German Pancakes

4 Eggs
3/4 C Milk
3/4 C Flour
1/4 C Sugar
1/4 - 1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla
3/4 Butter - melt in 9x13 pan

Mix all ingredients and beat together until fluffy. Bake in 9x13 pan at 400 for 30 minutes or until puffy. Serve with syrup, warm jam or powder sugar and fresh fruit.

Sometimes I find myself sitting at the computer trying to find something amazingly witty and insightful to write.

I'll sit and wait and wait and sit; then the idea comes.

I start typing only to strike out that and delete this and edit that... and then suddenly?  There is nothing left on the screen.

 I tap my nose, squint my eyes and look heavenward, calling out to that magical writing muse to download something hilarious or deeply insightful to my brain.

I wait.

I ponder.

I look at other people's blogs.

And then it happens.


An idea starts to formulate and I start writing again.  But, Moxie starts crying and the dog is running around like a freak-a-zoid. So I tend to Moxie, put the crazy dog out and make Thing 3 another sandwich. When I am finally able to sit back down to the computer, do you know what happened? My amazingly hilarious and deeply insightful post has flown south for the winter. I cannot remember where I was going with what I was writing.

Toss it into the draft pile.

I start again.

I tap my nose (which is what you do when you are thinking deeply) and squint my eyes some more and call out a little louder for the magical writing muse to download something else wonderful. I wait. I sit. I surf. I eat some candy and drink my diet coke and then, like magic…

Brilliance! Sheer brilliance is downloaded into my brain! The process starts all over again of writing this and striking out that and deleting this paragraph and editing that.

Then the phone rings.

Thing 1 forgot her money and if I do not bring her something, like RIGHT NOW! She will surely die before she gets home in another 3 hours. DIE. She said die. So I push save and deliver the money to the dying child.

While I'm out, I remember that I needed to take the stuff in the trunk back to Kohls; get the tires balanced; pick up a birthday present; buy the stuff to make a salad for a church party; get some more paint rollers; go to the Good Will to get another pair of jeans for painting in—since the ones I have been using now have paint hand prints on my rear AND 2 giants holes in the knees; Change the baby's diaper, make dinner and walk the dumb dog.

Whew.

I'm tired.

When I get home and pull up the amazingly funny and insightful post that the magical writing muse has downloaded to my brain, this is all that was left:


Huh.

I have no idea where I was going with that little phrase or even where there was.

I decide to try one more time.

I tap my nose vigorously and squint my eyes, looking heavenward I yell:

"Oh Mighty Magical Writing Muse! I petition you one more time! Please, for the love of all that's holy, tell me where the bah-da-bah-da bing hubba hubba ding ding was going?"

Silence!

There is nothing but very loud silence.

I think my muse went on a freaking coffee break and forgot to come back.

Stupid magical writing muse.

So, here's my amazingly funny and deeply insightful post.

Or at least what was left after all the editing, the chores and the stupid magical writing muse went on her never-ending coffee break..
*pulled from the archives

That's a long time.

I graduated from High School over Twenty Years Ago.

I remember sitting at the school, waiting for a ride home and my neighbor showed up to pick up her child and offered me a ride home too. Playing on the radio was today's song. She was singing her heart out, at the very top of her lungs and got really emotional.

I remember she looked me right in the eyes and said: "This song nails it on the head! It really was easier 20 years ago!"

I remember being a little shocked. I thought for sure this meant she hated her life, and was offering me some kind of "confession".

Now that I am looking back, I don't think she was making any sort of confession to me that she regretted her choices. I think she was just telling me that it was easier when you are young. When you have no one's lives depending on you.

I agree. It really was easier twenty years ago. As I sit and sing this song, I understand it better.

I grew up in this town-- the town I call my home. I remember what it was like twenty years ago.

I remember the drug store where we could ride our bikes to and buy penny candy. It's closed.

I remember when 7-11 came and all the grown ups were angry because it brought with it "those types of people". We now have two.

I remember the pizza place we used to hang out on Friday nights, drinking sarsaparilla. It's closed. And, I remember the old high school, the old football field, and Friday Night Games. It's gone.

Those really were the days.

If I could go back would I change anything?

Sure. But not many things.

I would just do them better. I would be a better student, a better friend. I would be a better daughter and I would be a better sister. I would just do things better. BE better.

I would not change the way my life has evolved one little bit.

My choices have led me on a wonderful journey. I have learned many things and I would never change that, because to do so would rob me of who I am now.

I like me -- now.

I love the lessons my life has given me. I wouldn't change where I am today one little bit. I am in a good place.

