I made a disturbing revelation yesterday that I just can't shake the thought of....
Okay, so I have to admit that I am a "Twilight" fan-my sister and sister-in-law pretty much twisted my arm to start on the books, and guess what? I actually love them-I didn't want to-I usually like to go in the path of least resistance when choosing a book, but sometimes I just can't help myself and I gravitate to the bestsellers. So I have read book 1, 2 & 3 and am currently working on book 4 (Breaking Dawn). Well, you can imagine that I was pretty excited when the movie for the first book was finally released on DVD (moms don't get to go the the theaters much). I borrowed my sister's copy on Sunday and hubby and I watched it after the kids went to bed that night. Okay, I watched and he mostly slept, but other than his snoring over the movie I didn't mind.
One of the characters in the movie I enjoyed seeing was "Jacob Black" , he has a pretty small role in this movie, but I'm sure we'll be seeing more of him in the next movie. The actor playing him was likable and familiar and I have to admit I kind of thought he was cute. (Now, he was no "Edward"-NO ONE can be Edward-you fellow Twilight fans know what I mean). So, yesterday I kept thinking of how familiar "Jacob" looked. Did I see him in something else?? I'm kind of a movie buff so when I can't figure these things out I get irked, then I go online. I go to my usual website of choice when these conundrums are upon me- Internet movie database . com (imdb.com). After a quick lookup of the cast & crew I found the actor that plays Jacob, then I clicked on his list of past works and.....
Dun dun dun.....
OMG (to sound like the teenybopper I should be) he's Sharkboy! Sharkboy and Lavagirl is a movie that came out a few years ago-I didn't even know what it was until this fall. That's when my (then 6 year old) girl first caught sight of it while watching Disney Channel one Saturday evening-she was hooked. The next weekend we just HAD to rent it from the video store-and wouldn't you know it, it came in 3D too! She was really hooked then. We watched the whole thing together with our cute little glasses on-while little bro ran about the room waving his in the air. She then formed what I consider the closest thing to a crush that a 6 year old can have for Sharkboy-one scene in particular she tried to describe to me how it made her feel when Sharkboy is hurt-it almost brought a tear to my eye. Of course she asked for a copy of the movie for her birthday, and of course one of our relatives obliged.
So you can imagine how disturbing it is for me to think the same boy is cute that my 7 year old daughter thinks is cute! My only consolation is that as I mentioned before, Sharkboy and Lavagirl was made 5 (?) years ago-the actor has definitely grown up quite a bit since then. I'm sure this won't be the last time that both my girl and I think the same actor or singer or athlete is cute, but it's definitely the first time. I think I better stop watching movies-or maybe she and I need to watch more together??
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
I don't even know what to say.
Sometimes I wish I wasn't even aware of what is happening outside my little house and my little town. My heart goes out to the family of the little girl that was so cruelly murdered by her brother. I just don't get people. I wish I could just stay away from the news and stop hearing all of these horrible stories! I'm hugging my kids a little closer tonight. I promise my next post will be longer and more uplifting-just can't bring myself to say anymore right now. Except maybe that if you pray, please do so for that family, and for all families. Lord knows we could all use a little prayer.
Friday, March 27, 2009
These are a few of my favorite things.
I love seeing what makes other peoples lives easier. Especially people in a situation like my own (stay-at-home mother trying to save money, yet have fun wither her family). I thought I'd list a few of the things that I have found that I can't live without now that I'm the housefrau momma:
1. My library card-little man and I go at least every other week, more often as the weather gets nicer-they have toys, puzzles, a DRINKING FOUNTAIN (something everyone under 5 understands is a huge asset), CDs, movies, and they even have books, too! I love stocking up on fun books to read with the kids (or to have the seven year old read to her brother-like that isn't adorable!)
2. My Crock Pot slow cooker and my "Fix it and Forget it Lightly" cookbook. I like to eat healthy, but I also don't have a lot of time to be standing over a stove (too curious of an audience at that time of day)-so the slow cooker is a must have for our house.
3. Our local Aldis-I was skeptical at first-but they have won me over on so many occasions. I love their ketchup (just like my favorite name brand), their cottage cheese, their havarti cheese, their string cheese-pretty much any of their dairy, and I LOVE their $2.99 per bottle Winking Owl Cabernet Sauvignon. I know, I know-a three dollar bottle of wine?? But seriously folks, I've had $30 bottles that aren't as good-so why knock it? Plus, doing some of my shopping at Aldis has been a factor in my ability to cut our grocery bill in half. (I must also give props to my other favorite local grocer-Krogers-that's where I do the majority of my shopping-love their 10 for $10 deals!)
