Buckeye land is grand.

In honor of a winning streak and an ass whoopin on Northwestern today, I shall do a post in honor of Ohio.

First, one of the BEST things about OHIO...

TBDBITL



And of course, how a Buckeye partays...



One day my bro and I are on our way to my sister's house for game night and we see someone hauling a trailer full of junk on the highway. It was hard not to notice it because:

A) it was huge
B) it was piled with TRASH
C) I was behind it and afraid for my life

It may appear in this photo as tho there is something valuable on the back of this trailer, but trust me, everything on it was falling apart.


So of course, that's when my superior driving skills decide we should pry head around this beast for safety's sake. As I pull along side of the death trap I notice something quite strange...

Look closely at the picture above.... do you see it??

It's a mother effing HUMMER ... a $50k vehicle pulling a 15 foot trailer of trash.

Priceless.

Only in OHIO. (ok well maybe Kentucky too, but f them)

Labels: family, life, ohio

It only took 8 years, but this morning, for the first time EVER I woke up to a clean house (that was NOT my doing), coffee and a yummy breakfast. I might be getting this crew of mine trained after all!!! I wanted to sleep in, but how can I withstand the wiles of two beautiful and sweet little girls waking me up to give me PRESENTS! I'm not that strong.

But more importantly, I want to say Happy Mother's Day to two of the best mom's ever.

My sis. Not only is she beautiful, smart, funny and loving, but she's easily chasing me down for the best Mom ever award. Not to mention, she made me my first niece, and the cutest baby EVER! Even tho this is technically her first Mother's Day, she has been a second mom to my girls since they were born. I don't know what I would do without my family's support and love.

Love you sis.
And of course, what woman could possibly compete with the woman who brought you ME?! Ya, that's what I thought. A role model, a rock, a wonderful Mother and the best GRANNY anyone could ask for.

I love you Mom.So, don't forget today to take a moment to say thanks to the woman in your life who does things every day to make your life what it is, things you don't even notice. You have no idea how much you are loved by your Mom, until you are one.

Labels: family

It is hard having a brilliant child, I'm sure any proud parent knows my pain, as we all have brilliant children (if you smell what I'm cookin').

Lately we have been trying to get Anna out of one of her horrid habits. A habit she only has cause well, she's brilliant, and her brilliance frustrates her of coz. She screams. I don't mean she cries, I mean she SCREAMS. A scream that can be heard outdoors when she is in the house, a scream I can hear when I'm outside doing yard work and she's playing hide n' seek two houses down.

Needless to say, I can't stand it. Not just the screeching, but what if something really did happen? Of course we have learned to tune out the urgency of such a scream, like when she broke her collar bone, I didn't run straight to her 'cause I just thought it was her normal crapola. (btw, spell check says crapola should be changed to extrapolate)

So anyhoo, we have pulled out all of our parental prowess to stop the madness. One of the things that sets her off is her sister, needless to say. Maya is super bossy and tries to do everything for Anna, which Anna responds to by screaming (ya, I know, but I'm getting to the good part).

Soooooooooo, the other day I asked Anna to get a garbage bag from under the sink for me. Kids like to help Mom, and she hops up quickly to go get the bag, but her bigger and faster sister decides to run in front of her and do it for her. Anna sees her coming and stops in her tracks, puts up "the hand" and says to Maya:

You better stop right there.

Looks are exchanged.

Don't make me scream.

Laughter ensues.

Maya has finally started back to school after a week of sickness which came after two weeks of snow days... it's been a rough month. Anna is still sickly, I'm hoping to send her back to school tomorrow. Saturday she was having some potty issues (I won't go into any more detail). While I was computing she came up to me with an announcement. She spoke very indignantly and said:

MOMMY. Two things. A) when are we going to granny's and B) my butt still hurts

And then just walked away. Love the newsflashes from a 3 year old.

Speaking of kids and our technology driven society... Anna is currently throwing fits because shes watching a cartoon with (god forbid) COMMERCIALS. I replied with:

At least you don't have to get up to changed the channels.

pwned.

Labels: family

If this isn't cute, then I don't know what is...

This baby has some good genes, I'm tellin' ya...




She's 6 months old now! She slept over at Auntie T's on Saturday night and was a perfect angel. I even started to teach her poker. She has the chip sucking down like a pro.

Labels: family

I'm so exhausted. *pause for everyone to feel sorry for me*

Ok, so I tried anyway.

I turned my project in Wednesday, made it thru the critique and no one got hurt. I was happy that mine was pry in the top 5 of the class and I was feeling good about myself. Yes, I said WAS because it was all shattered when we finished critique the prof decided to hand every one's projects back and have them redone. I think I may have been too obvious when I said "WHAT?!? WE HAVE TO DO THEM OVER?!" She handed them back one by one to each student saying what changes needed to be made. Thank the gods, mine only needed to have the white margins taken out, black to edge on the right side and bottom. Woulda been good info to have when we were doing the project. I went to Kinko's right after class Wednesday to get it done. The kinko's people were appalled saying that it is impossible to get a xerox that is black to the edge, there is always a white edge. But after 45 mins we figured it out. I guess I was the lucky one tho, most of the people had to completely redo theirs. And for them, I truly do feel bad. I know how much work it was, even if they didn't turn out perfect. I can't wait to do this prof's review at the end of the quarter. Altho, as one fine friend pointed out, she will pry pass that back to be redone too!

