Mis-heard lyrics
Mikaela was singing “Yankee Doodle” in the car tonight and instead of singing the last line as “and with the girls be handy,” she sang “and girls were being handy.” Well, I guess that’s more age-appropriate for her, anyway. ha.
Earlier in the song, Mikaela stopped after the “macaroni in his cap” part and said, “that’s funny, mom!”
Cute baby toy of the day June 29, 2008
Jay and I were window-shopping today and we happened to walk down the baby aisle. I looked at all the adorable things my children have long-since outgrown with a heavy sigh. But I did see something really adorable that I had to write about … the Fisher Price Deluxe Galloping Fun Jumperoo. It whinnies, among other things. Too cute. What will they think of next?
How’s that again?
We have (okay, well, mostly Jay has) been talking with Gabriel about how boys grow up into men, a prospect that Gabriel is currently fascinated with. He is trying very hard to show us that he’s strong, tough, brave and competent and associates all these things with growing up and becoming a man. For example, he’ll move something heavy and they say, “I got muscles. I gonna be a man!”
Recently he was getting into the car and I tried to help him buckle his car seat (in the interest of speeding things along; he knows how). He pushed my hand away and said, “I do it buckle my car seat. I gonna be a man!”
Love me a good yard sale June 28, 2008
I rolled out of bed this morning at 6:30 and got on the road for one of my favorite hobbies: going to garage sales. Yesterday, I already had all the sales I wanted to visit singled out. I took all the addresses and made myself a route map on mapquest (I love their multiple-stop directions option).
So anyway, I got up and headed out for 8 sales that sounded pretty good. Several were a complete bummer, but a couple were really good. I wound up with a DVD player (ours just broke), Trivial Pursuit DVD Pop Culture, UpWords, a Step 2 ladybug sandbox with cover, a bunch of toys and dress-up shoes for Mikaela, and a Woody (Toy Story) figure for Gabriel. Oh, and a sexy lime-green pair of sequined flip-flops for me! They were new with the tags on. I spent less than $20, so I felt like I came out pretty well.
I don’t know what I love more … finding a great bargain or the thrill of the hunt!
New page … or at least, new paragraph
Sometimes you want something and pray for something so long, it’s almost anti-climactic when you get it. I’m not trying to sound ungrateful; I’m just a little numb. Let me back up.
Jay and I have been living hand to mouth for … uh, years. Pretty much ever since the kids came along (not that I in any way regret having them). I have tried all kinds of different job situations myself, from full-time work to working a different shift from Jay to freelancing … none of which have been a good solution. So, Jay has found a second job. Thankfully, he’s going to be doing something he’s very good at and passionate about - teaching. He’s going to be tutoring for Sylvan Learning Center in the afternoons after his primary job.
And I am going to work on being a better mom and a better wife - in addition to stepping up my involvement with the church and in my kids’ education.
It’s funny - almost every person I tell about my work-at-home (freelance) job tells me they are jealous. It definitely has its perks. But as the kids have gotten older, somehow my time commitment to them has grown rather than shrunk (I always thought it was the other way around). What that has meant in my life is that I just can’t do all I need to in a day when I’m working more than a couple of hours. I just got finished with an extremely time-consuming project and I feel so horribly guilty because I haven’t been the mom that I’ve needed and wanted to be. I’ve been leaving the TV on WAY too much, not had the time to teach them like I’ve planned to, and worst of all - not had the time to spend quality time with them. (Do you have ANY IDEA how much it stinks to tell your three-year-old you can’t when she asks “mama, will you peese weed to me?”) I’ve been here in body but not in spirit and mind. I could get REALLY depressed really quickly thinking about all the wasted time I can’t regain with them … but all I can do now is move forward.
Wow, that was pretty heavy stuff. I like to keep this blog on the lighter side, but sometimes it’s nice to share with other moms potentially looking into working at home what it really looks like. I know everyone’s situation is different, though.
