is this what they mean by the 'tween years?

I have already confessed to being a Guitar Hero family and we are sitting here at 9:55 am and it is 95 degrees outside so guess what we are doing? Yep, playing Guitar Hero. Not for much longer, we are about to go to the library. But while M was sitting there rocking out to Stevie Ray Vaughn's Pride and Joy she tells me we have to hurry up and get to the library so that she can get the Pooh Bear book she wants before someone else does. Is it just me or does that seem odd? Is this what they mean when they talk about the 'tween years? Trying to grow up, but still hanging on to being a little kid. I'm not ready for the grown up part - she is only starting 4th grade in a month. Well, she decided she is done so it is off to get some new books . . . apparently Pooh Bear books!

The Simple Life?

So my clothes dryer started making this really bad burning smell about two weeks ago and my house has become a virtual clothesline. There are clothes hanging in doorways and on the shower rod. It's kinda funny, reminds me of the old Honeymooners shows where they would have clothes hanging across a line strung through the dining room or something. I have spent several days disassembling the dern thing to figure out what is wrong. It is not the belt (it's not a rubbery kind of burning smell and the tub doesn't slip when it is turned on), it is not the lint (I've removed the hose and completely vacuumed out the line), so I thought for sure it would be the heating element as it only smells when it is on a cycle with heat. "Air fluff" still works fine (so I know it is not the motor) but it would take hours to dry a load on "air fluff"! Finally yesterday, I got the heating element out and I didn't see any signs of damage or a problem. UGH! I don't know if I should spend $80 take a chance on replacing the heating element and have it possible still smell, spend $200-300 on a repair guy, or bite the bullet and spend $450-550 a new dryer. None of the options are really in the budget right now.

Drying the clothes by hanging them hasn't been a big deal, but sheets and towels ... that's a different story! So yesterday I washed the sheets, packed up the kids, three root beers, and a pack of UNO cards and off we went to the local "Coin Laundry" to dry our sheets. I was ready for all kinds of complaining from the kids, but they didn't complain at all. Apparently, root beer and UNO can make any kind of waiting fun. It's the simple things that make life's bumps a little easier to take. My friends think I'm nuts for not just going out and financing a new dryer. I haven't convinced them that a dryer is actually a luxury that our lifestyles have turned into necessity. (I live in a very material world - but I try not to be a material girl!) We haven't financed anything in over 5 years and I have no intentions of starting now. So for now, I'll change my perspective and take pride in the fact that my personal carbon footprint just shrunk a little (at least for now) and try to focus on the fun stuff like UNO and root beer and living the simple life.

Is it really so wrong?

OK, I've lied to my kids. I know it is wrong, but it is also kinda funny. My kiddos always wonder how mom always knows what they are up to. So I have convinced them that I have eyes in the back of my head - literally. They have spent hours digging through my hair trying to find them, trying to figure out why daddy doesn't have them, and wondering if they will ever get them. They also like to test me to see if they are working. Funny thing is, they always choose to test them while I am fixing dinner. That is my trick. They are too short to realize that I see their reflection in the microwave door which is above the stove. They test me to see if I can tell which one has come up and smacked me on the backside or what kind of crazy dance they are doing. Everytime I tell them precisely what they are doing and who is doing it they try to make it more challenging. It is quite entertaining to me and certainly helps keep them in line.

So my question is: even though I know lying is wrong and they are learning by my example, is this one OK to keep?

We are a pop culture family

Probably much to the dismay and horror of some of my friends, we are a Guitar Hero family. Yes, my children can recite the lyrics to Rolling Stone and Foghat. And they are quite proud of their accomplishments. Today, C was playing (because it is too stinkin' hot to go outside) and was thrilled when he bumped M out of second place on "Juicebox Hero", actually it is Foreigner's old song "Jukebox Hero" but C is convinced it is juicebox. He has been singing it all day, now I keep hearing the song over and over in my own head and he has me singing it as juicebox hero too.

Speaking of singing, I don't think I mentioned that my sis-in-law is in San Fran right now auditioning for . . . American Idol. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, she can sing. She finished med school, works in an emergency room, is performing in The Sound of Music in August (I think it is August.) now she is trying out for American Idol.

What can I say, we are a pop culture family . . .

miracles and humility

Well M is finally well - I really didn't think illness struck in the middle of the summer. It is just not right. She actually thought it a miracle that her fever broke night before last and this morning she could breathe sufficiently through her nose. That is how she woke me up this morning. Standing at my bedside inhaling and exhaling repeatedly and rather loudly through her nose. She proclaimed herself officially well. This apparently was a miracle to her because we made plans to go to Hawaiian Falls water park today with some friends and after M had been running fever for a solid week and was congested beyond belief, we really thought we might have to cancel. Honestly the modest side of me that really prefers not to be in public in a swimsuit didn't mind the idea of possibly canceling. But miracles can happen - not that this really qualifies, though it was a good lesson about God's perfect timing. So I dismissed my fears and inhibitions about cellulite exposure threw caution to the wind and me and the kids had a blast. I am quite sure I was able to provide at least a little comic relief for some innocent bystander who witnessed me trying to get my butt - with my swimsuit wedged deeply between the cheeks - out of a two person inner tube after screaming my way down the water slide! I know it wasn't pretty, but everyone needs a dose of humility every now and again, right?

getting caught up...

