Day to Day........

Every day around here is pretty much the same. I mean, give or take a few things: choir, chiropractor appointments, grocery shopping, etc..... but for the most part, I can pretty much say what I'll be doing at any particular time each day. I decided to document my day last Thursday in pictures. (well, document what I had strength/sanity to document anyway...aka.... I only had 2 kids instead of 4 with me......)

It starts out like this: Chip gets up first- then wakes the rest of the house. Girls get ready. Neighbor boy comes over between 7:30-7:45, Babies wake up between 7:15-8, 2nd Grade girl comes over between 7:30-8. Chip takes all 4 kids to the bus at 8:15 while I feed/diaper change babies. Depending on the night's events- the babies may or may not need a bath in the morning.

Thursday they needed a bath.

Get babies out of the tub- diaper them, bring them down stairs for a hot minute while I ran back up stairs to get their dirty clothes so I could start a load of wash.  Come back down with arms full of dirty clothes to this:

One of the babies (I don't know which one, as neither one will speak up.....) got a hold of a half bag of diatomaceous earth (over 2 pounds of the stuff) and decided to dump it all out and spread it around. The other baby decided he didn't want to be left out of the fun- so he joined in with the swimming around and making diatomaceous earth angels in the carpet.

 If I thought I had white babies already...... they were ghost white after this.  (Dexter on left, Miles on right)

In my expert mom opinion (because it's happened before to me....) diatomaceous earth powder mess all over the floor is worse than baby powder mess all over the floor. It was before I started blogging....when Alli was about three, she took an entire Costco sized bottle of baby powder and 'poofed' it all over the house. Yeah.... the ENTIRE thing.... while I was in the shower, and proceeded to play in it.  At least baby powder is easy to vacuum up. Diatomaceous earth clogs your vacuum and so the vacuum dies.  Plus- when Alli did it, there was only one of her.... when the boys do it... there are two of them. Plus the boys are both teething/massively drooling worse than a bull dog..... so the diatomaceous earth was double ground in the carpet and a little sopping wet which made it into a paste.  I live a full life.



After giving the boys bath #2 for the day, I went grocery shopping. (My skirt had lots of white powder all over it. I got a few strange looks) It usually takes me over an hour and a half to do this. Lots of coupon clipping- lots of screaming/crying on the boys end- and talking to all my besties who work at Giant Eagle. (That's right. I am at the grocery store so much that I make friends there.)

Then comes the most blessed part of the day: Nap time.

I spent nap time trying to clean up the diatomaceous earth and putting away 2 weeks of groceries...... and cleaning out my fridge because something spilled all over it. Again.

Then they wake up.

 Happy!

 Until I tell them that they are going to participate in a photo shoot........ then they run away mischievously.

 Then I set them back on the couch together and tell them very sternly that they will participate in the photo shoot, or have the wrath of their mother upon them.
So Miles sticks a blanket in his mouth and Dexter sucks his thumb.

It goes on like this for 30 minutes.

I finally tell them that they won- photo shoot is over.

 This makes Miles happy. I decided that since one boy is happy, why not try taking a picture of all three of us happy.......

 Guess how well that idea went down?


Two massive diaper explosions and wardrobe change later:

.......I decided that we'd play their favorite game: Empty out the TV cabinet and play in it!
WOO-HOO!

It even has doors to open and shut!

And lots of boxes to climb on, too!


Then it's time to pick the kiddos up from school. Alli, Maggie, and Neighbor boy.

Homework.

Try and make a delicious dinner:

Homemade Swedish Meatballs with gravy (gravy not pictured), homemade egg noodles, and steamed sugar snap peas.
Home run.

Bath time for girls.

Kids in bed by 7:30-8.

Try and nab a few gold coins in Mario Bro's Wii. 

As you can see. I'm pretty busy. 

It's amazing that I find the time to be so awesome on top of all of this. Simply amazing.