Anyway, thank God for blessing us with Jay’s job and thanks to my wonderful husband for being such a hard worker, and for sacrificing for our family. I’ll have you dinner ready and your pants pressed. 
Exchange June 26, 2008
My dad told me a story about something that happened to him this morning and I’m still laughing. He is a regular at a certain gas station along his courier route, and usually makes conversation with the woman inside. This morning, he walked in to that same gas station and the woman was there, along with another man, behind the counter:
Woman behind counter (speaking to my dad): what’s the matter? You look upset today.
Dad: No, I’m not wearing my glasses, and I’m just an ugly old man.
Man behind counter: You don’t look that old.
Wal-mart June 24, 2008
Good old Wal-mart. As much as I grumble about hating it, I wind up finding myself there more often than I want. Mostly because I tend to do my shopping after the kids are in bed, and that usually means Target is closed. And let’s face it, Wal-mart is usually cheaper, anyway. Too bad they’re so un-hip. If you could give me Target’s products at Wal-mart’s prices … then I could just go ahead and die happy.
But I digress from my original intent: Wal-mart’s toy selection. Have you perused the toy aisles at Wal-mart recently? I literally can’t find anything that fits the criteria of 1)worthy of spending my money on and 2) my kids don’t already have it or something similar, especially when it comes to girls’ toys.
Let’s see … you’ve got your Barbie aisle - which I’m going to try to avoid for as long as I can. Body image issues, anyone?
Then you’ve got your dolls, which Mikaela already has too many of. Then comes the “little” toys - Littlest Pet Shop, Polly Pocket, Ponyville, et al. Those are just one more tiny piece of detritus for me to cut my foot on walking through their room at night.
Then you’ve got your Bratz aisle - and if I need to explain to you why I don’t want my 3-year-old playing with these, you need to go take a parenting class.
Nearby is the dress-up/makeup sets. Dress up, I don’t have a problem with. I’m not ready for makeup, the reason mostly being Mikaela loves to make messes and I don’t want to find the dog with lip gloss smeared all over her.
Lastly are the “homemaker” play sets. You know, the ironing board and iron, the broom and vacuum, etc. Seriously? I HATE doing these things, and I’m not sure why my daughter would think they’re fun.
Seriously, though … Wal-mart’s toy selection makes me sad. Everything is so uninspired and just doesn’t scream “I’ll spark your child’s creativity and imagination!”
Maybe I’ll just give her a cardboard box.
Still alive June 22, 2008
I’m still here, even though I may not feel like it. I’ve finished my current work project, but instead of jumping for joy, I’m reaching for the kleenex … I’ve got some kind of bronchitis-y, head cold-y thing going on. Fun stuff. I will resume writing regularly soon!
Macaroni Salad June 20, 2008
My sister gave me this yummy macaroni salad recipe and I thought I’d share:
1 lb. elbow macaroni
2-3 stalks celery
1 small onion
1 medium-sized green bell pepper
sweet pickle relish
4-5 eggs
mayonnaise
sugarCook macaroni according to package directions. Rinse and drain; add mayo until macaroni isn’t sticking together. Boil eggs, chop them and add them in. Chop onion, bell pepper and celery and add them in. Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish. Add more mayo to taste. Add 1 Tbsp. sugar. Stir well and chill overnight.
2 Years
As of today, this blog is two years old. I’m waiting for it to throw a tantrum, start randomly screaming “NO!” or stuff raisins in its ears. I’ll keep you posted.
Family funnies June 17, 2008
We’re always laughing at the things the kids are saying these days (or shaking our heads at the things we are having to say to the kids). A recent sampler:
Jay to Mikaela: Please stop feeding the dog apple slices.
Gabriel to Jay: I got scooby-doo in my hair! (he meant ‘dippity do’)
Mikaela to Gabriel: stop licking my leg!
Mikaela to Jay: Papa, you smell like stink. Take a bath.
Jay: what do I smell like?
Mikaela: spaghetti.
Mikaela to Jay: I had a bad dream!
Jay: What did you dream about?
Mikaela: my hair dryer was walking!
