Seemingly Random

I'll be here all week...

2012-01-02T14:43:00.004-05:00

I cannot claim too much cake decorating talent (we bought the cookie cake). But I can claim lazy ingenuity. More than laziness, it was "can this house handle one more round of treats?" The answer was no. I stared at the leftover cookie cake from Zade's party with his grandparents and aunt. How to make a 1/2 eaten cake special? And soon the balloons turned into wheels and the edge into a track (in case you were wondering what in the world the first picture was). Score. Zade did not care, he ate with the same fervor as the first time.

Dancing

2011-09-14T22:16:00.004-04:00

We dance in this house. When it is time to make supper or clean up the dishes on comes the music. If the right song comes on Zade runs to me and asks to be picked up because he knows it will be a good dancing time. I was reflecting on dancing today and here are my random thoughts.

If I had been born a few years earlier the dance of my generation would have been break-dancing. That looks dangerous and difficult. Instead I had head banging and at times raising the roof. I can head bang. At times I still raise the roof. So I'd like to give a shout out to my parents for having me when they did.

Zade can head bang, air gutair, and tap his foot. He has been known to throw guitars, which is hardcore for sure. He'll also raise his hands to praise the Lord. I wonder, what the dance of his generation will be? My observation so far, if Zade leads the way in dance crazes, is that it will be spinning in circles.

Organization - Sherri style

2011-09-10T19:01:00.002-04:00

This year we are getting organized to keep this household in order. I have a nifty cleaning calendar up. I have chore assignments. Caleb has his own chore chart. We picked a grocery shopping day, so we don't run out of food or have the day change every week that we go. Let's get in a routine people!

Here's how it rolled this week... Grocery shopping day is Thursday. Joel goes Wednesday because we are out of staples (this after I went quickly Monday to hold us until Wednesday). I make a detailed list so we will not run out of ANYTHING until next Thursday or Friday. Thursday we remember what we have forgotten. Joel goes to the grocery store again. Friday I endure more pain than I would usually tolerate because we have one dose of painkiller left and I want it for night time. Saturday (today) I take the boys to Wal-Mart to pick up some things - including the painkiller and a certain amount of groceries (including Chocolate Rapsberry creamer which Wegmans no longer carries... shout out to Wal-Mart for carrying it, it made my trip there so worthwhile).

So far our one time grocery trip has turned into three and we're not done yet... Isaac will run out of meds by Tuesday so we get to go back again. Should I give up, or make Tuesday the new grocery shopping day?

Blush

2011-08-07T21:47:00.004-04:00

I've had moments that have made me blush. Remember the fanny lifter? Remember the recent post about angry lieutenants? I apparently did not make it clear that they weren't mine. They were there when I had to clean the toilet and thus had to be taken care of. Everyone I spoke to in person who had read it had the impression they were mine and thought the post a bit revealing. Blush! I corrected it, blush, blush.

hAmMoCkS

2011-07-27T22:31:00.007-04:00

I didn't believe Lisa when she told me she thought we were sleeping on hammocks. But it was of course true. Curious about what that was like? The top two are of Joel. First when we were setting up the hammocks and mosquito nets, then when I could not find him one morning. The next two show that hammocks are good for having breakfast in and definitely good for an afternoon siesta. Then there are those of me at night. I would get into my hammock, and Joel would clip me in so the mosquitoes could not come up through the bottom. I would try to sleep slightly diagonal, spreading the hammock out a bit.

The first night I woke up a few times, the second I slept well, the third I almost felt like God was soothing my lower back and slept well, the last night I did not sleep as well, but decently. I usually sleep on my belly, so I tried for my side but it didn't work too well. I did not fall out once. It cooled down nicely at night. I also slept with earplugs. The roosters were so loud at 5 am! I was ready to kill them. They were maniacs.

The last picture shows the pavilion a bit. We filled it - 19 hammocks and one air mattress! We could fold them up during the day. It was great sleeping in the open air... in Brazil the "lungs of the earth." Perhaps there was a bit of sedative in the air. I decided I want Joel to build a pergola and I'll hang hammocks. It will be an Italian Brazilian Pavilion. I'll take afternoon siestas there.

"You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues." Psalm 31:2o

God gave me this verse soon after I discovered how we would sleep. I knew we'd be safe. Once, when the distorted roosters sounded like an angry mob, I forced myself awake, listened to the overzealous performers vowing to "get one," and went back to sleep. We were hidden safely in His pavilion, there may have been "plots of man" on the outside but they never touched us.

Victorious

2011-07-25T22:35:00.006-04:00

On our trip we had 20 people for two bathrooms. You get to know people quickly when you have that many people to a bathroom. Not only that, but the bathrooms bordered the kitchen and the wall did not go all the way up so you could listen to the people in the kitchen talking while you were in the bathroom. Usually it was in Portuguese so I didn't hear anything good ;).

This is me cleaning the bathroom. I learned that toilets there flush just by adding water. Pull the line and the hold tank just fills the bowl with water and what was in it goes down.

I found some floaters (not mine) when I went to clean the toilet. I put my new knowledge to work. I flushed, no go. I added water, still no go. Rute, my new friend calls to see if I needed help. I have known Rute 24 hours. I told her about the floaters. She comes to help and adds more water. Still, no go. She tells me that her grandfather used to call these rebellious floaters "angry lieutenants." We are laughing and laughing at this, as we try to get those suckers down.

Finally, after buckets and buckets of water and many flushes I am victorious over those angry lieutenants. I made Joel take a picture of my victory, even though he thinks it is not funny. But Rute and I bonded very much on this trip and I cannot help but think our forced intimacy in fighting angry lieutenants had something to do with it. Either way I think it's stinking hilarious (pun not intended).

MYTH

2011-07-13T22:58:00.005-04:00

I'm supposed to be cleaning the house... never mind that it's 11pm... but a random question came to my head and I needed to know the answer. Now you can too.

Does coffee really dehydrate you? It does not. It's a myth propogated by those who want to make you feel guilty for drinking coffee. Click here, to read the mayo clinic answer. Drink coffee freely. But I agree with the doctor, drink water more.

PS - Coffee myth #2 - Espresso has a lot more caffeine. Wrong. Four shots of espresso is equal to 1 12 oz. cup of drip coffee. Yeah, that was your imagination that you were wild after two shots :).

Swimwear

2011-06-22T14:24:00.006-04:00

I had to buy a bathing suit this year (collective groan). Yesterday when I had to run after Zade in my bathing suit to the front yard I cringed inside... I need a new suit. The suit I was wearing was $8 at Old Navy last year. I love a good deal... but this suit accentuates my tummy, is loose in the back end and on top. Not worth the deal. My neighbors do not need to see that! My other suit is a winner, but it is a tankini that shows a bit o' tummy and has a v-neck. My desire was for modesty. Modesty for when I am with people other than my immediate family. Or for when I am running after a 1 year old.

After looking and looking ad nauseum, in frustration I finally googled "modest bathing suit." Then I found everything from a vintage full coverage suit, a burquini (a bathing suit for Muslim women), modern full coverage (kind of like a dress), to what I was looking for which is a regular bathing suit that will cover me. Admittedly though I looked at the burquini because I wanted to see what it looked like. Here were my two favorite finds online... Hapari and Lime Ricki. I have to say Hapari won out because of the tummy tuck bottom. But Lime Ricki's were very cool, so if you're not interested in a tummy tuck go there too. Both places had tankini tops that actually cover the entire belly. I also bought a skirt that will match all my suits because it is black. I am very excited to be covered :).

Another fun thing to do is google vintage bathing suits. There are some cute suits out there! Maybe I'll do that next year. For now I am eagerly awaiting my tummy tuck bottom, modest top, and bathing skirt.

PS - Why do I want to be covered? 1. To honor God. And I hope it shows I respect my husband by not flashing myself off to others. 2. It is much more comfortable for me to know I can be covered as I am taking care of kids.

PPS - I found a load of "modest modern" clothing. What a great idea for Christian girls!

Politicks

2011-03-26T21:43:00.004-04:00

"The Business of the Congress is tedious, beyond Expression... I believe if it were moved and seconded that We should come to a resolution that Three and two make five We should be entertained with Logick and Rhetorick, Law, History, Politicks, and Mathematicks, concerning the Subject for two whole Days, and them We should pass the Resolution unanimously in the Affirmative." John Adams in a letter to his wife October 9, 1774. Adams was speaking of the first Continental Congress. I found it amusing because I was under the impression that politics was a smoother process in those times. The more I read in this book the more I think that man does not change all together that much over time.

Truth

2011-03-25T20:16:00.004-04:00

I should have known by the picture, no resemblance!

I like to think I am a truth teller. I, however, must have misunderstood the family lore of John Adams. I want the truth to be known, I am not a descendant of John Adams, the president anyway. Perhaps another John Adams, since it is such a popular name. My mother suggests we were probably "shirt tail" cousins of John Adams.

It's OK, I think that Jacob, Augustus, and Laura Adams seem very interesting. And maybe I would rather read Laura Adams Clark's diary than John and Abigail's letters. Laura Adams Clark was my great-great grandmother.

In a way it is a relief, there is much less pressure being a shirt tail cousin than a direct descendant. No need to expect greatness out of me :).

Neglected

2011-03-23T22:09:00.003-04:00

My brain, it's neglected. I was at the library today to get books for homeschool and I was listening in to the librarians conversation. They were talking loud so it was nothing hidden. It was an intelligent conversation. It was so nice to listen to an intelligent conversation. I imagined that maybe someday I could be a part of one and actually offer an opinion that was coherent and potentially noteworthy.

You see, this morning I was singing a song I made up about poop. Yes, babies make poops and it makes them stink. It even rhymed in the end. I was changing Zade's diaper. Caleb said I should become a solo artist and write my own songs. "Who would want to come?" I asked him. "People who want to learn how to change poopy diapers," he answered. I racked my brain and concluded there may not even be a person on earth who really wishes they could learn to change poopy diapers. So I don't even have a potential fan base.

