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  • When being bad feels pretty darn good!

    Minimemickeydee

    In here? Yes. You mean, here? Yep. Now? Yes. Are you wed-dee?
    Uh-huh. Wed-dee? Um…go ahead! In here? Just, DROP IT…um…good job,
    Sweetie!

    I explained to the cashier – poor thing looked a little scared and
    kept backing up, the whole time – as Mini-me and I were dropping off a
    donation to RMHC, for The Big MoFo Delurk, yesterday.  Thank you all very much for participating (you too, Miss Zoot) and helping me show my kids that, yes, mommy can open her wallet and spend $15.00 on something other than milk, eggs, bread and fabric softener.

    Even though I didn’t get to extend the dollar amount into the triple
    digits – like, Miss Zoot would’ve – because, it nice to be able to do
    something right, for change.

    [heavy sigh]

    Besides, Garth (not his real name) is angry enough with me, already.

    Funny, he’s such a Dudley Do-Right (don’t worry, he knows it) and it
    is one of the (many) terms of endearment I would use whenever our
    friends wonder how in the heck we EVER got together, in the first
    place, since I was a bit of a rebel – back in the day and way before
    children.

    Yes, Liz B.C. was a bad girl – are you shocked? My parents would be,
    if they read my blog, and my mother-in-law probably doesn’t believe me
    (yes, she reads me) anyways.

    But, that was then and now I have four other egos to stroke….including my husbands.

    “How much do you want me to spend, tonight?”

    We wolfed-down ate dinner and Garth (not his real
    name) got home just in time to see me and Thing Two leave for the art
    auction being held at the high school.

    “Okay, thanks….but, I don’t think we’ll have to donate any more than that.”

    Liar, liar.

    “We’ll be home around 9.”

    Pants on fire!

    “Thing Two will probably find it boring, anyways.”

    Nose as long…whoa, hold on there – no need to get personal – but, my parenting skills haven’t been the best
    lately and I already owed Thing Two some private time (Thing One’s
    still sort of mad me, anyway) so, bidding on gorgeous pieces of art for
    charity was the perfect excuse for a mommy-daughter-night-out.

    “But, what about meeeeeee!?!?”

    Next time, it’s Mini-me’s turn.

    “But, the girls get to do stuff with you all the time!”

    After The Boy, of course!

    “Be good for daddy.”

    Because, mommy is about to do something really, really…BAD!

    “Look, it’s a Wooster!”

    Honestly, it was exciting to be able to buy something – especially,
    since most of the bids started at $150.00 – from one of my most
    favorite artists of all time – Jane Wooster Scott.

    “Aaaand…so is THIS one!”

    Getting two framed and SIGNED lithographs – for the price of what it would have probably cost just to frame one – made me feel like such a winner!

    “For only two-hundred bucks, it’s a steal!”

    I’ll save you from having to hear the rest of my verbal beating argument (you’re welcome) but, a bulk of the money raised last night is going back into the school system (heaven knows, we need it) and he knows I never spend that much money, at once, on anything, unless it’s on the kids, going in the fridge, or the gas tank.

    “What’s the matter with daddy?”

    Swell.

    “Nothing you have to worry about, Sweetie.”

    Liar, liar – dang, but mommy lies a lot – just call me Matt.

    “Why isn’t Thing Two going to school, today?”

    Because, Garth (not his real name) and I weren’t speaking – sometimes, it is
    better to just walk away – I went upstairs, shut our bedroom door, but
    I was too angry to go to sleep. I decided to put away some clothes and
    developed a few new curse words.

    “Stupid [bleeping] closet!”

    GAH!

    “Momma?”

    Dang it.

    “I’m sorry!”

    UGH.

    “For what?”

    And the tears came fast, now.

    “I told you not to wimp-out on buying those pictures and now you and daddy are getting divorced!”

    If, being a grown-up can stink…THIS MUCH…then, living with one has to SUCK!

    “No, baby…it’s going to take a lot more than that!”

    I tried to explain it, the best I could – because, there are
    going to be plenty of other times when her dad and I won’t like each
    other, so much – but, moms and dads don’t know everything (act
    surprised, okay) when the answers don’t come quickly and we need to
    work on getting through the bad times, too.

    “Can I sleep with you?”

    Well, daddy certainly won’t and – seeing as she’s 11-years-old and an honor student – I sometimes forget that she’s still a kid.