But if I could go back, I would tell myself to be better and to do better.

Stop stressing out about things that are out of your control, and just enjoy yourself. All too soon you will be a grown up, with your own family and your own responsibilities.

Don't be in such a hurry to get to "there" that you miss the joy in the journey to "there".

Life really was so much easier Twenty Years Ago.

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." - Sir Richard Steele

My very favorite thing about summer is the fact that I read, and I read a lot. Not only that, but my kids all like to read too. Going to the library is one of their favorite things to do. The trick is convincing them that they really cannot read seven books in one week and that they should only check out what they could realistically get through in a seven day period.

Thing 3 would bring home every book in the library if she she could actually get away with it.

We get home from our weekly adventure, and then everyone pulls a Harry Potter and disparates.

I pink, sparkly, puffy heart love it.

Currently, I have several books on my night stand. I just finished Plainsong and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is also Sarah's Key, Little Be and Eventide sitting there waiting for me to embark on their adventure. Then I have Mennonite in the Little Black Dress, South of Broad, That Old Cape Magic, Olive Kitteridge and Sh*t My Dad Says.

I follow this last guy on twitter and often find Diet Coke spewing from my nose. He's fuh-nee!

*****
When Thing 1 was about three she went through a phase where all she would wear is this UGLY dress that she stole out of the charity box at church.

Every summer our church would have a big clothing swap in the gym. You could riffle through the clothes put out on tables and take what you wanted and leave what you didn't. At the end of the month, the clothes left were then taken to the Good Will.

I didn't think much of the ugly dress that she found and actually let her wear it.

It promptly became her favorite and she lovingly called it "The Crab Dress". There was no convincing her that it was anything less than ravishing.

It was, however, hideous.

HID.EE.OUS.

It got to the point that I told her it was a "house dress" and she could only wear it in the house. Which she did. Every. Single. Day.

Thing 2 had his favorite outfit as well. It started out as Bob The Builder Pajama's and they quickly turned into his daily outfit. I had to trick him to get those suckers off so that I could wash them.

It's one thing to wander around in the same clothes months at a time-- its an entirely different thing to do it in dirty clothes.

At least he didn't want to sleep in them. He had is other favorite night clothes.

Day clothes.

Night clothes.

Don't get those two confused.

Thing 3 was easier to deal with. She only wanted to wear Thing 2's clothes. Particularly his Chicago Cubs T-shirt, his Star Wars T-shirt and Truck T-shirt. As long as she had Thing 2's clothes, she was happy.

Hers was an easy phase.

I was rather confident that we would be able to by-pass this little phase with Moxie. She really has no preference for any one item of clothing except her diapers. She loves them and will have NOTHING to do with pull ups. NOTHING.

However, on my birthday I bought the little girls new Jammie's. She really wanted Dora, but they didn't have any in her size so she was got stuck with Minnie Mouse.

Moxie didn't let us change her clothes for a week.

No kidding.

This time around, I was smart. I went back to the store and got another pair just like them, and added Little Mermaid to the mix.

She will get dressed to leave the house. Occasionally. But as soon as we're home, she is wandering around looking for her Jammie's to change into.

Sometimes its just easier to let them wear what they want than to fight with them. Pick your battles, I always say, and right now if she wants to wear Mickey Mouse Jammie's every single day. I don't care.

So if you see us out and about around 3pm and Moxie is still in her Jammie's, just know they ARE clean Jammie's.

*****
Since I have been trying to prove to the haters that I really do cook a hot breakfast on most days, here's what was on the agenda for this morning:

Puffy Toast1 C Flour
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Cup Milk
2 Eggs
8 slices bread
Oil for frying

Heat Oil in skillet. Mix top 5 ingredients together. Coat bread, fry in oil. Serve with syrup or strawberry preserves and cool whip.

******
There are only two mini series (from recent history) that I can say I have no problem watching over and over again. I may even hold my breath hoping that the outcome is going to be a little different each time. Or not.

The first one is The Band of Brothers.

'Nuff Said.

The other one The Stand.

I know. Cheesy. But, seriously. Oh. So. Good.

My only wish is that someone would remake The Stand to the 2010 standards because the only reason it's cheesy is that it was a made for TV movie done in 1994.

I can only imagine the awesomeness that it would be with the technology we have today.

Won't you please, oh mighty Hollywood Gods, please remake The Stand?

******
"My Radio Station" has changed formats.

I don't know who gave them the horrid idea that it would be a good idea to go all Mo-Town Philly on everyone, but they did and it's just sad.

