Proof the Universe is Against Me

My friend, who is going with me to the concert tomorrow night, won 2 MEET AND GREET passes to meet Rick Springfield. Seriously.

She gave the other one to her sister. And unfortunately, her sister is hands down the nicest person I have ever met and clearly deserves stuff like this.

But why!?!?!?!?!

Anyway, I'm tagging along with them in the hopes I might just be able to make it in. If I do, I will forever be on top of the clouds. Oh my goodness.

Put all your hands together and pray for the 80s mojo to kick in for me!

Countdown

4 days and one hour until I see the MAN for the 4th time.

I am so way super duper pathetic.

McSpazatron would be a good term for me.

*I'm so excited!*

even more things.

hey look i'm blogging more than once a month, that's cool right?

just a quick update...we have another showing tonight. this will be 26. Ironically, tomorrow is my 26th birthday. Okay, no it isn't. But it was a nice try. Tonight is the last night I will be closer to 30 than to 40. :(

Next of all, Mo has been so incredibly entertaining as of late. She can sing her ABC's and can at least recognize the letter C due to her recent obsession with Cookie Monster. I mean, he is old school, right? But she is in love. If she had to choose between Elmo and Cookie, I'm not sure what she'd do. Cookie is more her level though, even since he's become more "PC" and eats fewer cookies (he eats veggies now too), he is still pretty non-evolved and I think that's why Mo likes him. It's interesting how some Monsters on Sesame Street have very good vocabulary (Zoe, telly, who is just about the most annoying one on there) yet others have yet to even grasp the idea of first person. (Elmo, Cookie) I guess those folks know what they're doing over there though. Heaven knows it's 10000 better than Dragon tales or Barney.

Okay that was quite a tangent.

I also wanted to mention some song she sings, only in the car, and only when she is revved up. We don't know where it came from, or what it is, but it just sounds like, "WHA-DAY" over and over again, with arm motions, and then some other chorus after the refrain, that is completely unintelligible to all in the car, besides Mo of course. it's hysterical, but I will never get it on video because I'm usually driving and she has never sang it at home, and if you try to sing it, she looks at you as if you have desecrated the National Anthem ala Roseanne.

Last of all, Al scored 4 goals the other night at soccer, her last game of the year for the school, and the score was 4-3 so needless to say she won the game for them. I was SO proud of her, and I told the principal of her school if he saw her in the hallway to give her a pat on the back. Instead, he announced it in front of her WHOLE class, and made them give her a standing ovation. She was beaming when she got home, and I pray and pray she never ever finds out I told him about it!

I've got more work to and and apparently some cleaning to do as we have a showing at 5:30 and I'm sure the house still smells like Smelly Cat.

where i've been

* Working 80+ hours for this new job...when your computer sits in your house, it's hard to say you won't work. Not like jumping in the car and driving to an office, they KNOW it's right there. So, in a nutshell, my back hurts, my fingers hurt and my head hurts from all the new terms I've been learning. Good times.

* Driving up the River Road with my delicious husband for his birthday and sitting on a deck drinking Blue Moons and watching the sunset. Fantabulous.

* Getting my yearly cups from the Italianfest...each year our city holds this festival where there is a ton of Italian food and beer (ya I know, I hate it too!) and with each beer you get a cup. These are the ONLY cups we drink out of, and I have 10 years' worth in my cabinets. This year was the 25th anniversary however, and the cups had RIDGES. It's like my whole collection of fine china has become upgraded. (oh, and by the way, I 'earned' WAY too many cups this year and spilled one over my friend's super hot brother's back. 'Sokay though, I was giving him a hug at the time and was rubbing up against him, so it was worth it)
* Transcribing cardiac stress/rest tests that make my brain squeal in pain.

* Running! With all this stress I need an outlet, and even though i didn't make my bet with LP, it's OK, because at least I'm still staying healthy.

* Finding a new channel that I like on Sirius, #36, lots of dance music.

* Eating at the hibachi grill again, those onion volcanoes just are the bee's knees.

* Going to a balloon glow before the annual Great Balloon Race in St. Louis. Did you know STL was famous for this? I mean, I knew it happened but I don't think anybody outSIDE of St. Louis does. But they insist it's what we're famous for. You know, not for being the murder capital or for that big silver McDonald's arch-looking thing that towers over the city. WTF? *** Oh, I wanted to post pics, because this balloon thing was so fun, but I can't find the USB cord. Hopefully I will have them soon)

* Watching a LOT of soccer. Guess what I'm doing Friday for my birthday? If you answered getting a pedicure while having a back massage by David Beckham you'd be...really wrong. I'm going to a soccer game.

* Did I mention the working? It's truly kicking my a$$.

* we had our 25th showing last night of the house. That is 25 times I've had to clean the house to Martha Stewart clean. 25 times we've had to go find something to do, and 25 times I've yelled at the kids to pick up after themselves. Still, we are here.

* Collapsed into bed only to not be able to sleep due to LP's incessant snoring.

* Oh and I got an IUD! Is that appropriately listed here? Probably not. It's probably nobody's business either, but I had planned a post actually about taking this birth control pill called Yaz that made my hair fall out. You read that right, it made my HAIR FALL OUT.

* Enjoying the last week where my age will be closer to 30 than it is 40. :(

So that's it. It doesn't get any more exciting than that either, so breaking this up into separate posts would have only put you to sleep faster, so good day. Enjoy your nap.

Hope all is well, and as soon as I find that cord I will post pictures.

When Sesame Street Appeals to the Mommies

Brilliant.
Mo and I can certainly watch this episode over and over.

Mmmm yum.

My obsession visits with Mo's obsession.

travell

This weekend was SO much better than the last. Granted I worked every single day (yes, transcriptionists work on Labor Day. It's Labor. we work. in our jammies though) but the weather was beautiful and LP and I even got to go on a drive in the convertible. Wish we could have gone floating, we have not done that in 4 years and I'm seriously craving it.

3 showings this weekend, haven't heard back on any of them. Still contemplating buying a lot of land and starting from scratch as soon as we sell this. who knows, I still love that house we have a contract on. Just not sure if it's the 'one'.

Rug was invited to go to Greece, she is still in the running to have it paid for, but her coach invited her regardless, but we'd have to pay for it. It'd be about $20K for the 4 of us to go there, and that's if we left Mo here. :( which would be hard to do, but what would be harder, lugging her around the Parthenon? Probably. So we are doing tons of searches on Greek tourism, it looks so exciting to me. I of course would have to go to Santorini just cuz Kalki did.

Gotta go, a CT of maxillofacial bones is waiting for me.

Arguing

My husband and I are arguing this morning about what the top 10 'grunge' albums would be. Of course it is all subjective really, but we both have pretty strong opinions on the subject, seeing how both of us were in college during the heyday of grunge itself. I was a Freshman at EIU when Smells Like Teen Spirit and Alive came out. So it pretty much was the soundtrack for my college experience. When I graduated, Hootie and the Blowfish were inundating the airwaves and though I liked them at the time, it was the end of an era.

