Monday April 30, 2001 I'm still not up for posting, but my sister was kind enough to send this, so I thought I'd post it here instead of on her craft page. I found a little inspiration in it and hope we all do. Couldn't we all use a
mental inventory of our life and a straightening of our priorities? Please continue with your prayers, at this point we absolutely need a miracle!
*PLANNING AHEAD*
When Spring arrives in Michigan we come out of hibernbation. If not for the excellent Spring/Summer/Fall we'd migrate south. But, in Spring we come to life, clean everything, and prepare for the upcoming growth and activities.
At this point I must apologize for my lack of a new craft item. I'm sorry! I've been busy. I will, instead, make a few healthy suggestions: 1. Plant something--Tending flowers is therapeutic. And, later harvesting, admiring, and drying them for use in a multitude of craft projects will instill in you a sense of accomplishment. 2. Paint something--Maybe sprucing up your weathered deck will lead to adding a stencilled trim, solely for your own amuesment. 3. Take a walk--We can sit and craft all that we want, but taking time for exercise will return us energized, often inspired, and healthier for it.
Enjoy life--Rose
Friday April 27, 2001 I won't be posting for a while. Our family is struggling through a terrible crisis and my focus needs to be on my family. My father-in-law suffered a severe stroke on Wednesday morning and is in serious condition. Please keep our family in your prayers!
April 20, 2001 Daggonnit!! I can't believe Rodger got the boot at Tribal Council last night. I bet all of America is in a kind of mourning state today over the loss of him, the Outback will not be the same without him! Speaking of Survivor, I broke one of my own "Survive This" rules the other day. It all started when I slept in. I don't like to sleep in. I like to get up early, wake up with a couple of cups of coffee, and get my wits about me before the boys wake up. So we all ended up getting up together. They can be SO demanding first thing in the morning. Thomas always wants breakfast first thing and Gabe wants something to drink like five minutes ago. Jackson usually just wants a little lovin' first thing, which is hard to do while getting breakfast, drinks, coffee etc. So...I poured a cup of coffee. Got out three cups for the boys. Poured three cups of milk. Added a shot of milk to my coffee. Added chocolate to their milk and stirred. Gave the boys their drinks. Got out the cereal. Then I heard it...(the rest of the scene is in slow motion!) Gabe said, "Mommy, why does our milk taste different today"? Still in slo-mo, picture this, I turn and look at my coffee only to see that the milk was curdled and floating on the top of my cup. So I scream (in slow motion, of course) Nooooo! I gave my boys sour milk! I'm not one of those people who smells things to check for freshness, I'm one of those who says "smell this, does it smell okay". I had no reason to doubt its freshness, the date was good and I had just opened it. I don't know which disgusted me more, the fact that I gave it to them, or that I would have to have my coffee with no milk. That's what I get for sleeping in. One more Survivor note. I predict (since Rodger is out of the running) that Tina will win. She deserves to win, she's played the game like it was meant to be played. Is it just me or did Keith's (a.k.a. "carrots") eyes seem really large last night? I'm sure that he and his "sweet pea" will live happily on the money he'll receive for taking second place.
April 19, 2001 No more phone calls. No more emails. My kids aren't really for sale.
"The smile on your face lets me know that you love me. There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me. A touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall. You say it best when you say nothing at all." -Keith Whitley-
That's how I really feel about them. (Especially now, when they're asleep and looking so sweet and angelic!)
April 18, 2001 I'm going to do it!! If things don't straighten up around here, I'm going to place this ad in the paper.
For Sale By Owner
One very mouthy 5 year old boy who has a tendency to know everything. Unwilling to share, be nice, or get along with others. Also, one whiney 3 year old boy. An expert at pitching fits, throwing toys, and talking back. Make an offer. May sell both for one low price.
I'll keep Jackson, he's been pretty good. The older two though...Ugh! I don't know what to do with them. Can I still blame it on Spring Fever? Somehow I'm just sure it has something to do with something I'm doing wrong. I don't know what though. I go out of my way to try and make them happy. When they're good, they can be so sweet and loving, but when they're bad...they are oh so bad.
