Today's Monday Listicle is "10 Things I First Notice about Someone".
I am a people watcher. I so enjoy observing others, and seeing what they do, how they interact, and their choices in personal hygiene. I like to try to figure out their stories, their relationships. I know I'm wrong almost every time, and there is no way to know anyone's story by simply observing them from afar, but I still enjoy doing it.
Oh, the conundrum...
Do I admit to being judgmental and turn you all against me? by saying things like, "I notice if you're wearing pajama pants someplace other than your house. I love to wear pajama pants, seeing as how they're so comfortable and all. However, when you leave the house, GET DRESSED! For the love, it's not that hard to put on a pair of real pants."
Or do I go safe and boring, although sometimes a bit creepy? I always notice people's eyes. That's boring, until I add... Especially one of Phoenix's friends. He has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen, and I just can't take my eyes off of them. Even when I'm watching the boys play in a basketball game, I just look at this kid's eyes. I'm sure the poor boy is completely creeped out by me.
I think I'll go semi-safe. On Thursday, I received a text that read, "Want to go see Tim McGraw tonight? (a friend) backed out at the last minute, so I have an extra ticket."
Will it be way past my bedtime? yes.
Do I even know any Tim McGraw songs? One, I think.
Do I want to go? Heck, ya!
So I went. I gotta tell ya, there is some goooood people watching to be had at a Tim McGraw concert, my friends.
And for the list...
10 Reasons I Noticed People at the Tim McGraw Concert
1. Honey, it looks like you outgrew that outfit when you were 14. How about you head on to the stores and get yourself some clothes that actually cover your assets. And by "assets" I mean your butt and your boobs and your belly. Just to be clear.
2. Sir, if you were with me, I'd pop you. You are really making it hard for your lady to dance with your hand in her back pocket the entire evening.
3. Excuse me, ladies, but there are six of you and one little boy which you seem to be sharing. I'm just dying to know what the situation is. Can you at least tell me which one of you is the mom? Are you all related? Are you sister wives? Why aren't there any men? This boy could grow one of two ways: the best husband in the world, as he knows women, or the worst husband ever, as he's spoiled rotten and would expect it from his wife. Give me just a hint.
4. Ma'am, where are your teeth? Perhaps, instead of splurging on pavilion seats, you could have sat in the grass and used that saved money for some chompers?
5. Older Lady with the outfit my daughter wore when she was 5, I recognize those dance moves. You are a fan of High School Musical, aren't you?
6. Tim, why are you singing a love song with Taylor Swift? You are married to a famous singer. Why not sing it with your wife?
7. People wandering around in the dark, looking for your cars in the humungous grassy parking lot, stinks to be you. Although, it's good for me. You are quite enjoyable to watch.
8. Lady doing her hair after leaving the bathroom stall, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS!!!! And now, as you leave, I will vomit in my mouth.
9. Awww, older couple slow-dancing while everyone is sitting through the third slow song in a row. Many happy years to you!
10. Grumpy boys in yellow "security" polos, um, I can't take you seriously. You are an 18 year old making sure no one stands in the aisle. You are not the secret service guarding the president. Smile a bit. Or at least do something besides grunt. You aren't old enough, nor fit enough, for me to actually trust you if an emergency were to break out. Try to be a bit more polite. I actually have a friend who is a secret service agent guarding the president. He's not as grumpy as you.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
The Pig Saga Continues...
One thing I learned from yesterday: I have marvelously caring friends who get very twitchy when I'm sad. The texts, phone calls, emails, and comments really helped my mood. Thank you. Still sad, but there is nothing I can do in any of the bad news situations except pray and go to a funeral. So I will.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program...
I suggest you listen to our new theme song while reading this post.
Throughout this entire pig ordeal, I have learned and done more things than I ever could have imagined. If I were to write it all out, it would take me days to tell the whole story. I'll just give you the highlights.
(If I knew how to make a button, this is where it would be. And it would say "118* things I learned about vets, pigs, pig maladies, and what to do about them.")
