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Today was a day filled with baseball. Sucky baseball. We played like crap. Well, not totally like crap, the first game we did okay, even though we lost.
The second game ...
sucked.
Sucked donkey.
So I don't really want to talk about it.
On to better news ...
LOOK!
The first strawberry has been discovered:
Wonder where that waskily wabbit went to?
Hhhhhhmmmm ....
Okay ...
It's Friday night. And everyone is asleep.
I'm not used to this. Usually, I'm the first one passed out on the couch. At 8:30pm.
And I know what you all are thinking ... "Lay Off The Drink!"
But I tried that ... and that's not it.
Seriously.
I did that. And that's NOT IT.
So anyway.
Here I am.
At 10:30pm on a Friday Night.
I can remember back when this was such an exciting time of day. A time when I haven't even left the house yet for the evening ... and there was such a long night ahead. Full of dancing. And drinking. And socializing. And flirting with boys.
All that bull crap that doesn't really matter ... (I can say that since I've got Big Daddy upstairs, fully content with ME. Or at least I think he is.)
Now, many years later and what seems like another life entirely, I have kissed 4 sleepy heads, 3 of which are already asleep. Packed the cooler minus ice for the baseball tournament tomorrow (local), fished Jake's nut cup out from behind the washer. Long story, a whole other post that I'll threaten him with ... unless he SWINGS THE BAT TOMORROW! (Good-bye cash. Hello Blackmail.), and set out everyone's clothes for the easiest transition tomorrow morning from the bed ... to the clothes ... to the breakfast table ... to the car ... (ooops, to the bathroom first) ... to the baseball fields.
I think I have it under control.
Now on to Season One, Episode One of Ugly Betty.
Yeah, I'm the only person is the U. S. of A. that has never seen "Ugly Betty" !!
Hello? I've got four kids.
I don't get out much.
Or the TV doesn't get turned on much.
Or something like that ...
I know last week was the first week, but only two of us participated in Pay It Forward Friday. Me. And Jenny. Thanks Jenny!
I'm impatient. Very. So, rather than posting another Pay It Forward Friday, and then coming back every 10.34 minutes to see if anyone has taken part, I'm going to post a poll to see if anyone out there is even remotely interested in it. So, since I won't know who you are, and what your vote will be, please take the poll below. Never mind that I'll cry my eyes out, have my feelings crushed and will lose all faith in coming up with new and creative things that I want to share, if you all don't want to do it.
Really never mind all that. I'll be fine. I'll make it through.
Seriously, my meds are kicking in and my journaling is helping tons ... so I'll be able to handle whatever you all decide very well.
Just take the damn poll.
Thank you.
A big thanks to Shannon over at Rocks In My Dryer for giving me a little advice on the Mister Linky. A little makeover will have to be made on the blog to install it correctly, but this will give me another week to figure it out.
I don't know if you all can remember back to the week before last, when I was searching for a new camera, because mine bit the dust and I can't live without one. Never mind the fact that I always find it too much trouble to pull it out and snap some photos when I should, but I'm trying to do better in that department.
Anyway, after making my decision with the help of Mark, I decided to start working on Big Daddy. I gave him a ring and nonchalantly asked if there was a Best Buy between where he was and where he was going. He confirmed there was and I pleasantly asked him to stop in there and call me, because there was a camera I was going to beg and plead with him for the next couple of days to purchase for me, and I at least wanted him to see it.
He said he'd call.
And he didn't.
So, being the persistent bitch that I am, I call him again.
He says he forgot.
I got mad. (Remember, I'm a bitch like that)
No joke, about 10 minutes later, Big Daddy rolls into the driveway.
With a camera.
The exact one I wanted.
And I never once mentioned to him which one I had decided on earlier.
I'd say that's love.
Soul mates through and through.
And for those who lost faith in Big Daddy over the whole chair thing ... I'm sure it's restored now, right?
However, any bets on how long it actually takes to get my chair?
There is only two days left. TWO DAYS! And I spaced posting about the Scrapbribing going on over at Iowa Geek.
What the hell? I mean, I post about his every.single.month ... and this month ... SPACED!
I don't know what happened.
Maybe it has something to do with the husband, four kids, cat, baseball games, football games, baseball practices, out of town tournaments, pre-school, playgroups, grocery shopping, dinners to be made, snacks to be given, yadda yadda.
Maybe not. But maybe so. We'll never know.