Back to my neglected brain. Most of my conversations have to do with children or they are at a child's level. By the end of the day I feel about ready to stare blankly at the wall so really the potential for intelligentsia in this house is small. But... I will strive for better. I decided to get a book for myself. I borrowed "The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family." Just reading the first few pages made me smile. The book uses big words, and I understood them. It draws interesting conclusions, and I could form an opinion on them. I am convinced given the time my brain could take a radical turn and my talents would go beyond writing poop songs. Goodnight all, I am going to read a book.

Yes, Jesus Loves Me!

2011-01-25T12:45:00.004-05:00

This is how I know Jesus loves me. He cares for the littlest bitty things in my life. I have been craving Cheesecake Factory Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, hardcore. It's been in my thoughts for a week. It has been impossible to get there to get a slice, well unless you want to take an hour to go there in the artic chill. I rarely have an hour without kids and I do not like the artic chill.

Last night I went grocery shopping. I was picking out Caleb's birthday cake. Right there was this delight! Brownies with raspberry filling. "Oh, could this be the answer to my chocolate raspberry cravings... this could hold me over!" They also come portion controlled. Perfect, since I would be the only one that would eat them. See my pic (where did they go ;))? I only made this many.

I knew it was from Jesus, a special token to know He is always thinking of me. "How precious also are Your thoughts towards me, O God! How great is the sum of them. If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand." Psalm 139:18-19a.

Love Them

2010-12-13T22:09:00.003-05:00

I am hesitant to share this, as I am selfish enough to want to keep this lovely thing to myself. However I am not sure I have much of a following here, so I will let you in on a secret. It's a store called LittleMissMatched I found last year in NYC, and I revisited Saturday when I got to take a last minute trip there. These are my new socks. They don't match, but they do. There's one more sock too with mostly sparkly white stripes. Do you know what they say on the toes? Fabulous. I couldn't agree more. And I noticed tonight when I folded down the black tops there were more sparkly stripes. Endless variety! I wore them today and I really think it brightened my day. There are all kinds of mismatched socks for girls and women (there are some for boys, but I knew my boys wouldn't appreciate them - except for Zade who was forced into missmatched socks today). So if you want a little fun for your feet I highly recommend the socks. Start the trend wherever you are :).

Hilarious?

2010-11-13T21:27:00.004-05:00

I was doing some fall gardening on Friday and I heard someone whistling and saying "Hello?" It sounded like it was coming from the neighbors so I didn't pay attention. I walked over to the trash and I saw the UPS man hovering at the edge of our next door neighbors driveway. He had a package. He asked if the dog was out. I told him I had not seen her. He said, "That dog is a maniac!" with real fear in his voice. Shelby? Really? She does run fast and barks on occasion but I never pictured her as a maniac. So I tried to reassure him I had not seen her. Then I went in the back yard. I glanced back and saw him running like mad from the door to his UPS truck. Hilarious. Joel and I were laughing, and I'm laughing now thinking about it.

Ode to An Afternoon Ritual

2010-11-06T19:55:00.002-04:00

The sip warms your mouth and trickles reassuring strength down your throat. You can almost feel your blood liven upon encountering this old friend. You are happy and content knowing you will have ecstatic energy to meet the demands of the rest of the day. The children are happy too. "Mommy has had her coffee! She will not pass out on the floor today, maybe she will play, and surely she will dance." Coffee, the inatimate liquid that is oft personified as a good friend, someone that's hard to say goodbye to.

But the moment has arrived. You look at the last sip in your cup. Oh, can I wait until we meet again? Tomorrow at the same time? Indeed the last sip is as dear as the first. The sweet coffee time is over, it cannot be repeated, today anyway. With a resigned air you get up. You are a better person now that you've had that drink more precious than liquid gold. This consoles you as you end the most beloved afternoon ritual.

Note from the author... This is dedicated to my husband who called me dramatic when I voiced how much I loved my coffee time. I thought it was then necessary to fully explain and wrote this as I enjoyed my afternoon ritual... no drama here.

31 Random 31

2010-07-31T21:18:00.006-04:00

I turned 31 on the 31st so here are 31 things about me. Some are random and some aren't, which of course makes it truly random.

1. I love Jesus.

2. I love my husband.

3. I love my sons.

4. I love my family.

5. Once someone asked if I was Lebanese. I'm not, I'm 1/2 Italian, 1/4 German, and 1/4 English/mix.

6. I could be a shirt tail cousin of the 2nd president, John Adams.

7. I'd love to live in NYC (shocker) one year and in the country the next. Is this why I am stuck in the burbs?

8. Nothing soothes and comforts me like reading the bible and praying.

9. Wait, wait! I want to live on the beach most of all.

10. I've pulled over a trooper before, but not because he was speeding.

11. Almost everyday I ask people to raise their hands if they want coffee and no one does. Perhaps I need a different audience.

12. If lamenting on my part made it possible, Jane Austen would have written ten more books if not more.

13. I'd rather be 31 than 30, but not 32.

14. I've been on 4 continents, and once (very recently!) I was on three in 30 hours.

15. I've woken up in Paris and gotten my breakfast at a patisserie.

16. I swam in the lake in Austria that Eva Braun's house was on, right across from it.

17. I've gotten yelled at for sitting on centuries old furniture in a castle in France, and for going down the big slide at Bounce it Out.

18. I LOVE traveling and wish I could do it more.

19. I don't believe in bad luck, I was married on Friday the 13th in a supposedly haunted castle.

20. *I got married when I was 20*

21. I went to NYC a month after 9/11 to help the Salvation Army. That is when I fell in love with the city.

22. I am afraid I will scar my children!

23. *I was 23 when Caleb was born*

24. *I was 24 when the Lord put adoption on my heart, and when we started the process*

25. I have a masters degree in social work and would love to use it in adoption someday!

26. I love books and I love reading. Books of all kinds are all over the house.

27. I've recently been listening to the classical and jazz stations for variety. I was dancing to it and Joel dubbed it the "classical robot."

28. *I was 28 when we adopted Isaac*

29. I have always loved to sleep.

30. *I was 30 when we adopted Zadok*

31. I "look up" because I know Jesus is coming and I can't wait for heaven!

defenestrate

2010-03-24T22:27:00.003-04:00

In case you don't know, it means "to throw out of a window." Certainly glad this word has been added to my vocabulary. These word of the day e-mails are great. Fenestra means window in Latin. I'm sure you, like me, are glad to say "I defenstrated confetti," instead of "I threw confetti out of the window." Funny, confetti didn't come to mind as something to throw out my window. But maybe I should try it because it's good to keep the neighbors on their toes :).

Be careful of wild imaginations!

2010-03-21T22:37:00.006-04:00

This blog is sooo neglected. Do you know why? My random thoughts are so random they are not cohesive. Oh well. Have you ever read The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis? I was in church this morning and for a moment had my eyes open during prayer and I noticed the lady in front of me had one heel of her shoe perfectly centered under the chair (her legs were crossed I am assuming) and immediately I had in my head an image of a Dufflepud from that book. They only had one leg that was centered on their body and they hopped around. So in a few seconds I had a picture of her hopping around like a Dufflepud. What is wrong with me? How am I so distractable? She is a perfectly lovely lady, and I am picturing her as a Dufflepud. Now picture yourself as a Dufflepud, because I think it would be fun for a little while.

I will try to be better behaved and less distractable, Lord help me!

Sigh... klutz

2010-01-30T22:44:00.004-05:00

:) Warning, I posted something similar on Facebook :). I found I had two green droppers of food coloring. I decided to combine them. Knowing myself and my propensity for disaster I was VERY careful. I was right next to the sink and layered paper towels around to keep from dyeing my whitish counter top. I carefully pried them open, so far so... wait AHHHH the green actually sprayed my face. WHHAAATTT?! I knew when Joel looked at me with dismay that it was NOT good. My lower face had blobs of green on it. I grabbed the closest soap - which was a lavender soap bar I bought on clearance because it was pretty. And, hallelujah, it came out.

The bonus of things like this constantly going awry is that I have become quite patient with messes. As long as no one is hurt, and you can go outside free of green blobs on your face, it's all good, right?

She's Come Undone

2009-12-20T22:28:00.003-05:00

This year I decided it was time to get bold. No more gray, black, or white winter coat. No safety in the neutrals. I got an emerald green coat and it is beautiful and I love it. There was only one problem. My sister loved it too. She threatened to steal it even. So today at church when she came strutting in with a coat just like mine, I assumed she pilfered it from the coat rack. But no, she had BOUGHT HER OWN! She is actually completely out of control.

I am still coming to grips with this and don't know exactly what to think. All I know is that it is very noticeable to people when there are two girls in green coats. We can't even pass for twins because we look nothing alike. Like a proper crazed sister I called her names and tried to strangle her. If we were not two out of control sisters before (Joel would say we always have been) we are now.

PS - My parents are normal, and loving. They sometimes wonder what happened to us ;)

PPS - Cassie, this is not over, I will be getting back out you somehow. Beware! love you.

The Ramble

2009-12-09T22:26:00.003-05:00

Joel and I have a habit of getting lost in Central Park. Now we look for maps, mostly because one time we were lost in The Ramble...

We were just exploring the park, Caleb was a baby. We got into The Ramble. We didn't know we were there, but we looked at a map later and knew it. The Ramble is "off the beaten path." We got lost. In the middle of the city, I couldn't hear or see the city, and I figured if murders happened in Central Park - this was where. The entire time I think we saw one other person and we were in the ramble a couple hours.

See the circular paths? Yes, we went in circles and were glad to finally get out. Glad to hear and see the city, glad it was still daylight. Happy we'd survived The Ramble.