Everyone knows that I'm new to this whole weblogging thing right? Reading other weblogs has become a favorite pastime of mine (and we all know how easily I get addicted to anything related to the internet) and now I've found another portal that makes this even easier. Ageless is the brain child of Joe Jennett's who wrote "So - I was thinking that I've gotta be the oldest friggin' blogger on the planet" and "...the personal, creative side of the web is diverse and ageless". ...If I still own my kids in a couple of years, maybe they can start weblogs of their own. Can you imagine a 7 year old building a web page? I can.
April 17, 2001 I received this in an email yesterday (thank you Dawn). Read it and then I'll explain why I felt like I should share it with you.
A 5 year old and a 4 year old are upstairs in their bedroom. "You know what?" says the 5 year old. "I think it's about time we start swearing." The 4 year old nods his head in approval. The 5 year old continues. "When we go downstairs for breakfast I'm gonna say "hell," and you say "ass." OK?" The 4 year old agrees with enthusiasm. The mother walks into the kitchen and asks the 5 year old what he wants for breakfast. "Aw hell Mom, I guess I'll have some Cheerios." WHACK! He flies out of his chair, tumbles across the kitchen floor, gets up, and runs upstairs crying his eyes out. The mom looks at the 4 year old and asks with a stern voice, "And what do YOU want for breakfast young man?" "I don't know," he blubbers, "But you can bet your ass it won't be Cheerios."
Hmmmm...How strange that I would get this yesterday after hearing Gabe cuss like a sailor all day! A three year old SHOULD NOT be able to use shit, damn, OR son of a bitch properly in a sentence. Gabe did and did often yesterday. I have been trying very hard to watch my mouth since the whole Thomas calling Mark a horses ass thing, so I'm not really sure how this all came about with Gabe, but I don't like it. It's kind of hard to punish him when I know that he's heard it elsewhere. And to make matters worse, every time he said something bad Thomas would repeat it, "Mom, Gabe just said shit...Mom, Gabe said son of a bitch again!" Ugh...I don't want my kids to have potty mouths! On a brighter note, our Easter turned out beautifully! We opted for the indoor dinner as opposed to the cook out since the weatherman was calling for nasty weather. It ended up being nice out though and they had their Easter egg hunt outside. Grandma brought over about 60 plastic eggs filled with toys and candy and the boys (and cousin Maddisyn) had a blast finding them all over the yard. They had help from Uncle Denny and cousin Craig...I don't know who was enjoying it more, the kids or the grown ups. Now today I wake up at 5:00 am to find the ground covered with snow. I've given up where the weather is concerned. It's Michigan, the weather is unpredictable...I need to just get over it.
The Weekend-April 14&15, 2001 HAPPY EASTER!!! I'm off to enjoy a nice holiday weekend with my family, I hope you all do the same. I won't leave you emty handed, here's something new. Courtesy of ME. Please enjoy my list of 101 Things To Do With A Hard Boiled Egg. So it's only 39...at least I tried!!!
April 13, 2001 Yikes...I didn't realize that it was Friday the 13th until just now. Now that I know, something bad is sure to happen. Pretty uneventful around here. The boys are trying hard to be on their best behavior so I don't have to call the Easter Bunny. It's nice to have something to threaten them with. They sure are excited about easter. (Egg-cited!) We went shopping the other night for Easter supplies. It seemed like Christmas shopping. We never got presents for Easter. Just a basket with candy and eggs. Not these spoiled children. I don't know how this all got started,with them getting gifts and all, but I've got a pretty good idea. And it wasn't us that started it. Nonetheless, they're looking forward to it. The big Easter egg hunt looks like it will have to be held inside though. Weather man is calling for yucky, rainy, cold, weather for Easter. I guess it doesn't really matter as long as all of the hard boiled eggs that are hidden get found. I guess since I had my big "rant" with my so-called friend yesterday, I owe you two egg decorating ideas today don't I? Here they are:
Kids Exchange has tons of ideas that include natural dyes, crepe paper dyes, waxed eggs, marbled eggs, and even sponged painted eggs!!! Have you ever heard of tie-dyed eggs? Apparently it's possible.
...oh wait P.S. Lee I'm glad you enjoyed the Mrs. Beasley link. I had a Mrs. Beasley too. Now you have me wanting to dig through old photos and find one of my own. Did you wear her glasses? Who would've thought that they would be in style in the 90's?