HOWEVER, there is still two days left. So if you want THIS ...
get over there and enter. Do not forget to tell her that An Iowa Mom sent you.
Seriously, you can't forget that part ... or else you won't win.
Remember when I told you that we're all motivated by something? Well, for Jake it's money.
You got it.
Cold hard cash.
And you already know that Big Daddy and I will stoop low enough to "pay" our children to do certain things. You're thinking, "Well, of course, like an allowance!"
NO!
Like ... pay them to ... say ... SWING THE BAT IN A BASEBALL GAME.
That's right.
Jake is small. A tiny little thing for his age. And he has discovered that when he's up to bat in his baseball games, he doesn't have to swing. He'll get walked and on base almost every time. The reason is because he's hard to pitch to because he's so small. Not much of a strike zone and the pitcher (being 10 years old) has to adjust pitching from regular sized kids to a small kid ... and it usually takes a few times. At least four. And waa-laa, Jake finds himself on first base, anxious to steal second.
Well, we don't want him to play the game that way. If a good pitch comes his way, we want him to swing. The coaches, the parents and other teammates are always yelling for him to SWING THE BAT. But, when he does, he sometimes hits the ball. And it dribbles to the pitcher and he's thrown out. He hates that. Being walked is a better deal for him. But we want him to SWING!
Being the stubborn ass that he is, he doesn't.
Or I should say didn't. Until we started offering up some moola in exchange for a swing of the bat here and there.
Horrible, aren't we?
Anyway, Jake made a few bucks this weekend at the tournament and his team finished in 4th place. Why they give trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, AND 4th place, I don't know? I thought it should only be 1st, 2nd and 3rd ... but that wasn't the case, so Jake climbed into the Suburban late Sunday afternoon with a trophy in hand, and he was thrilled to say the least. I can't even begin to tell you how excited and happy he was.
Somewhere along the 2 hour ride home, he said, "With all the money I made swinging the bat this weekend, I'm going to buy a polisher. That way I can polish my trophy every single day. I love it."
Yeah, okay! At first I was dumb founded. This didn't sound like my kid. Did we accidentally take someone else home from the ball game?
Then, after studying his pretty blue eyes and big ol' buck teeth, I realized, this is indeed Jake. At that point, I was so happy this dorky little sunburned 10 year old was mine, he was growing up and wanting to take care of the things he earned and held close to his heart. However, that was almost 4 days ago, and he still hasn't even brought the damn thing in the house yet.
I haven't participated in Wordless Wednesday since I don't know when. And while I have many words I could use to accompany this photo ... I think it's best I just keep my mouth shut this time.
Yesterday morning, Big Daddy stepped out onto the deck and discovered this:
Yeah, that cute little bunny rabbit. WHO'S EATING ALL MY STRAWBERRIES IN THE GARDEN. Big Daddy has threatened to put this little cutie to rest, permanently, but he's a big pile of mush and will probably never be able to follow through with his threat. We left Big Daddy alone with his thoughts and I took the kids upstairs to get cleaned up for the day.
Emily: Where's Daddy?
Drew: Outside killing the rabbit.
Emily: The rabbit? Oh no. (tears begin to flow)
Me: The rabbit is eating all of our strawberries.
Emily: OUR strawberries? The ones we eat in the summertime?
Me: Yes.
Emily: Kill him. Kill the rabbit right now.
Yeah, she's all heart.
Well, I'd say I did a hell of a job keeping you all updated throughout the weekend, didn't I?
HA!
I was lazy.
That is my only excuse.
Sitting at the ball park eating hot dogs and drinking cold coca-cola, set my mood for the evening, when I moved to the hotel pool and switched to pizza and beer. For once, my computer was the furthest thing from my mind.
But, we're home now, and life is back to normal. Kids are screaming. House is a mess. Laundry is piled up. My head is already pounding and it's only 9am.
Aahhh, home sweet home.
As for the games, I bet you'd rather have the brief run down, rather than a play by play anyway, huh?
Jake's team got 4th place at the tournament.
There ya go.
It was a good time had by all. I'll pay for it today and tomorrow, as the girls are BEYOND tired and are pretty close to ripping each other's hair out ...
Humph, that might make for a good video for you all later.
Until then, since I shared Drew's baseball video, I promised Jake I'd share a clip of him making the winning run in the first game (it's not for most, but this is a big deal for Jake). He has been working hard on his secondary lead, and he executed it well in this case ... HAWKS WIN! Video is only 20 seconds long.
