Linky Love Bytes: Wordless Wednesday HQ
©2003 -2014 This Full House with a fan page on Facebook, a way for you to subscribe to receive This Full House blog post by Email and everything!
I used to be an excellent planner. Also, very, very organized and a bit of clean freak…with borderline germaphobe tendencies…especially, during the holidays or whenever we'd have company over.
Seriously, my husband's favorite parlor trick was to take a glass from off of a coaster, slide it onto the living room table and then countdown…5…4…3…2… [whispering] …watch this!
I'd come into the room, place the glass back onto the coaster, wipe the table off with my apron, and then place the cheese platter in the center of the table, alongside a nice pile of coordinated cloth napkins, of course.
Heh. Just kidding. I never wore an apron. And too much cheese gives me gas (you're welcome!). Also, doing the laundry was NEVER my favorite thing…soooooo, yeah…NO CLOTH NAPKINS, EVER!
Aaaaaanyway, then we had kids. Then a couple more kids came along and, well, nothing gets you over being a bit of a clean freak…with borderline germ-a-phobe tendencies…like your baby throwing up…in your mouth.
On the other hand, being a mom HAS helped me get over OTHER stuff, like my:
Just to name a few, but the one thing my husband and I have BOTH learned to live with is: NOT planning stuff until…the…very…last… [picks up cell phone, checks time] …possible…minute.
Which drives some other people crazy, I'm certain of it — especially, hardcore planning-types (sickos!).
For example: Garth (not his real name), our two oldest girls and I had Labor Day off, so we thought it would be GREAT if we could try…and I mean try, really, really hard…to get away for the weekend…you know…together…at the same time and everything.
"Do you know where we are going, yet?"
So, by that Friday, the younger kids were getting a little excited (and curious) about where we were actually going to try…really, really hard…to spend our mini-vacation.
"Not sure, yet."
Me, too!!!
"But, I can tell you, we'll be travelling either North or South."
[cue house phone]
"Don't freak out or anything Mom, but…."
Typically, whenever one of my children begins a sentence with…Don't freak out…it's really code for…Ya' better pop a pod into the Keurig…because, it's probably not going to be good-ish news.
"I'm in the E.R."
See what I mean?!?!
[fires up Keurig]
Long story, short (on the day we were going to try really, really hard to leave): our oldest daughter was finishing up her shift at work, slipped, fell and broke her arm and…well…good thing they finished wrapping it by the time I got there, because…believe it or not…this was our first broken bone, ever… [knocking on wood, until knuckles bleed] … and HURL!!!
"Will I be able to travel?"
Even longer story, shorter: she broke her elbow, so the hospital wrapped her arm with a temporary cast and instructed us to see an Orthopedist in a couple of days; traveling with it would be fine, as long as she kept it elevated and iced…the ENTIRE 6 HOURS to Cape Cod…while there…and then back, again.
What?!? We take our vacation time very, very seriously…YO!…and it turns out this kid has a very high pain tolerance (yes, totally unlike her mother!), she was an absolute trooper throughout the entire weekend!
What?!? It was my first time taking care of a kid with a broken bone, a'ight?!? And her baby sister was much worse, if you ask me, always getting in between us, so I wouldn't bump her arm.
Holly DID manage to get in A LOT of quality time…with her dad…and the other three kids didn't seem to mind, sort of.
Flash-forward, this past Tuesday: my husband took Holly to the Orthopedist (heh, yeah, we ALL thought it best HE take her) and I'm NOT going to lie to you, I was a little nervous for her…okay, A LOT!!!…and I prepared myself for the absolute worst news…like, surgery… [HURL!] … and had my game face on…when they got home.
"Ummm…soooo…how'd it go?!?"
She shook her head.
"You're not going to like this."
She started pulling her arm out of the sling…and…OMG!!!…like, I really didn't want to see it…and….
"TA-DAH!!!!"
I winced.
"Wait, no cast? No bandages? No nothing?"
Turns out, you don't want to immobilize a broken radial bone.
"It's the part that allows your arm to turn from side-to-side."
With exercise and using the sling when out and about in public, her elbow should heal itself within 6 months. YAY!!!!
"Oh, but there's a bunch of blood pooled in between the break…mom…MOM?!?"
Apparently, I still have issues with blood…and flatulence.
The End.
©2003 -2014 This Full House with a fan page on Facebook, a way for you to subscribe to receive This Full House blog post by Email and everything!
