Let's Do Lunch!

“Let’s go to lunch!” my adoring husband said to me yesterday, “I went to this great Chinese buffet last week, and I’d like to take you there”

“Chinese buffet?” I questioned suspiciously “You hate Chinese buffets. Oh wait…were there any white people there?”

You may think this is an odd question, but what my Beloved doesn’t realize that he is actually a caucasian. Well, sure, he dances like a white guy, but when it comes to food, he is convinced that he is 100% Asian. (Possibly with a little Hispanic mixed in) Not to belittle Asian cultures…but they eat GROSS food. (OK, so that's just my opinion. He loves such delicacies as kimchee, tendon, tripe, tongue, etc. He also thinks that Creamed Eggs over Toast is gross. that only goes to show what he knows!)

“Oh, there were way too many caucasians in there for my comfort” he responded. “I’d say it was about 90%, but the food was really good anyways.” According to him, Americanized food is tasteless and uninteresting. (Now you know why he really thinks my cooking is so awful…it’s because I cook like a white girl.)

So against my better judgment, I agreed to go with him to the Chinese buffet. On the way in, he started giggling. (Yes, I know grown men aren’t supposed to giggle, but a lot of them do) I dreaded the answer, but I had to ask him exactly what he was so giddy about.

“Oh, I was just thinking about how yummy those pigs feet are going to be!” Ewwwww, I don't think that counts as an Americanized Chinese buffet! Now I knew for sure that I had been duped. Naturally when he saw my look of horror he went from a giggle directly into a chortle.

“Don’t worry” he said. “I’ll scope it out and make sure I direct you away from bucket” Bucket? I’m going to eat in a place where they have a bucket full of pigs feet? I don’t think so. Yet, somehow, he managed to persuade me to go in…and it really wasn’t that bad. I guess.

Then he suggested we go get some dessert telling me how wonderful they tasted. Um…Ok. We went back to the line and he served me up a white ball that looked kind of like a peach. Then he gave me another white ball. It was smaller and jiggled. I just glared at them while he gobbled his down and urged me to try them. Finally, I took a deep breath and bit into one. Then instantly spit it out. It was the nastiest thing you could ever imagine. Unless, of course, you happen to be Asian…or my husband.

Next time we go out for lunch, we’re going to Denny’s. Now that’s Good Cookin’!

Battle of the Q-tips

For reasons that still remain unclear to me (although I’m pretty sure my mother has something to do with it) one of Shaun’s greatest joys in life is to torment me and try to “get my goat” as he calls it. I’ve always been pretty good at ignoring him. (If you know my mother, you understand how I developed this survival skill) If you don't know Shaun, let me just tell you that saying he can be very obnoxious and annoying would be an understatement. Much to my amusement, people are forever telling me what a wonderful, patient saint I am. What they don’t understand is that…well…I kinda likes him that way. (But please don’t tell him that, it will only encourage him more) I have to admit that I have a bit of a short attention span, and living with Shaun keeps things lively. Nobody can ever say that life with Shaun is boring.

Usually all of his naughtiness is out in plain sight. Sometimes though, we have these long, unspoken battles. Currently, it is about the Q-tips. A couple weeks ago he bought a package of them at the grocery store. (Which I hate…he knows that Q-tips are supposed to come from Costco) along with some groceries and plopped the whole bag down on the kitchen floor and left them there. They sat there for a little while until I came along and put the perishables away grumbling the whole time. I temporarily placed the Q-tips on the counter.

I have to admit that I can be a little dense sometimes. I didn’t even realize that we were having a silent battle until I watched Shaun come out to the kitchen wrapped in a bath towel and grab a couple of Q-tips this morning. Then he turned around and nonchalantly walked back to the bathroom to finish up his morning toiletries. Hunh. I guess I’ve pretty much been doing the same thing without realizing it.

I can only wonder how much longer this will go on. Will we use up all 625 Q-tips? Will we use the 170 count bonus pack as well? Or, will one of us (most likely me) take the higher ground and actually put the package away where it belongs? Hmmmm….

And you thought married life wasn’t very exciting...

