Useless words...

Ever since my son began to talk, he has been bombarded with words from all directions. Unfortunately, some of which make me crazy. Really, truly, absolutely crazy when I hear them.

I am a pretty laid back mom. Junior Troll poured a gallon-ish bottle of olive oil in the middle of my living room...what could I do? Baby powder all over the bathroom? Kinda messy, but it smelled good...no use crying over spilled milk, right? I don't get truly upset very often; the major exceptions being - unsafe behavior (running in the street or parking lot, non-food objects in the mouth, running with scissors - duh), disrespect to others and using "bad" words.

Certain words are on the "hell, no!" list at our house (yes, I do realize I used a swear word to illustrate "bad" words...baby steps, people)

Here are my top Five:

stupid
hate
retard
shut up (two words -sue me)
kill

I do realize that I have a potty mouth and that is a little hypocritical. However, I would rather (feel free to yell at me for this one) hear my son use my favorite swear word than call someone or something stupid.

Think about it.

Everyone knows swear words are just swearing. They are bad to be bad, to shock (and awe - only kidding) These other words are only used for hurting and in my mind, at least, there is a huge difference...

There is no reason I can even imagine to use the first four on the list. They are useless words whose only purpose is to hurt and belittle.

I do know there are actual, legitimate reasons to say "kill" - just not while pointing your little finger with your thumb cocked up running through the house shouting "kill the ninjas, save the princess..."

I stumbled across this whole thing - they say it much better than I can...




Sticks and stones, people - sticks and stones...

Who gets on this MomDot.com thing?

I do!! That's who!!

Go here and find my listing... (just keep paging down, did you think I was the only one? Jeeesh.)

Looky, Lee at Mom's Without Blogs is on the same page...Hi, Lee!!

And the Creative Junkie, too! I love her stuff...

Damn, I'm in good company.

Anyhow, if you have not yet visited MomDot.com - you should be spanked and then you should go there, immediately, probably while standing up in front of your computer...but it will be worth it.

Trust me...

"MomDot is a mom blog listing site that is run by mommy bloggers, Trisha, Alicia, and Bridgette. They run contests weekly, reviews on awesome (and not so awesome) products for families and kids, and talk about their lives. But more importantly, they feature bloggers and mom boutiques to give them an avenue to get their names out there, also assisting in google links! You can head out and list your blog for free and talk to them about doing an interview about you. Head on over and see what MomDot is about!"

Do it!

Got blues?

I hate being a whiner...

Ok. No I don't. But, when I whine I like to be the brunt of my own whiney-ness - to make it entertaining, if you will. To whine about something you can relate to and get a laugh out of it...

Not so much today. I'm just blue. There is nothing wrong. I have no complaints. In fact, my little corner is doing pretty damned good...but...

I'm blue...

Actually, a little more than blue.

Let's stop talking about me for a second, to talk more about me. My blog doesn't seem to be going anywhere. personally, I mean. I wonder to myself, why that is. And I argue with myself about why I can't seem to let go a little bit more. I mean, as fascinating as conversations with my five year old can be - isn't there more? If that is all I have to say, then why am I constantly suppressing all these conversations in my head...

I read so many blogs. So many different kinds of blogs. There are many of you that I feel like I know, I feel like you are my friends, real friends. I think perhaps the problem is that I'm really afraid that isn't really true. If I talk about my kid and my silly family and no one really reads or comments...well - that's alright! There are a million women out here talking about our kids, it doesn't mean anything!

But, if I come out and tell you what I really think and feel and what I'm really afraid of and what I want and then you don't read or you don't comment - I can't escape the conclusion that you don't like me.

God, that's just so middle school! Will someone please slip me a note and tell me to grow up!?

I spent a few years really supressing a lot of my feelings. Then I got pregnant (and had too many feelings). I don't have any girlfriends out here to talk to and I seem to have lost that part of me that was spontaneous and could easily talk to people.

I feel like I'm adrift and I don't know what to hold onto...should I even BE blogging?

