This Full House Archive

Category: So, You From Joisey?

Nearly Wordless Wednesday: You’ve Been Ghosted – The Puking Pumpkin Starts Here!

Let's play!

It's that time of year, again — we "ghosted" our neighbors, last night — so, "Pass the puking pumpkin, please!"

[sound of crickets chirping]

What, with all the [ahem] negativity flying around our lovely little community, lately (seriously, NOT fun) I think it's about time we tapped into our inner-child and go
and ghost someone!

Positively, YES!

The rules are easy:

(1) It's your turn to "ghost" three other bloggers — perhaps, somewhere you haven't commented, in a while, or a
blog you've NEVER commented on before and is new to our blogging community.

(2) Stop by their blogs and leave a comment on their latest post
saying:

"You've Just Been Ghosted — Come Over and Grab A Puking
Pumpkin!"

(3) Copy and paste the puking pumpkin somewhere on your blog
(either in a post or on your sidebar, perhaps) so that everyone can see
that you have been "ghosted" and will NOT "ghost" you again. This will
also let you know who you can "ghost."

It will be fun to see how many "puking pumpkins" appear by Halloween…um…which is, like, next week and NO, my kids don't have their costumes…YET!

It's how we roll.

Aaaaanyway, feel free to join in (anytime) I'll start – my mother, punched your mother right in the nose, what
color blood…no, wait…that's not right – I'm going over to ghost 3
bloggers:

Melisa (not a typo, she only has one "s") because, she Skyped me before a shower and I slipped her the tongue (don't ask, go see!)

Amber (as if she had the time, or needs another freakin' pumpkin, I mean) because, her whole house is sick and she needs a warm fuzzy!

Mrs. Schmitty (say that real fast, five times, I double-dog dare you) because, she's gone over to the darkside and is working with the PTA (actually, she started a pretty awesome program I wish we had at our schools) and she could probably use a puking pumpkin, right about now!

CODE FOR THE PUKING PUMPKIN:

<a href="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/this_full_house/2009/10/nearly-wordless-wednesday-ghosted.html"><img src="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/badges/this-full-house-ghosted.jpg"></a>

Don't have the time – no worries – at least, I've got a pumpkin up, somewhere, since, we never DID get the time to go and, you know, get one!

[hangs head low]

So, do you know anyone who could use a puking pumpkin?

Check out the Official Wordless Wednesday HQ
Tag, you're it: Wordless Wednesday

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

October 21, 2009
Parenting tip #6,299,999: Kids May Be Closer Than They Seem

Yeah, for sure, so it makes my eyes hurt (a little) but, isn't it awesome?!? My middle girl (she's 13) made it for me. Yesterday, I think. Although, I forget what day it is. These last few weeks are beginning to meld, together.

"What time is it, Momma?"

In fact, this week sort of reminds me of when my brother and I would spend summers with my grandmother, sitting on her plastic-covered couch…a little sticky and, if you move to fast, you could really hurt yourself.

"Why, you have some place to go, or something?"

Actually, besides staying with my folks (while, I'm away at BlogHer) my two oldest girls with their respective babysitting gigs and a long-overdue-visit with my friend Kate [waves] our calendar is absolutely open for the entire month of August.

"No, but can So-and-So come over and swim?"

Which, of course, could be a good thing, if you're like me and trying really hard to simplify your life, because, I swear, it does NOT get any easier, I don't care how old your kids are.

"NO! It's MY turn to have someone over!!!"

Then again, there's a reason why my husband, Garth [not his real name] calls me, before turning into our driveway, to see if we: a) need milk; b) should order an extra pizza or c) have enough Midol in the house, before coming home from work.

FYI: We have three people who are menstruating at the moment (you're welcome!) so, THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH MIDOL IN THE HOUSE!

"Actually, it's your brother's turn!"

No, my son is NOT menstruating (thank haven for small favors) but, the poor kid has three sisters (two who are popping Midol, I mean) so, perhaps you'll understand why I can't help but be sensitive to the fact that the poor little dude often times feels like the odd man out.

Aaaand he's ten, so he knows what the word menstruating means, anyway…no thanks to Garth [not his real name] damnit.

"OH, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, FLUSH THE DAMNED TOILET, ALREADY!"

Okay, so I sometimes forget other stuff, so what?

"Can JD sleep over?"

Sure, what's one more, right? So, this morning, I was making with the pancakes, bacon and stuff, when I realized something.

[the sound of music playing]

Where the hell were the girls? They're old enough to do stuff like this. I mean, both of them have cooked breakfast, before. Besides, I really had some work to catch up on and stuff. So, I hung up my apron (no, I'm kidding, just one more thing to wash, in my opinion) I peeked into the living room.

"What are you guys doing?"

