"

He was a gentleman that looked at the art and mingled with the people. He kept his hands in his pockets and marveled at the sculptures.

Ah.....how a boy grows...........at one point when we were here, he said he needed to go outside. He hit the doors and ran around the grassy area about 4 times and then said "okay, I am ready to go back in." He knew he needed to get the wiggles out and knew just how to do it. It also reminded me of how mature he was acting but he really is just a little, almost eight, year old boy, who didn't mind asking one of the artists...."how much does that thing weigh?"

As we ate lunch with the rest of the gang at Cafe Express, he watched and he talked and giggled. He splashed in the water fountain and he loved every.single.minute.of.it.

We ventured into The Museum of Fine Arts and his eyes became as big as saucers! He was mezmerized with the sculptures. They were his "favorite" on site. Picasso, yeah...yeah, Monet, pretty good,but this.....this was it, the "moon" to be exact. It was a whole display of shirt collars and different sculptures of them. He studied these. He asked questions. We went back around three times. It was surprising to me, but he loved it. He was also very impressed with the Indonesian Gold. And he sat and stared at this for at least 5 minutes. Then declared it "very cool".

Of course the gift shop got a few bucks from us. This was the prize picked from the shelf up high!

The day was wonderful. There were moments when I could not believe the little man in front of me was my baby I brought home almost 8 years ago. At other times, I giggled to myself at the things that came out of his mouth. He is so open and free, yet very reserved. He drank it all in today. The people, the art, the fun..............he loved it. And so did I.

The joy of motherhood continues,

Lyn

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

50 Posts

In honor of my first 50 posts I will tell you 5 things about me.

1. I procrastinate, terribly!!!!

2. I love jewelry but usually wear the same thing over and over.

3. I have a weakness for books. of any kind. even dictionaries.

4. I like commas and think they should be in a sentence when I take a breath.

5. I am a germ-a-PHOBE about doorknobs!

There you go. 5 quick things about little ole me.

Laugh at your little weaknesses. They are what makes you, YOU!

Lyn

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

What makes our house happy

Dinner: Pizza, each our own little personal size

Entertainment: The Benchmark Barbershp Quartet at our local high school. Then home in time to catch this on the Discovery Channel. Then on to Fox to watch the rest of some baseball!

What more could a family ask for for a night of family enjoyment.

Oh yeah, me and The Chosen One hide the cinnamon sticks until the lightweights went to bed. There are perks to being the grown ups!

And then being able to retire to a warm bed looking at the new catalog that came in the mail, life is good!

Enjoy,

Lyn

But I am thankful he shopped.....

Just sayin'.....

Note to self:

Next time The Chosen One does the shopping make sure he understands that one ALWAYS buys the biggest package of toliet paper with whatever the biggest roll is *big mega store* is offering at the time. Whether it is triple or quatro size...ONE.BUYS.IT.

Just push the cart by the small, itty, bitty, I am man and I live alone roll. Seriously, a family of 4 can not survive on the single roll 4 pack for more than about 8 hours.

Giggle,

Lyn

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Thankful on a Sunday Eveing

After a long week I am wanting to start this week on the right foot.

I am thankful for:

a cold Dr. Pepper

clean soft sheets on the bed

a warm shower

passion vines in bloom

the Chosen One that tells me he loves me a gazillion times a day, with a smile

this lotion

blogger friends that open my heart and mind to new things

in person friends that are here with open ears and warm hearts

and my new favorite friend that has worked 2 out of the 3 times I have needed it this past week

Be thankful for the simple things,

Lyn

You know the ones....

well, my family was "the ones". You know, the ones, that are in the store with rowdy kids who talk loud and run and touch EVERY. BLOOMIN. THING. IN. THE. PLACE. Yep, that was us. The ones that when we leave all the store clerks breathe a deep sigh since they had been holding their breath since we entered the store and the fun began.

Place: local Academy Sporting Goods Store
Mission: buy the whole family new running shoes

Once the said shoes were placed on Rowdy One and Wise One's feet the running began. And the jumping. And the skipping. And the racing. And the hopping. And the hollering, laughing, hooping, shouting and giggling began. The noise level in an already pretty noisy store jumped about 5 decimals. I. KID. YOU. NOT.

It was tense at moments and then I realized, this is life for a little boy. NEW SHOES on their feet....how can a boy be still. and quiet. and contained.