April 12, 2001 Okay...so I know that I'm obsessed with Survivor...I've admitted it. But this tops the cake. My friend thought she was being very smart and cute...do you think this is funny? Apparently she did....
All I can say is...paybacks!!! Aren't they a bitch?
April 11, 2001 In or out! You could put someone's eye out with that! If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times! If I have to stop this car...and the list goes on. Yikes! When did I turn into my parents? It's a scary thing when you hear things you never thought you would say come out of your own mouth...things you swore you would never, as long as you live, say to your own children. But you do say them. Alot! As a "grown-up" I've often wondered what the consequences would've been if I stood at the door going in and out...or where exactly is the eye when it goes "out"...or what happens if you have to tell me 101 times...and what if you DO stop the car? I never challenged these idle threats as a child, but I'm sure my boys will. They're much more brave then I ever dreamed of being. (Is it bravery, or just pure foolishness?) Lets start with "In or out"...I never understood it as a child, and I'm not sure I understand it as an adult. I say it, but I don't understand it. Why should I care if they're going out and coming back in and going out again. It's not like they're wearing out the hinges on the door, or that they're letting in hot/cold air...it's just an annoyance. I use this threat before they even go outside. "Once you go out, you're not going to be running in and out, if you're going out...stay out, if you're coming in...stay in!" Ugh...I didn't realize how silly it was until I saw it here in black and white. "You could put someone's eye out with that"...hmmm. A stick? A B-B? A rubberband? The list is endless. I guess you could put someone's eye out with almost anything, but why do we find it necessary to remind our children of the danger of it. It wouldn't be intentional so does that mean we should warn them of all the dangers lurking in their everyday life? If that were the case, we would get little else done in the course of a day. Because when you have small children nothing is safe, everything has the potential of becoming a deadly weapon. Then there's the dreaded "If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times". Yes and? I have to remind myself that children are just that...children. They need to be told things over and over. They thrive on consistancy and repetition. They thrive on consistancy and repetition. They thrive on consistancy and repetition. They thrive on consistancy and repetition. Oops...old habits die hard. My personal favorite..."If I have to stop this car..." You notice this one changes every time you use it. The ending is never the same. It could be "...you're in big trouble buddy" or "...you'll be sorry" or "...you'll regret the day you were born". I guess it depends on the circumstances. I never actually stop the car. Neither did my mother. Then, of course, there are the classic one-liners. In response to "it hurts here when I do this": "so don't do that". After hearing "I want, I want, I want": "people in hell want ice water". In response to dealing with any negative action after an entire day: "wait until your dad gets home". When asked "why do I have to clean my room?": "because it looks like a damn tornado went through here". A phrase that works for any and all of the for mentioned: "I brought you into this world and I can take you out". I'm sure these threats and cliches are not endorsed by any parenting experts, but I don't think that makes me a bad parent. My parents used them with me and I turned out alright...
An Easter egg coloring suggestion is from one of my crafty sisters. She sent me a great idea for making Mosaic/Collage Blown Eggs. They sound like lots of fun. I wish I had the time to try it, but I won't...with the getting after the kids and all!
April 10, 2001 I have always loved the tradition of coloring Easter eggs. There's just something about stinking up your whole house with the smell of hard boiled eggs and vinegar...When I was younger and still lived at home, we always sat down as a family and dyed eggs (and lots of them). When I "grew up" and moved out, the tradition changed but still existed. It became a new tradition to have a friend or two over, buy a 12-pack and sit down and color eggs until the last one was done (I'm not talking about the eggs). This usually resulted in under cooked, cracked, and funky-colored eggs but hey...it was tradition! Now that I have a family of my own, we have our own traditions. We spread newspaper all over the table and let the boys go crazy with a few dozen eggs. It's not that we particularly like to eat hard boiled eggs, we just love the heck out of coloring them. When they're finished everyone receives "their" own egg...with their name, picture, or a special message on it. Then we have all the multi-colored eggs (Marks specialty) that have been dipped half in one color, half in another. Then of course we have all the "what the" eggs. These are the ones you look at like what the heck is that supposed to be. Our eggs sometimes look less than edible, but I have yet to see someone turn down "their" egg. Oh...the tradition doesn't stop there, that's only half. Usually the night before Easter "The Grandparents" come over and we go through the whole ritual again. I usually just sit back and enjoy this one. Taking pictures, cleaning up messes, generally just soaking it all in. It's a special time...it runs a close second place to decorating 10 dozen Christmas cookies!!!