1. There is only one vet in our area that deals with swine.
2. Swine is the official term for pigs.
3. Vets will not do fecal tests on animals they have not seen before.
4. It is best to figure this out before collecting, double-bagging, and driving fecal samples to the vet's office.
12. A 75 pound dead pig is much easier to drag to the back field than a 200 pound pig.
13. Children still find dead pigs fascinating.
14. When you dispose of a 200 pound dead pig in the back field, the imprint in the field is still there a year later.
5. Human's can get the same illness as a pig.
6. When a person thinks she is dying from the same thing that killed her pig, she just might panic.
7. And send out texts similar to this:
8. And call her husband, mom, and sister-in-law to discuss the situation.
9. When a person is dying, there is no such thing as TMI.
10. People tend to laugh when told the pigs and their owner have the same "bathroom issues".
11. It's still not funny.
15. The one swine vet may not actually exist. I have yet to hear from or see him.
16. When a pig dies and a vet chooses not to come or even call, sister-in-law vet techs get anxious and suggest completely crazy things to try.
14. I tend to ignore crazy ideas.
15. Sister-in-law vet techs don't like to be ignored and will just show up at your door, even if they live 2 hours away.
16. She will have a couple bags full of medicines, needles, and syringes.
17. A rope is very handy when trying to catch an uncooperative pig.
18. Sister-in-law and I need to take lasso lessons.
19. When a pig is finally caught with a rope in the most difficult way possible, he will squeal, kick, bite, spin around, run, and put up quite a fuss.
20. Sister-in-law vet techs are strong!
21. And just as stubborn as a pig.
22. It is important to be quick when injecting an uncooperative pig.
22. I am a rock star when it comes to giving a pig multiple injections.
23. No, sister-in-law wasn't just saying that.
24. A pig should only receive 5ml of lincomix in one injection site, even if he needs 10ml. You need to stick him twice.
25. If you only want to give a pig 5ml of meds at a time, don't put 10 in the syringe.
26. A pig who has been given 10 ml of lincomix in one shot will live, but he will have one heck of a painful bump at the injection site.
27. If your pig has diarrhea, it's a good sign, as that can be fixed.
28. If a human has diarrhea, it's not good in any way, shape, or form.
29. Catching and injecting meds into pigs is a great way to bond with your sister-in-law.
30. You may even end up with your own secret-meaning handshake.
31. And promises to always call the other when a farm animal is sick and in need of a shot.
31. When a pig has diarrhea, electrolytes are very helpful in warding off dehydration.
32. Electrolytes taste nasty.
33. So I've been told.
33. Add sugar to the electrolyte/water mix and the pigs will drink every drop.
34. I just might become a real farmer after all.
35. Once I actually get through this little bout of assumed salmonella.
*I have no idea how many things I learned. I got tired of going back and changing the numbers each time I thought to add a point or rearrange the order. Thus the completely wacky numbering we have going on.
Because of the number of needles being thrown around, the amount of mud in the pen after 5 hours of rain, and the incredible tantrums thrown by the pigs, I didn't let any kids in to take photos. You're going to have to live with drawings.
Times three.
This morning, the three pigs are still alive.
It's been raining for hours and hours, so the pen is just a pit of deep mud. The pigs have the small barn area to stay dry, so I can't get a good read on how active they are.
I'll keep you posted.
Have a lovely day!
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program...
I suggest you listen to our new theme song while reading this post.
Throughout this entire pig ordeal, I have learned and done more things than I ever could have imagined. If I were to write it all out, it would take me days to tell the whole story. I'll just give you the highlights.
(If I knew how to make a button, this is where it would be. And it would say "118* things I learned about vets, pigs, pig maladies, and what to do about them.")
1. There is only one vet in our area that deals with swine.
2. Swine is the official term for pigs.
3. Vets will not do fecal tests on animals they have not seen before.
4. It is best to figure this out before collecting, double-bagging, and driving fecal samples to the vet's office.
12. A 75 pound dead pig is much easier to drag to the back field than a 200 pound pig.
13. Children still find dead pigs fascinating.
14. When you dispose of a 200 pound dead pig in the back field, the imprint in the field is still there a year later.
5. Human's can get the same illness as a pig.
6. When a person thinks she is dying from the same thing that killed her pig, she just might panic.
7. And send out texts similar to this:
8. And call her husband, mom, and sister-in-law to discuss the situation.
9. When a person is dying, there is no such thing as TMI.
10. People tend to laugh when told the pigs and their owner have the same "bathroom issues".
11. It's still not funny.
15. The one swine vet may not actually exist. I have yet to hear from or see him.
16. When a pig dies and a vet chooses not to come or even call, sister-in-law vet techs get anxious and suggest completely crazy things to try.
14. I tend to ignore crazy ideas.
15. Sister-in-law vet techs don't like to be ignored and will just show up at your door, even if they live 2 hours away.
16. She will have a couple bags full of medicines, needles, and syringes.
17. A rope is very handy when trying to catch an uncooperative pig.
18. Sister-in-law and I need to take lasso lessons.
19. When a pig is finally caught with a rope in the most difficult way possible, he will squeal, kick, bite, spin around, run, and put up quite a fuss.