Then again, I could blame this whole pity party on PMS and go bake a cake...

Freakin' Amazing

I'm sure everyone has already seen this, but I can't resist it. It makes me laugh everytime I see it. It's so funny and so true.




I think we should remember this everyday when we get frustrated with "things"...

Not that I'm going to stop freaking out when my laptop takes a poo for no reason, or my hubby 'jokes' about giving up my Blackberry...

But maybe,just maybe - we could spare a moment to marvel at the amazing world we live in, instead of just flipping it the bird when our iphone drops a call in our car in the drivethru getting our morning latte or we can't update our Facebook for the third time that day and Twitter kicked us out again for reaching our limit.

Toddler Drugs: the Redux

Off to the dentist again tomorrow.

This should take care of all the issues (knock on wood). I never have to do this again, right? Well, thank God. I just don't think I can take years of this stuff. My mom never took me to the dentist and look how I turned out (no one needs to comment on that last item).

I can't believe I didn't post about last weeks visit...

Does everyone know about *looking around to make sure no one is listening* the 'good" drugs'at the dentists office?? I had no idea. These things are so amazingly good that my five year old leaned back in his dental chair and said

"oh, duuuuude"

In total stoner voice. Staring at his hand waving in the air...

It was so funny that the hubby and I laughed, the doctor and nurse laughed and they called in a few more peoples to check him out.

I felt so bad laughing. Not that it stopped me. I was so torn between laughing and throwing up.

"Mommy, I can feel...magic..."

Uh-huh. Sure baby, just be still. Poor hubby had to leave the room a couple of times. There is just something about watching your kid on the table like that....

He did really well in the chair. He only tried to help the dentist a couple of times. He is so considerate. They didn't even have to use much Novocain.

On our way out of the office, AJ asked about a little girl who was laying on a table (very open office) having something done to her.

The dentist explained what they were doing to her
and her parents told him her name and that she would love to be his friend
and the nurse said she was ok and nothing bad was happening to her...

He turned to look at me and said -

"But why does she have two heads?"

Do they have a prescription in my size?

We Don't Eat Family...

UPDATE:

This morning, that very same little girl had handmade crafts for "your son" (that what she said to me - "I made this for your son" weird). She made him a set of imaginary dentist tools and hugged him and said she loved him...I personally think she's working the dentist husband angle a little too hard!

__________________________________

My five year old had a fight at school yesterday.

A fight with words, rather than fists, which I appreciate. Although I'm still at a loss as to how to make things better.

We had watched Planet Earth (which if you have never seen - GO find it now, the photography is amazing) the night before and there was a segment about dolphins. All night and all morning, AJ had been babbling about hydroplaning and dorsal fins and fishy stuff like that. When we got to school, one of the little girls his age was in the office and they started talking.

She immediately started talking about her new lip gloss (I kid you not) and he started in on the dolphin thing. She heard dolphin and countered with "Orcas aren't dolphins they are killer whales"

AJ, skipping the "duh" part of that whole thing (it was on his face) said "and they eat Humpback Whales."

That's where everything fell apart.

Little girl started shrieking that they "DID NOT" eat humpback whales, they were "all family" and "family doesn't eat each other".

To be honest, I was having a hard time not laughing at this point... but AJ was not backing down. Boy loves him some Discovery Channel and we had watched a program with Orcas killing humpback whale babies (thanks honey, I loved that one - where is my damned American Idol when I need it) - he knew he was right and that was that. He is opinionated at the best of times.

Anyhow, neither child was backing down. Girlfriend was spouting "Get over it!" " I just can't believe you" and "Wake up!" Aj looked a little confused at the theatrics, so I said "lets just go out to the fieldhouse and see what all the other kids are doing..."

She stomped out and slammed the door behind her with a shriek of faux anger. Day-am, the drama they must have in their house!

AJ says to me "she slammed the door on me, mama." I said, it's ok, she didn't really mean to, she was just having a moment (code in our house for tantrum).