From now until Easter, I'll try to share some decorating ideas from the wonderful sea of knowledge we all have at our fingertips. The one I found for today is from In Season. It contains natural dyes for Easter eggs. "...truly amazing to see the colors hidden in the plants around us." If you use red cabbage you'll get a dye that is robin's egg blue. Using onion skins will make your dye reddish brown. And if you use the inner bark of apple branches your eggs will be a beautiful bright yellow.All you have to do is boil the plant material until you have a good rich color, strain the dye, discard the plant material and return the dye to the pot. (These dyes were verified to be safe through the Poison Control Center.) Hey, no mention of the use of vinegar...that can't be all bad then.
April 9, 2001 Happy Monday!! I apologize for the lack of entries lately...I just haven't had the amibition to post anything in the last couple of days. I could tell you that nothing has been going on here to write about, but if you've read any earlier entries, you'd know I was lying! Our trip to see Blue's Clue's Live yesterday was quite an adventure. We never told the boys where we were taking them, only that they needed to be quiet in the van because it was a long ride and Jackson needed to take a nap. They were very good about not asking the dreaded "are we there yet?" and seemed to enjoy the ride. It was a beautiful day for a road trip. After driving around the same few city blocks about 10 or 12 times a couple of times, we finally asked someone for directions. A woman, a woman carrying boxes, a woman who obviously didn't know her way around the city any better than we did. So around the block we went again. Finally Mark yelled out at a couple of young guys who were crossing the street while we were waiting at a red light. He asked "which way to Devos Hall?" just as the light was turning green. I heard "Take a right...at the next light...then go...". We were in the left turn lane. But we found our way. Our seats were great. Right down in the front. Orchastra section, sixth row back from the stage, right smack dab in the center. Our lack of navigation skills didn't make us late, but there were a lot of people already there and in their seats so we had to do one of those "excuse me...oops sorry, ugh...oops, excuse me...oh, sorry" things all the way down to our seats. I don't know how many people's feet I stepped on and I was trying not to...I can just imagine how many feet Thomas and Gabe stepped on. The show was, in a word, AWESOME. I think Mark may have even liked it, I caught him smiling a couple of times! Thomas was a little shy about the dancing and singing, even though he knew all the words to every single song, and was singing them quietly. Gabe on the other hand, was not. He sang, he danced, he shouted out the answers to all of Steve's questions! He would've stood in his seat, screaming at the top of his lungs if we would have let him. He was amazed...and amazing. The looks on their faces is one that I won't soon forget. So after the show, all the way home, and for the rest of the night, we talked about it. They loved their "surprise"! (Gabe was sure we were going camping.) They loved the show, they loved Steve (even though he's not the same one on t.v.), and they loved Blue. They told us over and over what their favorite parts were and "how cool" it was when steve flew. How did they make it snow? How did Steve fly? How were the planets up in the sky? How come tickety-tock had a head? How come shovel & pail never came out from behind the curtian? Why were Mr. Salt & Mrs. Pepper so big...and on and on and on. It was a day they won't soon forget. None of us will. I think it was just what we all needed. So...if you have children who are fans, and this comes "to a town near you", go see it. You won't regret it. If for no other reason then to see the look on your childrens faces. Awe, reverence, joy, delight, pleasure, amazement, and that's just to name a few. I love making my children happy...and yesterday, they were definately happy!
April 6, 2001 Blah...That's how I feel today. I'm tired. I'm depressed. I'm broke. I have nothing...no cool links, no tip of the day, none of my mostly not-so-funny humor. I'm sorry...come back tomorrow and I'm sure I'll be feeling better. But now...I'm going outside to see if anyone will share their scooter.
