April 28, 2006
Daddy's Little Girl?
Meelie has always been one that is happy playing with other children or just hanging with us. There are times when she comes home and really has no interest in playing with anyone.
One of the things she loves to do is help Dad when he mows the lawn. She goes around and makes sure that all the doggie toys and large sticks are picked up, and then hops on for a ride so that she can be there if he needs her to do something.
For whatever reasons, this is HER job, and her job only. It doesn't hurt that she gets a dollar either, but between you, me, and the fencepost, I suspect she would do it for free.
(Click to enlarge. Can you say Weeeeeeee! And no, I have know idea why her eyes are closed.)
Posted by Moogie at 6:41 PM | Comments (7)
Friday Funnies
I've heard some of these before but I couldn't resist putting them up. I think we all need a good laugh before we go start the weekend. I hope all of you are doing well.
I got the go ahead to return to work part time on Monday, which is a step in the right direction. I struggle with the concept of not pushing myself too hard, and I got a pretty good lecture about that. I learned allot during the appointment as I was not loopy from the drugs and could actually focus and pay attention to what she was saying. Oh, and not fall asleep.
Over the next few weeks or so, I'll be visiting my regular doctor, as well as a nutritionist to help me combat the diverticulitis and keep it at bay. They'll be monitoring the adhesions, but it looks like I have a good chance of not having any future problems. Ok, she didn't term it exactly that way, but you do what you are supposed to do, and the only thing that can do is help. Right?
Ok, enough on the health stuff. It's time for the humor. As usual, just click on the extended entry.
MEDICAL EXAM
The woman went to the doctor for her yearly physical. The nurse starts with certain basics.
How much do you weigh?" she asks. "115," The Woman says. The nurse puts her on the scale. It turns out the weight is 140.
The nurse asks, "Your height?" "5 foot 8," says the woman. The nurse checks and says that I only measure 5'5".
The Nurse then takes the blood pressure and tells the woman it is very high.
"Of course it's high!" she screams, "When I came in here I was tall and slender! Now I'm short and fat!"
The nurse put her on Prozac.
DEEP OBSERVATIONS
When I die, I want to die like my grandfather--who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car." --Author Unknown
Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle: "Take two aspirin" and "Keep away from children." --Author Unknown
"The problem with the designated driver program, it's not a desirable job, but if you ever get sucked into doing it, have fun with it. At the end of the night, drop them off at the wrong house." --Jeff Foxworthy
"If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base." --Dave Barry
"Relationships are hard. It's like a full time job, and we should treat it like one. If your boyfriend or girlfriend wants to leave you, they should give you two weeks' notice. There should be severance pay, the day before they leave you, they should have to find you a temp." --Bob Ettinger
"My Mom said she learned how to swim when someone took her out in the lake and threw her off the boat. I said, 'Mom, they weren't trying to teach you how to swim.'" --Paula Poundstone
"A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than men. I just want to say to the authors of that study: "Duh." --Conan O'Brien
"Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant?? I'm halfway through my fish burger and I realize, Oh my God....I could be eating a slow learner." --Lynda Montgomery
"If life were fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead." --Johnny Carson
"Sometimes I think war is God's way of teaching us geography." --Paul Rodriguez
"My parents didn't want to move to Florida, but they turned sixty and that's the law." --Jerry Seinfeld
"Suppose you were an idiot ... And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." --Mark Twain
"Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place." --Billy Crystal
"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'"
Posted by Moogie at 9:04 AM | Comments (4)
April 27, 2006
Thursday Thirteen - #2
(Banner courtesy of Chaotic Home
Thirteen Things I Remember
- I remember the first bicycle I ever had that was not a hand-me-down. It was a pink, one-speed Huffy, complete with a banana seat and a basket. I would often take our dog for a ride in the basket.
- I remember the day my first daughter was born. Later on in the evening when I was alone with Chickie, I laid her on top of my stomach and marvelled that something that size had been inside of me earlier in the day.
- I remember having a job as a Documentation Clerk just out of High School. I had gone to the bathroom and walked past a row of draftsmen. One of the other female clerks came up to me and whispered that I had my dress tucked into my pantyhose.
- I remember when I graduated from college, with honors, at 40 years old. I had finally completed my goal. It was something that I did completely, and totally, for me. I was proud. I would have never been able to do it if my husband wasn't backing me 100% of the way.
