This Full House Archive

Tag: parenting teens and tweens

What I UnLearned on My Summer Vacation

Happy 20th Anniversary to us, Garth (not his real name!)

Most of my kids go back to school, this week — my middle girl has been accepted into a specialized high school and doesn't start until the Tuesday after Labor Day AND yes the other kids are NOT happy about it.

So, to soften the mood of our house (seriously, where DID the summer go?) my husband Garth (not his real name) surprised me for our 20th Wedding Anniversary (thanks for the well wishes, btw!) by taking a vacation day last Wednesday, Thursday AND Friday to spend more time with me (yes, ME!) doing absolutely nothing of REAL importance, which truly is a MONUMENTAL act of love, on his part.

Trust me, I know!!!

Although, it's nice to find some folks sharing their secrets to a happy marriage (97 of them, to be exact) I just think it would be prudent to just tell you that Garth (not his real name) and I have absolutely NO idea how we made it, this far!

Especially, considering what happened THIS passed weekend.

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August 30, 2010
The Year of the Big Dress and Cinderella Poof!

August 25, 1990

20 years ago (I know…I'm old…shuddup!) I was cruising down the Parkway (a.k.a. Garden State Parkway, for those of you who aren't, you know, from Jersey) surrounded by taffeta and covered in tulle (it was the end of the 80's, baby) as my soon-to-be-sister-in-law mooned traffic and made me laugh so hard, I snorted champagne out of my nostrils!

You would have thought SHE was the one getting married (the aforementioned Parkway-mooner, I mean) the way her hand shook, each time she filled my paper cup.

It took her forever to FINALLY convince her brother to ask me out.

"Just this once and then you leave me alone, right?"

I guess, since we DID get engaged, only 2 months later, she was just hoping it would, you know, work out.

Flash forward 20 years: taking into consideration, ALL the good times (and bad) oh, and even those days that totally sucked hairy donkey balls (you're welcome!) not to mention, 4 kids, 2 cats, 1 sock-eating doofus-dog AND enough laundry to circle the planet (twice) YES, I really would do it ALL over again.

However, this time, perhaps with MORE champagne, a little less tulle and I'd be the one, you know, mooning the Parkway.

So, what ARE we doing for our 20th?

[shrugs shoulders]

Well, in lieu of fine china (which, is a really bad gift idea, for a klutz, like me, btw!) we're celebrating by taking our kids hiking to Bushkill Falls, PA today (it's where he proposed) then, having lunch at Hot Dog Johnny's in Buttzville, NJ (I kid you not!) followed by a burping contest across the Delaware (because, nothing burps better than Johnny's birch beer!) and then probably order in for some Chinese food, tonight.

Because…unlike Cinderella…I did NOT marry the man of my dreams…THANK GAWD and I do….TRUST ME…every blessed day!!!

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

August 25, 2010
Distorted, No Editing Required

Cross-posted at our 365 Day Project, taken with my cell phone, because my camera is borked.

I broke my camera [pause for a moment of silence] it's sitting on the sideboard in our kitchen, right where I left it, after realizing that I could not get it to work, no matter how hard I pleaded with it.

"Oh no…et, tu Kodak!!!"

Although, my poor little red point and shoot is powering up (sort of) the lens opens and makes this terrible grinding noise, as it tries to focus on nothing and freezes with a gray-ish look on its screen and, well, I fear it is very nearly dead.

I know how it feels, sort of.

"Why are you crying?"

Heck if I knew.

"It's raindrops."

I mean, yeah, I bought the darned thing with my birthday money, last year (nevermind, which one) then, there's the fact that Garth and I are working through another rough patch (okay, so, maybe this time, we've been rubbing each other the wrong way, like flipping sandpaper) still, there ARE worse things, right?

Like, a flash flood in Kentucky and Tennessee (some of my best blogging buddies live there) a failed car bombing attempt in NYC (real close to home, this one is) just to name a few HOLY HANNAH MONTANA moments that make me feel like a total asshat for shedding a tear (or, two) over a flipping camera, or a little rain.

