Thursday, November 29, 2007

Christmas Meme

I saw this terrific meme over at Hootin' Anni's

1. Christmas is _______________. [fill in the blank with ONE WORD]
My all time favorite holiday. There is no better time of year.

2. In memories, what was the best part of your Christmases past?
Opening my stocking with my little sister before the parents got up. We used to sit on one of our beds and open the stockings together. We would whisper and compare and just have a wonderful time. I hope we can do that this year...

3. Was Santa ever good to you? [describe how and what]
Santa is always good to me.

4. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both?
Okay, let's get this straight. Presents get opened on Christmas day in pajamas. There is no going out for coffee. There is no opening presents at midnight. There are no showers to be had until every last gift is open. Got it?! Good!

5. Is there something you make each and every year? [craft or recipe]
Gingerbread houses

6. What is your favorite five[5] Christmas songs/hymns?
This is so hard... I like almost every Christmas song. It would be easier to write the ones I hate... But here are today's favorites. This list is subject to change at any moment.

Dominic the Donkey
Snoopy and the Red Baron
Silent Night
Walking in a winter wonderland
Santa Claus is coming to town - I sing this to my children every time they act up. :-)


7. Is there a new tradition for Christmas since your childhood days?
Shopping with my mom on Black Friday. When the kids were little, we were always out for a specific toy. Now we are out for the bargain!!

8. Describe one of your Christmas trips. [whether it's across town or across country]
We try not to go anywhere at Christmas. We keep the children home.

9. Do you have a special Christmas outfit to wear for the day?
Ummm... do pajamas count?

10. Have YOU or any of your family members sat on Santa's lap?
Of course!!! I've even seen the big guy... Yup. That makes me wicked special.

11. What is/or will be on your Christmas tree this year?
All my special ornaments - and hopefully NOT a kitten. (I was going to post a picture, but booger won't let me.)

12. Do you/or have you decorated your yard for Christmas?
No. I'm a minimalist. We put candles in the windows and the little trees with white lights by the door, but that's it.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The Sky is Falling!

The sky is falling!!!
Okay so the sky isn't falling, but my dog is trying to purr and my kitten wags its tail.

I think that's close enough, don't you?

Monday, November 26, 2007

Tis the Season to be busy

Busier than I can even imagine -- actually...

It started on Saturday.... The tree was up and being primped and decorated, the house was cluttered but manageable, and the laundry pile was still sitting there -- growing. I sat down to read the paper - you know... just for a few seconds of sitting still. And there it was - a full page color ad for this coming Saturday's Christmas Parade with my school bell choir listed as the entertainment in big black letters. Oh my GOD!! I inhaled so much and so fast that I nearly sucked the paper onto my face and down my throat - I should have suffocated, but instead I clawed my way out.

My mind raced, "These kids aren't ready for this! They aren't any where NEAR ready for this..." I talked myself off the proverbial ledge by telling myself that they were playing outside so it would be fine. We could play some carols and do a little sing along...

That false sense of security lasted until today when I arrived at school. There was a message for me - Great news!! The bells have been moved INSIDE!!! I tried to remain calm in front of my Director of Music... Panic was setting in! I could feel my eyes widen and my tummy start to churn. What started as a fun time ringing a few bells outside has turned into a full fledged concert inside. I willed myself not to puke on her shoes.

I collected myself. I got some more super simple music out. I had all 18 ringers together in my class today, so I asked who would be ringing on Saturday. It seems 7 will be missing - they have "other things" to do. I told them they could not ring today. They had to sit out. They were not happy. I did not care. I did not have time for their shenanigans. I don't have time for them on Wednesday, either.

That will teach them to mess with me!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Black Friday

OMG! This is my all time favorite day of the year! It's the thrill of the hunt - I spend hours on the internet finding the best prices. I make my lists. I plan my route. I must be crazy!!

Grambug and I headed out at 4:30 this morning. We wanted to be at Wallyworld at 5. We passed Kohls on the way. I have never ever seen so many cars in that parking lot in my entire life!! Note: We did not attempt Kohls or any store related to that parking lot.

We arrived just as Wallyworld opened. The line was down the length of the building. We waited until we saw other people who were just arriving go in the door before we even attempted to enter. You know... these people are crazy. They've been waiting for 2 hours in the cold to go in and purchase $5 pajamas, $499 flat screen tvs and $3.98 coffee pots. If you cut them in line, they'll take you DOWN!! Personally, I wanted the coffee pot and the pajamas - the TV was not on the list... I live large -- but you already knew that.

Grambug and I found our items and as we made our way toward the cashiers, we passed the fishing and hunting desk. We asked them if we could check out there and they said YES!!! The guy was pretty funny as he inspected our bargains. He coveted my bargain coffee pot so much that I offered to go get him one...

