June 30, 2006
Telemarketers beware
It has long been understood in my family, that when a telemarketer calls, my husband handles it.
I do not have it in me to become rude, or obnoxious. After all, these people have to make a living. But this way of thinking does not hold true with my husband.
The other night, Meelie answered the phone. She immediately walked over and handed it to her dad. When he asked her who it was, she said it was some French guy named Juan (I have not made the connection either) who wanted to talk to mom.
After the normal greetings were complete, I watched as my husband zeroed in on the kill.
Do you realize that we are on the Do-Not-Call-List? Well you do now, and I would suggest that you make sure that everyone else is aware of this fact as well. Let me inform you that if you ever call my house again, I will crawl through the phone and rip your ears off.
After turning around he faced me and said "what?"
I arched my finely waxed brow and calmly stated, "that was a little rough, don't you think?"
In a response that I have come to expect, he replied "so blog about it."
So I did.
Posted by Moogie at 4:18 PM | Comments (5)
Conversation overheard
Chickie: Meelie, why are you wearing your underwear on your head?
Meelie: Because I'm cold.
Chickie: That makes absolutely no sense.
Meelie: Sometimes I put socks on my hands.
Chickie: I hope you didn't get the underwear from the dirty clothes hamper.
Meelie: They aren't that dirty. They've only been in there for a day.
Posted by Moogie at 8:49 AM | Comments (7)
June 29, 2006
Growing up can suck sometimes
Do you ever think back to your childhood, and remember what it was like to have no worries whatsoever? I do. I mean just the thought of having summers off is enough for me to become giddy like a school girl.
Don't get me wrong, I love my life. Sure, there are things I would like to change, and some of those I'm working on right now, but I don't believe for one second there is anyone out there that wouldn't.
Growing up means responsibilities. Paying bills. Cleaning your own house and doing your own laundry. Growing up means taking others thoughts and feelings into consideration. When you have children, your life no longer revolves around what you want to do. It belongs to your child.
Growing up means watching your friends die, one by one. It's just one more reminder that we are no longer immortal. And that sucks.
I've put off writing this post. I fully intended on going to the funeral, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. It wasn't supposed to happen. It was too damn early. I couldn't face all of the other friends who loved him, and knew him much better than me.
I won't go into detail, eulogizing him as so many have eloquently done. I don't handle sharing my grief well. It's enough that I'm able to tell you about it.
RIP Rob. God bless.
Posted by Moogie at 6:03 PM | Comments (5)
June 28, 2006
Thursday Thirteen - #6
(Banner courtesy of Chaotic Home)
Thirteen Things I Remember as a Teenager (some are back in style)
What do you remember as being popular when you were a teen? I know that I'll be dating myself, but that's ok, they say that age is a state of mind. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter (ba-dum-bum).
- Platforms
- Bell bottoms, with cuffs
- Big hoop earrings
- Dittos (type of jeans)
- Farah Faucet hairdo
- Mood rings
- Angel Sleeved Blouses (loose cut oversized blouses with bell bottom sleeves)
- Clogs
- Corduroy
- Cutoff Denim Shorts
- Disco
- Puka shells
- Ponchos
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, including mine! It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Posted by Moogie at 6:04 PM | Comments (17)
June 27, 2006
Name That Blog Winner! (Finally)
Thank you all so much for participating in the "Name That Blog Poll." You guys are awesome! Without further ado, I bring to you Moogalicious, our new community Recipe Blog.
Dining with Moogie: 5.9%
Moogie's Magnificent Mixin's: 8.8%
Menus by Moogie: 0%
Munchin' with Moogie: 5.9%
Moogie's Munchies: 5.9%
Moogalicious: 50%
Mixin' with Moogie: 8.8%
Moogie's Skillet: 14.7%
First, and most importantly, a special thanks goes out to Miss Zoot for the lovely template. Does she rock or what? You should go check out her free designs, as well as the others that she does. Good stuff. She's one talented lady.
As you can see, we only have a few recipes so far, so here is where you come in. If you look on the left-hand side, under links, you will see a "submit me" link. Just click on that and submit your recipe. Make sure you add your link, if you have one, so I know how to post it. At the very least, I would like to put your name. It doesn't have to be linked to anything, but I want to give you credit. I have no specific format that I require for the recipes you submit.
You will notice that the categories are somewhat catawampus. I'm working on that. Unfortunately, Blogger does not offer that particular feature, so I have to use a hack. I had it working at one point, but now it seems to be pointing to the test blog. I'll sort that out in the near future. If it's fixed by the time you read this, ignore this paragraph.