This trip when I saw The Ramble sign, I knew not to enter. We were short on time and it was a little cold. Sometime I would like to explore it, with a map. It was amazing how you felt you were in a forest somewhere far from the city. That is it was amazing until you felt you were lost and had watched way to much Law and Order.

Not for the Faint of Heart

2009-11-19T12:11:00.002-05:00

This post would probably only be appreciated by moms - just a fair warning. Today Isaac's bus was late. It rarely is, so we were passing the time and I saw "the look" on Isaac's face. The squeeze face and his whole body is in motion to pass a BM. "No, not now!" I told him. He didn't listen. So the bus is already 15 minutes late and I am tearing the poor kid out of his stroller (an ordeal in itself, all kinds of straps on this kid) getting his diaper changed and I see more coming. The bus arrives. "Caleb, go outside and tell her I am changing Isaac's diaper," I instruct. "Where are my shoes?" Caleb yelps. "Isaac either suck it in or push it out - the bus is here!" I tell him (like he'd make a decision in that second to do either!). Caleb still can't find his shoes so I run out to tell her, and thankfully left the diaper in the correct place for Isaac to finish his business. I finish up the change and thrust Isaac back into the stroller and strap him in. After I come back inside I am glad to find nothing was flung about in the process. And do you know what? As soon as I saw that face I knew what would go down.

Weirdness

2009-11-14T21:05:00.003-05:00

If I shared all of my weird dreams with you, well that would be weird, and it would happen every day. Sometimes I just want a solid sleep. But this one was somewhat comical.

We had gone to NYC, like we are planning to do, but instead it was a family trip with Joel's parents and siblings (not to mention half our church, but that's beside the point). It turned out that we were going to wear our matching blue shirts (we did do this in MI, which was fine, let bygones be bygones). In NYC however it was very upsetting to me that I was going to go shopping in one of the most fashionable cities in the world in a matching family shirt. I had two consolations #1 I could wear my favorite eyeshadow that is sparkly blue (it is spectacular) and #2 that it was cold and my coat would cover up part of the matching shirt. That's where it ended and I never saw how I faced fashionable Manhattan in my family t-shirt.

I find this a sad reflection on my vain nature (i.e. that I dream about sparkly eye shadow and family t-shirts). At least I didn't cause a family disturbance by refusing to wear the t-shirt, right?

Let's discuss something here...

2009-10-21T23:04:00.004-04:00

The Yankees. Have you seen them? Aren't they beautiful? I have decided they have to win the World Series. I have to admit, due to time constraints I only seriously follow them post season. Joel keeps me in the loop until then. Posada is my favorite. I tell Joel every game, Posada is solid, you can count on him for a good base hit, a double, or an RBI or something every game. Caleb is six and still says "Hip Hip Jorge!" instead of "Hip Hip Horray!" Could it be I've failed to teach him the correct way? No, I think I did teach him the correct way. I also love to watch Rivera pitch, love, love, love it. Now that new guy Sabathia is one to watch, eh? Woo! Tomorrow I could possibly know their fate. I think those Angels are quivering a little... but I don't want to have to eat my words so that's all I'll say. YANKS!

You don't see that everyday...

2009-10-13T22:28:00.004-04:00

What the what? It is a bottle full of yeast, water, and sugar. It was in the dark, warm bathroom. It made carbon dioxide gas (tee-hee) to blow up the balloon.

New York City

2009-10-11T22:48:00.003-04:00

I have a horrible New York City habit. Fortunately it's not like a daily or even a monthly habit, but if it has been about a year I feel like I NEED to go to NYC. The garbage truck goes by and I get a whiff and I sigh and think " New York." It's been over a year and I feel the need to go. Joel has told me I need to go clothes shopping (I know -it's strange - but really I don't like shopping and am to the point where I really should go). My boots have holes in them and I was going to take them to a cobbler. Joel's said "BUY NEW BOOTS!" So... I told him I want to do this clothes shopping in New York City. Makes perfect sense to me. Anyone want to go?

PS - To clarify to the out of state people NYC is over five hours away. Sigh :(

There goes the neighborhood

2009-09-16T12:22:00.002-04:00

I was watching a bird as it sat on my chair on the patio. Then I saw it relieve itself on my chair and fly away. I wondered what kind of bird it was, because it looked like a robin, but not quite. My search revealed it was a juvenile robin. Just like a teenager to relieve themselves on your chair and fly away. Sheesh.

Literary Candy Pretends

2009-08-26T23:25:00.005-04:00

This came for me today, from Amazon, a gift from my in-laws. I have been reading all of L. M. Montgomery's books, and have been loving them. As a girl I think I only read a couple of the Anne of Green Gables books. But now I have read all of those and most of the rest. Her words are like "literary candy" to me. The descriptions are so vivid that sometimes I forget about the story and get lost in her words. My main concern was running out of material, but today when I saw that her first journal alone was 425 pages, small print. Candy :).

As Montgomery describes children, from a wonderful point of view of someone who has not completely left childhood behind, it makes me want to be a better mom. I just finished reading The Story Girl, and in it the Story Girl says;

"No wonder we can't understand grown-ups, because we've never been grown-up ourselves. But they have been children, and I don't see why they can't understand us."

Probably one of the hardest things to do is hold the delight of childhood, while dealing with adult responsibilities. But it reminds me that Jesus said to come to Him, we need to be as little children. I think too, if we can, that joining our children in "fairy land," has its own reward. It is a lot of fun there. Even if for me it involves grinning down bears. I love that Caleb has to remind me that he was just pretending.

Simply Scary

2009-08-22T22:05:00.002-04:00

I was looking for a craft about not being selfish, I didn't find one. What I did find was an article written in the UK discussing this quote "Parents who have more than two children are 'irresponsible' for placing an intolerable burden on resources and increasing damage to eco-systems, says a leading green campaigner." I can't find the article again, but what shocked me was people said "I like to drive my SUV, I like to do this and that, so my way of being green is not having children." The issue they are posing is, if you have more than two children you are being selfish. What?!?!?!

Is it because we're not in Europe that this thought has never crossed my mind? It's never crossed my mind the impact my children will have on the environment. When did the environment become more important than people? I think often in this world of Romans 1:22, "Professing to be wise they become fools." People always think they know better than God, but that is never true. Here is what God said:

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5

Bibliophile

2009-08-15T20:02:00.003-04:00

bibliophile - a person who loves or collects books

Today I found out I am in trouble. I also found out I need to look as I drive down Main Street. I have been sighing because the Scholastic book orders I was so excited about for Caleb last year seem almost as pricey as bookstores. "What I need," thought I, "is a place to buy cheap books."

Today at Webster Village days I found a used bookstore, open since December. So sad I have been missing out on this! It looked like a good one, and I already spent $13. Here is the issue though, it could become an addiction because I love buying books! They have kids books 10 for $10, which isn't garage sale cheap, but isn't too bad. I am going to have to watch myself... or at least watch for good deals. What I really hope is that they can stick around. Joel may be of a different opinion!

I call my sugar candy

2009-07-30T21:56:00.002-04:00

All you Cosby fans, take a gander on my sidebar and play "Candy." See if you can remember this episode. Classic! Enjoy...

Beauty and the Feet

2009-07-07T22:35:00.003-04:00

Lilacs

Peonies!

I adored being on Mackinac Island. The lake (Huron) was beautiful. I like being surrounded by beauty. I felt saturated by it, and was therefore quite happy! And would you know, the island is north of where we live and had been hit with cooler weather so... the peonies and lilacs were still in bloom. And I am crazy enough to believe that God had that as a special blessing in mind for me. I took the time to smell the peonies and lilacs because that gloriousness will not come for another year.

This post is not seemingly random, it's just random...

Lake Huron on Mackinac Island

Lake Superior on Michigan's Upper Peninsula at the Point Iroquois Lighthouse

I used to get yelled at for taking pictures of my feet ("why am I paying for pictures of feet?!?!"). My dad loves me, it was all in love :), although he probably was a little irritated. But now, with digital I can take pictures of my ugly feet all day. These pictures are proof I was in Lake Huron and Lake Superior (although it could be the same lake, who can really tell - but I am telling the truth I promise). It was 50 some degrees out when I was in Lake Superior, so the water didn't seem that cold!

Random Finds

2009-06-23T22:37:00.004-04:00

On Saturday we went to the Windmill, a farm and craft market. The boys and I went with my aunt, sister, and mom. Despite the deluge it was a good time! Caleb found an ostrich egg he really wanted, and he had a sympathetic grandma. Caleb has been playing "hatch the eggs" every day since. Isaac just stares at Caleb as pretend eggs hatch and pretend animals come out with a look that indicates he thinks we're all nuts! This egg is a fun treasure for Caleb, better than a toy in my opinion.

I found a Thornton Burgess book at a used book shop (the shop itself was a find - lots of good books!). Burgess was recommended by a website I like to visit for homeschooling the Charlotte Mason style. We took his books out from the library and Caleb and I really liked them. Also the book was given to a boy named Rufus. My grandpa always told my mom if she was a boy he was going to name her Rufus. We think he was joking, but you could never be completely sure.

Those are my random finds! I also have some delicious salsa that is actually my sister's, but accidentally came home with me. I guess she won't know for sure if I've eaten it or not until she comes to get it.

Grandiose Garage Sales

2009-06-18T22:03:00.002-04:00

I have a new pet peeve. Over priced garage sales. I saw an umbrella stroller that looked nice and I asked how much it was... $40! I am a yard saler, not a must have name brander. I also saw a baby backpack... $50. When did yard sales become like this? Do people want to get rid of their stuff? My friend said she went to a yardsale that listed the original price and the price she was asking. I just wonder how many people at a yardsale will think "oh, she paid $180 for that highchair - what a steal at $80!" My hint for people having yardsales is price to sell, or you will just end up stuck with what you wanted to get rid of. Case in point, I am sure the ladies who sold me $200 worth of clothes for $9 made a lot more than the man with the $40 stroller.

