Thursday, July 31, 2008

Poop Happens

We were at the vet today waiting to get Zebbie's toenails clipped.
There was a big black lab on one side of the waiting room - slobbering everywhere and trying to pretend he was just a 150 pound puppy. Zeb was with LLB and me on the other side of the room.

The door to the exam room opened and a young woman came out with a baby on her hip and a teeny tiny dog on a leash.
The dog then proceeded to squat.
The young mom realized that the dog was getting ready to take a poop.
She frantically pulled at the leash to try to get the dog to stop.
"NO! OMG! Don't! Stop!"
LLB and I tried desperately not to gawk.
Zeb just watched from under LLB's chair.
The young woman pulled the teeny tiny dog - who was still squatting and pooping towards the door.
The poop - instead of being a teeny tiny pile - became a long drawn out affair... across the lobby.
The poor woman was mortified!
She continued to pull the squatting dog across the carpet and out the door, where he deposited one last log on the welcome mat.
LLB and I were hysterical! We could barely breathe we were laughing so hard... (What can I say? We have a sick sense of humor.)

The poor woman had to come back in to pay.
I would have made them bill me!

A friend of hers stuck her head out of the other exam room and said, "Hey! What's going on?"
"The dog just pooped all over the waiting room!"
"I didn't know you had a dog."
"I don't. It's my step mother's dog."

That did it.
LLB and I laughed so hard we almost left them a lovely little puddle to go with their log on the welcome mat.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Two Kids - no more waiting...

I will have both children home today.
Finally!

"LLB do you want to go get #1 at camp tomorrow or do you want to stay home and rest?"
"Mom! I miss him. I am GOING with you!"
"Okay. You'll need to leave the sleepover a little early."
"That's fine. I need to see #1."

LLB is at a sleepover.
I'm picking her up at 11.
#1 is coming home from camp today.
We're getting him at 2.

Tonight, there will be two children lounging on the couch watching TV and playing video games.

They will giggle.
They will sit close.
They will chat and tell stories.

I will do laundry.
I will fold clothes.
I will watch them - out of the corner of my eye.
I will be silent.
I will listen.

Otherwise, I will get absolutely no information!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Wordy Wordless Saturday?

The trumpet and LLB are home. Both are bumped and bruised, but are on the mend.
The trumpet has a dent and a small ding. It has been sent off to the trumpet guy to be fixed.
LLB twisted her ankle and got a blister.
The ankle swelling is down and the blister is healing nicely.

Tomorrow #1 comes home.
I am definitely ready to have both of my kids home.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. I'm off to get LLB from music camp in a couple of hours.

2. I'm up WAY to early.

3. I wish I could sleep.

4. I have two hours - which I could use for sleep - and I'm typing this TT.

5. LLB called home again yesterday afternoon.

6. She told me she had a swollen ankle.

7. When asked why it was swollen - she had no idea.

8. When asked if she could walk on it - Yes... as a matter of fact, she could.

9. I told her she would be fine. Go have fun and get off the phone. She giggled.

10. This camp was not a good match for her.

11. Next year she will go to a music camp closer to home... as in 30 min. from home.

12. And she just might commute.

13. I'm just glad to be going to get her today. I want her home as much as she wants to be home.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!




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, July 23, 2008

Trumpet Trauma

LLB called home yesterday.
I answered the phone and heard a little tiny voice on the verge of tears say, "Mom, it's LLB."
"Hi LLB!!! How are you? What's wrong?"
"My trumpet fell and it has a dent in it."
"Oh no! Do you need me to bring another one on Thursday?"
"No... Mom... my trumpet..."
"Don't panic! We can fix it." Meanwhile I'm totally panic stricken! Holy cow! I hope it isn't the bell! That would be ugly.
"LLB, where is the dent? Is it big?"
"On the middle slide. And yup.. it's pretty big." Maybe she didn't dent the slide itself and we can still get that out and the repair shop can fix it.
"Does it still play?"
"Um.. I dunno. Let me try..."
Blink. Blink. Are you kidding? You don't know if it plays? You didn't try it? Well, it probably just happened just this second...
I listen. I hear sound. It's not as clear as usual, but it might be that she pulled the phone away.
"Mom... I love my trumpet. Sniff"
"LLB, I know... Don't worry. Are you having fun?"
"Yes!! I'm in the top band!"
"That's terrific! That's what you wanted, right?"
"Sniff... yup."
"How is your room mate? Do you like her?"
"She is great! She plays french horn and she is in the same band as me."
"Oh, I'm so glad. LLB... whose phone are you using?"
"My friend's."
"Okay. Listen. Let's not run up her minutes. I'll email Mr. H right away and find out what to do with your trumpet. You don't worry. Just go and have fun. I'll bring another trumpet with me when I come down - just in case. I'll see you Thursday, k?"
"Okay."
"I love you. Don't worry."
"k... I love you... bye."