Okay, so I was home for a whole entire day and a half, before leaving for our first family summer vacation in, well, forever, giving myself enough time to:
In an attempt to ignore the pain in my lower back and the constant throbbing in my pinky toe — long story, short (you're welcome!) I fell down the stairs at Melisa's house and we were both surprised to learn that I had only broken my toe — I tried to focus on stuff to help keep me from passing out while dodging packs of squeeing tweens at Forever 21:
Guess what? Disconnecting is harder than you may believe — especially when traveling with teens, or pretending that social media has not become an important part of our life and perhaps not in the way that most people think.
I nearly tripped over this basket of sage sticks while in Provincetown this weekend (I know, like in Massachusetts, read on!) and swore I could hear fate hollering: heeeeeeeeere's your sign.
If you've been reading my blog for any length of time (most especially, this past summer) then you already know: the #FUBAR runs deep in these here parts.
Which is why I was a little hesitant about the last-minute, "Hey I got an idea, how about you
and the kids getaway for the weekend", road trip courtesy of my husband Garth (not
his real name) in a last ditch-effort to give them SOMETHING vacation-ish to write about in school.
Aaaaaand, since they are off from school on Monday and Tuesday for Rosh Hashanah (Shanah Tovah, to all my Jewish friends!) while my husband, on the other hand, is not (dammit!) the timing was sort of good-ish.
On the other, other hand: it is, at the very least, a 5+hour car drive through 5 states of traffic (NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, enough said!) ALL BY MYSELF.
Moving onto the foot: then again, he knows that my friends find his random acts of spontaneity to be very, very sexy…me, too!
So, I texted my friend Sue (a.k.a. As Cape Cod Turns) that night, to let her know that we'd be in town the next night (or, since I had to wait for the kids to get home from school and we'd probably get in around midnight, the day after that) so as to give her plenty of time to…you know…go out, make plans, stock up on some extra sage sticks, or something.
The funny thing is she then told her parents, who then offered up their downstairs for us to stay and so on…and so on…and…well…yes, they are SUPER AWESOME like that.
We've been going to the Cape since fuh-evuh…as far as the kids are concerned…so they made a list of their favorite memories and it was my job to squeeze 2 weeks of vacation…into 3 days…besides driving them…ummmmm…EVERYWHERE!…and back again, I mean.
[rolls up sleeves]
I drove my SIL into Massachusetts (my husband's aunt has been very ill and recovering in a nursing home) for what turned out to be a last-minute, don't-worry-we'll-just-go-ahead-and-cash-in-those-reward-points, road trip and clocked in nearly 700 miles this weekend.
The thing with last-minute, don't-worry-etc-etc-type, road trips is that there is NEVER enough time to do ALL the things I really would like to do, whenever we do get up there.
Or whenevah yah up thah (if you're from Massachusetts) considering most of my husband's family lives in and around the Boston area and, well, turns out Massachusetts is a pretty big state.
Still, my friend Sue and her family live about 90 minutes away from where we were staying (which is about 5 hours closer than usual, btw) and, well, it took ALL my strength to keep my husband's car from veering off and following signs to Cape Cod.
I was also too busy banging u-turns (to make a change in direction when driving, in Jersey) dang, but Massachusetts signs are so gosh-dahned confusing!
Not to mention, they most likely don't teach the "keep one car-length between you and the car in front of you" rule when switching lanes, or maybe people just "saht of fahghat that paht" of the driver's test.
Aaaaanyway, it was difficult enough leaving the kids (and my husband) home this time, considering they just about divorced me when visiting with Sue…on my bloggy little road trip, last March.
The kids, I mean, not my husband.
Garth (not his real name) MADE me go (don't believe me, ask Sue, she'll tell you) still, I couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
Not this time, tho.
Long story, short (you're welcome) I don't know of any travel site(s) that lists "Consider visiting nursing homes" as a vacation destination: i.e. one of the saddest places on earth.
Still, it was nice to be able to help my SIL show her aunt's family a little support, considering I was adopted as an honorary cousin (during a girl's weekend away on Cape Cod, btw) years before my husband and I hooked up, even.
We decided to drive into Boston and do a little site-seeing with my niece.
Which, of course, meant I was too busy looking up, most of the time, rather than watch where I was walking (it's drivers AND walkers to the right, right?) and it was soon after I took a picture of Ben Franklin (a tribute to our founding fathers, right next to Starbucks, yo!) when I tripped over someone's bicycle.
"Have a nice trip?"
Gosh, but I love my SIL's sense of humor (sort of!) and what IS IT with these Massachusetts people, anyways?!?