On being a man June 16, 2008
Gabriel mentioned something about leg hair and shaving this morning when we were on the way to church. I said, “no, Gabriel, women shave their legs but men NEVER do. Men have hair on their legs but women don’t.”
(aside: I was hoping he didn’t remember that I got lazy and didn’t shave my legs for a few days last week. I finally broke down and shaved when I realized the droplets of water from the shower were playing plinko between my leg hairs.)
So this afternoon, Jay and Gabriel went to our neighbors’ house and the older man who lives there answered the door. Gabriel looked at him and said, “you got hair on your legs! You a man like Papa too!”
BBQ at my place!
So, I’m a sucker for a good bargain. And I’ve recently been somewhat obsessed with craigslist’s “free” area, because you’d be surprised at the quality of stuff you can find there! I mean, some stuff is truly junk, but some is not.
So, today I got on there and someone had offered up a free grill. I was thinking small generic charcoal grill, which would have been great. Hey, give me a break … we’re poor.
But then I get to the guy’s place and it’s a five-burner Charbroil-brand gas (propane) grill. He got a new one for father’s day, so he was just giving this one away. And it was in pretty great shape for free - needs a good cleaning, the electric igniter needs to be replaced ($18 or get a match), and a couple of the diffusers (the guy said they run $6 apiece) need to be replaced. But it was a FREE. GAS. GRILL.
I thanked the nice family profusely, loaded it up in the van (it barely fit, even with the back seat removed) and drove home.
Needless to say, Jay was thrilled. What a huge blessing, and what a great father’s day gift for BOTH of us!
Cutting corners June 10, 2008
With high gas prices driving up the cost of nearly everything else, the media has been talking about Americans feeling the pinch and the ways they’re cutting back to save money.
And we feel the pinch, believe me. We live a long way from where Jay works, so we spend a LOT on gas each month. But we have found something to help: Angel Food Ministries.
It’s not a handout … you pay $30 and you get a box full of food. It’s like a bulk discount because they are buying a lot of these foods and distributing them to people. In addition to the $30 box of food, you can also buy “meat” boxes, with various cuts of meat for a good deal. Here’s their June menu and extras you can add, just so you can see an example:
June Menu
1.5 lb. Rib Eye Steaks (4 x 6 oz)
1.5 lb. Hamburger Patties (4 x 6 oz)
2 lb. Pork Riblets
4 lb. Individually Quick Frozen Chicken Leg Quarters
2 lb. Breaded Chicken Tenders
20 oz. Supreme Pizza
1 lb. Mild Italian Sausage
2 lb. French Fries
16 oz. Sliced Carrots
16 oz. Mixed Vegetables
32 oz. Borden 2% Reduced Fat Shelf Stable Milk
6 oz. Pancake Mix
15 oz. Pork and Beans
14 oz. Ketchup
7.5 oz. Macaroni & Cheese
Dozen Eggs
Dessert Item
ALL THIS FOR THE LOW COST OF JUST $30** One or more specials available only with the purchase of a regular unit. **
JUNE SPECIAL #1
6.5 lb. Family Grill Box - $20.00
(24 oz. T-Bone Steaks (2 x 12 oz.)
2 lb. Meaty Baby Back Ribs
2 lb. Thick Cut Pork Chops (4 x 8oz.)
1 lb. Bratwurst Sausage)JUNE SPECIAL #2
5 lb. Steak and Meat Combo Box - $20.00
(2 lb. N.Y. Strips (4 x 8 oz.)
2 lb. Sirloin Strips (4 x 8 oz.)
1 lb. Hamburger Beef Steaks (2 x 8 oz.))JUNE SPECIAL #3
10 lb. Breaded Chicken Breast Strip Box - $16.00
(10lbs of Breaded Chicken Breast Strips)
Anyway, there are distribution sites all over the country, if you’re interested in giving them a try. You have to order and pay ahead of time, FYI.
Okay, I lied. June 9, 2008
More baby birds. This time, I got video of mom feeding her babies.