Culinary Challenged

I used to think I was a pretty good cook. (After all, my mother taught me everything I know)That was until I started cooking for Shaun. When we were first married he told me how wonderful everything I prepared was and wolfed it all down. (Sometimes it was so bad that even I couldn’t eat it) Inevitably, as the years passed, so did his appreciation for my lovingly prepared meals. He started calling my style “depression era” cooking and often referred to it as “glop”. I guess that’s when I knew the honeymoon was really over. Sigh…I still don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t be thrilled to feast on such gastronomical delights such as “Saturday Night Special” or “Creamed Eggs over Toast”. Although, come to think of it, my sister-in-law isn’t too thrilled with these masterpieces either…

As my children have gotten older, I have tried to pass on everything my mother taught me about cooking, despite Shaun’s protests. I’ve had mixed results. Mimi is fearless and will experiment with nearly anything in her quest for the perfect meal. Most of the time she does a pretty good job. (There is a slim chance she learned her cooking skills from all the hours she has dedicated to watching the food network instead of from me.)

KT tends to be a bit more hesitant in the cooking department. The other day she decided she would cook dinner for us. She opened the container of “homemade” gourmet tomato soup that we picked up at the grocery store and carefully poured it into bowls before placing them into the microwave. When I recommended she add a little something more to the meal, she panicked. So, I helped her out by suggesting grilled cheese sandwiches. She panicked again. So, much to my surprise I had to show her how to make them.

We got out our stove top grill and started heating it up. I got her started with using a cooking spray on the bread (not so much to go low-fat/low-cal, but because it’s soooo much easier!) then placed the bread and cheese on the grill and left the kitchen. After a few minutes I heard KT’s panicked voice telling me that those things were starting to get really dark. While I was trying to figure out what the heck she was talking about, Mimi was calmly telling her big sister to simply grab a spatula and flip the sandwiches over. –A concept KT couldn’t quite grasp. By the time I got back to the kitchen, the sandwiches were ruined and we had to start again. KT was upset that she didn’t do it right, and I was dumbfounded that I had completely forgotten that I was cooking…at least I didn’t melt the pan this time.

All I have to say is that it’s a good thing we have Mimi to keep us from starving. When she grows up and moves away(in about 20 years) well…I guess there's always frozen dinners and the microwave!

Alien Invasion

Yesterday morning, I noticed that something was different although I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.  Finally, it occurred to me that the sky was brighter than it usually was.  I was a little apprehensive, but not too much.  Shortly after that realization, our sweet puppy, Shelly, started barking like crazy. I assumed she was barking because…well…that’s just what she does.  This time though, the barking just kept going on, much longer than usual.  I thought it might be a good idea to go investigate. When I got to her, I saw the strangest thing.  Something from outside was shooting rays of light in through our window.

Cautiously, I peered out to see what it could be.  I saw the most extraordinary sight.  There, way up in the sky, was a huge sphere of blinding light. This sphere seemed to actually be shoving aside our familiar grey skies and replacing them with a strange shade of blue. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.   As I stared up at it in awe, I realized that I was starting to get a sense of well-being.  Could this bright light possibly be shooting down rays of goodness?  I knew then, that it must be from elsewhere…somewhere…OUT THERE.  

When the girls came home, we talked about the alien spaceship observing us from above.  KT told me that it was called a S.U.N.  With a little more probing she informed me that was an acronym for Some Unidentified Neptunium.  I can only assume she learned this in school.  

Later, on the way to basketball practice Mimi looked out the window in amazement.

“Whoa! Look Mama! Is that the Northern Lights?

“No, Sweetheart” I answered, “It’s called the Sunset”

“Oh yeah” was her reply

Wow…I hadn’t realized how much rain we’d had so far…

Speaking of Sports...

We’re going to the SUPER BOWL, Baby!

OK, so I probably wouldn’t even know that Super Bowl Sunday was coming up except for the fact that we’ve been invited to a party for it. Oh yeah, and there’s that thing about Seattle going CRAZY! Everywhere you look you see “Seahawk Blue” and big signs that shout out “Go Hawks!”

Maybe it’s just me (and please remember that I don’t get the sport fanatic thing at all) but I don’t recall anyone getting excited over the Seahawks before all this playoff business. Usually it’s Husky Fever or maybe an occasional Coug Fan. But what do I know?

I can still remember in another lifetime when a friend of mine nearly messed all over herself because I had concluded that the Super Bowl was the Big Daddy of all those little bowls…you know, the Rose Bowl, The Apple Bowl, the Orange Bowl, etc…it made perfect sense to me.(in fact, it still does!) Of course, I now know that those little bowls are for the mere college players and the Super Bowl is for the pros.

