A few of my favorite photos taken (yes, BY ME!) on our spur of the moment, sure, we'd love to come and stay with you guys at the beach, New Year's weekend family getaway to Cape May, NJ:
(Feel free to click on any of the photos for a closer look!)
Enough said. With many thanks to our very dear friends, Cheryl and John, for putting us up (yes, ALL OF US) and helping us to create such wonderful memories, because they roll like that!
© 2003 – 2012 This Full House
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]
I hate the dentist. What?!? You, too!!! Seriously, the word Novocaine alone (for me, a dozen pokes, per tooth, minimum) or the thought of anything even remotely associated with drilling a hole, anywhere, is enough to bring a shiver down my spine!!!
BBBBBRRRRRZZZZZ!!!
[shiver]
My middle girl (she's 15) however, couldn't care less, seeing as she's had:
So, yeah, Heather's had more blood tests, shots and parts of her body violated by doctors, than me, my husband AND my other kids, combined.
Did I mention, said doctors happened to be training medical students, at the time, like, in "UGH, really Mom, I mean, I don't even know what MY butt looks like!?!?"
Although, her father and I like to kid her about being spared less beatings, than her siblings, considering she DOES have the MOST expensive backside (heh!)
Of course, I kid (sort of) and no, she STILL doesn't find that last sentence, humorous, at all, either, trust me.
Aaaaanyway, so, I took my youngest kids to the dentist office (FINALLY!) since my oldest kids visit their ortho practice AND because, you know, we LOVE sending OTHER people on vacation.
[grin]
They were both a little nervous (me, too!) but, Hope went first (of course!) and then the dentist got down to the nitty-gritty.
"Blah, blah, blah, slight decay in number blah and blah, also in numbers blah and blah."
Okay, not for nothing, but I just thought of ANOTHER word that makes me shiver.
Decay.
[shiver]
Poor thing sat there, EYES WIDE, just like that and, honestly, the last dentist just sort of did whatever, made a cool balloon-ey sort of animal, out of a latex glove, gave her a pencil and sent us on our way.
"We'll have to fix those, right away!"
This one threw his gloves away. Then he left. I'm not sure I like this dentist.
So, I whispered to the dental hygenist, just in case.
"Does decay mean the same thing as cavaties?"
[eyes go REAL wide]
"I HAVE CAVATIES?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?"
PHEW!!! Hope's hearing, however, seems just fine. Still, none of my other kids have ever had cavaties (Glen's checkup went fine) so, there's that.
"Yes, but they're just teeny-tiny ones."
I do, however, like the dental hygienist.
"It's ALL your fault, Mom!"
Backstory: Hope went to her first sleepover, called to tell me I packed the wrong toothbrush and I told her to use it anyway, seeing as she is the youngest and, you know, I'm tired.
[sound of crickets]
Yeah, the dental hygienist gave me that same exact look, I bet you dollars to donuts, that you're giving me, right now.
"Baby, it will be alright, trust me."
Aaaaand, how do I know? Well:
[shiver]
Enough said.
In between earthquakes and hurricane warnings (what a week we're having, Jersey, eh?) my husband, Garth (NHRN) and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary and had an awesome dinner with my in-laws, last night!
I tried to keep the conversation light (thanks to 2 Mojitos and an awesome glass of Pinot Gris) alas, my husband's boyscout powers, along with the category 2 hurricane and extreme flood warnings, had been activated early in the day.
"You guys have everything you need?"
My in-laws are both in their 80's (but, you STILL look good Mom!) and, well, let's just say that they didn't seem very worried about the weather.
"Ah-yup."
Still, I told them that the kids and I were going to go down to check on my folks (they live about 15 miles inland from Seaside Heights) then, I would stop by their house (my in-laws live about 10 minutes away from us) to help secure stuff and drop off a case of bottled water.
"I don't expect there'd be a problem."
My father-in-law is from New England, enough said.
"But, you want to be able to have coffee!"
I mean, seriously, you really have to wonder about some people's priorities.