20. Sister-in-law vet techs are strong!
21. And just as stubborn as a pig.
22. It is important to be quick when injecting an uncooperative pig.
22. I am a rock star when it comes to giving a pig multiple injections.
23. No, sister-in-law wasn't just saying that.
24. A pig should only receive 5ml of lincomix in one injection site, even if he needs 10ml. You need to stick him twice.
25. If you only want to give a pig 5ml of meds at a time, don't put 10 in the syringe.
26. A pig who has been given 10 ml of lincomix in one shot will live, but he will have one heck of a painful bump at the injection site.
27. If your pig has diarrhea, it's a good sign, as that can be fixed.
28. If a human has diarrhea, it's not good in any way, shape, or form.
29. Catching and injecting meds into pigs is a great way to bond with your sister-in-law.
30. You may even end up with your own secret-meaning handshake.
31. And promises to always call the other when a farm animal is sick and in need of a shot.
31. When a pig has diarrhea, electrolytes are very helpful in warding off dehydration.
32. Electrolytes taste nasty.
33. So I've been told.
33. Add sugar to the electrolyte/water mix and the pigs will drink every drop.
34. I just might become a real farmer after all.
35. Once I actually get through this little bout of assumed salmonella.
*I have no idea how many things I learned. I got tired of going back and changing the numbers each time I thought to add a point or rearrange the order. Thus the completely wacky numbering we have going on.
Because of the number of needles being thrown around, the amount of mud in the pen after 5 hours of rain, and the incredible tantrums thrown by the pigs, I didn't let any kids in to take photos. You're going to have to live with drawings.
Times three.
This morning, the three pigs are still alive.
It's been raining for hours and hours, so the pen is just a pit of deep mud. The pigs have the small barn area to stay dry, so I can't get a good read on how active they are.
I'll keep you posted.
Have a lovely day!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Saddness Rules the Day Today
We interrupt our regularly scheduled pig post to tell you I ain't feeling it.
I have tried so hard to stay positive this week, but bad news has been hitting me from every side. Today, the worst blow of the week came. I'm not going to list it all here, seeing as how I don't want you to be brought down into my sadness. (And because the news is not public information) I called my one super good friend, who I haven't talked to in 2 weeks, to tell her we couldn't come to her son's graduation party after all, and the floodgates opened. Within 2 minutes of her answering the phone, we were both sobbing messes of snot and tears.
She thanked me profusely.
I told her she really needed to talk to me more often if she didn't want to hear everything in one sitting.
And then my SIL texted to see how the pigs were doing. I called her to say I don't give a damn anymore about the stupid pigs, seeing as how all these other worse things are happening, and she said, "I have my shoes on and my hair is already done. I'll be there in 2 hours."
I told her, "No, you don't have to do that. You have your own farm and kids and life stuff to do."
Know what she said?
"I know we aren't sisters by blood, but I love you dearly, as if you were. This is not a pity visit. This is a sister emergency visit. You have an incredible amount on your shoulders right now, and I'm going to help. I may not be able to do more than stand by you while we watch all the pigs die, but I'll be there."
And so, even in my pit of utter sadness, Positive is fighting for a place in my day.
*So as not to scare you all, nothing has happened to me, my husband, or my children. They are all healthy and fine. A bit sad, (I have only told them bits of the bad news from the week.) but fine.
I have tried so hard to stay positive this week, but bad news has been hitting me from every side. Today, the worst blow of the week came. I'm not going to list it all here, seeing as how I don't want you to be brought down into my sadness. (And because the news is not public information) I called my one super good friend, who I haven't talked to in 2 weeks, to tell her we couldn't come to her son's graduation party after all, and the floodgates opened. Within 2 minutes of her answering the phone, we were both sobbing messes of snot and tears.
She thanked me profusely.
I told her she really needed to talk to me more often if she didn't want to hear everything in one sitting.
And then my SIL texted to see how the pigs were doing. I called her to say I don't give a damn anymore about the stupid pigs, seeing as how all these other worse things are happening, and she said, "I have my shoes on and my hair is already done. I'll be there in 2 hours."
I told her, "No, you don't have to do that. You have your own farm and kids and life stuff to do."
Know what she said?
