the end.
Not really...but lately it looks that way, doesn't it?
I went to a Bridal Shower this weekend. In the past year, several of the kids at our church have gotten married off. Well, they aren't kids...but they WERE when we moved here and started attending this church.
So one of these use-to-be-a-kid is getting married in June. Her name is Jill, and I went to her Bridal Shower yesterday. It was very nice. She got a boatload of gifts. I found out from her mother that they put a bid in on a house last week. Jill refuses to get too excited about it just yet. She's a smart girl.
I'm not one of these bloggers who carries her camera everywhere she goes and snaps pictures and tells interesting tales about the people she meets or places she goes. Unlucky you.
No, I'm the kind of blogger who tells you that the table was decorated with a pale purple tablecloth and chocolate kisses wrapped in shiny purple and blue foil were sprinkled down the center. These kept us somewhat entertained (and hyped up on sugar and caffeine) while Jill opened a boatload of presents. Until 3-year-old Ben came running over to my table with a half-empty bottle of water and announced, "Fight wiff me!" No, folks, I'm the kind of blogger who tells you that I snatched up my empty water bottle and had a sword fight with a 3-yr-old.
He won.
Ahem.
Moving along. Is this a good time to mention that I won one of the Bridal Shower games? My prize was a bottle of Avon shower gel and a scrubbie. To which I announced that it was the PERFECT day for such a gift and since it was pouring down the rain I was going outside to try it out.
I just can't understand why nobody wants to sit beside me at these things.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Life is full of disappointments...and other lessons a mother must dish out.
Last week I realized that Easter was nearly upon us and I hadn't done any shopping for said event.
Uh-oh.
So off to the store we went, me and my brood (sans daughter, who was working). I carted the boys down the candy aisle of the nearest mart store and made them pick out candy. It was torture, just ask them. {snicker} I think it was the biggest haul they've ever made.
While they were busy planning a massive sugar overload, I asked them what *else* they wanted in their baskets. Normally they get a little bit of candy and one or more non-candy items--some, if not all, will point to the reason for this celebration. We don't emphasize the basket in our house, but use it as a bit of fun.
Anyway, this is where I back up and mention that I really *had* thought about Easter weeks before the event. I *had* asked the kids what they wanted back then and only one of them came up with an answer. The 17-year-old wanted a laser pen. Like the red pointing lasers...only this one was violet.
So when I asked them at the store what I could got them for their baskets, he bulked. He had already told me what he wanted and it wasn't at the mart store. So he pouted instead of telling me what *else* I could buy.
Then, just 3 days before the event he came to me with ideas. Mind you, we live in a small town. Shopping choices are the grocery store, the gas station and a dollar store. So when he said he wanted a new flashlight--a **GOOD** one--I asked, "can I get that at the dollar store?" No, I could not--and it wasn't looking like we were going out of town before Easter. Poor child.
So on Easter morning as he dug through his basket he found.....a violet laser pen. It was at this moment that I pointed out to him that life is full of disappointments--but today wasn't one of them.
Ahhh, life is good. Thank you, Jesus.
Uh-oh.
So off to the store we went, me and my brood (sans daughter, who was working). I carted the boys down the candy aisle of the nearest mart store and made them pick out candy. It was torture, just ask them. {snicker} I think it was the biggest haul they've ever made.
While they were busy planning a massive sugar overload, I asked them what *else* they wanted in their baskets. Normally they get a little bit of candy and one or more non-candy items--some, if not all, will point to the reason for this celebration. We don't emphasize the basket in our house, but use it as a bit of fun.
Anyway, this is where I back up and mention that I really *had* thought about Easter weeks before the event. I *had* asked the kids what they wanted back then and only one of them came up with an answer. The 17-year-old wanted a laser pen. Like the red pointing lasers...only this one was violet.
So when I asked them at the store what I could got them for their baskets, he bulked. He had already told me what he wanted and it wasn't at the mart store. So he pouted instead of telling me what *else* I could buy.
Then, just 3 days before the event he came to me with ideas. Mind you, we live in a small town. Shopping choices are the grocery store, the gas station and a dollar store. So when he said he wanted a new flashlight--a **GOOD** one--I asked, "can I get that at the dollar store?" No, I could not--and it wasn't looking like we were going out of town before Easter. Poor child.
So on Easter morning as he dug through his basket he found.....a violet laser pen. It was at this moment that I pointed out to him that life is full of disappointments--but today wasn't one of them.
