Thank You Amber!!

While Brian and I were in San Antonio enjoying our anniversary weekend the boys were home with my friend, Amber.

She loves the boys. And they love her. She is undoubtedly the bestest babysitter ever in the history of babysitters!

While we were gone she took the boys bowling and mini-golfing. She played video games with them. She watched cartoons with them. She did just about everything they wanted to do. And she did it with a smile on her face :)

They spent some of their time together being crafty. And sneaky! These picture frames were birthday presents for me. So sweet!

She also spent four hours tie dying shirts with them. Four hours! I am telling you, I am not sure I have the patience for that. Ok, maybe I do. But I am really glad she did this project with them. Their shirts looks wonderful. I got one too, but I wear it so often that it is never clean long enough for someone to take my picture in it.


Here's another birthday present they made for me:


And to top it all off ... they made a birthday cake for me!

Thank you Amber for making sure my boys had a fun and exciting weekend. Every single minute we were gone we knew they were safe and happy. That made it easier for us to enjoy our time together. You're the bestest!

Excuses, Excuses

On Wednesday I said that I would post pictures of the boys' weekend projects "tomorrow" - -meaning on Thursday. Now it's Saturday and I haven't done it yet. But I have a reason. It's a darn good one too. You see, one of their projects was tie dye shirts. They are very cool looking and I want to include them in my post. They were in the laundry so I put them in the wash on Wednesday planning to get them through the laundry, on the boys, on the camera, transferred to the computer and into my blog on Thursday. I did not realize, however, that Brian had washed a load of white laundry. Now I am telling you, there is nothing I hate more about housework than folding white laundry. It's the worst! Well, washing the plantation blinds pretty much sucks too. But white laundry ... oh how I despise it! When I do laundry I wash and dry the white load last so that it can sit in the dryer until everyone in the house is on their last pair of underwear and I am forced to fold it. Anyway, I folded the dreaded white laundry this morning so the post of the boys projects (and a thank-you to their sitter) is coming soon. Right after I recover from going out with a couple of my girlfriends from the college tonight. Hopefully that excuse is good enough for you. Now Jennifer ... you don't have any excuses for not updating your blog. You have 4 kids, live 24/7 with your husband right now, and are within 5 miles of your mother. I know you have blog materal. Get to it girl!

Anniversary Getaway Weekend

As I mentioned in this post Brian and I recently celebrated our anniversary. It just so happens that we share an anniversary with Brian's new commander and his wife. We figured the company would crash and burn if they were both gone at the same time so we took weekends off at different times. Last weekend was our weekend to go away. We went to San Antonio and stayed at the Inn on the Riverwalk. If you go to the website you can see a picture of the main house. We stayed in one of the smaller houses that is owned and operated by the same family:

This is the view of the San Antonio Riverwalk from our porch:

Here is the inside of our room. Well, the important part anyway. Check out the rose petal heart that they put on our bed for us. So sweet!

We did a little bit of shopping, some sight-seeing, lots of hand-holding, and talked as much as we wanted to without being interrupted by any kids. We stayed out really late and tried to sleep in. We had a great weekend and I really don't know why we only seem to do something like this once every ten years or so!

We were basically around the corner from the exciting night life of the Riverwalk. It was great because we were far enough away that it was quiet, peaceful and secluded, but close enough that I was able to walk home after having too many of these:

The entire weekend lasted about 48 hours. It doesn't seem like a long time, but we came home refreshed and ready to jump right back into parenting our two great boys. Tomorrow I am going to try to post pictures of what they did with their sitter while we were gone. They were definitely busier than we were! I can't wait to show you some of the projects they made ...

Wordless Wednesday -- "Skin, Scales & Slime"

The Treadmill Anniversary

Earlier this month Brian and I celebrated our anniversary. On wikipedia.org it says this: Married persons who regard the day of their marriage as important may mark the occasion in some special way. Brian and I do tend to think of the day of our marriage as important, but we are not big into the gift giving thing. I remember one year for my birthday when we were in NY with all four kids he gave me a Pepsi and left to drive back to Maryland without me. He took all four kids and I stayed to spend the day with my parents. I drove home by myself the next day, listening to music and not talking for the entire 6 or 7 hours that I was on the road. I am telling you, that was a nice "gift"! Anyway, some of the more traditional gifts that are suggested are wood for the 5th, tin or aluminum for the 10th, crystal for the 15th, china for the 20th, silver for the 25th, gold for the 50th, and diamonds for the 75th. The modern list is a little different, but you get the idea. This year for our anniversary we bought a treadmill. Technically we didn't buy it as an anniversary gift, but it did happen to be delivered really close to our anniversary. So that's my story. It's the treadmill anniversary this year. That's our excuse for spending that much money on ourselves anyway. Good enough?