By the way, I have a love hate relationship with fences.
AND ... like Drew's, it's NOT me screaming in the video. Also, sorry about the quality, I tried to compress it to make the file smaller and I haven't quite mastered the process yet.
A repeat performance of last year, we've packed up our family and headed west, for Jake's baseball tournament. While we only went 2 hours west ... we went west none-the-less.
And being the insane parents that we are, leaving a day early to spend some "family" time together, sounded like a good idea.
Did our parents not teach us anything? Oh wait, they did. My mom told me to stop having kids ... but it was my job to NOT LISTEN. Damn it!
I'll spare you the details, as I fully understand that you have your own problems. But I wanted to share a photo from the hot tub ... any guesses what Jake is saying as I snap the photo?
I think it was, "STOP RUNNING!"
No wait. That was me. For some reason I JUST CAN'T STOP SAYING THAT TONIGHT! Whether it be at the pool, restaurant or hotel room. It just keeps coming out.
And I think STOP RUNNING are the only two words that my children have the inability to hear this evening. Go figure!
Anyway, of course, I can't go more than two hours without being "connected". So, I may be at a 10 year old baseball tournament, but I'm still HERE. And I'll keep you updated on how our "Hawks" do.
STOP RUNNING!
Sorry! I must be on a loop.
Welcome to the very first "PAY IT FORWARD FRIDAY", I hope that you find some new blogs that you won't be able to get through the day without.
Today I want to share a blog that I found a few weeks ago and I really enjoy reading. It's called ...
THE BRAT PACK - Amy is the creator of this funny little place in Bloggyville and since I've been reading, it's rare that I close out without a smile on my face. She is a mother of four girls and loves the Houston Astros (and I still like her). I can't give you a favorite post, because I truly enjoy them all.
Head over to see what THE BRAT PACK is up to. Then come back to see what all of our participants below are reading (I know this is week #1, but there better be at least one other participant besides me).
Want to join in on PAY IT FORWARD FRIDAY - I personally invite you to do so. Just take a peek at the rules and don't forget to come back and sign Mr. Linky below.
Or don't, because I am a moron and can't figure out how to get it to work. If anyone out there knows how to get the Mr. Linky header script to work in Typepad, I'd love for you to clue me in.
For now, just leave your info in the comments section. Your name and link to your Pay It Forward Friday post.
Every now I then I run across a blog, that's not on my normal blogroll, that I just connect with. You know, when you read two or three entries and truly stay interested and engrossed in what the author is saying. I then add them to my blogroll and wish that everyone knew about the little secret I just discovered.
I decided it would be fun to have a day where everyone joined in and posted about a blog they enjoy and want to share with their readers.
And that it should be on Friday, because that gives people a list of good reading material for the weekend, when many bloggers don't update.
We are going to call it PAY IT FORWARD FRIDAY! Cool?
Want to play? I would really love you to.
Here are the rules. Get your posts ready for tomorrow. I'll put up the Mr. Linky at midnight tonight CDT.
Emily came and surprised me a few days ago with a long awaited sign of Spring.
And I must say, it smells glorious. After she picked the first lilac, we grabbed the scissors and snipped several more and brought them indoors, where the fragrance from the pretty vase continues to fill our kitchen.
I can't tell you how happy I am that Spring has finally arrived. It was a long time comin' this year.
That's for sure.
Someone must have snitched that I was looking for her, because there for awhile I thought I was going to have to go kick Mother Nature's ass.
I never thought I'd be talking about this.
I never thought I'd be blogging about this.
I never thought I'd be feeling like this.
I never thought I'd BE like this.
And what is this?
I feel crazy.
I feel angry.
I feel out of control.
I feel sad.
I feel lonely.
I feel irritable.
I feel like a failure.
I don't feel like ME!
I feel like crying ... all of the time.
Even during happy times.
And I went to the doctor.
And I talked.
We talked.
For a long time.
About a lot of things.
And she thinks I'm "depressed".
DEPRESSED.
What is that?
To me, depressed is when your high school boyfriend breaks up with you ...
or when ...
your manuscript that you've been working on for a year is rejected ... over and over and over again ...
or even when ...
you screw up the gravy on Thanksgiving Day when several family members are counting on it to moisten the dry turkey you've served ... with a smile.
A fake smile.
And usually a hidden and disguised tear.
Depressed is not a word to describe me.
Not ME!