- I remember the first dinner I ever cooked for my (now) husband. I was grandma sitting at my parent's house, and he came over. I made lasagna. It turned out more like lasagna soup, but he still told me it was good. We still laugh about it to this day.
- I remember the morning that my mother called me to tell me that my father had suffered a massive heart attack. It was Sunday, two days before the election of President Clinton for his first round in the Oval Office. I just threw some clothes in my suitcase and met my oldest brother at the airport. It was the longest flight from California to Florida ever. When we got off the plane, we didn't know if dad was still alive. My other brother came and picked us up and when I got off the airplane I looked into his eyes and he nodded his head slightly, which meant Dad was still with us. None of us could really speak on the way to the hospital. I still get tears in my eyes when I think about it.
- I remember when I first found out I was pregnant with Meelie. I was absolutely stunned. I had been told that this was impossible. Through all of the testing and attempts to conceive, I had psyched myself up to be completely content with one child (Chickie). I'm embarrassed to admit that it wasn't until I felt her kick for the first time that I felt happy. It was all so unreal and yet wonderful. I wouldn't change it for the world.
- I remember my first car. It was a 1976 Dodge Aspen. I bought it in 1980 and it didn't have a stereo. My dad helped me find it. We looked at so many cars. Mom and dad got me a stereo for it when I graduated High School. It had 26,000 miles on it and was driven by a little old lady who took it to go grocery shopping (really!).
- I remember the day I met my husband. It was April 1st. I thought that he was a geek and not for me, but a really nice guy. We discovered our love for old movies. He would buy the supplies, and I would cook dinner (no more lasagna soup!) and we would watch them. We started off as friends, and somewhere along the way it changed. We are coming up on our 18 year anniversary this month.
- I remember my first Baby Tender Love doll. I wanted one so bad for Christmas. If I remember correctly, there had been a fire in the factory, so the supply was low. Being a mother now, I fully appreciate the lengths my parents must have had to go through to locate one.
- I remember getting my braces off in the summer before my junior year in High School. I was constantly running my tongue over my teeth, amazed at how smooth they felt. I think I smiled, non-stop, for my entire junior year.
- I remember my best friend in High School. We lost touch after we graduated and at our 10 year reunion, I found out she had killed herself just a few years before. I felt so lost, confused and angry. I have never understood it but I've finally been able to let go of the anger and realize just how lucky I am in life.
- I remember the day my husband woke me up to tell me that Shoestrings (our first dog) had died sometime during the night. I went downstairs, and there he was, in his favorite place in front of the couch. He was lying on his side, with both of his legs crossed. I sat beside him and petted him, one last time. I leant down and gave him a kiss while the tears were streaming down my cheeks. I got up and put a blanket in the trunk of my husband's car, and he carried Shoestrings there so that the kids (they were much younger then) wouldn't have to see him that way. Telling them was so very hard.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Posted by Moogie at 8:08 AM | Comments (47)
April 26, 2006
The great outdoors
During my time off, I've been taking several walks a day to increase my strength and stamina. I've not really ventured out too much otherwise, until today.
My girlfriend called and asked me what I was doing for lunch and I replied that I was planning on participating in a triathlon with one of my friends.
We headed down to Jacksonville to run some errands and visit Target (YAY Target!). After all that was done, we stoped off for lunch. We had taken her two year old with us and I was immediately filled with an intense gratification that my children are aged 11 and 8. Especially after she threw a french fry at me and it landed in my hair.
Posted by Moogie at 1:46 PM | Comments (4)
Wordless Wednesday
If you are a WW participant, please leave your link below so we can all come and visit yours. Everyone is welcome to leave a comment!
Posted by Moogie at 8:54 AM | Comments (29)
April 24, 2006
Body Parts
(Click to enlarge)
I believe that the folks in charge of the water around here have been secretly introducing a growth hormone. The by-product of this is that children who were 4' 7", sprout to 5' 4" by the next morning. At these times I am forced to fashion a toga out of a bed sheet in order to send them to school clothed.
This type of thing normally occurs when I have just replenished their entire wardrobe because all pants end just above the ankles, and the shirt sleeves are so tight they cut off circulation and cause their hands to turn blue.
