Deals
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Today's thankful: Nyquil naps
Friday, December 23, 2011
Today's thankful: The day off work
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Today’s thankful: The possibility remains that she wasn’t serious
Monday, December 5, 2011
Today’s thankful: I am not “the elderly” yet
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Today's thankful: I haven't had to yell yet
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Today’s thankful: I didn’t have any meetings
Monday, November 28, 2011
Today’s thankful: Youngest is able to think outside the box a little
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Today’s thankful: I didn’t trust my six-year-old to pack her own lunch
Monday, November 21, 2011
Today’s thankful: I caught her in time
Anyway, on our way to the restroom, there was a dark spot on the carpet at the entrance to the restroom hallway. I commented that it looked like someone had peed on the floor. Yeah. I can see now I shouldn’t have said it. Youngest didn’t seem to notice and ran on into the restroom and took care of business. As we were leaving the hall, though, she dropped to her hands and knees right next to the spot. Fortunately, I realized what she was doing quickly enough and yelled at her to stop. Upon rising, she said, “Oh, man! I didn’t even get to smell it.”
Friday, November 18, 2011
Today’s thankful: Punishment doesn’t have to be boring
First, I feel it necessary to note that in Eldest and Middlest’s collective 23 years of school, I have NEVER received a phone call from a teacher. When Eldest figured out with whom I was speaking, she told Youngest to go hide and try to think of a way to save herself.
So the teacher informed me that she talked to Youngest about appropriate ways to express one’s anger. She then informed Youngest that there are many other ways besides notes for teachers to communicate with parents. Hence, the phone call.
I am now trying to come up with a good punishment. She is in her room worrying about the fact that I am going to discuss her misbehavior with Daddy before we make a decision as to her punishment. Yeah, that IS part of the punishment. Shh! Don’t tell.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Today’s thankful: My parenting skills aren’t under close scrutiny
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Today’s thankful: My crockpot and its ability to make magic
Monday, November 14, 2011
Today’s thankful: CPS wasn’t contacted
Monday, November 7, 2011
Today’s thankful: A stranger accused me of being green
Friday, November 4, 2011
Today’s thankful: Vacation days
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Today’s thankful: A little perspective
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Today’s thankful: Mom’s crazy family cookbook
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Today’s thankful: Grace periods
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Today’s thankful: She didn’t want to be one
Friday, October 28, 2011
Today’s thankful: That guy wasn’t my son
According to sugarglider.com, a sugar glider is a small nocturnal marsupial native to Australia and Indonesia. They are awfully cute, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want one for a pet.
Anyway, Eldest informed me that the owner of the sugar glider takes it everywhere with him. I wonder how many cats try to eat it during the course of a regular vet tech day. At any rate, more than being entertained at such an odd pet owner, I was pretty glad the dude wasn’t part of my family.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Today’s thankful: Youngest doesn’t have a clue
Monday, October 24, 2011
Today’s thankful: Neither I nor my siblings are likely to be in the public eye
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Today’s thankful: A very pleasant, do nothing but play day
Friday, October 21, 2011
Today's thankful: My children haven't pulled a Lohan
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Today’s thankful: I was up working at 7 a.m. on a Sunday
This morning I was at my desk working at 7 a.m. Ordinarily, besides the fact that I have a job, I am not at all thankful to be up that early, especially on a Sunday morning. This morning, though, is different. Why? Because at about ten minutes after seven, my dog started hacking in her crate. I ran to her just in time to open the crate and patio door. She made it! And that is the source of my thankful today. It is a very good thing to catch the pooch before she makes a mess in the house.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Today's thankful: Parent teacher conference is over
Monday, October 10, 2011
Today’s thankful: I have never, ever, fought putting on clean panties
A few mornings ago when I went into Youngest’s room to make sure she was getting dressed appropriately, I noticed that the clean panties I had laid out the night before were still not on her behind. When I suggested she put on the clean panties, she all but came unglued on me, wailing about not wanting to put on clean underwear. Although I am really a laid back kind of mom who is willing to let the kids be who they are, I draw the line at wearing dirty underwear to school, or anywhere for that matter. As hard as she was fighting me about donning clean underwear, I was forced to wonder if I am the one with the problem. Maybe not everyone likes or needs clean panties. Hmm. In all of my life I have never balked at the idea of putting on clean panties. Some of mom’s brainwashing was a good thing.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Today’s thankful: I only have to see the public once in a while
Today at work I had yet another exchange with “the public” which serves to reinforce the many reasons I don’t want to work with them. For the most part, I don’t deal with the public, but only with my coworkers. My contact with the public tends to only occur when I am in the hallways on my way to the restroom or gift shop. So today as I was walking down a hall in my black skirt and pink top, an elderly gentleman stopped me. He was wearing an obviously work worn cowboy hat and had a large diamond stud in his ear. He said, “Excuse me. May I pay you a compliment?” Not being one to turn down a compliment, I stopped walking and told him he could go for it. He then said, “You remind me of a 1969 Chevy.” Really? Then he said, “You wanna know what color mine was?” I was still standing there with my mouth open when he said, “It was pink and black.” Oh. Now I get it. I think. I sure am glad he told me what he was about to say was a compliment, or I might have missed it. And for you guys out there, if you are going to liken a woman to a car and think it is a good thing, the least you can do is get a faraway look in your eye and say something like, “Man, she was a sexy beast.”
