The Comment of The Week was in response to this post. The award goes to The Diaper Diaries and honestly, the award goes to her daughter for the great quote below...
"Great questions. I have to say I was flipping channels and came across Days Of Our Lives which I haven't watched since high school (which was, let's just say, a while ago, or more accurately-Marlena as the devil ago). I swear I could have started watching again without missing much.
I did notice Patch was back.
My daughter was in the room and said, "Why is there a pirate on this show? Is he going to say Argh?"
I have to say we could use a few more pirates on daytime TV. ;>)
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Your Cell Phone Could Save A Child
If you own a cell phone, take a minute to read this.
Sign up for Amber Alerts on your cell.
The text message you receive while you are out running that errand or stuck in traffic could save the life of a child.
Go now.
Thank you-
Sign up for Amber Alerts on your cell.
The text message you receive while you are out running that errand or stuck in traffic could save the life of a child.
Go now.
Thank you-
Friday, September 28, 2007
A little list that we all could do without.
I hate lists, but when you're in a writing funk, a list can be your best friend.
Your very best friend.
So here is what I have been doing this week while not on my soapbox. In list form...
1. Trying to reach the troop leader, a responsible Girl Scout representative, anyone in brown or green with a vest full of patches.
2. Painting sea life on my daughter's walls. It is turning out to be so cool that I may just move in there. I am using glow-in-the-dark paint to highlight the jellyfish and I even painted a school of fish that only show up in the dark. She calls it "the secret school of fish."
Next on the painting list- a sea turtle
3. Trying not to melt from the sweltering heat. And isn't it almost October? Sweet mercy.
4. Planning a lesson for my 4 and 5 year olds' Sunday School class. I am loving teaching them!
5. Looking for clothes in all the wrong places for a pair of scarecrows I plan to put on the porch. Right now they are dressed and painted but I am going to make them my own by repainting their faces and dressing them in some fine, thrift shop apparel. (I have made one before and it was so fun.)
6. Did I mention I love anything remotely crafty?
Y'all have a fun weekend. Crafty or not crafty!
Your very best friend.
So here is what I have been doing this week while not on my soapbox. In list form...
1. Trying to reach the troop leader, a responsible Girl Scout representative, anyone in brown or green with a vest full of patches.
2. Painting sea life on my daughter's walls. It is turning out to be so cool that I may just move in there. I am using glow-in-the-dark paint to highlight the jellyfish and I even painted a school of fish that only show up in the dark. She calls it "the secret school of fish."
Next on the painting list- a sea turtle
3. Trying not to melt from the sweltering heat. And isn't it almost October? Sweet mercy.
4. Planning a lesson for my 4 and 5 year olds' Sunday School class. I am loving teaching them!
5. Looking for clothes in all the wrong places for a pair of scarecrows I plan to put on the porch. Right now they are dressed and painted but I am going to make them my own by repainting their faces and dressing them in some fine, thrift shop apparel. (I have made one before and it was so fun.)
6. Did I mention I love anything remotely crafty?
Y'all have a fun weekend. Crafty or not crafty!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Thirteen things I wish I could put on my refrigerator
1. My daughter's smile.
2. The feeling I get when I see her do the right thing when she doesn't know I am looking.
3. Her spontaneous hugs.
4. A Fall day outside when we find leaves or just decide to dig in the dirt.
5. The moment we released a butterfly after watching it grow as a caterpillar and form a chrysalis.
6. The look on her face when her Daddy comes home from work.
7. The moments she tells me how much she loves Jesus.
8. The peacefulness of her sleeping.
9. The sounds of giggles as she plays with her sweet friends.
10. The scent of her soft, baby hair after a bath.
11. The overwhelming, drowning joy just moments after her birth.
12. Every card, every drawing, every Play-doh sculpture she has ever made.
13. The humble gratefulness to God for giving me just a moment with one of His precious children.
2. The feeling I get when I see her do the right thing when she doesn't know I am looking.
3. Her spontaneous hugs.
4. A Fall day outside when we find leaves or just decide to dig in the dirt.
5. The moment we released a butterfly after watching it grow as a caterpillar and form a chrysalis.
6. The look on her face when her Daddy comes home from work.
7. The moments she tells me how much she loves Jesus.
8. The peacefulness of her sleeping.
9. The sounds of giggles as she plays with her sweet friends.
10. The scent of her soft, baby hair after a bath.
11. The overwhelming, drowning joy just moments after her birth.
12. Every card, every drawing, every Play-doh sculpture she has ever made.
13. The humble gratefulness to God for giving me just a moment with one of His precious children.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
More Stuff I Don't Understand: Boring Edition
Other than the fact that I am in a bit of a writing funk and am a bit loopy from sinus medication, I really have no other excuse for this pitiful post.
Except that I am, in fact, very strange.
But most of you have figured that out by now.
Here are a few world-changing, life-enriching issues that have kept me up at night. (Not really. I blame blogging and HGTV for that.)