Neighbors Part 5

So I decided to now call the girl 2nd Grader and the mom The Mom... just in case they know how to Google their names.. (I also changed their names on the older posts.)
This afternoon 2nd Grader came home from school and surprise, surprise..... she was locked out. She came over to my house to hang while we waited, and waited. At 4:40 an hour after school gets out- The Mom pulls up in the back seat of a relative's car, looks over at my window and shouts 2nd Grader's name (from the back seat of the car!) and tells her to get out there. Whaaaaaat?! That's right. The Mom didn't get out of the car, knock on my door, and get her daughter. Um... You're welcome?

About 45 minutes later I get this pounding on my door, along with an irate The Mom holding a piece of paper. "Did you turn me in to Children Services?"  I denied the whole thing.It's supposed to be anonymous when you turn someone in anyway....  ( I blame my parents for not teaching me how to fight ghetto style. Remember in my '30' post- I hate confrontations- and I didn't feel like this was my personal battle to pick with her- I just so happen to be the one who all this was dropped on.) "I'm sorry that happened to you." I said. I was at a total loss for words. "I know it was either you or the other two ladies around here that turned me in!" she yelled. " I just wish people would realize that I don't have a car, and I rely on the bus to get me everywhere- and the bus isn't always on time, I don't neglect my children."......   I didn't say anything.  She proceeded to shred her notice in front of me.

Then it hit me: Guilt.

I know I'm not supposed to feel guilty. I think I'm just feeling that way because she actually confronted me. I did the right thing (I have to keep repeating this). She was the one who knows the bus's schedule. She is the one who can call (or write a note demanding) and say "Hey- the bus doesn't get to my stop until 4:10... would you mind watching 2nd grader until I get there"....  but no. She doesn't. She just takes her dear sweet time coming (or not) home- and leaving her child to fend for herself. 

Later I brought over some cut up watermelon (2nd grader's favorite fruit- she asked for some earlier that day-  I told her I was cutting it up for dinner, and I'd bring her over some later.) and a tube of glow sticks for a glow stick dance party. Over compensating? Sure. Admitting guilt without so many words? Probably. 

Now I'm worried about backlash. What is she going to do to me? She could probably make my life a living heck. Lovely. I pray that she doesn't.  I have enough on my plate.


Now for the next adventure: waiting.

30

No, I'm not quite thirty yet..... but in 2 1/2 short weeks I will be.

Boy howdy. That number seems scary. I remember my mom's 30th birthday party. It seems like ages ago (my mom is by no means old- I just have an exceptionally good memory as a small, small child.... ha!) Will my children remember me turning 30?  Alli might. I was 8 1/2 when my mom turned 30....

30 is too young to be old, and too old to be young. It's right there in the middle... like ya know?  It's that first hump in the 'Over the Hill' cycle. Yeah- I'm hitting my big first hump.  Gunna put on my big girl panties and turn 30.

In honor of my 30th year on this earth- I thought I'd write 30 things about me.... some of you might know them, in which case.... you can just close your browser there's nothing new- but others of you might think "Awesome-sauce! I'd totally love to know 30 things about Breezi!" in which case, you are more than welcome to stay.