Peony Paramour

2009-06-08T22:03:00.004-04:00

They are much more pink in person than they appear to me on screen.

"I had a good time with myself, out in the garden." from Emily Climbs by L.M. Montgomery

I read this and immediately felt the need to go out in my garden, although it is dark and rainy. But I have a feeling I could love my garden in any weather. What the lake was for me in the winter, my flowers have become for me in the summer. I have been doting over this peony. Isn't it beautiful? I am not too much of a rose person, and have decided I like peonies much better. The smell is practically intoxicating. I am trying my hardest to enjoy it and trying not to think about the brevity of time I have with it.

I do have a feeling though that I am not completely devoted to my peony to the exclusion of all others, because soon enough I will be raving about another. But for now I am smitten with my peony. And now I think I'll go just outside my door and smell it despite the weather.

Yay Random!

2009-06-04T23:12:00.006-04:00

I think it's time for some randomness, fun, fun, here we go.

1. Whenever I don't want to do a chore I feign amnesia (who are these people, where am I?). It didn't work the first time, let alone the subsequent 120 times.

2. Caleb told me I was "the funniest Mama he has ever seen," and it made my week :), maybe even my month.

3. I tend to grossly exaggerate everything and I am beginning to wonder if it is becoming a habit that annoys people.

4. I have rebellion in my veins and I want to get a nose ring, dye strands of my hair wild colors (Caleb said a rainbow would be nice), give Isaac a mohawk, and jump out of an airplane. Joel has said no to all of this, although he didn't say no to the airplane, he just commented, "why? so you don't have to turn 30?" Isn't he a hoot.

5. Every night Caleb gives me six kisses and seven hugs. Six kisses, because I kiss him before I go to bed so it totals seven, like the hugs. The number is seven because of course he is turning seven (in January :)).

6. My dad always sang to us in public and I am doing the same thing to my children. Actually I noticed my mom and sister were doing it too tonight...

7. I have a horrible habit of going to bed at midnight or later, really it's time for bed.

Forgotten

2009-05-08T13:57:00.003-04:00

Being somewhat of a novice gardener I sometimes forget what is a weed, and what is a flower. And I can never remember for sure what I have planted from year to year that may be springing up. This year I thought maybe this patch of green was a weed, but decided to let it grow, just in case. And that is how I forgot the forget-me-nots. How could I when the name itself begs not to be forgotten?! Now that they are in bloom (this is a google image, but that's what they look like!) I remembered the forget-me-nots, double checking my flower book to make sure it was the forget-me-nots that I had forgotten. The book says to divide them in late winter. Well then I thought they were a weed, and I would like to divide them now, anyone know if I can?

"The mouse-ear forget-me-not, Myosotis laxa, has now extended its racemes very much, and hangs over the edge of the brook. It is one of the most interesting minute flowers. It is the more beautiful for being small and unpretending; even flowers must be modest." Henry David Thoreau

LIGHTBULBS - GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

2009-05-07T23:00:00.004-04:00

Here it is, ohh and ahh over it, it's eating into our savings and sanity

When we bought the light fixtures for the basement little did we know the bulbs to fit them would cost almost as much as the fixtures themselves. The light bulbs go for $6-$7.50 a piece. When we finally got the right ones half of them did not even work right out of the package. After buying out the local stores of this type of lightbulb we finally had them all. I said these lightbulbs better last for 10 years for the price we paid. One is already out! Insane, I'm taking it back - the light bulbs have have been in for less than a week and we aren't down there a lot.

Just so you know these lightbulbs are eco-friendly and supposed to last 7 years. Have you heard the regular light bulb will be banned by 2014? What kind of messed up priority is that? The CFLs they want to replace them with (I admittedly have a few) look downright dangerous after reading this article. Sheesh.

The best deal everywhere for all time

2009-05-02T16:25:00.003-04:00

Or at least of the yard-saling season. Today my sister and I went to a neighborhood yardsale that boasted 200+ yardsales in a square mile. We had been doing pretty well when we decided to go to this one yardsale, I decided it was mysterious because we couldn't see from the sidewalk what was actually there. There I hit the clothes motherload. I got this leather jacket (name brand - real leather!) for $3.00. My mother sold my old leather jacket for $20 at her yardsale, so that is a sweet deal. For $9.00 I got the jacket, two pairs of dress pants, two dresses, a pair of shorts, and a shirt. All name brand, all cool. Nothing could compare after that. And to add further to this story I decided to look at the price of a short black leather jacket that was not as stylish as the one I got - they were asking $75! Yikes. I also got a lamp for the basement and later found the shade actually blinks - bonus!

We had a good time. Isaac went with us and was very well behaved. At one point more than four hours after we arrived he started crying. I translated it to say "you have taken advantage of the fact that I cannot get away or talk and I am now telling you it is time to go!" He calmed down when I told him we would head back. If we slowed at a sale he started up again. I can't blame him! He was happy to be done, and my sister and I were pretty worn out too.

Waste not, want not - leaving green in the dust

2009-04-25T22:15:00.004-04:00

This is something that is ingrained in me, waste not, want not, that and being frugal. Let me tell you though, I am irritated with all the "going green," stuff. I don't know why, because I agree with most of it. The tips are funny to me, because things I do like turning lights off, making sure the dishwasher is full, and line drying clothes (in the summer anyway) are things I've always done because it saves money. Not because I want to go green. I think the hype around it is insane, and am convinced that some of the stuff that they find so important now won't be at some point. Remember the diapers? Just as much damage to the environment with disposable as with washing all the cloth diapers. Now I have an aversion to going green, but if the article was entitled "waste not want not" I would read it. And to make matters worse, green is my favorite color.

I think I'll strike out on my own and go purple or orange or something, and leave green behind. I will not buckle to the green pressure! I only bought that Aldi's reusuable bag because I forgot my quarter for the cart :). Don't hate me because I am not green, I promise to waste as little as possible and be wise with what God has given me. I even want a composter, because I like purple and orange flowers.

Obedient Women

2009-04-10T00:07:00.003-04:00

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said "Obedient Women Are Never Remembered in History." Immediately I thought of one woman who was obedient, and Jesus said of her, "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." This woman was Mary, who annointed Jesus with a very expensive perfume. The disciples complained it was a waste. But Jesus said, "Let her alone... she has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial." Mark 14

I also thought, well, according to the bumper sticker philospohy my life is a waste. I live to be obedient to the Lord, which many will certainly see as a waste. All Mary did was what she could, and she has been remembered through time, wherever the gospel is preached. And there are many more women who have been obedient, and have been remembered. I don't care to be remembered though, by anyone besides Jesus. Forget history I want to be remembered in eternity as one who did what she could.

Spoonerism

2009-03-24T22:57:00.004-04:00

In an effort to keep my brain from turning to mush I get a "word of the day e-mail." This was yesterday's, and I was so happy to know there was a name for what I do quite often! Now is there a word to define the inability to come up with common words besides what I say, which is "mommy fog?" Today I told Caleb, "put the blue guys away," he said, "they're red." It's getting worse!

Word of the Day for Monday, March 23, 2009
spoonerism \SPOO-nuh-riz-uhm\, noun:
The transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words.

Some examples:
We all know what it is to have a half-warmed fish ["half-formed wish"] inside us.
A well-boiled icicle ["well-oiled bicycle"].
It is kisstomary to cuss ["customary to kiss"] the bride.
Is the bean dizzy ["dean busy"]?
When the boys come back from France, we'll have the hags flung out ["flags hung out"]!
Let me sew you to your sheet ["show you to your seat"].

Spoonerism comes from the name of the Rev. William Archibald Spooner (1844-1930), a kindly but nervous Anglican clergyman and educationalist. All the above examples were committed by (or attributed to) him.

A Sneak Peak

2009-03-15T14:44:00.004-04:00

We are in the midst of a basement remodel, and feel very blessed God provided for this! It will be a play room, but I would like it to be fun - and not a cave. We have a friend from church doing the work and it is great having someone we trust doing it. My job is to think about chosing colors, which for me doesn't always come together. I put a pretty picture in my head of what I want and when I go to look I can never find what I want! I finally picked a couple different patterns that weren't exactly what I had in mind, but are colorful nonetheless! Here's one.

There is a rule I like to follow - find the fabric then pick the paint color. When I paint first I have a horrible time finding fabric or curtains to match. I have half followed my rule, I ordered the fabric online (the two fabric stores I go to when JoAnns doesn't pan out have closed unbeknownst to me in the past couple years) and I think I will have to buy paint before it comes in. But... really I am taking the colors from a wall hanging we got for Isaac in Colombia. They are bright colors so I plan to do a light blue somewhat neutral wall and accent with the colors. I tend to pray in these situations, pray that it will all match and not be a blunder, I have made many of those. I'll let you know if this becomes one of my blunders :).

A Night Out

2009-03-12T22:35:00.002-04:00

I had a night out with friends and it was just what I needed! This week has been busy, as usual, but I have not had my husband to help. He is in the process of switching schedules and helped drywall yesterday on his day off. I told him "I appreciate you so much!" I realize what it'd be like without his help during the week. I'd go crazier still. Tonight my parents watched the boys for a couple hours until Joel got home.

It's just nice to have friends that you have known for so long that you can pretty much talk about anything - which we did. I've known Deb and Abby since college, almost twelve years which is shocking, it's gone by fast. I'm thankful for their friendship and support, and tonight seemed especially sweet. Really, where does time go? If I could I'd steal away for a week back to that relatively carefree time. We'd go puddle jumping, pour cold water on eachother in the shower, make up dance routines, eat pretzyls and fluff, laugh hilariously, be led by the scent of mothballs, glue quarters to the ground and watch the poor people trying to pick them up, go to Applebees for 1/2 price munchies, and talk about boys, wondering what the future had.