Picture this: My two oldest, sitting in the middle of my favorite chair, surrounded by the three other kids.

Why?

Because, well, they didn't have their makeup on and I wasn't allowed to take a real one, picture, I mean…DUH!

"We're watching previews of the new Harry Potter movie!"

Uh-oh.

"Um…well…I've got a lot of work to do and stuff…and…"

[cut off in mid-ummm]

"Don't worry, we'll take them outside for you, Momma…we can always go to the movies, later."

[color me dumbfounded, again]

I don't know what I did (or, didn't do) but, I just had to share it with you guys (especially, my friends with little, little ones) because, I'm going down into the crawl space, to check for pods and, well, you just never really know, right?

"HEY…wait for me, you guys…Mommy's eyes are hurting, anyway!"

Besides, it is summertime and weird stuff like this happens, all the time, around here, in Jersey, you know?

© 2009 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

July 17, 2009
Make new friends, but keep the old; especially, if they find you on Facebook!

Holly and her godmother, Carleen – Autumn 1995

My oldest daughter is turning 16, this year (I know, because she keeps reminding me that her birthday is coming up…in November) and it's amazing that I really can't remember her ever being this small. Or, the fact that Holly's godmother has also became a mother, moved out of state and that, sadly, we've since lost contact with each other.

Not for the lack of trying, because we really have "not" tried to call, or reconnect with each other, in years.

Until, I logged into my email and found a "friend request" today from Facebook and was all, OMG, you mean to tell me there's another person who knows me, in real life, and STILL wants to be my friend!?!

Because, I also received a request from my son's godmother [waves to Linda] a few weeks ago and still haven't gotten over the fact that she just might think I hate her, too.

(more…)

May 11, 2009
Looking For Some Hot Fun in the Summertime, Then You Must NOT Be From Jersey!

I got the call around 8 p.m. Saturday night, while I was saying goodbye to my in-laws and thanking them for bringing my husband, Garth [not his real name] into the 21st century, by giving him a cool new mp3 player for his birthday (me next, okay?) and it is perhaps one of the most dreaded phone call (besides, you know, the school nurse, of course) that THIS Jersey mom hates, anyways.

"Wanna go on the hook?"

[blank stare]

(more…)

April 27, 2009
Stop & Shop New Jersey Mom Blogger Event – So, Do You Blog From Joisey?

Last Christmas, over 100 of my blogging friends and I got together and blogged about the This Bank Can't Fail campaign (spearheaded by my blogging friend and fellow Jersey Girl Deborah Smith of JerseyBites.com) to Blog Out Hunger on behalf of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and families in need across the garden state.

Growing up, our family was no stranger to hunger.

Well, I asked my friends at Stop & Shop if they would like to help sponsor This Full House with a call out for donations in support of Blogging Out Hunger and they seemed to feel that it's, you know, a pretty good idea.

Stop & Shop offered to donate $1.00 for each comment (up to $300.00) to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.

THIS FULL HOUSE READERS HELPED TO RAISE OVER $200.00 — THANK YOU!!!

Today, I'm very excited to be able to tell you guys that I have the extreme pleasure of co-hosting the Stop and Shop New Jersey Mom Blogger Event on April 15 (open to all Mom BLoggers in New Jersey) held at the Frog & Peach Restaurant in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Why?

Well, because they asked me and made me an offer I simply could NOT refuse.

(more…)

March 30, 2009
How I Strive to Be the Mother My Kids Do NOT Remember!

I remember when this was taken. The year was 1971. I was my youngest daughter's age — although, I look a lot…you know…bigger — it was the day that the Woodbridge Center Mall first opened its doors and, ironically, Abraham & Strauss, Orbach's and Sterns are now all out of business.

My parents have tons of pictures like this. This one's in pretty bad shape, but I promised to go through and save as many of their photos, digitally, whenever I could (I mean, they've got boxes and boxes of 'em) but, it's become very difficult. Harder than they could ever imagine and it's not because my parents don't have a computer, either.

I just realized, for the first time, how much I really do look like my mother and it's killing me.

(more…)

March 11, 2009
Old House, Has Good Bones

It was a rundown cape, on a rather large piece of property choked by over a
dozen trees. I still remember that first day; my father unlocking the front door and
being surprised to find the stray dog, the previous tenants had left
behind, still alive.

Then, the pipes froze, my father forced open the cellar door, the
entire front wall caved in and I don't know who cried more – me, my
brother or my parents.

Still, my twin brother and I were 12-years-old, sharing the same bedroom and my parents couldn't live with my grandmother's abusive husband…one…minute…longer.

