Sunday, November 29, 2009

Sunday Funnies: Movie Maddness

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

There Was A Big Fat Turkey Down On Grandpa's Farm:



I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!
And I hope that you stuffed yourselves silly!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Sunday Funnies: The Secret Box

"Mommy, what's in that pink stripped box in the top of your closet that says Victoria Secret?"  I was a little speechless when I heard these words come out of my seven year old daughter's mouth.

"Um, why?" I asked.

"Well, it fell on the floor and there are some weird squishy things in them."

"Well honey, they're fake boobs."  I replied hesitantly.

"Why do you have fake boobs?"
Why am I having to have this conversation right now, she's only seven she doesn't even have boobs of her own yet!

"Well, when mommy got married I had to wear them so that my wedding dress wouldn't fall down."  I felt I had to be honest.

"Well how do you wear them?"

"Uh, you just put them in your bra."  I said as quickly as I could

With that uncomfortable conversation out of the way I thought the topic was closed.  So I went to get EM who was downstairs for this entire exchange (thank goodness) to get her dressed for the night.

About ten minutes later as I was putting them to bed and I was sitting on EM's bed.  She started patting my bulkier than usual sweatshirt. 

"What are you doing?"  I asked her.

"Where are your boobs mommy, I can't see them."

"Apparently they're in the box on the floor of my closet EM."

Sunday Funnies is a weekly theme here at Cake Crumbs. If you would like to play along just think back through your week and find the funniest thing that happened to you and jot it down. You can leave your story in the comments box if you would like. Or if you decide to do a post on your own site just mention it in your comment and I'll be sure to come check it out!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Photo Story Friday: I Swore I'd Never Say That

What do you do in the exact moment that you catch yourself acting just like your parents?  I know when we are all in our teenage years we swear very strongly that "I will never be like my dad!" (or mom depending on the moment) We all said it, and as we have grown older, married and had children of our own we swear we will still not be like our parents.
So what do you do when you catch yourself midstream in a sentence that you know you've heard come straight out of you father's mouth?
 

Last night after dinner it was homework time.  But my girls felt like it was still time to play and that they were being picked on.  Well they probably were, I know I felt that way when I was a kid too.
But the parent prevailed and everyone was seated around the freshly 409'd table and started their individual homework packets.
After about 10 seconds they were tired of it.  And started horsing around.  I tried and tried to get them back on track.
For the next half hour an intense battle of wills ensued.  I won over the 5 year old and she finished her 6 pages of homework.  But that 7 year old has developed an attitude and her ONE page of homework was still uncompleted at the end of the 30 minutes.
I was furious and frazzled by the end of the 20 minute mark becuase I just couldn't get her to bend to MY will!  So I gave into the anger that was bubbling like lava in my brain and slammed my fist down on the table a few times to make sure that my point was getting across "If you don't stop horsing around and finish that homework I'm going to..." 
And that's when the moment hit.  I very vividly remember sitting around an old sign board set up on saw horses in my dad's paint room in the basement of my childhood home.  There I was with my 4 other siblings with our homework laid out around us while my dad stood and painted a sign at one end of the room. 
I remember horsing around instead of doing homework.  And I remember my dad taking as much as he could and then when the last straw broke, he would turn around, face beet red and he would pound his fist on that old board (which would send all of our homework and pencils flying-much more impressive than just a boring old table).  And shout, "If you don't stop horsing around and finish that homework I'm going to paddle your butts!"
And well, we would get to our homework.  And I would swear that I would never be so mean when I was a mom.  My kids wouldn't have to do homework unless they wanted to.  And I swore, I would never be like my dad!
So last night I found myself eating crow as those exact same words were flying from my unthinking mouth.
What did I do?  At the time, nothing.  I couldn't show my kids that they had gained the upperhand, right.  So I did what any parent would do.  I laughed hysterically when the kids weren't around!
And then I realized how grateful I am to my dad.  I am grateful that my dad taught me a good work ethic.  And how important it is to do something well and to do it right the first time.  My dad is a very quiet man (unless we had pushed that last nerve over the edge).  He doesn't have a lot to say most of the time.  But whenever we needed help with anything he was there for us showing us the most rational way through the problem.
I could say so much about all that he has taught me and all that he has done for me.  But mostly I am so grateful for the example that he has alway shown me.
And I would love to be just like him.
Thanks dad, for everything.  (Even though I know you don't read my blog, so I will have to tell you one day.)




PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Sue

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Sepia Scenes: Tumbled



In a small canyon not far from my home is an old ghost mining town called Standardville.  There once stood a grand Post Office proud and strong.
Even the most sturdy of stone is eventually worn down by time.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Wordless Wednesday: Preference Ball Horror





The ugliest thing I've ever been forced to make for a high school dance.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Ruby Tuesday: Frosted


Can you guess what it is?