    “Of course!”

    So, we crawled into bed and watched Letterman.

    [snicker]

    I am officially declaring a mental day – because, I am a dork – and
    if there is anyone else out there, who’s feeling a little bad….go
    ahead….give yourself a break and just go with it….it is what it
    is….but, it can always be better and because I said so, damnit!

    As for Garth (not his real name) well, we kissed (sort of) and I
    hope to be able to make up and be friends, again. By the end of the
    week, I think. Or, before Aunt Flo visits and all hell breaks loose!

    Wish me luck!

  • Wordless Wednesday and The Great Mofo Delurk

    Thisfullhousefoldingparty

    Folding party at my house – BRING IT!

    [via:  5 Minutes for Mom]

    ——————————————————————–

    Mofodelurkbutton

    In honor of Mofo Delurk Day – saw it over at Pinks and Blues and brainchild of the immensely brilliant Schmutzie – leave a comment, let me know what you’re bringing to This Full House folding par-tay and I’ll drop a buck into the Ronald McDonald House Collection Box!

    Yep – so, pass the word – the kids and I are eating out, TONIGHT!

    If anyone needs me I’ll be downstairs channel surfing, digging into
    pockets and couch diving for some milk money – Happy Hump Day!

    [Edited to add: Comments will be closed on
    Thursday, 5:00 p.m. (est) – so, keep ‘em coming – because…um…well, I’m
    still folding…DAMMIT!]

  • Thursdays Thirteen – is the new Fourteen Random Things – at our house, anyways.

    Jinkies, I’ve been tagged by Dana and I’ve been jonesing to join in on Believer’s pet peeves – not to mention, I’ll do anything to avoid thinking about gut rot, or looking at this – so, here ya’ go!
    Seven pet peeves I’ve discovered, since last Thursday:

    1.  The phrase, "It is, what it is." – To which I answer, "Yes, but it can ALWAYS be better…damnit!"

    2.  Rude customer service people – Look, I’ve serviced plenty of customers in my time…for more years than I’d care to remember, really…I know what you’re thinking…trust me…but, would it kill you to at least ACT like you care…and that your job actually depended on the fact that I am NOT happy…oh, and for the love of Garth…would you please, STOP popping your gum, already!

    3.  Hotel key cards that don’t work – Because I am clumsy, a dork AND technically challenged; ‘nuf said!

    4.  Drivers who refuse to use their directionals – Yes, you’ve got one and should NOT be afraid to use it, or face the wrath of my evil eye and I AM part Gypsy, you know!

    5.  Disgusting displays of road rage – Showing me your middle finger will NOT make me inclined to go any faster and if you insist on driving that far up my butt, at least have the courtesy of allowing me to pull over and introduce ourselves, properly!

    6.  People who stare – Say hello, or show me the booger, already!

    7.  People who refuse to be the first ones to say, you know, hello – Begging your pardon, your majesty, but…um…our kids have been terrorizing each other for years and I know where you live; you ain’t all that!

    7 random things I really don’t hate:

    1.  I don’t really hate doing the laundry – With my new washer and dryer I was able to get through seven loads, yesterday; it’s the folding and the putting away that can take days.  Makes for nice extra seating space, though.

    2.  I don’t really hate being a mom – I just don’t love it…every…flipping…minute…of…my…life, is all.

    3.  I don’t really hate my breasts, or Facebook – I just don’t like how I feel about them, at the moment.

    4.  I don’t really hate bugs – I despise them!

    5.  I don’t really hate it when my husband and I argue – As long as there’s lots of kissing and heavily making up, after.

    6.  I don’t really hate to hear my kids complain – It means that they are exercising their right to speak their minds and that I am still listening.

    7.  I don’t really hate my dog – Not today, anyway.

    Anyone up for the challenge, feel free to clean off a chair, sit down and tell me what irks you (or, not) the most about this week.
    Next week:  I’ll be coming late into an Autumn Swap, jumping back into girl scouts, sweating it out in soccer, basking in my imperfections, making some more travel arrangements and getting over gut rot!
    I hope.

  • Wordless Wednesday – Got Milk of Magnesia?

    Theboyisafricahot

    How’s the weather up there in Joisey, you ask – why, it’s Africa hot – can’t ya’ tell!?!?