Not the person whose eyes open to the daylight, only to shut them again wishing the day would never come.
Not the person who wishes it weren't "playgroup" day so she wouldn't have to force the smile she didn't mean, and chat with the other moms, as she watches her children misbehave and rip toys out of the hands of others.
Not the person who snaps at her children after they call her name 25 times to ask her the same question over and over again, just because they want to carry on a conversation with her.
Not the person who beats herself up over the fact that she can't complete her 'to do' list each day.
Not the person who cooks her family a meal every evening and sits at the table discussing the day without ever taking a bite.
Or the person who doesn't sleep at night, rather she lies awake and worries about everything under the sun, including what to plant in the vegetable garden and what snacks to pack for a weekend trip to a baseball tournament.
Does that sound like a person who is "depressed"?
Yeah.
I guess all the signs were there. Have been there. For over a year now. I justified them as being in a little slump. I've got four little kids for crying out loud. Of course I should feel like this. Or it was the weather, all that rain and snow would have anyone down in the dumps. I was strong. I could overcome it on my own.
But I couldn't.
So I gave in and made the call.
Not really knowing what to say, I admitted that I needed help. I couldn't just "get over it" all by myself.
My family was suffering because of it.
They were suffering because I was suffering. And while I could put myself through that day by day ... I couldn't do that to my husband and children.
Even I am not that selfish.
Where does one go from here?
I don't know, really ... but I know now that I'm going to find out.
The first step has been taken.
Today I discovered something about myself that I did not know before.
I totally, completely, 100% rely on my garbage disposal. It is used more than a bazillion times a day. It saves me more work than I had ever imagined.
And as of this morning ...
it's broken.
And I'm struggling to get through the day because of it.
I don't think I can live through another day without it. But I'm afraid I'll have to.
I just thought I'd share that with you.
Aren't you going to sleep better tonight knowing this fact about me?
Thought so.
A BIG, YELLOW SCHOOL BUS.
A TRIP TO THE LOCAL NATURE CENTER.
AN IMPROMPTU VISIT TO MCDONALD'S.
A POP WITH CAFFEINE.
AND ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD AGAIN.
I HAVE REDEEMED MYSELF.
<SIGH>
Today is Emily's second school field trip ever. These outings are very exciting for her, as they require riding the big, yellow school bus. A bus virtually identical to the one she watches her brothers ride away on every morning.
I carpool to preschool with a friend of mine, and she is responsible for taking the girls, and I am responsible for retrieving them. This morning as Emily was waiting in the driveway for her ride and I was snapping a few pictures to document this important day. Ya know, HER SECOND FIELD TRIP EVER!
As my friend pulled up, I leaned down and kissed Emily and told her to have a great time at the Nature Center and her response was ...
"But Mom! I haven't eaten breakfast yet!"
That was just when my heart sank and my mind raced, trying to replay the morning. I had assumed Big Daddy fed the girls, and he assumed I did.
You know what they say ... "When you assume ... you make an ass out of you and me."
And we proved this to be true this morning.
So, being the wonderful, nurturing, on top of things Mother that I am. I told her ...
"Don't worry about it. You don't need breakfast. Just have fun!"
Yeah, that's all I could come up with. Aren't I creative? Don't I just have a way about me that made Emily ride away feeling loved and cared for as her belly rumbled?
So, God forbid the girl grow up with an eating disorder ... and we can look back on this post and realize it's all my fault. Her mother. Telling her she doesn't need food, she just needs to have fun.
Yeah, that's nice.
Oh dear heavens ... I'm such a moron.
A run to Casey's to fill up my 44oz. coke was somehow fit into our morning schedule ... but breakfast for my 4 year old didn't. I feel AWFUL!
I suck.
I mean ... really suck!
And I know it. So you can spare me the nasty emails.
Rather than telling me how awful I am ... make me feel better by revealing one of your "Mommy Ooops Moments".
Come on ... fess up. You can't tell me you've never goofed up ROYALLY before.
You can post anonymously, ya know? So get to it so I feel better and can put down the phone from calling DFS on myself.
SARAH!
Nine of you ordered and using a random number generator, the result came in as:
Here are your sets:
Timestamp: 2008-05-19 15:45:50 UTC
The first one to order was Sarah, so she will receive her order for free, in addition to a $50 gift coupon to order more Tupperware. Sarah, please email me with your mailing address so I can send your check. :)
Everyone else who ordered. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Please email me your mailing address so I can send out your special thank you gift.
