This Full House Archive

Tag: this full house

  • Frankie Says, RELAX!

    What, You Don't Have One of These

    What, you don't have one of these?

    In my next life, I want to be a cat.  Not MY cat, because, well, he's already used up 3 of his lives and, well, you know.

    Aaaaanyway.

    The point I'm trying to make (and yes, I'll get there, eventually) why do cats always seem so gosh-darned relaxed?

    [sound of crickets chirping]

    Unless, there's a dog around.  Or, kids.  Oh, and something bigger that can, you know, eat it, well, that would be REAL bad.

    Aaaaanyway.

    All it takes is one look at MY cat, all curled up on a chair, or snuggled safely into one of about a thousand baskets scattered throughout the house (what, I've got O.C.C.C. – obsessive compulsive collector of crap, okay?)

    Aaaaanyway.

    What was I saying?  Oh, yeah (I'm old, shuddup!) just one look into his big greenish eyes (go ahead, I'll wait) don't they just SCREAM what IS your problem, right?

    [stupid crickets]

    Aaaanyway.

    I guess what I'm saying (aaaand, if you're still here, reading, there IS a special place in heaven for those who humor debilitatingly dork-ish folks, like me, I swear!) just look at him, go ahead, I'll wait.

    [shrugs]

    See, NOT everything in nature HAS to have a function, all the time…soooo, why can't WE (i.e. human, more specifically, parental unit types) learn to relax…for JUST 5 blessed minutes…right?

    [the sound of many doors, SLAMMING]

    Aaaaanyway.

    Morale of the Story:  Consider this YOUR ticket (to relax, der!) go find a chair, or basket somewhere to curl up in and, you know, just tell EVERYONE:

    "I am grooming my inner-cat!"

    That SHOULD get them hauling tail, out of the room, pretty quick, and gain you AT LEAST 5 minutes of peace and quiet.

    In theory, anyway.

    [SLAM!]

    In the meantime…I know there is NO such word as "dibilitatingly" AND his name is NOT Frankie, but I'm old and it's my blog, so…JUST RELAX..and thankyouverymuch…for humoring me.

    [cue choir of angels]

    Your confirmation is in the mail and you're welcome!

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • The Seven Years of Mommyblogging and Happy Everything!

    September 2008

    Almost 3 years ago, I watched my oldest daughter leave the house, for the first time, as a freshman in high school and I thought to myself…PHEW!…1 down and 3 to go!

    Heather's 8th Grade Formal 2010Heather's 8th Grade Formal 

    This year, Heather (she's my middle girl) celebrated her last year of middle school by attending the 8th grade formal.

    Garth [not his real name] and GlenGlen's 5th Grade Graduation

    Glen (my only son) graduated 5th grade and is officially now the 3rd Thompson to hit the middle school…in 5 years.

    Hope's 9th Birthday 2010

    Happy 9th Birthday, Hopey

    Aaaand, my youngest daughter just celebrated her last year, before hitting double-digits and was SO excited during her 4th grade orientation, knowing that her sisters and brother attended the same school, and happily admitted to her future new principal, "Nope, I'm the LAST one!"

    Happy Everything!

    What?  I forgot to get the candle and 8 + 1 = 9, right?

    The cake was supposed to say, "Happy Everything!" but, I didn't bust my husband's chops about it (see caption) honestly, I was just too busy stumbling around…feeling all dazed and confused…okay, it's been like that for the last 7 years…but, I am STILL blogging…there, I said it, can I go home now?

    Happy Birthday To Me 2010!
    As you can see, it is written all over my face (the years, since I started blogging, I mean) still, I can't help but feel that with all these changes (the aforementioned happening ALL in the same week, btw) I have reached a milestone, of my own.

    Heather's Graduation 2010
    No, it hasn't gotten any easier (nuh-uh, sorry!) but, at least now my kids are now old enough to realize that…nope…life isn't always perfect (I know, act surprised anyway!) however, as their mother (yes, they are ALL mine) I have also learned to embrace those imperfections (mostly) and I truly believe we are ALL stronger for it.

    At least, they seem to be more than okay with it.

    [hands behind back, crosses fingers and grins]

    Happy Everything!!!

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • Have You Thanked A Mom Blogger, Lately?

    If I've learned anything, in my 7 years of blogging (besides, the
    fact it's not a good idea to change from one hosted blog site, to
    another, before backing up your archives, der!) the most important take
    away is:

    The words I write (or, choose to publish) really
    don't matter, unless I've touched someone, in a positive, or negative
    way.

