A friend of mine recently blogged about life's simple pleasures. For her, it was a pretty little soap dispenser that got rid of the muck from bar soap. I agree- some of the best things life has to offer are right in front of us- but we tend to overlook them while caught up in the day to day chores. We don't appreciate simplicity like we should. It reminded me of an old post- One that is as true today, as it was when I originally stuck it out on the internet for everyone to critique.
Today's topic- Books
I love to read. I always have. Most of my reading is done at night when my children are snuggled up and in a peaceful slumber. I have attempted to read on rainy afternoons, but lets face it- when you read the same sentence three times and still do not know what you read, it loses some of its magic. So I read at night by a tiny book lamp that attaches to the top of the pages. I have looked into the fancy new options but there is something wonderful about page turning. It is what the author originally intended (or this is what I believe) to have the suspense build as the paper turns. Old fashioned thinking... probably? A few weeks ago, I stumbled into a used paperback store. The musty smell was wonderful and identifiable, it was the smell of old books. You know the smell. Some may find it distasteful... I like it! As I strolled the endless selection, I realized I am not one that reads a book more than once. There are a few exceptions like Twilight (hello- EDWARD) and the Hunger Games Trilogy ( if you have not enjoyed this syfy edge of your seater- please allow yourself the guilty pleasure of these books) and of course the classics like To Kill A Mockingbird. Other than the few listed above... I don't reread. So to continue on with my old books admiration trip- I ended up in the horror/ syfy genre and I picked up Salem's Lot. Now I read this book years ago... and I remember it stuck with me. CREEPY- but a little creepy factor is good now and again. I took it to the counter and paid my two bucks.
The book laid around on the counter for a while.. I decided a few nights ago, I would give it another whirl. So I started reading and as I flipped the first few pages I could not help but think..Why are you reading this again? You know how it ends... what is the point? As I got more involved in the book, I realized, the amazing author Stephen King... did not mean for his books to be read only once... they are full of details that can easily be overlooked ....and in each detail the author struggled over it to get it right. It is in the details that take you from your sorrows or stressful lives and emerge you in a place forbidden. It doesn't matter what type of "read" you prefer... romance, comedy, thrillers... a mix of all three- you escape to a mini vacation. Let's face it- we all need a mini escape from time to time. So I encourage you to pick up a book... perhaps one you have read before that is laying in the bottom of a drawer... and enjoy it. Life is short.. simple pleasures are all around us.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Do you hear what I hear?
So I thought about starting this one with the classic "Once upon a time". That in my opinion is reserved for fairy tales - this tale is far from that. It is a true story. I will begin as if we are sitting on the sofa and drinking a glass of tea.
GET THIS... Years ago we had a yellow lab, his name was Cooper. He was a beautiful dog that stayed bored. One day he came onto the porch carting a bone hanging out of his mouth. Now when I say "bone".. I mean big ol' bone. Not store bought- he dug that sucker up from the yard. I took it from him and shared his find with my family. Everyone tried to assure me that our property was once a large farm and it probably was from a cow. I remember joking around and letting them know I was not 100% on board with that theory- I did not go to medical school, but that looked like a femur. We looked for a hole, hoping we could find closure. None was found. It seems the dog went under the backside of the house- through a small opening in the paneling and found it. UNDER THE HOUSE- did you catch that part? I eventually put the bone mishap behind me and did not think of it to often. I mean- Ewwww right? Cow- yep, going with the old dead cow.
Now reader beware- it is about to get creepy...
When my son was two years old, he woke up frequently at night afraid. He would point to the same area in our house - the small hallway that leads to the bathroom and cry "there is the old Yady, the old yady scares me, I don't like the old yady" He had mentioned more than once she carried a stick. I can only assume he meant a cane. Again, this was not a one time deal. It happened a lot. I would hold him and let him know that he was safe. That there was no one in the house with us except daddy and sister. Please know, the entire time I held him - I pierced my eyes into the darkness, looking until they watered. Trying to see what he saw. NOTHING. I saw nothing! But I do not doubt that he did. I have heard over the years that the very young and innocent can see things jaded adults can not. I am a believer. He is now five. He has not woke up crying about "her" in over two years. Did she just go away or has his mind closed off what it now deems impossible? I have no idea.
