Kudos and Craps

When it's Kudos and Craps day, that just means I couldn't think of any one topic to write about so you're going to get a hodge-podge of things instead.  Aren't you lucky?



pgcps.org



Kudos to the Slurpee guy who gave Big Sister a free slurpee when the cup she was filling at one machine mysteriously exploded on her.  Slurpee guy was very apologetic, and despite being a new teenager, Big Sister handled it with a minimum of drama. So - Kudos to her, too!



 









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Jacee "I've got pipes and
I've got class" Badeaux



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Clint "Givin' bad vibes" Gamboa



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CRAP to Clint Jun Gamboa, American Idol 2011 wannabe, who booted fellow wannabe Jacee Badeaux during group week because Jacee didn't fit the "vibe" he thought the group should have.  Oh. You mean because he's kinda chubby, he didn't look sexy enough to sing "Get Ready"?

Puhleez. You know what, Clint, I'll admit you're talented and have a good voice - but what you did was completely without class, especially since Jacee had gamely worked with the group for all that time.







 



 

CRAP to Linsday Lohan for hitting the news again for her bad behavior. Maybe had she stolen a bra, there'd be less of an outcry.   

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Lindsay Lohan

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To the Wisconsinites who are marching in protest at their state capitol.I know that there are some unions that, do indeed, protect the "wrong" kind of employees, but overall, I believe that unions that have protected the little guy and improved their working conditions. Perhaps the country would rather we go back to this:

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Eastmanhouse.com
Child Labor

counterlightsandrants1.blogspot.com



Speaking of bras, check out Bras for Haiti here on Facebook and Linda UnHooked for places to send your don't fit anymore bras, or the bra you bought that suddenly fit once you go it home, or the bras you see marked down to $5 each and you're compelled to buy one but your size isn't on the rack. Nicole Krupp gets major Kudos for sending bras to Haiti to not only "lift the girls," but to lift the spirits of the Haitian women.

To donate a new or used bra, mail to Nichol Krupp Photography, 112 Third Street, Bay City, MI, 48708.

Kudos to all the wonderful people who are with us on the journey to help Fuzzy get healthy again.  We're home from our extended stay in hospital-town, and Fuzzy is walking and feeling fine.  He'll begin chemo soon, and will get regular scans and check-ups to monitor his health. Thank you for your prayers and your support. 



digitalfieldguide.com



Guest Writer: Encouragement

I don't usually "borrow" material without first asking permission of the author, but I'm going to take a chance that Vivian's Mom won't mind just this once.  She tagged me in this message on Facebook, and after reading it, I think it's spot on. 

How well do you accept a compliment? Are you someone who is always ready to encourage someone else, yet wince in embarrassment when someone encourages you?

Thanks, Vivian's Mom - this arrived at just the right time!

pulsarmedia.eu



stuffmamaslike.blogspot.com
Do you remember when
the house was always
decorated in "Early Fischer-Price"?

 Its early morning and I’m not dressed yet. The phone rings while I’m taking stock of last night’s dishes piled in the sink, coloring books and crayons scattered all over the living room, and several hooligans running about in underwear and tangled hair, shouting for breakfast. Its easy to feel defeated today before the day has even begun.




I answer the phone and, as if by magic, something changes. Because someone on the other end encourages.



I don’t do well with compliments. I’m never sure how to respond. Who, me? I’m shyly scuffing my toes and casting eyes down as the words roll over me. “We’re proud of you. We are thankful for you. You are doing a beautiful job. You are a wonderful Mother.”





mombizcoach.com
Yep, I can relate!



A thousand thoughts rush to the forefront of my mind –  "I yelled at my daughter for no reason this morning. I sent my kids to bed in a huff last night. Have you seen my kitchen? My bathrooms are a disgrace and I hardly smiled at my husband last night. I’m not who you say I am.”

Why is it so hard to accept encouragement?





thejewelboxhome.blogspot.
com



Ah, there it is, the answer that steals so much from us: perfectionism. That little lie that snakes its way into many a mother’s mindset. “Other mothers have cleaner houses. They speak sweetly to their kids. They cherish and serve their husbands. They have perfect lives.”

Somehow we slurp down every lie and ask for more.



The only way to combat lies is with truth. And here it is, mamas:



You are doing a beautiful job. No, I didn’t say perfect. I didn’t say spotless. I didn’t say sinless. I said beautiful. Broken, messy people can be beautiful, and the way that you try, try and try again, that is beautiful.