The bicyclist was trying to help an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair from off of the curb and cross to the other side of the street and, well, good thing I was NOT thinking out loud (for once) right?!?
"Can we help?"
My SIL and I each extended an arm, he grabbed both.
"Hang on a minute!"
The wheelchair was mechanical, very heavy and three more pedestrians ran over, along with the doorman from the hotel a few doors down, to help.
"On three…"
We gently sat the man back down into his wheelchair, while the doorman stopped traffic and the bicyclist followed alongside, making sure he made it safely across the street to the adjacent more wheelchair accessible sidewalk.
"Thank you guys…"
We were all shaking hands.
"…some of these streets can be real annoying."
I empathized with the doorman and admitted to banging more than a couple of U-ies already.
"Yah from Bahston then?"
Heh, must have been the Uey (a.k.a. U-turn) that brought out the Bahston.
"No, we're from New Jersey."
[one beat, two beats]
"Sahm diff-rahns."
Clearly, we're not the only ones who can't seem to make a left turn to save our lives.
Moral of the Story: Deep down inside, people are good, even if they do drive like crap, or something like that.
It was a good trip.
© 2003 – 2012 This Full House
© 2003 – 2012 This Full House
I had exactly one week to plan my Bloggy Little Roadtrip #G2NO to visit my friend Sue in Cape Cod (you know, she lives in a hamlet, hates lobster) and by that I mean wrestling with mother's guilt (which never gets old, btw, sorry!) and tuning into The Weather Channel 24/7.
It's like Mother Nature is going all pre-menopausal here on the East Coast and, well, my luck (or, lack thereof) I would make it ALL THE WAY THROUGH CONNECTICUT (sorry, driving through non-stop traffic in such a long state requires UPPERCASE not to mention a few choice expletives) only to get stuck in a snow storm in Massachusetts.
Or, snow stahm (if you're from Massachusetts) either way, I HATE DRIVING IN SNOW!!!
Thankfully, I made it up to Sue's house relatively unscathed. Although, I did leave a piece of my bladder in most of Connecticut and there really should be an express lane to Sue's house.
Good thing the snow didn't hit the proverbial fanbelt until Day 2!
The morning I left for My Bloggy Little Roadtrip #G2NO (Friday, I think!) three out of four of the kids were off from school — my 16yo attends a specialized high school, they run on a slightly different schedule and no she was NOT happy about it — but, my son was still VERY upset.
"I had a dream that you died."
Grrrrrreat…best send off…EVUH…right?!?
"Is there something you're not telling us, Mom?"
Even if there was, it wouldn't matter, teenagers will make up their own stories.
"Like, do'ya have some sort of disease?"
See what I mean?
"An incurable flesh-eating disease or something?"
[eyes go wide]
"Aaaand, you're going away so we don't have to watch?"
A bit extreme, I know (even for a 13yo boy) still, I guess it's sort of difficult for the kids to understand, knowing how much I hate…Hate…HAte…HATe…HATE to drive in traffic (seriously, it's tour-chuh!)
So, why would I even consider driving 6 hours to go and visit with my friend Sue up in Cape Cod and, you know, NOT take them with me?
Because, my husband Garth (NHRN) made me do it (yes, I'm keeping him!) Although, he didn't have to try and convince me, all that hard, really.
I first met my bloggy-friend Sue IRL (in real life and from behind the computer screen) while attending BlogHer 2009 and, right away, it became clear to me that we were very much alike.
Okay, except maybe for the fact that Sue has blonde hair while I'm…hang on a second…(looks in mirror)…a brunette (this month, anyway!)
Aaaaanyways, she lives in a hamlet. No, really, they have them up there in Cape Cod, MA. Or, you may know it as Cape Cad (if you're from New England) also, Cape Cawd (if you're from Jersey).
Also, Sue does not like lobster. Or, lab-stah (like they say it over thah, in Cape Cad) also, lawb-stuh (if you're from Jersey) YO, what's wrong wit-chews?!?
Aaaaanyways, I LOVE CAPE COD (et al)!
My husband and I honeymooned there, we've taken our children along (after the honeymoon, of course!) on many family vacations, together with friends and even celebrated my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary where Sue lives…you know…up thah…in Cape Cad.
It's our pretend home!
Sooooo, when Sue and I were finally introduced in Chicago, by a mutual friend who lives in Chicago (go figure) and after hanging out at BlogHer 2010 (figuratively speaking, of course, as far as I remember, anyways) we promised to try and get together the next time we found ourselves…up thah…in Cape Cad.
