Wordy Wednesday

It seems like I always have a lot to say on Wednesdays... I wonder why that is??

Anyway, the Grandbugs are closing on the sale of their New England home today. The truck pulled out with all their furniture yesterday afternoon. They should arrive here tomorrow and the truck should arrive on Friday. I'm going to be really busy.

Now I just have to finish shoveling out LLB's room - she's getting my old bedroom furniture from when I was a little girl. She's getting a canopy bed, a dresser and a desk/dresser thing. It's beautiful maple furniture and will look great in her room. It's also a little smaller than what she has now, so it should fit better, too. She's also getting a new rug to put over her hideous carpet. I just wish I had time (and a little extra cash right now) to take down her wallpaper, and paint her room. She needs chair rail on two walls (they put it on two walls but not 4 walls??) and crown moulding around her ceiling, too. She likes pink... My original plan was to put white wainscotting on the bottom half of her walls and paint the top a really super light pink. I was then going to put filmy sheers along the side of her windows OR maybe put a filmy sheer valance on the top of each window. Her quilt is pink and white. I thought that might be nice. But, I found a gorgeous green ladybug quilt/sham/dustruffle set that might look so cute in her room. What do you think? What do you think would be best? Are the ladybugs too babyish? Not appropriate for a tween? I know it's not a canopy set, but we can leave her bed a 4 poster - which I prefer anyway. I'd have to find another color for the walls - pink won't make it. All of these design decisions can wait... I got bigger fish to fry:

I have to move LLB's current dresser upstairs for Grandpa Bug. He's getting that one. It's cherry and it matches their bed and long dresser. I also have to move a long cherry dresser out of her room. I have no idea where I'm going to put it, but... I'm sure I'll find a place - hopefully not where I park my car... Anybody live close to Northern VA want a lovely cherry dresser with mirror?? Email me and I'll send you a picture.

#1 is getting a new mattress and box spring. He needs a new one, and the Grands have an extra. Free is my favorite price. He's not getting any furniture because his furniture is perfect for his room. I'd give him the long dresser, but his room is too small for that. Besides, he has the biggest closet - he doesn't need the dresser. His room is getting painted sometime this summer. I'm working on a ripple afghan in shades of blue for him. He has a light denim colored comforter. I'm thinking about getting him a true denim duvet and putting a red and navy oriental type rug on his floor. I think it would be really cool. I think I might do his walls in that beigey shade that the Grandbug's living room is in... or I might go a smidge lighter...I'll let you all know what happens. Anything will be better than the 80's wallpaper he has...

Update on Zebbie:
He's getting better. His tummy is on the mend... Now if we can just keep him from rolling in dead things...

Okay - I've got to get my rear in gear!! I'm very quickly running out of time!

Tuesday Tidbits

Here's the update on Zebbie:
He probably has a stomach thing going on that is normally something they see in the summer months, but because it has been so warm, they are seeing it now. Great... He's probably had it in his system for a while and got stressed and set the whole mess off. Great...

That said, Zebbie is on a rice diet. He likes the rice. He does not like the pills he's supposed to take. He eats the treat and spits out the pill. It's quite an art form... We have to mash them and hide the powder in his food.

He was doing pretty well until 7:45 am this morning when I found a lovely little liquified poopy present in the dining room. Yes, I have a light colored rug. Yes, Ive been spraying and blotting like a madwoman. No, I am NOT HAPPY. All the doggy gates are going back up as I write this. He will have access only to the kitchen - the rest of the house is now off-limits.


Mr. Bug arrived home after a long long drive from the Great White North. He was tired, but happy to be home. The Creampuff ran great! The only problem he had was that the windshield wiper fluid froze solid while he was up there in -10 weather. His brothers helped him defrost and siphon out the "summer mix" and put in the "-40 winter mix" fluid.

I got into bed last night about 10:30 or so.
Mr. Bug was snoring like a chainsaw. I took out my sudoku puzzle and was filling in the numbers waiting for the noise to stop.
Mr. Bug turned and looked right at me.
He said, "What are you doing here?"
"I live here."
He sat straight up and said, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, dear. We're married."
He thought about that for a moment. "Oh. Okay."
"Go to sleep, dear."
The next thing I knew he was curled up and snoring again. He was one tired Bug! I giggled... I'm still giggling about it.

Monday Mumbles...

I'm totally out of it this morning. You wanna know why?