(more…)
Identity crisis June 8, 2008
We recently bought a Wahl do-it-yourself hair clippers/hair cutting set. Yesterday we gave Gabriel a haircut. Let’s just say I’m going to tip my hairstylist more from now on. Cutting hair is hard!
So after cutting his hair pretty short, we spiked it up and let him look at it in the mirror. I mentioned that he looked like Josh (my nephew). Gabriel got a terrified look on his face and said, “I don’t WANT to be Josh! I want to be Gabriel!”
We slicked his hair back down, and he looked in the mirror and said, “oh, I Gabriel again.”
Thanks a lot June 7, 2008
Overheard:
Gabriel: I want to be a man like papa.
Mikaela: I want to be a man like mama!
Soapbox of the day June 5, 2008
CNN reports of a hit-and-run case in Hartford where the pedestrian who was hit - an older man - was left in the street for dead. Gawkers walked nearby, but no one offered any help. It was all captured on surveillance tape and now people are fretting over losing our “moral compass.”
Excuse me? OK, let me make sure I have this all straight: atheists believe that there is no God, so they are virtually their own gods. No one to answer to. And they believe that the world is ruled by chance, and that we descended from apes. So, in other words, we’re animals. Maybe technologically advanced animals, but animals with no one to “answer to” nonetheless. And there are more people ‘leaving the reservation’ so to speak from organized religion every day - this nation is quickly becoming “post-Christian.”
So I say we’re in for more of the same. If you have no one to answer to and we’re animals anyway, who the hell cares if you leave an old man to die in the street? Survival of the fittest, right?
I’m sure there’s some “nice” atheists out there, but by their own beliefs, they really don’t have to be.
Must-Read Article
A recent article outlines what plastics are safe for use in the kitchen and which ones potentially leech cancer-causing toxins.
Growing up!
I know y’all are getting bored with my bird photos, but our baby birdies that live right outside our door are growing like weeds! But cute weeds. 
Out of the mouths of … my kids
Me: We’re going to church
Gabriel: Yay, chuwch! I so excited!
——————————————
Mikaela: (Holding up flat, rectangular piece of plastic): I got a debit card!
——————————————
Gabriel: (About the picture he was drawing): It gonna be gweat!
——————————————
Me: Mikeala, it’s time for a bath
Mikaela: But, Mama, I don’t NEED soap!!!
——————————————
Me: Be quiet!
Gabriel: Wait! I gotta laugh fiwst (first)! Hehehe! (Face changes to serious) Okay, I all done.
Specious link June 3, 2008
What is it with these cute-animal-picture sites (Cute Overload, I Can Has Cheeseburger, I Has a Hotdog) using incorrect English? I guess they’re supposed to be baby-talking, brains made mush by the sheer cuteness of it all. I like looking at these sites, but that one little thing drives me nuts.
It’s Pat! Preschool edition
My kids like to watch a show on Nickelodeon’s “Noggin” Preschool channel called “Wow Wow Wubbzy.” It’s an animated show about three friends. Harmless enough.
But recently, my kids had a disagreement about whether Wubbzy was a girl or a boy. I looked and I couldn’t tell, either. No big deal.
But then I watched an episode with the kids, and I listened to the intro song, which referred to Wubbzy as a “he.” But the scene during the show’s intro song shows Wubbzy in bed under a mobile of pink butterflies, in a very girly room (see video at end). (more…)
Mikaela flying June 2, 2008
Mikaela put on her fairy wings and kept hopping up and down, trying to fly (of course, to no avail) - so Jay decided to give her a lift. (more…)
Gas prices over the last 6 years
I found this neat gas price chart online … you can customize it by date and area.
| Texas Historical Gas Price Charts Provided by GasBuddy.com |
It’s sobering (and somewhat sickening) to see those numbers! So … if this 6-year trend continues, by 2014 we should be paying $10.43 a gallon. OR, if the 1-year trend holds true, gas will be $15.02 in 2014. (Thanks, Jay, for doing my math for me!) Third world nation, anyone?
