Thursday Thoughts

Well the snow finally quit.  We're really having winter in February this year.  Here's a picture I shared with my mostly nice older brother who enjoys living a climate where he sees palm trees in his back yard.  And no, in case you are wondering, that's not a ticket on the dash.  And no, I wasn't about to hit that truck.

I read this week that one of the highest sources of hidden sodium is in store-bought bread.  Chalk up another reason for making your own!  

I also read that if you stick your phone in a short glass (make sure it's empty!), it will amplify the sound if you are listening to Pandora.

Vladimir Putin came to the door last night.  Actually, it was his twin.  I was nearly startled.  Vladimir's son was selling cookie dough for his baseball team and referred to the dough as "pucks".  Not a great selling point, but I bought some anyway because he was cute.  And he had a father that looked like Vladimir.  

This week, our mid-week meeting is on Thursday.  It is amazing how much our lives revolve around knowing which day it is because of when the meeting is.  I realize I have a tendency to be confused.  But having kids off of school on Monday and having our mid-week be on a Thursday... well.  It's been challenging for my small brain.

Nothing else.  I need to go to the pet store and pick up some more vittles for Lisi.  I keep telling her I'm going to sell her to the lowest bidder pretty soon the way dog food prices are skyrocketing.  She just looks at me with her sweet, brown eyes and I change my mind.

This was at my feet this morning while reading...  another long winter's nap.

Here's a few 'funnies' I enjoyed this week.

Tuesday Musings

Not real catchy post title, but that's what it is.  

Today is this lady's birthday:

That would be my mom.  She's the one that brought me into this world.  She kept me clean and fed and nurtured and encouraged and strengthened.  She's been a righteous example of a mother in every sense of the word.  Often during a mothering moment of decision, I think, 'what would mom do?'.  I'm thankful for an example that taught me how to love, nurture, give, and have a good time all the while.  Happy Birthday Mom!

Speaking of mothers.  The MYP and I were having a discussion the other day.  They keep asking me when I'll be their friend.  I've been pondering that. Right now, I don't think I am their friend.  Why you ask?  Well they have lots of friends.  But they only have one mother.  So I need to be what they don't have elsewhere.  Oh sure, we will talk and share secrets and have a lot of fun doing this and that.  But in time when they grow and make wise choices and are stable adults, I'll gladly become a friend.  But for now, I'm too busy being '"mom".  

I had a wonderful walk with our only son the other night.  During the conversation he talked about a friend's family that had done lots of genealogy work and they could trace their roots back to Jesse James or someone important and special.  Then he went on to say how we should do that so he could know our family and who was famous in it.  I didn't give it a second thought until later that night.  This son was grafted into our family tree.  I felt thankful and humble that it doesn't matter to him or me on how the family tree grows, the fruit is the same.  

I read yet another article on a guy that was going to be put to death.  Almost without fail, they write what his choices were for his last meal.  For some reason, that's always interesting to me.  I'm not sure why.  It seems so macabre.  I wonder what in the world I'd choose?  Probably a dozen doughnuts since I wouldn't have to worry about them going straight to my belly fat.  

Well that's all I have to offer up on this Tuesday.  A HUGE pile of laundry awaits.  A new router needs to be set up.  An incredibly jealous dog (of the cat) needs walking.  And I need to buy some bananas.  Happy Tuesday!

Windy Words

Engine, engine number 9

going down Chicago line

if the train goes off the track

do you want your money back

Yes, no, maybe so.

Y-E-S spells yes and you are not it"

One of my daughters said that was what we were doing yesterday and started to quote it.  .  Going down Chicago line.  Yes indeed we were.  But the train didn't get off the track.  And we spent the money and didn't get any money back.  However, it was a dandy time!  

We clickety-clacked down to the Windy City (which wasn't all that windy).  We first headed to the Willis Tower because we wanted to do this:

Our cautious oldest daughter thinking this would be fun...  

And got some sights of this:

Then we hopped a city bus to go shopping:

Be still my heart.  These girls were wonderful shoppers and sweetness all mixed up in one pretty package.

Completely age-appropriate footwear

American Girl window shopping

And... coming out of door #1 and #2...