I am also interested in any suggestions you might have. One of the things I thought would be nice would be to have a Helpful Hints category. Perhaps that might include, but is certainly not limited to, useful kitchen gadgets, conversions, fresh herbs vs. dried (another conversion), how to's (such as blanching, roué, etc.). The possibilities are endless. I can guarantee that I will post just about anything you send in (cooking wise) unless it's something like "Barbequing in the Nude" or some such.
I'm also thinking about adding a column, such as "Recipe of the Week/Month, or some such. Any ideas/thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Do you have something you would like to be featured on a regular basis?
So come on, what are you waiting for? It's pretty simple. Remember, this is YOUR blog.
Submit people, submit!!!!! (This means you as well Mom)
Posted by Moogie at 5:47 PM | Comments (8)
June 26, 2006
It's good to be home
And then again, I wish I was still gone.
Sounds strange I guess. But it seems that no matter how good of a time I have, I'm always happy to be home. Does that make sense to any of you?
We had such a good time. Pool, beach, movies (we went and saw Cars) but most importantly, family time. Pure family time. We had a full house. My folks had to deal with eight extra people in their house, most of them kids. Oh, and we must not forget Mom's cooking. I don't think I've eaten that well in ages.
I'm slowly catching up, and coming up to speed on things. Tomorrow, I'll finally be announcing the name of the new recipe blog (about time, eh?). I found that I really didn't miss the computer time when I was away. I think I may have gotten on the computer maybe once while I was gone. I feel so relaxed and refreshed.
It was good to come back to work, though I wouldn't have minded being away longer. I got alot accomplished by the end of the day and feel like I'm back up to speed.
The girls are home tonight, relaxing and hanging out with no real desire to go out and play. We are all enjoying the moment, and trying to make it last. In their eyes, Grammy and Papa rock!
I'm not partial or anything, but I agree.
I've missed you all, and look forward to getting back up to speed.
Posted by Moogie at 6:35 PM | Comments (7)
June 18, 2006
Dear Dad
Did I tell you today how much I love you?
I have thousands of memories pouring out of my brain, but when I attempt to put them into the written word, they jumble together, forming a tangled web that gets clogged up in my fingertips.
I always remember you being there for me whenever I needed it. From and early age up until today, you were someone I could always count on to love me, no matter what. I never really understood that until I had children. It's pretty obvious to most who know me; I am a Daddy's girl.
I remember as I was growing up, you travelled quite extensively. Mom and I would get busy and write you little notes to put into the pockets of your shirts, your shaving kits, your socks and just about anywhere we could think of so that you would have something to read every day. You would tell us that when you arrived at the hotel, you would unpack carefully, so as not to dislodge any of the notes we had hidden because you didn't want to read them all at once.
When I was younger, I looked at those notes as a way of ensuring that you wouldn't forget me. As I got older, I wrote them because, like my mom, I loved you and wanted your time away from home to be a little easier.
We cannot forget decimal points. Oh, how I hated decimal points. You never, ever gave up. You kept working with me until, one day, the light when on, and I got them. Before then, I was convinced I was going to drop out of school forever because it was all just too hard. Looking back, that kind of makes the whole word problem situation in math seem pretty easy.
Do you know how much I love you? I just wanted to make sure.
I miss the days that we used to carpool to work together. "SOUTH ON WOLFE ROAD!" "SHUT UP LES!" (I wonder if the lady in the car next to us ever recovered from that.) And our little jaunts to the local ice cream parlor on the way home on Fridays. Do you remember those? And, no matter how careful we were, one of us always ended up dripping some of it on our shirts, so we couldn't hide it from Mom. We were so totally busted, you and I. It's not as if Mom cared that we stopped for ice cream, but it became our game.
Fast forward to two days before Clinton was elected to office for the first time. When I got "the call" every child dreads. You had suffered a massive heart attack, and at the time of the call, they were unsure whether you were going to make it or not. I was in California at the time, and let me tell you. That was one of the longest plane rides I ever took. The uncertainty of whether you would be alive or not when I got there had me in tears the whole time.
I remember you standing over Chickie's crib, and crying one morning, with Mom standing at your side. I didn't want to intrude, but you told her that you almost didn't make it to see her. You felt so blessed. I remember those same tears of joy, when you were able to watch your second granddaughter come into this world. You never had been present for a birth before, and you were amazed at the miracle you witnessed.
If it was possible, I loved you even more then. You and I had shared something that was very important to me. And I was so happy I was able to provide that experience for you.
I've been told by many people who know both of us, that I have your work ethic. I must say, nothing makes me prouder when they say "I can't believe how much you take after your dad." Of course, I won't mention how either one of us has a quick temper or anything. That would be one trait I would have preferred doing without, but the good far outweighs the bad in this instance.