"I know we aren't sisters by blood, but I love you dearly, as if you were. This is not a pity visit. This is a sister emergency visit. You have an incredible amount on your shoulders right now, and I'm going to help. I may not be able to do more than stand by you while we watch all the pigs die, but I'll be there."
And so, even in my pit of utter sadness, Positive is fighting for a place in my day.
*So as not to scare you all, nothing has happened to me, my husband, or my children. They are all healthy and fine. A bit sad, (I have only told them bits of the bad news from the week.) but fine.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Pig Drama, Part One
I have a favor to ask all of you.
Please, please post more. A constant stream of posts would be extremely helpful.
See, I'm trying very hard to live in a state of denial, but it's hard, when I can't live vicariously through you all.
We have what can only be called a situohmylandswhosaidweshouldraisepigsation.
We noticed on Tuesday, because we aren't quick, that one of the pigs was looking quite skinny and wasn't eating. I googled, "why won't my pig eat?" and got an eyeful of horrible options.
I went out to the pen to make darn sure the pig was sick. Yep, sick. Getting worse by the minute.
I called my sister-in-law, who is a trained vet tech. (The one with the lambs.)
Me: My pig is sick. I know there are a couple of possible reasons. My thought is to treat them for the one, as it won't do it any harm, because the other will kill him no matter what I do.
SIL: Agreed. This is what you need to do. Go to Tractor Supply and buy LA200 (an antibiotic), a 12cc syringe, and a 16 gauge, 1 in. needle. Actually, buy lots of needles.
Me: You're going to tell me I need to give this pig a shot, aren't you? You realize I've never given anyone or anything a shot before. I'm not really a farmer.
SIL: One of you will need to sit on the pig to hold it down. The one giving the shot should sit on its head.
Me: (a bit of a squeak)
SIL: Because you eat the pigs, you have to put the shot in a place where you won't be eating the meat, which is in his neck. Below the ear, between his jowl and shoulder.
Me: You have got to be kidding me.
SIL: No, I'm not. The pig will struggle, and when you stick it, he will really start kicking. That's why I had you buy extra needles. Since this is your first time, you will probably break a few off.
Me:
SIL: Good luck. Keep me posted. I fully expect a blog post with pictures at the end of this.
Me:
I then called my mom.
Me: I have to give a pig a shot in the neck. Sitting on the pig will be important.
Mom: Hahahaha!
Me: Oh, and I will probably have to do it multiple times, seeing as how when he flails around, I will break needles. I can't get the image of an acupunctured pig running around the pen out of my head.
Mom: Hahahahahha! (snort) (breathless) Stop. I'm sorry. Picturing this whole thing and the many ways it could go makes me laugh. It's sad. Poor pig. But, hahahahahahaha!
Me:
So, when the Hubs got home, we headed to the pen. The biggest problem was getting the other pigs to stay away from us. Every time I knelt down next to the sick one, they were all over me.
Hubby thought he could help by holding them off.
Besides the fact that he couldn't possible keep 3 pigs away, and he kept scaring the sick one, who would then get up and move, I couldn't very well sit on it's body and head at the same time.
We spent 5 minutes getting the pigs shut up in the barn. With me. Which means Hubby had to move the "extra precautions" in order to get me out of the barn.
THEN we were ready to take care of the sick pig.
Honestly, all that activity had worn the poor thing out. No sitting on the pig was required. Hubby held him, just in case, but I gave it the shot without a flinch from the pig.
Not a good sign.
If the meds were going to work, they would do so within 24 hours.
I went to bed fully expecting to have to dispose of a dead pig, and thoughts of the other pigs in my head.
Have the other's been eating?
Are they seeming a bit less peppy?
Did that one urinate or was it diarrhea? (no joke. I caught the sight out of the corner of my eye when with the sick pig.)
Have a better day than me!
Please, please post more. A constant stream of posts would be extremely helpful.
See, I'm trying very hard to live in a state of denial, but it's hard, when I can't live vicariously through you all.
We have what can only be called a situohmylandswhosaidweshouldraisepigsation.
We noticed on Tuesday, because we aren't quick, that one of the pigs was looking quite skinny and wasn't eating. I googled, "why won't my pig eat?" and got an eyeful of horrible options.
I went out to the pen to make darn sure the pig was sick. Yep, sick. Getting worse by the minute.
I called my sister-in-law, who is a trained vet tech. (The one with the lambs.)
Me: My pig is sick. I know there are a couple of possible reasons. My thought is to treat them for the one, as it won't do it any harm, because the other will kill him no matter what I do.
