On the Lookout

There is a spider on the loose somewhere in the vicinity of my desk and it is making my productivity today plummet. I'm armed with my handy-dandy Oxi-Clean Miracle Foam since Husband has been unable to squash it for me. It sees him coming and then jumps down in between my desk and the wall. I know he's laughing at me on the inside...Husband and the spider...and now I feel like I have things crawling all over me.

I don't kow where they're coming from - that's the 3rd one I've seen around my desk in a relatively short period of time. I do have a postage machine that's relatively new, so my theory...and it may be way off base here...is that in the manufacturing plant there was a momma who laid eggs inside the postage machine and now they've all hatched and grown up and are out to get me. I'm just full of lovely thoughts aren't I.

Or maybe Blondie let them loose when he had to come back and fix the dry-wall that the construction crew messed up so badly on. I wonder how many more there are.

Or maybe it's a government plot to spy on the little guys.

Things I've Learned

I learned a few things while at the funeral yesterday, so I thought I'd share my new-found wisdom with you:

1. People handle grief in different ways - some people cry, others obsess about the little things...like taking taxis or busses instead of riding in air-conditioned cars.

2. A 6-year-old's imagination is still very active during the quiet times when we are supposed to be reflecting on our loved one...Hey Mom, what if someone threw a baseball and it comes crashing through the window...for example.

3. When it's hot out, it's going to be 3,000 degrees hotter under the tent at the cemetary.

4. A 6-year-old's jokes are never funny...

TJ - Hey Mom - Knock-knock
Me - Who's there
TJ - Buzz
Me - Buzz who
TJ - Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger

TJ - Hey Mom - Knock-knock
Me - Who's there
TJ - Woody
Me - Woody who
TJ - Woody the talking cowboy doll

I really could go on and on and on and on.

5. 85-year-old women are fans of American Idol - who knew?

6. Apparently a certain brother-in-law of mine resembles Taylor, the new Idol, so now that's what we call him.

7. It's really nice to be in a family where you're not made to feel like the In-law...or maybe I am and I'm just too dense to pick up on it...either way it's still nice.

8. A 90 minute drive with 3 bored boys sitting in close quarters in the backseat of a truck with 2 parents who are tired is not a good combination.

9. A sense of humor gets you through awkward situations.

10. Your cell phone will ring during a funeral...hopefully you've remembered to turn it to vibrate or better yet - turn it off...and it will be the barn alarm calling you because it's hot out...and it will ring incessantly during the trip home.

Farewell

Say not in grief that she is no more
but say in thankfulness that she was
A death is not the extinguishing of a light,
but the putting out of the lamp
because the dawn has come.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Well, one wedding and a funeral anyway. So today we went to a wedding, very simple and elegant. I've told you before that Husband is the Sound Master at church, right? If not, Husband is the Sound Master at church so that means we are invited to all the weddings. I don't mind - free food. The seating at the reception was a free-for-all meaning there was no assigned seating. Being the wife of the Sound Master means we always get the table in the back corner of the fellowship hall for weddings, banquets, whatever. So we go to our usual table and sit and wait. And watch people walk past us. And sit and wait and drink punch. And pretty soon, almost all the tables are filled except ours. We are the only two in a crowded room of 200+ people. One older couple came late and sat with us, but they left right after the meal and didn't stay for the program. Husband left the table during the program to sit at his control station leaving me all by my lonesome. I felt like I had the plague or something. And to top it all off, they didn't even have cake for dessert! They had sherbet but what's a wedding without cake? These were the favours - aren't they darling?



During the program they had a slide presentation of the bride and the groom growing up and then throughout their dating life. And I got to thinking that I don't take enough pictures of my kids. Until I got home and started looking through photo albums for pictures of Auntie for a display for her funeral, and that's when I realized I don't have pictures of anybody else except my kids.

So I beseech you, even if you are camera-shy like Husband and Auntie and others in our family, please let people take your picture. Please don't say Make sure I'm not in it, it will be so much easier when it's your funeral if there are family members who actually have pictures of you that they can display. At least that's what I told Husband.

What Would You Do?

