Picture A Day - Day 7

Today's assignment: Something Funny

Little S is creative.  He has a whole desk full of art supplies and such and is always making something.

Recently after a small kitchen fire in another apartment he went around and put signs up in each room so we knew where we were and how to get out.

Just like most kids he loves boxes.  The older boys were selling candy bars and he kept begging me to let him have the empty box.  After being asked no less than 1.5 million times, I finally relented and said he could have it.  This is what he made:

He cut the top part off and made an "E". Then he took some ribbon and tied it into the box.  It is hard to see in this picture but across the top is a note that says "Hi. I am the gretter"  (greeter - his is still learning how to spell).

He placed this on the table as you walk in the door.  He is such a silly kid but I love his creativity.

-Stacy

January 10

First I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my hubby!  

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a few, let's say, issues. If you know anything about me or have been reading here for a while you know I have bathroom issues (as in I do not use public restrooms).

I also have hand-washing issues.  It is nothing for me to ask someone if they washed their hands after they have come out of the restroom or before they prepare food.

I must also tell my kids things are yucky or dirty and need thrown out.  I guess I didn't realize I was doing this until Little S was helping me clean out my end table drawer the other day.

There was a bunch of papers and stuff in there that needed thrown out or put in the proper place.  As we got to the bottom of the drawer he noticed some coins scattered around and asked if he could have them.  I looked and it was mostly pennies and nickles and a few dimes and quarters.  It probably only amounted to less that $2.00 so I told him he could have it.

As he is digging through he found a penny that was dirty and well worn and he said to me that we should probably throw it away since it is so yucky.

My poor kids, I have ruined them.  How sad is it that he would rather throw dirty money away than keep it?  Granted it was only a penny but still.

Have you ruined any of your kids? If so, how?

-Stacy

Bricks

My friend 'Dory' recently wrote a post about how much she misses her dad.  In the post she wrote about an analogy that was in the movie 'Rabbit Hole'. Please take a minute and read her post: Three Years Later

After reading that post, I got to thinking about what 'bricks' I carry around with me. I lost my dad in 1990 when I was just shy of 19.  He died of cancer related to Agent Orange from Vietnam.

He would probably laugh that I put this picture up here for all to see. I am not sure what year this was taken, but it was definitely before 1989 and it was Christmas time in our kitchen.  And yes, I believe his pajama's had the 'flap' in the back...lol  I know that this is Christmas because of all of the Tupperware containers on the counter behind him. My Mum always makes a TON of cookies for Christmas and still uses some of those same containers to this day for her cookies.

This picture kind of cracks me up and make me long for those simple times so many years ago.

This is a 'brick' I have carried around with me for many years. Some of the times I have reached in and it really hurt: my wedding and not being able to have a daddy/daughter dance, the birth of my children and watching them grow up, those are just a few times that it has hurt...but after 20+ years it has become sadly, normal.

Sometimes my Mum and I can talk about him and laugh at the things he did (see above photo) or said..."sufficiently safansafied" :)  (his way of saying he was full at dinner) And other times, like recently when going through old photo's we cry or turn them over so we don't cry.

A few years ago our family lost 4 family member within a year and a half. Some of those bricks are still a little heavy but are starting to lighten up. The hurt is still real and fresh at times but it also has become bearable with time.

Thanks 'Dory' for sharing that little part of a movie that has also helped put into words what is sometimes so hard to do.

Stacy

Sad but True

My Pastor shared this video this morning on his Facebook page.  I shared it as well, but wanted to share it again. 

Sadly there has been a time or two or probably more (ok, I admit, many more times) that I have felt this way.  And even if I am all in the moment and just worshipping God and all that He has done for me I am sure that there are others that are feeling this way.

Have you ever felt like this in church?

Are you a Christmas & Easter believer?

Are you a Sunday and done for the week person?

Do you give it to Him but decide you can work it out on your own better?

At one point or another in my life I have been these people. Some times a few of them at once. I am so thankful that I am now at a point in my life where I am drawing closer to Him. 

Believe me, I am not perfect.  And there are days that go by where I haven't opened my Bible or that I haven't just sat down and taken even 5 minutes to thank Him for anything.

Recently we have started a few new classes and lessons in church with the fall schedule and I am trying harder to give things to Him and to be thankful and prayerful every day.

I hope that you find this video funny, but that you also look at it and see where you need to work on your relationship with Him.  I sure have.

Stacy

Little S

My Little S LOVES LOVES LOVES his John Deere and Tonka tractors and diggers. And every year for the last 5 years he has gotten one from his Grandparents Olivo for his fake birthday.

This is one example of what he does with them...thinking it borders on toy abuse...lol



But they are well love and well used.

Stacy

Bathroom Part 2

Recently we were without our air conditioning in our apartment for a week and a half. It just also happened to be the hottest week so far in our area. We stuck it out during the week but my parents offered for us to come stay with them for a few days to get a break from the heat.

So we left Thursday night (since I am off on Friday's) and stayed through Sunday evening. I was not going to go home to the heat sooner than I had to.

Friday morning I got up and moving around and went into the bathroom. The roll was almost empty so I got under the cabinet and replaced it.

Later in the afternoon I went into the bathroom again and the roll was once again empty except for 2 squares. I was at first a little confused and then I was a little angry to think that my boys went through a whole roll of toilet paper in just a few hours....what were they doing with it? Eating it? Decorating?

Anyhow, I open the cabinet and reach for another roll and there isn't one there. Now I know that there was at least one more roll under there when I changed it earlier in the day. Where did it go? My boys were going to be in serious trouble if they went through 2 rolls!

So I turn around and the tissue box is also missing from the bathroom. Great! Now what? My parents have a large house and no one is going to hear me yell for paper. So there I sit listening for someone to come down the hallway...thinking I might have to drip dry.

Pretty soon my sidekick that never leaves my side comes wondering down the hall looking for me and I holler to Little S to tell grandma that there isn't any tissue in the bathroom.

When she came back and told me to use the cardboard, I thought ha ha...very funny.

I then learned that my dad had this planned all day. The first time I went in and it was almost empty, he had forgotten to remove the extra rolls from under the sink.

They all got a kick out of making fun of me. But sadly my dad had just left to go to the store and missed the whole thing play out.

I'm glad that I could make the family laugh :)

Stacy

Facing My Fears

Anyone that know me at all knows that I absolutely do not like nor do I use public restrooms. I have been known to go 10-12 hours without using a restroom during the day if I am not home or somewhere I am comfortable.

That being said make this next story even more hilarious.

Tween and I were recently on an expedition of sorts and we left about 12:15 am and arrived at our destination at 1 am. We got settled in and by 10 am we were seated.

With all of the planning we did for this event, I never thought about having to use a public restroom. Honestly the thought never crossed my mind.

However by 2 pm I knew that I was going to have to break down and be brave and use the public restroom. Tween assured me that they were pretty clean. Of course he was using the men's and I was going to have to use the women's.

I put it off a little longer but by 3 pm I had to give in. So off I went, by myself, leaving behind my purse and such with Tween at our seats.

It didn't start out so bad. First off there weren't any entrance exit doors as there were corridors. That made me feel a little better as I didn't have to touch a gross door handle :)

So I look around a little and pick my, umm, stall...lol

I went in and use the facilities. As I reach for the toilet paper, guess what...there wasn't ANY!!! Ugh! What was I going to do? Seinfeld's "Can You Spare A Square Episode" running through my head.

I look to the right and there isn't anyone in that stall. I look to the left and noticed that who/what ever was in there had been standing backwards the entire time so I was not about to ask for a square.

What to do?? Well since I left my purse back at the seats, my only other option was to rip the cardboard liner apart and use it. To say it was uncomfortable and lacking absorb-ability would be an understatement. But I had no other choice.

So I go out to the sink and notice a girl just standing there with wet hands and as I wet mine and reach for the soap, she tells me that they are empty. We tried 3 different dispensers and although one was clearly full, the handle was broken :( She was just as disgusted as I was!

Thankfully again there weren't any exit doors so I quickly walked back to my seat without touching anything and had Tween get the hand sanitizer out for me.

At the time this wasn't funny, but seriously only I would have this experience. Since I never use public facilities I never thought to check for tissue paper upon entering the stall, I didn't even consider taking my purse in or my own soap.

Next time, if there ever has to be one, I will be more prepared!

Stacy

Funny Moment

I have a story to tell that tomorrow. But for today a funny!

Yesterday Tween got some disappointing news and several of my friends were also waiting for the answer. So I text them and let them know the answer he got. Although I got several texts back here are two texts I got in a row from two different friends.

First Dory sent this text: Awww poop

Then Shannon sent me this: Oh man. Stink :(

My Tween was so upset at the time and when I read him the two back to back texts he even had to laugh.

Thanks for making a tough situation a little easier if only for a minute.

Stacy

Little S & I

I was going through some pictures looking for a certain one and ran across this one. I usually do not like my picture taken. I don't think I take good pictures at all. But I ran across this one and I love it. I can't remember the last time I loved a picture with me in it, but here it is:

Little S and I were just being silly at my mum's house out in my grandma's living room. Little S loves to take pictures. He often just takes my phone or camera and snaps away. So glad for digital photos!

Do you like to have your picture taken or are you usually the one behind the camera?

Stacy

Socks

I have always tried to be the type of parent that lets her boyz be themselves. You know the 'pick your battles' type of parent. Little S loves his cowboy boots. This is a picture from last summer. It was probably 80*+ and this is what he chose to wear.

He told us it was too hot to wear a shirt, but he still had those cowboy boots on. He wears them everywhere. We had to eventually take them off of him as he outgrew them but insisted upon wearing them anyhow. Don't worry though Grandma & Grandpa got him a new pair for Christmas. And he now wears them ALL of the time.

So last night Teen & Tween and I went to the laundromat to get some clothes done. While we were gone Daddy gave Little S his bath and got him ready for bed. When I came home they were talking about his silly socks he put on.

Not sure where he found them but I they were a prize in a game we played at Christmas. They are red, green and white striped toe socks. He wore them to bed last night.

This morning I got him up and set out his clothes. While I was getting his clothes I asked if he had socks, totally forgetting about the silly socks. He said he had them and I went out to the other room while he dressed.

When he came out and I saw the socks I asked him to please go change his socks. He whined about it and I tried to get him to change them. Then he said this:

"Mum, school is about learning not about socks!"

How could I argue with that? I definitely lost that battle with the 7 year old.

This is what he wore to school today. Of course he put his boots on before walking out the door. I figured not many kids are going to see the socks anyhow with those boots on. It's all about choosing my battles :)

Stacy

Plant Answer

I guess I took the picture too close as everyone was right. It was popcorn kernels. There was only one suspect in my house that would have done that, so I asked him. Me - Little S did you put popcorn kernels in my plant? LS - Yes. Me - Why? LS - So that your plant would get more flowers and so I could grown a popcorn plant. Me - Where do you think Popcorn comes from? LS - Popcorn Tween and I were laughing and then he proceeded to explain to Little S where popcorn comes from. That kid just cracks me up sometimes. Stacy

Plants

When it comes to indoor plants, I do not have a green thumb at all...in fact it is almost black.

I have found that the only plant I can really take care of in the house is my Peace Lily. The reason I can handle this plant is you cannot over water it as they can live in just water. If it doesn't get enough water, it starts to droop. I just add some water and it perks right back up. What a horrible life for a plant. In fact if they had a humane society for plants, I would loose my rights to plants...lol

My mum on the other hand can grow anything. Indoor or outdoor. She definitely has a green thumb. We grew up with tons of plants around the house. In fact when she remodeled her last house she had a whole plant section in the dining room. She had a cabinet built in and a grow light put in above. When she built the addition on to her new house she had a huge sun room put in and it is full of thriving plants. And the outside of the house is beautiful as well. It looks as if she had a professional landscaper come in and design everything. However they did it all themselves. I will have to share some pics this spring and summer.

So the other day my plant needed water (no it wasn't drooping this time) and as I went to move the leaves to water it, here is what I found:

Can you see those little seeds in there? You will never guess what they are or how they got there. Go ahead and guess....I'll stop back later and give you the answer.

Stacy

Where A Kid Can....

We recently took the boyz to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time. (The older two had gone once before at my parents when they were little) I know it is sad that it took us this long to get them there. But they had a blast! I actually think the biggest kid there that night was my hubby :)

We've been really busy around here and I'll tell you more about it later.

Until then,

Stacy

Friday Five

** Warning - Shannon, this post may turn your stomache. **


Five Things That Should Never Be Chocolate Covered

1) Peppers


2) Bugs of any kind
















3) Ham

4) Bacon

5) Pickles




What other crazy things do you know of that they cover in chocolate? Would you attempt to eat any of these?

Stacy

It's a Boy and a Boy and a Girl!

I am now a grandmother of triplets!

I know, I know, I kept it quite a secret. Well I actually didn't find out myself until this afternoon when Teen called to let me know.

You've heard of or watched that show "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant"? I didn't know I was going to be a grandmother. Apparently Teen knew for a few weeks that this great event was going to happen, but failed to share it with his parents.

So without further adieu, here is the first picture of the triplets:

From left to right they are my grand-eggs: Thomas Edward, Jayden Michael and Samatha Marie. They are all healthy and just beautiful.

Teen made the crib himself and the blanket they are using was his kerchief from prom.

We are so proud of these little buggers...errr...eggs.


And I even got to babysit them tonight while Teen finished his Christmas shopping. Aren't I a lucky grandma!

Stacy

Fake Birthday

Last weekend we went to my parents "Other House" to celebrate Little S's birthday. My parents have a time share that they have the first week in December every year. We usually go there for the weekend with them and celebrate his birthday early. He will turn 7 on Dec 17 and since it is so close to Christmas we try to make a big deal about it early in the month.

Little S had a hard time when he was littler trying to figure out the whole time share thing and celebrating his birthday more than once. So it became a big joke that we were going to the other house to celebrate his 'Fake Birthday" since it wasn't on the right day.

This is the cake we got him this year: As you know from several posts here he LOVES his big trucks. And every year for his birthday my parents get him a new one.

Here he is opening a small present from grandma and grandpa. Hmmm....why is it so small? A truck certainly can't fit in that box.

Or could it? In case you can't read see what it says:

Little S, Here is a Fake Truck for your Fake Birthday!

He thought it was funny, until he realized that there wasn't a big truck.

But Grandma and Grandpa wouldn't disappoint him like that, they soon brought his real present out for him.

You can tell by the look on his face that he loves his big trucks!

Stacy

November 26

My boss at work is from Greece. He came here a little of 15 years ago for college and then stayed here. He speaks English well but has an accent that sometimes confuses me. I know, not hard right...lol He has called into the office asking for Keith and I have transferred him to Kim as a result of his accent and me not hearing him right. Sometimes it is funny, sometimes he doesn't find it amusing.

When I first started there my hand were dry one day and I didn't have any lotion but i noticed a bottle of Bath and Body Works in the drawer that the intern had left behind. Not thinking anything of it, I used a little after checking with the other girls. One of the girls commented that it made the whole room smell really good. And after lunch I put a little more on and went about the day.

Then the boss comes out and asks me: "What are you wearing?"
I was a little confused and said: "Excuse me?"
He asked again: "What are you wearing?"

I had no idea what he was talking about and seriously thought that something I was wearing was not allowed, such as my shoes, shirt, etc. I had only been there about 2 weeks so I thought maybe I had somehow unintentionally violated the dress code.

Then one of the of girls got this look on her face and she realized what he was talking about. The smell of the lotion was bothering him. During this HR happened to walk through the office and wanted to know if everything was ok. So I told her that the boss had just asked me what I was wearing.

Oh, my, goodness...she pulled him aside and told him that he cannot ask a female worker a question like that. It was a huge hilarious misunderstanding on every one's part and we all laughed about it afterwards.

Fast forward to this past Monday. Our office got to be 79* in the afternoon and we asked if the air could be turned on as it was awful stuffy also. So the boss turned the air on and came out and was talking to us and one of the other girls said she was just fine and cozy. I said if it got much cozier they were going to find me asleep on my desk. She also said that she had long underwear on and was still a little chilly.

So they started talking about long underwear and how he once bought a pair a long time ago to go pheasant hunting and they were scratching and uncomfortable to him. But when he went home to Greece he had bought some UnderArmor to wear. Then they talked about how a couple of the other girls were long underwear through the winter as well.

And without even thinking he turns to me and says: "Do you wear underwear?"
Now I knew what he was talking about but I couldn't resist: "What did you just ask me?"
I swear he turned red on the spot. And he made me swear that I wouldn't tell HR what happened as in his words: "I don't need HR on my a$$ again."

It was so funny and we all laughed about it forever. All except HR that is...lol

Stacy

November 25

We had a great Thanksgiving. We went to Hubby's brothers for the day and had a day filled with food and laughter.

We played the White Elephant Game. My sister-in-law and myself each bought a bunch of small gifts and gag gifts and wrapped them up. Then you all sit around the table and roll the dice. If you get doubles you get to take a present off of the table. Once all of the presents are claimed you continue to roll for a set amount of time, we chose 10 minutes, and if you roll doubles you steal a gift from someone else. It gets to be a riot as you have no idea what you are stealing.

Usually there is one gift that everyone thinks has to be the best gift and it gets taken again and again. This time it was a bag of pretzels that were wrapped up in a shoe box. Everyone wanted the shoe box.

Here are some of the presents that were unwrapped this year:
A pringles container full of dum-dums and smarties.
Lottery scratch off tickets
Candle
Mancala Game
Box of Tissues
Calendar
Pez dispenser
Silly striped toe socks
Baseball cap

There were about 20 gifts in all and it was so much fun. If you are ever looking for just a fun little game to make everyone laugh and have a good time, this is it. My SIL and I decided at the last minute to play the game this year so we got all of the gifts but you can always just have everyone bring a wrapped present that day for a game later.

And I have no idea why it is called the White Elephant Game, but it just means you are supposed to bring something that you already have laying around. You know that awful mug that someone gave you and you refuse to drink out of? That is a great one to use. Or those photo frames you got one year from Aunt Jane that are pink and you have all boys? That is a great gift to wrap up as well.

Maybe you can sneak this game into your holiday season this year. And if you do, please let me know how it worked out for you and if you had as much fun as we do.

Stacy

November 18

First off I want to say that the Robotics Team made it to Alabama. They had a slight delay as the bus radiator blew but they were able to make a temporary fix so they could get back on the road and to the hotel. After dropping the kids off there the driver took the bus over for repairs so they could make it back home.

Tonight my niece and I went to card making class at my church. It is a small group of us girls who like to get together and make greeting cards and such. We always have a nice time and great conversations as well.

I have always loved to have conversations with my kids in the car. Sometimes though when I pick up Madison she is quiet in the car and other times she is a little chatter box.

Tonight we were talking away and she called someone a 'd-bag'. I looked over and asked her if her mother allowed her to talk like that and she said she didn't even realize it was a bad word.

So we were laughing about it and then I asked her if she even knew what that word meant. To which she replied that she had no clue. And the whole time she is laughing and giggling. I thought she maybe knew but didn't want to tell me she did.

But I soon realized that I was used to boys and they don't giggle when they are embarrassed or confused. My boys look at me with a blank expression on their faces and wait for me to tell them the answer. We have talked about everything from books to sex and they never seem to blink an eye.

So I then proceeded to explain when the word really meant and I think if I could have seen her face in the light she would have been 15 shades of red.

I am pretty sure it will be a while before she uses that term again...lol

I am so very thankful for my boyz, but hanging with my niece sometimes is so much fun.

Stacy

November 11

Last week was the Scholastic Book Fair at the elementary school. Little S was so excited as this was the first one that he would be able to go to alone and pick out books.

So I put some money in an envelope and told Little S that he would be able to get 2 or 3 books depending on how much each book cost. Then I went on to say my typical speech before I sent him off to spend 'his' money:

"Remember you can get as many books as you have money for but" and he stopped me in my tracks and he finishes with:

"I know Mum, no pencils, posters or other crap!"

Guess the third child really picks up on what is continuously said to the older two.

Stacy