Well, that was unpleasant. I just spent the last fifteen minutes removing half a dozen dirty comments from some fool in Taiwan who apparently has nothing better to do than sit around spreading filth through the internet. Happy Hearts at Home, I'm so sorry to see that you, too, were the target of such nastiness. (A quick look at my sitemeter shows that they apparently came to my page from yours; but selfishly, I just have to say that I was glad, at least, for the opportunity to discover your beautiful blog!) But still. Such a not nice way to start my day. :(
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I'm not allowed to shop at Target anymore.
Or maybe that's not entirely true, but I did spend ninety dollars there this morning and still somehow managed to return home without the one item for which I had gone in the first place: tomato soup. More accurately, the three remaining cans I found on the shelf there, because it was Darren's only request when I left with all the children to allow him some quiet rest while he recuperates from the surgery he underwent yesterday. I know I paid for them, because the evidence mocked me there in black and white on the receipt when I got home and checked, then double- and triple-checked, the bags. Irritation! Has anyone else ever done this, or am I uniquely talented in this regard? Please, I'd love to hear your stories. I mean, ninety dollars!!! And no soup!!! (Although I did, with great difficulty, abstain from purchasing the most beautiful bedding for the girls, with which I absolutely fell in love, and which also happened to be the last remaining in the right size, and which matched their current room so well I wouldn't even have to repaint, because, oh, did I mention? They want to trade rooms again!)
Darren's current nerdy reads, because it will make me laugh if we ever go through this again, but we better as heck not, because we just did this not two years ago: Measuring America: How an Untamed Wilderness Shaped the United States and Fulfilled the Promise of Democracy and The Most Evil Men and Women in History. (But I have to say that even I am finding that second one fascinating. "Bloody Mary", for example? Wow, now that family had issues. Oh, and my other current read: Don't Know Much About American History. Perhaps there is room enough for more than one nerd in this family. Although, if I were truly a nerd or had ever at least paid attention in history class, probably I wouldn't even need such a book. There is just so much I don't know. Scarier, even more that I don't even know I don't know. You know?)
Darren's current nerdy reads, because it will make me laugh if we ever go through this again, but we better as heck not, because we just did this not two years ago: Measuring America: How an Untamed Wilderness Shaped the United States and Fulfilled the Promise of Democracy and The Most Evil Men and Women in History. (But I have to say that even I am finding that second one fascinating. "Bloody Mary", for example? Wow, now that family had issues. Oh, and my other current read: Don't Know Much About American History. Perhaps there is room enough for more than one nerd in this family. Although, if I were truly a nerd or had ever at least paid attention in history class, probably I wouldn't even need such a book. There is just so much I don't know. Scarier, even more that I don't even know I don't know. You know?)
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Friday Fun
I decided a while back that we would not have school on Fridays. With few exceptions, I work every Friday and the stress of worrying about school, getting the laundry caught up before the weekend, tidying the house, and trying to sleep before going to work was just too much. It's much nicer now having our Fridays off! And so, although it's technically now Saturday morning (it still feels like Friday since I've not yet been to bed) I wanted to share with you a bit of the fun we had today.
I was remembering a few nights ago how much my brothers and mom and I used to enjoy a soft pretzel and Orange Julius when we'd visit the mall. It's been years and years now since I've had an Orange Julius (that store is no longer even at the mall) but I thought I could probably whip up a similar concoction in the blender. I found this recipe and it tasted surprisingly close to what I remembered! The children didn't much care for theirs, so there was plenty for me. ;)
I had tried several soft pretzel recipes last year, and even shared a couple of them with Charlotte when she was requesting suggestions during Lent, but this time I tried a new recipe and I have to say that we were all very well pleased with the results. They were very easy to make and Dylan declared them "the best in the Universe"! I was all out of the salt with which I've topped them in the past, but this time the children actually voted for cinnamon sugar pretzels, instead, and I was more than happy to oblige. In fact, I welcomed the opportunity to try out the nifty little sifter I received at Christmas from my thoughtful sister-in-law! I was also glad for the chance to use one of the baking stones Darren found for a steal at a yard sale last year. It worked beautifully!