The running has not let up much. The shoes "are the fastest we ever had mommy".

Awe. Movement is what they are made for. Why try to stop it. Just sit back and enjoy the fun. And maybe some up tight person will loosen up a bit. Or run the next time they see this family coming into a store that sells shoes.

Run and jump today,

Lyn

Friday, April 21, 2006

Yes.

He said yes. The Chosen One has agreed to a big change in our lives. A whole new lifestyle. A whole new adventure. He said yes, after weeks of thinking and questioning and discussing and thinking some more. He said YES!!!!

More to come,

Lyn

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Prayers

Please pray for my friend e, I have no words to help her at this point in her process.

Please pray for those that suffer from migraines, myself included, that we may somehow get relief

Please pray for someone you don't know but passed on the street today, that their load may get just little bit lighter.

Pray,

Lyn

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

A long day.

Ever have a day that just didn't seem to end? That is my day today. Heck it is really just a long week.

I have taken care of several college related things: 2 research papers, completed and turned it, a 94 on a Humanities exam and countdown studying for the final exams in History 1302 and Humanities. Just 2 more classes. And this semester is done. So maybe the long day I am feeling is just the end of a very long, hectic semester, really. My life in semesters. That is where I am at.

Looking forward to some changes, a little summertime relaxation, new goals, new outlooks and new adventures.

But for now, I am ready to wrap this semester of adventures up and put it to bed.

Fall into bed tonight and enjoy the rest,

Lyn

Monday, April 17, 2006

Note to self

Self, listen up.

A little weeding along the way is better than a whole lotta weeding at once!

We have been busy cleaning up the back flower bed. I planted it last summer and since four legged one has grown into a BIG four legged one he has dug up/chewed/played with/ or just harassed so much the poor plant just died the following plants: one beautiful orange hibiscus, one very pretty "knock-out" rosebush, 2 camelias, an asparagus fern (OUCH), 3 red tipped photinas and several other small little plants. What he failed to to discourage to grow is countless weeds and grasses that have made my hands ache from pulling.

I still have several things living and thriving that he has left alone or they have just lived to spite him. A purple sage salvia, 2 butterfly weeds, rosemary, a cigar bush, bottle brush tree and 2 red tipped photinas and a whole bunch of ice plant.

We need to bring in a load of dirt, build up the bed a bit, add some rocks around the edging and KEEP THE D-O-G out while everything settles in and we will have a very nice flower bed!

Ahhhh....I love the 3 days of spring we get. See, around here, we have 11 months of summer and 1/2 month of fall and 1/2 month of spring. Right now we are enjoying our little bit of spring and then we will be into the heat of summer!

Enjoy a plant or two today,

Lyn

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

I'm getting excited

My non-blonde friend, Non, is coming for a visit in about....2 1/2 weeks. She lives far away from me and moved against a whole lotta protests from myself and my family. She said it helped her allergies living in the beautiful place she lives in now as opposed to the humid, hot, summer for 11 1/2 months place I still live. Yeah whatever!!!

She is one of my dearest friends and is older than my mother. Hey, I like the mature and wise type. I usually find myself surrounded with the older set but I married a younger man. Go figure. That is something I need to bring up with my therapist. She would have great fun with that!

Anyway, back to Non. She is someone that I yearn to be with. She makes me feel....well.....feel...
um.....I just can't pick one word. Wonderful, confident, giggly, happy, sarcastic, funny, warm hearted, chatty, like a wonderful mother, like a wonderful person. She has a wonderful balance of a wicked sense of humor and compassion that will knock your scocks off, it just makes me want to be just like her. In her presence I am a better person. We look at things the same yet different. I hope to soak up some of her wisdom on this next visit.

I am sooooo excited to be seeing her. It just makes me smile thinking about the hug I will get right off the bat. About the smile and giggle I will get just after the hug. About the conversations that we will have and the memories we will make.

It is good to have something so nice to look forward to.

Make a date to visit with a friend soon,

Lyn

Recipe of the week

Broccoli Salad

This is a cold salad perfect for spring and summer.

1 -2 bunches of broccoli - broken into bite size pieces
a good sprinkle of sunflower seeds
1/3 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 pound fried bacon, crumbled
1 cup mayo
1/4 cup sugar
3 T apple cider vinegar or plain vinegar

Mix and refrigerate. I like adding the bacon and sunflower seeds right before serving.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

And just how much can a 5 yr old eat?

