As I was yelling at my kids to sit down and do their nightly reading, my nine year old shot back "when's the last time YOU sat down to read?"...Hmmmmm good question! I enjoy reading, why had I not done it lately?
It just so happened that I was flipping channels before my kids got home from school the next day and caught a glimps of Oprah. Though no longer a fan of hers, I was intrigued by the guest she had on. This woman had run for President in Columbia and was abducted and taken hostage by a militant guerrilla organization for over six years. All I caught of the show was that this woman had written a book and a brief description of some of what she had endured. I was determined to find this book!
Mind you, books are like movies to me. I like something light and easy that has a happy ending. Nothing you have to put much thought into. In other words, pure entertainment. Looking for and actually reading this book I assumed would be a huge feat for me. I found the book, Even Silence Has An End, two days ago and I CANNOT put this book down. This womans courage, determination, spiritual and emotional journey makes you question every facet of life that we take for granted. Hot water, food, clean clothes, CLOTHES, indoor plumbing, going for a walk or a run when you want to, hugging and talking to your children and family. I always say we should never take anything for granted, but the reality is that we all do. If you want to be thankful and have an excellent reminder of how great and fortunate life really is, I recommend you read this book. I'm sure there are plenty of books out there that involve such heart wrenching valor, but when you read something from a woman's stand point, and a mother, it tends to affect you in ways you cannot imagine.
By the way, my nine year old is mad at me now, because I can't put the book down. Oh the irony!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Weather
Oh the weather. There are two jobs I wish I had looked into when I went to college. Weather forecasting or the funeral business. Both are sure bets in my book.
Take the funeral business for example. People are always going to die. Sad, but true. You will always have a job. Weather forecasting? What other job can you have where you can be continually wrong and STILL have a job?? It's truly incredible to me! I realize of course that Mother Nature has every right to change her mind without ANY warning. However, those weather people can watch that Doppler machine all they want, comment all they want, GUESS all they want, and still be completely wrong. My mother yesterday was so sure the wind was going to rip my porch furniture off my back deck, that she raced over to help me get it inside. My house blocked the direction of the wind and nothing was moving on my deck.
If I had the money, I'd absolutely go back to school and get into one of these professions. I am shaking my head and kicking myself every time I run past the local funeral home and every time I turn on the news. Thank goodness I have five kids! I'm adding these two to the list of professions they are ALLOWED to chose from when they go to school.
Take the funeral business for example. People are always going to die. Sad, but true. You will always have a job. Weather forecasting? What other job can you have where you can be continually wrong and STILL have a job?? It's truly incredible to me! I realize of course that Mother Nature has every right to change her mind without ANY warning. However, those weather people can watch that Doppler machine all they want, comment all they want, GUESS all they want, and still be completely wrong. My mother yesterday was so sure the wind was going to rip my porch furniture off my back deck, that she raced over to help me get it inside. My house blocked the direction of the wind and nothing was moving on my deck.
If I had the money, I'd absolutely go back to school and get into one of these professions. I am shaking my head and kicking myself every time I run past the local funeral home and every time I turn on the news. Thank goodness I have five kids! I'm adding these two to the list of professions they are ALLOWED to chose from when they go to school.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Forgetfulness
I suffer from CRS, aka... Can't Remember S#*t. It's horrible. If someone didn't call me mom or Julie at least five times a day, I honestly believe I would have no idea who I was.
Not only is it getting worse as I age, but I also found it to get progressively worse with each child I had. I cannot tell you how many times I have walked into a room only to completely forget why I'm there. Back I go to the spot I was at when I had my genius idea to get something, remember what it is and troop back to get the item. If I'm lucky I will remember the second time. Some days I've gone up and down the stairs two or three times and have NO CLUE what I'm doing. Those days I relish the exercise.
I have been known to put frozen waffles in the pantry cupboard, milk in with the dog food, ketchup up with the cereal, and butter in the craft drawer. This morning I emptied the dishwasher and tried to put the coffee mugs in the refrigerator. TWICE! Ah life's little mysteries! Ya never know what you'll find at my house!
Not only is it getting worse as I age, but I also found it to get progressively worse with each child I had. I cannot tell you how many times I have walked into a room only to completely forget why I'm there. Back I go to the spot I was at when I had my genius idea to get something, remember what it is and troop back to get the item. If I'm lucky I will remember the second time. Some days I've gone up and down the stairs two or three times and have NO CLUE what I'm doing. Those days I relish the exercise.