So here are my top 10, and of course this certainly isn't relevant to any of my readers being too YOUNG to remember or too OLD to care, (which both have their merits of course, but could never appreciate the joy of Grunge) but if my daughters someday read this they will know that Mommy had the better taste in music than Daddy. Which of course, they already know, having to listen to all that awful Cinderella music he insists on playing.

(For Pete's sake he wanted to put Offspring on the list. Seriously????!)

Top 10 Grunge Albums You Must Have if You Call Yourself Grunge and ever in your Life Wore a Flannel Shirt and it Was Not Cold Outside:

10. Rage Against the Machine

9. Tool, Undertow

8. Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream

7. Pearl Jam, Vs.

6. Nirvana, In Utero

5. Soundgarden, Badmotorfinger

4. SINGLES soundtrack

3. Alice in Chains, Dirt

2. Pearl Jam, Ten

1. Nirvana, Nevermind

And there you have it. Al and Rug and Mo, listen, trade in those Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers CDs and replace them with these fine classics. You will never be disappointed, I promise. If anything, you would reverse the damage you've caused with that awful "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" remake Miley Cyrus has made to Mommy's brain. Thank you.

I told you all those pictures were of Mo. She is so cute though, no?

I've had so many things in my head to post but of course they all have vanished in the air. The best I can tell you is that my husband thinks he is a Pro at grocery shopping, yet he went Sunday and forgot milk and white bread. Pro--bably the worst grocery shopper ever. We do have tons of chips and beer now though.

The job is going better. My head is spinning with all the new reports I've learned. If you ever need to be scanned for gallstones, I know what to look for. Thoracentesis? I'm your lady. Needle biopsy? Haven't got that one done quite yet. You don't want to be getting one of those any way.

The girls have had their first whole week of school this week, and they've been hanging pretty well. We have NOTHING this weekend except to chill and play Mario Cart on the Wii and probably not drink as much Dixie cup wine.

And if this is sarah, stop reading right now lady.

Monday

Well it's Monday and I said i would update.

Had 3 showings this weekend AND an open house, still no leads. Hanging my head because I busted my TAIL cleaning. Commencing the weeping....

Now on top of all of my stomach problems I have added panic attacks to my repertoire. Nice! I've never had those in the past, but with the new job + selling house + school starting + not feeling well apparently equals a panic attack. Fun for all.

OK I have to get back to work. No more of all this positive energy!

Friday nights

Two Dixie cups of wine got me tipsy.

Clearly this is a sign I need to start drinking more to get my tolerance up, right?

15 years ago I know I was probably doing the same thing on a Friday night, dixie cups and all, but I'm 100% certain I was not as buzzed as I was last night.

Or that I was at a 2-year-old's birthday party.

Road to nowhere

I had a 30 minute conversation with a lead transcriptionist on how to work the software. Okay, I know now, but I have no password to get in to the system. Great. I've called and emailed 4 dfferent people with no response. So what do I do?

I blog!

This pic of Mo is priceless because I have physical evidence of her obsession with her bellybutton. It must be her entire system function button, because she always has her finger on or near it. That button is important and she is not letting anyone else touch it. I wonder if it will launch missiles from Houston if I push it.

Out of the pics I have from Holiday World, 24 are of Mo. I figured I had some catching up to do and I already have a ton of the older girls. Who needs more right?

I'm really praying I can start on this new job soon. I'm very excited but nervous at the same time. My old job was a very small hospital with very little variety in reports. This is a huge account with reports I've never heard of let alone typed. Totally feel like I'm in over my head.

Actually, someone compared my situation to being in quicksand. As soon as I get my footing, I start sinking again, and then get back up, and sink again. Just all the instability in my life that is going on, it's a great analogy. I do not have any firm ground to set my weary feet upon! Everything is in such reflux.

tomorrow I get my hair highlighted and cut so I will be able to close my eyes and relax for awhile. This weekend we will be gone most of the time. I will update on Monday. Have a great rest of the week!

This too Shall Pass...

Well I've started this post at least four times now. My boss called me this morning to inform me my salary has been budgeted at a FRACTION of what I make. Basically it was 'we're kicking you to the curb' but saying it in a nice, financial way.

So much for that new house. I'm going on vacation!

Yesterday I went to run some errands and found that Mo had pooped all the way down her leg, even seeping into the cracks between her toes. Apparently the A T & T store did not have customer bathrooms, so I had to go take her to the girls' school but got caught in traffic for 1/2 hour. She was not pleased, to say the least. Once I arrived, I discovered the grapes and fruit salad from the day before had not so much been digested as it was evident in the whatnot that was spilling from her diaper. it was a lovely sight.

Later that evening LP had given me the Saab to drive (he saw it in my eyes) Al to her soccer game as he went in the opposite direction with Mo and Rug to HER soccer practice. He got a new phone, and text messaged me, "I love you, hope you are having a good night! XOXOXO" but since the new phone was well, NEW, he wasn't accustomed to the pad and apparently sent that message to someone with the number that ended in a "5" instead of a "2" like mine does. Whoops--there goes someone's marriage.

In the meantime I'm going to be searching the internet for job opportunities and perhaps consider going back to school, at 35 years old. (well, I'm not 35 yet, but I will be in September, and that just makes me hurl). What the hell, it's not like I'm using my college degree any, let's just get some more schooling under my belt! I may end up a ph.D after all is said and done! Too bad there isn't a doctorate in transcription, darn!

But first, probably should start by taking a shower.

First Day

Today the girls started back at their school, the one they've been going to all this time. Who knows what will happen next week. They might be going to a DIFFERENT school by then. It has changed so much in the last week, my head is spinning.

Holiday World was a blast. We spent every second enjoying the nothing and I swore to LP if he even brought up moving, selling, or relocating I would pinch his eyeballs out. Of course yesterday we came back to reality, and had two showings, one of which are returning on Thursday for another look.

I don't even know what I want anymore. Today I dropped $800 on a radon removal system. 3 months ago if you asked me what that was, I would have looked at you like dopey. "Wha?" Now I can tell you how radon gets into your house, and how it is removed. And why it needs to be. Radon 101.

I love to compare how the girls have grown up. The one pic is from 2004. Riley was going into kindergarten, Alex into 3rd. My how things have changed.

Mo finally said her name today as well as dropping a very audible F-Bomb, so clearly she has her "K" sound mastered.

I've got a new job on top of my old one, so I'll be in front of the computer more often. Won't that be grand. LP will love that I probably won't be showering as often.

I will post more pics when I get them.

I love Jasper Indiana so much. It is just a nice quaint little German town. I heart it. enjoying every millisecond of my time here.

Check out the German restaurant we ate at last night, and apparently according to my husband, will be eating at again this evening as he cannot have enough German food.

Schnitzelbank

Right now Mo is sleeping, the older two are with their grandparents, LP is downloading every possible iPhone application to my iPhone, and I am having a nice, quiet moment getting to know my new laptop (yes, I know, this is my very FIRST laptop, crazy, no?) and drinking Diet Dr. Pepper and eating the free hotel cookies.

