Tuesday, January 31, 2006

How to Shock the UPS Guy...

I was waiting at the bus stop yesterday afternoon. (For those of you who think the bus stop is just down the street a couple hundred yards or so, you are incorrect. The bus stop is a mile away. I drive.)

Anyway, I was sitting there crocheting in the car when the UPS guy came around the corner in his big brown truck. He's a great guy who knows all of us in our development. We waved to each other. As he went over the hill and out of sight, I thought, "Oh, I bet he has my packages. I should have flagged him down. Hm, oh well..."

The bus arrived and the kids were getting off the bus. The UPS guy pulled up to wait. He called to me that I had some packages and that he'd left them in front of the garage. I thanked him and then told him that I should have flagged him down. He said that I had one box that was pretty big and heavy. He then said that he thought it might be for my dog.

I said, "Oh, my petco package! Great! But, it's for my guinea pig."
I saw his mouth gape open - he was shocked - blown away...
I couldn't say any more because the bus was trying to turn around. I drove off and left my favorite UPS guy with his mouth hanging open trying desperately to figure out what was in that box.

Yup, I got a bit of a thrill...
Can't you see my little grin spread across my face...

LadyBug

Ok - I'll tell you what was in the box - It was 5 packages of bedding. It was on sale and I had free shipping. I'm cheap!!

Monday, January 30, 2006

Monday Memories




Monday Memories: Did I ever tell you About Little LadyBug's Arrival?

It was about 5am Sunday morning when I woke up with contractions. I leapt out of bed and into the shower. That shower would probably be my last for a while. Then I ran to the kitchen to make 5 dozen finger sandwiches for church that morning. There was a Shower planned for our new nursery at church and I was to bring 5 dozen sandwiches. Did you notice that Mr. Bug was still in bed snoring. He sleeps like the dead. In between contractions I cut rolls, filled sandwiches, and made room for the platters in my fridge. At 7am I couldn't take it anymore and I woke Mr. Bug. Upon hearing the news that "it was time", he leapt out of bed and ran around trying to get organized while accomplishing only a shower and a cup of coffee. Basically, he was nerved up! I called my parents to come and take care of #1 Son.

Mr. Bug and I said our goodbyes to my parents and #1 Son and jumped into our cute Saturn Wagon. I normally drove the Saturn, but in my condition, Mr. Bug was going to drive it. He put the key in the ignition and turned. He also pumped the gas about 2 times to many. Yup he flooded it. Poor Mr. Bug. He really got freaked out!! He was so upset with himself! I was howling with laughter... I'm sure he was afraid that the baby would arrive in the Saturn before we made it to the hospital!

He got the car started and off we went. The rest of the morning went as is normal when one is in labor - walk the halls, breathe, walk the halls some more... breathe... Eat popsicles... eat more popsicles... breathe...

At noon, I had a visitor. Our minister - a very sweet older gentleman, whose kids were probably older than I was at the time - came to see how I was doing. I'm sure he thought I'd surely already had my baby by then, but NO... So he told Mr. Bug to go get some food and he'd sit with me.

That's very nice, but by then I was in hard labor and I simply wanted to "vent" without having to be nice. I was breathing through those contractions -- not one nasty word came out of my mouth, but I was thinking them!! He tried to make small talk about the shower and all the things that had happened at church that morning all the while his eyes kept darting toward the door - I could almost hear him thinking "when was Mr. Bug coming back? How far can the darned cafeteria be from here?" When his wife had their kids, he was only allowed in the waiting room! When Mr. Bug came back with a tray about 15 minutes later, the minister leapt up and pretty much bolted for the door. He couldn't get out of there fast enough!!

Poor guy - He's never been the same...

LadyBug

Links to other Monday Memories
(If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below)

KDubs
Uisce
Kimmy and Jacob
Running2Ks
Ocean Lady
Shelli


Click here for the Monday Memories code
<
Click here for Running2Ks blog


Trackbacks, pings, and comment links are accepted and encouraged!






If you are participating in Monday Memories, leave your link in comments and I'll post you here!

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Summer Days...

It is a damp and rainy day here at the Crossing. Our thoughts, though, are all about summer.