The funeral is on Monday and at first I didn't think bringing the boys would be a good idea. They're children, after all, and maybe I'm being selfish, but it's going to be a hard enough day without trying to keep everyone clean, behaving, and polite. Did I mention I have boys? Husband thinks his mom wants them there, even though she said it didn't matter. Husband thinks that if it really didn't matter she would have said They don't need to come. Instead, she said Whatever you think. In January 2005, Husband's Grandfather passed away and we took the boys because CJ and Great Grandpa were pals. I'm not sure that was a good idea. CJ was really upset by it for a long time afterwards and I don't want the same thing to happen again this time. I also don't want Mother-in-Law to be mad at us...me...us. We don't have a typical in-law relationship, I'm actually closer to her than my own mother. Not that I don't get along with my mother, but Lola and I often joke If it's not one thing, it's your Mother. And part of me doesn't want to bring them because when CJ found out that Auntie had died, he said Yes! My 2nd funeral! You really have to know the child, but that's exactly what I don't want said as the service is starting. So help me out here...what should I do?

Quote of Day: She looks so normal until she opens her mouth and starts talking.

Mrs. Meany Pants

aka Moi although I don't think anybody will have the guts to say that to my face other than my own offspring. I was volunteering in TJ's class this morning and after my shift was over, I popped over to the school office to hand back in report cards and pay for the school trip which is tomorrow. Mrs. Secretary asked me half jokingly if I'd like to stay and do Library because Mrs. Librarian was away and they weren't able to find anyone else. So, I did. It was fun, but I am way too much of a perfectionist to be in a Library with children. Books fall off the shelves and they just stick them anywhere! Oh ya, so why am I Mrs. Meany Pants? Because I didn't bring candy. Not that I could have because I didn't know I was doing Library, but that really has been bothering me all year. The kids leave Library loaded with candy. Mrs. Librarian does buy sugar-free candy for CJ, but I try to stay away from Nutri-sweet and all those cancer-causing sugar substitutes...except for Splenda...I like Splenda. So the kids were all disappointed that there was no candy, and some were disappointed that they didn't get to do puzzles...correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Library time about going to the Library and...reading? Oooo, I'm really getting off on a tangent now, I better stop before I start yelling at you!

Untitled

Husband's aunt passed away today. She was 40 years old. She was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease as a teenager. The funeral will probably be on Monday but as of yet no arrangements have been made. That's all. I don't know what else to say right now.

Ironic, Isn't It

Why is it that when you are sick, as in you had no idea there were that many muscles in your body that could ache simultaneously and you can't even be in the same room as food because the smell alone will throw you over the edge sick, that the children are angelic almost. Compassionate to a fault. Getting along mostly. Why can't they behave like that every day? I'm feeling better, thank you for asking, the aches are gone (except the headache) but I'm not ready for food yet. I must have caught TJ's sickness from last week. And why is it that viruses always hit adults so much worse than kids?

There is no school today so we're just hanging out being lazy. Well, I am. Husband and AJ are working, CJ is playing outside, and TJ needs to catch up on his schoolwork that he missed last week. Today is Victoria Day and I did a little research on it just for you! Queen Victoria was born May 24, 1837 (she would be 169 years old this week) and in 1845 the Great White North legislated her birthday as a holiday. Since then, most of the Monarch's birthdays have been observed on May 24, or if the 24th was on a Sunday, it was observed on the 25th...even if their birthday was in November such as King Edward VII. In 1952 an amendment was made to the Statues of the Great White North which established the celebration of Victoria Day on the Monday preceding May 25. So there you have it. Regardless of when the reigning Monarch's birthday is (Queen Elizabeth II is April 21), it will always be observed on the Monday before May 25...at least by Great White Northians...Brittain's observe the Monarch's birthday sometime in June.

I watched a snippet of an interview last night with Prince's Charles, William & Harry. It was quite interesting in that I could understand all the questions being asked of them, but their answers were Mumble mumble mumble with a British accent and laughter by everyone. Honesly, I have no idea what they said - wouldn't surprise me at all if they announced that they were going to invade North America - it was that bad.

The words are starting to dance around on the page, so I guess I had better lay down for a while. My original plan was to get all my work done yesterday and spend today scrapbooking...so much for plans.