So... The child is fine, but the trumpet has had some trauma. This is her trumpet's first "real" injury and she's taking it pretty hard. I just hope they can fix it. I think trumpet injuries are pretty common.

I'll take a picture so you can all see the "dent" when I see her tomorrow. Mr. and I are leaving earlier than originally planned so we can take her a spare horn.

Maybe I'll bring her a Scooby Doo bandaid for her trumpet.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Things one should not bring to polo...

Polo is a family event.
Family - as in young children, teenagers, elderly, middle aged, etc - you know... family.

We arrived at polo on Saturday and got out table set. We put out our food, made some mimosas, and settled in for an evening of fun.

We were eating our first round of shrimp salad sandwiches when a woman walked across the field in front of us. Gram's sandwich paused half way to her mouth. Her eyes got round and she nodded towards this very attractive woman. I turned - as did half of the crowd. There was a huge intake of air as she walked past different families on her way to her very expensive ring side box seat. I looked closer - Tucked under her arm was a blow up doll. The kind of blow up doll one finds in a porn shop. (Hey I watch CSI, I know where this stuff comes from!) She was nekkid!! Well, she did have one article of clothing - a scarf - covering her neck. Everything else - and I mean everything - was exposed. Oh so attractive... NOT!

The woman strolled down the lawn as if she hadn't a care in the world. As if carrying a nekkid blow up doll was normal for the polo crowd. She found her party. She hugged her friends - with this blow up doll still under her arm. Then she put her doll up on the bench for everyone to see. Oh my the crowd was murmuring... I'm sorry, but I'd much rather look at a stuffed fox than that thing! At least the fox was beautiful. It was totally inappropriate. Who - in their right mind - brings a nekkid blow up doll to a family event? Who brings that type of thing to POLO???

LLB wondered why a grown woman would want to bring a nekkid doll anywhere... She's so over THAT stage in her life! She outgrew that at age 3.

I wondered what kind of person would think it was okay to bring a nekkid blow up doll to polo. (Believe me she was discussed over drinks, over dinner, over lunch, even on our trip back from dropping LLB at camp.) We've come to the conclusion that she's a female chauvinist pig. She is being as raunchy as she can and thinks it is socially acceptable.

Obviously, her momma didn't raise her right.

We decided that she was simply tacky and totally trashy. It doesn't matter how smart you are, how much money you have, or how good a person you are. How you carry yourself, how you dress, what you do, and how you do it makes an impression.
This woman - she did not impress me - Nor did she impress my daughter.

I guess I'm doing something right.

Driving...

Yesterday we drove.

We dropped LLB at her music camp 4 hours from home. The drive down was uneventful until our GPS drove us over the curviest mountain roads ever. We made it, but... LLB was a little green around the gills by the time we arrived.

Kay met us at check in. She told us that she was LLB's suitemate. That worked out better than ever. LLB doesn't have to room with her, and yet they are together. It was a perfect solution. If you don't remember, the issue was that Kay wanted to room with LLB. LLB didn't want to room with her. I wrote a letter to the camp stating that they were friendly, but that LLB wanted to room with someone she didn't know because she wanted to meet new people and make new friends. I'm just glad it all worked out.

Her room is a typical college dorm room - cinderblock walls, ugly bed, teeny tiny bathroom. I put her things in, made her bed, hung her monogrammed towels and tried to make it more like home. Once her roommates things are in there, it will be quite homey I'm sure. The campus is gorgeous. That's all I'm going to tell you about that...

We dropped her off at her audition location a little ways across campus, kissed her goodbye, and took off. We had 4 hours to make it back to see #1 in his production of Godspell Jr. We made it... with 10 min. to spare! His camp group was performing at a church about an hour from his camp, but closer to home for us. We really really wanted to see him - since we won't have him home for another week and Mr. can't go with me to see his final performance at camp on Tuesday.

The performance was AMAZING! #1 had a rap solo and a vocal solo. I had no idea the child could sing! I sat there with my mouth hanging open. He's pretty good. Who knew???

We arrived home 12 hours after we left. We were tired. Mr. drove 9 hours yesterday. I am not looking forward to 12 hours in the car to go to the Great White North in 2 weeks. UGH! Heck, I'm not even looking forward to the drive to swap #1's clothes on Tuesday or the 4 hours there and back to get LLB on Thursday...

