Sweet Children

I was having a bit of an Eeyore day yesterday, I'm not going to lie. It was a gray, rainy day here in the northwest and that sort of matched my mood. Hence no blog post. Didn't our moms always say, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"???

I tried to be fair and patient with my kids...it had been a long day; but after I witnessed a rigorous stuffed animal fight and a soaking wet bathroom floor (after Emily pranked Ben by dumping a large cup-full of cold water on him while he was in the tub, not once but twice!) I could tell my patience was waining. Then Hardy kept whining at the door, but refusing to do his 'business' every time I let him out. It was 7:45 at night, and I was done. Hardy went to his kennel and I went to my bed. I told the kids that mommy was having a bad attitude and needed a time-out!

A few minutes of quiet time did me good. My spirits were further lifted when Emily and Ben showed up in my room, homemade cards in hand. Emily's was a little heart book that said, "Mom Rocks" and inside there was a list of complimentary things about me. Ben's was a card that read " I love Yuo Mom" with a red bird drawn inside. They wanted to make me feel better, and they did! The night ended on a much happier note...all snuggled in my bed and giggling over a made up story about a horse who could understand English, run a microwave, and had to save his frozen owner :)

Girls & Horses

Isn't just about every young girl drawn to horses? Most are fascinated by them and long for a chance to ride, to reach out and stroke their mane, to thrill at their speed and power. I know I felt that way when I was young.

Emily is just such a girl, and from time to time she has the opportunity to fulfill that desire at our neighbor's house. She was invited to play with their eldest daughter, Sarah, yesterday and as the weather was fine, the girls took the opportunity to ride. Emily's face was a combination of concentration and pure delight! She loved every moment.

The visit ended shortly after I snapped the above photo, but she came home glowing and immediately searched out her dad to tell him how she got to ride...even getting up to a canter. It was an ideal day for our nine year old girl!

A Return To Basic Cable Programming

No discussion on the myriad of quality programs on basic cable would be complete without a nod to the lord of the lobsters, none other than Mr. Pontifex VonHummer.


Where does one begin to describe VonHummer and his show "The VonHummer Hour"?? Do you begin with his crown of lobsters or abstract painted suit? His long, hippie hair or the spectacles with the scary absent eyes painted on? What about his musical exploits - singing such clever songs as "Blame It On The Aliens" or "My Happy Pills Aren't Working Today"? Perhaps I should start with the skits that are all subtitled because they are speaking in another language (which we strongly suspect is made up) and which make very little sense?


No. I don't think any description on my part could do the man or his show justice! You can never fully grasp the VonHummer Hour unless you have seen it first hand. Never fear. He has a website: http://www.vonhummer.com/ as well as a myspace page and a facebook page in the works. You can download mp3 versions of his music AND check his schedule for the live concert tour happening around the Northwest...now wouldn't that be a treat?!?

A Little Kindness

Building our house has left us with a lot of cardboard boxes to dispose of. We have been breaking them down and stacking them up for a while. Finally the pile was big enough that it became a nuisance, so Paul threw down the seats in his Rodeo and crammed the back, floor to ceiling, with all the cardboard, then handed me the keys so I could go recycle it.

It was fairly busy when I arrived at the recycling center...enough so that I had to wait in line for a turn to unload. A large truck and trailer finally pulled out, allowing me to pull forward and fill their spot. I climbed out, opened the back and grabbed my first pile of cardboard. As I walk over to the large container, I spotted an employee of the center wading through the cardboard, throwing things back out of the container, and mumbling something under his breath about "stupid people". Trying to mind my own business, I threw in my first load and went back for another. When I returned it was obvious by his movements and mannerisms that he was NOT having a good morning! On my third trip to the container he stops me and snaps, "You need to hurry. I have two full containers I have to empty!" Now, I wasn't running, but I wasn't taking a snail's pace either; nor was I parked in an inappropriate spot. I was caught off guard, so I simply responded, "Ok...I'll try!" I made sure that I was moving quickly and carrying big loads each time I went. When the the last load was disposed of, I hurried back to close up the Rodeo and be on my way. Just as I swung the tailgate closed, the same man appears at my elbow, smiles at me and says, "You're faster than a speeding bullet!" I could only laugh and reply, "Oh...well I do what I can." "Thank you," he says with another smile.