1. Why is it that my my make-up bottle promises to reverse the years and turn back time, but it always seems to take me back to when I was in high school or last month when a hormonal surge caused my face to become a photo-op for Proactiv Solution?
2. Why hasn't the school playground run out of sand? It seems that all of it has ended up in my car. How does the sand spontaneously replenish beneath the swings but will no one will spontaneously vacuum it out of the backseat of my car?
3. Why must children automatically turn their shoes upside down after taking them off? Is it like the "bread will always fall butter side down" theory? Does gravity make a Nike shoe tip instantly and spill sand and small pebbles into my car or my living room floor?
4. Why is it that my cat will spend all of her waking hours grooming herself but she will not even attempt to cover the awful prize she has left in her litter box?
5. Why must the Brady family fight the DiMera family all on their own? Hasn't the Salem Police Department ever heard of the FBI?
I'm just sayin.'
Except that I am, in fact, very strange.
But most of you have figured that out by now.
Here are a few world-changing, life-enriching issues that have kept me up at night. (Not really. I blame blogging and HGTV for that.)
1. Why is it that my my make-up bottle promises to reverse the years and turn back time, but it always seems to take me back to when I was in high school or last month when a hormonal surge caused my face to become a photo-op for Proactiv Solution?
2. Why hasn't the school playground run out of sand? It seems that all of it has ended up in my car. How does the sand spontaneously replenish beneath the swings but will no one will spontaneously vacuum it out of the backseat of my car?
3. Why must children automatically turn their shoes upside down after taking them off? Is it like the "bread will always fall butter side down" theory? Does gravity make a Nike shoe tip instantly and spill sand and small pebbles into my car or my living room floor?
4. Why is it that my cat will spend all of her waking hours grooming herself but she will not even attempt to cover the awful prize she has left in her litter box?
5. Why must the Brady family fight the DiMera family all on their own? Hasn't the Salem Police Department ever heard of the FBI?
I'm just sayin.'
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Bullies don't get invited to birthday parties.
A follow-up to this post.
Mrs. Johnson's third grade class knew all about Johnny.
He had picked on Susie, had a few of his bully friends beat up Bobby, and he had threatened the entire Kindergarten class. Nobody liked Johnny. He was just plain mean.
Johnny went to another school across town. The kids in Mrs. Johnson's class heard that Johnny and a group of mean kids had vandalized the neighborhood. In fact, they were pretty sure that Johnny had stocked an entire arsenal of dirt clods and slingshots in his own backyard. No one really had proof, but everyone just knew.
One day, Billy, a little boy in Mrs. Johnson's class, had a birthday party. It was supposed to be the best birthday party ever with balloons and prizes, a jumpy castle and Happy Meals for all. All of the kids in Mrs. Johnson's class were invited. Everyone was so excited.
Then Johnny showed up.
The kids were shocked.
But then they learned that Billy had invited Johnny.
Invited Johnny?
When Billy's friends asked why Johnny had been invited, this is what Billy said...
"Everyone in our class is so nice and Johnny is so mean. I want Johnny to see what it is like to be nice, to not be a bully. He should be at a party where everyone is allowed to play with all the toys and everyone gets a goody bag at the end. Just because Johnny doesn't have parties like that, doesn't mean I shouldn't invite him.
Johnny might learn something about being nice. And while he is here, we can ask him about all the dirt clods and slingshots he has hidden in his yard, and about the time we all heard he and his friends spray painted the neighborhood with graffiti."
One brave little girl stood up in the middle of the play area and said...
"Do you seriously think just because you invite Johnny to this party that he will act nice and learn how not to be a bully?
What makes you think he doesn't have a few dirt clods in his pocket right now? And what if a kid in our class decides to beat up Johnny at this party? What will Johnny do then? Will he use his bully power to get other kids in his neighborhood to come and beat up the kids at our school?
And what about us, Billy?
We are your friends.
Don't we matter to you?
What were you thinking, Billy?"
Then Billy said,"I don't know. All I cared about was the really cool presents."
So Mrs. Johnson's entire third grade class decided to be nice to Johnny at the birthday party. Everyone was on their best behavior. Billy gave Johnny the best seat at the party and let Johnny have the first piece of birthday cake. Even though Johnny said hurtful things to the other children at the party and lied about the dirt clods, he was allowed to be first in line at the jumpy castle and he was given the very best goody bag when it was time to leave.
Other classes heard about the birthday party and how Johnny had been invited, even treated like a guest of honor. They began to think that maybe, just maybe Johnny was not so bad. If Billy had invited him to his party and the entire class had been so kind to Johnny, then maybe Johnny was actually their friend. Maybe Johnny wasn't a bully after all.
And all the while, Johnny had gone back home across town, goody bag in hand, and returned to all of his mean, little bully friends. He and his friends were just as mean as they were before.
And they all had a good laugh about the birthday party while they made new dirt clods and slingshots in Johnny's backyard.
Mrs. Johnson's third grade class knew all about Johnny.
