Misheard in NH

2008-05-10

It was my husband's birthday last week and we went out to eat.

While in the car, I hear my son singing "It's too late to order fries, is it too late?"  He was singing the tune "It's too late to apologize." by Timbaland.

When I told him what the lyrics were, he was a bit stunned.

So the next day -- I went to have a small donut after breakfast only to find the box empty.
I suspected he had the last one.
So I started singing "Who ate the donut/s? Who? who? who? who?" to "Who Let the Dogs Out?" (Baha Men).

He told me not to be so silly. However, he was happily singing it in the bathroom with the door shut while washing his hands.

Good clean fun never hurts anyone.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Yard Sailing

2008-05-10

Tis the season! The Yard Sailors are out!

Today I just got a few cheap books and some "decorative apple gifts" for my neighbor who has the last name of an apple.  She collects that kind of stuff and sad to say, I help her hoard it.  I am an enabler to her addiction.  So I will wrap it all up and give it to her for Mother's Day.  I got 4 new and wrapped shaped apple candles (for her screened in porch), two wooden carved apple cores, two wooden apple salt and pepper shakers and a wooden apple welcome plaque.  Total spent $4.00.

Bonus in one of the books I got, a crazy note -- evidently two very young girls (tell by the handwriting and language) were mad at one another and asking why?, I love you stuff.

We also saw some people we have not seen in a very long time, so that was nice to run into them and catch up.

My husband got a FREE stool for his train layout.  Yes, the layout is getting bigger than I would like it to be.  But not only that, half the cellar (14 x 30 feet) and the entire third floor are his trains. He has mostly Lionel O and HO trains.  He spends hours with them, fixing, painting, rewiring.  (Last week we got him a nice Yield House pine work table/desk with shelves ($25.))  We got a nice clamp on snake lamp for $1.50 for his new work area this week.

I have Z scale trains.  LOL -- I found a very expensive German Marklin set at a yard sale (upscale/posh/tony neighborhood) and when I asked how much the man said $10..  I said OK without hesitation!  So I have a very nice small running set.  I could put it in a glass case coffee table.  I fell over at the price of a new engine at a recent train show but I am happy with my little Z set I got a few years ago. Z scale is great for someone who lives in a small space or just wants to take them out and play once in a while.  They are big on detail it is amazing.

I also got a few wooden boxes I am going to "alter".

Funny thing I saw:
An elaborate 1990's reproduction Victorian Memory book -- while flipping through the lavish ornate artistic pages, it seemed empty till I came to a page with a small picture of "Billy" who looked about 5 or 6 still stuck in the album.

Desperate Sale
A young boy, about 9 or 10, marked down his wooden desk to $1.00 from $2.00 while we were looking at it trying to convince us to buy it like he was doing an infomercial.

But the laugh of the day.
At one sale there was a craft box filled with various supplies.  I got some scrap card stock and found a set of artist brushes still wrapped from the store. Brushes are good for crafting or trains. So I asked how much.  The gal said well, those brushes were expensive, $20. originally so I guess for everything $2.00.  I pointed out the price on the brushes says they were $2.99 and showed her the price then laughed.  So she laughs then says OK a dollar for everything will be fine.

This is the third week we went out sailing, but we have our list of what we are looking for.
Seems lots of people are going because after heating oil, gas, electricity prices and taxes went up -- people are looking for more second hand stuff than ever before.
All the furniture (lots of top quality named stuff) we saw was marked sold before we got to any sale.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Dr. Phil: Amanda and Pierre

2008-05-05

And Yolande . . . Pierre's overbearing, controlling and manipulating Mom.

They were back for an update although Yolande said that Amanda made her look bad on the last show.

Dr. Phil: Interfering Inlaws -- my original post (opens in a new window).

Not much has changed with the exception that Pierre (now aged 39) and Amanda have divorced to the delight of Yolande.  Pierre said that he thought that his mother would make it impossible for him to have any sort of normal relationship with any girl at any time in his life or even have a family of his own.

Dr. Phil was disappointed that they complained a lot but did nothing about their situation to improve it since they were last on the show.

The last time Amanda and Yolande saw each other was when Yolande visited them, and said Amanda was drunk and playing very loud music and that there was some sort of attack then the police had to come (with 3 or 5 cruisers) and break up the incident.  Yolande pointed out that on the police record/report, it clearly stated that Amanda was drunk.  Ummm just where was Pierre and what was he doing?

Yolande was in a closed room watching Pierre talking with a potential date.  She came out and introduced herself and then just knocked Pierre down while he sat right in front of her, saying he has a poor job and income and needs to make more money -- gee, this is on the first time they meet!  Why not just say, "Get out and go away! There is the door. Don't look back keep on walking! You have no chance he is not for you!"

The young lady was identified as a PhD student studying French Literature.  So she was MORE educated than Pierre, which Yolande wants for him (insulted Amanda about her education), but evidently, this young lady still was not good enough.  Anyways, after she saw the craziness, would she really want to get involved with either of them?  I hope not!

Then the cat was let out of the bag, Pierre had a secret. It seems he is still seeing Amanda and they have been together!  They say they get along well and are good friends now.

Yolande was surprised to learn that Pierre is seeing Amanda.
She had also expressed disappointment that Amanda did not take Dr. Phil up on getting some counselling for her alcohol problem.  Ok -- but I can see where Yolande would be part of the problem by her degrading attitude toward Amanda.

Yolande is still complaining about the house and car that are really hers which Pierre is mooching off her.  She says she is still financing/supplementing Pierre because he only has a $14K substitute teaching job.  She even said Pierre ended up going on a couple of trips and charging them on her credit card.  Dr. Phil said it was her house, why not sell it and take the car back then there would be no problems/leverage.