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Whew!!!

About 3 weeks ago, I woke up with a start.
"Where are LLB's pearls?" was the thought that ran through my head.

Now I know that most 13 year old girls don't have "nice" pearls, but LLB has a beautiful strand of Akoya pearls that my parents bought for her when she was very little. They are the most gorgeous color I call just pink. There is a long story about why she got this strand so young, but suffice it to say, the kid is totally spoiled by her grandmother and that, my friends, is a very very good thing.

So, back to my harrowing ordeal.

I leaped out of bed and got out the box that holds her strand of pearls and mine. I opened the case and mine were right on top, where they usually are. I flipped open the flaps to reveal -

nothing.

(The case has a two ribbon snaps that hold the pearls in the case and I usually use both snaps to hold her pearls in there. Mine sit on top of the satin flaps to keep the strands from rubbing together.)

I freaked! OMG! Where are they?

I am so careful with these pearls. I always put them right back when she's done wearing them...

I ripped her room apart. Fortunately, I had planned to do this anyway since she was off at camp. I cleaned shelves that hadn't been touched in years. I went through her coats. I went through her drawers.

Nothing.

I went through my closet. I cleaned every shelf. I went through every pocket. I cleaned out my dresser. Maybe I'd put them in a drawer in a moment of stupidity. I went through the hope chest... Now I KNEW I would never put them in there, but you know, just in case.

Yesterday, I decided that I had been through this house from top to bottom. Maybe those pearls had fallen out of the box in the place where I keep them. I thought I'd go through that entire place. That's all I had left.

I opened the box.
I held my breath.
I opened the case.
There were my pearls.
This is good. I haven't lost two sets now.
I lifted the flaps - both of them.
There they were.
Her pearls were put away exactly where they should have been.
They were only attached with one snap.
The other must have let go.
I obviously didn't check very well the first time. I'm sure my panic and total freaking out had something to do with that.

I heaved a HUGE sigh of relief and said a quick prayer of thanks.

I have two things to celebrate. My house is clean and LLB's pearls are safe and sound. Whew!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Scrapbookin' Stuff

I am finally caught up.
I'm not bragging... I'm stating a fact.
I was a year behind.
I am now waiting for the pictures I ordered to come so I can again be caught up.
My goal for this coming school year is to stay caught up with the scrapbooking.
The memories are fresh and, therefore, the journaling is so much better.

There is one downside to being caught up...
I'm out of stickers and goodies.
I'll have to go shopping.
Darn...

Snacktivate, Baby!!

Snacktivate - what a great word!

It's right up my alley, too... it involves food and healthy snacking!! Two of my all time favorite things.

I got chosen by MomCentral to review this website. They sent me two boxes of Frosted Mini Wheats and a travel cereal bowl. The bowl is so cool! My husband thinks it's his... Well, actually, since he is the only person who carries breakfast with him, I guess it is his bowl. The bowl is actually two pieces. You freeze the bottom portion that is in the shape of a footed cup. When you are ready to leave the house, you fill that part with milk and screw it onto the bottom of the bowl. He puts his favorite cereal in the top, pops the cover (that came with its own built in spoon) on, and heads out. The milk stays cold until he is ready to eat. Mr. wasn't convinced it would work, but he said it works Grrreat! (Yes, he's a Tony the Tiger fan!)

Snacktivate is Kellogg's new site - it's filled with great ideas, recipes, nutrition information and more. I love the fact that you can download the brochures that are easy to read and understand. Since we are dealing with a pre-diabetic, this stuff sure is handy.

Head on over to the Snacktivate site and check it out... I'll wait.

I love the recipes. I can't wait to try some of them out on my kids. I know that some of these ideas are really for younger kids, but if I can get #1 to eat apples and granola, I'll try it! That apple cobbler looks delicious!! So do the snowman treats at the bottom of the page. Snowmen are a favorite around here, soo.. I'm sure they will be made as soon as LLB is home from summer camp!

The best thing about this web site is that it is easy to read, learn and understand. There are recipes for all ages, sizes and tastes. I think you'll find something you like over there!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Wordless Wednesday



Zeb relaxes with the butterflies.
His favorite thing to do is lay on the deck and watch the butterflies in the lavender.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Packing it up...

LLB is off to her band camp on Sunday.
That means we need to get her stuff back into her trunk...

At least this camp is only a few days as opposed to the last one that lasted over a week. I've been going over the list and I think we have everything - I even got her a new music stand. I'm so nice. (Actually, she got it because it was only $6.)

I am sure I can even manage to get her sleeping bag and pillow into her trunk along with her clothes and other goodies. It makes moving in and out of the dorms a whole lot easier!!