1- I am an ambi-soda-drinker. Yeah, I switch from Diet Pepsi to Diet Coke yearly. I don't know why. This year is Diet Coke.
2- My hobbies are scrapbooking, quilting, and baking. My most favorite one is scrapbooking. You should see my stash. You'd be jealous.
 3- My current obsession is trying to get all the gold coins from Mario Bro's Wii. I'm almost there. Almost. ( Yes, I did beat the game...... but if you get all the gold coins, you unlock another world! shibby!)
4- I love stupid movies. Anything that makes me laugh is a good one- which usually entails me losing brain cells somewhere during the movie.
5- I hate confrontations and I will do anything to avoid them.
6- I never leave the house without at least mascara on. I look like a zombie otherwise.
7- I like most music except for rap- and 89% of jazz. There. I said it.
8- My favorite colors are navy blue and pink. Not necessarily together.
9- I love to dance. I even have the white-man-overbite-skills to prove it.
10- My silly talent is wiggling my eyebrows up and down and flairing my nostrils really fast at the same time. I have skills people. Mad skills.
11- I cannot stand when people chew with their mouths open. It makes me want to reach across and smack them in the mouth. uggg.. Shivers..... The crunch crunch sound makes me want to gag.
12- I could watch Pride and Prejudice every day of the week and not get tired of it. (Only the Colin Firth version)
13- I took piano lessons for 12 years and still can't play very well. (I should say "My mom made me take piano lessons for 12 years".... but I'd hate to place blame.)
14- I have to have the water running while I brush my teeth. Turning off the faucet makes me cringe.
15- I don't have enough energy to become obsessed with silly fads (aka: Twilight, Harry Potter, etc....) Don't get me wrong. I have read them/ watched the movies, but I could really care less about them.
16- I really don't enjoy people who are hypocrites. If you say you believe in something- do it. Especially when it comes to religion..... if you say you are __(fill in the blank)__ religion, do what that religion preaches. I just don't understand why people can't follow commandments who say they are religious. *especially that whole taking the Lord's name in vain one* Nails on a chalkboard, people. 
17-  It takes everything in me not to punch people in the face who don't buckle their children up in the car- or who smoke in the car with their kids. Um... Hello?!?! Your children are dying there.
18- 4 out of 6 cars I have owned have been red/maroon. I don't know why.
19- My dream 'rig' is a beefed up Dodge Ram. I think it's the hillbilly in me.
20- My favorite perfume is L'Occitane's Magnolia. Only they stopped making it like 4 years ago. I have 1/2 of a bottle left that I use very sparingly. (If you happen to have a few stocked up- let me know, I want them. Hey... come to think of it... you could give it to me for my birthday!)
21- I can't spell worth a darn. Spell check is one of my many bff's.

22- I love to cut the callouses of my feet off with scissors. It's my nasty little habit.
23- I don't like my fingernails painted- but my toenails are almost always painted- usually with a bright and out there color (right now they are the color of mac n' cheese)
24-  I decorate in the Americana theme.  (think this) I just love the warm comfy colors and the scents that go with it.
25- I love cooking- but I will only make something if it has a picture. (FYI- if you have a cooking blog, post a picture!)
26- I love argyle. It rocks my socks.
27- I ran over a skunk in my mom's car once..... a car that I wasn't supposed to be driving- as my mother was out of town. It took for-eva' to get that skunk smell off/out of it. And yeah, I got busted.
28- Chip is the shortest man I ever dated......  he's also the only one I dated that didn't have dark hair. Odd. He is not, however, the only artist I dated.
29- I don't wear shirts with logos on them. I feel like a walking billboard. 90% of my clothing is solid colored.
and finally
30. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I lose sleep over it some nights.


and there ya have it. 30 at (almost) 30. 

Looking forward to at least 30 more!

*if you need my address to send me a present, I am more than willing to accommodate that request. hehehe. :)

Neighbors Part 5

I swear- my life is more than spying on my neighbors to get dirt. I promise!

I honestly haven't had a chance to get upstairs for a few minutes to blog- so that's my excuse for the lameness of the posts.  In my head my blog is still awesome.  yo.

Friday I finally did it.

I called CPS.

Aisha came over on Thursday and Friday with a key in her hand and said to give it to 2nd grader after school, and 2nd grader could just let herself in the house and wait until she came home. Um.... a seven year old home by themselves for hours on end? I don't think so. I did a lot of searching online and it's recommended that nobody under the age of 10 should be by themselves ever.... and at 10 the limit is an hour- and the 10 year old needs to be mature- .  Nobody is allowed to stay the night by themselves until they are 16. (that one is on the CPS website). Anyway, knowing The Mom's track record of not coming home, I just had 2nd grader stay with me until The Mom picked her up..... which wasn't until after 5:30..... and then,The Mom had the nerve to not talk to me at all, not thank me for babysitting her child for free....again...... but yell at 2nd Grader in front of me for not obeying her and staying in the house by herself! If my children weren't there- I might have gone off. Ghetto style... Like.. big time. What in the heck!