Please don't get me started on the shoes.
Posted by Moogie at 5:22 PM | Comments (8)
April 23, 2006
Learning your ABCs
I saw this over at Zoots and thought I'd give it a try. In retrospect, it probably wasn't a good idea but I'm all for inflicting pain on my psyche, so I'm going to have a go.
Anxiously waiting for my post-op appointment on Thursday to see what the doctor says.
Baking some cookies and muffins with the girls and one of their friends. I ask you. Can it get any better than that?
Chatting with one of my friends on AOL that I've not spoken to for quite some time. It seems like we just picked up where we left off! What a great feeling.
Delivering above mentioned baked goods to neighbors of ours who have undertaken a huge floor installation project for their living room and hallways on one of my many walks.
Eating out with my husband at Bonsai which is one of my favorite restaurants ever. We found ourself unexpectedly alone on Friday night when both of our kids went to the skating rink.
Finding out that frozen fruit is really good to eat in bed, while you are watching Chicken Little and hanging out with your girls.
Getting a really good nights sleep, and discovering that you have just gone the entire night with no pain medication other than Ibuprofen.
Heating up some of my leftovers from Bonsai for lunch and sitting down and the table to eat it and reading a good book.
Ice cold, unsweet iced tea on a hot summer day.
Just sitting here trying to hang on until the end of this Meme and slapping myself upside the head for even starting it.
Kissing my sweetie for no other reason that I love him and he is wonderful to me.
Lounging around it sweats and an oversize t-shirt, with absolutely nothing to do and no where to go.
Making a list of things I need to do around the house. It's getting really long and I think I need to stop before I overwhelm myself.
Nice, long (sort of and getting longer) walks by myself during the day to get stronger. Feeling the sun on my face, and swatting away at the Yellow Flies. And when the kids are home, having them go with me and listening to how their day went, and listening to their silly jokes.
Outings to the grocery store, picking up this and that and taking my time. It's kind of nice to go by yourself because you see alot of items you never realized existed.
Phoning my parents for a pick-me-up because I am feeling low, and finding myself so much more upbeat after I talk to them. Just hearing their voice makes me happy. They never fail to cheer me up.
Questions about this, that and the other thing. I ponder these and then think they would make a great blog entry, only to forget them once I sit in front of the computer.
Reading a really good book, cover to cover, by one of my favorite authors. I'm reading one now by Mary Higgins-Clark. It is sending chills down my spine. Good stuff.
Smiling because I can't wait to share this book with my mom because I know she will love it just as much I do. We have much the same taste in books and we are constantly sharing books and the names of newly discovered authors.
Telling my husband that my daughter accidentally put a hole in her bedroom wall. I thought long and hard about how I would break it to him, and hoping he won't get angry. I haven't done it yet, and it was an accident. The only thing that's good about it is that we haven't painted her bedroom yet, and it’s not a seriously big hole.
Umbrellas are a must when caught in the middle of a serious downpour, but if you don't have one, realizing it's ok. Just run out to your car, get soaked, and laugh about it all the way home with your kids. This is some of the stuff memories are made of.
Voicing your opinion that certain music is not appropriate for your children to listen to, and then sitting down and explaining the reasons why with them, and being pleasantly surprised when they "get it."
Wishing that I had never started this Meme, but not wanting to give up because I hate to do that. If I start it, I have to finish it. I wonder if I'll get any bruises from banging my head against the desk?
eXausted after taking my kids to get pictures for dance, even though it went really smoothly. The costume changes were enough to kill me.
Yellow will be a really good color to paint my kitchen, but I'm not really sure what I will use as an accent color. For the record, my husband wants to paint it yellow, and as he never voices a preference, I am choosing to do this his way.
Zeroing in on the fact that this is the last letter of the alphabet. I am so thankful.
Now, it's your turn. Think you can do it? If you do, make sure you leave a comment here so I can go check it out. Good luck!
Posted by Moogie at 8:49 AM | Comments (4)
April 22, 2006
Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt - #1
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Photo Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants. |
Spiderman in training
Having two children, there were a multitude of pictures I could choose from. In the end, I let them pick. This picture goes about a year back into the archives. For some reason, they love to try to climb the door frame. In this one, Chickie is giving Meelie a much needed boost.
