Dreaming What Ifs...

A Cleansing

My friends told me it would feel so good.  They said I would feel lightened, refreshed, and even cleansed.

YES!  YES!  YES!

As I watched the young girl load up the baby swing, infant car carrier, and bouncy seat I suddenly felt this wave of excitement wash over me.  I pocketed the $25 and squealed to the Caboose.

"We are done.  We are cleaning out the newborn baby stuff.  WooHoo".

I feel lightened.
I feel refreshed.

I feel cleansed.

Interviewed

Yes, this is going around the Blogosphere, again - so I thought this time around I'd participate.

The wonderful, Ms. Caroline interviewed the other day.  Here are my responses.

1.  If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
 
I've traveled around and think the US is an absolutely lovely place.  The diversity and beauty from State to State amazes me.  Although I think there are great places to visit, I'm quite content living here in the Pacific Northwest.  Why?  Well, mostly it's all about the weather.  Sure, it rains a lot in the winter but for the most part, it is never too hot nor too cold.  And when it does get hot or cold, it doesn't last long.  I can hang outside in the middle of summer and not overheat.  I can play outside in the winter and not get frostbit.  Plus, here in Western Oregon the mosquitoes are few, not a poisonous snake to be heard from, and the word "drought" is rarely used.   

 

2.  Is there a part on your body that you would change if you could?

Yes, of course!  FIrst, my butt - littler please.  Then my stomach - flatter please.  My feet - smaller and shorter toes.  And finally my scaly elbows.  Oh - I'd want longer fingers so I could play the piano better (but, of course, that means I'd actually need to practice). 

3.  Is there any part of your life you would change?

Speak of the devil - I'm working on that - trying to exercise more (which has been difficult for some reason to get my butt out the door) and lose the weight.   Also - I haven't spoken to my other sister for 2 months due to a misunderstanding.  (all very stupid)  Actually,  she isn't talking to me - but I haven't done anything to try and resolve the situation.  I wasn't going to blog about that - but there you have it.

 

4.  If you went to work, what kind of job would you be interested in?

At one time I did work - I was a Research/Scientist in the Pulp&Paper Industry.  For more on that topic - Read HERE.

Ultimately, I'd love to become a full-time writer.  I have two books written and about 5 more inside my head waiting to be told.  The written books need major editing and re-structuring before I try and get them "out there".  If I could supplement our family income as a writer, I'd be one happy lady.  I just need to get off my butt (much like exercising!) 

5.  Do you believe in Aliens?

Yes, I do.  This universe is a pretty big place - so big our minds can't even wrap around the idea of its hugeness.  To think we are the only life is pretty arrogant.  And as for those religious beliefs that think we are - who is to say God didn't make other life on other worlds.

I don't necessarily think we'll ever meet any Aliens - Even with advanced technology, the distance in space is infinite.  Thousands of light years is a lot of distance to cover in a lifetime.  I recently read a great quote about the stars.  I can't remember the quote exactly but in essence:  Watching the stars is witnessing history from a million years ago.  Imagine that - the light from some of those stars is from a million years ago.  Incredible and mind boggling.

Thanks Caroline for some great questions.

Anyone wishing to participate must follow the directions below.

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
   

Maybe a little too nice of a kid.....

Jammin' received his first ever Pinewood Derby car today.  He brought the box home and couldn't wait to open and get started.

Buttercup had to know exactly what it was all about.

Me: Well, the boys will build a cool car and then race them to see whose goes fastest.

Buttercup:  What do they get if they win?

Me:  Well, maybe a ribbon and of course Bragging Rights.

Jammin':  If I win, I won't brag about it.  That is not nice to do.  It hurts peoples feelings.

Yes, it does......(Please don't tell the kids about the time I won my fantasy football league okay?  Does "in your face" count as bragging?)

The Curious Case of a Contented Caboose

On Wednesday, the Caboose turns 8 months old.  The time has just flown by so quickly.  I've been watching this child with great interest, wondering when he will crawl.  I can't help myself but I compare his growth with the other kids.  I look in their baby books.  Jammin' was "GI Joe"ing at 7 months and full-on crawling by 8 months.  Buttercup was pushing herself around backwards by this time. 

It's not that I am expecting the Caboose to follow in their footsteps and be an early crawler/walker, but there is a part of me that worries.  It's not that he isn't crawling - it is that he isnt' doing ANYTHING.  He is content to sit.