My dog has a stomach bug.
He's barfing. Yup, that's fun.
He's got liquid poop. Yup, that's a blast at 2am. and 3am. and 7am.
I am sick of washing his bedding.
I am sick of getting up in the middle of the night. I do that for human children not for canines. This has been going on for two nights in a row now and I've just about hit the wall. I'm calling the vet this morning.

How much you wanna bet she wants a fecal sample?

Got Skis?

So my friend R and I decided to take 4 children skiing yesterday. She had never been skiing and neither had her children. #1 had skied with his school when we lived in New England, but LLB had never strapped boards to her feet and pointed them down a mountain before. I ski, but I ski very cautiously. I really don't want to fall down. Mr. tells me that I'm too slow and too careful. I'm sorry, but I'm not going yell "Cowabunga" and just aim for the bottom... It's just not me.

We arrived at the slope in the early afternoon to take advantage of the "Twilight" ski deal they had going. #1 got his skis, grabbed my cell phone, and took off. That was fine with me! The rest of us signed up for a lesson and the bunny hill.

The children took to skiing like ducks to water. They were zooming down that bunny hill so well! FYI: The rope tow and Jbars are no longer... Now we have a Magic Carpet Tow - It's like a people mover at the airport. Stick your skis on and it
pulls you up to the top of the bunny slope.

R did great! She's cautious like me. She did slide past me on the larger bunny hill and she very calmly said, "I am going too fast. I am going too fast." She was so cute!! She looked great and she was skiing beautifully! I was and still am impressed. I'm hoping to get her back out there soon - like when the kids are in school. The ski hill is only an hour away and I'm sure that during the school week, there is not a soul there. We can ski and perfect our turns while the slopes are empty.

#1 came and found us after our lesson. He had a wonderful time and his ski skills came back - just like riding a bike! It seems that he perfected more than his skiing while he was out there... He was popular with the girls from a local private school who were skiing there. Many of them asked for his phone number... Girls these days!!

LLB, HP and the Dancing Princess did not want to leave the slopes. It took some talking, but we finally convinced them that they had skied quite enough for one day.

Removal of the ski equipment was quite an adventure! R's boots were totally stuck on her feet. They did NOT want to come off. Then we got the giggles... It took every ounce of strength I had to get those foolish ski boots off her feet.

I am certainly hoping to get the kids back out on the slopes soon. I'll be a little busy next week, but maybe the week after...

Friday Feast

Appetizer
If you could take lessons to learn any musical instrument, which would you want to learn?
Sax or Trumpet

Soup
Have you ever mistaken a person for someone else?
Who hasn't?

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets?
10

Main Course
What's the closest you've ever been to a dangerous animal?
Does Mr. Bug count?

Dessert
When was the last time you lost your patience?
Ummm.... I plead the 5th.

Tuesday Tidbits

We have a two hour delay today... The kids will get to school in time to eat lunch. At least they don't have to make today up in June. You gotta look at the bright side...

So yesterday I made myself busy. I tackled the mountain of laundry and got it down to a veritable hill. I am pretty impressed with myself. I also put a ton of things away, organized my closet a little bit, and got the children to pick up their rooms. Today I'm going to finish up the laundry, vaccuum my house, get some firewood in, clean out the woodstove, and put the last few Christmas items away.

Last night at about 7:30 I asked LLB if she had her English paper done. She has a huge research paper about golden lion tamarins due in a week or so. (Yes, I know I had all day to ask her that question, but I didn't think about it.) She did have most of it written. When she finished writing, I asked her if it was supposed to be typed. She nodded. She's not the fastest typist in the land, so she read and I typed. At 9:30 we pushed print. The paper is done. She stuck the pictures in and I bound it with my new binding machine. All I know is it is done, she's turning it in today, and we don't have to worry about it any more.

I'd best get my chores going!

Snow!

We finally have some snow! It started while we were a church and continued throughout the afternoon. Needless to say, we missed the Anniversary Party.

LLB - our resident snow bunny - was out there sledding with the dog for hours. As a matter of fact she's back out there now! Yes, I know it is 9 am and she's still in her pajamas. But, she has her winter gear on and she's happy.

Pottery Time

Good friends of ours are having their 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration this afternoon. I was looking for the perfect gift. I wracked my brain for days on end. Yesterday I went "down town". I looked in all the little shops. I kept being drawn to pottery items, but they just weren't "right". You know?