What Do You See?

This is what I found when I went into the kitchen today. What do you see? Do you see things left out on the counter? An open bag of bread? A big plop of jelly spilled on the counter? That isn't what I see. I see independence! I see that I have graduated ... I no longer wipe noses, wipe butts, tie shoes, wash hair, or make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Life is good!

(PS I do still try to kiss boo-boo's, but they are rejecting that lately. I guess I have to take the bad with the good)

Friday's Feast July 11

Ok, enough with the Friday's Feast already! I am caught up (they didn't have one on the 4th). I know you're sick of the useless information that comes out of my Friday's Feasts, but I am really lacking blog material now that the Ludwigsens and Starrs are gone.

Appetizer
When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed?
Late April or early May -- can't remember exactly. It was the day I went to Olive Garden with Jennifer, Precious, and Morgan. (Like that helps)

Soup
Name one thing you miss about being a child.
Endless energy

Salad
Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil.
Olive oil for cooking, butter for baking
Main Course
If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why?
Russian because I knew it once and let it slide

Dessert
Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be…
celebrating Brian's retirement

Happy Birthday Little Buddy!

Happy Birthday to my nephew! We love you little guy!!

Friday's Feast June 27

Appetizer
What is the weather like today where you live?
hot, hot and more hot

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you?
-62

Salad
What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.?
2" plantation blinds throughout

Main Course
Name something that instantly cheers you up.
cheesecake (I am so shallow sometimes!)

Dessert
How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning?
I almost always wake up before the alarm

Friday's Feast June 20

Appetizer
If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose?
Europe

Soup
Which browser do you use to surf the Internet?
IE

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you know about the history of your country?
5

Main Course
Finish this sentence: Love is…
constant

Dessert
Have you ever been in or near a tornado?
Hm, not really. Last spring we had one right here in town, but it just got really windy at my house. Jennifer got a new trampoline outta the deal so I am almost hoping the next one gets closer.

Friday's Feast June 13

Appetizer
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?
I am definitely an optimist. Glass half full all the way.
Soup
What is your favorite color of ink to write with?
Black.
Salad
How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?
I get a salon pedicure about twice a year. Then I try to make it last a month! Lame, I know.
Main Course
Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?
Nope. Nothing. I try to enter all of Pioneer Woman's contests, but so do 10,000 other people so my chances aren't great.
Dessert
In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?
In the livingroom so that when I spend unreal amounts of time doing stupid things like facebook or myspace I can set a good example for my sons. I'm a good mom like that.

We All Love Fridays, Right?

I skipped several of my Friday's Feast posts while I was on vacation so I am going to spend the next several days going back through the weeks and catching up.
Here's the Friday's Feast that I was supposed to do on June 6:


Appetizer

When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup?

I like Pepsi from a can poured into a glass with a straw.

Soup

What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch?

Grey's Anatomy.

Salad

Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant.

Chase

Main Course

Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas?

Yes, but not to save gas. I would do it for three day weekends!

Dessert

If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself?

Brian used to call me Peggy Perfect after a German cartoon lady that was on a lot of the kitchen supplies we bought. I guess I strive to be Peggy Perfect at home. Lame, I know.

I am turning into Maxine

Yesterday after my reading class I went to the college bookstore to buy the book that was labeled "optional" in the syllabus, but seems very necessary to me. It wasn't there. I went back after class this morning and it still wasn't there so I decided to ask if they knew when to expect it. My thinking was that it might save me from walking over there every day just to see an empty spot on the shelf. So I walked up to the girl at the counter, whom I will refer to as stupid girl #1. This is how it all went down:

me: "Excuse me, there is a book that I need for my reading class that is not here. If I tell you the title, can you tell me when it will arrive?"

stupid girl #1: "Uhhh, the book you want isn't here?"

me: "No. I am sure it's been ordered. I was just wondering if you know when to expect it."

stupid girl #1: "Summer II?" (refering to the semester that started yesterday)

me: "Yes." (thinking, what the hell difference does that make?!?)

stupid girl #1: "Let's look on the shelf."

me: "I can tell you the title if that's what you need."

stupid girl #1: (she doesn't answer me, looks at the shelf in the exact place I looked, then walks over to stupid girl #2) "Hey, stupid girl #2, she (referring to me) needs a book for her reading class."

stupid girl #2: "Yeah, we are out."