Hi y'all!

I didn't disappear, I've just had my hands full. You know, just enough time to read other blogs, not enough time to type my own.

We had a great 4th of July weekend - even if the FC Dallas game ended in a tie. The fireworks show after was like a 30 minute grand finale. I don't know if it is possible to overdo a fireworks display, but they certainly tried. I don't mind, I just feel bad for all the future disappointment my kids will feel from here on out. It was crazy big to say the least. My man's birthday was good, kinda low key after the show on the 4th. The kids had a great time popping fireworks with their PaPa (father-in-law) who is really just an overgrown kid too. Not to mention seeing mommajen after so many years on Sunday, what a blessing! (Jennie, we can't wait that long ever again, deal? And Kathryn, if getting to Texas doesn't work for you, I promise I will get my family down there before too much longer!!!)

I have spent this week slimming down. Unfortunately, not myself but my stuff. Mom came over and helped host a "Clean House" episode on my garage and extra bedroom (you know, the room that catches all the useless junk that for some reason you throw in there instead of the garbage). There was no camera crew or professionals to help - unless you count the old guy at the dump that helped me unload my truck of all the superfulous stuff. It was like detoxing my house and my soul all at the same time. It feels so good to be rid of all the junk.

It must have been taxing on M though, she is sick with a fever, headache, drainage - the works. This really stinks and is only supposed to happen during the school year...at least I thought. Now if I can just keep the rest of us from getting it. It's late and I'm affraid this is rambling on now so, ... goodnight

Happy 4th . . . and other stuff

Happy 4th of July y'all! Hope everyone gets plenty of bar-b-que, watermelon, fireworks, and family time. Tomorrow is also my honey's turns 37, so we will be adding cake to our list of fun!

Well it has been a busy week here in Frisco. Between cooking up a storm with my girlfriends, playdates with M's "boyfriend" (yes, I know she is only 9, but she has a crush on this very cute, smart, sweet boy Jake who is also a good friend - keep up the good taste in boys Meg!), my sister coming into town - thus cleaning like a mad woman as this is the same sister with the really clean, organized house, swimming, working (I don't know if I've mentioned that I still work part time at James Avery?), and catching up on an entire season of a tv show I am ashamed to admit I have started watching. No, I am not fessing up as to which show right now either! To top off a busy week we are going to the FC Dallas (pro-soccer) game and Frisco Freedom Fest tonight with my sister and her crew, work tomorrow morning, birthday celebration with the in-laws tomorrow night, and the Grand Finale: breakfast with mommajen Sunday morning!!!! I can't wait to see you Jennie! I know there are people who live for their old high school or college days, but I am not one of those people. I just have a couple of special friends whom I miss dearly and thanks to the computer have found again.

So, with all this crazy going on I'll probably only have time to check my computer 2 or 3 times a day instead of my usual 4 or 5! lol! I am addicted, it is an illness for which there is no cure - except logging off and that just ain't gonna happen! :o)

Oh, by the way, Jake's mom is my friend with the craft business, two girls who make crosses - just incase you didn't see it on my myspace page, she has some really cute tee's. It's a shameless promotion, I know! http://www.twogirlswhomakecrosses.com/ Nothing like free advertising.

Does it get much better than this?

I've spent the last two days in the kitchen with three other girlfriends being ultra-domestic and cooking enough food to feed all of our families for about the next three weeks (yea! I'll have an answer for the constant question, "Mom, what's for dinner?") while our kids - 8 total between the four of us - played very harmoniously. It was great. I got some girl time in and accomplished something.

We had to leave a little early today because C had an orthodontist appointment (that is a whole other story) but I forgot something and walked back in to hear my friends talking trash about me! Ok, why would I have friends that talk trash about me you ask? Well, it's not so bad because they were jealous that I only had to tell my kids once to get their shoes because it was time to go. There was no complaining or selective hearing. They just said bye to their friends, got their shoes and met me at the door. No, my kids are not perfect by a long shot, but they were looking pretty shining just then.

If that wasn't good enough, they were both on their best behavior at the dr's office. They both shook the assistant and the dr's hands. They answered politely when they were asked a question. And didn't interupt when I was talking to the dr! In all, a very successful trip - including what the dr had to offer as treatment!

A near perfect day is not allowed to go without at least one hitch. M and C did argue . . . over who got to help me cook dinner and do the dishes. Did you get that? They actually wanted to help me. There was no treat or bribe, no reward or privlege granted for helping, they just wanted to help. They finally worked it out and decided that tonight could be M's night and tomorrow will be C's night.

So my question is, "Does it get much better than this . . . and how long will it last?"