April 5, 2001 Have I mentioned that we're taking the boys to see "Blues Clues Live" this weekend? Woo Hoo.. No really, I'm excited to see how they will react to it. Mark on the other hand, is not. Big night for us "Survivor" fans. Any bets on who gets the boot tonight? Since Jerri's untimely departure, I really don't care...I just wanted her gone. As I've said before, I'd really like to see Rodger win the money (or Elisabeth, or Colby, or Nick). Mostly Rodger. My guess on the rice deal, for those of you who give a rats behind, is that they have to trade their fishing gear for rice. They may as well, they're not going to catch any fish anyway. You can expect them to lose all their gear soon anyway...once the big monsoon hits. Thanks to Jerri and her know-it-all ways, I'm sure the camp will be gone. But that's just my take on it... Speaking of rain, it looks like it's going to start to down pour any minute now. Either that or snow. Probably rain though, because when Mark got home he started re-organizing his garage/shed. There's stuff spread out all over the yard, and he took a break to run to the store. I like the rain, but I don't like the muddy mess it makes. Looks like the boys will have to find something else to do other than the scooters tonight. Here's a couple of interesting links to keep you busy for a bit...
April 4, 2001 It looks like spring really is here. I saw a robin yesterday, the first one I'd seen this year. Today the sun is shining and the little mound of snow we had left from the plow is almost gone. I shouldn't say anything about the weather, I'm sure to jinx it. Then tomorrow I'll be ranting about the six inches of snow that we got over night! The boys are enjoying the weather. They've been out on those new scooters every chance they get. We only have one long side walk in front of our house that Mark finished last summer, so they're anxious to take them to the trails in town that are paved for miles and miles. I think part of the reason for that though is the Dairy Queen. Last summerit seemed like everytime we finished our walks, we went for ice cream. Doesn't make a lot of sense does it? Go for a walk and THEN get ice cream. It probably should be the other way around. I'm anxious to get some spring cleaning done. I sit and look around here and think "ewwww". An ideal day for me would be for Mark and the boys to go away for about 6 hours and leave me here alone to clean. Walls need washed, curtains need to be taken down and mended, windows need washed inside and out, and I won't even start on the closets! I guess the clutter and messes should be expected with three small boys constantly here and into stuff, but it still makes me crazy. Mark's shop changed his hours to 5am-1:30pm. That means my quiet afternoons are no longer in existence. I'll no sooner get the kids down for naps and he'll be home to bother me. He's not one to sit still for one minute. To him, there is always something that needs done. A job that needs finished, some tinkering to do, or something. He just will not sit still. It drives me CRAZY! Now he'll be in and out all afternoon. Going here, going there, doing this, doing that. Ugh...I get tired just thinking about it! I shouldn't complain, at least he's not one of those lazy good-for-nuthin' husbands who park their butts on the couch as soon as they get home and bark orders all night! As a matter of fact, he's due home now. So I'll leave you with a little something about the our hunkiest survivor.
Seems as though Colby's coral pilfering may get him into a little bit of trouble. Imagine that...I didn't even know there was such a thing as coral pilfering.
April 3, 2001 I'm not one to usually let my children play with sharp, pointy objects that could easily be used as some kind of weapon in the all-to-frequent squabbles we have around here. But...last night I learned a new trick. Gabe IS hungry and he WILL eat if you let him use a skewer to "stab" his food with. Lately it's been a battle every night at dinner to get him to eat. He takes a couple bites, claims he's is full and hops down. He would rather be any where other than at the table eating. He's a grazer...always has been. He likes to walk around all day with something in his hand to eat, but doesn't like to sit down and eat a normal meal. I'm a little concerned, but I know that he's growing and getting the nutrician he needs...he's not a picky snacker. He eats good healthy snacks, he just doesn't want to sit down to a meal. Too much to do I suppose. We went through the same thing with Thomas when he was this age and he outgrew it. Of course with him I made the mistake of taking his order every night before dinner. I made our meals and cooked him whatever he wanted separately. I won't make that mistake again. I don't run a restaurant here. And now he can't seem to get enough to eat. He's one of those eaters though, that doesn't want his different foods to touch each other. He keeps them all separate on his plate and works his way around the plate. Starting with the food he likes the least and ending with his favorite. He's turning out to be a bottomless pit eater, just like his dad! Jackson is a good eater. He's starting to feed himself with a fork as long as you "stab" it for him. He's willing to try just about everything, but lets you know when he doesn't like something or has had enough by simply opening his mouth and letting the contents just fall right out. He's definately not lacking in the calorie in-take department. I swear that every morning when he gets up he looks bigger than he did when he went to bed.