me: "I can see that. I was wondering if you knew when to expect it?"

stupid girl #2: "We ordered it yesterday."

me: "Do you know when it will be in?"

stupid girl #2: "Your professor called us and we ordered it yesterday."

me: (trying really hard not to yell so I just stare blankly at her thinking all kinds of mean things)

stupid girl #2: "Your professor knows we don't have the book."

me: (speaking slowly as if that will help) "Yes, I know that. I just want to know if you know when it will be here."

stupid girl #2: "We put a rush on it."

me: (more blank stares and mean thoughts)

stupid girl #2: "I guess you could check back tomorrow. It's supposed to be here by tomorrow, at the latest."

me: "Thanks." (walk out the door and think more mean thoughts)

I mean, all I could think about was how absolutely stupid these girls were. I asked them a simple question. The expected answers where (1) we don't know when it will be in or (2) it will be here on XXX date. How hard is that? Did I need to know that my professor knew the book was out? Did I need to know that they ordered it yesterday? Nope. None of that. I only needed an answer to my ONE FREAKIN QUESTION!!! Sometimes I can feel myself slowly turning into Maxine!

Happy Birthday Lisa Lou Hoo

Happy Birthday to the best sister a girl could ever ask for. Love ya!

Traveling

AAA estimates 40.45 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles over the holiday weekend. That 40.45 million Americans who will squish kids into the back seat of a car like this:

Hoping that they will do lots of this:

Because the parents will be dealing with this:

And traffic jams that cause this:

And idiots like this:

Who can't read signs like this:

And at the end of the day when you absolutely can't drive any more and the kids can't sit any more you will be grateful to find a place where they can do this:

While you do this:

Then the next day you get up and do it all over again because you live so darn far away from everyone you love. And they are worth it. Really. At least they are a week later when you've finally done all of the laundry, unpacked the car, gotten some sleep in your own bed, and have had a chance to look at the photos of everything fun you did. Time to start planning next summer's trip. Fortunately for me I will not be traveling with the other 40.45 million Americans this weekend. I will be walking two blocks to the lake to watch fireworks. And I will be planning next year's vacation from the comfort of my own home. Phew!

(PS If you think I am complaining, I am not. I am grateful that our kids didn't do any projectile vomiting like the Hinton kids did in McDonald's, the Starr kids did in IHOP, and the Familo kids did all the way through four states on I-95S. Very grateful!)

"Get Back for Bob"

On June 21 Lisa, Shelley, Brandi and I went out to the bar where I've kissed so many boys I can't count Old City Hall in Oswego to attend the "Get Back for Bob" fundraiser. Bob's family was struck by a drunk driver on scenic highway 1 along the California coast. It's a beautiful drive, and a tragic event. Throughout the weekend Bob's family hosted various events to help Bob and his daughters. Bob was one of those guys in high school that got along with and was liked by everyone. He didn't try to fit into any particular clique but seemed to have friends everywhere. I think that was obvious over the weekend. The event at Old City Hall was like a class reunion without nametags! I saw more people in one night than I have seen in the 16 years since I graduated from high school. It was an amazing night and I think a good time was had by all. I hope that the weekend was a huge success for Bob and his family.

See the guy on the left with the striped shirt? He was my first "slow dance boyfriend" in middle school -- Steve. The guy in the blue shirt is Jeff, another all-around good guy. And Bob is in the hat. I don't know the other guys, but I probably should. 16 years tends to cloud the memory a little. There is a reason people wear nametags at reunions!


Brandi, me, Lisa -- We drank all night and didn't get drunk. Some things never change at Old City!


The night wasn't only a class reunion, but a family reunion too. Here's a picture of Shelley & me with our cousin Zoe.

Bob singing "Every Rose has it's Thorn"
All of the music that night was from the late 80s, early 90s. Talk about feeling right at home ... in my favorite bar, with my favorite music. It was a good night.


A picture of the bar. Nothing has changed!


The deck on Water Street. Nothing has changed!


Wait a minute, something's changed!!!! Sam & Jo, do you ever remember seeing anything like this when we were kids? Think Water Street during Harborfest .... hm .... there's something wrong with this picture!

We all had a good time that night and will continue to keep Bob and his family in our hearts. Here are some links if you are interested in reading more or donating to Bob and his daughters:

• Article in the Pall Times regarding the fundraising weekend
• Article from their local paper in CA after the accident
• Website set up by Bob's church for donations
• youtube video for Bob's wife Linda

I also have an Oswego address/bank account for anyone that wants to send money directly to the fund set up by Bob's family. Email me and let me know if you want it.