He whispers - "she's just mad because she's wrong. Girls are like that."

Oh, they grow up so quickly....

shouldn't they be fighting about Pokemon or Dora or bikes or something? I don't have the first clue how to referee that kind of argument!

The Messiest Blog Party (It's the Ultimate) - UPDATED

Hello party animals - I'm Sticky!

I mean, my name is Sticky, I'm not like actually, physically sticky - except that bit on my shirt...and my shoe...Oh hell. Fine. Just call me Sticky.

Welcome to my party room at the Ultimate Blog Party 2009 - hosted by Five Minutes for Mom . It's been really crazy so far... This is my first party and I'm still trying to catch up! If you haven't been over the check out the main party room, just click on their button over there on the left. The party is great, there are a ton of gifts and it's a great place to hang out, even when there isn't a party...

Enough about them, what about Sticky, you may ask?

I never did my 100 things about me 100th post, so let's see if I can get to 50 this week. (yes, I completely whimped out!!) I'll start small and continue to add throughout the week, so come back and check on me!! It might get a little strange...


1. I have been blogging less than a year. I'm still trying to figure everything out. Sometimes I read and comment more than I write, but there are so many interesting people out there!

2. I am a 40 (something) mom and wife. My husband and I have been married 10 years. It was the first marriage for both of us and we only have the one child (AJ is five) I used to have a career, now I have a few part-time jobs. It works.

3. I don't say anything I don't mean. I started this blog as a way to express myself. I spend most of my days with children and old people and sometimes I just need to talk about how I feel, ya know? Sometimes it might not be pretty (or PG) but it's always the truth and always from my heart.

4. I started working in the food industry when I was 12 and have (mostly) been there ever since. I'm almost sure there isn't a restaurant job I haven't done at least once.

5. I swear too much.

6. I'm addicted to my Blackberry. ("crackberry" thanks, Honey)

7. I have a tendency to believe that the bloggers I read everyday, are really my friends in real life.

8. My hubby loves me, but thinks I'm a nut. And, apparently, he thinks I look like this: (thanks for the ego boost, hon)

Hey CC, need a sidekick? I'll fly over after dinner...

9. My son has autism spectrum disorder and is the funniest person I know.

10. I can't tell if my dog thinks she's a person or a cat.

11. I use a lot of sarcasm. (no, really - a LOT).

12. I try to stay positive. There is no sense in getting mad over something I can't change. That being said, I do have a wicked temper once I get going.

13. I'm a great email friend, but not so good on the phone.

14. I'm a great cook. And I LOVE to create new recipes.

15. I'm occasionally crafty.

16. I have never lost my (having a) baby weight (I know he's five, but that's when it started, so it IS technically baby weight).

17. I read too much (ebooks on my Blackberry)

18. I quit a really great job in Salt Lake City and drug (dragged?) my poor hubby out here to Oregon to care for my 90 yo Grandpa. We lived with him for 4 1/2 years until he died. Miss ya grampa...

19. I got pregnant on my birthday, after 4 years of trying. We blame it on the smurf-blue ice cream cake (thanks Kelli).

20. I have recently become my Gramma's legal guardian. When did I become so responsible one?

21. I.m secretly terrified that I'm dull and boring. Having such a hard time with this list isn't helping that fear...

Ok, lets do some quickies...I'm all about the quicky (maybe that should be #22!)

22. I love Survivor and American Idol (I also have been known to peak at that Bret Michaels Train Wreck Show - I can't help it, don't hate me)

23. I read all the Twilight books (still no hating...) I don't think they were the best things ever, but I was entertained. I am easy, though...

24. I really am easy. Really. Cheap date, cheap drunk, easily entertained...I forgive almost anything, I put up with almost anything, watch almost anything...sad, really.