SIL: Agreed. This is what you need to do. Go to Tractor Supply and buy LA200 (an antibiotic), a 12cc syringe, and a 16 gauge, 1 in. needle. Actually, buy lots of needles.
Me: You're going to tell me I need to give this pig a shot, aren't you? You realize I've never given anyone or anything a shot before. I'm not really a farmer.
SIL: One of you will need to sit on the pig to hold it down. The one giving the shot should sit on its head.
Me: (a bit of a squeak)
SIL: Because you eat the pigs, you have to put the shot in a place where you won't be eating the meat, which is in his neck. Below the ear, between his jowl and shoulder.
Me: You have got to be kidding me.
SIL: No, I'm not. The pig will struggle, and when you stick it, he will really start kicking. That's why I had you buy extra needles. Since this is your first time, you will probably break a few off.
Me:
SIL: Good luck. Keep me posted. I fully expect a blog post with pictures at the end of this.
Me:
I then called my mom.
Me: I have to give a pig a shot in the neck. Sitting on the pig will be important.
Mom: Hahahaha!
Me: Oh, and I will probably have to do it multiple times, seeing as how when he flails around, I will break needles. I can't get the image of an acupunctured pig running around the pen out of my head.
Mom: Hahahahahha! (snort) (breathless) Stop. I'm sorry. Picturing this whole thing and the many ways it could go makes me laugh. It's sad. Poor pig. But, hahahahahahaha!
Me:
So, when the Hubs got home, we headed to the pen. The biggest problem was getting the other pigs to stay away from us. Every time I knelt down next to the sick one, they were all over me.
Hubby thought he could help by holding them off.
Besides the fact that he couldn't possible keep 3 pigs away, and he kept scaring the sick one, who would then get up and move, I couldn't very well sit on it's body and head at the same time.
We spent 5 minutes getting the pigs shut up in the barn. With me. Which means Hubby had to move the "extra precautions" in order to get me out of the barn.
THEN we were ready to take care of the sick pig.
Honestly, all that activity had worn the poor thing out. No sitting on the pig was required. Hubby held him, just in case, but I gave it the shot without a flinch from the pig.
Not a good sign.
If the meds were going to work, they would do so within 24 hours.
I went to bed fully expecting to have to dispose of a dead pig, and thoughts of the other pigs in my head.
Have the other's been eating?
Are they seeming a bit less peppy?
Did that one urinate or was it diarrhea? (no joke. I caught the sight out of the corner of my eye when with the sick pig.)
Have a better day than me!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Nearly Wordless Wednesday - Graduation
Because if I use too many words, I'll cry.
It's all about Phoenix today.
Do not be deceived by the photo. I'm in high heels. He's really tall.
Have a lovely day!
It's all about Phoenix today.
 |
| first day of kindergarten |
 |
| 1st grade - A friend of mine happened to be in the school, came out of the room, and saw this. Phoenix is the one on his knees, helping the other boy with his shoe. |
 |
| 2nd grade - First Communion |
 |
| 3rd grade - One and only year of playing football. On his helmet, you can see his team nickname - "Bones". Still fits. |
 |
| 5th grade - Wax Museum - He went as Jesse Owens. |
 |
| 6th grade - jack-o-lantern decorating contest at school |
 |
| 7th grade - Boy Scout trip out west (with original Mt. Rushmore driller) |
 |
| 8th grade - High School Musical performance as Jack Scott |
 |
| Ten minutes after graduation. He's a high schooler now! |
Have a lovely day!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Monday Listicles: It's a Celebration!
A number is completely relative. If simply given the number 100, a person cannot say with confidence, "It is a large number."
If you're talking about the number of dollars you have in the bank, an adult may cry from the smallness of it.
If you're talking about degrees, a child may cry from the It's So Stinkin' Hotness of it.
100 cookies would be considered excessive.
100 Legos wouldn't be enough to make a good house, let alone a good castle.
100 words in a post would be unheard of/impossible for most of us.
100 Listicles would seem unreachable.
BUT...
Stasha has done it! Today is the 100th Monday Listicle! In celebration, our topic is "Why Listicles are Great (or anything else you fancy)".
Well, I only have three reasons for why Listicles are great:
1. Funny, funny people link up each week, and it's always good to start a week with some belly laughing.
2. The topics are great jumping-off points to test my own creativity.
3. The writing of my Listicle and the reading of other Listicles are great excuses for procrastinating and avoiding my chores.
I am a great procrastinator. I have no trouble coming up with something to do besides what I should be doing. So, I'm going to take Door #2 and make a list of "anything else I fancy" while I put off cleaning and getting graduation decorations ready.