Of course, I’ll root our team on. It’s kinda fun to get caught up in the craziness of it all. However I refuse to hop on the band wagon and pretend that I’ve been a fan all along,(or that it really matters to me) Go Sparks!


EDIT: Apparently you need to read the post below this one to understand my last little remark. It makes perfect sense to me, but some people... :)

Playing the Game

It seems to me that I go to quite a few basketball games. I have to admit though, that I don’t really understand the game. I know the general gist of it is to get the orange ball with funny black squiggles on it into the hoop located way up in the air on either end of the court. I’ve picked up that the players have to bounce or dribble the ball but sometimes throwing is ok. (See, I have picked up a few key phrases!) Stealing the ball is definitely encouraged…but only at certain times…I couldn’t really tell you when those times are though. Playing tug-o-war with the ball is considered perfectly fine as well. (I will never forget a couple years ago when an opposing player ended up sitting on the tummy of one of our players in her quest for the ball!)

I think I do a fairly good job of hiding my bafflement when the referee blows his whistle all of a sudden. The next thing I know, the girls are all lined up under the hoop in a very specific order (the coaches see to that) and one girl gets to shoot. Sometimes they just get to through the ball in from the sides. After three years of watching this stuff, I still have no idea why!
As much as the game confuses me, I love to watch it. It’s a very exciting game. Just look at this photo. Can’t you just feel the determination? You see either this expression or a huge grin on Mimi’s face throughout the whole game. The whole team has so much passion for the game and they have so much fun playing together. I give a lot of credit for this to our amazing coaches. Yep, I may be clueless, but I certainly see myself enjoying many more games in the years to come. Go Sparks!

“Mom! Look at this new dance Sarah taught me.”

“OK, I’m watching” I said. Both girls (and Shaun too!) are forever showing me something and anything. I have to admit, I’m not always interested in whatever it is, but I realize what an honor it is to be the chosen audience, so I always watch. (or at least pretend to!)

“It goes like this…Just a jump to the left” she sang along as she demonstrated her steps. “and a step to the right. Put your hands on your hips, and bend your knees in time”

“Bring your knees in tight” I corrected her.

“Mom!” She screeched “you know this song???”

“Of course” I said as I sang and danced the next line much to her amazement and glee. (There might have been some embarrassment in there too.)

As far as I can tell, she thinks it's a really fun, yet slightly naughty dance. I started to tell her where this dance originated from, yet hesitated. I have very fond memories of arriving for some midnight showings armed with toast, squirt guns, flashlights, newspapers etc. (Sadly, I never did dress up though.) In our house, we have always gone by the theory that nothing is taboo. We can and do talk about everything and anything. Still, is this one of those Mother-Daughter sharing moments or is this best experienced coming from friends? (If they ever lean that way…it’s not for everyone.) .
I guess I’ll have to play this one by ear.

Dammit, Janet! How come I can't get these lyrics out of my head?

My Epiphany

Shaun told me that I really needed to start blogging again. That my loyal readers (I only call them that because he did, and well…Ashley won’t let me call her my groupie!) were starting to get restless. Meaning that HE was getting restless and wanted to read more. Does he not hear enough of what I have to say as it is?

He went on to tell me that I needed to find something that makes me happy and blog about that. Why doesn’t he think I’m happy? Could that possibly have anything to do with the fact that my every spare thought is focused on that DANG FLOOR? Is it possible that he’s getting as tired of it as I am. (tee hee)

So, about the floors…sigh…I thought it was pretty much done when Shaun came home from CES two weeks ago. OK, there were a few flaws…maybe those expanding margins were a bit too wide. I’m still not convinced that setting the floor boards down at a sight angle wouldn’t have covered up that problem nicely. Why did I have to marry a perfectionist? If I had only managed to get it done before he got back, he never would have known.

Anyways, I pulled up most of the boards and set about re-doing them. Not being comfortable with power tools nor even a measuring devise, it’s taking me way too long. This, coupled with my well known short attention span and lack of interest in minor details, is causing us all a great deal of stress.