(more…)

January 21, 2009
If You Give a Momblogger a Digital Camera: A Study in Black and White

[Yes, I am STILL Soliciting Comments for Charity: Okay, so I'm BLOGGING OUT HUNGER and totally willing to beg for someone
else's food, this week – I know I'm no Dooce, but won't you consider
helping reach my goal of 300 comments, for charity, even for a Dork,
like me?]

———————————————————————-

It finally started to snow here in Jersey, just the other day — I know, my Seattle and Midwest friends have plenty that they are probably more than willing to share, even — and, since Santa Claus didn't bring me the really cool camera I've been wanting (honestly, I was happy he remembered the kids) look what I did with a little Envy:

Cabin Fever: On the first day of Christmas vacation, it started to really snow and
Thing Two thought it sucked that it happened, smack dab in the middle of her recovery and I (seeing as, I am the meanest mom in the world) wouldn't let her go outside…dammit!

Garden Fairy: As she screams, "It's frickin' freezing out here, Mr. Bigglesworth!"

He's A Little Bit Pointer, Dog: Pointing out the fact that he looks way better in the down vest, that my mother gave me last Christmas, than I do…dammit!

Smile Doofus-Dog: I swear, he's a REAL camera hound!

World's Largest Snowball: Actually, it's snow-encrusted basketball…but, you won't tell anyone…right!?!?

Sit Doofus, Sit: He actually thinks Thing One's gonna throw it!?!?

Wii Love the Snow…NOT: Don't worry (The Boy announced he hates snow since, you know, we got the Wii) with the magic of Picnik.com, mommy can make it snow anytime, anywhere, too!

Imagine, what I could do with a REAL grown up camera!?!?

[shudder]

I blame Ashton Kutcher, who truly makes digital photography look cool (and pretty) even for a dork, like me.

[heavy sigh]

Ah well, thank goodness for Flickr!

© 2008 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

——————————————————————–

This is where I pimp my stuff: I run a column at the Imperfect Parent (I don't know how that happened, either) this month, I'm talking about the value of Mini-Sleepovers. Oh, and fresh from the garden state, read how I'm raising teenagers with my eyes wide shut. Also, do you hate food shopping? EXCELLENT! Me, too. But, I recently received an electronic grocery list organizer that is fun AND practical. Want one?

January 5, 2009
Blogging Out Hunger: So, I Got Stop & Shop To Do Their Part, Now It’s Your Turn!!!

CLOSING OUT AT: 209 COMMENTS = $209.00 RAISED AS OF 2/28/09!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING!!!

Stop & Shop will donate $1 for each comment (up to $300) to the Community Food bank of New Jersey!!!

————————————————————————————————-

Last week, over 100 of my blogging friends and I got together and blogged about the This Bank Can't Fail campaign (spearheaded by my blogging friend and fellow Jersey Girl Deborah Smith of JerseyBites.com) to Blogging Out Hunger on behalf of The Community Food Bank of New Jersey and families in need across the garden state.

Growing up ours was no stranger to hunger.

Okay, let's be honest, what's the diff — what about the rest of the year — what's so special about blogging and who listens to Mommybloggers, anyway?

[bites lower lip]

Well, I asked my friends at Stop & Shop if they would like to help sponsor This Full House with a call out for donations in support of Blogging Out Hunger and they seemed to feel that it's, you know, a pretty good idea.

Aaaand, here's the good part, there's a way you (yes, YOU!) oh, savvy Internets, can help.

How?

[grin]

Why, by doing what you do best…of course!!!

(more…)

December 21, 2008
Blogging Out Hunger: Campaign Launch – We Can’t Let This Bank Fail!

It was 1946 and Hungary, as nearly all of Europe, was devastated by World War II, including the small hamlet where my mother attended kindergarten. My mother's earliest childhood memories — one of a very few that she will even speak of, I mean — is the day the Americans shipped a case of peanut butter to her school.

Each child was asked to line up and receive his, or her ration of peanut butter and then it was my mother's turn.

"Eva, where is your bread?"

My mother shyly whispered into her ear that she didn't have any — the bakery ran out of their allotment of bread, earlier that morning.

"Well, what am I supposed to spread the peanut butter on, the palm of your hand?"

Growing up, we were used to hearing such stories at the dinner table — how, even in a big city like Budapest, my father was forced to steal to feed his younger siblings — I don't think that my twin brother and I ever really understood how difficult it was for my parents.

Until, I got older and started raising a family of my own.

Today, I'm not ashamed to admit that we lived a frugal life and that my parents chose to accept the charity of strangers, to ensure that their children would never know that kind of hunger.

Today marks the official launch of This Bank Can't Fail campaign and I'm very proud to be joining forces with my blogging friend and fellow Jersey Girl Deborah Smith of JerseyBites.com, who has taken on the huge task of coordinating the Blogging Out Hunger on behalf of The Community Food Bank of New Jersey.

Why?

(more…)

December 15, 2008