This Full House Archive

Tag: blogs

  • Monday Morning With Doofus-Dawg: Well, it WAS morning the last times ahs-looked, anyways!

    DoofusDawg Monday

    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!

    Signed-doofus-dog

    © 2009 This Full House Blog – All Rights Reserved.

  • Love is Hopeful


    Love Thursday Red Skies

    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

  • 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.

    My Favorite T.V. Show from 1976

    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.

    What Heat Wave
    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.

    Me-and-apu
    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.

    Hopey is ready for her playdate, now!

    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

  • Frankie Says, RELAX!

    What, You Don't Have One of These

    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

  • The Seven Years of Mommyblogging and Happy Everything!

    September 2008

    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!

    Heather's 8th Grade Formal 2010Heather's 8th Grade Formal 

    This year, Heather (she's my middle girl) celebrated her last year of middle school by attending the 8th grade formal.

    Garth [not his real name] and GlenGlen'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.

    Hope's 9th Birthday 2010

    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!"

    Happy Everything!

    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?

    Happy Birthday To Me 2010!
    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.

    Heather's Graduation 2010
    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

  • Hump Day: Breakfast of Champions (i.e. Holy Hannah Montana, It IS the Week From Hell, Week!)

    Breakfast of Champions

    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!!!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • You Know You’re From Jersey When…

    You Know You're From New Jersey

    On the 174th day of our school daze my true love sent to me…an email that had absolutely NOTHING to do with the our 10th grader's finals, 8th grader's graduation, 5th and 3rd grade promotions, or the fact that Hope is turning 9 years-old on Wednesday (i.e. my youngest's last year in single digits) oh, and the fact that my camera AND my beloved HP laptop are fubar…YO!

    [inhales deeply, exhales in total denial]

    So, how DO you know if a person (like me) is REALLy from Jersey?  Besides, the fact that I know how to order a pork roll (with cheese, duh!) I mean?  Easy…you recognize or can relate to at least 10 of these:

    • You've been seriously injured at Action Park. [Banged my head on a waterslide!]
    • You know that the only people who call it "Joisey" are from New York (usually The Bronx) or Texas.  [waves to Jenn!]
    • You don't think of citrus when people mention "The Oranges." [Nope.]
    • You've ordered a hard roll with butter for breakfast. [Not in a while, but, YUM!]
    • You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven. [My kids do, too!]
    • You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 am. [No, NOT this mommy…um…but, ask me again at BlogHer!]
    • Whenever you park, there's a Camaro within three spots of you. [Nah, I live in a minivan world, my friend.]
    • You remember that the "Two Guys" were from Harrison. [Ohhhhh, yeah *snicker* nevermind!]
    • You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery. [Yep, been blogging it for years!]
    • At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know what town Jon Bon Jovi is from. [Yep, I even showed Dana his house…okay…the front gate, but close enough, right?]
    • You know what a "jug handle" is. [Yeah, and they're STOOPID!]
    • You know that a WaWa is a convenience store. [Aaaaand, they make THE BEST coffee, or cawfee, if you're from Jersey!]
    • You know that the state isn't all farmland. [Not if they keep building those McMansions…dangit!]
    • You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey – there's "The Shore," and you don't go "to the shore," you go "down the shore." and when you are there, you're not "at the shore," you are "down the shore."  [I'm down with dat!]
    • You know that "Piney" isn't referring to a tree. [Well, sort of.]
    • Even your school cafeteria made good Italian subs, and, you call it a "sub" not a "submarine sandwich" or worse yet, a "hoagy" or a "hero." [We can be heeeeeeeroooooes, just for one day, we can beeeeeeeeeee…sorry, teenagers are on a Moulin Rouge kick, lately!]
    • You know how to properly negotiate a Circle. [Yes, see jungle handle.]
    • You knew that the last question had to do with driving. [Yep, also STOOPID!]
    • You know that this is the only "New…" state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (like, try …Mexico, …York, …Hampshire (doesn't work, does it?). [See title of post!]
    • You only go to New York City for day trips, and you only call it "The City." [Unless, you're attending BlogHer, like me, WHOOT, then I'll see you in the "cit-tay!"]
    • You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich. [a.k.a. rat burgers and/or sliders!]
    • You consider a corned beef sandwich with lettuce and mayo a sacrilege. [Mustard and sauerkraut, baby!]
    • You don't think "What exit" (do you live near?) is very funny. [Still, the easiest way to explain where you live…in Jersey.]
    • You know that people from 609 area code are "a little different." [Yeah, got a few relatives that live there, too :)]
    • The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar. [Stoopid, Jets…psych!…just kidding…mostly!]
    • You can see the Manhattan skyline from some part of your town. [waves to NYCityMama!]
    • You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers. [Take 36 to 35 to 440 to 9 to 139 to 78 to get to Mom-101's house, I think!]
    • Every year, you had at least one kid in your class named Tony. [Yo, Tone, so, how you doin'?]
    • You know where every "clip" shown in the Sopranos opening credits is. [Yeah, but I would NEVER drive there…especially, at night….psych!…just kidding…mostly!]
    • You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of Willowbrook Mall. [Stoopid, jughandles!]
    • You have a favorite Atlantic City casino. [Specifically, the Blue Mercury Spa at the Tropicana would make a GREAT 20th Anniversary getaway — hint, hint, GARTH (not his real name) are you listening?!? ]
    • You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February. [January would be better, just sayin'!]
    • And finally… You've never pumped your own gas. [Not in Jersey….anyways!]