So I went onto CPS's  website to determine if 2nd Grader's case is one that I should actually call- like if it was call-worthy or not. The website was so vague that I called to get more info.  I sat myself down, knowing the boys were stirring in their beds (waking up from a nap) thinking it would be a quick call. NOT! The lady who answered the help line had me describe what was going on and said "Um.... I think we need to file a report.". It was then that the boys started screaming.

30 minutes later and lots of tears on the boys end later too..... I hung up the phone.

A weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I know that I needed to call- but it was really hard for me to do it. I hate confrontations. And I hate feeling like I "ratted" The Mom out or tattled on her. I know that The Mom really thinks she is doing best for her children........ but she just falls short on so many levels and needs some skills coaching.

After it is all said and done- I just really got the impression that instead of judging I need to show love to that family and try and give them a hand up- not just the handouts they have been accustomed to.

Hopefully CPS will see the need to step in sooner than later- until then, I'll just keep watching out for 2nd Grader and making sure she isn't by herself. I guess that's all I can do.


.......... now maybe I can start talking about other things on here.  :)

Neighbors Part 4

Maybe I should just start a blog solely about my neighbors..... hum...  That way I might be free to actually have my own life again on my blog. 

Ohh man. Right now I'm just mixed full of emotions. Anything ranging from outrage to sad to anywhere in between.

I talked to the school today about 2nd grader. Well to be more specific- I talked to her teacher Mrs. T, who was Alli's teacher last year. (We're buds. It's all good.)  As I was on the phone with Mrs. T, she said 'Ohh! I just got a notice that 2nd grader is supposed to sit and wait by her door until her mom gets home.'.... to which I said just tell 2nd grader to come on over. She did.  Mrs T. said she'd have to talk with the principal to see what to do and where to go next- as they have been noticing significant changes in her behavior at school, so they were concerned as well.... and she'd give me a call back to report.

2nd gradercame over and played at my house. I fixed dinner and got everyone settled in eating. Around 5:15, I saw 2nd grader's mom walk into her front door and didn't even look around for the little girl. About 15 minutes later I heard her knocking on my door- "Have you seen 2nd grader?" I said- yeah, she's eating dinner right now. She'll be done in a few minutes, I'll send her over when she's finished eating.  So.... if 2nd grader gets out of school at 3:30- and the mom didn't get home until 5:15- that means that she expected 2nd grader to sit outside by the front door for almost 2 hours. She is SEVEN years old!  What- the What?!?! There are pedophiles and other sex offenders that live by me! ANYTHING can happen to that child in two hours!  I am just fuming.
 
I called Mrs. T. after 2nd grader went home and we talked. Apparently, the school doesn't really want to get involved unless they have to. (Well, the principal doesn't anyway...) and this was their advice.... wait for it..... they said I needed to leave 2nd grader outside by herself and I shouldn't have her come in.- after a while of her being outside, I could call the police and they could take it up with CPS (Child protective services).  How the heck, in good conscience, could I ever let a 7 year old fend for herself? I'm so mad!

I asked Mrs. T that the next time 2nd grader's  mom called the school to let them know 2nd grader should wait outside, to let me know- so I can keep an eye out for her.  She agreed.

So I called my mom. She worked for the state of Idaho in their welfare department for years- she has dealt with CPS on a personal basis, as she does foster care herself.... she knows the ins and outs of what I should do. I felt like I could trust her judgement.   She said that the next time (as I am 110% POSITIVE that there will be a next time)  this happens, I can just call the police without waiting 'x' amount of time for the mom to get home..... as now we have a pattern. If they are called in, then CPS has to be called in... and maybe, just maybe (fingers crossed) the mom would have to take parenting classes and hopefully get her act together so she doesn't endanger her children's lives.

I'm so sad for 2nd grader. This crap should never happen to a kid. Stupid people shouldn't be allowed to breed. They should make everyone in Jr. High take a test "How to be a Parent" and if they fail- they should make it so these people can't have kids. Extreme? Maybe...... But it's necessary so that stupid people don't have kids. End of story.

I'm wondering which day next week it'll all unfold...... I'll put on my 'big girl panties' every morning, just in case. ..... which reminds me, I need to do laundry.