Fast forward to the summer to of 2012
Our family was at the beach and the husband got a weird vibe. He decided to hop on his lap top and check the cameras at our house. All of a sudden we hear a crash, something that sounded like a sneeze AND muffled talking over white noise. His eyes turned into saucers and I freely admit I was freaking out too since we have had a house destroyed in the past. He called the local police department to investigate. We could see the cop shine his light into our house via the cameras and knew he was not taking the call lightly. He had the dispatcher let us know that everything was locked down tight as one would hope... BUT the sound continued- At midnight when the automatic air freshener went off at the beach - it clicked- We had called the local PD over pleasant smelling air. Which is classic debacle for this family! So that explained the crash/ sneeze sound that was repeated but it did NOT explain the voices. We had not left any tvs on. No radios were plugged in. NOTHING should have sounded like voices in a wind tunnel. There is no answer for that and we have discussed it over and over.
We have the unexplained creaks that most people chalk up to a house settling or the wind. Most nights I do not get over concerned and attempt not to over think it. MOST nights- the dog doesn't fidget or bark and sit up with his ears cocked back. MOST NIGHTS!
It has been brought to my attention more than once and I myself have toyed with the idea of calling some sort of ghostbuster in to do a little investigating. In the end, however, what will they accomplish? My ghost do not run around and rip up my good sheets. They don't scream "BOO" or rattle chains. I have said "Beatlejuice" three times for giggles. No Dice. They seem peaceful- I don't think they mean us any harm. Does this mean I ain't afraid of no ghost? ummm NO, that is not what it means. I ain't afraid of MY ghost.
Happy Hauntings
GET THIS... Years ago we had a yellow lab, his name was Cooper. He was a beautiful dog that stayed bored. One day he came onto the porch carting a bone hanging out of his mouth. Now when I say "bone".. I mean big ol' bone. Not store bought- he dug that sucker up from the yard. I took it from him and shared his find with my family. Everyone tried to assure me that our property was once a large farm and it probably was from a cow. I remember joking around and letting them know I was not 100% on board with that theory- I did not go to medical school, but that looked like a femur. We looked for a hole, hoping we could find closure. None was found. It seems the dog went under the backside of the house- through a small opening in the paneling and found it. UNDER THE HOUSE- did you catch that part? I eventually put the bone mishap behind me and did not think of it to often. I mean- Ewwww right? Cow- yep, going with the old dead cow.
Now reader beware- it is about to get creepy...
When my son was two years old, he woke up frequently at night afraid. He would point to the same area in our house - the small hallway that leads to the bathroom and cry "there is the old Yady, the old yady scares me, I don't like the old yady" He had mentioned more than once she carried a stick. I can only assume he meant a cane. Again, this was not a one time deal. It happened a lot. I would hold him and let him know that he was safe. That there was no one in the house with us except daddy and sister. Please know, the entire time I held him - I pierced my eyes into the darkness, looking until they watered. Trying to see what he saw. NOTHING. I saw nothing! But I do not doubt that he did. I have heard over the years that the very young and innocent can see things jaded adults can not. I am a believer. He is now five. He has not woke up crying about "her" in over two years. Did she just go away or has his mind closed off what it now deems impossible? I have no idea.
Fast forward to the summer to of 2012
Our family was at the beach and the husband got a weird vibe. He decided to hop on his lap top and check the cameras at our house. All of a sudden we hear a crash, something that sounded like a sneeze AND muffled talking over white noise. His eyes turned into saucers and I freely admit I was freaking out too since we have had a house destroyed in the past. He called the local police department to investigate. We could see the cop shine his light into our house via the cameras and knew he was not taking the call lightly. He had the dispatcher let us know that everything was locked down tight as one would hope... BUT the sound continued- At midnight when the automatic air freshener went off at the beach - it clicked- We had called the local PD over pleasant smelling air. Which is classic debacle for this family! So that explained the crash/ sneeze sound that was repeated but it did NOT explain the voices. We had not left any tvs on. No radios were plugged in. NOTHING should have sounded like voices in a wind tunnel. There is no answer for that and we have discussed it over and over.
