March 25, 2007
Blog Fodder #15 is up!
Blog Fodder #15 is up! Won't you join us this week? Go here so see the topic of the week as well as this week's participants.
Let's go!
Posted by Moogie at 5:46 PM | Comments (2)
March 24, 2007
What's a blogger to do?
Internets! I've been sitting her for the past 3 hours 1/2 hour or so, starting and stopping and starting and stopping and starting and stopping posts and I'm no closer to writing that first sentence than I was when I first started. I've accomplished very little today in preparation for the upcoming vacation, but hey, I'm all about procrastination. I work better under pressure. Hey! Why do today, what you can put off until tomorrow? Or maybe first thing on the morning you are supposed to LEAVE?
The girls are off to a birthday party with no estimated time of arrival back to home. My significant other is watching one of the home improvement shows (I, of course, must watch it with him from time to time, because people, they have some seriously cool stuff on there). And I? I'm trying to decide what I want to do.
I've spent some time updating the Blog Fodder site, though I haven't released that version publicly yet. I'm trying to come up with some good ideas for a blog for a friend of mine who has a catering business. I've also been adding some updates to a website for another person, with a bouncy house business. So I ask you, my dear readers. How can I find time to pack when I have all of this other stuff to do? It seems logical to me.
Bleh.
Since I have all of this hovering over my head, I will treat you to another round of Chez Moogie photographs. Meelie and Miss S. were so bored when they came home from school on Friday. I mean, they had NOTHING to do, and no, you can't count the number of toys in Meelie's bedroom, or the games, or the number of suggestions that I gave them. The were flat out bored and, according to the little rugrats, it was my responsibility to fix it. Mine. I have big shoulders. I can take it. For the record, I passed on my normal response which was to give them chores. It was just too beautiful outside.
So I brought out the camera! Because what sends those "I have nothing to do and I'm so bored, and it's your fault" blues away than Mom taking pictures at our every whim? In the extended entry, I present to you the result, and a description of each and every photo. Because let's face it. It's not like I have anything better to do.
Shaddup.
As always, click on any of the images to enlarge them.
I call this "Ow, or BOTTOMS UP!" depending on which picture you were looking at. Either way, my entire body hurts.
Next up? This is the ever popular picture entitled DON'T LOOK BECAUSE OH MY GOSH SOMEONE IS GOING TO BREAK THEIR NECK (Look Mom! No hands!)." May I have an "Amen" from those of you who have one of these photos?
I have entitled the next one "Patient Dogs," because as far as those adorable four legged creatures are concerned, the girls can do no wrong, as long as they are playing with them. Pet me! No! Pet me! have also discovered that it is difficult to get a good shot of any of the dogs on their own because they won't hold still. Ralph, the littlest one, is next to impossible. I'm not sure, but I believe he is camera shy. It's either that or he owes some back child support to some poodle and doesn't want his face photographed.
And lastly, one of my favorite, typical Meelie shots. What's with the thumb girl? We've been working on breaking her of this habit for a while. At least she no longer does it at school. And tell me, my beloved readers, is this shirt not perfect for her?
Now it's your turn. Which one of these is your favorite picture?
Posted by Moogie at 8:19 PM | Comments (7)
March 22, 2007
To do list for vacation
The girls and I are heading on down to spend some time with my folks over spring break next week. As always, there is a huge to-do list of things that must be done before we leave. Listed below, is the short version.
Oh look! Bullets!
- Get slammed at work with priority orders because of equipment failure which has caused production stoppage. Make sure it happens your last day of work, which then forces you to go into work the next day, in order to complete everything. Keep in mind, this extra day off was going to be used to run various errands to get them out of the way. Check.
- Make sure our eldest daughter comes down with the stomach flu, which causes her to stay home from school, be completely miserable, and think nothing of calling you every half hour (or more), give you a blow-by-blow (hee) account of the last time she threw up, and to ask you when you are coming home.. Thank the Lord that you have a husband that was able to take the day off work to be with her. Check.
They say things come in threes. Dear. Gawd. No.
Posted by Moogie at 5:37 PM | Comments (8)
March 21, 2007
In no particular order....
- A friend of my husbands sent this video to him. What more do you need than a camera, a lightsaber, and a future academy award winning actress? Well, a roll of toilet paper doesn't hurt. This video stars his friend and his daughter.
- We had an extra child today after school, so she tagged along for Meelie's gymnastics practice. This is one of the conversations I overheard.
Miss K: I am from Philadelphia!
Meelie: I can tell because of your French accent.
