Kids by the Dozen.
'Nuff said.
Cheers!
10.29.2007
10.28.2007
10.27.2007
The Hand of God
Anyone who's perused my sidebar links may have come across New Life for Haiti. This is a mission outreach in which my church participates.
Tonight, we had our 2nd Annual Fundraising Dinner. This was the first year for a silent auction, and I was in charge of organizing it. My initial goal was to secure 20 items and net $2000 for this part of the fundraiser.
All I can say is that God's grace is overwhelming. My team and other church members managed to come up with FORTY SIX (so amazing it had to be in WORDS) items. Final totals are still coming in, but they are similarly overwhelming.
Don't know if you're religious, but I just have to say that this was indeed the hand of God at work tonight. More later, I'm sure, but I'm still on that "event rush". Blessings rained down for Haiti tonight.
Cheers!
Tonight, we had our 2nd Annual Fundraising Dinner. This was the first year for a silent auction, and I was in charge of organizing it. My initial goal was to secure 20 items and net $2000 for this part of the fundraiser.
All I can say is that God's grace is overwhelming. My team and other church members managed to come up with FORTY SIX (so amazing it had to be in WORDS) items. Final totals are still coming in, but they are similarly overwhelming.
Don't know if you're religious, but I just have to say that this was indeed the hand of God at work tonight. More later, I'm sure, but I'm still on that "event rush". Blessings rained down for Haiti tonight.
Cheers!
10.26.2007
I am? OLD!
So I have accounts on MySpace and FaceBook. I don't do much with either of them, but I prefer MySpace over FaceBook.
Today on FaceBook, a friend of mine threw a sheep at me.
I logged on to see what that meant, and I'd been "superpoked".
Is it just me? Am I getting old? Or is FaceBook the only place where you can pelt your friends with farm animals and it's a good thing? Odd...
Cheers!
Today on FaceBook, a friend of mine threw a sheep at me.
I logged on to see what that meant, and I'd been "superpoked".
Is it just me? Am I getting old? Or is FaceBook the only place where you can pelt your friends with farm animals and it's a good thing? Odd...
Cheers!
10.24.2007
Fake It Till You Make It!
I'm in a funk.
I have a friend who does leadership/motivational seminars and I can remember him saying "do you think I wake up this cheerful?".
A favorite quote of mine says "Most people are as happy as they make themselves out to be." (or something like that).
With all that in mind, meet Gretchen Rubin. Tell me you don't feel happier just reading her "Twelve Commandments".
Cheers!
I have a friend who does leadership/motivational seminars and I can remember him saying "do you think I wake up this cheerful?".
A favorite quote of mine says "Most people are as happy as they make themselves out to be." (or something like that).
With all that in mind, meet Gretchen Rubin. Tell me you don't feel happier just reading her "Twelve Commandments".
Cheers!
10.23.2007
A Poet Laureate I Am Not
Why is it that my pup is so
driven to bolt out the door?
When we open it thus, it seems that we must
always scream at her "No Princess, NO!"
Enamored as she clearly is
With being out in the front yard.
You'd think that I'd know, out the door she will go
Restraining her, though, is so hard!
Cheers!
driven to bolt out the door?
When we open it thus, it seems that we must
always scream at her "No Princess, NO!"
Enamored as she clearly is
With being out in the front yard.
You'd think that I'd know, out the door she will go
Restraining her, though, is so hard!
Cheers!
10.22.2007
Good for the Monkeys, Bad for the Man
No News is Good News
In perusing some of my favorite daily reads, it seems that many of us out here in the blogosphere are suffering from the same affliction of e-writer's block. "Nothing new to report" or something similar is the title on no less than five of the blogs I read this morning. Good to know it's not just me! The ironic thing is, my life is no less crazy than normal.
Still have Sweet Son #1 and all of the drama that is his second grade life.
Still have the Manimal, who is actually cutting his two-year molars and if that doesn't drive the both of us to drink, nothing will.