Suddenly, it came to me. My sister, Auntie Bug, is a potter. I should give my friend one of Auntie's bowls. Auntie makes the most beautiful things - I have many of her items and I love each and every one of them. I use them all the time.

I bought this large bowl for my friend:

So - if you are looking for a great gift for yourself or someone special, drop on over to Lazy Bear Pottery and take a gander. She also has a couple of pieces out on Etsy.

Her pottery is dishwasher and microwave safe. It's just the best - and it's beautiful!

Zebbie's Tale

Hello! It's me - Zebbie.
Don't cha just love this picture of me?
I've distracted mom and hijacked her blog. I'm going to tell you how brave I am.

I have a very big bark for a little dog. I have perfected it to keep my family safe. I practice by barking at birds, the mail lady's truck, the horse next door, and the tv.
Just last night, when Mom was getting ready to take me out for my last potty run, I knew there was something vicious out there. I growled. I get bigger when I growl. Mom was not impressed.
We went out on the back deck. I sniffed a presence. I am sure it was something big and nasty. I'm sure it was a bear or a lion or something huge like that. I growled... my deepest most menacing growl. I was wicked scary - honest!!
Mom's eyes were rolling around and she said, "Knock it off, Zebbie. Do your 10 drops. It's cold out here."
Then I heard it. I barked and barked. I even howled. (I was really really scared umm... I mean scary then!!) I scared the big bad monster away. I heard it scamper off into the woods. Mom thinks it was a deer. I am sure it was much bigger than that! It really sounded like a bear or maybe even a tiger or an elephant crashing through the brambles.
Then, just to make sure it knew not to come back and that I am the big dog around here, I did a giant poopie.
Mom chuckled... I'm still trying to figure out why....

Thursday 13

Hi Everyone!
LLB's paper is below this post. If you'd like to read it, drop down and read. If you aren't interested... don't read it.

Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today 1. It's winter. It's getting cold. It might snow tonight. That means there might be no school tomorrow! I'm hoping for a snow day - I'm worse than the children!! 2. I am getting cold. I don't like to be cold. Mr. doesn't like my ice cold popcicle toes pressed against his nice warm thighs at night. Hey, I need to protect my toes from frostbite... 3. The children are involved in drama club. It's a terrific thing for them to do. 4. The teacher is out this week. He didn't leave a schedule of the days the kids are meeting. 5. Both children are involved in Leadership Club. It met yesterday until 4:30. 6. LLB's drama group met yesterday as well. 7. She went to Drama. He went to Leadership. 8. We didn't know this because the children weren't allowed to use the phone. 9. Mr. arrived at 4:30 - the scheduled pickup time for those in Leadership. 10. He discovered that LLB was in Drama until 5 and that #1 had gone to Drama to help out. 11. He was impressed that #1 took the initiative and went to help. 12. He was not impressed that he had to wait for 30 min. for the children to finish with Drama. 13. He was definitely not impressed that the children weren't allowed to use the phone. I fixed that issue. According to the Principal - who I love - they can call home during lunch. That works. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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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!

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LLB's Paper

If you don't want to read LLB's Role Model paper, please don't. I'm certainly not offended.


My Role Model - My Mom

I chose my mom as my role model. I chose her because she has the character traits of a good role model. She’s honest, fair, responsible, caring, smart, and an all around great mom.

My mom is honest. She always tells the truth. If she thinks the truth might hurt someone’s feelings, she tells it in a way that will not sting so much. She always finds something nice to say about everyone; even if she’s upset or annoyed with them. Mom reminds me to find one nice thing that I can say about every person I meet. Sometimes that’s a hard thing to do.

My mom is responsible. She doesn’t spend more money than she has. She tries to purchase everything on sale. She’s quite a good bargain hunter! She is always on time. She hates to be late. Mom reminds me to set my alarm at night; she tells me that this is the first step toward independence. My mom is a member of our church vestry. She says it’s important to volunteer at the church. She’s the one who convinced me to be an acolyte.

My mom is caring. She gives up time for her self to volunteer at the library and at our school. She goes on every field trip with me. I know that she doesn’t want to go on all of them, but she does it for me. Mom is always willing to help a friend in need. She will put her chores aside and share a cup of tea and conversation with a friend. My mom is the best snuggler. She always takes time to snuggle on the couch and make me feel like I am the most important person in her life. Mom is always available for a hug, too. Some kids get embarrassed when their moms hug them in public. My mom tries to be aware and not embarrass me. That is very thoughtful of her.