    Hopefully, in a positive way, because, well, I don't know of
    anyone who blogs to feel bad about stuff, on purpose, nor would I want
    to.

    So, when my friends Cooper and Emily over at TheMotherhood.com asked me if I'd like to participate in a special blogging event, by sending a shout out to 5 mom bloggers, who have moved me in some way (1 every day, this week) I was, like, SIGN ME UP!!!

    Here are my posts:

    Day 1 – 6/21:  Thank you, Mindy Roberts (a.k.a. The Mommy Blog)

    Day 2 – 6/22:  Thank you, Donna Schwartz Mills (a.k.a Socal Mom)

    Day 3 – 6/23:  Thank you, Mir Kamin (a.k.a. Woulda Coulda Shoulda)

    Day 4 – 6/24:  Thank you, Melisa (With one S) Wells (a.k.a. Suburban Scrawl)

    Day 5 – 6/25:  Thank you, Dawn Meehan (a.k.a. Because I Said So)

    NOTE:  Meet ALL of the bloggers we're thanking, this week, by visiting the Thank You Moms Circle at TheMotherhood!

    DISCLOSURE:  Clicking on the above posts will take you to my shopping blog, since TheMotherhood.com is paying me for my time, because it's how Cooper and Emily roll!

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • Hump Day: Breakfast of Champions (i.e. Holy Hannah Montana, It IS the Week From Hell, Week!)

    Breakfast of Champions

    If you have a kid graduating/promoting/stressing over her hair for the 8th grade formal/and/or, celebrating a birthday, this week…then, you know I meant the Pepto Bismol, right?

    Wake me up when Monday comes!!!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • You Know You’re From Jersey When…

    You Know You're From New Jersey

    On the 174th day of our school daze my true love sent to me…an email that had absolutely NOTHING to do with the our 10th grader's finals, 8th grader's graduation, 5th and 3rd grade promotions, or the fact that Hope is turning 9 years-old on Wednesday (i.e. my youngest's last year in single digits) oh, and the fact that my camera AND my beloved HP laptop are fubar…YO!

    [inhales deeply, exhales in total denial]

    So, how DO you know if a person (like me) is REALLy from Jersey?  Besides, the fact that I know how to order a pork roll (with cheese, duh!) I mean?  Easy…you recognize or can relate to at least 10 of these:

    • You've been seriously injured at Action Park. [Banged my head on a waterslide!]
    • You know that the only people who call it "Joisey" are from New York (usually The Bronx) or Texas.  [waves to Jenn!]
    • You don't think of citrus when people mention "The Oranges." [Nope.]
    • You've ordered a hard roll with butter for breakfast. [Not in a while, but, YUM!]
    • You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven. [My kids do, too!]
    • You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 am. [No, NOT this mommy…um…but, ask me again at BlogHer!]
    • Whenever you park, there's a Camaro within three spots of you. [Nah, I live in a minivan world, my friend.]
    • You remember that the "Two Guys" were from Harrison. [Ohhhhh, yeah *snicker* nevermind!]
    • You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery. [Yep, been blogging it for years!]
    • At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know what town Jon Bon Jovi is from. [Yep, I even showed Dana his house…okay…the front gate, but close enough, right?]
    • You know what a "jug handle" is. [Yeah, and they're STOOPID!]
    • You know that a WaWa is a convenience store. [Aaaaand, they make THE BEST coffee, or cawfee, if you're from Jersey!]
    • You know that the state isn't all farmland. [Not if they keep building those McMansions…dangit!]
    • You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey – there's "The Shore," and you don't go "to the shore," you go "down the shore." and when you are there, you're not "at the shore," you are "down the shore."  [I'm down with dat!]
    • You know that "Piney" isn't referring to a tree. [Well, sort of.]
    • Even your school cafeteria made good Italian subs, and, you call it a "sub" not a "submarine sandwich" or worse yet, a "hoagy" or a "hero." [We can be heeeeeeeroooooes, just for one day, we can beeeeeeeeeee…sorry, teenagers are on a Moulin Rouge kick, lately!]
    • You know how to properly negotiate a Circle. [Yes, see jungle handle.]
    • You knew that the last question had to do with driving. [Yep, also STOOPID!]
    • You know that this is the only "New…" state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (like, try …Mexico, …York, …Hampshire (doesn't work, does it?). [See title of post!]
    • You only go to New York City for day trips, and you only call it "The City." [Unless, you're attending BlogHer, like me, WHOOT, then I'll see you in the "cit-tay!"]
    • You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich. [a.k.a. rat burgers and/or sliders!]
    • You consider a corned beef sandwich with lettuce and mayo a sacrilege. [Mustard and sauerkraut, baby!]
    • You don't think "What exit" (do you live near?) is very funny. [Still, the easiest way to explain where you live…in Jersey.]
    • You know that people from 609 area code are "a little different." [Yeah, got a few relatives that live there, too :)]
    • The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar. [Stoopid, Jets…psych!…just kidding…mostly!]
    • You can see the Manhattan skyline from some part of your town. [waves to NYCityMama!]
    • You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers. [Take 36 to 35 to 440 to 9 to 139 to 78 to get to Mom-101's house, I think!]
    • Every year, you had at least one kid in your class named Tony. [Yo, Tone, so, how you doin'?]
    • You know where every "clip" shown in the Sopranos opening credits is. [Yeah, but I would NEVER drive there…especially, at night….psych!…just kidding…mostly!]
    • You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of Willowbrook Mall. [Stoopid, jughandles!]
    • You have a favorite Atlantic City casino. [Specifically, the Blue Mercury Spa at the Tropicana would make a GREAT 20th Anniversary getaway — hint, hint, GARTH (not his real name) are you listening?!? ]
    • You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February. [January would be better, just sayin'!]
    • And finally… You've never pumped your own gas. [Not in Jersey….anyways!]