25. Unless you are a waiter. Holy hell you had better give me good service! And I am picky about restaurant food...

26. I love to be needed. I would give you something of mine that I totally loved if you really needed it.

27. Along those lines - I have a hard time saying no. "yes, Gramma I will drive across town on a Monday night to bring you change for a $5.00, no problem"

28. I was on the rowing team in College and qualified for the Olympic Trials. (didn't go, but I'm still proud I qualified). I do have 7 or 8 gold medals from races I was in.

29. I love camping with my family. We have a whole elaborate kitchen set-up and spend like 60% of our time cooking. If you camp with us, you never go hungry!

30. I drank a gallon of milk every 2 day the last 3 months of my pregnancy.

31. I couldn't eat spicy food before I got pregnant - now I crave it, constantly.

32. Does anyone have a martini? I could really use a martini..just gin and olives, really...

33. Or a mojito? I love mint and lime...

34. I am totally useless when it comes to building things or installing things or any kind of things that involve measuring tapes, levels, screwdrivers or reading instructions...and I've just temporarily escaped hubby who has been holding me hostage in the kitchen trying to install shelves...send help...and liquor...and help with liquor...uh oh - busted.

35. I am no good at pretending I'm interested or listening when I'm not...sorry honey.

Whew - he's off cutting something in the garage - he just can't understand what's taking me so long. I guess I should be grateful he thinks I'm interesting...

36. Hubby likes to tell stories about me making men cry. Many of you just got the complete wrong idea. And in all fairness, I was mean BUT they all clearly deserved what they got...out of the two guys he talks about -the first would not stop grabbing my ass and tried to stick his hand down my shirt. So, yes. I made him cry. With my words. and a pool cue. The second was the contractor that ruined my kitchen the first time through and them tied to make me pay for it. I should not have to explain that one.

37. I personally prefer the stories about running into ex-employess in the bars in Salt Lake and having them brag about how I fired them. What?! They were bragging! No one had hurt feelings, I was a totally fair boss!

38. I love Jason Statham, Jeffrey Donovan and Hugh Laurie (and secretly that Pattinson boy from Twilight is really cute)

39. I have a blue heeler, named River. She is an Australian Cattle Dog. They warn you about cattle dogs and small children because they are herding dogs...

40. I figured, what the heck I could use the help!

41. You should see her pulling AJ across the yard by his pants!

42. We adopted her from a dog rescue and she goes to work with me everyday.

43. I have three part time jobs

44. In the mornings, I run an office for a couple of guys who do insurance adjusting.

45. In the afternoons, I cook, clean and visit an 88 year old mom of one of my bosses. (she lives in assisted living)

46. And sometimes in the evening, I help teach cooking classes at a kitchen store.

47. My husband is nine years younger than I am. Yeah, I said nine...

48. When I found out how old he was, I decided we were NOT going to have a relationship of any kind. 11 years later...

49. My son is cute and very funny. He is five years old and he loves his Mommy and likes to stay up really late (sorry, he made me add that part)

50. I am dumbfounded by the direction my life has taken, but I could not be happier!!

OMG - I just can't do anymore... If I write more there will be no mystery, no intrigue...yep, you guessed it. I can't think of anything else...

Oh wait - the prizes, need to win prizes
me likey...
#4 - tee shirt from tottieBean
#5 - Core Fitness DVD from Busy Mommy
#8 - personalized Labels from Stuck on You
#19 $50 Target GC (no doubt!!) from Shoot me Now
#21 $50 target GC from Agoosa
#27 Diaper cake from Diaper Cakewalk (I gots 2 babyshowers coming up)
#47 green Monkey Headphones from Seccy Mama
#49 Shred DVD - ME WANTS!!!!

USC 50- Queen of the Castle Book - I could use the help (oh boy, could I)
USC 63 - Mommy Cards

Actually any prizes for baby boys - I have two wonderful friends having little boys this summer...

"...the best Mommy I have"

According to my son, that's exactly what I am.

Big vote of confidence, don't you think?

Maybe others are a little more confident in my abilities. (maybe? come on...!)