"Category 2 hurricane and you're worried about coffee?"
I'm sure the table behind us MUST have heard the muscles in my neck snap, as I whipped my head in my husband's direction (I mean, my neck STILL hurts a little) seriously, he's lived with me for 21 years.
"Maybe coffee would help make them worry about it, you know, less."
Okay, at this point, I realize that it sounded as if I was being beaten by the stoopid stick.
It's not every day you experience an earthquake AND a hurricane in the same week.
I stood my ground.
"This way, you have water, all you have to do is just fire up your Keurig and you're good to go."
Wait for it.
"That's actually a great idea.
Wait. For. It.
"Iffffffff, they had electricity!"
AHEM.
"How about those Giants?"
[blink, blink]
"They're actually going to go ahead and play the Jets."
[sound of crickets]
"You know, on Saturday?!?"
[heavy sigh]
"Sure, I'll have another glass of wine, thanks!"
All I'm saying is, thank goodness, I married a boyscout….stupid Irene!
© 2003 – 2011 This Full House
As a mom of a 17, 15 and 12 year-old, other than scraping teeth on utensils, or chewing and speaking at the same time (shiver!) things don't bother me as much, as they did, when ALL 4 of my kids were in single digits…at the same time (double-shiver!)
But, this kid…right here…just turned 10 today and, well, I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that my oldest is now a legally licensed driver.
Or, that my middle girl is turning 16 at the end of this year and how much older than 15 that sounds, right about now.
Cape May 2011
Never mind, that my son's next birthday will mark the "Holy Hannah Montana what do you mean we have 3 teenagers in the house," point in our lives where my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I won't be able to use each of my pregnancies as a time line, to remember stuff, for very much longer.
Cape May 2007
Like, how this post is supposed to be about Hope's 10th Birthday and here I am, going on about her siblings and, well, that's how it goes, when you are the youngest, right?
But, this kid…right here…makes us laugh AND cry (especially, whenever she feels the need to interject herself in a conversation and correct one of us, which is often) like no one else we know (she's usually right, btw!)
Although, sometimes Hope will swear that she is ALWAYS last and that no one EVER listens to her, she has single-handedly managed to claim an especially squishy spot in each of our hearts.
Because, Hope IS a mashup of ALL that is good in our lives at the moment and, now that she's crossed-over to double digits, too (SOB!) I can't think of a better reason to celebrate, than this:
From Day 1 to Day 3,650 (or, 3,652.42199, including, leap year) there is and always will be ONLY one Hope — a.k.a. Queen of the Cat Daddy.
Happy 10th Birthday, Hopey!
P.S. After careful consideration, I've decided to surprise Hope and take her to get her nails done after school, today. I understand, she's only 10 (see above) but, it's the ONLY thing on this kid's birthday list and, considering I'm her mother, it's really not a whole heck of a lot to ask, is it?
P.P.S. Besides, she's MY kid…soooooooo…pppfffbbbllltttt!!!
© 2003 – 2011 This Full House
Last week, I got to spend a few days at one of my favorite summertime destinations and, would you believe, it is NOT Disney?
My family has never been, actually.
Nope, in fact, I was happy for the opportunity to write about my favorite vacation spot, here in Jersey (is, too!!!)
Still, leaving home, without my kids, is always hard.
However, I did not expect my youngest daughter to cry and hug me, as hard, as she did, or to make my son feel as if I were never coming back home, ever again.
Then, about halfway into the 2+ hour car ride it dawned me.
"Hi mom, we need the password for Netflix."
My kids were sad, beeeeeecause, they weren't allowed to, you know, come with me and, well, the fact that they probably would be fine, without me (for the next few days, at least) just made my time away from home a little easier.
Then, I came home, gave them each their presents (don't judge) and we ALL settled in to catch up on Season 2 of Glee (thank you, Netflix) when it hit.
"Mom, we need to practice parallel parking!!!"