Bliss. Pure bliss.

diary

I stumbled across an old diary of mine from when Al was a baby. Actually, Al stumbled across it and read it. She said to me, "I was in my terrible twos mom, you wrote all about it!"

When I sat down and read the entries, the one thing that stuck out was how I felt like I was missing something. "I don't write as much as I used to" I said. "I can't ride my bike like I want to". All these things, because I had a child.

I wasn't missing a thing. I'd take those moments again in a heartbeat!

I do appreciate the blogging, as it helps me write as much as I used to. Now to just get that bike on the road...

I just finished reading both "Wicked" and the "Year of Magical Thinking". Both worth reading. I actually enjoyed Joan Didion's prose so much I went and got another one of her books and started it tonight, "Play it as it Lays" or something like that. I have to tell you when I was in high school, she was the kind of writer I vowed to be. I wanted that life. I wanted to be able to conjure up a poem at the drop of a hat or reference some old literary quote so obscure I'd have to find it to prove to someone I knew it.

Well then I went and majored in Psych instead of English. I just figured with my social anxiety, I would have ended up teaching English to a bunch of bratty teenagers who didn't care what Shelley had to say about anything. I didn't want that.

So now I blog, and that'll do me just fiiiiine.

We have had two contracts on the house fall through, I'm not even in the mood to talk about it. The girls are just stressed out, they just want to KNOW what is going to happen already, and I don't have that answer. I'm going to take a few days off from work, go swimming, have a beer and a pedicure and come back and think about it Monday.

Ciao.

Lame Things to Keep Me Going

Well it's late and I can't sleep so blogging is the best second alternative to slumber. For me anyway, because if there are any readers out there, this is going to be D-U-L-L.

Some things:

Mo has some new phrases.
"I You?" Which is her way of asking me to sing that blasted Barney theme song. She caught it once on TV and it has forever stuck to her as a perfect lullaby.

"Up Above so High?" Again, lullaby singing request, this one for Twinkle Twinkle.

"That is SO kewl". Usually after something her sister does that makes her laugh.

"Oh, no SHIT" Yeah, well, I drop things. A lot. She is a parrot. (she said this in front of my mom and fortunately she thought it hilarious. Whew!)

"Sit down." "All done" and "Side?" All just your basic demands from a 20 month old.

***********************************

In other news, we had two people see the house this weekend. One came back saying it was too small for them. (Dude, we have a HUGE house for this price range. Clearly a couple with eyes bigger than their wallets. Unless we're at their low end price range). The other we have yet to hear from. I hate to be hopeful because once I am, the floor falls below me. It's not bumming me out anymore though. The worst that could happen is we still have a fantastic family in a smaller house. I can handle it!

LP had to replace the sump pump this weekend, and I thought it was going to be a huge undertaking but he got it done in like a half an hour. I was impressed by his Tim Allen male-ness and rewarded him appropriately. He got to watch football and all that other junk ALL weekend.

This week we are going to see Tom Petty and Steve Winwood. It should be fun, but certainly not as emotionally provoking at the Foos were.

oh and I'm reading "Wicked" and it's really good, and I'm going to go read it right now because it should make me sleepy. I have "Year of Magical thinking" on hold for me at the library as soon as I'm done.

That is all.

Mo Definition: Exhaustion

After trying unsuccessfully for 2 hours to get my daughter to take a nap, I feed her dinner, and when I turn my head to spoon up another bite for her, I returned to her looking like THIS:



(and yes of course she stayed up until 11 p.m. later that night, naturally!)

Quick Summary

1. the guy cancelled the contract due to the inspections. Since the inspections weren't all *that* bad, the realtor seems to think something else was going on, i.e. he got back with his wife and needed an excuse or something. Who knows.
2. So now we're back to square one again.
3. A few people have seen the house, no luck.
4. It is near impossible to keep your sanity and try to keep your house 'showing' clean with 3 kids.
5. I've lost it.
6. Right now we've accumulated $3000 worth of repairs we did not anticipate.
7. I'm just about ready to give up.
8. But I can't. Not yet.
9. I'm taking the girls to a water park today to clear my head.
10. I think having a case of beer might clear it faster.

And finally,
11. I don't care what anyone says, at the next baby shower I'm buying Mr. Clean Magic Erasers for the new mommy. She has NO IDEA how much of a Godsend those things are.

Borrowed from Kristine and R & O

Have you ever showered with someone?
LP and I shower together all the time. It's the rare 15 minutes we have with no kids.



Where did you last sleep other than your house?
May in Champaign

Who was the last person in your bed?
Mo

Strawberry Milkshake or a Banana Pancakes?
Neither. If I HAD to choose it'd be the banana pancakes but I'd smother them with syrup.

Last movie you saw in theaters
Indiana Jones


Burger King or Wendy's?
Wendy's. I sacrifice my lactose intolerance for Frostys.

What time is it?
8:14 A.M.

Where are you right now?
In my front room doing my morning routine of reading the news, blogging, and playing Boxerjam games.

Where do you think your best friend is right now?
Getting ready to go to work I think.

When will you see your best friend again?
Next week, she is delivering her bambino

Are you listening to music right now?
No.

Who else is in the room with you?
LP. Give it a few seconds and Mo will come barging in.

In winter, would you rather wear jackets or hoodies?
Hoodies definitely. But oddly enough, i cannot STAND wearing hoodies while I'm driving. The hood just gets in my way.

Do you wish you were somewhere else right now?
Moving into my 'new' house *sniff*

How long can you go without your mobile phone?
Forever.

Ever kissed a blonde haired, blue eyed person?
I'm usually the blonde/blue eyed person.

Who last called you babe/baby?
LP. He always calls me, "Hey Babe?" This is when I know he is looking for something.

What's the worst way to say I love you?
Devoid of any actual love I guess.

If an ex said they hate you, you say?
Depends on which ex actually.

Would you curse in front of your parents?
yes and i do.

What is your current annoyance?
the guy who won't make a decision on buying our house or not.

Do you like drama?
In life hell no. I like a good chick flick sometimes.

How many pills do you take a day?
Two, BCP and a multivitamin

What was the last item you bought?
I bought a Webkinz for my daughter. It was a pink Googles.

Are you afraid of roller coasters?
Uh...NO they are my favorite!

What would you do if your best friend told you they were moving?
Show up with a six pack ready to work

Apple juice or Hollister gift card?
What the hell kind of question is that? WHat's Hollister?

What is/was your school mascot?
In grade school it was the Crusaders. In high school we were the Mighty Maroons, which really isn't a mascot at all. Pretty ridiculous.

At what age do you want to be married?
I am married.

Where is your mom right now?
in bed I'm sure.

What should you be doing?
Taking a shower

Are you slowly drifting away from someone close?
No

When was the last time you felt unbearably guilty?
about 4 years ago a woman I didn't know very well found out I said some things about her that were not so nice.

When was the last time you cuddled?
I cuddled last night with Mo. When LP cuddles with me I fall off the bed. He is a big man.