This just in
ABC News is reporting on a story out of Tampa, Fla., where the Sons of Confederate Veterans are set to hoist the “World’s Largest” confederate flag near the junction of two interstates in the area.
My first thought on hearing about this story was, ‘thank you GOD this wasn’t a story out of my home state of Alabama!’
But seriously, my two cents: this is just totally unnecessary. Even though the proponents claim it has to do with history, heritage and even patriotism, EVERY SINGLE confederate-flag waver I have EVER met has been a racist. And they know good and well that’s what the confederate flag stands for in today’s world.
I agree with a comment from an anchor on CNN: if we want to rally around a flag and show our patriotism, how about the AMERICAN flag?
Photo of birds in nest May 30, 2008
Today, I took this photo of the barn swallows we have living outside our front door (click to enlarge): (more…)
Achoo
Something is in the Austin-area air these last few days. I can’t stop sneezing. I’m scaring the children and the dog.
Speaking of sneezing, I read an interesting article in Popular Science (I couldn’t find the exact article online to link to) about people who sneeze at the sun. Apparently, no one really knows why, but about 10 percent of people sneeze in bright sunlight. I do occasionally, and I’ve noticed Gabriel does, too.
According to this article, the phenomenon is known as “Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst Syndrome.” Right. I guess “Sneezes-at-the-Sun-itis” didn’t have a good ring to it.
Our baby birds have hatched! May 27, 2008
The barn swallows that have built a nest right outside our front door have new babies! It’s been a great science lesson for the kids. Although, Mikaela saw the baby bird and said “she eyes are broken.”
Photos: (more…)
Ha. May 25, 2008
Mikaela walked into the living room to get a drink of her ice water, which had been sitting out for awhile.
She looked in the cup and bellowed, “who took my ice?!?”
I have a boo-boo May 24, 2008
If you’re squeamish or eating, stop reading!
I have a bandaged-up leg after an ER trip last night. Several days ago, I got what looked like a bug bite, and a red circle grew out from it. I went to the doctor yesterday and they diagnosed me with cellulitis, gave me an antibiotic and told me to go to the ER if it changed at all. Well, between about 8 pm and 2 am, the red circle continued to grow steadily, putting out some long red streaks as well. The area also started feeling cold and tingly. I figured that it was time to head to the ER. I got there and the doctor cut into it pretty deep with a scalpel. He didn’t numb me up very well, so it was excruciating. He then packed it up and bandaged it. I guess he took some skin out; I was close to fainting from the pain, so I wasn’t watching. Anyway, it hurts like heck today, but the red streaks are gone, so I guess it’s getting better.
Fun stuff. Another one for my long list of hospital visits.
Can’t help myself May 22, 2008
I tried to make myself wait on this post until I’ve read the entire book, but I am about to burst. I can’t hide it when I’ve found something great!
It’s quite possibly the best book I’ve ever read (except for the Bible, of course) - Captivating. I honestly know already, just 37 pages in, that it’s going to change my life. It’s empowering and purpose-giving and just a great overall read. I am temped to post portions of it here but I should probably ask permission before I do that. By the way, if you’re familiar, it’s by the author of Wild at Heart, but this one is for women.
Anyway, check it out. I’ll write a longer post when I finish it.
Hold on to yer britches
I saw a banner outside a hummer dealer today, proclaiming that the H3 gets … are you sitting down? … EIGHTEEN MILES PER GALLON! Well, call the middle east and tell them the oil crisis is off!
I guess it’s all relative, though. 18 mpg (highway) on the H3 looks better than 15 mpg (highway) on the H2.
And the original H1? Well, let’s just say you’d better hire a fuel tanker to follow you around.
I can’t believe I’m actually writing this
My husband is currently at “praise band practice” because he’s going to be one of our church’s drummers (they take turns). I realized something watching him play earlier, though … I’m going to have to look elsewhere during our song service. As in, not at him. Because he looks … well, RIDICULOUSLY SEXY playing drums. And I’d hate to think impure thoughts in church.