- Miss K asked me this question: Who was God's mommy? This is the type of question that puts me between a rock and a hard place. I don't know what her parents believe, and I don't want to step on any toes. I side-stepped around it as best I could, and was relieved when Meelie chimed in with "Oh Mom! I forgot to tell you. Mrs. D. made me sit out at recess." When I asked her why she replied, "because I kept burping during Math." Obviously, this will be a topic of discussion during the bedtime routine. And to think, I wanted girls because they were so feminine and delicate. Slap me now. It will prevent me from banging my head on the wall.
- My kids and I have a pretty open dialogue about sex and the "Lord love a duck, you are so not dating until you are 30" type thing. Last night, I was cuddled up to Chickie, drifting off into a deep slumber when she asked me "Mom, what's an abortion?" Needless to say, it was a while before we went to sleep. (Dad, you probably want to stop reading here) On a side note here, I've always tried to use the real words involved, like "vagina" and "penis" when talking about puberty and such. I kid you not, I used to practice in front of a mirror so I could say the words without blushing or feeling faint. There are times when I think the whole openness thing I have created is coming back to bite be on the butt. You think I'm uncomfortable telling Meelie's friend about who God's mommy was? How do you think I feel when I overhear Chickie say to one of her friends, "Come on, let's ask my mom. She'll explain to you what Mrs. S. means about birth control." I went and hid in the bathroom.
- Only my children would think that Chicken and Dumplings was a 5 star meal. I'd never made them before, and it did turn out really good, considering I really didn't know what I was doing. Mmmmmm....leftovers. (Chickie likes it! She really likes it!)
And that, my dear internets, is all I'm saying about that. See you tomorrow. Same bat time, same bat channel!
PS: Dear Mom, only 5 more get-ups!
Posted by Moogie at 9:07 PM | Comments (5)
March 20, 2007
Blog Fodder #14
This week's topic was submitted to us by Maremagnum. When I posted the topic over at Blog Fodder. I asked Mar how she came up with the name for her blog. And here is what I found out:
Hi and thanks for using this topic and thanks for asking about the name of my blog. First it begins with the three letters of my blogging name :) And it's used in Spanish to describe a situation of many things without a given order, not necessarily chaos, just many things simultaneously taking place like in a wide ocean, fish swimming, waves, tide, you name it. It comes form Latin mare (ocean) and magnum (large). I think it pretty well summarizes the nature of my blog ! Happy blogging!
Thanks Mar! And now, this week's topic!
Give an example of a meal that makes you happy.
At first I thought of quite a few answers for this topic. Then I narrowed it down to foods. But when I really got down and thought about it, there is one meal that sticks in my mind. Most of the family picks this for their birthday dinner, and we have it for the Christmas meal as well.
Grammy's Chicken Pie
Grammy's famous homemade mashed potatoes.
Corn
Green beans with bacon
Fruit salad
Lettuce salad
Someone roll me away from the dinner table please. Meelie No's birthday is at the end of March, and we'll be down at my folk's house to celebrate it. I'll give you three guesses as to what meal she picked and the first two don't count. This year will be different because Grammy isn't going to make the chicken pie, I will. Of course, Grammy will be there giving me pointers all the way. I've made it before, but it seems to be lacking so I'm looking forward to learning all of her trade secrets.
For those of you interested, Meelie wants Mom's (did you notice I got to use my name?) Ice Cream Cake for her birthday. I've got a great recipe (EASY) for anyone who's interested. For her actual birthday party at home (with friends) she wants me to make a Tinkerbell Cake, which is going to take some creative thinking on my part.
Be sure to check here for a list of this week's participants. Won't you join us this week? You don't have to sign up, or be a regular, but I would love to hear what meal makes you happy. Just be sure and go here and let us know you participated (a link back to Blog Fodder would be appreciated) or just post your favorite meal in the comments.
I look forward to hearing about it.
Posted by Moogie at 7:41 PM | Comments (3)
March 18, 2007
Trees
Here are some shots of one of the trees in our front yard. It's still relatively young yet. The first one is a close up of the trunk, the second, I took while standing directly under the tree, and looking upwards. I've been experimenting with different setting on the camera (I have NO idea what I'm doing and I don't have the camera's manual any more). It's still fun to try.
(click to enlarge)
Posted by Moogie at 5:33 PM | Comments (4)
Pop Diva
(click to enlarge)
Posted by Moogie at 10:22 AM | Comments (2)
March 17, 2007
The planets aligned, and then there was silence
Shhhhh...do you hear that? Quiet now. Listen very closely. Do you hear it? You don't? You know what? Neither do I. Do you know why? We are child free tonight. If it weren't for the hamster in the wheel thing, or my husband sitting behind me at his computer playing shoot 'em up until I get killed, there would be no noise, sans my fingernails clipping on the keyboard while I type.