I wasn't able to be there today for Father's Day, but it helps me to know, I'll be there tomorrow morning. Complete with your grandchildren, who, if they had their way, would leave tonight. They can't get there soon enough.
Did I tell you how much I love you today? No? Well, let me try.
I love you Papa. I'm so glad God gave you to me. Happy Father's Day!
Posted by Moogie at 6:38 PM | Comments (6)
I've been working on the railroad
And pppaaaacking all day looooongggg....
I'm well aware that the song doesn't go that way but this is my post, and MY pity party, so have mercy 'mkay?
In actuality, it's not so much of a pity party, as a "Oh good Lord, I am leaving on vacation with a hormonally charged adult wanna be, and a sleep deprived 8 year old psycho." While I am aware that there is no reason to call in a priest to perform an exorcist on my children and home (these things tend to come in spurts), I am strongly leaning towards tying them to the luggage rack on our way down to our destination.
In all seriousness, I have been looking forward to this trip for quite some time. My husband has to work, so it will be just myself and the two space aliens heading off to my parents house in the wee hours of the morning. My brother, his wife and family will be visiting from California, so the kids, quite naturally are hyped up.
Last week seemed to be the week of harried visits, sleep-overs, play dates, and "how can we make Mom get in the car and drive us one more place?" This of course, was done with the added bonus of my husband being out of town on business, in which he complained that he hated Philadelphia, all the people were crazy, he hated hotel rooms, and he wanted to come home. Cry me a river.
It really wasn't quite as bad as I make it sound, the whole week can be summed up as extracting an impacted wisdom tooth without benefit of anaesthesia.....or booze.
It was interesting to note how quickly you get into a routine if you are lucky enough to have a spouse who is willing. I do this, he does the other, and so on. We run like a well oiled machine, often times not even having to verbalize what we need done. We just do it, and I liken it to automatic pilot. When one spouse is out of the picture for a time, the well oiled machine turns into a tractor that has weathered one-two-many storms. It simply doesn't start, and when it does, it runs rough, creaks, groans, moans, and consistently stalls.
Back in 2002, my husband had a job which required him to be away from home 2-3 weeks (on average) a month. It became second nature to switch to single-mom mode, and I really had no problems. I guess that kind of thing is like riding a bicycle. You never really forget how, you just may be like that rusty tractor, until you get a complete overhaul.
It only took me a couple of days to get back into the routine, but I was certainly glad when he came back. Yes, I missed him, but he was doing what needed to be done at work, and I was keeping the fire warm at home. It's just the way things work.
Let's face it. When you have two kids at home, there isn't much time left-over to feel sorry for yourself. Even when you have a tropical storm blow through, after which you discover has left part of your garage floor in puddles. Or when one of your children's beloved fish dies. Or your dog gets into something he shouldn't have and, well, leaves a mess in your sun room.
I think I've pretty much wandered away from the subject I was aiming for, but what else is new, eh? The point is, the girls and I will be heading down to Florida for the week. I'm not sure exactly what day we'll be back. We are going to play it by ear.
I'm looking forward to spending some time with the rest of the family, as well as the girls. I'll try to post when I can to let you know how it goes. One thing I will do is unveil the new name for the recipe blog, as well as open it up for submissions. You guys really rock. I can't believe how many of you voted!
Now, I just need to get back to the packing, and not forget the underwear this time.
Posted by Moogie at 5:53 PM | Comments (1)
June 10, 2006
Name that Recipe Blog! Poll is now up
Please note that this post will remain on top until June 17th, when voting will be closed, and a decision will be made.
The poll is finally up. I got quite a few suggestions in the comments and by email. Mr. OWW accumulated the data, and picked the favorites. Thank you all for your suggestions. It was very hard to choose. Now it's time for you to pick your favorite so go ahead and vote.
Posted by Moogie at 10:27 AM | Comments (7)
June 8, 2006
Why I don't miss Blogger
For the past couple of days, Blogger has been working about as well as a one armed paper hanger. Don't get me wrong, it's a good source for a free blog, and I'm given to understand they've been doing a bit better than since I left. But it still frustrates me.
Yesterday was Wordless Wednesday, and today Thursday Thirteen. I wasn't able to go around and visit because I couldn't get to all of the bloggers blogs, and when I could, it took forever and I couldn't comment. Ah well, another time maybe.
