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© 2010 This
Full House Blog – All Rights Reserved.
Tag: blogging
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Wordless Wednesday: Bowling is for Tutus
I love how Hopey's bowling ball matches her tutu…perfectly!
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D’oh, There’s a Deer in My Garden, Dear Maria, Dear Maria!
This is my paternal great-grandmother, Maria, in Hungary. My father spent many childhood summers, giving up his "city boy ways," living the "simple country life," with Maria (his mother had him late in life and, apparently, he was a handful!) and, according to my father, it was anything and everything…but, simple!Still, as tough as Maria's life was, my father insists that she was the sweetest, kindest, most gentlest person on earth.
Unlike, her great-granddaughter (that would be me!) who is about ready to snare her some Bambi!
Exhibit A: Deer tracks (post-sprinkler) this morning.
No, I don't want to hurt Bambi (much) but, gardening is HARD work and, all of a sudden, after 17 years of fighting with aphids, hornworms and garden slugs (oh my!) NOW it seems like we've got deer!
Exhibit B: Hopey's prized-cabbage (she was growing to win a $1000 scholarship) beheaded!
Not just any deer (mind you) but, ravenous-militant-vegetable-swiping-giant-moose-of-an-animal that carries away an entire head of cabbage!?!?
Exhibit C: Tops of tomato plants chewed!
I went out to pick some tomatoes a few weekends ago and…OMG…where have ALL of my tomatoes gone?
Exhibit D: What was my parsley!
I know…so, we've got deer…no BIG deal, right?
Exhibit E: WTH is it?
All I kept thinking was…this is MY garden (DAGNABIT!) and WWMD (what would Maria do?) no question about it — I HAVE TO DEFEND IT! So, Garth (not his real name) installed this sweet little motion detector smack dab in the middle of my Concord grape vine!
Just like Maria's (see picture at top of post) minus the motion detector, I mean.
Exhibit F: New growth!!!
Yes, Maria is probably ROIHGL (rolling over in her grave laughing) bless her squishy little heart!
Exhibit G: Aaaand, we have tomato flowers!
But, when in Jersey…you know…and, combined with my new bontanically-based insecticidal soap (email me and I'll let you know which) it seems to be working.
Exhibit H: The vegetable bed that lived
Oh, and no, we are NOT crucifying anyone – that's just the clothes line that Garth (not his real name) rigged up by the pool, so that the kids can hang up their wet towels, which, unfortunately, they do NOT use…DAGNABIT!
[sound of crickets chirping]
Morale of the Story: Deer do NOT like eggplant.
Stupid urban/suburban sprawl!
© 2010 This Full House Blog – All Rights Reserved.
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Nearly Wordless Wednesday: Pretending Like It’s Two Zero Zero Four
This Full House 2004
Found this picture buried deep in our old desktop's files and, well, ignoring the fact that my laptop is STILL broken is not such a bad thing, after all. Buuuuut, now my face hurts, as I'm seriously considering climbing into the h…e…double hockey sticks of a crawl space over our garage and dusting off the crib…too.
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Tag, you're it: Wordless Wednesday© 2010 This Full House Blog – All Rights Reserved.
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Monday Morning With Doofus-Dawg: Well, it WAS morning the last times ahs-looked, anyways!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWN! D'oh, hello…eyes didn't sees yous come in all quiet like.
[smacks lips]
Mah name is Doofus-dog.
Ma ain'ts at her desk, right now and…d'oh…she ask-did me to…uh…excuse me a minute, puh-leeze.
BARK-BARK-WOOF-BARKITY-WOOF-WOOF!
D'oh, sorry 'bout that. Ah hates squirrels. Don'ts yous? Anyways.
Ma ain'ts here, ah think and…um…d'oh yeah…ah remember now.WOOF-WOOF-BARK-WOOFITY-BARK-BARK!
Stupid squirrels!
D'oh, aaaanyways, Ma is a bear…um…buffallo…no, that ain'ts it…wait, ah remember now…she's a bee…uh…she's be busier than a cat covering up poop on a cee-ment floor, right now…d'oh…whatever that means.
SCRATCH-SCRATCH-SCRATCH!
"Cawse ahs knows, and yous knows cats is stoopid.
SNORT!
D'oh, hello…wait a minute…do ah know yous?
[heavy sigh]
D'oh yeah, ah remember now…um…ah'm supposed to tell yous that too-mahr-raws another day…d'oh…that's naught right, either…'cause, everybody knows too-mahr-raws the today that yous forgot all about yesterdays.
SNORT!
Nah, hers 'puter brokedid aaaaay-ghenn (NO, AH DID NAUGHT BROKEDIDIT!!!) but, she's busy plannin' some-in, 'cawse some-ins happenins the day after too-mahr-raws and that some-ins gonna REAL GOOD, too..brokedid 'puter or naught!
AAAAAHWOOO!
D'oh, hello…wait a minute…do ah knows yous?
YAAAAAAAAAAAWN!