He had picked on Susie, had a few of his bully friends beat up Bobby, and he had threatened the entire Kindergarten class. Nobody liked Johnny. He was just plain mean.
Johnny went to another school across town. The kids in Mrs. Johnson's class heard that Johnny and a group of mean kids had vandalized the neighborhood. In fact, they were pretty sure that Johnny had stocked an entire arsenal of dirt clods and slingshots in his own backyard. No one really had proof, but everyone just knew.
One day, Billy, a little boy in Mrs. Johnson's class, had a birthday party. It was supposed to be the best birthday party ever with balloons and prizes, a jumpy castle and Happy Meals for all. All of the kids in Mrs. Johnson's class were invited. Everyone was so excited.
Then Johnny showed up.
The kids were shocked.
But then they learned that Billy had invited Johnny.
Invited Johnny?
When Billy's friends asked why Johnny had been invited, this is what Billy said...
"Everyone in our class is so nice and Johnny is so mean. I want Johnny to see what it is like to be nice, to not be a bully. He should be at a party where everyone is allowed to play with all the toys and everyone gets a goody bag at the end. Just because Johnny doesn't have parties like that, doesn't mean I shouldn't invite him.
Johnny might learn something about being nice. And while he is here, we can ask him about all the dirt clods and slingshots he has hidden in his yard, and about the time we all heard he and his friends spray painted the neighborhood with graffiti."
One brave little girl stood up in the middle of the play area and said...
"Do you seriously think just because you invite Johnny to this party that he will act nice and learn how not to be a bully?
What makes you think he doesn't have a few dirt clods in his pocket right now? And what if a kid in our class decides to beat up Johnny at this party? What will Johnny do then? Will he use his bully power to get other kids in his neighborhood to come and beat up the kids at our school?
And what about us, Billy?
We are your friends.
Don't we matter to you?
What were you thinking, Billy?"
Then Billy said,"I don't know. All I cared about was the really cool presents."
So Mrs. Johnson's entire third grade class decided to be nice to Johnny at the birthday party. Everyone was on their best behavior. Billy gave Johnny the best seat at the party and let Johnny have the first piece of birthday cake. Even though Johnny said hurtful things to the other children at the party and lied about the dirt clods, he was allowed to be first in line at the jumpy castle and he was given the very best goody bag when it was time to leave.
Other classes heard about the birthday party and how Johnny had been invited, even treated like a guest of honor. They began to think that maybe, just maybe Johnny was not so bad. If Billy had invited him to his party and the entire class had been so kind to Johnny, then maybe Johnny was actually their friend. Maybe Johnny wasn't a bully after all.
And all the while, Johnny had gone back home across town, goody bag in hand, and returned to all of his mean, little bully friends. He and his friends were just as mean as they were before.
And they all had a good laugh about the birthday party while they made new dirt clods and slingshots in Johnny's backyard.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Freedom of Speech?
Whether you are reading this blog, the paper, watching Fox News, CNN or reading the Washington Post...
Whether you are listening to Talk Radio, a sermon, or the speech of a president- any president...
Remember that Freedom of Speech must come with responsibility.
As the listener of the speaker, you must also use responsibility.
You have a responsibility to consider the facts, all of them.
Consider the source.
Consider the motive.
And consider this-
That freedom is not guaranteed, only protected.
That freedom, like life, can be taken in an instant.
And that it is the lives of those protecting our freedoms that we must consider.
What will you choose to do with your freedoms?
How will you remember those who stand ready at this very moment to protect them?
How will you thank those brave ones?
Consider their freedoms.
Consider the overwhelming responsibility they shoulder each and ever day...
For you.
For me.
For our children.
For the people who love them.
For the people who hate them.
These brave ones stand ready to protect them all.
I ask you this-
Where is their Freedom of Speech?
Whether you are listening to Talk Radio, a sermon, or the speech of a president- any president...
Remember that Freedom of Speech must come with responsibility.
As the listener of the speaker, you must also use responsibility.
You have a responsibility to consider the facts, all of them.
Consider the source.
Consider the motive.
And consider this-
That freedom is not guaranteed, only protected.
That freedom, like life, can be taken in an instant.
And that it is the lives of those protecting our freedoms that we must consider.
What will you choose to do with your freedoms?
How will you remember those who stand ready at this very moment to protect them?
How will you thank those brave ones?
Consider their freedoms.
Consider the overwhelming responsibility they shoulder each and ever day...
For you.
For me.
For our children.
For the people who love them.
For the people who hate them.
These brave ones stand ready to protect them all.
I ask you this-
Where is their Freedom of Speech?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Comment of the Week #2
The Comment Of The Week goes to...
Shannon @ Idylwild for her comment to this post.
"Oh, hon-eee. I dated Bud, too, only his name was (I am not making this up) Tater and the truck was green."
Hat tip to Shannon. John Deere Cap tip to Tater. :>)
Shannon @ Idylwild for her comment to this post.
"Oh, hon-eee. I dated Bud, too, only his name was (I am not making this up) Tater and the truck was green."