It is time to sign up for Summer Camp! Can you even believe it?? Yup, the calendar says January and we are making plans for July. Both children go to a Church Camp for a week. I don't let them go too far from home and this place is terrific. The camp fills up quicker than anything, so my check is going in the mail tomorrow morning. I might even drive it to the post office!

#1 Son will be doing a music and theater camp. He'll get to act and sing. They'll be getting ready for the play they put on for the parents on pick-up day. Last year's play was terrific - it was about Daniel in the Lion's Den. Drama Camp isn't all work and no play! They swim, have campfires, go hiking, eat junk, and do all the things you do when you are at camp - many of those things which we don't want to think about or even admit that we once did...

Little LadyBug is my outdoorsy kid. She's going to a nature camp. She'll go hiking, canoeing, fishing, and generally get filthy for a week. Yup, I should probably consider burning her clothes when she gets home. Last year when the Little one came home, we were sitting around having a quick meal talking about all the things she did at camp. She told Mr. Bug that she used a "poop kit". I thought Mr. Bug was going to snort soda out his nose. He held it together and asked, "Little LadyBug, just what IS a poop kit?" She was extremely excited to impart all this outdoorsy knowlege to her dad, the city slicker!! She gave him a very detailed blow by blow description of how to dig a 6 inch deep hole, how to aim, what you do when you are done, etc... As I was writing the camp check he asked, "How many poop kits does that tuition fee buy?"

Summer is just around the corner!!

LadyBug

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Nasty Neighbors

It has come to my attention that my sweet sister has a nasty neighbor.

How can this be?

My sister is terrific! She's the best!


Let me fill you in:
Auntie and Uncle Bug got married in September and moved from California to Colorado immediately after their honeymoon. They found a lovely new home in a subdivision - complete with yard for their two dogs. Terrance is a sweet dog, but doesn't do change well. (Heck - I don't do change well!) He gets nervous when his routine is disturbed and the move was very hard for him.


Auntie Bug goes off to work in the morning and Uncle Bug - a self-employed man - is home unpacking, working, and off to a meeting now and then. Uncle is not gone all that long and really most of his day is spent at home working in his office with Terrance at his feet.


One day, Auntie arrives home to find that the dog officer has been to her house and they now have a $50 fine to pay because Terrance was barking. Excuse me? Ummm he's a dog! He's supposed to bark.

Anyway, I digress... Auntie and Uncle go to the HOA meeting and discover, to their dismay, that their neighbors to the rear of them (how appropriate!) are obnoxious twits who hate dogs. Auntie and Uncle make nice and ask around to the other neighbors to try find out if Terrance is disturbing anyone else. No - he isn't. They ask their next door neighbors if there is a problem with Terrance barking - Nope. Their next door neighbor takes their contact info and tells them he'll call if he hears Terrance barking at all.

Auntie and Uncle receive a court summons. Not only do they have a fine, they have to go to court because their dog is barking. The judge says they have to put an elecrical collar on their dog that will shock him if he barks. Auntie is "upset" - ok she's rip roaring mad. That's cruel! That's nasty!! The judge also tells her that if she can't control her dog he might be put down. He's barking (maybe) - not biting!!


Auntie and Uncle go over to the neighbors with a plate of cookies and a list of contact information. The neighbors refused to answer - they were home!! Auntie and Uncle wrote letters to the Nasty Neighbor that had all of their contact information so that if the dog barked they could be contacted immediately. Needless to say, the certified letter was never picked up at the post office, the ones left in the mailbox were obviously ignored. I'd say that Auntie and Uncle have tried to be nice.

Auntie and Uncle hire a dog shrink. The shrink says that the dog is still worked up from the move - no foolin'! He needs time to settle in. (Really? No kiddin'!!) Uncle works from home and tries to limit his time away from the house so that Terrance won't be alone. Everytime he arrives home, he finds the dog is konked out in the office and not barking.

Anyway - fast forward to yesterday. I received an email from my sweet sister. It seems this Nasty Neighbor taped a note to her garage while she and Uncle were out to dinner. It said:

"Neighbor,
I feel that I have been very patient in regards to your dog constant barking. I can always tell when no one is home because your dog barks the entire time. I don't have any suggestions, but you, as a pet owner should research options. I'm not the only resident complaining just the only one that has decided to speak up."

