2008 Holiday Favorites

This scent just sings Christmas to my family. We have the candles and diffusers.

I use the hand soap, dish soap and the counter spray. Makes cleaning a bit brighter.

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What do you do with that......ADHD?

What do you do with that information?

What is that?

High IQ and ADHD at seven.

That is what is consuming my head these days.

A child that talks non stop. That complains and whines and giggles and says the sweetest things. A child that battles and stomps his feet and his the wall and gives the tightest hugs and the nicest neck rubs. A child that refuses to pick up his socks but wants to kindly fix you a sandwich.

I have yet to wrap my brain around ADHD and what it means to my family.

Medication is the route we will be proposed on Wednesday. And tonight I would have grabbed it. I am not sure what I will feel like on Wednesday.

My stomach and head hurt with all the information. I want to be at a stand still but I have to be in motion.

Some think it is no big deal. Just medicate and move on. That would be easy. But not me....I worry, fret, pray (which means I should not worry and fret). This is my child. My smart, sweet, witty child.

When I see my child's classroom all I want to do it bring him home. No wonder he is distracted! Have you seen a second grade classroom lately? TO MUCH STIMULATION!

When I hear the teachers comments I want to cry and scream. At the same time.

The world will not accommodate him. I must protect and teach him.

And help him to be confidant. And funny. And to seek knowledge. And feel normal in all situations.

To hold his head up high even when his impulsive nature gets him in trouble.

I want him to be strong and peaceful. In a world that will not accommodate him.

Just Finished...

Read:

Broken for You by Stephanie Kallos loved it, the characters became friends and I was sad when the book ended. it was a wonderful and enchanting escape.

An Affair to Remember by Christopher Anderson what a completely unconditional love story. i want to go and rent all the Spencer-Hepburn movies. i have seen several and but can watch them again and again, now with a little back story.

Watched:

The Eye Don't. Waste. Your. Time. horrible acting.

Mr. Brooks chosen one and i liked this one alot! good acting. good story. suspense. drama. i thought william hurt did a wonderful job!

lyn

Hurricane Season

When you live on the Texas Gulf Coast:

~you get tropical storm/hurricane days not snow days

~you don't want your freezer stocked to full June - Nov, it is very hard to see a freezer full of food go bad due to no electricity

~signs on the highway flash "Hurricane Season is here. Always keep your gas tank full."

~you have a planned evacuation route

~when you buy a house you also get storm shutters

~your kids are used to seeing boxes of pictures ready to be loaded

~you have more canned goods, beef jerky, peanut butter and crackers than you could ever eat stocked on the top shelf of the pantry

~you buy water and batteries everytime you go to the store, whether you need them or not

lyn

New Motto

Remember - that a fork is not a shovel.

Repeat as necessary.

Hayley....as in Mills, please!

We have been on a bit of a Hayley Mills kick:

The Moon - Spinners

Pollyanna

The Trouble with Angels

On hold at the library:

Summer Magic

The Flame Trees of Thika

Cry of the Penguins


Already seen many moons ago that may be watched again:

That Darn Cat

Parent Trap

The heat is slowly letting up around here. We had several days of rain which equals tall grass, mosquitos and mugginess by the boat loads but it was a bit cooler on the days the rain was here. We are slowly coming back to life after one HOT summer.

Lyn

On older Olympian

Oksana Chusovitina

She was awesome to watch and see out there with sixteen year olds.

Lyn

Olympics

If you missed it then find a link and watch it. The opening ceremonies were amazing. Breathtaking. Our family watched it and had several discussions about China, the history, the people. Then we watched the nations enter and again had several discussions.

It was a great evening. It gave me goose bumps. I hope my children will always think the Olympics are a big deal. Nations coming together. Athletics facing incredible odds just represent and show their country's pride.

Olympic Opening Protocol

The Official Site

List of Nations

Lyn

More movies

I know.....sounds like a do nothing else but watch movies. Surprisingly, I have been on a pretty good workout regime, make it to work, keep my house up and the Chosen One happy and still find time to watch movies.

Atonement Solid A. Call me a romantic but I really enjoyed this movie. I knew nothing going into it so it was a surprise.

Reign Over Me This was a recommendation by the library lady. It was truly touching to me. A male friendship story. Even though I am not an Adam Sandler fan I liked this movie. Both actors did I fine job.

Beowulf Didn't even finish it. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood.

The Good Shepard One word. Boring!

I wanna be.....

Wise One told me tonight that he wants to be a stained glass maker. He wants to actually make the glass that they use in the beautiful windows. Not necessarily make the art of the windows but the glass to make the art of the windows. He is an interesting creature that Wise One.

Rowdy One wants to just make it out of his childhood alive. He is has been exhausting me with his rowdiness. He is R.O.W.D.Y.