We were not popular when we took our purchases through the throngs of people lined up at the cashiers. Those poor slobs were standing in lines 50 deep.. but hey - if you are going to shop with the big kids you've got to know how to play the game. Gram and I have been doing this a long time... we KNOW how to play the game... heck - we invented the game.

We headed over to AC Moore. We arrived 5 minutes before they opened. We were in line with 5 other crafters - only the roughest crowds hang out at AC Moore! We were in and out of there in 15 minutes.

Our next stop was Target. When we got there, the store was blissfully empty. A customer service manager met us at the door and gave us a bag with a granola bar, some ground coffee, and some animal crackers. We thought that was a really sweet touch! We made our way through the store, got our items, and blew out of there in about 40 min. And, we even stopped at the Starbucks for a hazelnut iced coffee!!

Our last stop was Lowes. We wanted the cute little lighted trees shown on the front cover of the flyer. We got the last ones. Life is very good!

By the time we finished at Lowes, we could not fit one more item in my CRV. It was stuffed to the gills!! Grambug and I even had to leave the boxes that our trees came in in the parking lot at Lowes... My sweet CRV was more stuffed than Mr. after Thanksgiving dinner!!

The best part of the day:
We got most of our Christmas shopping done.
We were home by 8:15am.
We didn't break the bank!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. Happy Thanksgiving!!

2. We thankful for all of our many many blessings.

3. We are headed to the Grandbugs' for dinner today. You know... over the river and through the woods -- oh I mean over the threshold and through a few doors...

4. We got smart this year and are having hors d'euvres for round 2. You know -- with leftovers later in the day.

5. We found that everyone fills up on those little yummies before dinner and then nobody is hungry for the main meal.

6. This way we get the best of both worlds. Turkey dinner, yummies, and leftovers...

7. I've started to get my Christmas things down out of the attic and I'm missing one very important item... the tree stand.

8. I want to get the tree up without ornaments to see what the kitten does. She's crazy! She's knocked over a lamp, tried to climb a curtain, and pulled a few things over all while she was trying to catch a ladybug. I need to be sure my tree can survive her.

9. I guess I'll have to make another trip up to the attic this morning to try to find the elusive tree stand.

10. I best do it BEFORE dinner -- while I can still move.

11. I'm off to shopping early tomorrow morning. I have my list almost ready, my route is being planned and if I do it right, I can even get my jazzercise class in before I head home.

12. I hope to be finished with my shopping by the time I head home tomorrow. I want to be able to enjoy the Christmas season without feeling overwhelmed.

13. A very happy thanksgiving to each and every one of you!

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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!



Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Bang!

It's getting to be hunting season around here. People are shooting at things, so we hear guns go off a lot. A bang here... a bang there...

Zebbie and Mr. were out walking the other day. Mr. noticed that poor Zeb was having trouble pooping. Zeb strained and pushed to no avail. A gunshot went off. That bang scared the poop right out of the dog. Poor Zeb shot that poop straight out of his butt.

Poor Zeb got scared sh*tless!!!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Cat Puke

Let me set the scene for you.
I was prone on the couch - watching TV and vegging after my long weekend. #1 was on the computer playing on his Gaia account. LLB was upstairs in her room playing with her Legos and her tiny toys.

Mr. was in the kitchen watching football and starting dinner.

All was quiet.

Then - I hear Mr. yell - at the top of his lungs, "HEY!!! HEEEEEYYYYYY!!!! HHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!

I was up of the couch and on my feet before I knew it. #1 had typed a bunch of gobbledygook.

And one gray cat had puked her way through my house...

Miss Angel was binging on her food when she started to gag and puke. Mr. thought - in some convoluted way - that yelling at her would get her to stop. I assure you, that is not the case.

There was puke next to her bowl.
There was puke across the floor.
There was puke in my foyer.
There was puke at the base of the stairs.

I am sure that he scared the puke right out of her.
I know he almost scared the poo out of me!

Friday, November 16, 2007

Friday Feast

Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?
I was a lifeguard at the beach.

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
Hmmm... The kitchen counter? The craft room? The mall? I dunno.

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…
I do so many stupid things that it doesn't really matter...

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?
Work hard. Behave. Don't shame your mother. Be a helicopter parent.

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years.
Preppy - kilts, blazers, purses that matched the kilts, cute flats, ribbons in the hair and at the collar.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. #1 started swim team this week. He has been ravenously hungry at dinner... send food!

2. Some kid asked him about swim team yesterday. The kid was trying to razz him about being a swimmer. #1 said, "Nah... it's all about the hot chicks that do swim team. You don't know what you are missing." That set the fellow on his ear...

3. #1 needs a health form for swim team. I turned one into the school for marching band. You'd think that one form for the school would be plenty. Alas... it is not. I spent 45 min. at the Doc's office waiting for a form. The one I got is unacceptable, but will have do until I get the correct one...

