Tag: mombloggers

Just Don’t Get Me Monologuing, Okay?

I sat down at my desk this morning and, well, you ever have one of those days when your mental to do list is about a mile long (closer to two, even) but, you don't EVEN bother taking the time to find a pen (that works, I mean) because, well, you can't even see the top of your desk, for one thing, until you shuffle some papers around, looking for something to write on (IF you had a pen) only to expose a couple of coffee stains and maybe even a chocolate wrapper (or, twenty) speaking of which, you could probably use another cup of coffee (or, chocolate) right about now, right?

Go ahead, I'll wait.

Better? Good. What was I saying? Oh yeah, so, the weekend was a blur of errands and, well, today, I'm fighting a monster case of procrastination.

Or, what I've come to call…Frankenmonday.

[shiver]

Aaaaand, it's winning.

I should be working.

In fact, if I had started earlier, when I was supposed to, I could have accepted that last minute lunch invitation.

{Sorry, Gina!!!}

Would have even had the time to take a shower for it.

Instead, I sit here, procrastinating, feeling overwhelmed, shuffling papers, pretending I had a pen, oh, hey, wait a minute, what's this?

Well, seems my middle girl thought I would find her interpretation of a Super Mom a bit funny and, at second glance, the broom, purse, heels and canister of wipes prominently fixed on her utility belt, she's right.

SNORT!

Actually, I feel sort of, you know, invigorated.

[cracks knuckles]

In fact, I've got a whole half of the day left and soon ALL will tremble before me.

[blows bangs out of eyes]

Now, if only the dog would quit snoring on the couch, so I could hear myself think…INCREDIBLE…where IS mah super broom?!?

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

May 16, 2011
See Mom Morph Into Barry Williams

In my pursuit to make blogging fun, again…seriously, check out my accent vlog, see if you think I tawk funny, I'm still waiting for Miss Zoot to do hers…ahem…I found out something very, very interesting.

[nonchalantly looks to the left, right, then left again]

So, I was reading about my friend Christine's (a.k.a. From Dates to Diapers) desire to win the #TypeACeleb Contest and she did this fun match your face to a celebrity thingy and, turns out, Christine looks a whole lot like Julia Roberts, only prettier (Christine, I mean, sorry Julia!)

Naturally, I was curious (i.e. desperately seeking an ego boost, as well) and thought I would try it, too.

Sooooo, I uploaded the most natural-looking picture of me, without makeup, which I also use on my social media platforms.

MyHeritage: Family trees – Genealogy – Celebrities

Barry Williams? The Brady Bunch? Seriously?

[hangs head in shame]

If anyone needs me, I'll be upstairs, googling local distributors for Bobbie Brown Cosmetics, cheap truck rentals and tips on ways to speed up the dry time for spackle.

Or, you could always tell me something nice, like, oh, I dunno, how much I do NOT look like Barry Williams, DAMMIT!!!

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

March 11, 2011
You Say Joisey, I Say What?!?
Because, I am all about making blogging fun again (shuddup!) my friend NYCPatty posted an Accent Vlog and, well, dang if I can't hear it (her accent, I mean) because we live from across the river (or, the rivuh) from each other, I guess.

I know, I know, vlogging's not my thing, either. Still, it's better than another post about mommybloggers going rogue or, the friggin' weather (here, in Jersey) right?

[cue the crickets]

Riiiiiight.

Here's mine:

Okay, what'dya think; hear anything?

[someone please shut those crickets up, already]

Fiiiiiiiiiine. Fughettaboutit! Want to play along?

If you want to follow along or do the Accent Vlog yourself, here are the words/questions:

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught
- What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
- What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
- What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
- What do you call gym shoes?
- What do you say to address a group of people?
- What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
- What do you call your grandparents?
- What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
- What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
- What is the thing you change the TV channel with?
Personally, I'd love to hear from my Mid-West friends and, most especially, folks from the South, like, oh, I dunno, Nashville, or maybe even as far as Plano, TX, even…YO!

In the meantime, have a GREAT weekend and if anybody needs me, I'll be upstairs, caulking holes and mopping floors, baby.

Friggin' rain!

2/28 UPDATED TO ADD: Yay for BusyMom, Dawn, Melisa, Heather and Weasel Momma for playing along, with me, too!

Now, it's your turn — help a dork (like me) make blogging fun, again — go ahead, you know you want to!

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House
February 25, 2011
For the Love of Bubbles

Love is waking your laptop to find silly little cabin-fever-induced webcam photos of your teens…all 350 of them (cabin-fever-induced webcam photos, NOT teens, I mean!)

[shiver]

Aaaaand, there's more snow on the way?!?

FLOB! Seems Mother Nature is in desperate need of a serious attitude adjustment, too…or, a new laptop…whatevs.

Happy Love Thursday, everyone!

© 2003 – 2011 ThisFullHouse.com

January 20, 2011
I Whip My Lens Back and Forth

My husband, Garth (not his real name) thinks I'm nuts (I know, act surprised anyway okay?)