Meelie No is at a slumber party. Oh EXCUSE me, a "Spa Party." A houseful of 8 year old girls. Getting the spa treatments. Manicures, pedicures, facials, complete with the cucumbers on the eyes. I wish I were a little fly on the wall. I want to see if the Mom can make it the entire night without imbibing in alcoholic beverages. I also think the idea ROCKS. I should have asked if I could volunteer as the official photographer. I would love to see what the girls would do when I came up and took a cucumber off their eye and ate it. WHAT? Are you saying you could resist the temptation?
The eldest has been working her rump off over at the neighbors, helping to clean out the overgrowth between their backyard and the marsh that is directly behind it. I believe there was money exchanging hands, but none-the-less, she has been busy all day. And they asked if Chickie could spend the night (the daughter is a good friend of hers), because there is nothing like working a child to death, only to have them start right up again FIRST THING IN THE MORNING! Before you start throwing pine cones at me, she is doing this willingly. And oh, my dear readers, she has just opened up a chapter in a new book because we are getting read to revamp our yard. Child labor. It makes my heart sing.
My husband and I have decided to go out to dinner. Alone. The food comes on real plates and that don't ask you if you want to "biggie size" it. We'll most likely come home, eat Slim Jims and Boiled Peanuts in our underwear while watching reruns of "Who's Line Is It Anyway." As you can see, we don't have much practice at this.
I don't know about you, but I could get used to this.
Posted by Moogie at 5:54 PM | Comments (9)
March 15, 2007
I'm sorry
Dear Christopher,
I'm sorry.
You don't know me, nor do I know you or any members of your family. But I am sorry. I am so sorry that there are people out there sick enough to do this to such a young, vibrant boy like you.
When we first moved to Georgia, my company put me in corporate housing, and I lived about 2 miles down the road from you. Perhaps that is the reason your story breaks my heart, because it was so close to home. In all actuality, it's most likely because I have two beautiful girls of my own, who are a big part of my life. My heart aches for your family when I think of what they are going through. I can't even imagine the gut wrenching grief that they are experiencing knowing that you will no longer come through that door.
I am sorry.
I have to believe that you are with God now. Safe and warm, and secure in a love that will heal your heart and erase the last moments of your life. Please, watch out over your family, and help them through this. Let them know how much you loved them, and how much you would rather be with them right now. Be there for your brother, who is missing you so much right now. I saw a picture of him during the candlelight vigil they held for you, and it nearly broke my heart.
I am sorry.
I can picture you in Heaven now, as God's helper, because goodness knows he must need it. When you get there, ask for Grandma Minnie. I know she will be happy to show you around, and most likely she will give you a warm and comfy hand stitched quilt she made which will help you sleep better at night. Uncle Bob is there too. He loved trains and I picture him with a great big model train display, detailed down to the finest points. I know he would be happy to let you become an engineer. You only have to ask. Look for two dogs named Samson and Shoestrings. They love kids and will be your constant companions. Make sure you have Milkbones with you at all times. I know there will be so many people ready and willing to welcome you with open arms.
I am so sorry.
It is my hope that they catch the people responsible for taking you from this earth and convict them so that they will never be able to hurt another child again. I know that God had a reason for taking you so soon. It's the only way I can comprehend your death. God has a plan, and he needed you more than we here on earth did. I just don't know what it is yet. And that makes me mad, and sad, and mixed up.
I think about what you would have become had you grown into an adult. Would you have been a football player? A surgeon who pioneered new techniques that would save countless lives? Would you have been a father? Perhaps to a little girl who would have wrapped you around her little finger. In a strange way, that thought brings a smile to my face because I can just picture what a great man you would have been.
For the past week, we have been watching the news and following the story of your disappearance closely. I have been hesitant to pick up the paper, or listen to the news because there was a part of me that knew you would not be coming home. Certainly that feeling grew as time passed.
God speed little one. And know that you will always be in our hearts.
Sincerely,
Laura
Posted by Moogie at 6:21 PM | Comments (12)
March 14, 2007
Werd
Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, "Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!"
Miraculously, a parking place appeared.
Paddy looked up again and said, "Never mind, I found one."
I had all of these ideas I was going to post about, because it's been about eleven years since I've cracked open this electronic notebook. When I sat down I found out my pen was all out of ink. I hate it when that happens. So I decided that if I can't do a real post, I just won't post at all. And that's my final answer. But I got sidetracked.