    [hosted by:  5 Minutes for Mom]

    Boob sweat in September…now, that’s just NOT right!  If anyone needs me, I’ll be upstairs desperately clutching the air-conditioner and wondering just where in the h-e-double hockey sticks is Autumn!?!?
    [Just so you know, gut rot is when your insides feel like they just puked all over themselves]
    TTFN

  • Forgive her, Lord for she is from the North and prays only for some sleep.

    Charlottebed

    I have a confession to make – hang on to your hoodies, it’s not like that – but, I hesitate to mention my love for hotel rooms, because…well…does anyone else get a kick out of being able to sleep in a gorgeously made up bed (read: crispy white linens and matching pillows) and then come back at the end of the day to find your room cleaned, picked up and your bed ready for some major snuggling!?!?

    Me, too and – if it weren’t for a minor snafu – judging by the inaugural go-ahead-and-hop-your-butt-up-on-there test and the overall fluff-factor, I suspect spending an entire night sleeping in it would have been real nice, too!
    Although, my husband seems to feel that my waking him in the middle of the night, screaming in pain, and then having to rush me to the local hospital (read:  where the hell are we anyway…and…I don’t care…WHAT is the easiest to get to!?!?) as more that just, you know, a snafu.

    "The virus is attacking her internal organs and working it’s way through her intestines, so the pain should get better, before it gets any worse."

    Swell.

    "Rest assured, her gallbladder is fine, both kidneys are functioning normally and we’re about 99% sure it has NOT infected her appendix, but we’d like her stay the night."

    How nice, they must really like me.

    "Where ya’ll planning on doin’?"

    Well, we were on our way home and – though, I haven’t been feeling well and not eating much the whole trip – I just had to stop in Old Town and have dinner, because…well, stupid is as stupid does.

    "Look, I do love it here and all…everyone is really nice…but, please don’t take this the wrong way…I just want to get home to my babies and sleep in my own bed, tonight!"

    A couple of bags of saline, a muscle relaxer, a shower, a few more prescriptions for good measure and nearly 24 hours, later we are home and we are BOTH doing well – my husband doesn’t like it much that I’m sick and still blogging, either – but, don’t worry, I hear my bed calling and Garth (not his real name) is taking real good care of me and the kids.

    He’s good, like that!

    In the meantime – please, feel free to clean off a chair, sit down and talk amongst yourselves – if anyone needs me, I’ll be upstairs, thanking my lucky stars, clutching my mid-section and praying for some sleep!

  • Forgive her, Lord for she is from the North and knows not what to do with her hands!

    It’s day 3 of Garth’s (not his real name) and my adventure into the deep south (okay, as far as I’ve ever been able to git) and  I’m happy to report that we HAVE managed to work AND travel together (without the kids) AND talk about, you know, all sorts of stuff.
    Other than the kids, I mean.
    .
    In fact, my husband says I’m ALL talk and don’t be fooled into thinking that we do NOT miss our children – I’ve called them before school, after and at bedtime…everyday – but, we’ve been at this parenting thing for quite a while (more years than we can remember, really…the memory IS the first to go) and leaving the children doesn’t affect Garth (not his real name) as much as being able to talk to other grown-ups, does me.

    "Ya’ll here on bin-ness?"

    Yes, I mean no.

    "Actually, my husband is and I’m sort of…well…yes and…"

    I stopped talking, first (for once) before realizing that I had inadvertently placed my hand on her shoulder and then started stroking the woman’s arm.

    "…um…I’m here researching the area and sort of trying to get a feel for the place."

    I also told her that we live in New Jersey, that my parents are from Eastern Europe and how I really do NOT know what to do with my hands!

    "I’m originally fruuuuuum Jersey, too!"

    So, I’m NOT the only one susceptible to picking up speech patterns, huh!?!?

    "How long you here?"

    [smiles broadly]

    "Oh, quite a few yuhs now!"

    Okay, I’m just quicker at it – thinking, not so much.

    "What do ya’ll do?"

    [blank stare]

    "Well, I’m a full-time mom and I write part-time about, you know, stuff."

    Uh-huuuuuuuh.

    "Not like, there’s any such thing as a part-time mom, or anything."

    Riiiiiiight.

    "Oh, here’s Helene NOW!"

    One of the other things I wanted to do – besides, try to listen to what Garth (not his real name) says and NOT totally freak out the English-speaking population of North Carolina – was look up my long-time blogging friend over at Adventures in Parenting.