Aaaanyway, as I was showing a family friend my our new BESTEST, AWESOMEST, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER, not to mention, ABSOLUTELY FRIGALICIOUS camera…

[takes breath]

…he calls me out.

"She takes the weirdest pictures."

I was crushed.

So, I grabbed the camera (ever so gently) and began to scroll through the memory card.

We nabbed this old foot pump Singer sewing machine in a yard sale, B.C. (before kids) I just love the shadow play with the wood and metal in this shot.

Looking up on top of the sewing machine: the flower pot is a quick (but, prettiful) place to drop our keys and the glass ball actually belongs to something else that broke, years ago (can't remember what) but, the kids like to pretend it's a magic crystal ball….me, too.

Looking to the left of the sewing machine: two of my favorite pictures of Garth (not his real name) and I thought that the reflection on the one of us dancing at my brother's wedding was sort of cool — quite apropos, really.

Looking to the right of the sewing machine: the dining room window is the brightest in the house (even on the gloomiest of winter days) so, my geraniums are always in full bloom! /gloom

Aaaaand, then looking left (again) from the sewing machine: my Aunt Theresa crocheted this blanket for me as a Christmas present. My cousin gave it to me the day Theresa passed away and I'm still waiting for the awful sense of loss and regret to pass, too, each time I look at it.

[heavy sigh]

Aaaand, this is when I moved to the back door and, well, color me weird, but darned if I didn't start to feel a whole lot better!

"What's this one about?"

I looked over my friend's shoulder and blankly stared at the viewer.

"Um, what do YOU think it looks like?"

[eyes go wide]

"Well, I would say a Christmas Cactus."

[shrugs]

"But, you're the photographer."

[grin]

"You probably see something different, like hair, or something!"

[frown]

I know. In this case, different is code for nutty and/or weird. Still. I love, LOve, LOVe, LOVE my new BESTEST, AWESOMEST, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER, not to mention, ABSOLUTELY FRIGALICIOUS camera…

[takes deep breath]

…because, it compels me to slow down and really appreciate the world around me and, well, she DID call me a photographer, right?

[sound of crickets chirping]

Shut up, Garth (NHRN!)

© 2003 – 2011 ThisFullHouse.com

January 18, 2011
F-artsy Baby Pictures I

Oh, go ahead, you know you want to, my kids will end up hating me anyway. Okay, I'll start:

"Don't make me have to go all Dr. Evil on your butt!"

You're next. Caption me, baby.

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House Blog / This Full House Gone Shopping

January 12, 2011
#Reverb10: Lesson Learned

Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what's next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) my friend Shannon is doing it and now Diana's joining in (although, the non-conformist in me can't promise to, you know, write daily) I've decided to give it a whirl.

Todays' Prompt: Lesson Learned — What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

My first thought? Which one? Seeing as I've made it my business to share stuff I've learned about myself, either through raising my kids, reading your blogs (yes, I REALLY DO READ BLOGS!) or through the bazillion mistakes I've made, over the years.

Too many to recount, really (you're welcome!)

There is, however, one lesson that I find myself revisting on a daily basis (almost) but, I've resisted blogging about, lest I offend anyone, or risk opening an old wound that, for some reason, just refuses to, you know, scab over.

Until now.

Entering into my 8th year of blogging and helping our community of moms (and dads) grow exponentially, I made the mistake of allowing myself to believe my integrity was unquestionable!

Well, it wasn't…isn't…ugh…what I mean to say is this…having lived through that experience (a.k.a. I Survived Twittergate) and then, rethinking my entire blogging platform (for the better, I hope) I've learned that my integrity can indeed remain, intact.

And, so, I continue to share my words (here) find ways to engage and give back to my community (here) read your stories (here) and, hopefully, one of us will feel better, knowing that, even though comments aren't what they used to be (stupid facebook, dumbass twitter) doesn't necessarily mean no one is, you know, listening.

PHEW! I feel better now, thanks!!

Aaand, if you're STILL reading along, know that there is a special place in heaven (or, a facsimile thereof) reserved for prettiful people, like you.

Even if it means humoring a professional dork, like me.

/story

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My OTHER Reverb 10 stories.

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping

December 17, 2010
#Rever10: Friendship

Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what's next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) my friend Shannon is doing it and now Diana's joining in (although, the non-conformist in me can't promise to, you know, write daily) I've decided to give it a whirl.

Today's prompt: Friendship – How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

I'm NOT very good at asking for stuff.

Oh, I ask the kids to feed the dog, change the cat litter, pick up the wet towels or take out the garbage, which, admittedly, becomes more of a DEMAND, after asking for the 3rd or 4th time, DAMMIT!

Asking someone, — specifically, another mom — to please do me a favor, not so much.