Sad because it's Mo-Town Philly.

And, because I know all the lyrics to Mo-Town Philly.

It reminds me of the Friday and Saturday Nights that I would spend "scammin'" at The Bay.

I was "Huggin' and a kissin', dancin' and a lovin', wearin' next to nothing" . . . (name that tune) when I let it slip to the kids that this kind of music is what they used to play in the clubs when I was in college.

{insert crickets chirping}

"What do you mean 'Played at the Clubs?'" Thing 1 asked me. "Are you saying you used to CLUB?"

Yup. I did. Every Friday and Saturday night until I went on my mission.

And a little after my mission too.

I got a horrified look from her and then a shudder.

Hey! I said, It's not like I'm clubbing now.

"I know Mom. It's just that I can' imagine you clubbing. Like EVER."

Uhhh... Gee. Thanks.

Really!

I was cool.

Once.

A long time ago.

And in a galaxy far, far away.

******
That's all for now folks. I have a family reunion on the agenda for this weekend.

I gave Jefe the "Get Out Of Jail Free" card and told him as long as he put in some face time on Saturday (read: 1 hour) I didn't care if he bailed and went fishing. I know. I'm a nice wife.

Have a great weekend!


1. So Far Away - Donavon Frankenreiter
2. Sweet Pea - Amos Lee
3. Smile - Lily Allen
4. Rock & Roll - Eric Hutchinson
5. Come On Get Higher - Matt Nathanson
6. Something's Come Over Me - Ernie Halter
7. Quelqu'un M'a Dit - Carla Bruni
8. Speck Out In The Blue - Cameron Rafati
9. Ladybug Picnic - Elizabeth Mitchell
10. Blue Canoe - Frances England

Bonus: Crash Into Me - Dave Matthews Band

* 3 (12 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough
* 1 cup white sugar
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1/2 cup margarine
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional - I omit)
* 1/2 cup raisins (optional - I omit)


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9 or 10 inch tube/Bundt® pan.

2. Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Cut biscuits into quarters. Shake 6 to 8 biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the prepared pan. Continue until all biscuits are coated and placed in pan. If using nuts and raisins, arrange them in and among the biscuit pieces as you go along.

3. In a small saucepan, melt the margarine with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Pour over the biscuits.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate. Do not cut! The bread just pulls apart.

I have a strange love affair.

I love to drive up and down roads, just to see where they go. There needn't be any reason to go down a road other than the fact that I have yet to explore it.

My dream vacation would be to drive up and down all the rural roads in America-- just so that I could see what they looked liked, where they went and how people lived.

I would set a course for the all the great small towns with unusual names. Like Boring Oregon, Slickpoo, Idaho, Cool California, Hoosick New York, Toad Suck Arkansas or Normal Illinois (which is the home town of Jefe).

I know that sounds miserable--but to me it sounds like heaven! I would want a great big R.V. with a car in tow and away we would go. I couldn't imagine a better way to spend my retirement than just driving all over America to see where every single road goes, all the while listening to Prairie Home Companion, Amos Lee, Cameron Rafati, The Watson Twins or Ryan Adams.

Along the way, maybe we could stop at the world's largest ball of twine, the world's largest frying pan or world's largest tree stump!

I tell El Jefe that I am like a dog that way-- I like to stick my head out the window, smell the smells, and see everything.I don't want to miss out on one single thing!

Jefe always teases me when we get to new places, because I ask so many questions.

"How big is this village? What do you think they all do for a living? Do you think they have families?" . . .

He will start to laugh and say: " I don't know how big this village is, or what anyones names are!"

I love the peace of rural America. No one is in a hurry. They are all out on their Sunday drives, except it's Tuesday and its 9:30 in the morning.

I love to see the crops: hay, wheat, corn, soy, apples and it's fun to drive and see all the colors--especially in the fall. Each of the various crops creates such vibrant colors!

I love to see how everyone in America lives, and what their various cultures are like. And the food! Oh my! The Food! I love to see what the food is like in all the little unknown towns. Food speaks volumes to me. It is an unhealthy relationship that I have with food, but food creates memories for me.

Road Trips allow you to see things and places that otherwise go unnoticed.

When I was younger, we used to tease my Dad that when he would drive us around cities, we would inevitably always see the "red light district". But the process of getting lost, and then getting "un-lost" is what, I think, got me hooked on road trips!

Road Trips. I love them.