Posted by Moogie at 9:11 AM | Comments (26)
April 21, 2006
Friday Funnies
I don't normally advertise stuff on my blog, but for this I'll make an exception. If you ever have trouble keeping your monitor clean, you really need to try this product.
It's one of the best around.
Posted by Moogie at 1:24 PM | Comments (2)
April 20, 2006
Thursday Thirteen
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1. My husband |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Posted by Moogie at 8:54 AM | Comments (42)
April 19, 2006
The Perils of Boredum...and stuff
I'm home tonight with my youngest. Chickie is off to dance practice and my husband is at work (they are doing some server upgrades). I'm guessing I suck at parenthood because my daughter told me I'm mean and boring. Here's why:
Her: Can we go somewhere?
Me: I'm thinking we should hang here.
Her: But it's so boring to stay home. Can we go to the mall?
Me: No
Her: What about Walmart?
Me: No, I don't think so.
Her: How come!?!
Me: Honey, I can't be on my feet that long yet.
Her: All you ever think about is you, you, you.
Me: I'm sure it seems that way. I know it's been hard on you the past week or so.
Her: Then if you know that why can't we go somewhere?
Me: How about we make some cookies?
Her: No
Me: Muffins?
Her: No
Me: Cake?
Her: No
Me: Take a bath?
Her: No
Me: Go to your room?
Her: No!
Me: Check the attitude Missy.
Her: I think I'm gonna go work on my bug collection.
Me: That rocks! Can I watch?
Her: Okay!
Posted by Moogie at 7:24 PM | Comments (8)
Katie Holmes to Give Birth on the Moon
Tomkat, Brangelina compete for the nuttiest birth plan ever.
“I have been training to get my body accustomed to zero gravity for months now,” Cruise told reporters. “That’s why I jumped up and down on Oprah’s couch.”Cruise said he and Holmes chose the moon because “it is really, really quiet there,” adding, “There are no human beings on the moon, no paparazzi, and most importantly, no psychiatrists.”
This explains alot of things.
Cruise refused to comment on the updated Pitt-Jolie birth plan, but said that he and Holmes were still “tweaking” theirs: “All I can say is it’s going to involve Cirque du Soleil.”
I wonder if they will be selling tickets?
For the full article, go here.
H/T goes to my friend Cinders.
Posted by Moogie at 7:36 AM | Comments (3)
April 17, 2006
I am the Horse Whisperer
Ok, not really. I mean, I don't even really like horses. Well, I do but I'd rather keep some distance between them and I because they are kind of big, and stuff. But that's beside the point. Horse Whisperer sounds much better than Dog Whisperer, which is really what I'm going to talk about.
As I have mentioned before, we have three dogs. Tiny (Basenji/Cattle dog), Bruiser (Min Pin/Dachshund) and Ralph (notsurewhatheis/butheisreallycute). Bruiser is the barker of the bunch. They all bark to some degree (no so much Ralph), but Bruiser is the worst. It drives me nuts because he has that annoying, repetitive, non-stop, oh my God will you please shut up, kind of bark. Does that make sense? You probably have one of them living next door to you.
We have recently banned the dogs, for the most part, to the back yard, mainly because our new neighbors have a huge white lab (Heidi), who is a female. Tiny is a female. Think Alpha Female. Think two Alpha Females. It will work out, but for now we are letting them have some space.
Our bedroom is located towards the back of the house, overlooking the deck. For some reason, Bruiser likes to stand right outside our window and bark. For the record, we crate them at night (they all willingly do this, it's like their little space).
For the past few days, I've been spending some time resting and have found Bruiser to be testing my patience. Enough already! Today, I got a bit tired of the never-ending barking and got up from my interrupted nap. I had had enough, and that dog was going to shut up or I was going to cook him for dinner.
My girls were at the foot of my bed, coloring, and asked me what I was doing. Realize that I am wearing really loose, stretchy shorts, and a large t-shirt, and when I walk I kind of do the Octogenarian shuffle. While I'm not quite at a 45 degree angle, I'm bent at the waist (though when I really concentrate I can almost walk straight), so I'm not the most threatening character.
I grabbed a section of the newspaper and rolled it up, fully intending to beat him into a cat. I came to my senses when I made it to the steps leading from the sunroom to the deck outside about 8 minutes later. It turns out that the beatings were completely unnecessary.