At the moment, Chickie and her best friend have volunteered to clean the kitchen. I'm thinking they want to earn some extra spending money for the skating rink tomorrow. I also think they deserve it. They are even organizing my pantry. I probably won't be able to find anything when they are done, but it will be organized and clean. Do you suppose I could get them to clean some more of the house? We'll probably have her friend over for tonight as well, so that they can spend the day together tomorrow. We are kind of doing a test drive on this because she is usually at day care. She has a level head on her shoulders, and knows the rules. Those two have a good time together. They made BROWNIES and even left some for the rest of us to enjoy. I won't do that every day, but she wants to be able to stay at home alone when school gets out next year, so we are testing the waters. Besides, I generally get a play by play from her about every hour when I'm at work. I don't need that many updates, but she has the need to give them to me. Kind of cute if you ask me, and I don't mind.
So when they give me the word that all is clear in the kitchen, I'll whip them up something for dinner (with all of their hard work, they get to choose), and then make hamburgers for Mr. Moogie and I.
I'm thinking a nice, fresh salad would go good with that. Oh, and of course, we must not forget a brownie for dessert.
Posted by Moogie at 6:55 PM | Comments (4)
Thursday Thirteen - #5
(Banner courtesy of Chaotic Home)
Thirteen Nursery Rhyme Questions
How well do you know your nursery Rhymes? Below are some questions to test your knowledge. How many are you familiar with? I played this type of game at a baby shower I went to, and it was a blast. I thought I would try it out here.
- Who kissed the girls and made them cry?
- Where did the old lady with too many children live?
- Who broke his crown?
- What time was it when the mouse ran down the clock?
- Who kept his wife in a pumpkin shell?
- Who was in the tub with the baker and candlestick maker?
- Who was afraid of spiders?
- What animal jumped over the moon?
- All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put him back together again. Who was he?
- Who called for his pipe and bowl?
- What couldn't Jack Sprat's wife eat?
- What is Wee Willie Winkie wearing when he runs through the town?
- If Monday's child is fair of face, what's Tuesday's child like then?
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, including mine! It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Posted by Moogie at 6:35 AM | Comments (15)
June 7, 2006
Wordless Wednesday - #5
(Click on image to enlarge)
What caption would you pick for this picture?
Leave a comment if you are playing this week. Heck, leave a comment if you aren't. Come on, join in the fun!!!
Posted by Moogie at 6:44 AM | Comments (9)
June 6, 2006
Red Lobsters and Sandy Bottoms
We had our fill of both this weekend.
The girls and I (plus two additional ones), my brother and his two boys all went to the beach on Friday. I believe that somewhere between home and the beach, we lost a majority of our brain cells. I packed the sunscreen, but did any of us think to use it? Needless to say, we all looked like red lobsters at the end of the day.
The beach we went to was called Sandy Bottoms. I'm here to tell you that they don't call it that for nothing. I really don't think I need to elaborate on that one.
I'd forgotten about the sand. It's in your car, on your feet, in your mouth, in your hair, on the floor in your house, all over your bathroom, in the tub. The list is endless.
Even with the sand, I still enjoyed myself. I'd forgotten just how much fun the beach could be. I don't think the kids got out of the water much at all. They had a blast. My oldest nephew just came along for the ride, and pretty much slept the whole time. He was nice and relaxed.
My brother looked better than I had seen him look in a couple of years. He's got one part of his incision that hasn't yet healed, and is still in some amount of pain and needing to rest. I just keep hoping that this last surgery will heal him completely. He has been through so much the last three years.
All in all, it was a successful weekend. I was pretty pooped on Monday, but recovered and all is settling back down to normal. Well, as normal as it gets with a couple of rug rats and their friends running through the house.
I'll post some pictures of target practice in a few days. Heh...no body parts were lost.
Posted by Moogie at 6:20 PM | Comments (4)
Dysfunctional
You know it's going to be a bad day when you are going through the first security checkpoint (at work) and they stop you for a random search of your car.
You know it's going to be a really bad day, when you discover that's it's a full-on search, complete with a dog.
And there are six naked Barbies in your back seat.
Posted by Moogie at 6:33 AM | Comments (5)
June 3, 2006
Name that blog!
**Note to readers: This post will remain on top until June 3rd, at which time, comments will be closed.**
I've been pondering the idea of setting up a recipe blog for some time now. It will mainly just be an assortment of recipes from my own collection, but there will also be those that I receive from other folks. I'm doing it mainly for fun, but I really love getting recipes from other folks. One of my favorite things to do is cook, and I love to try new things.
My problem lies within naming the blog. Here's where you come in. Give me some good ideas for a title of a recipe blog. It doesn't have to contain "Moogie" in the title. Anything will do. Be as creative as you like. After I've compiled the list, and chosen the top 5, I'll post a poll and everyone will have a chance for the final vote.