    Wake me up when September comes…YO!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • The Boy Who Lived, Without
    A Bedroom Door?

    Barnes & Noble Gnome

    Hopey's puppet of a mean principal that's supposed to be a clown (says, she was told to think out of the box) displayed at the coffee counter (or, caw-fee, if you're from Jersey)

    Last week (I think) our school district held a book fair at our local Barnes & Noble and my two youngest children were invited to read their persuasive writing pieces.

    "So, what's yours about?"

    My almost-9-year-old daughter wrote about being tall enough (FINALLY!) to experience her first ride on "a real roller coaster" during a visit to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ last June.

    "Aaaand, what did you pick?"

    My 11 year-old son's piece was a little closer to home.  

    "Mine is about convincing you and dad to give me a door!"

    We have doors.  Lots of them.  There's the front door, the back door, the bathroom door.

    [takes breath]

    There's the door that leads to the girls' bedroom and the h…e…double…hockey…sticks that is [gulp] their bathroom!

    "Because, you know, everyone ELSE has a door."

    My son's bedroom is upstairs, like mine, but his is at the top of the stairs and, well, long story short (you're welcome!) no, he doesn't have door.

    [gulp]

    "You didn't write anything that would, you know, embarrass mom, or dad, right?"

    Because, heaven knows, I sure as heck wouldn't (ahem!) and, well, everyone knows that karma is a witch, right?

    Riiiiiiight.

    Even longer story, shorter (seriously, you should be thanking me!) oh yes, there was lots of lamenting about stuff, like:

    (a) Being the only boy, stinks.

    (b) Having a bedroom without a door, stinks even more.

    (c) Having the litter box…in his room…you guessed it…stinks, BIGTIME.

    (d) His sisters are barging in all the time.

    (e) Refer to (a) above.

    In hindsight, I should be glad that their readings were held in the cafe.

    "What did he just say?"

    Aaaand, that the blender was really, really loud.

    "He can't keep the girls out of his bedroom!"

    [eyes go wide]

    "No, I don't think he means regular girls…dear."

    [one beat, two beats]

    "Oh, well, no wonder his parents won't give him a door!"

    Not for nothing, but you gotta love senior citizens (they were sisters, I think) but, I don't believe a hearing aide would have made a difference, either way and I shudder to think what the sweet old lady meant by "un-regular" girls.

    "What is your boy's name?"

    [bites lower lip]

    "Harry…Harry Potter."

    Aaaand, he's moving…to the closet…under the stairs…next week!

    "Oh, that's nice dear."


    The Closet Under the Stairs
    I mean, it DOES have a door (sort of!)

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • Secretly, Secret Vlog

    Secretly, Secret Vlog from Liz Thompson on Vimeo.

    This is what happens, when you go to work and one of your kids "accidentally" finds your Flip camera and attempts to video tape one of her sisters "not on purpose," of course!

    [snort]

    Such drama, eh?  Love that she mentions my blog:

    "Do you think I survived, or do you think I died (i.e. she got busted and her sister killed her) leave your answer on ThisFullHouse.com!"

    Can't wait to see what happens during their summer break, if it EVER gets here, I mean!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • Because Nice Matters
    Cancer Sucks Wet Poodle!