We shopped and ate and walked and ate and walked and ate and then the train took us back home under the beauty of an orange moon over Lake Michigan.  I'd post a beautiful picture of it, but I didn't take one.

So there you have it. A 12-hour venture with friends.  I'm so glad we went to make some memories.  Now I think I'll muse on another post...

Thursdays thoughts

Southampton, England stopped by.  They were 'Googling' the term "feet tickle".  I'm not sure why it brought them here.  I don't ever remember talking about tickling.  Much less, your feet.  Besides, I don't like tickling. At all.  I think it's mean.  One time as a child I was tickled a bit too long.  It turns from fun into torture in about 3.4 seconds.  And so I didn't tickle the MYP.  And I intervened if someone else tried it.  Go ahead and tickle all you want.  But not with me or mine.  Thank you.  

I know we are to not like foods that are bad for you.  But I have a confession.  I had a "Limited Edition" Mega Stuf Oreo.  Wow.  Yum.  I'm glad they are gone.   I like Lucky Charms too.  Bad me... 

So my bragging rights are over.  We have succumbed to sickness.  Daughter #1 came down with a fever and sore throat yesterday.  So she got to spend the day watching me feverishly clean the house while she ran her fever.  But the fever broke and the house was soon clean.  So off she went to school today.  That my friends, has been the extent of the illness here.

Our state has lost a dear lady.  I didn't know them all that well, but know the family and see them all every fall for sure and sometimes in between.  I was trying to think of how to describe this wife, mother, and friend.  All I could think of was 'quiet sweetness'.  I often wished that described me.  

So the other day, two of the MYP and I marched into the orthodontist office promptly at 4:00.  It was brimming with patients.  The receptionist looks up at me.  "your appointment was for 3:15, remember?  We changed it when you called a week ago."  The MYP went slinking out pretending they had never met me before.  I stammered and apologized and said I completely forgot the change.  She made another appointment for 3:15 and I took my card, picked the last of my dignity off the floor and shuffled my way out the door.  I'm hoping when the time comes I don't think the appointment is at 4:00 again...

Here's a couple quotes I've enjoyed.  I'm not sure why, but here you go.

~ Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

~ Be kind.  For everyone we meet is fighting a battle we know nothing of.

Another storm is brewing west of here.  More snow.  More blow.  More winter.

Monday Musings

I mentioned awhile back that I love winter.  I love winter sports.  I love the cool, crisp, clean air that winter brings to your face when out on an energetic walk.  But this is my blog and I'm entitled to change my opinion.  I'm now weary of winter.  I'm ready for sunshine and summer and sweat.

I don't look like that lady in the white bathing suit with the toned arms and legs, a flower between her big toe with a floppy hat.  I'm hoping my new found exercise on the elliptical will help.  I doubt it.

I started to drink green tea.  I bought some Tazo something or other.  It tastes a bit like lawnmower residue steeped in hot water.

Lest any of you get the false impression that it is all rainbows and kindness and sweetness around here.  The MYP were all at each other before supper.  So I said 'Excuse Me!'.  Then said 'no talking until dad gets home since you can't say anything nice!'.  The silence was awesome.  I soaked it up for the full 24 seconds until my love walked in the door.  But it did change the mood.

We are seeing lots of this

and this these days.

Hand stand competitions.  I never could do them.

This one wants these:

Glasses.  What she really needs is to be thankful for 20/20.

I had a mall date with this one this weekend.  It was nice.

Yesterday I had a humiliating moment.  You see we have two wonderful ladies here that are our shepherds.  They were called to preach, but not necessarily to sing.  I was called upon to sing, because I wasn't called to preach.  So about every other week I hold a mic and lead the group.  Yesterday I got started and about four notes into the hymn, was an e-flat.  My vocal chords thought that was a bit high for them and nothing came out.  Then they decided to do their thing and it did come out after a pregnant pause.  Ugh.  I carried on.  But felt like pushing the off button, slinking low in my chair and calling it a day.