A wave of nausea, when realizing that my oldest daughter is taking her driving test on Tuesday and…for those of you who have been reading along…for the last 8 years (you know who you are!) and my many new friends I've met over the internets…I hope you understand when I repeat this, all in UPPERCASE:
HOLLY WILL (or will not) BE ISSUED A NEW JERSEY DRIVER'S LICENSE, TOMORROW!!!
Oh and, one more thing:
HOW IN THE H…E…DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS DID THAT HAPPEN, ANYWAY?!?!?
[takes deep breath]
So, Garth (not his real name) and I traded cars, since she'll be road-testing in it, anyway.
Also, the hand break is in the center console, where instructor can reach it, if need be, but I hope not, still, you never know, it is supposed to rain, like buckets, okay, pour actually, ugh, moving on.
Late this afternoon, Holly and I headed over to the high school and, seeing as I grew up about 25 minutes outside of New York City, while my husband grew up with head on parking (ONLY!) I instructed my 17 year-old in the fine art of parallel parking.
Phase 1: wasn't very successful and I suspected it was because the poor kid couldn't see the back of the first pretend car.
"This is no use, Mom, I can't see the garbage can in the front!"
See, I told you, because, I'm smart like that.
Phase 2: I found the pair of slippers, from Christmas, that don't fit Garth (not his real name) in the trunk, so I balanced it right on top of an empty box of garbage bags and, viola!!!
Almost, not quite, but I just stood there, taking pictures, all quiet like (which is very, very hard for a Hungarian, just so you know) and let Holly get a feel for her.
Well, seems like she's ready and close enough to the curb for Mr. or Ms. DMV Instructor, even, right?
"I'm gonna pass this suh-cuh!"
Yep, to me, it sounds like she's more than ready to drive, in Jersey!
"Even if you don't, no biggie!"
Seriously, we live in Jersey, either way, she parks like her muh-thuh.
"Can I blog this?"
So, you know, I could remember what in the h…e…double hockey sticks I did…for the next 3 times, I mean.
"Can you believe that Hope's turning double-digits this week, too, Mom?"
Because, you know, they don't stay little for long…DAGNABIT!!!!
UPDATED TO ADD: She passed. I did NOT puke. Aaaaand, now it starts…
© 2003 – 2011 This Full House
I'm heading into the hospital…erm…having my engine steam cleaned, later this week and meeting with my Gynecol…MECHANIC!…to discuss biopsy…I mean…PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY DIAGNOSTICS…but, I'll find out more about that, later.
[UPDATE: Diagnostics came back negative and that is SUCH A GOOD THING, REALLY! So, putting my chasis into the shop for fine tuning was a GO for this Wednesday!!!]
What?
Yeah. I'm old. Still. Trust me when I tell you…it's NOT the years honey…it's the mileage…and I've got something REAL special, just for you (yes, YOU!) while I'm gone.
[reaches deep into pockets]
WAIT! Don't go, I promise, it's nothing tooooo graphic or gross (this time) but, kind of, sort of fun actually.
You see, my oldest was reading this year's birthday post (7th one I've written, as a matter of fact) and she dug up some old…VINTAGE!…blog posts from way back in 2003.
You know, when social media meant you were THRILLED just to make it onto someone's blogroll?!?
Ahem.
So, begins the 7 Years of a Mom Blog — a series of republished blog posts I wrote EXACTLY 7 years ago, today.
Keeping score: we had 3 cats, no doofus, kids were 10, 7, 4 and 2 at the time.
7 years ago today: My husband Garth (not his real name) actually considered leaving his wife (that would be me!) ENJOY!!!
I'm heading into the hospital…erm…having my engine steam cleaned, later this week and meeting with my Gynecol…MECHANIC!…to discuss biopsy…I mean…PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY DIAGNOSTICS…but, I'll find out more about that, later.
[UPDATE: Diagnostics came back negative and that is SUCH A GOOD THING, REALLY! So, putting my chasis into the shop for fine tuning is a GO for today!!!]
What?