My Dad loves to Sail. When he was younger, he had a sailboat that my mom and he would take out on the lake and sail in. He often would talk about the freedom he felt as he was sailing.  As a child, I can remember watching the America's Cup with him and actually getting really excited! (about a sail boat race?)  My Dad
always rooted for the boat from the land of Oz. He loves Oz just as much as he loves Sailing.

I remember when this song came out, my mom had the lyrics of this song done in calligraphy for him and framed so he could hang them in his office.  It was his very favorite song and now as an adult, I understand why. The lyrics are beautiful.

I  can remember, as a child, sailing in "other peoples boats" with my Dad.  Why other people's boats if he had his own boat?  Well.  After I was born, he sold his boat. The story goes, if I remember right, that I wouldn't wear my life jacket.  He didn't want risk my life ( i have a rather huge tendency to be a klutz) so my Dad sold his boat. 

My Dad.

He has the most Integrity of anyone I know.  I have never heard him say an unkind thing about anyone.  He is a peacemaker, and does all that he can to maintain peace in a family full of hormonal women.  He is honest.  He serves anyone willingly.  He supported not only me on a mission for our church,  but another boy in our church congregation that could not afford to otherwise go.

He loves The Lord.  Christ is first and foremost in his life. I have watched him and learned what a true Christian is.  He knows the scriptures better than anyone, and because of this knowledge, he is very kind.  He is a very good listener, and is always able to bring about a spiritual message when he listens.  But not only that, he listens without judgment.  That, my friends, is rare gift.

He has such a fun sense of humor and is a giant tease.  Often times, when me or my sisters would be having a "fit" over something, my father would be there, teasing us.  Laughter is a huge part of my memories of my Dad. His laughter is contagious! His teasing and laughing with us diffused many a difficult situation.

To say that I am a Daddy's girl is putting it mildly. 

Oh  how I love my Father!

I worked  for many years in the same building as my Father.  When I lived at home, we would ride to work together and often times I would pass up lunch with the girls so that I could hang out with my Dad. After I got married and Jefe and I would leave after a Sunday visit, I would cry all the way home. All thirty miles of it.  Jefe felt terrible.  He didn't understand why I was crying. I mean, I would see him the next day at work, so why the tears? 

Because I'm a Daddy's Girl.

When I moved 1500 miles away, I was the most upset because I saw my Dad cry. I found out later that he followed us for quite a while up the canyon until my Mom made him turn around and go home.  That sort of broke my heart. 

I just love my Dad.  He is an amazing man who has taught me about life, the world and how to BE.  He has been my sounding board, my muse, my guide, my biggest cheerleader, and my friend.

So, today's Soundtrack Sunday is dedicated to my Father.

He may have given up his "Sailing Career", but my life has benefited from this act.

He has been the wind that has helped me to sail.

From being there when my first boyfriend broke my heart with a dozen roses in hand, to celebrating with me on landing  my first "real job", to kissing the heads of my new born babies-- He has been that "wind" in my life gently pushing me in the right direction.

Without his presence and guidance, I wonder what I would have become.

Thank you Dad.  I love you.

*pulled from the archives - originally posted 6/08*

I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it.  - Jack Handy

The kids think I am the meanest Mom on the whole face of the planet. because I make them practice their instruments for 20 minutes four times a week.

As punishment to me, they are all practicing at the same time. The boy is pounding his drums as loudly as is humanly possible-- which come to find out is VERY loud-- and the daughter is practicing the piano.

Turns out Green Day and Star Wars do not make a very pretty duet.

*****
We are half way through June and we haven't even hit 85 yet. 

Me likey.

*****
Did you see that there is a pretty sweet little giveaway going on over on MMB this week? It closes out on Sunday, June 20th.  You know you want to go enter, so head on over and get entering.

You won't regret it.

We have Cameron Rafati, Vintage Pearl, Moxy Camera Straps, Basa Body... its all the great stuff from the 3 different kinds of swag bags we had at the CBC. 

So much awesomeness in one place! 

*****
Thing 1 has been at girls camp all week and I feel two sets of emotions. 

The first being slightly jealous because I love Girls Camp. I loved it as a teen and I love it as an adult. Jefe asked me if I wished I were attending G/C as an adult or as a teen.  I had to really think about that one and then I responded: Both.

Then, I feel slightly guilty. Mostly because I am in my awesomely warm house and she is stuck up in the mountains where it has been in the thirty's in the mornings. 

Yes. Three-Zero.

30.

I am warm here under my electric blanket and down comforter, and she has had SNOW.

In June. 

That blows. 

I bet she's glad, however, that I insisted that she at least take her coat.

You're welcome, Thing 1.