They were there for my blind date with Joel, and I remember Abby telling me how much she loved this guy - who was dating someone else, but became her husband. I met Deb's future husband after we had a candle party together and liked him immediately. Our talk has shifted to our collective six kids, and our life as mothers and wives. Underneath though I sense that same spunk that pervaded our college life together. And if the three of us ever recover from child rearing I think you'll find us quite out of control still!

I'm blushing!

2009-03-06T11:55:00.003-05:00

This is what I ordered

My exercise video and steps came. Caleb has been much more excited than I am! I put it away and he brought it out again. I was picking up the box and here is what it said on the bottom. It made me blush ;).

It was good for a laugh, and Joel doesn't believe I blushed, but I really did. I am now too I think!

Changes

2009-03-04T15:10:00.002-05:00

I am only 29, but I feel my body isn't cooperating with me. Gone are the days when I could keep my body where I want it with minimal exercise and somewhat careful eating. Now I cut back on what I eat to no avail. I have to exercise, but don't want to. However turning 30 and the summer coming have proved to motivate me to order a new exercise system, I am hoping for the promised "transFIRMation!" It hasn't come in the mail yet, which is fine, it means I don't have to start exercising! I am also using some vitamins (I've used them before and have thoroughly researched what I am putting in my body!) including yummy chocolate shakes. We'll see how it goes. My main problem is the exercise, I have never kept up with it for more than a few months, at least in the winter months, summer seems to produce activity. I would love to have exercise become part of my lifestyle. Any tips? Truthfully I'd rather read a book!

My Favorite Coffee Mug

2009-02-23T13:47:00.004-05:00

I found this mug on the top of the Empire State Building (to clarify: in the gift shop, not actually the top). This mug is about strong coffee, monkeys, and New York City. I happen to love all three of those things. I liked monkeys before they were popular, years and years ago, so it is a bit annoying that it is a trend, although I suppose it makes sense that everyone would think monkeys are amusing.

On top it says "barrel of monkeys in each cup," and on the bottom "STRONG, BOLD, ROBUST, New York City Where Coffee is King."

Obviously, little things amuse me. A barrel of monkeys in each cup? To me that's a hoot. I think a barrel of monkeys is supposed to be a heap load of fun, and to insinuate that a cup of coffee is as much fun as that is pure comedic genius.

UPDATE: This is so incredibly odd... less than an hour after writing this post my favorite mug took a tumble and has lost its handle. I am not too sad, it can hopefully be glued.

Did you see that eskimo blow by?

2009-02-19T14:05:00.004-05:00

It is windy today so I went outside to find where our trash can had wandered to. I asked Caleb on the way out what would happen if I blew away. He didn't know. After I found the trash can it was quite windy with the open can filling with rushing air and pulling me with it. I knocked on the window and put on a little show for Caleb of being blown away. I could tell he was laughing so despite a car going by I kept it up. I returned the can and went to get the mail continuing to blow myself all over. Close to the front door I noticed my neighbor was out, and had surely seen my display, although he was being polite and wasn't staring. I went inside laughing. Oh well, better that they know I'm crazy now :).

PS - My hood has fake fur lining it so when it is up I look like an eskimo.

Yummy Deliciousness

2009-02-04T22:01:00.002-05:00

This is a rice dish made from my Colombian cookbook. It is so so so so yummy. Unless you know about Colombian food, most people assume it's spicy, but it's definitely not, it often has a sweeter taste. This rice is made by boiling down coconut milk until all that is left is milk curds and oil, you brown the curds then add the rice, raisins, and brown sugar to brown a little as well. Then add water and let it cook. If you like rice it is the ultimate comfort food - because it is sweet too. Joel isn't even a hardcore rice fan but he also believes it is deliciousness defined (well, maybe he wouldn't use those exact words!). Yes, I ate this entire bowl of it regardless of the carb consequences. I couldn't help it because it is like near heaven in my mouth.

Lakeside Meeting

2009-02-02T18:01:00.005-05:00

Caleb took this of me, after I climbed it I decided it was safe for him!

Our friends we met at the lakeCaleb about to slide

Checking out the ice chunks, they made a cool woosh sound.

I wasn't going to post on this, but then I had to! My random blog is becoming less random and all about the lake and coffee :). But I could argue that in a somewhat random event I saw my friend Martha (from church and blog world) and her husband when Caleb and I were at the lake. Ususally we only see one or two other groups when we go, so does that make it random? Caleb and I were throwing rocks into the ice and I saw a couple walking into the park. I thought, that looks like James, and then, that looks like Martha. I bent over to look through the bridge and branches to get a better look, then I waved when I was 85% sure it was them. Martha inspired me with her summer posts on the lake to get there, an I never stopped going. So we had to meet sometime!

It is so fun fun at the lake in the winter, as long as it isn't bitter cold. According to Caleb we walked on water, actually some big piles of ice and snow, that would have been the lake in the summer. He enjoyed backwards penguin diving (sliding on his back instead of on his belly). We both tried it on our "seats" once and found it a little bumpy! We had a great time. I wish every winter day was sunny and in the 30s. And every winter day at the beach is different. It is so cool how the water forms the ice and snow. So have we inspired any locals to venture out?

PS - Martha, if you or James are opposed to your picture on here, I can take it off, but I thought Bethany would like to see it too :). And you can download it for yourself!

21 Things to do During a Video/Audio EEG

2009-01-26T15:39:00.006-05:00

Joel and I came up with this list as a stress reliever. We left Isaac out of it to protect the innocent. As well, we have every confidence that the staff at the hospital will be wonderful, and we promise to be on our best behavior. That's my disclaimer, and here's the list:

1. If someone knocks, say “Just a second,” then say to the camera, “I’m not really going to answer.”
2. Play a lot of Elvis and insist on all nurses wearing blue suede shoes.
3. Play “Every Breath You Take (I’ll be Watching You)” by Police and shoot the camera dirty looks.
4. If it gets bad enough, employ State Police to “fake arrest” Sherri.
5. Bring a lot of jewelry and try it on for hours and keeps saying “aren’t I pretty?” Be sure to include the camera in the conversation.
6. Put together a new dance routine every day at 2:15 pm.
7. Start making marks on the wall for days and hours past (like in Castaway).
8. Have a farting contest.
9. Pretend to be locked in the bathroom at least once an hour (screaming, crying, and banging at the door) once you sense they’re about to open the door come out and smile like nothing happened.
10. Learn the names of those watching you and sing the willaby wallably song (willaby wallaby wane, the elephant sat on Jane).
11. Hide behind objects in the room, ask the people watching to come and find you.
12. Bring masking tape and set up hopscotch on the floor.
13. After a few days whip out some Christmas decorations and start decorating, sing “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” and start to cry.
14. Blowing up rubber gloves is never lame, and always entertaining.
15. Rent a superhero costume and parade around in it lamenting all the trouble that could have been averted if you could leave the room.
16. Ask what station you’re on so you can tell your friends where to watch. Act offended when you hear it won’t be broadcasted, “I thought this was my BIG CHANCE.”
17. Act out a play, playing all the characters yourself.
18. Bring a jogging suit, put it on every morning at 10, stretch for 15 minutes, jog around the room 4 times, and then change back into your regular clothes.
19. Go to different places in the room and say “Can you hear me now?.....Good.”
20. Say to the nurse, “For curiosities sake, could I get a plan of the air duct system?
21. Use the video camera as a confessional; make sure to include your opinions of imaginary people.

PS - If you read #21 and my sister's comment on the previous post you will see we are scarily similar!

I'll give you $10 if you...

2009-01-20T19:37:00.004-05:00

First off, let me say, I am no exibitionist. I am quite in denial about being video and audiotaped for days. That being said, I thought of a way to make money, and pass the time during this video/audio EEG. It's a little daring game my sister and I like to play.

My (in)famous one was when my sister and I were getting Lasik eye surgery. I told her I'd give her $50 to run out screaming "I'm blind!" and $10 for each person who left after she did it. In our defense you have to do something to pass the time when at any moment you'll be called in and they're going to cut your corneas off, reshape them, and put them back on.

So, this will at least provide conversation, right? Five dollars to turn a cartwheel, a dollar for every minute you sing the song that never ends, and for kicks at least every hour mention that you think someone is watching and listening to you. I thought about bringing in our little trampoline to get some exercise, I wonder if they'd let me? Is it worth $20 to anyone if I try?

Well, truth be told we've never acted on these bets, and no money has ever been exchanged. But I am sure my blogging public has some good ideas.

Grandpa's Carafe

2009-01-16T14:21:00.003-05:00

I broke my espresso pot yesterday, I would have loved to have seen an instant replay because I have no idea how it happened. I was getting a jar out of the drainer in the sink to recycle and the next thing I know the carafe is broken. But it just so happens that I have a spare.

My grandpa would always harass me for not drinking coffee. "When are you going to start drinking coffee?" he'd ask. Shortly after he died Caleb stopped taking a nap, and I started drinking coffee. A couple years ago my grandma offered me my grandpa's espresso machine, which I took willingly, even though I had one. It's a blessing to have a reminder of my grandpa. I used it for a while, but decided to use one I had gotten at a yard sale, I didn't want my grandpa's broken (the one from the yard sale is my 3rd!).

So now it seems that for my $2 espresso machine, I need to pay almost $20 for a replacement carafe. Maybe someday, but for now I have a replacement. And I can remember my grandpa, who I still miss, and wish we could have shared one cup of coffee together.

Cravings

2009-01-07T15:25:00.004-05:00

Around fall time I fell in love with the lake. I am not sure why it suddenly came upon me now and not before, but it may explain in part why I would go there on a winter day. It's so peaceful, especially in the off season. I feel it's a gift from God, a place I can go to rejuvenate and fill that need of beauty in my surroundings. Sometimes I feel like I just have to go there, and it can be likened to a craving. Yesterday it was so gorgeous, and a much needed peaceful interlude. I've always loved the water, especially the beach and this is as close as I can get. I can't see Canada, so I can pretend it goes on much further!