My friend Lee over at Moms Without Blogs thinks I'm a great mom! In fact, she thinks I'm



What?!?

I think that's exactly what my son's face would look! But, thank you SO very much! You said the nicest things about me and I appreciate it more than I can even tell you...

Whew, two awards in two days - I hardly know what to say...

Oh I know what to say! Crap, I forgot I have to follow the rules...and here they are -

The details of this award dictate that I list ONE thing I do NOT like about myself as a mom and SEVEN things I DO like about myself as a mom. Or something like that.

But, I decided to twist things my own way yet again. Hubby is just sitting here doing nothing(totally critiquing American Idol, don't tell), so let's let him answer...

the bad - "quit cussing so much" Really? That's it? Jesus, like that's frelevant...this from the man that let my FIVE year old watch Gangland on the History Channel the other night and now has been flashing me gang sign (of course I had no clue). Yeah, I swear too much. Dammit.

The Best - "Absolute dedication to the boy, without question." Wow, that was nice. I guess he might be getting a little somthin'-somthin' later...

The Good- "Your patience. I love that you have it cuz I don't" Ain't that the truth! No, kidding, he really does great, but I've had years babysitting servers in restaurants...patience by the bucketful.

The Strange-"the fun things you guys do together, being goofy just laughing having fun... I don't know how to say it..." I call it - the way we sing, the way we dance, the crafts we pull out of my ass - I mean pants!

And Lastly - I was going to leave it at my ass, but he added "I like it that you are a presence at his school. That you hang out with him and all the other kids, that they know your name -that you know what he's doing and who he plays with - that's amazing" Ok, now he's just going for the extra bootie points - that's just ridiculous...

No, that was really nice. So much love around here...just chokes me up *sniff* Don't touch my wine, son-of-a- ! ooops

Now that hard part - passing it on. I'm going to cheat and steal from Lee, she really said it the best -

"And now I am supposed to hand it out to other mamas. Well, come on now - if

you're reading this post, you deserve this award. Plain and simple. If you're a

mama making it through the day and loving your kids inside out, then take this,

it's yours too.

Don't you know that's the point by now?

That you are ALL "Moms of the Year!?"

I certainly hope you know that. But in case you need a little reminding, I'm

reminding you."

Ain't she the best? She knows of which she speaks - so take the award already!!


But there are a couple Ladies who need a personal touch this week...

Rambler I love you, girl and your complete dedication to that beautiful little girl.

Jennifer at Playgroups are not for Children. You are such a great mom...and you give so many of us hope for ourselves.

CC, you constantly inspire me to look outside the box and you give all of us such great ways to connect with our kids and help them learn while having fun with them! You totally rock and you totally have (If Only I had)Superpowers

Oh. Hold on. Wait. Can I give a "Mom of the Year Award" to a dad? I'm sure there is a Dad award out there somewhere, but I think Ryan at Pacing the Panic Room could use a little extra love this week, too. He is a great dad and soon to be a greater dad (the more kids you have the better you are, right?) and I just want to acknowledge that.



NO pressure for anyone to pass this on or anything - just sending some extra love...


ps - taking AJ to dentist tomorrow - wish us luck

My St.Paddy's Bling

AJ made this for me this morning in school. Pretty awesome, no?

He was extremely upset when he found out he was not invited to be in any SPD parades. I did suggest he ask his teacher if he and the other kids could have their own parade.

She loves me, don't ya think?
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Lookie - Lookie, what I gots!

I got some really great comments about my weekend - Thanks y'all...you sure know how to make a girl feel good.

Diane over at Good Mourning, Glory
went one step farther and sent me this great award!




I have seen a lot of different awards passed around, but this one really made me feel wonderful...

"The Love Ya Award goes a little somethin' like this...

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I just love rules, don't you?

There are always rules, of course, but the spirit of this award is really nice.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the outside of the window watching all of you. I feel a little disconnected like I think I know you, but in reality I'm just some strange lady leaving comments on your blogs...