Then, last night, or perhaps I should say in the wee hours of this morning…I had a vision. Perhaps it was more of an epiphany. Yes, I'm sure that's what it was. In this epiphany, I saw myself ripping up those blasted boards yet again, only this time I replaced them with paint! I actually know someone who did this. She “accidentally” spilled paint all over her ucky carpeting. (I’ve also heard the version that she was using spray paint and the over spray ruined the carpet…either way, same result) Not being able to afford a new flooring, they simply ripped up all the carpeting and she had her husband paint the floor boards bright yellow. Then he made big splashes of contrasting red all over the bright yellow and finished it off with a few coats of polyurethane. I know it sounds rather...bizzare, but I think it looks way kewl. And it has the added benefit of being so tough you could skate on it...maybe even ice skate.

I’m really leaning towards that idea. Isn’t that a happy thought? Won’t Shaun be happy? I knew you’d feel that way. Problem solved. Now I can start blogging again.

Girl's Day Out

Last night, right before KT fell asleep, she told me that we need to do something wonderful and highly memorable today. Miss Bossy Pants then told me that she expected a list of ten good ideas to be ready for her in the morning. She then added the stipulation that it could not include such mundane tasks as cleaning or working on the house of any sort. Naturally, I just told her that she was a strange child and that she needed to go to sleep. Then, kind mama that I am, I relented and jotted down two items on her list. They were to sort out the stuff in the garage and hose out the van. (See, no cleaning and nothing to do with the house!)

So, this morning, once she finally managed to drag us out of bed, just slightly after dawn, KT got out her white board and started to demand responses from her sister and I. She ran back and forth between the rooms that Mimi and I were in, tallying our answers of what we would all most like to do. I finally took pity on her and told her that we could do several of our responses and call it a Girl’s Day Out. That seemed to content her for a moment.

Next thing I knew, she was asking me how long I thought it would take to do each thing. I indulged her and gave her my estimates. Then, after absent mindedly answering for a bit, I happened to glance over and saw that she had everything listed in the order she thought they should be done. Right beside that, was the time that we would do it! I just looked at her and told her in very clear terms that she would NOT structure our day out. Her face just crumbled. I’ve never seen such despair on a girl. I couldn’t help it…I just had to do the unthinkable…I laughed! OK, I didn’t just laugh, I guffawed, I snorted and hooted!

My darling angel just came in here to chastise at me for not being ready to go yet. (Who’s the mom again?) The snoop in her (that would come from my mother) made her read this over my shoulder. Oh the outrage! She went so far as to accuse me of fudging the truth! What a horrible child! So…I guess I have to come clean and set the record straight. I MAY have embellished things just a teeny tiny bit. (Like, we aren’t really planning on hosing out the van…it’s not that bad yet) We are now off to have a fun-filled, well-planned day!

Back to the Mom Mobile

Now that Shaun is home again, he seems to want his Jeep back.  It doesn’t matter to him that I don’t want to give it back.  It also doesn’t matter how big of a hissy fit I throw.  (OK, in my defense, I didn’t actually have one, but I just know it wouldn’t matter!)  He seems to think I don’t drive his cherished Jeep with the proper respect it deserves.  He nearly had some sort of attack when I told him that we had shined it and washed all that nasty mud off of it for him.  

So…FINE. He can have his silly ol’ Jeep back!  It’s not really practical for me to drive anyways.  I really do adore my mini-van. I’ve missed driving it.  It’s a very practical vehicle.  It’s nice and roomy.  I can fit my kids in it.  And all of their stuff.  And four extra kids…and all of their stuff.  I don’t have to worry about standing in the rain outside the van in the Costco parking lot, wondering where in the world I could fit the rest of my purchases after I loaded up the one bag of dog food. Yep, I’m just as happy as a clam with my van.  

I don’t need to look cool and unique.  I don’t need to use the “secret handshake” with all the other Jeep drivers (they just look at me oddly when I do it from the van!) I no longer feel the urge to drive up over curbs and splash through puddles. It didn’t matter to me that the van went just a little out of control when I tried to drive over a huge mound of ice cubes that happened to be in a parking lot yesterday.  Sigh…

I’m thrilled to be driving my van again.  Really.  

Number Trouble

There was a message on my machine from my boss, Mary Ann. She is an extremely organized person and is getting our W-2 forms ready for us. Only she had a little problem with mine, she still wasn’t quite sure what my correct social security number was. The first year I started working for her, I confidently filled out all that paperwork with my Social Security number. Only it wasn’t quite right…I just got it a little mixed up. It seems as though the IRS doesn’t really care much for those little mix-ups. Oops. So, I gave her the correct number. Only...it wasn’t quite right either… You’d think we’d have it right after four years.