Hat tip to Shannon. John Deere Cap tip to Tater. :>)
Friday, September 21, 2007
Blueberry French Toast Bake
Updated to add-
Visit this website to purchase the entire cookbook with this recipe and many others like it. Thanks, Nancy for the link!
Fall is in the air and when it is, I love to have something warm and yummy for breakfast.
This morning I made this casserole for us and I wanted to share the recipe with you. It is from an awesome regional cookbook I have. Take the time to make the syrup. It is soooo worth it.
Blueberry French Toast Bake
one large loaf French bread, cubed
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
8 ounces fresh or thawed frozen blueberries
2 cups milk
6 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1/3 cup maple-flavored syrup
cinnamon to taste
Brown Sugar Syrup
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup light corn syrup
salt to taste
To prepare the French Toast-
Sprinkle half of the bread cubes in a greased 2 quart baking dish. Add cream cheese cubes and blueberries. Top with remaining bread cubes.
Combine milk, eggs and vanilla in a bowl and mix well. Pour over the layers in the baking dish and press down lightly to saturate bread with liquid. Combine butter and syrup in a bowl, mix well. Pour over the layers and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
Cover and chill at least 2 hours. (Overnight is great!) Bake at 325 for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
To prepare Syrup-
Combine brown sugar, cream and corn syrup and salt in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat until smooth, stirring to blend well. Do not boil. Serve with French toast.
Visit this website to purchase the entire cookbook with this recipe and many others like it. Thanks, Nancy for the link!
Fall is in the air and when it is, I love to have something warm and yummy for breakfast.
This morning I made this casserole for us and I wanted to share the recipe with you. It is from an awesome regional cookbook I have. Take the time to make the syrup. It is soooo worth it.
Blueberry French Toast Bake
one large loaf French bread, cubed
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
8 ounces fresh or thawed frozen blueberries
2 cups milk
6 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1/3 cup maple-flavored syrup
cinnamon to taste
Brown Sugar Syrup
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup light corn syrup
salt to taste
To prepare the French Toast-
Sprinkle half of the bread cubes in a greased 2 quart baking dish. Add cream cheese cubes and blueberries. Top with remaining bread cubes.
Combine milk, eggs and vanilla in a bowl and mix well. Pour over the layers in the baking dish and press down lightly to saturate bread with liquid. Combine butter and syrup in a bowl, mix well. Pour over the layers and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
Cover and chill at least 2 hours. (Overnight is great!) Bake at 325 for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
To prepare Syrup-
Combine brown sugar, cream and corn syrup and salt in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat until smooth, stirring to blend well. Do not boil. Serve with French toast.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Kid Nation?
I know I am opening a can of worms, here, but I have to ask.
What do you think about Kid Nation?
If you are not familiar with the new reality show, go here to find out.
Personally, I find it cruel. Sure, it makes for good ratings and sure, kids are tougher and smarter than we acknowledge.
But, in a day when adult issues are forcing some of our kids to grow up faster than they should, we have to draw the line somewhere.
Let them be kids! Give them opportunities to shine as kids. That's what makes them so special.
Here's an idea. How about adults acting like adults. Hmmm....
What do you think about Kid Nation?
If you are not familiar with the new reality show, go here to find out.
Personally, I find it cruel. Sure, it makes for good ratings and sure, kids are tougher and smarter than we acknowledge.
But, in a day when adult issues are forcing some of our kids to grow up faster than they should, we have to draw the line somewhere.
Let them be kids! Give them opportunities to shine as kids. That's what makes them so special.
Here's an idea. How about adults acting like adults. Hmmm....
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monarch Migration
Last Fall we observed an abundance of Monarchs migrating through our area. After searching the web, I found this great site where you can help track their migration.
Once you have a sighting, you can log it on the website. It is so amazing to see God's creatures traveling miles and miles to one safe and warm haven in Mexico.
You can also link to other migration sites like the whooping crane. Even if none of these creatures migrate through your area, you still will enjoy sharing their journey.
Have fun!
Once you have a sighting, you can log it on the website. It is so amazing to see God's creatures traveling miles and miles to one safe and warm haven in Mexico.
You can also link to other migration sites like the whooping crane. Even if none of these creatures migrate through your area, you still will enjoy sharing their journey.
Have fun!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
This One Is For The Moms
The original, unedited post was published January 10, 2007. I wanted to share this again because lately, I feel like we all need a little encouragement.
Let me give you a peek inside my world.
Before I had a child, I had a much cleaner house. I ate right, at least on occasion, and I sometimes even went for a walk and broke a sweat. Now, most of my sweating is a side effect of the anti-depressant I take or the pre-menopause that I am convinced I have begun. Yes, I am only 36 years old. Since having a child, I have much more fatigue, anxiety, brain fogs, and cellulite and much less fashion sense.
Ain't life just grand?