Dr. Phil asked Amanda why she was still seeing Pierre considering all the troubles she previously had with him or Yolande.  He said that she should get away from this and find a better life for herself.  She left him in the first place why go back.  Guess old habits die hard.  Maybe Amanda is actually addicted to Pierre or vice versa? Or maybe they just don't have anything better to do than to keep a vicious circle going.

Dr. Phil also hooked Pierre up with a well known head hunter for a better paying job.
Yolande said that that was really the only reason why she came back on the show was so Pierre could get some help getting a better job.

In the end, you can't change Yolande, you can only change yourself.
I think all three have some heavy self-esteem, self-confidence, and self- image issues.
It seems that Yolande has not only a chip on her shoulder, but some other deep rooted issues for her to be so negative.
And with all her complaining about Pierre and money, well, why is she even supporting him at his age?  Nothing was mentioned about being a co-dependent.

Well, tomorrow is the moocher show.  Moochers are co-dependents. 
Maybe they might be the guests on that show too!
I hope Pierre, Amanda, and Yolande get a chance to watch that and learn something.

I think they need a miracle worker, not Dr. Phil.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

MommyFest Blog Party May 12-16

2008-05-02

 I will be participating in this at my other blog Penny Lane.
Click on the banner to find out more if you wish to participate.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

A Well Wisher

2008-04-28

We went out to lunch Sunday with my Great Aunt who is 92, my brother and my cousin and her husband.

As we departed the establishment and were breaking up to go back to our car, my son ("Geo") said to his Great Great Aunt, "Bye. Have a great life".
She exclaimed "WHAT?" as if she heard him correctly but had to be sure.
So I told her what he said.
She laughed and told him "It is too late, mine is almost over."

I have to say, my son kept us in stitches with his chattering and views of life.
Definitely a memorable day.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Update Notes

2008-04-28

Last week my BloggyGiveaway at Penny Lane went rather well.  I think I will do this again when it comes around in July.  Meanwhile, I have to plan it out, so I have plenty of time, two months.

Last week we had many nice pleasant reasonable weather days!  So far yesterday, today and tomorrow lots of rain.  Well, maybe it might be good for my pathetic lawn here at Windsor Upon Weeds.  My neighbors have lots of dandelions. Guess it is finally spring!

It is school vacation week this week.  I told my son I will call him "Geo" all week long, see how he likes his name change and if he will stick with it.

My husband is on vacation too.
Great.
I am never alone by myself.
How sad.

Maybe I should take a separate vacation without the crew?
Sounds like a good idea to me.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Bloggy Give Away -- Shopaholic Diva Silver Pin

2008-04-21

I am participating in the Bloggy Give Away.

You can see my freebie and leave a comment with a valid email to enter to win at Penny Lane.

Congratulations to the winner: Tara of Canada!

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Name Change

2008-04-16

When my son ( cried over being a double digit age, but calls it 9 + 1) was little, I called him Pip or Peterkins.

When he was four or five, he insisted we call him "Timmy" because he liked that name.
It is also the name of one of my brothers.

So we did and after not even a day, he decided he did not like to be called Timmy and reverted.

Now, he wants us to call him "Geo", after he heard this name on America's Best Dance Crew.
His middle name is George, so there is something common to it.

Checking on his school work, I noticed "Geo" written on his papers yesterday.

Already signed in ink, I am not so sure this is official but we will see how long it takes before he reverts again.

I will go make him a artsy name sign for his bedroom and hang it up before he comes home from school.
This will be the real test.

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Cheering Up the Blog and Visitors

2008-04-15

Well, this place needs a bit of cheering up!  Why not?
Anyways, the snow is gone and now I would like to see some green!  I have only seen a few daffodils around, still a bit cold and I am still wearing my winter coat and gloves.

Which reminds me of the 100 or so daffs I planted and NONE came up -- mostly because the wildlife thought I was playing hide and seek snacks with them. Sneaky squirrels and clever chipmunks!

Tulips though fascinated my daughter when she was little, around age 3 or 4.  She liked the black ones (Queen of Night) best and I recall once at a yardsale how she was so joyful over hundreds in the owners garden.  I bought her a few dozen and she planted them.  We had quite a variety in her tulip garden, we liked the Parrot, Peony, Shirley, Angelique ones the best.

Let's tiptoe through the tulips now!  The red one dares to be outstanding and unique among the white ones. Enjoy!

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

PBS Masterpiece: A Room with a View

2008-04-14

A Room with a View by E.M. Forster

Yes, I was looking forward to this! I enjoyed it and was trying to figure it out and was disappointed in the ending because, like all book to TV/Movie, somewhere along the line, they ruin it.

At the beginning we see, as we know to be, Lucy walking in Italy and it says 1922 on the screen. We only see her lower legs and feet/shoes walking at a brisk pace, her hemline is shorter.

She checks into the Hotel Bertonlini and during her stay there, at this present time, the desk clerk asks if her husband is with her and she says no.  Her hair is shorter also. 
So what has happened to George?
She reminisces about her first stay and meeting George Emerson.

The reminiscing parts are all in order but in the end we see/hear why Lucy is alone.
As the movie makers thought this would be interesting, Lucy in the present time of 1922, is a widow having lost George in the War, and of course, they had to show it graphically, him lying dead in the war field.

I was sobbing.  Why kill him off?  He was not killed off in the book!  I like to think that they had a long happy life with children at Windy Corner who play tennis all day long with "Uncle Freddie" the slacker brother. LOL (Mrs Honeychurch in this newer version was played by Elizabeth McGovern.)

But wait -- while she is in Italy remininscing, in real time, she finds the original driver of the carriage that took the hotel touring party to the field where George first kissed her years earlier (always a wonderful scene).  He takes her back there and the two of them have a picnic.  She finds out that he has never gotten married in the ten years since her first visit but she touches him and the movie ENDS!  Now what are we to believe!