The Caboose won't even roll over.  He HATES being on his tummy.  He hates it with a passion.  He sits just fine.  He'll sit for hours and play with his toys.  He has figured out just how far he can reach before he topples forwards.  And, he won't reach that far anymore.  If he sees a toy he wants and it is beyond his grasp, he screams until someone gives in.

Yes - SCREAMS until someone gives in.  Screams and screams and screams.    If he falls onto his stomach he screams and screams and screams until someone helps him.  He knows how to roll over.  He's done it before.  He just won't.

Here is the proof:

A pretty content Caboose playing with his toys:

He reaches for the toy that is just slightly out of grasp:

And Down he goes:

Mom, help me:

Mom, I said HELP ME NOW!!!!!:

Won't SOMEONE please help me?:

Of course, there is always someone to help the Caboose.  He never need figure out anything for himself.

Today it is Big Sister to the rescue!

Yeah, Buttercup.  You saved me from tummy time.

Ha Ha, Mom - why should I crawl or roll over when I have siblings to help me?  I'll never need to do anything for myself ever again.

PHOTO TAG - 6th of 6th

I've been tagged by Rach - I normally don't participate in these anymore but I thought this one sounded fun because it would give me a chance to showcase a Photo that I haven't shown before.

THE RULES

1.Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.

2.Go to the 6th Folder, then pick the 6th picture in that folder.

3.Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.

4.Tag 6 other peoples that you know or don’t know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.

Here is the 6th picture from my 6th folder:



I took this picture of Buttercup in October 2007. Her preschool class had taken a field trip to the local Pumpkin farm and there was a huge hay pile for playing.

Then, in November 07, I enrolled in an on-line Photoshop class and this was one of the pictures I had used for practicing techniques. 

I don't remember exactly what I was trying to accomplish - masking maybe?  This was just one of the saved pictures in my "Class File".






















Here is the picture BEFORE and AFTER my Photoshop class:

 

AND NOW - TAGGING:

Pamela - The Dust Will Wait (because I've seen her computer files and KNOW she has tons of pictures)

Kila -  Mom to 3 Cubs (because her boys give her plenty of opportunities for candid shots)

Sabrina -  Just Flossing the teeth (because I'm SURE she has more pictures of that cutie patootie to share)

Jana - Later, I'm Blogging (because she just got back from China and has TONS more pictures to post)

Claudia - La Vida Claudia (because I'm sure she has a lot of class projects stored in that computer of hers just waiting to see blog daylight)

Beckie - Hineykapoople (because I'm trying to give her a reason to blog).

Get Thyself To Macy's PRONTO

This is NOT a joke -

Due to a class action lawsuit - several large department stores are giving away free make-up/perfume/lotions from companies such as Estee Lauder, Chanel, and Lancome.

Please read all about it HERE

I went to Gottschalks and picked up some Lancome Mascara.  WOOHOO! 
Of course, you had to have purchased some product b/n 1993 and 2004 (you don't need proof of purchase)....and you have to sign a statement saying you won't pick up another free one from another store AND that you don't work for one of the companies. 

This is only going this week and while supplies last......so hurry!

Pop-Tarts Save The Day

I slowly opened my eyes to the light entering the bedroom.  My mind tried to adjust to why there was sunshine when my alarm usually beeps with darkness.

I gradually rolled over and looked at the clock. 

7:25am:  "KIDS!"  I screamed as I jumped from the bed, "WE SLEPT IN.  GET UP!  GET UP!  GET DRESSED!  WE HAVE FIFTEEN MINUTES!"

Yes, I had slept right through the alarm clock.  Dave murmured from under the covers, "I heard it going off."  Then WHY hadn't he told me?  hmph.  The carpool mom said she needed to pick up kids at 7:45 sharp.  This is a new driving schedule; we recently lost one of the drivers to the economy.  I usually took my own this morning.  A good thing it changed otherwise I'd have had to leave the house in my pajamas.

7:27am:  The Caboose screamed for attention and I handed him off to Dave.  On the way to the kitchen, I yelled at Jammin' to put a "fire under his butt".  Although he is usually an early riser, this morning he slept with the rest of us.  As I passed Buttercup's room to yell the same thing, she was already dressed and finding her shoes.  She thrives under pressure.

7:28am: I met the kids in the kitchen and handed them breakfast;  Pop-tarts - a breakfast the kids plead for every morning.  Usually I deny them such sugary crap but there was no time for anything else.  I poured two glasses of juice to help wash it down.

7:30am:  Peanut butter and jelly make for an easy lunch.  Jammin' loves apples.  Nothing fancy today.  He could buy milk at school.  Then I pushed him back to his bedroom to find shoes.  "You can eat your Pop-tart at the same time.  GO GO GO!"

