I Have a Fan

As I walked towards the garbage can this morning I cracked an egg into a bowl, then tossed the shell in the can. Middle was watching me and said "Wow, you can do that while walking?" It took a minute for me to realize she was talking about breaking the egg then I said "Yup". She looked at me and said, "Mom, you're a natural."

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Playing Catch-Up

Where did the week go? I feel like I have been pushed and shoved and suddenly I looked at the calender to find it is Friday. Oh well, one less week of winter to deal with.
The playhouse: buried and unattainable.




If you look really hard and squint your left eye you will see my mailbox amid the snow. Sigh. All this and my bills still find a way here.

Wicked Winter

This has been a furious winter for the Adirondack region of New York. We have been hit hard with snow and also bitter cold temperatures. This is my seventh consecutive winter here and this one is the worse so far. It ties with one other winter I lived up here while I was going through beauty school, and I don't know if it was technically as 'bad', but I lived here alone so I did all the shoveling and shivering alone. Now I wave out the window to my husband while he does it. One more reason I am pro marriage.
Anyway, here is a picture of my dads garage roof overhang. It's a sheet of snow from the roof that slides down a bit each day, but refreezes before it can break or fall all the way off. Soon it will touch the mountain of snow on the ground and the kids will have a tunnel.

Last night and today I feel off, not exactly sick, but my stomach is queasy. I better not get a stomach bug. Please not that- give me a nasty cold any day, just leave my stomach alone.

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Snow Day

We got- are still getting- a mountain of snow today. At six am the school called to inform us they had cancelled school. The kids woke up and weren't even interested in going outside to play in it which proves how much snow we've had this year. Even they are bored of it. Mr. is going out to snow blow for the second time, but because it is still coming down pretty hard he will most likely have to do it again in the morning. I think if the kids use another snow day it will have to be made up. I'm not sure when, maybe during Spring break? I am dealing with it all by trying out new crock pot recipes (Garlic Chicken with Artichokes) and Vodka. See you in the Spring!

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This: Again

Tonight: Cloudy skies this evening. A few snow showers developing late. Low 13F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 50%.
Tomorrow: Snow likely. High 27F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. 5 to 8 inches of snow expected.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Yesterday Miss (whose nails and hair grow at an extraordinary rate) decided to peel her toenail off and it started to bleed. Middle is the one that came and told me, so I put a band aid on her toe and a pair of cushy socks. About an hour later while I was cooking dinner the floor looked like someone used an orange colored stamper all over it. Mr. went to see what it could be and her toe had started to bleed and went through the sock. We ended up going through four band aids and three pairs of socks last night.
The last time I had to clean up a bloody kitchen floor was when one of our dogs' nails were too short and any time they bumped it, it would bleed. I had totally forgotten about that annoying time until wiping up after Miss last night. It is funny how things are swiped from your mind then all of a sudden you are reminded of it. I guess it is true- being responsible for a pet is practice for when you have kids.

She's Not A Mouse, She's A Rat

On Wednesday Miss had a friend come over to play (I'll call her D), and when they were doing their homework, I noticed the girl didn't have any of her spelling packet done. (The teacher sends one home every week and they return it on Thursdays-the day of their spelling test. Miss does a page or two a night to spread the work out over the week.) She started doing it, but after two pages said "My mom told me I could do this later. She said I didn't have to do it all now." I reminded her that it was due tomorrow but she didn't want any part of it. What could I say? "NO! You sit there and do your homework!" She isn't my kid. I can't force her. When she was going home I told her mom, "Oh, she didn't do all of her spelling homework because she said you didn't mind." Her mom said "Well, she will have to sit out recess then because I never said that." (Sitting out recess is punishment for not doing your homework.)
Miss came home on Thursday and I asked how school was and she told me. "D's mom did her homework for her and so D had to sit out recess and re do it." I gasped and said "What? Her mom did her homework and she got caught? Did the teacher ask her, or did she tell?" Then Miss says, "No, D told me that her mom did it, and I told Nate and Nate told the teacher." I sat there for a minute absorbing the fact that she had in fact ratted out her friend. "Is D mad at you now?" "No. We ate lunch together."
So Eric comes home and I tell Miss to tell him what happened with D and her homework. While she is going through the story, I am watching his face. When she gets to the part about telling Nate, and Nate telling the teacher Eric's eyes bug out. He quietly says 'oh no'. He said "You threw your friend under the bus. Wow, I can't believe you told on her." Miss says, " No. I told Nate, then Nate told on her. Plus I wasn't even on the bus today."

Thiiiirrrtttty Sevennnnnn

This year will be a slight improvement over last year. Yes, he is working, yes it is cold outside, but at least he will have one of his top five favorite meals: lasagna. At least he will get a cake (Middle and I will bake one this afternoon). At least he has a gift to open. I thought it would be nice to introduce you to some of Mr's favorite people in his life. First though, a young Eric (with food in is mouth apparently). I know somewhere I have toddler pictures of him, but can't seem to find them at this time. Wasn't he a cutie though?