I heaved myself up the steps, and shouted BRUISER SHUT UP! Simultaneously, I whacked the newspaper against my hand really hard. Because he is stupid, he ran off the deck, and was instantly surrounded by the other two dogs, which immediately started barking at something too small for the human eye to detect.
I SAID SHUT UP!!! THWACK!! The thwacking was done on the deck railing several times (I wonder what my neighbors think?).
At this point, the dogs all turned around at the same time, and sat down facing me, as if to say "yes mother?"
I'm not naive enought to think that this is the end of the barking, but lately, all I have to do is come to the back door and open it, slap the newspaper on my hand a couple of times and it stops. Yes, I'll work with them more when I'm better able, but for now, today at least, I am happy to report that we are having steak, instead of roasted Bruiser for dinner.
I am the Dog Whisperer. Or something like that.
Posted by Moogie at 8:37 AM | Comments (5)
April 16, 2006
Doing the "Hula"
My girlfriend is watching the girls while I'm at home recovering (spring break for school) and my husband is at work. She took a video of them doing the "Hula Hoop." The one on the left is Meelie, and the one on the right is Chickie.
Click HERE for the video.
There are two pictues in the extended entry below.
Posted by Moogie at 5:31 PM | Comments (1)
April 14, 2006
Home from the hospital and doing great!
Some of you know that I've been having some issues with my health (diverticulitis related) and have been going through some tests to find out exactly what is wrong.
To back up, I'd been having chronic problems for about 4 months and got frustrated with my physician for just prescribing medicine (antibiotics) and then giving me a CT Scan, and then telling me I was fine, only to have the same thing happen all over again a few weeks later. It was frustrating to say the least. I continued to have pain in the lower left-hand side of my abdomen, which radiated throughout my hips, lower back and left leg.
I switched to a new physician who immediately started from the bottom up to see if she could figure out what was going on. Monday, I went in to get some results from some tests I'd had done the previous week, which all came back clear. She then gave me a pelvic exam and felt a "mass." At that point, she sent me over to the hospital to have an ultrasound. She got back to me that afternoon, and asked me to come into her office to discuss the results. I'm pretty sure I don't need to elaborate what was going through my mind here.
My husband met me at the office, and the doctor told me that it looked like I had an abscess on my ovary, and that I needed to go to the hospital for treatment. We headed on out to the hospital where I was admitted, and got settled into the room. I met the doctor (OB/Gyn) who would be taking care of me (she is the best!) and she told me that she was going to order a CT scan so they could get a better idea of what they were looking at. At that point, the idea was to see if they could treat it by antibiotics via IV. Been there, done that and was ready for the long haul.
As a precaution, they brought in a GI surgeon (who was also great), because of my history with diverticulitis. When both doctor's looked at the result of the ultrasound, they felt the abscess was not necessarily on my ovary, but perhaps located either on or near the colon. The results of the CT scan, however, negated this and it looked as though the "abscess" was located on the ovary and fallopian tube. I'm given to understand that this type of thing is difficult to pin down most of the time. In any case, the abscess had grown from 3cm to 5cm so the decision was made to perform a laparoscopy, and remove the abscess. Again, neither one of the doctors could give me a firm diagnosis, and that was kind of scary. I really didn't know if I was going to wake up from a lap, or if they found something else, full scale abdominal surgery.
They scheduled it first thing the next day (Wednesday morning) which was great. Everyone in the operating room was wonderful and I mean everyone. Even the anaesthesiologist was great. I was so scared, and they were so helpful. I'd never had surgery before. Sure I'd been in the hospital when I had kids and once when I had a bad bout with diverticulitis, but no surgery.
Coming out of the anaesthesia was rough, I was so discombobulated. I don't remember much but after they got me back to my room, and my head cleared, the doctor came in to let me know what they had found. They had told me before but like I said, I had no memory of anything. The only word I remembered was adhesions. My husband was there as well but he was so relieved just to have me out of surgery, that he didn't get alot of details.