4. LLB joined the yearbook staff. Today is the first meeting. She had to create a page as an "audition". I never knew you had to "try out" for yearbook!

5. Report cards came home this week. A 4.0 for both children makes this mommy very happy. They both work very hard - they earn each and every A they get.

6. My sister and her husband just purchased a new condo! They have decided to be city dwellers. She sent me some pictures and the place is gorgeous.

7. The temperature outside is dropping.. I just put a fire in my fireplace. It will by cozy in here really soon! If you need me, I'll be curled up on the couch. I think a nap might be in order... I may have been a cat in a previous life...

8. I'm off to the Youth Handbell Festival this weekend. I'm not a Youth, but I get to go anyway - because I'm a volunteer. I think I'd rather be a youth.

9. That leaves Mr. doing chauffeur duty this weekend. :-)

10. The children have cotillion and Nutcracker rehearsal on Saturday.

11. I have a ton of things to do before I leave tomorrow morning - including laundry, dishes and toilets... I may not be curled up on that couch for very long...

12. We went to see the Air Force Band the other night. LLB, the Grandbugs and I went. #1 had too much homework and Mr. was on travel. They missed a terrific show! The only thing that bothers me about the AF guys is they always wear floods. What is with the short pants? I don't want to see their ankles when they stand up. I don't want to see their calves when they sit down. They always look like a bunch of geeks!!! Someone has got to tell them... Oh - actually, I did. I wrote them an email... I wonder if I will hear from them? You never see Navy or Marines in floods!

13. I'm off to pack my suitcase for the Youth Festival. Don't miss me too much!

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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!



Sunday, November 11, 2007

The Red Trumpet Debut


LLB is a trumpeter. She's pretty darned good, too!
Today she played in church with a very special man - the Trumpeter of Jamestown. They are good friends and if it weren't for him, she wouldn't be playing trumpet. He handed her a pocket trumpet in the spring of '05. She tried it, loved it, and insisted that the trumpet was her instrument of choice.

Today she and ToJ played "Once to Every Man and Nation" in honor of Veterans Day. ToJ arranged the piece. They played the first verse together and then she played his "obble gobble" while he continued with the melody. It was absolutely beautiful.

He has a red trumpet, too! LLB's is a Christmas gift from us that she got early. Heck, it beats a video game and it's way cooler!!

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. #1 joined the high school swim team. He starts practice next week. He is excited and the swim team kids are terrific. They were sweet and nice and very welcoming to the new swimmers. Some of the swimmers are band kids, so that makes it really nice.

2. We had a meeting last night. They told us to bring our check books. They weren't kidding! He needed the team suit, new goggles, the sweatshirt and sweat pants (those were pretty inexpensive at $14 each), and the warmup suit complete with embroidered name and year of graduation. I got out of there about $200 poorer, but in reality he will use most of the stuff for 4 years. Fortunately, I have a year off before LLB joins and needs all this stuff.

3. I am doing a photo fund raiser for the band tomorrow. I'm taking the kids' pictures - one formal pose and one fun pose. All the profit goes to the band. Yes, I'm philanthropic. (nice word, huh?)

4. LLB's gym teacher asked a group of parents to evaluate the family life curriculum that the school wants to get. I only saw the 7th grade package. I did NOT think it was appropriate for middle school. It was thorough, but a bit graphic and WAY too advanced for middle school kids in a very rural setting. Our kids aren't there.

5. The gym teacher agreed with us. She is not happy with the choice they are trying to shove down our throats. I told the her that if they adopt this program, I would opt my children out of the program. She would do the same thing... What does that say??

6. Zebbie has been barking at nothing lately. Mr. just opened the door and told him to "ATTACK!" Zebbie cocked his head and refused to go out - the big chicken!!

7. The kitten is crazy! She is obsessed with water. She comes running if she hears you enter the bathroom.

8. She is fascinated by the shower. She hangs out between the shower curtains on the edge of the tub when LLB is in the shower.

9. If you wash your hands, she's up on the sink.

10. She is particularly interested in the toilet... She loves to watch the water (and contents) swirl and disappear...

11. #1 went into the bathroom with the kitten on his heels. He did not know that the kitten had snuk in.

12. The next thing I hear is #1 yelling, "You stupid cat, NO!! What are you doing? Don't do that!!! Get down!!! AGHHH! Go Away!!"

13. The kitten had hopped up on the toilet and was swatting at his pee.

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, November 07, 2007

Identity Theft Continued

The saga continues...

#1 brought his lunch to school every day except Friday last week. When he went out the door, I told him to bring his ID with him to lunch because they were going to ask for it.

He arrived at the cafeteria, went through the line, got to the checkout station and they did NOT ask for ID. He was a little disappointed...