Wait...I am some strange lady, leaving comments...well, you know where I was going with that, right?

Long story gone really long - this award made me feel really good, a part of things.

Thank you, Diane.

So I'm passing it on...

But -

I'm going to break the rules (imagine that!) Sorry Diana, I hope you don't get mad, but here's the deal...All of you that comment here are really, really nice. I have emailed almost all of you and you almost all write me back. I have yet to run into a blogger that hasn't been really nice and really friendly and of course there are a few of you that I "feel" closer to (even if that's all in my head and I'm just a big stalker, I don't care)...

My eventual POINT is that you all deserve this award, please take it and pass it on if you like... you should know how I love you (I will leave more comments, I promise!))

I would like to give all my awardy love to one person in particular. One who won't be able to follow the rules, either (like she would if she could!) My lovely friend B. She doesn't have a blog of her own, she just comes here to give support for mine. She is "exceedingly charming" and is just here for the love (and cheep laughs at my expense). She was my very first internet friend and she gave me the confidence to open myself up to all of you and never be afraid of sharing my heart and swearing in public. If we never meet in person Sweetie, always know that I couldn't love you more if I had known you since gradeschool...You are one awesome girlfriend and one tough chick. Keep on getting better so I can get up there to give you a real hug!

I love you.

Here we go....wheeeee!!

Ok, that was all the excitement and energy I had. Oooff.

It is 8:30 on Friday Morning - do you remember when you were SO happy that it was Friday? What happened to that feeling?
I have a sneaking suspicion it went the way of Happy Hours and sleeping in on Sundays...that often wistfully remembered pre-child weekend. Ahhh, I remember them well.

Hubby left early this morning for his weekend of pool playing. At the beach. Damn him. See, there's the difference. He is staying at a casino, at the beach, for the weekend, playing pool. As fun as that sounds, as crazy as I would get, if it were me - I will bet you $100 the man won't have more than maybe two beers (probably not even that) and if he gambles -$20 max. I don't know how he does it. When I tell people my husband plays pool, well, you can just see the look. I know, he spends his evenings in bars. Me? I'd be coming home loaded every time. Him? Maybe one beer. Maybe. Don't you think that's weird?

He's gone for his fun weekend and I'm home alone with the Terminator. Oh, and guess what? I'm sick. yea. It's just starting and I'm trying like hell to keep it at bay...but it's coming. My throat hurts. My head hurts and my nose is all stuffed up. And yes - I will have some cheese with my whine, Thank you...

What to do with a crazed 5 year old on a rainy weekend alone...
His latest is that he is getting points for every piece of garbage he picks up. Not only is he "saving the earff" he is getting points towards - ...something, I can't remember - passing this chapter, I think. No, I don't know what it means, other than I probably let him play too many games on the computer. Not that I am in any way complaining about saving the earff - I'm all about giving the litterbugs a giant smackdown, I'm all for the "earff". I may just like saying earff...

I did get a note from his school that they want the autism specialist to do (another) in-home evaluation. They are concerned with his inability to completely leave his fantasy world, when he's at school. What that has to do with autism, I have no idea at all. He does seem to be having a lot of issues, lately.

On a separate note, anyone else loving Seether's version of George Micheal's Careless Whisper? Love it. If I knew how to put it on here, I would.



Oh look, I think I did it. Looks like that cold medicine isn't doing the damage I thought it was...

Did I mention I made cookies for my husband to take with him? To the casino? At the beach? Damn, I'm totally jealous, huh? (and who does that? the cookies, I mean? Am I nuts?)
We were gonna go too - but it's so expensive right now. They just laid off a bunch more people at Hubby's work. We are trying not to think about unemployment opportunities...

Of course, here I sit at work, writing my blog! Times are tough everywhere, no?

Hey, did I ever blog about that vibrator I won last month? Oh crap, boss is back...

That's what I'm Talkin' about!!

Sheeeesh - I think Ive finally got it!