*****
Jefe has started a new hobby.  He is the man of many hobbies and it makes me happy to see him doing so many things! Some women don't like their husbands to be out doing "hobbies" but I do.  It relaxes him and he comes home happy.

His new hobby is fly fishing and I find it majorly sexy. 

I have always thought fly fishing was a beautiful and artistic sport.

I would love to have my life be like "A River Runs Through It"-- the modern version.

Sans the drama. And, the murder.

*****
My life has been non-stop crazy busy for the last year and suddenly I am finding myself feeling bored.

Jefe commented that our house is super clean and the meals I have been making are "like what life was like before you started all this blogging stuff". 

If that's not food for thought, I don't know what is. 

While I am incredibly bored, I do realize that there is balance in all things. You can get consumed with any hobby-- bird watching, genealogy, or blogging. 

Someone told me recently that they think it is a huge waste of time and a drama magnet, this blogging hobby.

I asked them what their hobby was and when I told them that I thought THAT was a huge waste of time and stupid, I think they saw my point. I hope anyway. 

We all have hobbies that we like to do-- cooking, gardening, music, writing, photography, scrapbooking or bug collecting. Who am I to tell you that your chosen hobby is stupid and a time waster?  It might seem that way to me, but if it makes you happy, who am I to judge?

I love my chosen hobby. It gives my crazy thoughts a voice--it gives ME a voice. I have always been, from the time I was young, writing stuff in my head.  Always writing something. I have even written my Obituary. Isn't that sick? I wanted to make sure it said what I wanted it to say-- and that it didn't leave anything or anyone out.

I can see how it would be easy to get caught up in writing about life that one could forget to actually LIVE life.That's where that tricky word BALANCE comes into play.

I think there has be to balance in everything we do. Whether its blogging, church callings, watching sports, photography, music or bug collecting. We have to maintain balance.

It's also no one's place to decide if what you or I have chosen to love is "worthwhile". 

Live and let live, I always say.

*****

Don't forget to salute the Men in your life this weekend, what with that made up holiday about Dad's happening this weekend.

Jefe & I think Mothers and Fathers Day are made up holidays used by "the man" to cause people to spend money on stuff they don't need. I get that its NOT about me or Jefe but a holiday for the children to learn to "appreciate" us.  However, I would much rather be randomly appreciated on a Tuesday afternoon in July than on a "mandatory" Sunday.

But, that's just me.

Have a great weekend! 


1.  Somebody Told Me  -  The Killers
2.  October - Rocky Votolato
3.  Chasing Pirates  -  Norah Jones
4.  Pride (In the Name of Love)  -  U2
5.  Shout Out Loud - Amos Lee
6.  Outside Villanova  -  Eric Hutchinson
7.  Is She Really Going Out With Him (Acoustic) - Joe Jackson
8. Baby's Got Sauce  -  G. Love and Special Sauce
9.  Charley Patton Songs - Gomez
10. Truly, Madly Deeply  - Ray LaMontagne

Bonus: Pieces  -  Rascal Flatts

Dear Lady in the Grocery Store Parking Lot:

When you started belittling me in front of my baby, I was totally shocked. Who does that? And further, who does that to a complete stranger?

Apparently you do and you do it quite well. You must have had a lot of practice.

Contrary to what you-- a complete stranger thinks-- I do take good care of my children and I love them very much! I feed them hot meals pretty much every morning before they go to school. I wash their clothes, I comfort them when they are sad and I guard them with my life. I play with them, and I teach them how to be kind to others.

When you found me walking "selfishly out of the store with my stupid soda", I had not done what it was you were accusing me of doing.

You stood by my car with a stern look on your face, arms crossed and tapping your mad, pointy foot.

I walked back to my car, and you started scolding me about the dangers of leaving my child alone in the car. How could I be so selfish to do that? To leave my baby in the car while I went and got a "stupid soda"?

Honestly?

I was floored and completely speechless.

I had done no such thing.

In fact, I actually had done the complete opposite. I had taken my baby into the store with me, to get my "selfish, stupid soda" and I also got her a doughnut. Well, really I got a doughnut for all the kids that were at home still sleeping (the oldest is fifteen and perfectly capable of tending).

I came out of the store, and put the baby back into her seat, and carefully buckled her up. I then gave her a kiss and she started singing at the top of her lungs "twinkle star".

This is where you came onto the scene.

You did not see what I was doing, and yet you were sure quick to determine that I was a waste of human space, and you articulated that very well.

You took great care to rip me to shreds, all while your Daughter buckled your Grand Baby into his car seat.