4. My clear plastic cover over my tablecloth. I have to admit that this one still kind of bugs me. It's something that hubby's grandma always did, and he convinced me to try it. I'm not thrilled with the way it looks-but I'm getting used to it, and I was surprised just how much I love being able to wipe away those crumbs pronto!
5. My coffee. Gotta have it-need I say more?
6. My sewing machine-I really do enjoy making things with my hands. Right now I'm working on my daughter's Easter dress (no pressure, right?)-and I just love watching something come together bit by bit. I'll make dresses for her until the day she tells me (and I know it's coming-sniffle) "Mom-can't you just buy me a dress, it's kind of embarrassing to where home-made."
7. My blog-I had no idea how therapeutic it is to be able to express myself. I know there are other people out there that read my words and understand, and might even like what I have to say-how cool is that?
8. My church-I love our new pastor-he's really doing some great things for our church. I always feel better about things after I've gone to church-it's a great way to start our Sunday. Over the past year I have become more involved with Sunday School, Nursery, Junior Church and now the choir-I might be becoming a church junkie (haha!)
9. My family-My wonderful husband and my two smart, cute (of course I think so) and hilarious kids. I wouldn't be me without them. That's not true, I would be me, but not a version of me I'd like to hang out with. I kind of like this funny, able to laugh at herself person I've become over the past few months. I just remembered the other day how a year ago at this time I had my first panic attack-It was after a crazy busy day at the office.... Not having any of those anymore. I think I'm exactly where I need to be at this time.
1. My library card-little man and I go at least every other week, more often as the weather gets nicer-they have toys, puzzles, a DRINKING FOUNTAIN (something everyone under 5 understands is a huge asset), CDs, movies, and they even have books, too! I love stocking up on fun books to read with the kids (or to have the seven year old read to her brother-like that isn't adorable!)
2. My Crock Pot slow cooker and my "Fix it and Forget it Lightly" cookbook. I like to eat healthy, but I also don't have a lot of time to be standing over a stove (too curious of an audience at that time of day)-so the slow cooker is a must have for our house.
3. Our local Aldis-I was skeptical at first-but they have won me over on so many occasions. I love their ketchup (just like my favorite name brand), their cottage cheese, their havarti cheese, their string cheese-pretty much any of their dairy, and I LOVE their $2.99 per bottle Winking Owl Cabernet Sauvignon. I know, I know-a three dollar bottle of wine?? But seriously folks, I've had $30 bottles that aren't as good-so why knock it? Plus, doing some of my shopping at Aldis has been a factor in my ability to cut our grocery bill in half. (I must also give props to my other favorite local grocer-Krogers-that's where I do the majority of my shopping-love their 10 for $10 deals!)
4. My clear plastic cover over my tablecloth. I have to admit that this one still kind of bugs me. It's something that hubby's grandma always did, and he convinced me to try it. I'm not thrilled with the way it looks-but I'm getting used to it, and I was surprised just how much I love being able to wipe away those crumbs pronto!
5. My coffee. Gotta have it-need I say more?
6. My sewing machine-I really do enjoy making things with my hands. Right now I'm working on my daughter's Easter dress (no pressure, right?)-and I just love watching something come together bit by bit. I'll make dresses for her until the day she tells me (and I know it's coming-sniffle) "Mom-can't you just buy me a dress, it's kind of embarrassing to where home-made."
7. My blog-I had no idea how therapeutic it is to be able to express myself. I know there are other people out there that read my words and understand, and might even like what I have to say-how cool is that?
8. My church-I love our new pastor-he's really doing some great things for our church. I always feel better about things after I've gone to church-it's a great way to start our Sunday. Over the past year I have become more involved with Sunday School, Nursery, Junior Church and now the choir-I might be becoming a church junkie (haha!)
9. My family-My wonderful husband and my two smart, cute (of course I think so) and hilarious kids. I wouldn't be me without them. That's not true, I would be me, but not a version of me I'd like to hang out with. I kind of like this funny, able to laugh at herself person I've become over the past few months. I just remembered the other day how a year ago at this time I had my first panic attack-It was after a crazy busy day at the office.... Not having any of those anymore. I think I'm exactly where I need to be at this time.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Mean people suck.
It's so hard for a blindly optimistic person to stay "up" sometimes. The past two days have been a little tough for me. Yesterday we took the kids to Pizza Hut so that my oldest could use her "Bookit" coupon she earned by reading. We were having a great time until the family two tables down started to distract us. Was it the crying children that bothered me? No, it was the just plain MEAN parents that REALLY bothered me. They were very loudly chastising their 6 young children-Not one positive thing was said by them the whole time.