10 Ways to Get Out of Doing Yard Work, Even When Your Yard Looks Like an Abandoned Property and Your House Looks Like It Was Taken Over By Homeless Squatters.
(aka What We Did This Weekend)
1. Avoid the mower for a whole week, so when the grass/weeds are really long and it's time to mow, the mower's battery will be dead. It takes an entire day to charge, and there isn't a darn thing you can do about it.
2. Attend every single party to which you were invited (including the 8th grade picnic on the last day of school) even if it means you will talk to the same exact people at every single one.
3. Have a yummy dessert disguised as breakfast at a restaurant, because, Hey! I have a 10% off coupon!
3. Hold a butterfly at the zoo's butterfly exhibit.
5. Or not.
6. Take a nice, long walk along the canal, because the big honkin' van you drive doesn't fit in any of the downtown parking garages.
7. Visit with baby ducklings.
8. Make fun of the city which thought it necessary to engrave "NO SWIMMING" in the canal ledge. At least until you remember there is such a thing as a "bike bar" in which people pedal a four-person bike while sitting at a stocked bar. No doubt, some drunkard has taken a dip in that nasty water.
9. Go to a parade, and not just because you feel guilty about never taking your youngest children to a hometown parade..
10. Simultaneously pity and laugh at filthy rich people who have technical difficulties when they believe They: Indy500 Parade :: Santa: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.*
Now, go congratulate Stasha and see what others have to say!
*After that example of my analogy-writing capabilities, you probably think I rocked the analogy questions of standardized tests. You would be wrong.
** Why yes, we do have six children. Phoenix and Star aren't in the photos because they left the house at 7:00am to work at the parade with other Boy Scouts.
Have a lovely day!
If you're talking about the number of dollars you have in the bank, an adult may cry from the smallness of it.
If you're talking about degrees, a child may cry from the It's So Stinkin' Hotness of it.
100 cookies would be considered excessive.
100 Legos wouldn't be enough to make a good house, let alone a good castle.
100 words in a post would be unheard of/impossible for most of us.
100 Listicles would seem unreachable.
BUT...
Stasha has done it! Today is the 100th Monday Listicle! In celebration, our topic is "Why Listicles are Great (or anything else you fancy)".
Well, I only have three reasons for why Listicles are great:
1. Funny, funny people link up each week, and it's always good to start a week with some belly laughing.
2. The topics are great jumping-off points to test my own creativity.
3. The writing of my Listicle and the reading of other Listicles are great excuses for procrastinating and avoiding my chores.
I am a great procrastinator. I have no trouble coming up with something to do besides what I should be doing. So, I'm going to take Door #2 and make a list of "anything else I fancy" while I put off cleaning and getting graduation decorations ready.
10 Ways to Get Out of Doing Yard Work, Even When Your Yard Looks Like an Abandoned Property and Your House Looks Like It Was Taken Over By Homeless Squatters.
(aka What We Did This Weekend)
1. Avoid the mower for a whole week, so when the grass/weeds are really long and it's time to mow, the mower's battery will be dead. It takes an entire day to charge, and there isn't a darn thing you can do about it.
2. Attend every single party to which you were invited (including the 8th grade picnic on the last day of school) even if it means you will talk to the same exact people at every single one.
 |
| And you'll get to take boring photos of kids signing each other's shirts, but unexpectedly get a shot of a basketball which looks like it's going to have a direct hit with your oldest's head. |
3. Have a yummy dessert disguised as breakfast at a restaurant, because, Hey! I have a 10% off coupon!
 |
| Chocolate Cheesecake Pancakes with a side of butter. I talked him out of the Oreo Cheesecake pancakes with the logic that the Oreos would be too unhealthy. |
5. Or not.
6. Take a nice, long walk along the canal, because the big honkin' van you drive doesn't fit in any of the downtown parking garages.