Neighbors Part 3

hahaha... aren't you sick of these?

This morning 2nd grader came over to my house with a note from her mom.  I was demanded to watch 2nd grader after school. She didn't get her until just after 5pm.

Boy howdy.


At least she let someone know they were to be in charge of her. I guess that's progress?

The funniest thing- was she needed me to watch 2nd grader because she had a mandatory meeting with her welfare officer..........

Neighbors Part 2

Remember how I posted about my lovely neighbors? (IN THIS POST)??

I somehow feel the need to document this (ya know, in case I call Children's services and all....)

So here's how it's been since that incident.

She got my other next door neighbor (the ones we like) to watch the 2nd grader because I had those good ol' doctor's appointments that the boys had to go to....     The mom said that she'd be back probably before 2nd grader got off the bus, so it was just 'in case' she didn't get home in time. 6:30 rolls around and the mom finally called my neighbor. "I'm not going to be home until after 9.... sorry".    Our neighbor is more than miffed- so has refused to watch 2nd grader anymore. (uh, duh?)

So the mom (This is odd- she's never even told me her name, and I've watched her two kids..... huh. Maybe I need to find out what her name is! lol!!) who has never met our across the street neighbor before- walked over there and said "Hi- I live over there (pointing)- would you be able to watch my kid until I get home from work. The across the street neighbor lady (Taylor) has three kids- two of which go to school and ride the bus with our kids and 2nd grader.  She felt bad for the neighbor lady and said yes, she'd watch 2nd grader. Both times the neighbor lady came home more than 2-3 hours after the time that was said.

Today was the kicker though.

2nd grader got off of the bus and started yelling at Taylor "Hey! My mom said that I needed to go to a friend's house after school, but she didn't tell me which one. Do you know who's supposed to be watching me?" Taylor said it wasn't her, she came over and asked if it was me- it wasn't..... and then our other neighbor Garmai (the one I like) came over and said it wasn't her...... so yeah. 2nd grader was basically left abandoned.  Taylor was a whole lot nicer than I would have been (I said we should call Children's services for child abandonment.) and took 2nd grader in for the evening. I don't even know if the mom has gotten her yet- and it's 9:30- I haven't heard her come home, so I'm venturing to guess that Sharaysha's still at Taylor's place- and Taylor has to work in an hour.... so maybe I'll end up getting Sharaysha. Who knows. (I told Taylor to bring her over here if the mom hadn't shown up.....)

It's just a mess. I feel so sorry for 2nd grader.. She really is a good kid. I have no idea how though, because her mom is one hot mess. I also have no idea where the littlest one goes while 2nd grader is left...... I just hope she's left with someone responsible.



I'm sure this isn't my last installment of "Neighbors".....
Stay tuned.

Death of Laptop

Dear Laptop-

Why did you die? It was extremely rude of you. We just bought you a new screen- like a $200 screen, hoping that you'd live a long happy life- but you rewarded us with your sudden death instead.

I think the worst part, dear Laptop- is the fact that all of my picture files are on you. All of my bookmarks of blogs that I love stalking are on you. All of my recipes that I love are on you.....    I know eventually I'll get my pictures back and my recipes back- but I certainly won't be able to find all of my favorite blogs- because I have so many of them that I can't remember their names! Ohh the Horror!

This also means that I will be laptop-less until tax return season- which is still 5 whole months away. This basically means death to my social life as we know it. I get so many last minute invites to go here and there- and because Chip is upstairs on the computer working all day- thus leaving ME computer-less, I won't receive those golden invitations anymore (unless of course, people remember that I have not one- but two phones they can call and invite me places- aka cell and home phones).I know, I know. It's not the end of the world. Clearly. But it still does sting just a bit.  

Dearest Laptop. I just want you to know that less than two years with you was too short of a life span. Why did you cost so much? I have no idea. You certainly weren't worth it- ohhhh.... okay, maybe you were worth a little, but not as much as you were purchased for.  

Next time, I'm going with someone better than you. I'm worth it.