I do come by these number problems quite honestly. (Yes, it’s my mother’s fault) Numbers just don’t stay put in my brain. They tend to wiggle around in there and do their own thing. I always marvel at people that can rattle off every phone number they have ever known. I personally am rather proud to have mastered a whopping five phone numbers. My home number, in self-defense because people always think they need it; Jeanne’s and Susan’s, from frequent use; my cell number, only because KT got frustrated with me and taught me about how 2 8(ate) 3 and then that hungry 0 8(ate) 7 (knowing that made perfect sense. Now you know how MY brain works!) and Shaun’s cell, but only because it’s so similar to mine. Oh, and most of the time I can get Shaun’s work number on the first try. Although sometimes I get the last couple digits mixed up with my Social Security number.

Speaking of which, I have the correct, Shaun approved, Social Security number written down and tucked next to my car keys ready to bring in tomorrow. Did I mention that Mary Ann got audited for the first time in nearly thirty years last year? I can’t help but wonder if I’m at all to blame for that...

Well...he didn't hate it...

It would have helped if we’d been able to finish what we had started, (the saw deciding to fill the room with smoke sorta nixed those plans) I’m still not quite sure how Shaun feels about our “little project” He knew that we were up to something, but hadn’t figured out what it was. Boy was he in for a shock!

So, he walks into the house after the shuttle dropped him off a little after one in the morning. He looks up and notices that our formerly stark white walls are now vibrant shades of yellow and rose.

He may be exhausted and bleary eyed, but he still can't help but noting that the carpeting in the hall and the dining room has all been ripped up and we have pergo stuff on most of it. As we hadn’t been able to finish laying it yet (due to technical difficulties) there were a few spots where the floor boards were showing. Oh and all that furniture that used to be in the dining room? It is now crammed into the living room, leaving only a lone kitchen chair for everyone to sit on.

I have to give him credit though, he handled the shock pretty well. Shaun doesn’t care (and this is a really mild word for it)for change or disorder of any sort and we gave him tons of both! Poor feller… Good thing he's tough. I guess you have to be living with me!

I’ll take some photos and tell you more tonight. Right now, Nigel, my sweet kitty has decided that it’s time for me to lavish some attention on him and he’s not taking “no” for an answer!

Something about apples and trees...

“But, it would work out soooo much better if she would just do it MY way.” KT wailed miserable as she sat on the kitchen floor. Mimi just wouldn’t allow herself to be coerced by her sister as she had ideas of how to do things on her own. KT just couldn't understand why I refused to make Mimi bend to her will. Sigh...she reminds me so much of someone…now who could that be? Hmmmmm…

A Tale of Two Marys

Just to clear up a little confusion, we have not one, but two Aunt Marys. (Lucky us!) Just to make it even more confusing, they both come complete with Uncle Bills. What are the odds of that? My first thought was that when you come from an Irish Catholic family, there is going to be huge odds of ending up with that combo. But then I remembered…I’m not Irish, nor am I Catholic. (See how much brainwashing the Irishman I live with has done?) In an effort to prevent another case of…”Huh...It’s not Mary’s birthday…that doesn’t look anything like her either!” I will try to clarify.

The first Aunt Mary (who I will simply call “Aunt Mary” because I had her first) is my dad’s sister. She lives somewhere in MI State. If I could show you the palm of my hand I would show you where. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, don’t worry about it. It’s some strange ritual they do over there…)

The next Aunt Mary (who we shall call “Aunt Mary from OZ” or “Aunt Mary Down Under”) is Shaun’s dad’s sister. If you haven’t caught on yet, they bravely packed up and headed off to Australia on a fascinating and wild adventure thirty or so odd years ago.

There, all straightened out now?

Make Room for me!

You would think that while Shaun was away that I would have tons of extra room in my bed.  Think again.  The last few mornings I have awoken either on his side of the bed just barely clinging to the edge or in the very middle squished nearly as flat as a pancake! How can this be? Could Shaun possibly have some sort of Kid & Critter repellent? Or maybe he’s just a tougher nut and shoos them all go away better.   In my half-asleep state, it just seems easier to cling to the edge than wake up enough to send them all away.  Besides, in a strange way, it’s kinda nice to be surrounded like that!

While the cat's away...