But, it's NOT just about the camera, or the rain.

"Wow, it's pouring outside!"

My dad is scheduled for more surgery, tomorrow (AGAIN!) and THIS time, he's scared…me, too.

"Mom, look it!"

I arranged for coverage at work (thank you, Jane!) and will probably be spending the night (with my parents house, NOT at work!)

"Mom?"

And was thinking about the eleventy other things that I had to do, this week and before school ends.

"Mommy?"

All of which required me to be somewhere else, other than home, or work and, well, I just wish that someone would hurry up and invent that cloning machine, already!

"MOMMY!"

[blink, blink]

"Huh, now what do you need?"

Judging by the look on my youngest daughter's face, a real nice birthday present, next month, would be nice — especially, to make up for drawing the short straw and the nearly nine years of putting up with me…as her mother.

"Daddy's gonna drop me off at school tomorrow, right?"

Oh yeah, I forgot.

"Yep."

Forget the clone, I've got Garth [not his real name] and, you bet your sweet tea, I'm keeping him!

"He took the whole day off, too!"

I know, right?

"AWESOME…I hope it doesn't pour."

Me, too!

[click]

"Cool picture!"

No editing required, either.

"Where's your camera?"

[one beat, two beats]

"Did you break it?"

You know, and I almost forgot about my broken camera…ALMOST!

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

May 3, 2010
A Time For Us, Maybe, Sometime Soon, Text Me!

My husband, Garth [not his real name] absolutely loved this edible arrangement he got from my brother and sister-in-law, for his birthday, last weekend.

What did I give him?

A reason to remember the beginning of his 47th year, here on earth, as perhaps one the worst mornings of his life — oh, and by the way, Happy Birthday!

Yep, am I a ray of sunshine…or, what?

Don't answer that! Honestly, I feel terrible about fighting…on…his…birthday…but, he followed me into the bathroom and, this time, it wasn't to see if I was using his razor (AGAIN!) in an attempt to save a layer of skin, or two.

Mine and his.

Long story, short (you're welcome) everything that NEEDED to be said, was and, well, turns out we both felt we were working too hard to try and please each other and, guess what?

[one beat, two beats]

All work and no play make for real unhappy parents and Garth [not his real name] was JUST as tired, burnt out and frustrated, as I was, go figure.

"Let's not talk about it, anymore."

Seriously, I really do know when to shut up…sometimes…and, well, it could have gotten worse.

"Are you and daddy getting a divorce?"

Aaaaand, it did…real fast…DANGIT…because, my 14 year-old was supposedly getting something from her bathroom and, well, it's certainly not her fault the walls in this house are really, really thin, and she accidently overheard OUR ENTIRE CONVERSATON, right?

"That's none of your business!"

[cue sunshine]

Seriously, I really do know how to light up a room and, if I had to be real honest with myself (because, you know, I lie like a cheap rug) our lack of privacy is no one else's fault, but ours, I guess.

Still, the bathroom is MY fortress of solitude, DANGIT!

"We argue sometimes, that's all."

We wiped our eyes, he vacuumed the rugs…what? Our parents were coming over and, well, he IS secretly having an affair with our Dyson (I think) and, well, can you blame him? I don't. Deep down inside, I know that it will get better. It HAS to.

"Send me something sexy, from the waist down."

Aaaaand, it did…real fast…THANKYOUVERYMUCH…because, my husband is really a funny guy…especially, when he text messages me…in the middle of doing laundry.

Happy Belated Birthday, you sexy beast!!!

So, I sent him a little somethin-somethin and, well, we really do make a great pair; don'cha think?

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

April 30, 2010
NWF Mom Update: The Local Impact of Climate Change – Now, With More Itch!
You know Emily McKhann, right? Well, you should, because she and Cooper Monroe founded TheMotherhood.com and, yes, they ARE very, very smart.

How do I know?