I'll post a new contest, later this week ...
Wow! I just realized my boys would be returning home from school in 30 minutes and that I haven't blogged today.
What is my problem?
If we were standing face to face, I'd give you permission to slap me upside my head. But we're not ... so .... sorry!
I do know what my problem has been today though ... I've been too busy playing with this:
I love love love it.
L - O - V - E It!
It takes video too! I wish I had something of quality to show you ... but all I've got is a video I took of Drew at baseball last night, 30 minutes after obtaining the camera. He is mighty proud of himself and has deemed himself a "REAL BASEBALL PLAYER". And at the young age of 7, none-the-less. Wow! Glad he told me.
He wanted me to share this video ... so if you've got 90 seconds to spare, have at it. And it's not me yelling RUN RUN RUN RUN. But it is me saying, "PAY ATTENTION!" HA!
I'll be back soon with more details, but for now I'm off to figure this thing out. Because remember who we're dealing with here. It takes me an hour and a few beers to figure out anything.
If you are a frustrated parent, you must watch this to know that life COULD be worse. You could be Mom to my two darlings.
Emily was wanting to sing for me.
Molly was taking a nap.
Molly woke up.
Enjoy a minute and 23 seconds of my life.
Oh yeah, and a little word of advice: Plug your ears about 50 seconds into the video.
Your welcome!
I've mentioned in a previous post that I am not a photographer. In all actuality, I'm probably the complete opposite. The camera can be nestled snuggly into my purse at an event, and it will never emerge from it's spot to capture a moment that could be remembered visually for a lifetime.
Effort is being made on my part to reverse that way of behavior. As why yesterday, while at Jake's Track and Field Day at school, I packed my camera ... with full intention of using it.
And I tried.
I really did.
It was pulled out.
Turned on.
Aimed.
Nothing.
It was then fiddled with.
Prodded.
Banged upside the flash a time or two.
No pictures.
Nada.
Zilch.
Zero.
And to think today's post was going to be all about how Jake did not place in his 100m dash. How he had the slowest kid in school on his team for the 400m relay. And how Molly fell and scrapped her face all up so we left before we could see him do the softball throw, standing jump, and running long jump.
While I could still blog that (and I guess I just did) ... it's just not as exciting without visuals, don't you agree? Either that or adjectives. But let's go with the visuals, as life is all about getting Big Daddy to open his wallet and spend money. It's fun watching his face go pale, and seeing his knees start to shake as he hands over his hard earned cash.
Just think, he'd been better off just buying me my chair, eh? God is punishing him. I'm completely convinced.
Anyway ... I'll get to the point. I don't know the first thing about cameras. I can just tell you what I want to use it for.
So! What do you recommend? What kind of camera do you have? Do you like it? Do you wish you had something different?
HELP ME!
It's only in your best interest ... as if I don't get a new camera soon ... all the posts you read of mine in the future will be about as exciting as this one.
Oh yeah ... let's be nice to Big Daddy and keep the cost of your suggestions below $500. If I have to get a new camera, I won't be able to afford funeral costs when he faints, hits his head on the sidewalk, then gets run over by the UPS truck when retrieving the bill from the mailbox.
I don't know if it was the aroma of the brownies baking in the oven ... or if someone slipped something into my soda when I wasn't looking ...
but either way, we had the best time together yesterday afternoon!
(And yes, I found a need to document it.)
To win! And I've changed my mind ... EVERY SINGLE PERSON will win. Read on ...
One gal emailed me this morning and asked if next week would be too late to order from my Tupperware party and be entered into the contest.
YES!
Today is the last day. Or tomorrow. I don't really understand ... it says that my party ends on Wednesday, May 14. However, on my party page, it says today that I have one day left. Does that mean today is the last day? Or tomorrow?
I'm confused.
I admit it doesn't take much. I've never claimed to be the sharpest crayon in the box, but darn it, I try.
UPDATE: It's Wednesday morning and the party is still showing "OPEN" so, if you'd like to order ... you are more than welcome to do so until tonight!
Anyway, if you wanted to order and be entered to win ... I'd get over there. Just by using that link, you'll be participating in my party. And in addition to the rules I stated over here, I'm adding something.
EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO ORDERS ANYTHING ... will get something from me. It's not Tupperware, but it is something that you'll be able to use over the summer months. And it will be personal ... from me to you. I promise, you'll like it. Or love it. One of the two.