My mom is smart. She is an excellent musician and takes time to help me with my trumpet. She always knows how to figure out those tough rhythms. My mom is a handbell ringer and director. She will bring the art of handbell ringing to people who don’t have handbell choirs of their own. We do this together. We do workshops to help people learn about handbells. I am always amazed at how patient and kind she is. She never makes new ringers feel stupid. She tells them that they are doing great even when they really stink!

My mom is an all around great mom. She washes our clothes, cleans our rooms, helps with our homework, drives us to and from our many activities, and is totally dedicated to my dad. Mom can fix anything with duct tape and paperclips. I hope I can learn to do that, too. Mom also balances her time. She has time for us and time for everyone else. She even has a blog that she updates every day. She shares our family with our friends and family across the country and the world. It’s really cool!

My mom is a terrific role model and I’m glad she’s my mom.

Yet another Wordy Wednesday

I took this picture on my street out my car window. Isn't it cool?! (You may want to click to enlarge to truly appreciate it.)

Jazz Update: No rehearsal. The teacher isn't starting for another couple of weeks... I dunno why. Whatever. The children were disappointed, but they'll survive.

LLB had to write a paper about the one person in her life that she looks up to as a role model. Guess who she picked? ME!! I'm tickled. I was thinking about sharing her paper, but I don't know if I should... Do you think I should??

#1 applied for a job at the local Tractor Supply. It seems he's big enough, but he's not old enough. They thought he was 16. Alas, he is only 14. They don't hire anyone under the age of 16. It's too bad because they are missing out on one really great hard-working kid! Now he wants to apply at the local burger joint. They'll definitely hire him. I'm not too keen on that. What do you think? Should I let him?

Update on the Grandbugs: As of this minute, the purchase and sale on their house should be signed. (Key words: Should Be) I've not mentioned any of this because I didn't want to jinx it. They had an offer on the house before they left for New England in early January. They are due to close on the 31stand been getting estimates for movers, fixing stupid idiotic things that the buyers' " (insert explative here) inspector" said needed to be fixed, and generally getting ready to move. We at the Crossing are so excited!! LLB is counting the days until she gets her Gram and Grandpa back. Just so you know how much she wants them here: LLB heard us say something about the house being sold. LLB knew that Gram and Grandpa were due to leave in the morning. She said, "So it's sold. That means you can just stay here, right? That means you don't have to leave, right?"

The Christmas Tree: Yes, I finally found some acceptable ornament storage boxes. I packed them all up yesterday. The tree is coming down and going up into the attic today. That means all kinds of furniture shifting. And while I'm moving furniture, I should move the Grandbug's piano into their living room, shift the rug from their guest room to their loft, retrieve my living room end table that they were using as a night stand, and get my Christmas dishes out of their china cabinet (so they have a place to put all their stuff). Then I'm off to lunch with a friend. Think I'll get it all done??

Jazz

I'm so excited!

Both children were invited to be part of the very first Jazz Band at their middle school! #1 is totally psyched! He loves improvisation and is looking forward lettin' it rip. LLB is ready for more challenging music as well as working with a group that can actually play. Their first rehearsal is today after school. I'll let you know how it goes!

More Missing Mail

So my winning streak with the USPS and various other delivery services continues... Well, actually, I didn't order this item. I didn't pay for this item. I simply get to use this item - or not.

Here is my sob story:

Way back in May - yes last May - I told my boss, I'll call her C, that I needed a set of handbells for my class. The chimes are very nice, but they aren't handbells. I told her that sharing the handbells worked okay, but the kids couldn't get the techniques down without practice. You can't mallet a handchime, (yes, I know it's possible, but I wasn't going to have the kids do it...) you can't mart-lift a handchime - especially when they don't give you any foam to work with... Basically, my kids were at a disadvantage.

So anyway, I begged for a 3 octave set of handbells. C told me to get the prices together and tell her want I wanted. I did as asked and in less than 24 hours, my request was on her desk. The school has a set of Malmarks, but I really wanted a set of Schulmerich Handbells. Both manufacturers are good, but I'm used to Schullies. I can maintain them. The Reps are wonderful. The service is top notch. Alas, I was not awarded my preference, but I sucked it up and dealt. The lead time on handbells is often 6 months. I really wanted her to order them asap. She did the best she could and my bells were supposed to arrive by October. Then they were supposed to arrive by Christmas.