When was the last time you woke up to someone?
this morning

Favorite name?
Girl name: Avery Boy name: Max

Fourth Text In Your Inbox?
what?

Would you bail your best friend out of jail?
Yes but she doesn't even roll stop signs so I doubt it'd ever happen.

Do you think people talk about you?
Duh.

Do you judge people?
I certainly try not to.

Browsing

First I was HERE: Dooce.com

Then I clicked a link to *HERE: Etsy.com

Found some awesome cool stuff, but then it took me HERE: thisnext.com
Which directed me to HERE: instructables.com

Ah, what a morning of internet surfing can teach you!

*this was my longest stay, I adore hand made things

Big Me

This past Sunday I had a spiritual experience. A complete and total whole body nirvana. (foreshadowing here) Extreme bliss, pure and unadulterated cosmic righteousness.

I was one with the universe.

I saw the Foo Fighters.

I'm sure that if Dave Grohl was the minister at my church, the attendance would surely be higher. His sermons would rock anyone socks off. He could probably get me to donate my life savings to whatever charity he was begging for that week.

This was the BEST concert I've ever been to. I'm going to have to apologize profusely for the lack of flair to that last sentence, because it does not have the ability to truly describe to you how fabulous it really was.

I realize the Foos are 'that' band for me. Everyone has that one band, or artist, that just SPEAKS to their soul. The one that got you through that tough time in high school. The one that helps you conquer that last mile in your run. The one that convices you they've written all their songs just for you. The Foos do that to me. I said that very thing to LP after the concert, I felt like they had physically hugged my inner self and made it say, "Life is good".

Dave Grohl is just amazing. The way he gets the crowd going, wanting more. He told an old story about a night he had in St. Louis years ago, and it made us all feel like we were sitting next to him in a local bar, swapping memories about old times.

I'd gotten the set list off the internet weeks prior, so I knew what they were going to play. If you know anything about them, they just released an acoustic album, so they set up two stages, one for the 'rock' and one for the 'acoustic' songs. We were closer to the 'acoustic' stage, and when he played "Everlong" the hair on my entire body tingled. He also put his entire being into "Marigold" which is the last song he and Kurt Cobain wrote together, so I'm sure it's bittersweet for him to play.

As he introduced the band, since they had the acoustic set they had brought along an extra 'percussion' guy. Dave introduced him as the 'triangle man' and said, "Judas Priest doesn't have a F**king triangle guy, but we do!" and made the poor guy do an entire triangle solo. And he rocked it, totally!

The last song of the evening was "Best of You" and I am fairly certain even those girls who were dragged to the concert by their Foo loving boyfriends most definitely left thinking they had just been a part of something seriously fantastic.

We drove home, after a night of shedding the Mom and Dad title and declaring ourselves still young enough to ROCK, and neither one of us could shake the goosebumps we still had on our arms.

Moving on Up

The inspections went well for the new house. Almost *too* well. The inspector tested out my jacuzzi bathtub and I almost stripped my clothes off and jumped in. I think that might have discounted the inspection price had I done so. Or inflated it, who knows.

Now all we are waiting for is the inspection of THIS house that we live in, which I am far more leery about. It's about 30 years old, and with that comes a lot of aging. I'm older than this house, but not much, and if houses ache the way we do, I can see where its joints and back may be hurting a wee bit. Unfortunately for houses you can't just go and slap some Ben-gay on. It requires a heckuva lot more, kind like of a tube of Ben Gay that costs about 2 grand.

So anyway. I will let you know how that goes down. He has to have them done by August 6th so i will know by then if the picture above will be where I'll be cooking dinner in the near future!

Crazy!

Our house went up for sale on Tuesday.

We got an offer Wednesday afternoon. What!

Our closing date is August 29th.

I am sufficiently freaking out right now.

Anyone have any boxes?

The King is Dethroned

St. Louis has been my 'hometown' since I was born. There are only TWO truths to living in/near st. Louis.

1. You are a Cardinals fan.
2. You drink Budweiser products.

Today, InBev bought out Anheuser Busch.

it is a sad, sad day for the St. Louis area and its residents.

AB stood for everything we know is good...almost more American than apple pie. At least, you would eat your apple pie with an ice cold Bud and it would taste better.

AB donates greatly to MANY great causes in our area. They are always there to give a helping hand.

A few years ago, I read the 'biography' of the Busch family, VERY intriguing read. Being from this area it meant a great deal, but is still very interesting to learn about the family that created such an empire. It's pretty tragic, actually.

On one of our first dates, LP and I went to tour the AB brewery, which is located in Soulard, south of St. Louis. It has ALWAYS been free, and after the tour, you get 2 free samples of their products.

Nearby, Grant's Farm houses many of the Busch family's exotic animals, and you can go there. FOR FREE. Plus, again, the 2 free samples of the AB products. What's not to love? They also house the Clydesdales, and all of the family's former cars. We are going there Friday, hopefully it won't be the last time.

I'm truly heartbroken that this great company has gone to Belgium, somewhere I may never see. All my life we have been the AB headquarters and even though I'm not much of a drinker, I felt a lot of pride in that. Strange Brew, indeed.

Here comes the King Here comes the Big number one!
Budweiser beer used to be second to none...(well...second only to Inbev!)

Try to have a Budweiser product today and we can all raise our glasses up for globalization! Cheers!

The original Clydesdale commercial is HERE

Freaking out

The guy accepted our offer on the house. OMG.

I've been cleaning like a fiend all day because we're putting our house up next week.

Crazy!

Why This Week has So Far Rocked Out

(Picture and hairstyle by Al)

Such a great week. Let me tell you why.

* Spent a whole day with best friend from Florida and her cool kids. Hung out at the water park and felt good about ourselves.

* Got a very pretty sassy pedicure in PINK. Dude, I never wear pink. Ever. I even opted for the girlie flower on the big toe. My piggies are not sure what to do with themselves, especially when I slip them into Adidas flip flops and not Jimmy Choos.

* EVERYONE told me their kid had the 'best time' at Al's party. It was a resounding success and that makes me Hap-Py.

* Al got the Indiana Jones game for the Wii and it's hilarious!

* We got rid of our old water heater. And doesn't getting rid of crap make anyone feel good?

* We put an offer on a super cool house. Won't know until tomorrow what is going to happen but the suspense is making me giddy! Maybe that's the reason for the pink...
(it has central vac! and a lake!)

* I forced my children to watch a few of my old favorite movies from the 70s..."The Incredible Shrinking woman" and Escape to Witch Mountain AND Return to Witch Mountain. they LOVED the Witch Mountain ones but the Shrinking Woman, was, sadly, just not their style. Next up on the 70s movie list...Roller Derby and the Apple Dumpling Gang...I won't make them watch Savannah because I would just cry. (by the way, I've already made them watch "Midnight Madness" a hundred times. I bought it, and if you have not seen it GO now!!!)

* Tomorrow I am going to an art exhibit of MAD magazine comics. I am so incredibly thrilled and ecstatic about this. MAD magazine had a very large role in teaching me a LOOOOOT of things.

