Sunday Funnies: Baskets and Goodbyes

Goodbyes
I was busy doing nothing cleaning on Friday when Emma stomped into the kitchen where I was sitting scrubbing and with that little pout in her voice and lip demanded a piece of paper.  I told her where to find one and she stomped away.
A short while later she stomped back into the kitchen and slammed this down in front of me.

"Oh this is pretty, what is it?"  I asked

"It's a note."  She said with a little huff.  "And it says,
Mom,
Nobody likes me and ever' body is bein' mean so I'm goin' away.
From Emma

And then she promptly burst into tears.

Baskets-
For any of you out there that have read even one of my six posts for the month would have probably picked up on the fact that I got roped into heading a fundraiser for my school's PTA.
The fundraiser was one of my own suggestions from last year, during parent teacher conferences we would have the book fair and to go along with it we would have these wonderfully creative themed Book Baskets.
Each teacher picked a favorite book or series of books, then using parents help they created a gift basket which had a theme centered around the book that the teacher had chosen.
It sounds all well and good, right?
It would have-except that they asked me to head it with only five days until the auction would start.
I offered to make a run up state to Barnes & Noble to help out with the short notice.  This wasn't enough, I had so many teachers that were VERY upset with me the entire week.
By the time Friday rolled around I had teachers, parents and PTA members yelling at me, saying nasty things behind my back, and generally just being mean to me.  I went home and cried.
So, now you know why this fundraiser keeps cropping up in my posts.  I was traumatized, but I was trying to down play it.
After a long week of dealing with THAT CRAP and working late hours at the flower shop for Valentine's Day, Wednesday rolled around and I was exhausted.  So I decided to read a book instead of deal with real life. 
I picked up a book that my sister has been telling me I really needed to read, "The Hunger Games".
I started the book that morning and finished it by 10:00 that night.  It was the most disturbingly, addictive book I have read in a long time. 
*Spoiler* It was about a post apocalyptic world where the government that took over had total and complete control.  The way that they kept this control was by requiring each district, there were 12 of them, to randomly choose a young teenager between the ages of 12 and 18 to be a tribute in the Hunger Games.
These 24 tributes, two from each district one boy and one girl, would then be thrown into an arena and they were forced to kill each other gladiator style until only one remained. 
I have to tell you that this book really made a lasting impression on me.  So much so that, that night as I fell asleep it was all I could think about.
When I woke up I didn't feel very rested and my husband, shaking his head in dismay, asked, "What on earth were you dreaming about?" 

"I'm not really sure, I just know that there was a lot of blood, screaming and running around going on, why do you ask?"  I said in an offhand way

"Because you sat up in the middle of the night and yelled, 'Just throw the basket on their head and kill them!'"

Apparently that book basket auction really did traumatize me.


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. Then simply sign up with Mr. Linky and join in the fun!

Project 365: Week Eight

Day 50

February 19th

Iz had a birthday shout Hooray!!!

For any of you out there that are contemplating throwing a bowling party for someone who is turning 6, don't do it, they have waaayyy to short of an attention span. :)

Day 51

February 20th

Driving through a world of snow, mist and clouds was like driving through another world.

The very ground in Moab looked like it was bleeding through the snow.  It was beautiful!

Day 52

February 21st

A day of much needed relaxation.

Day 53

February 22nd

Back to the dentist AGAIN!  Emma is the one in the torture chair this time.

Day 54

When I stopped by my mom's on Tuesday I had a bit of a shock. 

You see my dad is getting up there in age, and apparently his receeding hair line took an extreme turn for the worse.

(Really he buzzed his head for a fundraiser for a girl at his school who has cancer)

February 23rd

My 10 year old nephew, Tiger, asked me if I would help him make a cake for his blue and gold banquet celebrating 100 years of scouting. 

We got together and planned what he wanted to do. 

I baked the cake and he frosted and decorated it.  He even drew the designs on the bandanna.  I thought he did a great job!

And Chris it was rich, creamy, buttery, sweet and smooth REAL chocolate frosting.  No Contents under pressure cans here!

Day 55

February 24th
After practicing writing the letter "m" in shaving cream, Emma decided to try her hand at shaving her chin.

Day 56

February 25th
Really how much do I need to worry about this one?
Izzy's new favorite way to play with her stuffed animals, well and her cupcake.

  
Hosted by Chris

Project 365: Week Seven, The Week That Slipped Through The Cracks

In an attempt to look like I actually did something productive the week before last I finally got my lazy butt in front of the computer and decided to post the few pictures that I had on my memory card.
By the time I reached the end of this week I had to admit to myself that I am not superwoman and that I had taken on way too much in too little time.  And so with this in mind my week looks a bit like a cyclone with a few missing days.  Hopefully by next week I will feel like a human again.  On the plus side I actually got dressed and put on makeup today.  Small steps are good, right?