As usual, the acting and costumes were great but the story change was a bit upsetting to me because I love this story.  So if I have to pick -- the original movie with Helena Bonham Carter (Lucy Honeychurch) and Julian Sands (George Emerson) is my favorite pick. 

I need to go buy more Kleenex.
Then I will reread Howard's End and Where Angels Fear to Tread by the same author.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Hello!

2008-04-10

What's new at "Windsor Upon Weeds", my castle, my home?

1. The children have had a few big projects due at school so we have been working on those.

2. Spring is coming!  We still have some snow, and it is still cold, but in a few weeks, spring will be here and so will all the pesky black flies.  I can't wait to go out and plant things. Not to sure about the lawn though or what we are going to do. (Washed away twice, burnt by scorching heat, and then the grubs ate the new lawn).  Hopefully we are planting three Indian Bean (catalpa) trees, they tolerate just about anything, plus we need tall trees because we need the height to match the house and we need shade.  I am tired of oven conditions (all day sun exposure) come summer.

3. Today it was warm out so I was able to clean and organize some in the attic over the garage.  What ever the temperature is outside, it is the same there making it difficult to do anything at times, especially if we have continuous cold days.

4. No joke, but on April 1st, my husband moved the fake Christmas tree from the livingroom to the proper storage area.  Since we had so much snow, we could not move it back till we had enough melted to make it a safe move (ice, hill, deep snow prevented access).  It was nice while it lasted though. I sort of miss it.  LOL.

5. I have been spring cleaning!  I also started a blog for my neighborhood and we are planning a neighborhood yardsale.  Most think this is quite nifty.
I included lots of town/area resources also.  Most people did not know some of this info.
Well that is life in the sticks for you.  At times, you have no idea.  Yes, the computer keeps me connected to the world.

6. I think the Bichons need a make-over.  It has been a long winter.

Well that is a quick report from my castle.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Oprah: Freegan Lifestyle

2008-04-10

  Or How to Consume Less

Lisa Ling investigated the Freegan Lifestyle. (Show aired 2/27/08, just found my notes)

What is/are/a freegan?  They are people who live off trash findings and live a simpler life, they try to live outside of consumer society. They find their food in the trash on organized tours. The number one food hygiene rule is there is no eating on the tour.

Freegans feel we are slaves to our money, earn more buy more and for what?  Where does it all go in the end?  The landfills that are polluting our world?  So they just live simply and recycle what is thrown out that may end up in the landfill.

Madeline was earning a six figure salary before she quit her job.  She gave it all up to be a freegan.  What she cannot find in the trash, she spends $10-20 to buy.  She went on a "freegan tour" which happens at night, the night before the trash is picked up at the grocery stores.  Since the trash is on the public street, the group goes through it and shares their discoveries and then items get negotiated. She got flowers, coffee beans, eggs (cracked) and pears (had spots on them).
She said living this way, she can give more time to social causes and volunteer helping other people since she makes the choice to use/buy less but has money to pay her bills.
She even said that she has not bought clothing in three years and this saves money also.

Interviewed freegans were with an investment banker, college students, a newlywed couple (Daniel the doctor and and Amanda the engineer) and people who want to live off "beans".  Most say they live pretty well but it is work to do this.  The newlywed couple said that it would allow them to pay off their mortgage so then they would have more time to volunteer with charitable organizations.  Even some of their furnishings were curbside finds they recycled into serviceable items. Happiness does not come from things, it comes from how you serve/help others.

Daniel mentioned that we (USA citizens) are only 5% of the world's population but we use 30% of the world's resources (YIKES!).  If Daniel and Amanda have too much supply, they donate the extras to shelters putting it back into the system and helping others.

It was also mentioned that stores throw out 2-3% of their inventory (did not mention the term of time, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly).  This equals nearly $30 billion dollars, enough to feed a few countries.

Why do stores throw out so much?  Why don't they just give it away?
Stores have stringent rules and if someone paid for it, they could turn around and sue for something.  If it is trash, then people are taking their chances.

As long as the trash is on the public streets this can be done.
Trash bins in private areas, you are trespassing.

Freegan economics -- an interesting concept but it depends on where you live and the laws that allow you to live this way.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Oprah: Shlumpadinkas

2008-04-10

 Shlumpadinka: Oprah's word for a woman who has given up on her style.

On this show they took a neighborhood of woman and transformed them into fashion divas with stylist Lloyd Boston.

Most of the clothing was bought at Kohls, Old Navy, The Gap, J.C. Penny's, and Sears for reasonable prices.  Most outfits cost under $200 for several pieces.

Here are ten basic pieces to have in your wardrobe:

1. trench coat	6. dark jeans
2. black turtleneck	7. black dress
3. black trousers	8. white or dark blue jean jacket
4. tunic	9. black skirt
5. white jeans	10. cashmere sweater

Mention was made of a "wash and tell" fitted crisp classic white shirt:
Stacey Wallace Allen said that hers was from Brooks Brothers and you can get 2 shirts for $149.00 at their stores or outlets.  The shirts are not available online.

Five ways to wear the white shirt (nude color bra underneath):
1. with a classic styled sweater
2. with a tunic and belt at the waist
3. with a long sweater and scarf
4. with a leather skirt
5. with a long evening skirt

Oprah mentioned that there is no such thing as "matchy matchy poo poo", you don't need to match a purse and shoes anymore.
Oversized bags and flats should be considered basic wardrobe staples.
Also, white can be worn anytime of year now.

A few other fast fix beauty tips to update your look:
1. No wearing caps wear a headband or high ponytail instead.
2. Wear a  concealer, a multicolored blush, and lip gloss.

