Survivor, Spring Training and 216 hours of FUN!

I had forgotten that February vacation began this afternoon at 3:20 p.m. Maybe denial isn't the exact same thing as forgetting but either way... I was surprised when my son came home skipping and singing a diddy about his 216 hours of vacation. ( Nine times twelve is one hundred and eight times two is two hundred sixteeeeeen ~ there's no real tune just sing along however you'd like)

Survivor last night...

I saw this picture over in Petroville and thought...PERFECT!

I thought Bruce was kind of cool until the brag-o-rama started, with the t-shirt water filtration "oh, this is the best one yet" stuff. And then slam, back you go to Exile Island. Hang ten Brucey.

Shane is a bit grating. The little alliance, oh how they HATE each other. Which is perfect. What I hate is when someone (i.e. Shane) annoys the crap out of someone else (Firedancer girl) and then that someone else proceeds to bad mouth him LOUDLY to any, including Shane, who were within hearing range. Um, shut up david letterman sideshow girl.

The sand wrestling match was kind of funny, with the body slamming and whatnot. I was kind of surprised that the girls seemed to be tougher fighters than the men. Watching dead eyed RuthMarie (or is it Ruth Ann? - it's Ruth something or other) get swung around by Bobby was good tv.

I had no real opinion about the girl they voted out. Misty, I think. meh. whatever, it's too early to care about most of them.

On OLN (outdoor life network) they're showing repeats of Survivor All Stars. I was actually loserish enough to be heard saying "oh, look it's Colby" "Aw, Boston Rob & Amber...look how cute" and "Oh, wow...remember Ethan...yeah, me neither". Like they were old friends. cripes.

We're still watching Little House on the Prairie. They must've taped like 756 episodes per season. I feel like I'm always getting them in from netflix and still, just tonight, we started season two. In which Mary gets glasses. I found it interesting that the optometrist said her eyes were fine, no troubles at all - except for needing glasses. Dude, she goes BLIND, in like, less than a year. Pah, 1800's medicine.

In real life, Laura Ingalls' sister Mary did go blind. Just a spot of useless (or not) trivia information.

Some one at work gave me that James Frey book to read. I'm thinking why bother?

Pitchers and Catchers report tomorrow. The Red Sox now have a center fielder that sounds suspiciously like a box of cereal in my cabinet. I have great hopes for you Coco Crisp. I am sending bad mojo Johnny Damon's way and am hoping that Mr. Crisp has us asking 'Johnny who?' by the middle of May.

Show and Tell

The Show and Tell for Blackbird


the banes of my existence loves of my life.

The ugliest toys in the universe.

I unchildproofed my house today. And NOT because they've been driving me crazy and I'm willing to throw caution to the wind but because my son is almost nine and the girlie is 5 1/2 and I'm just tired of pressing those levers. And if they decide to eat all the cereal in one sitting, pour the rice all over the kitchen floor or stick a sandwich in the VCR, well so be it. Still, they are growing up. And I'm not at all pleased.

I didn't want to like Gray's Anatomy but I do. Alot.

I don't want to like the Bachelor and I almost never watch it. But when I remember it's on I'm there.

I don't want to like those Jack Johnson Curious George songs. But I love that funny little voice of his. Jack's not the monkey.

And it's Valentines Day.

I've begun shunning this holiday in the interest of self preservation. Gifts bought with a sigh at the very last minute should, in my opinion, not be bought at all. I do not like hearing "Oh, are we doing Valentine's Day this year? but I don't have..., I didn't get...".

Enough of that.

We are celebrating with heart shaped pancakes and a treasure hunt with clues like:

It’s big, heavy and black
And the things inside stink
We are always lugging it
Back and forth from the rink.

If you guessed the son's hockey bag you've totally caught on. At least we are supposed to do the treasure hunt...the son was a little, ehem, demanding this morning. Treating me as hired help instead of the woman who stays up late at night making up rhyming clues so they can run like madmen to find their boxes of conversation hearts and such. Ah, love.

Yesterday

The view from the couch

Kitchen Window Feeder


And besides a simmering pot of chicken noodle soup and a game of fetch with the dog in the snow...that pretty much sums up my Sunday.

Snow. Finally.

Oh, Masterpiece Theater....could you not warn me, say with a gentle reminder, that PBS does not have commercial breaks?

I forgot and I feel like if I even miss a minute of Bleak House I'll have missed something major and now...I have to pee.

I am trapped upstairs, leg-a-tapping for 25 more minutes.

From the Horse's Mouth

The latest response:

In determining priority for shipping and inventory allocation, we give priority to those members who receive the fewest DVDs through our service. As a result, those members who receive the most movies may experience that (i) the shipment of their next available DVDs occurs at least one business day following return of their previously viewed movie, (ii) delivery takes longer, as the shipments may not be processed from their local distribution center and (iii) they receive movies lower in their Queue more often than our other members. By prioritizing in this way, we help assure a balanced experience for all our members. Those that rent a lot of movies get a great value and those with lighter viewing habits are able to count on our service to meet their limited needs.


Apparently, this is called throttling. Still cheaper than a video store and yet, leaves me feeling all dirty and used.

Kerplooey!

my head could just about explode right now. And if it does...you people are responsible for seeking justice on my behalf.

You are to email Netflix customer service, a misnomer if ever there was one, and you will bombard them with questions regarding their newly slowwwwwwed doooooown shiiiiiiiiping.

Over a week for me to return one movie and have the next one in my mailbox. Eight days. And that's if it gets here, as promised, on Tuesday. It used to take three or four days so I took it upon myself to send a little inquiry to the folks in charge of those red envelopes of movie watching joy.

Imbiciles.

The first response was a nice cut and paste job from their shipping policy. Yeah, well thanks. Do they not think I know how it works?!?!?! I have been swearing by netflix for almost two years now.

I request a resolution. Twice. What I got was more of the same shipping policy...blah blah...within one day of distribution center...blah blah.... Um, maybe I'm just brilliant or something but I happen to know where BOTH of the cities are that have shipped movies to me. All Two! And the new one, the one they must've just opened that's a 20 minute drive from my home, is much closer than the old one. And certainly not eight days away.

So I will email them yet again, those phantom netflix fools. And I will trust that after the head explosion that's sure to follow their inane response you, my internet blogging friends, will make Diona and Amanda and the rest of the customer service team regret the fact that they couldn't get their heads out of their asses.

So, thanks in advance.

For Lisa. A picture of my super secret dog, Baxter.







The other day Jennifer posted about the seemingly sudden whamo of babies appearing here in blogville. They're here in Southern New England too. My sister in law and one of my best friends are both expecting. Two new little babies coming my way. For a minute or two, I get a little wistful, a slight pang of baby envy. And then it hits me. Which do I want more a baby or an Ipod? And when the answer is an Ipod ~ that's when you know you should be done having babies.

Just sent out the book club email notice. We're up to two members out of about twenty that I find, well...awful. And guess who were the second and third people to respond....You betcha. Ack. Well, take the good with the bad I guess.

The boy is wanting to sign up for lacrosse. Does anyone know anything about this sport? My only recollection is a high school boyfriend who used to end up bruised and bloody after a game. I have a feeling the 8 year old group won't play so rough, but I'm curious now...

So last week a few of you were wondering why my ten year anniversary plans involved a FAMILY vacation - two parents, two kids and a dog.