Watched:

Dan In Real Life I give it a B. Very predictable, nothing deep, made me laugh several times and had a sweet ending. Not a waste but nothing earth shattering. Just what I needed today.

Little Miss Sunshine Can I tell you how much I loved this movie? I watched it twice before I had to return it. Laughed out loud and LOUD. Loved the sarcasm. The use of the f word was certainly not something you want the kids to hear. When the door fell of the VW I thought I was gonna pee in my pants. Not for everyone but surely for me! Loved the humor!!

Amazing Grace Wise One and I watched this together. Brought up some good conversation about the slave trade and about choices and courage. Spurred some research and was a good jump start in to a more in depth look at this period.

I have 6 more movies waiting at the library. It is so hot out that sometimes this and a late evening bike ride are all that can be expected.

Lyn

Human Experience

For no other reason than the "human experience" we should watch these movies:

A Mighty Heart

Into the Wild

We should not watch these to entertain us but rather so that we can meet someone that has experiences so very different than us. So that we can realize that not everyone lives a life like us, in a place like us, with experiences like us. The world is big and vast. Things happen everyday that will never touch our world. But they do touch others.

lyn

A new name.....

yesterday i was mommy....

today mom.......

it is very hard to hear. i knew it would come. i couldn't be mommy forever. but mom...it's a little hard to hear. i knew when wise one decided it was time that rowdy one would immediately call me mom as well.

mom......just another sign my baby boys are growing into young men.

lyn

Children's Books

These are a few goodies we found at the library last week.

Scribbleville by Peter Holwitz Love it! My boys totally got the bigger picture. It was a great conversation.

Art Auction Mystery By Anna Nilsen While the actual text was little overwhelming, it is comic book style, the boys loved to examine the art and look at the details.

An Egg Is Quiet by Dianna Aston This is a beautiful book. Enough said.

Lyn

Time

It just astounds me how quickly time moves.

I am pretty smart cookie, but I am still shocked when I hear the date and realize that the month is almost gone and you can't remember what filled many of the days.

What does that mean?

~am I not paying attention?

~am I missing something? should I miss it? will I know I missed it?

~am I just existing when I should be living?

~do I need to change something?

All of these things cloud my thoughts like a fog.

I am turning a bit inward to find the answer.

The blessings for which we hunger are not to be found in
other places or people. These gifts can only be given to you by
yourself. They are at home in the hearth of your soul.

John
O'Donohue

Lyn

Dinner by Wise One

Wise One had a bit of a frustrating day today. Overly tired. Annoying little brother. Not enough activity. So when I least want to be around him I pull him in the kitchen with me and put him to work and he makes dinner. His whole mood changes and he eats everything on his plate as well as learning some life skills.

Chicken Tetrazzini found at www.leftoverchicken.com (I will be using this site again!)

1 T flour
1 T butter
1 c milk
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t paprika
1/4 t dry mustard
few drops onion juice
1 t lemon juice
2 c cooked chicken, cut into pieces
3/4 c cooked spaghetti
1/4 lb shredded cheddar (can use Parmesan)
3/4 c bread crumbs

Make a medium white sauce of the flour, butter, milk and salt. Add the pepper, paprika, mustard and onion & lemon juices to the white sauce and heat to the boiling point. Add chicken & spaghetti. Fill 2 individual greased casseroles or one larger casserole with the mixture and top with cheese and bread crumbs. Bake in 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until the crumbs are very brown and ingredients are warmed through.

We used up the chicken from yesterday and talked of stretching the food budget. We did not have bread crumbs but we had one hamburger bun so we toasted it up and made our own. We discussed how some people don't like mustard but still cook with dry mustard and never notice. Same with the onion. Talked at length about a basic white sauce and how you can turn that into many meals. He did it all and he enjoyed the heck out of it.

Plus his daddy and brother thought it was very tasty so he was super proud!

Cook with a kid, even when he is acting his worst.

Lyn

Summer

Firsts

Wise one had a busy day.

He was fitted for glasses at 9:30 this morning and sitting in a chair for a mohawk at noon.

The glasses will take some adjusting. I dare say more so than the mohawk!

And I wish I could have taped the lady in the waiting area watching my ten year old get a mohawk. She gave me dirty glances and shook her head the whole time. She was disgusted and I would venture to say thinking that parents like me are dooming society!

What fun is summer if you can't live a little via a new haircut. And it is cute!!!!!!!

Just for today.....lighten up and live. It is hair lady! HAIR! This amazing thing that grows incrediable fast!!!!!!!!!

Lyn

Watching

I am Legend wasted 100 minutes on this one. I would NEVER want kids to see this or be around when this was being watched. Disturbing scenes of creatures. I was dissapointed because I like Will Smith.

The Best Game Ever Played two thumbs up. Nothing for parents to be concerned with, whether you have the younger set watching or the younger set will be in and out while you are watching. The under 10 group in our house loved it as much and the 30 and above group.