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Today’s thankful: She took two helpings
Last night I was cooking dinner and feeling uninspired by our vegetable choices. Then I decided to shred carrots and put them in with the pasta and sauce. As I was standing over the pot grating carrot, Youngest walked into the kitchen and saw me. She raised her little palms, stretched her arms out in front of herself and shrieked, “What are you doing?” I told her she wouldn’t even know they were in there. Luckily, I was right. She ate two helpings.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Today's thankful: I didn't have to slit my wrists
Monday, October 3, 2011
Today’s thankful: Youngest’s filter is starting to work
Yesterday evening Spouse and I were sitting in our chairs next to each other when Youngest came up for at least the hundredth time of the day and asked me a question. I answered, then gazed over at Spouse with a help me expression. He asked Youngest why she never asked him any questions. She said, “Because Mommy is smart –“ then she looked at me with a shocked and excited look on her face and said, “Mom! I didn’t say it all!” Well, yes, but daddy was sitting right there when she admitted there was more to her thought. We decided to praise her for kind of using her filter and let the rest of it slide.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Today’s thankful: I don’t wear high heels on hikes
Today I chaperoned a field trip with Youngest’s class. We went to Eagle Creek Park and learned about bugs. I do not like bugs. In fact, I don’t like outside much. Imagine my joy when we went into a room and had to look at different kinds of spiders and insects. Then we had to go outside and try to catch some in our bug nets. I had no idea that praying mantis were so plentiful in a grassy field. Had I known that little tidbit of information, I wouldn’t have willingly walked out into said field. After the bug catching adventure, we were led through the woods on a hike. Thankfully, the hike was more plant than bugs and I did learn about the pawpaw tree, aka Indiana banana. Did you know that deer won’t eat the pawpaw? It smells and/or tastes too nasty. Sadly, it won’t keep deer out of your garden if you plant them near your veggies. Yes, I had to ask.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Today’s thankful: Beating the rain
Youngest and I got home this afternoon about two minutes before the skies opened up and gave everything a good soaking. We were happy and dry as we took off our shoes and settled in for the night.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Today’s thankful: A happy server
Monday, September 26, 2011
Today’s thankful: She ate it anyway
I once dated a guy whose mom always tried a new recipe on Wednesday nights. When I learned this little tidbit, I asked him if he and his siblings had avoided the house on those nights. He told me that they actually made an effort to be there on Wednesdays because sometimes the food was really tasty. A bonus to being there meant you had a vote as to whether or not the recipe was a keeper. A while back, while listening to my family complain of yet another new dish, I instituted the only new recipes on Wednesday rule. For the most part, it has been a good experiment. Last week I decided to make chicken fried steak for my family. It isn’t a new recipe, but one that I personally have not made for years. When dinner time rolled around, Youngest yelled, “Oh, ick! What did you do to the meat?” I informed her that it was chicken fried steak, kind of like fried chicken, but with steak. She looked at me for a few moments, then said, “What day is today?” Busted. I admitted to her it was Thursday, but that this recipe wasn’t a new one. Thankfully, she liked it well enough to continue eating and let the matter drop.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Today’s thankful: Two extra hours in my day
Okay, so it isn’t exactly two extra hours, but I am choosing to view it that way. I was scheduled to volunteer for our marching band’s invitational today from noon to 5:30. Oh happy day when I received an email informing me that I didn’t have to show up until 2:00. What did I do with my extra two hours? I thought about doing some chores or baking a tasty treat for my family. Truly, the possibilities for this gift were endless. What I did instead was sit in my chair and watch Chopped on the DVR. I don’t care what you think. Those two hours were not wasted.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Today’s thankful: I stayed home with sick Youngest
I have been home with a sick Youngest for two days. While watching Max & Ruby today, I found myself wanting to earn Bunny Scout merit badges. I don’t want to be a Bunny Scout, but it would be kind of fun to earn adult merit badges for regular adult activities. I don’t mean military medals, but wouldn’t it be fun to earn a merit badge for, say, getting three kids ready for school in the allotted time with all necessary tools in their backpacks? How about a creative lunch packing badge, or maybe a holiday cookie badge? I am beginning to think that I have been too long listening to whiny sick kid and not enough time in adult conversation. I am thankful, though, that I have been the person to be able to care for her.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Today’s thankful: Middle of the night snuggles
