This Full House Archive

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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

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  • 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?

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  • 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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  • The Ghost of Halloween Parades Past

    Holly As Bo Peep 1994

    My oldest, her first Halloween in 1994, I dressed Holly as Little Bo Beep (sorry, Holly!)

    Holly and Heather Halloween 1997
    Aaaaand, even Heather's face is all, like, seriously Mom?!?

    Holly Heather and Glen Halloween 2000
    Also, I'm pretty sure Glen is STILL not over the epic diaper wedgie he received from this ill-fitting-hand-me-down Tigger suit.

    Glen and Hope Halloween 2003
    Which leads me to reason #71,928,099 why I will be fed a steady diet of strained carrots, in a nursing home, somewhere far, far, away.

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  • Fester, Fester, Fester, Rot, Rot, Rot

    My 17yo is studying Forensics.  Don't ask me why.  She's majoring in art education, I think.

    Also, the girl can't even squash a bug, let alone, bag a stinky old body part.

    Aaaaanyway, she's a huge Bones and NCIS fan (me, too!) helllloooo David Boreanaz and Mark Harmon.

    [heavy sigh]

    Um, what was I saying, something about body parts?  Oh yeah, so I wasn't surprised that Forensics is one of her favorite classes, this year.

    "We tested each others' lips, today."

    [eyes go wide]

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  • Wordless Wednesday: Kaleidoscope Eyes (and a spooky-looking arm, too!)

    Kaleidoscope Eyes and a Scary Looking Arm Too

    This is what I see, when looking out my kitchen window and I swear it's mocking me, flipping me the bird, or something.

    Stupid, freaky-looking tree.

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

  • The #1 Reason Why This Jersey Girl Does NOT Pump Her Own Gas

    My friend, Melisa (with one S) had a really bad run in with a runaway gas pump, yesterday.

    Really, go and give her some love (when you find the time, of course!) because, personally, I can totally relate to her angst.

    I mean, honestly, as a self-professed magnet for attracting really, really embarrassing situations AND considering my talent for breaking things HARD!

    There really is a REAL good reason why this Jersey girls does NOT pump her own gas.

    Reason #1 Why This Jersey girl does NOT pump gas
    Yeah, besides the fact that it's illegal to pump your own gas, here in New Jersey (and Oregon, I think) THIS IS a law suit just waiting to happen.

    "Oh and be sure to stop at the gas station on your way home."

    Now that my oldest daughter is driving?

    "I think it's time you learned how to get gas."

    I think it's real important to know how to pump your own gas and she does (her father showed her how to do it on our last road trip to Cape Cod) just NOT in Jersey.

    "How did you do?"

    [one beat, two beats]

    "Fine, after I let the gas station dude show me how to pop open the gas tank."

    [blank stare]

    Ummmm, yeah, we may or may not have forgotten to show her where to find THAT particular button.

    [sound of crickets]

    WHAT?!?  It's in a really weird spot, way down on the floor (I think!) aaaand, I even forgot, my ownself, the gas station dude had to show me where it was, once or maybe twice, I forget.

    Morale of the Story:  My oldest has decided to pursue a career in art education, as well as attending a college closer to home (YAY!) clearly, she did NOT get her artistic talent from me.

    Stupid gas stations, dumbass cars!

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

  • Further Proof Our Life IS a Sitcom
    Or, Would Make a Very Comical Cartoon

    Backstory: Hurricane Irene ripped us a new one (figuratively and literally) damaging our roof and chimney, which now causes our ceilings and the front of our house to leak like a sieve, every time it rains.

    Flashback: to September, which, turns out, was one of the stormiest months we've ever had, here in Jersey (of course!)

    FB Our Own Personal Rain Dance
    Flash-forward: last night, my awesome friend Sue (who also happens to be my next door neighbor, in my dreams, I wish) Facebook's me while I'm out buying lottery tickets.FB Sue Rain Dance

    Missed it (DAGNABIT!) so, through the magic of the interwebs, I go and watch the episode this morning:


    Sorry about the 15 second ad in the beginning (ABC folks gotta keep their lights on, too, I guess) the clip itself is only 30 seconds long and a gosh-darned good example of what it's like to live in our house, when EVERY TIME IT RAINS!!!

    Now, if you'll excuse me, the clouds are beginning to roll in. 

    If anyone needs me, I'll be in the kitchen.  Breaking out the pots and hoping that the insurance check clears and/or ABC calls, sometime, soon!

    Stupid roof, dumbass Irene.

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House