7. Visit with baby ducklings.
8. Make fun of the city which thought it necessary to engrave "NO SWIMMING" in the canal ledge. At least until you remember there is such a thing as a "bike bar" in which people pedal a four-person bike while sitting at a stocked bar. No doubt, some drunkard has taken a dip in that nasty water.
 |
| I wish I could show you a photo of the bike bar, but sadly, we didn't see it on Saturday, and we haven't done it yet. Have patience. The day will come. |
 |
| He waved to everyone/thing that passed by and stood up for every single flag. Even the checkered "Indy500" flags. |
10. Simultaneously pity and laugh at filthy rich people who have technical difficulties when they believe They: Indy500 Parade :: Santa: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.*
 |
| The parade came to a screeching halt for about five minutes because of this fiasco. The owners of the actual Speedway track where the 500 is raced brought up the rear of the parade in three classic cars. The first car broke down right in front of us. The heads of the family were moved to another car, and the lower-ranked persons were forced to hoof it for the rest of the parade. One went off into the crowd in a bit of a snit, while two actually ran behind the cars, dressed in their dress clothes and shoes. I would have felt bad if it weren't so darn funny to watch. |
*After that example of my analogy-writing capabilities, you probably think I rocked the analogy questions of standardized tests. You would be wrong.
** Why yes, we do have six children. Phoenix and Star aren't in the photos because they left the house at 7:00am to work at the parade with other Boy Scouts.
Have a lovely day!
Friday, May 24, 2013
TGIF! It's 7QT and FTSF!
Six super quick takes and one not so much quick as it is FTSF long take today.
As of this morning, we still have four live pigs in their pen. That right there makes it a good day.
I am done scrubbing my kitchen floor. It just isn't worth it.
It was looking all shiny and lovely. The wood had a marvelous glow about it. As I walked through the kitchen with my breakfast dishes, the salt shaker saw the sparkle and flung itself off the plate and onto the floor in a shower of glittery graininess . I vacuumed it all up, then went to put the salt shaker back in the cupboard. Wouldn't you know, the shaker was hiding some more ammo. It unleashed the hidden salt all over the floor, the stove top, and the vent hood.
I don't care who you are, you're gonna be cussing after that.
Driving toward the north on Wednesday, I was a bit disconcerted to see this in front of me.
Yes, a foot. Hanging out the window.
I was even more worried when we passed this vehicle and all I saw was an ugly hairy leg attached to that foot. There is a slight possibility his foot wasn't the only thing hanging out where it shouldn't have been hanging.
Ten minutes later, this:
We were going 65 miles per hour when Buttercup took this photo. 55 in the above photo.
Honestly, People, your vehicle is not your living room. Your driver's seat is not a LazyBoy recliner. Get your feet down and take driving seriously!
If you ever find yourself at a play date with a bunch of friends and their little girls, and your "free and a half" year old boy says, "I want to wear a pretty dress," for the love, let him wear a pretty dress.
Wings and Santa hat optional.
After nine years, we have reached the end.
It is the last day of school for Phoenix.
Never again will he drive to school with his dad and three siblings.
Never again will he come out of this school at pick-up time.
If you see me, don't mind the tears.
I can't seem to get rid of them these days.
Here he is. My big, almost high schooler.
Don't worry, there will be a great, big, sappy post all about him on Graduation Day.
Me, too.
************* 7 ************
It is Friday, so that means it is FTSF! This week, our prompt is I blog because...
That's easy.
I blog because it's fun.
I used to think I wanted to write a book and get it published. I've written several picture books and started several memoir-type books and left them sit to rot.
I've realized that I actually don't want to write a book.
I just want to write. Books are too much pressure and not enough fun.
I enjoy the creativity of writing.
I enjoy getting a chuckle or two out of people.
I enjoy sharing the things I've learned in these many years of parenting.
I enjoy figuring out the best way to present an idea.
I enjoy finding interesting or unexpected combinations of words.
I also enjoy reading other people's blogs. Besides the fact I have met some wonderful people I now call friends, I have learned.
Blogs give me the chance to read about a wide variety of people. Their lifestyles. Their experiences. Their points of view.
People are often much more open in their blogs than they are in their real life relationships. I get to see what is going on in their minds and learn so many things. And by knowing this, I can take the information into my real life interactions. For example, I know (in passing) a few families with children who have Autism. I would never be able to have long conversations with these families to find out what their struggles are, what they want from other people, what their children are capable of. However, I read a couple of blogs written by women who have Autistic children. By reading of their struggles, of their triumphs, of their children, I learn a bit about all children with special needs. I am able to be more compassionate without being condescending. I am able to be more comfortable in situations where the child's behavior might otherwise seem odd to me. I am able to support that mom in a way I couldn't before.
Blogging also makes me think in other ways. When writing, I am robbed of my usual storytelling/speaking tools. You can't see my facial expressions. You can't hear the tone of my voice. You can't see the arm flails and the full-body spasms that sometimes come into play during an exceptionally good story.