Well, I guess it was the thought that counts
You remember that floral arrangement that I did a few weeks ago?
Well, I was just standing in the bedroom sorting laundry and Mikaela walks up, freshly-plucked plastic flowers in hand: “I pick for YOU, mama!”
Helping those in need
In the interest of making a difference for China and Myanmar in the wake of their recent tragedies, CNN has posted a good resource page listing some of the highest-rated charities. I would love to go over there and help people in a personal hands-on way, but this is the next best thing. Please consider giving!
Boy Band Creator Sentenced to Prison May 21, 2008
The Statesman ran an article on Lou Pearlman’s (the infamous creator of both N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys) recent trial and prison verdict.
Now, Pearlman was allegedly on trial for fraudulently bilking investors out of their money. But do we really believe that’s why he’s going to the slammer?
Maybe we can find a way to go after the people behind New Kids on the Block now.
A boy and his dog
Gabriel has really taken to Daisy lately. He’s calling her “my dog.” It’s really cute. (more…)
Our garden is growing!
Our first garden seems to be doing pretty well. We have a couple of little tomatoes sprouting, and buds are coming up on other plants that I’m not sure about what exactly they are (Jay did the planting, not me). I think it’s either the cucumber plants or the okra plants.
I was watering the garden yesterday when I thought I saw a small frog scurrying out of the way, but upon closer inspection it was a very large spider. Yeeek. Well, I’m told spiders are good for gardens (they eat the bugs that can destroy the ‘crops’) so I guess it can stay.
You can see the plants’ progress in the photo below. Don’t laugh at our fence. It’s leaning because it needs some stakes. (more…)
Drums and stuff May 19, 2008
So, my husband has recently gotten out of the woodworking business. Jay was really, really good at crafting fine furniture, but we never wound up selling anything. Fine, people, go buy your crappy particle-board furniture at Wal-mart. You get what you pay for.
So anyway, another of Jay’s many talents is percussion. He did really well in marching band (he ranked really high in the state contest) and went on to teach drum lessons, which he’s been doing on and off since the early 90s. Starting this summer, he may be the go-to guy for private percussion instruction for a local ISD’s band kids. And he’s also starting to play drums for our church’s worship team. So, needless to say, he needed to purchase a drum set.
Now, I knew drum sets were expensive, but I knew nothing about cymbals, which I thought were just glorified trash-can lids. Apparently not. I am not usually a cheap-skate, but when I heard what cymbals go for, I just about fainted.
Anyway, I’m kind of excited that Jay’s finally getting a drum set. He sold his previous one right before we met. I’ve always wanted to learn to play the drums. Is it too late to be a rockstar?
My advance apologies to my catholic readers May 16, 2008
If anyone ever voted to make me a saint - wait a minute, voted? How are saints selected, anyway? And once you’re declared a saint, are you ’sainted’ (you know, kind of like being ‘knighted’)?
I digress, which is actually ironic.
If anyone ever decided to make me into a saint (not that this is a likely thing, you know), they would declare me “Our Lady of Perpetual Distraction.”
I’ve always been easily distractable, but it’s gotten much worse since I’ve had kids. I have to work hard enough to hold my train of thought, without it being shattered by cries of “I need a wipe!” “Mama, he/she hitting me!” or “Mama, I spilled it.”
Recently, I was proofing a Web site and the kids interrupted me so many times that I wound up reading a single paragraph half a dozen times. I gave up and tried again later when Mikaela was napping.
It affects my household chores, too, though … I know it drives Jay nuts when he walks in and finds half a load of laundry in the washer, the rest spilled onto the floor. Or a half-loaded dishwasher. You get the idea. I am so bad at walking away from something like that and then totally forgetting it and starting something else. Which I will no doubt be distracted from as well.
Not to say that being distracted by my kids is necessarily a bad thing. We have our bad days, but this has been a fun stage in their lives. They are saying something funny or cute all the time. I have to write more of it down. Or better yet, I need to get another camcorder. But that’s another post.