I returned from Christmas break and asked the same question I've been asking since September, "Where are my bells?"
"They aren't here and I'm going to call this afternoon. I'll let you know what I find out. This might take some time..."
I knew something wasn't right...
She called me at home the other day. "Your bells are missing. They can't find them. They delivered them to the wrong school. They told me it would be another 3 months to get you a set."

I have really bad karma with the delivery folks...

I won't tell you what ensued but basically Malmark dropped the bell - oh I mean ball - and their customer service left I bit to be desired. Then she told me that I could have the Schulmerichs that I originally wanted. There's a silver lining in every cloud! I am thrilled. I had to wait almost a year, but I'll get exactly what I wanted. So - in less than 12 weeks, I should have my bells...

Unless they get lost in transit...

Thursday 13

Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today 1. Auntie gave Mr. a chicken head for Christmas. 2. I think it may have been one of his favorite gifts. 3. The chicken head is made of ceramic. 4. You are supposed to use it to stop up your chicken neck hole when you make beer can chicken. 5. The head keeps the beer steam inside the chicken. 6. That way the flavor permeates the chicken better... or so they say... 7. We had beer can chicken last night. 8. Mr. used is new chicken head. 9. It really was cute. 10. The chicken was delicious! 11. Mr. thinks the head made the chicken taste even better. 12. It certainly was tender and juicy. 13. I took this picture about half way through the cooking time. The ones I took when it was done came out all fuzzy. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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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!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordy Wednesday

I was sitting at dinner the other night. Mr. had made juicy burgers and roasted eggplant on the grill. I love eggplant and we eat it all the time.
I took a bite of eggplant and my mouth felt suddenly funny. I thought it was odd, but I took another bite. (Yes, I'm brilliant!)
The right side of my mouth blew up like a balloon. As did my tongue.
I said, "I think my mouth ith thwelling."
Mr. about dropped his fork.
"Are you okay?"
I trotted off to the nearest mirror and thure enough - my thongue wath a bit thwollen ath well ath the thide of my mouth on which I chewed the eggplant.
Now don't get your knickers in a twist, I could breathe - no problem there. If there had been, I'd have dialed 911.
I called Grambug. I thaid,"Hi. I ate eggplant and my mouth ith thwelling a bit. What do I take?"
"Call the doctor." Click.
Okay... I called the doctor. I left a methage.
The thwelling thtarted to go down.
The doc called me back and told me no more eggplant - ever - and to take 2 benadryl.
2? OMG! That's enough to knock out a full grown elephant! I have a church meeting in a half hour!
By the time Mr. and I arrived at the meeting, my tongue and side of my mouth were back to normal, but my eyes were rolling around in my head.

Thus ends my love affair with eggplant...

That's the way it is...

I was interested in a low impact aerobics class that started today. I went to sign up and it appears that I was one day too late. Huh? It's an exercise class - not a college class. I just want to jump around...

It turns out that I had to go help LLB and 3 classmates with their roller coaster project for science. I would have felt extremely guilty if I had gone to an aerobics class instead of my kid's science class. That's just the way it is sometimes...

It was 70 degrees here on Saturday. I just looked out the window and it is snowing. Talk about a paradigm shift. Shorts to snow boots in a matter of moments... That's just the way it is...

Mr. Bug had his stress test at the cardiologist yesterday. He called me as soon as he was finished to give me a report.
"Well I have good news and I have bad news."
"Give me the good news"
"The good news is my heart is absolutely fine. I'm totally healthy."
"Great! What's the bad news?"
"You have to put up with me for at least 30 more years!"

That's just the way it is - And I like it like that!