Seriously?

All I was doing was returning the shopping cart to the cart return.

Oh the horrors of being a responsible shopper!

So, Ms. Judgy-McJudger Pants, the next time you decide to go off on a complete stranger? Maybe you should check around to see if there are any women in the parking lot pushing an empty shopping cart back to the cart return. It's probably the mother of the "baby screaming" in the car. Who, by the way, actually wasn't screaming but singing.

Next time I'll FOR SURE leave the cart in the middle of the isle and let it ding your car door.

You big Jerk Face.

Thanks for nothing,

I have posted several times about the fact that I live my life in a musical. I am  constantly thinking-- if I were in a musical I would SO put this song or that song right here and then do a big ole' chorus dance number.

Well.

That is the purpose of Soundtrack Sunday. I used to do a little meme called Soundtrack Sunday that I've decided to resurrect. It's a great way to capture those moments and sear them to your memory.

We all have those moments in our lives -- I like to call them Kodak Moments-- that when they are happening, you know they will be epic. Especially if there was music.

That's what Soundtrack Sunday is all about.  Take a story from your life, a memory, and find the perfect song to punctuate it with-- making your very own personal Soundtrack for your life.
---
My sisters, my Mom and I went to San Diego several years ago for Mother's Day.  It was a total blast.  My sister and I were sitting in Balboa Park  listening to her Ipod, and we were both just singing away.  She looked over at me and said: "This is where if my life were a musical we would all break out in song and dance."

I got all excited, because HELLO! You do that too?

We both smiled that evil knowing grin and started dancing, and singing.

I don't remember what the song was that we were singing along with, but it was so fun to have that little moment with my sister. I'm sure it was bizarre to see a 35+ year old woman singing and dancing with a beautiful little 20 something girl,  but it was a fantastic moment for me.

When I saw Enchanted for the first time, and they had their big "cast" number, I was stunned.

They totally got it right.  That is how I see my life-- one giant musical cast number.

Me singing away with people dancing and following along behind me.

At least I wish that's how it could be.

I did the rinse and repeat cycle on that particular scene in Enchanted over and over again. It was fabulous!  Enchanted nailed how I see my life... my very own personal soundtrack.

I mean, really.

Don't you wish there could be that scary music to warn you of stuff?   Maybe we'd be less likely to make some of the stupid choices we make.

Living in a Vacuum Sucks.  - Adrienne E. Gusoff

My strong desire to maintain some sort of schedule lasted two days. TWO WHOLE DAYS. Then the kids were sleeping in until eleven and we were eating cake for breakfast.

I justify the cake because there are eggs, milk and flour in that cake. So, it's healthy and stuff. More healthy than a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Last night we all stayed up watching stupid TV.  At 10pm when I told the kids it was time to go to bed they all, including Moxie, declined. Strongly. "It's summer vacation, Mom. It's not like we have anywhere we have to be in the morning." Which is sad but true.

Let the lazy days of summer begin.

*****

I'm sort of loving this chilly weather. I could really get into a rainstorm a day.  I remember that we would have a storm a day in Illinois-- but it was just because of the humidity.  And, those rainstorms were sticky.

A nice warm meal , a good book and rain storm. That has the makings of a good summer.



*****
The hospital bills from Jefe's accident are starting to roll in. HOLY COW! I am so glad that I have such good  insurance and further, I can totally see how people could loose everything they own because of medical problems.

People.

Unreal and completely 100% outrageously, absurdly, out-of-this-world expensive.

*****
I went to Old Navy this week to get Thing 2 some clothes and the craziest thing happened.

I was recognized because of my blog (and the blog conference). 

I would be lying if I said it didn't thrill me. Because it did.

Here's to you, Nicole, and I hope you had a good surgery yesterday!

*****
It's time for a little linky love:

Go visit my friend, Gayle,  who has a son that is very ill. She is a gifted writer and tells a poignant story.  She could use some love, prayers and comment love.

Jennifer is a fantastic writer! I found her blog recently and spent the morning reading the entire blog. Make sure you bring a diet coke with you when you visit her, you'll be there for a while.

I met Charlotte at  the CBC and she is fantastic! Her parents were in a serious motorcycle accident--the same day that Jefe was in his accident.  I saw her tweets about her parents while I was in the hospital with Jefe and I felt an immediate connection to her. Go read her blog-- she's fabulous!

*****
That's all folks. I'm hunkering down today. I got two new books for my birthday that I am planning on devouring. I've got a bunch of stuff gathered up to do a little birthday giveaway too.  I'll be putting that up later so watch out for it.  It may or may not have a Cameron Rafati CD, a necklace and chocolate. You'll want to enter FOR SURE!