    Thank You Dear Liz,

    The American
    Cancer Society is working tirelessly to eradicate cancer and to ease
    the burden of those living with cancer. With your support, the American
    Cancer Society is saving lives by helping people get well and stay
    well, funding lifesaving research, and empowering people to fight back
    against cancer.

    Thank you again for your support.

    Elizabeth T. H. Fontham, MPH, DrPH
    President, American Cancer Society, Inc.

    Name: Steve ******, Jr.

    Donation Amount: One time donation of $100.00

    Order ID: *******65

    Authorization Code: ****82

    Transaction Number: ******************5083

    Transaction Date And Time: 6/4/2010 4:20 PM

    Donation Preference: Cancer Research

    As promised, thank you for ALL of your support (Happy Birthday, Bubs, I love you!) okay, now, it's your turn — please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society!!!

    [see title of post]

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • Girls Just Wanna Have Fun AND Maybe Peeps!

    Me and The Girlz
    Me and my girls

    I don't have a sister, so I can't say that I know what they are going through, but raising daughters is, well, sort of like what I would imagine boot camp would be like…for parents.

    After a while, stuff tends to get a little sweaty, a bit sticky and, sometimes, very, very, painful, but in a good way (although, sweating, especially in certain places where a person ought not, you know, stick together, is NEVER a good thing) and then it's weigh in time.

    "What do you mean I gained 320 pounds!?!?"

    The estrogen levels, in our house, alone are enough to scare my husband, Garth [not his real name] into thinking, you know, maybe he and the boy should move into the shed.

    Glen and Uncle Bud Glen and my brother, Steve [yes, it's his REAL name

    Because, there's just NO MORE ROOM in our garage — or, something.

    "I HATE MY *insert body part here, or family member here*!!!"

    No, they don't always like each other (or, me) and that's okay (sort of) but, every now and again, I need to remind myself, you know, it isn't easy being a girl.

    Unless, it is a really hot day.

    Hopey Sprinkled
    Aaaand, there is a sprinkler nearby.

    Heather and Holly Wanna Get Sprinkled
    Throw in a couple of teenagers.

    This Full House Girls Sprinkled
    Well, it's pretty easy to see that there is this tiniest spark of a woman inside, just waiting to burst out.

    Holly and Me
    Aaaaand, for a brief moment, I'm allowed into their world and then, suddenly, the girls are okay with the fact that, you know, I'm their mom.

    Hopey Playing Around
    Me, too!

    Peace Love and Hopey's Sneakers

    Like my youngest daughter's favorite pair of sneakers, I really do hope it lasts.

    My peeps!
    Them liking me, I mean, 'cawse, one day, they're going to find someone ELSE to love (maybe, even more than me) and that's okay (sort of) but, for now, they are MY peeps and I am totally keeping them!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House

  • Less Cancer, More Birthdays!

    Me and Steve Hungary 1966
    Today is MY birthday (never mind, which one!) and, in celebration of the 17th Anniversary of my 29th birthday (there, I said it!) I have partnered with the American Cancer Society's Choose Campaign (unpaid) by hosting a special giveaway on my shopping blog (ditto) to
    help shine the spotlight on a sobering statistic:

    One in three women will get cancer in her lifetime.

    Considering my twin brother, Steve (yes, his REAL name) has been battling cancer for a few years, now (AND WINNING!)
    I am committed to finding and sharing ways in which women can lead a healthier lifestyle.

    Especially, moms like me – I mean, we do tend to put our children's needs first, right?

    So, in lieu of sending me birthday presents (ahem) I thought it would be nice to do something special, right here, on my blogger-with-children-who-does-not-blog-about-her-children-mostly-type-um-blog.

    [sound of crickets chirping]

    So, in honor of my older brother (by 3 minutes, still, older than me) Steve:

    • For every comment I receive on this post (because, you know, some folks STILL read blogs) I will donate $1.00 of what I've saved through BlogHerAds, this year (up to $100) to the  American Cancer Society.

    [NOTE:  I would be THRILLED with the usual 3 comments — thankyouverymuch — but, feel free to pass the word along; I am donating the whole shuh-bang, anyway!]

    I will leave comments open for 1 week (because, I know that you are busy) and then post a copy of my donation receipt.

    Why?

    Because, it's My birthday, being nice matters and cancer sucks wet poodle (der!) oh, and Happy Birthday, mah bruh-thuh!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

    UPDATED TO ADD: COPY OF DONATION RECEIPT IS HERE — THANK YOU!!!