This next picture is Aunt Peggy, a woman who outlived the 40 year lifespan she was given by some idiot doctor when she was a child. She is in her sixties now and doing great. She lived with Eric's grandmother until she died, now she lives with one of her brothers or sisters and spends her days putting puzzles together, writing her letters and watching TV. She was a fixture in Erics childhood because he lived with his grandparents until he was eight or so. He gets teary eyed every time we talk about Peg, someone so pure and so easy to make happy. Give her a Coke and receive the biggest most honest smile you ever will see.

Eric doesn't know his 'real' father, but there never could have been a better step father for - what they call nowadays- troubled teenager. His mom met Gary when Eric still lived with his grandma. This was back in the seventies in North Carolina, which was a brave thing for them to take on because not a whole lot of people were so accepting back then. Probably not now either, but especially not then. Gary is so easy going, so laid back, so happy go lucky- and his voice! He really should have been a radio disc jockey. He used to sing in a band and I wish I had heard him because his voice is like buttah. His mom had Eric at a very young age, and she probably could have made a different decision about that, but she didn't and how lucky for me! She was very fortunate that her parents were able and eager to take on Eric for her but I don't think he realizes what a gift he was to them. I was blessed with getting to know Nana before she passed, and she adored Eric. He was the center of her universe when he was in his early twenties (when I met her), so I know he must have been a little prince as a child. Not that that stopped her from using a switch on him- but I digress.

And here she is. The woman who molded my husband to be a gentleman. He learned to respect his elders, treat women (all women) with honor and gave him his love of fried chicken. (That would be favorite meal numero uno) He lived with Nana before and after his grandfather died which, probably helped her heal from that loss. He would buy her cigarettes, bum them back off of her, drive her to the grocery store, help her in her tremendous garden, eat her scrumptious food (which try as I might, cannot even hold a candle to) and help her with Peg. They had a tight bond and an easy way together - something anyone could see. If I didn't have such a wonderful grandmother myself, I just might have been jealous. She is still in his heart and thoughts and I know he misses her still.

So now you know a bit more about the man I love. The thirty seven year old man I love. Of course, this only scratches the surface of the person he is, but these are important parts of him. I wish I knew what kind of cake Nana used to make him on his birthdays.

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Here's A Picture,

'Cause I got nothin'.

Ode To Joe

On the very first day, of this brand new year,

Our Uncle Joe fell down, and landed on his rear.

The ground was covered by much ice and snow,

It made getting up impossible, and he needed a tow.

He called for help! he called for his wife,

No one could hear him so he crawled for his life.

His leg was hurt, he started to move on the double-

The temperature was zero and he knew he was in trouble.

On the porch at last, he could pound on the door,

He banged it and said 'I can't take no more!'

His wife heard his cry and ran to assist-

Then she called 911, a thing he could not resist.

The took him to the hospital so prompt! so fast!

The next thing he knew, his leg was in a cast.

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Our poor Uncle Joe now trapped in his home,

Only looks out his window with no where to roam.

He watches the birds and counts the days,

Till he can break free and go on his way.

Sunday. Or- Polly Pocketpalooza

Today we woke up to more snow falling outside. We ended up getting another six inches or so, who can tell? Once you have four foot high walls edging your walkway, what's another few inches?
The girls woke up and started playing with their Polly Pockets, and didn't stop until dinner time. All day. No TV breaks. No arguments. Just pure Polly. Every so often they will get on a kick with some such toy, and they will play it to death, then they don't want to see it again for eight months. We have are two kids size suitcases and one original box full of Polly Pockets- plenty of Polly to go around. She earned her keep today for sure.

Baby Me: Vintage

I don't know how old I was here, eight months maybe? I was still in my cast for my dislocated hips, so I was under one I think.

I am in the middle of birthday party recovery right now, Middle had two back to back today. The first was at an indoor play place and she ran wild and had a great time. The second one was just three miles from my house (which never happens- we always drive for at least 20 minutes to attend a party) and this was at the little girls house. She said she liked that one better. I did too, it was calmer and I got to talk to people rather then just sit and make small talk with people I only know from dropping her off at school. She had a great day and lots of sugar. She should crash pretty hard tonight.

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Waiting For The Bus

On the days Miss has school, but Middle doesn't, I try to stay home. Those are the days I try to accomplish things around the house, such as staying in my pajamas for as long as possible. But those days are long for Middle, she often asks 'How much longer until Miss gets home?'. Today as Miss waited inside for the bus due to the negative zero temperatures, Middle wouldn't let go of her, proclaiming, "When you are at school it is like you are gone for three weeks!" Miss ate it up and Middle played it up. After hearing her declaration I told her that I would remind her of what she just said this afternoon, when Miss has returned home and they are arguing with each other.

