This Full House Archive

Category: Who’s Parenting Who?

#Reverb10: Make
Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what's next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) and my friend Shannon is doing it (although, the non-conformist in me can't promise to, you know, write daily) I've decided to give it a whirl.

Today's prompt: Make — what was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

My youngest daughter (she's 9) and I recycled some old stuff to make this cute reindeer ornament for a Clever Girls Collective craft project last month!

We did A LOT of crafts when my kids were younger — give a kid a piece of paper, a crayon and a couple of glue sticks, well, you ARE the Queen (or King) of Distraction — especially, around the holidays.

As for things I want to make?

Well, we don't seem to have time to craft together as we used to (could be a bad, or good thing, depending on how you look at it) however, you are NEVER too old for paper chains and snowflakes, right?

Then, there are those pesky little home repair projects.

[blows bangs out of eyes]

Got a few minutes? There's a list. Somewhere. I just had it. I swear.

In all seriousness, Garth (not his real name) and I are hoping to make time to actually finish several projects we've started…um…a few years ago, or twenty, like:
- The kitchen: there's the ceiling (i.e. actually put one up, or just paint the damned drywall, already) and the cabinets (oh, they're up, just old) these really DO need our immediate attention!
- The bathroom: whose idea was it to wallpaper it, anyway? Oh wait, that would be me (shuddup Ty Pennington!)
- Our bedroom: see kitchen notes (minus cabinets.)
- Girls' bedroom: They're 17, 15 and almost 10, so the Barney colors have G2G (see bathroom notes!)
- Dining room: In a moment of, "Do'oh, I just can't take it anymore," my husband came home from work, one day, and found the fugly brown rug rolled up at the curb, years ago. I was surprised to find a beautiful hardwood floor underneath that is now SCREAMING for a new coat of varnish (seriously, I hear it whimpering in my sleep!)
- The livingroom: is in between the dining room and kitchen and, well, it would also be EXTREMELY jealous if we didn't, you know, pay its walls at least some attention, too.
- The boy's room: still needs a door, DAMMIT!
Hence, the reindeer gift tag addressed to, "Daddy!"

[sound of crickets]

No, it's NOT a door! Besides, Garth (not his real name) and I adopted the "no gifting each other" rule this year (stupid economy!) it is, however, a BIG bunch of good intentions all wrapped up with a pretty little bow and everything!

Shhhhh, don't tell him…okay?

My OTHER Reverb 10 stories.

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping
December 6, 2010
#Reverb10: Moment

Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what's next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) and my friend Shannon is doing it (although, the non-conformist in me can't promise to, you know, write daily) I've decided to give it a whirl.

Today's prompt: Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).

Hope is a word that I use often and not just because it happens to be my youngest daughter's name (a.k.a. mommy's little ticket into heaven) but, after years of exhaustive study (i.e. stupid insomnia!) I've come to the conclusion that, for me, the benefits of remaining hopeful far outweigh the risks of considering an alternate ending.

Then, life throws a curve ball and knocks those rose-colored glasses right off of my face and, well, maybe if I had remembered to wear my crash helmet.

But, this is NOT about me.

It's about watching the people I love the most, get smacked in the soft-squishy areas, time and time again, where your body's immediate reaction is to double over and puke.

When the best I could do is, you know, hold the bucket.

Then again, I could think of worse things (which is what I was doing, considering our annual 4th of July picnic at Ft. Dix) then one of my kids (and, I can't tell you exactly who) pointed at the sky and, well, it took my breath away.

"Looks like fingers reaching out from heaven, doesn't it?"

Okay, but I was thinking more like strands of cotton candy.

"Thank you."

It was when my SIL poked me that I realized, you know, she wasn't talking to the sky.

"For what?"

Then again, she might as well have been.

"For just…you know…letting me be…right here…with you guys."

That's it? I mean, really, my SIL was the one who beat cancer, the BEE-YOTCH (cancer, not my SIL!) and all I did was, you know, hold her hand.

Still.

It was MY George Bailey moment and it's okay if you think it TOTALLY CORNY (my SIL would agree with you, btw) but, it felt REALLY good, you know?