I have been blogging about my kitchen, so here are some photos...

The pictures of the copper backsplash didn't come out as well as I had hoped, but you should get an idea.

I'll post more next week when the shelves are up!

What do you think? No one has really seen it yet - I need feedback!

Oooo - shiny...

Random shots of my weekend, as I am too easily distracted to write a real post...

***

TV Announcer: "A good body is a lean, tone, firm body..."

AJ: "A good body is also soft and squishy, Mama." (totally patted my tummy as he said it. He might have added bulgey in there, somewhere. I think I blocked it out)

***

Fortune Cookie - "Every moment of joy comes with a price"

Seriously??!

***

"What is it called when it's sunny and raining and snowing at the same time, Mama?"

"Oregon"

***

Overheard in Ikea

"Do we really need this many shelves for the kitchen? We can't possibly have that much stuff!"

"waaaaaa" "I don't wanna go yet! Go shop some more!"
"(is that our kid yelling)" (of course)

"If I need an ice cream because I'm grumpy - then that lady needs two ice creams"

"Are you actually buying something here, or can you get out of my way?"

"How come everyone is eating meatballs?"

"if it's furnature from Sweden, why is it made in China?"

***

It's only an hour - How come daylight savings gives me a hangover?

***

Why do old ladies have to tell you everything 4 times before they remember they told you already?

***

"I really ate this before? Was I sick?"

***

"Is it American Idol night? Survivor night? Well, can I watch a kids show then? I don't like the other grown up shows."

***

My husband is going out of town this weekend. I'm really looking forward to it. Do you think thats bad?

***

Ok - I have to say this...my hubby can't fix my computer, he doesn't earn a six figure salary, he can't tell me what shoes to wear with my outfit, we can't work my Blackberry

BUT...

The man can install, fix, build, take apart and put back together anything! Almost every piece of this two year kitchen remodel has his fingerprints all over it. He did the electrical, the plumbing, installed the cabinets, the drywall, painted, leveled the floors (90 year old house)and made the butcher block countertops.
I had a little idea about a custom backsplash. He not only loved my idea, but he planned it, built it, installed it and made it look so professional - I get a little tear in my eye when I look at it!

(of course, being a man, he just had to say "now you can cook some good food...")

He's still alive, but limping a little bit... (well, it isn't finished yet!!)

Shove over Sven, that's my lamp thingy!!

I'm going to Ikea, I'm going to Ikea!!

Do you have any idea what I'm talking about? I just assume my shopping addictions are the same as everyone else's...

Ikea is a "store". A 280,000 square foor store with over 10,000 products for your home, 3 model homes, 53 room settings, a (totally cheap) restautrant and supervised childcare. Thats right -I'll say it again...supervised childcare!

Go here - Ikea - and take a look. It's amazing.

I'm packing up the family Saturday morning and driving to Portland. We're making a day of shopping. I'm getting the stuff to finish my kitchen (if it kills me - and it might).

Have I mentioned that we have been remodeling my kitchen for two years now? Yeah, two stinkin' years next month...it's been long and painful, let me tell ya!

We are so close to being done. It has really been just cosmetic work for quite a while, but we have been really hesitant to spend the money to finish. In some ways it's been a really good experience. We have actually done some really cool things that we wouldn't have done, had the remodel gone as planned and been over in 4 months.

Our house was built in the 20's, so we have some interesting quirks. I should really post some before and afters so you can see the "amazing transformation".

The reason I bring this up is because I had an epiphany (bless you - excuse me).

We have been on the 'save a little, buy a little' program and I have had it. I hate it that nothing is finished. it really won't take THAT much to finish and I'm am going to buy it tomorrow, come hell or high water...

(i'm going to Ikea...la la la...)

WTF?

Fighting with son all afternoon...if it's not one thing, it's another...

Everytime I was on the phone - yelling, screaming, throwing things...everything has to be a battle today. Kitchen utensils used to gouge holes in things, chasing the dog with a "sword" bouncing on the furniture...