Oy!

Ever take your band-new puppy to the vet only to find out said puppy may have a parasite but definitely has an inflamed colon and then be given antibiotics for brand-new puppy except said puppy keeps spitting out the little pills so then you try to bribe the puppy with a treat except when the puppy hears the lid of the treat jar she goes bizark and in a ginormous effort to leap out of your arms she ends up scratching your neck with her razor sharp claws? Yah, me too.

Let's Go Shopping!

Love Without Boundaries is having their 3rd Annual Born in My Heart Auction on E-bay May 17-22. The proceeds from this year's auction is going to provide surgeries for Heart Babies. Lots of cool things there, so let's get shopping!

Oh Well

Tonight is the AWANA closing ceremonies where the kids who finished their books will receive awards. TJ isn't going because he's been home from school for the last 2 days with tummy ailments. So Husband is taking the kids in. We've just spent the last 10 minutes looking for CJ's Truth 'N Training Shirt. Can't find it anywhere. Have no clue where it might be. Yes, I should have started looking for it earlier, but silly me presumed it would be hanging in his closet. I should have known better. So now he's off to the closing ceremonies without his uniform on. Husband gave me a hug as I was lamenting on how it reflected badly on me as a parent and his wonderful words of encouragement were Oh Well.

NICU Graduates Reunion

On Saturday we loaded up the truck with TJ and headed off to Adventures on Wonderland which was beyond cool for the kidlet. If we lived closer, I know that's where all birthday parties would be held.

As soon as we walked in, I recognized a couple of nurses that took care of TJ and immediately had to hold back tears. I knew it would be an emotional day, but I didn't realize my emotions would be right there on the surface. TJ's primary nurse had called the day before and told us she wasn't able to get the day off work and then she had to call in sick to work so we wouldn't even be able to pop in and say hi. Didn't even occur to me to ask her if we could meet somewhere for coffee. Anyway, once we got there, we just sort of wandered around; they had an isolette set up with the machines and IV's and TJ stood in front of it to get his picture taken. Fighting back more tears here.

More nurses recognized us, well, our name - one nurse once said to me, We always remember the 24-weekers. Obviously TJ looks like a boy now instead of a baby. And we've aged. Some more than others. TJ had his face painted - Spidey on one cheek and the Green Goblin on the other cheek.

TJ had a great time playing on the Jungle Jim or whatever it's called. I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of children there wearing nametags. Lots of twins, even triplets and only 1 family that I recognized. I was looking for another family, but being in the NICU we were not allowed to look at other people's babies and our lives at that time consisted of getting to the hospital and finding a decent parking spot, running up the stairs to the NICU (we were in good shape at that time), washing up and saying hi to the cleaning staff (one cleaner there looked like Dolly Parton with a bad make-up and lipstick job), saying hi to TJ and the nurse on duty and asking how his day was, pumping breastmilk (they asked me to stop bringing in breastmilk because their freezer was full - I was a human milk machine - more info than you needed to know, sorry), staring at TJ for a few hours, pumping breastmilk and going home. So it left very little time to socialize and meet other people. It makes me really sad to think that there were all these parents going through the same thing with their babies and feeling the same deep, intense loneliness that I felt. One of my comments upon leaving the hospital was that there needs to be some sort of support group for the parents, just so they know they're not alone.

OK, back to Saturday. We had lunch and saw TJ's doctor! I wanted to hug him! Dr. Lee. What a wonderful man. He remembered us, or else he's just a really fantastic actor who seemed interested in our lives. Fighting back more tears.

Then it was time for group pictures. There were at least 70 children present - all low birthweight babies born at this particular hospital in 1999-2000. Way too many children. Really very sobering. I saw 3 children in wheelchairs and I saw one blind child. Many with hearing aids and even more with glasses. TJ was supposed to be one of the children in a wheelchair. TJ is supposed to have cerebral palsey. He even has a small cist at the front of his brain. TJ is supposed to have something wrong with his left side. He has a week eye. He wears glasses. He is one of the sweetest, friendliest, most easy-going kids I've ever had the pleasure to know. Another tearful moment as pictures were taken. I'm not going to post a group picture to protect everyone else's privacy.