Now don't get me wrong, I lose my temper at times and might raise my voice on occasion, but I would never say the things they were saying to ANYONE-let alone my children. Things like "You better shut up your mouth or I'm going to kick your butt." Now that could very likely be an empty threat, which would explain why the kids kept at it. However, I just think there's a better way to get your kids to quiet down. It seemed like they were just feeding fuel to the fire.
I thought about what I should do-I couldn't just watch the verbal abuse and not say anything (it's not in my nature-though I am very non confrontational, so you can imagine how uncomfortable I was feeling at the time). I finally decided to go with the nicest possible route I could go. I walked over and told the mother "Your children are beautiful." She replied with a "Thank you." I then followed up with "You're very blessed." I just hoped that either she would realize that she truly is blessed to have her children-there are so many out there that want for what they have. I hoped for that, or for maybe a little bit of "Mommy guilt" to kick in and start working its magic-the way it tends to do. I know with my head that what I did probably made no difference at all for that family. But my blindly optimistic heart is going to tell my head to think otherwise.
Now don't get me wrong, I lose my temper at times and might raise my voice on occasion, but I would never say the things they were saying to ANYONE-let alone my children. Things like "You better shut up your mouth or I'm going to kick your butt." Now that could very likely be an empty threat, which would explain why the kids kept at it. However, I just think there's a better way to get your kids to quiet down. It seemed like they were just feeding fuel to the fire.
I thought about what I should do-I couldn't just watch the verbal abuse and not say anything (it's not in my nature-though I am very non confrontational, so you can imagine how uncomfortable I was feeling at the time). I finally decided to go with the nicest possible route I could go. I walked over and told the mother "Your children are beautiful." She replied with a "Thank you." I then followed up with "You're very blessed." I just hoped that either she would realize that she truly is blessed to have her children-there are so many out there that want for what they have. I hoped for that, or for maybe a little bit of "Mommy guilt" to kick in and start working its magic-the way it tends to do. I know with my head that what I did probably made no difference at all for that family. But my blindly optimistic heart is going to tell my head to think otherwise.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Return of Suzy Homemaker-or Jittery Joan
I have been a busy little bee today. I feel so fulfilled,and we haven't even gotten to dinner yet! I managed to get my workout in this morning. The little guy and I then had our monthly meeting with our Parents as Teachers lady-today we played with play dough AND finger paints during our meeting. I just love our Parents as Teachers program-if there is one in your area and you have under 5yr old children-I suggest you take full advantage of this awesome program.
After our meeting we played some games, had our lunch and wouldn't you know, the little guy fell asleep on his own today. It's so nice when I don't have to coerce him into his nap! Since he snoozed on his own, I took full advantage and sat down to have my third (yes, you heard me, my third) cup of coffee. I usually am a two cup kind of girl, so to have a third was definitely pushing the envelope for me-what kind of monstrous results would come from this brazen act???
Let's just say that when my daughter got home from school and little guy woke up simultaneously, we ate some yogurt, I cleaned out the yogurt cups, we then planted green pepper seeds in the yogurt cups and gave them a drink. You would think this would be enough excitement for one afternoon, but no. I then cleaned up the table and got out the supplies to make a homemade snake shaped draft stop for my daughter's closet door. (Kudos to Family Fun magazine for that idea) The kids loved pouring the rice into the cut tight leg until it was full. I then hot glued googly eyes and a felt tongue on the stripey tight and we created a snake!
I still had some bubbly energy left, so I decided to spend a little of it on my blog. This may not be my most impressive post, but is definitely my most quickly written! The kids are watching a video, and hubby just walked in the door-so that means I need to move my attention to the cooking now. Will I do three cups of coffee every day? No, I know my limitations, and I don't want to end up with a caffeine "problem". But it's good to know I can "kick it up a notch" on occasion. Okay, so maybe I do have a problem already-but don't tell anyone, except maybe Folgers coffee-I could use some coupons!
After our meeting we played some games, had our lunch and wouldn't you know, the little guy fell asleep on his own today. It's so nice when I don't have to coerce him into his nap! Since he snoozed on his own, I took full advantage and sat down to have my third (yes, you heard me, my third) cup of coffee. I usually am a two cup kind of girl, so to have a third was definitely pushing the envelope for me-what kind of monstrous results would come from this brazen act???