Ahhh, life is good. Thank you, Jesus.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The FINAL chapter of 15 Random Things You Never Needed to Know About Me
....because it's Saturday and tomorrow is Easter and I have a MOUNTAIN of work to do--so naturally I think it's time to work on the blog. Got it?
31. Sprite or 7-UP?
Whichever is in the house when I'm sick. Did your mom do that? --give you 7Up when you had an upset tummy? Do people drink it any other time?
32. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school/work?
Nope...I've never had that formal of a job or education. Dh has always had to wear a uniform, though. We're night and day, my man and I.
33. Last thing you bought at Walgreens?
We don't have a Walgreens in the area, so I only visit one when I'm on vacation. It's been a year, but I think I bought folders the last time I was there. Not just any folders, mind you...these had gross versions of food wrappers on them....reminding of the garbage pail kids cards I used to collect when I was a kid.
34. Ever thrown up in public?
I have NO idea why this question is here. Let's ignore it and move on, k?
35. Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love?
All the money in the world won't get you through the tough times--gimme my true love.
36. Do you believe in love at first sight?
That's a toughy. I believe in lust at first sight. Love is something that grows and develops with care if you work on it.
37. Spongebob or Jimmy Neutron?
Who?
38. Did you have long hair as a young kid?
Sometimes....until I wouldn't brush it and it would get all tangled and mom would take me to the hairdresser and have it all cut off. It always grew back. Fast.
39. What message is on your voicemail machine?
"HI, thanks for calling the McL's. We're not answering the phone right now, so leave a message." BEEEEP
I'm. so. creative.
When my oldest son was 3 I changed it to, "I can't come to the phone because I'm cleaning up yet another mess, so leave a message and I'll call you back if I can." It was a very frustrating time for me. He's 17 now and cleans up after himself most days.
40. Where would you like to go right now?
ha-ha-ha...you've got to be kidding. I *need* to go to the kitchen and start working on Easter dinner. But instead I'm doing exactly what I want to do...so I'm content and I'm not dreaming of Hawaii or some other far-away place. Not that I'd turn down a free trip to Hawaii, mind you.
41. What's the name of your pet?
Mimi. She's a retired racing Greyhound and was named when we got her. Her race name was "Come By Me", but they never call them by their race name so that they won't become distracted by people shouting their names during a race.
42. What kind of back pack do you have, and what's in it?
I have a clearance backpack that I purchased new...oh...3 years ago for a couple of bucks. It's light green and silver and black. It still looks new. There is nothing in it right now. It's my vacation backpack. I'm obviously not on vacation. ...in Hawaii or anywhere else. Not that I'm bitter.... Moving on:
43. What kind of tennis shoes do you have?
I just bought my first pair of Easy Spirit shoes. I have a narrow heal, so it's hard to find shoes that I don't walk right out of. I'm also hard on shoes and they don't last long. So far so good.
44. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Hmmmm....probably my daughter. Before that it was my Mom to tell her we'd be visiting her and dad today. Another reason that I really shouldn't be working on my blog instead of working on tomorrow's dinner.
45. Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny?
Bugs Bunny. I can't stand that shrill voice of the mouse. And in all the years that we've been to Florida visiting my snowbird parents, we've never taken our children to see the Mouse in it's Florida habitat. Even though we were 30 minutes away from Disney. Shamu, on the other hand, we visited. That's just how we roll.
Have a blessed Easter, dear friends and family. I love you all. Please remember our Savior each and every day...not just when reindeer and bunnies are in the stores. HE's alive. HE has risen.
31. Sprite or 7-UP?
Whichever is in the house when I'm sick. Did your mom do that? --give you 7Up when you had an upset tummy? Do people drink it any other time?
32. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school/work?
Nope...I've never had that formal of a job or education. Dh has always had to wear a uniform, though. We're night and day, my man and I.
33. Last thing you bought at Walgreens?
We don't have a Walgreens in the area, so I only visit one when I'm on vacation. It's been a year, but I think I bought folders the last time I was there. Not just any folders, mind you...these had gross versions of food wrappers on them....reminding of the garbage pail kids cards I used to collect when I was a kid.
34. Ever thrown up in public?
I have NO idea why this question is here. Let's ignore it and move on, k?
35. Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love?
All the money in the world won't get you through the tough times--gimme my true love.