Then it was time to leave. TJ got a t-shirt and a gift bag filled with 3M products - every kid needs a reflective piece of velcro...to go along with his decorative roll of tape. But they also had a paint set which TJ used to paint his face with when we got home. And they gave the mom's each a carnation for Mother's Day. Now I couldn't hold back the tears as we walked to the truck.


Mother's Day was nice, but it wasn't important to me this year. It didn't matter that nobody helped do dishes or clean up from lunch. It didn't matter that I still did laundry and it was really just like all our other Sundays. What mattered is that my children are healthy. And soon, I will have all of them home with me.

We Have a New Winner

Lexie lost out because Husband couldn't see her as a Lexie...and now that's all I have in my head.



So now she is Molly...or Sadie...maybe probably.



And the good news is that Buddy likes her now. He has stopped snubbing us and I think he's enjoying having a playmate.

Retirement

I actually have a relative that could fit the following depictment, except he isn't close to retiring...


Our old friend, Wm. H "Bill" Fenton, recently retired from the phone company and, to help fill his days, now accompanies his wife on her shopping trips to the local Walmart. We know Bill and, therefore, can only speculate that extreme boredom has led to his recent disruptive behavior at the local Walmart...
*********************************************************
Dear Mrs. Fenton,

Over the past six months, your husband, Mr. Bill Fenton has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this type of behavior and have considered banning the entire family from shopping in any of our stores.

We have documented all incidents on our video surveillance equipment. Three of our clerks are attending counseling from the trouble your husband has caused. All complaints against Mr. Fenton have been compiled and are listed below.

Mr. Wally Worrywart
President
Wal-Mart Complaint Department
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEMO
Re: Mr. Bill Fenton - Complaints - 15 Things Mr. Bill Fenton has done while his spouse/partner is shopping:

1. June 15, took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2, set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7, made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the rest rooms.
4. July 19, walked up to an employee and told her in an official tone, "Code 3 in Housewares..." and watched what happened.
5. August 4, went to the Service Desk and asked to put a bag of M&M's on lay away.
6. September 14, moved a "CAUTION - WET FLOOR" sign to a carpeted area.
7. September 15, Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they'd bring pillows from the bedding department.
8. September 23, When a clerk asked if they could help him, he began to cry and asked, "Why can't you people just leave me alone?"
9. October 4, Looked right into the security camera; used it as a mirror, and picked his nose.
10. November 10, While handling guns in the hunting department, asked the clerk if he knew where the antidepressants were.
11. December 3, Darted around the store suspiciously, loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" theme.
12. December 6, In the auto department, practiced his "Madonna look" using different sized funnels.
13. December 18, Hid in a clothing rack and when people were browsing through, yelled "PICK ME!" "PICK ME!"
14. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed the fetal position and screamed "NO! NO! It's those voices again!!!!"

(And; last, but not least!)

15. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door and waited a while; then, yelled, very loudly, "There is no toilet paper in here!"

And the Winner Is...

Lexie


Probably...

8 Months

Today marks the 8 Month Anniversary of our LID, so may I present to you, in no particular order, 8 Things I Cannot Live Without...and people is a given of course:

1) Coffee - okay I guess this would be first on my list because you do not want to be around me pre-coffee.

2) Computer - good for games and wasting time...and looking busy.

3) High Speed Internet - high speed is a must...I'd rather be internetless than not have my high speed.

4) Cell Phone - I hate talking on the phone - just isn't my thing, but just having my cell phone gives me a sense of security.

5) Potato Chips - any kind...there are times when I physically will die (sort-of) if I'm not crunching on something.

6) Piano - I usually play the piano instead of doing housework...I'm getting quite good at it too.

7) Camera - I was thinking scrapbooking supplies, but what good are scrapbooking supplies if you have no pictures, and how can you take pictures without a camera? And not just any camera mind you - my Nikon Digital D50 - love it love it love it.

8) Debit Card - I only carry around enough cash for 2 large double doubles and the occasional muffin or cookie and I would be lost without my debit card.

There you have it - so share with me 8 things you cannot live without!