Every day that you wake up in the midst of your mess and resolve, every day that you try, and yes even every day that you fail, your heavenly Father is proud of you. Think of how proud you are of your littles when they try, and even when they stumble and fall amidst their attempts.





etsy.com
Ingredients of
Momhood

 You are a wonderful mother. You love your children more than yourself. You are being remade into a better person because of the sacrificial love you have for these precious gifts you’ve been given. And that makes you wonderful.



Compliments and encouragement, they are not for the perfect among us…because who among us is perfect?



Motherhood is historically “thankless.” Small people are not always great at making us feel validated and appreciated, and even harried husbands coming home to the giant task of family, they can even forget at times.



 Encourage one another. I see what other mamas do, because I do the same. I see how hard it is. If there is some way that I can encourage another in the way I have been encouraged, I know that it will bolster her, give her strength and hope in this daily battle we call life.



That’s why we should encourage. Not because we are perfect, but because we are not.





comments16.com
Damn straight, we can do it!



 

It's All About Stylish Me

Wow! And to think I almost didn't look at my blog today to check comments. 

Well, that will teach me.  As Renee'  A. Schuls-Jacobson of Lessons from Teachers and Twits says, you'd have to be a "cold hearted bitch not to heed the call of a fellow blogger." 

Of course, when the call consists of, "Oh there's something for you on my blog," well - how can I resist?

Schuls-Jacobson has tagged awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award.  I thank her - because she gives me far more credit than I deserve!  I will admit, too, that parts of my house are extremely messy.  Don't look in my basement, any closets, or in the family room.  I have declared war on kitchen countertop clutter.  That was two days ago, and I'm losing.

Anyway. Back to It's All About Stylish Me.

To keep the award, I must bore you by telling you tell you six  things about myself, and then stick bestow the award to six other bloggers and also link back to the person who forced me to update my blog bestowed the award to me. 

Here goes:





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1. I am the least stylish person on the face of the planet.  Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and I'm planning to wear flannel.  To bed.  Admittedly, I used to wear slightly less . . . ahem. . . warm  fabrics now and then, but - it's winter here in the mid-western United States.  And really, is flannel really going to stop any red-blooded American Male from making advances? Sorry, Victoria's Secret, I won't be stopping by your store anytime soon to pick up anything slinky.  Who says Valentine's Day has to be all about sex, anyway? Bring on the damned chocolates.
2. I have read the Bible all the way through, except for the pages where they go on forever with the "begats."  And Job was difficult to get through.  Ok - I have read *most* of the Bible.  I recommend the Teen Study Bible, New International Version because along with the biblical text, there are interesting tidbits about what life was like in biblical times and also some cool ways to relate what you're reading to your own life & times.




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3. Birthday parties scare me.  Whenever one of the kids would bring home an invitation to a birthday party, I'd break out in a cold sweat.  I especially cringe when I learn the entire class has been invited, because depending on where the event is to be held, at least half the class will attend - and out of a sense of fear duty, I tend to stay to see how awfully other people's children behave try to help, or at least hover inconspicuously in the background to make sure my own kids won't be terrorized terrorized by ill-behaved party goers.  Usually, things work out all right - but . . .
4. . . . genetically speaking, I come from a long line of worriers.  My mother worries and her mother worried.  It's impossible not to worry.  However, it is important to not allow your worries to rule your life.  I can only worry so much, for instance, about how unfashionable I am in my flannel.  Or whether or not I'll ever save the whales.I can only worry so much whether or not other people like me.  Or not. 




Romy & Michele's High
School Reunion


5. Which leads me to reveal that I have never yet attended a high school class reunion.  I'm embarrassed to tell you what number will be coming up in the year 2012, and I'm slightly more embarrassed to tell you that I likely won't attend.  I'd hate to wreck the streak.  I'm not sure what holds me back, really - if it's the fact that I'm already feeling the need to shed more than a few pounds (I've seen pictures of classmates from a previous reunion. They all look fabulous) before I'd consider attending, or if it's the fact that whenever that invitation hits the mailbox I am immediately 15 years old again and feeling as insecure as ever.  Does EVERYONE go through that, or is it just my crazy-ass self me? I feel like I've grown past many rotten behaviors, but no one else has but worry that I'll be in the bathroom stall as the surgically enhanced busty girls other women enter, and someone will say, "OHMIGOD, did you see her? She got FAT!"  Yep, I'm that insecure.  Don't lie, I know you think like that, too.
6. I have about 25 books under my bedside table, waiting for me to read them.  And - I just went out and purchased six brand new books.  I have enough books to start my own library.  One can never have too many books.

I really have a hard time coming up with a list of any interesting things about myself.  With any luck  you won't be yawning you'll keep reading to see if there any new and interesting blogs here that you can check out.

