My Weird Dog

Recently, I came across some free sheet music.  I played piano for eight years and had quite a selection of music books and sheet music.  Unfortunately, the boxes of music books were in my parents basement and met their demise during one of the (many) times it flooded.

RT wanted to know why I wanted the box of sheet music.  So, the truth had to come out.  I secretly practice the piano when no one is home.  Unfortunately, I don't get many opportunities to play the piano because it feels like there is always someone home at our house.  I'm never home alone.  Ever.

RT said that I could play when he's home.  For me, I like to play when I'm alone.  I can play as loud as I want and if I make a mistake, I don't feel too bad.  Oh, and I can play the same song or same line in a song over and over (and over and over) again.

OK.  Confession time.  I did try playing when RT was home.  The only problem is, if I play the same song over and over, RT will get the song stuck in his head and he will start humming and singing the song for the next couple of weeks.  This is what happened when I tried to learn the Theme to Arthur.  (He still hums a few bars every once in awhile)

I was practicing the other day, because no one was home (a miracle!).  It was pretty nice.  Being home alone and playing the piano.  I thought I was playing pretty good, too.  All of a sudden, Pippen gets up and walks out of the room and goes into the family room.

At that point, I was rather offended.  I wasn't playing too loud and I wasn't making a lot of mistakes.

Anyone looking for a dog who has absolutely zero taste in beautiful music?   He's free.

Personal Mail

I'm sure you know that Nick has moved out (and far away) for school.  And, if you didn't know, then, yea, there have been some big changes happening at our house.  In a couple of weeks, Bella's wish will come true:  To have her parents to herself and to be an only child (in the house).

With all the things to do for Nick's move, I realized that I forgot to give him his new car insurance card.  I thought he would drive back home one more time before school starts and I could make sure he gets the card, but, that's not going to happen.

I took a picture of the card and emailed it to him so he could print it out and have it as a temporary card.  I took the original and put it in an envelope.  I decided that everyone could write him a little note and put it in the envelope for him to read.  I mean, who doesn't like getting personal mail?  And, I know he probably isn't getting much mail since he just moved.

So, I wrote him a quick note.  RT wrote a quick note.  Bella said she's going to tell him that she's glad he's gone (there is just so much love among those kids!).  And, then there's Alex.

Me:  Can you write your brother a note so I can mail it to him?

Alex:  Why don't I just send him a text?

Me:  I have to mail his insurance card and thought it would be fun for him to get a nice note from everyone.

Alex:  I don't have anything to say to him.

Me:  Just write him a note!

A few seconds later, Alex hands me a piece of paper that's folded and says, "You can't read this letter."

Me:  It probably says, "Mom made me write you a note."

Alex:  How did you know?

The exact words (he let me read the note):

Dear Nick,
I'm playing Minecraft on the computer.
Mom is making me write you a note.
Love, Alex

Unable to reply to comments on Blogger

I thought I would write this post for those of you that are using The Blogger platform and are experiencing difficulty in responding to comments posted on your blog.  

For the past six months, I have been experiencing this issue.  A reader would leave a comment on one of my blog posts and I would type out my reply and press publish and Blogger would direct me to a blank response box.  There I am, back at square one, having to compose my response, once again.  So, of course, I would try responding several more times, thinking that one of my replies would eventually be posted on my blog.  In the end, I would have to stop because of frustration.  Who wants to keep up this never-ending cycle?

It took me awhile (a long while...we're talking months) to realize that Blogger does not like the Safari browser.  You see, I type my posts on my Mac computer and I always use the Safari browser.  

A computer.  A browser.  Everything should work, right?

Wrong.

I decided to try a different browser and guess what?  I was able to respond to comments that were made on my blog.  I was so excited to finally figure out the problem!  I know I was a few months behind on commenting, but, hey!  I was finally able to respond!

I guess I should have realized this a lot sooner since I had trouble using the Blogger app on iPhone.  Blogger never updated the app for iPhone so I had to give that one up.  And now, unable to respond to comments while using Safari.   I guess Blogger doesn't like Mac, Safari and iPhones.

I wasn't sure if this information was out there and thought I would pass along my findings.

I hope this post helps you out!

Spill the Tea

I'm a tea drinker.  I think I've established that point in this blog.  I'm not a tea snob, though.  Well, maybe....  I even got Bella into drinking tea.  I think she drinks more tea than I do.  In fact, I have accused her of being a tea snob.  Click here for more on that story.

When Bella started Junior High a couple of years ago, I learned A LOT about girls and how they interact at school, on social media, etc.  It's a lot different than boys.  It's a little different than when I was growing up.  We didn't have social media and texting.  We did things the old fashioned way.  Talking to each other in person, or calling each other on the phone.  A landline phone.  (if you don't know what that is, search it....I'll wait...)