It was left unsigned. How NASTY can you get? There is nothing neighborly about these people at all! They refuse to answer the door. They don't accept mail. Talk about needing a shrink!!

It seems these people hate all dogs and all people who have them. The next door neighbor told them a story about when a dog walker missed a poo pile, those people put the poo on a newspaper and left it on the doorstep of the dog owner. Give me a break!!

I am worried about Terrance's future... as are Auntie and Uncle.

How can people be so cruel??

LadyBug

Friday, January 27, 2006

Fair Weather

I was just over at Mar's place where she was asking what kind of weather we think we are.

Little LadyBug was standing here and I asked her what kind of weather she thought she was. She thought for a moment and said, "hmmm... I'm... Sunny.

Now, no one on the face of the earth loves snow more than my Little LadyBug. I figured she'd say snow. When she didn't say snow, I was surprised.

I said, "I thought you'd say snow."
"Why?"
I paused and then answered, "Well, you are a little flakey!"

She giggled and then thought about it…

(The smile went to a good natured frown)

“Mom! I don’t bump into walls anymore – that was a pole I bumped into yesterday!”

See what I mean?

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Thankful Thursday


Thankful Thurday: What LadyBug is thankful for this week


I am thankful for Mr. Bug and all that he does for our family.

I am thankful that #1 Son and Little LadyBug are great kids.

I am thankful that we live in the country.

I am thankful that Mr. Bug cooks - and is good at it.

I am thankful that Momma K introduced me to blo**ing.

I am thankful that I can list more things I am thankful for next week!!


Links to other Thankful Thursdays
(If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below; or, you can post in the comments)




Click here for the Thankful Thursday code
Click here for Running2Ks blog


Trackbacks, pings, and comment links are accepted and encouraged!



Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Dancing Feet

Little LadyBug has not always been a dancer. She started off ice skating. When we moved from New England, where there is a rink on every corner, to here, where the only rink is an hour away, she decided to try ballet and jazz.

Last March I signed her up for class and figured I'd see if she liked it. I should have known! Her teacher came out after class the first night and said she wanted to speak with me. My first thought was "Great, she's not cut out for this and the teacher wants her to take her klutzy self out of her class..." I was incorrect. The teacher was thrilled with Little LadyBug's ability to pick up the steps and told me she was very good. I thought the teacher was just being nice.

A couple of weeks ago, Little LadyBug came out of ballet and I asked her if she had done any pointe work in class. (I wanted to know if the $$ pointe shoes were being used.) She was almost breathless when she said, "Oh, Mummy, I am learning how to bouree (or some other French term I don't know)." I said, "Um, don't you do those in the center away from the barre?" She said, "Mum, I have been in the center since November". "Oh..." (I'm so in-tune with what she's doing - NOT!)

Then this happened:

Last night, Little LadyBug's jazz teacher asked me if I'd like to see what she was working on. I said, "umm okay." The music started and Little LadyBug began to dance. All I could do was watch in amazement and say "Wow!" Little LadyBug was graceful, yet powerful. She held her arms and hands exactly as they should have been. Her toes were pointed and her back was straight. She smiled -- she was having fun. She turned. She leapt. She didn't crash into walls! She didn't fall down. She basically blew my socks off. She was good!

We got into the car to go home and she asked me if I liked her dance. I told her I thought her dance was terrific. Then I saw the little grin... She knew she was good...

Does athletic ability skip generations? It must...

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Procrastination

I am guilty of procrastination.

I have been actively ignoring my desk for about 3 weeks now...
My desk is piled with stuff--
Stuff to file - filing is boring...
Bills to pay - I don't want to know how broke I really am...
A package I have to ship to my sister... I need to dig the tape out from somewhere in this pile. :-)
More stuff to file - filing is really boring...

I guess I'd better get to it...

I am amazed at the "stuff" my desk accumulates.

I just found three of Little LadyBug's barrettes, embroidery floss, a turtle that grows when placed in warm water, school papers, coupons... I didn't put half of this stuff here. Why is it on my desk? No wonder my desk looks really bad. It isn't even my stuff! Yippee...

What should I do with it all? Put it away? Nah... Toss it? Hmmm maybe...

Oh - I found the tape. Auntie Bug, your package will go out tomorrow...