The Happy Scarf/ Happy Knot
Take a long scarf and fold in half.
Put on your neck.
Pull the loose ends through the scarf loop and tighten a bit but keep it a bit loose so it does not look like you are being choked.

Two accessories that make you look old and dated:
1. Over accesorizing -- don't look like a gypsy! Choose 1 or 2 accessories.
2. Wear hoisery at work to complete your office look and look professional.

Classic styled items should last you a while so it is money wisely invested over a term of time.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Show Time: The Talent Show Review

2008-03-28

If you had been following along, my son (4th grade, age "9 plus 1") was anxious and excited to enter the annual school Talent Show.

He finally got to perform in front of an audience of other students, parents, teachers, and the general public.  He was the last act.  He wore the gray haired wig we found, a suit coat, vest, white shirt and tie, jeans, and sneakers.  I even got him a carnation to wear in the button hole.
We also found at a second hand store, a smaller cane more appropriate for his size, like a Tiny Tim crutch.

He wobbled on the stage, told his jokes in his "Old Man Jenkins" voice.  He had great voice inflection and timing. The audience laughed at all the corny jokes.  My daughter and I were at the back of the audience and we could hear the comments the people were making and laughing at the jokes saying this one or that one was pretty good.

He ended by saying he had to go catch a plane to Florida which everyone got a hoot out of and wobbled off the stage.

One of his jokes was "The good thing about getting old is that you can hide your own Easter eggs." A lot of people liked that one but when I told him this, he said he did not understand why it was so funny so I had to explain -- then he laughed at himself.

Within a few days, as I was on errands around town, lots of people complimented on him and said he was hilarious and entertaining.

He said next year he wants to do an Elvis impersonation as his talent.
I laughed.
Maybe he can do Elvis and tell jokes too?

The curtain closes.

Thank you -- Thank you very much.

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Say it ain't snow!!!

2008-03-28

AGAIN! We woke up at 6 am to at least four inches of white fluff.

It is now noon and we have at least three more inches.  I recall a few years ago, a super snow storm/blizzard on April 1st.  Then I remembered we even had a huge snow storm/blizzard in May one year.

Just the other day, I was raking the yard and around my hydrangeas.
I am beginning to believe that Spring will no longer exist around here. LOL

I do like the Daylight Savings Time though, more after dinner walks for me in the better weather.

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Just for Fun

2008-03-28

 

Made by Andrea Micheloni

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Kelly Ripa's Mexican Wedding Cookies

2008-03-12

Kelly made these easy cookies that are like shortbread. 

3/4 butter at room temperature
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat 325 F
Lightly grease cooking sheet
In large bowl using a mixer or spoon:
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
Add vanilla, salt, flour and nuts and
Mix well.
Roll dough in 3/4 inch balls between palms.
Place on the cookie sheet spacing each ball 1 1/2 inch apart
Bake 15-18 mins.
Cool slightly
Dust with powder sugar

You can see the show demo video on Regis and Kelly's Recipe page, just find it in the video box, "Kelly and the Kids Bake" (6:42) from one of the PJ Christmas Show.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

1-2-3 Cookies

2008-03-12

Easy and fast to make, especially in a time crunch.

1 cup peanut butter
¼ cup soft butter or margarine
1 cup granulated sugar or
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
½ cup boiling water
2 cups Bisquick

Heat oven to 400º (moderate hot).
Mix peanut butter, butter, sugar and boiling water.
Blend with rotary beater or spoon until smooth.
Stir in Bisquick.
Drop by teaspoonfuls on to lightly greased baking sheet.
Flatten with fork dipped in flour.
Bake 8 to 10 min., or until set but not hard.

Makes 6 1/2 dozen -- great for a bake sale or treat for a classroom (check with teacher for peanutbutter allergy first)

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Forget Me Not

2008-03-12

That is what my blog here is saying to me . . . scribble some more.

Well -- an update.
First off -- no mail for us today.  Good news, no junk mail to throw out although junk mail can be good source to craft with.

Second -- still a few glitches here. Very discouraging when there is no access.

Third -- I have been blog hopping and party going at Penny Lane (link on side bar since I cannot link here at the moment glitch) -- stop on over if you wish. Oh and there is a picture gallery there I started.

Fourth -- sort of lonely over here between people leaving (I think my blog is the oldest one here (and most developed) that survived the mass exodus.) and now, I have moved Wordless Wednesday to Penny Lane where people can comment!

Fifth -- last week my son was sick, the Verizon FiOs connection was not working all so well for days so it was random blogging and internet access (thank God for auto posting at Penny Lane!), and then we have been rehearsing for the Talent Show which is this Friday.

So that is it in a nutshell.
Oh and did I mention -- I am making a doll house project (planning) which I will be documenting over at Penny Lane.  I have been putting up some miniature pages there with info on them.  So that is the scoop on the Nutshell News.

Easter is coming so soon!  Where is spring?  It is has been snowing here now for several hours.
Make it stop!!

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

The Talent Show

2008-02-28

  My son came home from school with a permission slip for auditioning for the annual talent show.

He begged me to sign it so he could return it.

I asked what his talent was and he said he wanted to dress up as an old man, his character he created, "Mr. Jenkins" and tell a few jokes.  He does similiar performances out on the playground because the other children tell me how funny he is as the "old man".  He tells me how they laugh.

So I took him to the audition.  He wore a gray wig and had a cane.  He waddled onto the stage platform exclaiming in a gruff voice as he walked "oh, my aching back", then told his jokes.  At the end he then pretended to fall asleep, woke up and said it was time for his nap and shuffled off the stage.

The audience laughed at anything he did.  The other children thought he looked so "cool".
He is in the show as he got a participation notice.

The show is in a few weeks so he has to rehearse and perfect his act.