Let's just say that when my daughter got home from school and little guy woke up simultaneously, we ate some yogurt, I cleaned out the yogurt cups, we then planted green pepper seeds in the yogurt cups and gave them a drink. You would think this would be enough excitement for one afternoon, but no. I then cleaned up the table and got out the supplies to make a homemade snake shaped draft stop for my daughter's closet door. (Kudos to Family Fun magazine for that idea) The kids loved pouring the rice into the cut tight leg until it was full. I then hot glued googly eyes and a felt tongue on the stripey tight and we created a snake!
I still had some bubbly energy left, so I decided to spend a little of it on my blog. This may not be my most impressive post, but is definitely my most quickly written! The kids are watching a video, and hubby just walked in the door-so that means I need to move my attention to the cooking now. Will I do three cups of coffee every day? No, I know my limitations, and I don't want to end up with a caffeine "problem". But it's good to know I can "kick it up a notch" on occasion. Okay, so maybe I do have a problem already-but don't tell anyone, except maybe Folgers coffee-I could use some coupons!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Little girls little girls
It seems like it's been forever since I have been able to post. We have had a crazy week in our house. The high point was definitely Friday morning. I raced downstairs to answer the early ringing phone. It was a phone call I was expecting. I was an Auntie again. A new little girl was born in the middle of the night. I woke up my daughter to ask her what she hoped her Aunt De had-her answer was predictable- "a girl". She was pleased as punch to hear that her hope was answered!
The plan was to make the two hour trip to visit the new baby as soon as my daughter got off school. Hubby took off work a couple hours early, and met us at home right before we embarked. I had the duty of getting a baby gift (and something for her big brother, too), filling up the car, getting snacks ready (a must have with kids), and getting drinks ready. What I forgot was that we also had library books due and a video due back to the video store. I also wanted to stop at the gym and get a workout first thing.... Can she do it folks???? YES SHE CAN! In fact, not only did I manage all of that, I also cleaned the car out, printed directions to the hospital, found a fun place for us to take our kids to dinner before heading home and got directions there and home. When my husband walked in the door, we were set to go!
All of my preparations made for a very pleasant drive, the kids watched a movie (okay one slept-little guy didn't get a chance to have his nap with all the errand running). We made it to the hospital with no problem. Our niece was just beautiful. I know I'm biased, but she is a gorgeous baby! We took a slew of pictures, of course. By the time we left an hour later, I had the smell of newborn on me, a camera full of photos and two HUNGRY kids. We ate our dinner (which was awesome by the way-a local deli filled with all kinds of fun things for the kids to look at.) and headed home.
Yesterday Vivian went to a sleepover at our neighbors house-it was one of their daughters' birthday. There were 10 girls there. As I watched those giggling girls run around from one room of the house to the next-I thought of my new niece and all of the fun stuff my step-sister is going to get to be a part of now that she has a little girl. Girls definitely wanna have fun. Then we headed home with our quiet (but aggressive) little guy and realized, that if the new baby had been a boy-that would have been a great blessing, also. My step-sister mentioned once when my daughter was born "You don't realize it, but every time a baby is born healthy-EVERY single time-it is a MIRACLE."
The plan was to make the two hour trip to visit the new baby as soon as my daughter got off school. Hubby took off work a couple hours early, and met us at home right before we embarked. I had the duty of getting a baby gift (and something for her big brother, too), filling up the car, getting snacks ready (a must have with kids), and getting drinks ready. What I forgot was that we also had library books due and a video due back to the video store. I also wanted to stop at the gym and get a workout first thing.... Can she do it folks???? YES SHE CAN! In fact, not only did I manage all of that, I also cleaned the car out, printed directions to the hospital, found a fun place for us to take our kids to dinner before heading home and got directions there and home. When my husband walked in the door, we were set to go!
All of my preparations made for a very pleasant drive, the kids watched a movie (okay one slept-little guy didn't get a chance to have his nap with all the errand running). We made it to the hospital with no problem. Our niece was just beautiful. I know I'm biased, but she is a gorgeous baby! We took a slew of pictures, of course. By the time we left an hour later, I had the smell of newborn on me, a camera full of photos and two HUNGRY kids. We ate our dinner (which was awesome by the way-a local deli filled with all kinds of fun things for the kids to look at.) and headed home.
Yesterday Vivian went to a sleepover at our neighbors house-it was one of their daughters' birthday. There were 10 girls there. As I watched those giggling girls run around from one room of the house to the next-I thought of my new niece and all of the fun stuff my step-sister is going to get to be a part of now that she has a little girl. Girls definitely wanna have fun. Then we headed home with our quiet (but aggressive) little guy and realized, that if the new baby had been a boy-that would have been a great blessing, also. My step-sister mentioned once when my daughter was born "You don't realize it, but every time a baby is born healthy-EVERY single time-it is a MIRACLE."