Well, the dog - has never been to a kennel. And I've tried but the one time he was left overnight at the vet's office they called me bright and early the next morning saying that he had been barking non-stop and they were going to have to sedate him if I couldn't come right down. He doesn't really bark unless he's locked up or tied to a run. But vacationing with him might be negotiable because I could go the pet sitter route but haven't really looked into that yet. We once asked my husband's aunt to watch the dog but it was a nightmare. As in...she left the dog in the cellar unattended for fourteen plus hour stretches and he barked so much he lost his voice. That was a relaxing phone call to get from our neighbor three days into our vacation.

And then there's the big question of who'll watch the kids. My parents don't watch my children unless I am absolutely desperate. Not because they are mean and horrible grandparents and I fear for the kid's safety, but because they don't really WANT to. Ever. And they never come out and actually say it, it's way more passive aggressive than that. With lots of audible sighing and statements like "Well, what will they eat if they come over? - we don't have anything they like". And because attending parent teacher conferences is a guilt ridden experience and my kids have obviously never even spent the night with my parents...well, a week away is unimaginable.

And my inlaws, well, they watch my nephew. All the time. And we do not allow our kids to mix with the nephew unless we are there to directly supervise. He's a sneaky little menace. And so, even if we ask two weeks in advance and they say yes - my sister in law will call up two hours in advance and they'll tell her yes and then call us to say that L. the nephew is coming over too and because J. (husband's sister) has to work, well, that takes preference over our plans. Which is a little (okay, alot) maddening. There is no way they would tell her to find someone else to watch this boy while we were gone. No way. And they are scheduled to watch the nephew (unless J.'s work schedule changes at the eleventh hour, which it does and then we feel guilty because the inlaws finally get a night off and who are we to be honing in on it with babysitting requests) on both Friday and Saturday nights so quick overnight weekends away are pretty much out too.

This bothers us. But not as much as you think it might. Sure, sometimes it's bad with the favoritism from the inlaws and the lack of interest from my parents but in actuality we either get over it or create one of those never ending family squabbles.

And so, with the intent of a vacation being A.) one where we actually vacate and B.) gaining some peace of mind - we will travel together. Plus I would miss them terribly.

I love a mailbox surprise, thanks SQ.

And this...this looks promising. I really like those Coen boys.

The Show and Tell...Monday? Thursday? I need guidance Blackbird.

Turbo Tax is like tax preparation for simple minded, math challenged folk. Me.

Sunday

On Sunday...
My children will take two showers each because my son decided to practice his wrist shots by slapping his hockey stick into a mud puddle soaking himself and his sister in the process. They were laughing so hard I couldn't even pretend to be upset. There is still dirt in the girlie's ears.

On Sunday....
I will try TRY to work at home, during the day, so that I might enjoy a drink or two this afternoon and then watch a movie tonight. I cannot stay focused because I am now posting to the blog instead of transcribing performance reviews. oops.

On Sunday...
I will wonder why my netflix movies are actually taking days longer to get here now that they've opened a mailing center twenty minutes from my house.

On Sunday...
I will do our taxes, for the first time ever on Turbo Tax, and cross my fingers at the outcome...it can't be that hard...can it?

On Sunday...
I will read the Oscar edition of Entertainment Weekly and want to see more than a few of the movies.

Six more weeks of this. This apparently is winter in New England this year. See that mini patch of snow? That's gone now too. *sigh*









Now this? This is winter.











And Survivor...the new four team format...I like it. There was none of that which tribe was he on? confusion. By this point there is no way I can remember most of their names though...they are still Creepy Writer Guy, Chain Smoker and Green Sweatshirt Cleavage Girl. Remembering names is still weeks away.

The Older Women tribe, so disappointing with voting Tina out. And then all that "wow she's off by herself ~ she's so weird, why would she want to sit by herself????" Then cut to Tina and she's crying about her son (oh, survivor editiors ~ how do I love thee?). And honestly, who wouldn't want to sit by themselves after spending the last few days cooped up with a leaf phobic and crazy dead eyed braid lady. Foolish women. I hope they kind of feel like jackasses. Keep the woman who told wannabe survivors to stay on the couch. Brilliant strategy. Jeff Probst is becoming a master of stating the obvious. Ahhhh, Thursdays.

Shit. I just checked the Survivor website. And one of the older women? Is two years younger than me. I'm not crazy about that.

Superbowless Sunday coming up this weekend.

On the bright side? Spring Training is coming up no matter what that groundhog predicts.

The book I chose for my bookclub, well it was from a random list of books that have been recommended to me over the past year. Anyway - I read the rundown on Amazon and it doesn't sound like anything I remember ever hearing of before.

On the bright side? Sounds like it might be good.

My precious 4Runner was backed into today at a stoplight. By a linguica truck.

On the bright side? The damage is limited to the front bumper. We think.

I'm begging off on the Show and Tell this week. My purse is ugly and in the car. Its ugliness is no incentive for me to run out and get it. Next week, with the lamps? I'm in.

So I'm wrapping a package to be sent thru the mail and I find what I'm assuming is the last of a roll of that brown shipping paper (which, btw I love). I cut a nice piece out and flip it over to lay the package on it. I have apparently cut off the right foot of my daughter as this was the paper she had used to have her body traced at Daisy Scouts. gah.

My husband has warned me of the troubles he might have taking a week off this year because his employer views the layoff as his extended vacation (very generous, no?). This year is our ten year anniversary and I've been talking of the week long family vacation for at least a year or two now. My husband is skeptical but says he will ask...I told him to tell the guy that if he doesn't give him a week off at some point this year that he will have to do without my husband for more than a week because his crazy wife was promised, PROMISED this vacation to celebrate our ten year anniversary and well, she might well kill him. And dead is not very effective when operating heavy equipment.

But as he is thankful to be one of the two operators hired back at this point if we are told uh-uh, no way we will accept it and whine in the privacy of our own home (or blog~sorry people, but there will be whining). There are rumors of massive downsizing, the work force cut in half, at this company due to the legal mess they are in. We feel, regardless of this messy mess that he's best to stick with them. Taking the view of lose your good paying, like to do it, enjoy your coworkers job now or lose it later...we'll take our chances and he'll continue on.

And I'll end with a very important question...why are people still buying those pants for their daughters with words like 'cheer' pasted across the butt? ick.

I stole this from Blackbird because it was easy, not one of those 'name your four favorite music memories' memes and in case you hadn't noticed there hasn't been much posting going on over here lately and this was right up my alley.

A - Accent: None. At least none that I hear.
B - Breakfast: usually cereal. usually Frosted Flakes.
C - Chore you hate: the neverending pile of laundry.
D - Dad's name: David
E - Essential everyday item: chapstick, burt's bees preferably.
F - Flavor ice cream: Green Monster Mint
G - Gold or silver?: meh. no real opinion, but i did get these cutesy poo butterfly earrings from the daughter for christmas. See letter P.
H - Hometown: Anchorage, AK.
I - Insomnia: yes. but i kind of enjoy it.
J - Job title: copy girl.
K - Kids: 8 year old boy and 5 year old girl
L - Living arrangements: smallish three bedroom/one bathroom.
M - Mom's birthplace: Saco, Maine
N - Number of significant others: um, just the one.
O - Overnight hospital stays: two, just for the babes.
P - Phobia: Butterflies, spiders and clowns.
Q - Queer?: nope.
R - Religious affiliation: none to speak of.
S - Siblings: mostly an only child, until I was 16 when my mom remarried.
T - Time you wake up: 7ish.
U - unnatural haircolors you've worn: i have no idea but it's been unnatural for quite a few years now, one shade or another.
V - vegetable you refuse to eat: beets. okay, I'm not changing this one. ew.
W - worst habit: procrastinating.
X - x-rays you've had: many, mostly of the lung variety. I used to get bronchitis and pneumonia every year when I was a kid.
Y - yummy: pizza, dark chocolate, homemade bread
Z - zodiac sign: Gemini.