I would never, ever, in a 100 million years, ever go back to those former days if it meant that I would not be a mother. I absolutely adore my daughter and I am thankful for motherhood. Every night, when I tip toe in her room and look at her sweet face there nestled on her pillow and snuggled against her bunny, I say "thank you" to God above that He allowed me, undeserving me, to be her mama. I kiss my little girl's forehead and smell her sweet breath, thinking on the scent of her baby's breath, and the image of her resting peacefully in her crib. I pause and consider that these moments are fleeting, like a train leaving the station right there before my eyes.
I just wish I could be perfect.
Everyone has room for improvement, but I have room for an extreme makeover. From my organization skills to my culinary choices, the networks could do an entire mini-series on me.
I used to really beat myself up. Some days, I still do, but for the most part, I have decided that God made me the way I am. He certainly wants me to strive to be my best, but He wants me to be my best for Him, not for everyone else, and definitely not for am image that is plastered on TV, magazines and movies.
I've decided that I do have gifts and abilities that are worth sharing. I can remove stains that would make most people run away screaming. I have the insane ability to memorize phone numbers. In spite of the brain fogs, my mind is a steel trap when it comes to mothering memories and entire episodes of Seinfeld.
Go ahead. Quiz me.
I can make a chicken salad that my husband loves, an awesome pan of biscuits without measuring and I can create just about any casserole your heart desires with a vegetable, grated cheese, Hellman's mayonnaise, a can of cream of something soup and a pack of Ritz crackers. Look out, Rachael Ray.
In spite of all of these incredible, somebody-call-Guiness talents, I still feel a little down some days. Perhaps it is because I eat peanut butter from the jar or I forget to keep my eyebrows tweezed, or it's because my laundry appears to reproduce overnight. (Maybe this is a reason we are supposed to keep things separate.)
Yes, I am an average, under dressed, overweight mother of one. I have a lot of room for improvement, but I am learning to be more comfortable in my own skin, as saggy and acne-ridden that it is. Acne in my thirties. Who would have guessed?
When I am dead and gone and my husband has buried me after following the written instructions for my funeral that I have left for him in a special file in the filing cabinet, including songs and what to wear (for me and for him, yes, I'll still be picking out his tie), I hope my epitaph may read:
"Here lies Melanie. She never climbed Mt. Everest or took part in extreme sports. She never fit into her size 4 jeans again. She had no desire to travel to exotic parts of the world or launch into outer space. Her house was clean, but lived in. Her hair was combed, but her roots were visible. Her waist, well we don't know where it went.
But, her husband remembers her kisses and the smell of her perfume. As a wife, she tried her best to honor him, to support and share his dreams, and to always treat him like the man that he is. She made him lunch, not everyday, but now and then. When she did, she included a note on a napkin or a lipstick kiss. She may not have kept her college figure, but she always dressed and acted like a lady.
Her daughter remembers her hugs and the smell of Noxema on her face when she tip toed in her room to kiss her forehead. She pretended to be asleep sometimes, snuggling her bunny and feeling her mama's loving eyes watching over her. As a mother, Melanie told her daughter about Jesus and manners. She told her and showed her how to give to others. Her daughter can remember the murals on her bedroom walls, the times her mama sent cupcakes to school, went on field trips, and made crafts with the class. She remembers her Mama staying up late at night with her when she was sick, giving her yucky-tasting medicine and singing to her in the darkness.
Here lies, Melanie. She wasn't anything out of the ordinary. She was just a mom, just a wife, but she was special to those who loved her and to those she loved."
I hope you feel special today. You are special to many people around you.
Have an incredible, ordinary day.
Let me give you a peek inside my world.
Before I had a child, I had a much cleaner house. I ate right, at least on occasion, and I sometimes even went for a walk and broke a sweat. Now, most of my sweating is a side effect of the anti-depressant I take or the pre-menopause that I am convinced I have begun. Yes, I am only 36 years old. Since having a child, I have much more fatigue, anxiety, brain fogs, and cellulite and much less fashion sense.
Ain't life just grand?
I would never, ever, in a 100 million years, ever go back to those former days if it meant that I would not be a mother. I absolutely adore my daughter and I am thankful for motherhood. Every night, when I tip toe in her room and look at her sweet face there nestled on her pillow and snuggled against her bunny, I say "thank you" to God above that He allowed me, undeserving me, to be her mama. I kiss my little girl's forehead and smell her sweet breath, thinking on the scent of her baby's breath, and the image of her resting peacefully in her crib. I pause and consider that these moments are fleeting, like a train leaving the station right there before my eyes.
I just wish I could be perfect.
Everyone has room for improvement, but I have room for an extreme makeover. From my organization skills to my culinary choices, the networks could do an entire mini-series on me.
I used to really beat myself up. Some days, I still do, but for the most part, I have decided that God made me the way I am. He certainly wants me to strive to be my best, but He wants me to be my best for Him, not for everyone else, and definitely not for am image that is plastered on TV, magazines and movies.
I've decided that I do have gifts and abilities that are worth sharing. I can remove stains that would make most people run away screaming. I have the insane ability to memorize phone numbers. In spite of the brain fogs, my mind is a steel trap when it comes to mothering memories and entire episodes of Seinfeld.