This morning we were at the NICU Reunion for low-birthweight babies. I was at times very choked up. It was very overwhelming and I need to get my thoughts together before I post anything about it. TJ had a fantastic time.

Little Puppy is still nameless. I liked Sadie but it was voted down along with Sasha and Tasha. Didn't even consider Wilma or Buela...the 3 top names in the running this weekend are Molly, Lexie and Phoebe. She was Molly yesterday and today she is Lexie...we'll try out Phoebe on her tomorrow and maybe see which one we liked the best.

Puppy Pictures

It's been hard to get a decent picture of Little Puppy; I either get her nose right on the camera lense or her bum. The one picture is of Buddy playing with his water dish - he has issues.

It's Puppy Time!

CJ and I went and picked out the puppy last night; he burst into tears when I told him where we were going because he thought that meant we'd have to get rid of Buddy, our JRT. I assured him we were keeping Buddy and CJ felt much better. Although I don't think Husband would be disappointed at all if said JRT were to find a new home...those two don't always get along - they are always in competition for being Head Dog so to speak...makes for some interesting moments, especially when Buddy runs under our bed and snarls and snaps at anything that comes near him. He usually only does that with Husband, but it still isn't acceptable behaviour.

So the puppy arrived last night. I tell you, I've never been snubbed by a dog before. People yes, dogs no, so this was a new experience for me. When we watch TV in the evenings, Buddy always comes and sleeps beside me on the couch. Well last night we had Little Puppy on the couch with us. Buddy would jump up and look at her and then jump off again. He was really quite put out. And was even treated like a dog at one point when we had to put him in his crate for snapping at Little Puppy. He spent most of the evening sitting with his back to us staring at the wall. It was rather comical.

This morning Buddy's a bit better with Little Puppy but still rather territorial of me. And a little growly towards Little Puppy. If you have any suggestions for names, leave them in the comments section please because Little Puppy is too long to keep typing. CJ wants to call her Princess, but Husband doesn't like that name. Oh, and Track & Field was postponed until next Friday, so I get to stay home and play all day!

Rain in the Forecast

It's supposed to rain for the next 4 or 5 days and don't tell anybody, but I'm very happy about that. For one thing, I might actually get to see Husband for longer than 5 minutes a day (sleeping doesn't count because, well, we're sleeping) and we are supposed to pick up the puppy tonight or tomorrow morning. And I've booked myself to help out at the boys Track & Field tomorrow at school. Which of course if it's raining, will be postponed. I really feel bad about picking up the puppy and then leaving it home alone all day. I told Husband it would be so much more convenient for me if it were to rain tomorrow. So the boys still don't know about the puppy yet; they are going to freak! And we've got to go buy a kennel, a leash, food, clean up the old dog house, find some old blankets, find a ticky-tock clock to keep the puppy company tonight, otherwise she'll end up sleeping with us...nothing like leaving things until the last minute.

On Saturday we are supposed to go to London for a reunion of sorts of low birthweight babies that were born the year TJ was. Here are some pictures of TJ in the NICU. He was 4 weeks old already and weiged 680 grams (1.5 lbs). His birthweight was 734 grams (1 pound 10 ounces); his lowest weight was 500 grams, so it took him a little while to start to gain his weight back. He still is a skinny kid, topping the scales at 35 pounds on a good day. I have mixed emotions about going. We won't know anybody except the nurses, and even those we have trouble rememering, except of course TJ's primary nurse. I really hope she'll be there. In the NICU we weren't allowed to look at anybody else's baby for privacy reasons and we didn't have time to meet any other parents because we were busy visiting with our own baby. Actually TJ was the smallest baby they had there in quite awhile. It was just a very lonely time. So part of me doesn't want to go, and a part of me does want to go to show TJ off. He's done amazingly well and I think it would be an encouragement for the staff to see him now. I just need to find his glasses before Saturday!

Memories

I've been going through old pictures and scanning them for my Memory Album of my Dad and I came across these pictures of me on my 10th birthday. Funny how you don't remember events in your life. I remember turning 10 because I was so excited to have my age in the 2 digits, but I don't remember where this picture was taken or the events surrounding it. Written on the back was Happy Birthday Me and then the year.