I pulled away and marveled at the night and day difference in the man's attitude. All I did was offer a little kindness by responding to him respectfully and doing what I could to meet his request. Such a small thing, but what a change it made! It made me think: How often do I miss opportunities like that because I feel offended or worry more about my own agenda? It wasn't a significant encounter, but it reminds me that my response has the power to ease someone else's day. That we can all make a difference in small, everyday gestures; and that a little kindness goes a long way!

Seriously???

I am going to interrupt my sarcastic basic cable rant (which I was prepared to continue today) in order to address a very distressing issue.

I am a huge fan of granola with yogurt for breakfast. Huge! That has probably been my breakfast 90% of the time for the last year. I love it. My current favorite combination is the Quaker all natural granola with almonds and raisins stirred together with Dannon all natural vanilla. Now, normally I buy the ginormous bag of granola from Costco and happily munch on it for a couple of weeks. However, I ran out this week and didn't want to make a trip just for the one item. I happened to be at Safeway, saw they had it on sale for a decent price, and decided to pick up a box to tide me over until I head to Costco again. Oh...and I see that they have a new low fat variety. Even better, as I am never one to ignore an opportunity to lower my fat intake. All is well and good.

NO! Not all is well and good! I open the box and am faced with acute disappointment! What did they do to make it low fat? They reduced the amount of granola and mixed in rice crispies and corn flakes. No joke. It is like when you're a kid and several boxes of cereal in the pantry have just a little left...not really enough for one bowl...so your mom combines them all together for the sake of not wasting. Can't you just hear the cereal big-wigs now? "Hey, I know. We'll take all the portions of cereal left over after packaging and combine them together in order to save our corporation money. Then, instead of worrying about introducing it as a new product, we will label it as a variety of an already well loved cereal. All that money will pay for our expensive VIP cruise!"

This is one product that I will never opt for low fat again!

Entertainment

In the last six months or so, Paul and I finally broke down and subscribed to cable. Basic cable. Woo-hoo! We pretty much get the main channels (abc, nbc,cbs, fox) along with public access and the discovery channel. The discovery channel has been great. We have become fans of "Mythbusters" and "Dirty Jobs". Paul is really enjoying the latest season of "Deadliest Catch" (shout out to Mike Rowe for narration!) Discovery channel is the saving grace of basic cable.

I must confess that we have gotten sucked into some of the less noteworthy channels; one of which is channel 11. I don't know if it has a name or call letters. Most of the time it broadcasts random nothingness. However, a couple of nights a week it boasts unparalleled tv programming. Shows that leave you spellbound. Shows like "Strolling Down Memory Lane" with Billy and Willie.


Ah Billy and Willie. They are committed to ...how does their website put it..."hand clappin', foot stoppin', down south, Gospel Music". Their broadcast has to come from their in-home studio, which just happens to be located in Ridgefield, WA. They host random videos of random people singing from church or home. Occasionally Billy will play some "wild piano" - as his wife lovingly refers to it. It sounds like hymns rearranged into ragtime music - like something you would imagine coming out of an old wild west saloon. Recently they were persuaded by their 'many' fans that during such wild piano playing segments, the camera should be zoomed, for the entire duration of the song, completely onto the keyboard to show the skill of his big ol' hands at work. We are convinced that the old SNL skit of the church singers, featuring Will Farrell, must be based off of their program. Someone must've seen it once upon a time. It is hilarious! Most of the singing is painful, but they are oblivious. They feel they are doing an important work, and you can tell they take themselves quite seriously.

The icing on the cake is that I recently went to the Vancouver Costco, and who should I pass coming out as I was going in??? None other than Billy himself! A celebrity out among his people. No, seriously, I don't think anyone knew him but me, but I felt as giddy and flustered as if I had seen a true celebrity! I had to pull my shopping cart over and immediately call Paul. "You'll never guess who I just saw..." Priceless.

Feel free to experience the wonder for yourself. You can visit their website anytime : http://billyandwillie.tripod.com/

(PS In the off chance that someone is reading this who does not know me that well, please read above post with a due amount of sarcasm!)

Ode To Ice Cream

Oh ice cream, how we love you so!

You are creamy and delicious,
(Even if you aren’t completely nutritious)

You cool and satisfy on a warm sunny day,
Good in a cup, on a cone, any old way!

Some like you sprinkled with a variety of candy,
We think covering you in hot fudge is dandy

Mint chocolate chip or cookies and cream
Marionberry pie or carmel praline
.
Even sorbet and gelato delight
We would eat you morning, noon or night.

So ice cream, here’s to you!
Now…would you like one scoop or two??