Love, Breezi


p.s. If Chip gets into the top 10 of the contest he's in (which we find out next week if he's in the top 10) then he gets $1000 in Dell credit, which means, we'll be able to get a new laptop way sooner than like February............ however, Chip says he won't let me play with it. It's okay though, I have ways of changing his mind.


Speaking of which- Chip has entered a contest for Telesaur!!

http://www.youtube.com/dellbusiness?x=us_entries_232

Let us know what ya think :)

Ten Years Ago- Remembering.....

Ten  years ago-

I was a live-in nanny in Philadelphia. 

I had gotten engaged 3 months previously to a fabulous guy named Chip Kohrman. (maybe you've heard of him?)

I just walked in the front door from dropping Harper (4) off at the Temple that his pre-school was in. I had already dropped Emily(6) off at Kindergarten earlier that morning. I was thinking about starting my cleaning regiment for the day- one that included turning on the news while I was getting ready to vacuum.  It was around 8:45 in the morning. Just a few minutes after I turned on the TV it was interrupted for a special broadcast- One of the Twin Towers of the World Trade center got hit by a plane. All I could think was "Holy Cow! What a terrible accident!"- and then I called my employer, who was a chef in downtown Philly and let her know what happened. I sank on the couch and just thought of all of the people who were grieving and in mortal danger. In awe and shock- I watched a plane hitting the second tower- all broad casted on live TV.  After I watched  the second plane hitting that second tower, I knew it wasn't just an accident. Our nation was under attack.  Stories kept pouring in. The Pentagon getting hit- I knew my dad's cousin worked in the pentagon. I hoped he was okay. (which he ended up being safe, thank Heaven!)  Then I heard of the plane going down in Pennsylvania- and I started getting really nervous. I was right there in Philly... right where all the historical events of our nation happened.....   My employer, Pam hurried home- as they had shut down the city- for fear that it was next on the list of places to be attacked.  We were all panicked.

Pam and I sat on the couch and hugged and cried. Pam grew up in New York and she was so worried about her family. She couldn't get a hold of them. I called my mom and let her know I was safe.  I was in NYC a few weeks before the attacks.... and I think that visit was still fresh in her mind.

It was such a tragic day.  So many lives were lost. So many tears across the nation were shed.  It still gets to me.

So much has changed in the last 10 years. Our nation is still unsettled- still mourning. Airport security is dreaded. Hearing "I'm enlisting in the Army" is a gut wrenching sound.

My brother joined the army- went to Iraq- and came back safely. My cousin, and two of my cousin's husbands are over seas currently serving.- Considering that there are only 5 of us cousins on my dad's side of the family- it basically means that only Chip out of  all the men hasn't gone to war and been put directly in harm's way. I have a family of hero's. I am so proud of all of them.

Some of Chip's cousins are also in the army now too.

I am grateful for their service to protect our nation and our freedoms. 





My heart and prayers are with those families who have been affected by this terrible attack.

May we never forget.

Rock Rules

In my house growing up and even now- most arguments are settled with Rock-Paper-Scissors.

Now I'm just choosing rock.

Be warned.




(image source- forgotten. Oops.)

The One About Entering Contests

I'm going to let you in on a little secret.

I am a bit of a blog-stalking-addict.

There. I said it.  (whew! That felt good to get off my chest!)


With that being said, I go from one blog to another blog to another blog, find a blog through that one that I absolutely love and end up bookmarking it. Usually recipes, decorating, and quilting, oh my!

I think Pintrest was actually made for people like me who has like 100's and 100's of things bookmarked. I joined Pintrest a few weeks ago, and I really don't know what I'm doing on there.... so I haven't 'pinned' but like 4 things, and I haven't gone back. I'm just so confused. (although, maybe it's a blessing.... because how much time do I really have to dedicate to yet another something addictive?- answer: none.) 

Since the girls have been in school- and it's just down to me and the boys, I have set pretty strict limits on myself: 1- no computer until after my chores are done. 2- no computer during the day unless the boys are down for their nap(s)... otherwise NOTHING would get done- because I'm completely out of control with clicking onto new forms of awesomeness.