Spouse and I don’t usually snuggle up while asleep because he is like sleeping next to a blast furnace and I get too hot if he touches me, which wakes me up. When I am cold, I skooch close enough to get the desired amount of heat, but he lets me take the lead. So last night I was in the middle of an extremely bad dream and, in my sleep, I felt him cuddle up to me and in my dream I knew I wasn’t alone. The bad dream stopped. This morning he told me I was crying in my sleep so he snuggled up. I thanked him. And I am thankful for him.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Today's thankful: It only cost a hundred bucks
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Today’s thankful: There was no blood
My cat, Tinker, has decided that it is great fun to jump up and attack our behinds as we are sitting on the porcelain throne. This morning her attack hit home and she grabbed my hiney hard enough to make me yelp. She got some air time for that. The good news is that she didn’t break the skin.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Today’s thankful: My children didn’t witness my bad behavior
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Today’s thankful: I took a chance on being a box mom
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Today’s thankful: At least to a crazy-eyed guy I look young enough to be preggers
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Today’s thankful: She didn’t really kill the cat
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Today’s thankful: It was just a dream
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Today’s thankful: My kids knew it wasn’t a balloon
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Today’s thankful: Baby girl made the bed
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Today’s thankful: Daddy brought the bling
Youngest has been bugging me since last week to take her to Bath & Body Works to get a little holder to hang the sample size hand sanitizer off her backpack. Apparently, these holders with hand sanitizer are all the rage among the first grade set. My intention was to eventually get over there and buy her one, but an opportunity arose today for Spouse to take over that task. Youngest didn’t want to go to lunch with him over by the B&BW store, but she asked him to bring her back the holder and a new hand sanitizer. Oh, my gosh, did he outdo himself. They had plain holders for a buck, but he went all out for the three dollar one. It is hot pink with pink rhinestones all over it. Daddy brought the bling and baby girl was SO pleased.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Today’s thankful: Eldest is old enough to run errands
I have been canning corn all day. I am about ten quarts away from having enough to last us until next growing season. That corn will come off the cob and into my jars tomorrow. Since I have been doing pretty much nothing but corn today, it has also been a jammie day. When I realized I didn’t have enough jars to finish, I made an offer Eldest didn’t refuse and she picked up my jars for me. Yay! My thankful for today could have been the fact that I am almost done putting up corn, or that I had a day free from other obligations so I could do it. But the little thankful that is top of my list tonight is that Eldest is old enough and loves me enough to run an unentertaining errand for me. Any day that doesn’t require me to doff my jammies is a good day.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Today’s thankful: I’m not ready for the senior discount at Denny’s
Middlest is in a marching band. Every Thursday the parents are invited to go to the last 15 minutes of practice where we are treated to a complete run through of the show to the point it is finished. I asked my dad if he wanted to attend one this year and he said yes. When I called him today at lunch to make certain he still wanted to come, our conversation went like this:
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Today’s thankful: I didn’t have to wear the butt crack pants
This morning Youngest came running into my room, obviously upset. She exclaimed, “I can’t wear these pants! They give me butt crack!” I asked what she meant, and she informed me that if she didn’t hike up her pants before sitting down, she looked a lot like a plumber. She said she couldn’t wear them. I reminded her that these were the very pants that were “perfect” at Justice a few weeks ago. That little tidbit of information shut her up and she wore the butt crack pants to school.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Today’s thankful: I don’t live in a gym
Monday, August 22, 2011
Today’s thankful: It wasn’t my kid who flipped shit in class
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Today’s thankful: It isn’t on her face
Ever since Eldest turned 18, I have been begging her not to get a tattoo where mommy can see it. She took her birthday money from my sister and buy herself a tiny tattoo right after she turned 18, but it is in a place most people will never see. So this weekend when she told me she would be home later than usual because she was attending a tattoo party with one of her friends, I was pretty sure there would be a new one on my baby. I wasn’t wrong, but at least it isn’t on her face. Also, it isn’t the gigantic octopus on her shoulder she has been talking about for a while. It is a bee on her ribcage. Oddly, I am not terribly upset about this one for a few reasons. First, and most importantly, it can be covered up and I don’t have to see it. Second, it isn’t an octopus, and finally, it is a bee, and we have some good bee memories.