Oh, to be a rockstar
The Smoking Gun reports that it has obtained a copy of the Foo Fighers’ tour rider. (If you don’t know what a tour rider is, click here.) If you want to skip to the funniest parts, look for the red arrows.
Car Conversation May 15, 2008
Gabriel: I love you mama. That makes you happy.
Me: Yes, Gabriel, that does make me happy.
Jay: Gabriel, what makes you happy?
Gabriel: Uh … Mikaela.
Me: Mikaela, Gabriel loves you! Do you love Gabriel?
Mikaela: (sounding annoyed): Yes.
Well, at least ONE of my kids has a sweet disposition!
A dog after my own heart
Recently, Jay opened the door to let the dog out back when he was leaving for work. In the middle of the night, a cold front had come through, so it was pretty chilly out. Jay said Daisy got a few inches away from the doorway, stopped dead in her tracks and retreated. She went back to curl up on the nice, warm couch.
I’m with you, Daisy.
Be Still My Beating Heart May 12, 2008
I recently blogged about one of my favorite bands - Portishead - coming out with a new album (which I’m somewhat disappointed with).
But as a consolation, two more great bands I love are coming out with new albums - the Verve and Coldplay.
the Verve, like Portishead, are back together after a 10-year hiatus. (I swear, these bands are re-uniting to save us from the wretchedness that is ’00s music.) They have tour dates scheduled and recently released the Thaw Session, which you can hear here. I saw the Verve live at the Roxbury in Atlanta in 1997. I would love to go see them again, they’re a great live band. They currently don’t have any U.S. dates listed, but they did recently play at the Coachella music festival. Anyway, an album is forthcoming. I’ll try to contain my excitement. [If you’re new to the Verve or only know them by their hit single Bittersweet Symphony, here’s a few songs to broaden your horizons: Slide Away, Gravity Grave, Lucky Man, Weeping Willow]
Coldplay, on the other hand … I’ve loved every album they’ve put out, but I’m not sure what I think about the single, Violet Hill from their upcoming album Viva La Vida. I mean, it’s not bad. But something about this track reminds me of that insipid Franz Ferdinand song they played to death on the radio the year it was released. I personally love their endearing, melodic songs like Fix You and Trouble. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
What kind of bird is this? May 6, 2008
We have company. They just happen to be of the feathered variety.
A family of birds has built a nest on a ledge right outside our front door. It’s been fascinating to watch them and get some close-up photos of them. At first I thought they were chimney swifts, but now I’m not so sure. Any bird lovers out there know for sure, by looking at the photos? Thanks in advance for your help. (more…)
Out of the mouths of babes
You never know what Mikaela is going to say. She makes us laugh every day.
This morning, she looked at the entryway floor and said, “Mama, this ’sgusting” (disgusting). Guess it’s time to mop!
This afternoon, Jay had a bloodshot eye and he asked her how it looked. She said, “It looka kinda terrible!”
Perhaps I’ve visited the drive-thru too much lately May 4, 2008
Gabriel was at speech therapy on Friday and his therapist was asking him to name things in certain categories. She asked him to name something large.
He replied, “uh … a Large Diet Dr. Pepper.”
Ill-advised idea #943 May 3, 2008
So, we have a long-haired dachshund. As the weather has been getting warmer, I’ve been wanting to take her in for a trim so she doesn’t bake every time she goes outside. But after finding out the price - $38 (my haircuts cost $18 and that’s with a tip) - I decided to give it a shot myself. I spent 4 hours yesterday cutting her hair with scissors and Jay’s clippers (sorry, Jay!). When I was done, I was covered in sweat and dog hair. There was enough fur on the ground to knit a sweater. And the dog … well …. (more…)
Ha. May 2, 2008
This morning, I turned the TV on for the kids. The channel had been set to a local station last night, so when we turned it on this morning, the news was on. Mikaela saw this and frowned.
“This not for kids, Mama,” she said. “This for ‘dults!” (adults).