    "Relax, just be yourself."

    Easy enough for Garth (not his real name) to say!

    "Hi, it’s me!"

    I smiled, waved my hands wildly and promptly placed them at my sides…so, as to not freak out another mommyblogger.

    "I’m sorry, but I can’t believe you’re here and I have this terrible need to hug you!"

    But, you can’t blame us for being absolutely thrilled to finally meet each other, IN PERSON!

    "I’ve been following you and your family…for…YEARS!"

    I introduced Garth (not his real name) to Helene (go over and see our pretty picture) and later thanked him for being such a good sport about…well…EVERYTHING!

    "That’s okay, it’s hard NOT to be friendly around you, even though you ARE nothing but a bunch of blogging freaks!"

    Maybe so, maybe so…BUT…hey, Helene knows more about me than anybody and she’s originally from Wisconsin!

  • Forgive her Lord, for she is from the North and knows not the menu!

    Well, we’ve made it – the better part of two days drive and 640 miles, later – and I do believe that I am absolutely in lust with nearly everyone I have met here in North Carolina, thus far.

    "Hyalldointday?"

    What?

    "Kinygit…ya’ll?"

    Here’s the thing – I’m not trying to be fresh, or anything – growing up with Hungarian parents, in an extremely ethnic neighborhood and surrounded by more cultures than a pediatrician can wave a stick at, especially during cold and flu season – yes, even she’s from…you know…somewhere else – the kids and I have grown accustomed to hearing, and have no problem understanding, people who, you know, talk funny.

    "Um…hi…uh…um…your earrings are very pretty!"

    Can I just tell you, the woman never even batted an eyelash…but, she did start talking a whole heck of a lot slower, all of a sudden!

    "Well, aren’t yooooooou jest theeeeeee niiiiiiicest, most sweeeeeeest, liiiiiitle thaaaaaaang!"

    And then she pulled up a chair and sat down.

    "Waaaaaaar ya’ll fruuuuuuum?"

    I told her that my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I were visiting from Jersey.

    "Aaaaaaaand, he left ya’ll to diiiiiiine byer-self?"

    Yes…I mean…no…not really.

    "Well, he’s travelin’ on bin-ness."

    I mean, business.

    "And I’m sorta, yah-know, workin’ from our hotel rooooooom?"

    It’s about now when I realized that my speech pattern seemed to be changing and that my tongue had taken on a life of it’s own.

    "Aaaaaaand, this is the fust tiiiiiiime I’ve had to muh-self…without the keeeeeeeds…in a dawg’s age!"

    She gave be this sort of…uhhhhhhh-huh…sort of nod, but never stopped smiling.

    "Where’d ya’ll saaaaaaay, ya’ll fruuuuuuum?"

    [without missing a beat]

    "Suh-thun New Jersey!"

    Oh my doG, but we laughed and laughed.
    [wiping eyes]

    "Kinygit…ya’ll?"

    Blank stare.
    "Uhhhhhhh-huh…and um…I looooooove your glasses, too!"
    It’s okay, she finally figured out that I was feeling pretty uncomfortable – apparently, a lot of Southerners have a hard time understanding us, too – and my new best friend, Pauleen (or, Pow-leen) was kind enough to order, for me:

    • fried catfish
    • dumplings in (white) gravy
    • corn
    • turnip greens
    • fried apples
    • homemade raspberry iced tea

    Oh…my…LORD…but, I do believe they’ve turned my Yankee heart…um…do ya’ll don’t have a baseball team, or anything?
    Riiiiiiight.
    Anyhow, while Garth is busy networking his buns off, I’m meeting up with the locals and looking forward to getting to know all there is to know about…um…ya’ll – if anyone needs me, I’ll be in downtown Charlotte…shopping…and crushing on some street vendor…HARD…no doubt!

  • She’s sort of nice from Monday thru Friday…then, on Saturday, out comes the beast!

    If you where to ask me – hey, you! – what my favorite day of the week happens to be, I would have to answer…um…what day is it, today and…uh…any day I can get out of bed…without my head hurting and my eyes bleeding puss…or, tripping over a 90 pound dog in an attempt to avoid the cat poop (don’t ask) and the kids are NOT sick…well, heck-fart and happy birthday…today just HAS got to be a good one, right!?!?