Shhhhhh....we're working on a secret project! Tee Hee

Shaun has left the girls and I alone for a week to attend CES in Las Vegas. While he is demo-ing his stuff and trying not to gamble, we are doing a little something. I can't say what it is right now, as I don't know if he's been checking this or not.

I'll give you a hint though...my arms are a bit sore and I've been trying to figure out where we keep our electric saw. When I find it, I'll have to figure out how to use it!

Snow Day

I’m not exactly what you would call a I’m-so-Happy-to-go-out-and-play-in-the-snow kind of gal. I very much prefer to view my snow in photos or perhaps through double paned glass. As Shaun frequently tells me, to his amusement, I have a very narrow range of temperatures that I am happy with. This could help explain why I refuse to live in either the Sahara or the Alps. I like it cool to moderate. However, being the doting wife and mother that I am, I agreed to go with my family before school started back up. Granted, I grumbled, fussed and tried to think of ways to get out of it, but I went. (Sometimes, they can be more stubborn than me.)

As we neared the top of Steven’s Pass, we came to an amazing sight. Cars and more cars were crammed into the ski area. So many, in fact, that they had people out there waving us latecomers off. So, we continued a bit farther to a fun little diner that we discovered last summer. It was all about the 50’s complete with photos of Elvis, Marilyn, James Dean and many other stars of the era plastered all over the walls. The very best part of the diner is the individual juke boxes at each table. (Not to mention the monster size shakes made the old-fashioned way.) It seemed as every other person that couldn’t find a spot at the ski area had the same idea as we did, so there was quite the wait. It was worth it though as we always enjoy the 59er Diner.

When we headed back towards the ski area, we found that several cars had started to leave. So Shaun headed in, confident that he would have no problem driving on the packed snow with his 4 wheel drive. (Should I mention that we missed wiping out THREE cars, not counting our own by mere inches???) Anyways, went climbing up a hill to play for a bit (I still haven’t gotten over the fact that they wouldn’t let me wait for them in the car!) Between the snowballs flying and the snow angel making, we had a blast. Ok, so I wasn’t all that thrilled to find myself sinking up to my hips in snow, but they thought it was pretty amusing. It’s good to know that I’ve gotten my duty for the year over with so soon!

I'm so proud of my girl.

Our Little Mimi had a rough time last night. She was very ill with...shall we just say intestinal problems. Things finally settled down and she fell back to sleep a little after 4:00 this morning. I woke her and kt up at 6:30 for school. I asked Mimi how she was feeling and if she thought she could go to orchestra. The little trooper, just got up, and got ready and headed out the door to catch the bus. I was so impressed.

But then, I got a phone call from KT saying that she had forgotten some very important homework. Not being quite awake yet, I agreed to come bring it to her right away. I met her at the front of the school and was surprised to see Mimi with her all ready to climb in the car and come back home. She laid down, asking me to wake her up in time to go to her own school.

She just wasn't feeling up to it, so I let her sleep all morning. The next thing I knew she was all ready and asking to be brought back to school. And she said she wanted to stay afterwards for Math Club, something she usually tries to wiggle out of.

I am still amazed. And I am very proud of my girl for the choices she made today. Our Little Mimi tends to be a drama queen and tries to get out of most anything she can. Maybe she is just growing up. Regardless, I am so very proud of her.

Happy Birthday Aunt Mary!

I'm not sure if I'm just a little late or right on time so I grant you the whole week! You deserve it!

I tried to find a "sweet and lovely" photo of you, but they all seem to be silly. Hmmm, wonder what that says about you?!!

Hug a 'roo for us!

New Years Eve

Ok, so I know this is in the wrong place, out of order and all that...I had a plan though! I accidently found out that you can make an entry show up earlier than you wrote it. Somehow though, the Computer Deities found out what I was up to. They don't like it when you get too clever, so they fixed it so I couldn't sneak this in earlier. Sigh...I guess I'll have to be sneakier next time! LOL Now, back to New Year's Eve


Years ago, (back when I was young and dumb) I was all about finding a wild party and hanging out with my friends ringing in the New Year. I find it rather sad that I struggle to stay awake and am ready to hit the hay right after we welcome the year in.

This year we started off our celebration with our friends the W family. We had decided that we would just do a dinner of various appetizers, but somehow it evolved into a fondue feast. Kathy brought all the fixins’ and prepared a wonderfully authentic Swiss fondue before our eyes. (We know it is authentic because they had the real thing in Switzerland and the whole family declared Kathy’s to be better…and she’s not even Swiss!)