Hey - I just found $10! Cool!

This procrastination stuff can be lucrative!

Monday, January 23, 2006

Monday Memories




Monday Memories: Did I ever tell you About How Graceful I Am?

Those of you who know me well, know that I am the klutziest person alive - except for Little LadyBug. Being the oldest child, I was and probably still am an over-achiever. It was my goal in life to succeed and make my parents proud. I did - often... even when this happened:

It was a cold and rainy Sunday. We were all at church for a Sunday School awards ceremony. I was in high school - I think I may have been a junior. I really wasn't paying much attention - although I was half listening so I could clap for my little sister. I was hanging out in the very back of the room with my friends. All the Sunday School parents were seated. The 'principal' was at the podium on the stage.

She called my name. I was shocked and very happy. I made my way forward - grinning from ear to ear. People were clapping. My parents were smiling and my sister was cheering me on. As I took the first step up onto the stage my true colors came blazing through... My toe caught and I ended up sprawled on my stomach across the front of the stage. (Just call me Grace.) The collective inhalation of breath was enough to suck all the air out of the universe. Fortunately, my sense of humor kicked in and I started laughing. My parents were laughing so hard they were crying. My mother could barely contain herself. I thought she might pee her pants. My little sister was doubled over with hysteria...

I still don't know what award I got. I remained seated to collect my prize.

Now you know why I am the way I am.

LadyBug

Links to other Monday Memories
(If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below)

KDubs
Uisce
Kimmy and Jacob
Running2Ks
Ocean Lady
Shelli


Click here for the Monday Memories code
<
Click here for Running2Ks blog


Trackbacks, pings, and comment links are accepted and encouraged!






If you are participating in Monday Memories, leave your link in comments and I'll post you here!

Saturday, January 21, 2006

The Play

We went to see the play #1 Son was in last night. It was called "Santa Sees A Shrink".

The play lasted about 40 min and it was terrific.

#1 Son did his line beautifully and was quite believable. He played a spoiled brat on Christmas morning. Mr. Bug and I howled! Little LadyBug also enjoyed the show and can't wait to be in Middle School so she can be in the Drama Club, too. (ummm yippee...)

So he said his line. The play was great. His teacher says they are starting a new play next week... I certainly hope he ends up with more than one line!!

LadyBug

Friday, January 20, 2006

Story Time

I volunteer at our local library on Fridays.

I shelve books, I shift books, and I haul books around on a cart. It sounds boring, but it is really fun! I get to see all the new books before anyone else. I even find nifty things for the whole family to read. I usually volunteer after they've had Story Time because that's when they have the most books to put away. Story Time kids check out a lot of books. (I don't know why this is, but it is a universal phenonmenon.)

I used to work in a library, so I am quite a commodity. Basically, I know 3 things: I know my alphabet, I know how to count (that helps with the Dewey Decimal System), and I know the difference between fiction and non-fiction! This knowledge allows me to shelve books correctly. The fact that I shelve at lightspeed is a bonus. The staff often asks me how I shelve so quickly... that's easy -- I'm originally from New England and we New Englanders move fast! If you sit still for too long in New England, you'll freeze solid.

I enjoy volunteering at the library because the staff is friendly and appreciative. I enjoy the staff immensely. Librarians are a fun bunch, you know. So, if you need something to do, try volunteering at your local library. You'll be glad you did.

LadyBug

Thursday, January 19, 2006

13 Things LadyBug Enjoys


Thirteen Things LadyBug Enjoys


1. Spending time talking and laughing with Mr. Bug and the kids.

2. Scrapbooking

3. Crocheting

4. Reading

5. Cross Stitch

6. Listening to Little LadyBug and #1 Son play the piano

7. Playing handbells

8. Photography... I'm good at taking pictures of people, but not good at scenery...

9. Spending time with friends

10. Shopping for a bargain.

11. Sitting and snuggling infront of the fire.

12. Playing games around the dining room table.

13. Sharing my life with all of you!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Petroville
Diary of the Nello
Kimmy & Jacob
LazyDaisy Log
D
Jane
Karen
Running2Ks
Uisce
Chickadee
Jennifer
J&J's Mom
WendyWings
YellowRose
Suzy
Katherine



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Things That Make You Go Hmmm

Little LadyBug had to write a book report.