I called the School Nutrition office on Monday. The lady told me that he purchased lunch on Friday. Yes... that is correct. Then she told me that he purchased lunch on Monday. I told her he did not. He carried his lunch on Monday and he has 4th lunch. I also told her that they did not ask for ID on Friday. The lady told me she'd get back to me.

She called me back. She was upset. (I don't know why she was so upset -- it is MY money!) The cafeteria ladies had the perpetrator in their grasp and he got away! The kid did NOT have his ID and feigned confusion. They took him to a teacher/administrator to be identified. The kid bold faced lied and told the administrator that he was #1. The administrator obviously does not know #1 or this kid. He let the kid buy lunch. The way it is supposed to work is that if the administrator does not know a kid, he is supposed to look him up - you know... find his picture. The Cafeteria lady is mad now - she was snowed by a snot nosed kid!

So... here we are... another $5 down. All I know is that they had better catch that kid soon. I want my money back!!

I told #1 to go to the cafeteria this morning and find the lady in charge. I told him to very politely introduce himself so they know what he looks like. This whole thing is crazy!!!

My poor #1 - 9th grade and he's already had his identity stolen. What else is this sneaky thief going to steal? #1's SAT scores??
GRRRR!!!

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

6 Reasons...

Not to mess with children.


1. A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal, its throat was very small.

The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.

The little girl said, "When I get to heaven, I will ask Jonah."

The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"

The little girl replied, "Then you ask him."


2. A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.

As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."

The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."


3. A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"

Without missing a beat one little boy, the oldest of a family, answered, "Thou shall not kill."


4. The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor'."

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

5. A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face."

"Yes," the class said.

"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position, the blood doesn't run into my feet?"

A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain't empty."


6. The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:

"Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

Monday, November 05, 2007

First Place

#1 had his last band competition on Saturday at the US Naval Academy at Annapolis. We all went to see him and the other kids march.

We arrived early and went off to tour the campus with LLB and the Grandbugs. It was a chilly and windy day, but the campus is as gorgeous as ever. Yes, in case you were wondering, the children both still want to go there for college. LLB would have been happy to be left now and picked up in 9 years...

We got back to the field just in time to see the band take the field. They looked great! They sounded great! They were having fun - and after a long season it was really nice to see. The percussion kids were practically dancing! They all had big smiles on their faces... It was just fabulous!!

We left after their performance to get LLB back to her ballet rehearsal. To be honest, I never thought they'd actually win it (which is why I left). They are the state champs, but... really... this competition is HUGE!

#1 called me after the awards ceremony to tell me that they had won. I was so happy for them. Then he told me that they had been presented with the Esprit De Corps Award. That one means more to them than the first place trophy. Esprit De Corps is the one award that is given because they are a team - they work well together, they enjoy each other, and they are a really special bunch of kids. It's really nice to know that someone other than the parents recognized the magic this group has.

#1 and the other kids worked hard... it showed!

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Cup Size?

LLB has a very young trumpet teacher - it's his second year teaching. He's funny, sweet, and cute... He teaches chorus at our school and does a great job with the kids. LLB adores him because he is young and hip and he pushes her to play well.

He came up to me the other day and mentioned that LLB was going to need a new/different mouthpiece.

I said, "I just bought one for her other trumpet. It's on the way.
"Oh... umm.. don't open it and send it back."
"Okay, I can do that. What should I get instead?"
"Well, I'm going to increase her cup size."
I blinked... I almost choked trying not to laugh.
"Huh?" (It was all I could squeak out.)
"Yes, she needs a bigger cup size."
"Okay" (I had all I could do to hold it together.)
"She'll be able to push more air... She'll get a bigger fuller sound. I'm not sure which mouthpiece I want her to have. I'll do a little research and get back to you with that cup size early next week."
"That sounds great. Just let me know."
Then I walked around the corner and giggled...

Friday, November 02, 2007

Friday Feast

Appetizer

How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?

Hopefully not too much! Each child gets 3 presents from Santa. Why? Because Baby Jesus got three presents and who are you to get more than He did?

Soup

What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?

Lost without a trace. It was excellent.

Salad

If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?

I think I'd leave them the color they are because I just painted the dining room a complementary color.

Main Course

Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet.

LOL! I can't tell you. You might steal my idea.

Dessert

List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season.

I'd like a Cricut, some cartridges, and some other scrapbooking stuff. I've actually already gotten my gift -- the camera. It's plenty.

Picture Day

Just when you think it is safe to head up to bed at a reasonable hour, someone will ask you for that "tux shirt" you left in the bottom of the basket for the "next load". That's okay. It gave me a chance to watch all my favorite Thursday night shows.

Today is Wind Ensemble picture day. #1 looked quite "hot" as he left in his tux pants, tux shirt, bow tie, and fleece jacket. (He carried his tux jacket -- and extra clothes.)

I know that the girls will be swooning this morning...