We so enjoyed our uncommon lunch that we even let Kristen participate, too! I've said before that I'm paranoid about choking (if it was up to me I'd puree all their food until they're, like, five), but I broke off little teeny tiny pieces for Kristen to eat and she was so thrilled to be eating like such a big girl! And I know she really is becoming quite the big girl. I can't believe she'll be one next month!
I was remembering a few nights ago how much my brothers and mom and I used to enjoy a soft pretzel and Orange Julius when we'd visit the mall. It's been years and years now since I've had an Orange Julius (that store is no longer even at the mall) but I thought I could probably whip up a similar concoction in the blender. I found this recipe and it tasted surprisingly close to what I remembered! The children didn't much care for theirs, so there was plenty for me. ;)
I had tried several soft pretzel recipes last year, and even shared a couple of them with Charlotte when she was requesting suggestions during Lent, but this time I tried a new recipe and I have to say that we were all very well pleased with the results. They were very easy to make and Dylan declared them "the best in the Universe"! I was all out of the salt with which I've topped them in the past, but this time the children actually voted for cinnamon sugar pretzels, instead, and I was more than happy to oblige. In fact, I welcomed the opportunity to try out the nifty little sifter I received at Christmas from my thoughtful sister-in-law! I was also glad for the chance to use one of the baking stones Darren found for a steal at a yard sale last year. It worked beautifully!
We so enjoyed our uncommon lunch that we even let Kristen participate, too! I've said before that I'm paranoid about choking (if it was up to me I'd puree all their food until they're, like, five), but I broke off little teeny tiny pieces for Kristen to eat and she was so thrilled to be eating like such a big girl! And I know she really is becoming quite the big girl. I can't believe she'll be one next month!
Happy Saturday, friends! I hope you all have a delightful weekend!
Friday, February 06, 2009
Just so you know...
The kitty is not actually allowed on Kristen's high chair. But sometimes, instead of shooing her down, I just have to grab the camera first. :)
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Thoughts on a Thursday.
The funeral for Darren's grandpa was held yesterday afternoon. Sadly, though, we were unable to attend. At a distance some seven hours away, the drive would have simply been too painful for Darren, who is scheduled to have surgery less than a week from today and who is miserable just driving to and from work each day.
I sure hope his grandpa would understand.
Darren's first book signing was also held yesterday at the museum, and as I type this, he is giving a lecture at the university to be followed by another signing. He'll have one more this weekend at our favorite bookstore, which I'm hoping to attend with the children, and there will be one more at Barnes and Noble later in the month. There was an awesome feature story about him and his book in two of our local newspapers, and I'm beginning to feel as though I'm married to a celebrity! I really am so proud of him. All of his profits are being donated to the Historical Foundation, which is raising money for a new museum building, and he has had such a positive response from the community!
I had a friend over for lunch earlier in the week and it was so much fun. I baked bread and cookies that morning (oatmeal raisin!) and we brainstormed scrap booking ideas. She's much more creative than me, and had some really great ideas! I hope to get together with her much more frequently in the future, particularly in the summer when her daughter, who was in school at the time, will be able to join us, too. She's Caitlyn's age and they have such fun together!
Darren and I are currently planning a major adventure. It was really my idea, but he loves me so much that he's willing to go along with it. :) I hope to share more about it at a later date, but for now I'll say that it involves a drive through five states with all four children sometime in May. I can't wait!!!
There's more I'd like to say, but it smells like someone is in need of a diaper change. Thanks for visiting...I needed a break. ;)
I sure hope his grandpa would understand.