    I mean, Thing Two’s fever finally did BREAK – after peaking at a balmy 105.2 degrees fahrenheit – but, NOT before enduring copious amounts of warm showers, cool presses and steaming hot mugs of mommy’s homemade chicken soup, served up on a bed of crisp clean sheets and surrounded by her favorite stuffed animals.

    Thank you for your kind thoughts!

    Unfortunately, it DID take the entire four-day-weekend (happy belated Rosh Hashanah, y’all) in between running back (and forth) to school for soccer pictures (in the rain) and playing two soccer games (in the wet) at two different times, of course!

    Which means?

    [stops typing and does the math]

    Running back (and forth) with Mini-me and The Boy (who requested a new pseudo-name and now formerly known as, Little Man) a total of five times and losing NOT just a soccer game…nuh-uh!…but, my keys…yuh-huh!…and my abilities of speech and hearing…whuh?…not to mention, my shiny new outlook and believing that, you know, I ACTUALLY know what I’m doing.

    "Grab it…GRab it…GRAb it…GRAB it…GO AHEAD AND GRAB IT, ALREADY!"

    The Boy was playing goalie – YIKES! – and he leaped on the ball, as if it was the last piece of coffee cake on a Sunday morning, just like I taught him to!

    "Um…he can’t come out of the box and…uh…just so you know…that’s not YOUR Son!"

    [blank stare]

    "Well, heck-fart and happy birthday, we just got ourselves a throw in…go red!"

    Stupid soccer!
    Then Sunday came, Thing Two was feeling much better and no one else got sick…[knock on wood]…and we were able to keep our plans of visiting with family, but Thing One was feeling out of sorts (she’s not very fond of Aunt Flo, either!) and I got to do it…all…over…again!

    "Here’s your cup of tea, Sweetie…it’s Vanilla Chai…your favorite, right…and a nice, big piece of banana bread!"

    Because I am "the mommy" and it happens to be what we mommies (and daddies) do best!

    [breaks into a big grin]

    I bet you wanna know how I’m feeling all bouncy, right?

    [quivers eyebrows and smiles]

    Why, it’s Monday…of course…and I don’t think that there could possibly be another mother (or, father) happier, right now (besides Jamie, I mean)  simply because, well…um…there are NO children home…sick…at the moment and NO soccer games scheduled for next weekend and…uh…wait…what was the question?

    But, guess what?

    No, I’m NOT pregnant…[knocking on wood until knuckles bleed]…but, the hubs and I are going away (I know…what, again?!?) and this time it’s strictly business.  Garth (not his real name) has some bank-like thing he has to go to and wants me to go…um…too.
    However, I’m not actually allowed attend the bank-like thing (that’s okay, there’s internet and a Panera’s nearby…HEE-HAW!) and I’ve already planned on working in a scouting expedition of Charlotte, North Carolina.
    Thanks, to Grandma, Grandpa and the world’s best Aunt…EVUH!…oh, and there are at at least two other people I’d like to mention, before I go.

    Believer in Balance and I were roommates at BlogHer and she still thinks I’m nice – can you believe it?

    Niceaward
    "This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration.  Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.

    "

    Absolutely Bananas and I met at BlogHer and gave me a blogging award, anyway – for being a beast?

    Donkeybuttaward

    The THIS BLOG KICKS DONKEY BUTT award – for blogs that rock your world. Hard.

    Now, I have GOT to tie up a few more loose ends (like, making sure there are enough clean towels and that there’s food in the house) and then it’s off to the balmy beaches of North Carolina…um…I mean…I think, it’s hot there…and they have sand, right…um…what was the question?

    Why, yes we’re driving the entire 10+ hours and Aunt Flo WILL BE traveling with us…of course!

  • Wordless Wednesday – The Trouble With Weeds…

    Amongtheweeds

    …is that they are endlessly, interesting.

    [breathes in deep]

    Feeling a little sad, today – don’t worry, just some after-effects of battling a procrastinating teenager, a frustrated eleven-year-old, an eight-year-old boy who refuses to brush his teeth and totally pissing off a six-year-old by making her change her clothes, twice, and nursing a wicked migraine – if anyone needs me, I’ll be in my garden…digging in the dirt.

    [hosted by:  5 Minutes for Mom]

  • September 11, 2001 – The Names

    Ribbon_3

    I’m guest-blogging for my dear friend, Dana – join me at The Dana Files in remembering September 11, 2001 – The Names.