If you'd like to join in the fun with Mary, visit Ruby Tuesday!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Photo Story Friday: What Goes Around Comes Around

I have made a very important discovery about blogging.  Whatever you put out there in cyberspace has a way of coming back to you.  On some occasions I have really enjoyed the outcome of this particular principle.  But I find myself this week wanting to take this little gem of advice and smashing it with a backhoe.
Let me explain. 
Do any of you remember this little picture that I posted a while ago, so cleverly titled (or so I thought) "Evidence of State Budget Cuts"?


Well, I recently discovered this little picture floating around in someone else's postings.  I don't remember where it was and I don't really care that someone snagged this particular picture.  I got a kick out of it and I hoped that it would bring a smile to someone else's face. 
I have decided that someone at my city's Construction and Fix It Department somehow stumbled on my little picture and didn't think it was very funny.
And neither did God, apparently.
These two have gotten together and conspired against me.  Leaving me helpless and in a mess.
Wednesday night I went to a training meeting around 6:30, had a very wonderful time, and then came home in a wonderful mood only to discover this:


Now for those of you that can't tell what that is, its A LOT of water spraying like old faithful up out of the ground in front of my driveway.  This little discovery had me running like a mad woman into the house to get my husband. 
We live in a marshy area of town and we frequently have MAJOR flooding issues when the ground gets too wet.
Well we called all the appropriate people to try and get our new geyser taken care of.
After 2 hours of waiting, a few city trucks finally showed up, this was about midnight.  They told us they'd have the whole thing fixed before my husband had to leave for work at 6:00 the next morning.
Yeah!  I thought, how efficient they are!
Well, this is what we found in the morning, it took them 4 hours to do this:


Yes, it took four hours to locate my power line and insert 4 blue flags that showed where the water was shooting up from.  Oh, yeah, and it took 5 workers to get that far.
I was a little irritated.  That's all I'm going to say.
I came home from running kids to school with the knowledge that I was going to have to clear everything out of my basement that I wanted to salvage after the flooding began.  But to my surprise 2 City workers had shown up with a backhoe and had started tearing into the ground.

I set to work on my basement and they continued to dig, and dig, and dig.  12 feet under the surface of the earth they discovered the problem.  A shattered main water line.  They assured us that all would be taken care of within a matter of hours.

Two days later, I'm still clearing out my basement and my driveway promptly drops off into a 12 foot deep hole.  I have contaminated water and haven't done my dishes in three days.  That same water has to be turned off during the afternoon while they "work" at the problem and then turned back on when their shift ends.  Which because of budget cuts isn't very long.


Who's laughing now?  Not me.  Or my dishes.  Or my living room stacked to the ceiling with everything that we own.  Or my poorly bathed children. (please don't turn me into social services!)

So in the end I have decided that if I can't post anything nice I won't post anything at all.
(See God I apologized, now can I please, please, please get my water fixed?)

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and JENNIFER

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Ruby Tuesday: Getting Ready For Apple Pie



If you'd like to join in the fun, visit Mary for Ruby Tuesday!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sunday Funnies: The Killer Dream

Sunday Funnies is a weekly theme here at my blog.  If you'd like to play along, look through your week and find the funniest thing that happened to you and jot it down. Either leave your story in the comments or send me a link to it and I'll come check it out!


(Sorry B I had to twist your title. Hope you don't mind.)

Last night my 7 year old K came in to my bedroom in a rush. The noise that she made as she entered the room was enough to have me wide awake and the rest of the neighborhood as well.
As she approached the bed she said in a shaking voice "Mom, I had a nightmare!"
"Oh, I'm sorry." I said as I pulled her up into my arms and tried to calm the shaking that had taken her.
"It was a scary dream, I dreamed I had to bake you. And I had to shove you in this really big (is she trying to tell me I'm fat?) oven with a fire. And then you wouldn't get out."
"Well was that because I was already dead?" Ok, ok I know that this didn't help the situation but sometimes things just leap out of my mouth before my brain really thinks about what I have just let plop out of my mouth.
"I don't know mommy. But I promise that I won't kill you again." She said as she hugged me tightly.
Well I guess its good to know that my daughter never plans on dressing me and stuffing me with Mrs. Cubbison's stuffing and shoving me into a giant oven to be baked until I'm well done.
Makes me wonder what on earth I've been letting my children watch...maybe it was that episode of NCIS and the amount of baking I've been doing the last several months.  And this is her way of telling my I'm spending too much time with my cooking range that would better be spent with my children. ^shrug^
Anyone out there that is a child psychologist (or not), please help me out here. Or is it already too late?