Anyway, let me get back to the reason for this post.

As I click along to all of these new blogs, I find myself entering contests. Seriously, if I would actually win some of this stuff- I'd be in a house full of cool..... but alas, I don't win, therefore, I'm not in a house full of cool. 

After I enter these contests, I totally forget to go back and actually check if I won. Oops.

Which makes me wonder: Have I ever won anything that I never claimed?

I mean, you enter these contests, for like a kitchen-aid mixer on a cooking blog- and you have to put your e-mail address and your blog url..... but then it says to watch for your name and if you don't respond to them in 48 hours you forfeit your prize, and they will pick another person. So the real question is: Why do you put in your e-mail address and blog url if they don't actually contact you? I bet you are as intrigued by this as I am.

So I'm here asking you for a favor-

Since I enter so much awesomeness- and I never go back and check- if you randomly run into a blog and see my name as a winner...... could ya let me know? I'd even share in the awesomeness with you- you know, by like sending you a thank you note with a stick of gum in it or something.

Maybe even a graham cracker.

Say What??

I was driving along, minding my own business, listening to the radio on my way to a girl's night out..... when something horrific happened. It almost made me slam on my brakes and do something drastic. (I can't think of exactly what I would have done.... but let it be known, it would have been drastic. ;D)

The radio station that I was listening to changed from Soft Rock music to Oldies music. That isn't what bothers me in the slightest. I love oldies music. My first car (74' VW) had an AM only radio (no tape deck either) in it and I listened to lots and lots of oldies. What bothered me was when they were doing the station announcement that  said what you're listening to this is what I heard....

" Oldies 93.3, best of the 60's, 70's, and 80's!"

Say what?!?!?!

When did the 80's become the oldies?!?!

Do these pictures scream "OLDIES" do you?

No. I don't think so.

I mean, heck- I LIVED in the 80's. I was BORN in the 80's. The 80's are not OLD.


Poodle skirts, sock hops, juke boxes, June Clever..... those are oldies. Not Madonna, crimped hair, leg warmers, and aviator glasses.


The. End.


--------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm thinking about starting a petition.
All those in favor of saying the 80's aren't old? Say "I".

I see spots

So funny story- maybe not so much of a funny ha ha, as a funny hee hee..... but still funny nonetheless.

Saturday evening we went for a family walk at Inniswood Metro garden. (If you haven't been there, you should go- it's soooo beautiful!)  We were at a part in the path where there's a big buckeye tree that was droppin' some huge buckeyes- and of course, it being the first OSU game of the season that day, we pretty much thought it would be bad ju-ju if we didn't grab up some buckeyes to adorn our house with... (Go Bucks!) And what do ya know..... we won. (I'm quite convinced it was us who made that win possible....) I digress. So the girls and I were out scavenging around for fallen buckeye nuts- some of which were still in pods.  I grabbed up this one pod, squished my fingers into it, and only when liquid that smelled like rotten limes started squirting out of it did I realize, I hadn't grabbed a buckeye pod.... I grabbed a something else. I'm not sure exactly what I grabbed-  but the gooze was a chartreuse-ish-lime-greenish color and in about 20 minutes it was dark dark brown- like a walnut stain color. The size of this thing was about the size of a lemon....  Needless to say, everything that touched that gooze stained. My pants, under all my fingernails (Chip says I have 'smoker' finger nails now)... and I guess after the gooze got all over me, I itched my nose......

Do you see that spot?

 What spot, you may ask?

I'm just thankful that it is the same color as a freckle or mole- ahhhh... organic face color.  But still. I've had this huge dot on the tip of my nose since Saturday, and I can't get it off!  It's really embarrassing.  I have scrubbed and scrubbed this thing (and my fingernails) and none of the stain has budged.  I'm surprised that my fingernails are still this stained, I mean, I hand wash my dishes every day, I hand mop my floor almost every day (sometimes twice a day), and I've deep cleaned my bathroom.... all without wearing gloves. You'd think the chemicals would take off the stain.... but alas, that is not the case.

