This Full House Archive

Category: It’s not the years, HONEY – it’s the mileage!

  • Reason #21,123,166 Why I Would Be an Epic #FAIL on Fear Factor

    14 days into NaBloPoMo and, well, NOW I remember why I have never NaBloPoMo-ed before.

    This blogging every day thing is hard, man (for me, anyways) however, it's been a great writing exercise (so far) especially, this time of year, when my head could always do with a good, you know, brain dump-ing.

    You're welcome!

    Aaaaaanyway, the cool thing about NaBloPoMo-ing is that there are daily prompts to help get my blogging juices going. 

    Today's prompt is a guest post by Ricki Lake:

    I was terrified to go on DWTS, but facing my fear and overcoming it has been an incredible experience. Have you faced fears and overcome them?

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  • Whoa, man, she’s 18!

    It's official, as of 4:30 this morning, I am the mother of an 18 year-old, as in, you know, a fully grown adult female.

    Lump, meet throat.

    Although, my husband Garth (NHRN) and I knew this day would come way, way too fast (we were right, dammit) aaaaaand, now that is here, well, DAMMIT!

    Whoa, man, she's 18!
    I'm still getting used to the idea of Holly as a teenager (sort of) but, you know what?  I don't mind it so much.  Not that I have a choice, or anything. 

    Beeeecause, no matter how hard I try and will my baby girl back (to about hip level) there is no use denying it, my oldest HAS grown into a beautiful woh, woh, woh, D'OH!!!

    Whoa, man, I swear, I got this.

    [clears throat]

    18 years to prepare for this VERY moment and, still, I've managed to muck it all up with silly, overly-cliché sentiments, like, MAH BAY-BEE GIRL IS ALL GROWED-UP AND EVERYTHING!

    Then again, now that she IS an adult (SOB!) being an embarrassment to a grown up child just isn't as much fun, anymore.

    HowEVER, seeing as I am ALSO celebrating my 18th Motherversary, I feel it safe to say that it's just too gosh-darned late to worry about propriety, at this point, really.

    Happy Momiversary to Me!

    Because, I seemed to have raised myself a new best friend, for life and, you know what else, I'm okay with that, too, you know?!?

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

    I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

      Feed me, see more!!

  • We Could Write a Bad Romance

    10 days into NaBloPoMo and, well, NOW I remember why I have never NaBloPoMo-ed before.

    This blogging every day thing is hard, man (for me, anyways) however, it's been a great writing exercise (so far) especially, this time of year, when my head could always do with a good, you know, brain dump-ing.

    You're welcome!

    Aaaaaanyway, the cool thing about NaBloPoMo-ing is that there are daily prompts to help get my blogging juices going. 

    Today's prompt is:

    What is your secret (or not-so-secret) passion?

    [blushing]

    Okay, I've got one and would you believe that it's NEVER been blogged either?!?

    (more…)

  • I.M. Tired, But You Can Call Me Bro[o]ke!

    Not for nothing (Jersey speak translated as: FWIW) it's 5-something in the afternoon (I think) and this is the first time I've sat down, ALL DANGED DAY.

    Color me tired.

    Aaaaaand, not so much in a, "Look how busy I am," sort of way (aren't we all?) but, more like, "DANGIT, I should weigh at least 30 pounds less!"

    I mean, Brooke Burke may be the hottest mother of 4 (DAGNABIT!) today, I got dibs on being the tiredest.

    Also, 2 of them woke up sick and I know what you're thinking:

    (more…)

  • She Ain’t Heavy, She’s Like a Little Brother

    Glen and Hope

    My son was a little over 2 years-old when Hope was born.  So, needless to say, Glen's toddlerhood is a bit of blur.

    However, I do remember diapers (lots and lots of diapers) also, projectile vomitting played a pivotal role in my believing that I had lost my mind, along with the senses of smell and taste, FOREVER.

    Long story short (you're welcome!) as far as my husband Garth (NHRN) and I were concerned, 4 was and still is our magic number:  everyone has a riding buddy on the roller coaster.

    Still, every year, my son would ask for a baby brother for Christmas or his birthday and most especially whenever Hope managed to get on his last nerve.

    Which is when I would point out that Hope was very much like a little brother, already, really.