The Water Horse two thumbs up. It spawned a whole discussion of The Loch Ness Monster, which in our house is what we like. Movies that bring up discussion. There were many deep parts, war - death - letting go. This is one for families to watch together in case things need to be explained.

Lyn

Talking Thoughts

So Rowdy One comes to me tonight almost in tears....

"My head hurts. There are too many thoughts in there."

I tell him to go take a shower, relax and he will feel better. The thoughts will relax and each will find room and settle down for the night.

I hear something in the bathroom so I go to investigate and he has the radio turned up and he is singing at the TOP of his lungs, to every word, of

We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister

Yep, rasin' these young'un right with bad 80's rock and talking thoughts!!!!

Guys, I really could not make this stuff up.

Lyn

Eye Candy

I really want her!

And this, for the person who has EVERYTHING!

My birthday is coming up. This lamp would be nice.

Lyn

What was that Honey???

What stopped me in my tracks today? While reading the paper on line I hear Rowdy One on the keyboard. And I recognize the song!!!

Now for the past 6 years he has played "his" stuff. But since starting his piano lessons this year he has been learning more and more. His brother helps him as needed, since Wise one has been playing since he was five.

BUT today was the day for Rowdy One. A tune that was lovely to hear! He got it!!!!

Lyn

Stuff

Life. Just smacks you in the face sometimes.

Do you know how many posts I write in my head and then never have time to sit down and actually write? Do you know? A. LOT.

Do you know how many pictures I take to post and never do? Do you know? A. LOT.

Life is busy and as much as I want to document it here, I don't have time. Sadly.

I have recipes to post. Quotes. This and that and alot of STUFF.

At times I need to just get it out so it will quit swimming in my head and making me all seasick. Sometimes I just need to brush up on my typing skills since I mostly type numbers all day. And sometimes I really do have something important to say.

But mostly I don't have time to sit down. and type.

Damn.

Damn it.

Well, e is still sick and she is still making me laugh and think and wrap my head around one day her not being here to make me laugh and think.

Rowdy One and Wise One are still rowdy and wise. Beyond their years. Some days they even switch titles. That seems to be happening more and more these days.

I have a friend having a baby after being told FOREVER that it would never happen. Oh and guess what she is single. And should never have to explain that but she does and she will and well this world is still incredibly closed minded.

I have another friend who has found love after she totally swore it off. She is giddy in love with this man. They are shacking up in their old age and loving every minute.

Another friend is finding the way to her voice. She has a wonderful boyfriend who is walking with her on this journey of self discovery.

Life is moving along. Mostly rather quick like. Wise One is turning ten soon. OY!

Life. Just smacks you in the face sometimes.

Lyn

Chitter Chatter

Ever have a day when duct tape sounds like a good way to keep people from talking to you? Mainly the under nine crowd that lives with you. And keeps talking and arguing and trying to get the last word and did I say argue and talk and try to get the last word in. And oh yeah, they keep talking to you. CONSTANTLY. Like word after word. After word. And then another word. Oh and then one more word.

Ever think, it seemed like a good idea then to have them so close together?

Ever wonder how many times you must say brush your teeth before it gets done? And then realize it has been said all together AT LEAST 20 minutes and the teeth brushing lasted....7 seconds tops. Ever wonder?

Just wondering, maybe I am the only one.

Ever wonder where they get that tone and why you can't just clean it permanently out of their little sweet precious mouths before you decide to just forget the whole cleaning idea and grab the duct tape?

Well, that has been my day....what about you?

Lyn

Easter...eggs

Easter 2008

1. Lantana

2. Passion Vine

3. Fuschia

4. Hummingbird Vine

5. Hyacinth

All from my mother's yard on Easter.

lyn

Teaching to make future wives happy.

I taught a powerful lesson today. One that mystifies most homes. One that conjures up memories of past generations. One that seems to handpick who is born knowing how to do it.

I taught my boys how to change the toilet paper roll.

It was a very in depth discussion. With detailed steps. And while I do not know if I have set the bar too high, I hope they are able to one day master this skill.

A mother's dream. A future wife's early gift.

lyn

Math Genius

Rowdy One is 7 and almost a half.



We pull up to the local fast food joint for a chicken sandwich. (no comment on the choices of a stressed out mother and a hungry kid, amazing things happen a fast food line)



That will be a 1.08, drive up.



I reach down and grab a five and instantly hear....



She will owe you 3.92.



um....okay.



Um okay. That is all I could say as I am checking him by counting backwards in my a quiet as I can.



I learned to count change at 15. When I took my first job. And it took me awhile to master it.



He. is. seven. And he didn't hesitate.



lyn

Also

Just noticed I have been blogging for two years.

Happy Blog-o-versary!