I nominate:

• Lisa, at Grandma's Briefs.  I admit it was really the title photo of Lisa's blog that grabbed my attention.  Wouldn't you wonder, seeing a bunch of "tighty whities" hanging on a clothesline, just what this blog was about?  While I'm not yet a grandma like Lisa, there is still a lot I can relate to on her blog.  She has an adorable grandson, cute pets, interesting opinions, a Back Room devoted to book reviews, and just a lot of really interesting things to make you think about.
• Grace, at Looks Great Naked.  How could I resist a title like that?  Especially when one of the first posts I ever read there was about Mboob, titled "Titty, Titty, Bang! Bang!"  Grace is about more than just breasts, though I never thought I'd laugh so hard reading about a mammogram. I really don't know if Grace looks great naked, but I can tell you she's very witty - with good tales from the dating scene involving Mucinex, goofy pet tails tales, to kumquat mojitos.  She'll also get you thinking about some serious stuff regarding pricks and beautiful, antique chandeliers.
• Confessions of a Cashier will make you think twice every time you interact with a cashier at a gas station, grocery store, anywhere.  This cashier is one savvy woman, with an acidic wit and a deadly accurate view of customers.  She encounters on a regular basis customers who like to pee in public, park their vehicles inside the store, steal the coffee creamer, finger the donuts, dump their household garbage in the business dumpster, and attempt to scan their own goods at the check-out counter.  I don't know how much credence the cashier puts in blogger awards, but who cares because I'm nominating her, anyway.
• If you haven't met Mama Kat yet, now's the time.  Mama's Losin' It is a fun place to visit, and plus you can sign up for these nifty writer's workshop ideas that will pop into your inbox every week. This is perfect for someone like me, who needs to get nominated for a blog award in order to get inspired to update the blog.  I read Mama Kat because she's funny, and I also enjoy her artwork.
• Cecelia Winesap is Obsessed with Time Life Infomercials is a good place to visit as well.  Even if you've never been married, even if you've never been divorced, let alone had a significant other,  Assmunch Monday is a regular feature that will leave you laughing and thanking God that you never hooked up with such an ass as Assmunch.  Commentaries on daily life at home and work are also good reading. 
• Working Mom Back To School chronicles the life and times of just what the title says! I love the blog pic of Wonder Woman. Suzy-Q, aka Working Mom, has interesting questions about what kids are allowed to say, as far as cuss-words go; life in the college lane from strange professors to whiny college-aged classmates, neighborhood life, and a host of other things any mom can relate to. 



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Happy reading, everyone!

Maybe Next Year, Charlie Brown



askoki.co.uk

 Charles Schulz sure struck home when he created Charlie Brown.  Who among us cannot relate in some form to that round-headed kid whose dog, Snoopy, is more savvy than he is?



No mail. Rats.
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Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Teacher has sent home a list of the names of all students, to ensure that each child receives a Valentine.  Fuzzy and I have dutifully selected some Valentines, and whether he's present for his class party or not, he'll fill out a card for each child.

I can't help but think of poor Charlie Brown, waiting patiently at his mailbox for a Valentine from the little red haired girl.  Well, not just her - heck. A valentine from ANYBODY.  
Surely, those of you who survived elementary school must recall, writing out Valentines to your friends was fun.  The hard part came when you got to the kids you didn't know well, or the kids you didn't want getting the wrong impression after the receipt of a card with "I LOVE YOU" printed on it.

In the politically incorrect days of my youth (when everyone was politically incorrect) there were kids who didn't get Valentines at class parties.



Ralph Wiggums of
"The Simpsons"
doletown.com



I know this, because we were allowed to circulate the room to distribute Valentines and assorted sweets, dropping one on each desk.  That is, one was supposed to drop on each desk.  More often than not, there were a handful of kids who didn't get a Valentine from everyone, as they were supposed to.  You weren't supposed to leave anybody out.  I don't know if anyone ever pointed out to Teacher, however, that Ralph didn't get quite as many Valentines as Tommy, who was considerably more popular.

And some of us weren't too sure about giving those Valentines that had something other than a neutral "Happy Valentine's Day" greeting on them.  Lisa Simpson of the Simpsons inadvertantly inspired a super-crush from Ralph after delivering to him a You Choo Choo CHOOSE me Valentine to his until-then empty Valentine mailbox. 

Charles Schulz's Peanuts characters and The Simpsons couldn't be more polar opposite, but the creators of both sets of characters sure know something about the cruelty of children.