Maya got straight A+'s on her report card. So I let her get a lil something for herself. I was at my art supply store and she picked out this little window art kit. She even let Anna do one, I know, impressive! They turned out pretty cute, well in a mother's eyes, and we put them on the front door.


But that's about it. Between school, homework, work work and all the other boring stuff I haven't had time for much else. Except BATTLESTAR GALACTICA! I've been watching 2-3 of those episodes instead of playing poker in the evenings. Mostly because I don't have the brain energy at the end of the day to play poker and leave up. And because the show is a fungus growing on my brain.

ALTHOUGH...

We are going ice skating tomorrow and I should be able to get a few good "HAHA JOE FELL" pics... wooooot!

Labels: family, life, school

The girls and I have a daily routine. When they get home from school, we got thru their homework folders and start their homework. Their folders include homework, but also notes to parents and graded work. Most of the time this is a drag, especially with Anna's teacher. I'll give give you a "for instance" instead of trying to explain why this woman gets on my last nerve.
Last Friday we got a note home saying the 100th day of school was approaching on January 19th (last Friday being January 5th) and that they needed parents to bring in certain items and gave us a list to choose from. So, as usual I put the list on the fridge for the next time I go shopping. Yesterday (Monday for all you calendar challenged, or the following school day after the original letter) I got a hand written note from Anna's teacher saying I needed to bring in Orange Washable Paint. Or in other words "F the list bitch, quit being lazy and bring in the paint". So I wrote back on the same note "OK I'll get it to you Friday". Again for the calendar challenged, this would be the 12th of January, SEVEN full days prior to the 100th day of school. Today Anna came home with the very same note in hand saying "Ms. Sharpe said you need to get this now!". VV/E ho. This is a very regular thing.

Anyhow, the whole point of this post is that every week or so I get a surprise. Poetry written by a 7 yr old. The very best 7 yr old IN THE WORLD.

And it goes a little something like this...

If I were a rabbit I would hear loud noises when they talked loud.
I would not hop away.
I would be nice.
I would eat anything they gave me.
I would eat lots of vegebles.
I would see a lot of children.
I would like to be peted.
I would want lots of water.
I would stay in my cage and not try to get out.
I would be smooth and soft.
I would be sweet.

THE END

Or sometimes I get a little rhyming action...

A snow poem:

I like it when it snows.
When it plows so fast.
It just goes on past.
So I just like snow.
It must just snow each day.
It goes way to way.
I sit down to make a snow angel.
My sister just runs around like a clown.
When we make a snow man we roll the snow down.
We pull a sled in the snow up the hill.
We had some hot co-co when we came in.
We had a cold.
And we sold a car.
We had a sand box but threw it away.
We saw a fox in the leaves.

I love it.

Labels: family

Here are some pics of the family, for the family. But, even if you're not family, you are welcome to have a look!!

Christmas Eve Pictures

Christmas Day Pictures

We have had a great day despite the fact that just about everyone, Joe, Maya, Mom, Dave and myself, have sick stomach's today. Poor Maya woke up and headed straight to the trashcan and stuck her head in! What a way to spend Christmas! When I said so to her she replied."Ya, I think it's because I made fun of Anna". My little buddhist.

For our present to the girls this year I made their toy room into a school room. With a little work and very little money, (because we got the tables , boards etc from the school basement) my girls have been in heaven all day! One of their favorite things to do is to play teacher and pretend to do wall cards. Here is a video of when they opened the toy room.



So that's about it. I'm fixing a Turkey Dinner that no one is coming over to eat, and the one's that are here to eat it, pry won't eat much of it. Leftover's at my house tomorrow, if anyone can make it in time!!

Labels: family

Nothing to see here! And there probably won't be till after Christmas. I know it's sad, but I've been spending time with my children and family, baking cookies, going shopping, making ornaments, playing games, all kinds of ungodly things that I surely won't let creep into my new year.

Although, January 2nd I start school.... and then there will be that for me to bitch about.

I mean, it is Saturday morning about 9:06 am and I am actually, seriously about to head out to Super Walmart, yes, the Saturday before Christmas. I've obviously gone insane.

Labels: family, life

I woke up too early this am. I wasn't sure why, at first....

I'm sitting in my liviing room, we don't have a large house, just a basic 3 bedroom ranch style. It is 7:15 am. I've been up for almost an hour. I'm sipping on my coffee (which is quite good btw, I bought some Folgers which we don't usually drink, but it was on sale, and I'm cheap and it's good).

Anyhoo... I'm sitting here and I hear this noise. It sounds like a chainsaw. It isn't unusual to hear this noise in our neighborhood. Afterall, our neighborhood is called CATALPA WOODS. But at 7:15 IN THE MORNING? Geesh. Someone is a busy lil beaver.