Catch ya on the flip side!

1.   Speck Out of the Blue  -  Cameron Rafati
2.  Valley of the Low Sun - Jakob Dylan
3.  Coconut Skins - Damien Rice
4.  Move By Yourself - Donavon Frankenreiter
5.  Wedding Dress - Matt Nathanson
6.  Somebody to Love - Glee Cast
7.  Free of Me  -  Joshua Radin
8.  If You Could See - Vaughn Penn
9.  I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For  - U2
10. Morning Light - Chantal Kreviazuk

Bonus: Just Like Heaven - The Watson Twins

There were phrases that my parents would say when I was a kid that would cause my eyes to involuntarily roll into the back of my head. I couldn't help it, and when they would start to roll, it would infuriate my parents even more.

I have noticed a trend at my house recently. I will find myself talking to my teenagers, and their eyes start glazing over and ROLL! How rude! They roll their eyes at me and then add that superfluous punctuation "whatever".

I hate despise loathe that word.


I've done the one thing I swore as a child I would NEVER do: I've turned into my parents.

I am saying some of the Exact. Same. Phrases. that my parents used to say to me that would prompt the involuntary eye roll. When I finally realized what I was doing, it was mind blowing. Although, I have noticed that whenever I say these phrases around my parents they laugh.

They laugh at me.

Totally rude.

If you find yourself saying any of these phrases, you've turned into your parents. Feel free to add to it if I've forgotten any.


1. How do you know her eyes were open during the prayer?

2. Turn that music down! People in China don't want to hear that crap!

3. If I have to ask you one more time to clean your room I am throwing everything away and you can go to school naked!

4. We get undressed IN our rooms, not ON THE WAY to our rooms.

5. NO EATING FOOD IN THE LIVING ROOM.

6. Your curfew is 10:30. [pause] Well, that means you have to leave BEFORE 10:30 so you can be walking through my door at TEN THIRTY.[pause] No. Leaving your friends house AT 10:30 does not mean you kept your curfew. {boy howdy does this one bring back memories!}

7. Who's doing that? Who is tapping? Stop tapping! I can't take the tapping anymore!

8. You have to practice the piano BEFORE you can play, read, talk, eat or hang out with your friends.

9. TURN OFF THE LIGHTS WHEN YOU LEAVE A ROOM!

10. You eat what I make for dinner or go without. I am NOT a short order cook.

11. If everyone else was jumping off a cliff, would YOU jump off a cliff?

12.PEOPLE! Flush the toilet already!

13. For the love all that's holy, Quit Teasing Your Siblings!

14. The next person that tattles on someone is the one that is getting the beating.

15. Moving your crap from one room to another is NOT considered putting it away. Put it away where it belongs.

16. Only boring people get bored.

17. This radio station is now Banned! It's not even music anyway. [pause] I don't care if it's the cool radio station. Start a trend. Tell people Classical music is the new IT music.

18. Why yes I AM trying to ruin your life by not letting you wear that immodest shirt. Take it off now.

19. You have to use cleaner to get a bathroom clean. NOT water.

20. I love you more than anyone and will always be here for you.

“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting” - Jack Handy


The past two weeks have been surreal for me.

I met Caroline for the first time. It was like we had always known what each other looked all up close and personal like, but we didn't.

I actually had to call her on the phone, when I went to the airport to pick her up because I drove around twice before I realized "Maybe I don't really know what she looks like". She talked me to her like a lost little puppy dog coaxed back home. We looked at each other, gave each other a quick hug and then it was back to business as usual.

I also got to see my best friend for the first time in four years. Four very long years. She is the yin to my yang and helps me see the humorous things in life. Like when we HAD to go bra shopping and the only time I had to do it was at 3am. She cracks me up and keeps me grounded.

Then there was that little conference thingamabob last weekend. I am thrilled with how well it went, and that it's over. Not that I didn't like dreaming about the conference and the various names I had seen come through registration.

I have finally stopped having conference dreams and my psyche thanks you.
*****
School ends for the kids today.

I feel a little conflicted because while I am excited that we have absolutely NOTHING to do all summer long but veg, WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO ALL SUMMER LONG.

I am a creature of habit. I do the same thing everything every day and having my kids home means that my schedule and order gets tossed out the window because they're around. I vow every single year that I am going to make a schedule that we all stick to-- that doesn't include sleeping until 10am and staying in our PJ's until 4:30.