Go ahead. Quiz me.
I can make a chicken salad that my husband loves, an awesome pan of biscuits without measuring and I can create just about any casserole your heart desires with a vegetable, grated cheese, Hellman's mayonnaise, a can of cream of something soup and a pack of Ritz crackers. Look out, Rachael Ray.
In spite of all of these incredible, somebody-call-Guiness talents, I still feel a little down some days. Perhaps it is because I eat peanut butter from the jar or I forget to keep my eyebrows tweezed, or it's because my laundry appears to reproduce overnight. (Maybe this is a reason we are supposed to keep things separate.)
Yes, I am an average, under dressed, overweight mother of one. I have a lot of room for improvement, but I am learning to be more comfortable in my own skin, as saggy and acne-ridden that it is. Acne in my thirties. Who would have guessed?
When I am dead and gone and my husband has buried me after following the written instructions for my funeral that I have left for him in a special file in the filing cabinet, including songs and what to wear (for me and for him, yes, I'll still be picking out his tie), I hope my epitaph may read:
"Here lies Melanie. She never climbed Mt. Everest or took part in extreme sports. She never fit into her size 4 jeans again. She had no desire to travel to exotic parts of the world or launch into outer space. Her house was clean, but lived in. Her hair was combed, but her roots were visible. Her waist, well we don't know where it went.
But, her husband remembers her kisses and the smell of her perfume. As a wife, she tried her best to honor him, to support and share his dreams, and to always treat him like the man that he is. She made him lunch, not everyday, but now and then. When she did, she included a note on a napkin or a lipstick kiss. She may not have kept her college figure, but she always dressed and acted like a lady.
Her daughter remembers her hugs and the smell of Noxema on her face when she tip toed in her room to kiss her forehead. She pretended to be asleep sometimes, snuggling her bunny and feeling her mama's loving eyes watching over her. As a mother, Melanie told her daughter about Jesus and manners. She told her and showed her how to give to others. Her daughter can remember the murals on her bedroom walls, the times her mama sent cupcakes to school, went on field trips, and made crafts with the class. She remembers her Mama staying up late at night with her when she was sick, giving her yucky-tasting medicine and singing to her in the darkness.
Here lies, Melanie. She wasn't anything out of the ordinary. She was just a mom, just a wife, but she was special to those who loved her and to those she loved."
I hope you feel special today. You are special to many people around you.
Have an incredible, ordinary day.
Monday, September 17, 2007
You Might Be A Redneck's Girlfriend
When we went on our last road trip, we rented an SUV. Compared to my Mommy Camry, I felt like I was driving a tank. Let me tell ya. It was COO-WEL.
Yes, M'am. That was a niiiiice truck.
So now I've got the fevah for a new vehicle. I was feeling a little warm and clammy before, thinking about a new mini-van or a small SUV, but after driving a Chevy on I-75 alongside the diesels and the hummers, I am completely febrile for a new car.
Somebody give me a Tylenol.
All of the gas- guzzling, ozone-depleting, all-terrainness reminded me of a guy I dated in college, before I met my husband. I will call him "Bud."
My hubs loves to tease me about Bud because Bud was the typical redneck.
Bud spoke reaaallly slowwwwllyy. He was a real gentleman. He opened doors for ladies and even for women who didn't act like ladies. He loved his mama. But most of all, Bud loved his truck.
And Bud had a niiicce truck.
It was a red Nissan, always sparkling clean. You could picture a dog (probably a hunting dog) riding in this truck with his tongue hanging out, barking at people in BMW's at red lights. Bud didn't have a dog, but if he had, I am sure it would have gone out with us.
We only dated for a few months. Most of the time we would see a movie or go out for dinner. After dinner, we would always go shining for deer. If you don't know what that is, let me explain...
Shining for deer is illegal when used for hunting. I am not sure if it is allowed for cruising, or for taking your girlfriend out on a date. It is also not the kindest or most humane activity in the world. Shining for deer is taking a flood light or other bright light and riding along the edge of the woods, looking for deer.
I.E. Deer in the headlight
Now that you are beginning to have a mental image of us out blinding Bambi with a huge flashlight, let me add one more image.
Sometimes a truck with a bench seat does not have a cup holder, and even if it did, come on people, a redneck gentleman with a southern girl by his side? Seated on a bench seat out shining for deer? Now why would you even need a cup holder?!
Because I was the cup holder.
The dip cup holder.
I'm just helpful like that.
Yes, dip cup. We're not talking French Onion. We're talking about the carcinogenic kind- Skoal.
So you can see why Bud did not end up being The One. My Prince. My Knight In Red Shining Armor With Chrome Hubcaps. I mean, with all of that romance, a girl can only take so much!
Yes, M'am. That was a niiiiice truck.
So now I've got the fevah for a new vehicle. I was feeling a little warm and clammy before, thinking about a new mini-van or a small SUV, but after driving a Chevy on I-75 alongside the diesels and the hummers, I am completely febrile for a new car.