Simple Pleasures

There is so much to be learned from our kids. They really know how to enjoy life and to find joy in simple pleasures. Like laying in the middle of a grassy field on a sunny afternoon. The thrill of cold water hitting your skin on a hot day. Taking a walk to admire the beauty of creation. Snuggling close to read a book. Watching the flames dance in a campfire. Children know how to make time for these little moments; moments that strengthen relationships and soften the difficult aspects of life. Yeah...God knew what He was doing when He gave us kids.

Sunshine

Today is an amazingly sun-shiny day, and I think no one appreciates the sun more than we pacific northwesters! It is almost like a collective sigh of relief as everyone hurries to be outside. Even mowing the lawn and doing yard work are desirable jobs. It just feels so good to be out, drinking in the warmth of the sun and marveling at the blue sky...especially this time of year when the rainy, gray days seem like they are never going to end. A person can only take so many days of...

before a certain melancholy sets in. This was just earlier this week. I was forced to combat the day with baking therapy! (Nothing like a gooey chocolate chip cookie or rich cinnamon roll to lift one's spirits) But for today, and the next couple I'm told, we have blessed relief.

Emily is running around with a friend, gaining a couple more adorable freckles across her nose. Ben is teaching the neighbor girl to play kickball against our barn. And Miss Jenna? She is waiting patiently for Mom so she can go crawling and explore. I don't think I should keep her waiting any longer - do you? I want to be outside, too!

Night In

Paul has had a crazy busy work schedule this week and I have seen very little of him. He has worked some overtime shifts, which our bank account thanks him for, but makes me start going through Paul withdrawls! (You know how people are always talking about 'love languages'? I think mine must be quality time, because I never tire of being with my husband. I could be with him 24/7 and be happy.)



So there I was... pathetic, lonely, and bored enough that I was wondering around the house looking for things to wash! This never happens. I ALWAYS have things to wash. I have three kids. I live in a rural area. There is laundry happening at my house everyday. Proof positive of the sad state I was in!



Then, like a knight in shining armour, Paul comes home at 7:30pm with starbucks in hand, junior mints (one of my favorite candies), and a movie to boot. An independent, girlie movie. What a lovely surprise! We got the kids off to bed and enjoyed a much needed evening in together. Paul even stayed awake for the whole movie! It was balm for my lonely soul!

Priceless

Yesterday Ben came in the house, all rosy cheeked and wind-tousled, with a fistful of dandelions for me. It melts my heart to see the sparkle in his eyes and his sincerity when he tells me he picked them for me! It's priceless. It wouldn't mean more to me if it was a $30 bouquet. He saw something pretty, and thought of me. Sigh.

I once read that we give so much attention to the 'firsts' in our childrens lives, that we never pause to realize the 'lasts'. The 'firsts' should be celebrated, but I believe acknowledging the 'lasts' helps us to better live in the moment. Not to take things for granted. I love watching my children grow and mature, yet I treasure that today my son regularly tells me he loves me, unprompted. That when he sees a bright cheery flower, he thinks to pick it and present it to me...just to make me smile.

I don't think this is the last dandelion bouquet I will get from him, but one day it will be. For that reason, I am going to proudly display my flowers and thank God for each of my kids, just as they are today.

Warning!

When you build a house, you know you run the risk of injury. There are situations to be cautious and tools to use with respect because you know if you don't, it could be bad.



A newly discovered danger is lurking. It has recently come to my attention that one must be EXTREMELY cautious when installing an Ikea horizontal cabinet!



Yes. Apparently unsuspecting DIYers can be violently accosted by flailing hinges. The risk is grave enough that they must warn you both on the unit as well as in the instruction manual. Ikea customers beware!

Why Not?!?

Everyone blogs.

Seriously! We are in a 'blogging age'. I have long been fascinated by reading the many blogs of people I know, and even some I don't know. It gives you a little window into their lives...a glimpse of their thoughts. Sometimes they make me smile or laugh out loud (ie: cake wrecks. Thanks Suzanne for showing me that one!) and some keep me connected to people I don't often get to see. But I never planned to be among them. I never thought I'd have a blog of my own.

Never say never...right?!? I have no grand excuse or reason for blogging. I guess I was just bitten by the bug :) It's been on the back burner of my mind for a little while, and I finally just figured "why not?!?"

So I will ramble. I will post some of the thoughts I have. I will share stories about my life and anecdotes about my kids. Hopefully I will make someone else laugh, give them a glimpse of my life, and sometimes offer a little encouragement.

Why not?!?