We have the unexplained creaks that most people chalk up to a house settling or the wind. Most nights I do not get over concerned and attempt not to over think it. MOST nights- the dog doesn't fidget or bark and sit up with his ears cocked back. MOST NIGHTS!
It has been brought to my attention more than once and I myself have toyed with the idea of calling some sort of ghostbuster in to do a little investigating. In the end, however, what will they accomplish? My ghost do not run around and rip up my good sheets. They don't scream "BOO" or rattle chains. I have said "Beatlejuice" three times for giggles. No Dice. They seem peaceful- I don't think they mean us any harm. Does this mean I ain't afraid of no ghost? ummm NO, that is not what it means. I ain't afraid of MY ghost.
Happy Hauntings
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Passion For Music
Music- it is important to most of us. A certain song can bring back the best of times and quite possibly the worst. It can bring a tear to your eye or a dance in your step. I can listen to Bing Crosby every Christmas and think of my granddaddy with joy in my heart. Benny and the Jets will send me back to the 70's, sticking a quarter into the jukebox at the Waffle House. Funny how that works :) When Mackenzie was a toddler I would only listen to a Barney cd and other childlike songs while we were in the car. We would pop up and down in our seats to the Wheels on the Bus song because the people "go up and down". If we were happy and we knew it, you can bet we were clapping our hands. I was so over protective to any and all outside influences that I could control and keep her away from. She was the first child and I did not want to mess her up. Such a good mommy. From the years 2002-2007 I did not know a single song that hit the billboard top 100. Had NO clue. I was well versed in any and all kids songs.. mind you.
With Walker, the second child, I have loosened up in some areas. I listen to the radio every time we get into the car. I like the top 100 songs, an attempt to hang onto my youth? perhaps- but you can dance to it! I like to dance and embarrass the kids. I am a pro at this. Yes, Music is important! Fast forward that line of thinking and Walker singing to himself. My first thought was he is so stinking cute and THEN I REALIZED WHAT HE WAS SINGING! *dramatic pause inserted here for my own health purposes- shallow breathing* He said "I have a passion in my pants - I am sexy and I know it"! GASP, GASP oh hell... GASP! Good mommy gone! What have a I learned..well, that the Wheels on the Bus still go round and round when my car wheels go round and round from this day forward. Crap on Cracker Folks, Crap on a Cracker!
With Walker, the second child, I have loosened up in some areas. I listen to the radio every time we get into the car. I like the top 100 songs, an attempt to hang onto my youth? perhaps- but you can dance to it! I like to dance and embarrass the kids. I am a pro at this. Yes, Music is important! Fast forward that line of thinking and Walker singing to himself. My first thought was he is so stinking cute and THEN I REALIZED WHAT HE WAS SINGING! *dramatic pause inserted here for my own health purposes- shallow breathing* He said "I have a passion in my pants - I am sexy and I know it"! GASP, GASP oh hell... GASP! Good mommy gone! What have a I learned..well, that the Wheels on the Bus still go round and round when my car wheels go round and round from this day forward. Crap on Cracker Folks, Crap on a Cracker!
Friday, January 6, 2012
WTFudge?
You know those days when around every turn you find yourself saying " WTF"... fudge for those who have morals. Today, not so much- I used the real Mccoy- A LOT- under my breath, mind you- but I still said it.
Let's review what would make a wholesome mommy like myself resort to such foul language.
*Crickets*
1.) To spoil the rotten dog just a little more I purchased him a PLUSH, comfy pillow to rest on- He pee'd on it not once but twice. WTF?
2.)Walker asked me again what "hot" means.. I told him it could mean your sweaty or it could mean you think someone is pretty. You know, I rather him ask me than learn from someone else. Right or Wrong, that is what I told him. He said "so and so is HOT then"... he is four- WTF?
3.)Walker fed the fish- most of the container. Seems Buzz the Beta was hungry. WTF?