Well, personally, I've been working very closely with The Motherhood Creative for a long time, now (in Gemini years, anyway) and, quite frankly, I feel way smarter, already.

[sound of crickets chirping]

Aaaaanyway, Emily attended a lunch for DC bloggers (Amie Adams, Gayle Weiswasser, Diane MacEaachern), hosted by Jaime Matyas and her great team at the National Wildlife Federation to help them learn a little more about a few NWF programs.

Here's what Emily said:

"The conversation came around to global warming
and climate change and Jaime's staff talked about the local impact of
global warming, and how we tend to think of it as being outside our
day-to-day lives (it is global after all!), but that really, we're seeing big changes all around us."

Then, her email made me itch:

"Poison ivy, deer ticks, fire ants are all getting much worse, and
we can expect the yucky, biting Asian mosquito to arrive some day soon."

Awwwwwwwesome, right?

[scratch…scratch…scratch]

Thanks for that, Emily. Still. I was very interested in learning simple little ways in which my family can help cut our global warming pollution and, hopefully, become more energy efficient…yes…from right here in Jersey.

Here's a quick recap of what I found out, thanks to Emily's post, without the itch (you're welcome!):
- Plant shade trees: The Department of Energy says planting three trees strategically around your home to block the sun in summer and wind in winter can reduce your annual heating and cooling costs by an average of 40 percent. [TFH: DONE!]
- Become a Green Tag subscriber: Many states now offer options for homeowners to buy electricity from clean, renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass that produce little or no global warming pollution. Green energy can also be purchased through the National Wildlife Federation by visiting www.nwf.org/energy. [TFH: My husband, Garth (not his real name) is looking into renewable energy incentive programs in New Jersey and ways in which to help us find a way to decrease the initial amount of $$$$ required, upfront…PHEW!]
- Act locally: Contact your mayor and ask that (s)he sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, committing your city or town to meet or beat the global warming pollution reductions outlined in the Kyoto Protocol. [TFH: On the "honey do list," too!]
Aaaaand, if that ain't enough for ya's (I'm goin' all Joisey on ya's…YO!) here's a link to NWF's global warming page: http://www.nwf.org/Global-Warming.aspx

Here's their page listing the impact of climate change by state: http://www.nwf.org/Global-Warming/In-Your-State.aspx

Aaaaand Emily's post – http://beenthere.typepad.com/been_there/2010/04/the-closetohome-impact-of-global-warming.html

Rock on with your bad itchy-self, Emily…YO!

[FWIW: Emily and I are Founding Mothers of NWF's Be Out There program
– just helping families (like mine) get their kids outside and enjoy
nature, more – no payment was received for this blog post.]

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.
April 28, 2010
NWF Be Out There Challenge: Reflections, Senior Living and Shuffleboard

Me and My Mom on Good Friday 2010

DAY 1 of our spring break/challenge was a total RainFAIL! Then, Day 2 and it was time to send out for an Ark!

[wipes feet]

Finally, we were able to get outside and fall into a pot of fairy soup.

[sound of crickets chirping]

Moving on…I love that picture of me and my mom (up there) because, there really aren't many pictures of me, or my mom, let alone, the both of us…together…since, you know, we're the ones usually doing all the picture-taking.

My mom and dad are going through a real rough patch, with several health issues, right now (theirs and my twin brothers) and, well, based on years of personal study (what can I say, I'm a people watcher) in my opinion, hanging with the grand kids can sometimes have a real positive healing effect.

Did I mention, we Hungarians are a very reflective lot? We have open forums and very passionate discussions (ahem) about the meaning of life sort of stuff and, well, there aren't many secrets in my family.

Like, here, Heather is reflecting on the fact that her mother (that would be me) did NOT give her enough time to straighten her hair (seriously, takes forever) before going out…in public…and having to wear a ponytail (which she hates) and, well, I didn't make her smile for the camera, or anything.

I did, however, catch a quiet (albeit, very, very RARE) little happy moment, shared between siblings but…shhhhhhh…don't tell 'em, okay?