Today is my grandma's birthday!  I would call her up and tell her how much she means to me if I could.  I would tell her how much I loved her pies.  How much I loved walking around looking at her flowers.  I would tell her how much I loved her teaching me how to crochet.  I would tell her how much I appreciate her working tirelessly to teach me the multiplication table when I would have rather gone off to play.  I would tell her how much I loved seeing her 'josh' with grandpa, yet loving him deeply.  I would tell her how much I loved hearing her stories about her very hard childhood with a father that died when she was only four and how her mother struggled to make a living with three little ones.  I would tell her how much I'm thankful she made such good choices as a young person that influenced her life and mine.  "shall we be missed though by others succeeded, reaping the fields that in springtime have sown".  Yes, we do miss her.  But we are yet benefiting from her efforts.

Must move on from musing....  

Thursday's Thoughts

Happy V's Day!  Since I like to live on the edge, I'll post this in red.  I'm not a romantic.  Valentine's Day isn't my favorite holiday.  I think it probably is Thanksgiving.  That probably tells you something about me.  

The Chairman, however, is the more sensitive, kind, and complimentary of our two-some.  He often will say, 'that was a really good thus-and-such for supper.  You looked nice today!  I like your hair that way (he often says it when it feels really messy).  I need to be more like that.  Not the messy hair.  Being nice.

I was thinking this morning of reading the newspaper over breakfast approximately 20 years ago on V's Day and seeing my name along with my two single roommates in a Valentine's Post wishing us a happy day.  A very happily married man posted it because he thought we needed cheering on a day like that.  Thoughtful?  Very much so.

The Chairman was out of town yesterday for work and so the MYP and I were sitting around the table having a discussion about many, many things.  It was almost like a channel surfing conversation.  One comment did make me laugh.  You know the term 'helicopter parent'?  Well one of the MYP said I was like an 'airplane parent'.  I go about letting them make their own choices, but then I will come zooming in and drop a bomb and go off again if something doesn't seem right.  It was honestly quite accurate.  

Another had a question about engagements.  I told them oftentimes, and engagement can last nine months up to a year.  One seriously asked me, 'can you see the other person during that time?'.  Um.  I hope so!  

I have a nephew that is turning 27 today.  He means a very lot to me.  But I think he means more to a lot of other people.  Happy birthday to you N!

I posted a video on FB of the two furry friends having a good wrestle on this Valentine's morn.  For some reason I can't upload it to Blogger... so if you want to see it, I guess you have to be my friend!

A couple things that I enjoyed this week..  

I think I'm thought out... on this Thursday.  

Talking on Tuesday

Yes, that's me.  I'm sorry.  I'm sorry for letting you down.  No Monday Musings.  Do you know why?  I.  Well.  I.  Simply forgot.  I kept thinking I should pause my day and muse, but then there never was a good time.  Before I knew it, it was 10:30 and I went to bed.  One of my last thoughts drifting to slumberland was "I didn't muse!".

Maybe it was because I don't have much.  Life is cruising along in a very predictable way.  The Chairman is working reasonable hours.  The MYP are not causing any stir when they come home.  Just talking over a snack, an occasional basketball game for son #1 (a win yesterday I might add), and suppertime and sharing at the round table.  The cat and dog are thriving - although I wish Simba was more of an outside cat than inside these days.  He's thinking life is pretty sweet indoors.  Maybe I shouldn't have bought this:

Yes.  It's a little kitty hammock you stick to a window.  I wish they had one in my size.  I'd put it way up high where no one could reach me.

I was in a store the other day.  A lady (who looked a bit down on her luck in life) checked out in front of me.  She handed the cashier a plastic card.  The cashier said, 'debit or credit?'.  The lady replied, 'what the difference?'.  Oh boy.

Notes of gratitude.  It takes just a few moments.  You can pen one on a note card and mail it.  You can e-mail it at times.  People love to receive appreciation.  Even I do.  Last week, daughter #2 was getting ready for bed and she kept snickering and smiling and finally she just had to say it.  "Mrs. W is so great.  She's the best teacher I ever had.  I know I say it every year, but this year I really mean it.  She makes learning so fun that when it is time to take the test you just know what the answer is.  Today she was Queen Elizabeth!  She got up on a desk and had her feet way sideways like this with her hands clasped and it was soooo funny. " So do you know what I did?  I went down to the computer and typed up almost verbatim what she said to Mrs. W.  The response was equal to what I'd get if I gave her a $50 gift card to her favorite store.  It isn't just teachers.  It is to your family.  Your friend.  A sad soul.  Tell them you care.  I'm just beginning at middle-age to understand this.  I wish I knew how to do it better.