One of my mom friends, which is code for:

One (or more) of our kids go to school together, we've spent at least one hour (or more) complaining about our kids comparing notes and alcoholic beverages may (or may not) have been involved.

Without getting too personal (about her life, NOT mine!) she's had a REALLY sucky year.

The kind of suckage that leeches its way under your skin, squeezes your heart, melts all the soft squishy parts, rips through your soul and leaves an unidentifiable pile of sludge, in its wake, before the day even begins.

Comparatively speaking, my life is gooder than good.

We don't see each other much, anymore — which is the sad truth with most of my mom friends, once my daughters quit girl scouts, or our kids hit middle school — but, her youngest carpools with my youngest and, well, raising kids is real hard.

Having to raise 4 kids, on her own, sucks hairy donkey balls!

I got a text from her, this morning, asking me if I could drop her kid off at her mother's house, "If it's not too much trouble."

My heart squeezed and…YEP…making sure her kid gets home (or wherever he needs to be on any particular day) is the LEAST I could do AND truth be told, sort of a selfish act on my part, as well.

It. Makes. Me. Feel. Good.

[sound of angels singing]

Then it hit me, right there, in the middle of the elementary school's parking lot, somewhere in between the soft squishy parts, that maybe, juuuuuust maybe, I can learn to ask a friend for a favor AND perhaps make someone ELSE feel good, at the same time, too, right?

Riiiiight.

[sound of incoming text]

"You are the best!! Can't thank you enough….we are very lucky to have you for a friend!!"

Stupid soft squishy parts.

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My OTHER Reverb 10 stories.

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping

December 16, 2010
#Reverb10: Appreciate

Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what's next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) my friend Shannon is doing it and now Diana's joining in (although, the non-conformist in me can't promise to, you know, write daily) I've decided to give it a whirl.

Today's prompt: Appreciate — what’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

This year? Yeah, it was a tough one. What…for you, too? I know. Right?

I got a job (for real) then, I lost it (stupid economy!) I know it was only 7 months (seems longer, working nights, while your SigOth works days, really) still, I had a REAL hard time adjusting to civilian life!

Know anyone who's hiring?

[sound of many, many crickets, chirping]

Then again, there is some good to be found in ALL the suckage.

My twin brother DID give cancer another asswhoopin' (it really SHOULD learn to just stay down, stupid cancer!) and my dad added another notch on his belt in the battle against heart disease, the bastard (heart disease, NOT my dad!)

Aaaaand, I have SO MUCH more to be grateful for, I know!

However, losing someone very dear to me recently has made me take inventory of my own life and, most especially, appreciate those who are closest to my heart.

Like, how I could have NEVER gotten through ANY of this, or the previous 20 years, for that matter, if it weren't for my husband, Garth (not his real name) and his way of making even the smallest gesture (like, making the first pot of coffee, or warming up the car and packing the kids lunches, every blessed morning) an act of absolute serenity.

How do I express gratitude for it?

I let the dog out, put up a pot of coffee, fed the cat, woke the kids, let in the dog and fed him, unloaded the dishwasher, fed the kids, drove Heather to the bus stop, packed the lunches and then drove Holly to the high school.

All before 7:30 a.m. this morning.

[one beat, two beats]

Okay, okay, so I gave the kids money to buy their lunches and they can pretty much fend for themselves, at breakfast, too.

Still.

I am ABSOLUTELY sure that Garth (not his real name) appreciated the break.

How do I know?

[grin]

By appreciating the fact that my time management skills are, you know, FAR superior to his!

You're welcome.

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My OTHER Reverb 10 stories.

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping

December 14, 2010
#Reverb10: Action

Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what’s next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) my friend Shannon is doing it and now Diana’s joining in (although, the non-conformist in me can’t promise to, you know, write daily) I’ve decided to give it a whirl.

Today’s prompt: Action — when it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?

Oh wow, great, well this one’s easy (NOT!!!!) because, I’ve got SO MANY ideas rolling around in my head, right now.

Home projects I’ve made happen and have YET to, you know, finish.

Working (REAL HARD) and ridding myself of ALL that unproductive self-doubt I believe keeps writers (like me) from succeeding even further.

Although, taking care of 6 people, living in a 7 room house, will do that to a person (Ty Pennington, WHERE ARE YOU?!?)

No, it’s NOT about the ideas, or necessarily about making them happen, either (been there, done that) for me, the next step(s) in 2011 would be to:

Continue writing (i.e. blogging) the only way I know how, long before professing honesty and integrity was, you know, cool.

Maybe, even finish that book I started a couple of years ago (even though it feels like everybody’s writing a book these days, really AWESOME stuff, too, right?) but, this one’s a little different, as well!

Rinse ALL doubt from my mind (mostly)

Instead, focus on the ideas that inspire me and, hopefully, help me see those reluctant little aspirations of mine a little clearer — not to mention, through, to the end.

Repeat

Until then, I remain aspiringly yours,

A. Dork

My OTHER Reverb 10 stories.

December 13, 2010