This Full House Archive

Blog

Mom Bloggers, Old School Blogging, Memes and Zombie Chickens
Yes, it's that time of year — what, is it almost BlogHer…again? — all snarkiness aside, mostly, there's already been lots of drama, filling up my Twitter stream, enough to choke a chicken. Not that I ever would…choke a chicken, I mean…still, I think that this would be good time, as any, to bring back an old school blogging tradition.

The dreaded blog meme.

[pronounced "meem" like in the word "dream," for you young whippersnappers]

It's sort of like a chain letter, only, less annoying – especially, if it says something nice about, you know, somebody else – and I remember the days when the blog meme was just a really cool way to pass along some linky love.

You see, I'm late. [eyes go wide] NO! Not that late! [knocking on wood until knuckles bleed] I mean, earlier this month, Lisa [a.k.a. Lisa Wants the Floor] said some really nice things about me. Like, I made her stomach hurt (??) or, something like that and then she gave me something called the Zombie Chicken award!

[scratches head]

I think it's contagious. Now I have to give it to someone else. Well, because It's a rule:

THE ZOMBIE CHICKEN AWARD

"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken – excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all…"

See, I really don't have any choice in the matter, so here it goes:
1. Busy Mom (http://www.busymom.net) One word: Trendsetter – she was a busy before it was cool – the mother of all bloggers, figuratively speaking, of course, because, she's not THAT old, really.
2. Suburban Scrawl (http://www.suburbanscrawl.blogspot.com) Two words: Mommy Porn – this woman hooks me up with my fake celebrity boyfriends – go get you some.
3. Mommy Needs Coffee (http://www.mommyneedscoffee.com) Three words: She Talks Funny – writes pretty gosh-darned good, too.
4. The Bean Blog (http://www.thebeanblog.com/) Four words: She's Got Five Kids – and she's still lives to write about – 'nuf said.
5. The Mommy Blog (http://www.themommyblog.net) Five words: Been Reading Her Long Time – she's smart and funny as hell…if there was a hell…and it was funny…I mean – you should be, too.
Thank you for all of your inspiration, for knowing that I am a dork, but liking me, anyway (I think) and in true Golden Girl fashion, thank you for being a friend.

Pass it along, or play along, if you wish. My job is done, here. Frankly, I don't need no wrath from no zombie chickens!

In Other News: I admit it, my house stinks, how about yours? Right. But, help me win a room makeover and I'll love you, forever — vote for us, here!

© 2009 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.
May 22, 2009
Open House Blog Tour – 17th Showing

My husband, Garth (not his real name) and I love attending open houses
– especially, if it’s a home that we’ve admired, or wondered…you
know…what the heck is going on in there?

Welcome to the Open House Blog Tour where everyone (and anyone) is free to come and leave links (PG-13, please) telling us about your individual blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours, contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need a shout out, go for it!

I mean, who couldn’t use a little linky love? Make sure you leave a link in the Mr. Linky fields below along with a short description of the event. Okay, I’ll start:

Leave a comment, if you’d like — trust me, I know how busy you are — and, don’t worry if you forget, it’ll be here, every Thursday linked permanently in my archives here and on my review blog (two linkies for the price of one entry) so, if you happen to stop by,
whenever, just go ahead and leave your link; I’m easy.

Feel free to share – here’s the button and the code to use:

<a href=”http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/open-house-blog-tour/”><img
src=”http://www.thisfullhouse.com/design/open-house-blog-tour-badge.jpg”>

ALREADY SHOWING: OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOURS

Happy blog hunting!

In Other News: I admit it, my house stinks, how about yours? Right. But, help me win a room makeover and I’ll love you, forever — vote for us, here!

© 2009 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

May 21, 2009
Sew, What’s Love Frickin’ Got to Do With It, Anyway?

My oldest daughter had this really great idea. You see, she needed to come up with a sewing project for a benefit fashion show at the high school, "Barbie Through the Ages."