I'd tell you this past weekend we skied again, but that's getting tedious.  I did shoot a picture of a ski bunny warming by the fire though...

And that's all folks....

Thinking Thursday Thoughts

Do any of you parents want to guarantee you will be faced with very grumpy children in the morning?  You do?  Well then do what I did last night.  I brightly told them as I tucked them in that there was a higher than 50% chance that there would be a snow day today.  Don't bother in setting your alarm!  You might as well sleep in.  Then the call never came.  School was on.  With fear and trepidation, I trudged up the stairs to wake their sleepy heads.  Grumpy I say.  Grumpy!  We are getting a lot of snow today.  But apparently, the buses still are running.

The other night I was out on a walk and the temperature was extremely cold.  Like crunchy-snow-under-your-feet cold with a brisk wind.  For some reason I distinctly started to remember a very warm, fuzzy thought from my childhood.  You see I had a neighbor friend I loved to go spend time with.  It was a large family (six or seven kids, I can't remember).  Then the call would come.  Send Linda home.  And I'd go trudging across the open fields back to our house.  I could see the lights.  I could almost feel the warmth before I entered.  And I would be wondering what mom had made for supper.  It was a cozy feeling.  Supper.  Around the table with my family.  My mom wasn't a gourmet cook.  She didn't try anything very extreme.  But supper was always on the table.  Always.  It filled the belly and warmed the soul.  It seems the longer you live, the more you appreciate a good childhood.

But don't go thinking my parents are nice and decent people.  You see we have been in a cold/snow cycle for some weeks now.  They go flying off and send pictures like this from Hawaii.

"Oh by the way, this is the view from our little deck."  Sadistic people I tell you...  

I've been exercising!  We have an elliptical that is in the basement.  I've successfully avoided it for several years now.  But the other night I got to thinking if I just hopped on for 15 or 20 minutes it might help me out. I still don't like any part of exercising on a stationary machine.  I decided if you feel like life is passing you by too quickly, just hop on one of those exercise thingys and time will stand still.  Lucky for me I discovered a comedy channel on Pandora.  A clean one mind you.  And it is funny.  So that helps squander away the seconds minutes while I sweat away a pound or three.  

Blog books #2 and 3 are ordered and are on their way!  I wonder if I should build shelves for my new library.

Don't tell the MYP.  I made Special K bars with a hodge-podge of leftover cereal.  They'll be none the wiser.  And you can't even tell through the gooey-sweetness that the cereal was almost stale.

My thoughts are through.  Whew!

Monday Musings

Yes they do!  They do fight like cats and dogs.  In a nice way of course.  I think.

We had a wee birthday celebration for my mother-in-law.  I have said it before, but it bears repeating.  I am so very thankful that I don't fit a stereotype.  That stereotype is of the daughter-in-law not liking her mother-in-law for one reason or another.  Mine is kind, gracious, and loving.  I consider her a good example to me for many reasons.  But one main one is because I have a son.  This son might get married.  This son's wife might want a nice mother-in-law.

This couple came to join the fun and help with the entertainment.  These three couples pictured have all known each other since their children were babies.  I find it just short of a miracle how life-long friendships are so deep and meaningful.  It is wonderful in that you can have friends walking by your side sharing the joys and sorrows in every age...

 These are my parents.  They came for a visit between two winter trips.  This picture makes me smile.  Look at dad!  He doesn't like to smile so big on pictures.  I caught him at the right time.  Happiness!

This is very random.  But I'm missing homemade frozen sweet corn.  Last year we had a drought here.  That compounded with a very busy August and I didn't get any corn frozen.  We are out of it for the first time in our married lives.  Rats.

There is an elephant at this house.  No, we haven't fully turned into a zoo.  And no, there really isn't an elephant.  But son #1 has the memory of an elephant (is that really true or just a saying?).  I have lost many an argument lately over some little detail.  He recreates the place.  What we ate.  The direction of the wind.  You name it.  I hope he can use that in a productive way some day.  Besides just winning arguments with me...

We skied again Saturday.  This sweet girl joined the fun.

Well I best get moving and stop Musing on this Monday.  I heard the term "cyber loafing" this week.  I don't want that to be me!