    Wake me up when September comes…YO!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • The Boy Who Lived, Without
    A Bedroom Door?

    Barnes & Noble Gnome

    Hopey's puppet of a mean principal that's supposed to be a clown (says, she was told to think out of the box) displayed at the coffee counter (or, caw-fee, if you're from Jersey)

    Last week (I think) our school district held a book fair at our local Barnes & Noble and my two youngest children were invited to read their persuasive writing pieces.

    "So, what's yours about?"

    My almost-9-year-old daughter wrote about being tall enough (FINALLY!) to experience her first ride on "a real roller coaster" during a visit to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ last June.

    "Aaaand, what did you pick?"

    My 11 year-old son's piece was a little closer to home.  

    "Mine is about convincing you and dad to give me a door!"

    We have doors.  Lots of them.  There's the front door, the back door, the bathroom door.

    [takes breath]

    There's the door that leads to the girls' bedroom and the h…e…double…hockey…sticks that is [gulp] their bathroom!

    "Because, you know, everyone ELSE has a door."

    My son's bedroom is upstairs, like mine, but his is at the top of the stairs and, well, long story short (you're welcome!) no, he doesn't have door.

    [gulp]

    "You didn't write anything that would, you know, embarrass mom, or dad, right?"

    Because, heaven knows, I sure as heck wouldn't (ahem!) and, well, everyone knows that karma is a witch, right?

    Riiiiiiight.

    Even longer story, shorter (seriously, you should be thanking me!) oh yes, there was lots of lamenting about stuff, like:

    (a) Being the only boy, stinks.

    (b) Having a bedroom without a door, stinks even more.

    (c) Having the litter box…in his room…you guessed it…stinks, BIGTIME.

    (d) His sisters are barging in all the time.

    (e) Refer to (a) above.

    In hindsight, I should be glad that their readings were held in the cafe.

    "What did he just say?"

    Aaaand, that the blender was really, really loud.

    "He can't keep the girls out of his bedroom!"

    [eyes go wide]

    "No, I don't think he means regular girls…dear."

    [one beat, two beats]

    "Oh, well, no wonder his parents won't give him a door!"

    Not for nothing, but you gotta love senior citizens (they were sisters, I think) but, I don't believe a hearing aide would have made a difference, either way and I shudder to think what the sweet old lady meant by "un-regular" girls.

    "What is your boy's name?"

    [bites lower lip]

    "Harry…Harry Potter."

    Aaaand, he's moving…to the closet…under the stairs…next week!

    "Oh, that's nice dear."


    The Closet Under the Stairs
    I mean, it DOES have a door (sort of!)

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • Secretly, Secret Vlog

    Secretly, Secret Vlog from Liz Thompson on Vimeo.

    This is what happens, when you go to work and one of your kids "accidentally" finds your Flip camera and attempts to video tape one of her sisters "not on purpose," of course!

    [snort]

    Such drama, eh?  Love that she mentions my blog:

    "Do you think I survived, or do you think I died (i.e. she got busted and her sister killed her) leave your answer on ThisFullHouse.com!"

    Can't wait to see what happens during their summer break, if it EVER gets here, I mean!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • Because Nice Matters
    Cancer Sucks Wet Poodle!

    Thank You Dear Liz,

    The American
    Cancer Society is working tirelessly to eradicate cancer and to ease
    the burden of those living with cancer. With your support, the American
    Cancer Society is saving lives by helping people get well and stay
    well, funding lifesaving research, and empowering people to fight back
    against cancer.

    Thank you again for your support.

    Elizabeth T. H. Fontham, MPH, DrPH
    President, American Cancer Society, Inc.

    Name: Steve ******, Jr.

    Donation Amount: One time donation of $100.00

    Order ID: *******65

    Authorization Code: ****82

    Transaction Number: ******************5083

    Transaction Date And Time: 6/4/2010 4:20 PM

    Donation Preference: Cancer Research

    As promised, thank you for ALL of your support (Happy Birthday, Bubs, I love you!) okay, now, it's your turn — please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society!!!

    [see title of post]

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog