The Storyteller

There are good storytellers and, well, not so good storytellers.

When small children tell a story, it's usually long and drawn out.

I guess an older person can tell a story that's long and drawn out, but, it usually contains (keyword: usually) more details and action.

Then, there's Bella.

Bella is the child that will give you every single little detail in a story, even if it has nothing to do with the story line.  She's also the child that, when I ask, "How was your day at school?"  I get a minute by minute recount of her entire day starting with the moment she stepped on the bus that morning.  I'm not sure if that's better than the "Good," reply that I would get from the boys.

The other night, Bella was telling a story.  She would stop and start over.  She would start talking about a different subject (not related to the story she is currently telling).  Pausing, every once in awhile (possibly to gather more thoughts/ideas/extra unnecessary information that she can add.  RT finally interrupted her story and said, "You need to take a storytelling class."

Bella was offended.  She believes that her stories are the best and that she does not need help telling them.

Until she condenses her stories, I am now a prisoner of long, drawn out stories.

Maybe I shouldn't complain about all of the details.  Especially as she gets older.  At least I will know exactly what happened wherever she goes.

Until then, .......yawn...... I will try to survive.

Auto Maintenance

I have two sons who took Auto Maintenance in High School.  They both were in the Auto Club at school.  One son almost became an auto mechanic (enrolled at a school and everything).  he even worked as a mechanic for just under a year.  They are both very knowledgeable about cars.

It's funny how that knowledge and excitement fades when their mother asks them to help her with her car.  

My car needed air in one of the tires and I asked one of the boys to help.  I just got home from work and had to take Bella to dance.  I figured while I put stuff down and away and got ready to head out again, my car tire could be filled with air.

Boy, was I wrong!

One son had to go to work and had absolutely no time to help.  He also said I should be able to do it myself.  

Yes.  I can do it myself, but, why not get some help?

I'm going to have to remember that the next time he asks me, "What's for dinner?"

The other son said, "I just sat down."  

I just got home from work, where I stand during my entire shift.  I wasn't going to sit down while the air was being put in the tire.  I had things I had to get done before I left the house.  

I guess I now have a couple more excuses up my sleeve the next time one of them needs my help.

Oh, and, for the record...I put air in my tire.  I was also a couple minutes late getting Bella to dance.

My Weird Dog

Took Pippen for a walk.

I'm sure I've mentioned how Pippen is not dog friendly.  I guess a nice translation would be, he wants to eat other dogs.  That's a lot better than, he wants to rip other dogs to shreds.

To answer your next question, he is a people person and is actually afraid of a lot of things.  He's quite odd, that's why I have these, "My Weird Dog," posts.

Back to our walk.

Normally, I make Pippen walk in the grass with me, and as we pass the dog, I say, "No.  Walk.  No.  Walk."

On this particular walk, a dog, on the other side of the street, came running through the fence (it's a very open fence, where the dog can climb under the board that goes across) and runs into the street and up to the grass and stops.  We are standing on the path next to that patch of grass.

All I can think is, this is it.  It's going to be a huge dog fight and someone is going to make me put my dog down (yea, I thought he would win this one).  So, I start saying, "No!"  over and over.  I'm so loud, hoping  one of the neighbors hears me and comes out and helps.  Although, I'm not sure many people would want to be a part of a potential dog fight.

The dog was growling at first, but, once I started (yelling) "No!" he looked at me and stopped.  After about four hours ten minutes, the owner came outside and realized I was telling his dog (but, really, my dog), "No!"  He called his dog back home and I barely got a "sorry," from the guy.

I was pretty proud of Pippen.  He didn't pull me or try to attack the dog.  He did stand between me and the dog.  He probably thought he had to protect me.  I think he knows if he misbehaves, he won't go for a walk with me for a long time.  Honestly, I don't think I could blame him if he attacked the other dog.

We survived the "almost dog attack," and are now very careful when we walk near that house.

Bronze Award Ceremony - Girl Scout Juniors

Our girls have successfully earned their Bronze Award.  They wanted to help both people and animals.  We worked on our award over the two years as Junior Scouts.

It's a big deal in Girl Scouting and we wanted to mark it with a ceremony.  We held the ceremony at our regular location (we meet at a church).  We had a table up front with three white candles and the awards.  I did see on another blog how they put green candles around the white candles and each girl lit a candle from the white candle after receiving their Bronze Award.

Here is our script for the ceremony:

Bronze Award Ceremony

Flag

Promise

Law

Leader:  Today, we are honoring (names of girls) for earning the highest award in Junior Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Bronze Award.  The girls chose to help both people and animals for their project. Each of these girls has achieved the high ideals and goals expressed by Juliette Gordon Lowe, who founded the Girl Scout movement in 1912.

The three tall candles symbolize the threefold purpose of Girl Scouting as expressed in our Promise.

On my honor, I will try:  

To serve God and my country.  

To help people at all times.  

And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Leader:  (Girl's names) have served their country, community and God with their hard work and skills.  Here are some of the projects we have worked on during Junior Scouts 

For our Girl Scout Bronze Award, we made Blankets for PADS.

For our Girl Scout Bronze Award, We made Valentine’s cards for Seniors

For our Girl Scout Bronze Award, we made a donation to a Pet Shelter

For our Girl Scout Bronze Award, we made lunches for PADS

For our Girl Scout Bronze Award, we donated socks for the homeless

For our Girl Scout Bronze Award, we helped with the Kindergarten troop at their meetings

For our Girl Scout Bronze Award, we held a Bake Sale to benefit the victims of Hurricane Matthew

For our Girl Scout Bronze Award, we helped make breakfast for Loaves and Fishes.

For our Girl Scout Bronze Award, we made Snack Bags for Refugees Summer Camp

Leader:  We are very proud of our girls and all of the hard work that they put into achieving this award.  Please join us in congratulating each girl as we present their award.

(Award Presentation)

Leader:  An award is a symbol of achievement.  It means that you have learned something and provided service to others.  With each new award, a Girl Scout takes on new responsibilities.  More is expected at home, in Girl Scouting, and in your community.  Strive to be worthy of the symbols you wear and wear them with pride.  Best wishes to each of you!

Friendship circle

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*each girl said something.   We split up the promise so we had something for every girl to say during the ceremony. Also, please note, we broke out what we did so our girls were able to tell their parents what they did to earn the award.  

Blog-versary

I can't believe I have been boring entertaining everyone with my scary life stories for 6 years!

The funny thing is that the stories keep coming.  They never seem to stop!

I was looking back at my first post and I did mention that it would be an interesting ride.  I didn't realize that EVERYTHING was going to come out.  I mean, I write about a lot of stuff.  I mean, check some of these oldies (but goodies) out:

Gone Missing
Midnight Madness
What?
Diarrhea

Well, you're still here, reading my blog, so, I guess I'm doing something right.  Or, you feel sorry for me and read my blog posts just to make me feel better.

Whatever the reason, I'll just keep plugging away.  I feel like, in this scary journey, we have barely scratched the surface.

My Larry David Moment

Went to the store with Bella to get a couple of things.  We grabbed what we needed and then got in line.  A woman lined up behind us.  After a few minutes, this woman asks me if I could hold her place in line.  I said, where are you going?  She said, "Right here to get a cart."

I don't like being put in this type of situation.  Get your cart and all of your stuff and then get in line!

The whole situation reminded me of Larry David on "Curb Your Enthusiasm."  It's just the type of situation that would happen to him.

Getting back to my story...

Ten minutes goes by and a couple gets in line behind me.  I tell them that I'm holding a spot for someone.  He asks me when "she" will be back.  Of course, I have no idea because she said she was going "right here to get a cart," which I assumed was right there past the register.

The woman finally showed up and thanked me.  I said, "You need to thank the people behind you."

Never again.

Moral of the story:  Get everything you need before you get in line at the cash register or Don't stand behind me in line.

My Weird Dog

I have been taking Pippen along on my daily walks.  I still carry a backpack when I walk.  And, now, I have this big, crazy dog along with me.

The first few times we had to cut our walk short because poor Pippen was tired.  It took awhile for him to be able to do my entire walk.

Oh, yea, Pippen feels that it is his job to chase all of the geese from the baseball fields that we walk around.  I only let him loose when there are no other dogs around (he isn't dog friendly).  If I can't let him off the leash, he will stand there and stare at the geese.  He won't move.  We then have to wait until the geese leave (walk or fly away).

I think the geese are starting to recognize him.  We walked down the path towards the big field where the geese are and the majority of the geese started flying away.  He's pretty proud when he scares all of the geese away.  I have started bringing dog cookies with me just for this occasion.  It also helps me make sure that he returns.

He now expects to walk with me every day.  It's our tradition.  In fact, if I let him outside, he waits by the door and will start to cry.

So, now I am the homeless lady that walks around the neighborhood with the big, crazy dog.

Senior Moments

I think I'm starting to have senior moments.  Or, maybe I just have too much stuff in my brain?

The kids go back to school and there are activities, curriculum nights, deadlines, extra supplies to be purchased.

Bella had dance the other day.  I remembered all day.  Alex came home from school and said he had to work.  I told him to take the car.  An hour later, I realize I have to get Bela to dance and I don't have a car.  Luckily, my in-laws are close by and let me borrow the car.

After looking at my calendar, I told a co-worker I could take her shift.  A few days before the day I agreed to work, I realize I have a Girl Scout meeting that afternoon and can't work the entire shift.

I told my mother in law that I was having senior moments.  She said that my brain is full and has to get rid of something before taking on something else.

I guess that's what happened to me today.  Apparently, I need to clear out some things from my brain because I forgot to put this blog post up earlier today.

The Great Fruit Fly Infestation of 2017

Just a little update to let you know that The Great Fruit Fly Infestation of 2017 has ended.  Thanks for standing by us and sending all of your prayers our way.  The fruit flies have magically disappeared (or died, or were killed).  We are hoping that history does not repeat itself and that this does not become a reoccurring phenomena.

Vegetarian Diaries - Vegan Challenge

A little over two weeks ago, RT and I decided to do a two week Vegan Challenge.  Eliminating all animal products from our diet.  I thought this would be a lot easier for me, since I'm already a vegetarian.  Turns out that this proved to be a challenge for both of us.

RT experienced head aches for a couple of days.  I thought food was missing something while eating it (probably cheese).  RT did have a few cheats during our challenge.  I did the full two weeks reading labels and making sure that the items I was eating did not contain dairy or animal products.

Overall, I think the challenge went great.  I did eat something (after the challenge) that had some cheese on it (I scraped most of it off).  The cheese didn't taste good to me (strange, huh?).  I don't think I will be as strict as I was for those two weeks, but, I will still continue to somewhat follow a vegan diet.

As for my partner, he's all over the board.  I think he will continue to have some dairy and meat, but, in moderation.

Have you thought about trying a vegan diet?

Would you take a two week challenge just to see how you feel?

Due to the Great Fruit Fly Infestation of 2017, today's post has not been added to the blog.

We are hoping to get things under control and continue posting in a timely manner.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

The Great Fruit Fly Infestation of 2017

I'm reporting LIVE outside Alex's room so I can give you an up close and personal look into The Great Fruit Fly Infestation.  It's going on right now.

It all started with a banana peel left unattended in his room.   He was asked on numerous occasions to clean up his room.  Unbeknownst to him, there was a banana peel lurking somewhere in the depths of his room.  The banana peel attracted a very large following of fruit flies that seem to have taken over his entire room.  Alex for some reason, did not notice this occurring and continued on with his life as usual.  Alex's mother happened along into his room, using her magical skills,  located and disposed of the banana peel and went about trying to tame the fruit flies.  Her attempt did not go well, and she was thrown out of the room by the fruit flies.   While recovering, she came up with another plan and has taken extreme measures to start the great Fruit Fly removal process.

The fruit flies have expanded their location and are hanging out in the bathroom and moving throughout the house.  They are hoping to have this under control in a few days.

In the meantime, the police have been brought onto the scene.  Apparently, said banana peel appeared out of nowhere and was placed here at the scene by an unknown outsider.  The police have a couple suspects in custody.    "Somebody," and "It Wasn't Me," are undergoing further interrogation.  They are hoping to wrap up this case very soon.