I think I am going to have to get him an agent.

7 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

The Double Digit Birthday

2008-02-27

 

 

Came and went.  If you read a previous post, my son cried about becoming a "double digit" in age one night as he went to bed.

My son requested a yellow butter cake with fudge frosting.
He added decorations, colorful hokey pokies (jimmies) and his Thomas the Tank cake decorations from his 6th birthday.
I added nine candles since he said he always wanted to be nine.

I saw him counting the candles and he let out a big disapproving "HEY!".
I asked him what was wrong.
He said there were only nine candles but he was ten.

I said, "but you said you wanted to be nine forever so I put nine on."
His reply: " I told you Mommy, I am now nine plus one."

I put the tenth candle on. He was happy.

It was a great birthday. He had a jammy day in a storm and we lost power.
Thank god for birthday candles.
I am changing his name to Peter Pan one of these days.

2 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Update Notes

2008-02-27

Sorry -- I have been having some technical difficulties here and have had to wait it out.

I have moved my Wordless Wednesday to my Penny Lane mostly meme blog so people can comment unlike here at this lonely spot of a blog. (Non-members cannot comment - period)
Yes, I also get files and categories there!  I can even pre and post date posts! LOL -- very exciting!  Like a make over!

It is school vacation week.  We have had two snowstorms so far.  Now it will be below freezing.
At least March 1st is almost here and Daylight Savings time is March 8th.  More daylight but maybe less blogging when the weather gets better.  Spring is three weeks away and that usually means mud season here till May, and then those pesky Black Flies arrive.  I did not know what they were when I first moved to NH.  I only go out when they are not around in May.

Anyways, I have a bunch of posts to make once things get smoothed out here -- I will keep it to my family stories and Oprah Redux posts, some recipes, and periodic humor.

Meanwhile, take a quick trip over to Penny Lane -- I also have a little gallery there.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

False Teeth

2008-02-19

Share the laughter -- found this joke and thought it was funny.

While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my four-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers, and wheelchairs.

One day, I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, "The tooth fairy will never believe this!"

 

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

The Cookie Caper and Catastrophe

2008-02-15

  Last night, at a small Valentine family ceremony, I gave the children their cards with some money.

And of course and naturally, for some strange reason, my daughter recalled this little tidbit about her younger brother.

Time frame: First Grade
Situation: Students were asked to donate money for winter items for the needy.
I told my son (first grader at the time) to select money from his "account" to donate.
He decided a dollar was enough from his limited funds.
As he leaves for school, I remind him to donate it as soon as he gets there.

When he came home from his bus stop walk, he had chocolate all over his face.
I asked him if he donated his dollar.
He stopped short and was speechless, he did not offer an answer.

Then it came out.  Arianna, the girl who still to this day is madly in love with him,  swiped the dollar out of his hand and bossily suggested that they spend the dollar and buy a bag of homemade double chocolate chip cookies (also an afterschool fundraiser for another purpose).

So it was done, she spent his donation, and they split the goodies between the two of them.
Yes, and the chocolate evidence on his face said he enjoyed every last bit!
It was all her idea and her fault he did not have the dollar.

I asked why he did not donate the money in the morning when they collect.
No answer to that.

So I ask about this at school and they investigate only to find out that my son was so proud of his dollar and he was showing it off in the bus line when evidently the cookie ploy was concocted and carried out while waiting for the bus.

The next day, I told him he had to donate twice the amount to the needy people.
Naturally he cried like I was telling him to rob the bank.

Well, that is the way the cookie crumbles I told him and reminded him of how delicious his treat was the day before.

My son did not like my daughter dregging up this little piece of "naughty business history".
Such is life.

 

2 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Valentine's Day Fiasco

2008-02-14

 Tuesday night another storm, snow that turned to rain, lots of slush, then ice.

There was no school on Wednesday and my son was absolutely delighted.
He played on his Gameboy, on the computer, watched The Beverly Hillbillies.
We did his Valentines then studied for the spelling test.

Today he was the first up (very early I might add).
He came into our room around 6:15 am or so and told us there was a two hour delay.
Good. We slept in being tired from shovelling slush and I was outside in the freezing cold at 2 am with the dogs because they just had to go out at that time.

Then we hear our daughter upset that no one woke her up on time! (An amazing complaint!)
While still in bed under the warm toasty covers, I told her that there was a two hour delay.
My husband got up and checked the ticker on the TV and my daughter checked her computer.
Both discovered that there was NO two hour delay as my son said he heard and saw on the news.

Everyone was scrambling around -- in particular my husband and daughter because she was going to be late for school however, my son would not be late to his dismay.

My daughter suggested that my son be banished from the house.
Not unusual.
My son when he was five wanted to know if his sister could be "kicked out of the family" and suggested how we should do this was to open the front door and give her the boot onto the front lawn and shut and lock the door behind us.

Such wishful thinking on all accounts.
I should be so lucky to witness these sibling skirmishes.

Happy Valentine's Day -- may you feel the love too.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Wordless Wednesday: Iced

2008-02-13

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Rules by Karla Kuskin

2008-02-11

My son's assignment -- read the poem "Rules", then write four lines of your own with lines two and four rhyming.
His poem follows the real one.


Rules
by Karla Kuskin

Do not jump on ancient uncles.

Do not yell at average mice.

Do not wear a broom to breakfast.

Do not ask a snake's advice.

Do not bathe in chocolate pudding.

Do not talk to bearded bears.

Do not smoke cigars on sofas.

Do not dance on velvet chairs.

Do not take a whale to visit
Russell's mother's cousin's yacht.

And whatever else you do do
It is better you
Do not.

My son's take (unedited):

Do not hier a mocky as your sister.

Do not hit a mocky on the head.