Somebody give me a Tylenol.
All of the gas- guzzling, ozone-depleting, all-terrainness reminded me of a guy I dated in college, before I met my husband. I will call him "Bud."
My hubs loves to tease me about Bud because Bud was the typical redneck.
Bud spoke reaaallly slowwwwllyy. He was a real gentleman. He opened doors for ladies and even for women who didn't act like ladies. He loved his mama. But most of all, Bud loved his truck.
And Bud had a niiicce truck.
It was a red Nissan, always sparkling clean. You could picture a dog (probably a hunting dog) riding in this truck with his tongue hanging out, barking at people in BMW's at red lights. Bud didn't have a dog, but if he had, I am sure it would have gone out with us.
We only dated for a few months. Most of the time we would see a movie or go out for dinner. After dinner, we would always go shining for deer. If you don't know what that is, let me explain...
Shining for deer is illegal when used for hunting. I am not sure if it is allowed for cruising, or for taking your girlfriend out on a date. It is also not the kindest or most humane activity in the world. Shining for deer is taking a flood light or other bright light and riding along the edge of the woods, looking for deer.
I.E. Deer in the headlight
Now that you are beginning to have a mental image of us out blinding Bambi with a huge flashlight, let me add one more image.
Sometimes a truck with a bench seat does not have a cup holder, and even if it did, come on people, a redneck gentleman with a southern girl by his side? Seated on a bench seat out shining for deer? Now why would you even need a cup holder?!
Because I was the cup holder.
The dip cup holder.
I'm just helpful like that.
Yes, dip cup. We're not talking French Onion. We're talking about the carcinogenic kind- Skoal.
So you can see why Bud did not end up being The One. My Prince. My Knight In Red Shining Armor With Chrome Hubcaps. I mean, with all of that romance, a girl can only take so much!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
If the mothers ruled the world...
Fox wouldn't have to edit out the foul words of an Emmy winner, or cut away from her speech on stage.
Troops and their mothers would not be used for anti-war propaganda.
No one would dishonor the life's work of a General.
But wait...
Mothers can "rule the world" because
it is the hand that rocks the cradle that rules the world.
Who or what rocks the cradle of your children?
Troops and their mothers would not be used for anti-war propaganda.
No one would dishonor the life's work of a General.
But wait...
Mothers can "rule the world" because
it is the hand that rocks the cradle that rules the world.
Who or what rocks the cradle of your children?
Comment of the Week
Sometimes the comments are so much better than the blog material.
Today is the first Sunday I will award "Comment Of The Week."
Kudos to Steffj89 for her great comment to this post.
"We live far enough out in the country that my hubby gave me snake shooting practice....now I am not 100% sure where or when I will have call to use this...how do ya trap one in your house while ya go get the gun? and chances are if i am seeing one in the yard if the guns not on me I am too far away from him anyway.
The result of the snake shooting practice...if it had been a live snake rather than a garden hose it would have had time to eat a village before *I* actually shot it. I did ok with the rifle, but the pistol i am supposed to use??? i couldnt hit the tree 4 feet in front of me and its about 2 ft around....LOLOL" Steff
Steff, I sure hope you have a blog. If not, please start one. You are a hoot! :>)
Today is the first Sunday I will award "Comment Of The Week."
Kudos to Steffj89 for her great comment to this post.
"We live far enough out in the country that my hubby gave me snake shooting practice....now I am not 100% sure where or when I will have call to use this...how do ya trap one in your house while ya go get the gun? and chances are if i am seeing one in the yard if the guns not on me I am too far away from him anyway.
The result of the snake shooting practice...if it had been a live snake rather than a garden hose it would have had time to eat a village before *I* actually shot it. I did ok with the rifle, but the pistol i am supposed to use??? i couldnt hit the tree 4 feet in front of me and its about 2 ft around....LOLOL" Steff
Steff, I sure hope you have a blog. If not, please start one. You are a hoot! :>)
Friday, September 14, 2007
She shall bruise his head with her mop handle
Just when you think all is calm at the pond, you find a snake in your living room while your husband is at work.
Yep. A snake. It was a baby snake, but that doesn't really make the situation any better, unless you take into account that his little reptilian mouth was too small to bite my pinky toe.
Oh yeah. I forgot to mention in some previous posts- The pond out back? Um, it has been home to water moccasins.
I decided to identify the snake before killing it. One needs to know the odds of a venomous bite or, you know, death before one tries to remove a creature that may or may not be deadly. Sadly enough, I am learning about the patterns of snakes.
Stripes- good.
Blotches- sometimes good, sometimes very, very bad.
Diamonds- bad
Bands and Cross bands- Depends on the colors. Red and yellow could be friendly or deadly. So, you are supposed to remember this-
"Red touches yellow will kill a fellow."
It's like a sick, little nursery rhyme that you never want to read to your kids.