Why would I do this? Because I'm nice like that. Well, not usually ... but I am today. So, I'd take advantage of it while you can. And because I'm so nice, I'm going to share with you a little treasure that my mom found ... check them out:
Holiday Stencils. Durable ones, not the crappy ones that don't work. OH MY! I would order them, but Mom already did ... to send to my little bundles of j - o ---- Damn it, I just couldn't quite get it out.
Anyway they are only $4.99 ... that's a half off special and available only online. Great deal if I say so myself. And costs less than what my little special gift I'll send you is worth. Really. You'll find them on the ONLINE EXCLUSIVES page.
And if your kids like stencils like mine do ... you might like these. Again, so durable.
Everyone knows Tupperware lasts forever. I'm picking up a set of these to donate to my daughter's preschool and another set for a future birthday gift, that I'll have on hand. I know, from personal experience that kids young and old entertain themselves with these for hours. There are 8 of these ... for only $21.00. You'll find them on the last page in the KIDS KIDS KIDS category.
Okay ... that's all I'm gonna say.
If you do end up ordering ... please let me know ... as I want to get your special gift from me out to you ASAP, and enter you into the contest.
Now back to my regular posting ...
I find it absolutely amazing that a four year old can cry hysterically for over two hours solely for being asked to eat BBQ Beef.
The couple next door find it pretty impressive too. Soon enough it will be hot and the windows will all be closed ... sparing my neighbors the agony of listening to my personal hell.
Yesterday, Mother's Day, I awoke knowing the day would be great. Big Daddy and the kids always acknowledge this day as being extremely special and try their best to make it fabulous in every way. It's even safe to say that on Mother's Day, I'm spoiled even more than on my birthday. Keep in mind though, all other days, I'm treated like total and utter crap.
So, Big Daddy announced that he had no gift for me. Which I knew. But he knew I wanted a bike. And I knew that he was going to let me pick it out.
Be aware that I'm not all about a "great" bike. I'm going more for color than features or quality. I mean really, in my case, I'm going to be riding it on a sidewalk around my neighborhood with the kiddos ... I don't need anything other than two tires and a seat that will carry my big butt from point A ... around back to point A. Pretty ... YES. Fancy ... NOT SO MUCH.
Sounds like a trip to Wally World is in order. And I find this, but in a pretty lavender color:
Not wanting to buy the first bike I see,I decide a quick jaunt over to Target would be good (any reason to get into Target is great, isn't it?). I didn't see a bike, but I did see this:
Then I couldn't decide whether I wanted a new chair, or a new bike.
Well, Big Daddy made that decision very easy. Back in the car and to Wal-mart we go.
And my new bike was ...
GONE!
Yes, gone. In the 10 minutes we took to make a decision , someone came in and stole my bike. Leave it to Wal-mart. I wish I could say I was surprised.
So I decide I want the chair, instead. But Big Daddy doesn't want a chair from Target for $220 because he says it will be a hunk of junk.
Maybe so.
But, with four kids, ages 10, 7, 4 and 3 ... I'm not exactly dumb enough to buy anything of quality. Well, maybe I am dumb enough, but I'm not admitting that.
Get me the chair, I'll be happy, and in 4 or 5 years we get rid of it and get all the stuff we really want ...
Better yet, two chairs ... as I'd like to replace both and would love for them to match.
He didn't go for it. Wouldn't even THINK about it.
So we went looking for chair, in other places. When Big Daddy realized a chair similar to the one I wanted would run about $1,100 ... he was totally out. A new chair was not in my immediate future.
I think I'm losing my touch, people ... though I admit I didn't think to pull out the eyelash batting. Damn. Why didn't I think of that?
Regardless. No chair. Big Daddy was having any of it. Mother's Day or not.
So, we ventured to the Wal-mart on the other side of town ... and I got my bike. And I went on a bike ride with Jake last night. And I loved it. But my calves didn't.
Do you know how out of shape I am?
You do now.
I really need to do something about that.
How was your Mother's Day?
Judging from the title of this post, you were probably led to believe that Big Daddy and I had a night out or something. A teeney tiny bit of time away from the kids? Some alone, romantic, quality time together ... that every married couple should share every two, three ... years.
Yeah, well, that doesn't happen for us. Only on very rare occasions. So, sorry to mislead you ... but if that was the conclusion you had come to, you were sooooo totally wrong. NOT EVEN CLOSE!