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Photo Story Friday: Twelve Hours Of Halloween

So to celebrate Halloween coming to an end I decided to do a post dedicated to the Carnival from last Friday.  I promise this will be almost the last one.
So to start off I decided to do a little quiz, now its not hard so don't freak out and get sweaty palms just because I said the word quiz.  This one is a no brainer, I'll even make it multiple choice.

Question:
What exactly was Heidi for Halloween?


A. A mom that has gone far too long with no sleep.

B. Elvira

C. Was supposed to be a Vampire but EM the three year old dropped her fangs on the bathroom floor and there was NO WAY she was going to put them in her mouth after they touched that!

D. A wife who accidentally walked in on her husband using the bathroom going #2 after eating the night before a plate of Mongolian Beef with extra garlic noodles, a twelve pack of Mountain Dew, and chased later that night with a glass of milk and a bran muffin, or two, or four, he may have lost count.
(Can you guess who came up with this suggestion?)




Ok now think about it really hard and leave your answer in your comment.

Now for all of you that are just dying to know how the Carnival turned out I have composed a terrible wonderful song to help you get the whole picture.
Now just hum the tune to the Twelve Days of Christmas for a moment and then you'll be ready to begin.

The Twelve Hours Of Halloween

In the twelve hours of Halloween
When Chaos reigns supreme, I had

12 pounds of pumpkin


11 kids puking


10 Auction baskets

9 11 was called

8 Michael Jackson's


7 kinds of sweets


6 games of Bingo


5 hours of Cleanup

4 cow parts in jars


3 daughters with swine flu


2 fire alarms buzzing

And 1 lost preschooler!


There, I hope you got a feel for how the day went.  Other than the fire alarm going off and having to clear all the kids out of the school twice in 20 minutes the day went pretty well.  And I have to say the Fire Marshall was very understanding, and so was the wonderful young man that answered the 911 call.
Did I mention that I took a Xanax when I got home?

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Emily

Neno's Award: Thank you Anni!


I received this very flattering award from the ever kind and considerate Anni over at Hootin' Anni's. Her site is filled with the most wonderfully entertaining posts. And if anyone is deserving of this friendship award it would certainly be Anni. She has really reached out in friendship to me in the blogging world and has made me feel very welcome here. Thanks Anni, you are too sweet!


Here are the rules for this award:

Neno’s Award—-Rules and Regulations
1. As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.
2. To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.

3. Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.
4. Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
5. Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.

6. Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
7. Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.
Now...to pass this on to others who I feel really likes the same concept of 'loving to blog':

This is a very hard one for me, there are so many of you that I would love to give this award to. I just sent quite a few people an award not to long ago so I think I will just pick a few this time and I will probably choose someone that I didn't last time. :0)

I have to admit that I do LOVE blogging. I rarely go a day without looking several blogs. I'd say I was addicted but I could stop anytime I wanted to. Really I don't check the computer three or four times a day to see what everyone else is doing. I don't pretend that my children aren't screaming "MOM, she pulled my hair" in the background as I peacefully visit my new found friends. It's not a problem, I PROMISE!

Anyway why I love blogging is simple. I am a stay at home mom and I need to talk to adults every once in a while and blogging is a great way for me to meet other people to talk to. I love visiting so many of you and hearing about what you are doing and what's new in your lives. I also have a serious obsession with pictures. I love looking at pictures and taking pictures and blogging provides a wonderful way for me to view lots of photos and also to share a few (or a lot if I'm being honest) with someone. They may not be great, but they make me happy.

So I guess that right there is a great way to sum up why I love blogging, it makes me happy.

Thanks to everyone who stops by and makes me smile everyday! I appreciate it more than you could ever know.  I wish I could give this to everyone that comes but I promised to keep it to three.
And the winner's are:

Honey at Honey Mommy
Ralph at Airhead 55
Cecily at My Chaos My Bliss

Thanks so much for making great conversation and starting friendships over the web!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Wordless Wednesday: Smile Pretty For The Camera



Oh, come on, you can try harder than that!


Photo Hunt Challenge: October


Here are my enteries for October's Photo Scavenger Hunt with Kristi at Photo Hunt Challenge and thank you for hosting!
This was a crazy busy month so my pictures aren't the greatest.  And I've used a lot of them in post's through the month.

1. A Fall Activity

Picking Pumpkins


Fall Hikes


2. A Fall Treat



3. A Harvest







4. Leaves



#5 Fall Colors



6. Something Orange



7. Something Spooky






8. A Cemetery



9. A Costume



10. A Black & White Photo



11. A Critter



12. Symmetry



13. Contrast

(An old time swinging belt bridge and a modern cement bridge over the same river)


14. Texture



15. A Logo



16. Something Neon






17. Something Inspiring



Beyond the Grave



18. Something Entertaining






19. Something Fast (childhood)



20. Something Slow (time)