It was above freezing yesterday and the sun was out (near perfect conditions in January!). Like most people I am not in love with winter, but if I am going to be stuck with it for many months I should at least enjoy a day or two of it, right? When you look at the pictures, and try to see the beauty and not the cold! Can't the snow almost look like sand dunes in the second picture?

Milk and Coffee Time

2009-01-02T14:42:00.003-05:00

I can feel it. After lunch my energy levels begin to plummet, and the idea of being in bed makes me deliriously happy. But, knowing that won't happen I take second best - a big cup of coffee. It's actually a special time, called "Milk and Coffee Time." Caleb has milk and I have coffee and we read books. By the end of reading I feel a little better and the coffee works its magic and my energy levels begin to rise. I think it's about that time now, because if I start to drift off I get my eyelids opened by a 5 year old telling me "Drink your coffee!"

pastina and grape juice - seriously now

2008-12-29T22:32:00.002-05:00

I am so tired of my clumsy tendencies. For goodness sakes I'm a lady, shouldn't I be graceful?! I swear the pastina (the teeny tiny pasta) leaped out of the fridge and the lid leapt off the container. For once the tupperware was not precariously stacked, but somehow it spilled. I hate cleaning up pastina and had half a mind to let it dry out so I could sweep it up. And I may have if 1/2 an hour later while putting away groceries the grape juice hadn't also leapt off the table (or maybe it was pushed) and the cap broke and more than half gushed out. So little sticky pasta and grape juice covered the floor. After round two of washing the grape juice I decided to wipe down the rest of the kitchen floor. At least that's done. But I still think it's sticky and know there will be pastina found for days to come.

Christmas Cards

2008-12-15T21:01:00.003-05:00

I think I'm done, but I always think of one more I could send. As I was writing them I was wondering how many mistakes I had made. Something to do with all the glitter and the smell of my thin sharpie had me convinced that there was no way I did not make a mistake. Like signing it from the family I am sending it to, or forgetting to write one of our names. And since I don't consistently get the year right in my normal writing I am convinced that at least five of them say Christmas '06.

Today I was reading to Caleb and said "mailbox" instead of "rainbow," and mind you there was nothing to do with mailboxes and a lot to do with rainbows. But as I was reading about rainbows my thought train went like this: rainbow, pot of gold, leprechauns, kindergarten St. Patrick's day, little green painted footsteps, and some how a picture of a mailbox is in that memory. Out comes mailbox instead of rainbow. And in kindergarten, I really believed it was leprechauns.

So if your card is signed a little out of the ordinary you will know why. It's sad, but I was actually spelling out loud what I wrote, because it becomes monotonous and then all of a sudden I write Cousineau instead of Christmas and there goes a glitter card in the recycle.

So, Merry Cousineau '06 everyone!

PS - I did not make this card, I robbed it from a google image search, as well, I think next year I might just do the cards with the picture and your name already signed. Especially if there is a third child running around!

Manger Humbling

2008-11-29T21:53:00.002-05:00

I've been listening to Christmas music lately, and feel humbled. It is one thing I feel to serve God as king, to know He is all powerful. This is an aspect of God you would expect. Imagining His glory I am in awe. But I think of Him really coming as a baby and I am humbled. Did my precious king really willingly submit to coming to this earth? And, as a baby, in the filth of a barn. Can it not bring you to your knees when you realize how much He loves humankind to come in that fashion? I am humbled because any amount of sacrifice on my part cannot compare, and any amount of sacrifice on my part is something I seem to fight against. The more I know Jesus the more I am humbled by His intimate love, the manger scene is just another expression of it.

A Colombian Feast

2008-11-28T11:07:00.003-05:00

Coconut mayhem
We actually did it.

I went through with my Colombian Thanksgiving plan (although they do not celebrate a Thanksgiving, and when we were there they did have turkey). At times it looked like it was going to be a disaster, but we pulled through. We had salsa verde and empanadas for an appetizer (I bought them - I didn't have the time or patience to make them!). We had Posta Negra (black beef), Arroz con Coco y Pasas Titote (brown coconut rice), baked plantains (thank you Goya!) and green beans (the only non authentic) for dinner. And then Pastel de Dulce de Coco (coconut pie) and mango for desert.

First, I would like to thank my favorite grocery store of all time, Wegmans, and even though I had to go to the next town I found all I needed to make the meal. Inevitably I'll have to do a post on Wegmans for my friends who don't live around here. It all started when I had a cookie monster cookie card as a child that entitled me to free cookies. They've won my affection for life.

Second, I'd like to thank my husband, who had the joy of cracking the coconuts, cutting out the fruit, and shredding it with me. This was the first time I've done this, and I am sure a pro could have done it in 1/10th of the time! I thought though, if men could always use a hammer in the kitchen (which we did use) they might want to help more. Especially if they could use a machete (we don't have one!) like they did in San Andres when we were there. And a side note, in all my using of knives I did not cut myself, but I did get a gash from the actual coconut.

Thirdly I'd like to thank my family; my parents, sister, and Rob, for coming and trying the food. I think my mom tried it all. Unfortunately not everyone liked coconut, but fortunately my grandparents lent some ice cream.

While I was watching the parade I really wanted turkey instead of Colombian food. But after last night I was glad for the experiment, and am looking forward to the yummy leftovers. And I am also thankful that tomorrow I get a second chance at Thanksgiving with extended family, with all the deliciousness it can afford.

StRiPeS

2008-11-22T22:13:00.003-05:00

My sister made the random comment that she was going to call me Amy, after her (ex) roomate whom she called "Stripes." She said this because I was wearing a striped shirt and also was buying one. Apparently Amy also wore a lot of stripes. I said this was fine because my mom always wanted a daughter named Amy.

Well, it is a sad day when you have to say your little sister is right. I bought three shirts the other day, and two of them had stripes. I didn't notice this until I got home, and then I began to think... the shirts that are my favorites have stripes. I think I can safely say that of the clothes I wear maybe 2/3 have stripes. This is a conundrum to me because in my head I am opposed to horizontal stripes, because I read that they make you look wider. Vertical stripes make you look thinner. But mine are all horizontal.

The bonus, I suppose is that if I am ever being chased the stripes should confuse the predator. In the rare occasion that this would occur it would probably be on the third day, when I'm not wearing stripes. So now I have to decide, do I wear stripes tomorrow or not? It was much easier when I didn't realize I was doing it.

Meant to be

2008-11-17T13:07:00.003-05:00

Bethany tagged me, and this was fun!

The rules…Find the 6th folder in your pictures directory and post the 6th photo in it.So here are the instructions:

* Go to your sixth picture folder then pick your sixth picture.* Pray that you remember the details.* Post it on your blog.* Tag 5 others, leave a comment to let them know they’ve been tagged.

We have just been burning pictures to discs, so I am lucky there were any left. I was so excited it was this one because it actually has a story. I recently scanned it to put on facebook so that's why it was in there.

I am the sulky one with dark pouffy hair in the middle. This was in girl scouts, and I am quite sure we are sulky because we were forced to sit every other one with another troop from a different school...

Fast forward to college. One of the good friends I made was Abby. When she found out what church I went to she mentioned a girl she knew that went there, and said they were in girl scouts together. I can't remember if I happened upon these pictures, or if I went looking for them, but when I found them I remembered that I had gone camping in girl scouts and this mutual friend of Abby's and mine was there. And I wondered, was there a picture of Abby in this bunch? And here is the gem! I screamed (maybe, but if I didn't I should have) because there was Abby right next to me in the blue.

My only regret is we didn't become friends then, but obviously it was meant to be. Another great story about Abby and I occurs on a bridge to a building in college. There were pieces of metal in the cement that were very slippery when it rained. It had been raining, and I stepped on one of these metal pieces and immediately fell and landed on my back. While Abby was laughing (notice NOT helping!) she also nailed one and bit it and ended up on her back. So we just laid there laughing hysterically as people passed us by. Oh what fun we used to have. So this is dedicated to Abs, who will always be my 1st friend in alphabetical order by 1st name.

Now I get to tag people! Wendi, Jennifer B, Jenn M, Erin, and Stephanie (who I hope will do this one!)

Silly girl, you don't need to move to Maine

2008-11-14T22:41:00.003-05:00

Just half of the sea glass I found!

As of late I have decided that I would love to live on the water. My top choice would be an ocean, but I would take a great lake seeing as how that's a bit more realistic (at least distance wise, forgetting the cost!). Recently I read a book to Caleb that took place on the ocean in Maine. The boy found seaglass, and I have always been interested in sea glass. So I decided that we should move to the beach in Maine. Joel of course did not agree (I suppose someone should be level headed unfortunately). I was in a way being practical - a northern beach house is sure to be more affordable.

But when God joins the discussion it becomes even more comical. Today Caleb and I went to the beach and guess what I found, oodles of sea glass! So much so that I got the point and we needn't have further discussions of moving to Maine (like that was going to happen!). But I think Joel would find his life a little boring if I was more practical. Well, I will continue to enjoy my excursions to the lake - you find the coolest things on shore in the off season, and maybe a little less practically keep my eye open for a gem of a deal for a house on the lake.

11 years ago...

2008-11-08T10:09:00.005-05:00

boy meets
girl

A week or so before though I was grabbed from my dorm room, rushed down the hall and thrust under a bunk bed (bumping my head in the process) and told these girls had a proposition for me. These girls didn't even know my name and referred to me as "the girl with curly hair." They wanted to set me up on a blind date. I was 18, and hadn't dated much, and a blind date, never crossed my mind as something fun. But then Debbie said she'd go, and I said, "No, I'll go."