Funny, when the Superbowl teams aren't from New England you'd never even know that there's a game about to happen.

I cannot believe that people would spend even one cent of their money on that damn James Frey book. And they're still buying right up. Fools. If you feel you must read it try the library and that lying jackass won't get a cent from it.

The husband went back to work today. He tried giving me a list of things he got accomplished in these past seven or eight weeks. We laughed when he realized it was a very short list. He claims to have vacuumed 12 times and to have washed, dried and folded 75 loads of laundry. Which would mean he vacuumed at least once, sometimes twice a week and that he averaged more than one load of laundry per day. Hmmm, maybe he should write a memoir too.

Overheard this weekend:

I want to get a big big allowance so i'm going to keep setting the table until i die.
The girlie knows that if she sets the table her brother can't. He's generally okay with that, until she gets a portion of his allowance. She's been setting the table non-stop for 26 hours now.


I don't know if I'm going ice fishing, I hate to ask for time off right away.
Well, you had better ask. Oh and if they say no would you mind spending a few days at your mom's?
I don't think he has any idea how much we look forward to his ice fishing trip. Oh, wait. I 'm sure he has some idea. The girlie actually cried when he said it. I've told the kids that they can go and spend their christmas gift cards that weekend and she thought there was no hope of hitting toys r us with her dad home.

Other weekend highlights:

The girlie learned how to blow a bubble, which has infuriated her brother.

The husband attended a bruins game with his hockey pals on Saturday night. He was more than a little hungover on Sunday morning and I had to take the boy to practice. My revenge? Telling all of the dads exactly what shape the poor guy was in. He's got a game tonight and will be teased mercilessly.

The son was just an all around good kid, with the exception of his walking out of the barber shop after waiting forty minutes. He refused to go back in. Nicely embarassing.

vroom, vroom, vroom

Do you know how many things you can get done while you spend your time not posting to your blog? Do you?

Well, while some of you might be busy being busy I was busy doing what seems like nothing. I've read some, made some invitations and made the beds. Sadly the list stops there and it's been four days. I'm sure I've done more than three things but for the life of me I can't remember.

I blame you all. You and your funny stories and stuff. Quit posting, would ya?

The girlie had a follow up eye appointment. Her vision was starting to get sucky in her left eye so we've been patching the right one for two hours a day. We're down to an hour a day for six more weeks and then six weeks of nothing before the next recheck. I'm not entirely sure if it's making a difference...her depth perception is still screwy and she tilts her head sometimes to get a better view. The doctor told me that after the patching is all said and done she'll reevaluate her and see where she stands.

And in fashion news...the girlie has just discovered the poncho my mom gave her for christmas a few years ago. It's still too big and quite frankly, I hate ponchos, so there's that too. I cringe when I look at her. Not a good thing.

My flat panel monitor has a funky thing going on...the middle four inches of the screen make everything darker and kind of boldish looking. WTF. Oh and my printer that I prayed thought was dead has come back to life. I love my flat screen and am considering sending a sacrifice to the computer gods. Do you think they like ponchos?

And this...I found this quiz ovah in Maine and thought...hmmm, what else do I have to do (certainly not anything tangible, not these past few days, anyway) and so I clicked

I'm a Mazda RX-8!

You're sporty, yet practical, and you have a style of your own. You like to have fun, and you like to bring friends along for the ride, but when it comes time for everyday chores, you're willing to do your part.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

At first I was a little indignant, I mean...a mazda? Why not a ferrari? Oh, yeah. Because I'm so NOT a ferrari. I am embracing my inner mazdaishness. Except for the everyday chores part.

And you are?

The weekend that felt as if it would never end has, in fact, just about ended.

There were two round trips out of state for the funeral service and wake. The wake was rather lighthearted with much reminiscing and hugging but I always experience anxiety at the end of the night, when everyone leaves for the evening. To leave the one you love there, at the funeral home, it breaks my heart.

And the funeral, with bagpipes playing. That, too, was a blow.

We got home late Saturday and I just about fell into bed. And was so rudely awakened this morning by the clumping of the hockey bag coming upstairs. And today was all about hockey. The boy played in two games and then we stayed to watch the semi-pro team play.

There is something about watching your son (or daughter) just get it. Whatever it happens to be. For some it's music, for others art. For my boy, right now, it happens to be hockey. He played one of his best games ever today. Skating and dekeing like he'd been born to do it. Perfect positioning, on the tape passes, poke checks...it still amazes me.

And the second game, a scrimmage on the Providence Bruins' ice. His absolute highlight? Hearing them say "Goal scored by Number 11, *Jenny's Son's name here*" over the loudspeaker. My highlight? The look on his face for the rest of the afternoon.

And then, he caught one of those T-shirts they throw out to the crowd in between periods. Which made him ridiculously happy. Seriously, I should've had him buy a lottery ticket or something, today was just his day.

Firteen on Friday - The Grand Finale including the Show and Tell

1. Yesterday was the last official day of the Thirteen. I'll miss it. I've been totally slacking on updating the linkage at the bottom for the last few weeks though...it got to be too much.

2. Still, thanks Leanne* and MommaK*....it's been great.

3. I cannot believe that I actually like Dancing With the Stars. And I don't just like it...I love it.

4. Sometimes TV should just be easy and brainless. Keeping up with Lost and 24 is a commitment and I tend to lose focus halfway through the season.

5. My daughter's latest favorite toy in the world is those Littlest Pet Shop creatures. Those are some seriously ugly pets.

6. Like Tom Brady, I'm hoping that both AFC teams lose in the Championship game this weekend. I know it's not possible but screaming rubberlips Bill Cowher in the Super Bowl? yuck.

7. I just read the book I was thinking about for book club (Last Days of Dogtown) and while I liked it, meh. Not sure if it would make a good choice. And really, I should have this info to pass on....by tonight. So, if you have any suggestions send them my way...

8. My husband has to take a retraining seminar for unemployment even though he's going to be hired back by his company. It makes no sense and is a waste of time and Commonwealth money but still I laughed at him. In a nice way. heh.

9. Because I am pressed for time I will include Blackbird's* Show and Tell with my Thirteen. Favorite hats. I love baseball hats in general but this isn't one I wear often because I'm afraid to get it dirty or smudgy
I posted a pic of this last year after the Super Bowl. It's signed by Deion Branch, last year's MVP. It was a long, cold wait to welcome the men home and worth every tooth chattering second.

10. And this one. My dad always had a fishing type of hat, purchased on the cheap at Caldor for probably a buck or two. I always used to swipe them from him. They've all since disappeared but this lone hat remains. It's torn and a little dirty because I'm afraid to wash it and tear it some more. And I don't sew, making it a vicious circle.
11. There are more hats lying around...a 1978 Red Sox hat, A World War II helmet of some sort, many fleecy Patriots things but those are my favorites.

12. On the heels of sad news I can always count on you all to add sunshiney goodness to my day. The carnage over at Kate's* house cracked me right up. I luuuuuve that Monty :).

13. And more goodness... my friend, after waiting patiently for nine years...is having a baby. Her third. I am so, so happy for her. And to be honest, even happier that it's not me. Mwah, C. Best. News.