Little LadyBug, being who she is and being an avid reader, chose Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry. It is a huge 500+ page book. She spent a good few days reading. She lugged that book all over the place.. it was a good one - that's for sure! Little LadyBug then spent a long time writing the book report. She wrote over 5 pages - longhand... not typed. It was a reallly good synopsis of the book. I, personally, think it was better than the one on Amazon -- but who am I?

Well, she got her grade back and boy am I miffed! She got a 90, which around here, is a B! Not only did she write a great paper, she wrote it on a huge book.

It seems the teacher had some questions about the book that Little LadyBug didn't answer.

IF the teacher had given Little LadyBug a list of questions she wanted answered, the Little one would have answered those questions. Alas, the teacher just told Little LadyBug to write a synopsis... which she DID!

So, now I have my knickers in a twist! They are in such a twist that I emailed the teacher. I asked her some questions about the requirements and then I told her what I thought. The teacher emailed me back. She didn't answer my questions, nor did she send me a rubric... So much for answering questions...

She did take Little LadyBug aside and told her what she can do to increase her grade 5 points to get an A. Little LadyBug is currently ensconced in the dining room answering the teacher's 5 stupid questions.

You know - next time she has one of these stupid reports due, I'm telling her to write her report on an easy book - one that she can tell everything that happened in the book and still have feeling left in her fingers when she's done....

'nuf said.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Laundry Laments



Today I am doing laundry. Lots of Laundry...



I don't mind carrying the baskets to the laundry room. I don't even mind sorting or even folding - for the most part. What I do mind is having to turn clothing right side out either before I wash or after it is dried. I totally resent it! And those socks that come to me in a ball just burn my bippie. How can they expect a sock to come clean if it is in a ball. Do they think the laundry fairy comes along and turns everything the right way???

Well, the laundry fairy is not coming in today... She's got better things to do than turn #1 Son's smelly socks!

#1 Son, on the other hand, needs to be re-educated in the art of dirty laundry preparation. To begin with, I have folded his laundry exactly the way it was received.. One pair of jeans is totally inside out, another as one leg in and one leg out. Do you think this will help? Do you think he'll get the idea??

Nah, me neither, but it makes me feel better.

Ahh - the dryer just buzzed...

Thanks for dropping by - hey, fold a towel or two before you go, will ya?

LadyBug

Monday, January 16, 2006

Monday Memories





Monday Memories: Did I ever tell you The Beater Story?


I was trying to remember a really good memory for my first ever Monday Memories post - it took a while, but I think I've got one:

I must have been 12. It was a hot summer day. My grandparents from Illinois were coming out for a visit. It would be the last time we'd see them in a couple of years because we were moving to Saudi Arabia.

Mom was cooking and baking up a storm. She liked to get all the heavy duty cooking done ahead so she could enjoy her time with her guests. We were making fudge swirl brownies with cream cheese. I asked if I could help. Those of you who know me, know that I am totally inept in the kitchen. I was more than inept at the age of 12.

My mother was either not thinking straight or having a weak moment. She said I could help cream together the cream cheese and some eggs or something. Just know that whatever it was was very gooey. She handed me the mixer... In the old days, we didn't have a "Kitchen Aid" stand mixer, we had an electric hand mixer.

I had long hair... really long hair... down to my butt long hair. I had long hair because that's what my daddy liked on his girls. He didn't have too many weird rules, but long hair was one of them. I wore it in two ponytails that day. I was so happy to be helping. I was thinking that maybe I'd actually learn how to cook alongside my mom the way she learned alongside my Gram. Then it happened...

The next thing I knew, the beater was crawling up my ponytail and banging me on the head. I was in shock - what just happened?? I tried desperately to get it out. I yanked. It beat me some more. I pulled - it crawled back up. I screamed!! My mother yanked the plug out of the wall, took one good look at me and then said "Oh - wait! Don't move!" She was snickering!! I had a moment of need here and she was holding back a laugh!! She ran and got the neighbors and a camera!! When she came back, she was howling with laughter... There I was, exposed to the world with my hair in the beater... Did she try to get the beaters out, NO! She took my picture!! (I looked for it this morning, but I can't find it - I'll post it when I do!)