15 years and 4 kids ...aren't they cute?

Then, of course, I had to make my own brand of fondue...chocolate! One of the W kids Thanked me several times for making his "favorite kind of fondue"! Of course he had never had that before. Hmmm, hope that doesn't cause problems in the W house!

For some reason, Shaun has this fascination with dry ice. He was ecstatic when he learned that our grocery store carries it full time. So, guess what fun thing we had for NY? And guess what container it had to go in? Sigh…the man is always entertaining
.

Soon, it was Game Time! The W’s had brought a couple games that we hadn’t played before. (The girls and I have decided that Taboo is our new favorite game and we rushed out to buy our own copy of it. Shaun doesn’t like it a bit as his brain struggles to work that way, but we shall make him play anyways! ) Lots of laughing and lots of fun for everyone. Way too soon the W’s realized that they needed to get the little guys home and into bed.

We started cleaning up and just enjoying each other when all of a sudden we realized that it was almost midnight. Quick as a flash, we grabbed our bottle of sparkling cider and the party hats and noisemakers that someone brought home and ran downstairs. We turned the TV on just in time for the countdown. Soon we were all shouting at the top of our lungs and toasting each other. Then, just as he has for the last 17 years, the man I love kissed me. Have a great year everyone.

Penny's all partied out!

Happy Birthday Angie!

Hope you get everything you wish for! Like those little ones really soon.

Obviously I need some better pictures of you. It was either this one or the one with the hairnet. I can still change it if you like! :)

Happy New Year Everyone!

From our Family (Including Shelly, who thinks this is really fun to do) to yours! We all hope this year is the bestest ever and all your resolutions hold firm for at least a week! Happy 2006

Letting Go...

Some would say that as parents, we are a bit over-protective. We would say that we have a fairly good balance of striving to keep our girls safe yet not stifling them. Still, it seems that we are at a point when we need to loosen the strings just a smidgen more.

The other day, I took what was, for me, a huge step towards letting go a tad. I had promised that I would take them skating sometime during break and so we did. We also invited their long-time friends to come along with us. We got to the rink and got them all settled, and then…we left all four girls there alone. I knew that they were perfectly safe, yet I have to admit that this is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I left my babies all alone to deal with whatever came up. (Does it count that they had access to a couple cell phones?)

Of course, everything was fine with the girls when I returned. I quickly searched the skaters looking for my daughters. I found Mimi right away, but to my dismay I didn’t recognize KT at first. I suddenly saw her as she really was, not as I had still been seeing her for so long. Gone was the little girl, in her place was someone else. She was now really truly a teenager. I’ve known this for a while, but it didn’t really sink in until just then.
I know it is the natural progression, but I hate that my little girl is growing up so quickly. I imagine that she will be allowed to do more and more as she gets older. That doesn’t mean I have to like it though!

Skating Buddies. Mimi and A went to pre-school together. They have been Best Friends ever since. They don't get to see each other as often as they like as they go to different schools and live in different towns. KT and E have been pals for just as long. The girls always have a great time whenever they get together.

I Hate Mornings

There is a special retribution for procrastinators.  Especially for those that wait until the very last moment to take advantage of their insurance benefits.  The people who thought it up must be quite pleased with themselves.  

“Why yes, we still have appointments available” said the oh-so-helpful receptionist. “How does 7:00 AM Friday sound?” This may not sound so bad to some folks, but to me, it sounds like a walking nightmare.  Be up, presentable and fairly cheerful when it’s not quite light out yet? Was she nuts?  Having little choice, I took the appointment…and made one for Shaun at the same time.  As they say, misery loves company and he was nominated.  

(When school is in session, I do get up around 6:00 to make sure KT gets ready for school and to keep her company.  Thankfully, I don’t have to look alive or be too pleasant until around 9:00 though.  That gives me three hours to wake up.   When school is not in session, I tend to revert back to my natural rhythm of being a night owl.  It can make getting up early a bit rough.)

We made it to our appointments and didn’t growl too much at the bouncy health professionals.   (I personally think there must be something wrong with them.) We also ended up going to the dentist as they called us and cheerfully offered us an early appointment.  I think they have some sort of blacklist for those like me.

I’d like to say I will be making our routine appointments early for next year.  But, well, let me get back to you on that…