Aaaand so, 2011, I remain, yours truly, a little corny and totally filled with hope, with perhaps just a dash of anxiety, for good measure.

My OTHER Reverb 10 stories.

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping

December 3, 2010
#Reverb10: One Word
Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what's next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) and my friend Shannon is doing it (although, the non-conformist in me can't promise to, you know, write daily) I've decided to give it a whirl.

Today's prompt: Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

One word: Fail.
- I haven't been the best mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend…etc….
- I've lost my temper with my kids.
- Used my outside voice with my husband.
- Resented the fact, many, many times, that I wasn't born "a boy."
- After 7 years, questioned my blogging prowess more often than not.
A year from today? Acceptance.

I realized, loooooong ago, that I am NOT perfect, but my kids still seem to like me (sort of) and, hopefully, will continue to learn from my mistakes, while remembering all the fun we've had together, too.

Like, opening the advent calenders (one is filled with trinkets and the other chocolate) then, hunting for Heather's birthday present (when I finally remember to write the clues, at 2 o'clock in the morning, but who cares) or, looking for THAT stupid elf (see last parenthesis) and ending the day with a burping contest at the dinner table.

As for Garth (not his real name) I really am looking forward to celebrating our 22nd Christmas, together, quietly.

Continue to share with my blogging community (you're welcome) send "hand-written" Christmas cards (see last parenthesis) and apologize now for bad grammar and my terrible penmanship — especially, to those of you who have visited over the years and STILL like me (sort of) or, with names ending in "T" thru "Z!"

Imperfection? Yep, it's a good thing!

See, NOW aren't you glad that I promised to, you know, NOT do this…everyday?!?

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping
December 2, 2010
Wordless Wednesday:
Aaaand So It Begins
To Look a LOT Like Christmas!

The countdown (27 days until Heather's 15th birthday) officially begins…NOW!!!

Taken with my cell phone. Imagine what I could do with a REAL camera? Yeah, I'm looking at you, Garth (not his real name!)

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

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / This Full House Gone Shopping

December 1, 2010
Yes, But In OUR House
We Just Celebrate “Blech Friday!”

Door busters, early bird specials, late night bonus savings, midnight madness, please take a number, stand in this line, DON'T MOVE, because, we may or may not call you within the next six hours (or, twenty) HOLY HANNAH MONTANA, is it me, or did shopping just get REAL HARD, or something?!?

I know. The thrill of the sale. Never EVER pay full price, if you don't have to. I get that. In fact, some of my best friends plan AND manage to get ALL of their holiday shopping done, every year, in one blessed day, DAMMIT!

Just, not me.

Nope, I'm THAT annoying lady, digging in her shoulder bag with one hand, flipping through the sale flier with the other, swearing up and down that she JUST had the stupid CVS coupon in her hand, a minute ago, AND she's standing RIGHT in front of you, too, DAMMIT!

Yep, I am ALL about making last minute shopping decisions and NOT just because I suffer from FDD (financial deficit disorder) or the lack of poor planning, or less than perfect organizational skills, either.

Nope, in our house, we just wait for something to blow up THEN we go shopping!

[sound of running feet]

"Now, what happened?"

Except, this passed Friday.

"OH…MY…GAWD…WHAT…IS…THAT…SMELL!!!"

The dog blew up.

"QUICK! Where did you put all those sale papers?!?"

Aaaand, Garth (not his real name) went shopping.

"But, it's 1:00 o'clock in the morn…[GAG!]…they're on the mantel!"

Then again, we NEEDED to clean the carpet, sooner or later.

"HOLY HANNAH MONTANA!!!"

Aaaand, the Doofus-Dawg just saved us 40% on a new rug shampoo machine.

"Is that his spleen?!?"

BLECH! Thanks to our family and friends, who insisted on slipping the dog "just a quick taste" under the table, we just experienced our first "belly buster sale."

[cue crickets, chirping]

Can't WAIT to see what I get…next year…stupid Thanksgiving!!!