I have been known to put frozen waffles in the pantry cupboard, milk in with the dog food, ketchup up with the cereal, and butter in the craft drawer. This morning I emptied the dishwasher and tried to put the coffee mugs in the refrigerator. TWICE! Ah life's little mysteries! Ya never know what you'll find at my house!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Halloween Candy
I have a love hate relationship with Halloween candy. I love it because it's candy! I hate it because you have to buy it early and it just sits in the house teasing everyone. Inevitably someone always caves and cracks it open.
The odd wrapper found around the house is always the tip off. It lasted a week this time. My favorite part of all? ABSOLUTELY NO ONE WILL COP TO IT! I had to threaten no trick or treating. Still no one caved. So how does a bag of bite sized Twix miraculously open and eat itself? The world will never know.
It's open now. I might as well go have a piece! And will someone please explain why after all these years there are still the same amount of calories in a bite sized piece, when the bites seem to be getting smaller year after year???? Another mystery never to be solved.
The odd wrapper found around the house is always the tip off. It lasted a week this time. My favorite part of all? ABSOLUTELY NO ONE WILL COP TO IT! I had to threaten no trick or treating. Still no one caved. So how does a bag of bite sized Twix miraculously open and eat itself? The world will never know.
It's open now. I might as well go have a piece! And will someone please explain why after all these years there are still the same amount of calories in a bite sized piece, when the bites seem to be getting smaller year after year???? Another mystery never to be solved.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Homework
I have five kids. There is not enough beer in the universe to get me through homework, showering and teeth brushing time.
Take my son for example. This is my prodigy child mind you. Will someone please explain to me why those that are so incredibly book smart are so incredibly dumb in almost every other facet of life??? UGH! I love my son, but if he can get ANYONE to do something for him, he will. His homework for example. "Mom what's nine minus six?". "I'm not telling you Kyle. Figure it out.", "Brendan what's nine minus six?" I hear a muffled "three" shoot up from an intense Mario Cart session. Honestly! The kid knows the answer, he's just too lazy to figure it out on his own. He's six reading at a middle school level. Yet will "trick" anyone into tying his shoes, getting his socks, getting a glass of water, making his bed, you name it, my son is a genius when it comes to delegating!
Hey! Wait a minute! How has he mastered that so young and I can't get a single one of them to do anything??? Maybe he's not so dumb after all??? Hmmmmm...
Take my son for example. This is my prodigy child mind you. Will someone please explain to me why those that are so incredibly book smart are so incredibly dumb in almost every other facet of life??? UGH! I love my son, but if he can get ANYONE to do something for him, he will. His homework for example. "Mom what's nine minus six?". "I'm not telling you Kyle. Figure it out.", "Brendan what's nine minus six?" I hear a muffled "three" shoot up from an intense Mario Cart session. Honestly! The kid knows the answer, he's just too lazy to figure it out on his own. He's six reading at a middle school level. Yet will "trick" anyone into tying his shoes, getting his socks, getting a glass of water, making his bed, you name it, my son is a genius when it comes to delegating!
Hey! Wait a minute! How has he mastered that so young and I can't get a single one of them to do anything??? Maybe he's not so dumb after all??? Hmmmmm...
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Rainbow Bridge
Having an animal ALWAYS seems like a good idea. That is until you bring them home, fed them, clean up after them, pay for ALL the vet meds, and worry who will watch them whenever you get a chance to leave your home.
I used to be a huge animal lover! Volunteered for the Humane Society, house sat for peoples dogs and cats, defended my animals when they did something they had no control over because they were "just an animal". Then I had kids. I'm pretty sure you know where this is going. My poor beloved animals fell by the wayside. They were more of a nuisance than a part of the family anymore. That's just sad and wrong in so many ways. All these animals want is love and attention and ALWAYS give twice as much in return. So here I was complaining and joking about how good it will be when they all go. Not so funny when that day comes.
My kids are all at school now, the dog is gone and I'm left with one stupid cat that I'd like to send to the Rainbow Bridge. Guess I'll go find him and see what our plans are for the day.
I used to be a huge animal lover! Volunteered for the Humane Society, house sat for peoples dogs and cats, defended my animals when they did something they had no control over because they were "just an animal". Then I had kids. I'm pretty sure you know where this is going. My poor beloved animals fell by the wayside. They were more of a nuisance than a part of the family anymore. That's just sad and wrong in so many ways. All these animals want is love and attention and ALWAYS give twice as much in return. So here I was complaining and joking about how good it will be when they all go. Not so funny when that day comes.