Monday Memories

Monday Memories: Did I ever tell you About My Cats and The Cat Carrier? My cats have an aversion to the cat carrier. As a matter of fact, they hate it. When they see it, they run. Some very lucky people can put the cat carrier out the day before the vet visit to get the cats acclimated. I cannot. I have to hide mine in the garage. I have to stealthily grab a cat and quickly remove it to the garage where I engage in all kinds of acrobatics to stuff the very unhappy cat into the carrier. If I am eventually successful, the cat is in the carrier and I still have hair. Most times, the cat has held on to the edge of the crate with all 4 paws - just like in the cartoon - and with much hissing and gnashing of teeth manages to escape his temporary encarceration. I'm forced to start over. Find and stuff - that's my motto. I have been known to remove the cars from the garage before beginning the crating process just so they can't hide under them or in the engine. I'm getting wise in my old age. It often takes to grown ups and one child to crate a cat. The elders hold two cat feet each and stuff, while the youngster slams the door shut. Of course all of these antics are noisy and the poor pitiful cries of the first now crated cat alert the second cat to her impending doom. By this time, though, I'm on my last frazzled nerve and adrenaline alone is all I need to get the second fickle feline crated. It's amazing how fast a crazy woman can catch a cat and stuff it in a crate! I usually arrive at the vet covered in sweat and cat hair. I'm always at my most attractive when I haul my two howling and hissing cat crates in and plunk them, unceremoniously, on the exam table. Maxine is my stylist for all vet visits. I am a cat owner. This is what I do. LadyBug Click here for the Monday Memories Code, Blogroll, Graphics, & Other Information View More Monday Memories Participants Trackbacks, pings, and comment links are accepted and encouraged!

Marked Mail

I've been shafted by the USPS again!

You all remember that I won the book, The Devil Wears Prada from Fefyfomanna. I read it. I loved it. Right at the beginning of the Christmas rush, I put it out for dibs and Crazy MomCat won it.

Because I had such trouble with Media Mail last Christmas, I put the book in a flat rate priority mail envelope. I paid $4 and change to send it, but I wanted MomCat to have it. AND I wanted her to have it ASAP.

I got an email from MomCat. The envelope arrived at MomCat's house. It was EMPTY! Someone stole her book. People! That's twice in two years. I mean really... who wants a used copy of Prada? It had a lovely little note in it, but no cash - no gift cards - no nothin! I wonder if the USPS has it in for me - is my mail Marked Mail?? Is there such a thing?

So, if you want me to send you a book... ain't happening. I don't do books in the mail any more. You'll just have to come and get it.

Friday Funny

That just about says it all...

It's Friday...

My dog is wigged out... he's growling because Mr. is in the office with the door shut and is talking on the phone. Zebbie can hear the muffled voice and is worried that it is an intruder... UGH!!!

So - my phone is tied up.. My dog is nervous.. Mr. wants it quiet... I think I'd better go eat some breakfast or do some laundry before I lose it!

I do have a cute story for you.

Yesterday afternoon I was waiting in the parking lot for the children. #1 came out and got into the car.
"Where's your sister?"
"I dunno and I'm not going in to find her."
"Oh..."
I wait another 2-3 min. No LLB.
I watch their bus pull in.
"Does she know she's a car rider?"
"Yes, Mom. She's always late. She's always last to come out."
"Will you go find her?"
"No. She's coming."
I see HP's mom pull up. I mosey toward the door to peek in to see if I can see her.
HP leans out of his car "Hi!"
"Hi HP! Have you seen LLB?"
"Yup. She's inside."
We all laugh.
"Thanks!"
I can't get the school door open because it is locked. I'm not walking around that school because by the time I get all the way around, she'll be out - I know it.
#1's friend, J, is waiting for his mom and says, "You looking for LLB?"
"Yup."
"She's always last, you know. She's a girl. Girls are slow."
I grin...
I schlep back to my car.
Finally - she emerges...
She looks around. I'm the only mother there. She doesn't see me. - I'm the white beacon parked in front of the door... She notices.
"Oh... Hi Mom!"
I shake my head... I have to laugh.

Thursday 13

Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today 1. I'm starting to put Christmas away for another 11.5 months. 2. The house looks sad and lonely after I take down all the decorations. 3. I'm going to get my scrapbooking out this week - or next... 4. I have my table all set up and my tools in my new cabinet. I'm ready to go! 5. I got the digital pix of the ballet printed from my snapfish account. 6. Every picture came with a fold down the middle. I'm heartbroken! 7. I emailed them to see what they are going to do about it... 8. I have plenty of pix to get started, though... I have football pix that I haven't scrapped in there yet.. heck... I think I have summer camp pix to scrap... 9. I purchased an atomic clock/wireless thermometer for the Grandbugs for Christmas and it doesn't work! I'm sick of waiting on the company to email me a fix. I'm returning it! 10. I'm almost finished crocheting a shawl for my MIL. I think I have 20 more rows and the fringe left... I hope she likes it. 11. My next crochet project is going to be a ripple afghan in shades of blue. I hope it comes out... 12. I'm going to start a low impact aerobics class next week. I can't wait! I'll do that for a month or two and then I'm going back to Jazz. I miss my Jazz class so much! 13. I'm off to take Zebbie for a walk. We'll walk about a mile... And then I'll finish up the laundry and run the stairs a few times... Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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Resolutions...