I wonder what my boys will remember of their childhood. Will they remember the good times or the tired times? Springtime is very difficult for us here. Everybody is exhausted and tempers tend to be short. Last night at supper, one of the boys said something silly and I started to laugh. Then TJ starts cheering, Yay! Mom's laughing! Yay! Mom's laughing! Made me sad to think that he had to cheer because it's been a few days since I laughed. The good news is that there is probably less than 100 acres of corn to plant (out of almost 1,000) and then only 200 acres of soybeans and everything will be in the ground. It's been a long month. And then the bulk of the stress will be over for another year.

Anyway, didn't mean to get all thoughtful and serious. I'm off to spend another day scrapbooking my Memories. May you all make some wonderful memories yourself today!

Searching

Ever have to look for something but you're not sure what you're looking for? Me too. I have to find a guys name on a bill that was paid a couple of years ago, maybe in January. And that's literally all the info I have. I'm not even sure where to start. Yah.

Other than that, I've been trying to think about what to blog today. I had a headache most of yesterday; Tim Horton's was out of triple chocolate muffins this morning; I'm going scrapbooking tomorrow.

I could blog about feet, I guess. I don't like them, I think they're ugly. Like creepy ugly. I don't mind looking at a woman's foot in a sandle as long as her toenails are painted. I can't stand looking at men's feet period. In a sandle or out of one. And don't get me started on the arch. I was so worried when my boys were little that they'd have small arches, or even no arches. Husaband has a nice arch and therefore I can live with his feet. And yes, I checked out his feet before we started to date seriously. And yes, I am that shallow. If I saw a guys feet and they didn't have a nice arch, I wouldn't even consider going out with him. And just so you don't think my feet are superior to yours, I think mine are ugly too. But in a cute sort of way.

Happy Birthday JB!

All of us here in bloggerland hope you have a special, special day! Make sure that AB takes you out someplace nice. And does the dishes for you. And does the cleaning for you. And GIVES YOU THE REMOTE!

Pass the Bad Mom Award Over Here Please

There is a fine line between trying not to spoil your children and breaking their hearts...I crossed that line today. Today was the silent auction and all in all it was a success; money was raised for the school and we managed to get rid of everything. CJ had been in a bidding war with someone else for a Candy Bouquet but today somebody outbid him. And I didn't up that bid for CJ. I knew he would be upset, but I thought it would be for his own good because:

a) Chocolate is contraband in our house and which would be worse - CJ on chocolate or CJ upset about not getting chocolate
b) Children need to learn they don't always get what they want and
c) AJ bid on a 5 lb chocolate bar and won and will be sharing it with his brothers

So that's where we're at now. I feel like a shoe. Or a heel. Or whatever. I just feel really really bad. If CJ hadn't eaten all of my peanut butter last week, I'd tear off a big hunk of that chocolate bar and have myself a real good pity party. Instead, I'll just go fill-up on Chinese Food. Husband thinks I did the right thing and is even questioning why I feel bad about it. Must be a girl thing I guess. I know he'll get over it but in the meantime, I have a new shelf that I bought at the auction that my Bad Mom Award will look awesome on.


Update

The child who actually won the candy bouquet is a buddy of CJ's and called to tell him he won. I think he was nervous calling. CJ was thrilled to get a phone call and the child asked if he would like something from the bouquet. CJ asked for a sucker. And with that his mood completely changed and he's my happy boy again. The child is actually over here for a play date this afternoon and they are having a great time.

So I overreacted yesterday. But its so difficult sometimes knowing beforehand how a situation will turn out. You just have to make the decision you think is best at the time and hope your children don't hate you too much for it.