Still have the husband, about whom I don't post often, but he's still there, working and being a dad.
Still have Princess Poopy Puppy, who was in doghouse (or cage, in this case) this weekend for peeing in Sweet Son #1's room. We've decided that the previous owners' dogs must've had a particular penchant for that room, because Her Royal Highness can't seem to keep from relieving herself in there.
All in all, still crazy, still busy, still here!
So what's going on with you?
Cheers!
Still have Sweet Son #1 and all of the drama that is his second grade life.
Still have the Manimal, who is actually cutting his two-year molars and if that doesn't drive the both of us to drink, nothing will.
Still have the husband, about whom I don't post often, but he's still there, working and being a dad.
Still have Princess Poopy Puppy, who was in doghouse (or cage, in this case) this weekend for peeing in Sweet Son #1's room. We've decided that the previous owners' dogs must've had a particular penchant for that room, because Her Royal Highness can't seem to keep from relieving herself in there.
All in all, still crazy, still busy, still here!
So what's going on with you?
Cheers!
10.21.2007
Quote o' the Day
"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup." (Anonymous)
10.20.2007
The Darndest Things
Sweet Son #1 has good hair. It's thick, with just a bit of wave. It's a deep chocolate brown. It lays really nicely.
Usually.
Earlier this week, I happened to catch a glimpse of him in the back seat of the car on the way to school. A glimpse of him...and his serious case of bed head.
I said, "What the heck is up with your hair?" And he replied, with all the seriousness of his seven years...
"I don't know, but it's gotta stop!"
Cheers!
Usually.
Earlier this week, I happened to catch a glimpse of him in the back seat of the car on the way to school. A glimpse of him...and his serious case of bed head.
I said, "What the heck is up with your hair?" And he replied, with all the seriousness of his seven years...
"I don't know, but it's gotta stop!"
Cheers!
10.19.2007
In Which Our Protagonist Has a Complete Breakdown and Runs and Hides in the Bedroom
Someone once said "October is the cruelest month." Well, Amen, sister (or brother)! Let's just say that I've been under a bit of stress lately and could really use the time off that a good mental and emotional breakdown would provide. And lest any of you take offense and think I'm making light of those conditions, I've had one, and no, I'm not. If I could just figure out what to do with the children and the dog while I'm out...
Cheers!
Cheers!
10.18.2007
10.17.2007
Soothing the Savage Beast
Well, it's taken me a year, but I'm getting the hang of this blogging thing a bit more every day. MOWD is no longer a silent film! I've added music. Hope you enjoy!
Cheers!
Cheers!
10.16.2007
In Which the Manimal and Sweet Son #1 Carry on An Inane Conversation
Overheard in the back seat on a recent return from soccer practice...
Manimal: "COB!"
Sweet Son #1: "Yeah?"
M: "Shortcut?"
SS#1: "No. No shortcuts."
M: "WHY?" (followed by giggling)
M: "COB!"
SS#1: "Yeah?"
M: "Shortcut?"
SS#1: "No. No shortcuts." (followed by giggling)
M: "WHY?" (followed by giggling)
M: "COB!" (followed by giggling)
SS#1: "Yeah?" (followed by giggling)
M: "Shortcut?" (followed by giggling)
SS#1: "No. No shortcuts." (followed by giggling)
M & SS#1: (maniacal giggling ensues)
And my friends wonder why I sometimes need a drink.
Cheers!
Manimal: "COB!"
Sweet Son #1: "Yeah?"
M: "Shortcut?"
SS#1: "No. No shortcuts."
M: "WHY?" (followed by giggling)
M: "COB!"
SS#1: "Yeah?"
M: "Shortcut?"
SS#1: "No. No shortcuts." (followed by giggling)
M: "WHY?" (followed by giggling)
M: "COB!" (followed by giggling)
SS#1: "Yeah?" (followed by giggling)
M: "Shortcut?" (followed by giggling)
SS#1: "No. No shortcuts." (followed by giggling)
M & SS#1: (maniacal giggling ensues)
And my friends wonder why I sometimes need a drink.