D'oh, oh yah, well, I hopes yous had a real nice Monday and if yous did'n…well…there's always too-mahr-raw and…shee-yah…theys plenty more room on dis-heres couch.
BARK-BARK-WOOF-BARKITY-WOOF-WOOF
Have a nice day, too-mahr-raws!
© 2009 This Full House Blog – All Rights Reserved.
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Love is Hopeful
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 glassed right off of my face and, well, maybe if I had remembered to wear my crash helmet…
"The doctors found something."
…but, this is NOT about me.
"Why did you wait to tell 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…
"What could you have done?"
…and the best I could do is, you know, hold the bucket.
"But, I could have been there."
Then again, I could think of worse things.
"Wow, would you look at that!"
Which is what I was doing (thinking of worse things, I mean) when she (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 she 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."
And so, I remain, yours truly and totally filled with hope and perhaps just a dash of anxiety, for good measure.
"Man, would you look at the guns on that guy!!!"
Because, I may (or may not) have used that expression in front of my 9 year-old, before (especially, when watching this chef create the most impossible dinners) and, well, what DOES he have to do with all this?
"Wow, yeah, you want me to ask him if he's married?"
Absolutely nothing…and everything…because, hope is also contagious.
"Yep, you ARE your mother's daughter."
Aaaand, I'm totally keeping her…I mean, it…d'oh…because, I also believe that Hope has this way of making us ALL smile, inspite of ourselves.
"But, you are ALREADY married…mommy…der!"
Aaaand, I'm sticking to it…to her…d'oh…you know what I mean, right?
Happy Love Thursday, everyone!
© 2010 This Full House Blog
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Independence is a Relative Term
I was 12 years-old when we celebrated the Bi-centennial and, sadly, the only thing I remember from the day is getting these really cool pair of socks.
Oh…look…my first crushes…mostly him (on the left) it's like 1976, all over again!
No, these are NOT the socks (can't find a picture, anywhere) nor, do they have anything to do with Independence Day (so what?) but, I thought I'd share another favorite memory from my preteen years (50 extra points for the 1st person who can ADMIT to being able to name that t.v. show!) as, my parents worked (a lot) soooo, my twin brother and I stayed home and watched A LOT of television.
By ourselves.
Today, my kids also enjoy watching television (perhaps a little more than they should, I know) but, summer vacation is waaaay different (sounding really old, now, I know) from when I was their age.
"Why don't you guys go outside?"
Tell me it's like this at your house, too.
"But, it's toooooo hot!"
Because, I swear, my brother and I would have sold each other, to have a swimming pool…in our backyard.
"Will you come with us?"
Then again, there isn't much that my kids do…by themselves.
Or, without my parents."You guys coming over on Sunday, right?"
Their dependency on seeing the kids…me…my brother…every week…can be very trying, at times…especially, on Sundays.
"Absolutely, we will be there!"
Still, seeing my brother, watching him play with my kids, listening to his goofy laugh and then his wife yell at him for acting like, well, a 12 year-old [snicker] and getting the chance to spend the whole day…together…is like a breath of fresh air…really.
And then my father WILL start to cry.
"OMG…what's the matter?"
My mother will shake her head, bite her lower lip and then eventually tears would come to her eyes, too.
"No, really…Apu…what's bothering you?"
He will wipe his eyes and slowly look around the room.
"Nothing…seeing you and your brother together…I'm just happy…and that's all I ever wanted!"
My brother will suggest that we watch Independence Day, for the buh-zillion-th time (my son will be the 1st to agree) and then my mom will, once again, bring up the fact that Hope looks SO MUCH like I did, at her age.
And it will take a while for their words to sink in; eventually, the goosebumps will
hit, along with the realization that maybe my parents are NOT as dependent,
as I thought (go figure!) but, in their eyes, merely exercising their right as grandparents.Or, getting another chance to celebrate deep pride in their adopted country…through their children's eyes…on Independence Day.
"I got an "A" on my report on Hungary…Papa!"
Aaaand, I can't think of any place I'd rather be, or anything else I'd rather be doing, at the moment.
Other than remembering the fun we had, the last time we visited with my brother and he gave the S.W.A.T. helmet to Hopey, on Memorial Day!
"You know, your mother spent a summer in Hungary AND she needed A LOT of band aids…too!"
Aaaaand, it's like 1976, all over again…sort of.
© 2010 This Full House Blog
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Frankie Says, RELAX!
What, you don't have one of these?
In my next life, I want to be a cat. Not MY cat, because, well, he's already used up 3 of his lives and, well, you know.
Aaaaanyway.
The point I'm trying to make (and yes, I'll get there, eventually) why do cats always seem so gosh-darned relaxed?
[sound of crickets chirping]
Unless, there's a dog around. Or, kids. Oh, and something bigger that can, you know, eat it, well, that would be REAL bad.
Aaaaanyway.
All it takes is one look at MY cat, all curled up on a chair, or snuggled safely into one of about a thousand baskets scattered throughout the house (what, I've got O.C.C.C. – obsessive compulsive collector of crap, okay?)