B-o-o-k-s

I was invited to join a book club tonight! One that will have it's first meeting in a couple of weeks. I'm so excited- I cannot even say. Part of the excitement is because: Books! But an equal part of the excitement is: Grown Ups! I'm really looking forward to having a scheduled night of adult conversation. And most of that conversation being about something I enjoy doing- reading. Many years back I went out to dinner once a month with a group of moms for an adult only evening out, but that didn't last for many reasons and I only know of some of those reasons. Turns out, adult women can act like snotty teenagers even better then teenagers themselves. That must be because they've had longer to perfect their bitchiness. Anyway, that is a long story for another day. Today is all about how I'm in a book club, la la la la laaa la!

Vintage 2002

This is Miss and I taking a tour of Lake George with Novella. Of course, I think I would get shot if I posted a picture with Novella in it, so this is the one you see.



This is Miss with her Great-Great-Grandma (Nanny Jellybean) in June 2002. We were at our twin cousins first birthday party.


Now this one is Eric in front of a restaurant when we went to Montreal for our anniversary back in late May 2002. This is the only time I can remember that he didn't huff and roll his eyes at me when I asked him to pose for a picture. (You can't imagine how cool he thought it was that a restaurant was named after him. Yep, named after him. That's his story.) Any other time I ask him to let me take a picture of him he gets so annoyed. Usually I just take it without warning him and then he can roll his eyes at me.

And this one people, is the reason I had kids. What better reason, then to pose them in silly positions and dress them up crazy?

You might not believe me, but she left them in for a long time, and every once in a while she would cup them and smile.

Overheard Conversations

My daughter had a playdate after school today and let me tell you, it is so fun to listen in on little five year old girls having conversations. They are serious in their play, and quite the little negotiators.
Playmate: Now, you will be the dad and I will be the mom and this will be our child.
Middle: No, I will be the mom and this will be my child. You can be a mom to that one.
Playmate: Now, you say 'Here we go child'.
Middle: Then I will say 'Let's eat now.' And you walk over to that chair with your child and wait for us to visit.
Playmate: OK. GO!
After the 10 seconds it takes to act out their scripted play, they converse for five minutes about the next steps that will be taken, which words will be spoken, and which child is theirs for the next scene.

At another time, the playmate (who knows Middle's great grandma died two months ago) said, "Does your grandma that died live here, or a different one?" Then Middle said, "No my other grandma lives here. My grandma that died lives at her house." Pause. Playmate: "So not your died grandma?" Middle: "No, my other one." Apparently, that cleared things up because they both asked to have a snack after that conversation.

Before she left, she said "When you come back to this grandmas house, you pretend to be a coyote and I will be home and I will be pretending to be a coyote too." They both are so excited to do this, I just don't get it. Then again, I'm not five.

Vintage Miss

She was two and a half, she was as sweet as could be - and she was an only child. I was a four or five months pregnant with Middle at the time, and couldn't imagine having two kids. One was 'normal' but two meant I was REALLY a mom. Why? I don't know, but being pregnant the second time made me feel like a genuine mom. Oh, how she has changed since this picture. How we both have.

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Six Years and One Month Ago

We were on our way to my Christmas party for work, Miss was staying with my parents for the night and Middle and Baby were not even thought of yet. We stayed the night at the hotel where the party was held and that is the last time I wore a fancy dress. Sigh.

Novella - see?- old photos only!

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You Need To Read This

The Twilight series.

They were written for the 'young adult' demographic, but don't let that make you think it is for teeny boppers. I initially heard about it from someone in passing one night at the library, she was really into it and recommended that I read it. (She wasn't a teenager either.) There was a waiting list though, and I just filed it into the back of my mind. I bought the first book in the series right before Christmas (sort of as a gift to myself) because it was only like nine dollars or so and it was staring at me while I was on line at Wal Mart. I got so hooked, I bought the second book while I was still only halfway done with the first. It is so rare for me to buy a book for myself rather then go to the library for one. Kids books I don't mind buying because I know they will be reread untill they fall apart, but I don't typically reread books enough to justify paying for them. I can tell I will read these again, and even my own kids will probably start to read them in six years or so. As you can see, I went ahead and bought the entire series and even dragged Mr. to Albany last week to see the movie. Now, the movie was not so great but I had to see if they could keep up with the book. So if you need a good book I totally recommend these. If you need a good movie, you're on your own.

If Frigid Was A Color

This is what it would look like.