Today just since 4 pm this is what Rowdy One has eaten and drank:

bowl of pizza flavored goldfish
bowl of sun chips
1/2 a rootbeer
banana
full plate of homemade nachos with beans, cheese and taco meat, sprinkled with picante sauce and lettuce
a full plate of mixed greens salad with ranch
small bowl of broccoli
rootbeer float
PB & J
2 glasses of water
and a piece of homemade, right out of the oven banana bread

Now you would think that since he has had so much food in his mouth that it would be to occupied to talk but..............not a chance. Don't even get me started with all the questions I was asked!

Enjoy the little people in your life,

Lyn

Books

Some recent and not so recent reads of 2006:

Parting Gifts by Charlotte Vale Allen This was $4 find at the college book store. The middle was a little boring, just got bogged down in unrelated stuff, but the begining and end were wonderful. It was worth my time.

Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty This was another $4 find at the book store. I am not sure how I feel about it. Some of it hit to close to home about stuff I have not fully processed on my own so reading about it just made me sad. BUT I think that was my major hang up. It was funny in parts and overall a fun read. Opinion really still out but I just think it is a personal issue not the book.

Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan This was on the shelf at the local elementary school and we received it as an extra copy. I read it before my boys did. It was a delightful easy read that I look forward to sharing with my kids and even turning into a research type subject.

Seesaw Girl by Linda Sue Park Another donation from the elementary school. Good book that opens up the topic for research and discussion about other traditions.

True Love by Robert Fulghum This is a sweet book I read over and over. And have given it as a gift to newly married couples!

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom On my total favorite list!

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult This is the first book I read by this author and I look forward to reading another one soon.

Always next to my bed are:

The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross W. Greene

Treasury of Women's Quotations by Carolyn Warner

Something More by Sarah Ban Breathnach

A little humor from the archives of my brain.

This happened several months back and it still makes me giggle when I think of it.

As I was making Rowdy One his 100th meal of the day (can you say growing spurt) I asked him what he would like to be when he grew up.

"Well, not a fireman** cuz I could be killed. A policeman**, yes, that is what I want to be."

"What if you couldn't be a policeman?"

"You mean if I was FIRED?"

giggle, giggle to myself, "well, that or you just decided NOT to be a policeman."

"A chef. A frying chef. I would fry everything. That would be my....what is it called mommy?"

"Your specialty."

"Yeah, frying would be my specialty. I want to be a frying chef and have a show."

Yes, folks we live in the South, hence frying everything, and we watch way to much Food Network in this house.

**My dad is the local Fire Chief and has been for years. So he is very familiar with fires and fireman and no fireman he knows has ever been killed. And The Chosen One's brother is a policeman. SO again he is familiar with what they do. Interesting........

Giggle about a memory today,

Lyn

Monday, April 10, 2006

You know......

It is hard living in a house with 3 males and a male dog and being a medicated OCD female. I take medication to control my OCD. That is my confession. I have touched on it here and there on this blog so far and one day I will go into how my life has changed for the better for me and those around me. Here is one thing that has not changed.....

I still do not like toast crumbs in my butter dish.

I still do not like to see a tiny bit of mustard in my mayo jar.

I really do not like getting a string of dried up, crunchy jelly from the peanut butter. And Lord help us all if I miss it and it ends up in MY sandwich!

This last one has become an issue as of late with Rowdy One. He thinks he is big enough to make his own PB & J sandwich. Hear it now: I will make your PB & J's until you are well into your 50's if that means I. do. not. have. to. deal. with. crunchy. J. in. the. P.B!

God did not intend it that way for my house, for my brain to have to deal with. That is why He gave me this switch that goes off when I discover it.

For your life, little one......WIPE THE KNIFE BEFORE YOU DIP IT IN THE JAR. Or at least retreive all the evidence before you screw the lid back on!

Medication helps the rainbow closet but NOT the jelly in the peanut butter.

Teeth gritting, patience requested, it is NOT a big deal in the grand scheme of things...........................................

Lyn

Saturday, April 08, 2006

It's over.....

A few things to help a migraine fade:

A homemade banana split with vanilla ice cream, bananas(of course), fresh strawberries, chocolate syrup and milky way caramel sauce! To which Wise One declared "Impressive!"

This from the local video box.

A cold Dr. Pepper and your favorite movie buddies.