Do not kiss a mocky when your 8.

And do not hit a mocky in his bed.

Great "monkey business".  I would not hire a monky as a sister myself. Guess he has been playing his Gameboy too much.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Ellen - Grilled Cheese - Scotto Family

2008-02-10

The Scotto Family Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Mozzerella in Carrozza) as seen on Ellen 1/29/08.

Ok -- this was the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich I ever saw and I wrote down the ingredients and process as I watched the show.
Basically, this is the recipe as they presented it and a synopsis of the real recipe.
I jotted it down on the back of an envelope which, I misplaced and just found!  Horray -- a blog post!

---

Bread that has a texture
Mozzarella Cheese
Fresh Basil

Put the next three ingredients each in a shallow bowl  or pie plate (3/three bowls or pie plates) big enough to dip and coat the bread easily:

Flour
Egg (raw and scrabbled) with a bit of milk
Bread Crumbs (plain or seasoned)

10 inch skillet with heated olive oil

Tomato Sauce (seasoned)

Make the sandwich with the bread, cheese, basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Make sure the sandwich is firmly pressed together so it won't fall apart.

Dip both sides in the flour.
Dip both sides in the egg.
Dip both sides in the bread crumbs.

Heat olive oil in the skillet and heat the sandwiches turning with tong.
Heat till sandwich is brown and cheese is melted.

Make sure the olive oil is just hot enough but not so hot that the sandwiches scorch and the cheese is not melted.

Cut sandwiches in half. Dip sandwiches in the tomato sauce and eat. YUM!


Other Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: with tomato, with ham, with bacon.

I like cooking mine in my George Forman Grill.  They come out nice.  Don't put too much butter on the bread side that needs to be grilled or it will be very soggy not to mention the mess!



The Scotto Family Original Recipe

Mr. Food's Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich -- triple YUMMY!

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Happy Valentine's Share

2008-02-10

Get the code

Image courtesy of ThatGrrl
http://thatgrrlca.blogspot.com

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

In the 'Hood

2008-02-09

 Ok -- more snow, no school one day and a couple of delayed openings, plenty of shovelling.  This interferes with my time.  I was just catching up, but do you ever catch up?

Life goes on . . . two funny bits . . .

I told my son (the one who wishes not to be a double digit his next birthday) that he had to take a shower.
He told me he couldn't.
I asked why.
He said he was full of electricity and that if he took a shower, he might get electrocuted.

Next . . .

My daughter came home from school and told me they were starting to read To Kill A Mockingbird.
She said the teacher read the descriptive passage about Boo Radley's house.
Then she asked the class, "Who has had or has strange neighbors that you avoid?"
To the startlement of my daughter, the neighbor girl raised her hand!

Really?  was she thinking of us?

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Wordless Wednesday: Spanish Architecture

2008-01-30

2 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Spell Check

2008-01-26

I had a conference at school yesterday for my son with his teachers.

Everything is going great in 4th grade so that is good news but we had a few academic issues to address.

The teacher related this story to me:

They had been preparing as a class for the school spelling bee.
The teacher explained to the class that most children feel a bit tense and nervous, and that half the students got knocked out in the first round.
She asked the class what sort of strategies could they use to feel more relaxed.

My son's hand bolted up in the air first and he said (to the rest of the class) to imagine everyone in the audience naked.

OK ---

He got knocked out the second round on the word samurai.
We were surprised because he loves Avatar and Naruto and that is a common word on those shows.

I think I may have to sign him up for acting classes though.
He seems like he has a natural talent for acting and loves an audience. 
For instance -- read the post below this if you have not already.

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Birthday Tears

2008-01-25

I put my son to bed the other night.
I left and heard sniffling.

I went back and asked him what was the problem.
He cried harder and then blurted out . . .

"I don't want to be a double digit!"

His birthday is next month and he will be 10.
Poor kid, aging before his time.

I bet he has a Happy Birthday whether he is 10 or not.

3 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

POW Thursday

2008-01-25

Post of the Week --

Over in Scott-O-Rama's blog he vented about how some people leave up Christmas lights long after Christmas (Jan 18th post). 

Here is my report.
Two of my neighbors still have their outside lights up and on.  I don't get tired of looking at them.

One neighbor has Christmas lights around her windows on all year long.

My MIL has a ficus tree with Christmas lights on all year long also.

My BIL and wife have taken in branches and hung them from their ceiling and adorned them with lights.  They have been there for a while.

A friend of mine has a dollhouse that is decorated in "eternal Christmas".

We use a string of red lights to decorate for Halloween.

Christmas lights were up then my Mom got very sick and passed away, we had a terrible time taking them down because lights are like life, it was the last thing she did with energy before her own light dimmed and went out. One of Scott's comments reflected on a similiar situation.

Here is my Christmas light story.
MIL gave my husband a very big box.
I hear my husband hammering down in the cellar.  He is down there for hours.
He calls me down.
He has put up more than a thousand lights all over the cellar (hanging from nails he hammered) and has music playing.
It has been several years since they went up and they have not come down yet.
He loves his lights.  His trains are there as well.
If this makes him happy, so be it.  It is hurting no one and gives us a laugh.

Post message:
My son still has his little tree up and lights it every night.
Our tree (fake, and a castoff from MIL) last year remained up and lighted till May because of work in the area where we stored it.

So that is my take of Scott's post.
It just depends on who you are and your attitude is.

Lights can be happy things.

 

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Wordless Wednesday: Neighbors Out for a Walk

2008-01-25

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Update

2008-01-17

Well -- as you can tell, I took a bit of blogging time off.  This is my first post of the New Year.
Happy New Year!

I had lots of organizing to do.

No big news here, just a few more snow storms and another day off from school.
Two more storms on their way.