But the actual temperature here isn't as cold as it could be, it is 22 degrees at my house today. That is 20 degrees warmer than some January days, but there is something about today that screams frigid. Is it the end of the holidays? The uncountable snow days and school delays we've had this year? Is it me being in the house for going on three days? Is it a combination of all? Probably. But I have never, EVER been able to be home for three days in a row without itching and scratching to go somewhere - anywhere - just to get out. That includes being sick, pregnant, home with a newborn- any circumstance at all- until this year. I could honestly stay inside until spring and not care. I leave because I have to buy groceries or take someone to school.
Frigid. This must be its definition.

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Brand New

This is the latest bowl Mr. has created. I love the color, sort of purple, but closer to an eggplant. I wish I had a better camera to get a picture of it without any fuzz.

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Yummy, Markers

She looks like she just finished wrestling or got into a brawl with someone that put the smackdown on her. This is why she cannot be trusted to sit at the kids table to color. She eats the crayons, she licks markers, she paints her hair and the walls are never safe. She managed to do this to herself while in her highchair as I sat three feet away. Every time my back was turned, she added more streaks.

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Ta-Da!

One year ago, I started this little blog because I wanted a way to document-with pictures- the everyday life I live. Most of my life is spent with my kids, but sometimes my husband and I get to escape together. I read a few blogs on a regular basis and thought, 'Hey, I can do that too!'. So I did. I kept my friends and family updated on my goings on, and met some new friends in the process. I posted almost every day and only missed when I was either too sick, or I was off some where having fun without my computer. I showed you a bit of the beautiful place I call home, and even let you visit my back yard. Or, the back of my woods, if you will. You now know all about Mr. (my husband), our daughters Miss, Middle, and Baby. I shared the horrible of experience of losing my grandma with you, and you helped me get through it. I am happy I decided to start this journal and even happier that I stuck with it. I can't wait to document another year and read your witty comments and emails. Some day my kids can read this and that is going to be a great gift. I wish I could see all the mundane and not so mundane details of my childhood laid out like a memory path. So this is a gift to myself, my kids and also a way to reach out to all of you. Thanks for joining me this past year, and hope you stick around for this next year.





Rebecca

Guess Where We Went Today

We woke up to a two hour school delay today. Don't know why, but there was a two hour delay. No new snow had fallen and granted, there was some ice on my car, but our road was fine. Why do they not delay when there are flurries and accumulation I ask you? Why? This makes no sense! Middle was so disappointed because they cancelled her school the day before vacation which means she missed her Christmas party. Today, was the new party day, but because of the two hour delay, her school gets cancelled. Now her party is set for Wednesday, but c'mon people! Give the kid her party already. How much disappointment can one kids be expected to take!



So, to offset her depression, I took her and Baby to McDonald's. The McDonald's with the indoor playground, no less. The last time I was there was early last spring with my Girl Scout troop and the play section was closed because a kid had puked in the upper tier and the workers wouldn't clean it up. Nice, huh? It has taken my this long to venture back, and I was armed with sanitizing wipes. I made a quick inspection of the place first and at least there was no vomit dripping down. I'm sure they will both come down with some kind of funk tomorrow or the next day though. But they had fun and we killed an hour or so of our day.

I'll have a special post tomorrow. Well it is special to me, and you will see why tomorrow.

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White Chili

With my leftover turkey I made white chili for Eric last week. We just happened to have everything on hand, which never seems to happen, so he was a happy man when he came home that night. He has been working mostly outside this winter, so he needs to defrost when he gets home. He usually takes a long hot shower and bundles up afterwards, but when you are in frigid temps with wind blowing on you for eight or so hours a day, you need to heat yourself from the inside out.

And have I mentioned lately how much I love my crock pot? I don't think I have so, crock pot: I love you. Don't break on me.

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What Goes Up-

-must come down.

Scenes From A Slumber Party

As you can see in this first picture, you must dye your hair funky colors to start the party off. Blue and pink were the popular colors- you know, to give you good juju for all the bored games you are about to play.





Umm, I forget exactly what they were trying to 'be' but this is a game of charades gone spastic. Really spastic. I cannot even come up with an answer as to why Baby is carrying around a laundry hamper.

And any opportunity for Mr to share his knowledge of guitar is a great day for him. Once he discovered that she was taking lessons, he couldn't resist picking her brain and offering a demonstration. Although, he has been playing for 25 or so years, so once he starts, it is hard for him to slow down. It is hard for him to keep on the level of a person in their first year. After starting off with a simple chord, he kind of morphed into an elaborate classical piece that took him many years to master. I know it took that long, because I listened to him learn it. I pulled the guitar away from him many nights and begged him to go to bed already. Anyway, she walked away with a dazed look in her eye and I just told her that someday she will be able to keep up with him, and maybe even bypass him. She nodded and smiled politely, but I think she was intimidated.

So, I think we had a successful night. I hope they have a safe trip down to Florida and in five months, we might have another go at the slumber party. Maybe they can sleep outside on the trampoline then. Hmmm...

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