*sorry for the lack of proper linkage*

My stepfather's dad passed away yesterday at the age of 75. He was a such a kind man & a great father to his three boys. Sad times, here.

Four

I got this one from Jennifer

Four jobs you've had in your life
1~ Camp Counselor
2~ Account Representative
3~ Swim Teacher
4~ Happy Meal Box Popper-outer. I was demoted to this after one day on the Mcjob. I lasted two more days.

Four movies you'd watch over and over
1~Jaws
2~Lord of the Rings
3~Love Actually
4~Moulin Rouge

Four places you have lived
1~ Anchorage, Alaska
2~ Gales Ferry, Connecticut
3~ Las Colinas, Texas
4~ Massachusetts

Four TV shows you love to watch
1~Survivor
2~Deadwood
3~Entourage
4~Dancing With the Stars

Four places you have been on vacation
1~Cozumel, Mexico
2~Maine
3~Port St.Lucie, Florida
4~San Antonio, Texas

Four websites you visit daily
The blogroll
Google
Son’s Hockey Website, because they change the practices WAY too much.
Maybe some newsish website


Four of your favorite foods
1~pizza
2~lobster
3~corn on the cob
4~blueberries

Four places you'd rather be right now
1~ In front of a nice warm fireplace with a book
2~ Playing a game with the family.
3~ swinging in a hammock on a beach ~ this one was Jennifer’s and it stays.
4~ making dinner for my husband after his long day AT WORK.

This has gone around for awhile now but if you have nothing to post today and want to be tagged....consider it done.

I spent most of today driving. First to a hockey game (12-2-2) and then to Connecticut for a somber visit.

My stepdad's father was diagnosed with lung cancer this past spring. Yesterday he was given days to live. I went today, to spend some time. One doctor came in the room, in the midst of things and stated that all the other doctors are wrong...there will be weeks, maybe a month or two.

I'm not sure how someone who has never even laid eyes on this man would be qualified to make such a statement, especially when it flies in the face of all of the other medical opinions. If the suffering is minimal I hope he is correct.

This is My Third Post Today....

I guess it's feast or famine over here people.

Anyway, I'm fairly certain I have no lurkers. BUT. If I do...this one's for you:

C'mon...you know you want to. And if I have no lurkers, well then could someone leave me a comment so I don't look like such a comment whore? or wait. Does that request actually make me a comment whore?

Show and Tell

So it's Friday. Pardon me while I pat myself on the back for posting the Show and Tell on the actual day OF the show and tell.

This one was harder than most. A favorite room? I mean, we've redone this house, with the exception of our bedroom, completely over. We used to spend hours mulling over ideas. I'd draw something up at work and stick it in my purse to show him later. We'd walk through Home Depot and then Lowe's...filing away fixtures and knobs in the back of our minds. The only contractor we've ever hired was a plasterer. He was terrible, but he was cheap and while my husband didn't have the time or the energy to plaster the interior walls, he could fix the mistakes and clean up a messy job. Oh, we had a guy come in and install rugs too, so two contractors, I guess.

I'm the idea girl, he's the 'git-it-done' guy and somehow we did, we got it done. From reframing all of the exterior walls because they were not entirely able to hold the windows and doors in; to driving to Maine for log siding. From replacing each and every window, especially the ones held in by two nails; to replacing all of the plumbing and wiring. From knocking down walls to reinsulating the place...all of it. With no official plans besides what we drew on scrap wood and graph paper, my husband did it. A labor of love, really.

There are parts of each room that I love...



The way the morning light shines in her room. That and my first and only attempt at stenciling. This is late afternoon, overcast light....just not the same.






The details of this took awhile to figure out, from the trim on the edge of the bookshelves to the stair balusters. But from the start I knew this would be a wall of shelves and I love it.




The only room I can take full credit for is my son's and while it was alot of work and I was totally impressed with myself for doing it while my husband and the son were gone away fishing, it's not my favorite.

It's the kitchen.



My father in law made all of the cabinetry by hand. Every time we visited them he would show me the progress, which piece was giving him a hard time, how he would fabricate the tip out drawers in front of the sink, the lazy susan latches. It was hard work but they're beautiful.







This is the faucet I HAD to have. No negotiations. It's copper and it's tall. And it splatters all over the counters (the counters that show every drop of everything) due to the too low sink. I love it and the counters nonetheless. Oh, and the wood blinds. I love them too.




The corner bench. Again, made by the husband (not the table and chairs, just the bench). I love beadboard (wainscoting) and again HAD to have it in the kitchen and hallway. And because our house is teeny, the built in was the way to go. The seats lift up for storage and there's a heating duct at the bottom of one of the sections...the section where we keep all the hats, mittens and scarves, so it's all toasty warm.



The bowl on the table is handmade from cherry. I'm also kinda partial to the fake fruit. It looks real enough that the son's friend tried to bite it. Which, maybe he's just not very bright. There are some cutely coordinated pillows hiding in the corner too.




So there it is. My poorly lit kitchen. That's the one bad spot, the lighting. Well, the installed lighting is okay but the natural light Stinks. Capital S. But as those in Tuvalu might say...Say La Vee.

Wow, I'm done. And with almost seven hours of Friday still left. Woot!

Thirteen on Thursday or Friday....Let's not be too picky

Thirteen Things about Jenny 1. I had no idea it was Thursday until ten minutes ago. *And now it's Friday* 2. I am decrapifying my house this week. I couldn't wait for the official Jan. 30th date. 3. That doesn't mean the job will be finished by the 30th though. 4. My daughter is in her glory hanging around with her daddy all the time. She's learned to play chess and is presently wearing a flannel shirt and doing yard work. 5. Have you ever confronted a teacher because your son's grade appeared to be too high for the work he's turned in? 6. Do you ever get all of the christmas decorations put away on the first try? Every year there are at least two or three things that have snuck their way past me and only after all of the boxes are organized and stuffed put back neatly into the eaves do these little candleholders and ornaments make their appearance. 7. I think my printer has officially kicked the bucket, which both excites and depresses me. On one hand...HURAAAAAYYYY, New Printer!!! On the other hand, new printer = $$$. 8. I want a decent color printer/scanner. Printing photos would be nice but not a necessity. Any suggestions? 9. I love Saturday Night Football. And I will SO be rooting for MommaK's Redskins against those Seahawks that afternoon. 10. I can't believe I'm going to admit to this...but I'll be cheering for *scrunchesupnose* Indy (unless hell actually freezes over and the Broncos pull off a win) on Sunday. Because once we beat Denver we're going to seal the deal in the dome in Indianapolis. It wouldn't be the same otherwise. 11. Two things I want to get done this winter....organize all the loose recipes I've got hanging around & learn to cross over when I'm making a corner on iceskates. I can do it, but barely. 12. I also have a growing list of books that I want to read. 13. I'm off to take a picture of my favorite room for the Friday Show and Tell. Which I am DETERMINED to post today. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)


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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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I know someone who works for 3M and tried to get some free product off him or like a written apology to compensate for my loss of plaster. No dice. He said it sounded like user error. USER ERROR. Can you imagine?

He's right - I pulled the tab incorrectly. Those damn things are too strong for their own good. Damn tabs.

And SQ, she wants to wager knitted pet mittens on a possible New England vs. Pittsburg game. At first the thought panicked me...learning to knit in two short weeks and pet mittens to boot (ahahahah to boot...get it? no? nevermind) but then it hit me. I would only have to pay up if the Patriots lose. To the Steelers. In the AFC Championship game. Ain't happenin'.