Just leave your ideas in the comments.
Go forth my peeps, and create!!
Posted by Moogie at 5:58 PM | Comments (17)
June 1, 2006
Dear God
Dear God,
Please help me.
Last weekend, I promised Meelie, and two of her friends that they could spend the night tonight. I also promised them that we would go to the beach tomorrow. Even Chickie was excited. We made plans for a picnic lunch, complete with a cooler and everything that anyone would want for a day at the beach. I even stocked up on sunscreen.
Dear God, why did you let me do that?
I got a call from my brother two nights ago, asking if he and the boys (there are 2 of them) could come up for a visit. For the weekend, this weekend. And perhaps for some part of the week.
I know you realize that family is important to me and there is nothing I would rather do than spend time with them. But Lord, did you have to make it at the same time?
I can't break the promise to the girls, I can't say no to my brother and my nephews because I want to see them too much. My house is a wreck, we are way behind on the laundry, and my cupboards are bare.
I now have to think of something to fix the children for dinner (the girls, because they are still hungry, because no parents ever feed them), make up the beds, make sure Chickie's room is clean (she's doing it now), and figure out where everyone is going to sleep. It's not necessarily in that order.
Before you think I'm complaining, I want to tell you that I love it. I'm just feeling somewhat overwhelmed right now. It will work out, it always does. It's just the getting there that is hard. To top it off, my poor husband is bushed. Month end was last night and he didn't get home until way past midnight, and had to go to work at the same time the next day.
Dear God, I made the mistake of telling you my plans for the weekend beforehand. I must say, I've never seen someone laugh so hard.
Posted by Moogie at 8:12 PM | Comments (6)
Worldless Wednesday Answer
This post brought on more traffic than I would have ever dreamed of. I honestly posted it because I just thought that it was a neat picture. I laughed so hard at some your guesses. You obviously had your thinking caps on. A few of you got it right.
Honestly, when I asked the question "What is it?" I believed you all would take me literally. Instead, some of you took it a step further and tried to answer what you thought was a riddle. You worked so hard at finding that twist. What fun. You guys are so creative.
The answer is very simple. It's a question mark.
Thank you for making my Wordless Wednesday so much fun. I hope you enjoyed yourselves as well.
I've posted a picture in the extended entry, and a little bit of an explanation.
The bearded man in this picture is Jacob. He and his lovely wife Becca lived next door to us. On a side note, they are expecting their first baby!
Jacob visited us the first day we moved in. The moving truck had not yet come, but we did have some furniture hear and there (new) that had been delivered that day. It was so nice to meet him. He was gracious and kind, and talked to us about life in Georgia. We were so excited about moving into our house, and he shared in our excitement.
Earlier this year, they moved to California (my old stomping grounds) and I have found that I miss them both terribly. I probably shouldn't mention it, but Jacob was the one who pretty much burned our front lawn. It was a funny story, and I won't go into it right now but I did feel sorry for him. He felt so bad about it. Truth be told, my husband and I laugh about it to this day. My husband never let him hear the end of it. Those were good times.
Per usual, I have let myself get sidetracked by memories. This is a picture from Jacob and Becca's going away party. Jacob, who has it going where kids are concerned, was playing with The Little Princess on Charlie's pool table. The end result was what you saw posted on my Wordless Wednesday this week.
And that, as they say, is that. Have a great evening everyone!
Posted by Moogie at 5:22 PM | Comments (3)
Thursday Thirteen - #4
(Banner courtesy of Chaotic Home)
Thirteen Tongue Twisters
I dare you all to try to say each and everyone of these outloud, and get them right. You get extra points if you do it before your first cup of coffee/tea, shower in the morning. I don't think my tongue will ever be the same.
On a further note, there is still time to participate in Name That Blog. Go on now, what are you waiting for?
- Six sick slick slim sycamore saplings.
- A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk, but the stump thunk the skunk stunk.
- Six thick thistle sticks. Six thick thistles stick.
- The sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick.
- Three free throws.
- Tim, the thin twin tinsmith
- The boot black bought the black boot back.
- The boot black bought the black boot back.
- Which witch wished which wicked wish?
- Sarah saw a shot-silk sash shop full of shot-silk sashes as the sunshine shone on the side of the shot-silk sash shop.
- Strict strong stringy Stephen Stretch slickly snared six sickly silky snakes.
- Betty and Bob brought back blue balloons from the big bazaar.
- Give me the gift of a grip top sock:
a drip-drape, ship-shape, tip-top sock.
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, including mine!. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Posted by Moogie at 5:58 AM | Comments (36)