When Eldest was 16, she drove a paper route. The route took her out into the countryside. Middlest or I often went with her. It is fun to fling newspapers out of a moving car window. Anyway, on one of my trips with her, we went and got ice cream in the middle of the route. When we were back out on the route, I took a drink of my soda and felt something fuzzy in my mouth. It freaked me straight out, to the point I couldn’t think. I opened my mouth and dropped soda and a bee on my cell phone. The bee was swimming/flopping around in the soda and Eldest laughed. A lot. The fact that there was an open window to my left didn’t occur to me.
Another time, Middlest was running her route with her when a bee flew into the open window and landed in Middlest’s lap. She started freaking out and trying to climb into Eldest’s lap while the car was moving. They still laugh hysterically every time they talk about it.
So the fact that Eldest got a tattoo doesn’t upset me as badly as it could have. At least it has some happy memories attached to it – and it isn’t on her face.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Today’s thankful: I didn’t slit my wrists
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Today's thankful: Middlest is making grown up decisions
Monday, August 15, 2011
Today’s thankful: Youngest did not look like a snot rag this morning
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Today’s thankful: The brainwashing is working
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Today’s thankful: I survived
I have been working mostly from home for six years. I had to go back into the office full time last Wednesday. It isn’t as bad as it could be, given that my wonderful boss lets me take Youngest to school before I go in. But, given that I hadn’t worn shoes for more than about four hours at a stretch for six years, it was awfully hard keeping my shoes on all day. I was also a little concerned with the whole not being home all day and still managing to find time to cook from scratch and stay on top of the laundry. With the Flylady’s routines in place, my transition back into the outside the home workforce was relatively smooth. I managed to pack nutritious lunches for myself and Youngest and prepare home-cooked from scratch meals for my family. I know it was only three days, and next week will be the real test, but for my first three days back, I survived it. For that, I am thankful.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Today's thankful: Eldest called me
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Today’s thankful: Youngest’s occasional knowledge gaps
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Today’s thankful: I didn’t get arrested
Yesterday I took my three girls to Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari in Santa Clause, IN for our annual before school starts day trip. I started taking Eldest and Middlest after the divorce and it has become our special annual girl day. We have taken friends with us in the past, but the last several years have been just me and my girls. Youngest has been part of our tradition for about four years. Yesterday we were standing at the top of Watubi awaiting our turn in the giant round raft. There were two rafts of people in front of us, when the big girls started to giggle. The reason? Youngest had gotten so nervous she peed on the stairs. I was so proud. We had a talk about how it is wrong to pee on the stairs and that she should never, ever do it again, even though the sisters laughed.
Fast forward several hours. We had talked Youngest into riding Bakuli, which is a large tube which empties into kind of like a toilet bowl and spins you down the drain in the middle. She did NOT want to go on it, but with a lot of encouragement (in the form of a new Now That’s What I Call Music 39 CD), she relented. As often happens when we stand in line for an extended period of time, we started chatting with the people behind us.