36. Do you believe in love at first sight?
That's a toughy. I believe in lust at first sight. Love is something that grows and develops with care if you work on it.
37. Spongebob or Jimmy Neutron?
Who?
38. Did you have long hair as a young kid?
Sometimes....until I wouldn't brush it and it would get all tangled and mom would take me to the hairdresser and have it all cut off. It always grew back. Fast.
39. What message is on your voicemail machine?
"HI, thanks for calling the McL's. We're not answering the phone right now, so leave a message." BEEEEP
I'm. so. creative.
When my oldest son was 3 I changed it to, "I can't come to the phone because I'm cleaning up yet another mess, so leave a message and I'll call you back if I can." It was a very frustrating time for me. He's 17 now and cleans up after himself most days.
40. Where would you like to go right now?
ha-ha-ha...you've got to be kidding. I *need* to go to the kitchen and start working on Easter dinner. But instead I'm doing exactly what I want to do...so I'm content and I'm not dreaming of Hawaii or some other far-away place. Not that I'd turn down a free trip to Hawaii, mind you.
41. What's the name of your pet?
Mimi. She's a retired racing Greyhound and was named when we got her. Her race name was "Come By Me", but they never call them by their race name so that they won't become distracted by people shouting their names during a race.
42. What kind of back pack do you have, and what's in it?
I have a clearance backpack that I purchased new...oh...3 years ago for a couple of bucks. It's light green and silver and black. It still looks new. There is nothing in it right now. It's my vacation backpack. I'm obviously not on vacation. ...in Hawaii or anywhere else. Not that I'm bitter.... Moving on:
43. What kind of tennis shoes do you have?
I just bought my first pair of Easy Spirit shoes. I have a narrow heal, so it's hard to find shoes that I don't walk right out of. I'm also hard on shoes and they don't last long. So far so good.
44. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Hmmmm....probably my daughter. Before that it was my Mom to tell her we'd be visiting her and dad today. Another reason that I really shouldn't be working on my blog instead of working on tomorrow's dinner.
45. Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny?
Bugs Bunny. I can't stand that shrill voice of the mouse. And in all the years that we've been to Florida visiting my snowbird parents, we've never taken our children to see the Mouse in it's Florida habitat. Even though we were 30 minutes away from Disney. Shamu, on the other hand, we visited. That's just how we roll.
Have a blessed Easter, dear friends and family. I love you all. Please remember our Savior each and every day...not just when reindeer and bunnies are in the stores. HE's alive. HE has risen.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
It's time again for 15 Random Things You Never Needed to Know About Me
As noted before I copied this list....so since I only did 15 the first time, I won't bother explaining why the numbers start at 16. Prepare yourself, there are 45 of these mindless questions altogether. :-)
16. Do you know all of the words to the national anthem? You betcha. Don't put me on the spot and ask me to sing it, though--I'll freeze. Just wait...I'll randomly burst out in song some day. Let's just hope its a song you want to hear and you can at least recognize the tune. :-)
17. Do you shower in the morning or at night? {sob} We don't have a shower. I take a bath in the mornings, though.
18. What is your favorite pizza topping? Lately it's been plain cheese. But when I make my own I load it up with veggies. Mmmm
19. Chips or popcorn? I love my popcorn! Real butter, please. Salty buttery popcorn.
20. What cell phone provider do you use? Verizon...it's the only one that knows where Mudville is.
21. Have you ever smoked peanut shells? ...Seriously? Do people do this? Not me.
22. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? No, I'm not a girly girl.
23. Orange juice or apple juice? Orange...or better yet...Orange Pineapple Banana. Mmmmm
24. Who were the last people you sat at lunch with? My husband and youngest son. We made toasted subs.
25. Favorite chocolate bar? I've stopped eating chocolate. From experience (because I occasionally stop eating chocolate, then fall off the wagon so-to-speak) I know that what used to be my favorite chocolate no longer tastes good. Sorry, it's true--your taste buds stop liking it. But when I was eating chocolate, any *REAL* chocolate was good (and if it had nuts or coconut, even better). Can't stand the chocolate *flavored* stuff. Ew.
26. Who is your oldest friend and how long have you known each other? My oldest friend is Cindy. We've known each other for over 40 years.