#1 is still off at his camp. We haven't heard from him, so we are sure he is having a terrific time! The house is particularly quiet with him gone. Although, not having to fight for the TV is kinda nice... ;-)

Monday, July 14, 2008

It's Happy day around here!

Today is Mr.'s birthday!
Please stop in and wish him a happy one.

His present? He wants new running shoes.
Hey, it's easy. He stops in the running store on his way home.
They video his running style.
He tries on a few pair.
He picks one he likes.
He arrives home and (after a quick birthday smooch) he shows me his shoes.
I say, "those are sexy."
He is happy.
Life is good.

Today is also the Grandbug's 52nd Anniversary!
That's a long time to put up with each other and they do it pretty darned well.
Please wish them a happy day, too!

Tonight we are hitting our local burger joint to celebrate. If you want to join us, we'll be there around 5:30 or 6.

FYI: If the time changes, I'll update this post.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

I know I don't cook, but...

I have this great appetizer recipe that my friend R found out on the internet this past week. She made it for the scrapbooking thing I went to the other night. If I could have found a way to stand in front of the bowl and eat the stuff with a spoon, I would have... Alas, that would have been totally tacky, so instead I stood in front of the bowl and scooped half of it on to my plate.

I call it Corn Dip, but she called it something else... which I can't remember.
Anyway, it's wicked easy and everyone loves it - And we all know it has to be wicked easy or I can't make it.

Ready?

Corn Dip

1 can white corn - drained
1 can yellow corn - drained
1 can rotel - drained
1 block cream cheese
garlic powder to taste
chili powder to taste - I didn't have any and nobody noticed.

Plop it all in a bowl.
Nuke it for 2 min or until the cheese melts -- or you can bake it at 350 for 30 min. until the cheese melts
Stir it up.
Serve with corn chips. I used Frito Scoops - oh so yummy!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Children...

#1, did you pack everything you need?
Yes.
Do you want to go up to your room and do one more check?
No. It's all in there. I'm sure.
You're sure?
Yup.
You have it all?
Yes.
I'm not driving down there to deliver forgotten items.
I know. It's fine. I have everything.

Fast forward to yesterday morning.
I enter #1's bedroom to pick up and get the few remaining clothing items that need to be washed.
What is sitting in the middle of the floor?

One large blue WATER BOTTLE...

It's a good thing I love that kid enough to send it in the mail with a note that says, "Did you forget something?"

Friday, July 11, 2008

Friday...

Yesterday we dropped #1 off at his camp.
Thus we started 3 weeks without our boy at home.
Will he miss us? Maybe...
Will we miss him? You bet!
It sure is quiet around here...

This week - as in two days ago - LLB started with a new trumpet teacher - Mr. N. He is very good. This morning I got an email from LLB's band teacher about a new trumpet teacher, Mr. R, who lives close by. He is a trumpeter from the Army Band. I called Mr. R and he seems very nice. LLB will have a lesson with him next week and we will decide if she will keep this new Mr. R or stay with Mr. N. I'm kinda hoping she likes Mr. R. He lives close... And close works around here.

I did some scrapbooking with my friend R last night. I got 12 pages done! I am inspired. I might have to do some more today instead of laundry.

Yup... That sounds far more enjoyable!

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Wordless Wednesday


LLB at camp on her last day... I drop #1 off tomorrow...

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Tuesday

Sorry, but you're going to have to put up with a Meme today. I don't have the pictures downloaded from LLB's play yet.

About Camp:
She missed her brother the most. She had an absolutely fabulous time. Will she go back? You bet! She'd like to go back with #1 on Thursday. She's pretty funny! She played her trumpet during the performance - one note - an F#. That's all there was, so that's all she played. She and HP are still friends - better than ever, I'd say. (I guess if they can put up with each other's foibles for 9 whole days, they are really really good friends.)

Now for the Meme:

The rule for this one is ONE WORD responses.

1. Where is your cell phone? Car
2. Your significant other? Mr.
3. Your hair? Brown
4. Your mother? Home
5. Your father? Computer
6. Your favorite thing? Love
7. Your dream last night? Forgotten
8. Your favorite drink? Mimosa
9. Your dream/goal? Retirement
10. The room you’re in? Family
11. Your church? Tiny
12. Your fear? Bugs
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
14. Where were you last night? Bed
15. What you’re not? Glamorous
16. Muffins? Blueberry
17. One of your wish list items? Windows
18. Where you grew up? MA
19. The last thing you did? Dog
20. What are you wearing? Clothes
21. Your TV? Off
22. Your pets? Sprawled
23. Your computer? Mac
24. Your life? Terrific
25. Your mood? Happy
26. Missing someone? No
27. Your car? CRV
28. Something you’re not wearing? Earrings
29. Favorite store? Depends...
30. Your summer? Busy
31. Like(love) someone? Mr
32. Your favorite color? Blue
33. Last time you laughed? Yesterday
34. Last time you cried? ???
35. Who will repost this? ???