So, they did learn my name. And their friend agreed to this blind date. Then one night I was sitting innocently in my lounge, and my date was unbeknownst to him about to be paraded past me (I later learned he saw the curly hair and immediately looked down). Well, anyway, the night of the date, November 8th, came and I was ready to puke and trying on various clothes. I remember what I wore and that I borrowed Jenny's black clogs.

There were a couple of my friends in the dorm lounge who immediately called to inform me he was there (sidenote - we had a lot of lounges it seems in college - how appropriate because I think I did a lot of lounging there - more than I have since). Once we had met some of the butterflies left and our nervousness made us talk and we had a nice time. We went to Chili's and both could only eat half of our dinner. Then we went to a movie and I was home by 9:15. We certainly joke about that now, kind of early, but neither of us could figure out what else to do. I went to work out with my roomate Heather and Joel thinks he might of played basketball.

So tonight we got Chili's take out to celebrate and reminisce about our first date. Our date wasn't strikingly romantic, but I don't find that we really are a strikingly romantic couple. What I find lovely is that we're still growing in love after 11 years and that our first date was just the beginning. And he's the person I like to be with more than anyone else in the world.

Lizzy - Sherri - Lizzy - Sherri

2008-11-04T23:31:00.004-05:00

I was beginning to watch the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and at first found myself drawn to the character of Lizzy, and eventually noticed certain angles on her face that look too much like me. I do not flatter myself at all to think I look completely like Jennifer Ehle (in looking up pictures I think she is blond) but there was enough there to freak both Joel and I out. So now he has another excuse beyond just not wanting to watch it, which is that it freaks him out.

Christmas Restored

2008-10-30T19:26:00.002-04:00

Did anyone pray? I am almost certain my mother-in-law did! Joel asked about getting Christmas off and no one else on his shift had asked! The way it goes is they get their initial picks, and then it's first come first serve. So it is a miracle that that week wasn't eaten up by others with more time on than Joel. So we plan to go to Michigan for Christmas. This is only the second Christmas we have spent in Michigan, and it will be our 10th together, so it will be nice.

This also means Joel cannot take a vacation until 2020 except to adopt children. He is very low on vacation days - I told him no more vacations until we get Zadok. Well, maybe we can sneak one in - but no more!

So with excitement like I haven't experienced in years I am now fully looking forward to the holidays. We are blessed, and I thank God for what is clearly a Christmas miracle. Now will someone pray for snow?

Random Thoughts of the Day

2008-10-28T16:14:00.007-04:00

I'm partial to this mariachi band myself, this was Thanksgiving for us last year.

1. I want to name my house and property (all of its 1/2 acre!). I have been reading Anne of Green Gables and all the propertys had a name. Granted I live in a subdivision so it couldn't be too lofty. I am working on it even if Joel and Caleb disagree. Also when I read this book I dream of acres of property, but we are to be content where we are so I am determined to find adventure on our little patch of land. We do have a forest in the back so that consoles me a little.

2. I think I'm going to make Colombian food on Thanksgiving. My mom was nice enough to change our family Thanksgiving to Saturday so Joel could come. We were in Colombia on Thanksgiving last year so I thought it would be appropriate. We will also listen to a CD of the mariachi band that performed. We'll probably watch the parade too, because that is a tradition I can't change. Maybe I'll come up with a name for this day too. Like the Cousineau Colombian American Thanksgiving, except that seems a little long. I thought about making all the traditional dishes, but all that work when Joel won't be home until late - and I'll have the traditional on Saturday.

That puts a damper on things

2008-10-25T22:20:00.003-04:00

It's not the grinch, it's that pesky thing called being a policeman that comes to rob your holiday cheer. Like tonight when we looked ahead to find out how Joel is working on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, AND Christmas (12 hour day shift). That doesn't happen too often, but this is how the die has been cast this year. We're hoping for a miracle when Joel checks to see the schedule to see if he could get Christmas off - he knows Thanksgiving is taken. Maybe in another 10 years Joel will have the seniority to actually get the good days off. I was just starting to look forward to the holidays and that certainly puts a damper on things. You can try to celebrate on another day - but it's just not the same. :( :( :(

A Valiant Effort

2008-10-23T18:15:00.002-04:00

I am not the best nature photographer, but I was so delighted by my plants today. They are fighting the coming of winter as much as I am. So here's to some of my plants who are performing still, despite a couple frosts and the impending big freeze. Do you think it has anything to do with being near the lake (Lake Ontario for the out of towners)? If so than I love the lake even more.

My toad lily, she's so dainty despite the name

My new coneflower, from a catalog, has not delayed a year like they usually do, but bloomed steadily since August.

My nicotiana that I planted from seed, and only really started to bloom a month or so ago, I am glad I planted her late so that she could hang on strong in the end.

These petunias have been beautiful since the day I planted them in June.

I laughed outloud at my pepper plants which have more peppers on them now than they did the entire summer.

And my honeysuckle has bloomed a second time, how sweet.

Tea Eggs

2008-10-21T22:26:00.003-04:00

Today I made tea eggs, and the thought occured to me that they are pretty random in and of themselves. I haven't met anyone yet who has heard of them beyond my family. We got the recipe from a Chinese family that lived behind us when I was young. Here's the recipe:

12 hard boiled eggs - shells cracked

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tea bag

Mix all the ingredients together in a frying pan and bring to boil and simmer for twenty minutes. Refrigerate.

Isn't that an odd concoction? But let me tell you they are delicious! My mom, sister, and I love them, and certainly if we were together we would have been feasting on them tonight. You try to hold back and savor them, but for the first round you can't help yourself. They aren't hard to make, but I don't make them too often. The best part is that they look kind of funny so that keeps my husband away from them, and they are all mine, mine, mine! So thank you Cheri Lou, wherever you are!

PS - I hope this was interesting to anyone bored at work who has a particular affinity for tea eggs.

Sudden Panic

2008-10-18T22:46:00.004-04:00

For our adoption we need to watch a seminar on DVD. We are also tested online. Joel took the test first and I teased him about his lag in response time when I chose the answer quicker. Then when it was my turn I had this panic grip me and I had trouble understanding the question (mind you it was one I had already answered when Joel took it). So now I have become Joel's biggest test taking fan and only offer encouraging words. We need to take four, and so far we have taken two, both scoring 100% on each.

I still have recurring dreams that I am back in school and I have completely forgotten to even attend classes to a course and I have all these papers due. And it is past time to drop the class. Panic! I wake up thanking God I am done with school. So the sudden panic probably had something to do with underlying school issues, I think.

PS - Do you think if I stopped eating and did gads of situps I could get this girl's waist? Do you think the picture is skewed or something? I want to know.

Fall please

2008-10-14T22:43:00.004-04:00

I've decided that the Lord rewards us Northerners with a lovely beautiful fall because we have to endure the winters. Today was glorious, it was warm, and we went to a park to take in the color. Believe it or not this park is only on the cusp of peak because the lake shelters it from a frost. We still saw a lot of green.

Then this afternoon we enjoyed our yard, where leaves are falling frantically. We were having some fertilizer put down and Joel was out early raking, which mattered little because once we got home from the park the yard was covered again and they came to fertilize before we could rake again.

Caleb, who was NOT a fan of the park this time, simply enjoyed swinging on the swingset and making friends with the leaves. At first though he was hilarious trying to kick them out of the dug in spot under his swing. It was breezy, and as I said the leaves were falling frantically. If you can't keep them out then I suppose you may as well make friends with them.

Today was the day I think, the day I longed to be out as long as possible, as if that in itself would keep the cold from coming. I have a feeling our Indian summer is over. I just hope fall sticks around for a while. Caleb decided he could have enjoyed the walk today if it was winter, but not in fall. It seems like all children love snow, when does that love turn to just enduring it? Any thoughts?

Dreams & Dishwashers

2008-10-11T23:24:00.002-04:00

I had a dream that I accidentally put my camera into the dishwasher and ran it. But fortunately it still worked when I took it out. Sometimes I really wonder where those ones come from. Am I harboring a secret fear of camera ruin? Or maybe more significant - the dishwasher was empty except for the camera. And who doesn't thoroughly enjoy an empty dishwahser?

An Unexpected Visit

2008-10-09T21:52:00.004-04:00

Me in our old apartment trying out Joel's firearms garb. Simpler times, and that lasagna looks good!

Today we went apple picking, and the only orchard that had apple picking on a weekday was in Spencerport, about half an hour away. We didn't mind the drive, and when we were first married, pre-children days, we lived there. After apple picking we decided to show Caleb where we used to live. We drove by and turned around to get a better look. And out riding her bike, was Barbara, our landlady.

She wasn't any landlady, but a dear sister in Christ. We lived in the bottom of her and Larry's house in an apartment they had made. It was perfect for when Joel was in the police academy and was gone so much. I felt very safe. We also spent time with their family who lived a yard away.

She invited us in for a visit and we ended up being able to see her son and daughter. Her daughter Maria I was closer with and she made the trip down the road to see us on short notice. When we left I was pregnant with Caleb, and Maria had just had a son Silas. Today the boys hit it off and had a lot of fun reading and singing with Barbara, and playing outside. Larry also got home in time for part of the visit. What a nice time we had on our unexpected visit.

As Joel pointed out it was much simpler back then, not necessarily nicer, but certainly simpler. I suppose all of us at one time or another wish we could go back to simpler times. But alas we need to take joy in the present, right?

Come ye apart and rest awhile

2008-10-05T14:05:00.005-04:00

I just needed to be alone, and only the Lord was allowed to come! Joel was on vacation this week and said I could go away for a couple days (Yes, he ROCKS!). I took advantage of it and savored each moment. I spent leisurely time with the Lord. I went to the Genesee Country Museum (it's a "village" with houses from the 19th century). I watched a movie and ate Chinese food on my own bed in my own room all alone. And it was lovely. I stayed at a wonderful bed and breakfast, the Genesee Country Inn, with a great hostess. I think I have a bit of an indpendent streak in me in that I like doing things alone, and that if I don't get that time I start to really crave it. It all started when I kept telling Joel, I am just never alone! I end up staying up late at night just to get that "alone time." So to you moms who feel this way too, take a day or an afternoon and go away. I know too that the Lord wanted me to go away, and I needed to go away and be with Him, to be strengthened and renewed.

Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile,

weary, I know it, of the press and throng;

wipe from your brow the sweat and dust of toil,

and in my quiet strength again be strong.

Come ye aside from all the world holds dear,

for converse which the world has ever known,

alone with me and with my Father here,

with me and with my Father, not alone.

Come, tell me all that ye have said and done,

your victories and failures, hopes and fears.

I know how hardly souls are wooed and won:

my choicest wreaths are always wet with tears.

Come ye and rest: the journey is too great,

and ye will faint beside the way and sink;

the Bread of life is here for you to eat,

and here for you the Wine of love to drink.

Then, fresh from converse with your Lord,

return and work till daylight softens into even:

the brief hours are not lost in which ye learn

more of your Master and his rest in heaven.

Edward Henry Bickersteth, 1875

And I think I'm random

2008-09-30T13:06:00.004-04:00

I have been looking for a place to take like a two day trip, so I was looking at our local 24 hour news station for the getaway guy. Right above the Erie Canal was an article about Zipiquira, Colombia, click here if you're interested. This is where the salt cathedrals are, although we never made it to them. I thought it was a little random and interesting. I don't think I'll make it there for my two day trip however.

Thanks Caleb

2008-09-29T17:07:00.002-04:00

Today I was lounging in bed grateful for no therapy and that Joel was home. I even was contemplating doing school in my sweats and getting ready later. Caleb climbed into bed with us and I told him soon we'd have to get up to do school. He said, "Good, than before we go to the doctor's?" Doctor's?! Oh yeah, I had scheduled the boys for flu shots, less than an hour from Caleb's reminder. You know it's bad when your five year old son is reminding you of your appointments. Needless to say we got going.

PS - Caleb HATES shots, the nurse remembered, a year later, the traumatic display. And on the phone the doctor suggested the flumist (so he remembers too!). I am sure this is why Caleb remembered the appointment, his concern over a possible shot. He got the flumist though, instead of the shot. I am convinced the doctor himself would have paid for it to avoid one of Caleb's displays. On the other hand Isaac got two shots and barely flinched! What a brave little guy.

What I think I am, but am not

2008-09-24T22:23:00.003-04:00

Going into this second adoption I had convinced myself that I would be much more relaxed and on top of things. Well, as soon as I wasn't on top of things I find myself not relaxed and really irritated about the process. And for all those adopting internationally you know the climate at this point in time lends itself to making one feel a little tense. Although adopting from Ethiopia should not have as many concerns I have let myself take on concern because everyone else is concerned. Then my mind moves really fast and I feel overwhelmed and decide I want to quit. I don't have time to unpack from our NY trip, how am I to put a dossier together?

So I find myself feeling like a newbie, needing reassurance in the paperwork process, when I think I used to give advice to others. Does anyone remember what I said?! Something about sleeping in the hull I think.

For some reason...

2008-09-24T11:36:00.002-04:00

My google reader is in Spanish. I'm a little confused as to why this is happening. I have settled on learning the Spanish rather than trying to figure out what is going on. In Colombia that's what I did, so until it changes itself I will learn some more Spanish. As long as my blogger friends continue writing in English I can at least understand that.

I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps!

2008-09-15T22:23:00.004-04:00

Last spring at the Yankees game

Yeah, so excited! We are going to NYC on Thursday. We are going to a Yankees game Thursday night, where my sister and I will hopefully get a kickline going to the New York, New York song. We will also be wearing matching Yankee shoes and purse (thanks mom!). I hope our family doesn't abandon us in embarassment.

I took a gamble on booking a guest house that only had two (good) reviews. It was a great price and could fit our family and Joel's parents - extremely rare! So I have been a bit nervous about it, but today we checked again to find 24 rave reviews - praise the Lord!

I just love NYC. The pace, all there is to do, and all the different things to see. I love to walk everywhere. I love all the different food. And as cliche as it is, I love going up the Empire State Building at night. And now after several visits I love that I finally figured out the subway system. Last time I went to get visas and other paperwork done for our trip to Colombia I loved that I could be independent in the city, and do whatever I wanted to do - that was fun. However by the end of the day all I wanted to do was sit!

This trip will be different, but equally as fun. I get to show my sons and in-laws the city. I have done most of what I have wanted in the city (I do have my sights set on some Italian cookies, and of course I will be stopping by Juan Valdez, have I mentioned that?) so we can do what everyone else wants to do, and I am sure I will still see new things. By Sunday we will all be due for a nap and some sitting down. But starting Thursday I am ready to enjoy my time in NY to its fullest - woo-hoo!

Art Emotions - Do I Have Drawing Issues?

2008-09-07T22:32:00.003-04:00

We are starting homeschooling next week and I have been trying to use my spare moments here and there to make preparations. Part of Caleb's curriculum includes a book (which shall remain nameless) about teaching children to draw. I was hoping we could learn together ;). I was reading the introduction and they recommend working through your feelings on yourself as an artist. Even to the point of taking a couple weeks to think it over. Immediately I prayed that I did not have any art issues lingering. I'm thinking if I have art issues, then it's not as if I have time to work through my art emotions before Thursday. WHAT IN THE WORLD!? Well, hopefully this self-examination will not leave me screaming in my pillow "I can't draw, why me, why me?!?!" I can see Joel coming home to me in tears surrounded by crumpled pieces of paper.

Seriously though, it does look like a good method. If you're lucky maybe I'll post some of our creations...

She's got pipes!

2008-09-05T20:34:00.002-04:00

Since we have gotten Isaac my arm muscles have strengthened, I even have tone where I didn't know I had muscles. But it has gone too far. I was trying on a short sleeved shirt tonight and the arm band was fitted. I couldn't get my arm through the arm band. This has never happened, so I'm thinking something must be wrong so I keep shoving my arm through - but it couldn't! All that happened was my arm got really stuck. Fortunately I didn't have to call the fitting room attendant to get out of the shirt. I wish I could show you the picture of me with the shirt on as it could go with my arms sticking out, it was very comical.

qUiRkS

2008-09-04T09:26:00.004-04:00

I have been tagged by Jenn M. to write six quirky things about me, so here we go...

1. I am so cranky when I get up. Yesterday I just wanted to sleep more and then have an hour to myself. Well, not going to happen. Poor Caleb has borne the brunt and knows to leave me alone until he really needs me. My morning prayers are frequently, "help me to be a good mom, help me not to be cranky!"

2. I rarely remember any ones name the first time I meet them, literally a minute later I am thinking, "oh my, I have completely forgotten their name." But the second time it usually sticks for good, meaning at the end of the conversation I have to say "What was your name again?" and I don't want to have to ask again - so I remember.

3. I am so incredibly cheap - ask Joel. This is a switch from the average woman I think, because Joel actually says, "You never buy clothes, you can spend money on clothes." The truth is I never want to spend more than $2 on a shirt and $8 on a pair of pants. Do you know at my local thrift store pants are at least $10 - what's up with that?! So even when I get the go ahead I'm like "$10 for a shirt, are you crazy?" I live in clearance clothes from Kohl's and Target - there's my fashion secret.

4. I could do a separate post on my coffee quirks. I will drink any coffee. But for me coffee is more than a liquid to keep me going - it is the full experience of sitting down and savoring each sip. I prefer coffee in the afternoon, 3 shots of espresso (I've been doing one of them decaf lately), some 2% milk, and flavored coffee creamer. I have been enjoying it cold - but I must cool the coffee in the freezer first because I detest that I would have to rush and drink my coffee to avoid it being watered down by ice. And I am anti-Starbucks (hopefully I don't lose friends over that!). On September 19th I hope to be in the Juan Valdez Cafe in NYC celebrating that I have found some coffee worth paying for!

5. I don't find dirt dirty. My mom always said, you eat a pound of dirt in your life. So it never offended me. Dirt seems more natural to me and I don't mind so much the dirt and grass on my floors - it is the food and sticky stuff that annoys me. Not sure how I'd feel about a dirt floor though...

6. I dance and sing a lot. If you come over to my house - I probably won't dance or sing for you because I still retain some of my inhibitions. Also I am a bad dancer and a not so great singer. One time I was singing to Joel in the car with a pretend microphone and some dramatics and I saw the guy in front of us looking in the rear view mirror laughing.

I think whoever is reading this and hasn't done it needs to, that includes my good friend Stephanie.

Don't cry over spilled milk.

2008-09-03T15:13:00.002-04:00

I am about to cry because daily I make some kind of avoidable mess in the kitchen, be it milk, sour cream, coffee, or if I am lucky just water. My kids have nothing on me, because I am constantly spilling things and taking up my time with my own messes. I drive myself nuts. I want to be a neat person, and cleaning up my own unavoaidable messes is much worse than cleaning up others because you would think I would know better. Argg.

My other issue is that I am a klutz and have as many bruises on my shins as most toddlers. And, if I am cutting food for more than five minutes I will slice myself. What is even more bothersome about all of my self inflicting behaviors is that it is completely predictable that I will do them and is not cute at all. NOT CUTE!

It's true

2008-09-03T14:59:00.000-04:00

Almost daily I get the look that indicates that I need to explain further, and/or the "where in the world did that come from" look. My husband is used to the randomness our conversations often bring, but I don't think he fully understands. The issue really is that I never stop thinking. When we end a conversation my mind keeps going connecting one thought with another until the next topic of conversation is seemingly random. But it really isn't. I asked Joel if he ever had moments or periods of time when he wasn't thinking. His answer was, "yes," and my question is what is that like?!