27. When was the last time you ate a homegrown tomato? Last summer. It will be late July/early August before we'll have homegrown tomatoes again. I just said this weekend how I missed **REAL** tomatoes. Hothouse tomatoes are pretty, but tasteless. Nobody sells acid-y tomatoes any more! That's what make 'em good! When your mouth gets sore from eating too many, you know you've got a good crop. Mmmmm
28. Have you ever won a trophy? Yeah, in High School I won several awards for Office Education competitions and classes. Sad, huh?
29. Favorite arcade game? Asteroids!
30. Ever ordered from an infomercial? Can't say as I've ever been sucked into THAT black hole.
There you have it. Maybe I'll get the last 15 finished this week. ttfn
16. Do you know all of the words to the national anthem? You betcha. Don't put me on the spot and ask me to sing it, though--I'll freeze. Just wait...I'll randomly burst out in song some day. Let's just hope its a song you want to hear and you can at least recognize the tune. :-)
17. Do you shower in the morning or at night? {sob} We don't have a shower. I take a bath in the mornings, though.
18. What is your favorite pizza topping? Lately it's been plain cheese. But when I make my own I load it up with veggies. Mmmm
19. Chips or popcorn? I love my popcorn! Real butter, please. Salty buttery popcorn.
20. What cell phone provider do you use? Verizon...it's the only one that knows where Mudville is.
21. Have you ever smoked peanut shells? ...Seriously? Do people do this? Not me.
22. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? No, I'm not a girly girl.
23. Orange juice or apple juice? Orange...or better yet...Orange Pineapple Banana. Mmmmm
24. Who were the last people you sat at lunch with? My husband and youngest son. We made toasted subs.
25. Favorite chocolate bar? I've stopped eating chocolate. From experience (because I occasionally stop eating chocolate, then fall off the wagon so-to-speak) I know that what used to be my favorite chocolate no longer tastes good. Sorry, it's true--your taste buds stop liking it. But when I was eating chocolate, any *REAL* chocolate was good (and if it had nuts or coconut, even better). Can't stand the chocolate *flavored* stuff. Ew.
26. Who is your oldest friend and how long have you known each other? My oldest friend is Cindy. We've known each other for over 40 years.
27. When was the last time you ate a homegrown tomato? Last summer. It will be late July/early August before we'll have homegrown tomatoes again. I just said this weekend how I missed **REAL** tomatoes. Hothouse tomatoes are pretty, but tasteless. Nobody sells acid-y tomatoes any more! That's what make 'em good! When your mouth gets sore from eating too many, you know you've got a good crop. Mmmmm
28. Have you ever won a trophy? Yeah, in High School I won several awards for Office Education competitions and classes. Sad, huh?
29. Favorite arcade game? Asteroids!
30. Ever ordered from an infomercial? Can't say as I've ever been sucked into THAT black hole.
There you have it. Maybe I'll get the last 15 finished this week. ttfn
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Random Thoughts
....cuz that's how my mind has treated me lately.
- I used to love blogging...but lately I can't seem to find my voice.
- I'm not usually at a loss for words.
- I am, however, shy.
- I love Jesus.
- I'm still learning how to express number 4.
- I may complain, but it just shows that I'm not perfect. Don't judge me.
- Speaking of complaining, I'm very frustrated with the local school system right now concerning required testing.
- I might lose my cool over number 4. Which will only make me look bad, so even though I want to contact the Principal, I shouldn't.
- This afternoon my son will take the driving test to get his license.
- He's a very good driver and will pass unless he gets too nervous.
- Tomorrow I will be very frustrated with the insurance company when I inform them we have a male teenage driver in the house and they tell me how much my insurance will go up.
- Prepare to see fireworks Friday. See number 8.
- I soooooo need a vacation.
- I will get not one, but TWO vacations this year.
- I made the reservations at two campgrounds earlier this week, so now we *have* to go on vacations.
- hehehe
- Spring is not my favorite season. I've nicknamed my location as Mudville for a reason.
- The mud is worse this year. There is some sort of water leak coming from the house up the hill from us.
- More frustration...because nobody seems to own said house. I don't have the time or energy to fight this battle.
- With all these minor things, I do realize there is a bigger picture. God is in control. His timing is perfect. His ways are perfect.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
15 Random Things You Never Needed to Know About Me
Here's a partial list that I saw on Amber's blog. I so stole it from ya, girly! She did 45 random things. I will do the other 30 another time. If I don't forget. I'm doing a lot of forgetting lately.