I keep reading my Google reader, see some good deals on slickdeals.net, but tell myself NO YOU'VE ALREADY BOUGHT THE KIDS ENOUGH CRAP! And I realize, that isn't a chainsaw...

That is Joe snoring.

No wonder I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep.

Labels: family

Or is it the whole damn... nevermind.

My sister decided to take us all to a WONDERFUL dinner for our Christmas presents. And, I can't say I was disappointed. Afterall, my two favorite things were involved, food and family! The place was just magnificent. I had Veal and Mushroom Ravioli, and taste tested every plate on the table, cause that's why eating out with family is so fun. I had a FABULOUS time, because my family is the bestest family there is.

Thanks sis and Scott. I love you guys.

So now, lets try to get a family picture! I was planning on using my timer on camera but a hostess stepped in and offered to help...

Showing her how to use the camera... (for full affect you must click on this)*still giggling*


Test shot... but alas my ass was too much in view and Scott was a bit out of view...

Ok people, get it together...



Although, I wouldn't recommend driving home with four adults and two kids with full bellies in a confined space. The windows were down for half the hour ride home.

Labels: family

Twenty brazillian to go...

(edit: Sheila, it's not just a pic, click on it)

Labels: family

I always have the best convos in the morning with my spouse. This one had a purpose, to let Joe know what we were doing today and that I didn't expect him to want to come. He's gone for 12 hours a day now with this new job, and I don't always get to inform him of plans made (or remember to).

I've always found it amusing how men and women can carry on a complete conversation and still not understand what the other is talking about.


Me: Just so you know we are going to Kim's today to make Christmas ornaments and the baby is staying the night. We are leaving at 1pm and you don't have to come.

Dickweed: Who's Kim?

Me: Kimberly

Dickweed: ........

Me: Kimberly G*****

Dickweed:.........

Me: Kimberly, you know CHRIS AND KIM??

Dickweed: OH YAAAA, it just wasn't clicking. Well I thought we needed to put the car (the one we are selling) in your parents yard and go (grocery) shopping.

Me: We will have to do that tomorrow.

Dickweed: You want to do ALL that tomorrow??

LONG PAUSE to dwell in the IRONY

Me: Well, like I said we have made plans to go make ornaments with Kim today and I'm babysitting tonight. The car isn't ready to put out anyway, why don't you get those wheelcovers changed. (you know like you were supposed to LAST weekend.)

Dickweed: I'm not doing that today! That's not important.

Me: Well we can't put the car out till you do.

Dickweed: OH you mean THAT car.

Me: Ya I mean the car we have wheelcovers for, so if you get that done you can go drop it at my parents, then we can grocery shop tomorrow.

Dickweed: How would I get home?

Me: Ask my mom or dad to drive you back?

LONG PAUSE of Joe thinking of the consequences of him having to do something all by himself today and trying to think of a way to get me to stay home and do what he COULD do by himself.

Dickweed: What about groceries?! We NEED Groceries!!

Me: I'm going to make coffee.

I found out later that Joe was under the impression that we had no food in the house. After I showed him how I already have the next 3 nights dinners defrosting and what there was for breakfast, he is now happily eating and NOT talking. (thank f@$#ing god)

It is hard work.

Labels: family

We have a little tradition in our house of making up songs. I've done it with the girls since they were babies, and now they take after me of course. And well, this is better than the videos of the not so nice things they have picked up from ol mom.

I give you "Anna Improv"

Labels: family

I have the touch I tell ya.

My baby harper started talking, well baby talking. Her parents had tried and tried to get it on film, and it turns out Harper is camera shy. But nothing a little auntie T tricking can't fix.

Took a bit to get the camera stable, but it was worth it! Oh, and ignore my baby talk too.... ok go ahead and make fun of me, but I did what was necessary!!

Labels: family

Man do I keep you guys informed...

Joe just got the call that he's been hired and they want him to start tomorrow. It's for a company called Siemens, which just happens to be the same company one of my readers Am aka Arthur works for. He will be a level 2 tech and hopefully move up soon, cause the pay isn't what he was looking for.

But it's still better than the $272 a week unemployement expects him to pay the mortgage and raise a family with.

GG Joe.

Labels: family

We had pizza's tonight for dinner, complements of Chef de Joe. He makes a mean pizza... anyhoo at one point Anna had excused herself from the dinner table to confer with a client in her office.

Maya was on her spelling kick as usual "You know what words have the "le" sound in them? "Apple, topple and able." I retorted with "Maple, candle and tumble". Then Joe chimed in with "Stinky buttable" which gave Maya the great idea of adding "able" to the end of words. She topped us all with "refrigeratable, and eatable". Of course we try to be good parents and told her it was "edible" and asked her if she knew what it meant. She says "Ya, eatable" I said "Able to be eaten" and Anna comes down the hall from her office and says "I know what edible means! Safe to eat!"

And that is the pure genius of a 3 year old.

Labels: family

taken by Auntie T...

Labels: family