4.)Since it has been such a beautiful day, I opened the kitchen window up WIDE for the breeze and allow some fresh air into the house. As daylight ended.. a moth found its way into the house. My big one has never squealed so loud. I took this child to see the Jonas Brothers- it does not compare to the racket she was making over the ugly butterfly. It sounded like the house was under attack by a middle school. So to assist, Walker put on his rain boots, tracked the moth down, cornered it.. and squish. The ten year old was not embarrassed by this chain of events. WTF?
5.) The last profanity does not effect me one way or the other.. but it made me think it! Every time I talk to my best friend she is eating SOMETHING and I talk to her a lot most days. Hollow leg? WTF?
Should I have put pen to paper so to speak ? I needed the therapy, so what the hell!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Eventful... I Will Give It that
So the month of December never seems to disappoint... It brings out the best and the worst of people.. Today I will concentrate on the worst because I have PMS and it is my blog. Suck it up buttercup- I am going to vent!
First on my list of gripes is the fact that Mackenzie has figured out the perpetual lie of Santa and the dumb Elf. I have held my breath since November in hopes I could squeeze one more year of the yummy goodness that makes things magical in little people's eyes. I know it is over played.. but this has truly been an Epic Fail. Need proof? Allow me to throw myself under the bus with a little something I like to call exhibit A.
My sleeping habits leave a lot to be desired most of the time, so every now and then I cave and pop a sleeping beauty pill ** COMMENTS TO YOURSELVES-I have warned each of you that I have PMS**- anyways most nights I get up out of bed and make the Elf do something bad when I know for SURE that the kids are asleep. MOST NIGHTS- but apparently not on a "Sleeping Beauty" night- I forgot. Fast forward to morning and Mackenzie states "the elf is on the reindeer"..as I stand by the coffee pot trying to figure out if the daddy remembered ,I am afraid to turn around and look at her so I say *always on my toes- rolls eyes* "WOW- that is neat!". A few hours pass and she strolls into the kitchen and leans over the island on her elbows and says "Who was suppose to make the elf do something? You or Daddy?" Now I ask all of you parents- how would you have handled this? I took a deep breath because hyperventilating was a serious option at this point and said "me". She stood up and said "THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT!" Conversation over, she walks out and leaves the deer in headlights still standing in the kitchen trying to recuperate and that is not the worst of it...
Now Santa is in serious jeopardy- and before I go any further I would like to publicly thank the little stool pigeons at school -that are singing like a canary to my seemingly innocent ten year old and squashing the magic like gum to a shoe, in an over packed parking lot of angry shoppers looking for killer deal on black Friday. I now have to address an email I got from her wanting to know the "truth" about the jolly old guy. She knows - I know she knows- She knows I know she knows- but saying "no- it was mom and dad- sorry" seems as hard as chewing on old leather. So the defendant rest... Exhibit A.
Second is my husband actually tracks when I will be devoured by PMS on his blackberry.
I could probably come up with a few more items like my husband and my best friend moving my new car to make me think it was stolen, or my four year old telling me he is ashamed of me when I pull into car line with my music to loud, seems this is "unacceptable". Blah Blah Blah..
Eventful.. and only day 15 :)
First on my list of gripes is the fact that Mackenzie has figured out the perpetual lie of Santa and the dumb Elf. I have held my breath since November in hopes I could squeeze one more year of the yummy goodness that makes things magical in little people's eyes. I know it is over played.. but this has truly been an Epic Fail. Need proof? Allow me to throw myself under the bus with a little something I like to call exhibit A.
My sleeping habits leave a lot to be desired most of the time, so every now and then I cave and pop a sleeping beauty pill ** COMMENTS TO YOURSELVES-I have warned each of you that I have PMS**- anyways most nights I get up out of bed and make the Elf do something bad when I know for SURE that the kids are asleep. MOST NIGHTS- but apparently not on a "Sleeping Beauty" night- I forgot. Fast forward to morning and Mackenzie states "the elf is on the reindeer"..as I stand by the coffee pot trying to figure out if the daddy remembered ,I am afraid to turn around and look at her so I say *always on my toes- rolls eyes* "WOW- that is neat!". A few hours pass and she strolls into the kitchen and leans over the island on her elbows and says "Who was suppose to make the elf do something? You or Daddy?" Now I ask all of you parents- how would you have handled this? I took a deep breath because hyperventilating was a serious option at this point and said "me". She stood up and said "THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT!" Conversation over, she walks out and leaves the deer in headlights still standing in the kitchen trying to recuperate and that is not the worst of it...