Bottom line was that I had several cysts all stuck together, which created the mass they saw. These cysts were adhered to my ovary, uterus and rectum, which was why it was so difficult to diagnose. What a relief!!! No infection. I did have quite a few adhesions though, and this will have to be watched but my GI told me that as long as I watched my diet (high fiber) I should be ok. The ob/gyn had the GI take a look while she was in there and he told me that my diverticulitis looked better than it had in previous scans, and there were no problems there. More good news!!
Wednesday was kind of rough, but I kept improving throughout the day. In fact, since I had no infection and I was doing so well (I was able to eat, and "evacuate") she decided to let me go home that night. It was wonderful!
I spent most of yesterday sleeping, and then getting around and moving. It helped with the gas pains, and the general pain altogether. I didn't walk alot, and not far, but I would get up and move throughout the day and found that it alleviated alot of the stiffness and tightness I felt in my belly.
I was sent home with Ibuprofen (600mg) and percocet to manage the pain. So far today, I've not had to take any percocet and am going to try to manage the pain with the Ibuprofen. One thing I did notice that was this morning I had no hip, back or leg pain, nor the ever present abdominal pain on that left side. The pain I have is directly from the surgery and it's different.
I'm very hopeful that this is going to take care of the problem. I'm so blessed to have found doctors that would actually LISTEN to me when I told them that something just wasn't right. I'm glad to have it all behind me now and am looking forward to my recovery. I can't wait to start my garden or go on a bike ride with the girls, or any number of activities I was unable to do when I was hurting.
I can't believe that I wrote this much but I wanted to let you all know what was going on. I need to lay down for a bit as I'm still not very good at sitting up for long periods of time.
I'll post when I can but I'm going to be concentrating on taking it easy and regaining my health.
Take care everyone and I'll see you soon!
Posted by Moogie at 8:08 AM | Comments (26)
April 7, 2006
Messing with the sidebar
If you haven't noticed, I've been messing with the sidebar a bit. You can now subscribe to Moogie's World so you can be updated whenever there's something new. How cool is that? I even put a feedburner thingie (I know, I'm such a geek with terminology, aren't I?) right below it. If you have the time, give it a try and let me know if it works.
I also added "On My Mind" which I see that a number of sites have. Right now what's on my mind is American Idol. This is America, this is America on drugs. Any questions?
You all rock! Thank you for all of your questions for Chickie. She had a blast. You can see the results in the post below.
Your assignment? Have a great weekend and then come back and tell me what you did. Me? It's all about cleaning the house. The dustbunnies have taken over and are holding the fish hostage (I wonder if they would take Bruiser too?). Pray for me.
Right this second though, it's all about the burgers. Big, juicy, full of flavor, cow. And potato salad, but the potato salad didn't come from the cow.
My hamburgers rule. What about you? Do you make a killer burger?
Posted by Moogie at 6:55 PM | Comments (3)
April 6, 2006
Guest Blogging - Questions Answered!
We received a ton of questions for the girls, and, at least for this time, since they were mostly for Chickie, I'll let her take the lead and answer them. Honestly? You guys rock. The answer are typed by her, and I did no editing. Let's see how she does. She was pretty excited. I think when you see the number of questions, you'll understand why it took her a bit to complete. Meelie? She's too busy playing with her Monster Truck and giving rides to her Bratz Babies to care right now. We'll catch her on the flip-flop.
- Do you have a boyfriend?
- What are your favorite bands?
- Do you play any sports?
- What do you do to annoy Mom?
- What is your favorite thing about your sister?
- You're stuck on a desert island and can only have 5 things. What are they?
- Do you read? If yes, what is your favortie book.
- Do you like comics? If yes, which one and why?
- What is your favorite TV Show? Why?
- What is your favorite class in school?
- You can only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what is it?
- Your favorite memory is...
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- If you could go to any other country, what would it be?
- If you could pick any name other than your own, what would it be?
- I collect mermaids and fairies. Do you have a favorite collection?
- What would you do with a million dollars?
- What is your favorite family tradition?
- Which holiday do you like the best. Easter or Christmas? Why?
- If you had your own blog, what would it be called?
- Have you read the Little House on the Prairie Books? And if not, do I have your solemn promise that you will read them as they are an important rite of passage for young girls?
- Why do you think kids like the Harry Potter books so much?
- Lion, Witch & Wardrobe: Do you think the book or the movie is bettter?
- Why are dogs so much greater than stupid cats?