Child Actors

I have one. I should really rent him out because he's cute and he can make himself cry on demand. Is that talent or what! Ever since my SIL, Sylvie, sprained her ankle (it is getting better but is still quite swollen and she has to take it easy still, thanks for asking) CJ has decided that he has sprained his ankle too. Except it doesn't hurt every day, usually just at bedtime, and I hear a different story each time of how he sprained it. Yesterday's sprain happened while playing soccer after school. I played into it - what else am I supposed to do? I felt all around his ankle and after my hands were away he starts crying Ow, Ow, Ow...complete with tears! I'm not trying to poke fun at him; I believe in his mind he thought his ankle was a little sore and he was out for sympathy. Seeing as the child is almost as tall as me there was no possible way I'd be able to carry him upstairs. He said he couldn't scoot on his bum (didn't even crack a smile when I suggested that) and he couldn't hop, so we got one of the kitchen stools and he used that as sort of a walker. AJ felt bad for him and found some crutches downstairs that CJ was able to use. Crutches make everything feel better. He's not very good with them, so when he would stumble and step on his sprained ankle he would just say Ow, I'm okay.

I was wondering how to handle this morning, fully expecting him to see the crutches in his room and want to use them at school today. But I didn't have to worry. He started coming down the stairs on his bum, but then tested out his ankle and jumped off of the last few steps telling me it felt better today. Obviously. I tell ya, this kid could go up against the best of them in the acting department. He's always had a flare for the dramatics.

Open House

Last night the boys' school had their Open House and did a Patch the Pirate play. AJ was Peewee Pirate and did a great job remembering his lines! Some of the highschool students weren't quite so prepared and it was painful watching them...silence is awkward, not golden.


CJ and TJ were part of the elementary choir and everybody got a big kick out of TJ as he did a wardrobe adjustment by tucking in his shirt and hiking his pants up to practically his armpits near the end of the play.


The auction seems to be off to a good start; I'm worried that we'll have a lot of stuff leftover, but I think we'll do a half-price sale or something for the last 10 minutes of the auction on items that don't have a bid yet. Things keep coming in for the auction, even though the deadline was last Friday...I'm too easy-going. Most of the time. Sometimes. Woman was throwing dirty looks my way whenever we made eye contact last night so I'm trying to think of a good comeback for when she inevitably will tell me her opinions of how things should have been but weren't...I thought of saying I'm tired and I've worked really hard on this, so when I want to know everything I did wrong I'll come and ask you. K? Sylvie suggested saying Why don't you go find a suggestion box and leave a comment. I want my reply to be something not too nasty, but with just the right amount of attitude so that she gets the picture not to bug me anymore about it. Suggestions?

That's about it for today. The boys are overtired from their late night last night and I just made TJ cry by giving him a look...he usually ignores my looks so the tears caught me off guard and now I feel really bad. We hugged for awhile and I giggled when he blew a bubble out of his nose. Yah, I'm mature, but you already knew that.

Sad News

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community.

The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection, and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The gravesite was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart. The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Monday Morning Mush

My basement before:

My basement after:

Lola with S! in the background:

Sylvie & Pudge:

Pudge:


Items are still coming in for the auction; I've secured an auctioneer for the live acution portion of it and he called me last night full of ideas. Having no real experience with actual auctions I have given him many liberties to run it as he sees fit; he might even wear a tuxedo! I think I'm going to be spending much of my day laughing.

There is a couple at church - the Sweets - they just celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on Saturday...and they spent their day preparing for next year's auction. The Sweets have worked all year on making things for this year - he's a woodworker and she knits and crochets - they have offered to come over tonight to help me load up Husband's truck. Isn't that sweet? They can hardly climb up and down stairs, yet they want to help load the truck. Husband doesn't think one truck will be enough...I don't think it will be either.

Wednesday night is the school open house; the Science Fair projects will be on display, so I'll need to take the fish back to school. The items up for auction will be on display, and the kids are putting on a Patch the Pirate play. AJ is actually Pee Wee Pirate. He's so excited because he's only in Grade 6 and it's usually just the Grades 7-12 who actually get parts in the play. The elementary kids form the choir; AJ's voice will be missed in the choir I'm sure, because he is a very strong singer and on key, which always helps. You should come and see it!

E!'s wife S! is being induced today since her baby is overdue; I have to remember to pick up G! from school. I need to take the boys to get haircuts after school, and AJ is all concerned about what G! is going to do - is she going to come with us and maybe read a book? He's asking me all sorts of questions that I don't have answers for. He's the type of kid that needs everything planned out so that he can play out different scenarios in his head, I think. He is so in the wrong family!