Cheers!
10.15.2007
Moment in the Spotlight
I'm practicing for NaBloPoMo, and I can't think of anything really pithy or humorous today, so check out some of my reads, reflective of my diverse interests. You're bound to find one you like!
Jennsylvania
From Bryan's Office
Ashley's Closet
Stuff on My Cat
Bethlehem Blog
Badger Meets World
Barely Keeping It All Together
The Happiness Project
Make Your Own Damn Dinner
Cheers!
Jennsylvania
From Bryan's Office
Ashley's Closet
Stuff on My Cat
Bethlehem Blog
Badger Meets World
Barely Keeping It All Together
The Happiness Project
Make Your Own Damn Dinner
Cheers!
10.14.2007
Quote o' the Day
"If you can't be a shining example, you'll have to serve as a horrible warning." (Anonymous)
10.13.2007
It's My Party!
Looking at the calendar, it appears as though I've been musing for a whole year already! What fun! Although I'll probably never reach the popularity of my two first blog reads Quinn (although I hope to author a book someday, so I'll probably come running for advice) or Mel (who knew that an upper class preppy socialite could be so down-to-earth and, well, classy?), I'm having a blast and meeting some totally fun blogging buddies! And so, in the words of Sweet Son #1...
Happy Birthday to You (cha, cha, cha)!
Happy Birthday to You (cha, cha, cha)!
Happy Birthday Working Diva!
Happy Birthday to You (ooh-la-la, piz-za!)!
Cheers!
Happy Birthday to You (cha, cha, cha)!
Happy Birthday to You (cha, cha, cha)!
Happy Birthday Working Diva!
Happy Birthday to You (ooh-la-la, piz-za!)!
Cheers!
10.12.2007
It's not bribery, it's an incentive!
When I was in second grade, I was in a Catholic grammar school. For those of you who know Catholic education, you know that penmanship classes were a regular part of the curriculum of Catholic grammar schools at least up to the late 1970's. Pages upon pages of lines, loops, circles and curves took us from the Zaner-Bloser method of printing through the D'Nealian method of cursive. For many folks, all it takes is one look at their signature and the reader knows they were a product of the Catholic school system.
Sweet Son #1 is in second grade, but in a public school. Where they don't have penmanship classes on a regular basis (read: ever). His handwriting is, at best, illegible and at worst, atrocious. Sometimes HE can't even read what he wrote! Of course, he knows how to navigate around the internet like a pro, but that's a rant for another day!
At the parent-teacher conference last week, SS's teacher, Mrs. G. gave me some writing paper and tips on how to help him improve his printing so he would be ready for cursive in second grade. This was, of course, after I ranted for a bit on why exactly it was that the school district waited until SECOND GRADE to decide that handwriting was important.
But I digress. So SS #1 has been somewhat willingly practicing writing his spelling words three times each with no backwards or capital letters. Nana sent him a wonderful practice book and told him that for every week of practice pages he completed, she would send him $5 to put into his Disney spending account. Told him that he had to do one activity every day, including Saturday and Sunday, and if he completed all of them, by the time we go to Disney World, he will have FIFTY DOLLARS to spend. To a 7 year old, you may as well have just told him he'd have a million dollars!
So far, the bribe (I mean, incentive) has been working pretty well. Do you think she'd strike the same deal with her daughter?
Cheers!
Sweet Son #1 is in second grade, but in a public school. Where they don't have penmanship classes on a regular basis (read: ever). His handwriting is, at best, illegible and at worst, atrocious. Sometimes HE can't even read what he wrote! Of course, he knows how to navigate around the internet like a pro, but that's a rant for another day!