1. What is your name spelled backwards? M-A-P Pretty clever, eh?
2. What did you do last night? Lounged around all evening...being lazy. Daughter and I watched "Sleepless in Seattle". :-)
3. What was the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? Music
4. Have you ever licked a 9 volt battery? WHY would I do THAT!?!?!? No.
5. When was the last time you swam in a pool? The last time we were in Florida. What...three years ago? There are no pools at the campgrounds we vacation at--only lakes.
6. What are you wearing? Comfy clothes--a big blue long-sleeve t-shirt and blue lounge pants. Oddly enough, blue is one of my least favorite colors.
7. How many cars have you owned? Ummm...5..maybe 6. I can't remember.
8. What is the type of music you dislike most? Anything with disrespectful/rude lyrics.
9. Are you registered to vote? You betcha!
10. Do you have cable? Nope. Good thing, too--looks like they've made the news over this Awards ceremony. Watch out--cable price will be on the rise.
11. What kind of computer do you use? A plain black Asus.
12. Have you ever made a prank phone call? Who, me? And tarnish my halo? 0:-) (DON'T SAY A WORD, CINDY!)
13. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? Neither. I'm afraid of heights!
14. What is the furthest place you ever traveled? Hawaii. Mom and Dad dragged me there when I was 15. I sooooo didn't want to go....and I sooooo didn't want to come home. Had a fab time. Thanks for the memories, Mom and Dad!!! Sorry I was such a teenage snot about the whole thing. Now that I have teenagers of my own, I see just how rude and self-centered they can be.
15. What's your favorite comic strip? Baby Blues
BTW, I had to turn the comments off. T.R.O.L.L.S. are among us.
1. What is your name spelled backwards? M-A-P Pretty clever, eh?
2. What did you do last night? Lounged around all evening...being lazy. Daughter and I watched "Sleepless in Seattle". :-)
3. What was the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? Music
4. Have you ever licked a 9 volt battery? WHY would I do THAT!?!?!? No.
5. When was the last time you swam in a pool? The last time we were in Florida. What...three years ago? There are no pools at the campgrounds we vacation at--only lakes.
6. What are you wearing? Comfy clothes--a big blue long-sleeve t-shirt and blue lounge pants. Oddly enough, blue is one of my least favorite colors.
7. How many cars have you owned? Ummm...5..maybe 6. I can't remember.
8. What is the type of music you dislike most? Anything with disrespectful/rude lyrics.
9. Are you registered to vote? You betcha!
10. Do you have cable? Nope. Good thing, too--looks like they've made the news over this Awards ceremony. Watch out--cable price will be on the rise.
11. What kind of computer do you use? A plain black Asus.
12. Have you ever made a prank phone call? Who, me? And tarnish my halo? 0:-) (DON'T SAY A WORD, CINDY!)
13. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? Neither. I'm afraid of heights!
14. What is the furthest place you ever traveled? Hawaii. Mom and Dad dragged me there when I was 15. I sooooo didn't want to go....and I sooooo didn't want to come home. Had a fab time. Thanks for the memories, Mom and Dad!!! Sorry I was such a teenage snot about the whole thing. Now that I have teenagers of my own, I see just how rude and self-centered they can be.
15. What's your favorite comic strip? Baby Blues
BTW, I had to turn the comments off. T.R.O.L.L.S. are among us.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
I have a confession to make.
I love to watch old musicals. There, I said it.
Some of my favorites (in no particular order) are:
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Kiss Me Kate
Sound of Music
Annie Get Your Gun
Calamity Jane
These are a few of the movies I could watch over and over again.
And then there are the ones I like to watch on occasion. Like:
Fiddler on the Roof
My Fair Lady
Grease
Mame
Royal Wedding
Holiday Inn
White Christmas
But then, we don't usually have time to watch movies, so all of them are watched on occasion. LOL
Who wants to come over for a movie night? I'll provide the popcorn. :-)
Some of my favorites (in no particular order) are:
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Kiss Me Kate
Sound of Music
Annie Get Your Gun
Calamity Jane
These are a few of the movies I could watch over and over again.
And then there are the ones I like to watch on occasion. Like:
Fiddler on the Roof
My Fair Lady
Grease
Mame
Royal Wedding
Holiday Inn
White Christmas
But then, we don't usually have time to watch movies, so all of them are watched on occasion. LOL
Who wants to come over for a movie night? I'll provide the popcorn. :-)
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