The giggles were all worth the little twinges when the noise got a little to loud for the last of the migraine holding on.

Headaches be gone,

Lyn

Saturday

I am fighting a migraine. For those of you that do not suffer from these, get on your knees and thank the LORD, Almighty!!!!!! And be extra nice if you know someone that does suffer from them. To those that can relate to my pain.....sorry you share that memory with me. I hate having migraines. And hate is a strong word. Yes, there are worse things I could suffer from, I know, but today I am suffering and I hate it.

Which gets me to thinking. This is suffering. I suffer most of the time a day sometimes two. What did Jesus go through? Suffering of the most horrible kind. And He did it willingly. Would I take this suffering for someone else? I would have to think about it. My kids, yes, hands down. My hubby, sorry, I would have to think about it. My friends, again sorry guys, I would have to think about it. What kind of person does that make me? Not Jesus like! Which is what I strive to be. And sometimes I get there but other times I come up VERY short! Thankfully, I believe in a forgiving God. And I will take my migraine suffering and hope that by me having them someone else is spared. But I really don't like it. And on days that it interferes with my life I get very selfish and wish it were someone else. But on a day like today....I really have nothing planned. I am home. I can sleep. The Chosen One is keeping the kids occupied. It really isn't so bad, comparative speaking. And I know it will end. In a day or so. But it will end.

I don't believe there is pain in heaven. So no migraines. I can look at it, like I am getting them all out of my system for that wonderful day. One way of getting through the pain today.

Take your suffering with your head.....semi...... held high today,

Lyn

Friday, April 07, 2006

Recipe of the week

Yummy Chicken

1/4 cup honey
2 T red wine vinegar
1 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
1 T olive oil
about 5 chicken breasts or package of tenders

Preheat oven to 375'

Whisk honey and vinegar. Dip chicken in honey/vinegar mixture then breadcrumbs. Place on foil, that has been greased with olive oil, lined cookie sheet.

Bake 30 min or until done.

Wonderful served with steamed veggie and fruit salad.

My family loves these and they are super quick so I love them too!

Enjoy what you eat,

Lyn

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Surprises..........

Guess what The Chosen One surprised us with tonight?

Guess?

Do you give up?

THIS!

Oh, he is Chosen! And Chosen with care!

Relax and enjoy the story,

Lyn

Conversations that tickle/scare me.

Driving Wise One and Rowdy One to art lessons tonight.

"He likes her. I mean likes LIKES her."

"What does that mean?"

"You know when the female giraffe likes the mother giraffe."

Blink....snicker......blink......blink

"Excuse me boys but can I butt in? What. did. you. just. say?"

"Mommy he meant male giraffe, not mother giraffe. I didn't correct him, I knew what he meant."

"Well, can we just move on to another conversation cause mommy has so many things she needs to touch on in regards to this conversation but just can't do it at. this. moment. And by the way....are you 7 and he is 5?"

"Yes, mommy, you know that."

"Just checking....."

The time is just wizzin' by, my friends.......and I am having a hard time holding on................

Lyn

Monday, April 03, 2006

Gotta love THESE words.....

Mommy, mommy, Wise One got hurt AND IT WASN'T CUZ OF ME!

****************************************************************

Well you know, it was fun at first!

****************************************************************

I don't think that is what it's made for Rowdy One!

****************************************************************

Man, those are some mystical powers, there Wise One.

****************************************************************

This was all just heard as the boys played in the garage with hockey sticks, a broom and packing peanuts.

Lyn

How to spend a well earned bonus check.

Paying off a small credit card: $XXX
Knowing there is one less bill coming in the mail: priceless

Purchasing a new vacuum: $XX
Having a vacuum that actually picks up stuff: priceless

Succumbing to the purchase of the dreaded XBOX with games and cordless controllers, no less!: $XXX
Seeing the kids figure out the games faster than their father: priceless
Listening to YEAH BABY! from Rowdy One after hitting a homer: priceless
Hearing the chatter and giggles of two little boys painting at the kitchen table because "it is more fun than the XBOX, mommy!: PRICELESS

Thanks to Chosen One for working so hard to support his family!

Have fun with some well earned money today (even if it just for a latte!),

Lyn

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Talking with a 5 yr old.

This is a story my mother told me today. While I was doing my homework she was having this conversation with Rowdy One.

"Oh, Rowdy One look at that worm!"