    Today, she has NO trouble keeping up with her brother AND his friends, as evidenced by their conversation at the dinner table, Friday night.

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  • Just a Walk in the Park

    Yesterday didn't start out very well.  My oldest was in a foul mood: what is that you say, a teenager, grumpy, inconceivable, right?!?

    The youngest was weepy and my son missed his bus:  she's 10, he's 12, enough said.

    My middle girl, however, hasn't been feeling well for weeks:  not even a week into November and she's racked up 5 sick days, already, stupid strep.

    Later, having engaged the powers of sleep, eggs and toast (the trinity, when preparing a meal for a sick kid) she was feeling much better.

    "Can we go to the park?"

    Okay, first of all, it's November (then again, no bugs) but, it's chilly (yeah, but fresh air is good) what about dinner (okay, does anyone else argue with themselves, as much as I do)?

    "Sure, why not?"

    So, we picked up my youngest from school, came home, I put a pot of soup up to simmer and then headed back out, leaving the non-hikers (grumpy and sleepy) home.

    Gold-ish Pond

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  • Mother, Daughter, Pen and Ink

    I was cleaning out the girls closet, the other day (don't be jealous!) and found a dusty old manilla envelope filled with some stuff I saved from high school.

    Pictures from my senior prom, birthday cards from my Sweet 16, wallet-sized photos signed by friends I'd lost contact with soon after graduation and re-friended on Facebook.

    This is EXACTLY the sort of stuff that makes me stop and think…Jeez Louise…was I ever that young and…Holy Hannah Montana…did I really think my hair looked good, wearing it like that?!?

    Then, it hit me, like a brick to the side of the head:  I have daughters turning 16 AND graduating high school, this year.

    How did THAT happen?!?  I mean, technically speaking, I know how it happened, ALL 4 times, to be exact!

    It's just that, next year, I will also be the same exact age my mother was on my wedding day (nevermind, just how old, whip-puh-snap-puh!)

    Deep down inside, I still sort of feel like that same awkward 18 year-old, only different.

    Now am I beginning to truly understand my mother and why she can't seem to talk about her grandchildren, without referring to my own childhood and then crying, just a little.

    I placed the envelope back on the shelf.

    "Mom, my Italian teacher LOVED my art project!"

    It's a pen and ink portrait of Holly's Italian teacher with her oldest baby girl.

    Holly's Italian Teacher with ChildArt washes from the soul the dust of everyday life ~ Pablo Picasso

    Enough said.

    I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

      Feed me, see more!!

  • Long Time Blogger, First Time NaBloPoMo-er

    Yes, I am NaBloPoMo-ing it (a.k.a. National Blog Posting Month) and I’m a leeeee-tull nervous about it.

    In ALL my years of blogging, I have never NaBloPoMo-ed.

    [blushing]

    I know, I know, blogging every day (especially, on the weekends) is a HUGE commitment (for me, anyways) as of January, I’ll have 3 teenagers in the house and, well, my brain sure could use a good dump-ing.

    You’re welcome!

    Also, if Kendra, Melisa and Diana are NaBloPoMo-ing, as well (cliff, meet lemming) then it MUST be cool, right?!?

    Aaaaaanyway, the cool thing about NaBloPoMo-ing is that there are daily prompts to help get my blogging juices going.  Today’s prompt:

    Can you listen to music and write?  What song did you hear today?

    (more…)

  • Wordless Wednesday: Virtual Folding Party YOU’RE INVITED!!

    Folding Party at This Full House!!
    Where:  Our playroom/laundry room/den.

    When:  Every flipping night.

    Dress Code:  There isn't any, however, pajamas are highly recommended!

    Wine, sparkling cider, baked ziti, pulled pork sliders, various panini sandwiches and vegetarian chili will be provided.  

    R.S.V.P. with either a side dish, dip, or dessert, I'm easy!!!

    2003 – 2011 This Full House

  • We Like to Party Like It’s All Saints Day

    Remembering All Saints Day
    I attended Catholic school until the 2nd grade.  Long story short, my father and the Reverend Mother had a bit of an argument over my poor potty habits.

    Oh, I was trained alright (learned how in public school) it was because of my having to go at least twice, rather than the allotted one potty stop, per day, per student ruling — because, any more than that clearly provokes a sinful bladder — or something. 

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