So do you guys know how to get mystery stain off of skin?
or
Better yet.... do you know what the heck I sunk my fingers into?


---------------------------------------------------------------
p.s. I'm so glad I got my eyebrows waxed a few weeks ago. It makes for less scary photos.

15 months

You guys get a special treat.... not only am I going to update you on the little boys-  You will also be treated to some pictures I forgot to post! Woot-woot!  (I know, right! You're so excited!)

The pictures were taken when they just turned one- They haven't really changed much since then (I mean, it's only been like 3 months....)  just a little heavier/longer.  Chip's grandma Louise made these adorable little outfits! They crack me up.

Miles:
Length: 30 inches (25%-50%)
Weight: 24lb 3oz (25%)
Head: 50%

Words: Dexter, down, car, ball, toss, mama, dada, hi, book, and a whole lot of babble.

Favorite foods: watermelon, gold fish crackers, bananas, yogurt, peanut butter/ jelly sandwiches, avocados, tomatoes, and kiwi - and loves to drink milk.  He has also recently discovered cookies.

Miles is a little shy of talking. He only will whisper his words- unless it's MAMA! when he's needing something. He's an observer, a giggle guy, and always finding new places to climb up and escape from. He's such a smiley little guy. His absolute favorite book is 'Brown Bear, Brown bear'- which we will be needing a new copy- as he has destroyed it with love- we read it about 40 times a day. He still loves his binkie.

At Miles' 12 month doctor's appointment, he was found to be anemic...... they re-tested him this week, and his iron levels were perfect...... go figure.

 Don't they look cute together? It just makes me want to pinch their little cheekers.

Dexter:
Height: 30 inches (25-50%)
Weight: 23lb 3oz (25%)
Head: 50%

Words: time (aka: bath time), down, mama, dada, hi, ball, toss, car, banana, ni-ni (night-night) and a whole lot of babble.

Favorite foods: watermelon, bread, pb&j sandwiches, crackers of all forms, bananas, yogurt, oatmeal, more crackers, graham crackers, celery .... did I mention crackers? Dexter prefers milk- and usually spits out water.....

Dexter loves words. He's always babbling and trying to say new things. He's very vocal about it too. Dexter is full of mischief and loves to get into everything. He usually let's Miles lead the way- and then he takes over and wreaks havoc. He loves Finn and constantly wants to eat/pet him. (I'm assuming the eating part is trying to give him kisses- but you never know. He does have that 'hungry' look in his eye.) Dexter loves 'color' books (not coloring books.... but books that have colors on them) as well as animal books, especially pictures of kitties.  He still adores sucking his thumb.

----------------------------

Both of these little dudes are water babies. They could play in water all day long. Bath time, water parks, Finn's water, toilets, pouring out sippy cups..... pretty much any and all water. They also scream bloody murder when you take them away from playing in the water. 

They are such fun little men. You can tell how different their personalities are- and how silly they are.

I'm so thankful to have them in my family :)

Love Notes

To keep our marriage fresh and fun, Chip and I always write little love notes back and forth to each other.

This one came delivered under the bathroom door as I was doing my business this morning........

 

Back off ladies, he's mine.

Housewife's work

Being a stay-at-home-mom/housewife/slave..... your work is never really done.

This morning started off like any other.

Chip woke me up at 7am (yes, Chip wakes me up.... it's nice.)  Got a shower, got the girls up and ready for school, (Chip packed lunches), got the kids off to the bus, played with the babies, fed the babies, read to the babies, put the babies down for a nap, vacuumed the living room, swept the kitchen, did the dishes, started some laundry, and ohh yeah- I totally kicked Bower's butt on Super Mario Bro's Wii.

You heard me right. I won the game.


 


Is that applause I hear? Well- it should be.

I've never won any game before- like beat the entire stupid thing! It's amazing!  I pretty much screamed out loud and gave Chip a mild heart attack. He told me to take a picture- so this is it....... me jumping up and down after rescuing Princess Peach.


High-fives all around, people. High-fives.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now what should I do for the rest of the day?