- What's the best riddle you've ever heard?
- When you get your driver's license, what do you want to do?
- Who is your best friend, and why?
- Would you rather be smart or pretty?
- If you could take a family vacation anywhere in the world, where would you like to go?
- If you found a bottle with a genie in it, and the genie gave you three wishes, what would you wish for?
- Your parents gave you $100 as a present. What would you buy? And, for whom would you buy it?
- What's your favourite piece of music and why?
- What is your favouite color and why.
- What is your favorite toy?
- Do you like boys?
- Describe your last trip with your folks...what did you do that was special to you?
- Where do you like to shop?
- When you mom asks you to clean your room, and you don't want to do it, do you have a good excuse, or is it done by you knowing you have to do it anyway!?
- What is your bestest, most favorite breakfast?
- And last but not least, what is the least favorite thing about winter?
- When you are grown up with your own place, how would you imagine each of your family members still being part of your life?
- If you were to receive an award someday what would you like it to be for?
- What are the two nicest things you can say about your sister?
- When your feeling low what is it that makes you the happiest?
- If you could wish for one thing, but that one thing had to be for your sister, what would you wish for her?
- When you grow up how far from your mama do you want to live?
- If you could give your mama or dad anything at all, what would you give them?
- Do keep a diary? If so, do you write mean things about your sister in it? I used to . . .
- Which is the better movie? Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
- What is your favorite thing to do with your mom?
- What is your least favorite thing to eat for dinner?
- Are you and athlete or a scholar? Or both?
- Do you like to read? If so what types of books?
- If you could do anything what would it be?
No.
Kelly Clarkson, Ashley Simpson, Moody Blues, Rolling Stones, my school band.
Dance. I really like ballet and tap.
Ask her a bunch of questions that I already know the answer to.
I have no favorites.
CD player, water, food, car, friend.
My favorite book would have to be Goosed.
Yes, Captain Underpants, because it's so funny.
Full House because it is also very funny.
Band.
Hmmm, that's a tough one. I would have to say Apples.
When I played my first concert in band.
A professional dancer.
I think it would be England.
Ooooh, this is hard. If I could pick any other name it would be Shannon.
Dried up paint.
Whoa, there's alot of things I could do. First, I would buy a million doggies, then I would buy a Ferrari.
Eating cake on birthdays.
Easter because you get more candy, but then you have to brush more.
Headaches
Huh?
Because there is alot of adventure in them.
The movie, definitely.
Because dogs have cleaner mouths than cats.
You are trapped inside a house and there's no windows or doors, but there is a table and a mirror. How do you get out?
Answer: You look in the mirror, you see what you saw, you take the saw, saw the table in half, put it together, and it makes a hole, then climb in the hole, and you're out.
Never get a ticket.
This is hard. Sarah, because she's so adventurous like me.
Pretty.
Hawaii.
Money, car, cell phone.
A CD for my friend Sarah.
I think it's my tap piece (for my recital) because it's quick and lively. It's called Mess Around and it's by Ray Charles.
Purple, just because.
Gameboy.
YES!
We went to Papa and Grammy's and celebrated Papa's birthday.
Belks.
Sort of both.
Froot Loops.
Getting colds.
I'll have my mommy come live with me. Sissy can stay with Dad.
For being a professional dancer.
Whoa, this is really hard. She shares candy with me and when she sleeps, she is quiet.
My mommy.
A bag of coal.
Less than three centimeters.
I would give my mom a brand new car and my dad another palm pilot.
No/I would if I had one.
Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Hang out, just me and her.
Brocolli.
Both.
Yes, Mysteries.
Have a sleepover whenever I want.
Posted by Moogie at 7:22 PM | Comments (6)
Did I say I loved animals?
When I got off work yesterday, I paid a quick visit to Mrs. Publix, and headed on home. Per usual, all three of my four legged friends were anxiously awaiting my arrival. It's all about the treats, man. I had to make several trips from the car to the house, and after I was done, I came out to do the normal dog chores. I seemed to be minus a dog, and his name was Bruiser.
I called out a few times in the front yard and headed on out to the back, even checking under the deck. Meelie went inside to hunt him down and had no luck either. It was at about this time that I developed heart palpitations and had a slight panic attack, but I was still under control. Ok, I was hiding it from my children well.