* Last of all, Mo is really developing a sense of humor. I do believe she will be as twisted as I'd like her to be. Awesome! Sufficiently warped, I love it.

Plus the weather has been great. Also we have the Simpsons movie in the car so everytime we go somewhere far, I get to hear the Spider Pig theme song. Which would make any normal person happy.

A Whodunit

This year Al REALLY wanted to do a scavenger hunt for her birthday. Normally I go all out for her birthday, but this would have required MAJOR work on my part, including passing out flyers to our neighbors, coordinating teams, etc. etc. I was not up for it.

Good thing I didn't, because it poured down the night of her party. which was perfect for a MYSTERY party that we had!

When I sent the invitations, each girl was assigned a character. Some of them included a baker, a karate expert, a practical joker, and a ballerina.

Al was the actress.



Rug, naturally, was the Clothes Horse. When asked, she said she owned "1041" pairs of shoes.



Once all the girls arrived, they all introduced themselves and really hammed it up. I was pretty impressed with how they all got into character! Plus we had a special surprise guest...



Me and Leana the ballerina. I'm on the left.

The girls had to make up commercials for pretend products such as Magic Socks and Bubble Gum Bath, and Candy Shoelaces. Even the quieter girls were working it.


After the cake and gifts, we learned who the culprit was! They all screamed and hooted and hollered and just had a blast. Worth every penny!!

Last but not least I brought out a game we played a few years ago at a party that was a HUGE hit...just stick some hard to chew Bazooka gum at the bottom of a mess of whipped cream and whoever blows the first bubble WINS!




I did have to finally go down to the basement around 1:30 and tell them to GO TO SLEEP ALREADY but besides that, it was great fun had by all.

Now if I could just catch up on the sleep I've lost!

(P.s. The mystery can be purchased at www.dramaticfanatic.com in case you're interested...)

Makenna Definition: Concentration

(Hairstyle courtesy of Al)

When I'm bored and surfing You Tube....

This video has three of my favorite things: Disney World, Star Wars, and Thriller. Truly a trifecta of hilarity.

Darth is getting jiggy!

Sunday Sunday

Well it's been a whirlwind type of week. I should blog more, but I've been so busy...not being busy, if that makes sense. Outside enjoying the lovely summer. Fortunately I live on the bluffs near the Mississippi therefore was not affected by the flooding nearby, which is crazy. Half of the steps to the Arch are under water.

We have spent the last week celebrating Al's 11th birthday and full swing into Tween-dom. She even got the side bangs with the swishy haircut, the transformation is complete. She also got her own digital camera so maybe she can take better pictures for this blog than her mom! We did the annual trip to Six Flags, where I found the roller coasters I once loved just cause me to get headaches. I did enjoy tattoo watching at the water park. I will never get one myself, but I love to admire others.

This week we are going to check out a really fancy house, it is very European/modern/Ikea ish and if it has what we like, we may make a bid on it. Who knows.

We are also doing a Murder Mystery Party for Al's birthday. I will let you know how that goes.

As of right now, I hear a certain 19 month old has unplugged the tub and is swishing in the bathtub bare butt with no water. I will resume blogging later.

SPF Youth

Youth = Backyard Hose and big sisters.

Nuf said.

Please allow me to Introduce Myself...

First off, I just now realized the typo in last post's title. Chold? What is that?

Anyway.

What a long strange trip this past week was. Al got back from camp, intact, albeit a little weary for the wear but all in all she had a blast. Heard the "Coconut" song the entire 2 hour drive home. You'd have to hear it that many times to TRULY experience it. Thanks to the counselor who taught it to them.

Before I begin this ditty, I want to let everyone reading know that I am NOT a complete and utter nitwit. AFTER reading this ditty, you will almost instantly think otherwise, but I repeat, I am NOT a nitwit. I have a college degree, dammit.

The whole week Al was gone, I insisted to LP that I was picking her up in the convertible. He insisted the gas mileage was going to be just as bad as the minivan's. Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my butt. He loves his baby. I asked him if there was a speeding truck headed towards me and the Saab at the same time, which would he pick? He didn't answer.

And he still hasn't.

I was INSISTING on the convertible. I was picking Al up along with a friend whose daughter is one of Al's bestest friends. They are conjoined at the hip, truly. They met in preschool and have been pals ever since.

I am obviously trying to avoid this story and what it will reveal.

We started down at 7 a.m. and we had a lot to talk about. My friend, we'll call her Myspace because her Myspace has like a gajillion friends and she is very popular and I am not. She is also gorgeous, but that does not have anything to do with this story.

Myspace's daughter is on the same soccer team as Al's and there is a lot of drama going on, so we were yapping and yapping. Myspace is also single, and was just in the middle of telling me about some new boy she was being set up with, when all of a sudden, not unlike a movie scene...KAJUNG KAJUNG KAJUNG the car starts jerking and sputtering and making weird noises I had never heard before...and I am freaking out...."WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS CAR? OOH NO! WHAT THE....."

Myspace replies, "Um, I think we are running out of gas."

Seriously? No. I am a responsible 34-year-old woman with three kids. No WAY would I ever....run...out...of....gas.

Oh dear.

I pulled my husband's almost brand new spiffy sports car onto the shoulder of the highway as FAR as I could. And then I lost it.

"What?!! I ran out of GAS? What idiot does that? 16 year old girls do that. I do not do that! What the hell?????"

Myspace had to get out of the car because she was laughing so hard she almost soiled herself. I was still in shock. Because guess what? We were in the middle of NOWHERE.

If you've ever been in Illinois, you would know when I mean NOWHERE I mean banjos were not even close to being heard in the distance. No freaking where. Several miles of walking in either direction.

I call the motor assistance card LP has in the glove compartment, and after being on hold for what seemed an eternity (which in reality was most likely 30 seconds) I soon learned it was only for TIRE assistance.

Just as I am hanging up, Myspace notices a black car several hundred yards in front of us on the shoulder, backing up slowly. My mind is spinning.

"What if they're crazy old men in there? What if they want us to do naughty things for gas? Oh my gosh what if they tell my husband???"

Myspace says as the car gets closer, "Well, it might be worth it, it's a Jaguar."

As they get closer, and we read the license plates, we realize they are people we know.

Yes, someone was watching out for me that day. My guardian angel works overtime, I realize that. Hope s/he gets paid double.

After offering up my firstborn and any other things to NOT tell LP about this incident, they helped me get to a gas station, get a gallon of gas and put it into the Saab. yes, I left LP's baby on the highway, by ITSELF for a time span I physically get ill about thinking how long it truly was. And LP knowing.

We got back into the car, and headed down the highway again, all the while I'm thinking only about the next gas station I needed to get to to fill that sucker up all the way. So of course, I almost missed the exit to turn.

Needless to say, I'm never allowed to drive down there again.

Once I got home, I thought of my options. I could just never bring it up, and LP would none be the wiser.

Yeah, right, until Myspace and I get together at the numerous drinking events we partake in and start yapping it up!

So I calmly told LP what I'd done. He was pretty accepting of the fact, and didn't get mad or even roll his eyes.

Strangely though, whenever I go out to the garage, the Saab is locked up and I can never find the keys. Coincidence? I think not.

Next time I am going to just embrace my Minivan status and never again be seduced by such an inticing little harlot of a sports car.

Nit wit.

SPF---Chold's Toy

Well this has been a very busy week this week, which I am grateful for, less time for me to miss the Ali Baba. Anyway, I'm going to get her tomorrow morning, and I'm trying to clean the house up before she gets home. Then I'll never get a chance to get back into the tween sanctuary she calls her room.

Kristine has given us the assignment of showing a picture of a child's toy, and Lord knows I have a gajillion Polly Pockets, but i'm just going to go into my pictures and grab the first toy I see in there. I have three kids folks. Lots of toys.



Rug got the Hair Kit for her American Girl doll one year. Guess how many times she played with it? You are lookin' at it.




This toy gets the vote for All Time Most Incredibly Annoying Loud Toy in the World. So of course Mo adores it. Lots of spinning, farmer in the dell-ing, rattling, etc.



I've shown this picture before, but it is funny that Kristine's daughter hates the Smurfs. I LOVED the Smurfs growing up. They were, obviously, my favorite.

Absence makes the heart grow sadder

Well Al has been at camp since Sunday. I finally got a postcard from her today, thanks goodness. It was mailed Monday so who knows what kind of week she has had. She did say in her postcard she wasn't getting much sleep, but that may have changed from the first night! I miss her, but I know she is having a blast. Definitely more fun than sitting around here watching Tom and Jerry. (yes! Tom and Jerry! Back on some channel and just as popular with the kids as ever)

Soccer tryouts are this week and that has been drama filled. I try my hardest to stay out of it but how can you not? People are so insecure about everything, and the smack talkers are out in full force. I could care less. I just want what is best for my daughters.

Speaking of soccer, Rug was nominated as one of the players in her club to travel to Greece next year for one (paid) week of training. I'm very excited about this. It would mean so much to her, and I would get to travel somewhere I've never in my life thought I'd ever see. we won't know until around March if she got it. She plays two years up, and is the leading goal scorer on her team. That ain't braggin' folks, that's just the facts. :) Definitely didn't get it from her mama. (that crazy knotted knappy hair oh yes, she got that from me.)

Mo has just erupted in words and sayings all week. Al will be stunned when she comes home to hear her. Her new one is "See ya later" and that usually means I need to pay attention because she is headed somewhere she should not.

I have been working out diligently and have lost yet another two pounds and that excites me. I have printed out the Expedition Everest Challenge Sheet and stuck on my refrigerator as incentive. If anyone is interested in joining my husband and I, please, the more the merrier. I am SO going to make it.

SPF--Through the Eyes of a Child

Kristine over at Random and Odd has made the month of June "Through The Eyes of a Child". Which makes me laugh, because in college my buddy used to always say I should title my autobiography "Through the Eyes of a Dancer". Just because it sounded good, not because I was a dancer.

Anyway. Probably one of those 'had to be there' kinda things.

My kids were extremely excited to participate in this project. Anything to get to handle Mom's camera. The results:

Al, 10-year-old:



Snoopy reading about the Jonas Brothers



Mo Temper Tantrum

And here are Rug's contributions:



Still Life--Table



Mo giggle

I attempted to give Mo the camera but she was not too interested:



Now THAT was easy.
Did YOU play?

It's the little things

10-year-old is on the list today. Her infractions:

1. Leaving a blue Sharpie marker in Mo's reach. Spent much of this morning cleaning up after her. 10-year-old can't find anything to help me clean up.

2. When I asked her to go get toilet paper, she grabbed the thinnest, almost generic paper she could find. Going to be a few "rough" weeks here at the house.

3. The eye rolling! When did that start?

4. Not liking baseball. At all. Who does she think she is? I'm at a loss.
(see picture below, I snapped her in all her moody tween "i don't want to be here" glory at the Cards game the other night)



5. Lastly, going to camp for a week without me! And being excited about it! Not cool, Al, not cool.

Weekend Update

I didn't get to haiku this weekend, the first time I decide to and I don't. What a loser. Anyway, it was pretty busy. We had a wedding on Saturday which was lovely, weddings sure are gorgeous these days. Open bar, that's the key.

Sunday I took the girls to the Zoo to run in the Make Tracks for the Zoo Race. It was only one mile, but
I was proud of the girls, we all ran it in 9:15 minutes. (Rug pretending she's too cool to be photographed).

We stayed at the zoo for awhile. St. Louis may be #1 in crime but we also have one of the BEST (if not THE BEST) zoos in the country. Seriously. Come visit. Plus, it's FREE. Can't beat free.


They even have dinosaurs!

Last night we went to Mo's SECOND Cardinal game in her life. I was worried, now she is mobile I'm afraid she'd lose attention fast but Doggone it she loves that organ playing. Yelling "CHARGE" all night never lost its appeal. How the Cards gave up a 4-0 lead is beyond me, but oh well, we had fun.

SPF-- Tribute

So this week's SPF is a tribute, and I'm sure Kristine means with a song. Well, a few minutes ago I learned Harvey Korman passed away. When I was little, the Carol Burnett Show was just about the greatest thing on earth, and I truly had a crush on Mr. Korman. So today my tribute is to him. He was one of the greats, and he will truly be missed.

Mo closest picture to 18 months I have

Mo update and other random items

Mo turned 18 months last week and I didn't even get a picture of her. I swore with my 3rd I wouldn't be this way, but looks like I am. Chalk up another point for 'them' because 'they' are always right.

We bought a new treadmill and put it together last night. I have yet to run on it but plan on running today, bad back be damned. God wouldn't have my back still hurting if he didn't want me to run through the pain, right?

LP is out right now buying a new water heater. I had mentioned before it was on the fritz, yesterday it officially stopped working and began to leak all over the basement. Now isn't that exciting? That is my life.

On the other hand, my mom has better stories in her neck of the woods. Last summer, her 10-year-old next door neighbor (next door!) set fire to a house down the street and because he was only 10 and they lacked evidence, he didn't go to any juvenile detention or serve any type of community service. We see him all the time when we go over there, and my mother tells me it's like that kid from the Twilight Zone movie, you know, nobody wants to piss him off so everyone is super nice to him.

So yesterday, her neighbor down the street was jumped and beaten severely by 3 men and is in the hospital recovering for 4-6 weeks. Turns out he is a gay man, and that is all my mother had to hear. She has never met a gay person in her life, (that she knows of...anyway) and for some reason she is so curious about anything GAY. When she told me this story, the subject of the email was "THE GAYS". Cracks me up. She is so sheltered.

And all I have is a broken water heater. Maybe I should go beat it up or something. Or set it on fire.

**************************

I did want to write a list of the things Mo can say now. I know, that is a clear and total lack of segue there, but that's how I roll. I don't have time for things to relate to one another. I'm a busy person, see?

Mo definitely does not talk as much as Al did, but probably more than Rug did. That's not to say she doesn't talk, she is constantly saying SOMETHING but it is Portugese or some language I do not understand. She has clearly been reincarnated and was once a fisherman somewhere and is just not ready to let go of that dialect.

First off, the brainwashing she gets from TV:
Bob Bob: Spongebob
Doo do Doo: Dora
Oooh! FFFFF! (Clifford, not from TV more books)
Melmo: Elmo
Win Pooh
Ohhhhhhhh: (intro to Spongebob song)

Next, People I Live with:
Dada
RahRah
Lala
Mom, Mommy, AHHHHHH!!!
Hi Kitty
Meow

Things I like to do:
Dan: Dance
Soc Ball
Drink
More (eating, and more eating)
Gippppsssss (grapes)
Yes!!!! (baseball watching)
Knuckles (hitting knuckles, someone taught her this)
Five (hi-five)
Ta-Da!
Spider (itsy bitsy spider, on heavy rotation)
Awwwww (petting animals)
Night Night
Thank you!
No! No!(vacuum, in response to me saying these words when she tried to unplug it)

Animals I think are pretty cool:
Goggie (doggie)
Kitty
(raz noise) Horse
(sniffing) Bunny
(pop noise) Fish
Oooooh! Bird

Explicit instructions:
Bye! ("I'm ready to go. RIGHT now.")
Shoe? ("I'm ready to go. RIGHT now. Put on my shoes.")
MMMMWAH! ("I'm ready to go. I'm blowing kisses to get the heck outta here.")
More!!! ("I need more of these. NOW.")
Booop! ("Honk my nose.")
AHHHHHH!!! (everything else you are not doing for me right this second)

Songs I like to sing:
Itsy Bitsy Spider
Any song from the Sesame Street Rock and Roll Show DVD
Elmo's World
ABCs
Winnie the Pooh
Twinkle Twinkle
Old Lady who swallowed a Fly
Low by Flo Rida (thanks, Rug)

When Stupid People Strike

Seriously? Sharon Stone, are you a COMPLETE idiot? When you make such ridiculous end of the world comments such as THIS, what do you expect? People will bow down to your greatness? No, they will realize what a total schmuck you are. Those who want to free Tibet are not backing you on that one, sweets. Go back to opening your legs for the movies honey. We don't want to hear you speak.

That is all.

What I'd Like to say to Some People but Can't

Blogs are great ways to vent. So here goes. Namelessly I will say what I really want to say to people. Here goes!


1. It's not that moving the car seat into your car is a big deal, it's that I don't trust my kids with your driving.

2. Seriously? You have to stop complaining.

3. You haven't seen us in so long because I can't stand the way you talk to my mother. Have respect please.

4. Move out already. You're almost 40.

5. Remember how you said there was a girl in your school growing up who was mean and no one would stand up to her? Yeah, that's YOUR daughter.

6. Your husband is really not a nice person, and has destroyed our friendship and you don't seem to care. I miss you.

7. Losing your temper is not 'just the way I am'. You can control it better than you do.

8. I don't trust you anymore. Don't pretend we are still friends, you told me yourself you needed new ones. (because I don't drink as much as you do? Nice.)

9. For Pete's sake, order something other than a cheeseburger for a change.

10. Stop telling people stories about my childhood. It drives me nuts. (ok, this one is obviously towards my mother. But really, it's driving me crazy) Or at least tell the good ones, not the embarrassing ones.

Hiking with the Say Qua's *

Don't look now but the Illinois, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers are converging!





*totally stealing from kalki

Saturday Haiku

I've decided each Saturday I will devote my blogging to haiku. Because I can.

Overnight at lodge
Two rivers converge nearby
Good breakfast buffet!

Hiking in the woods
Just me and my family
I'll look back and smile

One year olds are tough
They want to explore the world
Scream when you stop them!

SPF-- You in the Music

Hey folks, my back completely went out picking up the little muggle so I'm barely getting by today, but I will at least take a crack at SPF from old pictures I have. Most of my pics from last week were of people dancing though, so I may have screwed up here.



The girls 2006 at the Kelly Clarkson concert. I was 6 months preggo and not really into the music so much!



Here I am in 1992 with two of my guy buddies listening to a really loud band my friends were in. This was taken at the local 'teen center' which lasted only a few months in each different location they tried moving it to. Darn meddlin' kids, always getting into trouble! The question is, why did I think a gray vest was ever a cute thing to wear?

Did you Play?

Because God Knows Too

I may be replaced soon

Have I got your attention?

Let me introduce you to my friend, Mr. Daniel Craig. He's hard to look at, no? Here is the sad part...I was introduced to him by my husband, LP.

A few weeks ago, I went out somewhere and once the kids were in bed, LP found a video on demand to watch. He selected "Casino Royale" starring Mr. Craig.

Since then, this movie is almost constantly on my television. Or should I say the tellie, since Mr. Craig is indeed British.

Every time I walked in the room, it seemed as though some part of this movie was playing, especially him playing poker. it is after all, about gambling, or so I surmised from the title.

I'm not a fan of Bond movies. Not that they aren't good, I just don't have the patience for them. Roger Moore was the only Bond I could honestly tolerate anyway.

Until now, that is.

Finally after days of complaining that there is something ELSE on the television, LP made me sit down and watch the movie.

I loved it. And I now officially love Daniel. What IS it with those British boys that just make me swoon? (BTW, Rick Springfield lived in England too, you know...and David, of course)

So due to my husband's man crush on this gorgeous hunk of a man, I now have someone else to put into my fantasy repertoire. Which in case you are curious, involves them coming over and mopping my kitchen floors and then asking me what I want to talk about. And then actually listening.

I guess it should concern me my husband has a man crush, but it's OK. It could be worse.

He could have a man crush on someone else. Then we'd have problems.

It's Monday, let's play a game

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...They MUST be real places, names, things...NOTHING made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

Your Name: Jana

Famous Artist/Band/Musician: Jimi Hendrix

4 letter word: Jack! (wtf!)

Vehicle: Jaguar baby

TV Show: Judge Judy

City: Jackson, Mississippi (i've stayed there, in a Red Roof Inn...don't ask)

Boy Name: Joseph

Girl Name: Jill

Alcoholic drink: Jack and Coke

Occupation: Janitor

Flower: Juniper

Something you wear: Jodhpurs!

Celebrity: Jennifer Aniston

Food: Jelly

Something found in a kitchen: Junk

Reason for Being Late: Just got up

Cartoon Character: Jana of the Jungle!

Something You Shout: Jeebus!

Haiku for Today

The sun has arrived!
My face must feel the sunlight
No time for laundry

New convertible
It's a perfect day to go
Out for a long drive

My toes are tingling
I can wear my flip flops now
Show my piggies off!!

SPF: Lyrics

Hey Y'all...I do love love this theme this month so I must participate in some way today. I got home late last night from training at work out of town, and today is chock full of end of the school year activities, so it's going to have to be a creative endeavor from some of my older pictures. Let's all see what I can come up with on the fly, shall we?




I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance



(You've got to)
Dance little sister
Don't give up today
Hang on till tomorrow
I don't wanna hear you're late
Dance little sister
Don't give up today
Hang on till tomorrow
Don't give up your stay
and last of all, because I am really at a loss today, here is my favorite Scrubs episode:



I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away

But these lyrics mean to much to me...music is such a part of my life. Getting lost in a song is about the best feeling you could ever have. I had someone tell me once they could never live with me because I always had music on. Thank God I found someone like LP who listens to it as much if not more than I do....(although I must object to the constant Triumph and Ted Nugent he insists is good music...)

Did You Play???

Being An OverProtective Parent, Part II

Man ticketed for buckling beer, not son.

But it was a 30-can pack. I'd understand if it was say, just a 12-pack or maybe wine coolers or something, right?

Mum's the Word

Best Mother's Day Card I've ever received, written by my 8-year-old:

To: Jana (Mom)
From: Rug (your daughter)

We have been tohger* for 8 years and I Have loved you for 8 years. 8 years is alot. Mother's Day is better then my birthday. I like my birthday because the older I get the more time I've been with you!
* together, I'm assuming.

Is that not the best? Nothing like trying to make it about me but really it's pretty much about her. I love it.

Happy Mother's Day to all the muthas out there, and if your mom is anything like mine, Happy Guilt Trip Day as well!!!!!!!

SPF: How you Listen to Your Music

Kristine has asked us this week to display the way you listen to your music. I have to tell you, my life changed when I got that first MP3 player. To be able to have that much variety and versatility in one little machine blew me away. Certainly a far cry from me trying to find the right groove to put the needle on to play my Thriller album.

When iPods first came out, LP and I blew our wad on the mega super expensive one. It died within a year. After that I suffered through a year without one, having being spoiled by the first. I went and bought myself a Nano, and loved it and never had any trouble with it EVER. (it's pictured on top and has since been inherited by my daughter)

Then of course several weeks ago I went and got an iPhone. I'm not one to go out and get the 'cool' product first thing, but I saw this and we are now in love. I am completely lost without it. I would marry it, yes, I would. I'd use it on a plane, on a train, in a house, with a mouse...okay you get the point. So, DID YOU PLAY?



Top 3 Songs on my iPhone:
1. "Everlong" Acoustic
2. "Since You've Been Gone"
3. "Lose Yourself"

Runnig Down A Dream*

This week someone is making everything go my way, it's so wonderful. Last weekend we spent in Champaign, Illinois, also known as the Home of the University of Illinois, also known as Where LP Went To School and We Heard All About It. "That's where I worked! That's where I lived! That's where I once had to tie my shoes!" I can appreciate it though, your college days are some of the best times you'll ever have, and it was probably really nice for him to get to go back and reminisce. Champaign is a very pretty town, and Sunday was gorgeous weather so we were able to spend some time on campus. One of the geology buildings had a small museum and the girls got to see some dinosaur bones up close. Thus solidifying their dorkiness, I made them pose in front of them. Al ran away, but Rug captured the moment superbly.



(Picture title: "Mom I'm going to act like a dork if you force me to take pictures with dinosaur bones")

Rug won 2nd place in her soccer tournament and scored the ONLY goal for her team in the championship game. I was so proud of her, because she is playing girls two years older than her and still did completely awesome.

On the way home, we did stop by MY Alma Mater, Eastern Illinois University. It took much less time to visit than the U of I campus. I did manage to take a pic of the dorm I lived in the four years I was there, aptly named "LSD":


On Monday I chaperoned Al on her field trip to Camp Ondessonk, a summer camp in southern Illinois. Most people may not be aware, but southern Illinois is quite beautiful and there are tons of rock formations and caves and what not. It was so pretty. The entire 5th grade went, and there were Silly String raids, and crying kids, and canoe tipping and scary stories and unfortunately for one girl, a trip to the hospital when she split her leg open on a rock. I got little to no sleep, all due to a full bladder and trying to decide if it was worth leaving the warmth of my sleeping bag and walking the distance to the outhouse (improperly coined the "Wide Open" as it was nothing but) just to go to the bathroom. Around 4 a.m. i decided yes, yes it was. Then of course we were all up by 7 a.m. for breakfast.
Here was the view from our cabin, I didn't have my camera but I took this with my iPhone:


So here I am, and it's raining and I couldn't be happier because it did not rain at all while we were down there, and since today I've got a ton of work to do inside, what better day for rain than this?

I will be back tomorrow for SPF, in the meantime I will leave you with a few tidbits overheard at camp:

"I can't feel my special place anymore" ---boy in cave pool

"Boys don't have any common sense at all" ---5th grade girl scaling huge rock

"My grandma has a ghost named George. He's always stealing her rings and leaving the toilet seat up" ---5th grader campfire story, more than likely in reality a cross-dressing sloppy grandpa

"When I went to camp last year, I didn't brush my teeth the whole time!" --5th grade girl, not quashing my apprehension of sending Al to camp

"I'm alright". ---Chaperoning Dad, immediately upon falling about 15 feet onto a rock, clearly not alright but maintaining his masculinity.

"God we didn't need to see THAT" ---5th grade boy upon seeing one of the girls emerge from the pool in a white t-shirt sans undergarments

Stuff Portrait Friday ---MUSIC MONTH

So Kristine has reached perfection with this month's themes for Stuff Portrait Fridays. I'm elated, but I cannot guarantee my pictures will be all that great or really even remotely creative. But I will be playing every Friday!

The month's theme is MUSIC and as anyone who visits here knows, I'm a big fan. My tastes also run the gamut, but I'm most fond of 80s music. I'm sure that decade will more likely than not dominate my picture ideas. Oh, and I also am a fanatical Disney fan, so more than likely that will be a recurring theme as well!

Today's theme is: Song Titles. It's been a long tiresome day (steam cleaning carpets and other household duties) so I'll be using pictures already on my computer...

1. "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees



2. "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell



(oh, have I mentioned I have a one-year-old who stays at home with me so I take lots of pictures of?)

and your Disney money shot:

3. "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (how old do you have to be to get that reference?)



Ok I admit, pretty lame, but DID YOU PLAY???

Summer, Donna

I won't give you ALL of the details of our conversation last night, but my dear LP compared me to Donna Summer for some reason last night. Upon this revelation I started to sing, "She Works Hard for the Money" and he said, "Donna Summer didn't sing that."

Now LP is otherwise a walking encyclopedia of music knowledge, and it thrilled me to no end that I was on the winning side of a bet.

"Wanna bet?"

Oh yeah, he ran to the internets to get him some answers.

I'm getting me a nice back massage tonight. Which, in case you were wondering, is the ongoing prize for any and all bets that take place in the Say Qua Household.

All this talk reminded me of one of my favorite SNL skits with Cheri Oteri and Toby McGuire:

What to say when a customer in front of you is causing problems at the burger joint

For some reason my kids just don't get it when I yell "Simma Donna!" to them when they're out of control. It does make them stop however.