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
May the luck of the Irish be with ya.
It is beautiful where I live today, and it makes me think of that old Irish "May the sun always be on your back, and the road rise up to meet you." (or something like that). I had grand plans for this sunny St. Patrick's Day-the little guy and I took big sis to school, went to the YMCA so I could workout while he played in the Y Wee care, then we were going to get some groceries, stop at "Grandma's" bank and head home to enjoy the weather outside right up until naptime. Unfortunately, my Irish luck ran out-little man took a tumble in the Y Wee care and hurt his lip, so they brought him to me.
It was a good thing that we left the Y early though, for when we pulled into the grocery store parking lot, my cell phone was ringing-Guess who? The school-Dear daughter had a headache and a fever (I need to get a bubble for that girl!) So now our day is pretty much indoors resting. We are trying to make the most of it-we got some McDonalds for "second breakfast". Tasting Shamrock Shakes brings me back to one of my favorite St. Patty's days-one before I had children.
It was just Hubby and I back then. Us and our furry "son", Lucky dog. It was a warm day that time also, and I took Lucky for a walk a soon as I got home from work-we walked along a canal that was a block away from our duplex-I can still smell the fresh spring air! When I got back to the apartment, Hubby was home, we also had our friend Josh visiting from out of town. After a little primping (before children I was actually able to fix my hair), we headed to Kelly's, a locals favorite for corned beef cabbage and green beer. What I will never forget is that Josh bought me my first pint of Guinness that night. At first I thought it was the most disgusting drink I'd ever tasted-it was like cold coffee, only more bitter. I'm sure Hubby and Josh enjoyed watching the faces I made as I tried to choke it down. But by the bottom of the glass, I had been converted. I still prefer dark beer to this day. We had so much fun, playing darts and enjoying the atmosphere, the camaraderie (isn't everyone "a wee bit" Irish on St. Patrick's day?) and the great food. When it was time to leave the bar, we weren't quite ready to call our little party quits. That's when the boys decided that I needed to try one more delicious first. I had my first Shamrock Shake that night. It was delicious-what more can I say?
Now that I'm a mommy and count calories and my first concern is definitely NOT drinking beer for St. Patrick's day anymore-I like to think back to that night. In a way things were simpler then-We only worried about ourselves. I would never want to go back, though. My children are my "pot of gold". Our evening will probably consist of green french toast and corned beef hash (what kid doesn't love breakfast for supper?), but in my heart I'll be lifting a pint of Guinness.
It was a good thing that we left the Y early though, for when we pulled into the grocery store parking lot, my cell phone was ringing-Guess who? The school-Dear daughter had a headache and a fever (I need to get a bubble for that girl!) So now our day is pretty much indoors resting. We are trying to make the most of it-we got some McDonalds for "second breakfast". Tasting Shamrock Shakes brings me back to one of my favorite St. Patty's days-one before I had children.
It was just Hubby and I back then. Us and our furry "son", Lucky dog. It was a warm day that time also, and I took Lucky for a walk a soon as I got home from work-we walked along a canal that was a block away from our duplex-I can still smell the fresh spring air! When I got back to the apartment, Hubby was home, we also had our friend Josh visiting from out of town. After a little primping (before children I was actually able to fix my hair), we headed to Kelly's, a locals favorite for corned beef cabbage and green beer. What I will never forget is that Josh bought me my first pint of Guinness that night. At first I thought it was the most disgusting drink I'd ever tasted-it was like cold coffee, only more bitter. I'm sure Hubby and Josh enjoyed watching the faces I made as I tried to choke it down. But by the bottom of the glass, I had been converted. I still prefer dark beer to this day. We had so much fun, playing darts and enjoying the atmosphere, the camaraderie (isn't everyone "a wee bit" Irish on St. Patrick's day?) and the great food. When it was time to leave the bar, we weren't quite ready to call our little party quits. That's when the boys decided that I needed to try one more delicious first. I had my first Shamrock Shake that night. It was delicious-what more can I say?
Now that I'm a mommy and count calories and my first concern is definitely NOT drinking beer for St. Patrick's day anymore-I like to think back to that night. In a way things were simpler then-We only worried about ourselves. I would never want to go back, though. My children are my "pot of gold". Our evening will probably consist of green french toast and corned beef hash (what kid doesn't love breakfast for supper?), but in my heart I'll be lifting a pint of Guinness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