But wait! Before I go, I do need to let you know that we went down for my Dad's birthday last weekend and had a really good time, even if Mom wouldn't give me any leftover chicken pie to take home and Dad wouldn't let any of us wear his cool hat he got. My brother and his family were all there so we had a nice family gathering. We missed my oldest brother and his gang and look forward to a time where we can all be together again. I would like to tell you that I didn't mention to my eldest brother that we had Mom's world famous chicken pie (are you reading this elder sibling...CHICKEN.PIE.DOOD!) but I would be lying. I won't bother listing the rest of the fixin's here on the blog. I'd rather kill him by inches. Love ya bro!
Speaking of children. Ok, so maybe I wasn't speaking of children but I suck at transitional sentences, so I decided to throw caution to the wind and let the prepositional phrases land where they may. At least it wasn't dangling participles. If that didn't make sense to you, don't feel bad. I have no idea what I just said. I just like to throw words on the paper and see how they land. That's why I have so many spelling errors. WHAT?
I'm really struggling to come up with something profound to tell you, but I just realized I've plastered a couple of paragraphs on to this post, and I figure why look a gift horse in the mouth? The internet already knows I am a babbling fool, so why waste time proving the obvious?
So this is a kinda sorta non-post with a "dish ran away with the spoon" theme.
I really need to get more sleep.
Posted by Moogie at 10:27 PM | Comments (3)
March 7, 2007
Wake me when it's over
I'll have the 4 nights a week dance, with a side of cheerleading/gymnastics. And for dessert? I'd like chorus and instrumentals with Good News Club on top. Oh, I almost forgot. I'd like Homework for an appetizer.
What was I thinking?
Chickie goes to dance four nights a week. Right now, Meelie goes to cheerleading/gynmastics once a week, but come April, they'll be choosing their teams and the pace will pick up. Meelie has Chorus once a week, but they are getting ready for two performances, so that will increase. If history repeats itself, she'll be going about three times a week, after school. She's playing the Xylophone this time around, and those practices are sometimes during Chorus, or right after. Good News Club is once a week, on Monday's for her as well. Now I have to be honest and say that for at least right now, we have that one covered because her sitter's son goes to it as well, so she handles picking them up.
As an added extra bonus, we have homework! And let's not forget that society frowns upon starving your children so they have to eat dinner. I rock at quick meals. I've learned to do quite a bit of cooking on the weekends, when I'm not cleaning house, doing laundry (well, hubby does that), going grocery shopping or running various errands.
We must not forget the fact that I work out three times a week at Curves, which, generally is ok, but I screw up my exercising partner because I have to keep switching the days.
Oh, let's not forget that I work full time. Oh, and I've volunteered to be on the committee for Young Minds At Work Day, coming up at the end of April, and I'll be presenting for Amelia's school (for my work) on Career Day. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to be doing for that one.
But wait! Meelie's Birthday is the end of this month. She wants a Tinkerbell Cake. I guess it's better than her original plan, which was a Georgia Bulldog.
Any of you have any ideas for something I can do for an about to be 9 year old for her birthday? All comments welcome.
I guess now is not a good time to tell you that I help my girlfriend (aka exercise partner) on catering jobs.
Yeah, I thought the same thing.
Posted by Moogie at 7:37 PM | Comments (2)
Blog Fodder #13 - She is up
Blog Fodder #13 is up and running. Go here to see a list of participants. Don't forget to link back to Blog Fodder as well as this week's participant if you'll be posting. That makes it easier for folks to find us.
Melli, you up for the challenge this week? I double-dog-dare ya!
Posted by Moogie at 7:28 PM | Comments (1)
March 6, 2007
Adam and Eve
Meelie attends Good News Club once a week after school (think Sunday School). It's an awesome program and she loves it. As you will see, some of her interpretations leave alot to the imagination.
Meelie: Mom, before I forget, I want to tell you an interesting fact I learned today.
Me: What's that?
Meelie: Do you know how God created Adam and Eve?
Me: How?
Meelie: Well, he created Adam from the earth and then Adam slept deep, and Eve grew out of Adam's rib, and that's where the name Woman came from.
Me: Blink, blink
Chickie: I don't get it.
Meelie: Ok. God made Adam, and then he slept deep, and then Eve grew out of Adam's rib..
Me: I'm with you so far.
Meelie: Well, see, he made Eve from Adam, a man. So God decided to call us WoMAN because we were made from a man, and he put a "Wo" in front of it so people wouldn't get confused.
Any questions?
Posted by Moogie at 5:22 PM | Comments (6)