Then, there's my youngest, Hope (she's 8) but, her Jersey name is Hopey Baseballs.

Who's STILL reflecting on the fact that mom did NOT sign her up for softball…in time.

As, my only son, Glen reflects on the fact that mom managed to miss baseball sign-ups, as well, DAMMIT.

And, Holly, who insists she HATES playing anything that remotely resembles a sport (she'd rather spend her day reflecting on a piece of art in a museum, somewhere) well, even she seemed to enjoy…using the golf pitch…for baseball practice.

However, all 4 of my kids are ALL about shuffleboard; the sport of cruise camps, senior living facilities and retirement communities, everywhere!

Yep, we ARE down with the shuffleboard and, after 5 years of incessant taunting by their grandparents (i.e., I can't believe I've been beat by a senior citizen!) my kids are gosh-darned good at it, too.

Cross-posted to our 365 Days mircoblog project — where I'm taking a self-imposed timeout, every day, to post wordless (you're welcome!)

No, it may not have been a day in Disney World (seriously, we are
perhaps the only family, in Jersey, who has NOT had breakfast with a
princess, yet) but, it's nice to know that even a leisurely day, spent outdoors, with the people who love you the most, well, Holy Hannah Montana, the kids and I couldn't have asked for a better day!

Reflect on that, Mickey!

Now take your kids and GET OUT (heh) also, you can visit the NWF site for ideas on what you can do to get these kids outside…besides, promising them a trip to Disney…I mean!

[FWIW: I'm a Founding Mother of NWF's Be Out There program
– just helping families (like mine) get their kids outside and enjoy
nature, more – no payment was received for this blog post.]

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

April 5, 2010
NWF Be Out There Challenge: Day 4 – Here Comes the Sun (dah-duh-dah-dah)

DAY 1 of our spring break/challenge was a total RainFAIL! Then, Day 2 and it was time to send out for an Ark!

[wipes feet]

Moving on.

I'm scheduled to work at the gym, this afternoon (stupid braces, dumb college fund) but, I left the camera home, with my kids and, well, it'll be interesting to see what they come up with.

Yesterday, I decided to allow my 2 oldest girls to sleep in (as if, I could wake them, or I had any other choice) and took Doofus-Dawg for a walk.

Having spent the last 3 days home, alone, with 2 very cranky teenagers (trust me on this one) my 2 youngest were more than happy to tag along!

"Let's go and visit the waterfall!"

When they were little-er (yes, it's a word!) we would take pre-nap walks into the next neighborhood and visit "the waterfall."

"It used to look a whole lot bigger."

Still, there's something really cool about the water…even if it's simply rushing over an embankment…no matter how old you are, I think.

Not to mention, the moss-lined creek running through our little corner of the suburbs, in Jersey; who'da thunk, right?

Aaaand, there was lots and lots of onion grass!

Good thing, because the fairies, who live under "the waterfall," just LOVE onion soup; or, so I'm told.

Even though he would NEVER admit it (out loud) Glen still believes in flower fairies — yes, he does — especially, when exploring the woods behind our house, or hunting for fire flies in the summertime and most especially whenever his little sister is around.

We spent the rest of the morning, enjoying the playground at Glen's school and, yeah, it was a little muddy.

Still, it's sorta nice to have the pre-commuters' tunnel…all…to…ourselves…and, when you're 8 and 11, being able to jump, run and even shout at each other, without being hollered at, well, life was good.

Until, someone gets a little too close to the fairy soup.

Accidentally falls into said soup (yes, she's my daughter alright!)

Aaaaand…well, then even this Mom knows that it's pretty much time to go home.

"Wait, take another picture!"

No, it may not have been a day in Disney World (seriously, we are perhaps the only family, in Jersey, who has NOT had breakfast with a princess, yet) but, it's nice to know that even a simple walk through our neighborhood, during a rather rainy spring break, can become, you know, totally blog-worthy.