The title was referring to Drew and me. We have something in common. Something that the two of us share, and no one else in the family can do.
A special talent.
I'll spare you my presentation.
I think you get the point.
Okay, who doesn't like Tupperware?
Seriously? Who doesn't?
This time of year, every year, I fall in love with it over and over again. All the new things, in the new colors ... that are perfect for entertaining all the friends we'll have over this summer. Or holding all the quick meals I'll prepare before we run off to ball games. Or that I'll just slip into my bedroom and night and cuddle with. Yeah, I really love Tupperware.
I hate to rope people into coming to a party and feeling obligated to purchase something. It's a feeling I hate and I refuse to do it. So, when a friend asked me to host a party, I half heartedly agreed ... to a book party.
Then I found out about this new "online party" thing. I knew it was something I could definitely do. It was right up my alley and I was actually excited. Since I consider you all my friends ... you are all invited.
But there's more!
Here is the good part for you! In lieu of having my new "contest" this month, I'm going to offer a contest of sorts via a Tupperware party. Here's the deal:
If you order any Tupperware from my party using THIS LINK, you will be entered into the contest. You'll have until Wednesday, the 14th. On that day, I will choose a winner using a random number generator and that person will receive a check for their entire purchase price, making their order FREE, IN ADDITION to a $50.00 gift certificate for more Tupperware. Email me to book your own party, and I'll enter your name in for the drawing TWICE.
If you place an order, let me know what struck your fancy. I have a little somethin' somethin' for each and every order placed ... so everyone is actually a winner!
You only have until Wednesday, so let's GO SHOPPING! You'll also find some great specials below!
It's not listed above, but I'm getting the "Insulated Tumbler w/ Dripless Straw Seal", as it will be perfect for the baseball & football games we attend. Perfect for my pop or tea that I bring along to the games. You might like it too! Just type in Insulated Tumbler when you get to the Tupperware Site.
What is your favorite piece of Tupperware ... and why?
this is who I am ...
In all reality, THIS is who I am:
1. My name is really Wendy, but when I asked why she told her teachers my name was "Honey", Emily answered, "Because that is what Daddy calls you!"
2. I'm 36, not 24 ... have I mentioned Emily is my favorite child?
3. My favorite thing to do is not work, obviously ... it's playing with my kids and going to baseball games. Okay, that's a lie ... but it sounded good, didn't it? I do actually like going to Jake's baseball games ... but that's another whole post.
4. My favorite color is orange or yellow ... not purple. However, this changes almost daily.
5. My favorite TV show is ... uuummm ... I don't really have one favorite ... I'm liking Weeds, The Hills, Brothers & Sisters ... anything I can get in full seasons on DVD.
6. I don't always work at home when Emily is at school ... sometimes I just jump up and down and do a happy dance that I'm only with and having to scream at one child ... not four.
WHO ARE YOU?
I really wanna know.
The following conversation took place a few minutes ago:
Molly: I miss my Daddy!
Me: Aaawww, you do? I'm sorry!
Molly: Yes. I don't like YOU.
Me: You don't? <insert pretend sad face>
Molly: Nope, only Daddy. Will you call him for me so I can talk to him?
Me (being the childish mother that I am): Why would I want to do that? You don't even like me.
Molly (hands on hips, stomping her foot): Because YOU DO EVERYTHING FOR ME! CALL HIM! PLEASE!
I didn't.
Brat.
Serves her right.
I didn't even think about it when I cropped it for my last post, but I actually received several emails asking who's head I cut off in the picture that I used of myself for the Recipe For Disaster post.
Mostly mothers read this blog, so the majority will probably relate that not many photos are actually taken of US ... as WE are the ones behind the camera. So ... when I was writing the previous post and needed a picture of ME ... I didn't have but one on my computer ... and it included one of my children.
So, like the lazy and selfish mother than I am ... I cropped her out. And did a half ass job, by the way ... because I don't have all that fancy Photoshop software that so many of you frequently speak of. With that being told, it's was MORE THAN OBVIOUS that SOMEONE'S head was chopped off ... and for some reason ... that bothered some of you.
I HATE HATE HATE posting pictures of myself. It's fair to say that I don't think I look anything like I do in pictures. Maybe if I had that Photoshop software ... I'd like the way I looked better.
Think?
I'm going to let you in on a little secret ... ya know, because I'm nice like that. A little bit of advice, if you will. If you learn one thing at all from me, let it be this.