And you wonder why I can't/don't cook!!

(How did they get the beast out of my hair? - they didn't cut it. Dad would have had a stroke! Dad ejected the beaters from the machine and then spent the next hour meticulously unwinding each and every hair. It took 3 washings to get the goo out.)

LadyBug

Links to other Monday Memories
(If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below)

KDubs
Uisce


Click here for the Monday Memories code
<
Click here for Running2Ks blog


Trackbacks, pings, and comment links are accepted and encouraged!






If you are participating in Monday Memories, leave your link in comments and I'll post you here!

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Blustery Sunday

The wind was really blowing here this morning!

I felt a little like Dorothy caught in the tornado. The wind was gusting so hard, that I was afraid it would send the grill off the end of the deck in a lovely swan dive (that actually happened last year and it wasn't pretty!) The trees were bending and swaying. I could hear my slate that hangs next to my front door banging against the house. Our basketball hoop did a face plant in the driveway. (I bet I could hit a couple of baskets now!!) The front lights attached to my house were blown apart... Gee, I have to get new ones... Oh, darn! (I didn't like them to start with.) I'm thinking "onion lights" would be nice...

Now, the sun is shining, the wind has died down and it is turning out to be a beautiful, albeit brisk day. I think I'll send Little LadyBug on a mission to collect some kindling. She's been itching to get outside and she loves to collect sticks!! (She enjoys the simple things in life.) All those branches that have fallen from the trees will start the fires in our woodstove and keep us warm.

Have a good Sunday, my friends!!
LadyBug

Friday, January 13, 2006

Mail Fraud!!

I have been the victim of Mail Fraud! Me! Little ol' LadyBug... Go figure...

Yesterday afternoon I received a package from my mother that was mailed December 12th. The package contained a book. It did not contain the book my mom had sent me. Inside was a library book written in Spanish from Johns Hopkins University Library. It seems that sometime in the last MONTH, my package was opened,my Christmas book (along with a cute booklight) was removed, and this icky book was stuck in its place.

I am annoyed!

They took my present!!!

Mom reported it to the post office on her end. I am going to report it here. So much for "media mail". From now on, I'm using UPS...

LadyBug

Thursday, January 12, 2006


Thirteen Things LadyBug is Thinking About Today


1. LadyBug's internet connection - for which she pays through the nose - isn't working too well today. LadyBug is NOT happy about that.

2. LadyBug is having tea with a good friend today. I made pizzelles to take with me and they taste as good as they look. Have one while you peruse the rest of my TT.

3. Little LadyBug is singing in a concert at the High School tomorrow. Do you think she'd mind if I showed up and took some pictures?

4. #1 Son has basketball practice tonight. LadyBug is glad that Mr. Bug is home to take him.

5. LadyBug has handbell rehearsal tonight. She missed last week to take #1 Son to BBall.

6. LadyBug is contemplating having her Middle School Handbells put on a 45min. handbell concert in the spring.

7. LadyBug is also wondering how she can have these kids do a concert when there is almost a month when they will not have class due to exams, ski week (whatever that is?!), and a "discovery day". They don't need to discover anything in Middle School...

8. LadyBug is contemplating having one of her 8th graders direct a song for the concert... Yup - more work for LadyBug!

9. LadyBug is going out to lunch with 2 good friends tomorrow. She is excited to see both of them since she hasn't had a chance to have a real conversation with either of them since before Christmas.

10. LadyBug just realized that she has to get her tax stuff together - soon - well, maybe next week.

11. LadyBug discovered a new type of handmade scarf called the "Curly Whirly". I made one and it is really cool! If you want to know what one is, click the blog link over there --->

12. Mister Bug worked from home yesterday. It was really nice to have him around.

13. Mister Bug took a lunch break and we went to the dump. Aren't we romantic? Well, after the dump, he did take me out to lunch. What a great guy!!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Petroville
Kelly
Mar
LazyDaisy Log
Squashed Toad
Fickle Chick
Karen
Running2Ks
Uisce
Chickadee
Jennifer
J&J's Mom
WendyWings





Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, January 11, 2006

One Line...

Hello, everyone!