But then, there is the very slim chance that the black and yellow pull off a win (two wins to be exact) and then I'd have to pay up. And the very thought of learning to knit and then having to actually knit something for someone else to see and wear (even if it is a chariot riding doggie) well, it's got me kind of in a tizzy. Tizziness is something that comes quite easy to me. Calm and zenish isn't my style, unfortunately. I'm not a raging lunatic. A quiet lunatic, yes. Raging, no.

So Hap-py To-Gether

I can't see me lovin' nobody but you
For all my life
When you're with me, baby the skies'll be blue
For all my life


Um. Yeah.

So the weather's being unseasonably warm, which by the way is in NO way related to global warming but to the amount of steam leaving my ears when my husband says things like "Why can't you still make their lunches? You used to HAVE to make their lunches. What did you do while I was working???"

Okay then, so it's warm. And his company called him back in. Almost. The construction coordinator guy called yesterday to say that he might start back today, tomorrow or maybe next week. I've never met this guy, but when he called again to say probably Wednesday for the work, was it wrong of me to tell him, in a voice of mock horror, "you're killing me over here"?

And then he called again today to say maybe next week.

I was taking a poster down and guess what...those 3M sticky tabs...they ripped the fucking paint and plaster right off my son's wall. Down to 40 year old cardboardy drywall.

At least my husband has plenty of time to fix it. Because there IS a bright side to all of this togetherness and dammit I'll find it even if it kills me. And it just might.

Really it's not all bad. There was a low point after Christmas that was pretty damn low. There was, and is, some bad crap happening with one of his brothers and my husband is the go-to guy for his parents. It was weighing very heavily but the load is lightening as the days pass. For that I'm very thankful. But for the neverending questions like "Where are the lunch boxes?" and "How do you pack milk?" and "Why is the new size 4 underwear smaller than the size 3T?" and "Can you get out of the clicker path?" (the path the remote control signal takes to tell the TV what to do) Yeah. Not so thankful for those.

Show and Tell Whenever

Crafty I am not.

Here's my knitting. From last year. I find that by sticking the needles into the ball of yarn and placing them in a basket in the corner of my bedroom it gives the appearance of a knit work in progress. The balls of yarn are dusty. Enough said.



I cannot sew unless you count bad stitching done by hand.

Someday I will learn both of these skills, I want to make mittens and curtains. Those are my goals. Lofty, eh? Well they sure do seem it when I'm starting from scratch, that's for sure.

I've tried my hand at making cards recently and because it's like second grade arts and crafts with the cutting and gluing, it's just my speed. I like paper in general, but apart from Christmas, Birthdays and Babies...I don't generally send cards. So we'll see where that goes.

The kids have guests, the dog is barking, there is lunch to be made and the husband is helping friends with a couch. Happy Saturday, all.

A welcome sight.

After a bonus snowless snow day school vacation has finally ended. Tomorrow we are going for the medical daily double with an early morning dentist appointment for the son and a late morning 5 year old check up for the girlie. I'm hoping the husband will take dentist duty as my son is not exactly brave in that department and only just last year stopped trying to HIDE when she takes out the grape flouride. The polisher, sucker and picks are okay....but perish the thought of brushing kool-aid flavored goo all over your teeth. RUN FOR COVER BOY....SHE'S OUT TO GET YOU!

In the past twenty four hours I've received three phone calls from parents of kids in my son's class. Two for spelling words and one for the lunch menu. When did I become the responsible one? Truly, it's a little frightening. Do they not know that I am continually cursing the school web site for lack of lunch menu updates ten minutes before the boy is supposed to leave and praying that I didn't throw out the one song/poem/sentence/extended homework sheet that he needs to memorize?

The fact that I appear to have it all together might have me start believing that, in fact, I DO have it all together. Because it's all about appearances. Or no, that's not the right one....How about Looks Are Deceiving. I think that one's a closer match.

Where babies come from

I love bedtime. My kids bedtime. Not only for the obvious, now they're in bed and I am no longer on active duty reason, but because I get to hear my daughter say little gems like "I can't wait to be a mommy and lay a baby."

Maybe it was the big yellow baby duck that was born on sesame street this morning or maybe this is the only logical explanation to the whole baby thing when you're five. Whichever. If she wants to think babies come out of eggs for a little while longer I'm so okay with it.

I tried to spot Kate in the gazillion people crowd at the Fiesta Bowl yesterday, no luck. The game though, is like amateur hour. I know they're college, ehem, students but there were missed extra points and crazy runs and Instant Replay? for a college game? That I didn't get, but whatevah. It was a great game and Ohio State has quite the quarterback. I can see how you might get sucked in...

My husband is still unemployed. He needs a hobby. Like vacuuming. Or laundry.


Or if you'd rather read this post translated...you can. By clicking here. Because really, it sounds just like me, Dawg. J-E-Double Nizzy? You better believe it.

I have no strong resolution feelings either way...do I ususally make them? yes. but more as a general guideline than a strict Iwillnotfail mandate.

Last year's resolution to yell less was a fair success lasting until April. And nagging at me throughout the other eight months. Not sure why I'm considering four out of twelve months a success. Don't judge, math was never my strong point.

So I'm repeating my resolution...resisting the urge to raise my voice.

And there's another. Simplify & organize and quit with the procrastinating already. Okay...so those are three (remember the previously mentioned math suckage) but you get the idea. I feel as if I'm treading water over here sometimes, that even the simplest tasks are huge projects because well, A. I procrastinate because it's part of who I am. B. There seems to be just too much. of everything. C. I hate that I'm cluttery by nature and maybe if there was less it would be easier to take care of.

We shall see.

Jenny's Rockin New Year's Eve

Where New Year's Eve last year was a quiet affair, an evening with friends in their new home - this year was anything but.

Some of us met for a little prefestivities dinner and much to the surprise of our hostess her grill hadn't been repaired so we had a quick lesson in broiler using. We took the kiddos to see the Festival of Lights


See doesn't this look festive? Okay, so that was a bust.
Onto questionable destination number two.





A party. Where the only people I knew were those we arrived with. Guys (and their families) my husband plays hockey with. Nice people, much food. When I asked where my son how his sister was doing he says "Oh, she's downstairs in a closet with M." Um, hel-low. Scarily enough, M. is probably going to someday be the man of her dreams but for now they just bat each other with Hulk Hands

And here they are in a closet. A closet the size of the girlie's bedroom. And no, M. is not giving us a lesson in 'driver communication' but holding up a pretzel. But the fun of hanging out with complete strangers soon wore thin and besides we had one last stop to make.


A party my husband invited himself to. Yeah. Not an actual "hey we're all coming to your new house." More like, "Hey, P. said you're having a big party for New Year's." which of course was followed up by an invite by the host. Maybe it's just me but I questioned whether an invite made after a statement like that was a TRUE invite or not. So, wearing my anxiety on my sleeve...we all went over.



There was a grape and brownie catching exhibition. Much to P.'s wife's chagrin.






And this? This is what happens when someone inadvertently starts singing that song..."if you wanna ride, ride the white pony"











Much laughter.




And because these our friends we've met through hockey, friends with loud trumpets purchased at the dollar store there was a video.




We fell into bed in the wee hours. I made a big breakfast this morning, trying my hand at homefries. They were delicious. Which means next time I try to duplicate the recipe, they'll stink. Such is life. Today we are planning games. Playing and watching, as the Patriots take the field this afternoon. Slippers will be worn.

Wishing you and yours a very happy new year.