Yeah. I'm old. Still. Trust me when I tell you…it's NOT the years honey…it's the mileage…and I've got something REAL special, just for you (yes, YOU!) while I'm gone.
[reaches deep into pockets]
WAIT! Don't go, I promise, it's nothing tooooo graphic or gross (this time) but, kind of, sort of fun actually.
You see, my oldest was reading this year's birthday post (7th one I've written, as a matter of fact) and she dug up some old…VINTAGE!…blog posts from way back in 2003.
You know, when social media meant you were THRILLED just to make it onto someone's blogroll?!?
Ahem.
So, begins the 7 Years of a Mom Blog series of republished blog posts I wrote EXACTLY 7 years ago, today.
Keeping score: we had 3 cats, no doofus, kids were 10, 7, 4 and 2 at the time.
7 years ago today: a blog post written while under the influence of a sleeping aide induced fog…ENJOY!!!
I'm heading into the hospital…erm…having my engine steam cleaned, later this week and meeting with my Gynecol…MECHANIC!…to discuss biopsy…I mean…PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY DIAGNOSTICS…but, I'll find out more about that, later today.
[11/16: UPDATED TO ADD: Diagnostics came back negative and that is SUCH A GOOD THING, REALLY! So, putting my chasis into the shop for fine tuning is a GO for this Wednesday!!!]
What?
Yeah. I'm old. Still. Trust me when I tell you…it's NOT the years honey…it's the mileage…and I've got something REAL special, just for you (yes, YOU!) while I'm gone.
[reaches deep into pockets]
WAIT! Don't go, I promise, it's nothing tooooo graphic or gross (this time) but, kind of, sort of fun actually.
You see, my oldest was reading this year's birthday post (7th one I've written, as a matter of fact) and she dug up some old…VINTAGE!…blog posts from way back in 2003.
You know, when social media meant you were THRILLED just to make it onto someone's blogroll?!?
Ahem.
So, begins the 7 Years of a Mom Blog — a series of republished blog posts I wrote EXACTLY 7 years ago, today.
Keeping score: we had 3 cats, no doofus, kids were 10, 7, 4 and 2 at the time.
7 years ago today, I had a dream: warning, there is mention of cabana boys, strapless French bikinis and puke may or may not have been involved…ENJOY!!!
Having been my children's primary care provider (i.e. Mom) for the last 17 years (I know, I'm old, SHUDDUP!) I look forward to impromptu school holidays, like Columbus Day, when I don't have to cook, clean or do anything special (like, cook or clean) normally associated with celebrating more traditional gift-giving and feasting-type holidays.
I kind of get excited when my husband, Garth (not his real name) happens to have the day off, too!
Still.
Working from home does have its disadvantages.
"When is So-and-So and What's Her Name coming over, again?"
We're helping a couple of friends out by sitting their kids, today (what's two more, right?) and by we…of course…I mean, Garth (not his real name!)
"I'm going to make a worm box!"
Aaaaand, I have to be honest, I am feeling a little threatened at the moment.
"Cool, can we help!"
Honestly, a worm box?
So, I went outside (seeing as I showered, got dressed and everything) to take a look at this fantastical worm box.
Aaaaand, not ONLY is it a fantastical way to get kids outside (so, mommy can get a jump start on a couple of writing projects this week) not to mention, actually convincing them that something low-tech, like digging for worms is, you know, fun (their names are Jeffrey, Skittles and Bob) but, Garth (not his real name) got a chance to demonstrate his multi-tasking skills, by cleaning out my shredder, too.
DAMMIT!
"Do you need any clean clothes for your trip, tomorrow?"
Aaaand, I'm okay with that AND totally crushing on my husband's feminine side…today!
(Disclosure: Garth (not his real name) just reminded me that my son and his friend wanted nothing to do with the outdoors and now they are ALL folding socks.)
Boys, however, ARE stewpid!
(Disclosure: I was able to convince the boys that…yeah…they REALLY would probably rather be outside, too.)
I win!