My kids are all at school now, the dog is gone and I'm left with one stupid cat that I'd like to send to the Rainbow Bridge. Guess I'll go find him and see what our plans are for the day.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Hostess Gift
I not much of a proper etiquette person. Not that I'm rude by any means. I guess I'm more of an "I don't get it" person. It rates right up there with tipping. I'm already paying you for the service you just gave me, why must I give you more money?? Makes zero sense to me.
My mother. I need not say more. Ugh! She always insists on bringing a "little something" to someones home whenever she's invited. If I hear the words hostess gift one more time from her I might actually drop over dead. This person has invited you to their home because they want to enjoy your company, not so that you can bring them a gift! It's not a holiday, it's not their birthday, it's not a special occasion, it's just friends getting together! If I had to bring a gift to my friends every time I went to see them, I'd be broke.
So guess what? I have become my mother! I'm off to the store to find a "little something" for our friends we're visiting this weekend. And no, I still don't get it.
My mother. I need not say more. Ugh! She always insists on bringing a "little something" to someones home whenever she's invited. If I hear the words hostess gift one more time from her I might actually drop over dead. This person has invited you to their home because they want to enjoy your company, not so that you can bring them a gift! It's not a holiday, it's not their birthday, it's not a special occasion, it's just friends getting together! If I had to bring a gift to my friends every time I went to see them, I'd be broke.
So guess what? I have become my mother! I'm off to the store to find a "little something" for our friends we're visiting this weekend. And no, I still don't get it.
Monday, October 4, 2010
A Clean Car
Notice how almost all of my posts have something to do with cleaning?? I'm starting to think I'm a bit of a clean freak. Or just a freak. One of the two.
My son says to me the other day, "when are you going to clean out this car?" I honestly laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. I say "seriously? how about when the five of you stop eating and drinking and dropping and spilling half of what you bring into the car?". He didn't like that response to well. Mind you I have a big truck to lug the six of us around. My spot and the way back where the groceries go is nice and clean. The rest I would not recommend touching without a hazmat suit.
Yes, I've cleaned it, sterilized it, vacuumed it and ripped apart and hosed ALL five car seats. Only to have the little gremlins get in and destroy it in less than one minute. It is the one thing I refuse to clean until the food and beverage cart stops running like a tsunami through my truck. And yes, I have said no food or drinks in the car...never lasts. Ah well, such is life on the go.
My son says to me the other day, "when are you going to clean out this car?" I honestly laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. I say "seriously? how about when the five of you stop eating and drinking and dropping and spilling half of what you bring into the car?". He didn't like that response to well. Mind you I have a big truck to lug the six of us around. My spot and the way back where the groceries go is nice and clean. The rest I would not recommend touching without a hazmat suit.
Yes, I've cleaned it, sterilized it, vacuumed it and ripped apart and hosed ALL five car seats. Only to have the little gremlins get in and destroy it in less than one minute. It is the one thing I refuse to clean until the food and beverage cart stops running like a tsunami through my truck. And yes, I have said no food or drinks in the car...never lasts. Ah well, such is life on the go.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Clean House
Am I the only one who feels that cleaning your home is a COMPLETE waste of time???
I love the smell of a clean house, clean sheets, see a clean floor, lines in the carpet from the vacuum, sit on a clean toilet seat, you name it, I just love that look and smell. So tell me why five children notice ABSOLUTLEY NONE of that?! UGH! They can walk in the door and in less than one minute destroy ALL my hard work. Makes me crazy! It's like I want to wrap them in a sterile white suit and tell them to just sit for five minutes and take it all in!
I have a neighbor who is an obsessive cleaner. My ex one time said "jeez, it's soooo clean in here." I said "Yes. But there is a difference between this house and ours. We live in our home. They exist in theirs". Yes you can eat off my floors! But only because there's a trail of crumbs from one end to the other. My kids are learning survival techniques and love our house because they feel comfortable enough to realize there is more to life than just lines in the carpet from a vacuum.
I love the smell of a clean house, clean sheets, see a clean floor, lines in the carpet from the vacuum, sit on a clean toilet seat, you name it, I just love that look and smell. So tell me why five children notice ABSOLUTLEY NONE of that?! UGH! They can walk in the door and in less than one minute destroy ALL my hard work. Makes me crazy! It's like I want to wrap them in a sterile white suit and tell them to just sit for five minutes and take it all in!
I have a neighbor who is an obsessive cleaner. My ex one time said "jeez, it's soooo clean in here." I said "Yes. But there is a difference between this house and ours. We live in our home. They exist in theirs". Yes you can eat off my floors! But only because there's a trail of crumbs from one end to the other. My kids are learning survival techniques and love our house because they feel comfortable enough to realize there is more to life than just lines in the carpet from a vacuum.
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