7:32am:  I ran a brush through Buttercup's hair and dragged Jammin' to the sink.  His hair was standing every which way, so I wet it down.  He hates this and cried for me to stop.  He didn't shower this morning and I crossed my fingers he wansn't too stinky. 

7:34am:  I grabbed coats and backpacks and set them in the entry way.  "Finish your juice and then brush your teeth."  I watched as my children drank ever so slowly.  Both seemed a bit dazed.

7:35am:  The doorbell rang.  "ACK!  Get your coats on."  WHAT?!?  Why is she early? 

She stood there, chipper and smiling.  "Did you get my e-mail?"

"I didn't check my e-mail at all yesterday."  In fact, last night, as I laid my head on the pillow I thought to myself, "I should check my e-mail.  Nah, I'll do it in the morning."

"Figures,"  She laughs, "The one day you don't check is the day that there is actually something important there.  I have to pick the kids up a little bit earlier this day because I'm the school's morning monitor."

7:37am:  I laid back down in the bed, sighing with relief.  "I can't believe you got the kids ready in ten minutes."  Dave said.  Neither can I. 

Fun Monday - A View Inside

It has been a while since I've participated in a Fun Monday - but since today is the Anniversary of the very FIRST Fun Monday (here is the link to my post back then - A GRAND IDEA)  I had to participate.  Especially since the lovely Julie is hosting.  She asked for a "turnaround" view to honor that day.

Well - here is the view standing outside the door and looking in.  I know it is weird - but I have TWO front doors.  Apparently, some past homeowner didn't like the first front door and wanted to have a little entry way.  They built a small "room" off the front door and created a new entry point.  Of course, they left the original door (which is a good thing because the main front door is a drafty metal beast.  Oh - and the color of my house is gray.  The door is just that bluish-green.

And now that I look at the picture - the bubble glass sure dates the house.  Looks positively late 60ish.  (shudder)

Let's take a closer look, shall we?

 

Hmmm....now the real entry way can be seen - and from this picture there appears to be ANOTHER door?  not really - that is some crazy archway that leads to the rest of the house.  The Living room to the left (which will not be pictured due to a whole case of K'nex scattered across the room) is an open room with a high cathedral ceiling.  (not that grandiose, really).

Let's take ONE step closer......

That is the archway that leads to my green hallway and the rest of the house.  Turn left for bedrooms and right for kitchen, family room, and sunroom.  OH - and that white door?  Just a boring old coat closet. 

And for the sake of "keeping it real", I left everything as it was - didn't bother to pick up anything.  Thus, the two air filters sitting there on that basket thingy (which holds picture albums).

Updates

Thank you for all the prayers and positive vibes for Vee's brother. She really appreciates it all. 

Her brother, David, received three skull fractures.  The doctors have determined that there were no actual projectiles within the brain cavity, which is great news.  However, he is in critical condition - but stable.  (critical stable - if that really exists).  They are keeping him under sedation so are unable to determine if there is any brain damage.  Until the swelling fades, he won't be let out of his drug-induced coma.  For now, they are just trying to stay positive.

His mother and wife left for Germany yesterday.  His two-month old daughter was left behind to stay with the other grandmother.  I can't imagine how heart wrenching this was for his wife.  Continued prayers for the entire family are always helpful.

THANK YOU ALL!

(oh - and I've lost 10 lbs.  yippee....now only a million more to go)

Altered Books - Post #2

Last week, I received my first book in the Altered Book Round Robin, from RDH Mom. 

This is the cover of her book. 

She used an old Kraft Cheese cookbook from circa 1950's.  I couldn't help myself and so I flipped through looking at some of the recipes.  For a few, I was reminded of Dirty Uncle Mark's Recipe Sunday.

I was quite delighted when I came across a recipe for Welsh Rabbit.  I was all excited for I've heard of this dish several times but didn't really know the ingredients.

Boy, did I feel quite foolish and naive when I discovered that Welsh Rabbit doesn't even have a bunny in the ingredient list.  It's just a melted cheese sauce.  sheesh.  For 38 years I have been thinking Welsh Rabbit was some cool Hare dish that originated in the Welsh area of Britain.  (feeling stupid now...change the subject)

I altered two pages of Alison's book.  I've been debating whether or not to post them here - I want them to be a surprise for her when she receives the book -  So, I've decided that at the end of this whole Altered Book adventure, I will post the results of my book and then post the work that I completed for everyone else.