When writing, I have only my words. I have to figure out a way to get my feelings across. When writing a story about a dead pig, I have to find a way to make it funny. When writing about sensitive topics, I have to choose my words carefully so as to not offend people. (Discussion can't happen if the person leaves in a huff because of my inconsiderateness.) When writing about other people, I have to do it without hurting their feelings or embarrassing them.
When I began blogging, I never would have guessed how much I would enjoy it.
I blog because it's fun.
(And I get to use parentheses.)
Have a lovely day!
********** 1 *************
As of this morning, we still have four live pigs in their pen. That right there makes it a good day.
********** 2 **********
I am done scrubbing my kitchen floor. It just isn't worth it.
It was looking all shiny and lovely. The wood had a marvelous glow about it. As I walked through the kitchen with my breakfast dishes, the salt shaker saw the sparkle and flung itself off the plate and onto the floor in a shower of glittery graininess . I vacuumed it all up, then went to put the salt shaker back in the cupboard. Wouldn't you know, the shaker was hiding some more ammo. It unleashed the hidden salt all over the floor, the stove top, and the vent hood.
I don't care who you are, you're gonna be cussing after that.
*********** 3 **********
Driving toward the north on Wednesday, I was a bit disconcerted to see this in front of me.
Yes, a foot. Hanging out the window.
I was even more worried when we passed this vehicle and all I saw was an ugly hairy leg attached to that foot. There is a slight possibility his foot wasn't the only thing hanging out where it shouldn't have been hanging.
Ten minutes later, this:
We were going 65 miles per hour when Buttercup took this photo. 55 in the above photo.
Honestly, People, your vehicle is not your living room. Your driver's seat is not a LazyBoy recliner. Get your feet down and take driving seriously!
********** 4 ************
If you ever find yourself at a play date with a bunch of friends and their little girls, and your "free and a half" year old boy says, "I want to wear a pretty dress," for the love, let him wear a pretty dress.
Wings and Santa hat optional.
************* 5 **********
After nine years, we have reached the end.
It is the last day of school for Phoenix.
Never again will he drive to school with his dad and three siblings.
Never again will he come out of this school at pick-up time.
If you see me, don't mind the tears.
I can't seem to get rid of them these days.
Here he is. My big, almost high schooler.
Don't worry, there will be a great, big, sappy post all about him on Graduation Day.
************** 6 ***********
Ever have that "I always feel like (pause for the beat) somebody's watching me" feeling?
Me, too.
************* 7 ************
It is Friday, so that means it is FTSF! This week, our prompt is I blog because...
That's easy.
I blog because it's fun.
I used to think I wanted to write a book and get it published. I've written several picture books and started several memoir-type books and left them sit to rot.
I've realized that I actually don't want to write a book.
I just want to write. Books are too much pressure and not enough fun.
I enjoy the creativity of writing.
I enjoy getting a chuckle or two out of people.
I enjoy sharing the things I've learned in these many years of parenting.
I enjoy figuring out the best way to present an idea.
I enjoy finding interesting or unexpected combinations of words.
I also enjoy reading other people's blogs. Besides the fact I have met some wonderful people I now call friends, I have learned.
Blogs give me the chance to read about a wide variety of people. Their lifestyles. Their experiences. Their points of view.
People are often much more open in their blogs than they are in their real life relationships. I get to see what is going on in their minds and learn so many things. And by knowing this, I can take the information into my real life interactions. For example, I know (in passing) a few families with children who have Autism. I would never be able to have long conversations with these families to find out what their struggles are, what they want from other people, what their children are capable of. However, I read a couple of blogs written by women who have Autistic children. By reading of their struggles, of their triumphs, of their children, I learn a bit about all children with special needs. I am able to be more compassionate without being condescending. I am able to be more comfortable in situations where the child's behavior might otherwise seem odd to me. I am able to support that mom in a way I couldn't before.
Blogging also makes me think in other ways. When writing, I am robbed of my usual storytelling/speaking tools. You can't see my facial expressions. You can't hear the tone of my voice. You can't see the arm flails and the full-body spasms that sometimes come into play during an exceptionally good story.
When writing, I have only my words. I have to figure out a way to get my feelings across. When writing a story about a dead pig, I have to find a way to make it funny. When writing about sensitive topics, I have to choose my words carefully so as to not offend people. (Discussion can't happen if the person leaves in a huff because of my inconsiderateness.) When writing about other people, I have to do it without hurting their feelings or embarrassing them.
When I began blogging, I never would have guessed how much I would enjoy it.
I blog because it's fun.
(And I get to use parentheses.)
Have a lovely day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)