I think I might do a give away.

lyn

So much to talk about, so little time.

Life has been flying by at a very rapid pace.

We had a bout with the flu, where the little people of the house were knocked on their keesters and where I caught up on some movie watching.

Miss Potter
Becoming Jane
The Jane Austen Book Club

We took a vacation over spring break to Sea World San Antonio.

And of course Easter just passed.

In between all this cooking, some good recipes I plan to share, books read, again will share, laundry, cleaning, working (tax season) and loads of interesting conversation.

I will leave you with this one between myself and Rowdy One on the day we were leaving for vacation:

Are you super excited?

Yes, I am really excited about the wax museum.

Really? Why?

I want to see Teddy Roosevelt.

blink. blink.

Who do you want to see mommy?

Brad Pitt.

More to come......

lyn

Home Alone

I am home alone.

Folding a basket full of socks. Seriously, they multiply like rabbits. Or mice. Or whatever multiplies quickly.

Eating my new obsession.

Waffles.

Spread with Nutella.

And topped with sliced bananas.

Oh. My. Goodness.

MLK

I don't know alot about history. Well, I take that back. What I have learned about history I learned on my own as an adult. My goal is for my children is to know that they can have a relationship with history all their life. Not just when they are old.

Wise One and I watched this on MLK last night. It wasn't the classroom version. I just found this this morning and am eager to go over some of it with him. He is 9 and of the age where he can figure things out even when they go unsaid. He can read between the lines a bit. He is one smart cookie. This age is very exciting.

Of course after that he watched an edited version of School of Rock. He is still a kid, you know. It ain't all Mozart and Einstein!

Read something on MLK today. Stop and think about what the man's mission is. It really is inspiring.

Lyn

Chosen

A few nights ago as The Chosen One and I lay in bed watching TV we realized that it was the 15th anniversary of our first date. Or was it 16? No, no it was 15? Are you sure? Not really. Lets see this happened then and that happened that year and yes it is our 16th year together. I mean, 15. I think after a week we settled on 15. Fifteen years together.

He kissed me one night and from then on we were together. A couple, never really talked about it. Just kept seeing each other day after day. Funny how that happened, when I think of it now. No conversation of I like you and I want you to be this to me. It just was. And still is.

I have dug deep in my relationship with The Chosen One. For myself and for us. Some days we didn't come out right. Other days we were the only things I could make come out right at all. In our early relationship I hurt him.........I know you don't want me anymore, I said. No, I will always want you, he said. Years into our marriage he hurt me.......I don't think I want you anymore, I said. Then I will wait here until you want me again, he said.

Anytime I have asked him for more he has given it. Anything. You need me to bend, just tell me how far, he says. All so that he could love me. That is all he asks in return.

Therapy, paint this, buy that, do you like my new haircut, I want to change jobs, we need to save money, please wear these jeans, I don't like those, can you make it again, will you get me this, just one more please, leave me alone, talk to me more, touch me here, don't wake me up, why did you let me do that.

I am not easy to live with. The struggles with depression and migraines and OCD.......make me want to leave myself some days. But The Chosen One stays. Solid and strong. Flexible and soft. A safe place to land and a safe place to plow down.

There are days when we get it all wrong. We say the wrong thing in the wrong tone at the wrong time. It is just all wrong. But the next day he is always there to start over again.

In the depths of my grief or anger or depression or sadness I have always reached out and found his hand. Right there as it always has been.

Fifteen years. All started when I said yes to a date. I found a true companion. A true friend. A life mate. A co-parent. Sometimes I have wandered how did we get together in this crazy world? And then I remember he was Chosen for me. And I was chosen for him.

That makes it all seem possible, workable, doable. It really is bigger than us, this love we have. Much bigger than us.........

Lyn

a few changes.....

in the way I handle things.....................

just because I start reading a book doesn't mean I have to finish reading a book. I already returned one to the library that did not catch my attention in the first three chapters.

it. is. okay.

when I think of something either do it RIGHT THEN or send myself a reminder.

**oh and a new bird calendar has been hung, in the bathroom, so that they may learn about birds they may never see. they are already excited!

lyn

A few things 2007 taught me......

1. If you hang it up for them to see, IN THE BATHROOM, they will see it and learn it! (Small map of the US, pictures and names of the presidents, the art picture of the week)

2. If you tell them WE ARE NOT HAVING A BAD DAY first thing in the morning it usually goes down hill from there.

3. Crappy things happen to really good people.

4. When my head starts to hurt, if I can run to a quiet place and meditate for a bit it seems to ease the headache.

5. I love my girlfriends.

6. Keeping a spotless house is just not really that important to me anymore.

7. Neither is keeping up with the laundry.

8. I love to learn.

9. I am a really BIG pack rat.

10. Retirement isn't always what people want it to be.

Now some of these things I have known but they really were shown to me this year!

Lyn