Final straw, threw a book at the tv.

"Go sit on the stairs"

"No, Mama. No"

"riiight"

Walked over, shut off tv. Grabbed book from hand, placed on top of cabinet, out of reach.

"Now! Go. Sit. On. The. Step."

"Waaaaaaaaaaaa!! You meanie!! I don't like you any more" Runs to step, crying something about bad mommies, DFS and no more kisses.

(phone rings. Husband. Of course) Try to have conversation about why he isn't home, when he's coming home...can't understand a word over the heartbroken sobs...

The crying and moaning and yelling continue through the conversation..Hubby is laughing...damn him...Hang up. (still no idea what's going on)

Two minutes later (tantrums pass quickly around here, we just have extra for impact)

Sigh

Loud sigh

"Mama?"

"Mama. I need to tell you someting.."

"Mama?"

(silence)

"Mama!!!"

(crickets chirping)

"Mama, I'm sorry. Really, really, really sorry..."

(coyote howling in the distance)

(sobbing)"Does this mean you aren't gonna marry me anymore?"

Oh, for Christ's sake...(pardon my french)

"Baby, we talked about this. I'm your Mom, you can't marry me."

"But when I'm as old as you, I can marry you and we'll live together and you can make waffles with whip cream. And you'll alway, always love me."

"ok, I'm not going to argue with you. We'll talk about it when you grow up. You'll change your mind by then and I'll always love you anyway."

"But you'll love me more when you marry me."

Where does he get this stuff?

"we'll talk about it when you're my age."

"But that will take too long. It will take ages and ages and ages...

and ages...

and ages...and..."

I left.

I can hear, from the kitchen...still talking...

"and ages and ages..."

Damn, I'm old.

I need a splint for my tongue

Minds out of the gutter, people!

"Very well, Sir.
Step this way.
We'll find another game to play. "

In honor of the Dr.'s birthday, we read this book 4 times last night.

Four times people!

Have you READ this book? Do you understand the tongue calisthenics involved??
I may need a transplant.
I was too damned tired to even read my own book when we were done, luckily I had Rambler emails to entertain me (Dude, your new page is SO pretty!).

This Little Man's very favorite Dr. Suess book.
He loves the tongue twisters and cheering me on (screaming in my ear) to "read it faster! Faster!" until my poor tongue is in knots and bleeding!

I have to admit to enjoying it too...(in a wincing - I need another week to recover, sorry honey -kind of way)

Something about Dr. Suess books just pull you in, makes you smile and laugh and nod your head to the lessons learned.

They just get to you, ya know?



So here's to you, Dr. Suess...

Where is the love...?

Seriously?!

My very first giveaway? A freebie!

...and only get two people are interested?? Two??? I thought there were at least 5 of you reading.

I'll take pity, anything - this is embarrassing....

I promise not to send leftover spaghetti or old socks...I'll even add two more people if only you would show me some love...

I did say jewelry...and choices...

What's a girl gotta do, offer naked pics?

GIVEAWAY!! (sorta)

Cool, now that I have your attention...

Kidding. It is a giveaway...you just won't know what it is. And I don't know what it is...that's a little weird, huh?


My friend Candace at My Four Sons...and a Husband is having a fun little game on her blog. As I'm the girl that can't stand being left out - I'm playing along...

So,here's how it works..... The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise.
There's a small catch...You knew there would be didn't you? Re-post this on your blog (link to me, naturally), offering to Play it Forward to three of your readers, then come back and let me know you're in. Fun, huh? Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift.

So, my understanding is that since I have now posted, I get a gift from Candace AND I get to make 3 of you gifts...that's pretty cool...

Warning-

I do not knit, sew or crochet. I do bake and I make jewelry and some odd,random crafty crap. What can I say, I'm a little odd.
The winners will be given a couple choices of crazy gifts they could receive...

You totally want to play, don't you??

Well, let's see it! Don't leave me hangin'...

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