#1 Son came home all excited the other day - he got a part in the school play. Let me give you a little background on the boy. He is tall, handsome, and has quite a presence about him. He is loud and projects his voice well. He enjoys being on stage and even went to a summer music and drama camp. #1 Son did the curtains and lights for the musical in October and when he went up to get his thankyou gift, the people in the audience said (not knowing he was mine) "that kid has more stage presence than anyone in the cast, why didn't they use him?" Ok - are you getting my drift?

So, it turns out that he gets this part because some kid dropped out. I asked him if he would have time to memorize his lines... He said, "Mom, I know my line." It took me a second... I said, "Your Line??" "Umm, yup..." and he recites it. My mind is boggled... I think to myself "The child has one line. ONE!! One line is not worth the hours of rehearsal time!!" But, I say, "Oh, that's great. So, you are ready for the show?" He says, "Yup, but I dunno when it is.. I think it might be next week or the week after."

And so it goes... The life of the drama club parent... I have to revamp my family's whole schedule for ONE LINE! I will do it because he wants to be in the play. I will not complain in his presence. All he will know is that we are so proud of him - because we are.

LadyBug

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Hurling Girly

Little LadyBug has caught the Throwing Up Virus...
At 1:30am I was awakened to "that sound".
I went running.. I met the poor kid running to the bathroom with her head in a bucket - I had put a trashcan at the head of her bed ages ago because it fit there... Ooooh was I lucky or I'd be shampooing carpets today.
So, my sickie will be home with me today. I'd like to keep her home for a couple of weeks until all this nastiness is out of the schools, but I don't think that's going to work!!

Thanks for dropping by!
LadyBug

Monday, January 09, 2006

Athletic Ability

#1 Son played his first basketball scrimmage this weekend. He did great! He got a few points, played great defensively, and had some fun. We all know that any athletic talent did not come from LadyBug's side of the gene pool. If you need proof of this I can tell you a short story about my athletic prowess.

I was a freshman in college. Of course, I was required to take Freshman Gym. It was spring term. Basketball was the subject. Coach taught us all kinds of things like how to pass, shoot, do layups, and dribble - I tried very hard to perfect these skills in the alloted time frame. At the end of the term there was a written exam ( I got an A). There was also a practical exam. The requirements were simple: 10 layups, 10 free shots, 10 chest passes, and dribble through the maze of chairs. Sounds simple, doesn't it.

Well - 10 layups - didn't get one basket - score: 0
I looked at coach - he shook his head and smiled... He tried to be nice.
10 free throws - didn't get one basked - score: 0
I looked at coach - he looked a little overwhelmed... How could this happen?
10 chest passes - didn't hit the mark on the wall one time - score: 0
Poor coach - he gets the only girl on the whole campus who has absolutely no athletic ability...

The last thing to do was dribble through this maze of chairs. I thought I might be able to salvage a little bit of my grade - never mind my self esteem. I started to dribble and jog. Ok.. looking pretty good. I went around the first chair. I caught my toe on the second chair. I fell in slow motion. As I fell, the ball went one way, I went the other, and the rest of the chairs ended up spewed all over the gym. I am still not sure how all that happened. My score: 0.

I had flunked Basketball. Who flunks Freshman Gym?? Coach told me it was a good thing I passed the written. (I'm sure he was worried that he'd have me again next term!!) He gave me a B, patted me on the head and told me to never ever come back. I really don't blame him.

So, the fact that #1 Son has any athletic ability is amazing! He is pretty good at basketball - I don't think he'll be getting a basketball scholarship to college, but he knows how to play and he can get some points.

Friday, January 06, 2006

5 Things You Never Knew

It seems I have been Tagged. I am supposed to post my 5 weirdest habits. I have decided to modify that and tell you 5 weird facts about myself.

1. I hate any form of wet paper (except Bounty paper towels). It makes me want to hurl. I can't stand the sight of it and the thought of having to pick up wet paper makes me gag. This applies to TP, newspaper, spitballs, etc.

2. I like my kitchen counters to be pristine. I have to spray them with glass plus and wipe them down with paper towels. Then I have to spray them again and buff them up with a terrycloth towel. I like them to shine and have no fingerprints or crumbs.

3. I'm a sock/shoe dropper. Wherever they come off my feet is where they stay. This applies mostly to shoes because I like my feet warm. I can never find my shoes. If I kick them off under the table... that's where I'll find them the next time I need to wear them.