At the parent-teacher conference last week, SS's teacher, Mrs. G. gave me some writing paper and tips on how to help him improve his printing so he would be ready for cursive in second grade. This was, of course, after I ranted for a bit on why exactly it was that the school district waited until SECOND GRADE to decide that handwriting was important.
But I digress. So SS #1 has been somewhat willingly practicing writing his spelling words three times each with no backwards or capital letters. Nana sent him a wonderful practice book and told him that for every week of practice pages he completed, she would send him $5 to put into his Disney spending account. Told him that he had to do one activity every day, including Saturday and Sunday, and if he completed all of them, by the time we go to Disney World, he will have FIFTY DOLLARS to spend. To a 7 year old, you may as well have just told him he'd have a million dollars!
So far, the bribe (I mean, incentive) has been working pretty well. Do you think she'd strike the same deal with her daughter?
Cheers!
10.11.2007
10.10.2007
Jane's Addiction
Well, it's not really Jane's addiction. It's mine. All mine, and you can't have any.
What are these delectable little morsels on which I'm hooked?
Wasabi Peas.
Yes, dear readers, it's true. As I've aged (ahem, matured), so too has my palate. The younger, less cultured me would never have been able to get the little delicacies past my sensitive tongue. Now, it's like the Lay's Potato Chip tagline "Betcha can't eat just one" (and no, thank you very much, I can't).
I'm sure you can get them at many fine retailers. Mine were picked up (on a whim) at my local Whole Foods Market. This culinary excursion also brought Naan Bread, Panko Breadcrumbs, Ginger Pear Butter, White Asparagus, Organic Polenta Meal, Organic Pearl Barley and Pellegrino Water into my normally child-friendly kitchen. Lest you think I've suddenly won the lottery or come into an inordinately large grocery budget for the month, this trip (And it is a trip. In the Windy City Suburbs, "local" is relative!) was courtesy of a $75 gift card that I got in a silent auction basket I won. I decided to splurge on items I wouldn't normally purchase. As excited as I am about all of my finds, I have to say that the Wasabi Peas are the clear fave!
I have $13 left on my gift card. Guess what it's going for?
Any other addicts out there?
Cheers!
What are these delectable little morsels on which I'm hooked?
Wasabi Peas.
Yes, dear readers, it's true. As I've aged (ahem, matured), so too has my palate. The younger, less cultured me would never have been able to get the little delicacies past my sensitive tongue. Now, it's like the Lay's Potato Chip tagline "Betcha can't eat just one" (and no, thank you very much, I can't).
I'm sure you can get them at many fine retailers. Mine were picked up (on a whim) at my local Whole Foods Market. This culinary excursion also brought Naan Bread, Panko Breadcrumbs, Ginger Pear Butter, White Asparagus, Organic Polenta Meal, Organic Pearl Barley and Pellegrino Water into my normally child-friendly kitchen. Lest you think I've suddenly won the lottery or come into an inordinately large grocery budget for the month, this trip (And it is a trip. In the Windy City Suburbs, "local" is relative!) was courtesy of a $75 gift card that I got in a silent auction basket I won. I decided to splurge on items I wouldn't normally purchase. As excited as I am about all of my finds, I have to say that the Wasabi Peas are the clear fave!
I have $13 left on my gift card. Guess what it's going for?
Any other addicts out there?
Cheers!
10.09.2007
A Dog Possessed
Being relatively new to the world of canine ownership (or is that being owned by your canine?), I have a question for all of my fellow dog-lovers.
Is your dog possessed?
Once a day, usually in the evening, Princess Poopy Puppy starts running around our kitchen/family room area like she's on speed. from the fireplace to the stove, around the island, back to the fireplace, around the chairs and back again, she's like a whirling dervish.
If the Manimal is still awake, he just stands back and watches, head moving back and forth like he's watching the most intense match at Wimbledon. And on and on she runs, for 5 minutes or so. Then she stops to get a drink.
Then she's done.
My dog is possessed.
Cheers!
Is your dog possessed?