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping

November 29, 2010
How Many Geico Commercials DOES it Take to Push ME Over the Edge?
Having spent the last few days recuperating from surgery (crankcase overhaul, overall, was successfully, THANKS!) only to be rushed back to the doctor's office with perhaps the worst bronchial infection, ever (SURPRISE!!!) THEN having to re-recuperate, while under the influence of prednisone (i.e. synonym for CRAZY) well, the last few days HAVE been an enlightening experience.

For example, stuff I learned while under the influence of prednisone:
- The definition of ironic: electing to go through total crankcase overhaul to aleve wicked pre-pre-menopausal symptoms (you're welcome!) and then being prescribed prednisone, which then induces hot flashes and cold sweats.
- Go figure, since my husband, Garth (not his real name) has referred to me in the past as his, "salty wench."
- To which, much to the HORROR of my children, I began singing, "Pour some Mustard on Me!" during dinner, yesterday.
- To which, Garth (not his real name) started hiding the sharp stuff.
- My husband, Garth (not his real name) would make someone a WONDERFUL wife (fuhgehtaboutit, I'm keeping him!)
- Watch those Geico commercials enough times (especially, that one up there) and they actually start looking, you know, pretty funny.
This one, however, makes me kinda sorta want to cut someone, actually!!!

I rest my case, stupid steroids.

DISCLOSURE: This post is in NO WAY an endorsement for Geico and…NO!…I am NOT going to actually cut someone, for real. Besides, I am NOT allowed to use sharp stuff (remember?) not until I at least finish my prescription…Thanksgiving Day.

Why…YES!…yes, we ARE hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year; why, you want to come over?

C'mon, there's ALWAYS room for one more [cough…cough] CRAZY [cough…cough] and we could REALLY, REALLY use some more mustard!

UPDATED TO ADD: Ventured out for 1st time in almost a week without incident (YAY!) Only to trip in living room & bust up my knee cap while getting a jump start on Thanksgiving cleaning. Don't worry, Garth (not his real name) ripped me a new one for it. #iklutz

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog
November 22, 2010
7 Years of a Mom Blog Series:
Minor Distractions – Part II

I'm heading into the hospital…erm…having my engine steam cleaned, later this week and meeting with my Gynecol…MECHANIC!…to discuss biopsy…I mean…PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY DIAGNOSTICS…but, I'll find out more about that, later.

[UPDATE: Diagnostics came back negative and that is SUCH A GOOD THING, REALLY! So, putting my chasis into the shop for fine tuning was a GO for this Wednesday!!!]

What?

Yeah. I'm old. Still. Trust me when I tell you…it's NOT the years honey…it's the mileage…and I've got something REAL special, just for you (yes, YOU!) while I'm gone.

[reaches deep into pockets]

WAIT! Don't go, I promise, it's nothing tooooo graphic or gross (this time) but, kind of, sort of fun actually.

You see, my oldest was reading this year's birthday post (7th one I've written, as a matter of fact) and she dug up some old…VINTAGE!…blog posts from way back in 2003.

You know, when social media meant you were THRILLED just to make it onto someone's blogroll?!?

Ahem.

So, begins the 7 Years of a Mom Blog — a series of republished blog posts I wrote EXACTLY 7 years ago, today.

Keeping score: we had 3 cats, no doofus, kids were 10, 7, 4 and 2 at the time.

7 years ago today: My husband Garth (not his real name) actually considered leaving his wife (that would be me!) ENJOY!!!

(more…)

November 19, 2010
7 Years of a Mom Blog Series:
I Can’t Sleep

I'm heading into the hospital…erm…having my engine steam cleaned, later this week and meeting with my Gynecol…MECHANIC!…to discuss biopsy…I mean…PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY DIAGNOSTICS…but, I'll find out more about that, later.

[UPDATE: Diagnostics came back negative and that is SUCH A GOOD THING, REALLY! So, putting my chasis into the shop for fine tuning is a GO for today!!!]

What?

Yeah. I'm old. Still. Trust me when I tell you…it's NOT the years honey…it's the mileage…and I've got something REAL special, just for you (yes, YOU!) while I'm gone.

