Monday, March 31, 2014

March google search in review

I love to see how people make it over to my blog.  I find some of the searches amusing.  I thought I would share with you what people put in the search engine and brought them to my blog.

Here we go:

fancy sign saying your mother doesn't live here

       This person got to my post about how the kids should clean up after themselves and a picture of my messy counter top with lots of dirty dishes and glasses. Talk about a great first impression.  Moving on....

hair cut straight across the bottom 

      This person got here from images of making my sock owls.  I don't remember saying hair, but, I must have said cut straight across (the sock).  I did google this and a picture of mine (socks that are cut straight across) is under the images for this search.  Kinda strange if you ask me.

Board game big payday close look

My post about the PayDay game has been HUGE!  I get so many hits on it. The pictures that I have appear in images for the PayDay game.

Scared for dance recital

probably a combination of my blog title and Bella's dance recital post

Ready for 7th grade

This one through me for a loop.  I think it's this post when Alex got a hair cut.

George Washington haircut

This one is the same for ready for 7th grade.  Now, who is searching for a George Washington haircut?


Hope you enjoyed the search key words as much as I did!

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Naughty Puppy

I was trying to figure out why the lid on the container that has the dog food was always askew.  The amount of dog food in the container was getting lower, too.

Hmm, RT wouldn't leave the lid off.  Did Bella forget to put the lid back on when she fed the dogs?  Did Alex quickly feed the dogs and not remember the lid?

This has been going on for awhile now and I keep forgetting to remind the kids to put the lid back on the dog food container. 

Today I was in the laundry room sorting dirty clothes (such the exciting life that I lead) when in walks Pippen.  He walks over to the water dish, sniffs it.  Sniffs his food bowl.  Walks to the dog food container,  nudges it with his nose and the lid pops off.

And we think he isn't smart.

Friday, March 28, 2014

So this wedding we are attending. Remember my shopping day?  Well, I had to iron the shirts and pants. All went okay with the shirts. (I hate ironing men's long sleeve shirts). I ironed the pants and realized that the sticker (that gives you the size) was still on the side of the pants. (I'm apparently not the brightest person when it comes to ironing) So, there I am, rubbing the glue off of the pants. 

It was a success, in case you were wondering. 

I am going to stay away from the iron for awhile. 
Had to buy a card for a wedding we are going to (never mind that the wedding is today) and saw a card that said, "For our daughter on her wedding day."   I thought,  I'm not ready for that!

Quiet, Please!

I think I have mentioned that we have the loudest house on the block.  This is mostly due to Alex and Bella.  Nick is not loud (well, sometimes his music is, but, that's a different story and he keeps it contained to his room).  The other two are just LOUD!

Bella tends to talk loud.  I have asked her on numerous occasions to use her quiet voice (or indoor voice). She replies, "I don't have a quiet voice. This is my voice."  This is said LOUDLY while everyone is upstairs sleeping. I'm sure everyone in our town heard  her.

She has just discovered playing the XBox live game with a friend. She uses a headset. I can hear her friend yelling through the headset. Bella yells back. I try to explain that you don't have to yell. You can just talk normally and the other person will hear you.  They both continue to yell.

If they just opened up the window and yelled, they could probably hear each other. 

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Bunco

I joined a bunco group.

For those of you who don't know what bunco is, let me try to explain. We play with 12 people. Three tables of four. You are partners with the person across from you. Three dice. You take turns rolling the dice. First game you roll ones.  You count the ones that are rolled for the team. When you get to 21 you yell "bunco!"  That ends that round. Then you switch partners (or tables) and move on to twos, and so on.  If you get three of the number that you are rolling (if you are on ones and you roll three ones) that's a bunco. Automatic 21 points. If you roll three of a number (say three 5's) and you are on ones, that is a mini bunco worth 5 points.

We play two full rounds (1-6) when we play.  It's a fun game and its all luck based. I mean, you are at the mercy of the dice. 

We play with real money. $20 gets you a spot. The money then gets divided up at the end of the night into three places: 1st place with the most points, 2nd place and lowest number of points. 

So, we have had three bunco parties and I have won all three times. Yea. Go figure. RT said I should start playing the bunco circuit with my luck. I come home with more money than I left. It's a sweet thing, but it's hard to explain.  The other ladies have been joking around with me. Teasing me that I have won every game.  (at least I hope it's teasing)  

I guess it's good to know that I have another career to fall back on if this toy store gig falls through. 




Monday, March 24, 2014

Seeing is believing

I had to go clothes shopping with the boys. We have a wedding to attend this coming weekend and I realize that they need something decent to wear. They are going to be ushers and will be given a tie to wear so a button down shirt and nice slacks (and shoes) are needed for this occasion.  Nick can wear RT's shoes, so that was one less thing to get. Just need a pair of shoes for Alex

I do have to mention that Nick did not want to go shopping.  He has been putting up a fuss about going to the wedding (it's a relative, so, we have to go).  Going into this, I knew this was going to be a fun trip.  (yea, I'm kidding)

It was in the 20's outside. I was appropriately dressed, pants and winter coat. And my companions?  Well... I think having a visual will help, so here is a picture. 


Yea. One is in flip flops, the other is wearing socks with sandals.  

Did I mention that it was 20F?

More happened on this trip, but I will spare you the details. Let's put it this way, drinks should be served when I clothes shop (with Nick).   

Oh, and by the way.... you never saw this picture. 

I don't want to get in trouble. 

Thursday, March 20, 2014

It's that stunned moment where you don't know what to say.

We have all been in that situation. You are talking to someone that you know (well, you think you know them) and they start telling you something and well, there you are, stunned.  Mouth wide open.  Don't know what to say.

I had that moment the other day.  I was talking to someone that I know (can't tell you a name or where I know them from, sorry) about dogs and a book that I just read.

A little side note:  I was talked into reading the book, "The Art of Dancing in the Rain" by a neighbor.  She said "You have dogs.  You will like this book."  (It's a good book, by the way). This neighbor forgot to mention the fact that in the first lines of the book (SPOILER ALERT!  SKIP THE NEXT SENTENCE OR TWO! OR THREE!) that the dog is old and is dying.  Newton is older (he will be 12 in June).  He isn't dying, tho.  The thought of Newton at this stage gets me quite sad (he's my third child).

Anyway, back to this person I was talking to (the one I can't give out a name) starts telling me, well, first that she has read the book.  Then she goes on to say that her husband is quite attached to their dog (who is only 6).  She said that he will be upset when the dog dies (well, she will too, but, it's really his dog).  Then she tells me that the dog they had before was her dog and that they have the remains in an urn in their living room.  The remains are set so the "dog" can look out the front window.  When she dies, she is going to be buried with her dog's remains and her husband will be buried with his dog's remains.

Yea.  For once in my life, I was speechless.  I mean, what do you say to that?  

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Is School Cancelled Today?

Conversation this morning:

Alex:  Is there school today?

Me: Yes, why?  (realizing that they don't have school Thursday and Friday due to conferences)

Alex:  Because it's flooding.*
    *remember we had a flood in our town?  Every time it rains, Alex thinks they should stay home because it will flood.

Me:  No, it's just raining and you still have school.

The kids think school will be cancelled if it's snowing, it's a little cold outside or it's raining.  This started with all of the days off that they had in January, due to the unusually cold temperatures.   Although, for January, those were just normal temperatures for around here.

Alex:  Are you sure?

Me:  Yes, I'm sure.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Deciphering blogs and their bloggers

I like blog hopping (reading other people's blogs).  I find it interesting to see what they write about on their blog.

If you keep up with the same blog for awhile, they start to get personal.  Maybe talk a little about a struggle they are dealing with or a little about their family life.  Stay a little longer reading their blog and you will find that they have ways of making your life a lot easier.  Tips and tricks.  Of course, if you search their tips/tricks on Google, you will find that there are hundreds of other blogs out there doing the same thing.

The majority of the blogs out there do tons and tons of crafts.  Every day they are trying to make something and blog about what they have made.   I follow a few of these blogs.  I admit, like to get my craft on every once in awhile. But, I limit my craft making to things that will get used around the house (or will entertain a young child).

The thing that has been bugging me for quite some time though, is, what do they do with all of the stuff that they have made?  If you are making a craft five days a week, fifty two weeks a year, where are they putting all of these items?  Do they have really big houses?  Big storage lockers to hold all of the crafty items they have made over the years.  Pulling out bins of crafts that they have made for each holiday, and adding another twenty or thirty a year to each bin?  I envision a house FULL of stuff that the person has made.

Making all of these crafts can get quite expensive.  Sure, you can get items from the dollar store, but, you are still spending money.  And you are accumulating tons of stuff.  (Hopefully they are participating in the 40 bags in 40 days. Now is a great time to purge, folks!)

I understand these bloggers are posting about their spin on ideas that are already out there, with the hopes of gaining a follower or two.  But, is it worth it?  All of the extra money you are putting out (to make a craft) and then having to store it?  What are they gaining (besides stuff) by doing all of this extra work?

I know I shouldn't worry about it.  I'm not the one spending the extra money and storing lots of stuff.  I should be happy that I get to read about what they have done and just move on with my (clutter free) life.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

40 bags Update

Just checking in to see how you are doing on your 40 day purge. Hopefully you are making progress. I know I am. Slowly but surely. So far I have tackled two desks, the office, the file cabinet, my night stand and the craft cabinet. I'm at eight bags. Right on target. 

How is your 40 bag purge going?

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

100 Things that I am Thankful for ...

I am finding out (the hard way) how society influences our wants/needs.  Well, they can't influence our needs (what we actually need to live).  There are definite influences in our wants.

This influence can be seen through our children.   Bella came home today telling me about the book fair at school (aka school fundraiser). I told her that we would not be buying any books this time around (not that we have bought many in the past).  Bella was pretty dramatic about it all. Crying like it was the most awful thing, not buying a book at the book fair. I told her that we just went to the library and checked out several books. Apparently, that's not the same thing. 

I was upset and told her to get a piece of paper and write down 100 things that she is thankful for. She was a little shocked and said that would take a long time. I said that it shouldn't take that long. All you have to do is look around you. There are lots of things to be thankful for in your life. (Including your life). 

Bella got to work on her list. She grouped quite a few things together (I would have listed some separately). She got up to 29 (which should have been double or more) and was telling me more (her pen couldn't keep up with her thoughts). 

I have talked about how you should write down every night five things you are thankful for. I did this for a couple of years. It makes you think about your day and your life and to be grateful for what you have.  Putting value on people, health, happiness and life.

Unfortunately I got out of the habit. 

After this whole episode, I thought maybe it was a tough lesson for an eight year old. Will she understand the importance and value of what she already has and that sometimes it's not only "things" that we should care about but people, life and the beauty around us?

I decided to take the challenge myself. Hey, if I'm dishing a punishment out like this, I should be able to write a list.  I'm sure it will be hard, but looking around, I have plenty to be thankful for in my life.  I have been doing this "40 bags in 40 days" challenge and have been taking a real close look at the "stuff" we have accumulated. It's just stuff. Some things have memories, but most of the memories are right up there in your head. You don't need to hang on to a bunch of things  or buy a bunch of things to be happy. Get rid of them. Get rid of the clutter and look at the  precious things that are left around you. 

Well, I'm going to take the challenge and write down all (100 things) that I am thankful for.  

How about you?  

Will you take the challenge? 

Monday, March 10, 2014

40 Bags in 40 Days - Day 4

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing on their big purge.

I have tackled the kitchen (pantry and cabinets) and came out with two bags.  I include my recycling in my bag count, even though that went into the recycle bin.  These were grocery sized bags, by the way.  (there is recycling because "some people" like to leave empty boxes in the pantry)

I also worked on the desk in the kitchen and walked away with a bag.  All those papers that I feel I should save for school are now in the recycle bin. *

*We all know where this is leading, don't we?  In a month from now I will probably write a post about how I can't find an important paper and that I have torn the house apart looking for it.  You will have to do your part and just say, "You probably threw it out in your massive big clean out!" 

I'm working on the office now.  This is a couple days process.  I am already 2 bags in.  The file cabinet is always a good place to clean out.  That should have it's own day.  I have more areas in the office to be touched and hope to move on soon.

How are you doing with your 40 bag mission?

Things that go bump in the night

I'm here to tell you that there are weird sounds that only happen in the middle of the night.  They are there to scare the living day lights out of you.

The End. 

Okay, maybe I should elaborate a little. 

There are weird sounds that only happen in the middle of the night.  They are there to scare the living day lights out of you.  You get out of bed, walk around and can never find the source of the sound.  When you climb back into bed you will hear the sound again.  And again.  And again.  Taunting you to get out of bed again. 

The End.

This happened to me last night.  I typed the above while laying there listening to the sounds and waiting for some psycho to jump into our bed room.  Yea, that's what went through my head and I don't even watch horror films.

The sound that I heard was similar to the sound when Alex drops the weights on the basement floor.  Alex was sleeping.  So was Nick (but, he doesn't drop the weights on the floor when he works out).  The dogs were down in the basement.  Maybe Pippen was working out and Newton was spotting him?  Or maybe RT now makes some weird, strange noise while he sleeps that sounds like weights being dropped on the basement floor.

Well, that's my story.

 If I don't return, at least you have a description of the sound from this psycho killer.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Daylight Savings Time

Nothing like losing an hour sleep and having to be at an early basketball game. 

Friday, March 7, 2014

Glitter, part II

Still trying to get up all of the glitter. It seems to be multiplying and moving up the stairs (and on the stairs).  Found some in the kitchen. Even found some upstairs in our bathroom. 

At the bus stop, i looked down at Bella and saw glitter in her hair!  She informed me that she put it there. 

Bella did not want me to be upset about the glitter in her hair. I told her I wasn't upset. I mean, how can you be upset with your glittery, sparkly girl?