Darren's first book signing was also held yesterday at the museum, and as I type this, he is giving a lecture at the university to be followed by another signing. He'll have one more this weekend at our favorite bookstore, which I'm hoping to attend with the children, and there will be one more at Barnes and Noble later in the month. There was an awesome feature story about him and his book in two of our local newspapers, and I'm beginning to feel as though I'm married to a celebrity! I really am so proud of him. All of his profits are being donated to the Historical Foundation, which is raising money for a new museum building, and he has had such a positive response from the community!
I had a friend over for lunch earlier in the week and it was so much fun. I baked bread and cookies that morning (oatmeal raisin!) and we brainstormed scrap booking ideas. She's much more creative than me, and had some really great ideas! I hope to get together with her much more frequently in the future, particularly in the summer when her daughter, who was in school at the time, will be able to join us, too. She's Caitlyn's age and they have such fun together!
Darren and I are currently planning a major adventure. It was really my idea, but he loves me so much that he's willing to go along with it. :) I hope to share more about it at a later date, but for now I'll say that it involves a drive through five states with all four children sometime in May. I can't wait!!!
There's more I'd like to say, but it smells like someone is in need of a diaper change. Thanks for visiting...I needed a break. ;)
6 Things
Tina kindly tagged me for this one, but I'm too lazy to re-post all the "rules". If you'd like to play along, consider yourself tagged! Six things about me:
1. I'm seldom "Melissa" to family or close friends. I'm Liss, Lissa, Lissie, or Meliss...but never Mel, and don't even think about calling me Missy!
2. I'm terrible about keeping in touch. I hate leaving telephone messages and am embarrassingly slow at responding to e-mails. So if you haven't heard from me in a while, please don't take it personally!
3. When I was sixteen, my best friend and I volunteered at the hospital on the unit where I'm currently employed. I laugh now about how few responsibilities I had back then: pass ice, distribute and retrieve meal trays, make beds...we weren't really allowed to do much else!
4. While I love marriage and motherhood, I cry to my mom on really bad days that I want to run away by myself to a deserted island. But I'm not really as terrible as that makes me sound. ;)
5. I have a high tolerance for physical pain but easily shed emotional tears. I didn't cry when my appendix ruptured when I was eight years old, for example, nor did I cry during any of the subsequent procedures or week long hospitalization...except for the night when my mom left my hospital room after dark. I was sure she'd be mugged or murdered in the parking lot. See what I mean? Hugely emotional.
6. Unlike my husband, I don't much care for cooking—but I love to bake! So between the two of us, we're set! We dream of someday opening our own little diner. Wouldn't that be fun?!
I know there are many more little known facts I could share about myself, but these will have to do for now. I think I've embarrassed myself enough for one day. :)
1. I'm seldom "Melissa" to family or close friends. I'm Liss, Lissa, Lissie, or Meliss...but never Mel, and don't even think about calling me Missy!
2. I'm terrible about keeping in touch. I hate leaving telephone messages and am embarrassingly slow at responding to e-mails. So if you haven't heard from me in a while, please don't take it personally!
3. When I was sixteen, my best friend and I volunteered at the hospital on the unit where I'm currently employed. I laugh now about how few responsibilities I had back then: pass ice, distribute and retrieve meal trays, make beds...we weren't really allowed to do much else!
4. While I love marriage and motherhood, I cry to my mom on really bad days that I want to run away by myself to a deserted island. But I'm not really as terrible as that makes me sound. ;)
5. I have a high tolerance for physical pain but easily shed emotional tears. I didn't cry when my appendix ruptured when I was eight years old, for example, nor did I cry during any of the subsequent procedures or week long hospitalization...except for the night when my mom left my hospital room after dark. I was sure she'd be mugged or murdered in the parking lot. See what I mean? Hugely emotional.
6. Unlike my husband, I don't much care for cooking—but I love to bake! So between the two of us, we're set! We dream of someday opening our own little diner. Wouldn't that be fun?!
I know there are many more little known facts I could share about myself, but these will have to do for now. I think I've embarrassed myself enough for one day. :)
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