When we got to the last flight of stairs, the big girls started laughing. I looked down at Youngest to find her standing in another puddle of pee. About that time the line moved, and we went up a few steps. I was horrified and we were all laughing silently, shoulders shaking, when the guy behind us said, “Hey, why did you quit talking to us?” Then he laughed really hard. I turned around, face red, tears streaming and apologized through my laughter. It is really hard to sound sincere when you are laughing almost too hard to speak. Fortunately, they were all really good natured about it. Youngest got a stern talking to which included promise of a punishment should she do it again. I am so glad I didn’t get arrested for my kid urinating in a very public place.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Today’s thankful: Spouse’s powers of observation
Last night Spouse and I were watching Big Brother when he exclaimed, “That’s who Rachel looks like! Boy George!” Then he started singing do you really want to hurt me? I almost died laughing. Google images of Boy George. It is amazing we didn’t see the similarity sooner.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Today’s thankful: We didn’t have to walk home with a bike
Today while I was in the office, Middlest took care of Youngest. They decided to ride their bikes (Youngest still on tiny bike with training wheels) through the next neighborhood to the elementary school’s playground. When Middlest texted me asking for permission, I almost told her I thought it was a little bit too far for Tiny Person. I didn’t want her to think I don’t trust her to be in charge, so I kept my thought to myself. I won’t make that particular mistake again. About an hour after granting permission, I got a call from Middlest asking me to come to the playground and get them. Tiny couldn’t pedal any more. So on the way home from work I stopped by the playground and picked up one tiny bike, one tiny girl, and followed a beautiful teenager home on her bike because it wouldn’t fit in my car. At least the tiny bike did and I didn’t have to go over there and walk her bike home.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Today's thankful: Middlest's ability to fend for herself a little bit
Friday, July 22, 2011
Today's thankful: Express shipping and corn memories
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Today's thankful: Hot summer days
Monday, July 18, 2011
Today's thankful: Making new friends
I was forced to make friends when I was young so I would have someone to play with all day at the pool, but making friends isn't really something I do well and, now that I am an adult, I don't really make the effort very often. I am thankful, therefore, for my new friend. I am so glad I made the effort for this one. She's a keeper!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Today’s thankful: Indiana sweet corn
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Today’s thankful: I don’t live in Oak Park, Michigan
Monday, July 11, 2011
Today's thankful: I work indoors
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Today’s thankful: Beer cheese fondue and chocolate
Friday, July 8, 2011
Today’s thankful: Youngest’s ability to use her words
Yesterday I was thawing a chicken in a bag in the sink. Middlest said, “Whatcha got in the bag, hag?” I told her it was chicken. Youngest yelled from her bedroom, “Ugh! We have chicken all the time!” She did eat all of said chicken at dinner. Tonight she is getting a new favorite of hers, porcupine meatballs. I know, they are extremely gross, but she LOVES them. It is my gift to her for putting up with so much chicken in her diet. I guess my thankful for today is that my darling daughter is capable of communicating with me so effectively. I would hate to have to wonder what makes her happy.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Today’s thankful: Internet recipes
hI bought a whole chicken last week, because I wanted the skin on to roast it. I had the butcher cut it up, because I HATE to touch raw meat, especially on a bone. So I thawed out my chicken and realized that I don’t really know how to roast a chicken. I am sure that I have seen it done on The Food Network, but not recently. So I got online and searched for a recipe. Tah dah! We are having roasted chicken tonight! Let’s hear it for internet recipes!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Today’s thankful: My tiny person
Friday, July 1, 2011
Today’s thankful: Hair dryers
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Today’s thankful: Window screens
This morning, before the heat began to rise, I opened the window by my chair and had my coffee as I listened to the world wake up. There is nothing like listening to myriad birds greeting the day.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Today’s thankful: The option to change one’s mind
Monday, June 27, 2011
Today’s thankful: No more packaged muffin mix for me, and Camp Dellwood
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Today’s thankful: Clover and bees
Friday, June 24, 2011
Today’s thankful: Awesome editor, new friends, time to dream
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Today’s thankful: My mom taught me how to can fruits and vegetables
Last Saturday I managed to catch the last day of strawberry season in Central Indiana. I bought three baskets, each holding about four quarts. The first two we ate on shortcake. The third one I prepared for the luscious berries’ lives as strawberry jam. As I was stirring and sweating over the pot, I started missing my mom. She always preserved foods during the summer, and though I didn’t think I remembered all of the steps, her trusty Ball blue book which I inherited guided me as gently as she would have. We shared a lot of happy hours in the kitchen, sweating and canning. The best part of the day, though, came at the end when the jars would make that telltale pop to let us know our efforts were successful. We cheered, arms raised high, for each and every one. When my first jar of jam popped today, I cheered. My kids thought I had gone mad. Maybe I have, but I am just carrying on a family tradition.