My daughter got her braces off after nearly 6 years of work.  Her teeth look great!
One less thing for me to do, take her to appointments so far away from our "sticks".

My son, who is on Student Council at school gets to do the morning announcements, raise and lower the flag, and help out at the school store.  He loves it.

My husband has again, fixed his vehicles with his mechanical assistant  -- me.  It is a very boring job.
He also has attended a few Train Shows and went to a few train shops taking the son for some "man time".

It will be nice when winter snow, ice, and cold is gone but that will be in another few weeks.

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31

2 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Weekend Whimsies: Christmas Week

2007-12-31

Nothing much here but MORE snow!  At least it is warm -- 40 something degrees and the snow is melting.

The phone continues to ring with political messages for the upcoming January NH primary while the door bell rings as people canvas the neighborhood with flyers for their favorite candidate they support.
I had one very nice young man stop by supporting Obama.  He was so NICE, POLITE and incredibly ARTICULATE.  He was also a very very beautiful child and much loved by family and friends, I could tell!  He did his schpeel about Obama and afterwards I asked him if he were a college student and he said yes.  I wished him well academically and happy life and good health always!  He was so surprised and said that that was better than getting the door slammed in his face by so many people. (The phone is ringing AGAIN at this moment, just another political call.).  So I would like to remember this young man and always hope the best for him, whoever he may be.

The children have been entertaining themselves the past week with their GameBoys.  My son seems to prefer wearing pajamas than clothing and I forget what my daughter looks like since she spends so much time in her room drawing or reading.

My husband's vacation is almost over and he rested, played with his trains, fixed his vehicles and hogged the computer for his eBay finds.  He and my son went to a new train shop and had a nice time.

I just wish this cold of mine would go away.  It sure has been lingering.
I need to go buy some stock in the Kleenex Company but I guess for now, I will just tune in and watch the Beverly Hillbillies Marathon and laugh my cold away.

 

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

POW Thursday

2007-12-27

POW Thursday -- or should I say PPOW this week, post and picture of the week -- which inspire me to write about what I saw or read while blog surfing.

Just a reminder to vote for Luke if you haven't already -- remember he is a starving and broke college student. Voting ends at the end of the month.

 Editing Luke has entered a film contest and wishes for you to vote on his short films so he can win some money to pay those college expenses.  Be kind and help him out please.  How simple is that?

The Gizmo Tree

Give it Time

Next up -- over at Dixie's Diner   (serving up some homespun humor) she had this image (below) wishing Merry Christmas to all.

I had to laugh because it reminded me of when my husband and his brother were VW crazy and were fixing them up all the time.  In college husband's first VW was red and it looked like he used a can opener on the roof to install a sun roof.  They also used their old swing set as a helping hand as an engine lift hoisting it out of the vehicle with a heavy chain fall.
Most interesting site in their neighborhood.  When I showed my husband the photo, he was quite mesmerized at this idea.  If only he had known back then what he knows now.  The things you can do with a VW!

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Wordless Wednesday: Gingerbread House

2007-12-25

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24

2 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Honesty

2007-12-22

  My very excited little boy told me he was being very honest and had to tell me something important as I tucked him into bed last night.

He told me how he suspected his older sister of bringing her Gameboy to school to play with her friend Jennifer and that she may have Jennifer's Gameboy here at home because he saw it.

This freaked me out a bit as we are getting him a Gameboy for Christmas and his sister is loading stuff on it for him.  I thought maybe he saw her doing this in her room.

So I go to her room and knock on the door and she yells, "Go away." So typically teen.
I tell her I need to speak to her about a concern her brother had -- loud enough so he can hear me.  I also bet he had a happy little grin on his face as he laid in bed, that his sister was getting in trouble!

So inside her room, we whisper and wonder if he saw her with the additional Gameboy.
We were trying to figure out how, when, and why.  So I then leave as we got nowhere trying to remember where and when he roamed the house in the day.

I go back into his bedroom, and I thank him for being so honest but when did you say this all happened or you saw this? I ask.

"It happened when she was in junior high school."  which I was ready to burst into laughter since junior high was so long ago and my daughter is in high school now.

So much for honesty!

And the big not so surprise -- he was on television, our town's TV station.  We saw him making our Christmas presents and talking to Santa.  WOW he got lots of airtime there.  Guess there is truth in "Big Brother is Watching".

 

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Secret Santa Update

2007-12-21

"I know you know that I am your Secret Santa" says my son's Secret Santa (Ryan) before school started this AM. Revelations would be at the Grade Four 2 pm classroom party. Evidently Ryan could not wait till then.

My son reports that last Friday when they picked the names, Ryan immediately said to him, "Hey do you want to know who MY Secret Santa partner is?".  My son told him he was to keep it a secret and not tell, that was the rule.  However, with Ryan being absent Monday and Tuesday, and no secret notes recieved, my son did have it figured out but played along as best as he could.

I guess you cannot trust Ryan with any secret or information. LOL

Ryan gave my son a Life Saver Book of Gummy Candy, and a whistle.

My son's Secret Santa recipient loved the painted bag (by me) and the entire contents (last post).
My son said she hugged him so tight he thought he "would die from the pressure".
That's a big hug!

I told him that does not mean she is "in love with him".
He was SO relieved.
I told him that she was very happy and grateful that he was so kind.
Maybe it is that she does not come from a home where there is more than enough for everyone.
You never know.

Show some kindness to a stranger anytime and be a better person for the effort.

2 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Secret Santa

2007-12-21

 

First, it stopped snowing last night.  Today a warm up and tomorrow warmer so I am hoping for some of it to melt but three storms in one week -- I am pooped.

This week at school, my son has been writting secret notes to his Secret Santa partner, a little girl.
He wrote things like: "I don't like clowns.", "I don't wear glasses." "I like Horrible Harry". (a book series).  Yesterday there was no school so no notes, today is the big reveal.