This snake had blotches. In order to determine whether he was a harmless water snake or a deadly water moccasin, I was supposed to look at the shape of his head and his eyes. I am no snake expert, but it is my opinion that if you are close enough to a snake to decide whether his eyes are oval or round or hazel with flecks of gold, you are too close.
The possibility that it was deadly was enough ID for me. I grabbed the broom, and in one quick tactical maneuver-like motion, I swooshed it (that's a real snake expert term) near the door and away from furniture to prevent the snake from evading me in a secret snake hide-out. After swooshing, I commenced to smooshing. (more snake expert talk)
Pretty much, I beat the thing to death with the mop handle. It wasn't until I hit it with a Biblical head-crushing jab on its creepy little head, that it died. There it lay, dead as a doornail, right there in the foyer.
Yep. A snake. It was a baby snake, but that doesn't really make the situation any better, unless you take into account that his little reptilian mouth was too small to bite my pinky toe.
Oh yeah. I forgot to mention in some previous posts- The pond out back? Um, it has been home to water moccasins.
I decided to identify the snake before killing it. One needs to know the odds of a venomous bite or, you know, death before one tries to remove a creature that may or may not be deadly. Sadly enough, I am learning about the patterns of snakes.
Stripes- good.
Blotches- sometimes good, sometimes very, very bad.
Diamonds- bad
Bands and Cross bands- Depends on the colors. Red and yellow could be friendly or deadly. So, you are supposed to remember this-
"Red touches yellow will kill a fellow."
It's like a sick, little nursery rhyme that you never want to read to your kids.
This snake had blotches. In order to determine whether he was a harmless water snake or a deadly water moccasin, I was supposed to look at the shape of his head and his eyes. I am no snake expert, but it is my opinion that if you are close enough to a snake to decide whether his eyes are oval or round or hazel with flecks of gold, you are too close.
The possibility that it was deadly was enough ID for me. I grabbed the broom, and in one quick tactical maneuver-like motion, I swooshed it (that's a real snake expert term) near the door and away from furniture to prevent the snake from evading me in a secret snake hide-out. After swooshing, I commenced to smooshing. (more snake expert talk)
Pretty much, I beat the thing to death with the mop handle. It wasn't until I hit it with a Biblical head-crushing jab on its creepy little head, that it died. There it lay, dead as a doornail, right there in the foyer.
After disposing of the remains in the big green garbage can (my version of the East River), I got on the Internet and ID'd the dead critter- A water snake. Poor, harmless, dumb as dirt to slither into this girl's house snake.
May it rest in peace.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Thirteen Things You Will Never See On TV
1. Britney hosting Thanksgiving dinner with Martha Stewart.
2. Billy Graham Crusades bloopers and outtakes.
3. The Barbara Walters/Apprentice Special
4. Vera Wang on What Not To Wear
5. The Project Runway Last Minute Costume Making Challenge
6. Dateline Investigates: Lost Socks In The Dryer
7. PBS Special: Methane Gas- How Chili Cook-offs Contribute to Global Warming
8. Rock, Paper, Scissors- America Chooses Their Next US President
9. Extreme Home Makeover- The White House
10. Dancing With The Stars- Chicken Dance Edition
11. A commercial for air
12. Special Offer: Gallon of Gasoline- Buy One Get One Free
13. Made For TV Movie- Webster's Dictionary
2. Billy Graham Crusades bloopers and outtakes.
3. The Barbara Walters/Apprentice Special
4. Vera Wang on What Not To Wear
5. The Project Runway Last Minute Costume Making Challenge
6. Dateline Investigates: Lost Socks In The Dryer
7. PBS Special: Methane Gas- How Chili Cook-offs Contribute to Global Warming
8. Rock, Paper, Scissors- America Chooses Their Next US President
9. Extreme Home Makeover- The White House
10. Dancing With The Stars- Chicken Dance Edition
11. A commercial for air
12. Special Offer: Gallon of Gasoline- Buy One Get One Free
13. Made For TV Movie- Webster's Dictionary
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
I'm so glad she doesn't want anyone to feel left out.
"Mommy, I feel sorry for the juice box."
"Why?"
"No one wants a juice box anymore. Everyone wants a CapriSun. If someone has a juice box and their friends all have a CapriSun, the one with the juice box says, 'Ah, Man! I gotta juice box."
"It's Ok. There are still some kids who like the juice box. I think the preschoolers still drink them.
;>)
"Why?"
"No one wants a juice box anymore. Everyone wants a CapriSun. If someone has a juice box and their friends all have a CapriSun, the one with the juice box says, 'Ah, Man! I gotta juice box."
"It's Ok. There are still some kids who like the juice box. I think the preschoolers still drink them.
;>)
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The day that changed everything.
September 11.
A day that changed so many lives forever.
We all know where we were that day, but I want to ask you this- Where are you today?
Today could be the day that changes your life for eternity. Watch this and search your heart.
Blessings,
A day that changed so many lives forever.
We all know where we were that day, but I want to ask you this- Where are you today?
Today could be the day that changes your life for eternity. Watch this and search your heart.
Blessings,
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