Now take your kids and GET OUT (heh) also, you can visit the NWF site for ideas on what you can do to get these kids outside…besides, promising them a trip to Disney…I mean!

[FWIW: I'm a Founding Mother of NWF's Be Out There program – just helping families (like mine) get their kids outside and enjoy nature, more – no payment was received for this blog post.]

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

April 1, 2010
NWF Be Out There Challenge: Day 2 – Send the Ark!

DAY 1 of our spring break/challenge was a total RainFAIL! Moving on. So, it's Day 2 and wanna know how it's working out…so far?

Stupid rain!

[FWIW: I'm a Founding Mother of NWF's Be Out There program
– just helping families (like mine) get their kids outside and enjoy
nature, more – no payment was received for this blog post.]

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

March 30, 2010
NWF Be Out There Challenge: Day 1 – RainFAIL

As a longtime National Wildlife Federation supporter (yes, we have wildlife…in Jersey!) I am very excited to be a part of their Be Out There Campaign and modestly tweeted, the same:

I'm taking the NWF #BeOutThere Challenge w/o March 29! (http://bit.ly/bTeL0C) 'cawse, we've got wildlife IN JOISEY, too ya' know! #NWFMoms

So, here it is, DAY 1 of our spring break/challenge AND you want to know how it's working out, so far?

[blows bangs outta eyes]

Well, feeling inspired by the immortal words of John Lennon:

So, this spring break. And what have you done?
Another day almost over and the rain STILL isn't quite done.

And so this spring break. I hope you have fun.
'Cawse, here at our house, we're watching old game show reruns.

So, happy spring break. It's okay, we're STILL not quite done.

Cross-posted to our 365 Days mircoblog project — where I'm taking a self-imposed timeout, every day, to post wordless (you're welcome!)

With 6 days left, maybe…just maybe…we'll actually get outside AND see the gosh-darned sun!

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

March 29, 2010
National Wildlife Federation
“Be Out There” Founding Mother
Representing New Jersey, YO!

Did you know that this week, March 15th to March 21st, is National Wildlife Week?

[sound of crickets chirping]

I know what you're thinking — what's next, Worldwide Pond Slime Day– perhaps most parents (like me) will agree (especially, if your children are older) these days, getting kids outside and away from computer games, Facebook, Miley Cyrus, whatever, well, you'd think I was asking them to eat dirt, right?

"But, it's sooooooo hot!"

Heaven knows, I'm no saint (shuddup, Busy Mom and I thought you said you burned those BlogHer pics, Jenn?) I spend more time, at home, sitting in front of a computer, than not.

Then, I get up, get out, go help OTHER people work out and, you know, sit in front of a computer, some more.

"Stay inside, don't forget to lock the doors, oh, and dinner's in the freezer."

It's just a little harder now, you know? I don't like my kids to be outside, when my husband Garth [not his real name] and I aren't home.

Weekends, however, are different!

I have no problem ditching the housework, or kicking the laundry to the corner and getting outside — especially, now that spring is, like, two days away.

Day 76: Family Photo Project

WHOOT, here in Jersey, anything above 50 degrees is considered flip-flop weather!

59°F | °C

Current: Sunny
Wind: NW at 3 mph
Humidity: 35%

Fri

72°F | 46°F

Sat

71°F | 47°F

Sun

71°F | 47°F

This weekend is no different; we've been invited up to Pittstown, NJ to visit with Hope's godparents, a.k.a. two of our most favorite dirt diggers (you know, Sassy's mom and dad) who happen to own a beautiful flower farm, too (yes, here, IN JERSEY!) and I'm taking my trusty little point and shoot camera, with me, to help celebrate National Wildlife Week.

Why? Well, seeing as my kids have been reading Your Big Back Yard and Ranger Rick for years (thank you, Grandma and Grandpa) I am honored to partner with the National Wildlife Federation as a Founding Mother of their Be Out There campaign, along with these fine women:

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March 19, 2010