I don't normally do resolutions... The magic of the internet has blessed me with this one:

In the year 2007 I resolve to: Watch more TV. Get your resolution here.

How appropriate! I LOVE tv. I just don't get to watch it as much as I would like... Now I have to watch. It's my resolution!!

So, it's your turn! Click away, my friends... click away!!

Wordless Wednesday

Grandpa Bug (AKA: The Masked Meat Carver) slices the New Year's prime rib on his brand new meat slicer... Check out his home made surgical mask. He's got talent, people... real talent! Not only can he make a surgical mask out of paper towels and twisties, he has been known to be able to keep a (now replaced) 15 year old dryer going with a paper clip!!

Why is he sporting this foolishness? He has a nasty cold that he's trying desperately to keep to himself...

Perfect Post

It's that time again!

I've awarded a Perfect Post to:
Muzik Dude for his post called Christmas: What a Gas.

I laughed until I cried. I think this is one of the funniest posts ever written.
Go read the Dude!!

Happy New Year!

Well, we didn't see the ball drop. We conked out at 11:30. Must have been that hot buttered rum that sent me off to dreamland before midnight...

It's Monday... I guess you are all looking for a Monday Memory...

Monday Memories: Did I ever tell you About the time I got pulled over by the Sherrif? LLB was still ice skating once a week about an hour NE of here. Let me tell you, that's a long drive on dark country roads with deer and other wildlife jumping out at you for no reason... Anyway, I had Grambug and LLB in the car. We had stopped off for some dinner and some serious outlet shopping before heading home. When we got into the car, it was dark and it looked a little foggy. As I headed south I noticed that there was no moon, it was pitch black out and the fog got thicker - kind of like pea soup. You can't use highbeams to see, because the light just bounces off the fog. I would have loved to use just yellow parking lights, but I didn't want to get stopped for no headlights. I hoped I would come upon someone that I could follow... Nope... I had a line of traffic behind me. I slowed way down in the hopes that someone would pass me so that I could follow them. Nope... I basically followed the yellow line in the center of the road all the way... When I passed the school, I knew I only had 8 more miles - about 15 minutes to go. I heaved a sigh, because I knew the roads really well from that point. I came out of town - only 5 more miles... I followed the yellow line... I saw some deer on the side of the road - on my side. I hugged the yellow line. I basically became one with the yellow line. Grambug and I were chatting about the lovely glass of wine we were going to have upon arrival at The Crossing. A car pulled out of the only side street and slid in behind me. I paid no attention. I was focused on the yellow line and my glass of merlot. I slowed down and turned on my left hand turn signal. I turned into my development. Then it happpened... The blue lights... The siren - Woop Woop. Grambug looked at me and said, "What did you do?" "I dunno. I turned left." The Sherrif comes up with the flashlight and shines it on me. He says, "Umm... good evening... Have you been drinking?" I hand him my license. "No." (But I'm gonna when I get home!) He shines it in the car and sees two more lovely ladies - A very wide eyed LLB and Grambug. He says, "Umm... Oh...." He looks a little sheepsih. He has obviously stopped the wrong car. We are definitely not teenagers out drinking and driving in the fog. "Where are you coming from?" "The outlets in X." "Did you know that you were hugging the center line?" "Yes. It's really foggy and I can't see. I've been driving for over an hour in this fog and I saw deer on the edge of the road before you turned on... I'm almost home." (I'm 2 miles from the house...) He looks at my license and says, "I see that." He hands it back and says, "I'm Sheriff Y. Have a good night." "Thanks." I smile and roll up my window. I drive away.... Grambug says, "I think we deserve something a little stronger than that glass of wine!" We giggle hysterically... LadyBug Click here for the Monday Memories Code, Blogroll, Graphics, & Other Information View More Monday Memories Participants Trackbacks, pings, and comment links are accepted and encouraged!