Sunday, July 06, 2008

The Last Day

Today is my last day without my sweet LLB. We go to pick her up at camp in the morning and I am definitely ready to have her home - so is everyone else for that matter.

She has spent the week preparing for a performance of Cool in the Furnace - the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who survive the night in a fiery furnace. I wonder what her parts will be. Will she dance? Will she have a solo? Will she play her trumpet? I dunno - but I can't wait to find out!

But, before we get to tomorrow, we have to get through today. We have coffee hour at our church this morning. Mr. made a vegetarian chili that smells divine. Mom made tortellini antipasto and a cucumber salad - both are to die for, but my fave is the cucumber. I made chocolate covered marshmallows - They look and taste great!

I'll catch you all on Tuesday, as tomorrow I am absolutely sure that will be up to my eyeballs in dirty, smelly, stinky camp laundry. Wow, that sure sounds appetizing, doesn't it?

Friday, July 04, 2008

Happy Independence Day!



We are off to a friend's home for festivities late this afternoon. Zeb will be left at home where there are no big booms, flashes of light, or other noisy/flashy distractions. #1 was asked to bring his Guitar Hero game - so I'm sure a video fest is in order for the teen/younger set.

Our contribution this evening is strawberry daiquiris. I'll let you know how they come out. I'm a taste tester. I'm also NOT the designated driver. I got the best end of THAT deal!

LLB is still at camp and will have a terrific day today, I'm sure. I know that they will attend a bluegrass festival, eat hot dogs, chow down on candies, and generally celebrate the 4th in grand style. It's not the same without her here, but she's having fun so we can deal.

Have a great day!

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. It's Thursday. It's been a pretty busy week for me.

2. I shoveled out both LLB's and #1's rooms.

3. I shoveled out my closet and my dresser. (That is a huge accomplishment!)

4. Today I'm going through all of LLB's children's books and weeding them.

5. I will take the old clothes to the Salvation Army.

6. I will take all the old books to the library.

7. I found margarita glasses for $1 yesterday. We have been invited to a 4th of July party and our contribution is daiquiris.

8. They look really pretty served in those margarita glasses. I knew I could find them if I looked long and hard enough.

9. I found them at the dollar store yesterday. Yippeee for me!!!

10. Gram and I are thinking we might need a few more.... So when I go to the Salvation Army, I'll stop by the dollar store and them.

11. Last night #1 had a friend stay over. They had a terrific time. They even went to bed at a reasonable hour - 12am. They are still asleep... Ahhh... life is good.

12. LLB is still at camp. We are all missing her, but we know she is having a blast!

13. My friend R is off to Kennebunkport for her anniversary. If you see her, wish her a happy anniversary - she and J will be the ones eating lobster and blueberry pie. That narrowed it down for you, didn't it?

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!




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, July 02, 2008

Wordless Wednesday





Zeb does not like the camera...

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

All clean and tidy

For now.

LLB's room has been shoveled out. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I do have some shelves of children's books that need to be weeded, but basically, her room, drawers, and closet have been cleaned and tidied.

I need to go in there and dust and vacuum, but that will take just a few minutes compared to the whole morning I spent in there yesterday.

In the afternoon, I was going to flop on the couch, but #1 wanted to go through his things and start to pack for camp. He will be gone for 3 weeks. So... we went through his things. We packed a trunk for his first 12 days away. We set aside what he needs me to bring up for the following however many days he will be gone. We went through every drawer. We cleaned the closet. We weeded his book case. We tossed, chucked, and sorted.
His room is looking pretty darned good, too!

He has shelves that need to be weeded, but I'll do that later this week or when he's gone. The tough stuff is done!

#1 and I worked hard. We chatted. We laughed. It was tough stuff, but it was fun... He's such a terrific kid...

#1 is learning how to drive. Grandpa is teaching him.
They went for a lesson yesterday. The car #1 is learning to drive is the one he will be driving - it's a stick shift 1990 Camry. It's a total cream puff. #1 is really enjoying that car! He came in yesterday after his lesson and said, "Mom, that car is awesome! I love that car!"

Ahh yes, my #1... it will be much cheaper to insure than anything else. You best enjoy it and take care of it.