Not even adults escape unscathed in the cartoon world.  Even the writers of Phineas & Ferb get in a few jabs at Valentine's Day as Major Monogram and Carl, his intern, have this (paraphrased) exchange:



Major Monogram of
"Phineas & Ferb"
okgunsafety.com

 Major Monogram: Oh. A card (opens it). It's Happy Passive-Aggressive Relationship day.
Carl: That's ok, sir, I didn't expect a gift or anything. That's all right, sir. (in that tone of voice that clearly indicates he was, indeed expecting something)

There are lots of people of all ages who won't receive Valentines this year, some who don't receive them any year.  If you're looking for someone to send a Valentine to, after making sure each child in the class receives one, naturally, try your local Valentines for Veterans program.  Consider sending Valentines to the local nursing home. 

Encourage your children to participate.  It's never too early to learn a little compassion.


Happy Valentine's Day
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Beat the Winter Snow Days



Snow storm, February 2, 2011



If your neighborhood is looking like this and it's too bitterly cold to kick the kids outdoors for even five minutes and they're going crazy indoors, you need some activities to keep them occupied.

• Clean your room!  My mother used to tell us girls to do this when we'd complain "There's nothing to dooOOoooOO!"  Suddenly, we found lots to occupy our time.  All kidding aside, snow days are good days to clean rooms.  Even if you just tackle the closet and the dresser drawers - weed out those items that no longer fit, reorganize a little, and suddenly - a few hours of boredom have been killed!
• Bake.  I suggested that Big Sister take inventory of the baking supplies and see if there was enough in stock to do any cookie baking.  So far, she hasn't taken me up on that offer.  If you're housebound and can't get your car out of the driveway for that emergency cup of sugar, you might consider making some "play-dough" with the kids.  PlaydoughRecipe.com has a variety of recipes that should fit any list of ingredients you have on hand, from "Berry Playdough" to "Jello Playdough" to the "Traditional Playdough." Enjoy!
• 

  

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  Retro Stay Alive Board Game

  
  Dig out a few boardgames.  If, like us, you have family boardgames that haven't seen the light of day since their purchase five years ago, a snow day is the perfect opportunity to dust them off. Our "Stay Alive" board game is so old, it actually looks like the one in the picture, at right.  There are only enough marbles for three players, but no matter - the kids were giggling madly as they ganged up on me to sink my marbles.  Don't forget Uno, Spoons, Dominoes, and Chinese Checkers.
• If you still have power and board games aren't for you, the kids can always zone out for a bit with the Wii or other computer games. 
• Make popcorn and plug in a good movie. Or, play a game with the television. We always complain that there are 57 channels and nothing's on, so why not try this? Turn on a show. Any show. At the first commercial break, find a channel that is playing the scheduled program. Watch it until the next commercial break. Change the channel until you find one that is playing the scheduled program.  Repeat.  Try to get through all 57 or however many channels you have.  Movie channels are off-limits and so are infomercials.  As long as the programs are appropriate for the age of the viewers, see how many different shows you can expose yourself to, and discover something interesting.  You can also do this with the radio - good for long car trips.
• 

  

  Time to get scrapbooking!
  commons.wikipedia.com

  Get going on those projects you keep putting off! Is your child ready to graduate college and you still haven't put the baby pictures in the scrapbook? Better get going!  Or, finish that quilt you've been talking about finishing for the last three years.  Finish painting the bathroom.  Paint your toenails. Groom the dog.  Clean the grout in the shower. All right, just kidding about some of those. Spending some time with an enjoyable project is an excellent way to help the time fly, and to get the kids involved with something besides antagonizing each other.




dptny.org
Valentine for a Veteran
"We love our Veterans!"


• Make Valentines.  If your kids get on a roll and you have more valentines than recipients, please consider Valentines for Veterans. In fact, make it a point to make more valentines than you need - if you're unable to find a local Veteran group to be the recipients of your children's art work, there are always nursing homes and hospitals with patients who would love to recieve a handmade Valentine. 
• You could make junior practice his piano lessons.
• Declare the day to be a media-free day. No computers, i-pods, cell phones (texting is abolished), television, video games, etc. 
• Curl up with a good book. Read to the kids, have them read to you. Whether you rely on old childhood favorites or to an action/adventure read-aloud, just enjoy it.

• For older kids, you might try window painting. I know - it sounds crazy. But, provided the paint goes where it should, it's inexpensive and fun.  Acrylic paints work well, though any paint will do. Windows are cleaned of paint via razorblade (responsible adult, please!) and window cleaner once you're tired of the design.  You don't have to be particularly artistic - just paint something and have fun.



The exterior view of a painted window, using acrylic paint.



Charles Schulz's Snoopy and Woodstock

If you can make it through the crazy snowy days of winter, in no time at all the kids will be done with school and ready for summer time boredom.  Good luck!