Day 43

February 12th 

This was the strangest Valentine's Day that I have ever seen.  Because it was on a Sunday and the flower shop where I work isn't open on Sunday's everyone sent Valentine Flowers all week long.

By the end of the week I had made so many bouquets I felt like I could whip up a dozen roses in my sleep.  In fact that's what plagued my dreams most nights.

Day 44

February 13th

Aren't Grandma's the best?!  This little laptop is the result of a shopping expedition with G-ma J.

Day 45

 February 14th

There are a few moments in my life where I've felt sentimental and all mushy.  These moments don't come around very often so enjoy this one while it lasts.  My husband snuck home from church on Sunday and made a wonderfully romantic dinner with rose petals strewn across the room and table, candles and little heart shaped ice cubes.  My heart melted when I walked in.  The only draw back, the three little kids that burst into the room before I could.  In the end they just added to the fun!

Day 46

 February 15th

Who doesn't remember making fishy faces?

Day 47

 February 16th

I was dealing with the book basket auction at the school.  I had unhappy teachers, parents, PTA, and bidders to contend with.   The End.

Day 48

 February 17th

I couldn't take anymore people today so I dove into a world of fantasy where everyone's problems can be solved in under 400 pages. 

Day 49

February 18th

I finished my book the day before and I honestly can't tell you what I did on February 18th.

(Oh, Kevin just reminded me I was baking a birthday cake)

  
Hosted by Chris

Project 365: The Missing week Six

Day 36

February 5th

After spending an entire day setting up a Book Basket Auction for a fundraiser

for the PTA, Emma and I took a few minutes to relax and eat INSIDE Wendy's

This was very brave, considering the last time we ate INSIDE a restaurant one

of the girls threw their Binky and hit the waitress in the head.

Day 37

February 6th

I never thought I would pay money to take my makeup off in front of 300 women.

My friend and I drove up to Salt Lake City through a huge snow storm

to have a guy teach us how to do our makeup at a Mary Kay Conference.

Day 38

February 7th

Our Valentine Day party got a little wild.  My Aunt left a little tipsy by the end.

Day 39

February 8th

I know you can't really see them, but I was trying to shoot two bald eagles that were flying over my

neighborhood.  This was the only picture that I caught both of them in.  I think that I had blind

sun spots in my eyes all day.

Day 40

February 9th

A week of flowers.  A week of roses, carnations and lilies.  Lots and lots of roses.

Day 41

Why oh why do we always have something break right when things are the most crazy?

February 10

Our resident plumber, and his, um, plumber's essentials.

Day 42

Last minute Valentine run.  It was the only box of actual valentine's left.  That's what I get for procrastinating.

February 11th

The conclusion of the drippy faucet.  My dad and Emma working hard at changing out the new valve.  She is such a big helper!  Just ask Grandpa

Sunday Funnies: Smart Cookies

I woke up exhausted Sunday morning.  I felt like I had been hit by a truck and left for dead.  Between organizing a fundraiser at school with less than one week's notice, planning a birthday party and working long hours all week in preparation for Valentine's Day I wasn't sure if I really wanted to walk among the land of the living.  But I had to, this was the last of a series of church meetings that I absolutely HAD to go to.
I dragged myself from my warm inviting bed to the whines of my three girls wanting me to start a movie for them.
I wandered down the stairs and started "All Dogs Go To Heaven" and headed back up the stairs to take a shower.  One look at the very large bags under my eyes told me that I should really think about going back to sleep.  But I bit the bullet (what does this saying even mean?) and got in the shower.
After I hopped out of the bath I took dresses down and got Kira, Izzy and Emma dressed then went back up to fix them breakfast.  I hollered and hollered for them to come up.  Big shock, they ignored me.  I got tired of begging so I went on with my routine of making myself presentable to the public eye.  It was harder this morning than usual.
So when my kids came up and 8:55 holding their stomachs and groaning about how hungry they were, me being the wonderful parent that I am told them that church started in five minutes and they were out of luck.  So they ate cookies and chocolate milk for breakfast. (anyone from DCFS pretend you didn't read that last sentence)  And off we went to church with instructions that they weren't to tell anyone what they had eaten for their early morning meal.
As part of my church obligations I had to observe how well our teachers were teaching the kids about Jesus.  And so because I was there Emma had to sit on my lap through the whole meeting.
At one point the lady that was teaching asked the question "who are supposed to obey?"  Emma whispered "teachers".
I was quite proud that she at the age of 3 could come up with this answer so I prompted her to raise her hand and say it louder.  And so she did.
After she was called on and gave her answer I leaned down and said, "How did you get so smart?"
Emma's response, "Because I had smart cookies for breakfast."


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. Then simply sign up with Mr. Linky and join in the fun!

Happy VD day!

Wondering where I'm at?  I'm slaving away making bouquets, what are you doing?

Only 2 more days to go!!!!!  Yay!

Sunday Funnies: Haven't You Ever Seen "The Christmas Story?"