One day, I had to pick Bella up from a friend's house.  I texted her to let her know I was on the way over.  A couple of seconds later, I receive a reply text:  "Don't come now.  They are about to Spill the Tea."

Now, as a tea drinker, you don't want anyone spilling your tea.  Especially if it's your favorite tea!  And, as a Mom, I know I wouldn't want anyone spilling tea in my house.  Think of the mess.  What if it stains the floor, carpet or furniture?  One little cup of tea can cause so much trouble and craziness!

Luckily, I'm hip to the scene and knew that "spill the tea" meant, juicy bit of gossip.

I allowed her to indulge in the spilt tea and picked her up a little later.


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

Before you get all judgy, I will let you know that I don't encourage gossip.  Bella listens to it and then will set things straight.  She will find out the truth and then tell everyone.

Take Me Home, Country Roads

Country Roads, take me home
to the place I belong
West Virginia
Mountain Momma
Take me home
Country Roads

I'm sure every family has some weird, strange, odd ritual that they do together.   A little something that, when reminded, brings a smile to your face.

Maybe you:
eat Sunday dinner together
Make Christmas cookies
Watch scary movies together

Maybe you have a family whistle so you can find one another in a store, park, or festival.

We are a family that likes to go hiking.  It can be local hiking or a nice trek while we are on vacation.

While we were hiking in the Smokey Mountains, RT came up with a family signal.  One that we can use while we are hiking.  The signal that RT came up with was for one of us (or all of us) to start singing, "Take Me Home, Country Roads."

When and why would we use this on our hike?

Well, if one of us was off the trail, you know, "checking things out," the others could let the person know that some people are approaching on the trail.  Once you hear the song, that means, "Hurry up and finish what you are doing and get out here!"

I'm sure I don't have to spell it out.  I think that last bit of information helped you figure out what the person is "checking out" off on their own off the trail.

At first, I thought it was kind of a silly thing.  Why do we need a signal?  We aren't going to use it.

And then, someone (me) realized they had to check some things out off the trail.  And, guess what?  People were approaching on the trail, so, we had to start singing!

Country Roads, take me home
to the place I belong
West Virginia
Mountain Momma
Take me home
Country Roads

I guess it wasn't that crazy of an idea because it came in quite handy during that trip and has been used many times since.

Do you have a family ritual, whistle or song?

How long with this song be stuck in your head?

Butt Spotify

If you haven't read about RT and his talented butt  butt texting abilities, then you might want to read up on the subject by clicking here and here.

While we were on vacation, during one of our down time sessions, RT decided to grab his phone and chill out.  After a couple of minutes, he says, "Have you ever started one of your apps on your phone with your butt?"

We must have given him a strange look.  Bella said, "NO."

I mean, how do you get into an app on your phone by using your butt?

Apparently RT is always somehow opening his Spotify app.

I might just have to sign him up for one of those shows like, "America's Got Talent" or something.  The guy is pretty talented.

Tea Snob

I like to drink tea.  I don't drink tea every day.  Some days, tho, I really need my cup of tea.  I have my favorites.  I also have a list of some that are not that pleasing to drink.  Well, for me, at least.  By the way, that's the polite way to say that I don't like them.

My tea drinking has rubbed off on my child.  Bella loves drinking tea.  In fact, I think she drinks more tea than I do.  We have different tastes in tea.  There are some teas that we both like to drink, and, of course, teas that we don't like.

One tea that I have been trying to like is green tea.  It's supposed to be one of the best teas out there for you to drink.  Green tea promotes health, prolong life expectancy, improves memory and cognitive function.  Search green tea benefits for a complete list.

One day, while we were out shopping, Bella and I decided to stop in the tea aisle.  We find it fun to peruse the different kinds of tea.  Yea.  We're  little strange.  The tea aisle happened to be the hot spot that day.  Lots of people buying tea.  We stood back to let the shoppers do their thing.  We understand the need for tea.  One customer was looking at the Green Tea.  Bella said, "He's looking at the Green tea.  Who buys green tea?  Why would he do that?"

Now, Bella thought she was talking just to me, but, unfortunately she didn't turn the volume down on her voice.  The customer turned to us and smiled.  I smiled back and apologized.

Me:  You need to watch what you say.  You are a tea snob.  You just tea shamed someone!

Bella:  I didn't realize I was talking that loud.

And, there you have it.  I have raised a tea snob and a tea shamer.

Do you like to drink tea?

What's your favorite tea to drink?