Thirteen on Thursday

Thirteen Things about Jenny 1…. 1. Loving the holidays with your family of four is easy. Enjoying it with your inlaws while family issues rear their ugly heads, it's a bit more of a challenge. 2. My son didn't make the soccer travel team. Well, he did but it's the 'we would've had to cut him and we didn't want to so we put him on another team where he'll hardly play' team. You know, I'm not sold on the whole idea...sometimes, kids just don't make the team. And that should be okay too. 3. wicked good slippers from Bean's? Are too comfy to remove. And thanks to outdoor soles...I don't have to. 4. Someone is celebrating a birthday today...and because of that she's taken the day off from the Thirteen on Thursday and has also given me only 12 things to think on. Thanks Running2Ks! 5. I got numbers 1,2,3,4 & 13 from last weeks Thirteen on Thursday as presents. And half of number 10. Half as in cobalt and tangerine. There was no plum to be found. 6. Speaking of fiestaware...the store people warned us about the dark cobalt getting all scratched up...has anyone had any fiestaware experience to share on the subject? 7. I also got this. Which I love. And because as a only child I actually made a library out of my own books for excitement (masking tape labels on the spines) so I smile whenever I see it. Thanks C. 8. The son has caught the Sudoku bug. 9. There are so many plans on the table for New Year's Eve I'm ready to just throw my hands in the air and say forget it. 10. Maybe I'll purchase #6 from last week's list and have a little marathon. 11. Remember yesterday...how the kids were behaving? Yeah, well today? Not so much. 12. So far I've spent my Christmas Eve with hockey folk and New Year's Day we've got ice time too. And on tap for February? A tournament. Scheduled for the weekend of our 10th anniversary. Really, we've made some good friends but that wasn't quite what I had in mind for the big 1-0. 13. I love MommaK's idea for Christmas next year. That's exactly what I mentioned at the dinner table the other night...a vacation, where it's warm and tropicalish. Sounds heavenly. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)


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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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And so it went. I can't believe it's already been three days. Christmas was perfectly enjoyable. Is 4:20 a.m. too early for peeking down the stairs to check on the stockings and milk & cookies? Apparently not, as the children were BOTH awake. They tried and tried to sleep again and only the girlie succeeded. For ten minutes. So up we were, carols playing in the background, welcoming the predawn hours with stockings and smiles.
Matching pajamas....how many more years will I be able to get away with this? Because forever would not be long enough. After the presents and the breakfast we laced up, invited the uncles and headed to the pond.

Christmas dinner was courtesy of my mother in law. Another gift exchange, where I got every gift I asked for...last year. Which made me happy, although not happy enough to leap into the air, unlike some of us....

Here is a boy celebrating the receipt of a gift from his very own Most Wanted List. Now I do not only get to listen to replays of pretend hockey goals from NHL 2006 but now I can also replay phony football games courtesy of Madden 2006. It is beyond me how he can figure these games out. I'm all about the instruction books. Probably why I suck.

Why do I feel like I've been shortchanged, that this school vacations isn't quite long enough? We are thoroughly enjoying our lazy mornings and game playing evenings. I'm not at all anxious to give it up. Until tomorrow, because maybe I'm a pessimist, but they've got to start arguing again sometime, right?

Hey - Only 15 hours till bedtime....

We started our day early. A hockey game and mimosas served rinkside.






See the ribs cooking? No? Huh.
The man ordering the ribs for us, he forgot them. And we are ribless. Unhappiness quelled by mimosas. All is well.




That's it for pictures. I've been busy, busy, busy and who wants photos of a messy kitchen which is pretty much all I saw for the rest of the day. Up until now. When I have time to breathe before the guests arrive. Off to light some candles, set up the beverage area and enjoy.

I hope you all have a joyous holiday. Filled with whatever makes you happiest. Merry Christmas.

Show and Tell - Jacket Edition

Black. Leather. A Hood. Big Pockets that hold mittens and gum and things. A lost zipper pull, which, for whatever reason, really bummed me out. Matches all of my winter scarves. All six of them (and *fingers crossed for number 4 from yesterday's list* maybe seven of them). Is that alot of winter scarves? Nah, I didn't think so either.

Thirteen on Thursday

Thirteen Things Jenny needs wants for Christmas 1. The Sims 2 for Gameboy 2. Wicked Good Slippers 3. A book thong 4. Red Sox Scarf 5. Gift Certificate to the paper store 6. Deadwood Season One on DVD 7. Marley and Me 8. The Year of Magical Thinking 9. The Video Ipod gizmo 10. Fiestaware in plum, tangerine, sunflower and cobalt 11. Red Sox tickets 12. A centerfielder, a left handed pitcher and a short stop. Oh, and for Rodney Harrison to make a complete and total recovery in the next two days. Because 10 points allowed in three games, well that's just too damn much. 13. Spongebob Game of Life Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Farewell Mr. Damon. I can't say that I blame you. The front office is Theo-less and Lucchino's still there. Mueller, Mirabelli and Edgah are gone, Manny and Wells want to go and Millar isn't long for Yawkey Way either. I never really cared for your media whorish ways, but your batting average, that I could appreciate. Your bald Dunkin' Donuts commercial wasn't all bad either, I guess.

But to the Yankees? Should I be surprised? Of course the Yankees. They take our men, stick them in pinstripes, cut their hair and give them millions. We take it personally when they go to the Yanks. Especially when they play wonderfully there. I wish I could say that I wish him well but really, I'd love to see his bat go cold in the Bronx.

A snippet from the Yankees' website:

Apparently, Damon's goals changed over the past eight months, as he told MLB.com in early May that money would not be the determining factor in his decision.

"There's no way I can go play for the Yankees, but I know they're going to come after me hard," he said on May 3. "It's definitely not the most important thing to go out there for the top dollar, which the Yankees are going to offer me. It's not what I need."

Um, yeah, sure.

Hey, Melissa...my husband would thank you for introducing me to Sudoku but he can't. Because he hasn't spoken a word all night, except for "1,3,6,2.... Wait. That can't go there. Damn." He has stolen my book.

All the presents are wrapped. Except for the Santa gifts. Because if they see them wrapped in the special paper pre-Christmas the jig will be up. And I don't want the jig to be up. Ever.


A closer look at Jenny's Christmas Eve Dinner Guests:

sister in law vs. jenny & husband of - stalemate. no recent discussion.

brother in law #1 vs. husband of jenny - v. new, he says he's mad that my husband laughed at him when he lost the texas hold 'em tournament. I say he's mad because my husband privately called him out on a very insensitive thing that he did, a totally and purposely ignorant thing.

brother in law #2 vs. entire family - is uncomfortable around his family because of his past and ongoing problems, keeps to self, v. sweet man but is haunted.

stepsister vs. stepfather - barely speaking.

father in law vs. jenny & husband of - thinks we totally jumped the gun when we approached my sister in law about the issues between her son and my kids, her son being his hands-down favorite grandchild. yikes, sound a mite bit bitter there...sorry 'bout that.

And they're all coming over for Christmas Eve. And you thought fireworks were only for the fourth of july.

Actually, I'm betting that we will all behave remarkably well, and now that I think about it, I'm just counting on the whole christmas spirit thing to see us through. Naive? I hope not, this is not the usual course for my family, so I'm unsure...but I remain optimistic.

Editors Note: My husband just gasped out loud at the whole Johnny Damon to the Yankees trade...he's a-liive.

things that are pleasing me

1. The fact that my dog eats only food ornaments off the tree. They may be old but at one point they were consumable. And not sentimental cork. Because then I would cry.