[reaches deep into pockets]

WAIT! Don't go, I promise, it's nothing tooooo graphic or gross (this time) but, kind of, sort of fun actually.

You see, my oldest was reading this year's birthday post (7th one I've written, as a matter of fact) and she dug up some old…VINTAGE!…blog posts from way back in 2003.

You know, when social media meant you were THRILLED just to make it onto someone's blogroll?!?

Ahem.

So, begins the 7 Years of a Mom Blog series of republished blog posts I wrote EXACTLY 7 years ago, today.

Keeping score: we had 3 cats, no doofus, kids were 10, 7, 4 and 2 at the time.

7 years ago today: a blog post written while under the influence of a sleeping aide induced fog…ENJOY!!!

(more…)

November 17, 2010
7 Years of a Mom Blog:
I Had a Dream

I'm heading into the hospital…erm…having my engine steam cleaned, later this week and meeting with my Gynecol…MECHANIC!…to discuss biopsy…I mean…PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY DIAGNOSTICS…but, I'll find out more about that, later today.

[11/16: UPDATED TO ADD: Diagnostics came back negative and that is SUCH A GOOD THING, REALLY! So, putting my chasis into the shop for fine tuning is a GO for this Wednesday!!!]

What?

Yeah. I'm old. Still. Trust me when I tell you…it's NOT the years honey…it's the mileage…and I've got something REAL special, just for you (yes, YOU!) while I'm gone.

[reaches deep into pockets]

WAIT! Don't go, I promise, it's nothing tooooo graphic or gross (this time) but, kind of, sort of fun actually.

You see, my oldest was reading this year's birthday post (7th one I've written, as a matter of fact) and she dug up some old…VINTAGE!…blog posts from way back in 2003.

You know, when social media meant you were THRILLED just to make it onto someone's blogroll?!?

Ahem.

So, begins the 7 Years of a Mom Blog — a series of republished blog posts I wrote EXACTLY 7 years ago, today.

Keeping score: we had 3 cats, no doofus, kids were 10, 7, 4 and 2 at the time.

7 years ago today, I had a dream: warning, there is mention of cabana boys, strapless French bikinis and puke may or may not have been involved…ENJOY!!!

(more…)

November 15, 2010
Aaaand a Very Happy Motherversary to Me, My Friend!

Happy 17th Birthday, Holly!

I remember the first time I saw your round little face. I stroked your tiny fingers, one by one, tracing a path along your elbow, then across the funny little folds in your neck and finally found my way up to the most perfect pair of lips I had ever seen.

I tickled you. You wrinkled your nose. I noticed your dimple (only one, it's still there, on your left cheek) and then I fell in love with the idea of holding you…my…baby…girl…forever and ever.

I never imagined, all those hours, days, weeks, months, years ago, that you would grow up and, well, look at you now.

But, now, I can't help and wonder, STILL.

Did I hold you enough? Maybe I should have let you climb the monkey bars, higher? Did I not feed you enough vegetables? Maybe I should have let you stay in your crib a little longer? Did I give you enough attention? Maybe I should have waited a year, or two? DAMMIT! Did I love you enough?

Then, again, you ARE seventeen.

"How do I look?"

As I watch you, right now, deciding on exactly which outfit to wear, on your birthday, all the shoulda, coulda, just doesn't seem to matter, as much, anymore.

"You look beautiful!"

Because, you ARE seventeen!

"Wait, my butt doesn't sag…does it?"

Seventeen years ago, at about 4:30 in the morning, a new mother was born and, although, there are days when I can't help but miss that sweet little baby girl (one beat, two beats) it seems I have also made a brand new friend.

"Honey, you're seventeen, your butt does NOT know how to sag."

Aaaand, you STILL wrinkle your nose when you laugh.

"I love you, mommy!"

Happy 17th Birthday, my sweet baby girl; my friend!

© 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping

Updated to Add: Here's the first "Happy Birthday" blog post I wrote for Holly's 10th birthday, way back in 2003 — nice to see my writing style hasn't changed, um, much.

HW7XT5TRWUM2

November 12, 2010