"I know that worm, Nana."

"Really? What is it's name?"

"It is an a*#!"

"You mean an asp?" (keep a straight face nana! keep a straight face!)

"Yeah that is what I said. That worm is an a*#."

"Rowdy One, look at me. It is a.s.p. AsssPPPP."

"Nana, you are not hearing me. I am saying a.*.#. A ****#####!!"

She gave me fair warning! And this is the time of year the asps are in full swing. I am sure we will be encountering plenty of A.S.P.S!!!!!

The joys of motherhood. Really, there is one around every corner!!!

Giggle today,

Lyn

Spring Forward?!?!

OY!

Spring forward means dragging hiney for at least 6 months! Why can't I just lose an hour and move on? Really, is it that difficult? I have been a mommy for almost 8 years now, you would think this is nothing compared to the NIGTHS I have lost! But oh no..............this will hit me like a ton of bricks. One little, tinsy, ensy, hour. Blows my whole schedule out of whack! Oh, just go to sleep a little earlier. NEWS FLASH!! It. Does. Not. Work. Like. That.

Actually, now that I am thinking about it. With kids I have probably lost a couple of years in sleep, at least. One was born at 6ish in the morning, READ: birthing ALL night and the other was born at 11 ish at night, READ: stay awake all night recovering. Now why couldn't it have been start the process at oh say 8ish am and be done by 5ish pm and do the recovery, get know you time till about 10ish pm and then lights out for a wonderful nights sleep.

What was that? You say life doesn't work like that....well duh and so my life continues sleep deprived and I adapt like all good parents do.

But OY! The spring forward. It is like I can't survive without that hour!

God, again you show your wonderful sense of humor! Jokes on us! Thankyouverymuch!!!!!

Really, since the whole day is shot I should just go to bed now! I mean if you think about it, that makes total sense! Go change back into the comfy jammies and climb back into the nice snuggly bed and snooze. Ah........I warned you about my love of sleep! Really, I would have thought more people would have jumped on this band wagon!

You really want to know what is on my calendar for today.......

homework

painting a garage

laundry

OY!

Try to enjoy one less hour today,

Lyn

Saturday, April 01, 2006

25 things

In honor of my 25 posts on my new blog I am writing 25 things that are about me or that I find interesting. Random, no deep reasoning behind them.

1. I wish I were an English major

2. I love dry cereal. Eat it at all times during the day. Oatmeal Squares, my fav at the moment.

3. I have a tatoo. Nothing big. On my ankle, sometimes I forget about it and it scares me when I see it, like I need to brush it off. I got it almost 11 years ago, the weekend before I married. The Chosen One FREAKED out and then got one himself.

4. I am a follow the rules rebel. I like to shake things up and do them my own way but my heart follows most rules automatically.

5. I don't remember much of my childhood. I don't know why. I remember some but not much. I had a fairly normal childhood, just don't remember much. Some days this troubles me.

6. I am on medication for OCD. My closet used to look like a rainbow, everything in color order and in it's place. Now it looks like a blurry rainbow. I am told this is progress.

7. I am a picky eater but getting better the older I get.

8. I don't care for scary movies.

9. I have 2 friends that I have had since kindergarten.

10. The Chosen One and I have never moved from where we were born and will probably be buried in the local cemetary. I can't imagine leaving my family. Well, I can imagine it but don't think I will actually do it.

11. I want to adopt.

12. I want more children.

13. I love my family but also LOVE being alone. Actually, prefer it.

14. I love to sleep. I can sleep 9 hours, get up for a bit and go right back to sleep. I enjoy sleep, crave it almost. I can, however function on very little.

15. I sleep with a pillow over my head. I have it positioned just right to breath but close out any noise and light. People find that strange. My mother does the same thing.

16. I want to travel overseas. And spend months in one tiny village.

17. I can not speak any other language but sarcasm fluently.

18. I struggle with anxiety.

19. I love the outdoors but DO NOT like to sweat.

20. I don't drink coffee. Enter Dr. Pepper.

21. I eat popcorn for dinner sometimes.

22. California is very interesting to me.

23. I really never saw myself married. But I have done it twice.

24. I love to cook, but must follow a recipe.

25. I could stay in my PJ's for a long time. They are real comfy!

Nothing to deep and inspiring but me all the same.

Think of something you haven't thought about in a long time,

Lyn