We were suppose to spend up to $3.00 on a gift.  We did well.  We got a Teddy Bear calendar marked down to 50 cents, two Hello Kitty pencils for $1.00, three bags of microwave popcorn that were on sale 3 for $1.00, and a large chocolate chip cookie from the bakery for 50 cents.

I wrapped up the pencils, popcorn, and cookie then put them inside the wrapped calendar.
I then put the wrapped calendar with the wrapped gifts inside a brown paper grocery bag I painted up with Santa on one side and a panel on the other side that said "shhhh Top Secret" with some faux Santa postage stamps rubberstamped.  Then I folded over the top of the bag and stapled it three times to make it peek proof.

I am sure all the children are going to want to get that highly decorated grocery bag!  I am sure the little girl will be surprised.

My son figured out his Secret Santa.  He got no notes on Monday and Tuesday because that child was absent.  Since there was no school yesterday, it could be that he may not be in school today either.  We shall see.  He has been disappointed.

So this is an exciting day for him.  I need to go get the ice cream for the party this afternoon since yesterday we were snowed in.

Time to wrap presents since we could not do that yesterday with the children hanging around for the snow day.

 

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

POW Thursday

2007-12-20

POW - Post of the Week -- however, this week, I do double duty because
1. I missed last week due to business.
2. I could not make up my mind which post to use.
This week it is "short (films) and sweet (concoctions)".  All links open in a new window.

First up -- Editing Luke has entered a film contest and wishes for you to vote on his short films so he can win some money to pay those college expenses.  Be kind and help him out please.  How simple is that?

The Gizmo Tree

Give it Time

Next up is That [explecitive] Chick's (sorry, this is a G-rated blog) entry about creating a Gingerbread house with her nieces and nephews.

Now here is a shortcut -- If you wish to have a gingerbread house and don't want to bake one, stop on over at Jan Brett's site and print one out.  There are several under G that go with her book "Gingerbread Baby", which makes a great gift also.

There are plenty of other Christmas Crafts and educational tools that you can keep your little ones busy with!  Look over that massive list of make and dos plus printable games and flashcards!  Heck, if you have NO money but a printer and some little ones, make up one, print it out, and cut out the pieces for them then wrap it up.

Jan Brett - Activities

Enjoy!

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Sno'more

2007-12-20

This is a snow update from last evening -- still it falls, not the fast type of accumulation but the slow type.  No school and my children are elated.
However, it puts a damper on us since we scheduled to wrap all the presents today while they were in school.  Guess we do that tomorrow, hopefully there will be school.

I had to cancel an appointment because we were snowed in and the plows did not come around till 11:30 am.
Why do they forget the "farm people"?  LOL -- we don't have a farm but that is dh's fantasy since he has a tractor to take care of the land. We just live in a remote area.
He loved that movie "The Egg and I" and wanted to have a chicken farm because he thought that that was something I would like. See, a fantasy indeed.

Anyways what is on the agenda today since we are snowed in?

Right now I am listening to a two cd disc called "Now That's What I Call Christmas" I got a month ago.
Eighteen songs from modern times and eighteen classic songs.
My picks: B2K's "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", Wham's "Last Christmas" and my current favorite tune The Waitresses "Christmas Wrapping".

The tree is finally all decorated.

I am actually going to write some letters.  You know, paper, pen, envelope and a stamp!

I will be baking some chocolate chip banana bread which my son is begging for.

Naturally I will have to tune into The Young and Restless and see what's going on in Genoa City, WI.

And, I have been surfing blogs and reading up on everyone's life and pursuits so my POW entry is coming up. 

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Say it ain't Snow!

2007-12-19

Yes, another eight inches due us in addition to the last storm. 
Already, we have two on the ground from the current storm going on now.
Guess I am getting my workouts shovelling whatever the tractor can't reach.

I hope it is a 2 hour delayed opening for school.
We have already used up our snow days so looks like the school year will be extended.

Today we were above freezing and we had a melt down!
However whatever melts during the day refreezes at night and now we have a blanket of snow over some ice - dangerous.
The good news is that we will have a heat wave of 40 degrees for a few days.  Can't wait!
Good snowman/snowball snow for the children.

Anyways, I have one very excited little boy who is waiting for Santa to come!
I don't think his believing is going to last much longer though.
That will be a sad day for me.

1 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Blog Ninjas

2007-12-19

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Wordless Wednesday: Tree Lights

2007-12-19

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Snow More for Me

2007-12-16

0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top

Created with ShoutPost

ShoutPost & Basic Blog Help ShoutPost FAQ Current Bug Issues SP Template Help Designing Your Blog Tut HTML Boxes and Widgets Adding a Chat/Tag/Shoutbox SP Feature Notes Enabling Comments Embedding a Link Insert an Image 25 Blogging Styles Blog Exposure Tips Understanding RSS UBB Signatures HTML Resources and Generators Intro to Social Bookmarking Useful Search Key Words Blogging Comic SP Member Guest Book Tutorials @ The Inkblotter below Blogging Basics Creating an Index Posting an Entry Advanced Editor Tut Adding Side Bar Links Linking Buttons and Pictures Embedding a Link Avatar Resources Creating a Banner Adding a Counter Adding a Sound File Video File Sharing Resources Free Online Albums Slide Widget 1 Slide Widget Resizing Ping Service Hex Color Chart Adding a Search Rainbow Text Generator Glitter Word Text Generator Deadlink Checker

Free shoutbox @ ShoutMix

Archives

April (2007)
August (2007)
December (2007)
February (2008)
January (2007)
July (2007)
June (2007)
March (2007)
May (2007)
November (2007)
October (2007)
September (2007)