This Full House Archive

Tag: new jersey mom bloggers

  • A Different Kind of “Dear John” Letter

    I received a very lovely email from a long, lost high school buddy (Hi John!) and if you appreciate my avoiding using the word "old," then you are probably a border-line baby boomer, like me, right?!?

    Aaaaanyway, it's been fun catching up (via Facebook) and learning a little about our respective family life, like, oh, I don't know, how difficult it can be, raising teenage girls.

    STILL IS: most especially, if you live in my house and happen to be the dad, which brings to mind the discussion, early this morning.

    Heads up, John, you're gonna LOVE this one:

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  • I.M. Tired, But You Can Call Me Bro[o]ke!

    Not for nothing (Jersey speak translated as: FWIW) it's 5-something in the afternoon (I think) and this is the first time I've sat down, ALL DANGED DAY.

    Color me tired.

    Aaaaaand, not so much in a, "Look how busy I am," sort of way (aren't we all?) but, more like, "DANGIT, I should weigh at least 30 pounds less!"

    I mean, Brooke Burke may be the hottest mother of 4 (DAGNABIT!) today, I got dibs on being the tiredest.

    Also, 2 of them woke up sick and I know what you're thinking:

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  • Life in the Past Lane

    Bradi and Great-GrandmotherMy twin brother and our great grandmother in Hungary 1966

    I've been researching my family tree for quite a while, now — around the same time I started blogging, actually — and it's all my mother-in-law's fault.

    My getting hooked on genealogy, I mean (HI MOM!) she reads my blog, sometimes.

    Thompsons have fought in the American Revolution, helped bury victims from the Titanic on the shores of Nova Scotia, my mother-in-law's brother was one of the original Flying Tigers during WWII and they've went as far back as tracing their lines to the early 1600's.

    Me?

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  • She Ain’t Heavy, She’s Like a Little Brother

    Glen and Hope

    My son was a little over 2 years-old when Hope was born.  So, needless to say, Glen's toddlerhood is a bit of blur.

    However, I do remember diapers (lots and lots of diapers) also, projectile vomitting played a pivotal role in my believing that I had lost my mind, along with the senses of smell and taste, FOREVER.

    Long story short (you're welcome!) as far as my husband Garth (NHRN) and I were concerned, 4 was and still is our magic number:  everyone has a riding buddy on the roller coaster.

    Still, every year, my son would ask for a baby brother for Christmas or his birthday and most especially whenever Hope managed to get on his last nerve.

    Which is when I would point out that Hope was very much like a little brother, already, really.

    Today, she has NO trouble keeping up with her brother AND his friends, as evidenced by their conversation at the dinner table, Friday night.

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  • Just a Walk in the Park

    Yesterday didn't start out very well.  My oldest was in a foul mood: what is that you say, a teenager, grumpy, inconceivable, right?!?

    The youngest was weepy and my son missed his bus:  she's 10, he's 12, enough said.

    My middle girl, however, hasn't been feeling well for weeks:  not even a week into November and she's racked up 5 sick days, already, stupid strep.

    Later, having engaged the powers of sleep, eggs and toast (the trinity, when preparing a meal for a sick kid) she was feeling much better.

    "Can we go to the park?"

    Okay, first of all, it's November (then again, no bugs) but, it's chilly (yeah, but fresh air is good) what about dinner (okay, does anyone else argue with themselves, as much as I do)?

    "Sure, why not?"

    So, we picked up my youngest from school, came home, I put a pot of soup up to simmer and then headed back out, leaving the non-hikers (grumpy and sleepy) home.

    Gold-ish Pond

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  • Mother, Daughter, Pen and Ink

    I was cleaning out the girls closet, the other day (don't be jealous!) and found a dusty old manilla envelope filled with some stuff I saved from high school.

    Pictures from my senior prom, birthday cards from my Sweet 16, wallet-sized photos signed by friends I'd lost contact with soon after graduation and re-friended on Facebook.

    This is EXACTLY the sort of stuff that makes me stop and think…Jeez Louise…was I ever that young and…Holy Hannah Montana…did I really think my hair looked good, wearing it like that?!?

    Then, it hit me, like a brick to the side of the head:  I have daughters turning 16 AND graduating high school, this year.

    How did THAT happen?!?  I mean, technically speaking, I know how it happened, ALL 4 times, to be exact!

    It's just that, next year, I will also be the same exact age my mother was on my wedding day (nevermind, just how old, whip-puh-snap-puh!)

    Deep down inside, I still sort of feel like that same awkward 18 year-old, only different.

    Now am I beginning to truly understand my mother and why she can't seem to talk about her grandchildren, without referring to my own childhood and then crying, just a little.

    I placed the envelope back on the shelf.

    "Mom, my Italian teacher LOVED my art project!"

    It's a pen and ink portrait of Holly's Italian teacher with her oldest baby girl.

    Holly's Italian Teacher with ChildArt washes from the soul the dust of everyday life ~ Pablo Picasso

    Enough said.

    I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

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  • Wordless Wednesday: Virtual Folding Party YOU’RE INVITED!!

    Folding Party at This Full House!!
    Where:  Our playroom/laundry room/den.

    When:  Every flipping night.

    Dress Code:  There isn't any, however, pajamas are highly recommended!

    Wine, sparkling cider, baked ziti, pulled pork sliders, various panini sandwiches and vegetarian chili will be provided.  

    R.S.V.P. with either a side dish, dip, or dessert, I'm easy!!!

    2003 – 2011 This Full House

  • We Like to Party Like It’s All Saints Day

    Remembering All Saints Day
    I attended Catholic school until the 2nd grade.  Long story short, my father and the Reverend Mother had a bit of an argument over my poor potty habits.

    Oh, I was trained alright (learned how in public school) it was because of my having to go at least twice, rather than the allotted one potty stop, per day, per student ruling — because, any more than that clearly provokes a sinful bladder — or something. 

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  • Fester, Fester, Fester, Rot, Rot, Rot

    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]

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  • Wordless Wednesday: Kaleidoscope Eyes (and a spooky-looking arm, too!)

    Kaleidoscope Eyes and a Scary Looking Arm Too

    This is what I see, when looking out my kitchen window and I swear it's mocking me, flipping me the bird, or something.

    Stupid, freaky-looking tree.

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House