Now Santa is in serious jeopardy- and before I go any further I would like to publicly thank the little stool pigeons at school -that are singing like a canary to my seemingly innocent ten year old and squashing the magic like gum to a shoe, in an over packed parking lot of angry shoppers looking for killer deal on black Friday. I now have to address an email I got from her wanting to know the "truth" about the jolly old guy. She knows - I know she knows- She knows I know she knows- but saying "no- it was mom and dad- sorry" seems as hard as chewing on old leather. So the defendant rest... Exhibit A.
Second is my husband actually tracks when I will be devoured by PMS on his blackberry.
I could probably come up with a few more items like my husband and my best friend moving my new car to make me think it was stolen, or my four year old telling me he is ashamed of me when I pull into car line with my music to loud, seems this is "unacceptable". Blah Blah Blah..
Eventful.. and only day 15 :)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
All Aboard.. The Train Of Thought
You know that kid that has a lot to say... a million questions... or just idle chatter when nothing is on his mind? Well, that is my Walker. I would love to say this is a "phase" he is going through but I am afraid it is not. Walker is the "second" child and as most moms know this is the kid you do not push to do anything... and of course, this is the kid that was a head of all the benchmarks in childhood. He was taking steps on teeny, tiny feet well before his first birthday and running when he turned one. My little over achiever was making sentences when other children were learning "words" as commands. He picked up the nic name "Walker Talker" as a young toddler. That said, he has fine tuned this social skill to a perfect art. If his feet are moving, well you can bet his mouth is too. SKILL- I tell ya!
Our conversations can cover anything from "we live on the planet EARF", fossils are what dinosaurs turned into and he wished he could pet one, He sure does love cream cheese and oatmeal cookies but sister doesn't, they are different- everybody is different...he wonders "why"... blah blah blah.. infact, as I type this and have zero train of thought he is now concerned about the skin on his hands that feels kinda "weird" and it is killing him.. ahem... ZERO TRAIN OF THOUGHT.. but I have learned I can get by most days without the train.. MOST DAYS!
In an effort, to keep my sanity on the days I need to catch the train, I have found that "tuning" him out works sometimes. I love that he is inquisitive and NEEDS to know that very second whatever is on his mind. JUST some days.. it is a bit much. He has learned the "glass eyed" look and will pipe up and octave or two louder and say " I asked you a question- rude!" when he does not get a timely response. Yes, he is a pro at his skill. I answer what ever he needs to know and he continues on with his dissertation. I will tell him to "hush" or "be quiet", I often throw in a "shhhhhhh baby" - it hardly ever works because of his dire need to know now mindset.
All that said, last week was a particularly busy day for his mouth and finally I broke and told him to "SHUUUUUTTTTT UPPPPP". Now I am not proud of saying this to him but I too, am human. He paused for a brief 10 seconds and gathered his composure then with doughy eyes and the most precious sing song voice he said " uh oh -Somebody's gonna get a frownin face"... *SIGH* Can't win- his mouth is a weapon and either cracks me up so I lose my composure as the authority figure around here.. ahem... or it teaches me a lesson. What is the lesson you ask? I will always be the caboose :)
Our conversations can cover anything from "we live on the planet EARF", fossils are what dinosaurs turned into and he wished he could pet one, He sure does love cream cheese and oatmeal cookies but sister doesn't, they are different- everybody is different...he wonders "why"... blah blah blah.. infact, as I type this and have zero train of thought he is now concerned about the skin on his hands that feels kinda "weird" and it is killing him.. ahem... ZERO TRAIN OF THOUGHT.. but I have learned I can get by most days without the train.. MOST DAYS!