The morning was not going well.  It seemed like every time I turned around another stumbling block had been placed in my way, preventing a timely arrival at school.  We had no milk so there was no breakfast, Izzy wouldn't brush her teeth, Emma didn't want to get her coat on and Kira was still trying to squeeze in a few more minutes of lolygagging.  And school was scheduled to start in FIVE minutes.  To top it all off I still had to stop and grab my nephew on the way to school.
So Sgt. Mom stepped in and took control.  Orders began flying from my mouth before my brain even had time to contemplate what I was saying.

"SHOES!  TEETH! SOCKS!  COAT! BACKPACK!  NOW!!!!!  AND GET OUT TO THE CAR!

As I herded all my little duckies out the door we paused when the door was opened.  It was beautiful!  The frost was so thick that it lay on top of the world in what looked like perfect little snowflakes.  It was so cold that the air shimmered with glittering frozen condensation.  It was breathtaking.  Literally, it was so cold that it took your breath away.

With our moment of awe in for the day I started giving orders to get moving when I realized that I had left the keys in the drawer of our entryway table.  And so with instructions to the girls head to the van I quickly stepped back inside to grab the missing keys. 
And that's when I heard it.
"Izzy, go ahead and eat one."  Now one thing that you have to understand about Izzy is that her favorite thing in the world to eat is, snow.
"Don't you dare!"  I screamed expelling every bit of air and exasperation in one breath.
I ran for the door but not quickly enough.  There before me on the porch stood my five year old with her lip and tongue stuck to the metal railing in her attempt to lick up a snowflake.

WHY ME?  I thought to myself as I rolled my eyes heavenward.
"Izzy, what were you doing?"  I yelled at her (I know I'm a horrible mother).  "Haven't you ever seen "A Christmas Story"?  Don't you remember when that boy stuck his tongue to the pole?!  What were you thinking?"
In my impatience to be on time to school I forgot to be the loving kind mother that I should have been.  My tirade and advancement to help scared Izzy so much that she pulled herself back so hard that she ripped her tongue and lip off from the metal railing. 
The blood and tears came in earnest.  I bent to inspect her mouth it wasn't too bad, so I gave her a hug, told her she would be fine and scooted everyone to the van. 
Izzy's tongue stopped bleeding very quickly, and the tears abated until next time.  She was calm and composed by the time we stopped to grab my nephew. 
When we got to my mom's she kindly allowed my children to eat breakfast at her house, where she had milk.  And we finally made it to school, 15 minutes late.
And so I learned a valuable lesson for the day.  When life is throwing everthing at you just remember, the blood and tears will only last a little while. :)

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.  Then simply sign up with Mr. Linky and join in the fun! 

Project 365: Week Five

Another week come and gone. 

Day 29

January 29th
The moon rose so large and full that the chance to take it's portrait couldn't be missed.

Day 30

January 30th
The girls decided they wanted to jump on the tramp Saturday morning.  But after they were cold
they didn't want to go tromping through the deep snow again.
So they did the only thing they could think of, holler for dad, until he came and rescued them.
Kira tried to jump on Kevin's back last, and missed.

Day 31

January 31st
1 jar of body glitter + 2 girls = sparkly blizzard in the house

Day 32

February 1st
Back to the dentist.  Here's Kira taking a nap while waiting for the Doctor.

Day 33

February 2nd
Every year in July we hold a big family reunion where we raffle off a quilt.  Every person in the family is given
a few squares of fabric and we make a 12 inch quilt block that reflects our personalities. 
We then send back to our official quilt maker and she works her magic and creates a beautiful masterpiece.
These are the quilt blocks that my parents and siblings are turning in.  Can you guess which one is mine?
(hint: It's the one that has the goof up)

Day 34

February 3rd
There are no words other than "Emma"

Day 35

        

February 4th
The beauty of puddles!

  
Hosted by Chris

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday: Buttons Blogger Should Invest In

I have diarrhea of the mouth (or keyboard) today, so my Wordless Wednesday is going to be, well, wordy.

I have invented a few buttons that if Blogger would be so kind to include in their tool bar I would be ever so grateful.

This first one is for people like me that have a problem sticking their foot in their mouth.

 Open Mouth Insert Foot Check

Have you ever tried to place a picture or an HTML code into your post and blogger tells you that it is impossible?  Just click this button and ha ha, the impossible becomes possible!

 Just Make It Work Button

And for all of you out there that have ever sat down to the computer and just can't come up with an idea for a post this is the button for you!  This also works well when you find yourself mid story and your mind goes blank.  Or if you really need to impress someone you can just:

  

So if anyone out there has a connection to Blogger HQ, would you please pass along the message.  Thank you in advance. :)

For more Wordless fun check out Wordless Wednesday HQ, and for more Wordy fun check out Wordful Wednesday at Seven Clown Circus.

Sepia Scenes: Positive Thinking For Groundhog Day

For more great photos visit Mary T at Sepia Scenes.