Tag: new jersey

Sundays in My City:
Beware the Icicle Slayer

I know, I know, enough with the snowmaggedon posts, already. Still. This winter has made for some really beautiful pictures — here in Jersey, anyway — like these ice swans captured by my 15 yo, in our backyard, the other day. She's majoring in photo journalism and, well, the girl has a great eye, no?

Oh, and the icicles? They are EPIC this year. I'm so glad I took this shot outside our den/guestroom/laundryroom/playroom…before they ALL melted.

Or, before my oldest (a.k.a. Holly the Icicle Slayer) got her hands on them and, truth be told, having caught a glimpse of her darkside, you'd never know that, IRL, she's really an Italian literature and arts major, right?

I was a little frightened for the wreath's safety.

So, I thought it was probably a good idea to, you know, step back and put down my brand new camera, frigalicious as it is (yes, it's a word!) not to mention, put away the rest of the Christmas decorations…I know…shuddup!

But, not before grabbing this shot, as she claimed her trophy and, well, thank goodness her little brother wasn't home to, you know, turn it into a weapon and pretend it was an ice saber, or something.

Before it melted, of course — Happy Sunday!!!

To see other scenes from around the world, check out Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City.

Oh, and feel free to clean off a chair, sit down and visit my photo journal or my Flickr photostream.

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

February 6, 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
Sundays in My City: Winter Blues

Smoke 'em if you got 'em!

To see other city scenes from around the world, check out Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City.

Oh, and feel free to clean off a chair, sit down and visit my photo journal or my Flickr photostream.

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

January 16, 2011
Guest Post: About Christmas
by Hope Thompson

Mommy is busy cooking and cleaning our bedroom so I asked if I could write on her blog and she said YES.

Okay, about Christmas. All the television commercials and sale coupons and Sunday flyers and everything else that piles up on our kitchen table. Christmas isn't about the presents.

Its about coming together with family and friends and having fun.

I think the best Christmas I ever had was making ginger bread houses with my grandparents, aunt and uncle, and of course my parents.

Then we had some ginger bread men with homemade icing. Also, between you and me I don't like getting presents because I don't need them. But, its always nice to find a present or 2 under my tree for me.

I wanted to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

I LOVE you mommy.

Hope is 9 years-old and attends the 4th grade. She likes playing sports, cooking and baking with her mom and doing homework. When she grows up, Hope would like to become an archaeologist and will take her elf on the shelf with her everywhere, forever and ever.

December 19, 2010
#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

—————————————-

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.