Wordless Wednesday -- Sesame Street

Tagged

I was tagged by Lisa @ Sweet Home Alabama to answer all of these questions. And since I haven't put my 500 pictures online from the month of June I guess this makes for easy blog material.

1) LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER? Kung Fu Panda

2) WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? Alphabet Weekends

3) FAVORITE BOARD GAME? Anything the boys feel like playing

4) FAVORITE MAGAZINE? Women's Health or Everyday Food or Fitness or Family Circle or People (everyone needs some good gossip once in a while)

5) FAVORITE SMELLS? clean babies fresh out of the tub

6) FAVORITE SOUNDS? Today, as I get ready to start summer classes next week, I am going to say my favorite sound is a professor saying "That's all I have for you today"

7) WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD? Being scared something might happen to the boys one day

8)WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN U WAKE UP? I wonder if I can get away with 15 more minutes of sleep

9) FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE? Taco Bell or Zaxby's

10) FUTURE CHILD'S NAME? n/a but I really like Zoe or Riley

11) FINISH THIS STATEMENT—"IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’d…pay all my bills, my family's bills, then convince everyone to retire here in Texas with us.

12) DO YOU DRIVE FAST? Not really

13) DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? Once in a while

14) STORMS–COOL OR SCARY? Cool. I love to watch thunderstorms!

15) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? free

16) FAVORITE DRINK? Alcoholic: Margarita. Non-Alcoholic: Water or lemonade

17) FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD…finish my scrapbooks!

18) DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI? yup

19) IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOUR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE? ???

20) NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN.
~hometown, New York
~basic training, South Carolina
~language training, California
~AIT training, Texas
~army post, Germany
~SAHM-ville, Texas
~SAHM-ville, Germany
~SAHM-ville, Texas
~SAHM-ville, Maryland
~SAHM-ville, Germany
~SAHM-ville, Maryland
~SAHM-ville, California
~SAHM-ville/preschoolteacherville, North Carolina
~SAHM-ville/collegestudentville, Texas

(SAHM= stay at home mom)

21) FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? UFC

22) ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I love her like the sister I always wanted! She is a wonderful mother and a perfect friend! ILY!

23) WHATS UNDER YOUR BED? wrapping paper, gift bags, etc

24) WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN? yup

25) MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Used to be a morning person, but the older I get the more I am shifting towards being a night owl. Not so good since I am hoping to start teaching in about a year!

26) OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP? scrambled

27) FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX? bed

28? No question given and I am too tired to think up anything creative to say

29) FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? vanilla with fresh raspberries

30) OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE TAGGED, WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST? Jennifer, even though she'll complain about it

Ok, I am tagging Jennifer, Julie, Cherie, and Samantha. I would tag Joanna, Mandy, and Cindy too but I can't convince them to get on the blogging bandwagon.

Friday's Feast June 13

Appetizer

Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?

Optimist for sure. My glass is half full.

Soup

What is your favorite color of ink to write with?

Black.

Salad

How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?

I get a pedicure about twice a year in the salon. Again I prove how lame I really am.

Main Course

Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?

Nope.

Dessert

In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?

In the living-room. Hopefully someday we'll have enough rooms to have a home office.

Bad Hair Day

My beautiful, beautiful Penelope Jean. She is so pretty. Or should I say she was pretty? Before we left for vacation I had a bright idea: Get her hair cut to make it easier for Brian to take care of her. Her long hair needs constant attention. I wanted Brian to be able to take her on Sammy's trail walks with him each night. I also didn't want to ask Brian to spend an hour combing her out after every walk. So I took her to the groomer for a "puppy cut." The puppy cut is a cute alternative to a long coat. This is the best picture I could find online to show you what I was hoping for.

So ... I took her to the groomer, explained what I wanted, and this is what I got back at the end of the day:

Now I understand why some people cry after a hair cut. Yes, even though it is my dog, I almost cried. Her hair looks terrible! You can't see the long stringy chunks of hair hanging off her legs in these pictures. You can't see how choppy it is. I felt so bad that I called my mom in desperation and she talked me through finishing the job and chopping off the top. Then my mom offered to buy PJ a plane ticket to come home with us so that she could fix it. I considered her offer, but decided I would be too embarrassed for everyone in Florida and North Carolina to see my precious princess in this homely cut!

It's been almost a month since her tragic day at the groomer's and her hair is finally starting to grow in a little bit. We are going to wait about another month and then try to find a groomer that understands what a puppy cut is. I will be starting interviews soon. Or maybe I will just buy my mom a plane ticket to come down here and fix this for me!!