What — I didn't pick the name — but, it was going to count as a HUGE part of her final grade, so, you know, what was I supposed to do?

"What do you have to make?"

Because, I do NOT sew, or help "make" anything, if it means having to use something other than hot glue gun, let alone…mechanical…with running parts and a very sharp object, that puts holes in things, on purpose.

"I have to make a wedding dress."

Holy crap, that should be easy, right?

"Actually for the wedding party."

Oh, okay, still I'm guessing a "NO!" on the hot glue gun.

"How about if I sew a dress for Barbie's sister, Kelly?"

Um, okay.

"Yeah, and maybe even get my baby sister to model it, too, right?"

Riiiiight.

Like, most everything that comes (and goes) around in this house, it sounded good, at first…on paper…but, if I had a dollar for each time one of my kids came home with a school project, that I did NOT have to buy, sell, or help them with, the night before, while in a sugar-induced shock, then I'd be poor AND a diabetic, by now.

Oh, wait…

(more…)

May 20, 2009
Blogging About Teens, Tweens: Walking Contradictions in the Term Mom Bloggers Unite!

I can't believe that Hopey's 7, going on the Go Go's!

Last week, there was some backtalk at BlogHer on blogging about teens and, well, seeing as I happen to be raising 2 of them (teens, I mean) along with a couple of other kids, whose names and ages escape me at the moment, I thought…about DANGED time…because, it's not just me.

My friends Jenn and Busy Mom were also speaking up and I, for one, am really sick (and tired) about how some folks (you know, the ones who think they know everything) believe moms with teenagers are just itching for good blog fodder…DANGIT…as we, undoubtedly, have nothing to say, or worthwhile to add to this (or, any) conversation…about our DANGED kids!

Well, then, my friend Melisa, I hate to be the one tell you this, but you ARE a walking contradiction!

Excuse me, while my Joizey comes out, but are you tawkin' to me? Of cawse you are. I got staw-rees that would make even my gran-muthuh go all, like, you go girl!

[clears throat]

Becawse…[cough]…beeee-cause, I have always tried to be very careful about the stories I share (regardless of my children's ages) and mindful of whether (or, not) my words will hurt, or embarrass my family (or, the people reading our story) in any way.

Still. I'm not perfect. There is always someone ready, willing and very able to prove me wrong and that someone is almost always…one of my kids.

This is one of those stories.

(more…)

May 18, 2009
PBN Blog Blast: It’s the Best View in the House, Sort Of

The Parent Bloggers Network has teamed up with the folks over at Windex Outdoor All-in-One to help people (like me) find a quick and easy way to see things a little more, you know, clearly.

[cringe]

Although, at first glance, our house may look very small — not to mention, in desperate need of a paint job — and, though they would never admit it (out loud) my kids know our house is bigger than the 5-roomed cape I grew up in; it's got good bones.

Still.

We ARE 6 people, living in a 7 room house and — though, I'm blessed with many friends (both, online and in real life) who are able to feel themselves right at home, anyway — I'm having a hard time trying to find a way to 'splain it, to their kids.

(more…)

May 15, 2009
Open House Blog Tour – 16th Showing

My husband, Garth (not his real name) and I love attending open houses
– especially, if it’s a home that we’ve admired, or wondered…you
know…what the heck is going on in there?

Welcome to the Open House Blog Tour where everyone (and anyone) is free to come and leave links (PG-13, please) telling us about your individual blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours, contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need a shout out, go for it…I’m listening!

I mean, who couldn’t use a little linky love? Make sure you leave a link in the Mr. Linky fields below along with a short description of the event.

Okay, I’ll start:

Leave a comment, if you’d like — trust me, I know how busy you are — and, don’t worry if you forget, it’ll be here, every Thursday linked permanently in my archives here and on my review blog (two linkies for the price of one entry) so, if you happen to stop by,
whenever, just go ahead and leave your link; I’m easy.