The tip of the day comes from Dr. Paul at Parenthood Web"Try to present healthy foods in a positvie light...Offer your child lots of opportunities to make his own food choices...Give small portions...Make the mealtime table a relaxed and positive environment, free of family conflict, tensions, and distractions (such as tv)". ...Dr. Paul didn't mention ANYTHING about letting a three year old use what could be considered a dangerous weapon as an eating utensil. Hmmm...
April 2, 2001 Well April Fools Day came and went...thank goodness. I don't know how many more time I could've laughed at things that were just not funny! Kind of like those knock-knock jokes the boys have just discovered, the ones that make no sense at all. Thomas didn't wake Mark up with a "dad get up, you're about to miss the bus!". I wouldn't let him. We had a rough night the night before with Jackson and since he got up with the kids on Saturday, Sunday was his morning to sleep in. I heard everything from "hey there's a horse in the driveway" (wonder where that came from) to "hey there's a black fly tying his shoe" ?! Thomas was "tricking us" all day and Gabe repeated everything that he said...just five minutes later. Jackson didn't know what the heck was going on, but he laughed everytime the boys burst out hysterically. Thomas called Grandma and Grandpa and told them he crashed his new scooter into the window and broke it (the window). Grandma's reply? "Uh-oh..." Then of course, "April Fools!" He repeated the same story a couple hours later to his Aunt Dawn, but I'm sure she didn't believe it...she was waiting for him to pull something. When Aunt Tracy came today from out of town, they were outside (playing in the SNOW!) and as soon as she got out of the car Thomas told her she had dog poop on her shoe...we don't even own a dog! The snow finally melted late this afternoon, so hopefully the boys (and the scooters) can go outside tomorrow. They've been riding them back and forth, back and forth, through the whole house all day...driving me nuts. Of course now I have the perfect excuse to wax the floor since there is tire tracks and skid marks from the brakes. Thank God they didn't get the scooters for Christmas...it would've been an even longer winter.
The tip of the day KidSource Online. "Wear a helmet...knee and elbow pads. Ride scooters on smooth, paved surfaces without any traffic. Do not ride at night." ...Hmmm, I guess that means they probably shouldn't be riding in the house.
April 1, 2001 Happy April Fools Day!!! Looks like Mother Nature has played the biggest joke yet. Nothing like waking up on April 1st to snow...yuck. I'm not kidding one little bit when I tell you that my boys think this is some kind of national holiday. They've already informed me that it means they don't have to take a nap because "then we won't have time to fool people". They've been practicing their pranks and are all ready for a day of "ha ha...April Fools". It ought to be interesting...Thomas has said for a month that on the morning of April Fools after he gets up he's going to wake up dad with "get up!! You're about to miss the bus!" I'll have to fill you in tomorrow on the details. We started practicing for it yesterday. Actually, I guess I can be blamed for that. The boys (Mark, Thomas and Gabe) were playing at the computer and I said "Oh, my gosh, there's a horse in the driveway!" They all bolted to look then I said "ha ha...April Fools". Thomas called me a "twirk"?! Whatever that means. They're ready for the big day...I'll take notes and relay all the details tomorrow. The boys got their scooters...need I say who delivered them last night? It wasn't Santa Claus...yes, you guessed it-Grandma and Grandpa. Thomas picked it up pretty easily...he was riding (through the house!) like a pro right up until bed time. Gabe's is like a skate board with a handle so it has four wheels, he's
going to be riding it like a little dare devil in no time. Jackson got a very cute new little lawn chair. One of those short ones for the beach. He must've thought it was his new scooter because he was pushing it all through the house. Well it's off to start a day full of mischief, pranks, and practical jokes. I'll leave you with these links so you can enjoy the "national holiday" as much as I'm sure I will!
Ever wanted to learn more about "Tele-phone 'pranques' by the rogues"? Now you can:The Odd Duck.