Aaaaanyway.
What was I saying? Oh, yeah (I'm old, shuddup!) just one look into his big greenish eyes (go ahead, I'll wait) don't they just SCREAM what IS your problem, right?
[stupid crickets]
Aaaanyway.
I guess what I'm saying (aaaand, if you're still here, reading, there IS a special place in heaven for those who humor debilitatingly dork-ish folks, like me, I swear!) just look at him, go ahead, I'll wait.
[shrugs]
See, NOT everything in nature HAS to have a function, all the time…soooo, why can't WE (i.e. human, more specifically, parental unit types) learn to relax…for JUST 5 blessed minutes…right?
[the sound of many doors, SLAMMING]
Aaaaanyway.
Morale of the Story: Consider this YOUR ticket (to relax, der!) go find a chair, or basket somewhere to curl up in and, you know, just tell EVERYONE:
"I am grooming my inner-cat!"
That SHOULD get them hauling tail, out of the room, pretty quick, and gain you AT LEAST 5 minutes of peace and quiet.
In theory, anyway.
[SLAM!]
In the meantime…I know there is NO such word as "dibilitatingly" AND his name is NOT Frankie, but I'm old and it's my blog, so…JUST RELAX..and thankyouverymuch…for humoring me.
[cue choir of angels]
Your confirmation is in the mail and you're welcome!
© 2010 This Full House Blog
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The Seven Years of Mommyblogging and Happy Everything!
Almost 3 years ago, I watched my oldest daughter leave the house, for the first time, as a freshman in high school and I thought to myself…PHEW!…1 down and 3 to go!
This year, Heather (she's my middle girl) celebrated her last year of middle school by attending the 8th grade formal.
Glen's 5th Grade Graduation
Glen (my only son) graduated 5th grade and is officially now the 3rd Thompson to hit the middle school…in 5 years.
Happy 9th Birthday, Hopey Aaaand, my youngest daughter just celebrated her last year, before hitting double-digits and was SO excited during her 4th grade orientation, knowing that her sisters and brother attended the same school, and happily admitted to her future new principal, "Nope, I'm the LAST one!"
What? I forgot to get the candle and 8 + 1 = 9, right?
The cake was supposed to say, "Happy Everything!" but, I didn't bust my husband's chops about it (see caption) honestly, I was just too busy stumbling around…feeling all dazed and confused…okay, it's been like that for the last 7 years…but, I am STILL blogging…there, I said it, can I go home now?
As you can see, it is written all over my face (the years, since I started blogging, I mean) still, I can't help but feel that with all these changes (the aforementioned happening ALL in the same week, btw) I have reached a milestone, of my own.
No, it hasn't gotten any easier (nuh-uh, sorry!) but, at least now my kids are now old enough to realize that…nope…life isn't always perfect (I know, act surprised anyway!) however, as their mother (yes, they are ALL mine) I have also learned to embrace those imperfections (mostly) and I truly believe we are ALL stronger for it.At least, they seem to be more than okay with it.
[hands behind back, crosses fingers and grins]
Happy Everything!!!
© 2010 This Full House Blog
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Have You Thanked A Mom Blogger, Lately?
If I've learned anything, in my 7 years of blogging (besides, the
fact it's not a good idea to change from one hosted blog site, to
another, before backing up your archives, der!) the most important take
away is:The words I write (or, choose to publish) really
don't matter, unless I've touched someone, in a positive, or negative
way.Hopefully, in a positive way, because, well, I don't know of
anyone who blogs to feel bad about stuff, on purpose, nor would I want
to.So, when my friends Cooper and Emily over at TheMotherhood.com asked me if I'd like to participate in a special blogging event, by sending a shout out to 5 mom bloggers, who have moved me in some way (1 every day, this week) I was, like, SIGN ME UP!!!
Here are my posts:
Day 1 – 6/21: Thank you, Mindy Roberts (a.k.a. The Mommy Blog)
Day 2 – 6/22: Thank you, Donna Schwartz Mills (a.k.a Socal Mom)
Day 3 – 6/23: Thank you, Mir Kamin (a.k.a. Woulda Coulda Shoulda)
Day 4 – 6/24: Thank you, Melisa (With one S) Wells (a.k.a. Suburban Scrawl)
Day 5 – 6/25: Thank you, Dawn Meehan (a.k.a. Because I Said So)
NOTE: Meet ALL of the bloggers we're thanking, this week, by visiting the Thank You Moms Circle at TheMotherhood!
DISCLOSURE: Clicking on the above posts will take you to my shopping blog, since TheMotherhood.com is paying me for my time, because it's how Cooper and Emily roll!
© 2010 This Full House Blog
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Hump Day: Breakfast of Champions (i.e. Holy Hannah Montana, It IS the Week From Hell, Week!)
If you have a kid graduating/promoting/stressing over her hair for the 8th grade formal/and/or, celebrating a birthday, this week…then, you know I meant the Pepto Bismol, right?
Wake me up when Monday comes!!!
© 2010 This Full House Blog