2. The hostess of the family christmas party called and told me NOT to dress up - to make sure I wear my Patriots jersey. um, YAAAAY!

3. a completed gingerbread house and christmas card list

4. dominic the donkey

5. the way my daughter squeezed my hand before she sat on santa's lap yesterday.

the Show and Tell

One favorite ornament? Are these girls kidding? That's like asking me to pick my favorite child. Nah, that one's easy...the daughter. I. am. Kidding. But at least SHE doesn't call me names.

A week or so ago I found a piece of yarn on the floor. Near the tree, looking like it was part of something but as I was unable to figure it out...I just threw it out and chalked it up to one of the random mini-messes that seem to pop up endlessly around here. A few days ago I found this
and it all just fell into place. The damn dog has been eating the old dough ornaments off the tree. This little one, with the string and the hook was in the shape of a dog bone and had his name painted on it. It was eight year old dough. With shellac. The other yarn belonged to another old piece of dough in a shape I cannot recall. Neither were favorites but I didn't exactly want them eaten either.

Some ornaments remind me of favorite places and things we've seen while visiting them

Others of my childhood
I actually remember making this when I was a student at the Raggedy Ann & Andy Preschool. This is much less scary than the santa I posted last week, but I love them equally.

And these posted for comparison purposes because they make me laugh everytime I unwrap them:




My macaroni tree
2nd grade
Mrs. Buckley's class








My son's macaroni tree
Kindergarten







I could blame the appearance of my tree on age but sadly that is not the case. It doesn't look much worse, save for a few missing noodles, than it did the day I brought it home. My boy and I always kid each other because he is clearly the master macaroni tree maker.

There are more, more that I didn't photograph because once I started looking - really looking - I found many favorites. The ones I painted the year the son was born, the wedding gift handblown glass (including the pickle), the wooden covered bridge, the puzzle piece snowflake. So many that mean something, that represent part of our lives. Thank you Deb, for making me look a little harder.

Thirteen on Thursday

Thirteen Things about YOUR NAME 1. "I'm going to grow up to be a murderer or in jail you guys are doing such a bad job of raising me." That little tidbit of wisdom from my boy. Who is still angry that he was punished for calling me a b*tch. Four days later. 2. My tree has stopped drinking water but remains green and isn't losing any needles. yet. My trees ALWAYS die 10 days or so before christmas whether we cut them down or buy one precut and shipped from Canada. Each day I check it and beg it to take a little sip. Yes, I talk to the tree. 3. I forgot to buy the teachers christmas presents. I'm thinking coffee gift cards and some homemade cookies. 4. We just got our first bill for the Cobra health insurance payment. Holymotherofgod. *adds Health Insurance to Christmas list* 5. I have not wrapped any gifts and I have only ONE christmas card written out. One. 6. The dog ate 3/4 of a loaf of white bread this morning. Why can I not remember to put the bread out of his reach? 7. I would love a weekend alone in this house to clean, clean, clean. Well, clean. Then a movie. Then clean some more. Then check my blogroll. Then clean a little bit. Order takeout. Then some more cleanup. Watch another movie, maybe? And sleep. And then enjoy my clean house. 8. I'm hosting a christmas eve get together for my parents and my husband's family (well, immediate family). I usually make a few lasagnas (as they are nice to prepare early and then just require baking while the guests are here) but this year I'm doing barbeque. 9. Pulled pork, homemade beans, cornbread, ribs. And a salad. Any other suggestions? Another vegetable maybe? 10. The whole christmas shopping/keeping secrets thing, my girlie is loving it. She's got a twinkle in her eye. 11. I've had something scratchy in my eye for the past three hours. Startin' to bug me. 12. I just started watching the sopranos, I know I'm like six years behind the curve here and this will be news to no one....but it's pretty good. 13. woot! another thursday thirteen complete! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)


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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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hey, did I mention I went to see the Chronicles of Narnia movie? No? Well. I did. We did, the foulmouthed son and I.

And it was good. Really good. If you have a chance...see it.

Oh, and to those of you who've read the sixth Harry Potter book and didn't discuss the ending out here in internetland...thank you.

Amazing Race review...
This season...it stunk. The finale was not much better. The funniest team won. But being funny didn't really make them likeable. Meh.

Tonight...Christmas Shopping. For one Yankee candle. Mostly just Chrismas walking, talking and laughing with a friend. I have some things to return...apparently Old Navy's idea of clothing sizes has little base in reality when it comes to my kids. Every single pair of pants runs way huge in the waist (those adjustable straps were cinched in to the seventh hole on each side - on the boys size 8 slim pants. Do they sell size 8 Slim-mer? No? Why the hell not?) and it's killing me.

I guess I'll start where I left off on Friday...The Show and Tell...She wants decorations? well, I'll give her decorations...I frighten my kids every Christmas season with this little fella.

This here is Santa. Very old, very handmade Santa made from the finest of egg carton, cotton ball and pipe cleaner. For reasons I cannot fathom, I treasure this little guy. Maybe it's the horrified looks on my kids faces when I gingerly unwrap him or the way they laugh behind my back when I tell them that "Ain't no one puttin' Special Santa on the tree but mumma." I'm embarrassed to admit I may have been seven or eight when I made this 'lil guy. But it gets better, well - if not better...less creepy anyway.

Here's my boxwood christmas tree:
This took like, fifteen minutes to put together. What?? It looks like it took fifteen minutes to put together?! Well. Fine then...
Here's my last entry:
He was two years old and in LOVE with Santa. He dressed as Santa for halloween, made Santa presents, talked about him endlessly. He was fascinated. And at the family Christmas Party, when Santa arrived he watched him quietly from the edge of all the scrambling kids and then finally got the courage to give him a hug. He would've stayed there forever. He looks so serious but he must've been so content.

Saturday...Hockey game (9-1-1 *woo-hoo for another win) and hockey christmas party. The Christmas party starts off with alot of the "Now, which one is your son??" and things like that and ends up with my husband trying my friend's WAY too small oscar the grouch t-shirt on and laughing so hard I literally fell over. The chicken refused to come out and show his hockey buddies tho..*ba-gawk*

Sunday - Christmas Cookies. With red silicone bakeware. And they were fucking perfect people. The silicone baking sheets got the clean bill of health from the chemist, who assured me of their safety with the caveat that he's "no expert on silicone". Dude, your a chemist, that's expert enough for me.

And today apparently I'm a bitch. Just ask my son. Hah. So I said to him "BITCH??? You think I'm a bitch...I'll show you bitch kid!" Not really. I actually just looked at him and told him he "had better NEVER say that again and we'll discuss the matter further when he gets home." And that was it. No raised voice even. He was worried, worried, worried. Heh. Serves him right. I did the whole, no TV no video games this week but am angling for one more thing, some sort of alterna-punishment...(like when I made him write five things he loves about me)...I'll have to think on it.

But wait....last night...Survivor. The beginning montage, dullsville. I hate the pay tribute to your fallen castaways thing too. But anyway. At the beginning of the year I was psyched to see Stephenie and Bobby Jon. Then all the hatin' started on poor Steph. And more often than not, I could see your points and I wasn't lovin' her like last season. But at the end? With Rafe, keeping Danni and not Lydia??? Dammit. Very noble. Very dumb. Would've rather seen Steph vs. Rafe in the jury. But Danni won. And bought lips.