At times the smaller dogs love to hide amongst the boxes that we have in part of our garage, but searching through those brought no luck either. As fate would have it, the girls were playing with a gaggle of friends and they all spread out and began searching the neighborhood. Once the word got out that a dog was missing, the would-be rescuers came out in droves to help look. We live in an area surrounded by a marsh so you can pretty much imagine what's going through my head.
After an unsuccessful 30 minutes of searching, I made my way up the driveway to check and see if he had maybe returned or hidden so successfully that we had missed him. It was about that time that I turned to look out over my driveway and take another look around. I was hoping for Bruiser to come bounding out of the woods, filthy, tired and none worse for the wear.
Here's the part that makes me feel more stupid that Kelly Pickler (2 cookies if you get that reference). I looked more closely and discovered that Bruiser was sitting in the passenger seat OF.MY.CAR., looking happy as a clam. The little fart. He must have made his way inside from the back, when I was unloading the groceries.
I’ll leave you guessing as to how I broke the news to all of the wonderful people who helped me search for him. My face was still red when I went to bed that night.
Did I say I loved animals? I may have to change that.
Posted by Moogie at 7:04 PM | Comments (5)
7 reasons not to mess with children
Just a little humor for Thursday. I'm thinking this one hits the nail on the head a few times. Can you relate? Scary huh?
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."
The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him."
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.
After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"
Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'"
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain't empty."
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
"Take only ONE. God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.
Posted by Moogie at 7:38 AM | Comments (5)
April 4, 2006
Mommy, why did he have to die?
This is one of a handful of questions that I dread having my children ask me. Quite simply, there is no concrete answer, nor one that will put salve on the open wound located just above their heart. If you have ever watched your child(ren) sob as if all of the pain and suffering in the world is upon their shoulders I would say that you may know what I am talking about.
In this particular case, we are not talking about death in the human form, but in the loving, furry (some would call him rodent), 4-legged occupant in my home named Gingi.
It is important to know that each and every animal that lives or has lived in our home plays an intricate part in the lives of both the children and adults that live here. They have taught my children about responsibilities, in the feeding and cleaning the cages, tanks, poop, etc. They have taught my children the meaning of the word unconditional love, because let's face it, animals don't care what you look like, how popular or smart you are, or if you are in a bad mood. And they listen to everything you have to say, as if it was the most important thing in the world. Simply put, they worm their way into our hearts and become part of our family.
One of the more important lessons that our animals have taught us is about the cycle of life and death. Like many of you, losing a pet is terribly hard because they are a part of you. Chikie likens it to losing a limb, and while I don’t know that I would go that far, I would say that it hurts. Terribly.
The kicker about losing Gingi is two-fold. Meelie discovered it, and it was on her birthday. Yeah, me too.
As I held my children close, Meelie looked up and me and said “why did Gingi have to die?” I responded, “Unfortunately, things like this happen. But I think that Gingi died on your birthday for a reason. He died, but here we are, celebrating the birth of a child who we love so much.” It’s kind of like a full circle. Yes, I know that it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense but she had just turned 8 and you really can’t go into any sort of in-depth explanation. I also told her that Gingi was now with Shoestrings (our first beloved dog) in Heaven and that they were having the time of their lives together. Bless her heart, she responded “I hope Shoestrings doesn’t eat him.”
Dad gave him the proper burial, complete with giving each child a chance to say their goodbyes. We picked a nice spot, right near the pond where (in my children’s words) “Gingi could watch the ducks.” I’m all for the ‘whatever works’ point of view.
I was telling this story at lunch today, and one of my co-workers said “don’t you think that’s a bit of an overkill?” To give myself credit, I did NOT slap her upside the head, but I’m ashamed to admit it was close. I realize that the vast majority of folks don’t believe that animals go to Heaven, but I’m all for telling my children that they do, if it helps them cope. Besides, truth be told, I’m not so sure they aren’t there.
I’ve gotten a lot of flack about our animals and the way we treat them, and how I let them become such an integral part of our lives. I’ve never understood it, but hey, to each his own.
Now, I’m asking you? Am I going off the deep end here or can you see where we are coming from?
Discuss.
Posted by Moogie at 7:02 PM | Comments (12)