Once a day, usually in the evening, Princess Poopy Puppy starts running around our kitchen/family room area like she's on speed. from the fireplace to the stove, around the island, back to the fireplace, around the chairs and back again, she's like a whirling dervish.
If the Manimal is still awake, he just stands back and watches, head moving back and forth like he's watching the most intense match at Wimbledon. And on and on she runs, for 5 minutes or so. Then she stops to get a drink.
Then she's done.
My dog is possessed.
Cheers!
10.03.2007
...and f ' uck too!
Oh my goodness! Has it really been more than a month? How in the world did I let this go so long?
A quick update, if for no other reason than it will make me feel better for being so blog-neglectful!
Our Gala Scholarship Dinner was a smashing success, with the stunningly gorgeous Grand Ballroom at the Chicago Hilton as our backdrop. Absolutely lovely, with loads of money raised for needy college students. Thank goodness, or it would've meant that the previous six weeks (and several months in the planning) was a total waste of my time!
My first official foray into the world of college professorship (albeit adjunct) is going well, and a handful of my twenty students actually want to be professional event planners. Poor souls...
The manimal has uttered his second pseudo-obscenity. Thoroughly amused by his toddler-speak for "glasses", Nana decided to teach him "fire truck". You can guess where that went.
Sweet Son #1 (and Mom) survived his tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. Have I mentioned that he has a flair for the dramatic? The nurse who came to speak with me when they brought him to recovery even mentioned it. Seems as though he was complaining so insistently of the pain when he woke up (which, as I understand it, is somewhat unusual, as they still tend to be numb at that point), that they had to administer a milligram of morphine. All is back to normal, with the runs to soccer, scouts and all school activities.
Princess Poopy Puppy is approaching her first birthday, and is becoming more like a child every day. She absolutely craves attention, and has actually become a bit jealous of the Manimal and the attention he gets. As I type this, she is sleeping on my feet, glad to have me to herself for a while.
I traveled to Western New York on business this past weekend, and had the opportunity to go to Niagara Falls. I hadn't been since I was a child, and didn't remember how truly amazing it was. We even took the famous "Maid of the Mist" tour, which was breathtaking (and wet).
So there are my excuses. Hope you all have had an exciting month as well! :)
Cheers!
A quick update, if for no other reason than it will make me feel better for being so blog-neglectful!
Our Gala Scholarship Dinner was a smashing success, with the stunningly gorgeous Grand Ballroom at the Chicago Hilton as our backdrop. Absolutely lovely, with loads of money raised for needy college students. Thank goodness, or it would've meant that the previous six weeks (and several months in the planning) was a total waste of my time!
My first official foray into the world of college professorship (albeit adjunct) is going well, and a handful of my twenty students actually want to be professional event planners. Poor souls...
The manimal has uttered his second pseudo-obscenity. Thoroughly amused by his toddler-speak for "glasses", Nana decided to teach him "fire truck". You can guess where that went.
Sweet Son #1 (and Mom) survived his tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. Have I mentioned that he has a flair for the dramatic? The nurse who came to speak with me when they brought him to recovery even mentioned it. Seems as though he was complaining so insistently of the pain when he woke up (which, as I understand it, is somewhat unusual, as they still tend to be numb at that point), that they had to administer a milligram of morphine. All is back to normal, with the runs to soccer, scouts and all school activities.
Princess Poopy Puppy is approaching her first birthday, and is becoming more like a child every day. She absolutely craves attention, and has actually become a bit jealous of the Manimal and the attention he gets. As I type this, she is sleeping on my feet, glad to have me to herself for a while.
I traveled to Western New York on business this past weekend, and had the opportunity to go to Niagara Falls. I hadn't been since I was a child, and didn't remember how truly amazing it was. We even took the famous "Maid of the Mist" tour, which was breathtaking (and wet).
So there are my excuses. Hope you all have had an exciting month as well! :)
Cheers!
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