When you take this:
And add in some of this:
Then mix in a little bit of this:
It turns out really bad.
That's what happens when I try to have a little fun with my kids.
Luckily I remembered to buy those Dora band-aids last weekend. Though a bandage doesn't quite help my bruised hip and stone embedded palms.
However, if I look at this like it's purpose was purely for the neighbor's entertainment. It would have been a great success, if I do say so myself.
I'm off to go change my ice pack now.
What do these three children all have in common?
If you guessed that they are all siblings and are loved dearly by the same parents ...
YOU'RE WRONG!
I wipe cheeks and mouths at least 20 times a day ... and still ... most pictures that I take of my children ... they have food all over their faces.
Either they're sneaking food. Or I'm a bad parent.
Or both.
We're all motivated by something, right? I mean, some people are motivated by money. Some by love. Some it may be power. With Drew ...
it's food.
The boys LIVES for food. And I don't mean that in the technical kind of way ... obviously we all need food to live ... NO ... DREW LIVES FOR FOOD. He is completely 100% motivated by it. And he devours it ... I seriously don't think he chews.
Perfect example ... when he was three, a note came home from preschool that went like this: One of the students had a birthday today and brought cupcakes. After handing them out, we realized that Drew ate his before we could take the paper wrapping off. Just wanted you to know.
Yeah, that was a proud moment.
And, don't think Drew did this well on his own. It was no accident. It was no fluke. He's probably not even that good. He was bribed. Yes, you read that right ... we, his parents, bribed him ... with food. "Hey kid, pull 5 flags in one flag football game and we'll take you to Dairy Queen and you can order anything you want on the menu!" Three flags and a touchdown later (yes, a touchdown counts as two) ... we're driving to DQ and purchasing a large cone.
So, it shouldn't be surprising when Jake emerged from his bedroom the other night with some news. It was about Drew. Jake looked scared. The petrified look that one has when they think they might lose their little brother in a few moments because his parents will kill him.
Yeah, that look.
I'm not going to explain the whole story ... because frankly I'm too embarrassed. Mortified that my SEVEN YEAR OLD ... would swallow a nickel. Do I need to repeat? Swallow a nickel, when he should have been sleeping ... or at least attempting to go to sleep.
"Hey, who needs sleep ... let's eat some nickels?"
GOD!
But that's not the best part ... no ... not even close.
The next morning, I'm talking to my SEVEN YEAR OLD about the importance that we don't eat coins. It went something like, "Drew, if you eat all the money, we won't have any left to buy you cereal and pop tarts!" (That should do it)
It was at the breakfast counter that he shared a story with me ... since he was on a roll, I assume he thought it was best to just go with the whole, I don't make good decisions about food thing and let it all out and clear his conscience.
It went like this:
"Mom, yesterday after school I was up the street playing basketball with the others ... " he started.
"Yeah," my heart was pounding as I just knew this wasn't going to be good.
"I thought Maddy spilled a bunch of Nerds on the sidewalk, so I picked them all up ... and it took me forever ... and then I ate them."
"Uhhh Huhhh"
"And all the kids started laughing and saying 'gross' and I thought it was because I ate food off the sidewalk. But then they told me that it was .... fertilizer."
"You ate fertilizer? Like actually swallowed it? Thinking it was NERDS?"
Drew nods.
Yeah ... I know you all want him as your very own son, but really, he's ALL MINE!
I'm overcoming my complete and utter embarrassment and sharing this with you so that I can use it as blackmail and a means of humiliation at Drew's high school graduation party. And his wedding. And at the birth of this first child. And then again, when his kid does something more stupid than this and he wants to murder him.
Let me make something clear right off the bat. I'm not a photographer. Probably the furthest thing from. I know NOTHING about the subject and probably never will.
I wanted you all to know that so you didn't have to secretly talk behind my back when you see the following pictures ... thinking that I thought I knew what I was doing ... when it's MORE THAN OBVIOUS that I don't.
If you want to see some nice photos of flowers and such ... you'll need to go here. Because you're not going to get it from me. Just wanted you to know ... that I know ... that I suck!
K?
With that said, let's move on -
I wanted to share with you what I get when I say ... PLEASE DON'T PICK THE FLOWERS!
Did you hear that?
PLEASE DON'T PICK THE FLOWERS!
Not difficult to understand, right? I'd say that even a toddler or preschooler could follow those simple directions. Wouldn't you?
Maybe not!