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Glitter, EVERYWHERE!

Bella had a friend over and they decided to do a craft. I'm OK with Bella doing crafts at the table.

Bella said that there was no clean up when her friend went home. I should have known something was up when she rubbed her hands together then all over Pippen, who was immediately covered in red glitter.

I did not get down to the basement until late last night and I found













GLITTER!  LOTS AND LOTS OF GLITTER!

This was found on top of a set of drawers that hold craft items and paper.  The rest, which I did not get a picture of, was on a piece of paper in the middle of the basement (on the carpet). 

I was hoping it was Fairy dust and that the Fairies would come over and clean it up.

Does this count towards one of the bags for the 40 Days?

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge

Declutter your life - starting NOW!

Feel like you have stuff  all over the place?  Feel like you might be sucked into a big paper/junk pile when you walk into your house?

Then this challenge is for you.

I found this 40 bags in 40 Days challenge on Memories on Clover Lane.  Every year, during Lent, she goes through her house, one area at a time and declutters the area.  The goal is to remove (at least) 40 bags of clutter/stuff/garbage/paper in the 40 days during Lent.

Here are some areas to consider:

Master Bath Cabinets
Master Closet
Master Bedroom
Medicine cabinet
Hall Linen Closet
Pantry
Kitchen Cabinets
Front Hall Closet
Basement Closet
Family Room
Craft Cabinet/ Area
Office
File Cabinet
Laundry Room
Garage
Attic
Night stand
Papers to shred / file
Email
Purse
Work bag, back pack, gym bag
Kid's Closet (s)
Kid's Dresser (s)
toys
play room
Living Room
Dining Room
Desk
Car
yard
shed

The places are endless.

So, what do you do?  How do you start?

Choose a room or area that you want to clean/purge/declutter and start going through it.  The point is to touch it once.  Make quick decisions.  Think about it.  Do you really need to keep this item?  Keep a box and garbage bag by you.  Toss what you don't need or want to donate.  When you are done with that area, toss the bag of garbage, recycle (if there are items to be recycled) and put your donations in the trunk to be dropped off the next time you are running errands.

This purge is done every (week) day (you get the weekends off!).  If you miss a day, it's okay.  Just jump right back in and pick up where you left off.  This isn't a race.  There are no winners.  Just do your best and keep going.

This challenge is something that you can do a few times a week, once a week or, if you're house is really cluttered, then every day for the 40 days.  I don't think I have enough clutter and places to make the 40 days, but, with the kids bringing home tons and tons of paper, junk mail that enters the house and the all of the miscellaneous items that the kids find and bring home, I might come close.  

If you reach 40 bags, Great!  If you have less than 40 bags, that's great too!  The key is to keep going.

It's almost Spring. What a great way to start off your spring cleaning. Get rid of some things and once the area is clutter free, start cleaning.

Give it a try.  I know I will.  I would love to hear what you plan on tackling and be updated with your progress.

So, what are you waiting for?  Get started!  

Monday, March 3, 2014

Whistling a tune

So, I have developed this bad habit. I will get a song in my head and I will start to whistle the song. At this point, I realize that if I continue, RT will ask what song I am whistling and will start singing/whistling/humming the song. 

I know. That doesn't sound awful.  But, trust me, it is when, three weeks down the road RT is still whistling what used to be my favorite song. I say "used to" because it was ruined by weeks and weeks of torturous renditions of the song by you know who. 

This is where my "bad habit" comes in to play. I will start whistling the song, then realize that RT might be listening so I change the tune I am whistling. What I whistle does not come out sounding like any particular song. It's just a bunch of random notes. 

RT caught me the other day. He asked what I was trying to whistle. I said , "a song...."  He finished my sentence with, "a song you don't want me to sing."  (busted!)

He then said it sounded like a Russian battle hymn. He was wondering when I got into that genre of music. 

He wanted to know what song I really was singing. I told him I don't want him to ruin it just yet. 

Until then, bring on the Russian battle hymns.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

A cup of tea, or me?

So, for the last couple of days I have been fighting off a cold. I have to say that my body is doing a great job fighting it off. I'm thinking its the healthy diet.(I've been eating fruits and vegetables. Very little processed foods). I have also upped my tea intake. I like to have a cup of tea now and then. When I'm sick (like now) I will have more than a cup of tea per day. 

I do notice, and maybe it's just me, the affects tea has on me. For me, drinking just one cup of tea is the equivalent to drinking ten gallons of water.  

It probably doesn't help that I was drinking water while drinking my tea. 

It doesn't hit me right away. It's delayed a couple of hours. And when it hits, well, I have to go. My biggest worry is waking up in the middle of the night. Will I make it?