I know I have posting to catch up on, pictures of decorations to post, survivor finales to bemoan. And I'm leaving for work in five minutes but...

My son has just called me an expletive and yet I am both very angry and very calm.

He should be very worried.

Thirteen on Thursday

Thirteen Things about Jenny 1. "Hey, I vacuumed your floors for you." 2. "Is it really so bad having me home?" 3. Supposed to go see Chronicles of Narnia with the son on Friday. 4. Supposed to get a good ole snowstorm on Friday. Effectively canceling our months of planning. Me? Not want snow? You know it must be serious. 5. My dog eats fish food by the can. Once, because we kept forgetting to put it out of reach, I had to buy fish food four days in a row. 6. I love this. Go ahead, give it a shake. 7. So they are now allowing scissors and screwdrivers on airplanes? Funny, when I flew out of Logan Airport almost two years ago now I walked on with a pair of scissors in my jacket pocket and a screwdriver in my purse. Totally absentmindedly as I was just bringing the scissors because the daughter could cut paper for a seriously long stretch of time at that age and the screwdriver in case I had to change the Pixter batteries mid-flight. I've always wondered that, if during those strict security times I boarded the plane with contraband, what were others bringing aboard? 8. My father in law had some concerns about my silicone baking sheets and chemicals leaching into my peanut butter cookies, which is precisely what she was worried about. My friend's husband is a chemist...I've sent him an email, I'm curious to see what he knows. 9. I just watched the Destiny's Child WeboughtallourgiftsatWalmart commercial. Yeah. Right. 10. I'm just getting around to reading the sixth Harry Potter. Very enjoyable. 11. I love sports talk and funny sports talk is even better. 12. I have seen half of two episodes of Sex in the City. I must be missing something...this was supposed to be GOOD tv? 13. I might sound a mite bit bitchy about my husband being home...and sometimes I may actually BE a mite bit bitchy about it all. I know....sometimes??? But for the most part I'm thinking it'll work out alright. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Jennifer's Thirteen 2. MommaK's Thirteen 3. Leanne's Thirteen 4. This Mom's Thirteen 5. Dawn's Thirteen 6. Texas Ivy's Thirteen 7. Colleen's Thirteen 8. Sallwood's Thirteen 9. LilyBleu's Thirteen 10. Squashed Toad's Thirteen 11. Running2K's Thirteen 12. Jen's Thirteen 13. Twisted Cindy's Thirteen 14. Rashbre's Thirteen


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



That song by Counting Crows...A Long December? Could they add January and February and maybe the first two weeks of March into that somehow?

The husband was laid off this morning.

We live in a tough climate for outdoor workers and his company ususally lays off most of their workforce in November and December. We've been lucky, he's always been kept on through the winters. Maybe not so much lucky, as he's a good, dependable and loyal employee and that probably has more to do with it than luck.

Anyway, first time layoff and by 9:30 a.m. he was pacing. And only asked me 132,145 times what I was doing/going to do/wanting to do.

It's unemployment Thunderdome over here. Two will enter...One will leave. Or something like that.

Anyone need any heavy equipment work done? I know a great operator looking to fill his hours.

So then. There was no hangover to be had, which is always nice. But really I do type pretty poorly and if I don't correct my mistakes this would always look like drunk blogging.

This was our one weekend of leisure this month. And how did we spend it? Whaddya wanna do? Ida know...what do you want to do? Very productive. But somehow still enjoyable.

I made our Thanksgiving Dinner last night, strictly so that we can have turkey sandwiches and soup. Also, in the 'what I made this weekend' category: a wee christmas tree made from boxwood clippings. I was supposed to decorate it with popcorn and cranberries, but we watched Elf and the kids chomped down all of the popcorn. Maybe tonight.

We are on the verge of another confrontation with my sister-in-law about her lovely son. He's eight and because we are diligent parents and my father in law and sister in law think we are just persecuting him unfairly, well, let's just say things get a little awkward. And it's christmas. And nothing says christmas like familial awkwardness. And then, because of all of the uncomfortableness and tiredness from being diligent, I usually leave all the functions early...with the kids in tow, which they don't understand, so they hate. Super fun.

ergh.

But this morning. As I was at the esteemed coffee house I frequent (Dunkin' Donuts - the pink and orange is the only gig in town), which I don't really frequent...but let's not be picky here...anyway, a girl I work with. She was in front of me at the drive thru. And when I pulled up to the window, I found that she had paid for my bagel and hot chocolate. And so, with that, The family suckage faded into the background. Thank you, G.

And now I must go whip some five year old butt. At monopoly junior people. Sheesh.

okay. so it's not drunk blogging but very buszzed blogging.

christmas party tonight. for my work.

we sat on the LAME side of the room at first. Our entire tgable went home by 830 p.m. I tolk my husband compeltely made up styorie sabout everyone he didn't already knwo..

"see that older guy (like 70) dancing with that yourng girl?" I said. Well, then I told him that they were married and how the office was all surprised and amazed when they got hitched. Total lie. But the look on his face whas too funny...so I kept at it.

funny thing...this whole lack of spell check looks just like my typing when I'm sober. so for all you know I'm drunk blogging all the tiem.

I know, show and tell. Dudes the cameras downstaris and Id'have to download and stuff and it's late. Drunk sudoku anyone?

Thirteen on Thursday

Thirteen Things about Jenny 1. When I clicked over to MommaK I was taken aback by the fact that it's already Thursday. 2. I don't make many trips to Borders, mostly using Amazon and the library to support my habit. Last night, on a whim, my boy and I parked outside of Borders and walked through. His first time in as a real reader. His Christmas list grew by a mile. 3. My son's teacher had a baby this morning. My sister-in-law is pregnant and we recently watched an episode of Little House where Ma gets pregnant, has a baby and loses a baby (all in an hour). Hell-low. This is MAKING me discuss the baby thing with the kids. In very general terms of course, but still. 4. Okay Melissa. Thanks, Thanks alot. 5. True confession: I totally suck at this latest little game. But I'm just good enough to let it keep sucking me in. Just good enough being struggling mightily with the Easy puzzles. Struggling mightily with a big eraser. 6. I think I have finished up with the presents and have moved on to Phase II: gift certificates. 7. I have a thing for bags. Purses too, a little, but mostly bags. And this is what I'm ordering next. 8. In Bruins news, even though no one cares except my son, they traded away their team captain Joe Thornton. Wow. Even I don't care. Well, I care that there was a trade, just NOT that it was Thornton. 9. I am SO gearing up to be the Daisy Scout troop leader next year. I'm sure I'll be bitching about the whole responsibility by mid-year, but this year Stinks. Capital S even. Basically, they color. And have snack. What's with the need to serve snack at every kid's activity? It drives me bananas. 10. There are plans to put a Target in my town. Which if we can get the grocery selling one, like they have in Tuvalu, then I might get behind it. But the nearest Target is presently 10-15 minutes away. Is ten minutes too far to drive? Must it now be five minutes? Right now there are no grocery or big shopping stores in town (true value does NOT count) and only two street lights. I like it that way and don't mind hiking those ten minutes to civilization. 11. Speaking of targets I have welts on my legs from playing target goalie for my son this afternoon. 12. The son got his first report card...excellent all around with the exception of 'listening comprehension'. Hmmm. It wasn't a bad grade, just a grade that could be improved. Just like his 'listening comprehension' at home. At least he's consistent. More importantly he got the highest grade possible in Conduct. Phew. 13. I'm right down to the wire with three hours to go before this becomes a Friday Thirteen. And just like that...Done! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants