Happy Thanksgiving

I "snuggled" Shane and told him Happy Thanksgiving.

He responded..."I'd be thankful if you'd get off of me."

What a humbug. A teenage humbug.

I didn't honor his wish in case you're wondering.

LOL!

Happy Thanksgiving 2013 from Sand Bridge Virginia in VA Beach. Be grateful for what you have and the people in your life. I know I am.

Every. Stinking. Day.

Every.  Single.  Day.  

This is my morning routine.

Push in the couch cushions.  

Pick up the pillows and blankets off the floor.

And refold all the blankets. 

Every.  Stinking.  Day.

Sometimes 3 times a day.  

The weekends drive me bonkers.

But I suppose it is fair play.  Usually the moms curse comes into play but in this one, I'm sure my dad is laughing his butt off.  

Because I distinctly remember him folding all the blankets in the house over and over.

And mumbling the entire time..."I hope you have one just like you!"

Well dad.  I have three paybacks and I'm constantly folding their stupid blankets.

Stop laughing!  

And remove the curse!

Boys, I hex you children just like you one day that they never know how to fold a blanket.

And I'm going to laugh at you!  

Just like my dad is laughing at me.  lol

Marching Band

When Shane waffled this summer on whether he wanted to do marching band, I insisted that he do it for a year.  Ken and I disagreed about whether we should make him.  He didn't want to make him and I did.  

I'm not usually one to push the boys to do things they don't want to do but this time I insisted.

His reasoning was that he didn't want to spend his birthday at marching band practice.  Instead of practicing from 8-5, he wanted to sleep late and lounge.  Because it was his birthday, you know.  :D

Yeah.  That's not a good reason.

I knew he'd have a great time.  I was on color guard growing up and I loved it.  I loved the games, the competitions, the band trips (Mardi Gras was off the hook) and yes, even the practices.

So he amused us and he stuck with it.

And he's glad he did.  He is going to add the baritone sax to his repertoire of instruments I addition to the bass clarinet so that he can march with either next year.

He's made some really great friends.

His girlfriend is in the percussion.

I made some of new friends volunteering in the concessions stands.

Marching band may be known as geeks but is a fun thing for the kids and parents to be involved in during high school.

Making great friends, awesome memories and keeping the kids busy in the process.

That's what it's all about!

How You Make Boys Happy

How you make boys happy...all in pictures.  

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

Love that my boys both answer "your chicken pot pie" when I ask them what they want for dinner.  

And then ask if their friend can eat too.

But of course they can!  

I make two pies so they won't fight over it. 

We never have left overs.  

<3

I Just Don't Get It

Shane stayed after school last night so he could participate in a marching band performance at a rival high school.  I sent him with $3 so that he could get pizza with the other kids who were staying after.

That's him in the front blue coat on the 32 yard line.  

The county sponsored it as a way to raise money and get food donations for the local good bank.  The stands were full!

Anywho, I picked Shane and two of his friends up after.  Shane asked if they could go to Chic Fil A for dinner.

I told him no.  It was 10:35 pm already.

He said he was hungry because he didn't eat.

I reminded him that he ate pizza.

He said no he didn't.  He did have a taco tho.

UNCOOL MOM:  Oh.  Did they order tacos instead?

OFFENDING CLULESS TEENAGER:  No.  They ordered pizza.  I just went to Taco Bell with <insert name of random teenage driver>.

UCM:  UGH.  For real?

OCT: Yeah.  What's the problem?  You trust <insert it doesn't matter.>

UCM:  Well.  I don't want you going off riding with other kids.  Plus I need to know where you are at.

OCT:  Well.  That's just stupid.  I didn't even think about calling or asking you.  Why do you care where I am?  I wasn't suppose to be home anyway.

UCM:  Um.  Because I said so.  I don't care if you understand it or not.  That's the rule.  

OCT:  Well.  That's just stupid.

UCM:  UGH.

OCT:  Can I have your m&m's?

UCM:  No.  But here Erin.  You can have them.  Boys are stupid.  

(She was just complaining to her brother that he wasn't doing what he was suppose to do.  As I said.  Boys are stupid).

Sometimes I just don't understand the teenage mind.

All I can say is...teenagers...sheesh.

What Was I Getting?

I sent Owen in the laundry room to get a trash can liner.

About two minutes later, I heard him say "oh yeah....a trash bag."

He came back into the kitchen with the bag and I asked him if he forgot what he was doing.

He said he did forget.  Oops.

That kinda makes me feel better about myself because I do that at least once a week.  Sometimes I will have to go in there multiple times before I remember what I was going for.

Either that was good for me or bad for Owen.  But at least I can't say it's just me getting old.

Woot! 

Money Well Spent

Back in the day (lol...I hope you hear my voice saying that), when we left the house, we were gone.  There was no way for our parents to track us.  If we were late, we had to stop and use a pay phone and call our parents.

That cost us .25 to make a call.

Not the $75 phone bill that it costs us a month to have the ability to track our kids down whenever we want.

And that money, my friends, is money well spent!

When Shane went to the local amusement park, I was able to track him through his phone.  

Kinda weird, and a little creepy perhaps, but as a parent, I likey!

As a teenager, I would have hated it.  In fact, my friend and I use to joke that her mom probably had her car bugged and was tracking our every movement.

Too bad we didn't foresee the future and patent that idea...known better as a smart phone.

First World Problems

How many ear buds does my son own?

I really don't know the answer to that question.  I *am* sure it's at least 3 pair.

And do you know how I know this?  Because I just had to uncoil them all and wrap them up.

After I extracted them from the dryer that is.  

Meh.

Am I the only one who cleans out my pockets before I put my dirty clothes in the laundry basket?

Oh.  Wait.  The boys don't use the basket.  They just leave them laying on the floor.

Meh. 

Thanks daddy for teaching me how to coil wire.

I think I'm the only one who knows that trick.  Most of our technology is a big jumbled up ball of wire.  

Boys.  Sheesh.

I know.  First world problems, right?

:)

Not Nearly Enough

The best thing ever is to be woken up sweetly by your children at 6:30 in the morning to tell you that they just wanted to tell you bye and to have a great day.

Oh yeah.  That's the best.

Oh no.  Wait.   That's not the best.

The best is when said awesomely sweet child says that (still the best) and then shoves a piece of paper and pen in your sleepy face (in the dark) and tells you that he needs his interim signed.

Yeah.  THAT'S the best.  The very best!

Not.

It's not like he was doing it to hide that he was failing the class or anything.  He had an A.

He was just being lazy the night before and didn't bother to get himself or his stuff together before he went to bed.

Ahhhh.

Payback number, oh who cares.  My mother would say not nearly enough!

Making Her Dream A Reality

My BFF recently had surgery on her left wrist.  She loves to play tennis but, as a lefty, that's almost impossible right now.  As she also teaches tennis, that has slowed her down there too.

Unless your last name is Poppins and you see nothing but possibilities.  

And rainbows, unicorns and butterflies.

Yes.  Those help too.

So she declared that she would be the best righty ever.  And I begrudgedly humored her and, under protest, went out and (drilled) played with her so she could work on her right handed game.  (Because she's still in a cast and very impatient.)

Oh but then drilling wasn't good enough.  Oh no.  She wanted to play doubles. 

So again, I humored her and we decided which two friends to drag into the chaos.

The fun factor had to be high.

And so the smack talk began.

After we identified the opponents, we had to do it right.  And the smack talk began...via text...because this is 2013 you know.  Lol

Me:  Know what I believe?  I believe that L and I are going to kick your booty in doubles.  Lefties need not apply!  Woot!  

(Our friend is as good of a player as my BFF and she's also a lefty.  That meant that she had to play with her right hand to even the playing field.  We knew she would be game because there is a famous story that she beat H playing right handed.)

Of course, A wasn't going to back down.  She's probably as competitive as L.  And by "probably", I mean she is!   

A:   When we play...Better pack a lunch!

Me:  It's already packed...

H:  Pffffffft

BFF:  Are we playing during lunch time? 

I thought she was smack talking like the rest of us but come to find out, bless her heart, she didn't realize that A was talking smack and she really thought we were playing at lunch time.  :)

A challenge was then formally issued via text.

L and I are formally challenging you two to a doubles tennis match this Monday morning at 10:00 (til 11:30) at the YMCA.  The guest fees for you both will be handled and there is a nursery that E can go into.

The stipulation is that L and A both have to play right handed.  

The following is the beginning of the set of rules that will be in effect for the match.

1.  There will be no left handed forehands allowed on the court.

2.  A tie break will be determined by singles between L and A.  

3.  If either L or A plays with your left hand, that team loses a point.

4.  Smack talk will result in a penalty and a singles point being played between L and A.

5.  The offender MUST play the penalty point.  The offendee may phone a friend to sub in for her for that point from either her partner or someone in the gallery or on another court.

6.  If a patron walks by and says "wth?", a point is awarded to the team that caused them to say that.

7.  The chair ump may call a penalty point at any time and force a singles point to be played.

8.  If you hit a winner, you may do a victory dance.  

9.  The chair ump will keep score and has the authority to dole out penalties and punishments as she sees fit.

10.  If anyone walks onto the court and asks us to tone it down, match over and we ALL win! 

I have asked another friend to attend our match as chair ump.  I'm awaiting her response.

If you should have an addition to the rules or request a change, now is the time to do it.  

The winning team shall walk away from battle with these shiny trophies and first place ribbon.  The second place team gets a consolation ribbon.  

If you should say yes, I guarantee you the fun factor will be high!

We await your response.

Woot!  Woot!

Of course, as with all games, there were rules.

Ours just had a twist of sarcasm and fun in them.  Because it was all about the fun!

They accepted the challenge and then it was game on!

There's no way for me to even describe the match.  

H may have called me an asshole for getting a drop volley winner on her.

Then I may have taunted her for having to run it down.

And if that happened, she may have retaliated by throwing some water in my direction.  

And if all that were to happen, I *may* have to do some retaliation myself.  In about 6 months that is.  Once she thinks I forgot.  Oh.  But those that know me know that I *never* forget anything.  Ever.  lol

I mean.  If something like that happened.

The one thing I *can* confirm is that there was a lot of smack talk and even more laughs.

There were also trophies and first place ribbons (that they had to sign) presented to the winners from the second place team.

And second place ribbons presented to the second place winners.

There were no losers that day.

My BFF sent me this quote later and I think it best fits that day.

"May your memories be greater than your dreams!" 

L worried that she wouldn't be able to play tennis again after her wrist surgery.  She dreamed (and hoped) that she would.  

And the memories we made that day was definitely greater and better than she could ever dream.  

And the four people on the court that day have something to remember and laugh about for years to come.  

I have the best friends ever!  They are more than I deserve.  Love, love, love!

Get Off My Lawn!

We definitely have a teenager.

And I'm glad that I live in the lazy era of texting.

Me to him:  

"Your music is too loud.  Shut your door please."

I thought about shaking my fist at him and telling him to get off my damn lawn.

But that would have taken an additional 10 seconds to type.  

OMG!  I've turned into my mother!

Just A Small Peek

Shane asked me about some family history the other day as part of his World History class so I pulled out some files that I had on the research that I've done.

In the pile of papers, he found an old essay that he wrote.  It was about 2006 and he was obviously confessing about his scheme to sneak and unwrap a Christmas present while we were asleep. He would have been about 7.

LOL!  

What a gem and unexpected treat!  Makes me smile!

:)

It says:

"Next Monday I will see if my mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa are up and if not I'll sneak out of my room and have a small peek in a pressint.  Oh did I sae I whad peek.  I ment open one and befor my dad and mom wake I will clean up and play with my present and hide the toy befor my dad, mom, Grandma and Grandpa are up."

He did a written confession!  I guess no one ever told him not to put things in writing.  Lol!

Little stinker.

He's So Tired!

Ken: I love you.

Me: Thanks. I love you too.

Ken: Shuuuusssshhhh. I was talking to the bed. 

He was tired!

As he should have been from the sprint tri that he and our friends Pete and Jen did that morning.

That's where you swim, run and bike a certain distance.  Not sure what that distance is.  *I* will never personally know.  LOL!  But they do and they had a blast!

Go Ken Go!  Woot!

You Never Know What You're Going To Get

I love fortune cookies.

You just never know what you're going to get.  Sometimes they're stupid and sometimes they're spot on.  But the fact is,  you never know what you're getting until you open it.

My BSF (best snarky friend) stopped by to see me on my birthday where I was watching Shane play tennis.  She brought me a few birthday presents.

One was a Care Bear "mystery" package where you don't know which Care Bear "collectble" figurine you're going to get until you opened up the package.  Note that it's for ages 3+.  :D

I was sure I was going to get "Grumpy Bear" because I definitely woke up on the wrong side of the birthday bed that morning.

But no. 

It was something better!

It was Birthday Care Bear!

I'm not even kidding you.

Just like a fortune cookie.  You never know what you're going to get.

And sometimes it's just PERFECT!

So, we sat there and watched Shane play (because birthdays aren't the same when you have kids!), drinking the "juice" that BSF also brought. 

In the best birthday cups ever!

Feeling The Love

From my Facebook status update:

I woke up on the wrong side of the birthday bed...not looking forward to it at all. The day got better after a morning of tennis with my ever so patient friends (I didn't cry in my beer...I drank it...lol...you know who you are and thank you!), followed up with some time with the best BFF that a girl could ask for who always seems to know what to say and how to say it and knows how to make a friend feel way more special than they deserve. Thinking that my day couldn't get any better, I get a surprise visit from my favorite Asian friend (lol) who brought the absolute best present in the whole world (you know who you are and what it was) and ended the evening at one of my favorite restaurants (Sunken Well Tavern) with my favorite hubby and kids who I am now speaking to again (after last night...which should explain which side of the bed I woke up on) who gave me the sweetest cards and best present ever. (I was always speaking to Ken ....just for clarification. lol.)

I have to wish Susan Eckhardt-reed a very happy birthday! I know that yours was not as fun as mine (to say the least) but I hope that you found some joy in it. You are one of the strongest women I know and I hope that the next year is a positive year filled with good news and love! 

Thank you fb friends for all of the birthday wishes. I feel the love and I thank you for it!

Can't Help Herself

My BFF has been known "occasionally" to get frustrated with her hair and cut the bangs herself.

The conversation between us usually goes something like this:

ME:  <looking sideways at her>...um...did you cut your bangs again?

HER: <giggle> Yeeeessss.  How did you know?

ME:  Really?  Um.  Oh I don't know.  <Making the shape of scissors with my fingers and waving them wildly over my bangs while giggling at myself.>

HER:  They look AWESOME!

ME:  They sure do girl.  "Awesome".  

HER:  Thanks!

ME:  /giggling...sarcasm is so lost on you.  /rolls eyes 

HER:  Thanks!

ME:  You're welcome.  Lol!

So she recently had wrist surgery on her writing hand.  I told her NOT to cut her bangs before her hair appointment with another friend of mine.

She promised she wouldn't.  PROMISED.

"How could I cut it with my right hand?  That would just be stupid."

Then she had to cancel the appointment.

And then she couldn't help herself.

HER:  "I cut my bangs".

ME:  "Yes.  So I see."

HER:  "It only took 35 minutes."

ME:  "Lindsay's going to kill you.  I told you not to cut your bangs with your right hand.  You promised her."

HER:  "I know.  I couldn't help myself.  I'm sowwwwwy.

/big fat lip frowny face 

ME:  "Don't give me that look."  

HER:  /spongebob smiley face

ME:  "Ugh.  You're killing me.  Don't cut it again.  Lindsay's going to fix it."

HER:  "Ok.  I won't."

ME:  "Liar."

HER:  "I know."

ME:  "Me too."

Bawhahaha

I told on her to Lindsay.

She has an appointment in two weeks.

She promised she wouldn't cut it again.

PROMISED.  

Uh huh.  I've heard THAT one before.

LOL!

Drives Me Batty

Know what drives me batty?

Well.  There's a long list of things that drive me crazy but this has to be at the top of the list.

How hard is it to scrap the peanut butter off the knife and back into the jar?

Seriously.

I guess I should be happy that Owen made his lunch.  (Gripping the whole time but he made it!)

I guess I should be happy that the knife made it into the sink.

Small miracles do happen!

But.  Really.  

Is it THAT much more effort to scrap the peanut butter back into the jar?

I mean I'm not even asking them to clean it off and put it in the dishwasher.

THAT would be to much to expect.  

But for the love of all that is holy...scrap the peanut butter (or mayo or ketchup or whatever condiment you use) back into the jar.

Jeez.

"In A Relationship"

OMG.

Someone shoot me.

Shane's facebook status is "in a relationship".

For the record, his girlfriend (OMG...really) is A*berly.  She's a really sweet girl. 

OMG.

When did Ken get so old?

LOL

From My Play Book

As a teenager, I was famous for washing my clothes and then leaving them in the dryer.  I would either use the dryer as a second closet and just pick through it to get the shirt or pants that I wanted to wear or my dad would fold my clothes for me in the hopes of thwarting a war between my mother and I.

And by "war", I meant my mother yelling at me to fold my damn clothes.

All justified.

And as all other paybacks have been coming to fruition, - (thanks mom!) - I went to move my laundry from the washer to the dryer today and low and behold, Shane had pulled a play from my playbook.

After getting over the initial shock and AWE (like the skies parted and the sunshine shone BRIGHTLY with a big smiley on it's face) that he actually did his laundry, I started laughing because he pulled a fast one on me.  And I knew it.

As I had 10 loads of laundry to do behind him, I folded his stuff and made a mental note to myself that he pulled a good one but it was going to be the last time he did that.

Yeah.  Right. 

Game on boy.  I *know* THAT move.

I DID that move.

I got away with it some times.

As you will too.

But I've got my battle face on baby.

Damn teenagers.  LOL!

65 Things I Love!

On the occasion of my mom's 65th birthday (oops...I mean 29th birthday), I decided to not clutter up her house with more crap that she's going to try to give back to me anyway.  Instead, her gift is below.  Yay!  No dusting.  :)

65 Things I Love About Ginny

65.  I love that her nickname growing up was Chicken Hawk.  Because her last name was Hawk.  Not sure where the Chicken came from.

64.  I love that I get my red hair from her.  :D

63.  I love that *I* am her favorite child.  Yeah.  That's the best!

62.  We love that she is good at laundry.  "I'm doing laundry.  Give me the clothes off your back."  Yeah.  Just like Doris.  LOL!

61.  I love that she's so giving.  Ever since we were little, she was always volunteering for causes.  Usually through the Elks Club (or the Does).

60.  I love that she instilled in us the value of treating every human being with respect.  This comes from the volunteer work that she always had us doing with the "Mentally Retarded" as they were called in the day.

59.  I love that I did NOT get her cold nature.  

58.  I love that she gets focused on a hobby for a while and then tries something new.  That gives my family endless "so...what is Ginny interested in now?"  lol!  I *may* have gotten that trait as well.

57.  I love that one of those hobbies was started 20 years ago, dropped and then resurfaced about two years ago when she decided to finish the quilt that she started for me...20 years ago.  LOL!

56.  I love that she has a NJ attitude in the south.  Some people, however, are not as appreciative of that.

55.  I love that she's bossy.  Okay.  She just knows what she wants.  Nothing wrong with that.

54.  I love that Shane is now in marching band and I am living her life 20 years later because she went to every single football game when Susan and I were growing up to watch us.

53.  I love that her birthday is September 15th.  That is one day before Owen's birthday and now I can finally remember if her birthday is September 10 (her and daddy's anniversary) or September 15th.  I could never remember which one was which.

52.  I love how she drops everything if her children need her.  Yeah.  I love that.

51.  I love that she was 51 when Shane was born.  He's now 14.

50.  Speaking of him being 14, I do *not* love that her "I hope you have one just like you" is coming back to haunt me.  Yeah.  I don't like that!

49.  I love that she and daddy still live in the same house that I grew up in.  I'm not so sure *she* loves it.  And by "not so sure", I mean...she would be happy moving.  But she'd have to uproot daddy first.  Yeah.  Good luck with THAT one Ginny!  LOL!

48.  I love that her experience with the school's PTA was exactly like mine.  "You're preaching to the choir sister!"  

47.  I love that she is good with numbers and math.  Because that SURE didn't pass onto me. 

46.  I love that her math sense *did* pass onto Shane tho because he's a wiz at it.

45.  I love that she likes to shop.  

44.  I love it even more that she has lots of friends to do it with.

43.  I love it that she will humor me and daddy and go to Skin's Hotdogs when I come home.  Yeah.  I love that place!

42.  I love it that when we go to the original Skins that the waitress there last time said "OMG.  How big HAS he (Shane) gotten."  Yeah.  We don't really know her but we do. 

41.  I love it that she seems to know everyone in Anderson.

40.  I love it that she keeps up with all of my friends.

39.  I love it that she keeps up with all of her friends.

38.  I love it that she goes on a cruise with her friends every year.  Yeah.  That's cool.  And that's important.  BFF's are important to a girl.

37.  I love it that she has a good eye for color.  Her house is all kinds of coordinated.  Yeah.  I love that!

36.  I love to watch her scold Sheldon.  It's like turning back the hands of time about 25 years and watching her and Susan.  LOL!

35.  I love it that she has a granddaughter who is a girly girl who will indulge Ginny's bows and cute dresses.  Yeah.  I'm talking about Mary Mayken.  Definitely not Sheldon.  

34.  I love it that Ginny encourages Mary Mayken's girly side.  I hope that doesn't backfire on her.  Talk about a diva in the making.  :D

33.  I love that she sucked daddy into taking me and Susan to our first concert when we were 12 to see Rick Springfield.  She did it under the "it's for my Mother's Day present" guise.  Yeah.  Good one, Ginny!

32.  I love it (now anyway) that she got so mad at me when I was about 13 that she told my dad to go into my room and beat me because she couldn't do it.  It was like she was channeling Bill Cosby or something.  I think she would have killed me if she would have started.  LOL!

31.  I love it that her 12 year old granddaughter is taller than she is.  

30.  I love it that her 14 year old grandson is taller than she is.  No.  Really.  I love it.  I was worried that he wasn't going to be as tall as I am.  Whew.  At least he'll be 5'4".  Woot!

29.  I love it that she is finally 29 years old!

28.  I love it that she knows a lot of Shane and Owen's friends.  Even though she lives 9 hours away.  That means that she comes up here enough to get to know them.

27.  I also love it that she knows a lot of *my* friends.  Because that means that she comes up here enough to get to know them.  

26.  I love it that she and daddy took us camping at Oconee State Park every weekend during the summers in our RV camper.

25.  I love it that I learned how to make monkey bread during those camping trips.  

24.  I love it that I've passed along that monkey bread making and loving skills to my children.  They both request it for their birthday breakfast.  

23.  I love it that she did not kill me and Susan growing up.  Yeah.  That wouldn't have helped anyone. :D

22.  I love it that she and my dad were so active in the Elks Club when I was growing up.  We made some of the best childhood friends growing up when they were in the bar and we were running around the Club looking for trouble to get into.  We usually found it.

21.  I love it that she moved to SC from NJ.  Although I love my Joisey family, growing up in the south is something special.

20.  I love it that I had the Joisey roots tho because I learned to tell it like it was...oh so sweetly.  Bless you heart.   :D

19. I love that we had a pool growing up.  So did my friends.  And theirs.  Night time swims were the best!

18.  I love it that my parents always supported Susan and my activities.

17.  I love it that Susan loves to go to Disney.  Because mom does too.  And I don't.  So they can go together.  :)

16.  I love it that my mom is such a loyal friend.  Obviously her friends love her too because she's had the same group of friends since the Elks Club days.  (Jo, Mary and Nelly)

15.  I love it that she has to go shopping when she's at my house or she'll get stir crazy.

14.  I love it when she gets stir crazy that shit gets done in my house.  Like tons of cleaning.  Yeah.  I LOVE that!

13.  I love it that everything in her house is organized.  Everything is in bins, labeled or in baskets.

12.  I love her sarcastic sense of humor.

11.  I love how she isn't as black and white as me and my dad.

10.  I love how even though she has the ability to make decisions based on how she feels about a situation, she's very logical.

9.  I love the one picture that I saw of her as a platinum blond when my dad was in the service.  That was almost as good as when Susan went bleach blond.  Almost.  

8.  I love it that she taught me how to make shoo fly pie.  No one here knows what it is when I make it but *I* do and it's my part of my Yankee heritage.

7.  I love it that she and my dad share the same ancestors about 7 generations back.  That would actually explain some things.  :D

6.  I love it that I share her middle name.

5.  I love it that she nicknamed Susan Fruita Fats instead of me.

4.  I don't love it that she nicknamed me Sam, Sam the Garbage Man.  Maybe Fruita Fats wasn't so bad.

3.  I love it that she and my dad took us to Clemson Homecoming bonfire every year.  They said it was for Susan and my birthday but I think that they just wanted to party.  

2.  I love it that she got a dog (Sadie) and waited to tell dad until she was at my house.  Yeah.  That was the best!

1.  I love it that she's the best mom ever.

Happy birthday Mom!!!

A House Full

I now understand how my friends mom felt when we were in high school.  You see, my friend had an older brother and a younger sister whose friends were always at her house.  There was always a ton of kids at her house.  I think that she must have cooked a Thanksgiving meal every day it seemed because she was always feeding us.

Because there were a lot of us.  And a ton of teenage boys to feed.

I have five high schoolers here right now and five middle schoolers.  The middle schoolers are here to celebrate Owens 11th birthday and two of the high schoolers are here hanging out with Shane watching movies.  The other two high schoolers are neighborhood kids who just showed up.

And I heard them say "so and so" are on their way.

I knew I was going to have a ton of boys to feed so I planned to make piggies in a blanket.  I bought enough creasant rolls to feed all these boys.  I felt pretty good about myself.

Until I just realized that I forgot to take out the hotdogs from the freezer.  Doh.

So, I ordered pizza.  Oops.

The boys are playing football in the yard.  Hopefully running all of their energy out.  And probably getting stinky in the process.  Peeyew.

But I wouldn't change it for the world.  We have a house full of teenagers.  I'm glad the kids like to hang out here.  Love it actually!

Obligatory First Day of School Pictures - 2013

Every parent has that obligatory first day of school pictures.

You know the parents and grandparents on your facebook page just by scrolling through a newsfeed from the first day of school.

Most of them put their kids first day of school pictures on their to proudly display their kids.

Or to celebrate the fact that they survived the summer and now the kids are back in school.

Yay!

Oh.  Wait.  Maybe that's just me.  :D

This year was a bit different.

Shane entered his first year of high school.  Ninth grade.  OMG.  Where does the time go?

He loves that shirt.  He says it's so comfy.  <3 p="">

Not to be outdone, Owen started middle school this year.  I'm not sure which one traumatizes me more.  LOL!

He's cool.  :)

 

Sometimes they will oblige me and take nice pictures.  Like they sorta-kinda-almost-but-not really-like each other. 

I'm looking forward to them having a great year.  Shane started marching band this summer and seems to be enjoying it.  Owen joined band (playing the French Horn...because, you know, "everything French is good...French fries, French toast."  Thank God he didn't say "French kissing."  LOL!

You can look back through my blog posts to see his other first day of school.  Including kindergarten.  :(

Summertime Summertime

Nothing is better than hanging out with your cousins in the summer.

Well.  Nothing except eating watermelons.

Yeah.  That too. 

And playing with the doggies.

Yeah.  That too.

All those things done together is the best!

I suppose playing games on your cellphone inside is equally fun to a teenager.

:)

I Have A Middle Schooler

I have a middle schooler.

Okay.  I've *had* a middle schooler.

Just now, I have a new middle schooler and I don't have a elementary schooler.

Which was news to Ken.  Or he just forgot. 

     Ken:  When did they change the open house to Thursday?

 

     Me:  They didn't.

 

     Ken:  Yes they did.  It was on the sign outside the school.

 

     Me:  Are you talking about the elementary school?  That *is* on Thursday.

     Ken:  Oops.

 

     Me:  Um.  Neveemind.  I will take Owen to open house.

 

     Ken:  SCORE.

 

     Me:  LOL

So off we go to middle school open house.  Me, Owen and his friend Ky.  Yes.  He took his BFF with him even though he is going to a different school.

The most traumatic event of the day was trying to open up his locker.  His first combination?  00-0-00.  Yeah.  That one didn't work.  Neither did the next two lockers that he tried.  The fourth was finally a charm.

Talk about traumatizing a kid who is already nervous about starting middle school.  LOL!

Of course, he forgot his schedule and I forgot a pen so I had to wing it.  Thank goodness I had taken a picture of his schedule with my cell phone.  Yeah.  We totally rock like that.  lol

 

So gone are the days of FFES.  Hello teenage drama. 

 

Yay?

Happy 14th Birthday Shane

Shane wanted to have two friends over for his birthday.

Two.

Girls.

No boys.

He truly *is* 14.  Stupid hormones.  lol!

He was distraught about having to go to marching band practice all day "on his birthday!".  He got a birthday present when it was  only 76 degrees outside!

He got the cake that he wanted.  A yummy red velvet cake. 

It's too bad that he doesn't take his role as center of attention as the birthday boy seriously.  LOL!

Cream soda for his birthday.  He's so spoiled!

And in a "WTF" present of the night...a Pocket Chainsaw from his grandparents Joan and Darrel.  I didn't even know that existed!

His friends, Am*berly and Er*n.

Of course, Owen had to get in on the pictures.  Because that's what pain in the butt little brothers do.  In front of teenage girls especially.  Go Owen!  LOL

 

 

Happy 14th birthday!  You're finally taller than me.  Woot!

I Have A 14 Year Old

I have a 14 year old.

14 YEAR OLD.

I have a high schooler.

A HIGH SCHOOLER. 

Shane turned 14 the other day.  In the last 6 months, he has grown at least 6 inches.  He is now taller than me.  That's not really a milestone, since I'm all of 5 3/4.  The 3/4 is important people!  That's not important milestone.  For him, he's now as tall as his 12 year old cousin, Sheldon.

THAT is a milestone.  lol

He's definitely developed his own personality and I'm super proud of the young man that he is becoming.  Although I could do without his passive aggressivness nature sometimes, I love that he is such an independent thinker and doesn't care what the crowd does. 

He's just like his dad in many ways, including his love of debating politics and religion.  I don't like it but he and Ken can debate and talk about those issues for hours.  I always thought that he would be a follower but really, he stands up for his beliefs.

And just what are those beliefs?  Well.  They're a bit different than most 14 year olds.

 He believes in no judgment. 

He believes that people should be able to live their lives how they wish as long as it doesn't interfer with others. 

He's very passionate about gay marriage and really doesn't understand why gay people can't marry.  He's adamant about that and has no problem telling people that his peers, adults or anyone that says otherwise. 

He enjoys talking about world politics and is knowledgable about them. 

He loves to play Minecraft.

He loves to google chat with his friends.

And text them.  Apparently a lot of girls are texting him now.  I'm thinking about cutting them all.  lol

He says he is an aethiest.  I think that he's agnostic.  He is so science minded that it's hard for him to wrap his head around something that can't be seen or touched or proven one way or the other.

He loves music and spends a lot of time listening to pandora.  He especially loves harder alternative rock but lately has been listening to bands like Chicago because he enjoys the different instruments.

He likes to watch TV series with his dad.  They watch Dr. Who, The Family Guy (ugh...hate that one), Sherlock Holmes, Parenthood and others that I can't even stay in the same room with him because they are too scary like Supernatural. 

He is in his first year of marching band and he's loving it.  Even "hell week" as they call the summer practice week that ran from 8-5.  They got lucky because it was a uncharacteristically cool week with temps in the mid 70's.  He didn't want to do marching band.  This was the one thing that I insisted that he try.  And he's glad that he did.  So am I.

He wants to study physics and engineering in college.  At Virginia Tech. 

And he's smart enough to do it!

He hasn't quite learned the fine art of listening during a discussion.  Hopefully that will come with time.

All in all, he's a great kid that is passionate what he's passionate about and I can't wait to see where life takes him.  <3>

Teenage Boys...Sheesh

Teenage boys are so stupid. Shane and his friends were throwing rocks or something at cars today from the backyard. This is the second time we've had this discussion with him about why it's stupid.  

 

The first time this happened, a few weeks ago, we caught him and his stupid friends setting bottles on the road for cars to run over and then sitting there watching the cars hit it.  Shane came running in and said that people were yelling at them for no reason.  Ken called BS on him and said that he had seen a bunch of bottles in the neighbors woods the day before and said that he knew that they were putting the bottles out in the road for the cars to run over.  Shane looked so surprised that Ken figured it out.  I was to frankly.  Ken said that he was a teenage boy once. 

And then there was the other day where I looked out into the backyard at my friend's dog sticking her nose through a missing fence plank at the very busy road behind our house.  I about had a heart attack.  Thank God she came when I called her.  I asked Shane about it and he said it just happened the day before.  Ken and I went back there to look at it and Ken noticed a brick there.  When we came back in, Shane denied knowing what happened to the board.  (I don't know.  It just fell off.)  Ken called *cough* bulls&*t *cough* on him and said...come on Shane.  I know you were throwing it at the fence.  Shane confessed.  (I was impressed that Ken figured it out.  He said that he was a teenage boy once and that's what he would have done.  I swear I don't think like a boy!)   

 

I was just taking a picture of my friend's doggy under the trampoline at the time.  That's when I noticed it.

 

 

Like I said.

 

Teenage boys are stupid. Big ole MEH.

What Does A Heart Good

Mary Mayken is visiting this week for "Aunt Kem Camp" since Sheldon is in Brevard, NC at Camp Rock Bridge.  One of today's activities is wiffle ball.  I looked out in the front yard and saw Owen helping her learn how to bat.

Once upon a time, he wanted nothing to do with his baby cousin. Now it's a different story. I love to see him helping Mary Mayken and being so kind to her. 

You know what does a heart good?  That does a heart good.  :)

Ensuring The Love

Mary Mayken:  Sheldon's going to love me forever.

Me:  Oh. How do you know that?

Mary Mayken:  Because I bought her a birthday present and she's going to love it!

Me:  Well.  That's one way to ensure someone loves you.

LOL!

All In

It's really interesting when you read your kids facebook/blogs/emails, etc to see what they have to say.  It gives a lot of insight into what goes on in their minds.  Sometimes it's a good thing because they're writing normal kid stuff and others times, you get an eye full and you wish that you could unread what you've seen.

There are some things that you read that make you realize that your kids are growing up and they are far more knowledgable than you realize.  And mature.

As I mentioned, Owen got an instagram account.  It's a site that allows you to upload photos and your followers can comment on them.  Many times, it becomes a running dialogue between people.  And THAT is what gives you insight into their minds.

I read through this and said "wow" on so many levels. 

First, I was a little surprised that he reposted this tweet.  I know that he's very aware of the issue so I shouldn't be because Ken and I are open minded about gay marriage and have no tolerence for gay bashing and we have made that perfectly clear to the boys.  Ken in particular is very passionate about this issue and makes no apologies to anyone about it.  I don't either but I don't go looking for an argument the way he does.  And even at 13, Shane has been known to get into verbal battles with his friends at school over this issue and has told them to basically shove it.  Many times, he's provoked the argument.

But Owen is more like me.  He has his opinions but doesn't really like to get into debates about controversial current events.  Especially with stupid people who obviously don't want to discuss anything but just want to ram their opinion down your throat.  Neither of us are interested in dealing with that.

So when I saw this, I was surprised because he didn't shy away from the debate.  In fact,  he's not letting it go.  Well.  That part shouldn't surprise me because once he's decided that he's in for an argument, he's ALL in.

But, he's going against his good friend.  Which for him, right now, he's a little more consciencous of what his peers think of him than he has in the past.  You know.  He's a middle schooler.  Ugh.

I'm really proud of him for standing up for what he thinks.  As a parent, that's all that you can ask for.

But really.  When did my guinea piggy loving 10 year old become a teenager who discusses these types of topics.

I guess at the same time he decided that he cared what he wore and that his clothes actually matched.

Ugh and yay all in the same sentence.

Getting the What Not

This could have been me or Susan about 25 years ago.

Getting the whatnot from Nanny.

Sorry girl.  I do feel your pain but better you than me. 

LOL!

Because I Said So!

Owen and his pain in the ass sidekick Sheldon are on a campaign to get a dog.

Because their RELENTLESS campaign to get stupid guinea pigs worked. 

Written report complete with a bribe.  They also had a poster board.  :D

My car was decorated with their thoughts.
 



Written report.  Complete with smiley faces.  :/

 

Owen *was* really excited to get his piggies.  He sent Sheldon a note at camp.

 

 

 

 

 

Just so you know, he named his piggies Peace and Harmony.

At the vet to check them out after we got them.  Who the hell takes guinea pigs to the vet?  Oh yeah.  I do.  Because my friend's daughter works at the pet store who sold them to us and she insisted that they had to be checked out.  As soon as the boys heard that, they were relentless (seems like a theme) that we take them.  The vet bill was more expensive than the piggies.  Meh.

 

 So now, those little stinkers are on a crusade to get a dog.  Owen has an instagram account where I saw that Sheldon had put a comment on a picture of his stupid piggies and asked whether she had started the report for a dog yet.

Ugh.  I knew *exactly* what that meant for me when I read it.

Then I came across his report.  It's a work in progress but I thought that I'd put up at least one page that succinctly summarizes his arguments.

First of all, I can't stop focusing on his use of the word "there" instead of "they're".  I mean, it's cute and all but I can't stop twitching every time I read the next bullet point.

Okay.  I can admit that #10 is really cute.

But I can counter his bullet point #11 with my very own list.

It will be numbers 1-100 and every single one of them will be...because I said so.

And I mean it this time.

They should have gone with the dog when I gave them a choice between a dog, a cat or piggies.

I love dogs but not enough to put myself though taking care of a dog.  For the next 15 years.  Because I'm sure that they'll take care of the dog with no arguments just like they do the piggies.  Not.

Yeah.  No thanks!