Okay, I'll stop with the various pronunciations now, my mouth hurts.
The following summer, our ENTIRE CLAN invaded her little hamlet and had some really great lobster. Except for Sue, of course. She hates lobster, remember? Which is sort of weird, since she does live in a fishing village. It really and truly is a pretty little hamlet.
Great, now I'm hungry.
Aaaaanyways, I am SOOOOO EXCITED to be visiting with Sue and her clan for the weekend (WHOOT!)
I'm leaving on Friday and perhaps may be on the road, right this very minute, depending on when you're reading this…[waving to you, from a rest stop no doubt]…but, this time…I will be clan-less.
My husband, Garth (not his real name) has generously volunteered to hold down the fort (yes, I'm keeping him!) while I take my bloggy little roadtrip…you know…on the road and spend a Girls' 2 Nights Out with my anti-lobster friend Sue.
Although, I am a little nervous about it. Did I mention, Cape Cod is 4 states away and about a 5 hour drive from Jersey?
Aaaaand, if you're still all, like, "Meh, big deal," then you have NEVER had the distinct displeasure of driving through the ENTIRE state of Connecticut…YO, what's wrong wit-chews?!?
Sorry about that, you can take the girl out of Jersey…etc…
Aaaaanyways, I'll be Twitter-ing and Facebook-ing along the way (I get lonely driving by myself) during my various pit stops (and thirsty) so, wish me luck, as I head out on my adventure and I'll see you soon.
You and your pretty little hamlet too, Sue!!!
(P.S. Oh my gosh, Sue just posted a Facebook pic of my pretend bedroom for the next couple of days!)
(P.P.S. Wonder if Garth NHRN would mind it much if I ammeded the hashtag to #G6NO?)
(P.P.P.S. I'm kidding, Garth NHRN…sort of!)
© 2003 – 2012 This Full House
Traveling with younger kids is hard, trust me, I know. My minivan has battle scars — not to mention, unidentifiable stains, which will stay that way, because, seriously, I don't even want to know and I'm STILL finding petrified food c. 2006 — to prove it!
Driving, now that my kids are ALL in double-digits, however, and being stuck in traffic, for half the trip (seriously, Connecticut?) can make even the most level-headed, easy-going, and emotionally-balanced parent go all mental.
"Would you PLEASE stop talking and put some noodles into your mouth, or something!"
Then again, I don't remember ever having THIS much fun with them, at the beach, when they were little and, quite frankly, I was probably more concerned about counting heads than making with the crane.
Me and Sue of As Cape Cod Turns
Or, being able to make last minute dinner plans with bloggers, who I now have the extreme priviledge of being able to call out as good friends who, after asking:
"Are ALL your kids with you?"
Then learn:
"Yes, ALL my kids are here, with us, right here, staying in this one room…[clears throat]…I'll bring the wine!"
And STILL, you know, seem to want us to bring our kids.
Oh and shopping. While, my husband, Garth (not his real name) and the manchild patiently wait as the rest of us go shopping.
Also, eating in restaurants. Although, 5 out of 6 of us aren't allowed to order off the kids menu, anymore and, well, we don't go out all that often. But, when we do, it's a treat.
"DAMN…that's a lot of kids!"
Yeah, uh-uh, as if I've never heard THAT before. Still. We stopped at a sushi place halfway home and there was an obnoxious 20-something couple sitting behind us and by obnoxious, I mean that even my 10 year-old was all like…EWWW…he's eating her ear!
"Hahahahaha, riiiiiiight, and they're taking them ALL home, with 'em!"
I kid you not. The kids and Garth (not his real name) were already out the door and I was all, like, huh?!? Aaaaaand, the fact that he used her as his own private little (okay, not so little) sushi table, way better, right?!?
"Why didn't you say something, mom?"
Honestly, I was too busy, trying to figure out what their story was and, well, would it have really mattered, anyway, if I had?!?
"Because, all of his brains are obviously in her breasts and they wouldn't have understood me, anyway."
SNORT!!!
"Yeah, also, if the Apocalypse happens, we could use those puppies as flotation devices!"
Aaaaand, oh, how we laughed and laughed.
Gosh, but I love traveling with older kids and someone should really consider banning obnoxious 20-something-year-olds at restaurants.
Or, at least, prohibit them from procreating! I kid. Sort of.
Also, it's sort of nice to have another licensed driver in the house, who can take over and give daddy and/or mommy a much needed break, if need be.
When and if ever she wakes up, of course!
© 2003 – 2011 This Full House