Let's hope this year I actually make it stick longer than three days.
*****
Jefe wrecked his motorcycle on Memorial Day. I am trying to bury this into the middle of the post because he hates it when I write about him. He is the kind of man that likes to be behind the scenes and not draw attention to himself. Which truthfully, sucks for him because I'm all about getting people to notice me. I am sort of a loud mouth-- so we balance each other out nicely.

Anyway, he wrecked his bike pretty good and scared the living day-lights out of me. There are certain kinds of phone calls a Wife should never have to answer.

Like the "Hello, this is the police department your husband is in jail" kind of call; Or the "Hey honey, I just took a vacation to the Bahama's --without you" and the "Hello, this is the Paramedics and we have your husband and we're on our way to the hospital."

That last one is definitely one you don't ever want to get.

It jerked me back into reality faster than a stealth plane could fly and I realized that while the conference was fabulous and all that-- I almost lost what was most important of all-- My Husband.

Dude.

You can totally fix a crushed hand, but you can't fix dead.

I'll take the hand any day.

*****

I have been in mourning yesterday and today because I was supposed to be at the U2 concert. But, stupid lovely Bono had to go and get back surgery and Jefe was in surgery all day yesterday too. I guess it was a good thing Bono's back was jacked up because I wouldn't have been able to go and that would have pissed me off more.

I will patiently wait for the reschedule date.

NEXT YEAR.

Humph.

*****
Moxie has taken to the word NEED. She needs stuff and lots of stuff, too.




1. Breakdown - Jack Johnson
2. Street Corner Preacher - Amos Lee
3. When It's Over - Sugar Ray
4. Tripping Billies - Dave Matthews Band
5. Wake Me Up - Norah Jones
6. Thank You - Dido
7. Be That Easy - Sade

9. Dirty Conversation - Cameron Rafati
10. Our Love - Donavon Frankenreiter


Bonus: No Stopping Us (Live) - Jason Mraz

It's finally over. That little thing I've been killing myself over for the last seven months. It's finally over and it totally exceeded my expectations.

It was awesome to watch everything unfold and see people meeting each other for the first time. I heard lots of squealing in delight and it warmed my heart.

When I plugged my camera into the computer to upload the photos from the event, I had a horrifying realization: I never even took my camera out of my camera bag.

I had forgotten my camera so after I picked Caroline up from the airport, I drug her ALL THE WAY BACK TO MY HOUSE so I could bring my camera.

Only to then leave it in the hotel room the entire time.

That means I can't show you a photo of me telling the venue lady that I wanted to make out with her because she saved us over $1,000.

Nor can I show you the photo of Fernando, the AV guy, when I told him to quit going to his office and just stick to me like glue. Actually what I said was: "You and me are going to be intimately acquainted by the end of this event, so quit going to your office. AND I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!"

I also can't show you a photo of me yelling at my uterus because the GPS located inside it failed me. Twice.

I can't show you photos of us when we were putting together the gift bags at 2:30 in the morning.

I can't show you a photo of me banging my head against the wall as the lights simultaneously went on and off and on and off during one entire presentation. I speed dialed Fernando faster than Lindsay Lohan drove Herbie all the while keeping my thumb firmly pressed to the ON switch.

What I can show you is this:


This is me being a total 15 year old girl. I flippen LOVE Cameron and was a giggling mess when I saw him walk in. I had invited Jefe and the kids to come to the concert with me, but they decided they wanted to stay home. I felt slightly guilty for being glad because then I could scream and be completely silly (and swoon) during the concert.

I listen to Cameron ALL. THE. TIME. And when I was able to get my photo taken with him I about melted.

Seriously.

I could be his groupie. If he thought having a married, 39 year old mother of 4 for a groupie was hot. Which it's not.

"A reporter from a newspaper here in Utah asked me if it was worth the trip, to travel all the way from NC for the conference. I answered without hesitation that it was. I'm not sure anybody but a blogger can understand why it's worth it. But these women? They get me. They validate my efforts, they support, they uplift. They make me feel valuable."

That's why you go to blogging conferences. Yeah, it's great to learn how to make money or take great photos or even write the next American Novel. But the truth is you go so that you can turn those imaginary people who live inside your computer into real life friends that are a part of your life.

I'm glad I did it. I'm glad it didn't fail and I'm glad you all came.

Thank you.

*A Gigantic THANK YOU to Shelle from Shelle Bloks Thoughts for being our conference photographer. She did an outstanding job and if you want to see all the crazy wonderful photos she took, go check out them out HERE. *