In an effort, to keep my sanity on the days I need to catch the train, I have found that "tuning" him out works sometimes. I love that he is inquisitive and NEEDS to know that very second whatever is on his mind. JUST some days.. it is a bit much. He has learned the "glass eyed" look and will pipe up and octave or two louder and say " I asked you a question- rude!" when he does not get a timely response. Yes, he is a pro at his skill. I answer what ever he needs to know and he continues on with his dissertation. I will tell him to "hush" or "be quiet", I often throw in a "shhhhhhh baby" - it hardly ever works because of his dire need to know now mindset.
All that said, last week was a particularly busy day for his mouth and finally I broke and told him to "SHUUUUUTTTTT UPPPPP". Now I am not proud of saying this to him but I too, am human. He paused for a brief 10 seconds and gathered his composure then with doughy eyes and the most precious sing song voice he said " uh oh -Somebody's gonna get a frownin face"... *SIGH* Can't win- his mouth is a weapon and either cracks me up so I lose my composure as the authority figure around here.. ahem... or it teaches me a lesson. What is the lesson you ask? I will always be the caboose :)
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Vintage
The word "Vintage" gets thrown around a lot these days. People use it when referring to high dollar couture, fabulous furniture, perfect cars, lovely handbags and kick em' ass shoes. I myself, love the look of older things and appreciate them. HOWEVER, I was toodlin' around the mall a week or so ago and I saw a t-shirt. It read "1971 VINTAGE"... WHAT? *thoughts to self- "ok, no need to panic- let me get out my spectacles and make sure I am reading this right" - YEP- reading it right* Dude, that is the year I was born! Does that make me "vintage"? sigh...
Let's review possible incidents that would "throw" me in the hurdles of midlife aka make me vintage-
I will indeed be forty in less than two calendar months. Forty, it comes fast and she is an evil witch. You may feel twenty mentally, you may dance to Lady Gaga as you swiffer, you may enjoy the latest fashions- but the body knows different. Gravity is cruel- no further explanation is needed on this point. Dinners start to migrate earlier.. 4:00 seems perfectly reasonable to me- so I can lay down by 7:30 or so and rest my bones. When people call at 8:30, I immediately think "Do they know what time it is?, better be important". You think you have been there, done that- only the details are impossible to remember. Life is funny that way. I like the fact that the biggest joke of all is that my dearest friends have entered the "oh NO zone".. a little earlier than I have and have had the opportunity to find out just which vitamins, support hose and unmentionables are suitable for a woman of age. So as the days pass and I become weak in the knees- I think I will toss out the welcome mat and embrace the changes that life brings. I feel blessed and I will work in all the other acronyms I previously used to describe the wonder of "Vintage". Yes, if we are lucky, we will all eventually be a fabulous, lovely, kick em' ass "Vintage" glasses wearing, hair dying, vitamin popping, 60 minutes watching work of art.
Have a great day- whipper snappers!
Let's review possible incidents that would "throw" me in the hurdles of midlife aka make me vintage-
I will indeed be forty in less than two calendar months. Forty, it comes fast and she is an evil witch. You may feel twenty mentally, you may dance to Lady Gaga as you swiffer, you may enjoy the latest fashions- but the body knows different. Gravity is cruel- no further explanation is needed on this point. Dinners start to migrate earlier.. 4:00 seems perfectly reasonable to me- so I can lay down by 7:30 or so and rest my bones. When people call at 8:30, I immediately think "Do they know what time it is?, better be important". You think you have been there, done that- only the details are impossible to remember. Life is funny that way. I like the fact that the biggest joke of all is that my dearest friends have entered the "oh NO zone".. a little earlier than I have and have had the opportunity to find out just which vitamins, support hose and unmentionables are suitable for a woman of age. So as the days pass and I become weak in the knees- I think I will toss out the welcome mat and embrace the changes that life brings. I feel blessed and I will work in all the other acronyms I previously used to describe the wonder of "Vintage". Yes, if we are lucky, we will all eventually be a fabulous, lovely, kick em' ass "Vintage" glasses wearing, hair dying, vitamin popping, 60 minutes watching work of art.
Have a great day- whipper snappers!
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