Feel free to share – here’s the button and the code to use:

<a href=”http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/open-house-blog-tour/”><img
src=”http://www.thisfullhouse.com/design/open-house-blog-tour-badge.jpg”>

ALREADY SHOWING: OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOURS

Happy blog hunting!

In Other News: I admit it, my house stinks, how about yours? Right. But, help me win a room makeover and I’ll love you, forever — vote for us, here!

© 2009 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

May 14, 2009
Nearly Wordless Wednesday: Face Painting R Us!

Hopey (on the right) and her BFF…I know, they could be sisters…soon after we arrived at her BFF's communion party.

Hope and her BFF…after my two oldest daughters got a hold of 'em…YIKES!

Yes, as a matter of fact, they ARE available for parties!

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

IN OTHER NEWS: My House Stinks, How About Yours – Help me win a room makeover from Dutch Boy Paints and I'll love you, forever — vote for us, here!

© 2009 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

May 13, 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
Happy [bleeping] Mother’s Day!

Tired hearing about Mother’s Day, yet? Yeah, me too. I mean, it’s not like I don’t appreciate being bombarded with a bazillion emails, reminding me that, you know, it’s Mother’s Day — the biggest “gift-giving” and “phone-calling” day of the year — because, I don’t.

Want any gifts or phone calls, I mean.

I did once, the following year after my oldest daughter was born, my husband Garth [not his real name] bought me a coffee mug that said, “I [heart] Mommy” with a little [heart] drawn in between. The [heart] has long been rubbed off, but I still use it, every day.

My oldest is 15 now [UGH, I don’t know how that happened, either] and we’ve since added a couple of mugs, or two, to our brood, so I guess, Mother’s Day just has a whole different meaning, is all.

I know it must for my mom and my mother-in-law.

While, they look forward to spending a quiet Mother’s Day surrounded by their family [i.e. grandchildren] all I want is to be, you know, left alone.

On the other hand, it’s just one day, right? Though, I really do try to remember that I love them, every day. Still. I can’t help but think that I’ll probably feel differently, in a few years. Especially, the first time when one of my kids “forgets” to call me for Mother’s Day.

So, instead, I have a gift for you, my mommy-type-blogging friends!

Snagged this video from Melissa [a.k.a. Suburban Scrawl] who I am officially naming my “mommy-porn muse” this week [you’re welcome!] because…YES!…me love the faces of Deadliest Catch…long time:

[Edited to Add: Video was made “private” after I posted this…sorry, he/she doesn’t want to share…but, here’s the original “cleaned-up” version from Discovery without the [bleeping!] DAMNIT. Still, my thoughts remain the same.]

Guess what ELSE we’re doing on Sunday? Go ahead, I’ll wait.

[heavy sigh]

Happy [bleeping] Mother’s Day, my friends!

© 2009 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

May 8, 2009
Open House Blog Tour – 15th Showing

My husband, Garth (not his real name) and I love attending open houses
– especially, if it's a home that we've admired, or wondered…you
know…what the heck is going on in there?

Welcome to the Open House Blog Tour where everyone (and anyone) is free to come and leave links (PG-13, please) telling us about your individual blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours, contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need a shout out, go for it…I'm listening!

I mean, who couldn't use a little linky love? Make sure you leave a link in the Mr. Linky fields below along with a short description of the event. Okay, I'll start:

And if you forget…don't worry…it'll be here, every Thursday…linked permanently in my archives here and on my review blog (two linkies for the price of one entry) so, if you happen to stop by
whenever, just go ahead and leave your link…oh, and let me know where
I can mail the check!

Feel free to share – here's the button and the code to use:

<a href="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/open-house-blog-tour/"><img
src="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/design/open-house-blog-tour-badge.jpg">

ALREADY SHOWING: OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOURS

Happy blog hunting!

In Other News: I admit it, my house stinks, how about yours? Right. But, help me win a room makeover and I'll love you, forever — vote for us, here!

© 2009 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

May 7, 2009