4. I can read 2 or 3 books at the same time. I have one in my kitchen to read while I eat lunch or wait for the laundry to be done. I have one in the bedroom to read before I go to sleep. I sometimes have a third going in the family room to read while the children play video games. (I can only watch them play for so long!!)

5. I don't like gardening - probably because I have a brown thumb. I don't mind hauling rocks, digging holes, lugging wood or even moving big plants around - you know serious work. I hate weeding - it's so prissy. If I plant something (other than a bulb) it will die. My dad, on the other hand, can chop the heck out of a plant, take one of the twigs he hacked off, shove it in the ground, ignore it for a while and it will grow. It is just so maddening!!

So... There you go.
5 things you never knew about me...
Enjoy!
LadyBug

Thursday, January 05, 2006


Thirteen Things LadyBug Loves About Mister Bug


1. Mister Bug always says "I love you" before he leaves the house and at the end of every single phone call.

2. Mister Bug is a great cook.

3. Mister Bug is a super daddy.

4. Mister Bug drives a long way to work so we can live in the country.

5. Mister Bug laughs often and has a great sense of humor.

6. Mister Bug cleans bathrooms.

7. Mister Bug is supportive of everything I do.

8. Mister Bug remembers the little things that matter. He is very thoughtful.

9. Mister Bug does the grocery shopping - it only makes sense since he does the cooking. :-)

10. Mister Bug is very good at Mathematics. He helps #1 Son with Middle School Math Homework!!

11. Mister Bug is the best dishwasher stacker on the planet.

12. Mister Bug makes sure we spend time together everyday.

13. Mister Bug is the best bug for me.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Jeej
Petroville
LazyDaisy Log
Squashed Toad
Fickle Chick
Stacie
Running2Ks
Uisce
Chickadee
Jennifer
Indigo



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Wacky Wednesday

Today is one of those days.

Just when you think you have it all squared away, you find out that #1 Son left his sax in Dad's car. Dad's car is at the office over an hour away. That's not too bad, but Dad is off on travel for a couple of days. Dad's car isn't coming home... I think I'm looking at a long drive today.

#1 Son is going to owe me big time! I am going to USE this one... He'll be working for me this weekend - I have a Christmas tree that needs to come down... Hundreds of ornaments that need to be packed away... Hmmm... This could be quite beneficial.

#1 Son now has to explain to his teacher where his instrument is... Lucky him...
I would't want to be #1 Son today, but I'd like to be a fly on the wall to see what happens. Aren't I cruel?

The Grandbugs are going home today. I am sure they are ready to go back to their own house, their own bed, their own cars, and their own schedule. You know how it is when you are on vacation, you are so happy when you get home to your stuff. We will miss them, but they'll be back and soon enough, it will be for good.

Have a good day!
Thanks for dropping by,

LadyBug

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Happy New Year

The shrimp is being boiled.
The hors d'euvres are in the oven.
Football is on TV.
It is January 1.
Hope you all have a Happy New Year!!

LadyBug

A New Year's Tale

It was 3am. I was awakened by a constant drone in my right ear. MisterBug was snoring again. I thought it would stop. It did not. I decided to take a walk to the bathroom - maybe by the time I got back, it would stop.


I went through my list of remedies my mother gave me to stop the incessant snore. (She's been dealing for almost 50 years and has my Dad trained to stop snoring with a quick "Shhh" or a light touch with the index finger to the shoulder. She trained him well.) I have not been as successful.

I tried hopping into bed and flapping the covers. Maybe a blast of cold air will shock the snore out of him. Not..

I poked the shoulder. I used my index finger, two fingers, and then my whole hand. Nuthin...

I shushed. Nope..

I took all the covers. I thought maybe if he got cold enough, he'd wake up... nah...

I pushed him over on his side. I literally turned him over. That was the most ineffective move - he got louder.

I gave up. I had finally drifted off when I was awakened with the sound and stench of a fart. I turned to him and said "You stink." He said, "Happy New Year, Dear." I said, "Please spray and Happy New Year to you too." He said, "Oh, did I fart? I'm sorry."

He is a sweet guy. He made me a lovely waffle for breakfast.

My MisterBug is the best bug for me.